Around the Altar, the Taoist venue had already been properly arranged, with the Eight Gates, Nine Fields, Lamps, and Daoist Banners all in place.

In the incense burner, stick incense burned continuously without going out, but its smoke was concealed by the domain formed by the Spirit Talisman, which was why it hadn't been exposed before.

Above the Altar, light pulsed, and indistinctly, three layers of illusory altars superimposed upon each other hovered in midair.

From a distance, those shimmering, three-layered illusory altars seemed like three Portals leading to three distinct worlds, which were also interconnected.

Lei Jun concealed himself to one side. After observing for a moment, a realization dawned on him.

The illusory Altar, formed from three worlds, seemed to vaguely manifest the profound truths of the Celestial Master Mansion's direct transmission, the Three Realms and Three Caverns True Scriptures. It deeply embodied the mysteries of the Taoist Sect's Cave God, Cavern Mystery, and Cavern Truth, connecting the essences of Heaven, Earth, and Man.

Yet, there was a slight difference.

It seemed to exude a wild, primitive aura, as if a calamity from the Ancient Era was imminent.

If the daily Cultivation of Taoist Talisman Sect Cultivators was about constructing a refined civilization, then what emanated from the Altar now was a primal savagery of the same origin, poised and yearning to destroy that civilization.

Realizing this, Lei Jun furrowed his brow slightly.

His gaze swept around. Eventually, his gaze settled on a few individuals.

Three Taoists in deep red Taoist Robes stood shoulder to shoulder on the Taoist venue before the Altar.

They appeared to be one young man and two middle-aged individuals.

The two middle-aged individuals, a man and a woman, were both dressed as Talisman-bestowed Taoists, their expressions solemn.

"The time has come," the middle-aged man said slowly. "The Three Caverns Desolate Divine Tribulation is fully prepared. Let us begin the final ritual together."

The middle-aged Female Crown nodded. "Qi has sent word. Yuan Mobai has grown suspicious; we can't delay any longer."

The three bowed to the Altar in unison, then stepped forward onto the Flying Bridge.

The young Taoist asked, "Taoist Jiang, Taoist Gu, after we activate the Three Caverns Desolate Divine Tribulation, should our main target be Li Song or Li Ziyang?"

The middle-aged Taoist replied, "Under the Three Caverns Desolate Divine Tribulation, the entire Dragon Tiger Mountain's Earth Vein Spiritual Qi will be affected. All who cultivate the legacy of the Celestial Master Mansion will be struck by the backlash of the Earth Vein Spiritual Qi."

"Those with lower Cultivation will die abruptly, while those with higher Cultivation will be injured. We'll need to approach later. It's better to sever one finger than to injure all ten. At that time, we will choose the most critically wounded to eliminate, ensuring our success."

The young Taoist seemed somewhat surprised. "Shouldn't we prioritize those with the Li surname?"

The middle-aged Taoist asked, "By whose hands did your Grandmaster and master die?"

The young Taoist's expression turned solemn. "My Grandmaster fell at the hands of Xu Yuanzhen and Li Hongyu. My master perished at the hands of Shangguan Ning."

His Grandmaster was Yu Qingling, the previous generation's Elder of the Yellow Sky Sect.

The middle-aged Taoist nodded. "My master, your grand-uncle, also perished because of a previous-generation elder of a different surname within the Celestial Master Mansion."

"My martial brother, in his effort to save me, fell to Li Qingfeng's sword; his death, at least, was caused by someone surnamed Li."

"However, my Disciple—hmm, you've met him—died at the hands of Tang Xiaotang."

He glanced at the middle-aged Female Crown beside him. "Gu's master died at the hands of someone with the Li surname. But the one who killed her husband was Yuan Mobai. Her most prized disciple met an early end at the hands of Xu Yuanzhen."

"Qi's prized Disciple died at the hands of Li Zhengxuan. And the grand-disciple he had painstakingly nurtured these past years perished in the battle six years ago, at the hands of Lin Shan, Shangguan Ning's disciple from the Celestial Master Mansion."

"Other surnames?" the middle-aged Female Crown said coldly. "On Dragon Tiger Mountain now, there are only those with the Li surname and the Li surname's slaves. We are the ones considered 'other surnames' now."

The middle-aged Taoist's tone was less intense, calm yet cold. "If they truly wanted to oppose the Li surname, they would have stood with our Grandmaster and masters back then, instead of siding with the Li surname and making enemies of us."

"They only remember to oppose the Li Family now? What were they doing all this time? What's happening on Dragon Tiger Mountain at present is merely infighting among treacherous remnants."

"They are all scum that we need to cleanse our sect. Naturally, it would be best if we could eliminate them all at once."

The young Taoist nodded first, then said, "This Disciple merely thought that since this opportunity is rare, we should prioritize the Li surname as the primary target, ensuring none escape."

After the three crossed the Flying Bridge, he looked up at the Altar before them:

"After all, performing the ritual for the Three Caverns Desolate Divine Tribulation is exceedingly difficult. The materials have always been incomplete. If not for this, neither Grandmaster nor the Sect Leader would have seen their ambitions unfulfilled in the battle six years ago."

Hearing this, Taoist Jiang nodded slightly. "Therefore, we only have this one chance. We absolutely cannot afford to fail this time!"

Gu, the Female Crown, suddenly asked, "Taoist Jiang, through what channels did Qi suddenly manage to gather all the materials needed for the Three Caverns Desolate Divine Tribulation?"

Taoist Jiang's expression was calm. "Gu, I know what you're thinking. As far as I know, your guess is correct."

Gu narrowed her eyes. "Taoist Jiang, I don't mind Qi receiving external support. I'm just worried that the other party's ambitions are... immense."

Taoist Jiang said, "Doesn't Qi harbor the same concerns? But to cleanse our sect and reclaim our Dragon Tiger Mountain Ancestral Court, we must do this."

Gu said, "I understand the reasoning, and it's not that I disagree. It's just that the other party is too mysterious. My heart is uneasy."

After a pause, she asked softly, "Back then, on the Grand River, when that person suddenly appeared and severely injured Li Qingfeng, was it truly just for personal grievances?"

Taoist Jiang replied, "Although I don't know exactly what this person wants, I believe it's not that simple. However, we need the Three Caverns Desolate Divine Tribulation."

He looked up at the Altar's Earth Door and strode in first. "The hour has arrived. Let's begin immediately."

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