As Yuanshi spoke, he expressed massive dissatisfaction with Nuwa's Sainthood (achieve sainthood).
Laozi's face also darkened. Previously, he had boasted in front of Yuanshi and Tongtian that he would be the first to reach the peak, intending to set an example for his brothers. Instead, it was Nuwa who had set the standard. As the Eldest Brother (Great Master) and the head of the Sanqing, to be surpassed by Nuwa was a total loss of face.
"I did not expect Nuwa to create a new race and achieve Sainthood through Karma (Merit). In the path of Karma, I am indeed inferior," Laozi said with a light cough, speaking slowly. He could feel Yuanshi's gaze on him; if he didn't offer an explanation, he would appear guilty. He deliberately emphasized the "Path of Karma," implying it was a shortcut or a stroke of luck rather than true skill.
"Indeed. The path of Karma ultimately relies on borrowing external force," Yuanshi nodded, then asked: "Big Brother, you slew your third corpse long ago. Are you close to Sainthood now?"
"Close... very close," Laozi said through gritted teeth, his expression somewhat strained.
Lately, he had been trying to merge his three corpses, but no matter how hard he tried, they refused to become one. It felt as if a single, vital piece of the puzzle was missing. This was starting to make Laozi panic; his inner peace was crumbling.
When will I finally take that last step? Laozi looked up at a forty-five-degree angle toward the direction of Shouyang Mountain, a sense of desolation coiling around him.
Suddenly, the Primordial Violet Qi (primordial violet qi) that had been dormant in his body since he received it finally moved. Not only did it pulse, but it also released a mysterious resonance. Laozi focused his mind to sense it. A moment later, a look of shock appeared on his aged face.
"My opportunity for Sainthood... is actually related to the Human Race?" "Does this mean that if I want to become a Saint, I have to rely on Nuwa's creation?"
Laozi was dumbfounded. His face turned incredibly pale. Seeing this, Yuanshi began to wonder if he shouldn't have asked. Look at how much pressure I've put on Big Brother. Since he hadn't even slain his own third corpse, demanding his brother become a Saint was perhaps asking for the impossible.
"Why don't we go and ask Nuwa? After all, she is our Junior Sister," Tongtian said bluntly, not overthinking the subtle egos of his two Senior Brothers.
Yuanshi reacted violently. "We are the Senior Brothers! How can we ask a Junior for guidance? Such a shameless act—do not speak of it again."
Tongtian snorted, not bothering to argue.
Western Mount Sumeru.
Jieyin and Zhunti naturally felt Nuwa's Saint-aura.
"To think that among us, Nuwa was the first. With the Sanqing's pride, their noses must be twisted with rage by now!" Zhunti laughed. Compared to the Sanqing, Nuwa's success was much easier for them to stomach.
"Creating a race to achieve Sainthood... interesting," Jieyin said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips as he realized what Nuwa had done.
"Senior Brother, do you think we could do the same?" Zhunti asked suddenly. "Nuwa created the Human Race because the Great Desolation lacked vitality, and the Heavenly Dao rewarded her with massive Karma. Our West is so barren and our populations so thin—if we created a new race, wouldn't that be a massive act of Karma?"
He talked faster and faster, growing increasingly excited. Jieyin froze, carefully mulling over Zhunti's words. It made perfect sense! When it came to a "lack of vitality," who could compare to the West? They needed living beings more than anyone.
"Junior Brother, you are right. I think it is feasible," Jieyin said appreciatively. For once in eons, his Junior Brother's forward-thinking had surpassed his own.
When they thought about it, it was just "making a race." How hard could it be? I could do that too. If they had thought of this earlier, they would have been the first to become Saints.
The Sea of Blood.
Styx was floating on the surface of the blood-red waves, his eyes shining with a startling intensity.
"Creating a race for Sainthood... I understand now." Styx let out a series of eerie chuckles, his heart pounding with excitement. The Primordial Violet Qi was indeed the foundation of Sainthood; he had only had it for a short time, and it was already working. He had thought the path would be difficult, but it seemed it was "just this."
Styx slowly rose from the sea, his eyes flickering as he began to plot his creation.
Sun Star.
Di Jun and Tai Yi stood side-by-side, looking down at Shouyang Mountain.
"Just as Third Brother said, Nuwa has achieved Sainthood," Di Jun said with a smile, recalling the mental transmission Ling Xiao had sent them.
"Third Brother told us to 'look after' the Human Race. I truly don't see why; Nuwa is a Saint now. Who would dare bully her creation?" Tai Yi laughed, not fully understanding Ling Xiao's arrangement.
"Third Brother must have a reason. He's likely playing a massive game of chess. I have a feeling these seemingly weak humans will be very important in the future. We all have to transform into the Innate Dao Body to cultivate; humans are born with it. They are like Pangu from birth. That alone makes them superior to other races," Di Jun analyzed profoundly.
"You have a point. To be born unique is to be born for a purpose," Tai Yi agreed.
Nuwa's Sainthood was the ultimate joy for the Yao Race. They had just fled from Mount Buzhou in terror, and were actually preparing to pack their bags and run for their lives. Now, their Emperor was a Saint.
Every demon knew what that meant. Even if all twelve Ancestral Witches attacked together, they wouldn't be enough for a Saint to handle. The Yao experts roared with excitement, feeling that the Honghuang World was finally theirs. Even Fuxi couldn't contain his happiness for his sister and his race.
Shouyang Mountain.
Nuwa felt the terrifying power of a Saint. The feeling of controlling heaven and earth was something she had never imagined; only from this realm could one truly understand it.
However, with her ascension, her state of mind had also changed. As she observed the universe and the flow of the Heavenly Secret, she saw a disturbing truth. She saw that both the Wu and Yao Races were destined for destruction, meant to be replaced by her newly created Human Race.
Nuwa's brow furrowed with deep sorrow. She was the Emperor of the Yao and the Mother of the Humans. To her, both were her children. Such a fate was incomprehensible and cruel. Despite being a Saint, she realized she could not use her power to make the Yao Race flourish against the tide of destiny.
She stood in a daze, her heart filled with a silent, agonizing conflict. Sainthood is supposed to be a joyous occasion... so why does it feel like this?