Recruitment Failed

Nüwa had just risen to her feet when a figure hurried in from outside the hall. It was her highest-ranking maid, whose cultivation had already reached the Great Yi Mysterious Immortal Realm.

"Your Ladyship! Something terrible has happened!"

The maid looked anxious. Clearly, something serious had occurred.

Nüwa stopped and looked at her, asking calmly, "Why are you in such a panic?"

She cared deeply for the land under her protection. Its inhabitants might be weak, but to her, they were all lives worth protecting.

The maid hurriedly replied, "Your Ladyship, a moment ago, Witch Clan warriors appeared in the valley at the foot of the mountain and attacked our people!"

Nüwa's brow immediately furrowed.

"How many were hurt?"

"A few were injured, but fortunately, no one died." The maid sighed in relief before continuing, "At the most dangerous moment, a senior who happened to be passing by stepped in and dealt with all three Witch Clan warriors."

"Oh?" A hint of curiosity appeared in Nüwa's eyes. "Who was it? How strong were they?"

The maid's expression filled with admiration. "The senior looked very young, like a wandering Yao Immortal. As for their cultivation... it was unfathomable! They killed three Witch Clan warriors in the Mystic Immortal Realm with just two or three sword strikes. I fear... I fear they must be at least a Golden Immortal powerhouse!"

A Golden Immortal?

Nüwa was somewhat surprised.

In Honghuang, nine out of ten Golden Immortal powerhouses among the Yao Clan had been recruited into the Heavenly Court by Dijun and Taiyi. Why would one be wandering around her territory?

And from the maid's description, this person had acted decisively and seemed entirely unafraid of the Witch Clan.

That was an interesting person.

But for now, her real business was dealing with the two fellows outside.

"I understand. You may leave," Nüwa ordered.

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

Only after the maid had left did Nüwa straighten her robes. With graceful steps, she made her way outside the hall.

Beyond Phoenix Mountain, clouds rolled across the sky.

Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi stood side by side, their regal auras restrained as they waited in silence.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi was impatient by nature. After waiting a little while, he was already growing restless.

"Brother, Nüwa thinks far too highly of herself. She's made us wait this long!"

"Be patient." Dijun remained calm. "Junior Sister Nuwa is a personal disciple of the Dao Ancestor, bears the opportunity to become a Sage, and will be key to whether our Yao Clan can overcome the Witch Clan. Waiting a little longer is nothing."

Eastern Emperor Taiyi snorted but said no more.

Just then, the clouds ahead parted, revealing a path paved with immortal light.

Nüwa appeared at its far end.

Her features were cool and composed as she looked at the two men.

"Greetings, Junior Sister Nuwa." Dijun immediately put on a warm smile, stepped forward, and bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Nuwa." Eastern Emperor Taiyi also restrained his temper and gave a slight nod.

They were being very deferential.

After all, the person before them was not only a great Sage of the Yao Clan but also a disciple of Hongjun Dao Ancestor and a future Heavenly Dao Sage.

Once Nüwa became a Sage, her status would far surpass that of the two Yao Clan Emperors. Building a good relationship with her now could only benefit them.

Nüwa merely gave a slight nod in response.

She had no interest in Dijun's hypocritical pleasantries, but she had yet to find a path to Sainthood and did not want to offend the Yao Emperor outright.

"How long have the two of you been waiting outside my palace?" Nüwa asked coolly.

Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi both paused, surprised by her question.

Dijun smiled as he replied, "Not long. My younger brother and I only just arrived, about half an hour ago."

"Half an hour?" Nüwa's gaze took on a pointed meaning.

She asked, "Three hours ago, Witch Clan members trespassed on my territory at Mount Buzhou and clashed with the Yao Clan here. You two came from afar. Did you notice anything unusual along the way?"

Eastern Emperor Taiyi raised an eyebrow, about to say something.

"Oh? That happened?"

Dijun spoke first. He put on just the right look of surprise, then shook his head.

"My younger brother and I were in a hurry to see you, Junior Sister, and paid no attention to what was happening below. Those insignificant Witch Clan fellows must have moved stealthily and failed to attract our attention."

He spoke without a hint of a flaw, as if he truly knew nothing.

Nüwa watched him silently. Yet her clear eyes made Dijun's heart inexplicably skip a beat.

Did she know?

Impossible. Why would she care so much about the lives of a few minor Yao?

Nüwa's expression visibly cooled.

She dropped the subject and got straight to the point. "Did you two come today to invite me to join the Heavenly Court, as before?"

Seeing Nüwa bring it up herself, Dijun brightened and hurriedly replied, "Exactly! Junior Sister, now that the Dao Ancestor has Merged with the Dao, the Witch Clan grows more brazen by the day, constantly encroaching on our Yao Clan's territory. If our Yao Clan is to command the world and become its true ruler, we must unite every force!"

"You are a great Sage of our Yao Clan. If you would take your place in the Heavenly Court and oversee one of its regions, our Yao Clan's fortune would surely soar! Then wiping out the Witch Clan and unifying Honghuang would be within our reach!"

Dijun spoke with fervor, trying to win Nüwa over with appeals to the greater good of their clan.

Yet Nüwa's expression did not change at all.

She waited until Dijun had finished before answering.

"I appreciate your kind offer, Daoist Brother."

"However, I still haven't comprehended the method of Sainthood taught by the Dao Ancestor. I'm at a critical stage in my secluded study and cannot spare any attention for other matters. I'm afraid I can't take part in the affairs of the Heavenly Court."

Pursuing Sainthood was her foremost priority.

Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi were disappointed, but they had no grounds to argue.

After all, a Sage of the Yao Clan would be worth far more than a great Sage.

"If you need to focus on comprehending the Dao, Junior Sister, we naturally won't disturb you," Dijun said, forcing a smile, though his heart was clouded with gloom.

He knew this was most likely just Nüwa's excuse.

"In that case, my younger brother and I will take our leave. When you attain Hunyuan, the Heavenly Court of our Yao Clan will have a generous gift ready for you!"

"Farewell." Nüwa's reply was brief and decisive.

Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi had met with a polite but firm rejection. They could only turn away, crestfallen.

Two beams of golden light shot into the sky and soon disappeared beyond the horizon.

Nüwa watched them go, her eyes cold.

They were willing to turn a blind eye to the lives of the minor Yao right under their noses just to recruit her.

An Yao Emperor like that, a Heavenly Court like that—she was better off staying out of it.

Elsewhere, Xuanqing was leading Rabbit-eared Girl and the others toward Phoenix Mountain.

"Senior, you're incredible!"

Rabbit-eared Girl stayed by Xuanqing's side, her big eyes full of admiration.

Her name was Tutu Yun, a minor Yao who had been born and raised in this area.

"Those were Witch Clan members! Their bodies are incredibly tough, but you took them down in just a few moves!"

"That's right! You're the most powerful Yao Immortal we've ever met, Senior!"

The other few minor Yao chimed in, their eyes full of awe as they looked at Xuanqing.

Their chatter was giving Xuanqing a headache, so he waved a hand.

"All right, stop flattering me. It was nothing."

Xiao Hei, perched on his shoulder, had already transformed back into a Qilin.

The minor Yao didn't recognize the Qilin and assumed it was a newly born little creature. Seeing how close Xiao Hei was to Xuanqing, a few of them couldn't help envying it.

Xuanqing cast a small spell, making Xiao Hei look like an ordinary little black beast so it wouldn't attract attention.

Xiao Hei was busy looking around, occasionally sniffing the flowers and grass beside the road.

"Senior, we're here. Phoenix Mountain's territory is just ahead." Tutu Yun pointed at an immortal mountain wreathed in clouds and spoke excitedly.

Xuanqing nodded.

He could feel that the spiritual energy ahead was several times denser than the surrounding area. It also carried a peaceful, serene aura that put the mind at ease.

As expected of the future Sage's dwelling.

Just as they were about to climb the mountain, two dazzling golden streaks tore through the sky with an oppressive aura, speeding away from Phoenix Mountain.

The minor Yao, including Rabbit, trembled in fear as the aura swept over them.

Xuanqing looked up and grinned.

It seemed Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi's recruitment had failed.