Chapter 34

Laozi stroked his long beard and said calmly, "This matter cannot be rushed. We must reclaim Father God's relics without giving others cause for criticism, so we need a foolproof plan."

"In ten thousand years, we will contend with the Ancestral Witches for destiny. Only by gathering Pangu's Destiny can we rightfully claim those relics."

"Yuanshi, Tongtian, go to the Time-Space Roulette at once. Preach to Cang Du and the others, answer their doubts, and impart your teachings. You must help them raise their cultivation quickly."

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

Yuanshi and Tongtian looked solemn. After exchanging a glance, they cupped their hands and replied, "Rest assured, Elder Brother. Leave this matter to us."

"Within ten thousand years, we will surely cultivate ten Grand Unity Golden Immortals at the perfected realm for the Three Teachings."

"Very good."

Laozi nodded faintly and flicked his sleeve. "Go."

"I will handle the affairs of Kunlun Mountains."

"Bloodline Pill—Condense!"

Inside Pangu's side hall, Tai Cang gave a low shout and sent countless pill formulas into the Three-legged Cauldron. Dozens of blood-colored pills gradually took shape, yet as soon as they formed, they began devouring one another. In the blink of an eye, only three remained floating within the cauldron.

Buzz—

As the pills formed, a clear chime rang out from the cauldron. Three crimson pills, red as blood, burst forth. Blood energy surged in an instant, pill fragrance filled the air, and even the spiritual energy throughout the side hall seemed to leap with joy.

"It worked!"

Tai Cang did not even bother wiping the sweat from his brow before sweeping the pills into a jade bottle. As his knuckles tapped lightly against it, faint lightning could be seen flowing through the pill patterns—proof that Qiangliang's Ancestral Witch essence blood had been fused into them. Whoever consumed such a pill would be highly likely to inherit the Law of Lightning.

Creak—

The hall doors suddenly opened, and Xing Tian's towering figure strode inside. Catching the unusual scent of blood in the air, the Great Witch's pupils contracted sharply. He rushed to the pill furnace in three quick strides. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, did you truly succeed?"

His scorching gaze fixed firmly upon the jade bottle, and Xing Tian's rough fingers trembled uncontrollably. As the strongest Great Witch beneath the Ancestral Witches, he knew better than anyone that this tiny pill might be the key to reaching the realm of an Ancestral Witch!

"Fortunately, I did not fail."

Tai Cang glanced at Xing Tian's taut muscles from the corner of his eye and silently pondered, If I can trade the pills for the Heaven-Opening Three Forms... the incomplete Shangqing Sword Art happens to need such a heaven-cleaving intent to be completed.

"Truly... truly..."

Xing Tian's Adam's apple bobbed, and a flush spread across his bronze-like skin. If not for the last remnants of reason, he would have snatched the jade bottle outright. The prospect of the Ancestral Witch position being within reach made even this Great Witch, who fought heaven and earth, unable to conceal his greed.

"Great Witch Xing Tian."

Tai Cang suddenly turned his palm over and put away the jade bottle. With a faint smile, he said, "This item must still be presented to the Twelve Ancestral Witches for inspection." Before his words had even faded, the blazing fire in Xing Tian's eyes went out. Remembering the overwhelming authority of the Ancestral Witches, his mountain-like body unconsciously seemed to shrink by several degrees.

Xing Tian understood the value of the Bloodline Pill. Even as a top-tier Great Witch, he did not think he could obtain one easily. A trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes before he said, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Tai Cang. I understand. I was merely excited for a moment."

Since the Bloodline Pill had been completed, he decided to report to the Ancestral Witches immediately. Whether or not he himself could obtain one, this was tremendous news for the Witch Clan.

"Wait, Great Witch Xing Tian!"

How could Tai Cang allow him to leave just like that? He immediately stopped him. "Great Witch Xing Tian, do you wish to become an Ancestral Witch?"

He no longer beat around the bush. Xing Tian's earlier reaction had already revealed his desires. This was exactly what Tai Cang needed—so long as Xing Tian harbored selfish thoughts, he could use them to make a trade and achieve his own goal.

"What do you mean, Fellow Daoist Tai Cang?"

Xing Tian halted and turned to look at Tai Cang, his eyes gleaming. He was no fool and naturally understood the implication behind those words. Though he did not know the reason, the Bloodline Pill could help him advance further, and he would never miss such an opportunity. If he could ascend to the rank of Ancestral Witch, he would truly gain a foothold in the primordial world and join the ranks of its greatest experts.

"Great Witch Xing Tian!"

Tai Cang stepped forward and waved his hand, setting down a soundproof barrier to ensure that no one could spy on their conversation.

"After this pill refinement, I have become thoroughly familiar with the process of refining Bloodline Pills. One drop of Ancestral Witch essence blood can now produce three pills, and in the future, perhaps four or five. If Great Witches need them, not only can I give you one, I can also reserve one Bloodline Pill refined from each of the Twelve Ancestral Witches' essence blood for you."

"There is no need to explain the effects of the Twelve Ancestral Witch Bloodline Pills. Others may have only a thirty percent chance of advancing to the Ancestral Witch realm after taking them, but you have at least an eighty percent chance. You may even comprehend the laws mastered by the Twelve Ancestral Witches."

Hiss—

Xing Tian sucked in a sharp breath.

An eighty percent chance! And he could even command twelve laws! If that truly came to pass, his strength would far surpass that of the current Twelve Ancestral Witches.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, what do you want?"

He forcefully suppressed his excitement, desperate to know Tai Cang's conditions. So long as he could achieve his goal, he was willing to pay any price.

The position of an Ancestral Witch! Twelve laws! The temptation was simply too great. If news spread, the entire Witch Clan would likely be shaken, and even the Ancestral Witches themselves would covet the Bloodline Pills.

"He took the bait!"

Tai Cang laughed inwardly. His plan had succeeded, so he did not delay any longer and said directly, "Very simple. I want Great Witch Xing Tian to promise me three things."

"I have not yet decided what those things will be, but I trust Great Witch Xing Tian's character. As long as you agree, and teach me the three axe forms you have mastered, our deal will be complete. I will certainly help you ascend to the pinnacle."

Originally, Tai Cang had wanted only the Heaven-Opening Three Forms. But seeing Xing Tian's eagerness, he decided to maximize his gains. Since his bargaining chip was sufficient, he naturally had to seek more.

So long as Xing Tian agreed, once he advanced to the realm of an Ancestral Witch, his combat strength would surely rival a peak Quasi-Sage.

Having such a powerful expert owe him three favors would be immensely beneficial to his future cultivation.

Deal!

As expected, Xing Tian readily agreed, then added, "But there is one condition—this must not harm the interests of my Witch Clan."

This Great Witch had ultimately left himself a way out.

If Tai Cang proposed anything detrimental to the Witch Clan, he would never agree.

Excellent!

Tai Cang laughed heartily, delight rising in his heart.

This was what Xing Tian cared about, while what Tai Cang truly sought was merely the Heaven-Opening Three Forms.

With that settled, Tai Cang said seriously, "So long as it does not harm the Witch Clan, Great Witch Xing Tian cannot refuse."

As he spoke, he extended his right hand. "Fellow Daoist Xing Tian, may our cooperation be pleasant."

Xing Tian smiled knowingly and slapped palms with him to seal the pact. "A pleasant cooperation."

Without hesitation, he raised his battle axe, Gan Qi, and handed it to Tai Cang. "The mysteries of the axe art are all contained within this axe. Since Fellow Daoist is temporarily residing with the Witch Clan, you may borrow it first to comprehend them."

Gan Qi!

So the Heaven-Opening Three Forms were hidden within this item!

A trace of surprise flashed through Tai Cang's eyes. He accepted the divine axe without showing it and cupped his hands. "Then it is settled."

"Please quickly report this news to the Ancestral Witches. I expect they can no longer wait to verify it."

"Once the effects of the Bloodline Pill are confirmed and we begin refining them in batches, I will naturally help Great Witch Xing Tian achieve his wish."

"I'll go at once!"

Xing Tian acted with decisive efficiency. He turned and strode out of the side hall.

Creak—

Watching that burly figure depart, Tai Cang immediately focused on the Gan Qi in his hands. His divine sense swept over the axe like a tide.

Buzz—

The divine axe trembled and burst forth with dazzling radiance.

An ancient aura resonated with Tai Cang's bloodline, and the third level Blood Refinement chapter of the Grand Clarity Bright Jade Body began circulating on its own. In an instant, the purity of his bloodline rose another level, while his blood energy surged around him like dragons.

Tempered by Pangu pure blood, his innate foundation rose to the upper grade of innate divinity, and his cultivation naturally broke through to the perfected realm of Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

At that moment, the secret art within the axe transformed into golden inscriptions and poured into his Purple Mansion: Heaven-Opening Three Forms—Divide Yin and Yang, Shatter Heaven and Earth, Crush the Four Spirits.

The three axe intents continuously evolved within his sea of consciousness, gradually reaching perfection.

Ding! Successfully comprehended the Heaven-Opening Three Forms!

Ding! Task completed. Reward: one use of max-level permissions.

The System Notification pulled Tai Cang back to reality.

Success!

Looking at Gan Qi as its radiance faded away, he could not conceal his delight.

Bloodline transformation!

Innate foundation advancement!

Cultivation breakthrough!

Task completed perfectly!

The Heaven-Opening Three Forms acquired!

Amid this fivefold joy, he suddenly sensed an ancient fluctuation coming from the divine axe in his hand—it was formed from the remnant spirit of the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe.

"No wonder records of later generations say that Xing Tian could use Gan Qi to contend against the Heavenly Emperor. The value of this item is no less than that of an innate supreme treasure."

"Unfortunately, it has already acknowledged Xing Tian as its master. Even I cannot forcibly seize it."

A trace of regret passed through Tai Cang's eyes.

If the spirit of this Heaven-Opening Axe had acknowledged him as its master, he would even have been willing to abandon the Innate Yin Yang Sword and use it as the core to refine a Houtian Merit Supreme Treasure.

Creak—

The doors of the side hall were pushed open.

Hurried footsteps approached from afar.

Looking up, Tai Cang saw the Twelve Ancestral Witches arriving together, each of them visibly excited and unable to hide their impatience.

"They came quickly."

Tai Cang's eyes flickered slightly. Without changing expression, he placed Gan Qi on the ground and waited for them to approach.

His deal with Xing Tian could not be exposed because of Gan Qi.

Although he had already obtained what he wanted, cooperating with Xing Tian still brought him more benefits than drawbacks.

"Tai Cang, did you really refine it?"

"Did the Bloodline Pill truly succeed?"

"..."

Clearly, Tai Cang had worried for nothing. The Twelve Ancestral Witches had no time to care about anything else. They crowded around him and began asking about the Bloodline Pills all at once.

Their excitement surpassed even Xing Tian's earlier reaction. Their breathing was rapid, and if not for their concern that Tai Cang's cultivation was still shallow and his physical body fragile, they likely would have been unable to resist grabbing at him.

"Ancestral Witches!"

Tai Cang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands. "Fortunately, I did not fail. The Bloodline Pills have been refined."

As he spoke, he turned his hand over and took out a jade bottle, handing it to Dijiang. "Ancestral Witch Dijiang, these are the Bloodline Pills."

"As for their effects, I believe you have already prepared someone to test them."

"Good!"

Dijiang snatched the jade bottle, and the eyes of the other Ancestral Witches instantly blazed with heat.

After a long while, Dijiang and the others calmed down somewhat. They exchanged glances, then turned toward Xing Tian behind them. "Xing Tian, go bring Hou Hao here."

"Yes!"

Xing Tian bowed to accept the order, though a trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes.

He had thought that since he had come along, he would surely be the one to test the pill. Yet Dijiang had chosen someone else.

Hou Hao was merely an ordinary Great Witch, far inferior to him. The Ancestral Witches would rather cultivate Hou Hao than choose him—were they suppressing him, or wary of him?

At that thought, the last trace of guilt in Xing Tian's heart vanished completely. He turned to leave.

"Wait, Great Witch Xing Tian!"

Tai Cang suddenly called out and pointed at Gan Qi on the ground. "You forgot your weapon."

"Oh!"

Xing Tian froze for a moment, then understood—Tai Cang had already obtained what he needed. He smiled awkwardly. "I was so excited that I did not notice."

As he spoke, he secretly glanced at the Twelve Ancestral Witches. Seeing that none of them paid attention to him, he felt slightly relieved, yet also even more desolate. After picking up Gan Qi and cupping his hands toward Tai Cang, he hurried away.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches paid this no mind. All their attention was fixed upon the three Bloodline Pills, their gazes burning with expectation.

If these pills truly worked, they would become a strategic resource of epoch-making significance for the Witch Clan.

About a quarter of an hour later, Xing Tian returned with a Great Witch. The man resembled Hou Yi in appearance, yet he was only an ordinary Great Witch, far inferior to top combatants such as Xing Tian and Hou Yi.

"Greetings, Ancestral Witches!"

The two bowed in unison.

Xing Tian and Hou Hao respectfully saluted them, though their expressions differed.

Xing Tian's face was calm, as though he had already seen through everything.

Hou Hao, however, could barely contain his excitement. He had heard some rumors and knew full well what kind of opportunity this summons represented for him.

"Mm."