Th-these were those powerhouse elders of the human race from before?

Bian Zhuang stood outside the pavilion, hands pressed tightly against his outer thighs, head high, chest out, slightly bowed, maintaining just the right amount of tension. He gave off the impression of… a head instructor from the Heavenly Court’s service industry.

Pure professionalism in his bones.

In Bian Zhuang’s eyes, how could the four figures sitting in this pavilion be mere silhouettes?

These were four great mountains in human race history!

Among the Three Sovereigns, Suiren was considered the most respected. Suiren had opened up the world for humanity, leading them through their darkest ages. Even before obtaining cultivation powers, he had taught weak mortals how to make fire by drilling wood, engaging in battles of wit and courage with the ‘Heaven’s Demons’ and ‘Earth’s Shamans’ of that time, becoming the ultimate victor of ancient times.

Suiren’s influence on humanity was immeasurably profound, with that unyielding nature – challenging heaven and fighting earth – carved into humanity’s bloodline.

In ancient times, the right to define justice lay in the hands of the demon race.

After a considerable period, as humanity multiplied and prospered, the division between Qi cultivators and mortals emerged.

Fu Xi appeared in response to the times, being the reincarnation of the ancient power Fu Xi. After achieving the position of Human Sovereign, he passed down the arts of calculation, established divination and sacrificial rites, defined revolutionary systems and measurements, making outstanding contributions to humanity’s complete enlightenment.

Among the Five Emperors, Emperor Xuanyuan inherited the will of the Three Sovereigns, comprehensively educating humanity, battling Chi You, and uniting immortals and mortals. This was considered humanity’s most glorious age in ancient times, marking the beginning of separation between immortals and mortals.

Emperor Yu controlled the floods and established the imperial system, marking the endpoint of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era that spanned humanity’s entire rise.

Then there was Taibai Jinxing who, though not a Human Sovereign, represented the highest position of power held by humans in the current era of the Heavenly Court’s rule over the Three Realms…

As these four great figures sat discussing the dao in the pavilion, Bian Zhuang naturally didn’t dare even breathe heavily.

However, among these four, the one Bian Zhuang admired most was naturally…

Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan, the undisputed role model for men of the Hongmeng human race!

Looking out from here toward the distance, those undulating palaces in the clouds, those visible immortal maidens and goddesses, all were the great empire established by Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan!

Ahem, of course, the one Bian Zhuang respected most in his heart was still his own patron, Taiching’s disciple Li Changshou.

Fu Xi had a thin face and slender frame, with an immortal bearing and mysterious dao charm, lacking much imperial majesty but rather resembling an honest elder.

Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan had a middle-aged man’s face, wearing a light yellow royal robe with a gold mystic sword at his waist. His mouth always carried a faint smile, his features proper and martial, unconsciously emanating a royal air, radiating a mesmerizing personal charisma.

Emperor Yu appeared most modest, after all being the youngest retired Human Sovereign in Fire Cloud Cave, emphasizing honest earthiness.

That Outer Celestial Demon was now at Bian Zhuang’s side, though still unconscious, at least no longer crying.

At this moment, Li Changshou had not yet mentioned Mei Wenhua’s special characteristics, only joining the three retired Human Sovereigns in contemplating ways to deal with Kun Peng.

Yellow Emperor frowned, Emperor Yu pondered, and Fu Xi looked at the tortoiseshell before him, also couldn’t help but frown while stroking his beard, uttering a single word:

“Difficult.”

Yellow Emperor sighed: “Kun Peng is extremely cunning. In my previous life, I fell victim to his schemes. He acts without bottom line or principles, doing anything that benefits himself, fleeing at the slightest disadvantage.

To lure him into a trap, there’s probably only one thing in this world.”

Li Changshou calmly smiled and said: “Could it be the opportunity for sagehood?”

Yellow Emperor couldn’t help but show a slight smile: “As expected of Star-Lord Taibai, understanding immediately.”

“The senior flatters me flatters me.”

Fu Xi said: “This poor dao cultivator suffered tribulation in my previous life, also due to Kun Peng’s schemes. We have some grudges, though we’ve also worked together.

Kun Peng’s alertness far exceeds what you imagine.

Though his character is inferior, he can be called a fierce hegemon, quite difficult to deal with.”

Emperor Yu pondered for a while…

It seemed he alone had shallow experience, without any grudges against Kun Peng.

He should be at home, not in the pavilion. If Senior Shennong were here instead, they could hold a complete Kun Peng criticism session.

Li Changshou asked: “Do the seniors know if Kun Peng has any weaknesses? Or is there anything Kun Peng particularly cares about?”

Fu Xi shook his head and sighed: “He hides in the Chaos Sea, and naturally possesses extreme speed. Even my divination cannot determine his location.”

Yellow Emperor added: “Besides being so treacherous and cunning that people find him repulsive and having particularly poor relationships, Kun Peng himself doesn’t have any weaknesses.

By the way, how did Star-Lord end up in conflict with Kun Peng?”

Li Changshou sighed slightly and explained part of the reason.

He only said that Kun Peng intended to meet him in the Chaos Sea, seemingly planning something, without explaining that Kun Peng’s ‘fish hook’ was the remnant of his old hometown friend, Senior Lang.

Some backgrounds were better left unexposed to too many people, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Fu Xi placed several ancient human coins into the tortoise shell and divined another hexagram, then gestured for them to continue talking while he sat there with closed eyes, fingers calculating, seemingly trying to penetrate the mysteries of chaos.

When Li Changshou mentioned killing Kun Peng’s old shell, saying that the shell wasn’t particularly strong, just an empty husk;

Then spoke of his previous encounter with Kun Peng at Xuandu City, where Kun Peng emanated intense pressure, barely falling slightly behind when directly confronting the Grand Magister.

Yellow Emperor’s mouth twitched as he cursed: “This treacherous bastard, what he loves most is devouring beings’ original essence.”

— Yellow Emperor was the reincarnation of the North Continent Great Black Tortoise’s remnant soul;

That year when the North Continent Tortoise had its four legs cut off by a Sage to forge into Heaven Pillars, Kun Peng secretly attacked his ‘old neighbor’ who couldn’t move, devouring the tortoise’s essence and greatly increasing his power.

The tortoise’s resentment transformed into the miasma that lingered and dissipated over the North Continent, with at least fifty percent originating from Kun Peng.

Li Changshou pondered for a while and asked: “Could it be that Kun Peng can now also devour chaos beings to strengthen himself?”

“Seems so,” Emperor Yu said seriously, “Why not request a Sage to take action and eliminate Kun Peng.”

However, Yellow Emperor said:

“Kun Peng is in the Chaos Sea. As long as he stays beyond the range of the Heavenly Dao’s power, even Sages cannot find his tracks.

Moreover, Kun Peng now mingles with those primordial spirit demons, his power cannot be underestimated.

Star-Lord, I do have an approach.”

Li Changshou clasped his hands and said: “Please instruct me, senior.”

“Though the dao principles are chaotic and order is unclear in chaos, there are still great daos to follow,” Yellow Emperor crossed his arms, “I once read a dao text written by an ancient primordial being that mentioned methods for arranging formations in the Chaos Sea.

If we could set up a stable grand formation in the Chaos Sea, dealing with Kun Peng would be much simpler.”

Li Changshou said: “To set up a formation in the Chaos Sea capable of trapping Kun Peng, I truly don’t know how many rare treasured materials would be needed, and more difficult would be gathering the fragmented dao principles…”

Fu Xi, who had been constantly calculating with his fingers, paused his movements and opened his eyes, smiling as he said:

“Why not, just create an ‘opportunity for sagehood’.”

Emperor Yu asked puzzled: “What does this mean?”

As Fu Xi was about to answer, understanding flashed through his eyes, and he couldn’t help but stroke his beard with a light laugh, looking at Li Changshou.

“Why not let Star Lord explain?

Star-Lord came to Fire Cloud Cave today surely with plans already in mind, just giving us old folks some face by not directly arranging things, instead guiding us to speak out such plans.

Taibai Star-Lord, isn’t that so? Hehe.”

Li Changshou stood up and clasped his hands, saying seriously: “Junior has offended, even such small thoughts were seen through by senior at a glance.”

Yellow Emperor and Emperor Yu exchanged glances. Though both were old Human Sovereigns who hadn’t yet understood the key points, they almost simultaneously showed expressions of squinting and smiling lightly.

Claiming to understand yet not understanding, claiming not to understand yet understanding.

The Human Sovereign’s business had not yet declined.

To the side, Lady Tushan arrived on a cloud with two maids;

Emperor Yu quickly stood up, taking the initiative to go out and welcome them, personally delivering the tea his wife brought to each guest.

Afterward, Lady Tushan gracefully bowed and withdrew, giving Emperor Yu a full face before others.

Though she wore no fine clothes she appeared dignified, though without makeup she remained as naturally beautiful as before; after all, she was the Human Sovereign’s wife, a woman who had dominated an era of humanity.

Emperor Yu took the opportunity to ask: “What exactly are Senior Fu Xi and Changgeng planning?”

Fu Xi spoke slowly: “Let this poor dao cultivator make a simple speculation… Taibai Star-Lord.”

“Senior can just call me Changgeng,” Li Changshou added softly on the side.

“Very well, Changgeng.”

Fu Xi organized his thoughts and slowly spoke: “Your coming to Fire Cloud Cave is actually to seek something, something not common in this world, and easier to find in Fire Cloud Cave than in other places.

But this thing has long been integrated into ourselves by us eight, returning to the Heavenly Dao, actually just counting as a mark, very difficult to take out for your use…

Let this poor dao cultivator think further.

Could it be you want to create a false appearance, spread rumors, and then have us verify this matter?”

“Correct.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Junior’s small thoughts have all been guessed by senior.”

Emperor Yu had a sudden realization on the side, “So it’s about the Purple Qi of Primal Chaos.”

Yellow Emperor continued maintaining his squinting smile.

Secretly, Li Changshou made a comparison in his heart and suddenly discovered… the method Fu Xi gave was even slightly more brilliant than the approach he had planned before.

He would use it.

This was the benefit of speaking slowly!

Where did the Purple Qi of Primal Chaos of the retired Human Sovereigns in Fire Cloud Cave come from?

In ancient times, at the end of the Dao teachings at Purple Void Palace, even the kindhearted Hong Yun obtained a stream of Purple Qi of Primal Chaos, only to be ambushed and killed by Kun Peng right after leaving Purple Void Palace. That Purple Qi was then retrieved by Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Subsequently, when the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors reincarnated, the Dao Ancestor divided this stream of Purple Qi into eight parts, distributing them to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors as retirement benefits for leading humanity’s rise.

Li Changshou came to Fire Cloud Cave to discuss fishing for Kun Peng with the Human Sovereigns precisely because of this Purple Qi of Primal Chaos.

He didn’t need the Purple Qi from the eight Human Sovereigns. Hearing Fu Xi’s explanation, he further understood that the Purple Qi’s essence was a ‘Heavenly Dao License’, impossible to extract and reuse.

Li Changshou organized his thoughts and smiled, saying:

“We can indeed work with this.

For instance, rather than saying that year’s Purple Qi was divided into eight parts, we could say it was divided into nine, with one strand stored in Purple Void Palace.

This strand of Purple Qi shares the same source and root as that used by the seniors in Fire Cloud Cave. Thus, before its emergence, strange phenomena frequently appeared in Fire Cloud Cave, alarming all eight seniors.

Such news could conveniently be leaked by Senior Xuanyuan’s family members, making everything seamless.

The louder the initial commotion the better, ideally enough to cause the Heavenly Dao to tremble – His Majesty the Jade Emperor and I can work on that.

But afterward, we should quickly suppress these phenomena, making it more believable.”

“Indeed,” Fu Xi chuckled lightly, “This poor dao cultivator had noticed that news spreads incredibly fast in the Heavenly Court.

I expect that since Kun Peng can control the celestial demon race, he must have spies placed in Hongmeng.

To deceive Kun Peng and make him take the bait, we must deceive all beings in the Three Realms. The fewer who know the truth, the better.”

Yellow Emperor spoke warmly from the side: “I can have them spread the news first, then have the thirteen principal consorts immediately gather everyone for discussion, cutting off their contact with their maiden families until matters outside are settled.”

Li Changshou clasped his hands in gratitude: “Thank you for your trouble, senior.”

“It’s nothing, nothing,” Yellow Emperor waved his hand, his smile very composed.

Now this was a true winner in Hongmeng.

At present, Li Changshou and Fu Xi settled on a grand scheme against Kun Peng in just a few exchanges.

Though it sounded easy, sufficient preparations were needed to prevent things from spiraling out of control and avoid Hongmeng beings fighting bloody battles over this.

One could see that retirement life in Fire Cloud Cave was comfortable yet boring. Once Fu Xi opened up and was inspired by the scheme, strategies flowed effortlessly, earning Li Changshou’s admiration in various ways.

Truly worthy of being an ancient power and Ancient Human Sovereign.

After half a day’s discussion in the pavilion, a general plan emerged. The fishing rod and hook for catching Kun Peng were ready; all that remained was the line to hold him.

If Hongmeng’s final strand of Purple Qi, the last chance for sagehood, appeared and fled toward the outer heavens, Xuandu City could immediately become a huge vortex.

This would be an immense temptation for Kun Peng. As long as they could deceive him initially, there was an eighty percent chance he would take the bait.

Naturally, Li Changshou focused more on considering various possible scenarios in advance and observing what situations arose during the operation, matching them to deduce the opponent’s movements.

Seizing opportunities comprehensively.

Fu Xi sighed: “We cannot freely leave heaven and earth, so we cannot join the ambush at Xuandu City.”

Li Changshou said: “Currently the Dao School has numerous experts. As long as Kun Peng appears and cannot immediately unleash his extreme speed, we have a ninety percent chance of capturing him.”

“Kun Peng’s extreme speed is not easy to counter,” Yellow Emperor said, “We must prepare countermeasures in advance. No matter how meticulously we arrange things when we show our teeth, he’ll turn tail and flee.”

“This still needs further discussion,” Li Changshou didn’t elaborate fully, nor mention anything about his Balanced Dao.

Let the seniors exercise their minds; perhaps they’d have better ideas.

They say an elder at home is like having a treasure – Fire Cloud Cave was… a treasure house indeed.

…

After this discussion of schemes between Fu Xi and Li Changshou, they developed a mutual appreciation.

Li Changshou’s approach to friendship also considered others’ backgrounds, though he looked at whether they might cause trouble in the future.

Like these human ancestors in Fire Cloud Cave – none were simple characters. They either had outstanding personal charisma and strategic vision, or were remarkably skilled in calculations, divination, and strategy. Building good relationships with them was surely beneficial without harm.

Before they knew it, they had talked from starry night until noon. Li Changshou and Fu Xi had sorted out the general framework and some details, leaving the rest for Li Changshou to arrange.

Li Changshou changed the topic, asking about Suiren’s condition.

The three emperors’ expressions immediately became somewhat grave.

“Not optimistic,” Yellow Emperor sighed, “Senior Suiren won’t be taken advantage of by demon energy. His mind is incredibly tenacious. Even when falling to demon energy, he maintains his sage nature, always able to suppress the demon energy.

But each time he suppresses the demon energy, it consumes Senior Suiren’s essence. If this continues, he may not even achieve longevity.”

Emperor Yu added: “Moreover, it’s extremely painful each time.”

Li Changshou frowned deeply upon hearing this; the situation seemed even more serious than he had thought.

Thinking back to when he first visited Fire Cloud Cave, since the Heavenly Court wasn’t prominent then and his reputation was far from today’s, though the emperors received him warmly when he mentioned Senior Suiren, Emperor Yu was very reserved, telling him not to ask too much.

This was mainly to protect Suiren’s reputation, preventing news from spreading outside and being carelessly discussed by ignorant later generations.

Now, as Taibai Star-Lord, with the Heavenly Court, destined to rise and about to effectively control the Three Realms, the emperors finally revealed Senior Suiren’s situation.

Li Changshou now had the qualifications to know about this matter.

“Junior came to Fire Cloud Cave today firstly to visit the seniors, secondly to seek guidance regarding Kun Peng, and thirdly for Senior Suiren’s sake.

Bian Zhuang, bring that celestial demon here.”

“Yes,” Bian Zhuang acknowledged, leading the bubble containing Mei Wenhua into the pavilion. He excitedly glanced at Yellow Emperor before lowering his head, bowing, and quickly returning to his position.

Fu Xi frowned and asked: “You say this is… a celestial demon?”

“Correct,” Li Changshou nodded slowly, took out his ‘Celestial Demon Research Notes’ from his sleeve, handed it to the three seniors to read, then stood up and walked to the sleeping Mei Wenhua’s side, beginning to slowly explain her origins.

When Li Changshou explained how he had a flash of inspiration, using the method of planting demon thoughts in one’s dao heart in reverse, planting demon thoughts in a demon heart, unexpectedly completely reversing this celestial demon’s dao…

The three retired Human Sovereigns’ expressions became extraordinarily interesting.

Emperor Yu laughed and scolded: “Others see celestial demons and want to stay as far away as possible, but you went closer and even planted heart demons in a celestial demon!”

Yellow Emperor examined Mei Wenhua for a while, shaking his head continuously, “Incredible, astounding.”

Fu Xi put down the bamboo scroll in his hand and smiled wryly:

“Let’s go back to discussing the matter of the ninth strand of Purple Qi.

Truly, the new waves push the old ones forward. To think the world produced such an extraordinary person as you! Fortune, truly great fortune.”

Li Changshou felt somewhat embarrassed by the praise.

This was all a misunderstanding. He had originally just wanted to break through the celestial demon’s mental defenses to obtain information he could trust.

To make him, this pioneer of stability, believe, certain conditions had to be met. He couldn’t just analyze five or six layers and immediately trust…

That’s what led to Mei Wenhua’s reverse modification.

“Junior wanted to ask,” Li Changshou smiled, “whether we could use this celestial demon’s power to help ease Senior Suiren’s demon energy troubles.”

Yellow Emperor smiled and said: “I think there’s some chance.”

Fu Xi said: “Don’t rush, let this poor dao cultivator go invite the other friends to discuss together.”

Everyone agreed, and they split up to invite the other emperors who were in seclusion to come here, as this was also a major matter for Fire Cloud Cave.

Li Changshou sat quietly drinking tea in the pavilion, then closed his eyes in contemplation, quickly organizing the strategy they had just established through his main body at Little Qiong Peak.

Meanwhile;

Above the Nine Heavens, outside Heaven and Earth, in Purple Void Palace.

In the bamboo forest Li Changshou had visited before, the mysterious realm between reality and illusion, the Dao Ancestor sat in a grass hut, frowning as he stared at the square table before him.

On the table was a round disc showing clear images of the scene inside Fire Cloud Cave.

Ultra-high-definition transmission on the Heavenly Dao’s private line!

At this moment, the Dao Ancestor also pondered for a while, opening his left hand where purple and cyan flowing light intertwined, gently swirling in his palm.

“Did this fellow randomly guess it?”

Not necessarily, this little grand disciple might have already glimpsed something…

“Interesting.”