Taishang kept complaining, while Yuanshi listened quietly, occasionally offering a few comforting words.
Having someone to talk to, Taishang poured out all his grievances and felt much better.
Looking at Yuanshi, Taishang felt his second brother was the best, and that their third brother was simply insufferable, always making him angry.
After Taishang had complained enough, his expression suddenly changed, and he looked at Yuanshi with a solemn face.
"Second Brother, for some reason, I've been feeling uneasy lately! I've tried every means but can't glimpse anything. While Third Brother angers me greatly, he is a Sage after all and has many tricks. He should be fine. I'm worried about you!"
Upon hearing this, Yuanshi's expression also changed. Taishang's premonitions had always been accurate.
Whenever Taishang had a feeling of unease, great events would follow.
"Elder Brother, you don't need to worry about me. I'm here in the Yuqing Palace contemplating the Great Dao. It's unlikely I'm the cause of your premonition. Perhaps the heavens and earth are about to undergo a great change!"
Taishang also felt that Yuanshi, staying in Yuqing Palace, should be safe, especially with five Sages on Kunlun Mountain.
After thinking for a moment, Taishang remained uneasy. He summoned the Xuanhuang Pagoda, gave it a few instructions, and then handed it to Yuanshi.
"No! I'm still not reassured. I'll leave this Xuanhuang Pagoda with you for protection!"
Although Yuanshi felt Taishang was being overly cautious, he accepted the Xuanhuang Pagoda as Taishang wished.
Seeing the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree in Taishang's hand, Yuanshi frowned.
"Elder Brother, are you going to Sumeru Mountain?"
Taishang nodded and recounted his conversation with Jieyin and Zhunti.
Yuanshi nodded, thinking Taishang's approach was wise. Instead of clashing with Jieyin and Zhunti later over humanity, it was better to do them a favor.
While he disdained Jieyin and Zhunti, they were still Sages, and a confrontation would be troublesome.
With his melancholy gone, Taishang left Yuqing Palace and headed towards Sumeru Mountain in the West.
After Taishang departed, Yuanshi, holding the Xuanhuang Pagoda, smiled slightly and prepared to begin his contemplation of the Great Dao.
Just as Yuanshi was about to begin, he suddenly sensed Tongtian's aura approaching Yuqing Palace.
Yuanshi sighed, realizing his time today would be consumed by these two brothers. Su Dan Novel Network.
Upon reaching Sumeru Mountain, Jieyin and Zhunti sensed Taishang's arrival and understood his purpose.
They greeted him with radiant smiles. Seeing their beaming faces, Taishang felt a surge of discomfort, an urge to slap the two brothers.
Taishang took a deep breath, suppressing the impulse. For some reason, their happiness made him unhappy, even more so than Tongtian's provocations.
However, for the future prosperity of humanity in the West, Taishang had to endure it.
Even if humanity entered the West, some would still join the Western religion. That was their personal freedom, and Taishang wouldn't interfere.
Jieyin and Zhunti approached with beaming smiles, inviting Taishang up the mountain.
Taishang also wished to see the current state of Buddhism. He had only been to Sumeru Mountain during his confrontations with Luohu and when he acquired the Bodhi branch; he hadn't visited since and was curious to see its current condition.
Taishang followed Jieyin and Zhunti up Sumeru Mountain.
Along the way, Taishang observed that there were quite a few spiritual plants on Sumeru Mountain. Although the spiritual energy wasn't as potent as Kunlun Mountain, it was still a rare and valuable location.
Sumeru Mountain had been heavily damaged when Luohu self-destructed, but it seemed Jieyin and Zhunti had spared no effort in its restoration.
After ascending two-thirds of the way up Sumeru Mountain, a palace emerged from the ground, bearing the inscription: Sumeru Palace.
Seeing the inscription written neatly, Taishang mused that Buddhism wasn't entirely devoid of merit. The later Buddhist sect would prove formidable, eclipsing the Daoist sect.
Although it pertained to Daoist tenets and philosophies, one shouldn't underestimate Buddhism.
Upon entering Sumeru Palace, Taishang discovered that the two brothers were truly struggling; to this day, they had not a single disciple.
Taishang also noticed a long, rectangular pond behind the palace entrance, emitting faint strands of golden merit light.
Taishang's eyes narrowed slightly. This must be the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.
Legend had it that the Eight Treasures Merit Pool was Jieyin's birthplace. Though merely a pool of clear water, it was not to be underestimated.
The Eight Treasures Merit Pool could move according to one's will, expanding and contracting freely.
Furthermore, its water possessed the power to reveal the mind and see the true nature, purify defilement, pacify the spirit, ward off evil, and reshape the physical body, making it a great treasure of Buddhism.
A golden lotus grew within the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, presumably the Seven Treasures Thousand-Leaf Golden Lotus.
Taishang recalled that Jieyin possessed three companion spiritual treasures, collectively known as Jieyin's Three Treasures: the Jieyin Banner, the Jieyin Whisk, and the Jieyin Rosary, all of which were merit-based spiritual treasures.
However, up to this point, Taishang had only seen the Jieyin Banner, which he currently possessed.
Although its power was not exceptional, Taishang knew that once Buddhism flourished and gained the power of incense and faith, the efficacy of all Buddhist treasures would significantly increase.
Moreover, the Jieyin Banner was rumored to be the Buddha of the Immeasurable Light of the Southern Banner, a Buddha of considerable status within Buddhism.
However, Taishang had not yet perceived an artifact spirit within the Jieyin Banner, leaving him to wonder if the time was not yet right or if it was mere hearsay.
Beyond the Eight Treasures Merit Pool stood two or three large halls, namely the Sumeru Hall, the Jieyin Hall, and the Zhunti Hall.
Taishang had initially assumed they would each have their own palace, but to his surprise, they lived together.
The Sumeru Hall was likely where the two of them normally resided, used for receiving guests and holding discussions.
The other two halls were their personal residences.
Upon entering the Sumeru Hall, Taishang got straight to the point, producing the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and the Jieyin Banner.
"These are your spiritual treasures. However, you two went to my Kunlun Mountain and caused trouble for no reason. We can't just let it go, can we?"
Jieyin and Zhunti were initially delighted to see their spiritual treasures returned. Upon hearing Taishang's words, their smiles froze on their faces.
Jieyin said sheepishly,
"Daoist Taishang speaks wisely. It was our mistake."
Taishang shook his head.
"I have returned the Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus to you both, so I consider us even. After all, these were my spoils of war. If you wish to reclaim them, you must offer something in exchange, must you not? Do you think I, Taishang, fear you, and would simply hand over spiritual treasures?"
Jieyin knew the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree was very important to Zhunti. He directly asked,
"Please state your terms, Daoist Taishang."
Taishang smiled faintly. This was precisely what he wanted to hear.
"I will not make things difficult for you. I merely seek to give the world an explanation. How about you exchange the Azure Lotus Colored Banner with me for the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and the Jieyin Banner?"
Upon hearing this, Zhunti looked at Jieyin. The Azure Lotus Colored Banner was Jieyin's spiritual treasure. Although his Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree was of great importance to him, he couldn't speak up.
After a moment of silence, Jieyin nodded. An exchange of one for two was not a loss.
Jieyin handed the Azure Lotus Colored Banner to Taishang, and Taishang, in turn, gave the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and the Jieyin Banner to Jieyin.
After the transaction was concluded, Taishang did not linger and turned to return to Kunlun Mountain.