Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

Duobao touched the "Universe Pendant" he had been given, a pendant that could automatically protect its owner and contained a trace of spatial teleportation. He treasured it and gained a new and awe-inspiring understanding of his senior brother Xuanbao's "strength." Zhao Gongming, on the other hand, was holding his spiritual treasure called the "Golden Light Mace," grinning so hard that his back teeth were showing. He almost wanted to test its power on the spot, but was stopped by a look from Yunxiao beside him.

The Three Pure Ones, seated on their cloud beds, seemed to experience subtle fluctuations in their Daoist aura due to this sudden and grand "treasure-giving scene."

On Laozi's side, all was still calm, but the chaotic Dao aura surrounding him seemed to pause for a fraction of a second, as if to say, "This kid... has quite a bit in reserve?"

A barely perceptible hint of helplessness emanated from Yuanshi's majestic Daoist aura, suggesting a slight disapproval of Xuanbao's ostentatious display of wealth (scratch that) by "throwing spiritual treasures at people." However, seeing the excited and grateful expressions of his disciples, he ultimately said nothing. After all, the items were good, and indeed a "greeting gift." He couldn't very well stop his eldest disciple from giving out perks to his junior brothers and sisters, could he? He was probably just wondering to himself: Where did this kid get so many acquired spiritual treasures? From the Celestial Court? Was it from that friendly exchange last time... oh no, that yielded such a generous reward?

Tongtian's reaction was much more straightforward. His vibrant Daoist aura practically leaped with joy, as if he were laughing silently: "Well done! My good disciple, that's more like it! How can you join my Three Pure Ones sect without a suitable magic weapon? Look, look! That's what you call impressive! The second brother is stingy with the rules, while we're just handing out spiritual treasures. Let's see who wouldn't want to cultivate properly!"

Xuanbao seemed oblivious to the silent "gaze" of his three masters, smiling as he watched his junior brothers and sisters put away their gifts. Only then did he clear his throat, once again attracting everyone's attention.

"The gifts have been given out. Now," he paused deliberately, noticing everyone's ears perk up, before slowly saying, "it's time to get down to business."

"Important business?" The disciples were taken aback. They had already completed the apprenticeship ceremony and received their gifts. What other important business could there be? Could it be... the legendary sage preaching?!

As expected, Xuanbao turned and bowed again to the Three Pure Ones Cloud Bed: "I respectfully request that the three masters expound the Great Dao and guide the path forward for our newly initiated junior brothers and sisters!"

The Three Pure Ones seem to have known each other all along.

Lao Tzu spoke first, his voice still calm, yet it resonated deep within the souls of each disciple: "The Great Dao is simple, transforming through non-action. The Dao of the Elixir lies in harmonizing the Dragon and Tiger, nurturing the primordial spirit. Listen carefully..."

There were no extravagant pronouncements, no miraculous emergences of golden lotuses; only the most simple and fundamental principles of Daoist alchemy flowed gently. At first glance, they seemed unremarkable, but upon closer examination, they appeared to contain the profound mysteries of the universe's birth and death, and the transformation of Yin and Yang. Disciples leaning towards the Human School, such as Zhao Gongming, the Three Immortals of Sanxiao, and Yu Ding, felt an unprecedented tranquility, and many obstacles in their cultivation suddenly became clear. Disciples of the other two schools, while finding it profound, could also sense the deep Daoist essence within and benefited immensely.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable continued, "The Way of Jade Purity, the Way of Vessels, pursues 'using vessels to carry the Way, achieving unity of Way and vessel.' The process of crafting and using magical treasures is itself a cultivation of understanding the Great Way and tempering one's character. Only by cultivating oneself and understanding the natural order and moral principles can one attain true enlightenment. You should all calmly contemplate this..."

His Daoist chant was grand and righteous, as if the laws of Heaven were speaking for them, every word precious and clearly structured. The disciples of the Chan Sect listened with rapt attention, feeling their own magical power flow more smoothly and their perception of the laws of Heaven and Earth becoming clearer. Other disciples, on the other hand, felt a beauty of "order," gaining a deeper understanding of rules and laws.

Finally, there was the Tongtian Sect Leader, who laughed heartily: "My Way! Swords, formations, escape techniques, and supernatural powers are all means to protect the Way! Where the heart leads, there the Way lies! Unleash your potential, comprehend it, and strive for it!"

His preaching style was completely different from his two elder brothers. At times it was like the clanging of swords, at others like the shifting formations of an array, and at still others like the swiftness of a streak of light, full of sharpness, change, and possibility. The disciples of the Jie Sect listened with fervor, feeling their hearts expand and many previously unthinkable paths of cultivation suddenly becoming clear. The disciples of the other two sects also felt refreshed, as if another door to cultivation had been opened for them.

Three sages, three styles, yet all from the same source, complementing each other. The three hundred and twenty new disciples were immersed in this supreme Daoist charm, completely absorbed, forgetting the passage of time.

After an unknown amount of time, the Daoist chanting gradually subsided. The disciples suddenly came to their senses, realizing that their Daoist cultivation had subtly improved, their primordial spirits had become more refined, and they had gained tremendous benefits.

At this moment, Xuanbao stepped forward again, with that familiar smile on his face that made people feel "something good is coming/be careful".

"The Great Dao of the three masters is profound and subtle, and you must carefully comprehend it." He first affirmed this, then changed the subject, "However, as the saying goes, 'Without rules, there can be no order.' Our Sanqing Sect is now quite large and prosperous, so we still need to establish some 'minor' rules."

The disciples' hearts skipped a beat, and they pricked up their ears. Their senior brother was about to set the rules!

Xuanbao produced a glittering golden scroll from somewhere… well, it looked like a "scroll" made from some kind of tanned animal hide using a special method. He cleared his throat and began to read:

"Provisional Regulations on the Conduct of Disciples of the Kunlun Sanqing School (First Edition)"

The disciples: "..." This name... is a bit long, and a bit strange.

"Article 1: Fellow disciples shall live in harmony, friendship and mutual assistance. Any form of infighting, malicious scheming, forming cliques and engaging in internal strife is strictly prohibited. Violators will have all their tools of the trade (including but not limited to magic weapons, elixirs, and talismans) confiscated and will be punished by being sent to 'Reflection Cliff' to face the wall and recite the 'Yellow Court Classic' for at least three thousand years, with no upper limit." Xuanbao recited it with a serious expression.

Zhao Gongming subconsciously touched the golden mace in his arms. Someone next to him muttered, "The Cliff of Contemplation... doesn't sound like a good place."

"Article Two: Respect your teachers and value the Way, and diligently cultivate yourself. You must be grateful to the three masters who imparted knowledge and taught you. Those who cheat, shirk their duties, or neglect their cultivation will, upon verification, be sentenced to a minimum of one thousand years at the Cliff of Repentance, with no upper limit."

Many disciples shrank back, as if they could see the "wonderful" scene of being watched and forced to train more in the future.

"Article 3: Cherish public property and protect the environment. Every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile in Kunlun Mountain contains the essence of Tao. It is strictly forbidden to damage spiritual veins without cause, steal rare spiritual herbs (application and reporting are required), or test powerful spells in non-designated areas (especially for some junior disciples who like to blast mountains). Violators will be responsible for repairing until the mountain is restored and will be required to compensate for the equivalent value of resources."

Several disciples who were eager to find a place to test the power of their newly acquired spiritual treasures quietly put aside their thoughts.

Article h: Prohibition against betraying one's master and ancestors: One must not betray one's sect, slander the Three Pure Ones or one's master. Violators will have their magical powers stripped, be expelled from the primordial world, and their true spirit suppressed at the bottom of Kunlun Mountain, never to be reincarnated.

The first rule prohibits fratricide: It is strictly forbidden to intentionally kill or maliciously maim fellow disciples in any form. Sparring and competition should be limited to the point of exhaustion. If someone intentionally murders another or causes the extinction of their spiritual path, their life will be exchanged for their own, and the responsibility of their master and discipline will be investigated.

The first prohibition is collusion with external forces: One must not collude with those who endanger the primordial world or whose karma is immeasurable (such as remnants of the Chaos Demon God or evil cult leaders), or betray the sect's interests. Violators will be considered traitors and executed!

Forging demonic artifacts is forbidden: It is strictly forbidden to forge artifacts or pills using methods that violate the laws of nature, such as slaughtering innocent lives or collecting vengeful spirits and evil spirits. Violators will have their artifacts and pills destroyed, and the practitioners will be imprisoned in the "Mysterious Ice Purgatory" for torture. Those with serious offenses will be executed.

Those with keen minds, such as Duobao and Jinling, secretly made a note of it.

Article h: ...

Xuanbao read them out one by one, covering all aspects of cultivation, life, interpersonal relationships, and going out. The details were so detailed that they were appalling. The punishments ranged from "being forced to copy Taoist scriptures" to "being forced to do manual labor (such as tending the herb garden and cleaning the mountain gate) and being put in solitary confinement" and "temporarily confiscating cultivation resources." There were many different methods, but they all left room for maneuver. The core idea was clearly "to learn from past mistakes and prevent future ones, and to cure the disease and save the patient," rather than simply punishing severely.

After reading for a full two hours, Xuanbao finally put away the long scroll of "clan rules." Looking at the group of new faces below with varying expressions (some serious, some curious, some secretly groaning, and some taking it for granted), he asked with a smile, "Have you all understood the above rules? Any objections?"

The three hundred and twenty people looked at each other, who dared to object? These were rules set by the senior brother who could casually give away more than three hundred mid-grade acquired spiritual treasures! Moreover, these rules sounded... detailed, but they seemed to make a lot of sense? At least they could avoid a lot of trouble.

"We will follow the teachings of our senior brother!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices even more unified and resonant than when they had paid homage to the sage earlier.

"Very good." Xuanbao nodded in satisfaction. "Copies of the regulations will be distributed to each branch later. I hope all junior brothers and sisters will keep them in mind, cultivate happily, and ascend to immortality healthily. Now, everyone, go back to your respective homes and find yourselves... well, go and familiarize yourselves with your surroundings."

The disciples, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, and filled with a mix of shock, a sense of accomplishment, and a touch of apprehension about the future (mainly regarding the punishment clauses), respectfully bowed and slowly withdrew from the Sanqing Hall with the tacit approval of the Sanqing Daoist aura.

Inside the hall, emptiness and silence returned.

After a while, the Tongtian Sect Leader's smiling voice rang out: "My good disciple, your 'rules'... are quite comprehensive." There was a hint of amusement in his tone.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable said calmly, "It's good that the rules are set in detail." This was considered his approval.

Lao Tzu remained concise: "Yes."

Xuanbao bowed: "This disciple only hopes that Kunlun Mountain can be quieter, so that junior brothers and sisters can avoid taking some detours."

The Three Pure Ones stirred slightly and fell silent. But Xuanbao knew that his "actions" had been tacitly approved.

There's no way around it; Xuanbao is now the most precious treasure of the Three Pure Ones. Let alone just establishing sect rules, even if Xuanbao said he wanted to disband the Three Sects, the Three Pure Ones wouldn't hesitate.