Early morning.

A thin mist enveloped the East Sea, and the dazzling dawn colors distinctly separated the sky from the sea.

In the clear sky, the morning stars were sparse, and several seabirds glided leisurely, freely flying close to the profound ocean surface.

On the sea, an Immortal Island vast as land faintly appeared amidst the morning light.

Ancient trees on the Immortal Island soared into the sky, with silver waterfalls cascading down.

Evergreen pines and vibrant flowers never withered.

Under the cover of the morning radiance, countless Immortal Palaces were scattered across various parts of the island.

The aura of immortality circulated, divine radiance boundless.

Golden Turtle Island, the stronghold of the Jie Sect Immortal Gods!

Yu Yuan and Huo Ling'er rode a white cloud, leisurely drifting into the Immortal Realm of Golden Turtle Island, arriving at Sky Termination Peak where Curved Realm Ark was located.

Under Huo Ling'er's incessant pleas, Yu Yuan finally relented and agreed to take her along to Southern Continent.

After all, his departure from Penglai was merely to secure a Luck God Dragon at Linhuan Pass, posing no danger, so her presence would not be troublesome.

As the two rode the cloud to Sky Termination Peak, numerous figures had already gathered here.

From a distance, they could hear the Jie Sect Immortals chatting and laughing lively.

"Have you heard? Yang Jian, holding a Mountain Opening Axe, chopped his way from South Heavenly Gate up to Lingxiao Palace, causing utter chaos in the Heavenly Court!"

"And that's not all! I heard that even the palaces in Heavenly Court were partly demolished, and so many Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were utterly routed!"

"It seems this Heavenly Court is merely for show, purely superficial."

"Exactly… I heard that Yang Jian has only been cultivating for twenty years, yet with an axe alone he stormed the Heavenly Court, and all those Heavenly Soldiers and Generals couldn't touch him! In the end, it was our fellow Jie Sect Immortal, Yu Yuan, who subdued Yang Jian."

"Hah, if Yu Yuan hadn't been there, Yang Jian might have demolished the Lingxiao Palace too!"

"Haha, now the Heavenly Court is nothing compared to the Ancient Demon Court! Back when I served in the Demon Court, even the Quasi-Saints didn't dare to act recklessly there!"

"What, you're still nostalgic for the Demon Court?"

"No, no… just saying."

"You all just see the surface… I heard that all the trouble Yang Jian caused, like splitting Peach Mountain and rampaging through the Heavenly Court, were all instigated by his master behind the scenes."

"That can't be right? I thought Yu Ding tried to stop him."

"Nonsense! Yu Ding was the instigator!"

"Yang Jian split Peach Mountain and even killed his own mother… Surely, Yu Ding, being a distinguished Chan Sect Golden Immortal, should have known this, right? How could he then incite Yang Jian to do that?"

"Hehe… otherwise, how would Yang Jian have ended up storming the Heavenly Court?"

"Wow!"

"Is Yu Ding really that ruthless? Using even his own disciple? But… what was his motive?"

"Who knows… but with this incident, the name of the Chan Sect Golden Immortals is probably going to plummet."

"Those Chan Sect Golden Immortals are all hypocrites, it's high time their true colors were revealed!"

"You're right. Just seeing them act so self-righteously makes me sick… They're such pretenders!"

"…"

Listening to the discussions of the Jie Sect Immortals, Yu Yuan felt a stir in his heart.

The news of Yang Jian splitting the mountain to save his mother and causing an uproar in the Heavenly Court had spread rapidly, like a storm sweeping through Primordial times.

From one to ten, from ten to a hundred.

Everyone knew, everyone was aware.

Wait… This news spread even faster than a storm.

And every day, numerous new versions emerged.

Some blamed the Heavenly Court for being heartless; some blamed Yang Jian for being extremely violent; some blamed Yu Ding for being duplicitous...

Each version emphasized different points, even conflicting with each other.

Undoubtedly, someone was stirring things up behind the scenes, manipulating public opinion.

And it was not just one faction involved.

Yu Yuan didn't need to think too hard to know who was involved.

He didn't pay much attention and stepped off the auspicious cloud right beside the Curved Realm Ark.

Today, Bai Li Heavenly Monarch was presiding over the Curved Realm Ark.

Having previously received great favor from Yu Yuan, he had been very courteous toward him ever since.

Seeing him arrive, he quickly stood up to welcome him, bowing and smiling, "What brings my two distinguished nephews here today?"

"We are making a trip to Southern Continent, thanks in advance for your help, uncle," Huo Ling'er courteously said.

"Nonsense, this is exactly what I'm here for," Bai Li Heavenly Monarch smiled, waving his hand to cast a barrier around them, then looking at Yu Yuan he whispered, "Nephew, your timing is perfect, I was just about to find you in Penglai.

"I have some hot-off-the-press news that currently only I am aware of... I believe you, my nephew, would be very interested in it."

Yu Yuan's expression flickered slightly, "Uncle Master, are you referring to..."

"Related to the fragments of the Chaos Bell."

Bai Li Heavenly Monarch teased, a mysterious smile on his face, "To others, this news might just be an amusement, but for you nephew, it's worth a fortune."

Yu Yuan's heart trembled, and he chuckled as he took out a basket of Spirit Fruit and handed it over: "Please don't hesitate to share, uncle. If the news is true, I will not treat you unfairly."

These Spirit Fruits were brought by Long Ji during his visit to Linhuan Pass, including two Ren Shui Peaches with purple-striped kernels. Sadly, due to being preserved too long, they had become slightly wilted.

"Eh, nephew, saying such things makes us seem like strangers."

Bai Li Heavenly Monarch did not take the Spirit Fruits, and said with a smile, "Guarding this Curved Realm Ark, welcoming and sending off daily, connecting all over the Primordial lands, not to mention that my news is absolutely reliable!

It's like how you nephew obtained the Enlightenment Tea Tree in Wuyi Mountain and even gifted two tea leaves to Brother Gongming, which are said to help in enlightenment..."

Hearing this, Yu Yuan couldn't help but frown.

Why can't Zhao Gongming keep his mouth shut?

No, this is already being heartless and brainless!

Such a grown man, doesn't he understand the principle of not showing off wealth?

Looks like I need to avoid him a bit next time.

Bai Li Heavenly Monarch, seemingly oblivious to his change in expression, sighed and said, "Honestly, I'm only a step away from qualifying as a Daluo by proving my Dao, but this step has already stumped me for a million years!

If the nephew could share a piece of that Enlightenment Tea Leaf with me... I'm not greedy, just one piece will suffice!

With the aid of the Enlightenment Tea Leaf, I believe I can definitely attain the Daluo Dao Fruit!"

"You want a piece of Enlightenment Tea Leaf?" Huo Ling'er frowned deeply, "Uncle, isn't your request a bit excessive?"

During these past few days since Yu Yuan returned, she had already experienced the miraculous use of the Enlightenment Tea Leaf, well aware of the rarity and preciousness of this treasure.

"It's not excessive, not at all." Bai Li Heavenly Monarch waved his hand, "The fresher the news, the higher its value. Besides, I'm the only one who knows this... If it's left for another ten or fifteen days, this news will probably be known to everyone and become worthless."

Saying this, he laughed and looked towards Yu Yuan, "I know that my nephew has acquired quite a few treasures, surely a mere Enlightenment Tea Leaf is nothing to you."

"Uncle is right, one Enlightenment Tea Leaf is indeed nothing to me," Yu Yuan said with a smile, as he took out the Qiankun Ruyi Bag and reached inside.

Seeing his movement, Bai Li Heavenly Monarch's eyes lit up, a joyful expression appearing on his face, "How generous and open-handed my nephew is... Wait, what are you doing taking out the Investiture of the Gods?"

Yu Yuan took out the Investiture of the Gods, slowly unfolding it while calmly stating, "Uncle's name is Bai Li, Li as in 'gift,' right?"

"What are you doing, nephew?"

Bai Li Heavenly Monarch's face changed abruptly, his eyes filled with panic and anger, he said sternly, "If you are reluctant to part with the Enlightenment Tea Leaf, just pretend I never mentioned it. What are you trying to do with the Investiture of the Gods?"

"That won't do."

Yu Yuan shook his head with a smile, "Just as uncle said, I am very interested in the news about the Chaos Bell fragments."

"If you want the news, then exchange it for the Enlightenment Tea Leaf!" Bai Li Heavenly Monarch calmed down and said sternly, "Nephew, don't think you can intimidate me with the Investiture of the Gods and I'll just tell you about the Chaos Bell fragments?"

Yu Yuan gave a slight smile, "Do you think I'm trying to scare you?"

"Are you really daring enough to write my name on it?" Bai Li Heavenly Monarch coldly said, "I'm not like Long-eared Ding Guang Immortal who has dirt on him that you can exploit!

I've always been upright, never harmed fellow sect members, and have helped many brothers. If you dare to put me on the Investiture of the Gods, you definitely won't end up well!"

"Now that you mention it, I would like to see."

Yu Yuan, smiling, extended a finger and as if holding a pen, wrote Bai Li's name in the air on the Investiture of the Gods.

"How dare you!"

Bai Li Heavenly Monarch's eyes widened, never expecting things would escalate to this extent.

He just wanted to exchange the news for a piece of Enlightenment Tea Leaf. Even if it was a bit of a tall order, it surely wasn't worth being listed!

Yu Yuan is truly lawless!

After the shock, Bai Li Heavenly Monarch suppressed his anger, turned around and was about to leave.

He knew of Yu Yuan's prowess, hence he didn't think of confronting him himself, but planned to seek help from friends and complain at the Biyou Palace.

But just as he turned, a large hand pressed on his shoulder, and simultaneously a wooden stake dropped from the sky, and three golden rings materialized out of nowhere, respectively clasping his neck, waist, and legs.

"Did I let you leave?"

Yu Yuan said leisurely.

Bai Li Heavenly Monarch shouted in shock and anger, "Do you know what you are doing? This is harming a fellow sect member! If the Saintly Master finds out, you will not be spared!"

"Don't worry, you definitely won't be seeing that scene of me being punished," Yu Yuan said nonchalantly, "Because before that, I would have already sent your True Spirit up on the list, leaving you no chance of escape!"

Bai Li Heavenly Monarch felt as if he had plunged into an ice cave.

He knew that the Investiture of the Gods only takes true effect once it's fully populated and reported to Heaven and Earth, and even with his name listed now, there was the Divine Beating Whip that could revise it.

But if it was the True Spirit listed, it would be bound and very difficult to escape!

"It shouldn't have come to this!"

Bai Li Heavenly Monarch forced a smile, looking at Yu Yuan, "It was my fault, nephew just wants to know that news, right? I'll tell you now... I hope the nephew, being a greater person, will spare me this once..."

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