Nuwa fell into enlightenment, her Dao Rhyme soaring into the heavens and naturally alerting Fuxi nearby. Fuxi hurried over and, seeing his younger sister enveloped in boundless Creation Dao Rhyme, was initially startled. But when he saw Xuan Wazi calmly standing beside her and sensed Nuwa's aura steadily rising without the slightest hindrance, he immediately understood that she had encountered an immense opportunity. He solemnly bowed to Xuan Wazi, then silently retreated to the side to personally stand guard for his sister.
Xuan Wazi grinned at Fuxi in greeting. With nothing else to do, he sent messages to several old friends with a thought.
Before long, three streaks of light descended upon Nuwa's Daoist sanctuary one after another.
The first was an elderly man dressed in a crimson Daoist robe, with a kindly face and a somewhat simple, honest smile. He was Ancestor Hong Yun, known as the "Primordial World's greatest good man."
The second wore a Heaven and Earth Crown, had an ancient, unadorned face, and was clad in an ochre Daoist robe. Holding a fly whisk, he carried himself with steady and imposing dignity. He was Great Immortal Zhen Yuan.
The last was a young man in azure robes, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. His body stood as straight as a pine, and sharp sword qi faintly swirled around him. He was Sect Master Tongtian of the Upper Pure One, one of Pangu's Three Pure Ones!
"Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi, it has been a long time. Your cultivation... has grown ever more profound!" Ancestor Hong Yun spoke first. Sensing Xuan Wazi's deep aura at the late Hunyuan Golden Immortal stage, faintly touching the barrier of perfection, he could not help but marvel. He himself was still lingering at the early Hunyuan Golden Immortal stage, and the contrast left him somewhat wistful.
Zhen Yuanzi's gaze also sharpened as he nodded. "Fellow Daoist, you truly are no ordinary person. This speed of cultivation puts the likes of us to shame."
Sect Master Tongtian was even more direct. His sharp gaze swept across Xuan Wazi as he smiled. "Fellow Daoist Wazi, it seems you gained much from the last war between the Witch and Demon clans. When you have time, how about discussing the Way of the Sword with me?"
Xuan Wazi chuckled and invited the three to sit. "Easy enough, easy enough. There will be plenty of chances to discuss the sword. Today, Fellow Daoist Nuwa seems to have gained some insight and is currently comprehending the Dao. We should not disturb her. Why not drink tea and discuss the Dao here while we await good news?"
As he spoke, he flipped his wrist and took out a set of white jade tea utensils, then carefully pinched out a small portion of tea leaves. The leaves were the color of chaos, naturally inscribed with profound Dao patterns. The moment they appeared, they gave off an aura that calmed the mind and made one's understanding of the Dao clear.
"This is... Innate Enlightenment Tea?" With his extensive knowledge, Zhen Yuanzi recognized it at a glance, surprise flashing through his eyes. The Innate Enlightenment Tea Tree was a supreme Innate Spiritual Root no inferior to his Ginseng Fruit Tree, and it had long since vanished without a trace. He had never expected Xuan Wazi to actually have some in reserve.
Hong Yun's eyes widened, and his throat bobbed unconsciously.
Even Tongtian showed a flicker of interest. At their level, spiritual objects capable of aiding cultivation were exceedingly rare, and Innate Enlightenment Tea was one of them.
Xuan Wazi wore just the right expression of pained reluctance as he brewed the tea and muttered, "You lot have it easy. I don't have much left in stock... Sigh, but who told me I'm such a sentimental person?" Yet inwardly, he secretly asked the system, System, is the transformation art simulation ready? Don't let it give us away!
[ Ding! The Myriad Transformations Art has simulated part of the Dao Rhyme and aura of Innate Enlightenment Tea. It is more than enough to fool these fellows who have never tasted the real thing. Host's Unfilial Points +2000! ] the system replied smugly.
Once the tea was brewed, Dao Rhyme lingered in the air. The four sat outside Nuwa's Daoist sanctuary, drinking "fake Enlightenment Tea" as they exchanged their insights into the Great Dao. Hong Yun, Zhen Yuanzi, and Tongtian did most of the talking, while Xuan Wazi occasionally cracked jokes or tossed out viewpoints from later generations that seemed absurd yet contained profound truths. They often left the others deep in thought, making this Dao discussion quite unique.
Time quietly passed amid their discussion. No one knew how long it had been when the Divine Light of Creation surrounding Nuwa suddenly withdrew, and the vast Dao Rhyme gradually settled. Nuwa slowly opened her eyes. Countless worlds seemed to be born and perish within them, while the mysteries of creation flowed endlessly. Her aura had stabilized at the peak of Hunyuan Golden Immortal perfection. She needed only a single opportunity to pierce through that final barrier.
Her gaze immediately fell upon Xuan Wazi. She rose, adjusted her appearance, and actually bowed deeply to him!
"Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi, hearing your words today was worth more than ten thousand yuanhui of my bitter cultivation! I will never forget your kindness in showing me the way!" Her voice was clear and solemn, filled with heartfelt gratitude. She now fully understood that the key to attaining the Dao lay in creating a new race in the form of an Innate Dao Body. Moreover, Xuan Wazi's earlier remark that the Essence of Wutu was not the best choice had made her realize that she needed a more suitable vessel.
Xuan Wazi hurriedly stepped aside to avoid half the bow and moved forward to support her from afar. "You give me too much credit, Fellow Daoist. I merely spoke casually. The true reason is that Fellow Daoist's foundation is deep and your Dao of Creation has already reached a consummate realm, allowing you to achieve enlightenment in a single moment."
Nuwa straightened up, her face filled with the joy and determination that followed enlightenment. Looking at Xuan Wazi, a trace of pleading expectation flashed in her eyes. "Fellow Daoist, I wish to create a new race. I now understand the method and form, but as you said, the Essence of Wutu truly is not the best vessel. In the depths of my being, I sense that I require supreme divine soil containing infinite vitality and capable of bearing the origin of creation, as well as a sacred object that can guide providence and awaken spiritual intelligence..." She paused, her gaze burning as she looked at Xuan Wazi. "Fellow Daoist, your knowledge is vast and your blessings are profound. Do you perhaps know where the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and the Innate Gourd Vine may be found? If you do, please do not hesitate to guide me. This is my plea for the sake of attaining the Dao. I will surely repay you generously in the future!"
Xuan Wazi was overjoyed inside, but outwardly remained calm and detached, even carrying a touch of self-satisfaction that said, "You came to the right person." With a grand wave of his hand, he said generously, "I thought it was some impossibly rare object! So it is merely the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and that Gourd Vine!"
Under Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi's astonished gazes, and Tongtian's thoughtful stare, Xuan Wazi first took out a massive clump of Nine Heavens Breathing Soil. It radiated a warm glow and possessed immense weight, as if it carried the primordial vitality of the Primordial World's earth itself! Its dense Innate Wutu Earth Essence and aura of creation refreshed everyone present.
"This shall be given to Fellow Daoist Nuwa to aid you in attaining the Dao!" Xuan Wazi spoke with righteous grandeur, as though he were not giving away supreme Innate Spirit Materials, but merely a handful of ordinary dirt.
Nuwa was both shocked and delighted. She hurriedly accepted it, sensing the boundless vitality and inclusive power within the Breathing Soil, far surpassing the Innate Essence of Wutu. She repeatedly thanked him.
Next, Xuan Wazi solemnly took out the main body of the Innate Gourd Vine, its rosy light flowing and Dao patterns faintly appearing. At the right moment, a trace of reluctance appeared on his face. "As for this Innate Gourd Vine... sigh, it has accompanied me for a long time, and I have grown rather attached to it. But since Fellow Daoist Nuwa needs it for the great matter of attaining the Dao, how could I be stingy? I shall lend this vine to Fellow Daoist for now! Once you have succeeded, remember to return it."
He deliberately emphasized the word "lend." He wanted to share in the merit, and this precious vine might still prove useful in the future!
Seeing Xuan Wazi being so "generous," even willing to lend out such an incomparably rare treasure, Nuwa's gratitude became impossible to express. She bowed deeply once more. "Fellow Daoist, your righteousness shall remain in my heart! I will surely repay you generously in the future. Once I am done using this vine, I will definitely return it intact!"
Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi stared dumbfoundedly, secretly wondering when Xuan Wazi had become so easygoing. He was giving away a divine object like the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil just like that? Only Tongtian's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He seemed to recall certain unpleasant experiences of being tricked, and he could not shake the feeling that such generosity from Xuan Wazi surely concealed some scheme.
"Then, I shall begin!" Nuwa took a deep breath. Holding the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and the Innate Gourd Vine, she gracefully rose into the air and flew to an open valley beneath Mount Buzhou, where spiritual qi was at its richest and Dao laws were most clearly manifested.
Xuan Wazi, Tongtian, Hong Yun, Zhen Yuanzi, and Fuxi followed as well. Standing atop distant clouds, they held their breaths and focused their minds, preparing to witness the historic moment when, for the first time since the Primordial World's opening, a postnatal divine being would create an entirely new race!
[ Ding! Key items have been delivered. Nuwa has entered the preparation stage for creating humans. Mission completion +30%. Host, prepare yourself. What comes next is the crucial moment to share in merit... ah, no, to obtain lawful compensation for labor! ] The system's prompt carried a teasing note.
Xuan Wazi stared intently at Nuwa's movements. Feeling a faint resonance within his body between the Great Dao of Strength Fragment and the human race soon to be born, he secretly thought, It's happening! My Innate Supreme Treasure! My Hunyuan perfection! Maybe I can even claim the title of "Holy Father"!
Before you continue