The emergence of humanity was driven by the great trend of the primordial world. Not only Nuwa, but the other sages' paths to enlightenment were also closely tied to humanity.
If Nuwa did not attain enlightenment, the others naturally would have no opportunity either.
This showed just how important Nuwa's enlightenment was.
The Merit of Human Creation was good, but not just anyone could take part in it.
Especially when the time had not yet come.
Cihang could not help feeling fortunate. If he had truly spoken rashly, he would have brought endless calamities upon himself.
Even the Heavenly Dao likely would not have tolerated him.
Cihang thanked Yang Mei once more in his heart.
If not for the willow-leaf spiritual treasure Yang Mei had left behind, he feared that his greed would already have swayed him.
Cihang's thoughts raced, but his expression did not reveal the slightest hint of them.
Having received no useful advice, Nuwa was inevitably somewhat disappointed, though she quickly let it go.
"The Great Dao is vast and boundless. How could taking another step forward be so easy?
Though I gained no opportunity this time, meeting fellow Daoists like you has still made this journey worthwhile!"
If the path of the Sage were so easy to achieve, no one would still be without enlightenment.
After all, she was not the only one who had received the purple qi.
Sanqing and the two from the West had likewise made no progress at all.
Trying to find a method of becoming a Sage from Cihang truly was asking too much of him.
"It is also Cihang's honor to meet the two of you.
You are Sages personally designated by Dao Ancestor Hongjun. The time simply has not yet arrived."
Cihang became even more cautious when he spoke again.
Yet he still could not accept it. The opportunity was clearly right before his eyes.
Cihang's thoughts continued to turn as he began testing the limits of heaven and earth's will.
Only after seeing that the willow leaf gave no further warning did he take out a bottle of Three Lights Divine Water and a lump of Innate Breathing Soil.
"Though the Great Dao is vast and elusive, its traces can still be found.
These are Three Lights Divine Water and Innate Breathing Soil. They contain a thread of the true essence of Creation and Vitality.
Perhaps they may be of some help to you."
In the end, Cihang was unwilling to give up just like that.
By gifting the Three Lights Divine Water and Innate Breathing Soil, he was also indirectly participating in the Merit of Human Creation.
"No, these are far too precious. I cannot accept them!"
Nuwa hurriedly waved her hands in refusal.
Even for a quasi-Sage like her, these two spiritual materials were incomparably precious.
Moreover, Nuwa had noticed that Cihang had given away no small amount of spiritual materials.
"To befriend a future Sage with such worldly possessions, I am the one making a profit.
Please do not refuse, fellow Daoist!"
Cihang said with a smile.
"Very well. Then I, Nuwa, will accept this favor from you!"
Seeing Cihang's insistence, Nuwa no longer refused.
She had also discovered that both spiritual materials contained the intent of creation and would greatly benefit her.
"Perhaps my intuition was right. Fellow Daoist, you are the opportunity I sought on this journey!"
Nuwa said with a smile.
She knew that Cihang had his own calculations, but since he had laid them out in the open, they were not unpleasant.
If this truly allowed her to gain some insight, she was willing to owe Cihang a favor.
"It is Cihang's honor to be of help to you!"
Cihang was also pleased after giving away the gifts.
The value of what he would gain in the future from giving away these two spiritual materials would absolutely surpass their worth.
To thank Cihang, Nuwa explained her own cultivation insights in great detail.
Fuxi also held nothing back, pointing out each of Cihang's shortcomings in cultivation.
The two of them guided him without reservation, and Cihang benefited immensely.
After staying for another hundred years, Fuxi and Nuwa finally took their leave.
"Meeting you this time has been my greatest gain.
In the future, you may also visit my Phoenix Perch Mountain. Nuwa will certainly welcome you warmly."
As she departed, Nuwa also invited Cihang.
Nuwa had a feeling that the Three Lights Divine Water and Innate Breathing Soil would be of immense help to her.
Even if they could not help her attain enlightenment, they would still allow her Dao of Creation to advance another step.
"If the opportunity arises someday, Cihang will certainly visit Phoenix Perch Mountain.
Take care, fellow Daoists. Cihang also wishes you both an early enlightenment and ascension to Sagehood."
After seeing the two off, Cihang was likewise delighted.
Though he had not directly guided Nuwa toward enlightenment, he had still given her the sacred materials needed to create humanity.
When Nuwa created humanity and became a Sage in the future, he would certainly receive a share of the merit and destiny.
The reason he had taken such a risk was not merely for that bit of merit, but also for humanity's destiny.
Because it directly concerned his future safety.
When he inherited Jiu Tou Shi's inherited spiritual treasures, he had also inherited part of Jiu Tou Shi's destiny.
Because numerous spiritual treasures concealed it, Nuwa and Fuxi had noticed nothing.
But the methods of his spiritual treasures could not deceive a Sage. Once Nuwa attained enlightenment, he would be completely exposed before her.
He clearly had no connection to humanity, yet he carried humanity's destiny. There was obviously something suspicious about him.
He even suspected that humanity's birth had been planned by the Heavenly Dao and Hongjun.
Their purpose was also to inherit the destiny of the Primordial Human Emperor and completely erase every trace of his existence.
Humanity's ability to replace the Witch and Demon Clans in a single stroke was likely related to the legacy left behind by Human Emperor Jiutou Shi as well.
Once he was exposed, what awaited him would absolutely be a hopeless fate of eternal damnation.
From the moment he met Nuwa, Cihang had been considering how to deal with this.
With his abilities, it was impossible for him to prevent humanity's birth.
Since that was the case, why not become part of it?
As long as he indirectly participated in the Merit of Human Creation, he could obtain a portion of humanity's merit and destiny.
With that merit and destiny, he could effectively conceal what made him different.
Furthermore, humanity had been born bearing immense destiny. Possessing humanity's destiny and merit would greatly aid his advancement in cultivation.
That was why he had not hesitated to test the will of heaven and earth in order to scheme for the Merit of Human Creation.
He was not plotting against Nuwa either, because this was itself extremely beneficial to her.
With the Three Lights Divine Water and Innate Breathing Soil, perhaps Nuwa's opportunity to break through would arrive sooner.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
"Still refusing to behave?"
Cihang frowned as he looked at the Creation Cauldron, from which movement had once again emerged.
"No, has the first nirvana succeeded?"
Looking at the crimson flame within the Creation Cauldron, Cihang realized that he had misunderstood Feather Spirit.
Feather Spirit's figure had already vanished from within the Creation Cauldron. Only a cluster of crimson flames continued to dance there.
A powerful force of vitality emanated from the flames.
Those flames were no ordinary thing, but the Phoenix Clan's nirvana fire.
Tempered within the Creation Cauldron, Feather Spirit had undergone her first nirvana transformation.
"She completed her nirvana so quickly. It seems the concentration of Phoenix Blood in Feather Spirit is even greater than I expected."
With a gesture of his art, Cihang drew forth the crimson flames from the Creation Cauldron.
As soon as the nirvana fire emerged, its searing flames surged, and the plants in the valley rapidly withered and burned.
An endless stream of vitality gathered toward the center of the flames.
In an instant, the entire valley was transformed into a sea of fire.
At the same time, thunderclouds gathered in the sky, and bolts of divine lightning crashed down toward the nirvana fire.
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Under the lightning tribulation, the nirvana fire not only did not extinguish, but instead radiated even more vigorous vitality.
A phoenix bird slowly took shape within the flames, releasing a clear and melodious phoenix cry.
The imprint that had originally belonged to Bi Fang also shattered beneath the lightning tribulation.
Cihang could clearly feel Feather Spirit's joy and affection.
Before you continue