Chapter Seventy-Seven: I Become a Sage

In order to better understand the human race, the Grand Supreme Elder Lord and his companions transformed themselves into the likeness of humans and wandered among them, observing their way of life. The moment they set foot in the lands where humanity dwelled, they immediately sensed that this place was unlike any other in the vast wilderness. What exactly was different? This question baffled the mighty beings from the primordial world.

How could a race be so united? How could they show such mutual kindness? Whether it was the three great races of the past or the two clans of gods and demons, if one considered carefully, the only thing that ever truly bound them together was “interest.”

Without interest, survival was impossible. Yet for reasons unknown, these humans, even when suffering hunger and cold, still sacrificed for others and willingly endured hardship so that their people might flourish, content to simply be humble members of their race.

Strength is indeed important; without it, one has no place in this world. That is true for the individual, but for a race, things are not so easily distinguished. For a race to thrive, unity is essential. There must be leaders, and there must be those who serve “the people.” Only with such clear division of labor can a race endure in this harsh world.

Only now did the Grand Supreme Elder Lord begin to understand Tongtian’s intentions. See how even strangers among the humans would help each other, while he and Tongtian had known each other for countless aeons. Though Tongtian’s soul came from a later age, never had he harmed either himself or Yuanshi. The Elder Lord could not help but feel a wave of emotion.

When the simple folk saw the Elder Lord disguised as a venerable old man, they came to greet him warmly. When the midday sun beat down, strong young men would approach and say, “Such heat, grandfather—have a drink of water.” And they would hand him a bowl of water.

The Elder Lord would pat the young man on the shoulder, drink the slightly sweet water in one gulp, then pat him again and continue on his way.

At dusk, as people returned home, the Elder Lord walked alone beside their dwellings. A child suddenly ran up, took his hand, and said, “Grandpa, come stay at my house for the night.”

A middle-aged woman soon appeared and said, “Elder, it’s late. Please stay at our home and rest. You can continue your journey tomorrow.”

Looking into the child’s sincere eyes, the Elder Lord’s wrinkled face broke into a smile. Lying in a small room, he fell into deep thought. So it was possible for sentient beings to treat each other with such sincerity—what a remarkable race.

For a race to thrive, it needs a sovereign, ministers, and so forth. But without faith, it is no more than a puppet roaming the earth.

It was as if the Elder Lord touched upon some revelation. He dressed, and vanished from the room. He had been deeply moved by the humans—their innocence and simplicity stirred even this ancient deity.

Isn’t this the way of life itself? If one gives up the struggle for fame and gain, a new world opens up. Humanity had yet to be corrupted by the desires rampant in the primordial wilderness—now was the perfect time to spread his own teachings.

What if he could enlighten the human race? Since heaven had decreed that humanity would become the leading race, would he really be permitted to do as he wished? At this thought, the Elder Lord’s fervor cooled, as if doused by cold water.

Just then, a voice rang out: “Success is following your heart to the end. Even if you are wrong, you will have no regrets, for you will have tried, won’t you?”

Hearing this, the Elder Lord’s spirits were lifted. He resolved to fight for humanity.

Without bidding farewell to Xuandaozi and the others, he went to a place not far from the human settlements and sat in meditation. To test his theories, he pondered deeply on all that would follow after establishing his own school of thought.

Dawn broke, and it was clear this would be a day unlike any other. As the Golden Crow rose, all the beings in the primordial world sensed that the sun was different today; the atmosphere was unusual, as if something momentous was about to happen, though none could say what.

Tongtian and his companions also sensed that something significant was looming in the air. Since the Elder Lord proposed to observe humanity personally, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Yuanshi Tianzun had all wanted to see the human race for themselves. Tongtian had simply agreed to let them go.

Tongtian and Xuandaozi remained at the ancestral mountain, meeting with the three elders of humanity and its elite. After the war with the demons, the people had thrown themselves into strengthening their abilities. Now, there were more than a dozen Taiyi Golden Immortals among them—truly, hatred can bring out hidden potential.

To help the humans grow stronger, Xuandaozi even led their elite to hunt down evil monsters—those who had committed countless crimes, of course. Humanity’s own fate was rising steadily; they had become a force not to be overlooked in the world.

The sun was high, yet Tongtian still had not risen. Indeed, much had happened in recent days, and some bad habits from his previous life had not yet been entirely shed. Before long, he sat up abruptly and exclaimed angrily, “Jieyin and Zhunti have gone too far!”

After parting ways with Tongtian, Jieyin and Zhunti had gone to the human settlements. After spending a day among the people, they found themselves deeply enamored and wished to take these humans west to enlighten them.

Consider the human body: each acupoint corresponds to a star in the heavens. Anyone with sense could become a power in short order.

Moreover, Jieyin and Zhunti felt that humanity was somehow related to their own path to sainthood, which only strengthened their resolve to bring some of these people west.

From the perspective of the West, their idea made sense. The Western lands stretched for thousands of miles with hardly a soul in sight, little grass or trees, barren mountains everywhere, and drifting evil miasmas haunting the land. How could the two sages, tasked with reviving the West, accept this fate? If they did not achieve sainthood, how could they answer to the land that bore them?

The idea was sound, but greed invites retribution. And now, the one they had wronged came knocking.

“You are shameless! I kindly allowed you to see the ways and customs of humanity, but I never thought you would betray my trust like this. Do you truly think I, Tongtian, am so easily bullied?” Tongtian, seeing the humans whom Jieyin and Zhunti had just taken, exploded in rage and cursed them.

He had gone to such lengths to protect humanity, and only after much effort had the people reached this era of prosperity. Now, to have these two ingrates show up—how could Tongtian not be furious? Yet, in this world, there was no medicine for regret.

“Fellow Daoist Tongtian, please calm yourself!” Jieyin hastened to placate him. After all, they were guests on someone else’s land; it was best to proceed with care, especially in the realm of humanity, for the sake of future plans.

“Well then, release my people at once, or I’ll settle this with you myself!” Tongtian, seeing Jieyin’s softened manner, pressed his advantage.

“We will not! What do you propose to do about it?” Zhunti, pulling Jieyin to his side, retorted. The West had finally seen a glimmer of hope, and he would fight for these people if necessary.

“Zhunti, you scoundrel, you’re asking for a beating!” Tongtian, losing his usual composure, swore and drew his Azure Lotus Sword. A great battle was about to erupt.

But just then, vast purple clouds billowed from the eastern sky; the stars shone brilliantly, the moon and sun echoed each other, auspicious clouds drifted in the heavens, and all the beasts on the land knelt devoutly.

“I, the Supreme Lord of Morality, Taishang Laojun, hereby establish a new teaching this day, to be named the Human Sect, to protect the human race. Thus, the Human Sect is founded!” The ethereal voice resounded across the world, filled with awe-inspiring authority. All the creatures of the earth bowed in gratitude.

The three who had been locked in conflict stood frozen in place, mouths agape, unable to utter a word.

What was happening?