Nuwa Creates Humans, Xuan Wazi Points the Way

Within the Chaos Bead, Xuan Wazi lounged comfortably on a "lazy couch" casually piled with various Innate Spirit Materials. Legs crossed, he scanned the expanded warehouse area with his divine sense, its treasure light almost blinding. The corners of his mouth stretched to his ears. His gaze lingered for a moment on a specially isolated zone radiating vigorous life energy and dense Essence of Wutu—there, a section of Innate Gourd Vine, shimmering with seven-colored glazed light and entwined with mysterious vine patterns, and a large mass of Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, exuding boundless aura of Creation, floated quietly. These two crucial treasures, along with the seven treasure gourds of varying functions, had been completely pocketed by him "by chance" countless Epochs ago, leaving not a single tile behind.

"Brother System, look at our assets, tsk tsk. While the Witch and Demon races fight to the death, all the benefits have fallen into our laps," he said, smugly swinging his toes. "What do you call this? It's called 'Calamity is in my hands, Creation is in my grasp!'"

[Ding! Host, please do not get carried away. According to system monitoring, Old Man Hongjun seems to have noticed some 'unreasonable' resource flow in the Primordial Era. Although currently obscured by the Chaos Bead, caution is still advised.] The system's slightly cheeky voice sounded. [However... well done! This system likes the host's unprincipled attitude!]

"Heh heh, you flatter me, you flatter me." Xuan Wazi sprang up like a carp, dusting off nonexistent dust. "Let's go out for a stroll. After returning from listening to the sermon at Zixiao Palace, it seems there's some movement from Sister Nuwa's side. Let's go see the excitement."

With a flash, Xuan Wazi appeared at the foot of Mount Buzhou, outside Nuwa's dojo. After announcing his arrival, he walked in slowly.

The moment he entered, Xuan Wazi's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the sight before him. Nuwa's dojo, once a place of quiet cultivation, had been transformed into a massive "figurine" exhibition hall. On the ground, on stone platforms, and even on the branches of some low-lying spirit trees, were displayed all sorts of clay sculptures and wood carvings.

Some had human heads and snake bodies, resembling her own form; some had beast heads and human bodies, looking like certain great demons of the Primordial Era; and a few were particularly striking, with bulging muscles and a faint aura of ferocity, bearing a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to the Twelve Ancestral Witches! These clay and wood sculptures, varied in form and size, were not made of ordinary earth or wood. They were all crafted from the Essence of Wutu mixed with other spirit materials, shimmering with a faint spiritual light. Some were exquisitely carved, with even individual hairs clearly visible, while others were slightly rough, bearing the marks of casual craftsmanship.

Nuwa sat before a new lump of Essence of Wutu, her delicate brows furrowed. Her slender fingers carefully molded a new clay figure. The profound Dao rhythm of the laws of Creation flowed from her fingertips, and specks of spiritual light entered the clay figure, attempting to imbue it with life.

The clay figure was modeled after the "Innate Dao Body" passed down by Great God Pangu, with clear features and well-proportioned limbs. However, no matter how much Creation spiritual power Nuwa injected, the clay figure remained lifeless, merely a form without a soul. Its eyes were vacant, lacking the liveliness and spirituality of a living being. Although the Essence of Wutu was extraordinary, containing the origin of the earth, it seemed to lack some crucial "maternal" quality that could carry the origin of life.

"Sigh..." Nuwa sighed softly, setting down the newly failed clay figure. It rolled to the ground, joining the countless other failed "works." Her beautiful eyes were filled with confusion and frustration. Ever since returning from listening to the sermon at Zixiao Palace, she had a vague premonition that her path to enlightenment was related to "creation," and she had been immersed in it ever since. Except for the "Heavenly Marriage incident" that had caused such a stir—Di Jun, for reasons unknown, had foolishly molested the Lunar Goddess, causing the original Heavenly Marriage to break. In the end, she had to step in for the Lunar Goddess, return the betrothal gifts, and preside over "justice," leading to Di Jun ultimately marrying Qu Ru and concluding that farce. Since then, she had not left her dojo. Yet, countless Epochs had passed, and despite trying countless forms and integrating innumerable understandings of the laws, she had still been unable to take that crucial step—to create truly new life.

Xuan Wazi did not disturb her immediately. Instead, he squatted down with great interest, picked up a clay figure that strongly resembled the Ancestral Witch Gonggong, poked at its exaggerated muscle lines, and muttered, "Tsk, Sister Nuwa's craftsmanship is quite good, but it's just missing something. It has the shell but no soul. It seems this Essence of Wutu alone isn't enough." A barely perceptible wicked smile flickered across his face as he recalled how he had disguised himself as Di Jun and caused trouble on the Lunar Star, indirectly forcing Nuwa to deal with that mess.

[Ding! Detected that the prerequisite for the key plot node 'Nuwa Creates Humans' has been triggered. Host, your opportunity has arrived!] The system's voice was filled with excitement.

"Oh? Elaborate." Xuan Wazi's eyes lit up.

[Main Quest Issued: The Beginning of Humanity]

[Quest Requirements: Guide Nuwa to successfully create the Human Race, and pass down basic cultivation techniques to the Human Race, establishing their foundation for survival in the Primordial Era.]

[Quest Rewards: Innate Supreme Treasure × 1! Essence of the Sun × 5! Cultivation level increased to Grand Perfection of Hunyuan Golden Immortal!]

[Note: Hurry up! This is a monumental act of merit and karma! If you seize it, you'll soar!]

"Innate Supreme Treasure! Grand Perfection of Hunyuan Golden Immortal!" Xuan Wazi's breathing quickened. He suppressed his excitement and put on a smile that he thought was profound but looked rather roguish.

He tidied his appearance and, feigning composure, walked over to Nuwa's side, clearing his throat. "Ahem, fellow Daoist Nuwa, I observe that your abode here... is quite unique."

Nuwa was jolted from her thoughts. Seeing Xuan Wazi, a complex expression flashed across her face. She had a deep impression of this fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi; his actions seemed erratic and unrestrained, yet he was unfathomably profound. Although no evidence was found regarding the Heavenly Marriage incident, she always felt he was somehow involved. She forced a smile. "So it's fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi. You must think me amusing. I have been sensing something recently but have been unable to find the right method, so I've been idly pondering here."

Xuan Wazi waved his hand, picked up a clay figure in the shape of the Innate Dao Body, and weighed it in his hand, asking casually, "Fellow Daoist, are you so devoted to this art of clay molding because you wish to emulate Father God Pangu and perform the act of Creation after the heavens and earth were separated?"

A flicker of brilliance crossed Nuwa's beautiful eyes. She nodded. "You see clearly, fellow Daoist. I have been comprehending the laws of Creation and sensing an opportunity here, but it's like seeing flowers through a fog, always a step away. Creating life, how can it be easy? The form is easy to mold, but the spirit is hard to bestow. This Essence of Wutu, though extraordinary, seems... to lack that spark of genesis."

Xuan Wazi chuckled, pointing at the clay figure in his hand and then at Nuwa's graceful Innate Dao Body. "Fellow Daoist, why seek far when the near is sufficient? Father God Pangu separated the heavens and earth, and his final form was this 'Innate Dao Body,' the form most suited to the Primordial Era and the Great Dao. Since you already have the form, why not use it as a foundation, merge it with your Great Dao of Creation, and bestow upon it the origin of life, adding another race to this Primordial Era?"

He paused, his voice carrying a hint of inexplicable allure. "Using this form, create a race, inherit the destiny of the Primordial Era, and become the leader of all beings... This would be an act of supreme merit! As for the material for molding... I see that this Essence of Wutu has more strength than flexibility, perhaps it's not the best choice."

"Use the form as a foundation... bestow the origin of life... create a race... inherit destiny... lead all beings... Essence of Wutu is not the best..." Nuwa murmured, repeating Xuan Wazi's words. Her eyes, initially lost, gradually brightened, finally shining like two brilliant stars! She vaguely sensed that Xuan Wazi knew something crucial! Recalling his past "extraordinary" deeds, perhaps he truly had a solution!

BOOM!

A vast and majestic Dao rhythm of Creation erupted from her, sweeping across the entire dojo! Endless Dao runes appeared around her, swirling and colliding, drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth! She completely ignored everything outside and entered the deepest level of enlightenment!

Xuan Wazi was pushed back half a step by the sudden eruption of Dao rhythm. Looking at Nuwa, enveloped in immeasurable divine light of Creation and appearing solemn and majestic, he stroked his chin and boasted to the system, "System, see that? This is called using minimal effort for maximum effect! My mouth, it's been blessed!"

[Ding! Host has successfully guided a key plot character into a state of enlightenment. Quest completion +10%. Rewards will be settled later. However... the host just now looked exactly like a creepy uncle trying to trick young girls.] The system offered its timely "praise."

"Bah! This is called wisdom! Strategic investment! Do you understand?" Xuan Wazi rolled his eyes, but his mood was excellent. He could feel the increasingly powerful aura emanating from Nuwa, almost breaking through the barrier of Hunyuan Golden Immortal, and knew that a historic moment was about to arrive. He weighed the section of Innate Gourd Vine and the mass of dense Nine Heavens Breathing Soil lying quietly in the Chaos Bead, a calculating smile on his lips.

"Investment requires capital, after all. I'll lend you the gourd vine. As for the breathing soil... it wouldn't hurt to give you a little, since the merit is secured, it's a sure win!" He was already planning how to "generously" offer these two treasures once Nuwa awoke from her enlightenment, and how to maximize his own benefits.