Sanqing Takes Disciples, Taishang and Tongtian Establish Their Own Manors

In the Primordial Chaos, on Kunlun Mountain.

This was the Dao Field of the Sanqing.

Having witnessed the great tribulations of heaven and earth, the beings of the Primordial Chaos understood that only those with powerful backing could survive in this world.

Since Xuan Yi and Nuwa were unwilling to take on more disciples, the Sanqing became the first choice for many in the Primordial Chaos.

For a time, countless cultivators from the Primordial Chaos gathered at the foot of Kunlun Mountain.

They merely sought the pity of the Saints, hoping to be accepted as disciples and enjoy their protection.

Faced with this scene, the Sanqing were all overjoyed. Yuanshi and Tongtian had long desired to take in disciples, while Laozi, though reluctant to accept more, saw how such a gathering would further enhance the Sanqing's reputation and was immensely pleased.

Although Yuanshi and Tongtian were fellow disciples, their philosophies differed.

Yuanshi Tianzun believed in following the Heavenly Dao, asserting that only those with great perseverance and merit were worthy of cultivating immortality. He felt that those with fur and horns were unworthy of his teachings.

He even set up several grand formations to test the cultivators' character.

Ultimately, only thirteen cultivators managed to pass Yuanshi Tianzun's trials.

However, one among these thirteen was particularly unique. He had attained enlightenment from a congenital coffin and possessed the congenital Spiritual Treasure, the Lingjiu Palace Lantern. He was one of the Three Thousand Mortal Guests, none other than Randeng Daoren.

Yuanshi Tianzun was initially hesitant to accept him. But since Randeng had publicly passed his test, refusing him would be a blatant slap in his own face. Yuanshi Tianzun, who valued his reputation more than his life, would never do such a thing.

Furthermore, Randeng had mastered the essence of shamelessness from Jieyin and Zhunti.

Seeing Randeng's tearful pleas, Yuanshi Tianzun felt helpless and finally agreed to accept him.

However, he did not take Randeng as a direct disciple. Instead, Randeng was placed below Yuanshi, becoming the Deputy Leader of Chan Religion, a unique existence within Yuanshi Tianzun's sect.

Additionally, there were the renowned Twelve Golden Immortals, such as Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, Huanglong Zhenren, Juliusun, Taiyi Zhenren, Lingbao Dashishi, Manjushri Guangfa Tianzun, Samantabhadra Zhenren, Cihang Daoren, Yuding Zhenren, Daoxing Tianzun, and Daode Zhenjun.

Among them, Yuanshi truly did not wish to accept Huanglong Zhenren as a disciple. This was because Huanglong Zhenren had attained enlightenment as a dragon, and Yuanshi, who detested creatures with fur and horns, found him highly disagreeable.

Yet, Huanglong Zhenren had a karmic connection with Yuanshi and had passed his trials. Gritting his teeth, Yuanshi Tianzun accepted him.

Unlike Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian believed that all beings in the Heavenly Dao had a chance at survival. He felt that the transmission of teachings should not solely depend on one's origins, and all beings in the Primordial Chaos should have the opportunity to cultivate.

Having received great kindness from the Dao Ancestor, he felt obligated to accept many disciples, to expand the Xuan Sect, and to teach without discrimination.

With this thought, Tongtian Jiaozhu accepted all who came to him seeking to become his disciple.

His direct disciples included Duobao Daoren, Jinling Shengmu, and Wudang Shengmu.

His outer disciples consisted of siblings Zhao Gongming, Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao, among others.

He also accepted the Seven Attendant Immortals: Wuyun Xian, Jingu Xian, Jinguang Xian, Qiushou Xian, Lingya Xian, Yuyi Xian, and Chang'er Dingguang Xian.

Furthermore, there were countless registered disciples. The sheer number of them turned Kunlun Mountain, a blessed land, into a bustling marketplace, filled with incessant noise.

This displeased Yuanshi Tianzun, who valued origins, but he did not show his displeasure at the time.

Laozi, adhering to the principle of pure inaction, felt that having Xuandu as his sole disciple was sufficient and did not participate in the disciple recruitment.

Meanwhile, Jieyin and Zhunti in the West were also recruiting disciples. However, compared to the Sanqing's crowded halls, very few people were willing to join the Western Teachings.

This was because the West was too impoverished, a desolate land where even birds wouldn't defecate, naturally attracting few.

This made the already sorrowful expressions of Jieyin and Zhunti even more grim.

After the Sanqing finished accepting disciples, Tongtian and Yuanshi frequently clashed over their disciples.

One day, the two were arguing again.

The cause was simple: Yuding Zhenren, a disciple of Yuanshi, encountered a disciple of the Jie Religion, a black tiger that had yet to fully transform.

Yuding Zhenren, with his arrogant demeanor, looked down on them.

He scornfully declared, "A bunch of creatures with fur and scales dare to associate with us?"

These words were overheard by Lingya Xian of the Jie Religion, who, unwilling to be insulted, argued with him. The matter quickly reached Tongtian's ears.

Unwilling to let the insult stand, Tongtian confronted Yuanshi to reason with him.

"Senior Brother Yuanshi, we three are one family. Our disciples should love each other. But your disciple has gone too far today, insulting our disciples. You must discipline him properly."

Unfortunately, Tongtian had approached the wrong person. The saying "like master, like disciple" perfectly described Yuanshi Tianzun. He inwardly harbored even greater resentment towards Tongtian's disciples and immediately suggested that Tongtian dismiss them.

"Junior Brother, your words are reasonable. I will discipline my disciples. However, I am also happy that you have accepted disciples, but you must consider their origins. You have accepted a group of creatures with fur and horns. If this gets out, what will happen to our Sanqing reputation? You should dismiss them as soon as possible."

Upon hearing Yuanshi Tianzun's words, Tongtian was furious.

His face immediately turned grim.

"Senior Brother, I believe your words are inappropriate. When the Dao Ancestor lectured in the past, did he consider one's origins or innate talent? Did he not treat everyone equally and teach without discrimination? Even the Heavenly Dao offers a glimmer of hope. Why should the path of cultivation be divided by high and low status?"

Tongtian Jiaozhu's words completely negated the teachings of the Chan Religion.

Yuanshi Tianzun did not hold back and immediately retorted.

"Of course, there are distinctions between high and low status among beings. Otherwise, why could we Sanqing become Saints? Why weren't other beings Saints? It is precisely because we are manifestations of Pangu's Primordial Spirit, possessing excellent origins and innate talent. Therefore, your argument, Tongtian, is utterly absurd."

"There are indeed differences in the origins of beings in the Primordial Chaos. But is it not precisely because of this that we need to preach and accept disciples? If all beings in the Primordial Chaos had excellent origins and talents, what would be the purpose of our Sanqing's existence? Do you, Second Brother, also find this absurd?"

"Hmph! Tongtian! Stop quibbling! We established our teachings to help beings with lower cultivation achieve the Dao, but not all beings can achieve it. We should follow the Heavenly Dao and diligently guide those qualified to attain the Dao. As for those beasts with fur and horns, we must show no leniency. Have you forgotten the battle between the Wu and Yao tribes? Have you forgotten the ancient battle of the Three Clans? Which epoch was not caused by these creatures with fur and horns?"

"..."

The two argued incessantly, back and forth.

Their quarrel quickly drew Taishang, but this was no longer a mere conflict between the disciples of Tongtian Jiaozhu and Yuanshi Tianzun. It was now a conflict of their doctrines, concerning the very path to sainthood. As such, Taishang found it difficult to intervene and could only watch from the sidelines.

"Since our paths diverge, we cannot walk together. I shall take my disciples and leave this place. As for the correctness of our doctrines, let time be the judge of who is right and who is wrong,"

Yuanshi Tianzun was stunned by these words, and the grand hall fell into silence.

"Alas! It is as it is. We are already Saints, and Kunlun Mountain cannot accommodate three Saints simultaneously. I shall depart then."

Taishang broke the silence. He too decided to move away from Kunlun Mountain.

Taishang bid farewell to Tongtian and Yuanshi, and together with their respective disciples, they ventured into the Primordial Chaos to find their own Dao Fields.

Yuanshi felt a deep sense of loss and reluctance. After all, their brotherhood spanned countless eons. However, when it came to the Great Dao he adhered to, Yuanshi did not speak to stop them.

The Pangu Sanqing had separated! This event caused quite a stir in the Primordial World.

No one expected that the Sanqing, who were as close as brothers, would actually split up.

For a time, speculations about why the Sanqing had separated ran rampant among the beings of the Primordial Chaos. Meanwhile, Taishang and Tongtian found new Dao Fields.

Laozi's new Dao Field was named Shouyang Mountain. Though not as magnificent as Kunlun Mountain, it was still an extremely rare blessed land. Laozi established the Eight Sceneries Palace on Shouyang Mountain and cultivated daily with Xuandu.

Now, let's speak of Tongtian and his group who had also departed!

It was a matter of destiny. Tongtian encountered a colossal Mysterious Turtle in the East Sea!

This turtle was immensely huge and had been born since the creation of the heavens.

However, for some unknown reason, this Mysterious Turtle had been unable to transform. Having resided in the sea for eons, its shell was covered with various spiritual herbs.

When the Mysterious Turtle learned that Tongtian Jiaozhu was seeking a Dao Field, it offered for Tongtian to establish his Dao Field on its shell, promising protection from Tongtian Jiaozhu in return.

Upon calculating, Tongtian discovered that he was indeed destined to establish his Dao Field here.

Tongtian readily agreed and even accepted the Mysterious Turtle's daughter as his personal disciple, bestowing upon her the name Guiling Shengmu, as a token of gratitude for the turtle's contribution.

Thus, Guiling Shengmu, Tongtian Jiaozhu's fated fourth personal disciple, officially joined the Jie Religion.

Tongtian Jiaozhu built the Biyou Palace on the back of the Mysterious Turtle and named this island, the Mysterious Turtle Island, Golden Ao Island!

He then began to preach, attracting countless beings from the East Sea to listen. In no time, the name Golden Ao Island resounded throughout the Primordial Chaos, drawing numerous cultivators who came to seek discipleship. Tongtian Jiaozhu accepted them all without refusal.

In just a mere hundred years, the Jie Religion developed rapidly, showing signs of "Ten Thousand Immortals Paying Homage." This brought great joy to Tongtian Jiaozhu.

Meanwhile, Yuanshi, who remained in East Kunlun, set up several grand formations on Kunlun Mountain and established the Yuxu Palace as his Dao Field.

Xuan Yi did not intervene in the separation of the Sanqing. Firstly, it was a family matter for the Sanqing. Secondly, Kunlun Mountain truly could not bear the presence of three Saints. As long as it did not affect the development of the Xuanmen, Xuan Yi did not wish to meddle.

It is said that time flows differently in cultivation. In the blink of an eye, ten thousand years had passed.

This was especially true in the Primordial Chaos, where years were not counted. Tens of thousands of years were but a fleeting moment!

Tens of thousands of years had passed since the Sanqing and the others went their separate ways. During this time, the Primordial Chaos had been rapidly recovering its vitality. The devastation caused by the collapse of the celestial pillars had been smoothed over by time, and all beings were recuperating in the Primordial Chaos.

"Dong dong dong!"

A series of urgent bell tolls echoed.

This was set up by the Dao Ancestor for the convenience of summoning all the Saints.

"Xiu xiu xiu!"

Hearing the bell, the Saints hurried towards Zixiao Palace. Xuan Yi was among them.

Upon arriving at Zixiao Palace, the Saints each found a meditation cushion and sat down, quietly awaiting the Dao Ancestor's arrival.