The Grand Unity Realm

Tongtian is renowned as the foremost expert in formations in the Primordial World, which is why the Intercepting Sect boasts such deep foundations, with all its disciples specializing in the Way of Formations.

To rival the Intercepting Sect in formation mastery would be pure fantasy!

While the Western Teachings also possess the Bodhi Great Formation, capable of harming Sages, it was created by Zhunti.

However, this formation's design is crude, requiring the Bodhi tree as a boundary and the personal presence of a Sage to function.

By later standards...

This formation barely possesses the power to trap a Sage, relying purely on a massive accumulation of resources!

Now, with the Formless Immeasurable Formation, they no longer need to envy others.

"Young Friend Lu, would you like to tour the Heavenly Court first, or head directly to the treasury?"

Changxi asked with a smile.

Lu Tian pondered for a moment. "I have long heard of the Heavenly Court's magnificent aura. This junior wishes to broaden his horizons first. Rushing straight to the treasury would be impolite."

"Excellent. However, we have just returned and have pressing matters to attend to. We shall arrange for someone else to guide you."

Lu Tian readily agreed.

In a short while, several female cultivators from the Demon Race arrived.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lu."

"Fellow Daoist, are you well?"

Amidst their melodious voices, the women surrounded Lu Tian.

Though only seven, each possessed a distinct charm: some had eyes that sparkled, their gaze fixed solely on Lu Tian; others had a demeanor as pure as orchids, standing gracefully with gentle smiles...

These female cultivators were all powerful, with the weakest being in the Taiyi Realm, and two having already reached the Grand Unity Realm.

"They are all paragons of our Demon Race. Young Friend Lu, feel free to interact with them more," Changxi instructed, linking arms with Xihe. "You must entertain our esteemed guest well."

"We shall obey your Imperial Decree."

The seven women respectfully accepted the order and, surrounding Lu Tian, ascended into the clouds.

After the group departed, another figure appeared on the flying boat.

"Bai Ze pays his respects to Her Majesty."

He offered a simple bow, not a full prostration.

"Come with us to see His Majesty," Changxi nodded, her gaze filled with curiosity.

What urgent matter could have prompted Bai Ze to seek an audience with Di Jun and Taiyi so hastily, a matter so secretive that even they were kept in the dark?

***

The Demon Race Heavenly Court.

Lu Tian, surrounded by the seven female cultivators of the Demon Race, toured various parts of the Demon Realm for seven days.

After seven days, he politely declined the women's enthusiastic invitations and finally set foot in the Demon Race's treasure repository.

Changxi and Xihe had clearly given prior instructions, and he encountered no obstacles along the way.

Upon entering the Demon Race Treasury, Lu Tian was almost blinded by the myriad of spiritual lights—

This was hardly a treasury; it was more like a vast, magnificent world!

Countless Spiritual Treasures, Spiritual Roots, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were scattered like stars across a boundless expanse.

Lu Tian boarded a specially made Spirit Boat with the Treasury Guardian Envoy and navigated through the sea of stars in search of opportunities.

He knew very well that such a massive collection would not contain top-tier supreme treasures. Where else would true Innate Spiritual Treasures be stored?

Even so, the sight before him was still breathtaking.

Sailing through the sea of treasures for a thousand years, Lu Tian carefully selected items that would be useful to him.

This treasure-hunting journey would likely take another thousand or even ten thousand years...

***

At the same moment, deep within the Demon Race Forbidden Area.

Mysterious formations isolated the area from heavenly secrets, creating a self-contained universe.

Even a Sage's deductions would be hard-pressed to glean any information from within.

Bai Ze knelt on one knee, his green robe falling loosely.

Before him stood two majestic imperial figures.

The Golden Crow Patterned Imperial Robe fluttered as if by an unseen wind, exuding an aura that could scorch the heavens and boil the seas, sweeping through the secret chamber—

These were none other than the Demon Emperor Di Jun and the Eastern Emperor Taiyi!

"Excellent! Truly excellent!" Di Jun clapped his hands, golden flames dancing in his eyes.

"My avatar has confirmed it: divine weapons forged from Human Race essence blood can indeed break the Witch Clan's Indestructible Body!"

He condensed a drop of crimson blood between his fingers. The purer the bloodline, the greater the power.

The phantom of the Eastern Emperor Bell swirled around Taiyi's side.

Even this usually silent emperor's eyes were now burning with fighting spirit.

The Demon Race had been in hiding for far too long since their defeat in the initial Witch-Demon War.

The Dao Ancestor's decree to divide heaven and earth should have been broken long ago...

The reason the Witch Clan could contend with, and even slightly surpass, the Demon Race was entirely due to their innate, formidable physiques!

When facing opponents of the same level, the Demon Race's spells and magic treasures inflicted almost no substantial damage on the Witch Clan!

A single Witch Clan warrior could often contend with three to five Demon Race opponents simultaneously.

A Demon Race member capable of defeating a Witch Clan opponent of the same level in single combat was considered one in a hundred.

On a large battlefield, the Witch Clan's innate ability to nullify magic made them even more formidable, This had become the primary obstacle for the Demon Race in defeating the Witch Clan!

The scene of the first Witch-Demon War still gnawed at the proud Di Jun.

However...

Seven days ago, Bai Ze had stealthily returned to the Heavenly Court and met privately with Di Jun and Taiyi, bringing with him a shocking discovery--

Magic treasures tempered with Human Race essence blood could actually pierce the Witch Clan's indestructible bodies!

This secret was enough to overturn the entire war situation!

Because of this, Bai Ze had acted with extreme caution.

He had borrowed Changxi and Xihe's Spirit Boat for his secret return, not even informing the two Empresses of the truth.

"Does anyone else know about this matter?" Di Jun asked, his tone grave.

This secret must be strictly guarded. The plan to exterminate the Human Race in secret could only be entrusted to absolute confidants.

For the Demon Race, slaughtering other races was commonplace.

But if the target was the Human Race, it would inevitably arouse suspicion--

Firstly, the Demon Race and the Human Race had no prior enmity, nor did the Human Race possess anything the Demon Race coveted;

Secondly, the Human Race was created by Empress Nuwa, and Nuwa was nominally still the Saint Mother of the Demon Race. They had to show some respect.

Slaughtering the Human Race without cause would easily alert them and cause unnecessary trouble.

"No one noticed my return, my lord."

"I used the Empress's Spirit Boat, so there was no inspection. Only the two Empresses knew of the itinerary."

Bai Ze hesitated for a moment before adding, "Lu Tian of the Western Teachings was also on the Spirit Boat, but I remained hidden the entire time. There's no way he could have learned of the inside story."

"Lu Tian?"

Di Jun narrowed his eyes slightly, the name flashing through his mind.

"A mere Taiyi Golden Immortal. If he could uncover such heavenly secrets...

Then our Demon Race might as well self-destruct!"

Bai Ze agreed wholeheartedly.

"Just in case, you should go to the treasury and observe this person in secret."

Di Jun tapped his fingertips lightly on the table.

"If there are no anomalies... this person might become an excellent pawn for slaughtering the Human Race!"

At this moment, the person they were discussing was leisurely pacing in the Demon Race treasury.

He was completely unaware of Bai Ze's secret conversation with Di Jun.

In fact, he hadn't noticed Bai Ze's presence at all.

How could a mere Taiyi Golden Immortal detect the movements of a peak Quasi-Saint expert?

Lu Tian remained oblivious as Bai Ze had already silently appeared in the Demon Race treasury, watching him from the shadows.

After thirteen hundred years of searching, Lu Tian had finally found an item he desired--

A Spirit Brush, also a low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

To his surprise, this item shared the same origin as the Spirit Painting gifted by Changxi and Xihe.

That Spirit Painting contained the Universe within it, capable of capturing living beings. Although not as profound as the Map of Mountains and Rivers, it was still a rare treasure.

If paired with this brush to paint, It can be used like the Divine Brush Ma Liang to manifest the void into reality.

However, it is limited to manifesting inanimate objects.

Although not of great use, it is somewhat interesting.

Lu Tian mused. If it were granted to the Human Race migrating west, it could accelerate construction in the barren lands, making things twice as effective with half the effort.

He took the Spirit Brush, considering it a way to settle karma.

As soon as he left the treasury, a Quasi-Saint of the Demon Race personally arrived, delivering an Imperial Decree from Di Jun and Taiyi inviting him!

The Demon Emperor wanted to see him?

Lu Tian was surprised.

Since Changxi and Xihe had already stated their position, and he had deliberately kept his distance from the Demon Race, logically, these two should have stopped by now.

If the Western Teachings were to submit, they would indeed be a great help to the Demon Race, but repeated probing was not the behavior of an emperor.

Since their two attempts at goodwill had failed, why would the dignified Heavenly Emperor pester him endlessly?

He followed the Quasi-Saint to a side hall in the Heavenly Court.

There, he saw Di Jun and Taiyi sitting casually in plain clothes.

After the attendants withdrew, only the three of them remained in the hall.

This kind of reception...

was perhaps too much of a compliment.

Lu Tian became vigilant.

Even for a Sage, facing two Emperors alone was a rare honor.

The Zhou Tian Star Dou Formation was activated, and even a Sage would have to approach it with caution!

This did not mean that Sages were weak.

On the contrary, it highlighted the supreme power of Sages.

As one of the two peak forces in the Primordial World, the Demon Race's might was unquestionable, yet they needed the combined strength of their top powerhouses and the establishment of a grand formation to contend with a Sage!

The terrifying strength of a Sage was thus revealed.

Di Jun and Taiyi had no previous interactions with Lu Tian, and this private summons inevitably made Lu Tian suspicious.

Could it be that they were putting on a show for the other Sages and the Witch Clan, using it to intimidate the Witch Clan?

Lu Tian speculated inwardly.

It would be too childish for the Demon Race to expend such effort to invite him to the Heavenly Court just for a few Enlightenment Tea Leaves.

This private meeting was likely intended to send a signal to the Witch Clan and other Sages, creating the illusion of an alliance between the Heavenly Court and the Western Teachings.

After much thought, Lu Tian concluded that this deduction was the most logical.

He bowed respectfully: "Lu Tian pays his respects to the Heavenly Emperor."

Di Jun nodded slightly: "Changxi praised your exceptional talent, saying you surpassed many immortals from the Intercepting Sect and the Heavenly Origin Sect. Seeing you today, you indeed live up to your reputation."

Lu Tian said humbly: "Your Majesty is too kind. I was merely fortunate to have defeated my fellow Daoist from the Intercepting Sect a few times."

Di Jun changed the subject abruptly: "We invited you here today, young friend, because we have a matter to entrust to you."

Lu Tian looked puzzled.

"My imperial son is about to be born, within approximately ten thousand years.

Di Jun took out a gilded invitation and said, "Please convey this invitation to your Master."

Just delivering a letter?

Lu Tian's mind raced.

He figured Di Jun wouldn't dare to tamper with the invitation to harm a Sage.

He immediately agreed and, after receiving the invitation, chatted with Di Jun for a while longer.

The two Demon Emperors also offered him some pointers on cultivation, which benefited him greatly.

Upon his departure, Di Jun gifted him a flying boat as a reward.

This was a mid-grade Houtian Spiritual Treasure, refined in imitation of Changxi and Xihe's Spirit Boats.

When fully activated, its speed was comparable to the evasion techniques of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, and it was equipped with dozens of mechanical puppets with the combat power of Golden Immortals, all possessing intelligence and capable of obeying orders.

As expected.

Lu Tian secretly confirmed his previous guess.

The letter delivery was just a pretense; the real intention was to use this Spirit Boat to convey the message of amity between the Heavenly Court and the Western Teachings to the outside world.

Lu Tian stepped onto his Flying Artifact and sorted through the entire affair, basically figuring out the other party's scheme.

This was clearly a plan laid out in the open.

Sending invitations for his own child's full moon banquet, meeting in private was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it?

Since the invitation had been sent, could Lu Tian refuse to take the item back for his master?

That wasn't too realistic either.

It was only natural to give him some compensation for running errands and delivering things.

Each step of the arrangement seemed unremarkable, but when linked together, they perfectly achieved the goal.

After Lu Tian left.

Di Jun and Taiyi watched in the direction he departed, faint smiles appearing on their faces.

Taiyi whispered, "This person is sharp-minded. He's likely seen through your first layer of strategy, brother."

Di Jun didn't care, "It's fine. It doesn't matter whether he sees through it or not."

"If he sees through it and knows we're using him, at most he'll secretly spread news of our meeting, drawing the attention of all beings in the Primordial World to the birth of the Imperial Son.

If he doesn't see through it, the attention of the Primordial World will naturally focus partly on the Western Teachings."