Wu Clan Stronghold, Trespassers Stop

"Brother Hongyun, what should we do about this Gourd Vine?"

"If all else fails, we'll just pick the gourds and tear the vine out by the roots. Even if it's destroyed, we absolutely can't let it fall into the enemy's hands."

Zhu Jiu Yin cast a ruthless glance toward the Gourd Vine, frightening it into another tremble.

Aside from Houtu, who looked somewhat reluctant, the other Ancestor Witches all showed a hint of interest.

"No need for that. It has already acknowledged me as its master."

"Besides, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is especially dense here, and the place is protected by a natural formation. We might as well claim it for ourselves, so that in the future it can house the newly born members of the Wu Clan."

Hong Yun made the suggestion to Dijiang.

"Is that really necessary? How vast is the Pangu Secret Realm? Even if new members are born in the future, it should still be able to accommodate them, shouldn't it?" Dijiang asked doubtfully.

The Pangu Secret Realm was a Minor World created from Pangu's heart chamber.

The space it contained was extraordinarily vast, enough to accommodate countless members of the Wu Clan.

A thoughtful look flashed through Zhu Jiu Yin's eyes before he retorted, "Big Brother, you're mistaken. According to Brother Hongyun's plans, we members of the Wu Clan were born to safeguard the stability of the Primordial Wilderness. How could we isolate ourselves in a corner of the world and remain entrenched in the Pangu Secret Realm?"

Hong Yun nodded. "That's right. As expected of the First Sage of the Witch Tribe, Brother Zhu Jiu Yin!"

The wise expression on Zhu Jiu Yin's face immediately collapsed after Hong Yun praised him so lavishly.

He said with a helpless laugh, "Brother Hongyun, you flatter me. How could I deserve such praise? With your Wisdom, you're the Wu Clan's undisputed strategist."

"What Wisdom do I have? I'm merely standing on the shoulders of those who came before me and seeing a little farther." Hong Yun hurriedly responded modestly.

Hearing this, the Ancestor Witches immediately felt that Hong Yun's respect for Father God Pangu was truly constant.

They did not know that the "people who came before" Hong Yun referred to were the nine years of compulsory education he had received in his previous life.

Hong Yun continued, "There's another benefit. If we claim this place as the Wu Clan's territory, then when those destined to harvest the gourds arrive, we'll have a legitimate reason to turn them away."

The eyes of the Twelve Ancestral Witches lit up at once.

Zhurong slapped his forehead and exclaimed excitedly, "Could this be what you meant by seizing the moral high ground?"

"That's right. Brother Zhurong's Wisdom has improved greatly. You're worth teaching after all."

Zhurong swelled with pride at the praise and raised one eyebrow at Hong Yun. "I learned it all from you, Brother Hongyun. When it comes to being sinister and crafty, you're still the best!"

"If you don't know how to praise someone, don't force it. Get lost!"

A hundred years later, at the foot of Buzhou Mountain.

Three streaks of clear light descended from the heavens and landed at the foot of Buzhou Mountain. The Three Pure Ones brothers looked up at the towering peak that pierced the clouds and fell into deep thought.

The magnificent figure from their inherited memories involuntarily surfaced in their minds—the figure who had supported the heavens with both hands while standing upon the earth. For a moment, their emotions surged.

After a long while, Tongtian let out a sigh. It seemed to carry both remembrance and regret.

"Elder Brother, Second Brother, this is the first time the three of us have come to Buzhou Mountain since taking human form. Why don't we first pay our respects to Father God Pangu?"

Yuanshi felt displeased and retorted, "Third Brother, time is of the essence. What if we miss our opportunity because we're paying respects to Father God, only for someone else to get there first?"

"Second Brother, Father God gave birth to us. Shouldn't we pay our respects to him? An opportunity may be important, but how could it possibly compare with paying respects to Father God?"

"Third Brother, be reasonable. We can pay our respects to Father God at any time, but once we miss an opportunity, it's gone!"

Tongtian's expression darkened at his words. He turned away, refusing to look at Yuanshi.

He snorted and stubbornly said, "Then let it be gone. Second Brother, go if you want to. I, Tongtian, am staying here to pay my respects to Father God first!"

Watching the two argue gave Laozi, the eldest brother, a terrible headache, though he was not surprised.

Similar situations had occurred many times over the years. For some reason, Yuanshi and Tongtian seemed to be at odds by nature and often held opposing opinions.

If Laozi had not mediated between them, the two would probably have fallen out long ago.

"You..."

Yuanshi was instantly enraged by Tongtian's retort. He was just about to rebuke him by relying on his status as the elder brother when Laozi interrupted him.

Laozi sighed. "Second Brother, listen to Third Brother this time. As the successors of Pangu's True Lineage, we inherited Father God's legacy. We should first pay our respects to him as a sign of respect."

"But..."

"Second Brother!"

Yuanshi wanted to say more, but Laozi interrupted him again in a stern voice.

"Yes, Elder Brother!"

Though unwilling, Yuanshi had always respected Laozi deeply and did not dare defy his decision.

Just after the Three Pure Ones finished paying their respects to Pangu, Fuxi and Nuwa arrived from Phoenix Perch Mountain, while Di Jun and Tai Yi arrived from the Sun Star. They too reached the foot of Buzhou Mountain.

The three groups met at the foot of the mountain and looked at one another in bewilderment, all falling silent.

After a while, the courteous and respectful Fuxi was the first to break the silence. He cupped his hands toward them and said, "This one is Fuxi. Greetings, fellow Daoists. May I ask why you have come here?"

As the leader of the Three Pure Ones, Laozi returned the greeting. "To be honest, the three of us were originally in seclusion. However, we sensed that the opportunity at Buzhou Mountain was connected to us. Could it be that you fellow Daoists sensed the same thing?"

Fuxi shook his head. "It wasn't me, but my younger sister who sensed the opportunity."

Di Jun returned the greeting as well. "As it happens, my Second Brother sensed it too. I wonder whether the opportunity you all sensed is the same as the one my Second Brother sensed?"

Once they had spoken, the scene fell silent again, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

If the opportunities they had sensed were the same, then they would become rivals.

With a conflict about to erupt among the three sides, Fuxi stepped forward once more.

"Fellow Daoists, at present, we don't yet know what our respective opportunities are or where they lie. Perhaps they aren't the same opportunity at all. Why don't we first go up the mountain and search? If we truly run into one another, we can each rely on our own abilities. How does that sound?"

"Agreed!"

Laozi and Di Jun exchanged a glance before nodding in unison.

All three groups understood that they had yet to find their opportunities. Starting a conflict rashly would clearly be unwise.

Soon, everyone split up, and the three groups climbed the mountain in different directions.

At this moment, Hong Yun and the Twelve Ancestral Witches were guarding the ravine.

There were also many Witch Soldiers patrolling outside, and they had clearly already turned this place into a stronghold of the Wu Clan.

On the Innate Gourd Vine growing along the mountain wall not far away, six gourds hung from the branches. They continuously drew in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth while releasing multicolored treasures' radiance.

Clearly, the six gourds were about to mature.

The vines and leaves of the Gourd Vine swayed gently, as if rejoicing at having taken another step toward transforming into human form.

A hundred li away, seven figures arrived. They looked at one another, once again falling into speechless silence.

"It seems this poor Daoist was merely hoping against hope!"

When the seven met again, Fuxi frowned and gave a bitter laugh, yet he showed no intention of retreating.

"It doesn't matter. At worst, we'll have a fight!"

Tai Yi arrogantly sized up everyone present. His golden eyes were exceptionally sharp, and the Fighting Spirit radiating from his tall figure grew increasingly intense.

Di Jun stood silently behind him, expressing his support.

Tongtian held a long azure sword in his hand, while Yuanshi held the Jade Ruyi. The Fighting Spirit radiating from them was no weaker than Tai Yi's. Only Laozi, leaning on a staff, remained calmly composed.

"Elder Brother, why don't I give up this opportunity?"

Nuwa tugged at Fuxi's sleeve. It was not that she was weak-willed; she simply did not want Fuxi to be injured.

Neither of the other two sides present was easy to deal with. In terms of cultivation, all of them were top Great Powers of the Primordial Wilderness. By comparison, the Fuxi and Nuwa siblings were somewhat weaker.

Fuxi scolded Nuwa with a stern expression. "Don't talk nonsense. This concerns our path of cultivation. How can we casually speak of retreating? If we don't contend for it now, when will we?"

If she had been scolded like this on an ordinary day, Nuwa would have thrown a tantrum long ago.

But this time, her heart was filled with deep emotion. She knew that Fuxi was preparing to risk his life for her.

Thus, she stopped trying to dissuade Fuxi. Instead, she circulated the Mana within her body and stood beside him.

Just as a chaotic battle was about to erupt, a patrol of Witch Soldiers discovered them.

The leading Great Witch, Hou Yi, shouted loudly, "Wu Clan stronghold, trespassers stop!"