Chapter 14

Although both the Elucidation and Interception Sects had many Golden Immortals, they were separated by two major realms. How could they contend on the same level? Thus, once Randeng appeared, the Golden Immortal conflict between the two sects came to an immediate halt.

The battlefield suddenly fell silent.

Tongtian came back to his senses, narrowed his eyes, and a cold gleam flashed within them.

He looked at Yuanshi and sneered. "Yuanshi, what deep schemes you have!"

Yuanshi felt no pressure at all and merely replied calmly, "I simply understand reality better."

Tongtian no longer argued with Yuanshi. Instead, he turned to Xuandu and proposed a condition. "Let Xuandu fight Randeng. No matter the outcome, Kunlun Mountain will be yours."

This was the strategy Tongtian had devised to salvage the Interception Sect's dignity.

Randeng's appearance had already made the Elucidation Sect's advantage in this battle far too obvious.

Naturally, Tongtian was unwilling to let his disciples lose due to scheming, so he hoped to use Xuandu to give the Elucidation Sect an answer.

In his view, if Xuandu entered the field to fight Randeng, it would represent the Interception Sect's stance.

Although Xuandu belonged to the Grand Pure lineage, as long as he stood opposite Randeng in this dispute between the Elucidation and Interception Sects, he would be bringing glory to the Interception Sect.

Of course, the deeper implications behind this battle went far beyond what appeared on the surface. It concerned only the strategic contest between two of the Three Pure Ones: Venerable Yuanshi and Sect Master Tongtian.

Sect Master Tongtian's words stirred Venerable Yuanshi.

Though the two seemed to have reached an agreement on the surface, their calculations were entirely different.

Venerable Yuanshi believed that persuading Xuandu to enter the battle would bring him nothing but benefits.

As for Sect Master Tongtian, what he valued more was the chance to reverse the situation.

Venerable Yuanshi wanted the Grand Pure lineage to be drawn into this struggle over Kunlun Mountain, so that by defeating their opponent, he could establish Kunlun Mountain's orthodox status as a Daoist sanctuary.

Although Sect Master Tongtian claimed that he would relinquish Kunlun Mountain regardless of victory or defeat, Yuanshi understood that Grand Pure was the best inheritor.

He himself and Jade Pure were more like the fruits being yielded away.

As someone who cared deeply about face, Yuanshi hoped to use Daoist Randeng's strength to draw the Grand Pure lineage's successor into battle and defeat him.

Yuanshi had complete confidence in Daoist Randeng's accumulation at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

After all, Daoist Randeng had once been his peer and had listened to the Dao alongside him at Purple Cloud Palace. His foundation was more than enough to crush Xuandu, a junior who had only recently entered the Grand Pure lineage.

As long as Xuandu lost to Daoist Randeng, Li Er's Grand Pure disciples would be considered participants in this conflict.

Then Yuanshi's claim over Kunlun Mountain would naturally become even more justified.

It had to be said that although Yuanshi and Tongtian were both among the Two Pure Ones, their natures and the doctrines of their Daoist Lineages differed.

Yuanshi pursued a more legitimate claim over Kunlun Mountain and the greater cause of the Daoist Lineage, while Tongtian only wanted to recover a shred of face in the present situation.

In the end, through the tacit understanding between Yuanshi and Tongtian, Xuandu was invited into the battlefield.

Faced with Yuanshi's invitation, Daoist Randeng was somewhat stunned, then a complicated feeling welled up in his heart.

Although he and Xuandu's master had listened to the Dao together at Purple Cloud Palace, he now had to face the descendant of a former fellow disciple.

Li Er might have attained sainthood, but Daoist Randeng's seniority had already been firmly established when he listened to the Dao at Purple Cloud Palace.

Randeng had never wanted to openly clash with others over the position of vice sect master of the Elucidation Sect, but he had no choice but to reveal his stance between the two sects.

Faced with Yuanshi and Tongtian's invitation, Randeng had no choice but to accept Xuandu's challenge.

Although Xuandu did not wish to be dragged into this, he could not refuse the opportunity for this duel.

At that moment, he stepped into the field with an indifferent, carefree air and accepted Randeng's invitation.

He immediately drew the attention of countless disciples from both sects. Every cultivator wished to witness Xuandu's methods and see whether this chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones truly lived up to his reputation.

Li Er's status as the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones made everyone even more curious and expectant.

Xuandu and Randeng stood facing one another. Though neither spoke, undercurrents surged beneath the surface as each harbored his own thoughts.

Xuandu was about to battle Randeng. His words were humble, yet they could not conceal his transcendent bearing or his surging fighting intent.

As Xuandu moved, Taiji yin-yang energy coiled around his body. With every step he took, yin-yang fish formed beneath him, their power astonishing.

Daoist Randeng displayed his Nirvana Dharma Image, radiating an aura of deathly stillness that made both the Elucidation and Interception Sects wary.

Yuanshi explained Randeng's strength. Though he had not undergone Slaying the Three Corpses, he was invincible within the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

Xuandu's aura now soared to the heavens, and he actually revealed a merit auspicious cloud, leaving everyone amazed.

Yuanshi's voice was low and grave. "Nephew Xuandu possesses such tremendous power."

Tongtian burst into laughter when he heard this. "Good! Xuandu's fortune is truly extraordinary!"

He continued, "With Xuandu's merit auspicious cloud appearing, all techniques cannot touch him. He seems born undefeated.

No wonder he is Laozi's disciple."

As Yuanshi and Tongtian spoke, the battle between Xuandu and Randeng began.

Just as Tongtian had said, Xuandu's strength was shocking.

The depth of his foundation was so great that even Randeng, a mighty expert who had listened to the Dao at Purple Cloud Palace, could not compare.

In truth, Randeng's cultivation was indeed profound. If he later joined the Buddhist Sect, he would surely shine brilliantly.

Yet at this time, other than the Spirit Coffin Palace Lantern and the Universe Ruler that had accompanied his birth, he possessed no other spiritual treasures.

By comparison, the merit auspicious cloud displayed by Xuandu was even more awe-inspiring.

The clash between the Dao of Nirvana and the Grand Pure Dao was like thunder exploding through the void.

In their contest of laws, Xuandu clearly held the upper hand.

His Grand Pure Immortal Method, combined with the Grand Pure Dao, possessed astonishing power, and even Randeng could not withstand it.

After a single exchange, Randeng staggered back three steps. The Dharma Image above his head became extremely unstable, leaving ripples in the void.

Xuandu, meanwhile, remained calm and unhurried. His Daoist robe was spotless, as though he were merely strolling through a courtyard.

Seeing this, the disciples of the Elucidation and Interception Sects erupted in an uproar and cast reverent gazes toward Xuandu.

They were astonished by the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones' strength, and even felt a trace of admiration.

Daoist Randeng, the one prepared to assume the role of vice sect master of the Elucidation Sect, was actually no match for Xuandu.

This inevitably made them wonder whether the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones already possessed strength surpassing those mighty experts who had listened to the Dao at Purple Cloud Palace. The question lingered in everyone's minds.

Daoist Randeng, though shaken, was known by all to possess extraordinary talent and an unwavering Dao heart.

Yet before Xuandu's casual ease, he was utterly eclipsed and effortlessly defeated.

The scene was unbelievable.

In the past, Daoist Randeng had stood shoulder to shoulder with the Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, and Zhunti at Purple Cloud Palace, all of them at the pinnacle.

Yet time had passed, and the Grand Pure disciple had actually surpassed him, forcing him to lower his head.

The immense disparity nearly shook his Dao heart.

After a long silence, Randeng finally spoke in a low voice. "I have lost."

The moment those words were spoken, Qilin Cliff fell utterly silent.

One had to know that the three thousand listeners at Purple Cloud Palace had all once stood near the peak of the primordial world.

Now, Daoist Randeng before them was about to hold the esteemed position of vice sect master of the Elucidation Sect, and his seniority was enough to overwhelm every Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

Yet reality was cruel—Randeng had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of a seemingly ordinary chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones from the Grand Pure lineage.

The astonishing sight shook everyone to their core. Even Yuanshi and Tongtian, the leaders of the two sects, were deeply shaken.

Nephew Xuandu's strength was actually this formidable? Their belief in the importance of seniority and time had been shattered.

The strength Xuandu displayed was enough to leave them amazed.

At this moment, Xuandu had already proven through his strength that his growth had surpassed those innate mighty experts.

Seeing Xuandu's serene, detached figure, Yuanshi and Tongtian were both filled with countless thoughts.

Although they respected Li Er's status and strength as the foremost of the Three Pure Ones, they had always believed that they were not inferior to Li Er in cultivating disciples.

Xuandu's performance as the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones was truly astonishing.

Xuandu's profound cultivation was something they had expected.

Even if Xuandu had already broken through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, he was only slightly superior to the disciples of the Elucidation and Interception Sects.

This did not cause them to lose their determination to challenge Li Er.

After all, a temporary lead did not mean a permanent advantage.

The Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm was one that required constant comprehension and accumulation.

Although Xuandu had reached this realm, his cultivation speed had slowed.

The disciples of the Elucidation and Interception Sects had every opportunity to catch up to him.

The dominance Xuandu displayed left no equal within the same realm.

The merit energy condensed into the form of an auspicious cloud revealed his extraordinary nature.

Without question, Xuandu's mastery of Slaying the Three Corpses had at least reached a very high level regarding the Good Corpse.

Once the opportunity arrived, he would naturally achieve it.

Among the disciples of the Three Pure Ones, no one could surpass Xuandu.

This left Yuanshi and Tongtian, the two saints, deeply helpless.

Though their emotions churned with countless twists and turns, they forcibly suppressed them.

Yuanshi's voice rang out. "Enough. Victory and defeat have been decided. Let this end here."

Every living being on the field other than Xuandu felt a gentle force restoring their depleted strength.

This included the disciples of the Elucidation and Interception Sects who had participated in the battle, as well as the ravaged Qilin Cliff, which was restored to its original state.

The spirits of grass and trees regained their vitality.

Xuandu, however, had expended almost nothing in his battle against Randeng and did not need a saint's restorative power.

Tongtian directly ignored the people of the Elucidation and Interception Sects and praised Xuandu. "Xuandu!"

"Not bad. You are worthy of the title of chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones."

Tongtian's words shocked everyone.

After this battle, Xuandu's prestige became even more deeply rooted in everyone's hearts.

The disciples of both sects who had originally doubted Xuandu now had nothing left to say.

Daoist Randeng in particular, having been used by Xuandu as a stepping stone, could only sigh at his own misfortune.

After exchanging glances, the disciples of the Elucidation and Interception Sects cupped their hands toward Xuandu in salute. "Greetings, Senior Brother Xuandu!"

Among them were Guangchengzi of the Elucidation Sect and Daoist Duobao of the Interception Sect.

The moment those words were spoken, it meant that in their hearts, Xuandu had become the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones—the true senior brother of the Daoist sects.

As Li Er's disciple, Xuandu bore the mark of the Grand Pure lineage.

His legendary nature was impossible to overlook.

Whether it was Li Er's existence after Slaying the Three Corpses or his heroic battle against the Heavenly Dao ten thousand years ago, all of it had shaken the primordial world.

Thus, in everyone's eyes, Xuandu was the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones not merely because he had entered the sect early, but because he had an outstanding master.

In today's battle, Xuandu had proven his strength and qualifications.

The doubts held by the Elucidation and Interception Sects toward him had also vanished completely today.

All that remained was their reverence for Xuandu.

This contest between the two sects finally came to an end.

After this battle, the relationship between the two sects became more harmonious, while Xuandu's fame rose even further.

After Xuandu left the Kunlun Mountain training ground, Yuanshi and Tongtian, the two saints, seemed not to have been greatly affected and maintained the appropriate cordiality.

Although Yuanshi and Tongtian appeared to have no grievances against one another, from the moment Xuandu left Kunlun Mountain, the disciples of the Interception Sect followed Tongtian away, setting out on a journey toward the overseas lands.

Though this struggle over Kunlun Mountain's Daoist Lineage seemed unrelated to the Grand Pure disciples, the brilliance Xuandu displayed had shaken everyone.

The grandeur of the Grand Pure lineage was fully embodied in Li Er and Xuandu.

Xuandu's departure did not trigger conflict between the Elucidation and Interception Sects. Instead, his strength ignited their passion for cultivation, making the atmosphere of cultivation more fervent than ever.