From beginning to end, he had only ever demanded more effort from himself and insisted that he get along well with his fellow disciples, never once considering that the problem might actually lie with the others.
No, how could someone as flawless as him not know the truth about the others?
It was simply that in his heart, the origin of all injustice was his own background as a creature with fur and horns.
Therefore, the only thing that needed to be changed was himself.
Shen Gongbao sneered inwardly.
In this lifetime, he would only be himself.
No one's psychological manipulation would ever work on him again.
***
Led by Wuliang Xianweng, they entered Yuxu Palace.
Yuanshi Tianzun sat enthroned above a vast expanse of clouds, his expression stern, his voice like a resounding bell that struck straight at the heart:
"Shen Gongbao, Qingxu Daode Zhenjun accuses you of beating him. Do you know your crime?"
As a second-generation disciple of the Chan Sect and one of the Twelve Golden Immortals, even if Shen Gongbao could handle Qingxu Daode Zhenjun, it was impossible for him to go any further while inside Yuxu Palace.
From the very moment he let Qingxu Daode Zhenjun go, Shen Gongbao had known this scene would come.
Facing Yuanshi Tianzun's interrogation, Shen Gongbao said with a calm expression:
"Reporting to Master, it is true that your disciple saw Senior Brother Qingxu Daode using spiritual treasures belonging to fellow disciples to forge a magic weapon, and in a moment of anger, I chose to strike him. Please punish me, Master."
Shen Gongbao did not believe for a second that Yuanshi Tianzun hadn't investigated the details of their fight before summoning him.
Therefore, at this moment, Shen Gongbao played it completely straight.
I hit him, and I accept the punishment!
However, since Qingxu Daode Zhenjun dared to play the villain and accuse him first, he shouldn't expect to get off scot-free either.
Between the crime of beating a fellow disciple and the crime of using a fellow disciple's spiritual items to refine a magic weapon, Shen Gongbao did not believe that anyone present failed to see which was more severe.
Yuanshi Tianzun frowned and looked at Qingxu Daode Zhenjun:
"Qingxu Daode Zhenjun, is everything Shen Gongbao said true?"
Hearing this, Qingxu Daode Zhenjun panicked instantly. How could he possibly dare to take the blame for such a crime? He hurriedly explained:
"Master, Shen Gongbao is spouting utter nonsense! Every single material I used to forge the Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan was voluntarily given to me by fellow daoists from our Chan Sect and Jiejiao. Shen Gongbao is purely slandering me, please make the decision in my favor, Master!"
Shen Gongbao wore a half-smile as he said:
"Oh? Senior Brother Qingxu Daode, is that really the case? I happen to have detailed information on the owner of every single material used in your Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan. Shall we go and verify them one by one?"
Yuanshi Tianzun's Sage coercion swept across the hall:
"What? Did you two not fight enough outside, and now you want to have another round right in front of me?"
The very moment Qingxu Daode Zhenjun successfully refined the Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan, Yuanshi Tianzun had already known where the materials came from.
Yet toward those fur-and-horn disciples of Jiejiao, Yuanshi Tianzun had never once regarded them as true juniors.
So what if Qingxu Daode Zhenjun took their feathers?
It was their good fortune; they merely lost some feathers, they weren't actually dead!
As for the white crane boy, although he was also under the banner of the Chan Sect, when all was said and done, he was merely an attendant to Wuliang Xianweng.
To be able to contribute to the forging of a magic weapon for an elder like Qingxu Daode Zhenjun was naturally something to feel honored about.
Although he could not say these words out loud, it did not hinder his deep aversion to Shen Gongbao's aggressive attitude.
Therefore, at this moment, Yuanshi Tianzun spoke directly in a cold voice:
"Qingxu Daode Zhenjun, Shen Gongbao, as second-generation disciples of the Chan Sect, you dared to fight in public—a crime most unforgivable. However, I have a task here today. If the two of you can complete it, I will allow you to perform meritorious service to atone for your sins. Are you willing to accept?"
Hearing this, Shen Gongbao rolled his eyes.
Yuanshi Tianzun sure knew how to plot; with a mere excuse of redeeming themselves through service, he expected to order them around left and right.
It was just a simple brawl.
For a crime like this, what kind of punishment could you really hand down?
And now you want to dump some inexplicable task on me?
In your dreams!
Shen Gongbao remained unmoved, but beside him, Qingxu Daode Zhenjun's eyes lit up at Yuanshi Tianzun's words.
He had messed up this time; not only had he failed to frame Shen Gongbao, but he had ended up falling into his own trap and taking a beating for nothing.
Yet accepting punishment was something he could never allow.
What was his status?
He was a dignified member of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect.
How could he possibly bear the stain of a disciplinary punishment from the sect?
Qingxu Daode Zhenjun immediately declared in a loud voice:
"Master, please give your command. No matter how difficult it may be, I will surely do my utmost to complete it."
Yuanshi Tianzun nodded with satisfaction:
"This time, the two of you will make a trip to Jinbie Island for me. Under the nominal pretext, let it be that Qingxu Daode Zhenjun goes to Jiejiao to offer an apology for using the feathers of Jiejiao disciples to refine the Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan."
At these words, Qingxu Daode Zhenjun's expression turned as dark as ink.
In order to gather the five fires and seven fowls, some of the methods he used were not exactly above board. Sending him to Jiejiao to apologize was practically throwing himself into the tiger's den!
Qingxu Daode Zhenjun said with a troubled expression:
"Master, isn't it rather inappropriate for me to go?"
Yuanshi Tianzun's face hardened:
"If you properly complete the task I am assigning to you this time, upon your return, I will bestow upon you a treasure no weaker than the Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan. If you refuse to go, then just like Shen Gongbao earlier, you can go straight to the Ice Prison and stay there. Those are your two options—choose for yourself."
As long as he completed this task, he would be bestowed a treasure no weaker than the Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan?
Otherwise, it was imprisonment in the Ice Prison?
Qingxu Daode Zhenjun's expression instantly straightened:
"Master, although in order to refine the Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan, I might have had some misunderstandings with certain senior and junior brothers of Jiejiao, please rest assured, I will definitely not delay your task! Whatever instructions you have, please give them freely!"
"A few days ago, regarding the impending God-Conferring Tribulation, Ancestor Hongjun once again issued a final ultimatum to us Sages. Now, the God-Conferring Tribulation is inevitable. Originally, Master was fully confident in this tribulation, but a few days ago, when Master was performing divinations, I discovered that the Heavenly Dao has actually undergone a slight change. Moreover, this change is developing in a direction unfavorable to our Chan Sect. Therefore, this time, upon entering Jinbie Island, Qingxu Daode Zhenjun and Shen Gongbao must investigate the recent changes occurring within Jiejiao for me. As long as you make progress, I will certainly not be stingy with rewards."
When Yuanshi Tianzun said this, everyone present was greatly shocked.
The God-Conferring Tribulation was no trivial matter; beneath the Sages, everyone was caught within the tribulation.
Previously, with Yuanshi Tianzun's guarantees, those present had remained somewhat calm. But now, judging from Yuanshi Tianzun's words, before the God-Conferring Tribulation had even truly begun, it was already developing in a direction unfavorable to the Chan Sect—how could this be tolerated?