Primordial Era: Mistakenly Taking Emperor Xin as Father, Nuwa is Destroyed at the Start

Di Xin and Huang Feihu followed his finger and noticed the new object in the corner.

The two of them curiously leaned closer to take a closer look.

The material of this plow was neither common wood nor the bronze they were familiar with, but something with a grayish-black metallic luster.

"This is……?"

Huang Feihu reached out and touched it; it felt cold and hard.

"Made of iron."

Li Xuan explained, and then took the opportunity to give them a brief explanation.

"This is called bloomery iron smelting. The farm tools made from iron ore are harder, sharper, more durable, and less prone to breakage than those made from bronze."

The key point is that iron ore is much easier to find than copper ore, and it is also relatively simpler to smelt, resulting in lower costs.

Using this kind of iron plow and harrow to till the land can increase efficiency several times over, saving time and labor.

Huang Feihu and Di Xin's eyes lit up when they heard this.

They envisioned a scenario where these sturdier, cheaper, and easier-to-use iron farm tools would be widely adopted.

How much of a help would that be to agriculture in the Shang Dynasty?

The two looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes.

This is yet another "national treasure"!

Huang Feihu and Di Xin felt their knees starting to go weak again.

Seeing their expressions, Li Xuan couldn't help but tease them, "What? Father, Uncle Huang, you're not going to thank me on behalf of the people of the Shang Dynasty again, are you?"

Di Xin took a deep breath and said solemnly:

"Xuan'er, if this ironware is truly as you say, its widespread adoption will be an immeasurable act of merit! It will make farming easier and yield greater harvests for the people of our Great Shang Dynasty. The people will remember this kindness in their hearts!"

He paused, then asked tentatively, with a mixture of caution and anticipation:

"Xuan'er, look... this iron smelting and forging technique, it seems difficult to learn just by looking at the blueprints. Could Father... send a few trustworthy craftsmen over here to learn from you?"

Don't worry, they definitely won't come into your little courtyard to bother you. They'll just set up camp at the foot of the mountain and watch you work from a distance, or you can give them some pointers. Hands-on teaching is faster and more intuitive.

After speaking, Di Xin felt a little uneasy, fearing that Li Xuan might find it troublesome and disagree.

Li Xuan readily agreed, nodding, "Sure, no problem. Let them come. They can do it at the foot of the mountain, just make sure it's not too noisy."

He had already realized that his adoptive father and Huang Feihu were both loyal subjects of the Shang Dynasty.

They wouldn't feel at ease if they didn't do something for the big merchants.

Li Xuan thought that since there were still a few years before the Investiture of the Gods plot completely collapsed, he might as well lend a hand if he could.

When Di Xin and Huang Feihu heard that he had agreed, they were overjoyed and their faces lit up with smiles.

Huang Feihu slapped his thigh in excitement:

"Excellent, young master! With these high-yield sweet potatoes, coupled with these even more powerful iron farm tools, if we can showcase them at the upcoming Investiture of the Gods ceremony in our Great Shang Dynasty, the effect... wow! It will definitely boost the morale and confidence of all the talented individuals who come to join us, as well as the people of our Great Shang!"

"The Investiture of the Gods?" Li Xuan was taken aback, catching the key phrase, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. "What Investiture of the Gods? The Great Shang Dynasty is going to hold an Investiture of the Gods?"

Di Xin and Huang Feihu exchanged a glance, then remembered that they had mentioned it to Li Xuan before, but hadn't gone into details.

Huang Feihu explained, "Yes, young master. It was done according to your earlier idea of ​​'self-deification.' His Majesty has already established the 'Department of Deification,' headed by Lord Du Yuanxian. In a few days, the grand ceremony of deification will be held in Chaoge to officially confer titles upon the first batch of deities willing to serve the Great Shang and protect the human race. Yuan Hong, Yu Yixian, and Ma Yuan of the Seven Monsters of Meishan have already completed their conferment."

Li Xuan was completely stunned after hearing this.

Good guy!

I just casually mentioned it before, criticizing the Heavenly Court's conferment of gods as unreliable and suggesting that they do it themselves.

And then... Da Shang actually did it?

Why make it so formal? They've even established the "Investiture of the Gods Bureau" and are about to hold a grand ceremony?

Could this mean that I, this little butterfly, really flapped my wings and changed the course of history of the Shang Dynasty?

Li Xuan felt a little uneasy, and also had a strange feeling.

He snapped out of his daze and quickly asked, "Wait! You guys didn't expose me during this Investiture of the Gods ceremony, did you? You didn't mention my name, did you?"

He didn't want to be targeted by those powerful figures.

Di Xin and Huang Feihu quickly shook their heads, saying in unison, "No, no! Absolutely not! Young master, rest assured, we'll only say that we received guidance from a master who lives in seclusion and doesn't wish to reveal his name. We'll keep your existence a secret!"

"That's good, that's good..." Li Xuan finally breathed a long sigh of relief, his heart finally at ease. As long as I don't expose myself, you can seal me off however you want.

Both of them were overjoyed to see that he agreed.

That's when I remembered the real reason I came here today.

He asked Li Xuan again.

I'd like to know what might happen if the Heavenly Court targets us. Are there any good countermeasures? I'm worried that the Heavenly Court might cause trouble on the day of the Investiture of the Gods ceremony.

What is Li Xuan's opinion?

Seeing their "you definitely have a solution" expressions, Li Xuan couldn't help but retort, "Seriously? You guys really think I'm the brain trust of the Shang Dynasty? Why don't you ask Shang Rong or Bi Gan about this, instead of coming to me?"

Di Xin and Huang Feihu could only chuckle awkwardly, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Xuan'er, it's not that...it's not that you have so many ideas," Di Xin said, rubbing his hands together. "We're worried that the Heavenly Court might really cause trouble, and it won't look good. Do you have any good ideas?"

Seeing their expressions, Li Xuan casually remarked, "Isn't that simple? Just invite the Three Emperors of Fire Cloud Cave to oversee things. With them there, would the Heavenly Court dare to act recklessly?"

Upon hearing this, Di Xin's face immediately fell, and he said with a wry smile:

"Xuan'er, the Three Sovereigns of Huoyun Cave are not so easy to invite. Last time, we used the waterwheel canal to invite them out. I guess the Holy Emperor Fuxi has realized his mistake, or perhaps he was warned by the Goddess Nuwa."

Later, when they tried to persuade them to come out of seclusion and support the Investiture of the Gods, Emperor Fuxi simply refused to see them, and there was nothing he could do.

He sighed deeply, his face full of helplessness.

"Who told you the Three Sovereigns were a united front?"

Seeing his worried expression, Li Xuan chuckled, "Why don't you divide and conquer? Fuxi has Nuwa watching over him, but Xuanyuan and Shennong are true emperors of the human race. They may not necessarily be of the same mind as Fuxi."

Di Xin and Huang Feihu were stunned and didn't quite understand.

Li Xuan then offered further advice: "Take some good stuff to impress them, and defeat them one by one. For example, the sweet potatoes and bloomery iron casting technology I brought this time, especially the sweet potatoes."

He pointed to the lush green vines in the backyard.

"Who is Shennong? He's the ancestor of medicine who tasted hundreds of herbs, and the patriarch of agriculture! This stuff is highly productive, can save countless lives, and is perfectly aligned with his Dao. If you offer this to him, how could he not be tempted?"

Di Xin and Huang Feihu's eyes lit up immediately; this idea sounded feasible!

But Di Xin immediately thought of another problem and worriedly said, "That's true, but what if... what if the Holy Emperor Shennong refuses to accept it because of the Holy Emperor Fuxi's influence?"

"It's his business if he doesn't accept it; it's your business whether you give it to him or not."

Li Xuan waved his hand, his tone relaxed, "Just go ahead and give it to him. If he really doesn't accept it, that's simple too. On the day of the Investiture of the Gods ceremony, in front of everyone, you offer the credit for this sweet potato directly before the statue of Shennong! Push the merit onto him! Can he really turn away such a huge amount of merit that's been delivered to his doorstep? Heaven is watching!"

He paused, then continued, "If he accepts it, or tacitly agrees that this merit belongs to him, what will the other two Holy Emperors of Fire Cloud Cave think?"

Li Xuan picked up the iron plow model and weighed it in his hand.

"Also, prepare this [iron smelting and casting technology]. Weapons and farm tools made from this will be sharper and more durable, greatly benefiting the human race's combat power and agricultural development. The Yellow Emperor was the master of war and the progenitor of humanity; isn't this technology exactly what suits him? If you offer this technology to him, how could he not be tempted?"

"Send the treasures separately, defeat them one by one. Even if Emperor Fuxi has a little grudge, what can he say? What you're sending are all genuinely beneficial things to the human race, and they're being presented to the human race's emperor—it's perfectly legitimate!"

Li Xuan concluded, "This is called dividing and conquering. Even if Fuxi had ideas, he could only keep them to himself."

Upon hearing this, Di Xin perked up completely, all his previous gloom vanished, and his eyes shone with an alarming brightness.

"Wonderful! Wonderful, Xuan'er!"

He slapped his thigh excitedly, "This is brilliant! Divide and conquer, cater to their desires! How could I not have thought of that!"

Huang Feihu was also full of admiration and nodded repeatedly:

"Young Master is truly brilliant! In this way, we can not only persuade the Holy Emperor to oversee and deter the Heavenly Court, but also promote these two 'national treasures' to benefit all people, and strengthen the connection between our Great Shang and the Fire Cloud Cave—a multi-pronged approach! Brilliant, truly brilliant!"

Di Xin became more and more excited as he thought about it, as if he could already see the successful conferment of the gods ceremony, the three sovereigns manifesting their divine power, and the Heavenly Court returning defeated.

He seemed to have seen the key to breaking the deadlock, and he was full of energy.

Seeing how excited they were, Li Xuan quickly emphasized it again.

He solemnly reminded him, "However, the most important thing is, whatever you do, don't reveal my name."

Li Xuan pointed to the sky: "I don't want to be targeted by those big shots."

Di Xin and Huang Feihu were both amused and exasperated by what they heard.

Di Xin quickly patted his chest and assured him, "Xuan'er, don't worry, Father understands! I will absolutely keep quiet!"

Huang Feihu quickly added, "Young Master, rest assured, we know what we're doing and will not leak a single word!"

The two readily agreed.

Di Xin thought for a moment, then asked, "Xuan'er, do you have any ideas about the specific time for this Investiture of the Gods ceremony?"

Huang Feihu added, "Yes, young master, regarding personnel selection, should we make some preparations in advance?"

Huang Feihu's face showed worry: "I'm worried that the Heavenly Court will send people in to infiltrate and cause trouble."

Di Xin nodded in agreement: "Also, many of the deities to be conferred titles will be covered in scales and armor, and their appearance might be frightening. Won't ordinary people be afraid of them, which could actually cause trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan simply waved his hand.

Li Xuan said, "There's absolutely no need for any personnel screening. The more you deliberately screen people and separate them from gods, the more mysterious it will seem to the common people, and the more easily they will feel fear."

Li Xuan looked at them, his tone firm: "Fear arises from a lack of understanding! What's most important when doing something like this?"

"We must completely integrate with the people!"

"As long as the recipient of the title has truly performed meritorious deeds and genuinely done good for the people, then there is absolutely no problem!"

Li Xuan suggested, "I think we should erect a large monument to his merits."

Li Xuan gestured and said, "In the most conspicuous place, clearly and plainly inscribe on it all the good deeds and merits that each deity to be conferred a title has done."

"A golden cup or a silver cup is not as good as the people's word of mouth! As long as there are real merits to back it up, the people will be clear in their hearts and will not be resentful; on the contrary, they will be overjoyed!"

After listening, Di Xin and Huang Feihu nodded thoughtfully.

Just as I was about to ask for more details, Su Daji came out of the kitchen carrying a plate.

The plate contained several freshly cooked sweet potatoes, still steaming hot.

Li Xuan's face immediately lit up with a smile.

Li Xuan greeted them happily, "Hey, you've come at the perfect time! Come, come, have a taste, try this good stuff!"

Li Xuan picked up a hot sweet potato, first handing it to Di Xin, then to Huang Feihu, and took one for himself as well.

Li Xuan urged, "Quickly, try it while it's hot and see what it tastes like!"

Di Xin and Huang Feihu were both taken aback by this interruption.

Still, they curiously reached out and each picked up a hot sweet potato, putting it in their mouths.

The moment the sweet potato entered their mouths, their eyes widened in amazement.

Who would have thought that these dusty clods of earth would taste so good!

Soft, sweet, and steaming hot, it carries the unique satisfaction of grains.

Then think back to what I just saw with my own eyes on the ridge in the backyard: clusters of tubers under the sweet potato vines, that astonishing yield...

The two of them ate with great relish, the warmth spreading from their mouths to their hearts.

"Delicious! It smells so good!" Huang Feihu couldn't help but exclaim.

"Mmm! Delicious!" Di Xin nodded repeatedly, eating with great satisfaction.

Li Xuan chuckled at how ravenously they were wolfing down their food.

He waved his hand: "There's more, there's plenty! Daji, go and get some more!"

Su Daji obediently replied, "Yes, young master."

She turned to leave, then stopped, and asked Li Xuan somewhat nervously in a low voice, "Young Master, should we... leave a copy for Senior Sword Maniac as well?"

She felt a little uneasy.

They were worried that it would be impolite not to leave something for their elders, but they were also afraid that the sages would not even look at what they had dug out of the ground.

Following her gaze, Li Xuan glanced at the Tongtian Sect Leader, who was still engrossed in his book and oblivious to the outside world.

Without a second thought, he nodded immediately: "Keep one. Sigh, it looks quite pitiful. This kind of attire probably wouldn't be well-received even in the Jie Sect."

Li Xuan sighed, especially when he thought of Jian Chi's disciple Yun Xiao, who seemed to know nothing about Taoist magic, which made him even more certain that Jian Chi's status was not high.

So when he spoke, his tone still carried a hint of sympathy.

Upon hearing this, Di Xin and Huang Feihu nearly choked on the sweet potatoes in their mouths.

The two of them were internally screaming: Are you serious? That's the Tongtian Sect Master! Who in the entire Jie Sect would dare to bully him? Not to mention the Jie Sect, in the entire prehistoric world, it would be good enough if he didn't bully others!

However, he could only think these words in his heart and dared not show them on his face.

Li Xuan had no idea what the two of them were thinking.

He finished the remaining sweet potato in his hand, patted his belly contentedly, and then lay down on the recliner in the yard.

"Ah...so comfortable!" He squinted his eyes contentedly.

For him, eating well, drinking well, and basking in the sun are the most important things in life.

Su Daji immediately stood obediently behind him, stretched out her slender hands, and massaged his shoulders with just the right amount of force, while gently fanning him with her other hand.

Looking at him leisurely and enjoying the service, Di Xin couldn't help but sigh inwardly: This kid really knows how to enjoy himself!

He was thinking to himself.

Li Xuan had just fallen asleep.

The Tongtian Sect Leader, who had been sitting quietly to the side, suddenly unleashed an extremely sharp aura!

It was as if an invisible giant sword was shooting straight into the sky!

Although it was only a fleeting moment and was immediately soothed by the invisible Daoist aura of the courtyard, the incomparably sharp sword intent still made Di Xin and Huang Feihu's hair stand on end instantly, as if a sharp blade was pressed against their throats.

Tongtian suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze seemingly filled with the fading of a galaxy and the swirling light of swords.

He let out a long, silent sigh.

Become!

The true meaning of swordsmanship recorded in that book, belonging to another world and another path, allowed him to capture a wisp of the Dao principles of another world.

Although it was only a single strand

But this wisp of light, like a new window opening on his already unparalleled path of swordsmanship, illuminated some of the fog ahead.

Let him, this Primordial Golden Immortal.

Having reached a new level, they have taken another small, steady step forward!

Although it is still far from the "Harmony with the Dao" realm of our teacher, Hongjun Daozu, who was in harmony with the Dao of Heaven.

But this real and self-transcending progress was an enormous surprise for him, a saint who had long since reached a "dead end"!