Chapter 191: The Water God Arrives at Cloud Dream Marsh

Cloud Dream Marsh.

The Four Rivers Eight Streams Water Gods sat together in the main hall; Qi had originally also invited the Western Three Waters Water Gods, but he never expected that they had already attained the Dao and departed.

When Xifang Dalu collapsed, the primordial deities were backlashed by the fate of heaven and earth, and also suffered from calamitous qi and karmic force; most were severely injured.

Amidst the great calamity, if there had been any grudges before, they would inevitably suffer some tribulations.

Many primordial deities voluntarily went to the Return to the Void to slumber; the Western Three Waters Water Gods were a step slow, intending to go to the Return to the Void, but were ambushed midway and killed, their bodies and Dao destroyed.

"This matter is of great importance; how is it that we have not even a hint of news?"

Qi's face was full of disbelief; Jishen and the others were the same, only to see Qixiang bitterly smile and say:

"When I first learned of it, it was the same; at that time, I and Jishen et al. were not in the wilderness, having gone to Chaos."

"Only after the great calamity ended did those I had previously associated with come to visit, and then I learned."

"It just so happened that Qi summoned me, so I did not notify you all, thinking that when we meet I could speak then, which makes no difference."

Qi pondered for a moment and then asked:

"What is the name of your friend, that you know all this information? You should know that I too was in the wilderness at that time, often paying attention to the dragon clan, yet I heard nothing."

Qixiang earnestly explained: "My friend is called Hongyun, who loves to wander in the wilderness, year after year visiting friends and discussing the Dao; this person's reputation in the wilderness is quite great, so I suppose the other great deities also know of him."

"At that time, Hongyun was at the border between east and west, at Zhenyuanzi's place in the Five Manor Temple; this person is also one of the few with great divine abilities between heaven and earth."

"The Three Waters Water Gods were killed near the Five Manor Temple; however, at that time heaven and earth underwent great changes, and they were beings of the west, so there was little transmission."

Jishen also believed Qixiang's words, and said to Qi: "I have also heard of these two; Hongyun's reputation in the wilderness is immense, his friends spread across the five lakes and four seas, he has always been sincere in his dealings, his reputation excellent, so I suppose he would not engage in deceit."

"I also know of Zhenyuanzi of the Five Manor Temple; it is rumored that he holds the Earth Scripture in his hand, which is transformed from the Great Earth Membrane, and there is also a Spiritual Root Ginseng Fruit Tree; this is Hongyun's close friend."

Qi then said: "I do not distrust Jiang Bo; I have also heard of those two, but this news is too shocking, so I inevitably need to ask a few questions."

"I do not know if Hongyun can reveal the identity of the murderer; even if we do not avenge him between us, it would still be wise to take precautions."

Qixiang hesitated for a moment before saying:

"Although Hongyun did not disclose that person's identity, he frankly said that the murderer was someone familiar to him, one of his friends, and a being of the east."

"However, out of consideration for being his friend, he could not reveal the identity, merely vaguely mentioning that the person's Dao Chang is near the Eastern Sea."

Those in the hall remained silent, the Eight Streams Water Gods lowered their gazes; everyone harbored some speculation in their hearts, yet dared not, or were unwilling to accuse.

Jishen looked around the gods, seeing someone avert their gaze, yet having no intention to step forward, he proactively said: "Qi, you actually need not investigate deeply; although we are both earth and water gods, east and west are ultimately different, so detailed inquiry is unnecessary."

Qi tapped his fingertips lightly on the armrest, then explained to Jishen:

"I am not intending to investigate thoroughly, but am considering a few matters; the Three Waters Water Gods are now gone, yet heaven and earth cannot lack them."

"The Western land is likewise part of the wilderness; if the waterways lack a steward, sooner or later they will go awry—losing one primordial deity is trivial, but the impact on Western beings is great."

The Four Rivers Water Gods, upon hearing this, instantly turned their gazes toward Qi, as if they had heard some momentous news.

Bingyi was the first unable to restrain himself, rose and bowed, saying: "What Qi said is indeed correct; I merely do not know what Qi's considerations are on this, but Bingyi will surely support."

Jishen's gaze was burning, yet he spoke no words, as if waiting for the continuation. Huashen likewise eagerly awaited, saying: "Please, Qi, share a bit of your thoughts; since Qi worries for all beings of heaven and earth, surely he will have a fitting solution."

Qixiang no longer had the mind to concern himself with Hongyun's affair; it is now obvious that Qi wishes to divide the Western Three Waters, but aside from Jishen being able to handle it steadily, the rest will likely have to be contested.

Qi suddenly sighed:

"Cloud Dream Marsh penetrates the four regions of the wilderness, linking all the waterways of the world; entering the water from the marsh presents no difficulty."

"But now there is a difficulty: we lack a legitimate cause, so we will inevitably invite gossip, and our reputations among you will suffer."

"Moreover, I still have a difficulty hindering me now; I fear I also lack the energy to manage anything else."

Then Jishen laughed and said: "We Eastern Water Gods are a united body; the worries Qi has must certainly be a concern for the world, and the difficulties Qi faces are naturally also ours to face together."

"Since this concerns the world, how could we let Qi worry alone?"

The crowd immediately chorused: "Exactly, exactly! We are willing to share Qi's worries!"

Qi then smiled brightly and said: "I have a close friend; this matter arose because of him, and this is also the purpose of gathering everyone; the subsequent affairs should be told by him."

"Di Jun, fellow Daoist, now that everyone is assembled, all that remains is for you to step forward."

The words had just fallen when Di Jun walked out from behind the hall, saying: "Di Jun, I greet you all, fellow Daoists."

The crowd was slightly stunned; they also knew who Di Jun was, and that he is one of the few great deities between heaven and earth, yet they did not know why the gathering was related to him.

"We have greeted Di Jun, fellow Daoist."

The crowd rose and bowed, their minds in chaotic speculation, variously guessing Di Jun's purpose.

"I do not know what important matter Di Jun, fellow Daoist, has summoned us to discuss."

As the chief of the Four Rivers, Jishen naturally was the best to ask these questions.

Di Jun laughed and said:

"Indeed so, fellow Daoists; please listen to my words—do you still recall the affair of guiding water to pour back the Undying Volcano?"

The crowd fell into contemplation; guiding water to pour back the Undying Volcano—of course they remembered, after all this is also a rare great event in the wilderness.

What they pondered was why Di Jun would bring up this matter in such a situation, and what connection it might have with them.

Di Jun also did not disturb them; if they are not allowed to figure it out themselves, then achieving today's goal would likely be difficult.

After a while, Jishen's somewhat dry voice was heard, saying: "Di Jun, fellow Daoist, could it be that you intend to plot the yet-unborn Heavenly Realm?"

Although Jishen was asking, he was quite certain that Di Jun's scheme must be the Heavenly Realm.

Only the Heavenly Realm would cause this star deity to invite many water gods here, and still mention the affair of guiding water to pour back the Undying Volcano.

What Di Jun desires is likely to forcibly break open the gates of the Heavenly Realm and seize it.

He also worries that stirring the Weak Water left after the ancient downpour will bring lifelong calamity to the wilderness, entangling cause and effect.

If not so, Jishen truly could not fathom what matter would warrant Di Jun inviting them to Cloud Dream Marsh for discussion.

(End of Chapter)