"All living beings were born endowed with the essence of heaven and earth. For any who awakened to intelligence and set foot upon the path of cultivation, the journey was never easy. All possess a heart that seeks the Dao and a hope of transcendence. Who can obstruct that wish and that right? On what grounds? This is especially true of spirits and monsters, whose awakening is arduous, passing from death into life, from stillness into motion. All the more should they cherish this creation of heaven and earth, strive diligently, and devoutly cultivate the supreme Dao, honoring the virtue of Heaven and Earth, sun and moon, and repaying heaven and earth for nurturing them.
"Thus, provided such beings do not harm others or fall into the Demon Path, I have always regarded them with compassion and respect. To be frank, an elder of my household is a Mountain Lord who holds the position of deputy sect leader and also serves as the altar-guarding marshal of our Myriad Dharmas Patriarchal Altar, commanding the essentials of the Five Thunders. Another Mountain Lord accompanies me, formally appointed the Ritual Platform's Dharma-Guarding General, following the compassionate deeds of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun. Since awakening, both have cultivated diligently, seeking the utmost limits of their own being while never forgetting to repay heaven and earth's kindness. Such is how spirits and monsters should conduct themselves.
"As for Emei, they have more than enough resolve in seeking the Dao, but lack a heart of compassion and restraint. That is all."
Such was True Lord Cheng's answer.
After hearing True Lord Cheng's reasoning and views, the light in Han Xuan's eyes changed. Hatred and hostility faded, while reason and anguish surfaced. "Daoist, your words truly reflect my thoughts. Yet if that is the principle, why have successive