Chengping Commandery, Changqing Mountain.
At the summit, an old man opened his eyes.
In the mortal dynasties, some officials possessed Root Bones and could cultivate.
If these officials had done many good deeds in life and were revered by the people, then after their deaths, the people could build temples and worship them, and the Emperor could enshrine them as mountain, river, and water gods.
Unless the dynasty fell and the land changed hands, these mountain, river, and water gods could exist forever.
Of course, under ordinary circumstances, most officials wouldn't choose this.
After all, reincarnation represented new hope. Reincarnate enough times, and perhaps one day you might ascend the Great Dao.
But if you became a mountain, river, or water god, you would be bound to the dynasty.
And once the dynasty fell, your body and Dao would perish, with no chance of reincarnation.
Even sects couldn't last forever, let alone the mortal dynasties that rose and fell like flowing water.
Still, some officials were willing to become mountain, river, and water gods.
After all, who could say what awaited you in your next life?
You might perish in your second life.
Besides, some officials truly devoted themselves to the people and couldn't bear to leave them.
This old man, named Wei Yuan, was the Mountain God of Changqing Mountain in the Qi Kingdom.
Wei Yuan looked toward a stream not far away.
In the stream, a giant white serpent was charging toward the Dragon Slaying Sword hanging beneath an arched bridge.
The Dragon Slaying Sword shot out and slashed at the white serpent's body.
Hiss!
The sword carved several bloody gashes into the white serpent.
Clang!
As if enraged, the Dragon Slaying Sword thrust toward the giant serpent's brow.
But she whipped her long tail, knocking the sword