The breath of spring warmed the waters, painting a vista of unparalleled beauty. Beyond the bamboo stalks on the riverbank, peach blossoms bloomed in twos and threes, while wild ducks skimmed across the surface, chasing the fleeting reflections of the sky.

Lord Wang Zhu and his retinue, having navigated the waterways, stepped ashore on Willowleaf Isle. Their purpose: to visit the虞氏 (Yu) Dynasty, a kingdom known for its opportunism and obsequious behavior towards the Dragon Court of the Eastern Sea.

Hardly had they ventured a few paces inland when they encountered him – a youth in white robes, distinguished by a crimson mole between his brows. It was their second encounter; the first had transpired within the ruins of the ancient Serpent Temple. The water-folk escorts recalled him vividly, his demeanor radiating an unnerving depth and cunning. Yet, it was the swordsman known as “Little Mo,” clad in a yellow hat and azure shoes, who truly inspired their unease. He addressed the young recluse as “Master,” and his power seemed to stretch beyond mortal reckoning.

Wang Zhu and 崔东山 (Cui Dongshan) were long acquainted, almost countrymen, rendering such eccentricities commonplace. However, 宮艳 (Gong Yan) and 黄幔 (Huang Man), along with the others, found the youth’s posturing repulsive yet disconcertingly intimidating. Seasoned cultivators, they had witnessed their share of strange happenings in their homelands, but this lad, standing on one leg, brandishing a mirror, and spouting absurdities, was truly unique.

When they failed to respond, Cui Dongshan stood motionless, as if frozen by an unseen spell. He seemed determined that unless they offered some acknowledgment, the standoff would continue until the end of time.

Wang Zhu said with a cool smile, “Sect Leader Cui, are you not weary?”

Cui Dongshan, maintaining his pose, replied with gravitas, “A true man treads upon the earth with one foot, supports the heavens with one hand, and relies on unyielding bone to bear the weight of flesh and blood. Weariness is not an option. A hero is a pillar of white jade, a beam of purple gold, unfazed by hardship…”

Wang Zhu’s gaze sharpened. “Cui Dongshan, enough jesting. Speak your purpose, or step aside. I have no time to waste on foolishness.”

“A purpose? But of course. The master of a sect is ever busy. Just recently, I accompanied a Luo Yang artisan of wood through the Phosphorus River, braving wind and dew. A grueling journey indeed!”

Cui Dongshan, his face now etched with a pained expression, lowered his “fist-stance.” As his foot touched the ground, he immediately kicked a pebble, sending it hurtling across the water’s surface. It struck the river with a resounding boom, startling a flock of wild ducks into flight.

With a twist of his wrist, Cui Dongshan produced a green bamboo staff, inscribed with an “Energy Circulation Inscription” in flowing script. This walking stick had been a greeting gift from 吴霜降 (Wu Shuangjiang) of the Night Voyage, originally intended as a gift for 柴芜 (Chai Wu) to celebrate her ascension to the Jade Purity realm. But Cui Dongshan, at the last minute, changed his mind, wanting to put it to a better use, preserving it as a family heirloom for his future disciple, or gifting it to 赵鸾 (Zhao Luan), who could come to his residence to cultivate. Instead, he spoke to Chai Wu, a liquor-loving girl nicknamed “Herbs” and “That Thing” by Bai Xuan, and asked if she preferred the bamboo staff or fifty barrels of homemade wine, guaranteeing them all to be different types. Chai Wu’s eyes immediately lit up and said that fifty barrels would be enough.

Cui Dongshan smiled, “Lady Zhi Gui, a distinguished guest has arrived at Fallen Peak, so my master must return home immediately and cannot personally entertain you.”

Wang Zhu’s expression remained blank. “A humble water-court, far from the mainland, dares not trouble Exalted Chen himself.”

Cui Dongshan replied with a serious tone, “You mustn’t say such things. Lady Zhi Gui and my master have been neighbors since their days of obscurity. A close neighbor is better than a distant relative; such fortune and friendship must be respected.”

Wang Zhu tugged at the corners of her mouth, saying nothing more. After their departure from the Serpent Temple ruins, Wang Zhu did not discuss the true identity of Cui Dongshan with the water-court escorts. She only said that he was from the Treasure Bottle Continent, a official in the Great Li Dynasty. Wang Zhu said that he had become Chen Ping’an’s disciple after entering the Broken Pearl Heaven many years ago. She did not give more explanation, which the escorts understood, as she said it was best if they know less about Cui Dongshan to avoid unnecessary trouble. Not long ago, the Eastern Sea Water Palace received intelligence that Fallen Peak had established a sub-sect in the southern territory of the Great Abyss Dynasty, named the Azure Ripple Sword Sect, with Cui Dongshan as its first leader.

Cui Dongshan waved his walking stick, greeting them each in turn with unsolicited cordiality.

“Lady Zhi Gui, your foresight is astounding! You predicted my arrival!”

“The Yu Dynasty, having changed its era name to Divine Dragon – I know it well! Without boasting, I dare say I am half a host in Luo Jing. You may doubt me now, but you’ll soon see. For example, the national guardian of the Azure Accumulation Temple, Grandmaster Lü BiLong, is a dear friend of mine. And the Azure Seal Sect, the leader of the Yu Dynasty’s mountain immortals, is practically family. Our relationship is… intimate. Dai Yuan, in particular, is a sworn brother of the highest order!”

Gong Yan chuckled. “Sect Leader Cui, you certainly have many friends.”

Cui Dongshan nodded. “Of course! One thrives on friendship. With enough friends on the road, one is guaranteed three square meals a day.”

Dai Yuan, it seemed, had soared to prominence ever since drinking with Cui Dongshan beneath the grapevines of the Luo Jing Lamp Riddle Hall, a den of pleasure. He had swiftly climbed the ranks within the Azure Seal Sect and was just recently promoted to enforcing law, replacing Xu Bai, the heir of Sect Leader Gao Shuwen. Dai Yuan, after all, was a Golden Core cultivator. Moreover, Dai Yuan’s position as a royal family devotee had also been elevated.

The old Nascent Soul Zhang Liuzhu, styled “Narcissus,” had changed his name to Zhang Xie and became an advisor to a young official in the Great Chong Dynasty. He was a young and famous assistant minister of works named Shi Yuyan. The minister of crime, who came to his son late in life, had high hopes for Shi Yuyan, as his name means to follow the Tao, cultivate virtue, lecture in art, and establish words.

Since their separation at the Lamp Riddle Hall, Cui Dongshan had used his Yang Spirit avatar from Pu Shan’s Cloud Grass Hall to visit Zhang Liuzhu and meet with Assistant Minister Shi. The two hit it off immediately.

The secondary capital of Great Li was named Luo Jing, which had to do with Song Mu being titled “King of Luo.”

The capital of the Yu Dynasty was also called Luo Jing. Of course, this was just a coincidence.

Given the current prominence of the Great Li Dynasty and the opportunism of the Yu Dynasty, even if they were not on the same continent, Great Li would not have a problem getting the Yu Dynasty to change its name.

Cui Dongshan announced he would take them to a place not far away, only three incense sticks away.

During the journey, the youth in white stood on the bamboo staff and turned his head to chat with Gong Yan. “Sister A Wu, I overheard your conversation earlier, and I especially listened to your words. I won’t miss a single word. If you want to visit Huai Huang County, what’s difficult about that? I will lead the way. Why don’t we make an appointment now?”

Gong Yan ignored him, so Cui Dongshan turned to chat with others. “Brother Li Ba, you still look as strong as you were when you were young. Wan Yan Laojing is an old friend of yours, an intimate teacher. It was once a mountain tale in your Armored Gold Continent. It’s okay. On the road of life, there are no times when you won’t trip and fall. Since your hometown is a place of sadness, why not stay here from now on. If you part ways with Lady Zhi Gui one day, just settle down here in Willowleaf Isle. You can also go to Treasure Bottle Continent. I have more friends there. Restart your old business and become a national guardian in a southern dynasty. You are still full of ambition. Brother Li Ba, does what I said make you feel better?”

Li Ba’s face turned gloomy. How could he feel good after his heart had been stabbed in the face? Even Huang Man and Gong Yan dared not mention the name of Wan Yan Laojing to Li Ba.

“Brother Xi Man, would you like to spar with one or two peak martial arts practitioners? If you are interested, it’s a small thing. I can help introduce you. There are currently two people in Willowleaf Island, and coincidentally, they are all my friends. With my friendship with Brother Xi Man, I would do anything to bring you two together, and ask for you to have a martial arts exchange.”

Xi Man was a pinnacle martial arts practitioner of the ninth realm, whose origins could be traced to a land-dragon in Flowing Rosy Continent. In general, Flowing Rosy Continent had poor martial luck. The continent once had two peak martial artists, but now there was only one, because one of the grandmasters with better qualifications and greater achievements, named Ye Ku, had gone to the Armored Gold Continent to kill monsters and fallen in realm. The Central Earth Continent made sarcastic comments about this.

That northwest Flowing Rosy Continent, has less achievements than the people in the mountains, and less courage than the old and young people.

The first statement disparaged those from the mountain side including Celandine Sect and all the other sects and even Heaven’s Corner Paradise. As for the latter statement, it was directed at one person, the old martial artist known for “never being defeated after reaching the tenth realm”. It was said that the reason for that was because he didn’t exchange blows with anyone after reaching the tenth realm.

Because of this, Ye Ku did not have any desire to exchange blows with him.

Since Ye Ku had fallen to the Mountain Peak realm, just like the Golden Armor Continent warrior Han Guanghu, he had received an invitation to participate in discussions at the Central Earth Confucian Temple, but refused.

Xi Man was confused. “Other than Huang YiYun of Pu Shan, Wu Shu is also in Willowleaf Island? Didn’t he go to the desolate wilderness?”

Some highly classified information that the water-court received came directly from the Central Earth Confucian Temple, so they were more well-informed than ordinary sects.

Cui Dongshan chuckled. “Let me keep it a secret first, so that Brother Li Ba doesn’t feel depressed again.”

“Brother Huang Man, you are truly worthy of being praised as the Taoist Jade Man, always maintaining your youth and beauty! One day when Snowfall Peak in our Immortal Capital Mountain opens up the Mirror Flower Water Moon, we must invite Brother Huang Man to show your face!”

“It’s a pity that Zhang Tiaoxia, whose Taoist name is Longbo, was able to strike Brother Huang Man. The power of the world’s number one martial artist is really amazing. Even thinking about it makes me feel bad for Brother Huang Man.”

Huang Man smiled, “It seems to me that Sect Leader Cui’s words weigh even more.”

Cui Dongshan patted his chest and said, “The words of a scholar are in line with reason, and words never fall short!”

Gong Yan chuckled. This beautiful woman, nicknamed A Wu, was dressed in palace attire and had a slender figure. On both sides of her waist, which was slim enough to fit in one hand, hung an ancient bronze mirror and a crystal disc, respectively.

No wonder Huang Man often joked that it was a pity not to be an empress.

Men of the world, when young, do not know the beauty of plumpness, and only look at the faces of beauties, missing out on a lot of charm.

In terms of skin and appearance, the male immortal Huang Man was no less than the woman Gong Yan.

The male characters in stories seem to be carved out of the same mold, nothing more than a face like powder, sword eyebrows, elegant like jade…

Seeing that the youth in white was acting up again, a thick sea of clouds appeared in front of them. They saw that the big white goose turned its body and swayed its sleeves, scattering the sea of clouds in front of them.

Xi Man whispered in the wind, “It’s really difficult to be with this guy. I really don’t know how Chen Ping’an can stand this kind of student.”

Gong Yan laughed in her heart, “I heard Sect Leader Nalan mention the young recluse. His evaluation was interesting, saying that Chen Ping’an was a stuffy gourd with a belly full of bad water. He usually seemed taciturn, but he was always calculating people’s hearts, but on the whole, he was still easy to talk to, provided that you don’t provoke him. With such a teacher, if you find someone who doesn’t like to talk, wouldn’t you be speechless? If I wanted, I would find someone as lively and active as Cui Dongshan to reconcile the characteristics of the teacher and student’s twilight and vitality.”

Li Ba suddenly interrupted and said, “You are all wrong. On the contrary, the one who is truly energetic is the young recluse who seems not to talk much. The truly decadent one is this cynical Sect Leader Cui. The former always maintains an optimistic attitude towards the world, while the latter is completely pessimistic. The two are opposite each other.”

Huang Man smiled and echoed, “Li Ba is still very accurate in judging people.”

The group passed through the sea of clouds, where the roads on both sides were like snow walls.

Cui Dongshan glanced at the young man at the back of the team, named Wang Qiongju, styled Yusha, with the Taoist name “Frigid Frost.” In short, everything about him was related to “snow” except for his surname.

Wang Qiongju had no presence in the team and was used as a coolie by Wang Zhu, carrying large and small bags.

The young man had a slightly raised forehead. He had just transformed into a human, and among the five opportunities in the Broken Pearl Heaven, regardless of their fates, he had the lowest realm, and he was still at the Cave Mansion realm. The only thing worth mentioning was the large purple gourd that Wang Qiongju was carrying on his back, with the words “Catch and Release” written in ancient seal script.

Cui Dongshan withdrew his gaze and began to ramble, “Sister A Wu, aren’t you going to settle down in Yulong Sect? You are an old acquaintance with Sect Leader Nalan. With this private relationship, you can easily get a position as chief guest.

“Being a detached person who doesn’t care about anything would be a good life,

Wouldn’t it be nice to get paid without doing anything? Even I am envious of this kind of thing. I think that the gentle Fairy Yun Qian will welcome Sister A Wu very much. Since Yun Qian was willing to take the initiative to resign as Sect Leader and become a nominal law-enforcer, presumably she would not stop at making you a chief guest, and would even abdicate again to let Sister A Wu be the sect’s law-enforcer. By the way, if there is such a day, I would trouble Sister A Wu to be a matchmaker and say that I am willing to be the chief guest of the Yulong Sect. As for the salary, it’s easy to talk about. I only need a token amount.

“Furthermore, Yulong Sect is closer to Floating Clouds Continent than the Eastern Sea Water Palace or the Great Li Dynasty’s secondary capital, the residence of Prince Song Mu. Right now, your sect is not doing very well, and according to Confucian Temple rules, if there is no new Jade Purity realm cultivator within the next hundred years, you will lose the title of sect. Sister A Wu, are you really willing to watch your sect decline? Going to the Yulong Sect would allow the younger generation to resolve problems in Floating Clouds Continent faster. Sister, all you have to do is travel a little faster, and you won’t have to waste the favors you have accumulated over there, and you can solve the problem yourself. If I want to see, being the Patriarch of the Law-enforcer of the Yulong Sect, protecting your old sect, and sitting in the Ancestral Hall to listen to discussions with me, and helping the Yulong Sect form an alliance with our Azure Ripple Sword Sect, would be killing three birds with one stone. It would be foolish not to do it!”

Gong Yan was internally flustered. Was this guy a worm in her stomach? How could he know everything so clearly?

The youth in white sighed and looked at her with resentment. “The analogy is not appropriate. How disgusting is a worm? I am more like Sister A Wu’s personal cotton-padded jacket.”

Huang Man sneered, this analogy was probably even more disgusting.

Gong Yan had made up her mind not to speak.

She was also a bold and outrageous person. What were a few dirty words? In Floating Clouds Continent, Gong Yan was known as a “rare beauty” on the mountain, but she did not expect that she could not even defeat a “young man.”

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “One day, I will ask Old Chef Zhu, Brother Da Feng, Chief Zhou and Chief Mi to get together and chat with Sister A Wu. That would be interesting.”

Cui Dongshan quickly added, “I guarantee that there will be both dirty and clean, and both elegant and vulgar!”

Wang Zhu said with a indifferent expression, “Sect Leader Cui, let’s talk about serious business.”

Cui Dongshan raised his palm to shield his forehead and looked into the distance, smiling, “We’re almost there. We need to be full before talking about things.”

Following Cui Dongshan’s line of sight, Wang Zhu saw a winding mountain range of blue and green, like a green snake lying on the ground. She remembered this dragon vein located on the west coast of Willowleaf Isle. She was unfortunate to see this area, as the waters were diverted to make way for the Great Serpent, and was forced to create a waterway that cut off the complete land dragon energy. The Dragon Emperor’s action made it so there was no strong dynasty in the western side of Willowleaf Isle, and they mostly became vassals of larger dynasties.

It was said that the Great Serpent was opened by a Jiaolong, or cleaved by thunder.

Cui Dongshan smiled apologetically, “The hospitality is poor. We can only find a nearby place and treat everyone to a vegetarian meal.”

The landing point was at a royal Taoist temple built by an emperor in the mountains. It had been destroyed by the demon army, and the new emperor had ordered the Ministry of Public Works officials to find the drawings and spend a lot of manpower and financial resources to repair the main hall, and there was no money to fix the rest.

Cultivators who were good at sensing energy could see two types of clouds, red and blue, floating and lingering in the mountains.

Cui Dongshan said, “The mountain Taoist temple is honored to have Sister Zhi Gui stay there. The old and young Taoists in the temple offer incense every day and light lamps at night, spending dozens of buckets of sesame oil every year. The sincerity of the priests has not been in vain.”

In the world, the Central Confucian Temple has ordained four new Water Emperors, responsible for dividing and guarding the four seas. They were ranked at the top of the newly compiled deity spectrum.

The world’s water transport was divided into two, with the Minister of the Lushuikeng, styled Green Bell, responsible for the continental water transport, but the Mountain Peak cultivators didn’t care much about her.

With the exception of Wang Zhu, the other three Great Water Emperors of the sea were promoted in a step-by-step manner from the positions of the Water Emperors of the Great Lakes in the continents, such as Li Yehou of Jiaoyue Lake in the Central Earth Continent.

There was also a female Lake Minister, Liu Rouxi, the Green Water Sovereign of Zheng Rong Lake, who was now responsible for guarding the West Sea.

This Green Water Sovereign Liu was offered a reward on the wall of the Knife Room in the Inverted Mountain for the wandering man of Mo Sect, Xu Ruo.

Wang Zhu narrowed her eyes and looked into the distance, suddenly saying, “Sect Leader Cui, you spent a lot of money there, right?”

Cui Dongshan rubbed his hands together and said, “It’s okay, just some rain-money, nothing much.”

The place was called Dragonsea Mountain. On clear days, you can see the sea from the top of the mountain and watch the sunrise.

As the “underdog” who spent money to help rebuild the Taoist temple, Cui Dongshan built a loft for viewing the celestial phenomena and also secretly built a building specifically for measuring the trend of water transport in the Eastern Sea and to measure the amount of water transport at the future entrance to the sea. Cui Dongshan was certain Chen Ping’an would excavate the Great Canal in Willowleaf Isle, so he prepared in advance.

Two people were already waiting in the mountains, standing at the gate of the newly built Taoist temple.

There was Cui Wei, the law enforcer, and Cao Qinglang, the first summit master. The former was someone who had been brought by Cui Dongshan to work, while the latter was the key to the success of the matter.

“We’re here, I’ll go first.”

Cui Dongshan took the lead and traveled several miles away in an instant, landing on the ground. Cao Qinglang bowed in salute, “Greetings, Sect Leader Cui.”

If there were no outsiders present, Cao Qinglang would only call him Senior Brother Cui.

Cui Dongshan shook his sleeves and said helplessly, “Junior Brother Cao, why don’t you learn from Law Enforcer Cui? There’s no need to say anything when you see me. We are still brothers, so there’s no need to be so formal for outsiders to see.”

Cao Qinglang smiled, “These are my own rules.”

Cui Dongshan said with a headache, “Let’s not talk. I will be talking business with people later, so you just do what I signal you to do.”

Until just now, Cao Qinglang did not know who he was going to meet.

Cui Dongshan rubbed his face, waiting for Wang Zhu and his group to land.

Huang Man whispered into Li Ba’s ear, “If you and I join forces, and Xi Man assists, can we take him?”

As for Gong Yan, she was not going to move. That woman only cared about making money.

Li Ba shook his head, “Don’t be impulsive, it is best not to make an enemy of this person.”

Xi Man did not like this mysterious Sect Leader Cui, and just felt uneasy, as if the youth in white was a brothel owner looking at a young and beautiful courtesan.

When the group came to the mountain gate, Cui Wei remained unmoved, remaining expressionless as always.

Cao Qinglang had a gentle expression and bowed, “I am Cao Qinglang of the Azure Ripple Sword Sect, greetings to the Water God of the Eastern Sea, and all the Immortals.”

Wang Zhu nodded with a smile, “I borrowed some of your examination papers in the Great Li capital. They were well written and full of meaning.”

Cao Qinglang smiled, “My teacher taught me a lot about the art of writing.”

Wang Zhu did not comment on this, but compared to the coldness when interacting with Cui Dongshan, she now had a few more traces of gentleness on her face when facing Cao Qinglang.

Gong Yan and Xi Man looked at each other, and finally met a normal person.

When everyone came to the Taoist temple’s dining hall, the food had already been prepared. Everyone started eating after Wang Zhu and Cui Dongshan started.

Cui Dongshan raised the plan to excavate a Great Canal in Willowleaf Isle.

To the surprise of Gong Yan and the others, Wang Zhu agreed very readily,

They knew her personality, and because of the Water God Escort, many high-ranking water gods had shown up. Not to mention Li Yehou, a close neighbor who often interacted with her, even Minister Dan Dan, who occasionally appeared, Wang Zhu did not give them good looks. During the two times when Wang Zhu discussed matters with her, Minister Dan Dan was all smiles, and did not feel embarrassed at all.

However, this was within Cui Dongshan’s expectations. Chen Ping’an said that if Cui Dongshan came forward and only talked about official matters without any feelings, then the probability of success would be more than 80%. Chen Ping’an knew Wang Zhu’s temper very well.

Digging a canal would only benefit Wang Zhu. But for Wang Zhu, since the Great Canal would definitely appear, whether she took action or not would depend on her mood. This choice was similar to Qing Tong’s of the Town Demon Pagoda, who wanted to lie down and enjoy himself, but there were still some differences. Qing Tong was unwilling to have a sword cultivator interfere too much in Willowleaf Isle, which she regarded as her own territory, while Wang Zhu was purely… lazy.

With a brand-new Great Canal connecting the land and sea of Willowleaf Isle, the various water gods of Willowleaf Isle would have to bow to this Eastern Sea Water God.

In the past, the gap between the identities of the two sides was huge, so they had to pay respects to Wang Zhu, but there was still a separation between sea and land. After that, Wang Zhu can more or less be the one controlling the lifeline of the waterway. In short, as soon as the Great Canal was completed, Wang Zhu could completely assign the central territory of Willowleaf Isle to the jurisdiction of the Eastern Sea.

Therefore, after Cui Dongshan briefly introduced the various allies, he raised his price, “The Eastern Sea Water Palace must first give me a sum of money, not less than 4,000 rain-money coins from the Pouch Studio. Of course, if you are willing to give more, that would be better. In addition, I want to borrow Huang Man and Xi Man. They will respectively help move rivers and mountains. Without delaying the Water God Escort, the two sides will have to come to Willowleaf Isle to report for duty as soon as they have time. As for the specific size of the contribution, we will clearly account for it in the temporary Ancestral Hall and record it in the book. Let’s say it in advance, Huang Man and Xi Man will be responsible for the excavation and dredging of a section of the Great Canal riverbed. As for the specific length, we can talk about it slowly. Let’s set a direction today.”

Huang Man and Xi Man looked at each other in silence, only to smile bitterly. They were just talking about whether to join forces and beat up this young man in white, but did they get retribution so quickly?

Wang Zhu said, “Four thousand? No problem, I can add another 10,000 rain-money coins.”

Cui Dongshan had just picked up a bite of vegetarian food when he heard this and his wrist trembled. He almost dropped it back into the plate. He quickly took a deep breath, raised one hand, and gently supported the snow-white sleeve that he had named “Beat Stupid Place.”

“Okay, it’s settled, 14,000 rain-money coins!”

Cui Dongshan was full of sadness. People could die of jealousy, not to mention comparing! How many old dragon palaces, immortal ruins, and natural treasures had Wang Zhu collected in the sea over the years?

Wang Zhu said mockingly, “Since Sect Leader Cui has so many friends on the mountain, why not just ask more people to contribute money to make up for it?”

Cui Dongshan laughed, “With Lady Zhi Gui’s 14,000 rain-money coins to finalize the deal, it’s enough. Borrowing money will eventually make us owe favors, so it’s not a good thing.”

In the business world, the same fairy money, for example, Pouch Studio and Zhang Zhi could easily take out 4,000 rain-money coins, and Qinghu Palace in Qingjing Mountain could scrape together 4,000 rain-money coins, which may look the same, but the concept for the money used was different,

Cui Dongshan continued, “If we want to dig a sea-crossing canal with stable water transport, it will definitely be a long-term thing. I’m troubling the Water Palace to transfer a group of administrative officials, at least 30 people, and then send out many water immortals and crab soldiers and generals, at least 30,000 in number. After the Water God Escort comes to an end, they will all pass through the waterway into the sea and advance inland, doing whatever they can.”

This was also the teacher’s secret instructions. When doing business with Wang Zhu, just set the price high. If you set it low, she might not think it was interesting.

The four Sea Emperors each governed all the water transport around the two continents, and after that the height and purity of the golden body would depend on how much the four Water God could stretch out into the mainland within the rules of Confucianism. In Treasure Bottle Continent, Wang Zhu’s room for maneuvering was extremely limited. Heavenly Lord Qi Zhen in the God’s Mandate Sect, the Wind and Snow Temple and the True Martial Mountain, Jiang Family in Yunlin at the entrance of the Qi Ferry, and the many other smaller sects, not to mention the Great Li Dynasty itself.

Looking at Willowleaf Isle, the Eastern Sea Water Palace obviously had a lot to offer. The more fragmented the mountains and rivers were here, the more the old immortal houses declined and fell, or moved to Colorful Heaven, or struggled to mend their old mountain tops, or re-selected locations… The only sects that could really be used were Jade Tablet Sect and the Azure Ripple Sword Sect. When Wang Zhu took on the matters of water transport, she would not be violating Confucian rules, but instead be accumulating merit, which was why Huang Man and Xi Man did not ask Wang Zhu’s opinion, as they had a responsibility to work hard.

Cui Dongshan smiled and said, “Let’s say it in advance, there are differences between the sea and the land, and the customs are different. There will inevitably be some conflicts in the joint excavation of the Great Canal in the future. In the future, water palace officials will come ashore to participate in discussion, each holding their own opinions. It doesn’t matter how much you argue, or even if you go outside to fight, but it’s best not to cause any deaths, otherwise it will be difficult to end.”

Liu Family in Ice Cloud Continent and Zhang Zhi in Pouch Studio were easy to talk to, as they both had the number one teacher as their golden sign.

Wang Zhu said, “Let Cao Qinglang be responsible for connecting with the Water Palace on specific matters. If there is a problem, it is best to inform in advance and then take it to the meeting.”

Cao Qinglang was caught off guard and glanced at Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan nodded with a smile, “Of course, there is no problem, it is settled. Cao Qinglang has just reached the Golden Core realm and has become a land immortal. The matter of traveling down the mountain can be put on the agenda. Cao Qinglang can take a few more trips to the Eastern Sea Water Palace to familiarize himself with the situation there, but the sea journey is long, and I’m afraid we will need Water God to temporarily lend Cao Qinglang a legendary Dragon God Sea-Crossing Talisman, so as to avoid him wasting too much time on the road.”

Wang Zhu nodded with a smile, took out a “talisman” that had long been lost from her sleeve. She casually shook it and released the talisman and lightly tossed it to Cao Qinglang, “You don’t have to be polite, I’ll give it to you as a congratulatory gift for you reaching the Goldern Core Realm.”

When a cultivator holds this talisman, they can enter the water like riding a dragon, traveling across rivers and seas. The speed is as fast as an Immortal.

Cao Qinglang took the “talisman” with both hands and put it in his sleeve before standing up to thank him.

Wang Zhu did not get up, but just nodded and smiled at this young cultivator.

Cao Qinglang’s rules made Gong Yan and the others even more surprised, and found it to be a normal person.

Cui Dongshan sighed with emotion.

This Junior Brother Cao was worthy of being one of the two proud students of his teacher, as lovable as his Senior Brother.

Wang Zhu threw another object shaped like a writing washer made of celadon with a Chi Dragon sitting on it to Cui Dongshan and said, “There are 15,000 rain-money coins in it, to make it a round number. With the extra 1,000 rain-money coins, you can build a mansion near this Taoist temple, which can be used as one of our Water Palace’s summer resorts on the shore of Willowleaf Isle. In addition to Huang Man and Xi Man being at your disposal, you only need to reserve a seat for Li Ba in that temporary ancestral hall. All matters will be discussed by Li Ba with you, and his attitude is the meaning of the Water Palace.”

Cui Dongshan quickly put down his chopsticks, took the object, wiped his mouth with his sleeves, and also stood up like Cao Qinglang and bowed to thank him.

With harmony comes wealth. After eating a not extravagant vegetarian meal, Cui Dongshan was about to return to the Phosphorus River to continue to persuade the wood artisan to choose the location next to the Phosphorus River, suggested that Wang Zhu and his group go to the Azure Accumulation Temple to sit down, have a cup of tea, and then go to the Lamp Riddle Hall to eat a meal, and to put the account on Dai Yuan of the Azure Seal Sect, and definitely not be polite.

From beginning to end, Law Enforcer Cui Wei did not say a word.

If it weren’t for the fact that Cui Dongshan introduced this Law Enforcer Cui at the dinner table and told them that he was from Sword Qi Great Wall, Huang Man and the others would have mistakenly thought that this mute was a local sword cultivator hidden deeply by someone in Willowleaf Isle.

Learning that Cui Wei was from Sword Qi Great Wall, Gong Yan and the others felt surprised, as it was reasonable as well. With Chen Ping’an as the last recluse officer, it was nothing to bring back a few sword immortals.

Cui Wei still didn’t say anything.

Cui Dongshan didn’t even let his own people off.

Walking out of the dining hall together, Cui Dongshan stopped on the corridor, put his hands in his sleeves, and smiled, “Sister Zhi Gui, now the Azure Ripple Sword Sect has two ferries. If there’s any chance, we’ll do some small business together, okay?”

Wang Zhu said, “I don’t lack money, so I’m not interested.”

Cui Dongshan raised his arm and wiped his face with his sleeve, feeling oppressed. He shouldn’t have said that, as it was a boring thing to do.

Cui Dongshan whispered, “The sun and moon are supreme and bright, and the rivers and lakes are the deepest. If you stay in seclusion, you can cultivate your true spirit and watch the changes in the sky in time.”

Since you are a true dragon, clouds and rain should flourish.

Wang Zhu said nothing.

Cui Dongshan suddenly smiled, “You must be vigilant when luck is at its peak, and be calm when the situation is at its lowest. Of course, this sentence can be said in both directions. Anyway, it sounds like good words. I believe that as long as we are calm in times of adversity, luck will come naturally and things will be stable.”

Wang Zhu said, “Sect Leader Cui likes to chat so much, do you want to have tea and then drink after dinner?”

Cui Dongshan laughed, “No, no, there will be many opportunities in the future.”

Wang Zhu and his group left on the wind.

Gong Yan smiled, “The saying about smoothness and adversity has a bit of chewiness to it. It’s rare that this Cui Dongshan doesn’t say strange things.”

The corners of Wang Zhu’s mouth turned up, with a non-smiling smile, “Because the original words weren’t his.”

Cui Dongshan was not in a hurry to leave and smiled, reminding him, “From now on, you can be polite to Li Ba on small matters, but don’t give in to him on big matters. Don’t be afraid of being arrogant, and don’t deliberately show goodwill to Li Ba. This old guy is stubborn. You can scold and beat him for nothing. In addition, I suspect that Wan Yan Laojing once tried to win over Li Ba. Although Li Ba refused, he at least did not report it to the Confucian Temple. The old man will be tried for this, and there is no evidence. It is impossible to arrest Li Ba and torture him. Maybe Li Ba has already used some kind of soul secret technique to close the door, or simply erased this memory.”

“Cao Qinglang, if this is the case