Chương 33: Duobao's Setback

After having a frank conversation with Fang Yang, the Tongtian Sect Leader did not let Fang Yang leave.

Led by Daoist Duobao, the immortals of the Jie Sect had arrived at the foot of Zizhi Cliff. They stood in neat rows, full of fighting spirit, and with firm determination, prepared to meet the Tongtian Sect Leader.

Originally, outer disciples were not allowed to enter Jin'ao Island without permission, but with Daoist Duobao knocking on the door, anyone could enter Jin'ao Island at any time.

The Tongtian Sect Leader reached out and swept his hand across the void, and a screen of light appeared, displaying those faces of righteousness and integrity.

His gaze was deep and fixed on Daoist Duobao; no one knew what he was thinking.

Fang Yang didn't say anything. He had long expected this day, but he had never paid any attention to it.

There are some things he will have to face sooner or later.

The downfall of the Jie Sect was the result of both internal and external troubles.

He had enemies to deal with outside the Jie Sect, and he also had enemies within the Jie Sect.

External demons are demons, and internal demons are also demons. Fang Yang had long been prepared to eliminate demons and defend the righteous path.

"Do you believe that your senior brother is a demon or monster?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader looked at his most prized disciple, without turning to look at Fang Yang, and suddenly asked a question.

Fang Yang really didn't know how to answer that.

If Lü Yue and his associates were a criminal gang, then Daoist Duobao was their protector.

What else could a protector of organized crime be but a demon or monster?

However, that's not the case. After all, Daoist Duobao was the most favored disciple of the Tongtian Sect Leader.

"Our senior brother is unfathomable. He is broad-minded, unconcerned with trifles, compassionate, and a gentleman's sword. He is a role model for us all."

Fang Yang organized his thoughts slightly before speaking.

His words came from the bottom of his heart, so his gaze was exceptionally sincere, and it was clear at a glance that he was not lying.

The Tongtian Sect Leader shook his head slightly. No matter how sincere Fang Yang's words were, they did not conform to the character of Duobao Daoren.

"Your eldest brother wasn't like this before. When I first met him, he was still a treasure rat who fought valiantly to protect his kind and a demon snake. I will always remember his fearless eyes."

The Tongtian Sect Leader spoke in a deep voice as he recounted the past of Duobao Daoist to Fang Yang.

"He came from humble beginnings, but he possessed extraordinary perseverance. After he cultivated himself into an immortal, he told me that he wanted to work with me to help all sentient beings overcome countless eons and reach the other shore of the Great Dao. His expression at that time was incredibly resolute."

"After the establishment of this sect, he fulfilled his duties as the eldest disciple very well. He was extremely filial to his teacher and very caring towards his junior brothers and sisters."

"But, I don't know when it started, he changed. He became blinded by the lust for power. These weren't really big problems in the first place; he was the senior disciple of the sect, and he had no right to control the sect."

"Unfortunately, in order to win people's hearts, he allowed his fellow disciples to commit evil deeds. This not only dragged him into the abyss of destruction, but also caused the fortune of our sect to weaken more and more."

"He has completely changed; he is no longer the clever and brave Treasure Mouse he once was."

The words of the Tongtian Sect Leader were filled with melancholy, and with the helplessness of "things have changed and people are no longer the same, and the original intention is hard to regain".

In the light screen, Daoist Duobao kowtowed towards Biyou Palace, his voice resounding through the clouds, filled with passionate fervor to plead for his fellow disciples.

"Fang Yang, you're just like everyone else; you see everything clearly and dare to say anything. But how long can you keep this up?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader finally turned to look at Fang Yang, his gaze filled with a hint of inquiry.

Fang Yang found it increasingly difficult to understand the Tongtian Sect Leader. He felt that what the Tongtian Sect Leader was about to do was not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

The fact that the Tongtian Sect Leader didn't rectify the Jie Sect is likely not because he was protecting his own, but because he was carrying out some kind of scheme.

Fang Yang could never fathom the mystery behind the sage's plan.

However, when the Tongtian Sect Leader questioned him, he was able to see himself clearly.

He will not change, because the Jie Sect is the foundation upon which he stands in the primordial world.

"Master, I will not persist, for I will grow. I hope that in the future, I can grow into someone who can stand on my own. I only have the Great Dao in my eyes, nothing else."

Power and beauty were fleeting things to Fang Yang. These things could betray or harm him at any moment.

Only strength truly belongs to oneself.

The Master of Heaven neither confirmed nor denied this answer.

He had seen too many beings like Fang Yang throughout the long river of time, but in the end, none of them were able to persevere.

Zulong, Dongwanggong, Dijun... how spirited and ambitious they were when they first ascended to the throne, but after a long period of time, they all changed.

Fang Yang is still very young and inexperienced. His Dao heart is still there, but when Fang Yang's childlike innocence disappears, can he still persist as he does now?

The Master of Heaven had been disappointed many times, and this time, he didn't want to have too high expectations.

Seeing that the Tongtian Sect Leader was not in a good mood, Fang Yang was unwilling to say a lot of empty words and boasts.

A career is built through action, not words. Besides, he does things for himself, not to prove anything to those around him.

Fang Yang's rapid silence and unwavering composure brought a sense of relief to the Tongtian Sect Leader.

Fang Yang's Dao Heart was the strongest he had ever seen. Compared to Fang Yang, Duobao Daoren's Dao Heart was completely insignificant.

Daoist Duobao often hides and deceives himself, while Fang Yang is able to face his true self and then repair the flaws within.

This kind of Daoist mind, though not perfect, will one day be perfected.

"I made the right choice in accepting this disciple. Perhaps the future of our sect truly will be entrusted to him."

"Very well, Duobao will have his own destiny in the future. If he truly has no affinity with our sect, then let him go!"

The Tongtian Sect Leader took a step back and suddenly felt a sense of boundless freedom. All the worries and troubles that had shrouded his heart in the past vanished and never existed again.

Perhaps he was too persistent.

His master-disciple relationship with Duobao is indeed important, but not so important that it's worth sacrificing the future of the Jie Sect.

Fang Yang purged out the scoundrels within the sect and forged powerful allies outside, planning for the eternal merit of the Jie Sect. Such a disciple is the most ideal successor to the mantle.

He, Tongtian, also had to consider the Jie Sect and the future of the prehistoric world; he couldn't use all the opportunities on the same person.

Duobao Daoist and his group prepared to kneel and kowtow three times and climb Zizhi Cliff, using a self-inflicted injury ruse to obtain the mercy of Tongtian Jiaozhu.

However, when they knelt halfway up the mountain, they ran into the Water and Fire Boy.

"Esteemed senior uncles, the Master is discussing important matters of our sect with Junior Uncle. Please return!"

The Water and Fire Child waved his whisk expressionlessly, initiating his shoo-away mode.

Daoist Duobao was completely dumbfounded. What had he just heard? The Tongtian Sect Leader had actually refused his request to see him?!