Fuxi laughed heartily. "That would be arrogant. At the very least, I wouldn't dare provoke the Four Polar Sacred Beasts. And there are countless experts in the Primordial World—who knows whether unknown powerhouses are still hiding somewhere?"
Bai Jin flattered him, "Without strength, that would be called arrogance. Martial Uncle, when you say it, it is called confidence."
Fuxi said with a smile, "It has been a long time since I met such an interesting little fellow as you."
Bai Jin asked, "Martial Uncle, what should we do now?"
Fuxi said, "There is nothing we need to do. Just find a place to cultivate in peace. If we encounter some minor demons or monsters, there is no need to concern ourselves with them. Let them fight among themselves."
"Yes!" Bai Jin answered.
The two each carved out a cave dwelling and set up concealing formations, living in seclusion upon the mountain as they silently watched the Human Race develop.
The Human Race developed rapidly. In merely three years, its population grew more than tenfold, splitting into tribe after tribe that spread outward while all honoring the valley Sacred Land.
The long night ended, and morning began.
The entire great river basin brimmed with joyful cheer. The Human Race gathered before the valley's divine hall, singing and dancing. Their sounds of praise and laughter echoed through heaven and earth. Inside the hall stood a statue of Nuwa, with two statues beneath it, one on each side—Fuxi and Bai Jin—like left and right guardians.
Bai Jin said sentimentally, "It is the annual Sacred Birthday again! Martial Uncle, when will our guardianship finally be over?"
Fuxi stood atop the mountain with his hands behind his back. "It is nearly time. The Human Race has developed much faster than I ever imagined."
"Caw—" A clear phoenix cry rang through the sky. Five-colored radiance spread across the heavens, and a gorgeous Colorful Phoenix flew out from within the light, circling overhead.
The millions of Humans below all looked up at the Colorful Phoenix. Some panicked, some worshipped, and the experts among the Human Race rose into the air, watching the phoenix warily.
The Colorful Phoenix hovered in midair and declared in a clear voice, "By order of Empress Nuwa, I have come to invite Lord Fuxi and Senior Brother Bai Jin to Nuwa Palace to hear the Dao."
Fuxi said with a smile, "It is over. Let us go!"
The two immediately lifted the concealing formation and appeared atop the mountain. Auspicious Clouds rose beneath their feet as they flew toward the sky.
Countless Humans below fell to their knees and cried out excitedly, "Greetings, Sacred Envoys!"
"Farewell, Sacred Envoys!"
Amid earth-shaking cries of gratitude and praise, Fuxi, Bai Jin, and the Colorful Phoenix vanished into the colored radiance in the sky.
Within the chaotic Chaos, beyond the Primordial World, lay a newly opened world. This was Wa Huang Heaven.
Within Wa Huang Heaven, the mountains and rivers were beautiful, its scenery picturesque. Immortal birds and auspicious beasts roamed freely, while a divine hall stood at the center of the world. Three great characters were written upon its plaque: "Wa Huang Palace."
Inside the palace, Empress Nuwa sat in the seat of honor. Below her sat many great powers of the Primordial World and their disciples. Behind the Three Purities sat Duobao and Holy Mother Wudang. Behind Jieyin and Zhunti sat Medicine Master, Mahasthamaprapta, and Ksitigarbha. Behind Taiyi, Dijun, and the Demon Master sat ten young men with yellow hair. Behind Zhenyuanzi sat two extraordinarily handsome Daoist boys.
Zhunti said with a smile, "Junior Sister, everyone has arrived. Why have you not begun expounding the Sacred Dao?"
Nuwa said with a smile, "Please wait, Junior Brother. Two people have yet to arrive."
Primeval asked curiously, "One should be Junior Brother Fuxi. Who is the other?"
Taishang seemed thoughtful, a smile appearing on his face.
Two people suddenly entered from outside, and everyone turned to look.
Bai Jin came to an abrupt halt, his scalp tingling beneath the gazes of so many great powers. Damn, so many big shots. Was this really so grand?
Duobao's eyes widened abruptly. Why was it this bootlicker? What qualifications did he have to make Saint Nuwa wait for him? No, she definitely was not waiting for him. She was waiting for Fuxi. This shameless fellow had merely tagged along with Fuxi to mooch his way in. That was right, it had to be so. Duobao looked at Bai Jin with a trace of disdain in his eyes. He was simply disgracing the Three Purities.
Bai Jin hurried forward, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Master. Greetings, Martial Uncle."
Tongtian nodded. "I had intended to bring you here, but I could never find you. It is good that you came on your own."
Bai Jin said gratefully, "Thank you, Master!"
He then turned and bowed to everyone in the hall. "Greetings, Martial Uncles!"
Everyone nodded amiably and smiled. This junior was quite polite.
Zhenyuanzi quietly said, "Qingfeng, Mingyue, learn from him."
Qingfeng muttered, "The other disciples did not pay respects either."
Mingyue secretly patted Qingfeng and whispered, "Listen to Master."
Finally, Bai Jin bowed deeply toward Nuwa in the seat of honor and solemnly said, "Greetings, Empress Nuwa, perfect in virtue and sagehood, boundless in compassion and mercy, infinite in merit!"
Nuwa said with a smile, "I have waited a long time for you. Take a seat."
"Yes!" Bai Jin walked over and sat beside Holy Mother Wudang.
Holy Mother Wudang transmitted happily, "Junior Brother, you broke through to Taiyi Golden Immortal?"
Bai Jin replied by transmission, "Only by luck. I received the opportunity from Empress Nuwa attaining the Dao."
Holy Mother Wudang nodded. This was not the appropriate time to ask in detail.
Empress Nuwa began to expound the Dao. When a Saint expounded the Dao, heaven and earth resonated. Heavenly flowers rained down, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, and all manner of Great Dao mysteries unfolded.
Everyone else listened, utterly entranced, but Bai Jin was thoroughly lost. It was like an elementary school student entering a university lecture. He only felt that it was tremendously profound, yet he could not understand a single sentence. He might as well have listened to Fuxi play a tune on the qin.
After a long while, Empress Nuwa finished her lecture, and the various phenomena within the hall faded away.
The great powers of the Primordial World all seemed to have gained insight. They clasped their hands and bowed. "Thank you, Saint Nuwa."
Nuwa nodded, then looked at Bai Jin with a smile. "Bai Jin, have you gained any insight?"
Like a student caught daydreaming after being called on in class, Bai Jin jolted all over. He immediately snapped out of his daze, hurriedly rose, and bowed. With an awkward smile, he said, "Reporting to Martial Uncle, this disciple is dull-witted and has gained nothing."
Empress Nuwa examined Bai Jin, then suddenly understood. "You have yet to comprehend your own Dao. No wonder."
Bai Jin said regretfully, "This disciple's thoughts are too scattered. I have been unable to comprehend my true heart."
Empress Nuwa said with a smile, "No matter. When you comprehend your own Dao, come to Wa Huang Palace again. I will expound the Dao for you once more."
Bai Jin said gratefully, "Thank you, Empress Nuwa!"
"Sit down."
Bai Jin quickly sat.
Duobao glanced at Bai Jin, his eyes still filled with uncertainty. Why would Empress Nuwa treat him so favorably?
Tongtian and Primeval both looked puzzled. What had Bai Jin done to earn Junior Sister Nuwa's favor?
Beside them, Zhunti smiled amiably at Bai Jin. Dear Martial Nephew, come visit the West when you have time!
Bai Jin felt uncomfortable all over. He gave Zhunti an apologetic look and transmitted with his eyes, I appreciate Martial Uncle's kindness, but I have been busy recently and cannot visit the Western Pure Land.
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