Primordial Era: The Dao Isn't Finished, But the Ancestor Witches Are Already Saints

Zhu Rong looked at Laozi, gave a cruel smile, and swung his fist down.

Tongtian didn't even have time to let out a scream before his eyes rolled back, his legs went limp, and he crumpled to the ground.

Laozi was absolutely furious. What happened today was a tremendous humiliation.

It could only be described as a monumental disgrace!

The Three Pure Ones, ever since they took form, had always sailed with the wind—never had they suffered such indignity.

Unwilling as he was, there was nothing he could do!

Who could blame them for being weaker than their opponent?

Laozi silently withdrew his Magic Treasure and, following Zhu Rong who had Tongtian slung over his shoulder, turned back toward Li Hao.

Mm... he wore a look of obedient resignation.

He couldn't afford not to be obedient. Among the Three Pure Ones, Yuanshi, the most adept at offense, had fallen first.

Tongtian, second only to Yuanshi, had just fallen as well.

Only Laozi remained of the Three Pure Ones. Though he was the eldest and had the deepest cultivation, he was used to a life of quiet non-action, rarely engaging in conflict.

He was better at passive defense than active attack.

Besides, Laozi's strongest attack, the Supreme Pure Immortal Light, had already been used and hadn't caused any damage to the opponent.

He had no other means left.

Drawing near, Laozi stared hard at Li Hao, grinding his teeth. "Speak. What else do you want?"

Li Hao grinned at Laozi.

"Yo! Old man! We meet again!"

"Did you get lost?"

Laozi's face changed drastically. His whole body stiffened, and he dared not say a word.

He was the fish on the chopping block, and the other was the knife.

Other than enduring, there was no choice.

As for talking back? Laozi never even considered it.

At the end of the day, it was a matter of strength. Barking powerlessly would only make things uglier.

Seeing Laozi stiffen his neck and stay silent, Li Hao gave a light snort.

"You Three Pure Ones sneaked into our Witch Tribe's territory."

"Not only did you steal our Witch Tribe's secret Divine Powers, but you also tried to forcibly take the heavy treasure Father God left for my tribe!"

"Considering that though we're from different branches, we share the same origin, I'll spare your lives—but your suffering is unavoidable."

Just then, Yuanshi slowly came to and happened to hear these words.

Trembling, he raised a hand and pointed at Li Hao. "You... you... un..."

Another mouthful of blood sprayed out, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted again.

Laozi rushed over in two or three steps, shaking Yuanshi.

"Second Brother! Second Brother! Are you alright?"

Strangely enough, after a few shakes, Yuanshi actually woke up again.

At this moment, his face was as pale as gold paper, and he looked utterly listless.

It seemed he didn't even have the strength to speak. He just shook his head to indicate he was fine.

Laozi breathed a sigh of relief inside, turned his head to look at Li Hao, and asked, "Just tell me what you want. Lay down your terms, and we three brothers will accept them!"

Li Hao pretended to think, propping his chin on his hand, then looked at Zhu Rong and said, "Third Brother, I think this old man is carrying my tribe's Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Seven Treasures Pagoda, isn't he?"

Zhu Rong was clearly taken aback. What Seven Treasures Pagoda?

He had no idea at all.

Wait, were they sure they had returned to the same ancestral land?

Why was everything Li Hao had seen or heard completely unknown to him?

But then, Houtu's words flashed through his mind.

"As long as my little brother asks you something, whether you understand it or not, just nod!"

"If Third Brother messes up, I won't talk to you for a hundred thousand years!"

At the memory of those words, Zhu Rong's whole body shuddered, and he decisively nodded.

"Yes, yes, yes! It really does look like my tribe's Seven Treasures Pagoda!"

"Just a few days ago, I was wondering where the pagoda had gone. It must have been stolen by this little... old thief."

Laozi's entire face began to twitch.

I'll be damned!

You really have some nerve!

Isn't this just lying through your teeth?

What do you mean, "Seven Treasures Pagoda"? Just change the name and it's yours?

But of course, these thoughts could only stay in his mind—he couldn't say them out loud.

After all, his Second Brother and Third Brother were still in the other party's hands.

Though they weren't restrained, that was only because the other side simply didn't care.

If you weren't afraid of psychological trauma, you could try running if you thought you could.

As if you'd actually get away.

Otherwise, why do you think they're so emboldened?

Faced with these three Witch Tribe members—unbeatable in a fight, inescapable in flight—

Laozi could do nothing but sigh inwardly.

Yuanshi, who had come to his senses on the side, was about to explode.

His entire face was as dark as water, twisted with fury.

How could he not understand by now?

They weren't just trying to steal their heaven-ordained Magic Treasures—they were also after his Elder Brother's merit-based supreme treasure.

"Elder Brother, you go. Leave us behind. I doubt they'd dare to kill us."

Then, he turned his vicious glare toward Li Hao.

"If you have the guts, kill me then! If I, Yuanshi, let out even a single cry of pain, I'm unworthy to be Father God's continuation."

Li Hao rolled his eyes and spread his hands.

"I really don't dare—or rather, I can't kill you. After all, we all originated from the same source."

Yuanshi, feeling he had the moral high ground, pressed on.

"Since you acknowledge that same origin, you shouldn't be robbing your kin!"

Li Hao paused for a moment, then smiled.

"What's this about 'robbing'? Why put it so harshly?"

"We're just taking back what's ours. It's called returning things to their rightful owner, understand?"

"You invaded our tribe's territory, stole our Divine Powers and secret arts."

"And you even took our treasure that suppresses the tribe's fortune. Is this how you treat your own brothers of the same origin?"

"We are different from you. Out of consideration for our bond of kinship, we didn't even blame you for taking without asking—that's already the greatest fortune you could ask for!"

"Even more, out of respect for our shared origin, we decided to let bygones be bygones!"

As Li Hao spoke, Zhu Rong crept closer to Houtu.

"Little Sister, what does Thirteenth Brother mean by all this?"

Houtu shot him a look, covered her mouth, and whispered.

"If Brother says it is, then it is. Even if it isn't, it is!"

"Third Brother, your voice is too loud. Don't talk unless you have to!"

Zhu Rong nodded, not quite understanding.

"Oh! Got it. I'll listen to you, Little Sister. Whatever you say goes!"

Houtu shot him another look.

"Just stand here and watch properly. Don't talk, don't do anything else. Don't mess up Brother's plans."

Zhu Rong nodded again, standing obediently to the side, completely emptying his mind.

Know nothing!

See nothing!

Hear nothing!

I! Zhu Rong! Am nothing but a hollow shell!

Seeing Zhu Rong behaving himself, Houtu let out a genuine sigh of relief.

Now the only uncertain factor was settled.

No one would come to ruin Brother's plans this time.

Chapter 21: Third Brother! Hurry back and gather the brothers. Follow me! A big score is coming!