Visiting Friends on Kunlun, Playing Tricks on the Three Pure Ones

Kunlun Immortal Mountain, the ancestor of all mountains, the source of dragon veins. Its peaks are majestic, stretching for hundreds of millions of miles, perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, imbued with immortal energy. Its unique peaks compete in beauty, with cascading waterfalls and flowing springs. It is truly a renowned grotto-heaven and blessed land in the Primordial Era, and even more so, the dojo of Pangu's Orthodox Lineage—the Three Pure Ones.

Xuan Wazi, riding his escaping light and hidden beneath the aura of the Chaos Bead, saw the magnificent Kunlun Divine Mountain from afar. Even with his current cultivation and perspective, he couldn't help but marvel.

"As expected of the Three Pure Ones' nest. This location, this spiritual energy, is far superior to that little corner at the foot of my Mount Buzhou," he clicked his tongue in wonder, then curled his lip. "However, too good feng shui also attracts thieves, like this humble Taoist priest."

He did not directly barge into the core area of Kunlun Mountain, where the Three Pure Ones had set up powerful restrictions. Forcing his way in would inevitably alert them. He landed on the outskirts and put on the [Heavenly Secret Concealment Mask] again. This time, he transformed into an old Taoist with an immortal demeanor, holding a whisk, with white hair and a youthful complexion. His aura was simulated to be at the Profound Immortal realm, making him appear as a rogue cultivator who had come seeking immortality and the Tao.

After tidying his appearance, Xuan Wazi cleared his throat, adopted the air of an enlightened master, and walked towards a mountain gate shrouded in mist within Kunlun Mountain. Faint traces of pure energy and Taoist rhythm flowed there, indicating it was an entrance to one of the Three Pure Ones' dojos.

As he neared the mountain gate, two young boys in green Taoist robes, with tender faces but clear eyes, appeared and blocked his path. They cupped their fists and said, "Infinite Heavenly Venerate of Blessings! Esteemed Taoist friend, please stop. This is where the Ancestors of the Three Pure Ones cultivate in seclusion. May I ask where you come from and what brings you here?"

Xuan Wazi returned the salute with a cupped fist, his smile warm and his voice gentle. "This humble Taoist is Xuan Yunzi, a rogue cultivator from overseas. I have long admired Pangu's Orthodox Lineage and the profound virtue of the Three Pure Ones. My heart yearns for it, and I have come to pay my respects and discuss the Tao to seek truth. I hope the young attendants can announce my arrival."

His words were flawless, and his posture was sufficiently humble. The two boys, seeing his extraordinary bearing, respectful speech, and that he was an overseas rogue cultivator, exchanged glances. One of the boys then said, "Please wait here for a moment, Taoist friend. Allow me to report to my Senior Martial Brother."

The boy turned and entered the mist. Xuan Wazi leisurely observed the surrounding scenery, thinking to himself, "Senior Martial Brother? That must be Laozi. Heh heh, I'll meet this future leader of the Human School first."

Before long, the mist parted, and a middle-aged Taoist with a lean face, a calm expression, and wearing an Yin-Yang Taoist robe walked out slowly. It was the Grand Pure One Laozi. His aura was contained and as deep as an abyss; he had already reached the Quasi-Saint realm. His gaze fell calmly upon Xuan Wazi, as if he could see through all illusions.

Xuan Wazi's heart tightened slightly. This Laozi is indeed unfathomable. He quickly stepped forward and bowed again, "Overseas rogue cultivator Xuan Yunzi, greetings to Taiqing Taoist friend."

Laozi nodded slightly in return and said in a calm, unvarying voice, "Taoist friend Xuan Yun, you have traveled far. May I ask what Tao you wish to discuss?"

"This humble Taoist's cultivation is shallow. Recently, I have had some confusion regarding the 'Distinction between Being and Non-being.' I have long heard that Taiqing Taoist friend deeply understands this path and have come to seek your guidance." Xuan Wazi had already prepared his words and directly posed a seemingly profound topic. In his previous life, he had read some Taoist classics, so he had some confidence in discussing such matters.

A hint of surprise flashed in Laozi's eyes. The "Distinction between Being and Non-being" was indeed one of his recent focuses of enlightenment. He glanced at Xuan Wazi and said faintly, "The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. Non-being is the name of the beginning of heaven and earth; Being is the name of the mother of all things. Therefore, by always being in non-being, one sees the essence. By always being in being, one sees the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name; together they are called the profound. Profound and more profound, the gate to all wonders."

He's starting with the opening of the Daodejing! Xuan Wazi grumbled inwardly, but outwardly, he put on an expression of rapturous enlightenment and clapped his hands, exclaiming, "Wonderful! Taiqing Taoist friend's words directly point to the origin of the Great Tao! Being and non-being give rise to each other; difficulty and ease complete each other; long and short form each other; high and low set each other off; sound and voice harmonize with each other; and front and back follow each other... This is eternal!"

He continued, also quoting content from later in the Daodejing. Although he was merely reciting, in this context, it seemed perfectly appropriate, as if he had truly gained insight from Laozi's guidance.

Laozi was genuinely moved now. He could feel that this "Xuan Yunzi" was not simply repeating words; his speech indeed carried a unique understanding of the dialectics of the Great Tao. Although shallow, the perspective was novel. His originally indifferent expression softened slightly, and he nodded, "That Taoist friend can gain such insight shows you have a profound connection to the Tao."

The two began to discuss the Tao outside the mountain gate, exchanging words. Laozi primarily spoke of purity, non-action, and following nature; Xuan Wazi occasionally agreed, and at other times, from the perspective of "stubbornness," he raised questions that seemed rebellious but, upon closer thought, contained subtle wit. For example, "If the Tao follows nature, then our cultivation that goes against the heavens, is it not already against nature?" "Doing nothing yet doing everything, is mischievousness and playfulness also a facet of the Tao?"

This discussion on the Tao caused Laozi to ponder at times, and his gaze towards Xuan Wazi also carried a hint of inquiry. He felt that this "Taoist friend Xuan Yunzi" had a rather... unique and unrestrained way of thinking.

Just as the atmosphere of discussing the Tao grew intense, a voice, majestic yet tinged with displeasure, rang out, "Eldest Brother, who is making such a commotion here, disturbing our cultivation?"

A middle-aged Taoist with a stern face, wearing a magnificent Taoist robe and a Yuqing lotus crown, walked out. It was the Yuqing Primordial Heavenly Venerate. His gaze swept over Xuan Wazi, seeing that he was only at the Profound Immortal cultivation level and was an unfamiliar face. He frowned slightly, with a natural sense of superiority and scrutiny.

Xuan Wazi chuckled inwardly. "Oh, this is the Primordial Heavenly Venerate who later values lineage and ceremony the most." He remained outwardly calm and bowed again, "This humble Taoist is Xuan Yunzi, greetings to Yuqing Taoist friend."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate simply gave a faint "Hmm" in response, then said to Laozi, "Eldest Brother, this person's origin is unknown, and his cultivation is shallow. Engaging in discussion with him, wouldn't it delay our cultivation?"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Wazi's "stubborn" nature immediately flared up. He pretended not to hear Primordial's words and instead exclaimed to Laozi, "Taiqing Taoist friend, I just heard you speak of 'The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without contention,' and I have gained much insight. I recall my travels in the past, seeing streams in the mountains, they would flow around rocks or fill ravines. They seemed weak and non-contending, yet they permeated everywhere and could break anything hard. Perhaps this is the 'contention of non-contention'? Even some stubborn rocks, after thousands of years of being washed by the water, become smooth and exquisite. This shows that even 'stubborn' rocks are not unteachable, one just needs to find the right method."

His words, while ostensibly praising the virtue of water, subtly compared Primordial Heavenly Venerate to a "stubborn rock" that needed to be "washed" by the water, and even pointed out the value of "stubbornness."

Laozi's eyes flashed with understanding and a smile. How could he not hear the hidden meaning in Xuan Wazi's words? He found this "Taoist friend Xuan Yunzi" not only insightful but also clever and interesting.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate's face, however, darkened. He was a person of great stature and naturally heard the barbs in the words. He snorted coldly, "Clever words and a pleasing countenance! The Great Tao is vast and glorious; how can you, from unorthodox paths, presume to speculate about it!"

"Second Brother, why get angry?" Another clear voice chimed in. A young Taoist with a sharp and rebellious aura, wearing a green Taoist robe, appeared. It was the Shangqing Tongtian. He looked at Xuan Wazi with great interest and smiled, "What Taoist friend Xuan Yunzi said, although somewhat... peculiar, may not be without reason. There are three thousand Daos, and each can lead to Hunyuan. Why be confined to one mold?"

Tongtian had a straightforward personality and disliked Primordial's adherence to formalities and lineage. Instead, he found Xuan Wazi's (Xuan Yunzi's) words quite to his liking.

Xuan Wazi looked at Tongtian and inwardly praised, "Taoist friend Tongtian is truly on the right path!" He quickly cupped his fists towards Tongtian, "Shangqing Taoist friend, you see clearly! This humble Taoist simply believes that cultivators should have a heart that encompasses all things and breaks through boundaries. Only then can they see the true Tao. For example, Father God Pangu, who opened heaven and earth, performed that act against heaven; did he not also break through the boundaries of chaos?"

His words not only praised Pangu but also subtly aligned with Tongtian's doctrine of seizing a sliver of opportunity. Tongtian nodded repeatedly, finding Xuan Wazi more and more likable.

Primordial saw Tongtian siding with an outsider, and his expression grew even more displeased. However, with Laozi present, he could not act out, and merely snorted coldly, flicking his sleeve.

Laozi observed all this and sighed inwardly. He said, "Taoist friend Xuan Yun's insights are unique, and they have benefited my martial brothers as well. Let our discussion of the Tao end here for today. Would Taoist friend be willing to come inside for a chat?"

Xuan Wazi knew when to stop. He knew it was not advisable to linger too long on the first meeting, and he felt Primordial's gaze could practically kill someone. He quickly waved his hands and smiled, "Thank you for your kind invitation, Taiqing Taoist friend. However, this humble Taoist has suddenly had an inspiration and needs to find a place for quiet cultivation to digest today's gains. I will not disturb the three Taoist friends' secluded cultivation. If fate allows, I will visit again another day."

With that, he bowed again to the Three Pure Ones, especially to Tongtian, secretly giving him a "you understand" look. Then, he mounted his escaping light and gracefully departed, his figure quickly disappearing into the Kunlun mist.

Watching the direction Xuan Wazi left, Laozi pondered. Primordial said displeasuredly, "Eldest Brother, this person's mind is erratic, and his words are wild. He is definitely not a benevolent person." Tongtian, however, retorted, "I think this person's temperament is straightforward and he has great wisdom."

For the first time, the Three Pure Ones had a subtle disagreement because of an "outsider." And the instigator, Xuan Wazi, was secretly chuckling in the clouds.

"Heh heh, the seeds have been sown. Laozi thinks I'm interesting, Primordial thinks I'm annoying, Tongtian thinks I'm to his taste... Perfect!" Xuan Wazi was very satisfied with his first visit to the Three Pure Ones. "When Zixiao Palace opens next time, I'll add some more explosive material for you all!"

In a cheerful mood, he hummed an off-key tune and decided to visit the Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain again to see if he could get some Ginseng Fruit from Zhen Yuanzi to taste.