Suddenly, a zither melody rang out, like celestial music that cleared the ears.
Xuanqing turned his head slightly, looking toward the source of the music.
The melody carried an ancient, desolate air, yet brimmed with vitality.
This was no ordinary music. It contained the profound truths of the Great Dao.
Xuanqing's heart stirred. For some reason, the melody drew him in.
Could my true form be resonating with Heaven and Earth?
Xuanqing wondered silently.
"You'll be safe from here on," Xuanqing told Rabbit.
"Up ahead is the territory of Phoenix Mountain. The Great Sage Nüwa will protect you."
Rabbit looked reluctant to part. "Won't you come in with us, senior?"
Xuanqing shook his head. "I have some things to take care of, so I won't be going in."
"Head deeper into Phoenix Mountain as soon as you can. It's safer there."
He didn't explain the music. It was only natural that these little yao, with their shallow cultivation, couldn't hear it.
"Then... thank you, senior!" Rabbit bowed again.
The other little yao followed suit, their eyes filled with gratitude and reverence.
Xuanqing waved a hand, signaling for them to leave.
Only after the little yao disappeared into the depths of the forest did Xuanqing turn around.
He set Xiao Hei down from his shoulder.
"Xiao Hei, be careful. Don't wander off," Xuanqing instructed.
Xiao Hei nodded obediently and rubbed against Xuanqing's leg.
Although it couldn't sense the music as directly as Xuanqing could, it could still feel the faint Dao Rhyme.
Without further hesitation, Xuanqing followed the music deeper into Phoenix Mountain, one step at a time.
The farther he went, the clearer the melody became, as if it were whispering right beside him.
The spiritual energy in the mountain grew denser, too. Birds sang, flowers bloomed, and rare plants and treasures were everywhere.
Xuanqing passed through a bamboo grove. The leaves rustled, weaving their sound together with the melody.
"This feeling is getting stronger and stronger."
He felt his body trembling with joy, merging with the bamboo grove and the zither music.
At last, Xuanqing arrived at a secluded valley.
At the center of the valley, a clear mountain spring cascaded down from above and gathered into a small pool.
The water tinkled as it fell, complementing the zither melody.
The pool was so clear he could see the bottom, where fish swam playfully.
Several enormous green stones lay scattered along the pool's edge. Faint, mysterious patterns were carved into them.
Xuanqing stepped closer to examine them and saw that the patterns weren't carved at random.
They were arranged in an extremely ancient manner, in harmony with the fundamental principles of Heaven and Earth.
This was clearly a rudimentary Bagua formation!
Though the Bagua was not yet complete, it already contained the principles behind the evolution of the innate Bagua.
As Xuanqing's gaze fell on the patterns, a name surfaced in his mind.
Fuxi!
Empress Nüwa's elder brother, and the first wise man in Honghuang to deduce the innate Bagua.
It was said that Fuxi was fond of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was especially skilled at divining the workings of fate.
It seemed the stories were true.
This Bagua formation was Fuxi's unmistakable mark.
Xuanqing considered the matter.
Fuxi and Nüwa were deeply attached as siblings, and Fuxi was on good terms with him. This was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to grow closer to Nüwa.
Besides, Fuxi would one day become Emperor Xi of the Yao Clan's Heavenly Court.
There was every reason to befriend him early.
Just as Xuanqing was thinking this over, the zither melody sounded again.
This time, it was even clearer, as if it were coming from right above the spring.
Xuanqing looked up.
At the source of the spring, a figure sat cross-legged atop a jutting boulder.
The man wore hemp robes and had an ancient, unadorned appearance. Wisdom and serenity showed in his features.
His fingertips brushed the strings, and the melody flowed out like a clear spring.
It was Fuxi!
Xuanqing didn't approach and disturb him rashly.
He found a green stone several dozen meters from Fuxi and sat down cross-legged.
Closing his eyes, he listened in quiet concentration.
The music flowed like water, cleansing his mind.
Xuanqing's true form was Purifying Mystic Bamboo, naturally attuned to the Dao Rhyme of Heaven and Earth.
With each pulse of the melody, his breathing fell into harmony with it.
It was as if the music were telling the story of all things evolving since Honghuang's creation, revealing the fundamental principles of Heaven and Earth.
Though this was his first time listening to a zither, his extraordinary Spiritual Root aptitude allowed him to understand the deeper meaning in Fuxi's music.
This was an insight into the Great Dao, not mere appreciation of a melody.
No one knew how long it lasted. The music gradually grew more stirring, like all things flourishing and reaching skyward.
Then it returned to calm, like the sun setting beyond the mountains as all sounds fell silent.
At last, the melody stopped abruptly.
Xuanqing slowly opened his eyes, a light of understanding shining in them.
He found that his aura had reached a wondrous harmony with the valley—and even with Fuxi's music.
Fuxi opened his eyes at that moment as well.
His gaze fell on Xuanqing, surprise flashing in his eyes.
He had thought he'd concealed his aura as much as possible, yet this young man had still managed to sense the music.
What astonished him even more was the way Xuanqing's aura resonated with it.
"Friend, you have a keen ear." Fuxi smiled, his voice gentle.
Xuanqing rose and cupped his hands in greeting. "Xuanqing pays his respects to Fellow Daoist Fuxi."
Fuxi studied Xuanqing, his interest growing.
He asked, "From your expression, it seems you understood the meaning of this piece?"
Xuanqing replied modestly, "This junior's aptitude is limited. I only sensed a little and wouldn't presume to say I understood."
"But I did feel the vitality and the principles of evolution contained in the music."
"My true form is a Spiritual Bamboo, so I feel a certain kinship with the natural sounds of Heaven and Earth."
Fuxi stroked his beard and laughed. "A Spiritual Bamboo? No wonder."
"You're the first person to resonate with my music."
"The piece I played just now was composed in my leisure time, inspired by the evolution of all things under Heaven and Earth."
"To sense its vitality and principles of evolution shows that your roots are extraordinary."
Xuanqing's heart stirred.
Fuxi's approval was the highest praise he could receive.
"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist." Xuanqing cupped his hands again.
"This junior was simply fortunate enough to hear your immortal music. I've benefited greatly."
Fuxi waved a hand. "We were destined to meet."
"Your merit and fortune are both considerable. It seems you're favored by the Heavenly Dao as well."
Xuanqing thought to himself that, as expected of Fuxi, he'd seen through him at a glance.
He knew this was a good opportunity to grow closer to Fuxi.
Fuxi was Nüwa's elder brother and the future Emperor Xi of the Yao Clan.
Befriending him was crucial to Xuanqing's plans for the future.
"This junior only gained a little merit through a fortunate coincidence," Xuanqing said.
"But Fellow Daoist Fuxi truly possesses wisdom, comprehending Heaven and Earth through music and deducing the Great Dao."
Hearing Xuanqing's praise, Fuxi's smile deepened.
He gestured toward the green stone beside him. "If you don't mind, would you care to discuss the Dao here?"
Xuanqing couldn't have wished for more. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "I'd be delighted."
Xuanqing sat cross-legged opposite Fuxi.
The spring tinkled, and the bamboo leaves rustled.
In Phoenix Mountain, two cultivators with different understandings of the Great Dao began their first discussion of the Dao.
Fuxi first asked for Xuanqing's views on the laws of Heaven and Earth.
Drawing on the nature of his true form and his knowledge of Honghuang's future, Xuanqing offered some unique insights.
His views made Fuxi's eyes light up.
Before you continue