When the many gods and demons saw Ye Jun's smile, they knew it could only mean trouble. They feared their chance to claim the treasure on the Gourd Vine was gone.
Before Ye Jun could say anything, the gods and demons had already scattered.
They moved so fast that even Kunpeng, an expert in speed, would have had to admire their skill.
Ye Jun could only laugh helplessly. When had he become so terrifying?
In the end, only Ye Jun, Fuxi, and Nuwa remained on Buzhou Mountain.
Ye Jun went forward alone and plucked all seven gourds from the Gourd Vine.
After taking the gourds, he showed no mercy and uprooted the Gourd Vine, tucking it away.
Then he spotted the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil beneath it and took that as well. It was all valuable stuff.
The Gourd Vine was an Innate Spiritual Root. He could give it to Nuwa later and strengthen their friendship.
As for the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, if Ye Jun remembered correctly, it would play a major role when Nuwa created humanity.
Now that the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil was in Ye Jun's hands, he wouldn't be able to stand by when Nuwa created humanity in the future.
Besides, Nuwa's creation of humanity would earn great merit. She would rely on that merit to Attain Dao and Become a Saint.
So taking the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil now would benefit Ye Jun later.
After putting away all the gourds, Ye Jun took out the Gourd Vine and handed it to Nuwa beside him.
Nuwa was immediately overjoyed.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Jun, this..." Nuwa was at a loss for words.
She and Fuxi had already given up competing for the Gourd Vine. Otherwise, Ye Jun probably wouldn't have spared even them.
"The Gourd Vine will be of great use to you, Fellow Daoist Nuwa, so I'll leave it in your hands." Ye Jun waved casually, offering it with easy generosity.
The unexpected good fortune delighted both Nuwa and Fuxi.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Ye Jun!" Nuwa and Fuxi said, cupping their hands.
This was an Innate Spiritual Root, and he was just giving it to her!
"Think nothing of it," Ye Jun said with a wave.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Jun, Buzhou Mountain is close to my sister and me's abode. Since you've gifted us such a treasure, would you do us the honor of letting us play host?" Fuxi asked, cupping his hands.
Fuxi and Nuwa's abode?
There was no reason not to go.
"Then I'll trouble you both," Ye Jun said with a smile.
"Hahaha, you're too courteous, Fellow Daoist Ye Jun. Please!" Fuxi gestured invitingly.
"After you," Ye Jun replied.
A short while later, the three arrived at Fuxi and Nuwa's abode.
Once they entered the cave dwelling, they took their seats.
"Your dwelling is truly a Blessed Land. The Spiritual Energy here is so abundant," Ye Jun said enviously.
He was originally a monkey from the Enlightenment Dao Tree on Kunlun Mountain, and Kunlun Mountain was now the abode of the Three Pure Ones, the Pangu Orthodox. It would be awkward for him to go back.
I should find a place of my own to make my home, Ye Jun thought.
"You flatter us, Fellow Daoist. In the present prehistoric world, Dao Ancestor Hongjun is the foremost Sage. Below him, you're the one with Quasi-Saint cultivation. Is there anywhere in this world you can't go as you please?" Fuxi said with a hearty laugh.
Ye Jun smiled at Fuxi's praise, then said, "I imagine you didn't bring me here merely as a guest."
"You've seen through me, Fellow Daoist. I do have a selfish request. As the first Quasi-Saint, I hope you can offer me some guidance," Fuxi said, rising and cupping his hands.
Ye Jun nodded, understanding. Breaking through to Quasi-Saint was immensely important to every cultivator in the prehistoric world.
Fuxi's question didn't surprise him.
"I can hardly call it guidance. I've heard that you two are skilled in music, so perhaps we can discuss it," Ye Jun said slowly.
Fuxi and Nuwa exchanged a glance. The Dao of music? Could Fellow Daoist Ye Jun have some knowledge of it as well?
"Very well. Then listen closely, Fellow Daoist Ye Jun," Fuxi said.
With a single-handed gesture, he summoned the Long Zither from elsewhere in the cave.
Without another word, Fuxi plucked the strings with both hands. A gentle melody drifted through the air as Ye Jun closed his eyes to listen.
As soon as an incense stick's time had passed, Ye Jun slowly opened his eyes.
"What do you think, Fellow Daoist?" Fuxi asked, drawing his hands back.
Ye Jun thought for a moment, then said, "Forgive my bluntness, but though the melody is exquisite, it seems to be missing something."
Missing something?
Fuxi was utterly bewildered. Of all his pursuits, the Dao of music was the one he had devoted himself to most outside his cultivation.
He had spent tens of thousands of years perfecting it, and now Ye Jun was saying something was missing.
"What do you mean, Fellow Daoist? Please speak freely," Fuxi said.
Ye Jun smiled. "Your attainments in the Dao of music are already profound. However, it includes the five tones: gong, shang, jue, zhi, and yu."
Fuxi looked thoughtful. He had never heard of these five tones, and Nuwa knew nothing about them either.
"It's only natural that you haven't heard of them. The Great Dao of music has always been incomplete," Ye Jun said with a faint smile.
"It seems my sister and I have been rather ignorant. Please continue, Fellow Daoist," Fuxi said, drawing a deep breath.
Ye Jun continued, "Though there are five tones, slight variations in performance create two more: bianzhi and biangong. That makes seven categories in all."
Fuxi and Nuwa listened in complete bewilderment. Ye Jun didn't rush them; he simply poured out everything he knew about the Dao of music.
"The Dao of music is as vast as a sea of stars, with countless variations..."
By the end, Fuxi and Nuwa were both astonished and enlightened.
"I see! I think I understand now. As expected, you know so much, Fellow Daoist," Fuxi said, cupping his hands.
After this, Fuxi was thoroughly convinced by Ye Jun. This monkey was truly astonishing.
His strength was astonishing, his comprehension astonishing, and his fortune astonishing. Now even his knowledge was so extensive.
Just then, a streak of golden light flashed across the highest heavens, and a vast golden cloud flew toward Fuxi's cave dwelling.
In a short while, it reached the space above Ye Jun's head. Golden Light of Merit poured down on him like a stream.
Ye Jun smiled. The Dao of music had been incomplete, and he had now made it whole. It was only right that he be rewarded with merit.
Fuxi and Nuwa watched Ye Jun with envy. It really was true: comparing goods made you want to throw yours away, and comparing people could make you want to die.
The gap was simply too great!
Ye Jun basked in the Golden Light of Merit, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Before you continue