Yuanshi Generously Guides Ran Deng, Duobao Visits!

Ran Deng Daoist was born from the transformation of the innate Spirit Coffin, and his accompanying spiritual treasures were the Cosmos Ruler and the Spirit Coffin Lamp, both Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasures.

His innate talent and foundation, among the three thousand Red Dust Guests of the Purple Cloud Palace back then, were second only to the Six Saints.

He was absolutely on par with Nether River Daoist and the great immortal Zhenyuanzi.

On ordinary days, their relationship was merely that of nodding acquaintances.

Now, for the other party to take the initiative to visit, it seemed there was a matter at hand.

Yuanshi pondered this as he warmly invited Ran Deng to take a seat within the Jade Void Palace.

It so happened that the Diary was stored right at his fingertips.

He casually put the Diary away, but unexpectedly, Ran Deng wore a look of obvious confusion.

This expression was noticed by Yuanshi, and a secret delight stirred within him.

"Could it be... that only I can see the Diary, and he cannot see it at all?"

If that were truly the case, then there was no need to be so secretive.

Yuanshi sat upon his Prayer Mat, quietly brewing and pouring tea, not taking the initiative to speak.

In the end, it was Ran Deng, who seemed somewhat ill at ease, that broke the silence.

"Daoist, since we parted ways back then, your realm has deepened considerably."

Yuanshi poured tea and said with a light laugh.

"After attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint, it's mainly about the word 'comprehension.' As I see it now, Daoist being at the mid-stage Quasi-Sage is... also not bad."

He had just noticed that the other party was merely at the mid-stage Quasi-Sage.

Thinking back to the Red Dust Guests of the Purple Cloud Palace in those days, figures like Dijun and Nether River—which of them wasn't at the peak of Quasi-Sage?

Ran Deng's cultivation level forced Yuanshi to swallow the words "rapid progress" back down.

By the time his words fell, Ran Deng wore a bitter smile.

"Not afraid to make a fool of myself before you, Daoist, it seems I've gone astray in my cultivation path. I'm stuck at the mid-stage Quasi-Sage, unable to advance an inch to this day."

"Thus, I've boldly come to Kunlun Mountain with a thick face... to ask you, Daoist, to take me in as your..."

The word "disciple" had not yet left his mouth.

Yuanshi quickly raised his hand to stop him.

"Daoist, hold on for a moment. This Daoist suddenly has some urgent matters."

He already knew Ran Deng's intention in coming, and was quite pleased inside.

After all, for a contemporary Quasi-Sage to willingly bow and call him master—how much face would that bring if word got out?

But with the precedent of the four rebellious disciples, Yellow Dragon and Ju Liusun, still fresh in mind.

Yuanshi had to be cautious, cautious, and then cautious again.

He began reading the Diary right in front of Ran Deng, hoping his good Junior Martial Nephew had written something.

This move, however, left Ran Deng utterly bewildered.

Bro, seriously... could this be the cultivation method of a Saint?

I feel like he needs help more than I do.

[Just now, a Daoist came to visit Second Martial Uncle, introducing himself as Ran Deng. Ran Deng, huh, a pretty impressive innate God and Devil, but joining the Exposition Sect isn't a wise move.]

[After all, the Exposition Sect and his Dao aren't the same. Later on, he'll end up joining the Western Sect and falling out with Second Martial Uncle anyway. Might as well join the Western Sect and get it over with.]

Yuanshi's eyes suddenly lit up as he carefully pondered the Great Dao that Ran Deng cultivated.

Born from the transformation of the innate Spirit Coffin, he inherently carried yin energy and the aura of decay—it truly did align somewhat with the Western Sect's cultivation methods.

Still, he couldn't help but complain inwardly.

"Why is it that my Exposition Sect is full of defectors, and they all end up joining the Western Sect? We're practically a talent reserve for the Western Sect!"

By the time Yuanshi came back to his senses, he already wore a faint smile and spoke softly.

"Daoist, This Daoist already knows the purpose of your visit."

"Huh? I haven't even said it yet. How do you know, Daoist?"

"It's nothing more than wanting to join the Exposition Sect and take This Daoist as your master."

"You really do know!"

"But in the end, it's not suitable. Daoist is of the same generation as This Daoist; please don't lower your status like this."

At these words, Ran Deng's expression turned quite despondent. He sighed and said.

"I've troubled you, Daoist. I was rather abrupt. I've truly been plagued by this problem."

"Since that's the case, This Daoist will take his leave now. Thank you for your hospitality, Daoist."

Having said that, Ran Deng was about to leave when Yuanshi called out to stop him.

"Daoist, wait a moment. The Great Dao you cultivate is completely different from This Daoist's. If you are truly still troubled to this day, why not try joining the Western Sect?"

"Look closely—the path cultivated by the Two Sages of the West seems to align with your own Dao."

Ran Deng stood frozen, sinking into deep contemplation for a long moment, until light gradually kindled in his eyes.

He bowed to Yuanshi with fervent reverence.

"Many thanks for pointing the way, Fellow Daoist. You are truly... generous!"

To willingly let the Exposition Sect lose the combat power of a quasi-saint, and to speak of the benefits without counting the cost—this was a gift worthy of such a grand salute!

A deeply gratified smile spread across Yuanshi's face.

This feeling of being revered—it was just too cool!

"The Exposition Sect is not your destined home, Fellow Daoist. How could I hinder your future?"

Ran Deng's heart swelled with gratitude once more, and he nodded heavily in reply.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist. Should you ever have need of me in the days to come, This Daoist will gladly brave fire and water, and never refuse!"

With that, Ran Deng hurriedly departed Kunlun Mountain, heading straight for the Western Sect.

At the same time, two divine senses swiftly withdrew from the Jade Void Palace.

Within the Eight Scenery Palace, Laozi set down the Diary in his hand and sighed.

"At least my second brother didn't take this Ran Deng into the Exposition Sect, delaying himself and hindering another's cultivation. It seems my second brother has grown quite a bit."

Within the Jade Azure Palace, Tongtian withdrew the Four Swords of Immortal Execution into his primordial spirit to continue nurturing them, and let out a cold snort.

"Damn it, if my second brother had insisted on keeping that Zhun Ti's man..."

"I'd have charged straight into the Jade Void Palace with the Four Swords of Immortal Execution and slain this traitor ahead of time!"

"A brute? Even a brute has his merits!"

"(`へ´)ノ!"

Within the Celestial Abode, scorching spiritual energy coalesced into rolling magma that churned and flowed!

A thunderous roar erupted as the true fire hidden in the earth's veins burst straight through the rock layers!

The Primordial Chaos Fire Seed leaped without cease, and a finger formed the phantom of Pangu wielding the Heaven-Opening Axe!

Two supreme auras intermingled, then poured ceaselessly into Li Yuan's body!

Boom—!!!

Li Yuan's radiating pressure climbed step by step, breaking through to the Mystic Immortal Realm in an instant.

The moment he opened his eyes, it seemed a Primordial Chaos Fire Seed danced within his pupils.

"Hah..."

He let out a long breath of turbid qi. The mana within his body was abundant, like boiling magma surging through his limbs and meridians.

Raising his hand, he could condense the Primordial Chaos Divine Fire, exuding waves of overwhelming pressure.

"As expected of the Pangu Physique. Breaking through to the Mystic Immortal Realm took so little time."

Before Li Yuan could settle his mind, Duobao's voice suddenly rang out from outside the door.

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, are you there? It's your junior brother, Duobao."

Boom—!!!

The stone door swung wide open. Li Yuan asked, "Junior Brother, what brings you here?"

"I was thinking you haven't visited the Interception Sect's dojo yet. Now there are plenty of Interception Sect disciples—I figured I'd take you there to get acquainted... Senior Brother, you broke through to the Mystic Immortal Realm?!"

This speed of breakthrough was a bit monstrous, wasn't it?!

Li Yuan smiled in reply. "Of course. I was just thinking the same."

With that, Duobao led Li Yuan straight toward the Interception Sect's dojo.

Tongtian, watching from the shadows, gave a slight nod and threw his head back in a satisfied laugh.

"Hahahaha! With the Exposition Sect's lesson as a warning, This Daoist naturally has to stay alert."

"My eldest and second brothers always say I'm naive, but I'm not naive at all—I'm sharp as can be!"

(If you can't find the book title, try searching by the author's name—maybe it's just been renamed!)