Chapter 39

Tongtian was hailed as the foremost master of formations in the Primordial World. The Interception Sect therefore possessed deep foundations, and all its disciples specialized in the Dao of formations.

Wanting to rival the Interception Sect in formation mastery was simply wishful thinking!

The Western Teachings also possessed the Bodhi Great Formation, which could harm Saints and had been created by Zhunti.

However, the formation's design was crude. It required Bodhi trees to mark its boundaries, and it further required a Saint to personally preside over it.

In later terms...

This formation only barely possessed the power to trap Saints by piling up resources!

Now that he had the Formless Immeasurable Formation, he no longer needed to envy others.

Would you like to tour the Heavenly Court first, Little Friend Lu, or head directly to the treasury?

Changxi asked with a smile.

Lu Tian considered briefly. "I have long heard that the Heavenly Court is a sight beyond compare. This junior wishes to broaden his horizons first."

Rushing straight to the treasury would be rather discourteous.

"Very well. However, we have only just returned and still have important matters to attend to, so we will arrange for someone else to guide you."

Lu Tian readily agreed.

A moment later, several female cultivators of the Demon Race arrived gracefully.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lu."

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Amid sweet voices and gentle laughter, the women surrounded Lu Tian.

Though there were only seven of them, each possessed her own charm. Some had bright, captivating eyes that seemed to hold only Lu Tian's reflection; others possessed orchid-like grace, standing tall and elegant with radiant smiles...

These female cultivators were all highly accomplished. The weakest among them was already in the Taiyi Realm, while two had reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

"They are all outstanding members of our Demon Race. Little Friend Lu, you should get to know them better."

Changxi linked arms with Xihe and instructed them, "You must properly entertain our honored guest."

"We obey the Imperial Decree."

The seven women respectfully accepted their orders, then surrounded Lu Tian and departed atop clouds.

Once everyone had gone far away, another figure appeared aboard the flying boat.

"Bai Ze pays respects to Your Majesties."

He merely cupped his hands in greeting and did not perform a full bow.

"Come with us to see His Majesty."

Changxi nodded, her gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

What urgent matter had made Bai Ze so eager to see Di Jun and Taiyi that even they were kept in the dark?

Demon Race Heavenly Court.

Surrounded by the seven female cultivators of the Demon Race, Lu Tian spent seven days touring the Demon Realm.

Seven days later, he politely declined the women's enthusiastic attempts to keep him and finally entered the Demon Race's treasure repository.

Changxi and Xihe had clearly made arrangements beforehand, allowing him to proceed without obstruction.

The moment he entered the Demon Race Treasury, Lu Tian was nearly blinded by the dazzling spiritual light before him—

How was this a treasury? It was clearly a vast Greater Thousand World!

Countless spiritual treasures, spiritual roots, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures dotted the boundless starfield like stars.

Lu Tian boarded a specially made spirit boat with the Treasury Guardian Envoy and traveled through the sea of stars in search of opportunities.

He understood perfectly well that such an immense collection could not possibly contain the greatest treasures.

Why would true Innate Spiritual Treasures be stored here?

Even so, the sight before him remained astonishing.

The boat sailed through the sea of treasures for a thousand years as Lu Tian carefully selected items that suited his needs.

This treasure-hunting journey would likely consume another thousand years or more...

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

A profound formation concealed the secrets of Heaven, creating its own isolated world.

Even Saints would find it difficult to glimpse the slightest trace through divination.

Bai Ze knelt on one knee, his azure robe draping to the ground.

Before him stood two towering imperial figures.

Their Golden Crow Patterned Imperial Robes fluttered without wind, and pressure capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas swept through the hidden hall—

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

"Good! Excellent!" Di Jun clapped and laughed heartily, golden flames dancing in his eyes.

"My incarnation has verified it. Divine weapons forged from human essence blood can indeed break the Witch Clan's Indestructible Bodies!"

A crimson droplet of blood condensed at his fingertip. The purer the bloodline, the greater its power.

The phantom of the Eastern Emperor Bell revolved beside Taiyi.

This emperor, who had always been taciturn, now had fighting spirit blazing in his eyes as well.

Since their defeat in the first Witch-Demon War, the Demon Race had lain low for far too long.

It was time to break the Dao Ancestor's pact dividing Heaven and Earth...

The reason the Witch Clan could stand against the Demon Race on equal footing, or even hold a slight advantage, was entirely due to their innately formidable physiques!

When experts of the same realm fought, the Demon Race's spells and treasures could barely inflict any real damage upon the Witch Clan!

A single Witch Clan warrior could often withstand three to five Demon Race opponents at once.

Any Demon Race member capable of defeating a Witch Clan opponent of the same realm in single combat was one in a hundred.

On large-scale battlefields, the Witch Clan's bodies possessed an innate ability to break spells, making them even more formidable.

This had become the greatest obstacle preventing the Demon Race from defeating the Witch Clan!

The scenes from the first Witch-Demon War still gnawed at proud Di Jun to this day.

However...

Seven days ago, Bai Ze had quietly returned to the Heavenly Court and privately sought an audience with Di Jun and Taiyi, bringing with him a shocking discovery—

Treasures tempered with human essence blood could actually break through the Witch Clan's invincible bodies!

This secret was enough to overturn the entire balance of the war!

For this reason, Bai Ze had acted with exceptional caution.

He had secretly returned aboard Changxi and Xihe's spirit boat, not even informing the two Empresses of the truth.

"Does anyone else know of this matter?"

Di Jun's tone was solemn.

This secret had to be strictly sealed. The plan to exterminate humanity could only be carried out in secret by absolutely trusted subordinates.

To the Demon Race, slaughtering other races was an everyday occurrence.

But if the target was humanity, it would inevitably arouse suspicion—

First, the Demon Race had no grievance against humanity, nor did humanity possess anything worth coveting.

Second, humanity had been created by Saint Mother Nuwa. Though Nuwa was still nominally the Saint Mother of the Demon Race, they had to show her some respect.

Massacring humanity without cause would instead alert their enemies.

"No one noticed my return."

"Using the Empresses' spirit boat to travel, I was not inspected by anyone. Only the two Empresses knew of my itinerary."

Bai Ze hesitated briefly before adding, "Lu Tian of the Western Teachings was also aboard the spirit boat, but I remained hidden the entire time. It is impossible that he knows the details."

"Lu Tian?"

Di Jun narrowed his eyes slightly as the name flashed through his mind.

"He is merely a Taiyi Golden Immortal. If even he could perceive the secrets of Heaven..."

"Then our Demon Race might as well destroy itself beneath Heaven and Earth at once!"

Bai Ze deeply agreed.

"To be safe, go to the treasury and observe him in secret."

Di Jun lightly tapped the table with his fingertip.

"If there is nothing unusual... this man may become an excellent pawn for slaughtering humanity!"

At this moment, the person they were discussing was leisurely strolling through the Demon Race Treasury.

He knew nothing of Bai Ze and Di Jun's secret discussion.

In fact, he had not noticed Bai Ze's presence at all.

How could a mere Taiyi Golden Immortal perceive the movements of an expert at the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm?

Completely unaware, Lu Tian did not know that Bai Ze had already quietly appeared in the Demon Race Treasury and was watching him from the shadows.

After searching for one thousand three hundred years,

Lu Tian finally found something to his liking—

A Spirit Brush, which was also a Low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

To his surprise, it shared the same origin as the Spirit Painting Changxi and Xihe had gifted him.

That Spirit Painting contained a world within it and could draw living beings inside. Though it was not as profound as the Map of Mountains and Rivers, it was still an extraordinary treasure.

If one used this brush to paint with it,

One could turn illusion into reality, just like Magic Brush Ma Liang.

However, it could only manifest inanimate objects.

Though it was not especially useful, it was rather interesting.

Lu Tian pondered to himself. If it were given to the humans migrating westward, it could make building up that barren land far more efficient.

He took the Spirit Brush, considering it the settlement of Karma.

Just as he exited the treasury,

A Quasi-Saint of the Demon Race personally arrived with an invitation conveyed by the decree of Di Jun and Taiyi!

**

The Demon Emperor wanted to see him?

Lu Tian was filled with doubt.

Changxi and Xihe had already made their position clear, and he had deliberately kept his distance from the Demon Race.

Logically, the two should have given up by now.

If the Western Teachings joined them, they would indeed become an asset to the Demon Race.

But repeated probing was not the conduct of an emperor.

After having their overtures rejected twice,

Why would the dignified Heavenly Emperor continue pestering him?

Following the Quasi-Saint to a side hall of the Heavenly Court,

Lu Tian saw Di Jun and Taiyi seated there in plain robes.

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

Such a reception...

Was giving him far too much honor.

Lu Tian secretly became vigilant.

Even as a Saint's disciple, meeting the two emperors alone was an extraordinary honor.

Once the Zhou Tian Star Dou Formation was activated, even Saints had to treat it with caution!

This did not mean that Saints were weak.

On the contrary, it further demonstrated their supreme power.

As one of the two greatest powers in the Primordial World, the Demon Race's strength was beyond doubt. Yet it still needed to gather all its strongest experts and deploy a grand formation before it could contend with a Saint!

The terrifying strength of Saints was thus plain to see.

Di Jun and Taiyi had no prior dealings with Lu Tian. Their private summons naturally made him suspicious.

Could they be putting on a show for the other Saints and the Witch Clan, using this to deter the Witch Clan?

Lu Tian secretly speculated.

The Demon Race had paid a price to invite him to the Heavenly Court. If it were merely to exchange for a few Enlightenment Tea Leaves, that would be far too frivolous.

This private meeting most likely intended to send a signal to the Witch Clan and the other Saints, creating the illusion that the Heavenly Court and the Western Teachings had formed an alliance.

After thinking it over repeatedly, Lu Tian concluded that this was the most likely explanation.

He respectfully saluted. "Lu Tian pays respects to the Heavenly Emperor."

Di Jun nodded slightly. "Changxi has often praised your exceptional talent, saying that you surpass the immortals of the Interception Sect and the Exposition Sect. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well deserved."

Lu Tian humbly replied, "The Heavenly Emperor praises me too highly. I merely won against a few Interception Sect fellow Daoists by luck."

Di Jun abruptly changed the subject. "I invited you here today because I have a matter to entrust to you."

Lu Tian's eyes revealed his confusion.

"My sons will soon be born, within ten thousand years."

Di Jun took out a Gilded Invitation. "I ask that you deliver this invitation to your master."

Just to deliver a letter?

Lu Tian's thoughts raced.

Surely Di Jun would not dare tamper with the invitation to plot against a Saint.

He immediately agreed. After accepting the invitation, he exchanged pleasantries with Di Jun for a while longer.

The two Demon Emperors also gave him several pointers regarding cultivation, benefiting him greatly.

As he departed, Di Jun gave him a flying boat as compensation.

It was a Mid-grade Houtian Spiritual Treasure, refined in imitation of Changxi and Xihe's spirit boat.

When driven at full force, it could travel as swiftly as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal's evasion technique. It was also equipped with dozens of Mechanical Puppets possessing Golden Immortal combat strength, all of them sentient and able to obey orders.

Just as expected.

Lu Tian silently confirmed his earlier suspicions.

Delivering the letter was merely a pretext. The real purpose was to use this spirit boat to send word to the outside world that the Heavenly Court and the Western Teachings were on good terms.

Standing atop his flying artifact, Lu Tian sorted through the entire matter and more or less grasped the other side's scheme.

This was plainly a strategy laid out in the open.

Sending invitations for their own child's one-month celebration and meeting privately was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it?

Now that the invitation had been delivered, could Lu Tian really refuse to bring the items back for his master?

That was not very realistic.

Having him run errands and deliver things, while giving him some compensation, was only natural as well.

Every arrangement seemed ordinary, but linked together, they achieved precisely the intended result.

After Lu Tian left.

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

Taiyi said quietly, "This man has a clear and perceptive mind. He has likely already seen through the first layer of your arrangement, Brother."

Di Jun did not mind. "It matters not whether he sees through it."

If he saw through it and knew we were using him, at most he would secretly spread news of our meeting, drawing the attention of all beings in the primordial world to the Imperial Son's birth.

If he failed to see through it, then part of the primordial world's attention would naturally be focused on the Western Teachings.