After Simulating a Million Years, I Became the Holy Emperor of the Human Race

The moon hung high in the sky. On a 100-foot-high peak, Gu Changsheng stood on the edge of a sheer cliff in his green robe. The cold moonlight cast an ethereal glow on him, making him appear otherworldly.

Suddenly, a hand as white as jade gripped the edge of the cliff. A red figure then climbed up and leaped onto the peak.

Breathless, Honghong looked down at the abyss and asked, "Master, why did you want me to climb up here?"

Without answering, Gu Changsheng pointed to a higher mountain in the distance. "Disciple, do you think it will take more time to climb that mountain or the one we’re on?"

Honghong glanced at the distant peak, which appeared to be at least a thousand feet high. "Of course, that one will take more time."

Gu Changsheng nodded. "Cultivation is like climbing a mountain. Once you reach the top of one peak, you’ll find higher mountains waiting. The same goes for cultivation."

Honghong’s expression softened as she pondered his words. Gu Changsheng smiled, pleased with her reaction, and continued, "There are fourteen realms of humanity: the first level is awakening, the second level is mortal, the third level is spirit condensation, the fourth level is void refining, the fifth level is life and death, the sixth level is nirvana, the seventh level is transcendent, the eighth level is quasi-King, and the ninth level is King…”

Honghong repeated the realms in her mind and then asked, "Master, you haven’t finished. You said there are fourteen realms, but you only mentioned nine."

Gu Changsheng lightly tapped Honghong on the forehead and said with a smile, "You haven’t even reached the first level of awakening. Knowing too much might overwhelm you."

Rubbing her forehead, Honghong replied, "Master, you don’t want me to be too ambitious, do you?"

Gu Changsheng chuckled. "It’s good to see you remember what you read in novels; it can be useful."

"Then, Master, what realm are you in now?" Honghong asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Teachers don’t really have realms," Gu Changsheng said. "I can’t even define my own realm."

"Then describe it to me," Honghong insisted.

"Ha, just know that before me, all beings are equal," Gu Changsheng said with a smile.

"Another lie," Honghong muttered, dissatisfied with his vague answer. She thought, how could a mortal be so extraordinary?

"If you won’t tell me, I’ll just surpass you with my own strength," Honghong said proudly. She knew she had an innate Taoist body, which made her cultivation special.

Gu Changsheng listened to her confident words and smiled. "Then you’ll need to work hard."

"Yes!" Honghong agreed enthusiastically, her determination renewed.

"Sit still, focus, and breathe deeply. I’ll now teach you how to practice," Gu Changsheng instructed.

Excited but focused, Honghong crossed her legs on the cliff, closed her eyes, and began to concentrate, pushing aside all distractions.

Gu Changsheng placed his hand gently on her forehead, channeling the "Xiantian Dao Jing" technique into her. Honghong’s face grew tense as she absorbed the information, sweat forming on her brow.

Gu Changsheng stood by quietly, letting Honghong endure the process on her own. The "Xiantian Dao Jing" was a supreme technique created by the founder of Yaochi Holy Land, Our Lady of Yaochi, specifically for those with the innate Tao body.

Honghong’s face changed from red to pale as she struggled with the influx of information, but gradually her expression calmed.

As the surrounding vitality began to swirl towards her like rivers converging, the peak of the mountain became the center of a powerful energy storm, affecting the area within a hundred miles.

Monks within Xuanwu City sensed the surge in vitality and looked up in wonder. The city lord, a third-level expert in the Concentration Realm, noted the change but decided it was best not to interfere.

"Such a drastic change in the vitality could signal a treasure’s birth or a genius's breakthrough. It’s best I stay out of it," he thought.

Nearby, a three-tailed demon fox with a fearsome aura roared towards the sky. Feeling the shift in vitality, it raced towards the source.

"I have a trace of the nine-tailed fox’s bloodline, but I can’t let you disturb Honghong’s training. If I’m not needed, I’ll use you as a gift for her," Gu Changsheng said, capturing the fox with ease. The fox, sensing the danger, looked up in terror as an immense hand reached for her.

"How can a master jest with a junior?" the fox’s voice, mature and alluring, resonated with charm.

Gu Changsheng was surprised. "It’s a female fox?"

He remembered the Nine-tailed Sky Fox as a male in his recollections, but this fox appeared to be quite different. The fox, Su Wanqing, was taken aback but relieved.

"Forget it, the female is better. If it were a male, I’d have to consider other options," Gu Changsheng said to himself, causing Su Wanqing to feel a shiver.

Turning to Su Wanqing, Gu Changsheng said, "You’re at the fifth level of the realm of life and death, almost having reached the realm of nirvana. Are you willing to..."

"Junior is willing!" Su Wanqing interrupted, kneeling before him.

Gu Changsheng was startled. The fox demon, who appeared three hundred years old, had a maturity equivalent to thirty in human terms. The contrast was striking.

"Don’t you want to know what I want you to do?" Gu Changsheng asked.

"I’ll do anything, even climbing mountains or crossing seas of fire, just tell me what to do," Su Wanqing said earnestly. She was focused on saving her life rather than maintaining her pride.

"Forget it, I’m not interested in such matters. I want you to be my disciple’s protector," Gu Changsheng said.

Su Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief but felt a pang of disappointment. She had long been sought after by many, including human geniuses. Learning that someone didn’t value her allure was disheartening.

"You should transform into your human form first," Gu Changsheng instructed, dismissing her concerns.

Su Wanqing’s form shifted, revealing a mature and elegant woman in palace attire. She stood behind Gu Changsheng, watching the red figure at the center of the energy storm with curiosity.

"This must be my future master. It’s surprising how quickly I became a disciple. Shouldn’t there be some sort of struggle?" she wondered.