Descending the Mountain to Meet an Old Acquaintance, the Witch-Demon Situation Worsens

The descent from Buzhou Mountain was significantly easier than the ascent. Perhaps his cultivation had improved after listening to the Dao, or perhaps Pangu's oppressive aura had weakened with the dispersing crowds. Li Wuyang and Xuan traveled downwards without feeling much pressure.

Xuan seemed to possess a unique sensitivity to space. The paths she chose skillfully avoided the most difficult terrain, allowing them to travel at an extremely fast pace. Li Wuyang followed closely behind, secretly grateful to have this "human navigation" by his side.

Along the way, Li Wuyang couldn't help but ask, "Miss Xuan, you listened to the Dao for three thousand years. Was it rewarding?" He was curious about what insights this reincarnated Chaos Demon God, whose origins were mysterious, had gained regarding the Dao Ancestor and the Great Dao.

Without turning her head, Xuan's clear and cold voice replied, "The Great Dao is simple, and all methods return to stillness. What Hongjun taught was the Dao of 'life' and 'order,' which is contrary to my origin. I merely listened."

Li Wuyang gasped. Merely listened? If the mighty beings who were desperately trying to comprehend the Dao heard this, they would surely be angered to the point of spitting blood. However, considering Xuan's background, he felt a sense of understanding. The fundamental laws of a Chaos Demon God might inherently differ from the Primordial World's Heavenly Dao system.

"Then, do you think the Dao Ancestor is more powerful, or... are you at your peak?" Li Wuyang pressed curiously.

Xuan's steps faltered slightly. After a moment of silence, she said indifferently, "We haven't fought, so I can't know. But in this world, he should be the one respected."

Li Wuyang detected a hint of caution in her words, and perhaps... unwillingness? He didn't pursue this sensitive topic further.

Several days later, the two arrived at the foot of Buzhou Mountain. The scene was vastly different from before they had come to listen to the Dao. All living beings had dispersed, leaving behind only devastation and a denser miasma of killing intent. On the ground, the banners and camps established by the Demon Race faced off against the formidable passes and strategic strongholds occupied by the Witch Clan. Traces of conflict were everywhere, and the atmosphere was tense.

"It seems the conflict between the Witches and Demons has completely escalated over these three thousand years," Li Wuyang said with a grave expression. The Dao Ancestor's sermon had not resolved the calamity; instead, it might have increased the combat power of both sides, fueling their ambition and capacity for conflict.

As he pondered which direction to go to gather information, a commotion ahead caught his attention. He saw a group of Witch Clan warriors escorting women and children in a hasty migration, with rolling demonic clouds behind them – clearly pursuing Demon Race soldiers.

Among the Witch Clan warriors, a familiar figure made Li Wuyang's eyes light up. It was the young leader from the Houtu Tribe back then, Hou Yuan! However, Hou Yuan now appeared older, bore wounds, and his eyes were filled with exhaustion and resolve.

"Leader Hou Yuan!" Li Wuyang shouted loudly and flew over with Xuan.

Upon seeing Li Wuyang, Hou Yuan was stunned for a moment before an expression of disbelief and ecstasy spread across his face. "Dao Child Your Excellency! It's you! You've returned from Zixiao Palace?!" He had clearly also heard about the sermon at Zixiao Palace.

"I just came down the mountain. What's going on with you all...?" Li Wuyang looked at the disheveled group.

Hou Yuan said bitterly, "Dao Child, you may not know, but while you were listening to the Dao for these three thousand years, the Witch-Demon War has erupted completely! The Demon Heavenly Court's power has greatly increased, and they have been constantly attacking our tribes. Our tribe... is gone. This is the last of our people, and we are heading to the central ancestral land where Ancestor Witch Houtu resides to seek refuge. The pursuing Demon Race soldiers are right behind us. Dao Child, you should leave quickly and not get involved!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the demonic clouds arrived overhead, revealing hundreds of elite Demon Race soldiers. Leading them was a demon general with the cultivation of an early True Immortal, who looked down with a sinister grin. "Hou Yuan! Where do you think you can escape this time! Surrender obediently, and we'll leave you with a whole corpse!"

Hou Yuan and the Witch Clan warriors looked desperate, preparing for a fight to the death.

Li Wuyang frowned. He glanced at Xuan beside him.

Xuan's expression was impassive as she calmly asked, "Do you want to meddle?"

Li Wuyang took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's help them. We knew each other, after all."

Xuan said nothing further. She simply stepped forward, her heterochromatic eyes looking indifferently at the demon general in the sky.