The Kunpeng Waiting to Be Sold

Houtu returned to the Witch Clan, though many doubts lingered in her heart.

But what her Elder Brother arranged still had to be done.

Now that the Witch Clan had established itself, a considerable number of witches had been assigned under her command.

Even several extraordinary Great Witches had fallen under her authority.

The entire Witch Clan had spread outward from Mount Buzhou, dividing up the land.

Radiating outward from Mount Buzhou, the territory was split into twelve portions, each overseen by an Ancestor Witch.

Once stationed there, the first task was to consolidate the land.

The land was covered with members of the Witch Clan, while other living beings dared not speak out in anger.

Many who initially thought to resist were directly captured and turned into Blood Food for the Witch Clan.

Only Houtu paid little heed to this matter, having no desire to expand the territory.

But the Great Witches under her command did everything she should have done.

They expanded aggressively, even surpassing the domains of the other eleven Ancestor Witches.

This made her frown repeatedly, and she ordered the Great Witches many times not to commit unnecessary slaughter.

But no one truly listened.

Countless beings in the Primordial World suffered as a result.

Thus, for their own survival, many more

directly joined the Demon Race.

When Di Jun and Taiyi saw this, joy surged in their hearts.

On the Sun Star, Di Jun looked at Eastern Emperor Taiyi before him.

"Taiyi, the Witch Clan's actions are utterly foolish. Our Demon Race has gained many new members, and our fortune is beginning to grow. From now on, our great ambition can be achieved."

Taiyi nodded, then gazed at the myriad stars.

"Elder Brother controls the movement of all stars and celestial bodies. This method can gather merit. Over time, with merit and fortune converging, our Demon Race will surely dominate the Primordial World. By then, the unfinished ambition of the Three Ancestors will be completed in our hands."

Hearing this, Di Jun recalled something and added.

"This time, by establishing the clan and the Heavenly Court, I obtained the position of Heavenly Emperor, and we gained merit. After the second lecture at the Purple Cloud Palace, you and I will surely become Quasi-Sages before others. At that time, the Witch Clan!"

He looked down at the Primordial World, now scarred and ravaged, with countless witches still encroaching upon it.

Many cultivators were still fighting on the ground.

Watching that scene, Di Jun sneered quietly.

"Truly ignorant of the Heavenly Way. Such slaughter will surely bring karmic retribution. Over time, it will inevitably harm their fortune."

"Haha, our Demon Race has already won this battle completely."

Standing there, both seemed to see a bright future.

The Primordial World appeared already in their grasp.

But as they spoke, Bai Ze approached from outside.

"Heavenly Emperor, Eastern Emperor, Kunpeng is now waiting in the Heavenly Court."

Di Jun's heart leaped with joy, and he strode outside.

"Haha, good. Let's go meet Daoist Kunpeng!"

Eastern Emperor Taiyi followed him out.

Along the way, Di Jun was entirely cheerful.

Arriving at the Heavenly Court, they saw Kunpeng seated in the celestial palace.

As the three approached, Di Jun greeted him directly.

"Daoist, it's been a thousand years since we parted at the Purple Cloud Palace, hasn't it?"

Kunpeng nodded and bowed slightly.

"Greetings, Heavenly Emperor. Indeed, a thousand years have passed. I gained much insight from the lectures at the Purple Cloud Palace and have been in seclusion at my dojo since. May I ask why the Heavenly Emperor summoned me here?"

Di Jun then spoke.

"Daoist, would you be willing to join our Demon Race?"

Kunpeng was startled at this. He said nothing for a moment, only glanced at the Heavenly Court before replying.

"The Heavenly Emperor jokes. The Heavenly Court is grand and majestic, already housing many Great Powers. Why would you need me?"

Di Jun frowned slightly. Was this a refusal?

"What you say is not wrong. Our Demon Race already has many Great Powers, but we lack someone of your caliber. You occupied a seat in the first row at the Purple Cloud Palace—that alone proves your strength. Why not join the Demon Race? Once we unify the Primordial World, you will share in our fortune. What do you think?"

The fortune of the Demon Race?

Kunpeng was all too familiar with the concept of fortune.

The Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation of old—the three races fought to the death over this fortune, only to end up in such a state.

That alone proves the wondrous uses of fortune, but it's still not enough.

He wanted more.

"Daoist friend, I cultivate in solitude, seeking only to attain Sagehood, so I have no mind to meddle in these affairs."

Di Jun was somewhat irritated. Having invited him here today, he naturally intended to pull him into the fold.

But he hadn't expected this fellow to remain unmoved no matter what was said.

"Then how can I get you to join my Demon Race?"

Kunpeng still sat there, calm and unhurried.

"The second lecture at the Purple Cloud Palace is imminent. I must hurry there now. Why not discuss this after the lecture, how about it?"

Hearing this, Tai Yi was already starting to fume. They had gone out of their way to invite him personally, yet this bastard was trying to stall them.

In truth, if Nuwa hadn't stirred up trouble at the Purple Cloud Palace, he would have joined the Demon Race anyway—if only to get back at Hongyun for the humiliation he suffered there over the seat-giving incident.

After all, Hongyun wasn't as easy to deal with as one might think. The main issue was that he had an inseparable close friend by his side: Zhenyuanzi.

Zhenyuanzi wielded the Book of Earth, a Divine Treasure born from the primal membrane of the land. Its defensive power rivaled the Mysterious Yellow Pagoda in Taishang Laozi's hands.

Once he joined the Demon Race, he could ally with Di Jun and Tai Yi, using the pretext of helping them kill Hongyun to enter their ranks and gain fortune—killing two birds with one stone.

But now, because of Nuwa's meddling, the situation had completely changed.

Without that karmic tie to Hongyun, he had no reason to wade into these affairs.

The most important thing was that anyone with eyes could see it: the Demon Race and the Witch Clan were destined for a great war.

And while the Demon Race was growing fast, the outcome against the Witch Clan was still uncertain.

The Witch Clan didn't cultivate their Primordial Spirit, so they couldn't use Divine Treasures, but their physical bodies were terrifyingly strong.

If they got in close, even a fellow Daluo would be utterly defeated.

So, with these two races about to clash, he wasn't too optimistic about the Demon Race right now.

Great tribulations were dangerous. Better to watch from the sidelines for now and decide later.

The sly Kunpeng made his decision in an instant. His ambitions were vast, but he feared death even more.

Better to sit back and watch the flames from across the river, see how the two races stacked up, and wait until they'd fought it out.

If the Demon Race won, he could add a flourish to their victory—he wouldn't gain much, but at least he'd ensure his own survival.

If the Witch Clan won, he'd have more options. Either bring charcoal in the snow—reap greater rewards—or simply ignore these two entirely, hole up in his dojo, and just cultivate.

Though Di Jun simmered with anger, he didn't let it explode.

Instead, he forced a smile and said, "Well said. How about we head to the Purple Cloud Palace together, Daoist friend?"