Chapter 87: There Must Be Reincarnation in This World

At this moment, all those in the Celestial Court began employing their various abilities to investigate the events unfolding in the mortal realm. Upon learning that it was Fuxi who had met with misfortune, a wave of astonishment swept through the assembly. Yet, understanding dawned as well—no wonder the Empress had lost her composure so thoroughly.

The Wu Clan soon received word of the incident as well, and anxiety gripped them all. Even the passing of Gonggong was momentarily forgotten. After all, the Emperor Xi had perished in the aftermath of Gonggong’s self-destruction. Should the Empress hold the Wu Clan responsible, it would spell utter calamity for their kind.

“Gonggong was truly misguided,” Dijang sighed deeply.

The other ancestor-witches and great witches wore expressions of varying emotions. Some lamented the futility of Gonggong’s sacrifice, some grieved at the caprices of fate, while others were filled with unease for the Wu Clan’s future.

...

Houtu had just returned to the Palace of Emperor Xi. Upon hearing the news, she froze in place.

How could this be? How could such a thing have happened?!

Gonggong’s self-destruction had implicated Fuxi as well?

How could this possibly be?

Memories of every moment she had shared with Fuxi over the years flooded her mind, and tears silently traced down Houtu’s cheeks.

“Emperor of Heaven, Empress, Emperor Xi, he...” Houtu arrived at the Southern Heavenly Gate. From afar, she saw Li Tian and Nuwa approaching and hurried to greet them, her face marked by sorrow.

“Do not worry. Fuxi’s soul still remains. I will find a way to bring him back,” Li Tian said after glancing at Houtu.

As expected, the time had come for Houtu to transform herself into the Way of Reincarnation.

Although Li Tian held some fondness for her, he had no intention of preventing her transformation; indeed, he was inclined to encourage it. To become the embodiment of reincarnation meant that, though she would lose her freedom in the future, this was also where her destiny lay.

Who could say whether it would be a blessing or a curse?

“If only reincarnation existed in this world...” Li Tian murmured, as though in passing, before shaking his head and, taking Nuwa by the arm, heading deeper into the Celestial Court.

Yet those seemingly casual words etched themselves deep in Houtu’s mind, echoing again and again.

Reincarnation?

This concept now stood clearly before Houtu once more.

She lingered long outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, lost in thought, before taking to the skies and flying aimlessly toward the mortal world.

...

“May the Emperor of Heaven mete out severe punishment to the Wu Clan, to set an example and to bring justice for Emperor Xi.”

When Li Tian and Nuwa arrived at the plaza before the Palace of Myriad Law, they found a great throng already gathered. Seeing the arrival of the Emperor and Empress, all knelt and pleaded in unison.

Among them were those loyal to Fuxi, coming to seek justice on his behalf; others who harbored resentment toward the Wu Clan and saw an opportunity to strike; and some who simply wished to ingratiate themselves with Nuwa, hoping to secure future favor.

Li Tian landed with Nuwa and cast a sweeping glance at the crowd, his brow furrowing slightly.

He, who saw through all things, knew well the Wu Clan could not be blamed for this, nor even Gonggong. Gonggong and Fuxi had always been on friendly terms; Gonggong’s self-destruction was solely intended to eradicate the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas. In the threads of fate, it was clear that, upon seeing Fuxi arrive, Gonggong had tried to halt his own destruction—but by then, it was already too late.

Moreover, with the Wu Clan now well integrated into the Celestial Court and generally obedient, he was reluctant to punish them. After all, the loss of the Wu Clan would be a significant blow.

“Emperor of Heaven, in consideration of the Wu Clan’s diligence and loyalty since joining the Celestial Court, I beg you to forgive their transgression.”

At this, Dijang and the other ancestor-witches hurried forward. Alarmed by the widespread calls for their punishment, Dijang immediately knelt in supplication, as did all the proud and unyielding great witches, bowing their heads for the sake of their people.

“Nuwa, what is your opinion?” Li Tian asked, turning to the Empress at his side. Though he personally wished to spare the Wu Clan, he considered Nuwa’s feelings.

Nuwa surveyed the assembly below, her gaze lingering on the ancestor-witches and great witches. She frowned slightly, let out a faint, cold hum, and, without a word, turned and flew toward the Palace of Myriad Law.

Li Tian understood at once that Nuwa did not intend to pursue the matter further, and a small smile touched his lips.

Nuwa was, indeed, still Nuwa.

“Have you all not thanked Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the Wu Clan responded as if waking from a dream, bowing in the direction Nuwa had departed. Relief washed over them; the Empress’s magnanimity had spared them from disaster.

Those in the Celestial Court who had hoped for the Wu Clan to be harshly punished could only feel disgruntled. But with the Empress herself silent, none dared to voice dissent. After a perfunctory bow, the assembly dispersed.

Seeing this, Li Tian shook his head with a quiet chuckle and caught up with Nuwa.

“I never expected my Empress to be so magnanimous. I was curious how you might punish the Wu Clan...”

“Do you think me so petty?” Nuwa glanced back, rolling her eyes at him.

“Besides, the Wu Clan cannot truly be blamed for this. I doubt my brother would wish to see them punished, either.”

Li Tian nodded, recalling Fuxi’s own attitude toward the Wu Clan.

...

Meanwhile, Houtu had already arrived in the mortal world.

Walking along the paths she and Fuxi had once traveled together, she was overcome by memories—their journeys, their laughter, and all that was now lost.

With a long, weary sigh, Houtu wandered aimlessly, tracing the routes they had explored together. Yet her heart was nothing like it had been in those carefree days.

Along her way, she witnessed countless living beings meet their end.

The Wu Clan, lacking souls, perished utterly; their consciousness vanished in an instant, or, as they put it, returned to the embrace of the Father God.

But when humans or demons died, their souls did not immediately dissipate. Instead, they drifted free from their bodies, lingering between heaven and earth. Barring mishap, they could endure for quite some time—though, eventually, time would erode them until they vanished completely. Such waste seemed a pity.

“This world ought to have reincarnation,” Houtu murmured.

Unconsciously, she followed the trail of countless souls, drifting ever onward.

She did not know how long she flew, until at last she came to the edge of the Blood Sea.

The Blood Sea lay deep beneath the central earth of the primordial world, a place where the most violent and corrupt energies gathered—a region said to have been formed from the impure blood of Pangu himself.

Here, the River of the Underworld held sway, and the Asura Clan dwelled.

...