Chapter 514: After all, I'm Not Some Evil God

Yu Ding looked over at the sound and, seeing Li Changshou's paper effigy, offered a slightly stiff smile and bowed in return.

This immortal was quite straightforward; his first words upon meeting stated his purpose, without any pleasantries or greetings.

"Junior Brother Chang Geng, do you have any Witch Clan combat techniques that my disciple can practice?"

Li Changshou gestured him inside, smiling, "Senior Brother, let's talk in the inner hall. Ling Zhuzi previously cultivated with the Witch Clan and acquired many combat techniques. I have a few backups here. If that's not enough, I can send a paper effigy from the Underworld to inquire with the Witch Clan. Doesn't Nephew Yang Jian cultivate Daoist spells?"

Perfected Yu Ding's smile was... somewhere between embarrassed and bashful, making it hard for Li Changshou to accurately interpret.

The Perfected Immortal gently explained, "Xuan Gong focuses on physical cultivation. While it generates magical power, the power can be somewhat impure. My intention is for Yang Jian to cultivate both his spirit and body. Today, I've already devised Daoist scriptures for him that don't conflict with Xuan Gong, though Xuan Gong will remain primary. However, for combat, Witch Clan techniques naturally complement Xuan Gong better."

"I see," Li Changshou said, inviting Perfected Yu Ding to sit. He didn't take the main seat but instead sat in an armchair beside Yu Ding.

Li Changshou said, "Please wait here, Senior Brother, while I go look for some."

"Good."

Perfected Yu Ding agreed, hesitating slightly before adding, "Is there anything I can do to help the Witch Clan?"

Li Changshou smiled, "I will discuss this in detail with you later, Senior Brother; you don't need to worry too much."

With that, Li Changshou closed his eyes and concentrated, shifting his consciousness to his main body. After fumbling for a moment, he pulled out two jade talismans.

When he helped Lady Houtu resolve the predicament of her Seven Emotions avatar, he had obtained the 'Witch Clan Secret Scroll,' which contained many Witch Clan combat techniques.

Now, he could give them to Perfected Yu Ding and let Yang Jian test which set best complemented Xuan Gong. This way, his own cultivation efficiency would undoubtedly increase significantly later.

Yun Xiao, standing nearby, asked, "Is something troubling you?"

"It's just Senior Brother Yu Ding looking for some Witch Clan combat techniques," Li Changshou replied with a smile. "They're probably for Nephew Yang Jian's cultivation."

As he spoke, Li Changshou had already made a copy of the jade talisman in his hand. He took out a paper effigy from his sleeve, controlled it to grasp the talisman firmly, and used an escape technique to send it hurrying towards the Southern Jambu Continent.

Fairy Yun Xiao gently asked, "Are you taking such an interest in Fairy Yunhua's children because of the Jade Emperor's decree?"

"That's not the Jade Emperor's intention."

Li Changshou chuckled. He was currently sitting with Yun Xiao on two meditation cushions in the shade of a tree, not far from a scholar by the river, who was constantly scratching his ears and head in agitation.

Li Changshou let out a soft sigh, his eyes, rarely, filled with warmth. He murmured,

"I can't always be busy in the Heavenly Courts. Once the Heavenly Courts are on track and this world returns to order, I will retire to the mountains. At that time, there will need to be one or two successors to assist His Majesty the Jade Emperor in governing the Three Realms. Yang Jian is inherently upright and strong, possesses an unyielding Dao heart, and has shown exceptional talent from a young age. He is undoubtedly the best choice to take my place. If I had a choice, I wouldn't actually want to leave Xiao Qiong Peak..."

Yun Xiao softly asked, "Is it because circumstances forced you?"

"Actually, it's about seeking more stability," Li Changshou sighed. "Being in this world, one is inevitably swayed by its currents. Although I wished to cultivate in seclusion, the grand trends were tumultuous, and my cultivation was insufficient. In the end, it all comes down to giving and taking. Thankfully, I did step out then; I saw the magnificent and diverse world of the Primordial Era, saw the true nature of beings behind the divine statues I could only look up to, and saw..."

Li Changshou paused, gazing into Yun Xiao's eyes. He smiled, "I saw the joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness of the fairy on the clouds, and I saw how you, this senior expert, disrupted my thoughts and added to my worries."

Yun Xiao lowered her gaze, turning her head slightly. She whispered, "Then I will visit you less often, and I won't disturb your heart..."

A finger extended from the side, stopping three inches before her lips.

The fairy involuntarily followed the finger with her gaze, seeing Li Changshou now turned to face her, his eyes clear and pure, yet filled with warmth.

Yun Xiao suddenly realized his voice had unconsciously filled her mind. He was saying:

"My heart is stirred; I wish to savor this worry."

She didn't know what was happening to her; her mind was blank, yet within that blankness, images flashed by, reflecting his face, his profile, his joys and sorrows...

"Yun Xiao?"

Li Changshou called softly, his voice more gentle than ever before.

For a moment, Yun Xiao found her Dao heart somewhat lost, yet this loss didn't disrupt it. She didn't resist; instead, she wished to continue immersing herself.

Even one who lives apart from the mortal world can be swayed by their heart; even without that specific desire, it might be hard to resist deep affection and warmth.

In a daze, she felt his face drawing closer, her Dao heart light and ethereal yet subtly expectant, though within that expectation was a hint of unease, a reluctance to let go.

Just as she was experiencing this wondrous state of mind, with no time to react, the distance between them was reduced to mere inches.

This was...

"Lord Water God, I choose the third one!"

By the river, the scholar's soul gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, turned around, closed his eyes, and yelled.

But then, he sensed the atmosphere was odd. Opening his eyes, he saw that his entire ghostly form was much more translucent...

Beneath the tree, the scene instantly froze.

The scholar saw that Lord Water God, who maintained a youthful appearance, now had a slightly different expression. He was turned sideways, leaning forward with his upper body, and with the fairy...

Hehe, they were very close.

The fairy, whose face the scholar couldn't discern before, now revealed her true appearance—a peerless beauty, unequaled on earth or in heaven, cool and stunning, unknown to mortals.

The problem was, Lord Water God and this fairy were now so close, it seemed they were about to...

In the scholar's local dialect, it was called 'dabber'. In books, it was written as 'conjugal rites,' or sometimes 'wooza,' but the scholar, having read extensively, preferred 'eating rouge.' Elegant, truly elegant.

It's just... the atmosphere didn't seem right at the moment...

The scholar suddenly felt a murderous aura and immediately yelled at the two figures seemingly frozen beneath the tree:

"This, this! I didn't see anything!"

Yun Xiao's beautiful face instantly flushed crimson. A flash of white light enveloped her, and she vanished.

Li Changshou calmly performed a short "tidying someone's hair" pantomime, then smiled, stood up calmly, and looked at the scholar by the river.

"Made your choice? Heh heh."

The scholar's soul trembled slightly. He quickly said, "Lord Water God, I assure you, it was purely an unintentional mistake. I absolutely did not mean to peep at you and the fairy..."

"It's nothing, nothing," Li Changshou said, his eyes narrowed in a smile, as he walked step by step towards the scholar's soul. "This is also my fault; I got carried away for a moment and didn't consider that this is broad daylight, which is bad for public morals. After all, I'm not some evil god, so don't be afraid."

The scholar was on the verge of tears. Having been battered and bruised by life while alive, how could he not know that Lord Water God was on the verge of fury?

The scholar's legs buckled, and he knelt down. Li Changshou, however, pulled the scholar by the arm, conjured a cloud, and took him flying towards a large city nearby.

The large city was bustling with people and incredibly prosperous, with a wide river flowing calmly by its edge. Upstream and downstream, villages and towns were scattered like stars.

Li Changshou smiled, "Look, this is Place A, your first option."

The scholar blinked.

"But you didn't choose it."

Li Changshou said gently, and the scholar immediately made a long face, then forced a smile.

Next, Li Changshou took the scholar to the northern border of the Southern Jambu Continent and found a second river.

The scenery here was exceptionally beautiful, with groups of elves nearby and many spirit entities resembling beautiful women playing in the water, truly an earthly paradise.

"Look, this is Place B, your second option."

The scholar looked at the beautiful scenery everywhere and couldn't help but purse his lips, muttering, "But I didn't choose it..."

Li Changshou continued to smile, his eyes narrowed. "Perhaps this is fate and destiny. Lacking this fate, you lose out on such benefits. After all, if you became the River God here, you might even develop wonderful friendships with many elves."

The scholar silently clutched his chest and quietly asked, "Aren't you not angry...?"

"Oh? Why would I be angry? Let's go, I'll take you to Place C."

Before long, Li Changshou brought the scholar near the capital of a Shang tribal state. He raised his hand and touched the scholar's forehead, allowing him to see the immense fortune concentrated there.

"This is Place C, where the fortune of humanity converges. If you cultivate properly here, it's not impossible for you to ascend to the ranks of immortals and become a true god in the future."

The scholar was stunned, looking at Li Changshou with deep gratitude. He whispered,

"My Lord, your magnanimity is truly wider than the ocean. I disturbed your good deed, yet you still..."

Li Changshou, still smiling with narrowed eyes, slowly turned his head:

"However, now I've changed my mind."

"Huh?"

And so, two hours later.

In a remote wilderness in the southeastern Southern Jambu Continent, there was a winding small river and a few sparsely populated villages.

A certain scholar stood dazedly in the river water.

The warmth emanating from the thumb-sized 'seal' in his hand, however, couldn't warm his utterly chilled heart.

'From today, you are the River God of this river. May you strive to benefit this region, manage the river's water, resist disasters, and prevent droughts. Once your merits are complete, you may naturally ascend to a higher rank.'

Just then, the seal flickered with a faint light, forming a simple wooden bridge over the river and then condensing a palm-sized temple beneath the bridge.

The newly appointed human River God was speechless, tears streaming down his face, and a long sigh echoed in his heart.

'After all, I'm not some evil god.'

Inside the Sea God Temple, Li Changshou's paper effigy had arrived and handed the jade talisman to Perfected Yu Ding.

For ease of communication and to avoid confusing Perfected Yu Ding, Li Changshou put away one paper effigy and, with a smile, introduced the combat techniques contained within the talisman.

Perfected Yu Ding said gravely, "I don't know how to thank you, Junior Brother."

"Oh, it's a small matter, a small matter," Li Changshou said, waving his hand with a laugh. Then he thought of what had just happened...

He couldn't help but sigh deeply, sitting there lost in thought for a moment.

Truly, such a situation is hard to come by.

The atmosphere had to be good, the emotions just right, the lighting harmonious, and there had to be a topic that touched both their hearts. It was truly a perfect convergence of timing, location, and human harmony.

Li Changshou hadn't calculated any of this; he had simply encountered such a feeling suddenly and followed it.

Wasn't that fellow indecisive? How could he!

Perfected Yu Ding asked, "Is something difficult?"

"Ah, no," Li Changshou quickly replied. "I just parted ways with Fairy Yun Xiao and felt a bit reluctant, which must seem amusing to Senior Brother."

Perfected Yu Ding showed a slight smile and said, "I truly envy you and Senior Sister Yun Xiao somewhat. If two hearts align, it is naturally harmonious and beautiful."

"I'll take your auspicious words to heart, Senior Brother."

Li Changshou cupped his hands, his thoughts stirring slightly. He then sighed, "Senior Brother, have you heard the news? About the Red Lotus entering Jade Void Palace."

Perfected Yu Ding asked, "Did something go wrong?"

"Indeed," Li Changshou said, frowning. "After the remnant soul of Ancestor Nether River was wiped out, Uncle Master Tongtian wanted to use the Red Lotus to suppress the Jie Sect's destiny, but the Red Lotus couldn't bear it and shattered directly..."

"Oh?"

Perfected Yu Ding calculated with his fingers, then frowned in contemplation for a moment. He said, "It seems the tribulation of the Jie Sect is far more severe than we imagined."

"I also have this premonition..."

Li Changshou changed the subject. "When the Red Lotus was destroyed by Ancestor Nether River, three lotus seeds were produced. One is with the Western Buddhist Sect, and one is with the Jie Sect; I've seen both personally. Senior Brother, have you heard who took the third Red Lotus seed back then?"

Perfected Yu Ding countered, "Are you suspecting someone tampered with the lotus seeds?"

"Precisely," Li Changshou said seriously. "We can't rule out that possibility. We still don't know who exactly threw those lotus seeds into the Sea of Blood."

Perfected Yu Ding said gravely, "Those four masters who appeared that day?"

"I originally thought so too, but I have a faint feeling it might not be," Li Changshou said, standing up and taking a few slow steps. "This matter is of great importance. If someone deliberately orchestrated this, and they are not an enemy we currently know, their intentions... we must guard against them."

"The Grand Tribulation is indeed a time of many troubles. Junior Brother, you are now at the center of the three sects, so you must take good care of yourself."

Perfected Yu Ding also stood up, cupped his hands to Li Changshou, and said, "I will now return to teach Erlang. Regarding Erlang's parents, shall we proceed as originally planned?"

"Yes," Li Changshou replied seriously. "The future pillars of the Heavenly Courts will entirely depend on Senior Brother's guidance."

"Good."

Perfected Yu Ding nodded with a smile, placed the jade talisman into his sleeve, exchanged Daoist bows with Li Changshou, and departed on a cloud.

After seeing Perfected Yu Ding off, Li Changshou stood quietly for a moment in front of the painting of Sect Master Tongtian.

The original holder of the third Red Lotus seed...

Scenes flashed through Li Changshou's mind, and the names of the Chan and Jie Sects constantly swirled within him. In the end, it could only turn into a faint smile as he vanished underground.

The Sea God Sect no longer required his direct involvement, as it now had a system for selecting and training divine envoys.

Xiong Lingli's father, Old Xiong Three, had also gained considerable lifespan and was protected by merit, which meant Li Changshou didn't have to worry much about the Sea God Sect for the time being.

As for renaming the Sea God Sect...

He decided against it. In the blink of an eye, he was about to be promoted from Water God to Star Lord.

Once his Golden Body of Merit was complete, he would hand over the Sea God Sect to the Dragon Clan to manage.

Li Changshou's main body quietly returned to Xiao Qiong Peak. He glanced at Ling'e, who was meditating and cultivating in the underground secret chamber, then went to his study to organize matters concerning the 'Immortal Alliance' and 'Lintian Hall.'

He spent three to five days immersed in these tasks.

On this day, Li Changshou's communication jade talisman vibrated softly. It was Bai Ze, who, as instructed, had returned to Lintian Hall and sent a message to inform him of his safe arrival. When Li Changshou left Biyou Palace, he had sent the Great-Winged Golden Roc back to the Water God's Mansion in the Heavenly Courts, while Bai Ze, a seasoned auspicious beast, being quite adept at finding his way, returned independently to hide among the Three Thousand Worlds.

Stretching, Li Changshou's heart stirred slightly. Thinking of Ao Yi and the others performing rites for resentful souls in the Underworld, he activated his small judge paper effigy in Fengdu City.

His immortal sense swept over, finding Ao Yi, Bian Zhuang, and Ling Zhuzi still meticulously chanting scriptures...

Bian Zhuang, that fellow, had made quite significant progress.

To be safe, he decided to tell Ling Zhuzi to leave temporarily, to avoid further contact with Ao Yi, lest their future enmity be even more painful.

Just as Li Changshou was about to transmit a message with his immortal sense, its waves already reaching the trio's ears, he suddenly heard Bian Zhuang say:

"Big Brother, Third Brother, once we've finished with this place, how about we go to a nice spot for a few days to celebrate our sworn brotherhood!"

Ao Yi snorted, "Come to my home; don't even think about luring Third Brother to yours!"

Bian Zhuang chuckled awkwardly, "Isn't it true that my home has a better atmosphere, right, Third Brother?"

Ling Zhuzi, standing by, gave a simple, honest smile.

Third? Brother?

Li Changshou stood on the somewhat dim streets of Fengdu City, his entire paper effigy engulfed by black lines, its restrictions almost in disarray.

This...

How would Nezha's story unfold now?

Would there be friendly sparring with the Dragon Clan, or perhaps a reenactment of his 'peak duel' with Ao Yi from before he became an immortal?

Never mind, whatever. He should just think about early retirement and getting out of this sooner.

Shaking his head, Li Changshou turned and drifted away, his face etched with utter desolation.

Cicadas chirped—chirped—

As dusk approached, a sturdy woodcutter, carrying a large bundle of firewood, with two wild game birds and an iron axe tucked into his waist, walked with tired steps to the riverbank and suddenly stopped.

"Huh, there's an extra wooden bridge?"

The woodcutter chuckled, "Well, that'll save me a couple of steps."

With that, he stepped onto the wooden bridge with a cheerful stride. Unconsciously, the iron axe at his waist suddenly slipped off.

"Oh no, my family's ancestral axe!"

The woodcutter cried out in alarm, put down his firewood, and was about to strip off his clothes and jump in.

Just then!

A golden light suddenly shimmered in the river water, and a handsome male god in an elegant robe slowly emerged halfway, his left hand conjuring golden light, and his right hand gleaming with silver light.

"Oh, foolish mortal! I am the local River God. Do you desire the golden axe in my left hand, the silver axe in my right, or this wooden axe, your ancestral one?"

The woodcutter froze for a moment, looked at the golden axe, then the silver axe, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

"I want my ancestral..."

"Heh heh," the River God said, smiling with narrowed eyes. The three axes in his hand suddenly vanished. "This god has suddenly changed his mind. Here is your new axe!"

A flash of white light appeared, settling firmly in the woodcutter's hand. The woodcutter stared, only to see that the axe now in his grasp was...

...a long, rotten piece of wood with a palm-sized stone shard tied to its top with a grass rope.

The woodcutter threw the stone axe away and plunged headfirst into the river.

"River God, you damn b*****d! I'll fight you! Give me back my ancestral axe!"

"Ah ha ha ha! After all, I'm not some evil god!"

And so, the narration began—the River God and the woodcutter embarked on a joyful and happy life.