Disciple of the Patriarch

"We Saints, by manifesting the workings of the heart, become the will of heaven. If we were to directly explain principles to sentient beings, they would fear our existence. Even if they disagreed in their hearts, they would conform in their actions."

"The purpose of enlightenment is to manifest the Dao amongst sentient beings, to perfect the rules of heaven and earth, to make the world more complete, and ultimately, to transcend the mortal world with all beings and reach the other shore."

"As for Teacher, my Grand Uncle-Master, Second Uncle-Master, and the two Junior Brothers from the West, though our philosophies as Saints may differ, our ultimate goals are the same."

In the past, Sect Master Tongtian would only discuss these matters in front of his Four Core Disciples. The core disciples were those closest to him, the ones most capable of carrying on his lineage.

Now, he was willing to speak of these things to Fang Yang because Fang Yang's understanding of Intercept a Glimmer of Life surpassed even that of the Four Core Disciples.

Daoist Duobao's understanding of Intercept a Glimmer of Life was to give every desperate being a chance to survive.

Saint Mother Jin Ling believed that Intercept a Glimmer of Life meant to do what is impossible, to head towards danger when one knows it is there.

Saint Mother Wudang's plan was to create an ideal world of immortality and unchanging existence, and to guide all beings into it.

Saint Mother Gui Ling's method was more idealistic. She believed that if all beings could understand each other and achieve universal harmony, every creature would find a glimmer of life.

Fang Yang did not know what the Four Core Disciples understood Intercept a Glimmer of Life to be. Regardless of their interpretations, Fang Yang neither supported nor opposed them.

Sect Master Tongtian asked with great interest, "How do you intend to practice the tenets of our sect?"

This question stumped Fang Yang, as he had never considered how to intercept a glimmer of life for all beings.

He knew his own limitations all too well. He had not even managed to intercept a glimmer of life for himself, so how could he possibly do so for all beings?

Lying in the presence of a Saint was an act of foolishness, so Fang Yang decided to speak his true thoughts.

He first bowed to Sect Master Tongtian, then said:

"Teacher, you are a great Saint, a wise sage. You possess immeasurable power and the ability to protect all beings in the Three Realms and Six Paths. I cannot. I am still under your protection. At this moment, I am incapable of intercepting a glimmer of life for all beings."

Upon hearing this, the entire void fell silent.

The smile on Sect Master Tongtian's face vanished. He had seen many disciples who spoke falsehoods, boasts, and empty words, but this was the first time he had encountered such an honest disciple.

Sect Master Tongtian knew very well how many Disciples of the Sect of Interception were truly intercepting a glimmer of life for all beings. He did not expect Fang Yang to do so; even he himself might not be able to intercept a glimmer of life.

However, Fang Yang's words were too direct, with no attempt at concealment.

"Fang Yang speaks the truth! I am the Orthodox Pangu, and I have attained a Saint position, revered by all beings. I have received so much from heaven and earth, and I have both the responsibility and the ability to do this. Fang Yang is merely a human, unable to control his own destiny, so how can he intercept a glimmer of life for all beings?"

In a certain moment, Sect Master Tongtian thought of many things. However, he did not entirely agree with Fang Yang.

Those with great power had their ways of intercepting life, and those with little power had their own methods.

The enlightenment of the Sect of Interception was not about making all beings into Saints, but about allowing each being to find their own value.

"Teaching without discrimination" did not just encompass the teachings of the Dao, but also the principles of survival and development.

Within the Sect of Interception, there were those skilled in economics, medicine, mechanics, artifact forging, alchemy, poetry, and couplets... Every skill mastered by these disciples was closely related to the production and lives of all beings.

Having little power was no excuse for not intercepting a glimmer of life for all beings.

However, Sect Master Tongtian did not correct Fang Yang at this time. He believed that direct correction would make Fang Yang dependent on him and cause him to lose the ability to solve problems on his own.

Sect Master Tongtian overestimated Fang Yang. Fang Yang's morals were not that noble. He was fine with small-scale mischief, but he probably lacked the awareness to be a hero or a savior.

While Fang Yang's words were factual and not fabricated, the part he left unsaid was precisely what Sect Master Tongtian was pondering.

How could Fang Yang not know that intercepting a glimmer of life was not about saving people from dire straits? Intercepting a glimmer of life was about enabling all beings to live the most brilliant lives possible.

The value of life was not in its length but in how all beings utilized it.

"Fang Yang, heed my decree!"

Sect Master Tongtian's expression suddenly turned solemn, his divine eyes fixed directly on Fang Yang.

Fang Yang's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed: "Your disciple receives the decree."

He was very apprehensive. If Sect Master Tongtian ordered him to spread the teachings on the Great Desolation Continent, what would happen to his cultivation? With Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation, let alone on the Great Desolation, it wasn't even noteworthy within a Saint's great sect.

"Fang Yang, an Outer Disciple of the Sect of Interception, possesses profound roots and unique insights into the path of enlightenment. In my capacity as the Sect Master of the Sect of Interception, I promote Fang Yang to the inner sect, making him the fifth personal disciple under my tutelage, and bestow Qingcheng Mountain as his dojo."

Sect Master Tongtian's voice boomed in Fang Yang's ears like thunder. He trembled, finding it hard to believe. He had dreamed of being promoted to a personal disciple, but he had never dared to be overly ambitious.

What status did a Saint's personal disciple hold? Even after being listed on the Investiture of the Gods, their position was immensely revered. After being listed, Saint Mother Jin Ling became the head of all stars, Doumu Yuanjun.

"Disciple greets Master!"

Fang Yang steadied himself and quickly kowtowed, performing the true ceremony of discipleship.

He wouldn't be polite. When a tremendous Opportunity fell before him, his first reaction was to seize it. Sect Master Tongtian was not an outsider. It was understandable to be polite to outsiders for a while, but being polite to his own Master would be too hypocritical.

Fang Yang's reaction caused Sect Master Tongtian to burst into laughter. He raised his hand and waved, and a gentle golden light enveloped Fang Yang, gently lifting him up.

"Good. Cultivators must be decisive when faced with Opportunities. Since you are now a personal disciple, you can enter Golden Ao Island at any time to seek my guidance on cultivation matters. Your cultivation is still shallow, so I will not bestow you with an Innate Spiritual Treasure for now, lest it affect your practice. When you advance to Grand Unity Golden Immortal, I will then bestow you with an Innate Spiritual Treasure."

"If you require cultivation resources, you can directly proceed to the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion and search for the heavenly materials and earthly treasures needed for your cultivation."

Fang Yang listened to Sect Master Tongtian's teachings, his heart filled with excitement.

He had long heard that Sect Master Tongtian had once collected an Innate Myriad Treasures River from an outer-world realm. This river was incredibly profound, containing countless resources and treasures.

Daoist Duobao had once retrieved three Innate Spiritual Treasures from the Innate Myriad Treasures River, causing a sensation throughout the entire Sect of Interception. The Innate Myriad Treasures River was placed within the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion.

"Your comprehension is quite good. I will first impart to you the sect's ultimate divine ability, the Heaven Intercepting Seven Swords. This divine ability, even your Senior Brother has only mastered the first six swords."

With that, Sect Master Tongtian pointed at Fang Yang's forehead, sending the cultivation method of the divine ability into Fang Yang's memory.