Chapter Fifty-Two: Seizing the Merit of the Three Pure Ones

What transpired in the primal chaos was unknown to Li Tian. After watching Nuwa depart, he soared into the sky and gazed upon the multitude of mortals below.

“I am the Celestial Emperor of the Heavenly Court, bearing the exalted title of the Supreme Sumeru Mystic Law Celestial Emperor. The one who just created you is my wife, named Nuwa. You may address her as the Empress of Heaven,” Li Tian declared.

His intention was to instill in these humans a sense of belonging toward the Heavenly Court, which would facilitate their future governance under his domain.

“We pay our respects to the Celestial Emperor!”

Upon hearing this, over a million mortals knelt in unison.

Li Tian nodded, using his divine power to lift them upright, and then pointed to the first human fashioned by Nuwa. “From this day forth, you shall lead your people as their chief. I hope you will guide humanity to prosperity.”

“Gratitude, Celestial Emperor!” The chosen mortal stepped forward and bowed deeply.

Li Tian gave a slight nod, then, gazing at the mighty river behind him, pondered for a moment. “Henceforth, this river shall be called the Yellow River. You shall dwell here, for you were all molded from its waters. In a sense, this river is your mother.”

Because Nuwa had kneaded Nine Heavens’ Breath Earth in these waters, the river now carried a faint yellow hue, reminding Li Tian of the Yellow River of Huaxia. Thus, he named it so.

“At the Emperor’s command!” The mortals bowed once more. Looking at the surging river behind them, an indescribable emotion welled up within their hearts.

Satisfied, Li Tian nodded, and after giving further instructions, he chose a cave several hundred miles away to reside in. He prepared to forge a cultivation method tailored for humanity—an endeavor that would surely earn him a great deal of virtue.

As for what would become of the Three Pure Ones in the future, Li Tian cared little. Their ascension to sainthood was chiefly due to Pangu’s legacy; merely spreading a method of cultivation could hardly yield simultaneous sainthood for three. Pangu’s act of creation was of boundless merit, equivalent in value to the entirety of the primal world. In essence, the world itself was Pangu’s creation, and even the Heavenly Dao manifested because of him.

The Heavenly Dao is supremely just. For Pangu’s monumental creation, it was only right that immense merit be bestowed. Yet, with Pangu’s passing, there was no recipient, so the merit remained unclaimed. Later, the establishment of sects by the Three Pure Ones served as a catalyst, allowing Heaven’s Dao to bestow Pangu’s residual virtue upon them.

After all, the Three Pure Ones were incarnations of Pangu’s primordial spirit. In a sense, together they were Pangu himself.

Nevertheless, Li Tian remained cautious. While creating the cultivation method, he was ever vigilant for any sign that Heaven and Earth might oppose his preemptive gift of cultivation before the Three Pure Ones. At the slightest hint of obstruction, he would halt immediately.

After all, some merit was not worth risking his life for. He had no desire to be struck down by heavenly thunder.

...

After Li Tian’s departure, the chosen chief led the humans to settle by the Yellow River. By day, they covered themselves with leaves; by night, the sky was their blanket, the earth their bed. They foraged for fruit, hunted wild beasts and fish; life was carefree.

Time passed swiftly. Before long, snow began to fall and the weather turned cold. The mortals’ carefree days ended.

Clothes fashioned from leaves and animal skins offered little protection from the biting wind and snow. Countless mortals perished from the cold each day.

The chief grew anxious, yet found no solution. In desperation, he journeyed to Li Tian’s mountain cave to seek counsel.

Li Tian had long been aware of humanity’s plight but knew he could not intervene directly. Restraining himself, he awaited the chief’s arrival and replied with words he had prepared in advance: “Why do the birds not freeze to death?”

The chief stood there, stunned. Taking leave of Li Tian, he observed the birds in the forest. Upon seeing their nests in the trees, enlightenment dawned and joy flooded his heart.

Returning to his people, the chief assembled them to fell trees and gather reeds by the river, constructing shelters. After days of trial and error, they built the first thatched hut.

At the very moment the house was completed, a beam of virtue descended from the heavens, splitting into three parts: half to the chief, thirty percent to the newly built house—transforming it into a treasure of merit—and the remaining twenty percent soared toward Li Tian a hundred miles away.

Li Tian, ever watchful of humanity’s progress, shook his head at the sizable portion of virtue that came his way. Despite his subtlety, he still received a share.

Meanwhile, the chief, empowered by the influx of virtue, saw his cultivation rise rapidly, ascending to the early stage of Golden Immortal in the blink of an eye.

“From this day forth, I am the Lord of the Nests!”

Opening his eyes, the chief looked upon his people, raising the house-treasure high.

“Nest! Nest! Nest!” Countless mortals raised their arms and cheered.

From then on, humanity learned to build houses and live within them; no more did they freeze to death.

So time slipped quietly by. In the decades that followed, two more leaders emerged: the Lord of Fire and the Lord of Clothes.

The Lord of Fire obtained fire from a tree struck by lightning and realized its benefits. With Li Tian’s guidance, he spent years inventing the art of kindling fire by drilling wood, earning heavenly virtue for his people.

The Lord of Clothes likewise contributed. At this time, with no cultivation method yet, the three Golden Immortals—Lord of the Nests, Lord of Fire, and Lord of Clothes—held special status among humankind. The Lord of Fire and Lord of Clothes, having invented fire and clothing, enjoyed great prestige, second only to the chief appointed by Li Tian.

With Li Tian’s approval, the three became joint leaders of humanity.

One had to admit, these first humans were truly pure-hearted.

Li Tian knew he himself could not have acted so selflessly. Had he been one of them, he would surely have sought to outshine the others, vying for sole leadership, resorting to intrigue if necessary.

One day, Li Tian finally completed a cultivation method suited for humans. Arriving at their settlement, he unleashed his divine authority, enveloping every corner of their land.

“I am the Supreme Sumeru Mystic Law Celestial Emperor, Lord of the Heavenly Court. Today, I impart to you the path of cultivation. Practice it well, and strive to earn a place among the myriad tribes of the world!”

Over the years, many new lives had been born among mortals—most did not know of Li Tian’s existence. Thus, he introduced himself anew, reinforcing his presence.

Then, using his divine consciousness, he transmitted the cultivation method into the mind of every human.

During this, Li Tian felt some anxiety—would snatching the virtue destined for the Three Pure Ones bring heavenly wrath?

Fortunately, no disaster befell him, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

This cultivation method was devised according to the nature of humanity, modeled after the cultivation systems in tales from his former life. The progression of realms from lowest to highest was: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Unity, Void Return, Great Ascension, Earth Immortal... Beyond that, it aligned with the system handed down by Hongjun.

He had imparted a method allowing cultivation all the way to the Great Luo Golden Immortal, far surpassing the future Dao of Golden Core taught by Laozi in both completeness and power.

Thus, he looked forward with anticipation: how much virtue would Heaven bestow for this deed?

...