Chapter 451

【Those who are officials must have students all over the world; being a lone minister is the worst choice and will not last long. Congratulations to the host for forming a bond of teacher and student with an Heir; this is a good start to having power over the imperial court.】

【Completing the task "Being a Master," reward settlement in progress.】

【Task rating: B.】

【Obtained 30 achievement points!】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 25】

【Talent: Superb Comprehension, Wisdom Eye, Great Dream Immortal Travel, Demon-Subduing Victory, Innate Immortal-Martial Dao Fetus】

【Cultivation Method: Eternal Evergreen Art】

【Item: Spirit-Ascending Book】

【Achievement: 90/100】

Li Rui looked at the small characters on the panel.

His heart stirred slightly.

One thing is true: being an official is different from walking the Jianghu; it relies on having many people and great influence.

Just like that State Preceptor who has power over the imperial court, he goes to preach every day.

Those who listen to the preaching are the State Preceptor's students.

Now, countless officials in the Yu Kingdom's court consider themselves students of the State Preceptor; that is how the Su Xuan Party came to be.

Being a teacher is the most convenient method, and one that won't be criticized by others.

He is the same.

Since he wants to mix in the imperial court, although he doesn't have the ambition to have power over the imperial court, he must have some reliance and cultivate his own people.

The Annan Marquis Prefecture is strong enough.

Yuan An is also an extremely good younger generation.

Both are excellent choices.

And Yuan Yuan Dingting is extremely special in the court; he does not participate in party strife. Looking at the world, he is already the best ally for Li Rui.

Li Rui stayed in the Marquis Prefecture for only one day.

Then he took Yuan An and Liu Liu Tiezhu back to the Profound Heaven Sect.

Yuan An was no longer an inner disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect; like Liu Liu Tiezhu, he had become Li Rui's attendant.

Ever since returning from Yunzhou.

The number of visiting cards he received had visibly multiplied several times over.

If it weren't for the fact that they couldn't enter the Profound Heaven Sect, Mount Changqing Peak would have been overcrowded long ago.

Another year passed.

During this period.

A major event occurred in the Profound Heaven Sect.

Moving the main peak.

It wasn't changing to another mountain to be the main peak, but the Great True Person Qing Ding used heaven-defying magic power to move a mountain peak over several hundred zhang high by a hundred miles.

Li Rui, as a witness.

Was truly shocked.

The methods of a great cultivator are completely unfathomable.

The main peak was moved.

The layout of the Profound Heaven Sect also changed; Mount Changqing Peak was originally in the best position, but now that the main peak had moved, it had become the most peripheral.

The biggest change was, of course, that the concentration of spiritual energy had clearly decreased.

It went directly from the treatment of an inner disciple to being worse than even an outer disciple.

Regarding this.

Li Rui took it in stride.

Now it was the normal treatment; before, it was actually all extra gain.

As the foundation stabilized.

The relationship between the Profound Heaven Sect and the Yu Kingdom was destined not to be too good, and these would be reflected very directly on the people of Mount Changqing Peak.

Of course.

Moving the main peak couldn't just be to target the officials of the two countries; hearing the old Daoist Daoist Zi Yang say it, it was because the Great True Person Qing Wei wanted to secretly conform to the mysterious Heavenly Dao, which was why he spent such great effort to move the mountain directly.

"Master, a major event happened in the Profound Heaven Sect."

Yuan An said with a grin.

Although he no longer had the status of an inner disciple, he was, after all, the son of the Military Saint; just this point alone made him very popular everywhere.

And ever since the last time.

Yuan An became even more open, and coupled with his generosity, he had very good popularity in the Profound Heaven Sect.

Therefore, he could often obtain some of the latest intelligence.

Li Rui smiled: "Little Tiger, what have you heard this time?"

Ever since taking Yuan An as a disciple, he had no more reservations.

He always called Yuan An by his nickname.

Yuan An: "It's Chang Su Xuan. He went down the mountain to cultivate, but he didn't return for a full year. The Profound Heaven Sect sent people to search but found nothing, until a few days ago, Chang Su Xuan's life tablet shattered."

Li Rui narrowed his eyes slightly.

This person Chang Su Xuan had great fame in the Profound Heaven Sect, and he had naturally heard of him.

Ranked first among the inner disciples.

His own talent was even more excellent; not only did he have a top-grade spiritual root, but he also possessed a special constitution.

He was the disciple most valued by Daoist Su Xuan Yu.

Everyone in the Profound Heaven Sect regarded him as the future pillar of the sect.

Didn't expect that he would actually die young.

Cultivation is just this cruel; it won't care what kind of genius you are. Only those who realize their strength are geniuses.

Everything else is illusory.

Chang Su Xuan is dead, so everything is gone.

Yuan An continued: "I heard that Elder Su Xuan Yu was furious after learning about this and has already sent elders to investigate, swearing to capture the person who killed Chang Su Xuan."

Li Rui nodded.

Within reason.

The Profound Heaven Sect acts domineeringly, half of which is because of that Daoist Su Xuan Yu.

Don't look at Daoist Su Xuan Yu as a fisherman all day; in fact, his temper is extremely irritable. Over the years, quite a few people have been hanged to death on his fishing rod.

Hearing Daoist Daoist Zi Yang say it, it was precisely because Su Xuan Yu had a bad temper that the Great True Person Qing Ding told him to fish to cultivate his character.

Now that his most proud disciple has died for no reason, Daoist Su Xuan Yu naturally wants revenge.

Li Rui: "Little Tiger, the world is chaotic recently; it's better for you to go out less."

"Yes, Master."

Yuan An nodded obediently.

Just as Li Rui said.

The world is indeed chaotic.

Even with the deterrence of the imperial court's thirty-two military garrisons, incidents of cultivators doing evil still occur frequently.

For this reason.

The imperial court has had quite a headache.

The fall of a genius is even more normal.

"Alright, go."

Li Rui waved his hand.

Afterward, he took a letter from his sleeve.

This letter was sent by Tie Kuang.

The letter only mentioned one thing: the figure of the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor had appeared in the Southern Region.

After Tie Kuang helped him forge the Immortal Weapon, he said he was returning to the Divine Weapon Villa, but in fact, he was wandering in the Jianghu.

Li Rui knew.

Tie Kuang had never let go of the hatred in his heart and had always been secretly searching for the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor, trying every possible way to take revenge.

Regarding this.

Li Rui didn't think it was stupid.

Tie Kuang could be persistent for a master who had been dead for who knows how long; it was naturally filial piety and righteousness.

He is a good person.

Worth associating with.

Tie Kuang wrote the letter hoping that he could use the power of the imperial court to help find the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor.

Li Rui had also already let Wei Ming notify the Annan Garrison and specifically sent a letter to the Huaidong Garrison.

The Blood Shadow Old Ancestor was a remnant of the Purple Gold Palace.

He had long been on the Yu Kingdom's wanted list.

The Blood Shadow Old Ancestor had disappeared for several years before, and now he had re-emerged.

He definitely wasn't planning anything good.

If he could manage it, he naturally had to manage it.

If he could help Tie Kuang get his revenge along the way, that would be the best.

"Truly not peaceful."

Li Rui rubbed Tie Kuang's letter, turning it into ashes.

Fortunately, he was in the Profound Heaven Sect.

Peaceful enough.

"You kid actually has some Immortal affinity; a body cultivator actually saw the aura of the Great Dao at the Mid-Stage of Miaoxuan; even the True Monarch didn't have your fortune back then."

In the Grand Void Dao Field, in the room of True Monarch Master Wanshou.

The artifact spirit old man said.

Li Rui asked curiously: "Senior, what kind of Great Dao did the True Monarch comprehend?"

Hearing Li Rui ask this.

A proud expression appeared on the artifact spirit old man's face:

"The True Monarch is named Master Wanshou; what he comprehended was naturally the Dao of Longevity."

Li Rui blinked.

The Below Tongxuan Realm only comprehends a trace of the Great Dao aura to be able to step into the Heavenly Phenomenon; as for comprehending the Great Dao, that is an existence that only Heavenly Phenomenon Realm experts can touch.

The artifact spirit old man saw Li Rui's surprised look and became even more proud.

"Li kid, don't think of the Great Dao as too mysterious; all things can enter the Dao."

"The True Monarch entered the Dao through longevity, so his lifespan is far longer than other Immortal Monarchs. You must be cautious about the choice of the Great Dao, and there is no need to be obsessed with the name; what suits you is the most important."

"The Great Dao does not distinguish between high and low."

"There was once a True Monarch of Hundred Flowers who entered the Dao through flowers; as long as the flowers of the world do not wither, she can always remain at her peak; it was truly incomparably powerful."

The artifact spirit old man spoke endlessly.

But then he smiled again.

"Of course, generally speaking, there is no choice."

"The Great Dao that everyone is to walk is actually destined long ago; just follow fate. Being able to comprehend it is already a great fortune; where would there be a chance to be picky?"

Li Rui listened and pondered secretly.

The artifact spirit old man's words were similar to those of the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha before.

Both said that the choice of the Great Dao must be cautious.

Otherwise, it might involve a struggle of the Great Dao.

Of course.

For the vast majority of cultivators, they have no choice but to struggle.

Struggling for spirit stones, struggling for spirit medicine, and then struggling for the Great Dao.

Cultivation is just like this; one must struggle.

By comparison, Li Rui is already much better off; at least he has a big tree to lean on and doesn't need to worry about resources for the time being.

Li Rui asked the artifact spirit little person many more things about comprehending the Great Dao.

Until the time for the Great Dream Immortal Travel arrived.

Only then did he sit up from the bed, still feeling unsatisfied.

He had benefited a lot last night.

This is the benefit of having someone to lead the way; he is not afraid of walking slowly, only afraid of walking the wrong path. The artifact spirit old man's knowledge far exceeds that of ordinary cultivators; with his guidance, he has always been on the right path.

Li Rui did his morning exercises as usual.

He didn't walk out the door until noon.

Just after staying in the courtyard for a quarter of an hour, he saw the old Daoist Daoist Zi Yang walking in hurriedly.

"Brother Li, there is a matter; you must help me."

Li Rui said unhurriedly: "Brother Daoist Zi Yang, what happened?"

The old Daoist Daoist Zi Yang looked helpless:

"A few days ago, Brother Su Xuan Yu's proud disciple Chang Su Xuan died, and Brother ordered me to investigate. Only after investigating did I discover that the death of Junior Nephew Chang Su Xuan is actually related to that remnant of the Purple Gold Palace, the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor."

"Now that the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor is hiding near the Red River, it is too difficult to find him."

"I heard that Brother Li has quite a friendship with the Red River God; I wonder if you could ask the Red River God to take action?"

Li Rui narrowed his eyes slightly.

Chang Su Xuan's death was actually related to the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor.

He pondered for a moment.

And then nodded.

"Alright, since it concerns that evil villain Blood Shadow Old Ancestor, I should naturally contribute my part."

The Blood Shadow Old Ancestor had tried to take action against him quite a few times.

Before, his strength wasn't enough.

He could only hide.

Now, although he is still not the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor's match, the energy he can mobilize is much greater than before.

And now that the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor wants to kill him, it is not easy.

Rather than waiting for the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor to take action against him.

It is better to take the initiative.

In the middle of the Red River.

On a small island, there is a magnificent palace.

It is the palace of the Red River God.

At this time, the hearty laughter of the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha came from the hall.

"Hahahaha, Little Brother Li, I thought you had forgotten your Frog Brother."

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha looked at Li Rui, filled with joy.

Li Rui: "Frog Brother, I have good news, so I came specifically to tell you."

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha immediately became interested.

It had a very good personal relationship with Li Rui.

One reason is that with Li Rui's help, it sat on the carefree position of Red River God; look at the other two demons who were also the Three Pillars, they both became mounts.

It at least avoided the fate of being ridden by others.

The second is that it thinks highly of Li Rui.

Not only his talent but also his temperament.

It has lived for several hundred years and has seen too many geniuses, but if one wants to realize their talent, one must have sufficient temperament and concentration; otherwise, everything is empty talk.

Li Rui is very good.

Very much to its taste.

In previous years, Li Rui would return to the Red River from time to time, but the number of times he came in recent years had decreased a lot.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha glanced at the old Daoist beside Li Rui: "What good news?"

Li Rui: "The Blood Shadow Old Ancestor has come to the Red River."

Hearing the four words "Blood Shadow Old Ancestor," the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha's expression immediately became solemn.

It defected to the Yu Kingdom.

The Blood Shadow Old Ancestor must be gnashing his teeth at it, thinking about taking its life.

In fact, the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha is the same; it has been secretly sending demon descendants to inquire about the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor's situation all these years.

Rather than waiting for the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor to come and take revenge, it is better to take action in advance.

It's just that the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor has had no news all these years, so it could only give up.

But... the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor coming to the Red River can't be considered good news.

Li Rui continued: "Frog Brother, this is Daoist Daoist Zi Yang from the Profound Heaven Sect. The Blood Shadow Old Ancestor killed Daoist Su Xuan Yu's most proud disciple, and the Profound Heaven Sect also wants the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor's life."

Hearing this.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha's eyes immediately lit up.

The strength of the Profound Heaven Sect is naturally beyond doubt, and that old Daoist Su Xuan Yu indeed has ability.

Although it doesn't fear the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor, it is still too difficult to kill that villain alone.

But if Daoist Su Xuan Yu takes action together, the certainty will be much greater.

What Li Rui brought is indeed good news.

"As expected of my good brother, you think of your Frog Brother in everything."

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha laughed loudly.

Although it also roughly guessed that Li Rui also had the same idea as itself—rather than being retaliated against by the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor, it is better to take the initiative—but the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha still insisted that Li Rui was helping it.

Because it is a certainty that it is the demon the Blood Shadow Old Ancestor hates the most.

Even adding people, it is definitely ranked at the top.

At least it is before Li Rui.

The old Daoist Daoist Zi Yang had not spoken until Li Rui and the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha reached an agreement, and then he spoke: "Lord River God, the Blood Shadow demon is someone everyone should kill; my Profound Heaven Sect is duty-bound. Now that the thief is lurking in the Red River, I hope Lord River God will send his subordinates to search, and when the time comes, my Brother will definitely come to kill that villain together."

When the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha heard this, its mood became even better:

"Rest assured."

As the Red River God, the demon beasts within the ten-thousand-mile Red River water area are all under its jurisdiction.

If there is someone in the Red River that even it cannot find, then no one in the world can find them.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha first ordered its subordinates, and then its big mouth opened.

A miraculous scene appeared.

The surging river water directly outside the island flew backward, appearing like water dragons wandering in front of the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha.

Afterward, the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha shouted "Go."

Those water dragons seemed to truly have intelligence, rushing out of the hall and soaring away.

The River God patrols the river!

Li Rui and Daoist Daoist Zi Yang were both secretly surprised when they saw this move.

The Heavenly Phenomenon Realm is truly unfathomable.

After all, it is an existence that has comprehended the Great Dao.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha is naturally close to water, so what it comprehended was naturally the Great Dao of Water, and it has already gone very far.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been valued by the imperial court and conferred as the Red River God.

Afterward.

Li Rui and Daoist Daoist Zi Yang simply stayed at the River God Hall.

On this day.

"Little Brother Li, there's a little loach who says he's looking for you."

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha came to Li Rui's residence.

"Little loach?"

Li Rui was a bit surprised.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha grinned: "It's the one in the Clear River."

Li Rui was dumbfounded.

Only then did he understand that the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha was talking about the Little White Flood Dragon.

Walking out the door.

Before long, he saw the increasingly heroic Little White Flood Dragon.

"Big Brother!"

The Little White Flood Dragon's eyes lit up when he saw Li Rui.

"Little White, why are you here?"

Li Rui walked to the Little White Flood Dragon with a smile.

The Little White Flood Dragon looked at the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha who appeared with Li Rui and bowed respectfully: "Lord River God."

He is the Clear River God, and the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha is the Red River God.

A full several levels higher.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha is his direct superior.

"Little loach, your news is quite well-informed."

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha said with a smile.

The Little White Flood Dragon laughed continuously.

Li Rui: "Frog Brother, this brother of mine is timid, so don't tease him anymore."

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha laughed even more:

"I knew long ago that you kid had a good relationship with this brother of mine; otherwise, do you think that last time you and the Meihu Lake God fought, I would have insisted on favoring you?"

The Little White Flood Dragon was no longer as unruly as before and laughed: "It's all thanks to the care of you big brothers for this little brother."

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha chatted with Li Rui for a few more sentences.

"By the way, Little Brother Li, there is already news of that old thief Blood Shadow; I will notify you once it is confirmed."

"Alright."

Li Rui nodded.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha is worthy of being the Lord of the Red River; the Profound Heaven Sect searched for so long without any news.

Only a few days had passed and there was already a clue.

Of course.

This also has an inseparable relationship with the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha's Great Dao of Water.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha left.

Only then did the Little White Flood Dragon relax a little.

Not only because the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha is his superior but also because he is of the flood dragon species and is naturally close to water.

Encountering the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha who had comprehended the Great Dao of Water, it was naturally like a mortal meeting an emperor, or even worse; that was the suppression from the Great Dao.

The Little White Flood Dragon smiled:

"Big Brother, I heard you came to the River God Hall, so I wanted to come over and see."

Li Rui chuckled:

"Tell me, who did you offend this time?"

Seeing that he was easily seen through by Li Rui, the Little White Flood Dragon simply stopped hiding it and said with a grin: "As expected of my Big Brother, your judgment of people is accurate."

Seeing the Little White Flood Dragon's shameless look, Li Rui rolled his eyes.

He heard the Little White Flood Dragon say:

"Big Brother, I don't get along with that Meihu Lake God; I was thinking of borrowing Big Brother's prestige to suppress him."

Li Rui didn't blame the Little White Flood Dragon for being reckless but instead praised him: "You are quite clever."

The Little White Flood Dragon is not only not as reckless as before but even knows how to borrow influence.

This is a good thing.

If the Little White Flood Dragon were timid, that would be bad.

It's not scary to cause trouble; the important thing is to know how to solve it.

Li Rui had actually heard about the grudge between the Little White Flood Dragon and the Meihu Lake God long ago.

It wasn't the Little White Flood Dragon's fault.

It was because the Meihu Lake God's backer had a grudge with the Little White Flood Dragon's father, the Old Flood Dragon, so he deliberately targeted him.

And he had also long since figured out the Meihu Lake God's background; behind him was the Huai River God, a third-rank great demon.

Li Rui naturally didn't fear him.

He and the Little White Flood Dragon hadn't not seen each other for years; there was no need for the Little White Flood Dragon to come to the River God Hall to see him, so he had already guessed it when he heard the Little White Flood Dragon was coming.

The Little White Flood Dragon is very smart; he didn't directly trouble Li Rui but relied on Li Rui's reputation to borrow the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha's prestige to suppress the Meihu Lake God.

The brothers under his command only borrowed his name to handle things; he didn't need to take action personally to eliminate future troubles.

Such a worry-free situation is hard to find even with a lantern.

Li Rui: "I won't interfere in your business with that Lake God, but if you suffer a loss, remember to tell me; I, as your Big Brother, cannot let my brother suffer a loss."

The Little White Flood Dragon was immediately happy.

It's great to have such a Big Brother.

"Don't worry, Big Brother, I have a sense of proportion."

Li Rui nodded: "For these few days, just stay with me at the River God Hall."

The Meihu Lake God's backer is only a third-rank.

Although he is also a River God, he cannot be compared with the River God of a great river like the Red River.

Before, the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha already favored the Little White Flood Dragon.

Now that the Little White Flood Dragon has stayed at the River God Hall for several days, as long as that Meihu Lake God isn't dull, he will definitely see the unusual nature of this.

The Meihu Lake God definitely doesn't have the guts to offend the Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha.

Life at the River God Hall is quite good.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha is different from other great demons and loves to enjoy life.

In the River God Hall, it even set up a whole set of ritual and music instruments comparable to the imperial court, hiring highly skilled musicians from Jiangnan to perform.

It was uninterrupted for twelve hours.

Li Rui occasionally went to listen.

Most of the other time, he was cultivating.

He hasn't reached the time to enjoy life yet.

On the path of cultivation, those who are still willing to enjoy life every day are nothing more than two types: either those who have reached the peak and have nowhere to go, or those whose path ahead is broken and whose hope is slim.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha belongs to the latter.

Having reached the Heavenly Phenomenon, wanting to go one step further is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha is probably also disheartened; cultivation is just for the last trace of ethereal opportunity, so it is not very attentive.

By comparison.

Li Rui possesses a peerless constitution and naturally has to be more diligent.

Otherwise, if one is blindly slack, even if the talent is good, it is useless.

On this day.

Just when Li Rui was cultivating.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha sent news.

The Blood Shadow Old Ancestor's location had been found.

(End of chapter)