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

Pan Xuan put down his teacup, his gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of Jieyin and Zhunti, and said frankly:

"Since Fellow Daoist Jieyin is so straightforward, Pan Xuan will speak frankly."

"I have come today to invite you two fellow Daoists to join the Divine Path system."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere under the Bodhi tree immediately quieted down.

Jieyin paused slightly in his teacup, while Zhunti glanced at his senior brother instinctively.

Pan Xuan didn't give them time to process what was happening and continued:

"Since its inception, the Shinto system has been..."

The Wu clan is the foundation, the Dragon clan is the water god, the Qilin clan is the mountain god inspector, the Phoenix clan is the sky god, the Blood Sea and Styx are the blood sea gods, and the Three Pure Ones are the supreme teachers.

The Divine Path Network is centered on Mount Buzhou, covering the vast wilderness, rivers, lakes, seas, celestial clouds, and the underworld.

But the expansion of the Shinto system will not stop there.

Those blessed lands and grottoes occupied by powerful beings from all sides can also be incorporated into the divine system.

It's not about annexation or conquest, but about cooperation.

Powerful beings can become part of the divine system, provided they abide by the rules of the divine way.

Mount Sumeru is the core of the Western spiritual veins, and you two fellow Daoists are the lords of the West.

If you two fellow Daoists are willing to join the Shinto path, Mount Sumeru will be the hub of the Shinto system in the West.

The beings of the West can also access the spiritual resources and teachings of the divine path through these two fellow practitioners.

Jieyin remained silent for a moment, then slowly put down the teacup in his hand.

His voice remained steady, yet carried a hint of cautious contemplation:

"Fellow Daoist Panxuan, the inclusiveness of the divine system is something that both I and Zhunti have always admired."

My fellow disciple and I are still grateful to this day for the time when the Wu tribe repaired the western earth veins.

Fellow Daoist, you personally came to invite me; I appreciate your sincerity.

However, we are, after all, disciples of the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and have been bestowed with Primordial Purple Qi and innate spiritual treasures by the Dao Ancestor.

If they were to openly join the divine system, it would likely incur the displeasure of the Dao Ancestor.

It's not that I'm reluctant to give up this nominal disciple status, but rather that I'm worried that this karma will implicate the Mount Sumeru lineage.

Fellow Daoist, you probably know that when the Three Pure Ones entered the Divine Path, the Dao Ancestor did not explicitly say anything in the Zixiao Palace, but those three empty futons already explained everything.

The Dao Ancestor's attitude towards traitors is self-evident.

Zhunti replied, "What you say is absolutely right, Senior Brother."

Zhunti has never dared to forget the kindness that Fellow Daoist Panxuan has shown to the West.

However, this matter concerns the rise and fall, the very survival of the Mount Sumeru lineage, and we two need to consider it carefully. We hope you will understand.

After listening to their conversation, Pan Xuan nodded, his tone still gentle:

Pan Xuan fully understands your concerns.

Hongjun's methods are indeed not to be underestimated. As fellow Daoists, it is only right that you two act cautiously as disciples.

Pan Xuan is merely conveying the sincerity of the divine path today; he does not expect the two fellow Daoists to make an immediate decision.

Since its inception, the Shinto system has always adhered to one principle.

We welcome all who come, and we do not pursue those who leave.

The Dragon Clan, the Qilin Clan, the Phoenix Clan, the Blood Sea, and the Three Pure Ones—every force that joined the Divine Path did so voluntarily after careful consideration.

If you two fellow Daoists are willing to join us, the Divine Path will certainly welcome you with open arms.

If more time is needed to consider, the Shinto will not hold any grudge against Mount Sumeru because of this.

The good karma from back then will not change because of the decisions of these two fellow practitioners.

He paused, his gaze lingering on the two of them for a moment, before his tone became more candid:

"However, Pan Xuan has a word to offer."

Fellow Daoists, you might want to think carefully about why the Three Pure Ones would give up their status as direct disciples of Hongjun to join the divine path.

The Three Pure Ones had no relation to the Wu Clan, and even showed considerable disdain for them in the Zixiao Palace.

What made them willingly give up their status in the Xuanmen sect and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Wu clan?

The reason for this is self-evident; with your combined intelligence, you two can easily discern some of it.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, both seeing a complex expression in each other's eyes.

They all understood the implication in Pan Xuan's words.

The reason why the Three Pure Ones entered the path of divinity is by no means as simple as it seems on the surface. It must involve some of Hongjun's methods, and these methods may also exist in them.

Pan Xuan simply didn't reveal the truth, leaving them to investigate on their own.

After a moment of silence, Jieyin slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Panxuan, we need to discuss this matter carefully."

I will remember your sincerity, but I cannot give you a definite answer at the moment.

After my fellow disciple and I have discussed it, we will reply to you. Is that alright?

Pan Xuan smiled slightly and stood up: "That's only right."

You two fellow Daoists may discuss this at length; the gates of the Divine Path are always open to Mount Sumeru.

Pan Xuan had to go to other places today, so he took his leave.

Regardless of what decision you two make, the amicable bond between the Witch Clan and Mount Sumeru will not change.

Jieyin and Zhunti stood up at the same time and escorted Panxuan to the gate of Mount Sumeru.

Before parting, Pan Xuan didn't say anything more. He simply cupped his hands to the two of them, then with a flick of his sleeve, he transformed into a streak of purple-gold light, rising from in front of Mount Sumeru and flying towards the southeast.

Jieyin and Zhunti stood in front of the mountain gate, watching the streak of light disappear into the horizon, remaining silent for a long time.

Pan Xuan's last words stirred up ripples in their hearts.

Why did the Three Pure Ones enter the path of deities?

They had been thinking about this problem for a long time, but had never found a definite answer.

Now that Pan Xuan has personally hinted that there is no need for further discussion given their qualifications, there is no need for further words.

This clearly indicates that Hongjun's methods are not only aimed at the Three Pure Ones.

They probably have problems they haven't realized they have.

Zhunti spoke first, his voice a few decibels lower than usual:

"Senior brother, Pan Xuan's last words were specifically for us to hear."

Given our abilities, we don't need him to say anything more. What is he implying?

After a long silence, Jieyin slowly said, "He is implying that there is a problem with the Primordial Purple Qi."

Zhunti's pupils contracted slightly: "Senior brother means..."

Jieyin raised his hand to interrupt him, then turned and walked towards the Bodhi tree.

"Don't rush to conclusions. Pan Xuan wouldn't speak without reason; since he's hinted at it to this extent, he must have his reasons."

Before entering the divine path, the Three Pure Ones, like us, held the Wu tribe in contempt in the Zixiao Palace, yet now they willingly become the exalted teachers of the divine path.

This transformation is anything but ordinary.

We need to carefully examine the Primordial Purple Qi in our possession.

The problems that the Three Pure Ones could perceive, we may well also perceive.

Zhunti followed behind Jieyin, and after a moment of silence, asked in a low voice, "What if a problem is really discovered?"

He paused slightly, then continued walking towards the Bodhi tree, his tone calm yet each word carrying immense weight:

"Then there's no need to worry about the status of a nominal disciple anymore."

Hongjun bestowed upon us the Primordial Purple Qi; if there were other motives involved, then this bond of gratitude between master and disciple would have been tainted.

"At that time, Pan Xuan's invitation today will be our way out."

Zhunti clasped his hands together and said no more.

The two sat down cross-legged under the Bodhi tree again, but instead of continuing to study the method of severing the seven emotions and six desires, they simultaneously immersed their minds into the primordial purple energy deep within their own primordial spirits.

A purple-gold light shone between their brows, and the Bodhi tree swayed gently in the breeze.

The two are now re-examining the gift that was once considered the greatest blessing with an unprecedented level of caution.