In the East Sea, for three thousand years, immortal light had continuously shone. One after another, immortals shrouded in halos of various colors arrived at Jinao Island.
A tall, formidable-looking middle-aged man stood smiling at the entrance of the grand formation of Jinao Island, continuously welcoming the disciples returning to the island.
Aside from the four personal disciples who cultivated on the island, the Seven Attendants, and Boy Shuihuo, all the other disciples did not cultivate on the island itself; instead, they had established their Daoist domains throughout the East Sea and across the Primordial World.
A cool breeze swept past, and out of the wind stepped four Daoists—one man and three women. The man had a dark complexion and yellowish beard, and he straddled a black tiger. Of the three female cultivators, one was poised and graceful, one was pure and ethereal, and one was spirited and eccentric. They were none other than Zhao Gongming, an outer disciple of Jiejiao, and the Three Xiao Sisters.
Another ten streaks of immortal light flashed to reveal their forms: the Ten Heavenly Lords. They were Qin Wan, Zhao Jiang, Dong Quan, Yuan Jiao, Our Lady of Golden Spirit, Sun Liang, Bai Li, Yao Bin, Wang Bian, and Zhang Shao.
As time drew closer, more and more disciples arrived at Jinao Island. After greeting Duobao Daoren at the entrance, they entered the island, found a spot to sit cross-legged, and waited for the Leader of Tongtian to begin his discourse.
As time passed, the majority of disciples had arrived at Jinao Island ahead of schedule. Since there was still some time before the Leader's discourse, the disciples gathered in groups of three or five to converse.
The personal disciples and core outer disciples, including Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao Sisters, gathered together to chat. Duobao spoke up, "Junior Brother Wuyun, why is Master making such a grand fuss this time? Isn't there still some time before the grand decennial discourse?"
Wuyunxian said, "Senior Brother Duobao, I have no idea either. Teacher merely instructed me to inform everyone, and I am just as baffled."
Zhao Gongming smiled and said, "Senior Brother Duobao, since we are here, let us take things as they come. Whatever Master does must have its reasons; we need only wait. My fellow apprentice-brothers and sisters, it has been some time since we last met. Have you made any breakthroughs?"
Yunxiao smiled and said, "Brother Gongming, fellow apprentice-brothers and sisters, the three of us sisters have comprehended a set of formation named the Nine-Second Yellow River Formation. Once Teacher's discourse concludes, would you all be willing to enter the formation and take a look?"
Bixiao said with a cheeky smile, "Senior brothers must not underestimate it; the power of this formation is quite extraordinary."
Duobao said, "Very well. Once the discourse ends, we shall enter the formation and test it out."
Our Lady of Golden Spirit said, "During my travels across the Primordial World, I obtained a spiritual fruit. Please, everyone, partake in it." With a casual wave of her hand, a spiritual fruit appeared before each person. They all reached out to take them and began to taste them.
After tasting his, Duobao praised, "The taste is wonderful. Junior Sister Jinao, you have good fortune. I'm afraid I shall be dropping by to bother you often in the future, so you must save an extra portion of this spiritual fruit for me." The others chimed in one after another, praising it as excellent.
Jinao smiled and said, "There is plenty for everyone, plenty. The yield of this spiritual fruit is quite good." Wudang took up the conversation, "How has everyone's cultivation been progressing lately? Have you encountered any bottlenecks?" Guiling said, "Senior Sister Wudang, lately I always feel as though I am stuck in a bottleneck. I simply cannot find the path to break through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, and I feel as though my Dao of defense has taken the wrong path."
As it stood, among the Three Sects, the one with the highest cultivation was Grand Master Xuandu of the Human Sect. Backed by the Saint Taiqing and without other apprentice-brothers to divide the resources, he enjoyed exclusive access to all the resources of the Human Sect, allowing his cultivation to grow the fastest and granting him the most treasures. Next were Guangchengzi of Chanjiao and Duobao Daoren of Jiejiao, who had both broken through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, while the other disciples were still struggling in the Golden Immortal Realm, searching for their path forward.
Wudang smiled and said, "Junior Sister Guiling, do not be anxious. Master is about to lecture on the Dao, which will surely resolve our confusion. Besides, what does it matter if your own Dao is wrong? It merely means clearing away the thorns and brambles to forge a new path. As for the Dao of defense, while your turtle clan excels at it, you must not let yourself be limited by it. The Dao of mastery lies in both defense and deflection..."
Upon hearing this, Guiling experienced a sudden flash of insight. "Senior Sister Wudang, have you broken through?" Wudang smiled and said, "Not yet, but soon. Senior Sister Jinao, you must have broken through." Our Lady of Golden Spirit replied, "Junior Sister Wudang's eyes are as piercing as torches. There was a guardian spiritual beast protecting this fruit, and during the struggle for it, I gained a flash of enlightenment and successfully broke through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm."
Everyone stood up to offer their congratulations. Amidst laughter and cheers, time quietly slipped away. The time for the discourse grew closer and closer, and more and more disciples gathered in the plaza. Suddenly, the protective island formation closed, and the figure of the Leader of Tongtian appeared. All the disciples rose to their feet and bowed deeply, calling out, "Greetings, Teacher."
With a smile on his face, Tongtian said, "Rise." Tongtian looked at the disciples slowly seating themselves, his gaze sweeping over each familiar face, mentally matching them one by one: Duobao, Our Lady of Golden Spirit, Wudang, Guiling, Wuyunxian, Gold-Hooped Immortal, Piluoxian, Chang'er Dingguangxian, Qiu Shouxians, Jinguangxian, Lingyaxian, Zhao Gongming, the Three Xiao Sisters, the Ten Heavenly Lords, and so on. Familiar faces emerged one after another. Truly, it was an assembly of immense talent.
However, the visible karma clinging to a certain group of people caused Tongtian to furrow his brows involuntarily. He thought to himself, "My Jiejiao still needs internal reform. The road ahead is long and arduous."
Recovering his composure, he said, "My disciples, today I lecture here in order to pass down the orthodox teachings of the Daoist tradition and propagate the supreme Great Dao. I hope you will listen attentively, comprehend with your hearts, continuously elevate your cultivation, and contribute to the prosperity of Jiejiao."