Three Teachings Gathering, San Xiao's Shock

Hearing this, Laozi cast a thoughtful glance at Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian, then spoke indifferently: "Xuandu, Li Yun, you two stay behind to interact with the Junior Brothers and Sisters of the Chan and Jie Teachings. Your Master and these two Martial Uncles of yours have some follow-up matters to discuss."

Having said that, Laozi did not linger, walking directly into Jade Void Palace alongside Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian.

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

Watching the backs of the Three Pure Ones as they departed, Li Yun and Xuandu bowed in salute.

At the same time, Li Yun felt a sense of helpless amusement in his heart, thinking to himself: I never expected that before the Three Teachings Exchange Conference even began, I would have to engage in pleasantries with the disciples of the Chan and Jie Teachings!

It makes sense, though. After all, this is an exchange conference, not a Combat Tournament. Its essence is to foster bonds between the disciples of the three teachings, not to incite conflict.

Thinking this, Li Yun looked at Xuandu, who was standing to the side looking hesitant, and said, "Senior Brother, let us go."

"Since Master has already spoken, we cannot refuse."

"Very well!"

Nodding, Xuandu also understood that this was not something they could decline.

As the only Direct Disciple of the Human Teachings, he had to shoulder the reputation of his sect. For a moment, he felt quite nervous, his expression even turning somewhat rigid.

Tap, tap, tap—

The sound of footsteps echoed as Li Yun and Xuandu walked into the plaza.

In an instant, countless gazes converged, all locking onto the two of them.

Xuandu's body stiffened immediately, his nerves making him unsure of what to say.

Li Yun, however, was much calmer under the scrutiny of the crowd. He patted Xuandu on the shoulder and said, "Senior Brother, do not be nervous. Everyone here is a peer, and you are the only Direct Disciple of the Human Teachings; both your status and standing are above theirs."

Hearing this, Xuandu calmed down significantly. After taking a deep breath, he cupped his hands toward the disciples of the Chan and Jie Teachings present and said, "Xuandu of the Human Teachings greets all Junior Brothers and Sisters."

Seeing this, Li Yun did not waste words, cupping his hands in a salute as well: "Li Yun, Inner Disciple of the Human Teachings, greets all Senior and Junior Brothers."

At this, the disciples of the Chan and Jie Teachings finally reacted.

Many were filled with curiosity regarding Xuandu, the only Direct Disciple of the Human Teachings.

Especially now, they could clearly sense that Li Yun, despite being an Inner Disciple, possessed a higher cultivation base, yet he was not a Direct Disciple.

However, confusion aside, the disciples of the Chan and Jie Teachings dared not be negligent, and they returned the salute one after another: "Greetings, Senior Brother Xuandu!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother Xuandu!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother Li Yun!"

"Greetings, Junior Brother Li Yun!"

"..."

In an instant, the atmosphere in the plaza became much more harmonious.

Although it was filled with many questions, there was even more curiosity directed toward Li Yun and Xuandu.

One was the only Direct Disciple at the Mysterious Immortal Realm.

The other was an Inner Disciple held in high regard by a Saint.

After exchanging glances, the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Teachings and the Four Direct Disciples of the Jie Teachings walked out of their respective groups and headed straight toward the area where Li Yun and Xuandu stood.

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"Big Brother, it's him~"

At the same time, within the ranks of the Jie Teachings, Bixiao pointed at Li Yun and said, "Oh no, the person we tried to scheme against back then is actually an Inner Disciple of the Human Teachings."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Zhao Gongming, Yunxiao, and Qiongxiao turned somewhat grave.

Although there had been no direct interaction between the two sides back then, and Li Yun had retreated the moment they called out, that incident was indeed a point of contention. If Li Yun didn't care, it would be fine, but if he did, it would not be good news.

After all, while the latter was also an Inner Disciple, there were differences even among Inner Disciples.

Li Yun was the only Inner Disciple of the Human Teachings.

Though not a Direct Disciple, his treatment, status, and standing were enough to rival the Direct Disciples of the Chan and Jie Teachings. If he held any ill feelings toward their siblings, then...

"How could his cultivation have improved so quickly!"

Suddenly, Zhao Gongming seemed to notice something and frowned, saying, "When we encountered him back then, even though we were far apart, I could sense his cultivation was only at the Mysterious Immortal Realm, not even having entered the True Immortal Realm."

"Yet how much time has passed since then? I am still at the perfection of the True Immortal Realm, and while you have entered the True Immortal Realm, you are still far behind. But he has already reached the level of a Grand Unity True Immortal. This is simply..."

Upon hearing this, the breathing of the San Xiao sisters hitched.

Before Zhao Gongming pointed it out, they hadn't felt that anything was amiss.

But after his observation, they truly realized that the speed of the other party's growth was simply too fast, too bizarre.

"Is this the gold standard of an Inner Disciple of the Human Teachings?"

Yunxiao's mouth hung open, and she said in shock, "Even Senior Brother Xuandu, a Direct Disciple, is only at the Mysterious Immortal Realm. For this Senior Brother Li Yun's cultivation to reach such a level, and to improve so rapidly—I think I understand now that the previous rumors were not without foundation."

"Rumors?"

Hearing this, Zhao Gongming, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao all looked toward Yunxiao with curiosity.

Regarding this, Yunxiao did not hold anything back, nodding as she said, "You all remember over a hundred years ago when Master returned from the Palace of Supreme Purity and summoned all the Golden Immortal Realm disciples of our Jie Teachings, right?"

Hearing this, the three of them nodded.

That event had caused quite a stir within the Jie Teachings back then; all disciples at the Golden Immortal Realm had been summoned into Biyou Palace, and it was even rumored that Sect Master Tongtian had personally tutored them for a hundred years, resulting in significant improvements to their cultivation and strength upon their emergence.

Thinking of this, Zhao Gongming spoke up, "Little Sister, does this matter have something to do with Li Yun?"

"Yes!"

Nodding, Yunxiao said with a complex expression, "You all know that I have a good relationship with Martial Sister Gui Ling, and after they came out, I visited her once and exchanged some information."

"According to Martial Sister Gui Ling, Master seems to care very much about this Senior Brother Li Yun, and the very reason he gave them that special tutoring was to ensure they would have the strength to contend with Senior Brother Li Yun."

"I found it inconceivable before, but looking at it now, it seems this is truly the case."

Hiss—

Hearing this, Zhao Gongming and his sisters could not help but gasp in unison.

Subconsciously looking toward Li Yun, who had already gathered with the Direct Disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects and was sitting in an area of the plaza to converse, they wore expressions of shock. "Golden Immortal Realm!"

"He is only at the Grand Unity True Immortal Realm, yet he is actually going to participate in the competition for the Golden Immortal Realm?"

"If that is truly the case, then our previous actions..."

Having said this, Zhao Gongming did not continue.

The San Xiao sisters beside him also fell into silence; they were not idiots, so how could they not know that if this were true, the status and standing of Li Yun within the Xuanmen would reach an unimaginable height? Once the other party decided to settle accounts for what happened back then, then the four of them...