The Demon Race's Scheme

Heavenly Court.

There were only three people inside Lingxiao Palace.

"How could the Human Race possibly deserve to stir both the Heavenly Dao and the Human Dao?!"

Dijun sat upon his throne. The solemn majesty on his face had cracked somewhat, and a blazing killing intent flashed through his eyes as he rasped in a low roar.

He had always considered the Demon Race the future overlord of the Primordial World, yet the Demon Race had never possessed such might back then.

And since when, besides the Heavenly Dao, had there been some damned Human Dao?!

Those who ruled as emperors were sensitive and suspicious.

The commotion Gu Chen had caused just now had made Dijun place the once-unknown—no, the race that would become renowned throughout the Primordial World after today—Human Race in second place on his list of threats. Naturally, the first place belonged to the Witch Clan.

With only several tens of thousands of people, the Human Race's fighting strength was not yet worthy of his attention.

However...

"Your Majesty, the Human Race must not be touched."

Sensing the killing intent flash through Dijun's eyes, White Marsh, the Demon Race's strategist, hastily spoke to dissuade him.

Dijun nodded. "I know. But if the Human Race is allowed to develop freely, it will inevitably become the Demon Race's second greatest enemy in the future."

Taiyi, seated beside Dijun with an arrogant expression on his face, slowly spoke. "The Human Race was created by Empress Nuwa. Though they are not demons, for Empress Nuwa's sake, they can become vassals of our Demon Race. In the war against the Witch Clan, let them serve as the vanguard. Whether their incense and bloodline can continue will depend on their fortune."

"His Highness Taiyi's method is excellent. If the Human Race becomes a vassal of our Demon Race, not only can we strangle this threat in its cradle, we can also bring their racial fortune into our Demon Race."

"However, to accomplish this, we must obtain Empress Nuwa's permission."

"I shall personally speak with Empress Nuwa. I believe that, for the Demon Race's great cause, she will support us. After all, once Sages can no longer casually interfere in the Primordial World, it will not be easy for the Human Race to survive here. With the Demon Race's protection, their development will proceed far more smoothly."

Pangu Hall.

Dijiang summoned his younger brothers and sisters back to discuss the Human Race. "What do you all think of this matter concerning the Human Race?"

Houtu was the first to speak. "The Human Race lives along the Shores of the East Sea, and a Sage stands behind them. In my opinion, we should befriend them rather than make enemies of them."

Dijiang nodded. "The Shores of the East Sea are very close to your tribe, Sister Houtu. Then I shall leave this matter to you."

Compared with the Demon Race, who schemed at every turn, the Witch Clan was far simpler.

With a wave of his hand, Dijiang handed the entire matter of the Human Race over to Houtu. He did not mention in the slightest any concern that the Human Race might threaten his position.

Within the Three Pure Ones Hall.

"Second Brother, Third Brother, my cultivation has reached a bottleneck. I intend to travel abroad for a time."

"Good."

"Good."

Yuanshi and Tongtian answered, then once more entered a state of comprehending the Dao.

With the Human Dao's aid, Gu Chen transformed the cultivation method he had comprehended into inheritance imprints, like the Demon Race's bloodline inheritances, and deeply branded them into the spiritual platforms of every human.

"Greetings, Martial Ancestor!"

Among the Human Race, Gu Chen would henceforth possess another title besides Ancestor Chen: Martial Ancestor.

"The cultivation method Gu Chen comprehended leads directly to the Great Luo realm. Although it does not touch upon realms beyond the Saintly Dao, it is enough for the Human Race as they are now."

Because it had been created through sharing their insights by means of the Jade Disc of Creation, Lu Chen also possessed this cultivation method.

This was a cultivation method born from the secret realms of Shrouding the Heavens. It likewise excavated the hidden treasures of one's physical body, but it was better suited to the Primordial World.

Because everyone in the Primordial World was now an immortal, the starting point of this technique corresponded to the Heavenly Immortal realm.

It was divided into the Fleshly Secret Realm, which consisted of five major stages: Body Tempering, Bone Tempering, Blood Refining, Marrow Cleansing, and Aperture Opening.

After the physical body had been tempered, one entered the Heaven-Seizing Secret Realm, taking immortal objects into the body to continue refining the flesh, comprehend one's own divine abilities, and reach the Divine Ability Secret Realm.

This was the limit of what Gu Chen had comprehended for the time being. Although Lu Chen and Nuwa could help them sort out the road ahead, only what the Human Race comprehended for themselves would truly be their own. With no path visible ahead on the road of cultivation, blazing trails and forging new paths were likewise a trial for the Human Race.

Those who were always supported while walking would never learn to run.

"Sacred Father, Sacred Mother!"

"Now that the cultivation method has been comprehended, you two should lead the clan members away. Remember the dangers of the Primordial World. You have yet to touched even one ten-thousandth of them. The Human Race's future path must be walked by yourselves."

Lu Chen lightly waved his hand, sending Gu Chen and Gu Xi outside the house. Before they left, Lu Chen added another reminder.

"On the path of cultivation, do not borrow the strength of other things. Only by keeping your feet on solid ground can you travel farther."

"Is that why you do not rely on merit to raise your cultivation?"

"No."

Lu Chen shook his head.

Though he had warned Gu Chen and Gu Xi in that manner, that was not why he did not use merit to increase his cultivation. He was afraid of death. Everything he planned now was merely to gain himself one more sliver of a chance to survive the future Investiture Catastrophe.

Though he did not know whether the future Investiture Catastrophe would still occur, one must prepare for danger in times of peace.

Besides, merit was a universal remedy that could be used anytime, anywhere.

Lu Chen looked toward Nuwa and asked, "What do you think of the Human Dao?"

"My path... has already gone astray."

Nuwa sighed softly.

Before becoming a Sage, she had agonized over how to become one. Now that she had become a Sage and fulfilled her wish, the troubles in her heart had instead multiplied.

The schemes among the Three Daos, the tide of the greater destiny, and the helplessness of knowing that greater destiny yet being unable to act upon it.

A trace of sorrow appeared on Nuwa's exquisite face as she murmured, "Can the greater destiny truly not be changed?"

"The greater destiny cannot be changed, but the lesser currents can. Once enough lesser currents have been changed, perhaps even a trace of the greater destiny can be altered."

Lu Chen spoke calmly.

He knew why Nuwa was like this. Sages were not without feeling; they all had their own attachments and bonds. Nuwa's bond was Fuxi. She did not care how the Demon Race's future would unfold. What she cared about was whether Fuxi would perish because of the Demon Race.

"Some things may fail to achieve the desired result even if they are done, but if you do nothing at all, you may regret it."

"If I do nothing, I will regret it..."

"Using the lesser currents to pry at the greater destiny."

Nuwa murmured to herself. A glimmer of brightness flashed through her eyes, and the way she looked at Lu Chen gained an indescribable meaning. She realized that every time she was with Lu Chen, she gained something—guidance in creating humanity, consolation for her worries.

"I'll leave the Human Race to you. I shall depart first."

Nuwa rose to her feet.

"Wait."

Lu Chen hurriedly called out to stop Nuwa.

"What is it?"

Nuwa turned back and looked at Lu Chen in confusion.

"Between the Demon Race and the Human Race, which is more important to you?"

At this moment, Lu Chen's tone carried a hint of interrogation. He had even forgotten the respect due a Sage and addressed her directly as "you."

"If humans and demons become irreconcilable, which side will you stand with?"

"..."

Nuwa's delicate body trembled at Lu Chen's words, and conflict appeared in her eyes.

It had to be said that Lu Chen's question had truly stumped her.

She held little affection for the Demon Race, but her feelings toward the Human Race... were not much stronger. To her, the Human Race had merely been a tool for attaining the Dao.

Yet the Demon Race was different in one respect: Fuxi was among them.

If she searched her heart, then if Fuxi did not leave the Demon Race, she might choose the Demon Race.