Chapter 173: The Mantis Catches the Cicada, the Oriole Lies Behind

I actually have no ideas.

I'm only here to ask about the reward that that stinky bug gave you.

Shichen calmly shook his head and explained the purpose of his visit.

You and I both know what kind of scum that stinky bug is.

Breaking promises, betraying allies, and taking multiple bites from one fish are all perfectly normal tactics.

If we don't clarify his motives and whether his promises to us are the same.

Or whether he is using the binding token to play word games within the oath.

I truly can't rest easy.

Afraid that the stinky bug might backtrack midway and do something that endangers our lives.

Yang Mei naturally knows what kind of scum Hongjun is.

Make him think the other is harmless to both humans and beasts.

It's nothing short of a fanciful tale, utterly ridiculous.

His promise when he came last time.

It was that within the Honghuang Tian Di, he is the Master of the Underground Reincarnation.

As long as I can help him eliminate Diti and slaughter all the remaining remnants.

Then he can relinquish the position of Master of the Underground.

You should understand that us regaining the Mixed‑Primordial Great Luo Realm is already a great fortune.

In a calm reply, the space in Yang Mei's palm kept folding, compressing to a one‑inch area that contained billions of spatial barriers, and could no longer be folded further.

If we wish to return to the pinnacle and enter the Mixed‑Primordial Heavenly Dao Realm.

Our roots, origin, and potential are already insufficient to sustain our continued progress.

Only by borrowing external aids to induce our roots to metamorphose, to counter the apex of Chaos, can we earn the qualification to tread the Mixed‑Primordial Heavenly Dao and even touch the Supreme Great Dao.

The Honghuang created by Pangu has essentially reached the level of the Mixed‑Primordial True Realm, where the three Dao of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity run parallel.

As long as we manage it well, it will certainly be enough to support the masters of the three Dao—Heaven, Earth, and Humanity—and reach the pinnacle of the Mixed‑Primordial Heavenly Dao.

As for how to later reach the Supreme Great Dao realm.

That is far beyond our reach.

First, completely slaughter Diti and the others, seize the position of Master of the Underground, ascend the Mixed‑Primordial Heavenly Dao, and then we can talk.

Shichen nodded thoughtfully in response.

Hongjun's words when he came looking for me last time were vastly different from yours.

He only promised me the position of Master of the Human Dao.

At this point, Shichen paused briefly, his eyes flickering with thought a few times before speaking again.

So far, Hongjun's stinky bug's actions have not shown any major flaws.

But to prevent him from suddenly defecting.

We still need to prepare some contingencies.

Hearing this, Yang Mei gave a slight nod and voiced her own idea.

Lunhui and Hongchen, aren't they reaching out to us, saying they will come back to see and find a secure place for cultivation?

That would be perfect for them to hide in the shadows, ready at any moment to lend us a hand.

If Hongjun dares to renege, we will join forces to send him off.

Then not only will we free the position of Master of the Heavenly Dao, but we can also seize complete control of the Honghuang Tian Di!

The mantis catches the cicada, the oriole is behind.

Indeed, that's a good idea.

Shichen gave a slight nod, approving Yang Mei's scheme.

He then immediately sent a message to Lunhui and Hongchen, who are also within the Chaos Void.

He asked them to return quickly, as there are important matters to discuss.

After receiving the message, Lunhui and Hongchen did not delay, gathering the fruits of their years in the Chaos Void.

They then set out on the journey back to the Honghuang Tian Di.

……

Beyond the realm, the starry sky, Ziwei Imperial Star.

With perfect control over the Chaos Tian Di, Diti has already extracted the hidden anomaly from within the Sea‑Stabilizing Divine Pearl.

He originally thought Hongjun would split a strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi into several parts, hoping to subtly influence and thus control Tongtian and the others.

Randen, under prolonged influence,

has already lost his self‑awareness.

His usual temperament and habits remain exactly as before.

When Hongjun takes control, he will suddenly become a puppet that obeys only the latter.

What he never could have imagined is that

Randen was not affected by Hongjun at all.

The Randen who went out to infect Tongtian and the others.

was a counterfeit forged from the Hongmeng Purple Qi inside the Sea‑Stabilizing Divine Pearl!

Whenever Randen retreats for deep cultivation,

he assumes his likeness, roams the Ziwei Imperial Star, and steals intelligence on the overall combat power within the Star Court.

and selects key targets, silently implanting the fractured Hongmeng Purple Qi into the opponent's body.

Honestly, it truly lives up to being the core of a Heavenly Dao Saint.

If it weren't for Chaos Heaven and Earth being perfectly controlled by him.

After extracting the counterfeit hidden inside the Sea‑Stabilizing Divine Pearl.

He might not even be able to tell who the real Randen truly is!

Roots, cultivation level, habits—it's a one‑to‑one replica.

Cause and effect, destiny, spacetime…

To discern authenticity, Diti has applied it to everything.

There isn't a single flaw to speak of!

"This thing is really nice."

"Find a way to remove the after‑effects left by Hongjun."

"Perhaps someday in the future it can unleash an unexpected divine effect."

With that thought, Diti immediately sealed it alone within a Chaos spacetime.

This flawless counterfeit.

It may not be of much use in a head‑on decisive battle.

But for covert probing, intelligence gathering, and sowing discord in the ranks, it works excellently.

"Now that this matter is settled, we should go see Yuan Feng, and then visit the Dragon Clan and the North Sea of the Abyss."

"White Tiger and Vermilion Bird are already under my command."

"Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise must also be put on the agenda."

"In addition, Fuxi will be reincarnated among the human race."

"We must find a way to accelerate the birth of the three ancestors of humanity."

"Only when the three ancestors are restored can the three sovereigns of humanity appear and bring forth the primordial flood!"

With that thought, Diti instantly flashed out of Chaos Heaven and Earth.

"Sinner Randen, I request an audience with Your Majesty!"

"I do not know when I was controlled by traitors, nearly causing a heaven‑defying disaster."

"Please, Your Majesty, pardon my crimes!"

"I am willing to accept any punishment!"

Randen, who had been waiting outside for a long time.

Seeing Diti return, he hurriedly knelt on the ground, repeatedly bowing and pleading.

"This matter was secretly orchestrated by Hongjun."

"The one who went out wandering was not you."

Diti waved his hand and gently lifted him up.

He then returned all the Sea‑Stabilizing Divine Pearls to Randen.

"Regarding the proof of the Mixed Primordial Dao, you must secure it quickly."

"If you need anything, you may go to the Wenqu Star God for it."

"Within the One‑Origin Assembly, the Mixed Primordial Dao cannot be proven."

"Then go guard the Star Treasure Pavilion in the lower realm; you need not return."

Having said that, Diti tore open spacetime directly, using the Demon Realm as a springboard, and left the Ziwei Imperial Star.

Meanwhile, Randen watched Diti's departing back.

His heart was full of gratitude and guilt.

He had almost caused a great disaster himself.

Yet he received no punishment at all.

This trust and favoritism he must never betray!

"Within the One‑Origin Assembly, if one does not ascend to the Mixed Primordial Great Luo."

"I shall atone with my death!!"

With a deep shout, Randen rushed back into his cave dwelling, adjusted his condition, and prepared to open the first Great Thousand World!!

(End of Chapter)