Daoist Randeng laughed.
Now that he knew what the three were thinking, he naturally knew how to persuade them.
"There's no need for you three to decide so soon. Hear me out first."
"I believe your concerns are actually entirely unnecessary."
"Because I never intended to truly integrate into the Interception Sect as it stands. That would take too much effort, and there's no need."
"Don't forget, I am a genuine top-tier Quasi-Saint. Naturally, I have some power to rally others."
"Once you return, think carefully about who else in the Chan Sect we can win over. No matter how low their cultivation, recruit them all in secret."
"When we join the Interception Sect, we'll form our own faction, then use that footing to win over some of its fringe members. We won't have to bow to anyone's whims."
"Externally, we'll set aside our differences and present a united front. With the great tree of the Interception Sect sheltering us, we'll have nothing to fear. Internally, we'll have our own faction, with no need to bow to anyone's whims."
"With Saint Tongtian, the strongest Sage, backing us, we could even reap considerable benefits simply by joining now."
"By contrast, the Western Teachings are impoverished. Even if we joined, the Two Sages of the West could offer us nothing beyond high positions. Apart from escaping the Investiture Calamity, what would we gain?"
"That is all I have to say. Consider it carefully. I'll give you just two days to think. If you still cannot decide by then, I'll go join the Interception Sect myself."
After saying his piece, Daoist Randeng paid no further heed to their thoughts and simply sat cross-legged to cultivate.
Manjushri, Puxian, and Cihang exchanged glances, then fell silent.
Clearly, they were all considering what Daoist Randeng had