I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 500Book 2: : Nüwa Creates Humanity - What Better Time Than Now?
Vol 2 Chapter 500: Nüwa Creates Humanity - What Better Time Than Now?
Zheng Fa paid no attention to the gazes of Bailian and the others, focusing intently on the teachings of the Six Saints.
When Taishang requested to hear the Yellow Court Scripture, Zheng Fa naturally had nothing to hide. Not only did he not know where these six great figures were currently located, but even if they were still in Xuanwei, he saw no need to conceal his Yellow Court Scripture.
The Six Saints showed great interest instead. After listening to the Yellow Court Scripture, they each shared their insights, and Zheng Fa gained considerable understanding. But most importantly, he learned about the subsequent content of the Yellow Court Scripture.
"The Scattered Immortals we know," Nüwa said, "or what you refer to as, probably aren't the same thing."
Zheng Fa somewhat agreed. The later Immortal Dao and the Primordial Chaos Immortal Dao were largely similar yet different. For example, the Primordial Chaos had Earth Immortals and Heaven Immortals, which Zheng Fa had never heard of in later times.
On another hand...
"I truly have no cultivation experience as a Scattered Immortal." Zheng Fa silently glanced at Nüwa, who wore an innocent expression as she spoke: "Since awakening my spiritual intelligence, I've been at the Taiyi realm, taking form only at the Da Luo stage. How one cultivates before becoming a Scattered Immortal, I genuinely don't know."
She looked toward the other five saints and asked: "Senior Brothers, you..."
Taishang and the others shook their heads in unison.
There weren't many things in this world that could stump these six great figures, but Zheng Fa had somehow stumbled right into their collective blind spot.
Tongtian was still marveling: "Don't even mention me—even the most inadequate disciples under me aren't this weak."
...With your way with words, old sir, no wonder you got ganged up on.
This was another difference between Primordial Chaos Immortal Dao and later Immortal Dao.
Hongjun's lectures started directly from the Scattered Immortal stage. People like Tongtian opened their eyes already at the Taiyi and Da Luo realms.
It came back to the same reason: Hongjun was a great synthesizer of Dao methods, but before him, the Primordial Chaos world already had diverse cultivation methods. What Hongjun did was integrate them into a unified system.
But this didn't mean Tongtian and the others actually cultivated step by step according to this path—they simply didn't need to.
Moreover, in this era, which cultivator worthy of their attention wasn't extraordinarily talented?
Someone with Zheng Fa's level of cultivation was probably something they'd genuinely never encountered before.
Seeing his speechless expression, Yuanshi thought for a moment and said: "Actually, it's not completely without traces to follow."
"Senior Brother means the ritual apparatus?" Nüwa seemed to have considered this before and responded.
"Yes, isn't it quite similar?"
Zheng Fa listened somewhat confused, watching Nüwa nod gently only deepened his bewilderment, not understanding what riddle these two were speaking.
Tongtian also didn't seem to understand. Impatient by nature, he asked repeatedly: "Similar to what? What are you talking about?"
"It somewhat resembles the process of an artifact transforming from acquired to innate nature."
Zheng Fa's eyes widened slightly, feeling strange inside. Wasn't this the function of the Qian Kun Tripod? How was it related to proving the Dao Fruit?
As if seeing his confusion, Nüwa explained: "Do you know what constitutes acquired nature versus innate nature?"
Zheng Fa shook his head.
"Acquired nature is actually relative to innate nature. For example, with innate beings came acquired species; with innate artifacts came acquired artifacts."
The explanation was quite understandable, but Zheng Fa asked the deepest question in his heart: "What's the difference between innate artifacts and acquired artifacts?"
Zheng Fa had never fully understood this matter.
He also felt innate artifacts should be more powerful, but specifically how much stronger, and why they were better than acquired artifacts—these questions puzzled Zheng Fa.
If it were others, they would naturally take for granted that innate artifacts were better, but Zheng Fa didn't think this way—
If merely being born earlier made something better, then innate beings should rule the world. Why would humanity be needed?
"Innate nature is part of the Heavenly Dao itself. Generally speaking, innate artifacts are born accompanying the Heavenly Dao." As if seeing his confusion, Nüwa explained, "Their power isn't necessarily greater, but innate artifacts themselves are manifestations of the Heavenly Dao, possessing inherent advantages."
Yuanshi nodded beside them: "I have some understanding of artifact forging. For equivalent types of artifacts, innate artifacts will suppress acquired artifacts. In usage, innate artifacts consume less spiritual energy and demonstrate greater power than acquired artifacts."
"Of course, this doesn't mean innate artifacts always surpass acquired artifacts. The Heavenly Dao follows principles of mutual generation and restraint—different artifacts have their own cycles of creation and destruction. Even innate artifacts cannot escape this natural law."
After both had spoken so much, Zheng Fa sorted through it mentally and finally could somewhat clarify what innate and acquired nature truly meant.
To use an inappropriate analogy:
If the Heavenly Dao were compared to a computer's operating system, then innate artifacts, or innate things, existed in the underlying code, while acquired creations were more like various software.
Innate artifacts, with their permissions as underlying code, naturally made way for acquired artifacts during operation, even consuming fewer system resources.
But on the other hand, codes and software with different functions didn't have fixed superiority—sometimes even a small virus program could disrupt the entire system. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"So, transforming acquired to innate nature... means integrating the artifact into the Heavenly Dao?"
Nüwa nodded slightly, blue light glowing in her palm as an ancient bronze treasure tripod appeared in the void—precisely the Qian Kun Tripod.
"My tripod!"
Hearing the Gu God's exclamation, even Bailian couldn't help but glance sideways: "This tripod is in your possession, Fellow Daoist?"
Creation Daoist seemed to realize something: "I saw this tripod in the hands of the Gu God's path manifestation."
The others were even more envious—though they didn't understand what this tripod was, since it was Nüwa's legacy treasure, how could it be ordinary?
Nüwa said to Zheng Fa: "The so-called acquired-to-innate transformation through the Qian Kun Tripod involves praying to heaven to integrate the artifact with the Heavenly Dao."
According to Zheng Fa's understanding, this meant granting it higher-level permissions, even writing it into the underlying code.
"This act of creating humanity will utilize the Qian Kun Tripod."
Hearing this, Zheng Fa finally understood why Nüwa had said she would explain the Qian Kun Tripod's usage only after he answered her questions.
As long as he participated in creating humanity, he would witness Nüwa personally demonstrate how to use the Qian Kun Tripod.
Creation and the others listened with even greater envy. The Golden-Winged Great Peng, who had been looking displeased and silent, now spoke: "So Fellow Daoist possesses such a supreme treasure!"
Thinking of his own severed Dao path, his jealousy burned fiercely, and he looked at the Gu God with somewhat ferocious expression.
The others also wore strange expressions—envious yet also contemplative.
But the Gu God showed no pride, even appearing somewhat desperate.
With a mournful face she said: "Lost."
Creation Daoist's eyes widened: "What's lost?"
"The tripod is lost. The Qian Kun Tripod is lost."
The Gu God stared longingly at the tripod in Nüwa's hand: "The Jiushan Sect took it away."
Her voice was extremely sorrowful, enough to wrench hearts, but Creation and the others all felt sympathetic—if they were the Gu God, they'd rather not know what kind of treasure this tripod was.
Even the Golden-Winged Great Peng was stunned. After a moment, seemingly overflowing with a trace of compassion for fellow sufferers, he actually learned to comfort people. Stammering toward the Gu God, he said: "Con... condolences."
The Qian Kun Tripod descended before everyone along a parabolic arc, slowly landing until it stood in a valley. Zheng Fa and the others also descended to the ground.
Nüwa spread open her palm, and a clump of yellow earth flew out from her hand.
This yellow earth contained not a trace of spiritual energy.
She asked Zheng Fa: "Do you know why I use yellow earth to create humanity?"
"Cost."
Nüwa nodded gently and smiled: "Only by originating from the most ordinary yellow earth can humanity receive the most nourishment from heaven and earth."
Zheng Fa felt inexplicably moved.
What kind of earth Nüwa used to create humanity—many novels, to make humanity seem more magnificent, would say five-colored earth or even nine heavens breathing soil.
But many ancient texts, and even what Zheng Fa witnessed today, used the most ordinary yellow earth.
All elements within the human body could be found in nature.
Moreover, in Zheng Fa's view, what mattered wasn't where humanity came from, but where humanity was going.
At least in his heart, originating from mud wasn't inferior to originating from breathing soil.
Nüwa had already begun playing with mud.
Her fingers pressed firmly, pinching off a clump of earth. Wind rose in the valley, sharp like carving knives, sculpting the outline of a man, then facial features, hair strands and eyelashes.
After carving the seven orifices, the wind poured through them into the clay figure, seemingly sculpting its internal structure.
Nüwa played with great delight while Zheng Fa and the others waited patiently beside her.
Soon, Nüwa had molded over a thousand small clay figures—men and women, mostly young adults.
Nüwa's heart was quite gentle—this era truly wasn't suitable for the survival of the elderly and children.
But on the other hand, codes and software with different functions didn't have fixed superiority—sometimes even a small virus program could destroy the entire system.
She pointed at the Qian Kun Tripod, and a golden flame ignited between its legs.
She took out various spirit materials, tossing them into the tripod while explaining to Zheng Fa what each thing was.
These were the things in the Qian Kun Tripod's inscriptions that the Jiushan Sect and others couldn't understand.
Zheng Fa listened with his ears and watched with his eyes, striving to remember every detail for future use in forging the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation.
The Qian Kun Tripod was filled with chaos, smoke curling upward, connecting the tripod to the heavens.
Nüwa originally wore a simple blue outer dress, dressed plainly as if meeting with old friends.
But now she was draped in red garments, wearing a golden crown, dignified and solemn.
She stretched both hands upward, as if praying to the distant heavens:
"Since the conflict between witches and demons, malicious energy has surged to the skies, calamity clouds obscure the sun, and all beings of the Primordial Chaos suffer in fire and water. I received enlightenment from Dao Ancestor Hongjun, comprehending the deficiency among the three talents. Now using yellow earth for form, with the blue sky as witness, I enable this newly born race to become vessels of the Great Dao."
As she chanted, the gray-white chaotic energy within the Qian Kun Tripod suddenly exploded.
Zheng Fa felt as if he were witnessing the world's creation again. Simultaneously, the sky transmitted low, deep rumbles, seemingly in response.
Creation Daoist exclaimed in astonishment: "This is actually the scene of humanity's origin?"
"So this great power... is the Holy Mother of Humanity?"
Even the Gu God, who didn't really consider herself human, now looked at Nüwa with some reverence.
Among them, except for the Golden-Winged Great Peng who wasn't of human origin, the rest were all human cultivators. How could they not feel childlike affection toward Nüwa, the Holy Mother of Humanity?
They even looked at those clay figures with particularly fond eyes.
Those clay figures began to change.
The chaos within the Qian Kun Tripod exploded, clear energy rising, turbid energy sinking. Emerging from the tripod, they gradually enveloped the small figures. The valley seemed to become another small world.
Amid this scenery of heaven and earth's creation, these originally lifeless clay sculptures gradually became animated.
Like newborn babies, they curiously and slowly waved their arms, opened their mouths, making babbling sounds.
The small world created by the Qian Kun Tripod slowly expanded.
These newly born humans also gradually grew in size, eventually reaching normal human proportions, looking no different from humans of later times.
Zheng Fa finally understood.
The main reason the Qian Kun Tripod could transform artifacts from acquired to innate nature was its ability to briefly open a space of heaven and earth's creation, giving various artifacts an "innate" identity.
When the space created by the Qian Kun Tripod merged with heaven and earth, those artifacts naturally integrated into the Heavenly Dao.
Nüwa's voice sounded in his ear:
"This race shall be called Human."
These newly born humans, though they couldn't even speak clearly, were now blessed with spiritual understanding. They knelt before Nüwa, kowtowing repeatedly.
"First wish: May humanity harmonize yin and yang, enabling bloodlines to continue."
"Second wish: May humanity quell conflicts, bringing clarity to heaven and earth."
"Third wish: May humanity's wisdom never extinguish, continuing the Heavenly Dao's flame."
After these three great vows, the sky suddenly brightened.
Golden light in the heavens nearly condensed into liquid, surging toward Nüwa like a tide.
Nüwa's aura climbed level by level, like the distant firmament, making anyone who looked feel their own insignificance.
Taishang and the others bowed toward Nüwa, saying: "Congratulations, Junior Sister, on achieving the Dao."
Nüwa returned the bow to the Five Saints, adding: "This Junior Sister merely took the first step. The various Senior Brothers' ascension to sainthood is not far away."
Looking at the humans kneeling on the ground, she thought for a moment, then bowed deeply to the Five Saints:
"Today, with Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Zhunti, and Jieyin—various saints—descending to witness this ceremony, observing this magnificent act of creation. Humbly pray the various saints together protect humanity."
"May earth bear witness, may the Human Dao prosper eternally."
Taishang, with serious expression, led the several junior brothers in bowing to Nüwa, saying: "Heaven and earth bear witness, may the Human Dao prosper eternally."
Even Bailian and the others, who initially had other purposes, also bowed to Nüwa along with them.
Even the Golden-Winged Great Peng was stunned. After a moment, seemingly welling up with a trace of compassion for fellow sufferers, he actually learned to comfort people. Stammering toward the Gu God, he said: "Con... condolences."
Bailian and the others froze.
Nüwa spoke: "From now on, I entrust this to you, Fellow Daoist."
The other five saints seemed to have expected this, bowing together toward Zheng Fa.
Zheng Fa felt emotional turmoil, pressing his lips together as he bowed individually to the Six Saints.
Bailian watched his own patriarch bow solemnly to Zheng Fa, mouth agape, not knowing what to say.
Even Creation Daoist's expression seemed somewhat numb, his mind in turmoil:
Not to mention Bailian having two patriarchs, just the fact that Nüwa now called this Shi Nandang "Fellow Daoist"...
Nüwa was not only the Holy Mother of Humanity but now possessed cultivation that made them dare not look directly at her. If she called Zheng Fa "Fellow Daoist," what generation did that make Shi Nandang?
What should they... call him?
Nüwa raised her head, gently drawing a line through the sea of merit in the sky. A small portion of merit drifted down toward Zheng Fa.
Zheng Fa looked upward, Nüwa's voice sounding in his ear:
"The three talents are complete. If not now to prove the Dao Fruit, then when?"
Zheng Fa felt blessed understanding, leaping upward into the air.
