Old Friend Visits

After the Wu Clan's proclamation to the Primordial Continent, countless figures scattered from Buzhou Mountain.

Following Wu Ming's orders, they headed for every corner of the Primordial Continent and began fulfilling the vows made at the clan's establishment.

With their powerful bodies, they contained and refined the baleful qi permeating heaven and earth.

With their innate command of the Laws, they attempted to sort out the chaotic earth veins and harmonize the imbalanced Five Elements.

For a time, many busy figures of the Wu Clan appeared throughout the Primordial Continent.

Though their actions drew attention, their impact on the vast overall situation of the Primordial Continent was minimal.

After briefly focusing on the Wu Clan, the top Great Powers soon returned their attention to their own cultivation and struggles for supremacy.

That day, outside Pangu Hall on Buzhou Mountain, two figures arrived together.

They were Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun.

Wu Ming personally went outside Pangu Hall to receive them.

"Daoist Friend Wu Ming." Zhen Yuanzi made a formal salute.

"Daoist Friend Wu Ming." Hong Yun still wore that ever-cheerful smile.

Wu Ming nodded. "Please, both Daoist Friends."

"Daoist Friend Wu Ming, congratulations! The Wu Clan's establishment this time has brought boundless merit and flourishing Fortune. You truly make others green with envy!" Hong Yun smiled sincerely. That pillar of merit descending from the heavens had been far too shocking—who in the Primordial Continent did not yearn for such a thing?

Zhen Yuanzi was more composed. With a formal salute, he said, "Daoist Friend Wu Ming, the Wu Clan has made a grand vow, taking on the responsibility of sorting out baleful qi and stabilizing the earth veins. This is an act of great righteousness. I admire it."

"You flatter me, Daoist Friends." Wu Ming inclined his head slightly and gestured for the two to enter the hall for a detailed discussion. "I merely followed the tide of heaven and sought a path forward for my Wu Clan."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three took their seats as host and guests.

Zhen Yuanzi spoke first, his expression solemn. "The Primordial Continent is awash with discussion. Some are envious, some wary, and quite a few... believe your Wu Clan has taken on a thankless task that costs much and gains little."

Hong Yun took over, speaking a little faster. "Ah, Daoist Friend Zhen Yuanzi, you always beat around the bush! Things outside are already a complete mess! People fight and kill each day over treasures, until blood flows like rivers!"

"Not long ago, two Daoist Friends over in the Eastern Sea fought over an Innate Spiritual Treasure until heaven collapsed and earth split. In the end, both were badly injured. Tell me, what was the point?"

"And Di Jun and Taiyi—those two have been recruiting troops everywhere lately, contacting demon kings from every side. I'd say there's an eighty-percent chance they're planning some major move too. Just look at that momentum—tsk, tsk—they'd love to scoop the whole Primordial Continent into their bowl."

Zhen Yuanzi added, "Daoist Friend Hong Yun speaks the truth. Di Jun and Taiyi of the Demon Race are wildly ambitious and certainly not the sort to submit to others. From what I have observed of their actions, I fear they intend to imitate the Wu Clan: unite the demons, establish a clan, and contend for supremacy."

Wu Ming listened quietly, his expression barely changing.

He looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun. "I understand what you two Daoist Friends are saying."

Looking at them both, he continued, "The Wu Clan established itself and declared that we would protect the Primordial Continent, cleanse baleful qi, and sort out the earth veins. Those were not empty words. They are the foundation upon which my clan stands, and something we have no choice but to do."

"Di Jun and Taiyi... the path they wish to take differs from that of the Wu Clan."

"They wish to establish a clan and vie for supremacy, rule over all living beings, gather Fortune, and thereby seek to Prove Dao."

"But the Wu Clan did not establish itself to contend for dominance over the Primordial Continent."

"What we do benefits the Primordial Continent. We fulfill the responsibilities of Father God Pangu's descendants, thereby obtaining merit and finding security—a path to survival—for the Wu Clan."

Zhen Yuanzi looked at Wu Ming. "Daoist Friend, you established your clan, made a grand vow, and drew down such merit. Could it be that you intend to walk the path of Proving Dao with Merit?"

This was the question he and Hong Yun cared about most on this visit.

After all, that golden light of merit was simply too dazzling. Who would not be tempted upon seeing it?

Wu Ming shook his head. "Proving Dao with Merit? It sounds good, but its standards are set by the Heavenly Dao. It is too illusory and intangible."

"My Wu Clan was born from Father God Pangu's Essence Blood. We innately command Laws and temper our physical bodies. This is our foundation, and our advantage."

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"Proving Dao with Strength is too difficult. In today's Primordial Continent, no one can walk that path."

"Slaying Three Corpses to Prove Dao may seem reliable, but it requires Innate Spiritual Treasures. More importantly, the Saint Positions have long been predetermined by the Heavenly Dao. It is absolutely impossible for my Wu Clan to become Sages through this method."

"Thus, only one path remains for the Wu Clan."

Wu Ming's voice became low and forceful. "Prove Dao with Laws!"

Zhen Yuanzi's brow shifted slightly. "Prove Dao with Laws? A Sage once said that this path is arduous, placing extremely high demands on one's aptitude and comprehension, and its process..."

Hong Yun also sighed. "Proving Dao with Laws places the greatest importance on foundation and comprehension. It truly suits the Wu Clan best. But this road is simply too difficult. Even the Dao Ancestor said it is as hard as climbing to heaven!"

Wu Ming said, "Though the road is difficult, it is the only path the Wu Clan can take. We must walk it."

He looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun. "You two Daoist Friends possess deep foundations and enduring Fortune. Your future achievements will be immeasurable."

"Whether you choose Slaying Three Corpses or accumulate merit, Wu Ming has one piece of advice."

"Oh? Please speak, Daoist Friend." Zhen Yuanzi raised a hand.

Wu Ming said solemnly, "Do not completely abandon your comprehension of your own Laws."

"Whether it is Slaying Three Corpses or Proving Dao with Merit, both ultimately rely on external forces. Whether Innate Spiritual Treasures or Heavenly Dao merit, none of that is power that truly belongs to oneself."

"Only one's own understanding of the Great Dao and command of the Laws are the true foundation."

"Perhaps, at some moment in the future, this understanding of Laws will become the key to breaking the deadlock."

Zhen Yuanzi fell into thought. He wielded the Earth Book and was innately attuned to the Law of earth; Wu Ming's words had stirred something within him.

Hong Yun merely smiled. "Thank you for the reminder, Daoist Friend. I'll remember it. Heh heh, I've always been used to taking things easy. If there's a shortcut, of course I'd want to take it—but I'll certainly keep your words in mind."

Wu Ming shifted the subject. Looking at Hong Yun, his expression grew several degrees more serious. "Daoist Friend Hong Yun, I have recently deduced the Heavenly Secrets and sensed something faintly."

Hong Yun was taken aback. "Oh? What did you sense, Daoist Friend?"

"Before long, an opportunity will emerge somewhere near Buzhou Mountain."

"This opportunity has far-reaching implications; it does not belong to you alone. As far as I know, the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Taiyi, Nuwa, and other foremost Great Powers will all sense it."

Wu Ming looked at Hong Yun.

"Within that opportunity is an item of immense importance to my Wu Clan."

"I hope that, when you sense that opportunity descending, you can come to the Wu Clan and inform me."

"This..." Hong Yun hesitated. "Since you know of this opportunity, why not claim it yourself? And if it is something important to the Wu Clan, the sooner you obtain it, the better, no?"

Wu Ming shook his head. "That opportunity is ordained by Heaven; none but those fated for it may obtain it. I once sought it out, but found nothing."

"Therefore, I can only trouble you, Daoist Friend." Wu Ming gave Hong Yun a slight nod.

"Hey, hey! You give me too much credit, Daoist Friend! Please, rise quickly!" Hong Yun hurriedly supported Wu Ming. "Since it is something important to the Wu Clan, and it's only a small favor, I agree! When I sense it, I'll definitely come notify you at once!"

He was frank and open by nature, and thought it was merely a favor carried along by the current, without giving it much thought.

Only then did Wu Ming straighten up. "Thank you, Daoist Friend."

He felt that Wu Ming's actions must carry a deeper meaning. Hong Yun agreeing to this might be a blessing rather than a misfortune. Yet this "Heaven-ordained opportunity" involved so many Great Powers—he feared it would not be simple.

With the matters that needed discussing now settled, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably.

Zhen Yuanzi proposed, "It is rare for us to gather with Daoist Friends today. Why don't we discuss the Dao together and verify each other's insights?"

Wu Ming readily agreed. "Good."

Hong Yun clapped his hands and laughed. "That would be excellent!"

The three of them promptly sat facing one another in Pangu Hall and began discussing the Dao.