Xuan Xing had not expected Tai Yi to want to keep him by his side. Upon hearing Tai Yi’s words, he knew his luck had turned. He immediately knelt and said,
“Thank you, Senior!”
Tai Yi smiled. Seeing that Xuan Xing’s transformation was not complete, he sent a stream of origin energy to Xuan Xing.
Xuan Xing knew this was his opportunity. He immediately sat cross-legged and refined the origin energy Tai Yi had given him. After refining it, Xuan Xing transformed into the appearance of a handsome youth, around fifteen or sixteen years old.
Seeing this, Tai Yi spoke,
“From now on, you will stay by my side!”
Xuan Xing nodded and quickly agreed.
Di Jun, having achieved his goal in the North Sea, decided to return to the Demon Court.
Kun Peng had no lingering attachments in the North Sea either, so he returned to the Demon Court with Di Jun and Tai Yi.
The four of them left the North Sea together, intending to head towards the Demon Court.
Carried by Tai Yi, Xuan Xing witnessed scenery different from that of the Northern Darkness. In an instant, he understood Tai Yi’s occasional awkwardness.
On Purple Sun Mountain, Nu Wa, upon learning that Fu Xi had gone to the Demon Court, recalled what Tai Shang had said on Kunlun Mountain. A subtle unease stirred within her, and she decided to visit Kunlun Mountain again.
When Nu Wa arrived at Kunlun Mountain, she looked at the morning bell set up by Tai Shang and unleashed her divine power to strike it.
“Dong!”
“Dong!”
“Dong!”
Nu Wa struck the bell three times before stopping. Hearing the morning bell being rung below the mountain, Qi Chen came to the mountain gate to investigate. Seeing that it was Nu Wa, he immediately bowed. Using his identity token, he opened the mountain protection array and respectfully welcomed Nu Wa into the mountain.
After welcoming Nu Wa in, Qi Chen led her to the front of the Tai Qing Palace and respectfully bowed, announcing,
“Reporting to Master and Uncle-Master, Senior Nu Wa has come to pay a visit!”
Hearing Qi Chen’s voice from within the Chaos Bead, Tai Shang, along with Yuan Shi and Tong Tian, appeared in the Tai Qing Palace, speaking in unison,
“Come in!”
As Tai Shang’s voice faded, the gate of the Tai Qing Palace automatically opened. Qi Chen led Nu Wa into the main hall of the Tai Qing Palace, bowed to the Three Pure Ones, and then retreated.
Tai Shang, unsure of Nu Wa’s intentions, invited her to be seated and then asked,
“Fellow Daoist Nu Wa, why have you come to visit my Kunlun when you should be in seclusion on Purple Sun Mountain, digesting your recent gains?”
Nu Wa, concerned for Fu Xi’s safety, stated her purpose directly. She said to Tai Shang,
“Brother Tai Shang, my elder brother has joined the Demon Court! I wish to know if he will be in danger. Please inform me, Brother Tai Shang!”
Tai Shang’s brows furrowed. He thought, even Fu Xi has joined the Demon Court; their development is too rapid!
Seeing Tai Shang’s furrowed brows, Nu Wa’s heart leaped into her throat.
Tai Shang, seeing that Nu Wa was still awaiting his reply, said,
“Fellow Daoist, rest assured. Fellow Daoist Fu Xi should be fine!”
Tai Shang felt Nu Wa was overly worried about Fu Xi. If Fu Xi had not taken that cushion in the Zixiao Palace, Tai Shang would not have dared to guarantee Fu Xi’s safety. But now that Fu Xi had taken the cushion, even Hong Jun would not easily agree to his demise!
Upon receiving Tai Shang’s assurance, Nu Wa finally relaxed.
Seeing that Nu Wa had obtained the information she sought, Tai Shang said,
“Fellow Daoist Nu Wa, you should still make preparations. After all, the second sermon is about to begin!”
Nu Wa, hearing this, understood that Tai Shang was subtly asking her to leave. However, she had received the information she desired. She said,
“Thank you, Brother Tai Shang. Nu Wa takes her leave!”
Tai Shang smiled faintly and replied,
“Farewell!”
After Nu Wa departed, Yuan Shi spoke,
“Brother, should we attend the second sermon?”
Tai Shang looked at Yuan Shi and retorted,
“Does Second Brother still wish to go?”
Yuan Shi shook his head and said with a wry smile,
“I don’t want to go. It’s too boring. It’s much more comfortable here on Kunlun Mountain!”
Tong Tian also chimed in,
“Exactly! Exactly! Listening to him preach makes me sleepy. I’m not going! Not going!”
Tai Shang nodded and said,
“Then we shall not go!”
After bringing Kun Peng back to the Demon Court, Di Jun’s group prepared a welcoming banquet for him. Fu Xi looked at Kun Peng, his brow furrowed. Kun Peng had obstructed him and Nu Wa from entering the Zixiao Palace, so Fu Xi naturally had no good feelings towards him.
Just as the banquet was being held in the main hall of the Demon Court, a small demon suddenly came to report that Nu Wa sought an audience.
Di Jun, hearing this, immediately went out to greet her. Fu Xi, upon hearing his sister had arrived, also went out with them.
The group arrived outside the Demon Court and indeed saw Nu Wa standing there. Di Jun quickly invited her into the main hall.
After Nu Wa sat down beside Fu Xi, Kun Peng noticed Fu Xi’s displeasure. He knew Fu Xi still resented him, but he admitted to himself that he had indeed acted improperly in the Zixiao Palace.
Seeing both Fu Xi and Nu Wa present, Kun Peng rose and approached them.
Di Jun and Tai Yi’s expressions changed as they saw Kun Peng approaching Fu Xi and Nu Wa. They were prepared to intervene, but Kun Peng’s words surprised them.
Upon reaching Fu Xi and Nu Wa, Kun Peng looked at them and said,
“Fellow Daoists, Kun Peng apologizes to you both. What happened in the Zixiao Palace was indeed my wrongdoing. I beg for your forgiveness!”
After speaking, Kun Peng bowed to Fu Xi and Nu Wa.
Fu Xi could hardly believe that the arrogant Kun Peng would apologize. He was momentarily stunned.
Seeing Fu Xi’s daze, Nu Wa nudged him subtly. Fu Xi came to his senses and looked at Kun Peng with a complex expression.
Truthfully, although Fu Xi was displeased with Kun Peng’s actions, at the time, no one knew what was inside the Zixiao Palace. Those who entered first would have an advantage. If he were in Kun Peng’s position, he might have acted similarly.
Seeing Kun Peng apologize to them, Fu Xi also rose and bowed to Kun Peng, saying,
“Fellow Daoist Kun Peng, do not take it to heart. If I were in your place, I might have acted the same way!”
Fu Xi had spoken, and Nu Wa also rose and bowed, saying,
“Fellow Daoist, you are too kind!”
Kun Peng knew he had been forgiven by both Fu Xi and Nu Wa. He returned to his seat. Di Jun then spoke at the opportune moment,
“It is a blessing for the Demon Court that the three of you can set aside your past grievances!”
Kun Peng and Fu Xi, not daring to be presumptuous, quickly replied,
“It is all due to Your Majesty’s wise leadership!”
Kun Peng looked at Di Jun and said,
“Your Majesty, as I have just arrived at the Demon Court, I have an idea for the demon race. May I present it to Your Majesty?”
Before Kun Peng could finish, Di Jun waved his hand and said,
“Speak freely!”
Kun Peng then said,
“Your Majesty, our demon race was born with heaven and earth. Over countless years, the descendants of innate demons have gradually returned to the mundane, their bloodlines far inferior to their ancestors. Their divine abilities and techniques can only be passed down orally from elder to younger. Should any danger arise, that lineage would lose its intelligence and become mere beasts. Therefore, I propose the creation of demon script to record our race’s divine abilities and techniques. This way, even if the ancestors perish, the descendants can continue to learn!”
The demons in the great hall looked at Kun Peng in astonishment, none having expected him to have such an idea!
Di Jun’s eyes gleamed upon hearing Kun Peng’s proposal. He exclaimed,
“Excellent! Excellent! Truly excellent! I now confer upon you the title of Demon Master. Bai Ze will assist you. You must research and establish the demon script!”
Kun Peng was overjoyed and replied,
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”