"Thank you, Master!"
"Thank you, Master!"
At the same time, Guang Chengzi and the other Twelve Golden Immortals also woke up. Feeling the fluctuations of their cultivation, joy filled their faces as they bowed to Yuanshi Tianzun atop the platform.
To be honest, they had no idea what had happened. Yet Yuanshi Tianzun had suddenly given them special tutoring, helping them stabilize and improve their cultivation. This made Guang Chengzi and the others immensely happy.
"Mm."
Yuanshi Tianzun nodded. Before this, he might have been satisfied.
But after what had happened at the Palace of Supreme Purity and after witnessing Li Yun's potential and talent, he had to admit that even with twelve Direct Disciples, they still fell somewhat short compared to Li Yun, an Inner Disciple of the Human Teachings.
Their only advantage was perhaps their higher cultivation. Yet as time passed, that gap would only shrink further. He did not even believe that the cultivation speed and future limits of his twelve Direct Disciples could compare to Li Yun's.
At that thought, Yuanshi Tianzun could not help sighing. "The hundred-year sermon has ended. After returning, what you need to do is stabilize your cultivation and refine your own strength, ensuring that you do not disgrace our Chan Teachings in the upcoming Three Teachings Exchange Conference."
The moment those words were spoken, Guang Chengzi and the others immediately perked up.
They knew about the conflict between the Chan and Jie Sects. Although it had initially merely been clashes and contradictions between the Registered Disciples below and the Jie Teachings Disciples.
As things developed, quite a few of them had also been drawn into it.
Now that they heard Yuanshi Tianzun's words, they instinctively assumed that his special tutoring and cultivation improvements were meant to let them suppress the Interception Sect disciples.
Without the slightest hesitation, Guang Chengzi and the others spoke up one after another. "Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will certainly defeat those Interception Sect fellows."
"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will not fail to live up to your expectations."
"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will certainly crush those Interception Sect fellows."
"..."
Seeing his disciples scrambling to declare their resolve, Yuanshi Tianzun's mood finally improved somewhat.
Immediately afterward, he did not hesitate any longer and said directly, "Besides the Golden Immortal Realm disciples of the Interception Sect, you will also face an Inner Disciple from the Human Teachings."
"This child is named Li Yun. Although his cultivation has not reached the Golden Immortal Realm, he possesses extremely formidable combat power and strength. If you face him, be sure to exercise caution."
An Inner Disciple of the Human Teachings, Li Yun?
He was not in the Golden Immortal Realm.
Yet he was going to participate in the Golden Immortal Realm Exchange Meeting?
Hearing this, Guang Chengzi and the others looked at one another, unable to understand why Yuanshi Tianzun would say such a thing.
So what if he possessed Golden Immortal Realm combat power?
After a hundred years of special tutoring, their own strength was no longer comparable to that of those who had just entered the Golden Immortal Realm. Would they fear some mere Inner Disciple?
Naturally, though they were disdainful inwardly, they did not dare to be careless on the surface. They bowed and said, "This disciple will heed Master's teachings!"
"This disciple will certainly not fail Master's teachings!"
"..."
Other than a few who vaguely sensed that something was off about Li Yun's presence, the overwhelming majority of the Direct Disciples did not take him seriously.
This sight made Yuanshi Tianzun's anger flare.
He had already made it so obvious, yet these fools still had no reaction at all. They truly were impossibly stupid.
At that thought, Yuanshi Tianzun took note of Guang Chengzi, Yu Ding, and Tai Yi, the three who seemed thoughtful among the crowd. He secretly decided that he would focus on nurturing these three Direct Disciples in the future. The others lacked even this much wisdom, so he truly could not place too many hopes on them.
With that, Yuanshi Tianzun's mood improved slightly. He waved a hand and said, "Dismissed."
"Yes, Master!"
"Master, this disciple takes his leave!"
"..."
After answering, Guang Chengzi and the others bowed to Yuanshi Tianzun. They did not linger any longer, turning and leaving the main hall of the Jade Void Palace.
"Alas..."
After they left, Yuanshi Tianzun could not help sighing. He muttered, "Comparisons truly infuriate people, and goods must be discarded when compared."
"I was once quite satisfied with these twelve Direct Disciples, but now it seems they have plenty of flaws. Outstanding origins do not necessarily mean that one is outstanding oneself."
"But the Twelve Golden Immortals have already been decided. I have more Direct Disciples than both Eldest Brother and Third Brother. It would be impossible to reduce their number rashly. If I changed my orders every day, where would a Saint's dignity be?"
"After this matter is settled, it seems I must travel abroad and see whether I can find more outstanding disciples. Setting Li Yun aside, Xuandu under Eldest Brother alone possesses temperament and comprehension that Guang Chengzi and the others cannot compare to."
Biyou Palace!
"Very well. This sermon has ended. Is there anything you do not understand?"
Sect Master Tongtian stopped his sermon and looked down at Duobao, Gui Ling, Jin Ling, Wudang, and several Interception Sect disciples who had reached the Golden Immortal Realm.
Just like Yuanshi Tianzun, after returning from the Palace of Supreme Purity, Sect Master Tongtian had gathered all disciples who had reached the Golden Immortal Realm for special tutoring.
Over the course of a hundred years, they had basically all advanced by a minor realm, and their strength had also been enhanced to a certain degree.
Sect Master Tongtian was fairly satisfied with this. However, he did not dare relax. This Three Teachings Exchange Conference appeared to be a contest between disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects, but the true Three Teachings exchanges would take place at the Mysterious Immortal Realm and the Golden Immortal Realm.
The Mysterious Immortal Realm match was because Xuandu was currently at the Mysterious Immortal Realm.
As for the Golden Immortal Realm, it was because Li Yun would later participate and fight them.
Therefore, he cared greatly about these two battles and their outcomes, especially this group at the Golden Immortal Realm. Losing to the Direct Disciples of the Chan Teachings would be one thing, but if they lost to Li Yun, who was merely in the True Immortal Realm or the Grand Unity True Immortal Realm, then...
"Master, we disciples no longer have anything we do not understand."
At that moment, Duobao rose to answer.
It was not just him. The other Interception Sect disciples nearby were the same.
After all, this special tutoring had covered only knowledge related to the Golden Immortal Realm. Sect Master Tongtian had explained it in depth for over a hundred years. They were not idiots, so how could they fail to understand?
Yet precisely because of this, they felt even more curious.
Sect Master Tongtian had suddenly gathered them for special tutoring and sermons a hundred years ago, and now he was questioning them in this manner. No matter how they looked at it, something seemed off. Could it be that he was worried they were no match for the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Teachings?
At that thought, Duobao, the senior Direct Disciple, asked again, "Master, are you worried about the outcome of the Combat Tournament against the Chan Teachings disciples?"
As soon as he said this, everyone else also looked at Sect Master Tongtian curiously.
Although some of them were not Direct Disciples, they remained very confident in their own strength.
"No, no, no."
Sect Master Tongtian waved his hand and swept his gaze over Duobao and the others before continuing, "I am not worried about the Chan Teachings."
"I know the situation of the Chan Teachings' twelve Direct Disciples. They are evenly matched with you, and the outcome will depend on how each of you performs."
"But this time, you will have one additional opponent. He is a disciple under your Eldest Martial Uncle, named Li Yun. Although his cultivation has not reached the Golden Immortal Realm, his strength must not be underestimated. Ordinary Golden Immortals may not necessarily be his match."
What!
A disciple under Eldest Martial Uncle.
He was not a Golden Immortal, yet he was stronger than ordinary Golden Immortals?
Hearing this, Duobao and the others' expressions changed.
At this moment, they finally understood why Sect Master Tongtian had given them special tutoring. But immediately afterward, defiance surged into every one of their eyes.
Before you continue