Chapter 826: Serving Tea on the River

Luo Wushuang’s small boat sailed away. From the river surface behind them, an incredibly terrifying demonic energy from Youdu emanated. Even without looking back, he could picture the horrifying scene. It was as if the most dreadful and ferocious demon god had emerged from another world, tearing and crushing everything in its path with immense power, devouring anything edible.

Zhe Huali had not hidden the matter of the Youdu God Son from him, so when Luo Wushuang sensed danger, he immediately withdrew.

"Master Luo, Zhe Huali, he..." a disciple on the small boat asked cautiously.

Luo Wushuang's face was grim. He looked at his empty sleeve; the pain from his severed arm seemed to return, piercing him to the core.

"Forty thousand years ago, the Supreme Emperor's Overlord Body severed one of my arms. Now, he has severed another." Luo Wushuang closed his eyes, then opened them again, saying softly, "Zhe Huali has carved out his own path. On this path, he will not walk with us; instead, he will go against us. I had thought he was my right-hand man, but I never expected... From now on, when you encounter him, you must be careful. You must fight to the death and show no mercy! He has entered the Dao through the blade, his strength is formidable, and his future achievements will be extraordinary!"

The disturbances on the river surface subsided.

God Son Chi Ming, Founding Human Emperor, and the Village Chief, among others, were still somewhat fearful. The scene they had just witnessed was too terrifying, sending shivers down their spines. The river water was stained red. The two visitors from the Celestial Court died very quickly, unexpectedly so.

Qin Mu, however, was fine. He took out a willow leaf, placed it on his glabella, and went to the riverbank to check the cultivation progress of Human Emperors Qi Kang, Yi Shan, and others.

"Zhe Huali, is what happened on the boat true?" the Village Chief asked.

Zhe Huali nodded and recounted what had happened on the ghost ship. Everyone looked astonished, and God Son Chi Ming felt a pang of fear. He glanced at the river below, but the ghost ship was already gone without a trace. "Ancestor Dragon King and Feng Qiuyun entered the ghost ship. It's unknown if they are alive or dead."

A wave of warmth filled the Village Chief's heart. "Mu'er risked his life to save me. He settled something even the Four Emperors of the Ancient Gods couldn't handle. He has truly grown up and is very confident. The authenticity of the Overlord Body is no longer so important." He really wanted to tell Founding Ancestor that he had created the legend of the Overlord Body. However, he thought that if he revealed the truth, he would likely be ganged up on again. Not only would the successive Human Emperors beat him up, but Founding Ancestor would probably also feel compelled to join in. So, he held himself back.

They arrived at the riverbank. For the successive Human Emperors, Qin Mu and the others had only gone to the middle of the river and fought a brief battle, which hadn't taken long. However, for Qin Mu, over a month had passed on the ship.

After dawn, Human Emperors Qi Kang and Yi Shan sensed the power of the Heavenly River and successfully opened the Heavenly River Divine Treasure, causing everyone to be inexplicably excited. Their success meant that the Heavenly River Divine Treasure could replace the Divine Bridge Divine Treasure, becoming the Seventh Divine Treasure! However, this replacement process would likely be very long.

"Cult Master Qin, was this Heavenly River Divine Treasure opened by you?" Zhe Huali examined the newly opened Heavenly River Divine Treasures of the two Human Emperors, utterly astonished.

Qin Mu, not without pride, smiled and said, "I made a bet with Xu Shenghua to see who could be the first to open a new Seventh Divine Treasure. Whoever wins will be the true Overlord Body, and whoever loses will be the 'female'. Originally, I wasn't sure I could beat him, but unexpectedly, I met Earth Mother Yuanjun, who gave me an Earth Origin Dao Fruit. This allowed me to break through the life-and-death barrier instantly and enter the life-and-death realm. Xu Shenghua's talent is exceptional; he can think of anything I can think of, but his cultivation progress was half a beat slower than mine, which allowed me to create the Heavenly River Divine Treasure ahead of him!"

Zhe Huali was filled with longing, saying, "To have such a fellow Daoist constantly pushing oneself is indeed a great fortune in life."

He stayed behind to comprehend the Heavenly River Divine Treasure, while Qin Mu packed his belongings and headed to the other side of the Heavenly River. Since the Heavenly River Divine Treasure could be opened, he no longer needed to intervene in subsequent matters. The entire Yankang nation would promote the Heavenly River Divine Treasure, and the Yankang Imperial Preceptor would also develop cultivation methods to seal the Southern Heavenly Gate, allowing the gods of Yankang to cultivate the Heavenly River Divine Treasure as well.

In the middle of the river, Qin Mu and Dragon Qilin sat on the head of Dragon Herding Sovereign. Dragon Herding Sovereign rode the clouds and mist, flying towards Centenary Mountain on the opposite bank. In the river water, the sapphire-blue Flood Dragon King emerged. It followed alongside them, accompanying Qin Mu as they swam across the river at an extremely fast pace.

After yesterday's battle, Dragon Herding Sovereign was arrogant, even boisterous. He charged recklessly through the river, eager for all the Dragon Kings and demigods in the river to know that he had a powerful master.

The sun rose in the east, casting its golden light. Qin Mu looked towards the east and saw the sun seemingly leaping out of the Heavenly River water. The river surface was covered in jagged golden ripples, like golden snakes dancing wildly. Qin Mu and Dragon Qilin cheered in unison, both exclaiming how beautiful it was. Immediately, Qin Mu's face darkened. The sun rising from the eastern river's center had become distorted and crooked, resembling a rotten gourd or a twisted jujube, indescribably hideous.

Ever since the reappearance of the Primordial Realm, the celestial map 100,000 miles high could no longer cover Yankang. The gods of the Celestial Court, who maintained the movement of celestial phenomena, also became more neglectful day by day. This was not their fault. The celestial map was 100,000 miles high and 300 zhang thick. Now that the Primordial Realm had reappeared, many magnificent mountains within it were even taller than the sky, pushing the celestial map up and down unevenly. The movements of the sun, moon, and stars became chaotic, causing the Celestial Court gods who managed the celestial map to be in a frantic state.

Qin Mu withdrew his gaze. Suddenly, the river water surged, and an old man with a dragon head and human body, leaning on a staff, slowly rose from the middle of the river. He stood on the water surface, with many dragon descendants behind him, blocking their path. Divine radiance soared and divine light swirled over the river. Two of the dragonesses transformed into human form. One held various jewels, their radiance piercing the sky, while the other carried tea and refreshments.

Qin Mu told Dragon Herding Sovereign to stop and asked, "Old man, why do you block my way?"

The old Dragon King quickly bowed and said, "This humble dragon has had the honor of being the Dragon King of this section of the Heavenly River for a million years, ever since the Dragon Han Celestial Court. We have guarded this place for generations, maintaining the flow of the Heavenly River. Yesterday, we witnessed the great divine power of the deity. Today, as the deity passes through here again, we have come to offer hospitality."

"Deity?" Qin Mu laughed heartily and shook his head, saying, "I am not yet a deity. I am merely a divine arts practitioner who has opened the Heavenly River Divine Treasure, still one step away from the divine realm."

The old Dragon King was obsequious, saying, "Your divine self is weary, so we have specially prepared a small gift for you, all aquatic products from the Heavenly River."

Qin Mu jumped from Dragon Herding Sovereign's back and landed on the water surface. The old Dragon King waved his hand, and immediately, shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and dragon descendants came forward. Using their magical power, they controlled the great water to construct a palace on the water, inviting Qin Mu to sit. This river palace was made of Heavenly River water, with tables and chairs carved from white jade. Sitting inside, one felt no wind or sun exposure, yet could still see the outside scenery.

Qin Mu took his seat, and the old Dragon King accompanied him. The two dragonesses quickly came forward, offering treasures and tea. Qin Mu drank his tea, glanced at the treasures, and said, "Dragon Herding Sovereign, you can take these first." Dragon Herding Sovereign was overjoyed and hastily collected the various jewels.

Qin Mu looked deeply at the old Dragon King opposite him and said, "I have already appointed Dragon Herding Sovereign as the Heavenly River Dragon King. From now on, if you follow him, I can guarantee that your descendants will live here in peace."

The old Dragon King hesitated, then cautiously said, "Your divine self, Dragon Herding Sovereign is wise and valiant, but his bloodline is not pure..."

Qin Mu laughed heartily and said, "If bloodline was truly useful, how could I have killed Prince Qiu Ming with one sword? If bloodline was useful, why would Earth Mother Yuanjun have been defeated and died?"

The old Dragon King dared not speak.

"Since your family has guarded this place for generations, I will not make things difficult for you. This section of the Heavenly River will still be managed by your family. I demand that this area experiences favorable weather and that you do not arbitrarily cause floods to harm the people on both banks. You may enjoy the sacrifices from the riverside inhabitants, but you must not abduct or enslave the common people." Qin Mu put down his teacup and walked out of the water palace. He said, "Dragon Herding Sovereign will make a Lesser Earth Count's Pact with you, which will not tolerate your rebellion. The tea has been drunk, and the offerings accepted. You may withdraw now. After crossing the river, Dragon Herding Sovereign will come to find you."

The old Dragon King assented, and the water palace suddenly dispersed with a splash. The old Dragon King vanished along with his many dragon descendants.

"Lesser Earth Count's Pact?" Dragon Herding Sovereign blinked his eyes, overjoyed in his heart. He thought to himself, "The Lesser Earth Count's Pact is even more ruthless than the Earth Count's Pact. Perhaps I truly can become the Heavenly River Dragon King."

He was elated, carrying Qin Mu and Dragon Qilin as they continued forward. Not long after, another Dragon King appeared on the river surface with various treasures, offering fragrant tea. Qin Mu drank the tea, spoke in a similar manner, and then continued his journey.

Along the way, Dragon Kings from the river continuously appeared to offer tea and present treasures. Last night's battle had created a huge commotion, drawing Heavenly River Dragon Kings from hundreds of thousands of miles upstream and downstream. Every short distance, a Dragon King would lead his followers to greet them, being extremely courteous. Qin Mu stopped and started, drinking his fill of tea. By the time they reached the other side of the Heavenly River, it was already noon.

Dragon Qilin whispered, "Cult Master, these Dragon Kings are only pretending to surrender because Ancestor Dragon King has disappeared and they have no central authority. Once Earth Mother gives the command, all these Dragon Kings will rebel! Although Dragon Herding Sovereign's abilities are not weak, he cannot control the Heavenly River. We must invite Old Man Qinghuang from Dragon Village to subdue them."

Dragon Herding Sovereign felt quite displeased, but what Dragon Qilin said was true. Old Man Qinghuang was the Second Heavenly King of the Kaihuang Celestial Court, second only to the First Heavenly King, Emperor Yi Yue, and vastly superior to him. Old Man Qinghuang's strength was even greater than Ancestor Dragon King's, making him the most suitable to guard the Heavenly River.

"Even if Old Man Qinghuang comes out, he won't be able to control this Heavenly River," Qin Mu said, shaking his head. "As long as Earth Mother gives the order, all these Dragon Kings and demigods who previously pledged allegiance to us will rebel. Not a single one will truly surrender to us!"

Dragon Qilin was a bit confused and asked, "Then why does Cult Master still accept the surrender of these Dragon Kings? If these Dragon Kings rebel and manipulate the Heavenly River's mighty waters, they could flood Yankang, turning it into a land of swamps and making countless common people food for aquatic fish and shrimp!"

Qin Mu looked back at the surging waves of the Heavenly River and said leisurely, "I know. I'm just waiting for Earth Mother to give the order."

Dragon Qilin and Dragon Herding Sovereign were stunned.

"If Earth Mother gives the order and these Dragon Kings and demigods rebel, their rebellion will be a violation of the Lesser Earth Count's Pact," Qin Mu's expression darkened. "If they don't rebel, nothing will happen. But if they do, overnight, countless dragon corpses will float on the surface of this Heavenly River! Earth Mother Yuanjun's strongest means of threatening Yankang will be lifted, and the Heavenly River will no longer pose a threat of floods! From then on, the name of Lesser Earth Count will shake the world!"

Dragon Herding Sovereign shivered several times, unable to imagine such a scene.

Meanwhile, on the continent of Qin, the Big-Headed Doll was inexplicably excited, sitting by a stone table, waiting for dinner.

Qin Mu looked at Centenary Mountain ahead and said, "Dragon Herding Sovereign, you may go back. Go and sign the Lesser Earth Count's Pact with them. All demigods in the Heavenly River who possess divine realm strength must sign the Lesser Earth Count's Pact! Go!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Dragon Herding Sovereign sank into the water and disappeared.

The gloom on Qin Mu's face vanished. He looked at the God of White Crevice on the small mound and smiled, saying, "Revered God White Crevice, I've come to see you."

Revered God White Crevice quickly bowed, not daring to lose his temper, but still harbored some resentment. He said, "Lord, was that Dragon Herding Sovereign just now? He is blessed, the Surging River has become so vast? Lord, do you see if the mountain next to me is tall?"

Qin Mu looked up and saw that the mountain range next to Centenary Mountain stretched for nearly ten thousand miles. Its peaks were majestic and graceful, adorned with many temples and shrines. Various rare and exotic beasts roamed the mountains, and large deer flew back and forth on clouds and mist.

Qin Mu smiled gently and said leisurely, "How about we rename this mountain to Centenary Mountain from now on?"