Next, Fang Yang asked Sect Master Tongtian about key points and difficulties in cultivation. From time to time, he also brought up his own views and opinions to discuss with Sect Master Tongtian.
These ideas were all plagiarized from cultivation systems in other worlds, such as the Human Body Secret Realms, the Human Immortal Martial Path, and the Path of Gu Immortals.
His views and opinions were immature and underdeveloped, but they came from another angle and struck Sect Master Tongtian as novel.
Fang Yang openly presented his arguments and evidence. Sect Master Tongtian didn't need to give a lengthy explanation; often, a single sentence was enough to pinpoint the heart of the matter and deepen Fang Yang's understanding of Daoist arts.
Sect Master Tongtian had never experienced teaching like this before. In the past, whatever he said went, and his disciples simply listened.
But Fang Yang even dared to raise questions and put forward new views and ideas.
Fang Yang, however, didn't think much of it.
He had always believed that the relationship between master and disciple on the Immortal Path could be more relaxed, without the excessive formality of the Confucian Path.
No cultivation system in the Myriad Worlds posed any difficulty for Sect Master Tongtian. He could work out the details and perfect it in an instant. A little guidance from him was enough to make Fang Yang see the light.
With such a good teacher helping him refine his cultivation theories, Fang Yang's progress could only grow by leaps and bounds.
Sect Master Tongtian had gained something from it too. Even if it wasn't much, it was equivalent to the fruits of three eras spent expounding the Dao through all living beings.
Sect Master Tongtian was more and more pleased with Fang Yang. After all these years of teaching, he had finally found a good student!
Teaching his other disciples was like babysitting, feeding them one bite at a time.
With Fang Yang, it was like a teacher guiding a student: the teacher explained, while the student kept thinking and responding.
At this thought, he remembered the days when he had traveled through the Primordial Wilderness with Saint Taiqing and the Primordial Heavenly Venerate, leaving opportunities everywhere.
The three of them hadn't deliberately planted pieces on a chessboard. They had simply wanted to see how many living beings could seize the opportunities they left and ascend to immortality.
To the Three Pure Ones, it had been no more than a casual act of goodwill. But to those who received their opportunities, it was a chance to defy fate and change their lives.
Fang Yang had entered the Interception Sect in just this way, gradually earning Sect Master Tongtian's favor.
"What goes around comes around; perhaps it was all predestined. After I planted hope among all living beings, I found hope for the Interception Sect as well."
By the end of the lesson, Sect Master Tongtian almost wanted to crack open Fang Yang's skull and pour all his Daoist arts into it.
He could now say with certainty that Fang Yang would surely carry his teachings forward. There was no longer any doubt.
A disciple who knew how to create opportunities for himself could keep growing even after leaving his master.
Unlike Daoist Duobao and the others, who didn't even know how to spread the teachings on their own or plan for the Interception Sect's fortune without his decree.
Comparing one thing with another made all the difference. Sect Master Tongtian finally understood what the Primordial Heavenly Venerate had told him on Kunlun Mountain.
When recruiting followers, one could cast a wide net and welcome talent of every kind; cultivation wasn't the only measure of ability. But when choosing disciples, one had to select those with both virtue and talent.
Only capable disciples could become their master's right-hand men and help him accomplish the great work of teaching the people.
"Fortunately, I listened to Second Brother back then and took only Duobao and three others as Core Disciples. If I'd taken those worthless, corrupt disciples from the outer sect as Core Disciples, my teachings would have been finished long ago."
Sect Master Tongtian's Divine Sense covered the skies above Golden Ao Island. He clearly saw that Daoist Duobao and the others were still kneeling beneath Purple Ganoderma Cliff, as if they wouldn't leave until they saw him.
His disciples were good at saying what he wanted to hear, but when it mattered, they went against his wishes, played on his feelings, and tested his limits little by little.
In the past, he might have been softhearted and gone out to comfort them. Now, he had no intention of doing so.
Sooner or later, Fang Yang would enslave the people kneeling below the mountain. It was better to let them get used to kneeling in advance.
As for Daoist Duobao, he had brought his humiliation upon himself through his own degradation. Sect Master Tongtian had nothing to say about that.
Fang Yang left Golden Ao Island once more and headed for Lie Shan City.
The cultivation plan for Divine Grain was ready, and it would certainly have to be promoted among the Human Clan first. Fang Yang would discuss the matter directly with Emperor Shennong.
After Fang Yang left, Sect Master Tongtian soon appeared at Eight Sceneries Palace.
The Three Pure Ones didn't bother with so many formalities when visiting one another, unless there were outsiders present.
"Third Brother, you're here. Sit!"
Saint Taiqing spoke casually without even raising his head.
"Elder brother, I've thought it through. Duobao really isn't suited to enforcing the sect's rules."
The moment Sect Master Tongtian spoke, a gleam of delight flashed in Saint Taiqing's eyes.
Given Saint Taiqing's temperament, few things in the world could move him. But matters involving the Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian were among those few.
As the elder brother of the two, he had endless worries, especially after disputes arose between the Chan and Jie Sects.
He was constantly afraid that the Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian would end up on opposing paths.
After all, the Great Dao was like wind and cloud, formless and ever-changing.
Though the Path of Chan Heaven and the Path of Jie Heaven weren't in conflict while in the hands of the Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian, the Great Dao could evolve.
As it continued to evolve, paths that had once complemented each other could become mortal enemies.
If things truly reached that point, the Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian would have no choice but to fight, even if they didn't want to. There would be no turning back.
Guangchengzi was the key figure in the evolution of the Path of Chan Heaven, while Daoist Duobao was the key figure for the Path of Jie Heaven. One was extremist by nature, and the other would stop at nothing. If the two paths were left to evolve, they really could reach that point.
Now, things were looking up. Sect Master Tongtian had seen reason and was ready to replace Duobao.
No matter whom Sect Master Tongtian chose, it would be better than continuing to rely on Daoist Duobao.
"Third Brother, you've finally seen reason. Duobao is indeed devoted to you, but devotion is the only thing he has going for him. You put him in charge of the sect's rules, yet he turned a fine, orthodox Xuanmen sect into a complete mess. A disciple's cultivation matters, and so does strength, but ability matters even more."
"To be frank, if you keep letting these furred and horned, born of wetness and eggs creatures ruin your fortune, then even if it means turning against you, I will destroy the Interception Sect to stop these wicked disciples from ruining your fortune any further."
Saint Taiqing spoke at such length only in front of his two younger brothers.
Even Grand Master Xuandu couldn't make Saint Taiqing care so much.
Saint Taiqing had clearly wanted to say these things for a long time.
Sect Master Tongtian hadn't expected Saint Taiqing to have considered destroying the Interception Sect.
"Elder brother, a Saint Great Sect can only be founded after receiving the Heavenly Dao's recognition. If you destroy the Interception Sect, you'll surely incur great Karma. Besides, if that triggers a Calamity, even a Saint will be caught up in it."
Saint Taiqing, however, didn't take it to heart. "I'm the elder brother of you two. I won't allow anyone to interfere with either of your paths."
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