Treasure Springs Erupt

As per custom, after the sages finished their contest, it was the juniors' turn. However, because of Meng Chen's presence, the sages tacitly agreed to cancel the tradition.

Among the four teachings, only Meng Chen was a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal—and one who had cultivated the Primordial Nine Seals to the realm of Fusion of Dharma and Self at that.

Not to mention that among the Chan, Intercepting, and Western teachings, not a single disciple could match Meng Chen; even if the disciples of all three teachings joined forces, they would still be beaten down by Meng Chen alone.

Such a contest would serve no purpose other than to crush the confidence of the three teachings' disciples.

Still, the sages had other ideas.

"In years past, we received the teacher's instruction in the Purple Cloud Palace. Today, we have taught and transformed the living beings, achieving modest success. How about we see just how much of our skills these juniors have truly learned?"

As the Eldest Senior Brother of Xuanmen, Sage Laozi held the highest authority among the sages. Thus, he was the first to propose.

Yuanshi Tianzun and Master Tongtian unconditionally agreed to Sage Laozi's proposal. The more formal the occasion, the more they needed to display the unity of the Three Pure Ones.

Even if one sought to teach and transform all living beings, one still needed strength. That the Kunlun Wonderland could remain far from the flames of war was thanks to the prestige of the Three Pure Ones.

The Two Sages of the West exchanged a glance and smiled. In the end, Sage Zhunti stepped forward as the spearhead.

"Elder Brother Laozi, forgive my bluntness, but Nephew Meng Chen's cultivation is simply too high. If he is included in the assessment, I fear the other juniors will have little chance to shine."

Sage Laozi smiled faintly, greatly pleased. The Three Pure Ones shared honor and disgrace; Yuanshi Tianzun's glory was also his and Master Tongtian's glory.

"Nephew Meng Chen is indeed exceptionally gifted, but this assessment is not about having the disciples fight each other. It is about having them compete in Calamity Fate."

"Calamity Fate competition?"

Sage Jieyin was slightly taken aback. "How is it to be done?"

"Back in the Purple Cloud Palace, the teacher set out six cattail mats, and only we were allowed to sit. Fellow Daoist Hongyun and Fellow Daoist Kunpeng did sit, but because their karmic affinity was shallow, they lost the Sage Position. Now, why don't we follow the teacher's example and let the disciples compete in karmic opportunity?"

"Beneath Sacred Spring Peak lies a treasure cave, pregnant with countless treasures. Every ten million years, the treasures within the cave erupt through the three hundred and sixty-five Treasure Springs atop Sacred Spring Peak."

"My suggestion is this: let the disciples each choose a region as their preferred landing spot for treasures. When the treasures erupt, they are forbidden from using any Daoist arts or magical power; they must let the treasures fall as they will. Whoever obtains more treasures, and more precious treasures, has the stronger Calamity Fate."

The Two Sages of the West brightened at this suggestion. Treasures to be gained without lifting a finger—wasn't this a pie falling from the sky? As for winning or losing, did it matter?

After Sage Jieyin gave a slight nod, Sage Zhunti laughed heartily. "In that case, let it be as Elder Brother Laozi says."

Soon, the sages conveyed the rules of the competition to their respective disciples.

The disciples of the Western Church were on high alert. They gathered together, studying the terrain and the flow of feng shui, and quickly found what they believed to be the ideal landing spot for treasures.

The disciples of the Intercepting Teaching, meanwhile, combined the formations of heaven and earth to choose the most advantageous position for themselves.

With five sages watching, the disciples of the two teachings naturally dared not come to blows at such a time. To strike now would be to offend the sages' dignity.

After the Western Church and Intercepting Teaching disciples had chosen their treasure landing points, few good positions remained for the Chan Sect and the Human Teaching.

"Eldest Senior Brother, how should we choose?"

Seeing that all the prime feng shui spots had been taken by the Intercepting Teaching and Western Church, Guang Chengzi couldn't help but worry. The Chan Sect already had few disciples; if they couldn't even secure a good position, how could they compete with the Intercepting Teaching and Western Church?

Meng Chen was not flustered in the slightest. He waved his hand.

"Heavenly materials and earthly treasures belong to the virtuous. It's not about taking a good spot and having treasures flock to you. Go, follow your heart, let it come naturally!"

Having comprehended his own Dao, Meng Chen's state of mind had grown ever stronger.

In truth, he had no desire to compare himself with others. The strength or weakness of others did not affect his own.

What he truly cared about was his own progress. As long as each day made him stronger than the day before, that was a success.

This kind of contest suited Meng Chen's intentions perfectly. He too wanted to know just how strong his Calamity Fate truly was.

Perhaps the sages had intervened to control the timing of the Treasure Springs' eruption. After the Human Teaching and Chan Sect disciples had chosen their landing spots, three hundred and sixty-five pillars of light rose from Sacred Spring Peak. The mountain trembled, and strains of celestial music rang through the void.

Boom!

Boundless treasure qi burst from another time-space into the Primordial Wilderness, flooding the entire Sacred Spring Peak. Within those three hundred and sixty-five pillars of light, countless treasures manifested.

Yuanchen Gold Crystal Stone, Yin-Yang Qiankun Jade, Ten Yuan Heavy Water, Taiji Golden Flower, Tian Yuan Divine Stone, Green Lotus Earth Core Flame, Raging Lion Fierce Gang Qi... all were extremely precious materials.

The Western Church disciples' eyes went wide at the sight of so many heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

It wasn't that the Western Church was so poor it couldn't make ends meet. The Two Sages of the West could hold any meeting they liked, send an invitation to the Xihai Dragon King, and he would come scurrying to deliver resources to the Western Church.

However, the Western Church had far too many disciples. The already scarce resources, when divided among each disciple, amounted to very little.

Swish, swish, swish!

Treasures fell like raindrops, pattering onto the ground—and into the hearts of every Western Church disciple.

Daoist Maitreya raised his hands, shouting in his heart toward the heavenly materials: "Come to me, come to me!"

Daoist Bhaisajyagya rubbed his hands vigorously, then breathed on them, as if trying to improve his luck with the gesture.

Bilanpo appeared calm on the surface, maintaining her image as the Western Church's number one beauty, but in truth, her heart was in her throat.

Whoosh!

The treasures fell from the sky, scattering evenly across every inch of land, granting great gains to every junior.

"How do the two younger brothers find this method of competition for the juniors?"

Seeing the Two Sages of the West grinning from ear to ear, Sage Laozi asked.

"Haha."

Sage Zhunti laughed heartily. "This is all thanks to the three senior brothers' help, which gave my disciples this opportunity."

However, as the sages were conversing, a crystalline pill shot out from one of the Treasure Springs, flying straight toward Meng Chen. This pill was wrapped in dense, primal Dao charm, radiating outward in rings, like a star falling to the mortal world.

"An Innate Spirit Pill!"

Seeing this, Sage Zhunti's heart leaped into his throat.

An Innate Spirit Pill was no ordinary elixir. It was typically formed when a Primordial Saint fell, their origin scattering into heaven and earth and being refined within the Heaven and Earth Furnace into a divine pill.

In other words, an Innate Spirit Pill contained the origin of a Primordial Saint. Any living being who consumed it could transform into a Primordial Saint!

"Collect!"

Meng Chen knew a good thing when he saw one. Seeing the Innate Spirit Pill flying toward him, he reached out with a great hand and snatched it into his grasp.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Yuanshi Tianzun also laughed, far more heartily than Sage Zhunti had just moments ago.