Suirenshi

Time flies like an arrow, days and months shuttle like a loom.

On the shores of the East Sea, the Human Race, nurtured by the Martial Codex, burst forth with unprecedented vitality and potential, like a long-awaited rain after a drought!

The trend of martial arts swept through every tribe, every corner!

Hunting parties no longer relied solely on brute force and crude weapons.

Some wielded palms with fierce winds, faintly echoing dragon roars; others moved like the wind, faster than galloping horses; some unleashed sharp finger energy, shattering stones from afar; and some flickered with evasive footwork, weaving freely through packs of demonic beasts!

The dominance of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms! The swiftness of the Wind God's Leg! The precision of the Six Meridian Divine Swords! The mystery of the Lingbo Micro-steps! The resilience of the Muscle-Tendon Purifying and Bone-Strengthening Chapter!

Various divine skills and unique techniques, catalyzed by the vital essence of demonic beasts, were rapidly mastered and refined by the warriors of the Human Race!

Human settlements expanded at a visible rate!

What were once a few scattered villages grew like rolling snowballs.

Population flourished, teeming with life.

In just a few hundred years, their numbers exceeded one million!

A population of a million was no longer comparable to the past.

Naturally, the Human Race divided into over a dozen large tribes.

Those who lived by the mountains were called the Mountain Ridge Tribe.

Those who fished by the water were called the Azure Waves Tribe.

Those who hunted on the plains were called the Wind Chasing Tribe.

There were occasional minor conflicts between the tribes, but under the awe-inspiring prestige of the "Sage Master" and "Sages," and with the common understanding of a great enemy at hand, overall peace and exchange were maintained.

The name Dao Xuan had long surpassed "Sage Master" among the Human Race.

That "Martial Arts World," with its three thousand towering stone pillars, became the martial arts holy land in the hearts of the Human Race!

Dao Xuan was the origin who created this supreme martial path and guided the Human Race on the road to self-strengthening!

"Martial Ancestor!"

This honorary title, accompanied by every roar and every victory of the Human warriors, echoed across the shores of the East Sea!

Martial Ancestor Dao Xuan!

However, the Heavenly Dao operates in mysterious ways.

The three thousand martial arts in the Martial Codex were cultivated by almost everyone, with each person excelling in their own way.

But for each martial art, there was always one person with extraordinary talent and destiny, as if born for that path!

They cultivated their respective martial arts to the realm of perfection and peak mastery!

With every gesture, their moves were no longer bound by form, deeply grasping the profound essence and charm within!

What was even more astonishing was!

When these three thousand people brought their respective martial arts to the peak of completion, it was as if they had broken through some kind of shackles in the unseen!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Streams of powerful auras surged into the sky from the major tribes of the Human Race!

Not fluctuations of magic power, but pure, extreme Bloodline Power! Martial Dao Will condensed into substance! A magnificent vitality where bones and tendons sang in unison, and blood essence flowed like mercury!

These three thousand martial artists, who had brought their respective martial arts to their peak, at the moment of martial arts completion, naturally and smoothly—

Entered the Dao through martial arts!

Blood essence connected the bridge between heaven and earth, will stirred the Earth Veins' Fiend Qi to temper the body, and the physical body underwent an incredible transformation!

A faint, yet incomparably pure immortal spiritual energy (more accurately, Martial Dao True Essence) was born within them!

The Earth Immortal realm!

Martial Dao Earth Immortal!

Although they lacked the profoundness of the Primordial Spirit emerging from the body, they possessed physical bodies and close-combat prowess far exceeding Earth Immortals of the same rank!

Dao Xuan stood on the mountaintop, his divine sense encompassing the Human Race's land, and instantly understood the key to this phenomenon.

He counted on his fingers, and though the Heavenly Opportunity was obscure, a sliver of spiritual light appeared.

"So that's how it is!"

A hint of understanding and a smile flashed in Dao Xuan's eyes.

"This is no accident; it is the flourishing of the Human Race's martial arts destiny, and the Heavenly Dao's response, bestowing the three thousand Children of Destiny!"

"Just like the Three Thousand Guests in the Dao Ancestor's Purple Heaven Palace, each receiving a wisp of true transmission of the Great Dao!"

"And like the Three Thousand Sages under the Sage Confucius in later generations, whose merits of enlightenment benefited all ages!"

"These three thousand people are the cornerstones of my martial Dao lineage, carrying on the past and ushering in the future!"

Since they were favored by destiny, Dao Xuan would naturally not be stingy.

Although he did not teach immortal methods, he began to regularly lecture on the "Dao" at the peak of a nameless mountain, facing the entire Human Race!

It was not a cultivation technique, but an explanation of the fundamental principles of heaven and earth, the mechanisms of all things, the essence of combat and struggle, and the importance of tempering one's will!

His voice was not loud, yet it was like the resonant sound of the Great Dao, clearly reaching the ears of every member of the Human Race, especially the hearts of those three thousand Martial Dao Earth Immortals!

"As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-improvement!"

"As the earth's condition is receptive and abundant, so must a gentleman carry the world with virtue!"

"The Martial Dao is not about fighting and aggression, but a technique for self-improvement and protecting the Dao! A righteous heart leads to righteous fists, and a firm will leads to strong power!"

"Observe the softness of water, and you can comprehend the art of deflecting force and transforming it; observe the stability of mountains, and you can comprehend the art of an unshakeable foundation; observe the speed of wind, and you can comprehend the art of transforming movement; observe the ferocity of fire, and you can comprehend the explosive power of Blood Essence!"

"All things in the Great Desolation can be your teacher!"

Dao Xuan's lectures were profound yet easy to understand, perfectly integrating the natural world with Martial Dao cultivation.

The three thousand Martial Dao Earth Immortals listened with rapt attention, often experiencing moments of sudden enlightenment, elevating their understanding of their own Martial Dao to a new level!

They looked at the figure in the blue robe on the mountaintop with fervent admiration and affection, like disciples gazing up at their revered master!

Though they lacked the formal title of master and disciple, the reality of imparting knowledge and resolving doubts was present!

Dao Xuan watched the three thousand figures below, whose auras grew purer and whose eyes became more resolute with each passing day, and a mischievous glint returned to his eyes.

"Tsk tsk, the Dao Ancestor has his three thousand guests of the mortal world, Sage Confucius has his three thousand disciples, and I, Dao Xuan, today also have three thousand Martial Dao Earth Immortals listening to my teachings! This is quite the grand occasion!"

He even playfully considered whether he should issue some kind of "Martial Dao Earth Immortal Certificate" to these three thousand people...

However, the progress of civilization is always accompanied by new perplexities.

One day.

A young man with a distressed expression and a somewhat frail build trekked his way over and knelt at the foot of the mountain where Dao Xuan meditated.

He was not one of the three thousand Earth Immortals, but a young man from an ordinary tribe responsible for caring for the elderly and weak.

"Martial Ancestor above! This disciple has a question, I implore the Martial Ancestor for guidance!" the young man's voice was filled with sorrow.

Dao Xuan's gaze fell upon him, discerning his heart.

"Speak."

The young man looked up, his eyes filled with confusion and sadness: "Martial Ancestor! In our tribe, an elder was weak and, after eating raw, cold beast meat, unfortunately... unfortunately passed away!

There are also young children who are often disturbed by poisonous insects and small beasts at night, making it difficult for them to sleep soundly... This disciple... this disciple watches with a heavy heart, but knows not what to do!

Must... must only those like us, who are strong and healthy and accomplished in martial arts, be worthy of surviving in this Great Desolation?"

His question touched upon a critical juncture in the development of Human Race civilization – the primitive and fragile nature of their survival methods.

Dao Xuan heard his words but did not answer directly.

He looked into the distance.

The sun was setting, and dusk was approaching.

In the forests, the cold air rose, and darkness was about to engulf the land.

The low growls of wild beasts could be faintly heard.

In the Human Race tribe, bonfires were lit – fires maintained by special fire-resistant wood, requiring dedicated caretakers, and difficult to popularize.

Dao Xuan withdrew his gaze and looked at the young man, his voice calm, with a hint of guidance:

"You see the setting sun, sinking beyond the western mountains, and heaven and earth returning to darkness and cold, where all beasts hibernate and poisonous insects run rampant."

"Yet, within the darkness, there are also specks of starlight, dispelling the cold, illuminating a small area, and deterring the wicked."

"From where does this fire come?"

The young man followed Dao Xuan's gaze to the leaping bonfire in the tribe and then to the sun sinking into the earth, his brow furrowed.

"Fire... fire is... born from lightning striking trees? Or... or is it ignited by the divine power of the Sages?"

"External forces eventually run out," Dao Xuan shook his head slightly. "Within heaven and earth lie myriad forms of Creation. There is fire within wood, heat hidden in stone; friction and collision bring forth vitality."

"Fire within wood? Friction and collision?" the young man murmured, a flicker of confusion in his eyes, which then brightened with a spark of light.

He seemed to have grasped something crucial!

"Friction... collision... generating heat... making fire?"

The young man suddenly stood up, as if possessed, and rushed to a patch of dry wood at the foot of the mountain.

He picked up a dry, hard wooden stick and found a piece of dry wood with a groove.

He recalled Dao Xuan's words, remembering the sight of the firewood cracking as the bonfire burned in the tribe.

"Fire within wood! Friction generates heat!"

An unprecedented focus and determination shone in the young man's eyes!

He gripped the wooden stick tightly with both hands, placing one end in the groove of the dry wood, and with all his might, he spun and rubbed it frantically!

Once! Twice! Ten times! A hundred times!

Sweat soaked through his coarse linen clothes, and his arms grew numb and sore.

In the dry wood's groove, there was only a tiny scorched mark and a barely discernible wisp of heat.

The young man was not discouraged!

He had only one thought in his mind: there was fire in the wood! Friction creates heat! He could definitely make fire!

A thousand times! Ten thousand times!

His palms were scraped raw by the rough wooden stick, blood seeping out and dyeing the stick red.

But he seemed to feel no pain, still spinning and rubbing madly!

His will, at this moment, condensed to the extreme!

Buzz!

Just as the young man's spirit and strength were reaching their limit!

In the scorched groove of the dry wood, a faint, almost invisible spark of orange-red light suddenly burst forth!

Though the spark was small, it carried a life force potent enough to start a prairie fire!

It landed on the extremely dry and fluffy tinder the young man had prepared!

A wisp of extremely fine green smoke curled upwards!

Immediately after!

Poof!

A bright flame, like a spirit born in darkness, leaped fiercely from the tinder!

Warmth! Light! Instantly dispelled the darkness and chill around the young man!

Fire!

Man-made fire!

Fire obtained by drilling wood!

"I did it! I did it! Fire! It's fire!" The young man held the leaping flame, trembling with excitement, tears streaming down his face!

The very moment this man-made fire, symbolizing civilization and hope, was born!

Rumble!

High above in the nine heavens, the wind rose and clouds surged!

A vast, majestic, and purely condensed Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi descended like a heavenly river pouring down!

Although its quantity was far less than when Nuwa created humans, it was still enough to make a Grand Unity Golden Immortal envious!

Seventy percent of it, without a doubt, poured into the young man's body, who held the fire seed and trembled with excitement!

Buzz!

Brilliant Xuanhuang light erupted from the young man's body!

An indescribable power of creation and Heavenly Dao comprehension instantly washed over his body and soul!

His originally somewhat slender physique rapidly transformed and strengthened under the power of merit!

The tiny bit of Martial Dao Blood Essence within him was instantly ignited and sublimated by the power of merit!

His bones and muscles sang in unison! His Blood Essence surged like a dragon!

Earth Immortal! Heavenly Immortal! True Immortal! Mystic Immortal! Golden Immortal!

His cultivation soared like a rocket!

He broke through all obstacles without any bottlenecks!

Finally, he stabilized steadily at--

Early Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

A vast, immortal, and indestructible aura erupted from the young man!

Though a newly promoted Grand Unity, his foundation was incredibly stable due to the power of merit!

Of the remaining thirty percent of merit, one-tenth transformed into a golden light and was injected into the wooden stick in the young man's hand, which was stained with blood and had just produced fire!

Buzz!

The wooden stick vibrated violently!

Its scorched surface peeled away, revealing a texture as warm and smooth as jade. Xuanhuang merit light flowed, and countless Great Dao runes appeared!

A heavy aura of warmth, light, dispelling darkness, igniting hope, and symbolizing the inheritance of civilization permeated the air!

A Post-celestial Merit Spiritual Treasure--Suiren's Fire Drill!

The last one-tenth of merit dispersed among the millions of Human Race below, nourishing the tribe's fortune and enlightening their wisdom.

And the moment that vast merit descended!

On the mountaintop, Dao Xuan's eyes flickered slightly.

He did not absorb the one-tenth of merit that should have belonged to him (the Heavenly Dao, sensing his guidance, was supposed to share one-tenth).

He lightly flicked his sleeve.

An invisible wave of Dao Rhyme spread out.

The one-tenth of Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi that should have merged into his body, as if being drawn by some force, did not dissipate nor merge into him.

Instead, it transformed into a condensed, substantial, and dazzling stream of Mysterious Yellow Qi, like a docile little dragon, coiling and landing in Dao Xuan's palm.

Dao Xuan's mind stirred.

In his palm, an unfathomable small bottle, condensed from pure Dao principles and neither gold nor jade, appeared out of thin air.

The bottle's mouth slightly opened, gently drawing the incredibly pure Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi into it.

The bottle's body flashed with light, then vanished into Dao Xuan's sleeve, disappearing from sight.

The entire process was silent, swift as lightning.

The millions of Human Race below, including the youth who had just ascended to Grand Unity Golden Immortal and held the Suiren's Fire Drill, had not noticed this subtle change.

Only Dao Xuan himself knew.

He felt the pure and gentle power of merit contained within the unfathomable small bottle in his sleeve, a profound smile curving his lips.

"This item will be of great use in the future."

The youth, no, at this moment, he was the first great power of the Human Race to create a new era of survival for the Human Race through their own wisdom and perseverance!

He felt the boundless power within his body, looked at the Suiren's Fire Drill flowing with merit in his hand, and then at the green-robed figure standing with a smile on the mountaintop.

He understood that it was the Martial Ancestor's guidance that gave him the opportunity to awaken!

Thump!

He prostrated himself in the direction of Dao Xuan, performing the most solemn ritual of the Human Race!

His voice, filled with emotion and resonating loudly, echoed through heaven and earth:

"Disciple Suiren! Thank you, Martial Ancestor, for your enlightenment! This fire shall be the fire of Human Race civilization! The fire of inheritance! The fire of self-reliance!"

"Suiren!"

"Suiren!"

"Suiren Clan!"

The millions of Human Race below had witnessed this miraculous scene with their own eyes!

They felt the light and safety brought by the warm flame, and the nourishment of the light of merit to their tribe!

They shouted this name in unison!

The sound waves surged like a tide, filled with endless gratitude and reverence!

Suiren, holding the Suiren's Fire Drill, slowly stood up.

His face remained simple, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, and a warm yet majestic aura emanated from him.

He looked down at his Human Race compatriots, his voice gentle yet carrying the majesty of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal:

"The Martial Ancestor bestowed wisdom upon me, and I obtained this fire!"

"From now on, the Human Race shall bid farewell to eating raw food!"

"Cooked food can strengthen the body and prolong life!"

"Fire can ward off the cold, provide warmth, illuminate the night, and deter poisonous insects and wild beasts!"

"This is the beginning of Human Race civilization!"

"I, Suiren, wish to use this fire to protect the Human Race, pass on the torch, and ensure our endless continuation!"

"We pay respects to Suiren, the Human Ancestor!"

"We pay respects to the Human Ancestor!"

The Human Race erupted once more!

The heartfelt reverence and cheers echoed through the clouds!

The Martial Ancestor Dao Xuan, pioneered the martial path and guided the way to self-reliance!

The Human Ancestor Suiren, drilled wood to make fire, igniting the light of civilization!

The Human Race finally had their own primordial figure, renowned throughout the Great Desolation!

Dao Xuan stood on the mountaintop, looking at Suiren below, who held the Suiren's Fire Drill, his body radiating golden light of merit, his aura already that of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

Then he looked at the millions of cheering, excited Human Race.

The smile on his face was filled with relief and a hint of... strangeness.

Drilling wood for fire... Suiren Shi... Grand Unity Golden Immortal...

"This merit is truly simple, crude, and direct!"

"But... this feeling is really not bad!"

The flame of Human Race civilization, on the shores of the East Sea, burned fiercely!

It illuminated the darkness, and also illuminated a broader future!