Five Things Needed to Get By

Fu Xi looked at Nu Wa with a puzzled expression; although Hong Huang was filled with myriad races, when had this "Human Race" ever appeared?

"This is a race of living beings created by this Younger Sister, and I wish to name them the Human Race!"

In truth, Nu Wa was also quite bewildered. The moment Liu Mang uttered the word "Human," it was as if her heart had been illuminated, as if this race was destined to be called the Human Race.

Yet, before this, she had never even considered a name for this race. Why did Liu Mang know she was meant to create humans?

Why does he know so many secrets of Hong Huang, and possess the ability to foresee the future? Is he born with such knowledge? Or is there another reason?

"Younger Sister, is the starting point of the Human Race this high? They are born with the Innate Dao Body?"

After examining both Liu Mang and Xuan Du, Fu Xi discovered that both possessed the Innate Dao Body and asked in disbelief.

This was the Innate Dao Body, after all—a physique that every race in Hong Huang dreamed of, save for those with exceptionally deep foundations.

It was the best vessel for any living being to cultivate the Dao; one could say that with the Innate Dao Body, one had already taken a massive step on the path to becoming a Saint.

"Of course not. The two of them only possess such foundations because of an epiphany I had while meditating on the Dao, combined with the assistance of the Heavenly Dao," Nu Wa explained, glancing at the two of them with a hint of embarrassment.

[Why be shy? Just call them test subjects!] Liu Mang thought to himself without restraint, having heard Nu Wa's earlier muttering. [It seems the path to proving the Dao is correct!]

Hearing the voice in her mind, Nu Wa glared at Liu Mang in anger.

Do you even have the face to say that?

If you hadn't been unresponsive for so long, would I have had to conduct experiments on my own?

The more Nu Wa thought about it, the angrier she became. Just you wait, you rebellious child.

[Hiss~ Why did my back suddenly feel cold? Is that old thief Hong Jun plotting against me?]

Nu Wa pondered for a moment before continuing to Fu Xi: "For living beings with such deep foundations, even I can only create three thousand at a time."

"Only? You say 'only'? Younger Sister, are you mistaken? This is the Innate Dao Body!"

Fu Xi looked at Liu Mang and Xuan Du, his eyes filled with envy.

"I'm actually considering whether I should reincarnate and become a human!"

[Oh ho, you crow-mouthed fool! If Hong Jun hears that, do you think he'll let you off? You're courting death!]

Hearing Liu Mang's words, Nu Wa was also startled and quickly warned him: "Big Brother, you must not speak such words lightly. You must know that the Heavenly Dao is perceptive."

"We are just siblings talking, it is of no consequence!" Fu Xi didn't care at all, his mind entirely focused on the Innate Dao Body as he poked Liu Mang and then Xuan Du.

Nu Wa suspected that even the Dao Ancestor would not be able to explain things clearly to Fu Xi. Seeing that he took no heed, she had no choice but to use her ultimate trump card: unreasonable pestering.

"I don't care! In any case, you are not allowed to say that again. If you do, this Younger Sister will never speak to you again!"

Seeing Nu Wa use her trump card, Fu Xi had no choice but to surrender. For a sister-obsessed brother, what could be more lethal than being ignored by her?

"Fine, fine, fine. This brother was wrong, this brother was wrong. I won't say it again."

[Wow, is this cute girl really Nu Wa? My god~ who would believe it if I told them! I need to take a good look, I'm soul-imprinting this!]

Just as Nu Wa was rejoicing over Fu Xi's promise, Liu Mang's voice rang out again. Turning her head, she found him staring at her unblinkingly while pinching his own leg hair so hard he was grimacing in pain.

Nu Wa raised her hand and bestowed a "red envelope" upon Liu Mang, landing squarely in the center of his forehead.

In just one second, Liu Mang sprouted a prominent, horn-like bump.

What the hell is "soul-imprinting"? I'll teach you soul-imprinting!

So your "soul-imprinting" means that every time you pull your leg hair, you'll recall this scene, is that it?

And here I thought it was some magical technique~

To think you'd play such a cringey game with me!

"If a fourth person finds out about this, I will send you to tend the fires for Senior Brother Tai Shang for ten thousand years!"

Liu Mang gasped, and immediately sold Xuan Du out!

"Hiss, that harsh? Then what if he's the one who says it?"

"I didn't see anything!"

After saying this, Xuan Du squatted on the ground and began counting ants, clearly in a "busy, don't disturb" mode.

[Holy crap!]

[I, Liu Mang, have survived in this world by betraying brothers, swindling, framing others, being a two-faced snake, and caring for young ladies. I never expected you to master a layer of my skills in the blink of an eye!]

[Did I hear someone say I'm a coward? Is that what you call it? That's called being flexible! Bah, nothing of the sort!]

In an instant, Nu Wa felt her Dao heart waver, and her Three Corpses nearly manifested simultaneously.

Evil Corpse: Heh, this little brat, let's just kill him! Just kill him!

Good Corpse: You're right! Just kill him!

True Self Corpse: Sigh, calm down, calm down. You molded him yourself, you molded him yourself!

Nu Wa took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the urge to kill Liu Mang, and instead looked at him with a stern expression.

If Liu Mang truly conducted himself in such a manner, Nu Wa would not mind eliminating him early, even if she didn't know what Hong Jun's plans were.

Otherwise, once Liu Mang grew up, he would be a greater threat to Hong Huang than Hong Jun himself.

After all, compared to a hypocrite, a true villain is far more unbridled and reckless.

The moment Nu Wa looked over, Liu Mang once again felt that initial pressure, comparable to a twenty-story building, and it was even more intense than before.

He did not know why Nu Wa had undergone such a change, yet he still struggled to keep his head held high, his gaze fixed unblinkingly upon her.

Anyone stronger than me can kill me, but as for breaking me? Keep dreaming!

Time slowly ticked away; Liu Mang could no longer tell how much had passed.

He felt that if Xuan Du were to even yawn beside him, the force of it would be enough to blow him over.

Yet, he continued to stare straight into Nu Wa's eyes, until a smile finally reappeared within them.

Liu Mang felt as if he had been fished out of water; his body went limp, and he nearly collapsed to his knees.

Nu Wa reached out, supporting Liu Mang with a phantom force, and looked at him as she spoke slowly.

"Originally, I did not intend to acknowledge you, but since Elder Brother has accepted this on my behalf, it means you and I share the bond of mother and son."

"Remember this feeling today forever. In the future, you must never act with treachery or bring disaster upon Hong Huang, or I shall surely see you reduced to dust."

"This child will strictly follow Mother's teachings! Should I ever violate them, may I perish by the heavens and earth!" Liu Mang looked at Nu Wa, his tone solemn yet his expression frank.

"As your mother, let me give you a name. I bestow upon you the name..."

"Mother! I have a name; I am called Liu Mang."

Before Nu Wa could finish, Liu Mang spoke up in a hurry, terrified that if he were a second late, his name would be taken from him.

"This is a name you chose for yourself?"

Nu Wa looked puzzled, unable to fathom why Liu Mang was so attached to such a name.

"Yes, I just feel like it has been with me since my past life!"

Liu Mang smiled faintly at Nu Wa.

[I can't let you name me blindly. If you call me Gou Dan, wouldn't I lose all my face!]

"Liu Mang, Liu Mang... why do I feel like your name is always overflowing with a sense of impropriety?"

"How about you be called Gou Dan?"

Liu Mang was speechless; it was truly a case of fearing what you get.

Fu Xi, meanwhile, was completely bewildered. Gou Dan? That's even worse than Liu Mang, isn't it? If someone told him this wasn't intentional, he wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death.

But seeing the smile on Nu Wa's face, Fu Xi found it difficult to say anything more.

As long as you are happy!

If she wants to call him Gou Dan, then Gou Dan it is. At least the one being called Gou Dan isn't him.

Nu Wa was naturally pleased. Liu Mang had been arrogant in her mind for so long, and this time, she had finally managed to get the better of him.

Thinking about how there would be many such days in the future, Nu Wa couldn't help but chuckle aloud.

"Gou Dan, Mother tells you this: a name is merely a code. In truth, it doesn't matter what you are called."

"Don't look at Gou Dan as if it's not much on the surface; in reality, it's not much on the inside either!"

"The main thing is that life in Hong Huang is not easy, surviving is not easy, living is not easy. A lowly name is easier to raise. Mother is doing this for your own good."

[I don't want to be called Gou Dan!]

[In the future, when I fight and announce my name, 'Gou Dan'—wouldn't that make people laugh themselves to death!]

At the thought of the scene Liu Mang described, Nu Wa laughed even more happily!

Ignoring Liu Mang's protests and tantrums, she resolutely decided on this name for him.

[What face do I have left to see the fairies of Hong Huang! 'Greetings, Fairy, this one is Gou Dan!'—how could I!]

Nu Wa, her heart filled with great satisfaction, turned her head to look at Xuan Du.

"Although you and I do not share the bond of mother and son, I have divined that you will have your own destined path in the future. As for your name..."

Before Nu Wa could finish, Xuan Du hurriedly interrupted: "I have a name, Xuan Du. My Second Brother gave it to me."

Nu Wa had not known what name to give him anyway, but after hearing the name Liu Mang had chosen, she pondered for a moment.

"Xuan Du? It is indeed a good name. Do not fail it."

Xuan Du let out a long sigh of relief. It was fortunate that it wasn't like Liu Mang's situation; if she had made him go by 'Mao Dan', he would have cried himself to death.

"I shall strictly obey your decree."

Having finished dealing with all this, Nu Wa finally looked at Fu Xi.

"Elder Brother, their appearance proves that my path to enlightenment is not wrong!"

"Next, I must ask you to protect me, Elder Brother, and assist me in attaining enlightenment."

Fu Xi spoke as he took out the Bagua Diagram, preparing his defenses. "Do not worry, Little Sister. As long as I am here, absolutely no one will disturb you."

"I rely entirely on you, Elder Brother!" Nu Wa said, then kicked the playing-dead Liu Mang in the backside, forcing him to his feet. "Get up quickly. Watching my method of creating humans will be of benefit to you."

As she spoke, Nu Wa returned to the side of the stone platform, sat down, and allowed her form to return to the height of a twenty-story building, beginning to focus her breath and adjust her state.

"The Twelve Ancestral Witches, along with the Great Witch Jiu Feng, have come specifically to congratulate Fellow Daoist Nu Wa on finding the opportunity for enlightenment."

[Oh ho, the ones here to fight have arrived!]