Chapter 434: The Master Still Wants to Be

When under the immobilization spell, one is not entirely without consciousness; in fact, their spiritual senses remain active. Du Changsheng could still see, hear, and even feel Hu Yun's paw pressed against his face, but to Hu Yun, the person was as motionless as a statue.

Ji Yuan stood up and walked around the table, approaching the immobilized Du Changsheng and the frightened Wang Xiao. He then spoke to Du Changsheng.

"Do not casually call me your master again," he warned. "Otherwise, I will immobilize you and throw you into the Chunmu River to sober up!"

In his life, Ji Yuan had met many people and many cultivators, be they human, ghost, deity, or demon, but he had never seen anyone as adept as Du Changsheng at latching onto something and climbing swiftly. No, it was more like inventing a pole for himself and then climbing it.

Ji Yuan had indeed given him the Minor Cultivation technique back then, but not only was this a basic cultivation method, it was also given in exchange for Ji Yuan learning his incomplete Talisman of Strength. If one were to trace a master-disciple lineage due to the Minor Cultivation, Du Changsheng's allegiance to Yu Huai Mountain would be a more accurate origin.

As he spoke, Ji Yuan glanced at Wang Xiao and added with a sigh:

"I am not your grandmaster."

Ji Yuan then looked at Du Changsheng again and said:

"I will now lift the spell. Did you understand what I said earlier?"

Seeing that Du Changsheng could neither nod nor respond in his current state, Ji Yuan believed that a person who wasn't foolish should understand. With that thought, Ji Yuan's mind stirred, and the immobilization spell on Du Changsheng dissipated.

"Thud..."

Du Changsheng stumbled, and, following the momentum of his previous attempt to bow, his head hit the boat deck again.

"Ouch... Sir, I didn't actually mean to hit my head that time..."

Du Changsheng explained briefly and then dared not say more, fearing he might say something wrong. He simply rubbed his forehead instinctively. However, knocking his head on the wooden deck of this small boat produced a loud sound but caused no pain at all. Moreover, as someone whose body had been tempered by spiritual energy for years, his forehead didn't even turn red.

Bai Qi, standing to the side, also looked at Du Changsheng with amusement.

"You indeed know Mr. Ji," Bai Qi said. "And presumably, you're aware of some of his capabilities. Why did you have the audacity to impersonate his disciple and even claim it to his face?"

To Bai Qi, this was utterly inconceivable. A clumsy cultivator like Du Changsheng was no different from a mortal in front of him, let alone in front of Mr. Ji.

Du Changsheng cautiously glanced at Ji Yuan and explained.

"Back then, I struggled in cultivation with no path forward," Du Changsheng began, "and saw my end approaching. It was Mr. Ji who bestowed upon me a righteous cultivation method, which gave me hope... Therefore, I've always respected him as my master in my heart..."

Ji Yuan smiled, shook his head, and said to Bai Qi:

"That is true. However, at the time, I found Celestial Master Du's talismanic arts somewhat interesting and inquired about them. The Minor Cultivation technique was merely an exchange; I never intended to take a disciple."

Bai Qi burst into laughter.

"Then this Celestial Master Du has good foresight," Bai Qi chuckled. "He aimed to attach himself to a high branch and coincidentally ran into a figure like Mr. Ji."

Du Changsheng dared not speak casually anymore, while Wang Xiao, beside him, grew increasingly nervous. He had previously thought his master, Du Changsheng, was an extraordinary master. As for his perception of immortals, it was limited to those depicted in temples, believing them to be unreachable.

On this point, Du Changsheng at least had a bottom line. He didn't lie to his disciple and certainly wouldn't claim to be an immortal himself. He also knew he didn't qualify for the ranks of true immortal cultivators, or at least not to the extent of being called an "immortal."

But now, Wang Xiao saw Bai Qi and Ji Yuan. The former was the rightful deity of the Chunmu River, governing such a vast river—a veritable divine being. The latter, observing how this river deity used respectful language and showed such deference towards him, must surely be a true immortal.

Wang Xiao dared not look too much at the powerful figures beside him but frequently glanced at a red fox right next to Du Changsheng. This fox could speak, so it must be a demon, but it looked harmless.

Just then, Hu Yun looked up at Du Changsheng. Seeing that he could rub his head again, that his body temperature was slightly feverish, and that he had completely returned to normal, he became even more curious about Ji Yuan's immobilization spell. He jumped to the side of the boat and spoke to his friend in the water.

"Qingqing, did you see that just now?" Hu Yun asked. "Mr. Ji called out 'Immobilize,' and that guy stopped moving. He was stiff and had no pulse. Now he's alive again."

Ji Yuan almost choked on Hu Yun's words. What did "alive again" even mean? He hadn't killed Du Changsheng in the first place.

"Boop boop boop boop..."

The large green fish hurriedly blew bubbles, and even the sound of the bubbles popping was noticeably louder, to show its agreement with Hu Yun.

It was only then that Du Changsheng and Wang Xiao noticed there was movement in the water. They glanced to the side. And lo and behold, an old tortoise, seemingly half the size of a pleasure boat, its dark shell visible through the ripples, floated on the surface, while a similarly enormous green fish swam alongside the boat.

Not to mention Wang Xiao, it was Du Changsheng's first time seeing a true demon. Both felt a mix of fear and excitement, but had to suppress it.

Ji Yuan found it amusing and softened his tone.

"Alright, everyone, please sit down," he said. "Let's go over the full story of these events."

A moment later, the small table on the boat was moved to a spacious spot near the pleasure boat's cabin door. Ji Yuan and Bai Qi sat down, one after the other, while Du Changsheng and Wang Xiao, still a bit reserved, took seats to their left and right respectively.

"It's good that Celestial Master Du understands the implications," Ji Yuan said. "A master-disciple relationship isn't something one can claim casually. Now, there's no need to be overly nervous; we are all righteous cultivators and won't harm you. Tell us about your situation."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Du Changsheng nodded repeatedly, acting like a child in a school. He knew well that although he was in his seventies or eighties, the two before him were the true long-livers. Despite appearing to be in their prime or middle age, with few signs of age visible upon closer inspection, they had lived for at least several centuries, or perhaps even longer.

"Since the passing of the late emperor," Du Changsheng began, "the new emperor, though curious about spirits and anomalies upon ascending the throne, lost much of that interest after meeting the few Celestial Masters remaining in the capital. Of course, even though we could still enjoy wealth and status in the capital, I, Du, having acquired a righteous cultivation method, though somewhat reluctant to give up the luxury, knew that righteous cultivation should be prioritized, and thus left the capital..."

After briefly organizing his thoughts, Du Changsheng concisely recounted his story. However, he instinctively picked out details that favored him; for instance, his departure from the capital was certainly motivated by a desire for righteous cultivation, but also partly due to being ridiculed by his fellow Celestial Masters, making it impossible to stay.

"I was accustomed to spending lavishly in the capital," he continued, "so I didn't save much money. Chunhui Prefecture is the foremost prefecture along the Chunmu River, and property here is expensive, which made my living situation a bit tight..."

At this point, Du Changsheng quickly added an explanation.

"It's not that I spent a lot on entertainment," he clarified. "Perhaps Mr. Ji and Lord River Deity are unaware of the hardships faced by us rogue cultivators. As the saying goes, 'poor scholars, rich martial artists.' For us cultivators, there's also the saying about 'wealth, methods, companions, and land.' Reclusive masters in blessed lands and grotto-heavens naturally have no worries, but we must worry about our livelihoods..."

Ji Yuan nodded. He was aware of this, which is why there were many "sorcerers" among the common folk everywhere. Some of whom were just putting on a show, but many possessed genuine abilities. Ji Yuan had encountered such individuals several times, for example, the person by the sea in Zu Yue Kingdom, and also Du Changsheng and his deceased master; all belonged to this category.

"Although I kept a low profile," Du Changsheng continued, "after handling a few matters, I gained some renown here in Chunhui Prefecture. Later, Li Jinlai sought me out and told me about the Wei family's Divine Fish statue, hoping for my assistance..."

Du Changsheng glanced at the large green fish by the boat before continuing.

"I had previously heard about the large fish in the Chunmu River saving people," Du Changsheng said. "Knowing that if it were true, it must be a virtuous aquatic creature and certainly wouldn't harbor harmful intentions, I proposed a compromise. Unexpectedly, Li Jinlai actually succeeded, and then Lord River Deity suddenly paid a visit..."

Ji Yuan said nothing after listening. He wasn't contemplating Du Changsheng's latter remarks about the large green fish, but rather the first part of Du Changsheng's account—the matter of those Celestial Masters in the capital.

Bai Qi, meanwhile, simply drank his tea; such trivial matters held no interest for him. Du Changsheng and Wang Xiao waited silently.

After a long pause, Ji Yuan finally spoke.

"Since Celestial Master Du has accepted the Great Zhen Imperial Court's conferment," Ji Yuan said, "he has boarded the ship of Great Zhen. The domestic situation in Great Zhen has been improving in recent years. When you realize that your prosperity is intertwined with Great Zhen's, your cultivation will also benefit."

Du Changsheng forced a smile.

"And suffer together, too..."

Before, he had little hope, and when presented with the chance to be conferred as a Celestial Master, he naturally wanted to contend for it. Now, however, this Celestial Master title was nothing more than a burden, especially after Emperor Yuande's death.

"Given Great Zhen's current momentum," Ji Yuan continued, "barring extraordinary external interference, it still has at least a century of national fortune. If you can enter the path of immortal cultivation before your lifespan runs out, then you should naturally focus on cultivation to stabilize your progress. Once your cultivation is stable, you might as well dedicate yourself to serving as Great Zhen's Celestial Master."

Du Changsheng frowned in thought for a moment. His heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at Ji Yuan.

"Does Mr. Ji mean," Du Changsheng asked, "that Great Zhen's national fortune will begin to rise again after two hundred years?"

Ji Yuan smiled without speaking. Bai Qi, meanwhile, set down his teacup and leisurely said:

"Have you heard of the divination by the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets that predicted the land of Great Zhen's immense prosperity?"

Du Changsheng honestly shook his head.

"I haven't heard of it," Du Changsheng admitted. "I don't even know what the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets is.""Haha, this matter is no longer a secret among the divine Dao of Great Zhen," Bai Qi replied. "As for the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, it is an immortal abode renowned for divining heavenly secrets, located within an outdoor grotto-heaven."

Du Changsheng could only nod; this sounded incredibly powerful.

After these discussions were complete, Du Changsheng had nothing more to say and couldn't interject in the presence of two such esteemed figures. Fortunately, Ji Yuan was considerate enough to allow him to ask about some confusing points in his cultivation and offered him a few pointers. Afterward, he sent him back.

This time, Bai Qi, the River Deity, didn't need to personally escort Du Changsheng back. Instead, another pleasure boat appeared nearby at some unknown moment, which would carry Du Changsheng and his disciple back. The boatman, naturally, was a transformed aquatic creature.

As soon as Du Changsheng left, Bai Qi finally couldn't help but speak.

"That old fox!"

"Haha, only such an old fox can thrive and survive in both court and wilderness," Ji Yuan replied. "If it were anyone else, who would be willing to tie their cultivation to the fate of a dynasty?"

Meeting Du Changsheng reminded Ji Yuan of a sea fleet he had once encountered. That fleet was guided by the National Preceptor of its kingdom in search of Mount Xianxia.