Chapter 753

Is it a distortion of divinity, or a collapse of morality?!

Nüwa's sleeping quarters tragically suffered Fuxi's disaster; a divine thunder capable of blasting through the nine heavens exploded inside.

Leaving aside the gruesome state within, merely that power caused all of Nüwa Palace's prohibitions to activate, turning a stretch of spacetime into a murky chaos, with time flowing endlessly, submerging myriad paths and cutting off the ages.

Heavenly secrets severed, myriad phenomena reduced to void…… Yet this conveniently concealed the truth within the hall, leaving no way to infer the inner reality of what transpired inside.

This perfect cooperation with Gun helped him fill in all possible loopholes—for instance, that he had never entered Nüwa Palace at all!

Flawless cooperation.

Whether it be Chonghua or Taiyi, none can know this truth.

Of course this isn't to say that Nüwa could foresee future events, having figured that Gun would cause such turmoil and deliberately conceal it…… Even if she had figured it, she would have hung Gun up and beaten him—how could she possibly cooperate?

These arrangements to block heavenly secrets are merely Nüwa's simple precaution against Fuxi!

It's like facing parents who appear and disappear mysteriously, with sharp eyes and ears; a mischievous child racks their brains to install soundproofing, so that when the door closes and the prohibitions open, they can happily play, go all out…… Even when in a bad mood, they dare to openly spout nonsense, not forced by Xihuang's lascivious might; even if dissatisfied, even behind the scenes, they only dare to mutter in their hearts.

Otherwise, Xihuang would feel it in his heart, count on his fingers, and record a debt to be settled after autumn.

Nüwa frantically maxed out her skill in warding off heavenly secrets' calculations, though she doesn't know how useful this would be against a true Pangu……

But!

Bullying someone roughly on par with her, or even weaker than her, is enough.

A single All-Heavens Divine Thunder boomed, making Nüwa Palace tremble violently; its defensive posture instantly maxed out, as if a world-shaking change were occurring, the array deities enraged—this is the expulsion of unwelcome guests, the exile of thieves.

When such a situation unfolds, the gods can no longer discern even a trace; they can only helplessly await an outcome.

They are actually quite curious as well.

——If it's just taking a clump of fertile soil…… is such a huge commotion really necessary?

「Nüwa……she isn't stingy either, huh? 」

Some ancient gods and sages whispered, 'This fertile soil itself can proliferate infinitely, possessing certain Daluo qualities; unless deliberately limited, it is inexhaustible and inexhaustible.'

Moreover…… though fertile soil is precious, it depends on whose hands it is in.

Nüwa Daoist friend, truly the Holy of Creation…… after the August Emperor Heavenly Emperor launched a heavy-fisted attack and destroyed the You Chao estate, this Imperial Princess, after painstaking reflection, switched to experimenting with new materials, becoming Honghuang's largest and highest-end supplier of heavenly materials and earthly treasures!

This fertile soil was still something she figured out…… the formula and all are in her hands!

Sigh…… speaking of it, with Nüwa's diligent struggling spirit and her peak cultivation attainments, all the way she has, in fact, painstakingly cultivated four great heavenly pit specialties; latercomers seeing it cannot help but tear up, even dogs would shake their heads……

Hey! It's said that back then, Imperial Princess Nüwa actually didn't want to sell raw materials——she wanted to go straight to the finish line, directly selling finished products, selling weapons made from new materials and new technology!

Technological monopoly, and it can even make others unable not to buy.

Heard…… just heard, the slogan of the publicity planning, this Imperial Princess of the August Emperor's Heavenly Court had gathered her advisors and worked it out…… 'You put up the money, we'll sell you good weapons; you don't put up the money, we'll sell good weapons to your opponent……'

It's a pity that, while she was holding a gathering in her own cave dwelling, heavenly soldiers descended; Hongjun Daozu, holding the August Emperor Heavenly Emperor's edict, arrested many attendees, even Imperial Princess Nüwa was summoned to a designated place and time to conduct self-reflection and reform……

After the reflection was over, only then was she sent off by the August Emperor to go open a materials company, specializing in dealing in heavenly materials and earthly treasures……

Besides…… after Imperial Princess Nüwa's intelligence and talent were put to proper use, her achievements came one after another…… I still think that August Emperor Majesty's education and training of her is still quite effective, huh!

The gods chattered in the connected void network about the old almanac of that year, digging up Nüwa's black history, feeling quite relaxed…… After all, as everyone knows, with the version update, the great Nüwa and little Houtu have been kicked out!

However, logging in with a visitor account, and having just gone through the extraordinary experience of being blasted and having her home demolished, the girl's gaze was completely off.

She clenched her fists, ground her teeth, suddenly squatted down, pulled out a pen and a small notebook, and began to write furiously.

The admin has gone offline, and you lot of group members dare to spout nonsense?

Note it down!

Note everything down!

Someday you'll have something good coming your way!

After finishing the list, she imagined Pangu's future, beat up a bunch of reckless troublemakers beyond recognition, and only then did the little girl's grim expression improve a bit.

But, as she kept thinking, her face darkened again.

「Gun! 」

「Fuxi! 」

「These people……」

「What are they scheming?! 」

She sensed the imminence of wind and rain, and became more certain——this is a scheme to fish for her!

「I need to be careful……」

The girl became more cautious, carefully concealing her traces, as if she had never feigned death and come back to life.

……

「Boom! 」

Glaring blood-light, like a dreamy illusion, flickered in the vast wilderness of heaven and earth.

Heavenly secrets were shrouded in haze; Nüwa Divine Palace severed a segment of heavenly secrets, and someone behind the scenes added fuel to the fire, thoroughly muddying the waters.

Xihuang's whereabouts are mysterious, but he is not nonexistent!

But the truth of many matters is hidden deep beneath the black water, making it impossible to see or discern.

Whether gods or their respective factions, they can only wait for the outcome, to see how things will unfold.

And what comes after……

It is Gun's return!

「Cough! 」

「Cough cough! 」

Gun descended upon the land of the Eastern Yi, half his body shattered, crimson fresh blood staining his remains.

His bloody, blurred figure appeared in the supreme hall of the Eastern Yi, a place where tribal leaders gathered to discuss major affairs; Gun's gruesome state shook everyone's heartstrings.

Each tribal leader, looking at him, was moved, rose abruptly, and none dared to rely on their status.

Even if it is Chonghua, it is the same!

This is respect for those who dare to sacrifice!

Even pretenders and undercover agents must go along with the crowd, daring not to show the slightest discord… otherwise their political careers would end instantly, and they'd be expelled from the core.

All they can do is make the world forget the heroes' achievements, or else seize and plunder, transferring that glory onto themselves, bullying the dead who cannot speak.

But, Gong…… is not dead yet!

Facing one gaze after another, Gong gave a difficult smile, raising his sole remaining arm, trembling, and revealed a handful of soil in his palm.

"I have not failed the hopes of the people on this land..."

"Self-expanding Soil…… I stole it……"

"Cough cough!"

Glaring blood blossoms stained the earth, Gong's breathing weak, "I brought it out from Nüwa's Palace, along with some small items..."

"Now, the Weak Water has been cured!"

Clan leaders one after another held their breath, their eyes holding both joy and sorrow.

Joy, for there is hope and dawn.

Sorrow, however, comes from seeing Gong's condition, understanding how hard-won this hope is.

"Gong!" Chonghua's gaze flickered for an instant, then he strode forward, stepping directly within three paces of Gong.

He carried a slightly aggressive aura…… and this immediately caused some clan leaders to tense up, the atmosphere freezing.

Like the Earth Hill Clan, who even placed a hand on the weapon at his waist, his breath faintly shielding the wounded Gong, faintly opposing Chonghua.

This is only one; many more clan leaders are much the same.

On this land of the Eastern Barbarians, not everyone supports the Bird Master!

Nor does everyone forget the past sacrifices, obliterating the achievements of their predecessors.

Before, there was no choice, so everyone could only bow their heads and follow the path arranged by Chonghua.

But now, Gong has offered a brand‑new choice!

Then they will not allow this path to be strangled in its infancy.

They demonstrated with their own actions, telling Chonghua——

You, do not do something foolish just because of political differences, harming Gong!

You Bird Masters want to be the compromise faction, but we do not!

Seemingly cowed by the vigilance and hostility surrounding him, Chonghua halted his steps, indeed not proceeding further.

His face bore a beaming smile, his gaze upon Gong full of relief, as if pleased that the Eastern Barbarians had produced such a hero who sprang forth and accomplished that incredible work.

"Gong, you have worked hard!"

Chonghua said, "Your act of stealing soil is no different from when the Fire‑drilling Clan kindled fire; both are major turning points that changed the course of humanity."

"Having you, humanity, is a great fortune!"

"Your sacrifice for the clan, all of humanity will never forget!"

"Your Majesty Chonghua overpraises me." Gong lowered his eyes, feeling neither joy nor sorrow, "I merely did what I could."

"I simply do not want to see the fruits of countless people's arduous struggle destroyed in a single night by natural and man‑made disaster, and then be forced by others to take a path against their will."

"Life in this world is not only about material pursuits, but also spiritual pursuits…… this is the great trend of latent human nature."

"Your Majesty Chonghua, do you say so?"

"……" Chonghua's eyes flickered, then he nodded with a smile, "Not bad, that makes sense."

"Your worries, I also know."

"Actually, you can speak openly…… I am not some domineering, cold‑hearted leader; everyone can speak freely!"

"Sigh!" He drew a deep breath, "Many people misunderstand me, thinking I have strayed from the ancestors' path, deviated from the trajectory of the Ancient Emperor Shaohao, and compromised with the enemy."

"But, that is not the case."

"I have never bowed to the Heavenly Court…… my temporary joining is merely to tide over the difficulty."

"When the time is ripe, I will lead the Eastern Barbarians to break free again, building a perfect internal circulation…… this time, to counter the enemy's means of constraining us, the Eastern Barbarians will devise a perfect defense, becoming an ever‑impregnable fortress."

"As for the so‑called change of heart, that is absurd…… the human ideal I espouse has not compromised on the actual fight against the Demon Race!"

"We are merely constrained by circumstances, making only appropriate changes as needed."

"Now……"

Chonghua looked at Gong, his eyes deep, "You here can provide a brand‑new breakthrough method, able to achieve both goals…… I naturally would be pleased to see it."

"Like this."

"The flood‑control work, I entrust to you…… while on my side, during your flood control, I will try to contend with the Heavenly Court to gain time."

"As long as you succeed in flood control, we will go to war with the Heavenly Court, fight to the bitter end, and we will have sufficient confidence!"

"Gong, what do you think?"

"Gong…… will not fail the mission!" Gong said, word by word.

"That's good!" Chonghua smiled, "But please hurry…… only when production and construction swiftly recover can our Eastern Barbarians afford a full‑scale war."

"Otherwise, once logistics and war preparations fall short, we will have nothing but to sacrifice soldiers' lives to resist the enemy's firepower, thereby securing the front line."

"As leaders and Wise Men of the clan, is not our purpose to reduce senseless sacrifice?"

"If a decision's outcome turns out worse…… then that is our dereliction of duty."

Chonghua, with righteousness, sealed off Gong's room to retreat.

Flood control must succeed, cannot fail!

If it fails, causing war to erupt and logistics to fall short…… you, Gong, are the sinner of the entire Eastern Barbarians, indeed of all humanity!

"I understand."

Gong nodded calmly.

He had long transcended the bonds of life and death… even life and death were merely a stake!

This extreme calm and openness, instead, made Chonghua feel a bit creepy, as if sensing an ominous aura.

So, he decided……

"Let's send him on his way sooner……"

Chonghua steadied his mind.

Governing the waters is no easy task.

Because what needs to be governed…… is not just water, but also demons!

On Gong's journey ahead, it was destined to be fraught with difficulties…… what could the expansive soil possibly do?

He could hold back heavenly disasters, but not human calamities!

……

Gong set off.

Under the gaze of all, he followed the path walked by the Dragon Master, combined the predecessors' insights, and scattered expansive soil across the vast mountains and rivers, transforming the environment and restoring the four directions.

This naturally restrained the flooding Weak Water, along with the spirits and monsters breeding and spreading within it.

The home field has changed!

The home field of the human race is the earth, the soil…… for the human race was formed by Nüwa shaping earth into humans.

The presence of expansive soil, wherever it falls upon mountains and rivers, consolidates the foundation of the human race…… and earth overcoming water thus restrains the Weak Water and subdues the spirits and monsters within it.

This is an expansion and compression of living space, the subtlety of filling seas to create land, which has reshaped the destiny pattern of the Eastern Barbarians.

Time here, amidst everyone's anticipation and attention, passes both swiftly and slowly.

Nine years!

In the epoch of heaven and earth, it is but a fleeting moment.

Yet in the Eastern Barbarians, it is earth-shattering!

(End of chapter)