Source of Creation

Xuan Heng hesitated for a moment upon hearing Nuwa's words, then said, "Most living beings of the Primordial World stand upon their innate foundations. The Witch Clan possesses mighty fleshly bodies, the Demon Race boasts countless varieties, and the innate great powers each have their own sacred grounds."

"But you just asked me whether stone ought to have a race of its own—one that need not depend on the Witches or Demons, yet could stand independently between Heaven and Earth. I think there should be."

At Xuan Heng's words, Nuwa's gaze shifted slightly, but she did not interrupt him.

Xuan Heng's eyes softened as he looked toward the distant forests and continued, "I think that if there were such a race, perhaps they would be weak from birth, perhaps their lifespans would not be as long as those of the innate sacred beings. But if they could live together in groups, carry on through inheritance, use their own hands to carve mountains and draw water, build shelters against wind and rain, unite as one, and each perform their own duties, then they might yet carve out a place for themselves in the Primordial World."

Nuwa did not interject. She merely listened quietly as Xuan Heng spoke, murmuring under her breath, "Weak from birth, short-lived..."

As Nuwa repeatedly echoed Xuan Heng's words, the aura of creation in her eyes grew ever denser.

Seeing this, Xuan Heng said no more.

Just then, however, waves of demonic clouds suddenly drifted over from the sky.

Several streaks of demonic qi cut across the forest and descended toward the river valley.

Leading them was a birdman with two azure wings on his back. Before he had even landed in the valley, he was already shouting, "This place has been designated territory for the Demon Court's mountain patrols! All enlightened beings within these mountains must be registered. Those willing to join the Demon Court, come with us. Those unwilling, move away within the allotted time!"

But the Azure-Feathered Demon General soon noticed Xuan Heng and Nuwa.

Sensing the aura around them—especially the quasi-sage aura emanating from Nuwa—he was startled. His expression changed, and he cupped his hands toward them. "Two seniors, the Demon Court is conducting its affairs. I hope you will not interfere."

Xuan Heng glanced at him and said flatly, "These little beasts have meager cultivation. Does your Demon Court intend to recruit even them?"

Hearing Xuan Heng's question, the Azure-Feathered Demon General hesitated before replying, "These are the rules established by the Demon Court. All those in the Primordial World who have awakened intelligence may be entered into the Demon Court's registry. The myriad demons of the Primordial World must be united."

Nuwa looked at the little beasts curled up in the cracks between the stones, trembling in fear, and softly asked, "What if they do not wish to leave this place?"

The Azure-Feathered Demon fell silent for a moment before finally saying, "After three days, any who neither join the Demon Court nor leave this place shall be executed."

"Heh! Your Demon Court truly is overbearing. They merely do not wish to leave their own home, merely do not wish to join your Demon Court, and you would slaughter them all without exception. Di Jun and Taiyi truly carry themselves with immense authority."

As Nuwa's words fell, a powerful pressure swept across the river valley. The demon generals before her were instantly crushed beneath it, pressed flat upon the ground, unable even to speak.

"Go back and tell Di Jun and Taiyi that I, Nuwa, am protecting this place. If I see anyone from the Demon Court come here again, they will be killed without exception."

Upon hearing Nuwa announce her name, the Azure-Feathered Demon General's eyes visibly changed as he lay pinned to the ground, but he could not utter a word.

Then Nuwa waved her hand, and the demon generals vanished in an instant.

"Fellow Daoist, you saved the living beings of this valley today, but the Primordial World is vast. There are countless other valleys and tribes—how could you possibly watch over them all?" Xuan Heng said as he walked to Nuwa's side.

Nuwa did not answer Xuan Heng. Instead, she walked to the riverbank and gently scooped up a handful of damp earth. The soil carried the moisture of the river, as well as the vitality within its waters.

As the aura of creation flowed through Nuwa's palm, that handful of earth slowly took on a tiny outline in her hand. It had already assumed a human shape, with a head and four limbs. Yet the outline lasted only a few seconds before swiftly turning back into soil.

Xuan Heng's eyelid twitched at the sight. Nuwa already had the thought of creating humans? It had only been a hundred thousand years since Purple Cloud Palace's third lecture.

But Xuan Heng could also sense that Nuwa's notion of creating humans had not yet fully ripened. Still, it likely would not take much longer.

After the clay figure dissolved back into earth, Nuwa shook her head and returned the handful of soil to the water. Then she rose, walked back to Xuan Heng, and looked at him as she asked, "Fellow Daoist Xuan Heng, if the race you spoke of truly one day gains a foothold in the Primordial World, then how should they stand firm in a Primordial World where great powers are everywhere?"

Hearing Nuwa's question, Xuan Heng looked at her in surprise. He considered the many strengths of the human race, then said, "I think it lies in inheritance. A weak living being cannot survive through the long years, but if they can pass down the mountains and rivers they have seen, the roads they have traveled, and the methods they have learned to evade calamity from generation to generation, then they will not truly be weak. And with each generation carrying things onward, there will always come a generation able to truly stand between Heaven and Earth."

Nuwa murmured softly, "Inheritance..."

Xuan Heng continued, "There are too many powerful beings in the Primordial World, and they place too much importance on innate foundations. Even the current Demon Race and Witch Clan are the same—their innate origins determine the upper limit of their cultivation. Heaven and Earth need a race that rises from the very end of humble beginnings."

The setting sun fell over the river, dyeing its surface red. In the distance, the little beasts crawled back into the grass, and a trace of life gradually returned to the river valley.

Nuwa suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist Xuan Heng, when the Innate Gourd Vine was born on Mount Imperfection, you took away that remnant section of vine, did you not?"

Xuan Heng's heart stirred. He nodded and said, "That section of gourd vine is now being nourished in the lotus pool of Kunlun. Its vitality has already stabilized. Why does Fellow Daoist suddenly ask about this?"

Xuan Heng was clearly pretending not to understand despite knowing perfectly well, looking at Nuwa with an utterly puzzled expression.

Nuwa gazed at the river rolling endlessly past them and said, "I merely had a sudden insight. The Innate Gourd Vine descended into the world bearing innate yi-wood, and it once gave birth to seven innate gourds. If it were used to carry the Dao of Creation, it would surely produce extraordinary results."

Xuan Heng inwardly thought, Just as expected, but his face still showed ignorance as he said, "If Fellow Daoist truly gains great insight into the Dao of Creation in the future, you may come to Kunlun and find me."

Nuwa seemed somewhat surprised by Xuan Heng's words. She turned to look at him and asked earnestly, "You are willing to part with it?"

Xuan Heng smiled. "If it can help the Primordial World forge a new path, would it not be a pity for it to remain in Kunlun, merely being tended by me as a spiritual root?"

Hearing this, Nuwa's smile faded. She solemnly cupped her hands to Xuan Heng and said, "I will remember what Fellow Daoist said today."

Xuan Heng returned the gesture.

"I merely spoke a few idle words. The one who must truly walk that path is you, Fellow Daoist."

Nuwa said nothing further.

She gazed at the river valley for a long while before turning and walking into the distance.

The aura of creation slowly spread with her footsteps, and the frightened creatures along the riverbank gradually calmed as well.