Chapter 77: A Gathering of Titans!

“What is it that you wish to ask, Elder?” Jiang Yuan asked with a hint of flattery in his smile.

Shennong gazed at Jiang Yuan helplessly and slowly inquired, “Which tribe is currently leading the human race?”

The question left Jiang Yuan stunned. Which tribe? There were no tribes anymore. With the Xia Dynasty gone, who could possibly be leading any tribe?

“Elder, have you not ventured outside?” Jiang Yuan asked, curious.

Shennong shook his head. “It is not a matter of unwillingness, but of inability.”

“Tell me, and perhaps I might already have an inkling. I suppose the world, once ruled for all, has now become the possession of a single family?”

Jiang Yuan fell silent, and finally replied, “You are right, Elder. That person was Yu the Great. He founded the Xia Dynasty and treated the world as his own.”

Shennong, usually gentle in temperament, showed rare anger upon hearing this.

“Outrageous! This world belongs to all its people—how did it become the domain of one man?”

Jiang Yuan dared not respond, for Shennong’s words condemned him as well.

Realizing his own lapse, Shennong regained calm and continued, “Why is it that you, as the Human Emperor, possess such a low cultivation level?”

Jiang Yuan felt even more helpless. If my cultivation weren't so low, I wouldn't have considered acknowledging you as my father.

“The Human Emperor’s talent is limited by the Sages. We cannot cultivate to high realms, nor can we remain long in this world,” Jiang Yuan replied with a bitter smile.

“Sages? Which Sage? What Sage would dare oppress the human race? Have they not learned enough from past lessons?” Shennong’s anger flared for the second time.

“Lessons? What lessons?” Jiang Yuan asked, confused.

Shennong cast a deep look at Jiang Yuan, but ultimately gave him no answer.

“Your cultivation is too shallow. Knowing these things will do you no good.”

Jiang Yuan grumbled internally. So you look down on me? Is it my fault that my cultivation is low?

“Wasn't the human race created by Nuwa? How could there have been any entanglement with the Sages before?” Jiang Yuan asked curiously.

Shennong only sneered, “Nuwa? If the human race truly were created by that half-human, half-serpent beast, then we would not deserve the title of the greatest ancient clan.”

“In terms of innate spiritual wisdom, none can match the human race!”

“Nuwa only became a Sage by harnessing the human race’s fortune. She bears human blood herself—who would have expected her to turn out to be so ungrateful?”

Jiang Yuan was baffled. This wasn’t what he had learned in history—no, not even in mythological history.

All things now seemed shrouded in mist and confusion.

“Elder, could you explain this to me?” Jiang Yuan asked cautiously.

Shennong observed him, hesitated, then said, “If the human race truly were Nuwa’s creation, why did she fashion us in this particular form?”

“Why do all beasts, upon attaining the Dao, transform into human shape?”

“Because the human race is the one most attuned to the natural order—a leader among all living things.”

Jiang Yuan’s mind churned. Shennong was absolutely right; he had been trapped by conventional thinking.

The idea that Nuwa created humanity was ingrained in most people.

“Then why did such legends spread?” Jiang Yuan asked timidly.

Shennong’s mood was not great; angering him could mean disaster.

“In those days, the human race flourished, attracting the envy of countless other clans who sought to share in our fortune.”

“Nuwa was among them. During that great war, the human race suffered tremendous losses—almost to the point of extinction.”

“Yet our fortune survived. Nuwa then gathered five-colored divine earth, seized the remnants of human souls, and molded bodies, claiming to give humanity new life. In truth, she merely sought to steal our fortune for her own merit,” Shennong said indignantly.

Jealous of the human race’s prosperity, other clans united against them. Even so, those who coveted humanity suffered huge losses themselves.

True Dragons and True Phoenixes were nearly wiped out, and humanity began to decline, giving others their opportunity.

Of course, Shennong would not tell Jiang Yuan more—such knowledge was useless at his current strength and would only burden him.

“So Nuwa has been the enemy of the human race since ancient times?” Jiang Yuan asked, puzzled.

“At that time, Nuwa wouldn’t have dared oppose us,” Shennong scoffed.

“Letting her create humans was merely because the human race lacked numbers. That bit of fortune—was given out of pity.”

Jiang Yuan felt deeply involved now! He thought Nuwa was the archetype of the ancient schemer—her opportunism was unmatched!

“Now the human race is targeted by Nuwa and the Sages,” Jiang Yuan complained.

He finally had the chance to seek sympathy.

Shennong showed no reaction to Jiang Yuan’s grievance, only saying calmly, “Rest assured—even if the Sages target you as Human Emperor, they would not dare take excessive action against the human race.”

Jiang Yuan was stunned. As the Human Emperor, how is targeting me any different from targeting the race? Please, great one, save me!

“Why?” he asked, bewildered.

“Because I am still here. They dare not touch the human race. Besides, I am not the only Human Emperor here,” Shennong replied with a cold smile.

Shennong, famed for tasting a hundred herbs, truly spoke with authority!

So, could I acknowledge you as my father? Jiang Yuan had no shame whatsoever.

But the next words were intriguing. Jiang Yuan glanced around, seeing no one else.

“Stop looking. They are deeper within the Abyss,” Shennong prompted.

“May I ask, Elder, how many Human Emperors are here? Is everyone as powerful as you?” Jiang Yuan asked hopefully.

Many Human Emperors have appeared throughout history—if each were a Sage...

The thought was so dazzling Jiang Yuan dared not imagine it. So many Sages on the loose would turn the world upside down.

Shennong looked at Jiang Yuan as if he were a fool, and replied, “Though the human race produced a number of Sages, it is not as many as you imagine. Becoming a Sage is no easy feat.”

“Only a portion of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are here. After the Five Emperors, no Human Emperor has entered the Abyss, likely because, like you, they are unwilling to relinquish power, or have been gradually limited by the Sages.”

“Is the great Fuxi here?” Jiang Yuan asked excitedly.

Shennong shook his head. “Fuxi was the first Human Emperor and has long vanished in pursuit of the Dao. Of the Three Sovereigns deep within the Abyss, Suiren is one, and like me, he possesses the realm of Sage.”

“What about the Five Emperors?” Jiang Yuan asked, now entering a whole new world of understanding.

So the human race still has such a group of giants!

“The Five Emperors are all at the Half-Sage realm,” Shennong explained patiently.

“May I venture deeper into the Abyss to meet them?” Jiang Yuan asked eagerly.

These legendary figures had not perished!

Shennong looked at Jiang Yuan and shook his head. “At your current cultivation, entering would mean certain death.”