Buzhou Mountain

"Senior Brother~" a voice called from behind.

Bai Jin paused and turned to look at Shi Ji, asking in puzzlement, "Junior Sister, is there anything else?"

Shi Ji raised the jade bottle in her hand and said with a radiant smile, "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Bai Jin smiled. Huh, this junior sister seemed rather clever! Better stay away from her in the future. He did not like dealing with clever people. Senior Disciple Brother was better—aloof on the outside, but actually simple and a little foolish.

Duobao, who had just returned to his room, sneezed several times in a row. Rubbing his nose, he vaguely felt as though he had been offended. Recalling his earlier miserable experience, he cursed angrily, "Shameless flatterer!"

Bai Jin waved his hand, turned, and flew away. He flew directly out of Mount Kunlun, following the sensation in his heart toward Buzhou Mountain.

The primordial world was vast and boundless, with all things ancient and desolate. Ferocious beasts roamed the wilderness, while burly members of the Wu Clan traversed the mountains.

Whenever Bai Jin encountered such situations, he used the Five Elements Evasion Technique to keep far away. It was not that he feared them; he simply disliked trouble. There was no need to entangle himself with them. Sometimes, karmic ties were formed just like that: beat the young, and the old would come out; things would only escalate until it became a fight to the death.

With Bai Jin's Golden Immortal cultivation, it took him several years to travel from Mount Kunlun to Buzhou Mountain. This alone showed just how vast the primordial world was.

At the foot of Buzhou Mountain, Bai Jin looked up at the mountain whose end could not be seen. Even its middle slopes were shrouded in clouds and mist. Standing at its base, he felt small from the bottom of his heart. The grandeur of Buzhou Mountain was breathtaking; its ancient, desolate aura made even immortals and gods unable to resist the urge to bow in worship.

After a long while, Bai Jin recovered from the shock of Buzhou Mountain. Light flashed around him, and he transformed into an Azure White Crane, soaring into the sky.

"Caw~" The Azure White Crane let out a clear cry that echoed through Buzhou Mountain.

The Azure White Crane flew straight up along the mountainside, weaving through the white clouds. Suddenly, a faint sensation arose within him, as though it were a guiding force.

The Azure White Crane immediately changed direction and followed the sensation, darting through the dense clouds. A moment later, he passed through a layer of clouds, and the scene before him suddenly brightened as his view opened up. Ahead lay a valley halfway up Buzhou Mountain. Countless spiritual flowers and exotic herbs grew within it, immortal butterflies fluttered about, golden rabbits bounded across the ground, and two palaces stood there. Faint, crisp zither music drifted from the valley.

Following the music, the Azure White Crane flew over and spotted a middle-aged man playing the zither beside a stream in the valley. His eyes were closed, and he wore a gentle smile. His bearing was refined and peaceful. As for his cultivation, Bai Jin could not see through it at all. There were simply too many mighty figures in the primordial world, but Bai Jin had already roughly guessed who this man was.

The Azure White Crane swooped down. Upon landing, light flashed, and he transformed into human form.

The music stopped at once. The middle-aged man opened his eyes, rose to his feet, and turned toward Bai Jin. "Where has this young friend come from?"

Bai Jin hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting and replied, "This poor Daoist is Bai Jin, from Mount Kunlun. By the order of Martial Uncle Taishang, I have brought a box of tea for Empress Nuwa.

"Just now, I sensed a guiding force at Buzhou Mountain and followed it here. If I have trespassed and caused offense, I beg your forgiveness."

The middle-aged man laughed heartily. "So you are Bai Jin. I have heard my little sister mention you. She praised you as clever, sensible, and highly perceptive. I rarely hear her praise anyone so highly."

Bai Jin had already made a guess in his heart. This should be the great Fuxi, and the little sister he spoke of should be Empress Nuwa. Still, he feigned confusion and asked, "May I ask who you are, Senior?"

The middle-aged man said with a smile, "I am Fuxi. My little sister is the Nuwa you seek. It was likely she who guided you here just now."

Bai Jin hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed. "Greetings, Martial Uncle Fuxi. I had long heard that Martial Uncle Fuxi possesses sacred virtue and extraordinary abilities. Seeing you today, you surpass even your reputation."

Fuxi reached out to support Bai Jin and laughed heartily. "I did not expect my name to have reached the Kunlun Mountains. Rise, rise! There is no need for such ceremony."

Bai Jin straightened up naturally and asked, "Martial Uncle, may I ask where Martial Aunt Nuwa is? First Martial Uncle had me bring some local specialties for Empress Nuwa."

"No hurry! My little sister is comprehending the Dao. Come with me." Fuxi waved his hand and put away the zither, then walked forward along the stream.

Bai Jin followed closely behind him. Before long, the two arrived before a small pavilion built at the edge of a cliff. The pavilion had four wooden pillars and a thatched roof. Inside stood oddly shaped stone tables and chairs. It looked exceedingly crude, nothing like a place where a mighty figure of the primordial world would relax. It was far inferior to the two palaces they had seen earlier.

The two sat within the small pavilion. A breeze blew past them, and before them, the sea of clouds rolled and surged, instantly broadening their hearts.

Bai Jin looked around the pavilion, and a strange expression gradually appeared in his eyes. From certain details, he could tell that the person who had built it had been very earnest, but the result was truly beyond description.

Fuxi said with a smile, "Do you find it rather unbelievable?"

Bai Jin immediately said, "I think it is excellent—returning to simplicity, in harmony with the Great Dao and nature."

Fuxi laughed heartily. "So Nuwa had such profound intentions! I did not notice in the slightest. I only thought her craftsmanship was too poor.

"This pavilion was built by my younger sister herself. These four pillars are made of Jianmu, the thatch is North Sea Night Nether Grass, and the tables and chairs inside are Taiyi Golden Essence. Back then, I said I would make it, but she insisted on trying herself. In the end, she made this bird's nest of a thing."

Bai Jin's eyes widened. You filthy rich bastard! nearly slipped out of his mouth. Was this how the powerful flaunted their wealth? Even a little Taiyi Golden Essence could be used to forge a decent acquired spiritual treasure, yet it had been made into these ugly tables?

Bai Jin looked over the entire pavilion again. How was there the slightest trace of ugliness now? It was clearly glittering with golden light! Jianmu, Night Nether Grass, Taiyi Golden Essence—every single one was a treasure. He really wanted to steal them all.

Fuxi swept a hand over the table, and a tea set appeared. Smiling, he said, "Take out the tea."

Bai Jin came back to his senses and quickly extended his hand. A purple box appeared in his palm, bearing a Taiji symbol. Its packaging looked quite grand.

He rose and presented it with both hands. "Martial Uncle, this is the tea First Martial Uncle asked me to bring."

Fuxi accepted the box and opened it. A delicate fragrance of tea drifted out.

A smile unconsciously appeared on Fuxi's face. He pinched out a little tea and placed it in the teapot. A moment later, he poured two cups of tea and handed one to Bai Jin. "I do not have Three Lights Divine Water here, so I shall temporarily use Cold Pond Heavenly Dew to brew the tea. Give it a taste and see how it is."

Bai Jin took a sip, and his eyes lit up. "Excellent. It is no weaker than Three Lights Divine Water, yet it has a unique flavor of its own."

Fuxi also took a sip and said in delight, "Fine tea should be paired with fine music. Would my martial nephew be willing to hear me play a piece?"

Bai Jin hurriedly set his teacup on the table, sat upright, and said, "It would be my honor!"

Fuxi brushed a hand over the table, and a wooden zither appeared. His fingers plucked the strings, and crisp music rang out as the sea of clouds began to churn.

Listening to the music, Bai Jin gradually lost himself in a trance. His mind was empty, without thought or distraction, as though he were traveling between heaven and earth. His speed chased the wind and moon, his heart was free and unrestrained, pursuing the power of thunder and lightning while embracing the vast world within his chest.