Chapter 362: Encountering Fu Feng Again
Outside the Qushui Village, Lu Heng led Xiao Ai and the two siblings Wuyou and Wuyu, as they departed directly.
Regarding the events that happened inside, these two siblings were still unaware. While the feast was only halfway through, Lu Heng called them away.
The two siblings felt somewhat bewildered.
Especially Xiao Ai's words - "If we don't leave soon, the people of the Qushui Village will capture you and make you part of a grand wolf feast."
This completely befuddled the two siblings, as they couldn't understand how they had suddenly become enemies with the people of the Qushui Village. Weren't things going well between them before?
Father and Sister Xiao Ai also don't seem to have a nature inclined to provoke unnecessary disputes.
The two siblings were incredibly perplexed.
As Lu Heng and the others left the Qushui Village, they had only walked a short distance when someone followed closely behind them.
Surprisingly, it was Gu Yin.
Facing Lu Heng's bewildered gaze, Gu Yin, on the contrary, remained remarkably calm and said.
"I stand united with the Wolf God in both advance and retreat."
After a silent pause, Lu Heng let out a sigh and said, "I have implicated Brother Gu Yin."
However, Gu Yin shook his head and said, "I have never had a sense of presence in this village. Having been away from home for many years, I have only recently returned. I am not familiar with them, and they also have little attachment towards me."
"I have been living in the village, and ironically, we feel awkward around each other. Even before the arrival of the Wolf God, I had already planned to leave, but there was never a suitable time. Now, it is precisely the right moment to return to the gates of the mountain… that is where my true home lies."
"At the very least, I can take in one or two disciples and pass on the master's profound teachings."
Gu Yin's words made Lu Heng sigh in silence as he said, "If Brother Gu Yin has any leisure in the future, you are welcome to visit Hanyu Mountain."
Gu Yin nodded and bowed, saying, "Farewell for now, the Wolf God."
After speaking, this introverted and taciturn man immediately transformed into light and headed straight towards the west.
After bidding farewell to Gu Yin, Lu Heng turned his gaze once again towards the Qushui Village behind him.
Inside the Qushui Village, everything appeared normal, and the group of Youxiong Country cultivators, who were known for discriminating against foreigners, didn't catch up.
However, a feud between the two sides was indeed established.
Regarding the despicable attitude of these cultivators from the Youxiong Country, Lu Heng could actually comprehend it.
The phenomenon of exclusivity is prevalent in many places.
Moreover, the Youxiong Country is a mighty nation known for its humanitarian values, where cultivators are devoted to the principles of humanity. In regards to the Fire Pass Country to the south, they harbor a profound sense of superiority and disdain.
In the eyes of the cultivators from the Youxiong Country, the wizards of the Fire Pass Country, who follow the incense-worshipping divine path, could never surpass Emperor Yan, regardless of their level of cultivation.
However, Emperor Yan's cultivation level could never reach that of the enigmatic and unfathomable Fire God.
In comparison to the limitless prospects of cultivating the human path, the potential of cultivating the divine path is fixed and unchangeable.
Moreover, the cultivation of the divine path is much more convenient and effortless compared to the cultivation of the human path, primarily focused on accumulating wish power.
In the eyes of Youxiong cultivators, the Fire Pass Country, with its cultivate of the incense-worshipping divine path and abandonment of the human path, is inherently heretical. Furthermore, Lu Heng, as a cultivator hailing from the Fire Pass Country, even if he doesn't cultivate the incense-worshipping divine path, to expect favorable treatment from Youxiong cultivators is nothing short of a delusion.
Therefore, Lu Heng was not surprised by the hostile attitude of this group of cultivators. He could only sigh at the fact that this conflict had taken a toll on Gu Yin and the Qushui Village.
Therefore, after Lu Heng departed, he didn't simply go far away. Instead, he intended to stay in the vicinity and observe for a period of time.
If the Qushui Village and its inhabitants are affected by his actions, he will be ready to lend his help promptly.
If nothing happens, he will be able to depart with peace of mind.
However, just as Lu Heng had stepped out and ventured a short distance, a streak of escaping light suddenly flew across the night sky from afar.
The speed of that streak of light was not particularly fast, making it highly conspicuous in the night sky. Lu Heng could discern the figure within the streak of light at a glance.
Simultaneously, the person within the streak of light also caught sight of Lu Heng and his companions walking along the thoroughfare.
The other party hesitated for a moment, quickly suppressing the streak of light and landing in front of Lu Heng, their face filled with delighted excitement.
"I, Fu Feng, have met the Wolf God."
Standing before Lu Heng, to his astonishment, was none other than the Great Sage of Fu Feng, the Tiger Demon, who he had previously encountered as the master of the Roaring Goose Sword in the South Sea.
Lu Heng looked surprised and said, "Brother Fu Feng? How did you come to the Youxiong Country?"
From the South Sea to the Fire Pass Country, the journey can already be considered a long one, let alone reaching the Youxiong Country, situated further north within the Fire Pass Country.
Lu Heng never anticipated encountering this majestic Great Sage of Fu Feng in the Youxiong Country.
The Great Sage of Fu Feng chuckled and scratched his head, saying, "This matter requires a lengthy explanation. If the Wolf God doesn't mind, shall we find a place to sit down and discuss it at length?"
Smiling, Lu Heng said, "In that case, Brother Fu Feng, please show me the way. I am currently wandering without a fixed destination, so anywhere will suffice."
So the group left the main road and arrived at a nearby small hill.
Under the cool moonlight, the spacious mountaintop was adorned with lush vegetation, albeit slightly disordered. However, the Great Sage of Fu Feng recited an incantation, causing the spiritual energy to circulate.
A gentle breeze swept through, and the once extremely disordered mountaintop rapidly transformed into a tidy and spacious space. The entangled vines and shrubs retracted and wriggled, while the ground swiftly rose, forming an exquisite pavilion.
Meanwhile, the Great Sage of Fu Feng quickly stepped into the pavilion, retrieving a set of tea utensils imbued with a graceful aura. He proceeded to prepare tea and boil water on the spot.
Amidst the lingering fragrance of tea, this individual even took out delicate pastries and offered them to Xiao Ai as well as the Wuyou and Wuyu siblings.
However, Xiao Ai showed no interest in these pastries and sweets, and continued to stand behind Lu Heng.
After taking a seat, Lu Heng looked at the meticulous and respectful appearance of the Great Sage of Fu Feng, unable to help but chuckle and shake his head, saying, "Fu Feng, my brother, you really came well prepared. In an instant, you've turned this desolate mountain into a reception hall."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng grinned and said, "I don't have any other hobbies, just a little bit of gluttony. So wherever I go, I make sure to bring plenty of food and drinks… Come, come, the Wolf God, please enjoy some tea."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng, speaking these words, hastily offered a cup of clear tea with utmost respect.
Lu Heng smiled and accepted it, taking a gentle sip and discovering that it was indeed a fine spirit tea. This Great Sage of Fu Feng, who appeared rough and reckless, had an unexpectedly refined taste.
No wonder he runs around everywhere wearing a scholar's robe every day; even if it is a pretense of elegance, he truly carries it off convincingly.
Lu Heng said, "Brother Fu Feng, you haven't yet explained why you have appeared here."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng glanced at the Qushui Village in the distance and said, "In fact, I sensed the presence of ancient divine beasts in this vicinity, so I came to witness the spectacle, but I didn't expect to encounter the Wolf God… Hehe…"
The words of the Great Sage of Fu Feng made Lu Heng suddenly realize, "So it was the presence of the Blood Qilin that brought you here."
Previously, when Nangong Hao summoned the remnants of the Blood Kylin, indeed, the display was grand and magnificent.
The Great Sage of Fu Feng, being perplexed, inquired about the matter regarding the Blood Qilin, to which Lu Heng took the opportunity to narrate the events that had occurred in the Qushui Village.
After listening, the Great Sage of Fu Feng shook his head repeatedly and said, "What a laborious matter, this Youxiong Country, where the cultivators here seem to carry an arrogant air as if it were imprinted on their faces, each one behaving as if they were of utmost importance."
"They look down upon the cultivators who cultivate the divine path in the south, they scorn the cultivators of the demonic path in the north, and even those few great and small countries in the west who cultivate the path of human cultivation are deemed unworthy in their eyes,"
"The Wolf God, fortunately, only faced scorn and exclusion. As for someone like me who comes from overseas, we are directly regarded as uncivilized barbarians by these bunch of bird people, it's infuriating, to say the least."
"I have traveled to many countries across the four seas, yet I have never seen cultivators from any other nation as bothersome as those from the Youxiong Country. No wonder King Zhenbei was so arrogant and conceited when he went to the south; it turns out it's not just his own foolishness, but the demeanor of all the cultivators from that country."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng, when speaking of it, also seemed to carry a profound sense of resentment.
Clearly, his encounters with the cultivators of the Youxiong Country have been far from pleasant.
Lu Heng couldn't help but laugh and said, "Brother Fu Feng, as an innate master, would you also be ostracized and seen as a barbarian here?"
The Great Sage of Fu Feng shook his head and said, "Those idiots dare not exclude me, but witnessing their behavior of ostracizing foreign cultivators disgusts me."
"Moreover, seeing how they treat ordinary cultivators with disdain and yet show me excessive reverence makes me even more disgusted."
"To put it bluntly, they are a group of bullies who prey on the weak, self-righteous ruffians."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng said, "However, what the Youxiong Country takes pride in is nothing more than the fact that the contemporary ruler emerged from the Youxiong Country itself."
"The Human Emperor is not exclusively the ruler of the Youxiong Country; he is the revered lord of all human races across the four seas, possessing wealth and influence over the entire world. The Human Emperor Palace is not even located within the confines of the Youxiong Country. I fail to comprehend the arrogance of these individuals."
Speaking thus, the Great Sage of Fu Feng poured himself a cup of tea and remarked, "However, not everyone in the Youxiong Country is as repulsive. During my journey northward, I have encountered some fellow cultivators who are truly worthy of befriending."
"However, such is the prevailing custom in this place, where most cultivators harbor a sense of superiority. Even if there are a few good individuals mixed in, they cannot alter the overall situation."
"So later on, I stopped mingling with the cultivators of this country. Wherever I go, I prefer to be a lone figure, uninterested in appeasing their egos."
The narration of the Great Sage of Fu Feng brought continuous laughter to Lu Heng.
After not seeing each other for several years, this Great Sage of Fu Feng remains as lively and carefree as ever.
"However, how could Brother Fu Feng be suddenly thinking of heading north when he's doing well in the South Sea?" Lu Heng asked, "Is there anything interesting happening in the north?"
When Lu Heng mentioned this, the Great Sage of Fu Feng shook his head and said, "It's not a matter of amusement, but rather a matter of great trouble."
Saying this, the Great Sage of Fu Feng glanced around, waved his hand to set up a soundproof barrier, preventing others from eavesdropping, and then spoke earnestly.
"The Wolf God still remembers the prison in the Mermaid Kingdom of the South Sea, the South Sea Deep Trench, right?"
Lu Heng nodded and said, "I remember."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng said, "Within that South Sea Deep Trench, there lies a dazzling starry sea, within which is the legacy of an ancient deity… This was discovered by the Mermaid Kingdom just a few years ago."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng spoke cautiously, while carefully observing his surroundings, as if revealing a colossal secret, fearful of anyone unrelated eavesdropping.
Of course, this is indeed a colossal secret.
However, this secret was originally discovered by Lu Heng and informed the Mermaid Kingdom.
Upon witnessing the cautious expression of the Great Sage of Fu Feng, Lu Heng restrained his amusement and refrained from mentioning that he was the one who discovered the ancient legacy.
He nodded with sudden realization and said, "So that's how it is… There are ancient legacies within that starry sea… And then?"
Lu Heng inquired about what comes next.
The Great Sage of Fu Feng continued, "The ancient legacy is incredibly mysterious. The Mermaid Kingdom has been selecting individuals throughout its borders in an attempt to find a suitable Mermaid who can inherit the legacy, but all attempts have ended in failure."
"Coincidentally, during that time, I was a guest in the Mermaid Kingdom and inexplicably got chosen. They said I could go and inherit the ancient legacy of the great deity."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng said, "After I agreed to a myriad of requests from the Mermaid Kingdom, I was then brought into the South Sea Deep Trench, where I encountered the divine consciousness of the ancient predecessor who oversees the legacy."
"That strand of divine consciousness told me that the legacy of this place was left by the ancient deity Fu Xi, possessing incredible and mysterious power. And I possess the Roaring Goose Sword, allowing me to inherit the legacy of the great deity Fu Xi."
"But there is one condition that must be fulfilled."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng said, "The divine consciousness of that ancient elder informed me that in the coming years, there will be a tremendous calamity occurring in the extreme north, and I am to retrieve the head of a monstrous creature with three heads, three eyes, and three mouths."
"After obtaining the head of this creature, only then can I inherit the ancient legacy… So, I headed northward, searching for that mysterious creature with three heads, three eyes, and three mouths."
Speaking of this, the Great Sage of Fu Feng couldn't help but ask, "Does Senior Wolf God know this deity Fu Xi?"
It seems that Fu Feng has been holding this question in for the entire journey.
Although he greatly desires the legacy of that ancient deity, he is also entangled in the dilemma of what level this deity's legacy actually is and whether it is worth his tireless efforts and hardships.
Lu Heng shook his head and said, "I don't recognize him personally, but I have heard of him. This deity, Fu Xi, is none other than the revered Emperor of the ancient times. From what I understand, he should be regarded as the foremost figure of the ancient era, possessing formidable cultivation."
"The so-called cultivators in innate abilities are like mere ants in his eyes. If you are able to obtain his legacy, it would be an extremely rare and monumental opportunity that is hard to come by in this world."
Lu Heng's words are not empty threats, but rather a display of tremendous self-assurance.
When the divine being achieved enlightenment, the temporary glimpse he had of that transcendent realm, which surpassed everything, revealed before him the essence of all things in the universe. He could peruse and investigate the nodes of time and space… Such a transcendent state surpasses the so-called cultivators in innate abilities by far more than just a mere fraction.
That deity, Fu Xi, is undoubtedly the pinnacle powerhouse of this realm.
"However, this enigmatic creature with three heads, three pairs of eyes, and three mouths…to be honest, even I have never heard of it."
Saying that, Lu Heng turned towards Xiao Ai beside him and asked, "Xiao Ai, have you ever heard of such a creature?"
In the expectant gaze of the Great Sage of Fu Feng, the young girl furrowed her brow and pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I have never heard of it before."
The Great Sage of Fu Feng couldn't help but sigh in disappointment. Even Xiao Ai, who was like an encyclopedic knowledge of all things, hadn't heard of the creature he was seeking. It seemed that the creature he was looking for was exceptionally elusive.
Lu Heng observed the Great Sage of Fu Feng's crestfallen expression and smiled reassuringly, "Great opportunities are always accompanied by great challenges. After all, the inheritance of the ancient Emperor is extraordinary. If it could be obtained easily, it would defy logical reasoning."
"Moreover, since the ancient predecessors directed you to the north and warned you about the imminent calamity at the northern celestial extremity, there's a chance that the creature might appear amidst the chaos, isn't it?"
The guidance from Lu Heng left the Great Sage of Fu Feng sighing with resignation.
He sighed, "When I went to the north several times, within the Kingdom of All Demons, the Blue Hill Country's leader and the Lord of the Nine Phoenix Palace each governed one faction of good and evil. Both sides were clearly distinguished, and there was hardly any turmoil."
"To wait for such a tremendous calamity to arise, one can only wonder how many years we will have to wait… who knows how close 'in recent years' truly is…"
The Great Sage of Fu Feng felt quite helpless.
He felt that his mortal and mundane nature was simply not on the same wavelength as the time perspective of the venerable ancient Wolf God, whose lifespan is long-standing.
