Mount Sumeru Collapses (2)

And so, Xuanxiao and a host of other powerful beings returned to the Heavenly Court. Zhen Yuanzi said, "Everyone, let's set aside serious matters for now and prepare to watch a good show. Keep your divine senses focused on Buzhou Mountain; we're going to watch the fun."

Xuanxiao looked bewildered. "Watch what fun? Great Immortal, you're not planning on transforming into Zhunti and smashing a bunch of Witch Clan members at the foot of Buzhou Mountain, are you?"

Hongyun chuckled stealthily. "No, you'll find out soon enough. It won't be fun if I tell you now."

On Mount Sumeru, Zhunti and the others returned to find it in ruins, a complete mess. The earth veins had been violently severed from the mountain's protective array, and both the Bodhi Tree and the Bitter Bamboo had been uprooted. They were utterly devastated.

Zhunti exclaimed, "Senior Brother, it seems our Mount Sumeru has been smashed."

Jieyin nodded. "Junior Brother, be confident. It's not 'seems,' it's very clearly been smashed."

Zhunti then sensed something and roared, "Halt! You wretched Witch Clan! You've gone too far! My Bodhi Tree is actually at the foot of Buzhou Mountain!"

Jieyin quickly advised, "Junior Brother, calm down. It might not have been the Witch Clan who did this. After all, we only sensed it was on Mount Sumeru."

At the Witch Clan's encampment on Buzhou Mountain, Jumang was idly scratching an itch with the Bodhi Tree. As the Wood Ancestral Witch, he had a natural affinity for spiritual roots. Although Jumang didn't have a Primordial Spirit, the Bodhi Tree felt incredibly comfortable as an itch scratcher in his hand, sending a pleasant tingling sensation. Thus, he brought it with him to the Ancestral Witches' meeting.

Xuanming, with her sharp eyes, spotted the Bodhi Tree in Jumang's hand. "Second Brother, after not seeing you for a few days, did you sneak off to Mount Sumeru and uproot the Bodhi Tree?"

Jumang shook his head. "Don't slander a good witch. I found this; I didn't pull it from Mount Sumeru."

Dijiang looked speechless. "A congenital spiritual root? Where would you just 'find' one? What a joke. Second Brother, if you pulled it, just admit it."

At this point, Zhu Jiuyin interjected, "Eldest Brother, perhaps Second Brother really did find the Bodhi Tree. Someone might be trying to frame us Witch Clan."

Houtu frowned. "That doesn't make sense. To frame us Witch Clan with something like the Bodhi Tree, a top-tier congenital spiritual root? It's not worth the trouble. If they had the strength to uproot this thing, they'd have the strength to break Mount Sumeru's protective array. Why wouldn't they keep the Bodhi Tree for themselves after stealing it?"

Dijiang nodded. "Precisely. Second Brother, you didn't happen to go to Mount Sumeru and just 'find' it, did you? If you like the tree, we can keep it. It's fine, no need to deny it."

Jumang was exasperated. "Fine, let's just say I pulled it."

Just as the Ancestral Witches were discussing Jumang uprooting the Bodhi Tree, the main party arrived. From outside Pangu Hall, Zhunti's voice boomed, "Ancestral Witch Jumang, I demand an explanation from Mount Sumeru."

Jumang emerged. "An explanation? What did I do to your Mount Sumeru that you demand an explanation from me?"

Zhunti retorted, "You smashed our Mount Sumeru dojo and uprooted the Bodhi Tree spiritual root, yet you deny it? What is that in your hand?"

Jumang, holding the Bodhi Tree, rubbed his head and chuckled. "If I told you I found it, would you believe me?"

Zhunti cursed loudly. "Halt! You, a dignified Ancestral Witch, dare to do it but not admit it? Return my Bodhi Tree at once!"

Jumang, holding the Bodhi Tree, looked at Zhunti, then lightly swung the tree again. "No."

Zhunti was furious. This was a matter concerning his very being. Though he was usually timid, he couldn't back down today. He declared, "If you don't return my Bodhi Tree, then we shall have a fight today!" With that, he produced the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and prepared to attack.

Xuanming stepped out of the formation. "Zhunti, don't bully my Second Brother, who isn't good at fighting. This Ancestral Witch will play with you." With that, she manifested her Ancestral Witch True Body and threw a punch at Zhunti.

"Ding, as the host of this System, your 'underling' status is even worse than Zhen Yuanzi's. No, you need to work harder. Mission issued: Incite conflict. Jieyin and Zhunti are not home. Go place the dragon egg of King Ao Run of the West Sea on Mount Sumeru, then report it, claiming Zhunti stole the dragon egg. This will cause the Dragon Clan to attack Mount Sumeru. Reward: High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Yangtian Blood Scatter Saber." The System's mature female voice casually issued the mission.

"Hey, are you really planning to groom him into being an 'underling' forever?" Luo Hu asked from within the System space.

"You haven't raised children, so you don't understand. Children love being 'underlings' the most; they find it fun. I'm just letting him express his natural instincts," the System's mature female voice replied, shaking her head.