Bai Ze spoke in a deep voice, his tone more solemn than ever before. It was a stark contrast to his usual refined and easygoing style.
His robes were stained with blood and torn to rags, yet at this moment, he exuded an indescribable grace. His pale face was set, and his eyes shone with a brilliant, steady light.
Ji Meng's face changed drastically. "Bai Ze, don't do anything reckless! Even if you sacrifice your life, the Three Crows might not emerge. And even if they do, they might not be able to break the Wu Clan's momentum. You must think this through!"
He was panicking. In all these years, he had never seen Bai Ze like this.
"It is the only chance. We must try," Bai Ze said with a faint smile, his voice light but filled with a sense of helpless necessity.
Petitioning the Three Crows was a massive Karma debt, regardless of the outcome. Only through death could such a debt be settled.
"Why suffer so? There is no need for this," Ji Meng pleaded. "Bai Ze, wait a bit longer. Perhaps the Empress Nuwa is about to achieve Sainthood, or the Dao Ancestor will emerge. Just don't be in such a hurry!"
He racked his brain for reasons to make Bai Ze abandon the idea.
"Ji Meng, my life... is not worth much," Bai Ze replied.
At these words, Ji Meng's eyes widened in shock. Finally, he let out a long sigh and spoke slowly. "Bai Ze... in my heart, you are the true Demon Emperor."
After that, there was only silence.
Ji Meng felt a wave of profound sorrow. Currently, the Yao Race was a pile of loose sand. The "Emperors"—Nuwa, Kunpeng, Fuxi—were missing or in hiding. Even the Demon Gods like Jiuying and Guiche had retreated into seclusion. Only Bai Ze remained, dragging him along to work for the survival of their race.
"Let's go." Bai Ze didn't respond to the praise. He stood up and walked out first, his silhouette looking lonely and desolate.
Ji Meng remained silent. He opened his mouth but found no words left to say. He knew Bai Ze had made his decision, and no amount of persuasion would work.
"I'll go with you." Ji Meng strode forward and followed him.
Wu Clan Holy Land: Mount Buzhou
Pangu Temple
Tens of thousands of years of conquest had led to an explosive growth in the Wu Clan's overall strength. Their population had multiplied several times over.
The strength of the Ancestral Witches was now peerless in the Great Desolation. Di Jiang, Candle Nine Nethers, and Xuan Ming had even reached the Quasi-Saint Perfection level. The remaining Witches were mostly at the Quasi-Saint Late Stage. In comparison, the other top-tier experts of the world were still fumbling with how to slay their third corpses. The gap was staggering.
Today, the Pangu Temple was filled with laughter as the Twelve Ancestral Witches gathered to discuss their next moves.
"Now, the treasures of the entire Honghuang World bear our footprints. It won't be long before we unify the world completely."
The speaker was Zhu Rong (God of Fire). He had emerged from the blood pool ten thousand years ago; his wounds had healed, and through the process of destruction and rebirth, his strength had advanced even further. Although he hadn't contributed much lately, he hadn't missed out on any of the benefits.
His voice was loud and arrogant, which immediately drew the ire of Gonggong, who began to mock him.
"I didn't see you at the fight, but you're certainly the best at boasting. Some brothers manage to get things done just by lying in a blood pool—more impressive than Big Brother, truly. I'm in awe."
At this, Zhu Rong's face shifted through colors of rage until it turned a bright, fiery red.
"Gonggong, what do you mean? You think I didn't pull my weight? You act like you've never been in the blood pool. Last time you were on the verge of death, it was me who... helped carry you there!"
He struck back, reopening old wounds. His pupils were filled with endless flames.
"Hmph! Don't give me that! Did I ask you to carry me?" Gonggong roared, his brows twitching with fury.
Water and fire are incompatible. The two of them were shouting until they were red in the face, looking as if they might come to blows.
"Enough! What is this? The world isn't even unified yet, and you're already fighting among yourselves!" Di Jiang barked, utilizing his authority as the eldest.
A boundless pressure permeated the temple. Zhu Rong and Gonggong felt a chill and stopped their bickering, though they continued to glare at each other with pure resentment. Each wondered silently if the other was truly his brother.
"The North, South, East, and West are now under the Wu Clan's control. Even the East Sea and the Sea of Blood have submitted."
"You all know the benefits this has brought. We have seized the vast majority of Father Pangu's legacy."
"If we can occupy it all, perhaps one of us will truly become a Saint."
Di Jiang looked around, his voice grand and filled with a trace of excitement.
His words were met with agreement from nearly all the Witches. Their rapid progress over the last few millennia was undeniable. They could feel themselves getting stronger every moment, even while doing nothing. Based on the current trend, if they took everything, a Saint might truly be born among them. This wasn't empty talk; it was based on tangible evidence.
"Then what are we waiting for? We've nearly run across the entire Primordial Great Earth. The only place left is the sky!" one Witch remarked pointedly. Everyone knew exactly what he meant.
"The Taiyin (Moon) and Sun were formed from our Father's eyes. They are especially important and should have been taken long ago," Candle Nine Nethers said indifferently. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were full of a chilling, murderous intent.
The situation was different now. His cultivation had advanced to the point of being nearly at Quasi-Saint Perfection. Things he didn't dare to think about before were now within his reach. Combined, the Twelve Witches had no rivals beneath the Saint level, even without their formation.
The others nodded. Having beaten everyone on earth, the heavens were their only remaining target.
"Let's fight. Occupying the Taiyin and Sun is paramount," Ju Mang added, cold light flickering in his eyes. In all these years of war, they had only ever suffered a setback at the hands of the Three Crows. Regardless of their motives, the Sun Star had to be attacked.
"Right! And take that Three Immortals Island as well!" Gonggong added.
"Wait! The Three Immortals Island isn't necessary. That thing was formed from Chaos fragments; it has nothing to do with Father Pangu. Whether we take it or not is minor. Let's take the Sun Star first, then we can talk about the island."
"Makes sense!"
The Witches discussed the plan for a while before turning their eyes to Di Jiang, waiting for his final decision.
Di Jiang contemplated for a moment before speaking slowly. "We can attack the Taiyin and Sun, but there is no need for haste."
"Let us first pay respects to our Father. Once your cultivation has reached Perfection, it won't be too late to strike."
He was considering all factors, wanting to be more secure.
At that moment, a Great Witch arrived to report.
"Reporting to the Ancestral Witches! we have discovered the trail of Bai Ze. He is currently heading toward the Sun Star!"