Human Race's First Method, Ancestor of Human Civilization

Although the "Four-Step Breathing Method" had been completed, Yuan Ming knew full well that if this method was to truly take root among the Human Race, spread widely, and gain the greatest recognition from the Heavenly Dao and feedback from the race's fortune, he needed the approval and support of one person:

The first Human Ancestor, Suiren.

Suiren was not the cleverest among the three thousand newborn humans, but with an unyielding heart, a sincere courage to explore, and the prestige he had accumulated through practice, he had become the acknowledged leader in the hearts of all his people.

His cultivation was likewise unmatched among the entire race, having reached the True Immortal realm—far beyond Yuan Ming's Heavenly Immortal cultivation.

Yuan Ming arrived before the largest stone house near the center of the tribe, where Suiren lived.

Suiren was broad and sturdy, his face weathered and ancient. When his eyes opened and closed, the firelight of wisdom flickered within them.

He was repeatedly striking a piece of flint, trying to draw forth the flame that could drive away darkness and cold.

"Brother Yuan Ming, you've come." Suiren set down the flint in his hand, his voice steady and powerful.

Yuan Ming bowed with utmost respect. "Elder Brother, I have gained a little insight recently and deduced a cultivation method that may allow our Postnatal descendants to return to the Innate Realm. I have come especially to ask Elder Brother to judge it."

The instant he spoke, beside Suiren in his field of vision, other than the Entries that appeared for Suiren himself:

[Human Race Fortune (Gold)]: Favored by the Human Race's fortune; cultivation proceeds smoothly, and calamity turns to auspiciousness.

[True Immortal Cultivation (Blue)]

A translucent heart-shaped progress bar marked with scales silently appeared.

Current Favorability: 55% (Friendly)

Yuan Ming's heart stirred.

Sure enough, the system's functions were gradually unlocking according to his needs.

At 60%, he could copy an Entry. That meant he had a chance to obtain Suiren's golden [Human Race Fortune].

This was undoubtedly of vital importance to his future status and development within the race.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he clearly and compellingly explained the full concept of the "Four-Step Breathing Method"—from "Refine Essence into Qi," which ignited the fire of life, to "Refine Void and Merge with the Dao," which condensed Divine Ability Seeds, ultimately achieving Postnatal Return to Innate and forging an Innate Dao Foundation.

At first, Suiren merely listened in silence. But as Yuan Ming spoke of "Refine Qi into Spirit" opening the sea of consciousness, "Refine Spirit and Return to Void" sensing Heaven and Earth, and especially the finishing touch of "Divine Ability Seeds" and the wonders of "Postnatal Return to Innate," the fire in his eyes blazed ever brighter!

"Good! What a Refine Void and Merge with the Dao! What a Divine Ability Seed!"

Suiren abruptly rose to his feet, his face filled with irrepressible excitement and joy. "This method... this method is simply a gift from Heaven to our Human Race! Its foundation is solid, every step steady and secure, pointing straight at the source of the Great Dao!"

He seized Yuan Ming's arm. "This method is far too important to be treated lightly! Brother Yuan Ming, come with me!"

Suiren acted with thunderous speed.

He immediately summoned all the elders of the tribe and carefully selected one hundred Postnatal humans of varying talents and temperaments.

"We must witness it with our own eyes!" Suiren's voice rang out like a great bell, spreading through the tribe. "If this method succeeds, the rise of our Human Race will be just around the corner!"

In the days that followed, under Yuan Ming's personal instruction and Suiren's close supervision, these hundred "test subjects" began cultivating the "Four-Step Breathing Method."

The results were earthshaking.

In less than a month, several of those who had begun first had already successfully completed "Refine Essence into Qi." Innate Qi far purer than their own vital blood and energy was born within their bodies, and their whole bearing had been utterly transformed.

One especially gifted youth, during the "Refine Qi into Spirit" stage, actually awakened a faint "night vision" ability ahead of time due to the purity of his spirit.

Though it could not be considered a powerful divine ability, it undoubtedly proved the feasibility of the "Divine Ability Seed" theory!

When the first successful case appeared, the entire tribe erupted!

It meant that Postnatal humans were not fated to be weak.

They had a clear path to surpass their own limitations and even catch up to the Innate members of their race!

Suiren's favorability toward Yuan Ming also surged, charging straight toward 60%.

Hope, like a spark that could start a prairie fire, ignited in the hearts of every tribesman.

Suiren no longer hesitated.

He deeply understood what this cultivation method meant for the Human Race's future, and he also understood just how immense the "heart's blood" Yuan Ming had poured into it and the "fortuitous opportunity" he had brought truly were!

That day, Suiren gathered the entire race and held a solemn ceremony before the sacred Holy Mother Temple.

Enshrined within the temple was the supremely benevolent Sage Nuwa, who had bestowed life upon them.

Under the gaze of all the tribespeople, Suiren solemnly took Yuan Ming's hand and led him onto the high platform before the temple.

At his side stood the other two long-recognized Human Ancestors: Ziyi, who had taught the people to cover themselves with clothing, and Youchao, who had guided them to build nests and dwell within them.

Suiren's voice boomed like a great bell, reaching the four corners:

"Holy Mother, in her compassion, created our Human Race, granted us life, and passed wisdom down to us!"

"Yet Postnatal clansmen are shrouded in ignorance, and the road ahead is fraught with hardship!"

"Today, Yuan Mingshi, blessed with profound fortune and ever mindful of the race, comprehended the Dao in an ancient cave and created the Four-Step Breathing Method. He has opened a road to Heaven for our Postnatal descendants. His merit benefits the present age and will profit generations to come!"

He raised Yuan Ming's arm high and faced all the tribespeople.

"After discussion between myself and the elders, and in recognition of Yuan Mingshi's merit in creating this method, whose grace shall cover ten thousand generations, we hereby announce to the entire race: from this day forth, Yuan Mingshi shall be honored as the fourth Human Ancestor of our Human Race!"

"Fourth Human Ancestor!"

"Human Ancestor Yuan Ming!"

"We thank Human Ancestor Yuan Ming for the grace of passing down this method!"

Cheers rose like mountains crying out and seas roaring, and countless grateful, reverent gazes converged upon Yuan Ming.

At the same time, Yuan Ming clearly saw the heart-shaped progress bar beside Suiren flare with brilliant light, its scale instantly breaking past 60%.

"Ding! Target 'Suiren' favorability has reached 60% (Trust)! Entry copying permission unlocked!"

"Copyable Entries: [Human Race Fortune (Gold)], [True Immortal Cultivation (Blue)]... Please select an Entry to copy."

The system's notification rang out in his mind with incomparable clarity.

Yuan Ming's heart churned, yet he maintained a humble expression.

He felt an invisible yet majestic force begin to bless his body. It was the recognition and fortune of the entire Human Race!

He had become the fourth Human Ancestor of the Human Race. Not only had he gained supreme honor and the favor of the race's fortune, but more importantly, he had gained the chance to copy that golden Entry!

"Copy [Human Race Fortune]!" He made his choice without the slightest hesitation.

A golden stream of light visible only to him flew from Suiren's body and entered his own.

In that instant, he felt his connection to this Human Race holy land on the Shore of the East Sea become even closer. When cultivating the Heaven-Devouring Dao Scripture, even his absorption of the surrounding spiritual energy seemed to flow a little more smoothly.

Standing before the Holy Mother Temple, feeling the cheers and support of his people as well as the newly added golden Entry within him, Yuan Ming knew that the Human Race's road to rise had finally taken its first solid and crucial step.

Standing beside Suiren, Ziyi, and Youchao, he had formally entered the core of the Human Race!

Yet his gaze had already turned toward a farther horizon.

And after reaching 60%, the progress bar representing Suiren's favorability did not stop. It continued to climb, slowly yet steadily...