Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

Wherever the Heavenly Court's military might went, all evil forces fled in terror. In just a hundred years, the entire atmosphere of the prehistoric world was transformed.

Those remnants of chaos, descendants of ferocious beasts, and arrogant demons who had secretly lurked and were eager to make their move either vanished into thin air under the overwhelming might of the Zhou Tian Star Array, or wisely chose to submit and surrender, offering their clan's treasures and accepting the Heavenly Court's decrees and imperial edicts, amidst the thunderous sweep of heavenly soldiers and generals leading billions of celestial allies. Across the primordial world, the smoke of war gradually subsided, the chaotic spiritual energy and ley lines were restored by celestial officials dispatched by the Heavenly Court, and the broken order was re-established by the Heavenly Laws and Regulations.

For a time, the Heavenly Court's prestige soared to its zenith. Every decree issued by the Lingxiao Palace could be transmitted unimpeded to most corners of the prehistoric world and carried out with reverence. As a result, the Heavenly Court's fortune experienced an explosive growth.

"hold head high--!"

Above the Thirty-Three Heavens, the sea of ​​fortune and destiny churned and roared. The nine golden dragons, formed from this fortune and destiny, expanded and solidified at a visible speed. Their scales and claws became increasingly clear and majestic. With each breath, they stirred up a waterfall of starlight from the heavens. Wisps of pale purple Heavenly Dao merit and the power of countless spirits from all corners of the primordial world converged and merged into the sea of ​​fortune and destiny. The sea of ​​fortune and destiny continued to expand, its color changing from pale gold to a dazzling crimson gold, and even its edges began to tinge with an incomparably noble purple hue! This was a sign that the fortune and destiny had reached their peak, beginning to touch upon the fundamental authority of the primordial world!

Haotian and Yaochi, residing in the central command, mobilized troops and handled government affairs. Although still busy, their faces no longer showed the initial frantic state of mind, but rather a triumphant air of authority and burgeoning success. After the initial chaos and adjustment period, the massive machine of the Heavenly Court, forged in iron and blood, finally began to reveal its terrifying potential for efficiency, rigor, and clear division of responsibilities.

However, the primordial world is vast and full of wonders, and not all forces were willing to be incorporated into the new order of the Heavenly Court. Some powerful clans, self-proclaimed extraordinary and possessing profound foundations, with even slumbering quasi-saints or stronger ancient monsters among their members, as well as certain reclusive powerhouses with unique lineages and arrogant personalities, still harbored great resistance and resentment towards the Heavenly Court's forceful integration. Some clung to their ancestral lands, strengthening restrictions and outwardly complying with the Heavenly Court's edicts while secretly defying them; others secretly colluded, plotting a united resistance.

The waters of the primordial world, though temporarily calmed by the Heavenly Court's thunderous measures, were actually seething with undercurrents. Everyone knew that a much larger conflict, one that would determine the true future of the primordial world, was perhaps brewing.

At this moment, everyone's attention, besides being focused on the Heavenly Court's next move, also turned in another direction—the human race.

Shouyang Mountain is located on the coast of the East China Sea.

The human fortune here has been burning brightly over the past century, with a growth rate no less than, and perhaps even more intense than, that of the Heavenly Court!

Since Fuxi manifested his divine power, thwarted the conspiracy, and officially became the teacher of the Heavenly Emperor Fuxi and the Human Emperor, the development of humanity entered an unprecedented golden age. Fuxi no longer hid; combining his understanding of celestial secrets, the principles of change, and civilization, as well as his years of meticulous observation of humanity, he began to systematically lay the foundation for civilization for humankind.

He observed celestial phenomena, investigated geography, developed the Eight Trigrams, established the calendar, and taught people to recognize the four seasons and understand agricultural seasons, greatly improving the efficiency of farming and hunting. He used knotted ropes to record events and created the earliest written symbols, enabling the knowledge and experience of humankind to be passed down across time and space. He established marriage rites, clarified the order of human relations, and stabilized the tribal structure. He domesticated cattle and horses, invented the plow, and improved housing, continuously improving the living conditions of humankind. He also spread simple medical principles, mathematics, and music, opening the door to humankind's wisdom.

Under Fuxi's guidance, humanity was no longer a weak race that relied solely on instinct to survive and struggled in the cracks. They began to consciously observe the world, summarize its patterns, create tools, establish systems, and develop a unique rudimentary form of civilization. For the first time, the brilliance of humanity shone so brightly and dazzlingly upon the primordial land.

As the first human emperor chosen by Heaven, Xuan Cang grew at an astonishing pace under the devoted tutelage of Fu Xi. He was not only the most outstanding inheritor and practitioner of Fu Xi's wisdom and ideals, but also, due to his innate connection with the boundless human destiny, displayed extraordinary leadership charisma and governing abilities.

With the support of Fuxi and the tacit approval of the three ancestors of the human race at Shouyang Mountain, Xuancang began to implement a series of reforms based on the Fengyan tribe. He broke down the strict barriers between tribes, promoting intermarriage and exchange; he selected capable people regardless of their background to form the initial team to manage the increasingly complex public affairs; he mediated disputes, promulgated simple laws, and emphasized "justice" and "benevolence"; he organized young men and trained them according to the formations taught by Fuxi, establishing a disciplined and powerful guard army, which was not only used to protect the tribe, but also began to systematically eliminate ferocious beasts and monsters that threatened the human race in the surrounding areas, thus expanding the human race's living space.

Xuan Cang's benevolence, wisdom, and illustrious achievements spread throughout the East Sea coast and even further human settlements via human caravans and travelers. More and more tribes, sincerely convinced, sent envoys to pay homage, expressing their willingness to obey Xuan Cang's commands and acknowledge him as the common ruler of humanity. Opposition did exist, but it paled in comparison to Fuxi's prestige, Xuan Cang's accomplishments, and the overwhelming tide of human progress, quickly being drowned out.

A hundred years may not be a long time for human cultivators with long lifespans, but for a race in the midst of a civilization boom, it is enough to bring about earth-shattering changes.

When Xuanbao looked at the human race again from the water mirror, he saw a completely different scene.

In the past, the shores of the East Sea were dotted with tribes, connected yet largely isolated. Now, centered around Shouyang Mountain and the massive city, expanded many times over and now aptly named "Fengyan City," a vast "human realm" has taken shape. Fields crisscross the land, fertile fields stretch for miles, golden waves of rice undulating in the spirit-infused wind; cities and towns, built from massive stones, spirit wood, and even rudimentary refined materials, dot the riverbanks and fertile plains like pearls, their chimneys emitting wisps of smoke and bustling with activity.

Roads were built, connecting major cities, with carriages and merchants constantly coming and going. In the sky, cultivators could occasionally be seen flying by in simple flying artifacts, or some domesticated spirit birds acting as messengers. Further away, the signs of cultivation steadily advanced into the former wasteland and mountains.

The human race's population has reached a terrifying level in the past century, now an astronomical number that is difficult to measure precisely. More importantly, the overall strength of the human race has undergone a qualitative change. Although the growth of high-end combat power (above Golden Immortal) is still slow due to limitations in background and resources, the number of True Immortal and Celestial Immortal level cultivators has exploded, and Earth Immortal and Human Immortal are as numerous as hairs on a cow. The entire human race is brimming with vitality and high spirits. The vast human destiny aura that has gathered is as red as fire, as golden as flames, and with purple aura faintly visible, has formed a majestic pillar of destiny that spans the heavens and earth, echoing the golden clouds of destiny of the Heavenly Court, and even showing a hint of rivalry!

At the heart of this pillar of destiny, in the city of Fengyan, a solemn and grand ceremony is taking place.

The enormous altar, constructed of five-colored earth, stood nine zhang and nine chi tall, corresponding to the supreme number nine. Upon it were placed sacrificial vessels symbolizing the three elements of Heaven, Earth, and Man, as well as a jade disc of the Eight Trigrams personally crafted by Fuxi. Around the altar, banners fluttered, and armored soldiers stood at attention. Leaders, elders, and sages from over a thousand major human tribes, along with countless clansmen who had rushed to the scene, packed the city of Fengyan to capacity, yet remained completely silent. All eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation as they gazed towards the top of the altar.

There, Xuan Cang, dressed in hemp clothing but wearing a simple crown woven from spirit vines and star gold, solemnly ascended the last step. Beside him stood Emperor Fuxi, hands clasped behind his back, a gratified smile on his face. Behind him were the three ancestors of humanity: Suiren, Youchao, and Ziyi.

The auspicious time has arrived.

Suiren stepped forward and, in a deep and resonant voice, proclaimed to Heaven and Earth: "Humanity reigns supreme, Earth follows! Today, our human race, blessed by Heaven and Earth and guided by sages, has endured countless hardships and persevered relentlessly, finally achieving this glorious state! Our outstanding worthy, Xuancang, is favored by Heaven, his virtue extends throughout the four seas, his achievements surpass the eight wastelands, possessing the bearing of a sage emperor! Now, the human race unanimously agrees to enthrone Xuancang as our emperor, bestowed the title 'Taihuang,' to manage all human affairs, leading our race to continue our legacy, to persevere relentlessly, to endure as long as Heaven and Earth, and to shine as brightly as the sun and moon! We humbly beseech Heaven and Earth to bear witness to this heart!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fuxi raised his hand, and a beam of clear light entered the Bagua jade plate. The jade plate suddenly shone brightly, and the eight trigrams—Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui—lit up in sequence, evolving into the infinite principles of heaven and earth, and the phenomena of the rise and fall of civilizations, resonating completely with the immense fortune of the human race!

Xuan Cang took a deep breath, faced the altar, slowly knelt down, and loudly swore an oath that resounded throughout the land: "Heaven above, Earth below, ancestors of the human race bear witness! I, Xuan Cang, though unworthy, am trusted by the people and honored as Emperor! From this day forward, Xuan Cang swears: I will always prioritize the well-being of the human race, take the inheritance of civilization as my responsibility, and strive for progress and advancement! Internally, I will cultivate virtuous governance, uphold etiquette and law, and promote education; externally, I will defend against powerful enemies, expand our territory, and ensure peace and security! I will ensure that the elderly of the human race have a place to end their days, the able-bodied have a purpose, the young have opportunities to grow, and the widowed, orphaned, lonely, and disabled are all cared for! I will ensure that the glory of humanity shines upon the primordial world, benefiting all generations! If I break this oath, may Heaven and Earth forsake me, and may gods and men punish me!"

The vows were resounding, like metal and stone falling to the ground, perfectly blending with the Daoist rhythm of the Bagua jade plate and the surging fortune of the human race.

"Boom—!"

High above, auspicious clouds gathered, and purple mist stretched for thirty thousand miles to the east! It wasn't the terrifying spectacle of a sage's birth, but rather contained pure and boundless human merit and blessings from heaven and earth! Countless golden specks of light, like the finest raindrops, fell from the auspicious clouds, merging into the bodies of every human present, and into the mountains and rivers of this human realm. The pillar of human destiny surged once more, its crimson-gold color growing ever more intense, and at its tip, a faint, blurry phantom rune, imbued with the true meaning of rule and civilization, even faintly condensed—the initial manifestation of human imperial power!

"Greetings, Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"May humanity prosper forever! Long live the Emperor!"

Xuanbao's gaze pierced through the water mirror, landing on the figure on the altar who resonated with the overwhelming power of humanity. The trace of melancholy in his heart vanished in an instant, replaced by clarity. "The Emperor has been established, and the imperial power of humanity is beginning to manifest. However, to solidify his position, he still lacks a crucial element to suppress the fortune and bear the mandate of heaven."

With a flick of his finger, an ancient and weighty seal appeared out of thin air, hovering in his palm. The seal was a dark yellow color, neither gold nor jade, and its entire surface radiated a warm luster. Nine dragons intertwined on its surface, and the inscription below was ancient and profound, clearly bearing the two characters "Kongtong"! As soon as this seal appeared, the celestial energy and the Daoist principles that had been circulating within the Lingxiao Palace paused slightly, as if suppressed and attracted by a more majestic aura that was closer to the origin of all living beings.

"The supreme treasure of the human race, the Kongtong Seal." Xuanbao murmured to himself, his fingertips stroking the seal, feeling the vast power that lay dormant within, a power that could only be fully awakened in the hands of a true human emperor. "Bearing the destiny of the human race, bestowing titles upon human gods and spirits, and suppressing the mountains and rivers of the human race, it is a weighty instrument of human authority, and it is fitting that it be born at this time."

Without further hesitation, he stirred his mind, and a pure and vast divine thought enveloped the Kongtong Seal. At the same time, he drew upon his Heavenly Emperor authority and the part of his destiny and karma deeply intertwined with the human race, and gently pushed the seal towards it.

"go!"

"Buzz—!"

The Kongtong Seal emitted a deep and joyful resonance, as if a colossal dragon, slumbering for millennia, had opened its eyes. The seal's body blazed with a surge of profound yellow light, and the nine illusory dragons simultaneously came to life, raising their heads and roaring! An immortal aura, capable of ruling over all people, educating all living beings, and carrying civilization, erupted forth, causing even the Lingxiao Palace to tremble slightly!

The seal transformed into a streak of dark yellow light, ignoring the numerous restrictions and spatial barriers of the Thirty-Three Heavens, and instantly disappeared into the void, rushing towards the primordial land, towards the shores of the East Sea, and towards the Fengyan Altar with its soaring fortune, like a shooting star chasing the moon!

Fengyan City, on the altar.

As Xuan Cang's oath resounded, heaven and earth echoed, and all people paid homage. Just as the vast golden light of human merit was about to reach its peak, merging into his body to help him completely solidify his position as Emperor—

"hold head high--!"

A dragon's roar, even more ancient and majestic than the Daoist aura evoked by the Fuxi Bagua Jade Plate, seemingly existing since the dawn of humanity, came from the heavens without warning!

This dragon's roar was not an attack, but it carried a summoning power that made the blood of all living beings tremble and resonated deep within the souls of humankind!

Immediately afterwards, amidst countless horrified gazes, the void directly above the altar was suddenly torn apart by a magnificent and righteous, profound and yellow radiance! A profound and yellow seal, as large as a millstone and brimming with immortal Daoist charm, appeared as if it had flowed backward from the end of the river of time and space, carrying an unparalleled aura that could suppress all ages and establish the order of the universe, and it crashed down!

"What is that?!"

"What terrifying pressure! I feel my blood boiling!"

"It's a treasure! A divine gift from heaven!"

The crowd gasped in surprise, and even Fuxi and the Three Ancestors narrowed their eyes, staring intently at the suddenly appearing seal.

The seal hovered three feet above Xuan Cang's head, slowly rotating. With each rotation, it showered down countless drops of dark yellow light, merging into Xuan Cang's body below. It also resonated intensely with the entire altar, with Fengyan City, and even with the pillar of human destiny that connected heaven and earth! Xuan Cang's body trembled violently, feeling a vast, boundless, yet incredibly gentle and comforting power surge into his limbs and bones, cleansing his consciousness and primordial spirit. Within his dantian, the vague imperial power rune that had just condensed due to the oath, nourished by this power and infused with the seal's Daoist essence, became clearer and more solid at a visible speed, ultimately transforming into a miniature phantom identical to the seal above his head, firmly seated at the center of his primordial spirit!

Fuxi's eyes flashed with a sharp light. With his deductive abilities, he instantly understood the cause and effect. Looking up towards the Thirty-Three Heavens, he realized: "It's Xuanbao... no, it's His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor! By sending the Kongtong Seal at this time, he is both legitimizing the Human Emperor and helping him solidify his position and control over the human realm, and also proclaiming to the primordial world the Heavenly Court's recognition and support for the Human Emperor! This is the will of Heaven, and even more so, the will of the people!"

Xuan Cang was enlightened. Under the guidance and infusion of the Kongtong Seal, he naturally understood the origin and power of the seal. He took a deep breath, suppressed the shock and excitement in his heart, slowly raised his right hand, palm up, and issued a summons containing the will of the emperor and the thought of benevolence towards the Kongtong Seal above his head.

"Emperor Xuan Cang of the Human Race respectfully requests the return of the supreme treasure! From this day forward, the seal shall be used to protect the mountains and rivers, to govern the people with virtue, and to rule the world with law, so that humanity may endure and civilization may continue forever!"

"Clang!"

The Kongtong Seal emitted a clear and melodious sound, as if a long-lost traveler had found his home, or a dusty divine sword had seen the light of day again. The seal's dark yellow light receded, and its size rapidly shrank, transforming into a palm-sized seal that could be held in one hand, which landed steadily in Xuan Cang's raised hand.

The seal felt warm and smooth to the touch, yet as heavy as a mountain, and a sense of blood connection, as if it were an extension of his own arm, arose spontaneously within him. Holding the Kongtong Seal, Xuan Cang felt his connection to the destiny of humanity strengthen a hundredfold! Boundless human will, the brilliance of civilization, the power of mountains and rivers, even the unseen laws of humanity, were clearly reflected in his heart through this seal, at his command and disposal! His aura surged wildly in that instant, directly breaking through the bottleneck of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm and entering a new level. The imperial pressure and benevolent aura surrounding him merged, inspiring awe and submission in all who beheld him!

"The Seal of Kongtong returns, the Emperor's throne is secured!" Fuxi proclaimed loudly, his voice echoing throughout the land. "This is the will of Heaven, the will of humanity! From this day forth, the Emperor Xuancang shall wield this seal, to govern the human race and rule over all directions! All of humanity, from top to bottom, shall revere the Emperor!"

"We pay homage to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! May humanity prosper forever!"

A more fervent and devout wave of worship swept across the heavens and earth like a tsunami! The recognition of the Kongtong Seal as its master not only definitively confirmed Xuan Cang's destiny but also bestowed upon him supreme authority and terrifying power as the orthodox ruler of humanity. The hearts of humanity were united like never before!

Xuan Cang held the Kongtong Seal, feeling the vast power it contained and the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, his gaze growing ever more resolute and radiant. He turned, facing the altar and the people once more, and raised the seal high in his hand.

"Since I am the emperor, I shall, for the sake of my people, bring about an era of lasting peace!"

The sound was not loud, but through the Kongtong Seal, it was clearly imprinted into the minds of every human present, and even countless powerful beings from the primordial era who were paying attention to this place.

The Thirty-Three Heavens, the Lingxiao Palace.

Xuanbao looked at the Heavenly Emperor Xuancang in the water mirror, who was holding the Kongtong Seal and whose fortune and power had reached their peak. Finally, a satisfied smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.