After Di Jun, Xi He, and Chang Xi departed, Li Yi and Yuan Shi Tong Tian resumed their seclusion.
The three of them cultivated together within the Chaos Pearl, and the Xuanhuang Pagoda, Taiji Diagram, Pangu Banner, and the Four Swords of Zhuxian along with their formation diagram entered the Chaos Pearl with them.
During their period of secluded cultivation, the grades of these spiritual treasures also slowly increased, though imperceptibly, to the point where even they did not notice.
After Di Jun and Tai Yi left Kunlun, Di Jun was constantly contemplating how to advance his and his brother's Great Dao.
Di Jun pondered endlessly but found no solution, his mood becoming increasingly agitated.
However, with the company of Tai Yi, Xi He, and Chang Xi on their journey, the four of them wandered aimlessly across the Primordial Great Land.
At Buzhou Mountain, after being bound together, Gong Gong and Zhu Rong found themselves inseparable, spending their days in close proximity. Although they had known each other since birth, they had never been this way before.
Gradually, they began to gain a different understanding of each other, and their initial animosity lessened.
While they had not reached the point of brotherly affection, their relationship had certainly improved.
The remaining ten Ancestral Witches, witnessing this, were all gratified and hoped that if this continued, perhaps this pair of adversaries might truly reconcile.
Meanwhile, on Ziyang Mountain, not far from Buzhou Mountain, Nu Wa's comprehension of the Great Dao of Creation deepened further.
Ziyang Mountain was filled with a multitude of bizarre creatures: some with dog heads and pig bodies, others with ox heads and serpent bodies, and still others with lion heads and leopard bodies.
These creatures were all brought into existence by Nu Wa using the Great Dao of Creation. However, they merely possessed form and lacked souls, standing motionless with vacant eyes.
Nu Wa looked at the statue-like beings before her and sighed.
Fu Xi, puzzled, asked:
"Sister, what troubles you?"
Nu Wa waved her hand, and the creatures vanished. She said dejectedly:
"Elder Brother, I have comprehended my Great Dao of Creation to the realm of the soul, yet why are the beings I create still inanimate? I have tried hundreds of times, but it is always the same. Alas!"
Seeing Nu Wa's despondency, Fu Xi quickly comforted her:
"Little sister, there is no need to rush. Your cultivation of the Great Dao is already beyond mine. Cultivation is not a matter of a single day or night; take your time!"
Nu Wa, after hearing Fu Xi's words, also said:
"Elder Brother, you should also focus on your cultivation. I have a premonition that the world may not remain peaceful for much longer!"
Fu Xi was startled and asked:
"Little sister, what have you sensed? Why do you say that?"
Nu Wa shook her head and sighed:
"I cannot quite explain it. It is an unclear and inexplicable feeling, but I sense that the world is about to descend into chaos!"
Fu Xi immediately began to deduce, but the heavenly secrets were in utter disarray, yielding no information.
Seeing Fu Xi meditating and deducing, Nu Wa felt a flicker of anticipation. Her elder brother's path of deduction was immensely powerful. Although she could sense a major event was about to occur, she had no idea what it was, and this uncertainty was most unsettling.
When Fu Xi finished his deductions, Nu Wa eagerly inquired:
"Elder Brother, what did you deduce?"
Fu Xi looked at Nu Wa's inquisitive gaze and replied with some embarrassment:
"The heavenly secrets are in chaos. I could not deduce anything!"
Nu Wa, not receiving the answer she desired, felt a slight disappointment and murmured:
"Even Elder Brother cannot deduce it. Could it be that a truly significant event is about to unfold?"
Fu Xi saw the disappointment in Nu Wa's eyes and added:
"Although I could not deduce anything specific, the chaos in the heavenly secrets suggests that a major event is indeed on the horizon."
Nu Wa gave Fu Xi a sidelong glance. Fu Xi sheepishly scratched his head and continued:
"Fellow Daoist Tai Shang is also proficient in deduction. Your Great Dao is also at a bottleneck, and it seems unlikely you will achieve much progress in the near future. Why don't we visit Tai Shang and see what he says? It can also serve as a way for you to relax, little sister. What do you think?"
Nu Wa's eyes lit up at the suggestion:
"As Elder Brother wishes! Last time, the Three Pure Ones helped us in our transformation, and we haven't thanked them yet. We can do so together."
Seeing Nu Wa agree, Fu Xi immediately began to make preparations.
Fu Xi also wished to understand what event he, with his skills, could not deduce. This feeling of knowing yet not knowing was profoundly uncomfortable.
As for matters he himself could not deduce, Fu Xi could only place his hopes on Tai Shang. Having debated with Tai Shang previously, Fu Xi knew that Tai Shang's comprehension of deduction was not low, and though he didn't know the exact extent, it was certainly not inferior to his own.
Once his preparations were complete, Fu Xi led Nu Wa towards Kunlun Mountain.
In an unknown part of the Primordial Great Land, a group of four, Di Jun, Tai Yi, Xi He, and Chang Xi, chatted and laughed as they traveled across the land.
Xi He and Chang Xi had been exceptionally well cared for by Di Jun and Tai Yi throughout their journey.
Along the way, any danger that arose was met head-on by Di Jun and Tai Yi, who shielded them. Xi He and Chang Xi felt a profound sense of security by staying close to the two brothers.
As for Di Jun and Tai Yi, ever since they had tasted Li Yi's hot pot on Kunlun Mountain, they had persistently pestered Li Yi to teach them culinary skills whenever they had the chance.
It was the same for Duo Bao, Qi Lin, Jin Jiao, and Yin Jiao. After tasting the hot pot prepared by Li Yi, everything else seemed bland in comparison, and they too clamored for Li Yi to teach them cooking.
Even the disciples bothering Li Yi was one thing, but Tong Tian and Yuan Shi also joined in the commotion. Helpless, Li Yi imparted all that he knew to them.
He also gave the seeds for the accompanying ingredients used in hot pot to Jin Jiao and Yin Jiao to plant. Li Yi's medicinal garden now not only contained spiritual fruits and herbs but also seasonings like chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise.
The inhabitants of Kunlun were now arguably the foremost chefs in the Primordial Great Land. Though their skills might not be exceptional, they were considered masters in the wider world.
When Di Jun and Tai Yi departed, they quietly pilfered more "treasures" from Li Yi's medicinal garden.
Throughout their travels, Di Jun and Tai Yi found it difficult to stomach wild vegetables and spiritual fruits. The two brothers took turns preparing a variety of delicacies, much to the delight of Xi He and Chang Xi.
The sisters had never tasted anything so delicious. Even if Di Jun and Tai Yi now tried to send Xi He and Chang Xi away, they likely would not be willing to leave.
During their time together with Xi He and Chang Xi, Di Jun and Tai Yi found their feelings for them growing stronger.
The same was true for Xi He and Chang Xi. In this short period, the sisters had also fallen for the Di Jun and Tai Yi brothers. What woman could resist a man who exuded an overwhelming sense of security and could also prepare such exquisite meals?