Combing Spirit Veins, Laying the Groundwork for Nüwa's Transformation

Within the grand hall of Zichen Cave Abode, spiritual qi swirled like mist.

Xuan Chen sat cross-legged on a cushion before the Nuwa Stone, his eyes slightly closed and a faint golden halo surrounding him. He had just completed a cycle of cultivating the Primordial Dao-Seeking Formula, and the spiritual qi within him had grown even purer. Although his cultivation remained at the Innate True Immortal Realm, the strength of his soul and his comprehension of the Great Dao had already far surpassed those of beings at the same level.

He opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon the Nuwa Stone at the center of the hall. After several days of nourishment from the Spirit Veins and the enhancement of the Spirit-Gathering Formation, the Dao patterns across the Nuwa Stone's surface flowed more smoothly. The intertwined azure and golden radiance was gentle and sacred. The humanoid outline within the stone had become exceptionally clear; even the texture of its hair could be seen. Its spiritual rhythm pulsed steadily and powerfully, like the heartbeat of an adult cultivator.

However, Xuan Chen knew well that hidden dangers still remained in the Spirit Veins inside the Nuwa Stone. When chaos first opened, although the Nuwa Stone had absorbed boundless Chaos Origin Essence, it had inevitably become tainted with traces of Chaos Turbid Qi. This turbid qi had accumulated within the Spirit Veins, forming minute blockages. If it was not cleared in time, it would not only affect Nüwa's transformation speed, but might even cause her transformation to fail and leave her with Dao injuries for life.

"System, how do I comb through the disordered Spirit Veins within the Nuwa Stone?" Xuan Chen asked inwardly.

[Detected Chaos Turbid Qi blockages in disciple Nüwa's Spirit Veins. The host must use their own Primordial Unity Origin Power as a guide, supplemented by the "Spirit Vein Combing Chapter" from the Great Dao True Exposition, to clear the turbid qi and purify the Spirit Veins.]

[Notice: Combing the Spirit Veins requires 10% of the host's Origin Power. Execute?]

"Execute!" Xuan Chen answered without hesitation. For Nüwa to transform smoothly, such a small expenditure was hardly worth mentioning.

He drew a deep breath, slowly rose to his feet, and walked before the Nuwa Stone. He gently pressed both hands against its surface. Familiar warmth came from the smooth stone. The spiritual rhythm within seemed to sense his presence and began pulsing more cheerfully, conveying thoughts of trust and dependence through their soul contract.

Xuan Chen closed his eyes, sinking his mind into his body as he connected with the Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Origin hidden deep within his soul. A vast, majestic, incomparably pure golden Origin Power slowly surged forth, flowing down his arms and into the Nuwa Stone.

"Buzz—!"

The Nuwa Stone released a clear hum. The Dao patterns on its surface flared at once, while azure light intertwined with the golden Origin Power, forming a spiraling stream of radiance that roamed ceaselessly along the stone's patterns. Xuan Chen could clearly feel his Origin Power, like a trickling brook, seeping into every Spirit Vein within the Nuwa Stone.

Following the method of the "Spirit Vein Combing Chapter" in the Great Dao True Exposition, Xuan Chen guided the Origin Power slowly along the paths of the Nuwa Stone's Spirit Veins. Sure enough, strands of black Chaos Turbid Qi lurked within them. Like gangrene clinging to the bone, they stuck tightly to the Spirit Vein walls and obstructed the circulation of spiritual qi.

Xuan Chen's gaze sharpened. He activated his Origin Power, which was like a gentle hand as it softly enveloped the black turbid qi. Primordial Origin Essence contained the profound truth of purifying all things. Wrapped in that Origin Power, the Chaos Turbid Qi began to melt away like ice and snow beneath the sun, turning into wisps of black mist that seeped outward through the Spirit Veins.

"Hah—"

Xuan Chen gave a soft shout and formed hand seals. A golden rune flew from his hands and landed atop the Nuwa Stone. The rune instantly burst apart, forming a small purification formation that absorbed every wisp of escaping black turbid qi, refined it, transformed it into harmless spiritual qi, and returned it to the cave abode's Spirit-Gathering Formation.

Combing the Spirit Veins was an exceptionally delicate process that consumed immense mental effort. Xuan Chen had to remain completely focused, controlling the intensity of his Origin Power. He had to thoroughly clear the turbid qi without damaging the Nuwa Stone's fundamental Spirit Veins. He could feel that the spiritual intelligence within the stone seemed to understand what he was doing, transmitting feelings of comfort and relaxation through their soul contract. The humanoid outline also became more relaxed and at ease.

Time trickled by drop by drop. As the turbid qi was cleared away, the concentration of spiritual qi within the cave abode grew ever purer. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xuan Chen's forehead, and his face turned slightly pale—expending 10% of his Primordial Origin Essence was no burdenless matter for him at present. Yet he did not dare slacken in the slightest. He continued patiently guiding the Origin Power and combing through every minute Spirit Vein.

Three hours later, when the final wisp of black turbid qi had been cleared from the Nuwa Stone's Spirit Veins, the system notification finally sounded:

[Congratulations, host, for successfully combing disciple Nüwa's Spirit Veins and clearing the Chaos Turbid Qi!]

[Disciple Spirit Vein purity +30%. Transformation success rate increased to 70%. Cultivation speed additionally +10%.]

[System function unlocked: Secret Realm Coordinates (Kunlun Ruins).]

[Secret realm information: Kunlun Ruins is one of the ancestral veins of the Primordial World. It contains dense innate spiritual qi and lingering traces of chaos. Within lies the Innate Spiritual Root, the "Immortal Apricot," which can nourish one's origin and accelerate transformation, making it suitable for a disciple's early growth.] Secret realm danger level: Moderate (Golden Immortal-level ferocious beasts and Primordial Divine Beings may be watching).

Joy rose in Xuan Chen's heart. He let out a long breath and slowly withdrew his hands from the Nuwa Stone. He could clearly sense that the Spirit Veins within the Nuwa Stone had become incomparably smooth. The speed of spiritual qi circulation had increased by at least twice, while the aura of creation emitted by the stone had grown increasingly dense and pure, without the slightest impurity remaining.

The humanoid outline within the stone bowed slightly toward him, conveying thoughts of gratitude and joy. Though she still could not speak, Xuan Chen could sense that these thoughts were clearer and more genuine than before.

"Disciple, your Spirit Veins have been thoroughly combed. Next, your master will find a way to obtain the Innate Spiritual Root, the Immortal Apricot, from Kunlun Ruins, and help you transform as soon as possible." Xuan Chen spoke softly, his tone filled with anticipation.

Kunlun Ruins!

Xuan Chen was no stranger to that name. Within the Primordial World, Kunlun Ruins, Mount Buzhou, and Penglai Island were known as the three great lands of ancestral veins, among the places where the spiritual qi of heaven and earth was most abundant. They had nurtured countless innate spiritual treasures and Innate Spiritual Roots. As one of the finest among them, the Immortal Apricot contained pure vitality and Origin Power. To an innate being on the verge of transformation, it was undoubtedly a peerless treasure.

Yet the danger rating given by the system also kept him from letting down his guard in the slightest. Golden Immortal-level ferocious beasts and the watchful eyes of Primordial Divine Beings meant that this journey would certainly be fraught with peril. With his current strength, he could barely contend with Golden Immortal-level ferocious beasts, but if he encountered other Primordial Divine Beings—especially those likewise searching for opportunities—he would likely face considerable trouble.

"I must raise my strength as quickly as possible!" Xuan Chen pondered inwardly. His cultivation was currently sealed at the Innate True Immortal Realm by his Primordial Origin Essence. Though his true combat power far surpassed those at the same level, he still found himself somewhat inadequate when facing existences at the Golden Immortal Realm and above. Before heading to Kunlun Ruins, he needed to break through to the Golden Immortal Realm. Only then would he have a better chance of obtaining the Immortal Apricot while ensuring both his own safety and Nüwa's.

He sat cross-legged on the cushion once more, took out a Spirit-Recovery Pill, and swallowed it, beginning to restore the Origin Power he had expended. The pure spiritual qi in the cave abode continuously poured into his body, nourishing his meridians and soul. Xuan Chen could feel that his cultivation had also improved slightly during the process of combing the Spirit Veins. He seemed to have drawn another step closer to breaking through the Innate True Immortal Realm.

The Nuwa Stone stood silently upon its stone platform. Its spiritual rhythm pulsed ever more steadily and powerfully, while the Dao patterns on its surface flickered with gentle radiance, as though silently expressing gratitude for Xuan Chen's efforts. Looking at the Nuwa Stone that had accompanied him all this way, Xuan Chen's heart brimmed with a sense of responsibility. He understood that going to Kunlun Ruins was merely the first step in protecting Nüwa's growth. More challenges awaited him in the future, but he had no fear.

So long as Nüwa could transform smoothly, grow stronger, and ultimately attain the Dao and become a saint, then no matter how great the price, it would be worth it.