A Joyful Effort in Vain

Hongyun nodded, thinking to himself that reaching the fourth rotation in a thousand years was indeed a testament to his extraordinary talent.

Moreover, he possessed the complete Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique and Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique, while the Ancestor Witches of the Witch Clan could only comprehend the first five rotations from the stone tablet.

"Eh!"

Just then, he suddenly felt something unusual.

His divine sense probed, and he discovered a spiritual treasure hidden in the center of the stone tablet.

This surprised him greatly.

He then proceeded to investigate carefully.

The Witch Clan had no Primordial Spirits, and neither did the Twelve Ancestor Witches, which was why they had never detected the treasure within the tablet.

But Hongyun was different; he discovered the clue on his very first probe.

The spiritual treasure resembled a piece of iron, with uneven edges.

Yet, its aura was so powerful that it surpassed any Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure he had ever seen.

It was definitely a great treasure!

Buzz!

He raised his hand and unleashed his Devouring Divine Ability, intending to shatter the stone tablet and retrieve the spiritual treasure.

This treasure was hidden within the tablet, so its value must surely exceed that of the tablet itself.

"Divine Son, please don't!"

"Divine Son, this is the tablet where we comprehend the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique. If it's destroyed, our cultivation will be severely hindered!"

"Divine Son, please spare it!"

Seeing his actions, Dijiang, Zhurong, Houtu, and the other Ancestor Witches were greatly alarmed and tried to dissuade him in unison.

"Haha, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique is nothing. From this tablet, you can at most comprehend up to the fifth rotation!"

"I will teach you the complete version of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique later!"

Hongyun laughed heartily.

Hiss!

Upon hearing this, the Twelve Ancestor Witches were dumbfounded.

"The complete Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique? Is... is this true?"

Dijiang found it hard to believe.

The Pangu Temple, the sacred land of the Witch Clan, only contained the first five rotations of the technique.

Now, the Divine Son was going to impart the complete version?

"That's wonderful! Divine Son, you are mighty!"

"Divine Son, you are a great benefactor to our Witch Clan!"

"Smash this stone tablet however you please!"

The other Ancestor Witches were filled with excitement.

In their eyes, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique was incredibly precious.

Even if it was only the first five rotations, they regarded it as a supreme treasure.

Let alone Hongyun's intention to bestow the complete version.

However, Hongyun was not particularly concerned.

After all, the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique had an extremely high threshold, and besides the Twelve Ancestor Witches and a few Great Witches with strong bloodlines, others could not cultivate it.

Furthermore, cultivating beyond the fifth rotation would take hundreds of millions of years.

If not for the Great Dao Cushion's enhancement and his unparalleled foundation in the Great Desolation, he wouldn't have reached the fourth rotation in just a thousand years.

Boom!

With a wave of his hand, his Devouring Divine Ability surged out, striking the stone tablet.

Cracks instantly spread across the massive tablet, extending rapidly like a spiderweb.

Rumble!

In less than a breath, the stone tablet shattered, revealing the spiritual treasure within.

Hongyun stepped forward and picked up the irregularly shaped piece of iron.

"Divine Son, what kind of spiritual treasure is this?"

The Twelve Ancestor Witches asked curiously.

This item was hidden within the stone tablet in the Pangu Temple, so it was definitely not ordinary.

However, they had no Primordial Spirits and did not pay much attention to spiritual treasures.

They merely asked out of casual curiosity.

At this moment, Hongyun's heart was churning like a stormy sea.

"This? A fragment of the Jade Disc of Creation!"

He caressed the item in his hand, sensing its powerful aura, especially the embedded aura of the Great Dao laws.

He was certain this was a fragment of the legendary Jade Disc of Creation.

A supreme treasure containing the laws of the Great Dao!

In the past, when Pangu opened the heavens, the primordial chaos supreme treasure, the Jade Disc of Creation, shattered and scattered across the Great Desolation.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun obtained fragments of it, which led to his current status.

He never expected to find another one in Pangu's Hall.

He could feel that the Great Dao laws on this fragment resonated deeply with him.

However, with the Twelve Ancestor Witches present, he couldn't study it thoroughly.

"This iron shard appears extraordinary; it should be an Innate Spiritual Treasure!"

Hongyun said calmly.

He did not wish to reveal the fragment of the Jade Disc of Creation.

A man is innocent until he possesses a treasure, and wealth should not be flaunted.

If the Twelve Ancestor Witches leaked the news, it might attract the covetousness of the Great Desolation's powerful beings.

Even Saint Hongjun would find it difficult to remain calm in the face of such a treasure.

"Divine Son, you said you would impart the complete Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique to us...?"

The Twelve Ancestor Witches were not interested in the fragment; they were more concerned about the cultivation technique.

"Yes, I will impart it to you now!"

Hongyun calmly put away the fragment and casually produced a jade slip.

The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique bestowed by the System was already imprinted in his mind.

Imprinting it onto the jade slip was effortless.

Several days later, he finished inscribing the complete technique onto the jade slip.

"This contains the entirety of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique. Only the Witch Clan can cultivate it. Remember to keep it safe!"

He said solemnly and handed the jade slip to Dijiang.

"Many thanks, Divine Son!"

"Divine Son, your kindness is boundless. We will remember it forever!"

"Divine Son, if you have any commands in the future, the Witch Clan is at your disposal!"

The Twelve Ancestor Witches bowed in unison, making solemn promises.

The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique was a top-tier body-refining technique in the Great Desolation.

The Divine Son had generously gifted it without asking for anything in return.

How could such kindness not move them?

They even considered gathering the entire clan to thank Hongyun.

But he stopped them again.

He did not value the mere Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique.

Moreover, he already possessed a fragment of the Jade Disc of Creation, whose value far surpassed the heavily restricted Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique.

This technique was only precious to the Witch Clan.

For anyone else, it would be useless.

In later ages of the Great Desolation, the Eight-Nine Mysterious Technique would be revered as the foremost body-refining technique, not the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique.

"Alright, I intend to go into seclusion in Pangu's Hall for a period. If you discover a vine bearing gourds on Buzhou Mountain, inform me immediately!"

Hongyun said.

No one knew when the Innate Gourd Vine would appear. It would be too inefficient for him to continue searching.

With the Witch Clan's assistance, entrusting them with the task was the most appropriate course of action.

Buzhou Mountain was the Witch Clan's territory, so finding a vine would be as easy as flipping their hands.

If they couldn't find it, it would only mean the Gourd Vine had not yet appeared.

"Divine Son, rest assured. We will immediately arrange for our entire clan to search. We will definitely find it for you at the first opportunity!"

Dijiang solemnly agreed.

With that, the Twelve Ancestor Witches departed.

Inside Pangu's Hall, only Hongyun remained.

He then took out the fragment of the Jade Disc of Creation.

Buzz!

The fragment exuded a potent aura.

Within it lay a complete Great Dao law.

He took out the Great Dao Cushion, sat upon it, and began to comprehend.

Three years later.

Hongyun opened his eyes, a look of shock flashing within them.

"No wonder this fragment's law feels so close to me; it's the Law of Devouring!"

He murmured to himself.

After three years of contemplation, he understood the law contained within the fragment.

It was precisely the Law of Devouring Great Dao, which shared the same origin as his Devouring Divine Ability.

And it was at the Great Dao level!

A existence that surpassed Heavenly Dao laws.

This fragment carried a complete Law of Devouring.

"If I can fully comprehend it, perhaps I can prove the Great Dao with laws, just like Pangu!"

Hongyun's heart surged with excitement.

However, in just three years, even with the Great Dao Cushion's aid, he had only managed to discern the law's attributes.

To gain entry would likely take thousands of years.

To fully comprehend it, even with the cushion's help, would require tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of years.

The Great Desolation has no concept of years; time is inherently insignificant.

If not for the impending Witch-Demon Tribulation and Hongjun's schemes, he wouldn't be in such a hurry.

But now, he felt considerable pressure.

"I'll begin by comprehending it. Even a little understanding will strengthen my Devouring Divine Ability!"

Hongyun muttered.

Waiting for news was still waiting, so he might as well seize the time to cultivate.

Time flowed like water.

Two thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the Twelve Ancestor Witches returned to Pangu Hall.

"Divine Son!"

"Divine Son!"

They stood at a distance, not daring to disturb his cultivation, and shouted loudly.

Hongyun stopped cultivating and stored the cushion and fragment into his personal space.

"Hmm, what is it?"

He asked calmly.

"Divine Son, the gourd vine you wanted has been found!"

Dijiang reported urgently.

"Oh? Where is it? Quickly take me there!"

Hongyun was overjoyed. The Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Root, the gourd vine, had appeared.

He was most in need of magical treasures, and now he had found a lead.

Kunlun Mountain, Jade Void Palace.

Taishang, Yuanshi, and Tongtian, after returning from listening to the Dao in the Purple Heaven Palace, had been diligently cultivating.

All three were ecstatic to become disciples of a Saint.

Their desire to become Saints grew even more fervent.

Over several thousand years, their cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

All of them reached the late stage of Grand Unity.

Normally, advancing from the middle to the late stage would take at least tens of thousands of years.

Even with the Three Pure Ones' profound foundations, it would be difficult to achieve in less than ten thousand years.

But after hearing Hongjun expound on the Great Luo Path, they gained deep enlightenment.

This allowed them to progress so rapidly.

On this day.

The Three Pure Ones, who were cultivating, all stopped simultaneously.

"Big Brother, I have a feeling that my destiny is about to appear in the direction of Buzhou Mountain!"

Yuanshi said, looking at Taishang.

Taishang calculated for a moment.

"Second Brother, I sensed it too!"

He said in a deep voice.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, I also sensed the appearance of destiny!"

Tongtian hurriedly agreed.

The three looked at each other, their eyes flashing.

"It seems this opportunity is extraordinary, and the treasure that appears must be of the highest grade!"

Taishang declared.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The three immediately stopped cultivating, transforming into three dazzling beams of light, and sped towards Buzhou Mountain.

In Fengqi Mountain.

Nuwa, who was in seclusion, suddenly opened her eyes, her cultivation coming to an abrupt halt.

"Oh, a treasure has appeared near Buzhou Mountain, this destiny belongs to me!"

Nuwa stood up, her body surging with a vast aura.

She had already reached the late stage of Grand Unity, her strength having improved significantly since the Purple Heaven Palace.

Swish!

Her figure flickered, turning into a stream of light, heading straight for the distance.

On the Solar Star.

"Second Brother, I sensed a treasure appearing at Buzhou Mountain, I must go!"

Dijun sensed the aura of the Innate Gourd Vine and said to Eastern Emperor Taiyi beside him.

"Big Brother, isn't Buzhou Mountain the territory of the Witch Clan? Last time, we were surrounded by the Twelve Ancestor Witches and almost couldn't escape. You shouldn't take the risk this time!"

Eastern Emperor Taiyi hurriedly advised against it.

Since the end of the first battle between the Witches and Demons, Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi had remained on the Solar Star to cultivate.

Now, both of their cultivation bases had advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching the late stage of Grand Unity.

However, Buzhou Mountain was still within the Witch Clan's sphere of influence, and Eastern Emperor Taiyi couldn't help but feel apprehensive.

"Don't worry, Second Brother. The Dao Ancestor Saint has already issued a decree that the Witch and Demon Clans are not to engage in war for the next ten thousand years!"

"I don't think those Twelve Ancestor Witches would dare to disobey the Saint's command!"

Dijun said confidently.

He sensed that this opportunity was extraordinary and was determined not to miss it.

Even if there were some risks, he had to go to Buzhou Mountain to investigate.

"Alas, I only regret that I haven't fully comprehended the Heavenly Star Grand Array yet. Otherwise, why would I fear the Twelve Ancestor Witches!"

Eastern Emperor Taiyi sighed.

Over thousands of years, he had observed the stars at night and, with the help of the two supreme treasures, the River Diagram and the Luo Book, had comprehended a powerful formation.

The Heavenly Star Grand Array!

Eastern Emperor Taiyi firmly believed that once this formation was unleashed, even the Twelve Ancestor Witches would be buried within it.

Unfortunately, this formation was incredibly profound, and it would take at least several thousand more years to master it completely.

"Second Brother, please stay here and continue to study the formation, laying the foundation for our Demon Clan to dominate the Great Desolation! I will return soon from this trip!"

Dijun instructed.

As his voice fell, he transformed into his Three-legged Golden Crow true form, left the starry sky, and flew towards Buzhou Mountain.

For a time, many powerful beings within the Great Desolation vaguely sensed the appearance of the treasure and began to search everywhere.

Witch Clan territory.

Hongyun, accompanied by the Twelve Ancestor Witches, finally arrived at a secluded valley in Buzhou Mountain after months of travel.

At this moment, a hint of joy flashed in Hongyun's eyes.

Before him, a towering gourd vine exuded a rich immortal spiritual aura.

Seven small gourds of different colors were hanging on the vine.

They were red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

However, these gourds had not yet matured, and the vines were still a tender green.

"This truly is a top-grade Innate Spiritual Root, the Innate Gourd Vine!"

"Just looking at its appearance, it still needs several decades to mature!"

Hongyun murmured to himself.

If this unripe gourd vine were forcibly plucked now, it would be useless.

On the contrary, it would ruin this precious Innate Spiritual Root.

It could only be harvested after it had fully matured.

However