As soon as the merit descended, the crown of Laozi's head opened, and a crimson auspicious cloud rose. Three flowers gathered above his head, and the five qi converged at their source. The aura he radiated forced countless members of the Human Race flat against the ground.
Under the merit's influence, Laozi felt his cultivation rise level after level, seemingly without limit, growing endlessly. Suddenly, he sensed a store of merit being drawn out from deep within his origin.
This was Heaven-Opening merit. Laozi had known about it, but he had never found a way to use it. Otherwise, it would surely have raised his cultivation to unfathomable heights long ago.
Laozi's cultivation broke through to a new realm. An entirely new sensation enveloped him as his Dao Fruit returned from the great river of the Dao and merged with his primordial spirit.
A sense of completion emerged. The instant Laozi entered the Saint realm, celestial flowers rained down across the Primordial World, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, and boundless purple qi filled heaven and earth.
Countless living beings benefited. The humans beside Laozi gained the most: their magical power increased and grew purer, among countless other blessings. Witnessing the birth of a Saint was an immense stroke of fortune.
A blessing beyond measure.
As the wondrous signs appeared, the great powers sighed inwardly. Another being had transcended heaven and earth, standing beyond the Five Elements, able to regard the great tribulations of the world with indifference, no longer in danger of perishing. Envy stirred in their hearts.
"Today, I become a Saint, the Supreme Heavenly Venerable of Dao and Virtue, Leader of the Human Sect..."
An oppressive presence spread throughout the Primordial World, subduing all living beings. Only the mightiest existences could remain standing.
"We pay our respects