Flood: I, the Nine Turns of the Golden Pillar, all want to eat me!
Chapter 5 - The Dan Dao System, Alchemy with the Body

Chapter 5: The Dan Dao System, Alchemy with the Body

Flood, Kunlun Blessed Land.

Laozi whisked his beard and nodded in satisfaction. “Apprentice… You were transformed by the Dan, so as your teacher, I have also taken it upon myself to step onto the Avenue of Dan. From this path, combined with my epiphanies, I have created a cultivation system. I shall name it—the Dan Dao System.”

“The Dan Dao System? Is it related to alchemy?” Xuan Qing could not help but ask.

“Not bad… From the Dao of Dan, a flourishing cultivation system naturally revolves around the Dao of alchemy. And at the core of this system is ‘refining Dan with one’s body.’ The art of alchemy harnesses everything in heaven and earth, turning them into materials that are fused within a Dan furnace to evolve into a pill. But ‘alchemy with one’s body’—” Laozi’s voice deepened as he explained, “—is to take oneself and turn it into an oven. By absorbing everything in the heavens and earth and refining them into elixirs, the body itself becomes a divine alchemy furnace. The stronger the divine elixir refined within, the stronger you will become.”

Xuan Qing was not ignorant; he immediately grasped the essence of this Dao. The core of the Dan Dao System seemed somewhat similar to the future Golden Dan Dharma of the Human Race—both cultivated a pill within the body. Additionally, it bore similarities to the inner elixir method cultivated by the demon race in many metaphysical teachings.

Refining a golden elixir within the body, transforming one’s cultivation through it, and melting the Great Dao… Is this what Master means?

“Not bad, not bad…” Laozi laughed, clearly pleased with his disciple’s swift comprehension. “Indeed, this method allows you to draw in the aura of heaven and earth, absorb endless resources, and refine a golden elixir within yourself. The higher the quality, the stronger your cultivation. Comprehending the Great Dao can also be fused with the Golden Dan, evolving into the Great Dao Golden Dan. Even cultivating Avatars—one can inscribe an Avatar onto the surface of the elixir, refining it into an Avatar Golden Dan…”

With meticulous detail, Laozi outlined the intricacies of the system, explaining every stage from aptitude cultivation to combat application and breakthroughs.

Xuan Qing was certain—this was a path to ascend the heavens. “This disciple thanks, Master. Please impart the method.”

“Very well. I shall pass it on now. Drawing from the inheritance and my comprehension of the Dao of Dan, I have refined the Dan Dao System into the Tai Qing Dan Scripture. This scripture details the art of cultivation and pill refinement. Once I bestow it upon you, contemplate it carefully.” Laozi’s expression was serene as he transmitted the scripture to Xuan Qing.

As the teachings flowed into him, Xuan Qing listened attentively.

At the same time, Zi Yun stirred. 「Laozi transmits the Tai Qing Dan Scripture, analyzed by the Great Dao. This scripture, derived from the Great Dao of Dan, is highly suitable for the host, particularly for practicing the Great Dao of Dan. When cultivated, the body evolves into an oven, igniting a divine flame within. By drawing in the aura of heaven and earth and refining boundless resources, one transforms them into alchemy materials. Relying on the divine fire to temper them, a divine elixir condenses within the body. Through further refinement, the elixir advances towards the nine-turn golden elixir, ultimately fusing with the Great Dao to achieve the Great Dao Golden Elixir…」

Zi Yun murmured as she parsed and comprehended the scripture, her voice drifting through his mind.

She then transmitted a question: 「Would it be possible to inscribe the Great Dao of Dan within the Great Dao Treasure Pearl?」

Inscribe it? Xuan Qing considered. The Great Dao Treasure Pearl could not hold too many Great Daos—only a select few. However, since his cultivation path stemmed from the Great Dao of Dan, and he was a disguised Dan Pill, recording the Great Dao of Dan within the treasure pearl seemed only natural.

Years passed after Laozi imparted the Tai Qing Dan Scripture to Xuan Qing.

Only then did Xuan Qing emerge from his contemplation, his thoughts shifting. “Master… There is something this disciple does not understand regarding the division of realms in today’s Flood. Moreover, within the Dan Dao System you passed on to me, it seems…”

“…Incomplete?” Laozi finished for him, chuckling as he stroked his beard. “Apprentice, one who merely learns from me survives, but one who only copies me perish. After cultivating to a certain level, you must walk your path. I created this method based on my enlightenment from the Dao of Dan, but ultimately, it contains my thoughts and interpretations.

“If you cultivate exactly as I do, it will serve you well in the early stages. But in the later stages, it will become a constraint. The path of cultivation must ultimately be forged by oneself. I am merely a guide; your future journey must be your own. When you deepen your cultivation and see more of the world, you will naturally refine your method where mine is lacking.”

“I see…” Xuan Qing nodded in understanding. “I will seek my cultivation path. But what of the realm divisions?”

“Realm divisions?” Laozi’s voice carried a trace of nostalgia. “Within the Flood, each race and faction has its cultivation systems, and thus their naming conventions for realms differ. However, in essence, they are more or less the same. Within our lineage, as established through enlightenment, we divide cultivation into four great realms—each containing five sub-realms.”

His eyes shone with profound wisdom. “The four realms are: the Immortal Realm, the Taiyi Realm, the Great Luo Realm, and the Mixed Yuan Realm.”

Xuan Qing listened intently as Laozi continued. “Each realm is subdivided by the Three Talents—Heaven, Earth, and Man—and further refined by the comprehension of the Great Dao, creating five sub-realms:

• Immortal Realm:Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Heaven Immortal, Golden Immortal, and Golden Immortal Imperishable.
• Taiyi Realm:Taiyi Human Immortal, Taiyi Earth Immortal, Taiyi Heavenly Immortal, Taiyi Golden Immortal, and Taiyi Imperishable.
• Great Luo Realm:Great Luo Human Immortal, Great Luo Earth Immortal, Great Luo Heavenly Immortal, Great Luo Golden Immortal, and Great Luo Dao Fruit.
• Mixed Yuan Realm:This division remains unclear, for it is a realm beyond common knowledge—only those who reach it may understand.”

Laozi’s explanation clarified the general framework of the Flood’s cultivation divisions. Though each lineage named them differently, the essence remained the same.

As Xuan Qing contemplated this, a question lingered in his mind. “The Three Talents of Heaven, Earth, and Man—I understand their significance. And I comprehend how one realizes the Great Dao to become a Golden Immortal. But… Golden Immortal Imperishable, Taiyi Imperishable, and Great Luo Dao Fruit… what do these signify?”

Laozi’s expression turned solemn. “Imperishability and Dao Fruit—these realms embody the fusion of one’s origin with the Great Dao. Regardless of race or treasure, all things possess an origin. How one cultivates this origin differs from race to race, and their definitions vary. In our lineage, we refine our Origin by harmonizing Essence, Qi, and Spirit.”

“Origin…” Xuan Qing murmured. The term felt both familiar and foreign.