Brothers' Pact

Xuan Heng lifted the teacup before him, gently stroking its sides.

Pure qi surged above the lotus pool, and the water reflected the figures of the Three Pure Ones: Taiqing was serene, Yuanshi upright, Tongtian's sharpness held in reserve.

The three still sat together now as the Pangu Three Pure Ones, born of the same source. Yet Xuan Heng knew that after they each passed down their own teachings, with more and more disciples under their banners and their karmic fortunes becoming ever more tangled, it would be almost impossible for them to sit together as calmly as they did now and discuss the Dao.

Xuan Heng fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, you three were all transformed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and are all legitimate heirs of the Mystic Sect. Moreover, the Great Daos you cultivate are each different. So I think that after you pass down your teachings, it will be perfectly normal for disagreements to arise between you."

Hearing this, Yuanshi looked at Xuan Heng and asked, "Fourth Brother, what are you trying to say?"

Xuan Heng met Yuanshi's gaze directly. "I only feel that different teachings may go their separate ways, and differing doctrines may be debated. But you must never let such matters overshadow the fact that the Three Pure Ones share the same origin—much less end up turning against one another as brothers, slaughtering your own kin."

Taiqing and Tongtian both looked up at Xuan Heng.

Tongtian was the first to lose his patience. "Fourth Brother, aren't you worrying too much? How could we brothers possibly turn against each other and come to slaughter one another just because our doctrines differ and our teachings do not align?"

Xuan Heng shook his head and continued, "Once a sect is established, there will be more and more disciples. Once there are many disciples, there will be struggles over rank and struggles over karmic fortune. Some will use the name of their master's sect to suppress others. When that day comes, do you three brothers think you can still keep your Dao-hearts clear and consider the bigger picture, rather than listening to one-sided words from your disciples, and..."

Xuan Heng did not continue. The Three Pure Ones were no fools. Though he had left the rest unsaid, they surely understood.

Yuanshi was silent for a while before asking, "You fear that disputes among disciples will one day entangle the brotherhood between us?"

Xuan Heng nodded. "I do have that concern."

Tongtian gave a soft laugh. "Fourth Brother, you really are thinking far ahead now. You have even thought as far as disputes among disciples."

Xuan Heng smiled as well.

"If Third Brother thinks I have spoken out of turn, then pretend I said nothing."

Tongtian waved a hand.

"I didn't say you were wrong."

Yuanshi glanced at Tongtian, then turned back to Xuan Heng.

"If disciples under us use our power to bully others, they should naturally be disciplined."

Xuan Heng said, "Second Brother values rules, so of course you would restrain those under you. But in the future, you three brothers will each have different teachings and different standards for accepting disciples. Second Brother values foundations and temperament, while Third Brother is more willing to leave a path open for all living beings of the Primordial World. These two paths are naturally prone to conflict."

Tongtian looked at Yuanshi.

"Second Brother, Fourth Brother has a point as well."

Yuanshi frowned at this. "I have never said that all living beings cannot receive enlightenment."

Tongtian immediately retorted, "And I never said Second Brother forbids them from seeking the Dao. It is only that your standards for taking disciples are too high."

Tongtian had noticed this long ago, when Yuanshi accepted Yunzhongzi and Nanji Immortal Elder as disciples. Both were figures of profound merit and virtue, with exceptionally lofty foundations.

Yuanshi said calmly, "Seeking the Dao is no child's play. If one's foundation is insufficient and one's temperament unstable, forcing one's way into the Dao will harm both oneself and others."

Tongtian's smile vanished. "But if opportunity is cut off simply because one's foundation is lacking, many living beings will never touch the threshold of the Great Dao in their entire lives."

The moment Tongtian spoke those words, an eerie silence fell beside the lotus pool.

Kong Xuan and Six Ears stood to one side, watching Yuanshi and Tongtian, who seemed on the verge of arguing. Neither dared even breathe too loudly.

Watching this, Xuan Heng did not think it was a bad thing. It was far better to speak it out now than to let their disciples pile up the conflict until it became an irresistible tide in the future.

After a period of silence, Taiqing finally spoke.

"If the Great Daos you cultivate differ, then each should cultivate his own Dao."

Yuanshi and Tongtian both turned to look at him at the same time.

Taiqing's voice was calm.

"The three of us were born from the same source, yet each has comprehended his own Dao. If an opportunity to enlighten others truly arises in the future, there is no possibility that we would establish identical teachings."

He then looked at Yuanshi.

"Yuanshi values foundations and order. Those under you should naturally observe rites and laws, understand hierarchy, and expound the principles of Heaven."

Yuanshi greatly agreed with Taiqing's words. He nodded without speaking.

Taiqing then looked at Tongtian.

"Tongtian values vitality and the sliver of opportunity within the fate of all living beings. If you establish a sect, you will naturally place greater importance on that thread of life, without placing particular emphasis on one's foundations."

Tongtian nodded as well, agreeing with Taiqing's assessment.

At last, Taiqing turned to Xuan Heng.

"What Fourth Brother worries about is not differences in our teachings, but that after establishing our sects, we will be swept along by the karmic fortune of our own sects until, in the end, we slaughter one another as kin."

Xuan Heng immediately cupped his hands. "Eldest Brother sees through it clearly."

After hearing Taiqing's words, Xuan Heng frantically gave Taiqing a thumbs-up in his heart.

Taiqing lifted his teacup, took a gentle sip of spirit tea, and said, "Then today, let us make a brothers' pact. The four of us must remember what has been said today."

At Taiqing's words, Yuanshi and Tongtian both grew solemn.

Then Taiqing slowly said, "The Three Pure Ones may each establish their own teachings, debate doctrine, and contend for karmic fortune."

As he spoke, his tone remained calm, yet the clear qi that had been roiling above the lotus pool fell silent without a sound.

"But the Three Pure Ones share the same origin. We must not let differences in our teachings or disputes among disciples damage the bond between brothers."

Yuanshi fell silent for a moment before speaking. "If disciples under my school are disrespectful in the future, I will restrain them myself."

Tongtian added, "If disciples under my school cause trouble, I will handle them as well."

Yuanshi glanced at him.

"You had best remember what you said today."

Hearing Yuanshi's words, Tongtian gave a soft laugh, folded his arms, and said, "Rest assured, Second Brother. I have not become muddle-headed yet."

Hearing this, Xuan Heng inwardly let out a breath of relief. For the Three Pure Ones, the vow they had made beside the lotus pool today carried no light weight.

Taiqing set down his teacup and looked beyond Kunlun.

"The Human Race has only just been born. They are indeed suited to bear enlightenment."

Yuanshi said, "They are weak, blank slates, and in need of inheritance. If such a race can come to understand the Great Dao, they may not be unable to gain a foothold in the Primordial World in the future."

Tongtian looked toward the distant sea of clouds.

"Since they are weak, they need a path all the more. If no one teaches them, I fear they will not even know how to survive."

Xuan Heng did not respond. The Three Pure Ones no longer needed his reminders.

Taiqing's immortal radiance slowly circulated around him, and his entire aura became ever more faint and distant.

Jade Pure One immortal radiance settled heavily around Yuanshi, like an invisible mountain pressing down in the depths of his Dao heart.

The Green Duckweed Sword behind Tongtian gave a gentle chime. Its sword cry was clear and bright, yet it carried a trace of tolerance rarely seen in the past.

Ripples silently spread across the lotus pool. Three strands of Primordial Violet Qi each surfaced briefly upon the Three Pure Ones before swiftly sinking back into their Primordial Spirits.

After an unknown amount of time, Taiqing slowly rose to his feet.

"This discussion of the Dao has yielded much. I need to enter seclusion for a time."

Yuanshi nodded and said, "I, too, should calm my mind and comprehend it further."

Tongtian stood and stretched lazily.

"It seems this seclusion will not be a short one."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Xuan Heng.

"Fourth Brother, you have only just reached the quasi-saint realm. Do not rush to refine the karmic force upon Kong Xuan again. First, stabilize your own Dao tree."

Yuanshi gave a cold snort.

"That almost sounded like something sensible."

Tongtian smiled.

"Second Brother, when I am serious, I am quite dependable."

Yuanshi ignored him and merely looked at Xuan Heng.

"Kong Xuan may enter the lotus pool once every hundred years to sort through it, but every thousand years, you may refine at most one wisp of fire-baleful karmic force. This rule cannot be changed."

Xuan Heng cupped his hands.

"I will remember."

Taiqing gave him one final look.

"Fourth Brother, cultivation requires guarding one's original heart. Do not let karmic force contaminate your Dao heart."

Xuan Heng nodded.

"Rest assured, Eldest Brother. I know my limits."

The Three Pure Ones each transformed into clear light and departed.

Only Xuan Heng, Kong Xuan, and Six Ears remained beside the lotus pool.

After holding it in for quite a while, Six Ears finally spoke in a low voice. "Master, are the three Martial Uncles about to break through?"

Xuan Heng looked toward Kunlun's three peaks.

Mountain clouds drifted slowly, and clear qi rose above each of the three peaks.

"They are still one final step away."