“Ah, careful… Fellow Daoist, be careful.”

On the floating celestial mountain in the corner of Great Marsh, two figures were stealthily making their way toward the summit.

The burly man in front had already removed his straw rain cape. Though his short shirt and long pants appeared rather ‘modest,’ the inadvertent air of authority he emanated made it impossible for anyone to underestimate him.

After all, this was a great master who had received a trace of Primordial Purple Qi!

Behind the strong man, Li Changshou’s elder immortal paper clone followed slowly, having already prepared the gifts meant for Great Yu separately.

When East Wood Lord prepared the gifts, he naturally prepared eight sets – even if the Heavenly Court was currently impoverished, they still needed to maintain face. It wouldn’t do for the Sea God to bring just one gift when paying respects to eight human ancestors.

However, the current situation had far exceeded Li Changshou’s expectations…

He truly wanted to ask Elder Great Yu:

Why bother?

Why insist on bringing him home for a visit?

Everyone understood such matters tacitly – a slight smile and it would all be in the past. Why insist on maintaining face…

After nervously passing several pavilions, Li Changshou followed Emperor Great Yu through several layers of grand formations to reach a mountaintop villa, where both finally let out sighs of relief.

They exchanged glances and each let out two hearty laughs, pretending nothing had happened earlier.

“Please!” Great Yu’s every gesture displayed an emperor’s dominance as he waved his large hand and said, “My humble abode is simple, please don’t mind. Today we’ve shared hardships, so we must be kindred spirits!”

Li Changshou: …

Was this meant to seal his lips?

Li Changshou gave a bitter laugh. Even if he went around telling everyone that the human Emperor Great Yu feared his wife and was made to cry daily by his spouse Lady Tushan, who would believe him?

Besides, compared to Emperor Great Yu’s gossip, human cultivators were more interested in Xuan- ahem, more interested in the pursuit of long life and the Dao!

“Elder, please rest assured,” Li Changshou said softly, “This junior saw nothing and heard nothing during this visit. I only know that Elder has vast divine powers and cherishes his spouse – truly a model for all men!”

Great Yu’s eyes crinkled in a smile as he sighed, “There’s no need to be so diplomatic about what you fear.

I owe her, this is all as it should be.”

With that, Great Yu set down his fishing rod and basket, hung up his rain cape, and asked Li Changshou to wait briefly at the stone table under the tree.

“No need to stand on ceremony, there are no rules in this small courtyard.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Elder,” Li Changshou cupped his hands and obediently sat in a wooden chair nearby, waiting to share tea with Emperor Great Yu.

Building a good relationship with Emperor Great Yu would naturally bring Li Changshou many benefits without any drawbacks.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou began surveying the piles of miscellaneous items around the courtyard.

In one corner lay a stone tablet at an angle, beside it a rust-covered iron rod, and to the side, a stone axe.

Li Changshou hadn’t been particularly interested at first, merely catching a casual glimpse, but once he looked, he found it difficult to look away…

What concentrated merit power!

Any single item possessed several times the accumulated merit and incense power he currently had!

Moreover, it was pure heavenly merit.

Could these be Emperor Great Yu’s acquired merit spiritual treasures, his mountain-opening set from when he tamed the floods?

Just left gathering dust in a corner?

“Hmm?”

Great Yu, now changed into a long robe, emerged from the house and followed Li Changshou’s line of sight, breaking into a smile.

With a wave of his hand, the iron rod flew into Great Yu’s grasp as he walked forward.

“Here!” Great Yu let out a laugh, “For keeping quiet.

This was the ruler I used to measure water levels back then. It’s not particularly useful, just able to grow or shrink in size, sturdy and difficult to destroy, with some merit power imbued in it.

It’s not bad for propping up roof beams or holding up tents when placed at home.”

Li Changshou: …

The… the Heaven Stabilizing Needle?

What was he supposed to do with this thing?

As the dignified Sea God of the Heavenly Court, he could hardly fight others in his elder immortal paper form wielding a rod!

Perhaps he could take this item, extract its merit power, refine it anew, inscribe the words “As-You-Will Gold-Banded Cudgel” on it, and send it to the Dragon Palace as a decoration for some monkey that might appear tens of thousands of years later?

Moreover, the Journey to the West tribulation was most likely calculated by the Sages and involved disputes between great teachings – he truly didn’t dare to meddle with the Heaven Stabilizing Needle!

While he did lack treasures, that didn’t mean he wanted just any treasure;

Li Changshou would decline such an item of great karmic significance.

“I couldn’t possibly – I couldn’t possibly accept such a weighty gift!”

“Hahaha!” Great Yu laughed, “Don’t mock me. When I came to Fire Cloud Cave, I left behind everything I could for our kinsmen, bringing only these few merit-imbued treasures.

Now that I’ve achieved some success in cultivation, merit power isn’t of much use to me anymore.

Take it!

What, you want my mountain-splitting axe instead? That’s my weapon, used for killing – I can’t give away items meant for slaughter so casually.

Moreover, both this iron rod and the mountain-splitting axe were gifts from Elder Supreme Lord Lao back then. Giving it to a disciple of the Human Teaching today is also a matter of destiny.”

How is this rod not a weapon for killing?

Looking down on monkeys, are we?

Li Changshou smiled, “Elder, I came here representing the Jade Emperor, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to accept Elder’s gift.”

“Ah, there are no Human Sovereigns or Heavenly Court ministers here,” Great Yu tossed the rust-covered iron rod in front of Li Changshou, “If you like it, take it. If you disdain it, then don’t.”

Having spoken, Great Yu smiled at Li Changshou with narrowed eyes.

If he didn’t accept this hush money, today’s matter wouldn’t be settled…

But this iron rod, could he…

“Elder, could you exchange it for something else?”

Li Changshou’s thoughts turned, and he immediately had a solution.

When Great Yu heard Li Changshou’s question, he was genuinely stunned, looking down at the iron rod in his hand and asking puzzledly, “Is there something wrong with this item?”

Li Changshou said, “If Elder wishes to give this junior a gift, I shouldn’t decline, but please don’t let it be a treasure refined by Lord Lao.

When this junior paid respects at the Tushita Palace, Lord Lao bestowed the Dao of Pills, not treasures.

If Lord Lao were to see this, he would surely think this junior was dissatisfied…”

Though the reason was far-fetched, it somehow managed to make sense.

Great Yu pondered, placing the iron rod aside, looking somewhat troubled.

The Great Yu slapped his thigh, “How could I have forgotten this treasure? You’re the Sea God, this item should be of great benefit to you! Wait, let me look for it inside!”

Li Changshou responded with a smile, his heart twitching.

After Emperor Great Yu hurried to the main house, Li Changshou examined the iron rod at his feet several times.

Raising his hand to grip the iron rod, he found it quite heavy.

Fortunately, the immortal power within this paper clone was pure Golden Immortal power. Before becoming a Golden Immortal, Li Changshou’s paper clone would likely have needed to exert all its strength just to pick up this item.

Lifting the rod and wiping away some rust, he saw dense measurements carved all over it, and Li Changshou understood inwardly.

The reason this rod hadn’t gone to the East Sea yet was that it hadn’t transformed into the As-You-Will Gold-Banded Cudgel.

Such concentrated merit power…

Li Changshou couldn’t deny being tempted.

Moreover, he realized that if he took this item, extracted the merit power, refined it anew, and sent it to the East Sea, entrusting the East Sea Dragon Palace to look after it, he would be fulfilling this item’s destiny.

However, following the principle of avoiding karmic entanglements when possible, Li Changshou dismissed these thoughts.

Playing it safe, it was still better not to take it.

At that moment, Li Changshou stood up and returned the iron rod to the corner.

The courtyard ground was also wrapped in grand formations, otherwise it couldn’t have borne the rod’s weight.

Looking at the rusted mountain-splitting axe and the almost indiscernible merit tablet, Li Changshou silently praised in his heart:

“Once ruled as Human Sovereign, taming floods divine,

Founded Nine States, and set national designs.

Now retired with wife, in seclusion stays,

Weapons rust while achievements fade away.”

Such human ancestors were truly worthy of praise.

After exchanging poems with Daoist Lu Ya earlier, his poetic prowess had indeed grown!

“Here, look at this!”

Great Yu called out with resonant vigor, holding a scroll that he slowly opened, giving it a forceful blow that sent dust flying everywhere.

“This is the mundane world’s hydrological map of the South Continent, different from the primordial treasures River Chart and Luo Writing. It records the earth’s waterways that I mapped while controlling the floods.

Many regions have quite complex water systems, and the Heavenly Court’s understanding of the South Jambudvipa Continent is still limited. I’ll give this to you today – perhaps it can benefit all living beings in the future.

This item only needs slight refinement to serve as protection.”

As he spoke, Great Yu pushed forward with both hands, and the scroll slowly unfurled, emanating streams of water-blue radiance and giving off faint rippling patterns.

It showed scenes of rivers surging forth, and one could hear the roaring sound of water!

This was…

An acquired top-grade merit spiritual treasure!

Li Changshou raised both hands and the treasure map, showing remarkable spirituality, rolled itself up before him and landed in his hands.

His true body in the Immortal Gateway Sect of the East Continent suddenly felt peculiar, his primordial spirit sensing the joy emanating from the treasure map, while the Sea God’s divine authority weapon, the Run Earth Fork- ahem, the Three-Pointed Steel Fork, also trembled slightly beside his primordial spirit.

“Many thanks for bestowing this treasure, Elder!”

Li Changshou gave Great Yu a Daoist bow, and Great Yu finally felt relieved.

“Come, let’s drink tea. Rest here for half a day, and I’ll take you to pay respects to the other elders!”

Thus, Great Yu and Li Changshou sat drinking tea, discussing the current state of humanity.

Li Changshou brought out the Heavenly Court’s gifts for Emperor Great Yu, contained in a brocade box with three large Peaches of Immortality, a book, two finely crafted phoenix hairpins, and several items meant for handling and playing with.

The peaches were fruits of an innate spirit root, which guaranteed the value of this gift.

Seeing Great Yu’s evident fondness for the playthings, this gift was naturally considered complete.

At once, Great Yu held two jade spheres in his palm, gently ‘rotating’ them, as strands of peculiar immortal power drilled into Emperor Great Yu’s palm, bringing a look of comfort to his face.

“Have you prepared gifts for the other elders?”

“Yes, I have,” Li Changshou answered with a smile.

Great Yu said, “Elder Fuxi had already divined your arrival today and knew your purpose.

For promoting the worship of Heaven and Earth among humans, you don’t need approval from those of us who are no longer Human Sovereigns.

Alas, the South Jambudvipa Continent has been without a common ruler for long, chaos reigns everywhere, countries proliferate, and the order I established back then has completely vanished.

Though humanity prospers, many humans still suffer from the ravages of war. If through worshipping Heaven and Earth, they can gain the Jade Emperor’s intervention and help the South Jambudvipa Continent return to unity sooner, humanity can find peace.”

Li Changshou’s heart stirred.

Could it be that the rise of the Shang Nation would begin today, originating from Heaven and Earth?

Uh, while searching for the Treasure-Falling Copper Coin, he had also become involved in Heaven and Earth’s quantitative tribulation and major human affairs.

Had he become Heaven’s tool, pushing certain things forward according to Heaven’s divined direction?

Without becoming a Sage, one could never transcend this realm – perhaps this was a major part of the Primordial Chaos’s dangers.

Though these thoughts crossed Li Changshou’s mind, they didn’t interrupt his casual conversation with Great Yu, and the two got along quite well.

Great Yu was deeply learned and widely experienced, having dabbled in various aspects of cultivation, and possessed a bearing rarely found among ordinary cultivation masters. Occasionally, a simple statement would bring Li Changshou many realizations.

They spoke most about human affairs.

Just as the two were engaged in pleasant conversation, Great Yu suddenly paused mid-sentence and nervously stood up, repeatedly gesturing to Li Changshou.

“Quick, hide!”

Li Changshou blinked, and a beautiful woman had already appeared at the courtyard gate.

She possessed outstanding beauty, with skin like frost and snow, and even dressed in coarse clothing and simple cloud-style hair, she remained elegant and refined.

Except her expression… was rather cold.

Lady Tushan?

Judging by Emperor Great Yu’s tense state, it must be.

She approached carrying a tray with several steaming delicacies, a pot of fine wine, and two wine cups.

Lady Tushan silently arranged these items, and Li Changshou made a Daoist bow, saying, “Many thanks, Elder.”

“Mm,” she finally responded, but without even looking at Great Yu, gracefully departed with her tray.

Great Yu gave an awkward smile, and after Lady Tushan left, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Li Changshou said softly, “Elder, this junior shouldn’t inquire about Elder’s family matters, but having received Elder’s bestowed treasure today, this junior wishes to help Elder somehow.

Your honored wife is…”

“We had an argument,” Great Yu sat back in his chair, looking at the dishes and carefully picking up a piece of spirit fish meat, chewing it slowly, “We argue constantly, and I don’t really know what’s wrong.”

Li Changshou said, “Relationships are like this. Why don’t you explain in detail, Elder? Even if this junior can’t offer advice, I can help Elder find some relief.”

“You understand these matters?”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, “The Old Man Under the Moon is my brother.”

“Oh?” Great Yu’s eyes brightened, and after some thought, he detailed his daily trivial matters.

At this moment, Great Yu was no sovereign, just a man unable to understand what his wife was thinking.

Before long, Li Changshou understood what was going on.

“Elder, please lean closer,” Li Changshou said, “I have a method, a strategy, and a mantra that might help Elder.”

“Really?” Great Yu’s eyes lit up as he leaned forward.

Li Changshou chose his words carefully and began slowly explaining, going ‘this way and that, that way and this,’ quickly bringing enlightenment to Great Yu’s face before he sank into deep thought.

Two hours later, in a pavilion.

Great Yu, now wearing golden battle armor, slowly approached the pavilion window, watching the beautiful figure doing her makeup in the mirror.

“My lady…”

‘Thirteen Strategies for Placating One’s Wife’ (authored by the Heavenly Court’s Sea God, recommended for use with ‘Treasury of Sweet Talk for Wife Pacification’) Strategy Two:

[You’re beautiful, I was wrong, what principle could be worth such small matters?

Don’t argue reason, speak sweet nothings, observe reactions, and embrace first.]

Great Yu said softly, “Throughout my life, my wife remains the most beautiful. Even after several hundred eons more, I’ll never tire of looking at you.”

“Hmph!” The woman arranging her hair paused, glancing at her husband in the mirror.

“My lady, I was truly inappropriate before, arguing with you over trivial matters… I was wrong.”

The woman’s eyes reddened as she said quietly, “You were once the Human Sovereign, why apologize to a mere woman like me?”

“At home, what Human Sovereign? There’s only my wife who has shared my hardships since we tied our hair together.”

Great Yu sighed softly, stepping forward twice and tentatively raising his hands to rest on his wife’s fragrant shoulders, “My lady before I couldn’t let go of such pretense…”

“Why are you today…”

“My lady, meeting you in this life was truly my fortune, and being able to spend time with you here is truly my life’s greatest pride.

In the endless years ahead, I only wish to stay by your side, and if I’ve failed you before, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.

My lady, please don’t be angry anymore.”

“My lord, I was somewhat wrong too.”

“My lady, you’re so beautiful…”

In the pavilion, the two figures slowly embraced, speaking softly and warmly.

At the foot of the mountain, Li Changshou shook his whisk, silently withdrew his immortal awareness, and quietly waited while gazing at the vast misty waves.

The beings of the Primordial Chaos were generally quite simple, making it far easier to placate one’s partner than in his previous life…

However…

They had agreed to visit the great master Fuxi together, but Elder Great Yu seemed to have forgotten about this matter, having activated all layers of formations!

Well, Elder Great Yu has it tough too, might as well wait.