Rise of Humanity

by <unknown>

  Zhong Yue stood in front of the coffin for several moments. He closed the lid and raised his head high up to prevent the tears from flowing out of his eyes. With all his might, he shouted, “Nong Sovereign has passed away! We shall send him off with our sincerest gratitude!”

  He bowed at the coffin deeply, in admiration for the old man who spent his life in service of humanity.

  Outside of the palace, Nong Sovereign’s disciples and subjects had knelt toward the Human Sovereign Palace. The whole saint palace became blanketed in morose silence.

  The quiet room’s door creaked open and Jiang Yiqi slowly staggered his way out from it to the side of Nong Sovereign’s coffin before kneeling down beside it.

  “Send senior martial brother!” The old man teared as he said.

  Nong Sovereign was dead.

  On the day of his funeral, many messengers from the other races attended to offer their condolences as well as to confirm that the Nong Sovereign truly was dead.

  Then, there was also the Heavenly Monarch’s emissary who had come with the Heavenly Monarch’s imperial orders. He had conferred the Nong Sovereign with the rather ironic posthumous title of Duke of Fealty and Bravery.

  “Congratulations, Nong Sovereign can finally embrace peace and harmony!” All of a sudden, a human god among the guests stood up, he smiled, “Countless high and powerful experts didn’t end up well at the end of their lives, most even dying terribly. Yet, Nong Sovereign was able to die in peace. It is a good thing, we should celebrate!”

  Nong Sovereign’s disciples were all infuriated, they looked over and saw the speaker being one of the human leaders in the Zi Wei Galaxy.

  Zhong Yue frowned, then turned to Jiang Yiqi.

  The latter was also furious but maintained his emotionless expression. He transmitted his voice to Zhong Yue, “Qi Ting, disciple of the Imperial Emperor Xian Tian.”

  “However, the Human Sovereign is, after all, humanity’s supreme leader, no matter what achievements or wrongdoings he had wrought, I have to offer him my admiration.”

  Qi Ting stepped forward and bowed at Nong Sovereign’s coffin while on the other hand, Jiang Yiqi stepped in between Qi Ting and Nong Sovereign’s coffin.

  Krong—

  A loud bang could be heard as an invisible skill rammed on Jiang Yiqi, causing blood to trickle out of the corner of his mouth, the force almost making him crash into the coffin.

  Blood gushed up his throat but Jiang Yiqi forcefully swallowed it back. He chided, “Qi Ting, how dare you, are you trying to shatter Nong Sovereign’s dead body!?”

  Qi Ting gave a peal of dry laughs, he stood up and said, “I don’t believe he is dead just like that, so I was just trying to see if he is faking. Why is Senior Martial Brother Yiqi so nervous?”

  It was only then that Zhong Yue realized that the so-called human leader, Qi Ting, was actually trying to shatter Nong Sovereign’s corpse to see if the Human Sovereign was really dead!

  Some of those that knelt are worse than dogs ! He roared in his heart

  Then, Nong Sovereign’s disciples walked over, they carried the coffin on their shoulders and sent the Human Sovereign to the human race’s ancestral burial ground.

  In this Human Realm live countless humans. It was the only place that no outsiders would enslave the humans, the only place where the humans weren’t taken as livestock.

  It was a realm created by the elder, one that was used to shelter the humans, to pass down knowledge and to nurture cultivators. Yet now, the realm was still here, but its old creator was no longer here to defend it.

  In front of Nong Sovereign’s statue burned countless incense sticks as the humans worshipped him. However, these worships were just a form of ritual that allowed them to remember his contributions for life and to ease their aching hearts.

  They would never be able to see Nong Sovereign ever, not even the shadows of his specter.

  The fertile lands that he created had nurtured countless lives. And the knowledge to grow crops that he had gifted to them was to become his greatest contribution to humanity. It was this that had given him the moniker of the Nong Sovereign.

  TN: Nong means agriculture

  Chapter 783: Knelt |

  Following Nong Sovereign’s burial ceremony, the throne of the Human Sovereign was officially vacant. Thus, the Heavenly Monarch had called for the imperial emperors for a meeting regarding the selection of the next Human Sovereign.

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian said, “My Highness, the sovereigns of the races are best left for the races themselves to decide, it is unwise for outsiders to intervene. That said, I propose that the humans select their own Human Sovereign, there is no need to trouble the Heavenly Monarch for such a small matter.”

  “Good, proceed as tradition dictates then. The human race will select their own leader. Does any imperial emperor object?”

  The Heavenly Monarch glanced around at his silent subjects; clearly, they had all tacitly agreed to allow the humans to select their next Human Sovereign. Then, the Heavenly Monarch looked to the side and asked, “My fellow Daoist, what do you think?”

  Goddess Shen Hou covered her mouth and chortled, “I am just the former ruler of a bygone era, how can I interfere with your governing affairs? My Highness, you will make your decisions.”

  The Heavenly Monarch turned to another innate god, he asked politely, “Mister Bo Luo, what do you think?”

  The innate god looked strange, and it was hard to discern his identity or origin. No one knew if he was a celestial or a demon, a good or a bad, but his seating in the Heaven Court gave a suggestion that he was extremely high in position and was valued greatly that even the Heavenly Monarch have to be polite with him.

  Mister Bi Luo smiled, “Your Highness, so long as your decisions are in accordance with the Heaven’s will, none shall raise any objection against you. You shall have full say in this matter.”

  The Heavenly Monarch nodded softly, he said, “Then, dismissed.”

  The court ladies raised the parasols over the Heavenly Monarch as he left the Heaven Court. Soon after, the sovereigns of the other races and the imperial races also left accordingly.

  Suddenly, Goddess Shen Hou called Mister Bi Luo and asked while smiling, “Mister Bi Luo, you look rather new, have we met before?”

  Mister Bi Luo quickly smiled, he said, “I was born much later, way after Goddess’s era. When you’ve transcended into the level of Dao God and ascended to the Impossible World, I was still not here yet; thus, it is only natural that we haven’t met before.”

  Rays flashed across Goddess Shen Hou’s eyes, she said, “But you do have a considerable amount of power, even the Heavenly Monarch’s decisions will have to take your opinions into considerations.”

  Mister Bi Luo immediately answered, “Goddess, you’ve mistaken me! How dare I affect His Highness’s decisions in the governing affairs? His Highness only asked me because he wanted to know Heaven’s Will, it is not me that affects His Highness’s decisions. Goddess, this is a new order with new rules. The era of the Heavenly Monarch being the highest ruler have long passed. As we speak, the Heaven stands higher than anyone, the Heavenly Monarch is the Heaven’s messenger, His Highness is the Son of Heaven, how can the son defy its orders?”

  “Heavenly Son?” Goddess Shen Hou’s face turned dark and gloomy, she questioned, “The Heavenly Monarchs are the Heavens and Earths themselves, they are the rulers of all those dead and alive, nothing can defy their will. Yet, now the Heavenly Monarchs have degraded into the sons of Heaven, the Heavenly Son? What mindless gibberish are you speaking?!”

  “Times have changed.” Mister Bi Luo smirked with hidden meaning, “No matter who, even the strongest existence, if one goes against the will of Heaven, they will find themselves faced with death. Goddess, you’ve been out of the game for far too long, there are still many things you need to learn. Now please, excuse me.”

  The Heavenly Monarchs are the rulers of all, including themselves. But these
Heavenly Sons, what kind of rubbish is this ! Goddess Shen Hou watched as Mister Bo Luo left before leaving as well, she thought, That little child Imperial Emperor Xian Tian, there must be something up in his sleeves if he has proposed for the humans decide their own sovereign. Hmph, if humans could decide on their own, they won’t be as weak as they are now.

  On the other hand, when Imperial Emperor Xian Tian left the Heaven Court, a peal of sweet laughter rang out from behind him, “Senior martial brother, please wait for a moment.”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian stopped and turned back to see a female imperial emperor walking over to him, she smiled, “Senior martial brother, you’ve requested for the human race to decide their own sovereign, are you perhaps, thinking of taking over humanity? If your pawn becomes the Human Sovereign, then you will, in effect, be able to command the humans too.”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian answered placidly, “I do have plans for this, Senior Martial Sister Yu Ping, do you have any problems?”

  The female imperial emperor chuckled, “Oh no, I don’t have any problems with it. However, the human race is now a piece of juicy meat, everyone here wants to have a bite at it. My children also dream of commanding the human race. If I can, livestock, slaves, and wealth will be in my hands. There are many uncultivated beasts in this universe but only the humans are fit for slaves and food, not even the monsters are better in this than them.”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian immediately knew what she meant, “So Senior Martial Sister Yu Ping has also nurtured a few human experts under your wing. Do you plan to fight for the throne of the Human Sovereign?”

  Imperial Empress Yu Ping nodded, “I wonder if senior martial brother can give me a chance?”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian laughed, “Of course, as I have proposed, the humans will decide for themselves. It is natural for Senior Martial Sister Yu Ping’s human subjects to participate in the contest.”

  Imperial Empress Yu Ping eased her heart and excused herself.

  But before Imperial Emperor Xian Tian left, another voice said from the back, “Senior Martial Brother Xian Tian, please wait.”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian stopped again, another imperial emperor has come to his side and laughed, “Senior Martial Brother Xian Tian, I too have cultivated two of my human subjects and am interested in allowing them to take part in the contest for the throne. I wonder if senior martial brother is willing to give them a chance?”

  “Senior Martial Brother Su Huang, you being over-polite. It is the human race’s internal affairs to decide their own Human Sovereign. I have no say in this nor will I interfere.”

  Rays flashed across Imperial Emperor Xian Tian’s eyes, he said placidly, “So long as they are humans, they are all qualified.”

  Imperial Emperor Su Huang eased his heart, they conversed for some moments and he excused himself.

  “Senior Martial Brother Xian Tian!”

  After Imperial Emperor Su Huang left, there was another imperial emperor that came. For the next few moments, there were already more than over ten imperial emperors that came asking him regarding the selection of Human Sovereign and Imperial Emperor Xian Tian replied them one after another in great patience.

  These brats, they all want to reap the fruit after Nong Sovereign’s death, trying to support their puppets to become the next Nong Sovereign. How cheeky.

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian sneered coldly, he returned to the Xian Tian Palace and said to King Zi Guang, “They are all doing it for their own good, trying to claim the humans and increase their wealth. People like them are short-sighted leaders who knows no true fear of what the humans are potentially capable of. All they want is to increase their number of human slaves and livestock, some prepared years before for this, they even reincarnated their disciples into the human race. They are my biggest obstacles…”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian frowned, he sighed, “Now the only problem is my human disciples have rashly gone to kill Jiang Yiqi and haven’t return until now. Most probably Jiang Yiqi has already killed them, but that’s strange, the old man won’t be strong enough to kill them on spot, at least one or two of them should be able to escape. This old brat, spoiling my plans, he must pay for this!”

  King Zi Guang’s heart skipped a beat, he quickly said, “Imperial Emperor, let me talk to him…”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian sneered, “I know you and him are good friends, but for the greater good of my success, you will have to sacrifice this friend of yours. Understand?”

  King Zi Guang gave a cold shudder and didn’t dare to speak anymore

  It was then that a servant came rushing into the palace in hurry and knelt with his head on the ground, he said, “My Majesty, Jiang Yiqi of the Zhong Li Race is here, he is kneeling outside of the palace!”

  King Zi Guang was shocked, his heart skipped a beat and thought, Why is he here? Is he not afraid of dying?

  Whereas Imperial Emperor Xian Tian asked curiously, “Kneeling outside of the palace?”

  The servant answered, “He is here with a bare torso and tied himself up and carried a spiked twig on his back.”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian laughed, he stood up and said, “This old man Jiang Yiqi is tactful. Zi Guang, follow me and have a look at him.”

  King Zi Guang was curious, he stood up and followed the imperial emperor out from the Xian Tian Palace and saw Jiang Yiqi kneeling down before the gates just as the servant had described.

  King Zi Guang sighed in his heart, Yiqi, why are you treating yourself like this?

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian gave a cold sneer and asked, “Yiqi, why are you kneeling before me?”

  “For the redemption of my sins.” Jiang Yiqi’s grey hairs fluttered in the wind, he kowtowed at the imperial emperor and said, “I was not tactful enough and offended My Majesty, you gave me a chance to live but I chose to side with my greed for the throne and declined My Majesty’s goodwill. But now I know, I am far too incompetent to become the Human Sovereign, not only that but I was not even strong enough to save my own life. Thus, Yiqi is here to concede to my sins, to ask for My Majesty’s forgiveness.”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian snickered at him, not saying a word.

  Jian Yiqi immediately kowtow for a few times continuously, he said, “Please, I ask for your forgiveness!”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian looked at King Zi Guang and asked while smiling, “What do you think?”

  King Zi Guang’s eyelids thumped and he answered abruptly, “Congratulations to My Majesty, Yiqi’s wisdom is no lesser than mine. If he can submit himself to My Majesty’s wise lead, My Majesty’s forces can rise a level higher!”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian laughed aloud, “You are not wise, you should’ve been honest and said there’s something odd going behind all of this.”

  King Zi Guang’s scalps tingled and a cold chill traveled down his spine.

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian gave a frigid sneer, “Yiqi, I know of your plans, you think you cannot claim the throne or even keep yourself out of danger. Thus, you want me to help you become the Human Sovereign. But you’ve killed my disciples and offended me in front of many. It is a luxury that you are now alive. Yet despite all of this, you still dream of becoming the Human Sovereign?”

  Jiang Yiqi was still kneeling as he replied, “If I didn’t kill them, then how can I prove that I am the best candidate? I’ve killed them only because I need to prove to the enemies that I am the one you need! As soon as I claim the throne, the humans are yours to command!”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian glared a pair of cold eyes at the old man while Jiang Yiqi waited patiently.

  A few moments later, Imperial Emperor Xian Tian abruptly smiled, “Quite persuasive I must admit. It’s quite surprising to see such ambition coming from a man like yourself. Rise my subject, I can see you’ve given in far more than you can just to become the next Human Sovereign.”

  Jiang Yiqi stood up and bowed.

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian laughed, “You
will have my support, but if you dare to have any thoughts that deviate from my will, you know the consequences.”

  “Yiqi dares not hold any thoughts of the sorts,” Jiang Yiqi lowered his head further and said humbly, “My Majesty, you are an innate god, time means nothing to you. Yiqi is only an insignificant and short-lived passerby you’ve encountered in your eternal life, how could I dare to have any thoughts of betraying you?”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian laughed happily, “Well said, well said! Zi Guang, you and Yiqi are good friends. You may ease all your worries as you are both my subjects now.”

  King Zi Guang bowed, “It is our good fortune that we can both serve under My Majesty’s wise lead.”

  Imperial Emperor Xian Tian laughed, “Now, you may take down the twig on your back. Serve me well and I will not hold you responsible for killing my disciples.”

  After a long time, Jiang Yiqi left the Xian Tian Palace and returned to the Human Sovereign Palace. All of a sudden, King Zi Guang caught up to him from the back and said, “Yiqi, stop!”

  Jiang Yiqi stopped while King Zi Guang walked to his side and sneered frigidly, “You may have fooled the imperial emperor, but you know that you can’t hide from me! It is not the throne you are seeking. Someone as prideful as you… will you be satisfied with a mere throne? If I expose you now, you will die immediately!”

  Jiang Yiqi sighed, “Senior martial brother, spare the humans just this once!”

  King Zi Guang was stunned on the ground, his mouth agape for moments before he said bitterly, “But bear in mind that if you betrayed the imperial emperor, I will be coming for you myself!”

  Then, Jiang Yiqi bowed solemnly before turning to leave. Meanwhile, King Zi Guang stood unmovingly for a long time before he eventually deciding to return to the Xian Tian Palace.

  Chapter 784: Treacherous Subject |

  In the following days, there were many human experts that had swarmed out to fight for the throne, but Jiang Yiqi was able to suppress all of them on his own. Due to his overwhelming performance, assassinations were attempted on him but Imperial Emperor Xian Tian killed the few Creators that had done so and scared the rest away.