Xuan Du becoming a Quasi-Saint and stepping into the ranks of Great Powers signified more than just his personal achievement. It represented the maturation of Daoist Sect, and indeed all disciples under the Sages, who were now becoming prominent figures in the Primordial World. This heralded an era of peak prosperity for the Sages, where Great Ancestors would be replaced by their disciples, and the Sages' influence would permeate every corner of the world.
In Jade Void Palace, Yuan Shi felt a rare dissatisfaction with his disciples. He particularly considered Huang Long, whom he had accepted when the latter crossed the Dragon Gate. Huang Long remained a Golden Immortal, or at best a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, a pace of cultivation too slow to even be described as such. Yuan Shi had not withheld resources, sharing every heavenly treasure, spiritual herb, and elixir from Kunlun Wonderland with Huang Long, and even inquiring about his progress during every sermon.
Despite Huang Long's diligence, his cultivation remained sluggish. Yuan Shi knew that resorting to the technique of body infusion to elevate him to Grand Unity would irreparably damage his foundation. Thus, Venerable Yuan Shi had resigned himself, no longer inquiring about Huang Long's cultivation in recent years.
Now, with few disciples in his sect besides Nanji holding their own amongst the three teachings, Yuan Shi looked at Qi, realizing that if the new generation faltered, the old must still hold their ground.
On the battlefield, the Purple Mansion True Immortal, adorned with a purple jade crown, a flowing cloud robe, and cloud-stepping boots, wielded a whisk in one hand, presenting the dignified appearance of an enlightened immortal. He was indeed a prime example of an enlightened true immortal.
The Purple Mansion True Immortal sang with a smile, "A thousand words cannot convey the profound truth; ten thousand volumes of alchemical texts read are in vain. If one's spirit is bound by worldly matters, they shall never see the Great Unity Heaven! Allow this humble Daoist to assist!"
With a flick of his whisk, the Purple Mansion True Immortal conjured the Yin-Yang of life and death, enveloping Qi.
Simultaneously, Xuan Du stepped forward, saying, "Senior, you cannot take the Kongtong Seal."
Qi's expression remained impassive. "Then let's see if you have the ability!"
At this moment, Golden Spirit Holy Mother finally returned. Upon seeing the situation, she rushed to assist the precarious Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, once again engaging Kong Xuan.
Guang Chengzi and his two companions once again activated the Heaven-Overturning Seal, smashing it towards Bei Xu and You, who were already struggling to hold their ground.
However, Qi took a step forward. The sky behind him transformed into a dark crimson blood curtain, and the Dharma Image of an eight-headed serpent stood beside You and Bei Xu. The Kongtong Seal rested beneath You.
The Heaven-Overturning Seal descended with the power to suppress all ages, but it was now held aloft by the eight-headed serpent, a colossal blood serpent, comparable in size to the phantom of Buzhou Mountain, bracing against the falling seal.
Qi, in his true form, wielded his saber, unleashing terrifying saber intents that shattered Yin and Yang, and ripped through the cosmos. He advanced relentlessly, his every strike effortlessly dispelling the myriad phenomena conjured by the Purple Mansion True Immortal's whisk.
Xuan Du did not immediately intervene but stood silently, observing Qi's every saber stroke, his every retraction, and the intent and energy of each slash. He moved lightly through the void, the glint of saber light flashing around him, yet it seemed as though it had nothing to do with him, as though it existed in a different time and space.
With one hand behind his back, his green robe billowing in the wind, Xuan Du's refined face bore an undeniable calmness. He possessed a fraction of Laozi's supreme goodness, like water, remaining unperturbed by any situation. Thus, even though he was the sole second-generation disciple of the Human Sect, and despite the Three Pure Ones having long separated into three distinct teachings, all second-generation disciples of the Chan and Jie sects addressed him as Senior Brother Xuan Du.
This was due to the seniority of his master, the Supreme Pure Sage, and also due to Xuan Du's personal charm and innate charisma.
Xuan Du gently raised his hand, pointing a single finger at a point in the void. At the convergence of past, present, and future, when space itself churned and rippled, that single point remained still. It was the stillness of the Taiji, the two forces of Yin and Yang. To Xuan Du, time was Yin, and space was Yang; Taiji was the universe, and the universe was the two forces.
Qi's raised saber could no longer descend. The saber intents that had swept across the land could no longer be so arrogant and invincible, for the space-time he occupied was stabilized by Xuan Du's application of Taiji to neutralize force and establish order.
At this moment, the elder figures of the Primordial World witnessed a young genius, a talent whose era had arrived, an unparalleled prodigy!
"A monster! Truly a monster!" Ming He of the Sea of Blood grumbled.
"Indeed. The Great Dao of Space-Time is but a theory, yet he, a mere human, has made it a reality of integrated existence!" a shriveled youth with a sharp mouth and elongated head exclaimed with palpable envy.
Ming He chuckled. "However, even with his peerless talent, he must grow step by step. He is still far from matching me. Your sharp tongue is also a rare gift. If you cultivate diligently, perhaps even the Great Dao of Space-Time will not withstand your sharp tongue."
The sharp-mouthed, long-headed youth chuckled obsequiously, "Then I shall rely on your protection, Ancestor. Only then can congenital deities like me, Xue Wen, born and nurtured, survive."
On Shouyang Mountain, Laozi clapped his hands in laughter. "He truly lives up to the Daoist name I bestowed upon him as the leader of the Xuanmen."
In the Heavenly Court, Queen Mother of the West in the Jade Pond sighed, "As the saying goes, 'like father, like son.' A Sage like the Supreme Pure Sage, devoted to cultivation, has produced a Human Sect disciple like Xuan Du, who is equally devoted."
In Bi You Palace, Tong Tian pouted. He glanced at the sea of disciples surrounding him and immediately felt they were all mediocre. He sighed, "Truly, excellent disciples are hard to find!"
Saying this, Tong Tian idly stroked the fur of a long-eared rabbit beside him. After observing everyone, his gaze finally settled on a few women. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Yun Xiao, I once accepted you as an outer disciple. Now that your cultivation has reached a commendable level, I will not be stingy. Today, I accept you as a personal disciple. Do you agree?"
A gentle and beautiful woman, whose every movement exuded an ethereal immortal grace, stepped forward and bowed before Tong Tian. "Disciple Yun Xiao agrees! I thank Master for your great kindness!"
Seeing this, Tong Tian casually tossed the rabbit in his hand towards a futon nearby. He personally rose to help Yun Xiao up and then addressed his disciples who were listening to his sermon: "From now on, you shall take Xuan Du as your example. Learn from him. You all have the same Sages as masters, and you are all disciples of the three teachings, yet he displays such brilliant talent, while you only listen to my sermons and practice my techniques."
"From this day forward, except for my personal disciples, all other disciples must move out of Jin'ao Island and establish their own residences outside."
"Some of you inherently lack talent. If you do not strive against heaven and earth, and do not compete with all living beings, your cultivation may remain at this level for your entire lives."
Tong Tian, usually gentle, was uncharacteristically stern today. The disciples responded in unison, daring not to utter a word of objection.
Seeing no one objected, Tong Tian continued, "Look at Yun Xiao. When I first accepted her as an outer disciple, she was merely a Heavenly Immortal. In such a short time, she has already attained the realm of Grand Unity Golden Immortal. As for you, let alone aiming to match Xuan Du, even if you possessed half of your Senior Sister Yun Xiao's wisdom and perseverance, you would not be at your current stage."
"This sermon concludes here. All of you go and find your own residences!"
The disciples below wailed inwardly. The prime immortal mountains and blessed lands outside were already occupied by those with power. Where could they find a place as spiritual and infused with Dao as Jin'ao Island, a sacred realm?
In Bi You Palace, after all the disciples had departed, Duobao asked, "Master, why did you drive away all the junior brothers and sisters? Did you not say that only the destiny of ten thousand immortals could suppress the destiny of the Jie Sect?"
Tong Tian sighed. "I once believed so. But today, seeing Xuan Du's talent, wisdom, and perseverance, and then looking back at the disciples of the Jie Sect, I see nothing but chaos. Many disciples carry karmic ties, transgressions, and malevolent energies. Where is the demeanor of a Sage's sect?"
"Perhaps, my Jie Sect indeed has some issues that have arisen."