Chapter 836: Chapter 79: Dragon Taming Ascension, Painting the Land into Rivers! (Part 2)

Duncan nodded lightly and said, "Bring on the feast."

This Xi Jiang River God was from the lineage of healers, the Box Master of Hundred Flowers Valley, who unexpectedly died, but had accomplished much in life and saved countless people, so Duncan bestowed upon him the title of Xi Jiang River God.

The standard for Duncan to confer the title of God was simple: those who had contributed to the people and society, and had a bit of fortuity, could be deified.

"Who would have thought that during the few years I’ve been in seclusion, the world would change so drastically."

Chen Tuan couldn’t help but sigh and say, "Does Your Majesty intend to confer titles upon all ghosts and deities in the land?"

To such esteemed cultivators.

The City Gods and Water Monarchs of any place are insignificant; they are not considered True Gods even in the West, roughly equivalent to the position of Otherworld Divine Attendants, whom true cultivators possess the ability to defeat.

Duncan nodded lightly and said, "Chaos has reigned for too long."

"Both realms of yin and yang need stability."

"Since you are here, Daoist Chen, why not lend me a hand?"

Since arriving, there’s no leaving.

At this, Old Ancestor Chen Tuan’s brow twitched, and he couldn’t help but inquire, "I wonder how this old Daoist can assist Your Majesty?"

Duncan took out an object that radiated dazzling brilliance, startling Old Ancestor Chen Tuan.

He said lightly, "I wish for Daoist Chen to take a trip to the Underworld."

There’s no other meaning.

It’s purely literal; since this esteemed Daoist can astral project and travel thousands of miles, visiting the Underworld is naturally within reach. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The City God system must integrate with the Underworld.

Chen Tuan is the most fitting messenger; first with diplomacy, then with force, if obstinate spirits prove unyielding, he will personally visit the Underworld.

Inside the Water Palace.

Old Ancestor Chen Tuan displayed a bitter smile, suddenly finding the fine wine in his hand unsavory. He rose and bowed, saying, "In that case, it’s better to comply respectfully."

He realized the person before him possessed unfathomable cultivation, likely suppressing it by some means, truly already at the Immortal realm.

Duncan stood and smiled, "If this succeeds."

"Mount Hua will be the Daoist’s practice site."

The King of Kings has always been generous.

Duncan promised Mount Hua as the practice site for Old Ancestor Chen Tuan, causing the old Daoist to feel quite moved. Though he practiced at Mount Hua, it wasn’t officially recognized; if backed by Duncan, everything changes.

In Central Plains, legitimacy is crucial; with this endorsement, he can formally make Mount Hua his practice site.

The night passed joyously between host and guest.

Duncan returned to the palace before dawn, finding Lu Qiongxi and the Kind Mother guarding his unconscious form, not leaving his side.

Duncan slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the two women, and said lightly, "Summon the Ming Sect followers to rise in rebellion!"

"Prepare to wage war against Southern Tang!"

During last night’s Water Palace banquet.

Old Ancestor Chen Tuan unintentionally disclosed a message: recently someone visited Mount Hua to meet him, claiming a Great Freedom Celestial Demon Lord has descended to wreak havoc, a dire threat to the Daoist sects, seeking Chen Tuan’s disciples to aid in banishing the demon.

But who is Old Ancestor Chen Tuan?

How could he possibly believe upon hearing this brief account, especially as this isn’t the Shang dynasty, thinking it’s like King Wu’s campaign against Di Xin, casually inviting top cultivators to abandon lifelong progress to go fight?

Old Ancestor Chen Tuan directly avoided meeting them.

True Daoist cultivators, achieving Dao Entrance Realm prowess is extremely difficult; they are considered precursors to Immortal status, with a fair chance to become Earth Immortal Loose Immortals.

Disturb an old man cultivating?

Just for an unsubstantiated rumor? Just to make me come forth to deal with the Great Freedom Celestial Demon Lord?

Are you mad?

Moreover, Old Ancestor Chen Tuan traveled thousands of miles spiritually, first visiting Ba and Shu, then Guangdong and Guangxi, seeing along the way, if not complete peace, at least the people living comfortably.

You say this is the doing of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon Lord?

Has he slaughtered Daoists? Or massacred civilians?

Though Duncan suppresses the Daoist sects, it’s primarily to control the number of formal Daoists. Moreover, the Daoists of Central Plains emphasize tranquility and non-interference; many true Daoist cultivators are indifferent to worldly affairs. Duncan doesn’t bother them; they can enjoy their own peace, unlike the Buddhist sect, hungry for wealth.

The King of Kings never troubles the impoverished.

Those who practice pure cultivation among the Daoists are poor—no land, no vast riches. What’s the point of troubling them?

Old Ancestor Chen Tuan, after spiritually traveling, even saw Daoists descending from the mountains, aiding His Majesty to pacify the realm, hopeful for a future of establishment and revered practices.

For instance, famous mountains and rivers like Qingcheng Mountain, Emei Mountain in Ba and Shu saw Daoists emerging.

The Daoist tradition of Ba Shushan’s Niu Back Mountain has some connection with Chen Tuan; upon inquiry, it was revealed that those purged were Daoist renegades, primarily those hoarding wealth deceitfully.

As for other local observations, Old Ancestor Chen Tuan shared a few.

The Buddhist sect is quite anxious now, having been eradicated once in recent years, and seeing Duncan’s unfriendly stance towards Buddhism—some Buddhist High Monks declare him as Demon Lord Wu Tian, reincarnation of Demon King Pusune.

Sixty-three days after Later Shu’s demise.

Shortly after Li Yu’s ascension, unrest boiled over in Jiangnan due to minting iron coins, leading to public discontent, bad money driving out good, and impoverishing the people. Soon, uprisings occurred in Jiangnan, initiated by followers of the Ming Sect.

In the same September, Northern Song dispatched envoys to liaise with Southern Tang in joint opposition against Ming.

Duncan’s rise was far too swift.

The conquest too rapid.

Not just these monarchs of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, even Daoist Lingsu was caught off guard; his master had retreated into seclusion after previous combat with the Great Freedom Celestial Demon Lord. While Lingsu sought Daoist sages among famous mountains and rivers, barely finding any, he suddenly heard the news of Later Shu’s demise.