There was a saying in the secular world: "Master civil and martial arts, then sell them to the emperor's household." The cultivation world was much the same. Humans had it somewhat better—after cultivating successfully and ascending to immortality, if they had the protection of a sect, they could become carefree immortals.
But the Heavenly Court's control over demons was countless times stricter.
Humans could become carefree immortals, but if demons wanted to become carefree demons, the Heavenly Court would not allow it. Anyone who disobeyed its commands could be reduced to ashes in an instant.
Not to mention little demons like Li Lin. What about those great demon sages in Journey to the West, who possessed powers that reached the heavens and pierced the earth? In the end, how many of them managed to preserve themselves?
If one did not seek absolute freedom, joining the establishment was not necessarily a bad thing. At the very least, one's life would be secure, and if something happened, one could ask the divine lords of the Heavenly Court for help.
"You said earlier that the original Water Lord of the Qiantang River was killed by a Flood Dragon, leaving the position vacant. Do you want to become the Water Lord of Qiantang?" Jiang Hao asked.
Li Lin smiled. "I do have that thought. I was born here and have cultivated here for fifteen hundred years. I understand this place well, and my cave abode is here too. Naturally, I wish to remain, but I do not know whether the Heavenly Court will agree."
"You said that an Ascending Dragon killed the former Water Lord of Qiantang. Was that Flood Dragon very powerful? Now that you've transformed into a golden dragon, has your strength increased greatly?" Jiang Hao asked.
"That is not the case,