Chapter 144: Lesser Yang on Immortals, Smashing Demons and Shattering the Wu

Eastern Duke.

This is a very extraordinary title.

And its counterpart is an equally renowned female powerhouse—

Golden Mother!

Queen Mother of the West!

Duke and Queen Mother, East and West united.

In the rumors before Fengxi's transmigration, those who study the Dao and ascend to heaven to become immortals, entering the immortal ranks, must first pay respects to Wood Duke and then audience with Golden Mother, then enter the Three Pure Ones to pay respects to Taishang Laojun, Yuanshi Tianzun, and Numinous Treasure Dao Lord, and finally meet the big boss—the Heavenly Emperor.

Wood Duke, Golden Mother, they oversee the immortal registry!

This is no small matter.

It's equivalent to managing ID issuance……without this, even becoming an immortal makes you an illegal immigrant immortal.

Only after passing this most basic checkpoint can one later have an audience with the Three Pure Ones—equivalent to filling out education, faith, future work aspirations, and such.

As for the Heavenly Emperor, what does he do?

Naturally, he manages work assignments and tax collection!

Having become an immortal, what then?

All must work for me, contribute to the Honghuang universe……and on the side, I'll shear a bit of wool.

What?

You want freedom?

Occupy a mountain as king in the lower realm?

That's fine too.

Make you into the roster of demons and monsters; whenever the great calamity opens, I'll just swipe you away.

Or perhaps some dignitary wants to climb higher but lacks merit?

Then go swipe them too.

What a True Martial Subduing Demon Great Emperor!

What a Buddha achieving the Dao!

……

Fengxi reined in his wandering, boundless thoughts.

No way.

The legendary aura on Eastern Duke is too thick.

Even if it can't compare to the Three Sovereigns, it's still among the most outstanding divinities in the Honghuang universe.

His strength is great, his future authority still weighty……if not for the extra Western Queen Mother diverting female immortals, he'd soon be able to arm-wrestle the Heavenly Emperor.

"Lesser Yang Emperor!"

"No wonder the momentum is so grand!"

Fengxi clicked his tongue, feeling endless emotion.

Then he furrowed his brows, "Such a big figure descending upon Kunlun……likely will cause an earth-shaking upheaval."

"You say……will this affect the National Games we're about to hold?"

Fengxi poked the painter.

"You ask me, I ask who?" the painter said unhappily, "Such a powerhouse standing at the peak of heaven and earth is fundamentally not something we can predict."

"Don't you have a backer behind you?" Fengxi rubbed his chin.

"My backer isn't omnipotent." The painter rolled his eyes, "Besides."

"Lesser Yang Emperor……is no ordinary existence."

The painter seemed to dread this powerhouse……no, it should be said that it's his backer behind him who dreads.

Regarding Eastern Duke, one dare not show the slightest contempt.

"Not an ordinary existence?" Fengxi raised his eyebrows, "Can you tell me how it's not ordinary?"

"Explaining this from the start……gets very complicated." The painter shook his head, "We have to start from the beginning."

"No need to start from the beginning……condense! Condensation is the essence!" Fengxi interrupted.

"Condensation works too." The painter was somewhat speechless, but ultimately went along with his wishes.

"What do you think……in this vast Honghuang, which clan's art style is the weirdest?"

The painter countered with a question.

"The Wu Clan!" Fengxi blurted out.

The painter was left speechless by the retort.

Embarrassingly, he still couldn't rebut.

After all, each member of the Wu Clan wields dragons and serpents, a living, breathing "kill‑mat" style.

Trying to find a more mysterious art style while paying lip service……is very difficult.

"My mistake, my mistake……exclude the Wu Clan, think again." The painter said.

"Not counting the Wu Clan……" Fengxi pondered, then his eyes lit up, "That should be the Dragon Clan!"

"Exactly, it's the Dragon Clan!" The painter nodded.

"Compared to other clans, the Dragon Clan's greatest difference lies in……almost all races in the world can ultimately embark on the path to becoming dragons!"

"Even those earth veins and water veins……once they become climate, can be given the title of dragon!"

"Dragon veins!"

"Speaking of reason……the Dragon Clan is actually most suited to become the royal template of the Demon Race." The painter let out a long sigh, "Look—"

The coverage is broad, there's also an open ascending passage... Yao Yao can be like a dragon!

Listening to the painter's words, Fengxi realized——

Huh?

Indeed it is exactly like that!

Dragon clan, truly heaven-defying!

Looking at this hand, I don't know how much it surpasses the phoenix.

In itself it is the top-tier clan, and there are countless yao spirits in the Honghuang world as potential reinforcements—high, middle, low, all three tiers have sufficient manpower, almost able to stand as a faction independent of the lich.

—if it weren't for the innate divinities, administrators who transcend the acquired clans.

Speaking of which... with such a good hand, even the Primordial Dragon couldn't win the Dragon-Phoenix Great Calamity? Fengxi was a little puzzled.

There are some special reasons. The painter brushed it off, not wanting to discuss further, and forcibly moved on to the main topic: "You know, who is the biggest contributor enabling the dragon clan to assemble such a hand?"

Two great powers! Before Fengxi could guess, the painter revealed the answer: "One is the dragon clan's primordial ancestor—Dragon Ancestor!"

And the other is this Lesser Yang Emperor!

The dragon clan's bodily evolution was based on Dragon Ancestor's divine form, laying the foundation.

But the coalescing of the thought "everyone like a dragon" is the soul infused by the Lesser Yang into this clan!

Primordial Dragon shapes the body, Lesser Yang shapes the soul!

Once they have souls, the dragon clan is no longer merely a clan... the painter sighed inexplicably, "It has become a concept, an immortal ideal... the dragon clan's bodies can be destroyed, but the thought will be passed down, and after countless ages someone will voluntarily walk the same path!"

Everyone like a dragon!

In the painter's tone, it's hard to say how much complex emotion there is.

You don't know the scene of the Dragon-Phoenix Era at the dragon clan's peak.

All the myriad clans of the world admire the dragon!

All want to become dragons!

Willingly!

Even under the rule of the phoenix faction.

Countless beings, because of the slogan "everyone like a dragon," simply don't care about the bans issued by the phoenix.

At that time, everyone wanted to become true dragons... snakes, carps, and jiao dragons ran rampant!

In the painter's words, he revealed to Fengxi a corner of an ancient era, vast and tumultuous.

If that's the case... did the dragon clan already have a strategic advantage back then? Fengxi mused, "The phoenix's home is almost being stolen..."

About right. The painter smiled, a bit strangely, "If not for what happened later, the dragon clan might not have been able to win a total victory."

Oh? Fengxi's interest was piqued.

Because, at the crucial moment... Rahu Demon Ancestor made a move.

He ended the Primordial Dragon's dream of victory.

Under the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation, Dragon Ancestor let out a mournful cry, playing a sorrowful song...

The leader was beheaded and absolutely killed... how mighty could the dragon clan be? The painter spread his hands, "Just making wedding clothes for others."

So it is... Fengxi suddenly realized, "It's the Primordial Dragon's own fault—he had a great hand but played it terribly."

Exactly. The painter nodded repeatedly, "It's all because of the demon ancestor, leaving the Primordial Dragon with an eternal regret."

Of course.

The Primordial Dragon's failure cannot be said to be the dragon clan's failure... the dragon clan still has many admirable qualities.

So.

The one who single-handedly forged the soul for such a clan—the Primordial Dragon's strategist, the Lesser Yang Emperor, cannot be underestimated no matter what.

It must be treated with caution!

The painter's expression gradually turned solemn, mixed with some confusion.

How strange.

This great power, since the dawn of this era, hasn't he always been secluded in the manor-bestowed Daoist domain given by the Primordial Dragon—Ten Continents Three Islands—rarely coming out?

How come he's so high-profile now?

Could it be... he's about to make some big move?

Some people, merely by appearing, are destined to attract myriad gazes, impossible to ignore.

Because, even in the endless ages before, they had already accomplished earth-shattering great undertakings, proving their wisdom and talent!

The Honghuang world is too vast, its history too ancient.

Three thousand divinities, three thousand great Luo... even this number of three thousand is merely a nominal figure; the true amount is not limited to these.

Each great Luo is a precious gem born after screening countless beings.

They themselves are myths, they themselves are legends.

And yet, amidst such a multitude of myths and legends, to stand out and have one's name etched clearest and brightest through the ages—what terrifying intellect and ability would that require?

Every world-renowned great power is not simple.

Anyone who dares to underestimate them, their bones have long since turned to dust.

"The Duke's procession to Kunlun will draw the gaze of all Honghuang... the focus of the whole world!"

The painter said to Fengxi thus: "We can only hope... that this person best not stir up any trouble."

Otherwise...

The painter's hope was dashed.

Eastern King Duke, bearing others' entrusted responsibilities, has entered a game capable of overturning the myriad-ages era.

Still, it seems he is playing the role of a sacrificial pawn, drawing fire.

"But… just drawing fire isn't enough?"

"I want to accomplish something great!"

"This way, whether it fails or succeeds, the goal is already achieved… and if it succeeds?"

"I can directly slap the game board onto some guy's face!"

When the dragon carriage arrived not far from the Three Pure Ones' Holy Hall, Shaoyang Di Jun slowly rose to his feet, a smile on his face, overlooking the vast mountains and rivers.

In his eyes lay the illusions of the Myriad Heavens fading, the flow of ages, condensing the entirety of Kunlun.

At this very moment, every Great Luo who sensed his gaze, whether or not they were great beings, each and every one, solemnly clasped their hands toward the void in a salute to show respect.

Even those with great divine powers must slightly nod their heads.

As for the master of this place?

Aside from the busy Lingbao Tianzun, who was inconveniently occupied with preaching duties, Daode Tianzun and Yuanshi Tianzun had arrived side by side.

Upon meeting, they both performed a salute, showing mutual respect.

After the rites, Daode Tianzun finally spoke, "Sorry for the distant welcome; please forgive."

"It's fine… I came too suddenly." Shaoyang Di Jun smiled, "I came out to move about from extreme stillness, yet I have disturbed you."

"An honored guest graces my door, making my humble abode shine—how could that be a disturbance?" Yuanshi Tianzun laughed heartily, "This place is not suited for talk; please come inside for a chat."

"Very well." Shaoyang nodded.

The three exalted beings walked side by side.

After entering the hall and taking their seats as host and guest, Daode Tianzun asked with a smile, "You Daoist friend are of a lazy disposition, rarely leaving your door… Coming to my Kunlun this time, surely there is some other motive?"

"Morality Daoist friend, you are indeed open-minded and perceptive, with eyes like torches!" Shaoyang praised, "Yet I have some thoughts."

"I see the present age, heaven and earth in disorder, myriad clans warring, slaughter endless… I feel sorrow but deem it not worth it." Shaoyang sipped a cup of fragrant tea, "Due to each side's worldview cultivated by their respective clans, they are drawn into endless disputes… What's the point?"

"I often ponder."

"That breakthrough in cultivation brought by practice leads to a leap in life form, thereby elevating the cognitive level, allowing one to see more of the essence of heaven and earth and the truths of the Great Dao's operation. Looking back, the former constrained and narrow awareness cultivated before…"

"That flawed worldview, riddled with errors—does it not need to be shattered and rebuilt?"

Shaoyang Di Jun said softly.

"Like morning mushrooms unaware of the waning moon, like summer cicadas ignorant of spring and autumn… Those with limited lifespans cannot comprehend the immortals' tolerance and patience, while immortals cannot grasp how those who cling to the Dao can embody both supremacy and humility …"

"Daoist friend, look."

"Compared to the breakthrough in cultivation, the resulting cognitive level is completely different."

"Or is it that the gulf is greater between beings of the same clan but different levels due to cognitive differences?"

"Or is it that the gulf is greater between different clans that share the same cognition of the world?"

Shaoyang said with interest, "An immortal being considers matters that begin thousands or tens of thousands of years from the outset."

"Yet its weak kin still ponder what to do tomorrow, what to do the day after?"

"Such a gulf in life… do they still share a common language?"

"When there is no common language at all."

"Then, aside from bodily similarity, can the two still be considered the same clan?"

The gap between humans and dogs is great.

But the gap between humans is even greater!

Immortals and mortals find it hard to have common communication.

But immortals and dog immortals—hard to say they can chat together.

"So… what do you want to say, Daoist friend?" Daode Tianzun's hands had unknowingly clenched into fists.

He drew a deep breath, unusually somewhat tense.

"I'm just wondering whether we could establish such a special clan?" Shaoyang said calmly, "Breaking the ordinary concept of defining a clan by bodily similarity, and instead forming a concept-clan based on life level."

"Hmm… this clan, let's start with immortals."

"That's too low, and there's no need to consider it."

"Your idea, Daoist friend, is very bold." Yuanshi Tianzun sighed, "But discussing it with us… might not be appropriate?"

"I think it's quite suitable…" Shaoyang blinked, "After all, a clan whose foundation is life form must necessarily have a relatively reliable core principle."

"The Daoist systems of the three Daoist friends, aiming to pursue the Great Dao, are quite good."

"Daoist friend, you're playing with fire… you want to dismantle the organization of the Demon Race and the Wu Clan, shatter ethnic centralism, and replace it with a great capital conglomerate." Daode Tianzun's voice was dry, "You're simultaneously provoking both the Wu and Demon clans!"

Power knows no clan!

"Provocation? How can that be called provocation?"

Shaoyang still smiled, "I'm doing this for the sake of world peace!"

"When all the immortals stand together, no longer slaughtering each other over ethnic interests, and instead focus their thoughts on pursuing the Great Dao… how wonderful would this Honghuang become?"

(End of chapter)