The Saints' Reactions

"Crack!"

On the chessboard, a piece was placed, and the originally declining situation for White actually showed signs of a turnaround. Faintly, a large group of Black pieces were being contained by this single piece.

"Second Brother, your move is truly ingenious. It's just a pity that you're only thinking of changing your strategy now, isn't it too late?"

"Doesn't Eldest Brother know that only by playing in dangerous situations can one see the world, and only when facing a dead end can there be a turning point?"

Another White piece landed on the board. The spot where it was placed was devoid of any fiery energy, yet it seemed to eman boundless Dao rhythm, revitalizing all nine previously blocked paths by Black.

The one called Eldest Brother was an old Daoist with a receding hairline, his hair sparse even at the edges. Despite this, he strangely showed no signs of age; he was like the mountains and rivers of nature, appearing incredibly natural.

The one called Second Brother was a middle-aged Daoist with a stern and meticulous appearance. He wore the Hunyuan Crown and the Twelve Sumeru Robes, giving off an impression of being extremely upright and unable to tolerate any flaws.

These two were the Taiqing Saint and the Yuqing Saint.

The Taiqing Saint looked up, a Yin-Yang Tai Chi Diagram flashing in his eyes: "Third Brother is probably serious this time. He actually accepted his fifth direct disciple in this epoch, which is truly perplexing."

He was a man of few words and decisive actions. With a press of his finger, a profound black piece crashed down, directly targeting the vital center of White, as if it were the great axe that split the heavens and earth when Pangu was born, intending to uproot White entirely.

"To ask why the stream is so clear, it is because the living water comes from its source. I observe that Duobao is infatuated with power and has lost his true heart. Guiling's temperament is impulsive and unable to bear great responsibilities. Jinling and Wudang, though they have the will to save the world, unfortunately, place personal feelings above the law, making it difficult for them to achieve anything. Only Little Cloud Child has deep roots, but alas..."

When the Yuqing Saint mentioned Fairy Yun Xiao, a flicker of hope briefly appeared in his eyes, but it quickly vanished.

He placed another piece, landing precisely in the gap between the encircling Black pieces, like a lone pine breaking through rock, forcefully creating a space in the desperate situation.

The Tai Chi Diagram in the Taiqing Saint's eyes became more pronounced, as if deducing heavenly secrets or evolving the Great Dao: "Third Brother's Jie Teaching has always been 'no discrimination in teaching,' but within this 'no discrimination' lies a world-ending calamity. Little Cloud Child, for the sake of his siblings, acts even when he knows he shouldn't, no different from us three brothers."

The Yuqing Saint's hand stopped, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Pangu transformed all beings, and all beings are Pangu. The tribulations of beings are Pangu's tribulations, and also our three brothers' tribulations. This tribulation is a part of the evolution of heaven and earth; even Saints cannot escape it."

"Whether it is a tribulation or a destiny, it is yet to be known. The worst outcome would be not existing in this epoch. The position of a Saint is both a karmic position and a cage."

The Taiqing Saint remained noncommittal, unaffected by anything.

"Since that is the case, you and I shall await the evolution of heaven and earth and watch the rise and fall of the winds. Third Brother is already a Saint, his cultivation no less than yours or mine, so you and I can rest assured."

In another Saint's Dojo, another pair of brothers were discussing this matter.

Sect Master Tongtian accepting an Outer Disciple would not attract anyone's attention, not even Yuqing Saint was used to it. Him accepting a direct disciple, however, was quite sensational.

Sect Master Tongtian was very strict with his direct disciples; even Fairy Yun Xiao could only remain an Outer Disciple.

Fang Yang had always had no presence in the Great Desolation; he wasn't even qualified to participate in the Four Teachings Dao Discussion Conference organized by the Four Teachings of Ren, Chan, Jie, and Xi.

Such a minor character, who inexplicably saved the Daughter of the Human Emperor and inexplicably became Sect Master Tongtian's direct disciple, could not help but attract attention from all sides.

Inside Leiyin Temple, beneath the Bodhi Tree, two Saints sat side-by-side beside the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

Golden light permeated the air, accompanied by bursts of Buddhist chants. Sanskrit characters circled and echoed, falling upon the surface of the pond, stirring up ripples of fine golden waves. The Seven-Colored Lotus Carp in the pond, hearing the wondrous sounds, joyfully leaped out of the water, making "dada" sounds.

The sage on the left had a sorrowful expression, his eyes filled with compassion. He was clad in a dark golden Daoist robe, and an eagle perched on his shoulder, its eyes closed in contentment, bathing in the sublime teachings of the West.

On the right, Sage Zhunti was slightly gaunt. He wore a Pilu Hat and an apricot-yellow checkered Daoist robe, with countless heavenly secrets swirling around him.

"Senior Brother, this Fang Yang is merely an ordinary Postnatal Human Race. His attainment of Golden Immortal is entirely due to that Taiqing Five Qi Great Golden Elixir from Senior Brother. Even Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal can only be an Outer Disciple. What secret does this Fang Yang possess?"

Sage Zhunti repeatedly divined, but the results he obtained showed no anomalies. No matter how he calculated, he could not find any outstanding qualities in Fang Yang.

Sage Jieyin stroked the eagle on his shoulder and smiled faintly, "To be favored by Senior Brother Tongtian, this child is no ordinary person. I am somewhat looking forward to the changes this Fang Yang will bring to the world when he grows up."

Sage Zhunti chuckled upon hearing this, then seemed to let go of his concerns.

"Heh, it is I, Junior Brother, who has been too persistent. Those little ones under our tutelage, in their pursuit of Western Prosperity, attempted to scheme against the East Sea Dragon Clan, hoping our Western Dragon Clan would occupy the East Sea. This Fang Yang's sudden appearance has disrupted their plans. A battle between this child and our disciples is inevitable."

Sage Jieyin's gaze turned towards the East Sea, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, "Daoist Sunlight and Daoist Moonlight are too eager for quick success. Scheming against the East Sea Dragon Clan is one thing, but they actually involved the Human Race. To scheme against a three-year-old child, their methods are so despicable, no different from Demonic Heretics! These two are not worth nurturing."

As Sage Jieyin's words fell, Sage Zhunti's expression turned somewhat grim, as he himself had once schemed against the Ten Golden Crows of the demon race. Sage Jieyin was clearly criticizing Daoist Sunlight and Daoist Moonlight, but he was also subtly admonishing Sage Zhunti, urging him not to engage in such despicable acts again.

Seeing that Sage Zhunti understood his meaning, Sage Jieyin pressed on, speaking earnestly.

"Junior Brother, we are Sages, the teachers of the Western Sect's disciples. Our every word and deed will be emulated by our disciples. Surely you do not wish for all our disciples to be Hairy and horned, or Born from wetness and eggs? The deeds of the Demonic Sect in the West in the past, I, your Senior Brother, remember vividly, as if they were yesterday!"

Sage Zhunti remained silent for a long time, his gaze flickering. After a long while, his mind finally became clear and serene.

"Senior Brother speaks the truth. I, Junior Brother, was obsessed with Western Prosperity but overlooked that the foundation of prosperity lies in virtue. Without cultivating virtue, even if the West experiences temporary prosperity, it will be like fire on oil, or flowers on brocade – fleeting and unsustainable."