Chapter Seventy-Six: The Division of Treasure at Baoyan Cliff, The Fat Man’s Choice

Unaware that he had once again become a target, Chen Xing watched as everyone vanished from the grand hall and curiously asked Hongjun, “You know that artifact could help you escape in the future, right? Aren’t you worried someone might take it?”

Hongjun, now stripped of his previous cold demeanor, replied with a wry smile, “Unless your sisters take it, no one else stands a chance!”

Chen Xing smiled awkwardly, scratching his head, “Don’t worry, even if I get it, I’ll return it to you.”

Hongjun rolled his eyes, thinking silently: That would mean I owe you another favor! He shook his head, deciding not to worry about it anymore.

When Laozi and the others arrived at the Treasure Division Rock, they discovered, to their surprise, that the chubby man and the little girl who had arrived first were standing aside, not attempting to seize any treasures. The three were instantly overjoyed, disregarding all else, each conjuring a giant hand to grab at the Treasure Division Rock.

With a sweep, the conjured hands snatched treasures from the rock—Laozi collected several spiritual treasures, Yuanshi gathered over a dozen, while Tongtian secured the most, with more than a hundred, delighting him greatly.

Meanwhile, the others arrived and, displaying their own magical abilities, seized varying numbers of spiritual treasures from the rock, each rejoicing in their gain.

Once everyone had claimed their treasures, a restriction activated on the Treasure Division Rock, sending the remaining countless spiritual treasures flying across the vast land, hiding within the wilderness, quietly awaiting fated owners.

The others noticed that the chubby man and the little girl who arrived first were still smiling, never attempting to claim treasures themselves, which struck them as odd. But they said nothing, each preparing to leave, when suddenly the chubby man called out, “Wait!”

Everyone paused, puzzled by his interruption.

The chubby man smiled at Laozi and the others, “You’re now disciples of Hongjun, while I…” He puffed out his chest and continued, “I am considered a peer of Hongjun. Shouldn’t you address me as uncle?”

Everyone looked at each other, unsure how to respond. Di Jun and Tai Yi snorted coldly and left, while only Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun stepped forward, gave a wry smile, and respectfully saluted, “Greetings, uncle!” The chubby man was overjoyed, quickly motioning for them to rise, “Stand up, stand up! Wait here a moment!”

He turned to the others, laughing, “No one else wants to acknowledge me as uncle?” Silence greeted him, even Yuanshi snorted lightly. In his mind, as the orthodox successor of Pangu, destined to become a saint, even if Chen Xing and the others had Nuwa’s backing, what need had he to fear? Especially this chubby man, who was only a Golden Immortal.

Suddenly, a white figure stepped out from the crowd, gazing at the chubby man with a half-smile, “Do I need to call you uncle too?”

The chubby man recognized Houtu, gave an awkward laugh, and replied, “No need, no need! We’ve known each other for so long; how could I ask you to call me uncle?” Yet he thought shamelessly: Even your father, Pangu, would call me uncle—shouldn’t you address me as grandfather?

Houtu rolled her eyes and walked over to the little girl, Chen Mi, kneeling down and gently saying, “Sister will take you to find your brother, alright?”

“No!” The little girl replied bluntly; she hadn’t seen the exciting scenes yet—how could she leave now?

The chubby man, seeing no one else acknowledge him, chuckled and turned to Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun, laughing, “Since only you two recognize me as uncle, how could I not have a gift for you?”

He reached into the folds of his somewhat flashy Taoist robe. Watching his actions, Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun exchanged wry smiles—what could he possibly give them with such a gesture? Yet, Chen Xing had been a great benefactor to them, so calling the chubby man uncle was no hardship.

As they prepared to accept his gift with a smile, the chubby man produced two items from his robe, flipping them into his palms—a flag and a ruler.

Seeing these items, everyone was startled; these were top-tier innate spiritual treasures, only slightly inferior to supreme innate treasures. Though they had just claimed many treasures from the rock, none were of this caliber, and many eyes burned with envy, wishing they could snatch them away.

Ignoring the crowd’s expressions, the chubby man cheerfully pressed the treasures into their hands, “Sorry, the gifts are a bit modest. Next time, I’ll make up for it with something even better!”

Everyone was speechless, thinking: If these gifts are modest, why didn’t you give me one? I wouldn’t mind at all!

Many now regretted not calling him uncle—if a single greeting could earn a top-tier innate treasure, who wouldn’t do so?

Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun were stunned; was this uncle so formidable that he could casually give away such treasures?

Only when the treasures were forced into their hands did they snap out of their daze, hastily refusing and trying to return them.

Seeing their reluctance, the chubby man frowned, “Take them, don’t be so coy! These are treasures I have carefully selected for you. Look…”

He raised the little flag and explained, “This is the Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag, one of the five directional flags, a top-tier innate treasure equal to the Li Yan Earth Fire Flag Hongjun gave to Zhunti! Don’t you like it?”

He pushed the flag into Zhen Yuanzi’s hand, then showed the ruler to Hongyun, “This is no less, a ruler imbued with the merit from Pangu’s creation of the world—a top-tier innate treasure, the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Ruler. It’s just as valuable as the flag. Take it!”

He pressed the ruler into Hongyun’s hand.

They looked at the treasures in their hands, wryly smiling; who would have thought their uncle could produce such precious gifts from his robe?

Helpless, they accepted the treasures and respectfully saluted him again, knowing they owed him a great debt.

Seeing them accept the gifts, the chubby man happily patted their shoulders, then turned to the crowd, “Now that you’ve all taken your treasures, it’s my turn, right?”

He rubbed his hands together and, under the crowd’s puzzled gaze, approached the Treasure Division Rock, wrapped his arms around it, and gave a loud shout, lifting it up, intending to take it. Suddenly, a voice rang out, “Enough, chubby man. Hongjun still needs this. Don’t take it—having so many treasures should be enough.”

As the words faded, the rock flew from his grasp into the Purple Cloud Palace and vanished.

The chubby man grumbled, “Hongjun is so stingy, taking back a mere stone.” Seeing everyone still watching him, he waved impatiently, “Alright, nothing more to see. Go on, scatter!”

Displeased by his rudeness, the crowd snorted and departed, while Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun saluted him once more before leaving.

Watching their retreating figures, the chubby man’s smile slowly faded. Memories of his conversation with Chen Xing after returning to Fangzhang Island surfaced in his mind.

Chen Xing had asked, “Chubby man, are you cultivating to rule a world or to wander the myriad realms someday?”

He pondered for a long time before answering solemnly, “Since I’ve come to a world where cultivation is possible, I’d feel regret if I couldn’t see the sights across the myriad realms.”

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then sighed, “You came from Earth, cultivating as a mortal. Reaching the Golden Immortal stage is already your limit. To reach the peak will be difficult.”

The chubby man protested, “How could that be? I’ve cultivated to Golden Immortal in such a short time. How could my aptitude be poor?”

“That’s only because I once infused your body with the Purple Qi of the Dao, which, after sealing your lifespan, had some side effects. It’s unrelated to your aptitude,” Chen Xing explained gravely.

The chubby man fell silent, then asked after a while, “What about little sister…?”

“She truly has astonishing talent—so extraordinary that I find it unbelievable. By rights, such aptitude shouldn’t exist in all the realms. I suppose only in the future… will I learn the truth,” Chen Xing replied, somewhat puzzled.

The chubby man sighed in relief, then pressed anxiously, “Even Pangu is your disciple. Do you really have no solution?”

“At present, I truly have no way. If you only wish to stand firm in the wilderness, I can make you lord of the world. But stepping beyond this realm will be very difficult,” Chen Xing said in a low voice.

“I don’t want to be trapped here. I want to visit other planes someday,” the chubby man insisted.

Chen Xing considered for a moment, then said, “Then there is only one solution…”

“What solution?”