After learning that the rapid development of the human race had led to food shortages and the starvation of many of its people, Fuxi began to rack his brains for a solution.
However, Fuxi couldn't think of a good way to feed everyone. One day, he heard that a great sage named Shennong lived in the Youjiang tribe, a thousand miles away in the Wei River basin. Shennong had cultivated five grains—rice, millet, sorghum, wheat, and beans—solving the food problem for millions. Fuxi, whose previous incarnation was also a great sage of the demon race, thought to himself that most of the so-called great sages in the prehistoric world were charlatans, and that he should go there himself. So, he set off for the Youjiang tribe!
When Fuxi arrived at the Jiang clan tribe, he saw that the entire tribe was vast, not much smaller than Chen County. In the low-lying areas with water, millet was planted, while wheat grew on the higher slopes. Millet, buckwheat, and rose bushes were intercropped, creating a lush, green landscape everywhere. Farmers worked in the fields, children played in the furrows, and the people lived happily. Fuxi asked several people questions, and they all said it was thanks to the Holy Father and the leader Shennong. Fuxi was very pleased.
Fuxi summoned Shennong. Seeing Shennong's robust physique and dark skin, likely from long hours of labor in the fields, Fuxi asked him several questions about crop cultivation, to which Shennong answered fluently. Fuxi then asked Shennong several questions about managing the various tribes of the prehistoric world, discovering that Shennong was also capable of innovative thinking and offered many insightful observations. Fuxi exclaimed, "Shennong is truly a great sage!"
Shennong said, "You flatter me, Lord. My achievements are entirely due to the kindness of my teacher and the virtue of the Holy Father." He then told Fuxi about how Liao Zhen had taken him as a disciple, given him the seeds of the grains he had planted, and had asked him to spread the ancient land.
Upon hearing this, Fuxi sighed and said, "Our human race will never forget the great kindness of our Holy Father to humanity."
At that moment, Fuxi invited Shennong to Chen County, intending to pass on the position of the supreme ruler of the human race to Shennong. Shennong did not refuse and naturally brought his family along.
Then a grand ceremony was held to pass on the throne. This was a major event for the human race and could not be neglected. Fuxi then invited several sages related to the human race to come and observe the ceremony.
The Holy Father and Holy Mother of the Human Race should naturally be invited. Fuxi first came to Penglai Island to request an audience with Xuantian. Xuantian thought it best not to go during the grand ceremony. The Human Emperor was originally established by Laozi, and the Three Pure Ones would also be invited to the Human Race succession ceremony. To avoid an awkward meeting, it would be better not to go.
Xuan Tian then said, "You can make your own decisions about the human race. I won't go. I'll just stay here on Penglai Island and pray for you."
Fuxi, left with no other choice, had to retreat. He then went to Nuwa's palace to see her. Nuwa, of course, knew of Fuxi's arrival and, disregarding her status, greeted him outside the palace. Fuxi was naturally overjoyed to see his sister, but remembering that he was now a human, and that things had changed so much compared to before, the peach blossoms remained the same, yet everything was different, he could only bow with tears in his eyes and say, "Fuxi of the human race greets the Holy Mother Nuwa!"
Nuwa was taken aback, then realized that the two were now of vastly different statuses, so she said sadly, "Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. Please make yourself at home with me!"
Fuxi then told Nuwa about the succession of the human race's leader. Nuwa thought to herself, "Now that we are no longer siblings, going would only add to our sorrow. Besides, Xuantian is not going either." So she said, "I will not go. I will offer my blessings to the Emperor here!"
Fuxi had no choice but to go to the Three Pure Ones. Although he didn't want to invite them, given their limited contributions to humanity and his own knowledge of how he became the Human Emperor, he felt obligated to go as Laozi was the leader of the Human Religion. They traveled to the Taiqing Realm, where Xuandu was already waiting. After exchanging greetings, Xuandu said, "My teacher says he won't go. The Emperor can decide for himself." Laozi shared the same thought as Xuandu; the merit of becoming Human Emperor wasn't his, so going would be pointless and only result in a loss of face.
Fuxi went to the other two sages, and they all gave the same answer. There was no need to go to the two sages in the West, since the Western religion had not spread in the East.
On the day of the handover of the supreme ruler, the Chenjun Square was packed with people, but none of the Holy Father, Holy Mother, or the Three Pure Ones were present. Each of the saints had their own ideas and only sent their disciples to witness the ceremony. Helpless, Fuxi prayed to Xuantian, Nuwa, and the Three Pure Ones on the altar.
At noon, the master of ceremonies announced that the auspicious time had arrived. Suddenly, celestial music rang out from beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, and ten thousand golden lotuses slowly floated down. Everyone felt refreshed and happy. A chariot pulled by nine five-clawed golden dragons descended from the sky and stopped beside Fuxi.
At this moment, a white cloud drifted in from the horizon, upon which stood a Taoist priest, none other than the Grand Master Xuandu, the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones Taoism. Grand Master Xuandu took out an imperial edict from his robes, glanced at Fuxi, and read: "By the holy decree of the Supreme Lord Laozi, the Master of the Human Religion: Fuxi, the sovereign of the human race, has enlightened all people and rendered meritorious service to the human race for countless generations. Now that his merits are complete, he is hereby bestowed the title of Emperor of the Human Race, and his residence is the Fire Cloud Cave beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens!"
Fuxi stepped forward to receive the decree, saying, "Thank you, Sage!" He did not address him as "teacher." Xuandu naturally understood the reason, but did not point it out, only smiling and saying, "Please, Your Majesty, ascend the dragon carriage!"
At this moment, a seven-colored ray of light flew from the sky and landed on Fuxi. This was Heaven's way of rewarding Fuxi for his great contributions to humanity, bestowing merit upon him. The seven-colored light split into three parts. Seventy percent of the largest part merged into the top of Fuxi's head; one tenth merged into the Nine Dragons Star Crown above his head; and because of Huixin's guidance of Fuxi, he also received two tenths of the merit. The remaining tenth was due to Xuantian establishing the Human Emperor. Xuantian's merit at this time was unimaginably vast, and further merit would be of little use, so he naturally used it to refine a magical artifact. Laozi, however, received no merit this time, and he was quite angry in the Eight Views Palace.
Fuxi looked at the Nine Dragons Star Crown thoughtfully, then took it off and handed it to Shennong. He then addressed the crowd, saying, "This crown was forged by the Holy Father and has been worn by human leaders since the beginning of humankind. They have made many contributions to humankind. From now on, this item will be worn by the Human Emperor. Now you wear it, so you should diligently educate and guide humankind. Remember this!"
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
