Chapter 269: with translation of chapter title

When the Shaoyang Emperor's words fell silent, the entire hall of the Zixiao Palace fell quiet.

Translation: "The Shaoyang Emperor's words fell silent, and the entire hall of the the Zixiao Palace fell quiet."

His words fell silent.

Categorizing and deepening research, spreading the five immortals' occupational system among heaven, earth, gods, and humans, is destined to have a profound impact on the development of the primordial human Dao cultivation civilization.

Translation: "Categorizing and deepening research, dispersing the five immortals' occupational system among heaven, earth, gods, and humans, is destined to profoundly influence the development of Honghuang's human Dao cultivation civilization."

Categorizing and deepening research, spreading the five immortals' occupational system among heaven, earth, gods, and humans.

With just this, one can look down upon all the gods and gaze contemptuously at the heavenly intent of 99% of Great Luo beings.

Translation: "With this alone, one can look down upon all gods and smirk at the heavenly intent of ninety-nine percent of Great Luo beings in the world."

To look down upon the heavenly intent of 99% of Great Luo beings.

Of course, this is not to say that their wisdom gap with the Shaoyang Emperor is too huge; in fact, there have been many Great Luo beings who held similar ideas.

Translation: "Of course, this is not to say their wisdom gap with the Shaoyang Emperor is too huge…… In fact, there have been not a few Great Luo beings who held similar ideas."

Whose vision is lacking, then?

Translation: "Whose vision is lacking?"

Promoting pure theory alone convinces no one, because the contest is dynamic; any seemingly perfect plan may get stuck at some Great Luo being's end and collapse unexpectedly.

Translation: "Mere theoretical promotion convinces no one. Because that game is dynamic, any plan that looks good in deduction might get stuck at some Great Luo's place and collapse inexplicably."

Only what has been implemented and verified, even if it is the crudest version, will truly be taken seriously by the gods, carefully examined, and solemnly endorsed.

Translation: "Only what has been implemented and verified, even if it's the crudest version, will truly be valued by the gods, seriously reviewed, and solemnly declared."

——That requires pouring in a huge initial cost.

Translation: "——That requires pouring in a huge initial cost."

But the Shaoyang Emperor possesses these qualities—he is already among the most powerful of the great divine adepts, with the strength, resources, and connections to devote himself to his ideals and ambitions, pouring vast capital into practice across the vast primordial world; the Daoist community and immortal alliance he built continually compile data, strongly supporting the verification of his principles, becoming a fragrant, tempting fruit.

Translation: "But the Shaoyang Emperor possesses it…… He is already among the strongest of those great divine-ability persons, with that strength, resources, and connections, investing in his ideals and ambitions, pouring huge capital into practice in the vast Honghuang heaven and earth; the Immortal Dao community and Immortal Alliance he founded compile data day by day, strongly supporting the verification of his principles, becoming a fragrant, tempting fruit."

Finally, displayed in the the Zixiao Palace, combined with the results of phased practice, it becomes a powerful chip in the contest for the holy position.

Translation: "Finally, displayed in this the Zixiao Palace, combined with the results of phased practice, it becomes a powerful chip for competing for a Saint's seat."

The sheer number of chips makes the assembled Great Luo beings feel that competing for a saintly position solely responsible for teaching and not interfering in other worldly affairs is utterly wasteful.

Translation: "The abundance of chips makes the Great Luo present feel that competing for a Saint's seat solely responsible for teaching, without interfering in other heavenly-earthly affairs, is truly wasteful."

Beginning with education, yet not limited to that circle but encompassing everything—should such reforms truly be implemented, what difficulty would there be in honoring the human Dao and becoming the supreme king, lord, or emperor?

Translation: "Starting from education, yet not limited to that circle, but encompassing everything…… If such reforms were truly implemented, honoring the human Dao and becoming the supreme kings, dukes, and emperors would pose no difficulty."

If this were not an era of witch‑demon hegemony, an age of mutual bloodshed, and instead another epoch with a perfectly heavenly court ruling the primordial universe, the Shaoyang Emperor, standing in the heavenly court, would surely receive an imperial title.

Translation: "If this era were not one of witch-demon hegemony, of mutual bloodshed, but another age with a perfected Heavenly Court ruling the Honghuang cosmos, the Shaoyang Emperor standing in the Heavenly Court would surely receive an imperial title."

Even more, if the heavenly emperor were to rotate, that would practically guarantee him one of those terms.

Translation: "Even more so, if the Heavenly Emperor had a rotating term, that would practically lock in one of those terms for him."

Even now.

Translation: "Even now."

At this juncture where war comes first and everything else follows, even sovereigns marvel and do not spare praise.

Translation: "At this juncture where war comes first and everything else later, even sovereigns marvel and do not stint in praise."

"Dear fellow Daoist, you are truly a great talent!"

Translation: "\"Fellow Daoist, you are truly a great talent! \""

The Great Sage Fuxi, sighing one moment and clapping the next, attracted much attention; his words seemed to strike everyone's hearts, making people nod involuntarily.

Translation: "Fuxi the Great Saint sighed while clapping, drawing many people's attention. His words seemed to hit everyone's hearts, making them nod involuntarily."

But, as they kept nodding, everyone sensed that something was subtly off.

Translation: "But, as they nodded, everyone sensed something subtly off."

"What's going on?"

Translation: "\"What's going on? \""

Fengxi rubbed his forehead, which had gradually receded from years of overtime work for Houtu, his eyes full of confusion and bewilderment.

Translation: "Fengxi rubbed his forehead, which had slightly receded from years of overtime work for Houtu, his eyes full of confusion and incomprehension."

"No way!"

Translation: "\"No way! \""

"Wasn't Emperor Xi dragged out by Empress Nüwa?"

Translation: "\"Xihuang… wasn't he dragged away by the Nüwa Emperor? \""

However, no one knows when it started.

Translation: "However, no one knows when it started."

Emperor Xi has reappeared, returning to the the Zixiao Palace!

Translation: "Xihuang reappeared, returning to the the Zixiao Palace!"

Fengxi looked toward Nüwa's seat—— it was completely empty.

Translation: "Fengxi looked toward Nüwa's seat…… it was completely empty."

Nüwa did not return.

Translation: "Nüwa did not return."

"What… what… what is happening?"

Translation: "\"What… what… what's happening? \""

With questions in mind, Fengxi furtively traced back through time, examining the records.

Translation: "Carrying doubts, Fengxi furtively backtracked through time, checking the information."

And what about the other Great Luo beings?

Translation: "And the other Great Luo?"

Although they all appear proper and uninterested in this private gossip on the surface, secretly… Fengxi, through his keen sense of spacetime fluctuations, feels that no one should mock another, for they are all of the same ilk.

Translation: "Although on the surface they all appear proper and uninterested in this private gossip, secretly…… Fengxi, via his keen sense of spacetime fluctuations, feels that nobody should laugh at anyone else; they're all of the same ilk."

Under the gaze of time, many secrets are no longer secrets——

Translation: "Under the gaze of time, many secrets are no longer secrets——"

Not long after Nüwa took Fuxi out, as the Shaoyang Emperor began his campaign speech, a powerful being silently shifted position, arriving unnoticed at Fuxi's seat and sitting down calmly.

Translation: "Not long after Nüwa took Fuxi out, as the Shaoyang Emperor began his campaign speech, a great power silently shifted position, arriving soundlessly at Fuxi's seat and sitting down calmly."

This powerful being is called "Lingwei Yang," the god of all flowers, overseeing the beginning of the three springs; his strength and appearance are quite ordinary, utterly unremarkable.

Translation: "This great power is called Lingwei Yang, the god in charge of all flowers, overseeing the start of the three springs. His strength is ordinary, his appearance ordinary, very unremarkable."

But once he sat down, his aura instantly shifted, achieving a magnificent transformation—as if shedding a disguise to reveal his true self… and another Fuxi appeared!

Translation: "But once he sat down, his aura instantly shifted, achieving a magnificent sublimation, as if shedding a false shell to reveal his true inner self…… and another Fuxi appeared!"

Seeing this, what else could Fengxi fail to understand?

Translation: "Seeing this, what does Fengxi still not understand?"

This, too, is clearly the same tactic as with "Nüwa and Houtu"—operating a major and a minor account simultaneously… only this operation is exceedingly extreme.

Translation: "This is also exactly the same pattern as with 'Nüwa and Houtu', operating the Tuba and Trumpet simultaneously…… only this operation is truly too fierce."

They even carried this out inside the the Zixiao Palace!

Translation: "They've even operated it inside the the Zixiao Palace!"

Fengxi blinked, blinked again, pondered carefully, and instantly felt he had uncovered a blind spot; for a moment, his gaze toward the surroundings turned eerie.

Translation: "Fengxi blinked, blinked again, pondered seriously, and instantly felt he had discovered a blind spot…… for a moment his gaze toward the surroundings turned eerie."

In this hall, how many fellow Daoists are in a similar situation?

Translation: "In this hall, how many 'fellow Daoists' are in a similar situation?"

Those Great Luo beings who appear ordinary and normal are actually the minor avatars of top‑tier figures, sneaking into the the Zixiao Palace and breaking its sacred rule—one seat per Great Luo—by openly occupying one or even several seats.

Translation: "Those Great Luo who seem ordinary and normal are actually the trumpet avatars of top-tier figures, sneaking into this the Zixiao Palace, breaking the hall's sacred rule——one Great Luo per seat, openly occupying even one or several seats."

Know that each seat…… represents a vote in various proposals and decisions!

Translation: "Know that each seat…… represents a vote in various proposal votings!"

"Hiss!"

Translation: "\"Hiss! \""

Fengxi felt his teeth ache a little.

Translation: "Fengxi felt his teeth ache a little."

He originally thought that while Great Luo beings might differ in strength, their status was equal; when deciding the fate of the primordial world, each could have only one sacred and precious vote.

Translation: "He originally thought that among Great Luo there might be differences in strength, but status was equal. When deciding Honghuang's fate, everyone could have and only have one sacred, precious vote."

Moreover, in daily life, proclamations from the highest echelons also express approval of this game's rules.

Translation: "Moreover, in daily life, propaganda from the topmost layer also expresses approval of this game's rules."

But…… he hadn't expected.

Translation: "But…… I didn't expect it."

"I'm still too young…… really……"

Translation: "\"I'm still too young…… really……\""

"I only thought about secretly forming cliques, or perhaps some wealthy magnate splashing out glittering virtue to buy votes……"

Translation: "\"I only thought of secretly forming cliques, or maybe some bigwig splashing down glittering merit to buy votes……\""

"But I never imagined it had evolved to this point…… openly hoarding and brushing votes?"

Translation: "\"But I never imagined it would have evolved to this point…… openly stockpiling and brushing votes? \""

"Is there any shame left?"

Translation: "\"This… this… this… still need shame? \""

Fengxi expressed that his innocent, pure heart had been struck a blow, and he had stepped into a new world.

Translation: "Fengxi said his young, pure soul had been struck a critical blow, and he had stumbled into the door of a new world."

However, upon reflection, he felt that although this was unexpected, it was also reasonable.

Translation: "But after a second thought, he felt that although it was unexpected, it was also reasonable."

How could the greatest divine adepts possibly accept that their authority in crucial moments be exactly the same as that of an ordinary Great Luo?

Translation: "How could the topmost divine-ability persons possibly accept that, at crucial moments, their speaking rights be exactly the same as ordinary Great Luo?"

Especially in important proposal votes concerning the future direction of the great trend.

Translation: "Especially in important proposal votes concerning the future direction of the great trend."

Don't even think about it!

Translation: "Don't even think about it!"

They are the rule‑makers; how could they be willing to be bound by the rules?

Translation: "They are the rule-makers; how could they be willing to be bound by the rules?"

They will certainly leave some backdoors.

Translation: "They must definitely leave some backdoors."

In fact, when there is a huge disparity in martial power, they still choose to manipulate indirectly through voting rather than directly forcing ordinary Great Luo beings to bow with clenched fists; this already counts as a major concession—yet they are still willing to reason and skirt the edge of the rules.

Translation: "In fact, when the martial disparity is huge, they still choose to indirectly control via voting rather than directly clenching fists to force ordinary Great Luo to bow; this already counts as a huge concession——they still wish to reason, walking the edge of the rules."

His eating manners and such, although they're a bit unsightly, but he's still trying to be particular.

If you're not convinced… you can boost your strength!

When the gate of the new world opened for Fengxi, he immediately reached out to probe… the results were also quite pleasing.

Studying the rules of the Purple Firmament Palace, he discovered that the level of great divine abilities is an obstacle.

Below the Great Ability level, one simply obeys the rules faithfully, possessing only that single vote.

But upon reaching the level of great divine abilities… one can begin to break the rules, even control them.

Can now brush votes!

Fengxi gauged his own strength.

With his cultivation just having entered the Great Ability level not long ago, at most he could only cast an extra vote.

Want more?

Then the cultivation requirement also rises.

According to the vote count, for each additional ticket, the cultivation requirement doubles!

Fengxi silently calculated, then gave a barely perceptible nod.

"Mmm… although great divine abilities have privileges, they haven't reached an outrageous extent; deep down, rules still bind."

"But this is already enough to be vexing."

"Alas… who knows, in the Purple Firmament Palace, how many situations like Fuxi the Great Sage exist?"

"Perhaps I shouldn't still hope for integrity from the big shots…"

Fengxi harbored mischievous thoughts in his heart, occasionally glancing at Nüwa's still-empty seat, inexplicably feeling a bit relieved.

After all…

As of now, Lady Nüwa is still quite pure.

Although she formed alliances and created a super violent, energetic organization—the Wu Clan…

Although she scattered money everywhere, buying who-knows-how-many minor Daluo followers, making them line up to vote…

But!

Compare her brother?

That is truly too honest, too down-to-earth!

This makes Fengxi both happy and sorrowful.

The pleasing part is that his superior doesn't play those sneaky tricks, treats people sincerely, and has principles worth following.

The worrying part is that his superior appears too pure; when facing those lively, unscrupulous big conspirators, how can one win?

In short… when it comes to the superior's character and methods, which side should one choose to follow?

"Alas!"

Fengxi secretly sighed in his heart, marveling at how strange worldly affairs are: 'How can this brother-sister pair display such a huge difference?'

"As an elder brother, being scheming can cover the sky… as a younger sister, she hasn't learned these bits of scheming; instead, she is a gentleman, open and upright…"

At this moment, among the Daluo present, who knows how many, like Fengxi, are gazing with odd looks at the front row, their eyes wandering between Fuxi and Nüwa's seats, full of meaning.

"Fuxi the Great Sage… alas!"

A goddess sitting beside Fengxi sighed covertly, wearing a sorrowful, helpless expression, her voice tiny, as if fearing that speaking ill behind someone's back would get her caught red-handed; only transmitted to Fengxi's ears: "Even deceiving her own sister, playing east-west to lure the tiger away from the mountain, it's… really terrible, really terrible!"

"How could one's own sister be deceived and toyed with like this? Even after such blatant rule-breaking, she shows not a shred of shame… If Lady Wa Huang saw this, how embarrassed and at a loss would she feel toward such a brother?"

Fengxi, upon hearing this, immediately nodded vigorously, then softly echoed, expressing his stance.

"Lady of Mount Li, you're right, that makes perfect sense!"

Such a reply made the female deity of the Daoist field at Mount Li nod in satisfaction.

But, Fengxi's following words were somewhat…

"There's a saying: the elder brother is like a father!"

Fengxi whispered, "As Fuxi the Great Sage, being Nüwa's elder brother, he ought to be as strict as a father, imparting the most upright life principles and giving the best family education, to live up to his status."

"Now doing this… leading the blatant violation of rules, his words and deeds convey a huge negative message; what else can be said about educating and nurturing Lady Nüwa?"

"From this perspective, Fuxi the Great Sage is quite derelict in his duty as an elder brother."

Fengxi pointed out the land, criticized education, his voice not loud but his tone not small.

The Lady of Mount Li listened, feeling left and right that something was off… Fengxi's words, inside and out, perhaps stem from standing on Nüwa's standpoint, which is true, but how could she detect a hint of an old Yin-Yang person's meaning?

The Lady of Mount Li furrowed her brows, pressed her lips, and began to sink into doubt about life.

……

On this side, Fengxi was distracted, his chat with the Mount Li goddess being relatively pleasant.

On the other side, Fuxi the Great Sage, utterly unaware of being the focus of everyone's attention, spoke on his own, pointing out mountains and rivers, highly praising the Yang Emperor's long-term humane plan.

Even, he also expressed——

"Daoist friend, your talent is such that if you merely became a Saint, it would indeed be a pity."

"Your plan is excellent, greatly enhancing the competitiveness and development of humane cultivation civilization, offering tremendous help to the currently unified Demon Race… From the long-term development of the clan, I sincerely invite you here to join the high ranks of my Demon Race, to oversee the division of this civilized specialty and the adjustment of social occupations."

"As for compensation… even though the Heavenly Court's positions of real power are now divided roughly equally. But as long as Daoist friend you nod, willing to join the Heavenly Court."

"For the sake of the great cause of humane development, I am willing to cut off most of my authority here and transfer it to you!"

Fuxi the Great Sage said this with generous and passionate fervor.

Although, this Great Sage figure is very scheming.

Although, just a moment ago, he blatantly broke the rules.

But!

At this moment, everything he said serves to prove——

His original heart is good!

He is righteous!

For the Demon Race's development, and to live up to the responsibility of his position… When a great talent appears, he can even openly divide his own status and rights, solely to recruit the worthy.

What kind of spirit is this?!

It is absolutely worthy of the gods' study and emulation.

Fengxi's scattered attention watched and listened to the developments here; even while chatting happily with a goddess, he now turned his head over, his expression moved.

As for that Mount Li Primordial Lord, he secretly curled his lip in disapproval, as if conducting the subtlest contempt, seeming to disapprove of the interaction between Fuxi the Great Sage and the Lesser Yang Emperor.

"Fellow cultivator, why must you be like this?"

The Lesser Yang Emperor shouted, shaking his head repeatedly, "I proposed this plan solely for the prosperity of humanity…… it has nothing to do with any status or rights!"

"I am not greedy for fame, nor for profit."

"I have no interest in luck and merit at all."

"And joining the Demon Race or whatever…… is also unnecessary." The Emperor appeared very candid, "The plan, I have already submitted it here."

"The specific reform measures also have a general outline."

"As long as the fellow cultivators of the Demon Race refer to and implement it, it will surely exert positive benefits…… therefore, joining the Demon Race is unnecessary, let alone dividing Fuxi Fellow Cultivator's rights and status."

The Lesser Yang stated, he is a noble Great Luo, one who has transcended the lowly taste of fame and profit.

At this moment, the Emperor's body emitted light, blinding the eyes of countless Great Luos.

Crack—crack… puff!

A great divine ability wielder surrounded by deep water vapor, with dragon patterns adorning his sleeves and robes, watched this scene, gritted his teeth, picked up a flat peach and began to gnaw, as if tearing into a great enemy.

After finishing the flesh, he still seemed unsatisfied, even giving the pit, eating the kernel, and spitting out the fragments.

This, as if conducting some sort of silent protest.

(End of Chapter)