Houtu's Importance

Di Jiang led the way at the front, while Ye Jun traveled in the middle. In but a moment, they arrived at the Witch Clan's territory—the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains!

They were called the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, but there were far more than a hundred thousand of them. Even with Ye Jun's state of mind, the sight before him stirred his heart with surging emotion.

"As expected of the Witch Clan's stronghold. Such scenery is rare even throughout the entire Primordial World!" Ye Jun could not help but sigh in admiration.

Before him stretched a vast and boundless land. Tens of thousands of towering peaks stood firm, piercing the heavens, while the spaces between them lay shrouded in gray mist, carrying the feeling of heaven and earth first opening!

It was Ye Jun's first time passing through this place, yet he could already sense the overwhelming power of blood and vitality. It was a kind of momentum formed from the gathered blood and vitality of the entire Witch Clan.

Hearing Ye Jun's sentiments, Di Jiang smiled. "Indeed. It is only natural for Daoist Friend to feel this way on your first visit. Once you grow accustomed to it, though, you will find that the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains are far inferior to the paradises beyond."

Di Jiang's words resonated deeply with Ye Jun. Only the Witch Clan's unique nature allowed them to cultivate in these Hundred Thousand Great Mountains year after year.

"Daoist Friend, the Witch Clan's ancestral land lies ahead. Please." Di Jiang pointed toward a spot amid the mountains.

Ye Jun nodded faintly, then followed behind Di Jiang.

A short while later, they arrived at the Witch Clan's ancestral land. The moment the Witch Clan members saw Ye Jun, their faces were filled with confusion.

The Witch Clan was not some isolated and secluded place. It was perfectly normal for outsiders to visit from time to time.

But since when had all twelve ancestral witches moved out together to bring back a single person?

What kind of status could warrant the joint appearance of all twelve ancestral witches?

They could not figure it out.

After entering the Witch Clan's main hall, the Twelve Ancestral Witches took their seats, and Ye Jun found a place to sit as well.

"Daoist Friend Di Jiang, if there is something you wish to discuss, just say it," Ye Jun said slowly.

Di Jiang could not possibly have invited him to the Witch Clan merely to admire the scenery.

Caught so directly, Di Jiang froze for a moment before saying, "Daoist Friend Ye Jun truly is a straightforward man. Since that is the case, I shall not beat around the bush."

As he spoke, he pointed at Houtu beside him. Houtu nodded and slowly said, "When the Sage preached the Dao before, he said that our Witch Clan had a path. Yet thousands of years have passed, and we still have not found it."

Understanding dawned on Ye Jun. So this was where they had been waiting for him.

Houtu continued, "Since Daoist Friend was able to communicate with the Heavenly Dao and break through to the Quasi-Saint realm, could you perhaps clear up the Witch Clan's doubts?"

Ye Jun put on a thoughtful expression. Houtu watched him anxiously, no longer having the mind to care about how Ye Jun had accidentally seen her bathing before.

"The path is actually upon you, Daoist Friend Houtu," Ye Jun said slowly.

The moment those words were spoken, the entire Witch Clan hall fell deathly silent. Di Jiang stared eagerly at Houtu, wanting to find something different about her.

"Is what Daoist Friend Ye Jun says true?" Di Jiang asked urgently.

Ye Jun said nothing, merely nodding.

Di Jiang and Houtu exchanged a glance, both their eyes filled with confusion.

"Daoist Friend Ye Jun, could you explain in greater detail? Where is the path upon Daoist Friend Houtu?" Di Jiang grasped Ye Jun's hand.

Ye Jun smiled bitterly before saying, "Daoist Friend Di Jiang, I am not a Sage who has attained the Great Dao. How could I possibly know where that path lies?"

Hearing Ye Jun's answer, Di Jiang and the other ancestral witches were filled with regret.

They clearly knew a path existed, yet did not know where it led?

Was that not simply making things difficult for them?

Seeing the twelve ancestral witches lament in unison, Ye Jun sighed inwardly as well.

Did he truly not know?

Of course that was impossible. But heavenly secrets could not be divulged. Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun had not stated it outright before. If Ye Jun revealed it, the Karma would likely be difficult to resolve.

Di Jiang and the other ancestral witches understood as well. For now, they could only seek the answer from Houtu herself. As for what exactly that path was, Ye Jun had no way to help them.

Di Jiang let out a long sigh and said slowly, "Daoist Friend is right. I was too impatient."

Since the most important matter had yielded no result, nothing else seemed important. Ye Jun remained with the Witch Clan and spoke at length with Di Jiang. In the end, he even fought Zhu Rong once more before they finally called it a day.

It had to be said that the Witch Clan's love of battle was entirely justified.

Later, even Houtu wanted to spar with Ye Jun. After all, guidance from a Quasi-Saint was an opportunity rarer than rare.

It gave Ye Jun two headaches for one head. He hurriedly announced his departure. If he did not leave now, would he not become their sparring partner?

Di Jiang could not force him to stay. He and the other ancestral witches could only watch as Ye Jun lay atop Taotie and departed into the distance.

"Daoist Friend Ye Jun will surely become a Great Being who commands a region in the future," Di Jiang murmured.

Zhu Rong stood closest to Di Jiang and heard his words. Yet in Zhu Rong's eyes, was Ye Jun not already a Great Being commanding a region?

Little did he know that what Di Jiang meant was the position of a Sage—only then could one truly be called a Great Being!

In a secluded, fragrant valley.

"Master, the environment here is not bad. How about we rest here for a while?" Taotie's muffled voice suddenly rang out.

Ye Jun, who had just been resting with his eyes closed, immediately jumped down. He patted Taotie, then found a place to sit.

Taotie also looked utterly relieved. His master looked so small and slight—who would have thought he weighed so much!

Ever since leaving the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, Ye Jun had been cultivating without pause. Just as he was about to rest for a while, he suddenly saw two colorful streaks flash across the sky from east to west.

Ye Jun saw this scene as well. In but a moment, the two streaks had already descended into the valley where he was.

Taotie sensed the presence of the two fairies as well and could not help turning its head to glance at its master.

"Who goes there?" Ye Jun snorted coldly.

The two streams of colorful light had landed directly in the valley, leaving even Ye Jun unable to see through them.

Then, two fairies appeared not far from Ye Jun.

"Greetings, Senior. We are maidens under the Queen Mother of the West. We did not mean to disturb you; we beg Senior's forgiveness," one of the fairies said slowly.

Ye Jun raised a brow. People of the Queen Mother of the West?

West Kunlun was tens of thousands of li from here. These two maidens had actually journeyed all this way?

"Did something happen on West Kunlun?" Ye Jun asked slowly.

"Reporting to Senior, the Peach Tree on West Kunlun seems to have developed some problem these past few days, which has left the Queen Mother of the West in a rather poor mood," one of the maidens answered tremblingly.

Since the person before them addressed the Queen Mother of the West in such a manner, it meant he was acquainted with their mistress.

At the very least, he was not someone two mere maidens like them could afford to offend. Naturally, they had to be exceedingly respectful.