After making some calculations, Lao Zi said, "Just as I thought, my path also lies in establishing a sect. But the time will be ten thousand years from now?"
Tongtian comforted him. "A mere ten thousand years will pass in the blink of an eye. Don't be anxious, Big Brother."
Lao Zi laughed heartily. "Indeed. Ten thousand years is nothing to worry about."
Yuanshi said to Tongtian, "Could you lend me your disciple Bo Huang? I have a feeling that boy has some affinity with me."
Tongtian said, "Could it be that Second Brother still hasn't comprehended his own path?"
Yuanshi secretly cursed, Tongtian, you really had to speak the truth, didn't you? Isn't it just because you became a Saint first? Hmph, this younger brother cannot be kept around for long. With that thought, Yuanshi waved his sleeve, swiped a pot of Tongtian's tea, and left.
Tongtian looked speechlessly at Lao Zi. "Big Brother, look at Second Brother..."
Lao Zi said, "Enough. Second Brother is worried that he lacks experience in Preaching the Dao. He heard you say that Bo Huang has exceptional comprehension, so he intends to have Bo Huang listen to his teachings."
Tongtian nodded. "So that's how it is..." Then he transmitted his voice to Bo Huang. "Your good fortune has arrived. Come to the Jade Purity Palace. Your Second Martial Uncle wants to see you."
Upon hearing this, Bo Huang thought, If Yuanshi becomes a Saint too, then Lao Zi will be the last of the three brothers to become one. Does that mean there might not be any future incident where four Saints slay the Immortals?
"Ding. Don't think that far ahead yet. Think about the Wu Yao Calamity first... Once the era of the Six Saints begins, the great Wu Yao calamity won't be far off."
Bo Huang arrived before the gates of the Jade Purity Palace. He lightly knocked on them, producing a crisp sound like heavenly music.
"Come in." Yuanshi's voice came from within, carrying sacred majesty.
Bo Huang pushed open the gates and entered the grand and magnificent Jade Purity Palace. Its interior was lavish yet solemn, with dazzling golden walls and jade pillars carved with exquisite designs. Light streamed through colored glass windows, illuminating the entire hall.
He walked before Yuanshi and respectfully bowed, showing his regard for his Second Martial Uncle.
"No need for such formality." Yuanshi smiled faintly, his tone warm and kind. "I summoned you today because I have no disciples under me. You also know that the opportunity for the Three Pure Ones to become Saints lies in spreading the Dao. Tongtian said your comprehension is extraordinary, so listen as I expound upon the Jade Purity Dao..."
Yuanshi began to Preach the Dao. His voice was like heavenly music, melodious yet solemn. Bo Huang listened quietly, his gaze becoming focused and reverent. The air within the palace seemed to freeze, while time itself appeared to stop flowing.
As Yuanshi spoke, the entire palace seemed to transform into another world. Stars glittered down from the heavens in dazzling splendor; waterfalls surged down the walls, playing a magnificent symphony. Exquisite murals upon the palace walls vividly depicted scenes from ancient myths, with immortals dancing gracefully amid the clouds as auspicious vapors coiled around them and immortal music drifted through the air.
Bo Huang's thoughts soared with Yuanshi's teachings. He felt as though he stood within a wondrous and beautiful immortal realm, sensing the profundity and vastness of the Jade Purity Dao. He gradually came to understand that the Jade Purity Dao was a state of blending into nature and resonating with the universe, a cultivation that transcended the mortal world.
When the teaching ended, Bo Huang's heart was filled with reverence and emotion. He deeply thanked Yuanshi for his instruction, knowing he had gained precious enlightenment from this listening session.
"Second Martial Uncle, your teachings have benefited me immensely." Bo Huang bowed to Yuanshi once more, expressing his gratitude.
Yuanshi smiled. "Don't rush to thank me. Tell me, what insights have you gained?"
Bo Huang nodded. "The Dao of Heaven is to follow Heaven's will and obey its mandate..."
Yuanshi laughed heartily. "Good. You truly are a talent." Then Yuanshi pointed to the heavens and swore, "Heavenly Dao above, I, Yuanshi, Primordial Lord of Heaven of Jade Purity, shall heed the Dao Ancestor's will and enlighten the Primordial Wilderness. Today, I establish a sect named the Chan Sect. I shall use the Pangu Banner to suppress its fate and the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi as the treasure that proves my Dao. Chan means illumination. In accordance with Heaven and obeying its mandate, I shall elucidate the Great Dao. Let the Heavenly Dao bear witness! The Chan Sect, arise!"
Rumble!
The Heavenly Dao responded and bestowed merit. The merit from establishing the sect stirred the Opening Heaven merit within Primordial Lord of Heaven's primordial spirit, instantly refining the Primordial Violet Qi...
Not long afterward, violet qi came from the east for thirty thousand miles, and Saintly Might shone upon the Primordial Wilderness. All living beings bowed in salute. Yuanshi was not stingy either; he directly took a portion of the merit from establishing the sect and infused it into Bo Huang's body, smiling at him.
Bo Huang said, "Martial Uncle, your Chan Sect doesn't have a single disciple yet..."
Yuanshi smiled upon hearing this. "Since I have established a sect, I naturally need to accept disciples. Do you have any good suggestions?"
Bo Huang scratched his head. "Martial Uncle, I believe that when accepting disciples, character should come first. That Chang Er from the Jie Sect's outer sect has terrible character. I wanted to teach him a lesson, but Duobao stopped me. I even fought Duobao over it."
Yuanshi laughed heartily. "I am not like Tongtian. I am strict in accepting disciples. This time, I intend to establish a grand formation and select disciples based on fortune, character, roots, and cultivation. You may also come challenge the formation when the time comes, to temper your disposition."
Bo Huang's face fell. "Martial Uncle, I have to challenge the formation too? That wouldn't be appropriate... After all, I am currently the Outer Sect Senior Disciple of the Jie Sect. It would not be suitable for me to join the Chan Sect as well."
Yuanshi nodded. "That is true. The karma upon you is too great, so forget it. You rendered merit in helping your Martial Uncle become a Saint this time. No matter what happens with the Wu Yao, I will help you once in the future."
Overjoyed, Bo Huang bowed and departed. After Bo Huang left, Yuanshi transmitted his voice throughout the Primordial Wilderness. "I am Yuanshi, Primordial Lord of Heaven of Jade Purity. One hundred days from now, I shall establish three grand formations upon Mount Kunlun. All those with destined affinity may become disciples of the Chan Sect."
Thus, living beings from every corner hurried over. In the end, those with profound fortune were Guang Chengzi, Chi Jingzi, True Lord Huang Long, Ju Liusun, True Person Taiyi, Great Master Lingbao, Venerable Manjushri, True Lord Samantabhadra, Daoist Cihang, True Lord Jade Cauldron, Venerable Daoxing, True Lord Qingxu Daode, and Yun Zhongzi—the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect in later generations, along with the Virtuous Immortal Yun Zhongzi.
There was one more person who passed the grand formation's test, one whom Primordial Lord of Heaven greatly disliked: Daoist Randeng. However, he was a Primordial God-Demon and had attended Preaching the Dao together at Zixiao Palace, so Yuanshi reluctantly accepted him as well.
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