Houtu returned to the Witch Clan, her heart filled with doubts.
But she still had to carry out the task Elder Brother had assigned her.
Now that the Witch Clan had been established, she had also been allotted quite a number of clan members.
Several exceptional Great Witches had even been placed under her command.
The entire Witch Clan had spread outward from Mount Buzhou, carving up the land.
Starting from Mount Buzhou and radiating outward, the land was divided into twelve portions, each guarded by an Ancestor Witch.
After taking charge of their territories, the first thing they did was gather the land under their control.
Witch Clan members covered the land, while the other living beings dared to resent it but not speak out.
Many who had planned to resist a little were directly captured and turned into the Witch Clan's Blood Food.
Houtu alone paid little attention to this matter and had no desire to expand her territory.
But the Great Witches under her command had practically done everything she was supposed to do.
They expanded her territory considerably, even surpassing the domains of the other eleven Ancestor Witches.
This made her frown. She repeatedly instructed the Great Witches not to create needless slaughter.
But no one took it seriously.
Many living beings of the Primordial World suffered greatly because of it.
Thus, more people, for the sake of survival,
directly joined the Demon Race.
When Di Jun and Tai Yi witnessed this, they could not contain their delight.
On the Sun Star, Di Jun looked at Eastern Emperor Taiyi before him.
"Tai Yi, the Witch Clan's actions are simply foolish. Recently, our Demon Race has gained many new members, and our fortune has begun to grow as well. From now on, our great undertaking can be accomplished."
Tai Yi nodded as well, then looked toward the stars filling the heavens.
"Elder Brother controls the movements of the All Heavens Stars. This method can gather merit. Over time, with merit and fortune converging, our Demon Race will surely rule the Primordial World. When that time comes, the great undertaking the ancestors of the three races failed to achieve will be completed in our hands."
At the mention of this, Di Jun seemed to recall something else and said,
"With the establishment of our race and the Heavenly Court, we have obtained the Heavenly Emperor's karmic rank and gained merit. After Purple Cloud Palace's second lecture, you and I will surely become Quasi-Sages before the others. When that happens, the Witch Clan...!"
After saying that, he looked toward the lands of the Primordial World. They were devastated beyond recognition, while countless Witch Clan members continued to seize the land.
Many cultivators were still fighting upon it.
At that sight, Di Jun even chuckled to himself.
"They truly do not understand the course of Heaven. Such slaughter will inevitably bring karmic burden upon them. In time, it will surely affect their fortune."
"Haha, this time, our Demon Race has already secured a complete victory."
As the two stood there, they seemed to see that wonderful future before them.
It was as though the Primordial World were already in their grasp.
But while they were still talking, Bai Ze came in from outside.
"Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, Lord Eastern Emperor, Kunpeng is already waiting in the Heavenly Court."
Delighted, Di Jun strode outside.
"Haha, good. Come, let us meet Fellow Daoist Kunpeng!"
After saying that, Eastern Emperor Taiyi followed him out.
Along the way, Di Jun wore an utterly delighted expression.
Upon arriving at the Heavenly Court, they saw Kunpeng seated within the celestial palace.
As the three approached, Di Jun greeted him directly.
"Fellow Daoist, it has been a thousand years since we last parted at Purple Cloud Palace, has it not?"
Kunpeng nodded and offered a salute.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor. Indeed, it has been a thousand years. I gained much insight from Purple Cloud Palace's lectures and had previously been cultivating in seclusion within my dojo. May I ask why Your Majesty summoned me here?"
Di Jun spoke at once.
"Would Fellow Daoist be willing to join my Demon Race?"
Kunpeng was taken aback. He said nothing at first, merely glanced around the Heavenly Court, then could not help saying,
"Your Majesty jests. The Heavenly Court is grand and magnificent, and many Great Powers already reside here. Why would you need this poor Daoist?"
Di Jun's brows furrowed slightly. Was he refusing?
"What Fellow Daoist says is true. Our Demon Race has many Great Powers, but we lack someone like you. Fellow Daoist occupied one of the seats in the first row at Purple Cloud Palace, which alone proves your strength. Why not join our Demon Race? Once our Demon Race unifies the Primordial World, Fellow Daoist will also enjoy our race's fortune. What do you think?"
The Demon Race's fortune?
Kunpeng was more familiar with fortune than anyone.
During the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, the three races had fought to the death over fortune, only to end up in such a state.
That was enough to prove its wondrous uses, but it was not enough.
He wanted more.
"Fellow Daoist, I devote myself to cultivation only to attain Sagehood, so I have no interest in managing such matters."
Di Jun was somewhat angered. He had invited Kunpeng here today precisely to draw him into their camp.
Yet he had not expected this fellow to remain unmoved even after all that.
"Then what would it take for Fellow Daoist to join our Demon Race?"
Kunpeng remained seated there, calm and composed.
"The day of Purple Cloud Palace's second lecture is soon at hand. I must head to Purple Cloud Palace. Why not discuss this after the lecture?"
At those words, Tai Yi was already somewhat angered. They had shown him enough courtesy by personally sending someone to invite him, yet this fellow actually intended to keep them waiting.
If Nuwa had not caused trouble at Purple Cloud Palace, then after being humiliated there because Hongyun gave up his seat, he would have joined the Demon Race in order to take revenge.
After all, Hongyun was not as easy to deal with as he seemed. The main issue was the inseparable close friend by his side: Zhenyuanzi.
Zhenyuanzi possessed the Book of Earth. The Book of Earth was a Divine Treasure formed from the membrane of the earth, and its defensive power was comparable to the Mysterious Yellow Pagoda in Taishang Laozi's possession.
After joining the Demon Race, he could join forces with Di Jun and Tai Yi, using the excuse of helping kill Hongyun to enter the Demon Race while also gaining fortune. It would kill two birds with one stone.
But because of Nuwa's meddling, the matter had changed completely.
With that karmic entanglement with Hongyun gone, he naturally had no reason to involve himself in these affairs.
Most importantly, it was obvious at a glance that the Demon Race and the Witch Clan were destined for a great battle.
Although the Demon Race was developing rapidly, the outcome of a clash against the Witch Clan was still uncertain.
The Witch Clan did not cultivate the Primordial Spirit and thus could not wield Divine Treasures, but the strength of their physical bodies was utterly terrifying.
Once they got close, even those at the same Great Luo realm would surely be defeated.
Therefore, if these two races clashed, he did not think highly of the Demon Race for now.
The great tribulation was dangerous. It would be better to observe for the time being and make plans afterward.
Kunpeng, ever one to keep a low profile, made his decision at once. His ambitions were great, but he feared death even more.
It was better to watch the fire from across the river for now, observe the strength of both races, and wait until they had fought before deciding.
If the Demon Race won, he could add flowers to brocade. He might not gain much, but at least his safety would be assured.
If the Witch Clan won, he would have even more choices. He could either offer help in their hour of need and gain greater benefits, or simply ignore those two and hide in his dojo to cultivate.
Though Di Jun vaguely felt anger rising within him, he did not let it erupt.
Instead, he said with a faint smile,
"That is reasonable. Then why not travel to Purple Cloud Palace with us, Fellow Daoist?"
Before you continue