Chapter Ten: An Encounter with Nuwa at Mount Buzhou, Chaos Erupts in the Wilds

As Chenxing strode toward Buzhou Mountain, he worried that the little sprite might be oppressed by the will of Pangu that lingered there. With a gentle touch of his finger between the sprite’s brows, the Creation Green Lotus of Twelve Grades shrank to the size of a fingernail and floated at the center of her forehead. Nestled in Chenxing’s arms, the little sprite sensed his care, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

Chenxing leisurely made his way up the slopes of Buzhou Mountain, the sprite in tow. It was only after several years that they reached halfway up the mountain. One day, cradled in Chenxing’s arms, the little sprite suddenly spoke: “Brother, I feel something calling to me.”

Chenxing paused, releasing his spiritual sense, and couldn’t help but laugh. It turned out to be the Pure World White Lotus of Twelve Grades. This lotus should have been destined for the Three Pure Ones: to become Laozi’s horsetail whisk, Yuanshi’s Jade Scepter, and Tongtian’s Azure Sword. Yet, because the little sprite’s heart was so pure, the Pure World White Lotus manifested ahead of time, drawing her fate and snatching away an opportunity meant for the Three Pure Ones.

Chenxing understood that the Pure World White Lotus was perfectly attuned to the little sprite and would become her future treasure for enlightenment.

After a moment’s thought, he waved his hand, and the White Lotus appeared in his palm. The protective array around it did not react at all. He mused, “Since the little sprite is so compatible with the White Lotus, why leave it for the Three Pure Ones? At worst, I’ll compensate them later. The little sprite is more important.” As for so-called karmic consequences, would Chenxing need to care?

He handed the White Lotus to the little sprite casually. “Take it. When you have time, refine it.”

“Thank you, brother!” The little sprite took the lotus, her happiness boundless—this was her very first treasure.

As the master of the Primordial Chaos, Chenxing knew the battle methods of every world across all realms. He found it rather ridiculous that in the Wilds, regardless of one’s cultivation, battles were always about smashing each other with artifacts—it was as if victory belonged to whoever wielded the hardest, heaviest weapon. It was crude and lacked any finesse.

Not so in another Middle World within the Primordial Chaos, where cultivators developed their potential, tempering both body and soul in harmony with treasures. They could shatter heavens and earth all the same. Though the levels there were not as profound as in the Wilds, the strongest could still rival the Golden Immortals of the Wilds, grasping stars in the palm of their hands, transcending the river of fate, overlooking past and future.

In one era, a child of destiny, seeking to revive his loved ones and reach a higher realm, cleaved through time, space, and epochs with a single sword, traversing chaos in search of the Great Dao.

Thus, when Chenxing taught the little sprite her cultivation, he offered more than one path to enlightenment. He was determined not to let her simply rely on treasures to bludgeon her way through life.

If cultivators of the same realm from that other world came to the Wilds, they could likely sweep all rivals before them, even defeating those of higher realms. Unfortunately, the Heavenly Dao of that world had developed some issues, and even the Great Dao had fallen into slumber, making further advancement exceedingly difficult. Chenxing considered waiting until the little sprite had reached a high enough level, then taking her to visit that world and, in the process, resolve its broken Heavenly Dao and Great Dao.

That was why he had never sought treasures for the little sprite. Encountering the Pure World White Lotus today, perfectly suited for her, he didn’t dwell on it. Since the right treasure had come of its own accord, why refuse it?

Just as the little sprite put away the White Lotus, far away on Kunlun Mountain, the Three Pure Ones felt a sudden emptiness, as if something crucial had been lost. Yet, with the great tribulation upon them and destiny clouded, none could discern the cause. With a sigh, they closed their eyes and continued their cultivation.

Happily, Chenxing and the little sprite continued to play and ascend toward the summit of Buzhou Mountain. As they neared the top, they suddenly discovered a hidden formation. Both were delighted, thinking yet another treasure was about to emerge.

The moment Chenxing was about to act, the formation opened on its own, and a man stepped out, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Daoist Brother. I am Fuxi.”

Chenxing was about to return the salute when he saw a young woman step out from behind Fuxi. She appeared to be seventeen or eighteen, her figure graceful, her nose delicate, and her large, curious eyes fixed on Chenxing and the little sprite—she was undeniably charming.

Fuxi pulled his sister closer and introduced her. “This is my sister, Nuwa.”

Chenxing bowed as well. “I am Chenxing, an alchemist from Fangzhang Island in the Eastern Sea. Greetings, Fuxi and Nuwa.” He then gestured to the little sprite at his side. “This is my... er... sister, Little Sprite.”

After the exchange of courtesies, Nuwa asked with curiosity, “Daoist Chenxing, how is it that you two made it this far? The Pangu pressure of Buzhou Mountain seems to have no effect on you. My brother and I were born here—otherwise, we could not have withstood it.”

Chenxing’s lips twitched, and he replied with a hint of helplessness, “You may not know, but the two of us have a couple of treasures that just barely protect us.” He could hardly say that Pangu himself had been rescued by him and that this little pressure was nothing.

“Oh!” Nuwa nodded as if understanding. Fuxi, on the side, looked on enviously. “You are truly fortunate.” He too possessed a companion spirit treasure—the Fuxi Zither—yet it was only a mid-grade innate spiritual treasure, while those able to withstand the present Pangu pressure of Buzhou Mountain were at least high-grade innate treasures.

The Buzhou Mountain of today was not the same as in the great war between witches and demons. Back then, Pangu’s pressure had largely dissipated, and nearly all beings could climb the mountain. The demon race even built their heavenly court atop its summit. Now, even a Golden Immortal would struggle to reach the peak.

Seeing the envy in Fuxi’s eyes, Chenxing changed the subject. “To be born here, you two are truly blessed!”

“Not at all, Daoist. Compared to you, my sister and I are less fortunate. With the great tribulation looming, it’s all we can do to keep ourselves safe.” Fuxi sighed. He could see that the little sprite’s cultivation was at the Golden Immortal stage, but Chenxing’s was unfathomable—clearly above his own.

Chenxing looked the siblings over. Both were early-stage Golden Immortals—outstanding in the present Wilds, but still a distance from the top experts. Knowing that Fuxi and Nuwa would one day be closely connected to the human race—Nuwa herself would create humanity—he felt a fondness for them and wished to help.

“Since fate has brought us together, why don’t we have a discussion on the Dao here?” Chenxing suggested.

Fuxi was overjoyed, recognizing this as a great opportunity for himself and his sister. “Our Daoist abode is just ahead. Please, this way!” With that, he led Chenxing towards their abode.

Fuxi did not notice the little sprite’s pouting lips and unhappy face as she held Chenxing’s hand. Her brother had just spent a thousand years teaching the island’s creatures, and they had barely had time to play, yet now he was going to discuss the Dao with others again. The little sprite was thoroughly disgruntled.

Noticing her displeasure, Chenxing patted her head. “You should focus on your cultivation, too. Have you forgotten how frightened you were recently? Take this time to refine the White Lotus.”

The magic of a head-pat was undeniable. The little sprite instantly brightened, nodding her head vigorously. “Alright, brother! I will cultivate diligently and grow up soon so I can protect you!”

Chenxing rolled his eyes. For the little sprite to protect him—such a wish was unlikely ever to come true. But he didn’t dampen her spirits, replying casually, “Very well. I’ll rely on you to protect me in the future.”

With renewed energy, the little sprite grabbed Chenxing’s hand and hurried forward, urging, “Come on, brother! I need to start cultivating!”

...

Turning away from Chenxing, Fuxi, and Nuwa’s discussion upon Buzhou Mountain, the Wilds were plunged into misery after Shennie’s rampage. Countless beings wailed, and even the great gods found it hard to remain idle, though the time to act had not yet come.

In the wake of the beasts’ slaughter, thousands of years passed in a flash. Countless beings were massacred; resentment and murderous energy filled the Wilds. The sky was haunted by the anguished souls of the slain, for in these days, the Six Paths of Reincarnation had yet to form. These spirits could only slowly fade away with the passage of time, while resentment and malice seeped unnoticed into a mysterious place in the West.

One day, Shennie led his army to within a million miles of Buzhou Mountain. As the great gods cultivated, they sensed the awakening of the Heavenly Dao. All living beings now understood: the time to act had come.

“Fierce beasts slaughter the beings of the Wilds, seeking the destruction of the land—the Heavenly Dao is enraged! If not now, when?” A thunderous roar echoed across the Wilds. A colossal cauldron flew from the distance, smashing into the beast army and annihilating hundreds of thousands in an instant.

As the slaughter raged and the cauldron flew back to the distance, a beam of golden light descended from the sky, landing where the cauldron had come from—it was the merit of the Heavenly Dao.

Seeing this, many great gods’ eyes turned red with envy. Ever since the Heavenly Dao arose after the world’s creation and the Great Dao receded, in all these millions of years, who had ever received the merit of Heaven? Some powerful beings had foreseen that calamity would bring great opportunity, but who could have imagined that slaying the beasts would cause merit to descend? All cultivators immediately went mad.

“Kill!” Treasures from every direction flew toward the beast horde.

From Mount Wanshou, a book glowing with earthy yellow light soared forth, sealing an entire region. With a tremor, countless beasts were reduced to ashes. This was the Earth Book, the innate treasure of Zhenyuanzi, the Great Immortal of the Five Village Temple.

From the direction of Kunlun Mountain came three figures. With a wave of their hands, three colossal palms smashed into the beast army, obliterating countless foes. These were none other than Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian. Above their heads hovered the Linglong Pagoda, a postnatal merit treasure exuding endless primordial energy.

In the Bloody Sea of the Northern Realm, two sword lights shot out like dragons, slicing through the beast horde—none survived their wrath, bodies and souls annihilated.

In the Northern Desolate Ming Sea, a Kunpeng so vast it blotted out the heavens soared ninety thousand miles into the sky. Reaching above the beast army, a palace descended, crushing countless beasts. Even the beast army’s Golden Immortal-level commanders could not catch up to slay Kunpeng, who had already vanished.

Watching his army being slaughtered in droves—hundreds of millions dying in an instant—Shennie was driven mad with rage. Since entering the Wilds thousands of years ago, his army had never endured such devastation. Through gritted teeth, he spat, “Pangu! Heavenly Dao!” Then he howled at the sky, “Advance on Buzhou Mountain! Destroy it!”

The beast army surged toward Buzhou Mountain in a frenzy. The four great ferocious beasts revealed their true forms, bodies stretching hundreds of feet and blotting out the sun, thundering madly up the mountain.