Taking In Refugee Sprites, Accumulating Living-Beings Karmic Affinity

On the third day after Zichen Cave Abode had been reinforced, the mountain mist had yet to disperse. Carrying the ferocious, baleful aura left behind by war, it slowly spread through the outskirts of Mount Buzhou. Following Xuan Chen's instructions, Nüwa was inspecting the spirit fields east of the cave abode—fields planted with innate spirit herbs she had cultivated herself. They could replenish the cave abode's spiritual qi and served as an important medium for her comprehension of the Creation Dao.

Suddenly, faint sobs drifted into Nüwa's ears on the wind, intermittent and filled with indescribable terror and helplessness. Her heart stirred, and her divine sense immediately spread outward, enveloping the direction from which the sound had come.

Beyond the light curtain of the Primordial Unity Defense Formation surrounding the cave abode, dozens of palm-sized living beings were huddled beneath a massive bluestone, trembling like leaves. They came in all shapes: some wore emerald-green leaves and bore flower buds on their heads, clearly innate botanical sprites; others had furry little ears and fluffy tails trailing behind them, their lively eyes brimming with fear—innate beast sprites. Most of these little sprites were only at Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment. To the innate sacred beings of the Primordial World, they were no more than ants, yet at this moment, they had become the most helpless victims of the Dragon-Han Calamity.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" Nüwa softened her tone, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, while signaling for the maid beside her not to activate the formation's offensive function for the moment.

Hearing her voice, the little sprites all shuddered. A botanical sprite in a green dress at their head gathered her courage and raised her small face streaked with tears. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "S-sacred one, we are botanical sprites from Green Hill Forest, along with beast sprites from Blackwind Valley. The armies of the three clans destroyed our homes. The Dragon Clan's Sea-Patrolling Yakshas wanted to capture us as bait, and the Phoenix Clan's flames burned down the places where we lived. We could only flee all the way to Mount Buzhou... Please take us in, great one. We are willing to do anything for you!"

When she finished speaking, all the little sprites dropped to their knees and repeatedly kowtowed toward Nüwa. Their bodies were already tiny, and amid the vast mountains, they seemed even more fragile. Many of the botanical sprites' leaves had withered, while the beast sprites' fur was stained with dust and blood. The sight made Nüwa's heart twist in pain.

She recalled what Xuan Chen had said before: "The great calamity of the Primordial World, the cycle of the Heavenly Dao." Yet the miserable state of these living beings before her made the compassion in her heart impossible to suppress any longer. These little sprites were pure and kind by nature. They had never taken part in any conflict between clans, yet they had to suffer the bitterness of war. It was truly unbearable to witness.

"Wait here for now. I will go ask my master." After saying this, Nüwa turned and hurried back to the main hall of the cave abode.

At that moment, Xuan Chen sat upon a cloud couch in the main hall, deducing the future course of the Dragon-Han Calamity. On the Eight Trigrams Diagram before him, crimson patterns of warfare continued to spread. When he saw Nüwa hurry in, her expression filled with urgency and pity, he had already guessed much of the matter.

"Master, there is a group of innate little sprites fleeing disaster outside the cave abode. Their homes were destroyed by the war between the three clans, and now they have nowhere to go. This disciple begs Master to take them in!" Nüwa bowed deeply, her voice pleading. "Their cultivation is meager, and they will not consume much of the cave abode's spiritual qi. This disciple is willing to care for them personally and will never allow them to disrupt the order of the cave abode."

Xuan Chen raised his eyes, and a trace of understanding flashed through them. He had long detected the little sprites outside through the formation; he had merely been quietly observing Nüwa's response. The matter of creating humans required the accumulation of sufficient Living-Beings Karmic Affinity. These innately pure and kind little sprites were precisely an excellent opportunity.

"Do you understand the risks of taking them in?" Xuan Chen's tone was calm. "The war among the three clans is in full swing. Pursuers may be following behind them. Moreover, the cave abode has limited capacity. With another group of living beings, there is another chance of being exposed."

"This disciple understands," Nüwa said firmly. "But they are all innocent living beings. If we do not take them in, they will most likely die amid the flames of war or in the jaws of ferocious beasts. Master often says that the path of Creation lies in protecting living beings. This disciple is willing to use her own Dao power to keep them safe. Even if there are risks, this disciple is willing to shoulder them alone."

Xuan Chen looked at the compassion and resolve in Nüwa's eyes and gave a slight nod. He rose and walked outside the hall, his divine sense sweeping over the little sprites beyond the light curtain. He sensed the pure aura of life within them, along with their yearning to survive. These little sprites had all been born of innate creation. Though weak in strength, they contained the most fundamental power of life. Taking them in would not only help Nüwa accumulate Living-Beings Karmic Affinity, but also bring another measure of vitality to the cave abode.

"Very well." Xuan Chen spoke, his voice passing through the light curtain to reach those outside. "For the sake of your innocence and your pure natures, Zichen Cave Abode will take you in. However, you must obey three rules. First, you may not enter the inner regions of the cave abode without permission and may only move within designated areas. Second, cultivate diligently and do not stir up trouble. Third, should enemies appear, you must obey arrangements and defend the cave abode together."

Upon hearing this, the little sprites wept with joy and repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude. "Thank you for taking us in, great one! We will certainly obey the rules and never dare cause you trouble!" With a flick of his finger, Xuan Chen opened a crack in the formation's light curtain. At the same time, a strand of Primordial Unity Power transformed into an invisible barrier that enveloped every little sprite, isolating them from the ferocious baleful aura outside. "Nüwa, take them to Spiritstream Valley on the western side of the cave abode and settle them there. Spiritual qi is abundant there, and the vegetation is lush, making it suitable for them to live in. I have already set up a Spirit-Gathering Formation and a Concealment Formation in the valley. They will provide an environment for cultivation while concealing their auras from the outside world."

"This disciple obeys!" Nüwa was overjoyed. She quickly stepped forward and led the little sprites toward Spiritstream Valley.

Spiritstream Valley lay on the outskirts of Zichen Cave Abode. An innate spirit stream babbled through the valley, while strange flowers and exotic grasses flourished along both banks. Though the concentration of spiritual qi there did not compare to the inner regions of the cave abode, it still far surpassed ordinary areas of the Primordial World. Xuan Chen had long made preparations: dozens of natural caves had been opened in the valley, and many innate spirit trees capable of purifying auras had been planted there.

Nüwa personally assigned caves to the little sprites, then brought out innate spirit rice and spirit spring water bestowed by Xuan Chen to replenish their strength. The botanical sprite in the green dress said gratefully, "Thank you for caring for us, sacred one. My name is Qing He, and I am the leader of the botanical sprites. From now on, leave the cultivation of the spirit herbs in Spiritstream Valley to us! We can communicate with vegetation and make the spirit herbs grow faster and more luxuriantly."

A snow-white beast sprite beside her also spoke. "My name is Whiteball, and I am the leader of the beast sprites. Our sense of smell is sharp, and we can detect unusual auras within a hundred li. In the future, we can help keep watch. If an enemy approaches, we will report it at once!"

Nüwa smiled gently. "Good! From now on, we are one family. The safety of Spiritstream Valley will require all of us to protect it together."

Over the following days, Nüwa went to Spiritstream Valley every day to teach the little sprites basic cultivation methods. She also taught them how to use the spiritual qi of plants and trees to conceal themselves and evade danger. Qing He led the botanical sprites in carefully nurturing the valley's spirit herbs. Before long, the once sparse spirit fields became lush and flourishing, and the spirit herbs grew even better than those in the cave abode's own fields. Whiteball led the beast sprites in forming patrol teams that circled the outskirts of Spiritstream Valley every day. With their keen noses and ears, they detected several low-level ferocious beasts approaching from afar and gave warning in advance, sparing the cave abode potential trouble.

Xuan Chen watched all of this and secretly nodded to himself. The bond between Nüwa and the little sprites grew deeper by the day, and the Living-Beings Karmic Affinity around her quietly increased. The aura of Creation surrounding her became ever richer. Under Nüwa's care, these little sprites not only gradually emerged from the shadow of war, but their cultivation speed also greatly improved. Many had broken through to late-stage Qi Refining, while several exceptionally gifted ones had already touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment.

That day, Xuan Chen summoned Nüwa and handed her a bottle of innate spiritual liquid. "This is Botanical Essence Elixir. It can accelerate the growth of the spirit herbs in Spiritstream Valley and help the little sprites stabilize their cultivation. Take it to Qing He and Whiteball, and have them distribute it among the sprites."

Nüwa accepted the jade bottle, warmth filling her heart. "Thank you, Master."

"You have done very well," Xuan Chen said. "Though these little sprites are weak, they contain pure life force. By forging ties with them, you are laying the foundation for the Dao of Creation. When you achieve the Great Dao in the future, this Living-Beings Karmic Affinity will become your most steadfast support."

Nüwa's heart stirred, and she seemed to understand Xuan Chen's deeper meaning. She gazed at the little sprites playing and cultivating in Spiritstream Valley, her eyes full of tenderness. She knew that everything she was doing now was not only saving these innocent beings, but also paving the way for her future path. And because of the presence of these little sprites, Zichen Cave Abode had gained another touch of life and vitality. Beneath the shadow of the Dragon-Han Calamity, it had become a true sanctuary.