Chapter 20: Houtu Swears an Oath, the Supreme Method

"Houtu has come to visit; please grant me an audience, Sister Nuwa."

A soft, slightly sticky-sweet voice drifted in from beyond the heavens.

"What brings Houtu here?"

Nuwa, somewhat curious, gave Li Mo a meaningful glance, then stepped out to head to the Dongtian Sect's gate to greet her.

She and the Wu Clan shared Mount Buzhou, so among the Twelve Ancestral Witches, Xuanming and Houtu were on good terms with Nuwa and could be considered close confidantes—after all, there were only so many powerful female cultivators in the Primordial realm.

But friendship aside, when interests were at stake one had to negotiate properly rather than yield just because the other party was a friend; this much could be seen from the matter of the Innate Gourd Vine.

Soon, Nuwa brought Houtu to Li Mo's side.

Glancing at Li Mo, Nuwa's expression turned odd, with a hint of thoughtful contemplation.

"Xiao Mo, Houtu is here to see you."

Nuwa explained.

"Houtu greets Daoist friend Li Mo; please, Daoist friend Li Mo, point the way for my Wu Clan."

Houtu bowed to Li Mo and said.

"Interesting—no wonder it was Houtu who evolved reincarnation to win the Wu Clan one last place to dwell."

A sharp glint flashed in Li Mo's eyes.

You've seen through it?

Truly worthy of Houtu!

Among a pack of hotheads, having someone as clever and sharp as Houtu is rare indeed—a genetic mutation?

"What do you mean by that, Daoist friend? I don't understand."

Li Mo said, seemingly puzzled.

"I've known Sister Nuwa for over a hundred Huiyuan; I know her situation well. She couldn't possibly change so drastically in such a short time."

"Since it has happened, there must be some outside influence—for instance... you, Daoist friend."

"Before the fight over the Innate Gourd Vine, Sister glanced at you. If I'm not mistaken, the reason she contended for the gourd vine was because you, Daoist friend, gave the word."

"If I've intruded uninvited and given offense, I ask Daoist friend to forgive me. It was not intentional, but truly out of desperation."

Houtu bowed again, calmly laying out the sequence of events.

"Why is it impossible? Can't I be clever and brilliant on my own? I am Nuwa!"

Nuwa wrinkled her delicate nose and muttered to herself.

"Sit."

Seeing this, Li Mo laughed freely and stopped hiding his ability. It had only been a small test, not true concealment—if he had been, what would be the point of using Nuwa as bait?

As if his words were law, the moment Li Mo finished speaking, three cushions appeared out of thin air.

Seeing that Li Mo and Nuwa had already seated themselves, Houtu no longer held back and sat down with easy grace.

"Please speak, Daoist friend."

Li Mo said slowly.

"The Calamity of Measure is approaching. My elder brothers have already begun losing their reason to the calamity qi and baleful qi. If I'm not mistaken, this Calamity of Measure will center on my Wu Clan."

"The Dao Ancestor or the Heavenly Dao likely intends to erase my Wu Clan's influence on heaven and earth. If so, my Wu Clan will be doomed beyond redemption."

"My Wu Clan has warred against heaven and earth, seeking only to resurrect our Father God. If Father God is not resurrected, neither I nor my brothers are willing to perish here. I implore you, Daoist friend, to teach me how to resurrect Father God. If Father God is resurrected, we shall die without regret."

"So long as Daoist friend is willing to teach, every resource in my Wu Clan's treasury shall belong to you. This is the promise I, Houtu, as one of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, give to you, Daoist friend, and I can also swear on behalf of the entire Wu Clan."

Houtu did not conceal anything and laid out her request directly. Having spoken, she looked at Li Mo with sincere and solemn eyes.

"Resurrect Pangu? That's no trouble at all."

Under Houtu's expectant, nervous, and uneasy gaze, Li Mo chuckled and said.

At these words, Houtu's body trembled, her pupils contracting slightly, as if somewhat shaken and unable to believe it.

Even though she knew Li Mo was somewhat mysterious, coming here this time was, frankly, only to probe and see if there was any way—after all, they were nearly at their wits' end.

And the result was—Father God really could be resurrected?

The surprise came too suddenly; Houtu's mind short-circuited for a moment.

"Are your words true, Daoist friend?"

After a long while, Houtu, having come back to herself, said in a trembling voice.