Volume One: The Lich's Cataclysm Chapter 112: Restless Hearts, Schemes Beneath the Stars

Meanwhile, in the Jade Void Palace atop Kunlun Mountain.

“This Di Jun, what a schemer he is! Should we be grateful he didn’t add us innate divinities to his declaration?” Yuqing Yuanshi was seething with rage after Di Jun’s proclamation to establish a clan.

“Second Brother, you are too attached to your emotions! What he does is his own affair. The most important thing for us is to comprehend the will of Heaven and to cultivate diligently,” said the Supreme Purity, the Elder Laozi, offering Yuanshi words of comfort.

Only after hearing Laozi’s admonition did Yuanshi’s anger begin to subside. Shangqing Tongtian, on the other hand, seemed entirely indifferent to the matter, merely watching as his two elder brothers spoke.

At the foot of Mount Zhou, within the Pangu Hall.

“This Di Jun is truly ambitious! He actually wishes to claim all living beings as the demon race. Does he intend to rule over the entire wilderness himself?” Qiangliang and the others held no affection for Di Jun’s actions.

“There’s nothing to be done; this is simply the trend of the times,” Dijang explained hastily when he heard their complaints.

The moment Di Jun founded his clan, Dijang felt a gloomy shadow fall over his heart.

The Twelve Ancestor-Witches now all possessed primordial spirits. Though their practice was rooted in the physical body, their souls had kept pace. With his cultivation as a Hunyuan Golden Immortal, Dijang had easily discovered the innate opposition between the witch and demon races.

One was recognized by Heaven, formed from countless tribes of the wilderness, with prosperity unimaginable. The moment the demon race was established, countless clans flocked to join them. While some were drawn by Di Jun’s fortune and merit, it could not be denied that the demon race was rapidly growing in strength.

The witch race, by bloodline, were the direct descendants of Pangu, born from his very essence—there was no falsehood in calling them Pangu’s bloodline. They were naturally attuned to the earth, and now, with the favor of the Earthly Dao, Heaven itself was reluctant to let the Earthly Dao emerge easily.

Yet, due to the witches and Qingxuan, the Earthly Dao was awakening, forcing Heaven to favor the demon race even more.

Dijang did not share his insights with the other Ancestor-Witches; judging by their expressions, they knew nothing.

“I care nothing for these so-called trends! If they cross us, if they threaten the witch race, I’ll see that firebird vanish!” declared Zhu Rong, unconcerned with the sort of considerations that troubled Dijang and the others. In his eyes, enemies were to be fought, nothing more.

“Zhu Rong, you and I may not fear the demon race, but what of our people? What will they do? Besides, with our strength, even a casual battle could easily destroy the wilderness—this world our Father God created,” Dijang replied.

Indeed, Dijang had considered eradicating the demon race before they could grow. Yet whenever such a thought arose, an overwhelming sense of impending disaster befell him. Coupled with Qingxuan’s counsel, Dijang quickly understood much.

They were powerful, but to act rashly would bind the witch race with immeasurable karmic debt—regret would come too late. Now, with their primordial spirits intact, the Ancestor-Witches could not bring themselves to destroy the world their Father had created at will. This was both their shield and their shackle.

On Mount Zhou, in the Azure Lotus Dao Institute.

Qingkong appeared quietly in the courtyard as Di Jun established his clan, idly divining the currents of fate.

“Heaven itself has placed heavy bets on the demon race. It seems it has sensed something… I wonder how Chenrui and my true self are faring.”

Qingkong pondered silently, then cast his gaze to the foot of Mount Zhou, where he saw countless witches living joyously, many training and testing themselves through combat.

“How long can such harmony endure?” he wondered. “Whether by nature or some other reason, the witch race—from the commoners to the Ancestor-Witches—focuses on cultivating the body, with the soul as a mere aid. Their souls are not as powerful as those of other innate clans.”

As Qingkong’s gaze shifted, some matters still fell within his sight.

“So, they have come into conflict after all. My true self has labored to change all this—who knows if he can truly alter their fate,” he mused, withdrawing his gaze to avoid vexation.

At last, Qingkong looked to a certain space atop Mount Zhou.

“So, with Di Jun’s founding, this too is about to emerge. Heaven’s calculations are deep indeed, daring to use my blessed land and Mount Zhou’s very essence to nourish such a thing.”

As he spoke, Qingkong’s expression grew cold as frost. Were it not that this could not be stopped, and Heaven lacked no contingencies, he would long since have severed the connection.

“But that’s all there is to it,” he said coldly, and soon lapsed into tranquil stillness—Qingkong had entered secluded cultivation.

In the ancient starry sky, within the Purple Star Palace.

A solemn atmosphere hung heavy in the grand hall.

“Ministers, what do you make of this newly founded demon clan in the wilderness?” asked the Purple Emperor.

Star Lord Chang Geng stepped forward, trembling with trepidation.

“Your Majesty, as for the demon race, there is little need for our concern. No matter how they develop, they exist only on the great wilderness. We star gods dwell high in the heavens; we ought to remember Senior Qingxuan’s earnest warnings.”

With that, Chang Geng fell silent.

At this, the Twelve Celestial Generals of the Great Dipper stepped forth.

“I cannot agree with Star Lord Chang Geng. Since countless star gods laid down the great formation and set the stars in motion, bestowing the power of the stars upon the wilderness, myriad living beings and tribes have been uplifted.”

“Now that Di Jun claims the demon race encompasses all, he surely intends them to grow swiftly. Their aim…” Here, the Celestial General cast a meaningful glance at the Purple Emperor.

“Enough!” The Purple Emperor’s irritation was plain; their words made his head ring.

“If you cannot reach a conclusion, then pay closer heed to the movements in the starry sky. Do not let anyone exploit a gap.”

With that, the Purple Emperor departed the hall, and many star gods below began to entertain their own schemes.

“Alas, of late our Emperor has grown ever more irritable,” the Star Lord of Water Virtue remarked quietly to Chang Geng.

“Careful what you say. The Emperor is merely at a bottleneck in cultivation, unable to break through, and now the wilderness stands changed.”

“Indeed! In the past, our cultivation and enlightenment advanced quickly, but now, after endless years, we make no progress in law or power. Small wonder the Emperor is thus.”

They both sighed with feeling.

“We must stay vigilant. With His Majesty as he is, I fear some may harbor dangerous intentions.”

“Chang Geng, do you mean…?”

“In any case, it does no harm to make preparations. If nothing comes of it, all’s well. But if trouble arises, at least we’ll have a plan.”

Their quiet exchange through their primordial spirits went unnoticed as other star gods either left or remained oblivious.

And as for Di Jun—could he truly be indifferent to these ancient stars?