Kunlun Mountain, the Daoist temple of the Three Pure Ones.
The Three Pure Ones were in the center, with Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti arrayed to their left and right.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
After a long while, it was Zhunti Daoist who spoke first: "Fellow Daoists, although that Wu Ming said that we are Heaven-destined Saints and our Saint positions are stable, I always feel uneasy in my heart!"
He paused, scanned the crowd, and his tone grew heavier: "After all, we have not truly taken that step, nor have we truly achieved Enlightenment to become a Saint."
"How many variables are there in this? Who can say for sure?"
"As long as one does not become a Saint, one cannot have peace!"
His words seemed to be for everyone to hear, yet also like he was talking to himself.
Yuanshi snorted coldly, his face ashen.
"Hmph, Fellow Daoist Zhunti is right!"
"I think the biggest variable is that Yao Race!"
His voice carried suppressed anger: "Dijun and Taiyi are ambitious, and now they are deducing some Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation; their intentions are punishable!"
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, although you are the Wa Emperor of the Yao Race, Dijun and Taiyi may not be willing to have another Saint above them!"
"From what I see, Fellow Daoist, you have stayed on Phoenix Perch Mountain these years, rarely setting foot in the Heavenly Court, probably due to this very concern, right?"
Nuwa's delicate body trembled slightly, she lowered her eyes, and remained silent.
But that silence, in itself, was a form of tacit agreement.
Seeing this, Zhunti immediately took over: "Fellow Daoist Yuanshi is absolutely right! The Yao Race is powerful, and we must guard against them!"
He changed the subject: "And that Witch Race! Have you all noticed? When Wu Ming heard Dijun was deducing the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation, was there any panic on his face?"
"From what I saw, his demeanor clearly showed he was confident! I'm afraid the strength of the Witch Race is far from as simple as we perceive it to be!"
"Perhaps, they have some terrifying trump card that can contend with the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation!"
Jieyin, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, slowly opened them now and sighed: "The Witch Race keeps a low profile, yet they can make the Yao Race so wary, which shows their extraordinary nature."
"Although the Witch Race has not yet shown any ambition to dominate the Grandmist, if the Yao Race wants to be the sole Dominator, the Witch Race is a great mountain they cannot bypass!"
"Between these two races, there will likely be a battle sooner or later!"
"At that time, war will sweep across the Grandmist, turning Heaven and Earth upside down. How will we, who have not yet become Saints, position ourselves? I'm afraid it will be difficult even to stay out of it!"
"Once we are drawn into it, a slight oversight could lead to death, the destruction of our Dao, and the Hongmeng Purple Energy changing hands!"
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall became even more oppressive.
Hongmeng Purple Energy, the Foundation for becoming a Saint, who wouldn't value it?
"Cough," Laozi coughed lightly, put down his teacup, and his gaze swept over everyone, "Fellow Daoists' concerns are not without reason."
"The situation in the Grandmist is becoming increasingly tense, with undercurrents surging. We, bearing the Hongmeng Purple Energy, seem glorious, but in reality, we are already at the forefront of the storm."
"Waiting for death is by no means a good strategy. I wonder, Fellow Daoists, do you have any brilliant ideas?"
Yuanshi snorted coldly: "What else can we do? Only by quickly improving our strength and achieving Enlightenment as soon as possible! Below a Saint, all are ants; without becoming a Saint, everything is ultimately an illusion!"
These words were as good as saying nothing.
They were gathered here today precisely because they couldn't comprehend the Hongmeng Purple Energy for now, and couldn't become Saints immediately, right?
Tongtian frowned slightly; he disliked this roundabout atmosphere, but the current situation didn't allow him to act on his impulses.
Nuwa remained silent, but her eyes flickered, clearly deep in thought as well.
"I do have an idea."
At the crucial moment, it was still Zhunti who spoke.
He took a deep breath, as if having made some kind of decision, and looked at everyone: "Fellow Daoists, before all of us achieve Enlightenment to become a Saint, how about... we Six Sages temporarily form an alliance, advancing and retreating together?"
"An alliance?" Yuanshi Tianzun raised an eyebrow, a hint of scrutiny on his face.
Laozi's eyes also moved slightly as he looked at Zhunti.
"Yes, an alliance!" Zhunti's tone was firm, "We Six Sages all possess the Hongmeng Purple Energy; this is a great Opportunity, and also a great source of misfortune!"
"In the Grandmist, those who covet the Saint position are countless! They wish for us to never achieve Sainthood!"
"'Below a Saint, all are ants,' this saying is true. But conversely, do those ants willingly accept more Dominators of their destiny above them?"
"They dare not openly oppose the Dao Ancestor, but secretly tripping us up and using schemes is impossible to guard against!"
The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances, all seeing gravity in each other's eyes.
Nuwa's breathing also quickened slightly.
Jieyin's bitter expression deepened, yet it also showed a trace of agreement.
"Fellow Daoist Zhunti's words are not alarmist." Laozi slowly broke the silence, "We all understand the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold.'"
"If the Yao Race truly intends to harm us, who will they target first? It will surely be those who appear weakest, or who have direct conflicts with them."
He pointedly looked at Nuwa, then swept his gaze over Jieyin and Zhunti.
"We Three Pure Ones are one, originating from Pangu. They would have to weigh their options if they wanted to move against us. But if we fight individually, it gives them the Opportunity to defeat us one by one."
Although Yuanshi was arrogant, he was not unintelligent.
He said coldly: "An alliance is not impossible. However, how will this alliance be established? Who will lead? Let me be clear, we Pangu Three Pure Ones will not make sacrifices for others for nothing!"
"Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, you worry too much." Zhunti quickly waved his hand, "Our alliance is only to overcome difficulties together and assist each other before becoming Saints. There is no distinction of subordination; we will consult together on matters, adhering to the principle of the minority obeying the majority."
"Once we all achieve the Saint position, this alliance will automatically dissolve, and each will follow their own Opportunity, how about that?"
Tongtian also spoke at this moment, his voice resonant: "I agree to the alliance! Just as Fellow Daoist Zhunti said, without becoming a Saint, everything is illusory! Let's first preserve this Foundation for becoming a Saint!"
"Moreover, with the six of us joining forces, our momentum will be immense, and it can also deter some petty individuals, preventing them from acting rashly."
He paused, then added: "However, if an ally is in trouble, I, Tongtian, will never stand idly by! But if anyone tries to use the name of the alliance to commit despicable acts or seek personal gain, they should not blame me, Tongtian, for being merciless!"
Nuwa nodded gently: "I also have no objection. I am aware of the matters concerning the Yao Race. If an alliance can be formed, it will also provide an additional layer of protection for me."
Now, only Jieyin remained.
Everyone's gaze converged on him.
Jieyin sighed deeply, and a helpless smile was squeezed onto his bitter face: "Poor Daoist... do I have any other choice?"
"My Western lands are barren, and my Senior Brother and I are weak. Without the help of Fellow Daoists, I'm afraid it will truly fulfill that 'variable' prophecy."
"Good!" Laozi made the final decision, "Since all of you have no objections, then, from today until the day all six of us achieve Enlightenment to become a Saint, we six will form an offensive and defensive alliance, sharing fortune and misfortune, and resisting external calamities together!"
"Excellent!"
"Agreed!"
Everyone responded in affirmation.
The six future Heavenly Dao Saints, before becoming Saints, came together temporarily due to a common sense of crisis.
Inside the hall, the six discussed some details of the alliance, and the atmosphere became slightly more relaxed than before.