The two arrived but saw no sign of Lu Changqing, leaving them stunned.
They were puzzled.
In the vast Wuji Heaven, there was not a single Sage?
Where had Saint Changqing gone?
He was not even home!
Could Saint Changqing have traveled through the Primordial Wilderness?
If that was true, they would have quite a search ahead of them!
Hong Yun rubbed his forehead and sighed.
The Primordial Wilderness was now boundless. Though the Hunyuan Heaven and Earth Great Array existed, they had no idea where Lu Changqing had gone.
Unable to use the array to find him, they could only search slowly.
Buzhou Mountain.
As Lu Changqing passed by Buzhou Mountain, he discovered that the foot of the mountain was exceptionally lively.
The Witch Clan was holding a victory banquet.
Over the years, the Witch Clan had participated in opening worlds and expanding their lands through battle, and their overall strength had advanced by leaps and bounds!
The morale of the clan was soaring beyond restraint.
The cultivation of the Twelve Ancestral Witches had all surpassed the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm!
Yet they still had a long road ahead before attaining the Dao of Hunyuan.
They had not even touched the threshold of becoming Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortals.
Since the Witch and Demon Clans had yet to begin their decisive battle, Buzhou Mountain still stood towering and majestic.
It held up the heavens and supported the earth, piercing straight into the clouds.
It contained countless profound mysteries.
Pangu's pressure upon the mountain remained as heavy as an abyss and a great peak.
Lu Changqing took a step forward, and countless auspicious clouds naturally gathered around him.
Endless violet qi surged from the horizon.
It transformed into a rainbow bridge beneath his feet.
Such a phenomenon immediately alarmed the Witch Clan.
When they saw that the visitor was Lu Changqing, the entire gathering erupted.
Saint Changqing!
Saint Changqing has come to the Witch Clan!
Saint Changqing is here!
Welcome, Saint Changqing!
Countless members of the Witch Clan shouted in unison.
They deeply admired and gratefully remembered Lu Changqing's achievement in setting up the Supreme Great Array.
Thus, when they saw Lu Changqing arrive at the Witch Clan, it was as though they had seen an idol they worshiped, and they cheered excitedly.
Upon hearing the news, the Twelve Ancestral Witches also appeared one after another.
Di Jiang walked at the front and said enthusiastically, "Welcome, Sage, to the Witch Clan!"
The other eleven Ancestral Witches bowed behind him.
Di Jiang looked eager. He had originally planned to lead them to Wuji Heaven to pay Lu Changqing a visit, yet Lu Changqing had unexpectedly come to the Witch Clan first.
To the Witch Clan, this was truly a grand occasion.
"Saint Changqing, it has been many years."
Houtu spoke softly.
Lu Changqing smiled in reply. "Indeed!"
"I remember when I first met Fellow Daoist Houtu, you had only just become a Quasi-Saint."
"Now, you have actually reached such a realm!"
Houtu smiled. "It is all thanks to the Sage's blessings. Otherwise, how could my Witch Clan have achieved what it has today?"
As they talked, they walked inward.
Di Jiang invited him, "Saint Changqing, it is rare for you to visit the Witch Clan."
"Please celebrate with us!"
Lu Changqing readily agreed. He had only come over because he had seen how lively the Witch Clan was.
The host and guest both enjoyed themselves.
"I see that all of you brothers and sisters have reached the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm."
"You are only one step away from attaining the Dao of the Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal. Do you have any plans?"
Lu Changqing asked.
He had noticed that the cultivation of all Twelve Ancestral Witches had surpassed the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm.
This realm was only one step from attaining the Dao.
Houtu shook her head with a bitter smile. "How could it be so easy!"
"It is not as if we have never tried."
"Yet we have always found it difficult to take that final step, and we have instead consumed quite a bit of merit."
The merit the twelve of them had gained from opening worlds, if gathered together, might have given them a sliver of hope.
They simply lacked Primordial Violet Qi.
Becoming Sages was harder than ascending to heaven!
"I heard that Wuji Heaven can help people attain the Dao and become Sages?"
"Is that truly the case?"
Di Jiang asked curiously.
Wuji Heaven had produced Sages one after another, and they had long yearned for it.
Lu Changqing smiled. "Of course it is true!"
"But you must sign a contract and join Wuji Heaven under my command."
At the mention of becoming Sages, Lu Changqing immediately became energized.
Yet after hearing his words, the Twelve Ancestral Witches all fell silent.
Buzhou Mountain.
Inside the main hall.
Upon hearing Lu Changqing's words, all Twelve Ancestral Witches remained silent.
Sign a contract and submit to Wuji Heaven!
To them, this was truly difficult to decide.
Once they joined Wuji Heaven, it would mean living under another's command.
That was something they could not accept.
Di Jiang frowned deeply. He had long expected this.
There was no such thing as a free lunch.
Wuji Heaven could not possibly help others become Sages without demanding anything in return.
That was far too unrealistic.
It was precisely because they had harbored this suspicion that they had never gone to Wuji Heaven.
If not for the sake of appearances, given how fervently they sought the Dao, they would have long been unable to resist asking about it.
When Lu Changqing saw the Twelve Ancestral Witches remain silent, he immediately understood what they were thinking.
"I am not asking you to submit to Wuji Heaven forever."
"You need only serve for ten thousand years. Once that period ends, you will regain your freedom."
The moment he spoke, a gleam flashed through the eyes of all Twelve Ancestral Witches.
Only ten thousand years?
They would not need to submit forever?
Seen that way, it was not entirely out of the question.
What troubled them most was that although the merit they had accumulated was barely enough,
they needed Primordial Violet Qi to attain the Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.
Otherwise, their chances of success were far too slim.
That was merit they had accumulated through exhausting effort.
Without Primordial Violet Qi, if they failed to attain the Dao, all their efforts would be wasted.
Join Wuji Heaven!
Serve for ten thousand years!
Di Jiang was torn by an intense inner struggle.
To them, ten thousand years was no more than the flick of a finger.
Yet the Witch Clan was naturally devoted to freedom.
They fought against heaven and contended with Sages.
When had they ever retreated even half a step?
Lu Changqing said no more and lightly waved his sleeve.
Twelve strands of Primordial Violet Qi appeared in succession.
They intertwined and circled through the main hall.
Violet light flowed, illuminating the entire hall.
At the sight, the Twelve Ancestral Witches could not help but breathe more quickly.
A full twelve strands of Primordial Violet Qi!
That meant twelve opportunities to become Sages!
Saint Changqing was indeed unfathomable. He could casually produce so much Primordial Violet Qi. In the entire Primordial Wilderness, perhaps not even the Heavenly Dao could accomplish such a thing!
"Well?"
"Are you satisfied?"
Lu Changqing asked with a smile.
Displaying twelve strands of Primordial Violet Qi at once was meant to stir the hearts of the Twelve Ancestral Witches.
If all Twelve Ancestral Witches could become Sages, there would be twelve Sages.
Whether expanding territory or opening heaven and earth, their efficiency would multiply.
Moreover, the twelve of them could at least help him consume 1.2 billion points of merit!
No matter how he looked at it, this was a profitable deal.
The faces of the Twelve Ancestral Witches were filled with struggle.
That was Primordial Violet Qi!
It was truly difficult to resist.
Yet compared to the opportunity to become Sages, they treasured freedom even more.
Suppressing the longing in his heart, Di Jiang said solemnly, "Please allow us some time to discuss this, Saint Changqing!"
"Once we have discussed it, we will give you an answer."
Lu Changqing did not urge them further.
As long as the Twelve Ancestral Witches wished to attain the Dao of Hunyuan, they would sooner or later come looking for him.
He did not believe they could resist the temptation of becoming Sages.
Whoosh!
With a casual wave of his hand, the twelve strands of Primordial Violet Qi instantly vanished.
As they gazed at the empty main hall, all Twelve Ancestral Witches felt a hint of disappointment rise in their hearts.
Had they agreed just now, the Saint positions would have been almost within reach.
"Saint Changqing, may I ask whether the Heaven-Opening Profound Scripture originated from Pangu's method of opening heaven and earth?"
Di Jiang changed the subject and asked another question.
The other Ancestral Witches also turned their gazes toward him.
This was also what concerned them most.
The Heaven-Opening Profound Scripture was so profound, yet it shared many similarities with Pangu's method of opening heaven and earth.
Could Lu Changqing have some connection to Father God?
Lu Changqing nodded slightly and said calmly, "Pangu was a close friend of mine."
"What?!"
"Pangu was actually Saint Changqing's close friend?!"
"Could Saint Changqing also be an existence from the Chaos era?!"
"So his origins were this astonishing!"
"No wonder he possessed inexhaustible merit."
"He truly is someone of extraordinary origins."
"Since he was Father God's close friend, then the Sage is also a friend of our Witch Clan!"
After Di Jiang spoke solemnly, the way he looked at Lu Changqing grew even more fervent.
"So Saint Changqing has such a connection with Father God!"
The attitudes of the Ancestral Witches grew increasingly intimate.
"Right!"
"Since Saint Changqing knew Father God, our Witch Clan will happen to hold a grand ceremony to worship Father God a hundred years from now."
At that time, I hope the Sage will honor us with your presence!
Di Jiang invited him sincerely.
The Witch Clan held a grand sacrificial ceremony once every ten thousand years.
This was the foundation of the Witch Clan's strength—they could pray to Father God within Pangu Hall for blessings during the ceremony.
Father God would bestow all manner of opportunities.
To the Witch Clan, this was a matter of utmost importance.
Lu Changqing was intrigued by this.
Pangu had long since perished, yet he could still bless the Witch Clan every ten thousand years?
How had he accomplished that?
Lu Changqing also wanted to witness it for himself.
When Pangu created the heavens and earth, his cultivation should have reached the Half-Step Great Dao Realm.
"Fine."
"I'll stay a while longer and observe the sacrificial ceremony."
Lu Changqing agreed.
The Twelve Ancestral Witches were naturally overjoyed.
From then on, Lu Changqing spent his days chatting and laughing with the Ancestral Witches.
The Witch Clan was bold and uninhibited by nature.
They indulged themselves all day long, free and unrestrained.
However, the Twelve Ancestral Witches each governed their own tribes, and before long, only Houtu remained to accompany Lu Changqing.
The two drank and chatted leisurely.
Houtu sighed. "I still remember when I first met the Sage. The moment you made a move, I was utterly astonished."
Lu Changqing smiled faintly.
Come to think of it, Houtu truly had been the first person he had won over with merit.
"The Sage was merely a Grand Unity Golden Immortal back then, yet now you have already attained sainthood."
"With such talent, you truly stand unmatched in the world!"
Houtu made no effort to hide her admiration.
At that moment, someone entered the hall. It was Xing Tian, a Great Witch from Houtu's tribe.
"Chief, Kuafu has started fighting Xiang Liu, one of Chief Zhu Rong's subordinates!"
Xing Tian reported hurriedly.
As for Lu Changqing, having been a guest of the Witch Clan for years, he was long accustomed to such things.
Houtu frowned upon hearing this. "They started fighting? Why would they come to blows for no reason?"
"Come, let's take a look!"
After saying this in a low voice, she left with Xing Tian.
Lu Changqing also rose and followed them.
He might as well watch the excitement.
By the time the three arrived, Zhu Rong was already there, roaring:
"What are you two doing?! Stop at once!"
Saint Changqing was still a guest of the Witch Clan, and for those two to cause a scene in public was truly damaging to the Witch Clan's reputation.
Xiang Liu's face was ashen, and Kuafu had already beaten him half to death.
Yet Zhu Rong did not care much—such things were all too common in the Witch Clan.
The Witch Clan spent their days fighting and roughhousing.
One wrong look could lead to a vicious brawl.
It was nothing more than, "What are you looking at?"
"I'll look at whatever I want!"
—then they would start fighting.
Although Xiang Liu had been beaten half to death, he still refused to accept it.
After all, he had lost.
The anger in Zhu Rong's heart gradually rose.
Xiang Liu was one of his great generals, and losing to Kuafu had caused him to lose all face.
Houtu had a gentle temperament and originally had no wish to make an issue of it. She said softly:
"Big Brother, how about we let this matter end here?"
Zhu Rong became even more displeased upon hearing that.
Seeing Xiang Liu's severe injuries, he flatly refused:
"No! There must be another battle, or where would my dignity as a chief remain?!"
"Forget Kuafu—even if you offended me, Little Sister, I would never let you off lightly!"
"Besides, your tribe was inferior to mine to begin with."
Houtu could still endure the first few sentences.
But the last sentence touched her reverse scale.
How was her tribe inferior to Zhu Rong's tribe?
She immediately shouted, "We are both Ancestral Witches. What makes one superior to the other?!"
Ancestral Witches hated nothing more than being looked down upon, even by their own siblings!
Houtu said sternly, "Fine! Since Big Brother insists, then Little Sister will personally seek your guidance!"
Naturally, Zhu Rong had no reason to back down.
The two Ancestral Witches stood at swords' points, drawing crowds from both tribes to watch.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
"The chief is mighty!"
"The chief is invincible!"
The Witch Clan members shouted their encouragement.
A battle between chiefs was truly a rare sight.
Lu Changqing also stopped to watch.
A thunderous boom rang out!
The two clashed abruptly.
Houtu shed her usual gentleness, her attacks exceptionally fierce.
Still as an orchid, swift as thunder—every move was lethal!
She even directly manifested her true Ancestral Witch form and fought with all her might.
Zhu Rong let out a muffled groan as Houtu actually seized his head and dragged him across the ground!
Her assault did not stop.
Houtu lifted him and smashed him viciously into a mountain.
Mountains collapsed and the earth split; the sun and moon lost their light.
"Will you submit or not?"
"Do you really think I'm easy to bully?!"
With Zhu Rong embedded deep in the mountainside, Houtu demanded angrily.
Zhu Rong's face was covered in bruises as he repeatedly begged for mercy. "I submit, I submit... Little Sister, stop..."
Only then did Houtu release him.
Otherwise, Zhu Rong might have been sealed beneath that mountain forever.
After the disturbance subsided, Houtu returned to her quiet and graceful appearance.
But when she turned around, she saw Lu Changqing watching her.
Panic immediately rose in her heart.
Oh no!
Before you continue