"What a remarkable Vegetable Tribe. Third Brother, the Core Disciple you've taken on this time is exceptionally perceptive. Even Guangchengzi, one of my disciples, falls a little short by comparison."
In the Eight Sceneries Palace, Primordial Heavenly Venerate returned after leaving, having been summoned back once more by Saint Taiqing.
Even Primordial Heavenly Venerate wouldn't dare defy his elder brother's authority.
But this time, all three of the Three Pure Ones had gathered, and Sect Master Tongtian had proposed that each sect select some disciples to join forces in spreading the Dao.
This matter embodied the Three Pure Ones' ideal of "Three Sects as One Family," so every one of them took it very seriously.
Fang Yang, a disciple of the Interception Sect who had first proposed the idea of the three sects spreading the Dao together, became the focus of Saint Taiqing and Primordial Heavenly Venerate's attention.
After all, he was a true nephew-disciple, unlike an ordinary disciple of the Interception Sect.
Saint Taiqing's gaze pierced endless reaches of time and space, settling on Fang Yang in Qingcheng Immortal Mansion. His tone was calm.
"Fang Yang has the whole world in his heart. He truly is the best choice to carry on Third Brother's legacy."
Primordial Heavenly Venerate gave a slight nod. He had always been stern and concerned with a disciple's background and foundations, but after observing Fang Yang's actions just now, he saw that whether it was gathering the Vegetable Tribe and the Grass and Tree Immortals under his banner or spreading the Way of Merit, Fang Yang displayed the bearing of a direct disciple of the Three Pure Ones.
Fang Yang's breadth of vision truly surpassed that of the Interception Sect's brawling hotheads. Even many of the Twelve Golden Immortals under Primordial Heavenly Venerate fell short.
"Elder brother, you're absolutely right."
Primordial Heavenly Venerate nodded slightly, his usual distaste for disciples of the Interception Sect giving way to a measure of approval.
"Though this disciple proposed that the three sects spread the Dao together to advance the Interception Sect's interests, his plan also charts a path of mutual benefit and coexistence for all three sects. Many Great Luo Golden Immortals lack such foresight. Tongtian, having a disciple like him is a blessing for your Interception Sect, and for all three of us."
Sect Master Tongtian couldn't have been more pleased. At last, one of his disciples had earned Primordial Heavenly Venerate's approval.
Was there anything Sect Master Tongtian didn't know?
He understood everything, from the changing currents within the Interception Sect to the antagonism between the Chan and Jie Sects.
But some things couldn't be solved through teaching alone. If his disciples weren't willing to accept his guidance, then all his efforts would come to nothing.
"You both flatter him. My disciple Fang Yang has always had his heart set on the Righteous Path. The three of us have gathered today to settle the matter of spreading the Dao together."
"The Sect of Enlightenment will teach the Great Dao Law and Reason, the Human Sect will teach the Way of natural growth, and the Interception Sect will pass down the hundred arts to benefit the world. The three sects will complement one another and make no distinction between themselves. Only then can we truly become Three Sects as One Family."
The Three Pure Ones had begun studying and refining the doctrines of their three sects long ago.
At no point had the Three Pure Ones intended to become sworn enemies.
A glimmer flashed in Saint Taiqing's eyes as he promptly set the course.
"Then we'll do as Third Brother suggests. Each sect will select a Core Disciple to lead the effort and spread the Dao among the myriad races. The Human Sect will send Grand Master Xuandu, and Fang Yang will oversee matters for the Interception Sect. As for the Sect of Enlightenment, Second Brother, what do you say?"
Saint Taiqing didn't like Daoist Duobao. He had always felt there was something false about him.
Now that Fang Yang was here, he would of course give him his full support, preferably pushing Daoist Duobao out of the picture.
Choosing a disciple for the Human Sect was easy. Grand Master Xuandu was its only disciple, so Saint Taiqing could have picked him with his eyes closed.
After hearing Saint Taiqing, Sect Master Tongtian said nothing.
He had already decided to support Fang Yang, and he wasn't going to change his mind.
Primordial Heavenly Venerate, however, had a difficult decision to make.
He knew all too well how Guangchengzi felt about the Interception Sect, so it was hard to decide who should represent the Sect of Enlightenment.
Primordial Heavenly Venerate furrowed his brow and lightly tapped the jade table in the Eight Sceneries Palace with his fingertips, weighing his options.
As the Sect of Enlightenment's senior disciple, Guangchengzi had both the qualifications and magical power to be an excellent choice. But he was always arrogant and deeply prejudiced against disciples of the Interception Sect. Sending him would inevitably lead to clashes with them and jeopardize the plan to unite the three sects.
After a moment's thought, Primordial Heavenly Venerate finally made up his mind. A dark glint flashed in his eyes.
"Elder brother, Third Brother, I intend to send Daoist Cihang, True Man Samantabhadra, and Venerable Manjushri. All three are levelheaded and compassionate, and skilled at spreading the Dao and guiding others. They'll be the perfect partners for our nephew-disciple Fang Yang."
Saint Taiqing gave a slight nod and swept his horsetail whisk, finalizing the decision.
"Very well. Once the three sects have spread the Dao together for the first time, they'll surely grow as close as family. I've already worked out the Method of Seeding Epidemics. Pass it on to your disciples. Once they've mastered it, send them out to spread the Dao together."
Boom!
Just then, Golden Light of Merit appeared once more in the direction of Qingcheng Mountain, and countless rays poured into the mountain.
The Vegetable Tribe had been established. In recognition of its great importance, the Heavenly Dao had bestowed merit upon it.
"This disciple really is decisive."
Approval shone in Saint Taiqing's eyes. The more he looked at Fang Yang, the more satisfied he became.
The Three Pure Ones' disciples didn't all have to be kind and compassionate, but they did have to possess good judgment.
Only with good judgment could they know what they should and shouldn't do.
"Third Brother, congratulations. Your Interception Sect has gained another share of merit."
Primordial Heavenly Venerate looked at Fang Yang with unusual warmth.
Anyone who dared act against Sect Master Tongtian would be his enemy. Primordial Heavenly Venerate would kill them without hesitation.
But conversely, anyone who helped Sect Master Tongtian guide all living beings in the Dao and increase his Merit and Fortune would be a good nephew-disciple, a good junior, in Primordial Heavenly Venerate's eyes.
Why did Primordial Heavenly Venerate like Guangchengzi so much? Because Guangchengzi hated the Interception Sect's disciples and did everything he could to eliminate them.
That was exactly what Primordial Heavenly Venerate wanted.
Most of the Interception Sect's disciples neglected their proper duties and dragged Sect Master Tongtian down with them. Primordial Heavenly Venerate would sooner fall out with Sect Master Tongtian than let his fortune be diminished.
Fang Yang had no idea that Saint Taiqing and Primordial Heavenly Venerate had already approved of him.
That meant that from this moment on, Fang Yang was completely free of the threat posed by the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.
Someone approved by all three of the Three Pure Ones was a true direct disciple of orthodox Xuanmen. Unless the Sages of the myriad heavens had lost their minds, they wouldn't dare lay a finger on Fang Yang.
Though Fang Yang knew none of this, he understood the importance of keeping his feet on the ground.
After establishing the Vegetable Tribe, Fang Yang immediately taught True Lord Chaotian the method of turning spiritual energy into vital essence and qi into divine essence.
This divine art combined the Azure Dragon Clan's methods with World Creation and Transformation. Its most wondrous feature was that it condensed the primordial energy of heaven and earth into living beings rich in vital essence and divine essence.
These beings could be considered descendants of plants or creations of a divine art. Either way, there was nothing wrong with that.
True Lord Chaotian and the others were overjoyed to receive the divine art, and thanked Fang Yang profusely.
At last, they had a foundation on which to establish themselves.
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