Fuxi and Nüwa; Discussing the Dao at Mount Qixi

After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them stepped into the Main Hall.

The interior was decorated with elegant simplicity; wisps of incense curled from the table, and a screen carved from spirit wood partitioned off a tranquil space.

The three took their seats as host and guests, and Nüwa studied Beiming, smiling as she spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Beiming, you don't look nearly as ferocious as the rumors in Hong Huang Zhi Zhong suggest."

Fuxi frowned slightly and reminded her, "Nüwa, do not be impolite."

"It is no matter," Beiming said with a gentle wave of his hand, asking candidly:

"I am actually quite curious, why did Fellow Daoist Nüwa think I would be ferocious?"

In truth, throughout his journey, Beiming had either been breaking through innate formations or traveling with all his might;

He had not focused on learning about the Ten Thousand Clans, and the intelligence he had gathered by chance was rather generalized;

As for trivial matters like rumors, he had paid them no mind.

Furthermore, more than five hundred thousand years had passed since he parted ways with Ju Mang and left the mountain once again;

Over the span of several Yuanhui, a vague and ethereal rumor should have long since vanished with the wind.

A hint of playfulness hid in Nüwa's eyes:

"I recall that a while back, some creatures seeking refuge at Mount Qixi mentioned it while chatting about interesting events in Hong Huang;

They said the Wu Clan had befriended a fellow daoist named Beiming.

As everyone knows, the Wu Clan has always been overbearing on the continent, and many tribes have suffered under their oppression, so they naturally hold no affection for the Wu Clan's friends."

"Rumors are truly harmful," Beiming shook his head slightly, his expression carrying a trace of helplessness, though his tone remained quite calm:

"I have never oppressed any other weak tribes, yet my reputation has been ruined."

Nüwa pursed her lips and smiled, her gaze gentle:

"Rumors stop at the wise, and besides, that was all ten hundred thousand years ago.

The creatures who have come to Mount Qixi recently no longer mention this matter at all.

Meeting you today, Fellow Daoist, can be considered a satisfaction of my curiosity."

"So be it," Beiming said indifferently:

"I do not care much for it anyway. A virtuous name or an evil one, both are like passing smoke; they are not worth mentioning."

Suddenly, Beiming paused slightly, realizing that it was inappropriate to arrive empty-handed on his first visit!

One need only look at Zhen Yuanzi of Wuzhuang Temple, who could produce Ginseng Fruit with a casual gesture to socialize with others—how thoughtful that was.

Reflecting on this, a flash of spiritual light flickered in Beiming's sleeve, and he produced ten plump pine cones.

Five-colored Dao Patterns flowed across the surface of the pine cones, and their fragrance was laced with innate spiritual energy.

Beiming waved his hand through the air, and the pine cones landed steadily before Nüwa and Fuxi:

"I have come to visit uninvited; please accept this small gift as a token of my sincerity."

Fuxi's gaze shifted; he studied the pine cones carefully without reaching for them immediately, instead asking in a slow voice:

"Fellow Daoist, could these be the legendary pine cones of the top-grade innate spiritual root, the Five-Needle Pine?"

"Indeed," Beiming nodded slightly. "I obtained them by chance.

Since I am fortunate enough to be invited by you, I naturally could not come empty-handed.

However, although these are the fruits of a top-grade innate spiritual root, we are all Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals, so their actual utility is not significant; they are merely good for a light snack."

Innate spiritual roots also contain laws, and their most precious aspect is the root itself;

By resonating with them and comprehending the laws within, one can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

As for their fruits, while each has its own marvelous uses, they are primarily aimed at cultivators below the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm;

After all, among the top-grade innate spiritual roots, the most famous is the Huangzhong Li;

Its fruit can only allow one to directly ascend to a "blank" Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal who has not comprehended any laws, and subsequent progress in cultivation is difficult to achieve.

In Hong Huang Zhi Zhong, the number of creatures is beyond counting, and among them, those who can cultivate to the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm are but a minority;

For low and middle-tier cultivators, such an opportunity is heaven-defying;

But for those who have already broken through to the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, it is somewhat lacking;

However, as the fruit of an innate spiritual root, the taste is certainly excellent, enough to satisfy one's cravings.

Fuxi accepted the pine cones and said, "I accept your gift, Fellow Daoist."

Nüwa tapped her finger lightly, and spiritual light flowed across the table, causing several crystal-clear fruit platters to slowly emerge.

The platters were filled with spirit fruits of various shapes and vibrant colors, and a faint fragrance began to diffuse throughout the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Beiming, we do not have spirit fruits comparable to the Five-Needle Pine to entertain you with, but our selection is quite diverse, and they were all just picked. Please, do taste them."

Fuxi and Nüwa had not manifested any boy attendants;

But for a small matter like picking spirit fruits, it could be accomplished with a single thought.

Beiming swept his gaze across the fruit platter, which was filled with fruits from Top-grade Innate Spiritual Roots. They were round and lustrous, shimmering with faint spiritual light—their quality was truly exceptional.

"Two Fellow Daoists, there is really no need to be so courteous."

Fuxi wore a smile on his face as he replied, "It is rare for a fellow daoist to visit Mount Qixi; how could my sister and I fail to observe the proper etiquette?"

For a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, only those of the same cultivation realm could be addressed as "Fellow Daoist."

Due to the expansion of the Wu Clan, there were quite a few living beings who had fled to Mount Qixi for refuge;

However, there were not many Innate Gods who came to pay a formal visit.

After all, Nüwa and Fuxi had always kept a low profile, and their reputations were not widely known.

Previously, Di Jun and Tai Yi had paid a visit once. Although the Golden Crow Brothers were extremely enthusiastic, their intentions were secretly aimed at winning them over.

As for joining a certain force to struggle together and build a career;

Nüwa did not care much for it;

Even if Fuxi had such thoughts, he would not rashly put them into action.

The three chatted for a while longer and ate some Spirit Fruit before Beiming proposed:

"Since we have gathered here by karma, why don't we discuss the Dao? What do you two think?"

Nüwa nodded slightly and said, "I have no objections."

Fuxi raised his hand to smooth his sleeves and sat upright before the table, the Dao sound drifting out leisurely:

"In that case, I shall begin. Since you stopped earlier because of the sound of the zither, I will expound upon the Dao of musical temperament."

"Sound is the voice of the heart of Heaven and Earth, the pulse of all things."

"Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu—the Five Notes correspond to the Five Elements."

"The Gong note is heavy and thick, the foundation of Earth virtue, bearing all things and nurturing vitality."

"The Shang note is desolate, governing the metal spears of the West, full of killing intent and restraint, with sharpness hidden within."

"The Jue note is generative, corresponding to the green wood of the East, surging upward, full of vitality."

"The Zhi note is blazing, belonging to the Li fire of the South, dancing with brightness, burning away all filth."

"The Yu note is moistening and descending, aligning with the mysterious water of the North, extremely soft and cold, nourishing all things."

"..."

As he spoke, the five-colored radiance in the void transformed into five wheels of light—earthy yellow, metallic white, verdant green, crimson flame, and mysterious black—slowly rotating and echoing one another.

Three hundred years of time slipped away quietly during the discussion;

As Fuxi finished his discourse, the radiance in the void slowly dissipated, leaving only a lingering charm of the zither echoing in the hall.

A look of admiration flashed in Beiming's eyes:

"Musical temperament connects to the Five Elements, encompassing the Five Notes and Twelve Pitch Standards. Fellow Daoist Fuxi, I admire your deep study of music."

Nüwa's eyes shimmered: "Fellow Daoist Beiming, why don't you go next?"

"Very well," Beiming replied, "What I cultivate includes the Water Law, so I shall discuss this path."

"Water is not merely water."

"It has no constant form, no fixed state. Those who are confined by form are trapped for life within rivers, lakes, and seas; only those who break through its appearance can see that the three thousand Weak Water are three thousand worlds."

"The softest can penetrate any gap. The hardest can destroy anything."

"Water is change, and change is the Dao."

"Those who cling to one form will drown; those who guard one state will wither.

Only by transforming into water, accepting a hundred rivers without overflowing, and entering the mire without being stained;

Can one realize: the highest good is like water, because of its impermanence; the Dao of water is the greatest, because it is formless!"

"..."