The Current State of the Human Race

Deep within the Human Emperor Palace, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Di Xuan sat on the edge of the couch, looking at Yue Yao was leaning against the soft pillows, his eyes full of concern.

Yue Yao's face was still as pale as paper, but it was much better than a few days ago.

"Yue Yao, are you feeling better?" Di Xuan asked softly, reaching out to brush the hair from her forehead.

Yue Yao nodded, her voice still somewhat weak. "It's alright, Di Xuan. I am, after all, a Saint. I've only just been resurrected, and my cultivation hasn't fully recovered yet. I just need to recuperate for a while."

She paused, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes. "But Cangjie, he..."

Mentioning Cangjie, Di Xuan sighed slowly, "Cangjie was loyal to his Father God, and deserves to be remembered by the entire human race. He created writing and spread civilization; his contributions will last for millennia."

Di Xuan's voice deepened. "Although the Martial Ancestor Realm is equivalent to the Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal, it cannot achieve the immortality of the true spirit like a saint."

Di Xuan's tone was firm. "I know that Cangjie has no regrets. Without the Father God, there would be no humanity as we know it today."

"What we can do is live up to his expectations, pass on human civilization, and carry it forward."

Yue Yao grasped Di Xuan's hand and nodded vigorously.

Just then, a soft knock came from outside the hall.

"Come in," Di Xuan said.

The palace doors were pushed open, and two figures entered one after the other.

Walking in front was a woman dressed in a light purple outfit, exuding a heroic aura; she looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

It was Yu Tong, one of the youngest Martial God Realm experts in the human race today.

Following behind Yu Tong was a middle-aged man dressed in a simple linen robe; he was none other than You Chao Shi, one of the Three Ancestors of the Human Race.

"Greetings, Human Emperor and Empress." The two bowed in greeting.

Di Xuan nodded. "No need for formalities. Yu Tong, you've come at the perfect time."

He looked at Yue Yao, his eyes full of tenderness. "The Empress has just been resurrected and needs to rest. I originally wanted to take care of her myself, but the human race currently has many affairs to attend to. I would like to ask you to help take care of the Empress, would that be alright?"

Yue Yao quickly waved her hand. "No need, I can take care of myself."

Yu Tong looked at Di Xuan: "Your Human Emperor, rest assured, I will take good care of the Empress."

Di Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

Yu Tong is now at the peak of the Martial God Realm, and is considered a top expert among the entire human race. With her taking care of Yue Yao, he is indeed at ease.

He turned to You Chao Shi and asked, "You Chao Shi, have you come here to report something?"

You Chao Shi nodded solemnly, "There is indeed one matter that requires the Human Emperor's decision."

Tell me about it.

You Chao Shi took a deep breath and slowly began to speak, "Our human race has traded with various races in the Primordial Wilderness world for thousands of years. Although this has greatly promoted the development of the human race, the flow of goods, and the exchange of civilizations, it has also brought about some drawbacks."

Di Xuan frowned slightly. "What drawbacks?"

"Some human youths are no longer as enthusiastic about our race's martial arts cultivation."

You Chao Shi's tone was tinged with worry. "They went everywhere seeking immortality and joining other sects and groups. Some even became disciples of the Chan Sect, practicing immortal arts."

"Some people sought refuge with the Demon Race, learning demonic arts; others even traveled far to the West, joining Western Teachings..."

He paused, his voice growing even heavier. "If this continues, I fear the very foundation of our human race will be shaken. Because martial arts cultivation emphasizes taking one step at a time, progressing gradually, and there are no shortcuts."

"However, the Immortal Path cultivation only requires Meditation, sitting meditation, and cultivating one's inner energy, making it much easier. This makes many young people yearn for it and unwilling to endure the hardships of martial arts."

Di Xuan listened in silence. He had actually heard about what You Chao Shi had said before, but he had never interfered.

"This is a real headache for us," sighed You Chao Shi. "Sui Ren Shi even considered ordering that human children be forbidden from practicing other martial arts and to focus solely on martial arts, but Zi Yi Shi dissuaded him, saying that doing so would only have the opposite effect."

Human martial arts are the foundation upon which humanity has established itself in the Primordial Wilderness.

If the younger generation abandons martial arts for immortality, then the martial arts of the human race will become nothing but empty talk in the future!

"As humanity develops rapidly, not all humans are of one mind."

Di Xuan slowly spoke, "I am also quite helpless about this."

Di Xuan turned around and looked at You Chao Shi and Yu Tong, "The Mother God once said something that I have always kept in mind."

"The Mother God said that everyone has their own choices, and it's impossible to expect everyone to be the same. How can we achieve long-term development if we force uniformity?"

"The Mother God also said that for a race to endure, it needs diversity, to accept different ideas, and to embrace different paths. As long as one's heart is with humanity and one does not forget one's roots, the path one takes is not actually important."

You Chao Shi seemed to be deep in thought, "What the Human Emperor means is..."

"What I mean is," Di Xuan said firmly, "Ignore it. I only ask one thing: that their hearts remain with the human race."

"If their hearts don't belong to humanity, then there's no need for them to stay."

A look of understanding flashed in Yu Tong's eyes. "The Human Emperor is right. What kind of cultivation technique they practice is not important. What is important is whether they still identify with their human race and whether they are still willing to contribute to the human race."

After pondering for a long time, You Chao Shi finally nodded. "I understand. As long as they don't betray humanity or do anything to harm humanity's interests, we will not interfere."

"That's exactly right." Di Xuan sat back down on the couch. "For humanity to become strong, it cannot rely solely on martial arts. Immortal Path, demonic arts, Buddhist Dharma... if we can extract their essence and discard their dross, integrating them into our human civilization, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing."

He looked at You Chao Shi and said, "There is one thing to note: those who seek refuge with other tribes must report to the human race and state their whereabouts."

"Anyone found to be secretly colluding with foreign tribes and harming the interests of the human race will be severely punished without exception."

"I understand," You Chao Shi said, bowing.

Just then, You Chao Shi suddenly remembered something, and his expression became serious again. "Human Emperor, there is one more matter. How should we deal with the recent large-scale recruitment of disciples by the Western Teachings among our human race?"

The atmosphere in the hall froze once again.

Di Xuan's expression was solemn. He had heard about this matter before, but he had been busy with other matters and had not had time to deal with it.

In recent years, Western Teachings have indeed absorbed a considerable number of human believers.

It is said that they spread Buddhist Dharma among humans, claiming that they could save people from suffering and lead them to rebirth in the Pure Land.

Some humans, dissatisfied with the status quo, followed them to the west and were never heard from again.

"I've heard that some humans have embraced the Western Teachings Western Teachings, joined it directly, and never returned," Di Xuan said slowly, his voice tinged with coldness.

You Chao Shi nodded. "Indeed. The Western Teachings, under the guise of saving all living beings, has been spreading its teachings extensively among the human race."

"They promised blessings in the next life, attracting many people. Some went voluntarily, but there are also rumors that... some were actually forced."

"Forced?" Yue Yao's voice suddenly rose. "They dare to force my human people?"

Yu Tong frowned and said, "I've heard similar rumors too. It's said that the Western Teachings uses Supernatural Power powers to bewitch people, causing some weak-willed humans to lose their way and willingly follow them."

Di Xuan remained silent for a moment, then stood up.

He walked to the center of the hall, turned his back to everyone, and remained silent for a long time.

After a long silence, he turned around, a resolute glint in his eyes. "I will personally go to the West to find out the situation."

You Chao Shi was startled. "Isn't this... too risky? What if a conflict breaks out..."

"That's precisely why I must go in person," Di Xuan said in a deep voice. "As the Human Emperor, I represent the entire human race. They must at least give me an explanation."

He looked at Yue Yao, his tone softening. "Don't worry, I won't act rashly. I'm only going to find out the truth; I won't resort to violence easily."

Yue Yao shook her head. "If they were forced, what would you do then?"

Di Xuan's eyes suddenly turned cold and sharp. "If they voluntarily joined the Western Teachings and genuinely believed in Buddhist Dharma, then I have nothing to say. Let them stay or leave. Everyone has their own choices in life, and you can't force them."

He paused, then said, word by word, "But if they have been misled, then I will let the Western Teachings experience firsthand what the wrath of humanity tastes like."

These words were spoken calmly, yet they were filled with murderous intent.

You Chao Shi took a deep breath. "In that case, I am willing to accompany the Human Emperor."

"No need," Di Xuan shook his head. "I can handle this alone. I want to see what the Two Sages of the West are really up to."

Seeing that the Human Emperor had said this, the three members of the You Chao Shi had no choice but to comply.