Within the great hall of the Zichen Cave Abode, a spirit spring burbled softly as spiritual energy filled the surroundings.
Xuan Chen held a lustrous white jade pendant and slowly walked before Nüwa. The pendant was smooth and rounded throughout, faint ripples flowing across its surface as it emanated a rich yet gentle water aura. It was the auxiliary Dharma artifact he had painstakingly refined over several days—the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant.
"Disciple, this Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant was refined by your master from Taotie beast bones, water-attributed ores, and Taotie scales, specially prepared for your comprehension of the Water Dao." Xuan Chen handed the pendant to Nüwa and said gently, "Within it are three layers of runes: water-gathering, essence-absorption, and Dao-comprehension. It can help you gather the origin of water, steady your mind, and assist you in sensing the Water Dao more swiftly. At critical moments, it can also raise a water curtain for defense and withstand attacks at the Heavenly Immortal level. It can be considered a practical Dharma artifact that combines offense and defense."
Nüwa accepted the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, and a cool breath surged from her fingertips into her body, echoing with her Creation Power and making her feel incomparably refreshed. She could clearly sense the pure water aura contained within the pendant, as though it were linked to some vast source of water, giving her a hazy insight into the Water Dao.
"Thank you, Master!" Nüwa bowed, her eyes brimming with gratitude. "With this Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant, this disciple will surely comprehend the Water Dao as soon as possible and not disappoint Master's expectations."
"This is merely an auxiliary means. The true key still lies in your own comprehension." Xuan Chen shook his head and said seriously, "The Water Dao is vast and boundless, containing the two ultimate Dao rhymes of 'utmost softness' and 'utmost hardness.' It can nourish all things in silence, yet it can also raise monstrous waves that blot out the sky. Your Creation Dao governs 'life,' while the Water Dao governs 'nourishment.' The two complement one another. If you can comprehend them thoroughly, your Creation divine abilities will become even more complete."
After a brief pause, he continued, "To help you gain a better foothold, your master will also teach you a basic water-attributed cultivation art, the Water Origin Art. Though this art is not among the finest, its foundation is solid. It can help you familiarize yourself with the circulation of water-origin energy, grasp the fundamental mysteries of the Water Dao, and lay a foundation for comprehending deeper water divine abilities in the future."
A flash of anticipation crossed Nüwa's eyes, and she hurriedly said, "This disciple respectfully awaits Master's instruction!"
Xuan Chen nodded and extended a finger. A wisp of pure divine sense entered Nüwa's glabella. It contained the complete method of the Water Origin Art, including its mental method, techniques, circulation routes, and all other core content. Though this art was basic, it contained the fundamental operating principles of the Water Dao. It emphasized "using softness to overcome hardness" and "following the course of events," making it highly compatible with Nüwa's fighting style.
Nüwa closed her eyes and immersed herself in comprehending the Water Origin Art. Her comprehension was exceptionally strong, and with the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant's assistance, she quickly grasped the art's core principles. Half an hour later, she slowly opened her eyes, a trace of realization flashing within them.
"Master, this disciple has already comprehended the basic mysteries of the Water Origin Art!" Nüwa said excitedly.
"Very good." Xuan Chen nodded. "Now, try circulating the Water Origin Art. Mobilize the water-origin energy and feel the rhythm of the Water Dao."
Following his instructions, Nüwa sat down cross-legged, clasped the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant in her hand, and began circulating the Water Origin Art. As the cultivation art operated, the surrounding spiritual energy began to churn violently. Water-origin energy in the air was madly drawn toward her, forming a faint water curtain around her body. The curtain flowed freely, sometimes condensing into droplets, sometimes spreading into mist, and sometimes transforming into streams, displaying remarkable agility.
"Not bad. You've got the look of it." Xuan Chen nodded approvingly. "The key to the Water Origin Art lies in 'following the course of events.' Water-origin energy is formless and intangible, yet it can contain all things and penetrate everything. Remember this: when wielding water-origin energy, you must not forcefully control it. You must learn to guide it, to follow it, and let it flow according to your will. Only then can you unleash its greatest power."
He walked to Nüwa's side and personally guided her in adjusting the rhythm of her cultivation art. "Look—when circulating water-origin energy, coordinate it with your breathing. When inhaling, draw the water-origin energy into your body. When exhaling, guide it out. Make your gathering and release effortless, smooth, and seamless."
Under Xuan Chen's attentive guidance, Nüwa became increasingly proficient in circulating the Water Origin Art, and the water curtain around her grew denser and more agile. She could clearly feel that water-origin energy was extremely compatible with her Creation Power. The two powers echoed one another, sharpening her senses and deepening her understanding of Dao laws.
"Master, this disciple feels that the Creation Power within my body and the water-origin energy are fusing together!" Nüwa said in delighted surprise.
"This is a good thing." Xuan Chen nodded. "Your Creation Dao already contains the intent of Endless Vitality, while the Water Dao governs nourishment. Their fusion will make your Creation Power smoother and more inclusive. When you nurture living beings in the future, you will achieve twice the result with half the effort."
He paused slightly before continuing, "However, you have only just gained an initial understanding of the Water Origin Art, and you still need much practice to consolidate it. The water origin within the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea is exceptionally pure. It is an ideal place to cultivate the Water Origin Art and comprehend the Water Dao. Once we arrive there, if you combine it with the Origin Blessing, you will surely make breakthrough progress on the Water Dao."
Nüwa nodded heavily. "This disciple understands!"
Xuan Chen looked at Nüwa, satisfaction flashing through his eyes. "Now that you have broken through to the Heavenly Immortal realm, mastered the Water Origin Art, and gained the assistance of the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant, preparations for heading to the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea are basically complete. We will rest for a day, then depart for the Eastern Sea tomorrow."
"Alright!" Nüwa agreed excitedly.
Over the next day, Nüwa familiarized herself with coordinating the Water Origin Art and the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant while consolidating her Heavenly Immortal cultivation. Meanwhile, Xuan Chen set up a layer of concealed restrictions within the cave abode, lest some blind cultivator or ferocious beast intrude after they left. At the same time, he organized the supplies needed for their journey, including healing pills, fasting pills, and talismans for dealing with unexpected situations.
At dawn the next day, Xuan Chen and Nüwa finished their preparations and stood at the entrance of the Zichen Cave Abode.
"Let's go. To the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea!" Xuan Chen said, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
Nüwa nodded, tightened her grip on the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant, and transformed into a streak of golden light alongside Xuan Chen as they sped eastward. Their escape light tore through the heavens, passed through layers of chaotic currents, and flew toward the distant Eastern Sea.
Along the way, Xuan Chen maintained his escape technique while introducing the Eastern Sea to Nüwa. "The Eastern Sea is the broadest and richest of the Primordial World's four great seas, controlled by the Dragon Clan. The Dragon Clan is one of the Primordial Three Clans. They possess formidable strength, command countless aquatic races, and control the water veins and tidal power of the Four Seas. The Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea lies in the depths of the Eastern Sea. It is the source of its tidal power and contains exceptionally pure water origin, but it is also extremely dangerous. Not only are there violent tidal forces, but also Dragon Clan patrols and powerful aquatic ferocious beasts."
"Will we come into conflict with the Dragon Clan?" Nüwa asked with some concern.
Xuan Chen shook his head. "We are heading to the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea only to comprehend the Water Dao, not to make enemies of the Dragon Clan. So long as we conceal our auras and do not provoke them, they generally will not act lightly. Besides, the Dragon Clan is currently busy consolidating the forces of the Four Seas. They most likely will not care about a tiny tide eye."
He paused, then added, "Still, we cannot let down our guard. The Dragon Clan is arrogant by nature. If they discover that we have entered their territory, conflict will be difficult to avoid. Therefore, we should keep a low profile, leave immediately after comprehending the Water Dao, and not linger too long."
"This disciple understands!" Nüwa nodded heavily, committing Xuan Chen's words to heart.
Their escape light flew at tremendous speed toward the Eastern Sea. The scenery along the way constantly shifted, from towering mountain ranges to vast plains, then to the boundless ocean, filling Nüwa with wonder. She understood that a new adventure was about to unfold upon the immense Eastern Sea, while her Creation Dao would bloom with an even more dazzling radiance beneath the nourishment of water origin.
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