Once Yuanshi achieved Sainthood (achieve sainthood), his first thought was naturally revenge—the total liquidation of his past Karma. For him, this was the primary purpose of reaching the peak.
It was a pity, he mused, that his newfound enlightenment regarding the Heavenly Secret revealed that the Witch Race was currently untouchable. The Great Calamity had not yet reached its conclusion. However, Ling Xiao was different. He existed outside the predetermined script of the Calamity; he could be moved against at any time.
In the past, when their realms were lower, losing to him was a matter of course. But now that he was a Saint, could he still be bullied?
"Ling Xiao is hiding in the Chaos. If he is determined to remain unseen, he will not be easy to find," Laozi said from atop his green ox. The ox, oblivious to the cosmic stakes, continued to lazily chew its cud.
"True. If he knows our brothers have reached the Saint realm, he naturally won't show his face easily," Yuanshi nodded, speaking plainly before breaking into a grand laugh. "A mere Ling Xiao... how laughable, how truly laughable."
His Dao-sound (dao sound) was clear and vast, venting the pent-up frustration of eons.
"We must not be careless," Laozi warned, his tone peaceful and natural. "Ling Xiao achieved his rank before us; his strength may still exceed our own."
Yuanshi gave a dismissive smile. "Big Brother, if our three brothers join forces, could we truly be inferior to him? Add to that Third Brother's Immortal Slaying Formation, and even if Ling Xiao has heaven-defying magic power, he will be no match for us!"
The times had changed. All three of the Sanqing were now Saints, while of the former Three Crows, only Ling Xiao had ascended. Di Jun and Tai Yi were likely still far from the mark. The one who laughs last is the victor—and that was the Sanqing.
"Actually, even if Ling Xiao hides, there is a way to force him out," Yuanshi continued, his eyes flickering with a cold brilliance. He turned his gaze toward the Sun Star.
Laozi understood immediately. "Di Jun and Tai Yi are the protagonists of this Calamity. Moving against them now might be... problematic?" Even as a Saint, Yuanshi's nature retained its sharp, extreme edge.
"It doesn't matter. We aren't actually 'moving' against them, just using them to smoke Ling Xiao out," Yuanshi replied arrogantly. He wasn't so low as to use his status as a Saint to directly strike the two Crows. At this level, they were the players at the chessboard; the pieces should be handled by other pieces. To act personally would be a loss of "Face."
Laozi sighed and remained silent, a tacit approval. He knew his brother wouldn't rest until the account with Ling Xiao was settled. While they plotted, Tongtian remained in deep thought, his gaze drifting toward the Three Immortals Island. After his ascension, he had sensed three destined disciples waiting there. He debated whether to fetch them now. Establishing a sect wasn't a game; he had a duty to teach and expand his doctrine.
"Eh? Those two in the West... are they trying to ascend as well?" Yuanshi asked, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
"The Western Duo (Two Sages of the West) are ordained Saints. It is only natural they follow us," Laozi said, unsurprised.
"Hmph. Achieving Sainthood on the same day as us... it truly diminishes our status," Yuanshi muttered coldly.
The Western Sect
The living beings of the Honghuang World had barely finished celebrating the Sanqing when the Western sky ignited. Twelve-colored crystalline light transformed the firmament into a vision of the Ultimate Bliss Pure Land. Phantoms of three thousand kingdoms appeared, accompanied by the ringing of sacred chants.
"Today, we, Jieyin and Zhunti, seeing the suffering of all beings, establish the Western Sect (Western Sect) to offer universal salvation! We use the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus to suppress its Luck!"
The Heavenly Dao roared, and an immeasurable river of Karma (Merit) surged across the Western horizon.
"Again?" The infinite immortals of the world were dumbfounded. "Five Saints in a single day?!"
They watched with complex, numbing shock. They could sense that this time, the Western Duo was serious. This wasn't a "False Ascension" like their failed attempt at creation; this was an organized establishment of a sect. The massive deluge of Merit couldn't be faked.
"Wait! Something is wrong!" one Great Power shouted. "Jieyin and Zhunti established a single sect together—but there is only one portion of Merit! How can they both become Saints?"
Indeed, as the Merit descended, the world-shaking Sainthood Aura failed to manifest. Two people trying to split one portion of Merit simply didn't work. The realization spread through the onlookers, and many—unable to help themselves—erupted in laughter. After their previous disaster, the Western Duo had once again managed to turn a divine moment into a joke. They had copied the "Sect" method, but only on a surface level.
Mount Sumeru
Jieyin and Zhunti were in a state of panic. Their spread arms were frozen in mid-air. When they felt the Sanqing ascend, their own Primordial Violet Qi had given them the spark of guidance. They had acted instantly.
But they had overlooked a critical detail: when the Sanqing established sects, they each did so individually, and they carried the massive Pangu Creation Merit. The Western Duo, sharing a single sect, simply didn't have enough collateral to reach the peak.
"This is bad! We haven't fully grasped the secrets of heaven! The Merit from establishing the sect is not enough!" Jieyin's face was a mask of misery. They had been too hasty.
"If only we had established separate sects! Combining them has created this deficit!" Zhunti cried out, his state of mind crumbling. He wanted Sainthood so badly he could almost beg the Heavenly Dao for a few more scraps of Merit. The Saint Fruit (Sainthood) was within sight; if they failed now, who knew when the next opportunity would come?
"It shouldn't be like this... the guidance of the Violet Qi wouldn't be wrong!"
Jieyin's face shifted through a dozen shades of gloom as he desperately performed deductions. Zhunti was doing the same, nearly frantic. Just as they were about to give up in despair, the Primordial Violet Qi in their bodies pulsed again.
They finally understood what was missing.