C3 Breakthrough Quasi Saint

Upon seeing the skepticism etched on the faces of his newly acknowledged younger siblings, Zhang Yan cautioned them, "Don't underestimate the situation. Among those deities, there could emerge a Saint in the future."

"Saint?"

As Fuxi and Nuwa uttered this enigmatic term, the vast mana within them shimmered into clarity. Strands of Taoist essence sprang forth from their mana, weaving through their beings.

"What defines a Saint?" The pair slipped into a profound state of contemplation. Fuxi murmured, as if posing the question to himself, yet seemingly seeking insight from Zhang Yan.

"To reign over the cosmos, to endure through eons unscathed, untouched by the web of fate. Without form, beyond perception, neither born nor perishing—that is the essence of a Saint!"

Zhang Yan responded. Though he lacked knowledge in the ways of cultivation, his past life's extensive reading of novels equipped him well to sway these two world-unwary youths.

Boom!

Zhang Yan's mere words struck Fuxi and Nuwa like a thunderclap, setting off ripples of arcane Taoist essence around them.

The principles of the Dao, embedded in the food they had consumed, surfaced once more within them, coalescing anew.

It took a moment for them to regain their senses and reassess themselves. "Such a state... we've reached the level of Quasi Saints!"

Fuxi and Nuwa felt their heads spin. The events of the past quarter-hour, even to their Quasi Saintly composure, were staggering and left them in awe.

Merely a meal and a few seemingly idle remarks had propelled them to transcend the Golden Immortal stage and enter a realm hitherto unknown.

What magnitude of power was this?

Could this be the power of a Saint?

Exchanging glances, Fuxi and Nuwa recognized the astonishment in each other's eyes. When they looked back at Zhang Yan, their gaze carried a newfound reverence.

Could he be the inaugural Saint since the dawn of creation?

Unaware of their epiphany, Zhang Yan simply thought the siblings were astonished by his words.

"Knowing fear is good. Now, eat up. We must set out as soon as you're done!" Zhang Yan instructed.

"…"

Fuxi and Nuwa were at a loss for words, puzzled by their elder brother's enigmatic intentions.

Nuwa's thoughts stirred, seemingly struck by a realization. "Big brother, you mentioned that among the deities of Buzhou Mountain, some could ascend to sainthood. Who might they be?"

"Why bother about who they are? It's none of our concern," Zhang Yan replied, shaking his head. The siblings likely had some mastery of cultivation arts, but their sights were set too high—they aspired to sainthood.

After all, the role of a saint was predestined. Such a defiance of fate was not meant for insignificant beings like them.

"Oh, come on, dear big brother, do tell," Nuwa pleaded, her eyes twinkling as she cajoled him with a voice dripping with sweetness.

Zhang Yan jolted, a shiver running down his spine, and quickly conceded, "Alright, I'll tell you! On Buzhou Mountain, four individuals have the potential for sainthood. The Three Purities Daolord, emanating from Pangu's original spirit, possesses a share of the merit from creating the heavens, qualifying him for sainthood. Another divine being, named Nuwa, is also eligible for ascension."

Hearing her own name, Nuwa was overwhelmed with delight. She had always felt overshadowed by her brother, Fuxi, in terms of talent. The prospect of becoming an immortal saint had never crossed her mind.

Once the initial euphoria subsided, Nuwa thought of Fuxi and quickly glanced back. Despite a hint of sadness in his expression, he remained resolute.

"Big brother," Nuwa inquired, "I've heard that Nuwa has an older brother named Fuxi. Is he not destined for sainthood?"

At this, even Fuxi tensed, his gaze fixed intently on Zhang Yan.

The status of a saint was the ultimate honor in ancient times—how could anyone be indifferent to such a prospect?

Zhang Yan, perceptive of the siblings' anxiety, chose to respond with a question of his own. "Do you know Nuwa and Fuxi?"

Caught off guard, Nuwa and Fuxi exchanged a glance. Eventually, Nuwa forced a chuckle and said, "Yes, indeed. We're neighbors and have crossed paths once."

"Then you're quite fortunate," Zhang Yan remarked, a touch of envy in his tone. If he were in their shoes, he would cling to such legendary figures without hesitation. With a saint to support him, traversing the vast prehistoric world would be effortless.

But the favor of a saint was not so easily secured.

"Big brother, you still haven't answered my question!" Nuwa's voice, tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction, roused Zhang Yan from his thoughts.

"Fuxi doesn't need to attain sainthood; he's destined for a different path," Zhang Yan responded.

Fuxi's ambition was to create the Eight Trigrams and be hailed as the progenitor of human culture, a feat that rivalled the merits of a saint.

A shadow of disappointment dimmed the light in Fuxi's eyes. To learn of the supreme realm yet be barred from entering was a profound regret.

"How can one become a saint?" he whispered to himself. Nuwa, at a loss for words of comfort, cast a pleading glance at Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan, overhearing Fuxi's murmur, couldn't help but smirk at the young man's lofty aspirations. "There are numerous paths to sainthood, but the real question is whether you have the courage to pursue them!"

At that, a renewed spark ignited in Fuxi's gaze. He turned to Zhang Yan with earnestness, and even Nuwa watched intently, knowing the secrets to the highest realm were as precious as an Innate Extreme Treasure.

"Please, teach me!" they implored in unison, bowing deeply, which took Zhang Yan aback.

The youth's naivety was almost endearing. Zhang Yan decided to lay out the path before them, hoping to quell their yearning and secure their company on his journey.

"The first method is to prove your Dao through sheer force, akin to the Great God Pangu, whose unrivaled strength cleaved the heavens and earth, allowing him to ascend to sainthood."

"To succeed in this way would make one the mightiest of saints."

"But that's incredibly challenging. Even the Great God Pangu met his end in the attempt. How could we possibly succeed?" Nuwa exclaimed, turning to Zhang Yan for an alternative.

Zhang Yan offered a knowing smile. "The second method involves severing the Three Corpses to prove your Dao. Humans are bound by seven emotions and six desires. Eliminate these, and with clear understanding of your true self, you can achieve sainthood. However, you'll need the aid of a rare treasure, the Primordial Purple Qi."

This seemed more attainable, and Fuxi eagerly inquired, "Where might one find this Primordial Purple Qi?"

"Patience," Zhang Yan advised. "When the primeval era's first saint emerges and begins his teachings, if destiny favors you, you may become his disciple and learn the sacred way to sainthood."

"At that moment, make sure you grab one of the frontmost cushions. The Purple Qi of Hongmeng will naturally be yours!"

Zhang Yan's words were laced with nonchalance. His explanation sounded straightforward, yet the true difficulty of the task was likely known only to him. Those cushions symbolized the esteemed status of a saint, a designation set in place with the formation of the Heavenly Dao. Could such positions really be so easily claimed?

Fuxi, unaware of Zhang Yan's inner thoughts, became restless upon learning the path to sainthood.

"Brother, my sister and I have some things to take care of. We'll be taking our leave now."

Without waiting for Zhang Yan's response, he grabbed Nuwa and dashed out of the courtyard, transforming into two streaks of light that vanished into the distance.

"Hey!" Zhang Yan ran out after them, but the siblings were nowhere to be seen. He shook his head in silent resignation, "It seems my brother and sister are quite the handful."

"Next time, when they return, I'll make sure to take them away!"