Shennong spent his days devising ways to bring the dead back to life, often locking himself away in his chambers.
Shennong knew that once a human died, the soul reapers from the Nether Underworld would claim their souls. Without a soul, even if he managed to revive the human body, it would remain a living corpse.
Shennong furrowed his brow. The Nether Underworld was Empress Houtu's domain, and he had no power to demand souls from her.
As Shennong pondered this, his head began to ache. This seemed like an unsolvable dilemma, a dead end.
Within the Nether Underworld, Houtu was also troubled by the ever-increasing number of wandering souls.
Although Houtu had established the Six Paths of Reincarnation, not everyone could enter them. If a soul arrived prematurely, before their allotted lifespan had expired, the Underworld could not allow them into the cycle of reincarnation.
Furthermore, only three of the Six Paths—the Human Path, the Animal Path, and the Asura Path—had been opened. The Hell Path, the Hungry Ghost Path, and the God Path remained unactivated, leaving souls destined for these realms trapped in the Underworld, unable to reincarnate.
The Great Emperor Fengdu, observing the overflowing Underworld, was deeply concerned. Several stampedes had even occurred, injuring many souls.
Helplessly, the Great Emperor Fengdu sought out Houtu.
"Your Ladyship, the number of souls in our Underworld is growing daily, with new souls arriving constantly. What are we to do?"
Houtu rubbed her temples, a look of distress on her face. She replied to the Great Emperor Fengdu:
"Do you have any suggestions?"
Upon hearing this, the Great Emperor Fengdu immediately spoke:
"Your Ladyship, the Hell Path, the God Path, and the Hungry Ghost Path have not yet been opened. If Your Ladyship could activate the gates of these three paths of reincarnation, it might alleviate the pressure on the Underworld!"
Houtu cast a disdainful glance at the Great Emperor Fengdu. If she could open these three paths, why would she need him to tell her this?
Houtu shook her head and stated:
"It is not that I am unwilling to open these three paths, but the time is not yet right, and I cannot."
The Great Emperor Fengdu's brow furrowed. He ventured cautiously:
"Your Ladyship, there is another method. One of the reasons for this overcrowding is humanity. Many humans have died unexpectedly, yet their lifespans are not yet exhausted according to the Book of Life and Death, preventing them from entering reincarnation. Perhaps they could be returned to the mortal realm?"
Houtu's brow furrowed again.
"Even if they are returned to the mortal realm, it would be useless without their bodies. Moreover, now that they have entered the Underworld, how can they be sent back?"
Hearing this, the Great Emperor Fengdu knew there was a possibility. He immediately tried to persuade her:
"Your Ladyship, the Underworld is practically overflowing. Our underworld soldiers are vastly outnumbered, and even members of my Asura clan have been enlisted to maintain order."
Houtu considered this. Indeed, if the Underworld was too crowded, how could the cycle of reincarnation be maintained?
"But they only have their souls. Without their bodies, they cannot return to the mortal realm. Do you have a solution?"
The Great Emperor Fengdu replied without hesitation:
"Your Ladyship, we may not have a solution, but humanity does. From the newly arrived human souls, I have learned of a human named Shennong. He is renowned for his medical skills and might possess a solution."
Upon hearing this, Houtu immediately set off for Wa Huang Palace, the abode of Nuwa.
Inside Wa Huang Palace, Nuwa greeted the unannounced Houtu with warmth:
"Friend Houtu, what brings you to my Wa Huang Palace? Please, come in!"
After Nuwa spoke, Houtu immediately stated:
"Friend Nuwa, I have come today to request a person from you."
Nuwa's brow furrowed.
"May I ask which individual from our human race is worthy of Your Ladyship's personal visit?"
"Shennong!"
Houtu wasted no words, directly stating Shennong's name.
Upon hearing Shennong's name, Nuwa immediately shook her head:
"Friend, I apologize, but Shennong is of paramount importance to humanity. He cannot be spared."
Houtu understood Nuwa's misunderstanding and quickly explained:
"I know Shennong is the Earth Emperor of humanity and vital to your people. However, I will not harm him. It is merely that the Underworld faces an issue that requires his assistance."
Seeing that Houtu's purpose was indeed related to the Underworld's plight, Nuwa asked curiously: Sudancw.com
"How can a mere mortal like Shennong assist you, Your Ladyship?"
Houtu shook her head:
"This is a matter of the Underworld, and it is not convenient to elaborate to you."
Nuwa did not press further. Seeing that Houtu genuinely needed help, she said:
"Since Your Ladyship thinks highly of a junior, please take him with you. Just remember to bring him back."
Houtu nodded and immediately departed from Wa Huang Palace, heading towards Shennong's tribe.
Shennong had no idea that a supreme powerhouse of the Primordial World was heading his way. He was completely engrossed in his research.
Suddenly, Shennong felt the light in his room dim. He looked up to find the cause and realized he was no longer in his chamber.
Seeing that Shennong had noticed the change in his surroundings, Houtu spoke:
"Shennong, you need not fear. I have brought you to the Underworld to discuss a matter."
Shennong followed the voice and immediately saw Houtu's figure. His expression changed drastically, and he quickly rose and said:
"Greetings, Empress Houtu, who bestows blessings upon all beings!"
Upon hearing that Houtu intended to take him to the Nether Underworld, Shennong's eyes lit up. He thought that perhaps he might see Ting Yao and her daughter there, and a sense of excitement filled him.
Houtu observed that most people, upon hearing the name Nether Underworld, would tremble with fear, afraid they would never return. Yet, Shennong seemed almost excited, like a fool.
Houtu paid him no mind, assuming Shennong was not an ordinary person. Besides, after arriving in the Underworld, it would be Fengdu and Shennong who would discuss matters, not her.
Although Houtu was the ruler of the Netherworld, she was more of a hands-off administrator, having entrusted all matters of the Underworld to Patriarch Ming He (Fengdu).
Shennong, thinking of the possibility of meeting Ting Yao and her daughters, felt an inexplicable surge of excitement. He couldn't help but ask:
"Empress Houtu, are Ting Yao, Yao Ji, and Nu Wa currently in the Nether Underworld?"
Houtu was taken aback. She didn't recognize the names Ting Yao and Nu Wa, but Yao Ji sounded somewhat familiar.
Houtu concentrated, trying to recall. She suddenly remembered that Tong Tian had visited the Underworld before and had also inquired about this person, but even her own efforts had failed to find her.
Houtu immediately began to divine. She discovered that the person she couldn't find before was living well in Huoyun Cave! Moreover, all three bore the aura of Taishang, suggesting that Taishang had intervened.
At that moment, as Houtu was deducing the matter concerning Ting Yao and the other two, Taishang, far away in Kunlun, suddenly opened his eyes.
"Houtu! Why is she divining about Ting Yao and them?"
Seeing Houtu's prolonged silence, Shennong dared not rush her. When he saw Houtu begin to perform a divination, his heart sank. Had Ting Yao and the others not been in the Nether Underworld?
Once Houtu understood the situation, she immediately shook her head at Shennong:
"They are not in my Nether Underworld, nor have they ever been here."
Upon hearing this, Shennong immediately pleaded:
"Does Empress Houtu happen to know where they are?"
Houtu nodded. She was perplexed, wondering why Shennong, as one of the Three Sovereigns of humanity, didn't know they were in Huoyun Cave.
Seeing Houtu nod, Shennong's hope was rekindled.
"Please, Your Ladyship, enlighten me. Shennong will be eternally grateful!"
Houtu, however, shook her head:
"Shennong, although I know where they are, I cannot tell you. You will know when the time is right."
After speaking, Houtu paid Shennong no further mind.
Shennong's heart sank upon hearing the first part of Houtu's statement, but it surged with excitement at the latter part. Did Houtu's words mean that he would one day reunite with Ting Yao and her daughters?