Primordial Era: The Witch Clan's Dog-Headed Strategist

The Moon remained as cold and aloof as ever.

The silvery moonlight flowed like water across the surface of the stars, and the Moon Palace appeared and disappeared under its shroud.

Di Jun and Tai Yi landed in front of the Guanghan Palace and concealed their escape light.

Although they were born from the Sun Star, they had no prior connection with the two goddesses on the Moon Star. Their visit was an invitation, not a conquest, so they naturally had to adopt a humble attitude.

The gates of the Moon Palace are formed from the condensation of moonlight, crystal clear, and exude a faint chill.

Just as Di Jun was about to speak, the palace gates opened by themselves.

Chang Xi and Xi He stood side by side, clearly having already sensed their arrival.

Chang Xi wore a moon-white long dress, her face was as cold as frost, and moonlight flowed around her endlessly. A crescent moon mark between her eyebrows emitted a soft light.

Xihe stood beside her, dressed in a star-patterned robe embroidered with the trajectories of the stars in the sky, their brilliance shimmering. Her face was equally aloof, but she possessed a greater sense of distance than Changxi.

Both of them were innate saints born on the Taiyin Star. Although their cultivation was not as advanced as that of Di Jun and Tai Yi, who had reached the mid-stage of Quasi-Saint, they had already severed one of their corpses and stood firmly in the Quasi-Saint realm.

"Fellow Daoist Di Jun, Fellow Daoist Tai Yi." Chang Xi bowed slightly, her tone calm. "It's been a while since we parted at Zixiao Palace. I didn't expect you two to arrive at Taiyin Star so soon."

Di Jun returned the greeting with a cupped hand and got straight to the point: "Fellow Daoists, I have come here today with important matters to discuss."

The Dao Ancestor bestowed upon me the Investiture of the Gods, ordering me to establish the Heavenly Court, rule over all gods, and establish the order of the primordial world.

In the early days of the Heavenly Court, there was an urgent need for a sufficiently influential innate deity to oversee it.

The Moon and the Sun represent Yin and Yang respectively. If you two fellow Daoists are willing to join the Heavenly Court and contribute to its grand undertaking, the Heavenly Court's fortune will surely be stabilized. Emperor Jun sincerely invites you; I hope you two fellow Daoists will consider this invitation.

His words were sincere, without a trace of using his power to intimidate. Chang Xi and Xi He exchanged a glance and remained silent for a moment.

Chang Xi slowly spoke: "I appreciate Fellow Daoist Di Jun's sincerity."

My sister and I were born on the Moon Star, and have never left it throughout countless years.

The Moon is aloof and solitary, yet peaceful and serene. The affairs of the Heavenly Court concern the very fabric of the primordial world, and my sister and I have no intention of interfering.

Her refusal was phrased tactfully, but the sense of distance in her tone was quite clear.

Chang Xi and Xi He were not unaware of the benefits of joining the Heavenly Court.

Divine status, fortune, and the support of the Dao Ancestor Hongjun—these are all immense temptations for any cultivator.

But they knew even better that once they joined the Heavenly Court, they would be tied to Emperor Jun's chariot, and they would be unable to avoid the future conflicts between the demon race and the witch race, and between the Heavenly Court and the divine path.

Although the Moon is cold, it need not be involved in the primordial conflicts.

Taiyi frowned slightly, about to speak, but Dijun raised his hand to stop him.

Di Jun smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "Since you two fellow Daoists aspire to the purity of Taiyin, Di Jun will naturally respect that."

The gates of Heaven are always open to the two of you. If you ever change your minds, Emperor Jun will surely welcome you with open arms.

After saying this, he didn't linger any longer and bid farewell to Taiyi, leaving together.

From beginning to end, there was not a single word of coercion, nor a trace of displeasure.

The light that brought him there was just as intense as the light that left, but the light in Di Jun's eyes dimmed slightly the moment he turned around.

Changxi and Xihe's rejection was within his expectations. The goddess of the Taiyin star had always been indifferent to worldly affairs, so he hadn't held out much hope.

But just because it was expected doesn't mean it's unimportant.

The Moon is one of the main stars in the sky, second only to the Sun. If Changxi and Xihe do not enter the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Court's control over the starry sea will always be missing a link.

"Brother," Taiyi's voice rang out from within the golden crow's escape light, "If they are unwilling, why force them? Taiyin Star was never a target that we had to take down."

There are many in the primordial world willing to join the Heavenly Court.

Di Jun did not turn around: "Chang Xi and Xi He are just the beginning. Just because they don't join doesn't mean others won't join."

"Let's go back to Sun Star and reorganize the forces in the Star Sea. First, we need to consolidate those scattered forces in the starry sky before heading to the Primordial World."

Taiyi nodded. Two golden crows streaked across the starry sea and returned to the Sun Star. Dijun and Taiyi immediately began to reorganize the various forces in the starry sea.

Besides the two main stars, the Sun and the Moon, there are 365 other major stars in the celestial sphere and countless scattered stars.

Most of the innate saints born from the main star are still cultivating in seclusion on their respective stars, and some have never even left their natal star.

With Taiyi as his vanguard, the message of rejection from Taiyin Star as a starting point, and the authority of the Investiture of the Gods as his bargaining chip, Dijun visited each of the main star deities one by one.

However, the reaction in the Star Sea was far less enthusiastic than they had anticipated.

After weighing the pros and cons, most of the main star deities showed obvious hesitation regarding the Investiture of the Gods.

The Investiture of the Gods is a good thing, as being listed on the list can guarantee that one's true spirit will be reborn as a god after the physical body perishes, but the price is equally heavy.

More importantly, once a True Spirit is listed on the list, their cultivation level becomes extremely difficult to advance further.

The cultivators of the primordial era sought to transcend heaven and earth and attain the Dao of Hunyuan. For most innate saints, giving up the possibility of progress for the sake of temporary stability was tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.

They cultivated themselves on their natal stars for countless years, and although their progress was slow, they eventually had the hope of attaining enlightenment.

If one were to be included in the Investiture of the Gods, that hope would be completely extinguished.

Di Jun was fully aware of this.

He did not force anyone to be on the list. Those who were willing to be included in the Investiture of the Gods were granted divine positions on the spot, their true spirits were recorded in the Investiture of the Gods, and they were bestowed with divine offices in the Heavenly Court.

He didn't force those who didn't want to be on the list; he simply made them make a different vow to submit to the Heavenly Court and be subject to its control.

The oath of the Great Dao is witnessed by the Great Dao itself. Once it is broken, the Dao will retaliate, and even a Primordial Golden Immortal cannot withstand it.

Although it's not the absolute control that comes with being on the list of True Spirits, it's enough to ensure that these Star Gods won't easily rebel.

Di Jun struck the perfect balance in his attitude.

He never used his power to intimidate others; he simply laid out two paths on the table and let the other party choose for themselves.

Those who make the list gain divine status but lose their freedom; those who swear an oath retain their freedom but are bound by the Heavenly Court.

Regardless of which path they choose, the Star Sea will be incorporated into the Heavenly Court's territory.

Most of the main star deities chose to make a Great Vow.

They were unwilling to give up their prospects of cultivation, but they were also unwilling to become enemies with Di Jun and Tai Yi, who held the Investiture of the Gods and the Primordial Purple Qi.

Di Jun and Tai Yi did not insist, and accepted their oaths one by one, thus initially integrating the various forces in the Star Sea under the banner of the Heavenly Court.

Almost no conflict occurred throughout the entire process, and Di Jun's patience and skill were fully demonstrated in this integration of Xinghai.

After reorganizing the Star Sea, Di Jun and Tai Yi did not rush to advance into the Primordial World.

They were well aware that although the forces in the Star Sea had been initially united, the Star Sea itself was desolate and remote, far less prosperous than the primordial land.

For the Heavenly Court to be established, its foundation must be laid in the primordial wilderness.

The powerful beings on the primordial land are the forces that the Heavenly Court truly needs to win over.

"Next stop, the Blood Sea." Di Jun stood at the edge of the Star Sea, looking down at the vast and desolate land below. "The Styx River is the lord of the Blood Sea, protected by the Twelfth Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus, and wielding the two innate killing swords, Yuan Tu and A Bi."

Although this person is aloof, his strength should not be underestimated. If he can be recruited into the Heavenly Court, the Blood Sea faction can then be used by the Heavenly Court.

Even if he refuses to join, at least he should be made aware of the Heavenly Court's existence so he won't side with the Witch Clan in the future.

Taiyi said, "Minghe is a loner, and I'm afraid he's not easy to talk to."

Di Jun smiled slightly: "Even if it's difficult to say anything, we still have to go. The Heavenly Court has just been established, and we need to let people know that we exist."

Without another word, the two transformed into two golden streaks of light, swooping down from the edge of the starry sea, passing through the fierce winds of the heavens, and flying towards the deepest reaches of the primordial land.

The sea of ​​blood remained as filthy and foul as ever.

Dark red waves of blood surged endlessly between heaven and earth, and thick blood mist filled the air above the sea, with a stench that assaulted the senses.

Both Dijun and Taiyi were born from the true fire of the sun, and were naturally able to restrain all filth. The turbid energy of the Blood Sea was nothing more than a slight discomfort to them.

Taiyi's solar fire ignited automatically, burning away the approaching blood mist with a hissing sound.

The two paused briefly above the sea of ​​blood. Di Jun scanned the sea of ​​blood with his divine sense and quickly locked onto the area deep within the sea of ​​blood that was shrouded by innate restrictions: the Netherworld Blood Sea Palace.

The last time Pan Xuan and the Twelve Ancestral Witches came, they only explored the barrier from afar before bypassing it.

Now, Di Jun and Tai Yi flew straight towards the restriction.

The barrier trembled slightly, but did not activate. A cold, impatient voice came from deep within the barrier:

"Di Jun? Tai Yi? What are you doing in the Blood Sea?"

Di Jun, neither humble nor arrogant, said loudly, "Fellow Daoist Styx, I have come here uninvited to discuss something. May I enter the palace for a talk?"

The barrier remained silent for a moment, then a crack appeared.

Di Jun and Tai Yi passed through the gap and landed in front of the Netherworld Blood Sea Palace.

Styx, still dressed in a dark red robe, sat in the center of the Blood Sea Palace with a sinister expression.

Two longswords, Yuan Tu and A Bi, radiating overwhelming killing intent, floated around him, while he stood on a slowly rotating twelfth-grade karmic fire lotus.

He looked at Dijun and Taiyi with neither hostility nor goodwill in his eyes, only a deep scrutiny.

"The Dao Ancestor bestows upon you the Investiture of the Gods, allowing you to establish the Heavenly Court."

Styx cut to the chase, his tone as calm as still water, "Everyone in Zixiao Palace knows about this. You've come to me wanting me to join the Heavenly Court?"

Di Jun nodded: "Fellow Daoist Styx is a straightforward person. The Heavenly Court has just been established, and we need powerful figures from all sides to join us in this great undertaking."

"Fellow Daoist, with the Red Lotus of Karmic Fire protecting you and the Yuan Tu and Avici Hell in your hands, if you wish to join the Heavenly Court, Emperor Jun will surely treat you with a high position."

Styx chuckled faintly, a laugh devoid of mockery, yet also showing no sign of being moved.

"Di Jun, I have spent countless years in the Blood Sea and have never participated in the conflicts of the primordial world."

Whether it's the Heavenly Court or the Divine Path, it has nothing to do with the River Styx. The Sea of ​​Blood is my training ground; I need neither divine status nor fortune. Please leave.

Taiyi's body was slightly writhing with the true fire of the sun, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

The Chaos Bell jingled faintly in his sleeve, but Di Jun pressed down on his wrist.

Di Jun looked at Styx, remained silent for a moment, then smiled slightly: "Since Fellow Daoist Styx aspires to the Blood Sea, Di Jun will not force you. The Heavenly Court and the Blood Sea will keep to themselves. Farewell."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left. Taiyi gave Styx a cold look and followed Dijun out of the Netherworld Blood Sea Palace.

The two flew out of the barrier and into the sea of ​​blood before Taiyi coldly spoke: "Brother, since the Styx River is so disrespectful, why be polite to him?"

Di Jun said, "The Blood Sea will not dry up, and the Styx River will not die. He is in the Blood Sea, and even if you invite all the sages of the heavens, you may not be able to kill him."

Now that the Heavenly Court has just been established, it is not advisable to make enemies.

Moreover, Styx's stance is clear: he will neither join the Witch Clan nor the Heavenly Court. Maintaining neutrality means he is not an enemy.

Taiyi was silent for a moment, then nodded. The two of them stopped talking and continued flying away.

The stench of blood gradually faded behind us, and the sky ahead became clear and bright again.

Di Jun and Tai Yi flew out of the bottom edge of the primordial land and rose into the sky again.

The primordial sun hung high in the sky, casting down its radiant light, which shone on the golden light of the two figures, reflecting a dazzling brilliance.

"Brother," Taiyi suddenly spoke, his voice sounding somewhat low amidst the escaping light, "The Styx refused, and Changxi Xihe also refused."

Most of the sacred beings on the main stars in the cosmos have only made vows to uphold the Great Dao, and their true spirits have not yet been listed. Our path is more difficult than we anticipated.

Di Jun smiled slightly. He turned to look at Taiyi, a deep light flashing in his golden eyes: "Taiyi, do you still remember the expressions on everyone's faces when the Dao Ancestor called my name in Zixiao Palace back then?"

Those gazes contained envy, jealousy, disdain, and wariness.

The Wu tribe has been able to stand firm in the prehistoric world for so many years, and that has never been due to luck.

They have thirteen, we only have two.

But that doesn't mean we can't do it.

The Heavenly Court wasn't built in a day; the path must be taken step by step.

Taiyi looked into his brother's eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded heavily.

Di Jun said no more, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon: "Let's go. Next stop, Beihai."

He gazed at the cold sea to the north, his tone calm yet profound, "Kunpeng, I hope you won't let us down."