Chapter 78: The Sage's Reward

Jiang Yuan immediately abandoned his earlier intentions upon hearing these words. Ignoring the advice of elders would only bring suffering right before his eyes; he’d better leave the meeting of these giants for another time. There must be countless dangers within, enough to make the sage Shennong stand guard outside—such was the peril.

“Is there anything else you wish to ask, senior?” Jiang Yuan inquired.

If there’s nothing more, I’ll slip away now; this place is far too dangerous. Once I become a figure comparable to you all, perhaps then I’ll consider returning.

“Show me the fate energy that summoned you as the Human Emperor,” Shennong said, his tone calm.

Jiang Yuan nodded, and a golden dragon of fate materialized, circling around him endlessly.

“Why is your Human Emperor’s fate so feeble? No wonder your strength is so lacking,” Shennong frowned.

Jiang Yuan pursed his lips. Must you wound me so thoroughly? I know I’m the weakest among the Human Emperors, but I’m still one of you, after all.

“Senior, could it be the handiwork of a Sage?” Jiang Yuan speculated.

Shennong stepped forward, scrutinized the golden dragon for a moment, then spoke coolly, “Indeed, it’s been tampered with. Your Human Emperor’s fate is restricted, unable to grow.”

“When you first inherited the position, your fate must have been even weaker than this. I wonder what method you used to raise your cultivation and fate to this level,” Shennong observed with some surprise.

Jiang Yuan’s heart grew uneasy. Was his greatest secret about to be revealed?

Dog System, don’t blame me for giving you up; Shennong discovered you himself—I had no choice. Truly worthy of being a Sage, to see so much at a glance.

“You’re right, senior. The fate of the Human Emperor has grown weaker with each generation, and this time, the Sages’ schemes are clearly targeting the Human Emperor.”

“They want to ensure that no more Human Emperors will arise among the people. I’ve heard that Primordial Heaven Sovereign holds the Investiture of Gods, intending to establish the Heavenly Court to rule the three realms. In the future, humanity might not even have the right to cultivate,” Jiang Yuan coaxed gently.

He was testing whether he could persuade this ultimate figure to leave with him.

“Don’t bother with your little tricks here. From the thinness of your fate, I can deduce exactly what the Sages are planning. What you said is all true,” Shennong replied.

“But I truly cannot leave the Abyssal Heaven. As for the fate of humanity, that burden falls entirely upon you, the current Human Emperor,” Shennong smiled.

Me? How could I possibly bear it? The more Jiang Yuan understood the terror of the Sages, the more ridiculous it felt to confront them.

“My strength is far beneath the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. I doubt I can shoulder it,” Jiang Yuan sighed.

“No matter. Though I cannot leave, I can still do one thing for humanity—remove the Sage's restriction from your fate,” Shennong smiled.

Jiang Yuan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Worthy of being the father I’ve acknowledged in my heart.

“I would never deceive you.”

As he finished speaking, a long whip appeared in Shennong’s hand, seemingly made of ordinary vine, utterly unremarkable in appearance.

Before Jiang Yuan could react, Shennong swung the whip at him.

Jiang Yuan instinctively tried to dodge, but found himself utterly immobilized.

Isn’t this just like that old man Wen Zhong? Jiang Yuan’s heart was bitter.

A crisp “snap!” sounded, and a whip mark appeared on Jiang Yuan.

Is this the love of a father? Jiang Yuan felt it deeply.

“Senior, what is this?” Despite the pain, Jiang Yuan forced out the question.

Shennong merely smiled, “Don’t rush. It’s not over yet.”

Jiang Yuan realized something was wrong. With just one lash, even his soul felt shaken—and he said it wasn’t over?

When will it end?

He had barely recovered from Wen Zhong’s beating, and now he was to be whipped again?

Old wounds not healed, new ones added—he must have picked an unlucky day to venture out.

Jiang Yuan wanted to quit, but when he tried to speak, he found he couldn’t even utter a word!

This… how is this different from being a vegetable?

Shennong paid no mind to Jiang Yuan’s inner complaints. One lash after another landed, giving Jiang Yuan no chance to cry out in pain.

After so many lashes, Jiang Yuan grew numb, staring hopelessly at the shadows of the whip as they landed, and the marks as they appeared on his body.

You old men are truly wicked!

After countless lashes, Shennong finally stopped. Though Jiang Yuan bore whip marks, his clothing remained untouched.

“Is that the Shennong Whip in your hand, senior?” Jiang Yuan asked as Shennong at last ceased.

“Surprised you know of my Shennong Whip,” Shennong replied with some astonishment.

That’s nothing—I even know that if not for this whip, you nearly died from the poison of Heartbreak Grass!

“Has the restriction on me been lifted?” Jiang Yuan asked, uncertain.

Shennong nodded with a smile.

“From now on, the fate of humanity rests with you.”

“Rest assured, senior, I will not let you down!” Jiang Yuan declared solemnly.

Shennong merely shook his head.

“I did not do this for you, nor for your so-called dynasty. I did it for the people.”

“You later Human Emperors have disappointed me greatly.”

“Senior…” Jiang Yuan felt a pang of melancholy.

The ancestors had led humanity step by step, through the era of primitive survival and struggle.

Humanity’s prosperity was owed to these sages, yet in the end, due to Yu the Great’s selfishness, the entire race became his appendage.

It was, indeed, shameful.

In that moment, even Jiang Yuan felt a deep shame.

“No need for words. Since you are now the Human Emperor, and perhaps the last, I hope you remember—this world belongs to the people.”

“The fate of humanity is in your hands; how you choose to proceed is up to you,” Shennong said, waving his hand.

Jiang Yuan felt an immense pressure descend upon him; he had acquired yet another burden.

“Ding! Congratulations, host, for activating a hidden quest: Lead humanity back to its peak. Reward: Ascend to Sage!”

Just then, the System’s voice sounded, and Jiang Yuan was stunned. Dog System, weren’t you unable to speak?

“Why did you suddenly appear?” Jiang Yuan asked.

“To issue a quest,” the System replied succinctly.

“Not afraid of being exposed?” Jiang Yuan wondered.

“System has just upgraded; even Sages cannot detect it,” the System spoke with a hint of pride.

“Damn, that's impressive,” Jiang Yuan exclaimed.

“Basic operation, don’t get excited.”

“……”

Jiang Yuan’s face darkened. The System’s upgrade had apparently expanded its vocabulary as well.

“Reward is Sage-level cultivation?” Jiang Yuan asked with uncertainty.

“Correct,” the System affirmed.

Damn you monkey! At first you wanted me to be a tyrant, now you want me to lead the people back to their peak?

Is this some kind of monkey business? Dog System really knows how to play!