Wuzhuang Temple Refuge, Ginseng Fruit Feast

Buzhou Mountain, the Witch Clan's ancestral land.

When Lu Chen entered the ancient altar encircled by twelve towering pillars that supported the heavens, carrying Zhurong Essence Blood as his token, twelve gazes like those of Primordial World beasts awakening locked onto him at once.

"A Human? Yet he carries the aura of Brother Zhurong's essence blood?"

The speaker sat high upon the central stone throne. He had a man's face and a tiger's body, with wings sprouting from his back. He was Dijiang, chief of the Twelve Ancestral Witches. His voice echoed through the altar, every word making space tremble.

Lu Chen remained calm and bowed. "This junior is Lu Chen. I received the Ancestral Witch Zhu Rong's blood at Pangu Hall, and have come today to pay my respects."

"Pangu Hall?" A giant wreathed in crimson flames rose from the left. It was Zhu Rong. His bell-like eyes fixed on Lu Chen. "That drop of essence blood... you actually refined it?"

"I was fortunate enough to succeed." Lu Chen stirred the Zhurong Essence Blood within him. Crimson patterns appeared beneath his skin, and a scorching aura spread around him.

"Good!" Zhu Rong laughed. "You survived bearing my essence blood. You're worthy of entering the Witch Clan's lands!"

The other Ancestral Witches' expressions eased somewhat. Gonggong gave a cold snort but said nothing more.

"You didn't come here just to pay a visit, did you?" Dijiang's gaze was sharp.

Lu Chen drew a deep breath. "This junior has brought two gifts: a piece of news and an opportunity."

"Speak."

"The news is that Eastern Emperor Taiyi of the Demon Clan has obtained the Chaos Bell. He's joining forces with Di Jun to recruit the myriad demons of the Primordial World and establish the Heavenly Court. One of their targets is the Witch Clan—the ancestral land of Buzhou Mountain, formed from Father God Pangu's spine."

The altar's atmosphere suddenly turned icy.

"The Demon Clan? Those feathered and horned creatures, born of moisture and eggs, dare covet Father God's ancestral land?" Gou Mang, Ancestral Witch of Wood, said coldly.

"They have the Great Formation of the Stars," Lu Chen added. "It isn't complete yet, but it's already taking shape. Once finished, it can draw upon the power of the stars and wield boundless might."

He shared what he could of the formation diagram information he had obtained from Kunpeng.

The Ancestral Witches' expressions grew grave. They didn't cultivate Primordial Spirits, focusing instead on refining their bodies. Though they weren't well-versed in formations, they knew the Great Formation of the Stars was renowned.

"And the opportunity?" Houtu, the Ancestral Witch of Earth and the one who would one day transform herself into the Reincarnation Cycle, asked gently.

Lu Chen took out half a strand of Primordial Violet Qi—disguised, of course, revealing only a trace of the aura of Pangu's Law of Strength.

"Hum—"

The moment the violet qi appeared, all twelve Ancestral Witches rose to their feet! Pangu's bloodline surged within the altar. In the violet qi, they sensed the purest source of power belonging to Father God!

"This is... a power left behind by Father God?!" Dijiang's voice held a rare note of excitement.

"Indeed." Lu Chen nodded. "This junior obtained it through a fortuitous opportunity. It contains the truths of the Law of Strength. The Witch Clan was formed from Pangu's essence blood. If you study it, you may awaken more of Father God's inheritance deep within your bloodline."

It was true. The Witch Clan didn't cultivate Primordial Spirits, so they couldn't refine the violet qi and become Saints like cultivators. But the source of the Law of Strength within this half-strand of violet qi could greatly strengthen their bodies and bloodline abilities!

Zhu Rong was the first to reach out. "Let me see!"

The violet qi flew before him. Zhu Rong focused on it for a moment, and the flames around him suddenly surged three yards higher. His aura visibly strengthened a little!

"It works!" The Ancestral Witches were delighted.

Lu Chen spoke at the right moment. "This junior is willing to trade it for a promise from the Witch Clan."

"What promise?"

"In the future calamity, if the Demon Clan or the Western Teachings hunt me, the Witch Clan must shelter me three times." Lu Chen held up three fingers. "That's all."

For the Witch Clan, the request was a small one.

Dijiang agreed without hesitation. "Done! This item means a great deal to the Witch Clan. Not just three times—even thirty would be fine! From today on, you're an honored guest of the Witch Clan. With this token, you may freely enter any Witch Clan tribe on Buzhou Mountain!"

He tossed Lu Chen a bone token engraved with the Twelve Ancestral Witches Totem.

"Thank you, Ancestral Witch Dijiang." Lu Chen accepted it, knowing that he had established a connection with the Witch Clan.

He had planned to mention the exposure of his theft at Treasure Distribution Cliff and ask the Witch Clan to help cover it up. But after a moment's thought, he decided it would be unwise to drag them into such a serious matter too soon.

"This junior has one more thing to tell you," Lu Chen said. "Jieyin, Zhunti, Kunpeng, Minghe, and Taiyi are fighting in the West. Whatever the outcome, the balance of the Primordial World will change drastically. The Witch Clan should prepare."

Dijiang nodded. "We already know. You may go. If you run into trouble, come to Buzhou Mountain at any time."

Lu Chen bowed and took his leave.

After leaving the Witch Clan's ancestral land, he didn't return directly to Wuzhuang Temple. Instead, he detoured toward the area near the East Sea Dragon Palace to scout out the Demon Clan's movements.

As soon as he neared the Eastern Sea, he sensed a monstrous demonic aura!

On the sea, banners fluttered as an army of millions of demons assembled. High in the sky, Di Jun and Taiyi stood side by side. A phantom of the River Diagram and Luo Book hovered above Di Jun's head as he divined the secrets of Heaven, while Taiyi held the Chaos Bell. Wherever its chimes reached, the myriad demons bowed.

What shocked Lu Chen even more was that Kunpeng was among the army! Though he seemed not to have recovered from his injuries, he had evidently struck some kind of deal with the Demon Clan.

"Kunpeng really has joined the Demon Clan..." Lu Chen hid in the clouds, suppressing his aura.

Just then, he heard two Demon Generals talking below.

"Have you heard? Demon Master Kunpeng offered part of the Great Formation of the Stars diagram. His Majesty was delighted and appointed him Master of Ten Thousand Demons!"

"That's not all! The Demon Master also identified a Human called 'Lu Chen,' saying he stole most of the treasures from Treasure Distribution Cliff! His Majesty has ordered the Primordial World to hunt him down. They want him alive if possible, dead if not!"

"Tsk, tsk. He's got some nerve, stealing the Dao Ancestor's treasures..."

Lu Chen's heart sank as he listened.

Kunpeng had indeed dumped all the blame on him. And the man was ruthless enough to exaggerate his claim to win Di Jun's trust, accusing Lu Chen of stealing "most of the treasures from Treasure Distribution Cliff." In truth, Lu Chen had taken only about thirty percent.

"I need to get back to Wuzhuang Temple, fast."

He slipped away and flew at full speed toward Longevity Mountain.

Three days later, at Wuzhuang Temple.

Lu Chen had just landed when Qingfeng and Mingyue hurriedly pulled him into the inner courtyard.

"Senior Brother Lu Chen, you're finally back! Master and Uncle Hong Yun were worried sick!"

In the courtyard, Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun were discussing matters beneath the Ginseng Fruit Tree. When they saw Lu Chen return, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Friend, I'm glad you're safe," Zhen Yuanzi said. "The Demon Clan's wanted notice has spread throughout the Primordial World. You're a target of everyone now."

Hong Yun handed him a jade slip. "I got this from a fellow Daoist. Take a look."

Lu Chen swept it with his Divine Sense. Inside was an image from the Demon Clan's wanted notice—his own face. Beneath it was written: [Human Lu Chen stole treasures from the Dao Ancestor's Treasure Distribution Cliff and killed a Demon Clan general. His crimes are heinous. Anyone who provides information will be rewarded with one Houtian Spiritual Treasure; anyone who captures or kills him will be rewarded with one Innate Spiritual Treasure!]

"Killed a Demon General?" Lu Chen frowned. "When did I ever kill one?"

"Kunpeng made that up." Zhen Yuanzi sneered. "He needs to pin serious enough crimes on you to get Di Jun and Taiyi to hunt you down with everything they've got. Killing a Demon General and stealing the Dao Ancestor's treasures—those two charges would be enough to kill you ten thousand times over."

Lu Chen fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "So be it. When you've got too many lice, the itching doesn't bother you; when you owe too much, there's no point worrying about the debt."

Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi were both surprised that he could still laugh.

"Friend, have you thought of a plan?"

"I have, but I need time," Lu Chen said. "The most urgent thing is to lie low. The Demon Clan is at the height of its power, and they have a wanted notice out for me. If I show my face outside, I'll be surrounded."

"You can stay at Wuzhuang Temple." Zhen Yuanzi's expression turned serious. "Longevity Mountain is protected by an innate Earth Element Great Array and suppressed by the Earth Book. Unless a Saint comes in person, no one can force their way in."

"Thank you, senior." Lu Chen was grateful, but still cautioned him, "However, Jieyin and Zhunti know I'm here. What if they try something behind the scenes...?"

"They wouldn't dare." Zhen Yuanzi spoke proudly. "Wuzhuang Temple isn't a place where they can run wild."

Hong Yun added, "I'm staying here too, to consolidate my cultivation. The three of us can hold our own for a while, even if Taiyi comes in person."

Lu Chen felt a little more at ease.

He settled in at Wuzhuang Temple for the days that followed.

By day, he discussed the Dao with Zhen Yuanzi and learned the mysteries of the Earth Immortal path. At night, he sparred with Hong Yun to test the power of his abilities. In his free time, he helped Qingfeng and Mingyue tend the herb garden or meditated beneath the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

The Ginseng Fruit Tree truly lived up to its name as an innate Spiritual Root. Cultivation beneath it was twice as effective. With the help of half a strand of Primordial Violet Qi, Lu Chen's cultivation steadily improved, and his understanding of the Law of Strength grew ever deeper.

A month later, Zhen Yuanzi suddenly proposed, "Today marks the ripening of the Ginseng Fruits, which happens once every nine thousand years. Three fruits are ready, so the three of us can each have one to celebrate your escape."

Ginseng Fruit!

Lu Chen's eyes lit up. Just smelling one could add three hundred and sixty years to your life, while eating one could grant you forty-seven thousand years—and they could also improve cultivation and strengthen your foundation.

"Then this junior won't stand on ceremony."

Qingfeng and Mingyue used a golden mallet to knock down three fruits. They were shaped like infants and smelled wonderfully fragrant.

The three of them each took one.

Lu Chen bit into his fruit. The flesh melted in his mouth, turning into a surging stream of spiritual energy that flooded his limbs and body. His cultivation, already at the peak of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, immediately began to stir, edging toward the threshold of the Great Unity Golden Immortal!

"What a fine fruit!" he praised.

As they ate, a clear phoenix cry suddenly rang out from beyond the temple.

A streak of fire descended into the courtyard and transformed into a young woman in red—the Azure Bird envoy under the Queen Mother of the West.

"Greetings, Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, Ancestor Hong Yun." Azure Bird bowed, then looked toward Lu Chen. "You must be Fellow Daoist Lu Chen. My lady invites you to visit."

"Senior Queen Mother of the West wishes to see me?" Lu Chen asked in surprise.

"Indeed." Azure Bird took out an imitation Kunlun Mirror. The Queen Mother of the West's image appeared on its surface. "Young Friend Lu Chen, I know you're in danger. If you're willing to come to Kunlun Mountain and lie low, I can ensure your safety. I also have an opportunity that may benefit you."

The Queen Mother of the West looked serious in the mirror.

Lu Chen looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun.

Zhen Yuanzi pondered. "Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West oversees the female immortals, and Kunlun Mountain is a gathering place for innate spiritual veins. It's certainly safe. She also never takes part in the Primordial World's conflicts, and the Demon Clan wouldn't dare offend her lightly."

Hong Yun added, "You should go. Zhen Yuanzi and I will stay here. If the Demon Clan comes, we'll handle them."

Lu Chen considered it, then nodded. "All right. I'll go with you."

He also wanted to see what opportunity the Queen Mother of the West had mentioned.

After bidding farewell to the two of them, Lu Chen flew with Azure Bird toward Kunlun Mountain.