Chapter 970: Chapter 989: Turning Hostile Without Warning
"Shut up."
The Earth Queen suddenly woke up and chastised the Witch Clan members aloud, leaving everyone stunned, not understanding why she reprimanded them.
"The outside world says our Witch Clan is fond of fighting wars, and it seems to be true. How can we be a match for Ye Xuan? Quickly put away your magic treasures and spiritual weapons and prepare to welcome Ye Xuan’s arrival with me."
In a mix of shock and anger, the Earth Queen spoke swiftly, instructing the Ancestor Witches to present the Witch Clan’s grandest welcome ceremony for Ye Xuan’s arrival, and admonished others repeatedly, no matter what Ye Xuan does, they must not make a move, or they would face punishment according to clan rules.
As the Earth Queen issued a series of commands, the Witch Clan members present were dumbfounded, finding it unbelievable to their ears, as the once proud Earth Queen now seemed so submissive.
Unfortunately, before they could grasp the key point, the Earth Queen was already summoning several Ancestor Witches to welcome Ye Xuan, prompting others to awaken and act according to Nuwa’s instructions.
...
Outside Witch Clan’s mountain gate.
Since the Witch Clan emerged from the Ancestral Land, the Twelve Ancestor Witch Mountains appeared together in the Eastern Continent, spanning a vast stretch of Heaven and Earth, forming the seat of the Witch Clan’s Daoist Tradition.
Outside the mountain gate.
The two Witch Clan guards were trembling all over, watching over the gate uneasily as they stood before a man—a figure seemingly amiable but truly a person of astonishing stature, one they feared to the extreme.
Ye Xuan, dressed in black, his three thousand strands of black hair cascading down his back, stood with his hands behind him, gazing at the twelve Ancestor Witch Mountains. There was no aura emanating from him, as if he were merely sightseeing.
As the saying goes, courtesy first, offense second. This was Ye Xuan’s original intention for this trip, after all, he wasn’t here to exterminate the clan but to inquire about Zhu Jiuyin and Emperor Jiang, so it’s best to appear amicable.
"Heavenly Emperor Ye’s magic chariot arrives at the Witch Clan. It’s an honor for our clan."
Boom!
Heavenly Dao Saint Light spread, the Earth Queen stepped on auspicious clouds, followed by several Ancestor Witches, appearing instantly outside the mountain gate. Seeing Ye Xuan’s visage made her eyes freeze momentarily, forcing herself to suppress her internal panic.
"Heavenly Emperor Ye," the Earth Queen greeted politely in a Taoist manner, her face showing a friendly smile as she exchanged pleasantries with Ye Xuan.
"Greetings, Earth Queen."
Ye Xuan smiled warmly, bowing to the Earth Queen, but this caused her expression to change quickly, hastily reciprocating the gesture, "Heavenly Emperor Ye bestowed upon me the favor of becoming a Saint, this courtesy I truly cannot accept."
"Today, I come to the Witch Clan out of nostalgia for the Earth Queen. We parted swiftly at the Heavenly Mending Festival years ago, never having the chance to meet again. This is my regret. Coming uninvited today, I hope the Earth Queen will forgive me." Ye Xuan spoke kindly.
Looking at Ye Xuan’s courteous demeanor, the Earth Queen’s smile stiffened somewhat. Ye Xuan always referred to her as the Earth Queen, seemingly humble and respectful, but in truth, distancing their relationship.
Given that their cultivation levels are almost equal, they should call each other Daoist, and she hadn’t forgotten the incident at the Heavenly Mending Festival when she took advantage of Ye Xuan, which is a considerable cause-and-effect connection. To think Ye Xuan came to the Witch Clan out of nostalgia for her today, she might even curse herself as an utter fool.
"Perish the thought, Heavenly Emperor, please come in quickly."
The Earth Queen lowered her stance considerably, hurrying to invite Ye Xuan into the Witch Clan, to which Ye Xuan smiled faintly and stepped across the mountain gate into the Ancestral Land.
Dong—Dong—Dong.
The Witch Clan’s war drums were beating, the sound echoing through Heaven and Earth. Golden petals floated in the air, and Witch Clan women danced gracefully in the sky and on the ground. Springs gushed from the earth, and the twelve Ancestor Witch Mountains glowed with light, as a multitude of Witch Clan members warmly welcomed Ye Xuan.
This was the Witch Clan’s grandest welcome ceremony, initiated by the Earth Queen, though many in the Witch Clan were dissatisfied. Yet, they dared not disobey the Saint’s command.
The Earth Queen and several Ancestor Witches led the way for Ye Xuan, who followed them leisurely until they reached the Witch Clan’s Divine Temple, where the grand welcoming ceremony concluded.
"Heavenly Emperor Ye, please."
The Earth Queen invited Ye Xuan to enter the Witch Clan Temple, where Ye Xuan, accompanied by her and several Ancestor Witches, also entered within, until the temple doors closed completely, severing all outside contact.
Meanwhile.
The Dutian Twelve Gods Slaughter Formation began silently, directly locking onto the Witch Clan Temple, evidently following the Earth Queen’s instructions. After all, Ye Xuan harbored ill intent. Not only did he have a major grudge with the Witch Clan, but also significant cause-and-effect with her. If conflict were to arise, the Twelve Gods Slaughter Formation would serve as a safeguard.
Inside the Witch Clan Temple.
The Earth Queen smiled radiantly, sitting atop a golden auspicious cloud, with several Ancestor Witches standing behind her, all looking at Ye Xuan with great caution.
In contrast, Ye Xuan, sitting cross-legged in the void, displayed no power, nor showed any killing intent, just quietly observing the Earth Queen.
"I wonder what matter brings Heavenly Emperor Ye’s magic chariot to the Witch Clan?"
The Earth Queen spoke with a probing smile, having already heightened her cultivation to the extreme, was cautiously guarding against Ye Xuan.
"As the saying goes, one doesn’t come to the Three Jewels Temple for nothing. Our connection runs deep, Earth Queen and I, both before and after becoming Saints. Today, I come with a request for you." Ye Xuan sighed deeply.
With Ye Xuan’s words, the Earth Queen’s heavy heart eased. She had indeed feared Ye Xuan would come to settle past grievances, but now it seemed there was still room for negotiation, potentially averting a great catastrophe.
"No matter what Heavenly Emperor desires, as long as it’s within this Saint and the Witch Clan’s power, we will not refuse." The Earth Queen nearly beat her chest to assure Ye Xuan. As long as the relationship can be improved with him, she would do whatever it takes to satisfy Ye Xuan.
"Actually, the matter I seek is quite simple. First, I don’t want Witch Clan treasures; second, not the Witch Clan’s Cultivation Techniques; nor will I ever make things difficult for Earth Queen Daoist and the Witch Clan lineage." Ye Xuan spoke gently.
"Oh?"
Hearing Ye Xuan’s words, the Earth Queen was slightly stunned, asking, "Then what does Daoist seek?"
"Though I cultivated in an unconventional way, I admire Ancient Twelve Ancestor Witches greatly, especially the Space Ancestor Witch Zhu Jiuyin and the Time Ancestor Witch Emperor Jiang. These two Ancestor Witches wield the Power of Space-Time, and I very much wish to witness it firsthand. If I could discuss Dao with these two Ancestor Witches, it would surely allow my cultivation to improve significantly." Ye Xuan narrated smoothly.
"Emperor Jiang? Zhu Jiuyin?"
Upon hearing Ye Xuan’s request, the Earth Queen murmured to herself, quietly observing Ye Xuan’s expression. But Ye Xuan remained calm, showing no abnormality.
"Sigh!"
Suddenly, the Earth Queen sighed, showing a wry smile on her face, "To not hide from Heavenly Emperor Ye, the whereabouts of Zhu Jiuyin and Emperor Jiang are uncertain. Apart from their participation in the Witch Demon battle years ago, no one knows their location throughout these endless years. Even this Saint is unable to find them."
The Earth Queen wasn’t foolish; she didn’t believe Ye Xuan merely wished to discuss Dao with Emperor Jiang and Zhu Jiuyin. There must be an undisclosed purpose behind it. However, Emperor Jiang and Zhu Jiuyin are crucial to the Witch Clan, and she couldn’t allow any harm, which led her to politely refuse Ye Xuan.
"Oh?"
The smile on Ye Xuan’s face began to fade, a chilling look emerged, and an immensely frightful killing intent spread instantly, enveloping the Earth Queen and the Ancestor Witches.
"Does that mean you refuse me?"