Chapter 11

Unable to win the argument, he had simply hauled out Hongjun and the overwhelming tide of destiny to press her down by force. This esteemed Taiqing Immortal amounted to no more than this—childishly immature.

Nuwa's expression was calm as she replied with unhurried composure:

"To be honest with Senior Brother Laozi, before I founded my teachings, I also made divinations and glimpsed a portion of Heaven's secrets."

Yuanshi and Tongtian were both stunned when they heard this.

Laozi froze as well. He had intended to use the greater momentum to force her hand, never expecting Nuwa to say such a thing, and his displeasure deepened.

"Junior Sister Nuwa, since you had already foreseen Heaven's secrets, why did you still seize my opportunity?"

Yuanshi's face also showed anger as he said:

"This was indeed improper."

Nuwa was neither irritated nor angry. She said calmly:

"Senior Brothers, there is something you do not know. I did this for a reason."

"A reason?" Laozi and Yuanshi looked at each other. Laozi could not help pressing:

"What reason?"

Nuwa did not answer directly, but asked in return:

"Senior Brother, do you still remember when the Demon Race slaughtered the human race?"

Laozi said without thinking:

"Naturally I remember. At the time, while searching for the Kongtong Seal, I witnessed it from afar. Such an act that violated the harmony of Heaven would surely meet retribution in the future."

"Is that so? But when we met that day, Senior Brother clearly told me not to meddle, advised me not to touch karma, and not to get involved in the tribulation."

"Seeing Senior Brother so indifferent toward the human race, standing by with folded sleeves even as hundreds of millions of lives were devoured by the Demon Race..."

"I assumed you had no fate with them, and that the Heaven's secrets I had calculated before were mistaken."

"I never expected Senior Brother's opportunity to become a Saint would actually lie with the human race. What a pity. Truly the greatest pity."

As Nuwa spoke, she sighed again and again.

That expression and bearing made the onlookers almost want to clap and cheer.

Who would have thought this Sister possessed such a talent, so deeply versed in the art of barbed exchanges?

It was truly a waste that she had not joined an opera troupe.

Laozi finally could no longer hold himself back, his cheeks flushing red.

The rage inside him was almost about to erupt.

Having his opportunity to become a Saint stolen was already infuriating, yet he still had to suffer this needle hidden in cotton mockery.

It was truly beyond endurance.

"The human race is weak. At its birth, it was bound to face calamity. This is the Heavenly Mandate. What was wrong with what I said?"

Inside Nuwa's palace, the atmosphere was drawn taut as swords and bows.

Laozi said with a dark expression, "Teaching and transforming the human race is my opportunity to prove the Dao. This is Heaven's fixed decree. How could it allow defiance?"

"No matter how many excuses you have, you cannot change the fact that you defied Heaven's principle." His words were like blades, and he gave not an inch.

Nuwa flew into a rage. "Insolence! If the human race suffering calamity was the Heavenly Mandate, then if I cut you down today, would that not also be your fixed fate?"

Hunyuan magic power thundered out, knocking Laozi back several zhang. Monstrous pressure swept across the entire hall, and even Yuanshi and Tongtian, who were watching from the side, felt a suffocating oppression.

Yuanshi hurriedly tried to mediate. "Junior Sister, calm your anger! Senior Brother was only following Master's teachings. With the tribulation before us, it was unsuitable to interfere. Back then, his advice was originally for your sake."

Tongtian also chimed in, "Exactly. Eldest Senior Brother was only acting according to Master's command. He had absolutely no other intention."

Yuanshi had always valued roots and origins, viewing the human race as grass and mustard. To him, the Demon Race running rampant had been of little importance. But to say such things in front of the Mother of the Human Race was truly not a wise move.

Laozi was still unwilling to give up. "Junior Sister, since you have already used the human race to prove the Dao, why did you still establish Human Teachings and cut off my opportunity? You must give an explanation for this matter."

Nuwa sneered. "Were my words just now not clear enough? Could it be you are treating this Wa Huang Palace of mine as that broken-down land in the West?"

As soon as these words came out, the Sanqing's faces instantly turned ashen.

The original misunderstanding had already caused the Sanqing to lose all face, and now Nuwa had actually brought up the old matter again in public.

Such conduct was no different from trampling the dignity of three Saints beneath her feet.

Yuanshi's brows furrowed tightly. "Junior Sister, this conduct is rather lacking in decorum. In the past, deceiving Eldest Senior Brother could still be overlooked, but now you openly mock him."

Those words were truly disgusting to hear.

As Lin Fan listened to the Sanqing's endless lecturing, impatience gradually rose in him.

"You three exalted immortals are pressing so hard. Could it be you came to seek a contest of Daoist arts with Sister?"

"Since that is the case, why not be straightforward?"

"My elder sister has recently comprehended a supreme mysterious art and just happens to be worrying that she has nowhere to use it."

"Considering that my elder sister's cultivation is slightly superior, you three are specially permitted to join hands and seek instruction."

Nuwa understood, her gaze shooting over like lightning.

The Sanqing's hearts all tightened. This little brat was rather skilled at fanning the flames and **.

He had clearly never mentioned anything about competing in skill.

Forget the three of them attacking together—even thirty of them would be hard-pressed to withstand Nuwa's divine might.

Yuanshi hurriedly explained, "Junior Sister, please don't misunderstand. We came today only to discuss countermeasures. Now that Human Teachings is already a settled matter, there is actually a way to satisfy both sides—if Junior Sister is willing to hand the position of sect leader and the Kongtong Seal over to Eldest Senior Brother..."

Lin Fan could not help laughing when he heard this.

Demanding the Kongtong Seal? Truly the dream of a fool.

Since when had this thing become something already in your pockets?

Nuwa said calmly, "The leader of Human Teachings has already been chosen."

The Sanqing were all stunned. Laozi asked urgently, "Who?"

"My Younger Brother, Lin Fan. At this moment, the Kongtong Seal is in his hands."

As Nuwa's words fell, the Sanqing all revealed looks of disbelief.

Wherever their gazes fell, how could that child with his hair still in tufts shoulder such a great responsibility?

Laozi said in a deep voice, "Junior Sister is being far too rash. How can a mere child lead Human Teachings?"

Venerable Yuanshi said in a heavy voice:

"Junior Sister, do you understand that this concerns the very foundation of a sect? How can such rashness be allowed?"

Sect Master Tongtian immediately added:

"Junior Sister, do not act on a fit of temper. There is still room to withdraw your command now."

The three saints took turns speaking, chattering on and on like a swarm of buzzing flies.

"Annoying!"

A cold gleam suddenly flashed in Nuwa's eyes, and her clear shout shook the palace halls. Her Hunyuan aura poured out with a roar, making the entire hall tremble. The Sanqing instantly felt their souls quake, and all fell silent.

"The rise and fall of the human race is for me to decide. Why should outsiders trouble themselves with comment? If the three Dao brothers have no important business, please see yourselves out."

Laozi was just about to speak again when he suddenly saw a plain sleeve sweep outward. In an instant, time and space reversed, and the Sanqing staggered and fell outside the palace gates. With a thunderous boom, the gates of Wa Huang Heaven had already slammed shut.

The three saints' faces were as dark as black iron, the resentment in their chests difficult to settle. To think that they, dignified innate sacred true beings, would suffer such humiliation today. Yet seeing the force of Nuwa's fury, they ultimately flicked their sleeves and left.

Seeing the disturbance vanish, Lin Fan sprawled spread-eagled on the cloud couch. "Finally, some peace and quiet!"

Nuwa's slender fingers lightly scratched his round little belly, her smile blooming like a flower. "You little clever ghost. With just a few words, you left Daoist Taiqing speechless. Even Sister didn't see that coming."

Lin Fan puffed out his cheeks and muttered, "Sister, why didn't you beat them up just now? Those old Daoists kept chattering nonstop, just like summer cicada nymphs!"

"Silly child." Nuwa poked his forehead and laughed. "The Sanqing inherited Pangu's legacy and enjoy the Merit of World Creation. Innate saints born in response to destiny like them—how could they be beaten just because one says so?"

"Sister's heart is far too soft!" Lin Fan waved his little fist. "If it were me, I wouldn't care whether they were the orthodox line of Pangu or not. I'd beat them first until peach blossoms bloomed all over their faces!"

Nuwa covered her lips and laughed softly. Her gaze fell on Lin Fan, and her pupils suddenly shrank as she said in astonishment, "You actually condensed a Merit Golden Body?"

A golden radiance rose around Lin Fan's body, and he nodded. "It was formed from the merit accumulated through the Kongtong Seal."

That brilliant divine light made Nuwa's eyes tremble faintly. A Merit Golden Body could not be obtained without a tremendous opportunity, and it required heaven-piercing aptitude and a supreme method besides. She had not expected this Youth to achieve it so easily.

She was secretly marveling when she saw Lin Fan turn his palm over and take out three Chaos Star Fruits. Dao patterns flowed with starlight across the fruit skins, and a chaotic aura rushed toward her face.

"Chaos Spirit Fruits?!" Nuwa's fingertips trembled slightly. "This thing should have long since vanished from the Primordial World. Where did you—"

"I happened to obtain a Chaos Spirit Root," Lin Fan interrupted her astonishment. "There were five fruits. I ate two, and the rest are for Sister."

Nuwa suddenly grabbed his sleeve and pretended to sob. "Wuwu—this little heartless thing finally remembered Sister!"

Lin Fan glanced coldly at the dry corners of her eyes. This demoness was always good at putting on an act.

Sure enough, in the next second Nuwa giggled and leaned in. "Good little brother, give me a kiss?" Seeing Lin Fan turn his head to dodge, she suddenly pulled him into her arms and planted a fierce kiss on him.

The Youth's ear tips flushed red as he wiped his face. This enchantress was always so shamelessly **.

Not long after, Nuwa recalled the scene of Lin Fan sneaking out on his own last time, and worry rose in her heart again. She exhorted Lin Fan:

"From now on, do not go out on your own while Sister is in seclusion. The lands of the Primordial World are full of danger."

"Stay peacefully in the royal palace and focus on cultivating. Remember that."

"Mm, Sister, don't worry."

Lin Fan answered obediently and nodded.

Only then did Nuwa reveal a look of relief.

After Nuwa entered meditation to comprehend the Primordial Creation Scripture, Lin Fan quietly slipped out of the great hall. Once he confirmed that Sister had entered a cultivation state, he immediately threw her instructions to the back of his mind and activated the Primordial Pearl to conceal the heavenly secrets.

Using the Primordial Pearl to traverse the chaos, Lin Fan went straight to the Human Tribe, where the people were multiplying and thriving. Ever since Nuwa established Human Teachings, the human settlement had begun to show a new look. But limited by their natural talents, they would still need long years if they wanted to strengthen their people.

Thinking of this, Lin Fan flashed to Shouyang Mountain in the Human Ancestral Land. The instant his small figure appeared, the humans below erupted into commotion. Reverence and fervor filled everyone's faces, and cries rose one after another:

The Holy Venerable had descended!

The Three Heroes of the human race—Suiren Shi, Youchao Shi, and Ziyi Shi—hurried over upon hearing the news. As the strongest Mysterious Immortal cultivators in the tribe, the three knelt in respectful obeisance. "Greetings, Holy Venerable."

Lin Fan gave a slight nod. "Rise. From this day forth, Shouyang Mountain shall be a sacred land of the human race. I will establish my Daoist sanctum here and expound the Great Dao. All children of the human race may come and listen."

When the Three Ancestors heard this, joy bloomed across their faces. The Holy Venerable's permanent presence on Shouyang Mountain meant the human race now had eternal protection and no longer needed to fear harassment from other races. The three answered in unison, "We respectfully obey the holy decree."

At the summit of Shouyang Mountain.

Suiren Shi could hardly hide his excitement and reported loudly, "Holy Venerable, I will summon the entire race at once." Before his words had even fallen, crimson flames and flowing light ignited around him, and in the blink of an eye, he swept across the human settlements a hundred li away.

Youchao Shi watched the firelight of his colleague recede into the distance, then cupped his hands to Lin Fan with a trace of apology. "Please forgive him, Holy Venerable. He has always been like this. When happy tidings are before him, he simply cannot keep his temper in check."

As his azure robes billowed, Lin Fan drifted lightly to the ground and merely waved a hand casually.

Ziyi Shi's gaze stirred slightly. Suddenly noticing that the saint's lips were a vivid red, he could not help but give a soft sound of surprise. "Holy Venerable, your complexion seems..."

"No matter." Lin Fan covered his lips with his sleeve. "The fire was somewhat too strong during alchemy these past few days."

Three thousand humans gathered at the foot of the mountain like a tide.

Lin Fan sat upright atop the clouds, and the Hongmeng Dao rhythm shook heaven and earth together with the sound of his preaching. The phantom of the Nine-Leaf Divine Tree propped open the firmament, and ten thousand streams of spiritual rosy light surged from the earth veins.

He turned complexity into simplicity, breaking down the Three Thousand Great Daos into:

—The principle of Five Elements Interaction

—The workings of yin and yang's revolving cycle

—The secret of wind and thunder's mutual resonance

—The Dao of sword and formation merging as one

Many of those blessed with extraordinary talent revealed expressions of sudden enlightenment, clear Dao-light rippling around them. By the time the thousand years of preaching ended, over a hundred humans had actually broken through the shackles of Earth Immortal.

"We kowtow in thanks to the Holy Venerable for bestowing the Dharma!"

Amid cries that shook the mountain, Lin Fan pointed from afar at the palace wreathed in purple qi on the peak. "From this day forth, this hall shall be my Daoist sanctum. If any of you encounter calamity, you may enter Shouyang Mountain to take refuge."

"If you have any confusion on the path of cultivation, you may come to me for guidance at any time."

Before his words had fallen, the territory of Shouyang Mountain suddenly trembled, and a vast, majestic palace stood towering into existence.

Golden radiance shone upon it, solemn and magnificent.

Above the palace doors, the three characters Holy Emperor Palace were written with vigorous force.

Lin Fan stepped into the hall and sensed that the might of the Kongtong Seal within his Spiritual Platform had grown once again. The corners of his mouth could not help but lift slightly.

This seal was linked to the Human Race Destiny. When the race's fortune flourished, the seal's power grew stronger.

Though Shouyang Mountain was the Human Ancestral Land, it was not one of the top immortal mountains in the Primordial World. On the contrary, it was utterly unremarkable. Even Acquired Spiritual Roots on the mountain were few and far between.

Over the span of a thousand years, Lin Fan circulated the Primordial Creation Scripture, letting spiritual breath diffuse outward. Nourished by the qi of creation, the spiritual things within the mountain grew vigorously, many transforming into Acquired Spiritual Roots. The entire mountain range shone with lush vitality.

The clansmen traveling through the mountains perceived the changes, and all were pleasantly surprised, praising Lin Fan's divine powers one after another.

Inside the hall, Lin Fan focused on comprehending the Hongmeng Purple Qi gifted to him by Nuwa.

After refining the restrictions of the Kongtong Seal and absorbing the merit, his origin transformed again, and his extraordinary comprehension climbed to an even higher level. The profound laws within the purple qi surged like rivers, all appearing before him.

The entire process flowed as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water.

In the blink of an eye, purple light wound around his body, his Primordial Spirit cultivation soared, and his fleshly body slowly sublimated as well.

Hongmeng Purple Qi truly deserves to be called the Foundation of the Great Dao. Admiration rose in Lin Fan's heart. It contained not only the Heavenly Dao's origin, but also all-encompassing profundities, enough to intoxicate the mind.

All of a sudden, his divine sense touched a wall, and his comprehension came to an abrupt halt.

The origin of the Hongmeng Purple Qi was hidden within a hazy mist.

This layer of mist was illusory and ethereal, impossible to touch, and impossible to see through.

It seemed to secretly contain some kind of law and order.

What exactly is it?

Doubt rose in Lin Fan's heart. He activated the Void-Piercing Divine Eyes and gazed over with focused attention.