Chapter 109: Black Swamp Fishing, Plot Arrangement, Personal Accident Insurance!

A heavenly justified, earthly reasonable saying that lays bare how much cruelty there is, and also numbness.

The weak are meat, the strong eat — it is the way of heaven!

This is the principle currently followed by the Demon Race…… some members, eating demon‑blood buns, enjoy it immensely.

Large‑scale breeding, slaughter, and sales, turning over again and again, earning resources for their own cultivation advancement.

When their strength grows, they can continue to expand their operations.

The eerie, bloody path is enough to make any onlooker shake their head and sigh.

Is this already the limit?

No.

What truly makes one's blood run cold is——

"This meat must be taken from a cow of true immortal caliber……" Fengxi poked his plate, "To reach this point, no matter how it's been hastened, it has definitely become spiritual, possessing self‑will and wisdom, able to speak."

"To slaughter such wise living beings, can those people really bring themselves to do it?"

Fengxi asked doubtfully.

This, is truly the most terrifying!

"There's nothing one can't bring themselves to do," the Rat Spirit shook his head, "If the profit is enough, why couldn't they kill?"

"Even if someone dares to defy heaven, what's the big deal about raising and slaughtering wise living beings?"

"As long as more profit can be made, there's nothing one wouldn't dare to do!"

"As long as there is market demand, the killing won't stop, and the hidden profit chain behind it will never break…… but what if the market has no demand?" the Rat Spirit lamented, "Even if one's cultivation reaches a certain level, food is no longer a necessity. Yet many times, whether it's necessary or not doesn't matter."

"Whether there are benefits, which aspects of the body are strengthened, or even simply whether it can bring pleasure—all can become reasons for killing."

"Eating dragon meat, for example, can give customers a sense of achievement——the meat of the ancient hegemonic clan! What tremendous mental pleasure!"

"And the beef you ordered, sir, can strengthen yang and nourish the kidneys."

"Salvia dog meat can let the eater enter the Sage state, with a calm mind."

"These are genuine benefits."

"One must know, even the purely spirit‑pleasing 'Efu Rong', which greatly harms the body, still finds buyers…… let alone these good things."

"That's also right……" Fengxi pondered for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement.

After agreeing, he felt a faint sigh for this era.

Survival is not easy.

One must not be too weak, for that is the original sin.

One must not be too ugly, for being too ugly might offend some expert who thinks it mars the cityscape, and they could slap you to death.

Alright, knowing one's strength is weak and one is ugly, self‑consciously shrinking at home, does one think this can avoid all calamities?

No, it cannot!

One must also continue to ponder a bit: how does the meat of one's own race taste?

Will it be coveted because it's too delicious?

Will it bring disaster because it has effects like nourishing yin, beautifying, strengthening yang and kidneys?

Reincarnation is a field of study.

And in the Honghuang world, the weight of this subject in examinations has been raised to the highest.

The most frightening part is that all of this proceeds in ignorance and unawareness!

Born into a wrong background, one must face a miserable life.

Fengxi felt and sighed for those pitiful living beings…… as for more compassion? To stand up for inner justice?

He thought about it, and immediately nipped that thought in the bud.

This is not what the present Fengxi should have.

Before humanity achieves final victory and stands at the world's peak, Fengxi does not have the qualification to be a saintly mother, pitying others and running about for them.

He listened indifferently to everything the Rat Spirit said; after his emotions fluctuated slightly, he then completely calmed, with no further ripples.

Perhaps after finishing this meal, turning around he would toss it behind his head, feeling nothing…… but no, he will still have some response.

He pondered how to make use of this pitiful race to lessen the Wu Clan's war losses in the future Wu‑Demon great war.

——After all, the ruthlessness of the Demon Race's capital in the present age needs no doubt.

Today we can breed them on a large scale, slaughter and cut the meat; tomorrow, when the Wu‑Demon war turns fierce, how could we not turn them into cannon fodder, suicide troops, relying on terrifyingly huge numbers to offset the Wu Clan?

Select the most prolific groups, squeeze out all their potential, let them grow in the shortest time, and cultivate the most brutal, crazy self‑destruction technique.

When the time comes, charge forward and it's just one blast——

"Boom!"

Under the splendid fireworks, lies the withering of life, the bursting forth of blood and fire.

Countless cannon fodder, as long as they can take down a Wu Clan soldier, that's profit!

In fact, the Wu Clan's numbers appear huge, countless billions, but they follow an elite‑troop path; each one's training consumes how much effort?

Growth is not easy, replenishment is not easy either—how can they be exchanged with cannon fodder?

To offset, it's also exchanging the lives of those top‑tier strong‑race members!

However, the potential threat of the cannon fodder also needs to be dealt with.

"Perhaps I already know what to do." Fengxi turned his knife and fork, "A most important piece of the puzzle has now come into my hands……'

"The rest is just seeing how to carry it out concretely."

"How to give those beings enslaved and oppressed to the extreme, before them place a straw named hope, guiding them from one pit to another, chasing hope to their death."

"Dying on the road toward hope is also always better than withering in utter despair…… wouldn't the inner happiness be greater?"

"Tsk…… I'm truly kind."

As Fengxi's thoughts turned, he swallowed the last piece of beef.

Translation: As Fengxi's thoughts turned, he swallowed the last piece of beef.

As Fengxi's thoughts turned, he swallowed the last piece of beef.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Could be: While Fengxi's thoughts turned, he swallowed the last piece of beef. But we need to keep single line.

I'll output: As Fengxi's thoughts turned, he swallowed the last piece of beef.

Then, he calmly wiped his mouth and said to the rat spirit, "Xiao Er, thank you for telling me all these inside secrets."

Translation: Then, he calmly wiped his mouth and said to the rat spirit, "Xiao Er, thank you for telling me all these inside secrets."

Then he calmly wiped his mouth and said to the rat spirit, "Xiao Er, thank you for telling me all these inside secrets."

"Ah, I really didn't expect that!"

Translation: "Ah, I really didn't expect that!"

"Behind this, there actually exists such a horrifyingly brutal and bloody atrocity... It makes me furious!"

Translation: "Behind this, there actually is such a horrifyingly brutal and bloody terrifying thing…… It makes me so angry!"

We need to keep the ellipsis. The Chinese has "……". We'll render as "……". So: "Behind this, there actually is such a horrifyingly brutal and bloody terrifying thing…… It makes me so angry!"

But we can smooth: "Behind this, there actually is such a horrifyingly brutal and bloody terrifying thing…… It makes me furious!" However, we must not add. Keep close: "Behind this, there actually is such a horrifyingly brutal and bloody terrifying thing…… It makes me so angry!"

He slammed the table, a vivid angry expression appearing on his face, "Such sins, if not eradicated, cannot quell the resentment of countless ancient souls!"

Translation: He slammed the table, a vivid angry expression appearing on his face, "Such sins, if not eradicated, cannot appease the resentment of countless ancient souls!"

He slammed the table, a vivid angry expression appearing on his face, "Such sins, if not eradicated, cannot appease the resentment of countless ancient souls!"

Upon hearing this, the rat spirit's eyes flashed with a hint of joy and excitement.

Translation: Upon hearing these words, the rat spirit's eyes flashed with a hint of joy, a hint of excitement.

But just the next moment...

Translation: But just the next moment……

"Please wait a moment while I pray to the Dao Ancestor... I believe this Heavenly Dao Great Lord will surely promote righteousness and mete out punishment for evil!" Fengxi declared solemnly, picking up three chopsticks and sticking them into a bowl of rice, then pressing his palms together, closing his eyes, assuming a devout prayer posture.

Translation: "Just wait a moment while I pray to the Dao Ancestor…… I believe this Heavenly Dao great old master will surely promote righteousness and mete out punishment for evil!" Fengxi said solemnly, holding three chopsticks, he stuck them into a bowl of rice, then clasped his hands, closed his eyes, assuming a devout prayer pose.

"Please wait a moment while I pray to the Dao Ancestor... I believe this Heavenly Dao exalted elder will surely uphold the righteousness of heaven and earth and mete out punishment to evildoers!"

Thus: "Just wait a moment while I pray to the Dao Ancestor…… I believe this Heavenly Dao great old master will surely promote righteousness and mete out punishment for evil!" Fengxi said solemnly, holding three chopsticks, he stuck them into a bowl of rice, then clasped his hands, closed his eyes, assuming a devout prayer pose.

His mouth seemed to be murmuring something... but no matter how the rat spirit pricked up its ears to listen, it still couldn't make out what he was chanting.

Translation: His mouth seemed to be muttering…… but no matter how the rat spirit pricked up its ears to listen, it still couldn't hear clearly what he was chanting.

Not to mention the rat spirit, even Fengxi himself didn't know what he was chanting!

Translation: Not to mention the rat spirit, even Fengxi himself didn't know what he was chanting!

After finishing his chant, he wore a solemn expression, patted Xiao Er on the shoulder, and spoke loudly, "I have finished my prayer; just wait peacefully for the miracle to appear!"

Translation: After finishing the chant, he put on a solemn expression, patted Xiao Er's shoulder, and said loudly, "I have finished praying; just wait peacefully for the miracle to appear!"

"But..." the rat spirit stammered anxiously.

Translation: "But……" the rat spirit opened its mouth, bewildered and urgent.

"There's no 'but'." Fengxi waved his hand, cutting him off, "You must believe that the vast heavens inherently hold eternal justice!"

Translation: "There's no 'but'." Fengxi waved a hand, cutting him off directly, "You must believe that the vast heavens inherently hold eternal justice!"

"At most, the Heavenly Dao's phone lines are busy; that great being can't handle it right now. But it's not that it won't be repaid—just that the time hasn't come yet!"

Translation: "At most, the prayers to the Heavenly Dao are too many, that great one can't handle them all at once. But it's not that there's no retribution; the time just hasn't come!"

"Good and evil will eventually be repaid; the Heavenly Dao excels at cyclical retribution!"

Translation: "Good and evil will eventually be repaid; the Heavenly Dao excels in cycles of rebirth!"

"What, you don't trust the power of the Vast Heavenly Lord?"

Translation: "What, you don't trust the might of the Heavenly Old Master?"

Fengxi raised his eyebrows.

Translation: Fengxi raised his eyebrows.

The rat spirit ran out of words, answering meekly, and the glimmer of hope in his eyes seemed to fade.

Translation: The rat spirit was at a loss for words, yes‑man‑ing, and the hope light in its eyes seemed to fade as well.

"Alright, be patient... the miracle will come sooner or later." Fengxi comforted him, "You should look after your health, train diligently, and live to see that day."

Translation: "All right, be patient…… the miracle will come sooner or later." Fengxi comforted and advised, "You must look after your health, strive in cultivation, and live to see that day."

"Mm, right!" Fengxi rubbed his chin, "Cultivation also requires resources... working at this shop, besides wages, you also get a commission, right?"

Translation: "Mm, right!" Fengxi rubbed his chin, "Cultivation also needs resources…… you work at this shop, besides wages you also get a commission, right?"

"Then I'll take care of you now."

Translation: "Then I'll take care of you now."

"Dragon meat, give me thirty skewers; this beef, give me eighty thousand catties..." he rattled off demands in rapid succession, "Salvia dog meat, give me five thousand catties..."

Translation: "Dragon meat, give me thirty skewers; this beef, give me eighty thousand catties……" he rattled off demands like rapid-fire cannon, "Salvia dog meat, give me five thousand catties……"

"Once these are prepared, please pack them up; I'll take them away to visit the hardworking staff as overtime pay."

Translation: "After these are prepared, please pack them up; I'll take them away to visit the hardworking staff as overtime pay."

"Huh? Why are you still standing there? Such a good opportunity—why aren't you getting to work quickly?"

Translation: "Huh? Why are you still standing? With such a good thing, why aren't you hurrying to do it?"

Under Fengxi's urging, the rat spirit retreated with a look of collapse.

Translation: Under Fengxi's urging, the rat spirit retreated with a look of collapse.

Watching its retreating figure, Fengxi slightly lifted his head, narrowed his eyes, and gazed with an inexplicable look.

Translation: Watching its retreating back, Fengxi slightly raised his head, narrowed his eyes, and gazed with a rather inexplicable look.

"Hah..."

Translation: "Heh……"

……

Translation: ……

Carrying the packaged delicacies, having eaten and drunk his fill, Fengxi leisurely left the restaurant.

Translation: Holding the packed delicacies, the well‑fed and well‑drunk Fengxi leisurely left the restaurant.

Along the way, he was no different from before, until after walking far away, the cloth on his forehead emitted a faint glow, concealing any possible surveillance; only then did Fengxi turn around, his eyes deep and distant, as if gazing across time and space at that restaurant, his brows gradually furrowing.

Translation: Along the way he was no different from before, until he went far enough that his forehead headband emitted a faint light, shielding any possible surveillance; only then did Fengxi turn, his gaze deep and distant, as if he had seen across time and space that restaurant, his brows gradually furrowing.

He paced, pondered, carefully sorted through what he had heard, caught the fleeting abnormality, and a sense of foreboding shadowed his heart.

Translation: He paced, pondered, carefully sorted what he had heard, caught the fleeting abnormality, and the shadow of an omen lingered in his heart.

"Although everything the rat spirit recounted is filled with genuine emotion, concerning his clan's plight and his own painful personal experiences."

Translation: "Although everything the rat spirit recounted was filled with the most genuine emotions, for its clan's plight, for its own painful personal experiences."

"He is quite frank, hiding nothing from me... It seems he feels powerless to struggle, so he places his hope on outsiders, longing for someone to carry out a rescue."

Translation: "Very frank, with no concealment toward me…… it looks like, feeling powerless to struggle, it placed hope on outsiders, longing for someone to carry out salvation."

"But the whole process always gives me an uneasy feeling." Fengxi lifted his gaze to the sky, his expression solemn and wary, "Is this an illusion? Or perhaps... someone is angling, digging a pit for me, aiming to achieve some nefarious goal?"

Translation: "But the whole process always gives me a feeling that something's off." Fengxi lifted his gaze to the sky, his expression solemn and wary, "Is this an illusion? Or…… is someone fishing, digging a pit for me, aiming to achieve some nefarious purpose?"

"If it's indeed angling... that really isn't good news."

Translation: "If it's fishing…… that really isn't good news."

Starting from the worst-case scenario, the deduced outcome does not make Fengxi optimistic.

Translation: Starting from the worst‑case scenario, the deduced result does not make Fengxi optimistic.

"Which great demon lord has taken notice of me?"

Translation: "Which great figure of the Demon Race has taken notice of me?"

"I'm just a petty witch." He felt sorrowful, "Although this petty witch of mine possesses an innate spiritual treasure, favored by the Earth Ancestor Witch, appointed as the supreme chief of the embassy stationed at Kunlun Mountain, and linked with the human Flame Emperor... no matter how I think about it, there's no need to take it so seriously as to regard it as a dangerous source to target!"

Translation: "I'm just a little witch." He felt sorrowful, "Although this little witch of mine possesses an innate spiritual treasure, was favored by the Ancestral Witch Houtu, appointed as the supreme leader of the diplomatic embassy stationed at Kunlun Mountain, and has ties to the human Yandi…… but no matter how you think, there's no need to take it so seriously as a dangerous source to target!"

"Doing this, how am I supposed to develop in a lewd manner?"

Translation: "Doing this, how can I still develop in a lewd way?"

"Difficult... difficult!"

Translation: "Difficult…… difficult!"

Fengxi shook his head, withdrew his gaze, and walked toward the lodging arranged for him by the Three Pure Ones of Kunlun Mountain.

Translation: Fengxi shook his head, withdrew his gaze, and walked toward the lodging arranged by the Three Pure Ones' Heavenly Lords at Kunlun Mountain.

……

Translation: ……

"Shopkeeper!"

Translation: "Shopkeeper!"

The rat spirit, who had once stood before Fengxi full of hope only to end in disappointment, now stood respectfully, eyes uneasy, "You entrusted me with the task; I have already carried it out. But... but..."

Translation: The rat spirit, once hopeful before Fengxi but now disappointed, stood respectfully, eyes anxious, "You entrusted me with the task; I have already carried it out. But…… but……"

"But what?" the accountant shopkeeper said in a flat tone, "Go on."

Translation: "But what?" the shopkeeper, calmly calculating accounts, said, "Go on."

"But... he listened and yet showed no reaction." The rat spirit trembled, "Shopkeeper Black Ze, I swear I really did my best..."

Translation: "But…… he listened and yet had no reaction." The rat spirit stammered, "Shopkeeper Heize, I swear I really did my best……"

"Tsk." Shopkeeper Black Ze put down his pen, "Even this isn't enough?"

Translation: "Tsk." Shopkeeper Heize put down his pen, "Is even this not enough?"

He paid no heed to the trembling Xiao Er, "Reversing time, selecting a soul that ought to have died, relying on personal experience, the most genuine emotions, a life of unfeigned sorrow, to craft the perfect actor... even this cannot stir his passion?"

Translation: He paid no heed to the trembling Xiao Er, "Reversing time, selecting a soul that ought to have died, relying on personal experience, the most genuine feelings, a life of unfeigned tragedy, to craft the perfect Actor…… even this cannot stir his passion?"

"Hah... truly a thorny objective."

Translation: "Heh…… truly a thorny target."

Shopkeeper Black Ze closed the ledger, his face showing neither joy nor anger, waved a hand, letting the frightened rat spirit retreat, his eyes hollow, as if deep in thought.

Translation: Heize closed the ledger, his face showing neither joy nor anger, waved a hand, letting the frightened Xiao Er retreat, his eyes hollow, as if deep in thought.

"What a pity, the fish didn't bite; your angling scheme has failed." A low voice suddenly rang out.

Translation: "What a pity, the fish didn't bite; your fishing scheme has failed." A low voice suddenly sounded.

At some point, a hazy figure appeared in that corner, speaking to Shopkeeper Black Ze.

Translation: At some point, a vague silhouette appeared in that corner, speaking to Shopkeeper Heize.

"Yes, it failed." Black Ze sighed lightly, "We had already dug the pit."

Translation: "Yes, it failed." Heize lightly sighed, "We had already dug the pit ready."

"As long as his passion flares up, relying on his inner sense of justice and martial strength, to destroy the dark breeding farm..."

Translation: "As long as his passion flares up, relying on his inner sense of justice and martial strength, to destroy the dark breeding farm……"

"With the ambush forces in place, we would seize that fellow who recklessly 'infringes upon demon tribe interests' and 'meddles in demon tribe internal affairs' on the spot, recording ironclad evidence."

Translation: "With the ambush forces in place, they would seize on the spot that guy who recklessly 'harms demon race interests' and 'interferes in demon race internal affairs', recording ironclad evidence."

"Hah, how many races in heaven and earth have risen without original sin on their hands?"

Translation: "Heh, how many races' rise in this world is free of original sin?"

"Cutting off people's financial routes is the most loathed act."

Translation: "Cutting off people's wealth is the most hated."

"After capturing him on the spot, we will then promote his 'righteous actions,' letting many groups at the top of the food chain 'recognize' that the witch tribe is a meddlesome force that, in pursuing what it deems justice, can harm others' interests—this is truly unwelcome to those who truly hold power and capital."

Translation: "After capturing him on the spot, we'll then promote his 'righteous actions', letting many groups atop the food chain 'come to know' that the Wu Clan is a meddlesome force that, in pursuing what it calls justice, can damage others' interests——this is truly unwelcome to those truly holding power and capital."

"Such a target is sufficient to maximally stimulate the races that hoard dark capital, prompting them to spend money and exert strength to oppose the witch tribe that hinders their profit-making."

Translation: "Such a target is enough to maximally stimulate the races hoarding dark capital, prompting them to spend money and exert strength to oppose the Wu Clan that hinders their profit‑making."

The Wu Clan threat theory can immediately become consensus; the fruits of Emperor Jiang and Houtu's thousands of years of painstaking efforts to establish relations are instantly half-destroyed.

Who let that little witch be the trusted confidant valued by Houtu? And also holding the innate spiritual treasure bestowed by Di Jiang? In a sense, representing the will of these two ancestral witches.

"Indeed." The person in the corner sighed, "What a suitable pawn! What a perfect entry point? But he is too calm, calm to the point of being cold-blooded."

No wonder Houtu would specifically appoint him, ordering him to be the leader of diplomatic affairs in this Kunlun... Indeed qualified, with merit.

Things have come to this; what should we do next?

Our mission..." that person said, "If we cannot destroy the ancestral witches' plan, letting them gather momentum, the future great war will be somewhat difficult."

I know this well." He Ze tapped the table with his fingertips, "The ancestral witches dispatch personnel to set up embassies everywhere, intending to gradually spread out, bit by bit expand influence, promote their own camp's ideology, no longer limited to those top-tier Great Luo who are still wavering and merely testing investments of one or two, but to delve into the middle and lower tiers."

Once the propaganda yields results, it can in turn influence the top tier; that favorable news is enough to prompt the players to continue adding investment.

This is not allowed... therefore we have mobilized to probe this process, exposing their flaws and shortcomings, sabotaging their plan.

But in other places, the first batch of team leaders are actually incarnations of the local Great Luo; saying they are establishing embassies, in substance they are just returning home.

To target and spy on the loopholes, we can only wait for the second batch of little witches to arrive and begin work.

The ancestral witches are also shrewd; the first step seeks stability, not seeking merit but seeking no fault. Only this Kunlun now presents an opportunity to exploit." He Ze slapped the table, "This seems like a foolish move? But more likely the ancestral witches are inviting a battle, testing our response.

Before fully rolling out, using such a probe point to scout our Demon Race... if it fails, we draw lessons; if it succeeds, we pursue victory and expand the gains.

Heh... quite a beautiful thought." He Ze sneered, "I will grant them a crushing defeat!

The little guy leading here in Kunlun doesn't take the bait, right?

No problem, I'll force-feed it to him!" He looked at the silhouette in the corner, "Once the Wu Clan embassy is officially completed and begins propaganda, you secretly arrange to help them hype up a bit.

Spreading statements that the Wu Clan is friendly, benevolent, virtuous, eager to help, etc. —things they cannot easily deny—and then arranging for some spirits that have escaped dark captivity to seek refuge at their embassy, rescuing their own kin.

I want to see, under everyone's eyes, whether he will save or not.

Can he still pretend to be deaf and mute, brushing it off!

He Ze's gaze was cold and ruthless.

Finally willing to come back?

I was thinking... if it weren't for the Moral Heavenly Lord about to open the altar to lecture, couldn't you still be out there wandering for another ten or eight years?

Returning to the garrison, Fengxi was unexpectedly stopped at the door by someone holding a sword.

Yu Chen's gaze was unfriendly, looking at a certain person whose figure had slightly grown plump compared to when they left, that face full of oily shine, obviously outside they were eating and drinking well, living a carefree immortal's life.

Then compare oneself?

Doing reading comprehension of the 'Lingbao Heavenly Lord Lectures Collection', also having to manage the embassy's construction work, thinking about how to promote in the future...

Yu Chen felt they couldn't think further.

The more they thought, the angrier they got; the angrier, the more they wanted to stab this guy twice.

But after thinking seriously... the rank hasn't been obtained yet, seems they still can't beat him now?

This makes people even angrier!

Being angry yet having to endure... what a sorrowful matter!

Fortunately, Fengxi seems to have found their conscience, the prodigal returns, not having done anything to add fuel to the fire: 'Where, where? Am I really that kind of person?'

While vehemently denying, he solemnly produced the packed food, 'My reason for coming back this late is entirely justified.'

I haven't forgotten you who are working hard!

Do you see it?

This is specially fetched from a famous restaurant far away, the food I brought back for you!" Fengxi laid them out in a row, "Dragon meat, beef, dog meat... hidden within is how much of my heart.

Moved or not? Am I a good leader?

Moved... fat chance!" Yu Chen retorted, nonchalantly picking up a string of dragon meat and gnawing, while chewing saying, "Before you thought to pack for us, you must have already eaten your fill!

Don't retort, I just ask if you dare to swear an oath to heaven?

Fengxi listened, gave an embarrassed laugh, unable to answer.

In the Honghuang world, that's the problem.

People act, Heaven watches.

The outcome of a rash oath is obviously not wonderful.

Because the 'Heaven's Will' capable of settlement is truly too many!

Fengxi fell silent, and the world grew quiet.

Yu Chen gnawed on dragon meat, also not pressing the advantage, continued to mock.

After all, this is the bad boss who assigns work to subordinates and makes them work overtime without pay; after going out to consume and travel, they still remember to bring something back... what more could one ask for?

Even if one wanted to demand, they'd have to wait until the Moral Heavenly Lord's lecture concludes half a month later!

At that time, the cheat would be in hand... ah no, it's the Heavenly Dao rewarding diligence; his Yu Chen's painstaking cultivation earned Heaven's pity, having an epiphany during the Heavenly Lord's lecture, his strength leapt forward.

And the Moral Heavenly Lord greatly appreciated this Yu Chen who had an epiphany on the spot—this is an affirmation of his teaching ability!

Therefore, they specially bestowed an innate spiritual treasure, the 'Seven Star Treasure Sword', as encouragement and reward.

Look!

The script has all been arranged.

Just waiting for the Actor to get into position.

Beneath Yu Chen's calm exterior lay a fiery, restless heart.

Gnawing on dragon meat, envisioning a beautiful future, for a moment the world seemed so beautiful.

Until, it was shattered by someone buzzing again.

Yu Chen's face drooped long.

Hey, are you listening?" Fengxi looked at Yu Chen, "How do you feel like you've lost your soul?

You're the one who lost your soul!" Yu Chen's face darkened, "What's the matter? Speak up quickly!

"I just have a question I want to ask you." Fengxi said, "There are some things I'm not sure about, so I want to consult the opinion of someone like you who has backing and is knowledgeable and talented."

"Ask away." Yuchen said casually, "If it's something I can tell you, I'll naturally let you know."

"Hmm, it's about Houtu establishing reincarnation." Fengxi pondered before speaking, "I once heard Fuxi the Great Sage mention that when Houtu establishes reincarnation, she can grasp the authority over the souls of all beings in heaven and earth, hold the vital pulse of the human path, and can stand against Nüwa's creation authority……Is that correct?"

"Um……" Yuchen's expression was strange, "Yes, reincarnation is crucial, it's indeed gripping the vital pulse of humanity's beings. Contending with Nüwa? Uh, that's fine to say."

"Then the price of establishing reincarnation, is it truly as the rumors say, requiring her to sacrifice herself to achieve it?" Fengxi frowned.

"Sacrifice oneself? What body to give up?" Yuchen shook his head, "For any Daluo, what truly matters is the innate indestructible spiritual light."

"As long as the self-consciousness within the spiritual light is not harmed, other aspects are not a problem; they can be quickly made up and recovered."

"Oh." Fengxi understood, then asked again, "If so, why isn't Houtu establishing reincarnation now?"

"It's not that she doesn't want to, but that she can't; the conditions don't support it." Yuchen said.

"Even if she establishes reincarnation, it would just be an empty shell, a futile investment with no takers." He curled the corner of his mouth into a smile, "You wouldn't think that Houtu just needs to shout, 'I feel the souls of heaven and earth have no reliance, I now use my body as a guide to transform into reincarnation,' and then everyone would kneel in worship, devoutly kowtow, and loudly chant, 'Mother Houtu is merciful,' would you?"

"Impossible!" Yuchen said leisurely, "Such a scene would only exist in a dream."

"So, to this day Houtu has still not been able to establish reincarnation, simply because too many people have opposed it."

"The so-called benefits of reincarnation rebirth, we haven't seen much of, before even a seal is stamped on the soul……Who would want that?"

"The reason behind this, I think with your intelligence and talent, you should be able to understand." Yuchen looked at Fengxi.

Fengxi pondered for a moment, then slapped his hands together, "That's right."

"A Daluo is immortal and indestructible; at most they lose themselves, so they fundamentally don't care about reincarnation."

"And the Honghuang world is still a world of cultivation; achieving true immortality grants limitless lifespan, eternal life—provided one isn't killed by others."

"Put together like this, it's no wonder the status of reincarnation is awkward."

"Even mid- and high-level cultivators hold an indifferent attitude toward this reincarnation."

If one can achieve immortality, why would they place hope in post-death reincarnation? That makes no sense!

No need to care about past lives, no need to worry about future ones; I can live this one life from the creation of heaven and earth to the end of the universe, supreme in a lifetime—what need is there for reincarnation?

Those who truly yearn for reincarnation are only of two kinds.

One kind is those with limited lifespans; they pursue reincarnation, saying ultimately it's for the continuation of their own will—seeking reincarnation essentially means seeking longevity.

Another kind is those who feel this life is too cruel, that living is nothing but suffering and torment; they pursue reincarnation hoping for a good start in the next life—to be reborn into a favorable womb.

It's somewhat like the current mindset of wanting to reset one's cultivation after one's practice has been ruined.

This pursuit is about becoming a winner in life.

And in the Honghuang world, this kind of power can almost represent everything of heaven and earth; these pursuits can almost be equated.

Having strength equals longevity equals a good life.

Who among the immortal life-winners would want to go into reincarnation?

What if after reincarnation, the next life turns out far worse than this one—what then?

That's all too possible.

The number of true dragons ultimately amounts to not even one in ten thousand compared to ants.

Of course, if it were merely that, at most it would make people indifferent, not enough to provoke resistance or opposition.

After all, life in the world inevitably involves mishaps.

What if one encounters mishaps like being killed by stray energy or slain by enemies?

Then this reincarnation would come in handy.

Unfortunately, what troubles many people is that the establishment of this reincarnation is aimed at grasping authority over souls!

Without attaining Daluo, there is no escape!

Under reincarnation, all beings are equal!

Anyone who thinks about it realizes that from now on their soul will bear a layer of bondage and shackles; even if the owner of those shackles won't do anything bad……but what if?

"If we put it in more down-to-earth terms, then Houtu's reincarnation business is, for many living beings, just a personal accident insurance." Fengxi mused, "Moreover, it's useless while one is alive, and the payout for rebirth after death isn't very reliable insurance……All that aside, the key is that the premium must be compulsorily paid."

As he spoke, Fengxi himself ended up laughing.

Even taxes backed by mighty military power have people daring to evade, let alone this private insurance business, the game of rerolling one's account……If one has the ability, becoming a ghost cultivator is also quite good—why bother with reincarnation?

If it were me, anyone who dared to recommend this compulsory insurance to me would definitely get their head smashed.

Reincarnation?

Reincarnate what!

Isn't ghost cultivation appealing?

I want to become a ghost, cultivate to become a supreme ghost Dao expert, and not be reborn!

Exactly! Yuchen nodded in agreement, "Body snatching, soul cultivation……there are many other paths—why bother with reincarnation?"

So, Houtu the ancestral witch's reincarnation strategy has, up to now, not even managed to take the first step.

I reckon she might never be able to take that step……unless she willingly gives up the authority over souls, takes no benefit whatsoever, purely to create a Honghuang public welfare facility, giving everything and expecting nothing in return.

Is that possible? Fengxi rolled his eyes, indicating he didn't really believe it.

He has had contact with Houtu many times.

Although this female ancestral witch appears dignified and bears the demeanor of a great family.

But Fengxi can see through these outward appearances to the inner truth—a vibrant, never-yielding, enterprising maiden.

It's hard to imagine such a person acting that way……not because she lacks compassion, but because she has no reason to abandon her duties as an ancestral witch.

Not necessarily impossible. Yuchen held a contrary view, "If the situation of the Wu Clan had reached an irredeemable point, I actually think she would do that."

Having waged war for an era, slaughtering countless, yet only able to watch helplessly as the Wu Clan fell, seeing the fragility of humanity after losing their strongest spear and shield, reduced to being raised and harvested for qi by others, becoming fodder for demons and monsters……body weary, spirit exhausted, willing to slay foes but unable to turn the tide.

Even if one is a Daluo, even if it is heavenly will, to reap such an ironic result—what else can be done?

All traces of the Wu are being wiped away by the strong who have reaped the victory's fruits, erasing the former glory, finally becoming dust at the bottom of the Suiyue Changhe, unnoticed anymore.

"Much effort, much sacrifice, all came to nothing... After countless ages, later generations look back, see not a trace."

Yuchen sighed deeply, "If I were in that position, I would probably choose to do some astonishing deeds, in this Honghuang, in this universe, leaving the clearest trace."

"If one cannot leave a name in history, then leave a stench for ten thousand years."

"Perhaps Houtu thought this way, ultimately leaving a place of reincarnation."

"By existing in this way, to proclaim to all beings... There once was a clan called the Wu Clan, and there was once an ancestral witch called Houtu!"

"Thus, as the conclusion of her experience as the ancestral witch, she drew a final period."

Yuchen's words had a great infectious power, making Fengxi feel moved and sorrowful.

In a daze, he seemed to see, through time, a goddess staggering forward on the boundless Sea of Blood, her face sorrowful, tears at the corners of her eyes—was she sympathizing with the beings who had perished in the great calamity? Or was it the heartbreaking despair of being unable to turn the tide and save her own clan?

Perhaps, both.

Finally, in great sorrow, Houtu vanished, and reincarnation appeared!

Reincarnation, in another way, continued the existence of the Wu Clan.

A clan gained eternity... in spirit, in memory.

"This won't do!" Fengxi furrowed his brow, his expression solemn, seriously pondering something.

"Houtu's sorrow came to an end, from now on gone... Me? In these times of Honghuang, how to get by without a backing?"

"A leader as generous as Houtu, foolish and easy to deceive, not nitpicking, and still pleasant to look at—such a leader is hard to find in all ages!"

"If it just collapses like that, what am I to do?"

"Before my wings harden and I can fly solo, the Wu Clan cannot collapse, Houtu cannot collapse, we must strengthen!"

PS: Alas, something terrible happened yesterday; as a result, I forgot to upload the written chapter... embarrassing. So I'll combine it with today's, a big chapter of 8000 words.

(End of chapter)