All Sages Make Their Move, Jiang He Reaps the Benefits

Nuwa's gaze fell on Jiang He, carrying a hint of expectation. "Jiang He, your analysis just now was quite insightful. How do you think we should handle this?"

With all the Sages' eyes fixed squarely on him, Jiang He secretly grumbled about how this hot potato had been tossed onto his head again. Still, he did not dare delay in answering. "In reply to Your Majesty, I believe the Heavenly Dao's core objective is to force the Wu Race out of the Netherworld and reignite the war between the Wu and Demon Races, using the flames of war to destroy the will of Great God Pangu within Buzhou Mountain. At present, the two most urgent matters are these: first, stop the Demon Race's assault on Buzhou Mountain; second, uncover solid proof of the Two Sages of the West's involvement and expose the Heavenly Dao's scheme to the light."

He paused, then added, "As for the Demon Race, the Ten Golden Crows are merely a smokescreen. There must be people working in secret behind them on behalf of the Two Sages of the West. The Wu Race's ten Ancestral Witches probably cannot hold out much longer;

Second, contact the Anti-Demon Alliance. Though they are not on the same path as us, they hate the Demon Race to the bone. Perhaps we can borrow their strength to restrain them somewhat."

"Borrow the Anti-Demon Alliance?" Houtu frowned slightly. "Those people have been strengthened by the Heavenly Dao, and their motives are complicated. I fear they are difficult to trust."

"There is no need to trust them. We only need to let them see the Demon Race's weakness." A sly glint flashed through Jiang He's eyes. "The Anti-Demon Alliance has been entrenched in remote corners for ages and has long wanted to return to the heart of the Primordial World. As long as we reveal that the Demon Race's main force has gathered at Buzhou Mountain, leaving their rear undefended, they will certainly strike at the Demon Court. When that happens, the Demon Race will be unable to attend to both ends, and the pressure on Buzhou Mountain will naturally lessen."

"This is an excellent plan." Grand Pure Laozi nodded approvingly. "Use their own way against them. We need not deal with the Anti-Demon Alliance directly, yet we can still restrain the Demon Race. Killing two birds with one stone."

"Well then! I have a small request!" Seeing that everyone had accepted his suggestion, Jiang He shamelessly brought it up.

"Oh? What request? Let's hear it."

"Could I have the corpses of those nine Golden Crows this time? I feel they will be of great use to me!"

The Sages had thought it was something serious. That was all?

"Fine, I'll make the decision and give them to you! I'll personally pack them up for you. How about that?" Sect Master Tongtian said with a grin, patting Jiang He on the shoulder.

Among the Sages, only Nuwa thought of Jiang He's Sun Body and guessed that the Golden Crows' corpses might aid his cultivation. She spoke up, "Will nine be enough?"

The Sages...

The moment Jiang He heard that, he realized she was planning to kill the remaining one too!

"Huh? Um, is that all right? Won't it affect anything?"

Nuwa waved a hand. "Why wouldn't it be? As long as they are useful to you, I'll bring the remaining one back for you. What could it possibly affect?"

"Huh? Won't it affect the rising and setting of the sun in the Primordial World?"

Jiang He was dumbfounded. Hadn't it been said that the last Golden Crow controlled the rising and setting of the sun?

"Who told you that? How could a mere Golden Crow possibly govern the rising and setting of the sun in the Primordial World? The lunar and solar stars formed from my Father God's eyes are what determine the rising and setting of the sun here! How could a feathered beast control such a thing?"

Primordial Heavenly Venerate immediately became displeased upon hearing Jiang He say that the Golden Crows controlled the sun's rise and fall. Who exactly were you looking down on?

"I'll bring all ten Golden Crows back for you in a moment, so you can see whether heaven and earth in this Primordial World will still be bright without them!" Primordial Heavenly Venerate said.

All right! Jiang He admitted that he had once again been misled by his previous life!

Inside Pangu Hall, the Sages' plan had already been settled.

Grand Pure Laozi condensed a wisp of Primordial Clear Qi at his fingertips and sketched a map of the Primordial World in the air. He spoke calmly, "The Heavenly Dao wishes to use the war between the Wu and Demon Races to destroy Buzhou Mountain and erase all traces of Father God. Then we shall ensure that the flames of war stray from its expectations.

"Primordial, stop Di Jun and Taiyi, and cut off the Demon Race's commanders.

"I will guard Buzhou Mountain and protect Father God's will from dispersing.

"Fellow Daoist Nuwa and Houtu will block Purple Cloud Palace, preventing the Heavenly Dao from personally intervening.

"Tongtian will trap the Two Sages of the West and sever their claws and fangs.

"Jiang He will lead the Anti-Demon Alliance in striking the Demon Court and throwing its foundations into chaos—five sides moving together, each link locking into the next. No matter how much the Heavenly Dao schemes, it will be difficult for it to break this arrangement."

"Second Brother is absolutely right." Primordial Heavenly Venerate flicked his whisk, and the divine light of order surged in his eyes. "Di Jun and Taiyi possess two innate supreme treasures, the River Map and Luo Book and the Chaos Bell. Though they are not Sages, they possess the combat strength of peak Quasi-Sages. But without becoming Sages, they are ultimately nothing but ants. I will not let them come within half a step of Buzhou Mountain. As for those ten Golden Crows, they are merely chess pieces of the Heavenly Dao. Once I capture them, I will leave them to Fellow Daoist Jiang He's disposal."

Sect Master Tongtian had long been unable to restrain himself. The Immortal Slaying Four Swords hovered around him, their Sword Qi shooting into the sky as though they wished to split Pangu Hall apart. "Those two hypocrites from the West relied on Primordial Violet Qi and great vows to cling their way into Sainthood, yet they dare act as lackeys for the Heavenly Dao! I'll go to Mount Sumeru right now and set up the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. With its four gates opened, it cannot be broken without four Sages. Let's see how they escape to aid the Demon Race!"

As Nuwa rose, rosy light swept outward, intertwining with the Netherworld Sha Qi around Houtu to form a strange balance. "Purple Cloud Palace is currently where the Heavenly Dao manifests within the Primordial World. Houtu and I will go there. We do not seek to harm the Heavenly Dao; we seek only to hold its gaze and prevent it from controlling the entire situation in real time. Jiang He, be mindful of your limits when spreading rumors. The Anti-Demon Alliance may be used, but do not let them gain too much advantage, lest they turn on us in the future."

"This junior understands!" Jiang He's heart burned with excitement. The promise of ten Golden Crows was like pouring oil onto a blazing fire, making his desire for a breakthrough grow all the fiercer. Although his Sun Body had taken initial form, he had remained stuck at the middle stage of Quasi-Sage, with flaws still present in his origin. The Golden Crows, however, were formed from innate True Sun Fire. Their flesh, blood essence, and Primordial Spirits all contained the purest solar origin. They were supreme treasures for cleansing away the shackles within him.

"Time waits for no one. Act separately!" As Empress Houtu's words fell, brilliant light erupted within Pangu Hall. The Sages each summoned their supreme treasures, transforming into streaks of light that burst through the roof and shot toward their respective destinations.

Holding the Taiji Diagram, Grand Pure Laozi appeared atop Buzhou Mountain in an instant. The Taiji Diagram unfolded, black and white qi flowing in a cycle to form an indestructible barrier.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate, meanwhile, headed straight for the rear of the Demon Race army. With a sweep of the Pangu Banner, chaotic Sword Qi stretched across ten thousand miles, forcibly separating Di Jun and Taiyi from the ten Ancestral Witches they were fighting.

"Di Jun, Taiyi, do not dream of taking another step forward today! Retreat at once!" His mighty voice shook the universe. The spiritual radiance of the River Map and Luo Book and the tolling of the Chaos Bell erupted at the same time, yet both were firmly suppressed by the chaotic qi of the Pangu Banner.

Sect Master Tongtian descended upon Mount Sumeru with the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. The four swords stood at the four directions of the mountaintop, their Sword Qi piercing the heavens and stirring celestial phenomena. Mount Sumeru was instantly engulfed by towering Sword Qi. "Zhunti, Jieyin, come out and die!" His sword-borne shout spread across the West, frightening the disciples of the Western Religion out of their wits. Zhunti and Jieyin's faces turned ashen, but they did not dare rashly break the formation—the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation's fierce reputation was well known, and the two of them could scarcely support a single tree between them.

Nuwa and Houtu entered Purple Cloud Palace side by side. The Heavenly Dao light screen before its gates automatically unfurled, only to be jointly suppressed by Nuwa's Mountain and River Diagram and Houtu's Netherworld Seal. "Hongjun Dao Ancestor, we have matters to discuss with you. Please come out and meet us." Houtu's voice was cold and clear, piercing through the light screen and reaching the core of the Heavenly Dao. Thunder immediately rumbled throughout Purple Cloud Palace, yet no one appeared in response.

Elsewhere, Jiang He had already arrived at the East Sea Dragon Palace. Upon learning of the Sages' arrangement, Dragon King Ao Guang did not dare show the slightest negligence. He immediately gathered the various branches of the Dragon Clan and sent them throughout the Primordial World, deliberately "leaking" information near the Anti-Demon Alliance's areas of activity.

"Demon Emperor Di Jun and Taiyi have mobilized their entire force, leading an army of one hundred thousand to besiege Buzhou Mountain. Only a small number of soldiers remain to guard the Demon Court, and the Sun Star's defenses are weak..." Rumors like these seemed to sprout wings, swiftly spreading through the remote reaches of the Primordial World.

Deep within the Anti-Demon Alliance's headquarters, the leaders of every race gathered together, their faces filled with shock and restless agitation. "Is the Demon Race's rear truly undefended?" asked an Asura Race Quasi-Sage, greed glinting in his eyes. "The Dragon Clan has always been at odds with the Demon Race. The information should be true!" another beast race leader said gravely. "If we can seize the Demon Court while they are distracted and plunder the innate resources of the Sun Star, we can rally again and never suffer the Demon Race's oppression any longer!"

After discussing it briefly, the leaders made their decision at once. "The entire army moves out! Launch a surprise attack on the Demon Court!" The allied forces of more than a dozen factions became billowing red clouds and sped toward the Demon Court, utterly unaware that this was a trap tailor-made for them by the Sages of Pangu Hall.

Standing atop the Dragon Palace, Jiang He watched the Anti-Demon Alliance disappear into the distance, a smile curling at his lips. He knew that the Demon Race must now be caught in a dilemma—unable to conquer Buzhou Mountain after prolonged attacks while their rear came under assault. Di Jun and Taiyi would surely split their forces to return and reinforce it. At that point, Primordial Heavenly Venerate could seize the chance to heavily wound the Demon Race's main force.

Once the dust had settled, Jiang He hurried eagerly to Buzhou Mountain. By then, Primordial Heavenly Venerate had already captured all ten Golden Crows. Bound by the chaotic qi of the Pangu Banner, they could not move, their eyes filled with terror. "Fellow Daoist Jiang He, I've brought them to you." With a wave of his hand, Primordial Heavenly Venerate dropped the ten Golden Crows before Jiang He.

Meanwhile, Di Jun, Taiyi, and all the Demon Race's upper echelon had been trapped within an Array Formation by Primordial Heavenly Venerate, unable to break free.

Jiang He took a deep breath and summoned his natal treasure, the Sun Wheel. Blazing True Sun Fire ignited around him. He drew the ten Golden Crows into the flames, formed seals with both hands, and chanted the refinement incantation. Their flesh swiftly melted away, turning into pure solar origin that poured endlessly into Jiang He's body.

The solar essence fire tempered his bones, meridians, and Primordial Spirit. The flaws in his origin were erased one by one, while the barrier of the middle stage of Quasi-Sage shattered like paper. Jiang He could clearly feel his Sun Body becoming ever purer, the power of his Primordial Spirit surging wildly. He even faintly touched the threshold of the late stage of Quasi-Sage.

"What powerful origin energy!" Jiang He rejoiced inwardly, circulating his cultivation method and absorbing every last trace of Golden Crow origin. When he opened his eyes again, two golden beams shot from them. His aura was deep and majestic as a prison, and he had firmly entered the late stage of Quasi-Sage.

At that moment, a tremendous boom came from the direction of Buzhou Mountain. With their rear under attack, the Demon Race army fell into chaos and was jointly routed by the Wu Race warriors and Grand Pure Laozi.

In the end, with Primordial Heavenly Venerate deliberately going easy on them, Di Jun and Taiyi fled in panic with their remnants, not daring to linger for even a moment.

Jiang He put away the Sun Gold Wheel and felt the surging power within him, his heart filled with emotion. Thanks to the Sages' plan this time, not only had the Heavenly Dao's scheme been thwarted, but he had also broken through his cultivation.

Hehe! No matter how you fight, I'm the one who wins! Jiang He chuckled.