In Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun had also just returned from Zixiao Palace.
The two sat beneath the Ginseng Fruit Tree, with the Earth Book resting on Zhen Yuanzi's knees and radiating a dense, earthy-yellow light.
When the voices of the Three Pure Ones expounding the Great Dao reached them, they exchanged a glance and released their divine senses at the same time. Hong Yun was forthright by nature, and after listening, he was the first to clap his hands and laugh:
"What splendid Three Pure Ones! Refining essence into qi, qi refining into spirit, refining spirit to return to emptiness, and refining emptiness to unity with the Dao.
"These four realms are entirely different from Hong Jun's Immortal Dao, yet each has its own merits.
"Combining the severing of the seven emotions and six desires with the severing of the Three Corpses is the path of the Immortal Dao, while comprehending the Great Dao of the Three Pure Ones and advancing step by step is the path of Dao cultivation.
"Both roads lead to Primordial Unity, but the scenery along the way is entirely different.
"Daoist Brother Zhen Yuan, the Earth Book in your hands seems quite compatible with the workings of laws in the cultivation system. You might as well draw a lesson or two from it."
Zhen Yuanzi pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "The foundation of the Earth Book's laws lies in the way of the earth, which indeed shares common ground with Laozi's Yin-Yang Dao and Yuanshi's Dao of Chaos within the cultivation system.
"But drawing on their example is one thing; the lineage of Longevity Mountain has its own Dao tradition."
Within Yuanjue Cave on Vulture Peak, Daoist Randeng sat alone, cross-legged before his Glazed Lamp.
He had