A Wealthy Child, Poor Masters

This little disciple...

She seemed to have misunderstood something incredible?!

The Three Pure Ones once again fell into a subtle silence.

The meaning behind this silence was entirely different from any before.

The pool water babbled, immortal grass swayed, and the rosy clouds remained gorgeous.

Yet the Three Pure Ones' hearts seemed to have been struck by a stone called reality, sending out layer upon layer of indescribable ripples.

Their gazes involuntarily settled on Little One before them once more, examining her closely.

The garment on her body was formed from the purest World Purifier Lotus Petals, carrying Purification Dao Rhyme and maintaining a comfortable temperature.

There was likely no second one like it in the entire Prehistoric World.

The pool beneath her feet contained Three Lights Divine Water, a supreme healing medicine of the Prehistoric World that even Quasi-Saints would fight bloody battles over.

Yet she treated it as ordinary bathwater and drinking water.

Then there was the Profound Origin Water Control Banner in her arms, one of the Five Innate Flags.

At this moment, she was unconsciously kneading its corner like it was an ordinary comfort toy.

And those twenty-four Sea Calming Beads of boundless power—

They were circling her clumsily like cheap toys.

Not to mention this entire Fangzhang Immortal Island!

She had just been ready to give it away without even blinking!

How was this some pitiful little thing who had only just taken human form, with a damaged soul to boot?

She was clearly a mobile treasure trove of the Prehistoric World!

A chosen daughter whom the Heavenly Dao chased after to feed!

And then there were the three brothers...

Pangu Orthodox, noble origins, profound Dao arts, renowned throughout the Prehistoric World—it all sounded immensely impressive.

But... what about their assets?

Laozi had the Heaven and Earth Yellow Exquisite Pagoda and the Taiji Diagram.

Other than those two, even the furnace he used for daily Alchemy had been Refined by Yuanshi...

Yuanshi had the Pangu Banner. Beyond that, he could be said to possess nothing but the clothes on his back.

Tongtian had a few decent swords and liked collecting strange and unusual things, but when it came to Innate-level treasures...

He did not seem to have many that were truly impressive either.

Kunlun Mountain was naturally a top-tier Blessed Land, but that was the overall environment—real estate.

As for things they could carry with them and take out to use at any time...

The three great figures suddenly realized that the three of them combined...

Might not be as wealthy as this little disciple clutching a Banner and clamoring about giving them soil and water...

Tongtian was the most open-minded by nature and was the first to recover from this bizarre comparison.

He secretly nudged the stiff-bodied Yuanshi beside him with his elbow.

With a grin and a raised brow, he sent a message to Yuanshi, whose expression was growing darker by the moment. His voice carried irrepressible amusement.

[Second Brother! Did you hear that? Our daughter...

Ahem, our disciple might be a little rich girl of the Prehistoric World!

She even wants to give us gifts!

It looks like we've struck it rich by taking her as a disciple! Hahaha!]

His voice transmission was filled with an absurd sense of delight.

Yuanshi: "..."

Tongtian's transmission nearly made him choke on a breath.

His face had already turned black as the bottom of a pot, and veins even faintly throbbed at his temples.

Outrageous!

Truly outrageous!

He, Primordial Heavenly Lord, Pangu Orthodox, Daoist Yuqing!

To think that one day, he would be cared for by his newly accepted little disciple in such a sympathetic and considerate tone?!

This was simply the most outrageous, absurd, and... self-esteem-shattering situation he had encountered in hundreds of millions of years of cultivation!

Yuanshi remained expressionless, but his fingers curled slightly beneath his wide sleeves.

How ridiculous!

His gaze swept over Fangzhang Immortal Island instinctively.

Innate Spiritual Energy so dense it had liquefied.

Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade Marrow scattered across the ground.

That vast, boundless pool of Three Lights Divine Water, priceless beyond measure.

Fertile Spiritual Soil from which Innate Geng Metal Essence could be dug out at will.

And the Profound Origin Water Control Banner and Sea Calming Beads she treated like toys...

Then he thought of the three brothers...

Kunlun Mountain was certainly a top-tier Grotto-Heaven, filled with abundant Spiritual Qi and immortal flowers everywhere.

But the three brothers had always focused wholeheartedly on comprehending the Great Dao and deducing heavenly secrets. They truly had not accumulated much in terms of worldly possessions.

Aside from their respective Companion Supreme Treasures and a few items obtained through future opportunities, at present, they...

Seemed, perhaps, indeed... worthy of being called "poor"?

This realization gave Yuanshi an unprecedented sense of embarrassment and helplessness.

Especially when faced with his little disciple's clear, "understanding" eyes, he did not know how to refute her for a moment.

Was he supposed to explain to a Milk Baby—

That her master was not poor, merely low-key?!

He could not afford to lose that much face!

But... it was the truth!

He did not even dare imagine what it would look like if the other Great Experts of the Prehistoric World learned that the Three Pure Ones had been pitied by their disciple for being poor.

His gaze fell upon Su Miao's innocent face. She seemed unable to understand why her masters kept refusing her goodwill, her eyes clear and guileless.

Yuanshi suddenly felt the stifled frustration in his chest inexplicably dissipate.

Forget it.

Why argue with a child?

Would it not be better if she was wealthy?

At least... no one would be able to bully her easily in the future.

It would also save them, as her masters, from having to rack their brains to prepare cultivation resources for her.

Still... teaching her seemed to carry even greater pressure now?

Ordinary Dharma Treasures and Cultivation Methods probably would not catch her eye.

Laozi took in his two younger brothers' reactions, especially Yuanshi's extremely subtle emotional shift.

He still wore that calm, unruffled expression, as though nothing in the world could disturb his state of mind.

Naturally, he could see that his little disciple was not deliberately showing off. She was simply sincere.

This pure intention was far more precious than any treasure.

As for the so-called contrast between wealth and poverty,

To him, it was merely an illusory reflection, a worldly possession that did not linger in his heart.

Whether one was wealthy or poor, it was all external.

Each had its own Karma; it could not be forced.

This child possessed such fortune. It was her destiny.

As her masters, guiding her Dao Heart and protecting her growth were what truly mattered.

As for having many treasures...

Perhaps when he burned out an Alchemy furnace in the future, he could borrow some materials from his disciple?

A faint smile flickered in Laozi's eyes.

Su Miao tilted up her little face. After waiting for a long while, she still did not receive a response to her "thoughtful" suggestion from her masters.

The black-clothed swordsman master's shoulders trembled slightly, as though he was holding back laughter again.

The handsome master in silver robes seemed to have turned even more solemn, but there was something strange about his gaze. He did not seem angry.

The gentlest master in the middle still wore an unfathomable expression.

What was wrong?

Had she said something wrong again?

Could it be that her masters did not even like water and soil? No way, right?

Those were already the cheapest things on the island...

Oh, right! There were even better things!

Thinking that the "grade" of what she had offered was not high enough, she immediately began frantically rummaging through her tiny Chaos Bead space.

The next instant, she flipped her little hand.

A piece of Innate Geng Metal Essence radiating an incomparably sharp aura appeared, taken out as casually as if it were an ordinary stone.

"Masters! What about this? This stone is hard and shiny! You can use it to Refine treasure swords!"

Before the Three Pure Ones could react, she pulled out another piece of Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade Marrow, smooth as jade, with milky white spiritual liquid flowing within it.

"And this! It's so comfortable to hug while sleeping! It keeps you warm in winter!"

Then came a stalk of Calming Dao Pattern Grass, emerald green from stem to leaf, with golden Dao Patterns flowing over its leaves.

"This grass smells so calming! I'll give it to Masters to keep in your rooms!"

She still felt it was not enough and seemed to want to keep pulling glittering junk out of her pile.

The Three Pure Ones: "..."

Tongtian had already turned his back, his shoulders shaking wildly as he silently laughed himself nearly breathless.

At last, Yuanshi's temple twitched hard.

He drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the urge to rub his forehead.

Laozi gave a soft cough and finally spoke. His voice was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable interruption.

"Enough."

Su Miao paused and looked at Laozi in confusion.

Laozi looked at her, his tone calm.

"Miao Heng, we have already understood your intentions.

For cultivators, worldly possessions may aid the Dao, but they are not fundamental.

You obtained these through your own Karma. Keep them safely; they will naturally benefit your future cultivation.

As your masters, these are not what we need."

His words held a soothing power. They acknowledged Su Miao's kindness while lightly putting the matter to rest.

She obediently nodded her little head, though her small face still showed a touch of regret.

"Got it, Master."

Her masters truly were lofty recluses who regarded money as dirt!

Their realm was so high!

It seemed she would have to think of a more advanced way to support the household in the future...

Seeing that the little one had finally settled down, Yuanshi secretly sighed in relief.

He composed himself, his face returning to its usual cold dignity as he spoke in a deep voice.

"This matter has concluded.

Miao Heng, now that you have taken us as your masters, you should return with us to the Kunlun Dao Field and cultivate diligently."

Return to Kunlun? Leave this place?

The excitement and enthusiasm on Su Miao's face were instantly doused as if by a bucket of cold water.

Her little mouth unconsciously puckered, and her large eyes swiftly filled with deep reluctance and grievance.

She looked around at her pool, her Experimental Field, and every familiar blade of grass and tree.

This was her only home.

Though she was always talking about being "fed and housed,"

When it truly came time to leave, the unease and attachment of a fledgling leaving its nest instantly seized her little heart.

Clutching the Profound Origin Water Control Banner, her tiny body shrank back slightly. Her voice became small and filled with reluctance.

"Do I... do I really have to leave?

Can't... can't you teach me here instead?

My home... is very big...

There's room for Masters to stay too..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter, carrying a pitiful sobbing tone.

Seeing her little face collapse in an instant and her tearful appearance, the Three Pure Ones' hearts softened at the same time.

It seemed taking her away would not be easy.