Primordial Lord and Tongtian Clash

Inside the Taiqing Palace.

Tongtian strode into the main hall, his gaze sweeping over the seated Taiqing and Primordial Lord, a hint of confusion rising in his heart.

"Eldest Brother, second brother, is there something you need from me?"

Tongtian was very puzzled.

The three brothers had only parted ways with their secluded retreat not long ago, so why were his two Elder Brother calling him back so soon?

Taiqing Laozi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm and serene, and spoke softly.

"Third Brother is here."

"There is indeed something I wanted to ask you to come here about."

Your second brother has something to say to you.

Having said that, Taiqing looked at Primordial Lord.

"Second Younger Brother, Third Brother has arrived now. Just say what you need."

Tongtian also turned his gaze to Primordial Lord, becoming increasingly confused.

Primordial Lord looked at Tongtian with a cold face and spoke without any politeness.

"Third Brother, you should really keep a close eye on your disciples!"

Upon hearing Tongtian, Tongtian frowned immediately.

What do you mean by that, second brother?

The tone of the Yuanshi Tianzun was filled with barely suppressed rage.

What do you mean?

"Your disciples, instead of focusing on their spiritual Enlightenment in their Cave Abode while we were in seclusion."

"They spend all day calling out to their friends, making a lot of noise!"

"You've turned this perfectly good celestial paradise into a chaotic mess!"

"Where is there even a trace of the tranquility of a blessed land left!"

"We Chan Sect Disciple are deeply troubled by this, but out of consideration for your reputation, we cannot retaliate and can only endure it again and again!"

Tongtian frowned even more deeply after hearing this.

He couldn't believe his disciple would do something so despicable.

"Second brother, isn't there some misunderstanding?"

"Please be patient, let me calculate and confirm the situation."

After saying this, Tongtian closed his eyes. The Saint's Divine Sense flowed, and the scenes that happened during their seclusion appeared clearly in his mind.

A moment later, Tongtian opened his eyes.

He looked at Yuanshi Tianzun, a helpless smile on his face.

"Second brother, you're exaggerating."

"My disciples are just naturally a bit restless; it's not as serious as you describe."

"Moreover, they have not neglected their cultivation; I see that their spiritual progress has been significant."

"It's just a few close friends getting together to have some fun after finishing their training; it's nothing serious."

Tongtian's explanation, however, sounded like sophistry and cover-up to Primordial Lord.

The face of the Yuanshi Tianzun instantly darkened.

"To cultivate oneself, one should purify one's mind and reduce desires, and sit in meditation to contemplate the profound mysteries!"

"What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket!"

"This is utter nonsense!"

"If you ask me, Third Brother, you shouldn't have taken them in in the first place!"

"Look at the kind of trash you've taken in! Shallow backgrounds, meager fortune, and utterly unruly!"

Tongtian's smile gradually faded. He could tolerate Primordial Lord saying that he was not strict with his disciples, but he could never tolerate him insulting his disciple like this!

"Second brother, they passed my test to be accepted into my Interception Sect, so they are naturally my disciples."

"The purpose of our Interception Sect is to seize that sliver of hope for all living beings in heaven and earth!"

"Anyone who aspires to the Great Dao may become my disciple!"

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun let out a cold laugh, filled with disdain and contempt.

"To seize a glimmer of hope for all living beings?"

"You can't just bring any kind of goods into the Mountain Gate!"

"What use are those morally corrupt and unethical people to you?"

"Besides embarrassing our Pangu Orthodox, what else can they do!"

These are extremely serious words!

They practically pointed their fingers at Tongtian and berated him for his poor judgment of character and for his self-degradation!

Tongtian's expression also turned completely cold.

"Second brother! Please watch your words!"

"I have my own judgment regarding the character of my disciples; you need not trouble yourself!"

"What do their background or origins have to do with seeking the Way? Does being born humble disqualify one from pursuing the Great Dao?"

"I only care whether they have a heart that yearns for the Way!"

Yuanshi Tianzun suddenly stood up from his cloud bed, looking down at Tongtian with an imposing aura.

"That's a joke!"

"What good will it do you to take these hopeless cases under your wing and teach them diligently?"

"They will only tarnish your reputation, ruin the prestige of the Three Pure Ones, and disgrace the Pangu Orthodox lineage of Pangu!"

"Third Brother! You've disappointed me so much!"

The atmosphere between the two instantly became tense!

Tongtian also stood up, meeting Primordial Lord's gaze without fear, refusing to yield an inch.

"Second brother, you're far too arrogant!"

"What makes you so sure my disciple is unteachable? Just because of your ridiculous theory about his background?"

"Heroes come from all walks of life! We, the Interception Sect, seize Heavenly Secrets and enlighten all beings—this is true Merit!"

"On the contrary, your Clarify Sect is stuck in its ways, only looking at background and not character. How many of the disciples you've accepted are truly useful!"

The two argued more and more fiercely, and the Saint's aura unconsciously emanated, causing the entire Taiqing Palace to tremble slightly.

At that moment, Taiqing Laozi, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally opened them.

"Enough!"

"Sit down, all of you!"

"This matter isn't a big deal at all. Why argue over such a trivial thing and needlessly damage the bond between us brothers!"

"If word gets out, wouldn't the entire Primordial Wilderness laugh at us, the Three Pure Ones!"

Primordial Lord and Tongtian exchanged a glance, each letting out a cold snort before turning their heads away, but ultimately did not continue arguing.

They bowed slightly to Taiqing.

"My Eldest Brother is right."

Taiqing first looked at Tongtian, his tone softening slightly.

"Third Brother, you have many disciples, some good and some bad. You should properly discipline and teach them to behave themselves."

"Education for all is a good thing, but rules must not be abolished."

"After all, Kunlun Mountain is the Dao Field for us three brothers; it must maintain a certain degree of tranquility."

Although Tongtian was unwilling, he had no choice but to listen to his Eldest Brother.

He bowed deeply to Taiqing.

"Yes, Eldest Brother, I will discipline him strictly when I get back."

Then he turned to the Primordial Lord.

"Second Younger Brother, don't make a mountain out of a molehill."

"This is not a big deal. Let my Third Brother go back and give him a proper talking-to."

"As teachers, we should be more tolerant of our students and give them opportunities to grow."

Primordial Lord's expression remained grim, but faced with his Eldest Brother's admonition, he could only nod.

"Yes, Eldest Brother is right."

Taiqing looked at the two of them and continued speaking.

"I think that even after you've passed away, you won't need to keep telling your own stories."

"Let us Dao Lecture together to all the disciples; I will also Dao Lecture to them at that time."

"Disciples from both your sects will be fellow disciples in the future, and should therefore communicate more and support each other."

"Don't let prejudice affect your relationship."

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun's heart stirred.

Dao Lecture together?

Perfect timing! Let those good-for-nothing disciples of Tongtian see what the true Orthodox Daoist Sect is all about!

Let them know how excellent the Chan Sect Disciple are!

Thinking of this, he immediately nodded.

"Thank you, Eldest Brother, we understand."

Although Tongtian felt something was amiss, since his Eldest Brother had already spoken, he couldn't object and could only agree.

"Yes, thank you very much, Eldest Brother."

Taiqing nodded in satisfaction.

"Very well, you may all go."

Primordial Lord and Tongtian exchanged a glance, each snorted coldly, and then turned and left.