Return to Zichen, Enter Seclusion to Stabilize Cultivation

Several days later, in the valley outside Zichen Cave Abode, two streaks of light raced over like lightning and landed steadily on the ground. They were Xuan Chen and Nüwa, travel-worn from their journey.

Returning to the familiar cave abode, Nüwa could not help but feel a deep sense of warmth. This was where she had been born, where her cultivation had begun, and her only safe harbor in the perilous Primordial World.

With a wave of his hand, Xuan Chen removed the defensive restrictions outside the cave abode, then led Nüwa inside. The spiritual qi within remained exceedingly dense, spiritual vein essence drifting through the air like flowing mist. It was even purer than when they had left—clearly, although some of the Spiritual Vein Fortification Fluid placed here earlier had been used up, it had still strengthened the cave abode's spiritual vein to a certain extent.

"Master, are we going to search for the final mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root and complete the system mission now?" Nüwa asked, her eyes brimming with anticipation.

Xuan Chen shook his head. "No rush. You have only just fused with the Flat Peach Tree Seedling, and your cultivation has broken through from the peak of Early-Stage Golden Immortal to Mid-Stage Golden Immortal. Your realm has yet to stabilize, while the Creation Power within you and the spiritual root origin have not fully fused. If we rashly search for an Innate Spiritual Root now, it may not only affect the absorption, but could even cause your realm to backlash."

After a pause, he continued, "We will enter seclusion for a while first. You will stabilize your realm and fuse with the spiritual root origin. I will also use this opportunity to consolidate my cultivation and digest the insights I gained from my battle with Luo Hou's remnant soul. Once we are both fully prepared, we will search for the final Innate Spiritual Root and complete the system mission."

"This disciple will follow Master's arrangements!" Nüwa nodded firmly. She could also sense that the power within her was somewhat unsteady. She truly needed time to stabilize it.

Xuan Chen led Nüwa to the cultivation chamber behind the main hall. The spiritual qi there was even denser than in the hall. A massive meditation cushion sat in the center, surrounded by inscriptions of spirit-gathering runes. This was the cultivation ground Xuan Chen had previously prepared for himself.

"You will enter seclusion here. Circulate the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture, stabilize your realm, and fuse with the spiritual root origin," Xuan Chen said. "Master will stand guard nearby while cultivating as well. During your seclusion, no matter what happens, do not interrupt your cultivation. With Master here, no one will disturb you."

"Thank you, Master!" Nüwa bowed, then sat cross-legged upon the meditation cushion, closed her eyes, and began circulating the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture.

Pearly white Creation Power surged from within her body, casting a faint halo around her. The Flat Peach Tree mark between her brows flickered with emerald light. Her aura gradually steadied, the unsteady power within her slowly settling, while the spiritual root origin quietly began to merge with her Dao body.

Xuan Chen sat cross-legged not far from Nüwa and took out a Chaos Origin Fragment. He had collected this fragment from the chaotic currents before. It contained the pure aura of the Chaos Dao, making it the ideal material for consolidating his cultivation.

He closed his eyes and circulated the Primordial Dao-Seeking Formula, merging the Chaos Origin Fragment into his body. Pure Chaos Power flowed like a trickling stream, slowly nourishing his meridians and soul. Xuan Chen could clearly feel the Primordial Unity Origin Power within him becoming more condensed, while his comprehension of the Primordial Unity Great Dao deepened bit by bit.

Although his current cultivation was at Late-Stage Golden Immortal, the Primordial Unity Origin Power hidden within him had long reached the level of a Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal. He had merely suppressed it deliberately to avoid drawing the Heavenly Dao's attention too early. Within the Primordial World, the Heavenly Dao was both utterly impartial and utterly selfish. The more heaven-defying an existence was, the more easily it would suffer the Heavenly Dao's suppression. Xuan Chen understood this deeply, which was why he had always concealed his true strength, unsealing only part of his origin at critical moments.

During the seclusion, the cultivation chamber remained silent. Only the faint sound of spiritual qi flowing and the rhythm of master and disciple's breathing could be heard. Nüwa's aura rose steadily, gradually advancing from the initial stage of Mid-Stage Golden Immortal toward its peak. The fusion between the Creation Power around her and her spiritual root origin also grew deeper, and the Flat Peach Tree mark between her brows became increasingly distinct.

Xuan Chen's aura, meanwhile, became ever more restrained, as calm and rippleless as a deep pool. Yet beneath that stillness lay vast and surging power. Nourished by the Chaos Origin Fragment, his Primordial Unity Origin Power became purer and more condensed. His control over the Primordial Unity Great Dao also grew increasingly proficient, and he even faintly showed signs of breaking through his current suppressed state.

Time trickled away, drop by drop. In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

On this day, dazzling pearly white light suddenly erupted within the cultivation chamber. Nüwa's aura surged explosively, breaking through the bottleneck at the peak of Mid-Stage Golden Immortal. Although she had not reached Late-Stage Golden Immortal, her realm had completely stabilized. The Creation Power within her and the spiritual root origin had also fully fused, flowing smoothly and freely.

She slowly opened her eyes, auspicious radiance flowing within them, and bowed to Xuan Chen. "Thank you, Master, for standing guard. This disciple's realm has stabilized, and the spiritual root origin has fully fused as well."

Xuan Chen opened his eyes and looked at Nüwa, a gratified smile appearing on his face. "Very good. Your progress has far exceeded Master's expectations. Now, your strength is already sufficient to contend with ordinary Late-Stage Golden Immortal cultivators."

He rose to his feet. "Master's cultivation has also stabilized. Next, we will depart at once to seek the final mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root and complete the system mission."

Nüwa nodded, anticipation shining in her eyes. She could feel that her current condition was better than ever before. As long as she completed the system mission and unlocked the "Creation Derivation" chapter of the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture, her strength would surely rise to another level.

Xuan Chen led Nüwa out of the cultivation chamber, preparing to head for the final secret realm indicated by the system—Myriad Woods Valley. There grew a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root known as the "Seven-Colored Wood Spirit," which contained pure wood-element origin and was quite compatible with Nüwa's Creation Dao.

Just as the two were about to depart, Xuan Chen's heart suddenly stirred. He looked toward Nüwa and said, "Disciple, you have just emerged from seclusion. You must have gained some new insights into the path of cultivation. Before we set out, is there anything you wish to ask? Master will tell you all I know without reserve."

A trace of hesitation flashed through Nüwa's eyes. Then, as though she had made up her mind, she asked, "Master, this disciple has always harbored a doubt. What is the Great Dao? And what, in the end, do we cultivate for?"