On Mount Shouyang, sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting mottled shadows, and the Bajing Palace appeared exceptionally tranquil and serene. Yuanshi Tianzun, dressed in a white Daoist robe, sat straight and proper before Taiqing Laozi. Between them stood two exquisitely carved tables, upon which rested an incense burner and tea sets.
Yuanshi Tianzun furrowed his brows slightly, his expression solemn as he said, "Elder Brother, are we really going to just let things develop like this? Looking back at the time when our three sects contended, that was ultimately an internal dispute within the East. Yet now, although the Western Teachings have become a thing of the past, who doesn't know that this newly emerged Buddhism is actually the exact same bunch of people as the former Western Teachings? If we allow Buddhism to flourish unchecked, the fortune of our East will inevitably and gradually wane..."
Taiqing Laozi unhurriedly picked up the cup of fragrant, steaming tea before him, took a light sip, slowly set the cup down, and then spoke leisurely: "Today's fruit all stems from yesterday's cause; as the saying goes, every cause has its effect. Reflecting on that Conferment of Gods battle back then, if Junior Brother hadn't insisted on inviting the two Sages of the West to assist, how could we have ended up in this current predicament?"
Chapter 454