Chapter 316: The Attitude of Houtu in the Journey to the West World

The decision of Xiyou Hongjun received the unanimous approval of the Saints present.

The current situation allowed for no hesitation or delay; they had to take swift action to counter Lu Yun's layout.

Therefore, Xiyou Hongjun immediately closed his eyes and focused his mind, his powerful divine sense transforming into an invisible ripple that instantly pierced through layers of space, reaching deep into the Underworld.

In the Underworld, Houtu and the Houtu from another world were immersed in their exchange, completely unaware of the changes in the outside world. However, when Hongjun's divine sense arrived, they both felt that immense pressure simultaneously, stopped their conversation, and cast their gazes toward the sky.

"Hongjun Daozu has summoned me; I must head to Zixiao Palace immediately," Xiyou Houtu said to the Houtu of the Primordial World, her tone carrying a trace of imperceptible worry.

The Houtu of the Primordial World nodded slightly, her gaze profound: "It seems our actions have already attracted their attention. You go ahead and see what they have to say!"

"Wait a moment, I shall return shortly!"

As Xiyou Houtu spoke, her figure flickered, transforming into a streak of light that shot straight into the clouds, speeding toward the direction of Zixiao Palace.

Outside Zixiao Palace.

Xiyou Houtu arrived here and saw the various buildings, just as they had been in the past, and felt quite moved in her heart.

She recalled the sermons at Zixiao Palace in years past, the three thousand guests of the mortal world, and even more so, her deceased elder sister and brothers.

According to the information she had learned from the Primordial Houtu, the Ancestral Witches of the other world were still alive, and each of them had achieved the status of Sub-Saint! This news left her feeling very conflicted to this day.

She felt both happy for her other-worldly self and regretful for the brothers and sisters of her own world.

In the end, her gaze fell upon the Zixiao Palace before her, and her emotions inevitably fluctuated.

After all, according to the Primordial Houtu, the death of her brothers was very likely due to Hongjun's schemes! However, Xiyou Houtu quickly calmed her mood and flew into Zixiao Palace.

She drifted to the outside of the Zixiao Great Hall.

Before even entering the hall, she first noticed that in a corner not far away, there were actually two Tongtian Jiaozhus arguing about something.

Having already met her other-worldly self, she did not find this surprising.

She was somewhat curious about what the two Tongtians could be discussing so heatedly, but unfortunately, these two seemed not to want anyone to hear their conversation, so they had used their Supernatural Power to isolate their voices, such that even Houtu could not forcibly investigate.

Xiyou Houtu did not pursue the matter further, withdrew her gaze, and strode into the great hall.

The moment Houtu stepped into the hall, the originally heavy atmosphere seemed to freeze.

Everyone's eyes were focused on her, their expressions varied.

Xiyou Houtu's gaze also swept across them one by one, lingering briefly on the people from the Primordial World, and finally landing on Xiyou Hongjun.

Houtu bowed calmly, her voice crisp and firm: "Greetings, Hongjun Daozu, greetings, fellow Daoists."

Hongjun nodded slightly, observing her with a profound gaze, and said in a deep voice: "Houtu, do you know why I have summoned you here?"

Houtu bowed slightly, her tone calm: "When the Dao Ancestor summons, there must be an important matter. I wish to hear the details."

Hongjun did not answer directly, but said slowly: "I have heard that you and another Houtu were discussing the Great Dao of Reincarnation in the Underworld; is this true?" The Houtu of this world admitted it frankly: "It is indeed true. The Great Dao of Reincarnation is profound and unfathomable; I have gained much from exchanging with this fellow traveler from another world."

Upon hearing this, Hongjun's eyes flickered slightly, and he continued to ask: "Have you ever thought that this action might cause unnecessary disputes and turmoil?"

Xiyou Houtu frowned and said: "The Dao Ancestor is overthinking. The Great Dao of Reincarnation is the ultimate truth of heaven and earth. We discuss and explore it to promote learning from each other's strengths and progress together; how could it cause any disputes or turmoil?"

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere in Zixiao Palace became even more subtle. The Saints of the Journey to the West World and the Primordial World exchanged glances, all vaguely feeling that the situation was not good.

Xiyou Zhunti suddenly spoke up: "Houtu, you wouldn't be thinking of defecting to those outsiders, would you?"

The others were slightly stunned, not expecting Zhunti to raise such a question directly.

However, since he had already asked, the others naturally wanted to hear Xiyou Houtu's answer.

Xiyou Houtu glanced at Xiyou Zhunti indifferently and teased: "How I do things—does it have to be approved by you, Zhunti? Furthermore, you yourselves are currently so close to a group of outsiders; what qualifications do you have to lecture me?"

Upon hearing this, Xiyou Zhunti was momentarily stuck; he wanted to refute, but after glancing at the Honghuang Zhunti and the others beside him, he did not know how to retort.

After holding back for a long time, it was Xiyou Jieyin who came to his rescue, saying: "These fellow Daoists are not the same as the Houtu you encountered."

Xiyou Houtu asked back: "How are they different? Are they not all from the same world?"

Honghuang Zhunti could not help but retort: "Of course they are different. At the very least, we would not think of seizing your world, but they are different!"

Xiyou Houtu looked at him teasingly and said: "You say you wouldn't, so it must be true? They also say they wouldn't, so why don't you believe them?"

Honghuang Zhunti was left speechless.

The Saints of the Journey to the West World only then realized that they had subconsciously chosen to trust the Primordial Saints because they were themselves from another world.

But could these people really be trusted?

What if the other party was also using the name of fighting side-by-side to gain their trust, only to suddenly stab them in the back?

Thinking of this, the Saints of the Journey to the West World all became somewhat guarded.

Seeing this, Xiyou Hongjun waved his hand gently to stop Zhunti from arguing further, his gaze falling back on Houtu, and he said in a deep voice: "Houtu, I do not intend to interfere with your cultivation and exchanges, but you must understand that the Journey to the West World is currently facing unprecedented challenges. That Lu Yun has a far-reaching layout and his intentions are unclear; we must respond with caution."

Xiyou Houtu nodded slightly, indicating her understanding: "The Dao Ancestor is absolutely right; I naturally understand the severity of the current situation. But the Great Dao of Reincarnation concerns the life and death of all things. As an Earthly Dao Saint, I have the responsibility and obligation to explore its mysteries. My exchange with that Houtu was purely out of a pursuit of the Great Dao, with no other intentions."

Xiyou Hongjun pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I understand your intentions, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. You must be vigilant at all times regarding the movements of those outsiders and must not be used by them."

Xiyou Houtu bowed and said: "I will take the Dao Ancestor's teachings to heart. I will keep an eye on the movements of those outsiders at all times, and at the same time, I will continue to explore the mysteries of the Great Dao of Reincarnation to contribute my share of strength to the Journey to the West World."

Since she had put it this way, Xiyou Hongjun suddenly did not know how to persuade her not to associate with the Primordial Houtu.

Just then, Xiyou Houtu suddenly said: "By the way, after my exchange with the other fellow Daoist Houtu just now, I have some new ideas about the structure of the Underworld and would like to reform it. I ask that you fellow Daoists have those you sent to the Underworld as guests leave as soon as possible, so as to avoid any misunderstandings!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Xiyou Jieyin and Zhunti changed abruptly, and they said in unison: "That is impossible!"

Xiyou Houtu's expression turned cold instantly.