Chapter 405: A Certain Divine Beast I Have Unilaterally Been in Divine Communication with the Water God for a Long Time

Let's not dwell on Li Changsheng's initial attempt at Wuwei; in the mountains, he was pondering the Jiuxuan Gong and the transformation of witches, while waiting for the demon clan to respond.

Meanwhile, in the northwest of Nan Zhanbu Zhou, in a certain ordinary mortal city, within the backyard of a sprawling estate, two figures strolled along the edge of a lotus pond, each emanating a subtle Dao rhythm.

Lu Ya Daoist had resumed his true form—that of a neatly attired, handsome young Daoist.

At his side, the one known as "the cook" had changed into a long robe and was smiling as he introduced to Lu Ya Daoist the beautiful scenery of the estate he had personally arranged, pointing out the cleverly designed details.

In the end, Lu Ya couldn't resist and asked proactively:

"Senior, why did you go to that tavern to work as a cook? Instead of..."

The middle-aged Daoist countered:

"Why can't I be a cook?"

"This..."

"Is it because I was known in my service to the former emperor for my skills in divination and calculation, so now that I'm living in seclusion, I must play the role of a fitting fortune-teller?

Ha ha ha!"

The middle-aged Daoist stroked his goatee and laughed:

"This is just Your Highness's preconceived notion. In truth, my interests are quite broad, far beyond just divination, observation, and array formations."

Lu Ya sighed:

"I only knew that Senior was in seclusion here, and when I saw that mortal fortune-teller, I assumed it was Senior in disguise.

Senior, are you willing to come out of seclusion and help me once more?"

"Only on this matter, I must regretfully decline."

The middle-aged Daoist shook his head firmly, his eyes showing a hint of regret. "I thought Your Highness came today to ask about a way to preserve your life, but I never expected you still harbored such thoughts.

If that's the case, Your Highness might as well leave now.

Anything more I say would be useless to you."

Lu Ya frowned:

"From your words, Senior, does that mean I am in mortal danger?"

The middle-aged Daoist gave Lu Ya a serious look, his eyes suddenly turning a pale yellow, a flash of light passing through his pupils.

"Great calamity is imminent."

Lu Ya's Dao heart trembled slightly. In the middle-aged Daoist's eyes, he caught a fleeting vision...

In the vision, he lay covered in blood on a lake, his fate unknown, his condition utterly wretched.

If it had been anyone else saying this to Lu Ya and showing him such things, he might have simply commanded his treasure to turn back and scolded:

How dare you disturb my mind!

But this middle-aged Daoist—and only this one—Lu Ya had to respect and dare not disrespect.

Back when the Yao Court fell, Lu Ya survived because of this middle-aged Daoist's help.

Moreover, among the ancient demon clan's Ten Great Demon Commanders, this middle-aged Daoist was the only one who could sever his own karma, emerging from the Witch-Demon Great War completely unscathed.

The ancient demon clan's Ten Great Demon Commanders—Bai Ze.

Bai Ze, an innate spirit beast skilled in divination and fortune-telling, knowledgeable in yin and yang, clear on life and death, and expert at seeking fortune and avoiding disaster. He understood the emotions of all things and the appearances of all creatures, and was highly valued and trusted by the Yao Court's Demon Emperor as a key advisor to balance the authority of the Demon Master Kunpeng.

The "Bai Ze Jingguai Tu" that Bai Ze authored became a crucial foundation for the Demon Emperor's rule over the demon clan in ancient times.

Cold sweat beaded on Lu Ya's forehead. He sighed softly and bowed to Bai Ze.

"Please save me, Senior!"

"Very well," Bai Ze shook his head with a light laugh, "Though I see obsession in Your Highness, I still owe a debt of favor to the former emperor, so I must repay it through you.

Your Highness, do you know who wants to kill you?"

"The Heavenly Court Water God!"

Lu Ya blurted it out, but after saying it, he felt a vague sense of unease.

Bai Ze smiled:

"That's right, it's the Water God.

The Heavenly Emperor wants to kill you as the Yao Court Crown Prince, but this Water God wants to kill you as Lu Ya Daoist."

Lu Ya asked hurriedly:

"Why is that? Do I have some deep grudge with the Water God?"

"I don't know."

Bai Ze stopped walking, clasped his hands behind his back, and stood by the lotus pond, gazing at the expanse of lotus leaves on the water, his eyes growing more distant...

"This Water God is someone I've tried to fathom for a long time, but I could never quite grasp him.

Your Highness, you know that although I have some minor divine abilities to discern the appearances of all things, I can't truly divine everything and everyone, or my Dao heart would be shattered in an instant.

These days, as a recluse wandering the mortal world, I only observe the beings that interest me.

The first time I noticed this Water God, he had only five or six Sea God temples, but even then, I couldn't see his true form or origins—he was already on guard, and that guard has never wavered.

I've been secretly observing the Water God up to this day, and I still can't see through him..."

Bai Ze paused, sighing:

"This Water God is extremely patient, acts with meticulous care that's almost frightening, and holds grudges like no other.

Your Highness, do you know about the incident when the Dragon Clan's sea eyes were breached?"

"Of course I know," Lu Ya Daoist replied. "The Heavenly Court and the West schemed against the Dragon Clan, and in the end, the Dragon Clan chose to submit to the Heavenly Court. The West used them to make an example, destroying the East Sea eye and seizing the East Sea treasury."

"The one from the West who led that was the disciple of the Western Great Sage, Dizang."

Bai Ze smiled: "But Dizang and his little Diting didn't enjoy their triumph for long before the immortals of the Three Teachings descended on Mount Ling.

The immortals of the Three Teachings forced Mount Ling to bow and admit fault, and right in front of them, they killed one of Mount Ling's disciples. Even the Xuan Du Master clashed directly with the two Western Saints using the innate treasure, the Taiji Tu.

What a spectacle that was... Ahem, the root cause of that event, Your Highness, do you know what it was?"

Lu Ya Daoist frowned:

"Please enlighten me, Senior."

"Dizang played a small trick, using Diting's abilities to spread rumors about the Jiejiao's Holy Mother of Fire Spirit and Zhao Gongming, and he even did it under the name of the Jiejao's Huanglong Zhenren."

Bai Ze laughed: "In just half a day, the Heavenly Court Water God had already devised a counterattack, coordinating with the senior brother of the Three Teachings.

All because of this minor incident, the prestige the West gained from the Dragon Clan was completely lost. It eased tensions among the Three Teachings and even slapped the faces of the Western Saints.

What's more, Dizang and Diting were severely reprimanded by the Saints and lost their trust.

That scheme...

In any case, I would never make an enemy of the Water God."

Lu Ya said with a touch of dissatisfaction:

"Wasn't this also something the senior brother of the Three Teachings deliberately facilitated?"

Bai Ze just smiled without responding, steering the conversation back to Lu Ya's situation.

"Your Highness, aside from the West Sea incident and the battle at Sheng Yao Mountain, have you provoked the Water God in any other way?"

"Not at all," Lu Ya's gaze was steady. "At Sheng Yao Mountain, I rushed there from the Wa Huang Palace, but I arrived half a step too late, or else I wouldn't have let the Water God succeed so easily."

Bai Ze frowned:

"Your Highness, the residence of the Holy Mother Niangniang is called the Holy Mother Palace; Wa Huang Palace is just a name the demon clan gave it.

Don't assume the Holy Mother Niangniang has accepted that arbitrary title just because she hasn't pursued it.

In ancient times, before the Holy Mother Niangniang attained sainthood, the former emperor feared that Fuxi and she might seize power, so he drove them away first. The Holy Mother Niangniang protected you before because of her deep ties with the former emperor.

But now, the Water God has visited the Holy Mother Palace twice. Whether she will still protect you is uncertain."

"The Water God went to the Holy Mother Palace?"

Lu Ya was startled and asked quickly:

"When did this happen?"

"The first time was after the battle at Sheng Yao Mountain; the most recent was because of the disaster involving the Great Virtue Houtu, just a short while ago."

Bai Ze stroked his goatee and said casually:

"It seems, Your Highness, you've been flattered by those so-called old ministers until you're confused.

The Holy Mother Niangniang is the Holy Mother of the human race. Back when the human race was slaughtered by the demon clan, she didn't appear because the Demon Master Kunpeng had outmaneuvered her.

Though I don't know why, the Holy Mother Niangniang has bestowed countless treasures on the Water God, and that's no secret in the Holy Mother Palace.

Your Highness, the demon clan ceased to exist when the Yao Court fell. Why cling to the past?"

Lu Ya Daoist fell silent, his expression dimming.

Bai Ze continued to advise: "In my time serving the two former emperors, I witnessed firsthand how the myriad races, unwilling to be preyed upon by the witches, gathered at the top of Buzhou Mountain to establish the ancient Heavenly Court. They gained the great luck of the Heavenly Dao and contended with the witches for dominance.

Back then, the Heavenly Court was the Heavenly Court, and the sacred clan was the sacred clan.

Later, I also witnessed with my own eyes that once the sacred clan occupied the skies and gained the upper hand over the witches, it began to decay. Endless conquests, battles, great clans devouring smaller ones, the strong enslaving the weak.

By then, the Heavenly Court was still the Heavenly Court, but the sacred clan had become the demon clan.

Alas..."

Bai Ze's sigh carried endless desolation.

"The fall of the Yao Court was an inevitable trend, something no one could reverse. It wasn't a tragedy; it was the karma they deserved.

Your Highness, are those who still shout about the Yao Court's domination truly part of the demon clan?

They're nothing but rotten wood, forcibly labeling all the transformed races of ancient times as demon clan, using the demon clan's name to enslave and oppress.

Just think—if it weren't you who survived, but one of your brothers, how would those so-called demon kings treat them?"

"They would..."

"They would treat them no differently from you."

Lu Ya Daoist furrowed his brow in thought, then sighed sadly: "You're right; I'm just a banner they're waving."

Bai Ze smiled: "It's good that Your Highness has awakened in time."

"Senior!"

Lu Ya Daoist turned and bowed again: "I want to survive—please teach me how!"

"In truth, you've already been cornered by the Water God into a dead end," Bai Ze said seriously. "To break free, there's only one path."

"Please teach me, Senior."

Bai Ze replied: "Rally the various demon kings to rise up against the Heavenly Court. That way, you might have a thirty percent chance of survival."

Lu Ya looked puzzled, clearly struggling to process this.

Bai Ze explained slowly: "The current Heavenly Emperor fears you because you're the Yao Court Crown Prince. If the so-called demon clan resurgence fades away and those old demon kings make offerings to the heavens, posing no threat to the Heavenly Court, his fear will dissipate.

When the time comes, show a compassionate heart by saying you don't want the demon clan to vanish from the great wilderness, and surrender to the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Emperor will use you to demonstrate the Heavenly Court's benevolence, sparing your life and even acknowledging your origins.

Then, you can roam freely in the world.

However..."

Lu Ya asked hurriedly: "However, what?"

"I'm afraid this Water God might throw a knife in front of you when you surrender, turning your compassion into your end.

He would definitely do that."

Lu Ya felt a lump in his throat: "This Water God—why is he so set against me?"

"I don't know," Bai Ze sighed lightly, his eyes carrying a gleam that Lu Ya couldn't decipher. "The Water God's schemes run deep, beyond my reach, and he often makes unexpected moves.

Face means nothing to him; treasures and materials are like fleeting clouds.

What I admire most is his ability to see profit without forgetting righteousness. Though I've never met the Water God face-to-face, it's as if I've known him in spirit for ages..."

"Senior," Lu Ya Daoist asked quietly, "Is there no way to eliminate this Water God?"

"Touch him?" Bai Ze laughed. "The first thing to fall on your head wouldn't be the Taiji Tu or the Zhu Xian Four Swords, but..."

"What?"

"The Zixiao Divine Thunder."

Bai Ze patted Lu Ya's shoulder: "Don't dwell on it. The Water God is riding the momentum now, with the Heavenly Dao, the Dao Ancestor, and forces that could annihilate us in an instant standing behind him.

Instead of thinking about that, consider how to use the demon kings' uprising against the Heavenly Court to show goodwill to the Water God."

Lu Ya Daoist's eyes showed a hint of helplessness as he fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he asked: "Senior, could you go on my behalf and greet the Water God?"

"Impossible. It's out of the question; don't even think about it."

"Uh, why are you refusing so decisively..."

"Don't joke about it," Bai Ze said with a curl of his lip, his goatee twitching with disdain. "Take Dizang and little Diting as examples—the Water God fears little Diting, not Dizang.

If given the chance, the Water God would eradicate little Diting, that creature that can hear the thoughts of all spirits.

Let alone someone like me, an ancient demon clan member whose abilities surpass little Diting's by a bit.

If I met the Water God, there would be only two outcomes."

Lu Ya's Dao heart was already numb as he asked quietly: "What outcomes?"

"Either he kills me, or I swear a multi-thousand-word Great Dao oath and become his mount."

Bai Ze looked up with a long sigh, his eyes full of frustration: "He's not moving against me now mainly because his cultivation is still shallow and his accumulation insufficient. Once his merit body fully forms, he'll probably come after me."

Lu Ya asked hurriedly: "Then, Senior, won't you escape?"

"Where could I escape to?"

Bai Ze gave a bitter laugh: "All I can try is faking my death, but whether that works... well, it probably won't."

"Why?"

"The Water God is extremely thorough in finishing off his enemies; he leaves not a single trace of any spirit he kills."

Lu Ya's brows knitted into a frown: "Senior, are you exaggerating a bit?

Is the Water God really that formidable? Why hasn't he suppressed Mount Ling or wiped out the demon clan?"

"You have to give him time."

Bai Ze said calmly: "What I can tell you about the Water God is that from the start of his cultivation until he severely wounded you at Sheng Yao Mountain, it hasn't been more than five hundred years.

Don't ask about anything else; I daren't touch even a hint of his karma."

Lu Ya hesitated, wanting to say more, but Bai Ze just smiled and shook his head, saying no more on the topic.

"Your Highness, remember one piece of advice from me."

"Please speak, Senior; I will engrave it in my heart."

"Fight gods, not their power; fight immortals, not saints," Bai Ze whispered. "What the Heavenly Court fears is that the demon clan still retains significant strength. Whatever you do, don't ally with the Western Mount Ling."

Lu Ya bowed again: "Your teachings, Senior, I, Lu Ya, will remember deeply!"

Bai Ze's figure suddenly grew faint.

Lu Ya looked up to see Bai Ze dissipating with the wind, and the estate around them fell silent in an instant.

"I shall take my leave first, Your Highness. Take care.

With this favor repaid, let's not meet again."

Lu Ya closed his eyes and gave a bitter laugh, then bowed three times before turning and leaving the place.

Several months later, the heir to the ancient Yao Court, Lu Ya, appeared at the southern border of Beiju Luzhou. With a rallying cry, he issued a proclamation against the Heavenly Court.

In a single day, three hundred and twenty-five demon kings responded, gathering millions of demon soldiers and thousands of demon experts. They decried the Heavenly Court's persecution of the demon clan and oppression of all spirits, defying the Heavenly Court's orders.

The great wilderness's five continents were thrown into turmoil. The Heavenly Court mobilized for war, demon clans from various regions rushed to the northern border to bolster their forces, and human cultivators sharpened their weapons toward Beiju Luzhou.

Some demon kings shouted about reestablishing the Yao Court, but those voices quickly vanished.

On the day Lu Ya issued his proclamation, at the Duxian Gate's Xiaoqiong Peak, in the serene bamboo grove...

Li Changsheng set down the scroll in his hand and gazed toward the northwest, pondering briefly.

Has Lu Ya received help from some expert? To come up with a strategy of advancing by retreating...

I'll play it safe. With the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother absent from the Heavenly Court, the demon clan is just resisting orders for now, not formally rebelling.

Let the proclamation circulate for a while and see if the demon clan becomes bold enough to attack the Heavenly Court.

If even a single demon soldier...

No, even a wisp of demon energy!

If even a wisp of demon energy reaches the Heavenly Gate, I can seize the opportunity. I'll have Dongmu Gong go to the Yuxu Palace, Biyou Palace, and Doushuai Palace to weep for three days and nights, complaining that the demon clan is bullying the Heavenly Court while the Jade Emperor is undergoing his tribulation.