The Twelve Heavenly God-Slaying Formation Protects You—Is That Enough?

Xing Tian's mountain-like body froze in place, every inch of his muscles pulled taut.

The great axe that had once stirred up storms and intended to cleave the heavens was now gripped tightly in his hand, devoid of its former ferocity.

The malevolent energy flowing on the axe blade seemed to have been doused by a basin of ice water, wilting and dispirited.

The rough-hewn face, drained of color, then flushed crimson, shifting back and forth in an extreme display.

Humiliated.

More humiliated than ever before.

He could die in battle, but he absolutely could not become the sinner who buried his entire tribe and desecrated the statue of Father God.

This principle was simple, direct, yet so heavy it made him unable to breathe.

His heart, which only understood combat and slaughter, was for the first time firmly locked down by an emotion called "hesitation out of fear of collateral damage."

Amidst this awkward, almost solidified atmosphere, a gentle aura spread silently, like a stream thawing in early spring.

Houtu moved.

She made no sound, merely took a step forward.

With that single step, the entire tribe, now silent after the commotion, seemed to find its backbone.

The pulse originating from the earth, steady, profound, embracing all things, gently smoothed away the lingering traces of brutality and destructive will in the air.

The Witch People, stiffened by fear, unconsciously relaxed their bodies, their cloudy eyes regaining a sliver of clarity.

They looked at Houtu's retreating figure, filled with absolute trust.

Houtu came to stand between Yang Chen and Xing Tian. Her gentle, compassionate eyes first fell upon Xing Tian's face, which had turned the color of liver. There was no blame in her gaze, only a hint of helpless comfort.

When Xing Tian met her eyes, his burly frame trembled almost imperceptibly. Like a child who had done wrong, he averted his gaze and lowered his proud head.

Then, Houtu turned to Yang Chen. She bowed slightly, a perfect gesture, neither servile nor overbearing.

"My apologies, Daoist friend."

Her voice was soft, yet carried an irrefutable power that drew everyone's attention.

"My Witch Clan people are born in the wilderness and raised in bloody battles. Our nature is straightforward and unyielding."

Her words seemed to excuse Xing Tian, yet each word carried a deeper meaning.

"Xing Tian meant no harm. He merely saw that your physical body was powerful and your Blood Essence was like an abyss. He was momentarily excited by the prospect of a worthy opponent, not truly intending to make you an enemy."

Yang Chen looked at her, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

He merely waved his hand, his posture like a king pardoning a subordinate's unintentional mistake, appearing casual yet carrying an innate air of superiority.

He didn't care.

Of course, he didn't care.

This farce, from beginning to end, was within his control.

What he enjoyed was the process of forcing an ancient ferocious beast into a corner, watching it transform from baring its fangs and claws to obediently retracting them.

Houtu took in Yang Chen's reaction, and the string of "vigilance" in her heart tightened another notch.

This person was far more troublesome than she had anticipated.

His state of mind was as firm and unyielding as a primordial Chaos stone, unshaken by any external force.

Ordinary verbal probing was completely useless against him.

The clarity in her eyes deepened, and she immediately changed the subject, her tone becoming extremely serious.

"Daoist friend carries great Karma. This journey must be fraught with danger."

This statement was no longer a probe, but a frank declaration.

She paused, her gaze drifting between the faint Pangu aura on Yang Chen and the hidden resentment of Rahula, as if trying to see through him completely.

"I observe that your aura and my Witch Clan's are subtly connected. You are not purely mortal enemies."

"Why not stay in my tribe for a few days? Allow us to fulfill our duties as hosts. What do you say?"

Here it comes.

Yang Chen smiled silently in his heart.

This was the true objective.

What a grand way to put it, "fulfill our duties as hosts."

So nobly phrased.

In reality, it was merely an attempt to temporarily confine this uncontrollable and extremely dangerous "time bomb" within her sight.

A mobile source of Immeasurable Tribulation Karma. Who would dare allow him to roam freely across the Primordial World?

Houtu was using the gentlest method to place shackles on him.

Yang Chen did not expose her. His face even showed a perfectly timed expression of thoughtful consideration.

After a moment, he slowly began to speak.

"Staying here is also acceptable."

He nodded, as if truly moved by Houtu's "kindness."

A faint light flickered in Houtu's eyes.

Is it done?

However, Yang Chen's next words made the peace she had just settled into her heart suddenly tense up again.

"But..."

Yang Chen's tone became somewhat troubled. He spread his hands, a look of "distress" on his face.

"When I cultivate, I always make quite a commotion."

He looked at Houtu, his eyes full of "sincerity."

"Moreover, because of the troubles I'm currently entangled in, my state of mind isn't stable, and I'm prone to going berserk."

As he spoke, he extended a finger and gently tapped his chest.

That action made Xing Tian, not far away, twitch his eyelids wildly.

"What if..."

Yang Chen drew out his words, his expression becoming even more innocent.

"I lose control and there's a risk of 'self-detonation'."

He bit down on these two words very lightly, yet they clearly reached the ears of every Witch Person present.

The entire tribe, whose atmosphere had just begun to ease, instantly plummeted back to freezing point.

All the Witch People looked at Yang Chen as if he were a madman wandering around with Chaos Divine Thunder.

Houtu's lips twitched almost imperceptibly for a moment.

A threat.

This was an undisguised, naked threat!

She had used the "hospitality of the host" as a net, intending to trap him.

He, in turn, had slapped the trump card of "self-detonation" back onto the table, putting her in a difficult position.

Good.

Good Yang Chen!

Houtu's thoughts raced, but she maintained her eternally gentle smile.

Not only did she not get angry, but her smile deepened.

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured."

Her voice carried a power that could calm people's hearts, as if any difficult problem could be easily solved in front of her.

"If you cultivate here, I can guarantee..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the center of the tribe, towards the twelve towering stone statues of the Ancestral Witches, exuding an ancient and vast aura.

Her voice suddenly rose, each word carrying a pride and confidence rooted in their bloodline.

"I will have the tribal elders activate the foundation of the Twelve Capital Celestial Evil Formation to protect you while you cultivate!"

Boom!

This statement was no less than a thunderclap, exploding in the minds of all the Witch People!

Xing Tian suddenly looked up, his previously vacant eyes replaced by extreme shock for the first time!

The tens of thousands of Witch People below collectively gasped, their expressions shifting from dullness to disbelief!

The Twelve Capital Celestial Evil Formation!

What was that?

That was the Witch Clan's supreme trump card! It was the ultimate killing formation formed from Father God Pangu's essence blood, suppressing the clan's destiny! It was their greatest reliance against the Heavenly Dao and their challenge to the Saints!

To... to use it to protect an outsider?

This... how was this possible!

Houtu completely ignored her tribe's shock. Her gaze was fixed intently on Yang Chen, as if trying to see through his every thought.

"This formation was formed from Father God's essence blood, containing the power to split the heavens and earth, capable of stabilizing the elements and suppressing all chaotic energy."

Her voice was filled with unparalleled temptation.

"With it here, it is sufficient to ensure your cultivation is without peril."

Having said that, her tone shifted, and a glint, as heavy as the earth's core, flashed in the depths of her compassionate eyes, unnoticed by anyone.

"And... to guarantee the safety of my tribe."

In one sentence, she laid bare all her considerations.

This was protection, and also a cage.

This is goodwill, and also surveillance.

This is an investment, and also a deterrent.

She placed the Witch Clan's greatest trump card before Yang Chen.

Accept, or not accept?

"Is this sincerity enough?"

Houtu threw out a huge, irresistible bait.

The Twelve Capital Celestial Evil Formation, that was the Primordial World's number one killing formation, capable of manifesting Pangu's true form! To use it for protection was a treatment even the Six Sages had never received.

Yang Chen's heart stirred.

He knew Houtu was showing him the Witch Clan's strength and determination, and at the same time, it was a form of "investment."

She was betting that the Pangu legacy within him was greater than the threat of Rahula's resentment.

She was betting that he could bring a glimmer of hope to the Witch Clan.

What great courage.

As expected of the future Lord of the Earthly Dao.

Yang Chen looked at Houtu's clear and determined eyes, the playfulness on his face slowly receding.

He nodded, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.

"Since Her Ladyship is so sincere, I shall not refuse."