The Great Dao's Oath, Solar Furnace

Xi He's condition surprised everyone present.

To swear an oath to the Primordial Great Dao using the Human Way?

This was no laughing matter.

For cultivators, an oath, especially one made to the Great Dao, carried absolute binding power. Once broken, at best their cultivation would be destroyed, at worst their body and soul would be annihilated, and it could even implicate the fate of their entire race.

Chen Ran, a member of the Human Race, though holding a special position, was ultimately not a Saint. Having him make such a solemn oath concerning the future structure of the entire alliance was an immense burden.

Guang Chengzi and Zhao Gongming exchanged glances, seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. They subconsciously looked towards Nuwa, wanting to gauge the Saint's attitude.

Nuwa's face remained as cool and detached as ever, revealing no emotion. She simply watched Chen Ran, leaving the choice entirely to him.

All eyes focused on Chen Ran.

The entire Tanggu Valley was so quiet one could hear snowflakes falling.

Chen Ran did not hesitate.

He knew this was Xihe's test, and also a test from the entire Demon Race, and indeed from all other observing forces in the Primordial Era.

Whether he dared to make this oath today would directly determine the cohesion of this newly formed, fragile alliance.

He needed to prove his resolve through action.

He took a step forward, standing before everyone.

He adjusted his robes, his expression becoming incredibly solemn.

He raised his head, his gaze seeming to pierce through the Tanggu Valley's formations, through the nine heavens, and look towards the Primordial Great Dao that, in the unseen realms, governed all.

"I, Chen Ran of the Human Race."

His voice, though not loud, clearly entered everyone's Primordial Spirit, carrying a profound and steadfast power originating from civilization itself.

"Today, I swear here."

"I will take it as my duty to protect the Primordial World, unite the myriad races of the Primordial Era, and jointly resist external enemies. All who join the alliance, regardless of origin or past, shall be allies and be treated with sincerity and fairness."

"The Demon Race shall become one of the core members of the alliance, enjoying its rightful rights and respect. I, Chen Ran, will do everything in my power to lead the Demon Race and all allies towards new glory."

"This oath, with the Human Way as witness, and the Great Dao as its mirror!"

"If I break this oath..."

Chen Ran's voice grew resolute and sonorous, striking the ground with its force.

"May the flame of my Human Civilization be extinguished! May my soul fall into endless void, to be eternally submerged!"

RUMBLE--!!!

The moment he finished speaking.

From the nine heavens above, a strand of Xuanhuang colored merit energy, along with an invisible mark representing the rules of the Heavenly Dao, descended simultaneously, entering Chen Ran's body.

This was the Great Dao's response!

The oath was established!

Seeing this, the last trace of doubt in Xihe's eyes completely vanished. She solemnly bowed deeply to Chen Ran.

"Xihe of the Demon Race, pays respects to... the Alliance Executive Officer."

Bai Ze, Ying Zhao, and tens of thousands of demons behind her all simultaneously knelt on one knee, their voices echoing through the heavens.

"Pays respects to the Executive Officer!"

This bow represented the Demon Race, once the overlord of the Primordial Era, formally setting aside all pride and hatred, entrusting their future into Chen Ran's hands.

Guang Chengzi and Zhao Gongming looked at the youth, acknowledged by the Great Dao and revered by both the Human and Demon Races, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

They suddenly realized that, without them even noticing, this "mortal" they once looked down upon had risen to a height that even they needed to look up to.

The structure of the Primordial Era was truly about to change.

With the formal joining of the Demon Race, the "Solar Furnace" plan officially commenced.

A "Solar Furnace Project Committee," with Chen Ran as the supreme commander and including key figures such as Xihe, Bai Ze, Guang Chengzi, Zhao Gongming, and the Four Dragon Kings, was announced established in the City of Origin.

An unprecedented, world-sweeping mobilization of the entire Primordial Era began.

The Human Race's City of Origin became the overall command center and logistics base for the entire project. Countless Rune Factories began operating non-stop, twenty-four hours a day, producing the various basic components needed to construct interstellar fortresses.

The Heavenly Origin Sect opened their artifact refining sacred ground on Mount Kunlun. With Primordial Heavenly Venerate's tacit approval, they began combining the Human Race's Rune Technology to research how to refine super-strength alloys capable of resisting Chaos erosion.

The Intercepting Sect, meanwhile, comprehensively upgraded their Myriad Immortals Formation. Under the personal guidance of Lord of the Heavens, they began designing a completely new, integrated offensive and defensive super formation matrix that could cover an entire galaxy.

The Western Teachings were also not idle. They dispatched numerous disciples to the edge of Chaos, using Buddhist dharma to purify the rampant Chaos energy, clearing a safe working area for the upcoming grand project.

The Dragon Race, Phoenix Race, Qilin Race... these ancient races that had long since retreated from the world, upon learning of the crisis facing the Primordial Era, also dispatched elites from their tribes, contributing their strength.

The entire Primordial World, this war machine that had once been rusted and worn down by internal strife, under Chen Ran's direction, began to operate efficiently for the first time, united by a common goal.

Several months later, all preparations were complete.

The port of the City of Origin.

Ships of various designs gathered here.

There were the Human Race's steel warships, the Demon Race's Solar Divine Boats, the Dragon Race's Coral Treasure Ships, and the Heavenly Origin Sect's Eight Treasures Cloud Light Chariots...

An unprecedented joint fleet, composed of all races from the Primordial Era, was ready to set sail.

Chen Ran stood on the bridge of the flagship "Civilization," with Nuwa, Xihe, the Three Sovereigns, Guang Chengzi, and Zhao Gongming by his side... Representatives from almost all factions were present.

He looked out the porthole at the massive fleet, which carried the hopes of the entire Primordial Era, and felt a surge of exhilaration.

He knew the path ahead would be fraught with peril.

The armies of the "Star Devourer" could descend at any moment.

The "Gestalt" fleet was still lurking in the shadows.

Within the alliance, things were not entirely united; various conflicts were only temporarily suppressed.

But, so what?

"Depart!"

Chen Ran gave the order.

"Target - the Sun!"

"Our journey is to the sea of stars!"

The massive joint fleet slowly sailed out of the City of Origin, transforming into a brilliant stream of light that spanned heaven and earth, charging towards the boundless, unknown, and dangerous depths of Chaos.

A great spacefaring era, belonging to the Primordial Era, thus began.

And just as all eyes were focused on that sea of stars.

Deep within the Netherworld Blood Sea, far below the dark and profound abyss.

Ancestor Minghe sat cross-legged on the Karma Fire Red Lotus, examining the analysis data of a "Star Devourer" probe, which he had secretly copied through a special channel.

A strange and fanatical smile appeared on his face.

"Mechanical bodies... eternal life through data... no soul's constraints..."

"This... isn't this the most perfect evolutionary path for my Asura race?"

"Chen Ran... the Primordial Alliance... you go protect your homeland."

"As for me, I will find a shortcut to 'eternity' for my race!"

The Yuantu and Abi swords in his hands hummed with excitement. A cold and insane ambition, more so than ever before, quietly grew in this sea of blood.