Don't Even Think About Dao Companions

Biyou Palace.

Tongtian looked down at Duobao, Yunxiao, Wuyunxian, and the others, then spoke coldly.

"I summoned you here today for one reason. Recently..."

As Tongtian explained the situation, Duobao and the others' expressions grew increasingly grim.

It turned out that rumors had been spreading throughout Honghuang recently.

The most common claim was that the Jie Sect was all show and no substance, its ranks filled with a motley rabble that couldn't hold a candle to the Chan Sect, which was the true number one sect in Honghuang.

Tongtian naturally found these rumors deeply offensive.

But he had no way to refute them.

Because they weren't entirely false.

When Yuanshi founded the Chan Sect, he had been extremely selective about his disciples' roots and talent. The Jade Void Twelve Immortals all had boundless prospects.

But Tongtian's Interception Sect accepted disciples in droves, turning away no one.

Though it was said that the Myriad Immortals Paid Homage to the sect, in truth, aside from a handful of disciples like Duobao, Jinling Shengmu, and Yunxiao, most of the others couldn't measure up to the Jade Void Twelve Immortals.

"Do any of you have a way to silence these rumors?"

Tongtian asked in a deep voice.

"That's simple!"

Dingguang Xian was the first to step forward.

"Our top disciples in the Jie Sect are no worse than the Jade Void Twelve Immortals. The problem lies with those lower-level disciples."

"My suggestion is to raise the Entry Threshold and expel those with poor roots and stagnant cultivation from the Jie Sect."

"That way, the Cultivation Resources we save can go to those who need them more."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Gongming stepped forward.

"What nonsense!"

"If we really did that, how would our Jie Sect be any different from the Chan Sect?"

"Besides, if we're raising the Entry Threshold, what gives you the right to join the sect, Dingguang Xian?!"

"You..."

Dingguang Xian was furious.

"I am one of the Sect Leader's Suishi Qixian. How could I be compared to those Human Immortals and Earth Immortals?"

"Enough!"

Tongtian gave a cold shout.

He stared at Dingguang Xian and spoke, each word deliberate.

"This is the last time I want to hear you say something like that."

Dingguang Xian instantly felt a chill run down his spine and didn't dare breathe too loudly.

At that moment, Jinling Shengmu thought of something and spoke up.

"This disciple believes the Jade Void Twelve Immortals cultivate so quickly not only because of their own talents, but also because Yuqing Martial Uncle personally instructs them."

"If Master gave public lectures, the other fellow disciples in the sect would surely gain insights and improve their strength."

Yunxiao shook her head.

"The Jie Sect is different from the Chan Sect. Master can't tailor his teachings to each disciple the way Martial Uncle does."

There was no helping it—the Jie Sect had far too many disciples.

"This disciple has another idea."

"The reason our Jie Sect disciples have low cultivation is simply that they lack Cultivation Resources and guidance."

"If so, we should temporarily increase the Cultivation Resources distributed to them, then select those who make rapid progress for special training."

"Anyone who catches Master's eye could receive his personal guidance."

Yunxiao's proposal sounded quite good.

Increasing the Cultivation Resources would help identify promising disciples within the Jie Sect.

Tongtian nodded slightly.

"This plan will work."

"Then, for the next thousand years, the Cultivation Resources distributed to Jie Sect disciples will be doubled."

"Additionally, all of you should help your fellow disciples as much as you can."

The rumors claimed that the Jie Sect was full of rabble. He would do everything in his power to raise the overall strength of its disciples.

That would be enough to disprove the rumors and shut the Chan Sect up!

"We will obey Master's orders."

Duobao and the others replied in unison.

Then, one by one, they left Biyou Palace.

But a trace of delight appeared in Dingguang Xian's eyes.

If the Cultivation Resources being handed out were increased, wouldn't he get more as well?

He would have to give this some serious thought.

Three Immortal Island.

"Big Sister, Second Sister, you're both so mean! You left the island without me!"

Bixiao stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Yunxiao and Qiongxiao in a huff.

Just as expected, when Yunxiao and Qiongxiao returned, Bixiao immediately protested.

But Yunxiao acted as if she hadn't heard a thing. Her gaze rested on a cave dwelling in the distance, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.

Qiongxiao smiled faintly.

"When Big Sister and I left the island, you were cultivating. We couldn't very well interrupt you."

"Fine, fine. I'll let it go."

Bixiao waved a hand.

"But you can't interfere with what I do next."

Qiongxiao's interest was piqued.

"Oh? And what do you want to do?"

Bixiao's lips curled up.

"Nothing much. Cultivation is so dreary and dull, so I'm going to find myself some fun."

"This is simply what cultivation is like. What sort of fun could you possibly find?"

Qiongxiao didn't understand what Bixiao meant by fun.

Bixiao's eyes darted about, a hint of smugness flashing through them.

"Second Sister, have you heard of Dao Companions?"

Bixiao froze, surprise spreading across her face.

Qiongxiao went on as if to herself.

"I heard lots of cultivators in Honghuang find Dao Companions."

"I'm going to find one, too."

Qiongxiao stood stock-still, her expression stiff.

She had no idea where Bixiao had heard about Dao Companions.

She even wondered whether Bixiao knew what a Dao Companion was.

"No!"

A cold voice rang out abruptly.

But it wasn't Qiongxiao who spoke. It was Yunxiao, who had been silent until now.

"Why not?"

"You two can go out and have fun, but I'm not allowed to find a Dao Companion?"

After a brief moment of shock, Bixiao immediately demanded an answer.

"Finding a Dao Companion now will only distract you and slow your cultivation."

"Let me ask you this: have you broken through to Taiyi Golden Immortal?"

Bixiao froze.

The Sanxiao had excellent roots to begin with, and after joining Tongtian's sect, becoming Daluo Golden Immortals was well within their reach.

Yunxiao and Qiongxiao had both already broken through to Taiyi Golden Immortal, while Bixiao was the only one still stuck at Golden Immortal.

It wasn't that she couldn't break through. She simply hadn't been very focused on cultivation before.

Seeing Bixiao fall silent, Yunxiao continued.

"When you break through to Taiyi Golden Immortal, then you can think about Dao Companions and all that other nonsense."

"For now, you need to focus on cultivation."

"Besides, Second Sister and I left the island this time because Master summoned us."

A look of surprise appeared on Bixiao's face.

"Why did Master summon you?"

Qiongxiao immediately gave Bixiao a brief account of what had happened in Biyou Palace.

"The Chan Sect is shameless! They only have the Jade Void Twelve Immortals, and they still think they can put our Jie Sect in second place?!"

Bixiao looked indignant.

"That's why you need to focus on cultivation for the time being. Don't even think about Dao Companions or anything like that."

Yunxiao warned her.

"Big Sister, it's not that I don't want to cultivate. I've been stuck at Golden Immortal for a while now. Maybe if I relax a little, I'll—"

"Don't say another word!"

Yunxiao cut Bixiao off, then turned to Qiongxiao.

She raised her jade-like hand and pointed a fingertip. A streak of light entered Qiongxiao's forehead.

"To help you cultivate, I'm going to set up a formation in the cave dwelling. I still need these Natural Treasures."

She assigned tasks to Qiongxiao and Bixiao.

Then Qiongxiao took the reluctant Bixiao and left Three Immortal Island.

Yunxiao went into the cave dwelling, circulated her mana, and began setting up the formation.

As streams of spiritual energy surged, Yunxiao's expression grew more serious.

And when she became completely absorbed in the formation, she paid little attention to what was happening outside the cave.

For instance, at that very moment, a figure had arrived on Three Immortal Island.

Lu Changsheng had finally arrived.