Encountering a Minor Conflict Between the Three Clans, Avoiding Their Edge

At the bottom of Soulbreak Valley, jagged rocks interlocked like canine teeth. Valley winds swept up grit that lashed against the body with unbearable pain. The moment Nüwa stepped into the valley floor, she heard a series of heavy footsteps. Two enormous figures emerged from behind the rocks—on the left stood Chisel-Tooth, towering in stature with three-foot tusks protruding from its mouth; on the right was Xisi, powerfully built and clad in thick armor.

"Roar!" The two vicious beasts roared at once, ferocity blazing in their eyes as they charged Nüwa. Chisel-Tooth was incredibly fast, pouncing before her in an instant, its tusks stabbing straight for her throat. Xisi followed close behind, its massive body carrying the force of ten thousand tons as it sought to ram her into pulp.

Nüwa's gaze sharpened. She used Chaos Step, her figure flowing like water as she easily evaded Chisel-Tooth's surprise assault. At the same time, she flicked her hand and sent three water blades shooting toward Chisel-Tooth's eyes. Chisel-Tooth roared furiously and twisted aside, but the blades still slashed its cheek, drawing drops of black essence-blood.

At the same time, Xisi's charge was already right before her. Nüwa pushed off the ground and leaped into the air, forming seals with both hands as she invoked the Water Dao. "Heaven-Net Water Curtain!"

Water elemental energy from all around rapidly converged, forming an enormous net of water that descended from the sky and enveloped both Xisi and Chisel-Tooth. The net continually tightened, binding the movements of the two vicious beasts. The thunderfire Xisi spewed was extinguished in an instant, while Chisel-Tooth's struggles became increasingly sluggish.

"Now!" Nüwa shouted lowly, diving downward as water elemental energy condensed into a long spear that thrust toward Chisel-Tooth's brow. The spearpoint contained both Creation Power and the Water Law, hardness and softness complementing each other. It instantly pierced Chisel-Tooth's skull and shattered its divine soul.

After dealing with Chisel-Tooth, Nüwa turned to Xisi. She knew full well that Xisi's defense was astonishing and that ordinary attacks would be difficult to make effective. Thus, she activated the divine ability Nourishing Creation. A wisp 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 elemental energy into several slender needles and precisely drove them into the gaps in Xisi's armor.

Xisi let out a painful howl, its body struggling violently, yet the water net held it firmly in place. Nüwa seized the chance to advance, gathering all her Dao power into the water spear before fiercely driving it into Xisi's heart, ending its life completely.

"Hah—" Nüwa put away her spear and took out a jade bottle to collect the essence-blood. A trace of exhaustion showed on her face, but she could not conceal her excitement. Facing two types of vicious beasts alone this time, she had not only completed the hunt successfully, but also gained insight into a new use of the Water Dao during battle. Her practical combat ability had risen to a new height.

Xuan Chen stepped forward and nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. You have thoroughly integrated the principles of 'evade the enemy, seek an opportunity, strike lethally.' Your actual combat ability far surpasses cultivators of the same realm. Now that we have gathered the essence-blood of all ten vicious beasts, we shall return at once, lest a long night breed many dreams."

After gathering the usable resources from the vicious beasts' corpses, the two transformed into twin streams of light and flew toward Zichen Cave Abode. Yet not long after leaving Soulbreak Valley, they sensed violent energy fluctuations ahead, accompanied by dragon roars and phoenix cries that made heaven and earth tremble faintly.

"This is bad. It is a conflict between the three clans!" Xuan Chen's expression changed slightly. He immediately grabbed Nüwa and concealed their figures behind a mountain peak.

Peering out, they saw that on a plain dozens of miles ahead, the Dragon Clan and Phoenix Clan were engaged in fierce battle. The Dragon Clan had more than ten Golden Dragons and Black Dragons, Water Laws swirling around their bodies as they spewed towering columns of water. The Phoenix Clan had seven or eight Fire Phoenixes and Azure Luans; whenever their wings beat, blazing flames filled the sky and fierce winds howled.

The two sides traded blow after blow, the sounds of divine abilities colliding without end. The earth had been blasted into cracks, and mountains and rivers collapsed. Many low-level demonic 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 overwhelming. The Phoenix Clan's leader was likewise a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, and the power of its flame divine abilities was astonishing. The two fought in an inextricable deadlock, while the air between heaven and earth brimmed with destructive intent.

A flicker of alarm passed through Nüwa's eyes. This was the first time she had witnessed such a brutal battle. The sudden clash between immortals at the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal level made her feel pressure unlike anything she had ever known.

"Do not make a sound, and do not expose your aura." Xuan Chen lowered his voice, his expression grave. "This is a minor conflict between the Dragon Clan and Phoenix Clan over a spirit vein. Both sides have fought until their eyes are red with slaughter. Getting drawn in now would be no different from seeking death."

He took out several Qi-Concealing Talismans and attached them to their bodies, further hiding their auras. "Look at that Dragon Clan expert. Though he chiefly cultivates the Water Dao, his aura contains a ferocious balefulness carrying dragon might, completely unlike yours. The Phoenix Clan expert's flame divine ability bears the momentum to burn heaven and destroy earth. If you are caught in it, even with the Chaos Purple Lotus Garment protecting you, you will still suffer grave injuries."

Nüwa nodded silently, gaining a deeper understanding of the dangers of the Dragon-Han Calamity. Looking at the low-level cultivators and demonic beasts dying amid the flames of war, a trace of compassion rose in her heart. Yet she also understood that Xuan Chen was right. Intervening now would not save anyone; it would only place herself in peril.

"In the great calamity of the Primordial World, the strong devouring the weak is an iron law." As if seeing through her thoughts, Xuan Chen spoke slowly. "Our current strength is still insufficient to change the course of battle. All we can do is protect ourselves and accumulate enough power. Only when you become strong enough in the future can you truly uphold your original intention of saving the world and rescuing others, and protect more living beings."

He paused briefly, then continued, "This is the final survival principle I wish to teach you: 'avoid the edge.' During a calamity, 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, judging the situation, and avoiding their sharp edge can one survive in troubled times and wait for the chance to strike back."

The two lay hidden behind the mountain peak for two shichen. 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 secluded mountain path.

Along the way, Nüwa remained silent. The scenes of the recent battle and the survival principles Xuan Chen had taught her replayed endlessly in her mind. She understood that her previous cultivation journey had been too smooth, leaving her lacking in awareness of the Primordial World's cruelty. This experience had thoroughly awakened her.

Xuan Chen watched Nüwa's thoughtful expression but did not disturb her. He knew that insights born from personal experience ran 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 reinforced the restrictions, ensuring that no cultivators from the three clans had followed them. Looking at the ten bottles of vicious-beast essence-blood in his hand, Xuan Chen showed 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. "This disciple understands! Thank you, Master, for your guidance throughout the journey. This trip has benefited this disciple immensely."

Xuan Chen nodded and turned toward the artifact-refining chamber. Outside the cave abode, the flames of war between the three clans were drawing ever closer. The shadow of the Dragon-Han Calamity shrouded the entire Primordial World, while within Zichen Cave Abode, a refinement that concerned the elevation of Nüwa's innate foundation was about to begin.