At the bottom of Soulbreak Valley, jagged rocks interlocked like canine teeth. Valley winds carried grit that lashed against the body with unbearable pain. The moment Nüwa stepped into the valley floor, she heard heavy footsteps. Two enormous figures emerged from behind the rocks—on the left was Zaochi, towering in stature with three-foot fangs protruding from its mouth; on the right was Xisi, powerfully built and clad in heavy armor.
"Roar!" The two ferocious beasts roared at the same time, savage light flaring in their eyes as they charged Nüwa. Zaochi was incredibly swift, pouncing before her in an instant, its fangs stabbing straight for her throat. Xisi followed close behind, its massive body bearing the force of ten thousand jun, intending to smash Nüwa into pulp.
Nüwa's gaze sharpened. She unleashed Chaos Step, her figure flowing like water as she effortlessly evaded Zaochi's ambush. At the same time, she waved her hand and sent three water blades shooting toward Zaochi's eyes. Zaochi roared in fury and twisted aside, but the water blades still sliced its cheek, causing black essence-blood to drip down.
At the same time, Xisi's charge was already upon her. Nüwa kicked off the ground and soared into the air, forming seals with both hands as she invoked the Water Dao. "Heaven-Net Water Curtain!"
Water-origin qi gathered swiftly from all around, forming an enormous net of water that descended from the sky and enveloped both Xisi and Zaochi. The net continually contracted, binding the movements of the two ferocious beasts. The thunderfire Xisi spewed out was instantly extinguished by the water net, while Zaochi's struggles also gradually slowed.
"Now!" Nüwa shouted softly, diving from above. Water-origin qi condensed into a long spear, which stabbed toward Zaochi's glabella. The spearpoint contained both Creation Power and the Water Law, blending hardness and softness in perfect harmony. It pierced straight through Zaochi's skull in an instant and shattered its divine soul.
After dealing with Zaochi, Nüwa turned to Xisi. She knew Xisi's defense was astonishing and that ordinary attacks would struggle to harm it, so she activated the divine ability Nourishing Creation. A thread of lustrous white qi seeped through the water net and into Xisi's body, disrupting the circulation of its qi and blood. At the same time, she condensed water-origin qi into several slender needles and precisely drove them into the gaps in Xisi's armor.
Xisi let out a pained howl, its body struggling violently, yet the water net held it firmly in place. Nüwa seized the opportunity to step forward. Her water spear gathered all her Dao power and thrust fiercely into Xisi's heart, completely ending its life.
"Whew—" Nüwa withdrew her spear and took out a jade bottle to collect the essence-blood. A trace of weariness showed on her face, but she could not conceal her excitement. Facing two kinds of ferocious beasts alone this time, she had not only successfully completed the hunt, but also gained a new understanding of how to use the Water Dao in battle. Her combat ability had risen to a new height once more.
Xuan Chen stepped forward and nodded in satisfaction. "Very good! You have thoroughly integrated the principles of 'evade the enemy, seek an opening, strike lethally.' Your practical combat ability far surpasses cultivators of the same realm. Now that we have gathered the essence-blood of all ten ferocious beasts, we should return at once, lest a long delay breed complications."
After gathering the useful resources from the beasts' corpses, the two became twin streaks of light and flew toward Zichen Cave Abode. Yet not long after leaving Soulbreak Valley, they sensed violent energy fluctuations ahead, accompanied by the cries of dragons and phoenixes that made heaven and earth tremble faintly.
"This is bad—it's a conflict among the three clans!" Xuan Chen's expression changed slightly. He immediately grabbed Nüwa and concealed their forms behind a mountain peak.
The two poked their heads out and looked ahead. On the plain dozens of li away, the Dragon Clan and Phoenix Clan were locked in fierce battle. On the Dragon Clan's side were more than ten Golden Dragons and Black Dragons, Water Laws circling their bodies as they spewed towering pillars of water. On the Phoenix Clan's side were seven or eight Fire Phoenixes and Azure Luans; whenever their wings beat, blazing flames filled the sky and fierce winds howled.
The two sides exchanged blow after blow, and the sounds of divine abilities colliding rang out without end. The earth was battered until it cracked apart, and mountains and rivers collapsed. Many low-level demon beasts were caught in the flames of war and instantly turned to ash. The Dragon Clan's leader was an Early-Stage Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, his dragon might awe-inspiring. The Phoenix Clan's leader was likewise a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, and the power of its flame divine abilities was terrifying. The two fought in an inseparable deadlock, while the air between heaven and earth brimmed with destructive aura.
A flicker of shock passed through Nüwa's eyes. This was the first time she had witnessed such a brutal battle. The sudden clash between Primordial Unity Golden Immortal-level immortals made her feel pressure unlike anything she had ever known.
"Do not make a sound, and do not reveal your aura." Xuan Chen lowered his voice, his expression grave. "This is a minor conflict between the Dragon Clan and Phoenix Clan over Spirit Veins. Both sides have killed until their eyes are red. Getting drawn in now would be no different from seeking death."
He took out several Qi-Concealing Talismans and affixed them to their bodies, further concealing their auras. "Look at that Dragon Clan expert. Though he cultivates the Water Dao, his power contains a fierce baleful aura bearing dragon might, completely unlike yours. The flame divine abilities wielded by that Phoenix Clan expert carry an air of burning heaven and extinguishing earth. If you are caught in them, even with the Chaos Purple Lotus Garment protecting you, you will suffer grave injuries."
Nüwa silently nodded, gaining a deeper understanding of the dangers of the Dragon-Han Calamity. Looking at the low-level cultivators and demon beasts dying amid the flames of war, she felt a trace of pity in her heart. Yet she also understood that Xuan Chen was right. If she stepped in to help now, she would not be able to save anyone and would only place herself in danger.
"In the great calamity of the Primordial World, the strong devour the weak—this is an iron law." Xuan Chen seemed to see through her thoughts as he spoke slowly. "Our current strength is not enough to change the course of this battle. All we can do is protect ourselves and accumulate sufficient power. Only when you become strong enough in the future will you be able to truly uphold your original aspiration of 'saving the world and rescuing others,' and protect more living beings."
After a brief pause, he continued, "This is the final survival principle I wish to teach you: 'avoid the edge.' During calamities, do not involve yourself in disputes between any factions unless necessary—especially conflicts on the level of the three clans. Only by understanding the times and judging the situation, avoiding their sharp edge, can you survive in chaotic times and wait for the chance to strike back."
The two lay hidden behind the mountain peak for two hours. Only after the battle between the Dragon Clan and Phoenix Clan gradually moved away, shifting toward the Spirit Veins in the west, did they dare reveal themselves. Xuan Chen led Nüwa around the battlefield and swiftly flew toward Zichen Cave Abode along a remote mountain path.
Along the way, Nüwa remained silent. The scenes from the battle and the survival principles Xuan Chen had taught her replayed endlessly in her mind. She understood that her cultivation had previously gone too smoothly, leaving her lacking in awareness of the Primordial World's brutality. This experience had thoroughly awakened her.
Xuan Chen watched Nüwa's thoughtful expression without disturbing her. He knew that insights gained through personal experience were far deeper than mere verbal instruction. Nüwa needed to slowly experience the cruelty of the Dragon-Han Calamity herself before she could truly grow.
Three days later, the two returned safely to Zichen Cave Abode. The moment they entered, Xuan Chen immediately strengthened the restrictions, ensuring that no cultivators from the three clans had followed them. Looking at the ten bottles of ferocious beast essence-blood in his hand, Xuan Chen revealed a trace of gratification. "The mission was completed very smoothly. Next, I will refine the Myriad Spirits Essence-Blood Pill for you. During this time, digest the insights you gained from this hunt and strive to break through to the Mid-Stage Golden Immortal as soon as possible."
Nüwa bowed deeply. "This disciple understands! Thank you, Master, for your guidance throughout the journey. This outing has benefited this disciple immensely."
Xuan Chen nodded and turned toward the refining chamber. Outside the cave abode, the flames of war among the three clans were drawing ever closer. The shadow of the Dragon-Han Calamity hung over the entire Primordial World, while within Zichen Cave Abode, a refining process that concerned the enhancement of Nüwa's innate foundation was about to begin.
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