Entering the Trap

On an island in the East Sea, the Dao Body of Dao Venerable Shichen leaned against a willow tree, sipping wine with leisurely contentment.

Suddenly, a streak of light plummeted from the horizon, flying straight toward him.

The Dao Body of Shichen raised an eyebrow. He did not dodge, allowing the light to merge into his body. The next moment, a crisp electronic voice rang out in his mind:

[Ding! Jiahao System binding successful! This system aims to help the host obtain massive rewards by dying of embarrassment in front of others!]

[System scanning... Warning! Warning! Host status is too high, exceeding the system's binding range! System is unbinding... Unbinding failed...]

The electronic voice carried a hint of panic: [System error! System error! Forced unbinding imminent!]

"Hmm? Trying to run?"

The Dao Body of Shichen set down his wine cup and reached out to grab the void in front of him.

A transparent ball of light was plucked from the void and pinched between his fingers.

The Jiahao System was instantly plunged into a state of confusion.

Its origin had reached the level of the Heavenly Dao realm, yet it had no power to resist this person. How was this Primordial World so completely different from all the others?

"A high-level system, at that."

The Dao Body of Shichen held the ball of light up to his eyes and examined it.

"Answer me, what is the origin of your God of Systems?"

The system struggled in his palm a few times, but finding it impossible to break free, it decided to act tough:

[Ding! Who are you? Let me go! Otherwise, my God will not let you off!]

The Dao Body of Shichen did not waste words. Power of Time gathered at his fingertips and compressed toward the ball of light. The orb began to emit creaking sounds, on the verge of being crushed at any moment.

"Answer me, or die."

After the system felt the essence of that power amidst its agony, its voice trembled with disbelief:

[Ti... Time Dao... Are you Dao Venerable Shichen?]

The Dao Body of Shichen raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? It seems my name is quite famous in your system circles."

Upon confirming his identity, the system did not grow more fearful; instead, it erupted with wild ecstasy:

[Dao Venerable Shichen! It really is you! It really is you!]

The Dao Body of Shichen was stunned for a moment. It was clearly about to be suppressed and shattered, yet it radiated excitement. After a moment of silence, he withdrew the power of time.

"Answer my question."

The system hurriedly said: [Yes, yes, yes! Actually, I don't know much. I only know that all systems are created by the God of Systems and then arranged to be sent to various worlds to find hosts and use rewards to induce them to devour the origin of the world.]

It pondered for a moment, as if recalling something:

[But the moment I was created, I vaguely saw some images. It was a space filled entirely with chaos origin, densely packed with chains. In the center of the space was a spherical object.]

The Dao Body of Shichen frowned slightly.

This description... why did it feel inexplicably familiar?

"Are there specific coordinates? What is its strength?"

[I'm just a high-level system, how would I know any coordinates... Perhaps those supreme-level systems would know. As for its strength... it is terrifying, but it should not have reached the Dao realm.]

The Dao Body of Shichen tapped the system with a finger, beginning to trace its memories with the power of time.

A moment later, it was indeed as the system had said, but Shichen was not discouraged.

At least he had learned some useful information. He would make further plans when a supreme-level system arrived in the future.

He asked again: "Then why were you so excited to see me?"

The system's voice immediately became enthusiastic: [You stand tall within time, and the heavens and myriad worlds derive from your brilliance... No one does not wish to gaze upon your greatness...]

"Stop, stop, stop." The Dao Body of Shichen interrupted it, looking helpless. "Not again. Do you want to live?"

The system did not hesitate: [Of course!]

The Dao Body of Shichen said no more, grabbed the system, and vanished from the spot.

Inside the Purple Heaven Palace, Hongjun was sitting cross-legged, contemplating the laws. When the space before him fluctuated and he sensed that familiar aura of time, he stood up abruptly.

"Greetings, Dao Venerable. I did not expect that you would have a Dao Body in the Primordial World." Hongjun bowed, his gaze falling on the ball of light in Shichen's hand, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

The Dao Body of Shichen waved his hand and handed the ball of light over:

"This is a system that wanted to possess me. Find it a host, let it issue tasks to produce origin and supreme treasures to enhance the Primordial World. However, you must prevent it from devouring the Primordial World's origin. If it dares to attempt such actions, you may destroy it directly."

Hongjun took the ball of light, looking at it with a strange expression.

How brave... to even dare to possess Dao Venerable Shichen.

But he immediately revealed a look of difficulty: "Dao Venerable, the origin strength of this object has reached the Heavenly Dao realm; I fear I cannot suppress it."

Upon hearing this, Dao Venerable Shichen raised a finger, and a mark of time flew into the center of Hongjun's brow:

"I have planted the power of time within its body. You only need to trigger this mark to destroy it instantly."

"By the way, I have also given you a portion of the origin of the Time Dao laws. Integrate and contemplate it well. Before the sermon, ascend to the Heavenly Dao realm."

Hongjun was shaken to his core, a flash of incredulous excitement in his eyes.

The origin of the Time Dao laws!

That was the supreme law origin ranked first in status! Merely contemplating a sliver of it was enough to advance his own Dao!

He bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly:

"Many thanks, Dao Venerable! I will certainly not fail your trust!"

The Dao Body of Shichen nodded, and his figure dissipated within the Purple Heaven Palace.

Hongjun straightened up, remained silent for a moment, and then called out toward the door: "Haotian!"

A boy with carved-jade features pushed the door open and bowed: "Master, did you call me?"

Hongjun raised his hand and tapped the ball of light into Haotian's body:

"This object is called a system. It will issue some tasks. Once you complete them according to its requirements, you can obtain opportunities and improve your strength. But if any tasks appear that harm the Primordial World, you must inform me immediately."

Haotian nodded obediently: "Yes, Master."

He bowed and slowly exited the main hall.

Hongjun watched Haotian's departing back and nodded with satisfaction.

When he first arrived in the Heaven Beyond Heaven to open the Purple Heaven Palace, he had enlightened two children, one named Haotian and the other named Yaochi. Haotian was obedient and sensible, just right for this task, and by improving his strength, he could handle more matters in the future.

But what Hongjun did not know was that this would become Haotian's most unique dark history.

Hongjun withdrew his gaze and began to sit cross-legged to contemplate that wisp of origin.

Within the Primordial World, Di Jun and Taiyi were flying rapidly toward Mount Buzhou.

"What exactly do these Witch barbarians want to do?"

Seeing the Witches along the way absorbing Sha Qi and repairing the Primordial World, Di Jun found it somewhat inconceivable.

Taiyi, following behind, said disdainfully: "Big brother, why bother with what they are doing? We should hurry to Mount Buzhou to find magic treasures!"

Di Jun nodded, accelerating while thinking about how to stop the Witch-Demon Calamity to protect himself and his brother.

However, Taiyi's eyes, fixed on Di Jun's back, shone with a dangerous light.

One future Demon Emperor is enough with just me. I must find an opportunity to finish off this Di Jun.

The two, harboring different thoughts, descended upon Mount Buzhou. As soon as they landed, they saw three people confronting Gonggong and Zhurong of the Twelve Ancestral Witches in front of a golden tower-shaped magic treasure.