Deep within the Kunlun Ruins, in a hidden valley, spiritual energy surged like the tides, while Dao resonance permeated the surroundings.
Nüwa sat cross-legged beside a spiritual spring, her hands forming seals. Strands of pure Creation Power, like glistening white threads, continuously flowed into the Flat Peach Tree Seedling before her. More than half of the black Chaos Turbid Qi around the seedling's roots had dispersed beneath the cleansing of Creation Power, yet a stubborn wisp still clung to the core of the spiritual root, like a disease lodged in the bone, impossible to remove completely.
Xuan Chen stood nearby, his brows slightly furrowed. This remaining wisp of turbid qi was even more stubborn than he had expected. With Nüwa's Creation Power alone, it would take at least another five days to purify it completely. The system mission's deadline was drawing ever closer. They could not linger here and had to set out as soon as possible to search for the remaining Innate Spiritual Roots.
"Disciple, stop your cultivation for now," Xuan Chen said softly.
Hearing this, Nüwa slowly withdrew her Creation Power and opened her eyes, a trace of fatigue and apology on her face. "Master, this disciple is incapable. I failed to completely purify the impurities within the spiritual root."
"It is not your fault." Xuan Chen shook his head, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes. "This wisp of turbid qi has taken root in the spiritual root's core. Creation Power alone cannot remove it swiftly. Your master has the system's reward, the Spiritual Vein Fortification Fluid. With my Primordial Unity Origin Power to assist it, we may be able to purify it in one stroke."
As his words fell, Xuan Chen took a jade bottle from the Primal Chaos Pearl. The bottle was crystal-clear throughout, emitting a faint golden halo. Complex spirit vein runes were engraved upon it—it was precisely the system-promised mission reward, the Spiritual Vein Fortification Fluid. He removed the stopper, and an incomparably pure aura of spirit vein essence rushed forth, setting the entire valley's spiritual energy boiling.
"This Spiritual Vein Fortification Fluid can not only strengthen the spirit veins of a cave abode, but the origin power it contains also possesses remarkable cleansing and nourishing effects," Xuan Chen explained. "I will use Primordial Origin Essence as the guide, and you will use Creation Power as the bridge. If master and disciple join forces and direct the power of this Spiritual Vein Fortification Fluid into the Flat Peach Tree Seedling, we will surely eliminate the turbid qi completely."
A trace of anticipation flashed through Nüwa's eyes, and she nodded heavily. "This disciple understands!"
Xuan Chen walked to Nüwa's side and sat down cross-legged, suspending the jade bottle above the Flat Peach Tree Seedling. He drew a deep breath, and a dense golden halo bloomed around his body. A strand of pure Primordial Unity Origin Power surged from between his brows, like a golden spear aimed straight at the wisp of turbid qi in the seedling's core.
"Channel your Creation Power and help me guide the spiritual fluid!" Xuan Chen shouted in a deep voice.
Nüwa immediately circulated the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture. Creation Power surged from within her and intertwined with Xuan Chen's Primordial Unity Origin Power, forming a golden-white bridge of energy. Xuan Chen flicked his finger, and the Spiritual Vein Fortification Fluid within the jade bottle transformed into a milky-white stream, slowly flowing along the energy bridge and into the Flat Peach Tree Seedling.
"Bzz—!"
The instant the Spiritual Vein Fortification Fluid touched the seedling, it erupted with dazzling light. The pure origin power of the spirit veins was like parched vegetation receiving sweet rain after a long drought, instantly merging into the spiritual root. Together with the Primordial Origin Essence and Creation Power, it formed a three-legged standoff and charged fiercely toward the remaining Chaos Turbid Qi.
The combined assault of three supreme origin powers was several times stronger than any single force. That stubborn wisp of turbid qi was like ice and snow meeting the sun, instantly beginning to melt. But at that moment, the turbid qi suddenly churned violently, transforming into a ferocious ghostly face that let out a silent roar as it attempted to devour the spiritual root in retaliation.
"Wretch! Will you not surrender with your hands bound?" A cold glint flashed through Xuan Chen's eyes as he drove forth even more Primordial Unity Origin Power, which descended like a golden sledgehammer and smashed viciously into the ghostly face.
"Crack!"
The ghostly face released a shrill scream and instantly collapsed, turning into wisps of black smoke that were completely dissolved by the purifying power of the Spiritual Vein Fortification Fluid. The Flat Peach Tree Seedling shuddered violently, and emerald light burst from its entire body. The golden halo on its leaves grew increasingly rich, while its once-faint vitality became vast as the sea. It had clearly been thoroughly purified.
[System Notification: The impurities within the Flat Peach Tree Seedling have been completely purified. Spiritual root purity has risen to 100%!] [Detected that the spiritual root is highly compatible with the disciple's Primal Creation Body. Proceed with spiritual root fusion?] [Fusion effects: Disciple's foundation limit increased; Creation Dao affinity +15%; cultivation speed +50%; unlock spiritual root divine ability "Flat Peach Life Nurture".]
"Fuse!" Xuan Chen responded without the slightest hesitation.
Nüwa also sensed the powerful resonance coming from the spiritual root. She extended her hands, cradled the Flat Peach Tree Seedling in her palms, circulated the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture, and actively guided the spiritual root to merge with her own Dao body. The seedling transformed into a streak of emerald light and slowly entered her body through her palms.
The instant the spiritual root completely merged with her, dazzling rosy light erupted from Nüwa's body. Chaos currents automatically gathered, forming an enormous Chaos Vortex around her. Her aura soared at a visible rate, breaking through from the peak of the Early-Stage Golden Immortal and stabilizing firmly at the Mid-Stage Golden Immortal. She even faintly showed signs of charging toward the Late Golden Immortal.
An emerald spiritual root mark appeared between her brows. As it circulated, it radiated dense vitality and Creation Dao resonance. The Primal Dao Body around her became increasingly solid, her skin lustrous as jade and suffused with a faint rosy glow. Her entire temperament grew ever more sacred and ethereal.
[System Notification: Spiritual root fusion successful! Disciple Nüwa's foundation has risen drastically. Current status:] [Cultivation: Mid-Stage Golden Immortal] [Foundation: Primal Creation Body (Perfect Grade)] [Great Dao affinity: Creation Dao (105%)] [Cultivation speed: +50%] [Unlocked divine ability: Flat Peach Life Nurture (can accelerate the growth of spiritual herbs, restore Dao bodies, and nourish origin essence)] [Mission progress: 90% (one more mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root is needed to complete the mission)]
Watching Nüwa's transformation, Xuan Chen revealed a gratified smile. The effects of the spiritual root fusion had far exceeded expectations. Not only had Nüwa's foundation broken through its limit, but she had also unlocked a powerful spiritual root divine ability. The benefits to her future cultivation would be beyond measure.
Nüwa slowly ceased her cultivation and opened her eyes. Rosy light flowed within them as she bowed to Xuan Chen. "Thank you, Master, for fulfilling me! This disciple feels filled with power, and my understanding of the Creation Dao has deepened as well."
"This is the result of your own foundation and hard work." Xuan Chen smiled faintly. "Spiritual root fusion is only the beginning. Next, we must quickly find a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root and complete the system mission. Once the mission is complete, the 'Creation Derivation' section of the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture will unlock, and your strength will rise another level."
Nüwa nodded heavily, determination shining in her eyes. "This disciple will follow Master's arrangements!"
With a wave of his hand, Xuan Chen collected the jade stones and remaining spiritual herbs beside the spiritual spring. "The Queen Mother of the West presides over the core region of the Kunlun Ruins, so it is not advisable for us to remain long. It is said that a type of Ice Crystal Snow Lotus grows within the Frozen Canyon north of the Kunlun Ruins. It is a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root. We shall depart at once for the Frozen Canyon."
Having said that, Xuan Chen withdrew the restrictions around the valley and, together with Nüwa, transformed into a streak of light that sped toward the northern side of the Kunlun Ruins. The spiritual energy within the valley gradually calmed, but faint Chaos and Creation Dao resonance still lingered beside that spiritual spring, bearing witness to a spiritual root fusion that defied heaven and changed fate.
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