Discussing the Dao in the Spring

Suddenly, a zither note drifted through the air, like celestial music that brightened the ears.

Xuanqing tilted his head slightly, looking toward the direction from which the zither sound came.

The zither tone carried an ancient, desolate quality, yet it also brimmed with vibrant life.

This zither sound was extraordinary, containing the ultimate principles of the Great Dao.

Xuanqing's heart stirred. For some reason, this zither sound drew him in even more.

"Could it be that my original body has triggered a Heaven and Earth Resonance with it?" Xuanqing mused to himself.

"You'll be safe once you reach this place," Xuanqing said to Little Rabbit.

"Ahead lies the territory of Phoenix Mountain; Empress Nüwa will grant you her protection."

Little Rabbit looked reluctant. "Senior, won't you come in with us?"

Xuanqing shook his head. "I still have matters to attend to, so I won't enter."

"Hurry deeper into Phoenix Mountain; it's safer there."

He didn't explain about the zither sound—these Little Demons had shallow cultivation, so it was normal for them not to hear it.

"Then... thank you, Senior!" Little Rabbit bowed again.

The other Little Demons followed suit, their eyes filled with gratitude and reverence.

Xuanqing waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

Only after the Little Demons' figures vanished deep into the forest did Xuanqing turn around.

He set Xiao Hei down from his shoulder.

"Xiao Hei, be careful on your own. Don't run off," Xuanqing instructed.

Xiao Hei nodded obediently and rubbed against Xuanqing's leg.

Though it couldn't directly perceive the zither sound like Xuanqing could, it could still sense the faint Dao Rhyme.

Xuanqing hesitated no longer. Following the direction of the zither sound, he stepped step by step into the depths of Phoenix Mountain.

The deeper he went, the clearer the zither sound became, as if whispering right by his ear.

The spiritual energy in the mountain also grew denser; birds sang, flowers bloomed, and rare herbs and exotic plants were everywhere.

Xuanqing passed through a bamboo grove, where the rustling leaves intertwined with the zither melody.

"This feeling is growing more and more distinct."

He felt his body trembling with delight, merging with the bamboo grove and the zither sound.

Finally, Xuanqing arrived at a secluded valley.

In the center of the valley, a clear mountain spring cascaded from a height, gathering into a small pool.

The spring water chimed as it fell, complementing the zither sound perfectly.

The pool was so clear the bottom was visible, with fish playing within.

By the pool, several massive Green Stones were arranged in a scattered pattern, faintly carved with mysterious lines.

Xuanqing approached for a closer look and found that these lines were not carved at random.

They were arranged in an extremely ancient manner, resonating with the principles of heaven and earth.

This was clearly a rudimentary Bagua formation diagram!

Though the Bagua was not yet perfected, it already contained the evolution principles of the Primordial Bagua.

Xuanqing's gaze fell on these lines, and a name instantly surfaced in his mind.

Fuxi!

Empress Nüwa's elder brother, the first sage in the Honghuang to deduce the Primordial Bagua.

Legend had it that Fuxi delighted in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was especially skilled at deducing the secrets of heaven.

Now it seemed the rumors were true.

This Bagua formation diagram was precisely Fuxi's hallmark.

Xuanqing pondered to himself.

Fuxi and Nüwa shared a deep sibling bond, and befriending him would undoubtedly be an excellent opportunity to draw closer to Nüwa.

Moreover, Fuxi would one day become the Xi Emperor of the Demon Race's Heavenly Court.

Forming a connection early would bring nothing but benefits.

Just as Xuanqing was lost in thought, the zither sound rang out again.

This time, the melody was even clearer, as if it came from above the mountain spring.

Xuanqing looked up.

At the source of the mountain spring, atop a protruding boulder, a figure sat cross-legged.

The man wore coarse linen robes, his face ancient and simple, with an air of wisdom and calm between his brows.

His fingertips lightly brushed the strings, and the sound of the qin flowed forth like a clear spring.

It was Fuxi!

Xuanqing did not rashly step forward to disturb him.

He found a green stone dozens of meters away from Fuxi and sat down cross-legged.

He closed his eyes and listened quietly.

The qin sound was like water, washing over his mind and spirit.

Xuanqing's true form was the Purifying Mystic Bamboo, naturally possessing an extremely high affinity with the Dao Rhyme of heaven and earth.

Every movement of the qin sound echoed with the flow of his breath.

It was as if this qin music was narrating the evolution of all things and the principles of heaven and earth since the opening of Honghuang.

Though it was his first time hearing the qin, relying on his extraordinary Spiritual Root talent, he could actually comprehend the deeper meaning within Fuxi's qin sound.

This was an enlightenment of the Great Dao, not mere appreciation of melody.

He did not know how long had passed, but the qin sound gradually grew impassioned, as if all things were flourishing and surging upward.

Then it returned to calm, like the sun setting over the western mountains, with all sounds falling silent.

Finally, the qin sound came to an abrupt halt.

Xuanqing slowly opened his eyes, a gleam of understanding shining within them.

He found that his aura had reached a wondrous harmony with this valley, and even with Fuxi's qin sound.

Fuxi also opened his eyes at this moment.

His gaze fell on Xuanqing, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

He had thought he had restrained his aura to the utmost, yet he never expected that this young man before him could perceive the qin sound.

What surprised him even more was the aura of resonance with the qin sound emanating from Xuanqing.

"Daoist, you have keen ears," Fuxi said with a smile, his voice gentle.

Xuanqing stood up, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "Xuanqing greets Daoist Fuxi."

Fuxi studied Xuanqing, his interest growing stronger.

He asked, "Judging by your expression, Daoist, it seems you have understood the meaning of this qin?"

Xuanqing said modestly, "This junior's talent is limited; I only have a faint feeling, and dare not claim to understand."

"However, this junior did indeed sense the principles of life and evolution contained within the qin sound."

"This junior's true form is a Spiritual Bamboo, so I have some affinity with the natural sounds of heaven and earth."

Upon hearing this, Fuxi stroked his beard and laughed. "Spiritual Bamboo? No wonder."

"You are the first person able to resonate with my qin sound."

"That piece just now was composed in my leisure time as I contemplated the evolution of all things in heaven and earth."

"That you could sense life and evolution from it shows your innate nature is extraordinary."

Xuanqing's heart stirred.

Fuxi's recognition was undoubtedly the greatest praise for him.

"Daoist, you flatter me," Xuanqing said, cupping his hands again.

"This junior merely happened to be present, fortunate enough to hear celestial music, and has benefited greatly."

Fuxi waved his hand. "You and I are fated."

"Observing the deep merit and fortune upon you, you must be one favored by the Heavenly Dao."

Xuanqing thought to himself, As expected of Fuxi—he saw through my background at a glance.

He knew this was a good opportunity to build a closer relationship with Fuxi.

Fuxi was Nüwa's elder brother and would become the Xi Emperor of the Demon Race.

Building a good relationship with him was crucial for Xuanqing's future plans.

"This junior merely gained some merit by chance," Xuanqing said.

"But Daoist Fuxi, using qin sound to comprehend heaven and earth and deduce the Great Dao—that is true wisdom."

Hearing Xuanqing's praise, the smile in Fuxi's eyes deepened.

He pointed to the green stone beside him. "If Daoist does not mind, would you care to discuss the Dao here?"

Xuanqing, who had been hoping for exactly this, immediately cupped his hands and said, "I could not ask for more."

Xuanqing sat down cross-legged, facing Fuxi.

A clear spring babbled, and bamboo rustled.

The two cultivators, each with a different understanding of the Great Dao, began their first discussion of the Dao on Phoenix Mountain.

Fuxi first asked some questions about Xuanqing's views on the laws of heaven and earth.

Combining his own true form's characteristics and his knowledge of Honghuang's future, Xuanqing offered unique insights.

His viewpoints made Fuxi's eyes light up.