Yang Jian followed Yunxiao and the others into the grand hall, where an extraordinary sight greeted him. Suspended in mid-air was an emerald jade lotus of impossible beauty, its petals seeming to contain the very essence of life itself. Upon this celestial flower sat a Taoist in flowing green robes, his appearance striking in its youthful vigor. Black hair cascaded past his shoulders, matched by an equally dark beard, and his eyes held the depth of eons. This was Lingbao Tianzun, master of the Jiejiao sect.
Yang Jian couldn't help but marvel at how the Three Pure Ones embodied the natural progression of time. His master, Daode Tianzun, appeared as an elderly sage with snow-white hair and beard, weathered by countless years of wisdom. Yuanshi Tianzun, the middle brother, bore the appearance of a man in his fifties or sixties, his hair and beard streaked with silver. And here was Lingbao Tianzun, still radiating the vitality of youth despite his ancient existence.
"Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Zhao Gongming greet our Master!" the three disciples called out in unison, dropping to their knees in perfect synchronization.
"Qingyuan pays his respects to Uncle Lingbao!" Yang Jian followed suit, offering the formal greeting due to his master's peer.
Lingbao Tianzun's eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity as they settled on Yang Jian. "So you are my eldest brother's newest disciple?" His voice carried a note of amusement. "How fascinating that Daode Tianzun, who has not taken a student in countless eons, would suddenly choose to mentor the nephew of the Emperor of Heaven himself."
Yang Jian straightened, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. "This disciple is eternally grateful that Master saw fit to accept one as lowly as myself. The honor is beyond measure, and I shall strive to prove worthy of his teachings."
A knowing smile played across Lingbao Tianzun's features. "Speaking of worthiness, you and I share a connection that predates your discipleship."
"I confess ignorance of such a connection, Uncle Master. Might you enlighten this junior?"
Lingbao Tianzun's expression grew nostalgic, his gaze seeming to pierce through the veils of time. "Long ago, when I was still ascending toward sainthood, I would often attend Daode Tianzun's teachings in the Zixiao Palace. It was there that I encountered your mother, Yaoji. She possessed a clarity of spirit I found remarkable—someone who loved fiercely and hated with equal passion, yet always remained true to her principles. We became... friends, despite the vast differences in our stations."
The revelation struck Yang Jian like a physical blow. His mother had served in the Zixiao Palace alongside the Emperor of Heaven, acting as an unofficial disciple to Hongjun himself. Though never formally acknowledged, she had been master and disciple in all but name.
Lingbao Tianzun continued, his voice tinged with old frustrations. "Those sessions in the Zixiao Palace could be insufferably dull. The atmosphere was stifling, and my nature has always been too free-spirited for such rigid formality. Yuanshi Tianzun would constantly reprimand me, claiming I was too unrestrained and lacking in proper respect." His laugh held a bitter edge. "We argued frequently about proper decorum and the nature of enlightenment. Most who gathered there sided with Yuanshi, leaving me feeling rather isolated in my views."
Yang Jian listened intently, beginning to understand the political undercurrents that had shaped his mother's fate.
"Only Yaoji approached me afterward," Lingbao Tianzun said, his voice warming with fond memory. "She told me that my arguments held merit, that perhaps rigid tradition wasn't always the path to truth. In a place where conformity was expected, her willingness to think independently was... refreshing. We became confidants of sorts."
The Tianzun's expression darkened as he spoke of more recent events. "When your mother was condemned and imprisoned beneath Peach Mountain, I burned with the desire to intervene. But your master..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Daode Tianzun reminded me that this was considered a family matter for the Emperor of Heaven. Hongjun, having achieved unity with the Tao itself, made it clear that interference would not be tolerated. What a tragedy, what a waste..."
Yang Jian felt a surge of gratitude for this unexpected ally, but also a determination that burned brighter than ever. "I had no knowledge of Mother's friendship with Uncle Master, but I am deeply moved by your concern. However, I must make one thing clear—I intend to rescue Mother with my own hands. I will not rely on others to fight battles that are mine to fight."
"Excellent!" Lingbao Tianzun's approval was immediate and genuine. "Spoken like a true son of Yaoji. She would be immensely proud to hear such resolve from you."
After a moment of comfortable silence, the Tianzun's attention shifted to more immediate concerns. "Now then, what brings you to Jin'ao Island? Surely this isn't merely a social visit."
Yang Jian recounted his journey to the East China Sea, describing the horrific massacre he'd discovered and his pursuit of the demon responsible. When he reached the part about his confrontation with Bixiao, he deliberately downplayed the violence of their clash, simply calling it a "misunderstanding between practitioners."
Bixiao shot him a surprised look, clearly not expecting such diplomatic treatment after she had nearly taken his head off with her Golden Dragon Shears. A flush of embarrassment colored her cheeks as she remembered her hasty attack.
Lingbao Tianzun listened without interruption, then closed his eyes and began calculations with his fingers. As a saint of Heaven, he could divine the truth of any event within the mortal realm and its connected dimensions, should he choose to look.
"I see," he said finally, his voice carrying the weight of divine judgment. "Zhao Gongming, as the senior-most outer disciple of our sect, the responsibility for managing the conduct of junior members falls to you. This Shi Shang has committed unforgivable atrocities against innocent mortals. He must be executed publicly as a warning to others who might consider such actions."
The implications weren't lost on anyone present. Jiejiao had always been the largest of the three great sects, accepting disciples based on potential rather than moral purity. This inclusive policy, while admirable in principle, had led to problems with discipline and conduct. Yuanshi Tianzun had argued with Lingbao Tianzun countless times about the lax standards, but Jiejiao's path was to "intercept that single ray of hope" for all beings seeking immortality. Even knowing some disciples would fall to darkness, Lingbao Tianzun couldn't abandon this fundamental principle.
However, that didn't mean he was blind to the problems. Shi Shang's case provided the perfect opportunity for a very public cleaning of house.
"This disciple understands, Master," Zhao Gongming replied with a deep bow. He departed immediately, and soon the sounds of gathering disciples could be heard outside.
Lingbao Tianzun then turned his attention to Bixiao, who had been growing increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze. "Bixiao, you attacked Qingyuan without any attempt to understand the situation. Had he not been protected by powerful treasures, your rash actions could have resulted in tragedy. Given that you acknowledged your error and Qingyuan suffered no lasting harm, I sentence you to confinement on Jin'ao Island for three thousand years. Do you accept this punishment?"
"Master," Bixiao replied miserably, "this disciple accepts the punishment."
For someone of Bixiao's restless nature, who regularly snuck away from the island for adventures, three thousand years of house arrest would be absolute torment. To others, it might pass in the blink of an eye, but for her, it represented an eternity of boredom.
"However," Lingbao Tianzun continued, "punishment alone is insufficient. Yang Jian, you nearly suffered harm due to my disciple's impulsiveness. Allow me to offer compensation on her behalf."
The Tianzun reached into his robes and withdrew a single lotus seed, no larger than a pearl but radiating an inner light that seemed to contain galaxies. With a casual wave of his hand, he sent it floating gently into Yang Jian's palm.
"Uncle Master, what is this treasure?" Yang Jian asked, though he could feel the immense power contained within the small seed.
"That lotus seed comes from the very emerald lotus upon which I sit during meditation," Lingbao Tianzun explained. "It is one of my most precious possessions in all the worlds. When consumed, it will awaken a powerful innate magical ability unique to your spiritual essence. Even my four direct disciples have never received such a gift."
The generosity was staggering. Yang Jian was not only the disciple of Lingbao Tianzun's brother but also the son of an old friend, and considering Bixiao's offense, the gesture was both politically wise and personally meaningful.
"This disciple is overwhelmed by Uncle Master's generosity!" Yang Jian dropped to his knees again. "I will treasure this gift always."
"Rise, child. The sooner you consume the seed, the stronger the awakened ability will be. Youth has advantages in such matters."
Lingbao Tianzun waved his hand dismissively, clearly indicating that the audience was concluded and he wished to return to his cultivation.
"Then we take our leave, Uncle Master," Yang Jian said, rising and bowing once more.
"Farewell, Master," the three Jiejiao disciples added in unison.
As they departed the grand hall of Biyou Palace, Yang Jian could feel the weight of the precious seed in his palm, knowing that his journey toward rescuing his mother had taken another significant step forward.
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