The Dragon Clan's Crisis-Can Xuandan Solve It?

"You rely on your status as a Sage's disciple to act arrogantly and look down on everyone."

"Your sect's fortune is dwindling, your karma is growing, and you're tangled in cause and effect. Do you really think these Outer disciples of the Interception Sect make you look good?!"

Tongtian had already secretly worked out the whole story.

Yet he still acted indignant, holding his head high.

Yuanshi wasn't angry. He continued, "If Huanglong hadn't stepped in to subdue him, Lü Yue would sooner or later have been rejected by Heaven and Earth. What kind of Dao could he hope to cultivate then?"

"If he doesn't understand this, shouldn't you, his master, understand it?"

"Or does Junior Brother truly believe that Lü Yue can pursue the Great Dao while completely ignoring everything else?"

Tongtian pressed his lips together and slowly lowered his proud head.

His gaze wavered. He shook his head helplessly and sighed.

"Senior Brother is right. Lü Yue is exceptionally talented, but his temperament is too extreme."

"It's just as well to have him confined in the East Sea for a while, so he can temper his disposition."

Yuanshi's expression softened a little, and he, too, sighed.

His voice grew much gentler as he spoke softly.

"Junior Brother, I've never had any issue with you, nor with the Dao you've chosen to follow."

"I never meant to stop you from taking disciples. It's well known that I dislike those born from dampness and eggs, or covered in fur and scales. But I also understand that they're an indispensable part of Heaven and Earth. Why would I take my anger out on your disciples? Do you think I have no pride?"

Tongtian lowered his head without thinking and sighed softly.

It seemed he hadn't had a heart-to-heart with his Senior Brother like this in a long time.

Yuanshi continued, "It's just that your disciples made a mess of Kunlun Mountain back then, fighting and squabbling. Surely you saw it for yourself."

"Even when they went down the mountain to gain experience, they did nothing worthwhile. They only accumulated karma, killed innocents, and tarnished the Interception Sect's reputation."

"The title of a Sage's lineage became a shield for them to do as they pleased."

"The Three Pure Ones share the same origin. As your Senior Brother and the disciples of the Interception Sect's uncle, I ought to say a few words."

Deep melancholy appeared on Tongtian's face.

His sigh revealed some of the bitterness in his heart.

"Senior Brother, the Sage's Dao I comprehended is about seizing a sliver of hope and teaching all living beings."

"They're all creatures with a destined connection to the Interception Sect. It's only right that I teach them their skills."

"If they pass the test but don't join the Interception Sect, wouldn't that go against my Dao?"

Yuanshi seemed to have anticipated this. He spoke softly, "Teaching all living beings isn't just about teaching them skills. Their virtue must also be properly cultivated."

"I understand your difficulties, but I hope you'll think carefully about it. What is there to teach such despicable people?"

"Think it over. That's all I have to say."

Tongtian nodded in agreement.

"Actually, I've thought about punishing them severely, but when the moment comes, I can never bring myself to do it."

"After all, they're all my disciples."

He knew that when the Interception Sect's disciples went down the mountain to gain experience, Tongtian, as their master, would certainly keep an eye on them.

But there were simply too many Interception Sect disciples.

Most of the time, he was too busy to keep track of them all.

He could only focus on a few of the inner disciples, like Duobao,

as well as gifted Outer disciples such as San Xiao, Zhao Gongming, and the Seven Attendant Immortals.

They absolutely could not use his name to swagger about and throw their weight around.

Ever since Xuandan had killed an Outer disciple of the Interception Sect last time,

Tongtian had started paying attention to disciples he had hardly ever noticed before.

He hadn't known what was going on until he looked—and then he was shocked.

Most of them acted wildly, claiming to be Sage's disciples as they ran roughshod over everyone.

Their cultivation was only at the Heavenly Immortal or Mysterious Immortal level, yet their ambitions reached the heavens.

Take Lü Yue, for example. Even when a powerful Taiyi Golden Immortal came to drive him away,

he showed not the slightest fear. Instead, he used his status as a Sage's disciple to send the other party packing.

With behavior like that, it was no wonder Prehistoric World's living beings had no goodwill toward the Interception Sect.

As Tongtian fell into thought, Yuanshi suddenly said, "If you can't bring yourself to do it, why not let me help you?"

Tongtian was taken aback and looked at his elder brother.

Yuanshi cleared his throat. "Don't misunderstand. I was just thinking that the three of us have each established our own sects for some time. Why not have our disciples spar with one another?"

"Since you've also noticed that your disciples are behaving badly, we could use the sparring to select a few outstanding disciples and have them manage the others. They could keep each other in check and reflect on their own conduct. Huanglong and Xuandan have already helped you get rid of a few troublemakers during this trip down the mountain. That's a good thing."

"We're Sages. How can we keep spending our time on matters like this? It would be best to let the disciples handle it themselves."

Tongtian considered the proposal. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with it.

He looked at Yuanshi with a teasing smile. "Senior Brother, if your Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect lose, don't blame me for making you lose face."

Yuanshi immediately glared at Tongtian. "I personally teach them, test them regularly, and instruct them strictly. How could they possibly be inferior to your Interception Sect disciples, whom you leave to fend for themselves?"

Just then, Taiqing sensed what they were thinking and flew over from the Eight Sceneries Palace, laughing heartily.

"Yuanshi, I'd say you also want to boost the Chan Sect's reputation and win back some face for yourself."

He looked at Yuanshi and Tongtian with a smile.

As the eldest brother, he understood his two younger brothers better than anyone.

Yuanshi cared about his reputation. Huanglong had been injured by Lü Yue, making the Chan Sect disciples seem a cut below those of the Interception Sect. How could he accept that?

His proposal was partly about keeping the disciples of the Three Sects in check, and partly about winning back face.

As for Tongtian... he was good in every way, except that he valued his relationships too much and couldn't bring himself to be harsh with those close to him.

"Still, the disciples of the Three Sects of the Xuan Sect should communicate with one another."

"I think Yuanshi's proposal is a good one. It's time the disciples of the Three Sects were kept under tighter control."

Tongtian had no objections. In fact, he was eager for his two elder brothers to see the skills of the disciples he had personally taught. He was sure they wouldn't be inferior to theirs.

The three Sages approved the plan and immediately began discussing the details.

Meanwhile, Huanglong had already brought Xuandan to the outskirts of the Dragon Palace.

But there were no Yakshas on patrol, nor any Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals in sight.

At the same time, a thick layer of demonic aura surrounded the entire Dragon Palace.

Dark clouds filled the sky, and demonic aura spread everywhere.

Huanglong and Xuandan immediately felt that something was wrong.

Chapter 23: The Dragon Clan's Crisis—Can Xuandan Solve It?

Demonic aura covered the area around the Dragon Palace.

Fortunately, no members of the Demon Race blocked Huanglong and Xuandan's way.

They arrived at the Dragon Palace without incident.

The palace's splendor immediately opened Xuandan's eyes.

It was built from ice that never melted and endless crystal.

Countless luminous pearls lined both sides, illuminating the dim seafloor.

Five-Clawed Golden Dragons coiled around the two towering pillars in front of the palace.

The Great Dao Runes emanating an aura of mystery left Xuandan marveling.

No wonder the Dragon Clan was famous throughout the Prehistoric World for its wealth.

One look at this Dao Field was enough to see why.

When Xuandan followed Huanglong into the Dragon Palace,

Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals and Clam Maidens finally appeared nearby, walking about.

They all greeted Huanglong respectfully.

Having served the Dragon Clan for many years, they naturally knew who Huanglong was.

Xuandan couldn't help feeling surprised.

He hadn't expected that, although Senior Brother wasn't well received in the Chan Sect, he had quite a presence in the Dragon Palace.

They soon reached the inner hall.

The current Dragon King sat in the seat of honor, with a dragon's head and a human body.

The Dragon King had been frowning with worry, but when he saw Huanglong return,

his face immediately lit up. He hurried to his feet and strode forward to welcome him.

"My worthy nephew, you've finally returned."

Then he turned his gaze to Xuandan and asked, "And who is this?"