Chapter 546

The Dragon Ancestor has a plot.

The Three Pure Ones have an idea.

Let's all communicate—it's a business deal; if you don't speak up, it'll just happen!

Just, it's the critical moment.

Another top expert butts in, proving what a woman's heart is, a needle at the bottom of the sea, and what it means to tear down the bridge after crossing the river and kill the donkey after unloading the mill.

"Hongyun's innate immortal spiritual light cannot be given to him!" ×2

"Price is no problem; however much he offers, I'll offer two/five times!"

Di Jun urgently contacts, Nüwa grits her teeth and sends a mental message.

They all said, as long as we can ruin the Dragon Ancestor's plans, the price is negotiable!

Among them, the one offering double is Di Jun, the one offering five times is Nüwa.

Or rather, Nüwa has money.

She has never been poor—except when her brother ransacked her home.

However, these are just minor details.

The key is that right now, their purposes align; they rarely stand on the same front line, together adding obstacles to the same target.

Of course, what can be affirmed is that their starting points differ.

Nüwa somewhat intends to avenge Donghua, while also defending her rule among the Wu Clan, secretly giving a warning to the overinflated Dragon Ancestor—

How dare he hide it from her under her very eyes, collude with so many people, secretly plot to carry out the layout to encircle and kill Donghua, disregarding the Wu Clan's overall strategy…… This is blatant disloyalty and treachery; this dragon is almost not worth keeping!

Di Jun, on the other hand, is motivated by suppressing competitors—earlier the Dragon Ancestor killed Hongyun and leveled up, then wanted to kill Donghua and continue leveling up, which truly surprised him, and he values the Dragon Ancestor's potential for improvement immensely.

If we can cut, then cut!

If we don't cut, look at the Dragon Clan's layout: among humans there is the 'everyone is a dragon' ideology permeating, among demons there is the wide-open dragon-transformation gate—one is mental control, the other is bodily conformity…… This is a potential competitor to Pangu!

As for competitors, the fewer the better.

Strike while you're down, take your life.

Sorry!

Di Jun readily makes an offer; at this moment he and Nüwa think alike—they both want to harshly step on the Dragon Ancestor who accidentally fell into a pit.

Hongyun's innate immortal spiritual light?

Don't even think about it!

At once, they sent a mental message to the Three Pure Ones, offering a high price, determined to spoil this deal.

Regarding this, the Three Pure Ones' Heavenly Lords are very torn.

They originally intended to be kind to others, value harmony, let harmony bring wealth, and seek mutual benefit.

Regarding the Dragon Ancestor's trade proposal, after simple consideration, they had a slight inclination to agree.

But then came the 'golden bullet' offensive, which shook their hearts and minds.

—It's not that their integrity is lacking, but that some people gave too much!

Being able to reasonably profit from both sides, plus an extra piece is seven times the money the Dragon Ancestor put out!

In comparison, the Dragon Ancestor's competitiveness greatly diminishes, and the merit they offered is no longer appealing.

The Virtuous Heavenly Lord, together with the Yuanshi and Lingbao Heavenly Lords, exchanged a glance, and each had a plan in mind.

—Which side to stand on?

—Isn't that obvious?

—Nüwa and Di Jun give the most money, and their combined force is also the greatest—do we still need to hesitate?

—No need!

—But we also need to come up with some tactful wording to save the Dragon Ancestor's face…… otherwise if he goes berserk, we'll also have a headache.

—Leave it to you, elder brother!

With the strong support of his two younger brothers, the Virtuous Heavenly Lord silently cursed the treacherous brother, yet still took on the burden, performed Taiji, used empty words to deceive the Dragon Ancestor, and did not hand over Hongyun the Ancient God's innate immortal spiritual light.

"Dragon Ancestor, hear me out!"

The Virtuous Heavenly Lord had a solemn expression, very serious.

"All gods are born equal; after death they must not be desecrated."

The Heavenly Lord spoke of morality, discussed integrity, with earnest advice, standing on the highest point of morality, urging the Dragon Ancestor to abandon 'overreaching thoughts.'

Killing someone is just a bump on the head!

Even if Hongyun once offended you, Dragon Ancestor, you have now killed him; in this era Hongyun's efforts are wasted, and who knows how many ages it will take for him to recover.

Is there still a need to pursue the victory so relentlessly?

Their conduct is too unsightly!

"As for the past, I don't want to say more; everyone has their stance, we're all out here to make a living, whatever we do is understandable."

The Virtuous Heavenly Lord sighed, 'But Hongyun is now dead; you don't really need to trample him like this, do you?'

"Bury him to rest, peaceful for a while—wouldn't that be good?"

"Put yourself in his place; if one day you, Dragon Ancestor, unfortunately fall, wouldn't you also want such a fate?"

"Please think twice!"

The Virtuous Heavenly Lord's words, though not fully heavy, strove to move the emotions of many onlookers, evoking the feeling of grief when a rabbit dies and a fox mourns.

"But that was my spoil of war…" the Dragon Ancestor gritted his teeth.

As sensitive as he is, he immediately sensed something amiss.

Who would push money outward?

There must be something strange!

Who is scheming behind the scenes?

Dragon Ancestor turns his clever mind, thinks it over and knows——in here, it must be those who don't want to see him grow stronger doing a good deed!

"If that's the case……"

His dark gaze inadvertently swept over ancient deities such as Nüwa and Di Jun.

Can't run!

It's them!

"But that was in the past." The Moral Heavenly Venerable continued, patiently explaining, "From the moment Donghua took it, this innate immortal spiritual light of the ancient god Red Cloud is no longer your spoil."

"And Donghua didn't give it any special treatment... So I think we should give Red Cloud a decent end."

"Be lenient where you can, be lenient... Azure, do you say yes?"

The Moral Heavenly Venerable preaches morality, appeals to emotion, and reasons with logic.

However, the Dragon Ancestor was very dissatisfied with this answer, his face black enough to drip water, his fist slowly clenching, as if he would erupt any moment.

"I don't think so..." Azure said coldly.

But he hadn't finished speaking yet.

Then he was forcefully interrupted.

"Exactly! Be lenient where you can, be lenient!" Nüwa rolled up her sleeves and clenched her fist.

As she clenched her fist, the four extremes of heaven and earth trembled, as if unable to bear the weight.

This fist carries great weight!

"I think so too!"

Heavenly Emperor Jun burst into laughter, "Azure! Show some leader's bearing!"

"Why must we always fight and kill?"

"When a person dies, debts are cleared; karma is settled."

"Think back then, you were overcome by Donghua... no, by the demon ancestor Luo Hou, who after the battle arbitrarily disposed of your innate spiritual light, even making it into a chamber pot?"

"No way!"

"Later, the ancient Heavenly Court unified the Wasteland, the August Emperor judged merits and punishments, and even for you, my former great enemy, they didn't resort to underhanded tactics?"

"They didn't eternally seal you or kill you upon rebirth... Look at Luo Hou, then look at yourself."

"You ought to have at least some conscience."

Di Jun's posture of abandoning allies after crossing the river is very practiced.

At this moment, he and Nüwa were in accord, sending the Dragon Ancestor's blood pressure soaring.

Spoiling his plans, blocking his path... he deserves to die!

The Dragon Ancestor stayed silent, but his killing intent slowly welled up.

However, both Nüwa and Di Jun are not ones to bow to threats.

Their subtle glances signal subordinates to act based on their expressions.

Thus, the Heavenly Court saw the Eastern Emperor laughing as he struck the Chaos Bell, ordering all demon gods to take formation, as if preparing to launch a campaign.

Among humans, the human king Fengxi nonchalantly raised his hand to signal, issued commands, swords drawn and bows taut, ready to slash.

The atmosphere instantly became oppressively heavy.

Until a certain moment.

Di Jiang Zu Wu poked his head out, acting as a neutral mediator.

"Cough cough... just a passerby, I'll say a couple of words."

Di Jiang held his fist to his mouth and coughed twice, drawing all eyes to him.

"Azure also had it rough, luckily came out to fight in the wild, gained a buff... only to die with low health at the hands of a foot soldier, the buff lost, extremely embarrassing."

"Lost items are hard to retrieve... after all, who can issue a proof?"

"Moreover, Red Cloud himself would certainly not see himself as Azure's property."

"However, everyone can see Azure's hard work."

Letting him get nothing is already too much.

So I propose—don't take Hongyun's innate immortal spiritual light, Cang, so that Hongyun can die in peace.

But regarding the shares Hongyun held in life and the authority of the Cloud Great Dao, considering Cang's contributions, we'll tacitly allow a period for him to buy them in at a low price.

Getting these things, although not as satisfying as directly obtaining the innate spiritual light, is not much worse.

Even so, there remain hidden dangers; one day, if Hongyun revives and returns, as the true original master, he could launch a Great Dao contest against Cang, the lawsuit could reach the human realm, interfering with Cang's cultivation and affairs, scattering his focus.

But that's still something unknown how far in the offing; it's far better than this embarrassing situation we're in now... right?

Di Jiang Zu Wu spoke up for justice, moving the Dragon Ancestor.

——Heavens!

——It's really not easy!

——Finally, there's someone who actually speaks human language!

——Honghuang this world, in the end hasn't rotted to the root!

Without a doubt, Di Jiang Zu Wu timely set up a ladder, allowing the Dragon Ancestor to climb down.

Otherwise?

He has already carefully considered whether to raise the rebel flag in full and break off!

Even if he clearly knows that, for now, breaking off is premature, he would have only defeat and no victory, and would lose all hope of contending for this era's Pangu Dao fruit.

But doing this…… is satisfying!

At the cost of the dragon clan suffering heavy injuries, at the cost of himself being blood-soaked and asleep, victory is out of reach, but he can crush most of the hopes of either side's Pangu!

Smash the broken pot, jade and stone both burn! (No Chinese)

Literal: "Broken pot, smash it, jade and stone both burn!" Idiom: "Smash the broken pot" means to give up completely; to go all out. "Jade and stone burned together" means mutual destruction. So translation: "Smash the broken pot, jade and stone both burn!" (Check: we have "Smash the broken pot" inside quotes? Actually we wrote Idiom: "Smash the broken pot" means to give up completely; to go all out. That's fine. No Chinese.)

——I don't care about winning or losing anymore; I just want to see you all looking like you want to cry but have no tears! (No Chinese)

——I don't care about winning or losing anymore; I just want to see you all looking like you want to cry but have no tears! (We need

——Are you forcing me?

Translation: "——Are you forcing me?" Keep dash.

——Are you bullying me?

Translation: "——Are you bullying me?"

——Then I'll pick a 'lucky' target and give them an unforgettable lesson for life!

——Then I'll pick a 'lucky' target and give them an unforgettable lesson for life!

——Push the honest dragon to the brink, risking everything, exchanging one for one at the limit, to cut off the enemy's Pangu path!

——Drive the honest dragon to desperation, risking all, a one-for-one exchange at the limit, to cut off the enemy's Pangu path!

However.

However.

Even though Emperor Jiang Ancestor Witch has declared support for the Azure Dragon now, and though that support is fairly strong, it's time‑limited, so we still need to exert ourselves.

Translation: "When at this moment Di Jiang Zu Wu expresses support for the Dragon Ancestor... even if this support is quite strong, though time-limited, one still must exert effort oneself." Need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "When at this moment Di Jiang Zu Wu expresses support for the Dragon Ancestor... even if this support is quite strong, though time-limited, one still must exert effort oneself."

After the Azure Dragon gives it some thought, the notion of mutual destruction and both sides losing pulls back just a bit.

Translation: "But after the Dragon Ancestor pondered a bit, the thought of mutual destruction, of both sides losing, still retreated just a little." Let's craft: "But after the Dragon Ancestor gave it some thought, the idea of jade and stone burning together, of both sides suffering, still retreated just a bit."

Hmm, let's wait and see.

Translation: "Hmm, let's wait a bit longer and see."

After all, in this era, the Dragon Ancestor has already been giving it his all.

Translation: "After all, in this era, the Dragon Ancestor has already been giving it his all."

We've poured so much heart and blood into this... to say it's just a momentary clash of pride would be to destroy everything utterly, and even I feel the pain!

Translation: "So much painstaking effort poured in... to say that a momentary clash of spirit would destroy everything completely, even I would feel heartbroken!" Let's produce: "So much painstaking effort poured in... to say that a momentary clash of spirit would destroy everything completely, even I would feel heartbroken!"

"What do you all think of my proposal?"

Translation: ""What do you all think of my proposal?""

Emperor Jiang Ancestor Witch looks around, focusing on the top leaders of the Taiyi faction, listening to their opinions—mainly those of the Witch tribe.

Translation: "Di Jiang Zu Wu looked around, focusing on the Taiyi-level leaders, listening to their opinions—mainly those of the Wu Clan."

The Heavenly Court's opinion doesn't matter, after all, they're not on our side.

Translation: "The Heavenly Court's opinion doesn't matter, after all, they're not on the same side."

Nüwa's gaze is unfriendly; at a glance you can tell she's very dissatisfied.

Translation: "Nüwa's gaze was unfriendly; at a glance you could tell she was very dissatisfied."

But, among the twelve Witch Ancestors, five are Taiyi, and she still doesn't have the power to cover the sky with one hand.

Translation: "But, among the Wu Clan's twelve ancestral witches, five are Taiyi, and she still doesn't have the power to cover the sky with one hand."

At the critical moment, Ancestor Witch Chu Jiuyin supported Emperor Jiang.

Translation: "At the critical moment, Zhu Jiuyin Zu Wu supported Di Jiang."

Ancestor Witch Jumang shows a strange smile, neither supporting nor opposing.

Translation: "Gou Mang Zu Wu's face showed a strange smile; he neither supported nor opposed."

In a brief moment, Houtu, standing alone, can't hold up, and the situation collapses.

Translation: "In a brief moment, Houtu, standing alone, could not hold up, and the situation collapsed."

Nüwa frowns, looks at Jumang, and shows a questioning expression.

Translation: "Nüwa furrowed her brows, looked at Gou Mang, and showed an inquiring expression."

Jumang doesn't speak, just shakes his head.

Translation: "Gou Mang also said nothing, just shook his head."

"Tsk..." Nüwa's face darkens, her brows furrow, she stares at the Azure Dragon for a while, then lets out a cold snort without saying anything.

Translation: ""Tsk…" Nüwa's expression displeased, her brows furrowed, she stared at the Dragon Ancestor for a while, then let out a cold snort and said nothing."

"Alright, that's how it will be."

Translation: ""Alright, that's how it will be.""

Emperor Jiang Ancestor Witch claps his hands, signaling the Three Pure Ones: "Moral, Primordial, and Numinous Treasures, you three venerables need not linger any longer in this place of right and wrong."

Translation: "Di Jiang Zu Wu clapped his hands, indicating to the Three Pure Ones' Heavenly Lords: "Morality, Yuanshi, Lingbao, the three Heavenly Lords need not linger any longer in this place of right and wrong.""

"Return to Kunlun, give Donghua and Red Cloud a proper burial... considering that we all once were primordial deities and had acquaintances, let the four seasons provide continual incense for them—this also plants a karmic seed and leaves a debt of gratitude."

Translation: ""Return to Kunlun, give Donghua and Hongyun a proper burial… considering that we all once were innate deities and had some acquaintance, let the four seasons' qi provide continual incense for them—this also plants a karmic thread and leaves a favor.""

"What is constantly remembered will surely echo."

Translation: ""What is constantly remembered will surely have a response.""

"Perhaps someday there will be a return, who knows?"

Translation: ""Perhaps someday there will be a repayment, who knows?""

He said it casually, but his gaze was sharp, as if it could pierce the heart.

Translation: "He spoke casually, yet his gaze was sharp, as if it could pierce the heart."

When the Virtuous Heavenly Emperor's gaze met Emperor Jiang's, a sudden chill ran through him, feeling that his little schemings had been seen through at a glance by this Spatial Ancestor Witch.

Translation: "When the gaze of the Morality Heavenly Lord crossed with Di Jiang Zu Wu's, a sudden chill rose in his heart, feeling that his little abacus calculations had been seen through at a glance by this spatial ancestral witch."

"How interesting..."

Translation: ""How interesting…""

The venerable muttered to himself, yet his face remained calm and composed, his smile undiminished: "If that's the case, then I, the old Daoist, will take my leave first."

Translation: "The Heavenly Lord muttered to himself, yet his face remained very calm and composed, his smile undiminished: "Since it's so, this old Daoist will take my leave first.""

"I hope the Witch and Demon clans will consider the welfare of humanity a little more, avoid reckless war, and preserve a bit of vitality for the age."

Translation: ""I hope the Wu and Demon clans will consider the people's livelihood a bit more, refrain from rashly starting war, and preserve a bit of vitality for the age.""

Having spoken, he bowed deeply, offering the salute on behalf of all living beings.

Translation: "Having spoken, he bowed and performed a salute, paying respects on behalf of the common folk."

Afterward, the venerable retreated carefully, step by step, steady and swift, leaving this cruel battlefield and returning to Kunlun Sacred Mountain.

Translation: "Afterward, the Heavenly Lord retreated cautiously, step by step, steady and swift, leaving this cruel battlefield and returning to Kunlun Divine Mountain."

The Primordial Heavenly Emperor and the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Emperor did the same.

Translation: "Yuanshi Tianzun and Lingbao Tianzun did the same."

The gods watched, present or absent, until the Three Pure Ones returned to their stations; then Kunlun Mountain burst forth with brilliant divine light, and the mountain‑protecting great array was activated.

Translation: "The gods watched them, present or not, until the Three Pure Ones returned to their places; then Kunlun Mountain rose with brilliant divine light, and the mountain-protecting great array opened."

——Although this formation is of little use, against the peak strength of the Witch and Demon sides it can be broken with a single poke.

Translation: "——Although this formation is of little use, against the peak combat power of both Wu and Demon sides, it can be broken with a poke."

Yet for some inexplicable reason, everyone felt relieved.

Translation: "But for some inexplicable reason, everyone felt relaxed."

"The fuse is temporarily gone."

Translation: ""The fuse is temporarily gone.""

Emperor Jiang Ancestor Witch said leisurely, "So, are we still going to fight?"

Translation: "Di Jiang Zu Wu said leisurely, "So, are we still fighting?""

He overstepped his bounds, stealing Nüwa's spotlight, and asked the Heavenly Court on behalf of the Witch tribe.

Translation: "He overstepped his bounds, stole Nüwa's spotlight, and asked the Heavenly Court on behalf of the Wu Clan."

"Today's events have been quite numerous." After pondering, Emperor Jun replied, "I think we all need to go back and reflect a bit."

Translation: ""Today's events have been many." After pondering, Di Jun replied, "I think we all need to go back and reflect a bit.""

"Once we calm down... perhaps next time we meet it will be a bloodbath, when we give it our all."

Translation: ""When the heart calms down… next time we meet, it might be a bloodbath, when we give it our all.""

"Funny, I think the same." Emperor Jiang Ancestor Witch smiled, slowly raised his hand and waved, signaling the senior witches of our side to withdraw in an orderly fashion, return to the Witch tribe's main base, and then prepare for a meeting.

Translation: ""Coincidentally, I think the same." Di Jiang Zu Wu smiled, slowly raised his hand and waved, indicating that the senior Wu shamans should withdraw in order, return to the Wu Clan's main base, and then prepare for a meeting."

The Witch tribe withdrew, and the Demon tribe withdrew as well.

Translation: "The Wu Clan withdrew, and the Demon Clan also withdrew."

The various demon gods were guided away by the starry sky; the light of the Zhou Tian stars dimmed, and strategic weapons stepped down from their highest alert to normal status.

Translation: "The various demon gods were led away by the starry sky; the light of the Zhou Tian stars no longer shone brightly, and the strategic weapons withdrew from their most tense state, returning to normal."

The great witches left, the demon gods retreated, leaving only each side's peak forces facing each other as a rearguard.

Translation: "The great shamans left, the demon gods retreated, leaving only each side's peak combat power facing each other, serving as rearguard."

Finally, after the weaker side had withdrawn, these leaders kept watch on each other, drifting apart bit by bit back to their respective camps.

Translation: "Until the end, after the weak had withdrawn, these leaders then mutually guarded against each other, slowly drifting away, returning to their respective camps."

A conflict ended.

Translation: "A conflict ended."

In the eyes of the gods, this was a period placed upon the lives of two present‑day supreme masters of divine abilities.

Translation: "In the eyes of the gods, this was putting a period on it with the lives of two present-day top-tier divine abilities."

But… is it really like that?

Translation: "But… is it really like that?"

……

Translation: "……" (just ellipsis). We'll output the ellipsis as is.

"The plan has succeeded."

Translation: ""The plan has succeeded.""

On Kunlun Mountain, after the Three Pure Ones had repaired the tombs of Emperor Donghua and the ancient god Red Cloud, they huddled together furtively, their eyes flashing with strange light as they whispered, looking anything but benevolent.

Translation: "On Kunlun Mountain, after the Three Pure Ones' Heavenly Lords had repaired the tombs of Donghua Emperor and Hongyun Ancient God, they huddled together furtively, each eyes flashing with a strange light, whispering, looking like no good people."

"We've done what we needed to do… the rest is none of our business." The Primordial Heavenly Emperor said, stroking his accumulated beard.

Translation: ""What we should do has already been done… the rest is none of our business." Yuanshi Tianzun stroked his accumulated beard and said so."

"Wuhu! I don't know what the final outcome will be!" The Numinous Treasure Heavenly Emperor exclaimed, rubbing his hands excitedly, "This high‑stakes game is so fascinating!"

Translation: ""Wuhu! I don't know what the final result will be!" Lingbao Tianzun excitedly rubbed his hands, "This high-stakes game is too interesting!""

"If we hadn't taken part, we'd probably be clueless afterward… it's truly endless reversals—anything is possible!"

Translation: ""If we hadn't taken part, we'd probably be completely confused afterward… truly endless reversals, anything is possible!""

"These old schemers are really different from us who mix in education… they've left so many back‑up plans."

Translation: ""These old schemers really differ from us who mix in education… they've left so many backups.""

Yeah, yeah! Very worth learning and drawing inspiration from! Yuanshi Tianzun echoed.

I really want to know, when the water recedes and the stones appear and the truth comes to light, how interesting the expressions of certain people will be?

Eh!

Exactly!

"Big brother, you say… what could the remaining part of the plan that August Emperor didn't tell us be?" Yuanshi Tianzun asked Moral Heavenly Venerable.

"How would I know?" Moral Heavenly Venerable snorted and shook his head, "How could I gauge the chips held by a Pangu?"

"But I did notice…"

"After the East Splendor Sword shattered and people perished, there was an ancestor witch called Di Jiang… he acted, gathering the fragments of the broken Law Sword; no one knows what he intends to do with them."

(End of chapter)