Thus, Xuanxiao and the other mighty figures returned to the Heavenly Court. Zhen Yuanzi said, "Everyone, forget about serious business for now. Get ready to watch a good show. In a moment, put your divine senses on Buzhou Mountain and prepare to enjoy the spectacle."
Xuanxiao looked utterly bewildered. "What spectacle? Immortal, don't tell me you disguised yourself as Zhunti, went to the foot of Buzhou Mountain, and beat a bunch of the Witch Clan to death?"
Hong Yun snickered. "You'll find out soon enough. It won't be fun if I tell you now."
Back on Mount Sumeru, Zhunti and the others returned to find the place in ruins. The Earth Veins' connection to the Mountain Protection Array had been violently severed, and both the Bodhi Tree and Bitter Bamboo had been uprooted. Their minds completely collapsed.
Zhunti said, "Senior Brother, it looks like our Mount Sumeru was smashed."
Jieyin nodded. "Junior Brother, be more confident. There's no need for 'looks like.' It was obviously smashed."
Then, Zhunti sensed something and immediately roared, "How dare the Witch Clan bully us so outrageously! My Bodhi Tree is actually at the foot of Buzhou Mountain!"
Jieyin hurriedly urged him, "Junior Brother, calm down. It might not have been the Witch Clan. We only sensed it at Mount Sumeru, after all."
At Buzhou Mountain, in the Witch Clan's encampment, Jumang was holding the Bodhi Tree and using it to scratch an itch for fun. After all, he was the Wood Ancestral Witch and naturally had an affinity with spiritual roots. Although Jumang had no primordial spirit, holding the Bodhi Tree and using it as a back scratcher felt exceptionally comfortable, giving him a pleasantly tingling sensation. That was why he had brought it along to the Ancestral Witches' meeting.
Sharp-eyed Xuanming spotted the Bodhi Tree in Jumang's hands and said, "Second Brother, it's only been a few days. Did you sneak off to Mount Sumeru and uproot the Bodhi Tree?"
Jumang shook his head. "You're not allowed to slander a good witch. I found this. I didn't uproot it from Mount Sumeru."
Dijiang wore an utterly speechless expression. "It's an Innate Spiritual Root. Where could you possibly find one lying around? What are you talking about? Second Brother, if you uprooted it, then you uprooted it. Just admit it."
At that moment, Zhu Jiuyin spoke up. "Eldest Brother, perhaps Second Brother really did find the Bodhi Tree. Someone might be trying to frame our Witch Clan."
Houtu frowned. "That doesn't make sense. To frame our Witch Clan, they'd use a top-grade Innate Spiritual Root like the Bodhi Tree? Wouldn't that be a loss? If they had the ability to uproot this thing, that would prove they were strong enough to break through Mount Sumeru's Mountain Protection Array. With such strength, after taking the Bodhi Tree, would they really not keep it for themselves?"
Dijiang nodded. "Exactly. Second Brother, you didn't happen to go to Mount Sumeru and find it there, did you? If you like the tree, we can keep it. It's fine. You don't have to deny it."
Jumang was speechless. "Fine, let's just say I uprooted it."
Just as the Ancestral Witches were discussing how Jumang had uprooted the Bodhi Tree, the person involved came looking for them. From outside Pangu Hall, Zhunti's clear voice rang out: "Jumang, Ancestral Witch, please give me an explanation for what happened to Mount Sumeru."
Jumang came out. "Give you an explanation? What did I do to Mount Sumeru that you want an explanation from me?"
Zhunti said, "You smashed our dojo on Mount Sumeru and even uprooted the Bodhi Tree spiritual root. You bullied us far too much, and you still refuse to admit it? What do you think you're holding?"
Holding the Bodhi Tree, Jumang rubbed it against his own head, then gave a foolish grin. "I say I found it. Do you believe me?"
Zhunti burst into furious curses. "How dare you, a dignified Ancestral Witch, refuse to take responsibility for what you did! Return my Bodhi Tree at once!"
Jumang held the Bodhi Tree, looked at Zhunti, and lightly waved it once. "No."
Zhunti flew into a rage. This concerned his true form, so even though he usually cowered, he could not back down today. He said directly, "If you refuse to return my Bodhi Tree, then we'll settle this today." With that, he took out the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and prepared to attack.
Xuanming stepped forward. "Zhunti, don't bully my Second Brother just because he isn't good at fighting. This Ancestral Witch will play with you." As she spoke, she transformed into her Ancestral Witch True Body and punched toward Zhunti.
"Ding! As this system's host, your level of shameless opportunism is actually still inferior to Zhen Yuanzi's. That won't do—you need to work harder. Quest issued: stir up conflict. Jieyin and Zhunti aren't home right now, so go place the Dragon Egg from Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea, at Mount Sumeru. Then make a complaint, claiming that Zhunti stole the Dragon Egg and provoking the Dragon Clan to cause trouble for Mount Sumeru. Reward: High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Yangtian Blood Scatter Saber," the system's big-sisterly voice casually announced.
"Hey, are you really planning to raise him into a shameless opportunist permanently?" Luohu asked inside the system space.
"You've never raised a child, so you wouldn't understand. Children love being shameless opportunists. They think it's fun. I'm simply letting a child's nature run free," the system's big-sisterly voice said, shaking her head.
Before you continue