Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

Xuanbao's fingertips unconsciously caressed the "Kongtong Seal," a treasure of human destiny. Hearing the chilling numbers Michael had detected—eighty thousand to one hundred thousand—he felt a heavy chill sink into his heart. Yet, Xuanbao's eyes remained calm. Beneath that icy exterior, his thoughts and calculations raced. Now, he was no longer thinking about things that would only cause him trouble; his most urgent task was to find a solution to this matter.

"Eliminating the traitors is inevitable." Xuanbao's voice was exceptionally clear in the valley breeze. "But how to eliminate them, who should eliminate them, and when to eliminate them are matters that need to be considered. If the affairs of the human race are always entrusted to outsiders and dependent on others, then the human race will never have a day of self-reliance and strength. This calamity, while certainly caused by the insidious machinations of the demon race, is it not also a reflection of the human race's own lack of cohesion and vigilance?"

"The demon race can control the human race's high-ranking officials by offering them immortality and benefits. What does this show? It shows that there are already cracks within the human race, their faith is weak, and their desires are rampant. Even if I were to act now, sweeping away all those controlled with lightning speed, destroying all strongholds, and rescuing any remaining humans, then what?" Xuanbao said slowly, "If the hidden dangers are not eliminated, even if it's not the demon race, any other race can still make a comeback in another way. And the human race might only rely more on 'my' protection than on its own iron will and unity."

Michael said in a muffled voice, "Does the master mean that the human race should clean house themselves and see bloodshed?"

"Indeed." Xuanbao nodded. "Only through excruciating pain can one truly remember; only by personally cleansing oneself of filth can one forge an iron will. I want the human race to understand that their destiny is ultimately in their own hands. The 'Martial Path Cave Heaven Scripture' transmits not only techniques for killing and self-defense, but also the belief in self-reliance and protecting one's people. Now is the time for this belief to be tested."

Michael pondered, "Father God's actions are a scheme by the demon race to forge the iron will of humanity. However... this process will likely involve a great deal of bloodshed."

At this point, Michael felt a pang of guilt. Why? Well, it's probably because humans also call Xuanbao their Father God, so in that sense, the Holy Spirit Clan and the Human Clan are still brother races...

"Bloodshed is the price of growth." Xuanbao closed his eyes, his mind filled with images of the human souls wailing in the Blood Pool Soul Refining Array, and the vengeful spirits sealed in the "Blood Essence Soul Jade," never to be released. "But some human blood should not be shed in vain. Some debts must be repaid."

Xuanbao opened his eyes, golden light swirling within them. Nine golden wheels of merit silently appeared behind him. Although he did not activate them at full power, they possessed a majestic aura that commanded the solemnity of heaven and earth.

"As for the demon race..." Xuanbao's tone turned cold, "I can't control the living demons right now. As long as they don't cross my bottom line, I might refrain from direct interference for the time being. But—"

Xuanbao raised his right hand, palm facing upwards, and a phantom of a jet-black seal, engraved with countless netherworld runes, slowly appeared. The moment the seal appeared, the surrounding temperature plummeted, and faint sounds of wailing ghosts and the turning of the wheel of reincarnation could be heard. It was none other than the supreme treasure of the underworld, the Seal of the Great Emperor of Fengdu!

"But once someone dies in the primordial world, their soul will be under my control."

"The demon race's slaughter of humans is a grave offense against Heaven and Earth, and a desecration of the cycle of reincarnation. Those human souls refined into the 'Blood Essence Soul Jade' are filled with resentment and unable to be reborn; this is the karmic debt inflicted by the demon race." The Emperor's Seal in Xuanbao's palm shimmered with light. "And those demons involved in this matter, regardless of their cultivation level or social status in life, will have their sins settled upon entering the underworld after death. Ordinary sinful souls will be punished in the eighteen levels of hell; those with the most heinous crimes… will enter the 'Animal Realm' to experience being eaten, until their souls are scattered, their true spirits annihilated, and they are condemned to eternal damnation!"

Michael, you will lead the Holy Spirit Clan to secretly monitor the movements of the Demon Clan and report to me at any time.

Michael knelt on one knee: "I obey! But Father God, if we see humanity being harmed, will we intervene to save them?"

"Save them." Xuanbao said decisively, "But there's a method to saving them. We must do so without alerting the demon race, and even if things don't go our way, we can still retaliate. We must do everything we can to save those who are about to be harmed. Once we've saved them, erase their recent memories and send them to a human tribe far from the demon race's territory. Remember, the most important principle is secrecy. We must never let the demon race find out that we've been exposed."

"Yes!" A flash of holy flame appeared in Michael's eyes, and he already understood Xuanbao's intention—to both stop the losses and maintain the illusion that "the demon race's conspiracy is still proceeding smoothly in the dark."

"As for us..." Xuanbao gazed towards the underworld, his eyes deep and unfathomable, "It's time to go see Houtu. Some things are better left to her to handle than for us to do directly, and it will also make certain people... 'empathize' more."

Xuanbao's current idea is very simple: to end the war between the witches and demons ahead of time. As for how to do it ahead of time, that's not difficult. Just tell the witch clan about this matter and let the conflict between the witch clan and the demon clan intensify in advance.

Nidhogg let out a low growl, stretching its body and transforming back into the enormous, ferocious western dragon. Xuanbao stepped back onto the dragon's head, and three thousand Holy Spirit Warriors silently gathered, forming ranks behind it.

"Go to the Netherworld, the Underworld." Xuanbao's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power.

Nidhogg's massive dragon wings flapped, not tearing space apart and causing violent fluctuations, but instead, in a bizarre way, blending into the shadows and dimensional rifts, carrying the Xuanbao and the Holy Spirit Legion, sinking towards the Nine Netherworlds. Wherever it passed, light distorted, as if a moving abyss of darkness stretched out.

……

The underworld, a place of reincarnation.

Compared to the hustle and bustle and strife of the primordial land, the underworld possesses its own solemn, orderly, and compassionate silence. The River of Oblivion flows silently, ghostly figures dart across the Bridge of Helplessness, the Ten Kings of Hell each perform their duties, and countless ghost messengers shuttle back and forth, guiding, judging, and settling the endless souls of the primordial world.

Xuanbao's arrival was not a grand affair. Nidhogg concealed all his aura on the outskirts of the Netherworld, transforming into a shadowy figure. Xuanbao, however, only brought Michael and held the Fengdu Emperor's Seal, and went straight to the core forbidden area where the Wheel of Reincarnation was located—the Pingxin Palace.

The palace is simple and unadorned, yet it carries the profound Taoist spirit that bears witness to the beginning and end of all things. The image of Houtu Niangniang (the Earth Goddess) resides here. Although her physical form cannot be moved due to reincarnation, her will covers the entire underworld, compassionately watching over all the departed souls.

"Brother Xuanbao, what brings you to my quiet and secluded place today?" A gentle and peaceful voice rang out from the hall. The image of the Goddess Houtu appeared, still as dignified and compassionate as ever, though a hint of doubt lingered in her eyes. She was also moved by Xuanbao's decision to give up his merits and become a saint. Seeing him suddenly visit, she knew that he must have something important to say.

"Sister Houtu." Xuanbao stepped into the hall and bowed solemnly. Michael, holding the jade slip imprinted with the information, stood solemnly outside the hall.

"Could it be for the subsequent conditioning of the Western earth veins?"

Xuanbao shook his head, his expression turning solemn: "Sister, the affairs in the West are on track, and Elder Brother Zhen Yuanzi and the people of the West are handling them. I have come here today for another matter... a crucial matter concerning the life and death of the Witch Clan, and also one that will shake the future of the prehistoric world!"

"Is it a matter of life and death for the Wu Clan?" Houtu Niangniang's Dharma form slightly clenched, and the Dao of Reincarnation within the Pingxin Hall seemed to stagnate for a moment. Although she had transformed into reincarnation and transcended her clan, the Wu Clan was ultimately her root, her brothers and sisters. How could she not care upon hearing these words?

Xuanbao said no more, walked into the hall, and presented Houtu with both hands a jade slip with a restricted seal in her hand. The jade slip was evidence that Xuanbao had recorded.

"Sister will know at a glance," Xuanbao said in a deep voice.

Houtu Niangniang (Goddess of the Earth) accepted the jade slip and probed it with her divine sense. In an instant, countless images, information, and auras flooded into her perception like a tide:

—In human tribes, tribal leaders and priests who are controlled by sorcery, whose eyes are numb or greedy;

—In hidden caves and underground spaces, there is a Blood Pool Soul Refining Array where waves of blood surge, bones pile up, and vengeful spirits wail incessantly;

—Within each dark red crystal (Blood Essence Jade), the face of a human soul, sealed and twisted, filled with endless resentment;

—The shocking figures and distribution map of missing persons compiled by the Holy Spirit Clan;

Finally, there is Xuanbao's deduction and explanation about the "Witch-Slaying Sword" left by Dao Yin: It is a weapon made by gathering the essence and blood of billions of human souls and refining immeasurable resentment and evil spirits to specifically defeat the true form of the witch race!

"boom--!"

Inside the Pingxin Hall, the previously gentle and peaceful aura of reincarnation suddenly erupted into chaos! The Dharma form of Houtu shone brightly, its boundless rage and compassion sweeping across the hall as if they were tangible. Had this place not been the core of reincarnation, incredibly sturdy, it would likely have already collapsed. For the first time, a fury akin to the raging flames of the deepest hell ignited in her compassionate eyes!

"Di Jun! Tai Yi! How dare you do this?!" Hou Tu's voice was no longer gentle, but carried the fury of the Earth Mother and the ruthlessness of the ancestral witches of the Wu tribe. "Using the souls of billions of innocent people to forge a sword, committing this act of annihilation, just to deal with my Wu tribe?! What has humanity done wrong! How can Heaven and Earth bear this?!"

As the ruler of reincarnation, her perception of souls was most acute. The images of blood pools in the jade slip, and the despair and agony of the vengeful spirits sealed within the soul jade, pierced her Dao heart like needles. It was not merely slaughter, but the ultimate desecration of life and soul! And the ultimate target of all this was her former kin, those brothers and sisters who also inherited the bloodline of Pangu and were born with her!

"Brother Xuanbao, can this information be verified?" Houtu barely suppressed her boiling anger and looked at Xuanbao, her voice trembling slightly. She hoped it was false, but the detailed and cruel evidence in the jade slip, as well as the weight of the item that Xuanbao had personally delivered, made her understand that this was most likely the cold, hard truth.

"The evidence is here. Sister, you can use the power of reincarnation to trace and verify it yourself." Xuanbao pointed to the jade slip. "Although the demon race acts in secrecy, the place where their souls return leaves traces in reincarnation. The fear, resentment, and memories of demonic energy left behind by the human true spirits who were refined into soul jades and whose souls were scattered before their final dissipation can all be captured and interpreted by the Reincarnation Disc. My Holy Spirit Clan has also personally witnessed many strongholds. This was witnessed by my subordinates, and it is absolutely true."

Houtu closed her eyes. Now that she was a sage, it was too easy for her to know these things. She only needed to sense them slightly. A moment later, she opened her eyes, the last glimmer of hope in them turning into icy killing intent and profound sorrow.

"It's true..." she murmured, her Dharma form swaying slightly. "I saw it... countless human souls wailing in the demonic fire, being forcibly extracted, compressed, and melted into that vicious thing... What a 'Slaying Witch Sword'! What a demonic Heavenly Court! If it weren't for the Heavenly Dao watching over this, Houtu, now a saint, would want to slap the demons to death."

Xuanbao stepped forward at the opportune moment, his voice low and clear: "Sister, this matter concerns not only the survival of the Witch Clan, but also the justice of the primordial world and the order of reincarnation. The Demon Clan's actions have already incurred the wrath of Heaven. However, their actions are secretive, and the Zhou Tian Star Array seals away the secrets of Heaven. If I hadn't noticed the clues due to the changes in the human race's fortune and hadn't specifically investigated, I fear that once the 'Witch-Slaying Sword' was completed, the Witch Clan would have been caught off guard and suffered a great calamity!"

Houtu Niangniang took a deep breath, circulating the power of reincarnation to barely calm her turbulent emotions. She looked at Xuanbao, her gaze complex: "My brother told me about this so that my Wu clan could prepare early, or even... launch a preemptive strike?"

"Indeed," Xuanbao said frankly. "This kind of conspiracy is no ordinary struggle. If the demon race's divine weapon is completed, even if the witch race is individually strong, they will suffer heavy casualties in the face of a weapon that is specifically designed to counter them, and may even face the danger of extinction. Although you have reincarnated, you are still the ancestral witch of the witch race. How can you sit idly by and watch your brothers and sisters suffer such a terrible fate? Moreover, exposing such evil deeds and preventing greater slaughter is also upholding the righteous path of the prehistoric world, which is in line with your compassionate heart."

He paused, then continued, "I am not very talented, but I have connections with the elder brothers of the Witch Clan. I could have told Brother Dijiang and the others directly about this matter, but after much consideration, I think it is most appropriate for my sister to convey the message. Firstly, the Ancestral Witches will surely believe my sister's words; secondly, how to respond—whether to fight or make peace, whether to sabotage secretly or launch a swift counterattack—should be decided by the Witch Clan themselves, and I should not presume to do so; thirdly…"

Xuanbao's gaze was intense: "This matter can also allow the human race to see clearly who the real executioner is and who is silently suffering undeserved calamity. If the Wu Clan goes to war with the Demon Clan because of this, it will be to seek justice for the human race who died unjustly. Righteousness is on our side! The post-war order of the prehistoric world should also be reshaped."

Houtu remained silent. She understood Xuanbao's meaning. This was an open conspiracy. It was a fact that the demon race had forged the Witch-Slaying Sword, and the witch race could not remain indifferent upon learning of it. Once the witch race took action, whether it was to retaliate and disrupt the demon race's plans or to directly ignite a war, it would play right into Xuanbao's hands—it could severely damage or even prematurely ignite the decisive war between the witch and demon races, weakening both races, while also allowing the human race to see their true stance in this calamity, paving the way for their future rise. At the same time, Xuanbao himself and the human race could use the witch race to exact revenge, temporarily staying out of direct conflict.

"My brother is quite the schemer," Houtu sighed softly, her expression unreadable.

"It's not a scheme, but rather going with the flow to fight for that sliver of hope." Xuanbao cupped his hands, his words earnest. "For the sake of the human race, for the sake of the witch race, and for the sake of reducing the suffering in this primordial world. The choice is entirely up to you, sister and all the brothers of the witch race. I have said all I have to say, and now I take my leave."

Inside the Pingxin Hall, the aura of reincarnation gradually subsided, but the deep anger and icy killing intent, like tempered iron, were imprinted deep within the eyes of Houtu Niangniang, eyes that bore witness to the beginning and end of all things.

She stood alone in the hall, her gaze seemingly piercing through the many barriers of the underworld, looking towards Mount Buzhou, towards the vast ancestral land that her brothers had carved out and protected with their blood and brute force. The images and information in the jade slip were still burning repeatedly in her primordial spirit—the blood pool, white bones, twisted vengeful spirits, cold numbers, and the three shocking, maliciously calculated words, "Sword of Slaughtering Witches."

"Di Jun... Donghuang Taiyi..." Houtu repeated these two names in a low voice, each syllable carrying a chilling aura like that of the deepest hell. She had once thought that the conflict between the witches and demons was merely a fateful duel between people of different paths vying for survival, and that even with bloodshed and sacrifice, it was still honorable. But to forge a vicious weapon like the "Witch-Slaying Sword," which cost countless wronged souls and desecrated the very essence of life, had already crossed the line of conflict and stepped into the demonic path that the primordial world could not tolerate!

Her brothers and sisters, those honest, fierce, yet loyal ancestral witches, great witches, and countless witch clan sons—they didn't cultivate their primordial spirits, nor did they understand divination; they only believed in their own visceral, brutal strength and the Pangu power flowing in their blood. If they were truly restrained by that "Witch-Slaying Sword," caught off guard… Houtu dared not think any further. It would be a one-sided massacre of the witch clan's bloodline, a hundred times more devastating than any direct war.

Xuanbao's words echoed in his ears: "It is most appropriate for my sister to convey the message... How to deal with it should be decided by the Wu Clan themselves... The greater good rests on our shoulders!"

Yes, it's about righteousness. If the Witch Clan fights to protect themselves and for the countless human souls who died unjustly, then they have stood on the side of reason and followed their conscience. Even if it unleashes a massive carnage, the root cause lies with the Demon Clan's perverse actions. And Xuanbao, this unfathomable "younger brother," cleverly handed the power of choice to the Witch Clan. He and the Human Clan, on the other hand, temporarily retreated into the background, and regardless of the outcome, they had already secured their invincibility.

"What a clever scheme." Houtu smiled bitterly, but there was little resentment in her voice. She understood that Xuanbao had sent both a warning and an opportunity. Without this warning, the Wu Clan might truly face annihilation one day in the future. She had to bear the consequences.

As the ruler of reincarnation, she should have been detached from worldly affairs, uninvolved in the calamities of the mortal realm. However, she was also the Ancestral Witch Houtu. She could watch as witches and demons died because of fate and territorial disputes, but she could not bear to see her own people schemed against and slaughtered by such insidious means!

"Sister Xuanming...Brother Gonggong...Brother Dijiang..." Houtu murmured the names of her brothers and sisters, the power of reincarnation flowing between her fingertips. An ancient talisman, imbued with the weight of the earth and the baleful aura of the Ancestral Witches, slowly took shape in her palm. This was a bloodline connection that could only be activated by the resonance of the essence and blood among the twelve Ancestral Witches. Even across endless time and space, and even through formations that partially shielded the secrets of heaven, the most urgent messages and thoughts could be transmitted.

Without further hesitation, she sealed the jade slip containing the demon race's conspiracy, along with her unquestionable warning and anger, which she had imbued with the power of a saint, into a talisman.

"go!"