Transmigrating into Haotian, ruling the Three Pure Ones and pacifying the primordial world.

The Jade Pool Wonderland.

The clouds and mist drifted, the ethereal atmosphere flowed like a river, and spiritual energy permeated the jade steps, floating around the pavilions and towers.

Haotian examined the jade talisman in his hand, investigated the message sent by Zhen Yuanzi, and then crushed it expressionlessly.

Anyway, the Human Emperor was born of the natural world, so nothing else matters to him. As long as the human race is recognized, that's fine. If they are unwilling, even the Ancestral Witches will die!

His plan must not be disrupted!

"Brother, what brings you here?" Yao Ji, dressed in red armor, looked heroic and valiant, more like a female war goddess than a princess.

Haotian clapped his hands and laughed: "That's how it should be. You've really trained well over the years by following Jinpeng."

Yao Ji smiled slightly, "I also owe it to my brother's careful guidance. It was only a hundred years ago that I realized that only strength can control everything."

"Peak Golden Immortal, that's not weak." Haotian nodded. Yaoji's essence was too little after all. A golden light descended from his auspicious cloud, transforming into a winged copper coin. "Take this. When the time comes, present it to the human race's ruler. You will then have earned some merit."

"Don't you need merit, brother?" Yao Ji quickly shook her head.

"As long as I hold the position of Heavenly Emperor, merits will descend upon me. Moreover, I, your brother, am not lacking in merits." Haotian smiled slightly, and a golden wheel of merit appeared behind his head, making the entire Yaochi Wonderland even more beautiful.

Yao Ji accepted the treasure-dropping coin and smiled gratefully, "Thank you, brother."

"Go." Haotian waved his hand, watching Yaoji leave. Yaochi came out from the back hall. "Senior brother, can you rest assured now?"

"Don't worry, it's still early." Haotian sighed softly. "I hope I can change Yaoji's fate!"

As time passed, Duobao, the chief disciple of the Jie Sect, accepted Lieshan as his disciple and gradually became the ruler of the human race. The human race grew in number, and even though they could search for wild fruits all over the mountains and fields, and with the livestock passed down from the Heavenly Emperor, food was still not enough.

A divine bird flew in from the East Sea, carrying a nine-eared stalk of grain that shone with divine light in its beak. The Lieshan clan then searched for four other foods among the human race: rice, millet, sorghum, wheat, and beans, which were called the five grains. They made plows and hoes, and the human race officially entered the agricultural and sericultural era.

Countless people were saved because of this, and Lieshan's prestige instantly surpassed that of Emperor Fuxi. He was also revered as Shennong. After all, no matter when, being able to feed the people is a merit greater than heaven.

As the quality of life for humans improved, Princess Yunhua from the Heavenly Realm and the Vice Leader of the Chan Sect descended to the mortal world, bringing with them the Treasure-Dropping Coin and the Qiankun Ruler. Shennong was inspired, and thus, trade between humans began.

Just when everyone thought Shennong was about to achieve his goal, the human race was struck down by a sudden plague. Even the many gods and immortals who were supposed to protect the human race were helpless. Although they could save some of the human race, they could not save the lives of all of them.

This is a suffering that Heaven has spontaneously bestowed upon humankind. If one wishes to become a protagonist in the world, one must use one's own abilities to overcome obstacles.

Black and white divine light flew down from Shouyang Mountain and passed on the "Taiqing Elixir Canon" to Shennong. Jin'ao Island also sent two spiritual treasures: a cauldron and a whip. From then on, Shennong embarked on a journey to solve the plague for the human race with his own strength.

Decades later, the Shennong Materia Medica was published, and the great principles of medicine manifested in the primordial world, dispelling epidemics. From then on, the human race was no longer afraid of disease.

The gods looked at the human race with admiration. Despite their weak strength, they were able to shock the primordial world time and time again.

On the day Shennong's merits were fulfilled, several streams of light arrived, including the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin and Zhunti, Haotian Yaochi, Houtu Zhenyuanzi, and others.

Especially the latter two, not only the gods, but even Lianyin and Zhunti looked at them strangely. When did these two become so interested in the return of the Earth Emperor?

However, the two exchanged a glance, and a bad feeling crept into their hearts.

Xuan Du, holding the imperial edict, loudly proclaimed: "The Supreme Lord of the Primordial Chaos, the Holy Father, the Supreme God of Heaven, and the Holy Mother, Nuwa, hereby decree: You, Shennong, who distinguished the five grains, tasted hundreds of herbs, taught farming, promoted agriculture and sericulture, and universally benefited the common people, are hereby appointed as the Earthly Emperor of the Human Race, to suppress the destiny of the Human Race in the Fire Cloud Cave. Respectfully yours!"

"boom--"

An overwhelming cloud of merit descended, a cloud of merit even greater than that of Fuxi, practically obscuring the entire void.

Aside from Shennong receiving the largest share, the majority of the remaining merit went to Tongtian, thus greatly expanding the fortune of the Jie Sect. Meanwhile, other fragments of merit scattered among the cultivators who provided assistance during Shennong's path to enlightenment.

Yao Ji received this merit and broke through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm in one fell swoop. Her aura stabilized, and other cultivators also made breakthroughs.

Shennong's cultivation level continued to improve, and he soon broke through to the same realm as Fuxi back then—the peak of Quasi-Saint.

Looking at the remaining merit points, he waved his sleeve to collect them, the confusion in his eyes fading, and sighed, "What a grand dream!"

As he spoke, a peculiar aura emanated from his body, and a magical treasure flew out from Yaochi's sleeve. It was shimmering with gold and glittered in the void, like the gentle flapping of a phoenix's wings.

"Gilded phoenix wings!" a powerful being murmured to himself.

Anyone who witnessed that battle knows that this was Hongyun's innate spiritual treasure.

As Shennong, the Earthly Sovereign, gently stroked the object, Zhen Yuanzi silently shed tears: "Old friend, you have finally returned!"

"Whoosh—"

One sentence seemed to have stirred up a huge uproar!

"Red Clouds!"

"Is he the Earth Emperor?"

"He actually survived!" someone spat out the words through gritted teeth, their face contorted with rage.

Immediately afterwards, Haotian Yaochi felt a resentful gaze directed at her, and without turning around, she knew who it belonged to!

Hongyun scanned the void, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, fellow Daoists."

The void remained silent for a moment, before a faint response came: "You're too kind, Earthly Emperor."

Hongyun nodded to Zhen Yuanzi: "Brother Dao, I have returned."

He tenderly stroked the gilded phoenix wings, then with a gentle flick, the magical treasure flew back to Yaochi. Under her astonished gaze, he said softly, "Fellow Daoist, I am deeply grateful. How could I possibly take your spoils? Fortunately, I am now in a state of merit, so no one dares to touch me."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Jieyin and Zhunti: "Fellow Daoists, how have you been? Was I right?"

Although Hongyun was smiling, his gaze was cold. Jieyin remained silent, and Zhunti quickly withdrew his ferocious expression, looking at Hongyun with an awkward smile: "Fellow Daoist is right. As the Earth Emperor of the Human Race, who would dare to attack you?"

"I hope so!" Hongyun replied calmly, then looked away.

A red dragon flew in from the East Sea and landed at his feet: "This little dragon is willing to be the Earth Emperor's mount."

"I must first return to the Fire Cloud Cave to pay my respects to my elder brother, the Heavenly Emperor. Fellow Daoists, we shall meet again another day."

With a dragon's roar, Hongyun's figure vanished.

Zhunti immediately looked at Haotian, his gaze shifting between the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa: "You all knew all along, didn't you?"

"So what if I am?" Tongtian said coldly, "Shennong was taught by one of my disciples. Do you intend to do what you did before?"

Zhunti hesitated for a moment, then Zhen Yuanzi stepped forward and bowed deeply: "On behalf of my old friend Hongyun, I offered up the Fire Cloud Cave and sacrificed half of my merits. Fortunately, Heaven has shown mercy and allowed my old friend to have a second chance."

Zhen Yuanzi remained neither humble nor arrogant, saying, "The Dao Ancestor once said that under the Dao of Heaven, there is always a glimmer of hope."

Haotian pursed his lips, Yaochi covered her lips with her sleeve, and the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa also had expressions of suppressing laughter. When Nuwa brought up this matter during the discussion of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Zhunti said the same thing.

Now look what happened, the boomerang has come right back!

Zhunti's arm trembled as he pointed at Zhen Yuanzi, unable to speak for a long time.

"Junior brother!" Jieyin called out in a low voice. Zhunti took a deep breath and remained silent.

"We'll take our leave now." The two nodded slightly and departed.

Zhen Yuanzi bowed to the crowd and said, "Thank you, sages and great celestial beings."

The Three Pure Ones remained silent, but Nuwa nodded: "The cause and effect are settled."

Haotian chuckled: "Senior Brother Yuanshi, I will send a message to Kunlun when the Human Emperor is born."