Chapter 11: At the End of the World

Time doesn’t halt for anyone; as the Human King grows older, powerful beasts begin to test his limits. However, after Wuma shot a formidable beast with the Spear of Destiny, no one dared to underestimate him again.

Even in old age, the King will not tolerate provocation from others!

At this moment, the Central Ancestral Land of the human race is bustling with activity, startling the birds into flight. This gathering is not only a ritual summoned by Human King Wuma but also the final selection for the next king!

Matters of the nation revolve around ritual and battle!

A towering statue, a thousand meters high, stands in the center. It holds the Spear of Destiny in its right hand and supports the Stone of Truth with its left. A burst of flame hovers in its chest, and the statue, gleaming white as jade under the sun, fills everyone with awe.

Wuma kneels before the offerings, and behind him, countless members of the human race kneel with solemn expressions. No one dares to show disrespect in front of the Genesis statue! As they bow, a faint, invisible white vapor rises from them. Jiang Ping observes this in amazement.

“What was that barely perceivable energy just now?” Jiang Ping asked, puzzled.

“It’s the power of faith,” Genesis replied.

Jiang Ping nodded. It seems the power of faith among beings holds great potential. No wonder there’s a path to divinity through faith. Unfortunately, the Original World is a small one; this was only a trial for him. Future research on faith and deification will require more effort.

However, for this grand human sacrificial rite, Jiang Ping didn’t plan to manifest any divine presence. All things grow according to destiny; knowing that life is limited inspires greater striving for the future!

The grand sacrificial rite of the human race didn’t receive a response from the Genesis God. Wuma seemed to have anticipated this, with no trace of anxiety but instead a hint of regret.

“After the sacrifices, Lianshan and Wuyou step forward,”

The two young men excitedly stood up; they were the candidates who had defeated countless opponents. One of the more robust youths smiled as he looked at his opponent.

The Human King Wuma is his ancestor. He inherits the mighty blood of dragons, making him feel certain about winning the selection this time! The young man named Lianshan looks weaker, but his intelligence has brought him this far.

Wuma carefully observed the two candidates on stage. He was quite familiar with them—one was his descendant, naturally powerful and the first warrior of the tribe.

The other, though physically less strong, possessed remarkable wisdom. He even deciphered aspects of the Stone of Truth and translated its ancient script into the “Nine-Nine Song” for the tribe to sing.

The tribal elders beside Wuma murmured among themselves. They were troubled by whom to choose: one represented strength, while the other represented intelligence! “My King, if you pass, surrounding overlords will likely eye us covetously. If Wuyou inherits the throne and wields the Spear of Destiny, our lineage can surely be revived!” an elder cautiously suggested, glancing at Wuyou.

Wuma sighed inwardly, aware that the elder spoke thus because Wuyou was his descendant. As the elder finished speaking, others chimed in, with most supporting Wuyou!

Unexpectedly, Wuma suddenly waved his hand, urging everyone to quiet down. “Each generation has its own tasks! I, Wuma, have fought my way through hardships for the human race. Yet, we don’t stand on this land by sheer strength alone; in terms of might, the beasts far surpass us.”

Wuma paused, gazing at the increasingly pale Wuyou. “Only through wisdom can we secure our place! Wuyou, you may withdraw for now!”

Wuyou withdrew, his face ashen. The usually stable Lianshan trembled slightly at the knees.

Wuma solemnly presented the Spear of Destiny, cradling the divine spear with both hands, saying: “Lianshan! I command you to be the second Human King, leading the entire tribe from now on!”

Lianshan earnestly accepted the heirloom, proclaiming: “Lianshan will emulate the former King. In foreign battles, I will fend off beasts; at home, I will unite the tribe. Even if I have to sacrifice myself, I will ensure the survival of the human race!”

“Good, good, good!”

Watching the birth of the second Human King, the tribal elders burst into joyous laughter. The crowd below erupted into excitement, shaking the entire venue. Only Wuyou’s grim expression betrayed his discontent.

The sacred tree cast its glow upon Lianshan, seeming to bless the new generation of kings.

On this day, the second Human King Lianshan was born. Three days later, Human King Wuma passed away beneath the sacred tree. Even on his deathbed, he stood tall, gazing into the distant horizon.

Wuma’s death sparked covetous eyes among many tribes. However, the second Human King Lianshan was equally formidable. He vigorously promoted agriculture and the growth of grains, relieving warriors of their burdens. Abundant food allowed the human race to rise once more! With this merit alone, Lianshan secured his throne!

Yet, being young lacked the renowned prestige of his predecessor. Wuyou, feeling discontented with Lianshan’s rule, led his followers far away. He took not only people but also the Stone of Truth! Originally, Wuyou aimed to seize the Spear of Destiny, but as it was the heirloom of the kings, Lianshan carried it day and night, forcing Wuyou to seek alternatives! The human race splintered! Yet, with the cultivation of grains, the human race grew even stronger! The population surged as warriors no longer hunted daily, redirecting their focus towards the study of breathing techniques.

As different techniques merged, human warriors slowly explored varying cultivation methods. Jiang Ping utilized a divine perspective to analyze the pinnacle breathing techniques of the kings, starting his cultivation.

“Hoo~”

Jiang Ping sighed deeply, expelling a breath of true energy.

“Is it useless?”

Jiang Ping felt he absorbed no spiritual energy at all. Could the combined breathing methods of the entire human race be so ineffective? Or was his aptitude too poor?

After inquiring with Genesis, he learned it was the fault of the low reality. In this reality, absorbing any extraordinary energy felt nearly impossible, like being in the mythical post-magic age—advanced techniques were futile. After all, a skilled cook can’t prepare a meal without ingredients!

Jiang Ping could only hope to develop the world fully, waiting for the catastrophic epoch to erupt for biological energy to return to him.

In the Original World, Lianshan exceeded Jiang Ping’s expectations. He was even more impressive than Wuma!

Lianshan identified the medicinal properties of various herbs, significantly extending the lifespan of the humans. He supported cultivation with medicine once more, putting the human race at the forefront of a myriad of tribes! Lianshan unlocked the long-sealed dragon blood and combined it with the dragon whiskers gathered from dragon caves. He then had the strongest warriors of the tribe drink the potion. In an instant, the human warriors roared, experiencing excruciating pain as they crouched, dragon horns sprouting from their heads!

Their skin began to shimmer with faint ridges, marking the birth of dragon warriors!

The power of the human race surged exponentially, and Lianshan began his quest to conquer the land, capturing powerful giant beasts. New formulas for blood fusion potions emerged.

Jiang Ping looked on in envy, asking, “Do you think I can take these potions to fuse bloodlines?”

Unable to contain himself, Jiang Ping queried. Currently, he is but a mortal, possessing the ultimate authority in the Original World, but in reality, he’s a standard weakling, just recently shaking off a sub-healthy state.

“I don’t recommend you take bloodline fusion potions.”

Genesis warned, “Although points can manifest herbs, consuming potions easily leads to genetic collapse.”

Jiang Ping also witnessed many dying from potion consumption. Even those who survived ended up looking distorted. If he were to sprout two dragon horns, surely someone would come looking for answers the next day.

“It seems I should remain cautious.” Jiang Ping suppressed his racing heart and admonished himself: You are a dignified Genesis God! How could you be so agitated seeing a mere bloodline potion? You’ve seen far grander scenes! Better things will come your way; stay composed! Stay composed!

Jiang Ping was excited upon witnessing such extraordinary potions for the first time. After all, if he could materialize herbs and concoct according to the recipes, he could genuinely become extraordinary!

But one can’t deny that Lianshan’s potential surpassed Jiang Ping’s expectations. He initially thought the first Human King Wuma was unparalleled, only to find Lianshan outshining him!

In the Original World, human power surged, with lifespans nearly doubled! The ancient tribes continuously faced defeat, and the celestial steeds were tamed by humans, claiming the skies for themselves!

Griffins yielded to them, and dragons were relegated to remote cliffs to scrape by!

Seventy percent of the land was conquered by the human race, gazing at the endless ocean ahead.

Lianshan laughed heartily, “I’ve finally reached the world’s edge, as mentioned by the former king!”

At this point, he was no longer young. Despite consuming multiple precious potions, his hair gradually turned white. Yet, even so, he brimmed with ambition!

The first Human King Wuma crossed the land to reach the world’s end, while Lianshan, on the other hand, led his people to conquer it! The historian couldn’t resist recording the scene of the king gazing across the sea. Undoubtedly, the second Human King Lianshan accomplished what Wuma could not, creating a historic moment! “Bring me someone!” Lianshan’s thirst for knowledge was insatiable; otherwise, he wouldn’t have achieved his current heights.

He wanted to confirm whether he stood at the world’s end, if there was another continent across the endless ocean. This quest would undoubtedly be fraught with peril, akin to the great exploratory age of Earth, forging a path ahead with blood!

Lianshan led the tribe to construct vessels capable of sailing on oceans. They chopped down massive trees and hollowed out their insides—thus, crude boats were born!

Gradually, as adventurers vanished and reappeared on another land, humanity finally discovered that the depths of the ocean truly represented the world’s end! Despite tribal elders’ warnings, Lianshan organized his affairs and rode his griffin across the sea. Upon spotting a familiar land, Lianshan couldn’t help but acknowledge that theirs was the only land in existence.

The first world map was personally drawn by Lianshan, depicting a round sky with a flat land below, showcasing unimaginable gigantic beasts lurking in the ocean’s depths.

Staring at the starry sky, Lianshan was unsatisfied, “Is this our world? Then what about the stars in the sky? Where is the Genesis God? Does He truly reside among the stars, beyond this realm?”

Gazing at his graying hair, Lianshan knew his days were numbered. Even with numerous potions consumed, he had already crossed a century this year and entered his twilight years.

The fused potions weren’t as overwhelming and lost some of their mysterious attributes. He couldn’t live like Wuma, bathing in dragon blood and achieving rebirth.