Phoenix Terrace, Phoenix Ascends, Phoenix Gone, Terrace Empty, River Flows On.
Three Mountains Half-Sunk Beyond the Blue Sky, Two Rivers Divide the Four Desolate Continents.
The Vermillion Bird cries long, and a grand fire erupts from the Immortal Volcano in the south.
Behind the Vermillion Bird, a clone of the Phoenix Ancestor, a woman in a dress of iridescent feathers ascends a high platform.
The Vermillion Bird sighs, "Are you willing to go?"
The woman in feathered robes bows deeply, "Cai Feng is willing to go!"
Phoenix Supreme, Cai Feng Roams, Nine Heavens High, Still Visible.
Cai Feng Spreads Her Wings from the South, alighting at Fallen Phoenix Peak.
In the eyes of many powerful beings, what enters Phoenix Perch Mountain is not merely a Cai Feng, but a surge of Phoenix destiny.
Phoenixes do not alight on barren land.
Upon Jianmu, Qing Ling sighs with emotion, "The phoenix's wings carry banners, encountering Ru Shou at Wa Huang's side!
It is time for me to lend her a hand!"
Phoenixes rise amid the neon clouds on Phoenix Perch Mountain, colorful clouds intertwining with red sleeves. In the dance of the phoenix's blade, she holds her own against the five Ancestral Witches.
Yet, victory or defeat remains unseen.
Qing Ling reaches out as if to intervene, but with a slight twitch of his eyelids, he instead strikes eastward.
Simultaneously, in the Ling Mountain Range along the southwestern coast, a Daoist smiles, treading the clear wind, emerging from the mountains to head towards Phoenix Perch.
In the Eastern Desolate, upon Jianmu, Qing Ling's palm falls, crushing myriad demonic beings.
Outside the Eastern Desolate, a stooped old man's expression shifts in surprise, "Whose exalted presence is this?"
Qing Ling says indifferently, "As one of the demonic path, you should know to shun the world and seek survival. To still walk the Primordial World, do you find your life too long?"
The old man's expression is one of doubt, and he halts his advance.
The handsome man before him also stops. Though his aura is unstable and he bears heavy wounds, his brows possess an air of regal dominance.
The old man ponders for a moment, "This matter concerns the safety of all my demonic kinsmen. Forgive this old demon, I cannot obey!"
"Rumble~"
Another palm descends, this one drawing upon the sky-supporting power of Jianmu, like the might of eighteen layers of heaven, descending as a celestial collapse, a cataclysm!
Shock flashes in the old man's eyes. The black lotus beneath his feet spins, transforming the power of world destruction into a sky-covering canopy of black lotuses, attempting to hold up the giant palm.
But as the palm descends, countless black lotuses instantly shatter, and the old man himself is driven into the earth with a single blow.
The old man flies out from the abyss, enduring his injuries, and says, "Senior, might you deign to reveal your name, so that I may know your origins."
A clear, cold voice echoes from the horizon, making the old man's heart tremble.
"I am the Dao Master of the Eastern Desolate. For the sake of having once called the Demon Ancestor 'elder brother,' I offer you a word of advice: if you must emerge into the world, you must endure three hundred Yuan Hui!"
Countless thoughts flash through the old man's mind. He then bows respectfully and says, "Thank you, Senior, for your guidance. We of the demon race will certainly heed the Dao Master's words."
The old man merges with the void and departs, the sky-filling demonic lotuses vanishing.
Qing Ling sighs inwardly. The twelve-grade black lotus was a spirit treasure born of heaven and earth's creation. Now, only a remnant nine-grade remains.
However, it is somewhat surprising that powerful beings of the demon race still exist in the world.
Outside the Eastern Desolate, the man clasps his hands in a bow, "Thank you, Senior, for intervening."
Qing Ling smiles, "No need for pleasantries. Fellow Daoist, you have a deep connection with Daoist Tai Yi. I owe him a favor, which is why I acted."
The handsome man's heart stirs upon hearing this, "So, Senior is the old friend my brother spoke of. This junior is Di Jun, Tai Yi's elder brother."
"So it is. However, when traversing the Primordial World, one should not carelessly reveal precious treasures.
In the Primordial World, a mere Great Power cultivation cannot safeguard a spirit treasure guarded by thirty-six layers of Dao prohibition," Qing Ling says with significant meaning.
Di Jun's heart chills, but fortunately, this Great Power harbors no ill will towards him. "Di Jun thanks Senior for his guidance. May this junior have the fortune to meet Senior?"
Qing Ling smiles, "My fated encounter with you has not yet arrived. When the time is right, we shall meet."
Di Jun sighs, "It is this junior's lack of fortune. Having roamed the Primordial World for countless Yuan Hui, I have never found the opportunity for the Great Dao."
Qing Ling transmits his voice telepathically, "You and Tai Yi were born of the spirit of the sun. You should be like the great sun, illuminating myriad beings. The opportunity for enlightenment lies in this very point, though it will be fraught with endless hardship!
You may observe the two on Phoenix Perch Mountain, and perhaps gain some insight."
Spiritual light flashes in Di Jun's eyes, and he says with joy, "Thank you, Senior, for your guidance. Di Jun offers his thanks!"
A long rainbow speeds towards the northwest, its light disappearing into the sky.
Qing Ling smiles. Di Jun has grasped the Dao twenty Yuan Hui earlier, gaining twenty Yuan Hui more for accumulation. Though it is but a subtle difference, it may lead him down a divergent path in the future.
Although Qing Ling's origins are known to few in this era, his true form is, after all, a green snake.
In the era of Witches and Demons, "demon" did not merely refer to beings born after creation, but encompassed even divine beings.
It was only later, with the rise of Buddhism and Daoism, which elevated the paths of gods, Buddhas, and immortals, and disparaged the demon path, that later generations came to believe demons were merely beasts and birds that transformed.
Qing Ling naturally preferred to see the demon race flourish, not just for himself, but for the snake clan of Xi Mountain, and all snake clans under heaven!
On Phoenix Perch Mountain, wind and clouds surge. The red sleeve blade dances amidst creation, weaving between the five Ancestral Witches.
A Daoist from the West walks through the void, smiling as he transmits, "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, I am here to assist you!"
Three thousand chains of light weave through the void, manifesting Dao light that seals off the surging golden tide from the West.
A golden-haired giant roars, "Who goes there?"
The Daoist smiles, "I was born when heaven and earth first opened, harmonizing with the Dao.
Traveling through ancient, present, and future worlds, I have witnessed all the Dao of the mortal realm.
I am Qing Xuan Daoist of Ling Mountain."
Ru Shou, the Golden Ancestral Witch, sneers, "A newcomer to Great Luo, daring to contend with me?"
Qing Xuan Daoist is not angered, but smiles, "It is not contention, but protection for all beings."
Behind him, three thousand manifesting spiritual chains rise, transforming into pure white light. White waves surge and collide with the golden tide.
The power of gold and the power of manifestation clash upon the earth, the void shatters, and the dust cracks. The Daoist retreats three steps, while the golden-haired giant retreats one.
The Daoist raises his hand, his sleeves fluttering as three thousand lights manifest, pure white brilliance obscuring the golden divine light.
"Harmonize with light!"
The light of manifestation envelops the golden-haired giant. He becomes like light, existing with light, born with light.
"Roar~"
A loud roar erupts from space, awakening the golden-haired giant within the light.
A giant wielding a staff emerges, casting a cold gaze upon Qing Xuan.
In the West, a rainbow descends, and a handsome man smiles, "I too have come to lend Fellow Daoist Nuwa a hand."
Golden divine fire fills the sky like the great sun, its terrifying heat forcing back Shebi Shi, who lurks in the eerie black mist.
The staff-wielding giant bellows, "Cease!"
The five Great Witches all pause their actions.
Nuwa, seeing this, halts her red sleeve blade.
The Fuxi zither falls silent.
The staff-wielding giant steps forward and says, "I am the Emperor of the Wu clan. This matter shall end here. Henceforth, within a hundred million li of the Phoenix Perch territory, the Wu clan shall not hunt!"
Nuwa raises her eyes and sneers, "Three hundred million li!"
Xuan Ming's face darkens in anger, "Do you presume too much, sir!"
Di Jiang's expression also turns cold, "At most, two hundred million li!"
Nuwa flips her hand, and the two red sleeve blades rise again, their blades flashing, and red clouds churn in the sky once more.
Di Jiang glances at Qing Xuan Daoist and Di Jun beside Nuwa, his gaze finally settling on Di Jun.
Di Jun also seems to sense it; their eyes hold mutual animosity, as if fated.
"Very well, my Wu clan accepts."
A gentle voice sounds, and a black-robed woman behind the Ancestral Witches agrees.
Nuwa looks at the woman standing on the earth and says, "Can you make the decision?"
The woman replies, "I am Hou Tu, the Ancestral Witch. Naturally, my word is my bond."
"Sister!"
"Sister Hou Tu!"
Several Ancestral Witches exclaim in surprise.
Di Jiang sighs, "Since Sister Hou Tu has agreed, our Wu clan's word is its bond.
Henceforth, within three hundred million li of the Phoenix Perch territory, the twelve Wu tribes shall not enter.
But if you venture beyond this territory to obstruct our hunting, we will not let you off!
Let us go!"
With Di Jiang's command, the Ancestral Witches can only depart.
Nuwa waves her hand, sweeping away the pervasive malevolent aura. Only clear winds, benevolent sun, and beautiful landscapes remain, as she meets her friends.
"Nuwa thanks you both for your assistance."