Primordial Era: Taibai, the Poison Master of Yaochi, drives a Sage insane!

The void shattered, and black winds surged.

With the overwhelming power of a great witch in her body and the ancient weapon, the Slaughtering Witch Sword, she broke through the cracks in the shattered Yin-Yang Micro Dust Array and returned steadily to the main camp of the Witch Clan.

The deadly situation just now was extremely dangerous. The Primordial Qi Talisman spread out the Primordial Independent Spacetime, and the Yin-Yang Micro Dust Array sealed off all the laws of the world. Escape techniques, teleportation, and borrowing power from heaven and earth were all rendered ineffective!

This deadly witchcraft specifically erodes the origin of the Wu Clan's Pangu, Lu Ya's Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife targets the primordial spirit, the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect surround and lock down all directions, and with Zhuanxu's feigned marriage and step-by-step scheming, every step is a deadly trap.

If Li Taibai hadn't leaked the secret beforehand, and if Jiufeng hadn't been prepared and used the laws of space to deceive everyone, even if he survived today with his supreme witch body, his primordial spirit would have been severely damaged, his cultivation would have plummeted, and his combat power would have been completely destroyed.

At that time, the leaderless remnants of the Wu tribe and the demoralized Jiuli army will inevitably collapse and be unable to escape the disaster of extermination.

Upon returning to the tribal settlement, Jiufeng remained calm and composed. With a wave of her hand, the Pangu Palace slowly appeared.

After Jiufeng entered the Pangu Palace, she saw Li Taibai waiting quietly!

During this time, Li Taibai stayed in the Pangu Palace, a place where neither Hongjun nor the Sages had come. There was only an endless void and the distant statue of Pangu. However, Li Taibai knew his own cultivation level and decided not to wander around, so he stayed in this place.

As long as Jiu Feng doesn't die, Li Taibai has essentially gained an external aid as a way out!

As a strategist of the three realms, Li Bai was not bound by the shackles of any major religion or clan, and belonged to the School of Diplomacy!

Li Bai did not belong to the Chan, Jie, or Ren sects, and was not bound by any sectarian constraints.

Without the ties between the Witch Clan and the Human Clan, they are entirely strategists of the Primordial Era, capable of maneuvering effortlessly among all forces in the Three Realms.

What is meant by "vertical and horizontal"? It means not being bound to any major religion, not being bound to any ethnic group, and not being a loyal vassal of anyone.

Based solely on their own Daoist beliefs, their own plans, their own interests, and their own faction, the Yaochi lineage now serves as the core, leveraging, creating, balancing, uniting the weak against the strong, and manipulating the chessboard of the primordial world. They can advance or retreat freely, reside in the imperial court, hide in the primordial world, borrow from the Wu tribe, unite with the human race, or remain neutral and observe.

For example, Su Qin and Zhang Yi were strategists during the Warring States period. They used the various states as chess pieces and interests as swords, not bound by family or country, nor by etiquette and law, but united the weak to suppress the strong and stirred up the world.

Today, Li Bai's school of strategists roams the primordial world, which is also the way.

Unbound by the shackles of major religions and unfettered by ethnic stances, using the sect of saints as a chessboard and the conflict between humans and shamans as pieces, maintaining balance, leaving room for maneuver, forging external alliances, and planning for the long term—this is the way of a strategist in this primordial world.

However, one thing must be kept secret; otherwise, the Chan Sect would tear Li Bai apart over this matter alone.

Now, Li Taibai has instigated the conflict between Haotian Yaochi, provoked the conflict between Chanjiao and Yaochi, and instigated the alliance between Yaochi and Jiejiao. He has also saved Jiuli from destruction and even caused the decisive sword of the Demon Slayer Sword to fall into the hands of Jiufeng.

No one knows yet that Li Taibai was behind these things; otherwise, the Three Realms would surely be in uproar.

At this moment, Jiufeng returned to the Pangu Palace. Taibai Jinxing slowly stepped forward, bowed, and sincerely congratulated her: "Congratulations, Great Witch, on your safe escape, breaking the deadly trap, and retreating unscathed!"

Jiufeng turned her gaze to the Heavenly Star Lord before her, her eyes no longer showing any wariness or aloofness towards immortals and gods, but instead filled with admiration and respect.

Jiufeng spoke solemnly, each word coming from the bottom of her heart, without a trace of the fierce arrogance of the ancient great shaman.

"Venus, you saved my life this time. You actually knew everything about Zhuanxu and the Chan Sect's scheme, and it was so meticulous. The Primordial Chaos Talisman set up the Yin-Yang Micro Dust Array, locking away all the laws of heaven and earth, forming a Primordial Chaos Prison. The Absolute Witch Poison Wine is specifically designed to counter my Wu Clan's Pangu bloodline primordial spirit, with no solution or break. Lu Ya's Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife suppressed and killed my primordial spirit. Guang Chengzi and a group of Chan Sect Golden Immortals surrounded me layer by layer, and the Witch-Slaying Sword wanted to kill me. If I had really been poisoned, I would have been killed by the Witch-Slaying Sword."

"Without your guidance, without your foresight and your early exposure of the secrets and the whole conspiracy, even if I survive today thanks to my Great Witch True Body, my primordial spirit would be destroyed and my cultivation would be completely ruined. If I were to lose, the Witch Clan would be leaderless, the Jiuli army would be demoralized, the great battle would collapse instantly, and hundreds of millions of people from both clans would be doomed to slaughter and annihilation."

"Therefore, what you have done this time not only saved me, Jiufeng, but also saved the entire Wu Clan and preserved the Jiuli Clan. I, Jiufeng, will remember this kindness in my heart."

Taibai bowed immediately, his posture always respectful and courteous: "Great Shaman, you flatter me. I dare not take credit. I implore you to keep this matter strictly confidential and never reveal it to anyone. It was I who discovered the secret in advance and came to your door to leak it. As a Heavenly Star Lord, I have secretly helped the Witch Clan and gone against the general trend of the Chan Sect. Once the Heavenly Saint discovers this, it will be an irreversible situation with no chance of recovery. I hope you will grant my request and keep it a secret."

Upon hearing this, Jiufeng couldn't help but scoff, her brows revealing the unbridled arrogance of an ancient great shaman, utterly unconcerned about the so-called heavenly rules and regulations: "So what? Mere shackles of the Heavenly Court, feared by sages, what are they worth? If this matter is exposed, you will find it difficult to gain a foothold in the Heavenly Court. You can simply join my Wu Clan and become part of my Jiuli tribe. Our Wu Clan does not restrict your origins or bind you with rules; you can choose any high position, enjoy honor and power, and live freely. Isn't that better than being a timid little immortal in the Heavenly Court, bound by constraints and forced to be subservient to others?"

Upon hearing this, Taibai responded without hesitation, his words earnest and resounding: "Thank you for your kindness, Great Witch. However, this humble immortal's original intention remains unchanged, and my Dao heart is steadfast. Since joining the Heavenly Venerable of Yaochi in the Heavenly Court, I have vowed to be loyal to the Emperor, uphold the Dao, and assist and protect the Venerable. The Emperor is in dire straits, facing numerous difficulties as he breaks free from the shackles of a puppet. The road ahead is fraught with thorns, and as his close advisor, I will naturally follow him through life and death, never abandoning him. Even if the Heavenly Court is cold and the situation perilous, even if the Sage exerts pressure and the road ahead is difficult, this humble immortal will never betray him."

His words, expressing loyalty to the emperor and upholding righteousness, were frank, sincere, and devoid of any hypocrisy or affectation.

Of course, at this point, no matter what, Li Taibai cannot abandon Yaochi, nor can he come to the Wu Clan. That would be like messing things up for himself. He can just leave an outsider here with the Wu Clan!

If the Jiuli tribe and the Wu tribe survive, it will be a good thing for the world. However, if the Jiuli tribe is destroyed and the human race is completely subjugated by the Chan sect, that would not be a good thing.

Upon hearing this, Jiufeng was slightly taken aback. Looking at Taibai Jinxing before her, a hint of sincere admiration flashed in her eyes. She slowly nodded: "What a fine Taibai Jinxing! Most of the immortals and gods of the primordial world are opportunistic and seek to profit from the situation. I never expected you to have such a pure and sincere loyalty to the ruler. Your Dao heart is steadfast, and your character is rare. Very well, everyone has their own ambitions, so I will not force you any further."

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiufeng raised her hand and clenched it. The Slaughtering Witch Sword, which she had taken from the Killing Array, suddenly appeared in the world. Its pitch-black blade exuded a terrifying aura, and countless human souls were contained within it.

Jiufeng picked up the sword, raised her hand and thrust it fiercely into the void of the Pangu Palace!

Clang!

Nine Phoenixes stood in the hall, their eyes icy, their voices resounding throughout the realm: "The Slaughtering Witch Sword, this sword was born specifically to slaughter my Witch Clan. Today, this sword falls into my Witch Clan's Pangu Palace, and will forever remain here! From this day forward, whoever has the ability may come and take it!"

The Pangu Palace itself is an absolute defense. If the Slaughtering Witch Sword is placed in the Pangu Palace, it will probably be difficult for the Chan Sect to take it back!

Taibai hurriedly stepped forward to offer his congratulations: "Congratulations, Great Witch! Congratulations to the Witch Clan! With the return of the Witch-Slaying Sword, the ancient threat has been completely eliminated. The great calamity of the Nine Li and the peril of the Witch Clan's annihilation have been averted, and the foundations of both clans have been preserved. This is truly a great blessing!"

Jiufeng turned around, her gaze falling on Taibai. A hint of inquiry flickered in her eyes as she slowly spoke, voicing her doubts: "I've always been curious. As a righteous god of the Heavenly Court, according to the grand scheme of the primordial world and the standpoint of immortals and gods, you should have assisted Xuanyuan, followed the general trend of the Chan Sect, and helped the Sage control the destiny of humanity. Yet you went against the will of Heaven, risking everything to leak secrets, and devoted yourself to helping my Wu Clan escape their predicament and protecting the Jiuli, even at the cost of your own cultivation and life. Why is that?"

Taibai spoke frankly and openly, without the slightest pretense or concealment: "Great Shaman, you are wise enough to know that Xuanyuan relies on the power of the Chan Sect. This Battle of Zhuolu was, from beginning to end, a private scheme orchestrated by the Primordial Sage, with the Chan Sect monopolizing the merits and destiny of humanity. It was by no means intended to benefit the people of the primordial world!"

"The Chan Sect is powerful, determined to control the prehistoric world, hold the Heavenly Court hostage, and suppress all sides. They regard my Yaochi Immortal Realm as a puppet and us as ants. They made things difficult for the Heavenly Venerable and suppressed the Yaochi Immortal Realm at the Peach Banquet. As far as this humble immortal is concerned, the rise of the Chan Sect and the fall of the human race into the hands of the Sages is the greatest impending doom for my Yaochi Immortal Realm."

"On the contrary, as long as the Great Witch is safe, the Witch Clan is not destroyed, and the Nine Li are not wiped out, there will be a force to check the Chan Sect in the prehistoric world, and the world order will not be monopolized by the Sage. Only when the two poles are in balance and the general trend is balanced can my Yaochi Immortal Realm survive in the cracks, and only then can people like me who depend on Yaochi Immortal Realm survive in the prehistoric world and steadily pursue the Dao. Helping the Great Witch, in the end, is also helping Yaochi Immortal Realm and helping myself."

These words were frank and straightforward, without a trace of pretense, clearly distinguishing between advantages and disadvantages, and revealing a pure and sincere heart.

Upon hearing this, Jiufeng couldn't help but laugh: "Excellent! What an honest and straightforward Taibai Jinxing! In the primordial world, everyone is hypocritical and calculating, like Zhuanxu, spouting benevolence and righteousness while harboring selfish motives. Only you speak frankly about advantages and disadvantages, without concealing your selfishness, and are open and upright. I admire your character the most! I will naturally keep my promise regarding what you request. When the situation is stable and the time is right, I will personally help you break the seal and fulfill your destiny with Yaochi Tianzun."

Upon hearing this, Taibai immediately bowed deeply, filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Great Witch Jiufeng, for your help! Now that the alliance is settled and the important matter is resolved, I will not linger any longer and will immediately return to Yaochi to report back and await your good news."

After saying this, Li Bai turned to leave.

"etc."

Suddenly, Jiufeng spoke up, calling out to Li Taibai.

Taibai paused, turned back, and asked with a puzzled look, "Does the Great Shaman have any further instructions?"

Jiufeng gazed intently at Taibai Jinxing, who was sincere, wise, and had saved her and her clan, her thoughts swirling.

The sham marriage with Zhuanxu that had just taken place had long since vanished with the poisonous scheme that led to their demise.

Zhuanxu was ruthless, cunning, and treacherous; in the end, he was a hypocrite and a villain, unworthy of being associated with.

As for Venus, although he is a minor celestial being in the Heavenly Court, he is righteous, honest, loyal, and has exceptional vision. He was able to devise such a heaven-defying plan to protect himself and the Witch Clan. He is a trustworthy person and someone worth getting to know deeply.

Now, there is still a distance between them and Li Bai. A mere verbal agreement is not enough to truly open their hearts and build lasting trust.

To solidify the bond between the two parties, ensure unimpeded mutual assistance in the future, and safeguard each other's secrets, a deeper causal connection is needed.

Otherwise, verbal promises are ultimately meaningless. The Li Taibai before us is both wise and resourceful. With the cultivation of a Taiyi Golden Immortal, he dares to interfere in the situation of the prehistoric world. His cunning and courage are both top-notch.

Since that's the case, let's take this opportunity to go a step further!

It should be understood that the Wu tribe does not believe in oaths of heaven, otherwise they would not have formed an alliance with Zhuanxu through marriage. Marriage is the most important karmic bond in an alliance. The karmic bond of marriage is the most solid, unsolvable, and protective karmic bond of the Great Dao for the Wu tribe today.

Jiufeng stepped forward, her posture upright and her temperament domineering and open, without any of the affectation or pretense of her descendants.

Jiufeng approached Li Taibai, her gaze fixed on him: "Our verbal alliance is ultimately shallow, unable to withstand the treacherous nature of the primordial world and the unpredictable changes of fate. My false marriage with Zhuanxu is now null and void, our karmic ties severed. To ensure our mutual safety, to solidify the mutual aid between our two races, and to establish a foundation of trust for all eternity, let us, here and now, forge a bond of karmic connection. From this moment on, bound by a single thread of cause and effect, we will trust each other implicitly, protect each other's safety, and serve as each other's support, free from any further suspicion."

Taibai froze, his face filled with disbelief, and exclaimed in shock, "Ah! The Great Shaman... wants to form a karmic bond with me?"

Upon hearing this, Jiufeng retorted, "What, you're unwilling? Or do you feel the need to leave yourself an escape route? Once you've done this, there's no turning back. It's just a matter of whether I keep it a secret or not. Our marriage is now complete; you're one of my people in Heaven, and my Witch Clan is your permanent safety net! This matter simply puts our minds at ease, and it won't be known to outsiders!"

Such is the nature of this primordial situation: once you are deeply involved, cause and effect will inevitably arise, and consequences will follow. It is impossible to remain unscathed once you participate.

Li Bai pondered for a moment. There was indeed no way out in this matter. If the Chan Sect knew that he had ruined their grand plan, they would hate him to death!

Fortunately, this secret meeting took place entirely within the Pangu Palace, so it wouldn't hurt to form a karmic bond with Jiufeng here. However, I never expected that plotting this would cost me my innocence!

"Since the Great Shaman has said so, this humble immortal has nothing more to say!"

.....................

Of course, this is entirely a karmic entanglement between the two parties, and there is no romantic love involved, depending on how you look at it.

From Li Bai's perspective, he slept with a top-tier goddess from the primordial era, so naturally he benefited.

From Jiufeng's perspective, she possesses Li Taibai, she has taken him in, she has brought him into her Wu clan's entanglement, and he has become hers.

It is a situation where both parties believe they possess the other, and there is no possessed party or vassal.

There was not a trace of worldly affection between the two; it was purely a bond of cause and effect, an alliance of power, a mutual control and possession. Neither of them was a vassal or a subject of control.

Taibai felt he had gained something, securing a karmic connection with a top goddess, while Jiufeng felt she had subdued and acquired a top strategist for her own use.