Grand Pure One Laozi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Grand Pure One Laozi (太清老子)
Alias(es)	Saint Taiqing; Taiqing Laozi; Li Er
Species/Race	Saint; one of the Three Pure Ones
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Three Pure Ones; Human Sect; Eight Sceneries Palace
Occupation/Role	Founder and former Sect Leader of the Human Sect; preacher of the Dao; founder of Taoism
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 18

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Saint	Before Ch. 18	Achieved sainthood, established the Human Sect, and accepted Xuan Du as his disciple before his reunion with Yuanshi and Tongtian at Kunlun. 18 20
Hunyuan Daluo	306	After the western journey, Laozi dictates the Dao De Jing, establishes Taoism, and preaches throughout the Primordial Era for 129,800 days; this is recorded as his proof of the Dao of Hunyuan Daluo. 306

Background / History

Establishment of the Human Sect

Grand Pure One Laozi is the eldest of the Three Pure Ones. After attaining sainthood, he established the Human Sect and accepted the Human Race cultivator Xuan Du as his disciple. 18 19 20

He later reunited with Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Leader Tongtian at Kunlun after the Three had spent centuries apart following the establishment of their respective sects. During this gathering, he took note of Yuanshi's disciples—particularly Gu Changsheng—and approved of their origins and potential. 18 19

Sermon at Jade Void Palace

Laozi preached the Dao to the disciples of the Three Sects for one hundred years. During the sermon, Gu Changsheng comprehended the Heavenly Gang Divine Ability Fetus Transformation and Form Change; Laozi publicly recognized the achievement and explained the ability to the assembled disciples. 21 22

When the Three Pure Ones arranged a Dao discussion among their disciples, Laozi contributed the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner, a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, as the grand prize. 25

Division of the Three Pure Ones

Laozi's expulsion of Tongtian from Kunlun precipitated Tongtian's departure with his disciples. Laozi and Xuan Du subsequently left Kunlun as the Three Pure Ones split apart. 47

Witch-Demon Tribulation and the Heavenly Court

During the aftermath of the Witch-Demon conflict, Laozi used the Taiji Diagram to seal the waters of the Heavenly River while Tongtian and Yuanshi reinforced the breach in the heavens with their own treasures. 120

After the tribulation, he argued that the Heavenly Court could not remain leaderless. When Hongjun ordered the Saints to help Haotian reorganize the Primordial Era's spiritual veins, Laozi declined Haotian's invitation to act jointly and departed. 120 121

Investiture of the Gods

At Purple Firmament Palace, Laozi led the Saints in accepting Hongjun's command to sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll. He wrote more than ten Human Race names onto the scroll before passing it to Yuanshi. 225

During the later confrontation at Jiepai Pass, he condemned Tongtian for allowing Intercepting Sect disciples to die for the doomed Yin Shang Dynasty. Laozi entered the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation with Yuanshi, Zhunti, and Jieyin, directed the four Saints to each claim a sword, and seized the Immortal Trapping Sword with the Taiji Diagram's golden bridge. 284 285

Western Journey and Taoism

A Quasi-Saint clone of Saint Taiqing, called Laozi, escorted Daoist Duobao westward through Hangu Pass. With a sweep of his sleeve, Laozi cleared the path for Duobao to enter the Western Lands and establish Theravada Buddhism as Duobao Tathagata. 305 306

At Hangu Pass, Yin Xi begged Laozi for instruction. Laozi responded by condensing his Daoist teachings into five thousand words—the Dao De Jing—then continued through the Primordial Era under the name Li Er, riding a Green Ox and preaching to the Human Race. His teaching formed Taoism and elevated three thousand human followers to the True Immortal realm through the Golden Elixir Great Dao and the Art of Talismans. 306

After the western preaching concluded, Saint Taiqing established Doushuai Palace for his Good Corpse, naming it Taishang Laojun. 306

Support for Gu Changsheng and the Human Dao

Laozi repeatedly intervened to prevent disputes between Gu Changsheng, Yuanshi, and the Two Sages of the West from escalating. He criticized Zhunti and Jieyin for ignoring Hongjun's prohibition against Saints interfering in Primordial Era affairs, later warning Gu Changsheng to remain alert to their schemes. 787 837 838

When Gu Changsheng sought to take charge of the Human Sect and establish the Human Dao, Laozi agreed. He produced the Kongtong Seal and publicly transferred the Human Sect leadership to Gu Changsheng, citing Changsheng's protection of the Human Race. 879 880

Appearance

Laozi is an elderly Daoist with white hair and a white beard. He carries a solemn presence tempered by a gentle, kindly aura, and commonly travels on a Horned Green Ox. 18

• White hair and beard. 18 837
• Solemn yet benevolent demeanor. 18
• Rides a Horned Green Ox. 18 283
• Appears with heavenly flowers falling and golden lotuses emerging from the earth. 18

Personality

Laozi is associated with non-action and restraint. When Haotian sought the Saints' cooperation after the Witch-Demon Tribulation, Laozi simply dismissed the proposed joint action and departed rather than involve himself in the Heavenly Court's affairs. 121

He is observant of talent and willing to reward it. He praised Gu Changsheng's comprehension during his sermon, assessed the potential of Yuanshi's disciples, and later trusted Gu Changsheng with the Human Sect itself. 19 22 880

Although he often seeks to de-escalate disputes, he is blunt when confronting conduct he considers unreasonable. He called Tongtian foolish for resisting the Heavenly Dao's trend during the Investiture of the Gods and rebuked Zhunti and Jieyin for attempting to use Saintly status against Gu Changsheng. 284 787 788

Abilities & Skills

Saintly Perception and Authority

As a Saint, Laozi can discern the cultivation and inner state of beings beneath the Saint realm. He immediately recognized that Gu Changsheng had comprehended a Divine Ability during his sermon. 22

• Dispersed Gu Changsheng's boundless thunderstorm with a whisk after the duel with Daoist Duobao exceeded its intended bounds. 33
• Restored the damaged Dao Field alongside the other Pure Ones after the duel ended. 33
• Calculated Gu Changsheng's arrival at Eight Sceneries Palace before he entered. 879

Dao Preaching

Laozi's sermons can directly impart profound Daoist teachings and enable breakthroughs in Divine Abilities and cultivation. 21 22 306

• His sermon enabled Gu Changsheng to comprehend Fetus Transformation and Form Change. 22
• His western teachings formed Taoism around the natural Way, with Heaven as teacher and Earth as father. 306
• His Golden Elixir Great Dao and Art of Talismans elevated three thousand human disciples to True Immortals. 306

Alchemy

Among the Three Pure Ones, Laozi is identified as the one who refines elixirs. 18

Saintly Mediation

Laozi uses his status and strength to restrain conflicts among Saints and their avatars. 667 837 838

• Proposed resurrecting Haotian's son while confining Huaguang to Mount Taihua for three years, a compromise accepted by the involved parties. 667
• Used the Taiji Diagram to cover the Chaos while urging Gu Changsheng, Yuanshi, Zhunti, and Jieyin to each step back. 837
• Warned Old Ancestor Bodhi against intervening in Haotian and Duobao Tathagata's battle. 809

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Taiji Diagram — One of the three great Innate Supreme Treasures. It sealed the Heavenly River, formed a golden bridge inside the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, suppressed killing intent, and enabled Laozi to seize the Immortal Trapping Sword. 120 284 285
• Kongtong Seal — A supreme treasure that suppresses the Human Sect's fortune; Laozi used it when transferring the Human Sect leadership to Gu Changsheng. 880
• Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda — Condensed above Laozi's head to shield him from Tongtian's sword intent. 288
• Whisk — Used to disperse Gu Changsheng's thunderstorm after the Dao discussion battle. 33
• Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner — A Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure formed from a leaf of the Creation Green Lotus. Laozi offered it as the Dao discussion's prize; it can confuse Yin and Yang, invert the Five Elements, repel evil, and resist magic. 25
• Horned Green Ox — Laozi's usual mount in both Kunlun and later conflicts. 18 283 285

Relationships

• Dao Ancestor Hongjun — Teacher. Laozi and the other Saints defer to Hongjun's decrees, including the signing of the Investiture of the Gods Scroll. 225
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate (Yuanshi) — Younger brother among the Three Pure Ones. Laozi recognizes Yuanshi's disciples' potential and later supports Yuanshi during Saint-level disputes. 19 787 838
• Sect Leader Tongtian — Younger brother among the Three Pure Ones. Their relationship fractured when Laozi expelled Tongtian from Kunlun; they later fought on opposing sides during the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation conflict. 47 284 285
• Xuan Du — Personal disciple and later Grand Master of the Human Sect. Laozi initially established the Human Sect with Xuan Du as its disciple. 19 20
• Gu Changsheng — Martial nephew and eventual successor as Human Sect Leader. Laozi recognizes his talent, listens to his concerns over the western journey, protects him from the Western Sages' pressure, and transfers the Human Sect to him. 22 306 838 880
• Daoist Duobao / Duobao Tathagata — Laozi's western companion. Laozi clears Duobao's route into the Western Lands, allowing him to establish Theravada Buddhism. 305 306
• Taishang Laojun — Laozi's Good Corpse, for whom Saint Taiqing establishes Doushuai Palace. 306
• Zhunti and Jieyin — Fellow Saints and frequent political opponents. Laozi rebukes their attempts to pressure Gu Changsheng and mediates several confrontations with them. 787 788 837 880

Notable Quotes

“I am Grand Pure One Laozi. I have sensed Gu Changsheng's inheritance of the human race's torch, allowing the human race to not be bullied by the Primordial beings. Today, I pass the position of Sect Leader of the Human Sect to Gu Changsheng. May the Heavenly Dao bear witness!” 880

“Tongtian, King Zhou is tyrannical, the Yin Shang Dynasty is doomed, and Western Qi will replace it. This is the general trend of the Heavenly Dao.” 284

Trivia

• Laozi's human-world alias is Li Er. 306
• His Dao De Jing is described as containing five thousand words. 306
• Taishang Laojun is specifically identified as Saint Taiqing's Good Corpse rather than merely another name for Laozi. 306
• Laozi's true self later bestowed the Taiji Diagram upon Gu Changsheng. 901