Chapter 245 The Taoist Burning Lamp
"Good!"
"You've all become quite something!"
"Brothers of the same lineage have actually come to the point of fighting each other, and right here at the foot of Kunlun Mountain..."
"You..."
"Truly impressive!"
Xuanqing pointed at the crowd and shouted angrily,
"Do you still have any respect for your Master and Uncle-Master? Do you have even a shred of brotherly affection?"
"If you had even a shred of affection, how could you do something that hurts your loved ones and pleases your enemies?"
The Three Pure Ones are still one family, not yet separated.
If word got out that disciples of the Jie Sect and the Chan Sect were fighting to the death at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, wouldn't it become a laughingstock of the prehistoric world?
"Senior Brother, we treat them as brothers, but they might not respect us. They might even think we're climbing the social ladder!"
At this moment, Zhao Gongming calmed down and said somewhat resentfully.
The Jie Sect was a mixed bag, its disciples ranging from top-tier primordial gods and demons to oviparous, feathered, and other innate beings—a diverse array of species.
The primordial gods and demons were of noble birth, but the innate beings, of humble origins, were disliked by the Primordial Heavenly Lord.
Furthermore, their inherent vices remained; since arriving at Kunlun Mountain, they spent their leisure time drinking, reveling, and frolicking in the mountains.
The spirit beasts of Kunlun Mountain suffered, their appetites satisfied.
They turned the once peaceful Kunlun Mountain into a chaotic mess, completely disrupting its tranquility, even displeasing the Supreme Saint Taiqing.
The disciples of the Chan Sect, however, were different. They were carefully selected by the Primordial Heavenly Lord. His twelve personal disciples and two nominal disciples were all of primordial god and demon lineage, of unparalleled nobility, and greatly favored by Him.
Xuanqing was unsure how much of the Primordial Heavenly Lord's abilities these Chan Sect disciples had learned. However, they had largely adopted the personality and mannerisms of Yuanshi Tianzun.
Therefore, they held the disciples of the Jie Sect in contempt.
Disputes frequently arose between the two sects, but never before had both sides harbored murderous intent, wanting to kill each other.
This was also the reason for Xuanqing's anger.
"Shut up!"
"What are you saying?"
"We are all fellow disciples; there is only a distinction of seniority, not of rank or status!"
"Today, you all acted rashly at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, violating the sect rules. I hereby punish you by confining you to your caves for a thousand years to reflect on your mistakes."
Saying this, Xuanqing asked them:
"Do you accept this?"
The Jie Sect had many disciples, and Tongtian Jiaozhu could not possibly care for everyone. Therefore, apart from his personal disciples, all the outer disciples were entrusted to Xuanqing's management.
"We respectfully obey our senior brother's decree!"
For this reason, Zhao Gongming and the others dared not argue with Xuanqing, quickly bowed to him, and hastily withdrew.
Soon, only Xuanqing and Grand Master Lingbao remained in the arena.
"What, Lingbao, is there something else?"
Xuanqing asked, displeased that Grand Master Lingbao hadn't left.
"Senior Brother, I'm not convinced!"
"It was clearly a member of your Jie Sect who started the fight. Why should I be punished along with them?"
"Besides, you're from the Jie Sect, and I'm from the Chan Sect. If anyone should be punished, it should be the Master who decides."
"You're punishing me? What kind of logic is that?"
Grand Master Lingbao said defiantly, cupping his hands in protest. His words conveyed the same message: You're a disciple of the Jie Sect, what right do you have to punish a disciple of the Chan Sect?
The arrogance of a disciple of a sage was unmistakable in him.
"This humble Daoist cannot punish you?"
"Very well, Grand Master Lingbao, you are truly excellent!"
At this moment, Xuanqing was practically bursting with rage.
If they treated Him this way, one could imagine the attitude of the Chan Sect disciples towards the Jie Sect disciples!
They probably uttered words like "feathered and winged" and "born from moisture and eggs."
In such a situation, let alone the Jie Sect disciples, who in the primordial world could endure such humiliation without feeling anger?
No wonder Zhao Gongming and the others harbored murderous intent; if it were Xuanqing, He wouldn't have tolerated it either.
Furthermore, given Grand Master Lingbao's name, which resembled that of the Tongtian Sect Master, it wouldn't be surprising how the Jie Sect disciples treated him.
"This humble Daoist will see today whether my Second Master Uncle punishes me or you if I punish you!"
Enraged, Xuanqing reached out and grabbed at Grand Master Lingbao.
"Grand Master Lingbao, you have disrespected me! I will imprison you beneath Qilin Cliff for ten thousand years as punishment!"
The primordial energy around Xuanqing surged forth, enveloping Grand Master Lingbao layer by layer.
No matter how hard he tried, the Dragon-Tiger Seal and the Demon-Subduing Sword trembled, but he could not break free and could only surrender obediently.
"Fellow Daoist, stop!"
Just as Xuanqing was about to capture Grand Master Lingbao, a voice came from afar.
At the same time, a cyan ruler suddenly appeared, shattering Xuanqing's seal and attempting to take Grand Master Lingbao away.
"Get lost!!!"
Xuanqing's eyes narrowed, and he didn't care who the newcomer was.
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a Dao seal, which manifested thirty-six layers of celestial domains in the air, resembling an ancient and eternal heaven, enveloping Grand Master Lingbao.
It was the supreme divine power he had just acquired—the power of the Heavenly Dao.
Today, Xuanqing was determined to teach Grand Master Lingbao a lesson. Unless the Three Pure Ones personally arrived, no one else could help.
Beneath the Thirty-Six Heavenly Domains, sensing that vast heavenly might, Grand Master Lingbao felt only darkness ahead, all paths to survival severed.
All life force was about to be extinguished, and he was certain to die. He trembled with terror and cried out,
"Master, save me!"
Clearly, he recognized the newcomer.
In Kunlun, only one person could be addressed with such a title by Grand Master Lingbao: the Vice Leader of the Chan Sect, and one of the Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao Palace, Daoist Ran Deng.
"Fellow Daoist, please calm down!"
"You are already a Great Luo Dao Venerable, high above all others, why bother with the petty squabbles of Grand Master Lingbao?"
Having his origins exposed, Randeng could no longer conceal himself and immediately emerged from the void to advise Xuanqing.
Meanwhile, Randeng, seeing Xuanqing attain the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, intended to offer his congratulations. However, he had only arrived halfway when he witnessed disciples of the Jie and Chan sects fighting.
This was commonplace in Kunlun; the sages didn't interfere, and Randeng didn't want to meddle. Only Xuanqing, who was in seclusion year-round, was unaware of this matter.
He had intended to detour, but Grand Master Lingbao was so ungrateful, actually daring to contradict Xuanqing. This angered Xuanqing, who tried to suppress him.
Now, Daoist Randeng was anxious; Grand Master Lingbao was being suppressed by Xuanqing, yet he stood by and did not offer any assistance.
If the Primordial Celestial Lord found out, given His temperament, who knows how much He would resent me?
(End of Chapter)