Chapter 31

The merit that covered tens of thousands of zhang split into five portions. Around seventy percent fell toward Nuwa, ten percent toward the Gourd Vine, and another ten percent scattered among the newly born human race.

The final ten percent of the merit flew toward Li Peng, but he did not accept it. With a wave of his hand, he guided it into Nuwa's body instead.

Nuwa noticed what Li Peng had done and was moved. Merit was coveted by all living beings of the primordial world, yet Li Peng had yielded it to her without hesitation. This showed how highly he regarded her.

For a time, Nuwa's emotions surged as she immersed herself in the warmth of the moment.

Seeing her distracted, Li Peng reminded her, "Why aren't you using the merit to comprehend the Law of Creation?"

Only then did Nuwa compose herself and focus on refining the merit.

As the merit was continuously refined, her comprehension of the Law of Creation rose at a breathtaking pace.

Seventy percent, eighty percent, ninety percent...

As Nuwa's understanding of the law deepened, the Primordial Violet Qi also continued to merge into her primordial spirit.

During the fusion of the Primordial Violet Qi, the Law of Creation seemed to unfold clearly before Nuwa, allowing her to comprehend it at will.

In an instant, Nuwa's speed of comprehending the Law of Creation rose once more.

Ninety percent, ninety-one percent, ninety-two percent, ninety-nine percent, complete.

When Nuwa comprehended the Law of Creation to completion, an aura unique to a Saint radiated from her body.

Although Nuwa had become a Saint through the law, the merit of creating humanity had not been exhausted. About half of it still remained within her.

Nuwa did not greedily use the merit to raise her cultivation. Instead, she stored it away.

After completing all this, Nuwa declared to the heavens:

"My name is Nuwa. Today, I have become a Saint. Let all living beings bear witness."

As her voice fell, heavenly music resounded throughout the primordial world. Heavenly Flowers rained down, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, and auspicious qi filled heaven and earth.

Countless Primordial Great Powers felt this overwhelming pressure. Those who had yet to become Quasi-Saints were all forced to the ground.

Even Quasi-Saints had to bow and salute beneath the Saint's pressure, empowered by the Heavenly Dao, unless they possessed a supreme treasure to protect themselves. They respectfully bowed toward the direction where Nuwa had become a Saint.

At the same time, endless living beings throughout the primordial world knelt toward Buzhou Mountain and cried in unison:

"Congratulations to Lady Nuwa on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! From this day forth, untouched by all calamities and forever undying!"

The waves of sound rose higher and higher, as though they would sweep across the entire primordial world.

After Nuwa withdrew her pressure, the humans finally came to their senses and shouted, "Congratulations to Saint Mother on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! From this day forth, untouched by all calamities and forever undying!"

Watching Nuwa become a Saint, then recalling the scene when he himself had attained Hunyuan, Li Peng could not help shedding tears.

The difference in grandeur was simply heaven and earth!

When Li Peng attained Hunyuan, the Heavenly Dao had shown no reaction at all.

Yet when Nuwa became a Saint, wondrous phenomena filled the skies, and all beings offered their congratulations.

"Alas, in the eyes of the Heavenly Dao, Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortals are practically illegitimate children.

Saints, on the other hand, are its true children. Their ceremonies are grand, they can borrow the power of the Heavenly Dao, and so long as the Heavenly Dao remains, Saints cannot die!

The treatment of Hunyuan Tai Luo Golden Immortals and Saints in the primordial world is simply worlds apart," Li Peng sighed.

Though he complained aloud, there was not the slightest regret on his face.

Besides, Li Peng still possessed a strand of Primordial Violet Qi. If he truly wished to become a Saint, he could do so whenever he pleased.

Within the Purple Cloud Palace,

Dao Ancestor Hongjun opened his eyes once more, and his aura rapidly climbed.

A moment later, the aura around him gradually settled.

"Nuwa has already attained the Dao and become a Saint. Once the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, and Jieyin become Saints in turn, the Heavenly Dao will be complete! When that time comes, the power of the Heavenly Dao will greatly increase. Then I shall see exactly which god or immortal has been secretly causing trouble in the primordial world," Dao Ancestor Hongjun said indifferently.

With that, Dao Ancestor Hongjun once again immersed himself in the state of comprehending the Dao.

Kunlun Mountain

"Hmph! Among us fellow disciples, a mere woman like Nuwa was actually the first to become a Saint. How infuriating!" Upon learning that Nuwa had become a Saint, Yuanshi spoke angrily.

"Silence! Junior Sister Nuwa has attained the Saint Position. If you speak her name, she will sense it. Know that beneath Saints, all are ants. You, Yuanshi, have yet to become a Saint!" Laozi sternly rebuked him.

Upon hearing Laozi's words, Yuanshi immediately fell silent.

He knew perfectly well that if Nuwa wished to crush him now, it would be as easy as crushing an ant. If he truly provoked Nuwa and drew her retaliation, could the Three Pure Ones withstand her?

Clearly, they could not!

At this thought, cold sweat began to seep from Yuanshi's forehead.

Western Spirit Mountain

"I never expected Fellow Daoist Nuwa to be the first to attain the Dao. I had thought it would be that detestable Li Peng," Zhunti said with a sigh.

"Indeed! I never expected the second Saint to be Nuwa either! But Nuwa and Li Peng are on the same side. Now that she has become a Saint, it is no good thing for us," Jieyin said solemnly.

"Exactly! It seems that before we attain the Dao and become Saints, we must not provoke Li Peng again," Zhunti agreed with a nod.

Northern Sea

Upon hearing the announcement of Nuwa becoming a Saint, Kunpeng's face filled with anxiety, for he still had no clue about the path to attaining the Dao.

Heavenly Court

"Big Brother! Nuwa has actually become a Saint! It seems the Primordial Violet Qi truly can help one quickly attain the Saint Position!" Eastern Emperor Tai Yi's eyes gleamed.

"Correct! Nuwa's cultivation had always been inferior to ours. For her to attain the Saint Position so quickly, she must have relied on the effects of the Primordial Violet Qi," Di Jun said decisively.

"Exactly!" Eastern Emperor Tai Yi replied.

"It seems we must also find a way to increase our strength. Otherwise, once those great powers granted Primordial Violet Qi all become Saints, our demon race's ambition to dominate the primordial world will be restrained at every turn," Di Jun said gravely.

"Big Brother! Why don't we seize a strand of Primordial Violet Qi?" Eastern Emperor Tai Yi suggested.

Di Jun pondered for a moment before nodding. "We can."

"Then, Big Brother, should we take Li Peng's or Kunpeng's?" Eastern Emperor Tai Yi asked eagerly.

"Fool! Naturally, we take Kunpeng's! Li Peng cannot be touched now. You must understand, behind him..."

However, with a Saint like Nuwa backing him, he is ultimately not someone we can easily provoke," Di Jun said solemnly.

"Alright, I'll make the arrangements at once," Eastern Emperor Tai Yi replied with a smile.

"Wait." Di Jun suddenly stopped him again.

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi turned back in confusion. "What other instructions do you have, Big Brother?"

"This must be done in secret. Quite a few great powers are watching Kunpeng now. We must ensure a single strike succeeds," Di Jun said seriously.

At the same time, great powers such as Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, Minghe, and the Twelve Ancestor Witches were also discussing Nuwa's ascension to sainthood without end.

At the foot of Buzhou Mountain

"Congratulations to Sister Nuwa on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint," Li Peng said with a smile.

"Congratulations to you as well," Nuwa replied with a radiant smile.

"Sister Nuwa, why not move the human race away from here?" Li Peng suddenly suggested.

"Why?" Nuwa asked, puzzled.

"Powerful clans surround Buzhou Mountain. The demon race's Heavenly Court occupies the mountain peak, while the Wu Clan's headquarters is not far away either. If the two clans go to war, the human race may be caught in the crossfire," Li Peng explained.

Nuwa pondered for a moment. "In Big Brother Li's opinion, where should the human race be settled?"

Li Peng considered it briefly. "The coast of the Eastern Sea would be quite suitable. The living beings there are of ordinary cultivation, yet resources are abundant. It is ideal for the newly born human race to recuperate and multiply."

"Why not simply bring them back to Three Immortal Island?" Nuwa pressed.

Li Peng sighed inwardly. Though he wanted to settle the human race on Three Immortal Island, he feared the Heavenly Dao and Hongjun would not permit it. The moment that thought arose, it drew the Heavenly Dao's notice.

Yet his expression remained calm as he answered, "If the human race lives on Three Immortal Island forever, how will they weather storms and gain experience? How can an untested race grow strong?"

Nuwa nodded at his words. "Then we shall follow Big Brother Li's suggestion and move to the coast of the Eastern Sea."

Li Peng flicked his broad sleeve and summoned the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda, collecting all the humans within it. He then tore through space with Nuwa and headed straight for the coast of the Eastern Sea.

An instant later, the two appeared on the coast of the Eastern Sea.

Li Peng gazed out at the vast sea and sky, his emotions surging. Hongjun had once said that all beneath Saints were ants. Only today did he realize that the ability to cross a world in a step truly marked the difference between clouds and mud.

After sighing to himself, Li Peng waved his hand and released the human race from the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda.

Looking at the densely packed humans, he said to his avatar, "In the name of the human race's Saint Father, I appoint you Clan Leader of the human race. From this day forth, lead humanity toward prosperity and strength."

"Thank you, Saint Father," the avatar said, feigning gratitude.

Hearing his avatar call him Saint Father, Li Peng felt slightly uncomfortable. But to deceive the great powers of the primordial world, he still had to play along.

The humans below all saluted the avatar. "Greetings, Clan Leader!"

Their cries rose one after another. Clearly, the humans were delighted to have a Clan Leader to guide them.

At the same time, when all humans acknowledged the avatar as their Clan Leader, a system notification sounded in Li Peng's mind:

"Ding! Congratulations to the host. Your avatar has become the Clan Leader of the human race, completing Choice Two!

Reward obtained: Avatar aptitude increased by one rank, top-grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, Martial Dao Heavenly Stele!"

As soon as the system's voice fell, Li Peng saw a flash of divine light around his avatar. He advanced from the Earth Immortal realm to the Heavenly Immortal realm,

and his aptitude rose from that of a top-grade acquired deity to that of a lower-grade innate deity.

Though this aptitude seemed ordinary to Li Peng, it was an enormous improvement for his avatar.

Nuwa watched it all in surprise, unable to understand why simply appointing him Clan Leader had increased his strength.

She looked curiously at Li Peng, hoping for an explanation.

But Li Peng ignored her and merely said, "This is the top-grade acquired spiritual treasure, the Martial Dao Heavenly Stele. I bestow it upon you today.

I hope you will lead the human race to strive tirelessly and grow ever stronger, securing a place in the primordial world."

With that, Li Peng took out the Martial Dao Heavenly Stele and handed it to his avatar.

"Thank you, Saint Father," the avatar thanked him again.

Li Peng nodded, then left with Nuwa.

Only after Li Peng and Nuwa departed did the avatar remember that his main body had not given him a name.

But when he thought of his main body's naming style, a chill ran through him.

The Self-Corpse was called White Lotus Daoist, the Evil Corpse was called Daoist Black Lotus, and the Good Corpse was called Daoist Jinlian—

all named after the items used in severing the corpses.

Following that pattern, what would he be called?

Clay Man Daoist?

Crowd Daoist?

Three Lights Daoist?

In an instant, countless names surfaced in Li Peng's avatar's mind.

He immediately felt that it was actually a good thing his main body had not named him.

If he really had to use one of those names, he would practically want to die.

Why not give himself a name before his main body returned?

Hmm, that was not a bad idea!

Then what should he call himself?

Since I am Li Peng's avatar, I should naturally take the surname Li.

Besides, my main body bestowed the Martial Dao Heavenly Stele upon me, allowing me to create martial cultivation and lead the human race to prosperity—

then I shall be called Li Wu!

Having settled on his name, Li Peng's avatar no longer hesitated and immediately emerged from his thoughts.

Li Wu raised his head and saw that the humans around him were still naked. He could not help frowning as he sighed. "The human race has only just been born and knows nothing. There will be much to do in the future."

Over the next year, Li Wu taught the humans a series of skills, including making clothes, drilling wood for fire, building houses, setting traps, and weaving nets to catch fish. He laid the foundation for human civilization.

During this time, Li Wu gained a great deal of merit, but he did not use it to improve his cultivation. He stored all of it away instead.

Because of his efforts, the Three Human Ancestors who should have shone brightly in human history now remained obscure. Even Li Wu could not tell who they were.

After all, the names of those three ancestors all came from their achievements.

On a mountain not far from the human settlement, Li Peng and Nuwa quietly watched humanity develop.

"Your avatar truly is remarkable. He knows so much. In only a year, he has allowed the human race to advance so quickly," Nuwa praised.

Li Peng smiled faintly. "Are you at ease now?"

Nuwa nodded. "With your avatar leading them, the human race will surely gain a firm foothold in the primordial world."

"Since you are at ease, let us return to Three Immortal Island and enter seclusion to consolidate our cultivation," Li Peng said.

In truth, he had urged Nuwa several times to return to Three Immortal Island with him, but she had always worried about the newly born human race and delayed until now.

"If we both leave, won't the human race be in danger if they encounter a powerful clan?" Nuwa still worried.

"Do not worry. I will have my Good Corpse, Daoist Jinlian, and my four ** come protect the human race," Li Peng replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Nuwa finally relaxed. She then tore through space with Li Peng and headed for Three Immortal Island.

After the human race's development entered the right track, Li Wu began secluded cultivation to comprehend the Martial Dao Heavenly Stele.

The second generation of humans had decent aptitude, but without a cultivation method, the first generation of humans would grow old after ten thousand years.

This was something Li Wu absolutely did not wish to see.

He returned to his room, took out the Martial Dao Heavenly Stele, and immediately began comprehending it.

The stele contained many profound truths of martial cultivation, but no complete cultivation method. Li Wu could not help feeling helpless.