Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

"Immortal Qinglian, I, Xiangliu, would also like to experience your skills!"

"And there's also me, Feng Bo!"

"Count me in, Master Rain!"

……

In a short time, several renowned shamans from the Houtu tribe stepped forward to challenge them.

Qinglian welcomed all comers, which presented him with an excellent opportunity to hone his combat skills and solidify his physical foundation! He fought like a tireless combat machine, battling one battle after another.

At first, he still had to rely on his physical strength, which far surpassed that of his opponents, to win by a narrow margin, and he would even suffer losses occasionally due to a lack of skill.

But as the battle continued, his combat awareness improved rapidly, his skills became more and more refined, and his understanding and application of various ways of exerting force, footwork, dodging and blocking reached a whole new level!

Later on, he was able to defeat experienced great wizards with his exquisite combat skills, even when his physical strength was similar or even slightly inferior!

"A Taoist with extraordinary physical strength arrived in the Houtu tribe and defeated Xingtian, Xiangliu, Fengbo, Yushi... they were all knocked down!"

The news spread like wildfire throughout the twelve tribes of the Witch Clan! Even the high and mighty Ancestral Witches were alarmed!

A few days later, Qinglian, who was sparring with a newly promoted great shaman, was invited by Kuafu, who rushed over, to the front of the huge stone hall at the core of the Houtu tribe.

The stone hall doors opened wide, and a vast, profound aura, seemingly carrying the very essence of the primordial earth, emanated from it.

Inside the main hall, twelve figures, each with a different form but exuding an aura as terrifying as an abyss, stood on both sides! They were the twelve Ancestral Witches, formed from the essence of Pangu's blood, who wielded the laws of the primordial world!

Dijiang, Jumang, Rushou, Gonggong, Zhurong, Houtu, Xuanming, Qiangliang, Zhujiuyin, Tianwu, Xizi, and Shebishi! The gazes of the twelve ancestral witches fell upon Qinglian, who had stepped into the palace, as if they were tangible objects.

Qinglian felt immense pressure! Even though the Ancestral Witches did not deliberately release their pressure, the oppressive feeling originating from the source of the laws was more direct and impactful than the pressure from Mount Buzhou!

The Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda within his body trembled slightly, protecting his primordial spirit. The Pure White Lotus radiated its clear light, stabilizing his Dao heart, allowing him to bow calmly to the Twelve Ancestral Witches: "Qinglian, a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, pays respects to the Ancestral Witches!"

"Oh? You are the eldest disciple of the Three Pure Ones?" The voice of the Ancestral Witch Houtu was gentle and deep, like the whisper of the Earth Mother Goddess, breaking the silence first.

She was dressed in yellow robes, her face dignified and compassionate. Her gaze toward Qinglian held a hint of inquiry. "We observe that your vital energy and physical strength are no less than those of the Great Shamans nurtured by our own essence and blood! In fact... even surpass them! You possess a primordial spirit and cultivate supernatural powers. How can your physical body achieve such attainments?"

The other ancestral witches also stared intently, their eyes filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

The Wu tribe takes great pride in their physical bodies. Now, a cultivator has actually overwhelmed their tribe's top shaman in the realm of physical strength. How could they not be shocked?

Qinglian answered frankly, "Reporting to the Ancestral Witch Houtu, I owe my existence to the grace of Father God Pangu. I once climbed Mount Buzhou on foot without using any magical power to protect myself. I used the residual pressure of the creation of the world left by Father God's spine to temper my body and hone my will until I reached the summit! Later, at the summit, I was fortunate enough to receive the blessing of Father God and be cleansed by Pangu Jade Marrow, which gave me the foundation I have today." He did not hide the fact that he had reached the summit and the jade marrow. In front of the Ancestral Witch, honesty would win him favor.

"Reaching the summit of Buzhou Mountain? And even obtaining the Father God's Jade Marrow?!"

The most hot-tempered of the Ancestral Witches, Gonggong, suddenly stood up, his python head bared in fury, its black scales gleaming, and his voice like rolling waves of anger, "Is this true? Even we need to expend some effort to climb Mount Buzhou, yet you managed to reach the summit on foot without using any magical protection?!"

Not only Gonggong, but also the other Ancestral Witches' eyes shone with astonishing brilliance!

Ascending to the summit of Buzhou Mountain is a sacred place in the hearts of all descendants of Pangu! Obtaining the Jade Marrow of the Father God is an unparalleled honor! This Green Lotus actually possesses such great perseverance and great opportunity?

"Good! Good lad!"

Zhu Rong, the ancestral witch with fiery red hair, slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "Courageous! Persevering! No wonder you are favored by Father Pangu!" His gaze toward Qinglian was full of admiration.

"Hmph! All talk and no action!"

Gonggong's eyes blazed with fighting spirit. He took a step forward, arriving at the center of the hall. He grinned at Qinglian, revealing his gleaming white fangs. "Boy, you say your physical body has been tempered by the Father God and cleansed by jade marrow? I, Gonggong, will have to test that myself! Don't worry, I'll suppress my physical strength to match yours. We'll only compete in combat skills! How about it? Dare to exchange a few blows with me, Gonggong?"

Upon hearing Gonggong's words, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became lively! The other ancestral witches also showed expressions of interest. Houtu nodded slightly, not stopping him. Letting Gonggong test the quality of this blue lotus was a good idea.

Qinglian's heart was filled with a surge of heroic spirit!

To be able to test his combat skills against Gonggong, the Ancestral Witch who wields the power of water—what an incredible opportunity! He took a deep breath and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Gonggong: "It is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask! Please, Ancestral Witch Gonggong, enlighten me!"

A contest that appears to be "fair" in terms of strength, but in reality involves vastly different levels of experience, unfolds in the Ancestral Witch Temple!

Even though Gonggong suppressed his power, his combat skills, his understanding of the laws integrated into his instinctive movements, and his combat consciousness derived from his bloodline far surpassed those of the great witches like Xingtian!

Despite putting all her previous skills to the extreme, Qinglian was still repeatedly defeated and faced constant danger.

However, like the most resilient rock, he struggled to endure, learn, and adapt amidst Gonggong's furious onslaught!

Every time he was knocked down, he got up even faster; every injury he suffered deepened his understanding of the use of power and combat!

Although he lost, he lost brilliantly, so brilliantly that all the ancestral witches watching the battle were moved!

He withstood Gonggong's attacks for over a hundred rounds before finally being sent flying to the ground by a slight opening, struck by Gonggong's hand seal, which contained the ultimate softness and strength of water.

Qinglian's blood surged, but she was unharmed. She immediately stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, "Gonggong, the Ancestral Witch, possesses divine combat skills, and his laws are integrated into his instincts. I admire him greatly! I humbly admit defeat!"

"Hahaha! Good lad!" Gonggong laughed heartily and stepped forward to pat Qinglian's shoulder heavily (making Qinglian grimace).

"To be able to fight me, who is suppressing my power, for so long and still be able to get back up, I, Gonggong, acknowledge your physical strength and comprehension! If you encounter any trouble in the prehistoric world in the future, just mention my name, Gonggong!" There was no longer any contempt in his eyes, only respect for a true strongman.

Qinglian's humility, resilience, and terrifying comprehension displayed in battle won the approval of all the Ancestral Witches. Houtu smiled and said, "Since Junior Nephew Qinglian is destined to be with our clan and has received the blessings of the Father God, why not stay in the tribe for a while?"

From then on, Qinglian settled down temporarily in the Houtu tribe.

Every day, they would drink heartily with the generous Wu tribe warriors and enjoy their rugged yet sincere feasts;

They would spar and fight hand-to-hand with the various shamans who came to challenge them, rapidly improving their combat skills in actual combat.

Occasionally, even the most enthusiastic Ancestral Witches (especially Zhu Rong and Gong Gong) would suppress their power and engage him in a few exchanges. Each time, he benefited greatly, making rapid progress in his understanding of the nature of power and the application of its laws.