Suiren drilled wood to make fire, attained Grand Unity Golden Immortal, received the merit supreme treasure Suiren's Fire Drill, and was honored as a Human Ancestor!
This marked the beginning of human civilization and carried extraordinary significance!
The light and warmth brought by fire dispelled the cold and fear of the prehistoric nights.
The spread of cooked food greatly reduced disease and strengthened the human physique, especially improving the chances of survival for the elderly, weak, women, and children.
Because of Suiren's emergence, Human Race Destiny experienced another remarkable surge!
Dao Xuan had pioneered the Martial Dao and guided humanity onto the path of self-reliance; he had long since been honored as the "Martial Ancestor"!
After Suiren, humanity's reverence for the Martial Ancestor reached unprecedented heights!
Atop an unnamed mountain peak, Dao Xuan still stood tall and open in his blue robes, quietly observing the changes among humanity.
The path of the Martial Dao blossomed in a hundred different ways!
Those three thousand Children of Destiny who had entered the Dao through martial arts and attained the Earth Immortal realm did not become complacent under the influence of Dao Xuan's regular lectures on the "Great Dao."
What Dao Xuan taught was not any specific method, but the principles of heaven and earth and the workings of all things.
"Water has no fixed shape, and troops have no fixed formation. The Martial Dao is the same. Cling to form, and you fall into the lesser path."
"Observe mountains and comprehend their solidity; observe water and comprehend its agility; observe wind and comprehend its swiftness; observe fire and comprehend its ferocity... All things may be your teachers, and all methods may be integrated into yourself!"
"Your foundations have been established. You should walk your own paths!"
Dao Xuan's words were like Anointing with Ghee, awakening the three thousand Martial Dao Earth Immortals.
They were no longer content merely to cultivate one martial art from the Martial Codex to its pinnacle.
Instead, they began to experiment!
They tried merging the principles of different martial arts!
They tried incorporating their insights from observing heaven and earth into the Martial Dao!
They tried creating entirely new martial arts better suited to themselves and more in harmony with the Dao of heaven and earth!
The fierce power of Dragon Subduing Palm merged with the speed of Wind God's Leg. Palm winds and leg shadows intertwined, balancing hardness and softness!
The invisible sword qi of Six Meridian Divine Swords combined with the mysterious movement technique of Lingbo Micro-steps. Finger winds flashed like lightning, while bodies moved like phantoms!
The resilient inner strengthening of the Muscle-Tendon Purifying and Bone-Strengthening Chapter was supplemented by the explosive stored force of Golden Toad Swallowing Moon Power. Their qi and blood flowed like mercury, and their strength could uproot mountains!
The three thousand Martial Dao Earth Immortals were like three thousand seeds, thriving in different directions under Dao Xuan's guidance as their "gardener"!
They sparred with one another, verified what they had learned, and sparked countless flashes of wisdom through their collisions!
Martial arts multiplied without end!
The explorations and innovations of the three thousand Martial Dao Earth Immortals were like boulders cast into a still lake, stirring monstrous waves throughout humanity's martial world!
Countless human martial artists were inspired!
They might not possess the realm of Earth Immortals, but they shared the same love for the Martial Dao and spirit of exploration.
The three thousand foundational martial arts in the Martial Codex became an inexhaustible treasure for them!
Break apart! Combine! Learn from! Innovate!
Using the insight of Nine Forms to Break Demons as a foundation and combining it with hunting experience, they created the Bone-Breaking Tendon-Splitting Hand, designed specifically to strike the joints and vital points of demon beasts!
Drawing inspiration from the agility of the Beast Taming Staff Technique and combining it with the use of fishing forks by the sea, they created the Raging Waves Fork Technique!
Observing the rhythm of waves striking the shore and tides rising and falling, they incorporated it into fist techniques and created the Surging Waves Fist!
Imitating venomous snakes flicking their tongues and hawks swooping down, they created the Spirit Snake Sword and Eagle Claw Technique!
For a time!
Within human settlements, the martial spirit flourished as never before!
All kinds of new martial arts—fierce, soft, swift, or weighty—sprang up like bamboo shoots after rain!
Though most were rudimentary and far less exquisite than the creations of the three thousand Earth Immortals, they prevailed in sheer number and variety. They greatly enriched humanity's martial foundation and diversified the means by which humans dealt with all kinds of environments and demon beasts!
The path of the Martial Dao truly displayed a flourishing spectacle, with a hundred flowers blooming and a thousand streams returning to one source!
Dao Xuan looked down upon it all, greatly pleased.
"That's more like it! The Martial Dao should be alive, constantly evolving!"
He even thought mischievously, Could the founding patriarchs of those martial arts sects in later wuxia novels have started from this very time?
The light of civilization passed on like an unextinguished flame!
Yet civilization's progress never stopped.
Having resolved the problems of "food" and "fire," new troubles quietly emerged.
One day.
A sturdy man with callused hands came to the foot of Dao Xuan Peak, his face full of worry.
His name was "Chao." He was a renowned craftsman of the Mountain Ridge Tribe, skilled in working with massive trees and stones.
"Martial Ancestor! This disciple Chao has a doubt he cannot resolve and humbly asks for your guidance!" His voice was loud, carrying the simple honesty unique to craftsmen.
Dao Xuan cast his gaze down.
"Speak."
Chao raised his head, his eyes full of concern. "Martial Ancestor! Though our people now possess the fire of Ancestor Suiren, which wards off cold, provides light, and frightens wild beasts, most of our people still live in natural caves and rocky hollows!"
"The caves are cold and damp, breeding snakes and insects. During the rainy season, they become especially muddy, and disease is common!"
"Worse still, the mountains are unstable, and falling rocks often injure people!"
"This disciple has watched birds build nests in trees, safe and comfortable. Thinking of my people's circumstances, I cannot rest easy! May I ask, Martial Ancestor, can we humans build ourselves a safe, dry dwelling that shelters us from wind and rain, just like birds?"
His question directly addressed the primitive and harsh conditions of human habitation.
Hearing this, Dao Xuan looked into the distance.
Mountain ranges rose and fell, while ancient trees towered into the sky.
Birds sang upon the branches, and beasts darted through the forests.
He withdrew his gaze and looked at Chao, his voice calm and guiding.
"Observe those great trees. Rooted in the earth, their trunks and branches hold up the sky; they can serve as beams and pillars."
"Observe those vines. Flexible and interwoven, they can serve as bindings."
"Observe those mountain stones. Heavy and solid, they can serve as foundations."
"Birds carry branches to build nests by instinct. Humans possess hands and wisdom; you should follow the example of heaven and earth, take the materials of all things, and create a world of your own!"
"A world of our own?" Chao murmured. The confusion in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by the gleam of thought.
"Use great trees as pillars, vines as beams, branches and thatch as a roof... stand upon the earth instead of relying on mountain caves..."
It was as though he had grasped the key!
"Stand upon the earth! Do not rely on mountain caves!"
Chao suddenly slapped his thigh, and astonishing brilliance erupted from his eyes!
"Thank you for your enlightenment, Martial Ancestor!"
He said no more and turned, rushing toward the forest near the tribe.
Chao gathered the other skillful members of his tribe.
They felled straight, sturdy trees, stripped away their branches, and drove them deep into compacted foundations.
Using flexible vines and tough animal sinews, they firmly bound crossbeams atop the upright pillars.
Then they gathered broad, thick leaves and pliant thatch, layering them carefully over the crossbeams to form a roof that blocked wind and rain.
Finally, they filled the gaps in the walls with a mixture of clay and crushed stone, making them sturdier and warmer.
A crude primitive house, built entirely by human hands, standing upon the earth and far from damp caves, was born through Chao's hands!
The instant the first house was completed!
Rumble!
Above the Nine Heavens Above, wind and thunder stirred once more!
Vast and majestic Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi descended again like the Milky Way pouring down from the heavens!
Though the amount did not compare to Suiren's creation of fire, it was still enough to shake the prehistoric world!
Seventy percent of it poured into the body of the tremblingly excited "Chao"!
Buzz!
Mysterious yellow light erupted around Chao's body!
Vast power of creation and comprehension of the Heavenly Dao surged through him!
The martial qi and blood within his body instantly ascended!
Earth Immortal! Celestial Immortal! True Immortal! Mystic Immortal! Golden Immortal!
In the end, he firmly stepped into—
The early stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal!
His aura was vast, and his foundation stable!
Of the remaining thirty percent of the merit, ten percent transformed into golden light and entered the first house he had built with his own hands!
Buzz!
The entire house was instantly shrouded in the light of Mysterious Yellow Merit!
Its wooden structure became warm and smooth like jade, sturdy and indestructible! Its thatched roof flowed with treasure light, impervious to wind and rain! Its earthen walls were imprinted with Dao patterns, warm in winter and cool in summer!
A heavy aura of security, shelter, and life-bearing protection spread outward!
Postnatal Merit Spiritual Treasure—Youchao Dwelling!
The final twenty percent of the merit scattered among humanity, nourishing its destiny.
Atop the mountain.
Dao Xuan's sleeve fluttered lightly once more.
The ten percent of merit that should have belonged to him was silently drawn out.
The Mysterious Yellow Qi, condensed almost into substance, spiraled down into his palm.
A mysterious little bottle, neither metal nor jade, appeared. Its mouth opened slightly and gently drew in the strand of merit qi.
With a flash of light, the little bottle vanished into his sleeve.
Feeling another portion of merit added within the bottle, Dao Xuan's lips curved upward slightly.
"Pretty efficient."
The humans below had already erupted into a frenzy!
"Chao! It's Chao!"
"He built houses! We don't have to live in caves anymore!"
"Pay respects to Human Ancestor Youchao!"
"Pay respects to the Human Ancestor!"
Cheers rang through the clouds!
Chao—no, at this moment, he was humanity's second progenitor—Youchao!
Feeling the vast power within his body, touching the merit-light flowing across the Youchao Dwelling, then looking toward the mountaintop, he bowed deeply!
"This disciple, Youchao, thanks the Martial Ancestor for his grace of enlightenment! This house shall be a place for humanity to live in peace! A place of shelter! A place of inheritance!"
Humanity had bid farewell to the age of cave dwelling and begun building homes of its own upon the earth!
Another hundred years passed.
A delicate-looking woman with lively eyes came to the foot of Dao Xuan Peak, carrying a trace of shyness and confusion.
Her name was "Zhi." She was a skillful woman from the Azure Waves Tribe, adept at weaving fishing nets and working with animal hide.
"Martial Ancestor! This disciple Zhi has doubts in her heart and hopes the Martial Ancestor will mercifully offer guidance!" Her voice was clear, though tinged with unease.
Dao Xuan's gaze was gentle.
"Speak."
Zhi raised her head, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Martial Ancestor! Our people now have fire for warmth and houses to live in, and life is gradually improving. Yet... the things we use to cover our bodies still mostly rely on untreated animal hide. It is rank, stiff, and uneven in size, unable to cover us properly."
"Some people merely use leaves and vines for slight concealment. It hinders movement and cannot withstand cold and heat."
"This disciple has watched spiders weave fine and exquisite webs; watched silkworms spin supple, unbroken silk; watched animal hides become soft after treatment... I have been wondering whether we can make clothing for our people that fits better, feels more comfortable, and covers the body more fully?"
Her question concerned the dignity and decency of human civilization.
Hearing this, Dao Xuan swept his gaze over the land below.
Some wore rough animal hides, their movements greatly hindered; others covered themselves only with leaves, appearing extremely primitive.
He looked at Zhi, his voice carrying enlightenment.
"Observe the mulberry and hemp. Their stems and bark are supple and may be stripped and twisted into thread."
"Observe the silkworm cocoons. Their silk is long, smooth, and clean; it may be reeled into thread and woven into cloth."
"Observe animal hide. After being baked over fire and kneaded, it can lose its rank odor and become soft."
"Though spiderwebs are ingenious, they cannot shield against wind and rain. You should imitate the principle of their warp and weft, take materials from nature, interweave warp and weft, weave a small world, and cover your body with it!"
"Warp and weft interwoven... weave a small world... cover the body..." Zhi murmured. The confusion in her eyes vanished completely, and inspiration shone ever brighter!
"Take hemp and twist it into thread, reel silk and weave cloth, soften hides... weave them into clothing!"
She suddenly understood!
"Thank you for your enlightenment, Martial Ancestor!"
Zhi ran excitedly back to her tribe.
She gathered tough hemp plants, stripped their stem bark, and carefully twisted it into hemp thread.
She found a kind of spirit silkworm capable of spinning white, supple silk threads, a prehistoric exotic species, and carefully collected its cocoons to reel and sort the silk.
She carefully baked the hides of hunted beasts over Suiren's fire, then soaked them in the juice of special herbs and kneaded them repeatedly until they became soft and comfortable.
Then, using branches as shuttles, hemp and silk threads as warp, and softened strips of animal hide as weft, she imitated the warp-and-weft structure of spiderwebs and began weaving!
The first primitive garment, cleverly woven from hemp thread, silk thread, and soft animal hide, capable of covering the body well and fitting relatively comfortably, was born through "Zhi's" hands!
The instant this crude yet profoundly significant garment was completed!
Rumble!
Above the Nine Heavens Above, auspicious clouds gathered and countless rays of blessed light shone!
Slightly weaker than the previous two times, yet still vast and majestic, Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi descended upon the shores of the Eastern Sea for the third time!
Seventy percent of the merit poured into the tearful Zhi!
Buzz!
Mysterious Yellow light enveloped her!
Zhi's aura rose steadily!
Earth Immortal! Heavenly Immortal! True Immortal! Golden Immortal! Grand Unity Golden Immortal!
At last, she too stepped into—
The early stage of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal!
Her aura was gentle, carrying the spiritual essence of creation!
Of the remaining thirty percent of the merit, ten percent transformed into golden light and flowed into the first garment she had woven with her own hands!
Buzz!
The crude garment was instantly wrapped in Mysterious Yellow light!
The hemp thread became as tough as golden silk, its strands flowing with a moonlit sheen. The animal hide became soft as brocade, and the whole garment emanated a wondrous aura of comfort, dignity, and concealment from heavenly secrets!
Postnatal Merit Spirit Treasure—Zhisheng Garment!
The final ten percent of merit nourished the human race.
At the mountaintop.
Dao Xuan moved with practiced ease, gently sweeping his sleeve.
The ten percent of merit that belonged to him was precisely stripped away once more.
The condensed Mysterious Yellow Qi spiraled down into his palm.
A mysterious little bottle appeared, its mouth opening slightly to draw it in.
Its radiance faded.
Dao Xuan sensed the three wisps of pure merit qi within his sleeve, and his mood brightened.
"Three merits in a row. All set."
Below, the human race erupted in cheers!
"Zhi! It's Zhi!"
"She made clothes! Clothes that are beautiful and comfortable!"
"Greetings, Human Ancestor Zhisheng!"
"Greetings, Human Ancestor!"
Zhi was honored as Zhisheng, the third ancestor of the human race!
Holding the merit-filled Zhisheng Garment, she felt the vast power within her and looked toward the figure atop the mountain. She bowed gracefully, her voice choked with emotion:
"This disciple, Zhisheng, thanks the Martial Ancestor for his grace of enlightenment! This garment shall mark the beginning of dignity for the human race! The beginning of protection against the cold! An ornament of civilization!"
The human race had bid farewell to the era of nakedness and begun to possess clothing that concealed shame, provided warmth, and embodied civilization!
Martial Ancestor Dao Xuan!
Suiren! Youchao! Zhisheng!
The four ancestor-level figures of the human race stood like four Sky-Pillar Giant Pillars, supporting the foundation of humanity's survival upon the primordial land!
Self-reliance through martial arts! The civilization of fire! Places to dwell! Dignified clothing!
With the successive births of these three Human Ancestors, the human race's fortune surged like oil poured upon blazing flames, like flowers blooming atop brocade, reaching an unprecedented height of prosperity!
The tribes grew ever more prosperous, their population soared, martial arts flourished, and the light of civilization shone brilliantly!
Dao Xuan stood atop the mountain, still dressed in azure robes, yet his aura had become ever deeper and more unfathomable.
He looked down upon the thriving lands of the human race below.
He watched Suiren hold Suiren's Fire Drill and kindle the undying Fire of Civilization for the human race.
He watched Youchao direct the clanspeople as they built clusters of orderly primitive houses.
He watched Zhisheng teach the women to weave garments that, though simple, brimmed with hope.
Then he looked at the three thousand Martial Dao Earth Immortals, each leading tribal warriors in the practice of martial arts techniques that flourished in countless forms and cast off the old for the new.
The smile on his face was calm and content.
"Now they have fire, houses, clothes, and fists hard enough to fight with..."
"The equipment for this Novice Village is more or less complete."
"Next..."
Dao Xuan's gaze seemed to pierce through the peace of the Eastern Sea shore and land upon the heart of the primordial continent, where the baleful aura of the Witch and Demon Races soared into the heavens.
A profound glint flashed through his eyes.
"The stage of the Witch and Demon Races should let the human race make an appearance too."
The peaceful years along the Eastern Sea shore were like the calm before a storm.
The foundations of human civilization had been laid, and even greater storms were brewing in the distance!
Before you continue