Chapter 638: Heaven Character Number One Long Worker

Present and meet... meet... meet...

On the calm sea surface, Li Changshou's voice echoed across tens of thousands of miles of mist and waves, but it received no response.

The two incarnations waited patiently, standing quietly with their hands behind their backs, their expressions utterly composed.

Li Changshou's composure stemmed from his reasonable understanding of Bai Jian.

Earlier, he had received a request from Xuanyuan Huangdi to use the Investiture of the Gods calamity to free Bai Jian and secure a promising future for him.

Who was Bai Jian?

The story is long, so let's keep it brief.

Bai Jian was a great general from the late ancient era, serving under the human sage Xuanyuan Huangdi. He led troops in battle against Chi You!

At that time, the human forces consisted of immortal soldiers, while the Wu tribe armies were as elite as the ancient Wu clan warriors. Bai Jian himself was a formidable human expert, powerful and skilled in divine abilities.

Picking up from the previous events, the Iron-Eating Beast, angered by the lack of honey-glazed bacon at the banquet, stood up on its hind legs, flipped Chi You over, and roared that the Iron-Eating Beast would never be enslaved.

The troops of Xuanyuan charged forward, engaging Chi You in a fierce battle.

What a formidable Chi You!

Bearing the ancient Wu clan bloodline and enjoying the destiny of the human protagonists, he was bold as a tiger and fierce as could be. Manifesting a form with three heads, six arms, and eight legs, he wielded blades, axes, and spears in combat against Xuanyuan's generals. The fighting raged from Nan Zhan Bu Zhou to Bei Ju Lu Zhou, and from Bei Ju Lu Zhou to Dong Sheng Shen Zhou, turning the heavens and earth into chaos.

Chi You grew fiercer with each clash, but the human generals kept multiplying, with Xuanyuan's immortal soldiers covering the mountains and plains. Chi You's brothers were either killed or wounded.

Chi You realized defeat was inevitable—the Wu people could not overcome the humans, and his scheme to seize human destiny had been exposed.

Yet, his will to fight burned hot, his warlike blood boiled—while this resolve remained, the Nine Li would not perish!

Though his body suffered countless wounds, he refused to yield, shouting Xuanyuan's name and wielding a hundred weapons against the human heroes!

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out: "Chi You, do you dare face me?"

A golden-armored general flew in from the side, holding a broad-bladed sword with a fluttering cape behind him, smashing down directly at Chi You!

"Get back!"

Chi You roared, spewing a burst of true fire that condensed into a spear, which he gripped in one hand and used to block the sword head-on!

Unexpectedly, this golden-armored general was no ordinary foe—it was Xuanyuan Huangdi's top general, Bai Jian. Their weapons clashed, and Bai Jian's strength was not inferior.

Chi You's expression turned serious as he fought Bai Jian fiercely, his Wu clan war blood igniting, quickly overwhelming Bai Jian.

Just as Bai Jian was faltering, heavenly fire blazed, and the human troops cleared a path. A beautiful woman with greenish skin dashed across the battlefield!

It was Xuanyuan Huangdi's daughter, who had slain many of Chi You's brothers—Drought Demon!

She confronted Chi You directly, while Bai Jian maneuvered from the side, and several divine generals rushed in to reinforce, cornering Chi You in a deadly trap.

That battle darkened the skies and shook the earth, leaving endless legends.

Later generations said it was Ying Long who killed Chi You, or that Xuanyuan Huangdi personally executed him by dismemberment; others claimed Chi You died of rage upon seeing his mount, the Iron-Eating Beast, deceived by Xuanyuan Huangdi's schemes.

Some even argued that Chi You never existed at all—that he was a fabricated figure, a rebellious general from Xuanyuan Huangdi's time, invented to suppress the resurgent Wu clan.

The ancient era has faded, but history endures.

Xuanyuan Huangdi's general Bai Jian, during the fierce battle with Chi You at the border of Dong Sheng Shen Zhou and Bei Ju Lu Zhou, was struck by Chi You's spear into the North Sea, where fire poison invaded his heart, causing his physical body to disintegrate.

Only by suppressing the poison with seawater could his primordial spirit remain intact.

Today!

This is the moment to witness history, uncover the truth of the Chi You war, and dig into the secrets of the human clan's rise in the Great Wilderness!

Together, let's approach Bai Jian and the truth of the "Huangdi War with Chi You"!

And so...

After half an hour, the sea surface remained silent, with Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor's incarnation still composed.

The Chan Jiao experts, who were coincidentally observing through the Cloud Mirror Technique and could only see two vague figures, all picked up their tea, enjoying the spectacle.

Huang Long Zhenren asked in confusion, "Who is this Bai Jian?"

Guang Chengzi calculated in his mind and smiled faintly, saying:

"A general from the time of Xuanyuan Huangdi, who followed the popular path of internal and external cultivation among humans back then.

His Dao realm seems to be at the eighth rank of Golden Immortal, but his actual strength far exceeds that. He did fight Chi You once, but was sent into the sea after just a few exchanges."

"Oh."

Huang Long looked thoughtful.

Chi Jingzi said gravely from the side, "If Bai Jian is here, why doesn't he respond?"

"The generals under Xuanyuan Huangdi were mostly proud," Guang Chengzi explained with a smile. "Back then, the human clan was at the height of its momentum, slaying the demon clan, defeating the Wu clan, and occupying the five continents of the Great Wilderness, with immortal arts spreading far and wide.

The human experts from that era, especially the imperial generals like him, only acknowledged the human emperor and did not respect the Heavenly Emperor.

Forget about prospects or destiny—Bai Jian would ignore anyone from Heaven even if it meant his own dissipation.

Today, our Junior Brother Changgeng is probably going to face a setback."

"That's true," Ling Bao Daoren, who rarely spoke, sighed lightly. "After the human and Wu clans overthrew the demon court and defeated the Wu clan, the position of Heavenly Emperor should have gone to the human emperor or his successor."

"Don't speak recklessly," Chi Jingzi stroked his beard and warned. "The Heavenly Emperor's position is decided by our master ancestor and the Heavenly Dao, not by the human clan."

Huang Long asked, "Senior Brother, you were Xuanyuan Huangdi's teacher, and our Chan Jiao fully supported him back then. Logically, Bai Jian should give our Chan Jiao some face...

Why not use this opportunity to show goodwill to Heaven and Junior Brother Changgeng?"

Tai Yi Zhenren laughed, "This time, Senior Brother Huang Long has come up with a rare good idea."

Huang Long smiled a bit awkwardly.

Yu Ding Zhenren added, "This could work; I hope Senior Brother considers it."

But Guang Chengzi hesitated.

Chi Jingzi stroked his beard and smiled, "Better to wait for Changgeng to come to us than to go proactively."

"Heh."

Tai Yi Zhenren narrowed his eyes with a light laugh, and as the others looked over, he just shrugged and spread his hands.

He hadn't said anything—just laughed.

Right then, a conversation came through the Cloud Mirror.

"Changgeng, are you sure Bai Jian is at the bottom of this sea?"

"He should be here. I used the Water God's divine authority to scan the seas, and it shows right here."

"Let me calculate... Hmm, yes, he's here. There's a residence directly below the seabed, and his primordial spirit is sealed within it."

Quan Tong laughed, "An ancient remnant soul, severely injured and suppressing itself with seawater—it's normal if he didn't hear the call at first.

Shall we try again?"

Li Changshou furrowed his brow, looking serious, and declared loudly:

"Human Bai Jian, why don't you present yourself?"

As Li Changshou spoke, thunder rumbled behind him, and streaks of thunder dragons roared, as if trying to rouse someone from slumber.

Yet, the sea surface remained deathly quiet, with only some timid shrimp, crabs, and large fish trembling.

This time, Quan Tong showed dissatisfaction and proclaimed loudly:

"You there, Bai Jian!

Tai Bai Xing Jun of Heaven is here, entrusted by the ancient human emperor, to offer you an opportunity.

If you don't know what's good for you, watch out!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty," Li Changshou quickly sent a voice transmission to stop Quan Tong's harsh words, already formulating a plan in his mind.

Quan Tong, of course, cared nothing for Bai Jian.

The reason they came here today was because Li Changshou and Quan Tong had gotten carried away in conversation, mentioning Xuanyuan Huangdi's earlier request, and Quan Tong, on a whim, dragged Li Changshou along.

But they hadn't expected to be snubbed.

Li Changshou had wondered if it wasn't yet time for Bai Jian to emerge, and if the Heavenly Dao was deliberately making things difficult.

However, in the Investiture of the Gods, Bai Jian's role was as a guardian of the Feng Shen Terrace, independent of the great calamity. Whether he appeared early or late wouldn't affect the situation.

Now, after two calls with no response from Bai Jian...

Even if the Jade Emperor's incarnation wasn't angry, Li Changshou had to show some anger to uphold Heaven's dignity.

Even if this was an ancient human general, if he relied on his merits and disrupted Heaven's order, he needed to be suppressed—though Li Changshou could compensate elsewhere.

With that in mind, Li Changshou suppressed his smile, stepped forward three paces on the clouds, and said calmly:

"If Bai Jian isn't here, we'll just leave.

What a pity—Senior Xuanyuan Huangdi personally asked me to save him from his suffering, and after much hesitation, I agreed to give him this chance.

But it turns out he's just a coward hiding at the bottom of the sea."

A bit of provocation.

No sooner had Li Changshou finished than waves churned on the sea, parting to the sides as a figure leaped from the depths, hovering in the air and glaring at Li Changshou.

This general had a sturdy build and a resolute face, his armor battered and his great sword in hand covered in cracks.

He stared at Li Changshou; though only a primordial spirit with traces of black mist lingering on his body, his presence was imposing.

Truly befitting an ancient human general.

Bai Jian scolded:

"Who are you, kind of immortal god? How dare you speak nonsense here? How would my emperor ask for your help!"

Li Changshou smirked, deliberately arrogant, and replied coolly: "Is it nonsense, or have you been at the bottom of the sea so long that you're out of touch?"

Bai Jian's arm veins bulged, his aura trembling on the edge of eruption.

He demanded coldly: "Who are you?"

"Me?"

Li Changshou chuckled, hands behind his back, glancing at Bai Jian out of the corner of his eye, continuing to stir the old general's emotions:

"A second-rank upright god of Heaven, personally appointed by the Jade Emperor as Tai Bai Xing Jun, overseeing reforms and warfare."

Quan Tong laughed from the side: "Xing Jun, your introduction is too simple. This follower of the ancient human emperor might just see you as some minor heavenly immortal.

Wait a moment."

With that, Quan Tong extended his hand toward the distance, and a blue dragon immediately flew out of the sea, transforming into an elder with a dragon head.

—After all, with Li Changshou and Quan Tong lingering here so long, the dragon clan couldn't have been unprepared.

The dragon-headed elder quickly bowed and saluted, saying:

"This humble dragon pays respects to Xing Jun and... Marshal Quan!"

Quan Tong nodded in satisfaction and smiled: "Come, explain to this Bai Jian exactly who stands before him."

"This..."

Li Changshou, who had been trying to assert dominance first, suddenly felt a subtle sense of embarrassment.

Quan Tong winked at Li Changshou, and the old dragon cleared his throat, shouting at the somewhat stunned Bai Jian:

"Hey!"

Bai Jian was familiar with the dragon clan—Xuanyuan Huangdi had dealt with them often, even having several dragon daughters and dozens of sea clan women in his household.

This old dragon was likely a dragon clan elder, majestic and profound in Dao realm, yet so deferential to this person?

Xing Jun?

Which Xing Jun? He had never heard of one.

Bai Jian snorted coldly, about to speak...

"You have some nerve, Bai Jian!"

The old dragon, experienced in such matters, bellowed: "The Xing Jun before you is of the same clan as you!

He is the Jade Emperor's most trusted minister, the one who manages the order of the three realms!

In terms of status, you're just a defeated human general stuck here.

Xing Jun has cultivated for less than a thousand years, taken as the second disciple by the Tai Qing Saint, promised the hand of Yun Fairy by the Tong Tian Saint, and revered as a deity by the contemporary human emperor in Huo Yun Cave!

In terms of merits, he personally eradicated the demon clan's remnants, slaying countless great demons with karmic burdens!

The long-standing oppression of mortals by immortals in Nan Zhan Bu Zhou was ended by his hand!

The demon master Kun Peng was outmaneuvered by him and can no longer cause trouble; he personally killed the young demon prince, cutting off the demon clan's revival destiny!

The chaos in Nan Zhan Bu Zhou has endured for ages, with mortals suffering endlessly, but it was Xing Jun who orchestrated the rise of the current human emperor.

You as a general don't even compare to a fraction of him!

His visit here with an opportunity for you comes at the request of Xuanyuan Huangdi!"

Li Changshou: ...

Well, might as well thicken my skin—after all, the old dragon meant well.

Bai Jian's face showed shock and doubt as he stared at Li Changshou incessantly, unsure how to proceed.

Unexpectedly, the old dragon, perhaps getting carried away or trying to win favor with Li Changshou, continued:

"Bai Jian, do you know?

This Changgeng Xing Jun is unparalleled in strategy and cunning, assisting the Jade Emperor in defining the boundaries of the six paths.

In Zi Xiao Palace, he was struck by the Dao Ancestor for standing up for the human clan!

Throughout the Great Wilderness, who doesn't know that Heaven's Tai Bai Jinxing, Li Changgeng, protects the human clan to his core? Now, which spirits, ghosts, or monsters dare harm mortals?

With the great calamity descending and the saints' great teachings entering it, Xing Jun is the one orchestrating it.

He came personally to guide you and offer you an opportunity, yet you act so arrogant...

What, do you think you're some senior of the human clan and can boss him around?

Truly ungrateful!"

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow, thinking this old dragon was quite a talent.

Bai Jian was already intimidated by his reputation and deeds, but the old dragon's last words reignited his anger.

This was likely the old dragon's intent, giving Li Changshou a chance to play the good cop.

An old hand in the house is like a treasure—the dragon clan truly has a vault, though their younger generations have fallen into decline...

Bai Jian's face flushed between pale and green, the black mist around him seeming thicker.

He looked at Li Changshou, his eyes now free of anger but still holding resentment and reluctance, about to steel himself and throw out some harsh words.

Li Changshou sighed lightly, showing a hint of helplessness.

He said: "This elder's words are a bit overstated. I've only done what any human disciple should.

Besides, before a senior of the human clan, I should have presented a formal introduction first."

Pausing, Li Changshou looked ashamed and bowed to Bai Jian:

"It's because I've received favoritism from the Tai Qing Teacher and recognition from the Jade Emperor that I've gained so many empty titles.

In the end, they're just empty. I've been flattered by immortals around me and become a bit complacent, forgetting respect for seniors.

Here, I apologize to Senior Bai Jian first."

Quan Tong looked up at the sky with a smile.

Here it comes, Changgeng's layered tactics.

Bai Jian's expression softened slightly, and he said indifferently: "If you'd been like this from the start, I wouldn't have refused to meet.

But now, as a second-rank upright god of Heaven and a direct disciple of the Ren Jiao Saint, it's understandable if you looked down on a remnant soul like me, a human general.

Oh well, the waves behind drive the ones ahead—it's time for this remnant soul to fade.

I'll apologize to Xing Jun here; it was my shortsightedness that offended you earlier."

With that, Bai Jian sighed and looked up, as if ready to let go of suppressing his primordial spirit's fire poison.

"General Bai Jian, please wait and hear me out!"

Li Changshou said seriously: "The great calamity is upon us, and the three teachings' conflict is unavoidable, but it will unfold in the mortal world of Nan Zhan Bu Zhou!

Do you know, General, that the human clan now covers every corner of Nan Zhan Bu Zhou? If any great powers fight, a single misstep could kill hundreds of thousands, even millions, of mortals!"

"Oh?"

Bai Jian showed concern and asked softly: "Is that really happening?"

"That's the main reason I came to ask for your help," Li Changshou said. "I need you to lend your strength and do everything possible to protect the mortals from being wiped out in the three teachings' battles."

Bai Jian smiled bitterly: "I'm just a remnant soul—what can I do?"

Li Changshou's face grew solemn, and he switched to a voice transmission:

"General Bai Jian, my visit today has two deeper purposes.

First, it's because Senior Xuanyuan asked, and I have immense respect for our human forebears.

If he made the request, and I can help you, I'd overcome any difficulties to do so!

Second, it's because you're only a remnant soul.

I plan to establish the Feng Shen Terrace, using its power to invoke the Heavenly Dao, protect various parts of Nan Zhan Bu Zhou, set the rules for this great calamity, and designate battle zones.

This way, immortal fights will be constrained and regulated, with specific rules to prevent indiscriminate killing.

The Feng Shen Terrace needs a guardian general, and that role must be filled by a primordial spirit.

If I assigned it to one of the current human experts, it would be like dooming them, but you, General Bai Jian, can use this to escape the fire poison's torment and become the terrace's guardian.

Moreover, after the Investiture of the Gods calamity, you could serve as an official in Heaven...

If the human clan gains more say in Heaven, your contributions, General, would be remembered forever and praised by the world."

Bai Jian furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

Suddenly, he stepped forward several paces on the sea surface, knelt on one knee, and declared:

"This humble general, Bai Jian, is willing to serve Xing Jun! As long as this remnant soul has any warmth left, I am at your disposal!"

Li Changshou nodded slowly, exchanged a glance with Quan Tong, and hurried forward to help Bai Jian up...

And so, half a day later.

Beneath the Zhong Tian Gate, on the immortal island that once held the "Rumor Smashing Stele," a newly born golden divine general, bare-chested and carrying a massive stone, began constructing a grand platform.

He worked with full vigor, his eyes filled with determination and his heart with glory.

Xing Jun was right.

The Feng Shen Terrace should be built by his own hands; otherwise, he wouldn't feel at ease. Every stone had to be placed by him personally.

As for being remembered forever or praised by the world—that wasn't important!

Was Bai Jian the type to crave fame? Did he care about such things?

He just wanted to contribute more to the human clan, with no thought of hearing cheers like "General Bai Jian" or "General Bai Jian is a true hero" echoing everywhere!

That said, Xing Jun was truly an extraordinary person, worthy of the deepest respect...

"Heh heh."