Old Friend Visits

After the Witch Clan declared their existence to the Primordial Wilderness, countless figures scattered from Buzhou Mountain.

They followed Wu Ming's orders, heading to every corner of the Primordial Wilderness to begin fulfilling the oath they had made when Establishing the Clan—using their own powerful bodies to contain and refine the Sha Qi that filled heaven and earth, and with their innate mastery of the laws of nature, attempting to sort out the chaotic earth veins and balance the disordered Five Elements.

For a time, the Primordial Wilderness was filled with the busy figures of the Witch Clan.

Though their actions drew attention, they had little impact on the vast overall landscape of the Primordial Wilderness.

The top powerhouses cast their gazes briefly on the Witch Clan before quickly returning to their own cultivation and struggles.

One day, outside the Pangu Hall at Buzhou Mountain, two figures arrived together.

They were Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun.

Wu Ming personally greeted them outside the Pangu Hall.

"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming." Zhen Yuanzi made a formal bow.

"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming." Hongyun still wore that cheerful expression.

Wu Ming nodded. "Please, both Fellow Daoists."

"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, congratulations! Your Witch Clan's establishment of the clan brought boundless merit and flourishing Destiny—truly enviable!" Hongyun's face carried a sincere smile. The pillar of merit descending from the heavens had been too shocking; who in the Primordial Wilderness didn't yearn for it?

Zhen Yuanzi, more composed, bowed and said, "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, your Witch Clan made a grand vow to take on the responsibility of refining Sha Qi and stabilizing the earth veins. This is a righteous act. This poor Daoist admires it."

"Both Fellow Daoists flatter me." Wu Ming nodded slightly, gesturing for them to enter the hall for a detailed discussion. "It's merely following the times and seeking a path forward for my Witch Clan."

After brief pleasantries, the three took their seats as host and guests.

Zhen Yuanzi spoke first, his expression serious. "In the Primordial Wilderness, there is much talk now. Some envy you, some fear you, and many... think your Witch Clan has taken on a thankless task."

Hongyun picked up the thread, speaking quickly. "Ah, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, you're too roundabout! Outside, it's already chaos! People are fighting and killing every day over treasures, rivers of blood!"

"A few days ago, two Fellow Daoists by the East Sea fought over an Innate Spiritual Treasure until it was Heaven-Cracking Earth-Splitting, and both ended up badly injured. Tell me, what's the point?"

"And those two, Di Jun and Taiyi—they've been recruiting everywhere lately, contacting all kinds of beings. I'd say they're planning something big too. The way they're going at it, tsk tsk, they want to scoop the whole Primordial Wilderness into their own bowl."

Zhen Yuanzi added, "What Fellow Daoist Hongyun says is true. The Demon Race's Di Jun and Taiyi are ambitious and far from willing to be under anyone's thumb. From what this poor Daoist observes, they intend to imitate the Witch Clan, unify the demons, establish a clan, and contend for supremacy."

Wu Ming listened quietly, his expression unchanged.

He looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun. "What both Fellow Daoists say, Wu Ming has already noted."

He addressed them. "My Witch Clan established the clan with a declaration to guard the Primordial Wilderness, cleanse the Sha Qi, and sort out the earth veins. This is no empty talk—it is the foundation of my clan's existence and a step we had no choice but to take."

"Di Jun and Taiyi... the path they want to walk is different from my Witch Clan's."

"They want to establish a clan to contend for supremacy, rule over all beings, gather Destiny, and seek to Prove Dao."

"But my Witch Clan did not establish the clan to fight for dominance over the Primordial Wilderness."

"What we do is act for the benefit of the Primordial Wilderness, fulfill the duty of Father God Pangu's descendants, and thereby gain merit to secure a guarantee, a path to survival for my clan."

Zhen Yuanzi looked at Wu Ming. "Fellow Daoist, you established the clan and made a grand vow, drawing such merit. Could it be that you intend to walk the path of Proving Dao by Merit?"

This was the question he and Hongyun cared most about on this trip.

After all, that Golden Light of Merit had been too dazzling—who wouldn't be tempted?

Wu Ming shook his head. "Prove Dao by Merit? It sounds good, but the standard is set by the Heavenly Dao—too vague and intangible."

"My Witch Clan was born from the Essence Blood of Father God Pangu. We innately control the laws and temper our physical bodies. This is our foundation and our advantage."

"Prove Dao by Force is too difficult; no one in the current Primordial Wilderness can walk that path."

"Prove Dao by Severing Three Corpses seems stable, but it requires Innate Spiritual Treasures. More importantly, the Saint positions have long been predetermined by the Heavenly Dao. My Witch Clan can absolutely never become a Saint through that method."

"Thus, only one path remains for my Witch Clan."

Wu Ming's voice grew low and forceful. "Prove Dao by Law!"

Zhen Yuanzi's brow twitched. "Prove Dao by Law? The Sage once said this path is arduous, demanding extremely high talent and comprehension, and the process..."

Hongyun also sighed. "Prove Dao by Law places the greatest emphasis on foundation and insight. It truly suits the Witch Clan best. But this path is too difficult. Even the Dao Ancestor said it's harder than reaching the heavens!"

Wu Ming said, "Though the path is hard, it is the only one my Witch Clan can walk. We have no choice."

He looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun. "Both Fellow Daoists have deep roots and long Destiny. Your future achievements will be boundless."

"Whether you choose to Sever Three Corpses or accumulate merit, Wu Ming has one word of advice."

"Oh? Please speak, Fellow Daoist." Zhen Yuanzi raised his hand.

Wu Ming said solemnly, "Do not completely abandon your comprehension of your own laws."

"Whether it's Severing Three Corpses or Proving Dao by Merit, in the end, it relies on external forces. Whether it's an Innate Spiritual Treasure or Heavenly Dao merit, that power is not truly your own."

"Only your own understanding of the Great Dao and your mastery of the laws are the true foundation."

"Perhaps, at some future moment, this insight into the laws will become the key to breaking through a deadlock."

Zhen Yuanzi fell into thought. He held the Earth Book and was naturally attuned to the laws of the earth. Wu Ming's words struck a chord in his heart.

Hongyun chuckled. "Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist. I'll keep it in mind. Heh, I've always been lazy by nature, so if there's a shortcut, I'll naturally want to take it. But your words, I'll definitely take to heart."

Wu Ming shifted the topic, his gaze on Hongyun turning somewhat serious. "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, I have recently deduced the Heavenly Mechanism and sensed something faintly."

Hongyun was taken aback. "Oh? What did you sense, Fellow Daoist?"

"Before long, near Buzhou Mountain, an Opportunity will emerge."

"This Opportunity involves many parties; it is not yours alone. As far as I know, the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Taiyi, Nuwa, and other top-tier great powers will all sense it."

Wu Ming looked at Hongyun.

"Within that Opportunity, there is one thing that is extremely important to my Witch Clan."

"I hope that when you sense the Opportunity descending, Fellow Daoist, you will come to the Witch Clan and inform me."

"This..." Hongyun hesitated. "Since you know of the Opportunity, Fellow Daoist, why not claim it yourself? And if it's something important to the Witch Clan, wouldn't it be better to obtain it sooner?"

Wu Ming shook his head. "That Opportunity is Heaven-Ordained; only the destined can obtain it. I have sought it before, but found nothing."

"Thus, I can only entrust this to you, Fellow Daoist." Wu Ming gave a slight nod toward Hongyun.

"Ah, ah! You flatter me, Fellow Daoist! Please, rise quickly!" Hongyun hurriedly supported Wu Ming. "Since it's something important to the Witch Clan and a simple favor, I agree! When I sense it, I'll notify you at once!"

He was forthright by nature, thinking this was merely a small kindness, and didn't dwell on it.

Only then did Wu Ming straighten up. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

He felt that Wu Ming's move must hold deeper meaning, and Hongyun's agreement might be a blessing rather than a curse. But this "Heaven-Ordained Opportunity," involving so many great powers, was unlikely to be simple.

With the important matters settled, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably.

Zhen Yuanzi proposed, "Since we rarely gather with you, Fellow Daoist, how about we discuss the Dao and cross-verify our insights? What do you think?"

Wu Ming gladly agreed. "Excellent."

Hongyun clapped his hands and laughed. "Splendid!"

The three then sat facing each other in Pangu Hall and began their discourse on the Dao.