Although Fuxi had set an extremely difficult trial for the black tiger, he did not intend for it to travel to Phoenix Perch Mountain empty-handed.
Fuxi said, "Phoenix Perch Mountain is tens of millions of miles from here. It will not be easy for you to travel there alone. I will grant you some secret arts to help you arrive safely."
Fuxi gave Zhao Gongming an ordinary cultivation method from the Honghuang, not some profoundly powerful secret art.
A common man was innocent, but possessing a treasure invited trouble. This cultivation method was already more than enough for him.
The black tiger carefully accepted the cultivation method and sincerely thanked Fuxi. "Thank you, Senior. I will certainly not disappoint your expectations."
Fuxi nodded in satisfaction. "Since we have met, I shall give you a name."
"Please bestow one upon me, Senior."
The black tiger spoke excitedly.
Fuxi stroked his chin and pondered for a long while before saying, "Your true form is a black tiger. After taking human form, you are strong and handsome. I shall call you Black Marshal."
"???"
The black tiger scratched his head. That name did not sound very pleasant.
Fuxi asked in confusion, "What? Are you dissatisfied?"
"This..."
The black tiger hesitated. He did not particularly like the name, but he also feared offending Fuxi.
Fuxi smiled. "That was just a little joke. I plan to name you Zhao Gongming. What do you think?"
"Zhao Gongming..."
Upon hearing the name Fuxi had given him, his heart suddenly jolted, as though a bolt of lightning had struck his soul.
"Zhao Gongming thanks Senior for bestowing this name!"
Zhao Gongming devoutly knelt before Fuxi.
When he raised his head, however, he discovered that Fuxi had already vanished, leaving behind only the silent forest.
Zhao Gongming rose to his feet and walked into the depths of the forest.
Though he did not know the direction of Phoenix Perch Mountain, he would persistently head east.
The winds had risen across the Honghuang.
The Brutal War Between the Two Races
Though it was merely a white cloud, Fuxi felt as if he were sailing in a boat.
Flying was something Fuxi had dreamed of in his previous life. Now, not only could he fly, he could also ride clouds and mist, even pulling off a Thomas spin in midair.
Fuxi thought that Hongjun's sermon would soon begin. It was time for him to return to Phoenix Perch Mountain and head to Zixiao Palace with Nuwa.
Yet as Fuxi reclined upon the cloud and traveled toward Phoenix Perch Mountain, he discovered that something had completely blocked the sun above his head.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that three white clouds had drifted overhead.
Mist curled around those three clouds. They appeared larger and thicker than ordinary clouds.
Moreover, Fuxi could sense that the three white clouds were absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from their surroundings. They were exceptionally mystical.
The reason they had blocked Fuxi was likely because they were absorbing the essence cast down by the sun.
"Three clouds?"
Fuxi's expression suddenly turned strange.
Within the Honghuang, four clouds were the most famous.
Among them were Hong Yun, the greatest good man of the Honghuang, as well as Zhao Gongming's three younger sisters, the Three Maidens of Sanxiao.
Fuxi hurriedly sat up and began calculating with his fingers.
Sure enough, the destinies of these three clouds were extraordinary, and a faint karmic thread connected them to Zhao Gongming.
Fuxi scratched his head. Why did he have such an affinity with disciples of the Interception Sect?
He had first encountered Zhao Gongming in the forest after his Form Transformation failed, and then encountered the Three Xiaos here in the Nine Heavens. Yet all four of them would ultimately join the Interception Sect.
Fate truly was wondrous.
Moreover, Fuxi had held a great deal of admiration in his previous life for these three fierce women who had dared to fight a Saint.
Fuxi smiled. Since heaven had allowed him to encounter the Three Xiaos, and since they were all extraordinarily gifted beings among the Honghuang's living creatures, blessed with great fortune, it would not be a loss to take them as disciples.
Sect Master Tongtian, my apologies. I'm taking your disciples.
Though taking in Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiaos would certainly affect the history of the Honghuang, what did that have to do with Fuxi?
As long as Fuxi was powerful enough, he could settle any ripples and uncertainties caused by these historical changes.
Fuxi slightly extended his palm, and the spiritual energy between heaven and earth surged toward it.
Fuxi gathered the spiritual energy and essence of heaven and earth from tens of thousands of miles around into his palm, refining them into three streams of immortal light before striking them into the three white clouds.
When Fuxi began gathering spiritual energy, the three white clouds had initially panicked, believing that he would bring them danger. They swiftly drifted into the distance.
However, when Fuxi sent the three streams of immortal light into their bodies, they felt their cultivation soar. Realizing that Fuxi was helping them cultivate and bore them no ill will, they relaxed.
"Thank you, Senior, for aiding our cultivation."
Grateful Divine Sense emerged from the three white clouds.
Seeing that the Three Xiaos still had a long way to go before Form Transformation, Fuxi said, "You share fate with me, so I shall give you an Opportunity. If you wish to grow stronger, come find me at Phoenix Perch Mountain in three thousand years."
The Three Xiaos answered in unison, "We understand. In three thousand years, we will certainly go to Phoenix Perch Mountain to thank you, Senior."
Fuxi waved his hand and departed from the Nine Heavens.
After bidding farewell to the Three Xiaos, Fuxi became curious about one matter: would the Three Xiaos and Zhao Gongming still become siblings?
After all, he had already changed the course of Honghuang history, so the relationships between these people would be difficult to predict.
Only a few decades remained before Hongjun's sermon. Fuxi planned to return to Phoenix Perch Mountain and make some preparations while waiting for Zixiao Palace to open for the sermon.
When Fuxi passed near Buzhou Mountain, he encountered a war between the Witch Clan and the Demon Clan.
The Great Witches of the Witch Clan and the great demons of the Demon Clan fought one another across the wilderness. Their methods were all vicious, and their roars shook the heavens.
Though the Witch Clan held no advantage in size, their physical bodies were far stronger than those of the Demon Clan. Thus, they dared to ride atop demons and seize them alive.
The great demons, meanwhile, used various spells and Divine Abilities to compensate for the shortcomings of their physical bodies, unleashing long-range Divine Abilities to break through the Great Witches' physical defenses.
Although neither side had many combatants, with only a few thousand each, the battle still darkened the heavens and blotted out the earth. Mountains were severed, deep pits were blasted into the ground, and the broken bodies of Great Witches and great demons lay across the wilderness as blood flowed into rivers.
Only after witnessing the war between the Witch Clan and Demon Clan firsthand did Fuxi understand the extent of the hatred between the two great races.
The warriors of the Witch Clan and Demon Clan were filled with hatred. Their eyes had gone red from slaughter as they shouted of avenging their clansmen, their hands drenched in their enemies' blood.
Still, despite the shocking sight, Fuxi had no intention of intervening.
The hatred between the Witch Clan and Demon Clan had been carved deep into the bones of both races. It could neither be changed nor stopped.
Fuxi only hoped this war would not spread to him.
Otherwise, whichever race it was would have to prepare to pay the price for his retaliation.
By now, Fuxi's strength had already surpassed the entire Honghuang.
Though he could not destroy an entire race, he was capable of taking down dozens of Grand Unity Golden Immortals.
His superiority in strength and the existence of the system had made Fuxi far more confident.
When he had first transmigrated, Fuxi had intended to hide away and cultivate with Nuwa at Phoenix Perch Mountain, wait for Hongjun's sermon, secure seats and become Hongjun's disciples, then rely on that great backing to survive the great calamities of the Honghuang.
But now, Fuxi had many new ideas.
Perhaps he could become a player in this grand game of the Honghuang.
Of course, Fuxi would not overreach himself. Some matters would only become meaningful after he became a Saint. For now, raising his strength remained the priority.
Tired of watching the war between the Witch Clan and Demon Clan, Fuxi returned to Phoenix Perch Mountain.
Clang!
Several decades later, the sound of a bell rang out between heaven and earth.
Only those who had reached the realm of Grand Unity Golden Immortal could hear that bell.
"This time, I shall expound upon the path of the Quasi-Saint."
The familiar voice of a Saint rang out.
Fuxi said to Nuwa, "The Saint is about to begin his sermon. We will be leaving for three thousand years. If we do not set up some formations, I fear some unscrupulous people may come and steal our Chaos Gourd Vine."
"Brother is right."
Ever since obtaining the Chaos Gourd Vine, Nuwa had treated it as a treasure.
If anyone stole it from her, she would definitely make Fuxi help her take it back.
Thus, the siblings began setting up formations across Phoenix Perch Mountain.
After painstakingly arranging the formations, Fuxi increasingly wanted to establish his own force.
Relying solely on formations to protect the Daoist Sanctuary truly did not put him at ease. If he took in several disciples, even if they could not help him with anything else, they could at least guard the mountain gate.
Only after setting up the Daoist Sanctuary's formations did Fuxi and Nuwa leave Phoenix Perch Mountain, flying toward Zixiao Palace Beyond the Heavens.
Fuxi sensed that his cultivation was already nearing the limits of Grand Unity Peak, and he thought about striving to break through to the Quasi-Saint realm during Hongjun's sermon this time.
Eastern Prince Gong and Queen Mother of the West
The moment Hongjun's voice rang throughout the Honghuang, hundreds and thousands of impatient Grand Unity Golden Immortals immediately flew toward Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Since they did not need to fight for seats on this trip to Zixiao Palace, Fuxi and Nuwa traveled at an unhurried pace.
The two also saw countless streaks of light rapidly ascending through the Nine Heavens, including many familiar faces.
Within the clouds several thousand miles away, a female Grand Unity Golden Immortal was riding immortal light through the sky toward Beyond the Heavens.
Behind this female Grand Unity Golden Immortal, a middle-aged male Grand Unity Golden Immortal in red robes pursued her relentlessly.
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