The Forty-Fourth Hexagram: Fu Xi Obtains the Tao

  On the second day, Fuxi formally announced that Shennong would take over his duties and become the next Human Emperor. The leaders of various human tribes, including Tudi and Shengshi Kunpeng, witnessed their handover, marking the beginning of the Earthly Emperor Shennong's era for humanity.

  Fuxi abdicated, and the heavens bestowed great merit. The merit was divided into two parts, with about 20% flying towards Kunpeng. This was the merit that Kunpeng deserved for teaching Fuxi and lending him the pre-heavenly spiritual treasures "Hetu" and "Luoshu". However, Kunpeng did not absorb this merit but instead stored it in the "Pangu Ding" for future use. Fuxi obtained 80% of the merit, and after absorbing it, his cultivation instantly advanced to the late stage of quasi-sainthood, achieving the Human Emperor Dao fruit.

  Fuxi attained the Way, and many saints came to pay their respects. The Supreme Old Lord said: "Since Fuxi has achieved the Human Emperor's Dao fruit, he can go to the Huoyun Cave to cultivate from now on. He is not allowed to interfere with the affairs of the Hongyuan again."

  Fuxi nodded in agreement with Taishang Laojun's suggestion, then got up and headed to Huoyun Cave. Before leaving, he just nodded at Nüwa, and the two did not have any communication.

  Fuxi obtained the Tao, and Kunpeng's great merit as a human emperor's teacher suddenly aroused the jealousy of all the saints, who began to think about plotting against the next human emperor's teacher. Among the saints, only Taishang Laojun was unmoved, for as the master of the human teaching, no matter what time it was, as long as the human race did not perish, he would have merit to gain, and no matter who obtained the position of human emperor's teacher, it would not pose a great threat to him.

  Yuanshi Tianzun was the most active among all saints. After Shen Nong took over as the Human Emperor, he came to Taiqing Heaven and discussed with Taishang Laojun about the candidate for the next Human Emperor's teacher.

  Yuanshi Tianzun said to Taishang Laojun, "Elder brother, Kunpeng became the first human emperor's teacher and gained great merit. Although he is a sacred teacher for humanity, we must also be cautious. What do you plan to arrange for the next two human emperors' teachers?"

  The Supreme Elder looked at the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign and said, "As for why Kunpeng was able to become one of the Human Emperor's masters, you and I are both clear about the cause and effect. There is no need to say more about this point. As for the two future Human Emperors' masters, I don't have any arrangements either. It will depend on their respective fates."

  Yuanshi Tianzun said: "Elder brother, how can this be? As the master who teaches the ruler of the human world, you should manage the human race and decide on the Human Emperor's teacher."

  The Supreme Elder said, "Junior brother, although I am the master of human teachings, humans do not have too much dependence on me. Moreover, there is also the Holy Mother Nüwa and the Holy Master Kunpeng among humans. It is impossible for one person to decide who will be the Human Emperor's teacher."

  Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Elder brother, although Nüwa is the sacred mother of humanity, she is also a saint of the demon tribe. During the great war between humans and demons, she abandoned humanity. You have already agreed to Fuxi as the first human emperor, which has resolved her karma with humanity. As for the Human Emperor's Master, she should not have any further demands. As for Kunpeng, he is just a quasi-saint, nothing more. I reckon he wouldn't dare question your decision."

  The Supreme Elder sighed, "Younger brother, you are unaware that when the human race prospers, a spirit treasure will be born to govern its fate. However, although the human race's greatest treasure, the 'Kongtong Seal', has already been born, I have not calculated where it is located. Without the Kongtong Seal, I cannot establish the Human Emperor and make his name legitimate. Therefore, this matter can only be discussed with my sister Nüwa and Kunpeng. Moreover, younger brother, you must remember that Kunpeng is not as simple as you imagine. For some reason, I always feel that Kunpeng has hidden many secrets."

  Yuanshi Tianzun said: "The words of the eldest brother, I will remember them in my heart. However, this Emperor's teacher seems to be from the Western Sect and also wants to intervene, I don't know how the eldest brother thinks we should respond?"

  The Supreme Elder said, "Junior brother, you don't have to worry about this matter. The human race has Kunpeng, and you must not forget that he has a great deal of karma with the Western Sect. With him in the Western Sect, it is impossible for them to benefit from it no matter what. As for the Human Emperor's Master, Shen Nong is probably not worth thinking about, he doesn't have any intention of becoming an apprentice, you should focus on finding the last Human Emperor's Master."

  Yuanshi Tianzun was overjoyed upon hearing Taishang Laojun's words and said, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Great Master. My disciple Guangchengzi has great talent and can be the teacher of this future emperor."

  The Supreme Elder nodded in agreement with the words of Yuanshi Tianzun, saying: "The next Human Emperor will be Zhuanxu, you should make early preparations to avoid unexpected events."

  Yuanshi Tianzun heard the words of Taishang Laojun and calculated with his fingers for a moment, saying: "The Great Master's cultivation is profound."

  The Supreme Elder said calmly, "Junior Brother is overpraising me. As the leader of the Human Tribe, I naturally have a deeper understanding of the situation than other saints. However, there's also the Holy Mother Nüwa, who might be able to calculate Xuanyuan's birth time as well. As for whether the Demon Master Kunpeng can calculate it, that's hard to say. This person always gives off an unpredictable feeling."

  After Taishang Laojun became a saint, he was the closest to the ancestor of Taoism Hongjun. Kunpeng is just a quasi-saint, although the Great Way helped him cover up his origin, other situations can still be inferred by saints. Taishang Laojun cultivated the emotionless Great Way, and Kunpeng did not touch his bottom line, so Taishang Laojun was not dissatisfied with Kunpeng.

  Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Big Brother, you keep saying that Kunpeng is not simple, but I don't have this feeling. Kunpeng is just lucky and has a lot of good fortune protecting him. Compared to a saint, he's nothing special."

  The Supreme Elder Lord deeply understood the nature of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, let out a long sigh, and said nothing more.

  After returning to the Western world, Zhunti said: "Master brother, the Eastern world is full of talented people, while my Western world is so desolate. If we want to develop, we must go to the East to recruit people. The human race will prosper only if the Three Emperors are established. Now there are already two Human Emperors, and with one more, the merit will be complete. The master of this Human Emperor not only shares the merit of the Human Emperor but also has the responsibility of guiding the human race. If we can obtain this position, it will greatly benefit the development of my Western teachings."

  Jie Ying sighed and said, "Although the East is a land of talented people, since the Great War between the Sorcerers and the Demons, the Three Pure Ones and Nüwa have been extremely vigilant towards us. It's not realistic to try to bring people from the East again. As for the position of Human Emperor, we don't even dare to think about it. The various forces in the East are all eyeing it covetously, especially Yuanshi Tianzun. Didn't you see how frenzied his expression was when Fuxi attained the Dao?"

  "Although what Shixiong said is true, how will we know if it works or not without trying?"

  He sank into thought for a moment, then said: "Alright, since you want to get some benefits for me from this, you can go. However, you must be careful not to attract the attention of the Three Pure Ones and Nüwa."

  Zhun Ti said: "Senior brother, I understand that although San Qing is powerful, he's not invincible."

  "What does this mean?" asked the guide.

  Zhun Ti said: "Senior brother, you focus on cultivation and haven't noticed that the Three Pure Ones are not very harmonious. The Tianxian Sect Master is arrogant and self-important, especially after receiving the 'Xianjian Sword Array' from Daozu, he became even more reckless, thinking that no one among the saints can rival him. Yuanshi Tianzun has always been narrow-minded and jealous of the Tianxian Sect Master, while Taishang Laojun, although seemingly calm and detached, actually leans towards Yuanshi Tianzun in the Three Pure Ones. A conflict will eventually arise between the Three Pure Ones, and that's when our opportunity will come."

  Jie Yin listened to Zhun Ti's words and also felt that the struggle between the Three Purities was inevitable, saying: "Younger brother is a great talent, but older brother is not as good!"

  Zhun Ti said, "Elder brother is overpraising me. In terms of cultivation, I am not considered anything among the saints, but if it's about schemes, there is no one in the saintly realm who can be my match. However, the demonic master Kun Peng is currently among humans, and he has a great fate with you and me. If we want to obtain the Human Emperor's teachings, he will definitely appear to stop us. This matter is indeed somewhat difficult. Moreover, this person also has great merit protecting him, so we don't dare kill him either. It's truly troublesome."

  Jie Ying said, "Although the demon master Kun Peng is now very prosperous, there is one thing that is fatal to him. That is, apart from the Tian Tian Jiao Zhu, all other saints have conflicts with him, so his situation is also very delicate. Because no one knows what kind of heavenly punishment he will suffer if he kills a saint, once he really provokes a saint, he may be sealed or killed by mistake."

  "Although that's true," said Zhun Ti with a sigh, "no saint would be willing to do such a thing. With this person around, our plan to spread the teachings in the Eastern Land is greatly hindered."

  Jie Ying said, "Kun Peng is an obstacle to us, but he is also an obstacle to the Three Pure Ones and Nüwa Niangniang. Not only are we dissatisfied with him, but other saints also have this intention. However, everyone wants to wait for someone else to make a move, so as to understand the heavenly way's judgment. Disciple brother, if you can avoid provoking Kun Peng on this trip, then don't provoke him. After all, it's not just our family being restricted by him."

  Zhun Ti sank into thought for a moment, then said: "Elder brother's words are very good. For the time being, we can ignore Kun Peng. Yuan Shi Tian Zun has always been particular about saving face, and his disciple Guang Cheng Zi was taught a lesson by Kun Peng. Given his temperament, he will definitely not let Kun Peng off so easily. We just need to wait quietly, and Yuan Shi Tian Zun will take action."

  Jie Yin said: "It's good that Master can have this understanding. Our Western Pure Land is not comparable to the Three Pure Ones, so we must be careful and cautious, and absolutely cannot be impatient. This way, there will naturally be a day when our Western Pure Land will rise."

  Zhun Ti's face turned solemn as he said: "Elder brother's words are indeed correct, I will definitely remember elder brother's teachings."