Above the square, all Saints were seated on cloud beds.

Jade-like essence Qi intertwined, and the auspicious light of the sun and moon bloomed.

Taiching Saint's gaze swept back and forth over Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Hierarch Tongtian, his old face showing hints of helplessness and desolation.

"Why have we, The Three Pure Ones, come to this?"

He sighed softly.

It seemed somewhat sad, yet also seemed like a questioning.

Yuanshi and Tongtian, the two Saints, shuddered slightly.

The times before The Three Pure Ones attained Dao in Kunlun Mountain emerged in front of their eyes.

Back then, The Three Pure Ones shared the same essence, were united in heart and morality, advanced and retreated together.

They sought the Great Dao together and searched for the truth together.

They cultivated the Immortal Law together and explored the fruits of the Dao together.

At that time, The Three Pure Ones were intimate and their intentions communicated seamlessly!

Even if there were occasional disputes, they were quickly laughed off.

Unexpectedly, fate made fools of men, leading to today's situation!

After The Three Pure Ones attained sainthood, their philosophies diverged, especially the teachings of Chan Sect and Jie Sect, which were starkly conflicting!

The teachings of Chan Sect were about following the Heavenly Dao, expounding the Heavenly Dao, dividing all beings into different levels, teaching according to talent, and only those with deep-rooted character could enter the Dao!

Meanwhile, the teachings of Jie Sect were about the Grand Dao being fifty, the heaven deriving forty-nine, every being having a gleam of hope, emphasizing teaching without discrimination, anyone with the intention towards the Dao could enter it!

These two diametrically opposed teachings were established by Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Hierarch Tongtian at the time of their enlightenment, and were also the foundation of their sainthood!

Therefore, regarding the dispute over doctrines, neither of the two yielded an inch!

Eventually, it led to them parting ways and going their separate paths!

Yuanshi Tianzun slightly closed his eyes, then reopened them.

The past times gradually receded.

Saints have no regrets!

In disputes over the lineage of the Dao, there can be no hint of personal sentiment!

In pursuit of transcendence, there is even less room for mercy!

He looked at Taiching Saint and said, "This gathering of the Three Sects was meant to discuss the matter of Divine Enthronement. Now that Tongtian and I cannot agree, it seems difficult to reach a conclusion.

Therefore, I request elder brother to take charge of the Investiture of the Gods, and decide how the Divine Enthronement should proceed. My Chan Sect will follow as said."

Upon hearing this, Yu Yuan inwardly cried out that this was not good.

It took some effort to finally regain a bit of ground, making Sect Hierarch Tongtian temporarily set aside "brotherly affection" and focus on seeking benefits for the disciples of Jie Sect.

Now with one word from Yuanshi Tianzun, the decision power was to be handed back to Taiching Saint, and Sect Hierarch Tongtian was very likely to agree to this proposal.

After all, as Taiching Saint embodies "tranquility and inaction," entrusting him would undoubtedly be the most fair and just decision.

However, contrary to his expectation, immediately after Yuanshi Tianzun finished speaking, Sect Hierarch Tongtian frowned and said, "Is second brother planning not to honor his words?

The method of competing through magic was proposed by you, second brother, and it was also your disciples who first used the Innate Treasure, nearly costing the lives of my followers!

Now that your disciples are losing, you want to hand over the Investiture of the Gods to elder brother… Are you openly trying to deceive me?"

Hearing this, Yu Yuan almost couldn't help but applaud.

Sect Hierarch Tongtian was truly standing up!

He was directly and strongly challenging Yuanshi Tianzun, which truly suited a Sect Hierarch!

Challenged by Sect Hierarch Tongtian like this, Yuanshi Tianzun's eyes involuntarily flickered with anger, and he coldly said, "The matter of the Investiture of the Gods involves all Three Sects, it should indeed be elder brother who presides over it!"

"But elder brother has already said he does not wish to preside over the Investiture of the Gods!" Sect Hierarch Tongtian unyieldingly said, "Besides, second brother, you and I had an agreement, and no matter how you look at it, my Jie Sect has won!

Are you trying to forcibly pass it to elder brother just so that Jie Sect won't preside over it?"

Yuanshi Tianzun coldly said, "Randeng has not yet been defeated, how can you say your Jie Sect has won?"

"Then let's continue fighting!" Sect Hierarch Tongtian said without hesitation, "When a victor emerges, we can discuss this matter!

If you're afraid of losing, second brother, you might as well also give the Pangu Banner to that Randeng, I'd like to see if he can break my Slaying Immortal Sword Formation holding the Pangu Banner!"

Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze turned cold, "Why bother using the hands of disciples, how about you and I go to the Outer Heaven Chaos and have it out!"

"Just what I'd like!" Sect Hierarch Tongtian agreed without hesitation.

"Enough!"

Taiching Saint finally stopped being detached and calm, frowning and saying, "The two of you be quiet and listen to me first!"

Yuanshi Tianzun nodded slightly, "Please speak, elder brother."

Sect Hierarch Tongtian also calmed down, looking at Taiching Saint and saying, "Elder brother, please speak directly."

Taiching Saint slowly looked down, at this moment all the disciples of various sects in the square were sitting upright in silence.

Despite the public dispute between Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Hierarch Tongtian, since they had been containing their saintly might, it hadn't affected the surroundings, yet many of the disciples present were still terrified, not daring to even breathe.

Saints are like the Dao.

They exist with Heaven and Earth.

They coexist with the Great Dao.

Thus, when Saints are angered, all the Immortal Gods feel a genuine fear and unease.

This is the influence of the Saints on the Great Dao, which indirectly affects all Immortal Gods.

Only Yu Yuan is an exception.

Due to the effect of Reverse Action, at this moment not only does he not feel afraid, he instead feels his blood boiling, full of bravado, wishing he could replace Sect Hierarch Tongtian and have a good "verbal showdown" with Yuanshi Tianzun.

At this time, Taiching Saint sighed softly, looking at Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Hierarch Tongtian and said, "Now that both of you wish to preside over the Investiture of the Gods, first tell me how you plan to enact the Divine Enthronement?"

Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Hierarch Tongtian were both slightly taken aback.

Below them, Yu Yuan also had a somewhat odd expression on his face.

Why did it feel like he was attending a job interview?

After a brief contemplation, Primordial Heavenly Venerate spoke first, "This Divine Enthronement involves not only the Three Sects but also affects all beings across the Three Realms and Six Paths. Therefore, I wish to classify all those entangled in this divine affair into three categories—

The first category, those with profound innate qualities, shall attain the Immortal Path;

The second category, those with lesser innate qualities, shall attain the Divine Dao;

The third category, those with shallow innate qualities, shall attain the Human Path.

Such arrangements will surely stabilize the Three Realms and Six Paths."

Taiching Saint slightly nodded in acknowledgment, not immediately passing judgment, but instead turning his gaze to Hierarch Tongtian.

Hierarch Tongtian seriously said, "My brother does have some truth in his words, but I believe that every creature has its fate; whether they make it onto the list should be left to fortune, not determined by ranking their superiority or inferiority!

In other words, it's not the case that those with lesser cultivation, such as Human Immortals or Immortal Gods, are certain to make the list; nor are those with deeper cultivation, such as Golden Immortals or Daluo Golden Immortals, guaranteed exclusion from the list.

Everything depends on individual fortune."

These two Saints really are at odds!

Yu Yuan sighed inwardly.

This is the fundamental conflict between the Chan Sect and the Jie Sect.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate is always thinking about "rank and select the best," whereas Hierarch Tongtian believes that "every being has a chance."

Both philosophies are deeply entrenched, and neither side will give way!

"Since the two of you already have plans for action, I shall not interfere. The matter of Divine Enthronement will be managed by both of you together."

As the Taiching Saint spoke, with a flick of the horsetail whisk in his hand, he brushed it towards the Investiture of the Gods list suspended in the air.

The list shimmered with golden light. Without opening, the scroll inside separated itself and, after a few changes, transformed into a golden whip.

This whip was three feet six inches and five parts in length, with twenty-one sections, each bearing four seal symbols, totaling eighty-four Taiqing seals.

Taiching Saint said indifferently, "Now that the Investiture of the Gods list has been split in two by me, this whip, named 'Divine Beating Whip,' can alter the names on the list.

From today, the Chan Sect and Jie Sect will each hold the Investiture of the Gods list and the Divine Beating Whip, jointly managing the divine affairs. Every ten years, they will exchange, until the day of Divine Enthronement… do you two have any objections?"

Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Hierarch Tongtian looked at each other, neither spoke.

Below, Yu Yuan, hearing Taiching Saint's idea, only wanted to give a thumbs up and praise "What a perfect way to mediate."

The method gave him the feeling of two disobedient younger brothers fighting over the same candy, which he, as the elder brother, simply split in half—one for each!

What? Yours is bigger, his is smaller?

Then just swap it periodically!

How about that, fair enough?

Fair!

From his perspective, this indeed was the fairest way.

Equal treatment towards both younger brothers, unbiased.

But in Yu Yuan's view, this was still taking sides!

If it had been handled this way from the beginning, why would there be any trouble?

Wasn't it originally his intention to give the Sealing God Authority to Primordial Heavenly Venerate?

If not for Yu Yuan's intervention leading to united opposition from the disciples and Hierarch Tongtian's "sudden realization," would the Taiching Saint have said such things?

He was merely being "fair and just" out of compulsion.

After a brief pause, both Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Hierarch Tongtian nodded in agreement to Taiching Saint's "fair and just" suggestion.

Taiching Saint nodded slightly and with a wave of his hand, the Investiture of the Gods list and the Divine Beating Whip settled before Hierarch Tongtian and Primordial Heavenly Venerate respectively.

"Let the two of you manage the matter of Divine Enthronement."

With that, Taiching Saint stood up and called out, "Xuan Du, come and lead the bullock here."

"Ah, oh…"

Xuan Du, the Great Master at the square, awakened from his reverie, promptly went to lead the tricorn green bullock.

All the Saints and disciples in the square got up to see him off.

"I shall take my leave first."

Taiching Saint bade farewell to the other Saints, mounted the bullock's back, and swiftly departed on the purple auspicious cloud.

After his departure, Primordial Heavenly Venerate also mounted the Nine Dragon Incense Sedan, leaving hurriedly with a group of Chan Sect disciples.

Followed closely by the two Western Saints with their disciples.

And thus, the tripartite talks of the Three Sects drew to a close.

To put it accurately, it ended in discord!

Originally, it was intended for the disciples of the Three Sects to sit together and decide on the Divine Enthronement, with the Saints of the Three Sects each signing. However, due to the dispute over the ownership of the Investiture of the Gods list, the conflict persisted within the Chan Sect and Jie Sect, to the point that even the Hierarchs almost came to blows.

In such a situation, further discussion was unnecessary.

The ideologies of the Chan Sect and Jie Sect do not align, and they do not agree with each other, making it impossible to reach a consensus.

However, in Yu Yuan's view, the current situation was actually a good thing.

At least the Jie Sect now had the privilege to participate in the Divine Enthronement, able to stay informed about the process and not be schemed against unknowingly by the Chan Sect!

Moreover, after this incident, the contradictions between the Chan Sect and Jie Sect were laid bare.

One could anticipate that the two factions would continue to dispute relentlessly over the Divine Enthronement!

Even if Hierarch Tongtian wanted to reconcile with Primordial Heavenly Venerate, it would depend on whether the tens of thousands of Jie Sect disciples would agree!

As of now, even if he did not wish to compete with Primordial Heavenly Venerate, he had no choice!

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