Kong Xuan's Heart Stirred, Fuxi Intended to Abdicate

"I want you to guard Shennong with me until his merits are complete!"

Yunxiao was also worried that other great powers might set their sights on Shennong, so she wanted Kong Xuan to stand watch with her.

"Fine, fine, fine! I agree!"

Seeing that Yunxiao's request was so simple, Kong Xuan, frightened by her tears, agreed without hesitation.

"We have known each other for so long, yet I still do not know your name. May I ask who you are?"

Now that Kong Xuan had agreed, Yunxiao wanted to know who this Daoist really was.

"I am Daoist Kong Xuan, the second disciple under Xuan Yi of Jade Capital Mountain!"

Kong Xuan had been so occupied with teasing Yunxiao earlier that he had not introduced himself. Since she asked now, he told her.

"Kong Xuan! One of Humanity's Three Holy Teachers!"

Yunxiao had never expected Kong Xuan to be one of Humanity's Three Holy Teachers, and her lovely face paled in shock.

Back then, Kong Xuan and the other two had battled Kunpeng and saved humanity. Later, the Dao Ancestor had personally bestowed upon him the title Great Emperor Gouchen Shanggong Tianhuang. His fame had long spread throughout the primordial world. As the Teacher of the Human Emperor, how could Yunxiao not know of him?

"So it is Great Emperor Gouchen Shanggong Tianhuang himself. Please forgive any offense I may have caused, Great Emperor!"

Yunxiao's form of address left Kong Xuan at a loss. He hurriedly said, "It is nothing, nothing. In the future, just call me Kong Xuan. The title Great Emperor Gouchen Shanggong Tianhuang feels rather strange!"

"Then sorry for the trouble, Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan. Please help me guard Shennong!"

Hearing this, Yunxiao covered her mouth and smiled, nearly making Kong Xuan drool. This peacock who had been single for ten thousand years had truly fallen in love.

Yunxiao stood above the clouds and continued observing Fuxi. Kong Xuan stood in the void beside her, wanting several times to strike up a conversation, yet not knowing what to say. He grew so anxious that he kept scratching his head.

What Kong Xuan did not know was that Yunxiao was secretly watching him. Seeing him like this, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips as well.

After a long journey, Fuxi finally arrived at the tribe where Shennong lived and began asking around about Shennong's residence.

An elder of the tribe saw him and hurried forward to welcome him.

"Common Lord, Chief Shennong has gone out to plant the Five Grains. Why not let this old man show the Common Lord around the tribe first? When Chief Shennong returns, I will send someone to report to him. What does the Common Lord think?"

Left with no choice, Fuxi followed the elder and began strolling through the Yan Clan tribe.

Unlike other tribes, which were so desolate, the Yan Clan tribe was more like a great melting pot. After walking only a short while, Fuxi had already seen people from several tribes trading with one another.

Cries of hawking rose one after another, creating a thriving scene. One person traded a cow for three sheep, while another traded a dog for two chickens. The countless varieties of exchanges dazzled Fuxi.

Fuxi and the few people accompanying him weaved continuously through the bustling market, looking here one moment and there the next, like beggars who had never entered a city, curious about everything.

Before they knew it, the sun gradually set. Just as Fuxi and the others were still reluctant to leave, night fell.

Fuxi and the others could only follow Laozi to Shennong's residence and wait, while Shennong finally finished his work and returned to the tribe.

Before Shennong even entered the tribe, a child hurriedly ran up to him and shouted, "Chief, humanity's Common Lord has come to the tribe to see you! He is waiting at your home right now! Hurry over!"

Upon hearing this, excitement appeared on Shennong's face. He knew that although he had gained a little reputation, it was limited to only a few small tribes nearby.

That was humanity's Common Lord, after all. How could such a man possibly notice him, much less come personally to seek him out?

With complicated feelings, Shennong hurried home. As soon as he reached the entrance, he saw Fuxi sitting face-to-face in the courtyard with several elderly tribal chiefs, and he was immediately overwhelmed with excitement.

He hurriedly ran before Fuxi and said, "Shennong pays respects to the Common Lord! I did not know the Common Lord was coming. Please forgive me, Common Lord!"

Seeing that the person he had been waiting for had finally arrived, Fuxi smiled faintly.

He helped Shennong up and said with a smile, "People have long told me that Shennong could become humanity's next Common Lord. Now that I have met you, I see that you are indeed a blessing to humanity!"

"The next Common Lord of humanity?"

Shennong had never imagined that Fuxi had come to find him in order to make him humanity's next Common Lord.

"Shennong! Are you willing to follow me to humanity's ancestral land and undergo the assessment of the Three Ancestors of Humanity?"

Fuxi got straight to the point and asked whether Shennong was willing to become humanity's Common Lord.

"Thank you, Common Lord! Shennong is willing!"

If he could become humanity's Common Lord, Shennong's techniques for planting the Five Grains could be spread to more tribes. Of course Shennong was willing to accept such a wonderful opportunity.

In the blink of an eye, several decades had passed since Shennong followed Fuxi to humanity's ancestral land. Shennong also successfully passed the tests of the Three Ancestors of Humanity. All that remained was for Fuxi to abdicate, and he could become humanity's next Common Lord.

During these ten years, aside from undergoing the Three Ancestors' tests, Shennong spent his days following Fuxi to nearby tribes to teach them how to plant the Five Grains. At night, while continuing his tests, he discussed with Fuxi the experience and skills required of humanity's Common Lord.

As time passed, more and more people came to know Shennong, and his reputation continued to grow.

Members of other human tribes came one after another to learn Shennong's techniques for planting the Five Grains, while Fuxi began, intentionally or otherwise, to let Shennong handle some of humanity's affairs.

Gradually, Shennong's prestige surpassed even Fuxi's.

That day, Fuxi summoned the leaders of every tribe to humanity's ancestral land.

"I have held the position of humanity's Common Lord for several centuries. Now that my merits are complete, it is time to step down and yield my position to one more worthy. I intend to relinquish the position of Human Emperor and head to Huoyun Cave to suppress humanity's fortune."

When they heard that Fuxi intended to relinquish the position of Human Emperor, everyone was greatly shocked and hurriedly tried to dissuade him. Yet before anyone could speak, Fuxi interrupted them. He had already done all he needed to do, and humanity now needed another Common Lord to lead it.

Fuxi then said, "Leaders, humanity cannot go a day without a ruler. I have summoned you here today because I wish for you to select a worthy human to replace me as humanity's Common Lord. Do any of you have a suitable candidate?"

Shennong's reputation was already immense at this time, even surpassing Fuxi's. Naturally, he was everyone's first choice.

"Common Lord, I am willing to recommend Shennong of the Yan Clan tribe as humanity's next Common Lord. With Shennong's abilities, he will surely lead humanity toward prosperity and strength!"

With someone taking the lead, everyone else quickly voiced their agreement.

"I also agree that Shennong of the Yan Clan tribe should become humanity's next Common Lord!"

"I agree as well!"

"I agree as well!"

For a time, everyone expressed their support, and Shennong naturally became humanity's Common Lord!

"Good! Since none of you object, make the preparations. In three days, I will formally abdicate and pass the position to Shennong!"