Xuanmen Dao Discussion Conference

Li Qingxu looked up and saw dozens of people standing atop an enormous golden Lotus Platform.

Two of them wore Mysterious Yellow Daoist robes. Their frames were gaunt, golden Buddha Light hovered behind their heads, and their faces bore expressions of sorrow and suffering. They emanated an aura of supreme majesty.

"Those two must be the legendary Two Sages of the West: Zhunti and Jieyin."

"As for the rest, they should be disciples of the Western Sect. They look quite exceptional, and their cultivation is far from ordinary."

Li Qingxu muttered to himself.

Although the Western Sect only consolidated core teachings such as the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Twelve Nidanas, and Prajna Emptiness after the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, officially renaming itself Buddhism.

It was much like how the Primordial Heavenly Venerate had created the Jade Purity Immortal Art, and the Tongtian Cult Master had created the Shangqing Immortal Art.

After proving the Dao and becoming Saints, Zhunti and Jieyin had fused their own paths with the Immortal Path, creating eight hundred Buddhist Dharma methods concerning Nirvana, Karma, Deliverance from Calamity, and more as the true essence of the Western Sect. Through continual deduction and refinement afterward, these eventually formed the complete Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhist Dharma.

As golden Buddha Light filled the heavens and Buddhist chants resounded throughout Kunlun Mountain, all manner of phenomena blanketed the entirety of Kirin Cliff.

The Tongtian Cult Master frowned slightly. A vast Sword Intent rose from his body, instantly sweeping away the golden lotuses, Sanskrit chants, and heavenly phenomena that filled the sky, restoring clarity to heaven and earth.

"Zhunti, Jieyin, was there any need for such fanfare when coming to my Kunlun Mountain?"

Faced with the Tongtian Cult Master's rebuke, Zhunti and Jieyin merely smiled. Rather than taking offense, they clasped their hands and bowed to the Three Pure Ones together.

"Your Junior Brothers greet our three Senior Brothers."

As the saying went, one did not strike a smiling face. Though the Three Pure Ones, as Pangu's orthodox lineage, disliked Zhunti and Jieyin, they were fellow disciples under Dao Ancestor Hongjun after all. Before so many eyes, they did not reveal anything outwardly.

"What brings you here?"

Taiqing Laozi asked.

"We heard that our three Senior Brothers were holding the Xuanmen Dao Discussion Conference at Kirin Cliff with your disciples."

"So we brought our unworthy disciples to join the festivities and witness the brilliance of our fellow disciples. We came uninvited, and hope our Senior Brothers will not turn us away."

Saint Jieyin slowly explained their purpose. Though his words were modest, the way he stroked his beard with a smile made it clear that he was highly satisfied with his disciples.

Meanwhile, Western Sect disciples such as Maitreya, Ksitigarbha, Bhaisajyaguru, and Mahasthamaprapta all radiated sharpness, their ambitions equally apparent.

The Three Pure Ones frowned slightly. However, they were holding the Xuanmen Dao Discussion Conference, and the Western Sect was also part of Xuanmen.

If they drove them away, Zhunti and Jieyin would certainly seize the chance to make a great issue of it, giving the Three Religions the reputation of excluding their fellow disciples.

"You two Junior Brothers are overstating it."

"Dao discussion is meant for mutual exchange and verification, so that all may progress together."

"Since you have come, let your disciples participate as well and exchange pointers with one another."

Taiqing Laozi said indifferently.

"That would be most excellent."

Satisfied expressions appeared on Zhunti and Jieyin's faces.

As Pangu's orthodox lineage and Dao Ancestor's Personal Disciples, the Three Pure Ones surpassed them vastly in status, cultivation, and foundation alike.

Though they had entered Dao Ancestor Hongjun's sect all those years ago, they still could not be mentioned in the same breath as the Three Pure Ones and had always been overshadowed by them.

Even when cultivators of the Prehistoric World sought masters, their first choices were the Human, Chan, and Jie Religions.

After years of "cultivation" and planning, Zhunti and Jieyin had finally brought the Western Sect some prosperity. Most importantly, they had accepted outstanding disciples such as Ksitigarbha and Maitreya.

Seeing the Three Pure Ones hold the Xuanmen Dao Discussion Conference, they immediately decided to bring their disciples over to "show off."

If Western Sect disciples could surpass those of the Three Religions, they would not only be able to hold their heads high, but also use the opportunity to vigorously promote the Western Sect and secure more providence.

Seeing the Three Pure Ones agree to let the Western Sect participate in the Dao discussion, Saint Zhunti immediately asked with a smile, "Since our three Senior Brothers have convened such a grand gathering, what form of exchange do you intend for the disciples to undertake?"

Taiqing Laozi lifted his eyelids slightly and replied calmly, "The struggle of the Great Dao comes down to nothing more than 'principle' and 'power.'"

"Thus, this Dao discussion will have two paths: literary competition and martial competition."

"In the literary competition, both sides may question one another on difficulties in cultivation and the foundations of the Great Dao. Whoever cannot answer or is left without a sound argument shall lose. This tests the depth of one's understanding of the Heavenly Dao, as well as the flexibility of one's wisdom."

"In the martial competition, they will decide victory at the Martial Arts Arena of Kirin Cliff, where true strength will speak and their divine abilities, magical power, and adaptability in battle will be tested."

"Excellent."

Upon hearing this, the sorrowful expressions on Zhunti and Jieyin's faces remained unchanged, yet a glimmer flickered in their eyes. It was clearly exactly what they wanted.

When it came to the depth of their cultivation and the might of their magical power, they knew they were far inferior to the Three Pure Ones.

But in verbal sparring and eloquence, the Western Sect's teachings excelled at guiding people through words, placing the greatest emphasis on "wisdom" and "skillful means." Their disciples had been influenced by this from an early age and were deeply versed in it. They were absolutely confident of victory in the literary competition.

"Our Senior Brother's method is excellent."

Saint Jieyin smiled faintly and continued, "However, contests alone may be somewhat monotonous."

"How about... the five of us fellow disciples each contribute a treasure as a prize, to be bestowed upon the champions of the literary and martial competitions? It would also give the disciples a little more motivation to strive forward. What do our Senior Brothers think?"

The West was barren, far less prosperous than the fertile East.

Their own foundations were also far inferior to those of the Three Pure Ones. Thus, Jieyin intended to use this opportunity to win several treasures from the Three Pure Ones and enrich the Western Sect's foundation.

"Agreed."

Taiqing Laozi, the Primordial Heavenly Venerate, and the Tongtian Cult Master exchanged glances. Though they understood Jieyin's scheme perfectly well, as Pangu's orthodox lineage, there was naturally no reason for them to shrink back.

Taiqing Laozi flicked the Whisk in his hand, and a Taiji Talisman engraved with yin-yang dao fish immediately appeared in midair.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Tongtian Cult Master then brought out the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, the Heaven-Containing Bag and the Purple Lightning Hammer.

Seeing the Three Pure Ones produce such precious treasures, Zhunti and Jieyin's expressions changed slightly. They had not expected the Three Pure Ones' stakes to be so extravagant.

However, since the words had already been spoken and victory was already within their grasp, they too waved their hands and produced the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, the Jieyin Treasure Banner and the Nine-Ringed Monk's Staff.

"For this Xuanmen Convention, we shall put forth five High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures as the stakes."

"The first place in the Literary Competition may obtain two, while the first place in the Martial Competition may obtain three."

Though Taiqing Laozi's voice was calm, to every one of the Four Sect Disciples, it was like a massive meteor crashing into their hearts, stirring up towering, tempestuous waves.

Five High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures!

A full five of them—what an immense fortuitous opportunity that was.

If they could obtain them, their strength would rise to an entirely new level. Their foundation would surpass that of most top experts of the Prehistoric World, and they would no longer need to worry about severing corpses in the future.

Grand Master Xuandu, Guangchengzi, Duobao Daoist, Maitreya, Ksitigarbha, and the other disciples all began breathing heavily. Brilliant light burst from their eyes as they became determined to claim those five High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures.