Hongjun Sets the Stage

The moment the aura of the World-Extinguishing Millstone appeared in the Primordial World, Shichen, deep within Hundun, opened his eyes.

He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertip and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"A Copy of the World-Extinguishing Millstone?"

"Hongjun seems to have no spirit treasures worth mentioning. If he faces the contingencies left behind by other Chaos Demon Gods who possess supreme treasures, he may be at a disadvantage."

With that thought, Shichen raised his hand and gently slashed through the void with the Law of Time.

On Yujing Mountain, Hongjun was sitting cross-legged atop the peak, contemplating the Dao patterns on the Pseudo-Creation Jade Disk fragment in his hand.

Suddenly, the surrounding space twisted, and he found himself in a silver expanse surrounded by endless flowing shadows of time.

Hongjun's heart jolted. Just as he was about to activate the Law of Immortality, he saw a figure in azure robes step out of the void before him.

He immediately stopped and bowed with cupped hands.

"Greetings, Dao Venerable Shichen. May I ask why you summoned me and what instructions you have?"

Shichen said nothing further and raised his hand, activating the Law of Time. Azure light surged from his palm and pierced through the entire Primordial World.

After a long while, the River of Time came rushing forth, carrying several crystalline fragments in its waters as they slowly drifted down before him.

"Hongjun," Shichen said.

"I have noticed that you possess too few spirit treasures. Dealing with future battles may prove difficult. Fuse these Pseudo-Creation Jade Disk fragments with the one you possess, and it can be restored to the level of a Chaos Spirit Treasure."

Hongjun accepted the fragments, his hands trembling slightly.

As he sensed the Great Dao laws contained within them, an indescribable excitement rose in his heart. With a complete Chaos Spirit Treasure, his plan could officially begin.

"Thank you, Dao Venerable, for bestowing this treasure!" Hongjun's voice was filled with sincere gratitude.

Shichen nodded, then seemed to recall something and added, "Also, keep an eye on Taotie of the Fierce Beast Clan."

Hongjun paused slightly. "Taotie?"

"It is an anomaly from another world," Shichen said calmly. "Do not kill it lightly. There is something within its body that may provide clues to solving the problem of the Chaos World's depleted origin."

Hongjun's expression turned solemn, and he bowed respectfully. "Hongjun understands."

Shichen said no more. His figure slowly faded from the silver space. Time and space twisted again around them, and Hongjun's vision blurred before he found himself back atop Yujing Mountain.

Hongjun looked down at the fragments in his hand, drew a deep breath, and wasted no more time. Turning around, he entered his cave abode and began his secluded cultivation to fuse the spirit treasure.

The Primordial World knew no years, and several hundred yuanhui passed in silence.

On this day, the gates of the cave abode on Yujing Mountain slowly opened.

Hongjun emerged from within. His aura was restrained, yet a jade disk of flawless white floated above his head, slowly turning as it cast down a gentle white glow.

Upon the jade disk, phantom images of the three thousand Great Dao laws flickered in turn, radiating vast Dao intent.

"With the Pseudo-Creation Jade Disk, this Chaos Spirit Treasure..."

Hongjun extended his hand, and the jade disk fell into his palm. A smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"This old Daoist should begin my plan as well."

He put away the jade disk, took a single step, and vanished from Yujing Mountain.

At the same time, in the Far West Lands, within the Fierce Beast Clan's territory.

Taotie lay in his cave abode, tossing and turning, unable to settle down and cultivate.

He could feel Shen Ni's aura growing stronger and stronger. That will to destroy everything was like a sword hanging over his head, leaving him in constant fear every day.

"No, I can't wait any longer." Taotie abruptly sat up.

"Once Shen Ni breaks through to the Primordial Golden Immortal realm and the Fierce Beast Clan launches a full-scale assault on the Primordial World, I'll be dragged into it sooner or later. Then I'll either be beaten to death by the great powers of the Primordial World or sealed within the forbidden lands of Kunlun Mountain, never to rise again."

He gritted his teeth and made a bold decision.

That night, without alerting any Ferocious Beasts, Taotie quietly left the Far West Lands and traveled east until he reached the edge of the Dragon Clan's territory.

The Dragon Clan's territory stood by the East Sea, and its entrance was heavily guarded. The instant Taotie approached, he was discovered by the Dragon Clan guards stationed at the city.

"Ferocious Beast!"

The guards' faces changed drastically, and they immediately sounded the alarm.

"Clang—clang—clang—"

The urgent bells echoed through the Dragon Clan's territory. Countless Dragon Clan warriors rushed in from all directions and surrounded Taotie completely.

Taotie stood still and raised both hands to show that he meant no harm.

Soon, a tall figure emerged from the city. He wore silver battle armor, and wisps of the Law of Time flowed around the two white dragon horns atop his head. It was Zhulong, the Dragon Clan's second-in-command.

Zhulong frowned and watched Taotie warily.

"Taotie, why have you come to my Dragon Clan instead of staying in the Far West Lands?"

Taotie lowered his hands and said seriously.

"I have come to offer you intelligence."

"Intelligence?" Zhulong's brow furrowed even more deeply. "What intelligence?"

"Shen Ni is about to break through to the Primordial Golden Immortal realm," Taotie said word by word.

"The day he emerges from seclusion will be the day the Fierce Beast Clan launches a full-scale attack upon the Primordial World. At that time, even the Innate Three Clans will become prey to the Fierce Beasts."

Zhulong's expression instantly became grave.

He stared at Taotie, his gaze sharp as a blade, as though he wished to pierce through Taotie's soul and see what he was truly plotting.

"Why tell us such intelligence? You are a general of the Fierce Beast Clan. What benefit is there in betraying your emperor?"

Taotie fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Because I want to live."

"The Fierce Beasts slaughter wantonly and are burdened with karma, intolerable to the Heavenly Dao. If I continue following Shen Ni, only death awaits me. I do not wish to be buried alongside the Fierce Beast Clan."

Zhulong said nothing. He simply stared fixedly at Taotie, as though trying to see through him.

After a long time, Zhulong finally said, "Come in with me. My elder brother must decide this matter."

Taotie let out a breath of relief and followed Zhulong into the Dragon Clan's territory.

Within the Dragon Clan's main hall, Zulong sat high in the seat of honor.

He was broad and imposing, wearing a dragon crown and exuding an aura of authority without anger. Beside him sat an old Daoist.

The old Daoist wore a white Daoist robe. His face was lean, and three long strands of beard hung over his chest. He held a teacup and drank tea leisurely.

When he saw Taotie enter, he lifted his eyes slightly and swept his gaze over Taotie before casually looking away.

That old Daoist was Hongjun.

After leaving Yujing Mountain, Hongjun had arrived at the Dragon Clan ahead of time. He had concealed his cultivation at the early Primordial Golden Immortal realm and slightly altered his appearance.

He had come here because he needed the Innate Three Clans to advance his plan.

And the moment Taotie entered the hall, Hongjun recalled Shichen's instruction.

Without changing his expression, Hongjun secretly gathered an exceedingly faint Immortal Dao Mark at his fingertips. While Taotie was bowing to Zulong, that mark silently slipped into Taotie's body.

Taotie noticed nothing.

Neither did the system within him.

His cultivation at the peak of the Primordial Unity Ninth Heaven, coupled with the aid of the Pseudo-Creation Jade Butterfly, had made Hongjun's action hidden to the utmost degree.

Zhulong stepped forward and briefly recounted the intelligence Taotie had brought. After listening, Zulong furrowed his brows and remained silent.

At this moment, Hongjun set down his teacup and spoke with a smile.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Taotie has been thoughtful. This old Daoist, Luo Hou, thanks you for this intelligence."

Hongjun intended to use Luo Hou's name to carry out his plan, using the Primordial World's living beings to eliminate Shen Ni. The Destruction Demon God would not know it was him afterward, unless the Destruction Demon God lowered himself to ask the first five Demon God Venerables. Given the Destruction Demon God's nature, however, he would never do so.

As for why he had chosen Luo Hou's name, Luo Hou had called him a bootlicker during their previous Hundun discussion. Hongjun had remembered it ever since.

Upon hearing the two words "Luo Hou," Taotie's heart instantly churned like stormy seas.

Luo Hou!

He suppressed the shock in his heart and calmly gave Hongjun a careful look.

So this is the famous Demon Ancestor Luo Hou? But is Luo Hou this polite? In my impression, shouldn't Luo Hou be a decisive and ruthless tyrant? How could he address me so courteously as Fellow Daoist?

Doubts filled Taotie's heart, but he still forced an overwhelmed expression onto his face.

"Senior Luo Hou is too polite. This junior simply does not wish to see the living beings of the Primordial World suffer devastation."

Although Taotie believed he had disguised himself well, Hongjun had lived through tens of thousands of Hundun epochs. In Hongjun's eyes, all the performances of someone like Taotie, who had transmigrated here, were as obvious as those of a fool.

This anomaly knows Luo Hou. Then there is a high chance that he knows me as well. Interesting!

Hongjun responded with a smile on the surface, but inwardly he had already begun planning how to draw information from Taotie and find clues regarding how the item in Taotie's body could solve the Chaos World's problem of depleted origin.

Zulong spoke at this time. "Fellow Daoist Taotie, my Dragon Clan thanks you for today's intelligence. That you possess such intentions is a blessing for the Primordial World."

He pointed at Hongjun.

"This is Senior Luo Hou. He has already contacted the Qilin Clan and Phoenix Clan. When the time comes, the Innate Three Clans will join forces to crusade against the Fierce Beasts.

"As for Shen Ni, there is no need for you to worry overly much. Fellow Daoist Luo Hou is also a Primordial Golden Immortal and naturally has means to deal with him."

Taotie glanced at Hongjun, secretly remaining on guard.

Luo Hou contacted the Innate Three Clans to crusade against the Fierce Beasts together?

He sneered inwardly.

This old fox must have another scheme. In history, the Dao-Demon War erupted after the Dragon-Han Calamity. He is probably preparing to manipulate the Innate Three Clans and lay the groundwork for the Dao-Demon War.

But Taotie did not expose him. He would be more than happy to have someone block Shen Ni for him. As for Luo Hou's schemes, those were matters for the future.

"Thank you, Senior Zulong, and thank you, Senior Luo Hou." Taotie bowed with cupped hands. "When the great battle begins, this junior will find a chance to hide and will not cause trouble for you all."

Zulong nodded. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he allowed Taotie to leave first.

Taotie walked out of the Dragon Clan's main hall and looked back once, his gaze deep.

Luo Hou... the Dao-Demon War... he muttered softly.

I need to increase my strength as soon as possible if I want to survive this grand drama. Once that old bastard Hongjun becomes a saint, I'll be in an extremely passive position.

He quickened his pace and vanished into the night.

Inside the hall, Hongjun held his teacup and watched the direction in which Taotie had departed. A meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Interesting. He truly knows this old Daoist!"