Chapter 317

The human sages all expressed a new understanding of Fengxi's shamelessness.

However, after sighing, they felt relieved——

This guy can be so shameless that there's no need to worry he'll suffer a loss on his way.

To deal with tough enemies, we really need a roguish teammate.

Then, with a blink, the sages dropped the joke about switching people and actually prepared some fine things for Fengxi, renewing him entirely, splendid and dignified to the point of being hard to look at directly.

Eight divine heavenly horses of different colors pulled a carriage shining like stars, surrounded by clouds and mist, making Fengxi appear like a supreme divine being, as if an emperor had descended to the mortal world.

He wore a crown and dark robes with lower garments, embroidered with the twelve chapter patterns, bearing the aura of embracing the universe and nurturing all spirits.

The twelve chapter patterns—what does each represent?

They are the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and splendid insects, embroidered on the dark upper garment; and algae, fire, millet, ceremonial vessels, the axe pattern and the double-headed axe pattern, embroidered on the lower garment.

Though simple in design, these patterns contain the Dao of humanity, connecting heaven and earth, shepherding all beings.

The sun, moon, and stars illuminate heaven and earth, give birth to myriad things, and nurture all beings; mountains are steady and firm; dragons are divine and changeable; 'splendid insects' refer to brilliant colors and profound wisdom; algae are pure; fire is bright and rises upward, illuminating principles and upholding rites; grains nourish all spirits; ancestral vessels embody loyalty, filial piety, wisdom, and courage; the 'fu' pattern denotes decisive judgment; the 'bi' pattern signifies turning from evil toward good.

The twelve patterns, gathered on one body… in a certain sense, the depth they represent is not inferior to that of the twelve Ancestral Witch tattoos of a great witch.

Because, to speak of the gathering of the Twelve Ancestral Witches corresponds to the essence of all phenomena in heaven and earth, and is a tangible manifestation of the Great Dao.

But these twelve patterns are the principle that the human Dao must follow, a cultivation being pursued.

One material, one spiritual; if the two unite, there arises a sense of completeness.

Fengxi wore the ceremonial robes, his bearing dignified and noble, satisfying the gathered human sages, even leaving them somewhat dazed.

"He has a bit of the aura of a human Dao sovereign." Yun Yao said.

"Exactly, exactly, I really thought I saw a human emperor." You Chao nodded satisfied, "Come, come, let's also adorn these things."

Fengxi accepted it gladly, but saw that it was a large sash and small sash of six colors—yellow, white, red, black, blue, and green—plus jade hooks, jade pendants, gold hooks, and jade rings…

All manner of things, too many to enumerate.

After he examined it more closely a few times, his whole heart trembled.

These items, at first glance, hide their spiritual light within, not particularly dazzling, quite ordinary.

But if one is knowledgeable, a single glance reveals—each and every one of them is an innate spiritual treasure!

Now they simply hang on Fengxi's person, adorning his dignity and sanctity.

"If we also count the carriage and clothing…"

"Well… it's over a dozen innate spiritual treasures on me, arming me to the teeth."

Fengxi had never felt, in his life, such soaring heroic spirit, invincible under heaven.

Too extravagant!

With just this attire, he goes to the Heavenly Court where the strong gather.

The Demon Race Daluo who would dare to speak wildly against him would likely see their numbers drop by ninety percent.

Whether a novice Daluo or a veteran Daluo, they certainly lack the courage to speak up.

Even ordinary beings among the mighty adepts, after repeated consideration, would keep silent and lack much zeal for contention.

Because Fengxi's array of innate spiritual treasures means that even to meet his gaze requires tremendous courage and will, constantly enduring a silent spiritual rebuke—

Pauper!

Before battle even begins, one must already retreat three-tenths.

"Humans are so rich… no, it's the ultimate backer behind humanity investing like this—could they really be that wealthy?"

Fengxi sighed incessantly in his heart.

"Looks like I must cling tightly to Lady Nüwa's thigh for a hundred million years without letting go."

"This goddess is indeed worthy of holding a sovereign title among the Demon Race while also overseeing wealth in the Wu Clan…"

Fengxi was very doubtful.

Lady Nüwa's pouch of innate spiritual treasures, compared to the Dao Ancestor Hongjun… even if there is a difference, it probably isn't much, right?

After all, this goddess's divine life, as known from her occasional words, is truly excessively favored by heaven.

Lord of Creation, governing all beings; merit to the utmost holiness, wealth inexhaustible… listing them one by one is enough to make many mediocre souls lose their will to strive.

Perhaps only the Dao Ancestor who cultivated the Heavenly Dao to perfection and peaked upon debut could slightly surpass her.

In the battle between these two pretentious ones, it will likely decide who the final victor of this era is, as shaped by Pangu now.

Fengxi momentarily lost himself.

Until You Chao expressed satisfaction with his attire, waved his hand signaling Fengxi to hurry on the road, not to miss the mark… only then did he leisurely gather his thoughts.

"Alright, I'll set off now."

Fengxi straightened his attire, sat upright and solemn in the carriage, emanating the aura of a supreme Heavenly Emperor, as if a true Heavenly Emperor were on an imperial procession.

As his words fell, the eight divine steeds pulling the carriage moved together, letting out a unified long neigh that shook the vast mountains and rivers.

Boundless magical power surged, filling the firmament, and opened a chariot road leading to the sea of stars.

The chariot road shone brilliantly, illuminating the eight directions and six unions, allowing countless beings to see and know that the envoy representing humanity's will was setting forth, displaying utmost majesty and grandeur.

"Boom—"

The heavenly steeds galloped, shattering time and space, racing along the chariot road into the ancient starry void, heading for the Heavenly Court's vital grounds.

Not far from the human domain, in the Wu Clan's main camp, among the Ancestral Witches gambling happily, someone raised his head, glanced over, and let out a soft 'eh'.

"Eh?" Di Jiang exclaimed in surprise, "Chi Ji, Dao Li, Bai Yi, Yu Lun, Shan Zi, Chu Huang, Hua Liu, Lu Er… these eight steeds pulling the carriage would rank among the front few even in the last epoch's Heavenly Emperor's procession specifications."

"As far as I know, the ancient Heavenly Court of old had closed its doors with auspicious finality, its related paraphernalia nearly permanently sealed… how did it reappear today?"

"Don't ask… asking would just be yin-yang mishap, heavenly-sent treasure; behind it there absolutely exists no private transmission." said the Ancestral Witch Houtu, calm and composed.

"Oh." Di Jiang gave an 'oh', indicating understanding.

Then he shifted his tone, "However, there is a saying: nothing surpasses propriety in rank, and nothing surpasses rank in name."

That little human brat suddenly got hold of such things, overstepping many rules and regulations—not the Heavenly Emperor or the Human Emperor, yet he swaggeringly uses the corresponding ceremonial gear… That's misfortune, not blessing!

His trip to the Heavenly Court likely hides danger.

Dijiang commented.

Houtu, however, did not think so.

Misfortune is what fortune relies upon.

Although that pressure is great, it is also the finest whetstone, capable of polishing the most splendid jade.

Furthermore.

Those who want to attack him would do so even without this excuse—who let the human race actually infringe upon their interests?

Even if the human race hides and cowers, it's utterly useless… Since that's the case, it might be better to let loose and roar—perhaps it could even frighten some hesitant waverers.

What's more…

Houtu's eyes suddenly narrowed.

This little brat… might actually be worthy of this ceremonial gear's standard.

Heavenly Emperor… Human Emperor… hah!

Little Sis Houtu, what are you saying? Dijiang furrowed his brows, feigning incomprehension.

Nothing, nothing… just thought of something amusing. Houtu pulled a smile, "It's about spies, double-crossers, and such."

And I think you certainly don't care much about this… right?

Dijiang kept his composure, nodding calmly, "Yes, Little Sis Houtu, you're right."

As for conspiracies like spying, I personally disdain them utterly.

Flies scurrying and dogs scavenging—unfit for the table; our contests among the Great Luo ultimately come down to a clash of strength.

Just like the era of Chaos.

Even if there are three thousand demon gods.

They cannot withstand Pangu sweeping them away alone.

All wither and fall, turning into calamity ashes, awaiting the long ages before they can return.

Dijiang said this, exchanging a smile with Houtu.

As for the meaning behind their smiles—

only they themselves know.

…

I've struggled for years, and only now have I risen above the crowd.

Not like before.

Although I drive a luxurious carriage, I'm merely a chauffeur; having received an innate spiritual treasure, I'm overjoyed; while the bigwigs hold meetings indoors, I'm out there painstakingly running business and seeking channels.

Now?

I wear over a dozen innate spiritual treasures, ride in a super-luxurious Eight Stallions carriage, and even personally participate as an envoy in weighty events… sigh, this life is quite promising.

If we could also ignore the background of the Lich Great Tribulation… that would be even better.

Too bad, that's not very realistic.

Upon entering the starry void, many demon gods seem hostile toward me… This must be because they envy my handsome appearance and noble virtue, feeling ashamed and thus breeding murderous intent to destroy beautiful things.

Xi sat in the luxurious carriage, his face solemn, but inside he kept muttering complaints nonstop.

Along the way, he both nostalgically recalled the past and lamented the present, feeling that things have changed while people remain the same, and also sighed over his own personal safety.

Even if no demon god openly attacks.

But there are indeed many ways to cause him unexpected mishaps.

Here a star explodes, boundless true solar fire sweeping across.

There a void collapses, endless black holes lining up to devour.

…

One accident after another lines the road Xi travels, leaving few safe stretches.

These accidents might not take his life.

But covering him in dust and dirt? That's certainly no problem.

However, Xi isn't the least bit panicked about this.

Because the speed at which that 'disaster' erupts and spreads is slower than his horses!

The Heavenly Emperor's ceremonial guard is no trifling matter.

Not to mention the carriage of that innate spiritual treasure.

Those eight divine stallion heavenly horses themselves have cultivation infinitely close to Great Luo, and in a sense could be called Great Luo lacking innate spiritual light… or perhaps they are the external manifestations of a certain Great Luo-level being.

Xi blinked his divine eye, faintly tracing the origin of the eight stallions, and vaguely saw a dragon horse.

"The dragon horse bears the River Chart…"

Xi muttered, "After all, he's one of the supreme sovereigns; surely he has a few lackeys to run errands?"

"To be able to run errands for such an unsurpassed big shot, one could say one is a minor big shot oneself."

Xi glanced at himself.

Even someone like him can now be said to have achieved great things.

If he truly encountered Lady Nüwa, could he fail to serve tea and water, attend to her before and after?

The gratitude of being known, the affection of creation… such debts of favor, there are still some left!

"Looks like, after entering the Heavenly Court…"

"I will first go to Lady Nüwa's office hall in the Heavenly Court… From a personal standpoint, it is the duty of ruler and minister; from the human race's perspective, it is to fulfill a filial obligation."

Fengxi was figuring things out, while watching the Eight Steeds stride in step, lightly strolling between one mishap after another, always keeping those disasters just a step shy of being able to climb aboard the carriage.

Those Eight Steeds are veteran drivers.

At the same time, they all have a mischievous, petty heart.

Fengxi could see clearly—they were essentially the masterminds behind deliberately provoking accidents, constantly giving hope, then always snuffing it out at the brink of victory.

Fengxi watched, saying nothing.

After all, this was his retaliation against the demon gods who first created accidents to disgust him, turning their disgust back on them as revenge.

The effect was outstanding.

Fengxi could feel the malice swirling near the carriage gradually mixing with fury… and eventually even turning into resentment.

Unbelievable!

"As the saying goes, things take after their master."

"These Eight Steeds, behaving like this… one can imagine what kind of indescribable personality the big shot who once drove them must have had!"

This is something Fengxi really wanted to comment on.

Of course, such a reckless remark, he could only think it, saying it only in his heart.

Actually letting him say it out loud… would be absolutely impossible.

Otherwise, those eight substitute-driving heavenly horses might turn around and stab his slander back at him… then he'd probably die in an ugly way.

……

Finally, amid a stimulating journey of sparks and lightning, Fengxi safely reached an important location of the Heavenly Court.

Even if a demon god had been provoked enough to be brash, they considered whether to charge out, turning the accident into a full assault… but in the end they still gave up on that action.

After all, the nature of that matter was completely different.

At the same time, it made Fengxi feel great regret.

He also considered that if some reckless fool jumped out, he would, after a few exchanges, feign injury, thereby preemptively accusing the Heavenly Court of misrule before its interrogation, harming a strong representative of the Demon Race, and wantonly destroying the order the Heavenly Court itself had established.

—as long as humanity hasn't raised the banner of rebellion, they remain members of the Heavenly Court, entitled to their rightful rights.

Before breaking faces, both sides should take it easy, stirring up trouble within the game's rules.

The Heavenly Court can rely on its power to suppress.

Humanity can also consider stirring up "Purge the Regent's Faction" and "Punish Misrule," winning over the hearts of clueless bystanders to gain even the slightest advantage.

"But how long can such a situation last?"

Before the Southern Heavenly Gate of the Heavenly Court, Fengxi paused the carriage, gazing at the glorious and eternal sacred Heavenly Gate, and shook his head.

Just then, a demon god guarding the gate stepped forward, demanding the previously issued invitation, registering it in the record, and proceeding according to procedure.

Only after the registration was finished did they open the Heavenly Gate, allowing the carriage to continue onward.

(End of chapter)