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

Chapter 1294 Fighting
“You great immortals are all virtuous people. How can you learn from petty villains and eavesdrop on others’ private conversations?”

Despite his understanding, Yang Li still angrily rebuked him.

There was a moment of silence in the direction of the Water Mansion meeting hall, as if the immortals were also somewhat embarrassed.

Meng Zhenjun frowned, suppressing his anger, and said in a low voice, "Fuqiuzi, this is your immortal abode, aren't you going to do anything about it?"

Fuqiu Zi walked through the water curtain and out of the hall, saying calmly, "Just a divine talisman."

You can talk openly and honestly; no one will really bother you.

Then he turned back and said meaningfully to the immortals in the hall, "This talisman has already killed a Bodhisattva who was greedy and ignorant of fate. It is truly an ominous thing."

Everyone should go back inside and have a cup of herbal tea to calm their tempers.

Meng Zhenjun said in a low voice, "You don't need to worry. The position of the Lord of Hengshan is no small matter. Even if a Great Luo Golden Immortal forcibly takes it, it won't work. The Heavenly Court will not recognize it!"

Yang Li said, "I don't need to worry. The talisman is a favor that Grand Tutor Yu is repaying to the True Lord."

"If you are willing to convert to the path of divinity, come with me to Xianyang, and Grand Tutor Yu will immediately place the divine tablet in your honor."

He remained cautious, not only refraining from taking out the talisman but also deliberately claiming it was in Xianyang.

It might not be possible to hide it from Fuqiu Zi, the master of the immortal abode, but Fuqiu Zi clearly didn't care about the position of the Hengshan God King.

Meng Zhenjun hesitated and said, "Why did she think of giving me the divine talisman? I am a great immortal, living a carefree and happy life. Why would I want to switch to the divine path, which is exhausting and doesn't bring any benefits?"

Yang Li said strangely, "I also told Grand Tutor Yu the same thing, that the True Lord has never revealed to the outside world his intention to switch to the Immortal Path."

Grand Tutor Ke spoke a few blunt truths, would the True Lord like to hear them?

Meng Zhenjun glared and said, "I am naturally magnanimous and have a broad mind. Can't I even listen to a few honest words?"

Yang Li said, "Grand Master Yu said that Meng Zhenjun's friends from the same era, such as the Four Friends of Qionglin, are about to attain the Great Luo Dao, but he is still a Xuanxian."

There was no way to find the path; the journey to immortality had come to an end.

The Lord of Hengshan is not an ordinary deity; he can help him ascend to the highest heaven and become the supreme deity.

From then on, when attending gatherings with friends or engaging in lively discussions with the Four Friends of Qionglin, he no longer felt inferior, ashamed, or self-loathing.

Meng Zhenjun was filled with shame and indignation, and shouted: "Nonsense! When have I ever felt ashamed of my appearance or despised myself?"
I have always been open and honest, carefree and happy.

Yang Li, you've followed me for many years, you understand me. Tell me, am I right?

"I said the same thing, but the Grand Tutor said you were just putting on an act. I'm just a junior Taoist, I'll just relay the message honestly. Whether you want to be the Lord of Hengshan or not is entirely up to you, True Lord."

Seeing that Meng Zhenjun's old face was starting to distort, Yang Li wisely swallowed the rest of his "heart-wrenching truth".

"Go! The path to immortality is long and arduous. I am still young and confident that I can attain the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit." Meng Zhenjun said with a blank face, waving his hand.

Yang Li said earnestly, "True Lord, although the Lord of Hengshan Prefecture is a 'Heavenly King,' he has the real power of a 'Great Emperor.'"

He is truly in a high position of power and extremely distinguished; please don't act impulsively.

Once you miss this opportunity, it's gone forever.

The positions of such great deities as the Four Rivers and Five Sacred Mountains are rarely changed, even once every hundreds of thousands of years.

Without even thinking or hesitating, Meng Zhenjun immediately said, "Please thank Grand Tutor Yu for his kindness. I appreciate it, but I insist on following the path of immortality."

Yang Li sighed, bowed to him, and turned to leave.

"Master Yang Li, please wait a moment!"

Someone in the hall couldn't sit still any longer and shouted anxiously, and a dozen or so immortals rushed out.

None of them were below Meng Zhenjun in cultivation level; half of them were Golden Immortals, and even two of them were quasi-Daluo.

One of the ancient Golden Immortals, named Wang Bojing, spoke first: "Fellow Daoist Meng, you should first follow Fellow Daoist Yang Li to Xianyang and obtain the Divine Talisman from Grand Tutor Yu."

Fellow Daoist, your unwavering pursuit of the Golden Immortal Path is something I deeply admire.

I am willing to offer you a large peach with purple veins and a yellow pit to help you cultivate pure Yang immortal energy.

Once the elixir has been properly cultivated and transformed into the Great Elixir, you will be a Golden Immortal!

Meng Zhenjun was stunned for a moment, and before he could speak, another "old man from Nanyang" called out: "Give me the Hengshan Divine Talisman, and I will give you two large peaches and ten medium peaches."

"Old man from Nanyang, where did you get so many peaches? Don't spout nonsense!" Wang Bojing exclaimed in surprise and anger.

The old man from Nanyang laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, you may not know this, but after becoming the Lord of Hengshan, you will receive at least one peach of immortality that is six thousand years old every year in the Heavenly Court."

"I have connections; I can ask the Queen Mother of the West for an advance of ten peaches of immortality to give to Meng Zhenjun."

"What about the two large peaches? Were they also paid in advance?" Wang Bojing asked.

The old man from Nanyang smiled shyly, "Fellow Daoist, you know that I am the direct disciple of the Goddess Xuan Nu."

"The connections at Yaochi are quite extensive; exchanging two large peaches in advance isn't impossible."

"You're too cunning! You've essentially used decades of salary as the God of Hengshan to get the position of God of Hengshan for nothing!" The immortals were all indignant.

The old man from Nanyang said matter-of-factly, "I have connections, which is a kind of ability."

He turned to Meng Zhenjun and said, "Fellow Daoist Meng, no matter what, I will not try to get something for nothing. I will definitely hand over the peaches first, and then you can give me the talisman."

What happened afterward is none of your business, fellow Daoist.

Wang Bojing gritted his teeth and said, "Fellow Daoist Meng, I can produce a large peach right now."

From now on, my fellow Daoist and I will split the salary of the God of Hengshan equally.

Every year, I give my fellow Daoists half a medium-sized peach.

In addition, I also possess a Pure Yang Limitless Method. I will have to wait another two hundred years before the deadline for revealing the Heavenly Dao expires.

You can use this to cultivate; it will increase your chances of advancing to the Golden Immortal realm by at least 20%.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, are you crazy? Split your salary in half every year, what are you after?" The old man from Nanyang was both shocked and furious.

"Now that they've all become the Great Emperor of Hengshan, who still relies on the meager salary from the Heavenly Court to make a living?" a great immortal muttered.

Meng Zhenjun quickly waved his hand and said, "Fellow Daoists, the divine talisman is not something I possess."

"This humble Taoist priest shouldn't use Grand Master Yu's talisman for personal gain. Yang Li, you should leave now!"

"Fellow Daoist Yang Li, don't go yet!" Wang Bojing quickly took a few steps, grabbed Yang Li, and turned back to bow to Meng Zhenjun, saying, "Please grant my request, Fellow Daoist! Grand Tutor Yu is a man of great affection and righteousness, and of the utmost sincerity and character."

She's using the talisman to repay the favor you did for her in the past.

As long as you are honest with her about using the talisman to help you achieve enlightenment, she will definitely understand and will not object.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, you are already a Golden Immortal, why give up the carefree life of an immortal and willingly fall into the realm of gods?” Meng Zhenjun sighed.

—You think the Great Emperor of Hengshan is just degenerate?! I want to beat you to death!

Wang Bojing suppressed the urge to shout and tried to explain in a gentle voice, "This humble Taoist is different from you."

"Fellow Daoist is still young, full of vigor, and has hope ahead. I, on the other hand, have truly cut off my path forward."

Meng Zhenjun was in a dilemma, unsure how to refuse without hurting feelings.

Fuqiu Gong glanced at him, raised his hand, and with a flash of divine light, Yang Li had vanished without a trace. "Alright, the Hengshan Divine Register has another chosen one. Everyone, let's return to the main hall and continue the meeting!" he said calmly.

Wang Bojing's forehead veins throbbed as he angrily said, "Fellow Daoist, I have never interfered with your pursuit of the Great Luo Path. Why are you obstructing my path to enlightenment today?"

Fuqiu Gong stared at him coldly, "I said, the true master of the talisman is not here."

Wang Bojing's heart trembled slightly at his gaze.

He turned his head away, his anger rising, and said in a muffled voice, "Fellow Daoists, please continue your discussion. Something has happened in my cave, and I must leave for a while."

Before anyone could react, he leaped into the air and vanished into the celestial abode in a golden light.

After him, several others also made excuses to leave.

Meng Zhenjun looked worried and hesitated several times before stopping himself, but was stopped by Fuqiu Gong's eye signals.

After those who wanted to leave had left and the remaining people returned to the hall, Fuqiu Gong said, "If you are worried about Yangli Daotong, there is no need to worry."

I took him directly to the outskirts of Xianyang City.

I'm more worried that their burning greed will cloud their judgment, and they'll run to Xianyang to find Yu Fengxian, trying to exchange divine medicines like giant peaches and nine-turn golden pills for the Hengshan Divine Talisman.

Meng Zhenjun breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "The talisman originally belonged to Yu Fengxian. Only by properly exchanging it from her can it truly belong to you. If you really forcibly take it, you won't be able to use it."

Fuqiu Gong said irritably, "What are we doing now? Sending her more elixirs to increase her cultivation? Shouldn't our anti-Qin cause continue?"

Meng Zhenjun sighed, "She has a divine talisman, and they want it. What can they do?"
I am but a minor immortal, even Yu Fengxian looks down on me.

My thoughts and actions are not related to the overall situation.

Fuqiu Gongdao said, "Her words were straightforward, but they made some sense. Your entry into Hengshan is no less than that of a Daoist who has attained the Great Luo realm."

For example, the "Five Ancestors of Zhuling" in Zhuling Cave Heaven were all Great Golden Immortals.

In the past, when they saw Chong Heihu, didn't they still have to bow respectfully?

Zhu Ling Cave Heaven was created by the Five Ancestors of Zhu Ling, but the core power was in the hands of the Lord of Hengshan.

The gods of the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers are ultimately different from other deities.

They truly wielded privileges similar to those of feudal lords.

Meng Zhenjun shook his head and said, "What you want is the best. Over the years, I have never thought of turning to the path of the gods."

The Heavenly Court offered me a celestial position several times, but I refused.

You know that perfectly well.

Yu Fengxian still remembered our past friendship and was the first person she thought of to offer me something beneficial. I was very touched and grateful, but this was not what I wanted!

“Then it’s better for you to exchange the Divine Talisman for the Great Peaches of Immortality and the Immortal Manual than to let Yu Fengxian’s strength increase dramatically,” said Fuqiu Gongdao.

Meng Zhenjun hesitated for a moment, but still told his old friend the truth, saying, "For you, Yu Fengxian's sudden increase in strength is not a good thing."

But I only intend to use my identity as 'Master Wen' to help Qianlong handle the tedious mundane affairs of the Imperial Observatory.

They will neither strategize for the hidden dragon nor fight to the death with immortals on the battlefield.

Whether her strength increases or decreases has no effect on me!

She gave me the talisman for free, and even if I can't repay her with a precious gift, I certainly hope she is doing well.

Her cultivation has increased, which will allow her to preserve her life; I should be happy for her.

Fuqiu Gong said sullenly, "Don't forget that you're a member of the 'Feather-Killing Alliance'!"

Meng Zhenjun stretched out his right hand, pinched his fingertips and said, "I only intend to make a profit from this small amount of imperial fortune to cleanse my karma."

You can't expect me to be the main force in the fight against Qin and Yu Fengxian!

“Don’t you want to advance to the Golden Immortal realm? Eat two large peaches of immortality, and you’ll likely be able to cultivate your elixir.” Fuqiu Gongdao said.

Meng Zhenjun gave him a helpless look, "Over the years, in front of you, I have never felt ashamed or disgusted with myself."

You surely haven't looked down on me because I'm not as skilled as you, have you?

Fuqiu Gong sighed, "If Yu Fengxian is willing to repay a favor, then you should accept it. Why make things so complicated!"

Meng Zhenjun shook his head and said, "I don't need it, and I don't feel that she owes me anything."

On the contrary, she succeeded me as Grand Tutor of Qin, perfectly inheriting the cause and effect with the Ying Dynasty.

I've always felt I owe her something, and I should thank her!

If it's really as you say, and I accept the divine talisman as a matter of course, what kind of person would I become? Would you still respect me?

Fuqiu Gong was speechless.

Yang Li was in his mobile immortal abode at the bottom of the Honggou River just a second ago. He was confused when he saw Fuqiu Gong wave his sleeve at him.

When they came to their senses, they found themselves outside Xianyang City.

He did a quick calculation and realized that it had already been almost half a day.

Then, he reached into his sleeve, felt that the jade box was still there, breathed a slight sigh of relief, and flew towards the Imperial Observatory.

Before he even landed on the ground, he suddenly glimpsed several immortals rising up from below and flying past him almost touching his body.

"Oh my, the old man from Nanyang, and the old man from Yingshui!" Yang Li exclaimed in surprise.

The immortals paused for a moment, glanced down at him, snorted coldly, and continued flying eastward, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Yang Li noticed that their faces didn't look too good, which made him even more surprised.

He quickly landed on the ground and jogged into the Emperor's Hall, where he saw Grand Tutor Yu holding a thick "dragon-skin ancient book" with a joyful expression, talking to Qin, a disciple of the Divine Beast Division.

Yang Li stood to the side, not disturbing them.

"It is an honor for my clan to be able to help the Grand Tutor." Shi Men Qin also said with a smile, "The old clan leader also said that as long as the Grand Tutor is willing to visit 'Thousand Valleys Blessed Land', the clan will definitely welcome him with all its heart."

If this great calamity of heaven and earth has not yet ended, the Grand Tutor will have free time and can go at any time.

It's okay if you miss this opportunity.

In short, whenever the Grand Tutor is available, and the Thousand Valleys Blessed Land happens to be open, the Grand Tutor can go whenever he wants without prior notice.

After Qin finished speaking, he took out a piece of spirit jade from his pocket and handed it over, "This is a map of the Thousand Valleys Blessed Land in the Southern Wilderness. There is no fixed location. Grand Tutor can calculate the approximate direction based on the time and celestial phenomena."

"Would the old clan leader like to travel around the mortal world? If he comes to Xianyang, I will certainly treat him well," Grand Tutor Yu said with a smile.

Master Qin shook his head and said, "He came out once a few years ago. The clan leader probably won't come out again before this great calamity ends."

He glanced at Yang Li and said, "Grand Tutor has matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

After he left, Yang Li asked in confusion, "What blessed land is Thousand Valleys Blessed Land? I've never heard of it before!"

Grand Master Yu said, "It is a secret realm created by the Ancestral Dragon millions of years ago. It is filled with thousands of ravines, majestic mountains and mighty rivers, which is the environment that the Dragon Clan likes the most."

(End of this chapter)