The Grand Pure One Laozi's Quasi-Saint Realm

Xuandu made a suggestion.

Guangchengzi and Duobao Daoist understood his intention and led Xuandu to Qilin Cliff, the ancestral court of the Dharma lineage.

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

They chose to receive Xuandu outside their dojo and palace to showcase the unity of the Three Pure Ones and their shared path of teaching with Xuandu.

Their master-disciple bond was deep, and with this reunion, there was no need for excessive formality.

Yuanshi said, "Xuandu has arrived."

A look of relief involuntarily appeared on his stern face.

Tongtian felt the same way, "You've already advanced to Grand Unity Golden Immortal?"

They both praised, "As expected of the eldest brother's esteemed disciple, Xuandu, you are excellent, truly outstanding."

Guangchengzi and Duobao, standing nearby, were deeply shaken.

They had heard of the Grand Pure One Laozi's fame, and seeing Xuandu's astonishing cultivation today left them stunned.

They were merely Golden Immortals, while Xuandu had already attained Grand Unity Golden Immortal status; the shock they felt was immense.

Gazing at Xuandu, they were speechless, their mouths agape.

Xuandu stepped forward and paid his respects to Yuanshi and Tongtian, saying respectfully, "Xuandu, on my master's orders, has come specifically to congratulate the two uncles on achieving Primordial Chaos."

Yuanshi said, "The Three Pure Ones are one family; the eldest brother truly has a heart."

Interest flickered in his stern eyes, "The Grand Unity Dao Fruit, the aura of Merit? The last time we met, you were only a Taiyi Golden Immortal. It seems you've encountered some fortuitous encounters during this worldly sojourn."

Although Houtu had concealed the heavenly secrets regarding the events above the Sea of Blood, Yuanshi, as a Saint, possessed profound wisdom and had already guessed the general situation.

Facing Yuanshi, Xuandu did not conceal anything and said softly, "It was a coincidence; I had some fortuitous encounters above the Sea of Blood."

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi understood and patted Xuandu's shoulder, "A good opportunity, a good fortune. Your future achievements will undoubtedly be extraordinary, perhaps not inferior to Ancestor Minghe."

He continued, "Since you possess this strength, I will not seek out Minghe for trouble on your behalf. After you have Slayed the Three Corpses, you may battle him yourself. The Three Pure Ones cannot be insulted, nor can their disciples."

Xuandu's heart stirred upon hearing this; he felt that despite Yuanshi's sternness, there was a passionate protectiveness within him. He felt even more respect for Yuanshi and smiled, "Xuandu understands."

Then, changing the subject, a hint of hesitation crossed Xuandu's face, as if he had something to say but hesitated.

Yuanshi sensed this and seemed to have guessed Xuandu's thoughts, smiling as he asked, "Xuandu, do you have any concerns?"

Xuandu politely bowed to Yuanshi and Tongtian and frankly stated, "Just now, as I observed Kunlun Mountain, I noticed signs of divergence in the doctrines of the two uncles. You..."

Upon hearing this, Tongtian laughed heartily. Instead of scolding Xuandu, he praised his observational skills, "The fact that you can observe these things shows your cultivation will soon break through to the Quasi-Saint realm."

Yuanshi also nodded in agreement, "As expected of your master, the eldest brother's disciple."

As soon as this was said, both the disciples of the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect were once again shocked. They knew what the title "Quasi-Saint" signified in terms of cultivation. In a world where Saints were commonplace, being called the strongest below a Saint was enough to demonstrate Xuandu's formidable cultivation. For ordinary disciples like them, it was likely unattainable even with a lifetime of effort. While Xuandu's strength shocked them, it also made their hearts pound with trepidation. With Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation in just ten thousand years, it seemed he was one step away from reaching the pinnacle of cultivation they had only dreamed of.

As Xuandu remained silent, Yuanshi said to the disciples of the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect, "You may leave first."

After everyone had departed, Yuanshi finally said, "What you saw is correct; as your master said, our doctrines indeed do not align."

Xuandu said nothing further upon hearing this. He knew this was a matter between his master and his uncles, and as a disciple, he should not be involved.

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

Today, Xuandu represents the lineage of the Grand Pure One; do you understand the deeper meaning behind this?

Xuandu hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. Venerable Yuanshi interrupted his thoughts.

Venerable Yuanshi said, "I understand your confusion."

Then, Sect Master Tongtian asked, "Do you know why it is you who has come to Kunlun Mountain today, and not your master?"

Xuandu looked bewildered.

Sect Master Tongtian smiled and explained, "Although the parting of the Three Pure Ones is regrettable, your presence here representing your master signifies that your master is willing to voluntarily relinquish the authority over Kunlun Mountain, the shared dojo of the Three Pure Ones."

Venerable Yuanshi and Sect Master Tongtian exchanged a look, both sighing inwardly. Although they knew this day would eventually come, facing it directly still brought a sense of melancholy and helplessness. They understood that Li Er had not established the Human Sect, thus avoiding a doctrinal dispute with them. And Kunlun Mountain, this blessed land, should rightfully be under Li Er's stewardship.

The place where Dao Ancestor Hongjun attained enlightenment was Jade Capital Mountain in Western Kunlun. As the sect leader of the Daoist school, Li Er should have had the priority to choose.

However, he chose to have Xuandu come instead of coming to celebrate in person. This was Li Er's attitude.

After establishing their sects, Yuanshi and Tongtian deeply understood the intensity of the struggle for the orthodox lineage.

The Heavenly Origin Sect emphasized one's origins, believing that those with superior origins could better elucidate the Great Dao. The Intercepting Sect, on the other hand, was like a sect without restrictions; as long as one was willing to join, they could intercept the heavens and forge their own path.

Both had their own philosophies, with no absolute superiority, but there were irreconcilable contradictions between them.

The incompatibility of their orthodox lineages and differing doctrines destined the Three Pure Ones to part ways.

The current situation was beginning to show signs, and separation was the best choice.

As time passed, the friction would only grow, leading to a real conflict.

This was a truth that both Yuanshi and Tongtian understood very well.

Xuandu finally understood the deep meaning behind his master's arrangement for him to go to Kunlun Mountain.

It turned out that besides offering congratulations, his master was using him to express his attitude, aiming to avoid conflict among the Three Pure Ones and set a tone of non-contention for the interactions between Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Kunlun Mountain, as the place where the Dao Ancestor attained enlightenment, was also the place where the Three Pure Ones discussed the Dao, its importance was self-evident.

The Saints' energies permeated it, making Kunlun Mountain a symbol of the orthodox Daoist ground.

For both the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect, although they outwardly lacked the advantage of destiny, they invisibly represented the status of the orthodox Daoist lineage.

Who wouldn't want to contend for this mere title of orthodoxy?

Li Er's non-contention set a good example for Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Xuandu proactively changed the subject, and Yuanshi and Tongtian tacitly did not delve deeper into the discussion.

In fact, the reason Yuanshi and Tongtian had not yet parted ways even after becoming Saints was that they were waiting for Li Er's attitude.

They were unwilling to let the friction among their disciples affect their brotherhood.

The signs of division between the two sects had already appeared, and they knew that separating early was the best way to suppress this discord.

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

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

In the Eight Sceneries Palace, Li Er sat cross-legged on a cloud, clad in a Daoist robe.

He opened his eyes, which had been closed in meditation, and murmured to himself, "It seems my previous thoughts were a bit too idealistic."

With his identity as a transmigrator and his unique understanding of the Primordial World and later eras, Li Er possessed an incredibly broad perspective.

He foresaw opportunities with extraordinary insight and always acted one step ahead.

The commotion in Purple Heaven Palace and the battle with the Heavenly Dao made Yuanshi and Tongtian realize that there would be many disputes after establishing their sects.

If they did not want to lose in the struggle for the orthodox lineage, they had to proceed cautiously and win every contest.

This was a truth that Yuanshi and Tongtian naturally understood.

Kunlun Mountain became the focus of their preemptive competition.

Li Er arranged for Xuandu to go to Kunlun Mountain to express his stance. He hoped that even if the Three Pure Ones parted ways, they could resolve their issues peacefully and avoid escalating conflicts.

However, to Li Er's surprise, Yuanshi and Tongtian reached a tacit understanding: they would decide the survival of the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect on Kunlun Mountain through a martial arts competition.

As Saints, they were well aware of the importance of Kunlun Mountain as the orthodox ground. To avoid being at a disadvantage in the future struggle for the orthodox lineage, they chose to seize the initiative now.

Kunlun Mountain was a clear advantage, and they would never give it up easily.

Sometimes, one could yield when they didn't know, but once they knew, they wouldn't budge an inch.

Tongtian was a prime example. In the original timeline, he had given up Kunlun Mountain, but now that he knew there would be a calamity and a struggle for the orthodox lineage between the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect, he would no longer yield easily.

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

He had done what he needed to do. How things developed next was up to Yuanshi and Tongtian.

His concern was only for himself; the conflict between the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect had nothing to do with him.

As Kunlun Mountain buzzed with excitement and the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect readied themselves, a martial arts competition was about to determine its ownership.

The Golden Immortal realm was a gathering of experts, with both sides evenly matched and the outcome uncertain.

Qilin Cliff in Kunlun Mountain was a treasure land for enlightenment.

Today, Yuanshi and Tongtian led their disciples to gather here.

Randeng Daoist, a contemporary who had once listened to the Dao with them, had recently joined the Heavenly Origin Sect. Deeply aware of the perils of the Witch-Demon Calamity, he sought protection under Yuanshi.

Although he was at the peak of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, he knew his cultivation was insufficient to protect himself and chose to endure and remain low-key.

Before the martial arts competition began today, Randeng Daoist sat silently beside Yuanshi, his heart filled with immense tension.

This battle would determine the future and ownership of the Heavenly Origin Sect. Who would emerge victorious from this competition? We shall wait and see.

Within the Heavenly Origin Sect's ranks, someone took the initiative to challenge the Intercepting Sect.

Although Juliusun of the Heavenly Origin Sect was confident, he still harbored some apprehension towards Xuandu.

This confrontation triggered the internal strife within the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect.

The Intercepting Sect's strength and lineup were considerably larger compared to the Heavenly Origin Sect.

In the final martial arts exhibition, the initial agreement to stop at a mere touch was broken, evolving into a free-for-all.

Xuandu had no interest in this, as he had not been involved in the entanglements between the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect since joining the Grand Pure One's lineage.

On Qilin Cliff, this confrontation was still underway, but the victor had yet to be decided.

They fought fiercely, true fire intertwining, as if to determine a winner, but the outcome required one side to be utterly defeated.

Clearly, this was not a possible result.

At this moment, Yuanshi's voice rang out, mentioning that Randeng's purpose upon first arriving at Kunlun Mountain was to seek entry into the Heavenly Origin Sect.

Randeng responded, confirming that he indeed had such an intention.

Yuanshi then proposed that if Randeng could quell this chaos, he would allow him to become the Vice Sect Master of the Heavenly Origin Sect.

Upon hearing this, everyone was moved, their gazes focusing on Randeng.

Clearly, Yuanshi's intention was to use Randeng to resolve the conflict between the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect.

Even Tongtian had to take such a proposal seriously.

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

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

Tongtian and Yuanshi's confrontation was intense, with both sides wanting Kunlun Mountain to belong to their respective sects, and Yuanshi clearly would not give up easily.

Yuanshi and Tongtian clashed again, the atmosphere tense.

Yuanshi pointed out that the Intercepting Sect's doctrines were naturally incompatible with the Daoist methods of Kunlun Mountain, and Randeng's choice to join the Heavenly Origin Sect struck a blow to Tongtian's heart.

Randeng Daoist suddenly descended onto the battlefield, his Grand Unity Golden Immortal aura instantly halting Guangchengzi and Duobao Daoist from activating their trump cards.

Behind Randeng, the Grand Unity Dao Fruit and Nirvana Dharma Image manifested, instantly neutralizing the offensive clashes between the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect.

A duel between a Grand Unity Golden Immortal and a Golden Immortal left no room for suspense.