Chapter 248: Conferring the Position of the Orthodox God

"Why is it so lively over in the Nanhai region?"

At Nantianmen, Dongmu Gong, now dressed in a fresh new robe, held the decree shimmering with seven-colored light and spoke with a smile.

Behind him stood several Golden Immortal realm heavenly generals, their Dao rhythms profound and auras steady, each responding with a few words.

Further back were ranks of heavenly soldiers and generals in gleaming armor.

Most soldiers carried spears, while the generals wore swords, all clad in uniform silver-white battle armor, maintaining expressions of solemn dignity.

This was likely the first time the Heavenly Court had mobilized so grandly to descend to the mortal realm and proclaim a decree from His Majesty Yu Di.

These tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers and generals had been rigorously selected, with requirements for both cultivation levels and appearances; the generals were personally chosen by Dongmu Gong, all experienced, reliable, and loyal individuals.

By now, the heavenly soldiers and generals had all heard the news: this was about His Majesty Yu Di conferring the position of a formal heavenly god upon that Sea God...

Just who was this Sea God?

Over the past few decades, rumors about the Nanhai Sea God had spread widely within the Heavenly Court.

Some said he was the youngest disciple of the Saint of Human Teachings, selected by the Saint to assist Yu Di in the great task of unifying the Three Realms;

Others claimed he was Yu Di's closest confidant, the most trusted advisor...

Yet, with such a grand display today, many heavenly generals still felt it was somewhat overkill.

Yue Lao, dressed in festive robes, arrived on a cloud from behind, bowed to Dongmu Gong, and then frowned as he asked, "Gongmu, for those of us going to offer congratulations, do we need to prepare anything else?"

"This, His Majesty didn't specify," Dongmu Gong pondered for a moment. "When the time comes, Yue Lao, you and the others can just step forward together to offer your congratulations."

"No need for any congratulatory gifts?"

"Of course not," Dongmu Gong laughed. "Once the Sea God fellow daoist enters the Heavenly Court, we can exchange gifts later. There's no need today."

"You're right, Gongmu, that makes sense," Yue Lao cupped his hands and took his leave.

Dongmu Gong checked the time and glanced at the position of the Golden Crow Star, then said, "All units, prepare!"

Inside and outside Nantianmen, tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers responded in unison:

"Acknowledged!"

"Hmm," Dongmu Gong nodded. "We'll depart in one more hour!"

The heavenly soldiers and generals, who had been holding their breath, now relaxed a bit, though some felt too exhausted to complain...

Clearly, Dongmu Gong was a little nervous.

It couldn't be helped—while others might not know the weight of this decree, Dongmu Gong, who often attended Yu Di, knew it all too well.

This Sea God was destined to become a key minister in the Heavenly Court. Once the Dragon Clan matters were settled, his divine rank would likely match Dongmu Gong's own.

Moreover, this Sea God had a strong background, excellent strategies, and a deep understanding of how to serve as a minister and conduct oneself, with Yu Di praising him endlessly and showing no real wariness.

It was truly...

Comparing gods to him would only demean them; comparing goods would make others seem worthless.

Dongmu Gong unfolded the decree glowing with seven-colored streams and carefully read its contents, afraid of mispronouncing a single word or using the wrong tone.

Immortals typically measure their retreats in years, and for most heavenly soldiers and generals, an hour would pass in a daze.

But for Dongmu Gong, this hour felt agonizingly slow, as if the Golden Crow was dragging its path across the sky...

Finally...

"Depart!"

Dongmu Gong gave a light shout, and the heavenly soldiers and generals perked up, mounting clouds and marching out from Nantianmen along the cloud path, heading straight for the southern continent of Nanzhanbuzhou!

At that very moment, along the coast of Nanhai.

The Daoist and Dragon Clan experts, who had sensed some unusual disturbances, shifted their attention from the song and dance performances to the sky above.

There, layers of white clouds pressed down, dotted with tall, upright figures.

"Heavenly soldiers and generals?"

"What are these heavenly soldiers here for? Could they be coming to offer congratulations?"

"By the way, why is the Sea God Cult holding this celebration today?"

Amid the murmurs, the song and dance on the high platform suddenly stopped, and Ao Yi leaped back onto the stage, holding up a jade plaque carved with a dragon head, and shouted loudly:

"Dragon Clan soldiers, where are you?"

The Dragon Clan experts responded in unison: "Present!"

Ao Yi's long hair fluttered, his spirit high, rarely showing such authority.

"Sea God Cult's True Dragon Guardians, assemble one thousand Immortal Flood Dragons to welcome the heavenly soldiers from the Heavenly Court!"

"Yes!"

Roars of dragons echoed as more than a dozen Dragon Clan figures burst from the clouds, transforming into true dragons in mid-air, leading a thousand flood dragons soaring upward!

Under the sunlight, the various dragon scales gleamed brilliantly—the sight of a thousand dragons ascending was magnificent!

Many mortals were thrilled, though they weren't quite sure what to be excited about.

Ao Yi's handsome face was full of solemnity as he shouted again: "Present—the Sea God statue!"

"Hey! Hey! Hey yo hey!"

Loud chants rang out from the side of the high platform, where eighteen Sea God Cult divine envoys carried and shouldered a three-zhang-tall white jade statue, bringing it onto the stage and placing it in the center.

At the platform's edge, barriers quietly activated, with rays of immortal light surrounding the statue.

Below the platform, the Sea God Cult's believers knelt in unison.

Ao Yi called out once more: "Present—the Sea God!"

Present the Sea God?

The mortals were initially puzzled, while the immortals of the Three Teachings and Dragon Clan experts instinctively searched for Li Changgeng's figure, only to realize he had vanished unnoticed.

Right then!

A beam of light shot from the Nanhai waters, arced through the air, and shone upon the bronze mirror!

The Sea God statue before the mirror rapidly melted away, quickly enveloped in clouds.

As the clouds dissipated, a figure woven from blue light rays stood quietly there.

This scene was transmitted simultaneously to various parts of the venue.

The mortals all shouted praises to the Sea God, while most immortals simply thought, "How clever."

Shijia smiled with narrowed eyes, Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and laughed, and Huanglong Zhenren looked thoughtful.

Others like Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, Yuding Zhenren, Guiling Shengmu, and Wudang Shengmu all smiled without speaking.

As seasoned experts, they knew this was just a technique to boost mortal faith—clever, but not particularly impressive.

Suddenly, the "figure of light" spoke:

"Where is my incarnation?"

From the back of the high platform, Li Changgeng's paper effigy in the form of an elderly immortal flew up and landed behind the figure of light. It then held a duster and stepped forward to merge with it.

Instantly, ripples spread across the high platform, radiating far and wide.

As the light faded and the ripples dissipated, pure spiritual energy scattered with the wind.

Breathing in one whiff strengthened and healed mortals' bodies; two whiffs fortified their essence and vitality; three whiffs...

Anyway, back to the main point.

Now, Li Changgeng's paper effigy stood side by side with Ao Yi, accepting the converging power of incense and merit.

Li Changgeng had gone to such lengths with this "trick" simply to prevent the Sea God Cult believers from having their illusions shattered.

If the frequently appearing elderly immortal paper effigy had just stepped forward and declared himself the Sea God, the mortals might believe it, but it would undoubtedly diminish some of their reverence.

By creating this spectacle—with immortal light rising from Nanhai, forming a illusory figure with spells, and then revealing that the elderly immortal's appearance was merely an incarnation of the Sea God...

This directly enhanced the depth of the Sea God's concept, making the believers more cohesive.

—And that's how the power of incense and merit is gathered.

Ao Yi performed a daoist bow and stepped back two paces.

Li Changgeng sat cross-legged in mid-air, slowly rising ten zhang, and recited the doctrines of the Sea God Cult, admonishing the believers to work hard, respect the elderly, and care for the young...

Soon, strands of incense merit condensed from the mortals' heads, transforming into a sky full of golden light that gathered toward Li Changgeng.

Even the Three Teachings' immortals, who had initially felt a bit mocking, changed their expressions upon sensing this genuine merit power, looking at Li Changgeng with new respect.

Many immortals interested in developing their own incense-based cults realized they had learned something valuable today...

Once Li Changgeng finished reciting the doctrines, booming war drums echoed from the horizon, and clusters of white clouds flew in, covered with silver-armored heavenly soldiers and generals.

Dragon roars filled the air as a thousand dragons danced in from afar, having completed their escort of the heavenly troops.

At this point, most Dragon Clan experts and Three Teachings' immortals still hadn't fully grasped what was happening.

Suddenly, a surge of Heavenly Dao power gathered over Nanhai, and a golden pillar of light shot from Nantianmen in the Heavenly Court, piercing through the layers of the universe and shining on Li Changgeng.

Li Changgeng stood in the air, a hint of divine light in his eyes, and declared clearly:

"Today is the day I receive the Heavenly Dao's recognition and ascend to the formal god position."

As his words fell, the heavenly soldiers and generals on a white cloud parted to make way, and a figure stepped forward on golden light, robes fluttering and long hair dancing—it was Dongmu Gong, holding the seven-colored silk.

Dongmu Gong swept his immortal sense downward and couldn't help but tremble slightly.

What kind of spectacle was this?

Was it to bolster the Heavenly Court or to intimidate it? Why were so many major figures from the Three Teachings here!

Dongmu Gong raised the decree high, steadied his mind, and shouted:

"Sea God of Nanhai, where are you?"

Li Changgeng bowed in daoist salute from below, then stood tall in the golden light. "This humble god is here!"

"By Yu Di's decree! The Sea God shall receive it!"

Dongmu Gong slowly unrolled the scroll and read aloud:

"Now, at the Nanhai coast, there is a Sea God who has gathered believers, established an incense-based cult, guided the people, protected mortals, slain demons and eliminated evils, accumulating great merits!

His Majesty Yu Di, moved by the Sea God's benevolent deeds and the people's heartfelt wishes, makes this special exception!

By the order of the Supreme Supreme of Haotian Golden Palace, the Naturally Wonderful and All-Pervading Miro Supreme Jade Emperor!

The Sea God Li Changgeng is appointed as the Profound and Flawless Great God of the Four Seas!

He shall receive sacrifices from the creatures of the Four Seas, spread teachings along the Four Seas' shores, be admitted to the ranks of immortals in the Lingxiao Hall of the Heavenly Court, hold the right to deliberate in the Tongming Hall, and oversee matters of conflict, plague, warfare, and calamity in the Four Seas!

He shall patrol the Four Seas on behalf of Heaven!"

Li Changgeng performed a daoist bow and replied, "Changgeng accepts the decree!"

As his words ended, the decree in Dongmu Gong's hand turned into streams of seven-colored light, carrying dense Heavenly Dao power, and flew toward Li Changgeng, directly merging into his chest.

In an instant, Heavenly Dao power enveloped Li Changgeng. The golden light rapidly converged, joining the seven-colored streams and entering his effigy, heading straight for his true body.

As expected!

Before he could rejoice, Li Changgeng's true body was already submerged in merit!

Fortunately, it was just bestowing merit without forcing any insights to elevate his realm.

Cultivation realm was one of Li Changgeng's trump cards—a card of deception, not deterrence.

If he were to undergo the Golden Immortal tribulation now and somehow succeed, it would essentially announce to others that he had only just achieved Golden Immortal status, making him even more vulnerable.

Only by keeping those who might target him guessing about his true strength could he make them more cautious.

That decree's Heavenly Dao power condensed into a seven-colored trident in Li Changgeng's primordial spirit...

Li Changgeng's primordial spirit grasped the trident, and instantly, winds and clouds churned over Nanhai, stirring up massive waves.

He quickly released the trident, and Nanhai returned to calm...

Was this god position more than just symbolic?

It seemed he could genuinely influence the Four Seas now?

In the high sky, Dongmu Gong took a breath and proclaimed, "His Majesty Yu Di bestows rewards!"

Li Changgeng didn't dare touch the trident again and quietly awaited the rewards.

Yu Di granted three treasures: the first was the "Four Seas Hydrographic Records," detailing comprehensive information about the Four Seas;

The second was the "ceremonial robes," a merit-based spiritual treasure with average defensive capabilities, but notably elegant in appearance;

The third was a sword, a post-heaven merit-based spiritual treasure inscribed with the name "Sea God," which could be used to command Heavenly Court troops.

Heavenly generals presented the three treasures, and after receiving them, Li Changgeng felt a wave of emotion.

Yu Di had been quite generous—granting a god position, merit, authority, and even troops.

With such lavish treatment, one wondered if the Three Teachings' immortals might feel a slight envy toward the Heavenly Court.

Sweeping his immortal sense, he saw that most Three Teachings' immortals looked curious and amused...

In contrast, the Dragon Clan members had complex expressions, with varying degrees of envy.

And the main event of the day was just beginning.

Li Changgeng gripped the Sea God Sword and called out, "Second Dragon Lord Ao Yi, where are you?"

A dragon roar echoed as Ao Yi transformed into a green dragon from the side and flew over, coiling his body and hovering before Li Changgeng.

Li Changgeng said, "Now that I am the Sea God, you shall be my Great Commander of the Four Seas Water Army, and you deserve a Heavenly Court god position!"

As he spoke, Li Changgeng pointed his sword forward, intending to share some of his god position merit;

But before he could act, another golden light shot from Nantianmen and enveloped Ao Yi, wrapping around his dragon form.

Li Changgeng: ...

Well, that saved the effort.

This golden light was much dimmer than the one that had enveloped Li Changgeng, naturally containing less merit power.

Heavenly Dao power swirled around Ao Yi, making his dragon scales shimmer brilliantly!

Suddenly, a blood-red aura of karma flew from Ao Yi's forehead, forming a dark shadow that was instantly shattered by the Heavenly Dao power!

That was...

The Dragon Clan's karma!

By receiving this Heavenly Dao god position—even if it was just a low-rank one subordinate to the Sea God—Ao Yi had his innate karma washed away!

In that moment, dazzling azure light burst from Ao Yi's body, with merit power integrating into him, and he was enveloped in dense azure glow.

His bloodline power, unrestrained at last!

The Dragon King bloodline took flight from this point!

The green dragon soared into the sky, plunging into a mass of dark clouds where thunder raged, yet Ao Yi's aura steadily rose.

Li Changgeng smiled faintly at the sight.

But the hundreds of Dragon Clan experts present were mostly shocked, clearly deeply moved;

Many elder dragons had tears in their eyes, exchanging silent glances.

The effect was unexpectedly positive.

Li Changgeng had laid out the path for the Dragon Clan's future today; how they chose to follow it was up to them.

As for that trident...

This time, Li Changgeng maintained a calm state of mind as his primordial spirit's small hand grasped it, gaining many insights.

This treasure was the manifestation of his god position; with it, he could stir the waves of the Four Seas and control most unintelligent creatures there.

In the future, if he fought someone within the Four Seas, he could borrow this "divine power";

Moreover...

It seemed to have excellent scouting capabilities.

With a slight thought, Li Changgeng perceived everything within a ten-thousand-li radius of Nanhai, and he spotted several hidden figures in the air above the sea.

To the southwest, three old daoists—two of whom he had encountered in the East Sea with Zhao Gongming.

So, the Western Teachings had witnessed this?

That was perfect!

And to the southeast, just dozens of li away near the coast, in a patch of clouds, a graceful figure stood silently, watching...

When had she arrived?

Sensing Li Changgeng's divine power probing, the fairy in the clouds chuckled lightly and revealed herself, riding a cloud toward the platform.