As the others were still savoring their meal, Taishang spoke,
"I shall treat everyone to another hearty dish!"
The crowd cheered, already impressed by Taishang's culinary skills from the grilled skewers. The eleven little Golden Crows were particularly ecstatic, their eagerness unchecked by the others who still maintained a semblance of decorum. The little ones, however, devoured their food without restraint, their bellies distending. Xihe and Changxi could only watch helplessly.
With a wave of his Taiyi whisk, Taishang brought forth a hundred roasted whole sheep from outside the hall, expertly sectioned and automatically flying before everyone. The rich aroma sent salivation down their throats. Taishang smiled, but Tongtian couldn't wait and began to eat. Seeing him, the others also ceased to hold back.
Yuanshi watched Tongtian devour his food like a starving ghost, his table manners utterly atrocious. He was even worse than the eleven little Golden Crows, who at least looked somewhat endearing in their gluttony. Tongtian, on the other hand, was just… beyond words.
To escape Tongtian's embarrassing display, Yuanshi turned his attention to the fragrant lamb before him. He took a small piece and placed it in his mouth. The succulent juices flowed out, filling his mouth with rich meat flavor. He had to admit, everything Taishang produced was truly exceptional.
The gathering lasted until deep into the night before people slowly dispersed. The Three Pure Ones had Qilin Chen tidy up the aftermath before they returned to Yuqing Palace.
In Yuqing Palace, Tongtian, with a bulging stomach, sprawled across Yuanshi's futon, nonchalantly picking his teeth.
Yuanshi's face darkened. "Get off! If you want to sleep, go to your own Shangqing Palace!"
Tongtian stretched lazily and drawled, "Second Brother, what's yours is mine. Why should we be so distant, brothers? I'll make do here tonight!"
Yuanshi nearly exploded. Make do? As if he were imposing upon Yuanshi!
Seeing Yuanshi about to lose his temper, Taishang quickly intervened, "Second Brother, how do you plan to handle your Twelve Golden Immortals?"
Yuanshi suppressed his anger and replied, "Those scoundrels possess innate Dao bodies yet lag far behind our fellow disciples. We truly need to consider how to deal with them."
Tongtian nonchalantly interjected, "Second Brother worries too much. Cultivation is their own business. Whether they cultivate or not is up to them. Look at my disciples; I don't interfere much. Let them be."
Taishang's face darkened. Tongtian was quite different from his memories. It was one thing for him to be indifferent, but to drag Yuanshi down with him?
Yuanshi retorted, "That's different. Look at your disciples; none of them are weaker than our own less capable ones!"
Tongtian chuckled and said, "Second Brother, why don't you take in more disciples like me? With more numbers, there will naturally be outstanding ones. If not, we can just take in more batches. Eventually, we'll have some that bring us honor!"
Taishang and Yuanshi's faces turned grim. If not for the elders, what would become of the thousands of disciples in the Shangqing lineage?
Taishang spoke, "Third Brother, your words are not entirely right. Since they have pledged allegiance to us, how can we abandon them?"
Tongtian laughed, "Eldest Brother, the elders' cultivation is sufficient to guide them. If that's not enough, there are Zhenyuanzi and Taihao. We three can simply claim the master's title."
Yuanshi was furious at Tongtian's laissez-faire attitude and dragged him up to scold him for a long time. Tongtian looked on helplessly, wondering why his Second Brother was so agitated. What he had said wasn't wrong. If quality wasn't enough, quantity would make up for it. It wasn't as if the three of them had a magnet for trouble, attracting only idiots, was it?
Though Tongtian thought this, he dared not show it. Seeing his Second Brother's agitation and his Eldest Brother's knowing gaze, Tongtian quickly said, "I was just speaking my mind. Eldest Brother, Second Brother, please don't think too much of it. I am very serious!"
Seeing their gazes soften, Tongtian decided that he would be lazy and slack off in secret from Taishang and Yuanshi in the future.
Tongtian suddenly remembered Taishang's smile towards Qilin Chen that day and couldn't help but ask, "Eldest Brother! What about Chen'er? How do you plan to handle him?"
Taishang smiled faintly, looking at Tongtian with a radiant smile. "How did you know I was going to deal with that boy?"
Tongtian turned his head away proudly. "Eldest Brother, we are brothers. How can I not know what you're thinking? Your smile is rarely seen."
Taishang shook his head and chuckled wryly. "Is it that obvious?"
Yuanshi and Tongtian spoke in unison, "Very!"
Taishang shook his head and said, "Third Brother, I haven't even asked how you taught your disciples. Why is Chen'er so impetuous? If he's not disciplined, how can he be the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones?"
Yuanshi chimed in, "Yes, Third Brother! I also feel that Chen'er is rather foolish right now. What's going on with you?"
Tongtian: ??????
Tongtian was utterly speechless. "What does that boy's foolishness have to do with me? How would I know!"
Taishang and Yuanshi regretted asking as soon as the words left their mouths. Their brother was like this; what else was there to ask? A waste of time.
However, Taishang didn't know what to do with Qilin Chen. He was still occupied with matters of the Human Emperor, Yuanshi was busy comprehending the Great Dao, and as for Tongtian? Well, he was only suited for fighting.
Taishang suddenly remembered Zhenyuanzi on Kunlun. He then said, "Second Brother, why don't we send that boy to the Sutra Pavilion? Let Taihao and Zhenyuanzi mentor him."
Yuanshi found both Zhenyuanzi and Taihao to be reliable and nodded in agreement.
Tongtian, hearing Taishang and Yuanshi discuss matters and completely ignore him, complained indignantly, "I say, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, I am one of the sect leaders, am I not? Do you feel no remorse treating me like this?"
Taishang and Yuanshi stared intently at Tongtian, their smiles laced with a hint of mischief. "Oh! And what high opinion does the Shangqing Sect Leader have?"
Tongtian stiffened, looking at them. He should have kept his mouth shut. Tongtian was certain that if he dared to speak further, Taishang would discipline him, especially since they had addressed him as the Shangqing Sect Leader. Tongtian could only force a wry smile. "Eldest Brother and Second Brother are right. Let's do as you say!"
Taishang smiled at Tongtian, thinking that the boy was sensible. If he were more reliable, they wouldn't have to trouble Zhenyuanzi and Taihao.