Chapter 1 begins with that legend

The emergence and evolution of the Three Pure Ones, revered deities in Taoism, clearly demonstrate that it is not the divine that created humanity, but rather humanity that created the divine. The existence of deities arises from human beings, which is an irrefutable truth. Therefore, it can be said that entities such as ghosts and gods exist only if believed in; their existence is a matter of the heart.

Huang San hesitated slightly, looking at his master, who appeared to be under sixty years of age, and after a moment of thought, said: "Master, are you perhaps eighty years old this year"

The person said: "Let us set this topic aside for now. Life, no matter how long, is but a fleeting moment, a flash that quickly disappears. What we do constitutes the value of life; in retrospect, being able to hold our heads high before ourselves and humanity is sufficient. Can you contemplate how to make your choice?"

And that Taoist was the one who presented Huang San with a dilemma regarding love, stating that in order to attain true form, one must first sever emotional ties.

Huang Sanmu stared intently at the figure, who, noticing his seriousness, continued to speak. "Of course, it is very difficult for secular disciples to obtain the true teachings of the Dao, but there are exceptions. However, heaven is unjust; we eliminate demons and uphold the Dao, defending the mortal realm, yet we do not receive true favor. Why is that? Because we have intervened in the realm of spirits and interfered with the cycle of reincarnation"

It was a very chilly evening. Why is it described as chilly? Because that night there was no moonlight, only howling winds, and the sound of the wind outside was like the angry roar of a wild wolf. At that moment, Lin Tian was sitting cross-legged on the kang, listening to his grandmother tell stories. Just as Lin Tian was engrossed in the tales, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck down from the sky, appearing from a distance like a white line connecting heaven and earth

As the saying goes: What is most difficult for a person to let go of is not life and death, but the sentiment of love. A person without feelings finds it hard to be human, just as a beast without desires cannot become a true male.

Lingbao Tianzun appears in the Taoist pantheon later than Yuanshi Tianzun, emerging during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. It is said to have been transformed from the primordial chaos of the Xuanhuang Qi. It is also referred to as Taishang Daojun, and it follows the laws of fate and the principles of the Dao.

Lin Tian's grandmother's kind face showed a hint of melancholy, and she sighed heavily before saying, "That was ten years ago, back when you weren't even born..."

At the time of liberation, people across the country shouted to overthrow the evil spirits and eradicate feudal superstitions. Those Taoists, unable to make a living, dispersed to engage in various trades, and the one before us had turned to commerce. This Taoist, using some unknown method, quickly subdued a group of ruffians. However, he stared wide-eyed at Huang San, who was rolling on the ground in pain, his expression revealing not anger but surprise, mixed with a hint of delight.

Lin Tian's grandmother smiled gently and said, "Child, would you like to hear a story about your uncle?"

Huang San quickly knelt on the ground, excitedly calling out to his master. However, at that moment, he did not know that this person was a Taoist priest. What he did not expect was that this act of apprenticeship would completely lead him down a path different from others. After becoming a disciple, Huang San learned that this person was indeed a Taoist priest, a genuine disciple of the Three Purities. Yet, it was too late for regrets; if he were to go back on his word, he might end up being eliminated by this Taoist priest, leaving him with no choice but to resign himself to fate. However, upon further reflection, being a disciple of a Taoist priest was not so bad; at least there were no troublesome taboos like those associated with monks. Yet, it was still too late for regrets; if he were to go back on his word, he might end up being eliminated by this Taoist priest, leaving him with no choice but to resign himself to fate. However, upon further reflection, being a disciple of a Taoist priest was not so bad; at least there were no troublesome taboos like those associated with monks.

The three highest celestial deities refer to: "Yuqing Realm's Qingwei Heavenly Primordial Supreme Deity, Shangqing Realm's Yuyu Heavenly Lingbao Supreme Deity, and Taiqing Realm's Dachitian Taoist Virtue Supreme Deity"

The person said, looking deeply once more, "Can you guess my birthday this year?"

The Moral Celestial Venerable, also known as Laozi, is referred to as Taishang Laojun. To establish the hierarchical sequence of the Three Pure Ones, it is said that he was transformed from the primordial essence of the dark, tranquil, and mysterious. In fact, since the founding of Daoism, Laozi has been revered as the leader of the teachings, and it is said that he resides in the Five Capitals as the ancestor of the divine kings; below, he is in the Purple Tenuity, as the lord of the flying immortals, becoming the Supreme Celestial Deity, and often manifests in different forms, existing in every realm. However, among the Three Pure Ones, his status is the lowest, which evidently does not align with the beliefs of all Daoists. Therefore, later on, the notion of Laozi transforming into the Three Pure Ones emerged. In fact, since the founding of Daoism, Laozi has been revered as the leader of the teachings, and it is said that he resides in the Five Capitals as the ancestor of the divine kings; below, he is in the Purple Tenuity, as the lord of the flying immortals, becoming the Supreme Celestial Deity, and often manifests in different forms, existing in every realm. However, among the Three Pure Ones, his status is the lowest, which evidently does not align with the beliefs of all Daoists. Therefore, later on, the notion of Laozi transforming into the Three Pure Ones emerged.

The Taoist said to Huang San: "If you wish to enter the inner circle, it will inevitably lead to a life of solitude, without a wife or children, devoid of familial joy. This is a common affliction among practitioners; many who pursue the path find themselves trapped at this juncture, struggling to achieve greatness and becoming lay disciples."

The person saw that Huang San had decided to inherit the Dao lineage and joyfully said: "Good, you are a person with innate wisdom, and your future achievements will surely surpass those of your teacher. Tonight, I will open your wisdom eye. It just so happens that the situation has been unstable recently, and since you have been studying for two years, it is time for you to test your accomplishments"

At that time, Huang San was still young and began to feel afraid, pleading for mercy from the Taoist priest. The Taoist then threw Huang San to the ground and said something that left him dumbfounded: "If you take me as your master, I will let you go"

Here, I would like to briefly explain the "Three Pure Ones" that our ancestors revered. The Three Pure Ones is a collective term in Taoism for the three highest deities that are worshipped.

The terms Yuqing Realm, Shangqing Realm, and Taiqing Realm refer to different celestial abodes, while Qingwei Heaven, Yuyu Heaven, and Dachitian Heaven denote divisions of the heavenly realms. The title "Tianzun" signifies the supreme being of the ultimate path, the utmost and the highest, hence the name Tianzun. The Yuanshi Tianzun first appeared in the Daoist pantheon during the Jin Dynasty. It is said to have been born from the azure energy of the Chihun Cave's Taiji Wuyuan. Whenever the cycle of calamities comes to an end and the heavens and earth are newly opened, he emerges to impart secret teachings and guide beings through tribulations.

Returning to the main text, after Huang San became a disciple, he traveled with this Taoist priest to various places, engaging in small-scale business while continuously learning various Taoist arts, talismans, and so forth. Naturally, physical training was also indispensable; every day, in addition to all the laborious tasks being handled by Huang San, he had to engage in a significant amount of exercise to enhance his physical constitution. Each day, Huang San was exhausted, but the results were evident as his frail body became more robust.

Because Lin Tian was still young at that time, he was filled with curiosity about everything in his childhood. Upon seeing his grandmother sigh, he couldn't help but ask, "What debt, Grandma?"

Here, I would like to explain the concept of the "Huiyan". Huiyan, also known as the "Heavenly Eye" or the "Yin-Yang Eye", refers to the ability possessed by certain individuals to perceive the duality of existence, allowing them to see spirits by nature.

Upon seeing the situation, Huang San sensed that things were not looking good. Ignoring his pain, he shouted for help with all his might. However, the local ruffians had long been a source of suffering for the villagers, who not only refused to help but also cheered them on. This infuriated Huang San, but he was powerless to change the situation and could only curse loudly.

At this point, the Taoist let out a slight sigh and continued, "It is precisely because of this that our lives are filled with imperfections, yet Heaven has also granted us compensation. For those of us who cultivate the Tao, we possess exceptionally long lifespans. Even a century later, we can serve as a ghostly official in the underworld, accumulating virtue and goodness, and benefiting those who come after us"

However, this keen insight is open during childhood, but as one grows older, it automatically closes. If one wishes to reopen it, specific methods must be employed. Those who are naturally endowed with this insight, once it is opened, will permanently engage with spirits, commonly referred to as yin-yang individuals. Even if you deliberately avoid those unclean entities, they will seek you out automatically. This is because you can see them; as the saying goes, what should not occur between humans and spirits can indeed happen. If not you, then who else would they seek? Therefore, those with divine insight are either exceptionally powerful in their abilities or have reincarnated from the realm of spirits.

At that moment, Lin Tian joyfully exclaimed: I want to hear, I want to hear!

Huang Sanzhen exclaimed: "How could I have thought that Master was at least sixty years old, and with my additional twenty years, it turns out you have already reached a hundred years."

There are many folk legends, especially in rural areas. It must be said that in this technologically advanced modern era, trust in science has far surpassed belief in the supernatural. However, there are still some phenomena that science cannot explain. Here, I would like to say one thing: belief brings existence, disbelief brings non-existence; the supernatural is born from the heart. Now, I will recount a folk legend, a legend that exists in modern times, which is the story of the Heavenly One. This legend has profoundly influenced my life, even my destiny. My name is Lin Tian, and I am a descendant of the Maoshan sect. Now, I will recount a folk legend, a legend that exists in modern times, which is the story of the Heavenly One. This legend has profoundly influenced my life, even my destiny. My name is Lin Tian, and I am a descendant of the Maoshan sect

The sudden flash of lightning instantly illuminated the world, startling Lin Tian. The old man, however, let out a faint sigh and muttered, "Heaven is unjust! It has been ten years; is this debt not yet settled?"

Returning to the main topic, that person saw Huang San as a naturally gifted individual, and had long contemplated passing on his teachings to him. Originally, the contemporary Daoist arts had declined, but now with the emergence of such a talented disciple, transmitting the Daoist teachings to him would surely promote and elevate the Daoist arts, eliminate evil, uphold the Dao, and benefit the common people. In the future, after his own ascension in a hundred years, he could also face his ancestral master with a smile.

The Taoist was quite decisive, actually dragging Huang San away in front of everyone; rather than saying he was dragging him, it would be more accurate to say he was merely holding him up.

Time passed little by little, and in the blink of an eye, five years had gone by. That Taoist priest finally helped Huang San put an end to his hellish existence. Of course, daily exercise was still necessary, though it had been reduced. One morning, the Taoist called Huang San into the room and asked him a question, presenting him with a choice. It was this choice that set Huang San on an irreversible path.

Huang San took a deep breath, repeatedly contemplating in his heart. Finally, his gaze sharpened as he said: "I am willing to inherit my master's teachings"

Huang San was dragged into the woods, and he thought to himself: Is this person going to kill me?

The Taoist did not buy into this at all, dragging Huang San away. There happened to be a small grove ahead, and the Taoist pulled Huang San into the woods. The villagers, seeing Huang San being dragged by the Taoist towards the distant grove, also consciously dispersed, with not a single person following to watch the commotion

Huang San was immediately dumbfounded upon hearing this, thinking to himself: This person is so impressive, it wouldn't be bad to take him as a master! If I learn martial arts well, I could roam the world freely.

Lin Tian's uncle is named Huang San, also known as Huang San Ye. Huang San was willful from a young age. At the age of nineteen, after a quarrel with his parents, he left home in a fit of anger. At that time, Huang San was still young, and the country had just been liberated, with a scene of reconstruction everywhere. People struggled with basic needs, and after leaving home, Huang San wandered into a big city. Due to his lack of skills and having been overly indulged by his parents, he developed a tendency to be lazy and enjoy good food without working for it. Because of this, when he arrived in the city to work as a helper, he did not take his job seriously, spending his days idling around. He was soon dismissed by his boss after only a few days of work. Later, he became acquainted with a group of delinquents and began to follow them in bullying merchants who came from other places. On one occasion, they robbed a passing merchant, who turned out not only to be a merchant but also a Taoist priest.

It is unclear where that Taoist obtained the strength to step forward and lift Huang San with one hand, his eyes darting around as he continuously muttered: "Indeed, it is a natural gift of insight!"

That person laughed heartily and slightly nodded, saying: "This year marks my hundredth birthday, having just celebrated my centenary."