Volume One: The Great Tribulation of Liches, Chapter 224: Di Jun’s Strategy, Xi He Drives the Sun

Sun Star.

After returning to this place, Di Jun and Tai Yi felt as if they had returned to the very moment of their inception. Both sensed that their primordial origins and strength had been significantly enhanced.

"I never expected the Holy Tree to grant such a powerful boost! It is a pity that such an opportunity comes only once, otherwise..." Di Jun remarked with a sigh.

As he shifted back into his human form, a surge of ambition filled his heart. He realized that his strength had undergone a monumental transformation, reaching a level comparable to an Ancestral Witch like Hou Yi. Most importantly, the Solar True Fire within him had been elevated to an entirely different realm, as if it had been thoroughly sublimated.

"Witch Clan, Hou Yi! Prepare for my descent!" Di Jun gazed toward the direction of the Witch Clan, his eyes burning with intense battle intent. The shadows of doubt that had previously clouded his mind vanished, replaced by newfound confidence.

At that moment, he felt a powerful aura erupting nearby.

"Tai Yi!"

"Brother!" Tai Yi looked at Di Jun, his eyes shining with unmistakable joy. "Big Brother, your strength has increased significantly. We no longer need to fear the Witch Clan; we could wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

Di Jun, however, shook his head.

"Brother, what is wrong? This doesn't sound like you. With our combined power, why should we fear the Witch Clan at all?"

"Tai Yi, have you forgotten? The strongest of the Witch Clan is not Hou Yi. While I do not know the extent of the power held by their greatest Ancestral Witches, I suspect they are far beyond what Hou Yi can compare to," Di Jun said, looking intently at his brother.

"But Brother, those Ancestral Witches have never appeared, have they? And our Monster Clan is not without its own greater powers!" Tai Yi looked at him, perplexed, unable to understand his brother's hesitation.

Di Jun replied with a heavy heart, "That power does not belong to us. True strength must come from within; otherwise, it is merely a fragile illusion, ready to shatter at the slightest prick."

Tai Yi was shaken by these words. "Forgive me, Brother. I spoke too rashly."

"However, that does not mean we should do nothing. The humiliation we suffered at the hands of the Witch Clan must be repaid," Di Jun declared. With that, he and Tai Yi transformed back into two three-legged Golden Crows and swiftly returned to the Yang Valley.

When they reappeared, many sensed the changes in them. "Di Jun and Tai Yi have become even more terrifying! It seems the Primordial World is about to descend into chaos once again," many reclusive masters lamented. "Still, it has nothing to do with us; let them do as they please." Many thought this, but could they truly have their wish?

Back at Yang Valley, the followers of the Monster Emperor understood that their lord had encountered a great opportunity. They looked toward the massive Fusang Tree standing in the valley, but finding it unchanged, they could only shake their heads in disappointment.

"Your Majesty, should we transplant this Fusang Tree to the Heavenly Court?" several Demon Kings inquired. To them, if the tree held such attraction for their Emperor, it must be of great importance.

To their surprise, Di Jun replied calmly, "No need. This is the best place for the Holy Tree to take root."

"But what if someone comes to destroy it?"

After some thought, Di Jun replied, "A valid point. Let the Heavenly Queen bring the Golden Crow Princes here to reside. This place holds significant opportunities for them as well." Thinking of the ten Golden Crows born to Xi He, who shared the closest bloodline to his own, he felt a sudden intuition that this place was meant to be their fated ground.

Thus, it was decided. Upon returning, Di Jun instructed Xi He to bring the ten Golden Crows to Yang Valley.

"What? You want me to take the ten children there?" Xi He stared at him in disbelief.

"Xi He, why think that way? Have you not noticed the great opportunity Tai Yi and I have just gained from the Holy Tree?" Di Jun explained. "The ten Golden Crows are my children; while their bloodline is extraordinary, there is still a gap between them and us, the innate divine beings. The Holy Tree is their chance to bridge that gap."

Xi He’s expression softened, and she ceased her protests. "Very well. If you say it will help them, I shall take them there."

Little did Xi He know that this decision would not only alter her fate but also lead the ten Golden Crows toward a path of destruction—a tragedy sown by the Monster Clan itself.

Once Xi He arrived at Yang Valley, she watched as her ten children flew directly toward the Fusang Tree. Simultaneously, she felt a sudden flash of inspiration—a stroke of destiny that even Di Jun had not anticipated.

After realizing this opportunity, Xi He gathered branches from the Fusang Tree and, over many years, refined them into a unique magical artifact. She also discovered that residing on the tree accelerated the growth and strengthened the origins of the ten Golden Crows.

One day, before the Sun Star had begun its descent upon the earth, Xi He was struck by a sudden inspiration. She boarded her newly crafted artifact and signaled one of the Golden Crows resting on the Fusang Tree. Together, they ascended to the Nine Heavens, casting warmth upon the Primordial World.

Many great beings noticed the change in the Sun Star; it was less scorching and more gentle than before.

As Xi He and the Golden Crow departed the valley, the remaining nine began to stir, threatening to follow. Sensing an impending disaster and feeling the temperature of the world rising, Xi He, understanding the cause, quickly acted to cast heavy restrictions around the Yang Valley to prevent the others from appearing in the world.

Little did she know that once the Golden Crows left the Heavenly Court, their fate had already been sealed. Oblivious, she drove the Solar Chariot, guiding the Golden Crow to bring light and warmth to the world.