Great Sage Nuwa was perfect and flawless.
She was a peerless powerhouse renowned throughout the Primordial World, her prestigious name and title spreading across past, present, and future, a supreme deity across all the heavens and spacetime.
The most obvious change was that when the words "Nuwa" came from Ancestral Witch Dijiang's mouth, the Lesser Witch soldiers in the ceremonial procession all became solemn and respectful, looking toward the divine being standing proudly atop the Phoenix with the utmost reverence.
They had once all been members of the Human Race. How could they not revere and respect the creator of the Human Race?
Not one of them would give rise to any improper thoughts of blasphemy.
Feng Xi was no exception.
Even now, he had put on the outer skin of the Witch Clan, but he still could not forget his Original Intention, nor deny his own past.
Along with hundreds of thousands of Lesser Witches, he directed a reverent gaze toward Great Sage Nuwa.
But soon, a minor accident occurred—a scorching gaze fixed on him, distracting Feng Xi.
Feng Xi sensed it and traced it to its source—the Golden Phoenix carrying Great Sage Nuwa on its back.
It kept blinking, its eyes filled with immense curiosity. It looked at Feng Xi, then at the True Dragon he was driving, and tilted its head.
The doubt in the Phoenix's eyes had practically condensed into something tangible—with such weak cultivation, unable to defeat even a single toe of the True Dragon, why did he qualify to be its charioteer?
That expressive gaze, mixed with curiosity and doubt, was like needle after needle stabbing into Feng Xi's heart, making his whole body feel uncomfortable under its scrutiny.
My strength is a little lacking...but so what?
It's not as if I won't grow stronger in the future. What gives you the right to look at me like I'm some weakling?
The corner of Feng Xi's mouth twitched. He covertly glared back—
What are you looking at?
The Phoenix received the message in his gaze, its eyes widening instantly. Its entire body became even more animated—if not for its duties, it probably would have come over to reason with Feng Xi.
Even so, it did not give up. Its phoenix eyes glittered as it glared back at Feng Xi.
I'm looking at you. So what?!
A Witch and a Phoenix widened their eyes at each other, trying to crush their opponent's spirit with their gazes and make them collapse without a fight.
Compared to the covert contest between their respective trusted subordinates, the atmosphere between Ancestral Witch Dijiang and Great Sage Nuwa was far more relaxed.
Even though one was a commander of the Witch Clan and the other was the supreme ruler of the Demon Clan.
As long as they did not meet with blades drawn on the battlefield, they would not be at each other's throats at other times.
Besides, Dijiang had even offered a few small compliments.
Great Sage Nuwa accepted the Ancestral Witch's praise in full, without the slightest modesty. After all, Dijiang's words had struck a chord with her—she thought the same way!
Since he was merely stating the truth, why pretend to be modest?
"Fellow Daoist Dijiang, you aren't bad yourself." In a pleasant mood, Great Sage Nuwa replied with a radiant smile. "How many years has it been since the present world came into being? Yet you've already reached such heights."
"The Witch Clan is the true lineage of Great God Pangu's bloodline. Its reputation is clearly well deserved!"
The two great powers were engaging in mutual flattery.
Though they did not openly compare themselves, the more they praised one another, the more it sounded as if one could already punch the Heavenly Dao and kick Hong Jun, while the other could stand shoulder to shoulder with Pangu and debate the Dao and exchange techniques with him.
"Ahem!"
A soft cough interrupted them, cutting off their conversation.
It was Houtu.
This Ancestral Witch could listen no longer and had to speak up to remind them—or even stop them.
"Ahem." Great Sage Nuwa shifted the topic with lingering reluctance. "Ancestral Witches Dijiang and Houtu, what is the purpose of your journey?"
"Could you tell me roughly? Perhaps I might be able to help a little." She studied Ancestral Witch Dijiang's slightly strange expression and considerately added, "Of course, if it involves confidential matters, then just pretend I never asked."
"Haha!" Dijiang gave a hearty laugh. "We Ancestral Witches act openly and honorably, with nothing to hide. What could we possibly be unable to mention to outsiders?"
"Since Fellow Daoist Nuwa is curious, there is no harm in telling you." Dijiang's expression turned serious. "In truth, our primary purpose on this journey...is precisely to find you and your elder brother!"
"That is also why I found it difficult to speak frankly when you asked about our purpose."
"I never expected such a coincidence—that we would encounter each other on the way."
"Oh?" Great Sage Nuwa's tone instantly became solemn, no longer as casual and relaxed as before. "You came looking for us? What for?"
"Of course, to form an alliance, help each other, and cooperate," Dijiang said.
"Dijiang, although we are getting along well now, that cannot change the fact that the Witch and Demon Clans stand opposed to each other." Nuwa spoke in a low voice. "You are an Ancestral Witch, and I am a Demon Emperor... One day, we will meet on the battlefield, fight a bloody battle to the death, and stop only when one side is dead!"
"And what of it?" Ancestral Witch Dijiang smiled. He was neither worried nor troubled by Nuwa's words. "Indeed, Fellow Daoist Nuwa holds the position of an emperor within the Demon Clan and is revered as Nuwa the Empress."
"But what does that matter?" Dijiang remained completely at ease. "Nuwa is Nuwa, and Nuwa the Empress is Nuwa the Empress... Can Nuwa the Empress represent all of Fellow Daoist Nuwa's life?"
"You are an Innate Divine Being, not one of those demon spirits and living beings born from the breeding and transformation of acquired essence."
"The two are not the same kind... Why should you let a mere position bind your entire self, wholeheartedly work yourself to the bone for the Demon Clan, and risk your life fighting for it?"
"If that is the case, forgive me for saying something rather presumptuous." The corner of Dijiang's mouth lifted. "Are you, Fellow Daoist Nuwa, the Demon Clan's emperor and master, driving the Demon Clan to work itself to death for you? Or is the Demon Clan your master, driving you to fight to the death for it?"
"Master and servant have switched places—the master is no master, and the servant is no servant... This is a calamity, not a blessing!" he said meaningfully.
Ancestral Witch Dijiang was quite skilled with words and adept at debate. At this moment, he was actually attempting to turn Nuwa against the Demon Clan.
His argument sent Nuwa into deep thought. On one hand, she felt it made a great deal of sense; on the other...she felt that something seemed off.
After a long silence, she suddenly realized—
Why had she joined the Demon Clan's faction?
Because someone had paid her!
Di Jun and Tai Yi of the Sun Star had once personally visited Phoenix Perch Mountain.
They had offered astronomical compensation, sincerely inviting the two strongest Innate Divine Beings, Fuxi and Nuwa, to join the Demon Clan's pioneering venture.
Now, the contract had only just been signed. She had not held the down payment for long before Ancestral Witch Dijiang came to poach her...
She, Nuwa, was a divine being with the most honest and beautiful character. How could she be so easily persuaded to switch sides and betray the contract she had signed with the Demon Clan Faction?
Was she the kind of god who was insatiably greedy and had no integrity?!
Even if she could not be called unwaveringly loyal, surely she could not change as easily as flowing water?
At this thought, Nuwa instantly firmed up her position and corrected her attitude. Her expression turned displeased as she said angrily, "Fellow Daoist Dijiang, are you questioning my character and honesty?"
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