Chapter Eighty: The Most Beautiful Woman of the Human Race

Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, countless years had passed.

Through so many years of development, humanity had finally completed their journey from insignificance to flourishing prosperity.

By now, in the vast wilderness, the traces of the demon tribes had all but vanished; every corner was teeming with humans. As for the Wu Tribe, over the course of these years, they gradually began to assimilate into human society, with many choosing to live alongside humans.

Of course, the price paid over these years was beyond reckoning. The only certainty was that now, the Wu Tribe’s population had dwindled to barely a hundred billion.

Yet, a new race had also emerged in the wilderness: the Wu-Humans.

They were the offspring of unions between the Wu Tribe and humans, inheriting the sturdy physiques of the Wu and the intelligence and creativity of humans—a matchless combination.

The birth of the Wu-Humans marked the true beginning of the fusion between the two peoples, and those in the Celestial Court were delighted to see this development.

The ancestral witches and great shaman all pinned high hopes on the Wu-Humans, for the Wu Tribe’s lack of soul cultivation had always been their greatest regret.

Thus, a series of measures were introduced to encourage intermarriage between the Wu and humans.

For a time, countless members of the Wu Tribe took action: every Wu man took pride in marrying a human woman, and every Wu woman considered a human man her preferred choice.

...

Now, in the Yellow River basin, there was a tribe skilled in riding and archery, known as the Youqiong tribe. The chieftain of this tribe had a daughter named Chang’e.

Chang’e was a rare beauty. Upon reaching adulthood at sixteen, countless eligible suitors came knocking at their door, seeking her hand in marriage.

Yet Chang’e was determined to marry only the wisest and bravest hero in the wilderness, and turned them all away.

Still, this did not stop her fame from spreading. By the time she was eighteen, even a venerable elder of the human race was drawn to her.

The moment the elder laid eyes on Chang’e, he was struck dumb for a long while. At last he declared, “This girl is the greatest beauty the human race has ever known!”

He immediately wished to take Chang’e as his goddaughter.

This thrilled her father, the chieftain of the Youqiong tribe, for the elder was one of the first humans created by Nuwa, revered throughout humankind.

Yet Chang’e politely declined.

Onlookers criticized her for being ungrateful, saying her beauty was wasted.

But the elder took no offense, only sighing with regret before departing.

After this, Chang’e’s reputation grew even more. People everywhere hailed her as the greatest beauty among humans!

...

For a while, countless self-proclaimed heroes flocked to the Youqiong tribe, hoping to prove their courage and win the beauty’s hand.

Even some gods from the Celestial Court were tempted and came to try their luck.

Yet, in the end, all were stymied by Chang’e’s conditions.

They came with high hopes and left in disappointment.

...

When Chang’e was twenty, even a descendant of the Dragon Clan, a Da Luo Golden Immortal, was drawn to her.

His name was Han Zhuo, son of Ao Luan, the fifth prince of the East Sea Dragon King. Though his mother was not a dragon, and thus he could not bear the Ao surname, Han Zhuo’s talents were formidable. By virtue of his lineage, he was a notable figure among the gods, a kind of “noble scion.”

Han Zhuo came to the Youqiong tribe, his curiosity piqued by tales of Chang’e’s beauty, and eventually contrived to meet her.

At first sight, Han Zhuo was utterly captivated.

Though he had known many women, each flawless in some way, none compared to Chang’e. All others faded from his mind.

In that moment, only Chang’e remained in his thoughts.

Han Zhuo resolved that, whatever the cost, he must marry her.

Unlike most, he did not approach Chang’e herself to prove his worth. Instead, he went straight to her father.

…

After a cup of enchanted wine, Chang’e’s father became dazed. Under Han Zhuo’s threats and inducements, he lost his judgment and, that very night, promised Chang’e’s hand to Han Zhuo.

With his goal achieved, Han Zhuo was elated, leaving behind many treasures as betrothal gifts before hurrying away to prepare the wedding.

When Chang’e learned of this, she was deeply unwilling and begged her father to break the engagement.

But her father felt helpless. The Youqiong tribe was small, and, even as its chieftain, he was but a Taiyi Golden Immortal. He did not dare offend Han Zhuo, fearful of bringing disaster upon his people.

...

With the wedding date approaching, Chang’e grew ever more anxious.

In utter desperation, she spread word that if anyone could help her break the engagement, she would marry him.

At the same time, she prayed silently, hoping that a true hero—both wise and brave—would come to deliver her from her plight.

...

The news sent countless people into a frenzy.

But upon learning that Han Zhuo was a Da Luo Golden Immortal, most sobered quickly.

Those few with comparable cultivation hesitated, daunted by the power of the Dragon Clan backing Han Zhuo.

After all, those who achieved such heights were no fools; every move had to be carefully weighed.

Moreover, the Dragon Clan’s influence in the Celestial Court was terrifying—everyone knew the Emperor’s chariot was drawn by nine dragons!

For all these reasons, no one dared step forward.

As the wedding date drew near, Chang’e became ever more agitated. Just as she was resigning herself to fate, convinced there was no escape, a champion did emerge.

He was Hou Yi, a great shaman created by Gonggong.

Hou Yi excelled at archery, wielding a bow crafted from the bones of a Da Luo Golden Immortal divine beast. In the chronicles of the wilderness, he had once slain nine little Golden Crows to save the people from calamity—his sense of justice was legendary.

Upon hearing of Chang’e’s plight, Hou Yi came swiftly to the Youqiong tribe and declared he would help her.

Originally, Hou Yi thought only to lend a helping hand, seeking no reward or bride in return.

Marriage had never occurred to him.

Yet at first sight of Chang’e, he was instantly drawn to her.

Such a perfect woman—she could rival the Empress of Heaven herself.

This was Hou Yi’s thought.

“Hero, if you can help me break the engagement with Han Zhuo, I will gladly marry you,” said Chang’e, bowing gracefully and speaking in a gentle voice upon meeting Hou Yi.

She saw him standing tall and valiant, a fine bow in his hand, his attire crisp and commanding—a truly heroic figure. She was immediately taken with him.

At the very least, he was far superior to Han Zhuo.

In Chang’e’s heart, Han Zhuo had already become a villainous tyrant.