Chapter 29

Tai Cang remained composed and answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I came into contact with the blood-colored stele inscription again and learned some secrets from it."

"The valley contains the inheritance left behind by Beast Emperor Shenni. This proves that everything recorded on the stele is true."

"But if we wish to learn how to advance to the Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, we can only open the valley and obtain Shen Ni's inheritance."

Shen Ni's inheritance! A method to advance to the Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm!

Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the others quickened their breathing, unable to hide their excitement.

After exchanging glances, Di Jun nodded to Eastern Emperor Tai Yi.

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi withdrew the Chaos Bell barrier, then took out a jade talisman and handed it to Tai Cang. "Little Friend Tai Cang, this jade talisman contains the supreme escape technique of our Three-legged Golden Crow lineage—the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique."

"Earlier, I noticed that you lacked a suitable escape technique. I am giving this method to you. I hope you will accept it."

The Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique!

Tai Cang's heart trembled, and he could not conceal his delight.

Although he already possessed the Golden Light Vertical Earth technique from the Thirty-Six Transformations, it was still worlds apart from the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique of the Three-legged Golden Crow lineage.

Once he mastered this divine ability, even if he encountered danger in the future, very few people would be able to catch up to him.

Thank you, Demon Sovereign!

Tai Cang did not refuse. He accepted the jade talisman containing the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique and solemnly cupped his fists in thanks.

The Demon Sovereign needed his intelligence, while he needed this escape technique. Both sides got what they needed. Most importantly, he was confident that he could break through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm within three thousand years. When the Demon Race sent Grand Unity Golden Immortals into the Beast Realm, he could take the opportunity to search for Shen Ni's inheritance.

Wudang, since you are a Jie Sect direct disciple, I bestow upon you today a high-grade innate spiritual treasure—the Cang Yuan Myriad Beasts Diagram.

Sect Master Tongtian's voice echoed through the hall. With the bestowal of this spiritual treasure, the gathering of the Three Teachings was also nearing its end.

Thank you, Master!

Saint Mother Wudang respectfully performed a salute. After accepting the treasure diagram, she immediately stepped aside to begin refining it. On the high platform, the Three Pure Ones discussed Dao and exchanged insights with the great powers of the primordial world. Before long, people began rising to take their leave one after another—the Beast Realm would reopen in three thousand years, and they needed to quickly nurture Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivators loyal to their respective factions.

Report—

An urgent cry shattered the calm. A Jie Sect disciple stumbled inside, his clothes covered in dust. "Reporting to First Martial Uncle, Second Martial Uncle, and Master! A Great Witch of the Witch Clan has attacked the Kunlun Mountains!"

What?

A Great Witch dared to offend a sacred realm?

The entire hall erupted in uproar. It would have been understandable if an Ancestral Witch had come to attack, but for a mere Great Witch to barge into Kunlun alone was simply contempt for the Three Pure Ones.

Tap! Tap!

Heavy footsteps approached from afar. The Jie Sect disciples formed a semicircle as though facing a great enemy. A burly man carrying a longbow strode forward with his head held high, arrogance written all over him.

Great Witch Hou Yi!

It really was the Witch Clan!

Primeval Lord of Heaven's expression darkened. "Hou Yi, why have you trespassed into Kunlun?"

Sect Master Tongtian's knuckles turned white, killing intent blazing in his eyes. "If you cannot give a reasonable explanation today, do not dream of leaving this mountain alive!"

Under the pressure of the Saints, the air throughout the great hall seemed to freeze. Having witnessed the power of Laozi's finger that could destroy worlds, the cultivators understood more deeply than ever the truth that all beneath Saints were but ants.

Could the Witch Clan have come for...

Tai Cang glanced at the calm Laozi from the corner of his eye and pondered inwardly. What exactly did he do to make the Witch Clan take the initiative to provoke them? Was his plan concerning Pangu's Destiny beginning now?

At this thought, a sense of urgency rose in Tai Cang's heart.

He understood that Laozi was only using him. Once all of Pangu's Destiny had been reclaimed, Laozi would no longer support him as wholeheartedly as he did now. Instead, he would focus on nurturing Cang Du. Likewise, Tongtian and Primeval Lord of Heaven would devote themselves to cultivating their own direct disciples. If he could not obtain benefits from the Saints as soon as possible, it would become even harder later.

Greetings, esteemed Saints!

At this moment, Hou Yi, who had arrived at the scene, remained completely unhurried. Ignoring the threats of Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian, he cupped his fists in salute and said, "The Twelve Ancestral Witches sent me to deliver a challenge." As he spoke, he took a dark-gold invitation from his robes and unhesitatingly tossed it toward the Three Pure Ones. "Please examine it, esteemed Saints."

A challenge? What did the Witch Clan want?

Seeing this, the great powers present all revealed astonished expressions. In particular, Di Jun and the other members of the Demon Race, who were enemies of the Witch Clan, looked at one another before fixing their eyes on the challenge, eager to learn its contents and the Witch Clan's intentions.

Insolence!

After reading the challenge, Primeval Lord of Heaven's face turned livid. "How dare mere Ancestral Witches covet the Pangu's Destiny of us Three Pure Ones? Who gave them such nerve?"

The moment he finished speaking, a powerful Saint's pressure erupted from Primeval Lord of Heaven. In an instant, the winds and clouds over the Kunlun Mountains changed, the heavens and earth darkened, and every great cultivator turned deathly pale.

Thud—

The Jie Sect disciples below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm instantly fell to their knees. Next came the direct disciples of the Three Teachings; even Cang Du could no longer hold on. Fortunately, Tai Cang stood beside Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi. Eastern Emperor Tai Yi raised the Chaos Bell to block the Saint's pressure, sparing Tai Cang and Golden Crow Princes such as Di Yi from kneeling.

Saint Primeval Lord of Heaven, are you refusing?

Under that pressure, Hou Yi remained completely unmoved. He gritted his teeth and steadied himself, meeting Primeval Lord of Heaven's gaze without fear, his eyes full of disdain.

Insolence!

Primeval Lord of Heaven grew even angrier. A Great Witch dared to scorn a Saint—he was simply courting death!

He waved his hand, and dark clouds churned across the sky. A massive golden palm appeared out of nowhere, runes flickering within it as it pressed down like it would blot out the heavens and cover the earth.

Just as the enormous golden palm was about to strike Hou Yi, a stream of Yin Yang energy suddenly shot forth and collided with it.

Crack—

A shattering sound rang out. The golden palm broke apart at once, while the Yin Yang energy transformed into sharp blades suspended in midair before slowly dissipating.

Second Brother!

Laozi's voice rang out at just the right moment. He stepped forward to stop Primeval Lord of Heaven and said to Hou Yi, "Hou Yi, we accept the challenge of the Twelve Ancestral Witches. Ten thousand years from now, our Three Pure Ones lineage will send ten cultivators to duel ten Great Witches of the Witch Clan. The victor will obtain the other side's Pangu's Destiny."

Big Brother!

Big Brother!

As soon as Laozi finished speaking, Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian became anxious. Although ten thousand years was enough time for them to raise their disciples to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, Grand Unity Golden Immortals might not necessarily be able to stand against the Witch Clan's Great Witches. Some peak Great Witches possessed strength comparable to Quasi-Saints. Hou Yi before them, for instance, was a Great Witch, yet he had already reached the very pinnacle.

Hou Yi's strength was enough to contend with experts at the late Quasi-Saint stage. That was why he could withstand Primeval Lord of Heaven's pressure without kneeling on the spot. There were quite a few Great Witches as powerful as Hou Yi within the Witch Clan. If the Ancestral Witches sent such Great Witches into battle, who among the cultivators of the Three Teachings could resist them? Would the Pangu's Destiny of the Three Pure Ones not simply be handed over?

No matter!

Before Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian could continue arguing, Laozi raised a hand to cut them off. "This matter is settled."

"I will explain it to you later."

Hearing this, Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian swallowed the words on their lips. Since Laozi had already made his decision, even though they still harbored doubts and unease, they did not dare argue further. As the head of the Three Pure Ones, Laozi held immense prestige in the hearts of Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian.

Seeing Laozi agree, Hou Yi let out a sigh of relief. He then cupped his fists toward the Three Pure Ones. "Esteemed Saints, forgive the disturbance."

With that, he turned and left the Kunlun Mountains.

Fellow Daoists!

Laozi watched Hou Yi depart, then addressed the gathered gods. "The gathering of the Three Teachings has ended. We will not keep you any longer."

Everyone understood that Laozi was seeing them off. Moreover, after what had just happened, the Three Pure Ones clearly still needed to discuss the matter. Thus, the great powers began taking their leave one after another.

Fellow Daoist Laozi, we shall take our leave first!

Fellow Daoists, farewell.

Before long, everyone had left the Kunlun Mountains one after another.

Dong—

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi withdrew the Chaos Bell and said to Tai Cang, "Little Friend Tai Cang, it is time for us to leave as well."

Tai Cang came back to his senses and cupped his fists toward Di Jun and the others. "Seniors, take care."

Di Jun nodded slightly, then led the Golden Crow Princes away from the Kunlun Mountains.

Not long afterward, only the cultivators of the Three Teachings remained within the Kunlun Mountains. Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nuwa had also departed.

Big Brother!

Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian hurried to Laozi's side and asked, "Why did you agree to the Ancestral Witches' challenge?"

"If we lose, would we not be handing Pangu's Destiny over to them?"

This concerned their futures, so naturally the two were frantic with worry.

We will discuss it after returning to the Primordial Clarity Palace.

Laozi remained calm as he instructed, "First dismiss your disciples."

Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian did not dare delay and immediately gave orders to the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects.

Chan Sect disciples, return and enter seclusion to cultivate!

Jie Sect disciples, return and enter seclusion to cultivate.

They desperately wanted an answer from Laozi. After all, Pangu's Destiny was far too important.

By your command!

The cultivators of the Chan and Jie Sects saluted and withdrew.

Seeing this, Tai Cang also prepared to leave on his sword. He had gained much this time and needed to return to cultivate in earnest.

Laozi's plan had already begun. He had to strengthen himself as quickly as possible so that he could obtain more benefits from the Three Pure Ones.

Even if the Three Pure Ones ignored him in the future, as long as he obtained enough benefits, he could still grow on his own.

Junior Brother Tai Cang!

A call came from behind him.

Tai Cang turned around and saw that Cang Du had somehow arrived beside him. Cang Du cupped his fists and said, "Junior Brother, could we speak somewhere privately?"

Cang Du?

Why was he looking for me?

Tai Cang frowned slightly, a trace of confusion flashing through his eyes before it was quickly replaced by delight.

He had yet to defeat Cang Du and complete the task of defeating a Human Sect direct disciple. As long as he defeated Cang Du once more, he would obtain One-Click Max Level authority. Then...

Tai Cang nodded without hesitation.

The two did not waste any time. They rode the clouds away from the area, speeding toward the Grand Clarity Palace.

Big Brother!

After watching Tai Cang and Cang Du leave, Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian quickly went to Laozi's side. Their expressions were solemn, their eyes filled with questions.

They desperately wanted to know why Laozi had agreed to this contest.

Follow me.

Laozi sighed softly, said no more, and turned toward the Primordial Clarity Palace.

Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian exchanged a glance before immediately following him.

After entering the Primordial Clarity Palace, Laozi took out the Taiji Diagram to disrupt heavenly secrets, then looked at the two of them. "Speak. What questions do you have?"

Big Brother!

Primeval Lord of Heaven stepped forward and spoke bluntly. "Why did you agree?"

"Although we had plans before, ten thousand years is far too short. The disciples of the Three Teachings cannot possibly reach a realm capable of contending with peak Great Witches."

"Would that not mean certain defeat for us?"

Tongtian nodded in agreement.

Although he and Primeval Lord of Heaven often had disagreements, they shared the same view on this matter.

No matter.

Laozi calmly swept his gaze over the two of them and said slowly, "Under normal circumstances, the disciples of the Three Teachings would indeed struggle to match peak Great Witches."

"But if the three of us join forces, we can cultivate disciples capable of contending with them within ten thousand years."

"As long as a cultivator enters the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, they can contend with peak Great Witches by relying on the advantage of supreme-grade innate spiritual treasures. Only then will the Ancestral Witches go all in and wager Pangu's Destiny."

Primeval Lord of Heaven and Tongtian fell silent.

They understood that unless the Ancestral Witches saw hope of certain victory, they would never put Pangu's Destiny forward as a wager.