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"Black... Black Dragon, fellow Daoist, why did you summon me so ur-urgently? What is the matter?"
Upon arriving at George's grotto, Shen Gongbao looked at him with a face full of confusion. George poured him a cup of wine and spoke calmly.
"I have calculated that the Three Pure Ones are about to complete their seclusion. When that happens... everything will change. Therefore, I have a plan."
George laid out Shen Gongbao's current predicament and a portion of his own strategy. "Brother Bao, what do you think?"
Shen Gongbao remained silent for a long time. If he followed George's lead, it would mean a complete break with the Sect of Elucidation (Chan) and the definitive offense of his master, Yuanshi Tianzun. Up until now, he had only clashed with his Senior Brother, the Immortal Wuliang. He had held onto a shred of hope that if Yuanshi Tianzun emerged and acted impartially, he might be vindicated and perhaps even compete for a spot among the Twelve Golden Immortals.
"Fi-fine... I agree!"
After a period of intense inner turmoil, he finally relented. Having experienced so much coldness, he had seen through the facade. In the entire Chan Sect, aside from that fat pig Taiyi Zhenren, almost no one truly respected him. He found it hard to believe his master was entirely ignorant of Wuliang's schemes. If he continued to hope for justice, he would likely receive nothing but more exploitation.
Better to gamble with George. If they succeeded, the Dragon Clan could reclaim the seas, and he could finally secure the status and respect he craved for his family. It was a dangerous path, but one he was willing to walk to avenge years of grievances.
Three days later, the same voice echoed in the minds of every Chan Sect disciple across the land.
"All disciples of the Sect of Elucidation, return immediately to the Jade Void Palace at Mount Kunlun. The current Shang Emperor, Zhou, is devoid of the Way and plagues the common people. The destiny of the Cheng-Tang dynasty is spent, and the Holy Lord of Western Zhou has arisen. I command Jiang Ziya to descend the mountain with the Investiture List..."
Hearing the imperial decree of Yuanshi Tianzun, Shen Gongbao nodded to George and departed on a cloud toward Kunlun. Not long after, the Three Fairies found George.
"Master has emerged. Follow us to the Biyou Palace to pay your respects!"
They had promised to introduce George to the Grandmaster of Heaven, Tongtian. George accepted gladly. Though his combat power bordered on that of a Saint, his actual cultivation level in this world was that of a quasi-Saint. Becoming a disciple of the Sect of Interception (Jie) was no loss; listening to Tongtian's sermons alone would be of immense benefit. Moreover, the identity of a Jie Sect disciple was a perfect cover for his future plans.
They flew east until a small island surrounded by auspicious clouds and spiritual light appeared: Golden Island, the site of Biyou Palace. The island was a marvel of celestial architecture, exotic flora, and divine beasts.
"The Sect of Interception, known for the 'Ten Thousand Immortals Coming to Pay Homage,' is truly impressive. This is far more grand than the Jade Void Palace!"
While the palace itself was comparable to Kunlun's, the concentration of powerful disciples was staggering. The Chan Sect relied on a few top-tier Golden Immortals and a vast number of mediocre disciples. The Jie Sect, however, was a different story.
Tongtian's Seven Attendant Immortals—Wuyun, Jin'gu, Pilu, Lingya, Qiusou, Jinguang, and Dingguang—were each as strong as a mid-tier Golden Immortal. His four personal disciples were even more formidable:
Daoist Duobao: Though once defeated by Guangchengzi's seal, his strength was near the peak of the Daluo Golden Immortal realm. (In future legends, he would become the Tathagata Buddha).
Holy Mother Jinling: Capable of fighting three Golden Immortals and their mounts simultaneously without losing ground.
Holy Mother Wudang: A mid-stage Daluo Golden Immortal who would be one of the few to survive the war intact (later known as the Holy Mother of Mount Li).
Holy Mother Guiling: Another powerhouse nearly at the Daluo level.
Then there were the outer disciples like Zhao Gongming, a peak Daluo Golden Immortal whose Twenty-Four Sea-Settling Beads were legendary for defeating multiple Golden Immortals in succession. And of course, the Three Fairies, whose Nine-Turn Yellow River Array could strip the divinity from the Twelve Golden Immortals.
When the thousands of disciples gathered, the sight was breathtaking. If not for the combined schemes and personal intervention of Yuanshi and Lao Tzu, the Jie Sect could have easily crushed the Chan Sect.
"The Grandmaster has arrived!"
As the Seven Attendants announced his arrival, a young man in Daoist robes descended in a burst of light.
"We pay our respects to the Grandmaster!" the ten thousand immortals cried in unison.
Tongtian waved them off casually. "I have said before, we are not like those rigid fellows of the Chan Sect. There is no need for such formality."
Tongtian, who believed in "teaching without discrimination," cared little for mundane etiquette. He spoke of the Investiture List, explaining that it was a necessity of the Heavenly Way to bolster the Heavens' power. He warned them that because their sect was the most populous, many Jie disciples would inevitably end up on the list.
"Master, is being on the List a good thing or a bad thing?" Zhao Gongming asked.
Tongtian took a swig of wine. "It depends on who you are. For you, it is a tragedy. For those who have no hope of ever reaching immortality, it is a grand blessing."
Yunxiao clarified for her brothers: "To be on the List, one must first die. Your physical body is destroyed, leaving only your soul to serve the Heavens forever, losing your freedom. For us, it is poison. For those with no future, it is a way to escape the cycle of reincarnation."
"Correct," Tongtian nodded. "Therefore, stay in your grottos. Meditate. Do not wander. Once the Investiture is over, you shall enjoy your freedom."
George sighed inwardly. Tongtian thought that by sacrificing a few third or fourth-generation disciples, he could satisfy the List. He didn't realize his brothers intended to wipe out his entire sect while keeping their own disciples safe. By the time Tongtian realized the betrayal, it would be too late.
"Master, I have a matter to report," Yunxiao said, beckoning George forward. She briefly explained his background and prowess.
Tongtian looked George up and down, a hint of surprise crossing his face. "Since you have no master, you shall join our sect as an outer disciple."
In the Jie Sect, there was a hierarchy:
Personal Disciples: Hand-picked and personally trained as successors.
Attendant Disciples: Former servants with great talent who managed palace affairs.
Outer Disciples: Powerful cultivators with their own grottos who acknowledged Tongtian as their teacher.
Loose Cultivators: Those who listened to his sermons but didn't officially join.
George performed the simple bowing ceremony. "Disciple pays respects to Master!"
"Very well. If you have questions about cultivation, ask your Senior Sister Yunxiao. If she cannot answer, come to Biyou Palace and ask me personally." Tongtian reached out and tossed a magic treasure to George as a welcoming gift.
(End of Chapter)