Returning to Penglai Island

Shennong took a deep breath and returned the incense wish-force he had absorbed to the Eight Scenery Palace Lamp. Yet in just a few breaths, he had already consumed one-third of the incense wish-force! He understood what Ye Qin meant: incense wish-force was consumable, and the amount required for him to step into the Saint realm was vast beyond measure. Therefore, he had to accumulate more during ordinary times so that he could use it to save humanity when the human race faced calamity.

"Fourth Ancestor, rest assured. From today onward, I'll work hard to gather the human race's incense wish-force," Shennong said firmly.

Ye Qin patted Shennong on the shoulder. "Thanks for the effort. Then I'll leave the human race to you." As he spoke, he turned to leave, but his footsteps suddenly halted. "Remember, the Eight Scenery Palace Lamp can only remain in your hands. You must not lend it to anyone—not even Emperor Fuxi or Human Emperor Xuanyuan, who has yet to attain the Dao."

Shennong nodded and solemnly swore, "I, the Lieshan Clan, swear that I will never give the Eight Scenery Palace Lamp to anyone! If I violate this oath, may heavenly punishment descend upon me!"

Ye Qin nodded and glanced at the human race, his heart filled with comfort. Humanity was gradually maturing, and it was time for him to attend to his own affairs. "I, Ye Qin, from this day onward, am no longer the Fourth Ancestor of the human race!" The instant his words fell, all of Ye Qin's statues in the human tribes turned to ash.

"No!!!" Shennong was grief-stricken. "Fourth Ancestor, if humanity loses you, who will protect us?"

At the same time, the Three Ancestors of the human race on the ancestral mountain were also overcome with grief. Yet