Departing the Cave Abode, Setting Out for the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea

The morning mist outside the Zichen Cave Abode had yet to fully disperse when two golden streaks pierced through the thin fog and sped eastward. Xuan Chen and Nüwa traveled side by side, their flight steady and swift as mountains, rivers, trees, and grasses flashed past like scenes on a revolving lantern.

"Disciple, the core of the Water Dao at the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea lies in 'flow' and 'embrace.'" As he controlled their flight, Xuan Chen explained the profound mysteries of the Water Dao to Nüwa. "Water has no fixed form. Given a square shape, it becomes square; given a round shape, it becomes round. That is its nature of 'flow.' The sea embraces a hundred rivers and does not reject even the smallest trickle. That is its nature of 'embrace.' Your Creation Dao centers on 'life.' If you can integrate the Water Dao's 'nourishment' and 'tolerance' into it, the power of life will break free from the limits of terrain and reach the realm of 'moistening all things in silence, present everywhere.'"

Nüwa listened intently. The Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant in her hand grew slightly warm, giving off a faint aura of water that echoed Xuan Chen's explanation. She closed her eyes and immersed herself in her comprehension of the Water Dao. Images of streams, rivers, and seas surfaced in her mind, and she seemed able to feel the rushing currents and the rise and fall of tides.

"Master, then how should one understand the Water Dao's trait of 'supreme hardness'?" Nüwa opened her eyes, a trace of confusion in them. "Water appears weak, yet it can pierce stone and break riverbanks. This disciple does not fully understand the mystery behind it."

Xuan Chen smiled faintly. "Water's 'supreme hardness' stems from 'perseverance' and 'following the current of circumstances.' Dripping water wears through stone not in a single day, but through its feeble force striking the rock day after day until it finally achieves the effect of piercing stone. When a river bursts its banks, it is because water borrows the advantage of the terrain, gathering the strength of countless currents to form an unstoppable might. Of these two forms of 'supreme hardness,' the former is 'using softness to overcome hardness,' while the latter is 'borrowing momentum to reveal hardness.' Both suit your fighting style perfectly."

He paused before continuing, "Your Creation Fist uses softness to overcome hardness, while your Chaos Step is ever-changing and unfathomable. You can draw upon these two traits of the Water Dao. In future battles, you may use an enemy's attack to launch a counterattack, just as water detours when it encounters an obstruction and gathers when it meets a powerful force. This will both conserve your strength and unleash the greatest possible power."

A flash of understanding crossed Nüwa's eyes. "This disciple understands. The Water Dao's 'hardness' and 'softness' are not opposed to one another. They can transform into each other and complement each other."

"Precisely." Xuan Chen nodded approvingly. "The mysteries of the Water Dao go far beyond this. Throughout the Primordial World, water spiritual veins crisscross one another, and the water-origin energy of different regions possesses different traits."

He raised a hand and pointed to a rushing river below. "Look at this river. Its current is swift, and its water-origin energy contains the essence of 'surging onward,' making it suitable for tempering offensive divine abilities. Now look at that lake. Its waters are tranquil, and its water-origin energy contains the essence of 'stillness,' making it suitable for assisting cultivation and enlightenment. The water-origin energy of the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea gathers the power of the tides from the four seas. It possesses both the might of 'surging onward' and the charm of 'stillness,' making it an excellent place to comprehend the Water Dao."

As they flew, Xuan Chen explained the distribution of the Primordial World's water spiritual veins to Nüwa. "The water spiritual veins of the Primordial World are chiefly divided into four major branches, corresponding to the four seas. The Eastern Sea Spiritual Vein centers on 'tides,' and its water-origin energy is the most active. The Southern Sea Spiritual Vein centers on 'warmth,' and its water-origin energy contains the power of flame. The Western Sea Spiritual Vein centers on 'coldness,' and its water-origin energy contains the power of frost. The Northern Sea Spiritual Vein centers on 'heaviness,' and its water-origin energy is the purest and most stable."

He added, "Besides the spiritual veins of the four seas, the Primordial World's inland regions also contain many important water spiritual veins, such as the spiritual springs of the Kunlun Ruins, the Netherworld River of the Netherworld Blood Sea, and the Monster Lake of the Valley of Ten Thousand Monsters. The water-origin energy of these spiritual veins each has its own traits. If you have the chance in the future, you may go there to comprehend them and perfect your own Water Dao."

Nüwa listened earnestly, committing every word Xuan Chen said to heart. She could feel that, with his explanations, her understanding of the Water Dao was growing ever deeper. The Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant in her hand also became increasingly lively, and she could even vaguely sense the call of distant water spiritual veins.

Their flight was incredibly swift. They crossed several mountain ranges and plains along the way, drawing ever closer to the Eastern Sea. The moisture in the air grew denser, carrying a faint briny scent. The distant horizon also became increasingly blurred, merging with the ocean.

"Master, is that the Eastern Sea ahead?" Nüwa pointed at the distant ocean, her eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.

Xuan Chen nodded. "That is correct. Ahead lies the shore of the Eastern Sea. We will rest by the sea for a while, familiarize ourselves with the Eastern Sea's water-origin energy, then dive beneath the waves and make for the Tide Eye."

The two slowed their flight and gradually descended onto a beach along the Eastern Sea. The sand was scattered with shells of every color. Seawater crashed against the shore with a rushing roar, rolling up layer after layer of waves. The air was permeated with rich water-origin energy, entirely different from the spiritual energy inland—far purer and more vibrant.

Nüwa took a deep breath, savoring the dense water-origin energy in the air. A contented smile appeared on her face. "The Eastern Sea's water-origin energy is truly abundant! This disciple can feel the Water Origin Art circulating within her body on its own."

Xuan Chen smiled faintly. "Naturally. The Eastern Sea is the largest sea in the Primordial World, and its water-origin energy is exceptionally abundant. You may now try circulating the Water Origin Art and absorb the water-origin energy in the air. Acclimate yourself to the Eastern Sea's environment in advance, so you will be prepared to seek enlightenment at the Tide Eye later."

Following his instructions, Nüwa sat cross-legged and tightly grasped the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant as she circulated the Water Origin Art. As the technique began to operate, the surrounding water-origin energy surged toward her wildly as if drawn by a magnet, forming a faint curtain of water around her. The watery curtain flowed with spirit and grace, continuously sending water-origin energy into her body, where it intertwined with her power of creation.

Xuan Chen stood guard quietly at her side while extending his divine sense to inspect the surroundings. He could sense that while the water-origin energy along the Eastern Sea's shore was rich, it also concealed several faint auras of living creatures. They were evidently early aquatic beings. These creatures were not powerful, most of them merely at the Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment realm, and posed no threat to them.

Half an hour later, Nüwa slowly withdrew her cultivation and opened her eyes, excitement flashing through them. "Master, this disciple feels that the water-origin energy within her body has become purer, and her control over the Water Origin Art has grown more proficient as well!"

Xuan Chen nodded. "Very good. Now, after a brief rest, we will dive beneath the sea and head for the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea. Remember, the undersea world is dangerous and unpredictable. Not only are there powerful aquatic fiend beasts, but there are also Dragon Clan patrols. We must conceal our auras well and keep a low profile."

"This disciple understands!" Nüwa nodded heavily, gripping the Water-Rhyme Jade Pendant in her hand as a resolute light shone in her eyes.

The two rested briefly on the beach. Then Xuan Chen used a divine ability to shroud them in a faint halo of chaos, completely concealing their auras. Afterward, they leaped into the sea together like two swimming fish, diving toward the depths of the Eastern Sea.