As his words fell, boundless clear light suddenly blossomed around Laozi.
That clear light was not dazzling, yet it seemed to contain every ultimate truth since heaven and earth first opened.
Within that clear light, there seemed to unfold the evolution of "the Dao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and Three gives birth to all things."
There was the supreme impartiality of "heaven and earth are without benevolence, treating all things as straw dogs," and the mystery of "doing nothing, yet leaving nothing undone."
That clear light shot skyward from the summit of Kunlun Mountain, pierced the nine heavens, and dyed the entire sky a profound blue-green.
"Through the Dao, I attain the Dao; through nonaction, I attain the Dao; through Enlightenment, I attain the Dao-"
Laozi spoke in a ringing voice that seemed to merge with the Great Dao of heaven and earth. "Today, I, Laozi, become a Sage!"
Heaven and earth resonated together!
An utterly vast pressure of the Sage Dao shot skyward from the summit of Kunlun Mountain, piercing the nine heavens and ten earths.
Throughout the Primordial World, countless mighty beings paled and raised their heads toward the source of that pressure.
It was the aura of a Sage! It was the aura of a Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal!
The Primordial World had gained another Sage!
The disciples below the teaching platform prostrated themselves in unison, their cries roaring like mountains: "Congratulations, Master, on attaining Sagehood! May Daoism endure for all ages!"
Laozi stood upon the teaching platform, clear light flowing around him, as though he had merged with the Great Dao of heaven and earth.
He said slowly, "From this day forth, the Enlightenment of the Dao shall spread throughout the Primordial World for all ages.