Nuwa's heart was filled with complex emotions. Having deciphered the Heavenly Secret, she naturally found it difficult to interfere directly.
However, what surprised her was that the original protagonists of the Witch-Demon Calamity (Witch-Demon Calamity)—the Golden Crows—had not followed the script. They had remained nestled on the Sun Star, never truly joining the Yao Race's administration. Specifically Ling Xiao—when he gifted her the gourd vine and the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil back at Mount Buzhou, was it intentional or a mere coincidence?
Did Ling Xiao already understand the Heavenly Secret back then?
But his cultivation was so weak at that time, hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Primordial Chaos realm. How could he have known?
The more Nuwa thought about it, the more she felt it was a calculated move. Ling Xiao had likely maneuvered her into joining the Yao Race on purpose. Bai Ze coming to Mount Buzhou to find her was almost certainly under Ling Xiao's direction. The goal? To use her as a shield to bear the brunt of the Witch-Demon Calamity.
"What a rascal!"
Nuwa stood alone and peerless, the golden light of Sainthood Karma (Karma) coiling behind her head. A trace of annoyance flashed across her holy, jade-like face. No wonder Hongjun's reaction was so strange when the Golden Crows didn't show up at Zixiao Palace.
How could it not be strange? The Heavenly Secret had deviated so wildly.
With a flash of divine insight, Nuwa looked toward the sky and spoke, her Dao-sound (dao sound) echoing across the world.
"I am Nuwa. Having Achieved Sainthood (achieve sainthood), I shall open a Dao-site in the Chaos in one thousand years to lecture on the Great Dao. All who have the affinity may attend."
The majestic, supreme Dao-sound reached every corner of the Honghuang World. The great powers who heard it were overjoyed. Hongjun's previous sermons had vastly increased their cultivation; Nuwa's lecture would surely offer another massive boost. Those who had missed Hongjun's era were especially excited.
"I wonder if the Golden Crow will show up this time."
Nuwa looked toward the Sun Star. Aside from Di Jun and Tai Yi, she had a premonition that Ling Xiao was still alive. When she saw him again, she had to ask why he used her as a shield for the Calamity. With a final look at the Human Race, she sighed softly and departed.
"Farewell, Mother Empress!" the humans cried out in unison.
Yujing Mountain
"Nuwa is opening a Dao-site to preach. As her fellow disciples, we should naturally go and congratulate her," Tongtian said with a smile, a hint of envy in his eyes.
Bang!
Yuanshi slapped his thigh in fury, his face solemn. "Tongtian! Stop speaking of things that humiliate the face of our Sanqing! I've said it more than once—how can you not remember?"
"Hmph! In my view, refusing to congratulate a fellow disciple is what truly humiliates us. Senior Brother, why are you so petty?" This time, Tongtian didn't back down. He argued loudly, giving Yuanshi no face at all.
"You..." Yuanshi was enraged. He hadn't expected Tongtian to rebuke him so sharply. It was unbearable!
Just as they were about to explode into a full argument, Laozi intervened. His words left Yuanshi dumbfounded.
"Enough. Tongtian has a point. Nuwa is our Junior Sister (Junior Sister); it is only right to congratulate her. Otherwise, it would appear rude and even more 'faceless'."
Laozi spoke with a kind smile, looking unusually gentle. Yuanshi gave him a strange look, sensing something was off. Has Big Brother finally been defeated by reality and bowed to a Saint? Only Laozi knew his own mind. If my opportunity for Sainthood lies with the Human Race, how can I not go? Sainthood isn't a loss of face; it's the ultimate goal.
The West
Jieyin and Zhunti, who were still trying to figure out how to "make a race," stopped what they were doing.
"Nuwa's sermon is the perfect chance to congratulate her and, more importantly, ask her for advice on how to create a new race," Zhunti said. He wanted to ensure their future creation went smoothly.
"Indeed. I was thinking the same," Jieyin smiled, looking at his Junior Brother with even more appreciation. He was truly growing "wise" in his schemes.
Sun Star
"Nuwa is preaching in the Chaos. Should we go?" "Let's go. We might even run into Third Brother."
Di Jun and Tai Yi sat beneath the Fusang Tree and quickly agreed. They wanted to see if Ling Xiao would manifest there.
Mount Buzhou: The Wu Clan
While the rest of the world buzzed with excitement, the Wu Clan felt as if a dark cloud was pressing down on them. They feared Nuwa would move against them after her sermon.
"Is everything ready? Worship Father!"
The grand sacrificial ceremony was prepared. Di Jiang stood at the front, shouting to his tribes. Beside him lay the battered remains of Candle Nine Nethers and the other two fallen brothers. He couldn't wait another second; the anxiety was eating him alive.
"Ready!" the tribal leaders roared in response.
"Begin!"
The ritual started. It was a crude, ancient ceremony, but the Witches were incredibly solemn. A monumental sacrificial sound, like the low-frequency whisper of an ancient god, echoed through the land and the Void Realm. Under the leadership of the Ancestral Witches, millions of Witches began to kowtow toward Mount Buzhou, the sound of their heads hitting the ground vibrating like war drums.
Kowtow. Kowtow. Kowtow.
"The Witches are panicking!" observers mocked. "The Yao have a Saint; the Wu have no chance. Poor things—thrashed by Ling Xiao first, and now this."
Hours passed, and the sound of the ritual grew even more intense. But the Ancestral Witches were starting to sweat. Despite their efforts, Father Pangu had not manifested. Unlike last time, there was no feedback.
"Father! Wake up! Save us!" one Witch began to mutter hysterically, his mind fraying.
Di Jiang, kneeling at the front, felt a surge of cold dread. A premonition grew within him: this time, Father Pangu truly wasn't going to help them.
"How can this be? It worked before!" He was baffled. Does Father think we are unfilial? Is he angry? Despair began to saturate the Wu Clan.
The Infinite Chaos
Deep within a hidden pocket of space:
[Detected that Nuwa has created humans and achieved Sainthood. She is about to preach the Great Dao. Please make your choice:]
[Choice 1: Exit seclusion immediately to congratulate her and listen to the sermon. Reward: One Supreme Grade Innate Spirit Treasure.]
[Choice 2: Remain steady and stay in seclusion. Reward: One Immortal Apricot (仙杏) (one of the Ten Great Spiritual Roots).]