The Western Church Arrives

A thousand years later, the Dao Discussion Assembly was held as scheduled, with the venue arranged atop Sacred Spring Peak.

Sacred Spring Peak was a special mountain, home to three hundred and sixty-five Treasure Springs that corresponded to the Heavenly Constellations.

Every ten million years, these three hundred and sixty-five Treasure Springs erupted once, spewing forth all kinds of heavenly treasures. These treasures could be pills, magic treasures, or all manner of rare and exotic valuables.

According to immortals of the Plant Spirit Race, Sacred Spring Peak had once spewed forth an Innate Spiritual Treasure called the Wind-Calming Pearl. It had ultimately been obtained by a Rogue Cultivator deep within West Kunlun.

Meng Chen consulted the historical records of the Three Pure Ones Palace and made further calculations, discovering that the Dao Discussion Assembly would happen to coincide with the day Sacred Spring Peak erupted.

Thus, Meng Chen suggested to Yuanshi Tianzun that the Dao Discussion Assembly be held on Sacred Spring Peak. First, it would display the outstanding people and spiritual lands of the Eastern Lands to the Western Church. Second, it would grant the living beings of Kunlun Mountain a stroke of fortune.

The voice of a Sage was wondrous beyond description. Even a Sage's disciples could only hear it on special occasions. If the living beings of Kunlun Mountain were fortunate enough to hear five Sages discussing the Dao, Kunlun Mountain's cultivation world would surely flourish.

In Meng Chen's eyes, all the living beings of Kunlun Mountain were reserve disciples of the Chan Sect. If any force wished to attack the Chan Sect or assault the Jade Void Palace, it would first have to get past the reserves.

That day, the skies were clear for miles, and the blazing sun shone brightly. Banners fluttered throughout the venue, while spiritual light gleamed.

The entire venue was divided into five large areas, arranged according to the five directions. The banners respectively bore the words "Teaching of Humanity," "Chan Sect," "Intercepting Teaching," "Western Church," and "Western Church."

The two Western Church banners differed. The first was bright in color, embroidered with a sun and a Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus. The golden lotus glimmered beneath the sunlight. The other Western Church banner was utterly dark, embroidered with a root plunged into the soil.

Each area had been furnished with rows of tables, upon which spiritual wine and Spiritual Fruit had long been prepared. At every Western Church disciple's table, Meng Chen had also thoughtfully placed a gift—an Acquired Spiritual Treasure.

Naturally, these Acquired Spiritual Treasures were merely dust-repelling, sun-shielding, cleansing, and beautifying treasures. They possessed neither offensive nor defensive capabilities.

For this assembly, Meng Chen, Guang Chengzi, and the others had been busy for a long time, striving to make everything perfect.

When the time came, the Teaching of Humanity and Intercepting Teaching parties arrived as scheduled. Grand Master Xuandu and Our Lady of Wudang led their respective junior brothers and sisters into the venue.

Seeing that everything at the venue was in perfect order, they nodded to Meng Chen before taking their respective seats. Only after sitting down did they realize that the Chan Sect had actually prepared two areas for the Western Church.

"Isn't this somewhat inappropriate? The West may have two Sages, but the Western Church has two sect masters!"

"The Western Church Sages surely won't sit separately, will they?"

The disciples of the Teaching of Humanity and Intercepting Teaching discussed among themselves, all feeling that Meng Chen had ruined the assembly.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Sage voices rang out in waves, and Purple Mist from the East swept in. Amid visions that filled the heavens, the Three Pure Ones, as the hosts, were the first to arrive at the venue.

After the three took their seats, they said nothing, because the Two Sages of the West had arrived.

Meng Chen, Guang Chengzi, and the others, as the assembly's organizers, were also responsible for receiving guests. The five of them went together to greet the Western Church party.

"Disciple Meng Chen has come under my teacher's orders to welcome Uncle-Master Daoist Jieyin, Uncle-Master Daoist Zhunti, and the Western Church's junior brothers and sisters into the venue."

Sage Jieyin wore an expression of compassion, his Dharma appearance solemn and dignified. Sage Zhunti, on the other hand, had sharp eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything. The disciples behind them all looked solemn, possessed profound mana, and had clear spiritual platforms. At a glance, none of them were simple figures.

Upon hearing Meng Chen's words, a trace of surprise flashed through Sage Zhunti's eyes.

Whenever he and Sage Jieyin appeared together in the past, everyone else would automatically overlook him. It was not that they ignored his existence, but that they regarded him as Sage Jieyin's junior brother rather than as himself.

The Western Sect Master was compassionate and selfless, while the Second Sect Master of the West was contemptible and scorned by others.

"Uncle-Master Daoist Jieyin, Uncle-Master Daoist Zhunti, please follow this disciple!"

After paying his respects, Meng Chen led the Western Church group toward the venue.

When Sage Jieyin saw that the Western Church had two banners, his gaze flickered slightly. Sage Zhunti's eyes, however, immediately lit up. He gave Meng Chen an approving look, feeling that Meng Chen understood him best.

He, Zhunti, was also a Sage. He had only not separated from the Western Church because he respected Sage Jieyin. But that did not mean he was Sage Jieyin's subordinate.

He, Zhunti, and Sage Jieyin stood as equals. There was no distinction of one being above and the other below.

When Sage Zhunti saw the contents of the banner assigned to him clearly, he looked at Meng Chen as though he had found a kindred spirit.

At last, someone understood him!

"Nephew, what does that banner mean?"

Sage Zhunti asked.

It was not that he did not know the meaning of the pattern on the banner. He merely wanted Meng Chen to proclaim his greatness before all five Sages.

Meng Chen respectfully bowed, his face full of reverence as he said:

"Among All Heavens and Myriad Realms, there are countless great beings who have made innumerable contributions to the Primordial Wilderness. Yet a small number of these great figures, despite accomplishing many great deeds, conceal both their achievements and their names."

"They are like roots, silently giving to the Primordial World in the dark soil. In this disciple's eyes, Uncle-Master may be such an existence. Therefore, this disciple presumptuously refined this banner for Uncle-Master, and hopes Uncle-Master will not take offense."

Sage Zhunti was deeply pleased by these words. His heart trembled and wept.

"Meng Chen, my nephew, well said! I am exactly such a great person! I never imagined there would be someone in heaven and earth who understood me. From now on, no one is allowed to harm Nephew Meng Chen! Whoever harms Nephew Meng Chen is my enemy!"

Yet outwardly, Sage Zhunti remained very humble. He waved his hand. "Nephew, you overpraise me. How could I possibly be that admirable? I merely did what I ought to do."

With that, he strode forward with his head held high, leading the disciples of Bodhi Hall into his own area.

Seeing that Sage Zhunti did not even glance at the other area, Sage Jieyin's gaze paused briefly before he said compassionately, "Nephew Meng Chen, you have put much thought into this. My junior brother has indeed rendered countless merits to the West."

With that, he led the disciples of Great Mount Sumeru Temple toward his own area.

Once everyone had arrived, Meng Chen waved his hand. A group of fairy maidens clad in feathered robes came to the center of the venue and began singing, dancing, and chanting immortal melodies.

The Western Church disciples had no mind to admire the beauties. Seeing the Acquired Spiritual Treasures laid before them, they were all somewhat bewildered.

"Hehe, junior brothers and sisters, these magic treasures are small gifts from our Teaching of Humanity, Chan Sect, and Intercepting Teaching. Please do not disdain them."

Meng Chen explained at the right moment.

How could the Western Church disciples possibly disdain them? These were Acquired Spiritual Treasures, not ordinary magical artifacts. After offering their thanks, they immediately put away the Acquired Spiritual Treasures, afraid they might forget them when leaving.