Chapter Ninety-Four: Fuxi’s Grand Wedding, Nüwa Creates Humanity

When the grand wedding of Fuxi was announced, the entire prehistoric world erupted in celebration. It was not only because Fuxi was the sovereign of the human race, but also because he had been a great sage of the demon clan in his previous life—and most importantly, because he was the beloved elder brother of Lady Nuwa. The bride herself was none other than a manifestation of Lady Nuwa, her status so exalted that the occasion was marked by unprecedented splendor.

Every prominent figure in the world had come to witness the event: the Three Pure Ones, Queen Mother of the West, the Dragon Lords of the Eastern Seas, and many more. On such a joyous day, how could the festivities not be lively? The more people gathered, the more the grandeur of the human race could be displayed.

The humans, too, sent forth their own blessings, with dances and music, causing everyone to momentarily forget that this world revered strength above all. Troubles and sorrows were laid aside, embodying the spirit of humanity.

"First, bow to Heaven and Earth." Fuxi, clad in a crimson imperial robe, appeared at the ceremony, while Nuwa, adorned with a phoenix crown and red robes, her immortal visage radiant, gracefully took his arm and walked forward. The officiant was none other than Xuandaozi. Once the couple was ready, Xuandaozi began the formal proceedings.

Seeing Fuxi and Nuwa finally united, the guests were elated. They drank heartily from cauldrons brewed by Tongtian himself, and feasted generously, the scene brimming with joy and camaraderie.

Fuxi and Nuwa nodded gently and bowed to the south. Following Xuandaozi's command, they then bowed to their parents.

"Now, bow to each other as husband and wife!" Xuandaozi watched the couple, his heart filled with happiness for them.

After their mutual bow, just as Leishen and Huaxu had done, they served tea to the officiant, Xuandaozi. The ceremony was simple, but the sentiments profound.

After a day of bustling activity, Xuandaozi could finally find a moment of peace. Though the day had exhausted him, he was content—joyous occasions always invigorate the spirit.

That evening, people gathered by blazing bonfires, dancing passionately hand in hand. The flames seemed to share in their happiness, and for a day, everyone forgot the recent tragedies, for here was the paradise of humanity. Suppressed emotions, if left unresolved, breed illness, so to release one's sorrows in such a manner was truly wonderful.

A few days later, Xuandaozi sought out Fuxi and Nuwa. Both seemed to anticipate his purpose and did not resist. Following Xuandaozi's arrangements, they began the great undertaking of creating new humans.

This time, the task was far more difficult than before. Previously, Lady Nuwa had fashioned humans with souls, but now, there were none. During the chaos wrought by the Black Dragon, Lady Nuwa and others had gathered the souls of the fallen humans, waiting for the right moment to recreate them.

It was impossible to craft all new humans at once—there were simply too many, especially on the Sacred Mountain. So, after consulting with Lady Nuwa, Xuandaozi decided that those with favorable qualities would be the first to reclaim new bodies, while the rest would enter the six cycles of reincarnation.

Even though the talented souls were reborn, it could not restore the prestige of the Spiritual Sect among the humans. Xuandaozi sighed, realizing his journey would be long and arduous.

Nuwa, Lady Nuwa, Tongtian, and others stood guard as everything was prepared, waiting only for Lady Nuwa. Together with Fuxi, she approached the assembly, finally letting go of a burden she had carried in her heart.

She had never revealed her feelings for her brother Fuxi, but her heart's longing continued to stir within her, becoming a knot she could not untangle.

Now, Lady Nuwa had become a sage, yet she still regarded Fuxi and her own manifestation with a hint of envy and resentment. How could one be jealous of oneself? Nonetheless, her emotions were in turmoil.

Fuxi and Nuwa ascended the high platform, placing their hands into the Cauldron of Heaven and Earth that had once nurtured humanity. Images of real human forms flashed through their minds, and those shapes began to take form in their hands.

Thus, Fuxi and Nuwa continued to mold humans. Whenever they tired, the others replenished their magical power, and Lady Nuwa guided and aided them as well.

After three days and nights of arduous effort, all those whom Xuandaozi and Lady Nuwa deemed worthy of rebirth stood once again upon the land that belonged to them.

Xuandaozi knew his work was now complete. His declining influence among the humans had made his position awkward, so he turned to Fuxi and Nuwa and said, "Should you require our assistance, simply light incense before our portraits, and we will arrive in an instant."

He then retrieved a dazzling palace from his sleeve, which, with a wave of his hand, expanded and landed firmly upon the ground. This astonished everyone and all the powers of the prehistoric world—a single gesture produced a treasure palace, an innate magical artifact.

This treasure had been obtained by Tongtian at the Cliff of Treasures. Of all the sects, none possessed more treasures than the Spiritual Sect.

Tongtian and Xuandaozi bade farewell to the assembly and returned with the Three Ancestors of Humanity to the shores of the Eastern Sea.

Lady Nuwa, too, departed. Though Nuwa was her own manifestation, it did nothing to ease her jealousy. No longer wishing to be the third wheel, she mounted a rainbow phoenix and returned to her own celestial realm.

The human race endured this great tribulation; though the losses were severe, the lesson was clear: only by cultivating their own strength could humanity truly flourish.

Fuxi then announced his intention to adopt and educate talented individuals, to protect the human family. Though Xuandaozi had fostered the growth of humanity, most of the gifted souls had been slain by the "Black Dragon's Waters," suffering wounds to their souls. Therefore, Fuxi chose to teach young children, whose souls were whole and who were more likely to heed instruction.

Humanity thus passed a hundred years of peace. Now, on the prehistoric earth, the human race had grown into a mighty clan. Under Fuxi's leadership, they began a rapid expansion outward.

Yet, the demon clan was not so easily subdued. Their leaders cared little for the identity of intruders—if their interests were threatened, they fought fiercely. The two sides engaged in a century-long war. The demon clan underestimated humanity's potential, and all the powers watched, curious to see what abilities the human race possessed to rule the prehistoric world.

Ultimately, it was Fuxi who beseeched Xuandaozi to intervene, compelling the demon clan to lower their noble heads. Forcing them to relinquish their territory would have been too harsh, so the leaders of both sides signed an agreement: never again would they cross boundaries to incite chaos.

Fuxi himself had once belonged to the demon clan and still felt affection for them. To compensate for their contributions to the world, he established the Twelve Zodiac signs among the humans, so they would know their birth years. He also formalized the instruments used for sacrifices to Heaven, stabilizing relations between the human and demon clans.

From that day on, the demon clan dared not cross into human lands, nor did humans intrude upon the demon domains. Both sides maintained a semblance of "peaceful coexistence."

A stable external environment was essential for developing one's strength—an eternal truth. It was the same for humanity. In the past, Xuandaozi had thought the time for the rise of the human race had not yet come, but the youthful Fuxi brimmed with vitality, frequently consulting Xuandaozi on these matters.

Finally, Xuandaozi made his decision, saying to Fuxi, "Whatever happens, I will bear it." This declaration caused all the powers of the world to view humanity in a new light.

Previously, even the sages of the prehistoric world had dismissed humans as mere ants. No one expected them to shake the nerves of the demon clan, causing the sages to shift their focus from the path of enlightenment back to humanity.

Truly, humanity had been silent for so long, only to astonish the world with a single, resounding cry. The prehistoric world was now firmly within the grasp of the human race!