Chapter 81

In the Heavenly Court, although Yuan Kui and Feng Ye were said to be one, this was the first time Feng Ye himself had come here. Over these days, the Heavenly Court had finally gained some vitality. As Feng Ye entered the Fifth Heaven, he saw a figure ahead.

Fuxi? Feng Ye called out, "Your Majesty, wait!" But the figure ahead seemed not to hear and ignored Feng Ye, quickly running to the Fourth Heaven.

What is he doing? Feng Ye frowned and continued toward the Great Luo Heaven. He thought that Fuxi would come over soon, so he decided to wait there.

But not long after, in the Twelfth Heaven, he saw Fuxi again, who had already run ahead of him. Calling out to him, Fuxi still ignored him.

Confused, Feng Ye continued upward. Just as he reached the Thirty-Second Heaven, he saw two Fuxis, one in front and one behind, coming out of the Great Luo Heaven.

Clones? Feng Ye's expression was strange as he stepped into the Great Luo Heaven. From a distance, he saw Fuxi sitting on the imperial throne in the Lingxiao Hall, writing something on the desk. Above his head, divine light shone, and from time to time, a clone would jump down, pick up a written order, and leave. Next to Fuxi's throne, another "Fuxi" held the imperial seal, ready to stamp it.

These are clones? There are so many? As Feng Ye walked into the hall, he collided with a Fuxi clone coming out. The clone ignored him, picked up the dropped order, and left.

The clone had no expression, seemingly just a manifestation of energy with partial consciousness, without a personality. But it made sense; if he couldn't finish the work himself, he would need clones to help. However, it wasn't easy to form clones, and a clone with only divine consciousness was better.

"Your Majesty?" Feng Ye approached and said softly.

"It's Ah Ye, wait a moment," Fuxi said without looking up.

Feng Ye waited for a while. After Fuxi finished a stack of documents, he looked up at Feng Ye and said, "Did you get the Jianmu?"

Yes, Feng Ye waved the Qiankun talisman in his hand.

"Hmm—" Fuxi stretched and said, "Let's go plant the Jianmu!" He then created another clone to continue handling Heavenly Court affairs and led Feng Ye toward the Southern Heaven Gate.

On the way, Feng Ye couldn't help but ask, "Is the Heavenly Court business so busy?"

"Of course!" Fuxi said without turning back, "Now the Heavenly Court is in a state of disrepair, with no living beings. It's quite tragic. I need to enlighten those immortal herbs and spirit clouds to become immortal children to supplement the Heavenly Court's vitality. These immortal children also need training. The Heavenly Court was broken by the witch and demon gods, so it needs to be repaired. Besides me, there's no one else. I can only do it myself. The treasure vaults also need to be inventoried, or else treasures might be stolen without anyone knowing. But fortunately, you are here, Ah Ye. Many things will need to be handled together."

Feng Ye was stunned. The Heavenly Court had so many intricacies? If he had known about these things, he wouldn't have joined Nuwa in making Fuxi, dragging himself into it. At least one Stabilizing Pearl wouldn't be enough; he needed to get more things from Nuwa. Feng Ye thought shamelessly.

Find people! Must find people! Otherwise, even with countless clones, it would be impossible to solve all these problems. Yes, the letter from the Azure Dragon Lord, even if unwilling, would send at least one or two people out of respect for Fuxi and Nuwa.

And the Nine Sovereigns and True Mother, being of the human sovereign lineage, would surely come to help. Yes, Yuan Kui should be dragged in too! He couldn't suffer here while Yuan Kui enjoyed the water spirits' dances in the Dragon Palace!

And, since Nuwa had brought this trouble, she shouldn't be allowed to run away either!

Feng Ye walked and planned how to drag people into the mess. After all, it was more comforting for everyone to suffer together. This was a typical envious heart. Just as Feng Ye was maliciously planning, the two reached the Southern Heaven Gate.

Fuxi took the Qiankun talisman from Feng Ye, threw it down, and the Jianmu, along with Lingjianzhou, flew out.

Fuxi used divine power to move the Jianmu to the center of the vast world, moved the surrounding living beings, established the earth veins, and planted the Jianmu, allowing it to take root. Lingjianzhou, landing on the ground, naturally rose higher than the surroundings, becoming a large mountain accompanying the Jianmu.

Then, Fuxi took out a white jade bottle, and the liquid inside flowed down, turning into spiritual rain to water the Jianmu. This spiritual liquid was a gift from Nuwa, a great creation, originally intended to enlighten the immortal herbs and children.

Unexpectedly, there was still much left, which was perfect for this use. The Jianmu, nourished by the spiritual water, showed no signs of decline from the transplant. It extended its branches, danced in the wind, and even bloomed black flowers.

Feng Ye watched Fuxi's actions silently. Indeed, the myths of the past were somewhat credible. Green leaves, purple stems, black flowers, and yellow fruits—this is the Jianmu. Yes, it's already blooming; I wonder when it will bear fruit? I wonder what the fruit of the Jianmu tastes like? Yes, once there are enough people, I should send someone to guard it. This spiritual fruit must not be stolen! As a food lover, Feng Ye kept pondering.

"I am the Supreme God Taihao! I follow the way of heaven and hold the extreme of heaven. Now I establish this Jianmu, the bridge between heaven and earth, allowing all immortals, gods, and mortals to travel between the two realms. From now on, heaven and earth are one, and both realms are under my rule!"

As Fuxi finished speaking, a great golden light of virtue descended from the sky. Fuxi received sixty percent, Feng Ye received thirty percent, and the remaining ten percent fell on the Jianmu, immediately covering the purple stem with a golden glow.

Feng Ye had traveled extensively, so receiving thirty percent was reasonable. Fuxi, as the ruler of heaven and earth, naturally took the larger share. The Jianmu, fitting Fuxi's wood virtue, perfectly assisted him in ruling the Heavenly Palace, as the physical form of the bridge, also received ten percent of the virtue. Unfortunately, the Jianmu, being a heavenly root, was extremely difficult to form a physical body; otherwise, this virtue would have been enough for the Jianmu to form a physical body.

However, not being able to form a physical body had its compensations. The Jianmu, which had just bloomed, suddenly bore large, yellow fruits, a total of eighty-one.

Fuxi swept his sleeve and collected the eighty-one spiritual fruits. He then took out thirty-three and gave them to Feng Ye. "During this time, you have been with me in the Heavenly Court, which must have delayed your cultivation. These spiritual fruits can help you in your practice."

Feng Ye didn't hesitate and accepted them. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Then, Feng Ye said, "The Heavenly Court is short of people. Why don't I go to the Underworld to find some help?"

"Good idea!" Fuxi nodded. "It's best to bring up all the former subordinates. It's a past connection, and they are more reliable than others."

These former subordinates and confidants were naturally more suitable to help Fuxi manage the Heavenly Court's internal affairs. As for the divine duties and laws, let the specialists handle them.

Fuxi thought for a moment. "I have already sent messengers to the great gods. My sister will also send people, and the Nine Sovereigns and True Mother have been informed. The Azure Dragon Lord will likely not oppose and will send many people. The divine duties should also be filled."

"Right!" Fuxi slapped his forehead. "I was so busy with Heavenly Court affairs that I forgot this."

Fuxi took out a jade tablet from his sleeve and gave it to Feng Ye. "This is the divine position I prepared for you. Use this divine position to travel the vast world for now."

"And for your Yuan Kui clone!" He then gave another jade tablet to Feng Ye.

Feng Ye took a look: "Hao Yuan Lingxiao Xuanchen Tianjun" and "Lingxiao Jiuyao Taiyuan Shenjun"?

Without looking, the "Jiuyao" must be for Yuan Kui. So, "Hao Yuan Lingxiao Xuanchen Tianjun" should be for himself? Hao Yuan, Hao should be Fuxi's imperial title, referring to Taihao? What does "Yuan" mean? Yuan means the beginning, referring to the origin of all things?

The term "Lingxiao" isn't something just anyone can use, after all, it sounds like "Lingxiao." What does "Xuanchen" mean? After some thought, Feng Ye couldn't figure it out. Well, use it for now; if it doesn't feel right, change it later.

"Good, when I go to the Underworld, I can pass by the Yellow River." Feng Ye put away the two divine position jade tablets and bid farewell to Fuxi.

After delivering the divine position to the Yellow River Yuan Kui and urging him to bring people to the Heavenly Court soon, Feng Ye set off for the Underworld.

To think that working with Fuxi to clean up the Heavenly Court, Feng Ye had been running around. He had traveled through the three realms of heaven, earth, and humanity, more than he had in all these years. Was it to make up for the time he spent in the Fire Cloud Cave?

The Underworld, unlike the sunny and beautiful Heavenly Court, was dark and filled with yin energy and ghostly spirits.

Feng Ye frowned and took out the Sui Ren lamp. As a virtue object, the golden light cleared the way, and no ghostly spirits dared to cause trouble.

"Are you the envoy sent by the Supreme God Taihao?" A woman's voice echoed. After all, Feng Ye's actions were quite noticeable, and it would be strange if the ruler of the cycle didn't react.

Feng Ye bowed. "Is it Lady Hou Tu?"

A wave of yellow earth energy came from afar, reaching Feng Ye's feet, forming a flat path. "I am not convenient to move, please forgive me, envoy."

"I dare not!" Feng Ye carefully walked on the earth path and soon arrived at the Cycle Hall, where he saw Hou Tu waiting for him.

Another round of formalities, after all, the ruler of the cycle needed to be on good terms with, who knows when it might be useful!

"Envoy, what brings you here? I heard the Heavenly Court is quite busy now!" The two sat down, and Hou Tu spoke frankly.

"Lady, I am here to borrow people from you!" Feng Ye bowed.

"Borrow people? You might be looking in the wrong place." Hou Tu shook her head. "If my Underworld had enough people, there wouldn't be no one to greet you. You must have seen the ghosts and spirits on your way here!"

Indeed, they were quite busy, not much different from the Heavenly Court, Feng Ye thought to himself.

"After the war between the witches and demons, countless beings died unjustly. Even I am overwhelmed. The ordinary ghosts are manageable, but some cultivators, after death, refuse to accept their fate, shouting that their destiny is in their own hands, not heaven's. They only think of reincarnation. If there were any hope of reincarnation, those ghostly spirits wouldn't stay here. They are the ones I have recruited from the dead souls." Speaking of this, Hou Tu couldn't stop complaining. After all, she was a lonely figure, guarding the Cycle Hall, and the ghostly spirits respected her and didn't dare to speak to her. She also maintained her dignity in front of her subordinates.

Realizing he hadn't explained clearly, Feng Ye quickly clarified. "I'm not looking for deities, but I need your help to find the whereabouts of some souls. When Lord Fuxi was the human sovereign, he had some subordinates. I want to take advantage of the Heavenly Court's shortage of people to guide them to the Heavenly Court and transform them into celestial beings."

Hou Tu thought for a moment. "This is not a bad idea! My Underworld also recruits people from the dead souls. Speaking of which, did you see a man in black on your way here? That is—"

Finally finding a chance to speak, Hou Tu almost poured out all the words she had stored up over the years.

Feng Ye's face stiffened, and he forced a smile, listening to Hou Tu's complaints. If he interrupted Lady Hou Tu and made her angry, he would be in trouble, and the matter wouldn't be resolved.

After about an hour, Hou Tu realized, "Right, envoy, please follow me!"

Feng Ye followed Hou Tu to a side hall of the Cycle Hall. In the side hall, there was a ledger. Feng Ye's heart stirred. Could this be the legendary Book of Life and Death? A vermilion pen and a ledger could control the life and death of all beings in the three realms?

"Envoy, do you have the names of those people?" Hou Tu's words snapped Feng Ye out of his thoughts. Seeing Hou Tu's inquiring gaze, Feng Ye quickly took out a piece of cloth, which listed the names of Fuxi's former subordinates.

Hou Tu looked at the cloth, checked the Book of Life and Death for a long time, and then drew circles with the vermilion pen. She finally handed it to Feng Ye. "Those with circles are already reincarnated, and their addresses are written. Some are humans, some are beasts or birds. The humans, you can go and enlighten. As for the beasts and birds, when they return to the Underworld, I will extract their souls. The ones who have not yet reincarnated are still in the Underworld. You can go and take them, and use the pure spirit energy in the Heavenly Court to form their bodies."

Looking at the Book of Life and Death, Feng Ye was full of doubts and couldn't help but ask, "Lady, in the cycle, can't they directly reincarnate as celestial beings? And many of these people are virtuous, how could they reincarnate as animals?"

"Reincarnate as celestial beings? I am only responsible for sending souls into the cycle of reincarnation, but I cannot control where they reincarnate!" Hou Tu was stunned and shook her head. Then she thought for a moment, "Animals? This is clear, referring to beasts and birds? Are humans separated from the cycle? It makes sense, after all, the human race will flourish in the future."

Not being able to control reincarnation, and what does it mean to separate humans from the cycle? Could it be that the cycle is not arranged according to the six paths?

Suddenly, Feng Ye understood. The concept of the six paths of reincarnation is from the Buddhist tradition, and Lady Hou Tu has not taken refuge in the Three Jewels, so she would not manifest the Buddhist cycle.

Thinking about it, the concept of the six paths of reincarnation in the previous life must have been established after the Bodhisattva Dizang entered the Underworld. Isn't it said that the Bodhisattva holds a cycle pearl that can rotate through the six paths? And the Bodhisattva of Great Vow has six manifestations, corresponding to the six paths. In the future, he will be the ruler of the Underworld, and even the Ten Kings of Hell will respect him, making him the actual ruler of the Underworld.

At the time, the fusion of Buddhism and Daoism was very severe, and many Daoist things disappeared