The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances. Laozi, the Human Sect, only had one disciple, so he wasn't afraid. The Intercepting Sect had ten thousand immortals, more than enough. Yuanshi only had a dozen or so disciples; if he lost a few, what would be the point of spreading his teachings? They couldn't compete with the Intercepting Sect. Yuanshi spoke, "It's not that we disciples are unwilling to send people to the Heavenly Court to assist Haotian, but we don't have many disciples, and we need to promote our Xuanmen Great Law. We simply don't have enough manpower to serve in the Heavenly Court." He paused, then added, "However, Junior Brother Tongtian's sect is said to have ten thousand immortals, with many disciples. They could help Junior Brother Haotian manage the Heavenly Court." Tongtian, in a moment of urgency, said, "Sage Yuanshi is right. Since the Chan Sect has few disciples, why not let them serve as officials in the Heavenly Court and assist Haotian in managing the Three Realms? As for spreading the teachings in the mortal world, our Intercepting Sect can handle that alone." Both sides held firm to their positions, neither willing to yield, each wanting to send the other's disciples to the Heavenly Court so that their own sect could spread its teachings alone.

Hongjun listened to the sages arguing, remaining silent with his eyes closed. After a long while, seeing that the argument could not reach a conclusion, the sages all looked at Hongjun. Laojun looked at the sages and said, "Teacher, we each hold our own opinions and cannot reach a decision. Please enlighten us." Hongjun sighed, "Such is fate, there is nothing we can do. So be it. I originally thought that you all learned the Dao from me and attained sainthood, so you would be able to embody the Dao of Heaven. I did not expect you to be like this..." He did not finish his sentence, but shook his head.

Xuan Tian sighed inwardly. Other sages might not understand, but he certainly did. Like Hong Jun, he possessed a fragment of the Jade Disc of Creation, giving him a deeper understanding of certain matters in the world. Hong Jun was now the Heavenly Dao, and the doctrines of the sages were, in essence, part of the Heavenly Dao. If they could coexist, it would better embody the Heavenly Dao. However, the sages were vying for fortune and doctrines; how could they coexist in the world? Hong Jun's attainment of the Dao was precisely for the purpose of perfecting the Heavenly Dao, yet the other sages could not comprehend Hong Jun's realm. Therefore, Hong Jun sighed.

Xuan Tian was helpless. Hong Jun was not selfless or without love, but like Pan Gu, he had a great love for heaven and earth, rather than human desires. Xuan Tian could only sigh that he could not do the same.

Hongjun looked up at the sages and said, "Enough. Although you have become sages, immortal and indestructible, the conflict between your sects is a struggle for destiny, which is understandable. However, since you are like this, I, as the Lord of Heaven, can only act in accordance with the impartiality of Heaven. I have summoned you here to discuss three matters. Originally, these three matters could have been resolved separately without much trouble, but since you are only concerned with the fate of your own sects, we have no choice but to combine them." Hongjun sighed.

The Mysterious Heavenly Passage has arrived!

"Those who have not severed their three corpses in this world will all face calamities. Now, it seems that a calamity is imminent. The purpose of this visit is to have you choose the one who will bear the calamity." The sages were greatly alarmed. What kind of calamity required the sages to discuss? Could it be that it was to befall one of their disciples?

The Primordial Celestial Venerable first asked, "May I ask, Master, what kind of calamity is this? Who is destined to face it? All living beings in the world face calamities. For example, ordinary people who cannot transcend life and death will undergo tribulations through reincarnation to resolve their karma. If one cultivates to the point of becoming a Golden Immortal, one can resolve life and death and not enter reincarnation. However, one's own karma cannot be resolved. The karma of all living beings in the world must be completed; otherwise, it will accumulate and eventually form immeasurable calamities. During immeasurable calamities, the Heavenly Dao will be damaged, and even saints will have to fight for a sliver of survival." Upon hearing this, everyone secretly shook their heads, caught in a dilemma. If they wanted to find someone to face the calamity, it seemed most likely to be one of their own disciples. If they escaped this calamity, they might not be able to escape it in the future, and it might even put them in danger themselves.

Hongjun seemed to know everyone's thoughts and continued, "Just as Pangu created the world, leaving merit for the Wu and Yao tribes, the Wu and Yao tribes flourished for billions of years. When their fate was exhausted, they naturally used the Wu and Yao war to end the calamity and sever the cause and effect. This time, the disciples of the Chan Sect are facing a calamity, and your Chan Sect should be the protagonist of this great calamity." Yuanshi asked again, "Who should face the calamity?" Hongjun did not answer immediately, but took out a yellow scroll, unfolded it, and said, "This is called the Investiture of the Gods, also known as the Heavenly Book. The scroll contains the number 365 of the heavens, which should be the number of all the gods in the celestial realm." "So that Haotian may command them." Hongjun continued, "The Investiture of the Gods is divided into three ranks. Those with deep roots and cultivation will attain the Immortal Path; those with slightly lesser roots and cultivation will attain the Divine Path; and those with shallow roots and cultivation will attain the Human Path, still subject to the cycle of reincarnation. This calamity will primarily involve the Human, Chan, and Jie sects, but others may also be included due to karmic entanglements." After speaking, he hung the Investiture of the Gods list in front of Zixiao Palace and said, "You may discuss this and then fill in your disciples' names on it." Laojun asked, "Master, do we disciples have any methods to avoid this?" Upon hearing this, all the saints pricked up their ears to listen to Hongjun's words. Then Hongjun said, "All of you disciples must face this tribulation. Although Heaven's way is ultimately just, its heart is still compassionate, leaving a sliver of hope. Your survival in this tribulation depends entirely on your karma, merit, and cultivation. Those with shallow karma, high merit, and deep cultivation can cultivate in peace; this tribulation, though great, will not harm them in the slightest. Those who possess two of these three can also avoid the great tribulation by keeping their mountain gates tightly closed and quietly reciting the *Huang Ting Jing*. Those who possess only one of these three must enter the mortal world to undergo the tribulation. If they are lucky, they can avoid the tribulation; if they are unlucky, their true spirit will enter the Investiture of the Gods and ascend to a divine position in Heaven. Those who possess none of these three must enter the mortal world to undergo the tribulation. If they are lucky, their true spirit will enter the Investiture of the Gods; if they are unlucky, they will be reduced to ashes, unable even to be reincarnated." Laozi then asked, "Master, how many people are needed for the Investiture of the Gods?" Hongjun replied, "The gods to be appointed are the Eight Righteous Gods, each in charge of their respective duties, covering the entire heavens, totaling 365. Besides those already holding positions in Heaven, more must be added." Laozi then asked, "How many disciples from the Human, Chan, and Jie sects will be on the list? And how should they be listed?" Hongjun said, "The list of disciples from each sect will be decided by the three of you. You will each be in charge of your respective sects. Laozi will fill in the names of the Chan sect disciples, Yuanshi will fill in the names of the Jie sect disciples, Tongtian will fill in the names of the Human sect disciples, and the rest will be determined by fate. After the discussion, use your magic to write the disciples' names on the Investiture of the Gods." Having said this, he vanished.

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