“Why is there such a commotion at the South Sea?”
Before the South Heaven Gate, East Wood Officer, dressed in fresh new robes, held an imperial decree radiating seven-colored light as he spoke with a smile.
Behind East Wood Officer stood several Heaven Generals of the Golden Immortal realm, their Dao aura profound and qi substantial. They responded with meaningless pleasantries…
Behind these Golden Immortal Heaven Generals were rows of Heaven Soldiers and Generals in bright armor.
The Heaven Soldiers mostly carried spears, while the Generals wore swords. All wore uniform silver-white armor and maintained solemn expressions.
This was the first time the Heavenly Court had made such a grand display of delivering an imperial decree from the Jade Emperor.
These tens of thousands of Heaven Soldiers and Generals had been strictly selected, with requirements for both cultivation level and appearance. The Generals particularly were personally chosen by the Wood Officer as experienced and reliable individuals.
The Heaven Soldiers and Generals had already received word that this was the Jade Emperor conferring the position of True Deity of Heaven upon that Sea God…
Who exactly was this Sea God?
Over these decades, many rumors about the South Sea God had circulated within the Heavenly Court.
Some said he was a junior disciple of the Human Dao Saint, chosen by the Saint to assist the Jade Emperor in the great undertaking of unifying the Three Realms.
Others said he was a close confidant of the Jade Emperor, his most trusted strategist…
But seeing today’s grand formation, many Heaven Generals still felt it was somewhat overdoing it.
Old Man under the Moon, wearing celebratory robes, floated over on a cloud from behind. After paying respects to East Wood Officer, he asked with furrowed brows: “Wood Officer, do we who are coming to offer congratulations need to prepare anything else?”
“About that, His Majesty gave no instructions,” East Wood Officer pondered. “When the time comes, Old Man under the Moon and everyone can simply offer congratulations together.”
“No need for congratulatory gifts?”
“Naturally not,” East Wood Officer smiled. “After Fellow Daoist Sea God enters the Heavenly Court, there will be time for exchanging gifts later. No need today.”
“Indeed, Wood Officer speaks sensibly,” Old Man under the Moon cupped his hands and withdrew.
East Wood Officer calculated the time, looked at the position of the Golden Crow Star, and said: “All divisions of Heaven Soldiers prepare!”
Inside and outside the South Heaven Gate, tens of thousands of Heaven Soldiers responded in unison:
“Yes!”
“Mm,” East Wood Officer nodded. “We depart in one hour!”
The Heaven Soldiers and Generals immediately deflated, somewhat unable to contain their complaints…
The Wood Officer was a bit nervous.
Nothing to be done – others might not know the weight of this decree, but East Wood Officer, who regularly attended the Jade Emperor, understood completely.
This Sea God would surely become an important minister of the Heavenly Court. Once the Dragon Clan matter concluded, the Sea God’s divine rank would likely equal his own as East Wood Officer.
Moreover, this Sea God had both background and strategy and thoroughly understood the ways of being a minister and person. The Jade Emperor praised him endlessly, yet showed surprisingly little wariness.
Truly…
Comparing deities showed who should be demoted, and comparing goods showed what should be discarded.
Opening the decree radiating seven-colored light, East Wood Officer carefully read its contents, afraid of mispronouncing even a single character or using the wrong tone later.
For immortals who measured closed cultivation in years, one hour passed in a daze for most Heaven Soldiers and Generals.
But to East Wood Officer, this hour felt far too slow, so slow his Dao’s heart nearly collapsed from the torment…
Finally…
“Depart!”
At East Wood Officer’s light command, the Heaven Soldiers and Generals’ spirits lifted. They mounted clouds and set out from South Heaven Gate, taking the cloud road straight down toward the South Jambudvipa Continent!
At this moment, at the South Seashore.
The Dao School and Dragon Clan experts who had already sensed something unusual diverted some attention from the song and dance performance toward the sky.
There, layers of white clouds pressed down, with rows of straight figures standing upon them.
“Heaven Soldiers and Generals?”
“What are these Heaven Soldiers doing here? Could they also be coming to offer congratulations?”
“Speaking of which, why is the Sea God Temple holding this celebration today?”
Amid the scattered discussions, the dancing on the high platform suddenly stopped. Ao Yi leaped onto the platform again, raising a jade tablet carved with a dragon head, and called out loudly:
“Where are the Dragon Clan soldiers!”
The Dragon Clan experts responded in unison: “This soldier (subject) is here!”
Ao Yi’s hair danced in the wind as he showed rare initiative in displaying some majesty.
“True Dragon Protector of the Sea God Temple, gather one thousand dragon soldiers to welcome the Heaven Soldiers!”
“Yes!”
Immediately dragon roars rang out as over ten Dragon Clan figures burst through the clouds, transforming into true dragon forms in the sky, leading a thousand flood dragons soaring upward!
In the sunlight, dragon scales of various colors gleamed brilliantly – what a magnificent sight of a thousand dragons ascending to heaven!
Many mortals were extremely excited, though they didn’t quite know what to be excited about.
Ao Yi’s delicate face was filled with solemnity as he called out again:
“Present – the Sea God statue!”
“Heave! Heave! Heave ho!”
Resonant work chants rang out beside the high platform as eighteen Sea God Temple divine envoys supported and shouldered a three-zhang-tall white jade statue, ascending the platform from the side and placing the statue in the center.
The restrictions at the platform’s edge silently activated as strands of immortal light surrounded various parts of the statue.
Below the platform, the Sea God Temple faithful all knelt in worship.
Ao Yi called out again: “Present – the Sea God!”
Present the Sea God?
The mortals were initially confused, while the Three Schools’ immortals and Dragon Clan experts instinctively began searching for Li Changshou’s figure, only to suddenly discover he had vanished without a trace.
Just then!
A beam of light flew out from the South Sea waters, curved in the air, and shone upon the bronze mirror!
The Sea God statue before the bronze mirror rapidly melted, instantly becoming wrapped in clouds.
When the clouds dispersed, a figure woven from blue light stood silently there.
This scene was simultaneously transmitted to various places in the venue.
The mortals all called out to the Sea God, while most immortals remarked “Well played.”
The Grand Master smiled with squinted eyes, Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and smiled, while True Lord Yellow Dragon showed a thoughtful expression.
The others like Guangcheng Zi, Chijing Zi, Yuding Zhenjun, Divine Mother Turtle Spirit, and Divine Mother Wudang all smiled without speaking.
They were all widely experienced people and naturally knew this was just a technique used to increase mortal faith.
Though clever, it couldn’t be called impressive.
Suddenly that ‘light person’ spoke:
“Where is my avatar?”
Behind the high platform, one of Li Changshou’s paper dolls in the form of an elderly immortal flew up, landed behind the ‘light person’, then stepped forward holding a fly whisk and merged with the light figure.
Instantly, layers of ripples appeared on the high platform, spreading far and near.
When the light faded and water ripples dispersed, bursts of pure spiritual qi scattered in the wind.
One breath of this spiritual qi would strengthen mortals’ bodies and dispel illness, two breaths would fortify their essence and supplement deficiencies, three breaths…
Ahem, back to the main matter.
At this moment, Li Changshou’s paper doll avatar stood shoulder to shoulder with Ao Yi, accepting the converging power of faith and merit.
Li Changshou went to the trouble of performing this ‘magic trick’ only to prevent the Sea God Temple faithful from having their ‘illusions shattered’.
If the frequently-seen elderly immortal paper doll directly claimed to be the Sea God, even if mortals believed it, it would certainly diminish some of their admiration for the Sea God.
All this effort – divine light rising from the South Sea, using magic to construct an illusory figure, then clarifying that this elderly immortal form was just the Sea God’s avatar…
Directly increased the depth of the Sea God concept, giving the faithful more cohesion.
— This was how faith and merit were condensed.
Ao Yi made a Daoist salute and stepped back two paces.
Li Changshou sat cross-legged floating in the air, his form slowly rising ten zhang high as he recited the Sea God Temple teachings, exhorting the faithful to work diligently for prosperity, respect the elderly, and love the young…
Before long, strands of faith and merit condensed above these mortals’ heads, transforming into a sky full of golden light converging toward Li Changshou.
The Three Schools immortals who had initially felt some mockery changed their gazes upon Li Changshou after sensing this true and tangible merit power.
Many immortals interested in developing faith-based divine schools also indicated they had truly learned something today…
When Li Changshou finished expounding the Sea God teachings, war drums suddenly thundered from the horizon as white clouds flew over, covered with Heaven Soldiers and Generals in silver armor.
Dragon roars rang out as a thousand dragons danced through the distance, having completed their task of welcoming the Heaven Soldiers.
At this time, most Dragon Clan experts and Three Schools immortals still hadn’t processed what exactly was happening.
Now, a trace of Heaven’s Dao power condensed above the South Sea as a beam of golden light shot out from the South Heaven Gate, piercing through layers of space to shine upon Li Changshou.
Li Changshou stood up in the air, his eyes revealing traces of divine light as he declared:
“Today is when I receive Heaven’s Dao’s acknowledgment and attain the position of True Deity.”
As his words fell, on a white cloud, the Heaven Soldiers and Generals cleared a path as a figure stepped forth in golden light, robes flying and hair dancing, holding seven-colored cloth – it was East Wood Officer.
East Wood Officer’s divine sense swept downward, and he couldn’t help his hand trembling.
What- what kind of formation was this?
Was it supporting the Heavenly Court or intimidating it? Why had so many major figures from the Three Schools come?
East Wood Officer raised high the decree in his hands, steadied his state of mind, and called out:
“Where is the South Sea God?”
Below, Li Changshou made a Daoist salute, then stood proudly in the golden light, “This minor deity is here!”
“The Jade Emperor has a decree! Sea God, hear your conferment!”
East Wood Officer slowly unfurled the scroll in his hands and read aloud:
“Now, at the South Sea shore there is a Sea God, who has gathered the faithful, established a faith-based divine school, teaches the people, protects mortals, slays demons, and eliminates evil – accumulating many merits!
The Heavenly Court’s Jade Emperor is moved by the Sea God’s righteous deeds, considers the hearts of the people, and opens this special case!
By order of the Most High Lord of the Golden Palace, Supreme Golden Immortal, Natural Wondrous Being, Perfect True Jade Emperor!
Bestowed!
South Sea God Li Changgeng is conferred as the Unsurpassed Divine Lord of the Four Seas!
He shall receive the worship of the Four Seas’ beings, spread teachings at the Four Seas’ shores, be permitted to join the ranks of immortals in the Heaven Palace’s Lingxiao Hall, have authority to discuss matters in the Tongming Hall, and oversee the Four Seas’ matters of stars, plague, military, and calamity!
He shall patrol the Four Seas on Heaven’s behalf!”
Below, Li Changshou made a Daoist salute and called out: “Changgeng accepts the command!”
As his voice fell, the decree in East Wood Officer’s hands transformed into streams of seven-colored light carrying thick Heaven’s Dao power, shooting toward Li Changshou and directly entering his chest.
In an instant, a Heaven’s Dao power enveloped Li Changshou as the golden light rapidly converged, joining with the seven-colored streams to enter Li Changshou’s avatar and directly seek his true body.
It was indeed thus!
Before he could celebrate, Li Changshou’s true body was already submerged in merit!
Fortunately, it only bestowed merit and didn’t forcibly raise his realm with any insights.
The cultivation realm was one of Li Changshou’s trump cards, but this trump wasn’t for intimidation – it was for deception.
If he underwent the Golden Immortal tribulation now and happened to pass it, that would directly tell others he had just attained Golden Immortal status, which would be more dangerous.
Only by keeping those who might target him unable to gauge his true strength could he give them more misgivings.
That Heaven’s Dao power transformed from the decree condensed into a seven-colored light trident at Li Changshou’s primordial spirit…
Li Changshou’s primordial spirit gripped the trident as wind and clouds changed above the South Sea, waves surging across the surface.
His primordial spirit immediately released the trident, and the South Sea quickly returned to calm…
This divine position wasn’t just for show?
Now, it seemed he could truly influence all areas of the Four Seas.
In the sky, East Wood Officer took another breath and called out: “The Jade Emperor has rewards!”
Li Changshou didn’t dare touch the trident again and quietly listened for the rewards.
The Jade Emperor bestowed three treasures. The first was the “Four Seas Water Patterns Record”, containing detailed information about the Four Seas.
The second was ‘court robes’, a merit spiritual treasure with average protective ability, but importantly looked quite handsome.
The third treasure was a sword, a post-heaven merit spiritual treasure inscribed with the name ‘Sea God’, which could be used to command Heavenly Court troops.
A Heaven General descended carrying the three treasures. After Li Changshou received them, he felt quite moved inside.
The Jade Emperor had been quite generous, giving divine position, merit, authority, and troops.
With such bountiful treatment, he wondered if the Three Schools immortals might have a tiny bit of yearning for the Heavenly Court.
Sweeping his divine sense, he found the Three Schools immortals mostly showed curious expressions, plus finding it quite interesting…
Instead, it was the Dragon Clan members whose expressions were somewhat complex, more or less showing envy.
But today’s main event was only just beginning.
Li Changshou gripped the Sea God sword and called out: “Where is the Second Sect, Master Ao Yi?”
With a dragon roar, Ao Yi transformed into an azure dragon and flew over, coiling his dragon body to float before Li Changshou.
Li Changshou said: “Now that I am Sea God, you shall be my Four Seas Navy Commander, and should have a Heavenly Court divine position!”
As he spoke, Li Changshou pointed his sword forward, about to divide out a portion of his divine position’s merit.
But before he could act, another golden light shot down from the South Heaven Gate, falling upon Ao Yi and enveloping his dragon body.
Li Changshou: …
Well, that saved some effort.
This golden light was much fainter than the one that had surrounded Li Changshou earlier, naturally containing much less merit power.
Heaven’s Dao power circled Ao Yi as dragon scales all over his body gleamed brilliantly!
Suddenly, a blood-red karmic energy flew out from Ao Yi’s forehead, condensing into a black shadow, but was directly shattered by Heaven’s Dao power!
That was…
The Dragon Clan’s karmic burden!
When Ao Yi received Heaven’s divine position, even though it was the lowest rank and subordinate to the Sea God, it still washed away the karmic burden he had carried since birth!
Suddenly, brilliant azure light burst forth all over Ao Yi’s body as merit power concealed itself within him, and he was wrapped in thick azure light.
Bloodline power is no longer restricted!
Dragon King bloodline, from this moment, soaring!
The azure dragon shot into the sky, crashing into a patch of dark clouds. Lightning flashed inside and out, but Ao Yi’s aura steadily rose.
Seeing this, Li Changshou revealed a faint smile.
But among those several hundred Dragon Clan experts, most now showed shocked expressions, clearly deeply moved.
Many old dragons’ eyes held tears as they looked at each other wordlessly.
The effect was unexpectedly good.
Li Changshou had now laid out the Dragon Clan’s path before them – how to choose was up to them alone.
That trident…
This time, Li Changshou maintained a steady state of mind as his primordial spirit’s small hand gripped the trident, gaining many insights.
This treasure was the manifestation of his divine position. With it, he could raise waves across the Four Seas and constrain most low-intelligence beings in the Four Seas.
If he fought others within the Four Seas’ domain in the future, he could also borrow this ‘divine power’.
Moreover…
This thing’s detection ability seemed quite excellent.
Li Changshou’s thoughts shifted slightly, and the situation within ten thousand li of the South Sea immediately appeared in his mind. He also saw several figures hiding in the air and the sea within this range.
In the southwest direction were three elderly Daoists, two of whom had encountered Elder Zhao in the East Sea last time.
The Western School’s people had witnessed this.
That was truly perfect!
And in the southeast direction, just tens of li away, very close to this place, a graceful figure stood silently in a cloud of mist, watching here…
When had she… arrived?
Seeming to sense Li Changshou using divine power to peer over, the immortal maiden in the mist gave a light laugh, actually revealing her presence as she rode her cloud toward the ascending cloud platform.