The Primordial World

The Ancestral Witches, including Dijiang, nodded slightly. Without further ado, they took out a Bloodline Pill from the container and tossed it to Hou Hao. "Take it and see if you can break through."

"Understood!"

Hou Hao received the pill with both hands and swallowed it without hesitation.

Gulp—

Instantly, the medicinal power took effect. Hou Hao's Blood Essence surged, and innate turbid energy erupted from him, his aura climbing steadily.

"It really works!"

"It actually succeeded!"

The Twelve Ancestral Witches couldn't hide their joy at the sight. With their keen eyesight, they could naturally see Hou Hao's bloodline power rapidly strengthening. If this trend continued, he had a high chance of breaking through to the realm of a top-tier Great Witch.

A hint of bitterness flashed in Xing Tian's eyes, disappearing as quickly as it appeared, but Tai Cang keenly noticed it. He curved his lips slightly, his gaze falling on Hou Hao as he awaited the result.

"Break!"

About an hour later, the Blood Essence and turbid energy within Hou Hao had reached their peak. With a low shout, his aura suddenly broke through its shackles, his might surging.

Although he was still in the Great Witch realm, his aura now faintly rivaled that of a Quasi-Saint. Unfortunately, the medicinal power soon depleted, and Hou Hao ultimately stopped at the early stage of the top-tier Great Witch realm, still having a gap with veteran powerhouses like Xing Tian.

"It's done!"

"The bloodline shackles can truly be broken!"

"Top-tier Great Witch... Our Witch Clan can now continuously produce top-tier Great Witches!"

The Twelve Ancestral Witches were overjoyed, even cheering like children. The mass production of top-tier Great Witches held immense significance—each one possessed the combat power to contend with a Quasi-Saint, and their true forms were potent weapons on the battlefield. If they had hundreds of these pills, the Witch Clan could sweep through the Demon Race and claim dominion over the Primordial World.

"I broke through!"

"I actually entered this realm!"

Hou Hao, ignoring his weakness, was overcome with excitement. He had never imagined that a single pill could break his own limits. Looking at Tai Cang, gratitude and respect filled his eyes. Without him, given his bloodline aptitude, he might never have reached the top-tier threshold in his life.

"Interesting."

"After this, the Witch Clan will probably treat me as an honored guest."

Tai Cang mused inwardly, showing no outward reaction. If he hadn't had a sudden idea to seek Ancestral Witch essence blood back then, how could this situation have arisen today?

Only one person in the scene remained silent—Xing Tian, head bowed, his eyes a blazing mix of rage and unwillingness.

Witnessing Hou Hao's breakthrough, Xing Tian had completely believed in the efficacy of the Bloodline Pill. However, the attitude of the Twelve Ancestral Witches made him understand that he had no chance of obtaining such a pill.

Xing Tian clenched his fists secretly. After a glance at the Twelve Ancestral Witches, he had made up his mind.

Ancestral Witch Dijiang!

Tai Cang stepped forward at the opportune moment. "The effect of the Bloodline Pill has been verified. Do you require further testing?"

"No need."

Dijiang came back to his senses and waved his hand decisively. Hou Hao's successful case was enough to prove the value of the Bloodline Pill. This news would soon spread within the Witch Clan, undoubtedly igniting the enthusiasm of many Great Witches.

He put away the remaining two pills and turned to Tai Cang. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, you are indeed a person of your word! The effect of this Bloodline Pill is satisfactory. I wonder if you can continue to refine them for us?"

Ancestral Witches like Zhu Jiuyin cast expectant glances. A mere few pills were far from enough to satisfy their needs. Only Tai Cang could provide more help. After all, in the Primordial World, besides Tai Cang, only Laozi, a Sage, possessed this technique, and Laozi's stance was opposed to the Witch Clan, so he would never offer assistance.

"I'd be happy to."

Tai Cang readily agreed. He also needed a large quantity of Bloodline Pills—both to fulfill his agreement with Xing Tian and for his own cultivation. The pill's bloodline-strengthening effect, as well as the power of laws contained within it, made it difficult for him to part with.

"However, before we continue refining, please complete our transaction, Ancestral Witch Dijiang. The pills have been successfully refined; when will your essence blood be delivered?" Tai Cang reminded him.

"Now!"

Dijiang immediately took out three drops of essence blood, explaining, "One drop is the agreed-upon compensation. For the other two, please refine six Bloodline Pills for me."

This action immediately drew the response of the other Ancestral Witches. Zhu Jiuyin stepped forward first. "Please trouble Fellow Daoist Tai Cang to refine nine pills for me!"

"I want six!"

"Please, Daoist..."

Looking at the twelve drops of Ancestral Witch essence blood suspended before him, Tai Cang's lips curved slightly. He waved his hand and collected them into a jade bottle.

"No problem," he agreed readily. "I will complete the refinement as soon as possible. However, the current materials may not be sufficient. I will need you all to gather another batch."

The plan had proceeded smoothly. Tai Cang calculated that after refining this batch of pills and absorbing the essence blood of Dijiang and Zhu Jiuyin, his cultivation should reach the Grand Perfection stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal. At that point, he could leave this place.

He would then trigger nine tribulations and must obtain the Supreme Three Flowers secret technique from Laozi in advance.

"No problem!"

Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches agreed without hesitation and immediately turned to leave, giving orders. "Xing Tian, Hou Hao, quickly gather personnel and accompany us to the treasury to move heavenly materials and earthly treasures."

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

Xing Tian and Hou Hao responded in unison and quickly followed. Before leaving, Xing Tian and Tai Cang exchanged a meaningful glance. Both curved their lips slightly before quickly returning to their usual expressions.

After the Ancestral Witches departed, Tai Cang immediately began his actions.

Although the side hall was not enough to refine all the Bloodline Pills, the materials were sufficient to complete most of them.

With a soft shout, Tai Cang waved his hand, drawing the mountains of heavenly materials and earthly treasures into the Three-legged Cauldron for tempering. Once all the materials had turned into spiritual liquid, he took out the Ancestral Witch essence blood, added two drops, and immediately began refining.

Time flew by, and several months passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Tai Cang formed a hand seal and shouted softly. Twelve Bloodline Pills flew out of the cauldron.

He quickly put nine of them into one vessel and placed the remaining three elsewhere. Upon closer inspection, another vessel already contained dozens of pills refined from the essence blood of different Ancestral Witches. Even if each of the Twelve Ancestral Witches received one, the remaining pills would still be enough for their bloodlines to transform and reach the realm of top-tier innate deities.

Finally, the great task was accomplished.

"It's finally done," Tai Cang muttered to himself as he took out a new bottle, carefully selected twelve pills, and put them in. He then put away his own share. As he rose to put away the cauldron, he looked towards the hall door: "It's time to set off."

"The value of the Witch Clan has been fully extracted. After this transaction, the Twelve Ancestral Witches will definitely keep looking for me."

Thinking this, a smile appeared on Tai Cang's lips. "The harvest this time is quite substantial. Next time I refine Bloodline Pills, I must make the Ancestral Witches pay a greater price."

Creak--

The hall door opened, and Tai Cang stepped out.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Xing Tian and Hou Hao, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately stepped forward, cupping their fists and asking, "Fellow Daoist, have you finished refining?"

"Indeed."

Tai Cang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two. He then said to Hou Hao, "Please trouble yourself to inform the Twelve Ancestral Witches that the Bloodline Pills are ready and they can come to collect them. Now that this matter is concluded, I should take my leave."

"Understood!"

Hou Hao, without any suspicion, cupped his fist and sped towards Pangu Hall. This matter concerned the future of the Witch Clan, and he dared not delay in the slightest.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

After Hou Hao had gone far, Xing Tian, unable to hide his excitement, stepped forward: "Has the plan proceeded smoothly?"

At this moment, Xing Tian was filled with anxiety. Although he knew Tai Cang had promised that the subsequent refining quantities would exceed the first, he couldn't help but worry before actually receiving the pills.

Witnessing the Bloodline Pills helping Hou Hao advance to the realm of a top-tier Great Witch, Xing Tian's heart was filled with fervent desire. He was eager to obtain the pills Tai Cang had promised, so he could use them to break through to the Ancestral Witch realm.

"Great Witch Xing Tian need not worry."

Tai Cang saw everything and the corners of his mouth curved upwards. He flipped his hand and took out a prepared jade bottle, stuffing it into Xing Tian's palm: "These are twelve Bloodline Pills refined from Ancestral Witch essence blood. Once you fully refine them, you will undoubtedly be able to step into the Ancestral Witch realm. As for how many laws you can comprehend, that will depend on your own fortune."

Xing Tian's throat bobbed as he stared intently at the jade bottle in his palm.

Tai Cang had actually refined more Bloodline Pills and bestowed upon him a full twelve! Thinking that these pills could help him break through to Ancestral Witch and comprehend laws, Xing Tian's face turned red, and his blood boiled.

After a long time, he calmed his emotions, solemnly put away the jade bottle, cupped his fist, and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist, if you ever need my assistance in the future, Xing Tian will not hesitate to repay you, even at the cost of his life!"

Tai Cang accepted this calmly. He knew the weight of Xing Tian's promise – this Great Witch, who could retreat unscathed even during the Tribulation of Witch and Demon, his friendship could span several Great Tribulations of heaven and earth.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

The calls of the Twelve Ancestral Witches came from a distance. Upon learning of Hou Hao's report, they could not suppress their excitement and hurried over. This batch of Bloodline Pills was of extraordinary significance to the Witch Clan.

Tai Cang stepped forward to meet them, cupping his fists and saying, "I have not failed in my mission; the Bloodline Pills are ready." With that, he waved his hand and tossed out twelve jade bottles. Dijiang and Zhu Jiuyin each received six, while the remaining Ancestral Witches each received nine.

"These are indeed Bloodline Pills!"

After verifying them, the Ancestral Witches were overjoyed. These one hundred and two pills meant that the Witch Clan would have over a hundred new top-tier Great Witches, and their strength would undoubtedly soar.

"The transaction is complete, and I should take my leave now."

Just as Tai Cang was about to depart, he was stopped by Dijiang: "Fellow Daoist, wait a moment!" Hou Hao then carried over a sandalwood treasure box, and Dijiang personally handed it over: "This is a token of our clan's sincerity. We hope you will accept it."

Dijiang raised his hand and lifted the lid of the wooden box.

Instantly, golden light erupted, and a piercing buzzing sound echoed through the heavens. Amidst the surging dark clouds, a dense aura of merit gushed out, and the object in the box emitted a dazzling radiance.

"It's actually..."

"A Houtian Merit Supreme Treasure: the Heaven and Earth Cang Huang Ruler!"

Tai Cang's pupils contracted sharply, his eyes fixed on the pale golden jade ruler in the box. This item shared the same origin as Laozi's Heaven and Earth Cang Huang Pagoda. Although it was forged with ninety percent Canghuang Qi as its base, it also contained Pangu's merit from the creation of heaven and earth. Its power was not inferior to a top-grade innate spiritual treasure, and it also possessed the ability to influence fortune.

"One must know that the Intercepting Sect is currently most in need of items that influence fortune. If Sect Master Tongtian were to obtain this great treasure, even other Sages would be envious. After all, for Sages, one can never have too many treasures of fortune."

"Great Ancestral Witch Dijiang, are you truly going to gift this treasure to me?"

Tai Cang's voice trembled slightly, his gaze still glued to the jade ruler. The value of this item was immeasurable. If it were combined with the Twenty-Four Dinghai Pearls, it could even evolve into the Twenty-Four Heavens without the need for the Qian Kun Ruler. Thinking of Randeng's might as he roamed the Primordial World with the Twenty-Four Heavens, his heart grew even hotter.

"Naturally," Dijiang said with a smile, closing the wooden box and handing it over. "Fellow Daoist shares the same bloodline as our Witch Clan; a small token is nothing. We will need your continued care in the future."

The Twelve Ancestral Witches knew very well that compared to Tai Cang, who could refine Bloodline Pills, no spiritual treasure, no matter how precious, was worth more.

"Thank you."

Tai Cang solemnly accepted the wooden box, thinking to himself that such generous gifts were always welcome. However, he also knew that in the Primordial World, there were only a handful of treasures comparable to the Heaven and Earth Cang Huang Ruler.

Tai Cang put away the wooden box, cupped his fists, and bid farewell to Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches: "Farewell, Ancestral Witches, until we meet again." With that, he mounted his sword and flew straight towards Kunlun Mountains.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches watched him leave, then ordered: "Xing Tian, Hou Hao, quickly summon the Great Witches from each tribe. We have important matters to discuss."

"Yes!" The two accepted the order and left, knowing that the Ancestral Witches intended to use the Bloodline Pills to cultivate elites. Xing Tian secretly decided to enter seclusion to cultivate after completing the summons, vowing to break through to the Ancestral Witch realm with the power of the pills.

Demonic energy permeated the sky above Kunlun Mountains, and the area near the Upper Clarity Palace was in utter chaos. Numerous half-human, half-beast cultivators were fighting, destroying the forests. Tai Cang was inwardly shocked at the sight: "Has the Intercepting Sect expanded so rapidly? It seems the Three Pure Ones are about to... where should I go then?"

Arriving before the Grand Clarity Palace, Kinkaku and Silver Horn stepped forward: "Senior Brother, Master invites you to the alchemy room for a chat." Tai Cang gave them some spiritual fruits and entered. The two attendants sat on the threshold, eating the fruits with relish, and praised this considerate Senior Brother incessantly.