Chapter Twenty-Four: Dominating the Primordial Wilderness Begins at Mount Buzhou!

“How is it, not bad, right?” Returning to Nuwa’s side, Li Tian asked with a smile.

Nuwa glanced at the two humble gardens off in the corner and the empty Southern Heavenly Gate. She didn’t find anything particularly impressive, but so as not to dampen Li Tian’s confidence, she responded, “It’s all right…”

Li Tian just smiled, then took Nuwa with him, soaring into the sky to begin outlining his vision.

“I’m planning to build here,” Li Tian pointed to the vast central area of the heavens, “a palace complex spanning at least a hundred thousand miles in every direction. Imagine palaces built atop the clouds—how beautiful would that be?”

Nuwa pictured the scene in her mind and couldn’t help but be amazed. She asked curiously, “What gave you this idea?”

Li Tian smiled, naturally unwilling to reveal he was inspired by the Heavenly Court of later generations. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Since this will be our future home, of course, it must be the very best!”

“And besides…” Li Tian landed with Nuwa on a high-floating cloud, looking down at everything below. “Teacher also said that I am destined to rule all the myriad races of the primordial world. I can’t just settle for anything less.”

He had once hesitated about following the path of Taiyi and Dijun, for in this world, strength was supreme—once you had it, titles like Demon Emperor meant little. But since Hongjun himself had said he would one day rule over all, what reason did he have not to do it?

To think of ruling the world, issuing commands none dared disobey… Li Tian’s heart surged with passion. Only thus could he live up to the title of Heavenly Emperor that ended his name!

Nuwa looked up at Li Tian’s confident profile, momentarily dazed.

“Let’s go,” Li Tian turned back to her, naturally taking her hand.

Nuwa lowered her head and quietly agreed. By now, Li Tian holding her hand no longer made her feel awkward at all.

The two quickly found Fuxi by the side of the Celestial River.

“So, Fuxi, what do you think of this place?” After landing, Li Tian walked over and asked.

Fuxi considered for a moment before replying, “The spiritual energy here is exceedingly rich, and it’s imbued with the power of the stars. Training here is at least a hundred times more effective than elsewhere.”

Li Tian nodded. For the heavenly court, it would be shameful not to have some advantage in cultivation.

“If we use this place as our base for ruling the primordial world, how does that sound to you?”

Fuxi was momentarily taken aback, clearly not expecting such a question, but recalling Hongjun’s words in the Purple Cloud Palace, he quickly understood.

“As a base, it’s excellent,” Fuxi said, then looked at Li Tian and asked, “What do you intend to do next?”

Li Tian thought for a moment and answered directly, “First, we’ll bring Buzhou Mountain under our control, then gradually expand our influence step by step.”

“Agreed,” Fuxi pondered for a moment and nodded.

Buzhou Mountain’s size was immeasurable, teeming with countless living beings. Though it was only a fraction of the entire primordial world, as a first step to dominance, it was fitting.

The two began to discuss how to take control of Buzhou Mountain. In truth, there wasn’t much to debate: as long as they wiped out the Wu tribes inhabiting the mountain, the rest of its creatures would be naturally grateful. Everything would fall into place.

After settling on a few details, the three descended from the heavens and returned to Buzhou Mountain.

At the time, there were several hundred Wu tribes scattered across the mountain, each with a dozen or twenty members. To the ordinary creatures of Buzhou Mountain, these Wu tribes were like insurmountable barriers, making each day one of fear—afraid they might become food for the Wu at any moment.

But to Li Tian and his companions, these Wu tribes were as insignificant as ants, easily annihilated.

Li Tian’s cultivation had reached the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal, his divine sense covering nearly ten million miles. Nuwa and Fuxi’s senses covered several million miles each—though not enough to span the entire mountain, finding the Wu tribes was child’s play.

Thus, over the next while, the three scoured Buzhou Mountain, seeking out every Wu tribe, destroying them with spells and magical powers—especially Li Tian’s Solar True Fire, which made exterminating the Wu tribes effortless.

In about five or six months, they had essentially eradicated the Wu tribes from Buzhou Mountain. Though a few managed to escape, the three could not be bothered to hunt them down. They would have to face the Wu tribe sooner or later, and unless the Wu united in a desperate last stand, any of their number would only be sent to their doom.

After destroying the last Wu tribe, Li Tian enacted his plan, projecting a massive image with his magical power, ensuring it could be seen from every corner of Buzhou Mountain.

“I am the Supreme Sumeru Mystical Heavenly Emperor. From this day forth, I shall rule all of Buzhou Mountain. The Wu tribes who refused to obey have been destroyed by me—let this serve as a warning to all!”

His formidable voice echoed across the mountain, its reverberations lending it even greater authority.

All of Buzhou Mountain’s creatures were shaken.

The Wu tribes had been wiped out?!

Ninety-nine percent of the inhabitants at first refused to believe it. In their limited understanding, no one could possibly defeat the Wu.

But a few had witnessed the destruction of entire Wu tribes, and upon hearing this commanding proclamation, immediately spread the word. In less than half a day, most believed it.

Soon, multitudes knelt before the apparition, prostrating themselves in worship and crying, “We pay homage to the Heavenly Emperor!”

Li Tian maintained the projection with his power, and, seeing through his divine sense the scenes across millions of miles, knew that he had succeeded. He continued, “All living beings are to gather at the summit of Buzhou Mountain. In three months, I shall begin preaching the Dao!”

That’s right—preaching the Dao. At this time, Hongjun’s first sermon had just concluded, and orthodox cultivation methods had yet to be widely disseminated. Apart from the three thousand guests and their personal disciples at the Purple Cloud Palace, ordinary beings had no access to true cultivation, and could only fumble in the dark.

Li Tian’s purpose in preaching was simple: to raise the overall strength of Buzhou Mountain’s inhabitants, for otherwise, they would not even be fit to serve as cannon fodder.

After all, even the strongest among the Wu tribes were merely Golden Immortals. One could imagine the miserable state of those oppressed by them—anyone with the cultivation of a Celestial Immortal would already be considered a minor expert.

The three returned to the heavens and set up a Daoist altar outside the Southern Heavenly Gate. The summit of Buzhou Mountain led directly to the heavens, and the Southern Heavenly Gate stood at its entrance—an ideal place for preaching.

A month later, the first wave of those living nearby climbed to the summit and entered the heavens. Arriving suddenly in such a celestial realm, they all held their breath, afraid to offend the Heavenly Emperor.

Indeed, this was worthy of the Heavenly Emperor—it was truly a paradise!

At once, countless people became even more awed and reverent toward Li Tian and his companions.