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

Chapter 90 Houtu Discusses Creation

The two burly men from the Wu tribe on duty were imposing, with bulging muscles, solemn expressions, and a hint of menacing aura.

Upon hearing the words "Qinglian of Kunlun Mountain," his copper bell-like eyes suddenly lit up, and his fierce aura was instantly replaced by pure excitement and enthusiasm!

"Immortal Qinglian?! Is that the Immortal Qinglian who once sparred with the Great Witch Xingtian and received praise from the Ancestral Witch Houtu?!"

The guard on the left stepped forward excitedly, his voice booming with unbelievable surprise.

The story of Qinglian's earth-shattering sparring match with Xingtian in the Wu tribe, followed by her exhilarating battles and hunting trips with many Wu warriors, has long been passed down among the martial and sentimental Wu tribe, becoming a celebrated tale.

Especially in the eyes of these low-level warriors, this powerful and physically strong disciple of the Xuanmen sect, who treated them as equals, had long been regarded as "one of their own" and even held in some reverence.

"It is indeed I, Qinglian," Qinglian nodded with a smile, her tone gentle.

"Truly a celestial being!" The two guards immediately grinned, their smiles simple and warm, their previous wariness completely gone.

One of the guards quickly said to his companion, his voice filled with urgency and pride: "Pan Shi, you stay here and keep the immortal company for a good talk, don't neglect him! I'll go and report to the Ancestral Witch Houtu immediately!"

Having said that, without waiting for a response, he turned around and, with the distinctive, earth-pounding steps of the Wu tribe, sped off like an arrow into the depths of the tribe, as if to deliver some incredibly good news.

The guard who remained, named Panshi, rubbed his large, fan-like hands together, looking at Qinglian with a mixture of excitement and embarrassment. A hint of shyness could be seen on his dark face as he chuckled and said in a simple voice, "Immortal Qinglian, please, please don't take offense. We brothers are just rough men and don't understand your Xuanmen's elaborate rituals."

I've heard from the great shaman Kuafu and his brothers about you for a long time. They say you are incredibly powerful, have superb combat skills, and are also very generous! You treated us to drinks and roasted meat!

We've been wanting to meet you for ages! The last time you fought Xing Tian, ​​the commotion was terrifying even from a distance!

I happened to be on duty that day and missed seeing it with my own eyes. It's such a pity that I only heard about it from their descriptions when I got back!

His words were simple, yet full of sincere admiration and closeness, his eyes burning with passion as if he were looking at a legendary figure standing right before him.

Qinglian felt a warmth in her heart from this genuine enthusiasm and smiled, "Brother Panshi, you flatter me. Xingtian the Great Witch is indeed a god of war, and I was only fortunate to escape defeat. The sons of the Witch Clan are brave and heroic, and their nature is sincere. I admire them greatly."

Upon hearing this, Pan Shi was even more delighted, as if he himself were being praised. His chest puffed out unconsciously, and he began to chatter excitedly, "Immortal, I heard that the heavens and earth changed color during your last encounter with the Great Witch Xing Tian? And later, when you went hunting in the Northern Mountains with Black Tiger and the others, did you really lure away that demon bull all by yourself? They all say that your movements are even faster than the scouts under the Ancestral Witch of Wind—"

Her words were filled with admiration for the strong and boundless curiosity about those fascinating stories. Qinglian smiled and gave a brief reply, creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

Not long after, the guard who had delivered the message came running back, panting and his face flushed with excitement. He shouted from afar, "Immortal! Immortal! The Ancestral Witch Houtu invites you! Come with me quickly!" His voice made the air buzz.

Qinglian nodded to Panshi and then followed the guard toward the core area of ​​the tribe.

Along the way, passing through rough houses and tents built from huge stones and the bones of unknown animals, we encountered many members of the Wu tribe.

Upon hearing that Qinglian had arrived, they all cast curious and friendly glances their way. Many warriors who were sharpening their weapons or processing their prey stopped what they were doing, grinned, and nodded in greeting.

Some young Wu tribe warriors even waved excitedly from afar, shouting "Immortal Qinglian!" This shows that Qinglian's popularity among the Wu tribe is no exaggeration.

After passing through layers of residential areas, we arrived at a relatively open square in the very center of the tribe.

The ground is paved with huge stone slabs, engraved with ancient and mysterious totem patterns, exuding a sense of vastness.

Houtu, the ancestral witch, did not reside in a magnificent palace. Instead, she sat casually on a huge, smooth, and warm tree stump. Her aura was closely connected with the earth beneath her feet, serene, profound, and full of compassion that embraced all things, as if she were the embodiment of this land.

"Young friend Qinglian, how have you been?" Houtu greeted Qinglian with a gentle smile, as kind and comforting as Mother Earth, bringing a sense of peace to those around her.

"Junior Qinglian pays respects to the Ancestral Witch Houtu. I apologize for my unauthorized visit and for disturbing the Ancestral Witch's meditation." Qinglian stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and was sincere in his attitude.

"There's no question of disturbing you. I'm very happy that you came."

Houtu waved her hand, indicating that Qinglian did not need to be so polite. Her gaze swept gently over Qinglian, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Young friend, your cultivation has progressed so rapidly that it is truly astonishing. Your aura is perfectly harmonious, and your Daoist charm is innate. You are probably not far from reaching the level of a Quasi-Saint." Her words were filled with sincere praise.

"The ancestral shaman is too kind. I have been fortunate enough to make a slight progress."

Qinglian made a humble remark, then went straight to the point.

"I have come here today with a question to ask. My cultivation is the Way of Creation. I have long heard that the Ancestral Witch governs the earth, possessing great virtue and nurturing all living things. She must have unique insights into the Creation of Life, therefore I have come to seek her guidance, hoping that the Ancestral Witch will generously bestow her teachings."

Upon hearing this, Houtu nodded slightly, her expression becoming serious and solemn.

She paused for a moment, then slowly spoke, her voice deep and magnetic, as if carrying the rhythm of the earth, each word striking heavily into the heart: "The Way of Creation—what the Xuanmen speaks of as creation often refers to the creation of something from nothing, the transformation of living beings, mysterious and lofty, almost akin to creation itself. But for my Wu tribe, born here, raised here, creation is more like 'gestation' and 'bearing,' it is our foundation."

She stretched out her finger and gently touched the ground, and the totem on the square seemed to light up slightly: "The earth is the greatest and most fundamental mother of creation in this primordial world."

She did not create from nothing, but rather, with her broad mind, she embraced mountains and rivers, and allowed all living things to compete freely under the frosty sky.

Plants draw strength from the earth to grow, beasts rely on the land to reproduce, and even you cultivators need spiritual veins for your practice. This is the creation of "great virtue sustains all things," silent and ever-present.

"Furthermore, there is gestation," Houtu continued.

His gaze was deep, as if he could see into the depths of the earth. "We, the sons of the Wu tribe, are born here and grow up here. All our vital energy and supernatural powers originate from the ancestral veins of the earth and our father god. We firmly believe that the most fundamental vitality of all living things is nurtured by the earth and our father god, and will ultimately return to the earth. Our flesh, blood, and soul will nourish and sustain a new cycle of growth."

This is reincarnation, and also creation.

It is not about creating things out of thin air, but about nurturing life in silence and awaiting new life in destruction. The true meaning of this is closer to "compassion" and "mercy"—a protection and nourishment for all things born of the earth, a maternal force.

The explanation of Houtu is similar to the "bearing" of Zhen Yuanzi, the ancestor of earth immortals.

But it is more simple, closer to the source of one's bloodline, carrying a steadfast power derived from survival and faith. It is entirely different from Lao Tzu's tranquil non-action, the primordial order and principles, and the all-encompassing sharpness of his ideas; it is a more primitive...

A deeper understanding.