The moment this thought appeared in Hong Ze's mind, he made up his mind.
He immediately said to Golden Spirit Mother, "The contents of this book were originally meant for your senior brother to teach to Fuxi, the Heavenly Sovereign, so that he could unify the human race here as soon as possible.
"Since you are interested in this book, take it with you to the Hua Xu Tribe.
"After you find your junior sister Wu Dang, have her teach you the words in it.
"By then, you must understand the Three Strategies and Six Secret Teachings thoroughly, and then pass the book's contents on to Fuxi."
Golden Spirit Mother nodded after hearing this, but before she could speak, Holy Mother Gui Ling spoke up.
"See? Senior Sister Jin Ling, you still didn't believe me. Eldest Senior Brother clearly favors Senior Sister Wu Dang.
"Otherwise, why would he teach Senior Sister Wu Dang to read first instead of teaching us?"
Holy Mother Gui Ling had caught him by the tail this time, and Hong Ze could only shake his head helplessly.
He gave Holy Mother Gui Ling a light knock on the head.
Then he said to her, "You want to learn too? If so, go with your Senior Sister Jin Ling.
"Though in your senior brother's opinion, even if Junior Sister Wu Dang teaches you, you may not necessarily be able to learn it.
"After all, you cannot even tell words from drawings. How could you possibly learn such complicated writing?"
Hong Ze's words left Holy Mother Gui Ling so furious that she stamped her feet and beat her chest.
"Eldest Senior Brother, you are looking down on me too much! Why can't I learn it? You are just unwilling to teach me, aren't you?"
After saying that, she stood up and walked straight to Hong Ze's bookcase, where she began rummaging through it.
She wanted to find a book that suited her and then seek out Mother Wu Dang to learn how to read.
Yet after searching for a long time, she could not find a single book that interested her.
Left with no choice, she casually picked one up and waved it at Hong Ze.
"I'll study this one. Once I learn every word in it, let's see whether Eldest Senior Brother still dares look down on me."
At this point, Hong Ze saw clearly what book Holy Mother Gui Ling was holding.
He could not help feeling a trace of helplessness. Why had this little ancestor dug out this book of all things?
The book Holy Mother Gui Ling held was neither a military treatise nor one of the Four Books and Five Classics.
It was a Complete Book of Smelting that Hong Ze had copied under the Great Dao System's instructions.
It not only contained smelting methods from ancient times to the present, but also recorded high-tech smelting techniques from later generations.
A considerable portion of it was also devoted to sword-forging methods.
These books had originally been kept in Hong Ze's Cosmos Sack. Only after he acquired the Hong Ze Dao Palace did he place them on the bookshelves.
Now that Holy Mother Gui Ling had picked one up, how could Hong Ze not feel helpless?
He immediately said to her, "This book is different from the one your Senior Sister Jin Ling took. It is a typical reference manual.
"Even if you learn the words in it, you may not necessarily understand its contents. Listen to your senior brother's advice and choose another one."
As he spoke, Hong Ze walked over to the bookcase and took out a copy of the Book of Family Names.
"Look at this one. It is simple and definitely suits you."
Holy Mother Gui Ling glared fiercely at Hong Ze and snatched the Book of Family Names from his hand.
"I'll read both books. When the time comes, I will make you admire me. Eldest Senior Brother, just wait to apologize to me."
With that, she dragged Golden Spirit Mother toward the exit of the Dao Palace, not forgetting to pull a face at Hong Ze.
Golden Spirit Mother had no choice but to follow Holy Mother Gui Ling out of the Dao Palace while bidding farewell to Hong Ze.
Watching Golden Spirit Mother and Holy Mother Gui Ling leave, Hong Ze wore a helpless smile.
Little did he know that today's unintentional act would grant Holy Mother Gui Ling an immense opportunity.
But Hong Ze was not thinking that far ahead. He turned and headed directly for the backyard of the Hong Ze Dao Palace.
Upon arriving in the backyard, Hong Ze first saw Xiao Bai and Xiao She feeding the koi he kept there.
At the same time, he heard Xiao Bai whispering to Xiao She, "Do you think Martial Uncle Gui Ling will steal the master's hens? I keep feeling that the way she looks at those hens is strange."
"Probably not. Although Martial Uncle Gui Ling is eccentric and mischievous, she likely would not dare steal the master's things."
"That is not necessarily true. Martial Uncle Gui Ling has been spoiled rotten by the master. I am afraid that even if she carried off our Dao Palace, the master would not have the heart to scold her."
Hearing his two Daoist Attendants discussing Holy Mother Gui Ling, Hong Ze was also filled with helplessness.
I really have spoiled Holy Mother Gui Ling a little too much, even to the point of simply letting her do as she pleased.
The reason Hong Ze treated Holy Mother Gui Ling this way was not merely because she had been his first friend.
More importantly, Hong Ze knew that Holy Mother Gui Ling's ending was undoubtedly one of the most tragic in the Jie Sect.
How could Hong Ze not feel heartache at the thought of such a silly, adorable girl ultimately suffering the fate of having her soul scattered and her spirit destroyed?
Thus, he unconsciously showed her a little more care, which gradually developed into the indulgence he showed her now.
He could not help thinking to himself that he truly ought to rein in Holy Mother Gui Ling properly. Otherwise, who knew what trouble she might cause in the future?
Just then, Xiao Bai and Xiao She noticed Hong Ze as well and hurriedly rose to bow to him.
They did not forget to ask, "Master, when did you return?"
"I have been back for quite a while. I heard every word the two of you said just now.
"In the future, do not secretly discuss others behind their backs. That is impolite."
Seeing the smile on Hong Ze's face, the two little ones finally relaxed.
Even so, they immediately found an excuse and turned to run toward the front courtyard.
Watching the two little ones' retreating backs, Hong Ze once again revealed a helpless smile.
"Once, I had no sense of belonging toward the Jie Sect. All I felt was gratitude for Master's painstaking guidance.
"But what about now? Now, I actually feel the warmth of home here. That is right. This is my home now."
As he spoke, Hong Ze had already reached the pavilion and reached out to pick up the qin resting on the stone table.
This qin had lain on the stone table for tens of thousands of years, and no one had ever thought it was anything extraordinary.
They even believed it was an utterly ordinary ancient zither. After all, who would leave something valuable sitting here every day?
Little did they know that this ancient zither had an extraordinary origin. Otherwise, Hong Ze would not have refrained from giving it to Yun Xiao.
Hong Ze placed his hand upon the ancient zither. As a stream of magical power entered it, the instrument instantly released a ray of light.
At this moment, the ancient zither was enveloped by immense spiritual energy, displaying its extraordinary nature.
This ancient zither was none other than the companion spiritual treasure of Fuxi, the former great sage of the demon race: the Fuxi Qin.
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