Zichen Cave Abode, Opening a Pure Land for Cultivation

Deep within Mount Buzhou, clouds and mist swirled thickly, while the chaos currents were far denser than those at the outskirts. At times, they transformed into savage beastly forms; at others, they condensed into sharp blade-light. Every wisp of airflow contained incomparably violent power. The trees here were taller and sturdier, some reaching a hundred zhang in height. Their trunks were covered in moss and strange patterns, exuding an ancient, far-reaching aura. From time to time, the roars of ferocious beasts echoed through the mountains, shaking the valleys and sending chills down one's spine.

Xuan Chen moved cautiously through the forest. Relying on the concealment effect of the Chaos Breath Concealment Art, he successfully avoided several groups of wandering ferocious beasts. His objective was clear: find a valley rich in Spirit Veins, hidden in terrain that was easy to defend and hard to attack, then open a cave abode.

As he advanced, he sensed the fluctuations of the surrounding Spirit Veins. In the early days of the Primordial World, Spirit Veins had not yet been excessively exploited, and the spiritual energy within them was exceptionally pure. Mount Buzhou in particular, as the Celestial Pillar of the Primordial World, had nurtured countless rare Spirit Veins. What Xuan Chen needed was a Spirit Vein of at least the second rank. Only then could it provide Nüwa with sufficient spiritual energy for nourishment while also sustaining the operation of the Spirit-Gathering Formation.

After half an hour, Xuan Chen arrived at an exceptionally well-hidden valley. It lay between two towering peaks that pierced the clouds, its entrance so narrow that only one person could pass through at a time. Steep cliffs rose on both sides, covered in dense shrubbery that concealed the entrance perfectly. Yet the valley itself was remarkably spacious, spanning dozens of li. The ground was flat, vegetation flourished, and a clear stream trickled out from the depths of the valley, carrying a faint trace of spiritual energy.

A trace of satisfaction flashed through Xuan Chen's eyes. He could clearly sense that a second-rank Spirit Vein lay hidden beneath the valley. Its source was connected to Mount Buzhou's main Spirit Vein, supplying an endless stream of exceptionally pure spiritual energy without the slightest impurity. More importantly, the valley was extremely secluded, surrounded by dense chaos currents. Ordinary innate beings would find it almost impossible to detect its existence.

This is the place! Xuan Chen thought. He walked to the center of the valley, closed his eyes, and began sensing the Spirit Vein's precise location. A moment later, he opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them. With a wave of his right hand, the spiritual energy in his body began circulating wildly. At the same time, he secretly unsealed a trace of his Primordial Golden Immortal strength—opening a cave abode required formidable power, and Innate True Immortal cultivation alone was far from enough.

A vast and majestic force surged from Xuan Chen's body. Though it was merely a trace of Primordial Golden Immortal power, it was enough to shake the chaos currents around him. He slammed his right hand toward the ground and shouted, "Rise!"

"Rumble!"

With a deafening boom, the entire valley shook. The ground trembled violently as countless rocks and clods of earth were hurled into the air. Xuan Chen's power pierced directly into the underground Spirit Vein like a sharp sword, guiding its strength upward.

Following the cave-abode opening method provided by the system, he used the power of a Primordial Golden Immortal as a guide and the Spirit Vein's strength as a foundation, beginning to shape the cave abode's prototype. His hands continuously formed seals, and streams of golden runes flew from his fingers into the ground. Profound formation patterns gradually emerged across the earth. As more runes fused in, the outline of a massive cave abode slowly took shape.

The cave abode's entrance was located beneath a cliff on the northern side of the valley, concealed by thick shrubs and vines. Without careful observation, it would be impossible to discover. The entrance was roughly three zhang wide and five zhang high, arch-shaped, its surface covered in defensive runes carved by Xuan Chen. These runes could automatically absorb chaos currents and form an invisible defensive barrier, blocking external scrutiny and attacks.

Beyond the entrance was a long passageway. Xuan Chen had polished the walls on both sides smooth and level with his power. Luminous pearls were embedded in the walls—pearls he had gathered during his earlier journey—casting a soft glow that illuminated the passage. At its end stood a spacious main hall. The hall was around ten zhang high and twenty zhang wide. Its floor was paved with smooth jade, while countless Dao patterns were etched into its walls. These Dao patterns formed the foundation of the Spirit-Gathering Formation.

At the center of the hall stood a raised stone platform. It was about three chi high and roughly one zhang across, precisely the place where the Nuwa Stone would be set. Directly beneath it lay the core of the Spirit Vein, and spiritual energy continuously surged up from below, nourishing the platform.

Xuan Chen nodded in satisfaction. Next came the arrangement of the Spirit-Gathering Formation. It was one of the most basic and practical formations in the Primordial World, capable of gathering surrounding spiritual energy and raising the concentration of spiritual energy within the cave abode. The Spirit-Gathering Formation Xuan Chen was setting up was a simplified version provided by the system, but even so, it could raise the surrounding spiritual energy concentration by more than threefold—more than enough to meet Nüwa's cultivation needs.

He took out the bones and scales he had previously collected from Taotie. Though these materials were no supreme treasures, they contained a measure of Chaos Power and were perfect for arranging the formation eye of the Spirit-Gathering Formation. He placed Taotie's bones in specific positions to construct the formation foundation, then embedded the scales atop the bones to serve as the core of the formation eye.

After arranging the formation foundation and formation eye, Xuan Chen began injecting spiritual energy to activate the Spirit-Gathering Formation. His hands formed seals as the spiritual energy within him flowed unceasingly into the formation foundation like a babbling stream. As the energy entered, the Dao patterns on the formation foundation began to flicker, emitting a faint golden radiance. Taotie's bones and scales also began releasing weak Chaos Power, resonating with the surrounding spiritual energy.

"Hum—!"

With a soft sound, the Spirit-Gathering Formation officially activated. Countless streams of spiritual energy rapidly gathered from around the valley and, guided by the formation foundation and formation eye, poured into the cave abode. The concentration of spiritual energy within the main hall instantly increased by more than threefold, becoming dense and pure. Even a single breath made one feel thoroughly refreshed.

Xuan Chen took a deep breath, feeling the dense spiritual energy within the cave abode, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He walked to the stone platform in the center of the hall and said softly, "Disciple, this will be our home from now on. Your master has named it the 'Zichen Cave Abode.' I hope you can cultivate here in peace and take form soon."

After saying this, he turned and left the cave abode, heading for the valley where the Nuwa Stone had been before. To ensure the Nuwa Stone's safety, Xuan Chen did not carry it directly while flying. Instead, he stored it within the Primal Chaos Pearl. The Primal Chaos Pearl was not only a storage spiritual treasure—it could also isolate outside auras and protect the Nuwa Stone from being eroded by external chaos currents.

He carefully placed the Nuwa Stone inside the Primal Chaos Pearl, then swiftly returned to the Zichen Cave Abode. Once back inside, he took the Nuwa Stone out of the Primal Chaos Pearl and gently placed it upon the stone platform in the center of the main hall.

The instant the Nuwa Stone touched the platform, it sensed the nourishment of the Spirit Vein below. The Dao patterns on its surface immediately brightened, while the spiritual resonance within it pulsed with increasing joy. Xuan Chen could feel the delight Nüwa conveyed through their soul contract. Clearly, she was very satisfied with this new environment.

"Disciple, this will be your place of cultivation from now on," Xuan Chen said softly. "Your master will guard you here until you take form. Cultivate in peace. If you need anything, you can tell your master through the soul contract."

The spiritual intelligence within the stone bowed slightly toward him, transmitting an intent of gratitude. Xuan Chen smiled faintly and began arranging necessities for daily life within the cave abode. He took out the Spirit-Recovery Pills and several spiritual herbs he had received from the system's beginner gift pack, placing them on a storage rack at one side of the main hall—the rack had been refined by Xuan Chen from Taotie's bones. He then arranged a resting place in a corner of the hall and covered it with soft spiritual grass.

After finishing all this, Xuan Chen sat cross-legged in a corner of the main hall and began cultivating the Primordial Dao-Seeking Formula. He understood that if he wished to gain a foothold in the Primordial World and protect Nüwa better, he had to raise his strength as quickly as possible. The Primordial Dao-Seeking Formula contained the cultivation mysteries of a Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, perfectly matching his Innate Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Origin. With this cultivation art, his progress would surely surpass that of ordinary people by far.

He closed his eyes and circulated the Primordial Dao-Seeking Formula, guiding the spiritual energy within his body slowly along the art's pathways. The dense spiritual energy in the cave abode continuously entered his body, nourishing his meridians and dantian. He could feel his cultivation gradually improving. Although he was still some distance from breaking through to the Innate True Immortal realm, given enough time, he would certainly advance rapidly.

At the same time, under the dual nourishment of the Spirit Vein and Spirit-Gathering Formation, the Dao patterns on the Nuwa Stone in the center of the hall circulated ever faster, while the spiritual resonance within it continued to grow. The humanoid outline inside the stone became increasingly distinct, and its spiritual intelligence steadily matured. Though she still could not take form, she was already able to hold simple exchanges with Xuan Chen through their soul contract.

Xuan Chen could sense that Nüwa was silently comprehending the mysteries of the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture (prototype). Though it was only the introductory chapter, "Creation First Revealed," it had already given her an initial understanding of the Creation Dao. He knew that, given time, when Nüwa completely comprehended the Creation Dao and emerged in formed flesh, she would surely shake the entire Primordial World.

Within the Zichen Cave Abode, spiritual energy permeated the air and Dao resonance flowed. Xuan Chen sat cross-legged, cultivating with all his heart; the Nuwa Stone stood quietly, growing in silence. Master and disciple had found a peaceful pure land for cultivation amid the perilous early Primordial World, embarking upon their path through the Primordial World. Xuan Chen knew this was only the beginning. Countless challenges and opportunities awaited them in the future, but he was confident that with the system's aid and his own efforts, he would protect Nüwa well, help her grow smoothly, and ultimately join hands with her in attaining the Dao, standing atop the Primordial World!