With fire, the Human Race's living conditions improved tremendously.
They no longer feared the cold nights, and they could roast their food, reducing the occurrence of disease.
The light of the bonfire became a kind of spiritual totem, drawing the hearts of all the tribespeople together.
However, a new crisis soon followed.
Northern Jialu Continent, Demon Heavenly Court.
Within the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, Demon Emperor Dijun sat high above, with Eastern Emperor Taiyi at his side.
Below them, a Tiger-headed Demon General was delivering a report.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, a newly born race has recently been discovered beneath Mount Buzhou. They call themselves 'humans.'"
"This race was created by Empress Nuwa from Nine Heavens Breathing Soil. Though they possess innate Dao bodies, they are incomparably frail and have no cultivation whatsoever. They are excellent Blood Food for our demon army!"
The moment those words were spoken, the demons in the hall began discussing among themselves. Many great demons revealed greedy expressions.
In the Primordial World, strength reigned supreme.
It was perfectly normal for powerful races to devour weaker ones and replenish their blood qi.
The Human Race had been created by Nuwa, which did make them somewhat wary.
But Empress Nuwa was famously detached from worldly affairs. She was also nominally the "Wa Empress" of the Demon Race, so she likely would not turn against the entire Demon Race over a few ant-like creations.
As long as they did not go too far and merely ate a few, Empress Nuwa presumably would not pursue the matter.
Dijun frowned slightly and looked toward Taiyi beside him.
"Royal Brother, what do you think?"
Eastern Emperor Taiyi held the Chaos Bell in his arms, his expression cold and proud.
"Junior Sister Nuwa has only recently become a Saint. It would be unwise to offend her."
"However, the Human Race is merely a toy she molded on a whim. She likely will not care too much."
"We can send a vanguard to investigate. If the Human Race is truly as frail as reported, we can take some of them as Blood Food and refine them into Blood Elixirs, rewarding meritorious soldiers and strengthening the prestige of our Demon Race."
His tone was calm, as though he were not discussing the fate of an entire race, but a field of crops ready to be harvested at will.
"Good."
Dijun nodded.
"Then do as Royal Brother says. Order Jiu Ying to lead ten thousand Demon Soldiers to Mount Buzhou and 'take' some humans back."
He deliberately emphasized the word "take."
The meaning behind his words needed no explanation.
Within Nuwa's body, Chen Ran saw everything clearly.
Though he could not directly interfere with the outside world, his fate was linked to Human Race Destiny.
Any immense malice or killing intent directed toward the Human Race would trigger a reaction in his consciousness.
The Demon Race has set its sights on the Human Race after all.
Chen Ran's heart turned icy.
He knew that fire alone was far from enough.
Fire could bring warmth, but it could not stop the Demon Race's slaughtering blades.
The Human Race needed shelter. They needed defensive fortifications!
"System, consume Civilization Power and deduce the construction and defensive techniques most suitable for the current Human Race!"
[Command received.] [Civilization Power -50.] [Deducing...] [Deduction complete!] [Option One: Nest Dwelling. Use the branches of large trees to build simple houses, sheltering from wind and rain and avoiding ground-dwelling beasts.] [Option Two: Traps. Dig deep pits and plant sharpened wooden stakes at the bottom. Camouflage them with dry grass and branches to effectively kill invading enemies.] [Option Three: Tribal Walls. Use massive logs and earth to construct simple walls around the tribe, forming an initial defensive system.]
Looking at the plans provided by the system, Chen Ran made his choice without hesitation.
He would teach all this knowledge to the Human Race!
That night.
Within the Human Race tribe, another intelligent young man, Chao, once again heard that vast and warm voice in his dreams.
This time, the voice did not speak. Instead, it directly imprinted scene after clear scene into his mind.
Some tribespeople built nests in great trees, avoiding the watchful eyes of ferocious beasts on the ground.
Some tribespeople dug trenches around the outskirts of the tribe, setting up one deadly trap after another.
Countless others worked together, using massive logs and compacted earth to erect a tall, sturdy wall around the tribe!
Chao jolted awake from his dream, drenched in sweat, but his eyes gleamed with understanding.
He understood.
This was Mother Goddess's second divine revelation!
Mother Goddess was teaching them how to build a home and how to resist foreign enemies!
Early the next morning, under Sui and Chao's leadership, the entire Human Race tribe sprang into action.
The men felled trees and dug into the earth.
The women mixed mud and water, carrying stones.
Their tasks were clearly divided, and their enthusiasm burned high.
Because they knew they were fighting for their own survival!
In only a few days, the outline of a brand-new tribe rose from the ground beneath Mount Buzhou.
A wooden-and-earth wall over two meters high enclosed the entire tribe.
Beyond the wall lay deep trap pits, each carefully disguised.
Within the tribe, crude wooden houses that could shield them from wind and rain were built among thick tree trunks.
For the first time, the Human Race had the concept of "home."
[Detected that the Human Race has established its first tribe and learned to build houses. Civilization progress has advanced significantly!] [Civilization Power +1000!] [Special building unlocked: Nuwa Temple!] [Host 'Nuwa' has received a Faith Power bonus. Nascent Soul strength +1%!]
Within Wa Empress Palace, Nuwa, who had been meditating with closed eyes, shuddered once more.
This time, she clearly felt a pure power of faith, born from the heart, gathering from the direction of the Human Race and merging into her Nascent Soul.
It made her Nascent Soul even clearer and more stable.
"The Human Race again?"
Nuwa could no longer remain seated.
Once could have been a coincidence, but twice was absolutely not accidental.
She took a single step, and her figure appeared above the Human Race tribe.
When she saw the tribe rising from the earth, those crude yet orderly houses, and the humans patrolling atop the walls, whose eyes no longer held only confusion—
Even a Saint felt a ripple stir within her heart.
The race she had created seemed... far more interesting than she had imagined.
At that moment, demonic qi surged into the distant skies.
A mass of dark clouds was sweeping toward the Human Race tribe.
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