"So it was this fellow Daoist who spoke..."

The Pharmacist's gaze shifted, and upon seeing the surrounding Immortal Gods subconsciously looking towards a tall and valiant man, he stepped forward with palms together held before his chest, slightly leaning forward as he respectfully bowed and said: "Disciple of the Western Sect, the Pharmacist, pays respects to the fellow Daoist..."

Before he could finish speaking, a disciple from the Western Sect behind him subtly moved his lips, seemingly transmitting a message to him.

A look of surprise flashed in the Pharmacist's eyes, as he smiled towards Yu Yuan and said: "So it turns out you are the esteemed disciple of Golden Spirit teacher-sister, no wonder you're so extraordinary... The one who obtained the Chaos Bell in the Eastern Emperor Heaven a few days ago is indeed the nephew-disciple, right?

For the nephew-disciple to have acquired such a treasure amidst a circle of heroes, indeed, it was a display of exceptional skill!

Such prestige is even well-known as thunder in our West; meeting the nephew-disciple today indeed validates my journey here."

Yu Yuan stood up and returned the gesture, with a smile that was not quite a smile, said: "I'm not aware of any reputation I might have in the West; could this uncle-disciple elaborate?"

Pharmacist: (;ﾟДﾟi|!)

Why aren't you following the standard script?

Normally, when praised by a stranger, isn't one supposed to be modest?

What do you mean by 'seeking details'?

Nonetheless, the Pharmacist was no ordinary individual; after a brief moment, he chuckled and said: "If the nephew-disciple wishes to know, why not follow me to the West after the Peach Banquet, and listen for yourself?"

Yu Yuan waved his hand, "Your West is too barren, I, this person, cannot endure a life of hardship."

The Pharmacist's eyes flickered, following Yu Yuan's words: "Although my West may be barren, we also possess the Pure Land, which even surpasses the beautiful and splendid Yaochi Fairyland...

Right, nephew-disciple also mentioned the Pure Land just now, so you must surely have some understanding, right?"

Yu Yuan continued to wave his hand, "Heard of it, but don't know much, purely a passerby!"

Seeing him so cleanly and swiftly denying any connection, a hint of disappointment flashed in the Pharmacist's eyes, but he did not say much more. After a slight nod, he, along with the other disciples of the Western Sect, proceeded to pay respects to the Chan Sect, Jie Sect, and various Independent Immortals, before taking their assigned seats under the guidance of the Spiritual Officials and Immortals present.

At this moment, an Independent Immortal stood up, looking towards the Western Sect disciples who had just seated themselves and said: "I just heard Pharmacist Immortal mention the Pure Land World, but it seems to me that I have never heard of such a world within the Three Thousand Great Worlds."

Having said that, he looked around and continued: "Perhaps all the fellow Daoists here share this same question? I wonder if a few Immortal friends could enlighten us?"

After he finished his words, immediately, several Independent Immortals stood up to concur, asking those Western Sect disciples to introduce what they called the Pure Land World.

"Tsk tsk~"

Yu Yuan cracked his lips, "The acting is ham-fisted, those shills are too obvious."

Princess Long Ji by his side looked over curiously, "What do you mean by 'shills'?"

Yu Yuan glanced at her, casually saying: "If you're curious, why not investigate the background of those few Independent Immortals?"

"Hm?"

Princess Long Ji was slightly puzzled, but still reached out to summon a palace maid standing by her side, whispering something in her ear.

These Immortal maidens and palace maids had been serving there all along, and asking them to gather intel was naturally one of the most reliable methods.

Soon, she turned her head back, her eyes gleaming.

"The few Independent Immortals who spoke are all from the Western Continent... so, are they deliberately performing for us to see?"

Yu Yuan merely smiled, noncommittally.

It seemed his earlier decision to avoid discussing the "Pure Land" was the right one.

Those Western Sect disciples who came to attend the feast at the Heavenly Court were likely carrying a "mission."

They probably intended to take advantage of this occasion to promote their Western Pure Land, in order to attract some of the Immortals to join their Western Sect.

Yu Yuan had no objections to this.

Although at the start, they did seem to want to use his stance, but that was just a coincidence and seeing his lack of cooperation, there were no further actions.

To Yu Yuan, as long as it didn't infringe on his interests, let those Western Sect disciples promote however they liked.

At most, he would just find it entertaining.

It's just unknown what the Heavenly Emperor and Golden Mother would think upon learning of this matter.

After all, the aim of their hosting the Peach Banquet is well known to everyone.

The act of the Western Sect is akin to "borrowing the chicken to lay eggs," and as the owners of the "chicken," could the Heavenly Emperor and Golden Mother simply ignore it?

At that moment, the Pharmacist stood up under the "persistent invitation" of a few Independent Immortals, looking around he said: "Since the Peach Banquet has not started yet, and since the fellow Daoists present wish to understand our Western Paradise World, then I shall lead fellow Daoists on a tour..."

As he spoke, he waved his sleeve, and a gigantic screen immediately appeared above the Immortal Island, unfolding like a massive scroll.

Within that scroll, a grand Great Thousand World could be faintly discerned.

At first glance, the world within was laid with the seven treasures as ground, the terrain flat without mountains or ridges, nor deep abysses or canyons.

On the ground, there were countless palaces and pavilions, all constructed of the seven treasures, some suspended in the air, some seated on land.

Their sizes at the whim of the heart's desire.

Outside each and every palace and pavilion, stood rows of neatly arranged colorful trees.

These colorful trees were also composed of the seven treasures, giving a riot of colors.

Above the trees floated nets made of gold threads, pearls, and a myriad of precious treasures; whenever a light breeze flickered by, they would produce wonderful celestial music, as though thousands of musical instruments were playing simultaneously.Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (М V L Е М Р Y R) аpprесiаtеs yоur rеаdеrship аt thе sоurсе.

In the sky, flowers like mandaravas continually floated down, all composed of immeasurable precious fragrances, permeating the air with their scent, spreading fragrance everywhere.

With precious flowers, rare birds, auspicious beasts, treasured ponds, eight meritorious waters...

From the ground up to the void, the seven treasures, palaces, pavilions, treasure ponds, colorful trees, lotuses, and all other things shone brilliantly.

The entire world needed no sun nor moon; natural light was boundless!

"What the fellow Daoists see here is the Pure Land World opened up by the two Saints of our Western Sect."

Seeing that all the people's gazes were drawn to the scene above, the Pharmacist quickly seized the opportunity to introduce: "This Great Thousand World is vast and boundless, the climate gentle, without the change of seasons, heat or cold, always cool and comfortable, refreshing the heart and delighting the soul..."

As he said this, a look of reverence appeared in his eyes, and he solemnly added: "Most importantly, the Pure Land is an absolutely pure and equal world; all beings who enter the Pure Land have their six senses purified, free from the suffering of life and death, devoid of the three poisons of greed, delusion, and hatred..."

"Is it truly devoid of the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion?"

A surprised voice emanated from the area where the Chan Sect disciples were gathered.

Although the Pharmacist was interrupted, he was not annoyed, but smiled and looked over.

This glance, however, left him somewhat stunned.

He saw that most of the Chan Sect Golden Immortals were staring intensely at the painting, their expressions indescribably strange.

There was curiosity, skepticism, astonishment... and even a hint of subdued longing.

What had gotten into them?

The Pharmacist was somewhat puzzled, but still looked at the Chan Sect Golden Immortal who had just spoken and replied, "To Manjusri's brother, all living beings who enter the Pure Land can ascend to eternal bliss and no longer suffer from the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion!"

Hearing this, the eyes of all the Chan Sect Golden Immortals gleamed slightly, particularly the Dao Xing Venerable, who thoughtfully said with shining eyes, "So there really is such a marvelous place in the world, it just so happens that we..."

"Dao Xing!"

Nanji Immortal suddenly called out in a low voice, his voice containing a kind of calming divine skill.

After being reprimanded like this, Dao Xing Venerable came to his senses and promptly shut his mouth.

It was not honorable for the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect to admit they struggled to ascend to the Daluo realm and were trapped in the Red Dust's calamities. It was fine for them to talk about it amongst themselves, but if word spread, it could tarnish the Chan Sect's image of "receiving Heaven's mandate, governing the Dao, and commanding myriad celestial beings from all directions."

Although the Pharmacist didn't understand the true situation, he was adept at observing words and expressions and vaguely felt there must be something peculiar.

He also noticed that several Chan Sect Golden Immortals were quite curious about the Pure Land he described.

Thus, he smiled and said, "Our Western Sect also belongs to the Xuanmen lineage. Should the Chan Sect brethren have time to spare, feel free to visit Western Sumeru Mountain after the Peach Banquet. At that time, we shall welcome you with open arms and lead you to see the Pure Land world for yourselves."

Then, he turned to the Jie Sect disciples and continued with a bow, "And to my Jie Sect brethren, if you are free, why not join us?"

Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, "There are many in the Jie Sect; if we all went, I fear your Pure Land might not accommodate us all, right?"

"You jest, brother."

The Pharmacist smiled slightly, his eyes secretly revealing a touch of pride: "The Pure Land is created by the two Saints of our Western Sect, boundlessly vast. Even if all the creatures of Primordial joined, it would still have room for all."

At this remark, several exclamations of surprise sounded timely throughout the venue.

"Tsks tsk~"

Yu Yuan couldn't help but smack his lips again, thinking: Not professional enough with the atmosphere build-up.

Princess Long Ji, sitting next to him, blinked curiously at him, "Immortal, did you discover something again?"

Yu Yuan ignored her, his gaze shifting among the people present.

From the Chan Sect disciples to the Western Sect disciples...

At that moment, Zhao Gongming stood up with a frown, looking at the Pharmacist with an unfriendly gaze, "We cultivators pursue the Immortal Path for transcendence and freedom!

If the Pure Land is truly as you say, just by entering you can live in purity and equality, eternally blissful without worries, undisturbed by the three poisons... Then what's the point of our cultivation and seeking the Dao?

Why don't we all just go to this Pure Land?!

Wouldn't our thousands of years of arduous cultivation be utterly pointless?

Humph! What Pure Land... It's entirely preposterous!"

"Dao friend Gongming speaks well!"

Nanji Immortal also stood up, looking around, purposely resting his gaze on several fellow disciples beside him.

He laughed aloud and said, "A world of absolute purity and equality is impossible, just as no two leaves in this Secluded Valley are the same! Where there's difference, there can be no absolute equality! And in an unequal world, how can we speak of purity?"

"Nanji's words make sense."

Zhao Gongming, seeing his agreement, also reciprocated with a smile, "According to that, the so-called Pure Land is nothing more than a false lie."

Hearing this, the Immortal Gods of the Immortal Island who were originally interested in the Pure Land also showed doubtful expressions, casting skeptical glances at the Western Sect disciples.

Seeing that the two of them sang in chorus, denying the Pure Land, the faces of the Pharmacist and other Western Sect disciples suddenly changed.

They only wished to take the opportunity with all the Immortal Gods of the Three Realms gathered to showcase the foundation and grandeur of the West, to attract some Immortal Gods to the Western Sect. They did not expect that just as a bit of effect took place, they would be suppressed by the combined forces of the Chan and Jie Sects.

Before they came here, the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects were indifferent to each other.

Now, as soon as the Western Sect showed up, the Chan and Jie Sect disciples started to join forces to press them down!

Suppression!

This was naked suppression!

Watching this scene, Yu Yuan also felt slightly emotional.

Before the Divine Enthronement, although the Three Sects had occasional frictions, they still upheld the sentiment that "Red flowers, white lotus, and green lotus leaves, the three teachings are originally one family", at least superficially getting along without tearing each other apart easily.

Especially when suppressing the Western Sect, which was gradually diverging from the Xuanmen teachings, the Chan and Jie Sects had a surprisingly tacit understanding.

But once the Calamity began, everything changed.

A fellow Daoist perishes, not me!

I help a fellow Daoist onto the list; he helps me to the grave!

In the end, the Chan and Jie Sects turned against each other fiercely, ironically allowing the Western Sect, which quietly lurked and developed in silence, to reap huge benefits.

Taking in many elite disciples from both sects.

Of course, the Calamity has not yet begun, and all these have not yet occurred.

At this moment, the Pharmacist stood up solemnly, advancing to the center, and gazed at Nanji Immortal and Zhao Gongming, "Both brethren seem to misunderstand our Western Pure Land.

Why don't we discuss the Dao here, and let our fellow Daoists present gain some understanding of the divine skills and mystic arts of our Three Sects? What do you two brethren think?"

Hearing this, Yu Yuan had a thought.

Was this an open challenge?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com