Primal Celestial Venerable's Invitation: A Meeting at Jade Void Palace!

The confrontation in Pingxin Hall concluded with Yang Chen's complete victory.

Houtu's sigh, filled with endless bitterness and resignation, brought a halt to this unequal contest.

From then on, Yang Chen temporarily settled in Houtu's tribe.

The cave dwelling he occupied was located in the area closest to the core of the Twelve Ancestral Witches Stone Statues within the tribe. Houtu had personally opened it up, and its interior formed its own space, with spiritual energy so dense it was almost tangible.

More importantly, outside the cave dwelling, the ancient malevolent energy originating from Pangu's heart essence blood, that destructive will capable of making even a Quasi-Saint tremble in fear, had transformed into the most docile guardian.

A trace of the Twelve Capital Celestial Evil Formation's energy had been personally activated by Houtu as its foundation.

This trace of energy acted like an invisible barrier, enveloping the entire cave dwelling. It blocked the prying eyes of heavenly secrets, shielded against the pursuit of karma, and most importantly, forcefully suppressed and sealed the immeasurable karmic force on Yang Chen's body—a force potent enough to detonate the entire Primordial World—within this small piece of land.

This was an unprecedented top-tier treatment since the creation of the Primordial World.

Using the Primordial World's ultimate killing formation to guard him.

Even the personal disciples of the Six Sages would never receive such an honor.

Yang Chen, naturally, reveled in it.

During these days, he had completely entered the highest realm of letting go.

Every day, he either stayed in his cave dwelling, quietly comprehending the "Law of Strength" fragment rewarded by the System, or he would activate a trace of the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood's aura, manifesting the dominance of his ten-thousand-zhang dragon form within his body.

Occasionally, when the mood struck him, he would have the Witch People bring several large vats of potent liquor and feast on roasted ferocious beast legs that sizzled with fat.

The comfort and peace he felt formed the most bizarre and absurd contrast with the immeasurable karma he carried, a karma potent enough to instantly turn a Saint to ash.

The more stable he became, the more certain existences found themselves unable to rest or sleep.

The tree wishes to be still, but the wind will not cease.

One day.

Yang Chen was sitting cross-legged in the center of his cave dwelling, his mind immersed in the profound mysteries of the Law of Strength, which could shatter all laws and crush the void.

The space around him, due to his unconscious comprehension, exhibited extremely subtle distortions and wrinkles.

Suddenly.

A supreme, supremely majestic will, filled with order and rules, disregarded the layered barriers of malevolent energy from the Twelve Capital Celestial Evil Formation, ignored the restrictions of the cave dwelling itself, and descended out of thin air.

Hum--

The dense spiritual energy within the cave dwelling instantly solidified.

Flowing light froze.

Suspended dust particles paused.

Time and space, at this moment, seemed to be forcefully put on pause by an invisible hand.

Three feet in front of Yang Chen, the void cracked open with a gap invisible to the naked eye, and a point of golden light seeped out, then suddenly expanded.

This was not the gentle Golden Light of Merit, nor was it the compassionate light of Buddha.

It was a cold and noble gold, imbued with an absolute sense of judgment.

The golden light flowed, rapidly condensing into a decree.

Upon the decree, Great Dao runes moved like living creatures. An ancient and profound character, "闡" (Chǎn - meaning explain, elucidate, often associated with the Chan School of Buddhism or the sect of the same name), occupied the core. Merely looking at it felt like seeing the three thousand Great Daos arranged in perfect order, and sensing the supreme majesty of following heaven and acting on its behalf.

The trace of the Capital Celestial Evil Formation's energy, activated by Houtu, let out a mournful cry of being unable to bear the burden in the face of this will, and was forcefully squeezed aside.

Yang Chen slowly opened his eyes.

He looked at the decree radiating the pressure of a Saint before him, his face showing no surprise.

What was coming, was ultimately coming.

The last time the Six Sages gathered, he had cornered them with his "self-detonation" rogue tactic, forcing them into a hasty response and a humiliating compromise. The Saints' dignity had been utterly cast aside.

Given Primal Celestial Venerable's arrogance that was ingrained in his bones, how could he possibly swallow that insult?

Once he recovered, he would inevitably seek to regain his honor.

This decree was his first move.

Yang Chen's gaze fell upon the decree, its contents clearly imprinted on his Divine Soul.

"Fellow Daoist Yang Chen, you are hereby invited to the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun for a discussion."

The signature contained only two words.

"Primal."

Concise.

Yet every word conveyed an unquestionable command.

This was not a discussion, not a request, but a declaration.

A declaration from a Saint to the mortal realm.

The corners of Yang Chen's mouth slowly curved into a cold arc.

Interesting.

This is interesting.

Last time you called me "Dad," and now you've changed to "Fellow Daoist"?

This face, as expected of a Saint, is thick enough.

Just then, outside the cave dwelling, two powerful auras fluctuated.

One was as steady as the earth, the other as violent as a war god.

Houtu and Xing Tian appeared at the entrance of the cave dwelling.

They had obviously sensed the sudden Saint aura as well, their expressions extremely solemn.

Especially Xing Tian, his bullfrog-sized eyes stared intently at the golden decree, his muscles coiled, and the edge of the giant axe in his hand pulsed with killing intent.

"What does that old man Primordial want?"

Xing Tian grumbled in a deep voice, his words filled with undisguised hostility and vigilance.

"Brother, don't be afraid!"

He took a step forward, and the entire cave dwelling trembled.

"We Witch People will go with you! If he dares to make a move, we twelve Ancestral Witches will fight him to the end!"

Houtu did not speak, but a deep worry flickered in her gentle eyes.

She had just placed a heavy bet on Yang Chen, tying the future of the entire Witch Clan to him.

Primordial Celestial Venerable interfering at this juncture, his intentions were obvious.

To bring Yang Chen, this greatest variable, under his control.

Or...

To eliminate him completely!

Yang Chen's gaze shifted from the decree to Xing Tian's face, which was etched with "fight," and then to Houtu's solemn eyes.

He waved his hand.

His posture was as casual as if he were brushing dust off his shoulder.

"It's nothing."

His voice was light, yet it carried a playfulness that made even Houtu's heart skip a beat.

The next moment.

Under the shocked gaze of Houtu and Xing Tian, Yang Chen reached out and casually, with a gentle pinch, grasped the golden decree floating in the air, which represented the majesty of a Saint.

Crack!

A crisp cracking sound rang out.

The decree, which was enough to suppress a Quasi-Saint and contained the holy might of the Heavenly Dao, instantly covered with cracks in his hand, like the most fragile glazed glass.

Then, it exploded with a bang, turning into a sky full of golden powder, scattering and slowly drifting down.

This scene caused Xing Tian's rampant fighting spirit to falter.

That was a Saint's decree!

This guy just... crushed it?

Yang Chen patted the non-existent dust from his hands, the playful smile on his face growing brighter.

"A Saintly lord is inviting me for tea, as the 'creditor,' why would I not go?"

He raised his head, his gaze seeming to pierce through the dome of the cave dwelling, through the endless void, and directly landed on Mount Kunlun's Jade Void Palace beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

"I want to see if the tea in his Jade Void Palace is fragrant or scalding."