Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

Once Qinglian had completely stabilized her initial Great Luo realm, the sound of her master's summons came from outside the Dao Palace.

He dared not delay, immediately rose, rode a beam of light, and arrived in front of the Jade Purity Palace in an instant. He straightened his clothes and respectfully entered.

"Disciple Qinglian greets the three masters." Qinglian bowed respectfully, his heart filled with both trepidation and anticipation. He wondered what his masters wanted to see him about.

Laozi looked at him calmly, and the phantom of the "Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique," a scripture embodying the wisdom of the Three Pure Ones, flew out from his sleeve and slowly drifted toward the blue lotus.

"Qinglian, this is the fundamental method that the three of us have deduced for you—the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique."

This method integrates the principles of the three of us, directly pointing to the origin of the Great Dao. It can help you deeply explore the potential of your own creation and lay an unparalleled foundation for the Dao.

You should carefully contemplate and diligently cultivate yourself.” Lao Tzu’s voice resounded directly deep within Qinglian’s soul.

Qinglian felt a vast, pure, and infinitely profound torrent of information surge into her sea of ​​consciousness, instantly imprinting itself upon it.

His mind was shaken. He had only just begun to grasp the Daoist principles of the scripture, yet he felt the lotus seed of creation within his body buzzing excitedly, resonating strongly with the Taiqing Wuwei, Yuqing Order, and Shangqing Sharpness in the scripture! Many of the obstacles in his past cultivation were beginning to loosen!

"Thank you, Master! This disciple will certainly live up to your expectations!" Qinglian's voice trembled with excitement as she bowed deeply.

The problem that had plagued him for countless eons, preventing him from taking human form and leaving him with no inherited cultivation method, was finally solved by his three masters! This "Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique" was practically tailor-made for him, perfectly matching his unique origin!

After the initial joy, a thought flashed through Qinglian's mind like lightning: the second lecture at Zixiao Palace was imminent! Dao Ancestor Hongjun would be expounding on the Path of Quasi-Saints—Severing the Three Corpses! And the key to severing the corpses lay in possessing a magic weapon of the same origin! If she wanted to remind her master to prepare in advance, now was the perfect opportunity!

With a quick thought, Qinglian suppressed her excitement and, at the opportune moment, revealed a hint of confusion and longing on her face. She looked up respectfully and asked, "This disciple is deeply grateful to Master for bestowing upon me this supreme and wondrous method. However, this disciple still has a question in my heart, and I humbly request Master to enlighten me."

"Speak," said the Primordial Heavenly Venerable in a majestic voice.

"Disciple...disciple's origin ultimately stems from that Creation Lotus Seed. Though I was favored by Master and given human form, and even advanced to the Great Luo Realm, disciple deeply understands that in this primordial world, one's foundation determines one's potential." The Azure Lotus's tone carried a barely perceptible hint of unease. "Disciple desires to reach the pinnacle of the Great Dao, but...is there a method to enhance or perfect disciple's innate foundation?"

This question caused the Three Pure Ones' gaze to become incredibly profound. The atmosphere in the hall, which had just become slightly relaxed due to the bestowal of the cultivation method, once again became heavy.

Laozi remained silent for a moment, his gaze seemingly piercing through time and space, seeing the original form of the Twenty-Four Grade Creation Lotus that had nurtured the disciple before him.

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a calmness that understood cause and effect: "Everything has a source, and so does its root. Your origin was originally the Twenty-Four Petals of Creation Lotus. Although it differentiated into the Three Treasures, the origin of the Three Treasures and you are of the same lineage, connected by blood, and originally one."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Yuanshi Tianzun understood and replied, "That's right. The Dragon Head Flat Staff, the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, and the Green Lotus Sword—these three treasures all originate from the original body of the Creation Green Lotus, sharing the same root and origin as the lotus seed where your primordial spirit resides. If you can refine these three treasures and use their origin to nourish yourself, you may be able to return to your source, greatly enhancing or even completing the deficiencies in your innate foundation, allowing it to infinitely approach or even surpass the original limits of the lotus seed."

The Grand Master of Heaven nodded, his tone certain: "This is the most direct and suitable method! The return of the Three Treasures to their origin will surely trigger the deepest transformation of your lotus seed's origin!"

Before he finished speaking, Laozi flicked his sleeve, and the dragon-headed flat cane, which contained the ultimate principles of Yin and Yang, transformed into a stream of light and flew towards Qinglian.

Without the slightest hesitation, the Primordial Celestial Venerable unleashed the warm divine light of the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi and placed it before the Azure Lotus.

Although the Tongtian Sect Leader's eyes showed reluctance to part with the Qingping Sword, his actions were incredibly decisive. With a clear and melodious sword cry, the Qingping Sword floated in front of Qinglian. The three top-grade innate spiritual treasures, radiating supreme Daoist charm that shook the void, quietly awaited the acceptance of their "original owner".

Looking at the three supreme treasures floating before him, Qinglian felt a surge of overwhelming emotions, a mixture of gratitude and guilt. He never expected that his masters would so readily return these newly acquired treasures, which were perfectly aligned with their Dao, to him!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions. He didn't immediately accept the three treasures, but instead bowed deeply again, his voice utterly sincere: "I am deeply grateful for the great kindness of my three masters! However, these three treasures are ordained by Heaven to belong to my masters! I observe that the flat crutch embodies the ultimate principles of Yin and Yang, perfectly complementing my master's Dao of Non-Action; the jade ruyi displays the majesty of order, perfectly matching my second master's Dao of Expounding Heaven; and the Qingping sword possesses unparalleled sharpness, further enhancing my third master's Dao of Intercepting Heaven! These three treasures are irreplaceable in my master's path to enlightenment! How could I, for my own selfish reasons, jeopardize my master's opportunity to attain the Great Dao? This is absolutely unacceptable!"

He raised his head, his eyes clear and resolute: "This disciple dares to beg Master to rescind his decree! It is not too late to bestow this treasure upon this disciple when Master has fully comprehended its mysteries and when Master's path to enlightenment is unimpeded! This disciple is already blessed to have entered the sect and received the Great Dao; how dare I covet this precious treasure?"

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in the eyes of the Three Pure Ones.

Their bestowal of treasures stemmed from their love and care for their disciples and was a result of the deduction of the Great Dao.

Qinglian's refusal, however, was based on reasons that touched upon the key points of their respective paths, and his reasoning and sentiments were impeccable. In particular, his statement "when Master's path is unobstructed" demonstrated his respect for his master and his clear understanding of his own path.

A slight ripple returned to Lao Tzu's eyes, carrying a deeper sense of satisfaction.

With a wave of his hand, the three treasures transformed into streams of light and flew back to their respective owners.

The Tongtian Sect Leader took the Qingping Sword, his fingers gently tracing its blade. His gaze towards Qinglian held a deeper, more genuine appreciation.

"Very well." Lao Tzu spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of decisiveness. "Since you cherish the path of the master and are unwilling to take this shortcut, I will not force you. There is more than one way to improve one's foundation."

The Primordial Celestial Venerable pondered and said, "The primordial world is vast and filled with countless rare treasures. The innate spiritual root is bestowed by the Great Dao at the beginning of chaos and creation. Its origin contains pure vitality and fragments of laws, making it the best choice for making up for and improving one's foundation."

A glint flashed in the eyes of the Tongtian Sect Leader, and he interjected, "Eldest brother and second brother are absolutely right! Things like the Primordial Water Peaches, Yellow Plums, Ginseng Fruits, Fusang Trees, Laurel Trees… even in the bitterly cold lands of the West, there might be wondrous Bodhi Trees… If one could gather their essential essence and fuse them into a single furnace using the Dao of Creation, nourishing oneself, the effect, though not as immediate as directly refining the Three Treasures of the Body, would still be a path to heaven! Moreover, it would be more reliable and have a more solid foundation!"

Laozi finally made his decision, his gaze falling on Qinglian, with an undeniable promise: "You should focus on cultivating the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique, stabilizing your Great Luo Dao Fruit, and enhancing the innate spiritual foundation you need... The three of us will take care of you."

"Disciple... thanks Master!" Qinglian felt a great weight lifted from her heart, her gratitude beyond measure, and could only kowtow deeply.

When the masters hear the teachings of the Quasi-Saints, they will also remind them to carefully choose the treasures for severing corpses.

The path must be taken one step at a time. Right now, the most important thing is to comprehend the "Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique" and truly embark on your own path to the Great Dao.

Seeing Qinglian respectfully retreat, the Three Pure Ones exchanged a glance.

The dignified corners of Yuanshi Tianzun's mouth turned up slightly, while Tongtian Jiaozhu revealed a hearty smile. Laozi closed his eyes, his fingers subtly calculating within his sleeve.