Refining the Dao into Godhood: A Tale of the Jie Sect

Xuanqing originally wanted to go to Shangqing Hall to find the Tongtian Sect Master, but unexpectedly, it was a wasted trip. Only after asking the Water-Fire Boy did he learn that the other party had just gone to Taiching Palace.

Clearly, Taiching Laozi did not want to see the two brothers argue and wanted to mediate, easing the conflict between Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Sect Master.

"Disciple Xuanqing, seeks an audience with Grandmaster!"

Xuanqing, who knew his way well, came to Taiching Palace, and after being led into the hall by Xuan Dou, first glanced at Taiching Laozi, then at Tongtian Sect Master and Yuanshi Tianzun, and respectfully performed a bow: "Greetings to the teacher, greetings to the two Grandmasters! May the teacher and the two Grandmasters have boundless longevity!"

"No need for formalities!"

Taiching Laozi nodded slightly: "Very well, a Taiyi Golden Immortal now! Perfect, among the disciples of Tongtian Sect, you are the most sensible. You judge this matter!"

Xuanqing was stunned for a moment, then realized that Taiching Laozi had handed over the task of mediating the conflict to him. After carefully pondering for a moment, he said: "Teacher, Grandmasters, it's not worth harming the brotherly bond that has existed for billions of years over a trivial matter. Please listen to a word from your disciple!"

Tongtian Sect Master coldly huffed upon hearing this: "This has nothing to do with you. If a disciple of my sect errs, it is up to me to punish them. How could it be right to rely on others?"

Yuanshi Tianzun glared angrily at Tongtian Sect Master: "Tongtian, don't be ungrateful! I'm doing this for your own good. Look at your disciples, apart from Duobao and a few others, what else are they but monsters and demons?"

"Enough!"

Taiching Laozi frowned slightly, seemingly a bit exasperated: "I called you two here not to listen to you quarrel!"

Being their elder brother, how could he not know the temperaments of Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Sect Master? Yuanshi is proud, and Tongtian Sect Master is the type to respond to soft approaches rather than hard ones.

Neither would bow their head!

This was what led to the current situation.

Xuanqing quickly tried to smooth things over: "Teacher, Grandmasters, this matter is merely a minor dispute among disciples, and it's not worth escalating to this level."

He looked at Tongtian Sect Master: "Teacher, indiscriminately teaching all is indeed a great kindness, but human hearts are complex, and some disciples indeed need some rules to restrain them. Grandmaster is being kind-hearted. My Jie Sect does not possess an Innate Treasure that suppresses fate, if these ill-intentioned people ruin the reputation of Jie Sect, it would harm the teacher's noble name!"

Speaking thus, he then cautiously said to Yuanshi Tianzun, "Grandmaster, I know you are worried out of concern, and what you said to the teacher earlier were just words spoken in a moment of anger!"

Upon hearing this, Tongtian Sect Master's expression eased a lot, but still spoke haughtily: "What do you know?"

As for Yuanshi Tianzun, his expression was unreadable as he stood quietly.

However, Xuanqing could clearly feel that in Taiching Palace, the somewhat imperceptible pressure had lessened considerably, and a slight smile appeared on Taiching's face.

Seeing this, he continued: "Teacher, and Grandmaster, I often interact with my fellow disciples Gongming, Yun Xiao, Qiong Xiao, Bi Xiao, and I'm well aware of the saying 'actions speak louder than words'. Gongming is straightforward, Bi Xiao speaks without restraint, and occasionally they may have some disputes, but it does not harm the sibling-like feelings between them. Teacher and Grandmaster are Saints, surely your tolerance can't be inferior to these younger generations!"

Upon hearing this, Tongtian Sect Master immediately muttered: "Who's being hypocritical?"

Of course it's you!

Xuanqing cursed in his heart, but dared not to voice it out loud, only smiling towards Taiching Laozi.

Seeing this, Taiching Laozi immediately got the hint and said, "Indeed! You two, after so many years of cultivation, could it be that your tolerance is still not as much as some younger ones?"

Seeing someone offering a way out, Tongtian Sect Master no longer pressed aggressively, and Yuanshi Tianzun immediately said, "Isn't it just because I worry that Tongtian will be dragged down by his disciples?"

Tongtian Sect Master looked at Yuanshi Tianzun lowering his head, and also expressed, "This matter, indeed is the fault of my disciples in the sect, I will discipline them properly!"

"This is right!"

Taiyi smiled, "Our friendship of countless years cannot be made into a laughing stock by the younger generation, can it?"

To tell the truth, Yuanshi and Tongtian have also had frequent disputes in the past, and he has played the peacemaker many times. But now it seems that Xuanqing is also a good candidate for the role.

He knew that the two had different concepts of the Great Dao and needed someone to mediate between them, so he spoke up and asked Xuanqing to judge the matter.

Now it seems he was not mistaken in his choice!

Although Xuanqing was not suitable for his path of non-action, he was extremely adept at discerning words and observing expressions; with just a few words, he found a way out for both Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Thinking of this, he spoke seriously and earnestly to the Tongtian Sect Master, "Tongtian, having no class distinction in teaching is good, but you cannot just accept anyone!"

Then, he turned to Yuanshi Tianzun and said, "Yuanshi, don't be so aggressively domineering. If a disciple under the Tongtian Sect commits a mistake, naturally it should be up to his teacher to punish him!"

"Yes!"

Both nodded their heads.

As Xuanqing said, as Saints, how could they not understand this logic? The reason for their dispute was nothing more than their respective reputations.

Yuanshi Tianzun, indeed, had good intentions, but he used the wrong method, which ultimately backfired.

Tongtian also recognized his problem. The reason why he refused to admit his mistake was nothing more than feeling that the words of Yuanshi Tianzun were a bit too disrespectful to him.

These two individuals were both duplicitous, exhibiting internal contradictions and conflicts.

After joking for a few moments, Taiyi spoke seriously, "Tongtian, have you thought about how to test your disciples, how to prevent those with ulterior motives from infiltrating the Jie Sect?"

"This..."

Tongtian Sect Master didn't know how to answer; he really hadn't thought it through. The principle of no class distinctions in teaching meant that the Jie Sect was bound to accept many disciples.

Seeing this, Xuanqing immediately spoke up, "I do have a plan that could relieve teacher's worries, but I would need Second Master Uncle to lend me a Magic Treasure!"

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun showed a trace of curiosity, "Speak freely!"

Xuanqing bowed and said, "I have heard from my fellow disciple Yu Ding that Second Master Uncle possesses a treasure named the Yuxu Glaze Lamp, within which is a Divine Fire called 'Washing Karma Golden Fire' that can probe all spirits and reflect karma. I would like to borrow the power of this treasure to assess the disciples within the sect every hundred years; those with heavy karma will be directly expelled from the Jie Sect. As for those who have made mistakes but are repentant, they will be suppressed under Qilin Cliff for ten thousand years as punishment!"

Then, he added, "Of course, if the two Master Uncles could provide some advice to teacher and establish sect rules to restrain the disciples' behavior, that would be even better!"

Regarding the matter of sect rules, Xuanqing could offer some suggestions, but he couldn't establish them himself, firstly because he lacked the strength and prestige, and secondly because the Jie Sect was founded by the Tongtian Sect Master. If he were to set the rules, it would be overstepping his bounds and he might undeservedly attract grave karma.

For example, if a certain rule was inappropriate and led to karma, that karma would fall upon him, and his frail stature couldn't bear it.

If set by the Tongtian Sect Master, as the sect master and a Heavenly Dao Saint, he would have the final say, and such karma would be within his capacity to bear.

"Good!"

Taiyi nodded his head.

Yuanshi Tianzun also approved of Xuanqing's idea, "This is indeed a good idea. The Yuxu Glaze Lamp isn't much use just being with me, so let it be given to Tongtian to oversee his disciples' deeds!"