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

After a long chat, Xuanbao specially brewed some Da Hong Pao tea and served various spiritual fruits for everyone to taste. After Houtu and the other ancestral witches tasted the Da Hong Pao tea, they still felt that it was not as refreshing as wine, and said, "Brother Xuanbao, could you bring out some more of your spiritual wine? This tea just doesn't taste quite right."

Before Xuanbao could respond, Tongtian spoke up first, "Wine! What is wine?" Xuanbao explained with a smile, "This wine is brewed from various spiritual fruits and grains. It is spicy when it enters the mouth, but it can make people feel comfortable all over. The aftertaste is also endless." As he spoke, Xuanbao took out a jar of wine.

To be honest, if it weren't for the ancestral witches asking for wine, Xuanbao would have forgotten about it long ago. The reason is that Xuanbao doesn't really like drinking, especially since he was often dragged into drinking by the ancestral witches in the witch clan, often to the point of unconsciousness. Ever since returning from the witch clan, he had long forgotten about wine.

Upon hearing that there was wine, Houtu and the other ancestral witches immediately perked up, their eyes lighting up. Tongtian also looked at Xuanbao with great interest, curious about what the wine would taste like.

Xuanbao opened a jar, and the aroma of wine immediately filled the room. Houtu eagerly picked up a wine bowl, poured herself a full glass, drank it all in one gulp, and then exclaimed loudly, "Good wine! Good wine!" The other ancestral witches followed suit, and for a moment, the room was filled with the sounds of drinking.

Since the spirit wine brewed by Xuanbao is made from the fruits of innate and acquired spiritual roots, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal cannot withstand it. However, for the current Sanqing Palace, where the lowest level of cultivation is Quasi-Saint, it can still resist it to some extent.

Tongtian also picked up a bowl of wine, took a small sip, and felt a warm current flow down his throat, making him feel warm all over. The taste was truly wonderful. He couldn't help but drink a few more sips, and his face gradually flushed. "Good wine, good wine, this wine gives me strength."

"You little rascal, why haven't you brought out such good wine before?"

Xuanbao: ...

However, Lao Tzu did not like drinking alcohol; he preferred tea. So, while drinking alcohol and tea, the group continued to chat, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

As for the Three Pure Ones, the Wu tribe is also a direct descendant of Pangu, so naturally both sides have the intention to be on good terms.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Dijiang finally got to the point: "Besides thanking Brother Xuanbao, I have a question for the three sages."

The atmosphere inside the hall became heavy once again.

Zhu Jiuyin spoke, his voice deep and resonant, seemingly emanating from the depths of the river of time: "Our Wu Clan was born from the essence and blood of our Father God Pangu, our bodies are immortal, and our laws are innate. Yet... is there a place for our Wu Clan on the path to sainthood?"

The moment the question was raised, even the air seemed to grow heavier.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable pondered for a moment: "The Wu Clan has no primordial spirit and does not cultivate the Heavenly Dao; how can they become saints?"

"That's why I've come to seek your guidance." Di Jiang's gaze was intense. "Brother Xuanbao once said that all roads lead to the Great Way. Is there truly no hope left in the path of the Witch Clan?"

Xuanbao almost lost his balance—when did I say that? How come it had no effect at all! Could it be that I said it when I was drunk?

Xuanbao was heartbroken. Indeed, alcohol was a poison that would burn through one's body. He still couldn't control himself. He decided to quit drinking.

The Three Pure Ones exchanged a glance, and Laozi slowly spoke: "A sage is a Primordial Golden Immortal, indestructible through countless eons. One must attain the Primordial Dao Fruit, or obtain the Primordial Purple Qi of the Heavenly Dao, or prove the Dao through force... The path of the Witch Clan is indeed quite different from the existing methods of becoming a sage."

"Then can't there be a new way to become a saint?" Houtu suddenly asked, her voice gentle yet firm. "When Father God Pangu created the world, he was forging an unprecedented path."

Upon hearing this, the Tongtian Sect Leader's eyes flashed with appreciation: "Well said! The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine, and one is lost. This 'one' may be the variable, the new path."

Xuanbao was terrified. Was this topic a bit too far beyond his comprehension? The Witch Clan was going to explore the path to sainthood on their own? Would the Witch-Demon War still happen...? No, the Witch Clan had already embarked on a different path. Whether it would end up like in the original story was uncertain.

Zhu Jiuyin's eyes, which could see through time, suddenly turned to Xuanbao: "Brother Xuanbao, before you left the Wu Clan, you once said, 'Being a sage is not just about a realm, but also a responsibility.'"

Houtu smiled: "Since becoming a sage is not just a realm, but also a responsibility, then, if the Wu tribe could take it upon themselves to protect the primordial land and regulate the spiritual veins of mountains and rivers, and use this to prove their Dao, would that be feasible?"

Xuanbao: "..." Help! What nonsense did I spout back then?!

Just as Xuanbao was so embarrassed he wanted to disappear into the ground, Yuanshi coughed lightly and said, "What Xuanbao said, though simple, makes sense. The path to sainthood inherently requires taking on corresponding responsibilities. If the Wu Clan wants to forge a new path to sainthood, they must also clearly understand what responsibilities they must bear."

Dijiang pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes: "My Wu clan was born to guard the primordial world for our Father God Pangu. If we can open the path to sainthood, we will certainly take it upon ourselves to protect all living beings in the primordial world!"

Lao Tzu nodded slightly: "Since you have this ambition, then go and give it a try. But remember, the road ahead will be fraught with difficulties, and you must have a steadfast heart." The Tongtian Sect Leader also smiled and said: "I have high hopes for you. Perhaps you can really forge a new path to sainthood."

Xuanbao naturally knew where the way out for the Wu Clan lay: to open up the six paths of reincarnation. This was Houtu's destiny. Xuanbao had a thought and wondered if he should give Houtu some hints.

Xuanbao cleared his throat and, as the Ancestral Witch was leaving, reminded her, "Sister Houtu, all living beings in the primordial world are born and die. There may be great things to be done between life and death. The cycle of life and death may hold the opportunity to become a saint."

Houtu frowned slightly, pondering the deeper meaning behind Xuanbao's words. A thought stirred within her, but she said nothing more. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Ancestral Witches took their leave.

After the Ancestral Witch left, Yuanshi looked at Xuanbao and said with a hint of meaning, "Disciple, did you have a thought about what you just said?"

Xuanbao scratched his head and laughed, "I just have a vague feeling that there might be a great opportunity in that matter of life and death. Sister Houtu is intelligent. If she can follow this line of thought to explore, she might really find the way to become a saint."

The Tongtian Sect Leader laughed and said, "This primordial world is bound to have new variables. If the Wu Clan can truly find a new path, it would be a wonderful thing."

Lao Tzu stroked his beard and said, "Everything is preordained. Let's see what Houtu and the others do."

Xuanbao nodded, hoping that Houtu would soon comprehend the mystery of the cycle of life and death, so that he could accumulate a large amount of merit. Of course, he would also make thorough preparations to maximize his merit.