Early Golden Immortal

Within Taiqing Palace, Dao Rhyme flowed, serene and effortless.

Following his master's instructions, Dao Xuan chose a secluded stone chamber behind the palace and settled there.

The chamber was simple, containing only a meditation cushion and a stone table.

Yet spiritual energy swirled thickly here. This was the heart of Kunlun Mountain's blessed land, far superior to any other place.

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged upon the cushion, his mind settling into tranquility.

The first thing he did was abandon all the miscellaneous techniques he had cultivated before.

The profound scriptures of the Taiqing Immortal Art flowed through his Sea of Consciousness, every word a pearl of wisdom containing the supreme truths of the Great Dao.

This was a Saint's foundational method, pointing directly toward the Primordial Dao!

Dao Xuan circulated the immortal art, drawing Kunlun Mountain's pure Innate Spiritual Energy into his body.

The spiritual energy flowed like a gentle stream, traveling along an entirely new and more profound circulation path.

With every cycle, it felt as though old impurities were being cleansed away and his Dao foundation remade.

The stagnation and hidden dangers from his previous cultivation silently vanished beneath the cleansing tide of this utterly clear and pure Taiqing immortal power.

His primordial spirit grew ever clearer, and his connection to the Great Dao of heaven and earth became increasingly distinct.

At the same time, he did not neglect the cultivation of the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique.

This was a Daoist divine technique for protecting the Dharma, tempering the physical body, unlocking potential, and pursuing the Pangu True Body!

Every day, Dao Xuan drew upon starlight and the baleful qi of the earth veins to temper his sinews, bones, flesh, and skin.

At first, it felt like countless needles piercing him, the pain reaching deep into his bones.

But his will was firm, and he gritted his teeth through the ordeal.

Gradually, a jade-like sheen appeared upon his skin, while faint sounds of thunder came from his sinews and bones.

His blood and qi surged like vast rivers, and his strength increased by the day.

In the mountains, one lost all track of time; when the cold passed, one did not know the year.

Dao Xuan's days were exceedingly regular.

At dawn, he breathed in Kunlun's purple qi, circulated the Taiqing Immortal Art, refined his magical power, and nurtured his primordial spirit.

At noon, he tempered his body, practiced the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique, and forged his sinews and bones.

At dusk, he contemplated the true meaning of the Grand Pure Dao, grasping the wonders of "non-action" and "naturalness."

Whenever he encountered a bottleneck in cultivation or something obscure and difficult to understand,

he would respectfully go before Taiqing Palace and wait quietly for a while.

If Laozi was in the palace and sensed his confusion, he would often dispel it with only a few words.

Every word was like gold and jade, striking straight at the heart of the matter. Dao Xuan would immediately feel enlightened and see the light.

At times, Laozi would open the furnace to refine pills.

The pill furnace was the Innate Spiritual Treasure Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace, and its flames were the origin of Samadhi True Fire.

Dao Xuan was fortunate enough to serve at his side.

Sometimes he tended the furnace flames, carefully controlling their intensity.

Sometimes he delivered spiritual materials, precise to the slightest fraction.

Laozi's pill-refining methods returned to simplicity. They seemed casual, yet secretly aligned with the rhythms of the Heavenly Dao.

Dao Xuan held his breath and focused, not daring to slacken in the slightest.

Though he did not understand all its mysteries, through constant exposure, he made tremendous progress in judging medicinal properties, fire control, and timing.

He even vaguely comprehended a trace of the true meaning behind "the Dao follows nature."

And so the days passed, year after year.

At Kunlun Mountain's summit, clouds gathered and dispersed.

Spirit beasts frolicked among the mountains, while immortal cranes cried out at length.

Dao Xuan immersed himself in the Great Dao, free of distractions.

Before he realized it, three thousand long years had silently passed like a galloping white horse.

On this day.

Within the quiet room behind Taiqing Palace, where Dao Xuan was in seclusion.

A surge of clear spiritual qi suddenly erupted!

Though there was no wind in the chamber, everything stirred as spiritual energy flooded into Dao Xuan's body like a tide.

The void above his head trembled faintly.

A radiant celebration cloud, half an acre wide and clear as water, slowly emerged!

Misty Purple Qi rose within the celebration cloud.

Three phantom white lotus flowers, their buds yet to bloom, drifted at its center, radiating flawless and pure Dao Rhyme.

Around the lotuses, five condensed streams of white qi, nearly solid in form, circulated endlessly like five rushing Milky Ways, washing and cleansing all within!

Gold was imperishable; immortals were unfettered!

Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, Five Qi Facing the Origin!

This was the manifestation of the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit!

After three thousand years of arduous cultivation, Dao Xuan had finally attained the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit!

He slowly opened his eyes. Divine light shone in them, clear and profound, as though they contained a galaxy.

The aura around him was perfectly harmonious and unobstructed. His magical power was vast and pure, while his primordial spirit was as steady as a mountain.

"Early Golden Immortal... I made it!" An indescribable joy surged through Dao Xuan's heart.

This was a leap in the level of life itself, a true step across the threshold toward eternal life!

He examined himself internally.

The celebration cloud above his head spanned half an acre. Though the Three Flowers had yet to bloom, they had already formed firmly. The Five Qi circulated without end, endlessly renewing themselves.

Within the celebration cloud, a streak of golden light drifted about. At times, it transformed into the shadow of a halberd; at others, it condensed into a golden shuttle. It was none other than the Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd!

This treasure was linked to his mind. Nourished within the celebration cloud by Taiqing immortal power and the Five Qi, its spirituality became ever livelier, while its might slowly increased.

As for his true trump card—the Chaos Bead—it remained hidden deep within the Mud Pill Palace. Its radiance was contained completely as it silently absorbed Kunlun Mountain's spiritual energy and Dao Xuan's own Dao Rhyme, slowly recovering.

The Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique had not fallen behind either. It had already broken through to the realm of the Second Revolution.

His physical body was comparable to an ordinary Acquired Spiritual Treasure. With a mere gesture, he possessed the strength to move mountains and fill seas!

Dao Xuan rose to his full height, feeling refreshed and clear-minded. Heaven, earth, and all things now seemed more vivid and alive to his senses.

He left the quiet room and stood at the cliff's edge behind Taiqing Palace.

Overlooking Kunlun Mountain's sea of clouds, a surge of heroic ambition rose in his chest.

"The Golden Immortal realm has been attained. The Great Dao is within reach!"

After attaining the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, Dao Xuan did not grow lax.

Kunlun's immortal realm was a supreme treasure ground for cultivation.

He continued cultivating diligently every day without pause.

The Taiqing Immortal Art grew ever more harmonious in circulation, and his magical power became increasingly pure and profound.

He did not relax the tempering of the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique either. The realm of the Second Revolution gradually stabilized as he advanced toward the Third Revolution.

On this day.

Dao Xuan was sitting cross-legged atop a blue stone at the mountain peak.

His mind sank into the unseen, sensing the Great Dao Laws flowing through heaven and earth.

At the Golden Immortal realm, one could already begin to touch the power of laws.

He attempted to draw a thread of sharp Geng Metal qi and merge it into the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd.

The halberd trembled lightly, its edge becoming even sharper.

Suddenly.

A calm yet impossible-to-ignore thought sounded directly in his heart.

"Dao Xuan, come to Taiqing Palace at once."

It was a voice transmission from his master, Taiqing Laozi!

Dao Xuan immediately stopped cultivating, and the aura around him calmed in an instant.

He did not dare delay. His body became a streak of clear light, and in a moment, he arrived before Taiqing Palace's gates.

The palace gates opened silently.

Dao Xuan straightened his robes and crown before stepping inside.

Upon the cloud bed within the palace sat three figures.

At the center was naturally Taiqing Laozi.

He wore the Nine Heavens Lotus Ruyi Crown and a black-and-white Eight Trigrams Immortal Robe. His face was lean, three strands of long beard drifted freely, and he held a jade-handled whisk. His aura was one with the Primordial Dao, tranquil and effortless.

To his left sat the Jade Pure Primordial Heavenly Venerate.

He wore the Jade Pure Fish Tail Golden Crown and the Apricot Yellow Eight Trigrams Cloud Pattern Immortal Robe. His expression was imposing, his eyes as deep as an abyss, and he possessed an innate air of awe-inspiring nobility.

To his right sat the Upper Pure Heavens Master.

He wore the Upper Pure Fan Cloud Crown and the Great Red Eight Trigrams Water-Fire Immortal Robe. An ancient longsword rested upon his back. His sword-like brows and starry eyes gave him a dashing bearing, while a fierce sharpness and heroic spirit of claiming heaven and earth shone between his brows.

The Three Pure Ones had gathered together!

Dao Xuan's heart tightened. He hurried forward and bowed deeply to the three Saints with utmost respect. "This disciple, Dao Xuan, greets Master! Greetings, Second Martial Uncle! Greetings, Third Martial Uncle!"

The gazes of the Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian fell upon Dao Xuan at the same time.

With their cultivation, they saw through Dao Xuan's foundation and realm at a single glance.

The Primordial Heavenly Venerate nodded slightly. A trace of approval entered his dignified voice. "Mm. You attained the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit in three thousand years, and your foundation is fairly stable. You have made some progress in the Grand Pure Immortal Method. Not bad."

Sect Master Tongtian laughed heartily, his eyes full of appreciation. "Ha ha! Good boy! You have trained the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique to the Second Revolution as well? Your foundation is solid. You have the bearing of my Jie Sect... ahem, the bearing of one from our Three Pure Ones' lineage! Elder Brother, you chose your first disciple well!"

Laozi sat upon the cloud bed, his expression as still as an ancient well. He merely said, "Acceptable."

Yet Dao Xuan could sense a trace of satisfaction beneath his master's calm gaze.

He quickly bowed. "This disciple is dull-witted. It is all thanks to Master's excellent guidance and my martial uncles' blessed protection."

Laozi raised a hand slightly, signaling Dao Xuan to rise. "Today, your two martial uncles and I shall discuss the Dao. You may listen quietly at the side. How much you comprehend will depend entirely on your own fate and affinity."

A discussion of the Dao?!

The Three Pure Ones were going to discuss the Dao before him?!

At these words, Dao Xuan's heart erupted with joy like stormy waves!

This was an immense opportunity! It was ten thousand times more precious than any Innate Spiritual Treasure or Blessed Land of Grotto-Heaven!

A discussion of the Dao expounded the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, the Origin of the Great Dao! Hearing even a fraction of it would bring boundless benefits to cultivation!

"This disciple thanks Master! This disciple thanks both Martial Uncles!" Dao Xuan's voice trembled with excitement as he bowed deeply again.

He did not dare delay. Respectfully retreating to a corner of the hall, he found a meditation cushion and sat cross-legged. He held his breath, focused his mind, and adjusted himself to his best state in preparation to hear the sacred words.

Seeing that Dao Xuan was ready, Laozi spoke no further.

His gaze lowered slightly, and the whisk in his hand rested lightly over his arm as he slowly began to speak.

His voice was not loud, yet it was like a great bell, reaching directly into the depths of the heart as he expounded the true meaning of "non-action":

"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth; the named is the mother of all things..."

"The highest goodness is like water. Water benefits all things without contending, dwelling in places others despise. Thus, it comes close to the Dao..."

"Attain the utmost emptiness; preserve the deepest stillness. All things arise together, and through this I observe their return..."

Laozi's words were plain, yet every one contained the supreme truths of the Great Dao. They expounded the fundamental workings of heaven, earth, and all things: tranquility, non-action, and following nature.

Dao Xuan only felt his primordial spirit become clear. The many obscure points from his past cultivation now seemed like clouds parting to reveal the sun, and he was suddenly enlightened!

The celebration cloud above his head emerged of its own accord. The three phantom white lotuses swayed gently, while the five white currents washed about more joyfully, as though cheering in delight.

After Laozi finished a portion of his discourse, the Primordial Heavenly Venerate continued:

"The Great Dao is formless, giving birth to heaven and earth; the Great Dao is emotionless, moving the sun and moon; the Great Dao is nameless, nurturing all things..."

"Heaven moves with vigor; thus, the noble person strives for Constant Self-Improvement..."

"To elucidate is to make clear. Make clear the Heavenly Dao, Follow Heaven and Respond to Humanity, establish rules, and define proper order..."

The Primordial Heavenly Venerate's voice was grand and righteous, majestic and vast. He expounded the order of the Heavenly Dao, moral principles, and laws, emphasizing obedience to Heaven's will and the nature of rules.

Listening, Dao Xuan felt his primordial spirit cleansed by a vast righteous qi. His understanding of heaven and earth's laws became clearer and deeper, while the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd within his celebration cloud gave a faint ringing hum, as though it too had gained insight.

Sect Master Tongtian laughed aloud. His voice rang like clashing gold and iron, carrying the sharp vigor of seizing a chance for life:

"The Great Dao has fifty; Heaven evolves forty-nine, while Human Escape is the one! This 'one' is vitality, the variable!"

"To intercept is to seize! Seize that single chance of life from heaven and earth; all things possess one chance to transcend!"

"My Dao is like a sword. I would rather break than bend! Sever the cage and attain great freedom!"

Sect Master Tongtian's words were razor-sharp and filled with sky-reaching pride. He expounded the Dao of seizing a chance for life and defying fate to change one's destiny, full of bold progress and unyielding will.

Dao Xuan's blood boiled as he listened. The Dao Rhyme he had received from the Enlightenment Tea Tree resonated fiercely with Sect Master Tongtian's words, as though it sought to break free from some restraint. Even the circulation of the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique accelerated somewhat, and jade light flickered beneath his skin.

The three mighty figures shared the same origin in the Great Dao, yet each had their own strengths.

Laozi embodied non-action, the Primordial Heavenly Venerate elucidated, and Sect Master Tongtian intercepted.

Three true meanings of the Great Dao intertwined, collided, and verified one another within Taiqing Palace.

At times, they were like gentle streams, nourishing all things without a sound.

At times, they were like raging waves, shaking the mind and spirit.

At times, they were like a blazing sun, illuminating the ages.

At times, they were like Heaven and Earth Creation, evolving the primordial world.

Dao Xuan stood within it, utterly entranced.

The celebration cloud above his head churned endlessly, the Three Flowers swaying beautifully while the Five Qi surged like dragons.

The Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd darted ceaselessly through the celebration cloud. At times, it became a streak of golden light and merged into the Five Qi; at others, it leapt free again, its sharpness growing ever more apparent.

The magical power within his body circulated, condensed, and sublimated at an unprecedented speed.

His Early Golden Immortal realm rapidly stabilized and steadily advanced toward the middle stage!

His comprehension of the Taiqing Immortal Art advanced by leaps and bounds.

His understanding of the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique deepened greatly as well.

More importantly, the collision and blending of the three true meanings of the Great Dao left an indelible imprint deep within his primordial spirit, laying an incomparably solid foundation for his future path!

This opportunity was nothing short of heaven-defying!

No one knew how much time had passed.

Perhaps several days, perhaps several months.

The voices of the Three Pure Ones discussing the Dao gradually faded.

The magnificent, boundless visions of the Great Dao within the hall slowly dispersed, returning everything to calm.

Dao Xuan remained immersed in that profound and ineffable state of enlightenment. The auspicious cloud above his head slowly withdrew into his body, and his aura became perfectly rounded and restrained. Compared to before he had listened to the teachings, it was far stronger and more condensed!

His early Golden Immortal cultivation had completely stabilized, and he had even stepped half a foot into the middle stage of Golden Immortal!

Laozi looked at Dao Xuan. Seeing that his aura was steady and his Dao charm concealed within, he nodded slightly. "Good."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian also showed approving looks.

From this discussion of the Dao, Dao Xuan had gained far more than they had expected.

This child's comprehension truly was extraordinary.

Sect Master Tongtian was the most forthright by nature. Laughing heartily, he said, "Haha, little martial nephew, you gained quite a bit from listening to the Dao this time, didn't you? Your foundation has grown even more solid! Given time, you will surely become someone remarkable!"

Only then did Dao Xuan slowly awaken from his deep state of enlightenment.

He hurriedly rose to his feet and deeply bowed once more to the three Saints, his tone incomparably sincere:

"Your disciple, Dao Xuan, thanks Master! I thank my two Martial Uncles for the grace of imparting the Dao!

I shall never forget this kindness and virtue for all eternity!"

Listening to the Dao this time was no different from receiving the grace of rebirth!