Lu Jun Contemplates the Book of the Earth

Houtu's "all-out effort," filled with immense confusion and struggle, seemed so heavy and powerless within the Chaos Gas Flow.

Lu Jun gave her a deep look, his sharp Golden Eyes churning with complex emotions before settling into a profound calm.

He did not press further, nor did he apply more pressure.

He had already clearly laid out the question to Houtu, to the entire Witch Race.

This heavy millstone would ultimately need Houtu herself, and the Witch Race, to push forward.

For now, Lu Jun could only act as a calm observer and a potential guide.

As for what came after Houtu successfully convinced the Witch Race?

Lu Jun's mind raced.

Perfecting the Earthly Dao was far from something Houtu could accomplish alone by becoming Incarnation Reincarnation.

The key item—the Book of the Earth!

Zhen Yuanzi's Companion Supreme Treasure, born from the Earthly Fetal Membrane, a supreme treasure bearing the fortune of the Earthly Dao.

If he could obtain it, combined with the power of Houtu's Incarnation Reincarnation, the Earthly Dao would finally have a foundation to rival the Heavenly Dao!

This thought had already taken shape in his mind, and he even had a bold, tempting bargaining chip.

Offer Zhen Yuanzi a position as an Earthly Dao Saint!

The Nascent Star at Lu Jun's fingertip flickered faintly, as if confirming the feasibility of this idea.

Given Zhen Yuanzi's deep understanding of the Earthly Dao and his attachment to the Great Desolation Earth, the chance of him refusing a Saint position that directly pointed to the Primordial Realm and perfectly aligned with his own Dao was negligible!

This might be the key to prying the Book of the Earth away.

However, no sooner had this idea sprouted than an intangible chill, as if descending from the Nine Heavens Above, enveloped his Mind and Spirit.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun!

How could he deceive this being who had Merged with Heavenly Dao?

How could he, under the possible interference of such an existence, complete the plan to strengthen the Earthly Dao?

This was like the Chaos Barrier before him—heavy, cold, and unfathomably deep.

Even with Lu Jun's current insight and Power of Deduction, he felt utterly lost.

This was no longer a problem of strategy or wisdom; it involved the highest, most fundamental rule-based game of the Great Desolation World.

"I can only wait... wait for Houtu's result, then act according to the situation."

Lu Jun sighed inwardly, temporarily suppressing this enormous hidden danger.

Thinking too much now was useless. The starting point of everything still lay with Houtu and the attitude of the Witch Race.

"Senior Houtu," Lu Jun's voice returned to its previous calm, carrying a note of solemnity.

"With your resolve, this is a blessing for all living beings. We both know the peril of this path. Whatever the outcome, I hope you take care."

A flicker of gratitude passed through Houtu's enormous eyes.

Lu Jun had not mocked her confusion, nor had he forced her to give an impossible answer on the spot.

This understanding, along with his long-term vision for the Great Desolation, warmed her heart.

"Thank you, Sixth Prince, for your guidance and trust. No matter the road ahead, Houtu will not betray this heart, nor this heaven and earth!"

Houtu's massive form nodded slightly, the movement carrying a heavy solemnity.

With those words, Houtu did not linger.

Her colossal body slowly turned, stirring the Chaos Gas Flow, and with a single step, she vanished into the vast chaos, embarking on her journey back to the Great Desolation.

Passing through the chaos, the sight of the Great Desolation once again met her eyes.

Without the chaos to obscure it, the resentment, death qi, and Calamity Qi permeating heaven and earth were even more shocking!

The once-prosperous mountains and rivers were now scarred with scorched earth, rift valleys, and bleached bones scattered across the wilderness.

Countless broken souls drifted aimlessly through the world, wailing and coalescing into Resentment Clouds that blotted out the sky.

The sporadic conflicts between the Witch and Demon Races were like festering sores erupting across the land, each clash accompanied by the withering of life and the birth of new grudges.

This apocalyptic scene, like the sharpest blade, stabbed deep into Houtu's heart, shattering the hesitation born of her confusion in an instant!

"Do you see? This is the price! This is the consequence of endless strife and the lack of reincarnation!"

A voice screamed within her soul.

Overwhelming sorrow and an even greater sense of responsibility surged within her.

The confusion in her eyes was replaced by a resolve bordering on tragic heroism.

"What if I can't convince them? What if the tribe's will cannot be changed?"

"Becoming Incarnation Reincarnation is the only path to survival! Even if it's imperfect, even if it carries risks, even if I must bear the tribe's misunderstanding or even hatred, I must do it!"

"Even if it only temporarily alleviates this boundless resentment, even if it only buys this Great Desolation Heaven and Earth a brief moment to breathe, it's better than watching it sink into utter ruin!"

This resolve carried the desolation of a last-ditch gamble, along with the unshakable responsibility of an Ancestral Witch of the Earth.

She quickened her pace, her target set straight on the Witch Race Ancestral Land at Buzhou Mountain!

At Buzhou Mountain, inside Pangu Hall.

The moment Houtu's figure landed, a wave of fervent, expectant energy rushed toward her.

The Ancestral Witches left behind—Di Jiang, Zhu Rong, Gong Gong, Qiang Liang, Xuanming—immediately came forward, their faces brimming with excitement and curiosity.

They had clearly been waiting for news from Houtu.

Di Jiang, as the Big Brother, spoke first, his voice booming with the confidence of one in control.

"Sister Houtu, you're back! How did it go? What did Zhen Yuanzi say? Did he agree to ally with our Witch Race and pursue our great plans?"

What they had on their minds, always, was the potential aid from Zhen Yuanzi, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, and whether they could leverage the karmic ties with Hong Yun.

Zhu Rong, even more impatient, had flames dancing around him. "Yeah, Sister, spill it! Did that old geezer Zhen Yuanzi get swayed by you? His Book of the Earth is a fine treasure!"

The other Ancestral Witches chimed in, their eyes burning as they stared at Houtu, as if they could already see the Witch Race's power swelling and crushing the Demon Race.

They were lost in the thrill of their tribe gaining a powerful ally, completely ignoring the lingering heaviness and exhaustion etched between Houtu's brows.

Watching her Elder Brother and siblings' excited faces, feeling their pure, fiery "battle spirit,"

Houtu found the resolve she had forged on the journey back instantly drowned by a crushing sense of helplessness and deep resignation.

She opened her mouth, but her throat felt parched.

Taking a deep breath to suppress the surging emotions, she spoke slowly, her voice low and clear:

"On this visit to Zhen Yuanzi, I did... gain something."

"Hahaha! I knew it! Sister Houtu, one trip beats all! That old codger must have agreed!"

Zhu Rong was the first to burst out laughing, slapping Gong Gong beside him so hard the hall shook.

"Tell us, what benefits did he promise? Is he lending the Book of the Earth?" Gong Gong grinned, pressing for more.

"With Zhen Yuanzi's help, dealing with those feathered beasts of the Demon Race will be a sure thing!" Qiang Liang's eyes gleamed with ferocity.

Even Di Jiang, though more composed, couldn't hide the smile at the corners of his mouth, urging, "Sister, give us the specifics."

Houtu looked at their excitement, their anticipation, their minds already scheming how to use Zhen Yuanzi's power against the Demon Race, and the helplessness in her heart turned into a nearly tangible bitterness.

She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her gaze held a calmness close to pity as she spoke each word clearly:

"Zhen Yuanzi said... our Witch Race is already at a dead end."

"What?!"

"Bullshit!"

"Nonsense!"

"That old man is asking for death!"