Chapter 175

Pangu's Dharma Aspect!

Translation: "Pangu's Dharma Aspect!" or "Pangu's Dharma Image!" The term Dharma Aspect is often translated as "Dharma Aspect" or "Dharma Image". In cultivation context, Dharma Aspect is often "Dharma Form" or "Dharma Manifestation". I'd choose "Pangu's Dharma Aspect!" Keep exclamation.

When It appeared in the primordial wilderness, the entire world fell into dead silence.

Translation: "When It appeared in Honghuang, the entire world fell into dead silence."

Note: The respectful pronoun for deity can be translated as "It" or "He". Since Pangu is male, we could use "He", but we'll use "It". "When It appeared in Honghuang, the entire world fell into dead silence."

The boundless, immense majesty made even the Great Luo Heavenly Will feel a chill sweep through the heart, let alone ordinary beings, each of whom had their fragile lifeline of life and death strangled, their souls trembling, becoming dazed, their physical bodies as fragile as fine porcelain, perhaps shattering in the next moment.

Translation: "The boundless, immense majesty made even a Daluo Heavenly Intent feel a chill sweep over the heart, let alone ordinary beings—each had their fragile lifeline of life and death choked, souls trembling, becoming dazed, their bodies as delicate porcelain, perhaps shattering in the next moment."

We need to keep meaning. Ensure we don't add.

Let's produce: "The boundless, immense majesty made even a Daluo Heavenly Intent feel a chill sweep over the heart, let alone ordinary beings—each had their fragile lifeline of life and death choked, souls trembling, becoming dazed, their bodies as delicate porcelain, perhaps shattering in the next moment."

This is merely the aura.

Translation: "This was merely the aura."

It's hard to imagine how many living beings would be unconsciously ground into bloody mud and calamitous ash if a true peak collision were to happen.

Translation: "It's hard to imagine how many beings would be ground to blood‑mud and calamitous ash in unconsciousness when a true peak collision occurs."

Even then, how many places in this vast expanse of mountains and rivers could remain intact is itself a question.

Translation: "Even then, how many places in this vast land could remain intact is a question."

Pangu, even with only a fraction of his power remaining, manifested through the twelve ancestor witches' essence-blood link as his Dharma Aspect, remains synonymous with invincibility.

Translation: "Pangu, even with only a fraction of his power remaining, manifested as a Dharma Aspect through the Twelve Ancestral Witches' essence‑blood link, remains synonymous with invincibility!"

Standing between heaven and earth, having opened the universe, the stature of the ancestor witches' Dharma Aspects are mere younger siblings before Him, let alone the inferior imitation of Fengxi, which is worlds apart.

Translation: "Standing between heaven and earth, having opened the universe, the stature of the Ancestral Witches' Dharma Aspects are all like younger brothers before Him—let alone Fengxi's shoddy imitation, which is worlds apart."

Striding upon the primordial earth, his head plunged into the starry sky, endless stars his hair… the shadow of his colossal body draped over the river of ages, covering boundless time and space.

Translation: "Stepping on the Honghuang earth, his head plunged directly into the starry sky, endless stars his hair… the shadow of his colossal body shrouded the Suiyue Changhe, covering boundless time and space!"

At this moment, He seems to be the sole entity of all heavens, the supreme taboo!

Translation: "At this moment, He seemed the sole being in the Myriad Heavens, the supreme taboo!"

What's more frightening is that this is not the end.

Translation: "What's more frightening is that this is not the end."

That Dharma Aspect's form shifts from vague to clear, from illusory to real—He grows stronger, unleashing a vaster, more terrifying divine might that sweeps across all heavens and spacetime.

Translation: "As that Dharma Aspect's form shifted from vague to clear, from illusory to real—He grew stronger, bursting with even vaster, terrifying divine might that swept across the Myriad Heavens' spacetime."

In the end, it is as if Pangu's true flesh-and-blood body stands here, except his head and face remain blurry, shrouded by mist.

Translation: "In the end, it was as if Pangu's true flesh‑and‑blood body stood here, except his head and face remained blurry, shrouded by mist."

As the price for this process, the twelve ancestor witches' bodies shift from solid to illusory, each turning into a drop of blood radiating a heaven-shaking aura, shining with eternal light, and merging with Pangu's Dharma Aspect.

Translation: "As the price for this process, the twelve Ancestral Witches' bodies turned from real to illusory, each becoming a drop of blood exuding heaven‑shaking aura, shining with eternal light, merging into Pangu's Dharma Aspect."

This is the most crucial material, the key to transforming the Dharma Aspect's essence into a physical body.

Translation: "This is the most crucial material, the key to transmuting the Dharma Aspect into a fleshly body."

Of course, only a physical body.

Translation: "Of course, only a fleshly body."

Is there enough of Pangu's soul? No, there isn't.

Translation: "Enough quantity of Pangu's soul? There is none."

However, this does not hinder the eruption of His power.

Translation: "However, this does not hinder the eruption of His power."

Temporarily bereft of physical form, the twelve ancestor witches existing purely as consciousness jointly assume the role of the soul—driving Pangu's true body to respond, attack, defend, and so on for a short time is no problem.

Translation: "Having temporarily lost their bodies, the Twelve Ancestral Witches existing purely as consciousness together shouldered the role of the soul—driving Pangu's true body to respond, attack, defend, etc., against the outside world for a short time is no problem."

The only prerequisite is that they must be unified in purpose, with the twelve ancestor witches reaching consensus.

Translation: "But there is a precondition: they must be unified in purpose, with the Twelve Ancestral Witches reaching consensus."

That is not difficult.

Translation: "This is not difficult."

Because the Earth Ancestor Witch possesses great prestige.

Translation: "Because Houtu, the Ancestral Witch, commands great prestige."

This prestige is a complex product mixed with power, wealth, and so on… even among ancestor witches, there are hierarchies.

Translation: "This prestige is a complex product mixed with power, wealth, and so on… even among Ancestral Witches, there are ranks."

As the central core of the witch clan's reincarnation strategy, the Earth Ancestor Witch's status is destined to be half a step above the other ancestor witches, granting her greater authority.

Translation: "As the central core of the Wu Clan's reincarnation strategy, Houtu's status is destined to be half a step above other Ancestral Witches, with greater say."

Thus, there is little controversy; the Earth Ancestor Witch was voted by the ancestor witches and unanimously granted supreme command over the ultimate wartime striking power.

Translation: "Thus there was little dispute; Houtu was voted by the Ancestral Witches internally, unanimously granting her supreme command authority over the ultimate wartime power strike."

——Who should we slash? Big sis, you decide!

Translation: "——Who shall we chop? Big sis, you decide!"

That's basically how it is.

Translation: "That's roughly the situation."

"Thank you for everyone's support and trust… the situation is urgent, so I won't falsely modestly decline."

Translation: ""Thank you for everyone's support and trust… the situation is urgent, so I won't falsely modestly decline.""

The Earth Ancestor Witch, without hesitation, took command, issued orders, had the eleven ancestor witches cooperate with her to activate the Pangu mech, engage maximum output mode, and lock onto the attack target—

Translation: "Houtu the Ancestral Witch took up the command baton without hesitation, issuing orders, having the eleven Ancestral Witches cooperate with her to activate the Pangu Mecha, launch maximum output mode, and lock onto the attack target——"

"Need we say more?"

Translation: ""Need we say it?""

"Of course it's Fuxi!"

Translation: ""Of course it's Fuxi!""

"Besides him, there will be no second choice!"

Translation: ""Besides him, there will be no second choice!""

The Earth Ancestor Witch, with fervent emotion, commanded Pangu's true body to advance, raising one arm high as the illusory Heaven-Opening Axe appeared in her hand.

Translation: "Houtu the Ancestral Witch, commanding Pangu's true body to advance with fervent emotion, raised one arm high, and the illusory Heaven‑opening Axe appeared in her hand."

Though the axe is illusory, its sharp edge is real and terrifying, locking onto Xihuang, who assists the operation of the Wise Heavenly Stars Grand Formation and selects the optimal strike pattern.

Translation: "Though the axe is illusory, its sharp edge is real and terrifying, locking onto Xihuang, who assists the operation of the Zhou Tian Star Dipper Grand Formation and selects the optimal strike pattern."

"To deal with the demon tribe and the Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, the first and most necessary target to eliminate is Xihuang!"

Translation: ""To deal with the Demon Race, to deal with the Zhou Tian Star Dipper Grand Formation, the first and most necessary target to eliminate is Xihuang!""

The Earth Ancestor Witch addressed the eleven ancestor witches with earnest words, and they listened attentively; for instance, Emperor Jiang, even as merely a will, specially took out a notebook and pen—apparently to thoroughly record the Earth Ancestor Witch's sage advice for later recollection.

Translation: "Houtu addressed the eleven Ancestral Witches with earnest words, and they listened attentively—like Di Jiang, who, even as merely a will, specially took out a notebook and pen, apparently to record Houtu's precious advice in full for later recollection."

"Who made him the pinnacle of the Way of Changes? He possesses a supremely transcendent perspective, able to seize fleeting battle opportunities, bringing us the most severe and dreadful battle losses!" The Earth Ancestor Witch pointed out the battle situation: "A Heavenly Stars Grand Formation aided by Xihuang versus one without him yields completely different combat effectiveness!"

Translation: ""Who made him the peak figure of the Heavenly Mechanism Easy Way? Himself possessing the most transcendent viewpoint, able to seize fleeting battle opportunities, bringing us the most severe casualties!" Houtu pointed out the situation: "The Zhou Tian Star Dipper Grand Formation aided by Xihuang versus one without him displays combat power that are two entirely different concepts!""

"Although our witch tribe's Pangu true body fears nothing… reducing casualties is still necessary."

Translation: ""Although our Wu Clan's Pangu true body fears nothing… reducing casualties is still necessary.""

The witch tribe's Heaven-Encompassing Grand Formation and the demon tribe's Heavenly Stars Grand Formation are roughly equal.

Translation: "The Wu Clan's Datiang Grand Formation and the Demon Race's Zhou Tian Grand Formation are roughly equal."

However, in concrete application, the differences are enormous.

Translation: "However, in concrete application, the difference is huge."

The demon tribe has many participants operating the formation, allowing many variations to handle diverse situations, thus likewise requiring specialized talent—a top-tier demon sovereign proficient in heavenly mechanisms and the Way of Changes.

Translation: "The Demon Race has many personnel operating the formation, so they can employ many variations, cope with numerous situations, and thus require specialized talent—a top‑level demon emperor versed in the Heavenly Mechanism Easy Way to assist."

The demon tribe has many gods and skills, but any single skill's damage is not high, so they need awareness and operation, to lay down control and combos, beating the opponent to death with relentless strikes.

Translation: "Many demon gods, many skills, but single‑skill damage is not high, so they need awareness, operation, to lay control, to chain combos, beating the opponent to death."

The witch tribe is different.

Translation: "The Wu Clan are different."

The main formation has few personnel, requiring little data processing; excellent technique isn't especially important—after all, once the ultimate move is unleashed… one might ask, who in the primordial world is the boss?!

Translation: "The main formation has few personnel, little data to process, excellent technique isn't especially important—after all, once the big move is unleashed… go ask around, in the whole Honghuang world, who is the dad?!"

Defense is strong, offense can be unleashed… but it's a shame that there are time limits and mana limits, preventing completely reckless behavior.

Translation: "Strong defense, attacks with cheats…… too bad there are time limits, mana limits, and cannot be completely unrestrained."

If one fails to destroy the enemy's defensive system yet still mindlessly rushes into their ranks during the ultimate move?

Translation: "If the enemy's defense system isn't destroyed, yet one mindlessly rushes into their camp during the big move?"

Hmm.

Translation: "Hmm."

The outcome will probably be wonderful.

Translation: "The outcome will probably be wonderful."

After all, the opponent relies on skill to survive; even low health can be shown off, and the twelve ancestor witches are low on health… truly low on health.

Translation: "After all, the opponent lives by skill; even low health can be shown off, and the Twelve Ancestral Witches being low on health… really are low on health."

Show off?

Translation: "Show off?"

Doesn't exist!

Translation: "Doesn't exist!"

Thus, awareness is also needed here.

Translation: "So, awareness is also needed here."

It's not operational awareness but overall situational awareness—one needs a clear, rational, decisive mind to judge which target yields the greatest benefit and destroy it!

Translation: "Not operational awareness, but overall awareness—one needs a clear, rational, decisive mind to judge which target yields the greatest gain and destroy it!"

Like the Earth Ancestor Witch believes, slaying Xihuang first yields the highest gain—this is the key to the demon tribe's Heavenly Stars Grand Formation being able to show off!

Translation: "Like Houtu feels, killing Xihuang first yields the highest gain—this is the key the Demon Race's Zhou Tian Grand Formation can show off!"

"So, we must kill him first!"

Translation: ""So, we must kill him first!""

The Earth Ancestor Witch states that this kind of unit—seen widely and far-reaching, providing the Heavenly Stars Grand Formation with the most accurate strike precision—must be taken out first!

Translation: "Houtu said, this kind of unit that sees much and sees far, providing the Zhou Tian Star Dipper Grand Formation with the most accurate strike precision, must be taken out first!"

Who made Xihuang so excellent? He not only bears vision duties but also can command from the front lines, executing perfect operations… too dangerous!

Translation: "Who made Xihuang so excellent—he not only bears vision duties but can also command on the front lines, executing perfect operations… too dangerous!"

Without Xihuang, substituting anyone else would cause the Heavenly Stars Grand Formation to fall from a skilled technical force to a patchwork of weaklings wherever they shine, greatly reducing its threat.

Translation: "Without Xihuang, substituting someone else makes the Zhou Tian Star Dipper Grand Formation fall from a skilled technical player to a useless noodle wherever it lights up, its threat greatly reduced."

……

Translation: "……"

Among the Four Emperors of the Demon Race, such as the Wa Emperor, Di Jun, the Eastern Emperor and the like, they can all be pushed back on the Wu Clan's kill list.

Only Xihuang, clearly ordered by Houtu Zuwu, is an important target that must be killed first.

Her reasons are ample.

"Nüwa? She's in charge of logistics; for now we don't need to worry about her."

"Donghuang? What's important about him is the innate treasure Chaos Bell in his hand; this we really cannot easily destroy."

"Di Jun? He says it's very important, it's the key adhesive for harmonizing the great Luo demon gods. But even without him, replacing him with a new powerful being to take that position and execute authority, how difficult would that be? It's not indispensable."

"Killing Donghuang and Di Jun, strictly speaking, can have substitutes—after all, the Demon Race's strong foundation lies in the Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation; on many great Luo demon gods, unlike us Twelve Ancestral Witches, we directly participate in forming the Killer's Trick."

"As for the Demon Race, the only one with an irreplaceable function is Xihuang. He became a sovereign because of his own professional domain, not because of external factors such as innate treasures!"

"After his fall, the Demon Race cannot find a suitable replacement. Although the formation is strong, it cannot fully exert its power, bringing a deadly threat!"

"Therefore, kill Xihuang first!"

"Next, kill Donghuang!"

"Knock down his divine bell, shatter the formation, crush the demon race's ultimate defense, exposing the soft belly!"

"Then kill Di Jun, eliminating this possible orthodox representative of the demon race who could play dead and rise again."

"Finally, deal with Nüwa… this is left to me; I want to have a grand, upright king's showdown with her!"

Houtu Zuwu's abacus clacked, the sequence for annihilating the demon race's top layer had already been planned; only execution remains.

Di Jiang Zu Wu nodded vigorously, loudly agreeing, "Houtu sister is right; we should carry out destructive strikes in this order."

"Moreover I think, in the end, if Houtu sister wins, we can spare Nüwa's life."

"On one hand, this demon sovereign after all holds the authority of creation in Honghuang, which is of great importance; on the other hand, it is also because she is a feeble woman, mediocre talent, unable to achieve greatness, unable to threaten our witch clan's rule… letting her go would demonstrate our witch clan's magnanimity, our capacity to tolerate others—how wonderful!"

"As soon as Di Jiang spoke, Houtu Zuwu's expression changed; her gaze toward Di Jiang Zu Wu was deep and inscrutable: "Feeble woman, mediocre talent, unable to achieve greatness… fellow Daoist Di Jiang, is this how you view female divinities?""

The remaining ten Ancestral Witches also followed suit and looked over; the gazes of Xuanming, Jumang, Xizi, Zhulong, and Shebi Shi carried deeper meaning.

"\"Misunderstanding… misunderstanding! \" Di Jiang explained, "It's not like that; I was referring only to Nüwa. Besides Nüwa, Houtu sister, Xuanming sister, plus Purple Light Dao Mother, Golden Mother Primordial Sovereign, Xihe Changxi, and the Phoenix Primordial Ancestor… which goddess isn't resourceful and extraordinarily brave?"

"\"Of course, Nüwa is not lacking strictly speaking. But compared to the demon sovereign position she currently occupies, she actually does little work, so it's natural that the higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment. \""

"\"Fellow Daoist Di Jiang, do not repeat those words!" Houtu said softly, "Nüwa is ultimately the creator of humanity; for our witch clan to enter the scene, we still owe her some favor; moreover, she has made no key contributions in the demon sovereign position, we should still award her a major medal—how could we slander her?""

When facing a weaker opponent, don't mock them—perhaps they'll become angry and strive harder, or find a strong substitute; wouldn't that be lifting a stone only to drop it on your own foot?

Need to praise!

Praise vigorously!

Praise so that they feel mighty, able to carry the whole team to victory!

Only someone temporarily elated would impatiently use others' temporary failures to announce their own excellence.

A true schemer, one who can win all the way to the final success, will clearly understand—so-called success is largely built on the backdrop of failures; therefore do not give the failed a chance to turn shame into courage, for that would add difficulty to your own path to success.

"If you really feel your success came too easily, lacking hardship, you can go experience and feel it afterward!"

"Experiencing before success, perhaps the hardship experience is enough, the success experience gone, and then those not-so-scrupulous opponents snatch away the fruits of victory—such a mental blow, who knows if it's still appropriate to treat it as a hardship?"

"If that opponent is petty, constantly giving you little shoes to wear, this hardship could have no end."

Therefore, first ensure victory, then talk about other things.

So, Houtu opposes Di Jiang's evaluation of Nüwa.

"\"Moreover, how can we know—is Nüwa's incapacity real, or is she pretending?" Houtu Zuwu said solemnly, "What if she has been pretending all along, waiting for the right moment to instantly kill one of us here—say, fellow Daoist Di Jiang—wouldn't that be terrible?"

"In strategy we can despise the opponent; in tactics, no amount of emphasis is excessive."

"\"I've been taught… Houtu sister indeed has a big-picture view; I am greatly relieved and respectful." Di Jiang Zu Wu nodded calmly, this casual demeanor made Houtu Zuwu inexplicably feel a blockage in her heart, as if throwing a punch that hits nothing.

She shook her head, dispelling these miscellaneous thoughts, and returned to battle.

At this moment, the Heaven-Opening Ax has just locked onto Xihuang.

The communication among the Ancestral Witches seems lengthy, but thanks to the presence of Zhu Jiuyin, time is relatively abundant.

It allows Houtu, after convincing others with reason, to still adjust her mindset, burst forth with the most spirited state, all her fighting spirit, to cleave through layers of light bindings and strike straight at Xihuang.

Such resolute intent, the sharp direction of the axe's aura—any great Luo powerhouse can see it, let alone Fuxi!

This demon sage with a human body and dragon tail, feeling the chill emanating from his bones, raised his eyebrows, yet showed little panic or fear.

With the axe upon him, his countenance unchanged—truly the nature of a great hero!

Xihuang took a deep look at Pangu's true form; that gaze seemed substantive, as if it could pierce flesh and bone, directly shining into the deep true spirits of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, causing their innate immortal spiritual light to tremble.

Under such a gaze, it seems no secret exists; the abacus in the depths of the heart is laid bare.

Houtu Ancestral Witch bore the brunt; she first instinctively shrank her neck… then, as if thinking of something, she retorted firmly.

"Heh…"

Xihuang let out a low laugh of indeterminate meaning, then commanded the demon gods: "Zhou Tian formation turns, four-nine to seven-two, past eight-one, ending nine-nine!"

"Bind the Dao seal, forbid Pangu!"

The demon gods, hearing the command, moved; the two demon sovereigns also coordinated accordingly, the innate treasures rang, the Hetu Luoshu opened its corresponding computational mode.

In an instant, countless divine lights burst forth; the starlight net that spreads across the vast heavens and earth and sinks into the River of Time was first a single vast sheet, then gathered, layer upon layer overlapping and interlacing, seeking to bind Pangu's true form!

"Roar!"

Pangu's true form let out an angry roar; the ultimate combat instinct awakened, seeking to shatter everything and its own shackles, while the axe being swung down grew more brilliant and terrifying light.

But… not possible!

Only because the layers of net covering Pangu's true form, the countless filaments formed from laws and vital energy, each at this moment undergoing the most subtle vibrations, offset Pangu's impact.

A grandmaster of the Yi Dao, foreseeing and judging all manifestations of Pangu's true form's power, specifically sealing and neutralizing it, giving not even the slightest chance for breakthrough.

PS: I haven't been castrated… I'm just feeling a bit off, about to get sick at home.

(End of chapter)