"After all, the enmity between the Human Race and the Monster Clan right now is simply irreconcilable."
Hearing this, Nuwa slowly lowered her head. "Wudao, must this deity truly make a choice?"
"That is correct!"
Nuwa, what choice will you ultimately make? If you choose the Monster Clan, then I, Ling Wudao, will have misjudged you. But if you choose the Human Race, I might as well lend you a hand and help you break free from Hongjun's schemes.
I could even grant you the position of Lord of the Human Dao in the future—it all depends on the choice you make.
At this moment, caught between the Monster Clan and the Human Race, Nuwa was terribly troubled.
The Monster Clan currently possessed immense Qi fortune. If she abandoned them, it would be equivalent to losing a vast amount of Qi fortune's support. On the other hand, the Human Race was created by her own hands; they revered her and would never betray her.
Compared to the Monster Clan, choosing the Human Race was the better path. Led by Ling Wudao, the Human Race would only surpass the Monster Clan in time and become even stronger.
Yet her Eldest Brother was also a Monster Emperor; asking him to abandon the Monster Clan seemed nearly impossible. But if she left her brother to fend for himself, she would inevitably offend Ling Wudao in the future.
At this thought, Nuwa felt a splitting headache. If she were completely alone, she would undoubtedly choose the Human Race.
"Wudao, if I were entirely by myself, I would certainly choose the Human Race. But my brother's situation is difficult to handle. If he stubbornly remains with the Monster Clan, I will eventually become his enemy."
"Empress Nuwa, this matter is actually quite easy to resolve. Fuxi did not participate in the Human Race catastrophe. Furthermore, since he dares to stay with the Monster Clan, why don't you just whip some sense into him?"
"The Creation Whip and the Seven-Star Moon-Pulling Whip in your possession are both formidable weapons for beating people."
"If Fuxi refuses to listen to you, just grab him and give him a sound whipping. There is nothing in this world that cannot be solved with a good beating. If one beating isn't enough, give him two, until he learns to obey."
Upon hearing this, Nuwa could not help being startled, but upon reflection, she realized it was indeed true.
"Your words have truly awakened me. Since that is the case, I shall renounce my status as part of the Monster Clan right now and bring my Eldest Brother over to the Human Race."
Ling Wudao gave a faint smile. He had not expected that a mere suggestion of his would lead Nuwa to make up her mind so quickly. It seemed she had been wanting to beat her brother for a long time!
"There is no need to rush leaving the Monster Clan. Is Fuxi currently at the Monster Clan Heavenly Court?"
"Not at all. My brother has recently been cultivating at Buzhou Mountain. Unless a major event occurs within the Monster Clan, he will not come out of seclusion."
"I see. Since that is the case, things will be much easier. Empress Nuwa, you should first move the Nuwa Palace to Shouyang Mountain, and then go bring Fuxi over. Everything after that will be simple."
"Very well. I shall go move the Nuwa Palace over first. The spiritual Qi of Shouyang Mountain is exceptionally abundant, making it a most suitable Daoist sanctuary."
As her voice faded, Nuwa's figure vanished from the spot.
Seeing Nuwa leave, Ling Wudao turned his gaze to the Sage Tongtian standing nearby.
"Master Tongtian, do you know why I had you come along with Nuwa, and even let you in on certain secrets of mine?"
"If I have guessed correctly, you wish to win this deity over, am I right?"
"I do indeed wish to win you over to the side of the Human Race, but there is actually another reason."
"As for what that reason is, I think it should not come from me, but rather from yourself."
With that, Ling Wudao took out a golden talisman and offered it to Tongtian.
Looking at the golden talisman before him, Tongtian seemed to realize something. "So that's it. Rather than having you tell me about the future, it is far better to let my future self tell me everything."
"This method is truly ingenious."
Ling Wudao smiled nonchalantly. "This is part of my scheme, as well as a means to win you over. But I believe you will use it. After all, the ultimate fate of the Three Pure Ones and the destruction of Jiejiao rest entirely upon your own shoulders. Whether you use it or not is entirely your decision."
"Consider this my return gift for your assistance to the Human Race."
"Do not let anyone know of our conversation today, not even Taiqing and Yuanshi. In the end, they are not walking the same path as you."
"If you wish to use this talisman, you need only obscure the heavenly secrets before activating it."
Hearing this, Tongtian nodded slightly.
"This deity understands. However, to use this talisman, are any special methods required?"
"None at all. You need only infuse your own divine power into the talisman."
"Very well. Since that is the case, I shall return to Jinao Island first. Little friend, if you have free time, you are welcome to visit Jinao Island as my guest at any time."
With those words, Tongtian transformed into a stream of light and soared toward Jinao Island.
Watching Tongtian depart, the corners of Ling Wudao's mouth curled upward slightly!
He was certain that Tongtian would summon his future self. Moreover, he had subtly hinted at things just now; once Tongtian learned the whole truth, he would inevitably come looking for him.
By then, even without Ling Wudao trying to win him over, Tongtian would voluntarily come to seek refuge.
After all, with the split of the Three Pure Ones, the annihilation of Jiejiao, and his own imprisonment in Zixiao Palace, any one of those events would be enough to drive Tongtian to seek his help.
Having settled matters with Tongtian, Ling Wudao flew down toward the foot of Shouyang Mountain. After all, he was now the Human Sovereign, and matters concerning the Human Race required his personal arrangement.
Before long, he reached the base of the mountain. Seeing the Three Ancestors leading their clansmen in clearing the battlefield, he stepped forward and asked, "Three Human Ancestors, are you all unhurt?"
Hearing this, the Three Ancestors turned to look at Ling Wudao. "Wudao, we are fine!"
"It's just that too many of our clansmen have perished; I fear it will take a very long time for us to recover."
"By the way, where is Holy Mother Nuwa? Weren't you with her?"
Hearing Suirenshi's words, Ling Wudao said with a solemn expression, "The Empress has returned to move her Daoist sanctuary here to Shouyang Mountain. From now on, the Empress will remain at Shouyang Mountain to protect everyone."
Upon hearing this, joy lit up the faces of the Three Ancestors.
Youchaosheng spoke up, "That's wonderful! With the Holy Mother safeguarding Shouyang Mountain, we will have ample time to recuperate and build up our strength. It's just that we currently lack suitable cultivation techniques, and self-preservation will likely be very difficult in the future."
"Although we have the protection of the Holy Mother, we must also become strong ourselves. I never wish to experience the Monster Clan's slaughter of our Human Race ever again."
At last, the Three Ancestors had achieved enlightenment: the Human Race needed to strive constantly to improve themselves and could not rely on anyone else. Only by growing strong on their own would they avoid being bullied by other races.
"Human Ancestors, I will find a way regarding the cultivation techniques. For now, our primary focus must be recuperation. With the majority of our clansmen lost, we will likely need a full century just to begin recovering."
"I will set up a new barrier within the territory of the Human Race. Once the Empress arrives at Shouyang Mountain, I plan to travel through the Primordial World for a time, and incidentally find some rare heavenly treasures to help everyone grow stronger."
At these words, the Three Ancestors cried out in unison, "No!"