Chapter 133: Trouble in the Great Shang

He was, of course, well aware of the petty schemes brewing in the Celestial Emperor’s mind. Having already revealed so many of his trump cards, he knew the Celestial Emperor now found him too dangerous to provoke.

The animosity between the Celestial and Human races ran deep. If he were to become a figure on par with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the Celestial race would surely suffer. Thus, the Celestial Emperor sought to maintain peace and allow the Human race to recuperate—at least until he himself ascended to the rank of Sage. As for what would happen after his ascension, that would depend entirely on the strength of the Human race. If they remained as they were now, the Celestial Emperor would undoubtedly settle the score later.

A cunning plan indeed!

"I believe what the Human Emperor says. In that case, I shall not detain you further as guests in the Celestial realm," the Celestial Emperor said, signaling for them to leave.

"I hope the Celestial Emperor will also keep his word," Jiang Yuan said with a faint smile.

He had agreed to this demand—one that offered no benefit to the Human race—only because he was currently the weaker party. It was the absolute limit of what the Celestial Emperor would accept; had he refused, the Emperor would likely have turned hostile on the spot.

"I do not need you to teach me!" the Celestial Emperor snorted.

*Oh, how delightfully haughty,* Jiang Yuan mused to himself.

With the pressure of the Celestial Emperor removed, Jiang Yuan finally felt a sense of relief, but it was immediately followed by the backlash of his forced advancement to the Semi-Sage realm. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he lost consciousness.

"Your Majesty!"

That was the last thing Jiang Yuan heard—the worried voice of Zhang Kui.

During his coma, Jiang Yuan had a strange dream. He dreamed he was present during the ancient era of the Human race, back when they lived like savages, hunting and foraging. In those days, humans were the lowest of all races, preyed upon by ferocious beasts. Then came the first Human Emperor, the great Fuxi, and from that point on, humans were no longer oppressed by other races. The Human race began its ascent to glory.

Later, the Sui Ren clan appeared, bringing the gift of fire, sparing humanity from the biting cold. He was the second Human Emperor. Then came Shennong, who tasted a hundred herbs, curing the people of illness and teaching them to cultivate crops. With this, humanity finally cast off the era of hunger and cold, entering its golden age. Eventually, all races came to pay homage, and no one dared to disregard the fate of humanity or provoke them again.

Jiang Yuan watched all of this from a god-like perspective, feeling as though he were playing some vital role in the process. He did not know, however, whether he was a man or merely an object in this vision. The sensations were incredibly vivid, as if he had experienced it all himself, yet his memories remained blurred.

It seemed his transmigration into this Investiture of the Gods era was no accident; he might truly possess some special identity. No wonder Baize was so concerned with him. Still, it was only a dream, and Jiang Yuan could not be certain of his true status. In that vision, he felt his soul drifting for what seemed like ten thousand years, which only deepened his suspicions. The more he pondered it, the more his head ached.

"Your Majesty, are you awake?"

The familiar voice returned. Jiang Yuan opened his eyes to see Zhang Kui hovering over him, his face etched with concern.

"Where is this?" Jiang Yuan asked instinctively. Having spent so long in the dream, he struggled to distinguish reality from the vision.

"Your Majesty, you are back in Zhaoge," Zhang Kui replied.

Jiang Yuan looked at those around him. Beyond Zhang Kui, his wife Gao Lanying was also present. Feilian had indeed kept his word, just as Jiang Yuan expected; once he had demonstrated the power of a Semi-Sage, Feilian would never dare to renege. What surprised Jiang Yuan, however, was that the elusive Baize was also standing there silently.

Jiang Yuan rose and walked over to Baize, smiling as he asked, "I wonder what reward you seek, Senior?"

Baize shook his head and smiled. "What I seek, the Human Emperor cannot grant just yet."

"Tell me anyway, and I shall keep it in mind, lest I forget in the future," Jiang Yuan said, curious about Baize’s intentions.

"Since the Human Emperor insists, I shall not be coy. The reason I have helped you is that I hope you will one day help me reach the rank of Sage," Baize revealed.

Jiang Yuan stared at him, frowning. "Why do you believe I can help you become a Sage?"

"Whenever there is a chance, I wish to try. At the very least, it seems the Human Emperor has a great chance of helping me, which proves that my first impression of you was correct," Baize explained with a smile.

"Where is this chance? Why do I not see it? If, as you say, I can help you become a Sage, does that not mean that, at the very least, I am destined to be a Sage myself?" Jiang Yuan asked, voicing his inner doubt. He knew he had the Tyrant System to aid him, making his future ascension far more likely than that of the Celestial Emperor, but Baize should not know of the system’s existence. Not even the Sages Shennong and Sui Ren had been able to detect it.

"Barring any accidents, the Human Emperor will also reach the realm of a Sage," Baize said with near-certainty.

"Senior seems to know something," Jiang Yuan said, staring intently at him, clearly not intending to let the matter drop.

"My innate ability is quite unique; I can glimpse certain future events. Sometimes they are accurate, and sometimes they change due to various variables. Thus, you could say I am placing a bet on you, Human Emperor," Baize chuckled.

"What did you see?" Jiang Yuan asked, curious.

Baize shook his head. "There is no point in saying more than what I already have. It is as I said: you have the potential to help me, so I am willing to wager on you."

Jiang Yuan relented, knowing well that the secrets of heaven should not be leaked, and fearing that if he pressed further, Baize might suffer divine retribution. He scanned the room and noticed Yang Jian was missing.

"Where is Yang Jian?" Jiang Yuan asked directly.

"He and the Fairy Yunhua went to pay their respects to his father," Zhang Kui replied.

Jiang Yuan nodded and turned to Zhang Kui with a look of apology. "This was my fault. I almost brought disaster upon you all."

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? As a subject, is it not my duty to die for the King?" Zhang Kui said hurriedly.

Jiang Yuan said nothing, but gently patted Zhang Kui on the shoulder. Instantly, Zhang Kui's aura surged, and within moments, he reached the realm of the Great Golden Immortal.

"Consider this a reward for your loyalty this time."

Zhang Kui stared at Jiang Yuan, stunned. *I have just broken through to the Great Golden Immortal realm?*

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Kui said, his voice trembling with excitement.

"In the future, I will do my best to ensure such things do not happen again," Jiang Yuan said with a hint of guilt.

"Your Majesty is too kind," Zhang Kui waved his hand dismissively.

"How many days have I been asleep? Has anything significant happened in the Great Shang?" Jiang Yuan suddenly asked.

As he spoke, Zhang Kui’s eyes shifted away. From what Jiang Yuan knew of him, something had definitely gone wrong in the Great Shang.