Emperor Wu Shihuang's handwriting, do not go out of the Milky Way border

Upon hearing this, Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the other two nodded and then walked towards the dying Pangu.

"What are you trying to do? If you come any closer, I won't be polite!"

Pangu, looking at the four approaching figures, shouted in a fierce but weak voice.

As Ying Zheng and his men continued to close in, Pangu dragged his riddled body backward.

Upon hearing Pangu's threat, Demon Ancestor Rahu sneered:
"What do you think we should do? What right do you have to threaten us now? Just end it all, at least you'll save face."

Before he could finish speaking, Demon Ancestor Rahu leaped down behind Pangu, cutting off his retreat.

"Alright, Luo Hou, stop wasting time talking to him and just end it."

Ying Zheng came before Pangu and spoke to the Demon Ancestor Rahu.

Ying Zheng took out the Breaking Dao Spear and thrust it straight at Pangu.

Pangu stared at the approaching Demon-Slaying Spear, knowing he was powerless to resist. Just as the spear tip was about to pierce his body, Pangu breathed his last.

"I never expected that he would actually choose to commit suicide in the end. I admire his courage."

Looking at Pangu lying in front of him, Demon Ancestor Rahu couldn't help but say something.

Ying Zheng also withdrew the Demon-Slaying Spear that was about to pierce Pangu.

"Pangu has perished, so our crisis is over."

Ying Zheng spoke to Dao Ancestor Hongjun and Yangmei Ancestor.

After Pangu's fall, the eyes of the Twelve Ancestral Witches gradually regained their clarity.

"Where are we? Why does my head hurt so much?"

Zhu Rong, the ancestral witch, spoke to the ancestral witches beside her.

Gonggong, the ancestral witch, responded:
"Me too. I only remember that I was cultivating at the time, how did I wake up and find myself next to the primordial world? What happened?"

The Twelve Ancestral Witches were filled with doubt. At this moment, Houtu saw Donghuang Taiyi, Nuwa, and others not far away.

Houtu dragged her weary body to Donghuang Taiyi and Nuwa.

When Donghuang Taiyi saw Houtu approaching, he was ready to activate the Donghuang Bell to respond.

Seeing this, Nuwa shook her head at Donghuang Taiyi.

"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, why are we here? And what happened to our injuries? Can you tell me?"

Houtu asked Nuwa.

Nuwa's gaze then fell upon Ying Zheng and the others, and Houtu followed her gaze.

Houtu suddenly noticed that Pangu had fallen to the ground. Ignoring her own injuries, she rushed to Pangu's side.

"Fellow Daoist Ying Zheng, what exactly happened? How could the Father God have perished?"

Houtu stared in disbelief at the scene before her and asked Ying Zheng.

Seeing Houtu in such a state, Ying Zheng could not bear to deceive her.

"The great god Pangu betrayed us; he wanted to restart the primordial world. After I discovered his intentions, I began to fight him."

Ying Zheng spoke to the grief-stricken Houtu.

At this moment, Houtu stood beside Pangu's corpse, looking at the riddled-with-holes Pangu, her eyes filled with boundless grief.

Two lines of clear tears slid down Houtu's cheeks.

Upon hearing Ying Zheng's words, Houtu turned around abruptly and said with a serious expression:

“I hope you won’t make fun of my Father God. Everything else is fine, but this is something I absolutely cannot accept.”

Seeing Houtu's appearance, Ying Zheng was at a loss for words.

"We have no reason to lie to you. Do you know why you're unconscious here?"

Suddenly, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke to Houtu.

Houtu saw Dao Ancestor Hongjun appear beside Ying Zheng and stared blankly at him.

"Didn't you already convince him? He promised not to fight for the primordial world anymore, so why are you here now?"

Just as Ying Zheng was about to speak, he was interrupted by Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

"Let me speak."

Dao Ancestor Hongjun walked up to Houtu and looked directly at her:
"I promised Ying Zheng that I would no longer contend for the primordial world. But today, it is not I who am contending for the primordial world, but your father, the god Pangu."

Houtu was stunned upon hearing this. Knowing she was finding it difficult to accept, Ying Zheng stepped forward and said softly:
"Don't take this too hard. Everyone has their own choices, and even the choice of the Great God Pangu was beyond my expectations."

At this moment, Nuwa also stepped forward, squatted down, and looked at Houtu.

"Although you were formed from his twelve essences of blood, so much time has passed, and people change. No one remains unchanged."

Nuwa gently comforted her.

Houtu remained silent, refusing to listen to anyone. Ying Zheng gestured to Nuwa to help Houtu up.

"None of this is your fault, you don't need to be sad here. Besides, what's the use of being sad? This decision wasn't made for him."

Ying Zheng couldn't help but speak sternly to Houtu.

In this matter, Houtu and the others were also victims.

But since it was formed from the twelve essences of Pangu's blood, and shared the same origin and mind as Pangu, it would believe in Pangu's decision no matter what.

At this moment, Houtu slowly raised her head, tears streaming down her face, a sight that evoked pity.

Houtu whispered to Ying Zheng:
"Did the Father really do that? Didn't he know the consequences?"

When faced with Houtu's question, Ying Zheng and the others were at a loss for words.

After a while, Houtu spoke to Ying Zheng again:
Can you promise me something?

Looking at the pitiful Houtu before him, Ying Zheng's heart softened, and he replied:
"Tell me, I'll agree to anything I can do."

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Houtu's eyes.

"really?"

Houtu pressed for an answer.

Ying Zheng nodded and said to Houtu:
"Really. Just tell me, and I'll see if I can help you."

Upon hearing this, Houtu slowly lowered her head, a sly smile appearing on her lips, but the smile vanished in an instant, unnoticed by anyone present.

Nuwa thought Houtu was sad again and was about to continue comforting her when Houtu slowly raised her head.

"I'm fine, you don't need to comfort me."

Houtu said to Nuwa.

After speaking, she turned to look at Ying Zheng:

"I hope you can allow me to bring the Father God's remains back to the Witch Clan for a proper burial. Can you grant me this request?"

Ying Zheng turned his head to look at Pangu's corpse beside him, and then at Houtu in front of him.

Immediately, Ying Zheng transmitted his voice to Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Demon Ancestor Luohou, and Yangmei Ancestor:
"Now that we have slain Pangu, let Houtu take his remains back for burial. What do you think?"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun replied:

"That is one way. Although Pangu committed a grave mistake this time, his previous contributions cannot be erased."

Both Demon Ancestor Rahu and Ancestor Yangmei agreed to let Houtu take Pangu's remains back to the Wu tribe for burial.

Upon seeing this, Ying Zheng said to Houtu:
"We agree that you may take Pangu's remains back to the Wu tribe for burial. We hope you will give him a proper burial. You may take Pangu's remains with you."

Houtu was overjoyed to hear that Ying Zheng had agreed to let her take Pangu's remains with her, and she quickly thanked Ying Zheng:
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ying Zheng! Thank you for your decision! I will definitely repay you in the future." Ying Zheng nodded, but he felt that Hou Tu's words sounded a bit strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

After Houtu finished speaking, she put away Pangu's remains and then clasped her hands in a fist salute to Ying Zheng and the others.

"Our Wu clan has suffered heavy losses this time and is afraid we are no longer able to help Fellow Daoist Ying Zheng. Please forgive us."

Houtu said to Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng waved his hand, indicating that it was alright.

Subsequently, Houtu, along with Gonggong, Zhurong, and the other twelve ancestral witches, left the primordial world and returned to the witch clan, watched by Ying Zheng and others.

After Houtu left, Ying Zheng said to the three Dao Ancestors, Hongjun, and the others:

"Don't you guys think Houtu is acting a bit strange today? She's not usually like this. It feels weird."

Upon hearing this, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Demon Ancestor Luohou, and Yangmei Ancestor all rolled their eyes at Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng was caught off guard by the three men's reactions and quickly asked:
Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?

The three, including Daozu and Hongjun, remained silent, which greatly worried Ying Zheng.

"What's wrong with you guys? Talk to me! Have you been possessed by Pangu? Or I'll beat you up!"

At this moment, Yangmei Patriarch finally couldn't hold back any longer and said to Ying Zheng:

"Don't you think there was something wrong with the question you just asked?"

Ying Zheng thought back on his question and didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with what I said. What's wrong?"

Ying Zheng looked at the three of them with a puzzled expression.

"Ugh--"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Demon Ancestor Luohou, and Yangmei Ancestor all sighed at the same time. This scene made Nuwa, who was standing to the side, unable to help but laugh.

Nuwa smiled as she spoke to Ying Zheng.

"Are you stupid? Think about it, when have Yang Mei and the other two ever spent time with Houtu? How could they possibly know what Houtu was like before?"

Upon hearing Nuwa's words, Ying Zheng suddenly realized what was happening.

For a moment, he had forgotten that this was the first time that Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Demon Ancestor Luohou, and Yangmei Ancestor had fought alongside him.

"Oh dear, I was so confused I forgot. You guys had absolutely no contact with Houtu before, how could you possibly tell if she'd changed?"

Ying Zheng raised his hand and slapped his thigh, a self-deprecating smile on his face, and said to Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the other two.

"You're only just realizing it now? Shouldn't you be asking Nuwa this? She spent the most time with Houtu. Why are you asking the three of us?"

Demon Ancestor Rahu rolled his eyes at Ying Zheng.

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng turned to look at Nuwa, his eyes filled with anticipation, hoping to get some answers from her.

His gaze was so clear and pure that it left Nuwa somewhat bewildered.

"Um... since you suddenly looked at me like that, I can't remember what I was going to say. I'll tell you when I remember!"

After saying this, Nuwa turned and flew straight towards her Dao Palace.

Ying Zheng, Dao Zu Hongjun, and the other three who remained in place looked at each other, their minds filled with questions.

Why did she suddenly run away? I didn't say anything!

Ying Zheng looked at Dao Zu, Hong Jun, and the other two with an innocent expression.

Daozu, Hongjun, and the other two were also completely bewildered, unable to understand why Nuwa had suddenly left.

Demon Ancestor Rahu stepped forward, patted Ying Zheng on the shoulder, and gave him an encouraging look:

"We can't help you with this; you'll have to figure it out yourself. Good luck!"

Ying Zheng then realized that he could no longer expect to get any answers from Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the other two to dispel his doubts.

"Alright then... I guess I'll just have to figure it out myself."

Ying Zheng nodded helplessly at the three of them.

At this moment, Dao Ancestor Hongjun stepped forward and said to Ying Zheng:

"Now that this great battle is over, we'll take our leave. There's no point in staying."

Upon hearing these words from Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Ying Zheng nodded to him.

"Indeed, I can finally enjoy this leisure time and no longer have to worry about the affairs of the prehistoric world all day long."

Demon Ancestor Rahu and Ancestor Yangmei also greeted Ying Zheng before turning and leaving.

Before leaving, Demon Ancestor Rahu turned back and shouted to Ying Zheng:
"Come to my Dao Mansion for drinks in a few days! This time, we won't leave until we're completely drunk!"

Ying Zheng waved to the departing Demon Ancestor Rahu and responded loudly:

"No problem! I hope you can prepare more good wine next time, otherwise we won't be able to drink to our hearts' content!"

After saying this, Ying Zheng's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile.

Seeing this, Dao Ancestor Hongjun reached out and tugged at Ying Zheng's sleeve.

What's with that expression?

Ying Zheng was startled by the sudden sound. He had assumed that Dao Ancestor Hongjun had already left with Demon Ancestor Luo Hou and the others.

Unexpectedly, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had not left and had been standing behind him the whole time, without him noticing at all.

"Didn't you leave? Why are you back?"

Ying Zheng looked at Dao Ancestor Hongjun with a puzzled expression.

"I didn't even walk there! You were the one who kept staring at Demon Ancestor Rahu and Ancestor Yangmei, and completely ignored me."

The Dao Ancestor Hongjun's tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

Ying Zheng never expected that his unintentional mistake would cause such a strong reaction from Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

"I didn't do it on purpose. So, what's the matter that you're the last one to stay behind?"

Ying Zheng knew perfectly well that Dao Ancestor Hongjun had deliberately stayed until the end because he had something to discuss with him; otherwise, he would have gone back to drink with Demon Ancestor Luo Hou long ago.

Seeing that his thoughts had been seen through, Dao Ancestor Hongjun chuckled:
"Um... I just saw that after Pangu was killed, his Pangu Axe ended up in your hands, right?"

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng suddenly realized—it turned out that Dao Ancestor Hongjun was after Pangu's Axe.

Ying Zheng gave Dao Ancestor Hongjun a meaningful look.

"I never expected that your attention would fall on the Pangu Axe. You have good taste!"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun understood the teasing tone in Ying Zheng's words, but he was not annoyed. Instead, he continued to smile ingratiatingly.

"Of course! Most of the time when I fought Pangu, I suffered losses because of this Pangu Axe. So as soon as he was killed, I started eyeing this axe."

It seems that Dao Ancestor Hongjun's desire for the Pangu Axe was not a spur-of-the-moment thing, but rather a long-planned scheme.

Ying Zheng just watched Dao Ancestor Hongjun quietly, neither speaking nor leaving, a behavior that made Dao Ancestor Hongjun feel very uncomfortable.

"Ying Zheng, what tricks are you playing? Why do you have to torture me like this? You have no idea how much I crave this Pangu Axe!"

After Dao Ancestor Hongjun finished speaking, Ying Zheng still showed no intention of paying attention to him, which drove Dao Ancestor Hongjun crazy.

At this moment, Dao Ancestor Hongjun really wanted to hang Ying Zheng up and beat him up. But when he thought that Pangu Axe was still in his hands, he forcibly suppressed the thought.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun adjusted his emotions, put on a smile again, and said to Ying Zheng:
"Ying Zheng, I can give you anything you want. Look, if it weren't for my help just now, you would have been killed by Pangu."

Dao Ancestor Hongjun brought up what had just happened, hoping to sway Ying Zheng and thus expedite his acquisition of the Pangu Axe. (End of Chapter)