Chapter 287: Thank You, Senior

After a two-hour delay on the mountain, Emperor Yu arrived in a hurry.

Having temporarily resolved the disharmony within his family, Emperor Yu was refreshed and strode confidently. He took Li Changshou to pay respects at three consecutive immortal mountains, visiting the retired Human Emperors in Fire Cloud Cave and presenting them with a small gift from the Heavenly Court.

True care stems from the thoughtfulness of younger generations.

However, Li Changshou felt quite regretful that he couldn't visit Emperor Xuanyuan's home.

The esteemed Xuanyuan was already waiting in Fuxi's cave abode. At Li Changshou's next stop, he would meet Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuanyuan – three human sages – all at once.

This was clearly a huge gain!

Along the way, Emperor Yu continuously praised Li Changshou. To every senior Human Emperor they met, he would say Li Changshou possessed "great wisdom," introducing him as "the most intelligent and talented person in the Heavenly Court."

Li Changshou was somewhat embarrassed by the praise.

But he could also see that Emperor Yu was genuinely invigorated. If not for the significant difference in their seniority and the immense karma associated with Human Emperors, Emperor Yu would probably have put his arm around him and said:

"Sea God, you are my brother!"

Li Changshou thought carefully: currently, Emperor Yu's only trouble was his emotional issues after retirement, a daily dilemma he needed to solve.

With Li Changshou's assistance this time, Emperor Yu's life should be harmonious and complete for a considerable time to come.

And as long as one thoroughly studies the 'Sea God Scriptures,' a harmonious family and a wife who follows her husband's lead will not be a distant dream!

Considering this perspective, Li Changshou found Emperor Yu's enthusiasm towards him perfectly understandable.

On the way, Li Changshou also asked Emperor Yu why he didn't seek advice from Emperor Xuanyuan.

Emperor Yu gave a wry smile:

"How can that be the same? The situation with senior Xuanyuan is completely different from mine. I heard that among those over three thousand seniors, except for a small number whose cultivation was profound enough to remain aloof, they were largely divided into several major factions, and their daily focus was on how to curry favor with senior Xuanyuan. I truly cannot learn that level of skill."

Li Changshou was speechless.

Fortunately, he hadn't gone. Otherwise, with only one gift and three flat peaches, it would have surely caused a bloodbath there!

Near Fuxi's cave abode, Emperor Yu proactively sent a sound transmission to advise him:

"Senior Fuxi understands the workings of heaven and is skilled in divination. His deductions are extremely profound. Later, do not speak empty words or boast before him; speak only the truth about everything."

"I wouldn't dare deceive any of the seniors in the slightest."

Li Changshou's expression turned serious, and he cupped his hands in thanks.

Emperor Yu rode on clouds, bringing Li Changshou down before Fuxi's cave. The cave entrance was open, and laughter and voices came from within, as if immortals were playing a game of Go.

Walking forward revealed a somewhat winding stone tunnel. The stone slabs on the ground were carved with intricate trigrams, the cave ceiling above flickered with celestial constellations, and on both sides hung landscape scrolls depicting mountains, water, and forests; occasionally, unique compositions could also be seen. The spiritual energy within the cave carried a faint, refreshing fragrance, giving an inexpressible sense of comfort.

Li Changshou did not release his immortal sense to probe. For experts like Fuxi and Shennong, releasing one's immortal sense might be detected and would be disrespectful.

Turning another bend, the view immediately opened up. Before them was a rather tall circular stone hall. On the left were rock gardens, stone steps, and a pavilion; on the right, a shimmering pond with koi and a lazy little spiritual turtle. A stream encircled the edge of the circular stone hall, and the overall arrangement formed the pattern of Yin and Yang Taiji.

In that pavilion, there were currently two old men and one middle-aged man. The most prominent figure was an old man dressed in a red robe. This senior had a clean-shaven face. Although his face showed signs of age, it had no wrinkles whatsoever, and his cheeks even emitted a faint, moist glow. This red-robed old man was playing Go with the middle-aged man in a light yellow robe. Looking at the middle-aged man again, his appearance initially seemed unremarkable, but a second glance revealed his composed demeanor; two glances showed his dignified features and righteous brows. As he sat upright before the chessboard, his tall figure exuded a hidden sharpness.

Emperor Yu transmitted his voice:

"Sea God, don't mistake them. The one in red is senior Shennong, the one in yellow is senior Xuanyuan, and the one in green is senior Fuxi."

Li Changshou acknowledged with a sound transmission and then looked at the green-robed old man with a grass wreath on his head. His heart filled with utmost respect for these three retired Human Emperors.

At this moment, the three in the pavilion paused their actions. Fuxi, as the host, was the first to step forward, standing before the pavilion, stroking his beard and smiling. His voice, though light, conveyed a sense of warmth and closeness.

"Young friend, you've had a tiring journey. Come and rest here."

Behind him, Emperor Xuanyuan stood up, casually tossing the chess piece in his hand onto the board, and chuckled: "Is this the Sea God Fuxi Daoist has been mentioning for days?"

Shennong frowned upon seeing this and said: "Why are you cheating again!"

"Ahahaha, hahahaha!" Emperor Xuanyuan immediately burst into laughter, throwing his head back. "Daoist friend," he said, "while you haven't won, I haven't lost either. It's a draw, a draw, hahaha!"

Shennong immediately looked helpless, then sighed with a smile, turning his gaze outside the pavilion towards Li Changshou.

Setting aside everything else, Li Changshou was already quite content today. Meeting so many figures who lived in human legends, for him, who was accustomed to poring over ancient texts, truly felt like a sense of "characters leaping out of books."

Led by Emperor Yu, Li Changshou walked to the pavilion and bowed in a Daoist salute.

"Sea God of the Heavenly Court, disciple of the Human Dao, respectfully greets all seniors."

"Good."

"Not bad."

"Come in quickly."

Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuanyuan each responded, accepting his salute calmly in the pavilion, and watching Li Changshou with smiles. Although at this moment, in this place, Li Changshou's Sea God paper effigy appeared to be the most aged... his seniority was indeed truly low.

After entering the pavilion and presenting the gifts, Emperor Xuanyuan waved his hand, and a stone stool appeared nearby, inviting Li Changshou to sit. Then, including Emperor Yu, the four retired Human Emperors marveled at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou was speechless. If they kept staring, he might start charging them!

Fuxi stroked his beard and smiled: "This avatar's conception is quite ingenious. It actually uses the art of cutting paper into human forms, adhering multiple paper figures together, incorporates artifact refining restrictions, and is mixed with alchemy calcination techniques... It seems there are also Witchcraft secret talismans? It must have also borrowed from profound spirit avatar methods. Tsk, it's truly not easy for a young friend to have such clever ideas."

Listening to senior Fuxi's words, Li Changshou felt a strange pang of bitterness in his heart. He felt that his divine ability was just a "cobbled together" low-end external avatar. And it truly was cobbled together. When he didn't have the external avatar method, in order to keep his main body hidden, he indeed pieced things together to create the paper effigy avatar! Later, when his master bestowed upon him the external avatar method, the paper effigy, with its advantages of being cheap, harmless to oneself, not requiring a part of the primordial spirit, and allowing multi-threaded operations without mental breakdown, solidified Li Changshou's path of "demonic modification" for the paper effigy. Up until today, the paper effigy method and the tree on Little Qiong Peak had helped him immensely. Although the latter was destroyed in batches... that's not important.

To be able to discern the intricacies of his paper effigy at a glance, senior Fuxi's cultivation and knowledge were truly astonishing! Perhaps, this is what a "big shot" is.

After the seniors commented on Li Changshou's paper effigy for a while, Fuxi steered the conversation towards "official business."

Fuxi said: "Young friend, your visit this time should be for the human race's rituals to heaven and earth, and it is very thoughtful of you."

Li Changshou slowly replied: "His Majesty the Jade Emperor already holds immense respect for all seniors in Fire Cloud Cave. Both for sentiment and reason, it is necessary to consult with the seniors before confidently proclaiming the Heavenly Court's prestige in the Southern Continent."

Emperor Xuanyuan chuckled: "Since that's the case, let's just go through the motions and agree to it."

"Hey, Daoist friend, we must not be disrespectful to the Heavenly Emperor!" Fuxi said with a serious expression, and Emperor Xuanyuan honestly nodded in agreement, feeling a little awkward.

"Young friend, what do you think of this?" Fuxi pondered for a moment, took out a jade slip from his sleeve, and gently pushed it towards Li Changshou. "This is the ceremonial system for human sacrifices," Fuxi explained. "If one wishes to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, this ceremony should be followed."

Li Changshou stood up and accepted the jade slip, saying seriously: "This junior will definitely present this to His Majesty."

"Good," Fuxi nodded with satisfaction. After discussing the official matter, he revealed his previous peaceful smile and discussed the Way of Avatars with Li Changshou for a while. The "discussion" was merely Li Changshou listening, as the esteemed Fuxi pointed out some imperfections in the paper effigy method. After listening for just a moment, Li Changshou felt a sudden enlightenment! What he had been struggling with before—the issue of the paper effigy method's upper limit—now had a brand-new solution!

His trip to Fire Cloud Cave so far, Li Changshou had already gained a great deal. He received the Hydrological River Chart and the "friendship" of senior Yu. Moreover, he received guidance from senior Fuxi, bringing new light to the path of "demonic modification" for his paper effigies. He also incidentally completed his petition to the Jade Emperor and earned a wave of merit.

Li Changshou was almost too embarrassed to inquire about the whereabouts of the treasure-dropping copper coin.

However, Li Changshou's gains from this trip were far from over.

First, Fuxi smiled and said: "It's rare for a young friend to visit. I don't have any suitable treasures to give. How about I give you a divination?"

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou quickly weighed the pros and cons in his heart, immediately stood up and performed a Daoist salute, expressing his gratitude. Then, Fuxi raised his hand and gently pointed at the shimmering pond. The leisurely swimming little spiritual turtle transformed into a streak of light, flew into Fuxi's hand, and turned into an old turtle shell.

Li Changshou, watching from the side, pursed his lips. A spiritual treasure taking human form, almost like a living being—this turtle shell was actually an innate spiritual treasure?! Using an innate spiritual treasure for divination?!

Fuxi smiled: "The divination methods previously propagated among humans involved fire-roasting turtle shells and observing the patterns. This method is easily interfered with by the Five Elements. The method I use today is different." As he spoke, Fuxi took out stone strips of varying lengths from his sleeve, placed them into the turtle shell, and gently shook it a few times. "Young friend, is there anything you wish to know?" Fuxi asked.

Li Changshou's heart stirred. Could it be that senior Fuxi intended to grant him an opportunity? "This junior's cultivation days are short, and I lack a suitable protective treasure," Li Changshou said, cupping his hands. "Today, I dare to ask senior, when you divine for this junior, please calculate the whereabouts of such a treasure."

"Good," Fuxi smiled slightly upon hearing this, gently shook the turtle shell, and stone strips of varying lengths fell out. Fuxi gazed at the stone strips, performed calculations with his fingers, and a wisp of Dao charm circulated around him. The three retired Human Emperors on the side watched with keen interest; no one uttered a sound to disturb him.

A moment later, the Dao charm around Fuxi dissipated, and he smiled: "According to the divination, the treasure is located at the 'Zhen' position relative to your main body. Your main body can travel sixty-six thousand li south, then thirty-three thousand li west. After crossing a headless mountain and wading through a river, you will reach a valley where you can find what you seek."

"Thank you, senior!"

"It's nothing," Fuxi wiped the sweat from his forehead and shook his head. "Divining for you is truly exhausting. Even without calculating the exact whereabouts of your main body, the Taiji Diagram has been constantly interfering. Young friend is truly favored by Grand Pure."

Li Changshou gave an awkward smile, feeling a surge of surprise in his heart. For esteemed Fuxi to divine for him, even against the power of the Taiji Diagram, such mastery of divination and deduction was truly unparalleled.

Then Shennong gently said: "Since Fuxi Daoist friend has given a divination, this humble Daoist should also make a gesture." After speaking, Shennong took out a brocade box from his sleeve and passed it to Li Changshou with immortal power. "This item is called the 'Hundred Woods Returning to Origin Bead'," Shennong explained. "Place it in a spiritual herb garden; as long as there is abundant spiritual energy around it, it can make acquired plants mature overnight."

Li Changshou was greatly invigorated. With this treasure, the subsequent research and development and production of immortal bean soldiers were completely assured.

"Thank you, senior."

Just then, Emperor Xuanyuan stepped forward again. "Both Daoist friends have given gifts," he said. "If I don't give something, wouldn't I appear too stingy?"

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, realizing that he had accumulated quite a debt of gratitude to Fire Cloud Cave on this trip. Fortunately, Fire Cloud Cave does not belong to the Three Realms or the Five Elements and is free from karma; otherwise, he would have to seriously consider accepting these gifts.

And the gift Emperor Xuanyuan produced was quite unique. It was a jade talisman containing a cultivation technique. Li Changshou didn't have time to examine it thoroughly, only glancing at the name: *Method of Returning Qi to Origin*. It probably wasn't some dual cultivation method for men and women... right?

"Thank you, senior!"

"Well," Emperor Yu, who had been unable to get a word in edgewise, also stepped forward and chuckled, "Since all the seniors have given gifts, I'll give another one!" As he spoke, Emperor Yu pulled out that... familiar iron rod from his sleeve. This time, Emperor Yu had specially wiped away the rust from the iron rod. The rod shimmered with golden light, etched with countless measurements from top to bottom, and was filled with the power of merit. He handed it over with immortal power...

Li Changshou quickly tried to stop him. "Senior, absolutely not, absolutely not! This junior has already received senior's Hydrological Treasure Map."

Emperor Yu chuckled: "Compared to your help, Sea God, these are nothing. Don't be polite with me!"

Li Changshou's expression grew difficult, and he whispered: "Grand Supreme Elder..."

"Like this," Emperor Yu casually stroked the rod, erasing the measurements on it, turning it into a smooth iron rod. Emperor Yu chuckled: "This counts as having been refined by me, here!" With that said, without further ado, he threw the iron rod directly into Li Changshou's arms.

Li Changshou was almost knocked flying.

Fuxi on the side performed calculations with his fingers and soon chuckled a few times, having apparently glimpsed some heavenly secret. Fuxi said: "This treasure has a destiny with you, young friend, and will bring benefit, not harm."

In front of the other three Human Emperors, Li Changshou dared not let Emperor Yu lose face. And hearing Fuxi's words, he felt a slight relief in his heart. He thus put away the iron rod. It seemed that this item's destiny was to pass through his hands and enter the East Sea Dragon Palace. Perhaps there were other destinies, such as using the merit power on it to help the Dragon race.

Li Changshou once again performed a Daoist salute in thanks.

Fuxi asked if he knew how to play chess. Li Changshou reciprocated the gesture; after careful consideration, he took out his 'Fighting Great Gods' playing cards. 'Fighting Great Gods' was a special pastime of Little Qiong Peak, and was not to be easily given away. But as Li Changshou took out this set of cards, he had already dispatched paper effigies to secretly spread this item in the Eastern Divine Continent, Central Divine Continent, and the Heavenly Court. This way, no one could use the origin of 'Fighting Great Gods' to trace his true identity. Everything in Fire Cloud Cave was fine, except for the long, long years and the boredom of the esteemed figures. Providing a bit of entertainment for the seniors could be considered Li Changshou's respect for these human sages.

Before long, inside Fuxi's cave abode, sounds of laughter, shouting "Four Immortals!" and "Five Consecutive Breakthroughs!" filled the air, their voices noticeably louder than when they were playing Go earlier.

Thus, three days later.

Li Changshou bid farewell to the Human Emperors, and Emperor Yu personally escorted him to the exit of Fire Cloud Cave. Before leaving, Li Changshou glanced at the immortal mountain he hadn't visited, which should have been Suiren's cave abode. Li Changshou asked: "Senior, should this junior go to pay respects to senior Suiren?"

"No need," Emperor Yu sighed. "Before leaving Fire Cloud Cave, just pay your respects to the great marsh. Senior Suiren's battle body is unwell, and he is cultivating beneath the great marsh. The senior led the human race to struggle for survival between the Witches and Demons, enduring countless battles and hardships. According to senior Fuxi, when senior Suiren entered Fire Cloud Cave, his taut primordial spirit finally relaxed, and he sighed in relief. At that time, if it weren't for the power of merit enveloping senior Suiren, his battle body would have likely shattered. Moreover, senior Suiren sometimes goes berserk, unable to suppress the demonic energy within him, so it's truly not suitable for him to receive guests."

Battle body...Demonic energy...

Li Changshou was filled with solemn respect. Arriving at the exit of Fire Cloud Cave, he turned and performed three Daoist salutes towards the great marsh, and spoke aloud: "This human junior respectfully greets senior Suiren here. May senior's esteemed body recover soon, and may our human race prosper forever and the four seas be peaceful."

Fine ripples appeared on the water's surface, and a gentle breeze blew, as if in response to him.