Chapter 126: Short‑Sighted Insight

Through this competition, many highly promising geniuses have emerged; they will become the primary targets for future Human Race cultivation.

If nothing unexpected occurs, the next hundred years will be a period of rapid strength growth for the Human Race. And Zhou Yi himself also reaped considerable gains from this genius battle; his destiny points still remain high.

Zhou Yi has never possessed such abundant destiny points—nearly one hundred thousand points—and this makes him wonder how many precious treasures he can exchange for in the system.

With these destiny points, Zhou Yi is able to launch some projects that had previously been shelved due to lack of resources.

Although the Human Race's strength has improved markedly, there remains a considerable gap compared with the Wu Clan and the Demon Race.

This situation has not arisen overnight. The Wu Clan and the Demon Race have, since their inception, undergone long periods of accumulation to achieve their present status.

The Human Race's history is relatively brief; given enough time—say, tens of thousands of years—Zhou Yi is confident he can make humanity sufficiently powerful.

For Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman and Yu Qiang Ancestor Shaman, this experience within Human Society is both fresh and interesting.

After the Human Race genius battle ends, the two Ancestor Shamans remain among the mortals for a while, exchanging cultivation experiences with Zhou Yi.

Under Zhou Yi's guidance, Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman begins cultivating the "Swallow Heaven Demon Technique," and progress is fairly smooth.

Because of his powerful physical condition, a solid foundation has been laid for his cultivation.

However, the lack of a Primordial Spirit becomes a major obstacle, making it difficult for Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman to bring the "Swallow Heaven Demon Technique" to its pinnacle.

One day, while discussing cultivation methods with Zhou Yi, Wan Huo Ancestor, who was nourishing his soul in the "Ninety‑Nine Soul‑Scattering Gourd," suddenly transmitted a voice to Zhou Yi.

After more than a hundred years of recuperation, although Wan Huo Ancestor's soul has not fully recovered, it has become stable.

As long as Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman transforms into the Reincarnation, Wan Huo Ancestor can be reborn via the Six Realms of Reincarnation; the problem is minor.

Prior to this, Zhou Yi had already discussed the matter with Wan Huo Ancestor, and Wan Huo Ancestor also understands that his own transmigration is not far off.

Recalling his experiences from taking form to the present, Wan Huo Ancestor feels a mixture of emotions. Before his reincarnation, the one he cannot let go of is his close friend.

Therefore, Wan Huo Ancestor hopes that before the reincarnation, Zhou Yi can take him to the Wanshou Mountain Wuzhuang Temple.

Hearing this request, Zhou Yi feels a stir; he has long heard of the great name of Earth Immortal Ancestor Zhenyuanzi, yet has never met him.

As an old‑guard quasi‑Saint in the Honghuang Tian Di, Zhenyuanzi's power is unfathomable.

If the aid of this powerful figure can be obtained, the success rate of Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman's transformation into the Reincarnation will increase greatly.

After discussing with Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman, Zhou Yi and the two others head together to the Wanshou Mountain Wuzhuang Temple.

When mentioning Earth Immortal Ancestor Zhenyuanzi, people often think of the miraculous Human Ginseng Fruit and the Earth Scroll formed from the planet's fetal membrane.

However, many may overlook Zhenyuanzi's own outstanding cultivation; his strength is only second to a Saint, making him a top‑tier master.

In the distant west lies the Wanshou Mountain Wuzhuang Temple, the domain of two Saints. Yet, as Earth Immortal Ancestor, Zhenyuanzi can stand here without relying on the protection of those two Saints nor allying with them, a testament to his power.

Zhou Yi and his two companions, relying on their strength, soon arrived near the Wuzhuang Temple. They did not conceal their movements, so by Zhenyuanzi's ability, he had naturally sensed their arrival long ago.

When they reached the main gate of the Wuzhuang Temple, two young Taoist attendants came out to greet them, a move that provoked Yu Qiang Ancestor Shaman's displeasure: "Zhenyuanzi is so pretentious, only sending two junior attendants to receive us!"

For the Wu Clan, which dominates the Honghuang Tian Di, Zhenyuanzi, though aware that the two Ancestor Shamans were arriving, did not greet them personally, merely dispatching two disciples, which clearly shows a lack of respect.

Facing Yu Qiang Ancestor Shaman's complaint, Hou Tu Ancestor Shaman remained calmer; she halted Yu Qiang's anger: "Yu Qiang, do not be impolite."

Zhou Yi stood silently beside them, understanding that Zhenyuanzi's arrangement had its reasons. As a powerful being existing since ancient times, Zhenyuanzi has weathered many calamities unscathed.

Even during the Journey to the West era, he remained the Earth Immortal Ancestor, claiming to be a peer of the world, indicating his precise judgment and deep understanding of the cosmic situation.

Although today the Wu Clan and the Demon Race dominate the Honghuang, Zhenyuanzi may already have foreseen the fate of these two races.

His actions are not meant to offend but to avoid becoming entangled in future conflicts. This low‑profile attitude averts unnecessary karma and is key to survival in the Honghuang world.

Guided by the two Taoist attendants, Zhou Yi and his two companions entered the temple and rested briefly.

Soon after, Zhenyuanzi appeared. "Honored guests, I could not receive you from afar; please forgive me."

An elder wearing a purple‑gold crown with crane‑like hair and a childlike face spoke; his aura was extraordinary, his bearing dignified and confident.

Zhou Yi clasped his hands and replied, "We three have intruded unannounced; please forgive any disturbance."

Upon hearing Zhou Yi's answer, Zhenyuanzi outwardly remained impassive, yet felt a slight surprise within.

Zhenyuanzi is naturally familiar with the Ancestor Shamans of the Hou Tu and Yu Qiang factions; otherwise he would not have appeared in person to greet them.

However, despite the two Ancestor Shamans being present, the first to speak was a man, and the two Ancestor Shamans showed no objection.

Does this imply that, in the trio before him, the man is actually the core? Zhenyuanzi silently wondered what kind of person could make the two Ancestor Shamans willingly assist his side.

After both sides took their seats and exchanged some ceremonial dialogue, Zhenyuanzi's curiosity could no longer be restrained; he asked, "My eyes are dull, may I know your esteemed surname and given name? What brings you to my humble abode today?"

The man named Zhou Yi smiled faintly and replied, "I am the Human Race's princess, calling myself the Human Ancestor. I come at the request of a friend."

"A princess of the Human Race? The Human Race has such a powerful being?" Zhenyuanzi asked in surprise, his expression clearly showing inner shock.

In the Honghuang world, the Human Race has always been considered weak; according to Zhenyuanzi, the strongest among them are no higher than Great Luo Golden Immortal level.

Zhenyuanzi observed Zhou Yi carefully for a long time, yet still could not discern the depth of his strength; this alone suffices to prove that Zhou Yi is far from ordinary.

Not to mention, gaining the approval of the two Ancestor Shamans, even the dullest person would realize that Zhou Yi must possess extraordinary qualities.

Could Zhou Yi be merely a Great Luo Golden Immortal? Yet a Great Luo Golden Immortal is enough to prevent Zhenyuanzi from seeing his true power, and to make the two Ancestor Shamans willingly follow? This is sheer fantasy.

"Hahaha, old Daoist, this is your short‑sightedness," Yu Qiang Ancestor Shaman, resentful and blunt, seized the chance to mock Zhenyuanzi upon seeing his shock.

Zhenyuanzi quickly readjusted his demeanor, paying no mind to Yu Qiang Ancestor Shaman's teasing, and continued to ask, "Earlier you mentioned this visit is at a friend's request; who is that friend?"