The Witch-Demon Calamity

"Since he wants to use our mouths to spread the word, we'll go along with it."

"Perhaps we can influence the Witch-Demon war and benefit our Western Teachings."

Jieyin slowly explained to Lu Tian.

Every word was clear, allowing no room for error.

Lu Tian understood clearly.

He was knowledgeable about the workings of the Primordial World.

The key to the Witch-Demon conflict was Jieyin and Zhunti luring ten Golden Crows to the mortal realm, where they were shot down by Da Yi, triggering a chain reaction that ultimately led to war!

At this moment, the two had not yet finalized their plan.

They hadn't considered everything because they hadn't met the ten princes of the Demon Race.

Once they understood the inner workings of the Witch-Demon conflict, they could strategize and act.

As expected--

Zhunti added with a smile, "This matter still requires time."

"When the princes of the Demon Race descend and host a banquet, that will be the opportune moment to probe their strength."

Brilliant!

Lu Tian marveled inwardly.

Not because the plan was ingenious.

But because he lamented how difficult it was to defy the destiny of the Primordial World.

The deeper his cultivation, the broader his knowledge, and with the guidance of Jieyin and Zhunti, he understood this principle more and more.

Even without his intervention, this matter would have unfolded according to the Heavenly Dao.

Now, it was merely reappearing in a different form.

"What Dao De Tianzun said in the past was not false; the Sages of the Heavenly Dao indeed need to push the calamity forward," Jieyin said solemnly.

"If this matter succeeds, the Witch-Demon Calamity will be significantly advanced, and we too will benefit."

"Although it started because of you, we cannot share it with you."

"Sages are detached from karma, which allows them to handle such matters. If you interfere, you might invite disaster."

Lu Tian understood.

Jieyin and Zhunti still lacked Heavenly Dao Merit.

Even if successful, the gains would be limited.

"Understood. Without Master's guidance, I would have gained nothing. Being able to serve Master is already more than enough."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"We owe you this time."

"If there's an opportunity in the future, we will definitely compensate you."

Such straightforwardness was rare.

They were calculating and scheming towards others, but towards Lu Tian, they were as open as a mirror.

"Thank you in advance, Masters."

Jieyin waved his hand with a smile.

You're quite eloquent.

Zhunti interjected with a smile, "As for the Human Race you brought, since you led them here, you shall be responsible for their settlement. Let them multiply and thrive here for now."

"You might as well go and repair the earth veins, creating space for them to live and accumulating some merit along the way."

"I just divined that the Human Race's destiny is extraordinary and will greatly benefit our teachings."

"You can collect the Human Race's destiny and faith, and then bring a few Senior Brothers to jointly establish our sect's lineage."

Lu Tian respectfully agreed and chatted with his two Masters for a while longer.

Jieyin and Zhunti went into seclusion, satisfied, while Lu Tian set off to arrange matters for the Human Race.

Lu Tian left Spiritual Mountain and found a region a million miles away.

He didn't immediately release the Human Race but first began repairing the earth veins.

This was no easy task--in the past, the Dao-Demon Conflict saw Dao Ancestor and Luohu fighting fiercely, which destroyed the western earth veins and extinguished all life.

If there were a simple method, Jieyin and Zhunti would have completed it long ago, and Lu Tian wouldn't need to step in.

His greatest reliance was the Kunyuan Dao Robe, which could mobilize the power of the earth veins. Although not as effortless as the Earth Book, combined with the secret method taught by his Masters, it was barely feasible.

Although the progress was slow, Lu Tian was quite patient.

He only needed to create an initial area for the Human Race to inhabit. He focused on the continuous repair work.

Time flowed onward.

News of the Demon Race's Imperial Son's impending birth spread rapidly through the mouths of the Western Teachings' disciples.

The Demon Race rejoiced, secretly fanning the flames and deliberately creating the illusion of an unintentional leak.

By the time the Sages emerged from seclusion three thousand years later, the matter had already reached the highest echelons of the Primordial World.

Seeing that the news could no longer be concealed, the Demon Race simply sent out invitations, requesting all Great Powers to gather at the Heavenly Court to celebrate the Imperial Son's birthday.

It was the Heavenly Court's zenith, and many Great Powers responded.

Meanwhile, Lu Tian finally opened up a world of his own—roughly the size of Earth in his past life, merely a drop in the ocean of this vast Primordial World.

If not for the damaged Earth Veins, with Lu Tian's abilities, gathering such fortune would have been as easy as lifting a hand.

The moment the Earth Veins recovered, ten thousand feet of golden radiance suddenly bloomed in the sky.

A thin thread of Heavenly Dao Merit descended upon Lu Tian—

Ultimately, the territory was small, and the gains were limited.

He flicked his sleeve and released the Human Race that had been dormant within the Flying Boat.

Over three thousand years, a billion beings had thrived and multiplied within this small, enclosed world. If not for the exhaustion of Spiritual Energy hindering their cultivation and the constraints of life and death, their population would have likely multiplied a hundredfold.

The Human Immortal at the forefront trembled as he led his people in worship.

This sole Human Immortal, born during the great migration, now had white hair and a beard, his lifespan nearing its end. Yet, nourished by the new Earth Veins, his withered face was gradually regaining its vitality.

"We thank the immortal for the grace of remaking our world!"

The voices of a billion people echoed through the wilderness.

Lu Tian stood on clouds, looking down at the masses, his voice like thunder from the highest heavens:

"This is the West."

He flipped his palm, gathering mountains and rivers, and with a roar, surrounded the restored land, leaving only a winding path leading into the distance.

"Those who cross the boundary bear their own consequences."

"If anyone dares to brave the dangers and travel a million miles westward..."

His gaze swept over the restless crowd, his voice suddenly turning cold:

"The Spiritual Mountain lies at the end."

The old Human Immortal suddenly felt a chill on his forehead.

Lu Tian's fingertip retracted a wisp of clear light: "You... are very good."

"I bestow upon you the cultivation of an Earth Immortal. From now on, focus on your cultivation and continue to protect these humans, ensuring the continuation of their lineage."

It was precisely because this immortal understood worldly affairs that the Human Race in the Flying Boat had recited scriptures and chanted Buddhist prayers day and night, devoutly worshipping the teachings of the Western Teachings, which gradually evolved into the present situation.

"You shall live and work in peace here. In a few days, an envoy will come to spread my Western Teachings and instruct you in the rites of worship."

"..."

Lu Tian gave a few more instructions before ascending on the clouds and departing.

Speaking of which...

The current predicament of these humans was akin to sheep being raised in a pen.

Lu Tian granted them peace, protected them from external enemies, designated this land for them to live on, and then collected their faith.

But for these humans, wasn't this a fortunate turn of events?

In the East, their lives were precarious; surviving past forty was considered a long life.

Here, they could at least live in peace.

This world was but a tiny speck to Lu Tian, but for mortals, it was a vast territory they could never traverse in a lifetime.

Preventing them from leaving was out of fear that they would lose their lives needlessly.

Once the Western Earth Veins were fully restored, their descendants would eventually spread throughout the Western lands.

As for faith?

Compared to being alive, what did it matter?

Lu Tian rode the wind and flew away.

Upon returning to the Western Teachings, he immediately contacted several of his Senior Brothers and gifted them the Magic Treasures, the Ink Painting and the Spirit Brush.

He made an agreement with his Senior Brothers:

The five of them would take turns going to the Human Race to propagate the teachings and enlighten the masses.

They could use the Magic Treasures to bestow necessary supplies upon mortals, helping the Human Race thrive.

Lu Tian and the others sought only the fortune and faith of the Human Race, not to be their servants; occasional visits would suffice.

Each person would only go once.

Such assistance was a mere trifle for them, but it was like timely rain for the early Human Race!

Within a thousand years, the Human Race, with this assistance, will surely bloom a brilliant civilization in the West!

The Senior Brothers were deeply grateful, pulling Lu Tian aside for a late-night talk, thanking him repeatedly.

After discussing the Dao and sparring with his Senior Brothers, Lu Tian finally departed.

With this, all matters concerning the Human Race were settled.

A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

The Human Race in the West grew increasingly prosperous, eventually achieving great prominence!

The five Senior Brothers descended to the Human Race as promised.

With their initial assistance, the Human Race quickly gained a foothold and became self-sufficient.

In reality, the Human Race was inherently resilient; this help merely accelerated their adaptation to the new land.

Jieyin, Zhunti, Pharmacist, Mahasthamaprapta, Maitreya, Sunlight, Moonlight, and Lu Tian's golden body dharma form were all devoutly worshipped, their incense offerings unending!

What was particularly special was that the incense offerings for Lu Tian's golden body were second only to Jieyin and Zhunti.

Even in the temples dedicated solely to him, the incense offered by believers was more abundant than that of the other several combined.

When the Human Race had completely stabilized.

Lu Tian raised his head to the sky.

Above the firmament, the Golden Light of Merit was vast and boundless, illuminating Spiritual Mountain for millions of miles!

This brilliant radiance almost scorched the eyes of the Western Teachings' followers.

Jieyin and Zhunti appeared in a hurry, gazing at the sky full of Golden Light of Merit, their hearts stirred beyond measure.

Such immense Merit was enough to create a Quasi-Saint!

If they had possessed such Merit as a foundation back then, they wouldn't have been in such dire straits!

The golden light began to descend.

One-tenth of it was distributed among Pharmacist, Mahasthamaprapta, Maitreya, Sunlight, and Moonlight.

Jieyin and Zhunti each received two-tenths, their faces already beaming with joy.

The remaining five-tenths went entirely to Lu Tian!

The immense Merit bestowed by the Human Race sent the entire Western Teachings into a frenzy of celebration.

Lu Tian clearly sensed—

If all this Merit were used to break through his cultivation, he would undoubtedly reach the peak of Grand Unity, needing only to sever the three corpses to step into the realm of Quasi-Saint!

The Human Race is truly extraordinary!

He naturally wouldn't waste the Merit to improve his cultivation; his own practice was sufficient.

He would accumulate it for later use.

Jieyin and Zhunti looked at Lu Tian with envy.

Such a massive amount of Merit was equivalent to half of the debt they owed!

Although they could request items like Enlightenment Tea Leaves and Three Lights Divine Water from Lu Tian, they would never dare to ask for Merit.

This item was a treasure to any cultivator.

The two felt even more gratified:

They rejoiced in Lu Tian obtaining this opportunity, their long labor finally yielding great rewards;

and they saw the harmony within their teachings. Although the other disciples were envious, they felt even more grateful for his kindness, all knowing it was Lu Tian's generous gift.

Lu Tian neither took credit nor felt any loss.

This harmonious atmosphere greatly comforted Jieyin and Zhunti.

The distribution of Merit was complete, and everyone returned to their cave mansions, fully satisfied.

Lu Tian also could not hide his joy.

If he could obtain such Merit a few more times, it wouldn't be impossible to attempt to prove the Dao with Merit.

Of course, this thought was perhaps too arrogant.

Being able to receive such a great reward this time was entirely due to the fortunate coincidence of establishing the Western Human Race lineage.

It would not be easy to obtain such Merit again in the future.

However, besides Merit, there were also long-term benefits such as destiny and faith.

Either way, it was a sure profit.

Lu Tian returned to his cave mansion to meditate, carefully savoring the gains from this experience.

Although it didn't directly increase combat power, it solidified the foundation of cultivation--

This kind of profound foundation is far more precious than an increase in combat power.

If one seeks to advance combat power, one can greatly comprehend the Way of the Blade, study laws, and practice secret methods.

Breakthroughs in foundation can only happen by chance in the end.

Lu Tian meditated and comprehended with a calm heart. In the blink of an eye, another two thousand years passed.

On this day, powerful beings from all over the Primordial World flew towards the Thirty-Third Heaven.

The birth of the Demon Race's Imperial Son is imminent!

Jieyin and Zhunti, along with Pharmacist, Lu Tian, and others, ** arrived at the Heavenly Court.

Kunpeng personally welcomed them, giving the Sages ample face as the Demon Master.

Di Jun and Taiyi were still waiting for the Imperial Son's birth, and they hoped the Sages would forgive them.

Kunpeng explained with a smile.

Jieyin and Zhunti rejoiced inwardly, but said outwardly, "The guest follows the host's convenience."