The Western Church Arrives

A thousand years later, the Dao Discussion Assembly was held as scheduled, the venue set up on Sacred Spring Peak.

Sacred Spring Peak was a unique mountain, upon which sat three hundred and sixty-five Treasure Springs, corresponding to the Heavenly Constellations above.

Every ten million years, these three hundred and sixty-five Treasure Springs would erupt, spewing forth all manner of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. These treasures could be pills, Magic Treasures, or all kinds of rare and exotic wonders.

According to the immortals of the Plant Spirit Race, Sacred Spring Peak had once erupted an Innate Spiritual Treasure called the Wind-Calming Pearl, which was eventually obtained by a wandering cultivator deep in West Kunlun.

Meng Chen had pored over the historical records of the Three Pure Ones Palace and made his calculations, discovering that the time of the Dao Discussion Assembly coincided precisely with the eruption of Sacred Spring Peak.

Thus, Meng Chen suggested to Yuanshi Tianzun that the Dao Discussion Assembly be held on Sacred Spring Peak. First, to showcase the outstanding talents and rich resources of the East to the Western Church, and second, to bestow a stroke of fortune upon the living beings of Kunlun Mountain.

The words of a Sage were ineffably wondrous; even the disciples of Sages could only hear them on special occasions. If the living beings of Kunlun Mountain were fortunate enough to hear the five Sages discussing the Dao, the path of cultivation on Kunlun Mountain would surely flourish.

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

On that day, the sky was clear for ten thousand miles, the sun blazing brightly. Flags fluttered on the venue grounds, and spiritual light shimmered.

The entire venue was divided into five large areas, arranged according to the five cardinal directions. On the flags were painted the words "Teaching of Humanity," "Chan Sect," "Intercepting Teaching," "Western Church," and "Western Church."

The two Western Church flags were different. The first was the color of light, embroidered with a sun and a Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus that gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight. The other Western Church flag was dark and shadowy, embroidered with a root burrowing into the soil.

In each area, tables were set up, laid with Spiritual Wine and Spiritual Fruit prepared in advance. On the table of every Western Church disciple, Meng Chen had thoughtfully prepared a gift—an Acquired Spiritual Treasure.

Of course, these Acquired Spiritual Treasures were all of the dust-repelling, sun-shading, cleansing, and beautifying variety, possessing no offensive or defensive capabilities.

For this assembly, Meng Chen, Guang Chengzi, and the others had been busy for a long time, striving for perfection in every detail.

When the hour arrived, the Teaching of Humanity and the Intercepting Teaching arrived on schedule. Grand Master Xuandu and Our Lady of Wudang led their respective junior brothers and junior sisters to the venue.

Seeing that everything at the venue was in perfect order, they nodded to Meng Chen and took their seats. Only after they sat down did they notice that the Chan Sect had actually prepared two areas for the Western Church.

"This seems rather inappropriate. Although the West has two Sages, the Western Church has two Sect Masters!"

"Surely the Sages of the Western Church won't sit separately?"

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

Hum hum hum!

The sounds of Sages echoed, Purple Mist from the East arose. Amidst the myriad phenomena filling the sky, the Three Pure Ones, as the hosts, arrived first at the venue.

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

Meng Chen, Guang Chengzi, and the others, as the organizers of the assembly, also bore the task of receiving the guests. The five of them walked together toward the Western Church contingent.

"Disciple Meng Chen, by order of my master, has come to welcome Uncle-Master Jieyin, Uncle-Master Zhunti, and the junior brothers and sisters of the Western Church into the venue."

Sage Jieyin wore a face full of compassion, his Dharma form solemn and majestic. Sage Zhunti, on the other hand, had sharp eyes that seemed capable of piercing through all things. The disciples behind them were all solemn in expression, with profound magical power and clear, calm minds—clearly no ordinary characters.

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

In the past, whenever he and Sage Jieyin appeared together, others would automatically overlook him. Not that they ignored his existence, but they treated him merely as Sage Jieyin's junior brother, not as himself.

The Western Sect Master was compassionate and selfless, but the Second Sect Master of the West was considered unseemly and disgraceful.

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

After bowing, Meng Chen led the Western Church contingent toward the venue.

When he saw that the Western Church had two flags, Sage Jieyin's gaze flickered slightly, but Sage Zhunti's eyes lit up at once. He cast a satisfied look at Meng Chen, feeling that Meng Chen understood him best.

He, Zhunti, was also a Sage. It was only out of respect for Sage Jieyin that he had not broken away from the Western Church. But that did not mean he was Sage Jieyin's appendage.

He, Zhunti, and Sage Jieyin stood on equal footing—there was no distinction of who was above and who was below.

When Sage Zhunti clearly saw the content of the flag belonging to him, the way he looked at Meng Chen was as if he had found a kindred spirit.

Finally, someone understood him!

"Nephew-Disciple, what is the meaning of that flag?"

Sage Zhunti asked aloud.

It wasn't that he didn't know the meaning of the pattern on the flag; he simply wanted Meng Chen to proclaim his greatness before the five Sages.

Meng Chen bowed respectfully and said with a face full of reverence:

"Among All Heavens and Myriad Realms, there are countless great beings who have made innumerable contributions to the Primordial World. However, a small number of these great figures, though they have accomplished many magnificent deeds, have hidden their merits and kept their names unknown."

"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 took the liberty of refining this flag for Uncle-Master, and I hope Uncle-Master will not take offense."

Upon hearing this, Sage Zhunti felt immensely gratified. His heart trembled, and tears welled up within.

"Nephew-Disciple Meng Chen speaks well! I am precisely such a great man! Who would have thought there is still someone in heaven and earth who understands me! From now on, no one shall harm Nephew-Disciple Meng Chen! Whoever harms Nephew-Disciple Meng Chen is my enemy!"

But on the surface, Sage Zhunti was very modest. He waved his hand and said, "Nephew-Disciple flatters me. How could I be so good? I have only done what I ought to do."

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

Seeing that Sage Zhunti did not even glance at the other area, Sage Jieyin paused for a moment, then said with a compassionate expression, "Nephew-Disciple Meng Chen, you are thoughtful. This junior brother of mine has indeed rendered countless merits to the West."

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

Once everyone was seated, Meng Chen raised his hand. A group of feathered-robe celestial maidens came to the center of the venue, beginning to sing and dance, chanting immortal melodies.

The Western Church disciples, however, had no mind to appreciate the beauties. Seeing the Acquired Spiritual Treasures placed before them, they were somewhat puzzled.

"Heh, fellow junior brothers and sisters, these treasures are small gifts from our three sects—the Teaching of Humanity, the Chan Sect, and the 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 Dharma artifacts. After expressing their thanks, they immediately put away the Acquired Spiritual Treasures, lest they forget them when it was time to leave.