The Deities had appeared.
Chu Kuangren "watched" the Human Race piling cattle and sheep before a Deity's statue in the scene, his expression somewhat complicated.
The Human Race worshipped Deities and gained spiritual comfort, while Deities kept the Human Race like livestock, drawing on their Power of Faith to strengthen themselves.
It was a willing arrangement on both sides. Without the emergence of cultivators, this situation would probably have continued indefinitely.
But the Deities' mistake lay in believing they could control everything.
They underestimated the Human Race's pursuit of free will.
Time continued to flow.
Chu Kuangren saw the first member of the Human Race encounter cultivation. Then, the number of cultivators among the people slowly grew.
Later still.
An Immortal in flowing white robes arrived on Firmament Star.
He, too, was a member of the Human Race.
The Immortal did not alert the Deities. His aura was extremely faint, and he seemed injured. He recuperated in Human Race territory for a time.
During that time, he began teaching the Human Race to cultivate. Just a few pointers allowed the Human Race's cultivators to advance by leaps and bounds.
Chu Kuangren watched the Immortal.
He was an unfathomable old man dressed in white. Seemingly sensing Chu Kuangren, the old man looked up at the sky, his gaze meeting Chu Kuangren's in the river of time.
Those eyes were immeasurably deep and held a hint of a smile.
He even gave him a slight bow with his hands clasped.
Chu Kuangren could not help marveling. "He can detect me in the river of time? Tsk, it looks like he really is an Immortal."
He continued watching.
After guiding the Human Race of Firmament Star in cultivation for a time, the Immortal departed. Before leaving, he raised his hand and drew a