Perhaps because he had found his own Dao, Ran Deng was clearly somewhat stronger now than Ran Deng at the same stage in the original Primordial World mythology.
Although he had lost his physical body twice, it could be considered a blessing in disguise. He had even lured a female mosquito back with him. Without that stunning female mosquito, perhaps he would never have embarked upon the Great Bliss Dao.
Had he not taken that path, his cultivation could not possibly be as powerful as it was now.
As for Zhao Gongming and the Three Firmaments, in the original Primordial World mythology, when they had just become Tongtian's disciples, their cultivation definitely could not compare to Ran Deng's.
Just like now, they had only recently become Red Cloud's disciples, and their cultivation had not improved much.
Red Cloud merely guided them in the application of the Great Dao Laws. Most of the rest of his time was spent teaching them principles of conduct and how to carry themselves as people.
At the academy, these were also the things everyone mainly learned. Centered on "Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Faith," they learned the Dao of dealing with others.
Of course, even if Red Cloud taught them nothing but cultivation methods, they could not possibly catch up to Lantern-Burning Daoist in such a short time.
During the Investiture of the Gods period in the original Primordial World mythology, Lantern-Burning Daoist's cultivation had long since stagnated. It was only natural that Zhao Gongming and the Three Firmaments eventually caught up to him.
"What was Lantern-Burning Daoist's character like?" Zhao Gongming asked. "He wouldn't fail to argue us down, then use his cultivation to suppress us by force, would he?"
A Wen glanced at him and shook her head. "I suspect you may not