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

Just as the demon race was making the most of their time to practice the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation.

……

Buzhou Mountain, Pangu Temple.

The twelve Ancestral Witches gathered, the atmosphere heavy and solemn. The Pangu Blood Pool in the center of the hall was still boiling and churning, but everyone's gaze was now fixed on a water mirror floating above the pool—reflected in the mirror was the scene of the birth of the Netherworld: a dark pillar of light reaching the heavens and the earth, and the purple aura of reincarnation permeating the primordial wilderness. The vast and perfect Dao of the world, even transmitted through the water mirror, shook the hearts of every Ancestral Witch present.

"boom--"

The image in the water mirror finally settled on the illusory image of the Netherworld, which had stabilized and exuded the aura of a top-tier Great Thousand World, before slowly dissipating.

A long, deathly silence fell over the hall.

"The Netherworld... has become the Great Thousand World." Dijiang spoke slowly, his voice echoing in the empty hall, carrying an indescribable complexity, "Sister Houtu, you actually possess such abilities."

"It's Brother Xuanbao," Gonggong suddenly said, his voice cold yet certain. "We've seen the aura of that Reincarnation Purple Lotus in the treasure vault."

When the Wu Clan's treasure vault was mentioned, everyone's eyes and expressions turned strange. They hadn't expected that Xuanbao had actually emptied the vault. Nowadays, the Wu Clan's treasure vault couldn't even compare to the treasure vaults of some ordinary races. Even rats would have to leave something behind before they could leave. Fortunately, the Wu Clan didn't really need those things, so it didn't matter much that Xuanbao had taken them.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the ancestral shamans varied.

Zhu Rong slapped his thigh, his red hair flying wildly: "Excellent! Brother Xuanbao is truly capable! With the Netherworld established, my Wu Clan will have a way out! Let's see how those feathered beasts can be so arrogant now!"

"A way out?" Qiang Liang sneered, lightning crackling around him. "Why should my Wu tribe need a way out? Mount Buzhou, formed from the spine of our Father God, is here. The earth is beneath our feet. My Wu tribe's sons can only advance, not retreat!"

"Qiang Liang, shut up." Zhu Jiuyin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze, reflecting the long river of time, sweeping over his brothers. "However, the Netherworld is no ordinary escape route. It is the manifestation of the underworld, the place of reincarnation, and has already become a top-tier Great Thousand World. Its boundary is so solid that it is probably only a saint who can break through it. If we could obtain this world as a refuge..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the meaning was clear—the Netherworld could not only serve as a retreat route, but also as a strategic foothold, allowing for both offense and defense.

Ru Shou said in a deep voice, "The key question is, what are Houtu and Xuanbao's plans? Although the Netherworld has been established, it is connected to the Primordial World. How could the Heavenly Dao, the Sages, and even the Demon Race sit idly by and watch our Wu Clan take over it?"

"We'll find out by asking," Dijiang declared decisively, spatial ripples spreading around him. "The birth of the Netherworld shook the heavens and earth; Houtu and Xuanbao must be here. As their elder brothers, we should go and investigate, and discuss our future plans with Houtu and Xuanbao."

"Brother is absolutely right!" Jumang nodded. "However... if we all go out together, Buzhou Mountain will be vulnerable. If the demon race takes advantage of this..."

Xuanming coldly replied, "The demon race? Right now, they're probably even more chaotic than we are. Although the Zhou Tian Star Array is complete, the sudden emergence of the Netherworld has disrupted all our plans. Dijun is probably jumping up and down in the Lingxiao Palace right now."

Upon hearing this, all the ancestral witches smiled. Indeed, the birth of the Netherworld was likely a greater blow to the demon race than to the witch race.

"In that case," Dijiang rose, spatial power surging within him, "Xingtian will remain at Buzhou Mountain to command the Great Witches and establish defenses. The rest of you brothers, follow me to the Netherworld!"

"Yes!" the ten ancestral witches responded in unison.

Only Xing Tian, ​​whose already ugly face was contorted into a grimace, said, "Emperor Jiang, I am a newly promoted Ancestral Witch, eager to make my mark. Why not let me accompany you?"

Dijiang looked at the Ancestral Witch, whose fighting spirit soared to the heavens, and said in a deep voice, "Xingtian, you are a newly promoted Ancestral Witch, left to guard Buzhou Mountain. This responsibility is no less weighty than going to the Netherworld. If the demon race truly dares to invade, that will be your time to make a name for yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Xing Tian nodded emphatically, took up his axe and shield, and stood guard at the Pangu Palace.

Dijiang didn't delay any longer. He made a sweeping gesture with his hands, tearing space apart like a piece of cloth to reveal a stable passage leading to the Netherworld. At the other end of the passage, a chilling aura filled the air, permeated with the Daoist principles of reincarnation—this was the location of the Netherworld.

"Walk!"

Eleven powerful auras of ancestral witches soared into the sky and disappeared into the spatial passage. The passage closed instantly, leaving no trace.

The Netherworld, the Palace of Peace.

Xuanbao was sitting cross-legged, regulating his breathing. His body was surrounded by the Netherworld Origin and the purple Qi of Reincarnation, repairing the damage caused by previously severing the Heavenly Dao Incarnation and supporting the world's advancement. Houtu sat quietly to the side, her Reincarnation Dao rhythm resonating faintly with the Heavenly Dao of the newly born Netherworld, helping Xuanbao stabilize his aura.

Suddenly, Xuanbao and Houtu opened their eyes at the same time.

"They've arrived," Houtu said softly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes—the anticipation of a long-awaited reunion, and the melancholy of being a sage of the earthly path, having already embarked on a different path from her former brothers.

Xuanbao smiled slightly, his face still somewhat pale, but his breathing had become much more steady: "Perfect timing. The Netherworld is newly formed, and there are some things that need to be discussed with my brothers."

As soon as the words were spoken, the space in the center of Pingxin Hall rippled like water, and eleven imposing figures, as tall as mountains and exuding a murderous aura, stepped out from the void!

These were the ten ancestral witches, led by Dijiang!

"Sister Houtu!"

"Brother Xuanbao!"

As the Ancestral Witches stepped out of the spatial passage, they immediately saw Houtu and Xuanbao on the cloud bed. Seeing Houtu's familiar face, which exuded the aura of a saint, and feeling the vast and profound aura emanating from her, which was one with the cycle of reincarnation, the eyes of the Ancestral Witches flashed with excitement and relief, but also with a trace of indescribable estrangement.

"Dear brothers and sisters," Houtu rose, her bare feet stepping onto the Netherworld ground, a genuine smile appearing on her face. That smile softened the majesty of a saint, adding a touch of her former gentleness, but the eternally flowing sorrow of reincarnation in her eyes could not be erased.

Xuanbao also stood up, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, how have you been? It's been ten thousand years, and your aura is even stronger than before!"

Dijiang stepped forward, first giving Houtu a deep look, his eyes filled with concern and inquiry, before finally letting out a soft sigh: "Sister, you... have suffered."

These four simple words perfectly encapsulate the loneliness and sacrifice of Houtu, who has been reincarnated and eternally imprisoned in the netherworld.

Houtu gently shook her head: "This is my way, why should I suffer? It is my brothers who are working hard for the Wu tribe, that is truly hardship."

Zhu Rong, an impatient man, looked around the spacious yet empty Pingxin Palace, and feeling the vast and boundless Netherworld aura outside, couldn't help but ask, "Sister, Brother Xuanbao, what exactly is going on with this Netherworld? The commotion just now shook the entire prehistoric world three times! And this world... goodness, as soon as I, Zhu Rong, entered, I felt like I had returned to the embrace of the earth, but something was different..."

Gonggong glanced coldly at Zhurong, but then looked at Houtu and Xuanbao, awaiting their answer.

Xuanbao and Houtu exchanged a glance, and Houtu nodded slightly.

Xuanbao then made no attempt to conceal anything, concisely recounting the origins of the Netherworld, the Twelve-Petaled Reincarnation Purple Lotus, his use of the Three Thousand Laws to support the world's advancement, and his eventual creation of the Heavenly Dao Incarnation. Of course, Xuanbao naturally "omitted" the part about the Witch Clan's treasure vault.

The expressions of the ten ancestral witches as they listened to Xuanbao's story were quite varied.

Shocked by the existence of the Twelve-Petaled Reincarnation Purple Lotus and the fortuitous encounter with the Mysterious Treasure;

Suddenly realizing the origin and process of the birth of the underworld;

They were horrified to discover that Xuanbao actually controlled more than three thousand laws—what an incredible level of power!

What's even more astonishing is that he dared to and was able to create an avatar, becoming the Heavenly Dao of a top-tier Great Thousand World! Although this avatar and Xuanbao himself are still of the same origin, this also means that Xuanbao possesses the strength of a Saint.

"More than three thousand laws... the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao..." Di Jiang murmured repeatedly, looking at Xuan Bao as if he were looking at a monster. "Brother Xuan Bao, you... you have truly broadened my horizons."

Dijiang originally wanted to say that Xuanbao was a monster. It was already difficult for him to comprehend the law of space, but Xuanbao had more than 3000 laws. He was simply too monstrous.

Dijiang's words echoed in the empty Pingxin Hall, carrying the lingering resonance of shock, and also pointed out the question that all the Ancestral Witches cared about most—what exactly does this newly born, incredibly stable, top-level Great Thousand World, "Netherworld," mean to the Witch Clan?

Xuanbao and Houtu exchanged a glance, both seeing understanding in each other's eyes. Houtu nodded slightly, indicating that Xuanbao should speak.

Xuanbao stepped forward, facing his ten elder brothers, each with a powerful aura and piercing gaze. His expression was solemn, devoid of his usual laziness, and his voice was clear and steady: "Brothers, the Netherworld is newly formed, its foundation is solid, its cycle of reincarnation is orderly, and it is a unified entity. Its boundary is so strong that even the power of Hunyuan would find it difficult to break. Furthermore, with Sister Houtu guarding the central hub and my avatar monitoring the Heavenly Dao, its safety is beyond doubt. The vastness of this realm is comparable to the primordial continent, and the Netherworld's essence is rich. Although its attribute is predominantly Yin, through the harmonization of reincarnation, it can evolve into a Yang-friendly region suitable for living beings, nurturing all things."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over each of the Ancestral Witches, and continued, "Now the clouds of calamity are looming, and the war between the Witches and Demons is unavoidable. The ferocity of this battle will likely far surpass any previous conflict. Although Mount Buzhou is the backbone of the Father God, the clash of two top-tier killing formations will have an aftershock powerful enough to destroy the heavens and the earth, making it difficult to guarantee complete safety. The sons of the Witch Clan are brave, but they must also consider... what if."

The word "what if" was uttered very softly by Xuanbao, yet it struck the hearts of all the Ancestral Witches like a heavy hammer. They were not afraid of war, nor of death, but as their leader, they had to consider the survival of the entire clan. Qiangliang opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Dijiang's gaze.

"What does Brother Xuanbao mean?" Di Jiang asked in a deep voice, though he already had a guess in his heart.

"I propose," Xuanbao said decisively, "that each witch tribe select one high shaman, led by their tribal high shaman, to relocate 100,000 elite witch soldiers, along with some of their families, to the Netherworld!"

Xuanbao's suggestion was like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, stirring up ripples within the Pingxin Hall. The ten Ancestral Witches, each with a different expression, fell silent. The air seemed to freeze, save for the faint hum of the Netherworld's origin flowing outside the hall and the heavy, suppressed breathing of the Ancestral Witches.

"Migrate? Enter the Netherworld?" Zhu Rong was the first to break the silence. His red hair moved without wind, and flames erupted around him. His voice was filled with disbelief and frustration. "Brother Xuanbao! Are you suggesting that our Wu Clan... should be forced to retreat before even fighting? Our Wu Clan's sons stand tall and upright, born in Buzhou, fighting in the primordial wilderness. When have we ever considered defeat before even engaging in battle, or made arrangements for our retreat? If word gets out, won't those flat-feathered beasts laugh their heads off? What will become of our Wu Clan's fighting spirit? What will become of our dignity?!"

"Zhurong!" Gonggong, unusually, didn't retort. Instead, he coldly stopped him. His face was ashen, and his gaze pierced Xuanbao like an ice pick. "Xuanbao, do you think my Wu tribe is doomed to defeat this time, or do you think my Wu tribe's sons are cowardly and need to rely on your and Houtu's protection?"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Thunder snakes crackled around Qiang Liang, lightning flashed in Xi Zi's eyes, and a gust of wind surged around Tian Wu… The immense fighting spirit and murderous aura within each of the Ancestral Witches fluctuated, revealing their intense inner struggle. Xuan Bao's suggestion touched upon their most fundamental pride and beliefs as descendants of Pangu and rulers of the earth.

"My brothers!" Houtu finally spoke, her voice ethereal yet carrying an undeniable majesty, her saintly aura naturally emanating from her, instantly suppressing the restless murderous aura within the hall. She slowly rose, walked to Xuanbao's side, and her gaze swept sadly yet resolutely over each of her brothers.

"What Brother Xuanbao said is neither cowardice nor contempt for the sons of our Wu tribe." Houtu's voice was deep, yet every word was clear, reaching the depths of the hearts of all the ancestral witches. "It is precisely because the sons of our Wu tribe are unparalleled in bravery and fearless in the face of sacrifice that we, as their leaders, must consider their future, for the bloodline and heritage of the Wu tribe!"

She pointed to the vast, dark world outside the palace: "Under the great calamity, heaven and earth will be overturned, and all living beings will be reduced to straw dogs. Brothers, you should know that the Zhou Tian Star Array is already complete, and the demon race has the insidious and bizarre Ten Thousand Immortals Array as a trump card. Once this battle begins, stars will surely fall, the earth will sink, and even the backbone of our Father God may be in danger of collapsing! At that time, even if our witch clan fights to the last man and sheds the last drop of blood, what will happen afterward?"

The phantom of reincarnation in Houtu's eyes fluctuated violently, filled with deep sorrow: "If the Wu Clan perishes, where will the bloodline of the Father God remain? How will the orthodox lineage of Pangu continue?"

Jumang took a deep breath, his eyes a mixture of hope and determination: "What my sister says... is reasonable. Our Wu clan is not afraid of war, nor of death, but we must preserve a seed for our people. The Netherworld is now complete and incredibly stable, and it is the best place, under the control of my sister and brother Xuanbao. Moving some elites and their families here is not cowardice, but... preserving the seed. Even if we suffer a defeat in the Great Primordial War, our Wu clan will have the opportunity to reunite in the Netherworld, recuperate, and when the time is right, we may one day return to the Great Primordial World and restore the glory of our father!"

……

"Taking a step back is to advance ten thousand steps." Zhu Jiuyin, who had been listening silently, finally spoke. His eyes, reflecting the long river of time, looked at his brothers, his voice weathered yet full of wisdom. "I observe the tributaries of the river of time; if the Witch Clan fights to the death without leaving any room for retreat, nine times out of ten… the ending will be tragic. However, since Brother Xuanbao intervened and the Netherworld was formed, countless variables have been added to the future. This move into the Netherworld is the most crucial variable!"

Dijiang had been deep in thought with his eyes closed, the surrounding space rippling erratically, revealing the intense struggle within him. At this moment, he suddenly opened his eyes, a burst of silver light shooting from them, and an aura of decisiveness emanated from them.

"What my second brother says makes sense!" Dijiang's voice was resolute, silencing all other noises. "Our Wu clan can die in battle, but we cannot be wiped out! The bloodline of our Father God cannot be lost in our hands! Brother Xuanbao's opening of the Netherworld and Sister Houtu's overseeing of Reincarnation are a divinely granted retreat for our Wu clan, our greatest opportunity and source of strength! To refuse out of mere pride or momentary impulse is not courage, but foolishness; it would betray the hearts of Xuanbao and Houtu, and be utterly irresponsible to the countless Wu clan warriors and their families!"

His gaze swept over his brothers like lightning: "Move! We must move! And quickly, and secretly! Each tribe, led by a high shaman, will select 100,000 of its most loyal, promising, and relatively pure-blooded elites, along with their immediate family members, to secretly infiltrate the Netherworld in batches! This matter will be overseen by Jumang and Rushou, with Xuanming and Qiangliang assisting. It must be done cleanly, without letting the demon race discover it! The rest of the shaman clan's sons, gather at Buzhou Mountain, sharpen your weapons, and prepare for war against the demon race! We must let all the spirits of the primordial world see that our shaman clan's fighting spirit is even stronger, and we will not retreat!"

Dijiang paused, looked at Xuanbao and Houtu, clasped his hands in a deep fist salute, and said with unprecedented solemnity and gratitude, "Brother Xuanbao, Sister Houtu! The flame of the Wu Clan's survival is now entrusted to the Netherworld!"

"Good!" The ancestral witches finally reached a consensus. While their eyes held a resolute determination for the great war, they also held a glimmer of hope for the future of their race. By migrating their clan into the Netherworld, this strategic move had allowed the witch clan to truly preserve, in the face of the impending cataclysmic bloodshed, the most precious and promising thread of opportunity—a chance for revival—for themselves and for the lineage of their father god!