Fang Yang led fourteen expert Taiyi Golden Immortals of the Interception Sect, transforming into streaks of azure light as they sped through the borderlands between the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains and the Central World.
In this remote, rugged land, miasma filled the air and plagues ran rampant. Countless races struggled to survive here. It was precisely where the Method of Seeding Epidemics could shine.
Rumble!
Fang Yang and the Nine Luminaries True Lords took up positions around the area, linking their magical powers to weave a vast net of magic above the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
As the net appeared, the world changed. Looking up from the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, even the sun, moon, and stars turned green.
This was no poisonous green of miasma. It was Innate Dao Charm condensed by the Method of Seeding Epidemics, vast and mighty as it descended from the highest heavens.
"Lingbao Borrowing Method!"
Fang Yang gave a low shout. Azure light flared in his palm, merging completely with the magical powers of the fourteen Taiyi Golden Immortals.
The net of magic slowly descended. Everywhere it passed, the miasma was forcibly refined into the purest life essence.
At last, the miasma that had shrouded the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains for countless years had met its natural enemy.
In the void, the art of seeding epidemics gave rise to countless spirits of divine abilities. As soon as they appeared, they began gulping down the poisonous miasma.
Then the spirits of divine abilities waved their little hands, scattering countless points of light across the earth.
The tribes, spirits, and barbarians who had been tormented by disaster and plague until they were at death's door felt warmth flow through their bodies. Their festering wounds healed, their failing vitality returned, and even those on the verge of death opened their eyes, jolting upright from their sickbeds.
"I'm... I'm alive again!"
"The miasma is gone! The sickness is gone!"
"Immortal Masters from the heavens! The Immortal Masters are saving us!"
Countless living beings prostrated themselves, bowing in worship to the azure net of magic that covered the heavens and the earth.
The azure net of magic was worshipped by all.
Looking down at the countless beings below, True Lord Qian Yao was filled with emotion.
"In the past, all we knew was cultivation and battle. Only today have I understood that giving all beings a glimmer of life requires us to put our words into action."
True Lord Li Yao sighed softly.
"If all Three Teachings could put their doctrines into practice, where would the rift between the Sects of Enlightenment and Interception come from?"
"I am a Disciple of the Sect of Interception, acting under the decree of the Three Pure Ones. Together with the Sect of Enlightenment and the Human Sect, I shall spread the Dao throughout the world and secure a glimmer of life for all beings."
"I have dispelled the miasma and plague here for you. From now on, you can live in peace, work in peace, and grow without fear."
Fang Yang's voice echoed through the mountains, reaching the ears of the living beings within.
As his words fell, Fang Yang flicked a finger.
The net of magic burst apart, transforming into billions of points of azure light that fell upon every inch of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Withered trees burst into bloom, and shoots sprouted from the rocks. The miasma and poisonous gases across the land vanished completely.
"Let's go."
"The Three Teachings have only just begun to spread the Dao."
Fang Yang transformed first into a streak of light. The fourteen Taiyi Golden Immortals followed close behind, streaks of azure light cutting across the sky as they sped toward the Central World and the Human Clan's territory.
In the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, countless living beings remained prostrate, gazing after Fang Yang for a long time without rising.
Among them were demon monkeys with furry faces and thunder-god mouths, Mountain Spirits born from stubborn rocks, rough-featured barbarians, and mortals struggling to survive.
But in the eyes of the Interception Sect, all beings differed only in appearance. All beings were simply living beings.
"From this day on, our descendants, generation after generation, must never forget the Mystic Gate's kindness in saving our lives, nor disobey the teachings of the Three Pure Ones!"
As the words rang out, echoes resounded throughout the entire Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Vast Power of Faith rose like wisps of green smoke toward the clouds, quietly flowing into the river of fortune of the Mystic Gate.
"Senior Brother, the faith of the myriad races has taken root."
True Lord Qian Yao's eyes gleamed, and he could barely contain his excitement. "With such merit and fortune, our cultivation will surely advance another step!"
Fang Yang nodded slightly, his gaze profound.
"Of course. This is not our achievement, but the compassion of our master and the selflessness of the Three Pure Ones. We merely carried out their command and secured a glimmer of life for all beings."
True Lord Li Yao sighed softly, looking at Fang Yang with deep respect.
"Senior Brother speaks truly."
Inside the Eight Sceneries Palace on Shouyang Mountain, the Three Pure Ones sat upon their cloud couches, watching everything that had just happened through the Mystic Light Treasure Mirror.
Saint Taiqing stroked his beard, his voice calm and far-reaching.
"To transform plague into life, to let life carry the Dao, and to return to the truth through the Dao—that is what it means to secure a glimmer of life."
"Being furred and horned is nothing more than a Demonic Obstacle of the heart. Now, if one's heart turns toward the Righteous Path and one harbors good intentions, one is a true Immortal of Fortune and Virtue. There should never have been any distinction between the Sects of Enlightenment and Interception."
Primordial Heavenly Venerate pondered in silence, but did not voice his thoughts.
Fang Yang and his party had already reached the edge of the Central World.
In the distance, Grand Master Xuandu, Daoist Cihang, Venerable Manjushri, and True Man Samantabhadra had already brought others to wait there. Seeing Fang Yang arrive, they all cupped their hands in greeting. Not a trace of estrangement remained between them.
In truth, the Three Teachings had always been one family. As long as they worked together, they would never fight each other to the death.
They were all Disciples of a Saint, with the brightest of futures ahead of them. Why fight one another to the death?
After reuniting, they pooled their strength to spread the Dao among the Human Clan.
The Human Clan was immensely powerful, its people spread throughout the Primordial Wilderness. Fortunately, the art of seeding epidemics planted an unusual kind of "plague"; otherwise, it would have been difficult to complete this mission of spreading the Dao.
While Fang Yang and the others busily spread the Dao, Daoist Duobao and Guangchengzi set their plans in motion.
They had never imagined that their masters would leave them out and entrust such an important task to others.
Daoist Duobao couldn't accept it. Guangchengzi felt the same.
The two came to Shouyang Mountain to volunteer and join the mission to spread the Dao.
Each had his own plans. Daoist Duobao wanted to reclaim leadership of the Interception Sect and regain Sect Master Tongtian's favor; Guangchengzi wanted to protect the Sect of Enlightenment's orthodox standing and make sure the Interception Sect didn't steal the spotlight.
But as soon as they reached the Eight Sceneries Palace, two invisible barriers stopped them.
Daoist Duobao's expression changed. He hurriedly bowed.
"Your disciple Duobao requests an audience with Master! Please allow your disciple to join the mission of the Three Teachings. I am willing to devote myself wholeheartedly to the Interception Sect and the Mystic Gate!"
Guangchengzi followed close behind, cupping his hands and speaking solemnly.
"Your disciple Guangchengzi humbly asks Grand Uncle-Master, Master, and Third Uncle-Master to grant their approval. As the leading disciple of the Sect of Enlightenment, I ought to shoulder the important task of spreading the Dao."
Their words were earnest and their postures deferential, but the Eight Sceneries Palace remained silent, offering no reply.
The Three Pure Ones sat upon their cloud couches, their eyes fixed on the two outside the palace.
"These two are too deeply attached to their own obsessions. If we let them join the others, the favorable situation we've built will be lost."
"Since that is so, give them other missions to spread the Dao. I hope they can learn something from the experience."
After a brief silence, Sect Master Tongtian spoke first. His Dao Sound passed through the gates of the Eight Sceneries Palace and entered the two men's ears.
"Since you both wish to spread the Dao, I shall give you a mission."
Daoist Duobao jerked his head up, wild joy flashing in his eyes. He kowtowed again and again. "Thank you, Master! Your disciple will not fail you!"
Guangchengzi also brightened and bowed, waiting respectfully for the Saint's instructions. He felt that his chance to turn things around had finally come.
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