Chapter 50

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind him.

Turning around, Tai Cang saw that Cang Du had somehow arrived nearby. After landing, he stepped forward and said, "I didn't expect to find you in the human territory as well, Fellow Daoist."

Cang Du?

Why was he here?

Tai Cang was puzzled.

Disciples of the Three Teachings were not supposed to leave the Kunlun Mountains without permission. Tai Cang's circumstances were truly an exception.

Suppressing his doubts, Tai Cang stepped forward and asked, "Why have you come here, Fellow Daoist Cang Du?"

"Did the Grand Clarity Sage send you to the human race on some errand?"

"Alas!"

Cang Du sighed, his face filled with worry. He walked to Tai Cang's side and lowered his voice. "To be honest, the Kunlun Mountains are no longer peaceful."

"Over the past several thousand years, the conflict between the Chan and Jie Teachings has only intensified."

"Our Third Martial Uncle has accepted disciples far and wide. The Jie Teaching now has over a thousand members, and they have turned the Kunlun Mountains into a complete mess."

"My master sent me to the human race to find a new Daoist site. He no longer wishes to remain in Kunlun."

A new Daoist site?

Were the Three Pure Ones splitting apart?

Tai Cang's gaze sharpened, his expression turning solemn.

When he had discussed Dao with the Three Pure Ones before, he had thought their separation would not happen. After all, the three of them had already glimpsed many possibilities within the River of Destiny. If they truly wished to prevent it, it would not have been difficult.

Yet now, it seemed Tongtian had not restrained himself. The Jie Teaching was still developing toward the path of ten thousand immortals paying homage.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, what brings you to the human race?"

Cang Du looked at Tai Cang in confusion, his eyes full of questions.

Tai Cang had traveled among the Witch Clan and demon race these past years, and now he had appeared among the humans. The meaning behind it was difficult to fathom.

I came to spread the Dao. Tai Cang looked at Cang Du, already forming a plan. "Fellow Daoist Cang Du, as an ancestor of humanity, would you be willing to help me spread the Martial Dao among the human race?"

The human race was currently in a period of prosperity, yet Tai Cang had been troubled by the lack of a quick way to spread his teachings. With Cang Du's assistance, things would be entirely different. Though he had entered Laozi's sect, as one of the first humans personally created by Nuwa, he still held an exalted status among humanity. With his help in spreading the Martial Dao, Tai Cang could gather the essence of humanity and perfect the Supreme Human Flower.

"Spread the Dao?" Cang Du looked surprised. The human race had never lacked people who taught cultivation methods, yet few had achieved any results. The methods of many great cultivators were unsuitable for human cultivation. Only his master's Golden Core Great Dao was somewhat viable, and even that was suitable for merely a small number of people.

Hearing this, Tai Cang suddenly understood. No wonder the human race's cultivation system had felt strange to him. The corner of his lips lifted. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. The Martial Dao I created is most suitable for humanity." As he spoke, he took out a jade talisman, inscribed a basic Martial Dao mental cultivation method into it, and handed it to Cang Du.

"The Martial Dao? You created it yourself, Fellow Daoist?" Cang Du was stunned. A Grand Unity Golden Immortal had actually created an entire path on his own—this was simply unbelievable. He accepted the jade talisman and studied it carefully. A moment later, his eyes flew open. "This path progresses step by step and has extremely low requirements for talent. It was practically tailored for humanity! Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, to create such a great Dao at the Taiyi realm—if it is widely spread, the human race's strength will surely advance by leaps and bounds."

Cang Du could not hide the envy in his eyes. Those who created their own path would receive the blessing of fortune once they advanced to the True Grand Unity Immortal realm, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist." Tai Cang spoke modestly before getting to the point. "Now that you have seen the power of the Martial Dao, could you introduce me to the Three Ancestors of Humanity? If this path is promoted, the human race may perhaps stand shoulder to shoulder with the Witch Clan and demon race."

Cang Du's breath caught at those words. To contend with the witches and demons meant that humanity would truly rise!

Without hesitation, Cang Du said, "I will take you to the ancestral land at once. I beg you, Fellow Daoist, to pass the Martial Dao on to humanity!" With that, he gave a solemn bow, his eyes filled with earnestness. As a human cultivator, his sincere devotion to his people was plain to see.

Even after entering Laozi's sect and becoming the Human Teaching's chief disciple, Cang Du had always cared deeply about humanity's development. With such an opportunity before him, he naturally would not let it pass.

This could work!

Tai Cang smiled faintly, knowing that his plan had already succeeded by more than half. With Cang Du's introduction, once he persuaded the Three Ancestors of Humanity, the path to spreading the Martial Dao would be completely unobstructed.

The two immediately rose into the air on clouds and sped toward the human ancestral land.

Cultivators!

At the foot of the mountain, the young man who had just slain a Cang Immortal-level beast looked up and saw the scene. His brows furrowed slightly. Hoisting the beast's corpse over his shoulder, he strode swiftly through the forest, likewise heading toward the ancestral land.

Within the human ancestral land, as two figures descended from the sky, the tribespeople clad in animal skins all turned to look. Upon recognizing Cang Du, they immediately burst into cheers. "Ancestor Cang Du has returned!"

Cheers rose one after another, and the entire ancestral land instantly boiled with excitement. Women and children rushed out in a scramble, their eyes filled with reverence and longing. The children in particular stared intently at the two visitors.

"Cang Du, you brat, you finally remembered to come back."

A booming laugh rang out as three white-haired elders strode over. They were the Three Ancestors of Humanity: Suirenshi, Youchaoshi, and Ziyishi. Though they looked ancient, the surging vitality within their bodies was no weaker than that of Great Witches of the Witch Clan.

"Greetings, Three Ancestors."

After offering his respects, Cang Du introduced him. "This is Fellow Daoist Tai Cang of Cang Gate. The Martial Dao he created is suitable for our people to cultivate and may be widely spread."

As he spoke, he presented the jade slip containing the essentials of the Martial Dao.

"The Martial Dao?"

The Three Ancestors exchanged glances, unable to conceal their delight. If it was truly as described, it would be an enormous opportunity for humanity.

Youchaoshi was the first to examine the jade slip. A moment later, his eyes snapped open. "Wonderful! This method progresses step by step. Even children can cultivate it. First temper the body, then refine true qi. Only through cultivating body and qi together can one achieve the Martial Dao. If it can be promoted, our people's strength will surely soar!"

"Is that true?"

Suirenshi and Ziyishi hurriedly took the jade slip and examined it. Before long, their faces flushed with excitement. "This path distinguishes neither young nor old, nor does it care about talent. It values only willpower. If it is widely spread, every member of our people can become a warrior! It even contains profound mysteries comparable to those of cultivators. Once one's realm is sufficient, one may naturally comprehend them."

The Three Ancestors wept with joy, laughing one moment and choking up the next. Tai Cang and Cang Du could not help but feel moved at the sight.

The three ancestors of humanity cared deeply about their people's future. Learning that the Martial Dao could help humanity flourish, their overwhelming emotions were only natural.

Thud—

The Three Ancestors of Humanity suddenly knelt before Tai Cang, tears streaming down their faces. "We beg Immortal Tai Cang to bestow the true teachings of the Martial Dao upon humanity!"

"We beg the Immortal to teach us the Martial Dao!"

"We beg for the Immortal's mercy!"

The people present immediately came to their senses. Though they did not understand what the Martial Dao truly was, seeing the Three Ancestors act with such gravity, they all dropped to their knees in unison. Their thunderous pleas echoed through the ancestral land:

"We beg Immortal Tai Cang to spread the Dao!"

"We beg the Immortal to show mercy and grant us this method!"

The cries rose and fell, and no one in the entire tribe remained standing. For the future of their people, the three ancestral founders—Youchaoshi, Suirenshi, and Ziyishi—were willing to cast aside all dignity.

This was humanity.

For the sake of future generations, they were willing to give everything.

Tai Cang looked upon the scene, his blood boiling. These ancestors who had carved out a path through hardship embodied the most precious quality of the Eastern human race—lying low in adversity, then giving their all once they seized an opportunity. For the continuation of their people, they could abandon all empty fame and profit.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Cang Du also gave a solemn bow. "I beg you to grant this request. Since humanity was born, we have wielded wood and stone as weapons and fought the savage beasts of the primordial world with our lives. Countless compatriots have been buried in the wilderness. Though talented people now emerge in great numbers, we still struggle to break this deadlock. Resources in the Eastern Sea region are becoming increasingly scarce, while expanding outward means facing the Witch Clan and demon race. I beg you to grant us the Martial Dao and open a path of survival for humanity!"

As he spoke more passionately, this True Grand Unity Immortal even bent his knees and knelt, tears soaking his robe.

Tai Cang helped everyone up and declared loudly, "I came here precisely to spread the Dao to you. Since the Three Ancestors have already confirmed that the Martial Dao is harmless, gather the young members of the tribe tomorrow to cultivate with me. What matters most in this path is perseverance. Those who fear hardship need not force themselves."

The Three Ancestors were overjoyed and repeatedly promised, "Rest assured, Immortal. We will supervise them strictly!"

"Any who slack off will be severely punished without exception!"

Seeing their seriousness, Tai Cang nodded in satisfaction. With the powerful bodies of the Innate Human Race, coupled with diligent cultivation and hard training, they would surely nurture a group of outstanding Martial Dao talents in time.

As long as these people cultivated diligently, Tai Cang could train them into martial artists in a short time. Then, having them spread the Martial Dao among humanity would be far more efficient than teaching everyone personally.

"Ding! Mission issued: Recruit three people from the human race with potential exceeding eight stars. Reward: one One-Click Max Level Privilege."

Accept!

Potential above eight stars? Tai Cang raised his brow, his steps pausing slightly.

Immediately afterward, a cool sensation flowed into his eyes as the system's power quietly activated. Information appeared above the heads of the children in the distance:

[Shichuan]

[Race: Innate Human Race]

[Potential: Four Stars]

[Musheng]

[Race: Innate Human Race]

[Potential: Five and a Half Stars]

[Shanyue]

[Race: Innate Human Race]

[Potential: Seven Stars]

After scanning the area, Tai Cang found that although the children in the tribe had decent potential, they were still quite far from eight stars.

"Looks like it won't be so easy."

Tai Cang murmured to himself. Retracting his gaze, he looked at the Three Ancestors of Humanity. "You three, I plan to stay here for some time. Would that be acceptable?"

Though he had not directly found suitable candidates, he was in no hurry. The human race was vast, and finding three people who met the requirements should not be difficult. He had no intention of missing out on such an easy reward.

"Of course!"

Youchaoshi nodded. "We will arrange the Immortal's residence as soon as possible."

"However, it is already late. Would the Immortal be willing to dine with us?"

In Youchaoshi's view, Tai Cang was friendlier than the Dao teachers who had come before and carried none of their arrogance, which made him favorably inclined toward him. The Martial Dao was of tremendous importance to humanity. If they could use this opportunity to draw closer to Tai Cang, or even have him accept several disciples, that would be even better.

"Alright!"

Tai Cang readily agreed, then looked at Cang Du. "Fellow Daoist Cang Du, why not join us?"

"I would be honored."

Cang Du did not decline. He could see the Three Ancestors' intentions, but he also worried that acting rashly might anger Tai Cang and affect the spread of the Martial Dao.

Seeing that both of them agreed, the Three Ancestors were delighted. They did not know Tai Cang well yet, but with Cang Du present, things felt more secure.

Very soon, Youchaoshi instructed the tribespeople to prepare a banquet while also arranging for the young and strong members of the tribe to build Tai Cang a residence.

Just as Tai Cang and Cang Du followed the Three Ancestors toward the ancestral temple, heavy footsteps came from outside the ancestral land—

Thump! Thump!

Everyone followed the sound and saw a young man striding over with a gigantic beast slung across his shoulder.

"It's Brother Stone!"

"Brother Stone is back!"

The children cheered and ran toward the young man. The surrounding tribespeople also smiled in relief.

"That brat finally made it back safely."

"Three months without seeing him, and he's still just as stubborn."

"He's been like that since he was little. That temper will never change."

Listening to the crowd's discussion, Tai Cang could feel their concern for the young man.

When his gaze fell upon the youth, he suddenly gave a soft sound of surprise.

Tai Cang abruptly stopped walking.

To his surprise, he discovered that the young man approaching them was the very youth he had seen when he met Cang Du earlier. This person had killed a Cang Immortal-level beast alone and was an unparalleled genius among humanity.

What shocked Tai Cang even more was that the system automatically displayed the youth's information:

[Stone]

[Race: Innate Human Race]

[Physique: Heavenly Supreme Physique]

[Potential: Eight and a Half Stars]

A Heavenly Supreme Physique! Eight and a half stars of potential!

Tai Cang felt a surge of excitement. This was practically a fortuitous opportunity delivered to his doorstep. As long as he accepted this disciple, he would complete one-third of the mission. With the talent Stone had displayed, if he cultivated the Martial Dao, he would surely shine brilliantly.