Ch. 161Conflict Loomed Between Witches and Demons, Dijiang's Misgivings
Plot points and events
- After the Immortal Court’s destruction, the Witch Clan invites the Greater Demons to the ceremony establishing the Ten Thousand Witch Ancestral Court. Several demons, led by Nine-Headed Origin Spirit, take the invitation as an insult and refuse to attend.
- Zhurong and Shebishi answer their defiance with threats, and both sides reveal their immense true forms. The confrontation threatens to erupt into open war.
- Eastern Emperor Taiyi backs the demons, raising the Chaos Bell, while Dijun watches tensely. Daochen stays out of the dispute, giving Dijiang the signal he was looking for.
- Dijiang abruptly orders the other Ancestral Witches to stand down and insists the invitation is no reason to fight. He then personally invites Daochen to the ceremony, and Daochen accepts.
- The demons realize Dijiang’s restraint is driven less by concern for them than by wariness of Daochen. Daochen, however, makes clear in his thoughts that he does not consider the Demon Race’s conflict his responsibility.
Character developments and interactions
- Dijiang reveals himself as a calculating leader: he used the invitation and the demons’ reaction to gauge Daochen’s position, then prevented a clash once he saw Daochen would not oppose the Witch Clan.
- Zhurong, Shebishi, and the other Ancestral Witches respond to the demons’ refusal with characteristic aggression, but are confused and frustrated when Dijiang calls them back.
- Nine-Headed Origin Spirit and the other Greater Demons stand together against the witches, though they recognize they are badly outmatched and suspect Dijiang has a hidden reason for sparing them.
- Taiyi openly supports the demons, while Daochen remains neutral toward their cause. His acceptance of Dijiang’s invitation reflects his own plans, not loyalty to the Demon Race.
- Daochen intends to visit the Pangu Divine Hall to pursue the next stage of his cultivation.
Significant themes
- Power and political calculation: Dijiang’s restraint is shaped by Daochen’s formidable reputation, showing that strength can deter conflict even when formal alliances cannot.
- Fragile balance between great powers: With the Immortal Court gone, the Witch and Demon clans are the remaining major forces, and a single confrontation could reshape their rivalry.
- Belonging and self-interest: Daochen’s past-life connection to humanity outweighs his present incarnation’s ties to the Demon Race; he helps them only when he chooses, not out of obligation.