The little fellow absolutely must not disappoint me

"Many thanks for your help." Nuwa returned to her serene demeanor and thanked the Twelve Ancestral Witches.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches thought: What now? She's so polite, we can't even bring ourselves to throw out harsh words!

The other eleven Ancestral Witches looked at their youngest sister—your move, sis.

Houtu hadn't expected Nuwa to act like this either. The retorts she'd prepared got stuck in her throat, and for a moment, she was speechless.

After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Hmph, don't flatter yourself. We weren't helping you—we thought some rare treasure had appeared. Besides, this is Witch Clan territory; we couldn't let outsiders snatch it away.

Who knew it would be that little fellow's breakthrough causing the phenomenon? Don't think we came to help him."

Hearing this, Nuwa said nothing, just looked at Houtu with a faint, knowing smile, clearly not buying it.

Still, she nodded. "Right, right, right. You're absolutely correct. Regardless, I still thank you for the interference. Since there's nothing else, we'll be going now."

With that, she and Fuxi vanished from where they stood.

Houtu was a bit dazed. That's it? They're just leaving?

Just like that?

At that moment, the remaining eleven Ancestral Witches showed varied reactions—some frowned, some fumed, some felt for their sister.

Round two: Nuwa vs. Houtu. Winner: Nuwa.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches lingered above Mount Buzhou for a long time. Houtu didn't move, so they didn't dare to either.

After a while, Zhurong couldn't hold back. "Sister Houtu, just say the word, and I'll march over right now. That Nuwa—no matter how strong she is, I'll make her pay for talking to you like that. She won't get off easy."

"That's right, sister. Just give the order, and we'll make sure she regrets it!" Gonggong chimed in.

"What's wrong with me? Nuwa didn't do anything to me. Why would you go after her?" Houtu smiled at Zhurong and Gonggong.

But that smile sent an inexplicable chill down the spines of the other Ancestral Witches.

Damn, she's completely snapped. That smile is terrifying.

Curse you, Nuwa. Curse you, Liu Feng. Don't let us catch you—or else! Hmph!

"Alright, brothers, let's head back. Nothing more to see here."

After speaking, Houtu glanced toward Nuwa's dojo, then turned and left.

Seeing Houtu leave, Dijiang said, "Let's go. We'll talk back at home."

Houtu went straight back to her tribe.

The other Ancestral Witches gathered together, discussing something unknown. But after their meeting, the area around Mount Buzhou's main peak was swarming with patrolling Witch Clan members.

Clearly, they intended to intercept Liu Feng when he came down the mountain.

Who knew if Liu Feng could safely leave Witch Clan territory if he ever wanted to roam the Primordial World.

On the other side, Houtu had returned to her tribe but was well aware of her brothers' actions. She just smiled faintly and didn't stop them.

After witnessing the phenomenon caused by Liu Feng's breakthrough, she was even more certain that her Dao heart had trembled—that Liu Feng could change the Witch Clan.

Ever since Rahula made his Heavenly Dao oath, time had passed, and the Witch Clan grew stronger. But Houtu's worry deepened, especially after Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi established the Demon Race. It was as if they were born enemies—every encounter between Wu Yao and the Demon Race ended in bloodshed. This only heightened Houtu's fears for the Witch Clan's future.

Thus, she had to reach Liu Feng as soon as possible. Perhaps only through him could the Witch Clan's fate be changed.

Houtu never imagined she would pin the Witch Clan's future on that little fellow.

But that little fellow was too reclusive. Ever since he followed Nuwa back to her dojo, he'd never shown his face. Two Tribulations of Calamity had passed, and still nothing. She had no idea what he did all day.

If not for this phenomenon, she might have thought Nuwa had killed him.

Thankfully, he seemed fine.

His voice was full of vigor.

Since her brothers had sent people, she wouldn't fall behind either.

"Summon someone!"

"Your Majesty, your orders?"

"Kuafu, Xingtian, you will personally lead a team. Keep constant watch on Nuwa's dojo. The moment you see anyone other than Nuwa or Fuxi appear, intercept them and bring them to me."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The two left, and Houtu once again gazed at the mountainside of Mount Buzhou. "Little fellow, don't let me down."

"Brother, what do we do now?"

Mount Buzhou had calmed down—well, not really. The Witch Clan's frequent patrols made things difficult for Zhunti and Jie Yin, who were hiding in the shadows. They had no chance at all.

After waiting for years with no one coming down from Mount Buzhou, they had lost patience. The Western development was urgent; they couldn't waste time here.

"Sigh, it seems there's no opportunity. Let's head back. We can't afford to linger."

"Damn it. Who would've thought Nuwa would get there first? Brother, you saw it earlier, right? Nuwa's strength is clearly above Dijun's. That must be the cultivation method her disciple mentioned."

"Perhaps. If just breaking through the first level can cause such a massive phenomenon, I can't imagine what the later stages would look like."

"No, we have to find a way to get that cultivation method later. I'm sure it would be great for us and for the entire Western development."

"Mm, we'll find an opportunity later. I believe we'll meet again!"

With that, the two vanished from Mount Buzhou.

The Three Pure Ones returned to the Jade Void Palace and once again sat on their respective cattail mats. Unfortunately, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't calm their minds to cultivate, all fixated on that final cultivation method.

The phenomenon of that breakthrough was too terrifying—it wasn't merely a Seven-Colored Light Pillar on the surface.

Within it were several types of rule power.

Even when they themselves had broken through to Grand Golden Immortal, they hadn't possessed so many rule powers!

"Elder Brother, shouldn't we find a chance to discuss the Dao with Nuwa?"

"Yes, Elder Brother. Perhaps only through discussing the Dao with Nuwa can our strength break through. Right now, the path ahead feels utterly bleak."

"That may be so, but how do we find an opportunity? You both saw Nuwa's attitude earlier—she couldn't care less. Are we supposed to go begging at her door?" Taiqing said slowly.

"This..."

Yuanshi and Tongtian fell silent.

Begging at her door.

Ridiculous. Who did they think they were?

As the Primordial Spirit of Pangu incarnate, how could they ever stoop to begging? Didn't they have any face to save?

The two tacitly dropped the subject.

Yuanshi then thought of another matter and said, "By the way, Elder Brother, what's your take on the battle between the Ancestral Witches and the Demon Race?"

"The Witch Clan doesn't cultivate the Primordial Spirit. Though they're strong now, they'll struggle to achieve much. Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi, on the other hand, are formidable and possess companion ultimate treasures. We'll need to keep a close eye on them in the future."

"Tch, they're all just a bunch of damp-born, egg-lot creatures. What's there to care about? Elder Brother, are you overestimating them?"

Yuanshi said disdainfully. In comparison, he felt the Witch Clan posed a greater threat to them.

Tongtian: ...

He had a nagging feeling that Second Brother's words were deeply irritating, but why?

Taiqing shot a long look at Yuanshi and said no more. "And brother, let's continue comprehending the Great Dao."

"Mm!"

"So it should be!"