Before the Purple Cloud Palace.
Cult Leader Tongtian asked.
"Strange. The Twelve Ancestral Witches don't cultivate their primordial spirits and are mere brutes. How could one suddenly comprehend the opportunity to become a Sage?"
Yuanshi Tianzun closed his eyes and said coldly.
"Whatever the truth, Houtu's act has earned great merit for the Witch Race. The Heavenly Dao has shown mercy. It seems the Witch Race now has a sliver of hope for survival."
Laozi praised her.
"Tranquil nonaction, bringing something forth from nothing. Houtu's act is one of great goodness!"
Tongtian frowned in puzzlement.
"How strange. Who besides our master could have the ability to teach an Ancestral Witch formed from Pangu's flesh to become a Sage? And why would he do so?"
At this point.
All the Sages looked toward Dao Ancestor Hongjun at once.
Back when the Dao Ancestor preached in the Purple Cloud Palace, he had said that all their understanding of the Great Dao combined could not compare to that of a young fellow Daoist in the Taiyi True Immortal Realm.
This matter had spread throughout almost the entire Primordial World.
And under all of heaven, that person was probably the only one with such ability.
It was even said that Junior Sister Nuwa's cultivation had soared after that person pointed her toward her opportunity to attain the Dao.
Hongjun remained silent and offered no explanation.
The Three Pure Ones all felt somewhat disappointed.
Laozi shook his head and smiled.
"Although we don't know who it was, that fellow Daoist likely acted firstly out of consideration for the living beings of the Primordial World, and secondly to help the Witch Race accumulate merit, lest they suffer extermination at the hands of the Heavenly Dao in the future."
"You must understand that the Witch Race is few in number and possesses extraordinary innate gifts, making them prone to heaven's jealousy, unlike the Demon Race with its endless propagation."
"I must say, this person possesses tremendous talent. His deeds not only shake the world and startle its people, but also inspire admiration."
"Since that is the case, I will no longer lay plans within the Witch Race. I will leave everything for them to decide."
Yuanshi nodded.
"Agreed."
The Three Pure Ones discussed the matter at length.
Zhunti and Jieyin had founded the Western Sect in the west and had yet to return.
Only Nuwa remained silent up ahead, a trace of something strange showing in her eyes.
She instinctively looked toward her master.
Could it be...
Mu Chen again?
Once all the Sages had left.
Hongjun opened his eyes slightly, countless fragments of the Great Dao flashing within them.
There was no telling what he was thinking.
Amid the sea of clouds, Mu Chen had also been watching Houtu attain the Dao all along.
There was not the slightest surprise on his face.
Houtu had transformed her body into the Six Paths.
They were the Heavenly Path, Human Path, Asura Path, Animal Path, Hungry Ghost Path, and Hell Path.
From then on, Houtu would possess the power of a Sage while within Yellow Springs.
Correspondingly.
By earning such great merit, Houtu had turned the situation around for the Witch Race.
In Mu Chen's view, this was even the very reason the Witch Race had not been completely wiped out.
After all, the Great Witch-Demon Catastrophe was the Heavenly Dao's means of targeting both the Witch Race and the Demon Race.
The Witch Race in particular was steeped in slaughter and strife, did not cultivate primordial spirits, and even incurred the Sages' displeasure.
Yet Houtu's act had added merit not only to herself, but also to the Witch Race.
As a result, even the Heavenly Dao no longer struck quite so ruthlessly.
Mu Chen nodded in satisfaction.
This was good too.
With the Yellow Springs Underworld in place, the slaughter among the inhabitants of the Primordial World could also be greatly reduced.
He turned his head and began considering the choices the system had already given him.
"Ding, Houtu has been detected establishing reincarnation. Please choose." "One: remain indifferent and choose to fish for a hundred thousand years. You may obtain Optimus Prime." "Two: formally join the Witch Race by relying on Houtu's might as a Sage. You may obtain Houtu's full support, thereby reigning as king in Yellow Springs, undying and indestructible."
Mu Chen rubbed his chin.
He was deeply torn.
The reward for the second choice was simply too great.
Undying and indestructible on the road to Yellow Springs?
Wouldn't that mean he would live forever as long as the Six Paths of Reincarnation didn't collapse?
Mu Chen's expression began shifting uncertainly again.
But what if the Six Paths of Reincarnation collapsed?
Though logically it wouldn't happen, what if it did?
If he emerged into the world, he would expose himself completely to the eyes of the entire Demon Race, the Sages, and the Heavenly Dao.
Was that a worthwhile trade for a chance at temporary indestructibility?
"Fuck you! Don't even think about tricking me into getting myself killed!"
Mu Chen gritted his teeth.
Option one.
Continue secluded cultivation!