Before he could finish speaking, he dissipated into smoke and vanished.
The three of them—Nezha and the Yunxiao siblings—had already seen through the fact that this immortal was neither alive nor a ghost. He resembled more of a lingering obsession left behind by the forr immortal inhabitants of the island, performing fixed routines daily like so NPC.
Clearly, Nezha’s barrage of questions had consud what little spiritual chanism this immortal still had, leaving him unable to finish responding before vanishing completely.
This immortal, at most a Heavenly Immortal by Primordial standards, wasn’t worth much. Likely, the more advanced immortals on the island would be more effective to communicate with.
With that, Nezha led the Yunxiao siblings and swaggered boldly into the sprawling island. It didn’t take long for another immortal to approach them.
"Master, you’ve returned."
Looking at the immortal before him, Nezha said, "Hmm, let’s return and discuss matters carefully."
This immortal—it was tricky to decide whether he was clever, as he couldn’t even discern the authenticity of his master, or lacking spiritual wisdom, as conversing with him was no different than with any regular servant.
Not long after, this immortal, introducing himself as Shuo, welcod the group back to the Purple Mansion Imperial Palace.
"Master, please take a rest for now. We’ll convene tomorrow to discuss plans for returning the island."
Saying that, Shuo acted like a task-completing tool, perford a grand bow, and left.
Nezha then led the Yunxiao siblings into the deepest part of the palace. As expected, they encountered the ’sun’ of the island—the Fusang Tree—a.k.a. Qingyang Fusang, cultivated by the East King using his innate Green Yang Qi.
Among the Ten Great Spiritual Roots, the Fusang Tree is actually twin-born, which is why it’s referred to as "Fu-Sang." Even the East King’s title includes Fusang Emperor—hardly an empty honor.
This twin nature had also deeply entangled their enmity with Taiyi and Di Jun, to a degree where grievances ran irreconcilably deep. The death of the East King was certainly no injustice.
Nezha retrieved a remaining fragnt of the East King’s soul. A wisp of green light automatically adhered to the Qingyang Fusang Divine Tree. Monts later, amid the surging green light, an elderly man clad in a cyan-gold robe materialized.
Nezha greeted the elderly man with cordial mockery: "Oh, still hanging on by a thread, are we?"
The East King, who had intended to assu the deanor of a revered predecessor, imdiately darkened his expression.
Nezha wasn’t the least intimidated by this figure before him. Having firsthand experience with Taiyi’s cunning nature outside Chaos, Nezha firmly believed that when Taiyi vowed to eliminate the East King, there would be no chance of survival. The East King’s Divine Soul had already been utterly shattered; the figure before them was nothing more than scattered fragnts, triggered by a sliver of soul and two spirits Nezha had brought, activating the projection the East King had left on the Fusang Tree.
Once again, it’s important to clarify: Divine Soul and spirit are distinct entities. Divine Souls are possessed by all cultivators in Primordial tis except for the Witch Clan, whereas spirits are universal to all living beings, including the Witch Clan.
The East King clanged his Panlong Stick twice against the floor.
"As expected of the unruly descendants of those savage birds! You’re utterly devoid of respect for the elder Primordial predecessors!"
Nezha found this especially vexing—what did he an by savage? Ever seen such a dashing savage?
"Savage as I may be, it’s still better than being pathetic enough to let that Feces Demon God occupy my soul."
The old man, initially stroking his beard, jolted at this remark. Were he not incorporeal, there likely wouldn’t be a strand of that beard left intact.
"Y-you, I was rely exercising expedience!"
"You were possessed by a Poop Spirit."
"I rely took advantage of him to draw Primordial Immortals here!"
"You were possessed by a Poop Spirit."
"What can a junior like you know of enduring humiliation for noble aims?!"
"You were possessed by a Poop Spirit."
"Ugh! Enough, enough! Get out!"
Not even the Fusang Emperor’s cultivated temper could hold up under this. If it weren’t for the Qingyang Divine Wood behind him replenishing his Primordial Energy nonstop, this might well have been his death by sheer exasperation.
Nezha couldn’t care less. This old fool was naturally at odds with him; no matter how much flattery he attempted, there wouldn’t be any benefits coming his way. Instead, acting boldly and straightforwardly often worked better—this was called being firm by virtue of having no desires.
"Old Deng, what exactly was the purpose of summoning us here?"
The East King, whose mood had only just settled, nearly fainted again at the nickna ’Old Deng.’ What Old Deng? That couldn’t possibly carry any positive connotation!
Nevertheless, he truly didn’t want to bicker with Nezha over this, as he was certain to lose the argunt.
At one point, as the founder of a major faction, East King retained so foresight. And after spending ti wandering the Turquoise Pool with his fragnted soul and two spirits alongside the Corrupt Demon God, he realized that completing his mission would undeniably require the involvent of Nezha.
"Of course, this old man has serious business."
"What’s beco of Di Jun and Taiyi?"
This ti, Nezha refrained from mocking the East King and instead replied earnestly: "The two of them perished along with the ten Ancestor Witches."
Upon hearing this, the East King appeared to oscillate between grief and liberation, laughing and crying in madness.
"Hahahahaha! Hahaha! Feuds and triumphs, it all turns to nothing in the end. Could even two as powerful as those brothers end in such ruin? It’s wrong, completely wrong!"
Nezha gazed impassively upon the East King, his heart unmoved by his musings. Having chosen a path, one must continue down it, even if crawling forward, enduring knife mountains and fiery seas without conceding.
The East King’s speech rely revealed his fear of Taiyi—a convenient excuse for abandoning his pursuit of the Great Dao. "You see, despite their imnse strength, even the Taiyi brothers failed. This proves their path was not viable. Therefore, my retreat was justified."
"Junior, you don’t agree with ?"
Nezha saw no point in debating such philosophy with the East King—he wasn’t the East King, nor was the East King him.
"If one lacks the resolve to shatter one’s body in pursuit of the Great Dao, one might as well go ho and farm sweet potatoes."
This bold statent left not just the East King stunned but even Yunxiao at his side. Surprised, the immortal hadn’t expected Nezha to possess such a steadfast heart at such a young age.
"Junior, I hope your words are not re bravado."
With this remark, the East King finally moved on to the main topic.
"Back in the day, the Daoist Ancestor appointed as the leader among male immortals. Blinded by ambition, I overreached and rightfully t my end. Yet, the countless living beings of the Three Immortals Island are innocent."
"If you can bring the island back to Primordial tis, all its resources are yours to use."
As he spoke, the East King cast Nezha a glance before adding: "Your Golden Crow Clan has long sought another Fusang Tree. Should you succeed, I’ll let my old companion go with you."
Nezha clapped his hands. "Oh, senior, you must be confused. If I kill you, wouldn’t everything here already belong to us?"
Stunned by Nezha’s audacious lack of principles, the East King was at a loss for words!
"Y-you!"
Rolling his eyes, Nezha shrugged. "Relax! Just kidding. My master is Lady Nuwa, and the goddess is rciful. As her disciple, how could I neglect the well-being of the island’s millions of beings?"
Evidently, Nuwa’s reputation commanded considerable trust in Primordial tis. Hearing her na reassured the East King. He nodded and said: "Good. Then I won’t let you toil for naught. I’ll entrust so of my legacy to you."
Saying this, he reached out his hand toward... Yunxiao.
The East King had no intention of handing his legacy to a Golden Crow.
To him, Zhao Gongming lacked intelligence and cunning, while No Brainer and Unhappy were even less suitable. Ultimately, only Yunxiao t his criteria for a worthy heir.
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