The Primordial World

All Fellow Daoists have arrived, please be seated quickly.

Hm? The cultivation of these two Fellow Daoists has advanced with astonishing speed!

He was smooth and tactful, even earning praise from Lu Tian and the others.

After escorting the Sages into the banquet hall, Kunpeng hurriedly departed.

With the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa about to arrive, the Ten Great Demon Sages were in a frenzy.

Jieyin and Zhunti seized the opportunity to dismiss their guards, each projecting a strand of their Divine Sense.

Two strands of Divine Sense quietly descended upon the Sun Star, conducting a covert investigation.

The Fusang Divine Tree stood majestically, and the two cautiously avoided it.

The Grand Unity guards remained oblivious, still leading the two on a tour of the Heavenly Court.

Within the Sun God Palace, Di Jun, Taiyi, Changxi, and Xihe were gathered.

Ten young Golden Crows were protected by a Secret Method, yet the atmosphere in the hall was tense.

Changxi's face was pale but she was furious: "Di Jun! You intend to use my child's fortune to offset the Karmic Debt of the Witch Slaying Sword?"

Xihe stood beside her, her gaze as cold as frost.

Di Jun and Taiyi's auras were completely suppressed.

Di Jun knew he was in the wrong and could only patiently persuade, "Once the Witch Slaying Sword is forged, the Witch Clan will undoubtedly be defeated."

"When the Primordial World is unified, their fortune will not only recover but surpass what it was before."

"And..."

"And what?" Changxi's anger blazed, "And for your Witch Slaying Sword and your ambition to dominate the Primordial World, you don't care if all your sons die, is that it!"

She was beside herself with rage, her spiritual energy surging, almost making her want to blast Di Jun with a spell.

Di Jun's expression turned grim, and after a moment of silence, he resolutely declared, "My mind is made up. There is no need to discuss this further."

"You just gave birth, so rest well."

"Stop bothering me, this matter is settled!"

"Changxi, you cannot stop me."

"You..." Changxi tried to argue further.

Taiyi interjected, "Imperial Sister-in-law, please rest assured and recuperate."

"No one can change Brother's decision. The Imperial Sons are born with the mission of the Demon Race."

"As a father, how could Brother treat his children's lives lightly?"

"Everything has already been arranged, Imperial Sister-in-law need not worry."

With that, Di Jun and Taiyi left with the Imperial Sons.

Outside the imperial palace, two hidden strands of Divine Sense quietly dissipated.

Di Jun led the Imperial Sons to a secret realm.

The Blood Sea surged and churned incessantly.

Numerous Demon Race artifact refining experts had gathered here, and a blood-red sword was taking shape.

Within the Time Acceleration Formation, this sword had been forged for six hundred thousand years.

Di Jun stepped into the secret realm, gazing at the blood-red sword and the young son in his arms. A flicker of pain flashed in his eyes before quickly disappearing.

He activated the formation, placing the Imperial Son within it, and then personally supervised the sword's forging.

Meanwhile, Taiyi returned to the Heavenly Court and met with the assembled powerhouses.

"It has been a long time, Fellow Daoists. Senior Brother is unable to attend as he is caring for his wife and children, so I will be hosting in his stead. I hope for your understanding!"

As soon as Taiyi appeared, he became the center of attention.

As the Heavenly Emperor, everyone showed him due respect, expressing their understanding and urging Di Jun to focus on his family.

Lu Tian, along with his Master, got acquainted with the other powerhouses.

The atmosphere in the hall was harmonious, and no one wished to cause trouble at this time. The powerhouses gifted Lu Tian and the other juniors small trinkets as tokens of good fortune.

The scene before him, in a daze, made Lu Tian feel as if he had returned to his childhood before his transmigration, attending a relative's wedding banquet.

However--

Beneath this seemingly harmonious atmosphere lay a false peace propped up by the Demon Race's immense power.

The Ten Great Demon Sages guarded the banquet hall, and ten Quasi-Saints held their positions. This place was already impregnable. Unless a Sage personally intervened, who would dare cause trouble here? Moreover, the Heavenly Court's grand formation had already been activated.

But precisely at this moment, a sudden change occurred!

Houtu of the Witch Clan has come to congratulate the Demon Race's Imperial Son on his wedding!

Are the Demon Race members barring my way? Do you not welcome me?

The sound wave surged like a tide, instantly sweeping through the entire banquet hall.

All the Great Powers simultaneously stopped eating, their gazes uniformly shooting towards the Heavenly Court's entrance. Lu Tian's eyes flickered with spiritual light as he struggled to penetrate the Heavenly Court's restrictions to look out—

It was a woman whose appearance defied description.

This future Earthly Sage was not as captivatingly beautiful as Nuwa. Her beauty was filled with a sense of power: her wheat-colored skin glowed with health, her brows and eyes, radiating an imposing aura, pulsed with divine light, and her muscular physique contained ** primal strength, as if she could crush Lu Tian with a casual flick.

Though Lu Tian couldn't sense the slightest ripple of spiritual energy, he instinctively trembled—absolutely not to be an enemy!

Buzz—

The Daoist Jieyin's body radiated an invisible wall of energy, enveloping the people of the Western Teachings. Lu Tian immediately felt the pressure lessen, finally seeing clearly **: what had arrived was merely an avatar with the strength of a mortal. The Witch Clan specialized in body cultivation and did not possess spiritual energy.

The suffocating pressure from moments ago was merely the tip of the iceberg of Houtu's true body's might.

The terror of the Primordial World's powerhouses was evident.

The Great Powers he had seen in the past all restrained their pressure, and even when they released it, it was a deliberately controlled deterrence. Now, facing Houtu's unmasked avatar, Lu Tian truly understood what it meant for an ant to gaze at the heavens.

Taiyi, is this how you treat your guests?

This seat has even prepared a congratulatory gift.

Houtu's lips curved slightly, and she casually tossed an object. The item cut through the air, shooting directly towards the banquet **!

It seemed like a gentle force.

This mortal body avatar was ultimately limited. Even though her true self was an Ancestor Witch, forcibly activating her cultivation only barely reached the Golden Immortal level.

Swish!

Donghuang Taiyi intercepted the flying object in mid-air.

The Great Powers present subtly extended their Divine Senses as if by accident.

It turned out to be several living creatures bound by laws—fluffy young rabbits.

Thinking that the two Demon Emperors were too busy with their duties to accompany their offspring, I specifically prepared some little playmates.

Houtu said with a smiling face.

This gift showed a trace of genuine sincerity.

Yet, it made Taiyi's expression grow even more somber.

He took the young rabbits into his sleeve, his burning gaze fixed on Houtu like an arrow, complex thoughts churning in his heart.

If the one who came was Houtu's true body, even if it meant losing face for the Demon Race, he would definitely activate the Zhou Tian Star Dou formation and kill her on the spot!

However...

The person before him was merely a weak avatar.

It probably hadn't even depleted half a drop of Houtu's true blood.

Kill? Or not kill?

Taiyi fell into a dilemma.

Slaying the avatar would damage the Demon Race's prestige and yield no substantial benefit.

But if he let it go...

This ** * provocation, in front of all the Great Powers of the Primordial World, where would the Demon Race's dignity be?

His Divine Sense swept across the banquet hall.

The Great Powers from all sides watched as spectators, each raising their cups and chatting merrily.

Taiyi knew clearly in his heart—these people were waiting to watch a good show.

Since Fellow Daoist Houtu has come to offer congratulations, the Demon Race should naturally treat her with courtesy.

Please, take a seat!

After weighing his options, Taiyi finally welcomed Houtu into the Heavenly Court.

She wouldn't be able to cause much trouble in this sacred land of the Demon Race!

Once the decision was made, Taiyi personally led Houtu to her seat and ordered Gui Che, one of the Ten Great Demon Sages, to stay by her side without leaving.

It was said to be accompaniment, but in reality, it was surveillance.

This scene.

Caused many Great Powers to secretly rejoice that this trip was worthwhile.

Amidst the nectar and jade liquid, the banquet soon returned to a false appearance of everyone enjoying themselves.

Deep within the Sun Star.

Di Jun, with the ten Golden Crow princes, emerged from the secret realm and returned to the imperial palace.

Changxi and Xihe, who had been waiting for a long time, hurried to greet them.

When Di Jun handed their child back, Changxi's face changed drastically: Di Jun... how could you be so heartless!

She questioned coldly.

With the Moon Goddess's power, she instantly saw through the karmic debt entangled within the child—that was the Witch Slaying Sword's backlash.

The surface was calm, but the undercurrents had long been surging within!

Di Jun sighed softly.

I will return to the Heavenly Court first. The children are entrusted to you.

The forging of the Witch Slaying Sword will not have any more flaws. When the divine weapon emerges, it will be the time the Demon Race rules the universe!

After a few simple words, his figure vanished from the Sun Star.

Changxi watched Di Jun leave and could only sigh faintly.

What are the Demon Race's chances of victory?

She politely asked Xihe to leave and sat alone, holding her young son, a look of determination flashing in her eyes.

As the secret method was activated, the karmic debt on the young son actually began to transfer to her.

Cough... cough cough!

Changxi, whose breath was already weak, suddenly coughed up blood, yet she gritted her teeth and maintained the spell's operation.

This secret technique...

Even Di Jun, Taiyi, and Xihe were completely unaware of it.

Could it be...

This was a destined gift foreseen by the Heavenly Dao?

After Di Jun returned to the Heavenly Court, the entire celestial realm erupted in celebration.

Houtu did not cause any trouble.

Her avatar was merely intended to cause a nuisance for the Heavenly Court and scout their strength—after all, who besides a Sage could stir up trouble in the heavily guarded Heavenly Court?

This grand feast lasted for forty-nine years.

Guests came and went like flowing water, and the Demon Race spared no effort in recruiting every attendee.

Being invited meant, at the very least, that they held no deep hatred for the Demon Race.

Of course...

There were also those with ulterior motives, like the Western Teachings, who were spying.

When the banquet concluded, Di Jun had actually managed to persuade several races who had been observing from the sidelines to submit.

The Demon Race was, in essence, an all-encompassing alliance—it was Di Jun and Taiyi who had forged this concept by uniting all races.

If Styx wished, the Asura Race could also become a branch of the Demon Race.

In fact, he was a target the Demon Race was actively trying to win over, but the master of the Blood Sea simply disdained them.

As they departed, Lu Tian's senior brothers were all overjoyed.

Under the recommendation of Jieyin and Zhunti, they had met many Great Powers and gained a great deal.

They had been treated with great courtesy in the Heavenly Court over these years, returning fully satisfied.

As the guests gradually dispersed, this meticulously prepared feast finally came to an end.

Ultimately, this was merely a stage for Di Jun to display his strength to the world.

Lu Tian and a few senior brothers left with Jieyin and Zhunti.

On the same day, Houtu also quietly departed the Heavenly Court.

She was quite patient.

In this situation, she was able to remain for forty-nine years.

As soon as her mortal avatar exited the Heavenly Court, it ascended directly to the Thirty-Third Heaven and sped away.

After flying for thousands of years, she finally escaped the Heavenly Court's formation range. A spatial rift suddenly appeared before her.

Just as Houtu was about to step through, a voice called out from behind her—

Senior Houtu, please wait!

Houtu frowned and turned back.

The person who arrived was Lu Tian.

He approached quickly with a smiling face.

Stop right there!

Houtu's gaze turned icy: Take another step closer, and I'll end your life on the spot.

If I ** , Jieyin and Zhunti might not be able to save you.

Lu Tian immediately stopped in his tracks.

Your predecessor's supernatural abilities are naturally awe-inspiring.

I have come this time on my master's orders to discuss a matter with you.

The so-called master's orders are naturally the will of Jieyin and Zhunti.

Houtu's expression remained cold: A transaction? The Western Teachings and the Demon Race are in cahoots, what is there to discuss with me?

Lu Tian inwardly gave a wry smile.

The Ancestor Witches are indeed difficult to communicate with.

Even invoking the names of Sages was ineffective.

Senior, please understand, my teachings have no ties to the Demon Race, and I was merely used by them.

Only then did Houtu slightly raise her eyelids:

Lu Tian quickly said: I have an opportunity, and I wish to invite Senior to visit the West!

The Western earth veins have been in ruins for a long time. I have heard that Senior manages the Netherworld and has even greater ability to regulate mountains and rivers than my master.

I implore Senior to go to the West and help us sort out the earth veins.