Chapter 105: Shennong's Defeat and Flight

“Isn’t the power of Chiyou and the others growing stronger by the day? Why have you gone to invest in Xuanyuan again?”

In the Heavenly Court, Nuwa approached Li Tian with a puzzled look as she saw him return and asked.

Since Li Tian had not deliberately concealed it, his journey to the mortal realm to assist Tongtian in forging the sword naturally could not be hidden from Nuwa, who was also a sage.

“No matter what, Xuanyuan is the destined human emperor. Investing in him can never be wrong,” Li Tian answered with a smile.

Nuwa nodded slightly upon hearing this. “Hmm. But if Xuanyuan ultimately claims the throne, I fear the fate of those great shamans will be very bleak... Do you think this might cause resentment among the remaining tribes?”

“They all went willingly; what does it have to do with us?” Li Tian smiled.

He had never forced anyone; it was entirely voluntary on the part of those great shamans.

“And to become the human emperor, one must be willing to take certain risks, right?”

“Actually, my greatest concern is still Xuánmíng,” Nuwa said, frowning slightly. “Ever since the shaman tribe pledged allegiance to the Heavenly Court, Xuánmíng has grown somewhat despondent. Before, there was Houtu to counsel him, which helped, but now that Houtu has reincarnated, I worry that in a moment of impulse, he might do something regrettable...”

Li Tian pondered for a moment and said, “If things come to a head when Chiyou and Xuanyuan face off in their final battle, I will personally descend to the mortal realm. At that time, any great shamans willing to return can come back with me.”

“You know the nature of the shaman tribe. Do you really think they will come back just because you ask?” Nuwa rolled her eyes but understood his intent and said no more.

“Alright, let us now go see Xuánmíng. If he wishes to go to the mortal realm, then let him dwell in the sacred lands of humanity alongside Houtu for a while,” Li Tian said with a smile.

“That would be best,” Nuwa agreed.

...

At the same time, Tongtian arrived at the Youxiong tribe to meet Xuanyuan.

After seven years of sword forging, Xuanyuan had grown into a handsome and charismatic youth.

“Teacher, you’ve come,” Xuanyuan greeted.

“Mm.”

Tongtian looked at Xuanyuan, now gallant and full of vigor, and nodded in approval. With a wave of his hand, the Xuanyuan Sword appeared before him.

“This sword is named the Xuanyuan Sword. It took seven years of effort between me, your elder uncle, and the Supreme Emperor of the Mystical Laws to forge it. Use it with caution,” Tongtian said.

“The Xuanyuan Sword is named after me?”

Looking at the sword that emanated a faint golden light, exuding unmatched nobility, Xuanyuan was overjoyed. He pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall to claim it. After a few light swings to feel the immense power contained within, he was deeply satisfied.

“Thank you, Teacher. I appreciate all your efforts!”

“Yes. For the time being, I will stay here in the Youxiong tribe to personally instruct you.”

“Thank you, Teacher!”

...

Thus, Tongtian remained with the Youxiong tribe for a time. Under his guidance, Xuanyuan’s cultivation naturally soared. However, Tongtian focused more on teaching governance and military strategy rather than pure cultivation, as Xuanyuan’s future was to be human emperor, not a cultivator.

As time passed, Xuanyuan gradually grew strong under Tongtian’s tutelage and began to display his remarkable talents within the Youxiong tribe.

When he turned twenty, the tribe’s chieftain, amid great anticipation, passed the position of chieftain to him.

Seeing this, Tongtian knew it was time for Xuanyuan to take the reins on his own. After giving him some final advice, he left behind some war automatons he had crafted to aid Xuanyuan in conflicts with the Jiuli tribe and then departed.

...

After officially becoming chieftain of the Youxiong tribe, Xuanyuan began to vigorously develop the tribe. Over time, the Youxiong tribe grew ever stronger and began to expand outward. Numerous surrounding tribes either admired Xuanyuan’s reputation or felt pressured by the Youxiong tribe and pledged allegiance.

Soon after, Xuanyuan was proclaimed the Yellow Emperor by the unanimous recommendation of many tribal chieftains.

From that moment, the human race entered a tripartite power structure: the Lieshan tribe led by Shennong, the Jiuli tribe led by Chiyou, and the Youxiong tribe led by Xuanyuan.

Among them, the Jiuli tribe was the strongest. However, under the leadership of many great shamans, the Jiuli tribe focused solely on war and neglected agriculture, resulting in a state of constant warfare and devastated lands.

Shennong, seeing this, was deeply troubled and felt he had failed the trust placed in him by Fuxi.

At this time, he realized his mistakes. Following the advice of many human officials, he rallied troops and horses and led numerous human experts to launch a campaign against the Jiuli tribe.

...

However, the Jiuli tribe’s strength had already surpassed that of his Lieshan tribe. Moreover, with many great shamans reincarnated within Jiuli, their power was formidable. Even though he was the legitimate human emperor with many scattered cultivators supporting him, he was slightly inferior.

After a fierce battle, Shennong was soundly defeated by the Jiuli tribe and forced to flee northward.

“Your Majesty, we cannot advance any further. Ahead lies the territory of the Youxiong tribe!” The old chancellor, observing the starkly different scene ahead from the Chiyou-controlled lands, anxiously halted the army.

“The Youxiong tribe? Xuanyuan’s?”

Hearing this, Shennong looked ahead.

He had heard of Xuanyuan’s deeds. In truth, if not for the current chaos within the human realm, he might have long ago invited Xuanyuan to join him and, like Fuxi before, tested his character. Had Xuanyuan proven worthy, Shennong would have abdicated in his favor.

“Let us seek refuge with the Youxiong tribe,” Shennong decided after a moment’s thought.

In this chaotic era, the Youxiong tribe still maintained order and flourished, a testament to Xuanyuan’s abilities.

“Your Majesty, you are the human emperor... how can you consider this?”

Many human officials were shocked and quickly tried to dissuade him.

“Enough,” Shennong shook his head. “The human realm is in such turmoil, and I bear part of the blame. I acted arrogantly as emperor!”

“Your Majesty, do not speak so lightly!”

“You personally cultivated the land, tasted all herbs; we have witnessed your deeds!”

Hearing this, the officials’ faces grew somber, for they had long served alongside Shennong and shared deep bonds with him.

“Say no more. In truth, I should have passed the throne directly to Xuanyuan. But now all that has befallen humanity is my doing... I cannot bear to leave the stage unfulfilled.”

Shennong looked northward at the Youxiong tribe, his expression resolute.