Hou Tu swept her gaze over everyone present and found that those remaining were all close to Nu Wa. The Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, and Zhunti were Nu Wa's fellow disciples in name, while Fu Xi was Nu Wa's Big Brother—their relationship went without saying.
Hou Tu and Di Jiang exchanged a glance and nodded.
Hou Tu understood that it was time for them to leave. She stepped forward with a smile and bowed to Nu Wa. "Ancestral Wu Hou Tu once again congratulates Saint Nu Wa on attaining the Dao. We have been away from the tribe for quite some time and do not know how the Wu Clan children are doing. It is time for us to return and take a look, so we will not trouble you further."
As soon as Hou Tu finished speaking, the Ancestral Wu behind her nodded in agreement.
"We have been out for quite a while. Who knows how the tribe is doing!"
"Indeed. Even with Great Witches like Hou Yi and Kua Fu watching over things, we cannot simply wash our hands of it."
"Besides, if we leave early, it will be easier for Saint Nu Wa to make arrangements for the Human Race."
Nu Wa raised her hand toward Hou Tu from afar, and Hou Tu involuntarily straightened up. Liu Mang had said that Hou Tu had a chance to attain the Dao, and she remembered it clearly.
"If she can join in as well, the pressure in the future will be much lighter."
With that thought, Nu Wa smiled at Hou Tu. "Sister Hou Tu, there is no need for such courtesy. If you are worried about the Wu Clan, you may leave first.
"Now that I have attained the Dao, I have nothing much to do. Perhaps I will bring Liu Mang to visit the Wu Clan someday. After all, he calls you Little Aunt, yet does not even know where your home is. That would be far too discourteous."
Hou Tu was startled upon hearing Nu Wa's words, then could not help but feel overjoyed.
Although Liu Mang called her Little Aunt, she did not dare use her status to try and build ties with Nu Wa.
It would be fine if Nu Wa did not mind, but if she was unwilling, the entire Wu Clan might suffer for it.
Yet Nu Wa had now taken the initiative to mention this relationship and even intended to visit the Wu Clan. How could Hou Tu not be thrilled?
By saying this, Nu Wa was essentially telling all the races of Hong Huang that the Wu Clan was also a great race backed by a Saint. Anyone wishing to make trouble for the Wu Clan would have to think carefully first.
Hou Tu glanced at Liu Mang, who had somehow shifted to Nu Wa's side, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"If Sister Nu Wa comes, my Wu Clan will welcome you with the full strength of the tribe. If Nephew Liu Mang accompanies you, we can allow him to enter the Pangu Ancestral Temple once."
The instant Hou Tu finished speaking, all the Ancestral Wu turned to stare at her.
"This..."
Just as they were about to speak, Di Jiang raised a hand to stop them.
Nu Wa saw the Ancestral Wus' reactions clearly. Deep down, she was just as incredulous as they were, though she did not show it.
The Pangu Ancestral Temple was where the Ancestral Wu worshipped the head of Great God Pangu. Wu Clan members below the rank of Great Witch did not even have the chance to approach it.
It was said that one could obtain an opportunity from Pangu by entering the Pangu Ancestral Temple, but no Wu Clan member had ever been heard of receiving Pangu's inheritance.
Yet rather than extinguishing the desires of the myriad races of Hong Huang, this only made their wish to enter the Pangu Ancestral Temple burn ever more fiercely. Countless people wanted to enter, but not one had ever gotten their wish.
It was not as though no one had tried to force their way in. Kunpeng, for example, had relied on his cultivation of the Dao of Extreme Speed and attempted to compel them through force, only to be beaten out like a stray dog.
Meanwhile, those like Hong Yun and Fu Xi who paid polite visits were politely received by the Wu Clan, treated to food and drink, then respectfully escorted out of the tribe.
Whether they came softly or forcefully, whether they tried kindness or intimidation, the Wu Clan accepted none of it.
Liu Mang was the first outsider to enter the Pangu Ancestral Temple.
Nu Wa glanced at Liu Mang, who was standing beside her in a daze, and silently praised the unfilial brat for his good fortune. At the same time, Hou Tu's goodwill made her secretly delighted, as though the matter she was planning had taken another step forward. Just as she was about to speak, an irritating face formed in the sky once more.
Although Hong Jun's incarnation had left, his true body was still watching Nu Wa and the others.
Nu Wa's attainment of the Dao through Merit had been within his calculations, but unexpected variables had arisen during the process. In particular, Nu Wa had not absorbed the Hongmeng Purple Qi, instead crushing it. This had exceeded his expectations. How could he truly leave without worry?
Hong Jun, who had been eavesdropping nearby, had initially felt that matters were progressing rather smoothly. But when he suddenly heard that Nu Wa intended to visit the Wu Clan, he could not help growing nervous.
If, after this trip, the Witch-Demon factions decided to stop fighting out of respect for Nu Wa and live peacefully together, who would Hong Jun complain to?
If the Witch-Demon factions did not fight, what would become of the tribulation?
And if the tribulation did not come, how could he transcend?
With that thought, Hong Jun could no longer be bothered with eavesdropping and hurriedly revealed himself.
"Fellow Daoist Nu Wa, Saints must not interfere in Hong Huang. Now that you have attained the Dao, you should move beyond the Thirty-three Heavens with me."
Hong Jun's tone was resolute. Though it sounded like advice, everyone could sense that his words allowed no room for rebuttal.
Nu Wa, who had been in high spirits, grew annoyed upon hearing this, and her expression gradually darkened.
Going to the Wu Clan once counts as interfering in Hong Huang?
You run all over Hong Huang every day. Why do you not say that about yourself?
Nu Wa the Snarker has become a Saint now, and you still think I am as easy to bully as before.
Just as Nu Wa was about to retort, Liu Mang's inner voice rang beside her ear.
[It's over. I'm barbecue now—we're about to be locked up!]
[Well, that's it. The Witch-Demon factions will soon beat each other's brains out, and of the three thousand Innate Human Race members, only a handful will survive.]
[I knew it. How could we be forbidden from entering Hong Huang for a hundred thousand years in Wa Huang Palace right after creating humanity for no reason?]
[So this was the root of it all! That rotten old man Hong Jun is wicked as hell!]
"Confined? Could Hong Jun be preparing to act against me? It seems he wants to lock me away and ensure the Wu-Yao Tribulation proceeds smoothly.
"Of course! If I am absent, neither the Witch-Demon factions will have a Saint. Their top combat strength can only be evenly matched, and the result will be mutual destruction.
"What a fine scheme. You want to manipulate me? I will not let you have your way."
Nu Wa's solemn expression instantly blossomed into a smile. She bowed and slowly said, "I shall comply with the Dao Ancestor's command!"
Nu Wa remained bent over and, after receiving no response from Hong Jun for a long while, secretly raised her head to glance at the sky. She happened to see Hong Jun's enormous face shifting constantly like a revolving lantern.
Witnessing this, Nu Wa could not help but feel delighted. Her previously lackluster expression became radiant once more.
"No wonder this unfilial brat likes making sarcastic remarks to provoke people. This feeling is truly addictive."
Nu Wa made up her mind to keep Liu Mang by her side for a few more days and learn from him properly.
At this moment, Hong Huang's well-known Nu Wa the Snarker began evolving into Nu Wa the Queen of Sarcasm.
Hong Jun did not notice Nu Wa's furtive glance. He was immersed in growing self-doubt.
This... is not how I expected it to go.
Refute me. Snap back at me. Argue with me...
If you just give up like this, how am I supposed to confine you?
You... me... him...
I can't make a move at all!
Leaving aside Hong Jun's bewilderment, Nu Wa's words also stunned Hou Tu and the other Ancestral Wu. The Three Pure Ones and the others looked at Fu Xi in confusion, their faces full of questions.
Is something wrong with your sister?
Fu Xi: ...
Is this reasonable? This is not reasonable!
You are looking at me, but who am I supposed to ask?
They had all wanted to refute the Dao Ancestor's words, so why had Nu Wa simply given up?
Was this still the Nu Wa they knew?
Where had the former Nu Wa the Snarker gone?
Why had she become so detached from worldly matters after becoming a Saint?
Hong Jun stared at Nu Wa for a long time, but still found no sign of defiance from her. His mouth twitched, and he had no choice but to speak.
"Very well!"
******
One more chapter~
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