The Crowd Joined the Fray; The Final Decision

Zhunti, seeing Donghua deep in thought, was not in a hurry, but patiently waited for the outcome.

After a long silence, Donghua regained his composure and slowly said, "Zhunti Daoist Zhunti, I won't say much more. The conditions remain the same as you stated before, and I will also assist your Great Prosperity to some extent."

"But I have two points to add. First, I need the Eastern Green Lotus Treasure Banner, and you must give it to me free of charge."

"Secondly, on the day you prosper in the Western Region, I will seize three-tenths of your virtue and fortune."

Upon Zhunti, Zhunti's expression changed; the price was truly enormous.

The Green Lotus Treasure Banner was merely a spiritual treasure, which didn't bother him much, since a spiritual treasure wasn't a supreme treasure.

However, the three-tenths of the merit and fortune that came with the rise of the Western Region was truly too much. Even though the two of them were the rulers of the Western Region, not even three-tenths of it would fall on Zhunti.

"Fellow Daoist Donghua, such conditions are too harsh. Three-tenths of the merit and fortune is too much. I'm sorry, I cannot agree to it." Zhunti refused directly.

After hearing this, Donghua asked, "Then how much did you say?"

"One-tenth!"

After hearing this, Donghua smiled and said, "Then let's compromise, 20%!"

After hearing Zhunti shook his head again and said, "One and a half percent, this is my bottom line."

Donghua was not satisfied with this number, although it was his bottom line.

Don't think that 15% is a small percentage; it's actually a lot. You have to remember that the Western Region is a quarter of the world's Primordial Wilderness.

According to Donghua's speculation, when the Western Region prospers, Jieyin and Zhunti will be able to obtain about 25% of the fortune and merit.

That is, half of the fortune and merits belong to the beings of the Western Region and the many Great Powers of the Primordial Wilderness.

Therefore, all things considered, Donghua's 15% is indeed a significant amount!

But he was not satisfied and said, "Zhunti, since we are going to cooperate, why should we care about such a small portion of fortune, especially since it is an unknown amount of fortune and merit?"

"As long as we cooperate sincerely, we will surely achieve a win-win situation. In the future, the Primordial Wilderness will belong to us."

Upon hearing Zhunti, Zhunti glared at Donghua, realizing he had met his match.

"I have great confidence in the rise of the Western Region, just as I am confident in my ability to attain Attain Sainthood."

"Moreover, our Western Region is impoverished, and we rely entirely on this hope. Fellow Daoist, you possess the Four Seas, Three Islands and Ten Continents, and are the future ruler of the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Emperor."

"Why bother arguing with me about half a percent of fortune and merit? Wouldn't that be an insult to your reputation, fellow Daoist? Please have pity on the Western Region."

Donghua gave Zhunti a strange look. "Wow, with your abilities and eloquence, it would be against all reason if the Western Region didn't rise!"

I painted a picture of a bright future for you, and you turned around and painted an even bigger one for me.

In fact, Donghua didn't care about this half-formed fortune; his main concern was preventing the Three Pure Ones from gaining it.

After all, the more he gains, the less the Three Pure Ones will have!

But looking back now, it's clear he was too greedy; the Western Region wouldn't allow him to gain two-thirds of the Destiny's fortune.

"Very well, since Zhunti has said so, I, Donghua, will concede one and a half percent!"

Zhunti smiled happily and said, "Alright, since you're so straightforward, I'm not one to be stingy!"

He then took out the Green Lotus Treasure Banner and handed it to Donghua.

Donghua accepted the precious flag and said, "Zhunti Daoist Zhunti, since we have reached a consensus, why don't we swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao together? Let's be petty first, then act like gentlemen; this way, both sides will feel more at ease!"

Zhunti thought about it for a moment and found no flaws. Then the two of them swore an oath!

This meeting has now come to an end!

After the last meeting, Donghua forcibly went into seclusion to refine the Green Lotus Treasure Banner, because he didn't have much time left.

While Donghua was in seclusion, Houtu and Xuan Ming arrived at the Purple Mansion.

"I have met the Ancestral Witch Houtu, and I have met the Xuanming Ancestral Witch!"

The Barefoot Immortal was in charge of the Shui Fu, so he was the first to come into contact with the two of them.

"You are the Crimson Fate Emperor of the Purple Mansion, a guest of the Purple Sky Palace, the Barefoot Immortal. I do remember you."

"Go and inform Donghua that we have come to pay our respects!"

Houtu didn't have much interaction with them. Although they were both guests of the Purple Sky Palace, their statuses were vastly different, so there was no need for further conversation.

The Barefoot Immortal chuckled lightly, not taking their attitude to heart. On the contrary, he treated them with great respect, as strength was paramount in the Primordial Wilderness, which was quite normal.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you two Ancestor Witch, but His Purple Mansion is currently in seclusion and cannot disturb him. Moreover, the Purple Mansion is currently closed, so I cannot allow you two Ancestor Witch to the Purple Mansion. If there is anything important, I can inform His Majesty after he emerges from seclusion. Please forgive me."

Houtu frowned slightly and said again, "Since Donghua is in seclusion, let's find someone who can make the decision. Do we want to enter the Purple Mansion?"

Just as the Barefoot Immortal was about to say something, a voice reached his ears.

"Let them in!"

The Barefoot Immortal immediately activated the grand formation, his tone instantly changing as he chuckled and said to the two, "Please, you two Ancestor Witch, His Majesty is waiting for us at the Jingyang Palace."

That was definitely Donghua's voice transmission just now!

Houtu and Xuan Ming entered the Purple Mansion! This was their first time there, and they were instantly captivated by the Purple Mansion.

"Sister, the Three Islands and Ten Continents truly deserve to be called a top-tier world; their spiritual energy and Daoist charm are almost on par with Buzhou Mountain!"

Houtu nodded. She didn't care about these things; instead, she was awestruck by the various auras emanating from the Purple Mansion.

When the two arrived at the Azure Sea, it was the time when Nuwa was giving her sermon.

After listening for a while, Xuan Ming stayed in the Azure Sea, while Houtu went straight into the Jingyang Palace.

"Houtu Daoist Houtu, what brings you to my Purple Mansion today?"

Houtu smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just wanted to check if you were still alive."

"Uh, fellow Daoist, please don't joke around!"

Donghua waved for them to sit down, and after they were served fragrant tea, they began to talk.

"The Purple Mansion is no place to linger now. If you have nothing urgent to attend to, it is best to leave to avoid being caught in the crossfire."

"Why not a place to stay for a while? Does Fellow Daoist Donghua not welcome me?" Houtu smiled and stared straight at Donghua.

"That's not it. It's just that the Heavenly Court is eyeing us covetously, and a battle is about to break out. That's why I advised you to leave, fellow Daoist!"

Houtu asked in confusion, "Did you know that the Lich King was going to attack the Purple Mansion?"

Donghua smiled and said, "What's there to not know? The Demon Race Heavenly Court..."

Before he could finish speaking, Donghua suddenly realized that Houtu was referring to the witches and demons, not the Demon Race Heavenly Court.

Then, in shock, he looked at Houtu!

At this moment, Houtu was only concerned with the fragrant tea in front of her and no longer paid any attention to Donghua.

The main hall suddenly fell silent!

"I have come here for two reasons: first, to see how you perish; and second, because we have met again since Mount Tai. I wonder what your answer is?"

He was still reeling from Houtu's words. Why would the Lich King and the Demon King join forces to attack the Purple Mansion? How could that be?

This is simply a fantasy!

But looking at Houtu's appearance, these words didn't seem to be false. After all, she had been restless for some time, thinking that war was about to break out, but now it seemed that it was a matter of the lich and demons joining forces.

But how could the liches possibly join forces?

Even if Dijiang, Dijun, and others reached a consensus, how could they possibly join forces to attack due to the deep-seated blood feud between the two clans?

If this matter gets out, Di Jun Dijiang will definitely lose their prestige among their respective clans.

Blood Sea cannot be suppressed by a single word from a high-ranking official. People are not blindly loyal to any one person or force.

So, saying that the liches joined forces means they were fighting their own battles, or that they each had their own agendas.

After all, the presence of two Ancestor Witch of the Witch Clan signifies that the Witch Clan's opinions are not unified.

Thinking of this, Donghua felt a little relieved. After all, although the situation was dangerous, it wasn't a certain death.

"Houtu Daoist Houtu, I, Donghua, owe you a favor and a debt of karma, but I have other important matters to attend to and cannot accompany you. Please forgive me!"

Houtu didn't say anything, but took a sip of tea, gesturing for Donghua to be free, as if she were the true mistress of the Jingyang Palace.

Watching Donghua's departing figure, Houtu murmured, "That's more interesting! A single dominant force is no match for a three-way battle!"

Behind them, a dark world was spinning, filled with people, as if in the blink of an eye, they had experienced a cycle from birth to death, from death to extinction, and from extinction to birth.

Inside the main hall, Nuwa appeared unexpectedly, standing before Houtu and saying, "Sister, you truly possess remarkable skills; Nuwa admires you!"

Houtu smiled gently and poured Nuwa a cup of tea.

"Isn't your sister quite cunning too?"

Nuwa slowly sat down, picked up a cup of tea in front of her. The teacup was like a world in itself, containing the ultimate power of death, yet also manifesting infinite vitality. The two intersected to form Six Paths Black Holes.

But Nuwa didn't care at all and drank it down in one gulp!

"Do you think Donghua truly doesn't understand, or is he pretending not to understand?"

Then he poured Houtu a cup of tea!

Houtu picked up her teacup, and boundless creative power surged forth, forming worlds one after another.

Does it matter?

He then drank it all in one gulp!

After Donghua left the main hall, he gathered several Emperor Lord Quasi-Saint from the Purple Mansion and said:

"The Witch Clan might intervene in this battle, but I'm currently unsure of their intentions—whether they'll attack directly or simply wait to reap the benefits."

What are your thoughts?

As soon as Donghua finished speaking, the group began to talk.

The West Queen Mother asked, "Is this news true? Why would those brainless people from the Witch Court make a move at this time?"

Donghua said, "The information is reliable, but I'm unsure when the Witch Clan will make their move!"

Haotian stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe the Witch Clan will not act immediately; it will not benefit them at all. They will definitely strike last."

"If my Purple Mansion had the advantage at that time, then the Witch Clan would have helped the Heavenly Court and turned the tide of battle!"

"If the Heavenly Court gains the upper hand, then the Witch Clan will immediately strike and divide up our fortune."

Donghua found Haotian's words very reasonable, as they aligned with his own thoughts.

Taiyuan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe our true adversary is the Demon Race Heavenly Court, while the Witch Clan is merely a troublemaker."

"Moreover, I dare say that the Witch Clan will absolutely not send troops to the Purple Mansion; at most, the Twelve Ancestor Witches will come to get a share of the spoils!"

Inside the main hall, opinions varied widely.

This meeting lasted a long time, but apart from the parties involved, no one knows what resolution was ultimately reached!

P. S.: Guys, I'm so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open anymore. The next chapter will be a little late, but it should still be 10,000 words.