The First Chapter

Dark clouds gathered above the firmament, thunder rumbling. Amidst flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, the war drums shook heaven and earth.

A brilliant divine light pierced the heavy clouds, enveloping Spirit Platform Mountain. Banners fluttered in the clouds, golden-armored Heavenly Generals stood at attention, and behind them, thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers were arrayed, ready to advance.

As the command flag waved, eight Heavenly Generals led the Heavenly Soldiers, riding the clouds as they charged down. The mountain erupted in shouts of war, the earth shaking and mountains trembling, divine light and demonic energy colliding.

Demons and monsters, hearing the news, were struck with terror and fled. Lesser demons cowered in their caves, trembling.

Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from the depths of Spirit Platform Mountain, and a blue divine light shot towards the sky. The eight Heavenly Generals and thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers were instantly swept away by a monstrous wave and retreated in disarray to the clouds.

The Heavenly Generals were drenched, their auras weak. They clasped their fists and reported, "Marshal Deng, that demon is wielding the 'Azure Sea Pearl' and has conjured a monstrous wave that we cannot contend with."

Deng Hua, the foremost of the Thunder Department's five marshals, clad in golden armor and a thunder-patterned robe, his gaze sharp as lightning, said solemnly, "Beat the drums to boost morale. I will capture the fiend myself."

The war drums thundered, and the banners surged. Marshal Deng rode the clouds into the mountain, his voice like thunder, "Ao Qu! You got drunk and messed up, then fled in fear of punishment. Your crimes are unforgivable! Surrender quickly, and your life may be spared!"

Before his words had even fallen, he pressed his right palm down from the air, and a bolt of purple lightning tore through the sky, striking down with a roar!

A thunderclap split the firmament, striking the underwater palace directly, causing the structures to collapse in an instant. Where immortal light flared, Ao Qu appeared, with dragon horns on his forehead and clad in an immortal robe. He cupped his hands towards Marshal Deng and said, "It is indeed my fault for being drunk and disobeying orders, but I submitted my resignation to the Rain Master before descending to the mortal realm. I am by no means fleeing from punishment."

Marshal Deng said coldly, "You abandoned your post before your resignation was approved, and you dare to argue?"

"I care not for this Dragon God position," Ao Qu said calmly. "I only wish to be a carefree lesser demon in the mortal realm."

"Do you think heavenly rules are a child's game!" Marshal Deng's palm unleashed lightning, and twelve bolts of heavenly lightning struck down. However, Ao Qu's body was enveloped in flowing lightning, and he absorbed all the heavenly lightning. Could the body of a True Dragon fear lightning? He flipped his palm and summoned the Azure Sea Pearl, and instantly, a monstrous wave swept through the clouds.

Marshal Deng used his power to resist, but within ten breaths, he was sent flying thousands of feet by the surging waves. Ao Qu retracted the pearl and advised, "This pearl contains the power of the Four Seas. Marshal, why not retreat and return to heaven?"

Above the clouds, the Eight Directions Thunder Generals were worried. Chen Langran, the Blazing Fire General from the southeast, suggested, "Why not summon the Mountain God of Lingtai to seek advice? He was recommended by Laojun and might hold a secret."

Xian Yongqing, the Lightning General from the south, questioned, "What can a mere mountain god do?"

Chen Langran said earnestly, "Since he has received the Dao Ancestor's favor, he must possess extraordinary qualities." Marshal Deng nodded upon hearing this and immediately issued an order to summon the Mountain God of Lingtai.

Upon hearing this, Chen Langran immediately turned and flew to the front of Spirit Platform Mountain, waving his command flag and shouting, "By order of Marshal Deng of the Thunder Department, the Mountain God of Lingtai shall appear immediately."

Divine light flashed in the mountain, and a refined divine being, clad in a cloud-patterned robe embroidered with gold thread, a jade belt around his waist, and his hair tied with a hairpin, arrived riding the wind. He bowed respectfully to Chen Langran, "I am Zhuang Yan, the Mountain God of Lingtai. I pay my respects to the Heavenly General."

Chen Langran observed Zhuang Yan and noticed that he was only at the Refining Essence into Qi realm. He couldn't help but frown slightly; his cultivation was even lower than he had anticipated. But since he had been summoned, he said, "Follow me to see Marshal Deng."

"As you command," Zhuang Yan leaped onto the clouds and, with Chen Langran, rode the clouds straight towards the thunderclouds.

Upon seeing Zhuang Yan, Marshal Deng and the seven Heavenly Generals all looked surprised. Marshal Deng said solemnly, "The Dragon God of the Rain Department, Ao Qu, got drunk, missed his appointment, and fled to the mortal realm as a demon. I was ordered by the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion to lead troops to capture him. However, this wretch possesses the Azure Sea Pearl, which contains immense sea power, making it difficult for us to get close. We summoned the Mountain Lord to ask if there is a way to deal with him."

Zhuang Yan pondered for a moment. Marshal Deng added, "If you can help me capture Ao Qu, you will be credited with the first contribution."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan immediately clasped his hands and said, "Please allow me to try, Marshal."

A sharp glint flashed in Marshal Deng's eyes, and he nodded, "Good! I will send the Eight Directions Cloud Thunder Generals to protect you. Even if you are outmatched, they can ensure your safety."

"Thank you, Marshal," Zhuang Yan bowed gratefully.

The Eight Directions Cloud Thunder Generals received the order and escorted Zhuang Yan into Spirit Platform Mountain. Zhuang Yan stood in the clouds, and Chen Langran stepped forward to challenge.

Ao Qu appeared, and upon seeing the Eight Directions Cloud Thunder Generals, he sneered, "Defeated generals, you dare to fight again?"

The generals did not answer, their gazes turning towards Zhuang Yan. Zhuang Yan stepped forward and said, "Ao Qu, I am the Mountain God of Lingtai. Surrender quickly!"

"Hahaha!" Ao Qu laughed heartily. "The Marshal of the Thunder Department is no match for me, let alone a mere mountain god like you? Behold the might of my Azure Sea Pearl!"

With that, he summoned the treasure pearl. The Eight Directions Cloud Thunder Generals immediately cast spells to protect Zhuang Yan. Just as Ao Qu activated the Azure Sea Pearl, a clear sound echoed in Zhuang Yan's spiritual sea: "Instantaneous Restraint has been activated."

Instantly, divine light flashed, and the Azure Sea Pearl and the monstrous wave vanished into thin air. Ao Qu was greatly alarmed, quickly forming hand seals, but he could no longer sense the whereabouts of the treasure pearl.

Zhuang Yan opened his palm, holding the azure pearl, and asked, "Are you looking for this?"

Ao Qu's eyes widened in fury, and he transformed into an immortal light, lunging forward, "Give me back my magic treasure!"

Although the Eight Directions Cloud Thunder Generals were astonished by Zhuang Yan's methods, they did not forget their duty. They immediately summoned their weapons and attacked Ao Qu.

Deprived of the Azure Sea Pearl's power, Ao Qu was forced to reveal his weapons and fight the Eight Directions Cloud Thunder Generals. In the blink of an eye, the thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers surrounded them, forming a net.

Ao Qu fought the Eight Directions Cloud Thunder Generals for less than a hundred rounds before he was exhausted and defeated. The swarming Heavenly Soldiers subdued him. The Eight Directions Cloud Thunder Generals personally stepped forward and bound him tightly with the Immortal Binding Rope, escorting him on thunderclouds to report to Marshal Deng.

Marshal Deng glanced at Ao Qu, whose face was ashen, and casually waved his hand, signaling the Heavenly Soldiers to take him away. He then cupped his hands towards Zhuang Yan below and said, "This time, we owe much to the Mountain Lord's powerful assistance. Please await good news; your heavenly reward will arrive soon. I must return to heaven to report, so I bid you farewell."

With that, Marshal Deng flicked his sleeves, waved his flag, and shouted, "Sound the gongs, withdraw the troops!"

Three earth-shattering war drums echoed through the firmament. The fifty thousand Heavenly Soldiers put away their banners, reined in their oppressive aura, and ascended into the Ninth Heaven on thunderclouds.

The Spirit Platform Mountain range in the Western Ox Continent stretched for over three hundred miles, with three main peaks—Danchi Ridge, Mount Fangcun, and Liu Zhen Peak—standing majestically. The Temple of the Mountain God of Lingtai was located atop Danchi Ridge, overlooking the entire mountain range. This was the convergence point of myriad terrestrial veins, where spiritual energy was most abundant.

Zhuang Yan returned to the temple and transformed into a divine light, entering the divine residence in the center of the Mountain God statue's brow. He sat cross-legged before the altar, playing with the newly acquired Azure Sea Pearl.

Suddenly, a clear divine sound echoed in his sea of consciousness: "Cave Heaven True Sight has been activated." True light flowed from his eyes, and the true nature of the Azure Sea Pearl was instantly revealed—it was a Spirit Treasure.

Magic treasures in this world were divided into five grades: True Treasure, Spirit Treasure, Immortal Treasure, Postnatal Supreme Treasure, and Prenatal Supreme Treasure. Weapons were also divided into five tiers: True Artifact, Spirit Artifact, Immortal Artifact, Postnatal Precious Artifact, and Prenatal Precious Artifact. This Azure Sea Pearl contained immense sea power, no wonder even Marshal Deng and the Thunder Generals, who were Profound Immortals, were helpless. Heavenly soldiers and generals relied heavily on their weapons in close combat, and magic treasures were indeed their weakness.

Zhuang Yan was in need of a suitable magic treasure, and since it had fallen into his hands, he naturally accepted it with a smile. With a slight movement of his mind, he activated Instantaneous Refinement. The Azure Sea Pearl flashed with golden light, and Ao Qu's residual divine sense vanished instantly, replaced by Zhuang Yan's imprint. The refined treasure pearl was stored in the Infinite Space within his sleeve.

Since breaking free from fate and transforming from a golden finger into a prenatal being, most of Zhuang Yan's divine abilities required drawing upon the power of the Heavenly Dao to gradually recover. Years ago, he had chanced upon Taishang Laojun, who recommended him for the position of Mountain God of Lingtai. It was only by holding a legitimate position in the heavenly court that he could draw upon a small amount of the Heavenly Dao's power. Over the years, he had finally recovered his six great divine abilities: Add Status, Infinite Space, Cave Heaven True Sight, Instantaneous Refinement, One Thought Restraint, and One Thought Seal.

Despite possessing six great divine abilities to protect him and being able to travel freely throughout the Four Great Continents, Zhuang Yan still needed to improve his own cultivation realm.

To continue recovering his supreme power, he had to draw upon more of the Heavenly Dao's power, and there were only two ways to obtain it:

First, hold a position as a heavenly immortal official or obtain a fruit status in the Daoist or Buddhist sects. The higher the rank, the closer the connection to the Heavenly Dao, and the more abundant the Heavenly Dao's power obtained.

Second, improve his Dao Cultivation realm. The higher his cultivation, the deeper his resonance with the Heavenly Dao, and the more magnificent the Heavenly Dao's power he could draw.

For years, Zhuang Yan had only focused on collecting scattered Heavenly Dao power to repair his functions, neglecting his cultivation. To this day, he remained at the initial stage of Refining Essence into Qi.

Now that the six basic functions had been restored, providing him with a foundation for survival, it was time to pause repairs and focus on improving his cultivation.

He was currently practicing the Essence of Purity Meditation Method bestowed by Laojun, but he always felt its progress was slow.

The Edit All Things function had not yet been restored; otherwise, he could have easily created supreme Daoist methods at will. Zhuang Yan sighed inwardly.

Better than nothing, he immediately calmed his mind, sat in meditation, and began cultivating by circulating the Essence of Purity Meditation Method.

As the technique circulated, the immortal spiritual energy within a hundred-mile radius of Danchi Ridge converged towards the mountain god temple, continuously flowing into the forehead of the divine statue.

After cultivating for four to five days, Zhuang Yan, who was in meditation within the humble dwelling, was suddenly awakened by a quarrel.

He looked up and saw two Lesser Demons with tiger heads and human bodies, dressed in simple clothes and wearing straw rings, pushing each other as they entered the main hall. The tiger demon, about ten years old, was arguing fiercely with his companion, who looked about eight.

The Lesser Demon on the left shouted, "If you don't believe me, ask Grandpa Mountain Lord!"

The Lesser Demon on the right retorted, unwilling to be outdone, "Ask him then! I'm definitely right!"

The two little tiger demons, puffing with anger, came before the offering table. Each took out wild fruits from the mountain to offer, lit incense, bowed respectfully three times, and then inserted the incense into the censer.

After kowtowing three times, they chanted in unison, "Mountain God Grandpa, manifest your divine power quickly! Mountain God Grandpa, manifest your divine power quickly!"

Buzz—

The divine statue suddenly emitted a radiant light, revealing an immortal official with his hair tied up with a jade hairpin, surrounded by divine light. He wore a golden-threaded cloud-patterned official robe, a white jade belt at his waist, and had a refined and ethereal appearance.

The Lesser Demons stared blankly for a moment, then quickly kowtowed, "Hu Lailai (Hu Ququ) pays respects to Mountain God Grandpa."

Zhuang Yan landed gracefully and asked gently, "You two little ones are not cultivating in your cave. Why have you come here to burn incense and pray?"

Hu Lailai rushed to answer, "Five days ago, Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals searched the mountain to capture demons. All the spirits on the mountain were so scared they didn't dare to show their faces. They were truly awe-inspiring."

Hu Ququ added, "We've been arguing about which immortal in the Heavenly Court is the most powerful because of it."

Hu Lailai elaborated, "We've argued for five days and fought ten times, but we still haven't determined who is right."

Hu Ququ said, "Let's ask Mountain God Grandpa to judge. Which immortal in the Heavenly Court is the most powerful?" He then emphasized, "I think it's Third Prince Nezha."

Hu Lailai immediately retorted, "Nonsense! It's clearly True Lord Erlang who is superior."

"Third Prince Nezha!"

"True Lord Erlang!"

The brothers argued until their faces were red, and in the blink of an eye, they were wrestling in front of Zhuang Yan, their four furry tiger claws slapping at each other, and their two round tiger heads colliding.

Zhuang Yan quickly stepped forward to separate the two little ones and said, "Let me tell you the answer."

The two brothers immediately stopped fighting and looked at Zhuang Yan in unison, their eyes shining with anticipation.

Zhuang Yan tidied his collar, pointed to himself, and said with confidence, "The most powerful immortal in the Heavenly Court, naturally, is none other than myself."

The hall fell silent. The two little tiger demons' eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief.

After a long silence, Hu Lailai tugged at his brother's sleeve, "Let's go, we're going home."

Hu Ququ nodded repeatedly. The brothers held hands and walked out without looking back, completely ignoring Zhuang Yan.

As soon as they stepped out of the temple gate, Zhuang Yan heard the two little ones muttering: