Chapter Thirty-Two: Creation Blue Lotus

The Supreme Lord Laozi and Tongtian silently cultivated, deepening their own realms, and for a time, all was silent.

Upon further understanding of the Great Dao, one gains what is commonly referred to as "Dao attainment." Magical power is the absorption of the spiritual energy of space, used to nourish the primordial spirit according to its needs. As one's comprehension of the Dao deepens, the demand of the primordial spirit for spiritual energy increases, thus allowing for greater flexibility in the use of magical arts.

No one knows how much time had passed when a Daoist entered Qilin Cliff, humming a little tune—this Daoist was Yuanshi Tianzun.

Laozi and Tongtian awoke from their insights. Yuanshi Tianzun addressed Tongtian, “This time, I owe you my thanks, brother.”

Tongtian smiled in response, “You’re being too formal, Second Brother. Seeing your happiness is the happiness of all Three Pure Ones. Why are you still standing there? Come, stabilize your realm.”

Yuanshi Tianzun slapped his forehead, saying, “How could I forget that!” He immediately sat down to meditate. Noticing something was up, Tongtian asked, “Second Brother, how are things with our elder sister?”

Yuanshi Tianzun only replied, “Better focus on your own Dao,” and ignored the two, delving back into contemplation.

Tongtian glanced at Laozi, and their gazes met. The two suppressed their laughter. Tongtian, seeing that the Daoist Duobao and Black Ox had lingered too long, decided it was not good for their well-being and said, “You two may withdraw.” With a wave of his hand, they left.

Tongtian, however, harbored his own thoughts. Though the Three Pure Ones already possessed their treasures, these differed from the Dao-proving artifacts they would be known for in later ages—those formed from the Lotus of Creation.

Sighing as he looked at his elder brothers, Tongtian joined them in seeking insights into the Dao.

Another thousand years passed. Tongtian could no longer suppress his desire for treasure hunting and said to the others, “When we first emerged from Kunlun Mountain, we hadn’t yet cataloged all its spiritual treasures before suffering the tribulation of the Dragon-Han War, which scattered the Three Pure Ones. Now, upon returning, I sense a faint energy on Kunlun Mountain that seems to beckon me, yet whenever I try to pursue it, it vanishes without a trace.”

His words roused the others, who opened their eyes. Together, they released their primordial energies, casting them into the river of time and space to search for the treasure on Kunlun Mountain. Soon enough, they found it and flew to the spot.

There, in an unremarkable little cave, a single seed of the Primal Chaos Lotus grew—this was the Lotus of Creation, the artifact to prove the Dao for the Three Pure Ones.

When Tongtian went to inspect the lotus, fury seized him and he shouted, “Which thief has done this?”

Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun, surprised, came forward to see. Upon inspection, they too were incensed. The root of the Lotus of Creation had been severed by force; it could no longer grow, and thus a primordial treasure was left in desolation.

It seemed they could only divide the Lotus of Creation. Laozi spoke, “A staff.” At his words, the lotus flower transformed into Laozi’s walking stick. Laozi tapped it lightly, finding it well-suited to his needs.

Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian, understanding what to do, acted in turn. The lotus, sensing it would soon vanish if it did not transform, complied. Following Laozi’s example, Yuanshi Tianzun declared, “A Jade Sceptre.” The lotus root transformed into the Three Treasures Jade Sceptre. Yuanshi, holding it, was delighted to have gained another supreme treasure. Now, when facing the Lady Primordial of West Kunlun, he could pridefully claim, “I have not broken any of the Three Abstinences.” Surely, the goddess would be pleased, Yuanshi thought to himself.

In later ages, Tongtian often envied sword cultivators who could fly on their swords. Controlling a sword with qi not only improved mastery over magical power but also increased combat prowess.

Tongtian approached the lotus, now radiating a divine light, and softly said, “A sword.” The lotus leaf transformed into a sword, which flew into Tongtian’s hand. Looking upon it, he named it, “Qingping Sword.”

Tongtian could not help but recall the saying after the later division of the Three Pure Ones: “Red flower, white root, green lotus leaf—three teachings, one family.”

The three looked at their treasures, satisfied, and exchanged pleased glances before flying off on clouds.

Meanwhile, the Daoist Duobao and Black Ox were at the spot where Tongtian had once lectured, playing with other spiritual beings. Among them, Duobao had already taken human form and thus became the leader of the unformed spirits. Black Ox remained unconcerned with worldly matters, as if nothing could rattle him.

There were still nine hundred years before the Dao Ancestor would begin his teachings, and the Three Pure Ones ceased their cultivation for the time being. Tongtian busied himself instructing his disciple, Duobao. Laozi, with little else to do, concocted elixirs, though he was clumsier than Tongtian had ever been; after thousands of years spent only cultivating magical power, he had yet to temper his restless nature, neglecting the attitude of effortless action.

Since Tongtian had “introduced” the Lady Primordial of West Kunlun, Yuanshi Tianzun became like a bull in rut, constantly finding excuses to visit her cave. The Lady Primordial, too, found her feelings for Yuanshi Tianzun growing uncontrollable and often embroidered gifts for him. Whenever Yuanshi returned with these to the Three Pure Ones’ abode, Tongtian would use his “unique” skills to extract the details of his escapades.

Before crossing over, whenever Tongtian faced hardship, he would drink a little wine to ease his worries, then face his troubles anew the next day with renewed courage.

Tongtian enjoyed dabbling and creating things out of boredom. Lacking the ingredients to brew proper wine, he mixed various immortal dews and spirit springs from different spiritual beings, creating his own unique wine culture. At first, Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun refused to drink it, but unable to resist Tongtian’s coaxing, they eventually indulged.

As for Yuanshi Tianzun, whenever he saw the Lady Primordial, he became tongue-tied, timid and bashful. The Lady Primordial, being a maiden herself, was even more shy, so their encounters were always awkward and veiled, as if separated by a thin layer of mist.

Seeing Yuanshi Tianzun sighing so often, Tongtian asked the reason. Having experienced such things himself, Tongtian gave him a little wine to bolster his courage. Who knows what Yuanshi said, but soon enough, he brought the Lady Primordial to Qilin Cliff to visit Tongtian and Laozi.

Knowing what was happening, Tongtian asked, “Sister, why have you left your cave to visit your little brother’s abode?”

The Lady Primordial answered forthrightly, “Isn’t it just to see you and our elder brother?”

Tongtian teased, “I don’t quite believe that’s the sole reason.”

“Little Lingbao, enough talk—go see if Duobao has finished off your wine,” Yuanshi Tianzun said, helping the Lady Primordial out of the awkwardness.

Tongtian grinned, “He wouldn’t dare! Still, I’d better go check. Those two rascals are never to be trusted.” Winking at Yuanshi Tianzun, he left the cave.

That night, Qilin Cliff was awash with light—the Three Pure Ones were thoroughly drunk, forgetting all about their status as the true heirs of Pangu, and engaged in riotous merrymaking.