Chapter 183: Rules of Their Own

"This item originally belonged to a fellow cultivator in a previous life; today it returns to its rightful owner at the proper time." Zhou Yi handed the gourd to Fude, and when his fingertip touched the gourd's surface, a faint golden sheen rippled.

During the ancient Wu‑Yao War, when Wan Huo Ancestor was beset, he intervened to help, and the other side, to show gratitude, presented this primal treasure; now the karmic cycle of reincarnation should also be concluded.

Fude's expression flickered in slight surprise as he received the artifact, and the moment the gourd was in his hand it emitted a faint buzz.

Zhenyuanzi's pupils narrowed at the sight; the Earth Immortal ancestor's ginseng fruit tree in his hand suddenly moved without wind, its leaves rustling as if responding to an old friend's aura.

Although reincarnated Fude has not yet awakened his memories, the unseen bond has already manifested.

"Cultivation brother, why must you insist?" Fude declined repeatedly, yet the gourd in his palm seemed rooted, refusing to be handed back.

He did not notice the faint whitening of his knuckles gripping the artifact, while the karmic thread of past and present wavered, half‑visible, between the two.

Zhou Yi's gaze swept over Zhenyuanzi's expectant expression; he knew this old friend still hoped Wan Huo's memories would revive, yet he did not reveal the secret—the Great Luo Golden Immortal Realm is the key to awakening the true spirit.

As they part, Zhou Yi deliberately mentioned human affairs, a seemingly casual invitation that actually concealed deeper meaning.

Watching Fude's silhouette fade into the clouds with Zhenyuanzi, he ran his fingers over the Kongtong Seal hanging at his waist.

As the guardian of the Human Race, he knows better than anyone how future Chan Sect disciples will stir up trouble among humans; Li Mozi will establish the Human Emperor, Taiyi True Immortal will collect spirit pearls, and these predetermined paths must be preemptively intervened.

Mountain wind brushed Zhou Yi's dark Dao robe, and he stared toward Shouyang Mountain, lost in thought.

Rather than waiting for the Twelve Golden Immortals to descend and preach, it is better to use Fude as a conduit to actively connect with Kunlun Mountain.

After all, this alchemy master with deep fateful ties will soon be placed among the Chan Sect's wall of masters.

When the Human Race's fortune intertwines with mystic sect merit, whoever makes the first move can control the game.

Numerous Honghuang powerhouses covet the Human Race's fortune, especially the Chan Sect forces, and even the Four Seas Dragon Palace and the Heavenly Court celestial officials are stirring.

Yet these gifts of the Heavenly Dao should belong to the Human Race's bloodline; what right do foreign races have to divide the benefits? Is it merely their so‑called charitable assistance?

In the years Zhou Yi has held authority over the Human Race, this once‑weak species has already been reborn. Now its tribal subjects need not rely on those arrogant beings who treat humans like weeds.

When calamities strike humanity, those who boast of transcendence watch coldly, yet now they pose as compassionate toward all beings—how absurd and laughable!

Zhou Yi's governance philosophy is as clear as a mirror; cooperation is allowed, but it must follow the rules set by the Human Race. Want to share fortune? Then act according to the Human Race's regulations. Yet the most pressing matter now is to confront the imminent final war between the Wu and Yao.

That day Sui Huang, accompanied by senior elders, appeared before the court to report on the restart of the "Human Race Heavenly Champion Contest" that had been halted by Master Miao Le's thousand‑year preaching.

"Indeed, the grand event should be revived!" Zhou Yi lightly tapped the desk, "This year's competition will have a prize pool three times that of previous editions, a nine‑tier promotion system, allowing each tribe's newcomers to fully display their brilliance."

To emphasize its importance, Zhou Yi specifically exchanged from the Fortune Mall the manual "Nine Turns Mysterious Heaven Record" and the Nine Marvels Immortal Pill.

The spirit root from another world unfurled its branches in the hall, its nine‑colored fruits resonating with the Great Dao rhythm, prompting the attending elders to murmur in amazement.

Such divine artifacts, as the top prize, will surely inspire myriad juniors to strive forward.

【Divine Artifact】 True Dragon Immortal Pill

Rating: Celestial Tier Superior

Exchange Cost: 8,000 Destiny Points

Origin: derived from an ancient forbidden land's immortal spirit root, its whole body radiates nine‑colored glow, the pill takes the form of a wandering dragon.

The jade pearl clasped in the dragon's head contains the primal essence, its whiskers can restore severed meridians, its scales can temper the body, and every inch of the pill holds unique effects.

【Divine Artifact】 Immortal Divine Phoenix Pill

Rating: Celestial Tier Superior

Exchange Cost: 8,000 Destiny Points

Origin: a Nirvana holy pill dwelling in the primordial ancient mine, displaying a celestial phoenix poised to spread its wings.

The phoenix's tail seven feathers correspond to seven soul refinements; its wings contain yin‑yang principles, and especially the crown's condensed essence can help cultivators grasp the miraculous effect of Nirvana rebirth.

Deep within the Sea of Awareness, Zhou Yi activated the Fortune Wheel, and as three brilliant light pillars shot skyward, three immortal divine pills, each circulating the Great Dao rhythm, floated in the void.

He then converted all remaining Destiny Points into fragments of the "Void Scripture" and rare materials such as the Primordial Destiny Stone.

As the wheel's radiance faded, Zhou Yi's fortune account hit zero. Yet watching the flourishing Human Race atmosphere outside the Flame Hall, he knew this investment would yield a hundredfold return.

At this moment, he is preparing the Human Race's Grand Inquiry Ceremony that will shake the heavens.

This year's ceremony's reward specifications are unprecedented; the top three champions will directly receive complete immortal divine pills.

Especially the crown winner, besides the divine pill, will obtain a proof‑of‑path apparatus prototype forged from Nine Heavens Divine Jade, as well as an inheritance jade tablet recording the sacred combat law.

The most coveted opportunity for myriad cultivators is the chance to discuss the Dao with the first Human Emperor. The third‑place scholar may study rune mysteries with the chief of the Weaving Heaven Pavilion, while the second‑place scholar can listen to Sui Huang's preaching inside the Flame Tower.

As for the champion, they will earn the honor of sitting with Zhou Yi on Enlightenment Cliff to discuss the Dao.

Today Zhou Yi's cultivation insights have been compiled into the "Imperial Supreme Celestial Book," displayed on the top floors of preaching pavilions across the lands.

Those annotations glimpsed by chance when breaking through bottlenecks often cause cultivators to suddenly see the light.

To be taught in person by this Human Emperor who forged the cultivation system is worth far more than any heavenly treasure.

The Holy Emperor's bestowed honor alone makes all beings look up, let alone the chance to see the imperial visage.

As Zhou Yi foresaw, the news of the Heavenly Champion selection reopening thundered like a shock, instantly igniting a fervent wave across the Human Race's territories.

When this year's Heavenly Champion award list was made public, the entire clan boiled over with excitement.

The seals of hidden cultivation caves shattered one after another, countless young talents broke through and emerged, and registration jade tablets flooded the holy hall like snowflakes.

In just half a day, registrants have already exceeded a million, and the number continues to climb at a terrifying rate.

Only then did Sui Huang and others realize Zhou Yi's deep foresight; organizing according to previous editions' scale would be unable to bear such a fervent wave of participants. At this pace, the final number may surpass ten million.

Since Zhou Yi assumed authority over the Human Race, only a thousand years have passed. Benefiting from astonishing reproductive talent, the Human Race has iterated for dozens of generations.

Under the Holy Emperor's rule, occasional wars have occurred but have not harmed the foundation; common folk live peacefully, and the cultivator community steadily expands.

According to the Holy Temple's latest census, the Human Race's population has reached a massive 450 billion, far exceeding the Wu Clan, still lagging behind the Demon Race, but in quality it is no longer comparable to the past.

Yet the Heavenly Dao's balance has its own law; as bloodlines dilute, overall cultivation aptitude trends downward. Fortunately, the huge base ensures each generation still produces astonishingly talented individuals.

The current Human Race has far not reached its growth limit, still having vast realms to gallop across.

Sui Huang gazed at the mountain of registration jade tablets on his desk, both delighted and worried; screening the talents of ten million cultivators is nothing less than a massive undertaking.