Chapter 287: Thank You, Senior

After being delayed for two shichen on the mountain, Da Yu Di Jun arrived in a hurry.

Having temporarily resolved the disharmony within his family, Da Yu felt refreshed and full of energy, walking with a spring in his step. He took Li Changshou along to visit several immortal mountains in quick succession, paying respects to the retired Human Emperors in Huoyun Cave and presenting them with a small gift from Heaven.

True care comes from the sincerity of the younger generation.

It was a bit of a regret that they couldn't visit Xuan Yuan Huang Di's home, Li Changshou thought.

—Xuan Yuan Huang Di was already waiting in Fuxi’s cave, and Li Changshou's next stop would allow him to meet Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuan Yuan Huang Di, the three sages of the human race, all at once.

What a great deal!

Along the way, Da Yu praised Li Changshou endlessly. Whenever they met a senior Human Emperor, Da Yu would call Li Changshou a person of "great wisdom" and introduce him as "the most clever and talented individual in Heaven."

Li Changshou felt a bit embarrassed by all the compliments...

But he could see that Da Yu Di Jun was genuinely invigorated. If their generational difference weren't so vast and the karma of the Human Emperors weren't so heavy, Da Yu might have thrown an arm around his shoulder and said:

"Sea God, you and I are brothers now!"

Li Changshou thought carefully and realized that Da Yu's only trouble these days was his emotional issues after retirement, which were the daily challenges he needed to tackle.

With Li Changshou's help this time, Da Yu's life should be smooth and harmonious for quite a while...

And as long as he studies the "Sea God Scripture" thoroughly, a peaceful family and harmonious marriage won't be just a distant dream!

From this perspective, Li Changshou felt that Da Yu's enthusiasm toward him was quite understandable.

On the road, Li Changshou asked Da Yu why he didn't go to Xuan Yuan Huang Di for some advice.

Da Yu smiled bitterly:

"This isn't the same at all.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di's situation is completely different from mine.

I heard that those over three thousand seniors are divided into a few major factions, except for a few with high cultivation who can remain detached. The rest spend their days figuring out how to please Xuan Yuan Huang Di.

I truly can't reach that level."

Li Changshou: ...

Thankfully, he hadn't gone there himself, or else with the gift of three Pan Tao he prepared, it might have turned into a bloodbath!

When they reached the area near Fuxi's cave, Da Yu took the initiative to send a voice transmission:

"Fuxi is knowledgeable in heavenly principles and divination, with unparalleled mastery in deduction. Later, don't say anything empty or boastful in front of him—just speak the truth in all matters."

"I wouldn't dare deceive any of the seniors in the slightest."

Li Changshou replied with a serious expression, cupping his hands in thanks.

Da Yu rode the clouds, leading Li Changshou down to land in front of Fuxi's cave.

The cave doors were wide open, and laughter echoed from within, as if immortals were playing a game.

Walking forward, they entered a winding stone path.

The ground was inscribed with complex hexagrams, the cave walls above sparkled with star charts, and the sides were hung with scrolls of mountains, forests, and woods, occasionally featuring unique compositions.

The spiritual energy in the cave carried a faint, refreshing fragrance, giving a sense of indescribable comfort.

Li Changshou did not release his immortal sense to probe.

For experts like Fuxi and Shennong, doing so might be detected and would be rude.

After turning another bend, the view opened up.

Before them was a tall, round stone hall. To the left were artificial hills, stone steps, and a pavilion; to the right, a treasure pool with colorful carp and a lazy little spirit turtle.

A stream encircled the edge of the stone hall, its overall layout forming the shape of yin-yang taiji.

In the pavilion sat two elderly men and one middle-aged man.

The most striking was the old man in red robes.

This senior had a clean face without a beard, his features showing age but no wrinkles, with a faint, moist glow on his cheeks...

The red-robed elder was playing a game of strategy with the middle-aged man in light yellow robes.

Looking at the middle-aged man, he appeared ordinary at first glance, but the more you looked, the more you saw his steadiness and integrity. His eyebrows exuded righteousness, and sitting upright at the board, his posture gave off a subtle sharpness.

Da Yu sent a voice transmission:

"Sea God, don't mix them up—the one in red robes is Shennong, the one in yellow is Xuan Yuan Huang Di, and the one in green robes is Fuxi."

Li Changshou acknowledged with a voice transmission and glanced at the green-robed elder with a grass ring on his head. In his heart, he held full respect for these three retired Human Emperors.

At that moment, the three in the pavilion stopped what they were doing.

As the host, Fuxi was the first to step forward, standing at the pavilion entrance and stroking his beard with a smile. His voice was light but welcoming.

"Little friend, you've had a long journey. Come rest here."

Behind him, Xuan Yuan Huang Di stood up, casually tossing his game piece onto the board, and laughed:

"So, this is the Sea God that Fuxi friend has mentioned for days?"

Shennong frowned at the sight:

"How can you cheat again like that!"

"Ahahaha, hahahaha!"

Xuan Yuan Huang Di threw his head back in laughter:

"Though you didn't win, I didn't lose either. It's a draw, a draw! Hahaha!"

Shennong looked helpless and sighed with a smile, then turned his gaze toward the pavilion entrance, looking at Li Changshou.

First things first, Li Changshou was already quite satisfied with today's visit.

Seeing so many figures from human legends, for someone like him who often pored over ancient texts, it felt like characters jumping out of the pages.

Led by Da Yu Di Jun, Li Changshou walked to the pavilion and bowed in a daoist salute.

"Heaven's Sea God, disciple of Ren Jiao, pays respects to the seniors."

"Good."

"Not bad."

"Come on in."

Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuan Yuan Huang Di each responded, calmly accepting the courtesy in the pavilion and smiling at Li Changshou.

Though in this place and time, Li Changshou's Sea God paper effigy looked the most aged...

His seniority was indeed the lowest.

Once inside the pavilion, he presented the gifts.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di waved his hand, and an extra stone stool appeared nearby, inviting Li Changshou to sit.

Then, along with Da Yu, the four retired Human Emperors examined Li Changshou with curiosity and admiration.

Li Changshou: ...

If they kept staring, he might have to charge them!

Fuxi stroked his beard and said with a smile:

"This effigy's design is quite ingenious. It uses the paper-cutting method to fuse multiple paper figures, incorporating refining restrictions, alchemy calcination techniques...

It even seems to draw from Wu clan secrets? And it must have borrowed from advanced primordial spirit effigy methods.

Tsk, for a young friend to come up with such a clever idea is truly remarkable."

Listening to Fuxi's words, Li Changshou felt an inexplicable twinge in his heart.

It made his divine ability seem like a makeshift, low-grade external effigy...

And it really was pieced together.

When he didn't have a proper external effigy method, he had cobbled together the paper effigy just to keep his true self hidden.

Later, when his master taught him the external effigy technique, the paper effigy's advantages—like being cheap, not harming the body, not requiring a portion of the primordial spirit, and allowing multi-tasking without mental strain—made Li Changshou commit to improving it.

Up to today, the paper effigy and the trees on Xiao Qiong Peak had helped him immensely.

Though the latter had been destroyed in batches... that wasn't important.

Being able to see through his paper effigy's details so easily, Fuxi's cultivation and knowledge were truly...

Astonishing!

This was probably what a great figure was like.

After the seniors commented on Li Changshou's paper effigy for a while, Fuxi steered the conversation to the main matter.

Fuxi said: "Little friend, your visit is about the human race's rituals for sacrificing to heaven and earth. It's thoughtful of you."

Li Changshou replied steadily: "His Majesty the Jade Emperor already holds the greatest respect for the seniors in Huoyun Cave.

Both in sentiment and reason, we must consult the seniors' opinions before promoting Heaven's authority in Nan Zembu Continent."

Xuan Yuan Huang Di laughed: "In that case, let's just go through the motions and agree to it."

"Ah, friend, we can't take the Heavenly Emperor lightly!"

Fuxi said with a serious expression, and Xuan Yuan Huang Di nodded obediently, feeling a bit awkward.

"Little friend, what do you think of this?"

Fuxi pondered for a moment, then took out a jade disc from his sleeve and gently pushed it toward Li Changshou.

"This is the ritual system for human sacrifices. If you're sacrificing to heaven and earth, it should be carried out according to this."

Li Changshou stood up and took the jade disc with a serious demeanor: "This junior will present it to His Majesty."

"Good," Fuxi nodded in satisfaction. With the main business done, he resumed his earlier gentle smile and discussed the effigy methods with Li Changshou.

The discussion mostly involved Li Changshou listening while Fuxi pointed out the imperfections in the paper effigy technique.

Just from listening for a short while, Li Changshou felt enlightened!

He had been struggling with the upper limits of the paper effigy method, and now he had fresh solutions.

This trip to Huoyun Cave had been incredibly rewarding for Li Changshou.

He obtained the Water and River Map, gained Da Yu's friendship,

And received Fuxi's guidance, opening new horizons for improving the paper effigy.

On top of that, he accomplished the matter he reported to the Jade Emperor and earned some merit...

Li Changshou almost felt bashful as he brought up inquiring about the whereabouts of the Falling Treasure Copper Coin.

Yet, the gains from this trip were far from over.

Fuxi smiled and said:

"Little friend, since you've come all this way, I don't have any suitable treasure to give. How about I offer you a divination?"

Li Changshou quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind, then stood up and bowed in salute, expressing his thanks.

At that, Fuxi raised his hand and pointed lightly at the treasure pool. The leisurely little spirit turtle turned into a streak of light and flew into Fuxi's hand, transforming into an ancient turtle shell.

Li Changshou watched with a suppressed smile.

A spiritual treasure that could take form and act like a living thing—this turtle shell was actually a innate spiritual treasure?!

A innate spiritual treasure for divination?!

Fuxi laughed: "The divination method I promoted among the human race early on involved burning turtle shells and observing the patterns, but that approach is easily influenced by the five elements.

Today's method is different."

As he spoke, Fuxi took out stone strips of varying lengths from his sleeve, placed them in the turtle shell, and shook it gently.

"Little friend, is there something you'd like to know?"

Li Changshou's thoughts raced. Was Fuxi intending to give him a fortuitous opportunity?

"This junior is still early in my cultivation and lack a handy protective treasure," Li Changshou cupped his hands and said. "Today, I boldly ask the senior to divine the whereabouts of such a treasure for me."

"Good," Fuxi smiled slightly and shook the turtle shell, causing the stone strips to fall out.

Fuxi gazed at the strips, pinched his fingers to calculate, and a wisp of dao rhythm swirled around him.

The three retired Human Emperors nearby watched with keen interest, not interrupting.

After a moment, the dao rhythm dissipated, and Fuxi laughed:

"According to the hexagram, the treasure is in the Zhen position relative to your true self.

Have your true self travel south for sixty-six thousand li, then west for thirty-three thousand li, cross a headless mountain and ford a river, and in a certain valley, you'll find what you're seeking."

"Thank you, senior!"

"It's nothing," Fuxi wiped the sweat from his forehead and shook his head. "Divining for you is truly taxing. Even without calculating your true self's location, the Taiji Diagram kept interfering.

Little friend, you are truly favored by the Taiqing Lao Jun."

Li Changshou gave an awkward smile, feeling surprised in his heart.

Fuxi could perform divination for him despite the Taiji Diagram's power—this level of divination skill was unmatched...

Then, Shennong said warmly: "Since Fuxi friend has given a divination, I should offer something as well."

With that, Shennong reached into his sleeve and produced a brocade box, sending it to Li Changshou with immortal power.

"This is called the Hundred Woods Return Origin Pearl. Place it in a spiritual herb field, and as long as there's abundant spiritual energy around, it can make post-heaven plants mature overnight."

Li Changshou perked up. With this treasure, the development and production of his immortal bean soldiers would be fully secured.

"Thank you, senior."

Just then, Xuan Yuan Huang Di stood up:

"Since both friends have given gifts, if I don't, I'd look stingy."

Li Changshou sighed inwardly—this trip had incurred quite a few favors from Huoyun Cave.

Fortunately, Huoyun Cave was outside the Three Realms and not bound by the Five Elements, so it didn't involve karma. Otherwise, accepting these gifts would require careful consideration.

The gift from Xuan Yuan Huang Di was quite unique.

It was a jade talisman containing a cultivation method. Li Changshou didn't have time to examine it fully, but he glanced at the name—

"Returning Qi to Origin Method."

It probably wasn't some dual cultivation technique...

"Thank you, senior!"

At this point, Da Yu, who had been quiet, also stepped forward and said with a smile: "Since all the seniors have given gifts, I'll add one more!"

As he spoke, Da Yu pulled out that familiar iron staff from his sleeve.

This time, he had polished off the rust, and the staff gleamed with golden light, etched with intricate measurements and full of merit power, which he sent over with immortal power...

Li Changshou quickly stopped him: "Senior, please don't! I've already taken your Water and River Map."

Da Yu laughed: "Compared to your help, this is nothing. Don't be polite with me!"

Li Changshou said quietly: "But there's Lao Jun to consider..."

"In that case," Da Yu waved his hand, erasing the measurements on the staff, turning it into a smooth iron rod.

Da Yu laughed: "I've refined it a bit now. Here, take it!"

Without further ado, he tossed the iron staff straight into Li Changshou's arms.

Li Changshou nearly got knocked over...

Fuxi pinched his fingers to calculate, then chuckled, as if glimpsing some heavenly secret.

Fuxi said: "This treasure has a connection with little friend. It will bring benefits, not harm."

Faced with the other three Human Emperors, Li Changshou couldn't embarrass Da Yu and, hearing Fuxi's words, felt a bit relieved in his heart.

He put the iron rod away.

It seemed this item's fate was to pass through his hands and end up in the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Perhaps there were other connections, like using its merit power to aid the dragon race...

Li Changshou bowed in salute again to express his thanks.

Fuxi asked if he knew how to play chess, and Li Changshou returned the favor. After careful thought, he took out his Dou Da Shen card game.

"Dou Da Shen" was a preserved activity on Xiao Qiong Peak and shouldn't be given out lightly.

But as Li Changshou presented the cards, he had already dispatched paper effigies to secretly spread it in Dong Sheng Divine Continent, Zhong Shen Continent, and Heaven.

This way, no one could trace it back to him.

Everything in Huoyun Cave was fine, except the days dragged on, and the great figures often got bored...

Adding some entertainment for the seniors was Li Changshou's way of showing respect to these human sages.

Soon, laughter about "four heavenly immortals" and "five consecutive breakthroughs" echoed in Fuxi's cave, the voices much louder than during their chess game...

Thus, three days later.

Li Changshou bid farewell to the Human Emperors, and Da Yu personally escorted him to the exit of Huoyun Cave.

Before leaving, Li Changshou glanced at the mountain he hadn't visited—that should be Sui Ren Shi's cave.

Li Changshou asked: "Senior, should I go pay respects to Sui Ren Shi?"

"No need," Da Yu sighed. "Before leaving Huoyun Cave, just bow toward the great lake.

Sui Ren Shi's battle body is afflicted, and he's cultivating at the bottom of the lake.

That senior led the human race through struggles between the Wu and Yao, fighting countless battles and enduring great hardships.

According to Fuxi, when Sui Ren Shi entered Huoyun Cave, his tense primordial spirit relaxed, and he let out a breath. If not for the merit power holding him together, his battle body might have shattered on the spot.

Moreover, Sui Ren Shi sometimes goes berserk, unable to suppress the demonic energy within. It's not suitable for visitors."

Battle body...

Demonic energy...

Li Changshou felt deep respect. At the exit of Huoyun Cave, he turned and bowed three times toward the great lake, saying:

"A descendant of the human race pays respects to Sui Ren Shi.

May the senior recover soon, and may the human race prosper forever, with peace across the four seas."

The water surface rippled slightly, and a gentle breeze blew, as if in response.