The three-month deadline had arrived.
On this day, on the western side of Kunlun Mountain.
Suddenly, waves of Buddhist chants rang out, and sandalwood incense filled the air.
Two majestic beams of golden light, the radiance of Sages, swept in with golden lotuses filling the sky.
They surged forth from Western Paradise.
Daoist Jieyin sat solemnly atop the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit, his face full of suffering.
Daoist Zhunti wore a smile and held the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree.
Behind the two Sages followed three disciples of extraordinary bearing.
Medicine Master Buddha, Maitreya Daoist, and Dizang Daoist.
"Greetings, Senior Brothers Taiqing, Yuqing, and Shangqing."
Jieyin and Zhunti descended from the clouds.
They bowed to the Three Pure Ones, who had been waiting for them.
"You two Junior Brothers have come a long way. Thanks for the effort."
Laozi gave a slight nod, his expression calm.
Although Yuanshi Tianzun looked down on the impoverished Western lands,
this was, after all, a discussion of the Dao among Sages, so he maintained a courteous facade.
Sect Master Tongtian's gaze swept over the three disciples of the Western Teachings.
A meaningful glint flashed in his eyes.
"So these are the Western Teachings' outstanding disciples?"
"They look pretty sturdy. I wonder if they can take a beating."
Tongtian thought to himself, keeping the remark under his breath.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Sages joined forces to display their great divine powers.
Rumble!
On the plaza at the summit of Kunlun Mountain,
a massive arena formed from the power of laws rose from the ground.
Auspicious clouds swirled around it, and radiant auspicious light filled the air.
Laozi sat astride the Green Ox.
His gaze swept over the disciples of the Three Teachings gathered below.
He slowly spoke, his voice carrying across all of Kunlun.
"Today, our two Junior Brothers from the West have brought their disciples here to discuss the Dao. This is a grand occasion for the Mystic Gate."
"Disciples of the Three Teachings may take the arena and spar. Show restraint and stop once the outcome is clear."
"The victor shall receive the mid-grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Taiji Talisman Seal, from me."
Yuanshi Tianzun followed, speaking with authority.
"The victor shall receive the high-grade Houtian Supreme Treasure, the Demon Subduing Jade Ruyi, which I forged myself."
Sect Master Tongtian chuckled and waved his hand.
"I don't have anything particularly valuable, so I'll offer a scroll containing the true explanations of the Shangqing formations!"
Seeing this, Daoist Zhunti smiled and took out three sariras glowing with brilliant golden light.
"The West is impoverished, unlike the wealthy East."
"I'll offer three Grand Unity Golden Immortal Sariras to help my Martial Nephews strengthen their Dao Fruits."
Wow!
As soon as the prizes were announced, the disciples below erupted in excitement.
Innate Spirit Treasures, Houtian Supreme Treasures forged by Sages, formation manuals, Daluo Sariras...
The rewards were so lavish they made everyone drool!
Just then, a streak of light hurried over.
It was Zhao Gongming, who had just emerged from seclusion after refining the Ancestral Dragon Pearl.
As soon as he landed, he sensed that something was off about the atmosphere.
His fellow disciples, who had been discussing things animatedly,
fell quiet the instant they saw him.
Countless gazes landed on him all at once.
Their eyes were filled with awe, and even a hint of the way one might look at a pervert.
Even Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian on the high platform
glanced at him, seemingly without meaning to.
Zhao Gongming's mouth twitched. He sighed helplessly to himself.
"I used to be the Outer Sect's Senior Disciple Brother. Everyone looked at me with respect."
"Now I'm the Primordial Era's number-one artifact refiner. Everyone looks at me like I'm a freak."
"Fame has its upsides and downsides."
"Things were different before. Now... Ah, never mind."
At that moment, on the arena,
Dizang Daoist of the Western Teachings was the first to take the stage.
He wore a kasaya and pressed his palms together, his face compassionate.
Buddha-light shone all around him. He had already reached the middle stage of the Golden Immortal realm.
"This Daoist is Dizang. Which Senior Brother from the East would care to offer me some guidance?"
Dizang's voice was gentle, yet carried an unshakable confidence.
The disciples of the Three Teachings exchanged glances.
Usually, at a discussion of the Dao like this, senior disciples such as Duo Bao and Guang Chengzi would go up and make a show of it.
But this time, before the senior disciples could even speak,
"Me, me, me! It has to be me!"
A clear, excited cry rang out.
Bixiao sprang up from her cushion.
She clutched the ancient-looking long sword in her hands.
Sect Master Tongtian froze, looking a little bewildered.
"Bixiao just broke through to the early Golden Immortal realm. Why is she so eager?"
Tongtian was still wondering whether to let Bixiao take the stage
when a firm voice suddenly came from the Chan Sect's ranks.
"Martial Uncle Tongtian, let her go!"
Everyone turned to look. The speaker was none other than Daoist Ci Hang!
Ci Hang's face was flushed.
His eyes glittered with an uncanny light as he declared with absolute certainty,
"Junior Sister Bixiao may be a little weaker in cultivation."
"But her methods... Ahem, her methods are extraordinary!"
"She'll definitely win this match. You have to let her go!"
Yuanshi Tianzun looked at Ci Hang, rather confused.
"What's gotten into this child?"
"Usually, disciples of the Chan and Interception Sects squabble as soon as they meet."
"Why is Ci Hang speaking up for Bixiao today?"
"Could that Magic Fairy Stick have changed his disposition, making him more warmhearted and friendly?"
"Mm, that's a good thing. Harmony among the Three Teachings is most pleasing to me."
With that thought, Yuanshi Tianzun gave a slight nod.
Since even his Second Brother had no objections, Sect Master Tongtian
was naturally glad to let his disciple show what she could do, and nodded in agreement.
"Very well, Bixiao. You'll take this match!"
Bixiao cheered and turned into a streak of azure light as she landed on the arena.
She held the 100% Disarm Holy Sword.
Looking Dizang up and down, she curled her lips into a mischievous smile.
"Hey, you over there, the one called Dizang."
Bixiao kindly warned him.
"Before we start, I want to ask you something."
Dizang paused, then politely replied,
"Please ask, Senior Sister."
Bixiao blinked.
"Is your Dao Heart... steady?"
"If your Dao Heart's too fragile,"
"I suggest you just admit defeat now."
"That way, you won't end up crying later."
Dizang's brows drew together at her words, and he felt a little displeased.
In a discussion of the Dao, what mattered was divine abilities and magical power. What did the Dao Heart have to do with anything?
"Senior Sister must be joking."
Dizang pressed his palms together, his tone resolute.
"I cultivate the Western Wondrous Dharma. My heart is as firm as a rock, unmoved by the eight winds."
"Please, make your move."
Bixiao chuckled.
"Good. You said it yourself!"
"Then don't blame me for being merciless!"
"Please!"
Dizang said nothing more. Golden light blazed around him.
A gigantic golden-body manifestation appeared faintly behind him.
Buddhist chants filled the air, and his aura was astonishing.
He launched his full-strength attack at once, intending to end the fight quickly.
He would show the Eastern cultivators the might of the Western teachings.
On the high platform, Daoist Zhunti stroked his beard with a smile.
He turned to Jieyin beside him.
"Senior Brother, Dizang has grasped some of the essence of the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body."
"Bixiao has only just entered the Golden Immortal realm. I doubt she can withstand this strike."
"This match is in the bag."
Jieyin gave a slight nod as well, a smile on his face.
But just as the boundless Buddha-light was about to engulf Bixiao,
Bixiao neither dodged nor even activated her protective aura.
She simply took a deep breath and raised the long sword in her hand.
Facing the ferocious Dizang,
she cried out the iconic line in a heart-rending wail.
"Unfilial Son!!!"
"Your father's heart aches!!!"
Her yell instantly drowned out the Buddhist chants filling the sky.
In the next instant, the once-mighty Dizang Daoist stiffened.
The boundless Buddha-light vanished in an instant, and the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body shattered outright.
Under the astonished gazes of the Two Sages of the West,
Dizang ignored the distance between them completely.
He flashed before Bixiao in an instant.
Thump!
He dropped to his knees, his posture so perfect it was almost painful to see.
With his palms together, he caught the long sword in Bixiao's hands with impeccable precision.
Dizang stayed kneeling, both hands clamped around the sword.
He stared blankly at Bixiao, his mind full of questions.
Who am I?
Why am I kneeling?
Where's my golden body?
The entire scene was left awkwardly frozen.
The wind stopped. The clouds stood still.
Daoist Zhunti's hand froze halfway through stroking his beard.
The look of suffering on Jieyin's face deepened. He even looked a little dazed.
"What... what kind of divine ability is this?"
Zhun Ti murmured to himself.
"Is this some kind of Western kneeling ritual?"
"That's not right. We never taught him that!"
Just as the entire scene fell into utter silence,
a sudden, excited cheer erupted from the Chan Sect camp.
Daoist Ci Hang abruptly sprang to his feet.
He waved his fists, his face flushed red, his whole body trembling with excitement.
"That's right, that's right! Just like that!"
"He's kneeling! He's actually kneeling!"
"That's exactly it! That's the feeling, that's the spirit!"
Cihang looked at Dizang kneeling on the ground.
Tears of deep empathy glistened in his eyes.
It was the perverse delight of someone who'd been rained on finally seeing someone else without an umbrella.
"Junior Brother Dizang, Senior Brother understands you!"
"Senior Brother really understands you! Hahahaha!"
Before you continue