After Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun left, Wu Ming looked toward the Twelve Ancestor Witches. "There's still some time before the second lecture."
"You can make your own arrangements during this time."
"You can choose to return to the Witch Clan tribes and see how the Witch Clan is doing now."
"Or you can travel through the Primordial Wilderness, comprehend the laws of heaven and earth, and verify what you've learned."
"Remember, you must return to Pangu Hall and assemble before the second lecture begins."
Zhurong was the first to respond. Grinning, he rolled his shoulders and stretched his limbs. "Sure thing! I was just about to head back and check on those little brats!"
Gonggong snorted. "After holding it in for so long, it's time to go out and take a walk."
Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches nodded as well.
With Wu Ming's permission, the twelve figures did not linger. They tore through space in an instant and headed toward the Witch Clan settlement beneath Buzhou Mountain.
The enormous tribal settlement was orderly, permeated by a vigorous vitality.
It was no longer as crude as before, when they had relied purely on hunting and brute force.
Countless Witch Clan warriors trained their bodies, comprehended laws, or practiced battle techniques in their respective areas.
The Witch Clan was still the Witch Clan, proud of tempering their bodies with the baleful energy of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun and moon, as well as controlling laws and possessing powerful bodies.
But the entire clan now radiated an unprecedented sense of unity and discipline.
This was the result of Wu Ming's subtle guidance over ten thousand years, along with Zhou Ming's covert planning.
A rudimentary civilization unlike the immortal path, yet likewise pursuing strength and order, was quietly taking shape.
Watching all this, the Ancestral Witches felt somewhat satisfied and comforted.
"It seems Brother Wu Ming has put a great deal of thought into this," Zhujiuyin murmured.
After a brief inspection, the Ancestral Witches set their minds at ease.
They gave the Great Witches in the tribes a few instructions, then went their separate ways and began their true journey through the Primordial Wilderness.
Although Hongjun's immortal path system differed greatly from the Witch Clan's inheritance, the Great Dao principles within it could still inspire understanding by analogy.
As they traveled through the Primordial Wilderness, witnessed the changes of mountains and rivers, and sensed the circulation of laws, the Ancestral Witches combined it with what they had gained from listening to the Dao at Zixiao Palace. Their understanding of the laws they controlled grew increasingly profound.
Wu Ming did not return to the clan with the Twelve Ancestor Witches. He had plans of his own.
He walked slowly across the land of the Primordial Wilderness, sensing the subtle changes in its laws after ten thousand years of lectures.
At the same time, on Kunlun Mountain.
The Three Pure Ones had also left their Daoist sanctuary.
They likewise chose to travel through the Primordial Wilderness, comprehend the mysteries of heaven and earth, and verify their own Great Dao.
Taiqing had a tranquil, inactive disposition, and profound Dao Rhythm naturally accompanied him as he walked.
Yuanshi's expression was cold and composed. Immortal Light surrounded him, and he carried an air of pride.
Tongtian was more carefree. At times, he stopped to admire the myriad things of the Primordial Wilderness; at others, his sword intent surged and severed the void.
"Most of the myriad races of the Primordial Wilderness are crude by nature and incompatible with our Great Dao." Yuanshi looked down at a race fighting below, his brows faintly furrowed.
"Each has its own Dao," Taiqing replied calmly.
"Second Brother, there are countless living beings in the Primordial Wilderness. How could they all be as you imagine?" Tongtian shook his head. "For many living beings, merely surviving is already difficult."
"Hmph. How could those covered in fur and bearing horns, those born from moisture or eggs, understand the true Great Dao of serenity?" Yuanshi said disdainfully.
Tongtian stopped arguing. He knew Second Brother's temperament.
The three of them reached Buzhou Mountain, then suddenly stopped in unison.
"This place seems to contain an opportunity related to us," Taiqing slowly said.
Yuanshi nodded slightly. "As expected of the transformation of Father God Pangu's spine. It can actually give birth to such a treasure."
Tongtian was already impatient. Following the unseen guidance, he headed toward a secluded valley.
Taiqing and Yuanshi exchanged a glance, then followed.
After passing through layers of Innate restrictions and parting the hazy Chaos airflow, a clear pond appeared before them.
At the center of the pond, a Lotus Platform bloomed quietly.
Its verdant lotus leaves, holy and flawless White Lotus Root, and the three flower buds at the top radiated endless Creation vitality and profound Dao Rhythm as red, white, and green light flowed around them.
It was one of the Innate Supreme Treasures formed from the seeds after the Chaos Green Lotus shattered—the Twenty-Fourth Grade Green Lotus of Creation!
The moment the Three Pure Ones saw this treasure, they immediately understood that it was fated to be theirs.
The Green Lotus of Creation had originally been a companion treasure of the place where Pangu's Primordial Spirit was nurtured. It shared the same roots and origin as them.
Taiqing looked at the largest red flower at the top and felt something in his heart. He bowed with clasped hands.
"Red Flower."
As his words fell, the red flower moved without wind, drifted down gracefully, and transformed into a simple yet profound Coiled Dragon Cudgel, landing in Laozi's hand.
Yuanshi looked toward the pure white lotus root and likewise bowed with clasped hands.
"White Lotus Root."
The snow-white lotus root separated from the Lotus Platform. With a flash of light, it transformed into a Three Treasures Jade Ruyi covered in wondrous runes and flew before Yuanshi.
Tongtian looked toward the largest green lotus leaf, a trace of delight in his eyes, and shouted aloud.
"Green Lotus Leaf!"
The verdant lotus leaf suddenly flew up and transformed in midair into a long sword with razor-sharp edges and naturally formed Dao Rhythm—the Qingping Sword—which Tongtian grasped in his hand.
The body of the Green Lotus of Creation split into three, transforming into three Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures that now belonged to the Three Pure Ones.
Only the soil beneath the Lotus Platform remained in the pond, still radiating a faint vitality.
The Three Pure Ones had each obtained a treasure. Sensing the Great Dao laws contained within, all of them were completely satisfied.
Taiqing put away the Coiled Dragon Cudgel.
Yuanshi held the Jade Ruyi and gently brushed it.
Tongtian stroked the body of the Qingping Sword, and its ringing was clear and resonant.
"Now that matters here are settled, let us continue traveling," Taiqing said indifferently.
Yuanshi and Tongtian nodded. The three did not linger, transforming into Clear Qi and leaving the valley to continue their journey through the Primordial Wilderness.
Several thousand more years passed.
The date of Hongjun's second lecture drew nearer and nearer.
Across the land of the Primordial Wilderness, streaks of light tore across the sky, converging from all directions toward the depths of Chaos Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Di Jun and Taiyi rode the Golden Crow Rainbow Light, their might imposing.
Nuwa and Fuxi traveled side by side, surrounded by Auspicious Clouds.
Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun also set off together, anticipation of the Great Dao on their faces, along with a trace of worry about the future.
The enormous figure transformed from Kunpeng blotted out the sky and the sun, carrying endless gloom and resentment as he charged alone toward Zixiao Palace.
Buzhou Mountain, Pangu Hall.
Twelve powerful auras descended almost simultaneously.
Dijiang, Zhujiuyin, Zhurong, Gonggong... the Twelve Ancestor Witches had finished their travels and all returned.
After ten thousand years of traveling, their auras had become more restrained, but the power of the laws lingering around them was now more solid and powerful than before.
Wu Ming had been waiting here for a long time.
"You're all back." Wu Ming said simply.
"Big Brother." Dijiang stepped forward.
"Mm. It seems you've all gained something." Wu Ming swept his gaze over them. "The second lecture is almost here. Prepare to depart."
"Yes!" the Twelve Ancestor Witches answered in unison.
Without any need for further words, thirteen figures shot into the sky, tearing through space in an instant and racing toward Zixiao Palace in the depths of Chaos.
(Because so many readers complained about the Twelve-Rank Green Lotus of Creation setting, the author changed the Green Lotus of Creation to the Twenty-Fourth Grade.)