Fu Xi looked at Nu Wa in confusion. Though Hong Huang was home to countless races, when had a Human Race ever appeared?
"This is a race of living beings that Younger Sister created. She wishes to name them the Human Race!"
In truth, Nu Wa herself found it strange. The moment Liu Mang said "human," it was as though something inside her had been illuminated. It felt as if this race was meant to be called the Human Race.
But before this, she had never even considered what this race should be called. Why did Liu Mang know that he was human?
"Why does he know so many secrets of Hong Huang, and even possess the ability to foresee the future? Was he born knowing everything, or was there some other reason?"
"Younger Sister, does the Human Race have such a high starting point? They're born with Innate Dao Bodies?"
After examining Liu Mang and Xuan Du, Fu Xi discovered that both possessed Innate Dao Bodies and asked in disbelief.
These were Innate Dao Bodies! Aside from those with profound origins, it was a physique that all the races of Hong Huang dreamed of possessing.
It was also the best body for any living being to cultivate the Dao. One could say that with an Innate Dao Body, one had already taken a huge step down the path to sainthood.
"Of course not. The two of them merely gained such profound origins because I had an insight while comprehending the Dao, along with the Heavenly Dao's assistance." Nu Wa glanced at them and explained awkwardly.
What are you embarrassed about? Just call us test subjects! Liu Mang said recklessly in his mind. Earlier, he had heard Nu Wa muttering, "Looks like the path to attaining the Dao is correct!"
Hearing his voice in her mind, Nu Wa glared at Liu Mang angrily.
And you still had the nerve to say that?
If you hadn't been unresponsive for so long, would I have needed to conduct an experiment separately?
The more Nu Wa thought about it, the angrier she became. You unfilial brat, just wait.
Hiss... Why do I suddenly feel a chill down my back? Could that old thief Hong Jun be plotting against me?
After thinking for a moment, Nu Wa continued speaking to Fu Xi. "As for living beings with such profound origins, even I can only create three thousand at a time."
"Only? At a time? Younger Sister, did you misspeak? These are Innate Dao Bodies!"
Fu Xi looked at Liu Mang and Xuan Du, his eyes filled with envy.
"I'm even considering reincarnating as a human myself!"
Oh ho, you jinx! If Hong Jun hears that, do you think he'll let you off? You're courting death!
Liu Mang's words startled Nu Wa as well, and she hurriedly warned him, "Big Brother, you must not speak so carelessly. The Heavenly Dao is aware of all things."
"We siblings are merely talking. It's no great matter!" Fu Xi did not care at all. His thoughts were entirely fixed on the Innate Dao Bodies. One moment he poked Liu Mang, the next he poked Xuan Du.
Nu Wa suspected that the Dao Ancestor was not someone she could speak openly about to Fu Xi. Seeing that he was taking none of it seriously, she could only use her ultimate move—being unreasonable.
"I don't care. Anyway, you're not allowed to say such things again. If you do, Younger Sister will never speak to you again!"
Seeing Nu Wa use her finishing move, Fu Xi could only surrender. For a sister-obsessed man, what could possibly be more devastating than "I'll never speak to you again"?
"Alright, alright. Your elder brother was wrong, I was wrong. I won't say it again."
Wow, this adorable little girl is Nu Wa? Oh my god! Who would believe it if I told them? Quick, look a few more times and etch it into my soul!
Just as Nu Wa was delighted by Fu Xi's promise, Liu Mang's voice rang out again. Turning her head, she discovered that he was staring at her without blinking while forcefully yanking out his own leg hair, grimacing in pain.
Nu Wa raised her hand and gave Liu Mang a red packet. It landed squarely in the middle of his forehead.
In just one second, Liu Mang became a man with a prominent horn on his head.
Soul etching, my ass! I'll teach you what soul etching is!
Your soul etching means that whenever you pull out a leg hair in the future, you'll remember this scene, right?
I thought it was some miraculous cultivation technique!
You were actually trying to be awkward with me!
"If a fourth person learns of this, I'll send you to tend the fire for Senior Brother Tai Shang for ten thousand years!"
Liu Mang sucked in a sharp breath and immediately sold out Xuan Du!
"Hiss, that harsh? What if he's the one who tells?"
"I didn't see anything!"
After saying that, Xuan Du squatted down and began counting ants, clearly looking busy and unavailable.
Damn it!
The way I, Liu Mang, survive in this world is by betraying brothers, cheating and swindling, framing others, biting the hand that feeds me, and caring for girls. I never expected that in the blink of an eye, you'd already gained ten percent of my skill!
Did I hear someone call me a coward? Is that cowardice? That's called knowing when to bend and when to stand tall! Bah, you're nothing!
In an instant, Nu Wa felt as though her Dao heart had become unstable, and her Three Corpses nearly emerged all at once.
Evil Corpse: Huh? Kill this little bastard! Just kill him!
Good Corpse: You're right! Just kill him!
True Self Corpse: Sigh, calm down, calm down. You made him with your own hands, with your own hands!
Nu Wa took a deep breath and did her utmost to suppress the urge to kill Liu Mang. Instead, she looked at him with a grave expression.
If Liu Mang truly conducted himself this way, Nu Wa would not mind eliminating him early, even if she did not know what Hong Jun intended to do.
Otherwise, once Liu Mang grew up, he would be even more harmful to Hong Huang than Hong Jun.
After all, compared to hypocrites, true villains were even more unscrupulous and reckless.
The instant Nu Wa looked over, Liu Mang once again felt the pressure from the beginning, comparable to the weight of a twenty-story building. The pressure was now even greater than before.
He did not know why Nu Wa had changed like this, but he still struggled to raise his head and stared unblinkingly at her.
Anyone stronger than me can kill me, but if they want to crush me, they can keep dreaming!
Time slowly passed, and Liu Mang could no longer tell how long it had been.
He felt as though even a yawn from Xuan Du beside him could blow him over.
Yet he continued to meet Nu Wa's gaze until a smile once more appeared in her eyes.
Liu Mang felt as though he had just been pulled from the water. His body went limp, and he nearly fell to his knees.
Nu Wa raised a hand and supported Liu Mang from afar. Looking at him, she slowly spoke.
"Originally, I had not intended to acknowledge you. But since Big Brother agreed on my behalf, it means that you and I share the fate of mother and son."
"Remember this feeling forever. In the future, you must never betray trust or harm Hong Huang. Otherwise, I will ensure that your body and soul are utterly destroyed."
"Your child shall heed Mother's teachings! Should I violate them, may heaven and earth reject me!" Liu Mang looked at Nu Wa. His tone was solemn, but his expression remained calm.
"As your mother, I shall give you a name. I bestow upon you the name..."
"Mother! I already have a name. My name is Liu Mang."
Before Nu Wa could finish, Liu Mang hurriedly spoke, afraid that if he delayed even a second, his name would be taken from him.
"Is this a name you chose for yourself?"
Nu Wa looked confused, unable to understand why Liu Mang was so attached to it.
"Yes. It somehow feels as though it has been with me since my previous life!"
Liu Mang smiled faintly at Nu Wa.
I can't let you randomly name me. What if you call me Gou Dan? Wouldn't that be humiliating!
"Liu Mang, Liu Mang... Why do I feel that your name has such an improper air about it?"
"How about Gou Dan instead?"
Liu Mang was speechless. Just what he feared had come true.
Fu Xi was utterly bewildered as well. Gou Dan? Wasn't that even worse than Liu Mang? If this was not intentional, he would not believe it even if beaten to death.
But seeing the smile on Nu Wa's face, Fu Xi could not say anything more.
As long as you're happy!
Gou Dan it was, then. It was not as if he were the one being called Gou Dan.
Of course Nu Wa was happy. Liu Mang had been so arrogant in her mind for so long, and this time she had finally gotten the better of him.
Thinking about how there would often be days like this in the future, Nu Wa laughed aloud.
"Gou Dan, Mother is telling you that a name is merely a designation. What one is called does not really matter."
"Don't judge Gou Dan by how it looks on the surface. In truth, there's nothing good about it on the inside either!"
"The main thing is that being born in Hong Huang is difficult, living is difficult, and life itself is difficult. A cheap name is easier to raise. Mother is thinking of your sake."
I don't want to be called Gou Dan!
When I fight in the future and we announce our names, if I say Gou Dan, won't people laugh themselves to death!
Thinking of the scene Liu Mang described, Nu Wa laughed even more happily!
Ignoring Liu Mang's rolling around and tantrum-filled objections, she resolutely gave him that name.
How will I ever face the fairies of Hong Huang again? Greetings, Fairy. Gou Dan pays his respects!
Having gained immense satisfaction in her heart, Nu Wa turned to Xuan Du.
"Though you and I do not share the fate of mother and son, after making deductions, I learned that you will have your own destined connection in the future. As for your name..."
Before Nu Wa could finish, Xuan Du hurriedly interrupted, "I have a name. Xuan Du. Second Brother gave it to me."
Nu Wa had not known what name to give him, but after hearing the name Liu Mang had chosen, she thought for a moment.
"Xuan Du? It truly is a good name. Do not disappoint it."
Xuan Du let out a long breath of relief. At least he had not ended up like Liu Mang. If she had called him Mao Dan instead, he would have cried himself to death.
"I shall obey."
After handling all this, Nu Wa finally looked toward Fu Xi.
"Elder Brother, their appearance proves that I have not gone wrong on my path to attaining the Dao!"
"Next, I ask Big Brother to protect me and assist Younger Sister in attaining the Dao."
Fu Xi took out the Bagua Diagram and made preparations for defense. "Rest easy, Younger Sister. As long as I am here, not a single person will disturb you."
"I shall rely entirely on Elder Brother!" As Nu Wa spoke, she kicked Liu Mang, who was playing dead, in the backside and sent him to his feet. "Get up. Watch how I create humans. It will benefit you."
As she spoke, Nu Wa returned to the side of the stone platform, lowered herself into a seated position, resumed her twenty-story-tall form, and began calming her breath.
"The Twelve Ancestral Witches, along with Great Witch Jiu Feng, have come specifically to congratulate fellow Daoist Nu Wa on finding an opportunity to attain the Dao."
Oh ho, the fighters are here!
Before you continue