The Saint Era: Planting the Seeds

Kunlun Mountain.

Jade Void Palace.

Seeing Taiqing Laozi achieve sainthood, Primordial Lord thought, Big Brother has finally attained the Dao and become a Saint. I'll be next.

Primordial Lord walked out of Jade Void Palace and declared, "Heavenly Dao above, I, Primordial Lord, establish the Chan Sect to elucidate the Heavenly Dao and act in accordance with it. I use the Pangu Banner to suppress the fortune of the Chan Sect. Let the Heavenly Dao bear witness."

The Heavenly Dao responded by sending down a vast Golden Cloud of Merit. It merged into Primordial Lord's body and combined with the Primordial Violet Qi in his sea of consciousness, activating his Merit of Creating the World. He smoothly became a Saint and reached the Saint Third Heaven.

Tongtian walked out of Biyou Palace and also spoke up. "Heavenly Dao above, I, Tongtian, establish the Interception Sect to seize a glimmer of hope for all living beings. I use the Four Swords of Immortal Slaying to suppress the fortune of the Interception Sect. Let the Heavenly Dao bear witness."

The Heavenly Dao responded as before, sending down merit. The Primordial Violet Qi again activated Tongtian's Merit of Creating the World, making him a Saint of the Third Heaven.

At Western Sumeru Mountain, Jieyin and Zhunti exclaimed excitedly, "It's finally our turn."

"Heavenly Dao above, we, Jieyin and Zhunti, establish the Western Sect to develop the West, with the prosperity of the West as our goal. We use the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit to suppress the fortune of the Western Sect. Let the Heavenly Dao bear witness."

The Heavenly Dao responded by sending down merit.

But this Golden Cloud of Merit was much smaller than the Three Pure Ones' clouds. The merit entered Jieyin and Zhunti's bodies separately, and their cultivation levels gradually rose.

Soon, however, they discovered that the merit was only enough for one of them to become a Saint.

"Senior Brother, since there isn't enough for both of us, take all the merit and become a Saint," Zhunti said to Jieyin.

"No. If only one of us can become a Saint, then you should be the one," Jieyin replied.

"Senior Brother, what will become of us, then? One of us has to become a Saint. If we don't, how can the West prosper?" Zhunti said with a pained expression.

Jieyin said to Zhunti, "Junior Brother, how about we make great vows and borrow merit from the Heavenly Dao?"

Zhunti furrowed his brow. "Senior Brother, it seems we have no other choice. Let's make great vows."

"First vow: When I attain supreme Bodhi and achieve perfect enlightenment, the Buddha Land where I dwell shall be complete with immeasurable and inconceivable merit and splendor.

"Second vow: When I become a Buddha, all living beings in the ten directions who are born in my land shall possess the Purple-Gold Divine Body.

"Third vow: When I become a Buddha, all living beings born in my land shall know their past lives across immeasurable kalpas, and the good and evil deeds they committed.

"Fourth vow...

"Fifth vow...

"Forty-seventh vow: When I become a Buddha, all living beings in the ten directions who hear my name shall rejoice, believe with faith, pay homage, and take refuge in me. With pure hearts, they shall practice the Bodhisattva path, and all gods and humans shall honor them.

"Forty-eighth vow: When I become a Buddha, all living beings in the ten directions who hear my name shall awaken the Bodhisattva resolve, cultivate all forms of merit, practice the Six Paramitas without wavering, and dedicate their roots of goodness to being born in my land."

Only after they had made all forty-eight great vows did another Golden Cloud of Merit appear in the sky, allowing Jieyin and Zhunti to become Saints.

However, Jieyin received more merit than Zhunti.

Jieyin became a Saint of the Third Heaven, while Zhunti only reached the Saint Second Heaven.

"Senior Brother, we've finally become Saints," Zhunti exclaimed.

"Yes, Junior Brother. It wasn't easy for us. We even had to borrow merit, but at least it turned out well," Jieyin replied happily.

When Taiqing Laozi saw that Primordial Lord and Tongtian had both established sects and become Saints, he immediately sent them a voice transmission. "Second Brother, Third Brother, come with me to Shouyang Mountain to take revenge on Nuwa."

Primordial Lord immediately replied, "Big Brother, I'll come with you right away." Then he flew toward Shouyang Mountain.

Sect Master Tongtian followed close behind.

The Three Pure Ones gathered at Shouyang Mountain. The spiritual senses of the Primordial Era's Great Powers immediately focused on the mountain, wondering what the Three Pure Ones were there to do.

Taiqing Laozi called out, "Junior Sister Nuwa, come out."

"Senior Brother Taiqing, what brings you to my Shouyang Mountain?"

"Junior Sister Nuwa, when I hadn't yet become a Saint, you used a Saint's power to injure me and humiliate me. Now that I've become a Saint, let's see what you can do. Dare you lay a hand on me again?"

"Senior Brother Taiqing, if you want to fight, then try me," Nuwa said coolly.

"In that case, let's settle this with our strength." As he spoke, he summoned the Dragon-Coiling Cudgel and struck at Nuwa.

Nuwa also brought out the Red Silk Ball and hurled it straight at Taiqing Laozi's Dragon-Coiling Cudgel.

With just one strike, the Dragon-Coiling Cudgel was knocked back into Taiqing Laozi's hand.

Taiqing Laozi was shocked. "Saint Seventh Heaven? You've actually reached the Seventh Heaven?"

"Second Brother, Third Brother, attack together!" After speaking, Taiqing Laozi brought out the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Taiji Diagram.

Primordial Lord also brought out the Pangu Banner, but Sect Master Tongtian stood where he was and did not attack.

Primordial Lord said, "Third Brother, why aren't you attacking?"

Nuwa said nothing. Holding the Seven Heavenly Light Divine Blades, she charged at them.

Nuwa was a Saint, and her cultivation was ultimately higher than Taiqing Laozi's and Primordial Lord's!

She nearly overwhelmed all Three Pure Ones by herself.

"Third Brother, set up the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation!" Primordial Lord shouted.

"Second Brother, three against one is disgraceful enough, and Junior Sister Nuwa is a woman. Do we really need to use the Immortal Slaying Formation?" Tongtian still had principles.

"Third Brother, what's the point of worrying about what's disgraceful now? Being defeated by Nuwa would be even more humiliating. Hurry and set up the formation!" Taiqing Laozi urged, growing anxious.

Tongtian had no choice but to comply. He hurried to prepare the Four Swords of Immortal Slaying and the Immortal Slaying Formation Diagram.

How could Nuwa let Sect Master Tongtian set up the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation? It could only be broken by four opponents of equal rank!

Nuwa immediately brought out the Mountain and River Diagram and trapped Sect Master Tongtian inside it.

Then Nuwa launched a fierce assault on Taiqing Laozi and Primordial Lord, leaving them no chance to fight back. Her Seven Heavenly Light Divine Blades whistled through the air, sending Saintly blood spraying from Taiqing Laozi and Primordial Lord. The two exchanged a glance. Nuwa's fighting strength is this formidable? We should retreat.

"Still trying to run? Taiqing Laozi, Primordial Lord, you're both staying here today."

As Nuwa spoke, her Saint Seventh Heaven cultivation erupted and suppressed the two of them. Then the Seven Heavenly Light Divine Blades slashed toward Taiqing Laozi.

Watching the Seven Heavenly Light Divine Blades approach, Taiqing Laozi had no power to resist. He could only close his eyes and wait for death.

Just then, a streak of Purple Qi flew down from the sky and blocked the Seven Heavenly Light Divine Blades.

With a bang, the blades flew back into Nuwa's hands.

Nuwa frowned and asked, "Teacher, what do you mean by this? Taiqing Laozi came looking for trouble with me. Why are you helping him?"

"Saints must uphold the order of the Primordial Era and cannot fight as they please." Dao Ancestor Hongjun's Dao Sound rang out. "Nuwa, release Tongtian."

"Teacher, was I supposed to let Taiqing Laozi and the others bully me?" Nuwa said angrily.

As she spoke, the Seven Heavenly Light Divine Blades slashed toward Taiqing Laozi again.

"Hmph." At Dao Ancestor Hongjun's cold snort, the Seven Heavenly Light Divine Blades returned to Nuwa's hands, and the aura around her was instantly suppressed.

"Nuwa, are you going to defy your teacher's orders?" Dao Ancestor Hongjun asked.

Nuwa had no choice but to say, "This disciple wouldn't dare." She then released Tongtian from the Mountain and River Diagram.

Afterward, Taiqing Laozi and the others left Shouyang Mountain. Because of this incident, Taiqing Laozi and Primordial Lord resented Nuwa even more.

Nuwa was furious, too. The Three Pure Ones had come looking for trouble, yet Dao Ancestor Hongjun had sided with them.

She secretly vowed to break free of Hongjun and become even stronger—strong enough that even Dao Ancestor Hongjun could no longer suppress her.

She turned and returned to Shouyang Palace to cultivate.

Watching Nuwa fight the Three Pure Ones, Su Mu felt both glad and worried. He was glad that Nuwa could fight three Saints alone, but worried that she had thoroughly offended the Three Pure Ones and attracted Dao Ancestor Hongjun's attention.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun would never let Nuwa continue growing stronger.

{System Prompt: The Ancestral Witch Houtu has gone to the Netherworld Blood Sea. Quest issued: Help Houtu escape the Heavenly Dao's control and bring her to the side of the Human Dao, so that she can stand as its equal.}

{Reward: Three Ginseng Fruits and three Yellow Middle Plums.}

Hearing the System Prompt, Su Mu headed for the Netherworld Blood Sea.

At that moment, the Ancestral Witch Houtu walked alone across the blood-red land. She gazed silently at the scene before her, her heart filling with an indescribable sorrow.

Countless vengeful spirits surged into the Netherworld Blood Sea like a tide. Their forms twisted and warped as they let out shrill screams that echoed through the entire space. Filled with endless resentment and pain, they seemed ready to tear the whole world apart.

Houtu's eyes were full of pity and grief as she silently watched the vengeful spirits.

Su Mu arrived at the Netherworld Blood Sea and saw Houtu.

"Greetings, Empress Houtu."

"Hmm? Who are you?" Houtu asked.

"My name is Su Mu. I'm the eldest disciple of Saintess Nuwa of the Human Sect."

"Why have you come to the Netherworld Blood Sea? Are you also grieving for these wronged souls?"

"Empress Houtu, these vengeful spirits were living beings who perished in the war between the Witch Race and the Demon Race. With nowhere to go after death, they were drawn here by the Netherworld Blood Sea.

"If there were somewhere living beings could go to be reincarnated, it would ease their resentment," Su Mu said.

"Reincarnation, reincarnation, reincarnation..." Houtu murmured.

"I am willing to transform myself into reincarnation, so that the living beings of the Primordial Era can be reincarnated after death," Houtu said to Su Mu.

"Empress Houtu is truly compassionate. It would be even better if a supreme treasure could take your place and transform into reincarnation."

"If only there really were a supreme treasure that could take my place. But what sort of treasure could be used for reincarnation?" Houtu mused. "There might be one—the Pangu Hall."

Houtu immediately sent a voice transmission to Dijiang to ask, "Big Brother, could I use the Pangu Hall?"

Dijiang replied through a voice transmission, "Little Sister, I'll have to discuss it with our brothers and sisters."

Buzhou Mountain.

Pangu Hall.

All Eleven Ancestral Witches were present. Zhurong asked, "Big Brother, why did you call us here? I still have to train my subordinate lesser witches."

Dijiang began, "Brothers and sisters, Little Sister wants to use the Pangu Hall. I called you together to discuss it."

Zhurong said, "Big Brother, if Little Sister wants to use it, then let her."

Gonggong immediately replied, "That's right. Little Sister must have a good reason for wanting it. Big Brother, let her use it."

"In that case, let's take it to Little Sister," Dijiang said. With a wave of his hand, the Pangu Hall shrank and settled into his palm.

Dijiang then used the Law of Space to open a Space Channel leading to the Netherworld Blood Sea. He entered first, and the other ten Ancestral Witches followed him into the channel.

When they emerged from the channel, Dijiang handed the Pangu Hall to Houtu. "Little Sister, go ahead."

"Thank you, dear brothers and sisters," Houtu said to the Eleven Ancestral Witches.

Holding the Pangu Hall in her hands, Houtu said, "Great Dao above." She had originally meant to say "Heavenly Dao," but the words that came out were different.

"I, Houtu, an Ancestral Witch and descendant of Pangu, feel the suffering of all living beings. To complete Heaven and Earth, I am willing to transform the Pangu Hall into the Six Paths of Reincarnation, so that all beings may have a place to go after death and a source from which to be reborn. Let countless ghosts have a place to rest, and let all living beings enter the cycle of reincarnation, freed from the suffering of their past lives and continuing on in their next. Great Dao, bear witness."

After Houtu spoke, the Pangu Hall transformed into an enormous wheel.

It had three gates on top: the Heavenly Dao, the Human Dao, and the Asura Path.

It had three gates below: the Hungry Ghost Path, the Animal Path, and the Hell Path.

The Six Paths of Reincarnation were complete. The Great Dao sent down merit, which entered Houtu's body.

With the Great Dao Merit, Houtu's cultivation continued to rise. She broke through the Quasi-Saint peak and reached the First Heaven, then the Second Heaven, and continued all the way to the Saint Ninth Heaven before finally stopping.