Beside the waterfall behind Kunlun Mountain, the atmosphere was already extremely solemn, with Pharmacist and others engaged in spirited discussions. The embryonic form of the Buddha Sect was now apparent, presenting a grand theory entirely distinct from that of the Taoist Sect, something the Upper Pure Peak disciples heard for the first time and were utterly unable to refute, each showing a grim expression.
Duobao Taoist sat cross-legged on the green stone, listening to Pharmacist and others speaking of the Western Tao, while ideas continuously emerged in his mind, verifying and even enlightening his own understanding.
Suddenly, Wudang Saint Mother laughed and spoke, "The grand discourse from the Western Fellow Daoists is enlightening, but moderation is still necessary. How about we pause our discussion on Dao and reflect for a moment?!"
Ksitigarbha responded with a smile, "Sister speaks wisely."
Feeling his epiphany interrupted, Duobao Taoist unconsciously frowned and looked at Wudang Saint Mother with a hint of displeasure.
Wudang Saint Mother continued with a smile, "The Dao is fundamental, but defending the Dao also requires actions of elimination. While we're at leisure, shall we discuss treasures instead?"
Pharmacist, Ksitigarbha, and others exchanged glances with faint smiles, having already guessed this would happen.
Ksitigarbha nodded, smiling back, "Good! Let's follow Sister's lead."
Shi Ji suddenly stood up, scowling at Ksitigarbha, and declared, "I'll go first!"
With a wave of his hand, a white cloth appeared in front of him as he introduced, "Eight Diagrams Cloud Light Cloth, adorned with treasures of Kan, Li, Zhen, and Dui, holding a myriad of precious entities, capable of summoning protectors from all directions of heaven and earth, classified as a Low Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure."
Ksitigarbha slowly stood up, took out a Bright Pearl, and smilingly said, "I have a Bright Pearl that illuminates the immaculate inner heart, merely a mortal item not among the Innate, this round goes to Junior Sister."
Shi Ji waved, collecting the Eight Diagrams Cloud Light Cloth, and proudly seated himself back.
The young man with large ears stood up, looking at Pharmacist with a cold smile, "I, Long-Eared Light-fixing Immortal, request some guidance."
Pharmacist stood up, bowed with a smile, and said, "I have seen Brother Long-Eared Light-fixing Immortal."
Long-Eared Light-fixing Immortal gestured, and an Immortal Sword appeared before him, stating, "Light-splitting and Image-stabilizing Sword, a Low Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure."
Master Yao produced a Medicine Gu, smiling, "Liu Li Medicine Gu, an Acquired mortal object, Brother wins this round."
Long-Eared Light-fixing Immortal put away the Light-splitting and Image-stabilizing Sword and reseated himself.
Subsequently, two other disciples presented their treasures; Riguang and Moonlight each displayed a Bowl and a string of Bright Pearls, the outcome was obvious, both were defeated.
Disciples of Upper Pure Peak all showed smiles, their expressions relaxed as they continued to observe the Western brothers.
Golden Spirit Saint Mother whispered in doubt, "Sister, is the West really that impoverished? Not a single Innate Spiritual Treasure?"
Wudang Saint Mother replied blandly, "They are doing it on purpose."
Golden Spirit Saint Mother exclaimed in surprise, "On purpose? Why?"
Wudang Saint Mother shook her head, "I do not know! But they definitely came prepared."
"I'll test them," declared Golden Spirit Saint Mother as she stood up and looked at Mahasthamaprapta, "Brother, please!"
Mahasthamaprapta stood up, smiling benignly, "My Western realm is humble, I apologize for any embarrassment."
Golden Spirit Saint Mother squinted her eyes, "I don't know about being humble, as I've never been there. But brothers' thoughts indeed seem overly intricate, thinking too much isn't beneficial for cultivation."
Mahasthamaprapta nodded and said, "What Junior Sister said is true!"
Smiling, he continued, "People should be simpler, only through simplicity can one achieve tranquility, and through tranquility, supreme bliss."
Golden Spirit Saint Mother, holding a whisk in her hand, said, "This Heart-Cleansing Dust is crafted from a collected strand of Qingfeng, capable of sweeping away worldly dust. It can be considered an Acquired Spiritual Treasure."
Mahasthamaprapta took out a Withered Wood Staff, smiling as he spoke, "Just an ordinary wooden staff with no special functions, Junior Sister's is superior."
"What about this then?" The Golden Spirit Saint Mother's whisk snapped, turning into a fleeting breeze.
Mahasthamaprapta was startled and said helplessly, "Now I seem to have a slight advantage."
Golden Spirit Saint Mother smiled, "I thought you would also destroy the staff."
Mahasthamaprapta fondly caressed the staff, saying, "This staff was personally carved by our Master from the Bodhi Tree and given to me for my spiritual journey. I dare not damage it."
Duobao Taoist glanced over Ksitigarbha and others, a thought emerging in his heart, a counterattack was coming.
Wudang Saint Mother also furrowed her brow slightly, feeling a sense of foreboding.
Ksitigarbha, holding a Bright Pearl, stood up and asked with a smile, "Junior Sister Shi Ji, where did your Eight Diagrams Cloud Light Cloth come from?"
Shi Ji stood up, "It was bestowed by Master."
Ksitigarbha continued with a smile, "And where did the master get it?"
"From Dividing Treasure Cliff."
Ksitigarbha raised the Bright Pearl in his hand, saying, "In the Western region, we lack Innate Spiritual Treasures. This pearl was sought by Master from the depths of the West Sea and personally crafted. Although it's made of common material and not as precious as Innate Spiritual Treasures, the sentiment from Master is incomparable to thousands of Innate Spiritual Treasures for me."
Pharmacist slowly stood up, holding a Medicine Gu in his hands, smiling as he spoke, "Master spent a great deal of effort to craft this Medicine Gu, gathering Ancient Star Sand from beyond the Thirty-three Heavens and Origin Clear Water from the depths of a deep sea. It took thirty-three years to complete. Although it is not an Innate item, it is filled with deep expectations from Master, and I could never let him down."
Long-eared Light-fixing Immortal sat silently on the ground, and suddenly the Light-splitting and Image-stabilizing Sword lost its appeal.
Riguang held a bowl and solemnly said, "This bowl has a simple name called Golden Bowl. Master personally refined it and engraved Taoist scriptures inside the bowl."
Moonlight stood up, held up a strand of Prayer Beads in his hand, and said, "Each bead was personally carved by Master. He painstakingly engraved a Divine Skill on each bead, to protect me."
Mahasthamaprapta looked around at the many disciples of Upper Pure Peak, "Our treasures might not be as precious as those of other junior brothers and sisters, but each was personally made by our Master, and the deep sentiments imbued within them are beyond measurable value."
Ksitigarbha and others surveyed everyone; all Upper Pure Disciples wore solemn expressions. Although Innate Spiritual Treasures are precious, they significantly lag in sentiment.
All disciples of Upper Pure unconsciously looked towards Duobao Taoist. If anyone might have a magic treasure personally made by Master, it would undoubtedly be the direct senior brother.
Duobao Taoist, composed, said, "One treasures the preciousness, and the other the deep sentiment. Indeed, it's hard to measure. Let's leave it at that."
Mahasthamaprapta bowed slightly, smiling as he said, "Senior Brother speaks rightly."
Golden Spirit Saint Mother suddenly sat down, muttered under her breath angrily, "Damned Western disciples!"
The other Upper Pure Disciples also looked displeased. Although they agreed to call it a draw, everyone knew they were being overshadowed. First in discussions, then in treasures, they all felt suppressed by these outsiders from the Western region, a fire of resentment smoldering in the hearts of many disciples of Upper Pure Peak.