Chapter Sixty-Three: Father and Son Finally Reconcile, Beloved Disciple Faces Danger

Chenxing fell silent after hearing this, and after a long moment, he accepted the silver lock with both hands. On the lock was carved a mighty dragon soaring through the heavens, lifelike in its detail, embodying the fervent hope of parents for their child to rise to greatness. On the reverse side, three hearts—two large and one small—were engraved. The small heart nestled between the two larger red ones, safely protected, and in its center, inscribed in ancient seal script, was the name: Gu Tian.

As he gazed at the safety lock, Chenxing’s heart was unsettled. He understood well how difficult it was for an ordinary person to preserve something for ten thousand years, let alone amidst the chaos when first arriving in the Small World from Earth. The jade pendant from the old master and the silver lock from Gu Ke were merely ordinary objects, but Chenxing knew these were the best treasures they could offer from their persons.

Especially the silver lock, its smooth, worn surface spoke of how deeply Gu Ke missed and felt guilty toward his son, lost for so many years. Chenxing drew a deep breath, solemnly tucked the silver lock into his robe, and gave Gu Ke a respectful, resounding kowtow. “Father, rest assured. I will carry this silver lock with me always. I will never let it be lost again.”

All present heard the meaning in Chenxing’s words. It was not just the lock that would not be lost; this was his resolve—not as before, when he called them grandfather, father, or mother, yet anyone could see his heart was not in it. “Good! Good!” Gu Ke, smiling through tears, helped Chenxing and the two women to their feet, unable to speak for emotion, only repeating his praise again and again.

The onlookers were all moved by the scene. As innate beings, they would likely never experience such family affection in their lifetime. Even Zhu Feng, the jovial one who was always teasing Chenxing, was truly happy for him, relieved that his brother had finally let go of a long-standing burden.

“All right! Today is a day of great joy. The tea ceremony isn’t finished yet!” The old master, seeing his grandson had accepted his family, was overjoyed, his eyes reddened with emotion.

Next, the two newlywed brides each offered a cup of wine to their mothers-in-law, just as Chenxing’s mother had instructed. Yet none noticed that Nuwa was quietly observing every step of the ritual. Now at the Saint Realm, she knew well what would be required of her in the future. For the celestial, earthly, and human weddings to come, she would have to preside herself. If she did not learn well now, how would she manage in the future?

Thus, the wedding ceremony neared its end. Haotian and the other guests took their leave, their congratulations offered, while only Feng Ling’er remained—after all, for her, staying on the island was much the same as being at home.

Just as Zhu Feng, after a few drinks, began clamoring to make mischief in Chenxing’s bridal chamber, Chenxing’s expression changed slightly, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. He summoned Pangu with a wave and sent him a message: “Your junior brother is in trouble. I cannot leave at the moment. Go and help him.” With that, he pointed his finger, transmitting the coordinates for the Perfect World to Pangu.

Upon receiving the coordinates, Pangu nodded. Without a fixed location, even as a Dao Saint, it would have been difficult to find a middle world in the chaos. But now, with the coordinates, it was a simple matter. He asked no more, bowed to Chenxing, and departed quietly. He had always been curious about his younger brother and was finally about to meet him.

Chenxing was not worried that Pangu would fail to find Shi Hao. He murmured coldly, “Bone Emperor Immortal! I once spared your life and even promised to show you the realm beyond the heavens. Who would have thought you would renege and plot against my disciple? If that’s how it is, then you’ll die first.”

It turned out that when Chenxing left the Perfect World all those years ago, he had fought a great battle with the realm’s ultimate foe, the Bone Emperor Immortal—the very Corpse Emperor that the future Desolate Heaven Emperor would slay upon becoming an Immortal Emperor. Though Chenxing had only reached the peak of quasi-Saint at that time, the same level as the Corpse Emperor, his abilities were extraordinary. Within three days, he had subdued his foe, intending to spare his life so that, when Shi Hao’s cultivation was complete, he could be brought beyond the heavens as a useful ally.

But a mere ten thousand years later, seeing that Chenxing had not reappeared, the Corpse Emperor set his sights on Shi Hao, coveting his cultivation techniques and the precious Twelve-Petal Creation Green Lotus. Though Shi Hao’s cultivation had advanced rapidly, he was still far inferior to the Corpse Emperor. Now, having cultivated the Chaos Genesis Art to the eighth level and fighting alongside the Willow God, he clung to the Twelve-Petal Creation Green Lotus and just barely held the Corpse Emperor at bay outside the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, but could not last much longer.

Chenxing sneered. With Pangu’s strength, he would arrive before the Corpse Emperor could breach Shi Hao’s defenses. Then that wretch would know the meaning of despair.

Nuwa, having noticed the quiet exchange between Chenxing and Pangu, asked Chenxing telepathically, “Is everything all right?”

He shook his head and replied, “Just a small matter. With Pangu there, you needn’t worry.” Satisfied, Nuwa returned to attending to the two mothers-in-law.

It had been several thousand years since the great war between gods and demons. Ever since Luo Hou detonated the earth veins of the West, the spiritual energy of the Western lands had become exceedingly thin. The two innate deities born upon the Western Spirit Mountain—Jieyin and Zhunti—had long hidden on the westernmost edge, wary that the demon race might discover them. Only after the war ended did they dare return to their birthplace, Spirit Mountain.

Surveying the desolate and impoverished land, the two were close to tears. With no other choice, they set about traversing the West, painstakingly restoring whatever spiritual veins they could with their great powers. Their cultivation had now reached the level of Great Luo Golden Immortal, respectable in the Wilds, but repairing the spiritual veins of the Western land was no easy task. Fortunately, their resolve was firm, and as the years passed, the West gradually showed renewed signs of life. Seeing this, they became ever more diligent.

Meanwhile, on the Sun Star, Emperor Jun and Taiyi, seeing that the baleful aura shrouding the Wilds had faded, knew the calamity had passed. They were seized by a desire to travel the land and, after making preparations, descended into the Wilds.

As they journeyed, they saw the barren landscape left in the calamity’s wake and were filled with emotion. They were grateful they had not descended earlier; with only their Great Luo Golden Immortal cultivation, they would hardly have survived such a catastrophe.

Unknowingly, their wanderings brought them near the territory of the Houtu Tribe of the Wu Clan.

One day, as the two wandered, three towering figures suddenly charged toward them, their voices booming in Emperor Jun and Taiyi’s ears: “Hahaha! At last, two prey to catch! Brothers, don’t fight over them with me!” A burly man wielding a wooden club laughed heartily as he rushed toward them.

Just as the two were feeling bewildered, a sense of danger seized them. Without hesitation, Taiyi summoned the Chaos Bell. With a resounding clang, an arrow shattered against the bell.

“Hou Yi, don’t steal my prey!” the burly man in front shouted urgently.

“Kuafu, these two won’t be easy to handle. Be careful!” said the archer behind, his tone grave after seeing his arrow so easily deflected.

“Heh, got it. With the three of us, they won’t escape!” These three were none other than Kuafu, Hou Yi, and Xing Tian, the great shamans of the Houtu Tribe of the Wu Clan.

Listening to their words, Emperor Jun and Taiyi’s faces darkened. They had only come to travel the Wilds, never expecting to be treated as prey, which greatly displeased them. Exchanging a glance, Taiyi said in a low voice, “Brother, we have done nothing to provoke them. Since they dare hunt us, how can we let ourselves be taken?”

Seeing that their adversaries were merely at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level, yet dared provoke them, Emperor Jun was furious. “Fools with no sense of life or death—kill them!” he shouted, summoning the Hetu Luoshu and charging at the club-wielding man.

Seeing his brother attack, Taiyi did not hesitate. Protected by the Chaos Bell, he rushed the other two, ignoring Hou Yi’s arrows, which all bounced harmlessly off his bell.

By now, Emperor Jun was already engaged with Kuafu. Though Kuafu’s body was formidable, the gap in their cultivation was too vast, and within a few breaths he was forced into a disadvantage.