Xu Fang shook his head upon hearing this and, seeing Liang Tian Chi still indignant, sent a telepathic message to explain.
"Brother Chi, it's truly not me being modest. Without the Primordial Violet Qi, there are things Nu Wa can do that I genuinely cannot!"
Although Xu Fang attributed everything to the Primordial Violet Qi, he knew perfectly well that it was merely an auxiliary. The crucial element was not the Primordial Violet Qi itself.
More importantly, Nu Wa was a future Saint personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun. The Primordial Violet Qi was merely an advanced certification of sainthood. Without such a certification, and not being the destined Saint, even if he had succeeded in creating humanity before Nu Wa, what would it matter? Did he really think he could achieve sainthood through such an act?
What if, by disrupting the plans of Dao Ancestor Hongjun, or rather, the Heavenly Dao, he displeased that entity and was directly annihilated? It was just like his ill-fated Daoist friend, Patriarch Ming He. Later, he emulated Nu Wa by creating the Asura race, and didn't he suffer heavenly punishment?
In comparison, letting Nu Wa achieve sainthood and sharing in the merit and fortune from guiding her was a good choice. At the very least, through this baptism of merit and fortune, his cultivation realm would reach the peak of Quasi-Saint, similar to Nu Wa's realm before her ascension.
Furthermore, treasures like the Innate Gourd Vine and Liang Tian Chi had also gained merit and fortune by assisting Nu Wa in creating humanity. Like the Creation Immortal Cauldron, they had become treasures of merit and were now sacred artifacts of the human race.
Xu Fang's explanation only made Liang Tian Chi more dejected.
"This is truly ridiculous! I'm already a treasure of merit, what use do I have for more merit?"
Before Xu Fang could reply, the Innate Gourd Vine immediately cursed.
"Alright, alright, stop complaining after getting the best of it. Now that you've accepted the merit and fortune, you're even more powerful. You might even be able to contend with the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Linglong Pagoda for the position of the foremost treasure of merit. Why are you barking here?"
Liang Tian Chi heard this and suddenly realized, finally smiling.
"That's true. I'll have to find an opportunity to spar with the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Linglong Pagoda and settle this matter of who is number one!"
Liang Tian Chi immediately felt a surge of confidence. He had always been suppressed by the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Linglong Pagoda, ranking below it. Now, he finally had a chance to vie for the top spot!
Xu Fang was inwardly delighted. Liang Tian Chi was not blindly confident; with the absorption of merit and fortune, he now had sufficient confidence to suppress the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Linglong Pagoda.
As for the Innate Gourd Vine, after absorbing merit and fortune, it had also become a post-celestial treasure of merit. This time, he had returned with two magic treasures, truly a bountiful and rewarding journey!
As Xu Fang was basking in his joy, Nu Wa descended and landed beside him, bowing deeply.
"Daoist friend Xu Fang, your assistance today has allowed me to achieve sainthood. Nu Wa is immensely grateful!"
Nu Wa bowed to Xu Fang, thanking him for his help. Having achieved sainthood, she now truly understood the meaning of "beneath a Saint, all are ants." Such power was truly intoxicating. If not for Xu Fang, she would still be troubled on the shores of the East Sea.
Xu Fang waved his hands repeatedly.
"No need for thanks. We both gained something; it was mutual assistance!"
Xu Fang demurred, but soon changed his mind and amended, "Daoist Nu Wa, if you truly wish to thank me, could you grant me one request?"
Xu Fang's words piqued Nu Wa's curiosity, and she quickly asked, "What is it, Daoist Xu Fang? Now that I am a Saint, there is nothing I cannot do. Please, tell me!"
Seeing Nu Wa's attitude, Xu Fang felt more settled. He pointed to the newly created humans and said, "Daoist Nu Wa, humans were created by you, and I guided you in their creation. Now that humanity has been born, I hope you will treat them well!"
He himself had transmigrated into a human body. These newly born humans in the Primordial World were, in a sense, his kin from another time and place. How could he not look out for them?
Nu Wa looked towards the humans, seeing them gazing up at her with reverence, and nodded repeatedly.
"Of course. Humans are the race I created; how could I abandon them?"
Nu Wa then looked at the Innate Gourd Vine.
"Daoist Xu Fang, may I strip away a portion of this Innate Gourd Vine?"
Xu Fang was startled but quickly understood Nu Wa's intention and nodded.
With Xu Fang's consent, Nu Wa tore off a section from beneath the Innate Gourd Vine. The Innate Gourd Vine cried out in pain, calling Nu Wa ungrateful. However, even as a Saint, Nu Wa could not hear the voices of the magic treasures. Taking the piece of the Innate Gourd Vine, she infused it with her own overflowing merit and fortune. Then, with the flow of her Saintly power, she instantly refined it into a whip.
Xu Fang gazed at this post-celestial treasure whip, marveling.
"How powerful is this Saintly power! If I possessed such strength, I could continuously refine treasures on Penglai Immortal Island, wouldn't that be better than searching everywhere for treasures?"
However, Xu Fang soon felt that his perspective was too narrow. Once one achieved sainthood, why would they still care about the quantity of treasures?
Nu Wa waved her hand, activated the refined treasure whip, and descended among the humans, speaking loudly.
"You are all created by me, and thus you shall receive my protection."
"Today, using the merit and fortune of humanity, I have refined this treasure, named the Empress Whip, also known as the Human Creation Whip. I now bestow it upon you as a sacred artifact of the human race."
"To see this whip is to see me, Nu Wa. It shall both safeguard the destiny of humanity and deter all beings from infringing upon them!"
The Innate Gourd Vine was Xu Fang's treasure, so Nu Wa naturally could not take it to bestow upon the humans. Instead, she peeled off a portion and refined the Empress Whip for them. Xu Fang watched, astonished. So this was how the Empress Whip came to be?
The Innate Gourd Vine also became joyful, boasting to the other magic treasures that the Empress Whip was its child. Not only was it a treasure of innate merit, but it was also the mother of a post-celestial treasure of merit! The other magic treasures grumbled indignantly, wondering why all the good fortune went to Liang Tian Chi and the Innate Gourd Vine. If only they had lent a hand earlier, why had they stood by idly?
The humans, gazing at the shimmering treasure and hearing Nu Wa's words, were deeply grateful. They all knelt down, crying out "Holy Mother Nu Wa!" in unison.
Nu Wa nodded.
"From now on, you shall reside on the shores of the East Sea and multiply. That mountain peak shall be known as Shouyang Mountain, and it shall be the ancestral land of humanity."
The humans were immensely grateful to Nu Wa and readily agreed to her arrangements for them, showering her with praise.
After settling the humans, Nu Wa looked at Xu Fang and said, "Thus, I have resolved my concerns for humanity and fulfilled Daoist Xu Fang's request. We shall meet again!"
As Nu Wa spoke, Fuxi also bid farewell to Xu Fang, preparing to depart.
"Wait!"
Seeing this, Xu Fang quickly called out. The matter was not yet concluded, why were they in such a hurry to leave?