The Third Human Emperor, Ximen Juesheng, was glad.

Truly glad.

If someone really was plotting behind Humanity’s back, then a war was inevitable, and once a war began, justification would follow.

And with justification, he could move Heaven and Earth without restraint.

The only problem was that he himself was still sealed in this realm.

’...How troublesome,’ he thought.

Still, his gaze returned to Yu Xuan.

’But if this child is merely a natural-born freak... that complicates things even more.’

Ximen Juesheng immediately dismissed the idea.

Natural freaks are not that easily born.

For a human to be born with such momentum, such compatibility with destiny itself, this was not something that happened naturally.

A child like this could only be born of old monsters.

The kind that hid in the dark, refined for eras, and treated bloodlines like experiments.

A village boy suddenly becoming the center of attention in the capital was already suspicious.

And this "capital" happened to include the entire Human race across the Heavens.

His eyes narrowed.

’...And what is it that he wants to protect?’

The Human Destiny Weapon always reflected its wielder.

For Ximen Juesheng’s aggressive, conquering nature, it had taken the form of a spear.

For the First Human Emperor, whose rule emphasized order and governance, it had once manifested as a robe.

But Yu Xuan’s manifestation.

Armor.

Then.

Ximen Juesheng felt another shock.

The armor shifted.

Golden light condensed, reshaped, and extended.

A sword manifested in Yu Xuan’s hand.

"...?"

Yu Xuan looked down, blinking in mild surprise, then casually swung it once, testing the balance like someone trying out a new toy.

Ximen Juesheng’s eyelid twitched.

’He’s... playing with it.’

"What type of weapon do you think you need?" Ximen Juesheng suddenly asked, already activating a jade slip in his sleeve to contact several old acquaintances.

Yu Xuan still experimenting with the weapon’s feel looked at him.

"Hmm... I’m not sure," he said honestly.

"Maybe a sword?"

Silence.

Ximen Juesheng felt a headache blooming between his brows.

With a sharp wave of his hand, the sword dissolved, the armor unraveled, and the Human Destiny Weapon forcibly reverted back into its original spear form, and arrived into his grasp, where it belonged.

Yu Xuan looked greatly disappointed.

"...I see."

Ximen Juesheng stared at the spear in his hand, then at Yu Xuan.

He was sure he would never throwing this spear at a human like this again.

Still his thoughts grew complicated.

The Human Destiny Weapon was no ordinary artifact.

It was the crystallization of Humanity’s fate, will, and historical weight.

For it to even respond to someone was already rare.

And for it to transform at will, adapting to the bearer’s intent without backlash...

That was unheard of.

As things stood now, Yu Xuan already possessed the qualifications of a Human Emperor.

Not in name.

Not in authority.

But in essence.

He had grasped the weapon.

And more importantly.

The weapon had not rejected him.

This easily signified that Yu Xuan had a bright future ahead of him.

’If he were to participate in the Emperor’s Race...’ Ximen Juesheng thought, his eyes narrowing slightly.

That would truly make things interesting.

The Emperor’s Race was no simple competition.

It was a grand, brutal event where Humanity’s future ruler was selected and crowned.

Only those acknowledged by fate or bearing great destiny could even step onto that stage.

And now, Yu Xuan met the most fundamental requirement.

Yet Ximen Juesheng did not know.

Or rather, he could not know.

That this outcome had nothing to do with careful planning on Yu Xuan’s part.

Nor was it the result of any Human conspiracy, for now.

Rather, it was caused by a certain old man.

Currently disguised as a disciple, relaxed, and casually playing chess within the Heaven Immortal Sect.

An existence that even Ximen Juesheng himself would find troublesome if he ever learned the truth.

If Ximen Juesheng had known that this entire chain of events stemmed from that person’s idle amusement...

He would not be standing so calmly right now.

Just then, another presence approached.

The moment Yu Xuan sensed it and then saw it, his body stiffened.

’...That face?’

A being with long, sharp silver hair walked toward them, every step carrying a quiet, oppressive authority.

The air itself seemed to sharpen in his presence.

Ximen Juesheng’s eyes narrowed at once.

’Why is the Heaven Changing Sword here?’ he thought, a trace of vigilance rising in his heart.

This newcomer belonged to the Primary Wielder Ars race, one of the earliest races to master weapons at the dawn of Heaven and Earth.

In terms of raw combat, this being was his equal... and in certain aspects, perhaps even higher than him.

Ximen Juesheng also noticed something else.

Yu Xuan’s reaction.

His Shock.

Not the wary caution of meeting a powerful existence.

But genuine, instinctive shock.

The silver haired being stopped a short distance away.

His gaze locked onto Yu Xuan, sharp and penetrating, as if trying to carve apart his existence layer by layer.

"You..." the figure muttered, his voice low.

Then he spoke clearly, eyes never leaving Yu Xuan.

"What is your connection to me?"

Yu Xuan’s heart skipped a beat.

It wasn’t just the question.

It was the face.

It was that being, Jian Chen’s face.

Jian Chen’s features bore a striking resemblance to Yu Changming, Yu Xuan’s father.

Not identical, but close enough that it felt unsettling, as if he were staring at a distant reflection.

And that was what truly shook him.

The being in front of him was not human.

Yet his face mirrored his father’s to an alarming degree.

How was that even possible?

Yu Xuan’s thoughts spiraled despite his outward calm.

’Why did he say "connection"? Is he... my father’s lost twin? But that makes no sense. Or did my grandfather do something absurd in his young days? Or... is he a distant ancestor whose bloodline is somewhat different?’

Possibilities collided chaotically in his mind.

Revenge plot.

Hidden lineage.

Ancient curse.

Heavenly coincidence.

None of them sat right.

Outwardly, Yu Xuan remained composed.

Inwardly.

He was in full panic.