After the great tribulation ended, the Three Tribes withdrew from the Primordial World one after another, and the Demon Clan was completely eradicated. The Primordial Continent then saw a flourishing scene, with many powers competing and "a hundred flowers blooming."
Of course, some relatively major powers still remained. There were several great Innate Races in the Primordial World, for instance, and the Sun Star Lineage in the starry sky, which would later become the Demon Clan. Then there was the Witch Clan, which had emerged only tens of thousands of years ago but had already become a Great Power of the Primordial World, multiplying beside Buzhou Mountain.
Another thing worth mentioning was that after the Dragon Clan went into seclusion, the Pure Yang Lineage had been the greatest power in the East Sea, according to the division of the Four Seas' forces in his previous life. But East King Duke's reincarnation changed all that: Pure Yang became Supreme Yang. Though Supreme Yang Dao Lord's name resounded across the Four Seas, the Supreme Yang Lineage had few disciples and no intention of entering the world. They were practically reclusive outsiders.
By contrast, on Penglai Island, a sacred land for rogue cultivators, three rogue Great Luo Golden Immortals had gathered a group of cultivators and called themselves the Penglai Lineage. They had earned quite a reputation across the Four Seas.
Each of these powers controlled a vast territory and had many followers, but none was as overbearing as the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans—the Three Innate Tribes—had once been. They were all quite restrained, and no conflicts had arisen.
The major powers seemed to be at peace, but East King Duke knew that war was inevitable as they fought for the Primordial World's Destiny. In the end, however, it would all be in vain. Even the Witch and Demon Races of later generations would suffer the same fate as the Three Innate Tribes if they lacked the strongest combatants in their ranks.
Ultimately, the Primordial World belonged to the Heavenly Dao Saints. All below Saints are Ants. In the end, it would surely be a struggle between the Saints' sects. That was why East King Duke had always kept the Supreme Yang Lineage in seclusion.
Besides these powers, many Great Supernatural Beings among the Great Luo Golden Immortals had also begun to make a name for themselves. The Primordial World was slowly entering the age of the Great Luo Golden Immortals.
East King Duke and Queen Mother of the West did not hurry on their way. Riding on a Dao lotus, they leisurely made their way toward Buzhou Mountain, admiring the magnificent scenery of the Primordial World. It was a pleasure in its own right.
After several hundred years, they arrived at Buzhou Mountain. East King Duke did not head straight for the Witch Clan's territory, but instead accompanied Queen Mother of the West up the mountain.
The two climbed Buzhou together. Perhaps their Yin-Yang Harmony was in accord with the Heavenly Dao; with their destinies linked, they truly encountered many opportunities. Along the way, they collected many fine Innate Spiritual Roots. Queen Mother of the West also sensed several things with her Spiritual Sense and obtained two Innate Spiritual Treasures. Though both were merely low-grade, she was delighted to have such opportunities for the first time.
"Fellow Daoists, greetings!"
At the call, two figures flew over from afar, a male cultivator and a female cultivator. East King Duke had sensed them with his Spiritual Sense long ago, but when he saw them, his heart stirred.
"I am Fuxi, and this is my younger sister, Nuwa. We cultivate here on Buzhou Mountain. We're delighted to meet fellow cultivators, so we came to greet you. Please don't take offense."
The two had very distinctive appearances. At a glance, East King Duke had guessed their identities: one was the future Xi Huang of the Demon Clan, the other its Empress Wa. He had long admired them from afar, but had not expected to meet them so soon.
Nuwa, in particular, would one day become the Human Race Saint Mother. In his previous life, he had been human, and he shared a thread of Karma with Nuwa.
East King Duke quietly studied this Heaven-ordained Saint. She was indeed breathtakingly beautiful.
He had not met many Innate Goddesses in the Primordial World, but all of them had been stunning, each with her own distinct charm. Queen Mother of the West possessed an otherworldly grace; the two Taiyin Goddesses, Xi He and Chang Xi, were noble and elegant; Nuwa, on the other hand, had a sacred and immaculate beauty.
Seeing Nuwa reminded East King Duke of another member of the Witch Clan: the Earth Ancestral Witch, who would also perform a great deed of merit in the future. He wondered what she looked like.
He pondered this without letting it show, then replied, "I am East King Duke of East Sea Mount Fang Island, known by the Daoist title Supreme Yang. This is Queen Mother of the West. Greetings, Fuxi and Fellow Daoist Nuwa."
"So you're fellow cultivators from the Four Seas. Our home is here on Buzhou Mountain. Meeting is fate, and since you've come from afar, my sister and I would like to invite you to stay and chat."
Fuxi and Nuwa had been cultivating in their home when Nuwa suddenly sensed that a Great Supernatural Being was approaching, and that there seemed to be a Destined Affinity between them. They had left to seek their visitors, and now that they had met East King Duke and the others, Fuxi had immediately invited them in.
East King Duke looked to Queen Mother of the West. Seeing that she had nothing to add and was leaving the decision to him, he replied, "Gladly."
Fuxi was delighted and led them to a beautiful place. Only then did he activate the formation and let them enter.
This was Fuxi and Nuwa's home, a top-grade Grotto-Heaven filled with spirit mountains and sacred waters, birdsong and flowers, and an extraordinary aura.
The siblings were both devoted cultivators, free of worldly attachments. Not a single living creature dwelled in their home—not even a servant. Only two imposing Dao palaces, each named after one of them, stood there in solitude.
As they walked, the four grew more familiar with one another. By the time they reached Fuxi's palace, little of the initial distance remained.
They took their seats in the palace, with host and guests arranged accordingly. Fuxi brought out Spiritual Fruits and fine wine to entertain them. The four chatted happily, and East King Duke generously offered Yellow Middle Plum as well, earning another round of admiration.
The Demon Clan had not yet been established, and Fuxi and Nuwa were merely Mid-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals. Their possessions were meager, even compared to Queen Mother of the West's; they could almost be called impoverished. So when they saw such a Spiritual Fruit as Yellow Middle Plum, they were astonished.
After they had eaten, Fuxi suddenly spoke.
"My sister and I seldom leave our home. Daoist Supreme Yang, you are a distinguished cultivator of the East Sea with profound cultivation and must understand the Primordial World Great Trend. Could you share some guidance?"
"I wouldn't presume to guide you, but we can certainly discuss it together. Since the Three Innate Tribes went into seclusion, the Primordial World has flourished, and capable beings have emerged in great numbers. As for the great trend, it is nothing more than the Witch Clan on Buzhou Mountain and the Sun Star Lineage in the starry sky. Both have been blessed by Heaven and seem to be the Protagonists of the Primordial World."
He spoke at length. When he mentioned the Witch Clan, Fuxi clearly showed a trace of distaste; when East King Duke brought up the Sun Star Lineage, Fuxi's expression brightened.
East King Duke's thoughts stirred. Could it be that Fuxi had already made the acquaintance of those two from the Sun Star?
Fuxi said nothing about the Witch Clan and instead laughed. "Daoist Supreme Yang, your insight is remarkable. Those two Sun Star Lords are indeed extraordinary. They are both True Immortals who have attained the Dao, with impressive origins and profound cultivation. The Demon Clan they founded has already gained momentum, and I agree with you completely. I met the two of them several hundred years ago, and Daoist friends Di Jun and Tai Yi and I hit it off at once. They've invited me several times to leave seclusion and help govern the Demon Clan. I haven't answered them yet, but after hearing your words, I've made up my mind."
East King Duke made no comment, but Nuwa beside him became displeased.
"Brother, we should stay out of the Primordial World's conflicts and focus on our cultivation. Attaining the Dao as soon as possible is what matters."
East King Duke nodded to himself. As the stories of his previous life had claimed, Fuxi was devoted to the Demon Clan's cause and would willingly join it as Xi Huang, while Nuwa focused on the Dao. Perhaps because of her brother, she would later reluctantly accept the title of Empress Wa.
After Nuwa finished speaking, East King Duke nodded. "Fellow Daoist Nuwa is right. We cultivators should make seeking the Dao and cultivating our priority. Only by reaching beyond the Great Luo, and attaining an even higher realm, can we achieve true freedom."
Before you continue