33: Hongyun speaks of the primordial era, the rise of the gods.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Hongyun!"

Gathering his thoughts, Li Yun relaxed considerably.

After all, given Hongyun's reputation, the likelihood of him taking any harmful action against Li Yun was greatly reduced.

Of course, Li Yun didn't truly believe this was certain. For the persona of a 'good old fellow' to be spread throughout the Primordial World meant either Hongyun was genuinely benevolent and charitable, or it indicated his schemes were so deep they had fooled everyone.

Thinking of this, Li Yun immediately said, "I am not actually a transformed cloud, but the sole Innate Being: Human!"

"However, today I feel like an old friend upon meeting you, Fellow Daoist Hongyun. Might I ask why you are here, and why you called out to stop me?"

Upon hearing this, Hongyun frowned slightly.

Human?

What kind of being was that? This was truly the first time he had heard of it.

But since Li Yun said he was the sole Innate Being, it also meant that his foundation as a 'Human' was unique to him alone.

For a moment, Hongyun felt a sense of deep respect. "I hadn't realized Fellow Daoist's foundation was so extraordinary, the sole Deity. No wonder I sensed you were extraordinary!"

At this point, Hongyun's tone shifted. "I called out to stop you because the area ahead is Wu Clan Territory. If you rashly enter, you are very likely to face targeting from the Wu Clan!"

"The Wu Clan is now a hegemon-level power in the Primordial World. Besides the Twelve Ancestral Witches, many Great Wu have already attained combat power not inferior to us Great Overarching Golden Immortals. It would be best for you not to take such a risk, Fellow Daoist."

Li Yun nodded, expressing his agreement with Hongyun's words.

The Great Wu inherently possessed combat power comparable to Grand Unity Golden Immortal Cultivators. Combined with the Protective Aura derived from the ancient martial arts he had imparted, their strength had reached an even higher level. An average Grand Unity Golden Immortal truly wouldn't be a match for them.

Furthermore, within the Wu Clan, while there were only Twelve Ancestral Witches, the number of Great Wu was considerable and could even be produced continuously by the Ancestral Witches.

Hongyun's reminder was indeed well-intentioned.

Thinking this, Li Yun gave an awkward smile. "Is that so? I truly hadn't noticed this point."

"I left this place and went into seclusion for Cultivation before the great melee of Cultivators erupted at Mount Buzhou, so I know little of what has happened in the outside world."

"I had thought that after that event, I could return to Mount Buzhou, to the area of my birth, to continue Cultivating. It seems that is likely not possible now."

So that's how it was!

After hearing Li Yun's explanation, Hongyun also had a sudden realization.

No wonder Li Yun had been charging headlong towards the Wu Clan Territory like a reckless youth. It turned out he was unaware of the events of these years.

Thinking of this, Hongyun immediately spoke up, "If you don't mind, Fellow Daoist, I can explain a thing or two to you."

"It so happens I am waiting here for a Fellow Daoist; he should arrive in a little while."

"Then I'll trouble you, Fellow Daoist Hongyun." Li Yun clasped his hands in salute and did not refuse.

Although he already knew about the previous events from the mouths of Fuxi and Nüwa.

However, the Fusion of the banana tree and the refining of the chaos origin to condense his Chaos Divine Body had also consumed several thousand years of time. He truly wasn't very clear about recent external affairs.

Immediately, the two moved to a nearby area, sat down, and Hongyun began to talk at length about the events and changes that had occurred in the Primordial World over these years.

As expected, the Wu Clan had risen to become a hegemon-level power in the Primordial World.

However, it wasn't a situation of the Wu Clan's complete dominance either. The Demon God Palace established by Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi had also rapidly risen, recruiting countless Great Divine Power Holders to join its ranks.

Both sides were situated within the Mount Buzhou region, which had led to increasing friction between the Wu Clan and the Demon God Palace. Even major battles between the two erupted from time to time.

Apart from this, many other interesting events had occurred within the Primordial World.

For example, Kunpeng was besieged at the North Sea by dozens of Great Overarching Golden Immortals. However, Kunpeng created the Yao Script, receiving Heavenly Dao Karma blessings. His Cultivation base leaped to the Great Overarching Golden Immortal Perfection realm, and he forcefully swept away those Cultivators who had invaded the North Sea.

For example, an Innate Spirit Treasure emerged in the Sea of Blood with great commotion, attracting countless Innate Deities to search for the treasure. However, they encountered slaughter by the sole inhabitant of the Sea of Blood, Minghe.

He also possessed Cultivation at the Great Overarching Golden Immortal Perfection realm. Using the two supreme-grade killing Innate Spirit Treasures, Yuan Tu and Abi, he forcefully annihilated all invaders, instantly making his name famous throughout the Primordial World.

For example, East King Duke went to West Kunlun to profess his love to the Queen Mother of the West. However, before he could even see her face, he was beaten black and blue by the Queen Mother's suitors residing in West Kunlun and had to flee.

And then, for example, the shameless Jieyin and Zhunti extensively plundered the land of the Primordial World, taking everything without exception—Spiritual Roots, Spirit Medicines, Spiritual Plants, and spiritual flowers.

As a result, their actions were despised by countless Great Divine Power Holders. They even provoked Tongtian, one of the Three Pure Ones, to teach them a lesson, forcing them to flee in disarray back to the Western Lands... As Hongyun narrated, Li Yun also listened with great interest.

Essentially all the top-tier Great Divine Power Holders of later generations, who were famous by name, had already begun to rise, even having their own moments of glory.

Apart from this, he also learned about the situation of Fuxi and Nüwa.

The two had joined the Demon God Palace, becoming Emperor Xi and Empress Wa, each commanding their own forces. They were among the top combat powers of the Demon God Palace.

"As expected, Fuxi and Nüwa ultimately couldn't resist!"

"Joining the Demon God Palace, which is the future Yao Race, it seems my existence helped the Wu Clan rise early, which also accelerated the Heavenly Dao's grand momentum. The predecessor of the Yao Race has already taken shape."

"Once Hongjun proves his Dao, this Demon God Palace will likely expand further. Then it will transform from the Demon God Palace into the Yao Race, forming the situation of the two great clans vying for supremacy in the Primordial World!"

Muttering to himself, Li Yun looked at the gossip-loving, talkative Hongyun and instinctively asked, "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, are you here to join the Demon God Palace?"

"Not at all!"

Waving his hand, Hongyun said dismissively, "The Demon God Palace isn't for me. There are too many rules and restrictions there."

"Moreover, Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi's ambitions are too great. I don't plan to get involved. It's just that my old friend owes a favor, and he's gone to repay it. I'm waiting for him here."

"After this matter is settled, once he has repaid the favor, the two of us will leave the Mount Buzhou area and not waste time in this fiercely contested land."

Saying this, Hongyun did not conceal the disdain in his eyes for the Demon God Palace, nor his aversion to Mount Buzhou.

"Old friend?"

"Could it be Zhenyuanzi?"

Narrowing his eyes thoughtfully, Li Yun knew that in the Primordial World, the only one truly close to Hongyun was Zhenyuanzi.

If that were the case, what favor did Zhenyuanzi owe? And how was he going to help someone from the Demon God Palace repay this favor?

"Hongyun, so you are here after all."

At that moment, a call came from the distant sky.

Following the sound, they saw a man with black hair and dark eyes, a righteous face, and wearing Daoist robes speeding towards them.

Upon arriving where Li Yun and Hongyun were, Zhenyuanzi was momentarily taken aback. After glancing at Li Yun, he spoke, "This humble Daoist, Zhenyuanzi, greets you, Fellow Daoist!"

"Hongyun, is this a friend you just made?"