Huoyun Cave.
Within the quiet, secluded cave residence, clouds and mist coiled and drifted. A chessboard sat atop a stone table, black and white stones crossing and interweaving across it.
Hongyun's fingertip flicked lightly, and a black stone fell onto the board, stirring faint ripples.
Fuxi stroked his long beard, a smile on his face, and placed a stone. In an instant, he brought his great dragon back to life and cut off Hongyun's offensive.
"Fellow Daoist, it's your turn."
Hongyun pinched a chess piece between his fingers and was just about to set it down when his motion paused slightly in midair.
He raised his head, his gaze piercing through the restrictions of the cave residence and looking toward the distant horizon. In those gentle eyes, a trace of understanding flashed.
Seeing this, Fuxi's heart stirred, and he asked, "What is it?"
Hongyun withdrew his gaze and slowly placed the chess piece in his hand back into the chess box, producing a crisp, light sound.
"Guests have come to the door."
"Jieyin and Zhunti of the West have arrived."
When Fuxi heard this, the fingers with which he was holding a chess piece also paused.
"Jieyin? Zhunti?"
He pondered for a moment, then stroked his long beard and slowly spoke.
"It seems they have come for the matter of Western Prosperity."
"Counting the days, it is indeed about time."
There was a trace of emotion in Fuxi's tone.
This great momentum of the Heavenly Dao, after undergoing countless kalpas and endless twists and hardships, was finally about to formally draw open its curtain.
Hongyun nodded slightly, not at all surprised by this.
"I imagine it is for that matter as well."
As soon as his words fell, two figures had already appeared outside Huoyun Cave. Buddha-light appeared faintly around