Chapter 48 Climbing Not All of Zhoushan

  Zhuang Xiong thought for a moment, then said to Laozi: "The three Daoist friends were born from the same source and cultivated together, but it's inconvenient for me to disturb them. I'll cultivate in Mount Taiyi instead, and after I come out of seclusion, I'll go find the other Daoist friends to discuss the Dao."

  Tong Tian heard this and couldn't help but reveal a disappointed expression, his eyes gazing at Zhuang Xiong with some resentment, making Zhuang Xiong feel a chill.

  Laozi was nonchalant about it and after bidding farewell, he hastily left with Tongtian.

  Zhenyuanzi also saluted Zhuang Xiong with a smile and said, "A clumsy bird takes flight early, diligence makes up for clumsiness. I should also return to close my doors."

  Zhuang Xiong returned a courtesy, but didn't speak, silently seeing Zhen Yuanzi off.

  Fuxi couldn't help but burst out laughing and said, "I've known you for so long, this time's decision is the most satisfying one."

  Zhuang Xiong smiled and said, "Yes, I'm very satisfied too. By the way, how did you know that I miss the days when I was with Nüwa's sister every day? Don't you object to me being with Nüwa's sister anymore? Can I call you brother now?"

  Fuxi was petrified in an instant, and for a moment, his expression was extremely vivid.

  Zhuang Xiong simply shook his head and smiled, walking forward to gently rub the hair of Nuwa, who was waiting beside him. He had been wanting to do this for a long time, and it was indeed worth the wait. Nuwa's soft and smooth long hair felt extremely comfortable under Zhuang Xiong's hands, gradually becoming disheveled as he rubbed it. However, once Zhuang Xiong stopped, she simply shook her head casually, and her hair returned to its original state.

  Zhuang Xiong didn't mind, it was just a natural gesture, and he wasn't trying to achieve anything by messing with her hair. As his hand slid down her long locks, it naturally grasped Niwa's small hand, and they walked off together. It wasn't until the two of them had already stepped into the chaos that Fuxi came back to his senses, shouting "Wait for me!" as he chased after them. Now, Fuxi really did oppose the two of them, was he still being overprotective of his sister?

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  Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, a thousand years have passed.

  Zhuang Xiong shook his head and walked out of the quiet room, gazing up at the endless starry sky, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh. Turning back, he found that Fu Xi was also sitting in the pavilion drinking tea. Zhuang Xiong smiled and walked over, saying: "How come you've been out for a thousand years? Not good to reflect on it?"

  Fuxi smiled and said: "You're also coming out after a thousand years, aren't you? How's that? Not a good harvest?"

  Zhuang Xiong bitterly smiled and said: "It's not just that it's not good, it can almost be said that there is nothing to gain."

  Fuxi's eyebrows furrowed as he said, "How can this be? Even if you have many distracting thoughts, you have merit and virtue in your body, and your innate talent is not ordinary, it shouldn't be like this."

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake his head silently.

  Fuxi sank into thought for a moment, then said: "Forgive me for saying something I shouldn't say, but I think your personality and your humble origins are at odds. Your Tao is often inconsistent, and your cultivation is hindered, which may also be related to this. In the Purple Mist Palace, where the laws are dense and Master Hongyuan helps, it's hard to notice, but in your daily practice, you may have taken a wrong turn.

  Zhuangzi pondered for a moment, thinking that the overbearing and arrogant ways he had suppressed might be what he was seeking in his pursuit of carefree wandering. Had he been wrong all along?

  Fuxi saw that Zhuang Xiong seemed to have gained some insight, and said again: "On the day when Tongtian Daoist friend spoke, he said that you are most suitable for Mount Buzhou. I also think so, the way of Mount Buzhou is actually your way. Do you still remember what we said when we first left Mount Buzhou?"

  Zhuang Xiong's expression changed, and he asked: "Which sentence? It seemed like you said a lot at the time?"

  Fuxi smiled and said, "It's what you said earlier. If you go to climb Mount Buzhou, as long as you won't be oppressed by the pressure of Mount Buzhou and Pangu's thoughts, causing psychological shadows, there will definitely be great benefits. I think you should give it a try now."

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but roll his eyes and said, "Are you sure you're not taking advantage of me?"

  "Fuxi Zhengse said, 'Dumb bear, I know you're clever, but your laziness is too much. You have too much flexibility and not enough determination. It's time for a change. Mount Zhou is the best choice for you. Your cultivation is extremely high, but your personality is too eccentric. I'm afraid there will be many problems in the future.'"

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but smile wryly, thinking to himself: "How could I not know that this isn't right? I even think that this shouldn't be my temperament. Although I'm soft-hearted and cautious, I won't be timid or fearful; although I can also be hot-blooded, I shouldn't be reckless and impulsive. But I've always been accustomed to following my heart, could it be that my heart has been influenced by something? With good deeds protecting me, it shouldn't be like this, should it? Why has my personality become like this? Or have I really chosen the wrong path?"

  Zhuang Xiong thought for a while, but couldn't come up with anything, and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. However, he suddenly remembered that many great people had also encountered difficulties before, so why not give it a try? He took a deep breath, smiled and said: "Forget it, even if you're playing tricks on me, I'll still go for it. If I can gain something, it's better than just sitting here thinking." After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for Fuxi to respond, nor did he call out to Kong Xuan or Zi Yu, and without even saying goodbye, he set off immediately.

  Fuxi watched as Zhuang Xiong walked away, and couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. He shook his head and sighed: "You silly bear are indeed carefree. Who would dare to trick you? I just hope nothing bad happens."

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  Mount Buzhou remains majestic and magnificent, with an aura of grandeur. Despite the cataclysmic changes that have transformed the world, the heavens and earth are no longer the same as when Pangu first opened them up. After countless eons of expansion, evolution, and refinement, the universe has grown many times larger, yet Mount Buzhou seems entirely unaffected, still exuding an aura of grandeur that touches the sky and stands upright on the earth. That one pillar supporting the heavens remains steadfast and unyielding, as if it will continue to stand tall forever, unchanged throughout eternity.

  Zhuang Xiong looked at Mount Buzhou, and suddenly thought of Pangu opening the sky. When he received the worship of all living beings, he didn't know if his own mountain-climbing move would be inappropriate. But at this moment, the arrow was on the string, and it had to be shot. Since things have come to this, he might as well pray a little. However, he couldn't count himself owing Pangu anything. Therefore, Zhuang Xiong bowed his head and paid respects, saying solemnly: "Great God Pangu above, I suppose you also know me. My cause and effect are entangled with yours. Originally, I should be the one to take responsibility for the merits, but you suppressed me for countless years, which can be considered as even. However, your actions have given me psychological trauma. You've caused trouble for me, so you need to help me solve it. Now that I'm here to climb Mount Buzhou, it's precisely to settle this matter. Don't say that I'm using a pole to climb and stepping on my nose to get to your face. If I successfully resolve my troubles, then we can consider ourselves even. How about that?"

  Zhuang Xiong finished his prayer, and suddenly felt like an ant in front of a skyscraper. Having lived on Mount Tai for countless years, he should have been used to this feeling, but at this moment, he still felt the majestic momentum of Mount Tai standing tall and holding up the sky, which was overwhelming and suffocating him.

  Zhuang Xiong's eyebrows didn't even twitch, but he suddenly thought that treasures have spirits, and the mountains and rivers of the earth, after being tempered by time, also have a spiritual nature. The fact that Mount Tai is the number one divine mountain in the world isn't strange at all. It's probably because it heard that I want to climb Mount Tai, so it's giving me an early test?

  The majestic and unyielding Notzhou Mountain, standing tall for countless ages, its grandeur and dominance unwavering. The world may change like the ebb and flow of the tides, but I remain unchanged, unafraid of the winds that blow, the sun that beats down, the rains that pour, and the thunder that strikes. The indomitable will to fight, forged by Pangu through countless ages, opening the heavens, slaying demons, holding up the sky - no matter how the world may change, my heart remains at peace, shouldering the burden alone. For a moment, the imposing aura of Notzhou Mountain and the invincible spirit left behind by Pangu both pressed down upon Zhuang Xiong.

  A certain pride in the bones of Zhuang Xiong seemed to be triggered, and he couldn't help but roar with anger: "I am the Great Earth Bear, standing on this earth I have nothing to fear. Since Pangu opened up the sky, who have I ever truly feared? Could it be you that scares me? Mount Buzhou is just a part of this earth, it should be under my control. The one I respect is the great virtue of Pangu, not you Mount Buzhou! Don't you dare disperse for me?"

  Mount Buzhou seemed to be unaware, still suppressing the overwhelming momentum. Zhuang Xiong's eyebrows furrowed involuntarily. Did he really think he could bully him? Zhuang Xiong was the embodiment of the earth spirit, controlling all things on earth. Mount Buzhou stood on the earth, and should also be under Zhuang Xiong's control. Since it had spiritual consciousness, this move seemed to have a hint of disrespect towards the master.

  Zhuang Xiong's eyebrows furrowed, feeling the familiar heavy aura of Buzhou Mountain, but suddenly sensed a difference. The pressure from Buzhou Mountain was not malicious, but rather seemed to be conveying a message - the aura of the Tao. Zhuang Xiong's spirit greatly lifted, and he carefully pondered it, but the Tao remained elusive, like something in the clouds that could not be found.

  Zhuangzi was not discouraged, he looked up at the sky and gazed at Mount Tai, changed his clothes casually, and resolutely climbed up. If I couldn't understand it clearly under Mount Tai, then I'll climb up to understand it better. For the sake of seeking the Tao, what's a little hardship?

  Zhuang Xiong seemed to have forgotten the passage of time, every day either climbing Mount Bu Zhou or stopping to hold onto it and carefully comprehend the profound meaning within. The Tao in Mount Bu Zhou was indeed as Zhuang Xiong had guessed, becoming clearer and clearer as one ascended higher. Zhuang Xiong felt his Three Flowers occasionally trembling with excitement, as if that Tao was truly the most suitable for him, urging him to climb even faster.

  At a height of one thousand zhang, clouds can be seen, but it isn't until ten thousand zhang that the clouds truly become thick and substantial. By the time you reach one hundred million zhang, visibility in the clouds is less than half a meter. Zhuang Xiong's actions were for the sake of cultivating his Dao through bitter practice; he knew that climbing Mount Zhou was best done without transforming or using divine methods. It was all about tempering himself, so he didn't even use his three eyes and six ears divine sense, instead proceeding step by step in a state of uncertainty.

  After a thousand million feet, the ground beneath was an endless sea of clouds, but on top of it, a strong wind started to blow. At first, it was just a gentle breeze, and Zhuang Xiong didn't think much of it, continuing his ascent. However, the wind gradually grew stronger, until at five thousand million feet, it had turned into a fierce gale. The endless gale howled past, and Zhuang Xiong's speed also slowed down involuntarily, his hands firmly grasping onto Mount Buzhou, as the crazy winds whipped away his clothes, tearing them to shreds, revealing Zhuang Xiong's robust and muscular body.

  The wind grew stronger and the gusts gradually evolved into a nine-day gale, with a grayish mist covering the entire sky. The howling wind was like the end of the world, sweeping across the vast expanse, making it hard for Zhuang Xiong to keep his eyes open. He didn't know how long he had been climbing or where he had arrived; all he knew was that he was taking step after step upwards, and all he could see was what was in front of him.

  At this point, Zhuang Xiong's face was weathered, his body gaunt, with rough hands covered in calluses. His tattered clothes were long gone, and since there was no one else around, he didn't bother to look for something to wear. He let the fierce wind continue to pull and slap his body.

  Zhuang Xiong still didn't use his three eyes and six ears divine power, the feeling of not knowing what lay ahead did not make him feel lost. Zhuang Xiong gritted his teeth and continued to climb stubbornly, when he was tired, he would lie on the Bu Zhou mountain to comprehend the Tao contained within, after resting, he would continue climbing.

  However, as the unclear mountain path gradually became clear, Zhuang Xiong's eyebrows also furrowed deeper and deeper, as if some doubts were deepening step by step. Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but have a bad premonition, yet he climbed even faster.

  That day, in the high sky that was unknown how high, the fierce gale suddenly stopped mysteriously. Zhuang Xiong was puzzled, but he also couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. After resting for a moment, he looked up at the sky and was instantly stunned.

  The vast and boundless thunderclouds rolled, densely filling the sky with an aura of majesty, countless violent energy undercurrents surging, giving people a kind of intangible pressure. That feeling was as if the sky had collapsed, pressing the entire sky down on you. Such a spectacle, such a shock that came from the heart, left Zhang Xiong speechless. Even if one didn't consider Mount Tai's majestic physique and aura, it would still be hard to match this natural wonder in a million ways.

  Zhuang Xiong was also shocked by this strange sight, his eyes wide with wonder. After a moment, however, he revealed a stubborn glint in his eye, and inserted his fingers deep into the Not Weekly Mountain, steadily climbing upwards.

  The dark clouds seemed to be enraged by Zhuang Xiong's actions, with violent energy constantly surging and rolling, looking terrifying and awe-inspiring. Despite being mentally prepared, Zhuang Xiong appeared unfazed and continued to climb slowly and steadily.

  As soon as he entered the Thunder Cloud, the violent energy instantly swarmed and pressed in, making Zhuang Xiong feel like every inch of his body was under the Thunder Cloud's envelopment. As the Thunder Cloud passed by, Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but shudder, and for a moment, he felt numbness, itchiness, tingling, and soreness, all sorts of strange sensations mixed together. The purple double wings on his back seemed to be unable to withstand the attraction of the same origin aura, and with a "brush" sound, they popped out from his back, freely absorbing the energy within the Thunder Cloud.

  With the energy of Lei Yun at this moment, Zhuang Xiong would not be injured, but this numbness and tingling sensation was even more unbearable. Moreover, Lei Yun's energy was densely packed, and even the purple double wings were absorbing energy, but Zhuang Xiong was still wrapped up tightly, leaving him nowhere to hide.

  Zhuang Xiong helplessly shook his head. If it was pain, he could still endure it, but this numbness and itchiness, he didn't have any good solution for the time being. He could only press his body tightly against Mount Buzhou, allowing his body to slowly adapt while feeling the familiar aura of Mount Buzhou and comprehending the profound Tao within.