Gratitude Turns to Enmity

The thoughts in Houtu's heart failed to stop the conflict between the two races.

The Witch Clan and the Demon Tribe were still preparing for war.

Across the Primordial World, friction between the Witch Clan and the Demon Tribe never ceased.

Hongjun saw it all, but he did not intervene.

In truth, he had long since retrieved the wisp of primordial violet qi that Xu Tong had slapped away.

The current friction between the Demon Tribe and the Witch Clan was also well within his expectations.

Inside the Purple Cloud Palace, Hongjun opened his eyes and looked at the scene below, a trace of amusement in his gaze.

"Ants like these actually dream of becoming sages. How laughable."

In Hongjun's eyes, the Witch Clan and the Demon Tribe were little different from ants, his to manipulate as he pleased. They were merely stepping stones to advance his merger with the Dao.

Never mind that neither race had obtained the primordial violet qi-even if they had, whether they became sages would still be his decision.

Di Jun and the others knew nothing of this.

If they learned that all their people's efforts were futile, who knew what the Witch Clan and the Demon Tribe would think? Would they retreat into seclusion and lie flat like Xu Tong?

With everything unfolding according to his wishes, Hongjun was in a good mood.

On the Cloud Bed, Hongjun nodded.

"Mm, let things continue this way. Once the witch-demon tribulation nears its end, it will be time for the sages to take their places."

At these words, Hongjun, who had been quite pleased just moments earlier, secretly knitted his brows again.

There was no other reason-he had thought of Tongtian again.

"That wretch spends all day cultivating in seclusion and refuses to come out. Damn him."

These days, whenever Hongjun thought of Tongtian, he gritted his teeth.

Chives lying flat were truly difficult to harvest.

Especially one like Tongtian, who would not even poke his head out.

But with Tongtian refusing to show himself, Hongjun really had no way to deal with him for now.

He had originally intended for the primordial violet qi to fall into Tongtian's hands, then use the other powers to force him out.

Yet somehow, that fellow Tongtian had actually blocked the primordial violet qi and even slapped it away.

The thought left Hongjun utterly frustrated.

The primordial violet qi that others fought over until their heads split had been swatted away like a fly by Tongtian!

Before long, however, Hongjun regained his composure.

"Hmph, you think you can hide in seclusion and avoid the tribulation? It won't be that easy. An ant dreams of overturning the heavens, but this is not up to you."

"Once the witch-demon tribulation begins, I will soon complete my merger with the Dao. When the Great Dao is locked down, let's see how you comprehend it then."

The reason he had not pressed Tongtian too hard was his absolute confidence.

How could it be so easy to comprehend how to Prove Dao by Force?

At that thought, Hongjun relaxed again.

Across the Primordial World, the fighting between the Witch Clan and the Demon Tribe continued unabated.

The Demon Tribe believed the Witch Clan had hidden the primordial violet qi.

If Di Jun wanted to become a sage, he had to obtain it.

The Witch Clan, meanwhile, could not allow the Demon Tribe to acquire the primordial violet qi.

The Witch Clan did not cultivate primordial spirits, and they had yet to find a method of attaining the Dao.

If their mortal enemies, the Demon Tribe, got there first, the consequences needed no explanation.

It was precisely because they held these thoughts that neither race dared stop.

Even if both sides suspected the other might not have obtained the primordial violet qi.

Through this battle, however, both sides had come to understand one truth.

No matter what, the other side was their mortal enemy, the greatest obstacle to their survival.

They therefore had to destroy the other side. Only then could they live in peace.

Little did they know that such thinking played right into Hongjun's trap.

Under Di Jun's leadership, almost the entire Demon Tribe sprang into action.

Every member of the Demon Tribe was either fighting the Witch Clan or searching for the primordial violet qi.

There was one exception, however: Demon Master Kunpeng.

Kunpeng's ambitions were immense. He was not the sort to bow beneath another.

Di Jun wanted to become a sage, and so did Kunpeng.

That much was clear from his securing a Prayer Cushion.

Had Kunpeng truly been willing to submit to Di Jun, he would not have kept the Prayer Cushion for himself.

Inside the Demon Master's Palace, a cold gleam flashed through Kunpeng's gloomy eyes.

"Hmph, go ahead and search for that wisp of primordial violet qi. I won't be joining you."

"Hong Yun, some time has passed since the last lecture. I wonder how your cultivation has progressed. It's time I took back what belongs to me."

In Kunpeng's eyes, the wisp of primordial violet qi Hong Yun possessed rightfully belonged to him.

One could only say that the two were truly destined enemies.

Xu Tong knew nothing of this. Had he known, he could only have shaken his head helplessly.

In this life, as Tongtian, he had not competed for a Prayer Cushion. Hong Yun's surrendering his Prayer Cushion had not affected Kunpeng either, yet Kunpeng still bore a grudge against him.

One could only say that certain things were governed by an unseen destiny, beyond the power of anyone to change.

Having decided to move against Hong Yun, Kunpeng hesitated no longer.

"That fellow Hong Yun has been hiding in Wuzhuang Temple all this time, staying with Zhen Yuanzi."

"I'll have only one chance to strike. If I beat the grass and startle the snake, getting him to come out afterward will be difficult."

"So nothing can be allowed to go wrong. I must contact a few more people."

"And they must not covet the primordial violet qi."

Kunpeng considered possible candidates.

"Di Jun has mobilized everyone in the Demon Tribe, so they are certainly out."

"The Witch Clan is even less likely to agree to my request."

"That leaves very few people I can use."

Suddenly, as though something had occurred to him, Kunpeng lifted his gaze toward the west, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Heh, Hong Yun, I fear you don't understand how gratitude turns to enmity."

Having settled on his candidates, Kunpeng wasted no more time. In a flash, he vanished from the Demon Master's Palace.

Tongtian's cultivation grounds on Kunlun Mountain.

Still quietly cultivating in seclusion, Xu Tong suddenly straightened.

Xu Tong slowly opened his eyes, surprise flickering within them.

Just a moment earlier, the system's voice had sounded in his ears once again.

"Ding! Demon Master Kunpeng has been detected seeking to become a sage. He plans to join forces with the Two from the West to seize Ancestor Hong Yun's primordial violet qi. Ancestor Hong Yun's life hangs by a thread. Host, please make your choice."

"Option one: leave seclusion to rescue Ancestor Hong Yun and thwart Demon Master Kunpeng's plan. Reward: Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit ×10."

"Option two: leave seclusion to join forces with the Two Sages of the West, seize the primordial violet qi, and kill Hong Yun. Reward: Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus ×10."

"Option three: refuse to leave seclusion. What does Hong Yun's life or death have to do with me? Reward: Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus."

Looking at the three options the system offered, Xu Tong's eye twitched.

Good grief, system, just how badly do you want me to go out? The first two options offer ten lotuses apiece, but for the third, you toss me just one as a token gesture?

Too bad. I'm not falling for your trick.

"System, I choose option three."

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