The Witch Clan's Worries

Qing Huan wisely stopped at the temple gate, not daring to barge in.

To the Witch Clan, this Pangu Temple was the core of their Ancestral Land, more precious than life itself.

Before long, a thunderous boom rang out as the heavy temple doors slowly swung open.

A scorching, violent aura surged forth. A figure strode out, bare-chested, muscles coiled like twisting dragons and serpents, with a mane of fiery red hair that seemed to blaze—it was none other than the Ancestral Witch Zhurong!

His blazing eyes swept over Qing Huan with undisguised scrutiny and suspicion, as tangible as a physical force.

"So you're the one who went to hear the Dao with my little sister Houtu?"

Zhurong's voice boomed like a bell, his tone hostile:

"I hear... you have a way to resolve my Witch Clan's Primordial Spirit predicament?" That raging fire seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

Qing Huan's expression remained calm. Meeting Zhurong's gaze, he said evenly:

"That's right. I've got some ideas, but..."

Qing Huan glanced up, sweeping his eyes across the empty mountaintop:

"Ancestral Witch Zhurong, are you sure you want to discuss such heaven-defying methods here?"

"Hmph! Sharp tongue!"

Zhurong snorted coldly, the disdain in his eyes deepening:

"Don't try any tricks! You'd better actually have a solution."

"Otherwise..." He stepped forward, phantom flames rising around him, the threat unmistakable.

"Today, you won't leave this Pangu Temple alive!"

Deep down, Zhurong scoffed at Qing Huan's claims.

Even the Dao Ancestor and the Sages were helpless against this—how could some mere Dao-listener have an answer? He took it as nothing but a trick on his little sister.

Houtu interjected urgently from the side:

"Brother Zhurong! At least hear Qing Huan Daoist Friend out!"

Zhurong stared at Qing Huan for a long moment, then finally snorted and stepped aside:

"Come in! Let us brothers see what brilliant argument you have!" With that, he turned and strode into the temple.

Qing Huan took a deep breath and followed, stepping through the massive, ancient door that seemed to bear the very mark of the Primordial Wilderness's Heaven-Opening.

Boom—!

The moment he set foot inside the Pangu Temple, an indescribably terrifying pressure crashed down like an invisible mountain of solid weight!

This pressure brimmed with the power of Heaven-Opening, an endless, boundless will, so heavy it was unimaginable.

Qing Huan, a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, felt his bones crackle, his blood churn, his Primordial Spirit tremble—he was nearly forced to his knees, unable to move an inch!

Though Great God Pangu had passed, the remnant of His will and Heaven-Opening might was this formidable!

Qing Huan's heart tightened, and he marveled inwardly:

"No wonder He is the Great God Pangu who transformed all things! Even the lingering might of His will after death can overwhelm a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal!"

Bracing himself against the vast, abyssal pressure, he steadied his mind and addressed the faint, towering giant's silhouette deep within the temple—whether statue or heart:

"Great God Pangu above! This junior, Qing Huan, sets foot in Your sacred ground today not to offend."

"I seek only a thread of heavenly opportunity, to aid the descendants of Your blood—the Witch Clan—in completing their Primordial Spirit and attesting the Great Dao!"

"This junior's heart is utterly sincere, with no ill intent. I humbly beg You to withdraw Your lingering might!"

His voice echoed through the empty, ancient temple, carrying a weight of solemnity and earnestness.

The moment his words fell.

That terrifying pressure, capable of crushing stars, receded like a tide, vanishing without a trace.

The temple still brimmed with its ancient, boundless aura, but it no longer targeted Qing Huan.

Qing Huan felt his body lighten, but his heart grew even more unsettled, a chill even creeping through him:

"Pangu's Will... responded? Could it be... that His True Spirit still retains some awareness?"

He shook his head slightly, casting aside that earth-shattering thought.

"Never mind. Since I've entered the temple, I'll focus on the matter at hand."

Steeling himself, he strode forward to follow Zhurong, his figure gradually merging into the depths of the Pangu Temple.

Inside the Pangu Temple, the thick Sha Qi churned like ink-black, tangible waves, rolling and surging with a heart-stopping aura, nearly solidifying into substance.

At the center stood a towering Pangu statue, ten thousand zhang high, as if it could hold up heaven and earth.

The statue's feet trod upon a green lotus, as if narrating the sacredness of Pangu's Heaven-Opening.

The giant axe in the statue's hand gleamed with a cold, sharp light, as if it still retained the supreme power of the Heaven-Opening.

The entire statue was lifelike, Pangu's majestic and domineering expression rendered in full detail...

The other ten Ancestral Witches sized up Qing Huan with their gazes, Di Jiang's eyes especially burning with intense Fighting Spirit.

"Great God Pangu above, this junior Qing Huan pays his respects."

With that, Qing Huan bowed three times reverently before the statue of Pangu.

Pangu transformed into all things in creation, including his own original form, the Innate Banana Tree.

Without Pangu splitting Heaven and Earth, how could the Innate Banana Tree exist?

Toward Pangu, Qing Huan's heart was filled with genuine admiration and respect.

"Hmph, Daoist Friend Qing Huan, you've bowed to Father God's statue, now it's time to tell us how the Witch Clan can complete our Primordial Spirits! If you can't produce a convincing answer today, you'll stay in our Witch Clan as fertilizer!"

Di Jiang clenched his fists, his Sha Qi surging as he spoke bluntly.

"Daoist Friend Di Jiang, it seems your temper is as explosive as ever. I gained entry to the Pangu Temple only with your Father God's approval. If you don't trust me, at least trust your Father God, right?"

Dealing with the Witch Clan was always difficult, and Qing Huan had long prepared himself mentally. Only by invoking Pangu could he sober these Ancestral Witches up a bit.

"Big Brother, I think what Daoist Friend Qing Huan says makes some sense. Since Father God has approved, I believe he has a way to let us Ancestral Witches complete our Primordial Spirits."

Zhu Jiuyin furrowed his brow, his gaze flickering as if weighing the pros and cons of Qing Huan's words, before speaking after a moment of deep thought.

"Fine! Daoist Friend Qing Huan, speak quickly! If it works, the Witch Clan owes you a great Karma, and so be it."

Di Jiang also felt that what Qing Huan and Zhu Jiuyin said had some merit.

"Good, since the Ancestral Witches are so straightforward, I won't hold anything back."

Qing Huan smiled, glanced around at the twelve Ancestral Witches, and continued:

"You twelve Ancestral Witches were born with your True Spirits eroded by Turbid Qi, hence unable to cultivate a Primordial Spirit. However, you were transformed from Pangu's Essence Blood, born with the Great Dao's Merit of Opening Heaven. If you are willing to concentrate your Merit onto one or two individuals, it can completely eliminate the Sha Qi on those one or two."

As Qing Huan's words fell, Zhu Jiuyin sank into thought, then slowly spoke:

"Hmm, but after eliminating the Sha Qi, can one still remain in the Witch Clan to cultivate? After all, the Turbid Qi in the Pangu Temple is too dense—will there be consequences later?"

After all, the entire Witch Clan cultivated using Sha Qi. If they cleared the Sha Qi and stayed to cultivate in the Witch Clan, what if the Turbid Qi invaded them again?

The other eleven Ancestral Witches initially thought Qing Huan's words were quite reliable, but after hearing Zhu Jiuyin's concerns, they too grew worried.

"Everyone, don't rush. I haven't finished speaking. Since we've come this far, there is naturally a solution."

(Dear Dao Ancestors, a new book sets sail with difficulty. If you like it, please click to follow, add to your bookshelf, and follow the latest chapters daily. If you're in the mood, click a 'Love for Power'—the author kneels in thanks to all Dao Ancestors. May our China be as dragons, and may all Dao Ancestors' wishes come true.)