Dao Ancestor Hongjun expounded upon the Great Dao. His profound tones echoed like the sonorous chimes of ancient bells, filling the chaotic void of Zixiao Palace. The mighty figures of the myriad heavens were all immersed in the supreme realm of the Dao, some concentrating on their insights, others silently circulating their profound arts. Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi) had cast aside his former fixations. With a "systems perspective" and an "information theory" mindset, he carefully sensed the flow of Dao Charm. Though it was still like peering at a leopard through a tube, he was gradually finding his way, and his mind grew ever clearer.
That day, Dao Ancestor was speaking of the wondrous principle that "creation and destruction follow one another, while the cycle of reincarnation never ceases." As he spoke, scenes of the world's formation, the sprouting of all things, the birth of living beings, and their decline and return to the void seemed to unfurl like a painting alongside his words. Within the Dao Charm was a vast, compassionate intent that nurtured all living things and breathed life without end, filling the void completely.
Seated upon a nearby auspicious cloud, Empress Nuwa felt the aura of creation around her stir in response, growing ever more vibrant. She was a primordial divine being who had fashioned humanity from clay and mended the heavens with stone, and she wielded the laws of creation. This part of the lecture moved her particularly deeply. Yet a faint look of contemplation seemed to linger between her brows, as though Dao Ancestor's words had touched upon some subtle, elusive obstacle along her path.
Just then, Empress Nuwa felt a stirring in her heart. Her gaze shifted, and she happened to notice, behind the Interception Sect's ranks, the human youth Xuanyuanzi, whose cultivation was shallow but whose bearing was serene. Though his eyes were closed as he listened, a peculiar trace of Dao Charm seemed to surround him. It did not resemble the usual signs of someone comprehending the Heavenly Dao. Rather, it seemed as if he were... analyzing and deducing? Amid the fluctuations of his Spirit Soul, he was breaking down that vast Dao Charm of creation into countless subtle "principles," observing how they counteracted and reinforced one another and tracing their flow. Though his efforts were crude and immature, he had found a different path, faintly touching upon the "technique" of creation.
A faint ripple stirred in Empress Nuwa's heart. She had attained the Dao of Creation through supreme compassion and innate divine abilities, following the Heavenly Dao and bestowing life. But apart from the "spirit" and "destiny" bestowed by the Great Dao, could the "principles" that formed creation also be traced? Though this youth's approach was somewhat mechanical, perhaps it could offer her a fresh perspective.
The lecture paused, though the lingering waves of Dao Charm had yet to fade. Empress Nuwa parted her lips. Her voice rang like a clear spring, yet carried distinctly to Lin Xuan's ears, and the mighty figures nearby noticed as well:
"Young friend, are you Xuanyuanzi, disciple of Senior Brother Tongtian?"
Lin Xuan had been immersed in modeling and deducing the "Creation System." At the sound of her voice, he snapped out of it, quickly composed himself, and rose to bow respectfully. "This junior is Xuanyuanzi. I pay my respects to Your Holiness, Empress Nuwa."
Empress Nuwa nodded slightly. Her holy countenance was compassionate, yet held a hint of curiosity. "I heard Dao Ancestor expound upon creation just now. From the fluctuations of your Divine Sense, you seemed to have gained some insight, and a rather unusual one at that. What is your understanding of the word 'creation'?"
At her words, the eyes of all present—whose attention had waned somewhat after Guangchengzi's challenge—once again focused on Lin Xuan! Unlike Guangchengzi's aggressive questioning, Empress Nuwa's inquiry was purely a discussion of the Dao, yet it carried even greater weight. For a Sage who presided over creation to seek the Dao from a minor cultivator at the Refining Essence into Qi stage—what an honor, and what immense pressure!
Sovereign of the Heavens' gaze flickered, but he did not intervene. Instead, a hint of interest showed on his face. Daoist Duobao and the other Interception Sect disciples held their breath, silently rooting for Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan knew this was an immense opportunity, but also a severe test. He drew a deep breath. The Dao Charm of the Enlightenment Cushion flowed through his sea of consciousness, calming and clarifying his mind. He no longer fixated on the difference in their cultivation levels. Instead, he approached this as an equal discussion of the Dao and answered candidly, drawing on his own insights:
"In reply to Your Holiness, this junior is foolish and would not dare presume to unravel the mysteries of creation. But while listening to Your Holiness's words, a humble thought came to me. I beg Your Holiness to correct me."
He paused to collect his thoughts, then wrapped the scientific principles at its core in the language of Eastern metaphysics. "In this junior's view, the Great Dao's creation is like the furnace of heaven and earth, nurturing all living things into being. Such a furnace must operate according to certain 'principles.' These 'principles' might be seen as the pathways along which 'vitality' flows, the sequence in which 'spirituality' emerges, and the laws that govern the formation of 'form and substance.'"
He tried to explain in terms Empress Nuwa could understand. "For instance, when Your Holiness fashioned humanity from clay, the clay formed the foundation—the 'material.' Infusing it with vitality meant imparting 'energy' and 'spiritual information.' Determining its appearance and soul meant encoding its 'structure' and 'information.' The process may appear to be boundless divine power, but the 'material' must accord with the primordial energy of heaven and earth, 'vitality' must follow the waxing and waning of yin and yang, and 'form and spirit' must conform to the course of the Great Dao. Might this not also accord with some kind of... 'Creation Ritual' naturally formed by heaven and earth?"
He dared not say "program" or "algorithm," and instead chose the term "ritual," which was more suited to the language of the primordial world.
A gleam flashed in Empress Nuwa's eyes. When she had created humanity, her divine powers had manifested at the very movement of her thoughts. She had never examined the "ritual" behind it so closely. Yet Lin Xuan's words struck her as novel, as though they had placed her vast, almost instinctive process of creation beneath a clear framework for her to examine.
"Oh? In your view, how does this 'Creation Ritual' work?" Empress Nuwa pressed, her interest growing.
Encouraged, Lin Xuan's thoughts flowed more smoothly. "This junior dares to speculate that the 'ritual' might be divided into stages. First comes the preparation of the 'primordial foundation': chaos separates, and the clear and turbid are distinguished. This is the foundation of creation, like... like leveling the ground and gathering timber before building a palace."
"Next comes the opportunity for 'nurturing.' Yin and yang unite, energies respond to one another, and a spark of life emerges from nothingness, like a seed nourished by water and soil, containing the potential for life to flourish. At this stage, 'environment' and 'opportunity' are paramount."
"Then comes the wonder of 'shaping.' Following the course of the Great Dao, it bestows form and function, even the seven emotions and six desires, karmic ties, and destiny. It is like a craftsman following a blueprint to shape the life force of chaos into a concrete living being. This is the crucial stage in which 'information' is instilled and 'structure' takes shape."
Finally, he ventured a bold hypothesis: "If... if we could analyze this 'Creation Ritual' to some extent, and understand the essentials of the 'primordial foundation,' the subtleties of the opportunity for 'nurturing,' and the order of the laws governing 'shaping,' might it help with... well, for instance, enlightening stubborn stones, nurturing spiritual roots, or even repairing damaged spiritual meridians and souls? It could make the art of creation more precise and effective." In the end, he did not dare speak rashly of creating living beings themselves, and instead turned to auxiliary arts of creation.
At his words, Empress Nuwa fell silent, yet it seemed that countless galaxies were being born and extinguished in her eyes as she endlessly pondered the possibilities. She was the master of creation, accustomed to acting as she pleased, her divine powers manifesting naturally. Lin Xuan's words were simple, but they had opened a window she had never considered: besides the grand, compassionate "Dao," might creation also have a subtle, practicable level of "technique"? If she could master the fine laws of this "Creation Ritual," it might bring immeasurable benefits—not only to perfecting the Great Dao of Creation, but perhaps also to facing certain great calamities of heaven and earth in the future.
After a long while, Empress Nuwa broke into a smile, like spring rain softening the earth. The whole of Zixiao Palace seemed to brighten. "Good! Your words are not entirely complete, young friend, but they offer a fresh perspective and have given me food for thought as well. Creation is boundless; Dao and technique complement each other. Your ability to discern the subtle and analyze the workings of heaven and earth is truly rare."
She flicked a finger, sending a soft blue mote imbued with limitless vitality toward Lin Xuan. It entered between his brows. "This is a strand of 'Creation Pure Qi.' I give it to you, young friend. It may help you comprehend the subtleties of how life force changes."
Lin Xuan immediately felt a warm, surging force of life circulate through his body, nourishing his Spirit Soul and flesh. He even gained new insights into the knowledge of cultivating spiritual plants and refining pills within the Daoist Scripture Spirit Net! He hurriedly bowed in thanks. "This junior thanks Your Holiness for your generous gift!"
Empress Nuwa nodded slightly and said no more, closing her eyes once again to roam the Great Void. Yet this brief discussion of the Dao had already left a deep impression on the hearts of many mighty figures. Sovereign of the Heavens, in particular, looked at Lin Xuan with even greater admiration. Not only was the youth full of remarkable ideas, he had also discussed the Dao with a Sage and won her approval. His potential was truly limitless!
Lin Xuan's own heart was in turmoil. Empress Nuwa's approval and gift were undoubtedly an immense encouragement to his "scientific" way of thinking! More importantly, through his encounter with the Dao of Creation, he had gained a deeper understanding of the essence of "creation," "systems," and "information." This would be of immeasurable value to perfecting the Daoist Scripture Spirit Net and, in the future, deducing higher-level cultivation techniques and formations!
Dao Ancestor's voice rose again within Zixiao Palace. And because Lin Xuan had discussed creation with Empress Nuwa, a new world had opened within his Daoist heart as well.
Before you continue
Like what you read?
Upgrade to the full novel to keep reading beyond the preview chapters.