Treasure Found at Buzhou Mountain, Ancestral Witch Returns

Zhou Ming led Zhurong, Gonggong, Xuanming, and Houtu onward, continuing their climb up Buzhou Mountain's higher reaches.

The higher they went, the heavier and more vast the oppressive will of Pangu became, pressing down upon them. Every step felt like carrying an invisible divine mountain on one's shoulders.

"Huff... hah... Big Brother, the pressure up here... it's way too much!" Zhurong panted, veins bulging on his forehead.

Gonggong, silent as ever, trudged upward step by step, grunting with effort, clearly nearing his limit as well.

Xuanming and Houtu's fair faces had turned pale, their delicate frames trembling faintly, each step a grueling ordeal.

Zhou Ming glanced back at them. He too felt the immense pressure, but with his higher cultivation realm, his resistance to this will-based suppression was far stronger.

"This is nothing yet," Zhou Ming said in a deep voice. "This mountain is formed from Father God's spine, containing the supreme power with which he split heaven and earth!"

As he climbed, he silently calculated in his mind.

Buzhou Mountain truly was a fine place.

The higher you went, the denser Father God's will became, and the better it was for tempering both body and will. He'd have to bring his younger siblings here to climb more often in the future.

Not only would it hone their resolve, but it would also... "build a connection" with Father God's will.

If Father God's will ever happened to be in a good mood, or was moved by their "filial devotion," and dropped some more treasures down, they'd hit the jackpot!

Thinking this, Zhou Ming's gaze involuntarily drifted toward Gonggong, who was craning his neck with a stubborn expression as he climbed.

"But I'll have to keep an eye on this blockhead," Zhou Ming muttered inwardly.

"I absolutely cannot let him ram into and break this pillar that holds up the sky."

He silently resolved to keep a close watch on Gonggong in the future, and never let this iron-headed fool walk down the old path of breaking the heavenly pillar.

"Everyone, hold on!" Zhou Ming encouraged them.

"The higher we go, the greater the benefits!"

"Focus on sensing Father God's will—it will help us comprehend the Great Dao and awaken the potential deep within our bloodlines!"

Finally, following the vague guidance of that will in his mind, Zhou Ming stopped in an area where the pressure of the will had almost condensed into substance.

"It should be around here!"

"Everyone, search carefully. Father God said that Fragment of the Jade Tablet of Creation is nearby!"

"Search for something? Got it!"

Hearing they were looking for a treasure bestowed by Father God, Zhurong's spirits lifted instantly, most of his climbing fatigue dissipating as he eagerly looked around.

Gonggong shook his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over every inch of rock and stone.

Xuanming and Houtu were more meticulous, bending down to examine the patterns on the rocks.

The four Ancestral Witches searched for quite a while, but didn't even turn up a decent stone, let alone any Fragment of the Jade Tablet of Creation.

"Big Brother, there's nothing at all?" Zhurong scratched his head, somewhat deflated.

Zhou Ming frowned, sinking his mind once more to try and communicate with the indistinct will of Pangu.

A moment later, his eyes snapped open, and he pointed toward the edge of the platform.

"Over here, beneath that unremarkable green stone!"

He pointed to a nondescript, somewhat weathered green rock at the edge of the platform.

Zhurong and Gonggong immediately rushed over, and under the pressure of Pangu's will, they worked together to lift the green stone.

Sure enough! Beneath the stone lay a palm-sized, chipped jade fragment, faintly glowing with mysterious Dao rhythms, quietly resting there!

The space around the fragment seemed to warp, and faint phantom images of Great Dao laws appeared to rise and fall within it!

A Fragment of the Jade Tablet of Creation! It recorded the mysteries of the Three Thousand Great Daos, one of the supreme treasures of the primordial wilderness!

"Quick! Give thanks to Father God!" Zhou Ming reacted fastest, immediately bowing deeply and respectfully toward the summit of Buzhou Mountain once more.

This time, it wasn't an act—it was genuine gratitude.

"Father God really does care for us!" Zhou Ming thought happily. This "Cry Mountain" plan had been a massive win!

Zhurong, Gonggong, Xuanming, and Houtu quickly followed suit, bowing and giving thanks.

"Thank you, Father God!"

Zhou Ming dared not delay. He immediately mobilized the law power within his body, condensing it into an invisible great hand. He wrapped it around the Fragment of the Jade Tablet of Creation, sealing off all its aura.

This item was far too important. Not a single trace of its aura could leak out. Otherwise, the future Dao Ancestor Hongjun would likely sense its existence immediately.

It was fine here on Buzhou Mountain and in Pangu Hall, shielded by Father God's aura. But once they left this range, things would be different.

"Let's go! Down the mountain! Back to Pangu Hall!"

Back at Pangu Hall, Zhou Ming didn't pause for a moment. He went straight to the deepest part of the hall and carefully placed the Fragment of the Jade Tablet of Creation there—the spot with the densest Pangu aura in the entire hall, and the safest place.

Only after doing this did he finally relax.

"Alright," Zhou Ming said, turning to look at the four Ancestral Witches, who were still somewhat excited and curious.

"All of you go cultivate properly and consolidate what you gained from climbing Buzhou Mountain."

"Especially, you must calm your hearts and try to sense the inheritance mark left by Father God deep within your bloodline!"

"That is where the true foundation of our Witch Clan lies!"

"Yes, Big Brother!" The four answered in unison, each finding a spot and eagerly beginning their secluded cultivation.

Zhou Ming also sat cross-legged, beginning to sort through his gains and plan his next steps.

The fragment of the Jade Disc of Creation was in hand. He also had a clear lead on the Pure World White Lotus, though finding it would require borrowing Zhen Yuanzi's Earth Book. Still, it was a direction.

It seemed that once that future Earth Immortal Ancestor was born, he would have to find a way to get on good terms with him.

Time flowed on, and in the blink of an eye, ten thousand years had passed.

On this day, the space outside Pangu Hall rippled faintly.

Dijiang, accompanied by Qiangliang, Tianwu, and Xizi, returned, travel-worn.

Close behind, Zhujiuyin led Gou Mang, Rushou, and Yanzi into the hall.

After ten thousand years apart, the Twelve Ancestor Witches were finally gathered once more in Pangu Hall.

Zhou Ming also awoke from his cultivation. He looked at his younger brothers and sisters before him and nodded in satisfaction.

Ten thousand years of travel and training had made them all grow considerably. Their auras were more condensed, and their eyes held less naivety and more steadiness.

"Elder Brother! We're back!" Dijiang strode in, his voice booming.

"Good to have you back. You've all worked hard," Zhou Ming said warmly.

"First, tell me about your situation."

Dijiang stepped forward first, waving his hand. A pile of various gleaming treasures filled a corner of the hall.

"Big Brother, look! Our haul this time was plentiful!" Dijiang puffed out his chest, as if seeking praise.

"All kinds of rare spiritual roots, uncommon ores, top-tier refining materials, and quite a few formidable magical treasures!"

Zhou Ming swept his Divine Thought over them and nodded slightly.

Though most were merely acquired items of varying quality, they were still decent.

A few pieces reached the Innate level, albeit only lower or middle grade. For the current Witch Clan, this was already an exceptionally rare gain.

"Not bad. You did well. You've worked hard," Zhou Ming praised.

"It's only right! For the Witch Clan!" Dijiang grinned. Being able to share his Elder Brother's burdens made him happy.

On the other side, the ever-silent Zhujiuyin also stepped forward. He respectfully returned the Dao Origin Divine Pearl to Zhou Ming.

"Elder Brother, as you instructed, we traveled through the lands of The West, using the Dao Origin Divine Pearl to regulate the earth veins and absorb and refine the Sha Qi."

"The Sha Qi and resentment in The West were deep and heavy, making regulation quite difficult. However, we accumulated no small amount of merit in the process, all stored within the Dao Origin Divine Pearl."

Zhou Ming took the Dao Origin Divine Pearl and probed it with his Divine Thought. Inside the pearl's space, a vast and pure force of merit had gathered. Though it couldn't compare to the legendary scale of Nuwa creating humanity or Houtu transforming into the cycle of reincarnation, it was still an enormous treasure!

"Excellent!" Zhou Ming nodded in satisfaction. "This merit will be of great benefit to our Witch Clan's future development!"

With the Twelve Ancestor Witches reunited, Pangu Hall immediately buzzed with life.

In the center of the hall, thirteen figures stood solemnly.

"My younger brothers and sisters," Zhou Ming said, looking at the twelve Ancestor Witches whose auras had grown ever stronger, his expression turning serious.

"Now that the Sha Qi of the Primordial World is gradually calming, a new era is about to dawn."

"Our Witch Clan must also make early preparations for the future."

"For now, our primary task is to increase our strength!"

"Open the inheritance mark left by Father God deep within our bloodlines as quickly as possible, and elevate our own cultivation realms!"

"As for the few Innate Spiritual Treasures that Dijiang and the others brought back..."

"I will distribute them reasonably based on the laws you each control and your actual needs, prioritizing those who need them most."

Under Zhou Ming's planning, the Witch Clan once again entered a phase of dedicated cultivation.