Chapter 0064

Chapter 64: Who Approves? Who Opposes?

Zhou Tong sat as steady as a mountain, his body like ten thousand forges melting into one, able to take in and hold everything.

The Formless Exquisite Pearl bloomed with dazzling light, vivid and bright, carrying the rhythm of the Great Dao that made hearts race. Yet before the light could flee, an invisible pull seized it. Little by little, it flowed back into Zhou Tong’s body.

The process was not short, and it held everyone in place so they could not look away. At last the supreme treasure turned into a molten halo that flickered in Zhou Tong’s palm like a river of stars. He smiled and said: “It’s done.”

He drew in his aura like a dragon drinking a river, then inhaled the light into himself. The movement was so fast that Mo Liu Su could not even react; she just stood there, stunned.

She trembled and said: “How is this possible? He actually refined it. Even a fated person should not be this fast.”

She forced out a stiff smile and said: “Congratulations, Guest Elder. You are one step closer to the Dao.” But to her surprise, Zhou Tong’s presence did not change at all. That felt wrong. Even a power beyond the Heaven-Severing realm would have their dharma image forced to rise after refining this treasure. Yet Zhou Tong showed no growth. Something had to be off.

She did not know that countless strands of red lightning inside Zhou Tong had wrapped the light and sealed it away. Now was not the best time to absorb it. To be safe, he needed to prepare more.

Old records said the Formless Realm is the realm of mastering ten thousand dharma images. In that state, a single mind can become heaven and earth. It can portray mountains and rivers, grass and trees, and even turn into sun, moon, and stars. All things are under control. The “Formless Realm” itself is an invincible dharma image.

To set foot there, one must meet cruel conditions. The Formless Realm is high beyond reach. If you force your way in, your spirit will be washed into “nothing.” At best, your soul takes damage. At worst, it scatters. This is a terrible erosion. To fight it, you must hold emotions that are extremely strong, such as the “Three Poisons”: greed, anger, and delusion.

With Zhou Tong’s rock-steady mind, it was hard for him to raise such intense emotions. This is the common illness of those near enlightenment. No one expected that strong mental stability could block the path to becoming an emperor. So, to cross this gate, he had to borrow other people’s emotions. He glanced at the people below, and the corner of his mouth lifted into a smile: [What a perfect chance.]

Zhao Wu Tian approached with care and watched Zhou Tong’s every change as he asked: “Guest Elder, how do you feel?”

Zhou Tong answered in a calm tone: “A small gain. Not bad.”

Zhao Wu Tian could not help but sigh in his heart. So worthy of this lordly figure. Even after refining such a heavy treasure, he was still as calm as a still lake. Just how deep was his foundation?

Qian Miao Yu gave a reminder that made Mo Liu Su and the others brighten: “Guest Elder, since our friends in the Jade Purity Sect have shown sincerity, shall we turn the page and start the main matter?”

Zhou Tong said coolly, his gaze heating as the people of the Jade Purity Sect turned into fat sheep in his eyes: “I was thinking the same. Please go on.”

Mo Liu Su spoke with a firm look and a voice full of resolve and obsession: “Then I will be direct. As agreed, the Empire and we will join as one, wipe out the Joyous Union Sect, and make my rebellious disciple turn back to me. Do any of you have questions?”

Zhou Tong raised a sound-transmission jade and spoke while linking with Mu Rong Ya, laying the war meeting bare: “I hear your disciple looks a lot like me. He must be stubborn too. Know this: destroying the Joyous Union Sect is easy. Changing one heart is hard. If he refuses to come back, what will you do?”

Mo Liu Su fell silent for a long time.

She gritted her teeth and said: “Then it will depend on your methods. I allow you to deal with him as you wish. Strip his dignity. Break his pride. When he is in true despair, I will step in and take him away. He will submit.”

Zhou Tong asked: “Even if it harms his origin?”

She said: “Of course.”

He asked: “Even if it cripples his cultivation?”

She said: “No problem.”

Zhou Tong rose, his eyes cold: “Other than the brat named Zhou Tong, everyone else in the Joyous Union Sect belongs to me. Who approves, and who opposes?”

Zhao Wu Tian’s face tightened. He had long coveted Mu Rong Ya and wanted to make her his. But faced with this Guest Elder, he did not dare protest. He could only give up his moonlight in the heart.

Tang Qi, who had been a silent backdrop, suddenly jumped out and shouted: “I object. We have already paid. All spoils, including those women, should belong to us. Why should you handle them?”

He was blinded by lust. Even when the Love Gu had not taken effect, his mind kept painting the faces of Mu Rong Ya, the little demoness, and Long Ling Yun. Especially Mu Rong Ya. With that world-toppling beauty, if he could taste her once, he would have no regrets in life.

Zhou Tong’s face sank. He slapped.

A thunderous crack split the air. Tang Qi screamed as he spun eight and a half times in the air, then smashed into the ground.

Zhou Tong’s voice was flat as he asked: “Who else approves? Who else opposes?”

The grand hall fell dead silent.

Mo Liu Su glared at Tang Qi in anger. She did not expect her most sensible disciple to be so reckless. It disappointed her. Tang Qi realized his mistake and bowed his head, trembling, but the poison of hate almost spilled from his eyes.

Zhou Tong raised an eyebrow and sent out his spirit sense, catching a wave of “anger.”

He thought: [Came without effort.] He formed a hand seal, ran a secret art, and gathered Tang Qi’s emotion. Then he judged it and thought with disdain: [Not even one percent. What a waste. Greed and delusion are still missing. The road is long.]

Mo Liu Su made a promise: “We have no objection. Besides Zhou Tong, everyone else is yours to handle.”

Zhou Tong said with a faint smile: “Good. Then we should not delay. I will move now and make your wish come true.”

Everyone except Qian Miao Yu wore shock. They knew Mu Rong Ya’s strength. Capturing her alive was not easy. Yet Zhou Tong spoke like he would grab a rabbit. On what basis?

He said: “Step one, I confirm their location.”

He pressed a finger to his brow. This time he hid nothing. A storm of spirit power burst out and swept over everyone present, then spread outward.