The Primordial World

Tai Cang replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant, "I have re-examined the blood-colored stele inscription and learned some secrets from it."

The valley hides the legacy left by Beast Emperor Shenni, which shows that the inscriptions on the stele are all true.

"However, if you wish to know how to ascend to the Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, you must open the valley and obtain Shenni's legacy."

Shenni's legacy! The method to ascend to the Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm!

Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and others breathed rapidly, unable to conceal their excitement.

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

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi put away the Chaos Bell's barrier and then took out a jade talisman, handing it to Tai Cang. "Junior Tai Cang, this jade talisman records the supreme escape technique of my Three-legged Golden Crow lineage—the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique."

"I noticed earlier that you lacked a suitable escape technique, so I present this to you. I hope you will accept it."

Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique!

Tai Cang's heart trembled, unable to hide his joy.

Although he already possessed the Earth-Grasping Golden Light 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.

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

"Thank you, Demon Sovereign!"

Tai Cang did not refuse. He took the jade talisman containing the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique and cupped his fists in a solemn thank you.

The Demon Sovereign needed his intelligence, and he needed this escape technique. They each got what they needed. Most importantly, he was confident he could break through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal within three thousand years. By then, if the Demon Race dispatched Grand Unity Golden Immortals into the Beast Realm, he could use the opportunity to explore Shenni's legacy.

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

Sect Master Tongtian's voice echoed through the great hall. With the bestowal of this spiritual treasure, the Grand Assembly of the Three Sects was drawing to a close.

"Thank you, Master!"

Saint Mother Wudang bowed respectfully. After receiving the treasure map, she immediately retreated to the side to begin refining it. On the high platform, the Three Pure Ones and the great powers of the Primordial World exchanged insights. Soon, people began to rise and take their leave—there were still three thousand years until the Beast Realm reopened, and they needed to quickly cultivate Grand Unity Golden Immortals loyal to their own factions.

"Report—"

A hurried cry broke the silence. The Intercepting Sect disciples stumbled in, their robes stained with dust. "Reporting to Eldest Senior Uncle, Second Senior Uncle, Master! The Witch Clan's Great Witches have attacked Kunlun Mountains!"

"What?"

"Great Witches dare to offend a sacred realm?"

The entire hall erupted in shock. While an attack by Ancestral Witches might have been understandable, a mere Great Witch daring to intrude upon Kunlun was simply a blatant disregard for the Three Pure Ones.

Tap! Tap!

Heavy footsteps approached from afar. The disciples of the Intercepting Sect formed a semicircle, as if facing a great enemy. A burly man with a longbow on his back strode forward, his arrogant demeanor evident.

"Great Witch Hou Yi!"

"It really is the Witch Clan!"

Primeval Lord of Heaven's face turned ashen. "Hou Yi, why have you trespassed upon Kunlun?"

Sect Master Tongtian's knuckles turned white, his killing intent blazing. "If you do not provide a reasonable explanation today, you will not leave this mountain alive!"

(Under the shroud of Saintly might, the air in the entire hall became stagnant. Having witnessed the power of Laozi's world-ending strike, the cultivators understood the truth that all below Saints are ants more profoundly.

Could the Witch Clan's arrival be for...

Tai Cang's peripheral vision swept over the composed Laozi, and he mused, What exactly did he do to provoke the Witch Clan into such a challenge? Is the scheme for Pangu's Destiny about to begin?

Thinking this, a sense of urgency welled up in Tai Cang's heart.

He understood that Laozi was merely using him. Once Pangu's Destiny was fully reclaimed, Laozi would no longer support him wholeheartedly as he did now, but would instead focus on cultivating Cang Du. Similarly, Tongtian and Primeval would fully nurture their respective direct disciples. If he couldn't quickly gain benefits from the Saints now, it would be even more difficult later.

"Greetings to all Saints!"

At this moment, Hou Yi, who had arrived at the scene, was composed and unhurried. Completely ignoring the threats from Primeval and Tongtian, he cupped his fists and said, "My clan's Twelve Ancestral Witches have sent me to deliver a challenge." As he spoke, he took out a dark golden post from his embrace and threw it without hesitation towards the Three Pure Ones, inviting the three Saints to examine it.

"A challenge? What does the Witch Clan intend to do?"

Seeing this, the great divine-ability users present showed expressions of astonishment. Especially the Demon Race, who were enemies of the Witch Clan, Di Jun and others exchanged glances, their eyes fixed on the challenge post, eagerly wanting to know its contents and the Witch Clan's intentions.

"Arrogant!"

After reading the challenge, Primeval's face turned livid. "Mere Ancestral Witches dare to covet our Three Pure Ones' Pangu's Destiny? Who gave them the guts!"

As soon as the words fell, a powerful Saintly pressure erupted from Primeval. Instantly, the winds and clouds over Kunlun Mountains changed, the heavens and earth darkened, and all the great divine-ability users turned pale.

Thump—

The disciples of the Intercepting Sect below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm instantly fell to their knees. This was followed by the direct disciples of the Three Sects, and even Cang Du could not hold on. Fortunately, Tai Cang stood beside Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi. Eastern Emperor Tai Yi activated the Chaos Bell to block the Saintly pressure, thus saving Tai Cang and Golden Crow Prince Di Yi from kneeling.

"Saint Primeval, are you refusing?"

Despite this pressure, Hou Yi remained motionless, gritting his teeth to steady himself. He looked directly at Primeval without fear, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Presumptuous!"

Primeval's anger intensified at the sight. A Great Witch dared to defy a Saint; he was simply courting death!

He raised his hand and waved it. Dark clouds churned in the sky, and a giant golden palm appeared out of thin air. Runes flickered within the palm, pressing down like a sky-covering shroud.

Just as the giant golden palm was about to strike Hou Yi, a stream of Yin Yang energy suddenly flew out and collided with the giant palm.

Crack—

The sound of shattering echoed, and the golden palm was instantly destroyed. The Yin Yang energy transformed into sharp blades that hung in mid-air before slowly dissipating.

"Second Brother!"

Laozi's voice rang out at the opportune moment. He stepped forward, blocking Primeval, and said to Hou Yi, "Hou Yi, we accept the challenge from the Twelve Ancestral Witches. Ten thousand years from now, my Three Sects lineage will send ten cultivators to duel ten Great Witches from the Witch Clan. The victor will obtain the Pangu's Destiny of the loser."

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother!"

As soon as Laozi finished speaking, Primeval and Tongtian became anxious. While ten thousand years was enough time for them to cultivate their disciples to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, Grand Unity Golden Immortals might not be able to contend with the Witch Clan's Great Witches. It was important to remember that some top-tier Great Witches possessed strength comparable to Quasi-Saints. Take Hou Yi, for example; although he was a Great Witch, he was already a top-tier existence.

Hou Yi's strength was enough to contend with late-stage Quasi-Saints, which was why he could withstand Primeval's oppressive aura and not collapse on the spot. There were not a few Great Witches as powerful as Hou Yi in the Witch Clan. If the Ancestral Witches sent these Great Witches to fight, who among the cultivators of the Three Sects could resist them? In that case, wouldn't the Three Sects' Pangu's Destiny be handed over willingly?

"It matters not!"

Before Primeval and Tongtian could continue their argument, Laozi raised his hand to interrupt them, saying, "This matter is settled. I will explain to you later."

Upon hearing this, Primeval and Tongtian swallowed the words that were about to leave their mouths. Since Laozi had already made his decision, even though they still harbored doubts and unease in their hearts, they dared not speak out in protest. As the head of the Three Pure Ones, Laozi held immense prestige in the hearts of Primeval and Tongtian.

Seeing that Laozi had agreed, Hou Yi breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his fists towards the Three Pure Ones, saying, "Esteemed Sages, my apologies for the intrusion."

With that, he turned and left Kunlun Mountains.

"Fellow Daoists!"

Laozi watched Hou Yi depart and then said to the assembled deities, "The matter concerning the Three Sects has concluded. We will not keep you any longer."

Everyone understood that Laozi was seeing them off. Coupled with the recent turn of events, it was clear that the Three Pure Ones needed to discuss the matter further. Thus, the great divine ability users began to take their leave:

"Fellow Daoist Laozi, we shall take our leave first!"

"Fellow Daoists, farewell."

Soon, everyone gradually departed from Kunlun Mountains.

Dong—

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi put away the Chaos Bell and said to Tai Cang, "Young friend Tai Cang, it is time for us to depart as well."

Tai Cang snapped back to attention and cupped his fists towards Di Jun and the others, saying, "Esteemed seniors, safe travels."

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

Not long after, only the cultivators of the Three Sects remained within Kunlun Mountains. Even Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nuwa had already departed.

"Big Brother!"

Primeval and Tongtian eagerly approached Laozi and asked, "Why did you agree to the Ancestral Witches' challenge? If we lose, won't Pangu's Destiny be handed over to them?"

This matter concerned their future, and both were naturally anxious.

"We will discuss it further at the Primordial Clarity Palace," Laozi said calmly, instructing, "First, have your disciples disperse."

Primeval and Tongtian dared not delay and immediately issued orders to the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect:

"Heavenly Origin Sect, return and enter secluded cultivation!"

"Intercepting Sect, return and enter secluded cultivation!"

They desperately wanted to obtain the answer from Laozi, as Pangu's Destiny was of great importance.

"As you command!"

The cultivators of the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect bowed and withdrew.

Seeing this, Tai Cang prepared to leave on his sword. He had gained a lot this time and needed to return to focus on his cultivation. Laozi's plan had already begun to unfold, and he had to increase his own strength as quickly as possible to gain more benefits from the Three Pure Ones. Even if the Three Pure Ones no longer paid him any mind in the future, as long as he obtained enough benefits, he could still grow independently.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

A voice called out from behind him.

Tai Cang turned around and saw Cang Du, who had appeared beside him at some unknown time. Cang Du cupped his fists and said, "Junior Brother, may I have a word in private?"

Cang Du? Why is he looking for me?

Tai Cang frowned, a flicker of confusion in his eyes, which was quickly replaced by delight. He had not yet defeated Cang Du and completed the mission of defeating a direct disciple of the Ren Sect. As long as he defeated Cang Du one more time, he would gain the One-Click Max Level privilege. At that time...

Tai Cang nodded without hesitation.

The two wasted no more time, soaring into the clouds and speeding away from the area towards the Grand Clarity Palace.

Eldest Brother!

After watching Tai Cang and Cang Du leave, Primeval and Tongtian quickly arrived beside Laozi, their expressions solemn, their eyes full of inquiry.

They were eager to know why Laozi had agreed to this competition.

Follow me.

Laozi sighed softly, saying no more, and turned towards the Primordial Clarity Palace.

Primeval and Tongtian exchanged a glance and immediately followed.

Upon entering the Primordial Clarity Palace, Laozi took out the Taiji Diagram to disrupt the heavenly secrets, then looked at the two: "What questions do you have, speak."

Eldest Brother!

Primeval stepped forward and said directly, "Why did you agree?"

Although there was a plan beforehand, ten thousand years was too short. The Three Sects would be absolutely incapable of reaching a level where they could contend with top-tier Great Witches.

In this case, wouldn't we be certain to lose?

Tongtian also nodded in agreement.

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

It matters not.

Laozi swept his gaze over the two calmly and said slowly, "If we go by conventional means, it is indeed difficult for the Three Sects to contend with top-tier Great Witches."

"However, if the three of us join forces, we will be able to cultivate those who can contend with them within ten thousand years."

"As long as a cultivator reaches the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, they can contend with top-tier Great Witches with the advantage of a supreme-grade innate spiritual treasure. Only then will the Ancestral Witches go all out and wager Pangu's Destiny."

Primeval and Tongtian remained silent.

They understood that if they hadn't seen a sure path to victory, the Ancestral Witches would never have put Pangu's Destiny on the line as a wager.