The Rudiments of Factions, First Contact with Houtu

Di Jun's gaze sharpened, sweeping over the Calabash Kids like blades.

"Since you bullied my people, repay this karma today."

As he spoke, a blazing mass of Solar True Fire appeared in Di Jun's hand.

Hearing this, the Calabash Kids' blood boiled, and each of them rolled up his sleeves, eager for a fight.

Seeing this, Taiyi hurriedly tugged Di Jun's sleeve and reminded him in a low voice, "Big Brother, don't be impulsive. This is before the Purple Cloud Palace; you must not act rashly."

"Don't worry. I know my limits."

With a light wave of Di Jun's hand, Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals and Primordial Unity Golden Immortals appeared behind him one after another. They were all people Di Jun had recruited.

In an instant, the situation underwent an earth-shaking reversal. The Calabash Kids, who had originally held the advantage in numbers, were immediately placed at a disadvantage.

Xiao Teng sighed and stepped in front of the Calabash Kids. If Di Jun truly wanted to fight, he would accompany him to the end.

Just as the atmosphere became taut as drawn bows, a voice rang out. "Wait. Do not fight."

Xiao Teng turned and saw Fuxi and Nuwa drifting over gracefully.

Fuxi said softly to everyone, "Before the Purple Cloud Palace is where the Sage gives his teachings. You must not start a great fight over a moment's anger. If the Purple Cloud Palace's lecture is delayed, that would be a grave sin."

Upon hearing this, Di Jun put away the flames. The others also withdrew their hostility, and the atmosphere finally eased somewhat.

"Alright, you little ones should settle down too. Don't cause any more trouble," Xiao Teng reprimanded them.

The Calabash Kids obediently stayed behind Xiao Teng. If their father truly became angry, they would be in for it.

Xiao Teng watched Fuxi and Nuwa converse with Di Jun. It seemed they had already joined forces.

It seemed the two of them had still joined the Demon Race.

Xiao Teng searched around but did not see White Lotus anywhere.

Where had White Lotus gone? Surely she hadn't missed this lecture?

"Er Wa, look for Fellow Daoist White Lotus and see where she is."

"Alright."

Er Wa widened his eyes and began searching.

"Found her. Sister White Lotus is flying this way, but she's still quite far away. We may have to wait a while."

"Fine. As long as she's coming."

Afterward, all manner of innate beings arrived from every corner of the Primordial World, gathering here.

Xiao Teng noticed that the beings who had come this time were far more powerful.

Since the last lecture, the Primordial World had undergone tremendous changes. Countless beings had immersed themselves in cultivation, and among them were many exceptionally gifted talents who had broken through into the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.

In today's Primordial World, Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals were not everywhere one looked, but neither were they as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns as they had once been.

Xiao Teng also noticed that the innate beings were gathered in small groups, speaking quietly among themselves and broadly divided into several clearly distinct factions.

Di Jun and Taiyi had many followers clustered behind them, and they possessed considerable prestige among these innate beings.

However, aside from the Golden Crow brothers, the most sought-after figure was not the famed Three Pure Ones, but Wood Duke.

He was surrounded like stars around the moon, with far more beings gathered around him than around anyone else.

Seeing Wood Duke encircled by so many people, the Calabash Kids' eyes filled with surprise.

Scenes from their previous clash with Wood Duke instantly surfaced in their minds. Back then, Wood Duke had been utterly bedraggled under their hands, yet now he seemed to have shed his mortal frame and exchanged his bones, transforming into someone capable of rallying countless beings.

Xiao Teng was not particularly surprised. It could only be summed up in two words: "fortune."

When fortune arrived, one could soar into the sky in a single leap. When it departed, one could fall straight into the abyss.

Temporary prosperity was useless; enduring prosperity was the best pursuit.

Suddenly, a familiar figure entered his sight. It was Houtu.

She stood there quietly, radiating a restrained yet profound aura.

Xiao Teng was somewhat surprised by Houtu's appearance. Aside from her, none of the other eleven Ancestral Witches had come.

"You little ones, stay here obediently. Don't wander around carelessly."

Xiao Teng softly instructed the Calabash Kids, then flew toward Houtu.

Houtu noticed Xiao Teng approaching and slightly raised her head, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Houtu, did you come alone this time?"

Houtu looked at Xiao Teng in confusion, not knowing why he recognized her.

"I am Xiao Teng. Greetings."

"So it is Fellow Daoist Xiao Teng."

Houtu said softly, "My elder brothers are burdened with many matters and could not get away, so only I came this time."

Xiao Teng knew perfectly well that the other Ancestral Witches did not have matters to attend to at all. They simply could not understand the lecture and did not wish to waste their time, so they had not come.

Besides, within the Primordial World, what could be more important than listening to teachings in the Purple Cloud Palace and seeking a breakthrough for oneself?

Houtu was different. The faint, elusive insight she had gained during the last lecture was like a seed planted in her heart, urging her to step into the Purple Cloud Palace once more.

At that moment, Wood Duke strode confidently toward the Calabash Kids.

From afar, Xiao Teng saw him and his heart abruptly tightened. Instinctively, he assumed Wood Duke had come looking for trouble. After all, once the previous lecture had ended, the Calabash Kids had taken his Wood Spirit Pearl.

Without time for further thought, he quickly flew over. Yet he had not expected that Wood Duke had not come to cause trouble, but to recruit them.

"Fellow Daoists, your strength is formidable. Would you be willing to join hands with us and together plan a grand undertaking between Heaven and Earth? If you join our camp, then with your aid, I firmly believe that we can carve out an unprecedented new world in this Primordial World and establish merits that shall never fade."

Wood Duke spoke a great deal of polite nonsense, yet never mentioned anything substantive.

Wood Duke spoke with animated gestures and earnest words, but Xiao Teng sneered inwardly.

Though Wood Duke's words sounded lofty and dignified, they were hollow as empty shells, without the slightest substantive content.

The Calabash Kids were even more direct, saying disdainfully, "We don't want to be with someone like you. You don't look like a good person."

Hearing this utterly merciless rejection, Wood Duke's expression instantly darkened.

Rage burned within him as he secretly swore, You ungrateful fools, you reject me so arrogantly now. When my power grows in the future, even if you wish to kneel and beg for mercy, even if you want to join me, it will be absolutely impossible. Once I gather more helpers, I will definitely settle the score with you over the grudge of stealing my treasure.

With that, he flung his sleeve and turned away in fury.

Xiao Teng did not care. Those gathered by Wood Duke were nothing more than a rabble, and he could not even name most of them.

Thus, they had most likely perished in the later calamity.

When the appointed time arrived, the gates of the Purple Cloud Palace opened once again.

At that moment, White Lotus also arrived just in time.

"Fellow Daoist White Lotus, you came at the perfect time. Let's hurry inside."

White Lotus nodded slightly. The two walked side by side and entered the Purple Cloud Palace together.