Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

His gaze swept over the demonic cultivators standing on the edge of the battlefield in the distance. They had clearly contributed greatly to the battle, but now seemed somewhat restrained and at a loss due to their awkward status. His tone became even gentler, filled with sincere gratitude: "The fact that this calamity has been averted is thanks to the kindness of all of you fellow demonic cultivators who stepped forward to help us and fought against the Demon Lord. Heaven and earth bear witness to your friendship. I, Lu, thank you all!"

Within the demonic cultivator camp, several prominent figures quickly returned the greeting with clasped hands, displaying a humble attitude: "You flatter us, leader. We have only done our utmost, a small favor, and dare not claim credit for it."

"You are all too kind," Lu Wensheng smiled slightly, but then changed the subject, "However, friendship is friendship, and rules are rules. The cultivation world will remember your help and should repay you in a fair and just manner, so as not to betray your chivalrous hearts."

His voice rose, clearly reaching everyone's ears: "What I mean is that areas that were originally tainted by demonic energy, or naturally gathered demonic energy, no longer need to expend resources to purify and seal them off. They can be directly designated as territories for demonic cultivators and demons to live in together, and granted a high degree of autonomy."

Its position is similar to that of the cultivation world to the mortal world. As long as the mutually agreed-upon bottom line is observed, and no one harms the common people or disrupts order, normal exchanges and cooperation are permissible.

The grand formation that originally sealed the Demon Abyss was completely destroyed in the final battle, but the source of the demonic energy there was not extinguished and still lingered.

Instead of wasting manpower and resources on forced purification, it would be better to hand over this area, which is a dead end for human cultivators but a paradise for demon cultivators, to them to manage themselves and make the best use of it.

Of course, such a change that concerns the global landscape is by no means easy to implement; it requires a long period of time, meticulous planning, and repeated consultations with various forces.

But now, Lu Wensheng wields the Huangji Divine Sword, carries the wishes of all living beings and the favor of Heaven, and possesses the supreme prestige to end the calamity—what he lacks least is time, energy, and... absolute strength enough to suppress all who dare to disobey.

He has the confidence and the patience to advance this unprecedented undertaking.

As for those who might jump out, cling to old ways, or harbor ulterior motives and maliciously obstruct... a barely perceptible cold glint flashed in Lu Wensheng's eyes—he would use the most direct method to make them understand what the general trend is.

After all, lasting peace is the common aspiration of all living beings who have endured a century of war and made countless sacrifices.

With Lu Wensheng making the final decision and with the tacit approval and support of heavyweight figures such as the Supreme Elder, the overall situation was settled.

The cleanup of the battlefield was carried out with great efficiency, and matters concerning the construction of a new postwar order were quickly put on the agenda.

Soon, several vast areas with the densest demonic energy and the harshest environment, which were also the most suitable for the survival of demons and demonic cultivators, were officially designated as the "Demon Realm".

This move means that, from this day forward, the meaning of the demon race's existence in the world has been completely rewritten.

They are no longer bloody symbols born of revenge and invasion, but have become a legitimate race in this world with a legal space to live and responsible for the future of their people.

Their existence is for their own continuation and development, not for the destruction of others.

At the same time, a more inclusive term was established—from then on, the clear-cut, implicitly opposing distinctions between "Immortal Sects" and "Demon Paths," or racial divisions such as "Demon Realm" and "Monster Realm," were eliminated. Instead, the term "Cultivation Realm" was adopted as a general term, with cultivators further subdivided into spiritual cultivators, demonic cultivators, and ghost cultivators...

The realm is divided into "Demon Realm," "Demon Realm," and "Human Realm" based solely on geographical location and the main inhabitants.

Within the human realm, it is further divided into the "Heavenly Region" (formerly the cultivation world, rich in spiritual energy, where immortality is the main practice) and the "Regional Region" (formerly the mortal world, a place of boundless worldly affairs, where there are also descendants of cultivators). The barriers between the two are broken down, and only cultivation level and moral character are considered, regardless of one's origin or background.

More importantly, the prototype of the "Covenant of Ten Thousand Spirits," drafted under the leadership of Lu Wensheng and with the participation of various forces such as the Supreme Elder, Wu Zhi, Xie Qingwu, and Qi Zhaoshu, has begun to emerge, and the serious crimes stipulated therein have been greatly deepened from the original six serious crimes.

One of the most revolutionary changes is the explicit stipulation in the list of serious crimes that anyone, regardless of their domain or the type of cultivation they practice, who wantonly harms ordinary people without cultivation, slaughters innocent lives, poisons the world, or disrupts the balance of Yin and Yang, is considered an "evil cultivator," an enemy of the world, and deserving of everyone's wrath! Their crimes are so grave that they are equivalent to betraying the cultivation world and will be condemned and punished by the entire cultivation community!

Furthermore, it stipulates that within the cultivation world, regardless of whether one is born as a human, demon, or monster, and regardless of whether one cultivates spiritual energy, demonic power, or demonic essence, all are children of this world and enjoy equal rights to survival, cultivation, and development.

We do not distinguish between superiors and inferiors based on bloodline, nor do we differentiate between noble and lowly based on race.

All ethnic groups should set aside past grievances and prejudices, seek common ground while respecting differences, and strive for competition and mutual encouragement, but they must never engage in discrimination, oppression, or mutual antagonism.

Anyone who deliberately incites ethnic hatred or stirs up conflict will be considered to have violated the covenant and will be condemned by the world.

This agreement, once made, is like carving an insurmountable red line on the foundation of the rebuilt order.

It safeguards the most basic dignity of life and is the most fundamental guarantee of this hard-won peace.

Like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, it quietly seeps into the heart.

Like a mighty celestial wind, it dispersed the invisible barriers and strict hierarchies that had long shrouded different races and cultivators and mortals.

Many cultivators from ordinary backgrounds, or those from the demon race or the demonic cultivation world, couldn't help but shed tears upon hearing this. They could finally shed the "original sin" or "otherness" labels they were born with and walk upright in broad daylight.

Countless mortals, though unable to attend this grand event of cultivation, spread the word and were filled with excitement after hearing about the contents of the agreement through various channels—this meant that the era of immortals and mortals being forever separated and mortals being as insignificant as grass was gone forever!

On the day the covenant was officially promulgated and read aloud, it was as if the spring tide that had been accumulating for thousands of years had finally broken through the dam, and deafening cheers, cries, and praises erupted and soared into the sky!

This day is destined to be a day that will go down in history.

The demonic cultivators had already mingled with the other spiritual cultivators, waving banners and portraits of Lu Wensheng that they had somehow acquired, forming a whole fan group, and were clearly adapting well.

For the first time, those faces in the demon army that had been numb and desperate showed an incredulous light, as if they had finally glimpsed a glimmer of light that could be called "the future" in the endless darkness.

The demon cultivators even revealed part of their true forms, roaring to the sky, expressing their excitement and submission in the most straightforward way.

It's a sense of recognition and acceptance.

Standing on high, amidst the cheers, Lu Wensheng, as the representative, recited the oath of the covenant.

"The covenant is established, as firm as gold and stone! Heaven and earth bear witness to our words today! From this day forward, let us join hands to uphold this covenant and build this world together—"

"May the world be free from the ravages of war; may all living beings find peace; may the Great Way shine upon every inch of land!"

"Let us all strive together!"

The sound was like thunder, rolling in.

People waved everything they could—ritual implements, sleeves, even newly sprouted branches—their faces beaming with heartfelt joy and reverence.

"I urge you on!"

"Our leader is wise! Our covenant is eternal!"

"All spirits coexist, and heaven and earth share the same spring!"

"We will obey the chief's decree and uphold the covenant!"

From the day the covenant was promulgated, he became the most steadfast defender of the covenant law and the most loyal follower of Lu Wensheng.

They thronged around him like rivers flowing into the sea, like stars turning to the heavens; they defended him as unyielding as mountains, as undying as a raging fire...

Under the sunlight, the newly reborn earth is lush and green, and in the eyes of the survivors, the flame of hope burns ever brighter.

A new era is slowly unfolding, accompanied by the swirling rain of light and the rising sun.