Chapter 10

You come and go, the battle blazes fiercely.

Fengxi's nine teammates, even when facing nine Ancestor Witches, are not lacking in the slightest.

This scene nearly made Fengxi's jaw drop, leaving him inexplicably doubting life.

You should know.

These Wu Clan junior shamans have only been here for a few days after crossing over, right?

Even with the boost of virtual dream-time, how much can the timescale be stretched?

How can one match the wisdom and experience the Ancestor Witches have accumulated over ages of cultivation?

As for the gap in foundation and physique, it goes without saying.

Even if they had the same cultivation, ten of them versus ten Ancestor Witches would only differ in how gruesome their deaths would be.

But now?

It's practically neck and neck!

"Could I be wrong?"

"Are the Ancestor Witches sincerely guiding us, or are they going easy on us?"

"But guiding us doesn't require all Ten Great Ancestor Witches to assemble like this, does it?"

"That's absolutely insane!"

"Besides, listening to the Houtu Ancestor Witch's tone just now, it seems their aim is to come and thrash us troublemakers."

"So, they probably won't go easy on us."

"Well then..."

Fengxi devised a formula in his mind.

He and his nine teammates are usually evenly matched in practice.

And his teammates are currently about on par with the Ancestor Witches.

Rounding up, Fengxi is basically equal to an Ancestor Witch, isn't he?

"Could I be a genius?" Fengxi thought, feeling pleased, "With the same cultivation, can I match a Great Divine Ability Wielder?"

"I am a heaven‑endowed genius, bearing the aspect of a Great Luo… no, the aspect of a Quasi‑Sage!"

"Ancestor Witch Demon Emperor, Three Pure Ones Hongjun... Is there any kind?"

For a moment, Fengxi was bursting with enthusiasm.

He watched as Di Jiang Ancestor Witch took on a humanoid dao form—tall and majestic, silver light flowing around him, space ripples spreading endlessly, rendering him boundlessly divine.

A lift of hand, a raise of foot, and he presses down upon the ages.

Even with only a True Immortal's cultivation, his bearing outshines all myriad Dao, an unrivaled mighty sweep that makes hearts tremble, causing one to falter before the fight even begins.

But now, confidence fills Fengxi's spirit, making him more than merely inflated.

He tells himself: "They're just for show, looking intimidating… but when they actually fight, their skill is just that."

With resolute will, Fengxi clenched his fists and let out a roar that shook the cosmos.

"Houtu Great Dao Conceal!"

The Houtu Clan's inherited witch canon, each member holding a copy, embodies the supreme wisdom of the Houtu Ancestor Witch and points straight to the Great Luo Ultimate Realm; now it shines brightly in Fengxi's hand.

Taking the Houtu Dao as his vessel, he refines everything of himself, using the splendid Human Dao as core, cycling through the Great Thousand Worlds, like a Holy Emperor descending here, uplifting the world to rise, wishing for the Human Dao to flourish forever!

The Way of Earth Virtue bears great virtue to nurture all things and fosters myriad spirits!

Di Jiang Ancestor Witch's indifferently outstretched hand suppressing him made Fengxi seem like a Holy Emperor descending into the world; the collision of Space Dao and Houtu Dao burst forth the most splendid light.

Then…

After three moves, Fengxi fell like a bird with broken wings, unable to rise.

Fengxi was shocked by this outcome, his eyes dull, utterly bewildered—this isn't like the script at all!

Di Jiang Ancestor Witch had a strange light flash in the depths of his eyes, seeming also surprised—seeing the mighty momentum and teammates supporting him, how could one think Fengxi should also be a champion?

Actually?

Bronze?

Or silver?

Fengxi struggled to his feet, "There must be something wrong… let's go again!"

"No need to try again." Di Jiang Ancestor Witch shook his head, "Even if we repeat it a thousand or ten thousand times, the result would still be the same."

Fengxi was speechless.

After a long while, he spoke up gloomily, "Aren't we all True Immortals alike? Why did I lose so miserably? It makes no sense!"

"We're the same, just True Immortal cultivation and True Immortal mana." Di Jiang corrected, "But realm and Dao practice are entirely different levels."

"It's like learning to read and recognize characters."

"Recognizing the same characters and vocabulary."

"Some people merely exert its basic functions."

"While others can write splendid, ornate prose or grand, imposing essays."

"That's the difference between realm and Dao practice."

"The suppression of realm and Dao practice lets one perceive weaknesses, avoid the strong and strike the weak… your displayed strength, in our eyes, is nothing but flaws."

"What about the promised fair fight? This is totally a trap!" Fengxi complained.

"You can't say that either." Di Jiang Ancestor Witch chuckled, gesturing with his eyes to the distant nine pairs of True Immortals fighting fiercely, "Over there, isn't that a splendid peak showdown?"

"Hehe." The corners of his mouth twitched nonstop; Fengxi no longer knew what to say.

"Why did Houtu summon us?" Di Jiang raised his head, his expression playful, "She's worried!"

Afraid that one mistake, a capsizing in the gutter, would wipe out all his fame in an instant.

"So, are all my teammates problematic?" Fengxi's eyes widened, "No way!"

"Nothing is absolutely impossible." Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu smirked, "Among millions of the Wu Clan, if they stood out and had simple backgrounds… who would believe it?"

"Actually, at first we thought——there's something hidden behind each of you ten."

"But I never expected……" Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu sized up Fengxi up and down, "It turns out it's the Nine Gods bringing a pit?"

"In the depths of your true spirit, there is not a trace of the Great Luo innate immortal spiritual radiance…… truly a blank sheet of paper, with no background at all."

"Why, Ancestor Witch, you helped me clear my suspicions, yet deep down I feel like crying?" Fengxi was speechless, choked up, "Others have backgrounds, I only have a silhouette…… in this extremely dangerous Honghuang world, I am so sad!"

"Oh, right!" He stroked his chin, "My nine teammates all have problems……"

"Hmph!" Fengxi tossed his integrity to the ground, began his performance, "I discovered early on that they were rather strange, so I deliberately feigned compliance to infiltrate their internals, to uncover their conspiratorial schemes…… The reason I stood out in District 1404 was precisely to reach the heavens, so that the great Ancestor Witches would take notice!"

"I'm an undercover agent…… I have merit!"

"……" Suddenly, Di Jiang didn't know what to say.

After a long while, he let out a light sigh, "Kid, your skill at selling out teammates is quite practiced!"

"He's a talent."

"But if you really have no suspicion at all, why are you the captain of that ten-person team?"

All nine team members have problems, yet the captain is completely clean—this is quite normal……

Not a chance!

"How come I feel that if you were pushed to desperation, you could also become incredibly fierce?" Di Jiang leaned forward, his smile intensifying, "For example, erupting a microcosm, unlocking the gene lock, awakening memories of past lives, comprehending the supreme divine ability 'One Stroke Opens Heaven,' evolving into the supreme Pangu, punching Hongjun, kicking the Heavenly Dao, roaming the Honghuang and commanding the winds and clouds!"

(End of chapter)