Daoist Ran Deng was transformed from a primordial spirit coffin, and his accompanying spiritual treasures, the Cosmos Ruler and Spirit Coffin Lamp, were both Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasures.
Among the three thousand Red Dust Guests of Purple Cloud Palace in those days, his innate talent and foundation were second only to the Six Saints.
He was absolutely on par with Nether River Daoist and Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi.
Ordinarily, they were merely acquaintances who exchanged nods in greeting.
Now that Ran Deng had taken the initiative to visit, he must have had some business.
As Yuanshi pondered this, he warmly invited Ran Deng to take a seat within Jade Void Palace.
The Diary happened to be stored at his side.
He casually put the Diary away, only to see a clear look of confusion on Ran Deng's face.
Yuanshi noticed the expression and secretly rejoiced.
Could it be... that only I can see the Diary, and he cannot see it at all? If that were the case, there would be no need to hide it so carefully.
Yuanshi sat upon his prayer mat, calmly brewing and pouring tea without taking the initiative to speak.
In the end, it was Ran Deng, who seemed somewhat uneasy, who broke the silence.
"After we parted last time, Daoist Friend, your realm has grown much more profound."
Yuanshi poured him some tea and chuckled.
"After attaining sainthood, the key lies in enlightenment. From the looks of it, Daoist Friend has reached the middle stage of Quasi-Sage as well... that is... not bad."
Only then did he realize that Ran Deng was merely at the middle stage of Quasi-Sage.
Among the Red Dust Guests of Purple Cloud Palace back then, people such as Dijun and Nether River had all reached the peak of Quasi-Sage.
Ran Deng's cultivation forcibly made Yuanshi swallow the words "remarkably rapid progress."
After Yuanshi finished speaking, Ran Deng wore a bitter smile.
"I am not afraid of Daoist Friend's ridicule, but it seems I have gone astray in my cultivation. I have been stuck at the middle stage of Quasi-Sage and have not advanced an inch."
"Thus, I boldly came to Kunlun Mountain with a thick skin... to ask Daoist Friend to accept me as..."
Before he could say the word "disciple," Yuanshi hurriedly raised a hand to interrupt him.
"Daoist Friend, please hold on. This Daoist suddenly has an urgent matter to attend to."
He had already understood Ran Deng's intention, and he was quite delighted inwardly.
After all, a Quasi-Sage of the same generation wanted to take him as a master. How prestigious would that sound?
But with the four-man traitor group of Yellow Dragon and Ju Liusun as precedent, Yuanshi had no choice but to be cautious, cautious, and then even more cautious.
Right in front of Ran Deng, he began reading the Diary, hoping his good junior martial nephew had written something.
This left Ran Deng utterly baffled.
What the hell... Is this how Saints cultivate? Why do I feel like he needs more help than I do?
A Daoist came to visit Second Martial Uncle just now. He introduced himself as Ran Deng. Ran Deng, huh? He is quite an impressive primordial divine demon, but joining the Exposition Sect would not be a wise choice.
After all, the Exposition Sect's Dao differs from his. Later, he would join the Western Sect and become hostile to Second Martial Uncle. He might as well join the Western Sect from the start and get it over with.
Yuanshi's eyes immediately lit up as he carefully considered Ran Deng's Great Dao.
Ran Deng had transformed from a primordial spirit coffin and naturally carried yin energy and an aura of decay. It truly did somewhat align with the cultivation methods of the Western Sect.
Yet Yuanshi still complained inwardly.
"Why is my Exposition Sect full of people who betray the sect, and all of them join the Western Sect? We are practically the Western Sect's talent reserve!"
When Yuanshi came back to his senses, he was already smiling as he spoke softly.
"This Daoist already knows Daoist Friend's purpose."
"Huh? I have not even said it yet. How does Daoist Friend know?"
"You merely wish to join the Exposition Sect and take This Daoist as your master."
"You really do know!"
"But in the end, it would not be suitable. Daoist Friend is of the same generation as This Daoist, so do not lower your own status like this."
At those words, Ran Deng looked rather despondent and sighed.
"I have disturbed Daoist Friend. This Daoist was indeed too presumptuous. It truly has troubled me beyond endurance."
"Since that is the case, This Daoist shall take his leave first. Thank you for Daoist Friend's hospitality."
Having said that, Ran Deng was about to leave when Yuanshi called out to him.
"Wait a moment, Daoist Friend. The Great Dao you cultivate is entirely different from This Daoist's. If Daoist Friend has truly been troubled all this time, why not try joining the Western Sect?"
"Take a closer look. The Dao cultivated by the Two Sages of the West seems to be compatible with yours."
Ran Deng stood rooted to the spot and pondered carefully for a moment. Light gradually appeared in his eyes.
Excitedly, he respectfully bowed to Yuanshi.
"Thank you, Daoist Friend, for pointing out the right path. Daoist Friend truly is... generous!"
Rather than letting the Exposition Sect lose a Quasi-Sage combatant, Yuanshi had been willing to disregard gains and losses and tell him of this benefit. He deserved such a grand bow!
An exceedingly pleased smile appeared on Yuanshi's face.
This feeling of being respected was simply too awesome!
"The Exposition Sect is not Daoist Friend's destination. How could This Daoist delay Daoist Friend's future?"
Ran Deng was once again filled with gratitude and nodded heavily in reply.
"Thank you, Daoist Friend. Should Daoist Friend ever need anything in the future, This Daoist will charge through fire and water without hesitation!"
With that, Ran Deng hurriedly departed Kunlun Mountain and headed straight for the Western Sect.
At the same time, two streams of divine sense swiftly departed Jade Void Palace.
Within Eight Scenery Palace, Laozi set down the Diary in his hand and sighed.
"Fortunately, Second Brother did not accept Ran Deng into the Exposition Sect. Not only would it have delayed himself, it would have delayed another's cultivation as well. It seems Second Brother has matured quite a bit."
Within Jade Azure Palace, Tongtian stored the Four Swords of Immortal Execution within his primordial spirit to continue nurturing them, then snorted coldly.
"Damn it, if Second Brother had insisted on keeping that Zhun Ti... I would have taken the Four Swords of Immortal Execution straight into Jade Void Palace and slain that traitor in advance!"
"A brute? Brutes have their advantages too!"
"(`へ´)ノ!"
Within Celestial Abode, scorching spiritual energy condensed into rivers of blazing magma!
A roar suddenly erupted, and the true fire contained within the earth veins burst straight through the rock strata!
The Primordial Chaos Fire Seed leaped incessantly, while two fingers formed the phantom of Pangu wielding the Heaven-Opening Axe!
The two supreme auras intertwined, continuously pouring into Li Yuan's body!
Boom—!!!
The pressure Li Yuan emitted rose steadily, breaking through the Mystic Immortal Realm in an instant.
The moment he opened his eyes, the Primordial Chaos Fire Seed seemed to dance within his pupils!
"Whew..."
He exhaled a breath of turbid air. The dharma power within him was brimming, like boiling magma flowing through his limbs and meridians.
With a mere lift of his hand, he could condense Primordial Chaos Divine Fire, radiating wave after wave of overwhelming pressure.
"As expected of the Pangu Physique. The time needed to break through to Mystic Immortal was actually this brief."
Before Li Yuan could settle his mind, Duobao's voice suddenly rang out from beyond the door.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, are you there? It's your junior brother Duobao!"
Boom—!!!
The stone door swung open, and Li Yuan asked, "What brings you here, Junior Brother?"
"I was thinking Senior Brother has not yet visited the Interception Sect's grounds. There are many disciples in the Interception Sect now, so I had to take Senior Brother around to get acquainted... Senior Brother broke through to Mystic Immortal?!"
Wasn't this breakthrough speed a little too monstrous?!
Li Yuan replied with a smile.
"Of course. I was just thinking the same thing."
With that, Duobao led Li Yuan straight toward the Interception Sect's grounds.
Tongtian, who had been secretly watching, nodded slightly and threw back his head in satisfied laughter.
"Hahaha, with the Exposition Sect's example before me, I must naturally remain vigilant. Eldest Brother and Second Brother often say I am naive, but I am not naive at all. I am smart as hell!"
Before you continue