Chapter 24 - Zhong Yue’s Transformation, The Witch-Demon War and the Defeat of the Sun Palace
Chapter 24: Zhong Yue’s Transformation, The Witch-Demon War and the Defeat of the Sun Palace
Zhong Yue took out the Five Elements Spirit Pearls, using his essence blood to activate the five elements, guiding the pearls to his five viscera to form an innate microcosmic Five Elements structure.
In an instant, the scene blazed with radiant light, divine glow shimmering, as five beams of spiritual light shot towards the heavens like towering pillars.
Fortunately, this brilliance was fleeting, concealed by the Innate Five Elements Grand Formation enveloping the volcanic crater.
Within the volcano, Zhong Yue was enveloped in five-coloured radiance, transforming into a massive cocoon.
The Five Elements Spirit Pearls nurtured his being, while the power of the earth veins nourished his physical form; Zhong Yue plunged into a profound transformation in an instant.
The sun rose and the moon set, time turning ceaselessly.
As Zhong Yue’s foundation [gēn jiǎo]^, physical body, and cultivation underwent earth-shattering changes, a cataclysmic war erupted in the Primordial Wilderness.
Led by Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi, commanding the myriad spirits of the Sun Palace, their expanding势力 [shì lì]^ clashed with their fated enemies—the Witch Clan.
The Witch Clan, newly emerged and dwelling near Buzhou Mountain, had yet to gain renown.
In contrast, the Sun Palace had grown grandiose over the years, annexing myriad tribes and expanding its territory, leaving many great divine powers resentful but silent.
Thus, when the Witch Clan faced the Sun Palace, none favoured their odds.
“The Witch Clan, said to be heirs of Great God Pangu, have provoked those two brothers; they’re in for it now.”
“What a pity for Great God Pangu’s legacy; barely emerged, and now facing extinction.”
“What can be done? Those two brothers grow ever more brazen; just the other day, I…”
..
In the void, countless divine senses intertwined, buzzing with discussion, all observing the impending war.
Yet, not a single great power held hope for the Witch Clan, only lamenting the fall of Pangu’s legacy.
On Kunlun Mountain, three Daoists sat alone, arranged in the formation of the Three Talents.
Taiqing Laozi, clad in a Taiji Daoist robe, with the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda above his head, sat on a meditation mat, a vast yin-yang fish pattern faintly manifesting behind him.
Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun, holding the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, sat majestically on a lotus platform, his noble and awe-inspiring aura shaking the heavens, with an image of the primordial opening of the cosmos emerging behind him.
Shangqing Tongtian Jiaozhu, in a purple-gold Daoist robe, held the Qingping Sword inversely, his soaring sword intent dimming the sun, moon, and stars, silencing the four seas and eight wilds.
“Eldest Brother, Second Brother, the Witch Clan are descendants of Father God; should we, for Father God’s sake, intervene on their behalf?”
Tongtian spoke first, looking at Yuanshi Tianzun and Taiqing Laozi with an inquiring expression.
“Third Brother, you overthink. The Witch Clan lack primordial spirits; how can they be considered Father God’s descendants?”
“Mere abominations ignorant of the Heavenly Dao; their death is their own, what has it to do with Father God?”
Yuanshi Tianzun retorted unceremoniously, his words dripping with disdain for the Witch Clan.
Yuanshi Tianzun revered the Heavenly Dao above all; the Witch Clan, unable to comprehend the Heavenly Dao, were in his eyes an affront to Father God’s legacy by being called his descendants.
“Yuanshi, we three brothers need only understand this; speak no more of it, lest we lose face before outsiders.”
Taiqing Laozi looked at Yuanshi Tianzun, his tone not stern but his stance clear.
Yuanshi Tianzun, hearing this, merely pursed his lips, saying no more.
He understood Taiqing Laozi’s intent: as the orthodox heirs of Pangu, the Three Pure Ones should display magnanimity, not disparage others.
After all, the Witch Clan were indeed born of Pangu’s essence blood; speaking too much would make the Three Pure Ones seem petty and lacking in capacity to outsiders.
They had only just become disciples of Saint Hongjun, claiming the titles of the first three great disciples.
“However, Second Brother’s point holds merit. The Witch Clan, tainted by malevolent energy, lack respect for the Heavenly Dao and are unfit for creation.”
“Thus, for now, we need only observe, ensuring Father God’s name is not dishonoured.”
Taiqing Laozi’s meaning was clear: victory or defeat mattered little, so long as the Witch Clan avoided extinction at critical moments.
For if they were eradicated, it would shame Pangu’s legacy, and as fellow heirs of Pangu, the Three Pure Ones would be implicated.
But as long as extinction was avoided, the matter would not concern them.
Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian clearly grasped this, nodding with smiles.
“Good~”
Footnotes:
跟脚 (gēn jiǎo):
Meaning: Literally “roots and feet,” it metaphorically refers to a being’s innate foundation, origin, or potential in cultivation, determining their starting point and limits in the path to immortality.
Origin: Common in xianxia literature, the term originates from Daoist and Buddhist ideas of one’s inherent spiritual quality, often tied to their birth or creation (e.g., born from a divine mountain vs. a common stone).
Cultural Significance: In Chinese cultivation stories, a strong “foundation” is critical for achieving greatness. Zhong Yue’s efforts to enhance his gēn jiǎo reflect the cultural value of self-improvement and transcending one’s origins through diligence and ingenuity.
势力 (shì lì):
Meaning: Literally “power” or “influence,” it refers to the collective strength, authority, or territorial control of a group, here describing the Sun Palace’s dominance and expansion.
Origin: A common term in Chinese literature, particularly in historical and xianxia contexts, where factions vie for supremacy. It carries connotations of political and martial might.
Cultural Significance: In Chinese culture, shì lì reflects the importance of consolidating power and influence, a key theme in xianxia where factions like the Sun Palace assert dominance. It underscores the conflict’s scale and the Witch Clan’s underdog status.
As the Three Pure Ones deliberated, other great divine powers across the Primordial Wilderness were also observing the war.
The struggle for the protagonist of heaven and earth had existed since ancient times, and as the Sun Palace rose in prominence in recent years, many began to ponder whether to join the fray and vie for the fortune of heaven and earth [tiān dì yùn shì]^.
Amidst the speculation, the war began.
The Sun Palace, led by Dijun and aided by Donghuang Taiyi, wielded the innate supreme treasure Chaos Bell, commanding billions of demon soldiers and generals.
In contrast, the Witch Clan saw the twelve Ancestral Witches burst forth, their twelve heavenly phenomena shaking past and present, standing like twelve celestial pillars at the scene.
Behind them were numerous Great Witches and countless witch soldiers and generals, their malevolent energy soaring to the skies, their terrifying aura like the revival of ancient demonic gods.
“Dijiang, if you agree to submit to my Sun Palace, I shall grant you the title of an emperor—how about it?”
Dijun stood atop the cosmic firmament, with the River Chart above his head and the Luo Book in hand, exuding imperial majesty, his aura dominating the four seas and eight wilds.
“Heh, mongrel bird, you dare ask my Witch Clan to bow? Where do you get such audacity?”
It was not Dijiang who spoke, but Zhurong beside him; with his fiery temper, he cursed outright, darkening Dijun’s face.
As the saying goes, the highest form of warfare is strategy [shàng bīng fá móu]^; it must be said that Dijun was a competent Heavenly Emperor, for despite his blackened face and raging heart, he did not immediately lose his temper.
“Dijiang, do you truly not fear death? Even if you do not, what of your clansmen? Do you not consider their fate?”
Unfortunately, this was his first encounter with the Witch Clan, who dwelt near Buzhou Mountain, beyond the reach of divination, leaving him ignorant of their nature.
No sooner had his words fallen than the Witch Clan acted.
“Mongrel bird, spare your words—come meet your death!”
It was Zhurong again who struck, his Ancestral Witch true form unfurling: beast-headed, human-bodied, clad in red scales, fire snakes piercing his ears, and riding fire dragons, charging straight at Dijun.
The twelve Ancestral Witches were bound as one; as Zhurong moved, the others followed suit.
“My sons, charge with me!”
Shouts rang out, twelve phenomena soared to the heavens, their terrifying aura sweeping the celestial vault, the oppressive malevolent energy seeming to crush the very sky.
In the distance, Dijun’s face darkened, but he had no choice but to meet the battle.
At this time, the Demon Master had not yet joined, and only six of the ten Demon Sages had aligned; without the Primordial River-Luo Grand Formation or the Cosmic Stars Grand Formation, Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi were merely at the early Quasi-Saint realm.
After a fierce battle, despite the twelve Ancestral Witches being only at the peak of Great Luo, the Sun Palace was swiftly defeated.
The Sun Palace’s forces were scattered to pieces; had it not been for the Chaos Bell’s protection, Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi might have perished.
The war lasted several days, though much of it was pursuit.
Only after chasing billions of li beyond Buzhou Mountain’s range did the Witch Clan reluctantly withdraw.
Not long after the war concluded, within the Undying Volcano’s range, in an unremarkable volcano, a figure opened their eyes.