East Sea,

Vast waves, clear and azure like a celestial pool.

The seawater rippled, with white rainbow remnants lingering in the distant horizon, casting a faint golden glow upon itself, shimmering under the sun.

Tiny clouds floated across the sky, the sunlight beamed through them, reflecting a spectrum of colors onto the sea surface.

"Ding~"

A crisp, melodious bell rang out, and three figures appeared out of nowhere above the sea.

It was Yu Yuan, the Golden Spirit Saint Mother and her apprentice, and Zhao Gongming.

Zhao Gongming had a grim look, his heart still in shock as he asked Yu Yuan, "Nephew, what exactly is going on? How could our Master have ended up like this?"

"It's a long story," Yu Yuan replied solemnly after a glance at Zhao Gongming, "We're still not out of danger. Our Master is a Saint and could pursue us at any moment."

Zhao Gongming nodded upon hearing this, and whispered, "How are your injuries, nephew?"

He had just seen Yu Yuan pierced through the chest by Tongtian Hierarch with a sword.

That was the Qingping Sword!

And it was wielded by a Saint himself!

Surviving that was already unexpectedly miraculous.

Yu Yuan smiled, "My injuries are manageable. Don't worry about me, Uncle."

Relieved by these words, Zhao Gongming then said, "If you're alright, then I'm relieved. In this situation, I'm clueless. It all depends on you now."

"Don't worry, Uncle," Yu Yuan reassured earnestly. "The Master went to the Outer Heaven Chaos to find the Zixiao Palace to protect me. Now that he is affected by the Fallen Saint Pill, I cannot just stand by!

No matter how hard it is, I must find a way to restore him to his original state!"

Zhao Gongming nodded, "Then it's all up to you now!"

The Golden Spirit Saint Mother looked at Yu Yuan worriedly and asked, "What's your plan now?"

Yu Yuan looked at her and said firmly, "Since Master is targeting me, I'll take the responsibility to lead him away. You and Uncle Gongming go to Linhuan Pass and hold the fort for me, in case people from Chan Sect try anything funny."

The Golden Spirit Saint Mother frowned upon hearing this and said, "But wouldn't that put you in great danger?"

Zhao Gongming also advised, "This is too risky! He is a Saint; how can we let you face him alone?"

"I don't want to face the Master alone either," Yu Yuan expressed frankly. "But if you both were with me, I'd have to be extra cautious to protect you! A mere breath from the Master could overpower you."

Zhao Gongming: "..."

That hurts, nephew!

Golden Spirit Saint Mother's face also darkened as she glared at Yu Yuan unhappily.

Yu Yuan held their gazes unyieldingly.

Although his words were harsh, they were true.

Golden Spirit Saint Mother and Zhao Gongming were only Daluo Golden Immortals; they had no chance of resisting the Saint, Tongtian Hierarch.

Indeed, even as a Quasi-Saint, Yu Yuan would only manage a little more leeway in front of a Saint.

However, he had the Chaos Bell, an Innate Treasure, which could just keep him alive if Tongtian Hierarch went easy.

After some thought, Zhao Gongming finally accepted the reality of being a "burden," and said helplessly, "As much as I hate to admit it, what my nephew said is true. Our presence might only hold him back, it's better to follow his plan and head to Linhuan Pass.

The future of our Jie Sect is tied to Linhuan Pass, we cannot afford to lose it!"

Golden Spirit Saint Mother nodded and said to Yu Yuan, "Then your teacher will wait at Linhuan Pass for your news. Remember, don't act rashly."

Upon their agreement, Yu Yuan immediately activated the Chaos Bell.

In an instant, a Light Gate appeared midair, through which one could clearly see the bustling streets and towering walls of Linhuan Pass.

Zhao Gongming nodded to Yu Yuan and was the first to step through the gate.

Golden Spirit Saint Mother looked at Yu Yuan, reiterated her advice, and then walked through the gate with a heavy heart full of worry and reluctance.

Once they crossed the Light Gate, Yu Yuan immediately closed it.

The next moment, a sinister sneer resounded from behind him.

"Those two traitors actually ran off and left you behind... Oh well, the decree from the Master only requires your death, those two, even if alive, can't stir up much trouble."

Hearing this, Yu Yuan's heart sank slightly.

He turned around, and there was the Tongtian Hierarch, who had appeared behind him without notice, at a mere distance of thirty to fifty feet.

Yu Yuan's Divine Thought was exceptionally sharp.

He could clearly notice even the wing-flaps of a mosquito miles away if he wished.

Now, as his spirit was on high alert, his senses should have been at their most acute.

Yet, he had not noticed the Tongtian Hierarch approaching so closely until he spoke!

It meant, had the Hierarch attacked right away, Yu Yuan might not even have had the chance to react.

It was terrifying!

"Swoosh!"

As Yu Yuan's mind raced, Tongtian Hierarch had already launched an attack with the Qingping Sword towards him.

Without a second thought, Yu Yuan summoned the Chaos Bell in front of him.

"Bang—"

A loud crash echoed, leaving Yu Yuan's ears buzzing.

He was pushed back several steps by the force until he finally stopped against a Divine Mountain in the sea.

"That was way too harsh!"

Yu Yuan couldn't help but inwardly complain.

However, he knew that the current Tongtian Hierarch was dominated by an evil corpse and was merely following the decree issued by the Daoist Hong Jun, not genuinely intending to eradicate his own apprentice and grand-apprentices.