Chapter 33

The promotion of Great Witches to peak Great Witches was secondary; after all, it merely meant quasi-sage strength, with limited impact.

But if peak Great Witches could break through to become Ancestral Witches, not only would their strength soar, but their overall level would also undergo a leap. At that point, the Witch Clan's high-end combat power would experience a qualitative transformation, perhaps even...

Once the Witch Clan produced enough Ancestral Witches, sweeping across the primordial world would be only a matter of time. Even the Demon Race would find it difficult to contend with them.

At this thought, the Ancestral Witches' breathing grew heavy. Even Dijiang and Zhu Jiuyin, the calmest among them, were no exception.

Naturally, it was true.

Tai Cang's lips curled slightly. "I have learned the Grand Clarity Alchemy Technique, which contains a formula for a pill known as the Bloodline Pill."

"This pill was created by the Grand Clarity Sage based on Pangu inheritance. It only requires Ancestral Witch essence blood as a catalyst, supplemented by heavenly treasures, to be refined."

"The Bloodline Pill can enhance the power of one's bloodline. The Witch Clan and the Ancestral Witches share the same origin, while Great Witches such as Hou Yi were born from Ancestral Witch essence blood. With the aid of the Bloodline Pill, they would have a chance to challenge the Ancestral Witch realm."

"Even if they fail to break through, consuming a Bloodline Pill refined from Ancestral Witch essence blood would give them a high chance of comprehending the laws controlled by the Ancestral Witches. At worst, it would still allow their strength to advance further."

After saying this, Tai Cang spoke no more.

He was hesitating over whether to use his final One-Click Max Level opportunity on the Grand Clarity Alchemy Technique. The Bloodline Pill was of an exceptionally high grade, and his current attainments in alchemy were insufficient to refine it. Only a max-level Grand Clarity Alchemy Technique would allow him to succeed.

"Good!"

Zhu Jiuyin was the first to speak. Stepping forward, he said, "We accept your conditions."

"I will first give you a drop of essence blood. You will refine the Bloodline Pill within the Witch Clan. If the pill proves effective, Big Brother will naturally offer his essence blood as well."

"But if you dare deceive us, then even if the Three Pure Ones themselves come, they will not be able to save your life!"

At those words, the other Ancestral Witches voiced their agreement.

If the Bloodline Pill was real, what did two drops of essence blood amount to?

Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches stared at Tai Cang with burning eyes, awaiting his response.

"Agreed!"

Tai Cang nodded without hesitation and said calmly, "However, the refinement requires Ancestral Witch essence blood and heavenly treasures as catalysts. The Witch Clan must provide those."

"No problem!"

Seeing Tai Cang agree, the doubts in Dijiang and the others' hearts immediately vanished.

The Ancestral Witches promptly declared, "They are merely heavenly treasures. The Witch Clan's treasury has everything you could need. Take whatever you wish!"

"Tai Cang, if this is true, then you are a friend of the Witch Clan. If you need anything in the future, the Witch Clan will give you our full support!"

"I will take you to your residence first. Someone will deliver the essence blood and materials shortly. I hope you do not disappoint us."

Listening to the Ancestral Witches' promises, Tai Cang secretly sighed in relief.

He knew that his plan had succeeded.

As long as he successfully refined the Bloodline Pill, he would not only complete the transaction but also earn the Witch Clan's friendship.

Even if the Witch Clan and Demon Race later fought each other to mutual ruin, Houtu would transform into reincarnation and become the ruler of the underworld. If he could take this opportunity to obtain the underworld's fortune, the benefits in the future would be immeasurable.

"Good!"

Tai Cang readily agreed, but he did not leave immediately. Instead, he looked at Zhu Jiuyin. "Ancestral Witch Zhu Jiuyin, since I have agreed, should you not fulfill your promise?"

He had to obtain the Ancestral Witch essence blood first.

He knew the Ancestral Witches valued their promises, but anything not yet in hand still carried uncertainty.

"Of course!"

Zhu Jiuyin did not hesitate. With a thought, a drop of essence blood containing the Law of Time appeared in his palm.

In an instant, blood energy surged through Pangu Hall, and a tremendous pressure spread everywhere.

"Tai Cang, catch!"

Zhu Jiuyin handed the essence blood to Tai Cang without hesitation and said bluntly, "Courtesy before force. The essence blood is yours, but until you refine the Bloodline Pill, you must remain in the residence we arrange, under the watch of a Great Witch."

The Ancestral Witches all nodded in agreement.

Although the two sides had reached a preliminary cooperation, they would not fully trust Tai Cang before seeing results.

Tai Cang readily agreed. He understood that this trust was still fragile.

At the same time, he realized that later generations' records of the Ancestral Witches had been wrong. These Twelve Ancestral Witches appeared rough and boorish, but they were actually meticulous thinkers. Otherwise, how could they have led the Witch Clan to dominate the primordial world?

Excellent!

Seeing Tai Cang agree, the Ancestral Witches' expressions eased somewhat. Dijiang swept his gaze over the crowd and said, "Houtu, take Fellow Daoist Tai Cang to the side hall."

Houtu stepped forward gracefully. After acknowledging the Ancestral Witches, she extended a hand toward Tai Cang. "Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

The two left Pangu Hall and headed toward the side hall.

After they had gone far away, the Ancestral Witches surrounded Dijiang. "Big Brother, can this man be trusted? Could this be a scheme by the Three Pure Ones?"

A sharp light flashed in Dijiang's eyes. "It does not matter. If the Bloodline Pill can truly help Great Witches advance into Ancestral Witches, it is likely related to the struggle for fortune ten thousand years from now. We need not let peak Great Witches test the medicine. We will first use ordinary Great Witches to verify it. If the pill is genuine, we will secretly stockpile it and mass-produce Ancestral Witches after the struggle for fortune."

The Ancestral Witches suddenly understood. No matter what Tai Cang's intentions were, this would bring nothing but benefits to the Witch Clan.

Zhu Jiuyin immediately instructed, "Qiangliang, go to the treasury and fetch heavenly treasures for Tai Cang. Use your essence blood to let him test-refine the Bloodline Pill."

The side hall of Pangu Hall.

"Fellow Daoist, you will reside here temporarily." Houtu pointed to the vast palace and introduced it. "Big Brother created this with the Law of Space. It is small outside but vast within."

Tai Cang secretly marveled, and his desire for the Law of Space grew even stronger. If he could master such a technique, he could create his own cultivation space.

"Thank you, Ancestral Witch Houtu." He cupped his hands and said, "The Law of Space is truly marvelous. It makes me look forward even more to Ancestral Witch Dijiang's essence blood."

Houtu smiled. She did not mind Tai Cang coveting their essence blood, so long as he could refine the Bloodline Pill he had promised. Moreover, Tai Cang carried Pangu bloodline, which naturally made the Ancestral Witches feel close to him.

With that thought, Houtu immediately said, "Then I shall take my leave first."

"The things you require will be delivered soon. I look forward to your results, Fellow Daoist."

With that, Houtu turned and left without lingering.

"Farewell, Ancestral Witch Houtu."

Tai Cang cupped his hands in farewell.

After watching Houtu's figure disappear, he immediately communicated with the system. System, raise the Grand Clarity Alchemy Technique to max level.

Ding! One max-level privilege has been consumed. The Grand Clarity Alchemy Technique has reached perfection.

In an instant, a massive amount of alchemical knowledge flooded into his mind. Tai Cang rapidly absorbed and digested the information.

A short while later, he had completely mastered this top-tier alchemy technique.

After letting out a long breath, Tai Cang continued, System, search for new missions.

After years of exploration, he had become thoroughly familiar with the system's functions. Aside from automatic triggers, he could also actively search for missions.

Ding! Mission One: Defeat twenty Great Witches. Reward: one max-level privilege.

Ding! Mission Two: Defeat one Ancestral Witch. Reward: one max-level privilege.

Ding! Mission Three: Obtain Pangu's corpse coffin. Reward: one max-level privilege.

Ding! Mission Four: Seize Pangu's heart. Reward: one max-level privilege.

Ding! Mission Five: Obtain Pangu's skull. Reward: one max-level privilege.

Ding! Mission Six: Take control of Pangu's blood pool. Reward: one max-level privilege.

The continuous prompts made Tai Cang knit his brows tightly.

The six missions were far more difficult than he had expected.

The last four involved the very foundation of the Witch Clan. Acting rashly would inevitably provoke a fight to the death. With his Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation, even defeating a Great Witch would be quite difficult.

It seemed there was little he could accomplish within the Witch Clan.

Once matters here were settled, he would need to travel the primordial world in search of other opportunities.

Just as he was pondering this, a booming voice came from outside the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Ancestral Witch Qiangliang strode over like a tiger or dragon, while members of the Witch Clan behind him carried mountains of heavenly treasures. The Great Witch at the front held an axe and exuded an overwhelming aura. It was Xing Tian.

Ding! New mission triggered: Obtain Xing Tian's inherited Heaven-Opening Three Forms. Reward: one max-level privilege.

Tai Cang's eyes narrowed. Ignoring the approaching Qiangliang, he fixed his gaze on the Great Witch holding the enormous axe in the distance. So this is the headless war god of later generations.

Even after his head was severed, he continued wielding his battle axe against the Heavenly Emperor!

The Heaven-Opening Three Forms!

He had never expected Xing Tian to possess three moves from Pangu's Nine Forms of Heaven Opening. It was truly unbelievable.

A storm surged in Tai Cang's heart.

He continuously considered how he could obtain those three supreme techniques from Xing Tian. Setting everything else aside, the Heaven-Opening Three Forms alone were enough to drive anyone mad.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Qiangliang had already arrived before him. Cupping his hands, he asked, "The materials you requested have been prepared. When can you begin?" As he spoke, he followed Tai Cang's gaze.

Seeing Tai Cang staring intently at Xing Tian, Qiangliang could not help frowning, unable to understand why he was paying such close attention to him.

"We can begin immediately!"

Tai Cang withdrew his gaze and coughed lightly. "Ancestral Witch Qiangliang, I have inspected those heavenly treasures. Their quality is sufficient to refine the Bloodline Pill."

"But the key lies in the Ancestral Witch essence blood. I wonder what conclusion you have reached after your discussion?"

"It has already been decided."

Qiangliang readily took out a drop of essence blood. "Use my essence blood for the refinement."

"Now that everything is prepared, how long do you estimate it will take, Fellow Daoist?"

Tai Cang considered briefly. "Half a month will suffice."

In truth, he could complete it in ten days, but to be safe, he added several more days.

"Good. Then we shall meet again in half a month."

Qiangliang did not hesitate. "I will return then to collect the pill, so I will not disturb you further, Fellow Daoist."

With that, he led Xing Tian and the other clansmen away, and the hall immediately fell silent.

Huff—

Tai Cang let out a long breath.

Looking at the mountain-like pile of rare materials, he could not help sighing. "The Witch Clan's foundation is truly profound."

"Since that is the case, let me test my skills!"

With a thought, the Three-legged Cauldron flew out. It could naturally also serve as a pill furnace.

Tai Cang delayed no longer. With a wave of his hand, he tossed in the materials, formed hand seals, and ignited the Samadhi True Fire to begin refining their essence.

With a low shout, countless pill formulas entered the cauldron.

In the blink of an eye, a Six-Revolutions Golden Elixir blazing with golden light leaped forth.

"Success!"

Joy appeared on Tai Cang's face as he carefully examined the golden elixir in his hand. Its quality was no worse than one personally refined by Laozi.

His confidence greatly boosted, he immediately began preparing to refine the Bloodline Pill.

Kunlun Mountain Peak.

Inside Grand Clarity Palace.

"Greetings, First Senior Uncle!"

"Greetings, Second Senior Uncle!"

"Greetings, Third Senior Uncle!"

Wudang and Cihang respectfully bowed and gave a detailed report about Tai Cang being trapped within the Witch Clan. Anxiety was difficult to hide from their expressions, and their eyes repeatedly drifted toward the Three Pure Ones seated above.

Tai Cang had remained alone in the Witch Clan to help them escape, and he had yet to return. Thinking of the kindness Tai Cang had shown them, the two grew increasingly uneasy and could only hurry back to seek help.

"Just as expected!"

"The Witch Clan truly possesses Father God's relics!"

Hearing this, the Three Pure Ones exchanged smiles. Yuan Shi and Tongtian could not conceal their excitement. "Elder Brother, now that this has been confirmed, we cannot simply stand by. Those treasures should belong to Pangu's True Lineage. How can we allow the Witch Clan, tainted by turbid qi, to monopolize them?"

Although Laozi said nothing, the joy between his brows was already apparent. After pondering for a moment, he said in a deep voice, "This matter must be considered carefully. Wudang, Cihang, you should withdraw first."

Only then did Yuan Shi and Tongtian realize the gravity of the matter. They immediately waved their hands. "There is no need to worry about Tai Cang. The Witch Clan would not dare become enemies with our Three Pure Ones. Go rest."

Seeing this, Cihang quickly grabbed Wudang, who wanted to speak but hesitated, and secretly gave her a look. The two could only bow and withdraw, disappointment difficult to hide on their faces as they left the hall.

After they departed, Yuan Shi impatiently said, "Elder Brother, this is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years! If we can obtain Father God's relics, they may even help us break through the shackles of the Heavenly Dao!"

Tongtian also echoed excitedly, "Exactly! Those treasures concern the inheritance of our Three Pure Ones' Dao lineage. We must make plans as soon as possible."