After the Witch Clan announced its establishment to the Primordial Wilderness, countless figures scattered from Buzhou Mountain.
They followed Wu Ming's orders, heading to every corner of the Primordial Continent to begin fulfilling the vows they had made when Establishing the Clan.
They used their powerful bodies to contain and refine the baleful aura permeating heaven and earth.
With their innate control over the laws, they attempted to sort out the chaotic earth veins and harmonize the imbalanced Five Elements.
For a time, many busy Witch Clan figures could be seen throughout the Primordial Wilderness.
Although their actions attracted attention, their impact was negligible compared to the vast overall situation of the Primordial Wilderness.
After the gazes of the top great powers briefly focused on the Witch Clan, they soon returned to their own cultivation and struggles.
On this day, two figures arrived together outside Pangu Hall on Buzhou Mountain.
They were none other than Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun.
Wu Ming personally went out to welcome them.
"Daoist Friend Wu Ming." Zhen Yuanzi made a fist-and-palm salute.
"Daoist Friend Wu Ming." Hong Yun still wore his usual cheerful smile.
Wu Ming nodded. "Please, fellow Daoists."
"Daoist Friend Wu Ming, congratulations! The Witch Clan has earned boundless merit by Establishing the Clan this time, and its Destiny/Fortune is flourishing. It truly makes others green with envy!" Hong Yun wore a sincere smile. That pillar of merit descending from the heavens had been utterly shocking. Who in the Primordial Wilderness did not yearn for it?
Zhen Yuanzi was more composed. He made a fist-and-palm salute and said, "Daoist Friend Wu Ming, the Witch Clan made a grand vow to take on the responsibility of clearing away the baleful aura and stabilizing the earth veins. This is a righteous undertaking. I admire you."
"You flatter us, fellow Daoists." Wu Ming nodded slightly and gestured for them to enter the hall for a detailed discussion. "We merely followed the will of Heaven and sought a path forward for our Witch Clan."
After some simple pleasantries, the three took their seats according to status.
Zhen Yuanzi spoke first, his expression solemn. "There is much discussion in the Primordial Wilderness now. Some are envious, some wary, and quite a few... feel that your Witch Clan has taken on a thankless, exhausting task."
Hong Yun picked up the thread, his speech quickening. "Hey, Daoist Friend Zhen Yuanzi, you make things too complicated! It's already a complete mess outside! Everyone is fighting and killing every day to snatch treasures, leaving rivers of blood!"
"A few days ago, two fellow Daoists in the East Sea fought over an Innate Spiritual Treasure. Their battle shook the heavens and earth, and in the end, both sides were badly wounded. Tell me, what did they get out of it?"
"And then there are Di Jun and Taiyi. The two of them have been recruiting soldiers and horses everywhere lately, contacting all kinds of living beings. I'd say they're probably planning something big too. Just look at that posture—tsk tsk, they practically want to scoop the entire Primordial Wilderness into their bowl."
Zhen Yuanzi added, "What Daoist Friend Hong Yun said is true. Di Jun and Taiyi of the Demon Clan are ambitious and certainly unwilling to remain beneath others. From their actions, I fear they intend to imitate the Witch Clan, unify the demons, Establish the Clan, and contend for supremacy."
Wu Ming listened quietly, his expression barely changing.
He looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun. "I understand what both fellow Daoists are saying."
He looked at them. "Our Witch Clan Establishing the Clan and declaring that we would protect the Primordial Wilderness, clear away the baleful aura, and sort out the earth veins was not empty talk. It is the foundation on which our clan stands, and something we have no choice but to do."
"Di Jun and Taiyi... the path they wish to take is different from ours."
"They want to Establish the Clan and contend for supremacy, rule over all living beings, gather Destiny/Fortune, and seek to prove the Dao."
"But our Witch Clan Establishing the Clan is not for the sake of contending for supremacy in the Primordial Wilderness."
"What we are doing benefits the Primordial Wilderness. We are fulfilling the responsibility of Father God Pangu's descendants, thereby obtaining merit and securing a safeguard and a path to survival for our Witch Clan."
Zhen Yuanzi looked at Wu Ming. "By Establishing the Clan and making a grand vow, you drew down such tremendous merit. Could it be that you intend to take the path of proving the Dao by Merit?"
This was the question he and Hong Yun cared about most on this journey.
After all, that Golden Light of Merit was simply too dazzling. Who would not be tempted by it?
Wu Ming shook his head. "Proving the Dao by Merit? It sounds good, but the standard is set by the Heavenly Dao. It is too ethereal and elusive."
"Our Witch Clan was transformed from Father God Pangu's Essence Blood. We naturally control laws and temper our bodies. This is our foundation and our advantage."
"Proving the Dao by Force is too difficult. In the current Primordial Wilderness, no one can take that path."
"Severing Three Corpses and proving the Dao seems stable, but it requires an Innate Spiritual Treasure. More importantly, the Saint positions were already predetermined by the Heavenly Dao. Our Witch Clan absolutely cannot become Saints through that method."
"Thus, only one path remains for our Witch Clan."
Wu Ming's voice grew low and powerful. "Proving the Dao by Law!"
Zhen Yuanzi's brows twitched. "Proving the Dao by Law? The Sages once said that this path is arduous, demands extraordinarily high aptitude and comprehension, and the process..."
Hong Yun also sighed with emotion. "Proving the Dao by Law places the greatest emphasis on one's foundation and comprehension. It is indeed the path most suited to the Witch Clan. It's just that this road is far too difficult. Even the Dao Ancestor said it was as difficult as ascending to the heavens!"
Wu Ming said, "Though the road is difficult, it is the only road our Witch Clan can take. We have no choice but to walk it."
He looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun. "Both of you have deep roots and enduring Destiny/Fortune. Your future achievements are limitless."
"Whether you choose Severing Three Corpses or accumulating merit, I have one piece of advice for you."
"Oh? Please, Daoist Friend." Zhen Yuanzi raised a hand.
Wu Ming said solemnly, "Do not completely give up on comprehending your own laws."
"Whether you Sever Three Corpses or prove the Dao by Merit, you are ultimately relying on external forces. Whether it is an Innate Spiritual Treasure or merit from the Heavenly Dao, neither is truly your own power."
"Only your own understanding of the Great Dao and your control over the laws are the true foundation."
"Perhaps, at some point in the future, your comprehension of the laws will become the key to breaking through a deadlock."
Zhen Yuanzi fell into deep thought. He controlled the Earth Book and was naturally in harmony with the laws of the earth. Wu Ming's words had stirred something in his heart.
Hong Yun smiled. "Thank you for the reminder, Daoist Friend. I'll remember it. Hehe, I've always been lazy. If there's a shortcut, of course I want to take it, but I'll certainly keep your words in mind."
Wu Ming changed the subject and looked at Hong Yun, his expression turning more serious. "Daoist Friend Hong Yun, I have been deducing the Heavenly Secrets recently, and I have sensed something."
Hong Yun was stunned. "Oh? What did you sense?"
"Before long, an opportunity will appear near Buzhou Mountain."
"This opportunity involves many parties. It does not belong exclusively to you. As far as I know, top great powers such as the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Taiyi, and Nuwa will all sense it."
Wu Ming looked at Hong Yun.
"Among that opportunity is something extremely important to our Witch Clan."
"I hope that when you sense that opportunity descending, you can come to the Witch Clan and inform me."
"This..." Hong Yun hesitated. "Since you know there is an opportunity, why don't you go and obtain it yourself? And if it is something important to the Witch Clan, wouldn't it be better to acquire it as soon as possible?"
Wu Ming shook his head. "That opportunity is ordained by Heaven. Only those with affinity can obtain it. I once went looking for it myself, but found nothing."
"So I can only trouble you, Daoist Friend." Wu Ming nodded slightly to Hong Yun.
"Hey, hey! You're too serious, Daoist Friend! Please, get up!" Hong Yun hurriedly supported Wu Ming. "Since it is something important to the Witch Clan, and this is merely a small favor, I agree! When I sense it, I'll come notify you immediately!"
He was an open and forthright man. He felt this was merely a favor easily granted and did not think much of it.
Only then did Wu Ming straighten up. "Thank you, Daoist Friend."
Zhen Yuanzi felt that Wu Ming's actions must have a deeper meaning. Hong Yun's agreement might prove to be a blessing rather than a disaster. However, this "opportunity ordained by Heaven" involved so many great powers. It was probably not going to be simple.
With everything that needed to be discussed finished, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably.
Zhen Yuanzi suggested, "It is rare for us to gather with a fellow Daoist today. Why don't we discuss the Dao and verify our insights with one another?"
Wu Ming readily agreed. "Good."
Hong Yun also clapped his hands and laughed. "That sounds wonderful!"
The three then sat facing one another in Pangu Hall and began discussing the Dao.