Chapter 86: Three Methods?

“Boom!”

A deafening roar split the heavens as Gonggong’s entire being transformed into a colossal surge of energy, exploding in an instant and shaking the whole of the Primordial World to its core.

It must be known that when Luohu self-destructed in ages past, he nearly annihilated half the Western lands. Though Gonggong’s power was not quite as great, even a tenth of such might was enough to astound all creation.

In that moment, a hundred thousand miles of sea around the point of Gonggong’s self-destruction were reduced to a vacuum—every stone on the ocean floor laid bare for all to see.

“Not good!”

The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, fleeing at breakneck speed, felt the oppressive force surge from behind. Glancing back, each was struck with terror. Yet there was no chance to evade; in the next instant, they were all swallowed by the boundless energy, extinguished without even a cry.

“Gonggong!”

Fuxi, seeing Gonggong’s body begin to shatter, was seized by dread. Yet, sensing the overwhelming energy, he could only retreat, summoning the Hetu Luoshu in hopes of defense.

But it was already too late.

The instant he brought forth the Hetu Luoshu, the surging energy engulfed him, and his body burst apart.

“Disaster!”

Fuxi’s heart quailed. He had no choice but to abandon his physical form, entrusting his spirit to the Hetu Luoshu. At that moment, as his body broke apart, a wisp of primordial purple qi was exposed, flickering briefly before vanishing altogether.

...

On Penglai Island, Tongtian sensed the vast eruption of energy and opened his eyes at once. He descended above the Eastern Sea, harnessing the immense power of Heaven’s Way to suppress the aftermath of the explosion.

If the shockwaves were allowed to rage unchecked, much of the Eastern Sea would be destroyed—his Penglai Island and many disciples of the Sect of Severance would not escape unscathed.

“Cease!”

With a single word from Tongtian, towering waves froze in place. He exhaled in relief, but when his gaze fell upon the devastation left by the blast, he shook his head and vanished from sight.

...

Such a tremendous disturbance could not escape the notice of the myriad powers of the Primordial World, though most chose to remain aloof, unconcerned by matters not their own.

On Mount Shouyang, Laozi opened his eyes from deep meditation, divined the workings of fate, and swiftly understood what had transpired—but not a ripple of emotion crossed his serene face.

By nature, Laozi was detached, and sanctification had only deepened this trait. Now, there was little in the world that could stir his heart.

On Mount Kunlun, Yuanshi also soon learned of the event. He too remained unmoved, only sighing softly at Fuxi’s sudden passing.

...

In the Heavenly Court, Li Tian awoke from his stillness in a moment, comprehended the secrets of fate, and sat in silence, lost in thought.

He had believed that altering the destiny of the sorcerers and demons would spare Fuxi’s life... yet now it seemed history was returning to its accustomed course.

Even Gonggong, who in the old tales had toppled Buzhou Mountain, could not escape his fate. Though he had not struck the mountain this time, the catastrophe he wrought was no less than the original legend.

“Is Heaven’s Will correcting the course of history?”

Li Tian looked up at the sky and shook his head, then vanished from the Hall of Myriad Glories.

...

At the same time, in the Empress’ Palace, a terrifying aura surged as Nuwa awakened, spreading from the palace and enveloping the entire heavens. Countless denizens of the Heavenly Court felt the dreadful pressure, their foreheads beading with cold sweat.

“My Lady Empress...”

The handmaidens stationed outside the palace trembled uncontrollably beneath the overwhelming aura. With their limited cultivation, they could not divine what had happened below, nor understand why their gentle mistress had suddenly erupted in fury.

“Nuwa.”

Sensing the sage’s might, Li Tian appeared at the gates of the Empress’ Palace and called softly.

“Your Majesty.”

Nuwa stepped forth, her eyes red at the sight of Li Tian. Though she was now a saint, at heart she was still a woman. Upon learning of her elder brother’s death, how could she remain calm?

“There, there.” Li Tian gently drew Nuwa into his embrace, whispering, “Don’t worry. Fuxi is not dead.”

“My brother... is alive?” Nuwa was stunned. Leaving Li Tian’s arms, she began swiftly divining the secrets of fate, desperate to know her brother’s whereabouts.

“Come. Let us see for ourselves.” Li Tian shook his head, raising a hand to interrupt her. With a slight smile, he took Nuwa’s hand and together they vanished from the heavens.

A moment later, the two stood above the Eastern Sea. Sweeping the area with their divine senses, they quickly found Fuxi’s tattered robes, the Hetu Luoshu, the Fuxi Zither, and other spiritual treasures.

“Brother...” Tears welled in Nuwa’s eyes at the sight.

“Don’t.” Li Tian stopped Nuwa from collecting Fuxi’s belongings. Focusing his mind, he took the Hetu Luoshu in hand, sensing a faint fluctuation of divine soul within it.

Though weak and subtle, the presence was clear—unmistakably Fuxi’s spirit.

Li Tian immediately infused a trace of saintly power, brimming with vitality, into the Hetu Luoshu.

At once, a shadowy human form appeared—the soul of Fuxi himself.

“Brother!”

Nuwa’s joy was unbounded. She reached out instinctively, but her hand passed through the spectral form. Realizing it was but his spirit, she steadied herself.

“It’s all right, sister. I am unharmed,” Fuxi’s soul whispered. Each word weakened his already frail form.

Though he had managed to escape into the Hetu Luoshu, the hasty flight had left his soul gravely wounded—now barely a tenth of its former strength.

“Enough, brother. Save your strength,” Nuwa urged anxiously, prompting Li Tian to contain Fuxi’s soul.

“Do not worry, Fuxi. I will find a way to restore you,” Li Tian promised, and with a wave of his hand, returned the soul to the Hetu Luoshu.

“There are three ways I might revive Fuxi. Which will you choose?” Having gathered Fuxi’s relics, Li Tian turned to Nuwa.

Of course, he spoke mainly for Nuwa’s sake, for Fuxi’s destiny was to reincarnate as a mortal—his best possible fate.

“What methods?” Nuwa asked, puzzled. Upon learning Fuxi’s soul remained, her first thought had been to restore his body.

Yet should his body be recreated, Fuxi’s original foundation would be lost—and with it, much of his power.

“First, we could find a suitable divine beast, erase its soul, and let Fuxi’s spirit inhabit it.”

“No!” Nuwa shook her head at once. “Living in another’s body—how could he still be my brother?”

Li Tian smiled and went on: “Secondly, we could use rare spiritual materials to forge a new body. But in this age, it is nearly impossible to find materials equal to Fuxi’s original foundation. If we use lesser materials, his power will be greatly diminished.”

“Tell me the third!” The second option was equally troubling and Nuwa hesitated to consider it. She was eager to know the third, for she could not guess what method Li Tian had in mind.

“The third method is... well, Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed,” Li Tian replied with a playful smile.

Naturally, the third method was reincarnation as a human. But the time was not yet right to say so.

“You—tell me at once!” Nuwa, thinking Li Tian was jesting, grew anxious.

“Very well, very well. You will know soon enough.” Li Tian laughed, slipping his arm around her waist as they headed back to the Heavenly Court.

“Are you serious?” Nuwa was half-believing, half-doubting, but could only follow his lead.

“Of course. Have I ever joked with you?” Li Tian replied with a smile.

“Hmm... I’ll trust you, for now.” Nuwa considered for a moment, and found herself reassured. Knowing her brother was safe, her spirits lifted and the earlier gloom was gone.