Chapter Eighty: The Union of the Human Race

In an instant, his avatar’s prospects became boundless, and Qingxu felt a surge of joy in his heart. He could already envision the day, not far off, when he would possess an avatar at the Da Luo Golden Immortal level. The thought thrilled him—transforming overnight from a minor nobody into a great master would be hard for anyone to face with composure.

Yet the path of divinity remained an enigma to be unraveled. One must always act with careful deliberation; the way of gods differed from the way of immortals, and Qingxu found it a strange and unfamiliar road. Without a thorough understanding, he dared not act rashly—should something go wrong, it might be too late for regrets.

But that was a concern for another time. For now, Qingxu calmed his mind as he neared Wanqu Hill. A grand opportunity for merit lay before him, waiting only for him to reach out and claim it.

The journey passed without incident, and soon he arrived at the ancestral land of the human race in Wanqu. Along the way, he encountered many humans, including quite a few from the Youqiong clan. There seemed to be little harmony between them.

“Outward unity, inward division,” Qingxu mused. “But it’s understandable. The Youqiong people are, on average, one or two levels stronger than the Wanqu humans. Naturally, they resent merging, especially if it means becoming subordinates. Throughout history, only the weak submit to the strong, never the other way around. They haven’t acted out, likely out of fear for my immortal might. And with the Youqiong patriarch gone, they’re leaderless—pent-up anger needing only a spark to ignite. But I need not worry; I’ve subdued them before, and now, with my cultivation advanced, I’m even more formidable.”

“Immortal!” someone exclaimed.

“Look—on those auspicious clouds at the horizon...”

“The Immortal has returned! Wonderful, truly wonderful!”

“Xiao X, hurry and greet your Uncle Taiyi!”

...

A member of the Youxin clan, upon seeing Qingxu, brightened at first, but then, remembering the near-certain death of the Youqiong patriarch, his expression turned sorrowful.

The Youqiong people also noticed Qingxu’s return. Their faces shifted through complex emotions, harboring resentment. In Qingxu’s absence, they’d been restless, plotting to overthrow the human queen, Nu Wu, and install the Youxin clan as rulers. If they succeeded, the humans would be under their control, and even if Qingxu returned, the situation would be irrevocably changed. But their plans had yet to begin before being dashed, leaving them with only resentment and silent endurance.

The Grand Elder of the humans, Taiyi—whose status had skyrocketed thanks to Qingxu, becoming second only to the human king—was discussing the Youqiong issue with Queen Nu Wu. The two had spent many sleepless nights pondering solutions, but to no avail. As the saying goes, all schemes are but a joke in the face of overwhelming power. The humans of Wanqu were far weaker than the Youqiong, and even a sneak attack would be doomed. At this moment, Xiao X rushed in with news of Qingxu’s return, instantly filling the pair with joy. They hurried out of the “royal cavern” to welcome the immortal.

“Immortal, what of my brother?” Youxin pressed forward before anyone else, his face etched with anxiety. Though he knew the answer was almost certainly grim, he still clung to a sliver of hope.

“The Youqiong patriarch was slain by the beast Qiongqi. I fought desperately to kill Qiongqi and was gravely wounded myself. I’ve been healing these past days and have only just recovered.” Qingxu replied casually, while thinking, “It seems Youxin had nothing to do with Qiongqi’s plot, but he’s still a threat. Regardless, he must die. He once schemed against me in the Canghuang Mountains—killing him is repayment in kind, and will dash the Youqiong’s hopes. Two birds with one stone.”

Outwardly affable, he harbored lethal intent within. This episode had changed Qingxu profoundly—he’d matured, recognizing the harshness of the primordial world. He set aside the pride of a sage’s disciple; identity meant little here. Only strength could be relied upon, and one must never relax their guard. Lethal threats must be eliminated without hesitation.

“My brother...?” Youxin’s spirit seemed to collapse at once. Tears streamed down his face—truly, a man’s tears are not easily shed, unless his heart has been broken.

“The bond between these brothers was genuine, no doubt. Yet the Youqiong patriarch was always scheming. This sincere emotion was one-sided—how pitiful, how lamentable.”

“Immortal, humble Taiyi greets you! You have returned at last!” A sudden cry of obeisance rang out. Qingxu looked and saw Taiyi and a woman approaching together, followed by a dozen elders—men and women—who were in turn followed by over a hundred warriors clad in black-gold armor. All bowed deeply upon seeing Qingxu, without exception.

Qingxu’s attention focused on the woman beside Taiyi. She appeared not yet thirty, her features delicate and beautiful, though her hair was loose and wild. She wore only a tiger pelt slung over her body, exposing half her left breast, and her legs, white as jade and smooth as cream, were bare for all to see—an image of primal allure. Yet Qingxu’s heart was as serene as still water; not even the most enchanting “wild beauty” could disturb him, let alone one such as this. Even the fairy maidens of the Apricot Palace could not sway his resolve.

Wine, lust, wealth, and greed—these are what most corrupt the heart and destroy the foundation of the Way. True cultivators shun them like venomous beasts, fleeing at the mere thought.

Passion! For cultivators, it is but an illusion. Where there is passion, there is obsession; obsession leads to the collapse of the great Dao’s foundation. How many in the primordial world have ever succeeded in dual cultivation? East King Duke and Queen Mother of the West parted as strangers, separated by yin and yang; Emperor Jun and Xihe perished, leaving only one child out of ten; Donghua and Peony were lost in cycles of rebirth; even the Jade Emperor Haotian and the Golden Mother of the Jade Pool endured tribulations without end, their kin beset by endless suffering. Are these not warnings enough?

“Nu Wu, first King of the Humans, pays respects to the Immortal. We are most grateful for your concern in our affairs. Please accept my bow!” With that, she knelt in deep obeisance.

“Rise, King. There’s no need for ceremony. I merely follow Heaven’s will and the people’s needs. The unification of humanity is inevitable; even without me, it would come to pass in time.”

“You are too modest, Immortal. Your kindness shall never be forgotten by our people; we shall honor you day and night,” Nu Wu said, her face full of gratitude.

They discussed the matter of unifying the human clans. With Qingxu’s cultivation so evident, their power brooked no dissent—under might, who would dare speak otherwise?

The Youqiong had hoped Youxin would at least make a stand for their interests. Yet lost in grief over the patriarch’s death, he was in no state to resist, and their hopes were dashed.

[Unification of humanity achieved. Reward: 50 points of acquired merit, 3,500 points of faith incense.]

With the system’s notification, the primordial Dao granted Qingxu a portion of acquired merit. At the same time, a great surge of faith incense from the human race poured into his spirit.

“Goodness, this task was too easy—just a few words! If only all assignments were like this.”

With these rewards, Qingxu now possessed 1 point of innate merit, 190 points of acquired merit, 1,100 points of yang virtue, 11,000 points of yin virtue, and 10,350 points of faith incense.