Wu Ming smiled, his tone calm yet solemn: "Fellow Daoists are of great righteousness, my Wu Race is eternally grateful."
He paused, then continued: "We have long anticipated the matter of the Yao Race, and we have our own countermeasures."
"However, the fact that the two Fellow Daoists could come at this moment, this friendship, the Wu Race will engrave it in our hearts."
Hearing Wu Ming say this, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi exchanged glances, both secretly heaving a sigh of relief, their worries dissipating by more than half.
Hongyun laughed heartily, his tone much more relaxed: "Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi guessed correctly."
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming is indeed prepared. It seems we're truly here to be spectators, to watch the excitement, and to boost morale!"
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, when your Wu Race displays its Divine Might, please save us a good viewing spot!"
His tone was relaxed, with a hint of teasing.
Zhenyuanzi also smiled, nodding slightly: "Watching the excitement is good."
"The more at leisure we are, the more it proves that Fellow Daoist Wu Ming is well-prepared, and the more at ease I will be."
He picked up the teacup from the stone table and raised it in a salute to Wu Ming: "I wish Fellow Daoist a swift victory in advance."
Wu Ming merely smiled at his two friends' teasing, saying nothing more.
For a moment, the atmosphere inside Pangu Hall became much more relaxed.
The three of them sipped spirit tea, chatting casually about recent events in the Great Desolation, and the hall was filled with peace.
Just as the three of them were chatting merrily and the atmosphere was pleasant—
Outside Pangu Hall, a clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out, breaking the tranquility within the hall.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, I, Nuwa, have come to visit."
The voice was clear, reaching into the hall.
"Hmm?"
Wu Ming, Hongyun, and Zhenyuanzi were all stunned by the words.
Nuwa?
What was she doing here?
Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi exchanged glances, both seeing deep confusion in each other's eyes.
At this moment, the Witch and Demon War was on the verge of breaking out. Nuwa, as the Wa Emperor of the Yao Race, coming to the Wu Race's main base... what was she up to?
The two of them simultaneously looked at Wu Ming, awaiting his decision.
Wu Ming's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly, then returned to calm.
He said to Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi: "Fellow Daoists, since Fellow Daoist Nuwa has arrived, it would be impolite of us to not greet her. Please come with me to receive her."
Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun exchanged glances, then nodded: "Good."
The three then rose and walked together out of Pangu Hall.
Outside Pangu Hall, Nuwa, dressed in a simple and elegant palace gown, stood quietly before the hall door. Her expression was cold, her demeanor extraordinary, yet it could not hide her unparalleled grace.
Seeing Wu Ming, Hongyun, and Zhenyuanzi walk out together, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly returned to normal.
Wu Ming bowed: "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, I trust you have been well."
Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun also bowed: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Nuwa."
Nuwa nodded slightly in return: "Greetings, three Fellow Daoists."
Her gaze swept over Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun's faces, and she said softly: "I did not expect Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi and Fellow Daoist Hong Yun to be here as well."
Wu Ming turned sideways, making a 'please' gesture: "Fellow Daoist Nuwa has come a long way. Please enter the hall for a discussion."
"Thank you."
Nuwa said softly, then followed Wu Ming and the others back into Pangu Hall.
Inside the hall, everyone took their seats.
Unlike the relaxed atmosphere from earlier, the air in Pangu Hall now held an indescribably subtle tension due to Nuwa's arrival.
Wu Ming sat in the main seat, his gaze on Nuwa, and he was the first to break the silence: "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, instead of cultivating diligently and comprehending the Great Dao on Phoenix Perch Mountain,"
"Why do you have the leisure to visit my Pangu Hall on Mount Buzhou today?"
Hearing Wu Ming's question, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi also looked at Nuwa in unison, their eyes filled with inquiry.
They were equally curious about Nuwa's true purpose for this visit.
One must know that the Witch and Demon War was imminent, on the verge of breaking out!
Nuwa, as the Wa Emperor of the Yao Race, although she had been estranged from Dijun and Taiyi for years,
Even so, at this sensitive moment, her coming to the Wu Race alone was truly perplexing.
Hearing Wu Ming's question, Nuwa looked up at Wu Ming, then subtly glanced at Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun beside her, hesitating to speak. Her lips moved a few times, but no sound came out.
Her expression and posture clearly conveyed her meaning—some things were not convenient to say in front of outsiders.
Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun were both astute individuals; how could they not understand Nuwa's meaning?
The two exchanged glances, and Zhenyuanzi was the first to rise, cupping his hands to Wu Ming: "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming,"
"Since Fellow Daoist Nuwa has important matters to discuss, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun and I will withdraw for a moment. You and Fellow Daoist Nuwa can then converse at ease."
Hongyun also immediately stood up, echoing: "Exactly, exactly. Our presence here is indeed a bit inconvenient."
"There's no need for Fellow Daoists to do this."
Wu Ming, however, waved his hand, stopping the two who intended to leave.
Then, he turned to Nuwa, his expression calm: "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, Fellow Daoists Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun are both my close friends."
"With the Witch and Demon War imminent, they specifically rushed to Mount Buzhou, intending to lend a hand to my Wu Race. Their friendship is deep and their righteousness profound."
"They are not outsiders. Fellow Daoist, feel free to speak your mind. There's no need to avoid them."
As soon as Wu Ming said this, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi both felt a warmth in their hearts.
Especially Hongyun, who was so moved that he almost slapped his chest and guaranteed that for Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, he, Hongyun, would go through fire and water without hesitation!
So Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun no longer insisted and sat back down, though their gazes still held a hint of curiosity as they looked at Nuwa.
Nuwa was silent for a moment.
She looked at Wu Ming's candid expression, then at Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi, whose expressions varied, and her thoughts churned.
She had originally intended to discuss this privately with Wu Ming, as the matter was of great importance, and one more person knowing meant one more variable.
But Wu Ming had already spoken, clearly not intending to have Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi withdraw.
So be it.
Since things had come to this, further concealment would only make her seem petty.
Moreover, since Wu Ming trusted these two so much, they were probably not the type to stir up trouble.
Thinking this, Nuwa took a deep breath and finally made up her mind.
She raised her head, her gaze fixed on Wu Ming, and slowly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of earnestness: "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, I have indeed come with a request."
"I hope... Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, can agree."
Wu Ming's thoughts raced upon hearing this. He said calmly: "Oh? What is it?"
"That would make Fellow Daoist Nuwa use the word 'request'?"
"If there is anything, Fellow Daoist, please speak frankly. If I can do it, I will not refuse."
Nuwa bit her lower lip lightly, as if making a great decision: "In this Witch and Demon War, my elder brother Fuxi, for various reasons, must participate."
"I know that with the strength of the Wu Race, in this war, the Yao Race's chances of winning are slim, and the Wu Race will undoubtedly be the final victor."
She raised her head, her gaze earnest, with a barely perceptible tremor: "So, I want to ask Fellow Daoist... to show mercy to my elder brother and not take his life!"