Duobao Points the Way

Duobao straightened up, his broad body taut, his expression serious, earnest, and full of powerful confidence. He spoke, "First Martial Uncle, this disciple has carefully considered the process of Empress Nuwa's attainment of sainthood. Empress Nuwa achieved sainthood by comprehending the Great Dao of Creation and creating a race, thereby gaining recognition from heaven and earth."

"This disciple wonders, if First Martial Uncle were to refine an unprecedented pill, could it also gain the recognition of heaven and earth, allowing for immediate sainthood? This pill would be called a Saint Pill."

Taishang's smile vanished, and he murmured, "Saint Pill, Saint Pill~"

Regarding the path to sainthood, Taishang, Yuanshi, and Tongtian had always explored the path of the Great Dao. They had never considered alternative methodologies. Now, though their Dao hearts were clear and they had reached the pinnacle of the Great Dao, they were still unable to achieve enlightenment. Perhaps they were missing just such a method. If Junior Sister Nuwa could create humans to demonstrate the Dao to heaven and earth and become a saint, why couldn't he refine a Saint Pill?

Duobao said respectfully, "First Martial Uncle, these are my humble thoughts."

Taishang spoke, "Although it is a shortcut, it is indeed a path to enlightenment. Duobao, you should return first, and let your Martial Uncle ponder this carefully."

Duobao bowed respectfully, "This disciple takes his leave!" He stood up and walked outside.

He walked out of Taiqing Hall, and the grand doors boomed shut behind him, a Taiqing immortal light flashing on their surface, completely sealing off Taiqing Palace.

Duobao suppressed the urge to laugh to the heavens as he rushed out, but the excitement in his eyes could not be concealed. Bai Jin, what you can do, I can do too. You could guide Empress Nuwa to sainthood; I will guide Master and Martial Uncle to sainthood. How will you ever compete with me in the future?!

Duobao stepped on an auspicious cloud and flew towards Yuqing Peak. He landed before Yuqing Palace and, with a cupped-hand salute, said, "Disciple Duobao requests an audience with Second Martial Uncle."

The great doors of Yuqing Palace slowly opened, revealing a bright-eyed, white-toothed attendant standing within.

Bai He the Attendant stepped aside and said with a smile, "Senior Disciple Brother, please come in!"

Duobao nodded amicably and entered the palace. Inside, Yuanshi was seated high on the main seat, his eyes slightly closed, exuding a solemn and majestic aura.

In the past, Duobao was the most reluctant to deal with this Second Martial Uncle, finding him too rigid and serious. But now, Duobao looked at Second Martial Uncle and found him increasingly endearing. We'll be family from now on. What's Bai Jin compared to that?

Duobao walked to a futon, knelt, and bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Martial Uncle."

Yuanshi nodded, his expressionless face asking, "Duobao, for what purpose have you come?"

Duobao replied respectfully, "This disciple comes regarding the matter of enlightenment."

"Enlightenment?"

"After returning from Nuwa Palace, this disciple has been pondering deeply. Empress Nuwa's enlightenment came from comprehending the Great Dao of Creation and creating a race, gaining recognition from heaven and earth to become a saint. Why can't Master and Martial Uncle use this method?"

"Method?" Yuanshi shook his head, a sense of disappointment rising in his heart. He said indifferently, "Our Great Daos are different, how can we tread the same path?"

Duobao straightened his back and said, "Junior Sister Nuwa has already proven that this path can be walked. Why is Martial Uncle unwilling to try?" He hesitated, then added, "The two Martial Uncles in the West will likely also attempt this path. What if they succeed first?"

Yuanshi frowned. He was unwilling to emulate Junior Sister Nuwa, feeling that even if he became a saint, he would be inferior to Nuwa. However, Duobao's words held merit. If those two from the West were to achieve sainthood first by following this path, while the Three Pure Ones, as Pangu's orthodox descendants, remained unable to achieve it, their reputation would be utterly ruined. A sense of urgency immediately arose in his heart.

Yuanshi spoke, "Duobao, what are your thoughts?"

A flicker of joy flashed in Duobao's eyes, and he immediately said, "Martial Uncle's mastery of artifact refining is unparalleled in the Great Desolation. This disciple believes that if Martial Uncle can refine the first Saint Artifact since the creation of heaven and earth, he can surely achieve sainthood through it."

"Saint Artifact!" Yuanshi murmured. Thoughts raced through his mind. Refining an artifact by combining the Primordial Violet Qi with the foundation of his Great Dao, fusing them into one. When the artifact is formed, the saintly position would also be attained. It might not be impossible to try. Although it bore the suspicion of borrowing from Junior Sister Nuwa, it was a completely different form of creation. The scene of himself achieving sainthood, with all the heavens celebrating, subconsciously appeared in his mind.

Yuanshi smiled and said, "Duobao, you may return. Your Martial Uncle needs to ponder this carefully."

"Yes!" Duobao stood up and walked towards the exit.

Bai He the Attendant stood at the door, watching Duobao leave. He curled his lips. Senior Disciple Brother Bai Jin is much better. He just gave me another fun item. This Senior Disciple Brother is really stingy.

Yuanshi spoke, "Bai He!"

Bai He immediately snapped back to attention and quickly responded, "What are your orders, Master?"

"I intend to go into seclusion. You are to go out and ensure I am not disturbed."

"Yes!" Bai He the Attendant bowed his head in assent and walked out of Taiqing Hall. The grand doors boomed shut, and Yuqing immortal light flashed upon them.

Bai He the Attendant glanced at the quiet Yuqing Peak. He mounted a cloud and flew towards Shangqing Peak. Yuqing Peak is too deserted. I'll go play with Senior Disciple Brother Bai Jin. Senior Disciple Brother Bai Jin said last time that I could visit Shangqing Peak.

Duobao traveled all the way to Shangqing Peak. Unlike the other two Martial Uncles, Duobao had strong confidence in his own Master. He was sure he could persuade his Master to try his method.

Before Shangqing Palace, Holy Mother Jinling was sitting idly under a tree.

An auspicious cloud drifted down, and as it dispersed, Duobao stood on the ground, about to walk towards Shangqing Palace.

Holy Mother Jinling exclaimed with surprise, "Senior Disciple Brother!"

Duobao paused, turned his head to look under the tree, and asked in surprise, "Junior Sister Jinling, what are you doing here?"

Jinling smiled and said, "Senior Brother, what were you thinking about? You didn't even notice I was here."

Duobao smiled and said, "Just a minor cultivation doubt. Are you also here to see Master, Junior Sister?"

Jinling nodded, "Yes!"

Duobao asked curiously, "Then why are you here and not inside?"

Jinling said helplessly, "Senior Disciple Brother Bai Jin is inside paying his respects~ So I have to wait outside first."

Duobao's heart skipped a beat. Bai Jin is here too? He wouldn't be telling Master about the path to enlightenment first, would he? He's capable of something like that. He felt a pang of anxiety.

Jinling looked at Duobao in confusion. What's wrong with Senior Disciple Brother today? Why is he so restless?

Duobao turned to Jinling and asked, "Junior Sister, do you know what Bai Jin and Master are talking about?"

Jinling hesitated, then said, "When I went to request an audience just now, I seemed to hear something about artifact refining. I'm not sure of the specifics, just caught a few words."

Artifact refining? Duobao felt a wave of relief. Fortunately, Bai Jin hasn't figured out the key to Master and the two Martial Uncles' enlightenment yet.

Duobao immediately walked to the tree and sat down beside Jinling. He smiled and said, "Junior Sister, Senior Brother has something important to report to Master. Could you let me go in first later?"

Jinling nodded, grinning, "Okay!"

"Thank you, Junior Sister!"