Six calculations

After returning to Penglai, Xuan Tian pondered the matter for a while, instructed his disciples on their duties, and then closed his eyes to wander in his mind, contemplating the events of this Investiture of the Gods.

After returning to Biyou Palace, Tongtian felt somewhat stifled and puzzled. He thought to himself, "Since becoming a saint, I have never felt this way before. How strange!" He then sat down to divine the secrets of heaven, but the results were still vague and unclear, so he had no choice but to give up.

However, Tongtian, as a sage, was still somewhat connected to the heavenly secrets during this great calamity, even though the heavenly secrets were unclear. He still had some sense of this connection, but in the end, he fell into someone else's scheme.

Now, let's talk about who plotted against Tongtian. That person was none other than Yuanshi Tianzun.

Yuanshi disregarded everything for the sake of the Chan Sect's lineage. After the Three Shangs were enfeoffed as gods, Yuanshi came to Taichi Heaven again. The first two times Yuanshi came here, Laozi couldn't bring himself to do it because he felt that the Three Pure Ones were one. Although he didn't know what Yuanshi really wanted, if the two of them made plans in private, it would be against the Three Pure Ones' feelings, and it would be difficult to explain to Tongtian.

Yuanshi also came with a somewhat indifferent attitude. He knew Laozi's meaning, but ultimately he couldn't let go of the Chan Sect.

This time, however, it was unusually easy. As soon as Yuanshi arrived, Xuandu was waiting outside. Upon seeing Yuanshi, Xuandu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Disciple Xuandu greets Second Uncle. Master instructed that since Uncle has arrived, please come in by yourself. Please forgive me, Uncle." Yuanshi smiled as he looked at Xuandu. This Xuandu was indeed a person of great fortune. He had deeply inherited Laozi's true teachings. Although his cultivation time was relatively short, given time, this boy's achievements would certainly not be inferior to those three from Penglai Island.

"It's alright." Yuanshi waved his hand. He was quite pleased that Laozi was able to see him, and he laughed as he stepped into the Eight Views Palace.

Inside the Eight Views Palace, in the center of the main hall, there is a furnace. The flames inside burn quietly, seemingly calm, but in reality, they are extremely dangerous. This fire is no ordinary fire, but the Yin-Yang Pure Fire, which is the primordial chaos transformed into Yin and Yang. This fire was collected by Laozi from the world at the beginning of creation. It is quite powerful, even surpassing the True Fire of the Sun, and is second only to the Chaos Fire. Laozi used it to refine pills and forge weapons, and it was always successful.

On a platform, a Tai Chi diagram is painted on the wall, and below it is a futon where Lao Tzu sits with his eyes slightly closed, as if asleep.

Yuanshi entered the hall, walked to Laozi's side, and softly said, "Yuanshi greets elder brother." Laozi slowly opened his slightly closed eyes, glanced at Yuanshi, pointed to his right, and a futon appeared. Seeing Yuanshi sit down, Laozi closed his eyes again. Yuanshi followed suit and also closed his eyes and wandered in his mind.

The fire in the Eight Trigrams Furnace burned quietly. After an unknown amount of time, the two people above, with their eyes closed, seemed to be asleep. No one in the entire hall uttered a sound. In the end, it seemed that Yuanshi was slightly weaker and not as good at showing off as Laozi, so he spoke first.

"Senior brother, what do you think of the Investiture of the Gods?" Yuanshi needed Laozi's help, so he didn't dare to play tricks in front of Laozi and decided to speak directly.

Laozi said softly, "This matter is a calamity ordained by Heaven. Everyone has their own destiny, and there is no need for me to interfere." Laozi continued to speak in a formal tone to Yuanshi, but refused to speak first.

A hint of disdain flashed through Yuanshi's mind. He gritted his teeth and said, "Senior Brother, you established the Human Religion and are in charge of the education of the human race, but you have not yet succeeded. First, Xuantian of Penglai Island monopolized the important matter of human education, and then Tongtian's Jiejiao unilaterally took charge of human affairs, which is actually akin to overstepping your bounds. Junior Brother is indignant, so I wish to act as Senior Brother's vanguard, expel the Jiejiao, so that Senior Brother can regain control of human affairs." Laozi slightly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them, but then he regained his composure, as if nothing had happened. Laozi said, "Fellow Daoist Xuantian of Penglai Island is the Holy Father of the human race, and it is only right that he educates the human race. However, Fellow Daoist Xuantian has not established a great religion, and the teachings..." "I am powerless to transform humanity, so I withdrew from the cause of education, and I cannot say that I am wrong." After a pause, seeing the disapproval on Yuanshi's face, Laozi continued, "Junior Brother Tongtian is one of the Three Pure Ones, and we are of the same lineage. However, our Human Sect has few disciples, only Xuandu, who is even less capable than Fellow Daoist Xuantian. Therefore, it is not wrong for Junior Brother Tongtian to educate humanity on my behalf. Please do not hold it against me, lest it damage the reputation of our Three Pure Ones." What Yuanshi said was all empty talk. Expelling the Jie Sect was just a pretext to suppress the Jie Sect's power among humanity during the Investiture of the Gods, so that the Chan Sect could rise to power. The Human Sect is the orthodox sect of humanity, but its members are few in number. In the end, the task of educating humanity will fall to the Chan Sect. Even if the Jie Sect is driven out, the Human Sect will not gain anything. It will be a waste of effort and no benefit. Even mortals would not be so stupid, and Lao Tzu would not do such a thing. Lao Tzu has made up his mind that he will not take a bite until he sees the bait.

Yuanshi was secretly furious. He had made himself so clear, yet Laozi still pretended to be deaf and dumb. It seemed that Laozi was also a ruthless person; he only acted when there was something in it for him.

"When the Dao Ancestor spread the Dao throughout the world, my senior brother received the most, and should be the head of the Daoist sect." Yuanshi took a deep breath, and finally said with a heavy heart.

The benefits offered are substantial. It may seem like a trivial statement, but it clearly points to the important matter of spreading the word in the future.

Laozi established the Human Religion, but it faced several setbacks. First, Xuantian seized the position of educator and claimed the orthodoxy of humanity. Although the Chan and Jie sects were nominally one with Laozi and the Three Pure Ones, they were all sages who knew the benefits of the Qi (vital energy), so they naturally spread their teachings separately. No one would willingly lag behind others. Therefore, after Laozi established the Human Religion, he was nominally the leader of all sects, but ultimately lacked the strength. Although everyone claimed this on the surface, they each had their own plans regarding the transmission of the Dao and spread their teachings separately. Now, Yuanshi's words have determined the future status of the Human Religion. After the Investiture of the Gods, if the Chan sect successfully replaces the Jie sect, the Chan sect will naturally place the Human Religion first in its transmission of the Dao. The Human Religion has fewer members and cannot compete with the other sects in the transmission of the Dao. Having received Yuanshi's words, they gain benefits without having to transmit the Dao, but they can still obtain a share of the Qi, indirectly taking it from the Chan sect. This benefit is very generous from Yuanshi.

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