The story of Hunyuan Golden Dipper

After Zhao Gongming’s death, Yunxiao, Qiongxiao and Bixiao left Three Immortals Isle and carried the Hunyuan Golden Dipper to the country outside Western Qi. The three sisters set out the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation on the pattern of the Yellow River and placed the dipper deep within its gates.

As the Chan disciples entered one after another, the dipper rose above the yellow sand and took Yang Jian, Jinzha, Muzha and then the Twelve Golden Immortals. They were held inside the formation, and the three flowers of their crowns and the five breaths of their breasts were pressed down by it.

Randeng Daoren came before the formation and still could not break it, and had to wait for Taiqing Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun. Laozi entered on his green buffalo and Yuanshi came after him on the nine-dragon aloeswood carriage, and the two sect-heads separately checked the dipper and the formation.

Qiongxiao and Bixiao died within it, and Yunxiao was pinned beneath Qilin Cliff. The Hunyuan Golden Dipper passed out of the Three Xiao’s control, and only then did the Twelve Golden Immortals walk out of the gates.

After the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation was broken the dipper never returned to Three Immortals Isle. When the roll was read at the investiture terrace the Three Xiao were invested with charge of the Hunyuan Golden Dipper as the Immortal Ladies Who Answer the Age.