"Now, Daoist Shouren, we are all disciples of the Three Pure Ones, with Dao Lineages springing from the same source. As far back as the Jin dynasty, your sect's immortal elder sought instruction from our Primordial Lord. We have been friendly allies for six thousand years. Will your sect truly not reconsider entrusting Xinzhan to our Shangqing Sect's tutelage?"
Nengyue Daoist spoke earnestly.
After that fleeting glimpse in Western Kunlun, Nengyue Daoist had visited Three Pure Ones Mountain to raise the matter, but Ji Hehe had adamantly refused to budge, telling him never to mention it again and to abandon the idea. Yet today, upon seeing Cheng Xinzhan's other inner landscape deities, Nengyue Daoist could not help bringing it up again.
"Fellow Daoist Shouren, don't be so quick to refuse. If you have any conditions, we can discuss them! And young friend Xinzhan, don't you wish to advance further along the path of visualization and spirit preservation? Do you know how many true forms of immortals and deities are preserved in our Shangqing Sect's mountain-guarding spiritual treasure, the Shangqing Bilu Mirror? Do you know of the secret art of transforming acupoints into heavens recorded in our founding Daoist scripture, the Shangqing Great Cavern Scripture?"
Nengyue Daoist smiled benevolently.
Dong Shouren smiled too. "Fellow Daoist, that is hardly fair of you. I brought Xinzhan here to offer our thanks, and now you want to keep him. Shangqing Lingbao and Daoist scriptures are naturally unrivaled under heaven, but Xinzhan is to take charge of the Three Pure Ones Palace someday. If I agreed today, our sect leader would lock me beneath the Western Sea when I returned."
"If Xinzhan is willing to stay on Juqü Mountain, putting him in charge of Preserving Heaven Hall is not out of the question either."
True