"Wuji, after all these years of development, our disciples have gradually grown up. Yet neither you nor I have made the slightest progress in our cultivation. I feel as though some unseen force is suppressing us!" Ancestor Hunkun said leisurely.
"You are right. I have been in seclusion for so long without any breakthrough in my cultivation, and I have vaguely sensed the same thing."
"Now that our disciples have just grown up, if the fierce beast army attacks again, I fear we will suffer heavy losses once more."
"What is your view on this?"
"How about the two of us..."
After plotting back and forth for a long time, the two of them finally came to a plan.
"Hahaha! Good, it shall be as you say!"
After plotting for a long time, their ultimate conclusion was to launch a preemptive strike and ambush the Beast Emperor Shenni.
A flash of resolute determination crossed the eyes of Ancestor Hunkun and Wuji. They decided to head to the territory of the fierce beasts themselves to track down Shenni.
Along the way, they cautiously avoided various patrols of fierce beasts and finally reached Shenni's dwelling place.
However, just as they were about to make their move, they discovered that Shenni had already sensed their arrival.
"You two old fogies, how dare you have the audacity to come and ambush this Emperor?" Shenni's voice was deafening.
Ancestor Hunkun and Wuji were startled, but instead of retreating, they resolutely launched their attack against Shenni.
Even though it was the lair of the fierce beasts, two Mid-Stage Da Luo Golden Immortal experts believed they were more than a match for Shenni.
This was different from when Shenni had attacked them previously; back then, they had to worry about their disciples. But now, right here in the fierce beast lair, they could let loose and fight without holding back!
"Shenni, prepare to meet your doom!"
Ancestor Hunkun shouted loudly and took the initiative to strike first!
With a sweep of the Hunkun Staff, a sky-full of staff shadows flashed toward Shenni!
"You're courting death!"
Shenni also let out a roar and met the attack head-on!
The God-Killing Spear flashed with a biting cold light!
"Rumble! Rumble!"
The two had already exchanged countless blows!
Because the battle took place within the fierce beast lair, the aftermath of the combat wiped out low-level fierce beasts in large, sweeping swaths!
"Roar! Roar, roar!"
Shenni's eyes split with fury. Though fierce beasts were cold-blooded, these were his subjects, meant to help him conquer the world in the future. How could he not be enraged?
"Old wretch, forfeit your life!"
The four great fierce beasts emerged together, leading countless troops to surround Ancestor Wuji. For a time, blood flowed like a river!
Seeing this, Ancestor Hunkun realized that this ambush could no longer kill Shenni. He exchanged a quick glance with Ancestor Wuji, and the two fled into the distance!
"Ah! Ah, ah! It infuriates me to death!"
Beast Emperor Shenni roared as he gave chase!
Yet there was no longer any trace of the two!
No matter how furious the Beast Emperor was, after the commotion kicked up by Ancestor Hunkun and Ancestor Wuji, the Honghuang world entered a brief period of peace!
In the Lunar Star!
Taichu and Wangshu sat cross-legged on the ground, beginning a discourse on the Dao that lasted for three thousand years!
Three thousand years later, Wangshu showed faint signs of breaking through to the Mid-Stage Da Luo Golden Immortal!
At this moment, the aura around Wangshu grew increasingly powerful, and the surrounding spiritual Qi surged toward her frantically!
Sensing Wangshu's transformation, a trace of pleasant surprise flashed in Taichu's eyes!
Suddenly, dark clouds gathered in the sky amidst rolling thunder and lightning. A massive pillar of light descended directly from the heavens toward Wangshu!
"Steady your mind!" Taichu shouted in a deep voice!
No sooner said than done, Taichu summoned the Hongmeng Heaven-Measuring Ruler and slashed fiercely upward against the pillar of light!
With a single sweep of the ruler, the pillar of light vanished!
By now, the spiritual Qi surrounding Wangshu had reached its peak!
"Boom!"
With a loud crash, Wangshu gracefully descended from the air—she had successfully attained the Mid-Stage Da Luo Golden Immortal!
Taichu smiled faintly at Wangshu, cupped his hands, and said, "Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Wangshu on your breakthrough!"
Wangshu looked at Taichu, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Taichu. If not for you, Wangshu would never have dared to dream of breaking through to the Mid-Stage Da Luo Golden Immortal so quickly! I can hardly believe it, truly I cannot!"
"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Wangshu, there is no need for such polite formalities. It is entirely due to your own profound fortune."
The two chatted for a long time.
"Now that you have broken through to the Mid-Stage Da Luo Golden Immortal, what are your plans for the future?" Taichu asked casually.
Wangshu pondered for a moment, looked up at Taichu, and said softly, "I intend to go into seclusion for a period to consolidate my current realm. My previous discourse on the Dao with you has given me profound insights. Once I emerge from seclusion, I hope to discuss the Dao with you once more."
Hearing this, Taichu smiled and nodded. "The path of cultivation is long and arduous, and every step must be taken solidly. Fellow Daoist Wangshu's breakthrough to the Mid-Stage Da Luo Golden Immortal ensures your path of cultivation will henceforth be unimpeded!"
"In the future, I will still need to rely on Fellow Daoist for much guidance!"
Taichu raised his hand in a summoning gesture, and a precious box along with a porcelain vase appeared in his palm.
"These are Enlightenment tea leaves. Fellow Daoist Wangshu should feel free to use them—I have plenty more on Three Immortals Island. And this is Three-Light Divine Water; you need not be sparing with it, there is more when you finish."
Though it was only a box and a small bottle, both contained inner spaces akin to mustard seeds holding Mount Sumeru, vast beyond measure!
"This, this is far too precious, Fellow Daoist Taichu, I cannot accept this!"
"Fellow Daoist Wangshu, please feel free to accept them. I am not giving these away for nothing; I wish to trade them for something of yours."
"Oh? What item might that be? Just name it, Fellow Daoist. You have bestowed a great kindness upon me, and whatever Wangshu can do, I will certainly fulfill!"
Taichu waved his hand. "That is no trouble at all. I only desire your Laurel Wine and a small branch of the laurel tree."
With that, he formed hand seals with both hands and used great divine power to rearrange the grand array of the Lunar Star for Wangshu!
"Without an attack from a Hunyuan Golden Immortal level expert, this grand array will naturally be free from worry!"
In the present Honghuang world, apart from Taichu, where else could a Hunyuan Golden Immortal exist? At this moment, the Lunar Star naturally became the safest place of all!
Wangshu handed the Laurel Wine and the laurel branch to Taichu. "Whatever Wangshu can do is truly not worth mentioning compared to what you have done. Should you have any needs in the future, Fellow Daoist, just give the word."
"Very well, for any needs, I certainly won't stand on ceremony."
With those words, he turned and flew out toward the exterior of the Lunar Star.
Watching Taichu's retreating figure, she stood rooted to the spot in a daze, a whirlwind of mixed emotions churning in her heart!
By this time, Taichu had already returned to Three Immortals Island!
The moment he stepped onto the island, he felt a tremendous difference from before!
The spiritual Qi within the immortal island was even denser, and the Enlightenment tea tree blocked out the sky and sun!
No wonder it felt this way—it turned out the Enlightenment tea tree had grown twice as large over these past years!
As soon as Taichu stepped onto the island, Baihu came to his side.
"Greetings, Master!" Baihu said.
Looking at the Baihu before him, Taichu nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. It seems you have not slackened in your cultivation over the years."
At this point, Baihu had already reached the Peak Mid-Stage Taiyi Golden Immortal, and was just a hair's breadth away from breaking through to the Late-Stage Taiyi Golden Immortal!
"It is all thanks to Master's blessing!" Baihu said.
"Not only your cultivation, but you have also managed Three Immortals Island exceptionally well."
With that, Taichu returned to the Taichu Palace!
Although Baihu was only at the Peak Mid-Stage Taiyi Golden Immortal, looking across the entire Honghuang world, he could already be considered among the ceiling-tier combat forces!
Naturally, seeing this brought Taichu a sense of gratification.
Fingers calculating, the time for the third dao discourse was almost approaching!
Immediately, Taichu flew out of the hall and headed toward Mount Buzhou!