Telling Each Other the Truth

Under the moonlight, the three sat in silence for a moment.

Just as Zhunti was about to speak, Xuande suddenly rose and solemnly bowed to Jieyin and Zhunti.

Jieyin was startled and quickly stood to return the bow: "Daoist brother, what is the meaning of this?"

Zhunti also stood, his expression puzzled.

Xuande straightened up, his gaze slowly sweeping across their faces, his demeanor serious and candid.

"Two Daoist brothers," he began slowly, his voice low but every word clear, "This Humble One has something he must make clear to you."

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, then focused their attention to listen.

Xuande said:

"When This Humble One first arrived at Mount Sumeru, he had... reservations about you two.

At that time, This Humble One had recently undergone Form Transformation and knew little of the affairs of the Primordial Wilderness. Due to certain reasons, he was wary of you both.

Therefore, This Humble One concealed his true origins."

He paused here, looking at the two.

Jieyin's expression remained calm, while a flicker of complex emotion passed through Zhunti's eyes, but neither spoke.

Xuande continued: "This Humble One's true form is no ordinary Innate Golden Lotus. It is... the Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus."

At these words, the space beneath the Bodhi Tree fell still for a moment.

The Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus. Born from a seed of the Chaos Green Lotus, it was one of the most supreme Innate Spiritual Roots in all the Primordial Wilderness.

Having said this, Xuande quietly awaited their reaction.

After a moment, Jieyin spoke.

His voice was still low and gentle, without a trace of surprise or anger:

"Daoist brother, my junior brother and I have actually known this for a long time."

Xuande was slightly taken aback.

Zhunti also smiled, and in that smile there was no resentment, only a sense of relief and gratification:

"When Daoist brother underwent Form Transformation, my senior brother and I already sensed the residual aura from the Innate Restriction.

Such pure merit aura, such profound lotus Dao resonance—what else could it be but the Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus?"

Jieyin nodded and said slowly: "At that time, Daoist brother had just taken form and was wary of us. It was only natural to conceal a thing or two.

We did not expose it, simply because we did not wish to put Daoist brother in a difficult position.

As time passed, Daoist brother would naturally come to understand that our invitation was not for the sake of a spiritual treasure, but a sincere wish to discuss the Dao and cultivate together."

Xuande stared at them, a complex, indescribable emotion surging in his heart.

He had thought he had hidden it well, thought he had been cautious and deliberate at every step.

Yet they had known from the very beginning.

They knew his origins, knew of his concealment, yet never exposed him, never reproached him. They simply treated him with an ordinary heart, honored him as a fellow Daoist, and drew close to him as a brother.

Over ten thousand years, from discussing the Dao to repairing the Earth Veins, what lay between them was no longer merely an alliance of interests.

Those mountains and rivers they had walked together, that exchanged smile when merit descended... it was all real.

"Two Daoist brothers..."

Xuande's voice was a little hoarse. He took a deep breath and solemnly bowed to them once more, this bow deeper and heavier than before.

"Xuande has measured the hearts of gentlemen with a petty man's mind."

Jieyin quickly helped him up: "Daoist brother need not do this. At that time, we had just met; wariness was only natural.

If it had been this poor Daoist and my junior brother, we might not have done any better."

Zhunti also stepped forward, patted Xuande on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "Daoist brother's willingness to speak frankly today means he regards my senior brother and me as family.

My senior brother and I are overjoyed; how could we dwell on old matters?"

Xuande straightened up, looking at their sincere gazes, and the last trace of estrangement in his heart dissolved.

"Two Daoist brothers," he said slowly.

"From this day forward, Xuande is willing to share the same heart and virtue with you both, to jointly prosper the West.

Whatever concerns Mount Sumeru is Xuande's concern; whatever you two wish for is Xuande's wish."

Jieyin nodded solemnly: "Good. From now on, the three of us shall be of one breath and one branch, coexisting and co-prospering."

Zhunti also put away his smile and said earnestly: "Daoist brother, these words are engraved in the hearts of my senior brother and me."

"With the three of us joining hands on the path to revitalize the West, what worry is there of failure?"

Under the moonlight, three hands stacked together—no oath, no spell, just a simple gesture, yet it carried more weight than any vow.

The three sat back down, the atmosphere warmer and more natural than before.

Zhunti had returned to his eager demeanor, peppering Xuande with questions about this and that, while Jieyin watched the two with a smile, occasionally chiming in.

Xuande suddenly recalled something, his expression turning serious.

"Two Daoist brothers, This Humble One has one more matter to inform you of."

Seeing his expression, Jieyin and Zhunti knew this was no small thing, and both listened intently.

Xuande spoke slowly: "When repairing the Abyss of Demonic Energy, This Humble One ventured deep underground. There, This Humble One discovered... two treasures left behind by Rahula."

At these words, both Jieyin and Zhunti were startled.

"Rahula's left-behind treasures?" Zhunti blurted out. "How could that Devil Ancestor's treasures have fallen there?"

Jieyin's face also grew grave: "Daoist brother, did you face any danger? Rahula was the Devil Ancestor; though he has fallen, his remnants may hold traps."

Xuande shook his head: "Two Daoist brothers, rest assured. This Humble One carefully examined them with Merit Golden Light. The demonic energy on those two treasures has been thoroughly purified, with no lingering will or restrictions from Rahula. Moreover... This Humble One had already begun refining them back then, imprinting them with my own Primordial Spirit mark."

"Began refining?" Jieyin looked thoughtful. "No wonder the source of pollution in the Abyss of Demonic Energy suddenly cut off—so it was Daoist brother who took those two treasures."

Zhunti also had a sudden realization: "So that's it! I was wondering why the demonic energy in that abyss completely dissipated later—turns out Daoist brother pulled the rug out from under it."

Xuande nodded and continued: "These two treasures share the same origin as This Humble One's true form. One is the Twelve-Petal Destruction Black Lotus, from the same source as This Humble One's Merit Golden Lotus, but with entirely opposite attributes. The other is the God-Slaying Spear, said to be transformed from the root of the Chaos Green Lotus, a supreme innate weapon of slaughter."

Zhunti drew in a sharp breath.

The Twelve-Petal Destruction Black Lotus and the God-Slaying Spear—either one alone would be enough to make the great powers of the Primordial Wilderness fight tooth and nail. In his day, Rahula had relied on these two supreme treasures to rampage across the Primordial Wilderness, slaughtering countless beings, and even Hongjun had gone through great trouble to defeat him.

"Daoist brother has obtained these two supreme treasures..." Zhunti murmured, a complex look flashing in his eyes—shock, envy, but not a trace of greed.

Jieyin was silent for a moment, then said slowly: "These two items share the same origin as Daoist brother. Falling into your hands may be the will of the Heavenly Dao. However..." He looked at Xuande, concern in his gaze: "Daoist brother's path lies in merit and Purity. The Destruction Black Lotus is opposite in nature, and the God-Slaying Spear carries too much slaughter. Though Daoist brother has begun refining them, to truly master these two treasures, you must fully refine them and integrate them completely into your own Dao. This matter is perilous—Daoist brother must think thrice before acting."

Xuande nodded: "This Humble One understands this reasoning. Though those two treasures have acknowledged me as their master, it is only a preliminary Primordial Spirit mark, far from true control. If not fully refined, they will be like two unsettled karmic fruits, liable to trigger cause and effect at any time. This Humble One plans to seek a place of Purity to refine them completely, turning them truly to my own use."

Upon hearing this, Zhunti immediately said: "Then Daoist brother should refine them right here on Mount Sumeru! The place with the richest Spiritual Energy on this mountain—my senior brother and I can set up restrictions to protect you and keep you safe."

Jieyin also nodded: "Indeed. Daoist brother, refine with peace of mind. My junior brother and I will guard you, ensuring no one disturbs you."

Xuande looked at the two, warmth surging in his heart. He knew that the value of these two treasures—if they had fallen into another's hands, greed might have already stirred. But Jieyin and Zhunti only thought of how to help him, how to keep him safe.

"Thank you, two Daoist brothers," he said solemnly.

Jieyin shook his head: "Daoist brother speaks too gravely. The three of us share the same breath and branch—no need for thanks."

Zhunti had already stood up, smiling: "No time to waste. Let's go find that place with the richest Spiritual Energy. I know a spot in the back mountain where a Spiritual Vein converges, with Spiritual Energy even denser than under this Bodhi Tree. Daoist brother, follow me!"

The three rose and walked along the mountain path toward the back mountain.