Shennong thanked Emperor Fengdu and took the secret manual from him.
Emperor Fengdu, having fulfilled Hou Tu Niang Niang's instructions, decided to send Shennong back.
"Shennong, all you need to do now is return and preserve their physical bodies. Then, using the methods recorded in Niang Niang's secret manual, come to the Underworld, and we will hand over their souls to you to take back to the land of Yin and Yang, allowing them to return to life!"
Shennong nodded. Emperor Fengdu personally escorted Shennong back to the mortal realm.
Upon his return, Shennong summoned all the disciples of the Medical Sect and handed them the secret manual he obtained from the Underworld for their study. Concurrently, he imparted all his research from that period to them.
He then instructed them to go to various human tribes to find recently deceased humans, heal their bodies, and then use the methods from the secret manual brought back from the Underworld to retrieve their souls.
After the disciples departed, the people from the Witch tribe who came to learn also bid farewell to Shennong.
Having followed Shennong for many years, they were now ready to graduate.
Shennong, seeing this, also taught them the findings from his recent research and gave them a copied version of the secret manual to take back to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Upon returning to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, the people of the Witch tribe evolved Shennong's medical techniques into healing methods suitable for the Witch tribe and renamed it: Zhuyou Technique.
As the disciples of the Medical Sect entered various tribes, they brought back the deceased individuals. In an instant, Shennong and the Medical Sect's fame reached its zenith among the human race.
The compensation received by the disciples of the Medical Sect for their healing services was minimal: a full meal, a night's lodging, or a little dry food for travel.
Shennong, seeing that the Medical Sect had flourished, was greatly pleased. He went alone to Mount Wu to share this news with Ting Yao and her two daughters.
On Kunlun Mountain, Taishang, seeing the Medical Sect flourishing among the human race, immediately went to the bamboo sea atop Taiqing Peak.
As soon as Taishang arrived, he saw Tongtian and Yuanshi, these two brothers, fighting over a creature named "Shad an." Each held one, neither willing to let go. Shad an was named by Jin Jiao and Yin Jiao. Seeing its foolish demeanor and its plumpness resembling an egg, they gave it this name.
Taishang's face darkened. He looked at the two and angrily walked towards them.
Seeing Taishang arrive, Tongtian and Yuanshi simultaneously released their grips. Shad an fell to the ground, and they quickly assumed postures of meditation and cultivation.
Taishang looked at them speechlessly. After Taishang came to stand between Yuanshi and Tongtian, the two even put on expressions of surprise.
"Eldest Brother, why have you come?"
Taishang rolled his eyes and looked at Yuanshi, saying,
"Second Brother, Shennong is about to ascend. The Shennong Ben Cao Jing was originally given by you, primarily for matters of Shennong's herbs. If the Earth Emperor ascends, it will likely no longer be suitable for him!"
Yuanshi nodded upon hearing this. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke,
"Eldest Brother, rest assured, I will then write another cultivation method for Shennong!"
Tongtian's eyes lit up at this. If Yuanshi created a cultivation method for Shennong, then no one would snatch Shad an from him.
Taishang, seeing the spark in Tongtian's eyes, knew what he was thinking and immediately said,
"Third Brother, the human race has now advanced westward, and during this time, my disciples have been clearing out great demons for the human race. It is time to recall all the disciples. You have nothing else to do for now, so go down the mountain and summon them back!"
Tongtian felt a surge of displeasure upon hearing Taishang's words. He had finally found a situation without rivals, only for his Eldest Brother to send him down the mountain.
However, since it would not take much time, just as Tongtian resolved to go and return quickly, Taishang spoke again,
"Oh, and the punishment Yuanshi imposed on the Twelve Golden Immortals should now be carried out. Since you have nothing else to do, you will supervise it!"
Tongtian immediately put on a pained expression. This meant he would have to watch the Twelve Golden Immortals for a thousand years!
Tongtian immediately shook his head and chuckled foolishly,
"Eldest Brother, I suddenly realized that my Immortal-Slaying Formation can be further improved. I'll be going now!"
After speaking, Tongtian sprinted down Taiqing Peak and returned to his Shangqing Palace.
Taishang watched the disappearing figure of Tongtian and muttered softly,
"Little brat, I still can't deal with you! Hmph!"
Yuanshi, seeing Tongtian leave, turned to Taishang and said,
"Eldest Brother, since Shennong is about to ascend, let us go to Shennong's tribe and escort him to Huoyun Cave!"
Yuanshi expected Taishang to agree, but to his surprise, Taishang shook his head.
"Second Brother, you go. I have important matters to attend to!"
After speaking, Taishang headed towards Sanqing Peak and simultaneously sent a telepathic message to Taihao,
"Fellow Daoist Taihao, please come to the Sutra Repository for a meeting!"
Yuanshi watched Taishang depart, shook his head, and then headed towards Shennong's tribe.
As Taishang arrived at the Sutra Repository, Taihao also arrived, and the two entered the repository together.
In the quiet room of the Sutra Repository, Taishang, Taihao, Zhenyuanzi, and Hongyun gathered.
"May I ask why the Supreme Holy Lord has summoned us?"
The three looked at Taishang and, in unison, voiced their doubts.
Taishang looked at them, rose, and bowed to the three,
"Esteemed Elders, I have summoned you today to request a favor!"
The three looked at the earnest Taishang, exchanged glances, and quickly returned his bow,
"Holy Lord, you are too kind. Without the Holy Lord, we would not be where we are today. Please, tell us what you require!"
In Shennong's tribe, Shennong looked at Yuanshi, who had suddenly appeared before him.
"Greetings, Holy Father Yuanshi!"
Yuanshi accepted Shennong's bow, waved his Taoist robe, and spoke softly,
"Earth Emperor Shennong, why do you not ascend, and when will you ascend?"
As Yuanshi's words reached his ears, Shennong's eyes became hazy, and his entire life flashed through his mind.
Yuanshi watched Shennong, who was lost in a daze, without haste. He observed the joy and sorrow, the tears and laughter on Shennong's face, and stood before him, quietly waiting for Shennong to recover.
On Sanqing Peak, Taishang gracefully departed Kunlun and headed towards Nuwa's Wa Huang Palace.
Taihao, Zhenyuanzi, and Hongyun watched Taishang's receding figure. Hongyun sighed,
"The human race is truly fortunate to have the protection of the Supreme Holy Lord!"
Zhenyuanzi nodded in agreement,
"Indeed. The Holy Lord has gained nothing from the human race, yet he has given so much for them. These titles of Holy Father are indeed befitting the Three Holy Lords."
Taihao also sighed. Although the human race was created by his sister Nuwa, without the Three Holy Lords, the human race would not have developed so rapidly.
In Wa Huang Palace, Nuwa saw Taishang's sudden visit and personally welcomed him into the palace.
"May I ask, Daoist Taishang, what important matter brings you here today?"
Taishang looked at Nuwa and spoke with implied meaning,
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, you are a Holy Mother of the human race. In the future, if I require your assistance regarding the human race, I implore you to lend me your full support!"
Nuwa was unsure of Taishang's intentions, but Taishang's words held merit. Moreover, the three Sanqing, these distant Holy Fathers, had done much for the human race, and she had no reason to refuse. Furthermore, if Taishang had not intervened, her brother might not have attained the position of a Saint. Her brother and she owed him a favor, so there was absolutely no reason to refuse. Thus, Nuwa agreed to Taishang's request.