Chapter 139: Jiang Yuan Is At It Again

"What else did you dream about?" Shennong was now somewhat interested in Jiang Yuan's dreams.

"I merely witnessed the entire rise of the human race," Jiang Yuan said calmly.

"Does that mean you also dreamed of me and Suiren?" Shennong asked, puzzled.

"I witnessed the rise of all the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors," Jiang Yuan replied.

"How strange. How could a lad like you dream of such things?" Shennong asked, deeply bewildered.

"That is why I came to you, Senior, to verify these matters," Jiang Yuan said with a smile. "Is the Great God Fuxi truly human? If not, how did he become the Human Sovereign?"

Shennong shook his head and said, "To be honest, even we are not certain whether the Great God Fuxi is human. In the beginning, only Great God Fuxi stood guard at the bottom of this Heavenly Abyss. Later, after he had cultivated me and Suiren, he entrusted the bottom of the abyss to those of us who would become the succeeding Human Sovereigns."

"And what of Great God Fuxi?" Jiang Yuan asked, confused.

"After I attained sainthood, Great God Fuxi said that there were no longer any immediate worries at the bottom of the abyss, and then he went off to seek his own Dao," Shennong explained.

This made Jiang Yuan even more curious. How could even Shennong be unaware of Great God Fuxi's true identity? The rise of the human race in ancient times was inseparable from Great God Fuxi, and Jiang Yuan felt he must be human. But why would a human be called a "Great God"? To his knowledge, the only other figure referred to as a "Great God" was Pangu. What, then, were the true identities of Fuxi and Pangu?

Jiang Yuan, who had thought he understood the world of the Investiture of the Gods well enough, now realized he understood nothing at all. Although he knew the general trends and possessed the same ability to foresee the future as Baize, he knew very little about the inner workings of the ancient era. The more these powerful figures like Shennong knew, the more they seemed to conceal. It was as if he weren't powerful enough to be worthy of knowing such things, which left Jiang Yuan quite dissatisfied. He was, after all, a Human Sovereign, a person of status and reputation in the Three Realms. Why was he not worthy of this knowledge? Moreover, he was a transmigrator!

"Did Great God Fuxi find his Dao?" Jiang Yuan asked.

Shennong shook his head. "That is unknown. I have not seen Great God Fuxi since that day."

"Then what exactly is the secret at the bottom of the Heavenly Abyss?" Jiang Yuan remained curious.

Shennong gave Jiang Yuan a faint glance but still did not answer the question. "Enough. You have stayed here long enough; it is time for you to leave."

Shennong began to usher him out. Jiang Yuan looked blankly at him. What had he done to deserve being kicked out? "What about Senior Baize?"

"He will come to find you naturally once he has understood the Heavenly Abyss. You may wait in peace."

"Wait a moment..." Jiang Yuan wanted to say more, but Shennong waved his hand impatiently.

Immediately, Jiang Yuan felt the world spin. There was no need to guess—this old man Shennong was being unreasonable and forcing him out. Sure enough, when Jiang Yuan regained his senses, he was already outside the Heavenly Abyss. To Jiang Yuan, any place without having crossed that barrier was considered "outside." There was no choice; even Baize could not force his way in, so how could he, a mere Great Golden Immortal, manage it? Grumbling, Jiang Yuan had no choice but to return to the military camp to await Baize's return.

Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, having heard of the King's arrival, had been waiting outside the abyss. Had he not been certain that he couldn't reach the bottom, he would likely have descended himself. In fact, after reaching the realm of the Great Golden Immortal, Wen Zhong had secretly descended into the abyss several times, and the results were self-evident. Even then, he realized that even if he were to reach the realm of the Primordial Golden Immortal, he would likely struggle to cross that barrier. Thus, he simply waited at the edge of the abyss.

As soon as Jiang Yuan emerged, he saw Grand Tutor Wen Zhong and teased, "The Grand Tutor is busy with ten thousand affairs; how do you have the leisure to take a stroll here?"

Wen Zhong looked at Jiang Yuan, wondering if the young man was foolish. He had brought so many soldiers with him; did he look like he was out for a stroll? "The patrolling soldiers reported that the King was coming to see me. Is it not natural for me to wait here at the Heavenly Abyss for your arrival?" Wen Zhong said calmly.

Jiang Yuan feigned realization. "So that is it. I have misunderstood the Grand Tutor. How have you been lately?"

Grand Tutor Wen Zhong replied irritably, "With the harassment of the fiend-corpse tribes gone, I am doing quite well here on the East Yi border. It would be even better if the Great Shang were not suffering from internal strife!"

Jiang Yuan scratched his head awkwardly. "Rebellion is not something I can control. While I admit it is partly my fault, their intent to rebel existed long before. Even if I hadn't done those things, they would have found other excuses."

Wen Zhong looked at Jiang Yuan and ultimately said nothing. What Jiang Yuan said was true; the wolfish ambition of Xiqi was clear, and Wen Zhong had seen it long ago. It was only that Ji Chang had hidden it so well that he could find no evidence. Otherwise, Wen Zhong would not be guarding the East Yi border now, but marching his troops against Xiqi.

"Why has the King come to see me?" Wen Zhong asked directly.

"It is not a major affair. Xiqi now has the support of the Chan Sect, and their national strength is surging. Many of our Great Shang cities are falling as we retreat step by step. I wish to go with the Grand Tutor to Biyou Palace on Penglai Island. With your connections, I believe gaining the support of the majority of the Jie Sect's disciples will not be difficult," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

"The King has quite the plan. If I accompany you to the Jie Sect, how is the East Yi border to be defended?" Wen Zhong asked.

"Rest assured, I can guarantee that the Wu and Gui tribes of the East Yi will never be able to step a single inch across the Heavenly Abyss," Jiang Yuan promised solemnly. This was no boast. Knowing that Father Shennong was guarding the bottom of the abyss, Jiang Yuan felt that leaving such a large force of soldiers here was a waste. There was no need for any soldiers to guard the abyss; how would the Wu and Gui tribes ever have the chance to cross it and invade the human race?

"When do we depart?" Wen Zhong asked. He did not question Jiang Yuan; since the King had given his word, he would not ask further. A qualified minister never questions the guarantees of his sovereign.

"We shall depart for Penglai Island as soon as a certain senior emerges from the abyss," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

"A senior?" Wen Zhong was confused.

"The Demon Saint, Baize."

"How did the King manage to secure the service of the Demon Saint Baize?" Wen Zhong was shocked. He knew that among the Ten Demon Saints, Baize was acknowledged as the most mysterious, and it was rumored that he possessed the highest cultivation among them!

"There is no need for the Grand Tutor to be puzzled. Such is my majesty; is a mere Demon Saint not easily won over? I forgot to tell you—the other Demon Saint, Feilian, is also currently in my service," Jiang Yuan said proudly.

If one didn't show off at a time like this, when would one?