After leaving Mount Buzhou, Hongjun did not immediately return to the Purple Cloud Palace. Instead, he stopped at the edge of Chaos, his indifferent gaze sweeping over the Primordial World below—a land of boundless splendor, yet rife with hidden currents—as thoughts churned in his mind.
Di Jiang's refusal had completely disrupted his original plan. He had intended to offer one of the supreme treasures of Creation in exchange: to settle his Pangu cause and effect with Di Jiang, clear the obstacles to becoming one with the Dao, and use the opportunity to bring the Witch Clan into the world, balancing them against the Demon Clan and maintaining equilibrium in the operation of the Heavenly Dao.
"If he would accept either one, I could give the other to the Three Pure Ones. With both sides having something to rely on and keeping each other in check, the Witch-Demon Tribulation Cycle could proceed along its intended course, and I could become one with the Dao without a hitch..."
Hongjun ran the calculations in his mind. This had been the optimal solution. But Di Jiang's appetite had far exceeded his expectations. He wanted both? Recalling Di Jiang's calm yet resolute attitude, even Hongjun, with his Saint's state of mind, felt a little vexed and irritated.
How important were the Three Treasures of Creation? How could they all end up in one person's hands? What was more, deep down, he was wary of the legend that the three treasures could be united to recreate the Heaven-Opening Axe.
"Becoming one with the Dao is out of reach for the time being."
Hongjun had no choice but to face reality. As long as the immense Pangu cause and effect carried by Di Jiang remained unsettled, if Hongjun forced himself to become one with the Dao, he