Chapter 228: Undercover……Undercover!

But this joyful backdrop…… is actually an utterly vast and tumultuous era of great calamity!

It is not at all inferior to the great chaotic battle of the Three Pure Ones in the Investiture of the Gods era, as rumored in various gossip, lacking not even a shred.

All of them are typical cases of a house fire that brings disaster upon heaven and earth.

Fengxi silently mourned this era in his heart, then observed the proprieties—eyes to nose, nose to heart—outwardly expressing no opinion, and even ignoring Ancestral Witch Houtu's neglect of duty and slacking off, merely performing a solemn salute.

Sir.

Mm, little Fengxi…… you're back?

Houtu, seated on the main seat, raised her head and spoke indistinctly: 'Find yourself a place to sit.'

Yes. Fengxi respectfully accepted the order, pulled out a stone stool from the corner of the hall, sat upright and proper, behaving well, and turned a blind eye to Houtu's snacking while attending to him.

Of course.

Perhaps Houtu also realized she was too casual, so she quickly corrected herself.

She adjusted her posture, carefully setting the secret manual aside—showing how much she valued it.

Then, moving her lips slightly, she slowly chewed and swallowed some unknown variety of dried fish meat, rinsed her mouth with tea, and wiped her lips with a tissue.

In the blink of an eye, she became dignified and elegant, grand and imposing.

A mighty aura swept the hall, her deliberately tensed brows meant to enhance intimidation…… the whole deity, ever overbearing.

Fengxi blinked, cooperating wholeheartedly, forgetting what he had just seen, putting on a look of fearful reverence, ever ready to stand by.

Houtu's will is the direction forward for his great loyal subject, Fengxi!

Hmph!

Houtu cleared her throat, adopting the tone and posture of a superior leader, and began to speak.

"Fengxi, I send you into the first era to experience and learn…… how did it go?"

Tell me about it.

As you command.

Fengxi said, following the prepared outline in his mind, and began to expound in an orderly manner.

"This time-travel, I feel I have benefited greatly, not failing the Ancestral Witch's great pains in cultivating me."

"In cultivation, I have made great progress, clearly sensing the changes in heavenly and earthly laws brought by the flow of time, comprehending the vastness of the Heavenly Dao, drawing ever closer to the realm of Great Luo…"

Fengxi spoke clearly, recounting his many genuine insights one by one.

Houtu listened, nodding from time to time… it was evident she was very pleased with Fengxi's cultivation progress.

Afterward, she occasionally interjected, offering guidance to deepen understanding, allowing Fengxi, this temporary stand-in as the fortune-bearing Dao Master, to gain much as well.

This ancestral witch may perhaps lack leadership skills; she once had a subordinate who turned out to be a two-faced traitor, and now there is a potential insider lying in wait…… but it must be said, she treats those who trust her with extra care, looking after them well and thoroughly, a good teacher who gives meticulous guidance.

This made Fengxi feel somewhat guilty.

Thus.

After finishing his exposition on cultivation insights, he proactively shifted the topic, attempting to indirectly make crazy boasts and praises to secretly compensate for his deceit, so his conscience would be eased and no longer ache.

"Having personally experienced that era, I feel my greatest gain is actually not in cultivation."

Fengxi said sincerely, "After all, cultivation and realm are things that, given enough time and sufficient resources, will eventually improve, but some things are different."

"Only by undergoing the most unimaginable experiences, personally witnessing the most tumultuous and magnificent history, can one obtain a treasure beyond compare, surpassing all else."

"Oh?" Houtu asked intriguingly, "Do you think there is a gain more important than cultivation advancement? What is it?"

It is responsibility.

It is spirit.

It is selfless dedication.

It is noble virtue.

Fengxi spoke, pausing between each word, with great sincerity and force.

Facing Houtu, he now exerted twelve parts of the ability to 'speak human words to people, ghost words to ghosts'; even though he had learned the truth from Pot King and the secrets from Xihuang, he could still act as if it were truly so, speaking with a voice full of righteousness and justice, his expression showing not the slightest flaw.

Cultivate the mind before cultivating; be a person before acting.

Without a sound and correct worldview, the greater one's cultivation power, the greater the harm to this vast wilderness.

We cultivators must remember this principle and deeply understand and put it into practice.

Fengxi said in a tone full of emotion.

Houtu first froze, then a smile crept up her brows, her eyes narrowing as if she had thought of something: 'Quite reasonable…… go on.'

"Yes." Fengxi said, continuing his emotive remarks, "In a single tour of the Dragon-Phoenix era, I was initially stunned by the peerless cultivation of myriad ancient gods and sages, their supreme power that could shatter heaven and earth, destroy the rotten…… only at the end did I realize."

Perhaps what truly shocks and moves me is not their strength, but their sense of responsibility when facing the world-ending frenzy of the Demonic Ancestor—knowing they were outmatched, they still sacrificed their lives, forgetting death, to guard the wilderness, unwilling to cease fighting until their last breath.

When witnessing those impactful scenes, I felt…… my virtue at that moment suffered a tremendous shock and cleansing, feeling it needed to be elevated, transformed, to advance further along an indescribable path.

Especially certain great beings among them…… their magnificent images gave me great inspiration.

They are worthy of their innate divine status, able to bear the corresponding responsibility as Great Luo, as Heaven's Will, to master the rights of the wilderness.

How magnificent the wilderness! How magnificent the divine!

Fengxi skillfully cast aside his scruples, lavishly praising, his eyes even glistening slightly, as if moved; he paid the highest respect to the noble and beautiful virtues of the many ancient gods and sages who, in the past, fought the Demonic Ancestor…… no, the Demonic Ancestor.

Especially, certain individuals among them.

Having personally witnessed that perilous moment, I feel that the wilderness could reach today…… truly it is no easy feat.

I cannot forget it even now.

Perhaps I will never be able to forget it.

At the critical juncture, which greatest heroes stepped forward?

What deeds did they perform that turned the tide?

Their spirit, their sacrifice, their benevolence, their compassion…… time must remember, all beings must remember.

"It seems like the Lesser Yang Emperor, it seems like Fuxi the Great Sage…"

Fengxi, while performing with passionate vigor, secretly observed Houtu the Ancestor Witch.

However, the Ancestor Witch's expression subtly changed as he spoke.

Praising the primordial divine camp—she, too, had a share in the honor, and perhaps a little embarrassed?

And when Fengxi recited a long string of divine names by name, but omitted a certain goddess—the smile on her face faded a bit, as if her mindset had subtly changed.

Thus, Fengxi, having figured something out, began to pant heavily.

"These deities are all heroes! All transcendent outstanding talents!"

He was discussing heroes.

"What is a hero? What is an outstanding talent?"

"Only those who achieve great merit, save the nation from extinction, and reverse the raging tide…… are heroes!"

"Ancient God Great Sages, under the great calamity of world destruction, they burst forth with the most splendid brilliance…… at that moment they were truly genuine heroes!"

"Oh." Houtu gave an oh of indeterminate meaning.

Fengxi's words seemed to have stepped on some sore spot of hers, awakening a memory that made her feel very unpleasant.

This made her very unhappy.

Fengxi was somewhat surprised, at a loss—

This seems like the rhythm of flattery that ends up kissing the horse's leg?

But Fengxi remained calm in the crisis, continuing to perform according to the script he had prepared beforehand.

"Only in great peril can true heroes be seen."

"At the critical moment, the noble character, extraordinary wisdom, and decisive sacrifice of the Ancient God Great Sages move my heart and spirit, leaving me unable to control myself."

Fengxi pretentiously sighed, "However, looking over the entire era…… I discovered there is still a heroic figure that faintly towers above those outstanding talents I mentioned."

"Um…… not right."

"That should be called a heroine."

"Nüwa, Her Majesty!"

Fengxi said solemnly.

"This…… why is that?" A fleeting smile flashed in Houtu's eyes, but her face remained composed as she asked casually.

"Because, in that demonic calamity, although she did not fight bloody to the death like other primordial deities, nor display that world-shaking vigor…… her heroic bearing was even stronger, and while other Ancient God Great Sages struggled in battle, she had already soundly defeated the Black Sun Heavenly Devil Lord."

Fengxi gave the reason.

"Such conduct most boosts morale, is one of the important turning points in the entire demonic calamity, and is in no way inferior to the later appearance of Fuxi the Great Sage, who used himself as a lure to summon Pangu."

"But just that alone cannot be said to make Nüwa stronger than Fuxi, right?" said the Ancestor Witch Houtu.

At this moment, she seemed casual, but her ears had actually pricked up.

"Alas!"

Fengxi let out a sigh, "Because…… her compassion! Her benevolence!"

"Those other deities only showed true heroic nature at the most critical moments, fighting bloody to protect the primordial wilderness……"

"Only Nüwa, Her Majesty."

"Great compassion, great sorrow; great sage, great virtue."

"In ordinary times, they protect humanity and all beings, fully displaying the great love in their hearts, of supreme noble virtue."

"Compared to other Ancient God Great Sages, this supreme goddess possesses both true heroic nature, world-shaking heroic bearing and passion, and a heart of benevolent compassion…… to say she is the foremost transcendent outstanding talent of all ages is no empty boast."

Fengxi said, while also stepping on Xihuang's remark about Nüwa's rival in the witch-demon era, used as a foil: "Although Hongjun Dao Ancestor may be stronger than this Her Majesty…… in these fine details, however, he falls far short and cannot compare."

"Moreover, Xihuang, although he made great contributions in the demonic calamity, yet in conduct and in transcendent heroic bearing, he still falls short of Nüwa by half…… personally, I feel that people saying they are siblings is inaccurate."

"They should be called 'elder sister and younger brother'…… I think that is more reliable."

"Is that so? I also think so." said the Ancestor Witch Houtu, deeply agreeing.

She was just short of saying outright—Nüwa is good, far superior to her elder brother!

However, considering her own position and role, she suppressed that impulse.

Fengxi also considered the position issue.

As a member of the Wu Clan, even though he clearly knows that little secret between Nüwa and Houtu that cannot be spoken of, he still must cover up a bit, pretending to be ignorant——such things can only wait for the leader to reveal them to subordinates, not for one to act smart on their own.

In private, pondering is fine, but one must keep one's mouth shut.

So, in the end, he shifted his tone again.

"However, Fengxi privately thinks……"

"Although Nüwa is a transcendent outstanding talent…… but soon she will become a thing of the past."

"In the end, they will willingly yield the title of the number one hero of heaven and earth."

Fengxi spoke with conviction.

"Oh?" Houtu's eyes narrowed instantly, "Who?"

"Who else could it be?" Fengxi said solemnly, "Of course, it's you!"

"You will surpass Nüwa, Her Majesty, to become the foremost outstanding talent of all ages!"

"After all, you are to establish reincarnation, letting all beings that cannot attain immortality gain another form of immortality—what a great undertaking! Nüwa, Her Majesty, merely saves beings who die accidentally."

"Moreover, you wield your blade against the Demon Race, against the old era's order, inheriting the spirit of Pangu Ancestor God…… this too shall be no less a great feat than resisting the demonic calamity!"

"With all these achievements combined, you surpass Nüwa, Her Majesty—what's so surprising about that?"

Fengxi retorted.

"Actually, I feel regret for you…… you were simply born too late, leaving no footprint in the first epoch."

"Otherwise, you would surely have long been admired by all beings, myriad spirits singing praises, lauding your virtue and greatness, without falling short of Nüwa even a whit."

Houtu's expression was a little odd.

However, she didn't refute anything; instead, she looked at Fengxi with appreciation and satisfaction, nodding repeatedly, "What you said is correct, very reasonable."

"From a time-travel journey against the flow of years, I have gained such a huge harvest......"

"Little Fengxi, you are truly a talent!"

"The construction and development of the Honghuang heaven and earth precisely require someone like you to wield authority and carry out the heavenly will."

The ancestral witch tapped her fingertips on the table.

"Like this."

"After you go down later, write down your many insights and gains from the dragon-phoenix era and put them on paper."

"The content must be detailed and substantive, with no less than a billion characters, filled with genuine feeling, emphasizing the promotion of positive energy, and able to expound the theme of the era."

"After that, hand it over to me."

"I will discuss it at the next high-level meeting of the Wu Clan to determine your promotion result...... This is a necessary procedure."

After Houtu said that, Fengxi was overjoyed.

Success!

"Fengxi will surely complete the mission!"

He guaranteed.

"Don't be too nervous." Houtu smiled, eyes narrowing, "You are my person."

"And since I have decided on your promotion, there's nothing left for you to worry about."

"Who would dare not give me face?"

"In the Wu Clan, at least I am in charge of financial expenditures."

"If they still want their salaries, they have to listen to me."

Houtu, the ancestral witch, is truly overbearing.

However, she is so domineering that she has decided Fengxi will definitely pass, but there are also requirements.

"Once you have proven your Dao in the future...... I have a very difficult task that I will entrust to you."

"What is it?" Fengxi wondered.

"I want you...... to go undercover!"

Houtu said lightly.

(End of chapter)