Dijiang threw back his head and laughed, his voice booming like a great bell and stirring the currents of Chaos:
"Fellow Daoist Donghua, why worry so much? Back then, you personally warned Jumang of the danger posed by the disturbance in the Western leyline. Our Witch Clan has kept that great kindness in our hearts. Though our clan possesses countless treasures, none could ever be worthy of such weighty karma."
He stepped forward, his blood and qi surging like a dragon. The divine light in his eyes flared like the twin radiance of sun and moon as he gazed straight at Donghua:
"I blocked your path today not to make things difficult for you, but to settle this matter and bring this karma to a perfect conclusion!"
Before the words had even faded, Dijiang swept his great hand through the air. An imprint appeared from nowhere, condensed from the Witch Clan's undying blood and qi and containing the ultimate mysteries of the Dao of the physical body. It transformed into a streak of crimson-gold light, like a rainbow piercing the sun, and hovered before Donghua.
"This is the cultivation method that guards our Witch Clan: the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique! It was passed down by Father God Pangu."
Dijiang's voice boomed like thunder, sending waves of qi surging in every direction:
"Fellow Daoist Donghua, please don't refuse!"
Seeing Donghua hesitate, Zhurong could no longer hold himself back. His scorching blood and qi rose like a blazing furnace, and he cried impatiently, his voice like thunder mingled with fire:
"Our Witch Clan's cultivation method was passed down by Father God. It tempers an undying body, lets one seize control of Heaven and Earth, and shatter stars with a punch. How could it be even slightly inferior to the heavenly texts taught by Old Man Hongjun in the Purple Cloud Palace?"
He strode forward, waves of heat washing over them. His words rang out like metal striking stone: "Make up your mind! Are you taking it or not?"
It would have been a lie to say he wasn't tempted.
Even deep in Donghua's Dao Heart, a ripple stirred. This was a cultivation method passed down from Pangu Father God, and the opportunity it contained was enough to drive any cultivator mad with desire.
Yet in a single thought, countless threads of karma became clear to him.
Back then, he had told Jumang about the danger to the leyline only as a casual favor, but the Witch Clan regarded it as an enormous kindness.
What was more, he had already quietly shared in the Heavenly Dao merit the Witch Clan gained from repairing the leyline. That karma had long since been settled.
If he accepted this cultivation method, which could offer hope of attaining sainthood, it would no longer be a matter of settling an old debt. Instead, he would take on a far greater new karmic debt out of nowhere—one that might bind his fate to the Witch Clan's completely!
The opportunity was immense, but so was the price.
Dijiang and Zhurong watched him intently. The currents of Chaos seemed to still, while myriad concerns intermingled in Donghua's eyes, their light flickering.
Suddenly, a flash of insight lit his gaze, as if he had pierced through the mist.
Now that an opportunity had come to his very doorstep, was shrinking back and avoiding it really what a seeker of the Dao should do? Refusing this opportunity might instead give rise to new obsessions and inner demons, doing his path more harm than good!
"I was too attached to appearances!" Donghua laughed aloud. Clear light flowed around him, and his hesitation vanished in an instant, replaced by calm resolve. "Karma follows cause and effect. Since there is a cause, there must be an effect. So what if I form this bond of goodwill with the Witch Clan today?"
"If one day I, Donghua, succeed in attaining the Primordial Unity, what harm would there be in lending the Witch Clan a hand? And if I die before then and my Dao vanishes, all will be for naught. Why worry over today's karma?"
With that single thought, all his worries disappeared!
Without another moment's hesitation, Donghua swept his sleeve and drew the crimson-gold streak of light straight into the mysterious gate in his palm.
The instant the imprint entered him, an immense aura of blood and qi and the resonance of the Dao burst forth, intertwining with the clear, cool immortal light that surrounded Donghua.
Donghua stood amid Chaos, his Dao Heart clearer and more steadfast than ever before.
Seeing this, Dijiang burst into hearty laughter. Zhurong clapped his hands and cried, "That's more like it!"
Who could predict the future? But at least now, he had accepted this opportunity—and its karma. The road ahead might be perilous, but I shall press forward by my own strength!
Donghua reined in the strange phenomena around him. The divine light in his eyes grew deeper as he cupped his hands in a solemn salute:
"Thank you, fellow Daoists, for giving me this cultivation method. I, Donghua, will remember this kindness.
"I have only just received the method, and the Great Dao lies before me. I can hardly contain my eagerness. I have long revered Father God's profound technique and can't wait to find a quiet place to cultivate and comprehend its principles."
Donghua spoke sincerely, then continued, "Please forgive my impatience. I'll take my leave first. The Primordial Wilderness is vast, fellow Daoists. When fate brings us together again, we must discuss the Dao once more!"
Dijiang laughed heartily. "Just as it should be! Go, fellow Daoist. May you comprehend its mysteries and make great progress in your cultivation!"
Donghua said no more. He nodded to Dijiang once again, then a flash of clear light surrounded him and Taizhen. Together, they became a streak of light that ripped through Chaos and vanished into the boundless void in an instant.
Watching the streak of light that had been Donghua disappear into the depths of Chaos, the bold smile on Zhurong's face faded slightly, replaced by a trace of worry that was hard to notice. He turned to Dijiang beside him and lowered his voice:
"Eldest Brother, this is the profound technique Father God passed down. We just gave it to him like that. What if he has ulterior motives, or passes it around the Primordial Wilderness one day...?"
"Hmph!"
Before Zhurong could finish, Dijiang snorted. The sound was not loud, yet the Chaos around them seemed to still.
He turned around. The eyes that held the mysteries of the Space Law showed not the slightest doubt, only absolute confidence that looked down upon Heaven and Earth.
"So what if he passes it around?" Dijiang's voice rang out like metal striking stone, carrying undeniable force. "Zhurong, remember this: this vast Primordial World Heaven and Earth was transformed from Father God!
"Hongjun can lecture on the Great Dao in the Purple Cloud Palace and earn the gratitude of the Myriad Races. As the Pangu Orthodox Lineage, why shouldn't our Witch Clan pass Father God's cultivation method on to the world and let all living beings feel his boundless grace?"
He stepped forward, his blood and qi surging like a dragon and stirring ten thousand miles of Chaos. His voice grew more impassioned:
"Do you think our Witch Clan, inheritors of Father God's bloodline, should fear those who come after us and cultivate the same method?
"Even if every living being in the Primordial Wilderness cultivates the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique, our Witch Clan will still be the strongest race under Heaven! How could a cultivation method shake the pride and strength that come from our bloodline?"
At his words, the worry in Zhurong's eyes vanished, replaced by burning fighting spirit and faith in his elder brother. "You're right, Eldest Brother! I was overthinking it. When has our Witch Clan ever feared a challenge?"
"Let's go," Dijiang said, turning his gaze away and returning to his calm. "The seed has been planted. We'll see what kind of flower it bears in the future. For now, dominating the Primordial Wilderness is what matters most."
Meanwhile, on the Pure World White Lotus, Taizhen's cool gaze fell on Donghua's face. Seeing the lingering impatience between his brows, she spoke calmly, her voice flowing like an icy spring:
"I wonder what cultivation method the Witch Clan gave you, that you can hardly wait even a moment."
Her tone was calm, not accusatory. It sounded more like a statement carrying a hint of understanding and gentle teasing.
She hadn't seen the method herself, but she had traveled with Donghua for several yuanhui. She knew his cultivation and temperament had long since reached a state impervious to the winds of change.
Anything that could stir even a slight ripple in Donghua, especially something bestowed by the Ancestor Witches, who valued lineage above all else, needed no further explanation of its extraordinary nature.
Hearing this, Donghua met her clear eyes, deep as a cold pool. A helpless yet frank smile appeared on his face:
"I was indeed impatient. Please forgive me, Taizhen. It's a method inherited from Father God, one of great significance. Its mysteries have unsettled even my Dao Heart. I feel that my path ahead has opened up considerably, and so I let myself show it."
Before you continue