Chapter 273: Loudmouth King, the Wrath of the Primordial!

Immortal clan, officially established.

Two top‑tier great divine ability holders took charge, gaining the gods' approval, and from then on represented a great trend—a great trend of reform needed for the advancement of human civilization.

However, although this trend is vast, it still falls far short of the 'trend' currently contested by the Wu and Demon clans.

After all, the two camps are contending for the fundamental system of the entire Honghuang cultivation civilization, determining the future path of development and ideological concepts.

This is truly the most brutal battlefield!

For this, even if one were to beat the opponent's brains out…… it's all standard procedure, nothing to be surprised about.

Compared to that, the current Immortal clan's trend still falls far short, being of secondary rank.

It can serve to accelerate civilization's development, bringing great benefit to humanity as a whole, thus gaining some influence over the trend—but before its birth and promotion, humanity's modest life could also go on.

It's just that the development speed is slower, efficiency much lower. But in the long expanse of time, even low efficiency is no problem.

In the Honghuang universe, what is most abundant is time.

But even if it does not involve the core trend, once gaining the gods' approval, it will become a mighty flood, unstoppable.

Especially when it is held in the hands of a single person.

The Lesser Yang Sovereign is destined to become a dazzling star of this era.

Of course, this is very likely a shooting star.

It can dazzle for a moment, yet hard to last long.

Many great divine ability holders are not optimistic about this sovereign's final fate, holding a pessimistic view.

Like Fengxi sitting in the back rows, he has already given his concluding remark——

'When the wind of civilization reform and advancement blown by the Immortal clan sweeps across all of humanity…… perhaps then is when this sovereign should step down.'

With the trend in hand, the gods yield.

Heaven's mandate fulfilled? Then discard the millstone and kill the donkey.

'Alas…… when the time comes, heaven and earth lend their strength; when luck leaves, even heroes are not free.'

'Holding a trend can make one a temporary hegemon…… but this trend does not involve the core, does not involve the foundation, ultimately it is powerless to contend with others, cannot become a third pole of heaven and earth.'

'Moreover, due to the expansion of power, it will also attract scrutiny and attacks, forcing one to pick sides, swallow the fat…… uh, wait a moment!'

'Something is off…… Ah, the Lesser Yang Sovereign should also be aware of this situation; how could he not have prepared in advance?'

Fengxi thought of something, and his eyes gleamed.

'He has a secret pact with Lady Nüwa——one day, when the opportunity arises, he will join forces with the Wu Clan to launch a pincer attack on the Demon Race, causing their demise!'

Fengxi felt that he seemed to have grasped a layer of the scheme designed by the Lesser Yang Sovereign.

Develop the Immortal clan——ride the trend——infiltrate the Demon Race——feign surrender to the demons——rise up in revolt——inside‑outside cooperation——the Demon Race collapses.

'Uh…… there's plenty of room for maneuver here!'

'Could it be that the sovereign thinks exactly this?'

'Will the Golden Mother Sovereign change her original intent and nod in agreement…… perhaps also related to her being the top female immortal deity alongside Lady Nüwa?'

'On one hand, it could be to ensure the plan proceeds smoothly, with convenient and swift information exchange; on the other hand, it could also be to establish a certain balance and restraint to prevent loss of control…… likewise, it is also a show of sincerity, indicating that after success they will honor their original promises and not mistreat anyone?'

Fengxi organized the information he possessed, trying to gauge the games and schemes among the ancient gods and sages.

The more he pondered, the more he found it full of interest.

'However, there are also many doubts here……'

'As for the Demon Race, will they really fall for it so easily?'

'As for the Dao Ancestor, is he really completely unaware?'

Fengxi gazed at Dao Ancestor Hongjun on the dais, seeing that inscrutable expression, feeling his head swell a bit.

'Don't let it become a nest of schemes——you think I'm on the first layer, but I'm actually on the fifth……'

'I will fall for your scheme, because I want you to move, stepping into the deeper trap I have prepared for you……'

The reversal of hunter and prey occurs in an instant.

Fengxi thought and thought, nearly making himself dizzy.

'Alas!'

'In this vast Honghuang, when will people between each other gain more sincerity and fewer schemes?'

'I'm having a hard time!'

'Having to contend with so many old foxes……'

Fengxi touched his hairline, feeling that his future life would be tough.

Unfortunately, he has no room to retreat.

Who made Fengxi now the trusted minister and chief strategist of Lady Nüwa?

If he doesn't take charge and operate, who else could?

Hope in Lady Nüwa herself?

That's too unreliable.

After so many years of association, Fengxi has also come to understand.

Lady Nüwa, to praise her with a phrase 'ice‑snow clever, wisdom unmatched' is indeed without exaggeration.

But…… but!

In the aspect of scheming and laying traps, she really doesn't have many points.

Having her stand aside to watch the show, acting as a water‑spring commander, is no problem——her consciousness is peak‑level, being a loud‑mouth king is easy.

Once she gets hands‑on?

That level is just average.

Dealing with ordinary opponents, she can easily kill them offhand.

Could it really have encountered an absolute pit god?

For example, a player like Fengxi already has practical skills that are a whole major rank above Nüwa's……

It's possible that one day she gets sold, yet she remains oblivious, helping to count money, smiling happily, thinking she's made a big profit.

Fortunately, Nüwa also knows her own ability in this area well, does not overreach or give random orders, but instead assigns specialized work to specialized talent.

It is precisely because Nüwa has self-awareness that Fengxi can advance so quickly, even becoming a Chief Strategist, with high status and great power.

But many things have both advantages and disadvantages.

Fengxi receives the treatment of a Chief Strategist, and naturally must also fulfill the responsibilities of a Chief Strategist.

For opponents that Nüwa cannot deal with using scheming, it is naturally he who must respond.

Hongjun, Shaoyang, Fuxi, Di Jun… Fengxi glanced at the front row, feeling that life was grim and the future worrisome.

He felt that he might go bald.

"Even if he doesn't go bald, he'll still lose a bunch of hair… How hard is it for me?"

Fengxi's sorrow arises from the heart.

But no matter how much sorrow, he must straighten his back to face it, watch the champions' exchanges and miraculous maneuvers up front, and ponder the possible strategies and traps behind.

Then he listened to Dao Ancestor Hongjun solemnly proclaim: "Immortal Clan, the situation is already set… Now I, holding the Heavenly Dao's mandate, grant approval."

"Please, two fellow Daoists, step forward, receive my token, and act on Heaven's behalf!"

Shaoyang and Jinmu exchanged a glance, both seeming doubtful.

But in the end, they still stepped forward.

All he saw was Hongjun flip his hand, and two implements appeared——

One, a Dragon Head Cane.

One, a Pure Water Bowl.

He pointed, and the two spiritual treasures each flew toward Donghuang Di Jun and Jinmu Yuanjun.

"Jinmu Yuanjun, holding this bowl, contains three thousand pure waters, combines the marvel of Jade Pond, nurtures life, purifies the source, to provide a guarantee for the Immortal Clan's benefits."

"Donghuang Di Jun, holding this dragon staff, upholds the Heavenly Dao's dignity, carries out the work of teaching and transformation, governs the Immortal Clan, reforms civilization, to devote himself to the advancement of Human Dao endeavors."

These two items are both top-grade spiritual treasures.

Jinmu's eyes flickered slightly; after taking a serious look and confirming there was no problem, she openly accepted it.

But Shaoyang furrowed his brow, looking doubtful: "Hongjun, fellow Daoist, you're giving me the staff…… this seems somewhat inappropriate?"

"Can we exchange it for another?"

He was haggling.

"Oh? Why?" Hongjun countered.

"Temperament… temperament!" Shaoyang said, "With my heroic vigor, as described in the divine names…… pairing it with this staff is utterly mismatched!"

"The dignity hasn't even been shown much, yet it makes people laugh first…… how can it be used to intimidate all beings?"

Shaoyang Di Jun shook his head repeatedly.

"I see." The Dao Ancestor nodded, indicating understanding.

Then he firmly refused to accept returns or exchanges.

"Temperament aside…… who made it so that this item is actually fated with a fellow Daoist?"

Hongjun rose from the dao platform, walked down, and stood before Shaoyang Di Jun.

"How exactly is this fate? I don't even know."

The Emperor's expression changed slightly.

"Do you know how this staff came to be?" the Dao Ancestor said calmly, "I made it myself with my own hands."

"It has accompanied me for a very long time……"

Hongjun seemed lost in reminiscence: "It's been so long that I'm almost forgetting why I made this staff——why did I make a staff?"

"Until recently."

"I've retrieved some information, grasped a layer of the inner workings, and linked it to a certain case, making the truth clear…… that's why I say this spiritual treasure is fated with a fellow Daoist."

"Fuxi, fellow Daoist, you surely understand this as well."

The Dao Ancestor looked toward Xihuang.

At this moment, countless Great Luo beings stared at each other, then pricked up their ears.

Any case?

What case?

This is shocking gossip!

In their hearts there are two little figures fighting; one has on its head 'knowing too many people will die', the other has 'not seeking death wastes a life', jumping back and forth between selective amnesia and seeking death while investigating the grudges of supreme great power.

Xihuang raised his brow, his eyes slightly narrowed, then quickly opened them again, nodding with a smile; he had no intention of satisfying the Great Luo beings' thirst for knowledge present, merely advising Shaoyang Di Jun: "Since it's a gift from the Dao Ancestor, fellow Daoist, you should just accept it."

"After all, this item carries Hongjun's life as a fellow Daoist—his joys and sorrows, his youthful recklessness…… it is a weighty historical legacy, worth your consideration and discernment."

"The paths the Dao Ancestor took wrongly, the paths that led nowhere—here, they might yet be walked correctly and made passable."

"Also true." The Emperor chuckled, "For some matters, you can't reach a conclusion until the end."

"Since that's the case… Hongjun, fellow Daoist, I'll accept this staff."

He calmly reached out and took the staff that Hongjun held in his hand and extended forward.

In that instant, the Emperor and the Dao Ancestor locked gazes, their eyes like substance, colliding and sending out ripples, with the Great Dao's fire igniting in the void.

Only after three breaths did they gradually retract in unison.

"Shaoyang, fellow Daoist, I want to remind you of a few things—I previously divined a hexagram for you: your path ahead is dark and slippery; you must proceed cautiously."

Hongjun said with deep meaning: "Otherwise, you're likely to invite bloodshed disaster, eternal calamity."

"Hahaha!" Shaoyang laughed loudly, "Dao Friend Hongjun, I've remembered your words."

"Likewise, I also have some words I want to give you."

"Some gods, even if they are still alive, are no different from the dead."

"And some gods, even if they pass away due to circumstance, their spirit and their conviction will surely endure forever!"

Gripping the dragon-headed staff, Shaoyang thrust it into the ground, and instantly the entire Purple Cloud Palace trembled.

This caused some mighty beings to show looks of surprise.

At this moment, Shaoyang far surpasses his usual performance; whether in strength or bearing, he is vastly stronger, to a terrifying degree.

As for Hongjun, he seemed not at all surprised by this, merely nodding.

"Well then, let us wait and see—let's see whose words prove more accurate, confirming history, confirming the age."

Having said that, the Dao Ancestor turned away with flourish and returned to the Dao Platform.

The Emperor, meanwhile, stepped back, sat in his seat, slightly closed his eyes, and ignored the strange glances around him.

"All right."

Hongjun swept his whisk, drawing all attention to him, "The affairs of the immortal clan are hereby concluded."

"Dao Friend Shaoyang and Dao Friend Golden Mother, withdraw from the Heavenly Dao Saint candidate list… The remaining ten Dao Friends, please speak freely and elucidate your own teaching principles."

As the Dao Ancestor's words fell, the ten saint candidates each looked at one another.

In the end, the Morality Heavenly Venerable was the first to rise.

"I wish to write a book, accomplish the scriptures, speak of the Dao and recount virtue, so that all beings may clearly understand the preciousness of morality……"

He slowly expounded his teaching concept.

"One gives rise to two."

When the Morality Heavenly Venerable got started, the remaining saint candidates also became active.

"I want beings to know the vast heavenly might, to fear power and cherish virtue, to assist the age in great governance, so that order may be clear……"

This is Yuanshi Tianzun.

"I want beings to understand that heaven and earth are full of vitality, that everything is possible…… to temper courage, hone wisdom, strive earnestly, struggle arduously, and they will surely reap the finest fruits."

This is the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable.

"My teaching aim is modest—let beings know the law and abide by it, and that will suffice."

The Old Ancestor of the Nether River is the most carefree and also the simplest.

"People's words are fearsome, the human heart is perilous. Therefore, in publicity we must have some teaching and restraint……"

The Great Sage Red Cloud, after consideration, spoke.

……

The ten saint candidates each expounded the ideas in their hearts.

What do they wish to teach?

And how do they plan to do it?

In a moment, heavenly blossoms fell in profusion, divine springs gushed forth—it was the vast innate will of the human Dao responding, with momentum brewing and forming.

This momentum is limited.

Only the final victor can grasp it, becoming a wholly new great momentum.

Thus, the debate and conflict began.

Yuanshi Tianzun took the initiative, directly pointing at the Great Sage Vast Fish-Bird, condemning his proposal of "crafting an illusory world, opening a second life, expanding communication and interaction, freely choosing the future."

"Absurd!"

The Heavenly Venerable rebuked, "Vast Fish-Bird, you are utterly absurd!"

"Such conduct will surely destroy the present human Dao!"

"Step down at once, do not dare to touch the saintly position again!"

"How am I absurd?" the Great Sage Vast Fish-Bird flared in anger, pointing a finger at the Heavenly Venerable, "Don't spout bloody nonsense!"

"Hmph!"

Yuanshi gave a cold snort, "Look at the industries you've stirred up—don't you yourself have any sense of their scale?"

"Like your so-called 'starting with a single kun'…… it brings endless calamity!"

"Games lead people astray!"

"Every time I look at that game's icon—a huge fish body with two wings…… and then see inside the foul miasma and all sorts of curses, if you're not an orphan you'll still lose out……"

(End of chapter)