It worked!
When Di Jun saw Shen Hongfei invite him into the cave abode, he knew that his actions had greatly improved the boy's impression of him. Half of his objective had been achieved. Next, he only needed to persuade Nuwa to join the Demon Clan. His heart filled with delight.
The five people hiding in the cave abode grew anxious. That brat had invited Di Jun inside, which meant they were even more likely to be exposed. Tongtian edged farther inward.
Di Jun followed Nuwa into the cave abode. He was startled when he saw the spiritual treasures inside. Fortunately, he had come fully prepared; otherwise, he would have returned empty-handed. He walked to the stone table and sat down. Seeing the curtain draped over the table, he praised it, "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, even this tablecloth of yours is made so exquisitely."
At those words, Zhen Yuanzi's heart tightened beneath the table, terrified that he would be discovered.
"Tablecloth?"
Nuwa asked in confusion. When she saw the curtain on the stone table, her eyes went blank for a moment before she hurriedly looked toward the stone bed.
"Pfft!"
Nuwa could not help laughing. Understanding what had happened, she did not expose them. She shook her head and said, "This is the curtain from my doorway. I've had rather a lot of fellow Daoists visiting recently."
"I was afraid I would not be able to entertain everyone properly, so I took one down and spread it here."
Hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi, beneath the stone table, let his raised heart settle back down and felt grateful to Nuwa.
Shen Hongfei was rolling around with laughter inside Nuwa's belly. He admired his mother Nuwa—she had smoothed things over so quickly.
Di Jun, however, looked at the curtain missing from one side of the stone bed. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Taiyi, go back and order people to send some decorations over to Fellow Daoist Nuwa."
"Yes, Eldest Brother."
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."
Nuwa thanked him, then asked, "May I ask why you have come to see me?"
Di Jun's expression turned solemn. He looked seriously at Nuwa and said, "I wish to invite you to become the Wa Empress of the Demon Clan."
"Your status in the Demon Clan would be equal to that of my brother and me."
"The Wa Empress?"
Nuwa felt somewhat resistant. Her elder brother Ancestral Dragon had been the leader of the Dragon Clan, yet in the end he had died, leaving her alone with her child.
If her elder brother Ancestral Dragon had not been the leader of the Dragon Clan back then, but had instead secluded himself with her here on Mount Buzhou, perhaps he would now be accompanying her as they awaited the child's birth.
At that thought, Nuwa's expression grew desolate. She cupped her hands and said, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Fellow Daoist, but I do not wish to join the Demon Clan."
"I have enjoyed peace and quiet on Fengqi Mountain for many years. I only wish to watch my child be born and live a peaceful life."
Hearing Nuwa's words, Shen Hongfei could not help sighing in relief. Not joining was the right choice.
Di Jun grew anxious. If Nuwa did not join the Demon Clan, how could he carry out his other plans? He hurriedly said, "Fellow Daoist, there is no need to worry. Joining the Demon Clan does not require you to manage any affairs, great or small."
"My brother and I guarantee that we will not let anyone disturb your peace and quiet!"
Seeing a trace of hesitation in Nuwa, Di Jun continued, "In the future, once the child is born, he may even receive the position of a Demon Emperor!"
"Moreover, as an emperor of the Demon Clan, you can enjoy the Demon Clan's fortune. Perhaps it can offset the karma on your child."
Nuwa was somewhat tempted by his words, but she still shook her head. Joining the Demon Clan would create a causal connection. If something went wrong in the future, would that not drag her child even deeper into it?
"There is no need. My life is already quite good as it is."
Seeing Nuwa refuse, Di Jun was about to persuade her again when Shen Hongfei spoke up, "Uncle, Mother doesn't want to. Are you going to force her?"
"Then I won't like you anymore. Hmph!"
Di Jun inwardly cried out that things were going wrong. If he caused the child to dislike him, then even if he got Nuwa to join the Demon Clan, it would be useless. He hurriedly said, "No, no. How could Uncle do that?"
"That's good. Thank you, Uncle."
Di Jun forced a smile and nodded. He felt somewhat disappointed. This plan had failed. How should he establish a connection with this child next?
That's right—Fellow Daoist Fuxi was the child's maternal uncle. If he could win Fuxi over, would that not create a causal connection?
At that thought, a light flashed in Di Jun's golden eyes. He turned to Nuwa and asked, "May I ask where Fellow Daoist Fuxi is?"
Shen Hongfei pursed his lips when he heard this. Di Jun had failed to win over his mother and was now taking a side route, hoping to get his maternal uncle Fuxi to join the Demon Clan and use him to bind his mother. What a clever plan!
Nuwa slightly furrowed her brows. She did not want Fuxi to join the Demon Clan either and was about to speak.
"Little Sister."
At that moment, Fuxi, who had finished refining the Yimu Pearl and sensed the commotion here, walked in. He glanced at Di Jun and Taiyi, and his eyes lit up. There's another opportunity to gain something!
"Greetings, Fellow Daoists."
Di Jun returned the greeting and said, "Fellow Daoist Fuxi, you arrived at just the right time. I have a favor to ask of you."
"Oh?"
Fuxi was overjoyed. They have come to ask me for help? It seems not everyone is here for that brat.
Hahaha, it seems I'm going to gain a great deal this time!
Fuxi cast a provocative glance at Nuwa's belly, sat beside the stone table, and asked, "May I ask what assistance you require?"
Di Jun glanced at Nuwa beside him, then said to Fuxi, "I came here to invite Fellow Daoist Fuxi to become the Emperor Xi of the Demon Clan, with a status equal to that of my brother and me."
Fuxi fell into contemplation. The Demon Clan had indeed developed quite well over the years, and Di Jun and Taiyi's cultivation was higher than his. Since they had personally come to invite him, they must think highly of him. Joining the Demon Clan seemed like an excellent choice.
With that thought, Fuxi nodded and said, "I agree!"
"Brother, don't."
Nuwa panicked when she heard this and wanted to dissuade him, but Di Jun interrupted her. "Hahaha, excellent!"
"Fellow Daoist Fuxi, my brother and I plan to hold a grand Demon Emperor ceremony for you."
"Come back to the Demon Clan with us now."
"That would be wonderful!"
Fuxi was delighted. They're so eager for me to join the Demon Clan. It seems Di Jun thinks highly of me. This might even be an opportunity.
Seeing this, Nuwa grew anxious. She stood up and said, "Brother, you..."
Fuxi thought his younger sister was reluctant to part with him and hurriedly consoled her, "Little Sister, there is no need to be reluctant. We all possess great divine abilities. Traveling between the Solar Star and Fengqi Mountain will not take much time."
"If you miss me, you can come visit me."
Di Jun was secretly delighted when he heard this. This was precisely the effect he wanted. If Nuwa went to visit Fuxi, she would become involved with the Demon Clan, and perhaps there would still be room for discussion in the future.
"Then let's go!"
Di Jun urged them on, then left with Fuxi and Taiyi.
Nuwa walked out of the cave abode and watched Fuxi with concern. She had a bad feeling in her heart.
Seeing this, Shen Hongfei comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. Uncle Fuxi has his own path to walk."
"Alas..."
Nuwa let out a soft sigh and returned to the cave abode.
"Phew, they're finally gone!"
The people who had been hiding crawled out, all breathing sighs of relief. Jieyin rubbed his slightly deformed face with his hand until it returned to normal, while Zhunti and Tongtian also stretched their limbs.
Seeing their disheveled appearances, Nuwa laughed through her tears. The Three Xiao Sisters wanted to laugh but did not dare to. Only Shen Hongfei watched them playfully from inside her belly.
"Uncles, you should go back too. I'll seriously consider taking you as my masters."
The corners of all their mouths twitched when they heard this. If they still believed that brat's nonsense, then they would have wasted all these years of living. Yet they were helpless all the same.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, I shall take my leave."
Tongtian felt that he had lost all face, especially with his disciples present. He immediately cupped his hands in salute and prepared to leave.
The others hurriedly followed, afraid that someone else might come.
"Hahahaha!"
Only after watching them flee in such a sorry state did the Three Xiao Sisters finally burst into laughter. As for Tongtian's reprimands, the three sisters had already tossed them to the back of their minds. They would deal with the future when it came.
Before you continue