An indescribable heaviness and sorrow permeated the Sun God Palace.
Di Jun leaned back on the imperial throne, his expression somewhat blank, his eyes filled with suppressed grief and anger as hot as molten lava.
Beside her, Changxi gently comforted Liu Zi, her eyes filled with sorrow and pity.
Di Jun still had many questions in his mind, and he needed to ask the Golden Crow for clarification.
"My son, do not be afraid," Di Jun's voice was deep. "Tell your father how you and your brothers broke through the Guardian Formation Tanggu, how you evaded the patrols of the Heavenly Realm Guardians, and how you descended upon the Primordial Desolation Earth?"
Where are the guards of Tanggu?
When Golden Crow heard Di Jun's question, it involuntarily shrank back, and then began to try hard to recall the situation at that time.
"Father... Father, that day my brothers and I were playing on the Fusang Divine Tree when suddenly a little demon broke in."
We found it strange that there was Great Formation outside Tanggu, which prevented any living Spirit Root from entering.
We immediately investigated the direction from which the little demon had come, and upon arriving at the edge of the Great Formation, we felt that the powerful Restriction force of the formation... seemed to have vanished into thin air!
We were all stunned. Then, a thought seemed to arise in my mind: I just wanted to leave the familiar and boring Tanggu and go down to the mortal world to see what the legendary vast and boundless Primordial Desolation World was like.
Then the second brother took the lead and flew out of the Great Formation. Everyone... everyone was very excited and didn't think much about it, so they all flapped their wings and flew high.
The journey was smooth sailing; as for the guards stationed and patrolling... we didn't see a single one, and easily flew to the lower realm..."
The Golden Crow's voice carried a hint of confusion, but the specific details were explained very clearly.
The Great Formation has failed?
The guards disappeared?
No obstacles?
Upon hearing this, a surge of rage rose within Di Jun. He suppressed his anger and immediately summoned Fuxi.
"Fuxi, go to Tanggu immediately!"
"Carefully examine the Great Formation, investigate why the Sunlight Heavenly Patrol Mirror failed to issue a warning, find out where the guards on duty are now, and..." Di Jun's voice was as cold as a knife, "Upon arriving at Tanggu, attempt to deduce the anomalies in the Heavenly Secrets of the Sun Star. This River Diagram and Luo Shu is temporarily lent to you!"
Fuxi accepted the order, his expression equally solemn.
Knowing the gravity of the situation, he dared not delay for a moment and instantly transformed into a streak of light, rushing towards the direction of the Sun Star.
After asking his questions, Di Jun instructed Changxi to take the Golden Crow back to the palace to rest.
Time passed in stifling anticipation, and the air Sun God Palace seemed to freeze.
Finally, Fuxi reappeared in the hall, his face ashen and cold.
"Your Majesty," Fuxi's voice carried a hint of helplessness, "Outside Tanggu, the core of the Sunlight Golden Light Guardian Formation that you personally set up has been erased by an external force. Without the Formations's control, the Great Formation become ineffective."
I have inspected the entire Tanggu region and the vast star field surrounding the Sun Star. None of the Heavenly Patrol Guard and Guardian Demon God on duty at the time found anything unusual. They also did not see the ten princes pass through the Earthly Realm they were patrolling. I believe that a powerful being has deceived all of their senses.
As for the Heavenly Secrets of the Tanggu...
Fuxi took a deep breath, his brows furrowed with melancholy:
Even with His Your Majesty's blessing of the River Diagram and Luo Shu, I still gained nothing; everything seemed to remain the same.
Your Majesty... I am incompetent and unable to uncover the truth."
Sometimes, the fact that no Heavenly Secrets can be found already indicates the outcome.
Di Jun slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his imperial majesty and coldness once more enveloped everything.
He was silent for a moment, then said to Fuxi:
No further investigation is needed.
The worst-case scenario is that no results were found!
Fuxi, this is no accident. Who else could be so swift and decisive, erasing the Great Formation I personally laid out without leaving any evidence, while simultaneously deceiving us Quasi-Saint and numerous Demon Clan guards in the Heavenly Realm, but those above us?
They erased all traces and even disrupted the Heavenly Secrets afterward, making it impossible for the River Diagram and Luo Shu to deduce anything, simply because they were unwilling to tear off the last fig leaf!
"Only they would have such a motive!"
Having said that, he stood up, his tall and imposing figure now conveying a complex feeling of weariness and determination.
He walked up to Fuxi, his body straightened again, and his gaze sharpened, as if he had figured something out.
He began by saying:
Last time, the Spirit Gourd Daoist warned us, saying that the Calamity Qi was settling and condensing, pointing directly to Tanggu as the place where the Calamity Qi was generated.
Although I was alert at the time and ordered the Heavenly Court to be on guard and increase patrols, I never expected... that I would ultimately underestimate their limits!
No, it's not an underestimation, it's simply unimaginable!
As Heavenly Dao Hunyuan Saint, indestructible and supremely noble, how could you personally intervene and use such despicable means to incite my son to commit such a bloody calamity!
Their goal is to plunge my Demon Court into utter ruin!
Perhaps there's also the Witch Clan.
His voice grew colder and colder:
Ten Suns in the Sky, causing immense suffering to hundreds of millions of lives. The overwhelming Karmic Retribution has been bestowed upon my Demon Court.
With the deaths of Kuafu and Da Yi, the Witch Clan lost two of its top warriors, second only to the two Ancestral Witch, adding new hatred between the Witch and Demon Clans.
Fuxi, the Demon Clan's situation has truly reached its most critical moment.
After the last warning from the Spirit Gourd, I had a premonition and have been thinking about the future of the Demon Clan. I have set up the Chaos Fetal Membrane Great Formation as a way out and sent Taiyi to enter the Chaos with the Monster Summoning Gourd to seek opportunities.
I thought there was still time to plan and lead the Demon Clan out of this calamity.
I never imagined that the evil of Saint would reach such a level!
They are eager to detonate the Tribulation Cycle.
Fuxi listened to Di Jun's calm analysis, his heart sank to the bottom.
He saw the resolute look in Di Jun's eyes.
"Your Majesty," Fuxi said after listening to Di Jun's analysis, "Now that things have come to this, perhaps I can go to Wa Huang Heaven to pay homage to the Saint Nuwa and seek a glimmer of hope."
The Empress was once the Empress Nuwa of the Demon Clan race, perhaps out of consideration for this past connection...
Di Jun had no hope for Nuwa, and before Fuxi could finish speaking, he wearily waved his hand, interrupting him:
Fuxi, you and Empress Nuwa are siblings with a deep bond. You only need her to protect you; as for anything else, there's no need to force it.
You shouldn't have too high hopes. Empress Nuwa is ultimately Heavenly Dao Saint. The Heavenly Dao is constant, and the general trend cannot be defied.
In the eyes of Saint and the Heavenly Dao, our Demon Clan is probably... already a sacrifice under the clouds of calamity.
This journey may be futile, but it's good to do one's part.
You may leave now!
Fuxi gave Di Jun a deep look, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He understood that what Di Jun said was true, but he still hoped to find a glimmer of hope for the Demon Clan.
He was different from Nuwa. When Nuwa first entered the Demon Court, she was merely using it as a means of cultivation and did not devote much effort to it. Later, after receiving the Hongmeng Purple Qi bestowed by the Dao Ancestor, she devoted herself to comprehending the Purple Qi and almost never concerned herself with the affairs of the Demon Clan.
In contrast, Fuxi served in the Demon Court initially only to defend against the Witch Clan under Buzhou Mountain. Later, he was impressed by Di Jun's demeanor and took the initiative to join the party, hoping to do something practical for the Demon Clan race and make a name for himself.
At this moment, he felt a sense of responsibility; even if he failed to achieve his goal, he would live and die with the Demon Court.
"Your Majesty, I shall depart immediately."
After Fuxi finished speaking, he transformed into a beam of Clear Light and disappeared into the vast Starry Sky, heading straight for the Wa Huang Heaven Depths of Chaos.
Di Jun stared in the direction he had disappeared, without saying a word.
Seeing that Fuxi had gone to the Empress Nuwa's Palace, Di Jun turned around and came to the Sweet Dew Hall where Changxi and Xihe lived.
This place should have been bathed in the Moon, but now it is shrouded in an immense and unyielding sorrow and silence.
Changxi was already exhausted from the pain of losing her son. Her face was haggard and her eyes were empty, as if her entire soul had been taken away. She was immersed in great grief and could not extricate herself.
Xihe stayed by Changxi's side, while sending the Jade Rabbit to keep the Golden Crow company.
Di Jun entered the palace, dismissed all the maids and palace servants, and with a wave of his hand, set up layers of Restriction. His powerful Magical Power instantly disrupted all the Heavenly Secrets Meridians in the area, forming a barrier of isolation.
"Your Majesty?" Xihe's heart tightened upon seeing Di Jun's actions. "What has happened?"
Di Jun's gaze lingered on the grief-stricken Changxi, filled with deep pity.
He came to the two of them and embraced them.
He said softly,
Xihe and Changxi, my Demon Clan is now caught in Whirlpool from which we cannot extricate ourselves!
The Primordial World has become a chessboard for Saint to strategize. Previously, the Tanggu Great Formation failed, the Heavenly Secrets Heavenly Realm were obscured, the ten sons were lured to the mortal realm, Kuafu and Da Yi perished, and the Witch Clan forged a new enmity with my Heavenly Court ...
All of this was probably orchestrated by the Heavenly Dao Will, Tribulation Cycle driven by those few individuals from Kunlun Mountain!
Their aim is to trigger a new Tribulation Cycle, targeting the Witch Clan and my Demon Clan!
Xihe gasped, a hint of shock flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Although she had some premonitions from Di Jun's previous words, when she heard it from Di Jun himself, the mastermind behind the scenes was the high and mighty Saint, immense fear and indignation instantly gripped her heart.
"How could they... how could they do this!" Changxi's voice trembled with disbelief.
"Under the Heavenly Dao, all things are but ants; in the eyes of Saint, Witch-Demon are merely pawns destined for calamity."
Di Jun's voice was cold and cruel, revealing the stark reality:
This calamity is one we can no longer avoid.
However, for the sake of the Demon Clan race, and to ensure the continuation of our Bloodline so that our Golden Crow Clan does not become extinct, we must make arrangements as soon as possible."
He placed his hands on Changxi's and the dazed Xihe's shoulders, his voice resolute. "I want you the Two to leave the Heavenly Realm at the appropriate time, taking Six Crows and your offspring with you!"
"Leave?" Xihe asked, "Where to?"
Di Jun said gently,
Back then, Taiyi used the Monster Summoning Gourd, which he refined with the True Spirit Seed, to escape into the Depths of Chaos using the power of the Chaos Fetal Membrane Great Formation. That Monster Summoning Gourd was my escape route for the Demon Clan race.
Changxi, don't be sad. With the Monster Summoning Gourd, our nine children still have a chance to be reborn. I have brought back their remains and refined them into nine portions of Golden Crow Origin, which I now entrust to you.
At the Moon Star Core, I have already secretly set up Ancient Teleportation Formation for you and your sister!
The ancient array connects to the spatial coordinates within the Chaos Fetal Membrane Great Formation, directly teleporting you to the Chaos Hidden Stronghold established by Taiyi and Kunpeng, where the Fire Seed of the Demon Clan race resides.
"Remember this: if you have the chance to find Dao Venerable Jiang Yun, who cultivates in the Chaos, you can have Taiyi bring our Demon Clan forces under his command."
Looking into Di Jun's gentle gaze, Changxi finally couldn't hold back her tears and they streamed down her face.
She understood that this was the best arrangement Di Jun had made for him, Xihe, and the others before the Great Tribulation arrived, and it was also a way of entrusting them with their affairs after death.
She nodded vigorously, gripped Xihe's hand tightly, and firmly remembered Di Jun's words. "Your Majesty, rest assured, with my sister Xihe here, the children will be safe and sound!"
After saying this, Di Jun removed the Restriction on the Moon Palace, and the family enjoyed this moment of tenderness together.
The Pangu Hall of the Witch Clan.
Inside the hall, the ten Ancestral Witch, excluding Houtu and Xuanming, gathered together, with Dijiang sitting in the main seat and the others sitting in a group to the side.
Dijiang's gaze swept over the Ancestral Witch sitting below Xizi, including Gonggong, Zhurong, Qiangliang, Tianwu. He saw that most of them had livid faces and were filled with barely suppressed rage.
Xuanming and Houtu have been absent for far too long. Since Houtu Embody Reincarnation, Xuanming has been guarding the depths of the Land of Reincarnation for many years, assisting his sister Houtu in consolidating the newly grown foundation of the Earthly Dao, and no longer easily participating in the affairs of the Witch Clan on the Primordial Desolation Earth.
Dijiang began to discuss the disaster.
"Brothers, in this calamity, Kuafu transformed into Peach Forest, Da Yi's soul was scattered!"
Many brave young men from the Witch Tribe perished under the scorching heat of those Ten Suns in the Sky, leaving no trace of their bodies!
The old feud between us and the Demon Clan has not been resolved, and new feuds have arisen!
In recent years, my Witch Clan has expanded into the Nine Netherworlds World, while the Demon Clan has ventured into the Chaos. The conflict between the two clans had gradually subsided, but this time the conflict has intensified again.
What do you all think we should do next?
Flames erupted around Zhurong, his voice filled with anger:
Di Jun, that old bird, has failed to discipline his son properly, allowing him to commit violence!
What else is there to say? We must raze the Heavenly Court to the ground and exterminate the Demon Clan!
Only by throwing them into the Purgatory Sea of Fire can we truly vent our hatred!
Gonggong was slightly calmer, but the chill in his tone was even greater. "Kill! Kill until the Demon Clan tremble in fear! The Demon Clan will pay for the hatred of Kuafu, Da Yi, and all the warriors of the Witch Clan with their blood!"
Dijiang raised his hand, forcefully suppressing his impending outburst of anger.
His rugged brows furrowed, and two heavy breaths escaped from his large nostrils:
Of course we will avenge this, but this disaster is shrouded in mystery!
We all know Di Jun's character. Although he is at odds with us, he is calm, shrewd, and extremely cunning. He is by no means a muddle-headed or incompetent person!
He must know the immense calamity that would be caused by Ten Suns in the Sky. This act would draw boundless Karmic Retribution, harming the very foundation of the Heavenly Court, and is tantamount to digging his own grave!
With Di Jun's abilities, how could he not know the consequences of his ten sons leaving the Sun Star and coming to the mortal realm?
Do you think he would be completely unprepared?
His barrage of questions calmed the indignant Ancestral Witch down slightly.
Zhujiuyin's eyes, which could perceive the passage of time, were now clouded with gloom. He slowly spoke:
My Eldest Brother is right; this really doesn't make sense.
Tanggu is a stronghold of the Demon Clan race, Di Jun must have set up an extremely powerful Guardian Formation, and it is surrounded by layers of elite Demon Clan warriors.
Although those ten little Golden Crow have potential, they are still young, and their cultivation is far from its peak. How could they break through the Restriction Tanggu silently, and how could they descend into the Primordial World without being discovered by the patrolling Demon Clan race?
I think it's absolutely impossible without external manipulation!
Qiangliang's voice was as heavy as thunder. "External force? What kind of external force could so easily dismantle the Guardian Formation set up by Di Jun, and also obscure the Heavenly Secrets and block the senses of all the patrolling Demon Clan?"
"Saint!"
Almost simultaneously, the same thought flashed through the minds of the others.
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
A moment later, Dijiang's voice rang out:
I'm sure you all know the answer!
Do you still remember when the Spirit Gourd Daoist used Secret Technique to send warnings to both our Witch Clan and the Heavenly Court simultaneously?
He discerned the condensation and gathering of the Calamity Qi, pointing directly to the connection between Tanggu and the Turbid Baleful Qi and Blood of the Witch Clan, indicating that Heavenly Secrets were being obscured and a great calamity was imminent!
Later, Houtu told us that our Witch Clan had already been bound to the Earthly Dao Reincarnation, which was enough to make us invincible. Therefore, at that time, she only asked each tribe to keep their duties in order to stabilize the Reincarnation, and did not take it seriously.
In retrospect, the warning from the Spirit Gourd Daoist was no exaggeration!
Subsequently, Spirit Gourd Daoist was imprisoned on Spirit Bamboo Mountain. The Sealing Restriction by Yuqing Yuanshi himself because his Dao of All Beings was hindering the development of the Great Trend of the Heavenly Dao!
And what has happened today has just confirmed the words of the Spirit Gourd; this situation is probably of no benefit to us!
Zhujiuyin interjected, his tone chilling:
Regardless, the Witch and Demon Clans are destined for war, and we should prepare for it as soon as possible!
As for those Saints, Houtu will take care of things for us. With her as the Lord of Reincarnation Houtu, and with the foundation of Reincarnation in place, our Witch Clan has nothing to worry about."
The Ancestral Witch, who had been shrouded in gloom, instantly brightened up after Zhujiuyin's analysis.
So what if he's Saint? The Witch Clan isn't without its own support.