Kill That Bird

Although the Eastern Emperor Bell is a supreme treasure, it's already a miracle that it could block the Ancestor Witches for five hundred years.

"Attack together! In a few more breaths, we can kill these two mongrels and reclaim Father God's Chaos Bell!" Dijiang roared again.

"Yes, Big Brother!"

"Kill these two mongrel birds!" The other Ancestor Witches were extremely excited.

After five hundred years of fierce assault, they finally saw hope today.

Inside the bell, the two Emperors closed their eyes, giving up their struggle. They knew they were doomed today.

Hum!

At this very moment, a vast pressure descended upon the Witch Clan's land. This pressure was incomparably powerful, forcing all twelve Ancestor Witches to retreat.

"Saint!"

"It's a Saint's aura!" The Ancestor Witches' faces turned grim. Dijiang looked forward, anger in his eyes.

Inside the bell, Eastern Emperor Taiyi and Dijun opened their eyes.

"It's Dao Ancestor Hongjun coming to save us!"

"That's great, we're saved!" The two were overjoyed. In a certain death situation, a Saint had actually intervened.

"I am Hongjun. I decree: The first battle between the Witches and Demons ends here. In ten thousand years, the Witches and Demons may fight again!" Hongjun's voice resounded throughout the Great Desolation.

"No!" Dijiang roared.

"Big Brother, don't be rash!" Zhu Jiuyin quickly restrained Dijiang. Although the other Ancestor Witches were filled with rage, they knew that as Grand Unity beings, they were no match for a Saint. Unwilling! Extremely unwilling! But there was nothing they could do.

Dijiang, who was being held back, calmed down, his eyes still grim. The other Ancestor Witches felt the same. They harbored a deep hatred for Hongjun. The Saint was biased; it was so unfair! What kind of Saint was this! This was the beginning of the twelve Ancestor Witches' estrangement from Hongjun.

In the Fire Cloud Cave, Hongyun, who had been cultivating for five hundred years, opened his eyes. Hongjun's decree had just spread throughout the Great Desolation, and he had heard it.

"I didn't expect Hongjun to intervene in the end. Dijun and Taiyi won't die," Hongyun murmured. At the same time, he understood that the Great Desolation was now entirely under Hongjun's control. And he would still be schemed against by Hongjun in the future. The pressure increased.

"My strength has improved quite a bit during these five hundred years!" Hongyun gazed at the remaining thirty percent of Pangu's Essence Blood in his hand, thinking to himself. In five hundred years, he had used the Great Dao Cushion to refine seventy percent of the essence blood. His physical body was now extremely powerful.

Swish! He waved his hand and summoned a spear-shaped spiritual treasure.

"Let's see if my physical body or this Houtian Spiritual Treasure is stronger?"

Although it was only a Houtian Spiritual Treasure, it was a top-grade one.

Normally, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal hit by this treasure would either die or be severely injured.

Unless they had a spiritual treasure of the same level to block it.

Hongyun gripped both ends of the spear and pulled.

Crack!

With a crisp sound, the spear snapped into two pieces.

Hiss!

Hongyun gasped.

His physical body was hundreds or even thousands of times stronger than before.

But seeing with his own eyes that he could easily break a top-grade Houtian Spiritual Treasure still shocked him.

"Too strong!"

He exclaimed, overjoyed.

This wasn't even his limit, as he had no Innate Spiritual Treasures to test it with.

Yes, in terms of magical treasures, he was pitifully poor.

Let alone top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, he didn't even have ordinary Innate Spiritual Treasures.

This was related to his indifferent nature, not fighting or snatching.

Having taken form for several tribulations, he had little savings.

"Although my physical body is not as strong as the Ancestor Witches now, it far surpasses the Great Witches of the Witch Clan!"

Hongyun assessed himself.

This was the result of only refining seventy percent of the Pangu's Essence Blood.

If he refined it all...

"It will take at least another two to three hundred years to refine the remaining thirty percent!"

He thought to himself.

Even though he had only refined seventy percent, his transformation was already earth-shattering.

First, his foundation!

His original foundation was extremely high, but it was inferior to the Three Pure Ones and the Ancestor Witches.

But now, he was the combination of the first cloud and Pangu's Essence Blood.

Based on the essence blood alone, his foundation was comparable to the Three Pure Ones and the Ancestor Witches.

Now, his foundation could be considered the best in the Great Desolation.

Once he refined it all, he would firmly hold the first position.

Secondly, his cultivation.

Five hundred years of refining blood on the Great Dao Cushion was equivalent to cultivation.

Five hundred years with a hundredfold amplification was comparable to fifty thousand years.

He felt he was not far from the late stage of Grand Unity.

Thirdly, his physical body. He was the strongest below the Twelve Ancestral Witches, crushing powerful immortal beings.

What surprised him even more was that while refining the essence blood, he awakened a divine ability.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches each had a divine ability because they were all nurtured by Pangu's Essence Blood.

The divine ability Hongyun awakened during refinement was Devouring!

The Devouring Divine Ability, when perfected, could devour and transform all things.

Since he hadn't fully refined a single drop of essence blood yet, the Devouring Divine Ability was only half-mastered.

It was not yet complete.

But even so, he estimated that if he used it now, he could devour a mountain range.

Once he refined it all, he would surely master it completely.

"Next, I will refine the remaining essence blood!"

Hongyun pondered.

The first battle between the Witches and Demons had ended, and it had little to do with him.

Improving his strength was the top priority.

Only by surpassing the Ancestor Witches, surpassing the Six Sages, and surpassing Hongjun could he reverse his fate of falling.

At this moment, the scene outside the Fire Cloud Cave was extraordinary.

Old Ancestor Minghe flew through the air, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's decree echoing clearly in his ears.

"The first battle between the Witch and Demon clans has concluded?"

He pondered inwardly.

Since Hongjun had declared it so, he was certain that the Witch and Demon clans would not engage in large-scale conflict for some time to come.

Of course, sporadic skirmishes and clashes were likely unavoidable.

He had set foot in the Great Desolation over five centuries ago, searching far and wide for a suitable place for the Netherworld Clan to settle.

However, after visiting many locations, he always felt dissatisfied.

Spiritual caves and blessed lands in the Great Desolation were quite scarce, with rumors of only seventy-two grotto-heavens and thirty-six blessed lands.

Those that caught Old Ancestor Minghe's eye were even fewer, less than five.

Kunlun Divine Mountain would have been an excellent choice, but it was already occupied by the Three Pure Ones.

Jade Capital Mountain was the foremost grotto-heaven in the Great Desolation, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's former cultivation site; even if Old Ancestor Minghe had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare covet it.

Buzhou Mountain was also good, but it now fell within the Witch Clan's sphere of influence, and the Netherworld Clan currently lacked the strength to contend with them.

The remaining few high-quality grotto-heavens and blessed lands were all occupied by powerful beings of the Great Desolation.

To seize them by force would mean a fight to the death with those mighty figures.

Finally, Old Ancestor Minghe's gaze fell upon Hongyun's Fire Cloud Cave.

"Although this Fire Cloud Cave is not as supreme as Kunlun Divine Mountain or Buzhou Mountain, it is more than sufficient as a temporary base for the Netherworld Clan!"

"When my Netherworld Clan dominates the Great Desolation in the future, will I lack for even better grotto-heavens and blessed lands?"

"Besides, Hongyun has always been kind-hearted, even willing to give up his chance at sainthood to Jieyin and Zhunti. He will likely hand over this Fire Cloud Cave willingly!"

Old Ancestor Minghe plotted in his heart.

In his eyes, Hongyun was undoubtedly the easiest target, a soft persimmon.

Buzz!

Old Ancestor Minghe's might suddenly erupted, enveloping the area around Fire Cloud Cave for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Everything within this vast radius was clearly perceived by his divine sense.

However, Fire Cloud Cave was protected by heavy restrictions, and his divine sense could not penetrate them.

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, please show yourself for a meeting!"

Old Ancestor Minghe had no choice but to shout loudly, his voice like a booming bell, resounding throughout the area surrounding the cave dwelling.

"Hmm? Minghe?"

Hongyun, who was in the process of refining Pangu's Essence Blood, stopped his actions upon hearing the voice.

He frowned slightly. What was Minghe's purpose in coming to his Fire Cloud Cave?

He had no deep acquaintance with Old Ancestor Minghe.

Moreover, Hongyun felt a vague sense of unease.

"Old Ancestor Minghe isn't staying in the Nine Netherworld but has come to the Great Desolation and is seeking me out. Could he have some scheme in mind?"

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, I have long admired your name and have come specifically to pay a visit!"

Old Ancestor Minghe's voice echoed from outside the cave again.

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun..."

For more than ten consecutive days, Old Ancestor Minghe continued to call out from outside.

Hongyun initially didn't want to pay attention, but the man seemed to have no intention of leaving.

Whoosh!

Hongyun finally stopped his cultivation, his figure flashing as he appeared outside Fire Cloud Cave.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Hongyun, you've finally decided to show yourself!"

Seeing Hongyun appear, a sinister smile spread across Old Ancestor Minghe's face.

If Hongyun hadn't come out soon, he would have planned to forcibly break into the cave dwelling.

Now that Hongyun had voluntarily appeared, it saved him considerable effort.

"What is the meaning of your visit, Fellow Daoist Minghe?"

Hongyun's tone was calm.

He was busy refining Pangu's Essence Blood and had no leisure to exchange pleasantries with Old Ancestor Minghe.

Furthermore, he was no longer the good-natured Hongyun of the past.

Being kind to others? Hmph!

Old Ancestor Minghe heard the coldness in Hongyun's voice and frowned slightly, feeling a little surprised.

Wasn't Hongyun rumored to be a good-tempered person? Besides, he had personally witnessed Hongyun giving up his seat in Purple Heaven Palace.

Why are you so distant towards me?

"Haha, fellow Daoist Hongyun, I merely wished to befriend you and discuss the Dao. Why be so cold!"

To seize Fire Cloud Cave, Old Ancestor Minghe suppressed his displeasure and forced a smile.

Befriend and discuss the Dao?

Hongyun snorted coldly, not believing for a moment that Old Ancestor Minghe had such refined tastes.

"If Daoist Minghe has nothing else, I must return to my cultivation!"

With that, Hongyun turned to return to Fire Cloud Cave, unwilling to engage further.

"Hey! Stop right there!"

Seeing Hongyun's attitude, Old Ancestor Minghe roared in anger.

"Hongyun, I, this Old Ancestor, have come specifically to borrow your Fire Cloud Cave! Whether you agree or not, you will yield!"

Old Ancestor Minghe decided to drop all pretense.

He had shouted for more than ten days, his throat nearly raw. He had finally managed to lure Hongyun out; how could he let him return to his cave dwelling now?

"Borrow my cave dwelling? You mean to rob me outright!"

Hongyun frowned, his expression grim.

"Exactly! If you were inside your cave dwelling, with its defensive formations, I might have had to put in some effort!"

"But now that you're out, haha, I'm determined to seize Fire Cloud Cave!"

Old Ancestor Minghe sneered, his eyes glinting with ferocity.

Hongyun was originally formed from clouds. This Fire Cloud Cave contained the essence of heaven and earth's clouds, complementing him perfectly.

Within the cave dwelling, he could receive the blessings of the world's power.

Even powerful beings stronger than Hongyun might not gain an advantage against him.

But now, Hongyun had been blasted out of his cave by Old Ancestor Minghe, losing that crucial support.

In Old Ancestor Minghe's eyes, Hongyun's combat power would surely be greatly weakened.

When it came to treachery, who in the Great Desolation could compare to the cunning Old Ancestor Minghe?

"This Old Ancestor merely employed a small stratagem!"

Old Ancestor Minghe was secretly pleased with himself.

"Why aren't you cultivating properly in the Nine Netherworlds and instead come to the Great Desolation to steal my cave dwelling?"

Hongyun was quite puzzled.

"This Old Ancestor intends to lead the Netherworld race and dominate the Great Desolation! Enough nonsense, hand over your cave dwelling at once!"

Old Ancestor Minghe stated bluntly.

He had no intention of hiding it; after all, he was about to lead the Netherworld race in a battle for supremacy against the Witches and Demons.

"You're truly seeking death!"

Hongyun was somewhat speechless.

This was the era of the Witch-Demon Tribulation!

Even powerful beings at the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm dared not easily get involved in the tribulation. Once involved, their end would be certain death.

If you had stayed hidden in the Nine Netherworlds, you could have avoided this calamity, but you insist on coming out to die.

"Haha, scared now! My Netherworld race has billions of subjects, and the future Great Desolation will bow at my feet!"

Old Ancestor Minghe was filled with pride, looking at Hongyun with utter arrogance.

At this moment, he truly felt that Consort Wumo's suggestion was incredibly correct, igniting the ambition in his heart.

"Minghe, we are both at the mid-stage of Grand Unity. On what grounds do you believe you can defeat me?"

Hongyun asked again.

He truly couldn't understand where Minghe's confidence came from.

Swish!

Upon hearing this, Old Ancestor Minghe waved his hand and produced a treasure.

Boundless bloody energy emanated from it, covering thousands of miles around.

"Netherworld Blood Sea!"

Hongyun exclaimed in shock upon seeing this.

The Netherworld Blood Sea was vast and boundless. Legend had it that Old Ancestor Minghe was born from it.

Even if his true body were to perish, he could be reborn from the Blood Sea.

This was Old Ancestor Minghe's trump card and the foundation of his so-called immortal body.

Powerful beings in the Great Desolation, even peak Quasi-Saints, would face true death and annihilation once they perished.

But Old Ancestor Minghe was different; he could die billions of times and be reborn from the Blood Sea each time.

As long as the Blood Sea did not dry up, he possessed an immortal body.