An Idea

"After all, the chaotic gale winds howl past like sharp blades; the slightest carelessness and one will be cut all over, severely slowing down travel speed and endangering safety."

Houtu looked up at the Precious Umbrella above her head, a surge of gratitude welling up in her heart.

Yet this Precious Umbrella also filled her with fear, for it was a spiritual treasure capable of breaking through an Ancestral Witch True Body.

"Daoist Friend Houtu, why have you come alone? Why haven't the other eleven Ancestral Witches come?"

Qing Huan felt somewhat puzzled. After all, for such a momentous matter, the Witch Clan had only sent Houtu.

"Our Witch Clan has no Primordial Spirit; even if they came, I fear they would struggle to take it in. Though I have come alone, I also wished to take this chance to ask the Sage if there is a way to resolve the Witch Clan's lack of a Primordial Spirit."

Houtu gave a helpless, bitter smile. Without a Primordial Spirit, even if the entire clan arrived, it might not benefit them much in listening to the Dao. Still, she felt she ought to try, to find a path for the Witch Clan.

"Mm."

Qing Huan nodded.

"Daoist Friend Houtu, all things have their destined course. There's no need to trouble yourself too much over this."

Wanting the Witch Clan to gain a Primordial Spirit—that difficulty rivaled becoming a Sage.

Yet Qing Huan harbored a bold idea in his heart, one perhaps worth attempting.

As he pondered, Houtu must possess a True Spirit. Without a True Spirit, how could she go to the Netherworld Sea of Blood and transform herself into the cycle of reincarnation?

After Pangu split the heavens, the True Spirit origins of the Twelve Ancestral Witches were tainted by Turbid Qi, preventing them from cultivating a Primordial Spirit.

To cleanse the Sha Qi from Houtu's body, one would need to find a spiritual treasure imbued with Xuanhuang Qi, aided by something like the Karma Red Lotus, or rely on Merit to wash away the Sha Qi.

After that, a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure of the Earth attribute would be needed to protect her True Spirit, allowing her to slowly refine a Primordial Spirit upon it for cultivation.

Moreover, Houtu should not remain in the Witch Clan to cultivate; the Sha Qi there was too heavy, and the clan was already the Protagonist of Heaven and Earth for this Tribulation. If Calamity Qi entered her body, it might affect her mind.

But finding a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure of the Earth attribute was no easy task. As things stood, only the Apricot Yellow Banner among the Innate Five Directions Banners was a spiritual treasure containing the Law of Earth.

However, that Apricot Yellow Banner was currently in the hands of Dao Ancestor Hongjun...

"Forget it. After Hongjun finishes his lecture at the Purple Xiao Palace, I'll go to the Witch Clan and trade this information for a few spiritual treasures!"

Qing Huan calculated silently to himself.

Thousands of years later, the crowd gradually gathered outside the Purple Xiao Palace, a lively scene unfolding.

Qing Huan and Houtu slowly descended before the Purple Xiao Palace.

This palace before them was like a divine miracle of the Primordial World, with Xuanhuang Qi flowing unceasingly like a spirited celestial river.

Tens of millions of zhang in height, its width was even more staggering. Even a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, straining his gaze to the horizon, could not see its end in a single glance.

And the three characters "Purple Xiao Palace" seemed condensed from the fruit of the Dao itself; every stroke and line appeared to contain the ultimate principles of the Great Dao.

It was as if the Great Dao itself had manifested in a mysterious form, its profound Dao resonance far surpassing any Blessed Land owned by the beings of the Primordial World.

"Tsk tsk, no wonder he's a Sage. A true man should live like this."

Qing Huan couldn't help but admire enviously.

"Ha ha ha ha! Well said—'A true man should live like this.' Daoist Friend Qing Huan, you look well."

Tongtian deeply agreed with Qing Huan's words. In his heart, he too yearned for such a magnificent palace as his own Dao field.

At that moment, the Three Pure Ones brothers walked toward him.

"Daoist Friends Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian—you've arrived quite swiftly!"

Qing Huan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"We have only just arrived ourselves. May I ask who this is beside Daoist Friend Qing Huan?"

Laozi gently waved his fly whisk and inquired.

"Ah, I nearly forgot to introduce her. This is my good friend, Ancestral Witch Houtu."

Qing Huan wasn't sure of the relationship between the Twelve Ancestral Witches and the Three Pure Ones, so he simply made the introduction.

"So it's Houtu of the Twelve Ancestral Witches. My respects."

Laozi gave a slight smile.

"You flatter me. Ancestral Witch Houtu greets all Daoist Friends."

After Houtu spoke, her expression shifted slightly.

After all, the Twelve Ancestral Witches were the Pangu Orthodox. The Witch Clan's Pangu Temple was Invulnerable to All Laws, and no one could spy on it. The title of "Pangu Orthodox" brought no small amount of Luck, and Houtu couldn't help but feel a hint of pride.

Qing Huan also noticed that Houtu and the Three Pure Ones clearly had little desire to engage with each other.

Just then, two streaks of light shot from the chaos toward the Purple Xiao Palace like lightning, their momentum as fierce as a rainbow.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi bore a massive bronze bell atop his head, engraved with mountains, rivers, the sun, moon, and stars, radiating waves of Dao resonance.

In that instant, the gaze of every living being was drawn to him.

"I am Di Jun of the Solar Star. Greetings to all Daoist Friends."

Di Jun landed and cupped his hands in salute to the crowd.

"I am Tai Yi of the Solar Star. Greetings to all Daoist Friends."

"What a formidable spiritual treasure—could this be the legendary Chaos Bell?"

Tongtian raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of amazement.

"Indeed, this is the Chaos Bell, one of the three Innate Supreme Treasures transformed from the Sky-Opening Divine Axe."

Laozi nodded with a smile.

"These two Daoist friends on the Solar Star are born with an imperial aura. That commanding presence that looks down on all—truly extraordinary."

Fuxi couldn't help stepping forward to strike up a conversation with Di Jun.

Qing Huan stood aside, lost in thought, watching Di Jun. A notion stirred in his heart: Di Jun is a Solar Body, isn't he?

If the two from the Lunar Star also came, he might be able to befriend them and see if he could trade the Immortal Apricot with Di Jun and Xi He for two drops of essence blood.

If he could also obtain the Shaoyang and Shaoyin essence blood from East Prince and Queen Mother of the West, then slay the two Yin-Yang Flood Dragons in the Eastern Sea and extract the origin of Yin-Yang Qi—

With that, he would have innate Yin-Yang Qi, plus Shaoyin, Shaoyang, Taiyin, and Taiyang.

Then, merging them with his own Yin-Yang Origin, his Yin-Yang Origin would ascend to a higher level, and his grasp of the Law of the Great Dao of Yin-Yang would deepen.

Perhaps he could become the fastest among these beings to achieve Quasi-Sage. One step ahead, every step ahead!

At this thought, Qing Huan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

"Daoist Friend Di Jun, you are truly a born emperor. I see in you the bearing of one destined to become the Heavenly Emperor."

Qing Huan stepped forward, offering a flattering smile.

In truth, this wasn't entirely flattery—he was merely revealing a fragment of future events ahead of time.

"Oh? And which Daoist friend might this be?"

Di Jun paused slightly, a flicker of doubt in his eyes before he regained his composure, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. Inwardly, he pondered the intent behind this person's approach.

Though somewhat puzzled, anyone who could come to the Purple Xiao Palace to hear the Dao was no ordinary being, and he was willing to befriend them all.

"Daoist Friend Di Jun, this is Daoist Friend Qing Huan—a great innate deity transformed from a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root!"

Fuxi introduced him with a smile.

Di Jun and Tai Yi exchanged glances, both showing looks of disbelief.

Transforming from a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root was extremely difficult, but once successful, one's foundation was inevitably that of a top-tier being.

"Not at all, not at all. Daoist Friend Fuxi flatters me. Everyone who comes to the Purple Xiao Palace is a great innate deity."

Qing Huan waved his hand with a smile.

"Greetings, Daoist Friend Qing Huan. We were unaware earlier—please do not take offense."

Di Jun looked at Qing Huan, his eyes full of admiration.