Chapter Sixty-Six: The Hope of Obtaining Primordial Purple Qi

Taiyin Palace.

Li Tian also sensed the commotion coming from the Wu Tribe’s territory. He glanced over, but paid it no real mind. After all, beneath a Sage, all are but ants. He did not believe that the Twelve Ancestral Witches, even with their so-called Great Twelve Celestial Demonic Formation, could possibly defeat himself and Nuwa, two Sages.

“What’s the matter, Heavenly Emperor?” Xihe noticed the change in Li Tian’s expression, paused her zither, and looked up to ask him.

“It’s nothing, a trifling affair. There are those who will take care of it,” Li Tian replied with a smile, then reclined against Changxi’s lap, breathing in the faint scent of osmanthus that lingered about her, which filled his heart with a rare sense of leisure.

Listening to Xihe’s music and enjoying Changxi’s gentle attention, he had to admit this was a comfort like no other.

“How many times have you said that, Heavenly Emperor? Hmph, you’re really a most negligent ruler!” Changxi pursed her lips as she looked at Li Tian, who was lying so languidly in her arms.

Li Tian, hearing this, opened one eye and couldn’t help but laugh.

“And you speak as if you, Lady Changxi, are such a model of diligence. Tell me, how many court assemblies have you attended in the Celestial Court?”

...

Wu Tribe.

“Congratulations to the Ancestral Witches for successfully summoning the true body of Father Pangu!”

Countless great witches, sensing the disturbance from the Pangu Hall, gathered in droves to offer their felicitations.

“Hahahahahaha!” The Twelve Ancestral Witches, having just released the true body of Pangu, burst out in laughter, their spirits soaring. The power contained within the true body left them feeling immensely fortified, so much so that many of them felt their confidence swell.

With the true body of Father Pangu now theirs, who under Heaven and Earth could possibly rival them? Compared to Father Pangu, who split Heaven and Earth itself, what was a mere Sage in the grand scheme of things?

Di Jiang’s face was alight with excitement as he raised his broad arm and declared, “Sons and daughters, the days of our Wu Tribe’s dormancy are soon to end. Before long, the entire world shall be our domain!”

“Wu! Wu! Wu!” All the great witches threw back their heads and howled, the joy in their voices unending. Truly, they had been suppressed for far too long.

Countless years had passed. Due to the Wu Tribe’s rampant hunting and slaughter, most of the demon clans had fled en masse to the Celestial Court’s territory. As a result, fewer and fewer demons remained in the Wu Tribe’s lands.

Now, every time the Wu Tribe went hunting, they had to travel hundreds of thousands of miles at the very least just to find enough game to feed themselves.

These days had long been a source of bitter complaint among the Wu Tribe. It was only the Celestial Court’s overwhelming power that had kept their resentment in check.

But now, at last, those days were coming to an end. How could they not rejoice?

In the imagination of the Wu Tribe, the lands governed by the Celestial Court must surely be a paradise... After all, for so many years, countless demon clans had migrated there...

Of course, this was nothing but the Wu Tribe’s wishful thinking.

In truth, the number of demon clans under the Celestial Court’s rule was not much greater than under the Wu Tribe’s—perhaps even less. After all, the Human Clan’s growth was far too swift.

“Is it truly wise to go to war with the Celestial Court at this time?” Houtu, seeing the excited faces of the great witches, hesitated and frowned. “There are still tens of thousands of years until the end of the Era, as the Dao Ancestor foretold. Perhaps we should wait a while longer...”

“Ancestral Witch Houtu need not worry.” The great witch Chiyou flexed his burly, dark-muscled arms with confidence. “With the true body of Father Pangu behind us, why should we fear Hongjun?”

“That’s right! Father Pangu could split Heaven and Earth itself. Now that we can summon his true body, what is there to fear from those so-called Sages?” Xingtian agreed from the side. He, like Chiyou, Fengbo, and Yushi, was created by Houtu, so he spoke his mind without reservation.

Houtu frowned, but a glance at the other Ancestral Witches and great witches told her that no one would heed her counsel. She decided it was best left unsaid.

“That Hongjun hasn’t appeared in all these years. They say he merged with the Dao, but perhaps he’s gone altogether. Why should we even care?” Xuanming moved to Houtu’s side and spoke softly. As the only two women among the Twelve Ancestral Witches, they shared a close bond.

“Perhaps.” Houtu’s brow furrowed slightly, but she said nothing more. At this point, all she could do was pray that Pangu’s true body was strong enough to stand against the Sages.

“We have no choice now but to fight the Celestial Court with all our might,” Di Jiang said, glancing at Houtu, his voice grave. “If Pangu’s true body is strong enough to defeat the Sages, all will be well. If not... Do you think the Celestial Court will let us roam free?”

As the eldest and leader of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, Di Jiang saw things more clearly than most. Though confident in the power of Pangu’s true body, he was far from blindly optimistic.

At his words, Houtu fell silent, as did the rest of the Ancestral Witches and great witches. Yet, in the next moment, the warlike blood of the Wu Tribe was ignited, and flames of battle blazed in their eyes.

If we do not succeed, we die with honor. When has the Wu Tribe ever known fear?

“Let’s go back to the Pangu Hall and discuss our plans in detail,” Di Jiang announced, surveying his followers with satisfaction.

...

The Ancestral Witches and great witches followed Di Jiang back into the Pangu Hall, where debate immediately erupted.

Zhu Jiuyin suggested devising a way to lure the two Sages of the Celestial Court away, then seize the chance to annihilate the bulk of their power.

But this was quickly dismissed. Everyone knew the Sages’ speed—they could traverse the world in an instant.

In the end, after much discussion, it seemed there was but one path: a direct confrontation.

...

“So it has come to this. We have no choice but to fight head-on,” Di Jiang declared. “We must gather every ounce of strength we have and face the Celestial Court in a decisive battle!”

“Jumang, you go and fetch Jieyin. He founded the Sect of All Beings and has drawn many skilled followers. They will be a valuable force.”

Jumang bowed slightly, then left the Pangu Hall. The other Ancestral Witches made no objection.

Though Jieyin was not of the Wu Tribe, he was at least reliable and strong—a useful ally.

...

Sect of All Beings.

After hearing Jumang’s message, Jieyin’s face was etched with worry, but he knew he had no room to refuse.

After a moment’s thought, Jieyin nodded and replied softly, “Please tell the other Ancestral Witches that the Sect of All Beings will stand with the Wu Tribe to the end!”

“With your word, I am at ease,” Jumang replied with satisfaction, unconcerned that Jieyin might play any tricks.

...

Jieyin watched as Jumang transformed into a giant bird and flew away, heaving a deep sigh. Clearly, he had no wish to be drawn into this conflict.

“This may not be such a bad thing,” Kunpeng, sitting cross-legged nearby, glanced at Jieyin, his eyes narrowing. “This battle between the Wu Tribe and the Celestial Court will surely draw Hongyun into the fray. Perhaps, amid the chaos, we can seize that Primordial Purple Qi...”

Primordial Purple Qi?

At the mention of it, a flicker of desire flared in Jieyin’s otherwise ascetic gaze.

Zhunti became a Sage upon obtaining the Primordial Purple Qi. If I could acquire it, could I not do the same?

His breath quickened at the thought, but years of cultivation had tempered his mind. Soon, he regained his composure and returned to his usual placid demeanor.

Kunpeng watched Jieyin’s fleeting avarice with a cold, hidden smile.

Let him chase after Hongyun, then. Hmph!

In the face of the Primordial Purple Qi, Kunpeng’s old grudge against Hongyun was set aside.

When he recalled that earth-shaking power that had recently swept through the world, hope flared in Kunpeng’s eyes.

After all, the true body of Pangu—while perhaps not able to split Heaven and Earth anew—surely was not inferior to the Sages.

“Let us hope the Wu Tribe truly prevails over the Celestial Court this time…” he murmured, then settled into meditation. Yet, the excitement in his heart could not be concealed.