Chapter 18: The Contest for the Protagonist of Heaven and Earth

Before Hongjun attained the Dao, there was already someone else who had reached enlightenment, and like the Father God, had done so through sheer force. Yet, after achieving Daohood, he was expelled from the primordial wilderness!

This news from Bai Jing left the Twelve Ancestral Witches somewhat stunned.

Di Jiang was the first to regain his composure. If what Bai Jing said was true, then it meant that the current primordial wilderness could no longer tolerate those who attained Daohood through force.

Their Witch Clan lacked primordial spirits, and Hongjun’s method of achieving sainthood did not apply to them. They could not rely on force to reach Daohood either, lest they be driven out of the primordial wilderness. This implied that the Witch Clan could never become saints.

With this realization, Di Jiang turned to Bai Jing. “Brother Bai Jing, is it true that Yang Mei was truly expelled from the primordial wilderness by the Heavenly Dao?”

“Of course it is true. If you doubt me, Di Jiang, I am willing to swear an oath to the Great Dao,” Bai Jing replied.

Di Jiang fell silent again upon hearing this.

At that moment, Hou Tu spoke up, “Brother Bai Jing, could Yang Mei’s expulsion be related to him being the reincarnation of the Chaos Demon God?”

Bai Jing did not refute Hou Tu’s words but responded in kind, “That possibility cannot be ruled out. I only know that after Yang Mei attained the Mixed-Origin Great Dao Golden Immortal through force, he was expelled by the Heavenly Dao. Beyond that, I am uncertain.”

Hou Tu sighed. “Brother, to know this much is already impressive. After all, the realm of the saints and the Heavenly Dao is far beyond our reach.”

“In any case, Yang Mei’s expulsion from the primordial wilderness is a fact, and since it is a fact, we must prepare accordingly,” Di Jiang said solemnly.

The other ancestral witches voiced their agreement.

“Brother Bai Jing, you just mentioned the Earth Dao and the Human Dao. Do you have a way to awaken these two Daos?” Hou Tu inquired.

Bai Jing feigned helplessness. “Sister Hou Tu, you overestimate me. I only know that the Earth Dao should be connected with the earth veins and reincarnation, while the Human Dao is the path of all living beings.”

Upon hearing the word “reincarnation,” Hou Tu’s Dao heart trembled. She sensed a connection to reincarnation, perhaps even her opportunity to attain the Dao.

Was she meant to comprehend the Great Dao of Reincarnation? To take over the reincarnation Dao in place of the Reincarnation Demon God slain by Father God?

While Hou Tu bowed her head in contemplation, the other ancestral witches began to discuss among themselves.

***

“Our Witch Clan is born with the duty to absorb evil energy and clear the earth veins. Doesn’t that mean the Earth Dao aligns with our clan?” Qiang Liang said.

“I think the Human Dao is easier. Brother Bai Jing just said it is the path of all beings. If our Witch Clan occupies the leading position in heaven and earth, we might awaken the Human Dao,” Gong Gong said.

“The Human Dao is indeed somewhat easier. When we took on physical forms, we absorbed vast amounts of evil energy and cleared many earth veins, but the Earth Dao has given us no feedback. Moreover, our clan lacks primordial spirits, so understanding the reincarnation Dao is not easy,” Jun Mang added.

“I think the Human Dao is unsuitable. Awakening it likely requires occupying the leading position of heaven and earth. When the dragon, phoenix, and qilin clans once fought for this position, they left behind endless karmic obstacles. Even if our Witch Clan could seize this position, the cost would be enormous and hardly worth it,” Zhu Jiu Yin said.

...

After much debate, Di Jiang spoke sternly, “Enough! Let me ponder this matter further. We shall discuss it again in the future.”

“Brother Di Jiang, I think your clan must prepare early. The Demon Clan is establishing their Heavenly Court and expanding constantly. I suspect it is also for that leading position in heaven and earth. Your Witch Clan would never submit to the Demon Clan, right?”

Hearing Bai Jing’s words, Di Jiang instantly recalled the battles he had seen between the Witch and Demon clans in the River of Time.

If the struggle was truly for the lead position in heaven and earth, the two clans would certainly clash fiercely.

This was not merely a contest for destiny but a contest for the Dao itself, and the Witch Clan would never yield.

In fact, within this primordial era, the Witch and Demon clans were in constant friction.

The Demon Clan sought expansion, and their Heavenly Court aimed to dominate heaven and earth, requiring many demons’ assistance.

But many smaller races joining the Demon Clan’s Heavenly Court became cannon fodder or faced extinction during conquests. Under such circumstances, these smaller races sought the Witch Clan’s protection instead.

The Witch Clan only demanded some blood offerings and did not require them to fight. With the Witch Clan’s shelter, life went on as before, except the dead bodies of clan members who died for various reasons had to be handed over to the witches.

Joining the Demon Clan risked extinction; seeking Witch Clan protection only required offering some corpses. Many small and unambitious races chose the Witch Clan.

The Demon Clan’s Heavenly Court was long displeased with the Witch Clan’s acts and even sent agents to harass these protected small races.

Naturally, the Witch Clan would not sit idly by. Bit by bit, conflict between the Witch and Demon clans erupted.

***

Yet, at present, neither the Twelve Ancestral Witches nor the two Demon Emperors had openly declared war.

The Witch Clan had no intention of competing with the Demon Clan. Their greatest survival concern—food—had been solved through millet and the blood sacrifices from the races they protected.

The Witch Clan was not reckless; without survival threats, why wage war?

As for vying for the leading position in heaven and earth, before Bai Jing’s conversation with the Twelve Ancestral Witches, the Witch Clan had no such ambition.

Di Jun clearly perceived this. He believed there was no direct conflict of interest between the Demon and Witch clans, and since the Witch Clan had no desire for domination, there was room for negotiation.

Hence, Di Jun still intended to woo the Witch Clan and planned to speak with the Twelve Ancestral Witches after the Three Lectures at the Purple Cloud Palace.

Although Tai Yi was displeased with the Witch Clan “seizing” the smaller races, he greatly respected his elder brother. Since Di Jun planned to talk to the Twelve Ancestral Witches after the Three Lectures, he naturally would not oppose his brother’s wishes.

Afterward, Bai Jing stayed within the Witch Clan as the Twelve Ancestral Witches took time to digest what he had said.

This stay lasted a millennium. During this period, Bai Jing did not remain secluded in the residence arranged by the Witch Clan.

Instead, he first journeyed to Mount Bu Zhou. Now, as a Mixed-Origin Golden Immortal, his physical body could ascend two-thirds of the mountain’s height.

Unfortunately, Bai Jing found no innate spiritual treasures or roots. The higher he climbed, the more desolate Mount Bu Zhou appeared.

He guessed this was due to the mountain’s overwhelming pressure.

Descending from Mount Bu Zhou, Bai Jing often sparred with the great witches of the clan to enhance his combat skills.

Though called sparring, it was actually several great witches joining forces to battle Bai Jing.

The great witches’ power was roughly at the Great Dao Golden Immortal level. Bai Jing, while lacking combat experience, was also a solid Mixed-Origin Golden Immortal.

So even if Bai Jing held back, the combined assault of several great witches would be beaten back by him with ease.