Taishang Laozu stood right before Li Wuyang, lean in build, with an ancient, unadorned face and calm, rippleless eyes, like a bottomless old well. No aura emanated from him, yet Li Wuyang felt a pressure deeper and more boundless than when facing Demon Ancestor Luohu.
This was not the oppression of power, but the natural intimidation born from an absolute gap in the level of life and realm of the Dao.
"Th-this junior, Li Wuyang, greets... greets Senior Laozi!" Li Wuyang was so nervous that his tongue nearly tied itself in knots. He hurriedly bowed. His heart was in turmoil. Why had this big shot noticed a nobody hiding in the corner? Had he been caught dozing off while listening to the Dao? Or had Primordial Father's identity been exposed?
Laozi gave a slight nod. His gaze fell upon Li Wuyang, seeming to see him through inside and out. Yet there was no malice in his eyes, only a faint trace of curiosity.
"Young friend, your innate gifts are extraordinary, and your fortune runs deep." Laozi spoke slowly, his gentle voice reaching straight into the heart. "While listening to the Dao just now, you seemed to gain a unique insight. Though it was not orthodox, it subtly aligned with the principles of nature. Interesting."
Li Wuyang was shaken inwardly. Impressive! My bizarre way of listening to the Dao by 'feeling the rhythm' really hadn't escaped this big shot's discerning eyes! He quickly replied modestly, "Senior flatters me. This junior's aptitude is dull. The Dao Ancestor's teachings are profound and unfathomable. This junior... actually did not understand much. I was merely feeling things at random."
The corners of Laozi's mouth seemed to curve into an exceedingly faint smile, gone in an instant. "The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. Insights have no distinction of high or low; what suits oneself is one's destined path. Young friend, you possess unusual gifts. Your future is limitless."
Li Wuyang was utterly confused, but it sounded like the other man was praising him? He cautiously asked, "May I ask why Senior called this junior over? Do you have any instructions?"
Laozi's gaze seemed to casually sweep over Li Wuyang's chest, where the bronze compass and mysterious token were stored, before glancing at the inconspicuous Void-Concealing Pouch on his finger. He said mildly, "Nothing in particular. You simply seem rather familiar to me, so I wished to forge a good connection. Turmoil will soon rise in the Primordial World. Take care of yourself."
With that, Laozi lightly flicked his sleeve, and a pill as warm and lustrous as jade appeared soundlessly in Li Wuyang's hand. The pill was purple-gold, the size of a longan, with nine naturally formed cloud patterns on its surface. It emitted a refreshing fragrance that cleared the mind with a single breath.
"This is a Nine-Revolutions Purple-Gold Pill. It has miraculous effects in stabilizing one's foundation, healing wounds, and extending life. I give it to you; perhaps it will prove useful someday." After speaking, Laozi said no more. He turned and took a single step, vanishing into the clouds as though he had never appeared.
Li Wuyang held that legendary, supreme divine pill, completely stunned.
Taishang Laozu... had specifically stopped me... just to praise me a few times and give me a Nine-Revolutions Purple-Gold Pill?!
What was this situation?! Even pies falling from the sky were not this absurd!
He carefully recalled every word Laozi had said: "unusual gifts," "forge a good connection," "turmoil will soon rise in the Primordial World," "take care of yourself"... The words had sounded mild, but upon reflection, they seemed to carry deeper meaning.
"Could he have seen through my origins as the Primordial Dao Child? Was this pill an investment? Or... a warning?" Li Wuyang's mind was a complete mess. But no matter what, the value of a Nine-Revolutions Purple-Gold Pill was immeasurable. This was a trump card that could save his life!
He hurriedly and carefully stored the pill in the deepest part of his Void-Concealing Pouch. His feelings toward Laozi had become incomparably complicated. This future Saint truly was unfathomable.
Though this small incident was brief, some great powers who had yet to leave still noticed it. The way they looked at Li Wuyang immediately changed. For Taishang Laozu to personally single him out and gift him a pill, this kid was definitely no ordinary person!
Soon, another figure approached. This time, it was a middle-aged emperor clad in imperial robes, with an imposing bearing and the aura of True Sun Fire swirling around him—Eastern Emperor Taiyi!
Taiyi's gaze was sharp as a sword as he examined Li Wuyang. His voice carried an unquestionable authority. "Boy, why did Laozi give you that pill? What exactly are your origins?"
Li Wuyang's scalp went numb. He had just sent off one great deity, only for an even more domineering one to arrive! He braced himself and once again brought out his universal answer. "R-replying to Senior Eastern Emperor, this junior... this junior does not know either! Senior Laozi merely said I pleased his eye... This junior, Li Wuyang, is only an ordinary independent cultivator..."
"An independent cultivator?" Taiyi snorted coldly, clearly unconvinced. "How could anyone able to enter Zixiao Palace and listen to the Dao be an ordinary independent cultivator? The aura on your body is strange—neither immortal, demon, nor shaman. It bears some connection to chaos... Speak! Are you connected to Demon Ancestor Luohu?!"
A powerful pressure descended, making Li Wuyang's breath catch.
(End of Chapter Thirty-Two)
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