Accumulate Grain, Fortify Walls, and Delay Claiming the Throne

Zhu Rong widened his eyes. "An existential threat? Brother Pan Xuan, aren't you being a bit too dramatic?"

Xuan Ming said coldly, "Let him finish."

Pan Xuan nodded slightly, walked to the center of the hall, and pointed outside. His voice was clear and forceful.

"My brothers and sisters, allow me to analyze the current situation of the Primordial World."

The Ancestral Witches fell silent upon hearing this, listening intently.

Pan Xuan stood with his hands behind his back and spoke slowly.

"In the Primordial World today, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans stand like the legs of a tripod, vying for dominion over the world.

The Dragon Clan controls the four seas and commands all aquatic life; they possess billions of kin and countless experts.

The Phoenix Clan governs the skies, with all birds bowing to them; their might is formidable.

The Qilin Clan dominates the earth, with all beasts submitting to them; their power is unstoppable.

Each of these three clans possesses a foundation as enduring as heaven and earth, and each has the strength to sweep across all directions."

He paused, then continued, "To vie for the position of hegemon of the Primordial World, these three clans wage constant war against one another.

The battles between the Dragons and Phoenixes, the Phoenixes and Qilins, and the Dragons and Qilins have plunged the world into darkness, dimming the sun and moon.

The entire Primordial World is engulfed in the flames of war ignited by these three clans."

Zhu Rong muttered, "We know all this. The Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans have been fighting for countless eons without reaching a conclusion."

Pan Xuan nodded. "Exactly. It is precisely because the three clans are evenly matched and unable to overcome one another that this struggle has lasted so long.

But because of this, the situation in the Primordial World is exceptionally delicate."

He turned to face the Ancestral Witches, his voice growing grave. "My brothers and sisters, consider the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans. Each has billions of members, and their influence spans the entire world. And what of the Witch Clan?"

He held out a hand, spreading his five fingers. "How many members does the Witch Clan have?

Twelve Ancestral Witches, plus the Great Witches and ordinary kin brought forth from the Blood Pool by my brothers—all together, it is merely..."

He did not finish, but everyone understood his meaning.

Compared to the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans, the number of members in the Witch Clan was but a drop in the ocean.

Di Jiang said in a deep voice, "Brother Pan Xuan, what you mean is..."

Pan Xuan replied sternly, "I mean this.

The only reason our Witch Clan can stand in the Primordial World today without attracting the attention of the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans is that our numbers are few, our influence is weak, and we do not manifest ourselves in the Primordial World.

Pangu Hall possesses the protection left by Father God, which can conceal our aura and make it difficult for the outside world to perceive us.

The three clans are too busy fighting each other to look elsewhere, which is what has given our Witch Clan a chance to breathe."

He paused, his voice suddenly rising. "But what would be the consequence if we were to rashly create a large number of kin?"

The Ancestral Witches looked at one another.

Pan Xuan continued, "The birth of a large number of kin would inevitably lead to an leakage of aura.

Even if Pangu Hall could conceal it, once our numbers grew, we would eventually have to venture out, seek resources, and cultivate to grow.

By then, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans would inevitably notice the existence of our Witch Clan."

He walked to the center of the hall, his gaze sweeping over every Ancestral Witch.

"My brothers and sisters, think about what would happen if the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans discovered that there was a powerful race in the Primordial World that did not belong to any of them. What would they do?"

Zhu Rong blurted out, "They would naturally try to recruit us to their side!"

Pan Xuan shook his head. "They might try to recruit us, but it is far more likely that they would first seek to annihilate the Witch Clan."

The expressions of the Ancestral Witches shifted.

Pan Xuan's voice was calm and clear. "The struggle between the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans has reached a fever pitch.

Neither side wishes for new variables to emerge.

Although our Witch Clan has few members, the twelve Ancestral Witches are among the top experts in the world, and our Great Witches possess extraordinary combat power.

If such a force were to join any one side, it would shatter the balance between the three clans."

He paused, then continued, "Therefore, the most likely scenario is that the three clans would temporarily set aside their mutual strife and join forces to wipe out the Witch Clan first.

Once they have eradicated us, they would continue their struggle for hegemony. By then, our Witch Clan would face total destruction."

When these words were spoken, silence fell over Pangu Hall.

Zhu Rong's mouth hung open, and even the flames upon him forgot to flicker.

Gong Gong's grim face also revealed a look of gravity.

The cold aura around Xuan Ming intensified, clearly reflecting her contemplation of Pan Xuan's words.

The other Ancestral Witches all wore solemn expressions.

Di Jiang remained silent for a long while before nodding slowly. "Brother Pan Xuan speaks with reason. We have only focused on growing our clan, never considering the risks hidden behind such actions. The Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans are powerful; if they truly took notice of the Witch Clan, the future consequences would indeed be endless."

Zhu Jiuyin opened his cloudy, aged eyes, his voice raspy and distant. "Pan Xuan's analysis aligns with certain fragments I have glimpsed using the power of time. If our Witch Clan were to rashly reveal itself to the Primordial World, it would surely invite disaster."

Houtu said softly, "Brother Pan Xuan, what do you think we should do?"

Pan Xuan smiled slightly and was about to speak when Qiangliang suddenly interjected. "Brother Pan Xuan, according to you, are we just supposed to shrink back into Pangu Hall, do nothing, and watch the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans fight for supremacy?"

Xizi nodded as well. "Indeed, must we just sit and wait for death? Once the three clans decide a victor, the winner will dominate the Primordial World alone. By then, won't our Witch Clan have to face an even more formidable enemy?"

Pan Xuan shook his head, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes. "Of course we will not do nothing."

He walked to the center of the hall, stood with his hands behind his back, and spoke with the composure of one who holds the reins of strategy. "My brothers and sisters, I believe that the struggle between the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans is both a crisis and a tremendous opportunity for our Witch Clan."

"An opportunity?" Zhu Rong widened his eyes. "What kind of opportunity is there in them fighting each other?"

Pan Xuan laughed. "Brother Zhu Rong, listen as I explain."

He held up one finger. "First, the struggle between the three clans fills the Primordial World with baleful energy. While this energy is poisonous to ordinary beings, it is nourishment for our Witch Clan. You all know this, as you were born from the absorption of such energy."

The Ancestral Witches nodded. The Witch Clan cultivated by absorbing the baleful energy of heaven and earth; the heavier the energy, the faster they progressed.

Pan Xuan held up a second finger. "Second, the war between the three clans will inevitably result in casualties. If those fallen warriors are not recovered in time, their bodies will be left scattered across the Primordial World. These corpses contain the essence of their bloodlines and the power of their physical forms."

He looked toward the direction of the blood pool. "Our Witch Clan possesses the Pangu Blood Pool. If we can recover these corpses and cast them into the pool, they will be converted into nutrients, strengthening the pool itself. The stronger the blood pool, the more powerful the Witch Clan members we create in the future will be."

The eyes of the Ancestral Witches lit up.

Pan Xuan held up a third finger. "Third, and most importantly: the struggle between the three clans will inevitably lead to a situation where all sides suffer. The three clans are evenly matched; none can destroy the others, so this war will continue indefinitely. The longer it lasts, the greater their depletion. By that time..."

His voice rose sharply, carrying an inspiring power. "By that time, the three clans will be at the end of their strength, while our Witch Clan will have been secretly accumulating power and biding our time. Once they are exhausted and crippled, we will strike. At that moment, the hegemon of the Primordial World will be our Witch Clan! This is my view: we must store grain widely, build high walls, and delay our claim to the throne."

Pangu Hall fell into a dead silence.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches looked at Pan Xuan, their eyes filled with shock and amazement. These words analyzed the situation of the Primordial World with absolute clarity and mapped out the future of the Witch Clan with precision. How could they, Ancestral Witches who only knew how to act with reckless, hot-blooded force, have ever thought of such things?

Zhu Rong was the first to jump up, slapping Pan Xuan on the shoulder so hard he nearly sent him flying. "Good! Brother Pan Xuan, how is your brain wired? Why couldn't I think of these things?"

Pan Xuan steadied himself and gave a wry smile. "Brother Zhu Rong, please, have mercy."

Gong Gong, for once, did not bicker with Zhu Rong, instead musing, "Store grain widely, build high walls, delay our claim to the throne... Brother Pan Xuan, these nine words are excellent. Accumulate strength first, wait for the right moment, and strike only when they have all suffered. This is the only foolproof strategy."

Xuan Ming said coldly, "It makes sense. Rather than risking disaster by creating more kin now, it is better to secretly collect the corpses and baleful energy of the three clans to strengthen the blood pool. When the time is ripe, we can create a vast number of kin in one stroke."

Houtu nodded. "Brother Pan Xuan is absolutely right."

What the Witch Clan needs most right now is not a larger population, but timing and a solid foundation.

When the three clans have exhausted themselves, that will be the day the Witch Clan rises.

Di Jiang stood up, his resolute face filled with determination.

"Fine! We shall do as brother Pan Xuan says.

From today on, the Witch Clan will operate in the shadows. We will absorb the baleful energy of heaven and earth to cultivate, while simultaneously collecting the corpses of the three clans' fallen warriors to cast into the blood pool.

When the three clans are both defeated and broken, that will be the day the Witch Clan reigns over the Primordial World!"

He looked at Pan Xuan, his eyes full of admiration. "Brother Pan Xuan, not only did you give Houtu a primordial spirit, but you have also pointed out this clear path for our Witch Clan.

You are the true lucky star of our Witch Clan!"

Pan Xuan shook his head and smiled. "You flatter me, brother Di Jiang. I have merely spoken a few words; it is you, my brothers and sisters, who must do the real work."

Houtu stepped forward, gently patted his shoulder, and said softly, "Being able to see the direction is more important than burying one's head in work. Brother Pan Xuan, you are truly a great talent."

Pan Xuan looked at these Ancestral Witches who had genuinely accepted him, and a warm current surged through his heart.

He knew that from this moment on, his status within the Witch Clan had completely changed.

He was no longer just a younger brother in need of protection, but a strategist capable of devising plans and guiding the way for the Witch Clan.

He would use his wisdom to change the fate of the Witch Clan.

And this path of "storing grain, building high walls, and delaying the claim to kingship" was the first road he had chosen for them.