Chapter 742: Discussion
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Within the palace.
The palace was illuminated by fist-sized luminous pearls.
Under the preparations of Green Mountain and Black Water, numerous water clans had come. Many were clam ladies, as well as prawn soldiers and crab generals. They were quickly selected to fill the palace.
In the main hall, Fang Yuan sat cross-legged; on his head, the Divine Dao crown moved, making fluttering sounds.
“I now have a high rank and a retinue. I truly look a little like a God now!”
He opened his eyes, a golden hue flashing.
“River Earl Surging Waves is only an Earl-rank Deity Position. Even if I finished refining the power and obtaining the authority, with the assistance of the Surging Waves River’s Spiritual Energy, I could only slightly contend against a Heaven Immortal…”
Fang Yuan’s aim was to immediately have his reputation spread far and wide to gain the attention of the Heavenly Court and be offered amnesty.
A small River Earl was too far from his goal.
If he immediately flooded a large area and devastated the mortal world, this would very likely attract the Heavenly Court’s attention. However, that would invite the heaven’s punishment, and Immortal Cultivators might come to eliminate the trouble.
“In fact, this is also an idea. In Journey to the West, didn’t Sun Wukong also do this once, only to become the Great Sage Equalling Heaven? To get the Imperial Court’s amnesty enlistment, you can’t be too soft at the start… An example of a bad ending being Song Jiang from Water Margin!”
Fang Yuan’s train of thought was unceasing.
Of course, the key to gaining amnesty by committing evil deeds was to have ability.
He, of course, had ability, but the branding of the Mental Demon Realm was too obvious. Once it was revealed, it would be the same as suicide.
And as River Earl Surging Waves, it was absolutely impossible to do matters that would anger the Heavenly Court or matters that could not be easily dealt with.
“I should still honestly walk the righteous path… touch the heavens through my karma… hehe…”
Fang Yuan was holding an ancient book that wrote about one of the Spiritual Realm’s past events.
The book recorded that in Bamboo Nation, there was a scholar named Xu Wei. He was a cultivation well-doer for three generations. He had keen intellect and was able to become an official. He cared for the civilians as if they were his children, and everywhere he governed had good governance. The civilians even built a shrine for him. When he was about to die, the heavens and the earth were touched. A golden-armored God appeared with a heavenly decree and conferred him as Bamboo Nation’s City God.
“Hehe… This ancient book said that because Xu Wei’s meritorious deeds touched the heart of the heavens, the Heavenly Court conferred him a title. In fact… this is correct but also wrong!”
Fang Yuan thought of the God Nations in the Monger World.
Within the God Nations, there was a type of Saint.
They might be the same as normal believers when they were in the mortal world, but they understood the Gods’ deepest principles and integrated them into their daily lives, doing everything that was said.
These people’s souls would be automatically drawn by the God Nation when they died. They did not have to go to the Netherworld and could become sacred spirits.
These sacred spirits were naturally not conferred by the Gods.
It was their ‘Dao’ that shook the rules of the God Nation and left the Gods no choice but to receive them.
Xu Wei was also like this.
His karma had already traveled through the heavens and the earth. If the Heavenly Court did not give him a title, it would be ‘misconduct’ and a large amount of power would be wasted away.
Thus, even if it looked righteous, there were actually many secret struggles and compromises.
At the moment, what Fang Yuan wanted to do was generally similar to what Xu Wei did…
He wanted to do a certain amount of meritorious deeds to make the Heavenly Court have no choice but to recognize him and even promote his Deity Position!
Although the Heavenly Court must bestow a title, this type of novice would inevitably encroach upon other’s positions and resources once they’re promoted. How could they be welcomed?
Just look at that Xu Wei. Right after becoming Bamboo Nation’s City God, he had always received a cold reception. In the end, he passed away. Roughly what happened can be seen!
If I was the one enlisted by the Heavenly Court, I would definitely properly polish myself… The most suitable place can only be the Mental Demon battlegrounds!
No matter what organization, it was tradition for the seniors to suppress the newcomers.
Of course, this kind of suppression did not have to be obvious; it could have many different forms.
Based on his calculations, if the new Gods that just entered the Heavenly Court did not have any backers nor knew how to be a God, the probability of getting sent way to ‘polish’ themselves was high.
This was Fang Yuan’s plan. Although it was simple, chances were that it would work.
As long as his identity was not exposed, he could definitely go to the Mental Demon battlegrounds.
“Speaking of which… now that I’ve succeeded as River Earl Surging Waves, I’m somewhat enemies with the Spiritual Flying Sword Sect. There’ll be trouble in the future!
“Spiritual Flying Sword Sect is one of the 72 immortal sects, has numerous Heaven Immortal Patriarchs personally watching over it, and their forces can’t be underestimated. Of course… I won’t be afraid of them either!”
Fang Yuan muttered to himself for awhile, then clapped his hands.
Green Mountain and Black Water walked in side by side and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Master… The River Palace has already completed recruiting the prawn soldiers and crab generals and divided them into ranks. There are 5000 of them and they can be used at anytime!
“And since Master has succeeded the Deity Position, the congratulations are endless. Many Gods have sent gifts that have been recorded and stored in the storage room! To the outsiders, we announced that Master needed to meditate to stabilize your magical strength,” Green Mountain reported.
Obtaining a Deity Position was a grand matter. The cultivators and other Gods nearby would have to congratulate him one by one.
It was also customary to organize a celebration.
However, this was all rejected—the reason being that Fang Yuan was meditating.
His aspirations were far and wide, so where would he get the energy to settle these mundane matters?
“It’s fine if you make the necessary arrangements for me… Let me look at the visiting cards…”
Fang Yuan took a pile of cards and casually flipped through them.
These Divine Dao cards were naturally different from the others. With a caress of his hands, one by one, either profound and vast or unfettered and formless auras appeared to be coming alive.
“Hmm… Among these people, only two or three require special attention. Organize a small banquet later and invite them over.”
Fang Yuan flicked his fingers, and his brow suddenly moved as he drew out a card. “Even Mountain God Huo congratulated me… This God is related to another chance in Lord Bright Jade’s memory. This can be used as a reason to visit him.”
…
As Fang Yuan was calculating, in the Spiritual Flying Sword Sect.
“Wan Sanjian’s Intrinsic Sword Tablet was shattered, and his body and soul were completely destroyed…”
“He’s a disciple of our sect, but was unexpectedly killed. We need to retaliate for this provocation to our sect. Otherwise, where would we put our face?”
A few elderly swordsmen discussed before looking at the sect master at the center.
“Wan Sanjian is our sect’s disciple. Since he died at the hands of an outsider, we naturally must demand justice for him!”
Spiritual Flying Sword Sect’s sect master had the appearance of a middle-aged man. He wore green clothes and had a thick scholarly air. The three tufts of his long beard fluttered in the wind, and his appearance was quite good. “The man I sent out is already back from investigation! Kong Luo!”
He called out once, and a youth carrying a sword came to the main hall. He knelt on the floor with both knees. “Disciple Kong Luo greets Sect Master and all the Elders…”
“Forget it!” the sect master said. “Explain everything regarding Wan Sanjian’s death. Don’t have any scruples…”
“Yes!” Kong Luo focused. “A number of days ago, I received Sect Master’s flying sword message and immediately headed for where Junior Brother Wan had gone to travel. Through the aura of the shattered Intrinsic Sword Tablet, I found my way to the Surging Waves River’s dragon gate… It was clear that there had been fighting there, and there were even traces of Skyfiend Yin Lightning exploding. I investigated through many methods, and also questioned a few demons, before finally knowing what happened that day. The origin was the appearance of a Deity Position!”
“Deity Position?”
A few white haired elders that looked like they did not have much lifespan left widened their eyes. “What rank?”
“It’s a heaven and earth Deity Position. Once it’s refined, the Spiritual Energy in the magic domain can be adjusted and used. It’s no trivial matter…”
They were all very old and turned their noses at the petty officials within the Divine Dao. But after hearing this, their eyes were a little red.
“Even if it’s only a Viscount-rank Deity Position, it’s formed by the heavens and the earth and much better than the ones reliant on being close to the Human Dao. We can increase our lifespan if we obtain it…”
“Reporting, Elders…” Under the gazes of wolves, Kong Luo could only summon his courage and answer. “The average demons didn’t know what happened to the Deity Position. Only when the news spread did I know that the River Earl Deity Position of the Surging Waves River was born!”
“Tsk tsk! So it’s a River Earl!” a few Elders exclaimed. “Surging Waves River’s water has an abundance of spirit. Within the boundaries of the God’s magic domain, they can probably go up against a Heaven Immortal!”
“Although this God will definitely fail and fall in the end, it’ll still be amazing.”
“When looking at a Deity Position, the first thing looked at is the rank before the boundary of the magic domain. The Surging Waves River position is an Earl, and the boundary is vast. I’m afraid we don’t have any hope…”
These elders were all Earth Immortals, and their way of looking at things was sinister.
They knew that it was still alright if the Deity Position had not been refined, but to suddenly enter the opponent’s magic domain now was no different from seeking death.
“This God is troublesome. If we want it done perfectly, we should invite the Heaven Immortal Patriarches to take action!”
In the Spirit Flying Sword Sect, the sect master and elders were all Earth Immortals. There were a few Heaven Immortals, but they were all cultivating and would not appear unless it was a critical moment.
“Looks like everyone’s decided!” The middle-aged sect master nodded. “Then… I’ll invite Master to take action once!”
After he left, a few elders looked at each other, a secretive color appearing in their pupils. No wonder the sect master is anxious. After all, Wan Sanjian was similar to him. In the future, there would have been opportunities to become the true successor and fight for the main position in the sect…
At the moment, the emotions of the opposition were also very complicated. They hoped to elevate the prestige of Spirit Flying Sword Sect, but also hoped that the sect master would be disadvantaged this time.
“Master!”
However, the middle-aged sect master did not think much.
His expression was solemn as he arrived at the sword valley behind the sect and suddenly knelt down.
“Fool…” Accompanied by a faint sigh, an elder wearing white walked out slowly. His body had the aura of a Sage. “Why are you hesitating?”
“Master… the way that God appeared is unusual. He may be a seed nurtured by the Heavenly Court…” the sect master said hesitantly.
“Even if that’s the case, so what?” The elder dressed in white was unyielding as he smiled. “Those that block my path have to be killed! If you’re overcautious, you’d be going against the sword teachings of our sect! River Earl Surging Waves? Hehe… this is only an Earl-rank Deity Position. Wait for me. I’ll get it and strengthen the sect’s foundations.”