Chapter 146: Mutual Covenant, Fengxi Startled

That matter is settled just like that.

Shaoyang smiled lightly, settling the transaction once and for all.

Naturally.

Yuanshi Tianzun rubbed the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi in his hand, "Daoist sect disciples, merely closing off to cultivate is not proper; having the opportunity to go out to train and broaden one's horizons is also good."

"Where in heaven and earth is there no Great Dao? The more one experiences, the more one understands."

"However, in this process we still need fellow Daoists to look after us a bit."

"This is only proper." Shaoyang nodded.

Afterwards, he looked left and right, putting on a puzzled expression, his tone full of curiosity: "I've heard that the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Venerables share the same breath and branch; why is the Lingbao Heavenly Venerable not seen this time?"

"Ha... Third Brother currently has teaching duties, so it's not convenient to meet fellow Daoists right now." Moral Heavenly Venerable explained, "He enjoys being a teacher, and he does things with single-minded focus, undistracted... Having already started his class, it's not proper for him to split himself to come here."

"He believes that is disrespectful to his own cultivation, and even more disrespectful to visiting guests."

"But once his teaching ends, he will welcome fellow Daoists at the earliest opportunity... please forgive us."

"Ah, I see..." Shaoyang Emperor realized, then shook his head repeatedly, "Why should I ask for forgiveness... after all, my visit was too sudden."

"However... does the Lingbao Dao friend give lectures?"

This emperor seems quite interested: "How is its momentum? How is its atmosphere?"

"I've heard that the Lingbao Dao friend's lineage draws myriad immortals to court as a matter of course... I suppose if they open an altar to lecture, the audience would surely gather in clouds."

"That's right." Yuanshi Tianzun nodded, very pleased with his brother's achievements; of course, in front of outsiders he still ought to be modest a bit: "My younger brother loves this most, so achieving some success in this area is quite natural."

"It's really hard on the Lingbao Dao friend... a great supernatural being able to lower his stature, so enthusiastic about cultivating junior talent." Shaoyang Emperor sighed, "No wonder the Daoist sect can flourish."

"I don't know, may I go observe a thing or two?" the emperor asked with a smile, "To see what kind of outstanding talents there are, so I can recruit them into my immortal alliance."

"After all, the Lingbao Dao friend's lecture is on a grand scale, able to keep that order steady and sound; there must be talented individuals skilled in management."

"Hahaha... fellow Daoist, go on your own, why need to speak with us?" Moral Heavenly Venerable laughed loudly, "The land of Kunlun is naturally open to fellow Daoists. As for the talent issue?"

"Third Brother might not even have time to be happy yet."

"After all, in recent years he still worried about the future destinations of disciples qualified to leave the master..." The Heavenly Venerable let out a soft sigh, "Disciples who apprentice and cultivate, as teachers we naturally hope they walk the path of seeking the Great Dao, rather than being assimilated by this era's dye vat, wholeheartedly only for slaughter."

"We transmit the study of the essence of heaven and earth, not a military camp, training warriors devoted to slaughter... Slaughter divine abilities arise to protect the Dao, they are auxiliary, not the main... cannot invert priorities."

"What can be done."

"War and slaughter are the aim of this era; those disciples who finish training are each involuntarily dragged into the mire of conflict, wanting to find a tranquil place to study is difficult."

"Third Brother has the most disciples and descendants, and is also the most worried about this issue... watching his later-generation disciples stray from their original aspirations, he feels sorrowful, possibly unable to do much."

"Fortunately, lately things have improved a bit... someone offered a compromise method that can slightly balance reality and ideal." Moral Heavenly Venerable said, "Although, the intention isn't very pure."

"Oh?" Shaoyang drew out an "oh" with deep meaning, "There's actually such a thing? Really makes me curious."

"It's been a long time since I came to Kunlun; I didn't expect there to be so many changes..." He pondered briefly, "Is it because of the Wu Clan?"

"I'm quite curious just how much they can toss about."

"It seems... besides going to see the atmosphere of the Lingbao Dao friend's lecture, I also need to carefully understand the Wu Clan stationed in Kunlun."

"After all, previously I was an outsider to the Wu-Demon faction; many things were like seeing flowers through fog, unclear and vague."

"Fellow Daoist will surely not be disappointed." Yuanshi Tianzun laughed, "This era... I estimate it will be quite interesting, not at all inferior to the era when myriad gods rose together in the Dragon-Phoenix age."

"Then I'll wait and see." Shaoyang smiled.

He turned his side to gaze at the boundless clear sky outside the hall, the smile curling at his lips, an indescribable oddity and flavor.

……

"A major event!"

"The supreme leader of the Ten Continents Three Islands—Donghua Zifu Shaoyang Emperor—conducted consultations with the Daoist sect on material trade issues!"

"Moreover, they intended to each dispatch personnel to maintain long-term cooperation and establish a joint organization."

"At the Daoist Great Luo Liaison Meeting, the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Venerables aside from Lingbao Heavenly Venerable respectively expressed their views on the matter."

"Moral Heavenly Venerable said..."

"Yuanshi Tianzun said..."

"Besides these, Nanhua True Person and Tongxuan True Person... also presented their own views."

"The meeting will proceed smoothly in a friendly and harmonious atmosphere..."

……

Fengxi wandered through the nearby market that had become bustling due to Lingbao Heavenly Venerable's lecture, still holding a newspaper he had just bought.

He read intently the news occupying the main page.

This is the Daoist sect splashing money to split the legs of the Wu Clan-run Kunlun Special Zone Newspaper, causing it to specially publish the content.

Faced with the options presented by the Daoist strongmen, one side was gleaming Xuanhuang coins, the other a round fist... the Wu in charge of this business decisively made a decision.

Thus, this scene came to be.

Through the Wu Clan's endless rat spirits under its command, this news was spread as quickly as possible.

"Just a trivial trade matter..."

After Fengxi read it over and over repeatedly, his face showed some confusion: "As for causing such a huge commotion?"

"Just based on how deeply the Daoist Great Luo has taken root in Kunlun, plus the profit margin here... a single order and everything can be settled."

"Why go to such lengths with publicity?"

Fengxi scratched his head, utterly puzzled.

But given his years of scheming against people... no, it's from experience guarding against being harmed by Demon Race enemies.

Fengxi instinctively felt there must be something fishy here!

"All these changes are because the Shaoyang Emperor has arrived."

Fengxi wandered about, went up to a teahouse, picked a quiet corner, ordered a pot of tea, and with nothing to do began to deduce.

Is it necessary for a great power to personally visit Kunlun over ordinary profit matters?

It probably isn't necessary.

Does ordinary trade cooperation need such all‑sky‑covering news publicity?

It probably isn't needed either.

Unless...

Fengxi rubbed his chin, his gaze somewhat deep.

Unless in this so‑called trade cooperation, simple resource production and trade are merely a façade… what is hidden behind it?

Looking at the intensity of this publicity, is it meant to sway people's hearts?

Leaving traces in the hearts of Kunlun Mountain's beings, repeatedly influencing… apart from pure trade of resources, have some stance consensus been inserted?

But what is this preparation for?

Fengxi had deduced this far, yet he became puzzled.

The information in hand is too scarce; even if it were a scheme to trap people… no, even a grand master of anti‑scam tactics would feel somewhat powerless.

A great power visits Kunlun, then the Daoist sect moves, takes the initiative, spreads propaganda, controls public opinion… I don't believe there's no hidden agenda.

But… how much does this concern me?

This is something only the ancestral Wu should worry about!

Thinking thus, Fengxi shook his head with a wry smile, flicked his sleeve, erased the scribbles on the table, and leisurely sipped his fragrant tea.

However.

He didn't get to truly relax.

A sudden voice rang out, nearly making his three souls leave his body and seven spirits ascend to heaven.

Your deduction was quite good… why didn't you continue?

A very gentle tone.

But when it reached Fengxi's ears, it felt like a basin of ice water poured over his head.

Too terrifying!

He wore an innate spiritual treasure amulet, its power active all day, yet he felt not the slightest hint beforehand!

And whoever could do this…

'Stay calm, stay calm… I must stay calm.'

'I must not panic… I absolutely must not panic.'

Fengxi struggled to suppress the intense urge to flee rising from the depths of his heart, his face bearing a smile uglier than crying, as he turned to look behind.

Perfect!

——This was Fengxi's first impression upon seeing the voice's owner.

White clothes surpassing snow, a long sword hanging at his waist, the corner of his mouth bearing a faint smile, as if he forever laughs at heaven and earth, laughs at all beings.

A man.

A very handsome man.

'Not inferior to me!'

Fengxi gasped in admiration inwardly.

However, the heart he had raised did not drop; he piled on a smile and said, 'Fellow Daoist… how should I address you?'

'What to call me?' the handsome man smiled, 'You may call me Song.'

'Song?' Fengxi repeated it aloud, his thoughts becoming active.

'This… is a pine tree turned essence? Or a squirrel turned essence?'

'Although you have an innate spiritual treasure protecting you, how should I put it?' the man calling himself Song chuckled, 'I can guess seven or eight out of ten of your thoughts just by speculation.'

'Uh…' Fengxi's mouth twitched; he silently began to gather his thoughts, no longer wandering.

After a light tap on Fengxi, Song naturally pulled out a chair, sat down, greeted the staff, and asked for the best tea.

As for the bill?

'Put it on his account.'

Song pointed his hand at Fengxi.

'My relationship with him is the close kind… so he invited me for tea, naturally he pays.'

What could Fengxi say about that?

Facing a not‑simple great Luo outside the Wu Clan, he adhered to his inner self‑demand, nodding in agreement to the doubtful staff.

——This newly arrived guest is his good friend, exactly so!

During this process, Fengxi's eyes darted nonstop; the trajectory of their movement, taken as brush strokes, formed a plea for help.

Act according to my gaze!

Alas.

That service person was hardly a divine‑level teammate.

He grasped nothing of the true meaning from Fengxi's gaze; he merely rejoiced at having another fat, stupid, rich sheep to slaughter.

'Alas!'

Fengxi let out a soft sigh, helplessly turned back, and steeled himself to deal with the unpredictable, inscrutable Song.

'Don't be nervous.'

Song took everything in, yet didn't much care, speaking with an old‑god composure: 'Young man, you need more gall and vigor.'

'Back then, my cultivation was about the same as yours, both Taiyi…'

'Yet facing several great Luos, I could chat and laugh freely, without a trace of panic.'

Even……

Finally I sold a few of them, and they happily helped me count the money.

Ah…… The life of smart people is just this boring and tasteless.

Song let out a sigh, feeling emotional.

Fengxi had nothing to say about this.

He just wanted to look over with the eyes of someone looking at a braggart.

But just think about the gap between us?

Fengxi changed the meaning in his gaze.

Changed to amazement, admiration……

"Boring…… boring."

Song was somewhat disinterested.

"I looked into the Wu Clan's deployment on Kunlun Mountain; all the plans are extremely bold and innovative, yet not lacking in steady adaptability."

"I thought he would be a very spirited young man…… I never expected…… I never expected ah!"

He seemed very disappointed.

Fengxi just rolled his eyes.

"If it weren't for not being able to confirm your stance, would I have to be this cautious and on guard?"

"Buying a little time is still some time…… waiting for reinforcements to come, to save myself from water and fire."

Fengxi unleashed the Delaying Word Tactic.

"You!" Song shook his head, "Actually there's no need to be so nervous."

"Think about the object of the tattoo on your forehead…… hey."

"I won't do anything to you."

"After all, if I were to pinch you to death, this little guy, and end up opposing Houtu…… I'd feel like I'm at a loss."

"I'm a smart person; I never engage in losing deals."

Song was dispelling Fengxi's vigilant and defensive thoughts.

"Really?" Fengxi looked over doubtfully, "Is Houtu's face that big?"

"That's certain." Song gave a snort laugh, "This one is far stronger than you imagine."

"Otherwise, in the legends, how could the one who controls the authority of souls among the Twelve Ancestral Witches be her?"

"They each divided control of life and death with Nüwa…… heh!"

"So you also don't need to worry that I'll slap you to death……" Song said with an inscrutable meaning, "Before you finish shining and burning for Houtu's great undertaking of reincarnation, even if you are beaten to death, she will also pull you back."

"How is it? Doesn't it sound moving? What a good superior who takes care of subordinates!"

"Even in death, one must make offerings to Houtu……" Fengxi gave an unnatural shiver, his complexion suddenly changed slightly.

——He realized the problem from Song's tone!

"The great undertaking of reincarnation…… shining and burning…… Song senior, I can't understand what you're saying."

Fengxi forced out a strained smile.

"Your talent for digging pits is indeed top-notch." Song laughed, "But."

"Heaven's intentions are inscrutable; how could you possibly understand?"

"The roads we've traveled are more than the meals you've eaten…… Under heaven, there are not a few who can see through the great net you're plotting."

"Using that reincarnation set to drain the lower levels of the Demon Race…… the idea is indeed bold."

"But…… it's still not enough, ah."

"The foundation of the Demon Race, however, is very deep."

"Unless you can also drain the middle levels…… that would be about right, able to help the Wu Clan establish an advantage."

(End of chapter)