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

Chapter 1177: Evil Beast
Xiao Yu walked to the body of Wang E, kicked him, and shouted, "You can't count on the Heavenly Court anymore. Get up and stop pretending to be dead."

"I'll lie right here, you can proceed with the trial!"

Wang E closed his eyes, looking like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water.

Xiaoyu was conflicted.

She had just had a long chat with Zhang Daoling, discussing many "predestined fates," and she had also gained some insights and calculated quite a few secrets of heaven.

For example, Sa Shoujian and the "Four Celestial Masters of the Human Race".

The Four Celestial Masters of the Human Race represent a significant milestone in the development of humanity, as they will assume many of the powers originally belonging to the "Ancient Gods" in the Heavenly Court.

Simply put, the human race's celestial masters will occupy high positions in the Heavenly Court and possess more power.

For example, Wang E.

Based on his abilities and achievements, he should have long ago ascended to heaven to become a high-ranking deity and hold an important position. Even if he couldn't eat the peaches of immortality, he could at least drink some peach juice. But because of "preordained destiny," the heavenly court insisted that he remain on earth to break the rules.

His destiny seems to be related to the next "great calamity of heaven and earth," and also to the fate of humanity.

It seems to be related to the North as well.

"What's in the North? The North Sea, Beiju Luzhou, the demon race, evil kings, spirit officials, and top-notch thugs."

Xiao Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly calculated again, "Oh dear, I almost forgot, the 'Northern True Martial Emperor' has not yet been born!"
Suppressing the northern demons and protecting the land from invasion—isn't that Zhenwu's divine duty?

Damn it, Wang E has such a huge karmic consequence.

This is not only related to Sa Shoujian's path to immortality, but also to the calamity that led to Zhenwu's birth!

Wang E, unaware of the reason why his fate had been spied on, shivered involuntarily.

He opened his large, fierce eyes and glared at Grand Tutor Yu, shouting, "What wicked scheme are you plotting?"

Xiao Yu asked, "I've been traveling around Xiangyin and there are quite a few gods, but you're the only evil god."

Since you eat people, why don't you befriend some demons?

There isn't even a single powerful heretical cultivator in the Xiangyin region.

Wang shouted, "Why would I associate with demons? I am not an evil god."

Let me tell you, I adhere to principles whether I'm a human or a god.

I have never done anything evil or immoral, and I should not die.

If you kill me, you will be utterly depraved and will surely be punished.

Xiao Yu sneered, "Eating people, especially young boys and girls, isn't that 'unjust'?"

"Of course it counts!" Wang E didn't hesitate, then wailed helplessly, "But I'm hungry! In the past, the villagers would bring pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, and seasonal fruits, which would be neatly arranged on the offering table. I would be very hungry and eat to my heart's content."

After eating it for thousands of years, I started to feel that the taste was not right.

Several thousand years later, when I became King Guangfu and turned ten thousand years old, I suddenly felt that the smell of living people was exceptionally sweet.

Especially when young boys and girls are together, it's enough to make one's mouth water.

Xiaoyu said, "You only started eating children in the last few decades."

Wang E was a little embarrassed. "I used to eat it too, secretly. But I've come to terms with it in recent decades."

Anyway, the Jade Emperor decreed that I should offer sacrifices to this land, and since the cattle and sheep are in Xiangyin, aren't the people also in Xiangyin?
What are the differences between cattle, sheep, and humans?
So I stopped hiding it and ate freely.

Xiao Yu frowned and asked, "Why did you sacrifice yourself to eliminate the demon back then?"

Without thinking, Wang E shouted loudly, "Demons eat people! You don't know, after those two demons finished eating people, they piled up the bones outside the cave, forming a small mountain a hundred feet high."

The hair and nails were tangled together, resembling a swamp.

"People also eat cattle and sheep, so why don't you kill the people who eat cattle and sheep?" Xiaoyu asked again.

How can humans be the same as cattle and sheep?

After Wang E finished speaking, he was stunned for a moment, and then said, "Now I am different, I am a god!"
The gods shepherd their regions and nurture all living things on earth.

What difference is there between humans and cattle/sheep before the gods?

Xiaoyu scrutinized Wang E for a long time and said, "If you think that in the face of gods, there is no difference between humans and cattle and sheep, why do you still care about doing evil and losing all conscience? Isn't this the moral standard of humanity?"

Wang E was stunned for a moment, his expression becoming conflicted. "Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Have you forgotten that you lost the magic duel and now you listen to me? I'm interrogating you," Xiaoyu said.

Wang E said, "When you interrogate me, you should ask me some easy questions, such as how many people in Xiangyin I have raised."

They keep asking all sorts of random questions, how am I supposed to answer them?

I don't know.

All I know is that when I'm hungry, I want to eat people; people smell good.

But I am not a demon, I am a native of Xiangyin, the earth god, I am the sky and the land of Xiangyin, I am ordered by the Heavenly Emperor to offer sacrifices to this region.

"I'm already providing for everyone, how could I let myself go hungry? What kind of logic is that?"

Xiao Yu seemed to be deep in thought. This guy had lost his humanity but still retained his moral compass. He was currently at a critical juncture in his "demon transformation."

They can be henchmen and also participate in research on the "relationship between immortality and cancer"—making them excellent experimental subjects for research.

Keep it for now!
She softened her tone and said, "First, you will become a Taoist acolyte."

"What are you doing, you little rascal?" Wang E asked.

Xiao Yu said, "You should follow me and become my servant. It will be more convenient for you to become a Taoist disciple."

Wang E refused and cried out, "Why should I, the dignified King Guangfu, be your servant? You want to judge me? Go ahead and judge me!"

“I sentence you to death with a two-year reprieve. You’ll serve hard labor with me first, and I’ll observe you carefully for a few more years,” Xiaoyu said.

“I wouldn’t even serve as a spirit official for the Heavenly Emperor, let alone be your servant? You might as well just kill me and let me reincarnate!” Wang E shouted, his neck stiff.

Xiao Yu said impatiently, "You lost, so you're at my mercy. It's not unjust of me to turn you into a Taoist acolyte."

"Have you made a habit of being treacherous, shameless, and immoral?"

"I have done nothing unjust except eat people!" Wang shouted evilly.

"Eating people is the greatest sin, you deserve to be torn to pieces. Now, become a Taoist disciple, I don't have time to waste with your nonsense," Xiaoyu shouted.

Wang E hesitated and said, "I can become more handsome; there's no need for me to become a little Taoist boy."

I was originally a rough and uncouth man, eighteen feet tall, but now I've been reduced to a three-foot-tall child. This is utterly degrading!

Xiaoyu said irritably, "Have you ever seen the attendants and maidens beside Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

"I've never seen Guanyin Bodhisattva," Wang E said.

"Where is Laozi? Laozi is accompanied by a group of children, who look delicate and petite with rosy lips and white teeth."

But once they are released, they transform into their original forms, each one a ferocious demon with a height of eight feet, a waist circumference of eight feet, and fangs and a blue face.

A rude man like you wouldn't even be enough to fill their teeth.

Wang E's expression froze for a moment, but he still said defiantly, "I have seen the attendants of the Tushita Palace. They...they live in the Heavenly Court and have to maintain their dignity, so they changed into a better appearance."

"I am the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty. Do I not care about my reputation? Or are you deliberately breaking your promise and being untrustworthy?" Xiao Yu said.

Helpless, Wang E could only shake his body, and his divine form quickly shrank, turning into a small, earthen Taoist boy about a meter tall.

His face was dark, he wore a gray Taoist robe, had a large, square head, round eyes, a bulbous nose, and a round mouth; he was utterly ugly.

Two iron maces, each as long as a chopstick and as thick as a finger, were tucked into his waistband.

“Call him ‘Master’,” Xiaoyu said.

Wang E gripped the divine mace, his expression contorting.

But he ultimately held back.

Because the previous battle had exhausted his divine power, his injuries had not yet healed.

"Master~~"

Xiaoyu asked, "What Taoist practices did you learn in the past?"

Wang E said, "I have never learned Taoist magic. I only naturally comprehended a few divine arts after becoming a god."

For example, summoning wind and rain, flying sand and stones, lightning and thunder, hail and frost—none of it is very useful; it can only scare the natives.

Xiao Yu took out a piece of spiritual jade and inscribed it with the Buddhist Heart Sutra and the introductory formula for the "Path of Righteousness".

She tossed the jade to him and let him look at it first before saying, "I usually cultivate the 'Righteous Qi Technique'. When I have nothing to do and don't want to cultivate anymore, I recite the 'Heart Sutra' to calm my mind."

The secret to righteousness is to find the bright part of one's true nature.

Human beings, despite their inherent evil nature, must possess kindness and compassion; otherwise, they would not have been willing to die to vanquish demons and protect the people.

Now the "Fallen Evil God King" has started eating people and thinks it's perfectly normal.

The divine nature has lost its former compassion and benevolence.

If we seek compassion through the "Treatise on Righteousness," will we be able to find it?

After being found, did he stop eating people, or did the intense conflict between his human compassion and his cannibalistic desires cause him to become more twisted and tormented?

Xiao Yu suddenly felt that this guy had the potential to become Gou Jiao's junior brother—both were experimental subjects of the "Righteousness Technique".

"This damn Heart Sutra and Righteous Qi, it's making my head spin. I don't understand it at all," Wang E said, his face darkening. "If you don't understand it, recite it silently first."

Xiaoyu then asked, "Now that we're leaving Xiangyin, is there anything you need to tell the spirits of Guangfu Temple?"

Wang E is none other than the King of Guangfu! Although he did not monopolize the blessed land, he did build a "divine palace" and had hundreds of city gods and land gods under his command.

They were able to assemble a complete set of "civil and military officials" to convene a court assembly.

Wang E said, "I not only need to instruct them to do their job well, but also not to tarnish my reputation as the 'King of Guangfu'."

They also went to their neighbors' houses to beg for alms, plundering a batch of incense and divine power.

Sigh, serving the Jade Emperor at least ensures I don't lack divine power.

"Having become your servant, I still have to steal divine power myself."

"Don't dawdle, hurry back. This time is different from last time. You just need to gather enough incense and divine power; you don't need to eat your fill or repair your divine body immediately. There's plenty of time on the road," Xiaoyu said.

Wang E nodded and flew towards Guangfu Temple first.

Just like last time, Xiaoyu took out a futon and sat on it to cultivate diligently.

Xiao Qiang poked his head out from the dog bell on her waist and asked, "Master, do you still need me to buy you wine and meat?"

"No need, I didn't use up much 'energy' this time," Xiaoyu said.

An afternoon quickly came to an end, and an evening passed by.

By noon the next day, instead of Wang E, they were greeted by a clerk.

"Could it be Grand Tutor Yu in person? The Little God Taiyi Daoist, the Temple of the God of Taibai Mountain, and Second-Class Merit Officer Lü Hei, under the command of the Gray Crane Immortal, have come to pay their respects to the Grand Tutor."

Without further ado, the clerk confirmed it was Grand Tutor Yu and immediately took out a red lacquered wooden box from his satchel, respectfully presenting it with both hands, "This is the 'Mystery Box' that True Immortal Grey Crane asked me to deliver to you."

"How did you find this place?" Xiaoyu took the box and used a secret technique to peel off the yellow talisman on it in front of him.

There was a letter inside the box.

Upon opening the letter, she discovered it was a warning: the newly appointed Celestial Masters of the Black Ice Platform seemed to be making unusual moves.

At the end, she was urged to go back quickly and calm her restless heart.

"Grand Tutor Yu and Prince Guangfu fought several earth-shattering battles, which were even heard in the spirit world," said the official in charge of the merits.

Xiao Yu didn't write a reply, but only said, "Go back and tell Master Grey Crane that I know the contents of the letter. Tell him to focus on improving the drought and flood situation in the Central Plains and not to worry about anything else."

"As you command." The official bowed again, then transformed into golden light and disappeared into the horizon.

"Damn it, all they're doing is stealing offerings, why has it taken so long?"

Xiao Yu lost patience, put away the prayer mat, and after a quick calculation, determined Wang E's location.

At Dongting Lake!

Since they're in Dongting Lake, they definitely didn't run away.

However, Xiaoyu was unwilling to wait any longer.

A moment later, she traveled two hundred miles and arrived at a vast, boundless lake.

Just as Weishan Lake has a true shape map, Dongting Lake naturally also has a true shape map.

Xiaoyu spent decades in the first hall of the underworld last time, and had already studied the true map of the landscape of China.

At this moment, she transformed into a transparent torrent, silently passing through layers of guard posts and entering the Dragon Palace.

There's no need to waste time searching around; that scoundrel Wang E is drinking with the Dragon King in the main hall!
"Yu Fengxian is too domineering. She insisted on kidnapping me to be her slave, and even called it a 'death sentence reprieve'."

And then they turned me into a Taoist novice! This is outrageous!

He drank from a large bowl while complaining with a face full of resentment.

On the pale blue face of the Dongting Dragon King, there was an undisguised joy.

He almost burst out laughing if he hadn't tried his best to suppress it.

He made it so obvious that Xiaoyu could almost hear his thoughts: "You bastard, the wicked will always be punished by the wicked. You've oppressed me for tens of thousands of years, and today you've finally gotten your comeuppance!"

“Brother, this is a good thing! Even though we are in the barbarian lands, the prestige of Grand Tutor Yu is renowned far and wide.”

She is now the renowned 'Number One Female Immortal of Our Time' in the Three Realms.

What does it mean that you've become her servant? It means she intends to take you under her wing!

As for a suspended death sentence, it's probably just to scare you.

Of course, you must restrain your temper while you are with her.

"If you truly become her disciple, your future prospects will be immeasurable, my dear brother."

Wang E glanced at him drunkenly, "The Jade Emperor summoned me to Heaven, but I didn't even deign to go. Even if I really became a member of the Feather Phoenix Immortal Sect, what future would I have?"

Dragon Lord cursed him inwardly for being ungrateful, but said seriously on the surface, "Following her to cultivate the Great Dao is the path to a bright future!"
As for the future of the Heavenly Court, with your current bravery, my virtuous brother, you have already won the appreciation of the Heavenly Emperor.

"If you learn a few unparalleled supernatural powers and invincible sword techniques from Yu Fengxian in the future, wouldn't the Heavenly Emperor appreciate you even more and give you more important positions?"

Wang E nodded and said, "Her swordsmanship is indeed powerful, and she is also quite generous. She gave me two mental cultivation techniques as soon as she accepted me as her disciple."

But I felt so wronged! I refused to accept it! I refused to accept it!

He picked up the wine jar and chugged it down.

The Dragon King of Dongting was somewhat astonished. "She has already taught my virtuous brother the great technique? My virtuous brother is truly in luck."

"Lucky my foot! Meeting her is like the worst thing I've ever done in my life!"

Before Wang E could finish complaining, Yu Taishi's cold voice rang in his ears: You beast, why don't you return at once!
He shuddered, his dazed mind suddenly clearing up considerably.

But when he looked around, his eyes flashing with divine light, he saw nothing.

"Brother, what are you doing?" asked the Dragon King of Dongting.

"Brother, Yu Fengxian is getting impatient and used some strange supernatural power to call me back. Quickly open the treasure vault and prepare 50,000 sticks of 'Eternal Incense' for me," Wang E shouted.

The Dragon King of Dongting also shouted, "Brother, you emptied the treasure vault last time, where is the 'Ten Thousand Year Incense'? And the fifty thousand sticks? Gone."

Wang E immediately reached for his waist, grasped the magic mace, his arm muscles bulged, and his face turned fierce and menacing.

"Whenever an ordinary person in Xiangyin City encounters a long-distance corvée labor service, their neighbors and relatives will each contribute several dozen coins to help them with the travel expenses."

After all, this parting may be a final farewell.

We've been neighbors for years. Now I'm following Yu Fengxian to the Central Plains, a journey far more miserable and dangerous than serving corvée labor in Xianyang. And you're so cold-hearted and stingy?

When the Dragon King of Dongting saw that he was about to act recklessly, he immediately became afraid and gently comforted him, "Brother, don't be anxious! I have already prepared a farewell banquet for you, how can I not offer you a gift?"
Brother, have you visited your other good friends yet?

For example, Luo the Great God of Xiangshan, he is a natural god born in the primordial era, and he is older than me.

Now that you are following Grand Tutor Yu in his campaigns in the Central Plains, you will indeed need to accumulate a considerable amount of wealth.

Fifty thousand sticks of incense aren't much; if the few of us pool our resources, it might be enough for my brother's needs.

Wang E removed his hands from the divine mace and said irritably, "You're really petty. Fifty thousand maces are your share, I'm going to make it five hundred thousand!"

"Five hundred thousand?" The Dragon King of Dongting Lake turned pale and asked in a trembling voice, "Did they give them all?"

Wang E said, "They did their best."

The Dragon King of Dongting asked, "What does 'do your best' mean? I have already done my best!"

Wang E gripped the divine mace again, grinning and saying, "They're so unfair, insisting that I smash down the door of their treasure vault so they can go in and take it themselves."

Even after emptying the store, they still managed to gather enough for 300,000 sticks of incense.

Brother, your family is incredibly wealthy. Let's go check out the treasure vault; maybe we can scrape together half a million!

The Dragon King of Dongting Lake's face twisted in pain as he gritted his teeth and said, "Brother, we only have 35,000 of them. We can't give you even one more."

If you disregard our years of friendship and insist on smashing up my family's treasure trove, frightening your niece, nephew, and sister-in-law, I'll accept it.

Wang E hesitated for a moment, then released the divine mace and sighed, "Brother, it's not that I'm making things difficult for you, it's that Yu Fengxian is making things difficult for you and for us!"

"Yes, yes, I understand, brother." The Dragon King of Dongting's expression softened slightly, but his resentment was still written all over his face.

He sat cross-legged opposite Wang E, activated the divine talisman, and drew a large amount of the divine power of the Dongting water system into his body, condensing a golden bead the size of a bowl on his chest.

It was golden and shimmering, radiating a strong divine power.

Even from a distance, you can still smell a faint "strong cigarette scent" from the gold beads.

The cigarette smoke was very strong, but the amount was very small, almost imperceptible.

It took more than an hour for the golden pearl to stabilize. Meanwhile, the Dragon King of Dongting was pale and his divine power had clearly weakened.

"Brother, the stock is really gone. You ate it all last time. I can only give you my divine power!" he said weakly.

Wang E, who had been sitting at the table eating meat and drinking wine, was now moved.

He grabbed the old dragon's hands and said emotionally, "Brother, I know that your aquatic tribe has a deadly feud with Yu Fengxian."

I assure you, while I'm with her, I'll always be looking for an opportunity to smash her skull with a mace, to avenge myself and all of you.

Xiaoyu's face darkened.

(End of this chapter)