"You've only just ascended, so perhaps you haven't shaken off the mindset of standing at the pinnacle of your Mortal Realm. Understandable," a Daoist said mildly. "Forgive my bluntness, but that attitude will cost you in the Heavenly Realm."
A monk added, "The Heavenly Realm's strength is far beyond anything the Mortal Realm can imagine, but let us set that aside. Consider cultivation methods alone. The Mortal Realm's methods can support your cultivation through Tribulation Transcendence, but cannot possibly support you in becoming imperishable through countless tribulations. You would have to explore everything from scratch, utterly at sea. Why not join a faction and save yourself so much trouble?"
Qiu Wuji asked curiously, "You monks accept female disciples too?"
"The Buddha said all beings are equal. Where there are monks, naturally there are Buddhist nuns."
"They can't marry, can they?"
"...Naturally not."
"I have a husband."
The monk: "?"
The Daoist: "..."
Chu Ge broke into a sweat. That's not what I wrote. You're being naughty again.
He was considering whether to revise that line when the Confucian scholar said, "Wouldn't that make our Heavenly Court the perfect choice? The teachings of Buddhism and Daoism obstruct human relationships. They are not the Orthodox Path."
Qiu Wuji fixed her beautiful eyes on him for a long moment, then said slowly, "My answer remains the same. Defeat me, and only then can I know who is worthy."
In terms of her likes, dislikes, and affinities, Qiu Wuji would have chosen Buddhism and Daoism either way. Though she was not strictly a Daoist herself, she had similarities to them and had read extensively in the Daoist Canon. Dabei's Buddhism had also left her with an excellent impression. She disliked the Heavenly Court most, because the Heavenly Emperor belonged to it.
Unfortunately, she would