Chapter 366: Qi Yuan's Wonderful Adventure

"Hiss—huh?"

At Xiaoqiong Peak, in front of the thatched hut.

After half a month in seclusion, Qi Yuan, the zhu xian who had ascended to true immortal status with a single pan tao, stood at the door of his hut. He stared blankly at the scene outside, unable to resist gesturing a few rainbows with his hand.

Where’s the lake?

Where’s the mountain?

How could such a massive lake and mountain just... vanish?!

It was as if the mountain had been dissected like a spirit beast, with over a dozen figures darting in and out of its interior...

Qi Yuan squinted and realized these figures all bore his own appearance!

If it weren’t for his eldest disciple pulling stunts like this all the time, Qi Yuan might have gotten used to it. Otherwise, this sight could have easily summoned a heart demon!

At that moment, Xiaoqiong Peak was enveloped in layers of light barriers, concealing all changes from the outside world.

Qi Yuan turned his head to the left and was immediately captivated by the massive trees, each requiring three people to encircle. These giants were scattered across soil shimmering with a faint golden glow, turning the original forest into what looked like mere underbrush. The air was thick with a rich aura of vitality.

Qi Yuan noticed something else and tilted his head up, his expression turning blank once more.

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

Someone had used immense power to create a massive transparent tank, where schools of spirit fish and gentle spirit beasts swam leisurely. Sunlight filtered through the water curtain, making the whole scene dreamlike.

In the spot where the lake had once been, the mountain was cleaved open, revealing layers of rock and, beneath them, neatly arranged piles of spirit stones and array foundations glowing with misty spiritual light...

Those dozen figures were weaving back and forth among the spirit stones and array foundations, working busily.

Qi Yuan extended his immortal sense to investigate, and his entire body seemed to turn to stone.

What on earth was going on?

Was Xiaoqiong Peak actually made of spirit stones? How had he never known?

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

Qi Yuan shivered and was about to step out of the hut to investigate when he saw Ling E floating over, holding a decorative jade tree.

"Master! You're awake!

Auntie Shi and Auntie Jiu have returned to Potian Peak! It might be tricky for you to go find them right now!"

Qi Yuan trembled slightly, his fly-whisk quivering, his voice unsteady.

"Ling E, what on earth is your senior brother doing..."

"Senior brother is just doing a little mountain reconstruction, Master. Don't be afraid—these are all part of the grand arrays he designed to protect us."

Ling E lifted her chin proudly and said seriously:

"For a comfortable life in the future, to ward off invaders, and to safeguard the harmonious and beautiful tomorrow of Xiaoqiong Peak!"

"This..." Qi Yuan frowned. "Making such a big commotion, using so many spirit stones and treasures... Does the sect know about this?"

"Master, don't worry," Ling E said, using her immortal power to hold the jade tree steady as she pulled two scrolls from her sleeve and unfurled them lightly.

"Ta-da! Senior brother got these!

A special permit from the sect leader, and approval from the Hall of Hundred Affairs!"

Qi Yuan opened his mouth, examined the two documents carefully, and finally relaxed...

"But Ling E, where did all these treasures and spirit stones on our peak come from?"

Ling E laughed. "Senior brother has been running around everywhere, selling things he's earned through hard work!"

"Selling!?" Qi Yuan exclaimed in shock.

"Yes, selling pills, selling spirit beasts." Ling E ticked them off on her fingers. "Sometimes he even does odd jobs for some Honghuang seniors.

Master, no need to worry. You just rest in seclusion for another half month, and Xiaoqiong Peak will be fully transformed!"

"This..."

Qi Yuan stepped out of the hut and surveyed the area.

One of Li Changshou’s paper effigies in the distance bowed in greeting and started to fly over to explain, but Qi Yuan waved him off, turned around, and went back into the hut.

"You all carry on, carry on. I’ll just continue my cultivation...

Tsk, this must be a dream. If I meditate a bit more, it should go away.

Yes, just a dream..."

As he murmured, the hut door slowly closed.

Qi Yuan returned to his meditation mat, sat cross-legged, sighed softly, and kept extending and retracting his immortal sense, over and over.

Thus, a month later...

Qi Yuan slowly opened his eyes, awakening from his meditation. Worried about the changes on Xiaoqiong Peak, he immediately released his immortal sense fully without even standing up.

Was that really just a dream?

Outside the hut, the small lake seemed to be the same small lake, and Xiaoqiong Peak’s modest mountain was back, with the forests around it looking as they always had...

Wait, something was off—the forests were denser than before.

And as a zhu xian, he could feel it intuitively: the spiritual energy on this rundown peak was overwhelmingly abundant now!

Pushing the door open, Qi Yuan gazed around.

He had cultivated here for over a thousand years, yet now everything seemed perfectly natural, as if it had always been this way!

When he probed the mountain with his immortal sense, there was no obstruction—just ordinary rock layers everywhere...

What was going on?

"Master, it's all just some illusion arrays."

Li Changshou’s voice came from nearby. He stepped out of the adjacent hut and bowed to Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan asked quietly, "Changshou, is everything set up?"

"Yes," Li Changshou replied with a smile, handing a jade talisman to his master. "Master, this contains methods to escape if you accidentally enter a mizhen. Keep it with you.

This jade talisman is also a treasure that can block strange things from eavesdropping on your thoughts, so make sure to carry it at all times."

Qi Yuan frowned. "My child, with so many spirit stones and treasures, why not offer some to the sect? Why bury them all?

And on Xiaoqiong Peak, it’s just us three disciples. Your grandmaster has moved to Potian Peak, so why set up all these arrays and illusions?

If the sect’s grand array is breached, what good would our arrays do?"

Li Changshou paused for a moment…

If the sect were truly attacked, Xiaoqiong Peak might actually turn the tide!

At the very least, it could help some fellow disciples strategically retreat.

To avoid a lecture from his master, Li Changshou smiled and changed the subject:

"Master, since you’ve just come out of seclusion, how about taking a trip to Tian Court? You could claim a position as a mountain god or land god and gain some merit by registering there."

"That works. What do I need to prepare?"

Qi Yuan had already agreed to this arrangement from Li Changshou, so he didn’t resist now.

Li Changshou said, "You don’t need to prepare anything. I’ve arranged it all. You just need to nod and report your background when you get to Tian Court...

It’s basically just registering."

"In that case, I’ll go change my clothes."

With that, Qi Yuan turned and hurried back inside.

Li Changshou smiled, his immortal sense glancing at his grandmaster, auntie, and junior sister playing in the gaming room, and he shook his head slightly.

His grandmaster and auntie had no lifespan pressures, so there was no rush to arrange anything for them.

A moment later, Qi Yuan emerged in a deep blue silk daoist robe, his hair tied in a proper daoist bun, holding his fly-whisk and wearing cloth shoes, exuding a bit of the worldly zhu xian’s charm.

"Changshou, how do I look?"

Li Changshou gave a thumbs-up. "As majestic as ever, unchanged from the past!"

"Ha ha ha," Qi Yuan stroked his beard and laughed, then admonished, "Don’t push yourself too hard. It doesn’t matter if I get merit or not."

"Master, rest assured. I have it under control."

Li Changshou bowed, handed Qi Yuan a jade talisman, and his own avatar transformed into a paper figure, slipping into Qi Yuan’s sleeve.

"Master, head to the sect gate and fly east. I'll be waiting for you outside."

Qi Yuan followed the instructions, glancing at the new bamboo grove on the back mountain and Wine Rain Shi cultivating there, before riding the clouds toward the sect gate.

Once outside the gate, he flew toward the East Heaven Gate and soon saw a middle-aged daoist flying toward him on the clouds.

Qi Yuan tensed up, on full alert.

"Master, it's me."

The middle-aged daoist and the paper figure in Qi Yuan’s sleeve spoke at the same time, and Qi Yuan relaxed.

Li Changshou came forward, inviting his master onto his cloud, and they continued toward the East Heaven Gate.

On the way, Li Changshou advised:

"Master, this avatar of mine is known as a minor mage of Ren Jiao. If you ever face danger in the future, just mention that name..."

Qi Yuan frowned. "Why is your title so odd?

The great mage of Ren Jiao is one of the most powerful figures in the world. Isn’t your nickname just trying to ride on his coattails?"

Li Changshou laughed. "The great mage gave me this title to make it easier for me to handle matters for Ren Jiao."

Qi Yuan was startled.

"Master, you don't need to worry. I won’t say more, as it might affect your state of mind.

Just know that I can take good care of you and junior sister now.

Master, forgive my disrespect, but from now on, let’s address each other as dao friends. If our relationship is exposed, it could bring you trouble."

Qi Yuan nodded with a frown, holding back what he wanted to say.

They flew quickly toward the East Heaven Gate before Qi Yuan finally sent a voice transmission: "Chang... Dao friend."

"Yes?"

"Nobody exists without Ren Jiao, just as our sect and our cultivation fruits wouldn’t. I’m truly glad you’re working hard for Ren Jiao. Remember, don’t get caught up in small gains and neglect the bigger matters.

As for the rest, I don’t know what else to tell you. Just take care of yourself."

Li Changshou replied via voice transmission: "I will follow your words!"

As the East Heaven Gate came into view, Qi Yuan set aside his concerns and admired the grand gate from afar, along with the ranks of heavenly soldiers standing guard.

The aura of tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers linked together was as intimidating as dozens of golden immortals exerting pressure!

Qi Yuan’s face paled slightly as he whispered, "The might of Tian Court is truly overwhelming."

"This is a special situation right now, with demons causing chaos everywhere."

Li Changshou smiled. "Dao friend, you might not know, but a few months ago, ancient demon clans gathered hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers and experts to challenge Tian Court.

His Majesty the Jade Emperor deployed three hundred thousand troops and forcibly suppressed them.

Since then, demon clans across the lands have been restless, and apparently, a group of old demons went to cry outside the Sage Mother’s palace...

Dao friend, guess what happened?"

Qi Yuan chuckled. "What?"

"That benevolent Sage Mother sent a few fairies to hang those old demons up and beat them, warning them not to oppose Tian Court."

Li Changshou laughed. "In the past few months, although demon clans are defiant, Tian Court’s prestige has soared, with many coming to pledge allegiance.

It's the perfect time for you to gain some merit in Tian Court."

Qi Yuan nodded, finding the story intriguing even if he didn’t fully understand it.

As they spoke, they arrived at the East Heaven Gate.

A heavenly general stepped forward immediately, asking where they came from and their purpose in Tian Court.

Qi Yuan looked up at the Tian Di Sword hanging above the white jade gate, his yuan shen trembling slightly…

Coming through the back door made him a bit uneasy.

Li Changshou stepped forward to respond, then returned to wait with his master at the East Heaven Gate as the heavenly general hurried off to the Water God Mansion.

Soon, a graceful young woman arrived on the clouds, and all the heavenly soldiers and generals bowed their heads, calling her "Your Highness."

Li Changshou arched his hands and smiled. "Your Highness, why did you come out personally?"

It was Long Ji.

Long Ji smiled. "I was attending a lesson with my teacher, so I came on his behalf. Which of you is Qi Yuan Dao Friend? Please follow me."

Qi Yuan glanced at the "minor mage" beside him, feeling a bit dazed, and bowed to Long Ji.

Long Ji, already at the Tian Xian realm, waved her hand lightly, and a white cloud appeared under Qi Yuan’s feet, carrying him into the East Heaven Gate.

Then Long Ji winked at the "minor mage," who smiled back and rode away on the clouds.

This was all part of Li Changshou’s plan, intentionally exposing some vulnerabilities to the Jade Emperor…

Regardless of his relationship with the Jade Emperor, just considering the dynamic between the Heavenly Emperor and the authority god,

After today, even if the Jade Emperor couldn’t confirm the connection between Qi Yuan and the Water God’s true self, he would know Qi Yuan was an important acquaintance of the Water God.

As long as the Water God remained valuable to Tian Court and the Jade Emperor, the Jade Emperor would protect Qi Yuan…

Qi Yuan looked at the young woman’s back ahead and asked, "This... Your Highness?"

"Hmm?"

Long Ji turned her head, a graceful smile like that of a Yao Chi fairy, and said, "Dao Friend, is something wrong?"

"You... you are..."

Long Ji said brightly, "I’m Long Ji, the disciple of the Water God, though he thinks my comprehension is too low and only teaches me strategies and schemes.

Dao Friend, you’re truly fortunate to be recommended by the Water God."

Qi Yuan asked quietly, "Why are you called Your Highness?"

"My father sits in the Lingxiao Hall as the ruler of the Three Realms, and my mother is the head of Yao Chi, so they address me as Your Highness." Long Ji sighed lightly. "But I don’t have an official position in Tian Court; I’m just a wandering immortal."

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

Qi Yuan was suddenly at a loss.

Long Ji led Qi Yuan for a while, flying past several crowded immortal halls and skipping the initial procedures, landing directly in front of the Tongming Hall.

The more than ten immortals and gods inside, who were busy working, were startled and came out to greet her.

"Your Highness, please give your orders."

Long Ji took a letter from her sleeve, her voice light and melodious:

"This is a recommendation from the Water God for a Ren Jiao cultivator. He wants to appoint him as a minor god overseeing a mountain. It’s all detailed in the letter.

I’m just delivering it; nothing else."

A fourth-rank god on duty in Tongming Hall stepped forward, took the letter, read it carefully, and smiled knowingly:

"Since it’s a recommendation from the Water God, it must be from a person of high... high..."

Uh, zhu xian?

"High character and talent!

Please, Qi Yuan Dao Friend, wait inside. We can finalize such a position in half a day!"

Qi Yuan bowed. "Thank you, seniors."

"Not at all!" an immortal god quickly said. "Just call us dao friends; no need for ‘seniors.’”

Long Ji chuckled. "Then, Qi Yuan Dao Friend, I’ll leave you here. I need to get back to my lesson with my teacher!"

"Thank you for guiding me, Your Highness."

Qi Yuan bowed again, and Long Ji returned the courtesy before turning and leaving the hall, lightly leaping onto a cloud and heading back to the Water God Mansion.

The immortals and gods led Qi Yuan into Tongming Hall, serving him tea and immortal fruits, and kindly asking if he had any cultivation troubles.

What followed was a series of processes for condensing the god position, selecting the jurisdiction, and more—all guided by the immortals and gods with one-stop, systematic back-door service…

News of the Water God recommending an immortal god spread quickly through Tian Court.

Many immortals and gods heard about it and came to Tongming Hall to take a look at the zhu xian recommended by the Water God, then drifted away…

Half a day later, Qi Yuan, feeling dizzy and disoriented, completed all the procedures and officially became a low-rank minor god registered in Tian Court.

From then on, he was part of the mountain god sequence, unranked, overseeing a ten-thousand-li radius around Du Xian Men in Dong Sheng Shen Zhou, and he gained some divine powers.

Qi Yuan received a jade plaque with merit and karma indicators, requiring him to return to Tian Court every hundred years for a report.

Additionally, he got a seal engraved with a mountain, his divine treasure, which was more powerful than ordinary immortal treasures—it could be used to smash enemies or cast minor earth-shattering spells.

"Thank you all, thank you." Qi Yuan bowed in gratitude, and the immortals and gods smiled and returned the courtesy before resuming their duties.

An immortal god escorted Qi Yuan out of Tongming Hall and pointed out the cloud path to the East Heaven Gate.

Qi Yuan thanked him and was about to ride the clouds when he heard laughter from nearby…

"Ha ha ha, Qi Yuan Dao Friend, we meet again."

Dong Mu Gong arrived on the clouds, dressed in a brown immortal robe.

Qi Yuan was taken aback, and a voice transmission entered his ear:

"Don't worry, dao friend. I am Mu Gong, a friend of the Water God, here on His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s orders to conceal your background and escort you to your post."

Qi Yuan trembled slightly.

Dong Mu Gong? The foremost male immortal of Tian Court? And he was personally escorting him on the Jade Emperor’s orders?

Saints above, he was just a back-door zhu xian…

This back door was practically turning into the front gate!

Qi Yuan reacted quickly, knowing he might have caused trouble for the "Water God," and bowed immediately:

"Greetings, Mu Gong."

Dong Mu Gong approached and took Qi Yuan’s arm. "Ha ha ha, it’s been a while since we last met, and now you’re serving Tian Court too. Excellent, excellent!"

"This… I wouldn't dare trouble Mu Gong…"

"The Water God is deeply trusted by His Majesty and is busier than I am. If you need anything, just come to me directly."

Dong Mu Gong complained with a smile, and the two chatted like old acquaintances before riding the clouds toward the East Heaven Gate.

Along the way, Bian Zhuang and several heavenly generals waited with hundreds of heavenly soldiers to accompany Qi Yuan to his new post!

Dong Mu Gong and the heavenly soldiers and generals truly escorted Qi Yuan all the way back to Dong Sheng Shen Zhou, to within thirty thousand li of Du Xian Men…

Following Li Changshou’s voice transmission, Qi Yuan thanked Dong Mu Gong repeatedly and said he didn’t want to impose further.

Dong Mu Gong left a teleportation jade talisman for Qi Yuan before allowing him to return to his jurisdiction alone.

Originally, Dong Mu Gong had even wanted to arrange for a mountain god temple to be built…

After bidding farewell to Mu Gong and the heavenly soldiers and generals, Qi Yuan felt muddled and intoxicated the whole way back. Under Li Changshou’s guidance, he used earth escape to wander around for two days before returning to Du Xian Men.

Entering the sect gate, Qi Yuan finally relaxed, his dao heart settling.

He…

This…

Oh well, time to go back and cultivate.

This Honghuang world was just too unpredictable!

Qi Yuan pretended nothing had happened and flew back to Xiaoqiong Peak, passing through four or five layers of grand arrays before returning to his hut and sitting down.

Recalling his simple trip to Tian Court, questions kept bubbling up…

What was all this about?

"Master," Li Changshou transmitted, "from now on, just focus on your cultivation. The merit will grow gradually and help extend your lifespan."

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

"I am him."

Qi Yuan was truly stunned, his dao heart in chaos, faintly aching.

"Master, remember, if you go out, let me know and always carry that jade talisman."

Qi Yuan nodded and sat there, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, in Tian Court, in the Hall of Marriage…

Yue Lao paced back and forth, deep in thought, and soon made up his mind, striding toward the back hall.

For this Qi Yuan’s marriage fate…

Let’s take another look and arrange it if there’s any sign!