Xuandu excitedly accepted the Yellow Zhong Li Plum. After offering his sincere thanks, he left Eight Sceneries Palace and headed to a quiet chamber to refine it.
Meanwhile, Taiqing Laozi was using the Thousandfold Time Law to fully refine another rare treasure—the Primal Chaos Blood Spirit Marrow.
The vast power of blood and vitality was rapidly absorbed under his guidance.
Moments later, an astonishing surge of power erupted from within Eight Sceneries Palace, shooting straight into the heavens.
However, the Chaos Pearl floating overhead promptly released a clear radiance, successfully preventing the powerful aura from leaking out.
Once everything had settled, Taiqing Laozi opened his eyes. A sharp gleam flashed through them, and an incomparably tyrannical aura emanated from his body.
"This physical body is as strong as a Xiantian Supreme Treasure. Not bad at all."
Taiqing Laozi nodded in satisfaction.
Although the defensive treasures in his possession were already among the strongest, his formidable physical body still pleased him greatly.
Especially when an enemy had exhausted every effort to break through his magical treasures, only to discover that Taiqing Laozi's physical body was no weaker than a Xiantian Supreme Treasure—their helplessness and despair would surely be unimaginable.
Not long afterward, a powerful aura suddenly erupted within Daluo Heaven.
Taiqing Laozi looked up and saw that Xuandu had successfully broken through to the Late Quasi-Saint realm.
Taiqing Laozi smiled faintly, secretly delighted.
For Xuandu, refining a Yellow Zhong Li Plum was no difficult task.
"Xuandu, take this talisman to Shouyang Mountain in the Primordial Wilderness and spread the Dao among the Human Race. While there, wait for someone. When the time is right, give this talisman to him."
"Yes, Master!"
Taiqing Laozi handed the Dao talisman containing the Grand Void God Sealing Art to Xuandu and ordered him to go to Shouyang Mountain to spread the Dao among the Human Race.
Xuandu departed at once.
Taiqing Laozi's gaze shifted toward the Earthly Immortal Realm of the Primordial Wilderness. The era there was currently the Spring and Autumn Warring States period.
His gaze naturally settled upon the Qin Empire in the west.
The person Xuandu was waiting for was Ying Zheng.
Once Ying Zheng united the realm and became the Human Co-Lord, he could be taught the Grand Void God Sealing Art and begin laying the foundation for the Human Path.
Creating a Great Dao was exceedingly difficult.
Even one blessed with extraordinary talent could not accomplish everything.
During the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Nüwa had failed to perceive the opportunity of the Human Path, only realizing it after the path had been severed.
Establishing the Human Path now was even more difficult.
That was because Human Path Fortune had nearly dissipated and needed to be gathered anew.
To gather Human Path Fortune, the Human Race first had to achieve true unification and merge its numerous complex strands of fortune into one.
Then the Human Emperor would ascend the throne and transform the fortune of the Human Race into Human Path Fortune.
Only then could Human Path Fortune condense into the form of a dragon, even becoming a golden dragon of Human Path Fortune.
Only at that point would the Human Race be qualified to establish the Human Path.
However, Taiqing was different from Nüwa. So long as an opportunity arose, Taiqing was confident that he could establish the Human Path.
The current opportunity for the Human Path was the Human Emperor.
Without a Human Emperor, everything was empty talk.
At present, the Primordial Wilderness had only a Son of Heaven, not a Human Emperor.
The emergence of a Human Emperor was extraordinarily difficult.
But Taiqing already had a suitable candidate.
Ancestral Dragon Ying Zheng!
An emperor unmatched through the ages!
Only he possessed the breadth of vision and daring needed to restore the glory of the Human Emperor.
Moreover, Taiqing had a method to reconstruct the Human Path—the Grand Void God Sealing Art.
However, Taiqing could not directly grant the Grand Void God Sealing Art to Ying Zheng.
Because Taiqing's true body could not enter the Primordial Wilderness, and even his Good Corpse could not casually descend into the lower realm, or else it would draw Hongjun's attention.
Thus, Taiqing placed the Grand Void God Sealing Art within a Dao talisman and entrusted it to Xuandu.
He would quietly wait until Ying Zheng had the momentum to unify the realm and became the Human Co-Lord before passing it on.
Though this method was cumbersome, it followed the natural course of events and left no trace. Even if Hongjun noticed, he would not stop it.
If Taiqing Laozi were to contact Ying Zheng directly at this moment, it would be no different from openly intervening, and Hongjun would certainly step in.
This was, in truth, a contest between Taiqing and Hongjun.
Chaos Beyond Heaven, Purple Cloud Palace.
Heavenly Dao Sage Hongjun's gaze was indifferent. With a single thought, he could survey every being and object in the Primordial Wilderness.
In the end, his gaze settled upon Shouyang Mountain.
This was the ancestral land of the Human Race, but ever since the Human Emperor had vanished, it had no longer been as prosperous as before.
Yet with Xuandu spreading the Dao here, the Human Race flourished once more.
"The Three Pure Ones intend to interfere in the mortal world?" Hongjun's expression remained unchanged. "Meaningless."
His gaze shifted and fell upon Guangchengzi, who was walking across the Primordial Land.
He detected nothing unusual about Guangchengzi. Taiqing had likely merely given him an Ascension Pill.
This left Hongjun somewhat helpless.
Taiqing's actions were far too extravagant.
Even if the Ascension Pill contained some hidden move of his, it was still an extraordinarily precious pill, exceedingly rare even for Quasi-Saints.
Taiqing had actually given one directly to Yuanshi's disciple to help him break through to the Quasi-Saint realm. It was simply wasteful.
However, Hongjun did not know that, to Taiqing, such pills were not worth mentioning at all.
He watched Guangchengzi for a long time, his gaze cold and utterly devoid of emotion.
"A futile effort."
Hongjun finally shook his head, withdrew his gaze, and paid no further attention.
He believed that Taiqing merely wanted Guangchengzi to test a new doctrine, imitating the West's method of shedding its shell like a golden cicada.
But in truth, Guangchengzi's actions upon the Primordial Land were merely a superficial facade.
The true Truth of the Dao lay hidden within Taiqing's heart!
Taiqing Realm, Daluo Heaven.
Inside Eight Sceneries Palace.
Holding the Celestial Compass, Taiqing Laozi observed Heavenly Dao Sage Hongjun's movements, the corners of his lips rising slightly.
No matter how Hongjun deduced and calculated, he could not see through Taiqing's true scheme.
"It is time to pay Nüwa a visit."
Taiqing looked toward Wa Huang Heaven.
Even though he could establish the Human Path himself, Nüwa's status had always been unique.
Therefore, forming an alliance with Nüwa was crucial to his plans.
Taiqing Laozi stepped out.
Beyond Chaos.
Grand Simplicity Heaven.
Li Guang Plains.
Wa Huang Palace.
This was the deepest region of Chaos.
Nüwa now lived in seclusion and did not involve herself with the major sects, coldly watching the Three Realms from afar.
Her desire to remain withdrawn was obvious, so Heavenly Dao Sage Hongjun imposed few restrictions upon her.
In an instant.
Taiqing's figure appeared.
The supreme Great Dao Law of a Sage spread outward, and every strange being within Chaos trembled in fear and retreated.
The next moment.
Golden light blazed, and a phoenix cry shook Chaos.
Mystic Fire Phoenix Jin Ning appeared and said respectfully:
"By Lady's command, I welcome Taiqing Saint to Wa Huang Palace."
Taiqing Laozi nodded slightly.
Led by Jin Ning, he entered Wa Huang Palace.
Wa Huang Palace.
A Sage sat high above.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman in a red dress slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was tranquil, and a faint smile rested on her lips.
"Greetings, Senior Taiqing."
"Greetings, Junior Sister Nüwa."
Taiqing Laozi's expression remained calm as he merely smiled faintly.
Nüwa stared at Taiqing, and a trace of something unusual flashed through her eyes.
She could not see through Taiqing's cultivation realm at all!
That meant Taiqing's strength far surpassed her own.
This discovery greatly shocked Nüwa.
Taiqing Laozi had indeed been the strongest among the Six Sages.
But that had been in the past.
Now that the Three Pure Ones had taken the Saintfall Pill, their cultivation had been sealed.
So how had he broken through?
Thinking of Taiqing's recent unusual actions, Nüwa's heart trembled slightly.
Was this still the Taiqing who upheld the principle of tranquil nonaction?
After pondering briefly, Nüwa asked again.
"May I ask what brings Senior Taiqing here today?"
Taiqing Laozi looked at Nüwa and asked with a faint smile.
"I only wish to ask one question. Are you willing to accept things as they are?"
Nüwa's heart stirred at his words, though her face remained calm.
"How could I be willing?"
Taiqing Laozi's tone was gentle.
"When the Demon Race forged the Demon-Slaying Sword, countless humans were slaughtered, yet you did not intervene."
"Later, during the Witch-Demon War, Fellow Daoist Fuxi fell, and you did not interfere."
"Then, during Deification, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were trapped within Fire Cloud Cave, and you still stood by without acting."
"Even today, the Human Race has lost its Human Emperor, its status has fallen, and it has become a pawn. Because of Hongjun's command, you have hidden away in Chaos."
"Why should I be willing?" Nüwa pressed her delicate jade hand against the armrest of her Jade Throne, her expression growing increasingly cold.
"This is the will of Heaven." Taiqing Laozi burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"Then do you not resent this will of Heaven? Do you not hate Hongjun?" Nüwa's heart trembled, and her slender hand involuntarily tightened.
Her expression changed slightly. She looked toward the heavens and, seeing that Grand Simplicity Heaven showed no abnormalities, finally relaxed a little.
"Taiqing, how dare you speak recklessly of the Heavenly Dao?" Nüwa said with some anger.
She had never imagined that Taiqing Laozi would dare show such contempt for the Heavenly Dao and Hongjun!
At this moment, Nüwa even regretted meeting him.
If Taiqing had not spread the Dao through the Primordial Wilderness and benefited humanity, arousing a small measure of curiosity and goodwill in her, she would never have wished to associate too closely with the other Sages.
But now...
Taiqing looked directly at Nüwa. His tone remained calm, yet his words dealt a tremendous blow to her state of mind.
"The Human Race was created by you and has endured countless hardships. Fuxi was your brother and suffered through endless trials. The Human Path followed your will, yet it was ultimately severed."
"Now, only Sage Nüwa remains, living alone in Chaos, solitary and unable to attain the Great Dao."
"Junior Sister, are you truly willing to live like this?"
The moment his words fell.
Nüwa actually crushed the armrest of the Jade Throne in her hand.
An immensely terrifying aura immediately erupted from Grand Simplicity Heaven, shaking all of Chaos.
Even Jin Ning, her mount, was terrified.
Only Taiqing Laozi stood with his hands behind his back, as calm as still water.
Within Wa Huang Palace, Nüwa's expression had completely changed.
"Fellow Daoist Taiqing, you..."
Taiqing smiled faintly.
"Junior Sister, reflect upon your true heart."
Nüwa sank into deep thought.
Back then, she had created humanity with immense merit and become a Sage, the Holy Mother of the Human Race. Her heart had overflowed with joy.
However, Hongjun had forbidden her from protecting the Human Race on the grounds that Heavenly Dao Sages could not interfere in the Primordial Wilderness.
Later, when the Demon Race slaughtered humans, Nüwa had been powerless to stop them. When Fuxi died, she had been unable to save him. When the Human Emperor was imprisoned, she had been equally helpless.
Now that the Human Race had become a pawn, she was powerless to do anything!
It was not that she did not wish to act, but that she truly could not.
All of this had originated with Hongjun!
Even at the most critical moment, Hongjun had isolated her Beyond Heaven, leaving her only able to watch helplessly as Elder Brother and the Human Race suffered.
And Hongjun had always said the same thing: "It is the will of Heaven."
How laughable! What will of Heaven?
Recalling the past, Nüwa's heart was filled with unwillingness.
She had repeatedly deduced the Investiture of the Gods countless times.
It had seemed that she remained neutral throughout, yet she had in fact been deeply affected.
Only when the Zhou Son of Heaven rose to power and the Human Emperor's status vanished did she realize that her own path had been severed.
Only then did she understand that the Deification had originally been a world-shaking scheme, one that had not only plotted against the Three Teachings, but also implicated her and Houtu.
Now, her Great Dao had been destroyed, because the Human Path had long ceased to exist.
Thus, Nüwa had become utterly disheartened and secluded herself within Chaos.
She was indeed unwilling to accept it, yet there was nothing she could do.
This was the will of Heaven!
How could a Heavenly Dao Sage defy it?
After a long while, Nüwa calmed herself and murmured, "In the end, it is difficult to go against the will of Heaven."
Hongjun had become the Heavenly Dao. Everything had already been destined.
Seeing Nüwa's reaction, Taiqing Laozi smiled faintly.
"Who says destiny cannot be defied?" Nüwa's mind trembled upon hearing this, and she stared at Taiqing in shock.
"Senior Brother, what do you mean by that?" Nüwa realized something was amiss. Taiqing had questioned the Heavenly Dao many times, yet it had shown no reaction. Had it failed to notice, or had it been unwilling to act?
No matter what, this proved that Taiqing's strength at this moment was extraordinary!
Otherwise, how could he have known that her Great Dao was actually connected to the Human Path?
Nüwa had only understood this after repeatedly deducing matters following the severance of her path.
The severance of her path was what had left Nüwa most despondent.
Taiqing did not explain. He merely smiled and said, "I have a method to take a disciple, but it requires the two of us to join forces. Would Junior Sister Nüwa be willing?"
Nüwa's gaze fell upon Taiqing's face. After a moment, she parted her vermilion lips and said resolutely, "I swear upon my Great Dao that I am willing!"
A fierce unwillingness had been stirred within Nüwa. Since Taiqing had a method to take a disciple, she was willing to form an alliance with him.
Taiqing nodded with a smile and looked toward the Primordial Earthly Immortal Realm.
On Flower Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Divine Continent stood a Five-Colored Spirit Stone.
Nüwa looked in that direction and felt something stir within her, sensing karma.
It had transformed from the divine stone she had left behind when mending the heavens. Gathering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, it was about to take form!
"The method to take a disciple lies here."
"What method is this?"
This living being was the key to the next Calamity.
"The Calamity Protagonist?"
"Precisely so."
Nüwa was utterly shocked.
Before you continue