Chapter 5

Houtu the Ancestral Witch's definition and division of humanity shook countless members of the Wu Clan below the stage.

She does not use appearance or physique as the basis for division, nor does she use ethnic or regional ties as the fundamental distinction; instead, she uses whether one's thoughts and ideas are accepted to determine if one is human.

The distinction between humans and demons arises from this.

"What is the Demon Race?"

"What is humanity?"

"To obey heaven's mandate, the strong devour the weak—that is the demon!"

"Self-improvement without cease, bearing great virtue to sustain all things—that is humanity!"

Submitting to the order and law of heaven and earth, taking the nature of beings where the weak are preyed upon by the strong as one's Dao-heart, being insatiably greedy and endlessly demanding, is the demon race.

To subjectively and actively transform heaven and earth, with effort and reward united, and with spirit and wisdom fully perfected and unobstructed, is humanity.

"Whether one is human or demon is not determined by form, but by the heart!"

Houtu the Ancestral Witch spoke with fervent enthusiasm, igniting the fire in the hearts of the Wu Clan.

"So, you need not worry about bodily differences, nor about the vast disparities of the past."

"Humanity is absolutely not a narrow, exclusionary group."

"It possesses the most inclusive heart, the most unceasing self-improvement, to open up the ages and decide the future!"

"Only with the core ideal of embracing all things and accommodating a hundred rivers can it uphold a supreme clan!"

"Whether one becomes a witch, cultivates immortality, or turns into a demon or Buddha… the form of life changes, the primordial spirit and soul change—but what of it?"

"If you do not forget your roots, you will forever be human!"

……

"Regardless of form, only by the spirit."

"This is the core of humanity."

"After all, Honghuang is a world of cultivation."

"Everyone, we are all to cultivate!"

"And upon setting foot on the path of cultivation, in order to increase one's strength, one will always change something."

"For example, refining the essence blood of great demons and ancient gods, thereby undergoing a metamorphosis, letting one's human bloodline no longer be pure… should one be expelled from humanity?"

"Also, as a result of cultivation methods, the more profound they are, the more they will cause one to evolve into a special state."

"Buddhist sect cultivates a golden body, Daoist sect refines the primordial spirit, demonic sect achieves the Asura of the Sea of Blood… should that also be grounds for expulsion from humanity?"

"Furthermore, the art of transformation—a divine ability that can change life from its very source!"

"To transform into a true dragon is to become a true dragon clan."

"To transform into a divine phoenix is to become a true phoenix."

"From soul to flesh, having not the slightest connection to humanity… then, does this still count as human?"

"Of course it does!"

"Any person of insight understands that a clan that nitpicks to the extreme and is excessively harsh has fundamentally no future!"

"Restricting the development paths of the clan's members and closing off their choices will only cause this clan to lose loyalty and virtue over the long ages, ultimately ending in complete fragmentation."

"Therefore, to attempt to define an absolute humanity in body and race… is impossible."

"No one can give an absolute standard answer."

"Nor does anyone dare to give such an answer."

"Because, having the correct answer means that everything else is wrong!"

"Who dares to incur the great impropriety of all under heaven?"

"Clearly creating internal cognitive contradictions within humanity… the sages of humanity will be watching you!"

"Fuxi, Nüwa, Shennong and so on, together clenching their fists, 'If you're not afraid of death, go ahead and say two more lines!'"

"Each ancient tribe, each with its totem worship and ancestral spirit protection, their Guardians and leaders, following in the footsteps of the human king, together let out the loudest question: 'Who is denying our path?'"

"Anyone who merely uses physique or appearance as an excuse to stir up trouble within humanity should be dragged out and beaten to death—that's right."

"After all, if we can do this today, will tomorrow bring discrimination based on skin color? The day after, will there be muttering about regional differences?"

"After a while, will we then judge cleverness or not, looking at IQ to see if one qualifies to be a member of humanity?"

"When that day comes, humanity may still exist, but its soul will already have perished!"

……

"Fengxi listened with relish to Houtu's lecture."

"One must say, this Ancestral Witch is articulate, her speech logical and clear, very able to win agreement."

"Moreover, her fists are big and hard, so no one would dare to jump out and argue with her."

"Houtu conducted the promotional lecture in an orderly manner, imparting her spirit and will to all the Wu Clan below the stage."

"With a clear understanding of humanity's core concept, we can thus know—who truly is our enemy?"

"In fact, the existence of the Wu Clan is not about targeting anyone or slaughtering anyone!"

"Although we are witches, the most powerful instruments of slaughter… yet we love peace more than anyone!"

"But, on the road to transforming the world and creating a happy homeland, there will always be resistance… what we must eradicate, what we must destroy, is precisely that resistance!"

"A large portion of you comes from the future."

"Some have heard rumors and know of the so-called Lich Great Tribulation… but you must pay attention."

"Our enmity with the demons is not merely a simple hatred conflict."

"But rather a divergence in ideology and path, a contention of the Great Dao!"

"Hatred can be resolved, but the contention of the Great Dao… truly allows no retreat!"

"Similarly, in future campaigns, you must note one point—do not indiscriminately slaughter, but actively assimilate the enemy, transform their thoughts, so they join our ranks to resist and overthrow the demons!"

If there is a being with extraordinary experiences, whose transformation from soul to body makes it no longer human, it still belongs to the human race.

Then, those completely alien beings, because they yearn for the human race's ideals, willingly reshape themselves to follow the human way… the human race also doesn't mind granting them human registries, so they can strive together for the ultimate goal of humanity!

This is precisely—

When a person enters the monster, they become monster; when a monster enters the person, they become person!

Then…?

"Given the superiority of the human race's core ideology, it is the unwavering spirit of leading humanity…" Houtu's demeanor was solemn and reverent, "We have the duty and necessity to spread this core ideology… guide more sentient beings onto this path!"

"Educate the four directions, share the Great Harmony; if any refuse, punish them on Heaven's behalf!"

——I'll beat you, I'm in the right!

Her words gave Fengxi a strange, unique resonance from the depths of his soul.

"So, everyone!"

"Let us strive for the ultimate dream of the human race, shattering all obstacles with the weapons in our hands!"

"To hold up a sky for future generations is also to hold up a sky for ourselves!"

"Through the ages, we will ultimately witness—the great prosperity of the human race!"

"The epic etched by the ages is the immortal medal upon us!"

Amid the most enthusiastic applause, Ancestral Witch Houtu placed a period on this promotional lecture.

……

Houtu's speech made Fengxi's blood boil.

For three consecutive days, he remained extremely excited, wishing to immediately grasp his long blade, charge up to the Sun Star, sever the avian heads of Di Jun and Taiyi, and add brilliance to the great undertaking of the human race's rise!

However, three days passed……

His fervor cooled down.

(End of chapter)