Shouyang Mountain, Taiqing Palace.
Old Master Taiqing made a quick calculation, and a rare, joyful smile appeared on his face.
"The Earth Emperor, Shennong, has finally been born!"
"It is time for me to help him unite the Human Race and establish supreme merit and authority over them."
A thousand years ago, Nuwa had visited Taiqing Palace and told him about the Earth Emperor, hoping Old Master Taiqing would become Shennong's protector on the Dao.
Old Master Taiqing had handed the affairs of the Human Teachings to Xuandu, then traveled among the Human Race's tribes. He became Shennong's master, teaching him how to grow crops and cure the illnesses that afflicted the Human Race.
After five thousand years, the people who had once lived along the East Sea Coast had spread across the entire Primordial Continent. But as the Human Race continued to multiply, the newborn grew increasingly frail, often tormented by disease and injury.
Beside the Jiang River, inside a wooden hut.
Old Master Taiqing sat atop the Cloud Platform. Below him, Shennong practiced the Daoist methods of the Three Pure Ones. His cultivation had reached the Peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal level, yet he was still an ant in the Primordial Wilderness.
"Disciple, I shall answer your questions today. What would you like to ask?"
Old Master Taiqing asked kindly.
Though their bond as master and disciple would vanish once the Earth Emperor took his place, Old Master Taiqing had still devoted much effort to helping Shennong bring prosperity to the Human Race.
"May I ask, Master, how can we solve the Human Race's food shortage?"
Shennong voiced the question on his mind.
The Human Race was multiplying too quickly. Wild animals and fruits could no longer meet its demand for food.
"These are Five-Colored Rice. Plant them."