Chapter 577: Dao Ancestor's Doubts

Jie, Jie—is that the old guy from the human race who was incredibly strong back in the day?

Bian Zhuang stood outside the pavilion, hands pressed against the sides of his thighs. His head was held high, chest puffed out, and his waist slightly bent, maintaining just the right posture. He radiated the aura of a top-tier service industry professional in the Tian Ting.

It was ingrained in his bones.

In Bian Zhuang's eyes, the four figures seated in the pavilion were no ordinary people.

They were four towering peaks from the history of the Hong Huang human race!

The Three Sovereigns were led by Sui Ren Shi, who had not yet appeared. Sui Ren Shi paved the way for the human race, guiding them through the darkest ages before they gained the power of cultivation. He taught frail mortals how to drill wood for fire and cleverly outmaneuvered the 'demons of heaven' and 'witches of earth' of that time, ultimately becoming the victor of ancient times.

Sui Ren Shi's influence on the human race was profound, imbuing their bloodline with an unyielding spirit that defies fate, challenges the heavens, and battles the earth.

In ancient times, the right to define justice lay in the hands of the demon race.

After a period, the human race multiplied and evolved, leading to the separation of Qi refiners and ordinary people.

Fu Xi Shi was born to meet the needs of the era, the reincarnation of the ancient great power Fu Xi. After ascending to the position of Human Sovereign, he spread techniques of divination, established systems of sacrifice and measurement, and made outstanding contributions to the comprehensive civilization of the human race.

Among the Five Emperors, Xuan Yuan Di Jun inherited the aspirations of the Three Sovereigns and fully educated the human race. He battled Chi You and united immortals and mortals, marking the most glorious era of the ancient human race, from which the separation of immortals and mortals began.

Da Yu Di Jun controlled the great floods, established the imperial system, and served as the culmination of the era spanning the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors in the rise of the human race.

As for Tai Bai Jin Xing, although he was not a Human Sovereign, he represented the highest authority of the human race in the current era where Tian Ting ruled the three realms...

The four esteemed figures sat in the pavilion discussing the Dao, while Bian Zhuang didn't dare utter a word.

Among them, the one Bian Zhuang admired the most was, of course...

Xuan Yuan Huang Di, the ultimate role model for Hong Huang human men—no explanation needed!

Gazing from this spot, the rolling cloud palaces in the distance, the faintly visible immortal goddesses—all were the vast territory conquered by Xuan Yuan Huang Di!

Ahem, of course, in his heart, Bian Zhuang respected his own backer, Tai Qing disciple Li Chang Shou, the most.

Fu Xi Shi had a lean face and a tall build, exuding an air of immortal elegance and profound Dao rhythm. He lacked the imposing presence of an emperor, resembling more a kind and honest elder.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di appeared as a middle-aged man, dressed in a light yellow robe with a golden Xuan sword at his waist. He always wore a faint smile, his features upright and heroic, inadvertently radiating an aura of kingly virtue and a mesmerizing personal charm.

Da Yu Di Jun looked the most unassuming, as he was the youngest retired Human Sovereign in Huo Yun Dong, embodying simplicity and down-to-earth reliability.

The extraterrestrial demon was right beside Bian Zhuang, still in a deep sleep but no longer shedding tears.

At that moment, Li Chang Shou had not yet mentioned the special aspects of Mei Wen Hua; he was simply pondering ways to deal with Kun Peng alongside the three retired Human Sovereigns.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di frowned, Da Yu Di Jun pondered, and Fu Xi Shi, looking at the turtle shell before him, couldn't help but furrow his brow and stroke his beard, uttering a single word:

"Difficult."

Xuan Yuan Huang Di sighed:

"Kun Peng is incredibly cunning. In my previous life, I fell victim to his schemes. He acts without any bottom line or principles, doing whatever benefits him and fleeing at the slightest disadvantage.

To lure him into a trap, there's probably only one thing in this world that could work."

Li Chang Shou smiled calmly:

"Could it be the opportunity for enlightenment?"

Huang Di couldn't help but chuckle lightly:

"As expected of Tai Bai Xing Jun—you catch on instantly."

"You're too kind, senior, too kind."

Fu Xi Shi said:

"In my previous life, I suffered from calamities orchestrated by Kun Peng, and I even worked with him at one point. We've got some grudges between us.

His vigilance far exceeds what you might imagine.

Though his character is despicable, he can still be called a hero or a tyrant, making him quite hard to deal with."

Da Yu Di Jun pondered for a moment...

It seemed that among those present, he was the one with the least seniority and no real beef with Kun Peng.

He probably should have stayed home; if Shen Nong had come instead, they could have held a full Kun Peng criticism session.

Li Chang Shou asked:

"Does any senior know of Kun Peng's weaknesses? Or something he particularly cares about?"

Fu Xi shook his head and sighed:

"He's hiding in the Chaos Sea, and with his incredible speed, even my divination can't pinpoint his location."

Xuan Yuan Huang Di added:

"Besides being excessively insidious and cunning, which makes him unpopular, Kun Peng doesn't really have any weaknesses.

By the way, Xing Jun, how did you end up clashing with Kun Peng?"

Li Chang Shou let out a slight sigh and explained part of the reason.

He simply said that Kun Peng wanted him to go to the Chaos Sea for a meeting, seemingly plotting something, but he didn't mention that Kun Peng's 'fish hook' was a relic of his fellow townsman, Lang Qian.

Some origins were better kept from too many people to avoid trouble.

Fu Xi placed a few ancient human coins into the turtle shell and performed another divination. Then he gestured for them to continue chatting while he sat there, eyes closed, fingers pinching as if trying to glimpse the secrets of the Chaos.

When Li Chang Shou mentioned that he had once killed Kun Peng's old shed skin, which wasn't very strong and was just an empty shell,

And that he had seen Kun Peng in Xuan Du City before, where Kun Peng exuded immense pressure and held his ground against the Grand Mage with only a slight disadvantage,

Xuan Yuan Huang Di curled his lip and scolded:

"That sneaky and deceitful bastard's favorite thing is devouring the essence of living beings."

—Xuan Yuan Huang Di was the reincarnation of the remnant soul of the Great Xuan Turtle from Bei Zhou.

Back then, when the Saint cut off the Great Xuan Turtle's four legs to refine them into heavenly pillars, Kun Peng secretly attacked the immobilized 'old neighbor,' devouring the Xuan Turtle's essence and greatly boosting his own strength.

The resentment from the Xuan Turtle turned into the lingering miasma swirling over Bei Zhou, with at least half of it stemming from Kun Peng.

Li Chang Shou thought for a moment and asked:

"Could Kun Peng now devour Chaos beings to enhance his strength?"

"It seems so," Da Yu said seriously. "Why not ask the Saints to eliminate Kun Peng?"

But Huang Di replied:

"As long as Kun Peng stays in the Chaos Sea, beyond the reach of Tian Dao's power, even Saints can't track him.

Moreover, he's now mixed in with those innate gods and demons, and his strength is not to be underestimated.

Actually, Xing Jun, I have an idea."

Li Chang Shou cupped his hands and said:

"Please share, senior."

"Though the Chaos is full of disordered principles and unclear order, it still follows certain great Daos," Xuan Yuan Huang Di said, folding his arms. "I once read an ancient text written by an innate being, which mentioned methods for setting up arrays in the Chaos Sea.

If we can establish a stable array there, dealing with Kun Peng would be much easier."

Li Chang Shou said:

"Setting up an array in the Chaos Sea that could trap Kun Peng would require an enormous amount of rare treasures, not to mention gathering the fragmented Dao principles..."

At that moment, Fu Xi Shi, who had been continuously calculating, paused his movements, opened his eyes, and smiled:

"How about we just create a 'opportunity for enlightenment'?"

Da Yu Di Jun asked in confusion:

"What do you mean?"

Fu Xi was about to answer, but a look of sudden realization crossed his eyes, and he couldn't help but stroke his beard and chuckle, turning to Li Chang Shou.

"Why don't you explain it, Xing Jun?

You came to Huo Yun Dong today, probably with a plan already in mind. You're just giving us old folks some face by not jumping straight to it and guiding us to suggest the plan instead.

Is that right, Tai Bai Xing Jun? Hehehe."

Li Chang Shou stood up, cupped his hands, and said seriously:

"I'm embarrassed, senior. You've seen right through my little scheme."

Xuan Yuan Huang Di and Da Yu Di Jun exchanged glances. As fellow retired Human Sovereigns, they might not have fully grasped the details, but they both smiled with narrowed eyes at the same time.

They understood without fully understanding.

The affairs of Human Sovereigns were still sharp as ever.

From the side, the Tu Shan clan arrived with two attendants on clouds.

Da Yu quickly stood up, went out to welcome them personally, and served the tea his wife had brought to the guests one by one.

Then, the Tu Shan clan performed a graceful courtesy, turned, and excused herself, giving Da Yu full respect in front of outsiders.

Though she wore no elaborate dress, she exuded elegance; though without makeup, she remained as stunningly beautiful as ever. As the wife of a Human Sovereign, she had once dominated an era among human women.

Da Yu Di Jun took the opportunity to ask:

"Fu Xi senior and Chang Geng, what exactly are you scheming?"

Fu Xi said slowly:

"Why don't I make a simple guess... Tai Bai Xing Jun."

"You can just call me Chang Geng," Li Chang Shou added quietly from the side.

"Very well, Chang Geng."

Fu Xi organized his thoughts and spoke slowly:

"You came to Huo Yun Dong seeking something. This item is rare in the world, and it's easiest to find here compared to other places.

But this item has already been integrated into our eight selves and returned to Tian Dao; it's essentially just a mark, hard to extract for your use...

Let me think again.

Are you planning to fabricate something, spread a rumor, and then have us release some words to vouch for it?"

"Exactly."

Li Chang Shou smiled:

"My little scheme has been completely guessed by you, senior."

Da Yu Di Jun suddenly realized, "Oh, so it's about the Hong Meng Zi Qi."

Xuan Yuan Huang Di continued to maintain his narrowed-eyed smile.

Secretly, Li Chang Shou made a quick comparison in his mind and realized... Fu Xi Shi's method was actually a bit more clever than his original idea.

He decided to use it.

This was the benefit of speaking slowly!

Where did the Hong Meng Zi Qi of the retired Human Sovereigns in Huo Yun Dong come from?

In ancient times, at the end of the lectures in Zi Xiao Gong, the kind-hearted Hong Yun obtained a strand of Hong Meng Zi Qi, but he was ambushed and killed by Kun Peng right after leaving, and the Zi Qi was retrieved by Hong Jun Dao Zu.

Later, when the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors reincarnated, Dao Zu divided that strand of Hong Meng Zi Qi into eight parts as a retirement pension for leading the great prosperity of the human race, distributing it among them.

Li Chang Shou came to Huo Yun Dong to discuss luring Kun Peng, precisely aiming for this Hong Meng Zi Qi.

He didn't need the eight Human Sovereigns' Hong Meng Zi Qi. Hearing Fu Xi Shi's words, he understood that the essence of Hong Meng Zi Qi was like a 'Tian Dao license,' impossible to extract and reuse.

Li Chang Shou organized his thoughts and smiled:

"We can certainly make something of this.

For example, say that the strand of Hong Meng Zi Qi from back then was divided into nine parts instead of eight, with one wisp stored in Zi Xiao Gong.

This wisp shares the same origin and root as the Hong Meng Zi Qi used by the seniors in Huo Yun Dong, so before it emerges, unusual phenomena frequently appear in Huo Yun Dong, alerting the eight seniors.

This news could then be spread by Xuan Yuan senior's family, making everything seamless.

The bigger the initial buzz, the better—ideally triggering a Tian Dao tremor, which His Majesty the Jade Emperor and I can work on.

But afterward, we need to quickly suppress these phenomena to make it more believable."

"Exactly," Fu Xi Shi chuckled a few times. "I noticed earlier that Tian Ting spreads news incredibly fast.

I assume that since Kun Peng can control the Tian Mo clan, he must have set up spies in Hong Huang.

To deceive Kun Peng and lure him in, we have to deceive all beings in the three realms. The fewer who know the truth, the better."

Xuan Yuan Huang Di said warmly:

"I can have them spread the news first, then have my thirteen great consorts immediately call a meeting for everyone, cutting off their contact with their respective families until the matter is resolved outside."

Li Chang Shou cupped his hands in thanks:

"Thank you for your trouble, senior."

"It's nothing, nothing," Xuan Yuan Huang Di waved his hand, his smile very composed.

What is a great winner of Hong Huang?

In no time, Li Chang Shou and Fu Xi Shi exchanged a few words and finalized a major scheme against Kun Peng.

Though it sounded simple, they had to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control and avoid causing chaos and bloodshed among Hong Huang beings, so thorough preparations were essential.

It was clear that life in Huo Yun Dong for these retired figures was leisurely and boring. Once Fu Xi Shi started talking and his desire for scheming was ignited, he came up with strategies effortlessly, leaving Li Chang Shou full of admiration.

He truly deserved to be an ancient great power and an upper ancient Human Sovereign.

After half a day of discussion in the pavilion, a rough plan emerged. The fishing rod and hook for luring Kun Peng were ready; they just needed the rope to secure him.

If there was news of the last wisp of Hong Meng Zi Qi—the last opportunity for enlightenment—appearing and fleeing toward the outer heavens, Xuan Du City would instantly become a massive vortex.

This would be a huge temptation for Kun Peng. As long as they could deceive him in the early stages, he would likely take the bait.

Naturally, Li Chang Shou focused more on anticipating various possible scenarios in advance and observing developments during the operation to deduce the opponent's moves accordingly.

A comprehensive, opportunistic approach.

Fu Xi sighed:

"We cannot leave the heavens at will, so we won't be able to join the ambush in Xuan Du City."

Li Chang Shou said:

"Now, Daoism has a multitude of experts. As long as Kun Peng shows up and doesn't unleash his full speed right away, we have a ninety percent chance of taking him down."

"Kun Peng's speed is hard to counter," Xuan Yuan Huang Di said. "We need to prepare for that in advance; otherwise, no matter how meticulous our plans, he'll escape the moment we show our hand."

"This matter requires more careful discussion," Li Chang Shou said, not elaborating on his own Equilibrium Dao.

Better to let the seniors think it through; they might come up with even better ideas.

As the saying goes, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. This Huo Yun Dong... was a treasure trove.

After discussing the scheme with Li Chang Shou, Fu Xi Shi felt a sense of mutual respect.

Li Chang Shou made friends based on origins, but he looked at whether the other party's origins would cause trouble in the future.

Figures like the sages in Huo Yun Dong were no simple characters—either outstanding in personal charm and strategic vision or exceptional in divination, strategy, and wisdom. Building good relations with them was all benefit and no harm.

Before they knew it, they had chatted from starlight into midday. Li Chang Shou and Fu Xi Shi had sorted out the general outline and some details; the rest was for Li Chang Shou to arrange himself.

Li Chang Shou shifted the topic and asked about Sui Ren Shi's situation.

The expressions of the three emperors immediately grew a bit somber.

"Not optimistic," Xuan Yuan Huang Di sighed. "Sui Ren senior won't be overcome by the demonic energy; his mind is incredibly resilient. Even if he falls into demonhood, he maintains his inherent sanctity and suppresses the energy each time.

But each suppression consumes his essence. If this continues, he might not even achieve longevity."

Da Yu Di Jun said:

"And it's extremely painful every time."

Hearing this, Li Chang Shou frowned deeply; the situation seemed even more serious than he thought.

Recalling his first visit to Huo Yun Dong, when Tian Ting was not yet prominent and his own reputation far less than today, the emperors had been enthusiastic but evasive when he mentioned Sui Ren Shi, with Da Yu Di Jun avoiding the topic.

This was mainly to protect Sui Ren Shi's reputation and prevent idle gossip from the ignorant.

Now, as Tai Bai Xing Jun, with Tian Ting destined to prosper and soon to truly govern the three realms, the emperors finally shared Sui Ren Shi's situation.

In essence, Li Chang Shou now had the qualifications to know.

"Today, I came to Huo Yun Dong for three reasons: first, to visit you seniors; second, to seek advice on the Kun Peng matter; and third, for Sui Ren Shi senior's sake.

Bian Zhuang, bring the Tian Mo here."

"Yes," Bian Zhuang replied, guiding the bubble containing Mei Wen Hua into the pavilion. He glanced excitedly at Xuan Yuan Huang Di, then quickly lowered his head, bowed, and retreated to his original spot.

Fu Xi frowned and asked:

"You're saying this is... a Tian Mo?"

"That's right," Li Chang Shou nodded slowly, taking out his "Tian Mo Research Notes" from his sleeve and handing it to the three seniors for review. He then stood up and walked to the side of the sleeping Mei Wen Hua, beginning to explain her origins.

When Li Chang Shou mentioned how he had a sudden inspiration, using the Heart Demon Implantation technique in reverse—planting a demon in the demon's heart—and unexpectedly completely reversed the Tian Mo's Dao...

The expressions of the three retired Human Sovereigns became extraordinarily colorful.

Da Yu laughed and scolded:

"Most people would run as far as possible from a Tian Mo, but you went right up to it and planted a heart demon in the demon!"

Xuan Yuan Huang Di examined Mei Wen Hua for a while and shook his head repeatedly:

"Utterly bizarre and astonishing."

Fu Xi put down the bamboo slips in his hand and chuckled bitterly:

"We should probably just go back to talking about that ninth wisp of Hong Meng Zi Qi.

Truly, the waves from behind push the ones in front. The world has produced someone as extraordinary as you! What great fortune, indeed."

Li Chang Shou felt a bit embarrassed by the praise.

In reality, this was just a misunderstanding. He had originally only wanted to break the Tian Mo's mental defenses and extract credible information.

To make a steady pioneer like him believe something, it had to meet certain conditions; he couldn't just accept it after a quick analysis of five or six layers...

That's how Mei Wen Hua's reverse fall into demonhood happened.

"I wanted to ask," Li Chang Shou smiled, "if we use this Tian Mo's power, could it help alleviate the demonic energy troubling Sui Ren Shi senior?"

Huang Di smiled:

"I think there's some possibility."

Fu Xi Shi said:

"Don't rush; I'll go invite the other fellow Daoists to discuss this together."

Everyone agreed, and they went their separate ways to invite the other emperors in seclusion. This was a major matter for Huo Yun Dong.

Li Chang Shou sat in the pavilion, quietly sipping tea and closing his eyes in thought, quickly organizing the plan they had just finalized with his true body on Xiao Qiong Peak.

Meanwhile,

High above the nine heavens, beyond the world, in Zi Xiao Gong,

In the bamboo grove that existed between illusion and reality—a mysterious illusion—Dao Zu sat in the thatched hut, frowning at the square table before him.

On the table was a round disk displaying a clear image of the scene in Huo Yun Dong.

Ultra-clear transmission, Tian Dao exclusive line!

Dao Zu pondered for a moment, extended his left hand, and a wisp of purple and cyan light intertwined, gently swirling in his palm.

"Is this guy just guessing wildly?"

Not necessarily; this little grand-disciple might have already glimpsed something...

"Interesting."