Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian?
They're actually in the Palace of Supreme Purity? And they want to see me?
As he flew behind Xuandu, Li Yun kept his expression composed, but his heart could not help sinking.
The reason was simple: by seizing those two gourds earlier, he had effectively disrupted the saint's trial.
If the two saints intended to call him to account, that would hardly be good news.
But at this point, there was no undoing what he had done. Whatever happened, he could only steel himself and follow.
Before long, Li Yun and Xuandu returned to the Palace of Supreme Purity.
Upon entering, they saw the Three Pure Ones seated in the main seating area, sipping tea. All three were perfectly calm and appeared remarkably harmonious.
Now that's true affection between elder and younger brothers.
What a pity the Three Pure Ones will split up in the future.
On the surface, it's a conflict between the Chan and Jie Sects, a clash of the Three Pure Ones' ideals. But in truth, all of it is Hongjun's scheme.
Li Yun sighed inwardly, filled with regret.
If only the Three Pure Ones had not split up.
With the combined power of the Pangu Three Pure Ones, even though they had attained the Dao by absorbing the Hongmeng Purple Qi and placed their greatest vulnerability—their very lives—in the hands of the Heavenly Dao, Hongjun could still exert influence over them after merging with the Dao.
Yet the Three Pure Ones were, after all, manifestations of the Pangu primordial spirit. Although their Pangu merit had been completely absorbed, they still possessed Pangu creation luck. Its quantity had merely diminished, leaving them unable to match Hongjun, who had merged with the Dao, in single combat.
But if the Three Pure Ones stood united, twisting those three strands of creation heavenly fortune into a single rope, even Hongjun could only shrink back despite having merged with the Dao. Then the Three Pure Ones could stride unchecked through the Primordial World, even overpowering Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nuwa.
That was precisely why Hongjun had schemed to bring about the Three Pure Ones' split.
Even after they split up, Hongjun worried that they might come to their senses and reunite as before. Thus, the Investiture of the Gods tribulation came into being.
On the surface, it arose because the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects disrespected the position of Heavenly Emperor held by Hongjun's attendant, Haotian, and because the Chan Sect disciples had accumulated tremendous karma through slaughter during the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. In truth, however, it was another means of driving a wedge between Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian.
Even though Laozi noticed something amiss, by the time he reacted, it was already too late. After the Investiture of the Gods tribulation, the Interception Sect was destroyed, and Sect Master Tongtian's heart turned to dead ashes. He unleashed all his power and used the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation to destroy the Primordial World, destroying his own Pangu fortune in the process and dragging Yuanshi Tianzun and Laozi into the fallout as well.
In the end, under Hongjun's watchful gaze, the Three Pure Ones had no choice but to swallow the so-called Saint-Slaying Pill. This completely severed any possibility of their uniting, and with it, any possibility of opposing Hongjun and contending for control of the Primordial World.
"Greetings, Master!"
"Greetings, Martial Uncles!"
At that moment, Xuandu tugged Li Yun's sleeve, then bowed and offered his greetings.
Seeing this, Li Yun swiftly came back to his senses and bowed alongside Xuandu. "Greetings, Master!"
"Greetings, Martial Uncles!"
"You're here."
At their greetings, the Three Pure Ones paused in their tea drinking.
Setting down his cup, Laozi looked at Li Yun. "I hear you interfered with the trial your two martial uncles established?"
"Yes!"
Li Yun opened his mouth but offered no defense. With a thought, he took out the golden gourd and the Black Gourd he had obtained earlier and presented them. "I'm sorry, Master. In a moment of impulse, I seized these two treasures and disrupted my martial uncles' plans. I am willing to accept punishment!"
At this sight, the corners of Laozi's mouth rose.
Although he already knew, he still could not contain his delight when Li Yun actually produced the two gourds.
He had already divined the course of events and knew that the Chan and Jie Sects had sent dozens of disciples, almost all in the Mysterious Immortal Realm, with some in the True Immortal Realm as well—not to mention the many rogue cultivators and demonic beasts.
And what had the final result been?
There had only been three gourds in total, yet Li Yun had seized two of them.
Moreover, that was only because Li Yun had sensed something wrong and voluntarily given up one. Had this not been a saint's trial, he would have taken all three gourds, leaving the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects, the rogue cultivators, and those demonic beasts empty-handed.
This clearly showed that, among second generation disciples, even with roughly equal cultivation, neither the disciples of the Chan Teachings nor those of the Interception Sect could compare to his disciple.
At that thought, Laozi did not accept the gourds. Instead, he turned to Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian. "Second Brother, Third Brother, what do you think?"
At his words, the corners of Yuanshi Tianzun's and Sect Master Tongtian's mouths twitched.
Li Yun appeared to be apologizing, and Laozi appeared to be holding him accountable, but both knew perfectly well that their eldest brother was showing off.
And, unfortunately, he really had succeeded. This trial had been intended to test the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects. Who could have imagined that the one who ultimately distinguished himself would be Li Yun of the Human Teachings?
Producing the gourds now was nothing short of a slap in the faces of the Chan and Jie Sects' disciples. Yet they could say nothing; their own disciples had simply been outmatched.
With that thought, Yuanshi Tianzun spoke at once. "Heavenly treasures belong to those capable of claiming them. Since you obtained them yourself, Martial Nephew Li Yun, they naturally belong to you!"
Sect Master Tongtian nodded as well. "Indeed. Spiritual treasures of heaven and earth go to those destined for them. Martial Nephew Li Yun, since you accomplished such a feat under the eyes of so many, these gourds rightfully belong to you!"
Hearing this, Laozi's smile deepened. He looked at Li Yun. "Well? Aren't you going to thank your two martial uncles?"
"Yes!"
Li Yun answered, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.
He knew that since Yuanshi and Tongtian were not pursuing the matter, it was now settled. These two gourds also belonged to him once and for all.
At that thought, Li Yun immediately bowed. "Thank you, Second Martial Uncle. Thank you, Third Martial Uncle!"
"Mm!"
Nodding, Yuanshi Tianzun changed the subject. "Eldest Brother, this boy actually has the makings of a practitioner of the Emperor's Path. And why do I feel as though that treasure is inside him?"
As he spoke, Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze burned brightly. He looked at Li Yun as though he had discovered a priceless treasure.
"Indeed."
The corners of Laozi's mouth lifted. He raised his teacup and took a sip before saying calmly, "My disciple Li Yun does indeed possess talent in that regard. The Ultimate Emperor Seal also resonated with him of its own accord, so I have already bestowed it upon him."
"However, his cultivation is still very weak. Although the Emperor's Path is powerful, it is not suitable for him to explore or cultivate too early."
"Once his cultivation reaches Daluo Golden Immortal in the future, I'll have to trouble you to offer him some guidance, Second Brother."
What?!
It resonated of its own accord?!
Yuanshi Tianzun's pupils contracted as he looked at Laozi in disbelief. Then his gaze locked onto Li Yun again, burning with even greater intensity.
For a moment, he forgot all about Li Yun's status and Laozi's presence and spoke outright. "Li Yun, would you be willing to take me as your master? I can accept you as my personal disciple. It is even possible for you to become the Young Sect Leader of the Chan Teachings in the future. What do you think?"
Before you continue