Chapter 74: Irreconcilable Beliefs, Unyielding Stances

In the past, the Horned Demon Clan was hardly considered a major force; among the hundred races of the Spirit Realm, they were nothing more than ordinary. There was no so-called True Spirit Pact. But two thousand three hundred years ago, after the Fuxi Clan suffered a calamity, this Ancestor Fantuo began to rise abruptly. First, he became a Grand Ascendant, then, defying opposition, he brought back the exiled Four Seas Realm humans and some implicated ascendant cultivators from the lower realms, settling them all within the Horned Demon Clan's territory.

Next came sweeping reforms, employing the clever ones among the humans, learning from lower realm human civilization, and propelling the Horned Demon Clan's lands to unprecedented prosperity. This attracted talents from many small clans and those who had failed to find their way after ascending from the lower realms. In just over a millennium, the Horned Demon Clan's strength increased tenfold.

Now, though the Horned Demon Clan boasts only three Grand Ascendant ancestors, it has over thirty high-ranking members in the Unification stage. And that is only counting the clan itself, not the many who have attached themselves to the Horned Demons or pledged allegiance to Ancestor Fantuo.

Their rise has been swift; if given another ten thousand years, the Spirit Realm might well be turned upside down.

"Honored elders, I am Fantuo Tata, direct descendant of the thirteenth generation of the Saint Ancestor. Sincerely, I invite you both to join our clan, so that we may inherit the spirit of Fuxi and together usher in a new era."

The youth stood and bowed deeply to Chen Yang and his companion, perfectly embodying the humility of a wise host.

"Ancestor Fantuo is indeed a heroic figure," Chen Yang sighed. "Yet, his heroism is my enmity—not that I am narrow-minded, but some positions cannot change. No matter Fuxi's faults, he is one of our own; however wise and mighty your ancestor, he remains the enemy."

"You are mistaken, sir." No sooner had Chen Yang finished speaking than a man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, dressed in coarse linen and straw sandals, plain of appearance, suddenly appeared and spoke.

Chen Yang's expression did not change; he looked at the man and said quietly, "Fantuo?"

Though phrased as a question, his tone brooked no doubt.

"Saint Ancestor!" As expected, the Horned Demon youth grew excited at the sight of the man and stepped forward to pay his respects.

Ancestor Fantuo waved his hand, then looked at Chen Yang with a smile. "Indeed, I am Fantuo, though I prefer to be called Jiang Shu. Jiang Shu greets you, sir."

He clasped his fists in salute to Chen Yang.

Chen Yang returned the gesture and asked with a smile, "Do you know why I have come?"

Ancestor Fantuo smiled but did not answer. Instead, he openly sat beside Chen Yang and said, "Sir, regarding positions, I cannot agree. We are all intelligent beings. If we treat each other as equals, learn each other's culture and script, over time we will naturally merge, and distinctions between Horned Demons, humans, and the hundred races will disappear. In such a world, universal harmony reigns, and conflict ceases—is this not desirable?"

Chen Yang smiled and nodded. "If universal harmony and the absence of conflict could truly be achieved, it would be best. Yet the human heart is complex. The evolution of civilization is driven by selfish desires, or the pursuit of beauty, and what you describe can exist only in ideals.

Once fed, one seeks clothing. Clothed, one desires knowledge. Having learned, one craves power. With power, one wishes for everlasting stability. You may be free of selfishness, but how can you guarantee that all others are as well?

Moreover, if all were free of desire, civilization would lose its impetus and stagnate, falling into decline and eventual death, returning to wilderness, until, after countless years, another civilization emerges.

Do you still find this desirable?"

Ancestor Fantuo shook his head and laughed. "Sir, this is sophistry. Even if not all become saints, as long as most discern right from wrong and understand morality, the selfish and the scheming few will pose no threat.

What you truly believe is simply that those not of our kind must have different hearts."

"Very well!" Having been exposed, Chen Yang admitted frankly, "You are not wrong. Indeed, the notion that those not of our kind have different hearts is sufficient. Though I still do not agree with your view, if you were of the human race, I would share a drink with you today. Alas..."

Both had cultivated to high realms, and their beliefs would not be easily swayed. Knowing there would be no reconciliation nor persuasion, Ancestor Fantuo sighed. "This place was hard-won. To destroy it would be a shame. Please, follow me."

"Agreed," Chen Yang nodded.

One in coarse linen and straw sandals, the other in broad sleeves, each followed by their respective heirs.

They did not seem like enemies about to meet life or death, but conversed happily, their topics ranging wildly—from street vendors, to culture and natural law, to the workings of heaven and earth.

Sometimes they argued, sometimes their opinions aligned.

But their steps, slow yet swift, soon carried them beyond the Immortal Market, arriving at a desolate mountain.

"I regret meeting you so late, sir, all the more as our philosophies are irreconcilable and our positions unchangeable. Truly, it is a shame." Ancestor Fantuo stopped and sighed deeply.

Chen Yang laughed. "No matter. Next time, choose your birth wisely; perhaps we will meet again."

Fantuo laughed as well, shook his head, and said no more. Suddenly, the heavens and earth changed, and he struck without hesitation—where he had just shown regret, now he attacked with ruthless force.

"Well met!" Chen Yang laughed loudly. A vast, primordial hand swept forth, its five fingers distinct. With a single motion, it swept away all incoming spells, dissolving them back into pure energy, which he absorbed to strengthen his Innate Primordial Grasp.

This Innate Primordial Grasp was a fundamental technique in Mount Shu; almost everyone knew it, but few could wield its power effectively.

Apart from requiring extraordinary spiritual power, the technique needed to be combined with other methods to truly shine.

Take the Great Sumeru Vajra Palm of Buddhism, for example—it incorporated the dragon-elephant wisdom of Buddhist practice. The greater one's Buddhist wisdom, the greater its power. In theory, if wisdom were boundless, the palm could create or destroy worlds with a single strike.

Of course, this was only in theory. In all of Buddhism, few possessed such spiritual power, and those who did would not need such techniques; they could create or destroy worlds in a single thought.

Chen Yang’s Innate Primordial Grasp was infused with his own Primordial Immortal Light.

The path of Primordial Unity: enter demon to slay demon, use demon to enter the path, ultimately merging path and demon, yin and yang united, to cultivate the original ancestral qi.

The Way produces the One, the One produces the Two, the Two produces the Three, and the Three produces all things.

Thus, Primordial Immortal Light can transform into any form of spiritual power, and likewise, all spiritual power can be returned to its origin.

"Remarkable technique, sir." Facing the grasp that could dissolve all things into pure energy, Ancestor Fantuo praised loudly, yet showed no fear.

He could see the power of the technique, but also that Chen Yang’s spiritual strength was insufficient for it to unleash its true, world-transforming might.

"Alas, sir, you are too hasty."