Chapter 8: Fu Xi attains the Tao, Shen Nong takes his place

  The Qingxu Tian Xuanqing realm, Hongyuan stopped below to lecture, dispersed the spirits of all living beings, and summoned his mount, the ink qilin. He said: "The Jiang clan of the Nan Zhan Bu Zhou resides in the northwest, while Chen Du is located in the southwest, with a distance of thousands of miles between them. Shen Nong is after all a mortal, relying solely on foot, when will he arrive at Chen Du? You go down to the mortal realm and send him off for a journey!"

  Mojie Lin respectfully replied: "Xiao Shou Zun Lao Ye Fa Zhi!" He immediately left Qingxu Tian and arrived at Nan Zhan Bu Zhou. He used the divine power of Tianyan Tong to search, his eyes shining brightly as he searched. Before long, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he stepped on a auspicious cloud in the direction he had found. After traveling for thousands of miles, he finally saw from afar a person with two horns on their head, wearing animal skin clothes and carrying leaves on their shoulders walking towards him - it was Shen Nong.

  Shennong saw from afar a black qilin riding on the clouds, and his heart was filled with surprise and uncertainty. He stopped in his tracks and waited. In an instant, the qilin arrived before Shennong and asked: "Are you Jiangshi tribe's leader, Shennong?"

  Shennong was puzzled as to how Mo Qi Lin knew his name, but he still answered honestly: "It is indeed Shennong! I don't know what you have come to tell me?"

  "Mojie Lin replied: 'The small beast is the mount of the Holy Ancestor Xuanqing, and now it has come to carry the clan leader on an errand under the orders of the Old Master!' With that, he bowed his body in respect, awaiting Shen Nong."

  Shennong was overjoyed and bowed to Mo Qilin, saying: "Thank you for your trouble, divine beast!" He then paid his respects in the direction of Fangzhang Island in the East Sea, before stepping onto Mo Qilin's back.

  The Qilin saw that Shennong was already on his back, and with a cloud under his feet, he came towards the direction of Chendu. He walked for a day, and Chendu was already in sight. When they arrived at the gate of Chendu City, Fuxi had long been standing there waiting, because Fuxi had calculated that Shennong would arrive in Chendu today, so he had been waiting early at the city gate.

  Although he had never seen Fuxi before, the Nao clan and Suiren had described Fuxi's appearance to him in the past. Now, with Fuxi exuding an unmistakable aura of royalty all over his body, it was clear that the person in front of him was indeed the common lord of humanity. Shen Nong hastily dismounted from the ink kirin, came before Fuxi and knelt down to pay respects: "Shen Nong of the Jiang clan pays homage to the Common Lord!"

  Fuxi smiled and helped Shennong up, saying: "I've heard that the leader of the Jiang clan is a virtuous person who plants the five grains to sustain his people, with noble conduct. Today I see that the rumors are indeed true!"

  Shennong shook his head and said: "The Lord is overpraising! What virtue or ability does Shennong have to bear the Lord's such praise?"

  Fuxi heard this and solemnly said: "Younger brother, you are being too modest! Younger brother should know that you are the next human emperor appointed by the Heavenly Way. I summoned you to Chen Du this time, surely you already understand, don't decline!"

  Shennong replied: "I have already learned from our ancestors, but I am new to this place and fear that I may not live up to expectations!"

  Fuxi smiled and said, "Worthy younger brother, no need to worry! I have already arranged everything. You will first assist me in Chen Du for a few years, accumulate prestige, and when the time comes, it will naturally happen!"

  Shennong nodded and said: "Very well, I will follow your Majesty's intention!"

  Fuxi saw that Shennong had agreed, and was overjoyed. He was just about to pull Shennong into the city of Chen when he saw Mo Qiulin open his mouth and say: "It's good that the Emperor knows, the small beast has been ordered by the old master to send Shennong here, now it's time to return to Qingxu Tian and report back. I beg to take my leave!"

  Fuxi heard this and said: "It was indeed forgotten, it is Fuxi's fault. You have had a hard journey!"

  Shennong also said: "Thank you for the help of the divine beast!"

  Mo Qi Lin said to the two: "This is a small beast's own business, the small beast takes its leave!" After finishing speaking, he bowed again to the two and then bid farewell to them, returning to Qingxu Heaven.

  Fuxi and Shennong entered the Chen capital together, arriving at the Temple of Discussion. They freely discussed major world events and the way to govern a country. Shennong responded fluently, with insightful views. Fuxi secretly sighed: "Shennong indeed has the ability to govern a country; if I entrust humanity to him, I can also feel at ease and verify the Way."

  Shennong then settled in Chendu, following Fuxi every day to help with the affairs of the human tribe. He had laws and regulations, reason and order, and was kind to people. His heart had the ability to tolerate others, so everyone praised him, old and young loved and respected him!

  Fuxi saw that Shennong had already gained prestige among the human tribe, so he convened a grand assembly of the human tribe and asked his ministers: "Since I became the common lord, I have been cautious and dared not to make any mistakes. Now that my proof is imminent, I should pass on the throne to someone else. Who do you think can take over?"

  The officials below looked at me and I looked at them, when the Minister of Eastern Inspection said: "Shennong has great virtues and is loved by his people, he can be the co-ruler!" The other officials all echoed in agreement.

  Fuxi nodded in satisfaction and said to Shennong, "Since you are the one that everyone expects, then let you take over. Don't decline."

  Shennong stood up and saluted Fuxi, then turned to the crowd and said: "Shennong will definitely work hard for our people with all his heart and soul, and never dare to slack off!"

  Fuxi heard this and was very pleased, saying: "This is great! Thirty days later will be the day I attain enlightenment, at that time it will be your turn to take over!"

  Fuxi will ascend to the throne after thirty days, and the news of his succession to Shennong has spread throughout the human race. People from all over the world are flocking to Chen Du, eager to witness this historic event that will be passed down for thousands of years!

  Thirty days later, the streets and alleys of Chendu were packed with people, a sea of humanity, as everyone's gaze was fixed on the high platform in the center of Chendu. On the platform, offerings for the sacrificial ritual had already been arranged, and incense had been lit. As the bell tolled, Fuxi led Shen Nong to the foot of the platform, surrounded by a group of high-ranking officials, and the entire city fell silent, with even the sound of a needle dropping audible.

  At this time, a clear and loud singing voice came from the eastern horizon:

  Dark and yellow, at this time worship Hong Jun, verify the Tao mixed yuan heaven and earth surprise.

  With one sword in hand, who can be an enemy? Carefree among men, no one can hear!

  Everyone looked up and saw that the newcomer was about 16 years old, wearing a green Taoist robe, with nine palace cloud boots on his feet, holding a purple bamboo staff in his hand, sitting upright on the back of a black qilin, with the ancestors of the human race Youchao and Suiren standing behind him.

  A crowd of people rushed to kneel down and shouted excitedly: "Holy Father, long live forever! Holy Father, long live forever! Holy Father, long live forever!" The one who came was Pangu Xuanqing Jinque Tianzun, Hongyuan is also!

  Fuxi hurriedly went forward and paid his respects, saying: "Fuxi has seen the Holy Father!"

  Hong Xuan smiled and said, "Fellow Taoist, now that you have attained the Tao, I can no longer be called 'Sheng Fu'!" It turned out that Fuxi had achieved the Tian Huang Tao fruit, with a status equal to that of a sage, which is why Hong Xuan said this.

  Fuxi shook his head and said: "Since Fuxi is born as a human being, he should be treated with the respect due to a holy father!"

  Hong Xuan shook his head and didn't entangle with him on this issue. He said to him, "Fellow Taoist, you have achieved the Tao today, I've come especially to congratulate you!"

  Fuxi was about to thank Hongyuan, but saw that the sky was filled with exotic flowers and lotus blossoms everywhere, with celestial music singing clearly. A phoenix carriage fell from the 33rd heaven. Everyone looked up and saw that it was Nüwa descending to the mortal world. The crowd once again prostrated themselves in worship, unable to stop.

  Nüwa made a curtsy and said: "Nüwa has seen Fourth Brother!"

  Hongyuan also returned a courtesy and said: "I have paid my respects!"

  Nüwa nodded and said to Fuxi: "Elder brother has attained the Tao today, it is truly a joyous occasion!"

  Fuxi sighed and smiled: "After billions of years of hard work, I finally achieved enlightenment today, it's indeed not easy!"

  At this time, only a nine-dragon imperial carriage was seen in the sky, flying towards Chen Du. Beside the nine-dragon imperial carriage stood Dharma Master Xuandu. When the nine-dragon imperial carriage stopped in mid-air above Chen Du, Dharma Master Xuandu descended from the carriage on a cloud and landed on the ground. He first paid his respects to Hongyuan and Nüwa Niangniang, saying: "Disciple Xuandu pays his respects to both uncles!"

  Hongyuan and Nüwa nodded in agreement.

  Xuantu Dafashi again bowed to Fu Xi and said, "I have seen the Holy Emperor, I am here to carry out the teacher's orders. The Holy Emperor should first receive the order."

  Fuxi hastily led a group of people behind him to kneel down and shouted: "Fuxi respectfully asks for the teachings of the Lord!"

  Xuandu Dafashi took out the Taiching Imperial Edict from his sleeve and read it aloud: "The Human Teachings' Master, Taiching Taisang Daode Tianzun's decree states: The common master of humanity, Fuxi Shengde Xianming, has created blessings for humanity. Today, his merits are complete, and he will pass on the throne to Shen Nong and reside in the Huayun Palace. Let it be so!"

  Fuxi bowed three times, and in a loud voice said: "Fuxi leads the teachings of the master's decree!" He immediately stood up and took the Taiqing Imperial Edict from the hands of Xuandu Dafashi, turned around and said to Shennong: "Brother, today I will prove the way for you, and from now on, humanity is handed over to you!"

  The Divine Farmer said solemnly: "Elder brother, rest assured, I will definitely govern the human clan well!"

  Fuxi nodded, and immediately led Shennong's hand under the gaze of the crowd to walk onto the high platform. He took out the Human Emperor Seal from his bosom and handed it over to Shennong, saying: "Imperial brother, take the seal!"

  The Divine Farmer's expression turned solemn as he received the Kunwu Seal with both hands, holding it high above his head. "Today, I, the Divine Farmer, ascend to my position," he declared. "From this day forward, I vow to dedicate my life to bringing blessings to humanity. Heaven and earth bear witness!" As soon as he finished speaking, five nine-clawed dragons flew out from the Kunwu Seal, swirling around the Divine Farmer with a mighty roar. The imperial aura surged forth, dispelling all evil. At the same time, a massive ball of colorful virtue descended from the heavens, dividing into two portions. One portion, about one-tenth in size, fell upon Youchao and Suiren, while the other portion, nine-tenths in size, landed on Fuxi. As soon as Fuxi received the human emperor's virtue, his breath became ethereal, and the imperial aura converged within him. He had already attained the heavenly emperor's Dao fruit, and from that day forward, he would be free from the cycles of reincarnation for countless eons.

  Everyone saw Fuxi prove the way, and they all came forward to congratulate him. Fuxi returned their greetings one by one, then boarded the Nine Dragon Imperial Carriage. He bowed his hand to the crowd and said, "Fuxi is leaving!" The Nine Dragon Imperial Carriage rose into the air, carrying Fuxi up to the Thirty-Third Heaven, to the Huoyun Palace in the midst of chaos.

  Nüwa saw that Fuxi had already attained the Tao and bid farewell to Hongyuan, returning to the Palace of Nüwa.

  Hongyuan came before Shennong and said: "Shennong, you are now the Human Emperor. If there is any difficulty in the future, send someone to Fangzhang Island!"

  The Divine Farmer respectfully said: "Holy Father, please be at ease. The Divine Farmer will definitely not disappoint your expectations!"

  Hong Xuan nodded and said: "So it's good!" Then he rode on the ink Kirin and returned to Qingxu Heaven.

  From then on, mankind entered the era of Shennong's rule!

  It is: The merits and virtues are complete, the Tao is finally certified, and the new master of the human race is Shen Nong!