Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

Chapter 89 Qinglian Visits Houtu

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi's eyes flashed with admiration. He personally poured Qinglian a cup of Enlightenment Tea, which was imbued with the essence of Dao, and slowly said, "The Dao of Creation is profound and mysterious, the gateway to all wonders. Although I am not an expert in this, I have been in charge of the Earth Book, managing the earth's veins, and maintaining the vitality of the primordial land for hundreds of millions of years."

I also have some humble insights on this matter, which may differ from those of your three fellow Daoists, but I wish to share and discuss them with you, my junior disciple.

He shared his insights on the way of creation without reservation.

Unlike the lofty and grand Three Pure Ones who wield the power of the Heavenly Dao, Zhen Yuanzi's Dao of Creation focuses more on "bearing" and "nurturing," rooted in the primordial land.

He used the vast and profound earth as a metaphor to illustrate the principle of virtue carrying all things and silent nourishment.

Zhen Yuanzi's words were calm yet profound, describing how the earth's veins flowed endlessly like the meridians of the human body, giving birth to boundless spiritual energy;

How spiritual roots take deep root in the earth, drawing nourishment and giving back to heaven and earth, forming a cycle;

The question of how all things, after birth and death, ultimately return to dust and become nourishment for a new cycle of life illustrates the balance between annihilation and rebirth—its words are simple and unadorned, yet they are full of the most essential care and understanding for all things in heaven and earth.

"Creation is not only about creation, but also about cycles, protection, and nurturing a new cycle of life from the depths of desolation."

Zhen Yuanzi gently stroked the rough yet vibrant trunk of the ginseng fruit tree beside him, his gaze deep, as if he could see the ancient past.

"Just like my old friend, the herb-returning elixir he produced is indeed a marvel of creation, but it is also rooted in the earth, regulating the earth's veins, absorbing and releasing spiritual energy, silently nourishing this land for hundreds of millions of years, making Longevity Mountain a primordial paradise. This is also the work of creation, a silent and great creation."

He then naturally began to talk about the Way of the Earth that he cultivated.

How can we sense the faint yet powerful breath of mountains and rivers with our minds? How can we draw upon the vast essence of the earth to protect the peace of a region? How can we comprehend the true meaning of "immovability" in the most solid and profound state? And even the "benevolent" nature of the earth, which bears all things, silently gives, and asks for nothing in return?

Qinglian listened intently, her mind completely absorbed in the conversation. She felt as if Zhen Yuanzi's words had opened a brand new window for her, revealing a world of creation she had never explored before.

Although his Creation Lotus contains endless vitality and has infinite uses, it leans more towards "generation" and "creation".

.

The concepts of "bearing," "nourishing," "circulating," and "protecting" expounded by Zhen Yuanzi are beneficial and necessary supplements and expansions to his way of creation!

The ideas of "new life emerging from annihilation" and "creation is also protection" in particular shook him to his core.

The tenth-grade Creation Lotus in his dantian trembled slightly, its clear light flowing, as if it had touched a deeper and more essential law of the Great Dao of Creation, generating new resonance and insights.

He stayed at Wuzhuang Temple for several years. Every day, he would discuss philosophy and drink tea with Zhen Yuanzi under the trees, exchanging insights.

Or quietly observe the ginseng fruit tree as it absorbs the essence of heaven and earth and releases its boundless vitality;

Or you can accompany Zhen Yuanzi to inspect the surrounding land veins of Wanshou Mountain and see how he uses the Earth Book to regulate the five elements and stabilize the earth's energy, revealing the power of creation in the smallest details.

He silently comprehended the profound mystery of how the earth nurtures all things, gradually merging Zhen Yuanzi's insights with his own path.

Several years later, Qinglian felt that she had initially digested and absorbed what Zhen Yuanzi had taught her, and benefited greatly. Although her cultivation had not made a significant breakthrough, her understanding of the Dao of Creation was undoubtedly more profound and comprehensive, so she got up to take her leave.

"Uncle Zhenyuan's words were like a spring breeze and rain, enlightening me and benefiting me greatly. I am extremely grateful!"

"Qinglian sincerely thanks you; these words come from the bottom of her heart."

Zhen Yuanzi stroked his beard and laughed, "Nephew, you flatter me. We are simply walking the same path and verifying each other's truths."

Your creation, the Azure Lotus, is profoundly mysterious; your future achievements in the Way of Creation will be limitless. May your journey allow you to observe all things and ultimately comprehend the true meaning of Creation.

After leaving Wuzhuang Temple, Qinglian rode on a cloud, pondered for a moment, and decided to head straight towards Buzhou Mountain. The primordial wilderness was vast, and what he desired was to embrace all rivers and streams, and to experience the myriad manifestations of "creation" in the world.

On the vast land of the primordial world, if we were to discuss those who have the deepest understanding of the creation of "life," aside from a few candidates for sainthood, the Wu tribe, who ruled the primordial world and possessed unparalleled physical strength, would be the one, especially the ancestral witch Houtu, who was known for her compassion and profoundness, and whose reincarnation in later generations brought blessings to all living beings.

Although the legend of Houtu transforming into reincarnation is a future one, at this time, Houtu, as one of the twelve ancestral witches, was born under the law of earth and wielded the power of the earth. Her understanding of "life" and "earth" must have been unique.

The Wu tribe does not cultivate the primordial spirit, but only refines the physical body and bloodline supernatural powers. Their "creation" may focus more on the abundant vitality of the physical body and blood, the reproduction and inheritance of the bloodline, and the symbiotic relationship with the earth. This is a completely different perspective.

Qinglian was eager to hear what different insights this Ancestral Witch would have regarding the word "creation".

The closer one gets to the Buzhou Mountain area, the stronger the oppressive aura of Pangu and the vast, malevolent energy permeating the air become, and the more traces of the Wu tribe's activities become.

Huge totem poles stand in the wilderness, carved with rough and ancient patterns;

Occasionally, burly, dragon-like warriors from the Wu tribe would form hunting parties, roaring past as they chased after powerful, ferocious beasts.

The soaring, unrestrained, and magnificent energy, along with its close connection to the earth, all demonstrate the uniqueness and untamed power of this land.

Qinglian concealed her celestial aura and did not directly enter the core area of ​​the Houtu tribe. Instead, she descended from the clouds on the outskirts and walked on foot to show respect for this land and its inhabitants.

His gaze swept over the young witch warriors who were honing their bodies and practicing their combat skills, feeling their pure and powerful, almost savage, vitality, and their intimate connection to the earth beneath their feet, which stemmed from their bloodline instincts. He seemed to have gained some insight.

"Perhaps, this is also a kind of destiny—"

He pondered to himself, "Without needing to comprehend the laws of heaven and earth with his primordial spirit, he can resonate with heaven and earth solely through his powerful physical body and bloodline, generating such immense power and vitality—simple, direct, yet brimming with the force of life."

He walked slowly and finally arrived at the rugged mountain gate of the Houtu tribe, which was built of huge animal bones and hard rocks.

Two burly, muscular warriors, each over ten feet tall and wielding giant axes, stood guard, their sharp eyes fixed on him.

Qinglian stopped, her expression calm, and said loudly, "Qinglian, a disciple of Kunlun Mountain, has come to pay homage to the Ancestral Witch Houtu while passing through this blessed land, to discuss the Dao and resolve my doubts. I hope you will announce my arrival."

The sound was not loud, yet it clearly pierced through the mountain wind and the distant noise, steadily reaching the depths of the tribe, carrying a sense of peace and respect.