Li Er stood to the side, watching the two speak in unison. He rubbed his nose, looking somewhat embarrassed.
He had not expected Third Brother Pan to be so good at keeping secrets. He had not even told his own elder brothers that he had founded a sect outside.
Still, that was a form of protection. It was only human nature.
Li Er made an inviting gesture. "This way, brothers. Let's have some tea first. Here's what happened..."
Grand Pure Saint and Yuanshi Tianzun nodded, concealing their surprise. Since they had come here today, many matters would surely become clear.
There was no need to rush.
At this moment,
Having received word in advance, Wudang had prepared refreshments and tea in a pavilion. Surprise flashed through her eyes when she saw the visitors, but she quickly understood.
Their Interception Sect had already said that the two Saints were its elders. It was not strange for them to come here, and she only felt even luckier to have joined Daoism.
She bowed properly and withdrew.
The three then took their seats.
With a smooth and practiced set of tea-brewing movements, Li Er poured tea for the two of them, displaying all the manners of a host.
Black Dog lay quietly beside Li Er. He kept feeling that something was off. The two had reacted a little too intensely just now.
After three rounds of tea,
"This way of drinking tea truly has its own charm," Grand Pure Saint said earnestly, satisfaction flashing through his eyes.
Li Er's method of brewing and drinking tea suited his tastes perfectly—pure and natural.
Moreover, after several cups, it had a calming and focusing effect.
"You flatter me, First Brother Pan," Li Er said humbly, though a trace of pride flashed in his eyes as he raised his hand and poured them each another cup.
He had put considerable effort into producing these tea leaves. Of course, the resources in the Primordial World were simply too good.
He had asked Third Brother Pan to obtain this spiritual tea for him.
After being processed with his special methods, this tea was no less effective than ordinary pills.
"Wasn't my third brother in the Interception Sect? Why did he create a Daoism sect of his own? What is going on?" Yuanshi Tianzun asked seriously, his eyes full of curiosity.
There were not many people in Daoism now. Had his third brother finally come around and learned to choose disciples based on foundation, origins, and fortune?
Black Dog's ears perked up below. He wanted to know Daoism's origins too.
He knew that the Old Master and Little Master were actually disciples of the Interception Sect, but he did not know why they had come out and founded a sect of their own.
Hearing this, Li Er's smile faded. With a wave of his hand, he sealed off the secret realm, then sealed the pavilion as well to prevent their conversation from leaking out.
"Brothers, please keep today's matter confidential. It is of great importance. One wrong step, and we may be doomed beyond redemption."
"Certainly," Grand Pure Saint replied seriously, surprise deepening in his eyes.
Was this matter really that dangerous?
"Certainly. Please tell us, Brother Li. We are willing to face the difficulties together," Yuanshi Tianzun said in a deep voice, a faint smile flashing in his eyes.
Would Saints like them fear trouble?
No, Third Brother was being this cautious. Could this matter truly be so serious?
Thinking of this, Yuanshi Tianzun immediately said solemnly, "The three of us brothers have always stood united. If Third Brother has run into trouble and did not tell us, then he is in the wrong.
He actually wanted to face it alone, without treating us as his elder brothers."
Li Er revealed an awkward smile, inwardly lamenting how fortunate Third Brother Pan was to have brothers who protected him so fiercely.
He quickly explained, "It is not that Third Brother Pan has encountered trouble. Rather, the Interception Sect will face problems in the future.
The purpose of founding Daoism is to preserve the teachings of the Interception Sect."
Hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun relaxed. He picked up his tea and took a sip, realizing that he had overreacted somewhat.
Grand Pure Saint looked even more confused. What major event could possibly happen to the Interception Sect in the future? He asked curiously, "Brother Li, the Interception Sect is a great Saint sect. How could anything serious happen to it?"
Black Dog also wore a puzzled expression. He pulled out a bone and gnawed on it, ears raised, looking entirely like someone listening to gossip.
He had visited the Interception Sect several times and had never encountered Sect Master Tongtian. However, its formations were practically nonexistent before him, and few of its disciples were particularly impressive.
Li Er slowly began, "It starts with the Interception Sect's doctrine: teaching without discrimination—"
As Li Er explained bit by bit, they came to understand why he and Sect Master Tongtian had founded Daoism. The Interception Sect's future strength was something the Heavenly Dao would not permit to exist.
They were doing this to preserve the Interception Sect's lineage.
He also spoke of how the Demon Race and the Witch Race would clash in the future, because the two races would follow the old path of the dragon, phoenix, and qilin clans.
And the Interception Sect would come after them.
An hour later,
Li Er quietly poured tea for the two of them while they drank cup after cup. The information was simply too explosive.
They needed tea to calm themselves. Even Saints like them had been frightened.
Li Er had revealed some future events, and those events seemed unavoidable. All causes and effects had already been decided.
It was simply impossible to change the fate of the Demon Race and Witch Race. Even the leaders of both sides could not alter it.
Because this matter involved the Heavenly Dao...
They finally understood why Third Brother Tongtian had hidden Li Er away. He was Third Brother Tongtian's chance of survival, and also the Mystic School's chance of survival.
Yuanshi Tianzun now also understood why the Three Pure Ones of the Mystic School would split apart, and why there would later be a great rise.
Grand Pure Saint's expression darkened. Thinking of how the Heavenly Dao would scheme against his third brother in the future filled him with rage.
And all so the Heavenly Dao could control the Primordial World...
Black Dog, lying on the ground, wore an expression of realization. Without noticing, he had eaten half the bone in his paw. What he was thinking now was that they needed to find more disciples and strengthen Daoism.
Daoism could keep hiding like this, and in the future, would they not dominate the entire Primordial World?
Because he seemed to recall Little Master saying that there was still Primordial Violet Qi left. Once the Heavenly Dao's violet qi had all been distributed, the violet qi of the Earthly Dao and Human Dao would still remain undistributed.
Once they found it, they could achieve sainthood by another path.
With his innate divine ability, finding things would be easy, would it not?
"Brothers, having heard why Daoism was founded, are you still willing to join Daoism?" Li Er asked lightly, anticipation flashing in his eyes.
If these two joined, Daoism would have three Quasi-Sage-level experts. As long as they lay low until the proper time came, Daoism would certainly hold a place in the Primordial World.
Besides, he saw the path of lying low in these two. They were entirely like-minded people. To accomplish great things, one had to find like-minded people to work with.
That way, everyone could remain patient and avoid provoking trouble everywhere.
"What are the requirements for joining Daoism?" Yuanshi Tianzun asked curiously, a smile flashing in his eyes.
He had already adjusted his mindset. The events Li Er spoke of lay in the future, so they had plenty of opportunities to prevent them from happening.
Besides, they were Saints. If they laid out plans in advance, they could turn the situation around.
"You are not going to make us, the two elder brothers, acknowledge our third brother as our sect master, are you?" Grand Pure Saint said lightly, a smile appearing on his face.
He had already sorted through everything Li Er had told them in his heart. The future was still far away.
He had plenty of chances to make arrangements.
Not to mention that Li Er now existed as something akin to a chance of survival.
Li Er began introducing Daoism. "Third Brother Pan is the sect master, I am the deputy sect master, and Black Dog is the sect-protecting divine beast.
Our disciples are Eldest Kong, Fat Zhao, Li Fatty, Old Wu Liu, and Xiao Wu.
Our current doctrine is: teaching without discrimination, instructing according to aptitude, expounding all things natural, taking what accords with oneself from all things, and practicing the good and evil of non-action with conscience.
How about you two brothers join Daoism as its elders?"
At this moment,
Yuanshi Tianzun and Grand Pure Saint closed their eyes. They were not considering whether to join Daoism. Rather, they had just heard its doctrine.
That single statement of doctrine gave them considerable insight.
"Very well. We'll join."
"Wonderful! Brothers, come. Let us first study the introductory training course," Ling Er said enthusiastically, excitement filling his eyes.
Wonderful.
At last, he had found two slightly stronger people on whom he could test some of his theories. Whenever he asked Third Brother Pan to cooperate with his research, he never did.
No matter. His two elder brothers had delivered themselves to his door. How could he not make good use of them?
"An introductory training course? What does that mean?" Yuanshi Tianzun asked in confusion, somewhat surprised by the excitement in Ling Er's gaze.
"We are Quasi-Sages. Surely we do not need to study any courses?" Grand Pure Saint said from the side. He could also sense Ling Er's excitement, and he had a faintly bad premonition.
For a dignified Saint like him to have a bad premonition, something about this was rather abnormal.
Thinking of Ling Er's unusual nature, he actually felt a slight sense of danger.
"Oh, that is not right.
This is an excellent tradition of Daoism. Everyone who enters must learn it.
We cannot abolish the rules just because you are Third Brother Pan's eldest and second brothers. That simply will not do," Ling Er said with a troubled expression, as though everyone absolutely had to follow this rule.
Black Dog swallowed the bone in one bite and said coldly, "Heh—when I did the introductory training, I cleared everything in less than half a day. Don't tell me you're afraid that you—can't handle it?
I—I—Little Master—"
Ling Er raised his foot and kicked Black Dog into the distance. He reassured them, "First Brother Pan, Second Brother Pan, do not mind what Black Dog said. This introductory training is only a ceremony. You will clear it very quickly."
If that damned dog scared them away, he would dismantle it tonight.
And that tone made it sound as though he were saying, Surely you aren't worse than a dog?
Black Dog did not consider what kind of being he was. Ling Er had long since engraved all the training programs into his body, and had even stacked a tiny, tiny bit of extra processing ability onto him. Naturally, he could breeze through those lessons.
Did they not see that Fat Zhao, Li Fatty, Xiao Wu, and Old Wu Liu were still working hard to clear them?
"Since it is an initiation ceremony, we will participate," Yuanshi Tianzun said lightly. He agreed with Ling Er kicking Black Dog away.
That damned dog actually dared mock him.
Did it not know he was a Saint?
Eh? Right, it seemed Ling Er did not know they were Saints?
This... seemed rather interesting.
"Then let us begin. Once you clear the introductory training, we will see which divine abilities and cultivation methods suit you. We have them all here," Ling Er said enthusiastically, leading the two toward the back, where he had recently opened up a trial space.
It was perfect for testing the two of them. Originally, this had been intended for Third Brother Pan to test, since he was currently Daoism's strongest cultivator.
Now things were even better. That unreliable Third Brother Pan had run away from home and had not returned for fifty years. Now his two brothers had come looking for him. Was this not perfect?
Grand Pure Saint and Yuanshi Tianzun were curious. What exactly was Daoism's introductory training?
An hour later,
Yuanshi Tianzun and Grand Pure Saint emerged from the trial space.
Yuanshi Tianzun's hair was disheveled, his clothes were tattered, and his eyes flashed with unwillingness. His face was full of defiance.
A dignified Saint like him had actually failed to clear even this introductory training. He was not even as good as a dog.
Remembering Black Dog's earlier mockery made his hair practically stand on end with rage. He had simply not taken the scenes inside seriously enough.
Grand Pure Saint's aura was in disarray, and his face no longer held its usual serene indifference. Anger flickered in his eyes. The training scenes inside had been utterly outrageous!
He had nearly been unable to resist using the power of a Saint to blast everything there to death. In that moment, all his cultivation of the Supreme Emotionless Scripture had been for nothing.
"Brothers, do not lose heart. Let's try again, all right? This introductory training is very simple," Ling Er hurriedly came over to console them, shock flashing in his eyes.
Was this the power of mid-stage Quasi-Sages?
They were actually so powerful. His formations and laws had nearly been shattered by the two of them.
As expected, they still needed strengthening. The Primordial World was indeed dangerous. Even Quasi-Sage-level power was this formidable.
Just then,
Black Dog emerged from the trial space completely unscathed. His hands were in his pockets, a small bone clenched between his teeth, a thick gold chain hanging from his neck. His head was tilted slightly upward, and the corner of his mouth held a mocking smile.
"If you're bad, practice more—"
Yuanshi Tianzun froze for a moment upon hearing this, then asked in a deep voice, "After joining Daoism and becoming an elder of Daoism, can we—"
Ling Er hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, definitely..."
Black Dog was too obnoxious.
Without another word, Grand Pure Saint turned and walked toward the secret realm. Earlier, he had felt somewhat uncomfortable about Ling Er kicking Black Dog, the divine beast, so casually.
But now, he wanted to kick it too—
Yuanshi Tianzun grinned at Black Dog, then turned and walked toward the secret realm. He clenched his fists. That Black Dog needed a beating.
Black Dog removed the bone from his mouth with his paw, slid forward, and hugged Ling Er's leg as he wailed, "Little Master, you have to save me!
You were the one who told me to act this way! Wuwu X﹏X—the Old Master's two elder brothers are so terrifying!!!"
Without changing expression, Ling Er peeled Black Dog's paws off his leg and said lightly, "Are you stupid?
Why don't you hurry up and use a jade slip to record their embarrassing appearances? If they dare lay a hand on you—"
Whoosh—
Black Dog instantly rushed into the secret realm. A wicked grin spread across his face, and his eyes were full of excitement. Why had he not thought of that?
Ling Er rubbed his chin and muttered, "Should I increase the difficulty a little more? It should not break them, right?
Third Brother Pan probably will not blame me for doing this to his elder brothers, will he?
I never heard him mention any elder brothers before. Their relationship probably is not very good. Hmm, that is possible.
Then I'll make it a bit harder for them."
Beyond the chaos—Nüwa Palace.
Time Brother walked past Nüwa Palace while holding the Hundred-Year Maiden's hand. Seeing that Nüwa Palace was still shaking, he immediately became indignant.
A full hundred and fifty years.
This day,
Crack—
The doors of Nüwa Palace opened.
Sect Master Tongtian's face was pale, his lips gray and bloodless, exhaustion in his eyes. His clothes were crooked, one hand braced against the door while the other supported his waist, and his legs trembled slightly.
He had finally come out.
Just as he was about to sigh in emotion, a voice came from behind him.
"Senior Brother~ It seems the medicine still hasn't fully worn off~"
Sect Master Tongtian shuddered all over. Determination flashed in his eyes as he gritted his teeth and unleashed the special escape divine ability Ling Er had given him.
It could ignore all existences, allowing him to vanish instantly and erase all karmic traces of his own existence, making it impossible for enemies to detect where he had gone.
He had once thought this divine ability incomparably embarrassing and unsightly.
Now, he could not care about any of that. He only wanted to leave immediately.
Somersault Cloud!!!
If you can't find the book by its title, try searching for the author instead. It may have simply changed its name!
Before you continue