Xihe and Changxi quickly recovered under the meticulous care of Dijun and Taiyi.
Upon learning that Dijun had created another grand formation, Xihe handed the Taiyin Star Banner to Changxi.
Xihe reasoned that since the Zhoutian Star Dou Great Formation would be managed by Taiyi in the future, it was best to give the Taiyin Star Banner to Changxi. Taiyi and Changxi were already husband and wife, and their marital synergy would undoubtedly surpass that of an outsider like herself.
Dijun, upon hearing Xihe's thoughts, was highly supportive, deeming it an excellent idea.
Changxi was also delighted to learn that she would manage the Zhoutian Star Dou Great Formation alongside Taiyi.
After Changxi received the Taiyin Star Banner, Taiyi and Changxi immediately began practicing the Zhoutian Star Dou Great Formation together, which they soon mastered.
During her cultivation, Nuwa vaguely sensed a great opportunity approaching. Yet, despite feeling that the opportunity was within reach, she could never quite break through that final barrier.
Feeling agitated, Nuwa decided to return to Ziyang Mountain for a period of time, intending to stabilize her mind.
When Nuwa informed Dijun and Taiyi of her situation, they did not object.
Upon returning to Ziyang Mountain, Nuwa gazed at the place where she and Fuxi had once resided. She then thought of Fuxi, who was now within the Demon Court. Although Dijun and Taiyi treated Fuxi well, he was ultimately reliant on them and lacked true freedom.
Looking at the desolate Ziyang Mountain, a sense of solitude and desolation welled up within Nuwa.
Using her Grand Dao of Creation, Nuwa created numerous beings to keep her company.
As Nuwa employed the Grand Dao of Creation to bring forth life, she felt as though she was drawing closer to that unseen opportunity.
This feeling struck Nuwa as familiar. After deep contemplation, she recalled experiencing a similar sensation when vying for the Innate Gourd.
It was from the Innate Gourd vine that Nuwa felt her opportunity was linked.
Thus, Nuwa journeyed to Kunlun. Taishang had previously promised her that if the gourd vine were useful to her, he would lend it to her.
Upon arriving at Mount Kunlun, Qilin respectfully escorted her to the Taiqing Palace. When Nuwa met Taishang, she spoke directly:
"Fellow Daoist Taishang, I have come today to borrow your gourd vine."
Hearing this, Taishang mused, could it be that Nuwa's time had come, and she was preparing to mold humanity from the earth?
Taishang replied:
"It is an easy matter! However, I have already gifted that gourd vine to my third brother, Tongtian."
Nuwa then looked towards Tongtian, and Taishang added:
"Third brother, Fellow Daoist Nuwa has traveled a great distance. You should lend it to her."
Tongtian, ever mindful of Taishang's words, produced the withered gourd vine and handed it to Nuwa.
Upon receiving the Innate Gourd Vine, Nuwa expressed her gratitude:
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Tongtian. I will return it once I am finished. Farewell!"
Seeing Nuwa about to depart, Taishang called out:
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, please stay!"
Nuwa turned, her gaze filled with confusion, and asked:
"Fellow Daoist Taishang, is there something else?"
Yuanshi and Tongtian also looked at Taishang with bewilderment, unsure of his intentions.
Seeing Nuwa's confusion, Taishang explained:
"The cultivation of the three of us has stagnated. We wish to journey through the Primordial World and would be honored to accompany you. Would that be acceptable?"
Yuanshi and Tongtian were even more perplexed by Taishang's actions. Did he not understand their own situations? Where were these bottlenecks he spoke of?
Despite their confusion, Yuanshi and Tongtian did not expose Taishang's pretense.
Nuwa thought to herself that the Sanqing held unique perspectives on all matters. Traveling with the three of them might prove immensely beneficial to her. She nodded and replied:
"I would be most honored!"
Seeing that Nuwa had not refused, Taishang instructed Jin Jiao to fetch the Azure Ox.
Upon receiving Taishang's command, Jin Jiao immediately went to the rear of the Taiqing Palace and found the Azure Ox leisurely grazing. Jin Jiao announced:
"Senior, Master requests your presence!"
Upon hearing that Taishang was seeking him, the Azure Ox followed Jin Jiao to the Taiqing Palace.
After Jin Jiao returned, Taishang gave him some instructions. He then mounted the Azure Ox, and together with Nuwa, Yuanshi, and Tongtian, departed from Mount Kunlun.
The four of them, accompanied by six beings, wandered aimlessly throughout the Primordial World.
Seeing that Nuwa had not yet grasped his meaning, Taishang remarked:
"This world is too desolate. We have traveled such a great distance and encountered few fellow Daoists who have taken form."
Nuwa responded:
"Indeed! It is truly too barren. There are abundant spiritual plants and mountains and rivers, but alas, intelligent beings are far too scarce."
Yuanshi and Tongtian, unaware of the significance of Taishang and Nuwa's discussion, remained silent, unable to comprehend it.
Unconsciously, the four arrived within the vicinity of Buzhou Mountain. Seeing that Nuwa still had not understood his intent, Taishang spoke again:
"It would be wonderful if there were a species in this heaven and earth that, from birth, could speak like us!"
Yuanshi and Tongtian exchanged glances, utterly speechless. They wondered what had possessed their elder brother today, uttering such impractical notions. They had cultivated for an immeasurable time before they could speak. How could any beings be born with the ability to speak?
Upon hearing Taishang's words, Nuwa froze in place. She finally understood the nature of her great opportunity.
Seeing Nuwa frozen, Yuanshi and Tongtian called out in confusion:
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa?"
Nuwa ignored them, instead offering a deep bow to Taishang. Taishang, feigning ignorance, inquired:
"Fellow Daoist, what is the meaning of this?"
Nuwa did not reply. Instead, she gathered some mud from the ground and mixed it with water to moisten it. Then, referencing her own appearance and that of Taishang and the others, she began to mold a clay figure.
After molding the figure, Nuwa placed it on the ground and channeled her Grand Dao of Creation towards it. The clay figure emitted a seven-colored radiance. When the light dissipated, the figure had crumbled into a pile of dust.
Nuwa frowned. She had created other beings from this same mud without such an outcome. What was the reason for this?
Confused, Nuwa turned to Taishang and asked:
"Fellow Daoist Taishang, would you be willing to lend me some of your Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and Three Light Divine Water?"
Taishang chuckled and replied:
"I have also given the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil to my third brother!"
Nuwa was speechless. Why did he give everything to Tongtian? Nevertheless, she turned to Tongtian and asked:
"Fellow Daoist Tongtian! Would you be willing to lend it to me?"
Tongtian replied:
"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist!"
With that, Tongtian produced a substantial amount of Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and handed it to Nuwa. Taishang also offered her the Three Light Divine Water.
Nuwa thanked Taishang and Tongtian. As she was about to begin mixing the materials, Taishang interjected:
"Second brother, Fellow Daoist Nuwa does not even have a place to mix the mud. You should also lend her your Qiankun Cauldron."
Yuanshi complied, taking out the Qiankun Cauldron and handing it to Nuwa. Nuwa did not hesitate, as the Qiankun Cauldron was suffused with innate energy, which was far superior to mixing on the ground.
Nuwa placed the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and Three Light Divine Water into the Qiankun Cauldron and began mixing the mud. As if struck by an idea, she then dripped a drop of her own essence blood into the cauldron. Once the mixture was sufficiently prepared, she resumed molding the clay figures.
Before long, several lifelike clay figures emerged from Nuwa's hands.
Nuwa placed them on the ground and once again applied her Grand Dao of Creation. As the seven-colored radiance faded, four nude figures, appearing to be in their early twenties, stood before Nuwa.