The Vastness

It was a shame that Lu Tian caught up and even surpassed them completely, which was inevitably a little disheartening.

"One hears the Dao at different times; Junior Brother has merely taken the first step. Ultimately, it depends on who can laugh last."

"When we reach the pinnacle of cultivation, Junior Brother believes all Senior Brothers will walk alongside me."

Lu Tian opened his eyes and smiled, his tone gentle.

These direct disciples of the Western Teachings, perhaps their origins, ordinary comprehension, and scarce resources...

But they would all ascend to the peak of cultivation in the future.

It sounded simple, but to be able to study under Jieyin and Zhunti, there was only one undeniable point—

The path of cultivation values perseverance and the will to seek the Dao.

What if the disciples of the Three Pure Ones had already reached the Quasi-Saint realm long before the Investiture of the Gods calamity?

We only need to advance steadily, and we will eventually shake the universe in the Journey to the West era, making the Western Teachings flourish in the world.

As soon as Lu Tian spoke, his five Senior Brothers responded with kind laughter.

As the six of them were chatting, they suddenly sensed something unusual—

The two Sages, Jieyin and Zhunti, simultaneously fell into a profound state, as if communicating with a certain existence. Their saintly faces showed both surprise and solemnity.

When the incense turned to ash, the two Sages recovered and decreed: The Chan and Jie Sects will hold a grand gathering of the Mystic Gate, inviting our Western Teachings to Kunlun in three thousand years to discuss the Dao and verify the true meaning of the two sects.

Are you willing to compete with the elites of the two sects?

The elites of the two sects discussing the Dao?

Lu Tian and his Senior Brothers exchanged astonished glances.

Although the Western Teachings seemed powerful with the two Sages presiding, in terms of cultivation, Duobao of the Jie Sect and Guangchengzi of the Chan Sect had already attained the Taiyi Dao Fruit, while the disciples of the Western Teachings were still in the Golden Immortal realm, a difference as vast as heaven and earth.

This was not like the bogus Taiyi of the Asura of the Blood Sea.

The true disciples of the two sects, in terms of their foundations and heritage, were not inferior to the West, and they had the advantage of realm crushing—

How could they win this battle?

Silence fell in the hall for a moment.

If they accepted the challenge, they would undoubtedly lose;

If they declined, it would damage the Sages' reputation.

It was not fear of battle, but the immense difference in realms was as insurmountable as a chasm.

Even Lu Tian, who could defeat enemies across realms, had no chance of victory against Duobao, who had long since attained the Dao Fruit.

That existence who would become a Buddha Venerable in the future, had already surpassed him in cultivation by several Kalpas at this moment.

Seeing everyone's silence, Jieyin lowered his gaze, and Zhunti sighed lightly.

They knew very well that such a request was too harsh for their disciples.

In terms of origins, comprehension, resources, or magic treasures, the Western Teachings ** were inferior to the Chan and Jie Sects; only their will to seek the Dao could be considered noteworthy. Now, asking them to compete with the elites of the two sects was truly asking the impossible.

Jieyin shook his head and gave a wry smile.

The path of the Dao was arduous.

The day of the Western Teachings' prosperity was still far off.

Just as he was about to refuse the Three Pure Ones and state that the Western Teachings would not participate in this discussion, he suddenly heard Lu Tian's clear voice:

"Master, ** I am willing to fight on behalf of the Western Teachings.

I will not disgrace our sect's prestige."

Jieyin looked up.

He saw Lu Tian bowing respectfully, his expression resolute.

Jieyin hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "Although you can kill a Taiyi in the Blood Sea as easily as picking something up, you must understand that ordinary Taiyi cannot be compared to the true disciples of the two sects."

"** I understand, please do not worry, Master."

"If you want to win, you must break through to Taiyi Golden Immortal before the discussion.

With your talent, if you reach the Taiyi realm, you should be comparable to Duobao, Guangchengzi, and Xuandu."

Lu Tian solemnly agreed: "I will break through to Taiyi within three thousand years, Master, do not worry."

This certainty infected his fellow disciples.

Pharmacist also stepped forward to bow: "Master, I also wish to spar with my fellow Daoists of the Mystic Gate."

As the Western Teachings' sole Taiyi Golden Immortal, he indeed had some confidence. In terms of cultivation and attainment, he ranked in the middle among the elites of the two sects; only his magic treasures were slightly inferior, still using two Houtian Spiritual Treasures.

"Master, I and the others also want to try..."

Maitreya, Mahasthamaprapta, Sunlight, and Moonlight followed suit.

Although they knew the chances of victory were slim, they sought to clearly understand the gap and forge ahead.

Jieyin finally revealed a smile: "Since that is the case, your Master and Uncle-Master will naturally do our best to assist you, ensuring all of you enter the Taiyi realm within three thousand years."

It was clear they intended to exhaust their reserves.

The topic suddenly shifted: "However..."

"It's not that I am being harsh, but the treasures of the East far surpass those of the West.

The elites of the two sects are all dragons and phoenixes among men. They possess orthodox inheritances, can spar with each other, and moreover, have abundant resources and exquisite magic treasures..."

He enumerated the various advantages of Eastern cultivators.

"Even if you break through to Taiyi, your chances of victory remain slim.

This is the cold reality."

Jieyin unceremoniously shattered their naive fantasies.

"By then, the top powerhouses of the entire Primordial World will gather to watch. You are highly likely to suffer a crushing defeat in front of a crowd of Great Powers.

Some will look down on you, mock you, while your opponents will step on your failures to receive the cheers and praises of the masses.

His words were cruel yet true.

This was not deliberate discouragement, but an impending reality.

Jieyin did not worry that these words would crush them—if they lacked the courage to even imagine, how would they cope when truly facing defeat?

How could they talk about seeking the Dao, let alone revitalizing the West?!

"Since you are determined to go, I will fulfill your wish.

Your Master and Uncle-Master are already accustomed to being pointed at and accused. We can endure whatever slander those Great Powers spread behind our backs.

Our actions in recent years have indeed not been entirely above board, so it is only right to be scolded."

His tone was calm, yet carried a hint of desolation.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone.

Jieyin suddenly intensified his tone: "But I want you all to—

Win honorably!"

He suddenly turned to Lu Tian.

"Especially you.

Beat back everyone who once humiliated you, one by one.

Kill when necessary, scold when necessary.

Remember, if the sky falls, your Master will bear it."

Zhunti nodded with a smile from the side.

These two brothers had accompanied each other for countless years, their bond even deeper than that of the Three Pure Ones.

Jieyin's will was his will.

A warm current surged within Lu Tian's heart.

"I will not fail Master's high expectations."

He involuntarily looked towards the East.

This journey eastward was precisely the time to settle karma.

"Let's set off."

Jieyin waved his large sleeve, gathering the six disciples and disappearing with Zhunti.

In the blink of an eye, eight people stood atop a towering mountain range.

This mountain stretched endlessly, as if to cleave the heavens and earth—

One side was lush with vegetation, brimming with life;

The other side was cracked and broken, a scene of desolation.

This was the renowned Two Realms Mountain of the Primordial World.

The Five Finger Mountain that would later divide the Immortal Realm into East and West during the Journey to the West tribulation was, at this moment, still an intact boundary marker of the Primordial World.

"Why do we need to stop here?"

Jieyin looked in confusion at Lu Tian and the others who had suddenly appeared.

Choosing to stop here was Lu Tian's idea.

Lu Tian's lips curved slightly. "The Grand Assembly of the Mystic Gate is still three thousand years away. I wish to travel east alone to seek opportunities."

Before his words even fell, a clear system voice sounded from deep within his divine sense.

[Signed in successfully at the Blessed Land of Two Realms Mountain, rewarded...]

[Signed in successfully at the Blessed Land of Two Realms Mountain, rewarded: Twelve-Grade Void Clarity Spiritual Lotus]

Void Clarity Spiritual Lotus?

Lu Tian's eyes trembled slightly.

This item was also among the Innate Supreme Treasures!

Throughout the Primordial World, all twelve-grade lotus platforms were extraordinary – the Creation Green Lotus cleansed the heavens and earth, the World Purifying White Lotus illuminated the eight directions, the World Destroying Black Lotus devoured souls, the Karma Fire Red Lotus burned away karma, and the Merit Golden Lotus... None of them were Innate Supreme Treasures that Great Powers didn't covet!

"Two Realms Mountain truly lives up to its reputation as a place blessed by the essence of heaven and earth."

Lu Tian rejoiced inwardly.

Through this encounter, he had understood the system's secrets: the grade of a blessed land determined the level of rewards.

Spiritual Mountain bestowed enlightenment of the Sage realm, the Dream Realm granted Illusionary and Real Divine Abilities – these were the foundations for becoming a Sage. What was bestowed by the Blood Sea and Two Realms Mountain were Innate Supreme Treasures that even Sages cherished.

As for ordinary blessed lands like Phoenix Forest, they only produced items for Golden Immortals.

Although Two Realms Mountain had sparse spiritual energy, it uniquely received the creation of heaven and earth due to its majestic mountain range that spanned the Primordial World.

With a flash of thought, Lu Tian cupped his hands and said, "Master, please permit me. I wish to travel through all the spiritual mountains in the East before heading to Kunlun."

--This was clearly an intention to scour the East for opportunities.

With his current evasion speed, three thousand years would be enough to visit many blessed lands. Even if he only found ordinary spiritual items, they could help his senior brothers improve their cultivation.

Jieyin nodded. "You may go. When you encounter tribulations, just chant my name."

Lu Tian's strength was now far beyond what it used to be. As long as he didn't actively seek trouble, traveling across the Primordial World was no longer difficult. If he truly encountered a tricky situation, someone would naturally step in to resolve it for him.

Understood, I'll set off for Kunlun Mountain now.

Before he could finish speaking, Pharmacist beside him suddenly spoke, "Junior Brother, would you be willing to travel with Senior Brother?" He gazed at the magnificent scenery of Two Realms Mountain, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Having cultivated in the West since childhood, he had never seen such a grand spectacle and was momentarily captivated.

Lu Tian was slightly surprised, then smiled. "If Senior Brother is willing to accompany me, Junior Brother couldn't ask for more. Bringing Pharmacist along is not a problem. This Direct Disciple of a Sage is quite powerful; among cultivators of the same level, he is at least close to the top, if not the very best."

Seeing the two decide to travel together, the other senior brothers couldn't hold back either and all requested to join the Eastern tour. In the blink of an eye, the group grew to six.

Zhunti stroked his beard and smiled. "Since you are all so enthusiastic, travel together in the East. However..." he paused, "this is your first time venturing out, so you must all follow Lu Tian's arrangements. After all, this young... has traveled between the East and West alone as a True Immortal before. Entrusting him with this is the safest option."

"We will obey Master's command," Pharmacist and the others replied in unison. They gazed at the mountains, their eyes filled with novelty and longing. Ever since their form transformation, they had heard of the East's vast land and abundant resources, and today they finally saw it with their own eyes.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a smile and vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving this world for the young... to explore freely.

"Junior Brother, what are your plans next?" Pharmacist asked enthusiastically. Without their Master present, he seemed much livelier.

"Why don't we explore Two Realms Mountain first? Perhaps we'll encounter some opportunities," Lu Tian suggested casually, while inwardly contemplating how to reasonably explain the Twelve-Grade Void Clarity Spiritual Lotus he was about to take out. Moreover, his senior brothers had recently learned new secret methods and needed sparring partners to test and refine their foundations.

This suggestion was exactly what everyone wanted, and it was unanimously approved. Before long, this group of Western Teachings... who had left home for the first time scattered like birds and beasts, flying off in different directions.

"Senior Brothers, please don't wander too far! If you encounter any powerful beings, be sure to avoid them! Contact me anytime using the secret method if anything comes up!" Lu Tian shouted after their retreating figures.

He hurried forward a few steps, repeatedly instructing them.

The hearty laughter of his senior brothers drifted back on the wind.

"Hahaha, Little Junior Brother, don't worry. We're smart!"

Lu Tian couldn't help but smile.

He casually found a secluded spot, carved out a temporary cave mansion, and took out the Twelve-Grade Void Clarity Spiritual Lotus.

The lotus petals rippled like water, so light they seemed to have no substance.

The moment his fingertips touched the flower, it felt like touching the vastness of the