Chapter 623 - Chapter 623: Chapter 573: The Witch Deity Teaching has a Big Scheme

Chapter 623: Chapter 573: The Witch Deity Teaching has a Big Scheme

Inside the Taoist Academy, Pei Xuanjing stood with his hands behind his back, gazing silently at the star-studded sky for a long while.

After he returned from the Star-Viewing Platform in the Imperial City, he stood here alone, contemplating what he had recently seen and heard.

Apart from anything else, the conversations about the Witch Deity Teaching between him and Wu Shijiu had given rise to certain disturbing premonitions within Pei Xuanjing.

During their conversation, Wu Shijiu had shared quite a lot about himself with Pei Xuanjing. Apart from a few confidential details, he hadn’t withheld any information about the Witch Deity Teaching, hence allowing Pei Xuanjing to deepen his understanding of this ancient power that has existed in the Sky Wasteland for thousands of years.

“The original ritual status being replaced by the decorum of Confucianism, and the former ritual masters, the Witch Priests, willingly stepping down only to transform into the Witch Deity Teaching without making any move, is quite odd,” Pei Xuanjing silently pondered.

No individual or power would easily cede their interests, especially when those interests are enormously significant.

The original status of these Witch Priests in the Witch Deity Teaching was highly respected. They had held the rituals since the tribal era of ancient times, and they remained in this eminent position even during the Divine Dynasty of Heavenly Zhou.

This status represented immense interests. Anyone wishing to challenge their status would inevitably face their blowback and suppression.

Even with the rise of Confucianism challenging their position, this should have resulted in an unprecedented great struggle to compete for ultimate victory and the opportunity to enjoy the final benefits.

However, these Witch Priests retreat so easily, which is simply too strange. It must be understood, even though the Witch Deity Teaching they founded is a top-tier power, it can’t compare to their former status as the controllers of the tribal rituals.

Such peculiarities suggest that there can only be one conclusion: there must be more critical benefits that make them willing to retreat and let go of their current interests.

Therefore, as Wu Shijiu stated, the Witch Deity Teaching must have a significant conspiracy going on. There’s no doubt about it.

“But, what exactly are you plotting?” Pei Xuanjing pondered curiously.

He wondered what kind of immense conspiracy could make the Witch Deity Teaching abandon such interests and remain undercover for thousands of years without revealing any clues.

Pei Xuanjing had a hunch that the Witch Deity Teaching, which had remained hidden for thousands of years, might take action soon, and that there could be a violent collision between the two parties.

……

On the side of the Heretics Alliance—

By a surprising coincidence, Zhao Baiyang also did not cultivate or sleep tonight.

He sat in a courtyard with Tie Qianshan and Zi Tianxiong, admiring the moonlit scenery. There were various dishes and fine wines set out before them.

“This time, you displayed your might powerfully, shaking the whole world. Even those who have returned from the Sky Wasteland admire you greatly!” Zi Tianxiong laughed while addressing Zhao Baiyang.

Indeed, ever since the powerful forces of the Sky Wasteland returned, those native powerhouses, including themselves, had been living quite uncomfortably. Even though Pei Xuanjing had set a rule that restrained those people from casually creating havoc within the borders of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, their arrogant air was hard to dissipate.

Even for Zi Tianxiong, who had risen from low beginnings, being looked down upon like this had stirred up great discomfort within him.

But, indeed he was not as powerful as them. Even though he was full of resentment, Zi Tianxiong could only suppress this discomfort, waiting for the right timing.

He had thought that after some time, when his cultivation reaches new heights, he would take the initiative to deal with some who challenged him from the Sky Wasteland’s power. That way, he could suppress their sharpness a bit and also vent his frustrations.

However, he didn’t expect that before he had a chance to take action after closing up, he would receive the news of Zhao Baiyang taking action.

This time, Zhao Baiyang’s move was earth-shattering, shaking the world and forcing the powers of the Sky Wasteland not to look down upon these native powerhouses any longer.

Hearing the words of Zi Tianxiong, Zhao Baiyang flashed a faint smile on his face and waved his hand: “It was merely a fortunate coincidence. With your current strength, Zi Tianxiong, if you wish to take action, those people will certainly be shocked.”

Zhao Baiyang knew very well that these acquaintances of his, especially those who had topped the world before heaven and earth were restored, were by no means weaker in talent than anyone else. The only reason they lagged behind today is due to the shorter time they spent on cultivation. Given enough time, they would inevitably catch up.

Like the Zi Tianxiong before him, who had already broken through to the Spirit Realm Sixth Level. Although Zhao Baiyang wasn’t sure if he could rival a cultivator at the Seventh Level of the Spiritual Realm without being defeated, he was confident that no opponent could contend with Zi Tianxiong within the same realm.

Zi Tianxiong just smiled without saying anything, implicitly agreeing with Zhao Baiyang.

Indeed, Zi Tianxiong, who had built all his achievements from scratch, was truly an ambitious individual. Although he could yield and stretch, the deep-seated pride within him couldn’t be erased.

If he hadn’t broken through his realm this time and didn’t have enough strength and trump card, he wouldn’t have accepted Zhao Baiyang’s invitation today nor would have he appeared here. That’s his unique pride.

On the side, Tie Qianshan, who did not utter a word and was drinking wine alone, shared the same thoughts and feelings.

For those like him who once stood at the very peak, no matter how they behave on normal days – whether amiable, solitary, or arrogant… etc., the pride in their hearts is hard to erase.

If one day they truly become inferior, they wouldn’t need anyone to remind them. They themselves won’t be able to stand their own appearance, and they certainly won’t expose it to the world without good reason.

Zhao Baiyang also understood these two men’s thoughts. Therefore, only after learning that these two had come out of seclusion, did he invite them here. Since they agreed to his invitation, he could guess the gains each of them had obtained during their solitude. It was an unspoken understanding between strong individuals.

“Speaking of which, Zhao Baiyang, you must have not invited us here just to share a drink!” Zi Tianxiong glanced at the silent Tie Qianshan and asked Zhao Baiyang proactively.

Although he didn’t know much earlier, he had become quite familiar with Zhao Baiyang since they formed a secret alliance at Shenxiao Mountain.

Zhao Baiyang was never the type to dwell on the past and invite people for drinks. So, if he invited them over today, he must have a purpose, and that purpose must be significant.