Dao Cheng Gui Xian

Chapter 241 A Heart Full of Urgency, Fame Spreads Throughout the Immortal Realm

Is it her?
Li Wushou was no fool; how could he not see the unusual behavior of the patrol envoy?

Among the people he knew, who else besides the Wu family father and daughter could speak with such a powerful figure as the Sea Patrol Envoy?
At the end of the year, the gods of the twelve continents in the outer seas gather in Zhenhai City.

Li Wushou knew Zhenhai City. It was the first large city he encountered on his way west from Huazhou, and it was also Hu Niu's home.

When Tiger Girl left Wufang City, she asked Li Wushou if he knew how big the world outside Wufang City was. Li Wushou shook his head at the time.

But in fact, he and the old beggar had traveled to many places, and they had also stayed in Zhenhai City before coming to Huazhou.

Moreover, he stayed there for quite a while, otherwise how could he have heard of the Great Venerable Zhenhai?
He didn't really understand why the old beggar kept running around. Wouldn't it be more peaceful to stay in one place?

He had asked the old beggar about this, and the old beggar's answer was:
This world is tough; I don't want to rely on acquaintances for meals!

Therefore, it's more reassuring to travel and eat more.

Although Li Wushou thought this was nonsense, he didn't ask any further questions.

But after being chased by something twice in the Land of Misfortune, Li Wushou suddenly realized that perhaps the old beggar had been leading them to hide from something all along.
Before coming to Huazhou, Chen Gou'er once told Li Wushou in a mysterious way that he had secretly overheard the old beggar muttering that something wanted to eat them, and the old beggar was feeling anxious.

Li Wushou didn't take it seriously at the time, thinking that the old beggar was deliberately saying that to trick Chen Gou'er into going out to find food.

Besides, in this world, anyone who goes out for a stroll will find many people who want to eat him, let alone the three of them who have traveled all over the country.
Thinking about it is one thing, but actually being able to eat it is another. Given the special nature of the Three Immortals Pavilion, who could actually eat them?
But now that I think about it, what if the thing the old beggar was talking about really could eat them?

He didn't ask the old beggar any questions during this time, but he was filled with a sense of urgency.

Originally, cultivating immortality was just for a carefree life of eating and drinking to one's heart's content, but now there's an additional purpose: to kill the thing that secretly covets them.

This is one of the reasons why he acted swiftly and decisively after arriving in Wangxian City; he didn't have much time to waste.

Once the matter in Huazhou is settled, he needs to have an open and honest talk with the old beggar!
Feeling inexplicably troubled, Li Wushou recalled the events of the day and said, "Man proposes, God disposes."

He thought he was going to be exposed this time, but unexpectedly, thanks to Tiger Girl, his identity as a disciple of the Great Master was confirmed.

The Dragon King was observing the reactions of the two patriarchs, and Li Wushou was naturally watching as well.

It's easy to tell from their joy and anger how they perceive the outcome; they probably mistakenly believe that they met the Sea Patrol Envoy because of the Great Lord of the Sea.

Composing himself, Li Wushou became calm.

This time, raising the heavens was the most difficult hurdle for him to overcome!
The next step is simply to loosen the reins.

With the status of a Grand Master's disciple, he can act with peace of mind as long as he stays within the rules!

The patriarch of the Fu lineage looked at Li Wushou, who stood calmly beside the Dragon King, and couldn't help but stroke his long beard and laugh.

This is truly an unexpected delight!
With a wave of his hand, the white jade roof of the floating palace slowly drifted down and quietly descended, transforming into a chair behind the Dragon King and Li Wushou.

The founder of the Floating Character lineage spoke with a kind smile:
"Dragon God, Li Wushou, please sit!"

The Dragon King and Li Wushou, not bothering with formalities, since the three were now on the same side, clasped their hands in a fist salute to the person at the head of the table and replied in unison:

"Thank you, Master!"

Seeing this, the patriarch of the Kongzi lineage twitched his eye, snorted coldly, and shouted towards the outside of the hall:
"The Xuan family has five prominent surnames, seven prestigious clans, and twenty-four clans!"

The boy waiting outside the hall quickly agreed, and a moment later there was a rustling sound as the heads of various clans outside the hall entered the floating hall one by one.

The five surnames at the head are, in order: Lü, Yuwen, Yun, Gongsun, and Shen!

Among these people was a new face; this was the first time the two had met, but Li Wushou recognized him—Gongsun Wang from the Gongsun family.

Unlike the phantom I saw in the Burial Soul Forest of Five Directions City last time, this person has matured considerably. It is said that this person is exceptionally talented, has cultivated in the Suspended Mountain for many years, and is recognized by the Gongsun family as the next generation's pillar.

Behind these five people stood An, Yue, Liu, Cheng, Fu, Bai, and Wei, in that order.

These seven people are the Seven Wangs of Wangxian City, and the last one is the Twenty-Four Clan.

The lowest level of cultivation among these people was Foundation Establishment cultivators, but after entering the Floating Hall, they all guarded their minds. Many of them had actually only been to the Floating Hall a few times.

This is especially true for the Twenty-Four Clans, most of whom are like this.

Everyone lowered their heads, staring at their toes. Once they were all standing still, they respectfully knelt on the ground and bowed to the Floating Ancestor at the head of the table, saying:

"Greetings, two patriarchs!"

"Get up!"

The patriarch of the Fu lineage spoke slowly, and everyone respectfully accepted the order before slowly raising their heads.

As they looked up, everyone's expressions changed simultaneously. They saw two people sitting side by side at the lower left of the head of the hall.

One person was not surprising to them; he was the Dragon King of the Hengyang River. However, the other person surprised many of them.

It was that priest?!

Gongsun Wang, who was standing in the front row, suddenly had his pupils shrink. Was it really as Huo Yao's uncle said, that the other party was a disciple of Zhenhai Dazun?

He had just received a message from the Gongsun family and already knew what had happened in Wangxian City.

The trouble at the City God Temple in Wufang City was arranged by him, and even the two Foundation Establishment cultivators who died were assigned by him. Otherwise, how could Gongsun Xun, a member of a collateral branch, possibly command two Foundation Establishment elders?
Mu Tong's eye is still in his hands.

Seeing the other party sitting so leisurely in the main hall, a shadow of gloom flashed through Gongsun Wang's heart.

This is getting a bit complicated!
The person who shared the same feelings as Gongsun Wang was none other than Liu Zhangjia in the second row. He also sensed a huge crisis and even felt a strange pain in his left eye.

He recalled the scene when the head of the Gongsun family had his eyes removed.

At this point, all the leaders finally understood that this priest who came out of the City God Temple of Wufang City was not the kind of brute who was good at brute force, but had the confidence to not be afraid of the families of Wangxian City!

Many of them don't understand what gives them this confidence, but it doesn't matter, as long as they remember not to provoke the other party!

Among those present, few families were as strong as the Gongsun family. They could still gouge out eyes as they pleased.

With their minds focused, each leader determined the first and most important thing to do after descending from the suspended mountain.

That is to inform the entire clan not to provoke Li Wushou, the chief priest of the Wufang City God Temple.

While waiting outside the hall, they learned some information about Li Wushou from Huoyao Zhenren, such as his background and name.

All of this should also be passed on to every member of the family.

The patriarch of the Fu lineage at the head of the table took in everyone's expressions and felt even more satisfied.

He stroked his beard with a smile and said to the patriarch of the Kongzi lineage beside him:

"Junior brother, let's announce the decision of Suspended Mountain regarding the raising of the Heavenly God!"

The founder of the Empty Lineage had a solemn expression. He glanced at the founder of the Floating Lineage and felt a little disdain. Did the founder really think he was sure to win?

With a soft snort, a powerful aura suddenly rose from his body, as if the sky and earth were being held up above his head.

Everyone quickly suppressed their curiosity about Li Wushou's identity and bowed down to listen to the decree of the founder of the Kongzi lineage.

The patriarch of the Kongzi lineage nodded slightly and spoke in a clear voice:
"The Suspended Mountain broke through the illusion and descended upon Huazhou 464 years ago. However, apart from the first 160 years when it actively explored the land of illusion, there have been few changes in the subsequent 300 years. Whether it was recuperation or the burning of incense and offerings, after more than 300 years of accumulation, it was time for some changes."

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the many aristocratic families of Wangxian City. The Misfortune is a treasure trove; if Huazhou can rid itself of it, all the families present will prosper twice as much.

The moment the patriarch of the Kongzi lineage uttered those words, the entire hall was astonished!

This is not just a minor change; it means mobilizing the entire power of Huazhou to reopen the Mysterious Calamity once again.

When the founder of the Kongzi lineage spoke, he was in high spirits, which made the minds of the family leaders below also stirred.

Why are they standing here today listening to the decisions made by the Hanging Mountain?

It was all thanks to our ancestors who shed blood in Huazhou more than four hundred years ago!

Is it finally their turn? Which discerning person wouldn't want to stand at the front of the hall?

However, some clans felt intense pressure because their seats weren't necessarily at the front; they could also be at the back, or even lose the chance to enter the main hall altogether.

Whether they are excited or worried, none of this can be changed by their will.

After a slight pause, the founder of the Kongzi lineage continued:

"However, things have changed! At this critical moment, the Great Lord of Zhenhai dispatched a patrol envoy to Huazhou to deliver a Heavenly God's Decree!"

This is a great thing for Huazhou, as it helps Huazhou save a lot of incense offerings.

For Huazhou, once the Heavenly God is elevated, the selection of the Heavenly God is perfectly justifiable, and the Dragon God is the only one who can be chosen. This is the consensus of the two floating sects.

The Dragon God has been guarding the Hengyang River for hundreds of years, and is worth a Heavenly God's Token!

But this time, the Heavenly God is different. The Heavenly God's Decree sent by the Great Lord of the Sea also carries a heavy responsibility.

It's hard to tell whether the suspended mountain is a blessing or a curse.
The Dragon God has rendered great service, but the Kongzi lineage is unwilling to let him take such a risk. Therefore, they propose recommending another person to first elevate the Dragon God to the Heavenly God status using the Heavenly God's Decree. After clearing the calamity, they will then gather the full strength of the Suspended Mountain to help the Dragon God ascend to the Heavenly Godhood.

At this point, the patriarch of the Kongzi lineage paused again, nodded slightly to the Dragon God, and the Dragon God nodded in response with an unchanged expression.

Li Wushou, standing to the side, couldn't help but mutter to himself: These two are so hypocritical!

At this moment, the patriarch of the Kongzi lineage spoke again:
"But whether it is a blessing or a curse is ultimately unpredictable, and we cannot let the Dragon God's opportunity be ruined because of the risk, as that would not be fair to the Dragon God."

Therefore, after communicating with the Dragon God, Suspended Mountain decided on a fair competition. The Floating Lineage would assist the Dragon God, while the Empty Lineage would assist the other candidate. Regardless of the outcome, it was all fate; each would bear their own fortune and misfortune!

Regardless of their inner thoughts, the assembled family leaders below, after the patriarch of the Kongzi lineage finished his sermon, all shouted in unison:
"The two patriarchs have considered everything thoroughly; we are truly impressed!"

Upon seeing this, the founder of the Kongzi lineage nodded slightly.

"The competition rules will be announced at the Grand Heavenly Assembly in seven days. During this period, you, the Suspended Mountain, need to spread this information throughout Wangxian City and the thirty-six cities along the Hengyang River!"

The moment he finished speaking, the founder of the Kongzi lineage concealed his aura and said no more.

The heads of the household bowed once again to receive their orders.

"I will obey the ancestral master's decree!"

The patriarch of the Floating Lineage stroked his long beard and, seeing that the patriarch of the Empty Lineage had finished speaking, softly said:
"You should all be clear about the matter of choosing a Heavenly God, so I won't say any more. I just want to remind you that no matter who is chosen as the Heavenly God, after the opening of the Mysterious Calamity, Huazhou will soon welcome a second Heavenly God. Therefore, you can compete, but you must not let it damage the harmony."

Everyone bowed and accepted the order.

Li Wushou, however, somewhat understood the Dragon King's indignation.

It seems that the patriarch of the Fuzi lineage has gone mad from cultivating immortality, and his thoughts are too idealistic. Or perhaps he is actually very detached and doesn't care about the right to speak of Suspended Mountain at all.
Not to mention that the incense offerings needed for the second deity cannot be accumulated in a short time, the Kongzi lineage has already made it clear that they want to compete with you, and you are still reminding me not to hurt the harmony?
What are you suggesting that people with the "floating" pulse should do?
Should we unleash our potential or restrict our actions?

Li Wushou glanced at the Dragon King and, sure enough, saw a hint of bitterness at the corner of the other's mouth.

An unassuming leader?

Li Wushou seemed to be deep in thought.

Just then, the patriarch of the Floating Lineage waved his hand, and the cloud patterns carved on the white jade roof of the Floating Hall slowly dispersed.

Like parting the clouds to reveal the blue sky, a dazzling star slowly emerges within.

The people in the main hall sensed something and slowly looked up at the rooftop.

The instant the stars appeared, Li Wushou clearly felt the Dragon King beside him experience a violent fluctuation in his emotions, and a deep longing was revealed in the Dragon King's golden pupils.

"This is the Heavenly Decree!"

Seeing everyone looking over, the founder of the Fu lineage slowly spoke:
“Take out the patriarch tokens of the five surnames, seven noble families, and twenty-four clans! These Heavenly God Tokens do not yet belong to Huazhou and still need the popularity of Huazhou to refine them.”

The crowd bowed in agreement, then took out tokens one by one and respectfully raised them above their heads with both hands.

These tokens should have been made in the same style, with similar designs, but they come in three colors: gold, silver, and bronze.

With another wave of his hand, the patriarch of the Floating Character lineage sent five golden tokens flying into the Heavenly God Token on the rooftop in the order of the Five Elements and Five Directions.

Seven silver tokens fell into it in the shape of a seven-star formation.

The final twenty-four bronze tokens, which surrounded the Five Elements and Seven Stars, also fell into the Heavenly God's Decree.

Huh? This looks like the layout of Wangxian City?

Li Wushou saw through the trick, and then saw wisps of incense smoke fly out from the sleeve of the patriarch of the Fuzi lineage.

As the incense smoke rose, it rapidly fluctuated and transformed into large seals. Li Wushou, who had handled the seals of the Five City Gods, immediately recognized them as phantom images of the seals of the Thirty-Six City Gods.

Moreover, the incense smoke should be taken from the thirty-six cities respectively.

Li Wushou smelled the scent of the Five Directions City in one of the wisps of incense, and then saw that the wisp of incense transform into the seal of the Five Directions City God.

These City God seals were indeed placed in their respective positions outside the tokens of the Twenty-Four Clans, following the layout of Wangxian City.

A buzzing sound came from the void, and the cloud patterns regrouped, once again obscuring the stars.

"Seven days from now, the Heavenly God Token will be fully refined, which will also be the day the Heavenly God is invoked. Everyone, please disperse!"

The group accepted the order. After bowing to Li Wushou, the Dragon King took the lead and walked out of the floating palace, followed closely by the other masters.

While Master Huoyao was still waiting outside the hall, he suddenly heard the voice of the patriarch of the Fuzi lineage, asking him to come down with him.

Originally, according to the idea of ​​the ancestor of the Fu lineage, if Li Wushou was not a disciple of the Great Venerable Zhenhai, then he would put the blame on Gongsun Huoyao, since it was he who claimed that Li Wushou was a disciple of the Great Venerable.

Now that Li Wushou's identity has been verified, there is no need to question him any further.

After descending the suspended mountain, the Dragon King followed Li Wushou to the Wufang City God Temple.

The heads of the households all returned to their homes.

An hour later, the voice of Li Wushou, the Grand Priest of Wufang City, resounded throughout Wangxian!

(End of this chapter)