The Three Pure Ones took the lead and departed, transforming into three streaks of clear Qi, instantly vanishing outside the palace gates.
Dijun and Taiyi exchanged glances, a golden light flashed around them, transforming into two long rainbows that sped away, their direction not the Primordial Land, but deep into the Chaos.
Nuwa and Fuxi, the siblings, also left, their steps unhurried.
Zhenyuanzi walked up to Wu Ming and bowed.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun and I will take our leave first."
Hongyun also cupped his hands.
Wu Ming nodded slightly: "Farewell, two Fellow Daoists."
Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun left together, their figures quickly disappearing into the Chaos.
Only Wu Ming and the Twelve Ancestral Witches remained in the hall.
"Big Brother, us…" Dijiang took a step forward, looking at Wu Ming.
"Let's go, back to Buzhou Mountain."
...
The Primordial World had no concept of years, and cultivation knew no time.
It had been nearly ten thousand years since the second sermon ended.
On the summit of Buzhou Mountain, in front of Pangu Hall.
Twelve tall figures stood, their aura profound, the power of Law faintly visible around them, causing the surrounding space to subtly twist.
It was precisely the Twelve Ancestral Witches.
"Big Brother, why have you summoned us?" Dijiang took a step forward and asked in a deep voice.
The other Ancestral Witches also looked at Wu Ming, their eyes filled with inquiry.
Ten thousand years of digestion, coupled with the assistance of the dao source divine pearl and the Fragment of the Jade Tablet of Creation, had given them a deeper understanding of the Dao preached by Hongjun and the application of Law.
Although no one had taken that crucial step to enter the Primordial Golden Immortal Realm, their control over their own Law had undoubtedly improved by more than just a little.
Wu Ming stood up, his gaze sweeping over these future pillars before him.
"Ten thousand years have passed, and you have all digested what Hongjun preached."
Gonggong rumbled: "Some of what that old Daoist preached was indeed profound, but when compared to our own Law, it did have some use."
Zhurong grinned: "Exactly! That 'severing three corpses' thing, I found it boring to listen to; how can it compare to directly controlling Law, which is so much more satisfying!"
Wu Ming nodded: "Hongjun preached the path of the Immortal Dao. It is different from the path of our Wu Clan."
"But the Great Dao has three thousand paths, all leading to the same destination. His Dao also has points of reference for us."
He paused, then changed the subject: "In these ten thousand years, the Evil Qi in the Primordial World has gradually increased, have you noticed?"
The Twelve Ancestral Witches all nodded.
Houtu said softly: "Indeed, when I traveled through the Primordial Land, I found that there were killings and disputes everywhere. Those powerful beings would even destroy entire clans just to seize Spirit Treasures."
Qiangliang snorted: "Those fellows are really troublesome!"
Zhu Jiuyin said in a low voice: "Innate Spirit Treasures move hearts. Hongjun stated that severing the three corpses requires the aid of Spirit Treasures, and the higher the grade, the better, which naturally leads to everyone fighting over them."
Wu Ming said: "Hongjun's sermon divided the paths to enlightenment, and among them, the method of severing the three corpses requires an Innate Spirit Treasure as a Foundation."
"Now, in the Primordial World, there are constant conflicts and widespread killings among various forces vying for Innate Spirit Treasures."
"Many powerful beings haven't even decided which path to take yet, but that doesn't stop them from first grabbing the treasures."
"This endless struggle has drastically increased the negative emotions and Evil Qi in the Primordial World."
"If this continues, it will be detrimental to the Primordial World, and even more detrimental to our Wu Clan…"
The Wu Clan was naturally affinity with Evil Qi, but this did not mean they enjoyed living in a world filled with Evil Qi and hostility.
Excessive Evil Qi could affect one's mind and breed Chaos.
"Big Brother, what do you mean?" Dijiang asked.
Wu Ming looked around and spoke solemnly: "Zhou Ming and I have discussed it. The Evil Qi that has been growing in the Primordial World over the past ten thousand years is actually an opportunity for our Wu Clan."
Gonggong was somewhat puzzled: "Evil Qi? That stuff only makes us more restless, how can it be an opportunity?"
"Evil Qi corrodes the Primordial World, making the nature of living beings increasingly chaotic, which is a great destruction to the order of the world," Wu Ming explained. "This is a sickness of the Primordial World."
"The Wu Clan are descendants of Pangu, and we have the responsibility to protect the Primordial World."
"Big Brother, what are your plans?" Dijiang inquired.
"I plan to establish the Wu Clan." Wu Ming uttered three words.
"Establish the Wu Clan?" Zhurong was the first to jump up, his voice booming, "Big Brother, are you mistaken? We were born the Wu Clan, descendants of Father God Pangu's Bloodline, why do we need to 'establish' it again?"
"Exactly!" Gonggong echoed, "We are the Wu Clan, do we still need to prove it to someone?"
The other Ancestral Witches also looked puzzled.
In their view, the existence of the Wu Clan was natural and justified, being the orthodox Pangu lineage. Why bother with such an unnecessary act as "establishing a clan"? This seemed like something only weak clans would do.
Wu Ming had anticipated this reaction.
He calmly explained: "This 'establishment' is not that 'establishment'."
"It is not to declare our existence, but to clearly define the position and path of our Wu Clan to this Primordial World, to the mysterious Dao, and even to the Heavenly Dao."
"Position? Path?" Qiangliang frowned, "Our Wu Clan controls Law, tempers our Physical Body, and follows Father God's last wishes. Isn't this our path?"
"Yes, but it's not enough." Wu Ming shook his head.
"Hongjun divided four paths to enlightenment, seemingly giving choices to all beings, but in reality, it hides a scheme."
"Proving the Dao by force is indeed difficult; no one in the Primordial World has succeeded."
"Proving the Dao by severing the three corpses requires Innate Spirit Treasures, and the Saint positions are already predetermined."
"Under the Heavenly Dao, apart from the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti, no one can become a Saint by this method. If our Wu Clan takes this path, there is absolutely no possibility of becoming a Saint."
"Proving the Dao through Karma seems feasible, but what constitutes great Karma? The standard is set by the Heavenly Dao, ethereal and elusive."
"Only proving the Dao through Law is most compatible with our Foundation. But Hongjun also said that this path has been largely blocked, making it extremely difficult."
Wu Ming paused, then continued: "Why is it difficult? Because the Heavenly Dao does not permit it! The Saint positions are already set, and the Heavenly Dao does not wish for the emergence of powerful beings not bound by it."
"If our Wu Clan wishes to successfully traverse the path of proving the Dao through Law, we cannot merely cultivate in seclusion. We must gain the recognition of the world, gather the Luck of our clan, and thereby break through the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao!"
"And establishing the clan is the first step."
"We must declare to the Primordial World that our Wu Clan is not only the descendant of Pangu but also an integral part of the Primordial World!"
"At the time of establishment, in the name of Pangu's descendants, we shall make a vow to the Primordial World."
"Vow?" Qiangliang frowned, "What for?"
Wu Ming's gaze sharpened: "The Wu Clan shall take it upon themselves to cleanse the Evil Qi from the Primordial Land, to regulate the Primordial World's ley lines, and to contribute to the development of the Primordial World!"
"Through this vow, we shall gain the recognition of the world, receive Karma, and gather the Luck of our Wu Clan!"
Silence filled the hall.
The Twelve Ancestral Witches were all intelligent beings. With Wu Ming explaining it to this extent, how could they not understand the profound meaning within.
"Big Brother's words, if that is the case… I agree." Houtu was the first to express her stance.
Zhu Jiuyin also nodded: "To retreat to advance, to gain Karma and Luck, to protect the clan, and to pave the way for proving the Dao through Law… This plan is feasible."
Dijiang pondered for a moment, his gaze firm: "Since Big Brother says so, then let's do it."
Zhurong scratched his head. Although he still found it a bit troublesome, upon understanding that it was to resist the "Heavenly Dao restrictions" and for "proving the Dao through Law," he no longer objected.
"Alright! Big Brother, whatever you say, we'll do it!"
Gonggong snorted, saying nothing more, which counted as tacit approval.
Seeing this, the other Ancestral Witches also nodded in agreement.
"Good." Wu Ming saw his goal achieved. "Since everyone has no objection, then we shall choose an auspicious day, right here on Buzhou Mountain, in front of Pangu Hall, to formally establish our Wu Clan!"
"This matter should not be delayed; let's set it for a hundred years from now!"
"Yes, Big Brother!" The Twelve Ancestral Witches responded in unison.