Chapter 133: The Covenant Between Heaven and Humanity (Second Update)

"To observe the way of Heaven and contemplate its movements—all depends upon the heart."

The woman in yellow pondered for a moment and murmured, "Are demons not born as they are? Can a single heart truly alter one's origin?"

As these words were spoken, the primordial energy rippled. Unbeknownst to them, the spark of fire transformed into a radiant ring of light, illuminating all living things. Within the eyes of Earth Immortal 1573-Luo Feng, faint glimmers of flame appeared—a change so subtle that even he did not notice it.

Earth Immortal 1573-Luo Feng wore a gentle, benevolent smile. "Huang Shang, in your view, what is a demon?"

Huang Shang was the name given to the Yellow Bird Demon God by the human elders.

Her eyes shifted, and she replied with uncertainty, "Is one who possesses a demonic body and demonic power a demon?"

Earth Immortal 1573-Luo Feng shook his head. She had made progress compared to a thousand years ago, but it was far from enough. He sat upright, his gaze flashing with the fire of wisdom. His words carried the weight of divine law, as if he were drafting the rules for the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

With a definitive tone, he declared, "Is that which is not human, a demon?"

"What, then, is human?" Huang Shang asked instinctively.

"What is human?" Earth Immortal 1573-Luo Feng gazed toward the firmament, looking into the distance, witnessing the human tribes scattered across the Tianchen Realm. Some tribes sacrificed to demon gods to survive in humiliation; others pushed forward, sacrificing themselves for the sake of resources; still others gave their lives to draw enemies away, ensuring the survival of their descendants...

They were ignorant and foolish; they were barbaric and violent; they lacked refined rituals. Yet, they were all struggling to live. In that struggle for survival, they ignited tiny sparks of humanity and wisdom. Though these sparks were minuscule and fleeting, they existed—eternally and indelibly.

When countless mistakes accumulate into a truth, and countless sparks converge into a sea of fire to illuminate the vast universe, it acquires a new name: Civilization.

This is what it means to be human; this is the principle and the path of humanity!

The figure of Earth Immortal 1573-Luo Feng grew grander. He recited, "As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should unremittingly practice self-improvement; as the earth's capacity is vast and smooth, a gentleman should sustain all things with virtue."

He turned his gaze to Huang Shang, who had taken on a human form. Huang Shang leaned forward, as obedient as a student under a teacher's watchful eye.

"You ask me what is human," Earth Immortal 1573-Luo Feng said solemnly. "Humanity is not a race or a lineage, but a concept. Any being who identifies with the ideals of humanity possesses a human heart. Anyone who learns the rituals and laws of humanity possesses a human body. Once one walks the path and practices the civilization of humanity, they walk the Great Dao and attain the status of humanity."

"If one possesses both a human heart and a human body, and walks the path of humanity, how can they not be human? Conversely, if one lacks a human heart and does not walk the path of humanity, then even if born with a human body, they are not truly human!"

These words were thunderous, carving out a brand-new path and philosophy within the Primordial Great Universe, which had long been rooted in bloodlines and inherent talent.

Within the eyes of Huang Shang, flames flickered, symbolizing the transmission of the torch and the spirit of humanity. Humanity was never merely a single race; it was a concept. Any being who recognized themselves as human could be human. The Primordial Great Universe should not just contain the Wa-Imperial humans, the Creation humans, the Five-Colored humans, the Yan-Huang humans, or the Star humans—it should also include Fox-humans, Cat-humans, Tiger-humans, and Dragon-humans. Every race was but a branch of the great will of humanity. There was no distinction, no exclusion; once one entered the path of humanity, all were brothers.

Anyone who dared to refute this view was a heretic splitting the destiny of humanity. The Three Ancestors, Three Sovereigns, and Five Emperors in the Fire Cloud Cave, along with the countless sages and elites of humanity, would make them understand exactly why those fires burned so red.

These truths penetrated her very soul. A brilliance sparked in the eyes of Huang Shang, arguably the greatest demon god of this realm. It started as something small and unreachable, but grew ever brighter, and with it, her Dao heart became complete.

Her aura gradually unified into a state of primordial wholeness. Her energy remained contained, her immortal body grew pure—she was on the verge of attaining the Dao.

Eighty percent, eighty-one percent... eighty-seven percent... ninety-one percent... ninety-five percent... ninety-nine percent... ninety-nine point nine percent...

She was so close, yet so far. This slight distance could be a crack at one's fingertips, or it could be a universe—profound, mysterious, and the gateway to all wonders.

Feeling this, Huang Shang asked one final question: "Teacher, if I am human, will the human race accept me?"

As she spoke, flames surged around her, and radiance covered her form, transforming her into a golden divine bird whose cry shook the nine heavens.

Indeed, while her spirit and ideals might be identical and unified with humanity, her physical form could not change. A demonic body would always remain a demonic body. Once her true form was exposed, it would surely invite criticism. Even within the human race, there was strife; how much more so toward an outsider? "Those not of our kind must have a different heart."

Perhaps in the distant future, when humanity wandered the heavens and the universe, and their morality, ideals, and will were fully sublimated—when everyone was like a dragon, everyone a true immortal, gathered under the banner of the Human Alliance—only then might the strange gazes toward those transitioning from demon to human be eliminated, achieving true equality among all beings.

But that was the future. In the present, it was impossible.

Earth Immortal 1573-Luo Feng smiled. The unnamed Great Luo being smiled, the true Luo Feng smiled, the Ziwei Emperor smiled, and the Jade Emperor smiled. For an immortal, the conflict between spirit and matter was a thorny problem.

But in the Primordial Great Universe, there existed beings above immortals: the Great Luo!

To turn the impossible into the possible, to turn decay into magic—this was true transcendence. A Great Luo was synonymous with such miraculous manifestation.

The aura of Earth Immortal 1573-Luo Feng shifted. The connection changed, and the will of the true Luo Feng descended, bringing with it the will of the Heavens.

"Fellow Daoist Huang Shang, have you heard of the Heavenly Tribulation?" Luo Feng asked with a smile, like an experienced salesman.

"Is it the tribulation one must pass to become an immortal?" the naive native Demon God of the Tianchen Realm asked, playing along.

Luo Feng smiled benevolently. "The Heavens pity the cultivators of all races, knowing the path of cultivation is difficult, and has specifically bestowed a blessing. We have inscribed the 'Innate Dao Body,' one of the eighty-one incarnations of Pangu, into the void. Anyone who passes the tribulation to become an immortal can rightfully cultivate the body of the Innate Dao Body. You must understand: the human race is the Innate Dao Body, and the Innate Dao Body is the human race!"

The Tianchen Realm had not yet birthed an immortal and knew nothing of the Heavenly Tribulation. Huang Shang was shocked. "Is this truly so?"

"It is truly so!" Luo Feng nodded solemnly. The Primordial Great Universe was, after all, a live-action game. The Great Luo beings were the developers, and the Heavenly Court was the official authority. What was adding a Pangu incarnation to the void? If the Jade Emperor wished, he could use his administrative privileges to let all living beings choose their gender at birth. Don't ask; asking just confirms the power of the admin.

Huang Shang bowed with great joy. "Thank you, Great God, for your guidance. I have nothing to repay you with, but if there is any command in the future, just say the word! I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Luo Feng smiled with deep meaning. "There is no need for that, fellow Daoist. Remember: respond to the will of Heaven, follow the hearts of the people—only then is it the Great Dao, and only then can you forge ahead!"

Luo Feng repeated this last sentence three times.

The void calmed, and the spark of fire returned to normal. The covenant between Heaven and Humanity was thus concluded.