Great Wilderness Mimicry Master, Old Ancestor Minghe

Seeing the look in Old Ancestor Minghe's eyes, like a starving man spotting a meat bun after three days, Chen Song knew immediately: Great, another top-tier mighty being driven mad by the obsession of achieving sainthood.

However, he put on a suitably respectful expression, one of a junior being candid with his elder, and said, "Replying to Martial Uncle Minghe, this junior was indeed fortunate to be present. Martial Aunt Nuwa… she used her supreme Creation Divine Ability to create an entirely new race, named the 'Human Race.' The Heavenly Dao, grateful for her great Merit in completing the sequence of beings in the Great Wilderness, bestowed boundless Xuanhuang Merit upon her, helping her break through the bottleneck and attain Sainthood through Merit!"

"Create… an entirely new race?" Old Ancestor Minghe repeated in a low voice, the light in his crimson eyes flashing rapidly, like a high-speed computer. "Using the Dao of Creation to perform the act of creation, gaining the Heavenly Dao's approval and receiving Merit…"

He suddenly looked up, staring intently at Chen Song as if trying to see through him. "How exactly did she create it? What did she use?"

Chen Song felt a bit unnerved by his gaze, but he gritted his teeth and described it as concisely as possible: "Martial Aunt Nuwa used the Innate Spiritual Soil, the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, as a base, supplemented with the Three Lights Divine Water. She mixed in a drop of her own vital blood as the source of life, then used the supreme Creation Dao Charm to imbue it with form and spirit, thus succeeding."

He deliberately omitted the crucial detail of his own contribution of the Five Elements Branch; it was better to keep that credit for himself.

"Nine Heavens Breathing Soil… Three Lights Divine Water… her own vital blood… Creation imbuement…" Old Ancestor Minghe muttered to himself, each word like a key, colliding wildly in his mind.

Suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed heartily, "Hahaha! This old ancestor understands! Creation and birth, Merit and Sainthood! So that's how it is! So that's how it is!"

Before his laughter died down, Old Ancestor Minghe's figure flickered and vanished from his spot, leaving only a sentence echoing in the bloody air: "Boy, you wait here for a moment!"

Judging by the direction, he was heading straight for the core of the Sea of Blood.

Chen Song and Big White exchanged glances.

"Boss, is he… stimulated?" Big White scratched its ear with its paw.

Chen Song stroked his chin, lost in thought. "I think my 'Martial Uncle' Minghe here might have found his 'sainthood password' and is preparing to… make a knock-off version."

Not long after, the entire Sea of Blood seemed to boil!

RUMBLE!

Endless seawater surged towards the sky, and under the control of Old Ancestor Minghe's immense magical power, it mixed with the boundless malevolent energy and fragments of residual souls contained within the Sea of Blood. Old Ancestor Minghe didn't hesitate to force out his own vital blood and merge it into the mixture!

He emulated Nuwa, using the seawater in place of the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and Three Lights Divine Water, using his own vital blood as the Asura Demon Ancestor as the source of life, and activating his unique Sea of Blood Creation Divine Ability, he began to "knead" frantically!

Beings of various forms, some ferocious, some alluring, some robust, crawled out of the Sea of Blood. Most of the males were ugly and fierce, while the females were seductive and enchanting. The commonality was that they all carried a strong aura of blood malevolence and a desire for slaughter.

Old Ancestor Minghe had created the Asura Race!

Above the sky, the golden clouds of Merit gathered once more! Although the scale was far from the boundless expanse of Nuwa's creation of humans, it was still quite considerable, enough to make any mighty being envious.

Merit descended, with about seventy percent integrating into Old Ancestor Minghe's body, twenty percent into the Asura Race to boost their fortune, and the remaining ten percent returning to the Sea of Blood.

Bathed in the golden light of Merit, Old Ancestor Minghe's aura surged, and his comprehension of the laws of slaughter seemed to deepen… However, until the Merit was exhausted, his ascending aura eventually stagnated, failing to break through that crucial barrier.

He was still a Quasi-Saint! He had not attained Sainthood!

Standing on the waves of the Sea of Blood, Old Ancestor Minghe felt the power within him, which had grown but still hadn't undergone a qualitative change. He looked at the Asura Race beneath him, born with deep-seated malevolence, and then thought of the vast Merit clouds during Nuwa's creation of humans and the pure spiritual light of newborn humans…

A sense of immense disparity and frustration surged in his heart.

"Why?!" Old Ancestor Minghe roared with unwillingness, his voice shaking the Sea of Blood. "We both created a race, why could she become a Saint, but I cannot?! The Heavenly Dao is unjust!!"

Chen Song watched from the side, wincing. Good heavens, he's already breaking down?

He cleared his throat and cautiously tried to comfort him. "Uh… Martial Uncle Minghe, please calm down. This… perhaps your 'materials' and 'concept' were a bit… different from Martial Aunt Nuwa's? The Human Race was pure creation, while your Asura Race… carries a bit of 'original sin'? Or perhaps it's the 'first-mover advantage'? Martial Aunt Nuwa got the credit for being the first to take the plunge, and you, being the second… it's normal for the Merit to be discounted?"

Old Ancestor Minghe suddenly turned his head, his crimson eyes glaring at Chen Song, scaring Chen Song into swallowing the rest of his words.

However, Old Ancestor Minghe did not lash out. He just stared at him intently, his chest heaving. After a long pause, he let out a heavy snort, as if deflated (though still exuding killing intent).

"Hmph! Eloquent words!"

But he also understood in his heart that what Chen Song said might not be without reason. Nuwa's creation of humans aligned with "life" and "spirit," a completion; whereas his creation of Asuras relied on "slaughter" and "resentment," a derivation. The difference in their underlying concepts was indeed significant.

"Enough!" Old Ancestor Minghe waved his sleeve, his tone filled with defeat and a hint of imperceptible frustration. "You may go! Do not speak of today's events to anyone!"

Chen Song felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He quickly cupped his hands. "Martial Uncle, rest assured, this junior saw nothing and heard nothing today! This junior takes his leave!"

With that, he pulled Big White, who was still curiously examining the Asura Race, grabbed its back, and fled without looking back, moving even faster than when he arrived.

Only after flying a considerable distance did Chen Song let out a long sigh of relief, patting his chest. "Good grief, I almost became a witness and a punching bag for Martial Uncle Minghe's breakdown. Being a master imitator isn't easy!"

Big White looked back as it ran, its dog face full of regret. "Woof… what a shame, I didn't even get to ask those newly 'baked' Asuras if they could be roasted and eaten…"

Chen Song: "...Eat your head! Run faster! What if Martial Uncle Minghe realizes and thinks I jinxed him, then chases us down to chop us up!"

Chen Song, riding Big White, was galloping across the western wilderness at a "fleeing for his life" speed, still wondering if Old Ancestor Minghe would get angry and chase them to "silence them." After all, he had witnessed the entire process of the latter's "failed imitation," which was quite embarrassing.

Just as he was contemplating whether he should shout "Martial Aunt Nuwa, save me!" to bolster his courage, that familiar, heart-pounding aura of blood malevolence behind him, like a maggot gnawing at bone, instantly caught up!

"Holy crap! He's actually chasing us!" Chen Song's scalp tingled, and he nearly fell off Big White's back. Big White was so scared its fur stood on end, and its "Energy Devouring Sprint" almost failed.

A flash of blood light, and Old Ancestor Minghe's sinister figure blocked the path of the man and dog. His blood-red robe fluttered in the wilderness wind, the phantom images of the Yuantu and Abi swords floated around him, and the killing intent… hmm? It didn't seem very strong?

Chen Song's heart was in his mouth. He quickly forced out a smile that looked worse than crying. "M-Martial Uncle Minghe… do you have any further instructions? This junior truly saw nothing, said nothing…"

Old Ancestor Minghe stared at him expressionlessly for a few breaths, making Chen Song's fur stand on end. Only then did he slowly speak, his voice still cold, but indeed lacking killing intent. "Boy, why are you running?"

Chen Song: "…" Should I stay and wait for you to offer me tea? I can't afford the Sea of Blood's specialty 'Yuantu Abi Tea' from you!

Old Ancestor Minghe seemed to see through his thoughts and snorted. "If this old ancestor wanted to trouble you, I could have done so back in the valley. Why would I chase you all the way here?"

This statement made Chen Song relax slightly. That's true. With Old Ancestor Minghe's strength and temper, if he really wanted to act, he would have dealt with it at the "scene of the crime" and wouldn't have chased us out.

"Then… Martial Uncle, what is it?" Chen Song asked cautiously.

A complex, unreadable expression flashed in Old Ancestor Minghe's crimson eyes. He fell silent for a moment before saying, "Come to the Sea of Blood with this old ancestor for a bit."

Chen Song: "!!!"

Visiting the Sea of Blood? To see Old Ancestor Minghe? Is this script wrong? Shouldn't we be fighting or extorting him for hush money? Why is he inviting me over? The Sea of Blood, is that a place normal people... no, normal beings can go? Is this really "The Last Supper"?

Seeing the terrified look on Chen Song's face, as if thinking, "Martial Uncle, are you trying to trick me into the Sea of Blood and then kill me to silence me without having to clean up the mess?", Old Ancestor Minghe frowned slightly, appearing somewhat impatient. "What? Afraid I'll harm you?"

"Never, never!" Chen Song quickly waved his hands, his mind racing. The risks of going to the Sea of Blood were unknown, but refusing the "invitation" of a peak Quasi-Saint, a powerful being who had just been slightly provoked, might be even riskier. "It's just... my cultivation is low, and I fear I won't be able to withstand the malevolent energy of the Sea of Blood, thus soiling Martial Uncle's dojo..."

"Hmph, with me here, how could mere malevolent energy harm you?" Old Ancestor Minghe swept his sleeve, and an invisible force instantly enveloped Chen Song and Big White. "Let's go!"

The next moment, the world shifted. The surroundings seemed to be dyed in blood, and a thick, unyielding stench of blood and resentful energy washed over them.

Chen Song felt his vision turn red. He was already standing on an endless, dark red ocean with surging waves. Beneath his feet was a palace constructed from white bones and unknown dark red crystals – Old Ancestor Minghe's dojo, the Nether Palace.

"Woof... Boss, I think I'm going to throw up..." Big White's paws went soft, and it collapsed onto the cold, bone-like ground. Its doggy face was deathly pale (though its fur was white, so it was hard to tell). The aura of this place made it extremely uncomfortable.

Chen Song also felt uneasy, as if countless cold needles were pricking his skin and Primordial Spirit. Fortunately, the Merit power and Innate Five Elements Qi within him circulated automatically, forming a faint protective shield that blocked most of the malevolent energy. The secondary imprint of the Earth Book also warmed slightly, emitting a trace of the stable and grounding energy of the earth's veins, helping him steady his mind.

Old Ancestor Minghe saw Chen Song's reaction, especially the faint glow of the Merit power and the Earth Book's imprint. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes before returning to its usual impassivity.

He led Chen Song into the main hall of the Nether Palace. The hall was spacious and eerie. The walls seemed to contain countless pained, twisted faces wailing, yet they were bound by an unseen force. Old Ancestor Minghe walked directly to the main seat and sat down, pointing to a "chair" beside him, fashioned from the polished skull of a giant beast.

"Sit."

Chen Song looked at the skull chair, which exuded a chilling aura and residual ferocity. His mouth twitched, but he ultimately forced himself to sit on it – it was cold, hard, and uncomfortable, a terrible experience.

Old Ancestor Minghe didn't speak immediately. He merely tapped the armrest, made of some unknown metal, with his finger intermittently, producing a dull "knock, knock" sound that echoed in the silent hall, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

Chen Song felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, mentally complaining: This hospitality is too hardcore! Don't they even have a local specialty, "Forgetfulness River Tea"?

After a long while, Old Ancestor Minghe stopped tapping and looked up at Chen Song. His blood-red eyes were unfathomably deep. "Kid, you said before... 'first-mover advantage'? 'Material differences'?"

Chen Song's heart skipped a beat. As expected, they had circled back to this. He carefully chose his words and said cautiously, "Martial Uncle, I was merely speculating wildly. Think about it, when Martial Aunt Nuwa created the Human Race, it was the first time in the history of creation, a creation 'from nothing to something.' It aligned with the creation of life and vitality, completing the sequence of beings in the Great Wilderness. It was only natural for the Heavenly Dao to bestow generous rewards."

He paused, observing Old Ancestor Minghe's expression. Seeing no signs of anger, he continued:

"And the Asura Race you created, while a great Spiritual Power, has its roots in the Sea of Blood and embodies the path of slaughter and hatred. It's more like... well, a derivation rather than a creation. Perhaps the Heavenly Dao considered this merely an improvement and evolution of existing rules (the Sea of Blood), hence the Merit, though present, was insufficient to support sainthood. Perhaps... your opportunity for sainthood lies elsewhere?"

Old Ancestor Minghe listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the armrest. Chen Song's words were like a stone dropped into his calm heart (though the Sea of Blood churned within).

Imitating Nuwa had failed. This path seemed impassable.

Chen Song watched him fall into thought and dared not disturb him. He could only silently circulate his magic power to resist the surrounding malevolent energy, while praying inwardly that this powerful being wouldn't get stuck on this idea. If he decided to test out a "new creation of the path of slaughter" on him, it would be game over.

After a long time, the turbulent blood-red light in Old Ancestor Minghe's eyes gradually subsided. He looked up at Chen Song, his gaze less cold and carrying a hint of indescribable complexity.

"You, kid... are quite interesting." Old Ancestor Minghe's voice was still hoarse, but seemed to carry less killing intent. "Your cultivation isn't high, but your insights have some strange logic."

Chen Song quickly replied humbly, "Martial Uncle flatters me. I was just talking nonsense; it shouldn't be taken seriously."

"Hmph." Old Ancestor Minghe snorted and stood up. "That's all for today. You may leave."

Chen Song felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He immediately sprang up from the uncomfortable skull chair. "Thank you for your hospitality, Martial Uncle! I shall take my leave!"

"Wait." Old Ancestor Minghe called him back and flicked his finger. A streak of blood-red light flew towards Chen Song, transforming into a small, exquisitely carved token made of blood jade. It bore an ancient character for "Underworld," emitting a faint aura of the Sea of Blood, yet strangely carrying a hint of peace.

"This is the Sea of Blood Token. With this token, you can freely enter and exit the outer areas of the Sea of Blood. Ordinary Asura will not dare to stop you. If you encounter a life-threatening crisis, crush this token, and I will sense it and may be able to save your life." Old Ancestor Minghe's tone was indifferent, as if he were stating a trivial matter.

Chen Song took the token. It felt warm and smooth in his hand, with no sense of bloodiness, but rather a peculiar sense of stability. He was surprised. Was this considered... a consolation prize? Or hush money and a life-saving charm?

"Thank you for your generous gift, Martial Uncle!" Chen Song expressed his sincere gratitude. Regardless, this item might genuinely save his life at a critical moment.

Old Ancestor Minghe waved his hand, his figure gradually merging into the blood-red shadows within the hall and disappearing. Only a faint, lingering voice echoed in the hall: "...Go. If you have any ideas about achieving sainthood in the future, don't forget about me, your Martial Uncle."

Clutching the Sea of Blood Token and pulling the still-weak-kneed Big White, Chen Song quickly left the eerie and terrifying Nether Palace. Only when he felt the air of the Western Wasteland again, which was barren yet "normal," did he let out a long sigh of relief.

"Good heavens, this one-day trip to the Sea of Blood was truly thrilling..."