Western Teachings, Eastern Spirit Land.
A group of creatures living in the central region of the Primordial World fled for a long time to escape the war of Fortune launched by the Witch-Demon, and finally arrived at Spirit Land near the border.
The weary cultivators arrived outside the Spirit Land on clouds. The elder at the head of the group gazed at the distant, radiant spiritual Spirit Mountain and stammered, "This... this is still the barren Western Region that was destroyed in the legendary great war?"
A young cultivator beside him stared in disbelief. "Master, the spiritual energy concentration in this area is several times higher than that of our Qingxia Mountain!"
The group descended from the clouds and landed at the foot of the mountain outside a city gate.
Today, cities have been built around these Spirit Land under the Western Teachings, which gradually developed from the original settlements of various ethnic groups.
Initially, the various tribes were scattered in different places, living their own lives and occasionally trading with each other.
Later, some cultivation techniques that aided in cultivation within the Spirit Land spread out, and some spiritual herbs and elixirs also flowed to the Spirit Land tribes as missions were distributed.
To facilitate the management of the surrounding areas by the Spirit Land, Jiang Yun divided the area into regions, built cities, and used the management methods from his Previous Life to form a system that was then implemented in all the Spirit Land.
What this group of people saw was a city like this, with the words "Lingtai" written on the city gate. Various creatures moved about on the streets, and law enforcement officers patrolled the area.
The streets were lined with stalls selling Spirit Materials, elixirs, and Magic Treasures. There were also some palaces and buildings in the city, which were mostly institutions of the Western Teachings.
The entire city looked Order and was even more prosperous and bustling than the land to the east.
A disciple dressed in Western Teachings attire stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting, and asked, "Fellow Daoists, where do you come from? Are you seeking refuge in my Western Earthly Realm?"
The elder cultivator quickly returned the greeting. "I am Qing Songzi of Qingxia Mountain in the central part of the primordial world. I have come with thirty-five disciples to seek refuge in the Western Pure Land, hoping to find a way to survive."
The disciple laughed and said, "So you're a cultivator from the central region of the Primordial World."
None of you have yet reached the Mystic Immortal realm. Go to the Jieyin Hall first. Our sect will arrange suitable places for you to stay.
Qingsongzi said gratefully, "Thank you, fellow Daoist. I wonder if the Western Teachings still accepts cultivators from outside? Is there any chance for us to join?"
The disciple proclaimed. "Our Western Teachings opens its mountain gates once every 100,000 years, setting up trials at the Mount Sumeru, where all Primordial World Living Beings have the opportunity to participate."
Our teachings are inclusive; as long as one abides by the rules of our religion, regardless of whether one is a disciple or not, one can practice outside of Spirit Land.
Recently, many fellow Daoists have come from the east to escape the calamity, and the sect has set up many more resettlement areas.
As they were talking, several more Evasion Light flew in from the distant sky, all of them weary and dusty fleeing cultivators.
Mount Sumeru, the Guardian Hall.
Kong Xuan summarized the recent situation and said to Jiang Yun, "Jiang Yun, in the Three Thousand Years, millions of cultivators have fled from the central part of the Primordial World, including three Primordial Unity Golden Immortal and nearly a hundred Golden Immortal."
It is easy to imagine the severity of the situation in the central region today; it is likely that countless lives have already been lost.
At this rate, the population of beings in the Western Region will double within a million years.
Jiang Yun stood with his hands behind his back. "Order all departments to activate the second layer of the Mount Sumeru Great Array's and strengthen the defenses of the border areas."
Furthermore, branch halls of the Law Enforcement Hall have been established in the three cities of Lingtai, Jade Void, and Golden Light, with representatives from your Guardian Hall stationed there. These three locations have become our Western Teachings's external windows.
Winged Immortal rushed over. "Vice Sect Leader, Hall Master, a Great Luo Realm cultivator has arrived outside the mountain gate. He claims to be Daoist Randeng and says he comes from the Yuanjue Cave of Mount Lingjiu!"
"Randeng?" Jiang Yun's eyes flashed. "Two Religious Leaders are in seclusion. Bring him here to see me!"
Before long, a Daoist priest with a bitter expression followed the Winged Immortal into the main hall.
Upon seeing him, Jiang Yun spoke first, "Randeng Deng, it's been a long time since we last met, since the Third Lecture at the Purple Sky Palace. How have you been lately?"
Randeng smiled wryly, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Jiang, and greetings to this..."
Kong Xuan spoke, "I am Kong Xuan, the Hall Master the Guardian Hall."
"Oh..., I've met Kong Xuan."
Daoist Friend Jiang Yun, to be honest, I have suffered an undeserved calamity this time.
I was originally focused on cultivating in my Cave Abode Mount Lingjiu, but the Witch Clan expanded their influence to the west. I had no intention of participating in the Primordial World battles, but the Witch Clan was so tyrannical that they destroyed my Cave Abode, forcing me to flee. I had no choice but to come here and seek refuge with your esteemed sect.
I hope that fellow Daoists, considering that we are all here at the Purple Sky Palace listening to the Dao, will allow me to stay here. I am willing to serve you.
Jiang Yun recalled that Randeng had once gone to Yuanshi and even became the Vice Sect Leader of the Chan Teachings.
Jiang Yun inquired, "Fellow Daoist, you are a guest of the Purple Sky Palace, you should know that the three from Kunlun Mountain are the direct disciples of the Dao Ancestor, why not seek the protection of the Three Pure Ones?"
Randeng sighed, "The Kunlun Mountain are located in the central part of the Primordial World, while my Mount Lingjiu is close to the Western World, so it's not easy to go to the Kunlun."
Moreover, I have heard about your deeds in the Western World, and I greatly admire them.
Even in this Great Tribulation, the Western Teachings still welcomes talented individuals and provides a safe haven for countless beings. I, a humble Daoist, vow to join the religion and stand with you through thick and thin, seeking only a place among you.
Jiang Yun pondered for a moment and said, "Randeng Deng's cultivation is quite remarkable. Your joining the sect is not something I can decide. I will take you to meet the Two Religious Leaders!"
Let the two of them decide.
Randeng said happily, "Thank you very much, fellow Daoist!"
Immediately afterwards, Jiang Yun personally led Randeng to the main hall of the Main Peak to find Jieyin and Zhunti.
It might be fate, in the myths of his Previous Life, Randeng first joined the Chan Teachings, and later, under the Zhunti, he joined the Western Teachings Battle of the Investiture of the Gods.
This time, he went directly to the Western Teachings. Jiang Yun introduced him to Zhunti and Jieyin. As a result the Two, he and Zhunti hit it off immediately and had a very pleasant conversation.
Perhaps it's because the Two paths of cultivation are similar!
After all, Randeng was a spirit that Form Transformation and comprehended the way of life and death, which was very close to the Laws Nirvana of Zhunti. The two also had similar ideas.
After a deep conversation, Zhunti and Jieyin accepted Randeng into the sect, but they did not assign him a position within the sect for the time being, as they were still unsure of his abilities and wanted to get to know him better before making a decision.
Jiang Yun was well aware of Randeng's abilities. Look at how he managed to secure the position of Vice Sect Leader in the Chan Teachings, win over four Chan Teachings Golden Immortal to his side, and ultimately follow him to the Western Region Paradise. This shows his understanding of human nature and people's hearts.
After some time, he approached Jieyin and Zhunti, asking them to let Randeng serve under him and help him settle and manage the creatures that had fled to the Western World.
Thus, with the help of the Randeng, the Western Teachings took in and properly settled countless rogue cultivators, and its power greatly increased.
To prevent spies from infiltrating, Jiang Yun and Randeng created a method called the "Mount Sumeru Heart Sutra" to influence the beings who came to them and prevent the infiltration of forces such as Witch-Demon and demons.
Actually, the Mount Sumeru Heart Sutra is used for brainwashing; the Buddhist brainwashing techniques are truly unparalleled!
Just as the Western Region was busily taking in living beings, the sound of the Eastern Emperor Bell suddenly came from the eastern horizon.
Kong Xuan squinted and looked over. "The Demon Clan is gathering its followers; it seems they're about to make a big move."
Jiang Yun said in a deep voice, "In the east... that's the location of the Immortal Court. It seems they're heading towards the East King Duke."
Randeng said softly, "Perhaps Witch and Demon Clans are preparing to eliminate the Immortal Court..."