"Earth, wind, water, fire, the Five Elements, Yin-Yang, Heaven and Earth... Good, very good, Hongjun. Very good, Heavenly Dao. You actually treated me as a chess piece. You actually wanted me to fill the Primordial World's deficiencies."
Luohu's eyes flashed with ferocity. Seeing that Ancestral Dragon and the others were still laughing, he immediately said coldly, "I'm a chess piece, but you're my chess pieces too. What are you laughing at? How much better will your endings be than mine?"
"It's fine. We already know what's going on, and River God Senior even told us how to break out of this situation. What about you?"
Ancestral Dragon said with a chuckle.
"..."
Luohu.
So I'm the only clown here?
Luohu immediately felt fortunate that he had been cautious. Thankfully, he had come to stake the place out; otherwise, he really would have ended up as the only clown.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late... yet!
Taking a deep breath, Luohu worked hard to adjust his emotions, then respectfully bowed to Tang Xuan, thanking him for telling him the truth.
Without hesitation, Luohu turned his palm over, took out the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, and tossed them into the river.
He had originally intended to use this thing to destroy the Primordial World. Now that he himself had become a chess piece, what was the point of destroying it?
Gritting his teeth, Luohu hardened his heart and took out the God-Slaying Spear as well, tossing it into the river despite the pain it caused him.
I'm going all in!
"Senior, I beg you to point out the road ahead and enlighten me."
Luohu spoke respectfully.
He was not a fool. How could he not know what he should do now?
"As you wish."
Tang Xuan smiled.
The four of them perked up and looked at Tang Xuan expectantly.
Tang Xuan slowly said, "What you need to do is very simple. First, put on a show."
"Put on a show?"
The four of them were puzzled.
"Do exactly what you were originally going to do."
Tang Xuan spoke with a smile.
The four of them faintly understood.
Was he planning to... lure the enemy into the trap and bait Hongjun?
"You can continue using the Four Swords of Zhu Xian for now."
With a wave of his hand, Tang Xuan returned the Four Swords of Zhu Xian to Luohu and continued, "As long as Hongjun appears in the Western Lands, Luohu, are you confident you can hold him off temporarily?"
"Yes."
Luohu's heart stirred, and his eyes gradually brightened.
The leaders of the Three Tribes also lit up. They subconsciously licked their lips.
Clearly, with the intelligence of the four people present, they had already more or less guessed Tang Xuan's plan.
"As long as Luohu holds Hongjun back, the Three Tribes will immediately announce their merger. Alternatively, the Phoenix Clan and Kirin Clan can submit to the Dragon Clan. Either will do. You only need a pretext."
"When that happens, Ancestral Dragon will become the nominal overlord of the Primordial World and will naturally gather immeasurable providence into himself. At that point, you will naturally be able to attain the realm of a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal."
"Tell me, will Hongjun simply watch Ancestral Dragon attain the Dao?"
Tang Xuan spoke with a beaming smile.
The four exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.
Hongjun would agree only if the sun rose in the west.
How could a chess player accept a chess piece exceeding his control? Not to mention that the Primordial World was still incomplete, with only so much providence available. If Ancestral Dragon attained the Dao, what would happen to Hongjun? The one whose share would be compressed would be Hongjun's.
"At that time, you will put on another show."
Tang Xuan spoke again.
"Another show!?"
The four were dumbfounded. They truly had not expected this.
"Luohu, don't you want to attain the Dao?"
Tang Xuan smiled faintly.
Luohu had offered so many supreme treasures, so of course Tang Xuan had to give him some good advice. Besides, he cared about his reputation.
Once Ancestral Dragon and Luohu both attained the Dao, what better publicity tools could there be than the two of them?
When Tang Xuan said that, with proper planning, he could truly rise to prominence during the Dragon-Han Calamity, ascend onto the stage of the Primordial World, and stir up the winds and clouds, he was not merely speaking empty words.
"I can attain the Dao too?"
Luohu's breathing quickened.
Then, as Tang Xuan slowly explained, Ancestral Dragon, Yuanfeng, Shi Qilin, and Luohu gradually grew dazed. Their minds were deeply shaken, and their faces were filled with shock.
Their heads buzzed. Only one thought remained in their minds...
Holy crap, it can be done like this?
It can actually be done like this?
Brilliant!
Amazing!
It really had to be River God Senior. As expected of River God Senior.
When it came to schemes, watching Hongjun was merely for amusement. If one wanted to talk about true greatness, it still had to be River God Senior!
Before long, when Tang Xuan reached the end, the four could not help sucking in deep breaths. It was as if the temperature of the Primordial World had warmed considerably. When they exchanged glances, they could all sense the meaning contained in one another's eyes.
Terrifying... simply terrifying!!!
"Do you understand everything?"
Tang Xuan asked.
The four nodded repeatedly, feeling that the resources they had given him had not been wasted at all. They had made an enormous profit.
No, compared with the method River God Senior had given them, they had profited tremendously!
This could be seen from Luohu's reaction. He was no longer arrogant and unruly in the slightest, and his obedient appearance made it impossible to tell that he was the Demon Ancestor.
"Then go and do it."
Tang Xuan spoke leisurely.
"Thank you, Senior."
"Thank you, Senior."
"Thank you, Senior."
The four bowed deeply and spoke in unison. They silently engraved Tang Xuan's kindness in their hearts and resolved to repay him properly once this matter was over.
Whether out of personal interest or profit, they had to curry favor with and draw close to this man!
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Without any delay, the four departed by tearing through the void, their hearts surging and their eagerness impossible to contain.
Hongjun... Heavenly Dao...
So you plotted against us, did you? Hehehehe, then we'll show you what it means to reap what you sow!
"The Dao-Devil War..."
Watching the four depart, Tang Xuan's eyes were deep, and a faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
The climax of this show... was about to begin!
It was time for him to make his own preparations as well.
Tang Xuan turned around, and his figure faded away.
"By my order, declare war on the Phoenix Clan and the Kirin Clan!"
"The Dragon Clan has oppressed our clan for far too long. Phoenix Clan warriors, heed my command—declare war on the Dragon Clan!"
"The order of the Primordial World should finally be settled. In this battle, our Kirin Clan will undoubtedly emerge victorious!!!"
As soon as Ancestral Dragon, Yuanfeng, and Shi Qilin returned, they announced and issued their orders simultaneously without saying another word.
"Roar!!!"
"Kill!!!"
Boom!!!
A murderous aura erupted in an instant!
The Four Seas, the Immortal Volcano, and the empty plains all suddenly erupted with terrifying auras. The entire Primordial World seemed to be stirred at that moment, and the baleful energy permeating the Primordial World rapidly increased.
"Someone, pass down the order. Our Demon Race... should reveal itself to the world!!!"
Atop Spirit Mountain in the Western Lands, Luohu's face twisted into a cruel smile as he shouted coldly.
The winds and clouds were rising?
The winds and clouds, rise!
The arrow was nocked on the bowstring. At the slightest touch... it would fly!!!
On Jade Capital Mountain.
Hongjun was discussing the Dao with Yin-Yang Ancestor, Old Ancestor of Five Elements, and Ancestor Qiankun when his spirits suddenly lifted. A trace of joy appeared on his face, and he inwardly heaved a sigh of relief.
"Fellow Daoists, the battle between the Three Tribes is imminent, and the traces of the Demon Race have emerged in the Western Lands. The time is ripe. It is time for us to save the Primordial World!"
Hongjun suddenly rose and spoke with force.
"Good."
"Good."
"Good."
Old Ancestor of Five Elements, Yin-Yang Ancestor, and Ancestor Qiankun exchanged glances. Their battle intent surged, and they all stood up.
"Follow me... to the Western Lands!!!"
Before you continue