Unexpected Gains

"The winds and waves of the East Sea have calmed down a bit."

Di Xin's clone stood atop the city walls, his gaze fixed on the shimmering horizon, a hint of amusement on his face.

Ten days had passed since his arrival at Chentang Pass. Ever since he took the unborn Nezha as his godson on the first day, he had been staying at the Li residence, spending his days toying with Jinzha and Muzha. While "deceiving" the children's emotions, he also put Li Jing's mind at ease.

Killing several birds with one stone!

"Since the Great King arrived, the winds and waves of the East Sea have lessened day by day. It seems even the ferocious demons of the deep sea fear the Great King's might and dare not stir up trouble anymore."

Li Jing stood by, clad in armor, his hand resting on the sword at his waist. He offered a subtle compliment to Di Xin.

With a happy family and an impending promotion, he naturally had to perform well.

"No, when something unusual happens, there's bound to be a demon."

Di Xin shook his head, his gaze deep and reserved. He touched the cloth bag at his waist, as if making a decision.

"Li Jing, guard Chentang Pass well. I am going to the East Sea to investigate. The lives of Chentang Pass's millions of citizens are in your hands!"

Clang!

Li Jing knelt on one knee. With excessive force, his golden armor scraped, sparking.

"Great King, the sea is perilous. You are of golden stature, the pillar of our nation. You must not risk your life! I, Li Jing, dare to ask the Great King to remain in Chentang Pass and allow me to investigate. If I were to unfortunately perish for the country, please treat my wife and children well."

Di Xin looked down, meeting Li Jing's raised eyes. In Li Jing's gaze, he saw a determination amidst hesitation.

"Hahaha!"

Di Xin suddenly burst into laughter, placing his hands on Li Jing's shoulders. He spoke with a mix of relief and emotion, "My dear minister is indeed thoughtful. However, I cannot trade the life of a subject for a clone of mine.

Besides, I am confident I can retreat unharmed. The seals on the Xuanyuan Bow and Sky-Shaking Arrow have been broken by me. You shall guard the city walls with these treasures. If enemies attack from the East Sea, you can use them to repel them. However, the Xuanyuan Bow and Sky-Shaking Arrow carry too much malevolent energy. Unless it is a dire emergency, I permit you to shoot only one arrow."

The Kongtong Seal is a treasure of the Human Race. Even if this clone of his were to perish in the East Sea, no one would dare to claim it for themselves. However, the Human Pouch would be lost.

But to completely win over the Li family, this deal was worth making.

"This minister, Li Jing, will not fail the Great King's trust. I swear to defend Chentang Pass with my life!"

Watching Di Xin transform into a divine light and fly towards the East Sea, Li Jing's knees landed heavily on the bluestone of the city wall with a thump.

A good bird chooses its tree to roost in. This "good bird" of his was now wholeheartedly clinging to the great tree of Yin Shang.

How many rulers throughout history could achieve such a feat? And how many of them were wise and virtuous sage kings?

"Soldiers, begin your drills! Protect the millions of citizens of Chentang Pass!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Di Xin had not flown far when he heard the soldiers' shouts from behind. The corners of his mouth curved slightly, and his escape technique quickened.

The original work did not mention this great disturbance in the East Sea, so he was very curious as to which faction was causing trouble there.

East Sea

The waves surged to meet the sky, and the angry breakers rushed towards the clouds.

In a "valley" near the coast, a giant tens of feet tall was carrying a small mountain and running through the sea. Its thick legs stirred up tidal waves, and these waves, following the mouth of the valley, continuously surged westward, gradually forming layers of monstrous waves that relentlessly crashed towards the coastline.

This was the true reason behind the surging East Sea waves, their sound like thunder.

"Woof woof, Master, it's time to eat."

As noon approached, a black lightning bolt shot from the east and finally stopped on the peak of the valley. It was a giant black dog, about ten feet tall, with fur like satin, but covered in scars.

The giant dog glanced at the giant, dropped a several-foot-long, crystal-clear swordfish it was biting, and hopped around on the mountain peak, acting pleased. It didn't seem to care that its wounds were cracking open, with streaks of bright red blood flowing out.

"Master, I got a great treasure this time! I've been eyeing it for seven whole days, but it always got away. This time, it didn't escape! Woof woof!"

Hearing the commotion, the giant carefully placed the mountain peak from its shoulder into the sea. However, it still couldn't control its strength, creating a thousand-foot wave that surged outward.

The next second, a golden light flashed on the giant, and it actually shrank, transforming into a young boy with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a handsome face, and a slender build.

The boy strode to where the giant dog was, reached out and touched the dog's lowered head, speaking with great affection:

"Howling Celestial Dog, you've worked hard."

"Woof woof! Master isn't working hard, Howling Celestial Dog isn't working hard. If it weren't for Master, Howling Celestial Dog would have long been skinned and eaten. Woof woof!"

As the Howling Celestial Dog spoke, a black light flashed, and it also shrank several times, barely reaching Yang Jian's waist.

"Master cultivates the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts and needs a large amount of flesh and blood to temper his body by carrying mountains and driving seas in this valley. This is all Howling Celestial Dog can do for Master."

The handsome youth was named Yang Jian, the very Erlang that Di Xin was thinking of. He was now under the guidance of True Lord Yuding, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect, cultivating the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts in the East Sea by carrying mountains and driving seas. This was all to rescue his mother, who was trapped beneath Mount Peach.

It was precisely because of True Lord Yuding's protection that he could cause such a huge disturbance in the East Sea without being sought out by the East Sea Dragon Palace.

As for this black dog, there was no need for further explanation. It was the legitimate owner of "Heaven and Earth Have No Limits, Tracking Ten Thousand Miles," the Howling Celestial Dog.

"You should also take care of yourself. The exotic beasts in the sea are fierce, and there are many demons. Don't take such risks for a mere meal."

Yang Jian carefully stroked the Howling Celestial Dog's back, where there was an almost healed hole that went straight through. The scent of the fish beneath their feet still lingered on it.

"Master, I understand. Let's start eating."

The Howling Celestial Dog grinned, revealing a mouth full of sharp white teeth and a greedy expression.

After Yang Jian became a disciple of True Lord Yuding, the dog also benefited from his master's good fortune. True Lord Yuding fed it numerous spiritual pills and elixirs, activating its great demon bloodline. Although its cultivation couldn't keep up with Yang Jian's pace, it was still progressing rapidly.

Now, at the East Sea, to prevent Yang Jian from being distracted during his cultivation, the Howling Celestial Dog had voluntarily gone out hunting. One purpose was to provide Yang Jian with blood food, and the other was to hone its own combat skills.

Take the fish beneath their feet, for example. What if its realm was half a level higher than his? It was no match for him, as he managed to bite it to death, even at the cost of both of them being injured!

"Okay, good!"

Yang Jian nodded, a smile returning to his face. Just then, a voice filled with amusement drifted down from the sky:

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Searching high and low for something, only to find it effortlessly."