Soul Land: Origin of Humanity

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After days of deep reflection in his private sanctuary, Ye Caiqian decided the time had come to explore the Divine Realm for himself. The familiar rhythms of Douluo World still pulsed at the edge of his soul, but now, as a true god, he had to adapt to a vastly greater world.

His own divine domain, newly carved and still growing, shimmered with gentle, human-oriented energy. The faith of millions drifted through the air like soft chimes. It was both a comfort and a responsibility. Caiqian stood for a long moment on the threshold of his palace, the marble steps catching and refracting the gentle light of the realm's ever-shifting sky. Beyond the veiled border of his land, infinity beckoned.

Today, he would step into that infinity.

Ye Caiqian's divine domain was surrounded by others—sprawling sanctuaries shaped by the will and power of gods of every race and element. To his left, an expanse of rolling blue fields stretched into the horizon. The air there shimmered with azure light and an intoxicating, slightly chilly fragrance that called to mind both beauty and danger. This was the realm of the Blue Spider Lily God, a legendary plant-type deity known for both elegance and lethality.

Caiqian paused, curiosity burning within him. He longed to see the wonders within, but he also knew the etiquette of the Divine Realm was absolute. To trespass upon another god's territory, uninvited, was to provoke disaster—a mistake many young gods had made and paid dearly for. With a wry smile at his own inexperience, he turned his gaze away and set his sights on the distant heart of the Divine Realm: the Central City.

The path wound through a surreal tapestry of divine landscapes. Caiqian passed borders where spirit forests glowed with an inner radiance, mountains floated in midair, and rivers sparkled with liquid gold. The laws of nature, as he knew them, seemed flexible here—twisted and enriched by the will of the gods.

Occasionally, he glimpsed other domains belonging to third-class gods like himself—territories cultivated over centuries or even millennia, each a reflection of its owner's power and personality. Some pulsed with bestial might, others with ancient serenity or chaotic brilliance. Occasionally, the faint presence of a mighty dragon king flickered at the edge of his senses, far more imposing than the others.

Caiqian's path soon crossed an area where the soil was a rich, dark brown and golden roots poked from beneath the earth. Here, ancient ginseng plants as large as saplings grew in neat, geometric groves. The air buzzed with health and quiet wisdom.

As he strolled, Ye Caiqian sent a gentle pulse of divine sense ahead—an introduction, a statement of goodwill. He wished to avoid offending his neighbors and, above all, to find an experienced guide.

Moments later, a figure emerged from the heart of the ginseng groves. The god was tall and slender, his hair long and golden-brown like ginseng fibers, eyes twinkling with amber light. His presence was at once nourishing and ancient, carrying the earthy wisdom of countless ages.

"Greetings, fellow god!" he called, voice as warm as a sunbeam after rain. "It is not often we see a new face in these lands. Welcome to the Divine Realm. My name is Shenren—the Ginseng God."

Ye Caiqian bowed, following the traditions he'd carefully studied. "I am Ye Caiqian, newly ascended God of Humanity. I… admit I am still unfamiliar with many customs here, and I hope to learn without causing offense."

Shenren's laughter was genuine, resonating in the roots beneath their feet. "We were all new once, my friend. And as you are the first of your race to ascend in living memory, you will find much goodwill here—at least at first! Tell me, what brings you out of your domain?"

"I wish to learn about the realm and its resources, especially where new gods may acquire materials. I have heard there is a Central Exchange Hall?"

"Indeed there is, and as it happens, my own domain borders yours. Consider me your neighbor." Shenren clapped him on the shoulder, friendly and unguarded. "Come, I will show you the way. New gods receive a special welcome at the Exchange Hall—especially those who bring new possibilities to the realm. And, if you wish, stop by my groves for a cup of thousand-year ginseng tea. It is said to steady even a young god's nerves!"

"I would be honored, Senior," Caiqian replied, his tension easing a little.

Together they set out along a path that seemed to unfurl beneath their feet, every step taking them deeper into the heart of the Divine Realm.

As they approached the Central City, the world blossomed with an impossible beauty. The city was a miracle of architecture and elemental magic, a tapestry of floating islands, crystalline bridges, and towers woven from the living essence of gods. Divine beings of every form and aspect walked its wide boulevards—dragons with scales like rainbows, titanic beast gods, ancient spirits in robes of mist, and even humanoid deities like Caiqian himself.

Markets filled with treasures from thousands of worlds hovered above the streets, while in open plazas, gods debated, exchanged news, and traded both artifacts and favors. The air thrummed with music—sometimes harmonious, sometimes chaotic, always shifting.

Caiqian felt both awe and humility as he walked beside Shenren, who greeted old friends and traded jokes with familiar faces. At every turn, Caiqian was careful to offer respectful bows, mimicking Shenren's gestures and always keeping a polite distance from those whose auras burned too brightly.

Soon, they arrived at the heart of the city—a building more magnificent than anything Caiqian had ever seen. The Central Exchange Hall was a palace of white jade and shimmering gold, its gates flanked by statues of dragon kings and crowned with banners representing every known race and element.

Shenren smiled, gesturing for Caiqian to enter. "Here you will find what you seek. As a newly ascended god, and the first of your kind, you are entitled to three rewards from the third-class god tier. The clerks will explain the rest. I will return to my groves now—but should you ever wish for advice, or simply a friendly chat, my door is always open."

Caiqian bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Shenren. I will remember your kindness."

Inside, the Exchange Hall was a world unto itself. Grand corridors lined with ancient murals depicted the history of the Divine Realm—the rise and fall of gods and races, the wars of old, the creation of new worlds. Attendants—some divine beasts, some spirits in human form—walked among marble counters, guiding newcomers and handling trades.

At the main counter, Caiqian introduced himself as tradition dictated. "I am Ye Caiqian, newly ascended god from the human race, seeking my allotment as is custom."

A clerk with silver hair and crystalline eyes flicked through a scroll of light, then nodded. "Your ascension has already been recorded, Lord Ye. As you are the first God of Humanity, as well as a new god position, you are entitled to triple rewards: three items from the third-tier list. You may examine the offerings at your leisure."

A translucent panel materialized before Caiqian, listing hundreds of items:

Divine stones for constructing temples or refining divine tools.

Star-metal ore, perfect for forging weapons or artifacts.

Seeds of immortal plants with a thousand-year growth cycle.

Fragments of Law—raw, crystallized concepts of time, space, light, and shadow.

Divine pills to heal, enhance, or stabilize a god's soul and body.

Blueprints for everything from god palaces to divine battle arrays.

Scrolls of knowledge: histories, laws, etiquette, and forbidden secrets.

Caiqian read through carefully, wisdom cautioning him to seek knowledge over power. Two items at the bottom stood out:

A manual on creating materials from lower worlds using divine or immortal energy—a guide to crafting what he might need, no matter how the world changed.

A comprehensive history and legal guide to the Dragon Divine Realm—its unspoken customs, its hidden dangers.

He requested these two, stating he would choose his third reward later, when he better understood what he truly needed.

The clerk, clearly impressed by his prudence, handed over the items—a pair of slim booklets radiating a gentle divine light. "Should you need further aid, Lord Ye, your record remains open for your third selection. Remember, knowledge is a shield as much as any sword."

Outside the Exchange Hall, Ye Caiqian found himself swept up in the current of immortal life. The Central City was alive with activity: gods trading merit, forging alliances, or simply sharing stories from their home worlds. Overheard conversations drifted by:

"Did you hear? A new god has ascended from the lower worlds. Not a beast, not a plant—human, they say!"

"He chose manuals, not power. How unusual. Perhaps he'll last longer than most."

As he walked, he passed vibrant gardens tended by earth gods, rivers of liquid spirit energy, and open-air amphitheaters where gods debated the nature of the laws or held tournaments to display their divine arts. He watched as a trio of fire gods conjured blazing sculptures from thin air, their laughter filling the plaza.

At the edge of a wide square, he paused, listening to a group of young gods discussing contribution points—the currency of merit that could be exchanged for nearly anything in the Divine Realm, from rare materials to time in ancient libraries. Points were earned by nurturing worlds, solving cosmic crises, or advancing the art of the realm.

For a moment, he allowed himself to simply observe, blending into the background. The Divine Realm was both beautiful and dangerous, filled with promise and risk. He resolved to tread carefully, to learn all he could before making bold moves.

When Caiqian returned to the entrance of the Central City, he found Shenren waiting for him. "How did you find it?"

"Overwhelming, but inspiring," Caiqian admitted. "I have much to learn."

Shenren laughed, eyes crinkling. "That's true of us all, even after thousands of years. Remember, your domain is yours to shape—and your presence here is a chance to make allies or enemies. Tread wisely, friend. If you wish to visit, come to my groves; you are always welcome."

Caiqian thanked the Ginseng God, exchanging parting bows. Then, after one last look at the city's kaleidoscope of wonders, he began the long walk back to his domain, his mind brimming with ideas.

As the boundaries of his domain rose before him, Ye Caiqian felt both exhaustion and excitement. He entered his study, sat beside the soft glow of a wisdom crystal, and unrolled the two booklets. The manual on material creation revealed intricate techniques—how to shape divine energy into matter, transmute the essence of a lower world into rare artifacts, or cultivate immortal plants from the barest seed.

The history and legal guide was even more valuable, detailing not just the laws but the unwritten expectations of the realm: the etiquette of feasts and duels, the subtle balance between respect and ambition, the hidden rivalries of the Dragon Kings. He read until the stars wheeled overhead and the city's light faded from his window.

As dawn broke, he set the manuals aside and gazed out across his growing domain. There was much to do, and infinite time to do it. For the first time since his ascension, he felt truly at home—not just in his palace or on Douluo World, but here, amid the immortal tapestry of gods.

He would learn, he would watch, and when the time was right, he would act.

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