Xuandu stood in the center of the Pangu Hall, his blue robes fluttering slightly, his gaze calmly fixed on Di Jiang's gloomy face.
He then spoke slowly, his voice calm, yet each word clear:
"Fellow Daoist, you have misunderstood."
"I was referring to the Witch Clan joining the Interception Sect, not to the Ancestral Witches."
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.
The Ancestral Witches frowned, their anger still burning, but now tinged with doubt.
What do you mean?
Di Jiang asked in a deep voice, dark red Space Law appearing around him, poised to strike like a venomous snake.
Xuandu stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the towering Buzhou Mountain outside the hall. His gaze seemed to pierce through the mountain, reaching down to the countless Witch Clan Warriors training, their Blood Qi Soaring to the Heavens sky.
" The Witch Clan Warriors are born with strong physiques and Blood Qi and qi, making them the best candidates for cultivating martial arts."
He slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at Di Jiang:
"Our Interception Sect's martial arts, Temper Oneself and Unleash Potential, are similar in principle to the Witch Clan's method of Prove Dao With Strength."
"If the Witch Clan Warriors could join the Interception Sect and cultivate martial arts, their strength would surely reach a new level."
"Even if the Witch Clan wins this Witch-Demon War Lich King, it will be a Pyrrhic victory."
Xuandu paused, his voice turning cold:
"If we are defeated... the bloodline of the Witch Clan may be in danger of being wiped out."
"At that time, the Samsara Seal left by Fellow Daoist Houtu, though a way out, will ultimately prevent one from being a pure Witch Clan after reincarnation."
"Instead of doing that, it's better to make plans sooner rather than later."
Ju Mang frowned.
"Does Fellow Daoist Xuandu mean... that my Witch Clan Warriors should become disciples of the Jie Sect Underling?"
"Good."
Xuandu nodded:
"Join my Interception Sect, enjoy the Jie Sect's Fortune, and Martial Dao True Meaning."
"During the great calamity, the Interception Sect protected them, preventing their bloodline from being severed."
"And Ancestral Witches remain the masters of Buzhou Mountain and the leaders of the Witch Clan."
"This move is not an annexation, but... an alliance."
Zhu Rong sneered:
"That sounds nice! If the Witch Clan Warriors join the Interception Sect will they listen to in the future? Yours, Xuandu's Witch Clan, or mine?!"
Xuandu's gaze remained calm.
"As Jie Sect Disciples, we naturally obey Interception Sect commands."
"But the bloodline of the Witch Clan must continue, and their lineage must endure; this is the bottom line."
" The Interception Sect will not interfere in the internal affairs of the Witch Clan, Ancestral Witches remain the leaders of the Witch Clan."
"Both sides get what they need."
Qiang Liang stepped forward, lightning crackling around him:
"We, the Witch Clan Warriors, would rather die in battle than live under the roof of others!"
Upon hearing this, Xuandu shook his head and said:
" Qiang Liang Fellow Daoist Qiangliang, you are mistaken."
"Joining the Interception Sect is not about living under someone else's roof, but rather... it provides an alternative path to survival."
" The Witch Clan Warriors are practicing martial arts in the Interception Sect, and their strength is improving, which is also an asset to the Witch Clan."
"Not to mention..."
His gaze swept over the Ancestral Witches:
"After the Great Calamity, if the Witch Clan still exists, these young men will remain the pillars of the Witch Clan."
"If the Witch Clan suffers misfortune... they will be the spark that continues the Witch Clan's bloodline."
"This is... taking precautions."
After he finished speaking, silence fell over the Pangu Hall.
The expressions of the Ancestral Witches shifted, their eyes revealing complex emotions.
Anger, resentment, struggle, hesitation... all intertwined and swirled.
How could they not know that Xuandu's words made sense?
The Witch-Demon War is extremely dangerous.
Even with Xuandu restraining Yuanshi and the Interception Sect restraining some of the demon race, the Witch Clan's chances of winning are still slim.
The Du Tian Divine Fiend Great Array is incomplete, Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array Fully Open... With one side gaining and the other losing, the Witch Clan's situation is precarious.
If we lose...
The bloodline of the Witch Clan is truly in danger of being extinct!
Even with the Houtu Samsara Mark, will the Witch Clan still be the Witch Clan after reincarnation?
But if the Witch Clan Warriors were to join the Interception Sect...
Di Jiang slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The Witch Clan Arrogance and Pangu Orthodox Lineage, has never bowed its head to anyone in the past millions of years.
Even when facing Sage, they dared to stand tall and resist with their strength!
Now... are they being forced to send their clan's sons to the Interception Sect?
This is worse than killing them!
"What if we... are unwilling?"
Di Jiang slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing Xuandu.
Xuandu's expression remained unchanged:
"Then we shall do as you all wish."
" In the Witch-Demon War, I will still intervene to restrain Yuanshi."
" The Interception Sect will also restrain some of the demon race's power."
"But... that's all."
He paused, his voice calm yet icy:
"The victory or defeat of the Witch Clan is none of my concern."
Whether the bloodline of the Witch Clan is extinguished or not is none of my concern.
"I have repaid the kindness of Fellow Daoist Houtu."
"The rest... whether they live or die, is up to you all to decide."
The last eight characters, like Eternal Ice falling to the ground, froze the very soul!
Ancestral Witches trembled!
They could clearly sense that Xuandu's words... were not a threat, but a statement of fact.
If the Witch Clan refuses, he will only fulfill the most basic promise and restrain Yuanshi.
As for whether the Witch Clan lives or dies... that's none of his business.
This is what chills them the most.
Xuandu... doesn't care about the survival of the Witch Clan at all.
All he cared about was whether the Witch Clan could be used by him!
"You...!"
Zhu Rong gritted his teeth, flames almost bursting from his eyes.
But Di Jiang raised his hand to stop him.
Di Jiang stared intently at Xuandu for a long while, then suddenly laughed.
His laughter was hoarse, tinged with endless self-mockery.
"Well... well, Xuandu is quite something."
" Houtu Tu is right, you... are indeed a businesswoman."
Xuandu nodded slightly.
"Cultivation in the Great Wilderness is essentially a transaction."
"I'm offering my chips, gentlemen... now decide whether to proceed."
Di Jiang slowly rose to his feet, and dark red Space Law swirled wildly around him, causing the entire Pangu Hall to tremble slightly.
"What if my Witch Clan... is willing to trade?"
He spoke slowly and deliberately:
What can you offer?
Xuandu's gaze narrowed slightly, and he slowly said:
"Protected by the Interception Sect, Martial Dao True Inheritance, Fortune Blessing."
"During the great calamity, ensure the continuation of the Witch Clan's bloodline."
"After the Great Calamity, if the Witch Clan still exists, these young men will remain the pillars of the Witch Clan."
"If the Witch Clan suffers misfortune... they will be the spark that ignites the flame. When the time is right, the Witch Clan can be rebuilt."
Di Jiang remained silent.
The other Ancestral Witch also remained silent.
The conditions offered by Xuandu... are indeed tempting.
The Interception Sect is now at the height of its fortune, its Martial Dao Prosperous arts are flourishing, and it is further strengthened by the presence of the Sage Tongtian, Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation is awe-inspiring Great Wilderness.
If the Witch Clan Warriors can join the Interception Sect and receive the Martial Dao True Inheritance, their strength will surely increase dramatically.
During the great calamity, the protection of the Interception Sect indeed provided an extra chance of survival.
Can...
"We, the Witch Clan Warriors... must retain our Witch Clan identity."
Di Jiang slowly opened his mouth, his voice hoarse:
"After joining the Interception Sect, you may learn martial arts and abide by the rules of the Interception Sect."
"But... they are still the Witch Clan."
" The Interception Sect must not force them to switch allegiance, nor compel them to become enemies of the Witch Clan."
"This is... the bottom line."
Xuandu nodded:
"Can."
"The identity of the Witch Clan and their Bloodline Inheritance are matters that the Interception Sect will not interfere with."
"As long as they do not violate the Sect Rules Interception Sect or harm Interception Sect interests... they are still Witch Clan Warriors."
Di Jiang took a deep breath, his eyes flashing wildly.
Upon hearing this, Xuandu was overjoyed and said:
"Good."
Then his gaze swept over the Ancestral Witches:
" The Witch-Demon War in three days."
"I will show myself and restrain Yuanshi."
" The Interception Sect dispatched some disciples to restrain the demon race's Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array."
"As for the matter of the Witch Clan Warriors joining the Interception Sect..."
He paused:
"It's not too late to join in three days, during the decisive battle."
Upon hearing this, Di Jiang and the other Ancestral Witch were taken aback.
The decisive battle will take place in three days?
What does Xuandu mean by this?