Traveling through countless heavens, an immortal being

The reason why Fanchuan is called Fanchuan is that in ancient times, no one lived here. Originally, there was a Fanchuan River. Later, due to the vicissitudes of life, the vast Fanchuan River gradually dried up due to the drying up of its source and landslides and subsidence in the basin. As a result, the little river water was cut off and dried up in place.

Apart from the ancient Fanchuan Yuanchi, a crystal-clear spring with a diameter of over three zhang (approximately 10 meters), which remains as a historical site for visitors, the other river channels have completely dried up, becoming nothing more than a record in the annals of history.

Lear only learned after looking at the map and checking the watercourses that the water flowing from the ancient Fanchuan spring pool flowed down the mountain into the Anji Canal, which the old king ordered to be dug and built after he ascended the throne, and then joined other rivers to flow eastward into the sea.

Having experienced the restoration of the water veins several times, Lear, now experienced, could calmly look at the Fanchuan Source Pool before him, where the water level had dropped and most of the pool walls were exposed.

We're still going through the motions...

First, take a look - then retrieve the gourd - pour water - restore the water source - the river flows again.

Seeing the clear spring gush forth from the pool and restore the river, Lear turned and walked away, leaning on his dragon-headed cane.

Just as he was about to ride on the auspicious cloud to Fanchuan County, a strange thing happened at the spring behind him, which was easily noticed by Lear, whose magical power had greatly increased.

With a flick of his sleeve, he abruptly turned around and looked back, only to see the water in Fanchuanyuan Pool shimmering with five colors and radiating a precious light, as if a rare treasure was about to be born.

The blue ox noticed it too. It twitched its ears, snorted, and turned to face the spring.

Under the watchful eyes of the man and the ox, the spring pool, like water in a large pot, began to bubble up with the size of a bowl, and mist quickly began to swirl around the pool.

The green ox stared at the scene in the spring without blinking, fearing that some monster might jump out of the water and swallow it and the master whole.

Just as it was about to back away, it remembered that back in the prefectural city, the master had even dared to strike the national advisor's memorial tablet with lightning, and suddenly the fear disappeared.

……

Lear was unaware that the blue ox had so many thoughts running through its mind in such a short time.

He watched as the spring pool unleashed its full magical power, releasing his divine sense to explore all directions. Without making a sound, he took off the Vajra bracelet on his wrist, poured his magical power into it, and held it tightly.

If any menacing monsters jump out later, he will throw the Vajra Bracelet away, guaranteeing to open a "skylight" for them to breathe.

……

The spring churned for a while before the bubbles gradually dissipated, but the mist surrounding the man and the ox grew thicker and thicker.

Amidst the splashing water, a deity with a dragon's head and a human body, topped with two horns, slowly emerged from the spring.

He wore a pearl-embroidered five-tassel crown, a light blue brocade robe with gold patterns, a dark blue gemstone belt with a gold base, held a jade tablet, and wore dark black court boots. His figure was slightly hunched, and even though he had a dragon's head and a human body, one could tell that this deity was old and probably quite old.

Looking at the jade tablet in the hand of the Spring God, which seemed to be two inches taller than the lacquered wooden court tablet of the old City God of Heyang County, Li Er thought to himself that this was similar to the court tablets in the TV series and unearthed museum collections in his previous life, which were bestowed in a graded manner according to official rank and the size of the territory under their jurisdiction.

……

Only when the spring god was completely standing on the water's surface did he straighten his clothes with one hand holding the scepter and the other, before bowing deeply to Lear with both hands holding the scepter.

"The Dragon King of Fanchuan pays his respects to the Great Immortal. Thank you for saving Fanchuan, restoring its spring, relieving the people from their dire straits, and preventing the Dragon Palace from collapsing. My entire family is deeply grateful."

Li Er said gently, "No need for formalities, Old Dragon King. Do you know how this drought came about?"

The Dragon King of Fanchuan, with a respectful demeanor, said, "Reporting to the Great Immortal, this drought came suddenly. My spring, which had been shrinking for 1300 years, has dried up, but the Fanchuan River remains dry."

Who would have thought that last year a Taoist priest in golden robes would suddenly appear, carrying a golden plaque bestowed by the old king, along with edicts from the city gods and mountain gods of several counties under Jizhou Prefecture, and a dark mirror, absorbing the essence of mountains, earth, and water veins from all directions.

The essence of the spring was largely drained from Xiaolong. Xiaolong's eldest son, young and impetuous, ignored his mother's and Xiaolong's advice and tried to reason with them, but was stopped by the Imperial Advisor. His fate is now unknown...

If it weren't for Xiaolong's relatively long lifespan, and his quick action in taking half of the water veins and the rest of his family underground to hide when things went wrong, he probably wouldn't even have been able to save this small part of his family's fortune...

The old Dragon King was heartbroken as he spoke, and he wiped away his tears. Suddenly, clouds gathered above the spring and drifted up to look towards Fanchuan City, indicating that it was about to rain.

……

After patiently listening to the words of the ancient Fanchuan Dragon King, Li Er made a plan in his mind.

"Dragon King, please be at ease. This humble Taoist is going to the capital precisely to slay demons and restore peace to the world," Lear comforted him for a few moments before asking further questions.

"Old Dragon King, your foundation is still intact. Didn't you write a memorial to the Heavenly Palace afterward?"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of Fanchuan's expression immediately turned somber. "Truly astounding! Such a momentous event has occurred in the mortal realm, and I, holding a high position and wielding imperial edicts, have turned a blind eye? Strangely, ever since I saw that Imperial Preceptor leave last year, I hastily wrote a memorial to the throne, but..."

The old Dragon King looked conflicted. "But...but the memorials were sent to Heaven, and I was just waiting for the Heavenly Palace to send celestial officials to inquire. Who would have thought that, with each memorial submitted, Heaven seemed to have shut down completely, with no word from them?"

If Xiaolong hadn't seen the Heavenly Palace's Inspector General riding a cloud chariot over this spring earlier, he would have suspected that something had happened in the heavens...

……

Lear's expression grew serious upon hearing this. Something was wrong; a severe drought was occurring on Earth, but Heaven was not taking any action...!

Li Er recalled the words of the celestial official he had met when he first arrived in this world and restored his spring on Taiyi Peak in Heyang County...

..............................

This king disrespects Heaven and scorns the sages. Ever since he appointed some so-called national advisor, he has cut off all the sacrifices to the gods. Therefore, Heaven is furious and has ordered that this country's harvest be cut off as a warning to the foolish ruler. There should be ten years left, after which springs will naturally spring up from the dried-up ponds and the land will yield grains to sustain the people. Today, you have secretly released the water, which is already a transgression against Heaven!

..............................

The words of that celestial official echoed clearly in Lear's ears again, and he understood why the old Dragon King's memorial had received no response.

Judging from the appearance of the ancient Fanchuan Dragon King in front of him, he probably doesn't know about the shady schemes involved. But that's not his fault. Who would have thought that the gods in the Heavenly Palace would condone someone like the Imperial Advisor to wreak havoc on the human world and harm living beings?

Demons raged, yet no gods intervened. Lear received three divinely bestowed treasures: the supplementary list of deities, the Vajra Bracelet, and the Taiqing Fish Tail Crown. The meaning of this was quite clear.

The Heavenly Palace is tyrannical, and the people are suffering. Immortals and demons are indiscriminate, and all living beings are in turmoil. This is why Lear is to lead the people to overthrow the Heavenly Palace and rebuild it!

That makes sense.

The Dragon King of Fanchuan, remembering his eldest son who had been captured, cried sadly for a while. Now, he tidied his appearance and bowed to Lear.

"With the arrival of the Great Immortal, our humble abode at Fanchuan Pond is filled with glory. We, the humble dragon, are filled with trepidation and dare to invite the Great Immortal to grace our Fanchuan Dragon Palace with his presence, so that our family may extend the hospitality of our host. What do you say, Great Immortal?"

Li Er thought for a moment. This was the third deity from this world he had encountered since he first came to this world. The previous one, the old city god of Heyang County, had only exchanged a few words before dying from exhaustion and depletion of his life force. The celestial official holding the book had only met him once before leaving.

Only the current Ancient Fanchuan Dragon King is a breakthrough point for understanding this world. Thinking of this, Lear happily agreed to let the old dragon king sit in his dragon palace.

Upon hearing this, the old dragon was overjoyed and hurriedly opened up a waterway to await the arrival of the distinguished guest...

....................................

The water is clear and the coral is vibrant, crystal clear and transparent.

White jade fish come and go, and shrimp soldiers guard the gate.

The old tortoise is the prime minister, and the crab is the general.

Behind layers of beaded curtains, verdant greenery builds a dragon palace.

....................................

Looking at the Dragon Palace beneath the Fanchuan Source Pool, Li Er couldn't help but marvel. What a magnificent ancient Fanchuan! It had indeed accumulated a great deal of wealth. Its grandeur was truly worthy of being a remnant of the ancient Fandu.

Fanchuan Pond doesn't look very big, but who would have thought there's more to it than meets the eye? This old Dragon King certainly knows how to enjoy life.

……

The old dragon led Lear downstream for about half an incense stick's time before they arrived at the exquisitely laid out and luxuriously constructed dragon palace.

The old dragon insisted on inviting Lear to sit on the throne, but Lear firmly declined. After some back and forth, the two immortals finally sat down as host and guest.

The Dragon King summoned the Turtle and Crab Generals from the palace to pay homage to Lear with great respect. Only then did he order a banquet to be held. The Dragon King was respectful and raised his cup from time to time, with the Turtle General sitting at the end of the table to keep him company.

Lear took the gourd down and used water instead of wine, for one should always be wary of others.

During the banquet, Lear inquired with the old Dragon King about the powerful saints in the world.

The old Dragon King has lived for over a thousand years and is quite clear about the distribution of power in the heavens and on the earth.

He answered Lear's questions one by one...

The Heavenly Palace in the sky is ruled by the Heavenly Emperor, who has been ruling for less than ten thousand years. The government is assisted by the Left Immortal.

Above the Heavenly Palace in the Ninth Heaven is the Capital Heavenly Principal Office, where the Heavenly Heart Incarnates as the Grand Judge of the Three Realms, who is supremely benevolent and virtuous, investigates the evil policies of the Three Realms, and banishes evil immortals and fallen gods.

In the West, there are countless Pure Lands of Samsara, all under the rule of Dipankara Buddha, who has been enlightened for eight thousand years.

There is another realm beyond the borders, the Demon Realm, where the Demon Lord Chaos possesses unfathomable strength, but he usually doesn't interfere, so the Demon Realm is rather chaotic.

Dynasties rise and fall in the human world. Now, the State of Jin governs the nine provinces and its people. The old king is getting old and has rarely attended court since he was appointed as the Grand Preceptor. He has three legitimate sons, all of whom are now grown up, but the old king has been slow to appoint a crown prince. Who knows what kind of bloodshed will result...

………………

The old Dragon King spoke clearly, and Lear listened attentively; the banquet was a joyous occasion for both host and guests.

After Lear finished his meal, he left the Dragon Palace and rode away on his ox. The old Dragon King, who was drunk, was helped out by the Turtle Prime Minister to see him off.

The old Dragon King took out a crystal box from his wide robe sleeves and insisted on giving it to Lear as a thank-you gift. He shouted that if Lear did not accept it, he would saw off his own dragon horn and give it to Lear. Lear could not refuse and had no choice but to accept it.

The Turtle Prime Minister respectfully escorted the old Dragon King to the Guangji Canal, watching Lear ride his ox and ascend into the clouds before returning to the Dragon Palace...

……

High in the sky, Lear, riding a blue ox, carrying a dragon-headed cane and a red gourd, looked back at the old Dragon King and his servant returning to the pool before putting the diamond bracelet he had been holding back back on his wrist.

As the sun sets and the rain clears, the vegetation along the way, nourished by the life-giving rain, is beginning to sprout tender buds, just like the resilient and hardworking people of this world...