Xu Fang, seeing the Witch clan's enthusiasm, quickly descended from the Treasure Distribution Rock. After all, judging by the scene, most of the Witch clan seemed to have gathered there to welcome him. Given their warmth and politeness, it would indeed be impolite for him to look down on them from the Treasure Distribution Rock. However, Xu Fang was still confused by the overwhelming enthusiasm and quickly began to ask.
"Friends of the Witch clan, I..."
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang needs not say more. We know why you've come, and we mean no harm. By the way, I am Dijiang, and I am in charge here."
Dijiang, the leader of the Ancestral Witches, interrupted Xu Fang and introduced himself. The more Xu Fang heard, the more bewildered he became. He hadn't even finished a complete sentence, and they already knew his intentions? Who could have leaked the information? However, Xu Fang didn't have time to ask further, as he was now surrounded by the Ancestral Witches and had arrived before a grand palace.
"What is this!"
Xu Fang looked up and saw that although the palace wasn't excessively opulent, it was undeniably grand and magnificent.
"This is Pangu Hall," Dijiang introduced. Xu Fang became even more speechless. So, these fellows truly weren't lying when they said they knew his intentions; they had cut straight to the chase and brought him to Pangu Hall. According to Xu Fang's plan, there were two ways to obtain the Law of Strength from the Witch clan: one was to communicate with the Ancestral Witches and see if he could gain some insight. The other was to enter Pangu Hall; Xu Fang didn't believe that Pangu Hall wouldn't contain some lingering aura of Pangu to help him comprehend the Law of Strength.
Now that his wish was within reach, Xu Fang should have been happy, but he stopped, hesitant. The reaction of the Witch clan had truly exceeded his expectations, leaving him uneasy. Therefore, Xu Fang, despite the Pangu Hall being right in front of him with its doors already ajar, did not rush in. Instead, he looked at the Ancestral Witches present, seeing their faces filled with enthusiasm, which deepened his frown.
"Friends of the Witch clan, I have many questions..."
"What are you waiting for! Move it!"
Xu Fang's words were ultimately left unfinished as Zhurong, the impulsive Ancestral Witch of Fire, interrupted him and directly pushed him into the Pangu Hall. As Xu Fang entered, the doors of Pangu Hall closed, and Dijiang's voice echoed.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, the answers you seek are within. I hope you find what you are looking for."
Dijiang's voice faded, and before Xu Fang could reply, the doors of Pangu Hall completely shut. Xu Fang, looking at the closed doors, sighed helplessly. What were they playing at? However, before Xu Fang could even complain, a voice rang out.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, you've finally arrived!"
"Houtu? No, Pingxin!"
Xu Fang's heart stirred upon hearing the sudden voice, and he looked in its direction. Indeed, as the voice faded, a figure appeared before Xu Fang, it was Houtu, the former Ancestral Witch of the Witch clan, now the Empress Pingxin of the Underworld.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, if you're not used to it, you can still call me Houtu!" Pingxin said understandingly.
"Speaking of which, I am merely a clone. Now that I am with the Witch clan, I should be called Houtu too." Xu Fang looked at the figure before him and, hearing Pingxin's words, immediately understood.
"So, it was you who informed those Ancestral Witches outside about my arrival?"
"That's right. I have been waiting for Fellow Daoist Xu Fang here for a long time. The Earthly Dao had already divined that you would appear here." Pingxin readily admitted, making Xu Fang even more perplexed.
"You and your... superior, or partner, weren't you both suppressed in the Underworld of Reincarnation?" Xu Fang clearly remembered that as soon as these two appeared in the Great Desolation, they were suppressed by the Heavenly Dao and could not come out.
"Although we are suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, creating a clone is something we can still do," Pingxin chuckled and explained to Xu Fang. "Don't worry, this is Pangu Hall, where the divine essence of Father Pangu remains. The Heavenly Dao will not pay attention here."
Xu Fang nodded. The Heaven, Earth, and Human Dao existed on equal footing, their power only differing in their awakening. Even if the Earthly Dao was confined to the Underworld of Reincarnation by the Heavenly Dao and could not influence other parts of the Great Desolation, creating an avatar and evading the Heavenly Dao should not be a problem. And deducing that he would come here seemed like child's play. This was a level of power Xu Fang had not yet reached, so he didn't dwell on it. His current concern was one question.
"Then, risking so much to meet in Pangu Hall, it's not just for a casual chat, is it?" To jest, their actions were defying the heavens. If the Heavenly Dao found out, it would be incredibly enraged. It couldn't possibly be just for a simple meeting and catching up. As expected, upon hearing Xu Fang's words, Pingxin chuckled.
"As expected, we can't hide anything from Fellow Daoist Xu Fang. We are taking such a risk because we have important matters to discuss with you."
"This is quite unbelievable!" Xu Fang chuckled along. The Earthly Dao and a Saint, coming to discuss important matters with him? Was this truly not a joke?
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, please don't jest. This matter can only be entrusted to you!" Saying this, Pingxin immediately put away her smile, her expression becoming extremely solemn, and she bowed deeply to Xu Fang.
"Please, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, save the Earthly Dao, save the Witch clan!"
"This!" Xu Fang's smile froze. What was she saying? Asking him to save the Earthly Dao and the Witch clan? Pingxin, ignoring Xu Fang's astonishment, continued.
"According to the reincarnation deductions of the Earthly Dao, the Witches and Demons will have a final battle. In this battle, neither the Witches nor the Demons will be winners; rather, they will all be mere pawns, pawns of the Heavenly Dao, the protagonists of this calamity."
"And this calamity will not only leave the Witch and Demon clans mutually devastated and completely lose their former great momentum, but it will also further empower the Heavenly Dao, while the Earthly Dao and the Human Dao will be thoroughly suppressed, with no hope of ever rising again!" Pingxin elaborated. After the initial shock, Xu Fang was no longer surprised. He was already intimately familiar with the Lich Calamity, so there was nothing to be shocked about. He just hadn't expected that the Lich war was also a means for the Heavenly Dao to suppress the Earthly and Human Dao. No wonder the Heavenly Dao was so enthusiastic about it, rushing to establish the Six Saints and propel the calamity forward. It was not surprising that the Earthly Dao could deduce this and learn of it, as it concerned the Earthly Dao itself, how could it have no awareness? Compared to this, the Human Dao, whose whereabouts were still unknown, seemed somewhat lacking.
Xu Fang put away his scattered thoughts and asked the question that concerned him most.
"So, you think that what the Earthly Dao and the Saints cannot do, I, Xu Fang, can? Who gives me such confidence? The Great God Pangu?" Xu Fang found it amusing. He hadn't even achieved sainthood yet. It was akin to asking a primary school student to take the postgraduate entrance examination. He truly couldn't do it!