On the Path to the Great Dao

It was already several days later when Chen Shi returned to Qianyang Mountain.

This time, he was on the homeward journey, so he had some leisure to observe the people's livelihood in this chaotic age.

After the cataclysm struck, far more people should have died. A massive snowstorm lasting several years should have frozen nearly ninety percent of the population to death. Fortunately, however, the Feng Immortal's great breach of the Upper Realm caused thousands of void suns to hang in the sky, providing the world with light and heat, averting the snow disaster.

But this catastrophe, the invasion of the underworld, evil spirits everywhere, and the food crisis had also led to countless deaths. Adding man-made disasters—powerful bullies running rampant, frequent cannibalism, and people salting and drying corpses to store as food rations—the survivors amounted to barely twenty percent, less than thirty percent of the original population.

The ones who sheltered the common people the most were Red Mountain Hall and these revived Chinese deities under Chen Shi's efforts. Wherever a temple stood, there was a harvest.

"During the final years of the True King's Era, the world underwent a massive upheaval, with countless commoners wounded and killed, leaving less than one in ten alive. But that catastrophe lasted over forty years, while this one has only gone on for four years and already caused so many deaths. Looking into the cause, the main reason is that the court failed to unify all factions, leaving every region scattered and disorganized."

Chen Shi mused silently, "Pity I'm not the imperial court... But I can become the imperial court."

His spirits lifted: "When I get back to Qianyang Mountain, I'll rebel! Wait—no! Why would I rebel? I possess the Western King's Jade Seal, command countless talisman masters from Red Mountain Hall, and have revived hundreds of Chinese deities—I am the imperial court!"

Black Pot once again sensed a strong demonic intent coming from behind him, and turned to glare darkly at Chen Shi.

"Black Pot, after I ascend the throne, I'll make you a Prince of the Realm!" Chen Shi's voice rang out.

Black Pot felt this Demon King Chen was worth befriending.

Chen Shi arrived at the foot of Mountain Lord Temple, where Old Lady Wuzhu was tending to her watermelon patch. When she saw him, her face broke into a grin. "The top scholar is back!"

Chen Shi stopped the cart, laughing. "Fifth Auntie, it's me! You're looking in good health!"

Old Lady Wuzhu chuckled. "I eat well and sleep well, so naturally I'm healthy."

She watched Chen Shi jump off the cart and head into the melon patch to pick watermelons. Her eyes flashed with menace, and she raised her cane to smack him—but then remembered this was the top scholar, not someone she could strike. Her expression softened from anger to delight. "The top scholar eating my melons is this old woman's blessing."

"Fifth Auntie, no need to see me off—I can't eat that many."

Chen Shi tossed a few watermelons and sweet melons into the wooden cart, waved to Old Lady Wuzhu, and headed up the mountain. He happened to pass Yuzhu driving her ducks along, so he grabbed two ducks and tossed them into the cart.

"Yuzhu, taking the ducks out to pasture? Oh, I'm back. It's fine, it's fine—I'm just grabbing a couple of ducks to take home. Since I'm back, it's to welcome me and clean the dust off. You go on with your business! Got married yet? Haha, you're looking fresh and lovely..."

"Auntie Wang, I'm back! Your beans are looking good—let me have a basket. And those peppers over there, pick some too. Pull a few radishes as well. Since I'm home, it's for tonight's welcome feast... No need to bring them to my house—just put them in my cart! Hah, we're family—no need for money. But if you insist, I'll take it."

"Uncle Li, it's me—Little Ten! That's right, that's right! I'm home, tonight I'm treating myself to a welcome feast. I'll take these two chickens... And a string of eggs too. What's it worth? We're family—no need for money!"

"Haha, Sister Qing, another baby? Drop her pants—let this top scholar flick her little thing... Ah, it's a girl."

Chen Shi stole a candied hawthorn stick from Sister Qing's little girl, walked up the mountain, greeting everyone along the way, the little girl's wails echoing behind him.

Wu Qingyu was working in the fields when she saw the wooden cart rolling in from afar, laden with chickens, ducks, meat, eggs, and other food. She was both startled and delighted, rushing toward the cart—then suddenly remembering something, stopped and called out to Chen Tang in the fields, "A-Tang, A-Tang! Little Ten is back!"

Chen Tang was transplanting rice seedlings in the furrows. His heart jolted violently at the news. He shoved the seedlings into the hands of the person next to him and leaped out of the paddy.

He was about to catch up with Wu Qingyu, but seeing the mud on himself, he calmed down and fetched clean water to wash off the dirt.

Before he finished cleaning, Chen Shi and Wu Qingyu had already approached.

"Dad, I'm back!" Chen Shi shouted loudly.

Chen Tang was holding a ladle to rinse his feet, standing barefoot with a somewhat awkward look. "Good to have you back... Mmm!"

Chen Shi stepped forward and hugged him tightly, squeezing him close.

Chen Tang didn't know what to do. He had been an official for many years and was long unaccustomed to such intense emotional expression.

Wu Qingyu watched the father and son with a smile, seeing Chen Tang gradually relax. He raised the hand holding the ladle and gently patted Chen Shi on the back, murmuring softly, "Good, good..."

He felt that his son's shoulders had grown much broader and sturdier, and his voice had deepened, bringing a sense of solid reassurance.

Little Duan slipped out of the small temple but was caught by Wu Qingyu and taken to plant rice seedlings. The two women, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, chatted while working, their crisp laughter ringing out from time to time.

Black Pot was also running around joyfully, dashing into the forest and startling a flock of birds and beasts.

From deep within the mountains came a deep, low roar, and Black Pot immediately became much more docile, obediently following the sound.

That was its mother, the adult Huo Dog, calling for it.

With Chen Shi's return, the mountain was lively. The County Magistrate Hu came running over, hopping with excitement.

The fox spirits from the mountain also gathered around. Because of their race, these fox women were quite covetous of the top scholar. Magistrate Hu put on her official airs and shooed the little vixens away.

"You little rascals, dreaming of becoming the top scholar's wife! Even this old woman hasn't succeeded—you're just daydreaming!"

She grabbed Chen Shi, glanced at Little Duan in the distance, and giggled. "Top scholar, have you two consummated the marriage yet... Not yet? Look, our fox clan is good at transformations. I could change into Little Duan's appearance—what do you say we consummate it tonight?"

Chen Shi was quite tempted.

Just then, the talisman masters of Red Mountain Hall arrived, shoving Magistrate Hu aside to pay respects to the Instructor.

The wooden cart immediately latched onto them, begging them to trace more talismans on its body. — This evil spirit had some intelligence, not much, but it knew that every time it encountered these talisman masters, it could score some benefits.

The Qianyang Mountain Lord and Yellow Tiger also came to meet him. Chen Shi lit a few sticks of incense for them and had just started chatting when Stone Ji Your Ladyship and some cultivators arrived from out of town.

After Stone Ji Your Ladyship greeted Chen Shi, she said, "Envoy, this humble one now protects Xinxiang and holds back the sea monsters, not daring to slacken even for a day. May I ask the Envoy, when can this humble one return to her temple?"

Chen Shi looked her over. It had been over four years since they last met, and her body had largely recovered—no longer top-heavy with a small body. Her appearance was dignified and elegant, with quite the bearing of an accomplished deity.

Chen Shi smiled. "Shiji, you're now a deity protecting a whole region. If you protect the people, they will offer you incense and worship. Why do you need to return to my small temple?"

Stone Ji Your Ladyship looked disgruntled. "Building my own temple means fighting ghosts, gods, and monsters, and protecting the common folk—it's not as carefree as being in that small temple."

Many ghost clans from the Heavenly Pool Kingdom were also here, having opened trade routes with Xinxiang. Hearing of Chen Shi's return, they came to pay their respects.

However, the ghost clans performed the three-kneeling-nine-prostrations ceremony, the full ritual for paying homage to an emperor.

For a moment, the mountain was bustling with activity. Hu Feifei had no chance at all; with her busy schedule, she soon went off to handle official business.

After the commotion died down, Chen Shi was about to go find the great snake Xuan Shan and Madam Zhuang when a familiar voice reached him: "Lord Little Chen, it's been a while. Yan Xianzhi pays his respects!"

Chen Shi looked toward the voice and saw the Chief Grand Secretary, Yan Xianzhi, approaching. Chen Shi was extremely surprised, wondering in his heart, "What is he doing here?"

Chen Tang whispered, "After the Western Capital upheaval, Yan Xianzhi fled, but after the two realms merged, the geography changed dramatically. He couldn't recognize the roads and ended up fleeing here. He brought his wife, children, and extended family, but almost all of them died on the way—only his youngest son and a concubine survived. I saw how pitiful he was and allowed him to stay."

Yan Xianzhi looked much older than before, having lost all the strategic composure of his days as Chief Grand Secretary. Dressed in plain cloth, he seemed quite humble. He hurried to Chen Shi and bowed. "This old man, Yan Xianzhi, pays respects to Lord Little Chen!"

Chen Shi supported him by the elbows, not letting him bow fully, and laughed. "Lord Yan, why such a grand ceremony? You're overwhelming me."

Yan Xianzhi smiled. "When living under someone else's roof, one must observe extra courtesy so the host doesn't take offense."

Chen Shi said seriously, "You and I served in the same court. How could I see you in distress and not lend a hand? Don't say such things."

He turned his head and whispered, "Dad, give him a few acres of land to work. He can't just eat for free."

Chen Tang said quietly, "Already arranged. Our Qianyang Mountain doesn't keep idle hands."

Chen Shi asked, "Does he work diligently? No, no, Lord Yan, I wasn't talking about you... If he's not diligent, give him a beating!"

"He's fairly diligent."

"Good. Qianyang Mountain doesn't keep idle hands. Once he's on our turf, he can forget about throwing his weight around."

Chen Shi wore a bright smile as he exchanged a few pleasantries with Yan Xianzhi. "We're having a banquet at my place tonight to welcome me and clean the dust... That's not what I meant—I meant just send your gift over; there's no need to come in person. Lord Yan, make yourself at home."

Chen Shi waved him off, then looked at Chen Tang again.

Chen Tang said helplessly, "When he fled here, his injuries were extremely severe. A family of several hundred people had been reduced to just three. I took him in out of pity. Since coming to Qianyang Mountain, he hasn't acted like before—he just farms honestly and does whatever he's told."

Chen Shi's gaze fell on Yan Xianzhi's retreating back. "He's pitiful? There are far more pitiful people in the world than him. The reason he doesn't throw his weight around is that he knows the Thirteen Great Clans are in decline and not what they once were. If he had the means, he'd still climb right over our heads and stir up trouble."

Chen Tang said, "Yan Xianzhi is learned. The school we're running on the mountain needs his help."

Chen Shi thought about it—Yan Xianzhi did have his uses; he wasn't completely useless.

"Oh, and one more thing. Over at Gaogang, the commotion has been getting bigger and bigger."

Chen Tang's expression grew grave. "Little Ten, your godmother might be incredibly significant. Under the incense offerings of all the Chinese deities, her revival might happen any day now!"

Chen Shi's spirits soared, and he laughed. "It's been a long time since I offered incense to godmother. Now that I'm back, I must pay her proper respects! By the way, have Grandpa and Granny Sha returned yet?"

Chen Tang shook his head.

Chen Shi frowned slightly. "They went looking for Grandpa—it's been over four years. They should have found him by now."

Chen Tang said, "Perhaps they've run into other things. Chen Yindu has always been the type to stay away from home for years. You can't expect him to come home willingly."

Chen Shi's expression darkened. "Chen Tang, don't talk about my grandpa like that!"

Chen Tang snorted, his face turning sour. "One trip out, and you've grown wings, have you?"

Chen Shi said coolly, "I've already cultivated to the Refining Spirit Realm. Before long, we might even be at the same level. What do you think—have my wings hardened?"

Chen Tang grasped the Xuanwei Sword.

Chen Shi's eyes flashed with menace.

The father and son's auras grew increasingly intense. Just then, Wu Qingyu's voice came: "A-Tang, come over here and help me pick some vegetables!"

Chen Tang released the sword grip and turned to leave.

Wu Qingyu sent Little Duan away, then whispered, "A-Tang, I feel like this daughter-in-law of yours is a bit off. One moment she's very warm, the next she's cold as ice—like a completely different person. And when I asked if she's pregnant, she got all shy..."

Chen Tang said, "I also feel like Little Ten is a bit different. Wilder than before. I was thinking—while I can still beat him, should I give him a good thrashing?"

The couple exchanged quiet words, while Chen Shi went to visit the great snake Xuan Shan and Madam Zhuang.

The great snake Xuan Shan spotted Chen Shi from a distance and felt a jolt of alarm. His Divine Manifestation transformed into a black-clad man, floating down with a green umbrella in hand.

As Chen Shi approached, he suddenly felt an inexplicable calm wash over his mind.

"Little Ten, your demonic nature is very heavy. Keep this umbrella with you." Before parting, the great snake Xuan Shan gifted him the green umbrella.

Chen Shi thanked him and headed down the mountain, holding the umbrella.

The great snake Xuan Shan watched him leave. Just as Chen Shi reached the foot of the mountain, the green umbrella suddenly burst into flames without any fire, and in an instant, it burned to ashes.

The great snake Xuan Shan frowned.

He had underestimated Chen Shi's demonic nature. He thought the umbrella could suppress it.

"I should have held the umbrella and followed him myself. But I cannot leave the people under my protection." He shook his head.

However, given how heavy Chen Shi's demonic nature was, by all logic, he should have undergone a demonic transformation long ago. Yet strangely, he still retained his rationality—just not very much of it.

Early the next morning, Chen Shi left home and headed straight for Gaogang.

Still several hundred li from Gaogang, Chen Shi could already see radiant light illuminating the sky, dyeing it with brilliant colors. Those rays of light drifted slowly through the air like sheer veils of faint hues.

From afar came the sound of strange chanting—distant, profound, ancient—as if carried from the other end of time and space. It was an ancient deity intoning the name of a supreme existence, solemn and grand.

"Someone from Despair Slope once came here, trying to uproot your godmother, but they couldn't get close to Gaogang."

Chen Tang walked shoulder to shoulder with Chen Shi, his face solemn. "That man was a Celestial Way Walker from Despair Slope named Yu Changbai. He must have been eaten by your fifth uncle. He said your godmother is called Houtu Huangdiqi, also known as Earth Mother Ladyship, Earth Mother Primordial Sovereign, or Empress of Earth."

Chen Shi arrived with him before Gaogang and was stunned by the magnificent scene before them.

Above, beams of radiant light descended from the sky, landing on Gaogang to outline the contours of a temple. Within those rays flowed the energy of incense offerings from the Chinese deities, accompanied by the chanting of the gods, making one's soul tremble inexplicably.

And within the temple constructed by those beams of light, in a profound space, scenes of birth, reproduction, death, and reincarnation of countless beings unfolded.

These were not the scenes of humanity alone, but encompassed countless races!

Behind these visions, one could faintly see an endless sea of primordial chaos, vast as an ocean. Within that primordial chaos floated continents and landmasses.

"Weng!"

Two beams of radiance descended from the sky, forming two couplets standing upright on either side of the temple.

Countless continents rise and fall in the Earth Immortal Realm; Heaven and Earth's primordial chaos, righteous and majestic.

Thousands of realms flicker in and out of existence beyond the heavens; The universe's infinite and boundless light shines ever on.