Chapter Thirty-Eight: Revisiting the Vast Expanse

  The sky was not moved by the god's color, and when he turned his head to look back, he saw that the stone statue seemed to have suddenly transformed into flowing sand, flowing down, revealing Zhuang Xiong's smiling face. Zhuang Xiong just shook lightly, and there was no longer any dirt on his body, shook his head, and had already dressed up, then took out a blue gourd with his hand, which was exactly the one that Fuxi gave him at Mount Buzhou in the beginning. At the beginning, he got the gourd and put countless spiritual fruits inside, five hundred years passed, and there should be fine wine born now.

  Tongtian looked at him carefully for a while, then suddenly smiled and said: "Today I really took a closer look at you. You were originally tall and handsome, with a handsome face, but in the past, you were too reckless and had a silly smile on your face, which made it difficult for people to take you seriously. Today, you are majestic and smiling, although there is a hint of foolishness, but it's more solid and steady, really a remarkable person."

  Zhuang Xiong just smiled lightly and didn't say a word, gazing at the sunset, pouring down a big mouthful of wine, and then tossed the gourd back to Tongtian.

  Tong Tian looked at Zhuang Xiong with a puzzled expression, also took a big gulp, savoring it carefully, and couldn't help but exclaim: "Good, refreshing!" After finishing, he took another big gulp, then handed the gourd back to Zhuang Xiong.

  Then, a calabash was passed back and forth between the two of them until the sun sank below the horizon, leaving only a faint glow on the edge of the sky. Tongtian took another big gulp of wine, thought for a moment, and suddenly asked: "Have you figured it out?" Seeing Zhuang Xiong's silence, he sincerely said: "I know you have many things that can't be said or don't want to say, just like my older brother, who always thinks about many problems. I, Tongtian, am a straightforward person and can't think of so many things, but I really consider you as a close friend, just like my brothers. If you don't tell me what's going on, it doesn't matter, I just want to know if you've figured it out, what you plan to do, let me know your current state, and I can be at ease."

  Zhuang Xiong listened and couldn't help but feel a little moved, lightly laughing and saying: "Actually, I really have a lot of things to figure out now. The Heavenly Way is impartial and unfeeling, it's both great love and ruthlessness. Some things, as long as they don't specifically involve the future, can be said, but actually, he doesn't care about them. Actually, I'm still okay, my overall goal with the Heavenly Way is the same, it's just that I couldn't bear the pain before reaching that result, and the sacrifices made for that result." As he spoke, Zhuang Xiong seemed to see Nüwa's smiling face in front of him. The human tribe, Nüwa, did they really have to make a choice? Actually, the human tribe was also created by Nüwa, why bother? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh and snatch the wine gourd, taking a big gulp of wine, then handing it back to Tongtian. With a light smile, he asked: "Have you talked with your older brother?"

  Tongtian sighed and drank a mouthful of wine, saying with a bitter smile: "We've discussed it, but there's no good solution. We can only try to control it as much as possible."

  Zhuang Xiong shook his head and chuckled, "Actually, I was just about to say that. Heaven's way is to first give before taking. If heaven wants someone to perish, it will first drive them mad with joy. The meaning is that if heaven wants you to perish, it will first bestow upon you endless blessings, making you ecstatically crazy, and then lead you to destruction without your realizing it. Heaven doesn't fear me speaking out, nor does it fear you knowing, because when the time comes, it always has an irresistible temptation and an irrefutable reason that makes you unable to refuse, even if you know what's going on, you can only follow its arrangement. I'm fine with my own situation, because my purpose doesn't conflict with heaven's, but as for you..."

  Tongtian fell silent, took a few big gulps of wine, and handed the gourd back to Zhuang Xiong. Suddenly, he said with hatred: "Why does this vast world have so many struggles?"

  Zhuang Xiong took a few sips of wine, chuckled lightly and said: "The trend of the world is that after a long separation, it must reunite, and after a long reunion, it must separate again. With many powerful beings emerging, conflicts will naturally arise more frequently. You and I can cultivate quietly, but it's not necessarily always the case. Even if everyone can cultivate quietly today, what about tomorrow or the day after? In the end, it's still difficult to control. When conflicts erupt, war smoke fills the land, and the primordial chaos shatters. I think that's something neither you nor I would want to see. Actually, from a different perspective, if we think carefully, our thoughts aren't much different from those of the Heavenly Way. It's just that we still have a bit of selfishness, whereas the Heavenly Way is completely selfless."

  Zhuang Xiong was talking to himself, but suddenly thought of the harmonious society of later generations. He really missed it, why couldn't this vast continent be at peace? Did he need to give it a push? No wonder Buddhism could flourish later, as their central idea of cultivating for future lives coincided with the idea of letting heaven and earth be at peace. Thinking of this, Zhuang Xiong involuntarily sighed, poured himself another cup of wine, and thought: "Is it just excessive thinking, sentimentalism, or distraction? Has he really not changed much after all?"

  Tongtian was also a bit dazed, gazing at the sunset in silence, and for a moment he seemed to be in a trance.

  Zhuang Xiong smiled lightly and said in a loud voice, "I'll tell you a few more things. The Heavenly Way is not wrong, the original way is not wrong, the founder of Taoism can't help you, and I, Laozi, also can't help you. A hero's final path, only at the end does one show their true heroism. Didn't you always want to be a hero? Just consider this your chance to let loose and have a good time. Try to control the outcome so it's within an acceptable range. I know you're actually very clever and meticulous in your thinking, but you're too unrestrained and impulsive, with a heart that's too soft. It's best if your older brother helps you take control. Then, get ready to be a hero! If possible, when the time comes, I'll also help you leave behind a few seeds."

  Tongtian couldn't help but laugh and said, "Good you, silly bear, your mouth is still so infuriating. What do you mean by 'help me keep a few seeds'?" He paused for a moment, then hesitated and asked, "Are you leaving now?"

  Zhuang Xiong smiled brightly and said, "Yes, chaos is about to erupt, and I don't know when it will become a great war. It's a pity that the countless famous mountains and scenic spots in this vast wilderness will be destroyed. Take advantage of the time now to take a look, and you'll have one more memory. In the future, you might not even get to see them." As he spoke, Zhuang Xiong took out a half-face mask that had been buried at the bottom of space for who knows how long and covered his face with it.

  Tongtian took a few more glances, smiled and said: "Indeed, you are handsome and cold. Where did you find this set of clothes? You even managed to dig out a matching mask! You're really something else, not only can you match up spiritual treasures, but even your clothes can be matched too! This is truly the first time I've ever seen it."

  Zhuang Xiong rolled his eyes and said, "Don't say you don't know the function of my Qian Kun Ding, you've already envied and hated it countless times. This suit was refined by me, and I didn't know how many innate spiritual treasures were destroyed to get only two sets." Just as he finished speaking, Tong Tian's eyes lit up, and he tensed up, saying, "You'd better not have any ideas about this outfit, this is my ultimate cool and handsome suit for flirting with girls. I'm not going to let you have it, mainly because it matches the one my sister Nüwa has, even if you dare to imitate it, I won't forgive you."

  Tongtian laughed and said: "How is that possible? I was just thinking, when I've accumulated a bit more spiritual treasures, you can help me refine a body too."

  Zhuang Xiong smiled and said, "This is no problem." After finishing speaking, he put away the gourd, looked up at the sky, chuckled again, and softly said, "Alright, it's getting late, I should go too. Help me apologize to your second brother for what happened back then. My mood was sorrowful, and my words were indeed too cruel." As he spoke, without even saying goodbye to Tongtian, a pair of purple wings suddenly appeared behind him with a "whoosh" sound. Zhuang Xiong lightly jumped off the Qilin Cliff and glided away.

  Tongtian shouted loudly: "You want an apology? You won't apologize yourself? My elder brothers should also be arriving soon."

  Zhuang Xiong's tone remained unchanged, and his voice came from afar, saying: "They've been here for a while now. Anyway, our relationship is so strong, just help me say something, I think he'll understand."

  Tong Tian remained speechless, unable to utter a single word of laughter, and watched as Zhuang Xiong walked away.

  At some point, Laozi and Yuanshi silently appeared beside Tongtian. Laozi smiled and said, "Brother Xiong Dao is still as carefree and unrestrained as ever, truly a wonderful optimist." Neither Yuanshi nor Tongtian spoke, so the three of them watched together as Zhuang Rong departed. The expressions in their eyes were different, but undoubtedly they all had a sense of recognition towards Zhuang Rong.

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  Zhuang Xiong drove his old master cloud, with his left hand behind his back and his right hand holding a wine gourd, occasionally taking a few sips. He stood facing the wind, his clothes and hair fluttering in the air. As he traveled along, he toured the famous scenic spots of the vast wilderness, collecting spiritual roots and strange fruits. Although he saw countless small demons killing each other and witches hunting, the air seemed to be filled with a tense atmosphere, but Zhuang Xiong didn't think much of it, knowing that this was just a small omen, far from being enough to affect him. Although he couldn't help but feel a little displeased, with countless emotions and sighs, he only let out a long sigh and didn't intervene, turning around and leaving instead. These small matters couldn't lastingly affect his mood, and after a moment, he again wholeheartedly continued his tour. As for the many witches and small demons, they also didn't dare to provoke Zhuang Xiong, mainly because Zhuang Xiong's equipment was too cool, with an air of a high-ranking master. The small demons or ordinary witches all had some self-awareness, not daring to provoke a great cultivator, so when they saw him, they only gave him a strange look before keeping their distance.

  After doing so for tens of thousands of years, Zhuang Xiong, who had been quiet and bored for a long time, suddenly thought of something. His martial skills were originally created by Guan Pan Ancient to open the sky, and later improved with San Qing's discussion on Taoism, but they had not yet been tested in actual combat. Now that the great calamity has not yet arisen, wouldn't the witch tribe be a good opponent? Not only can it improve his martial skills, but also increase his actual combat experience. Thinking about it, Zhuang Xiong didn't ride the clouds anymore, and he walked to the center of the witch tribe using the Road Walking Technique. Those little witches couldn't arouse his interest, and the only one who could help him was the Ancestor Witch.

  The core of the Wu tribe is in the southeast of Buzhou Mountain. Although Zhuang Xiong had to pass by Buzhou Mountain on this trip, he didn't stay and only let out a long sigh before leaving quickly without looking back. Even if he opened his eyes, what would be the use? However, even if he was fast, with the yuan Shen of the Honghuang Dashen Tong, it could at least cover an area of one million miles. How could Nüwa and Fuxi not detect him when he passed by Buzhou Mountain?

  Mount Buzhou, Emperor Jun Taiyi had long since left. Fuxi and Nüwa were originally a bit curious about someone passing by Mount Buzhou at such a speed, their divine consciousness enveloped the past, and they naturally sensed Zhuang Xiong's passage. Fuxi couldn't help but laugh: "This silly bear, he thinks that just because he put on a mask, no one will recognize him? His stylish clothes may be unknown to others, but how could you and I not know that it's the only set in the Primordial Chaos? And it matches your outfit, sister. However, unexpectedly, this silly bear put on a mask and covered up that face of his that makes people feel disgusted just by looking at it, and he actually looks quite elegant and carefree. Sister, don't you think so?"

  Fuxi finished speaking, but didn't hear Nüwa's response. He turned his head to look back and saw that Nüwa was looking gloomy and hurt, silent and unresponsive. He immediately realized he had misspoken and let out a sigh, advising: "That silly bear is indeed someone with many thoughts and ideas, but his intentions towards you are something even I must acknowledge as truly one-of-a-kind in the vast expanse of the universe. The way he's acting, it seems there must be some misunderstanding. Why don't I accompany you to clear things up with him?"

  Nüwa couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook her head, sorrowfully saying: "Dumb brother knows a lot and has many ideas, his thoughts towards me I'm also aware of. If there really was a misunderstanding, then it was just anger at the time, now he should have come to find me to explain the reason. He must have his own ideas, but can't tell me, and can't make amends. Since he has his own logic, let him go, if we are destined to meet again, we will, if not, forcing it is useless." Before Nüwa finished speaking, tears were already streaming down her face, she quickly covered her mouth and rushed back to her room.

  Fu Xi let out a long sigh, gazing at the departing figure of Nüwa's injured back, then turned his head to look in the direction where Zhuang Xiong had disappeared. He couldn't help but silently lament: "Dumb bear, since you said that to me that day, my sister will still have to rely on you for care after all. In this vast and chaotic world, I can only entrust you with taking good care of my sister, and believe that you will be more considerate of her than yourself. This time, I don't know why, but please don't let her spend her days in such sorrow again."

  Zhuang Xiong sprinted along the way, but had already activated his three-eyed and six-eared scouting divine ability to investigate the situation of the Wu tribe. His impression of the Wu tribe was generally good due to the existence of Hou Tu, but regarding the great war between the Wu and Yao tribes, he didn't want to get entangled in any grudges or troubles with the Wu tribe, only wanting to temper his actual combat experience. Therefore, as he approached the core of the Wu tribe, he changed into a set of ordinary clothes and casually forged a new mask to wear. After some thought, if he were to use a weapon, he could simply transform the Qian Kun rod into black, for there weren't many rods in the Hong Huang either. Once the conflict between the Wu and Yao tribes began, even if they recognized him, what could they do?

  Zhuang Xiong walked on the road, checking if there was anything that hadn't been hidden well. On this day, he finally approached the core of the Wu tribe. Zhuang Xiong had already faintly felt the familiar pressure belonging to Pangu, which must be the center of the Wu tribe - Pangu Temple. So, without using the Road Walking Technique, his body transformed into a wisp of smoke and floated lightly towards the Wu tribe.

  The Witch tribe had no Yuan Shen, and the road to Zhuang Xiong was relatively smooth. The Hongyuan was quiet at this time, and the Witch tribe's defensive awareness had not yet experienced a great war, but when approaching the Pangu Temple within a hundred miles, they faintly felt a repulsive defensive force. Zhuang Xiong sensed it and thought it was the consciousness of the Pangu Temple. It seemed that this Pangu Temple was extraordinary too. Maybe, nothing related to Pangu was simple.

  Listening to the faint noise coming from Pangu Hall, Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but chuckle a few times. He took out his short Kunlun rod and lightly poked at the defensive shield of Pangu Hall. Suddenly, several angry roars came from inside: "Who is this little rascal? Don't you know that we're having a meeting here? Are you tired of living?"