Chapter 22

"Little friend Lin Fan, from now on, you are a friend of the Witch Race. When you have time, you must come visit the Witch Race."

"We will be sure to treat you well."

He really had never been to Buzhou Mountain, and seeing Houtu invite him so warmly, Lin Fan nodded and answered, "All right. If I get the chance, I'll definitely go."

Just then, Big White slowly ambled after them, still chewing on a spiritual bamboo shoot.

The battle just now had clearly frightened him badly.

Only now did he realize how powerful the new boss he had acknowledged was.

Even he, who had always been tough to the bone, could not help trembling all over.

Lin Fan rubbed Big White's fur and sat on his shoulder.

Houtu asked curiously, "Is this your mount?"

"Yeah. Impressive enough, right?"

Lin Fan lifted his head and replied.

The moment Big White heard this, he immediately put down his beloved bamboo shoot and puffed out his chubby cheeks, trying to look fierce.

In the end, it only made him look even more simple and silly.

Black lines appeared on Houtu's forehead.

"Uh... he is indeed very."

But using this thing as a mount to travel—how far it could go was hard to say, but if it did not get lost, that would be the strange part, right?

After holding it in for a long while, Houtu barely managed to say, "Little friend Lin Fan's mount... is quite special."

Lin Fan, of course, understood what she meant, but he did not explain further.

The Iron-Eating Beast had limitless potential. It looked silly, but it was not stupid.

It knew when to bend and when to stand tall, and understood how to judge the hour and size up the situation.

Besides, who would not want an exclusive little goofball of their own?

You did not understand the joy of petting pandas.

Not to mention he now had two of them—double the joy.

"Daoist Friend Houtu, your Witch Race originally lived on Buzhou Mountain. Why have you suddenly appeared on the East Sea Coast?" Lin Fan asked, watching Houtu.

Houtu gently shook her fine head, a hazy look rising in her eyes. "It feels as if there is some inexplicable pull, yet I cannot say exactly why."

These words made Lin Fan's heart tremble slightly.

Could it be that she already had some premonition now?

Since this concerned the Heavenly Dao's resonance, Lin Fan immediately thought of Hongjun's existence.

Houtu's transformation into Reincarnation was probably hiding some deeper mystery.

It was very likely tied to Hongjun's arrangements.

Right now, the Witch and Demon Races were locked in fierce struggle. With the Twelve Ancestral Witches complete, they could still suppress the Demon Race. But if Houtu transformed into Reincarnation, the tide of battle would inevitably reverse.

When both sides were wounded and broken...

That was precisely what Hongjun wanted.

"Daoist Friend Houtu, the workings of heaven are hard to fathom. There is no need to dwell on it too much," Lin Fan suggested. "Why not stay with my race for a while and take it as a way to ease your mind?"

Houtu pondered briefly, then smiled. "That works too."

After parting from Houtu, Lin Fan took Big White and Little Black back to Shouyang Mountain.

The moment they arrived at the mountain gate, Nuwa sensed it.

In an instant, she pulled Lin Fan into her arms.

"My little darling is finally back!" Nuwa laughed softly as she kneaded Lin Fan's cheeks.

Lin Fan struggled to no avail and could only let her have her way.

Ever since his realm had broken through, the fruity fragrance around him had grown sweeter and fresher, and his cheeks had become even softer.

For Nuwa, this had already become a daily required lesson.

Was it really possible to use that round, adorable creature as a mount?

On the outside, it looked charmingly silly and lovable, But once it moved, it was completely in the way.

Nuwa bent a finger and lightly poked those two soft, squishy cheeks.

Big White warily lifted his head, and hid the tender bamboo shoots behind him.

"You're Big Brother's sister, right? Even so, these spiritual bamboo shoots are ours."

Little Black nodded like he was pounding garlic.

"There are only a few stalks. We don't even have enough to split between ourselves."

Nuwa looked at this pair of living treasures, and could not help pressing a hand to her forehead.

They were clearly two greedy little gluttons, and she truly could not understand why Lin Fan would take such blockheads as mounts.

Since her little brother liked them, she said no more.

That day, Lin Fan was focused on cultivating, while the two furballs sprawled on the grass, gnawing on fresh bamboo shoots and basking in the warm sun.

Suddenly, a commotion came from afar—

two chicken-headed demons had slipped into a human settlement, and were just about to commit murder.

Lin Fan's eyes turned abruptly cold.

His own sister had already warned Di Jun, yet the Demon Race still dared to hunt humans.

Their savage nature was truly hard to tame.

In an instant, he stepped through the air and arrived.

Before the demons could make a move, he slapped them into meat paste.

Carrying the demon corpses back to Shouyang Mountain, he set up a pot, boiled water, and plucked them.

He added all kinds of spices and stewed them together, and before long, a rich aroma spread everywhere.

The purified stew was tender, fresh, and enticing.

"Want a taste?"

Lin Fan asked as he tore off a piece of meat.

Xiong Batian glanced at the oily pot.

"Big Brother, don't insult a bear. We're vegetarians."

Xiong Aotian also shook his head again and again.

"Really not tasting it? Don't regret it."

The youth had a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Xiong Aotian chewed his bamboo shoot and declared with a solemn face, "Big Brother, don't worry. I, Xiong Aotian, will only gnaw green vegetable leaves in this life. I will absolutely not touch even half a shred of your meat."

The Xiong brothers had always done what they said—iron-boned Xiong Batian, promise-worth-a-thousand-gold Xiong Aotian. That was no joke.

Seeing Little Black's earnest look, Lin Fan took advantage of his inattention and, with a whoosh, stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth.

Xiong Aotian had just been about to spit it out.

Then, suddenly, a burst of fragrant, silky juice exploded on the tip of his tongue.

The meat was so tender it melted in his mouth, and the savory juices burst between his teeth, nearly making him swallow his own tongue too.

Incredible!

Xiong Aotian's eyes shone, and in the blink of an eye he tossed his vegetarian vow beyond the highest clouds, holding the chunk of meat and feasting heartily.

Xiong Batian snorted disdainfully. Thinking of himself as the mighty tough man Xiong Batian, standing tall between heaven and earth, he was simply filled with bitter hatred toward this sort of betrayal.

"A disgrace to the Xiong family!"

"Second Brother, you'll understand once you try it. Missing out on delicacy like this is the real loss."

Xiong Aotian said with his cheeks bulging.

Go on, brag. Could it smell better than fresh bamboo shoots?

Xiong Batian did not believe it at all.

He felt his little brother's Dao heart was unstable.

Suit yourself.

Xiong Aotian could not be bothered to waste any more words. He grabbed a chunk of meat and inhaled it like a whirlwind.

In the blink of an eye, his mouth was gleaming with oil, and he simply could not stop.

Seeing Lin Fan and his little brother eating like wind sweeping away clouds, Xiong Batian stood there in a daze, clutching his bamboo shoot.

He looked at the meat bubbling away in the pot, fought a war between heaven and man for a long while, and finally, trembling, picked up a piece with his chopsticks.

The instant the meat juices burst between his lips and teeth, the tender, silky texture melted like clouds and mist, and the rich aroma shot straight to the crown of his head.

With one bite, Xiong Batian nearly bit his own tongue.

A taste fit for immortals!

He immediately kicked the whole basket of bamboo shoots into the corner and joined the great meat-snatching battle.

The two silly bears ate until tears brimmed in their eyes.

So their vegetarian life in the first half of their lives had all been wasted.

Only now did they finally comprehend the true meaning of Big Brother's words: follow me, and meat is guaranteed.

Just then, a graceful figure drifted down onto the summit of Shouyang Mountain.

The stunning woman looked around the Human Tribe, wonder rippling in her eyes.

For the frail Human Tribe to flourish like this was truly beyond expectation.

Yet when Houtu's gaze stopped on Lin Fan, it instantly solidified.

That tiny little thing was sitting around an iron pot with two chubby Iron-Eating Beasts, wolfing down chunks of meat.

For a moment, Houtu was dazed.

Those who cultivated immortality should long since have abstained from grain and food. How was this little fellow still eating with such relish?

"Sister Houtu?" Lin Fan looked up and saw her, then happily raised the oily chunk of meat in his hand. "Want to try some?"

Houtu hesitated as she accepted the meat. The moment the tip of her teeth bit through the crisp, charred skin, scalding meat juice burst out.

Boom—

A freshness she had never tasted exploded on the tip of her tongue, the tender meat wrapped in a honey-like charred fragrance that made her fingertips tremble faintly.

"You, what did you add to the meat?" Houtu licked the corner of her mouth and pressed him for an answer.

Lin Fan grinned and turned his wrist. "An exclusive secret recipe~"

When the two humans and two beasts had swept the plates clean like wind rolling away clouds, Houtu was staring at Lin Fan **. The little fellow's face was smeared with sauce, and a sweet, fresh fruity fragrance drifted around him, making one want to take a bite—

No wonder Nuwa wanted to hide this little brother away.

When there was trouble, little brother could work; when there was none, he could be enjoyed at leisure... cough, cough.

Houtu's thoughts shifted, and a wicked idea quietly surfaced, though none of it showed on her face. She pretended to ask Lin Fan casually:

"Your sister isn't here?"

"She went back to Wa Huang Palace."

Lin Fan answered offhandedly.

"Then how about coming with me to Buzhou Mountain?"

Houtu's tone rose slightly, the joy in her eyes impossible to hide.

Buzhou Mountain?

Lin Fan shook his head.

"I don't want to go for now. It's pretty good here."

"Even the best place grows tiresome. Buzhou Mountain was formed from Father God's spine. It is vast beyond measure, with treasures everywhere. My Witch Race does not cultivate the Primordial Spirit, so we have no use for many spiritual treasures."

A few more traces of ** entered Houtu's tone.

"As long as you come with me, every spiritual treasure you find will belong to you."

Lin Fan pondered briefly. As one of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, Houtu was doted on by her elder brothers, and her word was law in the Witch Race. Buzhou Mountain was also Pangu's legacy, with deep foundations. If she led the way, he would certainly gain a great deal.

"Really?"

"Naturally. You once saved me. Mere spiritual treasures are hardly worth mentioning."

Houtu's expression was solemn.

"Fine."

Lin Fan nodded and agreed.

The corners of Houtu's lips lifted slightly, and a smile appeared.

The plan was set.

Demon Race Heavenly Court.

Di Jun sat high upon the Heavenly Emperor's throne, his pressure overwhelming, a faint anger showing between his brows.

"What exactly happened?"

"Reporting to the Heavenly Emperor: we encountered Houtu at the East Sea and were joining forces with the Demon Saints to encircle and kill her, but that Lin Fan suddenly launched a sneak attack and ruined our great affair."

Ji Meng reported indignantly.

Kunpeng's face was heavy as water.

The wound left in his body by the Red Embroidered Ball had still not healed.

Di Jun had long since perceived that the saints of the Demon Court were injured, and asked in astonishment:

Did that Lin Fan truly have such ability?

The Demon Master nodded slightly.

Indeed. This child's divine abilities are strange and unfathomable, and he also controls many innate treasures bestowed by Empress Wa. When he suddenly struck, we truly found it difficult to withstand him.

A cold gleam flickered in Donghuang Taiyi's eyes:

As a saint of the Demon Race, why would Empress Wa favor Houtu's line?

The Demon Master said meaningfully:

When she established the Human Teachings, she strictly forbade the Demon Race from slaughtering the Human Race, yet she indulged that Lin Fan as he repeatedly humiliated our race. She clearly looks down on the Demon Race.

Hearing this, the Heavenly Emperor's expression grew even darker.

Taiyi was beside himself with rage:

A mere whelp dares be so rampant.

One day, I will make certain his soul scatters and his spirit disperses!

"Watch your words."

Di Jun immediately shouted him down.

He knew well how much Nuwa doted on Lin Fan. The Demon Race slaughtering the Human Race could still be maneuvered around, but if they touched Lin Fan, the price would absolutely not be something the Demon Race could bear. Guiche's death in the past was a warning right before their eyes.

Suddenly, a demon general hurried into the hall and knelt to report:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this lowly general recently discovered..."

Before he could finish, Di Jun's expression had already changed:

"Bastard! This Emperor has ordered again and again that humans are not to be harmed, yet you dared defy my command!"

Taiyi hurriedly smoothed things over:

"Brother, calm your anger. A few humans are not worth worrying over. Let us first hear what he discovered."

Only then did Di Jun's expression ease slightly, and the demon general dared continue:

"This lowly general discovered that weapons tempered with the souls of the Human Race can actually break through the Witch Race's bronze skin and iron bones."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell abruptly silent.

Taiyi and the Demon Master exchanged a look, and both saw joy in each other's eyes.

Di Jun was also stunned.

The Witch Race did not cultivate Primordial Spirits, but the strength of their fleshly bodies was such that even supreme treasures could hardly wound them—especially the Ancestral Witches. They were precisely the great scourge lodged in the Demon Race's heart.

If the Human Race's essence blood and souls could break the Witch Race's bodies, then to the Demon Race, this was truly an unexpected delight.

"Is this true?"

"This subordinate has verified it. The more Human Race souls gathered within a war weapon, the stronger its destructive power against the Witch Race's fleshly bodies," the demon general said with iron-cutting certainty. "If a sufficient number can be gathered, even the body of an Ancestral Witch can be pierced through."

When the Demon Saints heard this, they were overjoyed. Donghuang Taiyi could hardly conceal his excitement. "Brother! We should immediately dispatch troops to the mortal world and collect humans to refine divine weapons! Once the divine weapons are completed, sweeping away the Witch Race will be just around the corner, and our attainment of the Hunyuan will no longer be an empty dream."

Di Jun pressed down the turmoil in his heart and said in a deep voice, "Though this act benefits the Demon Race, slaughtering the Human Race is equivalent to destroying the foundation of the Human Teachings. I fear Empress Wa will not sit idly by." As soon as he said this, the Heavenly Court fell into silence.

Kunpeng suddenly said in a sinister voice, "Heavenly Emperor, since Empress Wa has no intention of protecting the Demon Race, why must we revere and worship her? There is more than one saint in the world. If we can ask another to restrain Empress Wa for a moment, then once the divine weapons are refined, even if she is enraged, she would not dare defy the Dao Ancestor's prohibition."

Taiyi's gaze burned. "We can ask the Taiqing Saint to act. Laozi's sanctification also relied upon the Human Race Destiny. Now that all destiny has gone to the Human Teachings, if he wishes to advance another step, he must first weaken the foundation of the Human Teachings."

Di Jun was still hesitating when he suddenly saw Laozi's Dharma Form descend. He hurriedly went forward with Taiyi to bow. "Greetings, Taiqing Saint." Yet worry still lingered in his heart: A saint's intentions are hard to fathom. Moreover, the Human Teachings still have troublesome figures like Lin Fan and Hongyun...

Laozi's expression was grave as he spoke solemnly: