As the two disciples retreated, Yuan Shi Tianzun pondered, "Biyun was supposed to be killed by Nezha, but not only did he survive, he even killed Nezha instead. Could he be a variable in the grand scheme?"
Yuan Shi Tianzun fell silent for a moment, his fingers tracing invisible patterns as he tried to divine the future. But the chaos of the impending calamity clouded his vision.
"The tribulation has already begun, and the veil of fate is too thick. I can't even see the destiny of a mere third-generation disciple of the Jie Sect."
Shaking his head, Yuan Shi Tianzun dismissed Biyun from his thoughts. In his eyes, Biyun was nothing more than an insignificant ant, unworthy of even a place on the Investiture List. Once the great calamity fully erupted, any disciple could easily eliminate him.
Meanwhile, Biyun, now without the protection of Shi Ji, followed Zhao Gongming back to the Luofu Cave on Mount Emei. With Shi Ji gone, Biyun had no one to rely on, so he decided to absorb the three hundred years of cultivation rewarded by his system.
Sitting in the quiet chamber, Biyun focused intently on his cultivation. Three hundred years of cultivation wasn't much, but with his full effort, it quickly integrated into his existing power.
"Boom!"
A thunderous roar echoed in Biyun's mind as his cultivation broke through once again, reaching the peak of the Earth Immortal realm.
Combined with the previous three hundred years, it had taken six hundred years of cultivation just to reach this point. Breaking through to the Heavenly Immortal realm would require even more time.
But with his "Survival King" system at his disposal, Biyun wasn't overly worried.
"My master is dead, my junior brother is dead, and I've killed Nezha. For now, things should calm down, as the great calamity hasn't fully erupted yet," Biyun mused to himself.
He knew this peace was only temporary. Once the calamity fully unfolded, he, as a loose end, would inevitably be targeted. Without absolute strength, survival would be nearly impossible.
Just as Biyun's cultivation broke through, a new task prompt appeared. He had come to understand that the system was his guide, pointing him toward the safest path and helping him avoid danger.
"Let's see what this task is about," Biyun thought, opening the system interface. Three options appeared before him:
Option 1: Stay at the Luofu Cave on Mount Emei and seek Zhao Gongming's protection.
Reward: Top-tier innate treasure, the Sea-Suppressing Golden Bowl.
Option 2: Leave Mount Emei and head to the Golden Turtle Island for refuge.
Reward: Three hundred years of basic cultivation.
Option 3: Leave Mount Emei and hide in the capital city of Zhaoge, waiting to survive the calamity.
Reward: Mid-tier innate treasure, the Golden Light Pagoda.
Biyun analyzed the options carefully. Zhao Gongming would eventually be drawn into the calamity by Wen Zhong and killed by Lu Ya's Seven Arrows Book. Staying with him was a death sentence.
The third option, hiding in Zhaoge, was like jumping into the lion's den—not the best choice either.
That left the second option: heading to the Golden Turtle Island.
"The disciples on Golden Turtle Island were also wiped out in the end. Why is the system suggesting I go there? Is there a hidden opportunity?" Biyun wondered.
After some thought, he decided to trust the system and head to the Golden Turtle Island. With the calamity looming, the island, being a sacred ground of the sages, would offer greater safety. At the very least, he could survive until the showdown.
With this in mind, Biyun prepared to leave. He went to the Luofu Cave to bid farewell to Zhao Gongming.
"Uncle, I've been troubling you these past few days. Now that matters are settled, I wish to go to the Biyou Palace to inform our grandmaster and seek justice for my master," Biyun said respectfully.
Zhao Gongming, feeling guilty for failing to save Shi Ji despite accepting Biyun's Sea-Calming Beads, nodded. "Nephew, I understand. Taiyi is hiding in the Jade Void Palace, and there's little I can do. Let your senior brother accompany you to the Golden Turtle Island. Perhaps our grandmaster can bring justice for your master."
Zhao Gongming assigned his disciple, Chen Jiugong, to escort Biyun. Chen Jiugong, a powerful Xuan Immortal, was just one step away from the Golden Immortal realm.
"Thank you, Uncle. The journey is long, but I'll surely return to visit you if the opportunity arises," Biyun said with a bow.
Though Zhao Gongming hadn't saved Shi Ji, Biyun knew it wasn't his fault.
After bidding farewell, Biyun and Chen Jiugong set off for the Golden Turtle Island. The journey was peaceful, with gentle breezes and drifting clouds, a stark contrast to the chaos they left behind.
Meanwhile, back at the Golden Light Cave on Mount Qian Yuan, Taiyi Zhenren was busy with the grand plan to resurrect Nezha.
As the vanguard of the war against King Zhou, Nezha couldn't be allowed to exit the stage so early. Taiyi Zhenren brought out his treasured immortal lotus and lotus roots to craft a new body for Nezha.
"That Biyun is truly despicable, killing my disciple. I'll make sure he's reduced to ashes!" Taiyi Zhenren muttered angrily as he worked.
With great effort and the expenditure of a thousand years of cultivation, Taiyi Zhenren succeeded in resurrecting Nezha.
The new lotus incarnation made Nezha a hundred times stronger than before.
"Thank you, Master, for saving me. I'll never forget this kindness," Nezha said, kneeling before Taiyi Zhenren.
Gone was his usual arrogance and defiance. Nezha, it seemed, knew how to play the obedient disciple when it suited him.
"There's no need for thanks. As your master, I must save you," Taiyi Zhenren replied, pleased with his work.
"Master, that Biyun escaped this time, but I'll make sure to kill him with my own hands!" Nezha growled, his teeth clenched in anger.
Though he had been killed by Biyun, his three souls and seven spirits had been secretly preserved, and he remembered everything.
What infuriated him most was that his Universe Ring and Cosmic Silk were still in Biyun's possession. The humiliation of being killed by someone far weaker than himself was unbearable.
"That Biyun is hiding in Zhao Gongming's Luofu Cave. We'll deal with him when the time comes," Taiyi Zhenren reassured his disciple.
Having been thoroughly beaten by Zhao Gongming earlier, Taiyi Zhenren was eager for revenge. When the opportunity arose, he wouldn't let it slip away.