Riding on the back of Jiutou Shi, Fucang concealed his form within the clouds, flying back and forth above the Wu River for a full hour already.

The Wu River stretched for thousands of miles along its banks—from high mountains to shoals. He had not overlooked even a single oddly colored reef. Yet no matter how carefully he searched, he couldn’t find the slightest trace of Gu Ting’s disappearance.

And an hour ago, they had still been searching along the Wu River banks for the pearl necklace Master had lost twenty thousand years ago.

What Master had assigned this time could hardly be called homework—it was more like his usual demands on his disciples, just like requesting Feilian Shenjun’s hair. Calling it a trial when it was really just making them run errands and do hard labor.

If Gu Ting hadn’t been feeling disheartened over the dissolved betrothal and wanted to descend to the lower realm to clear his mind, Fucang wouldn’t have brought this trouble upon himself at all.

A month ago they had descended from the Mirror of All Living Beings platform to the mortal world. For two celestial gods to search continuously for a month—overturning the entire Wu River wouldn’t be difficult. Gu Ting had even pulled out extremely fine bone needles buried deep in the riverbed, yet no matter what, they couldn’t find any trace of the pearl necklace.

He still remembered Gu Ting complaining at the time that perhaps Master had remembered the location incorrectly, making them do hard labor for nothing. Fucang had merely flown toward the verdant mountains on the shore for a short while. When he turned back around, Gu Ting was no longer in his original spot—completely vanished.

Could it be demon clans near the Wu River causing trouble? There shouldn’t be any formidable ancient demon clans in this area. What scattered minor demons would dare attack divine beings? Even stranger was that after the two celestial gods had turned the Wu River inside out for an entire month, they hadn’t even disturbed the River God. It was truly abnormal.

The seventh month in the mortal realm was sweltering and oppressive. Feeling irritable, Fucang dismounted from Jiutou Shi’s back and landed on the Wu River, releasing it to drink water. Suddenly, he heard distant singing carried on the wind—a voice clear, gentle, and lingering, as if a woman were casually humming a tune.

He raised his eyes to look. Through the misty waters all around, he saw a small orchid boat slowly drifting toward him with the current. Sitting on the boat was a young woman in white. Her raven-black hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back. Her graceful appearance and refined beauty were beyond words. She held a red flower in her hand. Her skirt hem was lifted, revealing jade-white feet playing in the water as she parted her vermillion lips to sing clearly: “Green is your collar, deep is my longing. Even if I don’t go to you, won’t you come to me?”

Fucang quietly watched as the orchid boat drifted near. The white-robed young woman looked up and discovered him. With a gentle smile, the orchid boat came to a steady stop in the rapid river current.

“Fucang Shenjun, greetings.” She bowed gracefully.

Fucang slowly stroked Jiutou Shi’s soft fur and said lightly: “You recognize me?”

The white-robed young woman replied in a sweet voice: “Years ago at the Imperial Daughter’s wedding banquet, Fucang Shenjun performed a sword dance that shook all directions. Even the minor deities of the lower realm and countless demon clans were captivated by you, my lord. This humble one naturally recognizes you.”

With that, she gathered her skirts and took a barefoot step on the boat, bowing down again. “The River God of Wu River pays respects to Fucang Shenjun. The sun is scorching, and the turbid air of the mortal realm churns. I wonder if the shenjun would be willing to come to the River God’s residence to rest for a moment, allowing this humble one to offer you a cup of fragrant tea?”

Fucang lowered his eyes to examine her carefully. Indeed, the white garment she wore was the ceremonial robe of a River God, and on her wrist was tied an exquisitely crafted River God’s seal. The clear and delicate divine power of a River God slowly flowed out from the seal.

“The River God of Wu River—I recall that is a white-bearded old man.” His voice was calm.

The Wu River Fairy’s voice was melodious: “In response to Fucang Shenjun, my grandfather is elderly and can no longer bear the burden of the River God position. Since the upper realm has not yet issued a new appointment letter, this humble one has boldly taken the liberty to temporarily substitute for grandfather.”

How could there be “substitution” for the earth and water deities of the lower realm? Without an infusion of divine power from the upper realm, one simply couldn’t bear the prayers of mortals. Fucang didn’t expose this, but looked around and asked: “There was another divine being who descended to the lower realm with me, traveling downriver. Have you seen him?”

The Wu River Fairy said softly: “Has that exalted deity suddenly disappeared?”

Fucang glanced at her: “Indeed. Do you know something?”

The Wu River Fairy smiled charmingly: “In response to Fucang Shenjun, this humble one only knows that the mountains and waters of the Wu River are beautiful and often cause passing deities to linger and forget to return. Perhaps that exalted deity wandered into the deep mountain paths—who can say?”

Seeing Fucang remain silent, those pitch-black, cold eyes fixed on her face, she couldn’t help but lower her head shyly: “This place is hot and turbid. Why doesn’t Fucang Shenjun accompany me to the River God’s residence for a conversation? Whatever questions the shenjun has, I will certainly answer everything I know without reservation.”

The corners of Fucang’s lips slowly curved upward as he said unhurriedly: “Why not? Please lead the way, Fairy.”

The Wu River Fairy’s smile bloomed like flowers. Her bare feet tapped lightly on the orchid boat, and the nimble vessel continued downstream. Fucang released Jiutou Shi and leaped to land at her side, hearing her sing again leisurely: “Green is your collar, deep is my heart. Even if I don’t go to you, won’t you send me word?”

The orchid boat swiftly passed through the rapids. Suddenly, from behind a massive stone mountain, a goddess came flying leisurely on the wind. Her pale jade-green long dress swayed gracefully. The silk-white shawl was like a pair of semi-transparent wings dancing in the wind. Among her raven-black hair, decorative gold rings sparkled brilliantly.

She clearly wasn’t paying attention to what lay ahead, her face full of boredom. While flying slowly, she casually looked around. Suddenly catching sight of Fucang and the Wu River Fairy, she froze for a moment, then immediately shifted her gaze away. As if she hadn’t seen them at all, she moved a bit farther away and continued flying forward.

What terrible luck! How could she encounter that annoying Fucang right after descending to the lower realm? Could his assignment also be to find the pearl necklace? If she had known, she would rather listen to Qi Nan nag for a hundred years than descend to the lower realm.

Xuan Yi quickly turned her head away. She knew he was no good. Wasn’t she catching him red-handed now? Flirting with a beauty from the lower realm—such a fake gentleman, such a hypocrite.

Suddenly, Fucang called out loudly: “Junior Sister Xuan Yi, you’ve arrived.”

…What did he mean by this?

Xuan Yi narrowed her eyes and examined him carefully. He was actually calling her “Junior Sister Xuan Yi”? Had the goddess Xihe pulled the sun out from the west today?

When she didn’t respond, Fucang smiled at her and said: “The River God Fairy has invited me to the River God’s residence. Why don’t you come along, Junior Sister?”

Xuan Yi looked at him, then at the fairy beside him who was as beautiful as if she had walked out of a painting. Suddenly she had an intuition that if she engaged with him, she would definitely encounter huge trouble. Yes, it would be better to pretend she was just passing by.

She turned her head away once more, moved farther away, and continued flying forward with her head down.

Suddenly, Fucang caught up from behind and gripped her arm. Though his face wore a smile, his gaze churned with cold intent: “Why won’t Junior Sister acknowledge me?”

Xuan Yi struggled several times in secret, discovering she really couldn’t break free. His eyes conveyed only one message: I will not let go.

How unlucky. She knew nothing good would come of encountering him.

The corners of her lips curved up as she revealed a mocking smile: “Senior Brother Fucang, I arrived just a little late, and you’ve already hooked up with such a beautiful fairy. Have you lost all thought of me? I refuse to acknowledge you!”

Fucang paused: “Junior Sister, don’t make trouble. We’re discussing serious matters. Gu Ting has suddenly disappeared. Only if Junior Sister comes with me can I feel at ease.”

She twisted back and forth coquettishly: “I don’t want to listen! You’ve definitely lost all thought of me!”

Fucang silently removed the Chun Jun sword from his waist and handed it over, saying lightly: “How could that be? My devotion to Junior Sister is unwavering until death. This sword can serve as proof.”

Perhaps their dialogue was too sickeningly sweet—the Wu River Fairy’s face twitched twice as she smiled bitterly: “Shenjun… Goddess… the River God’s residence is at the bottom of the Wu River. You two… when might we depart?”

“We can go now.”

Seeing Xuan Yi taking Chun Jun and waving it around randomly like a tree branch, Fucang immediately said coldly: “Hold it properly.”

Xuan Yi’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz: “Either let me play with it, or take it back.”

Fucang turned his head to look at her. His expression was quite frightening. Xuan Yi returned him a sweet smile, then hugged his arm and said sweetly: “Let’s go, Senior Brother Fucang.”