Enfeoffing the Dragon Race! Put Your Hair Up!

Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.

Immortal charm stretched vast and boundless, while the waters surged to the heavens.

Taibai Jinxing stood at the head of the grand hall, behind him a host of Heavenly soldiers and generals clad in golden armor, their auras deep and formidable. Lingxiao sat casually upon the Dragon King's throne, looking down at the Four Sea Dragon Kings.

"Star Lord, announce the Jade Emperor's decree!"

Lingxiao said with an indifferent gaze and a gentle smile.

The Dragon Race's ascent to the heavens was the great trend of the Heavenly Dao.

Having now endured countless trials, the Four Sea Dragon Kings had all willingly submitted beneath the Heavenly Court. They were prepared to accept the positions of Orthodox Gods under the Heavenly Dao and lead the Dragon Race in guarding the Four Seas.

At these words!

Taibai Jinxing took out a jade slip. Profound light immediately flickered, and streaks of Heavenly Dao divine patterns gathered together. Majestic might and the laws of the Heavenly Dao spread throughout the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.

"I govern the living beings of the Three Realms and preside over the order of heaven and earth. Now, as the Dragon Race has followed the Heavenly Dao and rendered meritorious service in protecting the Eastern Sea Spring Eye, it may receive the shelter of Heavenly Court fortune and assume divine offices."

"The Dragon Race shall summon clouds and spread rain, nourish the land, govern the domain of the Four Seas, and protect the myriad beings of the water clans!"

"I hereby appoint Ao Guang, Ao Qin, Ao Run, and Ao Shun as the Four Sea Dragon Kings. They shall each govern one of the Four Seas, fulfill their duties, and preserve the peace of the Four Seas forever."

"Ao Guang shall be chief among the Four Sea Dragon Kings. He is specially conferred the position of Sea God of the Heavenly Court, to manage the affairs of the Four Seas on behalf of Heaven!"

Dao notes drifted through the air, unceasing as a trailing thread.

The Jade Emperor's voice echoed throughout the Primordial World.

In an instant!

Heavenly Court fortune descended upon the Four Sea Dragon Kings. Clumps of Heavenly Dao Merit also fell from the void, landing upon them and the countless beings of the Dragon Race.

Yellow Dragon Daoist and Yinglong likewise received some Heavenly Dao Merit.

"We respectfully obey the Jade Emperor's command!"

Ao Guang and the others spoke in unison, bowing and clasping their hands in a Daoist salute.

With a slight stir of Taibai Jinxing's mana, the jade slip rose above the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and transformed into a barrier that protected the Dragon Race.

"Fellow Daoists, the Jade Emperor has already issued his decree. You must fulfill your duties with utmost dedication! Fellow Daoist Yinglong once followed Human Emperor Da Yu in dredging the water veins. I ask that you assist the Dragon Race, so that they may take up their responsibilities as soon as possible."

"Fellow Daoist Ao Guang, you may discuss among yourselves how to assign members of the Dragon Race to the rivers, lakes, and vital water veins of the Primordial World. They may enjoy divine positions and Heavenly Dao fortune!"

"However, remember well: this matter must be submitted to the Jade Emperor for review!"

Lingxiao rose from the throne and said this to Yinglong and Ao Guang.

The Dragon Race's ascent to the heavens was now settled.

Although the Heavenly Dao had not bestowed merit upon him, he knew that another mark of achievement had been added to his record with Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

"Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist Lingxiao. We certainly will not betray the trust of the Jade Emperor and yourself."

Ao Guang saluted Lingxiao, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Very good!"

Lingxiao nodded in reply, then stepped upon the void and drifted away.

Time flowed on, and winds and clouds shifted.

The Dragon Race ascended to the heavens, and the Four Seas were pacified.

Throughout the rivers, lakes, and vital water veins of the Primordial World, members of the Dragon Race stood guard. They rotated every thousand years, ensuring that no one occupied a position beyond their virtue.

The Jade Emperor greatly approved of this and bestowed rewards upon the Four Sea Dragon Kings.

Ao Guang was also well versed in the ways of the world. He offered the treasures and specialties of the Four Seas to the Heavenly Court. For a time, the relationship between the Heavenly Court and the Dragon Race flourished, while a certain sentiment filled the entire Primordial World.

It seemed that taking office in the heavens was not such a shameful thing after all!

At this moment!

Lingxiao lay upon Wangshu's jade-like thighs, leisurely breathing in her faint fragrance as he savored the various innate spirit fruits she fed him.

"As the aura of calamity evolves, all living beings entangled in karma with the Sage sects will be affected by the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. Lingxiao, which side will you help?"

Wangshu allowed Lingxiao to enjoy himself as she asked softly.

She had originally held no interest whatsoever in the Investiture of the Gods Calamity or the struggles between the sects. But Lingxiao held the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Beating Whip.

Because of Lingxiao, Wangshu had gradually begun to take this matter to heart as well.

Hearing this, Lingxiao shook his head and said, "From beginning to end, I will stand with Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao. I will rarely intervene in the slaughter and schemes of the Sage sects."

"Of course, if disciples of the Sages bring disaster upon the Primordial World and commit monstrous slaughter, then that will be another matter!"

He who would wear the crown must bear its weight.

Lingxiao was detached by nature, and his Purification-Creation Dao bore a slight connection to the myriad beings of heaven and earth. That was why he cared so deeply about the development of the Primordial World, wholeheartedly seeking to return the Heavenly Dao, Earthly Dao, and Human Dao to their proper places.

As for Dao Ancestor Hongjun, helping him become worthy of the name was merely something Lingxiao could do in passing!

After all, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had treated Lingxiao well!

"You, honestly—you worry about far too much!"

Wangshu's jade hand gently brushed across Lingxiao's cheek as she spoke with some exasperation.

A faint resentment stirred in her heart!

Why had Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor, still not bestowed a decree allowing them to truly consummate their bond as Dao companions?

Yet Wangshu found such matters difficult to voice!

Moreover, she knew that part of everything Lingxiao had done was for her sake. After all, she possessed the foundation of a Chaos Demon God; by all reason, neither the Heavenly Dao nor Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor, should tolerate her.

"Hmm!"

"Taixuan and Xingtian have arrived!"

Lingxiao's divine sense stirred slightly, and he lifted his head from Wangshu's jade legs.

A million li away, the Northern Sea Black Tortoise and Xingtian were making their way toward Penglai Immortal Island.

With a flick of his jade sleeve, the barrier restrictions opened.

"Wait here for me. I'll go greet them!"

Lingxiao rubbed Wangshu's head, then said with a bright smile, warmth in his eyes.

After he severed his ties with the Interception Sect, Taixuan, Xingtian, and the others had also torn all pretense with Azure Roaming Palace and Lord Tongtian, naturally leaving the Interception Sect afterward.

Lingxiao was rather satisfied with Taixuan, Xingtian, Feng Bo, and the others. After his cultivation had been completely lost, they had not looked down on him with cold eyes.

Taixuan was forthright and kindhearted, while Xingtian and the others were Great Witches reincarnated to cultivate anew, with a sense of righteousness ingrained in their bones. They were countless times better than those Interception Sect disciples.

"I'll go with you!"

"On this Penglai Immortal Island, I can be considered half the mistress too, can't I...?"

A blush spread across Wangshu's lovely face as she grabbed Lingxiao's arm. That casual contact made Lingxiao's heart surge with emotion.

Now, only that final layer of window paper remained!

"How could you be only half?"

"Everything this poor Daoist possesses can be yours!"

Lingxiao clasped Wangshu's jade hand and spoke with deep affection.

His eyes were profound and clear, striking straight into Wangshu's soul.

If Taixuan and Xingtian had not been about to arrive, they would surely have lingered together in intimacy and done some overly bold things.

Shortly after!

Lingxiao and Wangshu rode auspicious clouds beyond Penglai Immortal Island. They saw two figures crossing the void, swiftly appearing before them.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone came beneath the Ren-Water Peach Tree.

"Daoist Lingxiao, it has been a long time!"

"This is a gift Lady Serenity asked us to deliver to the Taiyin Goddess. Please accept it!"

Taixuan and Xingtian spoke familiarly, as though they had always known one another.

With a slight stir of magic power, a jade hairpin appeared out of thin air and hovered in the air.

It was clearly a top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure!

Netherworldly energy swirled around it, glimmering with a cold, tranquil radiance.

"Wangshu, accept it!"

Lingxiao knew that Taixuan and Xingtian's visit to Penglai Immortal Island was not merely to reminisce with him. Thus, Wangshu ought to accept this jade hairpin, which could also settle this karmic bond.

During the Witch-Demon Calamity, Ancestral Witch Houtu transformed herself into the Netherworld Underworld and established the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

Lady Serenity was formed from the will of Ancestral Witch Houtu, fused with the origin and laws of the Earthly Dao. She guarded the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and her strength rivaled that of a Heavenly Dao Saint.

Unfortunately, Lady Serenity could never leave the Netherworld Underworld for all eternity!

"Alright!"

Wangshu's red lips parted as she replied with a smile.

With a slight stir of magic power, the Dark Yin Jade Hairpin appeared amid her cascading black hair. Looking at Wangshu's hair gathered into a coiled bun, an image surfaced in Lingxiao's mind.

Gathering up her hair...

"Fellow Daoists, please have some tea!"

Lingxiao pushed the jade cups before Taixuan and Xingtian. A single Enlightenment Tea leaf floated in each, while ripples rising from the tea stirred the laws and order of the Great Dao, startling both men inwardly.

"Enlightenment Tea leaves—Daoist Lingxiao truly is generous!"

"Then this poor Daoist will not stand on ceremony..."

Taixuan lifted the jade cup and took a light sip of the Enlightenment Tea, while Xingtian swallowed his in one gulp, sending both the tea and the Enlightenment Tea leaf into his stomach.

Their souls wandered the Great Void as they entered a state of enlightenment.

A long while later.

Taixuan opened his eyes, his aura surging to the mid stage of Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal. Clearly, this cup of Enlightenment Tea had helped him shatter the barrier of his realm.

As the Black Tortoise of the Northern Sea, his comprehension of the laws was no weaker than that of any quasi-saint mighty expert.

It was only that, having reincarnated and cultivated anew, he needed to proceed step by solid step!

"May I ask, fellow Daoists, what does Lady Serenity require this poor Daoist to do?"

Lingxiao raised a brow and spoke with calm ease.

Deep within his eyes, divine light flashed...