The seven displayed their divine skills, and the seven gourds flew into their hands on their own. Curiously, without any communication, they tacitly secured the gourds each preferred.
Laozi took the Purple Gourd and refined it into the famous Purple Gold Red Gourd of later ages. Primordial Venerable chose the Blue Skin Gourd, which could nurture all the treasures in the world and elevate their abilities. Tongtian obtained the Azure Gourd, capturing two Water and Fire Qilin within it to craft the Water and Fire Gourd.
Hongyun selected the Red Skin Gourd and inserted Innate Cloth into it, refining the Nine-nine Soul Scattering Gourd. Taiyi chose the Yellow Gourd, using it to gather countless Life Souls to create the Sealing God Spiritual Treasure, Immortal Slaying Flying Saber. Nuwa took the Orange Gourd, which she refined into the Evil Summoning Banner that, when waved, could summon all demons of the world.
Naturally, the Black Gourd fell into the hands of Li Qingming. Intrigued by the unexpected appearance of the Black Gourd, Li Qingming was quite curious. By probing into it with his Primordial Spirit, he discovered that it was muddily chaotic within and formed a space of its own. Thick Spiritual Energy storms raged throughout this space, violently sweeping across its entirety.
Li Qingming inhaled sharply: "Tsk... It seems that this seventh Black Gourd is the finest among the seven gourds!" With a hint of guilty conscience, he glanced at the others and saw that they were all immersed in the joy of acquiring their Spiritual Treasure; he breathed a sigh of relief and muttered to himself: "From now on, you shall be the Qiankun Gourd, containing the Qiankun within, capturing souls and seizing spirits!"
With the Treasure Gourds in hand, everyone naturally felt delighted.
As the famously kind elder of later times, Hongyun smiled and said to the other six: "This place is very near to my Fire Cloud Cave. Within my cave dwells a Postnatal Spirit Root called 'Fire Dragon Fruit', which has just ripened a few days ago. Meeting fellow daoists today must be fate. Why don't we sit in my cave for a while and mutually validate our understandings of the Dao? May I know your thoughts on this?"
As the junior, Li Qingming was not in a position to decide, thus he turned his gaze to Laozi. With The Three Pure Ones as one, and having just acquired treasures, Laozi was very happy and naturally nodded in agreement.
Nuwa, intent on returning to her abode to refine her treasure gourd, reluctantly agreed to Red Cloud's enthusiastic invitation. As for Taiyi, he coldly nodded without saying a word.
With Hongyun laughing heartily and leading the way, the six followed at an unhurried pace.
Fire Cloud Cave was located northeast of Mount Buzhou, hidden within a secretive valley. This valley featured peculiar peaks, surrounded by swirling Colorful Clouds, lush trees, and babbling brooks. Monkeys called, and birds and beasts frolicked... truly, it was a Holy Land for immortals. It wasn't long before the group arrived at the entrance of Fire Cloud Cave.
Judging by its appearance, Fire Cloud Cave was a natural stone cave, with a large rock at its entrance carved with three crimson Tao Runes, "Fire Cloud Cave"! The entrance was not wide, but inside it expanded into a spacious area. The cave ceiling stood around thirty meters above the ground, paved with Red Luminous Stones, the walls smooth and embedded with Luminous Pearls as large as fists, illuminating the entire grotto as bright as day.
Hongyun casually pointed at the ground, and a short stone table with several cushions appeared out of nowhere. Fruits were placed on the table, and Hongyun chuckled: "Please wait a moment, fellow daoists. I will fetch some 'Fire Dragon Fruits'." Having said that, he turned and entered the deeper part of the cave.
In the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Hongyun returned with a dozen fruits that were red as fire and the size of melons. With a flick of his hand, those fruits flew towards the table.
"Hehe, these are 'Fire Dragon Fruits.' Although not Innate Spirit Roots, consuming one can replace the cultivation of ten thousand years. Please, have a taste!" Hongyun patted his round belly, saying with a laugh.
Laozi then clasped his hands together, introducing: "We three brothers are Kunlun cultivators. I am Laozi, known as the Taiching Taoist."
"I am Primordial, known as Yuqing Daoist! This is my disciple, Qingmingzi," Primordial Venerable bowed slightly, pointing at Li Qingming.
"I am Tongtian, known as Shangqing Daoist!" Tongtian too gave his salutations.
"I am Nuwa; pleased to meet you all," said Nuwa, rising and curtseying.
"I am Taiyi!" Taiyi maintained his cool demeanor.
Hongyun burst into hearty laughter, then continued: "Hahaha, I am Hongyun. I'm very pleased to meet all the fellow daoists today. Now, let's discuss the Dao together, shall we?"
Everyone replied: "Good!"
Laozi was the first to speak: "The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. 'Wu' is the beginning of Primordial Chaos; 'You' is the mother of all things. Therefore, always without desire, to observe its wonder; always with desire, to observe its manifestations..."
Primordial then spoke: "To expound is to illuminate. To establish the Heavenly Dao, is it not suitable to follow the Dao..."
Tongtian, without hesitation, blurted out: "To sever is the way of killing, the calamity of breaking..."
A flash of golden light crossed Taiyi's indifferent eyes: "The way of being the emperor, to control Primordial Chaos and instruct the populace..."
Nuwa softly opened her lips: "I've heard that Pangu transformed his body into all things. Only the word 'creation' is to be followed..."
Hongyun said: "Hearing past ways, thus I wander in the world, not understanding one place, its depth seems not to be..."
Li Qingming, knowing his own limitations, did not speak, but listened quietly. He silently pondered: "Laozi's Dao is about moderation and non-action; Primordial Venerable's Dao emphasizes compliance with Heaven's Will; Tongtian's Dao is about command and slaughter; Taiyi's Dao is the imperial way; Nuwa's Dao is about creation; Hongyun's Dao is the way of freedom."
Hearing these various ways, Li Qingming's mind was in turmoil. These were the ways of others; the way he comprehended was his own, "Where is my Dao!"