Free Web NovelChapter 458: Chapter 84: Emperor Earth Deity, Even a Dao Fruit Can Be Fleeced
It was an astonishing transformation. In terms of his physical body alone, Lu Xuan could now rival weaker Upper Celestial Venerables and Ancient Buddhas. He possessed the Innate Divine Demon Body of a juvenile!
Setting aside the profound Power of the Earth Veins granted by the tea, the Incense and Candle Thoughts of All Living Beings were also immeasurably vast.
The Great Heaven and Earth was vast and boundless, yet a mere ounce of this tea contained eight hundred years’ worth of incense from the entire Human World of Ancient Times...
This alone was a testament to its value!
Had it been anyone else, Lu Xuan absolutely would not have accepted it, but this was tempting bait tossed by Lady Houtu. ’It would be a waste not to take it!’
The Emperor Earth Deity smiled faintly:
"If you truly like it, just ask me for more when you’ve finished. This tea has wondrous effects even for Daluos, but to me, it’s quite ordinary. Just something I drink when I have nothing better to do."
After a pause, she calmly began to make small talk with Lu Xuan, recounting trivial matters.
Lu Xuan was also happy to shoot the breeze with this Enlightened One, rambling on about everything under the sun.
After some time had passed, the Emperor Earth Deity felt they had grown familiar enough. She then asked, as if it were an afterthought:
"Speaking of which, Emperor, aren’t you curious as to why I sought you out?"
Lu Xuan thought for a moment, then bowed and said:
"I am humbled and did not dare to inquire."
The Emperor Earth Deity chuckled lightly:
"Actually, it’s nothing major. I’m aware of your recent actions and am quite impressed. You also hold the Celestial Court post overseeing Sea Control. In name, this means you command all the Earth Deities of the world, making you my successor, in a sense. This creates an affinity between us."
Lu Xuan gave a bitter smile:
"It’s just a title. In reality, my jurisdiction only covers the Four Seas and some rivers and lakes. How could I truly command all the Earth Deities in the world?"
The Emperor Earth Deity smiled gently:
"If we get along well, in a while, I will order all the Earth Deities to honor you as the new Emperor Earth Deity. What would be the harm in that?"
Lu Xuan’s pupils contracted sharply. Before he could speak, the Houtu Emperor Earth Deity lowered her beautiful eyes.
"Speaking of which, do you know why, despite being the Emperor Earth Deity, I stopped managing the affairs of the Earth Deities many years ago?"
"I would ask for Senior’s guidance," Lu Xuan said respectfully.
"It’s a rather ancient story. Back then, the Celestial Emperor and I were known together as Sovereign Heaven and Houtu. He ruled the heavens, and I ruled the earth."
"Later, I had a confrontation with the one from Jade Void Palace and lost. So I gave up the Earth Deities of the Human World and went to the Netherworld.
It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In the Netherworld, I achieved my Creation, taking control of the Six Paths and grasping Reincarnation. After that, I no longer concerned myself with the affairs of the Earth Deities. But in the end, it created some resentment between myself and the Jade Void Lineage."
After a pause, a smile bloomed on her face:
"I know of the enmity between Biyou Palace and Jade Void Palace, and I have always been on good terms with the Shangqing Lineage. My relationship with your master is not bad either.
Now, seeing you appear in this era, your brilliance overshadowing the Jade Void Twelve Immortals, and seeing that you have an affinity with me and with the Earth Deities, I simply wanted to meet you and see for myself what kind of heaven-defying genius you are."
"Senior, you praise me too highly."
Lu Xuan quickly rose to his feet and bowed, then sighed.
"It is a pity that during the great conflict at the end of the Shang Dynasty, I was not present and could not participate. Alas... Now, seeing the physical bodies of so many of my fellow disciples disintegrate, forcing them to hide away in Biyou Palace, my heart is filled with regret..."
The Emperor Earth Deity said compassionately:
"Worry not. I control Reincarnation. You can have the Ten Thousand Immortals pass through one cycle. At the shortest, it will take three thousand years; at the longest, no more than ten thousand. I guarantee they will return from Reincarnation, restored to their true selves."
Lu Xuan feigned great surprise.
"Senior, is what you’re saying really true??"
"Child, what kind of words are those? Would I lie to you?"
The Emperor Earth Deity chuckled lightly.
"Although this is merely an avatar of mine, it still possesses the power to control Reincarnation."
"Senior, this is a tremendous grace!"
Lu Xuan performed another deep bow, his attitude utterly reverent.
"I don’t know how I could possibly repay you."
"Repay?"
The Emperor Earth Deity laughed again.
"You can be considered my junior. When an elder helps a junior, they don’t ask for anything in return. Do not mention this matter again."
After a pause,
she seemed to recall something and asked casually:
"Oh, right, child, your Sanqing Lineage has another one of those heaven-defying geniuses, named Supreme Profound Clarity. What is your relationship with him?"
"Brother Profound Clarity?"
Lu Xuan gave a pure and kind smile.
"We’ve met once. We aren’t very familiar with each other, but you could say we are like-minded. We are both planning for the sake of the Human Race."
"Is that so? That child, Profound Clarity, is indeed quite remarkable."
The Emperor Earth Deity nodded in affirmation, then sighed.
"It’s a pity he has deep ties with the Jade Void Lineage, so I will not meet with him... Alright, my purpose for today has been achieved. I won’t keep you any longer."
With that,
the woman rose gracefully to her feet and spoke with a smile:
"You may return to the Human World. From now on, don’t call me Senior. You can just call me Lady... If you need anything in the future, you can always come find me here in the Nine Nether."
"Thank you, Lady!"
Lu Xuan put on a display of being moved to tears of gratitude, quickly bowing again in reverence.
"Go on, go on..."
Amidst the Emperor Earth Deity’s ethereal voice, Lu Xuan felt the world spin around him. By the time his vision cleared, he was already back in front of the Ghost Gate.
He weighed the catty of Earth Tea in his hand and smiled silently. He didn’t leave right away, but instead started walking toward Fengdu City.
Along the way, Lu Xuan was lost in thought. ’The fish has taken the bait, though I never expected it would be Lady Houtu.
Originally, according to my Second Master’s deductions, the one to contact me should have been the Ancient Bodhi Buddha or Amitabha Buddha.
But it doesn’t really matter who came.
My performance today shouldn’t have been too over-the-top. I accepted Houtu’s goodwill; now I just have to see what she’ll do next.
Although Houtu told me about her enmity with the Jade Void Lineage, I get the feeling her main focus isn’t on them... but on Supreme Profound Clarity.
Just as Second Master and the Celestial Emperor predicted, after a few more meetings, she’ll probably start making her moves...
At this thought, the smile on Lu Xuan’s face widened. ’I’ll have to come and chat with this Lady more often in the future. A Dao Fruit holder has plenty of good stuff!
It would be a crime not to fleece this sheep!
Even better, if I play my cards right and sweet-talk her properly, I might just get myself a free heavy-hitter.
I might even be able to cash in on this grand promise Lady Houtu made about me succeeding her as the Emperor Earth Deity!
After I’ve fleeced Lady Houtu for all she’s worth and picked her clean...
But I have to be careful not to overdo it. After all, a Dao Fruit holder is no fool!’
Lost in thought, Lu Xuan arrived in Fengdu City.
* * *
「Kunlun, Jasper Pool.」
"We can no longer let that Profound Yellow run loose."
The Immortal Mother mused for a moment, then said:
"The Master of Biyou Palace... Fortunately, the Ten Thousand Immortals have lost the protection of their celestial status. The moment they leave Biyou Palace, they will collapse and die, heading for Reincarnation. For now, they aren’t a major concern. But we cannot give Profound Yellow any more time."
Emperor Ziwei narrowed his eyes.
"The two calamity bearers still need time to accumulate power. And the New Immortals recruited into the Celestial Court are still too green. They will need at least one or two thousand years to mature."
"I know," the Immortal Mother said, frowning. "But we can’t just let the Human World remain peaceful. Who knows what that Profound Yellow is plotting!"
After the incident at the Southern Celestial Court, the various Daluos no longer underestimated Profound Yellow.
At the side, the East Pole Qing Hua Emperor seemed lost in thought.
"What about the Earth Deities?"
"What?" The Immortal Mother glanced over, curious.
Earth Deities, a general term for the gods of the earth, included Mountain Gods, Land Dukes, River Gods, Water Gods, and even gods of state. They were once under the unified command of the Houtu Emperor Earth Deity, but were now scattered and disorganized.
Emperor Gouchen deliberated for a moment, then said with a smile:
"Profound Yellow was ennobled as the Celestial Court Divine Emperor of the Sea and Profound Yellow. While he nominally commands the deities of the Human World, in reality, his authority only covers the Four Seas Dragon Kings and some River Gods and Water Gods."
He paused, then continued:
"Earth Deities like the City Gods belong to the Underworld Department. The Mountain Gods, Earth Gods, and others belong to the Five Directions Five Elders. Both of these groups are under Qing Hua’s command. If the Earth Deities of the Human World were to cause a disturbance..."
Emperor Qing Hua mused aloud:
"I understand what you mean, but what if this Profound Yellow acts ruthlessly and purges all the Earth Deities?" freёwebnoѵel.com
"It would be for the best if he slaughtered them all! If the Earth Deities are wiped out, the Earth Virtue will be enraged and erupt with great killing intent. Dragons and serpents will rise from the land, and the Human World will descend into chaos!"
Gouchen laughed heartily.
"At that time, not only will Profound Yellow and Profound Clarity be overwhelmed, but the calamity bearers can also seize the opportunity to rise up, destroy the Qin Dynasty, and Change Heaven and Earth.
I can gain the power of warfare, Qing Hua can descend to the Lower Realm to save the suffering, Longevity can preach in the Human World, and Ziwei can draw great fortune from the Slaughter!"
"Given all that, why wouldn’t we do it?"
(Three Chapters and one side story remaining.)
