The moment Hongjun disappeared, he did indeed bestow three strands of Dao Qi, but they each fell toward one of the Three Pure Ones.
The Dao Qi contained the secret of becoming a Saint: each of the three would establish a palace and a religious school, then attain sainthood.
The Dao Qi received by the Grand Pure Lord of Morality said: "My first disciple, establish a palace and a religious school. Make your teachings concern the lowest, weakest, and most fundamental things in heaven and earth, for even they may serve as the foundation of the Dao!"
The Dao Qi received by Primordial Lord of Heaven said: "My disciple Yuanshi, establish a palace and a religious school. Make your teachings illuminate the Dao of the Heaven Immortals, and govern the laws and order of the Immortal Realm, using your teachings to educate the immortals."
The Dao Qi received by Lingbao Tianzun said: "My disciple Lingbao, establish a palace and a religious school. Make your teachings about cutting off the traces of the past, preserving the vitality of the present, and warding off future calamities. Let the earth's capacity to bear all things be your teaching: follow the ways of the human world, and you may attain heavenly sainthood!"
Finally, Hongjun left the same words in all three strands of Dao Qi: "As for what kind of palace and religious school you establish, and whether you can gain the great fortune of the primordial world and become Saints, that will depend on how you interpret your master's words. If you cannot grasp their meaning, you will not attain sainthood!"
The three immediately fell into deep thought. But after pondering for a long time, they still could not understand the meaning of the three strands of Dao Qi from their master, Hongjun.