Nüwa's Descent

The old Taoist's earth-shattering words, "The Heavenly Dao does not permit" and "leaking from over there," struck Lin Fan like two bolts of lightning, not only shattering his soul but also causing the first divine light to erupt in the eyes of Nüwa, who had maintained a compassionate and gentle demeanor.

This was no longer the gentleness of "Wa Nü," but the majesty of "Goddess Nüwa," the Sage who governed creation and stood at the pinnacle of the Primordial Era! Even though her Spiritual Power was suppressed by heaven and earth, and her Sage body was frail, the dignity that originated from her very essence and her ancient Dao fruit was still not to be desecrated or spied upon by ants!

An invisible aura suddenly spread out from Nüwa! It was not an energy shockwave, but a higher-level repulsion and warning originating from "existence" itself! The clamorous sounds of the supermarket crowd and the traffic outside seemed to be isolated in this instant, forming a zone of eerie silence.

The old Taoist bore the brunt of it. The hand he extended felt as if it had been touched by an invisible branding iron, and he yanked it back violently. The entire person staggered back several paces as if struck by a heavy blow. The color drained from his face, and his cloudy eyes were filled with extreme fear and disbelief. He pointed at Nüwa, his throat making a "ge-ge" sound, but he could no longer utter a complete sentence, as if an invisible hand had gripped his throat.

"To pry into heavenly secrets and speak recklessly," Nüwa spoke, her voice still ethereal but carrying a soul-chilling coldness, "Considering you possess a trace of the Dao rhythm and your cultivation is not easy, leave quickly, and you may preserve your broken body."

Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of the old Taoist and Lin Fan, carrying an undeniable sense of law.

The old Taoist trembled all over, as if he had heard some profound decree of the Great Dao, or received the most severe warning. The madness vanished from his face, leaving only deep shock and lingering fear. He gave Nüwa a deep look, his gaze incredibly complex, filled with fear, reverence, and a hint of... indescribable excitement? He lingered no longer, turned abruptly, as if pursued by a vengeful ghost, and squeezed into the crowd with staggering yet incredibly fast steps. In a few blinks, he disappeared, leaving behind only the tattered banner that read "Iron Mouth Divination" lying askew on the ground, ignored by all.

The imposing aura around Nüwa slowly receded, and she returned to her gentle and serene appearance, as if nothing had happened. However, her slightly furrowed brow indicated that her heart was not entirely calm.

"Goddess, are you alright?" Lin Fan finally snapped out of his extreme shock and rushed forward, asking nervously. His heart was still pounding, and his back was soaked with cold sweat. That old Taoist... who was he? What did he mean by "over there"? "The Heavenly Dao does not permit"... Were Goddess Nüwa and Senior Tong Tian being rejected by this world?

"I am unharmed." Nüwa gently shook her head, her gaze drifting toward the direction the old Taoist had disappeared, with a hint of inquiry. "This person carries an extremely faint, yet quite ancient, aura of inheritance. He could vaguely sense my origins... This realm, it seems, is not as simple as it appears on the surface."

Lin Fan's heart sank further. Even Goddess Nüwa said so... In this seemingly ordinary modern world, how many unknown secrets lay hidden beneath the surface?

"What he said just now..." Lin Fan trailed off.

"Do not believe everything, nor be completely unguarded." Nüwa withdrew her gaze and looked at Lin Fan, her eyes returning to their gentle state. "The Heavenly Dao has its constants and its variables. The laws of this realm are stable, repelling our external powers; this is the 'constant.' However, all things have a sliver of hope, this is the 'variable.' My senior brother and I are here to contend for that sliver of 'variable.' As for 'over there'... it might refer to the remnants of the Primordial Era, or it might mean something else. His cultivation is low, so what he said may not be true, but behind him... there might be significant connections."

Nüwa's words were cryptic, and Lin Fan understood them only partially, but he grasped the core meaning: they were suppressed "undocumented residents" in this world. That old Taoist might have had some skill, sensed something, and perhaps he wasn't alone.

Trouble, as expected, was omnipresent, and its level was escalating. From local ruffians to national machinery, and now these mysterious "cultivators"?

"Let's go back first." Lin Fan suppressed the unease in his heart and picked up the shopping bags from the ground. It was not wise to linger here. Who knew if that old Taoist would bring back someone more powerful?

Nüwa nodded, put on her baseball cap, pulled down the brim, and followed Lin Fan as they quickened their pace.

On the way back to the rental apartment, Lin Fan was exceptionally vigilant, constantly glancing around with his peripheral vision to ensure no suspicious individuals were following them before he finally relaxed slightly. However, the feeling of being watched did not completely disappear; he knew that official surveillance still existed.

Back in the familiar, yet now entirely different, small apartment, Tong Tian was still meditating in the corner, as if he hadn't moved since time immemorial. Hearing the door open, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling first on Nüwa, his sharp eyes flashing slightly.

"Junior Sister, your aura is unusual. Did you encounter trouble?" Tong Tian asked directly. With his spiritual senses, even without being present, he could perceive the trace of unsettled law fluctuations lingering on Nüwa.

Nüwa nodded gently and briefly recounted her encounter with the mad old Taoist at the supermarket, emphasizing that he could vaguely sense her origins and his astonishing words, "The Heavenly Dao does not permit" and "leaking from over there."

Tong Tian's brow slowly furrowed, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "He could see through Junior Sister's origins? Even though Junior Sister did not deliberately conceal it, under the suppression of this realm's laws, anyone who could sense it is by no means an ordinary charlatan. 'The Heavenly Dao does not permit'... Hmph, this realm's Heavenly Dao is rigid and stagnant, repelling all laws, that is indeed true. But 'over there'..."

He pondered for a moment, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Could it be the descendants of other fragments from the Primordial Era that scattered when the Primordial Era shattered? Or... some ancient Dao traditions that are barely surviving?"

This speculation made Lin Fan's heart jump. Other visitors from the Primordial Era? Or did this world's "inner side" itself possess inheritances related to the Primordial Era?

"Although the Dao rhythm he carries is faint, it is extremely ancient and pure, unlike ordinary cultivators," Nüwa added. "Moreover, he seemed to know a great deal about the matter of 'The Heavenly Dao does not permit,' even with a kind of... excitement?"

"Excitement?" Tong Tian's eyes grew colder. "It seems this realm is deeper than we imagined. We must be more cautious when going out in the future." He glanced at Lin Fan. "You also need to be careful. Since you've decided to follow us, such troubles are likely unavoidable."

Lin Fan nodded solemnly: "I understand, Senior." Risks and opportunities go hand in hand; he was prepared for this.

"Let's put this aside for now and be mindful of it in the future." Nüwa seemed reluctant to discuss it further and turned her attention to the numerous shopping bags Lin Fan had brought back, a gentle smile returning to her face. "You bought so many things? The produce of this realm is indeed abundant."

Seeing her change the subject, Lin Fan wisely ceased his inquiries and quickly put away the purchased items. He placed the fresh fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, stored the rice, flour, oil, and grains in a corner of the kitchen, and then took out the tea and instant noodles he had bought for Tong Tian.

"Senior Tong Tian, this is some tea I bought for you, and also... the instant noodles you said were acceptable before. I bought a few other flavors, would you like to try them?" Lin Fan nervously handed over the items.

Tong Tian's gaze swept over the colorful bags of instant noodles and the can of tea that looked ordinary. His expression remained unchanged, and he simply let out a faint "En," acknowledging receipt. However, Lin Fan keenly noticed that his gaze lingered on a packet of "Old Altar Pickled Cabbage" flavored noodles for a fraction of a second longer.

Lin Fan chuckled inwardly. It seemed this supreme Sword Master was not entirely immune to the pleasures of the palate, especially when it came to these "heavily turbid" but stimulating modern industrial foods.

Next, Lin Fan took out the items he had bought for Nüwa—a set of better-quality sketchbooks for drawing and a set of colored clay. He had bought them on a whim, thinking that since Goddess Nüwa governed creation and enjoyed creating, she might be interested in these.

"Goddess Nüwa, I noticed you seem very interested in 'creation.' These are sketchbooks and clay. You can draw or sculpt with them as you please." Lin Fan said somewhat sheepishly, feeling that these items were rather insignificant in front of a Sage.

However, Nüwa's eyes lit up the moment she saw these two items, a look of genuine joy and curiosity. She took the sketchbook, caressed the smooth paper, then picked up a box of colorful clay and gently squeezed it, feeling its soft texture.

"This is... wonderful!" Nüwa's voice carried a rare hint of delight. "To outline the forms of all things with a brush, and to sculpt their essence and spirit with clay... Although it is not even a fraction of the power of creation, it has its own unique charm of craftsmanship. Lin Fan, you are thoughtful."

Seeing Nüwa's genuine delight, Lin Fan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling very happy.

After putting away the groceries, Lin Fan began preparing dinner. He decided to show off his skills. Although his cooking was average, he could still make some simple home-style dishes. He washed the rice and cooked it, trimmed and washed the vegetables, cut the meat, and prepared the ingredients, busying himself in the cramped kitchen space.

Nüwa sat at the table, curiously flipping through the sketchbook, and picked up a piece of white clay, gently kneading it in her hands. Her movements were natural and elegant, her fingers seeming to possess some magical power as the ordinary clay silently transformed its shape under her touch.

Tong Tian continued to meditate, but occasionally he would open his eyes to glance at Lin Fan busy in the kitchen, then at Nüwa engrossed in playing with the clay. A very faint hint of softness, perhaps even imperceptible to himself, flickered in his cold eyes. This ordinary "home" atmosphere, filled with the scent of cooking, was an unfamiliar experience for him.

Soon, Lin Fan had prepared three dishes and one soup: stir-fried pork with green peppers, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried baby bok choy, and seaweed egg drop soup. Although simple, they were steaming hot and fragrant.

"Senior Tong Tian, Goddess Nüwa, dinner is ready." Lin Fan brought the dishes to the table and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Nüwa put down the clay sculpture she was working on, which was already taking the form of a small deer, washed her hands, and elegantly took her seat. Tong Tian also finished his meditation and walked over to the table to sit down.

Looking at the appetizing and fragrant home-style dishes on the table, Nüwa's eyes once again showed admiration: "They seem simple, but the heat control is precise, and the color coordination also incorporates principles of vitality. Lin Fan, your cooking is excellent."

Receiving praise from a Sage, Lin Fan sheepishly scratched his head. "Goddess, you flatter me. They are just ordinary home-style dishes."

Tong Tian offered no comment, directly picked up his chopsticks, and took a bite of the stir-fried pork with green peppers. After chewing a few times, he nodded slightly: "Acceptable."

Still just those two words, but Lin Fan was already content. To get the picky Master Tongtian to say "acceptable" was already a huge improvement.

The meal was exceptionally quiet, yet it carried an indescribable warmth. Lin Fan looked at the two legendary figures sitting in his small rental apartment, eating the ordinary food he had cooked, and felt a sense of unreality, along with a heavy sense of responsibility.

After dinner, Lin Fan cleaned up the dishes and finally could no longer suppress his inner yearning. He said to Tong Tian, "Senior Tong Tian, I want to... try the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra you taught me."

Tong Tian glanced at him and said calmly, "You may. You can do it here. Focus your mind inward, embrace your origin, and follow the incantation I taught you to sense your own spiritual platform."

Lin Fan followed instructions, sitting cross-legged in an empty space in the room. Although his posture was far from Tong Tian's standard, he did his best to imitate it. He closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and tried to recall the profound runes and fragmented thoughts in his mind, attempting to guide his consciousness deep into the sea of consciousness known as the "Spiritual Platform."

However, the process was far more difficult than he had imagined. Stray thoughts surged in like a chaotic tide—worries about work, the pressures of life, confusion about the future, curiosity about the two Sages, concerns about his own safety... Various thoughts arose one after another, making it impossible to calm his mind. As for the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra, its incantations were obscure and difficult to understand. The fragmented thoughts were like heavenly scriptures; he couldn't even comprehend them, let alone activate them.

After trying for more than half an hour, Lin Fan only felt agitated and his head started to ache. Not only did he not feel any effect of "calming his mind," but he became even more anxious. He opened his eyes in frustration and looked at Tong Tian, "Senior, I... I can't calm down, and I don't understand the incantations..."

Tong Tian seemed to have anticipated this, and his tone was calm, "Ordinary mortals have dusty seas of consciousness, filled with stray thoughts; this is normal. The method of calming the mind is not achieved overnight. Only through perseverance and accumulation can one begin to see results. As for the incantations, you don't need to force understanding; just visualize their form and sense their meaning."

Nüwa also encouraged him warmly, "The beginning of cultivation is always like this. Don't be impatient; dripping water can pierce stone."

Hearing the words of the two Sages, Lin Fan's frustration lessened slightly. Yes, if cultivation were so easy, wouldn't everyone become an immortal? He rekindled his fighting spirit and nodded, "I understand, I will persevere."

He knew that this path was destined to be long and arduous, but he had already taken the first step.

In the following days, Lin Fan's life entered a new rhythm.

He no longer had to squeeze onto the subway to work from nine to five, but he was busier and more fulfilled than when he was working.

Every day, he practiced the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra for an hour in the morning and evening. Although his progress was slow, and he could only occasionally capture a fleeting moment of clarity, he could feel that his mind seemed to concentrate more easily than before, and his sleep quality had also improved significantly.

The rest of his time was spent on procurement, cooking, and cleaning, taking care of the daily lives of the two Sages in an orderly manner. He also specifically bought some books on traditional Chinese medicine, herbs, and even modern physics and chemistry. On one hand, he wanted to learn more himself, and on the other hand, he felt that perhaps this modern scientific knowledge could help the two Sages understand the world.

Tong Tian spent most of his time meditating and regulating his breath, attempting to use the origin of that trace of sword intent as a guide to nourish his suppressed Sage body and Dao fruit. Occasionally, he would borrow Lin Fan's computer, no longer playing games (his account was still banned), but browsing various information, especially about the history, philosophy, scientific theories, and... military technology of this world. His learning and deduction abilities were terrifyingly immense. He often only needed to glance at something a few times to understand and grasp its core principles, and could even point out some logical paradoxes or potential future development directions, leaving Lin Fan, who was listening, dumbfounded and greatly benefited.

As for Nüwa, she was completely immersed in the sketchbooks and clay Lin Fan had bought her.

She started by drawing in the sketchbooks. At first, she just casually sketched lines of flowers, plants, insects, and fish, but soon, her artwork began to change. The flowers under her brush seemed to contain real vitality, about to bloom; the swimming fish she depicted had lively eyes, as if they were about to leap off the paper. She was not just drawing form, but depicting their "spirit," their inner "vitality," and "Dao rhythm." Although limited by paper and pencils, she could not truly imbue them with life, but the artistic conception contained in her paintings far surpassed any mortal artist.

Lin Fan once accidentally saw Nüwa's painting of A Hundred Herbs. Although it was just black and white lines, he seemed to smell the fragrant medicinal aroma and feel the unique temperament of various herbs. He even vaguely felt that it had helped him understand the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra! It was then that he realized that Goddess Nüwa was not just painting, but using her brush as a medium to expound her Dao of Creation!

What shocked Lin Fan even more were the clay sculptures Nüwa made.

The small animals she sculpted at first, such as fawns, rabbits, and birds, were already lifelike and full of spirit. Placed in the room, they actually added a sense of peace and vitality to the humble dwelling.

Until one day, Nüwa picked up a larger piece of grayish-brown clay, remained silent for a moment, and began to knead and shape it meticulously with her fingers.

Her expression became extremely focused, even carrying a sense of solemnity. An indescribable Dao rhythm flowed from her fingertips, as if she were not playing with mud, but performing a sacred ritual.

Lin Fan and Tong Tian were both drawn to her state and watched quietly from the side.

As Nüwa's fingers danced, the ordinary clay gradually took shape—it was a human form, the image of a woman. Nüwa sculpted with extreme care; every strand of hair, every fold of clothing, was filled with an indescribable beauty and vitality. Especially when she sculpted the woman's face, her movements became even slower and gentler.

Finally, the sculpture was completed.

It was a sculpture of a woman in a simple ancient dress, with a gentle and kind face, her eyes filled with compassion and love for all beings. It was so lifelike that it seemed as if she would open her eyes and speak at any moment. Even more astonishing was that this sculpture, made of the most ordinary clay, exuded a faint but incredibly pure "Dao rhythm" throughout its body, a "maternal" aura that nurtured all things and carried all spirits!

Looking at this sculpture, Lin Fan felt his soul purified. All his anxiety and unease subsided, leaving only peace and tranquility. He even had an urge to prostrate himself before this sculpture!

Tong Tian, who had always been expressionless, also showed a faint flicker of emotion in his eyes when he saw the sculpture. He slowly uttered four words:

"The work of creation."

This sculpture had transcended the realm of "skill" and touched the origin of "Dao"! Nüwa had integrated her understanding of "creation," "life," and "compassion" into this small clay sculpture! It had become a "magical artifact" imbued with Dao rhythm! Although it had no offensive or defensive capabilities, its auxiliary effect of calming the mind and purifying the aura was likely countless times stronger than many so-called consecrated magical artifacts!

Nüwa looked at the statue she had personally sculpted, which carried her own aura and Dao rhythm, and sighed softly, her eyes filled with a complex emotion. She whispered, "Let's call you... 'Xi Rang'."

Xi Rang! Lin Fan's heart trembled. This was the divine earth in mythology that could grow on its own and never diminish! Goddess Nüwa's choice of this name showed how much she valued this sculpture.

"My Lady, this... this is too precious!" Lin Fan looked at the sculpture exuding a gentle Dao rhythm, feeling somewhat unworthy.

Nüwa smiled slightly, gently placed the sculpture on the small windowsill in the room, and said softly, "This object placed here can stabilize the house and purify the air, and it will also benefit your cultivation of the Heart-Calming Mantra. Consider it a small token of my appreciation to the owner of this place."

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a faint halo on the "Xi Rang" sculpture, filling the entire room with a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

Lin Fan was touched and thanked her solemnly again.

He looked at "Xi Rang" on the windowsill, then at Nüwa, who was engrossed in her painting, and a thought suddenly struck him: If Nüwa's paintings and sculptures were revealed, they would likely cause a sensation in the entire art world! However, this thought only flashed through his mind; he dared not cause any further complications now.

However, the tree desired stillness, but the wind would not cease.

Although Lin Fan tried his best to maintain the peace of this small "home," the pure and lofty Dao rhythm emanating from Nüwa's "Xi Rang" sculpture, though extremely faint, was like a lighthouse in the darkness, clearly discernible to certain special existences.

A few afternoons later, Lin Fan was in the kitchen studying an herbal illustrated book, Nüwa was quietly sculpting a new clay figure by the window (this time it was a charming Iron-Eating Beast), and Tong Tian was browsing papers on "quantum entanglement" on the computer.

Suddenly, a faint but rhythmic knock sounded at the door.

Lin Fan's heart tightened, and he instinctively looked at Tong Tian and Nüwa.

Tong Tian shifted his gaze from the computer screen to the door, his eyes slightly cold, "Is it that female official again? The aura is wrong, this time... she brought 'something'."

Nüwa also put down the clay in her hands, sensed for a moment, and said softly, "Her heart carries an intention to test, and she has brought an object that seems to be able to sense energy fluctuations."

Lin Fan's heart sank. Chen Jing was here again? And she brought detection equipment? Was it because of the stock incident last time, or... did she detect the anomaly of the "Xi Rang" sculpture?

He walked to the door and looked out through the peephole. It was indeed Chen Jing, still in her neat business attire, with a serious expression. But this time, she was only accompanied by a subordinate, who was carrying a silver-gray suitcase that looked like some kind of precision instrument.

Lin Fan took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Miss Chen," Lin Fan tried to keep his voice calm.

Chen Jing's gaze was as sharp as ever. She first glanced at Lin Fan, then immediately looked into the room. When her gaze swept over the seemingly ordinary but inexplicably eye-catching "Xi Rang" sculpture on the windowsill, her pupils contracted sharply!

The subordinate beside her, carrying the suitcase, his face changed slightly, and he subconsciously lowered his head to look at an indicator light on the side of the suitcase he was holding, which was flashing green.

"Mr. Lin Fan, sorry to bother you again," Chen Jing retracted her gaze, her tone still formal, but Lin Fan could sense a slight tension in her voice, "We received some... new feedback, and we need to reconfirm. Also, we have brought the latest environmental energy detection equipment and need to conduct a routine inspection of your residence. We hope you can cooperate."

Her gaze, again subtly, drifted towards "Xi Rang" on the windowsill.

Lin Fan secretly thought it was bad. It was indeed because of this! The sculpture Nüwa casually made had still attracted the attention of the authorities!

He didn't know how to respond when Nüwa's ethereal and peaceful voice echoed from the room:

"This object is called 'Xirang'. I sculpted it casually when I had nothing else to do. I placed it here simply to calm the spirit and quiet the mind; it has no other purpose. If the laws of this realm do not permit such an item, I can put it away."

Nüwa's voice clearly reached the doorway, causing Chen Jing and her subordinate's expressions to shift slightly. They hadn't expected her to directly expose their intentions.

Chen Jing took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the storm raging within her. The statue... gave her a peculiar feeling, as if it were alive, emitting an aura that soothed the soul. The accompanying energy detector had indeed captured extremely faint, yet unbelievably high-quality special fluctuations! This was absolutely beyond the explanation of modern technology or any known special abilities!

She steadied herself and spoke towards the room, "Ms. Nüwa, that was not our intention. It's just that this object... is quite special. We need to record some data for analysis and research. This is also to ensure... safety in all aspects."

Her words were tactful, but the meaning was clear: we've got our eyes on this, and we want to study it.

Inside the room, Tong Tian let out a barely audible cold snort.

Nüwa, however, responded with her usual gentleness, "You may. If you wish to observe, please do so at your leisure. However, this object is where my Dao rhythm resides. If you attempt to forcibly analyze it, unforeseen consequences may arise. I hope you will be cautious."

Her tone was calm, yet it carried an unspoken warning.

Chen Jing's heart tightened, and she nodded, "We understand. We will only be conducting non-contact measurements."

She signaled her subordinate to open the silver-gray briefcase, revealing various sophisticated probes and screens. The subordinate carefully aimed a probe at the 'Breathing Soil' statue on the windowsill and began recording data.

Complex data streams and waveforms flickered on the screen. The subordinate looked at the screen, his surprise growing with each passing moment. He whispered to Chen Jing, "Team leader, the energy fluctuations are extremely stable, and the frequency... is unresolvable. The contained information is unbelievably vast! Furthermore, this fluctuation seems to... calm the energy disturbances in the surrounding environment? This... this is simply..."

He couldn't find suitable words to describe it.

Chen Jing listened to her subordinate's report and gazed at the clay statue, which seemed to emanate a faint glow in the sunlight. Her shock was immeasurable. "Sculpted casually? To calm the spirit and quiet the mind?" What kind of ability was this?!

She looked again at the two mysterious beings inside the room, especially the long-haired man in ancient clothing (Tong Tian) who sat before the computer with his back to the door. Her apprehension and curiosity reached their peak.

This measurement, she suspected, had not only failed to unravel the mystery but had instead brought forth more questions and... astonishment.

She had a faint premonition that this seemingly ordinary rental apartment, and its three "residents," would bring about earth-shattering changes to this world.

And it all seemed to have just begun.