Chapter Seventy-Seven: On Character - The Sage of the Heavens

The primordial energies of heaven and earth are myriad, among them the many baleful forces that can corrupt both body and soul, which too are considered a kind of primordial essence. Although the spiritual energy atop Mount Buzhou is impossibly dense, it has always been laced with endless miasma, deterring any cultivator from lingering there.

But now, Mount Buzhou has changed. Though mists still coil about its waist and it stands steadfast at the world’s center—silent and unmoving—atop its summit, there now stands a palace, its arrival unnoticed.

This palace seems to have been born with the mountain itself, blending seamlessly into its grandeur. The palace’s splendor and the mountain’s imposing majesty enhance one another, forming a harmonious whole.

Above the misty belt, clouds no longer gather; instead, a quilt of alternating black and white clouds rolls and churns, sometimes still and sometimes surging like waves…

The palace reigns at the very summit of Mount Buzhou, overlooking all creation.

Expansive and layered, the palace gleams with golden brilliance beneath the sunlight.

Within its halls, two figures converse—one seated, the other standing.

The seated man’s eyes shine like the stars, as if he has seen through all things. He wears a dark, star-speckled robe that seems to hold the night sky itself, mysterious and enigmatic. He is one of the rulers of this celestial palace, the same Di Jun of whom Fuxi and Nanluo once spoke.

Standing before him is Taiyi, clad in yellow-black robes. He stands in silence, but a palpable pressure radiates from him, filling the hall.

“Elder brother, many have already come to pay homage. Surely you can set your worries aside! From this day forth, you are the Heavenly Emperor of all under heaven—worshiped through the ages, eternal as the world itself,” Taiyi declared with a resounding laugh.

Di Jun, seated upon his golden throne, replied with a wry smile: “So far, only the weaker clans of the world have come. None of the true great powers have arrived yet!” Despite his words, his eyes brimmed with absolute confidence, as though all was within his grasp.

“Elder brother, you always say the world is full of mighty powers, but that day under my Chaos Bell, none could stir up much trouble. If any dare challenge us, I will let them truly witness the power of my Chaos Bell…” Taiyi boasted loudly, clearly proud of his own strength.

Di Jun smiled, “I know your abilities well, little brother, but don’t let your guard down.”

“Rest assured, elder brother… I may not have your skills to read the heavens, conceal the fates, and invert yin and yang, but I am not so easily deceived. And with you at my side, who could ever outmaneuver us? Didn’t the old ones from the Dragon Palace and the so-called undying Phoenix perish in an instant at your hand?” Taiyi’s voice swelled with admiration for his brother.

Di Jun smiled faintly, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Taiyi continued, “It’s a shame our third brother refuses the title. Otherwise, with me as Eastern Emperor, he could be Western or Northern Emperor. The three of us would rule together in joy.”

“Our third brother was born later and lacks the same innate gifts. Feeling his powers insufficient, he refused the title. We need not force him—perhaps it is for the best. Since that’s so, I will see to it that no one in the world knows of his existence,” Di Jun replied, his eyes gazing into the void, as if peering through time itself toward distant futures.

Seeing Di Jun’s expression, Taiyi lowered his voice and asked, “Elder brother, did you foresee something…?”

Di Jun gently closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them, starry light flickering within. “I have muddled the threads of fate to prevent others from divining them, yet many still meddle in the weave. Even I cannot see through it all.”

“Who dares such a thing? Do you know who they are, elder brother? I will destroy them one by one!” Taiyi burst out in anger.

“Do not worry, little brother. Though many have interfered, I still see seventy percent clearly—they have only managed the remaining thirty. There is nothing to fear,” Di Jun replied with a confident, mysterious smile.

At that moment, a messenger arrived to announce that the chief of the Human Tribe sought an audience. Taiyi frowned in thought, dismissing them as a minor clan, not worth receiving.

But Di Jun’s eyes sparkled as he moved his fingers subtly. He smiled, “Though the Human Tribe is weak, their chief is remarkable. Bring him to the Hall of Stars.”

The messenger bowed and withdrew.

“Elder brother, could this chief be a figure of great power? What is his name and origin?” Taiyi asked, puzzled.

Di Jun chuckled, “His name is Fuxi. He is no great sorcerer, nor does he have any profound background. Yet, through his own insight, he has comprehended an art very similar to my River Diagram and Luo Script…”

“Oh? Someone could independently attain such a skill? Now that I must see,” Taiyi laughed heartily.

…

A hundred miles from Mount Buzhou, atop a great mountain, two figures in blue robes stood side by side. One, dignified and righteous, exuded an imposing presence; the other was easygoing and carefree.

They were shrouded in a mysterious starlight, and behind each stood a disciple—one in a pale blue robe, the other in a saffron yellow.

The dignified one spoke, “Since we met, we have called each other senior and junior brother. How quickly the years have passed—your Golden Turtle Island prospers ever more…”

“And has not your Jade Void Palace accepted twelve disciples of its own? With your discerning eye, every one you accept must be truly exceptional. It is most fortunate that they are with you now,” the carefree one replied with a smile.

“Hah, I cannot compare to you and your hundreds or thousands of disciples. Guangcheng, come thank your uncle for his praise,” the dignified man said sternly to the one in yellow behind him.

The disciple quickly bowed in gratitude.

“Ha! No need for such formality. I’m a poor uncle with nothing for a gift; your courtesy makes me feel quite awkward. Gongming, you should bow in return—let’s call it even!” the carefree man laughed.

The young man in pale blue bowed respectfully as well.

The dignified man nodded approvingly, “Not bad, much better than the others.”

“Ah, you refer to his origins?” the carefree one laughed.

The dignified one smiled but said nothing.

“You are too harsh, brother. Those who will soon rule this world are not like us. I maintain—the myriad beings of heaven and earth are equal, and all deserve to hear the Way,” the carefree one said, gazing at the stars.

The dignified man clasped his hands behind his back, looking down at the earth. “Yet you cannot teach indiscriminately, without regard for character. If those with poor hearts gain divine arts, would that not bring disaster to all? Who would bear that sin?”

The carefree man laughed, “You worry too much, brother. Who can say what a person’s heart will become? Even the best may change in time. All things shift with circumstances.”

“If you choose those of good character and train them, few will change. With your method, most will,” the dignified one replied confidently.

“Let us leave this topic. We are not here to debate the Way. Tell me: do you think Di Jun and Taiyi have both entered the Path of Sainthood?”

“Taiyi certainly has. As for Di Jun, he has never revealed his hand, so we cannot know. Yet the inversion of yin and yang in this world must be his doing. Even if he is not a saint, he is at least our equal.”

“Ha! The Path of Sainthood—what a title. I, Tongtian, would like to see what such power is truly like,” the carefree man declared with rebellious zest.

“Do not act rashly, junior brother. Did we not both sense its power the other day? In a few days, let us visit Senior Brother Tongxuan’s Palace of the Supreme Ultimate.”

“Ah, Tongxuan… I wonder if he has made progress these years. Do you think, if the three of us joined forces, we could slay Taiyi?” Tongtian smiled up at the stars, as if already envisioning their battle.

The dignified man fell silent, pondering the question as well.

Heaven and earth were still, yet countless beings of great power, just like these two, watched from afar and discussed the two figures atop Mount Buzhou.