Chapter 52: Three Teachings Discuss the Dao

"This fellow Daoist, may I ask how you should be addressed?"

"While waiting, Ao Yifan glanced at the middle-aged man, feeling his cultivation was ordinary but his demeanor exceptional, and couldn't help asking casually."

"Hearing this, the middle-aged man performed a Daoist salute and replied, 'I am a humble Daoist, my Daoist name is Fei Xiong!'"

"His pupils contracted slightly; he hadn't expected that his casual question would turn out to be about this very person!"

"Hehe, greetings, Fellow Daoist Fei Xiong!"

"Ao Yifan smiled and returned the salute."

"Suddenly, the surrounding heaven and earth transformed, countless golden lotuses slowly drifted down, obviously a great figure had arrived."

"What a grand display from Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable—no, wait, the aura comes from outside the mountain gate!"

"Ao Yifan turned his body and looked toward the distance."

"At the same time, the middle-aged man and Rong Shan beside him also became wary."

"They never imagined that the usually leisurely duty of guarding the Jade Void Mountain Gate would become so troublesome today."

"First came disciples of Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable to pay respects as students; now, a great supernatural being has come to visit."

"'Cleaving the earth and opening the heavens, the principles are clear; discussing scriptures and laws in the Azure Wandering Capital. Back then there was no celestial river constellations, first came the Severed Teaching, then heaven!'"

"A poetic line drifted from the horizon; its content made the faces of all the disciples of the Jade Void Palace change."

"The visitor turned out to be a person of the Severed Teaching!"

"The Three Teachings are equally renowned, yet besides the Human Teaching, both the Exalted Teaching and the Severed Teaching refuse to yield to each other."

"Now, a single poem from a disciple of the Severed Teaching proclaims their ambition!"

"Hehe, Senior Brother Zhao Gongming, your tone is still as big as ever; why not come out and meet?"

"A light laugh sounded; the next moment, a gentle breeze blew, the golden lotuses in the air paused slightly, then dissipated, and immediately a kind-faced Daoist appeared from afar in a flash."

"Master!"

"Looking at the arrival, Jin Zha performed a salute; regardless of what he thought inside, outwardly he remained a good child who revered his teacher and valued the Dao."

"Looking at Jin Zha, Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable flashed a hint of joy in his eyes and nodded, saying, 'Not bad, not bad!'"

"Although he was chosen by myself to ward off calamity, if my disciple is excellent, not only can he better ward off my calamity, but taking him out also brings great face, right?"

"It is obvious that the current Jin Zha leaves Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable very satisfied."

"Full of immortal energy, light-bodied and healthy, he truly possesses the appearance of a celestial being!"

"Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable believes that as long as Jin Zha follows him in cultivation, he will surely soar to great heights!"

"Hehe, Junior Brother Manjusri, is this little one your disciple?"

"Just then, a fierce wind swept in, and immediately a swath of seven-colored clouds pressed down."

"Upon the clouds stood powerful immortals; leading them was a burly figure wearing an iron crown, his complexion dark—none other than the current outer sect senior disciple of the Severed Teaching, Zhao Gongming!"

"This is none other than the future ill-fated Martial God of Wealth!"

"Looking at Zhao Gongming, Ao Yifan, who was holding Mu Zha, thought to himself."

"However, he wasn't particularly concerned about Zhao Gongming; what he truly cared about were the three fairies wrapped in mist and clouds at Zhao Gongming's side!"

"The Severed Teaching's Three Xiao Goddesses are not only immensely powerful, but their looks surpass all in the Azure Wandering Palace."

"Upon seeing them now, Ao Yifan couldn't help but glance at them twice more."

"There's no helping it; those neatly aligned long legs lined up in a row could practically blind a person's dog eyes."

"Of course, to Ao Yifan's mundane gaze, the Three Xiao Goddesses merely gave a glance and didn't take it to heart; instead, it was Mu Zha in Ao Yifan's arms that made the Three Xiao Goddesses steal a few more looks."

"There's no helping it; although the Severed Teaching's doctrine advocates teaching without discrimination, it does not value lineage as the Exalted Teaching does."

"But who would complain about having a disciple with outstanding talent?"

"It is obvious that the Mu Zha held in Ao Yifan's arms, in the eyes of the Three Xiao Goddesses, possesses quite remarkable talent."

"'That little one, I, the Goddess, observe that you have affinity with our teaching; would you be willing to take me as your master?'"

"The eldest sister among the Three Xiao Goddesses, Yunxiao, parted her vermilion lips and looked at Mu Zha as she spoke."

"This..."

"In an instant, everyone present felt somewhat numb."

"After all, this is the Exalted Teaching's Jade Void Palace; for a Severed Teaching person to snatch someone right before the Exalted Teaching's folks—is that really proper?"

"'Senior Sister Yunxiao, this child...'"

"Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable immediately grew anxious; he clearly knew that this child Mu Zha had affinity with his junior brother Puxian Zhenren, and he could not let the Severed Teaching snatch him away—otherwise, his junior brother would surely have nowhere to cry."

"'How? Are you trying to stop me?'"

"Yunxiao's beautiful eyes narrowed; although she appears gentle, in truth, regarding ability, within the Severed Teaching her strength surpasses even the outer sect senior brother Zhao Gongming."

"'I...'"

"Under the gaze of Fairy Yunxiao, the words in Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable's mouth could not be spoken."

"There's no helping it; the fearsome reputation of Fairy Yunxiao has spread even within the Exalted Teaching."

"'Junior Sister Yunxiao, why go to such lengths? The Three Teachings share the same breath and branch; harming harmony over a disciple is truly not good.'"

"Just then, a voice came from within the Jade Void Mountain Gate."

"'Senior Brother!'"

"Looking at the water honey peach on the clouds, Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable bowed and performed a salute."

"All the Exalted Teaching disciples present also performed salutes; the stature of the Boundless Immortal in the Exalted Teaching can be seen from this!"

"'Boundless Immortal, this disciple I, Yunxiao, have claimed; what I say, no one can overturn!'"

"Facing the Boundless Immortal, Fairy Yunxiao did not retreat a step; her aura surged like ocean waves."

"Hehe"

"Facing Fairy Yunxiao's terrifying aura, the Boundless Immortal merely gave a hehe laugh, lightly waved his wooden staff, and instantly blocked her aura from the outside."

"Yunxiao junior sister, after all these years, your temper has actually gotten worse and worse!"

"Just then, several more rays of spiritual light flew in; they were the remaining few of the Twelve Golden Immortals."

"So many big shots, to be able to see them all at once—I have no regrets in this life!"

"Rong Shan trembled slightly from excitement."

"Meanwhile, a hint of envy flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes; his bearing was far better than Rong Shan's."

"Junior Disciple Zhao, you and the immortals of the Sect of the Cutting have come here—what exactly do you intend?"

"Seeing his own side's people arrive, the Boundless Immortal Old Man also let out a slight sigh of relief."

"He and Manjusri Broad Dharma Heavenly Venerable faced the immortals of the Sect of the Cutting; the pressure was indeed great."

"The Three Teachings debate!"

"Zhao Gongming directly stated his purpose."

"The Three Teachings debate? Was this decided by Master Uncle Tongtian, or by you all?"

"To be frank, the Three Teachings debate has existed since ancient times."

"However, as the doctrinal differences between the Sect of the Expounding and the Sect of the Cutting grew larger, the contradiction between the two teachings also deepened."

"Therefore, in recent years, no 'Three Teachings debate' has been held."

"My master, old as he is, is now in seclusion on Golden Ao Island; this Three Teachings debate was decided upon by us together with Senior Disciple Zhao."

"Yunxiao Immortal Maiden said."

"You unilaterally decided to initiate the Three Teachings debate, Junior Sister Yunxiao—aren't you afraid of being reprimanded by Master Uncle Tongtian?"

"The Boundless Immortal Old Man narrowed his eyes and said."

"Sitting and discussing the Dao promotes the cultivation of our Three Teachings disciples; it has only benefits and no drawbacks—even if our master knew, he would likely not oppose it."

"Zhao Gongming said lightly."

"Now this has become interesting!"

"Ao Yifan held Mu Zha and pulled Jin Zha to fly to the side; this kind of contest among big shots is not something he can now interfere with."