Just as Qin Mu and Duobao were sizing up the creatures waiting in line,
True Man Yu Ding's gaze drifted between the two of them.
Earlier, when he had seen Qin Mu and Duobao arrive, he had faintly sensed a layer of inexplicable karma entwined around them, seemingly linked to the Heavenly Dao in some mysterious way.
He had cultivated for many years, and was quite sensitive to the workings of fate.
That was precisely why he had taken the initiative to approach them, hoping to uncover the truth.
What shocked Yu Ding most was this.
Daoist Duobao was one thing, but Qin Mu was actually a disciple of the Three Pure Ones.
In the Great Desolation World, who didn't know the Three Pure Ones' names?
They were of Pangu's Orthodox Lineage, personally taught by the Dao Ancestor, and would one day become the most powerful Saint's Legacy in all of Heaven and Earth!
Countless mighty cultivators had tried everything to become disciples of the Three Pure Ones, yet couldn't even find their mountain gate.
And today, he had actually met a true disciple of the Three Pure Ones!
"If Qin Mu was able to become a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, he must be extraordinary."
"If I can form a good relationship with him here, it may benefit me greatly in the future."
"Perhaps I can even use this connection to become a disciple of the Three Pure Ones myself."
At the thought, Yu Ding couldn't help but feel stirred.
Everyone in the Primordial Wilderness knew that
at the Dao Ancestor Hongjun's third lecture, he had bestowed the positions of Sainthood. The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and the two in the Western Lands would become the Six Saints of the Heavens.
If he could become a disciple of a Saint, just like Qin Mu, wouldn't he rise to the heavens in a single bound?
While Yu Ding was lost in his imaginings, Qin Mu looked away and asked,
"Fellow Daoist Yu Ding, why are so many people lining up at Buzhou Mountain? Are there conditions one must meet to enter?"
Duobao also turned to Yu Ding.
"Yeah!"
"Why do we need to line up? If we want to enter Buzhou Mountain, can't we just go in?"
In Qin Mu and Duobao's eyes, the opportunities within Buzhou Mountain must have drawn countless creatures there.
Everyone wanted to claim the treasures and opportunities for themselves.
So why were they all obediently waiting in line?
Seeing the confusion on Qin Mu and Duobao's faces, Yu Ding smiled helplessly before explaining,
"There's something you two don't know."
"Though Buzhou Mountain was formed from Great God Pangu's backbone, its opportunities naturally go to those destined to obtain them."
"But this place now belongs to the Witch Clan."
"Though the Witch Clan cultivates their physical bodies instead of their souls, their strength is formidable. The Twelve Ancestral Witches in particular are all Quasi-Saints. Who would dare force their way in?"
At this, Yu Ding paused briefly and glanced toward the entrance at the front before continuing,
"To enter Buzhou Mountain, you must first earn the Witch Clan's approval."
"The members of the Witch Clan love to fight."
"They've set up a challenge at the entrance. Only those who defeat the Witch guarding it earn the right to enter Buzhou Mountain!"
After Yu Ding's explanation, Qin Mu and Duobao understood.
"So that's how it is."
"I thought we could just walk right in."
"I didn't realize the Witch Clan had people guarding this place!"
Duobao sighed, then turned to Qin Mu and asked,
"Daoist Qin Mu."
"What do you think?"
Qin Mu smiled faintly and replied,
"Since this place is under the Witch Clan's control, we should follow their rules."
Duobao nodded and thought to himself,
"I wonder how strong the Witch guarding the entrance is."
"Boom!"
Just as Duobao was pondering this, a deafening crash suddenly rang out from the entrance ahead.
At the sound, Qin Mu and the others were startled and hurriedly looked in its direction.
They saw a figure flying backward like a shooting star before crashing hard into a nearby mountainside.
The impact shattered part of the mountainside, sending dust billowing into the sky.
Before long, the shaking subsided and the dust cleared.
Looking closely, they saw a creature with roughly Golden Immortal cultivation sprawled on the ground, barely breathing. It had clearly suffered severe injuries.
"What?"
"Even a Golden Immortal couldn't defeat him?"
"Who in the Witch Clan is guarding the entrance to Buzhou Mountain?"
Duobao stared in shock, unable to suppress a shudder.
After all, he was only at the Golden Immortal level himself.
Seeing this, Qin Mu narrowed his eyes slightly and thought,
"The Witch Clan really is formidable!"
He steadied himself, glanced at Duobao and Yu Ding, and said,
"Come on, let's go take a look!"
With that, the three of them didn't waste any time and headed for the entrance.
Before long, Qin Mu and the others had reached the front of the line.
On the open ground by the entrance, another creature stepped forward to challenge the Witch guarding it.
"Boom! Boom!"
"Thud! Thud..."
The two fought, making the earth tremble and mountains shake.
But the creature was soon sent flying by a single punch from the Witch.
"Who else wants to challenge me?"
A thunderous shout rang out, making the ears of the many creatures present ache.
Qin Mu focused his gaze. On the open ground by the entrance stood a towering giant, his frame imposing and his muscles rippling like coiled dragons.
His skin gleamed like bronze, his eyes blazed, and a fearsome aura surged from him.
With just a brief look, Qin Mu could tell
that the Witch guarding the entrance was a Great Witch.
"To think a Great Witch is guarding this place!"
Qin Mu couldn't help exclaiming.
After all, among the Witch Clan, bloodline reigned supreme.
Below the Twelve Ancestral Witches, the Great Witches were the strongest.
The Witch Clan as a whole did not cultivate their souls or follow the Immortal Dao, but the strength of their bodies could shake mountains and rivers.
Ordinary Golden Immortals were no match for them!
"Gulp..."
Seeing another Golden Immortal get sent flying by the Great Witch, Duobao swallowed hard and thought,
"A Golden Immortal has no chance against this Great Witch."
"The treasure mountain is right in front of me, but I can't get in!"
After thinking it over, Duobao glanced at Qin Mu.
He himself was at the Golden Immortal level, but Qin Mu was a whole realm above him, already at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level.
Besides, earlier, when they had competed for the Innate Spiritual Root, Yellow Central Plum,
Qin Mu had killed a late-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal despite being only at the early stage of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.
In Duobao's eyes, Qin Mu had a good chance of passing the challenge and entering Buzhou Mountain.
After pondering for a moment, Duobao came back to his senses, turned, and looked at Yu Ding.
"May I ask, Fellow Daoist Yu Ding,"
"have you ever stepped forward to challenge him?"
At Duobao's question, a trace of embarrassment appeared on True Man Yu Ding's face.
After a brief pause, he gave an awkward smile and replied,
"To be honest, I've already challenged him once."
"Unfortunately, with my Golden Immortal cultivation, I was no match for that Great Witch."
"I only managed a few exchanges with him before I was defeated."
At this, True Man Yu Ding shook his head and sighed helplessly.
After hearing Yu Ding's account, Duobao's heart tightened, and he hesitated.
Nearby, Qin Mu narrowed his eyes. A glint flashed in them as he fixed his gaze on the Great Witch and murmured,
"It's no wonder the Witch Clan can dominate a region of the Primordial Wilderness."
"Their physical strength really is terrifying!"
Before you continue