If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1025 The Return of the Great Emperor of Mount Hua
"But what good is knowing the location? Hao Zong Immortal Mansion is a secret realm, and outsiders cannot enter without the master's permission. Why didn't Senior Hui Chezi discover your sneaking in?" Dou Gengyan asked in confusion.

Although the heroes of Shenzhou did not set any restrictions on the identity of the observers in order to recruit immortals to assist them and strengthen the anti-Qin forces, the immortals who could enter the venue at least had the permission of the master of the immortal mansion.

At least their identities and stances were confirmed—they would not side with the Qin Dynasty of the Ying clan.

The anti-Qin alliance meeting was not recently held.

In the past ten days, many Qi Refiners have left, but the only person to enter from the outside world is Junior Sister Xu.

Xiao Yu said proudly, "What is a mere immortal abode? All the blessed lands, Dao palaces, and secret realms within the Divine Continent are open to me."

"Once I discover you, you can go wherever you want, leave whenever you want, come and go as you please, completely free to roam!"

"What gives you the right?" Seeing her so arrogant, Dou Gengyan felt inexplicably angry.

"With my 'Refining the Spirit by Mixing Wind and Water' and with my authority as the Celestial Master, no matter how hidden the immortal abodes and grotto heavens may be, they are like crops in the field, which must take root in the earth."

Seeing the doubt still on Dou Gengyan's face, Xiaoyu didn't explain further, but asked, "I'm leaving Xianyang to go to the old Chu region in the southeast. Are you interested in traveling with me?"

Dou Gengyan was taken aback and said, "What are you doing leaving Xianyang for Chu at a time like this?"

Xiaoyu recounted the changes in celestial phenomena observed by the Imperial Observatory.

"Don't think you can plot in secret. Heaven has sent down a deadly plan, shifting stars and changing constellations. The Qin court has long prepared countermeasures for the impending turmoil."

The three highest officials and nine ministers are working diligently, deploying troops and generals.

I, as the Grand Tutor of Qin, am responsible for observing the qi and pulse of the enemy, probing the strength and weakness of the rebels, and assessing the potential of the various rebel armies.

Dou Gengyan disagreed, saying, "The Qin court is as leaky as a sieve. What you're saying now, we already know."

Moreover, changes in celestial phenomena are not only visible to the celestial masters of the Imperial Observatory.

In fact, several years ago, a fortune teller predicted that every ten years would be a critical juncture, and that the tyrannical Qin Dynasty would have a hard time passing through each of these ten-year hurdles.

If it weren't for probing the Qin dynasty's reaction and hindering the Xianyang court from successfully suppressing the rebellion, why would heroes and righteous men from all over the land bother to rush to Guanzhong?
Why should I represent the 'Eight Immortals of the East Sea' in Xianyang?

Xiao Yu said, "So, you now know my attitude towards the Hidden Dragon Vein, Grand Tutor Yu?"

Dou Gengyan nodded and said, "We just received the news recently, and the immortals were very surprised. They didn't expect you to be such a 'pedantic' person."

Of course, there are also immortals who praise you highly, but feel that you are unworthy of your reputation. Well, it's the infamous reputation of being 'ruthless and greedy'.

He slaughtered many powerful immortals, showing his ruthlessness; he habitually tortured immortals, revealing his greed.

I personally agree with your ideas and plans.

It's not worth it to be tainted even the slightest by the tyrannical Qin dynasty.

Thinking of his and Xiaoyu's experiences, Dou Gengyan sighed, "Both of us were hurt by the Qin Dynasty's policy of 'digging up the dragon veins and destroying the Hu's fortune'."

If you go from being a victim to becoming an accomplice to violence, I will not tolerate you.

Xiaoyu shook her head and said, "You guys just like to add your own drama instead of listening to me."

My explanation to Li Si and his colleagues—that the Ancestral Dragon was not a dragon vein but the 'Earth Mother'—was by no means a pretext or a perfunctory explanation.

It's not about reading Confucian classics and turning your brain into a fool, like Duke Xiang of Song.

Every word I say is the truth.

"By protecting the ley lines of the Divine Land, I am fulfilling my duty as the 'Grand Tutor of the Divine Land,' and I am also helping the Great Qin."

"Your theory is quite novel. I am not a Taoist master and do not understand dragon veins and earthly evils. You asked me to go to the southeast with you. How can I help you?" Dou Gengyan asked.

"What do I need your help with? I'll help you take shortcuts! When I investigate the rebels and search for the dragon vein, I'll directly pick a 'true dragon emperor' for you."

"The thought of you seeking refuge with Jingju gives me nightmares," Xiaoyu cried out.

Dou Gengyan found it utterly absurd and laughed, "You, the Grand Tutor of the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, are going to help me choose the true dragon to destroy Qin?"

"You don't trust my judgment?" Xiaoyu asked, squinting.

Dou Gengyan said softly, "I appreciate your kindness. But you really don't need to worry about me."

Compared to me, you are in a much more dangerous situation.

"Once I find the true dragon and achieve great deeds, I will certainly put in a good word for you and allow you to lead the remnants of the Ying clan to the western wilderness to establish a barbarian kingdom."

Xiaoyu was speechless. "Can't you see my abilities regarding dragon veins? I was able to raise dragons when I was ten years old."

At the age of twenty, I consolidated the power of the human king in Western Shu and fattened up the dying old dragon of Western Shu.

The Dragon Lord of Shenzhou, as powerful as the Dragon Kings of the Four Rivers, is like a crawling insect before me.

As soon as I arrived in Xianyang, I grasped the secrets of the Qinling Mountains' dragon vein.

Even if it becomes a dead dragon, I will use it as if it were a living dragon.

I also obtained the "Earthly Fiend Dragon Qi" from the Emperor Zheng.

Do you know how many books "Earthly Fiend Dragon Qi" has? Three million copies!

I have read through all 1,500 volumes of the 'General Outline'.

Looking across the world, no one understands dragon veins better than me.

Dou Gengyan nodded repeatedly, as if to comfort and reassure her, and said, "I understand, you understand best."

But you are the Grand Tutor of the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, and 'Heaven' would never allow you to see the real dragon and its dragon vein.

Although you keep saying that the ancestral dragon is not a dragon vein, you don't explore the hidden dragon vein.

But if you really find the dragon vein of the true dragon, will you be overwhelmed by the calamity and do something stupid?
Even if you hold back, once the news gets out, won't others dig up the dragon vein?
Even taking advantage of the fact that the dragon is still hidden in the abyss and has not yet made its move, to kill the biggest opponent in advance?
Not only would the tyrannical Qin dynasty act this way, but other potential leaders would also be even more ruthless.

Once you find the true dragon, the predetermined destiny may be destroyed.

How could God possibly allow such a thing to happen?

It's not a matter of your ability; it's just that you're destined never to see the true dragon.

According to the experience summarized by ancient powerful beings, under the arrangement of "God", what the tyrannical Qin Dynasty recognized as a true dragon was often just a "python" that served as a vanguard for the king.

They are protecting the true dragon from disaster.

If I actually listen to you, I'll definitely fall into a trap.

As for myself, it's fine. Anyway, my main purpose in entering Shenzhou was to avenge my father and Xilu.

Following your advice, we've wrongly supported the Dragon Court. The only loss is the benefit of losing humanistic fortune, but it won't affect our revenge.

"To harm the 'Eight Immortals of the East Sea' and their many fellow immortals would be a grave sin."

Xiaoyu was helpless.

Dou Gengyan, as expected of a top student from a "985 university", is not lacking in experience and common sense despite just graduating.

That was a very well-reasoned statement.

"Then you stay in Guanzhong. The military commanders of the East Sea Fleet are leading their elite troops into the pass. You better behave yourself and don't cause any trouble."

The Grand Commandant's Mansion of the Great Qin Dynasty has hundreds of military formations specifically designed to slay immortals.

Once surrounded by an army composed entirely of immortals, not even eighty immortals, let alone the Eight Immortals of the East Sea, would be of any use.

Dou Gengyan also felt helpless and said, "Instead of worrying about me, you should take good care of yourself."

You are all alone, hated by righteous people all over the world, and you look pitiful.

I have countless fellow immortals around me. You saw them before at the Haosou Immortal Abode.

The heroes of Shenzhou brought over a hundred human and immortal guards.

There were also seventy or eighty immortals around.

We outnumber you and have the upper hand; the fate of the world rests with us, not yours.

"Sigh, you'd better watch yourself, I'm off!"

Xiao Yu burrowed into the ground and disappeared from Dou Gengyan's sight. Dou Gengyan hesitated outside the Hao Zong Immortal Mansion for a while, thinking about how to defend himself, before entering the cave.

Fortunately, everything in the Immortal Abode is normal.

Two children in purple robes remained guarding outside the valley, while the heroes of China continued their debate.

The topic of the debate shifted from whether to bind Yu Fengxian to the position of Grand Tutor of Qin to how to deal with the Meng brothers.

What should we do if they start an uprising and the Great Wall army sweeps south across the Central Plains?
The immortals remained on the sidelines, observing.

Hui Chezi looked at her suspiciously, but didn't ask anything.

"What's going on? Haven't they noticed that 'Lin Hai Dao Tong' has been switched with someone else?"

Dou Gengyan was puzzled, but did not show it. He found Xu Fu and asked him in a low voice.

“That boy in purple is suspicious. He probably knows he’s gotten himself into trouble. He’s deliberately keeping quiet to avoid punishment,” Xu Fu said.

"Alas, gatekeepers cannot be chosen casually. One cannot only look at their supernatural abilities; their background and character are even more important," Dou Gengyan sighed.

Xu Fu asked, "Should we inform Senior Hui Chezi?"

Dou Gengyan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let's wait a bit. If a large number of Qin troops approach Mount Hua, our fellow immortals from Mount Hua might come to inform us."

—It will be too late to confess by then!

Xu Fu muttered to himself.

However, she only nodded slightly, without even asking what Sister Dou and Yu Fengxian had said to each other.

Dou Gengyan was indeed nervous for two days.

Two days passed, and the heroes of China concluded their talks. But not entirely; they awaited the events of Xianyang. Now gathered together, with nothing to do, they spent their days discussing the state of the world and plotting how to launch an uprising.

Otherwise, what else can they do?

In short, two days passed and things calmed down.

This indicates that Yu Fengxian did not relay the news of the bandits' gathering at Mount Hua back to Xianyang.

A few days later, Xu Fudu was getting bored and was planning to return to Xianyang when Qinglian Jushi, along with two fellow Daoists, found Haozong Immortal Abode.

Everyone could see that the three immortals were beaming with joy and high spirits.

He walks with a swagger, his mouth is always smiling, it can't close at all.

Dou Gengyan knew what Qinglian Jushi had gone to do.

Seeing his expression now, she was also a little excited and quickly stepped forward to ask, "Senior Qinglian, have you succeeded?"

"Hahaha!" Just as the question was being asked, the Qinglian Hermit immediately released his pride and joy with a loud laugh.

"Alright! Fairy Lingbo, you really should come with us to the Three Primal Extreme Palace. If you go, you will definitely be able to register in the Heavenly Register!"

Dou Gengyan waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I am but a junior scholar, without any special skills or cultivation, how can I compare to you, senior?"

Which Qi cultivator doesn't dream of ascending to heaven in broad daylight and registering in the celestial register?
She wants it too!

However, she failed to attain the status of a celestial being, and she herself possessed no divine merit whatsoever.

More importantly, their South Sea Sword Sect lineage has no connections in the Heavenly Court. If they wanted to find connections, they should go to Mount Luojia.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qinglian, on achieving your wish!"

"Fellow Daoist Qinglian has achieved immediate success on her first visit to the Heavenly Pavilion of the Three Primal Extremes Palace. This is a rare occurrence, truly a cause for celebration!"

Immortals and heroes from all over the land approached, offering their congratulations.

"Why is it so fast this year? In previous years, we would have to wait until autumn or winter to get definite news from the Sanyuan Jizhen Palace."

January has just ended, it's only the beginning of February, and King Jin is already working so diligently!

"Fellow Daoist Qinglian, you are registered in the Heavenly Register, so how come you have been granted an official position in the Heavenly Palace?"

“If Fellow Daoist Qinglian had a divine duty, she would have gone directly to the Heavenly Court. Now that she has returned, it is clear that she did not receive a real position.”

Hearing the words of the immortals, the Azure Lotus Hermit's face grew even more smug, and he laughed loudly: "What a blessing! What an incredible blessing! This humble Taoist has received the grace of the 'Golden Heavenly King' and has been named the 'Fighting Dharma King'."

"What, His Majesty? How is this possible?"

What is the divine duty of the "Fighting King of Dharma"?

"Regardless of his divine duty, this is a 'Dharma King,' a 'King'!"

"Fellow Daoist, what exactly happened? Why were you named the 'Battle King'? You're not even good at fighting!"

The immortals were both surprised and suspicious.

The hermit of Qinglian waved his hand and said, "Please don't make a fuss, everyone. Let me introduce two good friends of mine."

They, like me, were also registered in the Heavenly Register today, and the titles they received even surpassed those of this humble Taoist.

He pointed to the two people beside him, "This is the 'Oil Emperor'."

The skinny, monkey-like You Erlang stood up straight, grinning so wide his eyes were almost invisible.

“This fellow Daoist has been granted the heavenly title of ‘Great Emperor of Huashan, Guangren Huizhen Yongguang Chengzhen’.”

With most of his head bald, Gao Liang smiled and bowed, saying, "Fellow Daoists, this humble Daoist cough cough, I pay my respects."

The immortals stared in disbelief, looking at the three of them as if they were looking at a madman.

"Could it be that you failed and were too discouraged? That shouldn't be the case. Fellow Daoist Gao and Fellow Daoist Qinglian are both visiting the Sanyuan Jizhen Palace for the first time."

You Erlang was not a local immortal, but Gao Liang had cultivated in Mount Hua for a thousand years and many people knew him.

"Hehe, I know you don't believe me, but look what this is?"

Gao Liang was beaming with pride. He flipped his right hand, and a gleaming golden seal appeared in his palm.

"The Heavenly Official's Seal!" a knowledgeable immortal exclaimed.

"Let's take another look." Gao Liang revealed the intaglio characters on the bottom of the seal.

It is the dragon and phoenix seal script commonly used in the Heavenly Palace.

"Ah, it really is the Great Emperor, 'Great Emperor Guangren Huizhen Yongguang Chengzhen'! It's not that Old Gao has a brain fart, it's that King Jin has a brain fart! He actually named Old Gao the Great Emperor of Mount Hua, what about himself?"

"Wait, there's another character after Huashan, it's 'Stone Pavilion,' and the full name is 'Huashan Stone Pavilion Guangren Huizhen Yongguang Chengzhen Great Emperor'! What does that mean?"

Faced with the shock and confusion of his fellow immortals, Emperor Gao put away the divine seal, coughed twice, and his expression remained smug, but mixed with a hint of embarrassment.

"There is a stone pavilion in Huayin County. I am the pavilion chief. What I mean is that the emperor of the stone pavilion can choose a feng shui treasure site within the stone pavilion to build a shrine and temple, and recruit gods. This can be considered as opening a shrine and establishing a palace."

It's just smaller in scale than the Western Mountain Divine Palace, and as for authority, for us immortals, divine authority is unimportant.

In short, I am indeed the 'Great Emperor of Mount Hua'.

To distinguish myself from the Golden Heavenly King, fellow Daoists may address me as 'Great Emperor Gao'.

The immortals were in a daze, as if in a dream, and seemed to be in a trance.

They heard clearly and saw clearly, but they felt that they hadn't heard clearly or seen clearly.

It's utterly unbelievable and absurd.

A truly shrewd person wouldn't say such things, much less do such things.

But the divine seal is real!

They were all immortals, and recognizing the official seals of the Heavenly Court was a basic skill for them.

"Could it be that you've encountered a fake 'Golden King'?" the old Taoist priest Huichezi murmured.

"How did you know?" the three newly minted "masters" exclaimed in surprise.

(End of this chapter)