Supreme Goodness Is Like Water, Ultimate Goodness Like Light; Nuwa Gives Up Her Seat

On Kunlun Mountains, the Three Pure Ones gazed into the distance at the Mysterious Yellow Merit Cloud Sea descending over Mount Longevity, their eyes all involuntarily following the golden rainbow shooting straight toward the Sun Star.

Tongtian clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his clear voice resounding through Kunlun. "Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi truly sorted out the Primordial World's Earth Veins! Such boundless Merit is likely several degrees greater than what Fellow Daoist Nuwa received when she established the Heavenly Marriage!"

He looked toward the Sun Star, his eyes filled with sincere admiration. "There is no need to think deeply to know that Fellow Daoist Lingxiao must have enlightened him from behind the scenes again. Just as when Fellow Daoist Nuwa established the Heavenly Marriage, Brother Daoist Lingxiao always accomplishes world-shaking deeds for the Primordial World in silence."

Yuanshi nodded slightly. The innate pride between his brows eased somewhat as he said in a deep voice, "Zhen Yuanzi was formed from the essence of Pangu's spine. It was only right that he should have such an opportunity. Yet without Lingxiao's single remark to awaken him, he likely would not have attained such Creation."

Laozi stood in the center, still as an ancient well without ripples. Only a glimmer flickered through his eyes as he gently nodded—

Within the Primordial World, Great Supernatural Beings were as numerous as carp crossing a river, yet most fought over personal gain. Lingxiao alone neither fought nor seized, yet always acted at the most fitting moment, doing what benefited all living beings most, with the entire Primordial World in his heart.

"Supreme goodness is like water; water benefits all things without contention. Ultimate goodness is like light; light illuminates the Primordial World without dependence."

"Only because one does not contend, none beneath heaven can contend with him."

Laozi let out a long, heartfelt sigh.

At the foot of Mount Buzhou, the Twelve Ancestral Witches gathered within Pangu Hall.

Gonggong, whose temper was the most explosive, slapped his thigh and chuckled darkly. "This Zhen Yuanzi certainly knows how to borrow connections. He actually raised Father God's banner to sort out the Earth Veins!"

Zhurong stood with his arms crossed, his expression calm as his gaze too turned toward the Sun Star. "That does not count as borrowing connections. Zhen Yuanzi was indeed born from the essence of Father God's spine. Besides, the success of this matter depended entirely on Fellow Daoist Lingxiao's guidance. He and we alike emerged from Pangu's legacy, yet he has never fought for power or profit, caring only for the living beings of the Primordial World. This matter benefits all beneath heaven; there is no need to say more."

The other Ancestral Witches nodded in agreement.

They had always been unruly and proud, refusing to submit to anyone, yet they alone could not find the slightest fault with Lingxiao—he neither seized territory nor fought for benefits. Instead, time and again he dispelled calamities and brought blessings to the Primordial World. There was truly no reason to offend such a person for nothing.

Deep in the Primordial Starry Sky, within a remote, cold belt of shattered stars, Moon-Malefic Star Lord sat cross-legged, healing his wounds.

He had first been grievously injured by Candle Dragon's blow, then driven back by the combined efforts of the Three Pure Ones and Zhen Yuanzi. Having suffered immense losses and not daring to devour living beings openly, he hid here, slowly recovering by absorbing the baleful yin aura of fallen stars.

As he watched the dazzling golden rainbow of Merit fly toward the Sun Star and sensed Lingxiao's ever-growing aura, Moon-Malefic Star Lord's triangular eyes brimmed with venom and unwillingness.

He clenched his fists so hard that his nails pierced his palms. Black blood dripped through his fingers as he growled through gritted teeth, "Lingxiao!"

Yet it was nothing more than impotent rage.

Even if given ten times the courage, he still would not dare charge onto the Sun Star.

On the Sun Star, as they watched that Merit Golden Light crash into Lingxiao's body, the sisters Changxi and Xihe beamed like flowers and stepped forward together to link their arms with his. "Congratulations, Husband, on obtaining such boundless Merit again!"

Lingxiao smiled faintly. Mysterious yellow radiance flowed around his body as a dazzling Merit Golden Wheel slowly emerged behind his head, its mysterious yellow light circulating, its divine might magnificent.

—This was already the third great Merit he had obtained since entering the world, no less than what Nuwa had gained from establishing the Heavenly Marriage.

"The Dao Ancestor's second lecture is drawing near. This is not the right time to refine Merit." Lingxiao drew the two women into his arms and said softly, "Once we return from listening to the Dao, shall we enter seclusion together and lend me a hand?"

The efficiency of cultivating and refining treasures alone was not even a tenth of that achieved through dual cultivation by three people.

"We will listen to Husband in all things." The two women nestled in his embrace and replied softly.

Whoosh!

At once, Lingxiao wrapped an arm around Xihe and Changxi. With a tap of his toes, he transformed into a golden rainbow, left the Sun Star, passed through the World Womb Membrane, and flew toward the boundless Chaos above the starry sky.

It was not only Lingxiao's trio. The other Violet Firmament Guests of the Primordial World also set out one after another.

Along the way, when mighty figures from every side met, what they discussed most was not the upcoming lecture, but Lingxiao's achievement in guiding Zhen Yuanzi to sort out the Earth Veins.

Some envied him, some admired him, and others secretly made plans, hoping to find an opportunity to seek Lingxiao's guidance and obtain a chance at Merit.

Unlike the first time, everyone had already memorized the space-time coordinates of Violet Firmament Palace. Furthermore, Hongjun had suppressed that region of chaotic space-time with supreme power, leaving no danger of losing their way.

In less than three hundred years, all three thousand Violet Firmament Guests arrived.

Within Chaos, Violet Firmament Palace stood firm and unmoving despite being scoured by chaotic currents, Chaos Astral Winds, and Space-Time Turbulence.

The palace gates had long been opened. Inside, white jade paved the floor, star cores served as lamps, and forty-nine gilded heavenly pillars supported the great hall.

At the center of the hall, the Twelve-Petaled Merit Golden Lotus slowly revolved. Beneath the lotus platform, six mats were arranged in neat order.

Haotian and Yaochi had long been standing respectfully at the side. The golden-robed boy held a Whisk, while the plainly dressed girl carried the Suet-Jade Pure Bottle. Their bearing was upright and dignified, their presence imposing without anger.

The moment Lingxiao stepped through the palace gates, all the mighty figures in the hall rose to their feet, and dozens of voices rang out at once. "Brother Daoist Lingxiao, it has been a long time!"

Establishing the Twelve Time Markers, founding the Heavenly Marriage, and guiding the sorting of the Earth Veins—each of these great matters that benefited all living beings and sought Merit had been inseparable from Lingxiao's planning.

Merit was a cure-all. Since the Primordial World valued Merit, naturally no one was unwilling to befriend him.

Even Minghe, who had always traveled alone with blood aura and Killing Intent coiling around him, gave Lingxiao a slight nod in greeting.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches, in an unprecedented turn, did not put on sour faces. Zhurong even grinned at Lingxiao, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

At this moment, two more streams of light descended outside the hall. They were Eastern King Lord, leader of the male immortals, and Kunpeng of North Nether.

Logically speaking, Eastern King Lord had been appointed by the Dao Ancestor as lord of the male immortals. When the immortals saw him, they ought to have greeted him first.

Yet strength was revered in the Primordial World, and few among the three thousand Violet Firmament Guests acknowledged him. Thus, the gazes of the mighty figures filling the hall remained firmly fixed upon Lingxiao, with not a single person rising to welcome Eastern King Lord.

Ordinary Primordial Unity Golden Immortals naturally would not dare offend Eastern King Lord.

But among the three thousand Violet Firmament Guests present, who was not a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal or a Primordial Golden Immortal?

Why would they bow to Eastern King Lord, a mere Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal?

Several mighty figures in the corner exchanged glances in secret, all entertaining thoughts of watching a spectacle as they waited to see how Eastern King Lord would react.

After all, the Primordial World valued face. If someone else had suffered such a loss of face, they would have turned hostile long ago.

Who would have expected Eastern King Lord not only to show no displeasure, but to quickly squeeze through the crowd, walk before Lingxiao, and give him a deep, respectful bow? "Brother Daoist Lingxiao, my affairs were all thanks to you."

Kunpeng followed close behind, clasped his hands toward Lingxiao, and smiled. "My assignment, too, was largely thanks to Brother Daoist's guidance."

The entire hall erupted in uproar. Those mighty figures waiting to watch a spectacle were all left staring, dumbfounded.

No one had expected that even the dignified leader of the male immortals would show Lingxiao such respect.

For a time, Lingxiao's prestige in everyone's hearts rose several more levels.

"Brother Daoist Lingxiao, the ground is cold. Why not sit on this humble woman's mat?"

Nuwa rose directly from her Creation Mat, walked quickly before Lingxiao, and gave a slight bow. Her beautiful eyes were full of heartfelt gratitude.

When she had previously acted as matchmaker and presided over Lingxiao's marriage, she had not only obtained a Supreme-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, but had also gained boundless Merit through establishing the Heavenly Marriage. Thereafter, whether cultivating or refining treasures, she achieved twice the result with half the effort.

Fu Xi also hurriedly gave Lingxiao a Daoist salute, without stopping his sister's actions.

As Nuwa's elder brother who spent every day beside her, no one understood better than he did how greatly his sister's cultivation had advanced over the years.

They had indeed received Lingxiao's great favor.

And after the previous lecture, this mat seemed to offer no benefit beyond enhancing one's enlightenment while listening to the Dao. It was far inferior to the boundless Merit Nuwa had obtained when establishing the Heavenly Marriage!

Moreover, unlike Kunpeng having his seat stolen, voluntarily yielding one's mat would not damage one's face.