“Hiss—eh?”

In front of the thatched cottage on Little Jade Peak.

Impure Immortal Qi Yuan, who had been in closed cultivation for half a month and had ascended to True Immortal status with just one Immortal Peach, stood at the cottage door, staring blankly at the scene outside, unable to resist raising his hand to trace several rainbows in the air.

Where was the… where was the lake?

Where was the mountain?

Such a big lake and mountain peak, how did they suddenly…

Disappear?!

The mountain body was like a dissected spirit beast, with more than ten figures flying back and forth inside…

Old Daoist Qi Yuan looked closer—these figures all bore his appearance!

If it weren’t for his senior disciple frequently doing such things, making Qi Yuan somewhat used to it, this scene would surely have frightened demon hearts into him!

At this moment, Little Jade Peak was wrapped in layers of light walls, concealing all the changes here from the outside.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan turned his head to the left and was immediately drawn to the giant trees that required three people to join hands to encircle;

These giant trees were distributed in soil that gleamed with faint golden light, making the original forest seem like mere shrubs, while the air was suffused with rich vital essence.

Qi Yuan discovered something else and looked up, once again wearing a dazed expression.

The spirit lake that should have been here was now floating in the air!

Someone had used great magical power to create a giant transparent fish tank, within which groups of spirit fish and gentle spirit beasts were leisurely wandering about. Sunlight passing through this waterscreen made everything seem dreamlike.

In the lake’s original position, the mountain body had been carved open, exposing layers of rock strata, and beneath the rock layers were neat rows of spirit stones and arrays of bases glowing with spiritual light…

Those dozen or so figures were shuttling back and forth among the spirit stones and array bases, constantly busy.

When Old Daoist Qi Yuan’s immortal sense probed over, his whole person showed clear signs of petrification.

What… what was this?

Their Little Jade Peak was made of spirit stones. How did he not know this?

No, this must be an illusion, definitely a demon heart illusion!

Old Daoist Qi Yuan trembled and was about to step out of the cottage to investigate thoroughly when he saw Ling’e floating over from afar, carrying a decorative jade tree.

“Master! You’re awake!

Poetry Master and Wine Master have returned to Breaking Heaven Peak! It would be quite troublesome for you to go find them now!”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan shuddered, his dust whisk trembling slightly, his voice likewise.

“Ling’e, your Senior Brother is…”

“Senior Brother is doing a bit of mountain modification, Master, don’t be afraid. These are all arrays Senior Brother designed to protect us.”

Ling’e lifted her head proudly and announced seriously:

“For us to live more comfortably in the future, to guard against enemy invasion, to protect the harmony and beauty of our Little Jade Peak’s tomorrow!”

“This,” Qi Yuan frowned and said, “Such a big commotion, so many spirit stones and precious materials… does the sect know?”

“Don’t worry, Master,” Ling’e used immortal power to support the jade tree while taking out two scrolls from her sleeve and gently unfurling them.

“Ta-da! Senior Brother got these!

Special permission from the Sect Leader, approved by the Hundred Mortal Hall!”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan opened his mouth, carefully looked at these two ‘documents,’ and let out a sigh of relief…

“But Ling’e, where did our peak get so many precious materials? Where did all these spirit stones come from?”

Ling’e smiled and said: “Senior Brother runs about everywhere outside selling things, painstakingly saving up!”

“Selling!?” Qi Yuan couldn’t help but be greatly shocked.

“Yes, selling pills, selling spirit beasts,” Ling’e counted on her delicate jade fingers, “Sometimes he even has to sell labor to some ancient seniors of the Great Wilderness.

Don’t worry, Master! You rest in closed cultivation first, in another half month our Little Jade Peak will be completely renovated!”

“This…”

Qi Yuan stepped out of the cottage and looked around.

One of Li Changshou’s paper avatars made a Daoist salute in the distance and was about to fly over to explain a few things, but Old Daoist Qi Yuan had already waved his hand and turned back into the cottage.

“You all do as you will, this master will continue cultivation…

Tsk, this must be a dream, after another session of closed cultivation, it should be fine.

Yes, just a dream…”

Amidst his mumbling, the cottage door slowly closed.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan returned to his rush mat, sat cross-legged, let out a slight sigh, and repeatedly sent out and withdrew his immortal sense.

And so, one month later…

…

Old Daoist Qi Yuan slowly opened his eyes, awakening once again from meditation. Because he was concerned about the changes to Little Jade Peak, he unleashed his immortal sense with full force before even getting up.

Eh?

Was it a dream before?

Outside the cottage, that small lake seemed to still be that small lake, Little Jade Peak’s low mountain peak had returned, and the forests everywhere were still as they were…

No, something was wrong with the forest—the woods were much denser than before.

Moreover, just from an Impure Immortal’s direct perception, their little broken peak now had way too much spiritual energy!

Pushing open the door and walking out, Old Daoist Qi Yuan gazed around.

He had cultivated here for over a thousand years, yet now he couldn’t detect anything unusual, as if everything was so natural as if it had always been this way!

When he probed into the mountain body with his immortal sense, there was no obstruction at all, everywhere was just ordinary mountain rock strata…

What was going on?

“Master, these are just illusions.”

Li Changshou’s voice came from the side as he walked out from the side cottage and made a Daoist salute to Old Daoist Qi Yuan.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan asked in a low voice: “Changshou, is everything set up?”

“Yes,” Li Changshou smiled and nodded, offering a jade talisman to his master, “Master, inside are self-rescue methods for when lost in the maze arrays, please keep it safe.

Moreover, this jade talisman is also a magical treasure that can block certain strange things from eavesdropping on your spirit, you must carry it with you at all times.”

Qi Yuan frowned and said: “You child, with so many spirit stones and precious materials, why not offer some to the sect? Why bury them all?

Furthermore, our Little Jade Peak has just three masters and disciples, and your Grand Master has moved to Break Heaven Peak, what’s the use of setting up so many arrays and illusions?

If the sect’s grand array is broken through, what use are however many arrays our Little Jade Peak has?”

Li Changshou: …

If the sect’s defenses were really broken through, perhaps the current Little Jade Peak might actually be able to turn the tide!

If not, they could at least lead some fellow sect members in a strategic retreat.

To prevent his master from lecturing, Li Changshou smiled and changed the subject:

“Master, since you’ve just come out of cultivation today, why not take a trip to the Heavenly Court to receive a Mountain God or Earth God position? Get your name registered in the Heavenly Court for some merit.”

“That’s fine, what should this master prepare?”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan had previously agreed to this arrangement from Li Changshou and showed no resistance when Li Changshou brought it up.

Li Changshou said: “You don’t need to prepare anything, disciple has arranged everything. You just need to nod your head and report your background at the Heavenly Court…

It’s just registering.”

“Well then, this master will go change clothes.”

Qi Yuan said this and hurriedly returned to his room.

Li Changshou smiled at this, using his immortal sense to glance at his Grand Master, master uncle, and Junior Sister playing in the card room, slightly shaking his head.

Grand Master and Master-Uncle had no lifespan pressure, so there was no rush to arrange things.

Shortly after, Old Daoist Qi Yuan, changed into azure silk Daoist robes, had tied up a ‘standard’ Daoist headband, and holding a dust whisk while wearing cloth shoes, showed some otherworldly Impure Immortal bearing.

“Changshou, look, how is this master’s appearance?”

Li Changshou gave a thumbs up, “The sound of waves remains the same, no less than years past!”

“Hahaha,” Qi Yuan stroked his beard and laughed, then cautioned: “Don’t force things, it doesn’t matter whether this master gets merit or not.”

“Don’t worry, Master, disciple has it under control.”

At this point, Li Changshou made a Daoist salute and gave Old Daoist Qi Yuan a jade talisman, and this avatar also turned into a paper person, slipping into Old Daoist Qi Yuan’s sleeve.

Li Changshou said: “Master, go to the sect gate and fly east, disciple is waiting outside.”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan followed these instructions, glancing at the newly added bamboo forest behind the mountain and the Wine Rain Poem cultivated within it, then rode a cloud to the sect gate.

After leaving the gate and flying for a while in the direction of the Eastern Heaven Gate, he saw a middle-aged Daoist flying over on a cloud.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan immediately became alert, his whole body tense.

“Master, it’s me.”

The middle-aged Daoist and the paper person in Qi Yuan’s sleeve spoke simultaneously, and only then did Old Daoist Qi Yuan relax.

Li Changshou approached and actively invited his master to step onto his cloud, continuing to ride toward the Eastern Heaven Gate.

On the way, Li Changshou cautioned:

“Master, this avatar’s identity is that of a Minor Law Master of our Human Teaching. If you encounter any danger in the future, just report this title…”

Qi Yuan frowned and said: “How strange is this title of yours?

Our Human Teaching’s Grand Law Master is one of the greatest powerhouses under heaven, isn’t this nickname of yours deliberately borrowing his prestige?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “This title was given by the Grand Law Master himself, to facilitate disciple doing things for our Human Teaching.”

Qi Yuan couldn’t help but start.

“Master, you need not worry. Telling you too much would affect your state of mind.

Master only needs to know that disciple can now take good care of you and Junior Sister.

Master, please forgive disciple’s disrespect, but we should address each other as fellow Daoists from here; if your relationship with disciple is exposed, it might bring trouble to Master.”

Qi Yuan frowned and nodded, seeming to want to say something but holding back.

Flying almost to the Eastern Heaven Gate, Old Daoist Qi Yuan finally transmitted his voice: “Long… fellow Daoist.”

“Please speak.”

“Without the Human Teaching, there would be no mountain gate for us, and no fruits of cultivation.

That you can work so diligently for the Human Teaching deeply gratifies this master. Remember, do not covet small profits and delay important sect matters.

For the rest, this master doesn’t know what else to caution you about, just take good care of yourself.”

Li Changshou transmitted back: “Disciple obeys!”

The Eastern Heaven Gate came into view, and Old Daoist Qi Yuan set aside various concerns, admiring from afar that majestic heavenly gate and seeing the groups of Heaven’s soldiers standing at attention.

The combined aura of tens of thousands of Heaven’s soldiers, their momentum no less than dozens of Golden Immortals jointly releasing pressure!

Old Daoist Qi Yuan’s face turned somewhat pale as he said softly: “The heavenly might of the Heaven Court is this heavy.”

“This is a rather special situation, with demons causing trouble everywhere.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Fellow Daoists may not know, but several months ago, ancient demon tribes gathered hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers and many demon experts to provoke the Heaven Court.

His Majesty the Jade Emperor dispatched three hundred thousand troops and forcefully suppressed those demons.

Afterward, the entire demon race became restless, and it’s said a group of old demons even went to cry grievances outside the Holy Mother’s Palace…

Fellow Daoist, guess what happened?”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan smiled and asked: “What happened?”

“That most merciful and benevolent Holy Mother sent out several fairy maidens who strung up those old demons and gave them a beating, warning them not to oppose the Heaven Court.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “These past months, although demons everywhere are still dissatisfied, the Heaven Court’s prestige has greatly increased, with many coming to submit.

At this time, Fellow Daoist going to the Heaven Court to gain some merit is most reasonable.”

Qi Yuan nodded. Though he didn’t understand these matters, hearing Li Changshou speak so energetically made it seem quite interesting.

As they spoke, they had arrived at the Eastern Heaven Gate.

Immediately a Heaven General came forward, asking where the two came from and what business they had at the Heaven Court;

Qi Yuan looked up at the Emperor’s Sword hanging above the white jade stone gate, his primordial spirit somewhat… trembling.

Coming through the back door made him a bit nervous.

Li Changshou stepped forward to answer a few questions, then returned to wait with his master at the Eastern Heaven Gate while a Heaven General hurriedly went to the Water God Manor.

Shortly after, an ethereal young lady came riding on a cloud. All the Heaven’s soldiers and generals bowed their heads in salute, addressing her as “Princess.”

Li Changshou stepped forward, cupped his hands, and smiled: “Princess, why did you come out?”

It was Long Ji who had come.

Long Ji smiled and said: “I was having lessons with my teacher, so I’m running this errand for him. Which is Fellow Daoist Qi Yuan? Please come with me.”

Qi Yuan glanced at the ‘Minor Law Master’ beside him, somewhat dazed, and stepped forward to make a Daoist salute to Long Ji.

Long Ji, already in the Heaven Immortal realm, lightly waved her delicate hand, and a white cloud appeared beneath Qi Yuan’s feet, carrying him through the Eastern Heaven Gate.

Then Long Ji winked at the ‘Minor Law Master,’ who smiled slightly and turned to leave on his cloud.

This was naturally Li Changshou’s deliberate action, with many considerations behind it.

The greatest effect was deliberately placing some of his vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the Jade Emperor’s grasp…

Setting aside Li Changshou’s current relationship with the Jade Emperor, just considering the relationship between the Heaven Emperor and a powerful god.

After today, even if the Jade Emperor couldn’t confirm the relationship between Qi Yuan and the Water God’s true body, he would know that Qi Yuan must be a rather important ‘close friend’ of the Water God.

As long as the Water God still had value to the Heaven Court and the Jade Emperor, the Jade Emperor would protect Qi Yuan…

Old Daoist Qi Yuan, looking at the back of this young lady ahead, couldn’t help but ask: “This… Princess?”

“Hmm?”

Long Ji turned her head with hands behind her back, showing the elegant smile typical of Jade Pool fairy maidens, and said: “Fellow Daoist, is something the matter?”

“You… you are…”

Long Ji said in clear tones: “My name is Long Ji, I am Water God’s disciple, though Water God says my comprehension is too low and only teaches me some methods of strategy and calculation.

Fellow Daoist truly has the good fortune to receive Water God’s recommendation.”

Qi Yuan asked softly: “This, why are you addressed as Princess?”

“My father sits in the Lingxiao Hall as ruler of the Three Realms, and my mother is the leader of the Jade Pool,” Long Ji sighed lightly, “Actually I have no official position in the Heaven Court, I’m just a wandering immortal.”

The daughter of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, personally leading him through the back door, opening paths…

Old Daoist Qi Yuan suddenly felt quite… quite overwhelmed.

Long Ji led Qi Yuan flying for a while, passing several crowded immortal halls, skipping several earlier procedures, and landing directly before the Tongming Hall.

The dozen or so immortals and gods busy inside were immediately alerted and rose to welcome them out.

“Princess, please give your instructions.”

Long Ji took out a letter from her sleeve, her voice turning like a hundred orioles:

“This is a Human Teaching practitioner recommended by the Water God, who wishes to make him a minor god managing a mountain area. The letter should explain everything clearly.

I’m just delivering someone and a letter, nothing else.”

Today’s duty Fourth-Rank True God of Tongming Hall immediately stepped forward to receive the letter, opened it to read carefully, and immediately showed a look of understanding, smiling:

“Since it’s Water God’s recommendation, he must be a person of high… high…”

Uh, Impure Immortal?

“High moral character and talent!

Please Fellow Daoist Qi Yuan wait inside, such a divine position can be condensed in half a day!”

Qi Yuan made a Daoist salute, “Thank you, seniors.”

“No, no!” an immortal hurriedly said, “Just call us fellow Daoists, don’t say seniors.”

Long Ji smiled from the side: “Then, Fellow Daoist Qi Yuan will wait here, I’ll go back to listen to the teacher’s lecture!”

“Thanks, Princess for showing the way.”

Qi Yuan made another Daoist salute, Long Ji curtsied in return, turned, and left the hall, lightly leaping onto a cloud to return to the Water God Manor.

Immortals led Qi Yuan into Tongming Hall, serving tea and immortal fruits, showing concern and asking if he had any troubles in his current cultivation.

There followed a series of operations for ‘condensing divine position’ and ‘selecting jurisdiction area,’ with immortals guiding him, providing a one-stop, systematic backdoor service…

News of the Water God recommending an immortal for godhood spread quickly through the Heaven Court.

Many immortals and gods came to Tongming Hall hearing the news, taking a look at the Impure Immortal personally recommended by the great Water God, and then floating away…

Half a day later, Old Daoist Qi Yuan, in a daze and trance, had completed all procedures and formally became a low-ranking minor god registered in the Heaven Court.

From now on, he belonged to the Mountain God sequence, unranked, with jurisdiction over ten thousand li around the Crossing Immortal Gate in East Victory Divine Continent, and possessed some divine power.

Qi Yuan received a jade tablet marked with merit and karma measures, requiring a return to the Heaven Court every hundred years to report for duty.

Besides this, there was also a seal engraved with mountains – this was his divine authority treasure, considerably more powerful than ordinary immortal treasures. It could be used for striking people and could also cast minor mountain-rock-shattering spells.

“Thank you, everyone, thank you, everyone.”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan cupped his hands in thanks, the crowd of immortals and gods smiled and returned the courtesy, each returning to their Heaven Court duties.

An immortal escorted Qi Yuan out of Tongming Hall, pointing out the cloud path to the Eastern Heaven Gate.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan expressed thanks and was about to rise on his cloud when he heard laughter from the side…

“Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Qi Yuan, we meet again.”

East Wood Lord, wearing brown immortal robes, came riding on a cloud.

Qi Yuan was startled as a thread of voice transmission entered his ear.

“Fellow Daoist, don’t be anxious, I am Wood Lord, Water God’s good friend, here on His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s orders to help conceal Fellow Daoist’s background and escort you to take up your post.”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan immediately trembled.

East Wood Lord? The leader of male immortals in the Heaven Court? And he came personally on His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s orders to escort him to his post?

Holy Lords above, he was just an Impure Immortal using the… the back door…

This back door was practically becoming the front door!

Old Daoist Qi Yuan reacted quite quickly, knowing he had caused trouble for the ‘Water God,’ and immediately made a Daoist salute:

“Greetings to Wood Lord.”

East Wood Lord came forward to meet him, taking Qi Yuan’s arm, “Hahaha, we parted just days ago, who would have thought Fellow Daoist would also come to serve in the Heaven Court, good things, good things!”

“This, I couldn’t trouble Wood Lord…”

“Water God has deeply earned His Majesty’s trust, much busier than me usually, if you have any matters, just come find me directly.”

East Wood Lord smiled and complained lightly, the two chatting like old friends for a few sentences while riding clouds toward the Eastern Heaven Gate.

Ahead on the path, Bian Zhuang and several Heaven Generals were waiting, leading several hundred Heaven’s soldiers to escort Qi Yuan to take up his post!

East Wood Lord and Heaven’s soldiers and generals did escort Qi Yuan back to East Victory Divine Continent, to within thirty thousand li of the Crossing Immortal Gate…

Receiving Li Changshou’s voice transmission, Qi Yuan repeatedly thanked East Wood Lord, saying he dared not trouble him further;

East Wood Lord left Qi Yuan a teleportation jade talisman before letting Old Daoist Qi Yuan return to his Mountain God jurisdiction alone.

Originally, East Wood Lord had even wanted to arrange for people to build a Mountain God temple or something…

After bidding farewell to Wood Lord and the crowd of Heaven Generals and soldiers, Old Daoist Qi Yuan traveled in a somewhat dazed, intoxicated state; then under Li Changshou’s guidance, used earth traversal to wander about for two days before returning to the Crossing Immortal Gate.

Entering the sect gate, Old Daoist Qi Yuan truly breathed a sigh of relief, his Dao heart settling.

He…

This…

Never mind, back to cultivation.

This Great Wilderness world was too unfathomable!

Old Daoist Qi Yuan pretended nothing had happened and flew back to Little Jade Peak, entering four or five layers of great arrays to return to his thatched cottage and sit down.

Thinking back on this simple trip to the Heaven Court, questions kept bubbling up one after another…

What was all this about?

“Master,” Li Changshou transmitted with a smile, “From now on just focus on cultivation, merit will gradually accumulate to help increase your lifespan.”

“Ah, Changshou, are you very familiar with this Water God?”

“Disciple is him.”

Qi Yuan was truly startled, feeling his Dao heart in complete chaos, with a faint headache.

“Master, please remember, if you want to go out just let disciple know, and also bring that jade talisman.”

Qi Yuan nodded, sitting there lost in thought.

Meanwhile;

In the Heaven Court, Marriage Hall.

The Old Man Under the Moon was pacing back and forth, constantly thinking, and soon made up his mind, striding to the back hall.

This Old Daoist Qi Yuan’s marriage fate…

Keep watching, and arrange it as soon as there are signs!