Three Sects' Direct Disciples Gather, Li Yun's Investigation

In a corner of the plaza, Li Yun and Xuandu took their seats, led by the direct disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects.

Following this, Duobao, Guang Chengzi, and the others greeted them one after another: "Guang Chengzi, Yu Ding, Taiyi, Cihang, Puxian, Huang Long... of the Chan Teachings, greet Senior Brother Xuandu and Junior Brother Li Yun!"

"Duobao, Gui Ling, Jin Ling, and Wudang of the Jie Teachings greet Senior Brother Xuandu and Junior Brother Li Yun!"

"Greetings, fellow Junior Brothers and Sisters!"

To this, Xuandu nodded; although he was flustered inside, he appeared very composed on the surface.

Even though the cultivation levels of these Junior Brothers and Sisters far exceeded his own, Xuandu did not mind. After all, he would not be crossing paths with them later, and most importantly, he had already been humbled by Li Yun more than once, making him well aware of the gap between himself and the likes of Duobao.

After all, his foundation as a human was weak, and his time spent cultivating was far too short; compared to Duobao and the others, who possessed True Immortal or even Grand Unity True Immortal cultivation the moment they took form, there was still a significant disparity.

"Li Yun greets all Senior Brothers and Sisters!"

Li Yun was even more composed. He cupped his hands in a salute toward Duobao, Guang Chengzi, and the others, though his gaze could not help but size them up.

The Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Teachings were more famous than they were powerful.

Although being accepted as a direct disciple by a Saint was indeed a source of pride, they would later be soundly beaten by many disciples of the Jie Teachings during the Investiture of the Gods. Even when the Twelve Golden Immortals joined forces, they were no match, which showed they were truly flowers raised in a greenhouse.

Especially the eldest direct disciple among them, Guang Chengzi.

In the original story, Yuanshi Tianzun could be said to be incredibly satisfied with and approving of this disciple, even showing absolute favoritism.

But what was the result?

Guang Chengzi's performance was mediocre, and by the later stages, he truly had nothing impressive to show for himself.

Conversely, Yu Ding trained Yang Jian, and Taiyi trained Nezha; both of their reputations were greater, especially Taiyi, who went on to become Taiyi Tianzun, one of the future Heavenly Venerables of the Heavenly Court.

Beyond that, Cihang, Puxian, and Juliusun were the first victims within the Chan Teachings. They received little attention and no recognition from Yuanshi Tianzun, and after the War of the Investiture of the Gods, they were forced to defect from the Chan Teachings alongside Randeng to join the Western Teachings, becoming Bodhisattvas and Buddhas.

Admittedly, their strength improved at that time, but the label of "traitor" could never be washed away. This led to them not being highly valued even within the Western Teachings, having to wait until Duobao joined the Western Teachings, took the name Sakyamuni, and transformed the Western Teachings into Mahayana Buddhism before they finally began to rise.

Of course, compared to Cihang and the others.

The remaining direct disciples like Huang Long, Qingxu, and Lingbao were even more miserable; they didn't even have a shred of reputation to speak of. After the Investiture of the Gods, they essentially had no role and were relegated to supporting characters. Even though they remained direct disciples of the Chan Teachings, they were essentially discarded pawns.

Therefore, in Li Yun's view, the Twelve Golden Immortals were more famous than they were powerful.

It wasn't that they were inherently incompetent, but after becoming direct disciples of a Saint and being titled the Twelve Golden Immortals, they lost their sense of awe and drive. If they hadn't been gifted with extraordinary talent and profound enlightenment, they never would have been taken under Yuanshi Tianzun's wing; unfortunately, their subsequent development became the problem.

Conversely, the four direct disciples of the Jie Teachings were far more impressive.

Duobao!

This individual was absolutely the best successor for the Jie Teachings.

If not for the War of the Investiture of the Gods, he would have inevitably become the new master of the Jie Teachings.

Even though the War of the Investiture of the Gods was a fight to the death, his talent was still recognized by Laozi. To sabotage the rising momentum of the Western Teachings, Laozi passed the Human Teachings' heritage to Duobao, personally "transforming the Hu into the mortal world" by sending Duobao out of Jiayu Pass, and then having him reincarnate as Sakyamuni to establish Theravada Buddhism.

Duobao had almost stolen the fortune of the Western Teachings.

But in the end, he could not resist the temptation of the Saints; he led Theravada Buddhism to merge into the Western Teachings, established Mahayana Buddhism, and became Tathagata Buddha.

After the Investiture of the Gods, Duobao was infinitely glorious.

Although he held the reputation of being the master of the Western Teachings, he was indeed the only second-generation disciple of the Xuanmen capable of contending with the Heavenly Emperor Haotian, and even suppressing the Heavenly Court.

His strength went without saying; by gathering the heritage of the Jie, Human, and Western Teachings, his cultivation surpassed the Quasi-Saint stage to reach the Half-Saint level, making him a top-tier combatant beneath the Saints, capable of contending with the top Great Spiritual Power Users of the older generation.

Aside from Duobao.

None of the other disciples of the Human, Chan, and Jie Sects had achieved such a feat, not even Xuandu.

This showed just how immense Duobao's talent and potential were, but unfortunately...

Shaking his head, Li Yun glanced at Xuandu as he exchanged pleasantries with the direct disciples. He did not participate in the conversation, instead looking toward the remaining three direct disciples of the Jie Teachings.

Jin Ling!

The future Golden Spirit Holy Mother was, in herself, a figure of immense power within the Jie Teachings.

Unfortunately, simply because of issues involving her own disciples, she could not maintain her Dao Heart, recklessly left Jin'ao Island, and ultimately died a miserable death, ending up on the Investiture of the Gods list, forever controlled by it as a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

Gui Ling.

The future Turtle Spirit Holy Mother was more obedient, but her luck was poor; after the Myriad Immortals Formation was shattered, she was forcibly converted by Jieyin.

If she had been converted to the Western Teachings, it wouldn't have been a total loss; with her potential and her relationship with Duobao, she would certainly have had a place. Alas, her luck was bad. Even after the Investiture of the Gods ended, she was trapped within the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit, and because her power was sealed, she was sucked dry and killed by Wen Daoren, becoming the only direct disciple of the Xuanmen to fall during the era of the Investiture of the Gods.

As for Wudang.

This future Wudang Holy Mother was also the future successor of the Jie Teachings.

When Duobao and the others were captured, killed, or listed, Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti did not dare to exterminate them completely, leaving this junior disciple behind to inherit the orthodoxy of the Jie Teachings, giving Sect Master Tongtian a shred of dignity.

But by then, the Jie Teachings had long since been shattered and destroyed; what remained were only a few stray cats. She could inherit the orthodoxy, but rising again was basically impossible.

This led to Wudang becoming a Quasi-Saint powerhouse in the future, but the Jie Teachings no longer existed. She herself took the name Old Mother Li Shan to maintain the final shred of dignity for the Jie Teachings.

However, as far as Li Yun knew.

Wudang was indeed the most talented among the four direct disciples of the Jie Teachings.

If not for the destruction of the Jie Teachings and Sect Master Tongtian being sealed in Zixiao Palace, leaving her without guidance or instruction, her future achievements would essentially not have been inferior to Duobao's.

"Junior Brother Li Yun!"

"You stare at Junior Sister Wudang so intently; could it be that you have taken a fancy to her?"

Suddenly, a playful voice rang out, jolting Li Yun back to his senses.

Following the sound, he saw Martial Sister Gui Ling sitting in the seat beside him, currently raising her wine cup as she teased him with the question.

As soon as these words were spoken, many people nearby raised their eyebrows, and apart from a few individuals in the distance, the gazes of everyone else turned toward where Li Yun was sitting.

Wudang's pretty face flushed red, and she looked at Gui Ling with a shy expression: "Martial Sister Gui Ling, what are you saying? This, how could that be possible~"