I Planted the First Seed

Nu Wa looked at Liu Mang, who was kneeling improperly, and grew angrier the more she thought about it.

"You're still showing off in front of me? Do you think I'm just playing around with you?"

"Do you really not know the current situation?"

Nu Wa kicked Liu Mang in the behind. The pain made Liu Mang grimace, much to the delight of everyone from the Witch and Demon tribes.

"Kneel properly!"

"So you admit you were wrong! Huh?"

"Do you think you're so capable?"

"Do you think everyone can't see through your little tricks?"

"Among everyone here, which one of them isn't a mighty being of Hong Huang? What you're playing at are things they've already done and discarded. They were just indulging you, too lazy to bother with you."

As soon as Nu Wa finished speaking, everyone present nodded in satisfaction and chimed in.

"Indeed, indeed!"

"It's been a long time since I've seen such an interesting junior."

"Hahaha, I knew I couldn't hide it from fellow Daoist Nu Wa!"

"I was genuinely impressed and couldn't help but tease him a bit. I hope fellow Daoist Nu Wa doesn't mind."

After all, these people were considered the top powerhouses of Hong Huang, having lived for hundreds of thousands of years.

Although Liu Mang's previous actions had helped Nu Wa, they had also offended everyone else.

Nu Wa's words undoubtedly gave the members of the Witch and Demon tribes an out, saving face for them.

At this point, Liu Mang finally understood Nu Wa's intention. She was helping him reduce the hostility towards him.

[A few words of praise and flattery have made it difficult for these big shots to stoop to attacking me. Truly brilliant!]

[Amazing! As they say, old ginger is spicier!]

As Liu Mang was inwardly cheering for Nu Wa, he didn't realize he was already courting disaster.

Nu Wa: That unfilial son, did he just call me old? I've noted this down.

Since Nu Wa had already paved the way so much, if he didn't seize the opportunity, he wouldn't be Liu Mang.

Liu Mang then knelt properly and looked at everyone from the Witch and Demon tribes. "This junior thanks all you seniors for not holding grudges against a junior. I hope you can forgive my rudeness."

After Liu Mang spoke, he clearly felt the gazes on him were no longer so aggressive, but had become more amiable.

Whether their amiability was genuine or feigned, only they themselves knew.

"Go to the side and reflect!" Nu Wa pointed to the side. Liu Mang, who had just straightened up, reverted to his submissive demeanor, let out an "Oh," and crawled to the side on his knees, sitting back on his heels, secretly observing everyone with a gossipy expression.

Nu Wa first nodded towards the Demon tribe members and smiled charmingly.

"Nu Wa thanks the fellow Daoists of the Demon tribe for protecting me. I will remember this kindness."

Bai Ze returned the bow. "Fellow Daoist Nu Wa is too kind. We are all of the Demon tribe; it was merely our duty."

Apart from Shang Yang, Fei Lian, and others nodding in agreement with Bai Ze, the other Demon Gods remained silent.

Disunity within the Demon tribe was commonplace, so Nu Wa didn't say much more. Instead, she turned her attention to the Witch tribe members.

Nu Wa: "Thank you, fellow Daoists of the Witch tribe, for your magnanimity. My unfilial son is unruly, and his jokes were many. I hope you will not take them to heart!"

Nu Wa's words essentially set the tone for Liu Mang's behavior.

Everything that had happened before was just a joke, and the Ancestor Witches shouldn't take it seriously.

However, the Witch tribe, having been repeatedly tested by Liu Mang, was no longer easily fooled.

Hou Tu smiled at Nu Wa. "Sister Nu Wa, please rest assured."

Hou Tu then turned to Liu Mang. "He did call me 'Little Aunt' and my brothers 'Uncle.' We naturally wouldn't hold a grudge against him."

Hou Tu's meaning was also clear.

Even though Liu Mang has tricked us, we've given him plenty of face. You can't just turn your back and deny it now!

Upon hearing Hou Tu's words, the Witch tribe members all laughed heartily and nodded in agreement.

Nu Wa glanced at Liu Mang, who looked like he had nothing to do with it, and gave him a glare.

This scoundrel, always causing trouble for me.

When Liu Mang looked up, he saw Nu Wa's displeased expression and quickly lowered his head in fear.

[Why are you rolling your eyes at me again? I'm trying to do you a favor!]

[You're about to be screwed over by Hong Jun. These people are all powerful allies you'll need to deal with him later!]

[Especially Hou Tu, she'll become an Earthly Dao Saint later, albeit a weakened one. I need to stir up some trouble!]

Nu Wa heard Liu Mang's thoughts clearly. Although she still appeared annoyed with him on the surface, she began to scheme inwardly.

"Is the Dao Ancestor going to make a move against me? Did the problem arise from proving the Dao with Merit? I need to be on guard!"

"I didn't expect Hou Tu, the weakest of the Twelve Ancestor Witches, to actually become a Saint! Why is it said to be a 'castrated' version? Where did the other eleven Ancestor Witches go?"

"You unfilial son, you can't stop for a moment! It seems I need to find a way to lock you up for a while, and by the way, inquire about what's going to happen next so I can make plans early."

Nu Wa pondered for a moment, turned her head to look at Hou Tu, and said with a beaming smile, "Sister Hou Tu, don't worry. You and I look quite similar to begin with. Liu Mang's actions have forged a karmic connection between us, and we should interact more in the future."

Hou Tu was secretly pleased upon hearing this. She had previously feared that Nu Wa would attack the Witch Tribe after proving her Dao.

Now, it seemed the probability of Nu Wa taking action had greatly decreased.

Hou Tu adjusted her posture and bowed to Nu Wa, saying, "Thank you for not abandoning me, Sister. I will surely welcome you with open arms when you return."

Tai Yi, standing beside them, listened to their conversation. His expression turned cold, and he looked at Di Jun, calling out, "Big Brother!"

Di Jun raised his hand slightly to stop Tai Yi, saying, "Second Brother, let's discuss everything when we get back. I believe fellow Daoist Nu Wa has her own considerations."

Tai Yi didn't understand, but Di Jun heard it clearly. Both Nu Wa and Hou Tu had mentioned Liu Mang multiple times.

If this matter had nothing to do with Liu Mang, Di Jun wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death.

Di Jun wondered inwardly, "Could it be that fellow Daoist Nu Wa also knows something?"

In fact, Di Jun no longer intended to excessively clash with the Witch Tribe. Instead, he planned to focus his efforts on governing the Demon Race.

He believed Liu Mang was right. If he could truly achieve the support of all demons in Hong Huang and unite the myriad races, he might indeed be able to prove his Dao.

This was much better than stubbornly fighting the Witch Tribe.

However, there was one point Di Jun still couldn't quite grasp.

That was, with Hong Huang's resources being limited, how could he satisfy the Demon Race, the Witch Tribe, and also consider all the myriad races in Hong Huang?

In his opinion, the only solution was to seize!

He decided to wait a little longer and ask Liu Mang about it when he had the chance.

This was why, even after hearing that Nu Wa had no intention of participating in the Wu-Yao Tribulation, he remained unhurried.

Besides Tai Yi, Nu Wa also had a look of confusion:

"Wasn't Di Jun very enthusiastic about the Wu-Yao War before? Why isn't he angry at all upon hearing what I said?"

At this moment, Liu Mang's inner thoughts echoed in her ears.

[Looking at Di Jun's reaction, he probably believes my words!]

[He says he doesn't believe it, but his actions are honest.]

[Hmph! As expected, such a tsundere!]

Nu Wa almost burst out laughing upon hearing Liu Mang's description, but she managed to control herself in time. However, her gaze towards Di Jun began to change.

"This description is really accurate. He's indeed incredibly tsundere."

[The first seed has been planted! Now I just have to wait for my mother to prove her Dao!]

Nu Wa was almost furious upon hearing this. So that's why Di Jun had no reaction – you unfilial son sold me out long ago!

[I really don't want to see the Wu-Yao Tribulation! Almost all the myriad races in Hong Huang will perish!]

[I've done all I can! Next, it's up to Di Jun!]