"Third Brother, this disciple of yours is quite remarkable."
After studying her for a few moments atop the high platform, Laozi praised, "She has an exceptional true form, and she even shares a bloodline connection with the First Mystic Turtle of Heaven and Earth. With proper cultivation, her potential may even surpass disciples like Kong Xuan."
At those words, Sect Master Tongtian grinned as well.
The others did not know, but he knew Gui Ling's origins.
She was the offspring of the first Mystic Turtle in the world. However, she had not been fully conceived in the true sense. To keep Gui Ling from following in his footsteps, Mystic Turtle infused his own Merit into her body, allowing her to take form at the Grand Unity True Immortal Realm.
It so happened that the Three Pure Ones were accepting disciples. Mystic Turtle used his immense Magical Power to forcibly open a Space Tunnel and send Gui Ling to Kunlun Mountain. Only after reaching an agreement with Sect Master Tongtian through his divine sense did he depart. Gui Ling was also the only one among the four Direct Disciples accepted without undergoing any test.
"That Mystic Turtle?"
Yuanshi Tianzun froze for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "No wonder. She is actually the daughter of the Mystic Turtle whose physical body rivaled that of a Saint. In that case, her strength and methods make sense."
As he spoke, Yuanshi Tianzun felt somewhat bitter.
Laozi had Li Yun.
Tongtian had Gui Ling and Kong Xuan.
As for his own disciples, while the Twelve Golden Immortals had excellent foundations, they were merely excellent. They could not compare to Li Yun, Gui Ling, or Kong Xuan. At best, they were on the same level as Jin Ling and Da Peng.
They might not even have any chance of surpassing Duobao, Wudang, or Xuandu.
At that moment, Yuanshi Tianzun was filled with regret. Had he known this would happen, he would not have accepted twelve Direct Disciples on such a large scale, nor would he have directly bestowed upon them the title of Twelve Golden Immortals.
Now, with the Twelve Golden Immortals already established and all twelve Direct Disciple positions filled, it would be far more difficult for him to accept more Direct Disciples. By then...
"Second Brother, you regret it."
Sensing the bitterness in Yuanshi Tianzun's words, Sect Master Tongtian hesitated before saying, "When we accepted disciples, you said that twelve was the limit for your sect. Meanwhile, Eldest Brother and I could have at most nine Direct Disciples each. That was why Eldest Brother accepted only one Direct Disciple, while I accepted only four—to ensure there would still be room and flexibility in the future."
"But the Twelve Golden Immortals under you are troublesome. Honestly, I think Nanjixianweng and Yun Zhongzi in your sect are inherently more outstanding than several of your Direct Disciples."
"Enough!"
Hearing Sect Master Tongtian's words, Yuanshi Tianzun snapped irritably, "Things have already come to this. What is the point of saying all this? I..."
"There is a point!"
Before Yuanshi Tianzun could finish, Sect Master Tongtian said quietly, "Though it may be troublesome, Direct Disciples can be dismissed, and the Twelve Golden Immortals can be changed. It depends on whether you can make up your mind, Second Brother. You may lose some face, but you can also secure a better future for Chan Teachings."
At those words, Yuanshi Tianzun stopped short.
After looking deeply at Sect Master Tongtian, Yuanshi Tianzun asked, "What method?"
Though he would lose face, Yuanshi Tianzun truly could not sit still and watch outstanding disciples continuously emerge from Human Teachings and the Interception Sect.
If the Three Brothers' situations had been similar, then even if the Twelve Golden Immortals had limited potential—or were even somewhat disappointing—he would still have worked hard to cultivate a few who could uphold a Saint's dignity.
But the current situation was that even the most outstanding among the Twelve Golden Immortals could only reach the level of Wudang, Duobao, and Xuandu. The rest were inferior even to Jin Ling and the others, utterly incapable of rivaling Li Yun, Kong Xuan, and Gui Ling.
Therefore, for the future and inheritance of Chan Teachings, he could no longer concern himself with anything else, even if it meant losing face and dignity.
"Simple."
Seeing that Yuanshi Tianzun was tempted, Sect Master Tongtian breathed a sigh of relief and said sincerely, "Turn the Twelve Golden Immortals into positions. All Chan Teachings disciples can compete for them."
"Furthermore, only the Twelve Golden Immortals may be Direct Disciples. If they fail and lose their position, they will automatically be demoted to Inner Disciples. Conversely, anyone who takes a position among the Twelve Golden Immortals will automatically be promoted to a Direct Disciple."
"Although this would make the positions of Direct Disciples somewhat unstable and might make many people uncomfortable, compared to the hopes of Chan Teachings' vast number of disciples, the feelings of just a few Direct Disciples are insignificant."
At those words, Yuanshi Tianzun fell into thought.
This was indeed a good solution. It could even resolve the problem of Chan Teachings' second-generation Direct Disciples lacking strength and potential.
However, Yuanshi Tianzun did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Laozi and asked, "Eldest Brother, what do you think?"
Faced with the question, Laozi no longer pretended not to hear. When Sect Master Tongtian had spoken up earlier, he had already overstepped somewhat. Even as the eldest brother, Laozi would not casually interfere with his younger brothers' decisions or the affairs of their sects.
But now was different.
Yuanshi Tianzun had asked him directly, so as the eldest brother, it was only natural for him to offer guidance.
With that thought, Laozi slowly said, "I believe this is feasible."
"To be honest, when disciples were being accepted, I paid attention to the disciples under you and Third Brother."
"The Twelve Golden Immortals' aptitude was indeed exceptional at the time, even no worse than several of Third Brother's Direct Disciples. The only exceptions were Gui Ling and Kong Xuan."
"But after all these years, Second Brother, you should have noticed that Third Brother's Direct Disciples are stronger in terms of sheer ability. Even their fighting spirit and combat awareness are superior. In one-on-one battles at the same realm, almost no one among the Twelve Golden Immortals has any chance or confidence of victory."
"Do you know why I have said all this, Second Brother?"
"This..."
Yuanshi Tianzun opened his mouth, unsure how to answer. Yet deep down, he vaguely had a guess.
But before he could say it, Laozi spoke first. "They lack a sense of crisis. They enjoy their current status and position, and have turned their attention toward fighting among fellow disciples."
"The positions of the Twelve Golden Immortals have given them too much comfort, making them fearless. All because you, Second Brother, said there would only ever be twelve Direct Disciples, so..."
Listening to Laozi's words, Yuanshi Tianzun looked down at the Twelve Golden Immortals below.
Although they had failed, they were not particularly dejected. Even after witnessing the battle between Li Yun and Gui Ling, whose strength far exceeded their own, they still showed little urgency or sense of crisis.
"I was wrong!"
Taking a deep breath, Yuanshi Tianzun looked toward Gui Ling and Li Yun, who were still fighting, then said, "Eldest Brother, I have made up my mind!"
"Third Brother, I will adopt your proposal!"
"I owe you a favor over this matter. Whatever you need Second Brother to do in the future, I will not refuse!"
Before you continue