The Primordial Era: Starting from Being Forced to Become an Apprentice of the Three Pure Ones

Just as the two attacks were swallowed up by the Mountain and River Map, Nuwa appeared from the void and stood between the two formations.

"Greetings to Empress Nuwa!"

All demons bowed their heads, and the sound waves shook the sea.

Her gaze swept over the demons and finally landed on Yinglong.

"Fellow Daoist, the East Sea Dragon Clan is now subject to orders but not summons. If you do not comply, today will be the day the East Sea Dragon Clan is extinct."

The next instant, she no longer held back, her cultivation as a Quasi-Saint who had severed one corpse and the oppressive aura of two top-grade innate spiritual treasures intimidating the entire audience.

Suspended in the clouds, Taibai looked down and felt a sense of majesty wash over him. He couldn't help but think to himself: It truly exudes an aura of dominance.

Yinglong, who was the first to bear the brunt, saw all of this and finally chose to compromise.

"From this day forward, the Dragon Clan of the East Sea...is willing to serve the Demon Court. They will obey all commands without question."

"Ancestor Yinglong! How can my dragon clan—"

Upon hearing this, the severely injured Ao Guang struggled to get up, but was firmly held down by Ying Longlongwei.

"That's enough!"

Yinglong let out a low roar, its dragon might carrying a hidden weariness, instantly suppressing all of Ao Guang's resentment.

"Now that Your Highness has made your decision, I shall take my leave."

Having roamed the primordial world for many years, Jiuying was able to firmly hold the position of Demon Saint, which naturally meant he was not a reckless person.

He grasped the unyielding will in Nuwa's words and understood the reason behind the five words "obey orders but not proclamations".

The task Emperor Jun of the Demon Emperor gave him was to bring them under his command.

The East China Sea has now openly submitted, retaining some autonomy, but ultimately bowing its head.

The core objective of this trip has been achieved, and there is no need to provoke the unfathomable Nuwa again for the sake of a moment's impulse.

The nine heads of the Nine-Headed Serpent nodded in unison, their posture extremely low. Then they turned around and let out a deep, resounding roar that echoed throughout the sea.

Upon receiving the order, countless demon armies began to methodically gather their weapons and retreat towards the sea.

Meanwhile, Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea who had been hiding in the demon army's formation, felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He didn't even dare to look at the dilapidated Dragon Palace below. He hurriedly stirred up a burst of water and followed at the back of the army in a sorry state.

After Nuwa withdrew her magic power and spiritual treasures, she took a few light steps and prepared to take Taibai away from this place of trouble.

"Your Highness Emperor Wa, wait!"

However, before the two could set off, Yinglong stopped them.

"The Dragon Clan is deeply grateful for the help we have received from you today."

Now that we have arrived, we humbly request that Goddess Nuwa and this young friend grace us with their presence, allowing my dragon clan to prepare a small feast to express our sincere gratitude.

Nuwa, who was traveling through the prehistoric world in search of opportunities, readily agreed to the invitation without much hesitation: "Alright."

Seeing that Nuwa agreed, Yinglong gave Ao Guang, who was still looking gloomy, a wink.

Ao Guang understood, immediately suppressed the turmoil in his heart, bowed to Nuwa and Yinglong respectively, and then took the lead in disappearing into the dilapidated Dragon Palace below.

When Nuwa, accompanied by Taibai, and Yinglong calmly stepped into the East Sea Dragon Palace, the scene before them was completely different from the tragic battlefield they had witnessed moments before.

The damaged jade pillars and pavilions in the palace have been repaired, the pearls have regained their brilliance, the clear water has washed away the bloodstains, the spiritual herbs sway, and the fairy mist is in the air. Although it is not as magnificent as it was at its peak, it has restored the solemnity and splendor that the dragon clan should have.

Upon entering the main hall of the Dragon Palace, one sees four jade tables set up, arranged in four directions, facing each other.

The table was set with spiritual fruits and fine wine, but the main seat at the top of the hall was empty, with no one sitting there.

The main position was left empty, which was Yinglong's deliberate act to show respect for Nuwa and also to show that the dragon clan has recognized the current situation and no longer acts like the overlords of the past.

"Please, fellow Daoist."

As the words fell, the four took their seats. Taibai, mindful of his role as a junior, sat quietly and observed without speaking.

During the meal, Yinglong and Nuwa exchanged pleasantries, but the conversation was mostly casual and superficial, with an underlying sense of probing.

After about half an incense stick's time had passed, Nuwa finally put down her cup and looked directly at Yinglong.

"Fellow Daoist, just speak your mind. There's no need to beat around the bush."

"May I ask Your Majesty, do you know a way to resolve the karma of my clan? What does the future hold for my dragon race?"

"Karma is rooted in the Heavenly Way, and the only way to resolve it is to offset it with merit. However, the depth of the dragon race's karma is unparalleled in the primordial world."

Ordinary acts of merit are like streams flowing into the sea. But immeasurable merit requires extraordinary acts of kindness that transcend heaven and earth and bring blessings to all living beings; such opportunities are rare, and such acts are difficult to perform.

The light in Yinglong's eyes gradually dimmed as she spoke.

Finally, he sighed dejectedly, his voice filled with endless desolation: "Even the Empress... cannot..."

However, just as he was feeling disheartened and almost giving up, Nuwa's gaze suddenly shifted and landed on Taibai, who was sitting quietly to the side.

Taibai's heart skipped a beat at that gaze, and he quickly waved his hand, his tone sincere yet tinged with helplessness and fear:

"Uncle-Master, you jest. Even you don't know the solution. How could I, a mere Golden Immortal, with my shallow knowledge, possibly understand such profound mysteries concerning the fate of an entire clan?"

"Houtu once said that you have enlightened the Wu tribe about the way of the primordial spirit, and have been blessed with merit."

"It can not only resolve the inherent predicament of the Witch Clan, but it must also have considered the karmic calamities of the Dragon Clan."

Upon hearing this, Yinglong was as if struck by lightning and abruptly stood up from his seat.

His eyes were fixed on Taibai, a mixture of shock, ecstasy, doubt, and longing surging within them.

Taibai felt a chill run down his spine under Yinglong's burning gaze. He subconsciously looked at Nuwa, a mixture of fear and helplessness appearing on his face, and whispered:

"Uncle-Master, you are wise. That day... I was only trying to protect myself. You don't know, that Ancestral Witch Xuanming..."

That's enough.

Nuwa gently raised her hand, stopping him from saying anything more.

"Although I hold the position of Empress Nuwa, I do not concern myself with the specific affairs of the Demon Court. Speak frankly, do you have any insights into the karma of the Dragon Clan?"

After he finished speaking, Nuwa's voice rang out from his primordial spirit:

"In the battle that destroyed the Celestial Court, the East Sea Dragon Clan also secretly intervened and shared in many benefits."

One of the five flags may have fallen into the secret vault of the East Sea Dragon Clan.

Taibai was startled upon hearing this.

After all, even the Three Pure Ones couldn't find a trace of that flag when they tried to deduce it together. If it were in the Dragon Clan, the Three Pure Ones would definitely be able to figure it out, unless the Dragon Clan had some powerful concealment ability.

"Young friend, if you have any insights, please feel free to speak them. The Dragon Clan owes you a debt of karma, and we will repay it handsomely."

Knowing he could no longer remain silent, Li Bai pondered for a moment before saying, "The only way to eliminate karmic burdens is through good deeds."

"And the path to merit that is so great that it can shake the heavens is twofold."

"Firstly, it is to mend the deficiencies of the Heavenly Way. By using the wondrous methods of creation, new spiritual roots can be generated, or leaks in the cycle of Heaven and Earth can be repaired, making the universe more complete. This merit of mending Heaven will surely be richly rewarded by Heaven."

"Both of these, they usher in a new era for life. They comprehend the virtues of Heaven and Earth, harnessing the supreme power of creation to forge a new life—one never before seen and beneficial to the world."

Establishing order brings blessings to the primordial world. This is a monumental creation, a feat of immeasurable merit.

What Li Bai said was mostly common sense or empty talk, and it had nothing new to say about the dragon, nor was it of any immediate use.

However, the word "creation" touched upon Nuwa's core concern of proving the Dao through creation once again.

"Fellow Daoist, I have other important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

Nuwa spoke succinctly, and before Taibai could react, she gestured with her fair hand, and a burst of clear light enveloped him.