I'm just an ornamental fish in the water.

Seeing Jiang Li standing there speechless, Lady Luoshui raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

Jiang Li snapped out of her daze, bowed deeply, and earnestly said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty's decree to name me is an immense blessing. How could I possibly have any complaints? I was simply overwhelmed by this joy and that's why I was so impolite."

"You've got a way with words."

Lady Luoshui smiled and flicked her fingers, her gaze falling on the teacup beside her.

Jiang Li quickly stepped over, picked up the teapot, and poured it to about seven-tenths full.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Empress drinking tea, and this time he lowered his head and said in a low voice, "However, Jiang Li considers himself an ordinary person with no talent whatsoever. Having gained the favor of His Majesty the King of Yu and the Empress, I feel very uneasy and anxious."

The series of events that had just occurred had indeed made Jiang Li somewhat uneasy.

His original form in this world, the Crimson Carp, does indeed possess some divine bloodline, but this little bit of divine ability might earn him a reputation for beauty in the Luo River, but what does it amount to in the vast Three Realms?

Yu's actions just now were rather abrupt.

Could it be that he paid hush money because he overheard the private affairs of the descendants of the Three Queens?

There's no need for that. That's King Yu. Putting everything else aside, the current Water Official Emperor, who oversees all the waterways of the four continents, is the embodiment of this supreme ruler.

Even the supreme chief of the Four Seas and Four Rivers, the Great Dragon God, is nothing more than a larger mudfish in front of the Water Official Emperor, let alone himself.

As the saying goes, when you give someone a gift, you must have something in return.

Or, to use a phrase more familiar to Jiang Li, every gift from fate comes with a price already marked in secret.

That's why Jiang Li was uneasy. He really didn't know what he had that could catch the eye of the dignified King Yu.

"Feeling uneasy is a good thing."

Lady Luoshui seemed to have been waiting for Jiang Li to ask this question, and smiled and said: "In the past, when King Yu traveled through the nine provinces to control the floods and dredge the rivers, the Huai River was the most flooded, because there was a water monster in it, called the Huaiwo Water God, named Wuzhiqi, and the people called him the Huai Calamity Water God."

"This monster hindered Yu the Great's efforts to control the floods. Yu's four generals all went into battle, but they could not subdue it. In the end, Yu patiently summoned Gengchen, the divine general of Xikunlun, who manifested his true form as Yinglong. After a great battle, the monster was finally subdued. Its neck was bound with an iron chain, a golden ring was pierced through its nose, and it was suppressed under Turtle Mountain."

Jiang Li understood. At that time, King Yu probably felt that his subordinates had disgraced him and was preparing to take a plow and throw it at the water monkey himself. However, he was persuaded by everyone that King Yu was already the de facto ruler of the human race, and it would be unbecoming of him to personally take action.

This led to the story of Yinglong subduing Wuzhiqi.

Lady Luo continued, "But what many people don't know is that at that time, King Yu couldn't hold back, or perhaps he was annoyed by Gengchen's procrastination, and punched Wuzhiqi."

At this point, the Empress smiled and said, "It was this punch that almost shattered Wuzhiqi's physical body, and even forced out 40-50% of his original spiritual essence."

"This spiritual essence has always been in the hands of King Yu. After so many years of refinement, it has long lost the imprint of Wuzhiqi. It is the purest and most superior treasure among water-related treasures."

"Over the years, many human immortals have sought it from King Yu, but he never agreed. I never expected that he would give it to you today."

As Jiang Li listened, she became increasingly uneasy and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty's words only make Jiang Li more at a loss."

"I'm telling you this not to make you do that."

Lady Luoshui straightened her skirt and chuckled, "King Yu only sees this spiritual essence as a thought, after all, he has rarely taken action since becoming the supreme ruler."

"Don't worry about it. This spiritual essence may be priceless to you, but it's nothing to King Yu. You don't need to worry about anything else. I just like you and want to make a good connection with you."

The meaning of Lady Luoshui is very simple: a little bit of something leaking from under the fingernail of a big shot is enough for you to enjoy, but for the big shot, it's just something to be arranged casually.

They probably don't even care, so why are you so worried? Just take it.

Jiang Li felt much more at ease, nodded, and bowed, saying, "If it weren't for Your Majesty's influence, how could Jiang Li have such good fortune? Jiang Li thanks Your Majesty for your kindness and guidance, and will never forget it in this lifetime."

"You little fish, where did you learn so much slickness?"

Lady Luoshui laughed and scolded, "From now on you will be a cultivator, so don't be so unreliable."

With that, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, go ahead and focus on your work."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "There are some mystical elements within the spiritual essence of Wuzhiqi. You should try to comprehend them as soon as possible, lest you delay your own path of cultivation."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will follow your instructions and take my leave now."

Jiang Li bowed respectfully, and seeing that the Empress had no further intention of speaking, she withdrew with a bow.

After Jiang Li left, the smile on Lady Luoshui's face faded, and she looked at the invitation on the table with an inscrutable expression.

Jiang Li's matter was just a minor episode for her. In the three realms, countless beings encounter opportunities all the time, and Jiang Li's luck was really nothing.

I just chatted with the little fish for a bit to ease my mood.

What concerned her even more was the invitation.

Lady Luo Shui traced her finger across the invitation, her voice soft yet carrying an incredibly complex meaning.

"After this, I will never see you again."

…………

"You're really lucky. After this, you'll probably be able to show your face in front of the Empress quite often."

Beside the Wanyu Pond in the Crystal Palace, Chi'er, one of Lady Luoshui's personal maids and also a member of Jiang Li's "family," is talking to Jiang Li.

Chi'er's gaze lingered on Jiang Li for a moment. Seeing his elegant and handsome appearance, she nodded in satisfaction and said, "Such a appearance won't bring shame to our Luoshui Divine Palace."

"It's all thanks to Her Majesty's blessings. We've been so lucky to get even a little bit of it, and we're already enjoying it immensely."

Jiang Li smiled and replied, then bowed solemnly and said, "Jiang Li owes all of this to Aunt's care. If it weren't for Aunt's kindness in saving me back then, Jiang Li would probably have rotted in the belly of some evil creature long ago, and I wouldn't have the destiny I have today."

This is the truth, and Jiang Li's gratitude is also sincere.

However, Chi'er, with a hint of displeasure on her face, put her hands on her hips and retorted, "What did you call me?"

Jiang Li was taken aback for a moment, then cupped his hands and smiled, "Sister Chi, it was my fault for making you sound so old. I really deserve a beating."

"That's more like it."

Chi'er's anger turned to joy, and she grabbed Jiang Li's sleeve and walked out, completely ignoring the countless expressions of jealousy and envy in the Wanyu Pond that were almost tangible.

After leaving the Fish Pond, Chi'er said, "Her Majesty has appointed you as the purchasing agent. Do you know how to do this job?"

The Luoshui Divine Palace is not only filled with accomplished cultivators who have mastered the art of fasting. Many of the maids, sailors, servants, and other staff still need to eat grains and other staple foods, and they also need various items and tools.

The job of purchasing agents was to go to Luoyang city, outside the Luo River, to procure these items.

In the mortal world, there might be plenty of profit to be made, but in the Luoshui Divine Palace, there's really no need. It's not like it's a precious cultivation material; it's just some worldly silver. What's there to fuss about?

Therefore, as long as the purchased items are complete, that's fine. As for the expenses, the Luoshui Divine Palace will not lack this bit of worldly gold and silver anyway.

But judging from Sister Chi's expression, there seems to be more to it than meets the eye?

Jiang Run immediately moved closer.

"Sister Chi, I am truly dull-witted. I would be extremely grateful if you could enlighten me."