Joining the Chan Sect

Taiqing Laozi wore a yin-yang Daoist robe and held a whisk. His expression was tranquil, Pure Qi swirling around him and manifesting the image of yin and yang, the grand taiji.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate had a stern visage, an Yingluo Golden Lamp above his head and an Auspicious Cloud stretching ten thousand zhang. Within his opening and closing eyes, the Universe seemed to revolve.

Tongtian Cult Master's brows radiated an imposing heroic spirit. With the Qingping Sword on his back, his white Daoist robe fluttered without wind. He himself seemed like a sharp sword capable of cleaving heaven and earth apart, exuding boundless majesty.

The three Saints arrived together. Boundless Purple Qi came from the east for thirty thousand li, Golden Lotuses sprang from the earth, and heavenly light rose alongside the rosy clouds.

A supreme aura, one that stood above all things and governed the laws of the heavens, naturally spread forth. At this moment, all things in the world seemed as insignificant as dust and smoke, utterly dimmed in comparison.

Winged Immortal, who had been so overbearing only moments ago, with killing intent faintly visible, immediately retracted all his sharpness the instant the three Saints appeared. Lowering his brows and eyes, he did not dare reveal the slightest hint of arrogance and respectfully stepped aside.

"Greetings, Saints, from this junior!"

The thousand or so cultivators present all bowed to the Three Pure Ones in unison.

"Mm."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate nodded faintly, swept his gaze across the whole place, and then spoke.

"This one once said that whoever reached the mountaintop could enter my Xuanmen."

"Since you have made it here, you have passed the trial and proven that you indeed possess the aptitude to pursue the Dao and a steadfast heart."

"Other than my elder brother Taiqing, who has no intention of accepting disciples, you may choose for yourselves whether to enter the Chan Sect or the Jie Sect."

As soon as Primordial Heavenly Venerate finished speaking, the people present immediately began declaring their choices.

"This junior wishes to take Tongtian Saint as my master."

"This junior wishes to join the Jie Sect..."

The vast majority of cultivators present chose to join the Jie Sect.

After all, it was common knowledge throughout the Prehistoric World that Primordial Heavenly Venerate disliked Beasts with fur and horns, Oviparous and Moisture-born creatures. Many cultivators belonged to precisely those kinds.

Since the Saint disliked them, they naturally would not go looking for humiliation.

"Fellow Daoists, do you intend to join the Chan Sect or the Jie Sect?"

Li Qingxu quietly asked Zhao Gongming and the Sanxiao beside him.

"Tongtian Saint is renowned for teaching without distinction, and his Dao lineage is more open and unrestrained."

"We discussed it before coming here. We will enter the Jie Sect together, so we can look out for one another."

Zhao Gongming replied. The Sanxiao also nodded, clearly having made up their minds long ago.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingxu inwardly sighed.

He had originally wanted to persuade the Sanxiao and Zhao Gongming to join the Chan Sect, thereby avoiding the future calamity of the Investiture of the Gods.

After all, the Sanxiao and Zhao Gongming had taken form from innate clear wind and rosy clouds. They were not among the Beasts with fur and horns or Oviparous and Moisture-born creatures that Primordial Heavenly Venerate detested.

But the four siblings had long since discussed and settled the matter. Moreover, with the Saints right before them, it was not his place to say much.

I only hope we will not meet each other in battle someday.

Li Qingxu inwardly sighed.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, will you join the Jie Sect with us?"

"If you do, we will become fellow disciples."

Bixiao took the initiative to invite him.

Li Qingxu gently shook his head. "Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoists, but I have already decided to enter Primordial Saint's sect."

"Since it is your own choice, Fellow Daoist, we naturally respect it. We will all cultivate in Kunlun Immortal Mountain, and there will still be plenty of chances to discuss the Dao in the future."

Zhao Gongming laughed freely and lightly patted Li Qingxu on the shoulder.

Bixiao had felt somewhat disappointed when Li Qingxu declined, but upon hearing her elder brother's words, she quickly came to terms with it.

The Chan Sect and Jie Sect both ultimately belonged to the Xuanmen, and they would cultivate together at Kunlun Immortal Mountain. There was plenty of time ahead.

As everyone successively declared their intentions, the figures in the square began moving silently, gradually separating into distinct groups.

On the left, beneath the banner of the Chan Sect, stood only several dozen people. Their numbers were sparse, but their auras were pure and refined.

At their head were Guangchengzi, Jade Cauldron True Man, Chijingzi, Daoxing Heavenly Venerate, Grand Master Lingbao, and the others. All possessed human Dao bodies, upright origins, and dignified bearing.

True Person Taiyi, Manjusri Guangfa Heavenly Venerate, Cihang Daoist, Juliusun, and others were among them as well.

On the right, however, the Jie Sect's side was crowded with people, bustling with more than a thousand cultivators and presenting a vast spectacle.

Golden Spirit Holy Mother, Wudang Holy Mother, and Guiling Holy Mother were three peerlessly beautiful female immortals, standing tall and apart.

Zhao Gongming and the three Sanxiao siblings shared an intertwined aura that drew considerable attention.

Behind them stood Wuyun Xian, Golden Cudgel Immortal, and others who would become the future Seven Attendant Immortals, as well as the Four Saints of Jiulong Island, the Ten Heavenly Lords of Jin'ao Island, and numerous cultivators of varying appearances and mixed auras. It already bore the rudimentary form of "Ten thousand immortals come to pay homage."

Since Duobao Daoist had already taken Tongtian Cult Master as his master before Tongtian Cult Master had Proved the Dao and Become a Saint, he was not among them.

The only thing that surprised everyone present was that True Person Huang Long of the Dragon Clan insisted on entering Primordial Heavenly Venerate's sect.

He knows it cannot be done, yet insists on doing it. I really do not know whether to call his Dao Heart steadfast or say that he is simply hardheaded.

Everyone inwardly sighed, none of them optimistic about True Person Huang Long's choice.

As Primordial Heavenly Venerate's gaze swept over Guangchengzi, Jade Cauldron True Man, Antarctic Immortal Elder, and Li Qingxu, a faintly gentle smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

But when he saw True Person Huang Long, his brows immediately furrowed slightly, clearly displeased.

However, a Saint's words carried great weight. Since he had just said that the cultivators could choose their own masters, it would be inappropriate for him to go back on his word now. He could only turn his gaze toward Burning Lamp Daoist.

"Burning Lamp, you and I were both guests of the Purple Cloud Palace. Why have you come to Kunlun Mountain to seek a master today as well?"

As Primordial Heavenly Venerate spoke, everyone present turned their eyes in unison toward Burning Lamp Daoist.

Faced with everyone's attention, Burning Lamp Daoist remained calm, without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

"To speak frankly, this poor Daoist listened to the Dao Ancestor's teachings three times, yet due to my own dullness, my cultivation has remained stagnant. Thus, I came to seek a master and pursue the Dao. I ask that Saint not turn this poor Daoist away."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate nodded, understanding Burning Lamp Daoist's predicament.

"Since you possess a heart that seeks the Dao and have passed the trial, This one naturally will not obstruct your Dao Path."

"However, since you have already listened to teachings at the Purple Cloud Palace, it would indeed be somewhat inappropriate for you to become This One's disciple now."

"From this day forth, you shall serve as the Deputy Sect Leader of Chan, assisting in managing the sect's affairs."

"All disciples under This one's lineage shall treat you with the courtesy due to half a master. What do you think of this arrangement?"

The moment these words were spoken, not only was Burning Lamp Daoist stunned, but the disciples below were also deeply surprised.

The position of Deputy Sect Leader was highly esteemed, second only to the sect leader and above all direct disciples and registered disciples. Burning Lamp Daoist had truly soared to great heights in a single leap.

With this status, even Di Jun, Donghuang Taiyi, the Twelve Ancestral Witches, and the like would have to treat him courteously upon meeting him.

Burning Lamp Daoist was both flattered and overwhelmed, even finding it somewhat unbelievable.

He had originally only wanted to enter Primordial Saint's sect, yet he had unexpectedly become the Deputy Sect Leader of Chan.

He gave Primordial Heavenly Venerate a deep bow. "Thank you for your generous favor, Saint. Burning Lamp will certainly devote himself wholeheartedly, assist Saint, uphold the sect's teachings, and never disgrace the name of Deputy Sect Leader!"

"Good."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate answered indifferently, and the matter was settled.

The cultivators were filled with envy, while Li Qingxu secretly sighed to himself.

Primordial Saint really gave Burning Lamp Daoist plenty of respect and consideration.

Unfortunately, Burning Lamp was an ungrateful white-eyed wolf. Not only did he fail to appreciate Primordial Saint's kindness, but near the end of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, he even led Cihang, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra in defecting to the Western Sect, ruthlessly stabbing Chan in the back.

Had the Dao Ancestor not already forbidden the Saints from entering the Primordial World at that time, Primordial Heavenly Venerate would probably have scattered even Burning Lamp's ashes to the wind.

At this moment, Tongtian Cult Master, who had been watching quietly for a long while, said to Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Taiqing Laozi, "Two elder brothers, now that the disciples have been chosen, This one will not linger any longer. This one shall take them back to Biyou Palace and expound the Great Dao of Shangqing."

He was quite satisfied with the results of this disciple selection. His sect was filled with talented individuals and flourishing in every way, perfectly aligning with his grand aspiration to seize a thread of life and teach without discrimination.

"Very well."

Taiqing Laozi nodded slightly, and Primordial Heavenly Venerate also nodded in assent.

After receiving Taiqing Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerate's approval, Tongtian Cult Master gave the order.

Thousands of streaks of immortal light shot into the sky, like a dazzling celestial river, vanishing into the sea of clouds in the blink of an eye.

"Follow This one."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate also spoke to Guangchengzi, Li Qingxu, and the others.

"Yes..."

Li Qingxu rode the clouds, transforming with Guangchengzi and the others into dozens of long rainbows as they followed behind the Saint.

Looking down, he saw the magnificent scenery of Kunlun Mountain swiftly passing beneath him:

A thousand peaks vied in beauty, ten thousand valleys contended in flowing streams. Spiritual springs and cascading waterfalls hung like an inverted Milky Way; rare flowers and exotic grasses exhaled rosy clouds; precious birds and Auspicious Beasts wandered through the forests. The scene was boundlessly magnificent and brimming with Dao charm.

The summit of Kunlun Mountain was a world unto itself, vast and boundless. Its grandeur and immensity surpassed even the Solar System of his previous life by an unknown number of times.