Taishang, seeing Nuwa agree, took his leave and headed straight for Houtu's Underworld!
Within the Underworld, Houtu was also surprised to feel Taishang entering. She wondered what matter could have brought Taishang to the Underworld in person!
Upon arriving, Taishang went directly to Houtu's residence!
"Fellow Daoist Houtu, I trust you are well!"
Upon seeing Taishang, Houtu performed a greeting.
"Fellow Daoist Taishang, I am well. May I ask why you have personally appeared here? Is there any important matter?"
Seeing Houtu's inquiry, Taishang was direct.
"This humble one has come today with a request!"
Upon hearing this, Houtu's expression immediately turned serious.
"I wonder what you need from Houtu, please speak plainly!"
Taishang shook his head upon hearing Houtu's words.
"This humble one has come today to ask for a promise. When this humble one requires assistance, I hope you will lend your full support. Consider it a favor owed. How about it?"
Houtu's brow furrowed. For Taishang to ask for a favor, the matter must be no small thing. However, Taishang had been kind to her eleven elder and younger siblings. If not for Taishang's intervention back then, the Twelve Ancestral Witches might have already returned to the Great Dao. If she were to owe Taishang a favor now, it would be unjustifiable in all respects.
"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist. If not for your intervention back then, my brothers and sisters would have already returned to the Great Dao. Although I have transformed into the cycle of reincarnation and am no longer connected to the Witch clan, they are still my kin. Houtu agrees to your request. As for your favor, let it be waived!"
Taishang was greatly surprised by this. He had thought that Houtu, having become the cycle of reincarnation, would no longer be Houtu. It now seemed things were not so simple!
Taishang had not expected Houtu to agree so readily, and without him owing any favor. If it weren't for the need to gather the strength of the Saints, Taishang would not have wished to incur favors without reason.
Seeing Houtu's agreement, Taishang bid farewell and turned to leave the Underworld.
Houtu watched Taishang depart and fell into silence, unaware of Taishang's true intentions.
Houtu could not fathom it and simply shook her head, ceasing to ponder.
After leaving the Underworld, Taishang looked towards Mount Sumeru in the West with a frown.
After a moment of contemplation, Taishang realized he had already secured the support of Taihao, Nuwa, Zhen Yuanzi, Hongyun, and Houtu – five Saints. Combined with himself and Tongtian, that made seven Saints. The matter he wished to accomplish was almost within reach with the strength of seven Saints.
Thus, Taishang turned back towards Kunlun, unwilling to incur the favor of Jieyin and Zhunti on Mount Sumeru.
Although the relationship between Jieyin and Zhunti and the others had eased somewhat, their souls were still under Hongjun's control. Once Hongjun returned, there was a possibility of them siding with him. Taishang did not wish to have any entanglements with them.
In the Shennong Tribe, Yuanshi was quietly waiting for Shennong to awaken.
Shennong's confused eyes suddenly cleared, and he bowed to Yuanshi.
"Thank you, Holy Father, for guiding me through the confusion!"
Yuanshi nodded gently, and then Shennong's voice echoed throughout the heavens and earth.
"I am Shennong of the Human Race. From this day forward, I shall be the Earthly Sovereign of the Human Race. Let all beings of the Human Race bear witness!"
As Shennong's voice fell, all the Human Race beings in the heavens and earth, except for Fuxi and Xuanyuan, felt it and bowed towards Shennong in the Shennong Tribe.
"We pay homage to His Majesty, the Earthly Sovereign!"
The disciples of Huoyun Cave. Fuxi, upon hearing Shennong's voice, rejoiced and immediately said to everyone.
"You all wait here for a moment. I will go and escort the Earthly Sovereign back!"
With that, Fuxi headed directly for the Shennong Tribe.
Tingyu and Yaoji, upon hearing Shennong's voice, were overcome with excitement. After years of separation, their family would finally be reunited.
Seeing Fuxi arrive, Yuanshi raised his hand, and a blue light appeared. He then pressed it towards Shennong's forehead.
"This Chaotic Azure Wood Profound Leaf Scripture is a gift to you, a congratulatory offering for your ascension to the position of Earthly Sovereign!"
After absorbing the Chaotic Azure Wood Profound Leaf Scripture, Shennong's expression lit up, and he immediately thanked Yuanshi.
Yuanshi nodded and said to Shennong.
"Since Fuxi has come to escort you, I shall not see you off! There is also a great gift left for you by my eldest brother in Huoyun Cave. Go and take a look!"
With that, Yuanshi disappeared. Shennong looked at the approaching Fuxi. The two shared a knowing smile and then headed for Huoyun Cave together.
As Shennong arrived at Huoyun Cave, he saw Tingyu and Yaoji waiting for him.
Seeing the three of them, Shennong was overcome with emotion and embraced Tingyu tightly.
Tingyu, seeing everyone in Huoyun Cave watching them, blushed.
"Shennong, what are you doing? So many people are watching!"
Upon hearing this, Shennong held Tingyu even tighter, refusing to let go.
"I don't care! Why did you leave me without a word? Do you know how much I've missed you?"
Tingyu sighed. Shennong had indeed had a difficult time alone, so she stopped struggling and let Shennong hold her.
Seeing that Shennong's eyes were only on Tingyu, Yaoji and Nuwa spoke.
"Father Emperor!"
Upon hearing them, Shennong finally noticed Yaoji and Nuwa.
"What, what is going on? You..."
Fuxi laughed heartily and immediately said.
"Shennong, you must thank Holy Father Taishang properly. Otherwise, your family would never have had the chance to meet again!"
Upon hearing this, Shennong suddenly remembered Yuanshi's words and bowed towards Kunlun.
"Thank you, Holy Father, for reuniting my family. Shennong is eternally grateful!"
Seeing this, Fuxi immediately said.
"Alright, alright. Now that you have ascended to the position of Earthly Sovereign, I have someone to share this heavy burden with!"
With that, Fuxi pulled Shennong inside Huoyun Cave and announced to everyone.
"Guard us. Until Shennong and I emerge, no one is to enter Huoyun Cave!"
Shennong and Fuxi entered Huoyun Cave together. Fuxi pulled Shennong to sit on the ground. As soon as Fuxi sat down, golden light radiated from his brow. Before Shennong could react, a beam of golden light shot towards his forehead.
The golden light was so fast that Shennong could not even make out what was within it.