Origin Blessing, Awakening Intelligence and Advancement

Within Zichen Cave Abode, the Primal Chaos Pearl hovered overhead. A black halo shrouded the great hall, intertwining with the golden spiritual energy emitted by the Spirit-Gathering Formation to form an impregnable defensive barrier. Xuan Chen sat cross-legged, cultivating intently while remaining constantly alert to the movements of Luo Hou's remnant soul outside.

Over the past few days, Luo Hou's remnant soul had lingered around the outskirts of the valley without launching an attack, clearly searching for flaws in the defensive restrictions. Xuan Chen was more than happy with this. It gave him the perfect opportunity to raise his strength while making the final preparations for Nüwa's transformation.

After several days of cultivation, Xuan Chen's cultivation had drawn infinitely close to the Golden Immortal Realm. The spiritual energy within him had grown ever more refined, while his Primordial Origin Essence had recovered to its peak. He knew it was time to use the final Origin Blessing, completely awaken Nüwa's intelligence, and begin the transformation ritual.

"System, use Origin Blessing," Xuan Chen silently said in his heart.

[The host has chosen to use Origin Blessing. This blessing will focus on raising the disciple's intelligence maturity. Confirm?]

[Notice: After Origin Blessing is used, the disciple's intelligence maturity may exceed 50%, reaching the standard for transformation. However, it may trigger a stronger Heavenly Dao response and draw the attention of more innate beings.]

"Confirm!" Xuan Chen responded without hesitation. There was no time to worry about so much now. The sooner Nüwa transformed, the sooner she would possess greater ability to protect herself against Luo Hou's remnant soul and any other covetous beings who might appear.

In an instant, a purer and more vast golden force of origin than before surged from the depths of Xuan Chen's soul. This power contained endless profundities of the Great Dao and the force to nourish the soul. Like a ray of warm sunlight, it slowly enveloped the Nuwa Stone.

"Bzzzz—!"

The Nuwa Stone let out a hum that shook the entire cave abode. The Dao patterns on its surface whirled madly as azure and golden light intertwined, forming a massive cocoon of light that tightly wrapped the entire stone. This cocoon was more dazzling and sturdier than the one formed during the previous Origin Blessing, and the aura of creation it emitted was even denser, spreading beyond the cave abode's defensive restrictions.

Xuan Chen could clearly sense the power of the Origin Blessing nourishing the intelligence within the Nuwa Stone like spring rain. The humanoid outline inside the stone became increasingly distinct. Her once-illusory figure gradually solidified, her features, hair, and flowing robes all clearly visible, like a real woman standing quietly within the cocoon of light.

Her spiritual rhythm beat with greater steadiness and strength. Through their soul contract, Xuan Chen could clearly feel Nüwa's intelligence rapidly maturing. Her once-muddled and vague thoughts grew clearer and more concrete. They were no longer merely simple emotional transmissions; she could now form complete thoughts and even respond to his words.

"Master..."

A crisp, gentle woman's voice sounded directly in the depths of Xuan Chen's soul. This time, it was no longer a vague intention, but a true voice—heavenly music to the ear, carrying a trace of youthful innocence yet incomparably clear.

An indescribable surge of excitement and joy instantly rose in Xuan Chen's heart, and his eyes reddened slightly. He had waited too long for this day! From crossing into the Primordial World, to encountering Taotie, to finding the Nuwa Stone and forging their master-disciple contract, every effort had received its richest reward at this moment.

"Disciple, you can speak clearly now?" Xuan Chen's voice trembled slightly with astonished delight.

"Mm... Master..." Nüwa's voice rang out again. It still carried a hint of bewilderment, but she could already clearly answer his question. "My intelligence... has become... much clearer... Thank you, Master..."

"Good child, there's no need to thank me." Xuan Chen smiled, his heart filled with warmth. "This is what your master should do. I'm proud that you awakened your intelligence so smoothly."

Within the cocoon of light, Nüwa's figure gave him a slight bow. Though he still could not see her face, Xuan Chen could feel that she must be wearing a grateful smile.

The power of the Origin Blessing continued pouring in, and Nüwa's intelligence grew at a tremendous pace. She began actively absorbing the origin force within the cocoon and the spiritual energy in the cave abode. Her comprehension of the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture (prototype) also deepened without pause. Xuan Chen could sense that her understanding of the Creation Dao had already surpassed that of ordinary Golden Immortal-level beings, even rivaling certain long-established innate sacred beings.

He began trying to teach Nüwa some basic cultivation methods and common knowledge of the Primordial World.

"Disciple, in the Primordial World, the strong prey upon the weak. Only with sufficient strength can one gain a foothold. You possess the Primal Creation Body and the inheritance of the Heaven-Mending Genesis Scripture. Your future achievements are limitless, but you will inevitably draw countless covetous eyes, just like that wisp of Luo Hou's remnant soul outside." Xuan Chen spoke slowly. "Therefore, you must transform as soon as possible and raise your strength, so that you can protect yourself."

"Mm... Master... I understand..." Nüwa's voice carried a trace of determination. "I will... do my utmost to transform... and guard our home... together with Master..."

"Good!" Warmth filled Xuan Chen's heart. "Transformation requires a tremendous amount of origin force and spiritual energy. Your master has already sorted out your spiritual veins. Next, I will head to the Kunlun Ruins to seek an Innate Spiritual Root, the Immortal Apricot. With the Immortal Apricot's nourishment, your chances of successful transformation will be greater, and your starting point after transforming will be higher as well."

"Kunlun Ruins... Immortal Apricot..." Nüwa's voice carried a trace of curiosity. "Is it... dangerous there?"

"Danger is unavoidable." Xuan Chen answered frankly. "There are Golden Immortal-level ferocious beasts in the Kunlun Ruins, as well as other innate sacred beings with covetous intentions. But your master will proceed carefully and will certainly bring back the Immortal Apricot for you. During the time I am gone, remain in the cave abode. Calmly absorb the power of the Origin Blessing, stabilize your intelligence, and wait for my return."

"Mm... Master... you must... be careful..." A trace of worry seeped through Nüwa's voice. Through the soul contract, Xuan Chen could clearly feel her concern.

"Don't worry. Your master will be fine." Xuan Chen smiled in reassurance. "The cave abode is protected by the Primal Chaos Pearl and defensive restrictions. That wisp of Luo Hou's remnant soul outside would not dare barge in lightly. Besides, your master's strength is not to be underestimated. Dealing with a few Golden Immortal-level existences is still well within my power."

Just then, the system notification sounded once more:

[Congratulations to the host for completing Origin Blessing. Disciple Nüwa's intelligence maturity has reached 50%, meeting the standard for transformation!]

[Transformation ritual activation requirements: An Innate Spiritual Root (Immortal Apricot) must serve as the primary material, supplemented by 100 century-old spiritual herbs and 10 drops of Golden Immortal-level ferocious beast essence blood. The ritual must be activated on the night of the full moon (the Primordial World has neither sun nor moon; the peak of the Chaos Current Tide shall serve as the standard).]

[Notice: The peak of the Chaos Current Tide will arrive in seven days. Please gather the materials required for transformation as soon as possible.]

[Warning: Origin Blessing has triggered an intense Heavenly Dao response. Innate beings within a radius of ten thousand li can sense the creation aura of the Nuwa Stone. More covetous beings are expected to arrive. Please prepare accordingly.]

Xuan Chen's heart tightened. As expected, the commotion caused by the Origin Blessing had been too great, triggering an intense Heavenly Dao response. The coming days would likely be far from peaceful. The Chaos Current Tide would reach its peak in seven days. Within those seven days, he had to travel to the Kunlun Ruins, find the Immortal Apricot, gather the other transformation materials, return before the tide's peak, and activate the transformation ritual.

Time was pressing; not a moment could be delayed!

He looked toward Nüwa within the cocoon of light and said softly, "Disciple, the conditions for transformation have been met. Seven days from now will be the peak of the Chaos Current Tide. Your master must depart at once for the Kunlun Ruins to seek the Immortal Apricot and the other transformation materials. Wait peacefully in the cave abode. Your master will certainly return on time and begin the transformation ritual with you."

"Mm... Master... I'll wait for you..." Nüwa's voice held a trace of reluctance. "You must... return safely..."

"Don't worry. Your master promises you that I will return safely." Xuan Chen spoke solemnly. He reached out and gently stroked the cocoon of light. "The cave abode's defensive restrictions and the Primal Chaos Pearl will protect you. No matter what happens, do not leave the cave abode. Wait for your master to return."

"I understand... Master..."

Xuan Chen took a deep breath. No longer hesitating, he turned and walked toward the cave abode's exit. He circulated the Chaos Breath Concealment Art to its limit, suppressing his aura, while reinforcing the Primal Chaos Pearl's defensive barrier to its strongest state.

After leaving the cave abode, Xuan Chen raised his head toward the summit of the mountain peak on the western side of the valley. That wisp of black mist still lurked there. Sensing his presence, a faint, concealed killing intent drifted from within the mist.

Xuan Chen's gaze turned cold. Ignoring that wisp of remnant soul, his figure flashed as he shot from the valley like a phantom, racing in the direction of the Kunlun Ruins. He understood that a race against time had begun. He had to gather the transformation materials as quickly as possible and let Nüwa transform at the earliest opportunity. Only then could they plant their feet firmly in this perilous Primordial World.