The immediate aftermath was a shock that resounded throughout humanity. As many were paying attention to the news cycle of the Earthly Divinity’s grab for land, they immediately became aware of what transpired at Xuanyuan hill.

  The attention zeroed in on Youxiong who was seen as a young leader who fought against foreign invaders, holding his ground and triumphing. It made for a great sensationalized story and garnered him the approval of many surrounding chieftains.

  Both like minded individuals and those more aligned with the Three Sovereigns’ orders alike held Youxiong’s trial in high regard. Lavish gifts congratulating the man were sent forth as a result.

  However, the news from the main hub of human leadership, the various courts of the Three Sovereigns were silent. In addition, news of people moving further eastward had not ceased. One could naturally extrapolate that Suiren, Fuxi, and Shennong all disproved.

  At the sacred grounds of the Earthly Divinities, a massive serpentine figure growled at the news he’d just heard.

  “Those parasites, I gave them a chance and they kill my children?” Gonggong uncoiled the upper portion of his divine body in anger. Veins bulged from his muscles, drawing concerned looks from his remaining brothers.

  In a room with twelve seats, only four were ever seated. Jumang, Rushou, and Zhurrong all felt aggrieved by the news.

  “Hmph, Looks like that Shennong brat couldn’t control his people,” Rushou scoffed. “Hey Zhurrong, you lost the bet.”

  “Hmph.”

  The god of fire was also the most human looking of the four. His face covered by his charcoal coloured skin grimaced when Gonggong sent him a death stare.

  “Well leader? Look at what your precious negotiations did now,” Gonggong spat. On his head, a single burn mark covered what used to be his right brow.

  Jumang and Rushou also gave him an expecting glance. Of all branches of their race, Zhurrong’s relationship with foreign powers could be said to be the closest. Even ignoring his longterm friendship with dragons, he was friendly with humans.

  “If we just let this go, that flat haired beast in the sky will definitely use the news against us,” Rushou said. In his hand was a metallic spear vibrating with his emotions.

  Zhurrong felt a headache incoming. “Ah, I’ll talk to Suiren. Relax brothers, I have not forgotten the dangers of the human race. I have not forgotten that thing that could manifest itself anytime inside them.”

  The god of fire and acting head of the entire race slumped on his seat. He contemplated how everything was supposed to be easy. Between him, Suiren, and Hong, he figured events were already well organised.

  He wished Di Jiang could just come back from his self exile.

  …

  In the primary city of the Jiuli tribe, a hulking green man crumpled the scroll in his hand with a scowl. In the safety of his own home, his head now reassembled a multi eyed bull.

  “Bone headed fool,” he said. “All those years soothing things over with Gonggong wasted.”

  “Lord Gonggong,” his advisor Jiufeng reminded him.

  Chi You pondered both the Earthly Divinities and Youxiong. His own people were extremely prideful of their heritage and would no doubt see the human as an upstart, backing from Kunlun or not.

  “Was there any missives from the ancestors?”

  “None chieftain.”

  “Hmph, then I’ll keep going as I am. The deal was for me to rule over humanity, a little nobody at the Profound Immortal realm cannot change that.”

  Chi You stood up and stretched his muscles. Every inch of his divine physique emanated extreme power.

  He was Chi You, a descendant of the Earth Branch, one of the last pure blooded ones that weren’t mixed with the others. He was named for a distant ancestor who’d once fought in the anti-devil war and stood alongside the Divine Ancestors.

  He was also a result of a human father. One of a small minority of hybrids that existed in all existence. That was why Shennong did not mind taking him in for a brief internship. And also why the Three Sovereigns were willing to agree with the Divine Ancestors for him to take over.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Back then, the consistency for the human race to birth strange individuals, those who carried the Dao of the great betrayer, that demonic ape was staggering. Due to their past relationships with that being, the Demonic Court, the Divine Ancestors, the leaders of Daoism, and the Western Heavenly sect, all appeared to speak with the Dao Ancestor.

  While what was discussed inside was private, the goddess Nuwa left humanity presumably to deal with the issue. Yet since her disappearance, people have become irritated. The Three Pure Ones and the head of the Western Heavenly sect secluded themselves over some moral high ground. But the Demonic Court nor the Divine Ancestors would have it.

  What resulted was simply them taking what they deemed as necessary action. The Human race was to be overseen by ‘responsible parties’. Euthanisation was also a big talking point that erupted into fights, the dual between Suiren and Zhurrong being among them. It was not until the Primordial Celestial Dragon clan stepped in as an equally wronged party to mediate.

  This was the best result.

  “I’ll be back,” he informed Jiufeng.

  …

  On Youxiong’s side of things, despite the optimistic attitudes of his people, he felt he was in a bit of a strange predicament. Coming out of an event where he fully expected to die, he looked at his own tribe as if it were a living corpse.

  He wasn’t delusional about his own power in front of the monolithic powers. What he refused to do was bow down in front of them.

  “So you’re finally doing it?” Haotian read through a draft of a letter addressed to Guang Chengzi. “It’s good to see you haven’t lost your wits.”

  Youxiong sighed, “Even if my master responds, it’s still dependent on my grandmaster.”

  Haotian hummed in slight discomfort. Yuanshi was not a figure to be trifled with these days.

  “Is this what Shennong experienced?” Youxiong asked. “I wanted to be my own ruler and lead my people. I wanted to settle golden age without interference from higher dictating powers. But now I’m forced to seek outside aid.”

  He stopped for a few seconds, then ultimately shook his head. “No, Shennong wanted us beholden to a great power while meekly giving up what we’ve earned. While all I’m doing is seeking aid from…ah am I going to be beholden to Jade Illusionary Palace again?”

  His longtime friend sighed and sat back down. “Maybe I’m not cut out for this after all. Being the leader of the Bear tribe I mean. My father, before he died, was a great leader ruling over the Bear tribe. The Three Sovereigns before what they became today, well they were glorious champions shouldering humanity on their backs on their lonesome.”

  “There is nothing strange about asking for help,” Haotian said. “I knew great rulers who despite all their immense power.” His mind drifted to the image of a golden dragon. “Could not stand against the tides by himself.”

  “Yes, but even then it took them eons before they reached that point. How many ruinous calamities did the Three Sovereigns endure before it became too much? Numerous Yuanhui before today. That’s millions of years worth of history. I folded in days. How am I any worthy of leading humans? hahaha”

  Haotian heard those self deprecating words and tightened his fists. At the end of the day, Youxiong was a Profound Immortal who surpassed the average due to his training on Mt Kunlun and additional treasures. But he would need much more.

  How was someone so far removed from the scale of the big problems supposed to become the Yellow Emperor told of in myth? Would the Heavenly Dao appear now and for his sake? Haotian doubted it. That arrogant thing was only interested in its stomach.

  “Con the contrary,” Haotian said in comfort. “From what I’ve seen, I honestly think you’re more worthy.

  “You know Youxiong, Suiren cannot be quantified as a regular human. He was a connate lifeform just like first generation of all innate creatures molded from the energies of heaven and earth. In fact, he was even more special seeing as how he was crafted by an innate goddess. He was taught by beings unimaginably greater than you.

  “Fuxi? He’s not even a human, not anywhere close. Fuxi is the brother consort of Nuwa. He is an innate god born from a piece of Pangu. He’s about as far from you as you could get. He is a kin to the most powerful and ancient lifeforms out there.

  “Shennong was born a sage. As a toddler, he had a translucent stomach and was fully intelligent. He was blessed in all aspects and guided by Nuwa to fully realize his potential. There’s nothing ordinary about him.

  “But you Youxiong? You’re just…just…just a dude.”

  “A dude?” Youxiong was flabbergasted.

  “Well, there's nothing special about you. You’re just a human with skills you learned doing your best among your fellow men.”

  “Excuse you? I studied in the headquarters of Daoism,” Youxiong grunted feeling insulted.

  “Big deal, a lot of people did. There are thousands in Jade Illusionary Palace and trillions in Roving Jade Palace.”

  “I…” Youxiong finally laughed. “I don’t know if you’re complimenting or insulting me.”

  “Point being, that despite being comparatively just a regular guy. You are willing to stand against beings who were practically gods. That takes a kind of courage, or foolishness, that no innate blessing could ever grant.”

  Youxiong crossed his arms, a slow smirk forming. “So, you're saying I'm special because I'm not special?”

  His companion sighed, shaking their head. “I’m saying that despite lacking divine origins or cosmic favor, you've still climbed to stand shoulder to shoulder with legends. That’s something neither Fuxi, nor Suiren, nor Shennong can claim. They were made to be great. You? You chose it.”

  Youxiong gave a brief grin. “That’s a nice sentiment. But you know that doesn’t change reality.”

  “I know, that is why as you good friend. And more importantly vastly superior senior in cultivation I am willing to aid you. I will help you unify the five qi and forge the three flower crowns.”

  …

  Not long after, a vast golden light illuminated the entirety of Xuanyuan hill as well as its surrounding territories. Celestial phenomena sung in the sky, displaying a myriad of dashing figures.

  Illusionary dragons roared across the heavens while majestic qilins galloped. A blinding presence beyond mortal, and even immortal comprehension swirled into a hurricane.

  Haotian stood at the epicenter with his eyes wide open in both shock and disbelief. Then it turned grim the longer Youxiong took to breakthrough.

  Previously, he witnessed the golden light leaking from Youxiong’s being and was already in denial about it. Youxiong was in the same stage of delusion as a Great Unity Golden Immortal. That was to say he had the foundations of a Dao prepared.

  It meant that he thought so absurdly strongly about something that it manifested into a seed before he’d even reached the Golden Immortal realm. A type of delusion normally impossible for any living being.

  Youxiong’s existence would’ve been far too low for him to notice, nor comprehend what he miraculously did. But in simple terms, he manifested the seed of a proper Dao. And it was due to that lack of high cultivation that held it back.

  A Dao at its basis was an idea that was believed so strongly that it actualizes from fake delusion to an unquestionable truth.

  So as the lights dimmed, and the enchanting presence of a Golden Immortal who’d long since obtained the Great Principle awakened.

  Haotian did not intend for this. He’d only wanted to help Youxiong along to help his chances. Buff him from a Profound Immortal to a peak Heavenly Immortal and let him find his own path to the third order of celestial lifeforms.

  But unknowingly, the moment he reached the barest requirements, he leaped realms.

  “Youxiong?” Haotian called out unsurely for the first time in a long time.

  The man who descended appeared older, more like what one would perceive a sage to be than a youthful man. He possessed a long beard and wore a beaded crown. His eyes shone with the radiance of the Dao.

  “Brother Zhang.” Haotian heard him say. His friend’s expression, one of absolute confidence.

  “Let’s save humanity.”