Primordial Era: A God-Level Choice, Possessing Zhao Gongming at the Start

Chapter 89 Two methods, one internal and one external

As his eldest disciple said, some cultivators have a pure heart that yearns for the Dao, but they have serious problems with their moral character.

A person who is bloodthirsty, cruel, disloyal, and ruthless will only bring harm to the Shangqing lineage if they join it, and will not bring any benefit whatsoever.

"You're right, that's something we definitely need to change in the future."

Zhao Gongming nodded, "This disciple suggests that in addition to the White Jade Heavenly Ladder, we can add a Heart Refining Array and a Heavenly Illusion Array."

"Among them, the White Jade Heavenly Ladder can test the cultivator's heart for the Dao, the Heart Refining Array can test whether the cultivator's heart for the Dao is pure, and the Heavenly Illusion Array can test the cultivator's character."

"Three tests must be passed simultaneously before one can become a disciple of my Shangqing lineage. In this way, the disciples we accept should all be of similar character and morality."

Tongtian nodded repeatedly in agreement with Zhao Gongming's words.

"Alright, I'll refine the grand formation immediately and set it up at the foot of Kunlun Mountain."

After Tongtian finished speaking, a smile finally appeared on his face.

"That's the first method. What's the second method you mentioned? Tell me quickly."

Zhao Gongming laughed and said, "The first method targets the outside; the second method targets the inside!"

"Internal targeting, but how exactly?"

Ever since I heard Zhao Gongming say that if the disciples of the Shangqing lineage continue to act recklessly, it will cause great harm.

Even Tongtian couldn't help but worry about the future of his own lineage.

Zhao Gongming said solemnly, "Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Every clan has its rules, every religion has its teachings, and there are three powers between heaven and earth: heaven, earth, and man. There are the ways of heaven, the ways of earth, and the ways of man. It is precisely because of the existence of rules and laws that all things can develop in an orderly and systematic way."

"Now that our master has opened several branches and accepted disciples, our Shangqing lineage has three or four hundred disciples, and there will be more in the future. We should formulate a set of meticulous, complete and strict rules to restrain them."

"If anyone violates the rules, they will be punished at best, expelled from the sect at worst, and in the most serious cases, Heaven will unleash its fury and annihilate them!"

As Zhao Gongming spoke, his eyes shone brightly, sparkling with dazzling light.

Most of the immortals in the Shangqing lineage are self-taught and unrestrained. They are free-spirited and do as they please, and only strict rules can restrain them.

Only by keeping them in line and ensuring their well-being can the Shangqing lineage prosper even more.

Upon hearing this, Tongtian fell into deep thought. At this stage, there were not many religious rules or regulations in the prehistoric world.

Cultivators pursue the freedom of the Great Dao, coming and going like the wind, carefree and unrestrained.

Even Yuanshi, who was quite strict with his disciples, did not set any rules or regulations, but allowed his disciples to develop freely.

Tongtian feared that after setting strict rules, the cultivators of the prehistoric world would be intimidated and would no longer be willing to join his Shangqing lineage.

But soon, Tongtian remembered Zhao Gongming's words at Shangqing Square.

The disciples do not cultivate virtue, eat raw meat and drink blood, and commit endless killings. One day they will bring great disaster upon the Shangqing lineage.

After thinking it over, Tongtian finally decided to give it a try and see if the rules were effective.

"You're right. The number of disciples in my Shangqing lineage is increasing daily, and it's time to establish some rules. I'll leave this matter to you."

Zhao Gongming was taken aback at first, then immediately smiled wryly.

"Master, I've only just returned, and you're already assigning me tasks. I'd like to rest properly."

Tongtian glared at him. "What are you waiting for? You've already traveled around and your cultivation is just one step away from becoming a Great Luo Golden Immortal. What more could you want? Here's what we'll do: I won't force you. Just get the rules straight before your Aunt Nuwa's sermon. How about that?"

Zhao Gongming said dejectedly, "This disciple obeys the order and will certainly make sure that the rules of our Shangqing lineage are in place before Aunt Nuwa gives her sermon."

In fact, Zhao Gongming was not flustered at all. For other disciples of the Shangqing lineage, compiling a systematic set of rules and regulations might be very difficult and troublesome.

But for Zhao Gongming, who had been influenced by later cultural traditions, it was not difficult.

Tongtian waved his hand and said, "You've been traveling through the prehistoric world for quite a while this time. Your three younger sisters have wanted to come down the mountain to find you several times. If I hadn't stopped them, they probably would have gone down the mountain to find you long ago. Now that you're back, you should spend some quality time with them."

"Disciple understands."

Zhao Gongming nodded seriously. He really missed the Three Immortals after not seeing them for so long.

"Alright, you can leave now. Remember to come and let me take a look after you've finished drafting the rules."

Although Tongtian wanted to try something new, he still wanted to personally oversee it before he felt at ease.

"Yes, once it's done, I'll present it to you as soon as possible so that Master can see it."

After Zhao Gongming finished speaking, just as he was about to leave, he suddenly said, "This disciple has one more thing to report to Master."

"What is it?"

"During this journey through the prehistoric world, I have also taken on a disciple."

"Oh? You've taken on a disciple too? What's that person's background and origins? Is their resolve to pursue the Dao firm?"

Tongtian immediately became interested and was also very happy.

From the time he took on disciples until now, it has been less than ten thousand years.

Unexpectedly, Tongtian already has a third-generation disciple so quickly, which surpasses his elder brothers Taiqing and Yuqing.

"You are familiar with this person as well. He is the Six-Eared Macaque who once eavesdropped on the Dao Ancestor's sermons at Zixiao Palace."

"A six-eared macaque? Do you know that the secrets of magic cannot be passed on to six ears?"

Tongtian's expression immediately turned serious.

Zhao Gongming laughed and said, "Master, please don't frighten your disciple. The Dharma is not to be passed on to six ears. Among the three thousand great masters of Zixiao Palace, who doesn't know the true meaning of this saying? It's just that this little monkey Liu Er is kept in the dark and doesn't know the true meaning."

"I didn't expect you to know even these things. I can't hide anything from you anymore."

Tongtian was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, indicating his approval of the Six-Eared Macaque.

"That Six-Eared Macaque has an extraordinary background. Back then, he was young and ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. With only the cultivation of a mere Earth Immortal, he dared to eavesdrop on the Dao Ancestor's sermon. Now, he must understand the Dao Ancestor's good intentions back then."

"Where is that monkey? As the third-generation disciple of my Shangqing lineage, and as the patriarch, I should at least give him a gift."

"It's just outside the hall, Master. Please wait a moment while I go and call Liu Er in."

Zhao Gongming transformed into a gentle breeze and flew outside the Shangqing Palace, soon returning with Liu Er.

Since becoming his disciple, Liu Er has received the inheritance of the Chaos Demon Ape, and his strength has increased by leaps and bounds.

He has already reached the peak of the Xuanxian realm, and is only one step away from achieving the Five Qi Convergence and attaining the Golden Immortal realm.

Don't be fooled by Liu Er's current strength; remember, when Zhao Gongming met Liu Er, Liu Er was only at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm.

To be able to soar to this level in such a short time, at such a speed, has even surpassed the Three Immortals!

Liu Er was dressed in a simple Taoist robe, and his aura was restrained and profound, giving him an air of towering mountains and deep pools.

But at this moment, he was excited and his wrist trembled slightly as he respectfully said to Tongtian, "Disciple Liu Er pays respects to Ancestor Tongtian."

"Um."

Tongtian nodded slightly and looked Liu Er up and down.

"Indeed, I still remember your recklessness in Zixiao Palace back then. I never imagined that so many tens of thousands of years would have passed in the blink of an eye."

Six Ears' face was full of shame. "When I was young and naive, I did something very stupid. If it weren't for the Dao Ancestor's enlightenment, I would probably have died and disappeared long ago."

Tongtian waved his hand, "Let's not talk about that anymore. Now that you have joined my Shangqing lineage, you are now a disciple of my Shangqing lineage. Looking across the vast wilderness, across the nine heavens and ten earths, no one will dare to look down on you."

(End of this chapter)