Chapter Seventy-One: Nuwa Mends the Heavens

The story goes that the Turbid Dragon and Kunpeng went together to Tiantai Mountain on the eastern sea coast to collect the Five-Colored Stones. The task proceeded smoothly without any significant incidents. Meanwhile, Zhunti and Jieyin, along with the others, managed to control the three thousand Weak Waters descending from the sky. But another challenge awaited them: how to refine the Five-Colored Jade Elixir?

Although Tongtian had acquired the Heaven-Supporting Pillars from the giant Ao, the gaping hole in the sky continued to pour down the troublesome Weak Waters.

"Well, now all the materials for repairing the heavens are ready. The question is, who will undertake the refining?" Ancestor Minghe, ever forthright, looked at the treasures in everyone’s hands and addressed the gathering.

"Among us present, only Eldest Brother, Empress Nuwa, the revered Queen Mother of the West, and Junior Brother Tongtian are particularly skilled in the arts of alchemy," said Yuanshi Tianzun, standing aside, holding a small seal in his hand.

This seal was actually forged from the broken Buzhou Mountain and was none other than the postnatal supreme treasure, the "Heaven-Flipping Seal."

This had happened when Tongtian journeyed north to slay the limbs of the giant Ao; now, thinking back, Tongtian felt little regret. After all, it was merely a magical treasure—how could it compare to his little turtle? At least the turtle was a living being capable of cultivation, whereas the seal was but a lifeless object.

"Let it be so, then. The four of us shall stand at the four corners and refine the Five-Colored Jade Elixir together," declared the Grand Supreme Elder Lord, striking the table. Time was pressing, and there was little left for further deliberation.

He continued, "We ask our fellow Daoists to guard us as we work. On behalf of all living beings in the prehistoric world, we Three Pure Ones thank you for your support." With that, Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian, and the Grand Supreme Elder Lord all bowed deeply to the assembled mighty ones.

"Please rise, fellow Daoists."

"Indeed, there is no need for such ceremony, Three Pure Ones. It is a trifling matter to aid the beings of the world."

Everyone stepped forward to address them. For many cultivators, it mattered little how much effort they expended; what was important was that after this great tribulation, they might gain some merit, or at the very least, forge ties with the renowned mighty figures of the age—a truly worthwhile endeavor.

The four—Grand Supreme Elder Lord, Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian, and Nuwa—took up positions at the four corners, channeling their powers to place the materials into the cauldron. But mere spiritual power was not enough to melt these ingredients. At that moment, a three-legged golden crow flew out from Nuwa’s sleeve.

This golden crow was none other than the so-called "Sixth Prince," Lu Ya, the last of the three-legged golden crows not slain by Hou Yi. When Dijun’s benevolent avatar sent him to Nuwa, Lu Ya knew he had lost much. So, in the days that followed, he cultivated diligently.

It was only recently that Empress Nuwa told him she needed his help, granting him relief from the monotony of cultivation.

Lu Ya’s true form was a three-legged golden crow, capable of emitting innate pure fire, commonly known as "Solar True Fire." Following Nuwa’s instructions, he transformed into his true form to melt the materials. Despite revealing his true body, the surrounding temperature did not rise in the slightest, a testament to Lu Ya’s mastery over his powers—a result of his rigorous cultivation.

Indeed, the misfortune of his brothers stemmed from their inability to control their innate solar fire, so for Lu Ya, mastery of power became a primary focus.

Those standing by nodded in satisfaction, each thinking, "Dijun truly has a worthy successor."

But one among them wore a sullen, twitching expression—Ancestor Kunpeng. The Five-Colored Stone had only just begun to melt under the Solar True Fire when a sudden commotion arose: among the three thousand Weak Waters that had fallen on the prehistoric land, a water dragon had appeared, absorbing the thick innate turbid air.

The water dragon fixed its gaze on the distant group refining the Five-Colored Jade Elixir, its eyes narrowing. Its tail lashed violently toward the Grand Supreme Elder Lord and company. This tail strike, carrying the dragon’s full power within the water, drove the Weak Waters toward the Elder Lord and his companions.

The surface ripples grew, swelling into a massive tsunami. The trial for the gathered mighty ones had arrived. They hurried to the embankment, channeling their powers to pile more reed ash to block the Weak Waters.

As the tsunami surged, the mighty ones were thrown into chaos. Knowing the destructive power of the wave, Tongtian shouted to Yuanshi Tianzun, "Second Brother, catch!" With that, he tossed over a banner—the infamous "Six Souls Banner."

Tongtian transmitted his voice, "Second Brother, infuse it with your power—it can dispel the three thousand Weak Waters!"

Yuanshi Tianzun, overjoyed, channeled his power into the banner, shaking it vigorously. Dozens of black streaks shot forth, hurtling across ten thousand miles to the tsunami, slicing the wave neatly in two!

Seeing the might of this treasure, Yuanshi Tianzun eagerly poured in more power, shaking the banner repeatedly until the tsunami vanished before their eyes.

Breathless, Yuanshi Tianzun thought, "This treasure consumes far too much power—it’s a true glutton for energy!"

As Yuanshi Tianzun examined the Six Souls Banner, his gaze filled with astonishment. What an extraordinary treasure!

With the tsunami gone, everyone erupted in cheers, praising Yuanshi Tianzun: "Fellow Daoist, what a marvelous treasure you have!" "Truly remarkable!"

Yuanshi Tianzun responded modestly, returning the compliments.

Meanwhile, the water dragon in the Weak Waters was furious, its attack effortlessly nullified. In a fit of rage, it slapped the surface, launching dozens of water arrows toward the cultivators.

The celebratory mood had no chance to settle before crisis struck again. To be toyed with by a newly-formed water dragon was an affront to their dignity as mighty figures of the world! Kunpeng, Zhenyuanzi, Minghe, and Burning Lamp all soared toward the water dragon, determined to humble its arrogance.

Meanwhile, the dozens of water arrows were instantly redirected by the Six Souls Banner, sent to the depths of the Underworld to purify the wandering souls of the world.

Realizing the importance of the Six Souls Banner, Yuanshi Tianzun led Zhunti, Jieyin, and others toward the gaping hole in the sky, intending to use the banner to restrain the deluge of Weak Waters.

But Yuanshi Tianzun had underestimated the corrosive power of the three thousand Weak Waters. Even the bodies of Great Luo Golden Immortals could barely withstand it—their potency far exceeded the past.

From the collapse of Buzhou Mountain and the breach of the sky’s barrier, a full thousand years had passed. The original hole had grown enormous. If left unchecked, the breach would soon rival the size of the moon, and before the Five-Colored Jade Elixir was finished, the world would face a true catastrophe—none could escape.

Yuanshi Tianzun and the others stationed the Six Souls Banner beneath the hole, channeling immense power to absorb the falling Weak Waters and those summoned by the water dragon below.

Knowing that the banner’s operation depended entirely on power, Yuanshi Tianzun signaled the others, "Fellow Daoists, lend me your strength!"—in truth, asking for their vital energy.

Recognizing the banner’s significance, the assembled mighty ones all channeled their power to Yuanshi Tianzun.

Below, the water dragon grew morose—immobilized by the treasure above, unable to mount any attack. Thus frustrated, it could only stew in its impotence.

So it was that the group persevered for nine days and nights. The Grand Supreme Elder Lord and the others refined the elixir for nine days and nights until the Five-Colored Jade Elixir was at last complete.

Empress Nuwa said, "Let us go see how our fellow Daoists fare."

In truth, the four of them were already worried. So much time had passed; they hoped nothing had gone amiss.

They flew to the center of Buzhou Mountain, arriving just in time to see Yuanshi Tianzun and the others still channeling their power into the Six Souls Banner, shifting the Weak Waters bit by bit.

By now, the water dragon had vanished—it was, after all, only the crystallization of water’s essence given form.

As for Yuanshi Tianzun and his companions, their situation was dire. After nine days and nights of ceaseless effort, their powers were utterly depleted. The Six Souls Banner consumed energy voraciously; boundless vitality rushed into it without the slightest ripple—a truly singular treasure.

Seeing Nuwa and the others arrive, Minghe, Zhenyuanzi, and the rest, exhausted, finally relaxed, their powers faltering, and more Weak Waters fell to the earth. Tongtian and the others immediately stepped forward to replenish the flow. The Grand Supreme Elder Lord urged Nuwa, "Junior Sister, quickly begin the restoration of the heavens!"

Knowing time was of the essence, Nuwa flew to the edge of the breach, holding the Universe Cauldron in both hands, pouring its contents desperately into the gaping hole in the sky.