By the Eastern Sea, Encountering Early Aquatic Creatures

Within the waters by the Eastern Sea, Xuan Chen and Nüwa were enveloped in a hazy chaos glow, like two invisible phantoms as they dove toward the depths of the seabed. The seawater was crystal clear, sunlight piercing the surface and scattering patches of dappled light across the ocean floor. Seaweed and coral in dazzling colors could be seen everywhere, together forming a breathtaking underwater tableau.

"Master, the world beneath the sea is so beautiful!" Nüwa communicated with Xuan Chen through divine sense, her eyes filled with wonder. This was her first time diving beneath the sea, and she was curious about everything here.

Xuan Chen smiled faintly and replied, "The Eastern Sea is the most bountiful sea region in the Primordial World. Beneath its waters lie not only splendid scenery, but also countless precious resources and powerful living beings. However, our foremost goal now is to reach the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea. We must not linger too long, lest unforeseen complications arise."

"This disciple understands." Nüwa nodded, composed herself, and continued following Xuan Chen deeper beneath the sea.

As they descended, the surrounding water pressure grew increasingly powerful, and the light dimmed further and further. Yet Xuan Chen and Nüwa were both Heavenly Immortal cultivators, so this amount of pressure posed no threat to them. Their divine senses covered an extremely wide range, allowing them to clearly perceive every movement around them.

When the two had descended several hundred zhang, Xuan Chen suddenly stopped, his divine sense locking onto a patch thick with seaweed ahead. Nüwa also sensed that something was amiss. Following Xuan Chen's gaze, she saw a group of small aquatic creatures hiding amid the seaweed.

These creatures came in all shapes and forms. Some had long shrimp feelers and hard shells, while others bore thick crab carapaces and waved sharp pincers. They were the earliest prototypes of the shrimp soldiers and crab generals of the Primordial World. Their strength was rather weak; most were only at the Qi Refining realm, while a few had reached Foundation Establishment. At this moment, they huddled trembling among the seaweed, clearly frightened by something.

"These are early aquatic creatures. Their spiritual intelligence has not yet fully awakened, and they survive only by instinct," Xuan Chen told Nüwa through divine sense. "Something seems to have frightened them, so they are hiding here and dare not emerge."

Nüwa looked at the tiny aquatic creatures, pity flashing through her eyes. She could sense that their life auras were exceedingly weak. In this perilous underwater world, they could become food for other ferocious beasts at any moment.

"Master, can we help them?" Nüwa asked, her tone carrying a hint of pleading.

Xuan Chen looked at Nüwa, and a trace of gratification flickered in his eyes. He knew that she had already engraved the conviction of "saving the world and rescuing others" deep in her heart. Even when facing such weak living beings, she was willing to lend a hand.

"We can." Xuan Chen nodded. "However, we cannot directly interfere with their survival. We can only provide them with some shelter. Their spiritual intelligence has yet to awaken, but they can sense the Chaos Dao Resonance and the aura of creation upon you, and they naturally feel close to you. If you are willing, you may perhaps take them in and let them follow at your side. It will both accumulate Living-Beings Karmic Affinity for you and allow them to grow beneath your protection."

Delight flashed through Nüwa's eyes as she hurriedly said, "This disciple is willing!"

Xuan Chen smiled faintly. "Then release a thread of Creation Power and let them feel your goodwill. Though these creatures' spiritual intelligence has yet to awaken, they are keenly sensitive to goodwill and malice."

Following his instructions, Nüwa released a strand of gentle Creation Power. Like a silvery-white thread, it slowly drifted toward the aquatic creatures in the seaweed. When the Creation Power touched them, they visibly froze. Their trembling bodies gradually calmed, and the fear in their eyes slowly faded, replaced by curiosity and closeness.

One slightly larger shrimp soldier cautiously crawled out from the seaweed, waving its tiny feelers as it approached Nüwa. It could sense that this being before it, radiating a gentle aura, would not harm it. Rather, she gave it a sense of safety.

With the first shrimp soldier taking the lead, the other aquatic creatures also emerged from the seaweed one after another and gathered around Nüwa. Some waved their crab pincers, while others swished their shrimp tails, looking immensely excited.

Nüwa watched the aquatic creatures gathering around her, a gentle smile appearing on her face. She released another strand of Creation Power, softly wrapping it around them to nourish their bodies and heal their minor wounds.

Nourished by the Creation Power, the auras of these aquatic creatures became steadier, and their spiritual intelligence seemed to improve ever so slightly. They circled Nüwa, continuously making faint sounds as though expressing their gratitude.

"Master, they are willing to follow me!" Nüwa said excitedly to Xuan Chen through divine sense.

Xuan Chen nodded. "Very good. Though these aquatic creatures are weak now, their potential is boundless. As you grow, they too will continually evolve and become stronger beneath the nourishment of your Creation Power. One day, they may become capable assistants at your side. Moreover, taking them in will accumulate Living-Beings Karmic Affinity for you, which will greatly benefit your cultivation of the Great Dao."

He paused briefly before continuing, "However, we are headed for the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea now, and bringing them along would be inconvenient. I have a storage jade pendant here. It can house them within and create a suitable environment for their survival. Once we reach the Tide Eye and settle down properly, we can let them out again."

Having said that, Xuan Chen took out an ordinary storage jade pendant, formed a hand seal into it, and then handed it to Nüwa. Nüwa accepted the pendant and, following Xuan Chen's guidance, collected the aquatic creatures gathered around her into it one by one.

After entering the jade pendant, the creatures discovered that it contained a space rich in spiritual energy, complete with a small body of water. They were immediately overjoyed and began swimming about happily within it. Through the jade pendant, Nüwa could clearly sense their condition, and a satisfied smile surfaced on her face.

"Thank you, Master!" Nüwa said to Xuan Chen through divine sense, her eyes full of gratitude.

"There is no need to thank me." Xuan Chen smiled faintly. "This is your own karmic affinity. Living-Beings Karmic Affinity is one of the important Dao foundations for cultivators of the Primordial World. Being able to forge a bond with these early aquatic creatures is your blessing. In the future, you must treat them well and nurture their growth with your Creation Power. They too will repay you in their own way."

Nüwa nodded heavily. "This disciple understands! This disciple will certainly treat them well and let them flourish beneath my protection."

Xuan Chen nodded in satisfaction. "All right, let us continue onward. The Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea is still some distance from here. We must hurry, lest the longer the night lasts, the more dreams arise."

The two set off once more, diving toward the depths of the Eastern Sea. Along the way, they encountered more weak aquatic creatures. These creatures were likewise drawn by the Chaos Dao Resonance and aura of creation around Nüwa, and they took the initiative to follow her. After seeking Xuan Chen's permission, Nüwa also collected them into the storage jade pendant.

As they ventured deeper into the Eastern Sea, the surrounding water pressure became ever greater, while the water elemental energy grew increasingly dense. From time to time, enormous aquatic ferocious beasts could be seen swimming through the distant waters, radiating powerful auras. Xuan Chen and Nüwa carefully avoided these beasts and continued onward in the direction of the Tide Eye.

Several days later, the two finally arrived at the outer perimeter of the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea. In the waters ahead, the currents had become extraordinarily turbulent, forming massive whirlpools. The water elemental energy in the surrounding area was so dense that it had even condensed into white mist visible to the naked eye.

"Master, is that the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea ahead?" Nüwa asked through divine sense, anticipation and nervousness in her eyes.

Xuan Chen nodded. "That is correct. Ahead lies the Tide Eye of the Eastern Sea. The tidal force here is exceptionally violent, and the water elemental energy is at its purest. It is an excellent place to comprehend the Water Dao. However, it is also extremely dangerous. The violent tidal force can easily tear apart even Heavenly Immortal cultivators. We must proceed with utmost caution."