Flood: I, the Nine Turns of the Golden Pillar, all want to eat me!
Chapter 3 - Worshiping Tai Qing, Dala Dharma Power

Chapter 3: Worshiping Tai Qing, Dala Dharma Power

The Three Qing flew in, gazing at the child who had taken form after the tribulation. They exchanged glances, a trace of amusement flickering in their eyes.

Laozi raised a finger, and a white Taoist robe materialized around the little figure, transforming him into a proper Daoist child.

The young boy, still feeling the residual fear of his transformation, looked up at the Three Qing. Although he had taken human form, his body remained that of an elixir. What if they decided to consume him?

Tongtian found the situation intriguing. “Big Brother… An elixir that has taken human form—this is a first for me. Why not taste him and see how he flavors?”

“No, no! I taste awful, absolutely awful! I am poisonous, extremely poisonous!” The boy’s tender voice trembled with horror as he stared at Tongtian. He had only just gained a form, and already, someone wished to eat him? Too cruel!

Haha… Tongtian chuckled. “What an amusing child!” He stepped forward, his expression full of mischief, eager to tease the newly-formed youth.

Laozi stroked his beard with a small smile. “Tongtian, do not jest. This child was created by me; thus, he shares a father-son bond with me. He is also the first elixir in the Flood to take form—his potential is undoubtedly remarkable. From today onward, he shall be my disciple.”

“Disciple? Worship a master?” The boy’s fear quickly turned to joy. “I am willing, most willing! Disciple greets his master!” He immediately dropped to his knees, bowing in reverence.

How could he refuse? Before him stood Laozi—Tai Qing Laozi! The future Sage of the Heavenly Dao, the future leader of the Human Sect, is an absolute pillar of strength. Most importantly, once he was under a master’s protection, his safety would finally be assured.

Laozi’s smile deepened as he stroked his beard. “Disciple, you have only just taken form and likely have no Daoist name. I shall grant you one—taking ‘Xuan’ for its meaning and ‘Qing’ for purity. Henceforth, you shall be known as Xuanqing.”

“Many thanks, Master, for bestowing me a name.” Xuan Qing was no fool. A name from a master as great as Laozi—he would accept it without question.

“Congratulations, Big Brother, on receiving such a fine disciple!” Yuanshi Tianzun laughed, his gaze resting on Xuanqing with appreciation. “With his natural talent and origins, inheriting your Dao of Alchemy will surely be effortless.”

Tongtian smirked. “Little Xuanqing was originally a dan and now practices alchemy—what a fitting match! Truly interesting… truly interesting…” His playful gaze lingered on Xuanqing, sending a shiver down the boy’s spine. Even though he had taken human form, he was still an elixir. And an elixir could always be eaten.

Laozi, however, simply observed Xuanqing with satisfaction. Accepting a disciple was a matter of fate—one could not take just anyone as a student. He had once been born with an inheritance of alchemy but had never fully walked that path. Now, he had taken in a disciple who had not only been created by his hand but had also transformed from a pill. This was a rare and wondrous destiny. He would take Xuanqing under his wing, cultivate him well, and ensure he inherited the proper Dao.

Years passed in the blink of an eye.

Though Xuanqing remained young in appearance, his heart often found itself marveling at the journey. From being a mere pill, to gaining human form, to becoming Laozi’s disciple—it still felt somewhat surreal.

His expression shifted thoughtfully before he finally asked, “Master… When will you teach me how to cultivate?”

“Apprentice, there is no need to rush cultivation.” Laozi brushed his beard with a kind smile. “I have spent years refining my understanding of the Dao. Now, I plan to enter seclusion with your senior uncles to deduce a suitable cultivation system and method for you.”

Accepting a disciple was a first for Laozi. Passing down his cultivation methods required careful thought. He had cultivated freely, following his path. But now, as a teacher, he could not simply impart all his experiences—many aspects would not translate directly. Especially for Xuanqing, whose form was still young and whose foundation required careful guidance. Thus, a unique system had to be created just for him.

Xuanqing nodded. “Many thanks, Master, for devising a method for me.”

“Before that, however, I shall first teach you the method of body refinement.” Laozi’s voice carried wisdom and warmth. “Through this method, you will use your innate Daolord Mana to temper your physical body.”

“Body refining? Daolord Mana?” Xuanqing’s eyes flickered with curiosity.

Laozi nodded. “In the Flood, many cultivators possessed immense cultivation from birth. This was due to their inheritance and the efforts they made before they took form. For example, I cultivated and comprehended the Great Dao long before my body took shape. Thus, when I finally assumed human form, my cultivation was already quite advanced.

“Cultivation is not merely the accumulation of mana—it is the understanding of the Great Dao that truly determines one’s level. You, for instance, are a Nine-Turn Golden Pill. After taking form, your body naturally carries Daolord Mana comparable to the Great Luo realm. However, without enlightenment, such power is an illusion. You must understand that true cultivation lies in comprehension.”

Xuanqing pondered for a moment before replying, “I see… In cultivation, enlightenment is the core. Attuning oneself to the Great Dao is the foundation.”

Laozi smiled approvingly. “Precisely. Alchemy follows the same principles. The path of alchemy is divided into three grades:

• Lower-grade alchemyrefines the Mana Golden Pill, which condenses vast energies into a single golden dan, providing pure mana.
• Mid-grade alchemyrefines the Avatar Golden Pill, which not only enhances mana but also imbues divine abilities into the user.
• Top-grade alchemyrefines the Great Dao Golden Pill, carrying the essence of the Great Dao itself. Such a pill, when consumed, can elevate a cultivator directly to the Great Luo realm. However, one who ascends through external means will forever remain limited.”

Realization dawned upon Xuanqing. “Master… I was originally a lower-grade Nine-Turn Golden Pill, meaning I only carried mana, without divine abilities or Great Dao comprehension.”

Laozi nodded. “Correct. But that is your fortune. Had you been an Avatar or Great Dao Pill, your fate would have been predetermined. Cultivation obtained through external forces is not true cultivation. Since you are merely a Mana Golden Pill, you have no external influences shackling you. Once your mana is fully consumed, your path to the Great Dao will be pure and limitless.”

Xuanqing finally understood. What had seemed a curse was a blessing in disguise. Had he been a Great Dao Pill, he might have been born with immense power but with no future growth.

“Master, I understand. Please, pass me the method of body refining. I wish to temper my flesh using my innate Daolord Mana.”

Laozi nodded. “Very well. I shall teach you the art of body refining—the ‘Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong.'”

The Nine Revolutions Xuan Gong was legendary. Countless stories spoke of its supremacy. This technique refined the body to unparalleled strength, and upon mastering all Nine Revolutions, one could even attain the Dao through physical perfection alone.

With that, Laozi imparted the technique to Xuanqing before entering seclusion with Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian to craft a proper cultivation system for their disciple.

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