Chapter 21: Two Women Return, Great Calamity Looms

After hearing the words of the Kirin Ancestor, Chen Xing felt a flicker of interest. Though he cared little for such treasures himself, who among Earth’s people didn’t harbor a love of treasure hunting? Even if he had no use for them, he could always let the little demoness or Nuwa make use of them.

He nodded and replied, “Very well!”

The Kirin Ancestor then disclosed the location of the formation to Chen Xing. With a grand wave of his hand, he gathered the remaining clansmen and vanished into the void.

“Come, come, let’s divide the treasures!” With no outsiders left, Chen Xing immediately beckoned to the little demoness and Nuwa, grinning.

The little demoness, still bashful, shuffled over to Chen Xing’s side, reluctant to raise her head.

Nuwa, on the other hand, shot Chen Xing a glare. She approached him, stretched out her fair, delicate hand, and said with mock indignation, “You were gone for so many years! Poor little demoness nearly got captured by the Kirin clan searching for you. You owe her a gift—hand it over!”

Nuwa’s fierce act was for the little demoness’s sake, but the deep worry hidden in her eyes could not escape Chen Xing’s notice. Yet he felt helpless; he had never courted a woman and had no idea how to express himself.

“Don’t be rude to Chen Xing, sister!” Fuxi, standing nearby, was startled by Nuwa’s brazen behavior. Although Chen Xing referred to them as fellow seekers of the Way, it was mostly Chen Xing guiding the siblings in their studies. Fuxi hastily reprimanded Nuwa.

“It’s fine,” Chen Xing waved his hand dismissively. “We are friends on the path; no need to be overly strict about words between companions, Fuxi.”

He then took out the treasures the Kirin Ancestor had given him and handed a mid-grade innate spirit treasure sword to Fuxi. “Fuxi, this sword is a fine weapon. Take it for your own protection.”

Fuxi shook his head and stepped back, refusing. “What does this mean, friend? I have not aided you, how can I accept such reward unearned? I must not!”

“This is compensation from the Kirin Ancestor to you and your sister. If you refuse, you place me in an awkward position.” Chen Xing said, paying no heed to Fuxi’s protest, and tossed the sword into his arms. The sword was named Star-Slaying Sword, a top-tier item among mid-grade innate treasures.

He then took out two remaining treasures and placed them before the two women, smiling. “You two may each choose one.”

Nuwa quickly snatched the ordinary-looking black pearl from Chen Xing’s hand, saying, “I like this black pearl. The rest goes to the little demoness.”

Chen Xing knew Nuwa thought the pearl was only a mid-grade innate spirit treasure and wanted to leave the supreme treasure for the little demoness. He simply smiled.

“No, I like the black pearl too! Sister, give it to me!” The little demoness, usually shy, became serious as she spoke to Nuwa.

The little demoness was aware that the Stabilizing Sea Pearl was a supreme innate spirit treasure. Over the years, Nuwa had treated her as a real sister, so she wanted to leave the best for Nuwa. After all, she had her brother’s protection and had no need for a supreme treasure. Besides, she already possessed the supreme Twelve-Petal Purifying White Lotus; apart from the Star Pearl Chen Xing gifted her, Nuwa had no innate treasures.

Seeing the two women trying to give the treasure to each other, Chen Xing couldn’t help but laugh, teasing the little demoness, “Why are you trying to snatch your sister Nuwa’s treasure?”

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The little demoness raised her head in confusion, not understanding the meaning behind her brother’s words, her expression adorably blank.

Nuwa was also bewildered, unable to grasp Chen Xing’s intent.

Chen Xing sighed, smiled helplessly, and with a gesture cast a spell to shroud the area in space and time, preventing anyone from spying. He took the black pearl from Nuwa’s hand and solemnly asked, “Do either of you know what this is?”

The two women shook their heads.

Chen Xing sighed and explained, “Before chaos was sundered and Pangu opened the heavens, three chaotic supreme treasures existed: the Pangu Axe, the Thirty-Six-Petal Chaotic Green Lotus, and the Chaos Pearl. After the Pangu Axe opened the heavens, it gave rise to three innate supreme treasures: the Chaos Bell, the Pangu Banner, and the Taiji Diagram.

The Chaotic Green Lotus, which nurtured Pangu, was shattered by the calamity of creation, splitting into several supreme innate spirit treasures. The green lotus and white lotus that I and the little demoness possess are among them. As for the Chaos Pearl, it was gravely damaged during the opening of the heavens and disappeared…”

“Could this be the Chaos Pearl?” Nuwa exclaimed.

Chen Xing nodded. “I never expected the Chaos Pearl to be so wounded that the Kirin Ancestor would mistake it for a common innate treasure and give it to us. Clearly, he has no affinity with such a treasure.”

Fuxi, by their side, was dumbstruck. A chaotic supreme treasure? What level of artifact was this? He had never heard of such things.

Nuwa pursed her lips, “Even if it was once a chaotic supreme treasure, it’s now so damaged it’s only an innate spirit treasure.”

Chen Xing chuckled and shook his head, “This object will prove invaluable in the future. Since you are fated to possess it, keep it well. Do not let anyone know, or you will find life in the Great Desolation nearly impossible.”

On hearing Chen Xing’s warning, Nuwa hurriedly replied, “Then, brother Chen Xing, give the pearl to the little demoness. I’ll take the twelve pearls instead.” She reached for the Stabilizing Sea Pearl in the little demoness’s hand, but the latter slipped away.

As the two women again tried to give the Chaos Pearl to each other, Chen Xing said helplessly, “No need to argue. Since Nuwa has taken hold of the pearl, she is fated for it. Keep it, and let no one know.” With that, he handed the pearl to Nuwa.

Nuwa received it, still pretending to dismiss its worth, though she knew well how precious the Chaos Pearl was. She had no idea what use it might have in the future, but she trusted Chen Xing would not speak idly.

Seeing Nuwa store the Chaos Pearl away, Chen Xing hesitated and then admonished them, “It is best not to tell Friend Hongjun about Nuwa’s possession of the Chaos Pearl, remember!”

The Chaos Pearl could create a chaotic space, open a chaotic world, and prove the Way by its power. Hongjun was destined to become the first Heavenly Saint to complete the Heavenly Dao. If he learned that Nuwa had the Chaos Pearl, he would never accept being manipulated by the Dao. He would certainly go to any lengths to obtain it and cultivate the Supreme Way. If that happened, Chen Xing would be troubled, and the whole progress of the Great Desolation would be disrupted. He wanted no such complications.

Hearing Chen Xing, the little demoness, though familiar with Hongjun, naturally valued her brother more and nodded without hesitation.

Nuwa, with threads of emotion tied to Chen Xing, readily agreed. Fuxi, however, felt uneasy. Over the many years, he had formed a close bond with Hongjun, and such deceit made him feel guilty.

Noticing Fuxi’s expression, Chen Xing smiled wryly, “Do you think me too heartless, Fuxi? But if I told you, and you let it slip, Nuwa would be put in mortal danger. What then would you do?”

Fuxi was startled and quickly asked, “Chen Xing, it’s only a treasure. How could it come to this?”

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Chen Xing shook his head again and replied, “When the time is right, I will tell you, Fuxi. I cannot answer now—please forgive me! But rest assured, I will never let Nuwa be placed in danger. This is merely precaution.”

Fuxi’s heart settled at Chen Xing’s assurance. He no longer dwelled on the matter and casually asked, “So, what are your plans?”

Nuwa and the little demoness exchanged glances and replied together, “Naturally, we’ll go treasure hunting first!”

Chen Xing nodded, “Exactly. Let’s claim the treasures the Kirin Ancestor spoke of, then decide our next steps.” With that, he turned and strode forward, the two women taking his hands and floating gracefully at his sides.

Fuxi watched the three, hand in hand, dazed for a moment before smiling and hurrying after them. A whisper drifted on the wind, “Let fate decide all…”

……

After tens of thousands of years of development, the Great Desolation had seen the Dragon, Phoenix, and Kirin clans rise as true overlords. No other beings dared to oppose them, and their arrogance grew unchecked, never regarding outsiders. This gave the followers of Western Rahu opportunity to exploit.

One day, in the Phoenix clan’s grand hall, a middle-aged beauty in seven-colored robes sat upon the central Phoenix Throne. Flanking her were women of varying ages—these were the Phoenix Ancestor and the clan elders, discussing matters of the tribe. Suddenly, a guard rushed in and knelt anxiously before the Phoenix Ancestor. “Reporting, Clan Leader! News just arrived: the princess who went to the East Sea to deliver a message to the Dragon Ancestor has been pursued by the dragons and is now missing!”

“Outrageous!” The Phoenix Ancestor was furious. “The dragons have gone too far! I invited the Dragon Ancestor to discuss alliance, yet they pursue my daughter. Do they think the Phoenix clan has no one?” Her exquisite face was dark with anger.

The elders were equally enraged, roaring to attack the Dragon clan and avenge the wrong.

At that moment, the Great Elder spoke calmly, “Clan Leader, now is not the time for anger. We must first find the missing princess to learn what truly happened. After all, our three clans have coexisted peacefully for hundreds of thousands of years; why would the dragons pursue our princess without cause? The princess’s safety is the priority.”

The Phoenix Ancestor gradually regained her composure and, with a flick of her finger, sent out a drop of essence blood, casting the secret ‘Bloodline Tracking’ technique.

The drop transformed into a tiny seven-colored phoenix and sped eastward. The Phoenix Ancestor and others took flight in pursuit.

Thousands of miles from the East Sea, a young woman of eighteen or nineteen fled desperately. Her beautiful face was marked by panic and anger; she had only managed to persuade her mother to let her accompany the message to the Dragon Ancestor as an excuse to travel.

Unexpectedly, after delivering the message and leaving the dragon clan, she was chased by the Dragon Prince. Her two companions had self-destructed to help her escape, yet the dragons would not relent. If not for the treasures her mother had given her, she would surely have been captured.

“Heh heh heh heh! Pretty girl, you’d best come quietly. You cannot escape!” A lewd, sinister laugh sounded behind her.