Methods of Attaining Sainthood

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears hurriedly said, "Senior Disciple Brother, what should we do now?"

Wisdom gleamed in Duobao's eyes as he said, "Bai Jin's actions proved that the Saint Path is not always something profoundly mysterious. If he could indirectly help Nuwa attain the Dao, why can't we? We can also devise methods for attaining sainthood."

Qiu Shou Xian asked doubtfully, "Senior Disciple Brother, what do you mean?"

Duobao said confidently, "We help our master and martial uncles find the key to attaining sainthood. As long as we can help them attain the Dao, Bai Jin will be completely suppressed by us."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, Qiu Shou Xian, and Ling Ya Xian all brightened. Brilliant! Senior Disciple Brother made sense.

Duobao said solemnly, "Start thinking now! We must figure out the Great Dao paths for Master and Martial Uncle before Bai Jin does. We cannot let him bask in the glory of Master and Martial Uncle attaining the Dao again."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, Qiu Shou Xian, and Ling Ya Xian all replied respectfully, "Yes!"

The three immediately closed their eyes. Duobao waited quietly. Ever since returning yesterday, he had been considering how his master and martial uncle could attain the Dao. He already had a rough idea, and he had called them here to conduct an initial test of his thoughts.

After a long while, Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears suddenly opened his eyes and said joyfully, "Senior Disciple Brother, I have thought of First Martial Uncle's path to attaining the Dao."

Duobao hurriedly said, "Speak."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears immediately said, "First Martial Uncle's Dao is the Dao of Taiji. Taiji is the union of yin and yang.

"Yet First Martial Uncle is still alone. A lone yang cannot endure. I think that as long as we find First Martial Uncle a... no, we should find him many Dao companions, then First Martial Uncle's Dao will be complete."

Duobao's face darkened as he rebuked, "Shut up!"

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears immediately fell silent in embarrassment. I think I made perfect sense!

Ling Ya Xian immediately said excitedly, "I thought of something too."

Duobao nodded and said, "You speak."

Ling Ya Xian said excitedly, "Master and Martial Uncle should join forces to occupy the Demon Court, attack the Wu Clan, subdue the myriad races of the primordial world, and gather the primordial world's providence upon themselves. Then they can naturally charge into the Saint realm."

Duobao shook his head and said, "No!"

Qiu Shou Xian suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility. He swallowed and said somewhat fearfully, "I once heard that First Martial Uncle cultivates the Dao of detachment. Could it be that he needs to kill our master and Second Martial Uncle, completely sever his emotions and desires, and then attain the Dao?"

Duobao said irritably, "Nonsense! The Heavenly Dao is emotionless, yet benefits all living beings. First Martial Uncle's Dao is supreme goodness like water; water benefits all things without contention."

The three shook their heads, their expressions grave. How were they supposed to help their master and martial uncle attain the Dao?

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears said ingratiatingly, "Senior Disciple Brother, we are dull-witted and have no good ideas for now. Please give us some direction."

Duobao said, "Empress Nuwa comprehended the Dao of Creation and created a race called the Human Race. She gained Heaven and Earth's recognition, received merit, and thus became a Saint."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed excitedly, "That's right! Empress Nuwa created an entirely new race and gained Heaven and Earth's recognition, becoming a Saint. Why can't Master and Martial Uncle do the same?!"

Ling Ya Xian asked doubtfully, "Could it be that Master and Martial Uncle must also create a new race?"

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears said crossly, "Their Daos are different. Why would they still create races? They should create something else."

Duobao nodded in satisfaction. They had finally touched on the key point. "Think carefully."

The three closed their eyes in contemplation. Whenever they came up with an idea, they brought it out for discussion. A day and a night passed, and by the next morning, the four were still seated in the valley.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears cried out excitedly, "A great pill! First Martial Uncle should use Heaven and Earth as a furnace, all living beings as fuel, ignite the fire of true spirit, and refine a supreme Saint Pill."

Ling Ya Xian also cried out excitedly, "I thought of one too! Second Martial Uncle should use Heaven and Earth as a furnace, all living beings as fuel, ignite the fire of true spirit, and refine a supreme Saint Artifact."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears glared at Ling Ya Xian and cried unhappily, "You copied me."

Ling Ya Xian raised his head and puffed out his chest proudly. "Not at all. I thought of it myself. You merely said it a moment earlier."

Duobao laughed heartily. "Using Heaven and Earth as a furnace and all living beings as fuel is beyond anyone for now. But the supreme Saint Pill and supreme Saint Artifact coincide perfectly with my own thoughts. First Martial Uncle follows the Dao of pills, Second Martial Uncle follows the Dao of artifacts, and Master should refine a Saint Formation that covers the primordial world. Once Heaven and Earth recognize it, they can become Saints."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, Qiu Shou Xian, and Ling Ya Xian all looked excited. That had to be it! The more they thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. It coincided perfectly with Empress Nuwa creating humanity—there was precedent for this!

A trace of excitement also appeared in Duobao's eyes. Rising to his feet, he said, "I will go pay respects to Master and Martial Uncle at once. Once Master and Martial Uncle attain the Dao, all of you will have rendered great merit. Becoming direct disciples may not be impossible."

Qiu Shou Xian, Ling Ya Xian, and Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears all cupped their hands in salute and cried excitedly, "We dare not claim any credit. It was all thought up by Senior Disciple Brother."

"Ha ha ha!" Daoist Duobao laughed loudly as he drifted away.

Qiu Shou Xian, Ling Ya Xian, and Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears rose to their feet and exchanged looks, their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation. Once their master and martial uncle attained the Dao and they became direct disciples, they would definitely deal properly with Bai Jin. The courage that Bai Jin had once scared out of them now swelled again.

Daoist Duobao rode an Auspicious Cloud and descended before Taiqing Palace. The Three Pure Ones' discussion of the Dao had already ended, and each had returned to his own palace.

Standing before Taiqing Palace, Daoist Duobao suppressed the excitement in his heart. After today, Bai Jin would no longer be able to flaunt himself before me. After today, it would be the time for me, Duobao, to shine across the primordial world.

Duobao respectfully cupped his hands and bowed. "Disciple Duobao requests an audience with First Martial Uncle."

Inside Taiqing Palace, Taishang looked puzzled. Bai Jin had only just left after paying his respects. Why had Duobao come again? He never came to pay respects!

Taishang said, "Come in!"

The palace doors slowly opened to either side.

Duobao stepped into the palace, knelt upon a cushion, and kowtowed. "Disciple Duobao pays respects to First Martial Uncle. May First Martial Uncle soon attain the Saint Dao."

Taishang smiled faintly and said gently, "Duobao, what brings you here?"

Duobao said respectfully, "Reporting to First Martial Uncle, ever since Martial Aunt Nuwa attained the Dao, this disciple has been unable to sleep day or night. I wish to help Martial Uncle and Master attain the Dao as soon as possible."

Taishang said with a soft laugh, "It is rare that you possess such intentions, but attaining the Dao is not a matter that can be accomplished overnight."

Duobao bowed respectfully and said, "This disciple understands the difficulty of attaining the Dao. Yet with Empress Nuwa's sainthood as precedent, there is now a path to follow. After much painstaking thought, this disciple has finally devised a method of attaining the Dao and has come to report it to First Martial Uncle. I ask First Martial Uncle to offer some guidance."

"Oh?" Taishang said with interest. "Go on. Let me hear it."