Welcome Home Da Hai

In the far eastern corners of the Great Wilderness. In the space lying beyond the East Sea stood a tall pillar. It sat upon an island atop peaceful waves. It was made of an unknown material that resembled wood carved to resemble scales. Engravings of dragons were visible all around the pillar and minor carvings of stars were also present.

Below the pillar, over a dozen individuals stood silently while a single man sat in front. Da Hai had his eyes closed standing at the front. He was dressed in white notepad of black and so were Zulong, Yinglong, Yi Fei'e and her sisters, Gui Daiyu and the rest of Zulong's family.

"Disciple," Da Hai muttered after a period of silence. His relaxed palms gripped themselves tightly before releasing again. Then they hardened into a grip before releasing. This cycle went on for hours, days even and no one even spoke a word.

No one interrupted Da Hai.

More weeks had gone by since Taowu and his petty petty forces were slain. The West Continent had no news but Da Hai did not expect anything from them.

"Oh Qinglong," Da Hai finally said after half a year of silence. "Why did you have to do this to yourself?"

"It was my failure," Zulong interrupted. "I was incompetent as a ruler and more so as a brother."

"No you're wrong father," Bi An said. "I was the one responsible for starting this whole mess."

"Don't, you are blameless brother. I was the strongest and I failed to protect you. The original sin lies with me," Denglong said stopping Bi An's speech. "Grandmaster, it was my duty to look out for threats during the peace talks. I could've prevented everything but I failed."

"Peace talks?" Da Hai asked.

"Zufeng sent me a letter some time ago. We agreed for a conference of sorts to hopefully put our differences aside. We were both tired from so many years of aggression. But during the talks…" Zulong began speaking with deep regret.

As he described the events leading up to the battle at Mt Buzhou, the shattering of the heavens, when the Starry Skies crashed into the Great Wilderness, and when the Four Symbols sacrificed themselves to become the new sky. Da Hai's lips curved downwards more and more.

He looked westwards with an ugly expression.

"That explains why my re-entry had no resistance. Fucking Heavenly Dao, fat load of good you were getting taken out like that so early." His mocking words did not receive a response. Da Hai doubted the tantrum throwing child had even heard him.

Yinglong gritted his teeth in anger. He was still heavily injured even now all these months later yet he could no longer control himself. "Damn it just why? Why did you have to give yourself up like that? Why couldn't you've just been a good boy and listened as you were told?"

"Oh Mt Buzhou how could you just break like that. Pangu was your spine truly so brittle? I guess that fits given your defeatist attitude when you made the Primitive World," Yinglong spat. Zulong and the others were scandalized when they heard Yinglong's harsh criticism to the creator god. But their brother/uncle did not seem concerned about his words at all. "Qinglong, why did I ignore you for so long? Why did I always side against you? What I wouldn't give to have you back. Damn the Primitive World's worthless sky. I'll tear you outta there myself."

"Qinglong, I'm sorry I failed you," Zulong added with his own thoughts. "I was not good enough of a brother. Why didn't you listen and obey? Why sacrifice your form and soul for people you don't even know?"

PAH!

But Da Hai struck them both in the face sending them flying.

"ENOUGH!" He roared

"Do not dismiss your brother's sacrifice anymore. He made his choice and no matter how much I despise it I will stand by it just as I stood by you Zulong. Qinglong sacrificed himself for the betterment of the Primtive World," Da Hai said regretfully. He took a deep breath and pulled his arms back behind him.

"I don't know if he can be separated from it. Listen you two, let the past be bygones. Qinglong made his choice. But his death has meaning and always will. He is the immortal pillar that holds up the sky. We as his family must do everything in our power to preserve him do you understand?"

""Yes!""

"I cannot allow my disciple's death be in vain. I cannot let it go unanswered either. I see you two are already well into preparing another fight. That is good. I was not here last time. That is my failure. Neither of you are to blame for Qinglong's death. It is I that was negligent and did not predict Luohu's move. i was complacent," Da Hai said.

"So we will take the fight to the west. And I will stop at nothing until Luohu's corpse lies at my feat," Da Hai announced. "Qinglong's death would be worth it. He can't have died for nothing this I swear," he mumbled after the fact.

"Senior brother was a truly kind individual," Yi Fei'e said. "I do not know if I would've been as selfless as him. To give up everything so all living beings could have a better tomorrow. I am truly honoured to have been able to call him brother."

"Brother-in-law was truly something else. Selfless beyond all others," Gui Daiyu sighed and bowed towards the Eastern Pillar.

Her sons, Zulong, Yinglong, Yi Fei'e and her sisters all payed their respects to Qinglong once more. Da Hai did the same and for many more days they gave their final farewells to the fallen kin.

Eventually, it was time to go. Gui Daiyu was preparing to arm the powerhouses who fought for them and accepted their invite to stay in the East Sea prior to Da Hai's return. But she had to postpone to accompany them here. But Da Hai volunteered to do so in her stead which she ultimately complied.

When they were about to leave they also encountered another sight. Twelve figures moved towards the pillar both flying and swimming. Zulong and the others recognized them as the twelve siblings who made the Pangu Genesis Formation.

"This is where they've gone?" Yinglong muttered.

Da Hai released a small gasp. "So they're here. The twelve Primordial Gods of the Wu Clan. I'd recognize their shape anywhere."

"So its true then? They really are born of Pangu's blood?" Gui Daiyu asked.

"As authentic as they claim yes," Da Hai answered.

The twelve approached the group and stopped before reaching them. "Greetings," Di Jiang said. "We are here to pay our respects to the fallen hero. I see you've come to do the same?"

"Your actions are appreciated," Zulong said. "We would see you twelve rewarded for aiding my brother so. But you rejected our invite."

"Your wife invited us," Zhurrong corrected to Zulong's narrowing eyes.

"That's right and we wouldn't have accepted anyway. What would you care anyway? You tried to run from the Primitive World unlike brave Azure Dragon. Now he was a true hero!" Gonggong added.

"You…" Zulong was stunned by their audacity. It greatly angered him when they essentially called his feelings into question. "You question my love for my own brother?"

His power exploded out pushing the waves to such an extent that a tsunami formed. It shocked the twelve just how oppressive Zulong was towards them and even their supernaturally tough bodies felt restrained under the dragon's pressure.

"As expected of the Wu Clan. You really have a mouth on you. Zhurrong and Gonggong I suppose?" Da Hai asked but his tone was anything but friendly.

"Wu? What's that?" Shebishi muttered.

"That is correct," Di Jiang quickly said in a mediating tone. "Forgive them they are impulsive and prone to outbursts. We only wish to pay our respects and build a shrine for hero Qinglong. We've done so for the other three heroes already. Even got some help from a boy in the South Pole."

"Hm," Da Hai stroked his beard before scoffing. "Do as you wish. I expect you would be fighting the devils as well?"

"Of course, you can count on it," the twelve of them said.

"Do as you wish. Build a proper shrine for my disciple and join the army once you're done," Da Hai said. "Oh and a piece of advice for the future. You Wu really should think before you speak. Authentic Pangu inheritance wont save you from everything."

He left with Zulong and the others no longer caring for the twelve. Zhurrong and Gonggong had unknowingly offended Da Hai as well and he did not feel like interacting with any of them anytime soon. While he knew his promises and his expectations, that did not overcome his first impressions.

"Who was that?" Zhurrong couldn't help but ask after Da Hai left. Many of his siblings shrugged but some didn't.

"Someone important. Did you not see how quickly the Dragon Sovereign differed to him?" Zhu Jiuying scolded the fire god slapping him upside the head with his tail. "Utter moron!"

…

The primeval powers of the Five Elements flowed through her, enlightening her in deep understanding. The concept of creation filled her mind and remade her entire being. Every piece of scale and hair on her transformed again and again in a chaotic scene. Yet the result was always a piece of creation that became ever more perfect.

Nuwa did not know how long she had been in this state. She could not escape from it nor had she any desire to. She felt joy at the astounding progress she felt she was making.

As a Great Principle Chaos Immortal, it had been difficult to improve her Dao of song and dance after condensing her Dao fruit. However, the moment she shoved the Five Coloured Stone into the hole in the sky, she fell into an epiphany.

The distant memory of Pangu creating the universe which she lived in came into her mind. They assaulted her senses so thoroughly until she was completely immersed within the pool of knowledge.

In the beginning she felt her cultivation collapse entirely. Her Dao shattered and she felt herself deteriorate back to the beginning where even the primordial unity she formed looked unstable.

But it was from there that she was reborn. Her tree sprouted with new life giving energy. The mirages of billions unique species of animals sat upon her tree merging into a singular point. This point eventually birthed a new Dao fruit, one an order of magnitudes more powerful then her last.

It was so strong in fact that aberrations formed on it the moment it was created. Nuwa felt her strength rise to such an extent that the old her would've been nothing more then an insect to her current self. Even the exalted dragon elders she'd met may not be entirely her match.

Her enlightened state continued on for a time. Archaic images of the first lifeforms in the Great Wilderness made for wonderful entertainment. Watching as the chaos godfiend reincarnated into the first generation of innate gods was fascinating. How these beings who had essentially become natural laws and concepts managed to preserve themselves and merge with objects of the physical world.

Their complete takeover and absorption of primordial qi allowed them to shape their bodies and return to life albeit in a greatly weakened state. There were once hundreds of them who had managed this process. Yet it was saddening that less then ten survived into the current era.

But beyond that, she'd also witnessed the ancestors for all the innate creature clans who were born in the earliest time periods of the Early Heavens. At a time where the Heavenly Dao wasn't even complete.

A time where creation was still undergoing its processes. In fact to a certain extent creation was still continuing. Nuwa herself felt a deep connection to this idea.

When she opened her eyes for the first time in a while, it was to an dark room. She shat upon a cushion submerged in water. In fact, she herself was thousands of kilometers below the surface. She quickly panicked at the unfamiliar location before calming down after getting her grip. Her form was her true self having reverted in her deep cultivation.

Hence she unwound her scaly body and licked her lips with her forked tongue. Every breath she took blew bubbles around her which fascinated her hence she began playing with them. That was also when the door opened and an unfamiliar maid stepped through.

"Oh, my lady is awake," the maid said. Nuwa at a single glance recognized her species as a Flood Dragon. Every little detail down to the most minute cellular structure was recorded and stored in her mind instantly. It was strange how quickly she identified all the traits of this young maid who she'd never met and had not even tried to analyze.

"Apologies, I will notify the Heavenly Lord at once," she said before retreating before Nuwa even got a word in. The serpent goddess only starred in confusion for a few moments before transforming. First her large head took on the shape full upper body of a topless woman followed by her bottom half.

It was enough time for another man she didn't recognize to walk in.

"You're awake, good," the man said. "Perfect timing as well. Zulong was just about to lead the others to the treasury. I heard what you did Nuwa. I…I want to say thank you. Were it not for you, the Primitive World would not exist. But more importantly, you made…made…hai. You made Qinglong's sacrifice mean something."

He was dressed in black robes with decorations of waves and snakes running through them. His hair was a spongy blond colour yet his face carried a seemingly blank expression. His posture was slightly sagged but he was nevertheless communicating a powerful feeling to her divine sense. Yet while he talked he did not spare much of a look at her.

Being naturally empathetic, Nuwa suddenly felt very sorry for the man. Though he wasn't openly showing it, she felt he was very sad. But his eyes also scared her. There was just something off about them that was frightening.

"After recent events, as an innate god native to this world I expect you to fight on the front lines. Since you sacrificed your only treasure for us and ensured my disciple's sacrifice was not in vein, I will personally ensure you're compensated properly and fairly. Come with me to the treasury."

He motioned with his fingers for her to follow. But suddenly she impacted him with her arms wrapped around him.

"What the?" Startled, Da Hai was completely frazzled. He took both his arms around Nuwa's shoulders and steadily removed her, lifting her up and placing her an arms reach away from him.

"Sorry, just felt like you needed it," she said.

Da Hai sighed and shook his head in exasperation. He gazed down at Nuwa who was only half a head shorter then he was. He frowned at her form and promptly flung his arms around. Light gathered in his palms and a robe manifested.

He wrapped it around her shoulders and telekinetically tied the sash. He did all this wordlessly

"This way," Da Hai said walking away without another word.

He led her past dozens of working maids and servants into the open courtyard where they attracted many stares. The East Sea Dragon Palace was huge and even the treasury was a palace in and of itself. The building reached hundreds of meters high with stylized underwater architecture.

They eventually ran into several other innate gods Nuwa recognized from her time fighting on Mt Buzhou. It seemed like everyone of note was already here being led by the Dragon Sovereign himself. Everyone from Yuanshi to Liu Er were following along. Many other dragons and sea creatures were also present evidentially here to be armed with good treasures to augment their strength.

"Sister!" Fuxi was the first to reach her and embrace her. "Oh thank the heavens, I was so worried about you."

Despite being held firmly in his hands, Nuwa suddenly noticed a noticeable gap in both their strength. Whereas previously they were relatively equal she now felt Fuxi was much weaker than her.

"Congratulations fellow daoist for perfecting your Dao. You now stand at the apex as a Primal Zenith Chaos Immortal," Taishang said walking from out of the group of immortals.

"Huh?" Nuwa stared down at her hands when Fuxi let go and starred at her in shock. "I had not noticed I advanced so much."

"You Dao is very impressive," she heard Da Hai say. "Life? Creation am I correct? It's certainly a very powerful ability with many potential."

"Creation? But your Dao has nothing to do with that," Fuxi quickly said.

"Evidentially it does now," Nuwa said shrugging. "I feel much more attuned with this one than my last. It's like I was made for it. Strange though, I don't remember making it."

In the background Da Hai rubbed his chin. "So her Dao changed. Interesting."

In his head he made several notes on Nuwa. Clearly her deep cultivation had led to a complete change in herself. Daos to a Golden Immortal who had manifested their Dao fruits were as important as their own life. They represented all their understanding that they had cultivated until now.

For Nuwa to suddenly change a Dao was a phenomena that was theoretically possible but unheard of. One would have to abandon everything that made them themselves and effectively start over with an entirely new philosophical route.

Da Hai could not fathom abandoning his own Dao nor could Zulong. They were both curious as to how Nuwa regressed then progressed so quickly. She had easily surpassed her old self in mere weeks.

"Could it be…Pangu?" Da Hai murmured below his breath. He however shook his head and threw the thought to the back of his mind deeming it unimportant.

"Master, I have unlocked the treasury," Zulong told him having approached him in the midst of his contemplation.

"Alright," Da Hai nodded. "Listen up all of you. I am told you are the best distinguished warriors of the Great Wilderness. The war against the devils has just begun. You will as such select a weapon from the dragon's treasury that fits you. You may consider it yours as reward for your service thus far but it is also granted under the condition you all fight the devils."

"Master please," Zulong opened the door for Da Hai and gestured him to head in first before following as second.

Seeing the Dragon Sovereign so readily defer to Da Hai for authority made Nuwa gasp. Seeing her confusion, Fuxi made some introduction as she wasn't present when Da Hai first appeared.

"The Oceanic Suppression Heavenly Lord," she said in wonder. "Wow, we met a real big shot."

The innate gods all followed inside. Many gasped in wonder at the riches the dragons had accumulated over the years. Many were jealous at their own relatively bare bones inventory especially those who had high inheritances.

'Finally after such a long time,' Liu Er thought with appreciation.

The dragons were filthy rich from over a million years of accumulation. Generations upon generations of work dedicated to an immortal ruler. Booty from conquest as well as random discoveries and taxes over time created an abundant treasury filled with treasures of all grades.

Lines of xiantian spiritual treasures were piled up. Only treasures reaching the xiantian level were displayed and hung up. Lower rank spiritual treasures were just piled up where space was available.

Xiantian spiritual treasures of any rank be they low, medium, or high were all exceedingly rare and very valuable to the average cultivator. They were usually held as clan inheritance treasures and personal weapons of experts. The average immortal would never see tail nor hide of a low grade xiantian spiritual treasure.

The power difference and rarity were also vastly different between all three. Only the old and powerful established powerhouses would have large collections like the this. Even then the dragons uniquely held a massive reservoir.

Liu Er eyed all of these treasures hungrily with a jealous look in his eye. "As expected of dragons," he said. Low grade, medium grade, and high grade were all prescient. But top grade xiantian spiritual treasures were not out in the open.

Liu Er supposed this was to be expected. Top grade xiantian spiritual treasures were different from the other three rankings. Despite being xiantian level this was only in relation to their shared origins as natural objects born of heaven and earth similar to connate lifeforms which included both innate creatures and innate gods.

Top grade was an order of magnitudes more powerful then even high grade and represented an absolute peak of augmentative treasures. So rare in fact that even the filthy rich dragons preserved what little they had like their lives depended on it. Not even mighty Primal Zenith Chaos Immortal level elders had them on hand.

Top grade xiantian spiritual treasures neared chaos spiritual treasures in quality and ability. And that rank was nigh mythical.

Nevertheless, Liu Er couldn't stamp down his jealousy and wondered where the dragons were keeping their most powerful treasures.

Rows of swords, spears, cauldrons, paintings, etc. Zulong and Da Hai stood at the very center gesturing through the entire treasury. "Take your pick, all of you may pick a single spiritual treasure you have fate with to keep."

Da Hai paused after noticing Yuanshi making a strange face after listening to him. "You have a problem?" He asked sounding annoyed. "Speak up."

Yuanshi wasn't fazed to be singled out. He confidently stepped forward with a puffed up chest and said, "With all due respect Heavenly Lord. Should we not be rewarded with more than a single treasure? After all did we not all risk our lives fighting the monstrous Devil Ancestor face to face and did us Three Pure Ones not contribute immensely during the battle?"

"The nerve," Zulong mumbled with gritting teeth. He was about to step forwards until Da Hai raised a hand. The dragon did not seem to mind and deferred to Da Hai anyway.

"Three Pure Ones you say? You three…huh?"

Whatever Da Hai was going to say disappeared in his throat as he closely examined the three individuals Yuanshi gestured towards. The middle aged yet handsome Yuanshi, the elderly wise looking Taishang, and a young energetic woman.

Da Hai's confused gaze singled out Tongtian who coincidentally missed his look. She was in fact given Yuanshi a not so subtle pinch on his backside whispering, "You're making us look bad idiot!"

'That's Tongtian? Does he just prefer…no that's clearly female yin qi. Why is she a woman? Why does she look so much like Wangshu?'

Da Hai took half a second to recompose himself, pushing his curiosity aside and coughed twice. "Ahem. Remember where you are. It was only right that you fought for a righteous cause like saving the world from death. That in and of itself is a reward."

"But we of the oceans are gracious enough to offer you all compensation for your work because my disciple, Dragon Sovereign is kind," Da Hai spat with slight disgust. "This is not a charity. You are not entitled to anything in this treasury. Xiantian spiritual treasures of any rank are valuable and worth more then a million immortal's lives. Nothing here is your property. Authentic descendent of Pangu or not."

With that Da Hai emitted part of his own aura silencing Yuanshi. Other innate gods like Leizu and Minghe were silently thanking Yuanshi for having the balls to say what they were thinking and taking the fall for them as well. Others were wondering how Da Hai already knew Yuanshi's claims despite never talking to him until now.

"Enough, you all have your own pride as powerful immortals and neither Zulong nor I begrudge you," Da Hai said finally. "Nuwa, you come with us."

Nuwa pointed at herself oddly before trailing after Zulong and Da Hai. But she was an afterthought as others began looking around. They had all taken Da Hai's words to heart and began examining what they wanted.

"Don't go overboard," a random dragon who was also checking around felt the need to say.

"Why? You don't trust us? We fought on the same side," the bird headed Leizu said feeling angered at the perceived insult.

"Ultimately you are still strangers. This is dragon property first and foremost," the dragon said.

Before Leizu could respond, an elderly hand rested on his shoulders. The muscular thunder god looked back to see a relaxed Taishang.

"No need to escalate. We all have manners here," he said simply before leaving.

"Hmph," Leizu promptly chose another direction to inspect him ignoring the dragon and grumbling to himself. Afterwards there was a noticeable distance between the innate gods and the natives of the oceans.

Watching this Liu Er grumbled. He was hoping for something good but it looks like this Leizu fellow was too pussy to defend himself. The dragons too were as arrogant as ever. The monkey couldn't wait for their sins to catch up to them. Then he can loot their palaces without worry.

He strutted around the treasury heading straight for cudgel type weapons of the highest possible grade. Secretly he hoped for a top grade xiantian spiritual treasure that had just been left around.

Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Taishang were each picking out what they wanted. However in their minds they were discussing their own thoughts through mental communications.

"These dragons think too highly of themselves. They treat us as if we're second class nobodies."

"Meh, you're just pissed they didn't cater to your every whim."

"And you're too relaxed about it. We're the most authentic children of Pangu the creator. We have a status that needs to be respected. Dragons or no dragons."

"Well I can't really argue against that. But don't you…oh hey what's this now?"

Tongtian bent down and picked up a sword examining it happily.

"Put that down sister, it's only a low grade trash. I can make something ten times better with my eyes closed," Yuanshi sent her his message with a dismissive wave. He was also correct in his assessment.

Of the three, Yuanshi was the most talented in crafting. In fact, with proper equipment, materials and time, he was the only one who could create a xiantian level spiritual treasure. His siblings Tongtian was a master of formation crafting while Taishang was more skilled in alchemy. Together they were a trifecta of support arts that complimented each other.

"You really are salty aren't you," Tongtian shot back placing the sword back.

"Hmph. We were on the front lines against Luohu. I personally ripped the Heavenly Dao's core away from him to safety. And I'm not even guaranteed at least ten high grade xiantian spiritual treasure? Doesn't feel fair."

"You always harp on about that. Didn't our fellow siblings the twelve monster things do fine without any?"

"Don't compare us to those beasts. You know we need treasures to augment our strength. And besides, how can we live up to father god Pangu's legacy being broke second rate powers?"

"Hmph, that pride of yours embarrasses us more times then I could count."

"You embarrass us with your antics more then anything I've done."

"Want me to pinch you again?"

"Enough you two," Taishang's ancient wizened voice shot through both Yuanshi and Tongtian's minds. "Yuanshi, your behavior has been abhorrent. Stop it at once. And you Tongtian, stop being so childish, there is a time and place for these things."

Yuanshi and Tongtian looked over at a no longer serene Taishang. For once he appeared slightly pissed at them. They wisely chose to keep quiet and return to looking. Taishang only sighed and picked out a cushion on a table before walking off with it.

In the end Yuanshi took a pair of swords while Tongtian ended up with an idol. The others did not take long to tract down objects that they felt suited them best and took them. Only Liu Er was still looking largely unaware of what he was looking for.

Unlike other innate gods who were sensitive enough to sense treasures with some karmic ties with them. Liu Er was not sensitive to this at all. In all his years, he'd never really learned how to do more of the esoteric abilities immortals learned to perform. His only trait was his natural super hearing divine ability and great raw strength.

…

Da Hai and Zulong took Nuwa to a deeper layer of the treasury. Nuwa was nervous as the two men walked quickly and opened up a chamber where other objects were stored.

"You did a great deed Nuwa," Da Hai said sighing with deep emotion visible in his far away look. "Mending the heavens resolved things enough for me to return in time. Ultimately, it made Qinglong's death mean something."

"To be honest it could've been anyone," Nuwa said respectfully. "I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I remember Liu Er also contributed to helping me reach the top."

"Liu Er you say?" Da Hai raised an eyebrow. "Nevertheless it was still you who ultimately achieved it. Qinglong's sacrifice was not in vein because of your actions."

Zulong sighed at the mention. "Indeed young Nuwa. This here are some of the rarest most valuable treasures at my disposal. But ultimately it suited none of my siblings nor my sons and so were kept here. Take whatever you want."

"These are," Nuwa narrowed her eyes at the few treasures arranged around her. There weren't many but unlike the ones from the other larger room, this collection could be counted on the fingers of one hand. "All top grade xiantian spiritual treasures?"

"I…I can't possibly accept these!"

"Just take it, you've earned it."

Nuwa gulped. She nervously stepped forwards and reached out searching for treasures that had fate with her. Karmic ties between treasures and individuals were faint to begin with and only signified the potential of this treasure to be owned by someone as well as their affinity. Following this principle Nuwa quickly realized her choice.

"This one," she said pointing at a painting hung on the wall.

"That? I see I see," Da Hai said with a small smirk. "Very well then goddess Nuwa. The Myriad Miles Rivers and Mountains Painting is yours. It has the ability to trap others inside a miniature world of its own hence its name. Offensively its nothing special but it does have wonderful effects as a farm."

"I'm sure I can find good use for it," Nuwa said.

Satisfied, the three left this chamber and returned to the first. By the time they returned, others were done with their selections. Many had noticed the painting Nuwa held folded in her arm and felt immense envy for they all noticed its grade.

"Take a pick from this room and we're done," Da Hai said. Afterwards he stopped paying attention and began speaking to Zulong.

"Say, just how much stuff were collected her over the years?"

"Frankly, a lot. Much more then I bothered remembering."

"Heavens!"

Meanwhile Nuwa was scrutinized while she once again set out to pick another treasure. The stuff in this room were not of top grade but still very strong. For someone who was penniless like her, everything seemed valuable.

"Look at her, strutting around like she owns the place," Liu Er sneered. His hand was holding a large demonic looking cudgel with a snarling face and spikes. He had picked it for its deadly appearance and was itching to grab something else. Seeing Nuwa, he only felt further incentivized.

His frisky hands reached for another treasure, a ring on a pedestal before another hand caught it. Liu Er snarled facing Hongyun.

'This retard,' he thought with contempt.

"Hey, one treasure per person," Hongyun reminded. "We all follow the rules, why can't you?" Liu Er tore his arm away from the Red Cloud Ancestor and waked away muttering to himself.

"Fucking busy body nice guy," he muttered quietly. Unfortunately for him, his words did not go unnoticed. "Nuwa can grab that painting and something else. Why can't I?"

Nuwa finally reached for a ball of red string. Among the dragon's vast reservoir of treasures, this string wasn't that powerful either. But Nuwa felt it was special so she chose it. It was only a medium grade xiantian spiritual treasure.

"I chose this," she announced holding the ball of red string up. "Imma call it my Red Hydrangea."

"Sister, isn't that a waste of a pick? There are much better weapons here," Fuxi whispered after reaching her side.

"Yeah but they all don't suit me. I feel much more relaxed with this Red Hydrangea."

"But…fine whatever makes you happy."

Other innate gods felt it was a bit of a wasteful pick. But they ultimately did not judge. Affinity with a treasure was important after all as it was an indication how effective you could use it. A treasure that felt right for you is ultimately better then one that had more raw power on a glance.

Only Liu Er felt different.

The six eared macaque could not believe his eyes. His disdain for Nuwa grew immensely with her pick. Between her top grade xiantian spiritual painting and now this? She truly was a favoured child of the heavens. Liu Er once again cursed how unfair heaven was.

But then he squinted his eyes and scrutinized the string.

'Wait a second, isn't that the red string that conducted the first marriage in the universe? Fuck! It was here the whole time? I could've grabbed it? Fucking hell all that karmic merit wasted!'

Liu Er looked around. Hongyun was starring right at him ready to report any wrongdoings like the number one nice guy he was. Zhen Yuanzi his favorite buddy was also doing the same. Liu Er felt his rage growing.

He looked around and decided his next course of action.

It wasn't a very respectful action but it was one he knew for sure would work in his favour. Hence he fell onto the ground rolling in tears.

"Woo woo woo. Oceanic Heavenly Lord you really have to help me hear! Woo woo woo!"

His crying drowned the room in shock at his ridiculousness. The monkey rolled around like a child throwing a tantrum crying long rivers of tears. Da Hai and Zulong looked over in utter disbelief at his audacity.

"What shameless," Zulong uttered with a gapping mouth.

Liu Er ran up to Da Hai and Zulong and fell onto his knees with his hands clasped in a praying motion. His eyes were tear ridden and his mouth was quivering. His six ears drooped down all together and he wailed with all his might.

"Woo woo woo. Oceanic Heavenly Lord I really need your help. Little monkey was born weak and poor and struggled really hard. The only weapon I had broke as well! Oh woo woo woo. I don't have anything left!"

His crying even made Da Hai's eyes twitch and his mouth fell apart in a wide gape.

"Please Heavenly Lord, utmost kind and profound Heavenly Lord. Can you spare some small change for this lowly monkey?" Liu Er wailed more on the ground and slammed his forehead into the floor.

"Of all the shameless," Zulong felt furious on Da Hai's behalf. It wasn't just him, all the other innate gods and sea creatures looked at him weirdly.

"Heaven's sake have some self respect," Tongtian found herself muttering aloud. Yuanshi wasnt far behind her and opening sneered at the sight. Even Taishang found it hard to watch and turned away with an uncharacteristic huff.

Minghe, who like Liu Er was a bloodthirsty person. He felt relatable to Liu Er after watching him slaughter hundreds of devils. But even he was stupefied by Liu Er's wailing and whereas previously he wouldn't mind associated with the monkey, now he wanted to be in any room except the one he inhabited.

Others like Leize, Fuxi, Hongyun, and Zhen Yuanzi looked scornful of the monkey. Hongyun especially could not believe the monkey's shameless lack of self respect. Did he honestly expect to achieve anything from humiliating himself?

But Liu Er did not think this. He considered it one of the biggest brained move he'd ever made.

In ancient myths, it was said that during Hongjun's sermon to three thousand guests. There were six prayer mats at the very front designating those who would become the Dao Ancestors disciple. The three thousand guests consisting of this generation of innate gods as well as powerful experts all vied for them. Eventually the Three Pure Ones, Hongyun, Nuwa, and Kun Peng won out

The two from the west, Jieyin and Zhunti arrived later then everyone else and missed the chance to fight for the seats. But Zhunti in an display of utter shamelessness, fell to his knees and wailed like a baby. He cried and cried and even threatened suicide before Hongyun gave in and offered up his seat.

This scene cemented Zhunti's despicable place in mythology, Hongyun's utter stupidity and his place as a retard in Liu Er's mind. But it also cemented the precedence of powerful experts giving in so as to not look bad. After all, Hongjun couldn't have someone committing suicide in his hall. So why wasn't this Oceanic Suppression Heavenly Lord the same?

Noticing Da Hai's inaction, Liu Er decided to take the next step.

"Oh I can't live like this anymore. Day in and day out of endless suffering. I have to free myself!" He roared and charged at a pillar. He was fully intent on throwing himself into it and personally lowered his flesh's strength. His aim was to appear maimed and even more pitiful.

"Okay that's enough," Da Hai sighed reaching out with his hand. He grabbed the monkey's shoulder before he could reach the pillar and threw him back on the floor with a thud.

"Zulong take care of the rest, I'll be with you soon," Da Hai ordered and snapped his fingers. He and Liu Er both disappeared before everyone's watchful gaze.

…

SWISCH!

Da Hai and Liu Er both materialized on the ocean surface. Both appeared on a small rocky landmass on the surface with the former standing and the latter on his knees.

"You force teleported me?" Liu Er gasped touching himself. 'How strong is he to do that?'

"Okay monkey what's your name?"

"Senior oh woo woo woo, thank you for hearing me out. This little one is…"

"Not your new name. Your original earth name," Da Hai asked bluntly.

"Huh?"

"Come on, Earth or Terra as its called? The planet home to humanity and a thousand myths of gods and monsters? Of science and technology? That earth?"

"What is great Heavenly Lord asking?" Liu Er attempted to play dumb.

"The world you reincarnated from. Don't play dumb monkey, you and I both should know that the Six Eared Macaque was newborn when Hongjun gave his first sermon long after the third generation of innate gods. You should not be a contemporary of them."

"Haha senior really knows how to joke. I was just lucky to be born of the same generation as my brethren."

"Of the four celestial monkeys, Sun Wukong, Wu Ziqi, Yuan Hong, and Liu Er. Liu Er was born first. He offended Hongjun by listening in to his sermon without permission and received a blacklist from every esteemed master in the world. It took many years for him to finally catch up in cultivation to the likes of the Twelve Golden Immortals. But sadly, he was slain by the much younger Great Sage Equalling Heaven Sun Wukong for daring to impersonate him."

"Oh please, that pathetic welp was traveling monk Sun by then," Liu Er scoffed. "And Twelve Golden Immortals? Hah! They would've just been a few small Taiyi Jin Xian, nothing major at all!"

Liu Er gasped and covered his mouth with widened eyes.

"Uh oh indeed," Da Hai chuckled. "I must say, you constantly calling cultivation realms by mtl names is giving me a headache. Great performance by the way. Fictional Zhunti will be proud."

"So…does that mean you'll give me some bonus treasure?"

"What? No!" Da Hai answered simply. "You get one pick like everyone else."

Liu Er got up to his feet and laughed. "Come on bro, you're from earth like me right? Reincarnated even earlier? You know how hard things are? I'm broke as shit well those privileged rich kids strut around with their inheritances. Heaven is unfair and as earth brothers we should stick together and stay safe."

"You inherited Demon Ape's physique as the Six Eared Macaque. You are hardly in a position to judge them," Da Hai said dismissively.

"Bah! What is a mere Demon Ape to a Pangu Nascent Soul? It's just one fourth of Demon Ape as well. Say, given your age do you know where I can find the other monkeys?"

"First of," Da Hai held a finger up. "I am not your earth brother. Second of, no I will not help you. That display was pathetic and wholly undignified. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"The fuck man? You really have to be like that?"

Da Hai took a deep breath. "Look, I get that it's hard. The Primitive World is dangerous and a tribulation is already upon us. I heard you helped Nuwa reach the sky as well and killed hundreds of devils. So I'll tell you what, I'll convince Zulong to let you stay in the East Sea Dragon Palace in your own residence. We'll give you some manuals as well since I know good techniques are hard to come by."

"What? That's it?" Liu Er gaped. "Dude you're this Heavenly Lord big shot right? Surely you can offer more!"

"We are in war time, we can discuss this after the tribulation is dealt with. The treasures are also needed to maintain Kailong Chen's defense formation. I can't let you take too much. You're already receiving free treasure and other aids, what more do you need?"

"Fucking hell why do you care so much about these dragons. Let them kill themselves and grab all the treasures. Aren't you some big shot immortal or is that all a scam huh? Why are you so dumb anyway? If I were you, I'd loot the place, teach those arrogant Three Pure Ones a lesson and wait for the storm to be over. Maybe give that empress of theirs a good time as well, girl looked miserable with how neglectful that dragon is."

"I'm going to ignore that last part as a joke in poor taste," Da Hai began. "Zulong, Yinglong, Qinglong, Yi Fei'e, Er Fei'e, San Fei'e, Shi Fei'e, Wu Fei'e, Liu Fei'e, and Qi Fei'e are all my disciples…"

"Oh smart, taking control of the heaven's chosen. Though it sure about those numbered moths though, how useful are they? Cause you know how much of a liability week disciples are? Anyway, I get you probably invested a lot, buts smarter to pull out yeah? I mean they're gonna die anyway."

"NO!"

Da Hai silenced Liu Er generating a hurricane around them. "Do NOT speak so callously of them. Do not. They are my children…"

"Wait wait wait hold up. Children? You kidding me? What kind of western cringy shit is this? You call yourself an insert? What you're gonna run to their defense and 'save' them from death? Fucking pussy."

PAH!

Liu Er fell to his knees clutching his cheek in pain. His supremely resilient flesh suffered excruciating pain for the first time in years. "JESUS FUCKING CHRIST. The hells wrong with you? You don't just hit people man."

"Another word that comes from your mouth is another hit."

"Oh no you…"

PAH!

PAH!

PAH!

"Gud do…"

PAH!

PAH!

"Suwenda, Sawen…"

PAH!

PAH!

Liu Er clutched both his cheeks in agony crouching. Da Hai merely walked up to him and crouched to meet him at eye level. His expression was an indifferent one yet Liu Er could swear he could see amusement from his eyes.

"Look Liu Er, I think I…no I definitely know your type. I'm not gonna kill you, I'm not petty enough for that. Your strength is quite useful too. I do retract every boon I offered. That cudgel of yours I'm taking back."

"Also, let me just inform you. This mythological world may remind you of some Webnovel you've read. Do not assume you know everything. And by the way, you may have all the qualities of an insert type protagonist, but you're not the centre of the universe. So I'm going to give you some advice. Think, and I really do mean that but think before you speak. Think before you act."

Da Hai patted the monkey on the head and ruffled his fur as if he was some immature child. And stood back up with a small smile and walked past him. "Because unlike power fantasy Webnovel, your actions do have consequences. So be very very VERY careful of what you say, yeah?"

"Yeah," Liu Er grunted.

Da Hai nodded and waved goodbye. Then he jumped back into the water. Liu Er slowly got up to his feet. He felt the inside of his mouth with his tongue, specifically along his teeth. Then in a second motion he spat out several broken teeth.

"Fucking Karen," he swore.

Suddenly he keeled over and screamed. A primal cry of pain the likes of which he'd never felt before. No physical damage occurred yet he screamed as if he was being tortured.

"GGGGRRRRAAAAHHHH!"

Liu Er thrashed gripping his stomach in pain. He clawed at his own body, his own face in disturbing agony. His body slowly became mangled and contorted. He twitched on the ground spitting out a gaseous substance.

He could feel something was wrong, something was very wrong. Deep within his body, he felt his painstakingly crafted inner cosmos, the Dao fruit formed from consuming countless others break apart. He felt large amounts of Dao essence leaving his body and he began to degrade.

"NO! Come back!"

He crawled after the disappearing flecks, eventually reaching the edge of the small landmass. He watched pitifully as the Dao essence disappeared into the air never to be seen again. Within his body, he felt he had weakened greatly.

Where once he was a Primal Origin Chaos Immortal, not stood a mere Great Principle Chaos Immortal lay. He gasped for breath still feeling great pain in his body. He wasn't able to form any rational thoughts but crying in depression for a long period of time. Only afterwards, was he able to focus his gaze again.

There just ahead of him in the water, an outline formed of water was atop the waves.

'Warned you.'

It said.

…

A year after the Mt Buzhou incident, Da Hai stood above the East Sea. Following him, massive armies of immortals were already moving out. Zulong was the overall commander and had already received word from both Zufeng and Zulin.

The Four Continents sans the West Continent and the Four Seas were united. They were going to invade the West Continent and destroy the devils once and for all.

It won't be an easy nor a short war. The West Continent is filled with traps and defensive formations. At least three Limitless Supreme Chaos Immortal supreme beings also resided there. Da Hai meanwhile was the only one available on the immortal's side.

With Hongjun recovering and Qiankun's disappearance. He really was their only weapon left.

Da Hai watched all the immortals, dragons, sea folk, coastal mammals leaving impassively. Distantly, he could see Gui Daiyu and Zulong ordering troops around. Twenty legions were organized each numerous in number. The innate gods had scattered themselves throughout with arrangements from the dragons.

However, the nine dragon children were once again ordered to guard Kailong Chen. Da Hai did not object and only further emphasized it. In fact, he slapped on them teleporting sigils that teleported them to Yingzhou the moment they were injured.

They were not pleased but ultimately they were powerless before Zulong and Da Hai.

So here Da Hai stood high above. He stared right at the West Continent. Distant memories poured into his mind.

"Brother Huoyun. I never wanted to feel that pain ever again and yet…yet it happened again and I could do nothing to stop it. I want to keep Zulong and Yinglong, and Yi Fei'e and all the others on Yingzhou. But unfortunately they have a stake in the conflict as well. Despite their power, I worry for them."

Da Hai looked down at the sword held in his arms. The top grade xiantian spiritual treasure Heavenly Cloud Gathering Sword shone in his hand. So he held it pointing upwards before him.

"Luohu, Hongjun doesn't even compare to you. You take and take and you take over and over again. I took two clones from you. Let's see if you can defend your main body as well. You couldn't last time. Let me deal the first blow of this war alright?"

Da Hai chuckled sounding almost maniacal. He prepared his sword and stabbed full throttle.

In the far west, in the location of Mt Sumeru's rubble. Millions of devils watched in fear as eight sword points descended from the sky.

The eight sword points hissed like a snake with each edge resembling the jaws of a massive serpent with an extended forked tongue.

They reached down in unison at Mt Sumeru aiming to destroy it once and for all.

But atop it, another four swords appeared spreading out in four directions.

The Immortal Extermination Formation directly manifested above Mt Sumeru to form a massive umbrella.

The attack from Da Hai impacted the barrier causing the very grounds to tremble.

FOOM!

Dust clouds were kicked up and scattered remains of Da Hai's attacks, mere residue splashed into distant mountains. Each on exploded in a fountains of rubble. But Sumeru remained unharmed.

"Welcome home Da Hai."

Luohu's amused voice registered in Da Hai's head. The sea god straightened his back and sheathed his sword after seeing his attack had failed. He did not give Luohu a response and only walked forwards.