The Eve of Reopening the Water Palace, Uninvited Guests Arrive

The immortal's fortune is flourishing.

The fortunes of the Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage are flourishing.

The disciples and followers who cultivated there naturally absorbed the purple aura and absorbed the sun and moon, diligently practicing their cultivation.

This day.

A deafening roar suddenly echoed from the Grand Void.

Amidst the vast blue sky, an invisible and formless aura stirred up ripples, as if adorning the heavens with countless splendors.

"What is that?"

Jin Chentao suddenly opened his eyes, and two beams of golden light shot straight into the Grand Void.

Then one could see that above the grotto-heaven, a Primordial Divine Mountain, seemingly infinitely large yet infinitely small, hung high in the sky. Around it, the Great Dao seemed to roar, and an invisible field permeated the universe.

Suddenly, a high-pitched whale roar resounded within Jin Chentao Primordial Spirit Consciousness Sea.

"Hmm~"

With a muffled groan, the Golden Rings on his wrists clashed, stirring up bursts of magical light. Suppressing the surging blood energy within him, Jin Chentao suddenly had a guess:

'An ancient divine whale.'

'And of extremely high status.'

'It seems to be an existence that has reaped the fruits of the Dao.'

His heart skipped a beat.

Could this sacred mountain be the transformed corpse of the Archaic Sea God's mount, the ancient divine whale that cultivated to the level of Great Divine Ability User?

Before he could even shudder at his own speculation,

A faint divine voice echoed within the grotto:

"It's alright, it's alright."

"This wicked beast was a gift from Fellow Zhen Yuanzi and a senior."

"He consumed quite a few Innate Spiritual Object during his lifetime, and his body was full of spiritual energy."

"It can be described as an excellent place for spiritual practice."

"I have removed the evil influences surrounding that wicked being and suppressed the energy field around it."

"Anyone who has reached the Taiyi stage, aspires to attain the Dao fruit, and has sufficient Dao cultivation may apply to enter the Void Divine Whale Mountain for cultivation."

The sound came abruptly, like a pebble thrown into a pool of spring water, stirring up countless ripples.

"The ancient divine whale cultivates the water-based path, following the virtue of Ren water."

"Cultivating on the sacred mountain that it has transformed into is a great opportunity for those aspiring to the path of water magic."

Zhou Yuan started his career with the Water Essence, and most of the Seventy-two Caves under his tutelage cultivated the Water Virtue. Furthermore, the divine lords from all corners of the world also frequently visited the caves.

This move can be said to benefit the majority of the disciples in the Daoist lineage.

"Unfortunately, I cultivate the metal element, and although this place is useful, it is ultimately no match for my fellow disciples who cultivate the Water Virtue."

Jin Chentao merely sighed once and then put the matter out of his mind.

His eyes darted around, and he secretly pondered:

'The lord has emerged from seclusion.'

"Judging from what he said, this ancient divine whale was hunted down by the Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi and that Senior Meng."

'Now the three Celestial Venerables will surely hold a banquet.'

'As the mount of this lord, I have no choice but to come forward and serve.'

All the fighting and scheming outside is no match for currying favor with the master. A single fruit from the banquet can be worth a thousand years of cultivation and ten thousand years of merit.

Thinking this, the fellow shook his body and in an instant transformed into a divine Divine Beast with an excellent appearance.

It has a dragon's head, a horse's body, and unicorn's feet, resembling a lion.

Its four hooves rose into the clouds, heading straight for the Palace of Hearing the Dao.

Palace of Hearing the Dao.

Outside the palace.

Jin Chentao, along with Deer Child and Crane Child, sat on the ground, each holding an Innate Spiritual Fruit and enjoying it immensely.

As he munched on the spirit fruit, he muttered to himself:

"Why didn't Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi bring Ginseng Fruit when he came as a guest?"

Even if I can't eat any, it would be nice to just stay by the master's side and smell the aroma.

Inside the palace, Zhou Yuan looked at Zhen Yuanzi with an apologetic smile.

The fruit pit in his hand shone like a shooting star, streaking across the sky and landing directly above Jin Chentao's head.

Until a scream was heard.

Zhou Yuan continued the previous topic without changing his expression:

"The Great Luo One roams through time and space, concealing cause and effect, and obscuring the Heavenly Secrets."

"That Yu Jiang was an ancestor who attained enlightenment in ancient times."

"The fact that you two fellow Daoists were able to force his Dao Body to shatter, his primordial spirit to be destroyed, and his escape to the chaos is already a remarkable achievement."

"I never expected that you two would be able to capture this giant whale completely intact."

Zhen Yuanzi stroked his beard and smiled:

"This is not due to my own efforts."

"This is all thanks to Senior Meng."

Meng Po smiled kindly:

"Zhenyuan Zhenyuan's [Universe in a Sleeve] technique is truly formidable."

"It was only with your divine power, fellow Daoist, that I was able to subdue this Primordial Divine Whale with the soup bowl in my hand."

"However, although this whale is an ancient remnant species, it only cultivates its physical body and not its primordial spirit, which led to this calamity."

Ordinary Great Luo Dao Lords, when faced with dire circumstances, often resort to self-destructive methods.

Not to mention those with Great Divine Ability User.

Even for Quasi-Saint Heavenly Venerate, obtaining a perfect Dao body at the level of a Great Divine Ability User is no easy task.

This sacred mountain, formed from an ancient divine whale, is a rare resource for the cultivation of disciples of the Dao lineage.

Zhou Yuan laughed:

"Fellow Daoists, it is I who have come out on the better side."

"Zhenyuan, our two families are also close friends."

"If your disciples or followers have the time, they are welcome to come and cultivate in my mountains for a period of time."

"As for Senior Meng..."

Meng Po waved her hand:

"The Emperor will repay this kindness."

"There's no need for the Celestial Venerable to speak further."

Zhou Yuan smiled nonchalantly.

"Then let the Sect Master of the Netherworld worry about it."

Zhen Yuanzi's eyes flickered, and he had a vague guess in his heart:

"The former Fellow Daoist Hongyun has been robbed."

"A great emperor once lent a helping hand."

"But what you two fellow Daoists are referring to is the Sect Master of the Netherworld."

Meng Po glanced at Zhou Yuan, but did not expose that the Sect Master of the Netherworld was actually this person's Dharma body.

After all, Zhen Yuanzi will know the truth when he sees it with his own eyes.

She nodded and said:

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun is indeed recuperating in the Daoist temple of that Sect Master of the Netherworld."

"Well!"

Zhen Yuanzi clapped his hands and laughed loudly.

Although I already knew my friend should be fine.

But now its location has truly been confirmed.

Zhen Yuanzi was finally relieved.

Zhou Yuan laughed:

"Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan, please don't be anxious."

"I told you this long ago."

"When the time is right, I will lead you into that netherworld."

"Now that this matter is settled, Fellow Daoist may proceed with Senior Meng."

The three chatted and laughed for a while.

Zhen Yuanzi's expression gradually became serious.

"Although Dao Brother, have seized the Authority of Water Element and assumed the position of the Water Element Black Emperor."

"But it also offended the Demon Clan."

"Even among the Witch Clan, Xuanming Gonggong may not be without other intentions."

"Fellow Daoist, now that you've reopened the Water Mansion, I'm afraid these two forces won't let this go easily."

The birth of a Black Emperor is enough to influence the entire Primordial World.

Zhou Yuan was powerful.

However, it would be impossible for him to deal with the demon Demon Clan, which possesses the [Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation], and the Witch Clan, who are the true descendants of Pangu's True Lineage, all by himself.

Zhou Yuan remained calm, leisurely picking up his cup and taking a sip of the Enlightenment Tea.

He gazed at the clouds and mist in the Grand Void and said with a faint smile:

"It's alright, it's alright."

"Fellow Daoists, please observe."

"There will be fellow Daoists who will uphold justice for this poor Daoist."

Zhen Yuanzi and Meng Po exchanged a glance, both seemingly lost in thought.

They nodded slightly.

The situation in this world...

It's either the East Wind prevailing over the West Wind, or the West Wind prevailing over the East Wind.

Now that the lich is powerful, some people are bound to be unhappy about it.

Like fleeting clouds, ever-changing and ever-shifting.

Before they knew it, the appointed time of ten thousand years had arrived, the time to reopen the Water Palace.

"The Water Lord of the Ji River has arrived."

"Master Xuanxuan has arrived."

"The Daoist Kongkong presents a piece of azure sky, symbolizing ten thousand years of history, to congratulate His Majesty the Black Emperor on reopening the Water Palace."

"The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas present an Innate Spiritual Treasure."

"..."

As the official in charge of ceremonies announced and shouted, the ceremony began.

Numerous sacred immortals, some riding cranes, some wielding flying swords, and some traveling in ceremonial processions and carriages, stirred up boundless energy and scattered countless rays of divine light, descending from the distant sky to the gates of Wuyi Mountain.

Within the Grand Void, countless divine lights shone brightly, intertwined with patches of celestial light Auspicious Clouds.

After tidying their robes in front of the Wuyi Mountain gate, the celestial beings and deities were guided by their disciples from the Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage into their respective areas within the grotto-heaven.

Earthly Immortals and Daoist Priests have their own designated areas.

Heavenly Immortal have the rank of Heavenly Immortals.

Golden Immortal True Lords may observe the ceremony at the foot of the Palace of Hearing the Dao.

Great True Lords at the Taiyi Realm can enjoy a feast Palace of Hearing the Dao.

As for Dao Lords and Heavenly Venerables, they are free to enter the palace and pay their respects to His Majesty the Black Emperor.

Although the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas are all Taiyi cultivators, they represent the Four Seas Dragon Clans. Moreover, an elder from the Dragon Clan has also been sent.

So Ao Lin, acting as the guiding disciple, led the elders towards the Palace of Hearing the Dao.

"This is indeed the Heavenly Venerable's Daoist temple."

"The lineage passed down by the Mystic Gate Ancestor."

"Ah Lin has only been here for a short time, but everything has changed dramatically."

Looking at Ao Lin, whose sharp edge was like a sword piercing the sky, and whose eyes faintly revealed a few strands of murderous golden Ao Lin.

The East Sea Dragon King couldn't help but sigh:

"My third brother has indeed given birth to a fine child."

"Lin'er's qualities are just like gold and jade."

The future is uncertain!

The West Sea Dragon King looked at his beloved eldest son, a smile involuntarily appearing in his eyes.

"No, no, not at all."

Despite his humble demeanor, he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

'The annual offerings, though painful for this old man, are a real drain on my resources.'

'But as long as the younger generation can amount to something.'

'Then it was all worth it.'

'My elder brother is the leader of our dragon clan, and he decisively bet on the Heavenly Venerable. He has even made a name for himself with His Majesty the Black Emperor.'

I dare not compare myself to him.

'But as long as Rin grows up.'

'The status of our West Sea Dragon Clan among the Four Seas Dragon Clans will surely rise once again.'

Thinking of this, the West Sea Dragon King looked at Ao Lin with even more anticipation and affection.

Although Ao Lin was also happy to see his elders.

But he had, after all, been trained within the lineage for a long time.

This person displayed the demeanor of a disciple of a Daoist lineage.

He reminded him:

"My lords."

"Our patriarch specifically instructed our master."

"If someone comes from all over the world, we should treat them as an honored guest."

"My uncle's seat is ranked first among all the waterways."

Upon hearing this, the East Sea Dragon King did not beam with joy; instead, he hesitated and said:

"My family is merely a newly attached family."

"How dare you sit at the head of the watercourse?"

"What exactly is His Majesty thinking?!"

This Black Emperor is not a figure without any foundation.

Even before it seized the Black Emperor's Position, it had already occupied most of the Authority of Water Element in the Primordial World.

Below it flowed four streams and eight rivers, and within the endless water palace were many old men who had risen to power alongside this emperor.

How will they view the Four Seas Dragon Clan?

What would you be thinking?

Ao Lin pondered for a moment, then whispered:

"Regarding this matter."

"My master also gave me some pointers privately twice."

"Firstly, my uncle played a crucial role in His Majesty's ascension to the Black Emperor, which solidified the dynasty's rule. His merits are so great that he deserves a reward."

"Secondly, the Four Seas are the Four Seas, and the Water Palace is the Water Palace. There must be two separate teams for His Majesty to feel at ease."

This sense of security did not stem from concern that Authority of Water Element would fall into other hands.

After all, in this world where all power is concentrated in one person, unless a powerful man descends from the heavens to completely suppress Zhou Yuan.

Otherwise, he could have remained in the position of the Black Emperor forever.

Rather, it's if the forces below become one.

This will lead to the formation of monopolistic interest groups.

It hindered the development of water transport.

Only through mutual supervision and competition, with each element intertwined with the other, can we maintain a constant flow of vitality, like a never-ending source of fresh water, always in competition and always in flux.

"Thirdly, it also serves as a warning to those veteran officials."

"Since the beginning of peace and prosperity in water transport, many water lords have become addicted to pleasure, neglecting progress and failing to accumulate good fortune and merit."

"His Majesty has some objections to this."

Therefore, don't think that just because you are veteran officials, your positions are secure.

If you don't do it, plenty of others will.

The four Aquatic Race are full of talented people.

The East Sea Dragon King felt a chill run down his spine.

It seems that they have no choice but to become the target of everyone's criticism.

Old Long, standing nearby, chuckled and offered words of comfort:

"That's fine too."

"Our dragon race has already relinquished control of the four seas."

"From now on, we will closely follow His Majesty the Black Emperor."

"His Majesty's will is the will of our Dragon Clan."

"We only need to know His Majesty's thoughts and intentions."

"If everything is done perfectly..."

The old dragon bowed slightly towards the Palace of Hearing the Dao.

If one tries to be perfect in everything, then one is harboring grand ambitions, and that is like a dragon lurking in the abyss.

The dragon race is different from other water-element deities.

The clan possesses a quasi-saint-level power, not to mention that His Majesty the Ancestor Dragon once attained the Black Emperor's Position.

It would be impossible to say that the person in Wuyi Mountain had no ulterior motives whatsoever.

After figuring these things out.

Ao Guang stopped worrying about it.

Under the gazes of disdain, inquiry, contempt, or hostility, the East Sea Dragon King, guided by Ao Lin and amidst the watchful eyes of numerous Great Luo Dao Lords, sat regally in the high seat among the many water lords.

'This is truly like having thorns in my back!'

Not long after.

[Clang!]

[Clang!]

[Clang!]

As the deep, resonant sound of the Daoist bell rang out.

Celestial music rose from the horizon.

Amidst the hazy glow of the sunset.

A single Auspicious Cloud unfolds a myriad of scenes.

Zhou Yuan appeared silently in the center of the main hall.

He looked around and smiled slightly:

"Greetings, fellow Daoists!"

As he spoke.

All the immortals below offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations Dao Brother, on ascending to the position of Water Element Supreme."

"Congratulations to Master on attaining the Dao of the Black Emperor."

Congratulations to the Ancestral Master on his great achievements in Daoism.

"We pay homage to His Majesty the Black Emperor."

Amidst the rising and falling congratulations, Zhou Yuan nodded slightly.

The bamboo cane in my hand casts rays of clear sunlight.

A Black Emperor Seal, symbolizing the Authority of Water Element, appeared in the Grand Void, reflecting the Water Essence of all heavens and the vast black water.

"This humble Daoist has attained the position of the Water Element Black Emperor and wishes to reopen the Black Emperor's Water Palace..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

Above the sky, a great sun suddenly burst forth with ten thousand golden rays.

Amidst the rolling red neon lights.

A domineering voice echoed throughout Wuyi Mountain:

"Fellow Daoist Taiyuan."

"Such a grand event in Wuyi Mountain."

"Why didn't you invite me to come and witness the ceremony?!"