Chapter 246 Punishment
Xuanqing was the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones. Grand Master Lingbao had disrespected Him, daring to speak against Him, and was consequently suppressed by Him. Even if Yuanshi Tianzun knew of this, he wouldn't punish Xuanqing.
On the contrary, he would reward Xuanqing and severely reprimand Grand Master Lingbao, scolding him for not knowing his place and avenging Xuanqing.
Yuanshi Tianzun valued propriety above all else. Grand Master Lingbao's actions, though he thought they enhanced the prestige of the Chan Sect, had actually deeply angered Yuanshi Tianzun.
Otherwise, given the commotion here, how could Yuanshi Tianzun, with his protective nature towards his disciples, not have intervened? It was Grand Master Lingbao's actions that displeased Him, and He used Xuanqing to teach him a lesson.
Moreover, after this matter was resolved, Grand Master Lingbao would undoubtedly receive another reprimand upon returning to Yuxu Palace.
However, this was Xuanqing's treatment, and had nothing to do with Daoist Ran Deng.
This incident caused Yuanshi Tianzun to lose face, and he must have been furious. If Randeng didn't intervene, wouldn't that give him a reason to vent?
As the vice-leader of the Chan Sect, what use is he if he just stands by and watches when his disciples are in trouble?
Considering the unfavorable impact this matter would have on him, Randeng Daoist intervened. That's why the scene just now unfolded.
"Uncle-Master, you're too kind. You're an elder, how can you call me Fellow Daoist?"
"Just call me Xuanqing!"
Xuanqing waved his hands repeatedly at Randeng Daoist, not daring to accept the title of Fellow Daoist.
After all, Randeng Daoist was someone who had listened to the Dao alongside the Three Pure Ones in Zixiao Palace. Even if he was currently in a somewhat difficult situation, he was still a high-ranking figure in the Xuanmen, Xuanqing's elder.
Even Yuanshi Tianzun addressed him as Fellow Daoist; Xuanqing couldn't afford to misunderstand the seniority.
"Then this humble Daoist will take the liberty of calling you Xuanqing." Randeng Daoist was very satisfied with Xuanqing's attitude.
As the saying goes, the more you lack something, the more you care about it.
Because he couldn't break through to the Quasi-Saint realm, the Daoist Ran Deng went to Kunlun Mountain to become Yuanshi Tianzun's disciple when he was accepting disciples, hoping to receive the saint's help and achieve a breakthrough. But how could
Yuanshi Tianzun dare accept him as a disciple? Who was the Daoist Ran Deng?
He was a primordial deity, born from a demon, who had listened to the Dao in Zixiao Palace. Although he and the Dao Ancestor were not formally master and disciple, they were in reality. Even if he met the Dao Ancestor, he could call him "Teacher," making him a disciple of the Dao Ancestor. Everyone would call him "Fellow Daoist."
If Yuanshi Tianzun accepted him as a disciple, where would that leave the Dao Ancestor? Where would that leave all the fellow Daoists in Zixiao Palace? But since his former fellow Daoist had pleaded with him, Yuanshi Tianzun couldn't simply expel him. Ultimately, remembering their past shared experience of listening to the Dao together, he gave the Daoist Ran Deng the position of Vice-Master.
In this way, He could remain above the disciples, preserving his status, while also listening to the Dao alongside them, fulfilling His purpose in coming to Kunlun Mountain—a win-win situation.
Although he didn't want to agree, he couldn't refuse due to pride; it truly put Yuanshi Tianzun in a difficult position.
Yuanshi Tianzun's handling of this matter was perfect, leaving everyone speechless. However, the reputation of Randeng Daoren was ruined.
Such shameless behavior deeply shamed all the great supernatural beings.
Randeng Daoren became an object of contempt for the powerful beings of the primordial world. This made Him somewhat ashamed to face others and made Him extremely sensitive to matters of face.
Xuanqing's high regard for Him hit a nerve. How could Randeng Daoren not be pleased? "Grand Master Lingbao offended you, which was his fault. Giving him a lesson is the right thing to do, and no one can say anything about it."
"But to imprison him under Qilin Cliff for ten thousand years is going too far!"
"Xuanqing, Grand Master Lingbao is still your junior brother, the direct disciple of Sage Yuqing. For the sake of the Sage's reputation, you should show mercy!"
Seeing that Xuanqing's emotions had calmed down somewhat, Daoist Randeng continued to persuade him.
His words, appealing to both emotion and reason, moved Xuanqing considerably, and his anger gradually subsided.
"Lingbao, how dare you be so insolent!"
"Xuanqing is your senior brother. It's bad enough that you don't respect him, but you even dare to speak disrespectfully to him!"
"Have you ever heeded your elder brother's teachings? Do you have any sense of seniority or respect?"
"Truly utterly insolent!"
"Now that things have come to this, why don't you apologize to your senior brother?"
At this moment, Daoist Randeng suddenly glared at Grand Master Lingbao and fiercely scolded him.
"Senior brother, it was Lingbao who was blinded by greed and spoke disrespectfully to you."
"I know I was wrong."
"Please, for the sake of our master, forgive me this time."
Prompted by Daoist Randeng, Grand Master Lingbao hurriedly begged Xuanqing for forgiveness, all traces of his previous arrogance gone.
Ever since learning from Daoist Ran Deng that Xuan Qing had attained the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, Grand Master Lingbao knew he was likely in trouble.
The Great Luo Golden Immortal was not to be easily insulted; this was no empty phrase in the prehistoric world.
As long as Grand Master Lingbao hadn't become a Great Luo Golden Immortal, he had to maintain sufficient respect for a true Great Luo Golden Immortal. Even as a disciple of a sage, he was no exception.
Otherwise, even if Grand Master Lingbao was taught a lesson, the Primordial Heavenly Lord wouldn't say anything.
If this was true even for outsiders, how much more so for the Great Luo Golden Immortal before him, who was his own senior brother?
Grand Master Lingbao could already imagine his master's furious reaction upon learning of this, and he couldn't help but feel regret, realizing he shouldn't have been so arrogant.
Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets now. He could only hope that Master Ran Deng's plea would have some effect!
Lowering his head, Grand Master Lingbao thought silently. He was completely helpless in this situation. Daoist Ran Deng was his only hope.
Xuan Qing's attainment of the Dao, though a huge event, was Kunlun Mountain such a place? The ancestral vein of the East, the second most famous mountain in the primordial world, is naturally protected by a supreme array.
Therefore, the extraordinary phenomenon of Xuanqing's enlightenment was spontaneously concealed by Kunlun Mountain. Those whose cultivation level is below the Great Luo Golden Immortal cannot perceive it. Only a Grand Master of the Spiritual Treasure Sect, a Taiyi Golden Immortal, would naturally be unaware.
Otherwise, even if he were insane, he wouldn't dare to speak disrespectfully to Xuanqing.
...
"Uncle-Master is right!"
"Then Xuanqing will follow Uncle-Master's advice and punish him leniently."
Xuanqing, whose anger had already subsided, saw that Randeng had even prepared a way out for him, so he readily changed his tune: "Lingbao spoke disrespectfully to me, so I punished him by sending him to Qilin Cliff to reflect on his actions for a thousand years."
"Previously, the disciples of the Jie Sect returned to their caves to reflect on their actions for a thousand years. To show fairness, I will punish Lingbao for another thousand years."
"Therefore, I will send Lingbao to Qilin Cliff to reflect on his actions for two thousand years."
"Uncle-Master, what do you think of this?"
After finishing with the punishment for Grand Master Lingbao, Xuanqing turned to Randeng Daoist and asked, as if seeking His opinion.
(End of Chapter)