Primordial Era: A brick knocks Hongyun unconscious, and he seizes the throne at the start.

Lu Chen secluded himself for fifty years.

During these fifty years, the era of the Five Emperors of the human race was in full swing.

After Zhuanxu (the reincarnation of Hongyun) came of age, he indeed launched the "Severing Heaven and Earth Connection" with swift and decisive action. He gathered human cultivators, set up a great formation, and forcibly severed the "tentacles" that the gods and demons were extending towards the human race—in fact, mainly the covert infiltration of the Western Sect and some remnants of the demon race.

The process was brutal; Zhuanxu himself was severely injured by the backlash and nearly perished. However, Lu Chen was prepared and used the Merit Pendant to save his life, and also secretly helped him clear out several of the most troublesome strongholds of gods and demons.

With the successful severing of the connection between heaven and earth, humanity achieved true independence, and its fortunes soared. Zhuanxu also gained merit as a result, and his cultivation level recovered to that of a Taiyi Golden Immortal, which can be considered a blessing in disguise.

Emperor Ku (the reincarnation of the Fire-Burning Tribe) pursued a civilizing approach. He revised the calendar, established rites and music, and regulated human relations, leading humanity from a barbaric tribal era into civilized society. During this time, the Western religions attempted to interfere with him using "divine pronouncements," but Emperor Ku, wearing a merit pendant, was completely unaffected. Instead, he used this opportunity to expose the hypocrisy of Buddhism, causing humanity to doubt its faith in gods and Buddhas.

The abdication system of Yao and Shun (reincarnations of underworld messengers) proceeded smoothly. Both were of high moral character and managed the affairs effectively, significantly reducing internal conflicts within the human race. The Western Sect attempted to sabotage the abdication ceremony, but was countered by the "countermeasure restriction" that Lu Chen had planted beforehand, almost exposing the Buddhist sect's scheme.

Thus, the Western Sect's conspiracy was repeatedly thwarted. Jieyin and Zhunti were furious, but dared not openly take action—after all, Lu Chen, a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, was watching.

Fifty years later, it was the turn of the last great emperor—Yu.

Yu was recommended by Chenlong (Fuxi). He already had a talent for flood control, and with the careful training of Xuanyuan (Huangdi) and the knowledge of water conservancy engineering secretly given to him by Lu Chen, the progress of flood control was rapid.

However, in the final stage of flood control, a major problem arose: the vast and complex water system meant that although the floods had receded, the root causes of the floods remained. To completely solve the problem, a supreme treasure capable of suppressing the water veins and regulating the water system was needed.

This treasure is the "Nine Tripods".

According to the original history, Yu would collect metal from the nine provinces to cast nine tripods, suppress the water veins of the nine provinces, and establish the territory of the human race.

But Lu Chen knew that the Nine Cauldrons were not only tools for controlling floods, but also symbols of the human race's fortune, and would become the human race's treasure in the future.

Such a good thing, how could it not have a backdoor?

So, just as Yu began preparing to cast the tripod, Lu Chen emerged from seclusion.

He used brick magic to reach Yu's flood control headquarters—a makeshift wooden hut.

Yu was studying a map, his brow furrowed. Upon seeing Lu Chen in his guise as a white-bearded old man, he quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Grandpa, you've arrived."

"Hmm, I heard you've run into some trouble." Lu Chen looked at the densely marked waterways on the map. "Trying to forge nine cauldrons to suppress the waters?"

"Exactly." Yu nodded, "But gold is hard to find in the Nine Provinces, and the method of casting tripods has been lost..."

"I do have a solution." Lu Chen took out a grayish-white stone from his pocket (the Qiankun Diagram). "This is a fragment of Buzhou Mountain, containing the pressure of Pangu. It is most suitable as the foundation for a cauldron."

Yu's eyes lit up: "Fragments of Mount Buzhou? Those are legendary divine objects!"

"Not only that." Lu Chen took out another handful of multicolored sand. "These are fragments of five-colored stone, left over from mending the sky. Melting them in can increase the cauldron's 'suppression' effect."

"And this too." He took out a few more drops of dark blue liquid. "Residue of the essence of water and fire, which can harmonize the five elements, allowing the Nine Cauldrons to adapt to any environment."

Yu stared in disbelief: "Old man... your wealth is truly astounding!"

"These are just scraps," Lu Chen waved his hand. "But casting a cauldron isn't enough with just materials; you also need 'array patterns'."

He drew nine points on the map, each corresponding to a core location in the Nine Provinces: "The Nine Cauldrons need to be arranged into the 'Nine Provinces World-Suppressing Array' to completely suppress the water veins. I can teach you the array patterns."

Yu trembled with excitement: "Thank you, old man!"

For the next three years, Lu Chen personally taught Yu how to cast the tripod.

From material selection, smelting, and shaping, to engraving, spirit activation, and ritual refinement, he personally guided every step and even... made some changes at key points.

For example, inside the cauldron, he used Chaos Bricks to carve a miniature "brick-shaped mark"—this mark resonates with his Law of Power, and in the future, he can remotely control the Nine Cauldrons at any time if he wishes.

For example, at the connection of the array patterns, he buried "back door passages" - once the human race's fortune fluctuates abnormally, these passages will automatically activate and direct some of the fortune to the direction he specifies (such as Hongyun's gourd fragments, or the cultivation resources of the Firewood Department).

For example, at the core of the Nine Cauldrons, he left behind a wisp of his divine consciousness—which usually lies dormant but can "manifest" at crucial moments to deter villains.

Three years later, the Nine Tripods were completed.

On the day the cauldron was completed, auspicious omens descended from the sky, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, and the fortune of the entire human race surged like a volcanic eruption!

The nine great cauldrons flew towards the core of the Nine Provinces, took root, and formed the Nine Provinces Suppressing World Array. The moment the array activated, all the water systems of the primordial world trembled simultaneously, and the root cause of the floods was completely suppressed!

Yu thus achieved perfect merit, became the Great Emperor of the Human Race, and broke through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

The era of the Five Emperors of the Human Race has now come to a perfect end.

Lu Chen crouched in the clouds, looking down at the cheering humans below, and grinned.

"Done."

He used the brick teleportation technique to return to the pillar supporting the sky and began to take stock of his gains.

First, there's the merit—the Nine Cauldrons Suppress the Nine Provinces. As the main "technical supporter," he received 30% of the merit, enough to push his cultivation to the peak of the Primordial Chaos realm.

Secondly, there's the element of destiny—the back door of the Nine Cauldrons allows him to be deeply bound to the destiny of humanity. The stronger humanity becomes in the future, the more human destiny he can mobilize, which is more practical than any magical artifact.

Finally, there's the "control" of the Nine Cauldrons—although it can't be used openly, these nine cauldrons are one of his trump cards in crucial moments.

"However..." Lu Chen looked towards the western direction of Mount Ling, "Jieyin and Zhunti will definitely not let this go."

The Nine Cauldrons, which guard the Nine Provinces, have severed their last chance to infiltrate the human race. These two sages are likely to resort to desperate measures.

Sure enough, three days later, news came from the Western Vulture Peak: Jieyin and Zhunti announced that the Buddhist sect would hold the "Ullambana Festival" and invite all the great powers of the prehistoric world to participate and discuss the "future pattern of the prehistoric world".

It was nominally a "joint consultation," but in reality, it was about winning over allies and isolating Lu Chen.

"Playing this trick?" Lu Chen laughed. "Sure, I'll play along."

He fled to Wuzhuang Temple to discuss matters with Zhen Yuanzi.

"The Ghost Festival? Those two bald monks really know how to pick their timing." Zhen Yuanzi frowned after hearing this. "What's the attitude of the Three Pure Ones?"

"Laozi will probably remain neutral, Yuanshi might lean towards Buddhism (because he doesn't like me), Tongtian... it's hard to say," Lu Chen analyzed. "Nuwa will probably be on my side, after all, she created the human race."

"So what are you planning to do? Go or not?"

"Yes, of course I'll go." A sly glint flashed in Lu Chen's eyes. "Not only will I go, but I'll also bring a 'big gift'."

"What wonderful gift?"

Lu Chen leaned close to Zhen Yuanzi's ear and whispered a few words.

After hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi's expression turned strange: "You...you're too cruel."

"To deal with malicious people, you have to use dirty tricks." Lu Chen grinned. "Senior, can you do me a favor?"

Zhen Yuanzi remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, this old Taoist will go crazy with you."

Three days later, the Ullambana Festival will be held at the Western Paradise.

The Amitabha Buddha ascended the lotus throne, with guests gathering below. The Three Pure Ones, Laozi and Yuanshi (Tongtian was absent), Nuwa also arrived, along with some veteran quasi-saints from the primordial era, such as Styx and Kunpeng (this old bird actually dared to come).

Lu Chen led Zhen Yuanzi and swaggered into the venue.

"Wow, this is quite lively." He looked around, his gaze lingering on Styx and Kunpeng for a second longer, startling them so much that they quickly lowered their heads.

With a forced smile, Jieyin said, "Fellow Daoist Lu Chen's presence is an honor to our humble abode. Please have a seat."

"No need for a seat." Lu Chen took out a small box from his robes. "I heard that the two sages are going to 'discuss the future of the primordial world,' so I've prepared a small gift as... a congratulatory present?"

He opened the box, and inside was a photographic stone.

Zhunti frowned: "What is this?"

"A little 'memories'." Lu Chen activated the memory stone.

The image appeared—

This was the scene where Jieyin and Zhunti conspired with the Styx River in the Blood Sea to discuss how to divide the fate of the human race.

Styx's face turned deathly pale instantly.

Even Jieyin and Zhunti couldn't sit still any longer: "Lu Chen! You...you dared to take pictures without my permission!"

"Taking photos secretly?" Lu Chen looked innocent. "This junior was just passing by and accidentally recorded it. Besides, it's not like the two saints and Fellow Daoist Styx were discussing the 'Grand Plan of the Primordial World,' what's there to be afraid of?"

The entire room fell silent.

The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and the other guests all looked at Jieyin and Zhunti with strange expressions.

So, it turns out that the Buddhist sect has been secretly plotting against the human race all along?

Jieyin was trembling with anger, but he couldn't lash out in front of so many people.

"Fellow Daoist Lu Chen," he said, suppressing his anger, "today is the Ullambana Festival, let's not talk about these old matters. Let's discuss the future landscape of the primordial world..."

"The future格局 (geju, overall situation/格局)?" Lu Chen interrupted him. "Hasn't the future格局 (geju) of the primordial world already been determined? The human race should prosper; this is the will of Heaven. As for Buddhism..."

He looked at Jieyin and Zhunti, and grinned:

"If you two wish to spread your religion, you may. But you must follow the rules—no interference in human internal affairs, no forced faith, and no coveting of human destiny. If you can uphold these three rules, humanity welcomes you. If not…"

He weighed the Chaos Brick in his hand:

"Then don't blame me for using this brick to 'reason' with you two."

The audience was silent.

A Grand Luo Immortal, in front of two sages, threatened to "reason" with bricks...

This primordial world is about to change.