Giving Houtu Advice

"Eldest Brother," Yuanshi said, a trace of complexity in his eyes.

"I never expected this Daoist Friend Qing Huan to possess such profound fortune.

The Dao Ancestor personally bestowed a cushion upon him, placing him before us, and the matter of him bearing an Innate Supreme Treasure further confirms the Dao Ancestor's words—that he is one who carries great Luck."

His words laid bare his envy without concealment.

Taishang Laojun stroked his beard and nodded, his gaze deep:

"In the unseen, there is always destiny at work. Daoist Friend Qing Huan's mastery of the Yin-Yang Great Dao, the depth and profundity of his insights, truly surpass my own.

When we have time, we three brothers should personally visit Zhongnan Mountain to call upon this Daoist Friend Qing Huan and engage in Dao discourse."

"Eldest Brother speaks truly. Opportunity is fated by heaven, not to be forced.

We, as Pangu Orthodox, will not lack for opportunity either.

Though an Innate Supreme Treasure is fine, without destiny, it is but futile longing."

Sect Master Tongtian also nodded in agreement, envy in his eyes, yet his demeanor was more magnanimous.

...Five thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

Qing Huan and Houtu traversed the endless void, finally returning to the Primordial Wilderness, standing amidst the Gale Wind beyond the Thirty-three Heavens.

"Daoist Friend Houtu," Qing Huan said, looking at the valiant Ancestral Witch beside him, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"I wonder, when the next lecture begins at the Purple Firmament Palace, will you still go to listen?"

"Daoist Friend, are you mocking my Witch Clan for lacking a Primordial Spirit, making listening to the Dao pointless?" Houtu's delicate brows furrowed instantly, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face.

"Ah, Daoist Friend, do not misunderstand!" Seeing her seriousness, Qing Huan quickly waved his hands.

With a thought, light flashed atop his head, and the "Seven Symbols Treasure Umbrella" silently emerged. An intangible, profound aura instantly spread outward, shrouding the surrounding Heavenly Secrets as if isolating them from the Primordial Wilderness itself.

Having done this, Qing Huan lowered his voice, a hint of mystery creeping into his tone:

"Daoist Friend Houtu, I... might indeed have a method that could help your Witch Clan make up for the deficiency of your Primordial Spirit!"

He paused briefly, his right thumb and forefinger, along with his middle finger, unconsciously rubbing together in a subtle gesture—the very image of a shrewd merchant hinting at a "price."

"You... are you serious?!" Houtu's delicate frame trembled violently, her beautiful eyes instantly widening, an almost explosive light of disbelief bursting forth.

The immense shock of joy overwhelmed her mind, causing her to completely overlook Qing Huan's tiny gesture as she pressed urgently:

"What method is it? Please, Daoist Friend, speak plainly!"

At this moment, her heart was burning with anxiety, her gaze locked on Qing Huan, afraid to miss a single word.

Qing Huan couldn't help but curl his lips inwardly:

'This Ancestral Witch Houtu... really doesn't get the hint at all.'

He calculated in his mind:

"Oh well, it seems I'll have to personally browse the Witch Clan's treasury and see what suitable Innate Spiritual Treasures or Spiritual Roots they have..."

"Ahem..." Qing Huan cleared his throat, putting on a serious expression:

"Daoist Friend Houtu, do not rush. This method is no small matter—somewhat heaven-defying, in fact. It is not something I can accomplish alone, and the cost is immense.

Thus, it cannot be given freely; it must be exchanged for a price."

"A price?" Houtu frowned deeply, speaking urgently, "Daoist Friend, name it! As long as my Witch Clan possesses it, we will not be stingy!"

Qing Huan extended a hand, spreading five fingers:

"Five Innate Spiritual Treasures, or their equivalent in Innate Spiritual Roots, heavenly materials, and earthly treasures—besides that..."

He paused again, his tone growing exceptionally solemn.

"The Witch Clan must owe me a 'Great Karma.' How about it?"

He stressed the words "Great Karma" heavily.

The urgency on Houtu's face was instantly replaced by gravity.

Innate Spiritual Treasures and Spiritual Roots were no difficult matter for the Witch Clan, who had occupied Buzhou Mountain for countless ages—their treasury was abundant.

But this "owing a Great Karma"... She understood well the weight of such a thing, no trivial matter.

It concerned the entire Witch Clan's Luck and future commitments—a decision far beyond her alone to make.

"The Spiritual Treasures and Spiritual Roots you require, my clan will do its utmost to gather. But this 'Great Karma'..."

Houtu's face showed difficulty as she hesitated:

"This matter is of great importance. I must return to Pangu Temple and consult with my elder brothers before I can give you a reply, Daoist Friend. I ask for your understanding."

She added, her eyes carrying a scrutinizing gaze, "I also ask Daoist Friend to clarify—what exactly is this method worth? After all, even the Sages..."

Qing Huan seemed to have anticipated this, speaking calmly:

"No matter. To show sincerity and save time, I will accompany you to the Witch Clan.

Summon the Twelve Ancestral Witches, and let us reach a decision as soon as possible."

His gaze swept over Houtu, his tone carrying certainty and a hint of a bottom line.

"I can assure you—if this method succeeds, it can at least help two of your Ancestral Witches complete their Primordial Spirits!

As for more... I dare not make reckless claims."

In his heart, he had already weighed the pros and cons: the Witch Clan would harvest Great Dao Merit, but conventional methods were useless.

The only possibility was to mobilize the faint wisp of Great Dao Merit obtained from Heaven-Opening that each of the Twelve Ancestral Witches carried within themselves!

By guiding and converging it, they could completely wash away the most stubborn primordial turbid Sha Qi deep in the bloodline of two Ancestral Witches—only then was there a glimmer of hope.

"Truly?!"

The light in Houtu's eyes blazed once more.

The despairing answer she had received from Hongjun was now rekindled by Qing Huan's decisive "at least two" into a new flame of hope.

"Good! Daoist Friend is noble!"

Without hesitation, Houtu grabbed Qing Huan's arm, her expression excited...

"There's no time to lose! Daoist Friend, come with me now to Pangu Temple! Whether it succeeds or fails, the Witch Clan will be eternally grateful!"

...Meanwhile, in the northern reaches of the Primordial Earth.

Demon Qi permeated the air, Sha Qi surged.

The new leaders of the Demon Race, Di Jun and his brother Eastern Emperor Taiyi, were recruiting troops and expanding their influence here.

Bai Ze, the Demon God who understood all things and possessed extraordinary wisdom, stood atop the clouds. His gaze pierced through layers of Karma's fog, clearly seeing the blazing, sun-like imperial Luck and destiny above the heads of Di Jun and Taiyi.

"The Heavenly Mandate has spoken!"

Bai Ze hesitated no longer. He flew forward and bowed respectfully to Di Jun and Taiyi.

"Bai Ze is willing to lead the northern Demon Race in swearing allegiance to the two Demon Emperor Majesties! I will aid Your Majesties in revitalizing the Demon Race and unifying all demons of the Primordial Earth!"

Di Jun, seeing this long-renowned wise man come to pledge himself, was overjoyed. He laughed heartily:

"Hahahaha! Today, with Bai Ze, Daoist Friend, lending your full support, it's like a tiger gaining wings! The growth of our Demon Race is just around the corner!"

Bai Ze's strategic mind would be crucial in the future struggles for supremacy.

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Bai Ze responded humbly, a glint of wisdom shining in his eyes, but his words were no empty flattery.

"With the two Majesties leading the masses, possessing supreme treasures, and harboring great ambitions, gathering the Luck of all demons across the Primordial Earth is only a matter of time...

Once our Demon Race is at its peak, with Luck soaring to the heavens, the two Majesties may well ascend to that supreme and holy realm, just like the Dao Ancestor...!"

At the towering Buzhou Mountain, the sacred ground of the Witch Clan.

Qing Huan followed Houtu, riding an escape light. In the span of a single thought, they traversed countless miles, soon arriving before the majestic temple that exuded a vast, ancient aura, as if connected by blood to the Primordial Earth itself—the Pangu Temple.

The temple was ancient and towering, radiating the terrifying pressure of Heaven-Opening.