Chapter 518: Duobao I, Water God, Hit Money

Duobao Daoren's forehead veins bulged, his fingers trembled slightly, and he was on the verge of standing up to flip the table.

He had wandered through Honghuang for so many years, witnessed Zulong battling Shifeng, seen the Zuwu confront the Yao Huang, and observed the rise of the Liu Sheng!

Which remote corner of Honghuang hadn't seen his plump figure leisurely moving among piles of treasures?

Of course, none of that mattered right now!

As for being called a "fat Daoist"...

Was he really fat?

If it weren't to ensure that every close encounter with his treasures allowed for the ultimate enjoyment through the friction against his skin, would he maintain this physique?

Did anyone understand that joy of lying on a heap of treasures, letting the treasure beads bounce on his belly?

Ever since Daomen's great prosperity, even his master would only say,

"Treasure, how have you gotten a bit plumper lately?"

When had the word "fat" ever been used?

Duobao Daoren's anger surged from his heart, but he remembered he was currently investigating the inside story of Jie Jiao's fortunes being dragged down, so he held back from acting out.

Saying he was fat right to his face was like pointing at Xuandu Shi and calling him lazy, asking Guangchengzi if he had a senior brother above him, telling Huanglong he was just for show, or asking Taiyi Zhenren why he was being so yin yang guai qi.

Uh, maybe the last one didn't matter much...

After enduring for half a month, Duobao Daoren was almost ready to explode!

Fortunately, Li Changshou stopped him in time, frantically sending voice transmissions through his immortal sense:

"Senior brother, senior brother! Don't do this, senior brother!

This Shiji Xianzi is just saying you're plump and radiant. Hold on, hold on, we're just two steps away!

Oh, and by the way, the word 'fat' can also mean something elegant, like in 'The fairy in the moon doesn't compare to half of you,' which can be understood as 'You alone possess half the beauty of the moonlight'!

It's refined, absolutely refined!

If you can't endure a small slight, you'll mess up the big plan. We're here to investigate today, not necessarily to fight."

Listening to the urgent pleas in his mind from Li Changshou's immortal sense, and recalling their prior agreements, Duobao Daoren's Dao heart quickly stabilized.

"Changgeng is right. If I endure this, I'll just kill a few less people later."

But he was already harboring killing intent.

Li Changshou sighed lightly in his heart. As expected, Jie Jiao was quick to resort to fighting at the drop of a hat.

To his slight surprise, Duobao Daoren quickly put on a gentle smile, maintaining his disguised appearance, and looked up with a laugh:

"Senior, this junior just..."

But Shiji cut in: "Still trying to argue?

Or do you think coming here is just to secure an identity and enhance your background, and that my Dao is beneath notice?"

Li Changshou thought...

Although he knew Shiji might be in a depressed mood and looking for an outlet, this was...

Forget it, he couldn't save her. Let her face the consequences.

He should quickly implement his second backup plan, shift from tracing the vines to a thunderous strike, take down the group here, and then escalate the matter fully, mobilizing Jie Jiao's entire force to clean house.

What kind of person was Duobao senior brother?

The chief disciple of Jie Jiao, one of the top experts in the three teachings. Based on Li Changshou's observations, Duobao's strength surpassed Guangchengzi's, securing the second spot among Daomen disciples.

If Duobao erupted now and revealed his identity, killing Shiji and the other four exposed Jie Jiao immortals on the spot, Li Changshou wouldn't be surprised at all.

Senior brother also cared about his face.

But to Li Changshou's surprise...

"Ah, well, senior, please forgive me."

Duobao Daoren responded awkwardly, stood up, and bowed deeply to Shiji, saying hastily, "This junior just arrived here and hurried over by cloud, so my mind isn't settled yet. Please forgive me, senior."

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow secretly, growing even more cautious toward Duobao Daoren.

"Please sit and listen," Shiji said no more on the matter and began sharing her insights on cultivation.

The gazes fixed on Duobao Daoren retracted, and everyone turned to listen attentively, cherishing this expensive lecture.

Li Changshou sent a voice transmission to Duobao Daoren: "Senior brother, your ability to endure when needed is truly admirable."

"Ah," Duobao Daoren kept his expression neutral but sighed in his heart, "I almost acted earlier, but then I remembered Shiji had also listened to lectures at our teacher's seat and calls me senior brother..."

Li Changshou sighed lightly in response and said no more, quietly waiting.

As Shiji lectured, faint petals drifted out occasionally, proving that this Shiji Niangniang, who had met a tragic end in the Fengshen calamity under the Jiulong Shenhuozhao, did possess some genuine skill.

Li Changshou clearly remembered how pitiful her fate had been.

In the story of young Nezha, when Nezha shot an arrow at Chentang Guan and accidentally killed Shiji Niangniang's attendant Biyun, she went to Li Jing to demand justice, and Li Jing readily handed over Nezha.

In their battle, Shiji easily seized Nezha's Qiankun Circle and Huntian Ling, then chased him to Qianyuan Shan Jin Guang Dong.

Originally, Shiji should have paid respects to Taiyi Zhenren as a fellow Daoist and discussed Nezha's offenses, but instead, she was attacked by Taiyi Zhenren and ultimately perished under the Jiulong Shenhuozhao.

In short, Taiyi Zhenren was the bane of Shiji Niangniang's life.

Based on Li Changshou's understanding of Taiyi Zhenren, if the story followed its original path and a conflict between Chan and Jie arose, Taiyi, with his sharp instincts and ability to provoke opponents, would definitely strike first.

However, given the current situation before the great calamity...

Li Changshou considered his series of follow-up plans, and it was unclear whether Shiji Niangniang would appear in Nezha's story.

Moreover, whether Shiji could survive this current crisis was still unknown.

Shiji's lecture lasted six hours.

As dusk fell and the projection of the sun star in this great world sank behind the distant mountains, the mist in the valley gradually dispersed.

Shiji slowly rose from her thatched hut, her black skirt flowing like ripples, her face still veiled in thin mist.

Due to listening to her lecture, over a dozen people were now in a state of enlightenment.

Duobao Daoren also feigned this state, with a faint Dao rhythm around him, as if on the verge of a breakthrough.

Shiji summoned a cloud beneath her feet and headed deeper into the valley, disappearing in an instant.

At that moment, the jade slip on Li Changshou carried a distant voice transmission...

He heard Shiji say to someone,

"I've finished what I needed to do today. If there's more of this in the future, don't bother summoning me again, junior brother."

"Sister, don't be hasty. I have something to say. Could you hear me out before leaving?"

"Go ahead," Shiji's voice carried a hint of resignation.

The Jie Jiao immortal continued, "Sister, I know you're upright and don't want to lecture for spirit stones or treasures.

But think about it: by opening your altar and lecturing, you're benefiting these scattered cultivators seeking fame. What we gain is their offerings, and what we promote is Jie Jiao's prestige.

With Jie Jiao's ten thousand immortals coming to court, who cares about a few more registered disciples? It's all benefits and no downsides."

"Hmph," Shiji frowned slightly and said softly, "If the people you brought today were truly those with wisdom and insight, and you hadn't accepted their payments, I might believe your words.

If the inner sect's senior brothers and sisters knew about this, how would they view it?

Isn't this just openly pricing Jie Jiao's third-generation registered disciples and exchanging them for spirit stones?

Jie Jiao's teachings are about intercepting a thread of life for living beings, but not in this way!"

Hearing this, Duobao Daoren smiled inwardly and said to Li Changshou, "It seems Shiji isn't completely corrupt."

Li Changshou chuckled and continued listening.

The male immortal added, "Sister, saying that isn't quite fair. In this world, cultivation isn't just about insight—wealth and location are crucial too.

Sister, here are some things from your lecture today..."

"Take them back," Shiji said firmly. "You're insulting me!"

"Please open it and look first..."

A buzzing sound—

Li Changshou's wind incantation finally caught some disturbance: fluctuations from a clash of magical powers deep in the valley.

Then came a somewhat feeble scolding:

"Put away your spirit stones. Don't dirty my eyes. Farewell."

The male immortal anxiously transmitted, "Sister! Sister, please don't be angry. It was my poor choice of words. I beg you not to hold it against me... Sister!"

Just then, a black shadow flashed in the valley depths.

Shiji rose on her cloud, her face stern, heading toward the horizon as she said,

"Don't come looking for me again."

Witnessing this, Duobao Daoren sighed deeply: "It seems, as you said, old brother, we can't just kill everyone involved. We need to distinguish among them."

Li Changshou also sighed, marveling at the power of heavenly fate's binding force. Shiji was testing the limits of danger but somehow turning peril into safety...

Perhaps heaven wanted her to survive until the right time and place, to be killed by the one destined to do so, achieving the desired outcome.

Had heaven influenced Shiji just now?

Li Changshou couldn't be sure; he only activated his empty bright Dao heart to check if he himself was being driven by calamity fate.

"Changgeng, what's the next step?" Duobao Daoren asked.

Li Changshou pondered and replied, "The best plan is to continue enduring. We've marked these people here and recorded the scenes with shadow orbs, but the evidence isn't strong enough.

The middle plan is to find a key and shorten the investigation time..."

Duobao Daoren laughed via transmission: "Then let's go with the middle plan. It might trouble this Shiji junior sister a bit."

"How do you plan to do it, senior brother?"

"Just use the excuse we discussed before," Duobao Daoren opened his eyes, stood up from his cushion, and headed out of the valley. "Changgeng, think of a way to keep Shiji from leaving too far first."

Li Changshou thought for a moment and sent a few instructions via transmission.

Duobao Daoren listened and brightened up.

Entry required a jade talisman, but leaving was unobstructed.

Once out of the valley, Duobao Daoren summoned a cloud and headed straight for Bu Zhongyao's cloud boat.

By the time Duobao Daoren was a thousand li from the cloud boat, Bu Zhongyao and Cai Yao were already waiting at the bow.

The young sect heir smiled faintly, imagining how his sect leader father would praise him for bringing back such a skilled alchemist.

Suddenly, a streak of light shot from the side!

Before the guards on the cloud boat could react, and as Bu Zhongyao and Cai Yao turned, a graceful figure in black appeared out of nowhere just ten zhang away.

Bu Zhongyao looked up and saw the newly appeared female immortal—slender and elegant, exuding a strong aura. His immortal sense had just caught her flying from the valley...

A Jie Jiao expert, Shiji Niangniang!

Cai Yao reacted quickly, bowing and calling out,

"This disciple pays respects to the teacher!"

Shiji was slightly taken aback, not recalling when she had met this true immortal realm female immortal.

She nodded lightly and said, "It's been a while. Find me a quiet room on the boat.

When that fat Daoist returns, have him come see me alone.

I saw him earlier and thought he looked familiar. Now I realize he's an old acquaintance of my master's."

Cai Yao quickly glanced at Bu Zhongyao beside her. He snapped back to his senses, bowed to Shiji, and gestured invitingly, speaking courteously.

Soon, Shiji Niangniang chose a secluded cabin, raised her hand to set up layers of barriers, and sat quietly by the wooden window, her immortal sense locked on the leisurely approaching "fat Daoist."

Unconsciously, her delicate brows furrowed as she recalled the words that had echoed in her heart moments ago...

Just as she was leaving that realm, a strand of immortal sense pierced through her surrounding immortal power and protective treasure, turning into a voice that entered her mind.

It was the fat Daoist's voice:

Shiji Xianzi, this poor Daoist is a heavenly general of Tian Ting. I'm here on orders from the Tian Ting Water God, a disciple of the Renjiao Shengren, to secretly investigate whether a certain immortal alliance faction has betrayed the alliance and sided with Xifang Jiao.

We've obtained results today but need a way to escape. I happened to pass by and would like your assistance.

Once I escape safely, I'll report to the Water God and ensure you receive a generous reward!

This matter is critical—keep it quiet. Please go to the cloud boat of this faction's young sect heir first and request a private room. I'll hurry there to meet you.

We can discuss the details in person to verify the truth.

And so, Shiji believed it.

This made Duobao Daoren feel it was too easy; next time, he thought, he could try pretending to be the Tian Ting Water God and wait in the room.

Who knows, it might have an unexpected effect.

As soon as Duobao Daoren boarded the cloud boat, Bu Zhongyao and Cai Yao came forward to greet him, mentioning that Shiji Niangniang was waiting.

At that moment, this disguised Jie Jiao senior brother showed a touch of surprise, mixed with just the right amount of joy and nervousness—flawless.

"Why is Shiji Niangniang waiting here for this poor Daoist?"

"It seems related to your master," Bu Zhongyao urged. "Hurry in, don't keep Shiji Niangniang waiting.

This is a genuine Jie Jiao expert— we mustn't offend her."

"Don't worry, young sect heir," Duobao Daoren said solemnly, cupping his hands, while Li Changshou's laughter echoed in his mind. He then quickly headed to where Shiji Niangniang was.

What followed went smoothly.

With Li Changshou's covert assistance, Duobao Daoren played the role of the "Tian Ting undercover" perfectly.

After a short while in the cabin, Shiji Niangniang left the cloud boat with the fat Daoist, claiming they were going to visit his master.

Before departing, Duobao Daoren grabbed Bu Zhongyao's arm and repeatedly reminded him to wait, not forgetting their earlier discussion.

This delighted Bu Zhongyao, who maintained a graceful demeanor on the surface but gritted his teeth inwardly. From his already strained resources, he prepared a generous gift for the fat Daoist's master.

Though Duobao Daoren found it bothersome, he "gratefully" accepted it.

Such was the prowess of senior brother's acting!

Once Shiji took Duobao away and they vanished into the distance beyond this realm,

Bu Zhongyao and Cai Yao exchanged glances on the bow— the former with a calm smile, the latter with a slight frown.

"Husband," Cai Yao said, "what if he doesn't come back? Won't we have wasted all those spirit stones?"

"Shortsighted!" Bu Zhongyao smiled confidently, gazing in the direction Shiji had left. "It's just some spirit stones today; tomorrow, we might gain an ally!

Or even... he might bring his master along.

Ha, ha, ha, ha!"

Cai Yao frowned slightly at his words, reminded of her cousin's senior brother, and felt a bit more at ease.

With such connections and a Jie Jiao expert like Shiji Niangniang appearing, the other party couldn't possibly be a fraud.

As Shiji led Duobao Daoren swiftly onward, they soon flew tens of thousands of li, beyond the reach of ordinary golden immortal senses.

In the void, Shiji turned and asked softly, "Fellow Daoist, shall I leave you here?"

Duobao remained silent.

Shiji asked again, "If not here, tell me a location, and I can take you there. I have nothing else to do anyway."

"Nothing else to do?" Duobao Daoren's face turned stern as he said coldly, "So you go around lecturing for others?"

Shiji's delicate brows furrowed, finally sensing something off about this "fat" Daoist. She immediately became fully alert, drew a treasure sword, and retreated dozens of zhang.

"No need to struggle."

Duobao Daoren extended his left hand, his five fingers flickering with colorful light, sealing the void within a hundred li. An indescribable aura of authority slowly emanated from him.

Shiji's face changed drastically, about to strike, when she saw the fat Daoist's features suddenly shift into a face she had seen dozens of times before—one incredibly familiar!

"Senior... senior brother..."

"Kneel!"

Duobao Daoren thundered, and Shiji's legs buckled, kneeling straight in the void!

The sword in her hand trembled, her face paled, and the concealing spells around her vanished, revealing a pitifully beautiful countenance.

Li Changshou had no interest in admiring the scene; he was just comparing inwardly.

Duobao Daoren's version of "kneel" indeed lacked some of the majesty of Yunxiao Xianzi's.

Not quite professional.