Fu Xi Tian Huang gained the position of Human Dao, not to the level of a Sage as in legends, but because of Nu Wa behind Fu Xi and the power of the Demon Clan, which elevated Fu Xi, a mortal of the Human Race, to an equal footing with the Six Sages.
However, in the hearts of the Human Race, he was even more revered than a Sage.
In Bei Ju Lu Zhou, Shen Nong led his tribe in cultivating grains. From then on, the Human Race entered the era of slash-and-burn agriculture, no longer solely relying on hunting for food like wild beasts.
Shen Nong later invented tools such as the plow and hoe, leading the East and West to step into the era of agricultural civilization. They transitioned from nomadic lifestyles to farming and even taught humans how to raise livestock.
He personally tasted all the herbs in the world, discerning their medicinal properties, thus initiating the origin of human medicine. Consequently, mortals gradually shed their heavy reliance on Immortals.
No longer did they need Immortals to hunt fierce beasts for food, nor did they need Immortals to help migrate their tribes. The appearance of medicinal herbs also reduced the need for Immortals in treating illnesses.
Immortals of Shen Nong's tribe thus had more leisure time to cultivate Dao techniques and seek opportunities.
Seeing this, Shen Nong organized the Immortals of his tribe to develop trade, giving rise to the earliest place for goods exchange among humans, the marketplace.
He did not hoard his knowledge due to tribal differences, but rather spread his agricultural techniques and the properties of various herbs to all humans across the land.
Countless humans were ecstatic, kneeling in gratitude and revering him as Yan Emperor, signifying the everlasting flame of civilization passed down through generations.
Shen Nong's merits were complete, and he attained the position of Earth Emperor of Human Dao. Only the Sages of all beings personally officiated his ceremony, bestowing upon him great merit, requiring no obeisance to anyone.
Shen Nong also ascended to the peak of Da Luo, just one step away from becoming a Great Power.
Because Shen Nong's tribe emphasized commerce and trade, the Immortals of Shen Nong's tribe were already engaged in trade across three continents between the tribes of Tian Huang and Di Huang, mutually promoting their needed goods.
Tens of thousands of years passed, and the Nine Heavens shone with renewed brilliance, illuminating all the heavens and the twelve planes, each with three thousand worlds.
Within the Nine Heavens, magnificent palaces and countless halls were stacked layer upon layer, with innumerable pavilions and towers. Various divine venerables appeared and stood in their respective places. Above the Ling Xiao Treasure Hall, a majestic figure materialized. Wearing a crown and radiating solemnity, divine wheels rotated behind him, and a solemn voice echoed throughout heaven and earth: "I am Hao, the ancient god. Today, by the will of heaven and through countless lifetimes of cultivation and complete merit, I act on behalf of heaven and become the Great Heavenly Venerable.
I divide the Primordial World into three realms: the Nine Heavens above are the Heavenly Realm, the four continents and four seas are the Human Realm, and below the Underworld is the Earth Realm.
I govern all beings on behalf of heaven and earth, and I am the co-lord of the Three Realms."
The Heavenly Dao rumbled with dissent, the Earthly Dao surged with dissatisfaction, and the beings of the Human Dao were unwilling. Who wanted a great god to suddenly appear above them?
But the Heavenly Dao forcefully wielded its authority over heaven and earth, bestowing a heavenly position: Hao Tian Shang Di!
All the gods bowed in salute, congratulating, "Welcome, Hao Tian Shang Di!"
Hao Tian Shang Di casually waved his hand, summoning three thousand clouds, and said faintly, "Rise."
He continued, "The Underworld may send its Yama Divine Kings to serve in the Heavenly Court, and the Human Realm may send Immortals from all regions to join the Heavenly Court. From now on, the gods of the Three Realms shall work together to benefit all beings in the Three Realms.
The position of co-lord of the Three Realms shall be chosen and respected by all three realms. After I abdicate, the Three Realms shall select a new lord."
This last statement caused the saints from all sides to ponder and suppress their dissatisfaction.
At this moment, Hao Tian Shang Di declared, "As we respect heaven and earth, we know of yin and yang. I am the co-lord of the Three Realms, and I shall govern all Immortals and gods in the world.
As I govern the gods, I shall invite the Lord of the West Kunlun to oversee all Immortals."
As his words fell, from the Western Kunlun Loose Immortal Plane among the twelve planes, myriad Immortals emerged, their majestic radiance stirring the clouds, accompanied by dragons and tigers, with blue birds leading the way. Upon a palanquin, celestial maidens held palace lanterns, and golden guards carried precious banners. The Immortals respectfully welcomed the Queen Mother to emerge.
The Queen Mother of the West entered the Heavenly Court, becoming the Queen of all Immortals.
The phenomena in the Heavenly Court dissipated, and all sentient beings knew that the former freedom and chaos were gone forever.
Yet, it also represented that heaven and earth now had laws to follow, and beings had protection.
Just as Ming He launched a calamity to slaughter beings, it was naturally possible in the Primordial Era. Since it did not concern them, those with great divine abilities would never intervene to stop it.
The Demon Clan's Heavenly Court was more of a Heavenly Court for the Demon Clan, not the co-lord of the Three Realms. If such a slaughter of beings were to occur now, the Heavenly Court would naturally descend divine punishment.
In the Fu Luo Palace, Qing Ling smiled and asked, "What do you think of this Heavenly Court?"
Shen Nong, standing at the foot of the stairs, replied, "Disciple believes that if this Heavenly Court is only like this, it cannot last long."
"Indeed," Qing Ling nodded and said, "The co-lord of the Three Realms, how many great powers yearned for it? Now an ancient god has suddenly appeared and become the co-lord of the Three Realms. One can imagine their disappointment and dissatisfaction."
Speaking of this, Qing Ling said with a half-smile, "If you were Hao Tian now, what would you do?"
Shen Nong was startled, then reacted, "Win over allies and consolidate the Heavenly Court. However, I have no such aspirations."
Qing Ling laughed, "Why? The co-lord of the Three Realms cannot tempt you? Hao Tian is only the first co-lord of the Three Realms. After his abdication, it will naturally be decided by us Seven Sages. With my power, it is very possible to support you to ascend to the position."
Shen Nong gave a wry smile, "Master, please do not tease this disciple any further. This disciple is already preoccupied with concerns for the Human Race. The position of the co-lord of the Three Realms, the second holder will only be a puppet, a spokesperson manipulated by various forces. If I were to take it, wouldn't I be inviting trouble upon myself?"
Qing Ling laughed heartily upon hearing this, "You see clearly. Since that is the case, then go to the Heavenly Court and become one of the Six Emperors."
"Six Emperors?" Shen Nong asked in confusion, "Where did the Six Emperors come from?"
Qing Ling smiled, "Naturally, they are the Six Great Emperors below the Lord of the Heavenly Court and the Immortal King. Hao Tian has already said that the Eastern Pole Qing Hua Great Emperor belongs to my lineage."
Shen Nong hesitated, "But the Human Race?"
"Hehe, with your master here in Bei Ju Lu Zhou, what do you have to worry about regarding the Human Race?" Qing Ling said with a smile, "Tian Huang Fu Xi is already on his way to assume the position of Gou Chen Shang Gong Tian Huang Great Emperor. Aren't you going?"
"This..." Shen Nong hesitated for a moment, then said, "Disciple will obey your command."
Qing Ling nodded and smiled, "Just go. If you encounter any difficulties, return to the mountain and ask your fellow disciples for help. If they cannot, I am still here.
Chai Dao Huang is also in the Heavenly Court. If you face any difficulties, go find him. He is a cunning old fox."
Shen Nong nodded in agreement.
Qing Ling continued, "In a while, after your junior disciple enters the Tai Yi realm, I will also send him to the Heavenly Court. Chai Dao Huang is the Matchmaker, a divine official. Your junior disciple Chang Geng holds an immortal position, and you hold an imperial position. The three of you can support each other to establish yourselves in the Heavenly Court."
At the same time, in the Jade Void Palace, Primordial Heavenly Lord said to Southern Pole Immortal Elder, "Now that the Heavenly Court is newly established, you shall go to the Heavenly Court and serve as one of the Six Emperors, the Southern Pole Longevity Great Emperor. With the blessing of the imperial position, you should be able to advance further!"
Upon hearing this, the Southern Pole Immortal Elder rejoiced, "Thank you, Master, for planning for this disciple."
Concurrently, an imperial decree from Hao Tian Shang Di was sent into the Underworld. Houtu chuckled, "Do I need him to confer a Six Emperor position?"
Beside her, the divine beast Di Ting smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this is not the authority of the Earthly Dao. Even if you do not need it, you can use it to protect the Wu Clan."
Hearing this, Houtu nodded and sighed, "If my Wu Clan had had such a strategist back then, we would not have..."
Di Ting sighed, "Indeed. If this person only sought his own benefit, he would naturally incur the wrath of everyone, and the Heavenly Court would not last.
However, he relinquished the positions of the Six Emperors, binding the interests of the saints to the Heavenly Court, thus gaining the support of the saints. The will of the saints is the general trend.
This person has also appointed divine and immortal officials for all beings, drawing in various major and minor powers. Whoever opposes the Heavenly Court is opposing all the saints and gods. What a clever plan."
"That cannot be said for sure," Houtu said with a light laugh. "With such a mixture, it is likely that the saints will usurp his position as Hao Tian Shang Di!"