After Ao Tu finished speaking about the monks, the four of them spent some more time together discussing scriptures and the Dao.
First they discussed heaven and earth, the vast universe, and the essences of the sun and moon.
Then they discussed the eastward movement of the Stars and the southward migration of the constellations.
Next they discussed the Four Great Continents and the islands beyond the seas: which beings possessed spiritual power, and which reigned supreme?
Then they discussed the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, and the differences between the Taiqing, Yuqing, and Shangqing schools.
Finally, they discussed how all living things cultivated and attained longevity.
Each of the four offered his own views. Great Immortal Huli spoke of "Martial Fire," cooking essence and refining qi, gathering everything into one body; Deer Power Immortal spoke of "Civil Fire," warming essence and nourishing qi, fostering emptiness and stillness; Great Immortal Yang Li spoke of preserving harmony, bearing yin and embracing yang, remaining centered without leaning to either side.
The three happened to complement one another perfectly.
What Ao Tu spoke of differed from their teachings.
Ao Tu spoke directly of the Way of Immortality. Listening to him, the three felt as though they were looking at flowers through mist or gazing at the moon through clouds: they could see it, but only dimly, never clearly.
Afterward, they discussed specific magical arts.
The three great immortals had received instruction from an immortal on Zhongnan Mountain, learning the orthodox Daoist Five Thunder Method. Unfortunately, their destined opportunity had not arrived, and in the end they had been unable to become the immortal's disciples.
All three were skilled in talismanic arts, and most of what they taught their disciples was talisman magic.
Besides this, each had his own specialty. Great Immortal Huli