Western Sect

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Western Sect (西方)
Affiliation	Mount Sumeru
Status	Active
First Appearance	1

Background / History

The Western Sect is represented by the sages Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti. At the prospect of the Investiture of the Gods, both travel from Mount Sumeru to Zixiao Palace alongside the other sages. Jie Sect disciples already expect the Western Sect to avoid contributing its own disciples while seeking benefits from the coming calamity. 1 2

When the Jie Sect recalls its members from the Heavenly Court and retreats to Golden Turtle Island, Zhunti initially welcomes the move as an opportunity. Jieyin warns that the retreat could instead shift the pressure of filling the Heavenly Court's divine positions onto the Chan Sect, Human Sect, and Western Sect. 9

The Western Sect later refuses the Heavenly Court's request for practical assistance during the resulting crises. Zhunti cites the West's barrenness, few disciples, and lack of capable personnel, offering only to send disciples east to preach merciful Dharma rather than suppress Sea Eyes, repair star nodes, or combat chaos. 10

Practices and Methods

Conversion and “Affinity”

The Western Sect seeks to draw beings from other factions into its fold, describing potential converts as having an affinity with the West.

• Zhunti regards the Investiture Great Calamity as an eventual opportunity to convert Jie Sect disciples. 9
• Jieyin cautions that a strategist within the Jie Sect may be difficult to convert. 9
• Zhao Xuan predicts that, in the original course of the calamity, the Western Sect would convert numerous Jie Sect disciples. 2 3
• Chang'er Dingguang Xian secretly obtains a Western Sect golden invitation and plans to trade the Jie Sect Outer Sect for a Lotus Throne position in the West. 36 37

Merciful Dharma

The sect presents itself as a cultivator of compassionate teachings.

• Zhunti offers to dispatch disciples to the Eastern Lands to preach “merciful and wondrous Dharma.” 10
• The sect declines work involving combat, suppression, repair, or mediation, claiming its disciples are not suited to such tasks. 10

Relationships

• Daoist Jieyin — Western Sect sage; more cautious than Zhunti about the Jie Sect’s withdrawal and the consequences of being implicated in Zhao Xuan’s ledger. 9 29
• Daoist Zhunti — Western Sect sage; promotes conversion, invokes the West’s poverty and limited manpower, and later recognizes the precision of Zhao Xuan’s accusations. 9 10 30
• Jie Sect — The Western Sect is accused of treating the Jie Sect’s coming disaster as an opportunity to gain converts, fortune, and influence. 2 30 31
• Heavenly Court — Refuses Haotian’s request to provide personnel for crises caused by the Jie Sect’s withdrawal. 10
• Chang'er Dingguang Xian — A Jie Sect traitor who keeps a Western Sect invitation as one of two escape routes and seeks a Lotus Throne through betrayal. 36 37

Story Role / Major Arcs

Investiture of the Gods Preparations

The Western Sect attends the gathering at Zixiao Palace concerning the impending Investiture of the Gods. Zhao Xuan identifies it as one of the parties positioned to profit while the Jie Sect supplies the lives and true spirits demanded by the calamity. 1 2

Jie Sect Withdrawal

After the Jie Sect withdraws from Heavenly Court duties, Zhunti sees a chance for the Investiture to proceed without the Jie Sect's cooperation, while Jieyin recognizes that the maneuver may force the West itself to bear more pressure. 9

The sect subsequently declines to replace Jie Sect personnel in the Heavenly Court’s emergency duties. Its proposed contribution is preaching rather than assuming the dangerous responsibilities abandoned by the Jie Sect. 10

Accountability Ledger

Zhao Xuan’s audit of the Three Sects records the Western Sect’s column as “Barren,” “Looking on from the sidelines,” and “Waiting to ferry those with affinity.” 28

When Zhao Xuan opens the fourth page of the Investiture of the Gods Accountability Ledger, he records the Western Sect’s alleged benefit from the calamity as: exploiting eastern internal conflict, ferrying Jie Sect disciples, seizing eastern fortune, and creating the basis for Western prosperity. Zhunti does not refute the entry, only remarking that Zhao Xuan’s accounting is precise. 30

Zhao Xuan later publicly asks why the Western Sect, if it gains power through the Investiture, does not bear a share of its cost. The question remains unanswered when the Dao Ancestor temporarily seals the account. 31 33

Chang'er Dingguang Xian Affair

The discovery of Chang'er's Western Sect golden invitation demonstrates that the sect had become a possible refuge for Jie Sect members anticipating the calamity. Chang'er ultimately admits that he was prepared to exchange the Jie Sect Outer Sect for a Western Sect Lotus Throne. 36 37

Notable Quotes

“All living beings in this world have an affinity with our Western Sect.” — Daoist Zhunti 9

“The benefit to the Western Sect: Borrow the internal strife of the East, ferry the disciples of the Jie Sect, seize the fortune of the East, and open the opportunity for the Western Sect to flourish.” — Zhao Xuan’s Accountability Ledger 30