A Little Bootlicker

Seeing the many mighty cultivators gather around,

Wang Shi retreated with a cheerful smile.

His work done, he withdrew and blended into the crowd.

The Three Pure Ones looked at everyone's solemn faces.

Taishang Laozi smiled faintly.

"Everyone, please hear me out."

"We did not devise this method of breaking through to Quasi-Saint. Whether it can be passed on depends on its creator's permission."

"You should all understand how highly inheritances are valued in the Primordial World."

Everyone understood upon hearing this. The Three Pure Ones probably could not make the decision themselves.

Still, they were terribly envious. The Three Pure Ones were truly fortunate!

They had actually encountered an expert willing to teach them how to break through to Quasi-Saint. The value of such an opportunity was unimaginable.

"Senior Brother Laozi, what you say is reasonable. We cannot force the matter. We only ask that you put in a few good words for us, so that mysterious expert might understand our anguish."

"So many mighty cultivators in the Primordial World are trapped at the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, unable to break through for their entire lives."

"If he would teach us, we would weep with gratitude, pray for his blessings and longevity, and honor him with offerings for the rest of our lives."

The mighty cultivators all wore solemn expressions, their faces also filled with longing.

Taishang Laozi nodded slightly.

"Of course, of course. Once we have consulted our senior, we will certainly give you all an answer."

"Why don't we disperse for today?"

Everyone felt rather helpless. The method was in someone else's head; they could hardly steal it!

After everyone dispersed,

the Three Pure Ones came before Wang Shi, looking somewhat helpless.

"Dear disciple, thank you."

Now that they thought about it, since taking this disciple in, they seemed to have given him nothing useful beyond a few introductory gifts.

Instead, their disciple kept helping them, bringing them tremendous benefits.

Now they had no idea how to broach the subject. After all, their request was somewhat excessive.

Besides, if the method of becoming a Quasi-Saint spread, who knew how many powerful cultivators it might produce?

Wang Shi chuckled.

"I already understand what troubles you, Masters. In truth, this method of attaining sainthood is no great secret. There are certainly quite a few people in the Primordial World who know it. However, it involves a certain mighty figure, so we had best be cautious."

Thinking of Hongjun's future lectures, he had reason to suspect that Hongjun might kill him if he revealed the method of attaining sainthood.

After weighing the gains and losses, keeping it secret was still the better choice.

The Three Pure Ones nodded in disappointment.

So it was as they had thought. Their guess had been quite accurate.

This was, after all, a cultivation method for becoming a Quasi-Saint. How could it be spread so casually?

The three exchanged voice transmissions, discussing it among themselves.

"Forget it. Since we cannot pass it on, we might as well return to the Three Immortal Islands and cultivate in seclusion to advance our cultivation."

"Our disciple only recently assumed human form, and his cultivation is low. The Primordial World is still very dangerous for him."

"Indeed. I think we should return to cultivate. It will also be a good chance to temper this boy properly. I have discovered that his original form is powerful, but it also restricts his cultivation. This matter is of great importance. Once we return, we must carefully study how to help him break through."

As the three conversed, they occasionally glanced at Wang Shi, all looking unfathomably mysterious.

Their stares sent a shiver through him. Heavens, what are my three masters doing? Could they be discussing some secret that must never see the light of day?

"Come, disciple. Return to the Three Immortal Islands with us. Once you can protect yourself, you can come back to Buzhou Mountain."

The group flew for a long time before finally returning to the Three Immortal Islands.

Wang Shi's leisurely days ended there.

Every day, he endured the Three Pure Ones' bombardment as they constantly poured all manner of principles of the Great Dao into him.

They also accompanied him in daily training, throwing every kind of medicinal bath and body-tempering method at him.

Meanwhile, the Three Pure Ones took all the treasures and spiritual herbs Wang Shi had gathered earlier and used them on him.

As Tongtian put it, there was little point in keeping these things. Only when converted into cultivation did they become true treasures.

A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye; time flew.

By then, Wang Shi's cultivation had reached the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal realm.

Under the Three Pure Ones' dedicated tutelage, Wang Shi's Pangu Great Dao had also advanced by leaps and bounds. His strength had grown far more than tenfold!

Wang Shi was perfectly satisfied. He had no intention of becoming fat in a single mouthful. Reaching the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal realm already exceeded all his expectations.

Only he knew how difficult it had been to assume human form.

Not only had the Heavenly Dao done everything it could to stop him, but he himself had also been restricted by Heaven-Opening Merit, along with the karma of supporting heaven and earth. Managing to assume human form despite all that was already quite an accomplishment.

"Disciple, in a thousand years, you have broken through to Primordial Unity Golden Immortal. This pace... sigh, it truly defies explanation."

The three shook their heads helplessly.

This was the greatest effort they had ever devoted to anyone, and also their most helpless undertaking.

They were the illustrious Three Pure Ones, among the strongest figures in the Primordial World, all Quasi-Saint experts.

Yet after spending a thousand years nurturing an ordinary spirit that had assumed human form, they had only raised his cultivation by this little.

And that was with all manner of spiritual fruits provided daily, with as many fruits from spiritual roots as he could eat.

Even so, they had only brought him to Primordial Unity Golden Immortal. It was simply too difficult.

"Masters, don't be discouraged. Although my cultivation improves rather slowly, my actual strength is still quite impressive. Why don't we have a match? When I trained with you before, I never used my full strength."

He was eager to try, excitement stirring within him.

Just thinking about having a thoroughly satisfying fight with the Three Pure Ones filled him with anticipation.

Only he knew how rapidly his Pangu Great Dao had progressed during this time.

His strength was by no means reflected solely in his cultivation.

His cultivation was merely a shackle upon him. It was indeed difficult to break, but that did not mean he was weak.

Sect Master Tongtian snorted.

"Disciple, it seems we have spoiled you far too much, letting you grow so arrogant that you think nothing of anyone else."

"Surely you don't think a mere Primordial Unity Golden Immortal like you can already trade blows with a Quasi-Saint expert?"

Wang Shi grinned, then patted his chest excitedly.

"Master Tongtian, I can take quite a beating. What harm is there in having a match? At worst, you can go a little easy on me. You wouldn't let your disciple lose too miserably, would you?"

Flattery filled both his words and their implications. What a little bootlicker.

The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances and silently nodded.

In truth, they had been rather exhausted lately.

A faint anxiety had been growing in their hearts.

They had discovered that they were becoming less and less able to help Wang Shi.

Relentless cultivation alone no longer did much to improve his cultivation. Since that was the case, he might as well go out and travel.

Still, all three were worried about letting him leave at this point. They had only this one precious treasure of a disciple. How could they do anything but devote themselves to nurturing him? They dared not show the slightest negligence.

It was necessary to learn the limits of his strength.

"Ahem. Since you insist, your master will give you a little instruction."

Sect Master Tongtian strode with slow, measured steps toward the highest heavens, looking every inch an exalted expert and putting on quite the lofty air.