Chapter 13

Xuandu's Proposal.

Guangchengzi and Daoist Duobao understood his meaning and led Xuandu toward Qilin Cliff, the ancestral court of their dharma lineage.

Within the ancestral court of the dharma lineage at Qilin Cliff on Kunlun Mountain, the two Saints, Yuqing Yuanshi and Shangqing Tongtian, stood with their hands behind their backs.

They had chosen to receive Xuandu outside the residence of their dojo, displaying the unity of the Three Pure Ones and their bond of imparting the Dao to Xuandu.

The bond between master and disciple ran deep. Reunited today, there was no need for excessive formality.

Yuanshi said, "Xuandu has arrived."

A gratified smile could not help appearing on his stern face.

Tongtian felt the same. "You have actually advanced to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm?"

The two praised him, "Worthy indeed of Eldest Brother's outstanding disciple. Xuandu, you are very good—exceptionally so."

Guangchengzi and Duobao stood to one side, their hearts deeply shaken.

They had long heard of Grand Pure Laozi's great reputation. Seeing Xuandu's astonishing cultivation today left them utterly stunned.

They were merely Golden Immortals, while Xuandu had already attained the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. The shock in their hearts was easy to imagine.

Staring at Xuandu, they stood dumbfounded and speechless.

Xuandu stepped forward to greet Yuanshi and Tongtian, respectfully saying, "By my master's order, Xuandu has come specifically to congratulate my two martial uncles on attaining the Primordial Unity."

Yuanshi said, "The Three Pure Ones are one family. Eldest Brother has truly put thought into this."

Interest appeared in his imposing eyes. "A Grand Unity Dao Fruit, the aura of merit? The last time I saw you, you were only a Taiyi Golden Immortal. It seems that during this journey into the world, a fortuitous opportunity fell upon you."

Although Houtu had concealed the heavenly secrets concerning the events above the Blood Sea, Yuanshi, as a Saint with profound wisdom, had already guessed most of it.

Facing Yuanshi, Xuandu did not hide anything and softly said, "By a fortunate coincidence, I encountered some opportunities above the Blood Sea."

After hearing this, Yuanshi understood. He patted Xuandu on the shoulder. "A fine opportunity, a fine destiny.

Your future achievements will surely be extraordinary, perhaps no less than Ancestor Minghe's."

He continued, "Since you possess such strength, I will not seek trouble with Minghe on your behalf.

After you slay the Three Corpses, fight him yourself.

The Three Pure Ones must not be humiliated, nor may their disciples be humiliated."

Xuandu's heart stirred at those words. He felt that although Yuanshi was imposing, he also possessed a fiercely protective spirit.

His respect for Yuanshi deepened, and he smiled. "Xuandu understands."

Then, changing the subject, a trace of hesitation crossed Xuandu's face, as though he wanted to speak but stopped himself.

Noticing this, Yuanshi seemed to have guessed Xuandu's thoughts and asked with a smile, "Xuandu, do you have any concerns?"

Xuandu politely saluted Yuanshi and Tongtian, then frankly said, "Just now, I observed Kunlun Mountain and discovered that there seem to be signs of disagreement between the Daoist Lineages of my two martial uncles.

You..."

Tongtian laughed heartily after hearing this. Rather than blaming Xuandu, he praised his powers of observation. "The fact that you noticed this shows that your cultivation will soon break through to the Quasi-Saint realm."

Yuanshi also nodded in agreement. "Worthy indeed of your master, Eldest Brother's disciple."

The moment those words were spoken, disciples of both the Exposition Sect and the Interception Sect were once again shaken.

They knew what the words "Quasi-Saint"

meant in terms of cultivation. In an age where Saints were everywhere, being called the strongest beneath the Saints was enough to show just how powerful Xuandu was.

Ordinary disciples like them would likely be unable to reach such a height even if they exhausted their entire lives.

Xuandu's strength filled them with shock and a measure of dread. In merely ten thousand years, he had attained the cultivation of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. It seemed that one further step would bring him to the peak of cultivation they dreamed of.

Amid Xuandu's silence, Yuanshi said to the disciples of the Exposition Sect and the Interception Sect, "You may all withdraw first."

Only after everyone had left did Yuanshi say, "What you saw was correct. Just as your master said, our Daoist Lineages are indeed incompatible."

Xuandu did not say much after hearing this. He knew this was a matter between his master and martial uncles, and as a disciple, it was not proper for him to involve himself.

Tongtian smiled. "Just as Eldest Brother said back then, after establishing our sects, it would be time for the Three Pure Ones to part ways."

Today, Xuandu represented the Grand Pure lineage. Did he understand the deeper meaning behind this?

Xuandu wanted to speak but hesitated, and Venerable Yuanshi interrupted his thoughts.

Venerable Yuanshi said, "I already understand your confusion."

Then Sect Master Tongtian asked, "Do you know why it was not your master who came to Kunlun Mountain today, but you instead?"

Xuandu was at a loss.

Sect Master Tongtian explained with a smile, "Though the Three Pure Ones parting ways is regrettable, your coming here on behalf of your master means that your master is willing to voluntarily relinquish control over Kunlun Mountain, the dojo of the Three Pure Ones."

Venerable Yuanshi and Sect Master Tongtian exchanged a glance, both sighing inwardly.

Though they had long known that this day would eventually come, facing it for real still brought a sense of sorrow and helplessness.

They knew that Li Er had not established the Human Sect and had not entered into a dispute with them over Daoist Lineage.

And this Blessed Land of Kunlun Mountain ought rightfully to have been governed by Li Er.

The place where Dao Ancestor Hongjun attained the Dao had been Jade Capital Mountain in Western Kunlun. As the revered Daoist Sect Leader, Li Er should have had the first right to choose.

Yet he had sent Xuandu rather than coming in person to offer congratulations. This was Li Er's stance.

After establishing their sects, Yuanshi and Tongtian had deeply experienced the intensity of disputes over Daoist Lineage.

The Exposition Sect valued one's origins and foundations, believing that those of superior foundations could better expound the Great Dao. The Interception Sect, however, taught all without distinction; as long as one was willing to join, one could intercept the heavens and forge ahead.

The two held their own ideals. Neither was inherently superior or inferior, yet contradictions existed between them that were difficult to reconcile.

Their Daoist Lineages were incompatible and their teachings differed, so the Three Pure Ones were destined to part ways.

Now that the situation had begun to show itself, separation was the best choice.

As time passed, the friction would only grow greater and eventually spark a true conflict.

Yuanshi and Tongtian both understood this very clearly.

At this moment, Xuandu finally understood the deeper meaning behind his master's arrangement for him to travel to Kunlun Mountain.

It turned out that beyond offering congratulations, his master had used him to express his stance, intending to prevent conflict among the Three Pure Ones and establish a tone of non-contention between Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Kunlun Mountain, as the place where the Dao Ancestor comprehended the Dao and where the Three Pure Ones debated the Dao, was of unquestionable importance.

Tainted by the aura of Saints, Kunlun Mountain had become a symbol of an orthodox dojo.

For the Exposition and Interception Sects, while it did not outwardly grant an advantage in destiny, it invisibly represented the status of Daoist orthodoxy.

Who would not wish to contend for the name of orthodoxy alone?

Li Er's refusal to contend set a good example for Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Xuandu deliberately changed the subject, and Yuanshi and Tongtian tacitly chose not to discuss it further.

In truth, the reason Yuanshi and Tongtian had not yet parted ways since becoming Saints was that they had been waiting for Li Er's stance.

They did not wish for friction among their disciples to affect the brotherly bond between them.

The signs of division between the two sects had already emerged. They knew that an early separation was the best way to suppress this discord.

Xuandu's arrival provided an opportunity to resolve the issue.

Li Er had taken the initiative to yield, and the next choice fell to Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Within Eight Sceneries Palace, Li Er sat cross-legged atop the clouds in Daoist robes.

He had originally been meditating, but now he opened his eyes and murmured to himself, "It seems my previous thoughts were still somewhat too idealistic."

With his identity as a transmigrator and his unique understanding of the primordial world and later ages, Li Er possessed an incomparably broad perspective.

With extraordinary insight, he foresaw opportunities and always acted a step ahead.

The disturbance at the Purple Cloud Palace and the battle against the Heavenly Dao had made Yuanshi and Tongtian realize that countless disputes would arise after they established their sects.

If they did not wish to lose in conflicts over Daoist Lineage, they had to proceed cautiously and win every contest.

Yuanshi and Tongtian naturally understood this.

Kunlun Mountain had become the focal point of their early struggle.

By arranging for Xuandu to go to Kunlun Mountain and make his position known, Li Er had hoped that even if the Three Pure Ones separated, they could resolve matters peacefully and avoid escalating their contradictions.

Yet what Li Er had not expected was that Yuanshi and Tongtian would reach a tacit understanding: they would use a martial contest to determine whether the Exposition Sect or the Interception Sect would remain on Kunlun Mountain.

As Saints, they understood the importance of Kunlun Mountain's orthodox status. To avoid being at a disadvantage in future struggles over Daoist Lineage, they chose to seize the initiative now.

Kunlun Mountain was an obvious advantage, and they would never give it up easily.

Sometimes, when one did not know, one could take a step back. But once one knew, one would not retreat even half a step.

Tongtian was a perfect example. In the original course of events, he had once abandoned Kunlun Mountain. But now that he knew there would be a calamity and a struggle over Daoist Lineage between the Exposition and Interception Sects, he would not yield so easily again.

Sensing the situation at Kunlun Mountain, Li Er felt helpless and ultimately chose not to interfere.

He had already done what he should. How things developed next was a matter for Yuanshi and Tongtian.

He cared only for himself. The conflict between the Exposition and Interception Sects had nothing to do with him.

Kunlun Mountain boiled with excitement. As the Exposition and Interception Sects prepared for battle, a martial contest was about to determine who would possess it.

Experts of the Golden Immortal realm gathered, the two sides evenly matched, with victory and defeat difficult to determine.

Qilin Cliff on Kunlun Mountain was a treasured place for comprehending the Dao.

Today, Yuanshi and Tongtian led their disciples here.

Daoist Randeng, once a peer who had listened to the Dao, had joined the Exposition Sect not long ago. Knowing the dangers of the Witch-Demon Calamity, he had entered Yuanshi's sect seeking protection.

Though he was at the peak of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, he knew that his cultivation was insufficient to protect himself, so he chose patience and restraint.

Before the martial contest began today, Daoist Randeng sat silently beside Yuanshi, though his heart was filled with tension.

This battle would concern the future of the Exposition Sect and the right to claim Kunlun Mountain. Who would emerge victorious from this martial contest? Time would tell.

Within the Exposition Sect's camp, someone took the initiative to challenge the Interception Sect.

Though Juliusun of the Exposition Sect was confident, he remained somewhat wary before Xuandu.

This confrontation brought out the internal conflict between the Exposition and Interception Sects.

The Interception Sect's strength and numbers were greater than those of the Exposition Sect.

In the final martial contest, the original agreement to stop at the right point was broken, turning into a chaotic melee.

Xuandu had no interest in this, for since entering the Grand Pure lineage, he had never experienced the entanglements between the Exposition and Interception Sects.

Upon Qilin Cliff, the confrontation continued, but victory and defeat had yet to be decided.

They fought fiercely, true fire interweaving as though they intended to determine a victor, yet the result could only be one side's utter defeat.

Clearly, this was not an acceptable outcome.

At this moment, Yuanshi's voice rang out. He mentioned that Randeng's purpose in coming to Kunlun Mountain had been to enter the Exposition Sect.

Randeng responded that this was indeed his intention.

Yuanshi then proposed that if Randeng could quell this chaos, he would permit him to become the Exposition Sect's vice sect leader.

The moment those words were spoken, everyone was moved, and their gazes focused on Randeng.

Clearly, Yuanshi intended to use Randeng to resolve the conflict between the Exposition and Interception Sects.

Even Tongtian had no choice but to take such a proposal seriously.

Though he had some doubts about whether this was appropriate, especially considering Randeng's status and the matter of rules.

But Yuanshi insisted that as a member of the Exposition Sect, Randeng was qualified to participate in this matter.

The clash between Tongtian and Yuanshi was intense. Both wished for Kunlun Mountain to belong to their own sect, and Yuanshi clearly would not yield easily.

Yuanshi and Tongtian clashed again, the atmosphere tense.

Yuanshi pointed out that the Interception Sect's teachings ran contrary to Kunlun Mountain's Dao of naturalness. Randeng's choice to join the Exposition Sect dealt a blow to Tongtian's heart.

Daoist Randeng suddenly descended onto the battlefield. The aura of his Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm instantly halted Guangchengzi and Daoist Duobao from unleashing their trump cards.

Behind Randeng appeared his Grand Unity Dao Fruit and Nirvana Dharma Image, instantly dissolving the collision of attacks from the Exposition and Interception Sects.

A Grand Unity Golden Immortal facing Golden Immortals—there was no suspense at all.