Heavenly Court.
Only three people were in Lingxiao Palace.
"How could the Human Race possibly possess such virtue and ability as to stir both the Heavenly Dao and the Human Dao?!"
Dijun sat upon his throne, the solemn majesty on his face cracking somewhat as a blazing killing intent flashed through his eyes. He let out a hoarse, low roar.
He had always considered the Demon Race the future overlords of the Primordial World, yet the Demon Race had never possessed such imposing momentum back then.
And since when had there been some damned Human Dao besides the Heavenly Dao?!
Those who ruled as emperors were sensitive and suspicious.
The commotion Gu Chen had caused had already made Dijun place the previously obscure—no, the race that would become renowned throughout the Primordial World after today—Human Race second on his list of threats. Naturally, the Witch Clan held first place.
A Human Race numbering only several tens of thousands was not yet worthy of his attention in terms of combat strength.
But...
"Your Majesty, the Human Race must not be touched."
Sensing the killing intent in Dijun's eyes, White Marsh, the Demon Race's strategist, hurriedly spoke to dissuade him.
Dijun nodded. "I know. But if the Human Race is allowed to develop freely, it will inevitably become our Demon Race's second great enemy in the future."
Taiyi, seated beside Dijun with a haughty, unruly expression, slowly spoke. "The Human Race was created by the Nuwa Empress. Though they are not demons, for the Nuwa Empress's sake, they may 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."
"Lord Taiyi's method is excellent. If the Human Race becomes a vassal of our Demon Race, not only can we strangle this threat in the cradle, but we can also absorb their racial fortune into that of our Demon Race."
"However, to accomplish this, we must obtain the Nuwa Empress's permission."
"I will personally speak with the Nuwa Empress. I believe that for the great cause of the Demon Race, she should lend her support. After all, once Sages can no longer casually interfere in the Primordial World, it will not be easy for the Human Race to survive there. With the Demon Race's protection, their development will proceed far more smoothly."
Pangu Hall.
Dijiang summoned his younger brothers and sisters back over the matter of the Human Race. "What do you all think of this Human Race matter?"
Houtu spoke first. "The Human Race resides on the Shores of the East Sea, and a Sage stands behind them. I believe we should befriend them rather than become enemies."
Dijiang nodded. "The Shores of the East Sea are very close to your tribe, little sister Houtu. I'll leave this matter to you."
Compared to the Demon Race, which schemed at every turn, the Witch Clan was far more straightforward.
With a broad 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 own position.
Three Pure Ones Hall.
"Second Brother, Third Brother, my cultivation has fallen into a bottleneck. I intend to travel and gain experience."
"Good."
"Good."
Yuanshi and Tongtian answered, then once again entered a state of comprehending the Dao.
With the Human Dao's assistance, 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 Spirit Platforms of every human.
"Greetings, Martial Ancestor!"
From then on, besides the title Ancestor Chen, Gu Chen gained another title among the Human Race: Martial Ancestor.
"The cultivation method Gu Chen comprehended leads directly to the Great Luo realm. Though it does not touch upon realms beyond the Saintly Dao, it is sufficient for the present Human Race."
Since it had been created through sharing insights by means of the Jade Disc of Creation, Lu Chen possessed this cultivation method as well.
It was a method born from the secret realm cultivation system of Shrouding the Heavens. It likewise excavated the hidden treasures of one's own fleshly body, but was more suited to the Primordial World.
Because everyone in the current Primordial World was an immortal, the starting point of this cultivation method corresponded to the Heavenly Immortal realm.
It was divided into the Fleshly Secret Realm, which consisted of the five major realms of Body Tempering, Bone Tempering, Blood Refining, Marrow Cleansing, and Aperture Opening.
After the fleshly body had been tempered came the Heaven-Seizing Secret Realm, where immortal objects were taken into the body to continue tempering the fleshly body, allowing one to comprehend one's own Divine Ability and reach the Divine Ability Secret Realm.
This was the limit of what Gu Chen had comprehended for now. Although Lu Chen and Nuwa could help them sort out the path ahead, only that which the Human Race comprehended for themselves would truly be theirs. With no path ahead on the road of cultivation, blazing new trails and creating anew was likewise a test for the Human Race.
A person who was always supported while walking would never learn to run.
"Holy Father, Holy Mother!"
"Now that the cultivation method has been comprehended, you two should lead the clansmen away. Remember the dangers of the Primordial World. You have not even touched one ten-thousandth of them yet. 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 aid of external things. Only by keeping your feet on solid ground can you go farther."
"Is that why you do not rely on Merit to raise your cultivation?"
"No."
Lu Chen shook his head.
Though he advised Gu Chen and Gu Xi in this manner, that was not why he did not use Merit to raise his cultivation. He was afraid of death. Everything he now planned was merely to gain himself another sliver of leverage to survive the future Investiture Catastrophe.
Although he did not know whether the Investiture Catastrophe would still occur in the future, one had to prepare for danger in times of peace.
Besides, Merit was a universal remedy, usable anytime and 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 achieved what she wished for, the troubles in her heart had only multiplied.
The schemes among the Three Daos, the direction of the greater tide, and the helplessness of knowing that tide while being unable to act.
A trace of sorrow appeared on Nuwa's exquisite face as she murmured, "Can the greater tide truly not be changed?"
"The greater tide cannot be changed, but the lesser tides can. When enough lesser tides are changed, perhaps a sliver of the greater tide may be altered."
Lu Chen replied 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 about the Demon Race's future. What she cared about was whether Fuxi would fall because of the Demon Race.
"Some things may not achieve the expected result even if you do them, but if you do nothing at all, you may regret it."
"Doing nothing will bring regret..."
"Using lesser tides to pry at the greater tide, then."
Nuwa murmured to herself, a glimmer of brightness flashing through her eyes. As she looked at Lu Chen, something indefinable entered her gaze. She realized that every time she was with Lu Chen, she gained something—guidance in creating humans, consolation for her worries.
"I'll leave the Human Race matter to you. I'll be going first."
Nuwa rose to her feet.
"Wait."
Lu Chen hurriedly called out to stop Nuwa.
"What is it?"
Nuwa turned back, looking 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 several traces of accusation. He even forgot his respect for a Sage and directly used "you."
"If humans and demons become irreconcilable, which side will you stand with?"
"..."
Nuwa's delicate body trembled upon hearing Lu Chen's words, and conflict appeared in her eyes.
It had to be said that Lu Chen's question had truly stumped her.
Though she held little affection for the Demon Race, she did not have much feeling for the Human Race either. 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.
Before you continue