Chapter Thirty-Three: The Lich’s

Di Jun and Taiyi, within the Solar Star, together gained profound truths of the Great Dao in the Palace of Purple Clouds, thus growing immensely stronger. They had already become dominant rulers in the primordial wilderness, and as more races joined their camp, new conflicts began to arise.

In the early Dragon-Han Catastrophe, the Qilin clan governed beasts, the Dragon clan ruled over scaled creatures, and the Phoenix clan presided over birds. Each had its clear domain, which allowed the three races to truly become sovereign powers. But now the situation was vastly different. Although most living beings were under their control, disputes persisted—some claimed to be beasts, others birds or scaled creatures—and the tensions among the various clans remained intense.

After some deliberation, the two summoned the most renowned dozen or so mighty figures of the primordial world: Ji Meng, Ying Zhao, Fei Lian, Nine Infants, Shang Yang, Qin Yuan, Zi Tie, Ghost Chariot, Bai Ze, Fei Dan, Fuxi, Nuwa, and Kunpeng.

In their presence, they declared all the creatures they ruled to be the Demon Clan, thereby erasing interspecies strife. Di Jun and Taiyi proclaimed themselves Demon Emperor and Eastern Emperor, respectively. Ji Meng, Ying Zhao, Fei Lian, Nine Infants, Shang Yang, Qin Yuan, Zi Tie, Ghost Chariot, Bai Ze, Fei Dan, Fuxi, and Nuwa were titled Demon Saints, while Kunpeng became the Demon Clan’s Master.

Gradually, conflicts within the Demon Clan diminished, establishing a balance of power, and their strength advanced swiftly.

As for the Wu Clan, because of the Twelve Ancestor Witches, who fused their own blood essence with innate turbid qi to create their race, they cultivated only physical strength, not primordial spirits, and earned great renown at Mount Buzhou.

The Wu Clan also had ravenous appetites; most demon beasts under their dominion were slaughtered and eaten raw for sustenance. This provoked the Demon Clan’s discontent, and soon some Demon Clan warriors began hunting Wu Clan members. The fighting escalated, alarming even the leaders of both Di Jun and Di Jiang’s clans.

Within the Solar Palace atop the Solar Star, Di Jun sat high upon his grand throne, while the assembled Demon Saints argued fiercely below about whether to wage war against the Wu Clan. Bai Ze, meanwhile, fanned himself as if unbothered by the heated debate.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi pleaded with Di Jun to take up arms against the Wu Clan, but Di Jun, helpless, turned his gaze to Bai Ze. Bai Ze, famed for his wisdom—knowing both the heavens and earth, the trivial and profound, past and future—was greatly valued by Di Jun.

Sensing the Demon Emperor’s attention, Bai Ze stepped forward and advised, “Your Majesty, I believe it best if you and the Eastern Emperor travel to Mount Buzhou yourselves.”

Di Jun agreed; it would be preferable to resolve great matters before they worsened. He called upon Taiyi, and together they set out for Mount Buzhou.

Meanwhile, within the Wu Clan, the factions advocating war and peace argued incessantly, eager for a decisive clash with the Demon Clan. At this moment, Di Jiang declared, “Let us go and meet the Demon Clan's leaders.” The Ancestor Witches assembled, riding clouds to greet Di Jun and Taiyi.

When Di Jun and Taiyi saw Di Jiang leading the Ancestor Witches to meet them, they understood the gesture—clearly, the Wu Clan wished to express their sincerity.

“What brings the Demon Emperor to our Mount Buzhou?” Di Jiang inquired. “Forgive our lack of a distant welcome; I hope you understand, fellow Daoist.” Reputation mattered, and the Wu Clan was no minor tribe, hence Di Jiang’s courteous words.

“I come for the sake of the survival of both our clans,” Di Jun replied, stating his purpose plainly, with no unnecessary embellishment.

Just then, a Wu clansman and a demon beast began to fight below. Driven by hunger, the Wu clansman attacked the demon beast, but the beast, superior in cultivation and physical strength, overwhelmed him. The gathering above was captivated by the spectacle.

Given the Wu Clan’s limited numbers, every loss was significant—they could not afford to expend more blood essence for new members. Ancestor Witch Zhu Rong, enraged, punched at the demon beast, but Eastern Emperor Taiyi struck his bell, dissolving the attack.

Ultimately, the Wu clansman received no rescue and returned to the embrace of Pangu, reduced to ashes.

Zhu Rong could not endure this insult and pointed at Taiyi: “Do you dare to fight me?”

Di Jun gently nodded. Upon receiving the signal, Taiyi replied, “Why wouldn’t I?” He advanced, descending auspicious clouds to engage Zhu Rong.

Zhu Rong wielded his innate turbid fire, charging at Taiyi. Yet, before he could approach, the sound of a bell sent him flying.

Gong Gong, floating above, saw danger and descended to aid Zhu Rong in confronting Taiyi.

Di Jun closed his eyes, as if certain his brother would win, a faint smile on his lips. The Ancestor Witches seethed with anger.

“Why did you come down?” Zhu Rong transmitted to Gong Gong as he fought Taiyi. “Our elder brother is still above! I can handle this bird myself.”

“Do you think I want to?” Gong Gong retorted. “It’s our elder brother’s wish to see how strong Taiyi really is.” He slammed his fist into the ground, opening massive cracks. Taiyi soared into the sky, placing his Chaos Bell above his head.

Faced with the impenetrable Chaos Bell, the two Ancestor Witches grew anxious. Another Ancestor Witch descended to assist, while behind Di Jun, dark clouds surged—the Demon Emperor had come prepared.

Below the Ancestor Witches, the Wu Clan’s great witches and clansmen readied themselves for battle.

The new arrival was the Ancestor Witch of Wind—Tian Wu. Their attacks combined: three fronts, swiftly shifting strategy to form a pillar of wind, water, and fire, with wind channeling and drawing the other elements. This showcased the Ancestor Witches’ mastery of their powers.

This attack was clearly effective; it struck the bell, which rang softly, sending the three Ancestor Witches flying. Taiyi, drained of power, knelt on one knee, supporting the Chaos Bell and wiping blood from his lips.

Gong Gong, Zhu Rong, and Tian Wu suffered minor injuries, blood dripping from their bodies.

Di Jun, seeing both sides wounded, addressed Di Jiang: “Let’s end it here. In a few centuries, Ancestor Hongjun will lecture on the Dao. We must attend, so let us not delay further.” He approached Taiyi, helped him up, and asked, “Are you alright?”

“No major harm, just exhausted my power,” Taiyi replied, wiping his mouth.

Di Jun cupped his hands to Di Jiang and the Ancestor Witches in the sky, then vanished in a blaze of fire before their eyes.

Di Jiang turned to the three and asked, “How about it—have you learned your lesson this time?”

Tian Wu and the other Ancestor Witches replied, “We follow our elder brother’s lead.”

Di Jiang smiled without a word. Though he was the nominal leader after the Ancestor Witches emerged, each still had their own ambitions.

This battle opened their eyes, making them realize there were powers beyond their own.

He recalled Di Jun’s words: when Ancestor Hongjun lectured previously, most were recovering from injuries, only Houtu attended, and upon returning she remarked on the mysterious Daoist. Di Jiang resolved to meet Ancestor Hongjun himself.