Inside Pingxin Palace

If Hongjun sets a trap, Houtu has nothing to fear.

She had once suspected that her transformation into the cycle of reincarnation might be part of Hongjun's scheme, yet she still willingly sacrificed herself for all beings, without regret or resentment.

This is Houtu—true compassion incarnate.

Taiqing saw Houtu's resolve and felt a deep respect.

Though Houtu bore the title of sage, she was filled with boundless mercy.

Taiqing believed that in all the Primordial Wilderness, only Houtu could truly be called a sage.

"What do you expect in return, Daoist friend?" Houtu gazed at Taiqing, asking solemnly.

Taiqing's move was surely a gift of immense fortune—how could it come without a price? Houtu sensed that Taiqing seemed to be orchestrating something earth-shattering, and what she knew was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Taiqing smiled faintly. "The Primordial Wilderness is about to undergo a transformation never seen since antiquity. Even the Heavenly Dao will not endure forever, and the Earthly Dao cannot stand alone unscathed.

Thus, the Underworld should join forces with the Three Teachings, sharing the same boat through the storm."

Houtu was stunned upon hearing this.

The Heavenly Dao is not eternal—what does that mean? Though she was a sage, she could not deduce the great upheaval in the Primordial Wilderness.

Taiqing knew far more than she had imagined.

Moreover, one thing puzzled her greatly.

Taiqing had mentioned an alliance between the Underworld and the Three Teachings.

The Three Teachings had long gone their separate ways. To speak of alliance now—did it mean they would reunite?

Yet the six sages were sealed Beyond Heaven, and Tongtian was trapped in the Purple Cloud Palace. Even if the Three Teachings joined forces, what use would they be against Hongjun...

Wait!

Houtu's pupils suddenly contracted.

A bold thought surged in her mind.

The Heavenly Dao is not eternal. If the Three Teachings are to reconcile, could it be to oppose Hongjun?

Or even—could Taiqing be aiming to take Hongjun's place?

Houtu stared at Taiqing with blazing eyes, filled with shock.

What great scheme was Taiqing plotting?

What waves would he stir in the Primordial Wilderness?

Houtu was both startled and exhilarated. Taiqing's power exceeded her imagination.

But the landscape of the Primordial Wilderness was bound to change because of this.

More importantly, she too longed for the rule of her disciple Hongjun to end.

"I, Houtu, swear by the Great Dao—I am willing to form an alliance with you."

Without hesitation, Houtu uttered the oath, just as Nüwa had done in the past.

Once the Great Dao Oath was broken, it would inflict immense damage on one's own Great Dao, much like the Heavenly Dao Oath.

Houtu naturally would not choose the Heavenly Dao Oath.

Because her goal—and Taiqing's—was not merely to overthrow the Heavenly Dao's Hongjun, but to replace him!

This was undoubtedly a monumental challenge.

Taiqing did not know what was running through Houtu's mind.

If he did, he would likely just shake his head with a smile.

Hongjun? Becoming the spokesperson of the Heavenly Dao?

Such a vision was far too narrow.

The Heavenly Dao had never been his pursuit!

He had no interest in the position of one who merges with the Dao.

Taiqing's ultimate goal was the Unity of Three Teachings, the founding of the Dao Sect, and then the construction of the Supreme Primordial Chaos.

Now, with the alliance of Nüwa and Houtu, and the schemes laid within the Heavenly Court, the Buddhist Sect, and the Human Race, the foundation of the Future Dao Sect would be immensely solid.

Taiqing was deeply satisfied with this.

The most critical step—the Unity of Three Teachings and the founding of the Dao Sect—was already set in motion.

Next came the matter of advancing Tongtian.

It was time for Tongtian to leave the Purple Cloud Palace.

In Taiqing's grand design, the future Dao Sect already possessed three supreme Great Daos: the Human Path, governed by Nüwa; the Earthly Path, controlled by Houtu; and Yuanshi, who inherited Pangu's path of power.

Furthermore, Zhen Yuanzi, the Lord of the Earthly Immortal Realm, also held great authority over the Earthly Immortal Realm.

In other words, Zhen Yuanzi had seized part of Hongjun's authority.

Such a lineup was enough to shake anyone!

Even the Heavenly Dao Hongjun, for all his power, could do nothing about it.

On top of that, Taiqing cultivated the Supreme Creation Dao, deepening his grasp of the Primordial Origin Authority day by day, further bolstered by a Chaos Supreme Treasure.

Thus, Taiqing was the truly terrifying existence!

By then, not only could Tongtian walk out of the Purple Cloud Palace, but even if Taiqing attacked the palace to seize Hongjun's people, the Heavenly Dao could only stand by and watch.

In the end, Tongtian would leave the Purple Cloud Palace, the Unity of Three Teachings would be achieved, and the Daoist Sect would be established.

Taiqing firmly believed his power was enough to turn the tide of the Primordial World.

In the Primordial World, the tide of fate surged like a flood—unstoppable!

Even Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao could not change this outcome.

On this, Taiqing was utterly confident.

Inside Pingxin Palace.

Taiqing handed the Earth Dao Divine Seal to Houtu and said, "One more thing—I ask you, fellow Daoist, to revive the Great Witch Bai Qi. He is very important to me."

When Taiqing entered the Underworld, he had brought Bai Qi out with him.

Bai Qi was the perfect assistant for Ying Zheng to realize the Immortal Qin plan.

As a Great Witch of the later Witch Race, the God of Slaughter Bai Qi's deeds occurred after the Witch Race's decline.

Though an outstanding representative of the surviving Witches, Bai Qi refused to stay at Buzhou Mountain and chose reincarnation instead.

Bai Qi had a unique temperament—he would rather burn brightly for a short time than drag out endless years.

Houtu had always guarded the remnants of the Witch Race.

While she could not revive the Twelve Ancestral Witches, helping them reincarnate was not difficult.

Thus, Bai Qi was reborn as a human, making his name on the battlefields of the mortal world.

Later, ordered to die by the King of Qin, Bai Qi's soul returned to the Underworld.

But now, Bai Qi could only cycle through the Six Paths of Reincarnation; he could no longer become a Great Witch.

Hearing Taiqing's words, Houtu gently shook her head and replied, "Forgive me, fellow Daoist. The Witch Race has suffered Heaven's punishment. I cannot turn back fate."

Taiqing looked at the Earth Dao Divine Seal in Houtu's hand and smiled.

"Are you sure it's impossible?"

Reviving the Twelve Ancestral Witches might require Houtu to wield the Earth Dao's power and grasp its authority.

But to revive the Great Witch Bai Qi, Houtu only needed a little insight into the Earth Dao Divine Seal.

Houtu paused briefly, then quickly caught on, a blazing light kindling in her eyes.

If she could directly revive the Great Witch Bai Qi, that proved the Twelve Ancestral Witches could also be resurrected!

"Fellow Daoist, wait a moment!" Houtu wasted no time in beginning to comprehend the Earth Dao Divine Seal, channeling the Power of the Great Dao.

Instantly, the Earth Dao Divine Seal radiated brilliant light, and a mighty surge of Origin Force from the Earth Dao gushed forth like a tidal wave. The entire Six Paths of Reincarnation seemed to resonate in harmony.

Houtu discovered with delight that her compatibility with the Earth Dao Divine Seal was perfect—she could wield it without any hindrance.

"Where is Bai Qi?" Houtu held the divine seal and spoke in a low command.

The moment the words fell, the Six Paths of Reincarnation rumbled and roared, as endless Earth Dao Origin Force poured forth.

Bai Qi's true spirit slowly emerged, dazed and lost.

Then, his true spirit swiftly condensed into a soul, taking on the unique soul form of a Great Witch.

Moments later, Bai Qi's physical body re-formed, radiating the fierce Sha Qi and blood vitality characteristic of the Witch Race.

Houtu's beautiful eyes shimmered with light, her face glowing with excitement and joy.

It worked! Houtu was overjoyed—she finally had a chance to make up for the regrets in her heart.

One day, the Twelve Ancestral Witches would once again walk the lands of the Primordial World.

Taiqing, meanwhile, wore a calm, faint smile.

In truth, reviving Bai Qi was a trivial matter for Taiqing.

He controlled the Primordial Origin Authority, meaning that if he wished, he could command all the positional authorities of the Primordial World.

But letting Houtu take over carried far greater significance—she was clearly more suited for it.

Besides, Taiqing cared nothing for the Earth Dao Authority, nor even the Heavenly Dao Authority.

To Houtu, this was an immense gift.

Taiqing's breadth of mind and magnanimity were unmatched. Houtu trusted him completely, because Hongjun would never have arranged things this way—his vision fell far short of Taiqing's.

Taiqing smiled lightly and said, "Friend, focus on comprehending the Divine Seal. I will take Great Witch Bai Qi away." Houtu replied earnestly, "Friend, please go ahead. The Underworld will stand with you from now on." This was a win-win move. Taiqing chuckled, "Farewell here." Ying Zheng departed with Bai Qi's soul.

Houtu sighed, feeling that Taiqing was too mysterious and powerful for her to fathom.

But she knew deep down that the future stage of the Primordial Era belonged to Taiqing.

Gazing at the Earth Dao Divine Seal in her hand, her eyes burned with fervor, her resolve unshakable.

For ages, the Earth Dao had been suppressed by the Heavenly Dao. Now, everything was about to change, and the Primordial Era would welcome a new order.

The Human Race, Great Qin, Xianyang Palace.

At this moment, Ying Zheng's heart surged with excitement.

Though Taiqing had borrowed his soul, it had not affected his consciousness.

Thus, he had witnessed everything that had just transpired.

However, due to his shallow cultivation realm, core information such as the saints' names, the Earth Dao Divine Seal, and the Heavenly Dao remained entirely beyond his reach.

Even so, Ying Zheng clearly understood that his mysterious master was orchestrating an immensely grand scheme!

Just imagining it made his blood boil.

Meanwhile, Bai Qi was equally shaken.

He had never expected that one day he would regain the body of a Great Witch.

He felt the familiar form brimming with unparalleled power, having reached the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal level.

He was filled with gratitude and reverence for Taiqing.

What kind of might did a saint possess who could make Ancestral Witch Houtu revive a Great Witch?

After all, Ancestral Witch Houtu had never had such an ability before.

Bai Qi also realized that the Primordial Era was about to undergo a massive upheaval due to the arrival of Taiqing Saint.

Ying Zheng gazed at Bai Qi, emotions swirling within him.

This renowned God of Slaughter had returned, now reborn as a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

This was the ultimate weapon Grandmaster Taiqing had meticulously prepared for Immortal Qin.

Recalling Taiqing's instructions, Ying Zheng's heart raced with fervor and fighting spirit.

"Bai Qi, you and I, sovereign and subject, must work together as one."

"Sweep across the Primordial Era, unify the world, and restore the glory of the Human Race!"

"This is how we repay our master's deep expectations!"

The God of Slaughter Bai Qi, brimming with heroic pride, replied firmly.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ying Zheng did not ask Bai Qi about the identity of that mysterious master.

He was determined to revive the golden age of the Human Emperor, lead the Human Race, and personally pay homage to his master.

In the Taiqing Realm, Daluo Heaven, within the Eight Sceneries Palace, Taiqing Laozi opened his eyes, gazed upon the Primordial Earth, and curled his lips slightly.

After forming an alliance with Houtu, his schemes had spread across the Primordial Era, yet Hongjun remained completely unaware.

By then, the tide of the times would be unstoppable, a surging torrent no one could resist.

Tongtian could also leave the Purple Cloud Palace, achieve the Unity of Three Teachings, and reverse the course of fate.

Taiqing's gaze fell upon the land of the Human Race, and he acknowledged Ying Zheng with approval.

Now, Ying Zheng had reached the peak of Golden Immortal, his Grand Void God Sealing Art nearing the pinnacle of Heaven-Earth Longevity, drawing closer to All Beings Unity.

Once Ying Zheng fully mastered the Grand Void God Sealing Art, he would attain the Daluo Fruit, establish Immortal Qin, ascend to the throne of Human Emperor, elevate the Human Race's fortune into Heavenly Dao fortune, and pioneer the Human Path.

The current Great Qin Empire, bolstered by Taiqing's reserve of Innate Spiritual Pill Treasures, had advanced by leaps and bounds. With Bai Qi, a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, added to the mix, it was enough to sweep all directions, invincible and unbreakable.

Ying Zheng was vigorously expanding his territory.

The Primordial Earthly Immortal Realm was about to be brought under the civilizing influence of the Human Race! If Immortal Qin succeeded in its establishment, it would surely unify the world.

Thus, the fortune of the Primordial Era would also rise dramatically.

However, extremes beget reversal.

The strength of the Human Race would inevitably invite obstacles, especially from the Heavenly Court, which would not stand idly by.

But this was precisely the trial the Human Race's revival had to endure. Taiqing was not worried.

He merely sent a silent transmission to Xuandu, instructing him to descend the mountain and protect Ying Zheng.

Just then, the Chaos Pearl suddenly emitted a breathtaking Dao resonance.

Taiqing sensed the anomaly and retrieved the Chaos Pearl. Upon it, mysterious light swirled, and the chaotic spiritual essence was exceedingly dense.