Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The Western Sect Hierarch said, "This banner can remove the names of Zhou Wu and Jiang Shang. Unfurl the banner to reveal the depth of our spiritual cultivation."

Zhunti then removed the names "King Wu" and "Jiang Shang" from the Six Souls Banner and commanded Ding Guangxian to display it. Following the order, Ding Guangxian unfurled the banner several times. Suddenly, upon the heads of the four Sect Hierarchs appeared extraordinary treasures: Primordial revealed a cloud of celebration, Laozi manifested a pagoda, and the two Western Hierarchs displayed Shariputra to shield themselves.

Seeing this, Ding Guangxian abandoned the banner, prostrated himself, and said, "For such recklessness, my master allowed anger to distort his mind, endangering millions of souls!"

The Western Sect Hierarch said, "I have a verse for you to hear:

Guest of the Land of Ultimate Bliss,

Western mystical spirit divine.

Born of lotus as parents,

Nine tiers support my being aligned.

By the pond, eight virtues disperse,

Ever dwelling in Seven Treasures Garden kind.

Golden gems bloom like Bodhi,

Covering the earth in rarities thine.

Preaching Threefold Dharma sublime,

Shariputra stored within the mind.

Fated souls to be born here,

Rejoice as monks in celestial time."

The Western Sect Hierarch said, "Ding Guangxian has karma tied to our teachings."

Primordial said, "His arrival today reflects a desire to renounce evil and embrace righteousness. It is fitting for him to pledge allegiance to our Dao brethren."

Ding Guangxian then bowed in reverence to the two Western Hierarchs, Jieyin and Zhunti.

Meanwhile, Tongtian Hierarch's Myriad Immortals Formation was shattered by the four Sect Hierarchs. Among those involved, some ascended as deities, some joined the Western Sect, some fled, and others innocently perished.

At that time, Wudang Saint Mother, finding the situation untenable, withdrew early; Shen Gongbao fled as well; Virochana Immortal joined the Western Sect, later becoming Virochana Buddha—a transformation realized a millennium later under Buddha's radiance.

That day, Tongtian Hierarch led two to three hundred wandering immortals to rest briefly at the foot of a mountain. He pondered to himself: "Ding Guangxian is despicable for stealing my Six Souls Banner, causing my grand plan to fail! With this defeat, what face do I have left to preside over Biyou Palace as its master? Having lost everything, I may as well settle matters once and for all. I shall return to the palace and recreate 'Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind,' forging a new world instead!"

The attendant immortals all supported his plan. Tongtian Hierarch, filled with rage over the loss of his closest four disciples, gritted his teeth in anger: "Perhaps it would be better to visit Purple Cloud Palace to see my teacher, first reporting to him before taking action."

As he was discussing with the wandering immortals, a sudden celestial vision filled the southern skies—clouds of ten thousand colors, auspicious energies coursing like rivers, with fragrant aromas drifting through the air. Emerging from this vision was a Daoist, carrying a bamboo staff. He recited:

"High reclined among ninefold clouds,

Meditating true Tao upon a mat.

Beyond the mystery of Heaven and Earth,

I uphold respect for Sect hierarch roles.

Pangu birthed the Supreme Polarity,

Two Forms divided, Four Symbols circulate.

One Tao spread to three trusted friends,

Two sects emerged, cleaving unity's fate.

Profound Sect leads exceptional talents,

Essence transforms to Hong Jun's state."

It was Hong Jun Daoist arriving. Tongtian Hierarch, recognizing his teacher had come, rushed forward and bowed deeply: "Disciple wishes teacher eternal transcendence! I was unaware of your arrival and failed to greet you from afar—I beg your forgiveness."

Hong Jun Daoist asked, "Why did you establish such a formation, bringing harm to countless souls? Explain yourself!"

Tongtian replied, "Teacher, my two elder brethren suppressed my sect, allowing disciples to insult and slander me, even slaughtering those under my sect! They've shown no consideration for our shared bond, treating me with utter contempt. It is as if they are mocking you directly. I plead for your sympathy!"

Hong Jun Daoist sighed and said, "Do not speak further. Fate is determined by Heavenly Dao. Follow me to meet your two elder brothers."

Tongtian then instructed his attendant immortals: "Return to your cave mansions, nourish your true essence, and await liberation."

Meanwhile, Jin Zha, Wei Hu, and others were discussing the events of the Myriad Immortals Formation under a reed canopy. Suddenly, they saw Tongtian Hierarch leading, followed by an elderly Daoist with a staff amidst swirling auspicious clouds and visual marvels approaching their canopy.

At the canopy, Laozi and the Western Sect Hierarch were discussing the tribulation experienced by the disciples, now completed. Raising his head, Laozi noticed the incoming radiance of auspicious brilliance and knew at once their teacher had arrived. Rising quickly, he said to Primordial, "Our teacher has come!" He immediately led the disciples outside to greet him.

"Unaware of your esteemed arrival, disciple failed to welcome you from afar—I beg your forgiveness," Primordial and Laozi said, kneeling together.

Hong Jun Daoist sighed softly: "Because of the karmic tribulation among the twelve generations of disciples, conflict arose between your two sects. I am here to resolve your differences, to ensure harmony between religions, and prevent further division."

Laozi and Primordial replied in unison, "We await teacher's guidance."

Hong Jun commanded, "Approach and kneel down, all three of you."

The three Sect Hierarchs approached, kneeling before him. From his sleeve, Hong Jun retrieved a gourd and poured out three elixir pills, giving one to each: "Swallow these elixirs. I have instructions for you."

All three Sect Hierarchs obeyed, ingesting the pills. Hong Jun Daoist said, "These elixirs are not meant to cure illness or grant eternal life; they are refined with profound skills and crafted in response to your conflicts. If any of you harbor malicious thoughts, the moment the elixirs activate in your stomach, you will perish instantly!"

After completing his teachings, Hong Jun Daoist stood and recited a poem. The three Sect Hierarchs knelt, thanking their teacher for his vast mercy and benevolence.

Hong Jun Daoist then bid farewell to the Western Sect Hierarch and instructed Tongtian's three disciples: "You must follow me." Tongtian Hierarch dared not disobey.

As Jieyin Daoist and Zhunti rose alongside Laozi, Primordial, and their disciples, they accompanied Hong Jun to the canopy's edge. After bidding farewell to the two Western Sect Hierarchs, Laozi and the disciples knelt at the roadside, awaiting Hong Jun's departure.

Hong Jun instructed, "You may go now." The group rose and bowed respectfully. Accompanied by Tongtian Hierarch, Hong Jun ascended the clouds and drifted away.

Though Hong Jun took Tongtian with him, he did not intend to imprison him but to teach him privately. After all, who was right and who was wrong? Could Hong Jun fail to see?

But the trajectory of Heavenly Dao is such that even as the Daoist Ancestor, Hong Jun could not defy it.

The next calamity would witness the Western Sect's flourishing, and as the founder of the Profound Sect, Hong Jun naturally could not sit idly by—thus his actions here.

Upon the conclusion of the Myriad Immortals Formation, Li Mingzhu, gravely wounded and unconscious, was taken back to the North Sea by Wudang Saint Mother, while Duobao fell victim to Laozi's cruel hands and was captured and brought to Doushuai Temple.

Li Mingzhu's disciples, fortunately, escaped Primordial's ruthless slaughter, thus surviving unscathed—this could be considered a bit of fortune amid misfortune.