Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Sect of Explanation (阐教) 18 |
| Alias(es) | Heavenly Origin Sect 12 |
| Affiliation | Eastern Mystic Gate; one of the Three Religions involved in the Investiture of the Gods 1 56 |
| Leader | Venerable Yuanshi 2 100 |
| Headquarters | Jade Void Palace, Kunlun Mountain 100 |
| Role | Saint-led sect seeking to preserve its disciples and fortune during the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods 1 100 |
Doctrine and Organization
- Yuanshi describes his disciples as immortals of fortune and virtue who can overcome the tribulation without ascending the Investiture of the Gods. He argues that Intercepting Sect disciples should fill the list instead 2.
- The Twelve Golden Immortals are Yuanshi’s favored disciples and the sect’s intended future foundation 12.
- Daoist Randeng holds the deputy sect master position, though he resents Yuanshi’s preference for the Twelve Golden Immortals 12.
History
The Investiture dispute
When the Three Religions sign the Investiture of the Gods, more than two hundred of its 365 proper-god positions are assigned to the Intercepting Sect. Tongtian challenges why Yuanshi’s Twelve Golden Immortals, themselves entangled in the killing tribulation, are spared 2.
Shen Zhaochi subsequently gains control of the Investiture and targets the Sect of Explanation’s disciples for divine positions. He recruits Randeng to steer the Twelve Golden Immortals into dangerous confrontations while Randeng remains inside the sect 2 12.
Defeats at Xi Qi
Zhao Gongming kills Guangchengzi and Chijingzi and acquires their treasures. Randeng then stages a confrontation in which Zhao Gongming obtains his Qiankun Ruler. True Lord Taiyi later dies in an ambush by the Four Sages of Nine Dragon Island 16 18 19 20 22.
The Sanxiao sisters confront Sect of Explanation immortals at Xi Qi over Randeng’s alleged role in Zhao Gongming’s death. Their Nine Bends Yellow River Formation causes the disciples’ cultivation to regress; later accounts describe the Twelve Golden Immortals and Randeng as stripped of cultivation and reduced to mortals 38 42 118.
The sect suffers another setback when the Ten Heavenly Lords deploy upgraded Ten Absolute Arrays outside Xi Qi. Old Man Nanji reports the defeat to Yuanshi, including injuries to Jiang Ziya and Guangchengzi, prompting Yuanshi to investigate personally 93 100.
The wager at Jiepai Pass
Tongtian and Yuanshi agree to decide their dispute through a formation battle at Jiepai Pass. If the Sect of Explanation breaks the Ten Thousand Immortals Great Array, the Intercepting Sect submits; if it fails, Sect of Explanation disciples must retreat to Kunlun and stay out of the mortal realm for a thousand years. The Heavenly Dao seals the wager 113 114.
Yuanshi seeks help from Taishang and the Two Saints of the West. Jiang Ziya is appointed commander of the sect’s army for the battle 118. At Jiepai Pass, the opposing array strips entrants of their cultivation and sends their Primordial Spirits to the Investiture of the Gods. Randeng publicly abandons the sect and pledges allegiance to Shen Zhaochi’s God Lord 123 131.
After Hongjun orders the Saints not to act directly, Yuanshi retreats. He then equips his disciples with prized Innate Spiritual Treasures for a final assault on the array 135 136 138.
Notable Members
- Venerable Yuanshi — sect leader and Heavenly Dao Saint; directs its response to the tribulation 100 118.
- Daoist Randeng — deputy sect master who secretly cooperates with Shen Zhaochi before publicly defecting 12 131.
- The Twelve Golden Immortals — Yuanshi’s favored disciples and a principal target of Shen Zhaochi’s plans 12 118.
- Jiang Ziya — receives the Investiture of the Gods and God-Beating Whip for the conflict, then commands the sect’s army at Jiepai Pass 93 118.
- Old Man Nanji — Yuanshi’s senior disciple; delivers the Investiture and God-Beating Whip to Jiang Ziya and later reports the Xi Qi defeat 93 100.
Relationships
- Intercepting Sect — rival in the Investiture tribulation and opponent in the formation wager at Jiepai Pass 2 114.
- Human Sect and Taishang — initially aligned with Yuanshi over the Investiture; Taishang later blocks Yuanshi’s attack on Sanxiao, but advises him ahead of Jiepai Pass 1 45 118.
- Western Teachings — Yuanshi invites its two Saints to help break the Jiepai Pass array; Zhunti separately seeks Sect of Explanation disciples and treasures for the West 46 56 118 119.
- Shen Zhaochi — controls the Investiture and works to place the sect’s immortals on it, eventually planning to eradicate the sect 12 80 135.