Nüwa Descended

The old Daoist's earth-shattering words, "The Heavenly Dao will not tolerate it" and "leaked over from the other side," struck like two bolts of thunder. They not only scared Lin Fan half to death but also made the ever-compassionate and gentle Nüwa's eyes blaze with a stern, divine light for the first time!

That was no longer the gentleness of "Lady Wa." It was the majesty of Goddess Nüwa, the sage who wielded the power of creation and stood at the summit of the Primordial Era! Even with her divine abilities suppressed by the world, even with her sacred body frail and weakened, the dignity that came from the essence of her very being and her eternal Dao fruit still could not be profaned or spied upon by mere mortals!

An invisible aura suddenly spread outward from Nüwa! It was no impact of energy, but a rejection and warning on a higher level, originating from "existence" itself! In an instant, the hubbub of voices and traffic outside the supermarket seemed to be cut off, creating an eerie pocket of silence.

The old Daoist bore the brunt of it. His outstretched hand recoiled as if it had been burned by an invisible brand. He staggered backward several steps as though struck by a heavy blow, all color draining from his face. His cloudy eyes brimmed with utter terror and disbelief. He pointed at Nüwa and made a "gurgling" sound in his throat, but could no longer utter a coherent word, as though an invisible hand had clamped around his throat.

"You presume to pry into the secrets of Heaven and utter such wild claims," Nüwa said. Her voice remained ethereal, but now carried a chill that froze the soul. "Since you bear a trace of Dao rhythm and have not found cultivation easy, leave at once. Do so, and you may yet preserve your frail body."

Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of both the old Daoist and Lin Fan, carrying an unquestionable force of law.

The old Daoist shuddered all over, as if he had heard the profound music of the Great Dao—or received the sternest of warnings. The crazed look vanished from his face, leaving only deep shock and lingering fear. He took a long look at Nüwa, his expression impossibly complicated. There was fear, reverence, and even a trace of... indescribable excitement? He did not linger. He spun around and fled as if pursued by vengeful ghosts, stumbling but moving swiftly as he pushed into the crowd. In a few blinks, he had disappeared, leaving only the tattered banner bearing the words "Iron-Mouthed Predictions," toppled on the ground and ignored by everyone.

The stern aura around Nüwa slowly faded, and she returned to her gentle, serene self, as if nothing had happened. But her faintly furrowed brows showed that she was not entirely unaffected.

"Goddess, are you all right?" Lin Fan finally snapped out of his utter shock and hurried over, asking anxiously. His heart was still pounding, and cold sweat had soaked his back. Who exactly was that old Daoist? What did he mean by "the other side"? And "the Heavenly Dao will not tolerate it"... Could Goddess Nüwa and Senior Tongtian really be rejected by the heavens in this world?

"I am fine." Nüwa gently shook her head and looked toward the direction in which the old Daoist had disappeared, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "He bears the faintest trace of an extremely ancient inheritance. He could actually sense something of my origins... It seems this world is not as simple as it appears."

Lin Fan's heart sank further. Even Goddess Nüwa had said as much... How many secrets lay hidden beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary modern world?

"What he said just now..." Lin Fan started, then hesitated.

"You need not believe every word, but you must not ignore it either." Nüwa turned her gaze back to Lin Fan, her expression gentle once more. "The Heavenly Dao has its constants, but also its variables. The laws of this world are stable and reject the power we bring from beyond it. That is the 'constant.' Yet all things contain a glimmer of life. That is the 'variable.' My senior brother and I are here to fight for that one glimmer of the 'variable.' As for 'the other side'... perhaps he meant the remnants of the Primordial Era, or perhaps something else entirely. His cultivation is meager, so his words may not be true. But those behind him... may be connected to something far greater."

Nüwa's words held hidden meaning. Lin Fan only half understood, but the gist was clear: in this world, they were "undocumented outsiders" under suppression. The old Daoist might know a thing or two and had seen something, and he might not be acting alone.

Trouble really was everywhere, and it kept getting more serious. First thugs, then the machinery of the state, and now mysterious cultivators?

"Let's head back first." Lin Fan pushed down his unease and picked up the shopping bags. This was no place to linger. Who knew if the old Daoist might return with someone even more powerful?

Nüwa nodded, put on her baseball cap, pulled the brim low, and followed Lin Fan away at a brisk pace.

On the way back to the rented apartment, Lin Fan stayed especially alert, occasionally checking his surroundings out of the corner of his eye. Only after confirming that no suspicious figures were following them did he relax a little. But the feeling of being watched never fully went away. He knew the authorities were still keeping an eye on them.

When they returned to the familiar little apartment, which now carried a completely different meaning, Tongtian was still seated cross-legged in the corner, as if he had not moved since time immemorial. At the sound of the door opening, he slowly opened his eyes. His gaze landed first on Nüwa, and a faint glint passed through his sharp eyes.

"Junior sister, your aura is unsettled. Did you run into trouble?" Tongtian asked directly. With his spiritual perception, he could sense the trace of unsettled fluctuations in the laws lingering around Nüwa, even without having been there himself.

Nüwa gave a slight nod and briefly recounted her encounter with the mad old Daoist outside the supermarket, emphasizing that he had somehow sensed something of her origins and had uttered the startling words "The Heavenly Dao will not tolerate it" and "leaked over from the other side."

Tongtian's brows slowly furrowed, a cold glint flickering in his eyes. "He could see through your origins? Even though you were not deliberately concealing them, anyone able to sense them under this world's suppression cannot be some ordinary fortune-teller. 'The Heavenly Dao will not tolerate it'... Hmph. This world's Heavenly Dao is rigid and inflexible, rejecting all manner of cultivation. That much is true. But 'the other side'..."

He pondered for a moment, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes. "Could he be one of the people from other fragments scattered here when the Primordial Era shattered? Or... a member of some ancient lineage that has barely survived?"

The thought made Lin Fan's heart skip. Were there other visitors from the Primordial Era? Or did this world's hidden side already contain inheritances connected to the Primordial Era?

"Though the Dao rhythm he bears is faint, it is extremely ancient and pure. It is unlike that of an ordinary cultivator," Nüwa added. "Moreover, he seemed... deeply familiar with the matter of 'the Heavenly Dao not tolerating us,' and even somewhat... excited?"

"Excited?" The cold gleam in Tongtian's eyes intensified. "It seems the waters here run deeper than we thought. We must be even more cautious when we go out from now on." He looked at Lin Fan. "You must also take care. Now that you have decided to follow us, you may face no shortage of troubles like this."

Lin Fan nodded solemnly. "I understand, Senior." Risk and opportunity went hand in hand. He had already accepted that.

"We will set this matter aside for now and keep an eye out." Nüwa seemed unwilling to discuss it further. She turned instead to the bags Lin Fan had brought back, her gentle smile returning. "You bought so many things? This world is indeed abundant in its produce."

Seeing her change the subject, Lin Fan took the hint and stopped asking questions. He quickly put away the groceries, placing the fresh vegetables and fruit in the refrigerator and the rice, flour, cooking oil, and other staples in a corner of the kitchen. Then he took out the tea and instant noodles he had bought for Tongtian.

"Senior Tongtian, I bought you some tea, and... the instant noodles you said were passable. I got a few other flavors for you to try." Lin Fan handed them over with some trepidation.

Tongtian glanced at the brightly colored packets of instant noodles, then at the can of rather ordinary-looking tea. His expression did not change. He simply gave a faint "Mm" to accept them. But Lin Fan keenly noticed that his gaze lingered on the packet of "Old Altar Pickled Cabbage" noodles for a fraction of a second longer.

Lin Fan chuckled to himself. It seemed even this supreme sword cultivator was not entirely immune to the pleasures of food—especially modern processed food, with its "heavy miasma" and bold flavors.

Next, Lin Fan took out what he had bought for Nüwa: a decent-quality sketchbook and a set of modeling clay in various colors. He had bought them on a sudden whim. Since Goddess Nüwa wielded the power of creation and enjoyed making things, he thought she might be interested in them.

"Goddess Nüwa, you seem quite interested in 'creation.' Here are a sketchbook and some clay. You can draw or sculpt whatever you like." Lin Fan felt a little embarrassed as he spoke. These things seemed rather unimpressive to offer a sage.

Yet the moment Nüwa saw them, her eyes lit up with genuine delight and curiosity. She accepted the sketchbook, ran her fingers over its smooth paper, then picked up a box of brightly colored clay and gently pressed it, feeling its soft texture.

"This is... wonderful!" A rare note of excitement entered Nüwa's voice. "To sketch the forms of all things with a brush, and mold their bones and spirit from clay... It is nothing compared to the power of creation, yet it has a craft and charm all its own. Lin Fan, you were thoughtful."

Seeing how much she genuinely liked them, Lin Fan felt relieved and happy.

After putting away the groceries, Lin Fan began preparing dinner. He decided to show off his skills. His cooking was only average, but he could manage a few simple home-style dishes. He washed the rice, picked and rinsed vegetables, sliced meat, and prepared the ingredients, bustling about in the cramped kitchen area.

Nüwa sat at the table, curiously flipping through the sketchbook. She then picked up a lump of white clay and gently kneaded it in her hands. Her movements were natural and graceful. Her fingers seemed to hold a mysterious magic as the ordinary clay quietly changed shape beneath them.

Tongtian continued meditating, but every so often he opened his eyes to look at Lin Fan bustling about in the kitchen and Nüwa absorbed in her clay. In his icy gaze, there seemed to pass a faint softening, so slight that even he did not notice it. This ordinary, homey atmosphere—this sense of "home"—was an unfamiliar experience he had never known before.

Before long, Lin Fan had prepared three dishes and a soup: shredded pork stir-fried with green peppers, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried bok choy, and seaweed and egg-drop soup. They were simple, but steaming hot and fragrant.

"Senior Tongtian, Goddess Nüwa, dinner's ready." Lin Fan brought the dishes to the table and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Nüwa set down the clay figure she had been shaping, which now looked like a little deer, washed her hands, and gracefully took her seat. Tongtian also finished meditating and came over to sit at the table.

Looking at the simple home-cooked dishes, their appetizing colors and enticing aromas, Nüwa's eyes filled with admiration once more. "They look simple, yet the heat is just right, and even the colors reflect the principles of life. Lin Fan, you are a good cook."

Praised by a sage, Lin Fan scratched his head in embarrassment. "You flatter me, Goddess. They're just ordinary home-cooked dishes."

Tongtian offered no comment. He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the pork and green peppers. After chewing a few times, he gave a slight nod. "Passable."

It was the same two words as before, but Lin Fan was already satisfied. To get the discerning Master Tongtian to call something "passable" was a huge step forward.

The meal was especially quiet, yet filled with a warmth that was hard to describe. Watching two figures from legend sit in his tiny rented apartment and eat ordinary food he had cooked, Lin Fan felt that none of it was real—and that he had been entrusted with a heavy responsibility.

After dinner, Lin Fan finished washing the dishes and could no longer hold back his yearning. "Senior Tongtian, I'd like to... try the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra you taught me."

Tongtian glanced at him. "Very well. You may practice here. Focus your mind inward, gather your essence, and hold to the One. Follow the incantation I taught you and sense your spiritual platform."

Lin Fan did as he was told and sat cross-legged in an open space in the room. His posture was nowhere near as proper as Tongtian's, but he did his best to imitate him. He closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and tried to recall the abstruse runes and fragments of intent in his mind, guiding his thoughts toward the depths of his consciousness, the place known as the "spiritual platform."

But the process proved far more difficult than he had imagined. Random thoughts surged in like restless tides—troubles at work, the pressures of life, uncertainty about the future, curiosity about the two sages, worries about his own safety... One thought after another rushed in, leaving him unable to calm down. The incantation of the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra was even more obscure. Those fragments of intent were like a book from Heaven. He could not understand them, let alone guide them.

After trying for more than half an hour, Lin Fan felt only restless and lightheaded. Far from feeling any "calming" effect, he had grown even more agitated. Dejected, he opened his eyes and looked at Tongtian. "Senior, I... I can't calm down, and I can't understand the incantation..."

Tongtian seemed to have expected this. His tone remained calm. "Ordinary mortals have dust clouding their minds and thoughts stirring within them. This is normal. The art of calming the mind cannot be mastered in a single day. Only through perseverance and steady effort over time can you begin to see results. As for the incantation, do not force yourself to understand it. Visualize its form and sense its meaning."

Nüwa also encouraged him gently. "Everyone begins this way when they start cultivating. Do not be impatient. Even water can wear through stone."

Hearing the sages' words, Lin Fan felt somewhat less dejected. That was right. If cultivation were so easy, wouldn't everyone become an immortal? His determination rekindled, and he nodded. "I understand. I'll keep at it."

He knew the road ahead would be long and difficult, but he had already taken the first step.

Over the next few days, Lin Fan settled into a new routine.

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

Every day, he made a point of trying to practice the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra for an hour in the morning and another in the evening. Progress was slow, and only once in a while did he catch the briefest flash of clarity, but he could feel that he was able to concentrate more easily than before and was sleeping much better.

The rest of the time, he handled the shopping, cooked, cleaned, and took meticulous care of the two sages' daily needs. He also went out of his way to buy books on traditional Chinese medicine, herbs, and even modern physics and chemistry. He wanted to learn more himself, and thought this modern scientific knowledge might also help the two sages understand the world.

Tongtian spent most of his time meditating and regulating his breath, trying to use that trace of sword intent as a foundation to nourish his suppressed sacred body and Dao fruit. Now and then, he borrowed Lin Fan's computer. He no longer played games—his account was still banned—and instead browsed all kinds of information, especially the history, philosophy, scientific theories, and... military technology of this world. His ability to learn and deduce was terrifying. Often, a few glances were enough for him to understand and grasp the core principles. He could even point out logical fallacies or predict possible future developments, leaving Lin Fan, who listened nearby, wide-eyed with amazement and greatly enlightened.

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

She started by drawing. At first, she merely sketched flowers, grasses, insects, and fish, but her work soon began to change. The flowers she drew seemed to contain real life, as if they were about to bloom. The fish she depicted had lively eyes, as though they might leap off the page. She was not merely drawing their forms, but capturing their "spirit"—their inner "vitality" and "Dao rhythm." Though the paper and pencil could not let her truly give them life, the artistic conception in her work already surpassed that of any mortal artist.

Once, Lin Fan happened to see a "Hundred Herbs" drawing Nüwa had made. It consisted of nothing but black-and-white lines, yet he seemed to smell the rich fragrance of medicinal herbs and sense the distinct qualities of each plant. He even faintly felt that it helped him understand the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra! Only then did he realize that Goddess Nüwa was not merely drawing. She was using the brush as a medium to expound the Great Dao of Creation!

Even more astonishing to Lin Fan were the sculptures Nüwa made from clay.

The little animals she sculpted at first—deer, rabbits, birds, and the like—were already lifelike and full of spirit. Set around the room, they made even this shabby little apartment feel more peaceful and alive.

Then, one day, Nüwa picked up a larger lump of grayish-brown clay. She paused in silence for a moment, then began kneading and shaping it with her fingers.

Her expression became utterly focused, even solemn. An indescribable Dao rhythm seemed to flow from her fingertips. She looked as though she were not playing with clay, but performing a sacred ritual.

Lin Fan and Tongtian were both drawn to her state of concentration. They watched quietly from the side.

As Nüwa's fingers moved, the ordinary clay gradually took shape. It was the figure of a human, a woman. She sculpted it with extraordinary care. Each strand of hair and fold of clothing carried a beauty and vitality that defied description. When she reached the woman's face, her movements grew even slower and gentler.

At last, the sculpture was complete.

It was a woman in a simple, ancient-style gown, with a kind and gentle face and eyes filled with compassion and love for all living beings. It was so lifelike that she seemed about to open her eyes and speak at any moment. What was more astonishing was that though the sculpture had been made from the most ordinary clay, a faint yet utterly pure "Dao rhythm" radiated from it—a maternal presence that seemed to nurture all things and shelter every living being!

Looking at the sculpture, Lin Fan felt his mind being cleansed. All his agitation and unease faded away, leaving only serenity and peace. He even felt an urge to bow down and worship it!

Even Tongtian, who was usually expressionless, showed the faintest flicker of emotion in his eyes when he saw the sculpture. Slowly, he uttered four words:

"Creation's wondrous work."

This sculpture had gone beyond the realm of "craft" and touched the origin of the "Dao"! Nüwa had infused the little clay figure with her understanding of "creation," "life," and "compassion"! It had become a "spiritual artifact" imbued with Dao rhythm! It had no offensive or defensive power, but its ability to soothe the mind and purify the surrounding aura was probably countless times greater than that of many so-called consecrated artifacts!

Nüwa looked at the sculpture she had made with her own hands, infused with her aura and Dao rhythm. She sighed softly, her expression complicated, and murmured, "I'll call you... 'Breathing Earth.'"

Breathing Earth! Lin Fan's heart trembled. This was the mythical soil that could grow on its own and never run out! The fact that Goddess Nüwa had given the sculpture this name showed how much she treasured it.

"Goddess, this... this is too precious!" Lin Fan looked at the sculpture radiating a gentle Dao rhythm and felt unworthy of accepting it.

Nüwa smiled faintly and gently placed the sculpture on the small windowsill. "It can protect this home and purify its aura. It may also help you practice the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra. Consider it a small token of my gratitude to the owner of this home."

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on the "Breathing Earth" sculpture, coating it in a faint halo and filling the whole room with a peaceful, serene atmosphere.

Lin Fan was moved and thanked her once more, solemnly.

He looked at the "Breathing Earth" on the windowsill, then at Nüwa, who was absorbed in her drawing. A thought suddenly occurred to him: If Goddess Nüwa's drawings and sculptures were ever shown to the world, the entire art scene would be shaken. But the thought passed in a flash. He did not dare invite more trouble right now.

Yet peace never lasted.

Though Lin Fan did his best to keep the little "home" peaceful, the pure and transcendent Dao rhythm radiating from Nüwa's "Breathing Earth" sculpture was so faint that ordinary people could not detect it. But to certain special beings, it was as clear as a beacon in the dark.

A few days later, one afternoon, Lin Fan was in the kitchen studying a book of herbal illustrations. Nüwa sat quietly by the window, shaping a new clay sculpture—this time, a chubby little Iron-Eating Beast—while Tongtian sat at the computer reading a paper on "quantum entanglement."

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

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

Tongtian lifted his gaze from the computer screen and looked toward the door, his eyes turning cold. "That female official again? Her aura is different. This time... she's brought 'something' with her."

Nüwa also set down the clay and sensed it. "She has come to test us. She is carrying something that seems able to detect fluctuations in energy."

Lin Fan's heart sank. Had Chen Jing come again? And brought a detection device? Was this because of the stock-market incident last time, or... had she noticed something unusual about the "Breathing Earth" sculpture?

He went to the door and looked through the peephole. It was Chen Jing, still wearing a sharp business suit and looking serious. This time, she was accompanied by only one subordinate, who held a silver-gray case that looked like it contained some kind of precision instrument.

Lin Fan took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Ms. Chen." Lin Fan did his best to keep his tone calm.

Chen Jing's gaze was as sharp as ever. She first looked Lin Fan over, then immediately turned her attention to the apartment. When her gaze passed over the seemingly ordinary "Breathing Earth" sculpture on the windowsill, her pupils suddenly contracted!

The subordinate carrying the case also paled slightly. He instinctively glanced down at the small indicator light on the side of the case, which was blinking green.

"Mr. Lin Fan, sorry to trouble you again." Chen Jing looked away, her tone still official, but Lin Fan could hear a trace of tension in her voice. "We've received some... new information that we need to verify. Also, we brought the latest environmental energy detection equipment and need to conduct a routine inspection of your residence. We hope you'll cooperate."

Her gaze drifted back toward the "Breathing Earth" on the windowsill.

Lin Fan inwardly groaned. So this really was about the sculpture! Even a figure Goddess Nüwa had casually made from clay had attracted the authorities' attention!

Just as he was wondering how to respond, Nüwa's ethereal, calm voice came from inside the room.

"This object is called 'Breathing Earth.' I shaped it in my spare time. It is here only to calm the mind and purify the surroundings. I mean nothing by it. If the laws of this world forbid such an object, I can put it away."

Nüwa's voice carried clearly to the door. Chen Jing and her subordinate both changed expression slightly. They had not expected the other party to spell out their intentions so directly.

Chen Jing took a deep breath, forcing down the tumult in her heart. There was something deeply unusual about the sculpture... It seemed almost alive, radiating an aura that brought peace to the mind. The energy detector she had brought along had also picked up an incredibly faint but astonishingly high-quality fluctuation! It was beyond the explanation of modern technology or any known supernatural ability!

Steadying herself, she spoke into the apartment. "Ms. Nüwa, that isn't what we mean. It's just that this object... is rather unusual. We need to record some data for analysis and research. This is also to ensure... everyone's safety."

She had phrased it tactfully, but the meaning was obvious: We have our eye on this thing and want to study it.

Inside the apartment, Tongtian let out a barely audible snort.

Nüwa replied as gently as before. "Very well. You may observe it. However, this object carries my Dao rhythm. If you try to analyze it by force, something unforeseen may occur. I advise you to proceed with caution."

Her tone was calm, but it carried an invisible warning.

Chen Jing felt a chill in her heart and nodded. "Understood. We'll only conduct non-contact testing."

She gestured for her subordinate to open the silver-gray case. Inside were various precision probes and screens. The subordinate carefully aimed a probe at the "Breathing Earth" sculpture on the windowsill and began recording data.

Complex streams of data and waveforms flickered across the screen. As the subordinate watched, the look of astonishment on his face grew. He lowered his voice to Chen Jing. "Team Leader, the energy fluctuation is extremely stable. The frequency... can't be analyzed. It contains an unimaginably vast amount of information! And this fluctuation seems to... calm the energy disturbances in the surrounding environment? This... this is simply..."

He could not find the right words to describe it.

Chen Jing listened to her subordinate's report and stared at the clay sculpture, which seemed to glow faintly in the sunlight. She was so deeply shaken that she could hardly put it into words. She had shaped it casually? It was meant to calm the mind? Just what kind of ability was this?!

She looked once more at the two mysterious beings inside the apartment—especially the long-haired man in ancient clothing, who sat at the computer with his back to the door. Her wariness and curiosity had reached their peak.

This inspection had clearly done nothing to solve the mystery. If anything, it had only left them with more questions—and even greater shock.

She had a vague premonition that this seemingly ordinary rented apartment and its three "residents" would bring earth-shaking changes to the world.

And it seemed that everything was only just beginning.