Deep within Mount Buzhou, outside Zichen Cave Abode, clouds and mist curled through the air, spiritual herbs carpeted the ground, and immortal cranes danced overhead—a scene straight out of an immortal's paradise. At the entrance stood Nüwa and Fuxi side by side, their gazes fixed tightly on the distant horizon, their expressions tinged with anxiety and anticipation. Ever since Xuan Chen had gone to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to seize a treasure, the two had waited here day and night, fearing that he might meet with misfortune.
"Master has been gone for so long. Why hasn't he returned yet? Nothing could have happened to him, could it?" Nüwa said softly, worry coloring her voice. Although she knew Xuan Chen was immensely powerful, far surpassing cultivators of the same realm, the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace was, after all, the Dragon Clan's lair, with deep foundations and experts as numerous as clouds. She could not help worrying.
Fuxi patted her shoulder and consoled her. "Rest easy, Junior Sister. Master possesses vast divine abilities and has Chaos spiritual treasures protecting him. Nothing will happen to him. Perhaps something delayed him on the way. Let's wait a little longer." Though he spoke thus, a trace of anxiety also lingered in Fuxi's eyes—the battles of the Dragon-Han Calamity were growing fiercer by the day, and he could sense the calamity aura between heaven and earth becoming ever denser. If Xuan Chen did not return soon, they might find themselves unable to cope with the crises to come.
Just as the two spoke, a streak of Chaos Flowlight suddenly appeared on the distant horizon. Swift as lightning, it shot toward Zichen Cave Abode. Wherever the flowlight passed, the clouds and mist automatically parted, and it emanated a familiar aura of Primordial Unity Power.
"It's Master! Master has returned!" Wild joy flashed through Nüwa's eyes as she hurriedly waved at the flowlight and called out.
Fuxi also revealed a delighted expression, and the heart he had been holding in suspense finally settled. He could sense that Xuan Chen's aura was even more profound than when he had departed. Clearly, not only had this treasure-seizing trip gone smoothly, but he had also gained greatly from it.
The Chaos Flowlight arrived in an instant and descended before Zichen Cave Abode. As the radiance dispersed, Xuan Chen's figure emerged. His robes were neat, his aura steady, and a faint smile rested on his face. There was not the slightest sign of injury upon him.
"Master! You've finally returned!" Nüwa hurried forward, her voice brimming with joy and concern. "You must have had a hard journey. Did you encounter any danger? Did you obtain the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron?"
Xuan Chen smiled faintly and reached out to rub Nüwa's head. "Rest assured, your master is unharmed. Naturally, I obtained the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron." With that, he took out the three-foot iron needle from his storage space and handed it to Nüwa.
The iron needle was entirely black, its surface covered in fine patterns. It exuded a gentle yet majestic aura of water. Though not large, it gave off a weighty, steadfast feeling, as though it could suppress the Four Seas and the Eight Desolations. As Nüwa gazed at the iron needle before her, a trace of fascination flashed through her eyes. She could clearly sense that the water-element origin power within it was extraordinarily compatible with her Creation Dao, even carrying a faint feeling of blood-linked kinship.
"So this is the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron? It truly is a peerless treasure!" Fuxi also stepped forward, his eyes full of amazement. He used his divine sense to investigate and discovered that the iron needle contained endless potential. Not only was it incomparably hard, but it could also change size according to its master's will. It combined offense and defense in one, and was undoubtedly a rare Innate spiritual treasure.
Xuan Chen nodded and said to Nüwa, "This treasure is called the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron. It was formed from the Innate Spiritual Root, Seabed Divine Iron, and has absorbed the essence of Eastern Sea waters for hundreds of millions of years, containing pure water-element origin power. It has already acknowledged its master. From this day onward, it will be your weapon for self-defense."
"Thank you, Master!" Nüwa solemnly accepted the iron needle, warmth flooding her heart. She could feel Xuan Chen's care and expectations for her, and this affection moved her beyond measure.
Xuan Chen looked at her and continued, "Using this treasure is exceedingly simple. You need only sink your divine sense into it and establish a connection with its artifact spirit. Then you may control its changes in size as you please. It can become large or small. When large, it can reach through heaven and earth and suppress the Four Seas; when small, it can become as fine as a hair and hide at your fingertips. Moreover, the water-element origin power it contains can complement your Creation Dao. It will not only enhance your combat strength, but also help you gain a deeper understanding of the Water Dao and perfect the Creation Dao."
Upon hearing this, Nüwa immediately followed Xuan Chen's guidance. She circulated her divine sense and sank it into the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron. The artifact spirit within the iron needle had long recognized Xuan Chen, while Nüwa's aura of creation and her Water Dao were highly compatible with it. The moment her divine sense entered, she formed a close connection with the artifact spirit.
Buzz! The iron needle trembled lightly, and the patterns on its surface began to shine, releasing a gentle blue radiance. Nüwa could clearly feel as if an invisible bond had formed between herself and the iron needle, allowing her to control its changes in size at will. At a thought, the iron needle instantly transformed into a gigantic pillar several zhang long, releasing an overwhelming pressure that made the entire cave abode tremble faintly. With another thought, the giant pillar returned to a three-foot iron needle and floated above her palm, nimble and obedient.
"Wonderful! This disciple finally has a decent protective treasure!" Nüwa was overjoyed. Unable to restrain herself, she swung the iron needle, and a vast surge of water-element energy erupted from it, transforming into a Water Dragon that hurtled toward the open ground beyond the cave abode. With a boom, it smashed a huge deep pit into the earth.
Seeing her excited appearance, Xuan Chen revealed a gratified smile. He knew that with the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron, Nüwa's combat strength would undergo a qualitative leap. When she faced attacks from cultivators of the three clans in the future, she would have an additional measure of protection.
Fuxi was also delighted for Nüwa. "With this treasure, Junior Sister's strength has increased greatly. We will have a better chance of overcoming the coming calamity as well."
Xuan Chen nodded, his expression turning solemn. "The battles of the Dragon-Han Calamity are growing ever more intense, and the calamity aura between heaven and earth is becoming increasingly dense. The next stretch of time will be the fiercest stage of the calamity. The three clans' peak combatants may enter the fray at any moment, and the Primordial Lands will face even greater upheaval. We must raise our strength as quickly as possible if we are to protect this patch of pure land amid these troubled times."
As he spoke, Xuan Chen took out the jade bottles of Three-Clan essence blood he had collected earlier from his storage space and handed them to Fuxi. "These are the essence blood of the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and Qilin Clan that I collected on my return journey. They contain the origin power of the three clans. I intend to use this essence blood, together with Chaos True Water and Primordial Unity Origin Power, to refine a batch of Three-Clan Essence-Blood Pills. These pills possess boundless efficacy. They can greatly increase a cultivator's cultivation and combat strength, and will be of immense help to you and Nüwa in your cultivation."
Fuxi accepted the jade bottles and opened them. Within the three bottles were pale-gold, fiery-red, and earth-yellow essence blood respectively, all emanating dense origin power. He could not help but rejoice. "Thank you, Master! With these Essence-Blood Pills, Junior Sister and I will surely break through our realms and increase our strength as soon as possible!"
Xuan Chen said, "Next, we will enter the depths of the cave abode for secluded cultivation. I will be responsible for refining the pills, while you and Nüwa must seize the time to cultivate and strive to break through your current realms in the shortest time possible. Once the pills are successfully refined and you consume them, your cultivation will certainly rise to another level, and you will be able to face the crises ahead with greater composure."
"Yes, Master!" Nüwa and Fuxi answered in unison, their eyes filled with unwavering resolve. They understood that this was not the time to slack off. Only by increasing their strength as quickly as possible could they survive the Dragon-Han Calamity and avoid disappointing Xuan Chen's expectations.
Afterward, Xuan Chen led Nüwa and Fuxi into the core region of Zichen Cave Abode—the Primordial Unity Hall. Primordial Unity Hall was the hub of the cave abode, built from Chaos Stone. Countless Spirit-Gathering Formations and cultivation formations were carved within it, making its spiritual energy dozens of times denser than that of the outside world. It was exceptionally suited for secluded cultivation.
At the center of Primordial Unity Hall, Xuan Chen set up a pill-refining formation. He took out the Three-Clan essence blood, Chaos True Water, and other materials one by one, arranging them neatly. He took a deep breath and circulated the Chaos Dao Art. Chaos mist around him surged violently, and Primordial Unity Power poured endlessly into the pill-refining formation, activating it.
Buzz! The pill-refining formation gave a low roar and emitted dazzling Chaos radiance, enveloping all the materials within. Xuan Chen's gaze was focused, his divine sense highly concentrated as he carefully controlled the formation's temperature and energy, guiding the origin powers within the materials to merge with one another.
Refining Three-Clan Essence-Blood Pills was no easy task. The essence blood of the three clans possessed different attributes and mutually repelled one another. To fuse them together and form pills required extraordinarily delicate fire-control techniques and energy-control ability. However, Xuan Chen possessed Primordial Unity Power, which could harmonize all methods. With the aid of Chaos True Water, he could perfectly dissolve the repulsive force between the three types of essence blood.
Meanwhile, Nüwa and Fuxi sat cross-legged on either side of Primordial Unity Hall and began their secluded cultivation. Nüwa held the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron in her hand. As she comprehended the water-element origin power within the iron needle, she also circulated the Creation Dao Scripture, tempering her cultivation. The water-element origin power within the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron continuously flowed into her body, mingling with her Creation Power. This deepened her understanding of the Water Dao, while her cultivation steadily rose.
Fuxi, meanwhile, took out the Innate spiritual treasure, the "Bagua Mirror," which Xuan Chen had previously given him. He circulated the Bagua Dao Art, deducing the Great Dao of heaven and earth and comprehending the changes in the calamity aura. With the Bagua Mirror's power, he could clearly perceive the paths along which calamity aura flowed through heaven and earth, predict the direction of the three clans' battles, and at the same time comprehend the true meaning of the Great Dao, elevating his cultivation and realm.
Within Primordial Unity Hall, spiritual energy swirled thickly as Chaos radiance flickered without end. Xuan Chen focused wholeheartedly on refining the pills. Inside the pill-refining formation, the Three-Clan essence blood gradually fused together under the harmonization of Chaos True Water and Primordial Unity Power, forming a mass of intermingled three-colored liquid that radiated dense origin power. Nüwa and Fuxi immersed themselves in cultivation, their auras becoming increasingly profound as their cultivation continuously broke through bottlenecks.
Time slipped away silently, and the medicinal fragrance within Primordial Unity Hall grew ever richer. The three-colored liquid gradually condensed into round, lustrous pills, their surfaces covered in fine patterns and shining with dazzling radiance. The Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron in Nüwa's hand became increasingly bright, while the aura of the Water Dao around her grew increasingly dense. She faintly showed signs of breaking through to the Mid-Stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm. Fuxi's aura also became more stable. The Bagua Mirror rotated in his hand, emitting mysterious light, and his comprehension of the Great Dao of heaven and earth rose to a new height.
Xuan Chen sensed that the pills within the pill-refining formation were about to take shape, and a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. He increased the output of his Primordial Unity Power, guiding the pills through their final condensation. At last, amid a crisp roar, the light of the pill-refining formation dispersed. Several dozen three-colored pills floated at the center of the formation, radiating vast origin power—the Three-Clan Essence-Blood Pills had been successfully refined!
Xuan Chen put away the pill-refining formation and stored the pills in jade bottles, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. This batch of Three-Clan Essence-Blood Pills was of extremely high quality. Every pill contained the origin power of the three clans. After consuming one, a cultivator could not only rapidly raise their cultivation, but also strengthen their physique and even comprehend a trace of the true meaning of the three clans' Daos. They would be of tremendous benefit to Nüwa and Fuxi.
He turned to look at Nüwa and Fuxi and found that both had awakened from cultivation, their eyes gleaming with the brilliance of breakthroughs. Nüwa's cultivation had successfully broken through to the Mid-Stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm. The aura of her Water Dao had perfectly fused with the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron, greatly increasing her combat strength. Fuxi's cultivation had also broken through to the peak of the Early-Stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, only one step away from the middle stage, and his comprehension of the Eight Trigrams Dao had become even deeper.
"Master, have the pills been successfully refined?" Nüwa rose to her feet, anticipation filling her voice.
Xuan Chen nodded. He took out two Three-Clan Essence-Blood Pills and handed one each to Nüwa and Fuxi. "These are Three-Clan Essence-Blood Pills. After consuming them, refine the origin power within as quickly as possible and consolidate your cultivation. Strive to break through to higher realms soon."
Nüwa and Fuxi accepted the pills. After thanking him, they immediately swallowed them. The pills melted the instant they entered their mouths, transforming into vast origin power that surged into their bodies. The two sat cross-legged once more, circulating their cultivation arts and beginning to refine the pills' power.
Xuan Chen watched them with a gratified smile. He knew that with this batch of Three-Clan Essence-Blood Pills, together with the aid of the Proto-Dinghai Needle Iron, Nüwa and Fuxi's strength would undergo a qualitative transformation. As for himself, he also needed to use this time to continue refining Primordial Unity Origin Power, comprehend the Water Control divine ability, and raise his own strength.
The fiercest stage of the Dragon-Han Calamity was about to arrive. The three clans' peak combatants would also enter the stage one after another, and the Primordial Lands were about to face unprecedented turmoil. Yet Xuan Chen firmly believed that so long as the three master and disciples worked together with one heart and continually increased their strength, they would surely gain a firm foothold amid the chaos, protect the pure land of Zichen Cave Abode, and perhaps even seek greater opportunities within the calamity, laying the foundation for the future structure of the Primordial World.
Within Primordial Unity Hall, silence descended once again. Only dense spiritual energy and medicinal fragrance permeated the air, accompanied by the steady breaths of the three of them, foretelling an approaching storm and their unwavering resolve to face it.
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