After the three pure ones and Nuwa knelt on Kunlun Mountain, Qi Chen and others were overjoyed to see the three pure ones return.
Taishang, needing to resolve the issues between the Wu and Yao tribes, went directly to Taiqing Palace upon his return.
Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, upon learning of the return of the three pure ones, also headed to Taiqing Palace, eager to seek their guidance on the path to sainthood.
In Taiqing Palace, Taishang released all the members of the Wu and Yao tribes from the Taiji diagram.
Upon seeing each other, the Wu and Yao tribes regarded one another with caution.
However, they did not engage in conflict. During the time they were held within the Taiji diagram, they had each been reflecting.
As the Wu and Yao tribes emerged, they felt as though the heavens and earth were rejecting them.
The expressions of both tribes darkened, realizing that the retribution of heaven and earth had begun.
Just as the Wu and Yao tribes were released, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun arrived. They looked at the assembled crowd in Taiqing Palace, momentarily at a loss for words.
After inviting them to be seated, Taishang spoke:
"Everyone, today our primary objective is to devise a method to atone for the sins of the Wu and Yao tribes. Therefore, I hope we can coexist peacefully!"
As Taishang finished speaking, a terrifying pressure flashed and vanished.
The others quickly responded:
"We shall obey the Sage's decree!"
Tongtian spoke:
"Eldest Brother, please state your proposed solution!"
Taishang looked at the assembled company and said:
"I propose that my three brothers establish a sect with the tenets of educating all beings and fostering harmony amongst the myriad races. This is sure to invoke heavenly merit from the Heavenly Dao. If the members of the Wu and Yao tribes join us on Kunlun before we establish this sect, they will naturally be considered followers of our sect, and heavenly merit will undoubtedly be shared among you all. This will serve to atone for the sins committed by both tribes!"
After speaking, Taishang observed the reactions of the others.
Tongtian and Yuanshi nodded, offering no objection.
Nuwa pondered for a moment before also nodding. A sect established by the three pure ones, regardless of its name, would be extraordinary, especially one with the tenet of harmony among all races. It was bound to accumulate immense merit. Fu Xi could not only shed his sins by being on Kunlun but also gain merit.
Seeing the nods from Tongtian and Yuanshi, the others also agreed, having no objections. Such an opportunity to have the three pure ones at their backs was something they wouldn't find even if they searched with a lantern.
Di Jun was the first to speak:
"Heavenly Dao above, I, Di Jun, pledge my allegiance to Kunlun today and vow to contribute my might to maintaining peace in the Great Desolation!"
Seeing Di Jun speak, the others felt a sense of urgency, wondering why they hadn't reacted sooner.
Immediately, the eleven Ancestral Witches, Hou Yi, the great witches of the Wu tribe, Xi He, Chang Xi, and the demon generals of the Demon Court all followed Di Jun's lead and made Heavenly Dao vows!
Tai Yi also intended to speak but was stopped by Yuanshi. Yuanshi said:
"Tai Yi, you need not make a Heavenly Dao vow. You are already a disciple of our Kunlun. If your eldest martial uncle hadn't acted to save you, he wouldn't have needed to establish a sect to gain merit!"
Hearing this, the others looked at Tai Yi with envy. Having the backing of three Sages was indeed powerful; he could avoid the Heavenly Dao's judgment without even making a vow.
Tai Yi bowed to Taishang and said:
"Thank you, Martial Uncle!"
Taishang looked at Yuanshi in surprise. He hadn't said anything of the sort. Taishang had simply felt that these individuals were powerful forces within the Great Desolation, and it would be a pity if they were lost.
Taishang, without a hint of shame, said:
"Yes! You may rise!"
Seeing that everyone had made their Heavenly Dao vows, Tongtian turned to Taishang and said:
"Eldest Brother, what should we name our sect? How about 'Jie Jiao'?"
Yuanshi frowned upon hearing this. For some reason, the name "Jie Jiao" made him feel uncomfortable.
Yuanshi said:
"Third Brother, 'Jie Jiao' does not sound pleasant. How about 'Chan Jiao'?"
Tongtian also felt uncomfortable at the mention of "Chan Jiao" and replied:
"Second Brother, let's stick with 'Jie Jiao'."
Yuanshi remained resolute:
"Third Brother, 'Chan Jiao' sounds better!"
The others watched Yuanshi and Tongtian awkwardly, unsure why the brothers were so stubborn over a mere name.
However, they knew they couldn't afford to offend either of these two. Regardless of whether it was named "Jie Jiao" or "Chan Jiao," once the sect was established, both would be its leaders.
Thus, everyone looked to Taishang. Taishang knitted his brows and said:
"Enough! Enough! You two, stop arguing! In my opinion, let us name it 'Dao Jiao'!"
Upon hearing Taishang's words, Yuanshi and Tongtian looked at him incredulously. They dared to name it after "Dao" itself!
The others gasped in shock, looking at Taishang in disbelief, wondering if he was joking.
Taishang met their gazes and chuckled:
"What? As cultivators, is there anything wrong with naming our sect after 'Dao'?"
The others were rendered speechless, unable to refute Taishang.
Tongtian and Yuanshi's eyes lit up. They stopped arguing and said in unison:
"Let's call it 'Dao Jiao'! Let Jieyin and Zhunti see whether their Western Sect is more powerful or if our Dao Jiao is."
Nuwa couldn't help but roll her eyes, thinking that Tongtian was being audacious. The Saints were three against two, an easy victory. In terms of followers, they had nearly wiped out the Wu and Yao tribes. Jieyin and Zhunti were left with mere shells of their former strength.
Seeing that Yuanshi and Tongtian were no longer bickering over the sect name, Taishang said:
"Second Brother, Third Brother! Let us establish the sect!"
With that, Taishang rose and walked out of Taiqing Palace.
Yuanshi and Tongtian quickly rose and followed behind him.
Seeing the two of them leave, the others also rose and followed the three pure ones.
As they followed the three pure ones out of Taiqing Palace, they saw them arrive at an open space in front of the palace.
The three pure ones looked up at the clear sky and slowly spoke:
"Heavenly Dao above, sensing the discord among the myriad races of the Great Desolation, we, the three pure ones, hereby establish 'Dao Jiao,' with the tenets of educating all beings and fostering harmony among the myriad races. We shall use the Taiji diagram, the Pangu Banner, and the Qiankun Yi Qi Lock to suppress our sect's destiny. We implore the Heavenly Dao to witness this!"
As the three pure ones finished speaking, a sudden clap of thunder echoed across the sky above Kunlun Mountain.
Hearing the thunder, everyone was perplexed. They hadn't heard such a sound when Jieyin and Zhunti established their sect and became Saints. Could it be that the three pure ones were not allowed to establish a sect?
Taishang's heart sank. He only knew that the three pure ones had separately established the Human Sect, Chan Jiao, and Jie Jiao to achieve sainthood. He was unsure what would happen if they established a sect together.
Had the veneration of the three pure ones as patriarchs in later ages been fabricated? Was there no truth to it?
Yuanshi and Tongtian looked at Taishang, wondering if naming the sect "Dao" was too ostentatious and if the Great Dao or Heavenly Dao disapproved.
As everyone was lost in their thoughts, countless Great Dao Golden Lotuses suddenly sprouted on Kunlun Mountain, accompanied by melodious Daoist sounds.
Seeing this, Taishang's face lit up with joy. He hadn't expected that establishing a sect would attract the Great Dao.
Taishang immediately lowered his voice and said:
"Second Brother, Third Brother, let us have the Great Dao witness the establishment of our sect!"
Yuanshi and Tongtian also realized what was happening. The three pure ones spoke again:
"Great Dao above, sensing the discord among the myriad races of the Great Desolation, we, the three pure ones, hereby establish 'Dao Jiao,' with the tenets of educating all beings and fostering harmony among the myriad races. We shall use the Taiji diagram, the Pangu Banner, and the Qiankun Yi Qi Lock to suppress our sect's destiny. We implore the Great Dao to witness this!"