Bai Ze and Ji Meng descended from the scorching heights of the Sun Star and arrived at the foot of Mount Buzhou. Following Ling Xiao's cryptic hint, they sought the one destined to unify the Myriad Races.
As they climbed the slopes of the World Mountain, Bai Ze's mind raced. Mount Buzhou was a sanctuary for many, but only a few held the weight of true authority: the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and Fuxi.
Could it be the Sanqing? Bai Ze wondered, his eyes flickering with calculation. He quickly dismissed the thought. The Three Pure Ones were the "Orthodox Lineage of Pangu"—their arrogance was a fortress. Asking them to lead the "fur and horn" tribes was like asking a Phoenix to lead a flock of sparrows. They simply would not lower themselves to such a station.
"Fellow Daoist Bai Ze, where are we going?" Ji Meng finally asked, his voice echoing in the mountain silence.
"To find Nuwa and Fuxi," Bai Ze replied.
"The siblings? They are Innate Deities," Ji Meng frowned. "Is it appropriate to ask them to lead the common masses?"
Bai Ze offered a confident smile. "Appropriate or not, we'll only know once we've knocked. I don't believe Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao sent us here for a prank." He paused, looking Ji Meng in the eye. "And Ji Meng—don't speak carelessly. Leave the talking to me."
"Don't worry," Ji Meng patted his chest. "I won't say a word."
The Dojo of the Siblings
Before they could even announce themselves outside the cave dwelling, a melodious voice drifted from within. "Fellow Daoists, please come in to talk."
Nuwa and Fuxi sat amidst a swirl of auspicious mist. Bai Ze approached them with a flourish, his face a mask of enthusiastic respect. "Forgive the intrusion. We have come on a matter of grave importance."
Unlike the Sun Star, where they were kept at the door, the hospitality here felt like an opening. Bai Ze didn't hold back. He spoke of the Wu Clan's tyranny, the despair of the living beings, and the vacuum of leadership.
"And you want us to intervene?" Fuxi asked, his expression unreadable. "We are Innate Deities. The Wu Clan is fierce, but they are no threat to us. Why should we take on such a thankless task?"
Bai Ze had prepared for this. "Fellow Daoist Fuxi, the Wu Clan's expansion harms the harmony of the Heavens. To stand against them is not just an act of heroism; it is a way to claim the Luck of the Myriad Races. You are part of this world. If you lead, you will not only gain prestige but also a significant portion of the world's Karma."
Nuwa remained quiet, her eyes reflecting a strange tranquility. In the depths of her soul, she felt a resonance. She was a being of creation; the idea of "unifying" felt... right.
"The Wu Clan has the Twelve Ancestral Witches," Nuwa noted gently. "Even a united front might find it hard to resist them."
"That is exactly why you are needed," Bai Ze urged, sensing her interest. "The Wu cannot benefit from the Saint's sermons. Their strength is capped, while ours—under your leadership—will soar. We will surpass them, given time."
Nuwa nodded, but then her gaze sharpened, fixing on Bai Ze. "And who sent you to find us?"
"No one," Bai Ze lied smoothly, his fan fluttering. "I came of my own accord. As you know, I can discern a sliver of the future's mysteries. I calculated that the savior of the races resided here."
"Is that so?" Nuwa asked, her tone dry.
Ji Meng, seeing her skepticism, felt his rebellious spirit flare up. He couldn't stand to see his partner's brilliance doubted. "Don't disbelieve him, Fellow Daoist Nuwa! The Golden Crow on the Sun Star said there was a savior on Mount Buzhou, and Bai Ze calculated it was you! Aren't you impressed by his math?"
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Bai Ze nearly choked on his own breath, his face turning a shade of purple as he signaled frantically for Ji Meng to shut up. He wished he could sink into the mountain rock. One moment! Everything was fine for one moment!
Nuwa's expression stiffened into a cold, beautiful sneer. "Bai Ze... would you like to explain that again?"
"I... we... it's like this," Bai Ze forced an awkward, pained laugh. "I am friends with the Golden Crow. We were just... discussing things. He divined a savior, and I simply confirmed it was you. That's the whole story."
"Heh. Do you think I'm a child?" Nuwa stood up, her gaze drifting toward the distant Sun Star hanging high in the zenith. She fell into a deep, brooding silence.
Ling Xiao, she thought. First the gourd vine, and now this. What game are you playing with the world?