Who Says My Path to Enlightenment Is Flawed?

[Trope Subversion] [Multiple Heroines] [Dao Attainment Progression] [Decisive and Ruthless]

"The Great Dao is boundless, and the road to immortality is vast. Tell me, my disciple: how many major realms of cultivation are there?"

"Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core..."

"Wrong! Completely and utterly wrong!"

"Remember this: cultivators like us have three-and only three-major realms. First, the Ant Realm. Second, the Fellow Daoist Realm. Third, the Senior Realm!"

Zhang Yuan was delighted. My master follows the cautious cultivator playbook! I've got this in the bag.

They stumbled upon a fortuitous opportunity.

Zhang Yuan said cheerfully, "Master, an opportunity like this must be fraught with danger. Why don't we lie in wait and let it come to us...?"

"Heh. With your master here, what danger could there possibly be? To my eyes, the cultivators here are nothing but clay chickens and straw dogs!"

Zhang Yuan: ???

Zhang Yuan urged, "Wait, Master! This person is a mighty cultivator in the Senior Realm. We absolutely cannot fight him head-on!"

"Your master's talent reaches the heavens! He's only one realm above me, yet he dares act so arrogantly? As far as I'm concerned, he's merely put his own head up for sale!"

Zhang Yuan: ...

Whatever happened to the cautious cultivator playbook? Is it too late to run?