Zhenyuan Joins the Human Sect; the Medical Academy

Just then, an endless tide of Golden Merit Power poured into Shaoyao.

The Merit Power swiftly transformed into cultivation, and her aura continued to rise.

In the blink of an eye, her cultivation broke through one bottleneck after another, carrying her straight into the early stage of the Martial Saint (Primordial Golden Immortal) realm!

Su Mu's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the scene, his mouth hanging open. "Junior Sister Shaoyao, you... you actually became a Merit Immortal?"

Shaoyao looked bewildered. "Senior Disciple Brother, what is a Merit Immortal? How did I suddenly become one?"

Su Mu took a deep breath and calmed himself before explaining, "Junior Sister Shaoyao, Merit Immortals are an extremely unusual kind of being. They cultivate by accumulating merit, earning great amounts of Merit Power by saving lives and upholding justice, which allows them to improve their cultivation and strength."

"You just absorbed an immense amount of Great Dao Merit Power. And since your cultivation before this was focused on treating illness and saving people, you became a Merit Immortal."

"Congratulations, Junior Sister Shaoyao. You've entered an entirely new realm. Your future achievements will know no bounds."

At Su Mu's words, a glimmer of understanding appeared in Shaoyao's eyes. So that was why the power within her had felt different just moments ago. It was because she had become a Merit Immortal.

She looked gratefully at Su Mu. "Thank you, Senior Disciple Brother, for clearing that up for me. But what makes Merit Immortals different? Do they simply cultivate by absorbing merit?"

Su Mu smiled and nodded. "That's only part of it. There are very few Merit Immortals in the entire Primordial World. For one thing, merit is difficult to obtain. For another, Merit Immortals aren't very strong in battle."

"Huh? They aren't strong in battle? No wonder there aren't many Merit Immortals," Shaoyao said.

Su Mu explained, "Though Merit Immortals aren't strong in battle, no one in the Primordial World dares attack them. They would die from the backlash of their merit."

"I see. Then the path of a Merit Immortal is just right for me."

"Junior Sister Shaoyao, I'll take you to Shouyang Mountain to formally become a disciple." Su Mu smiled at her.

"All right, Senior Disciple Brother. I nearly forgot about the important matter. Let's hurry!" Shaoyao slapped her forehead excitedly, then eagerly took Su Mu's hand and hurried toward Shouyang Mountain.

As Shaoyao set off for Shouyang Mountain, everyone she had treated clasped their hands in salute and called out, "We thank the 'Medical Ancestor'!"

The countless beings of the Primordial World who had witnessed Shaoyao establish the Medical Dao knew that if they were ever gravely injured, they would no longer have to wait for death. Healers would surely be able to save them. They, too, clasped their hands in salute and called out, "Medical Ancestor!"

Hearing their words, Shaoyao was delighted. Su Mu also heard the System Prompt: the reward had been placed in the system space. He was just as pleased. The two chatted and laughed along the way, their journey filled with lighthearted cheer.

In Shouyang Palace, Nuwa, the Human Race Holy Mother and Human Religion Leader, was the first to sense the rapid growth of Human Race Destiny.

She marveled inwardly. She hadn't expected this undertaking to have such an enormous impact.

"The Medical Dao is actually so important that even the Heavenly Dao and Earth Dao have bestowed merit," Nuwa said in shock.

She had only wanted to help the Human Race learn to heal themselves, never expecting it to cause such a great stir.

As Human Race Destiny grew, Nuwa felt her own power steadily increasing.

She had actually reached the Third-Heaven Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. Confidence gleamed in her eyes as she murmured, "I'm now certain I can successfully awaken the Human Dao."

Meanwhile, in Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, Zhenyuanzi was earnestly trying to persuade Hong Yun's Remnant Soul. "Junior Brother Hong Yun, Human Race Destiny is surging. Only by reincarnating into the Human Race do you have a glimmer of hope."

He understood the plight of Hong Yun's Remnant Soul. The surge in Human Race Destiny might be Hong Yun's last chance to return to life.

Hong Yun's Remnant Soul remained silent, seemingly weighing Zhenyuanzi's words.

He knew Zhenyuanzi was right, but reincarnating as a member of the Human Race meant giving up everything from his past and starting over.

Still, faced with the choice to cultivate anew, Hong Yun had no choice but to consider it carefully.

At last, Hong Yun's Remnant Soul gave a slight nod, agreeing to Zhenyuanzi's suggestion.

After a moment's thought, Zhenyuanzi slowly said, "Since Junior Brother Hong Yun has decided to reincarnate into the Human Race, we should inform Empress Nuwa so she understands the cause and effect." With that, he set off for Shouyang Mountain with Hong Yun's Remnant Soul.

Along the way, Zhenyuanzi was filled with emotion. He and Hong Yun had met at the dawn of the Primordial Era. They had shared the same ideals and formed a deep friendship.

Now that Hong Yun had suffered a calamity, Zhenyuanzi was heartsick. But he understood that this was the cycle of the Heavenly Dao, beyond anyone's control. He could only hope Hong Yun would reincarnate successfully and cultivate the Great Dao anew.

Su Mu and Shaoyao also arrived at the foot of Shouyang Mountain. The scenery was beautiful, the mountains lush and the waters clear, leaving visitors refreshed and at ease.

Since it was Shaoyao's first visit to Shouyang Mountain, they climbed on foot.

Su Mu led Shaoyao up the mountain path, and before long, they reached Shouyang Palace.

Su Mu led the way into the main hall. Shaoyao looked around and saw its solemn, dignified furnishings. A cloud platform floated in the center.

Nuwa sat upon it, radiating a mysterious aura that inspired awe.

Su Mu stepped forward, bowed to Nuwa, and said respectfully, "Master, I've brought Shaoyao."

Nuwa smiled at Su Mu. "Very good."

Then Nuwa turned to look at Shaoyao.

Su Mu said to Shaoyao, "Don't be nervous. Go ahead."

Shaoyao nodded, her expression turning solemn. She walked up to Nuwa, knelt, and kowtowed three times in reverence. "Your disciple Shaoyao pays her respects to Master. May Master enjoy boundless longevity."

"Rise," Nuwa said gravely. "I'm glad you've become my disciple. From this day on, you are my student. I hope you cultivate diligently and live up to my expectations."

Shaoyao slowly stood, joy showing on her face. She clasped her hands. "Thank you, Master."

Seeing this, Su Mu smiled at Shaoyao. "Congratulations, Junior Sister Shaoyao. From now on, you're a member of the Human Sect."

Having gained another disciple, Nuwa was overjoyed. The Human Sect had grown stronger still.

In high spirits, she said to Golden Phoenix, "Golden Phoenix, go summon Bei Xuan, Cangjie, Lingzhuzi, Kong Xuan, and Dapeng. I'll lecture to them today."

Golden Phoenix answered respectfully, "Yes, Empress." She then swiftly left the main hall of Shouyang Palace to find them.

Before long, Golden Phoenix brought everyone to the main hall. Nuwa gave a light wave of her hand, and eight prayer mats appeared. She gestured for them to sit.

Once everyone was seated, Nuwa began instructing them in the ways of cultivation.

A Saint's lecture was extraordinary. Heavenly Flowers Descended and Golden Lotuses Sprang from the Earth throughout the hall. Su Mu and the others listened as if entranced, occasionally asking questions, which Nuwa patiently answered one by one.

And so, time passed unnoticed.

When the lecture ended, everyone remained immersed in it, as if time had stopped.

Their thoughts drifted through the Dao Rhyme, and they couldn't pull themselves away. Only after a long while did they slowly come back to themselves, their eyes shining with excitement and understanding.

Some even closed their eyes without realizing it, savoring the Dao Sound they had just heard and trying to commit its essence to memory.

At that moment, all of Shouyang Palace seemed to fall silent. Only those who had just emerged from the Dao Rhyme remained, exchanging knowing smiles.

Nuwa was delighted to see them. Suddenly, she paused and said to Golden Phoenix, "A guest has come from afar. Hurry and welcome them."

"Yes." Golden Phoenix turned and left Shouyang Palace.

Before long, Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun's Remnant Soul arrived at Shouyang Mountain. This was where Empress Nuwa's Training Ground stood, a place of clear waters, lush mountains, and abundant Spiritual Energy.

Zhenyuanzi clasped his hands toward the mountaintop and called out, "Empress Nuwa, Zhenyuanzi requests an audience!"

As his voice faded, a glow of rosy light appeared atop the mountain. A figure descended from the sky, and Golden Phoenix revealed herself.

She smiled at Zhenyuanzi. "Great Immortal Zhenyuan, Empress sent me to welcome you. Please follow me to Shouyang Palace."

Zhenyuanzi followed Golden Phoenix toward the main hall of Shouyang Palace.

Upon entering, Zhenyuanzi saw Nuwa and hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Empress Nuwa."

Nuwa replied, "Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi, what brings you here to see me?"

Zhenyuanzi told Empress Nuwa all about Hong Yun's Remnant Soul.

After listening, Empress Nuwa nodded slightly in understanding. She offered words of comfort. "Fellow Daoist Hong Yun is blessed with deep fortune. Reincarnating into the Human Race may be a new opportunity for him. I'll keep watch over his reincarnation and help him when the time is right."

Hearing Nuwa and Zhenyuanzi's conversation, Su Mu spoke at the right moment. "Master, Great Immortal Zhenyuan, Senior Hong Yun will have a chance to reincarnate, but not now."

His voice was steady and resolute, as if it held some inexplicable power.

Nuwa and Zhenyuanzi both turned their eyes toward Su Mu.

They were somewhat surprised by his words, but at the same time, they were deeply interested.

Su Mu continued, "Senior Hong Yun spent his life doing good. His kindness has long been engraved into the world itself. A better opportunity awaits him to reincarnate, at a particular time and under particular circumstances."

Reverence and respect for Hong Yun showed in his eyes, along with a hint that he had plans of his own.

Nuwa nodded slightly in agreement. She knew what kind of person Su Mu was and knew he wouldn't harm Hong Yun.

Zhenyuanzi fell into thought, apparently considering whether Su Mu's words were true.

Zhenyuanzi remained deep in thought, carefully reviewing everything Su Mu had done since he appeared.

He marveled inwardly at the vast Merit Power and destiny surrounding Su Mu.

After considering it, Zhenyuanzi became increasingly convinced that following Su Mu's advice was the right choice.

At last, he nodded and agreed, leaving the time of Hong Yun's Remnant Soul's reincarnation to Su Mu.

Then Zhenyuanzi suddenly thought of a problem: he and Hong Yun had no particularly deep ties to Nuwa or Su Mu.

That meant it might be difficult to determine the status of Junior Brother Hong Yun's reincarnated self.

So Zhenyuanzi immediately added, "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, I'm willing to join the Human Race, but I don't know whether you'll agree."

Nuwa was slightly taken aback. Then she replied, "The Human Sect would be fortunate to have you, Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi."

Then she declared solemnly, "In the name of the Human Religion Leader, I appoint Zhenyuanzi as Vice Leader of the Human Religion."

As soon as Nuwa spoke, Zhenyuanzi felt a mighty tide of Human Teaching Destiny enter his body.

"Is there really so much destiny in the Human Sect?" Zhenyuanzi exclaimed in shock. "You can never understand the power of Human Sect destiny without experiencing it firsthand."

Su Mu was the first to say, "Greetings, Vice Leader."

The others followed suit. "Greetings, Vice Leader."

"Good, good, good!" Zhenyuanzi said excitedly.

Zhenyuanzi added, "Leader, I'll return to Wuzhuang Temple to cultivate."

"Very well." Nuwa nodded.

"Su Mu, when the time comes for Junior Brother Hong Yun to reincarnate, come to Wuzhuang Temple and find me." With that, Zhenyuanzi left Shouyang Mountain with Hong Yun's Remnant Soul.

Nuwa said, "You may all go cultivate."

Before they left, Shaoyao spoke up. "Master, I have a request. I hope you'll grant it."

Nuwa asked, "What is it?"

Shaoyao said, "Master, I'm afraid I can't treat all the injured on my own. I'd like to establish a Medical Academy to train more healers. Please grant my request."

Nuwa replied, "That's a good idea. Go ahead and do it. Have your senior brother help you."

"Thank you, Master!" Shaoyao said excitedly.