Chapter 295: Just Go With the Flow

King Yan waved his hand: "Then I'll go find the Daoist sect sages first; you handle the affairs yourselves."

"Alright…"

Seeing that King Yan's mind was made up, the Ox‑Head and Horse‑Face dared not say much more.

However, the sages are still relatively easy to deal with; under normal circumstances they won't proactively break the rules.

When they act, they usually wait until you notice the other party's intent, then you realize you've been counted among the sages.

So whether you look for them or not isn't important; the key is the sages' attitude.

After a short while.

The newly appointed King Yan appeared in the mortal world, intending to treat this as a business trip and consult local leaders on how to handle it.

But before he had taken two steps, a few yellow‑robed monks suddenly stood beside the new King Yan, while the surrounding pedestrians stared indifferently.

"Who are you…?"

"I am a junior monk from the Western Pure Land; the Great Compassionate Buddha sits in meditation, Yuanjue, and has seen King Yan."

The new King Yan was startled: "Are you… disciples of the Buddha?"

"Yes, the Buddha foresaw King Yan's mortal‑world inspection and sent us ahead to extend an invitation…"

"Hey, you bald donkeys, the King Yan isn't here to find you; why are you still hijacking the Dao? Have some shame?!" a white‑robed Daoist shouted, stepping between them.

The new King Yan froze, sensing a faint sage aura on the newcomer and guessed his identity.

The monks glanced, immediately clasped their hands and saluted: "So it's the Daoist Heaven's Pride, Li Ruo‑yi, Li Jushi, long time no see."

"It's you, Yuanjue, I've been itching all over lately and need someone to spar with. We happen to meet today, so let's test each other. Should I take on you all, or should you all take on me alone?" Li Ruo‑yi said, pinching his fingers and smiling.

Yuanjue smiled: "Let's postpone the sparring until later. Since you, Li Jushi, are like this, the monks won't stay long; we still hope the King Yan will honor us by visiting the Western Pure Land— the Buddha is waiting for you."

"I… I will definitely go." the new King Yan forced an awkward smile.

"Humph!" Li Ruo‑yi's face darkened as he snorted.

Watching the monks leave, Li Ruo‑yi glanced at the new King Yan a few times and asked curiously: "Your reincarnation cultivation is weak; why have you only just reached the Foundation Establishment stage?"

"Huh?! Can Li Tianjiao tell?"

"Hmm, my master said your destiny is auspicious; I agree it's auspicious. Why not switch to cultivating destiny instead?" Li Ruo‑yi finished, waved his hand and vanished with the new King Yan from the spot.

Before the new King Yan could react, he found himself atop an ordinary hill.

"This is…?"

"Zhong Tian Zhi Yu, within the Wan Hua Tian Di Dao, one of the ten great Daoist sects. My master is a guest here, in the Daoist temple ahead."

"Huh? I thought that person was in Nan Ting Mountain Region—how…?"

Li Ruo‑yi's face darkened: "King Yan, it's better not to pry any further."

"Hm?"

"Does this again touch the sages' secrecy?"

Li Ruo‑yi led the new King Yan into the temple, where a white‑haired old Daoist in a yellow robe sat silently before the faceless Dao Ancestor statue.

The yellow‑robed Daoist emitted no aura, but the new King Yan swallowed, trembling, and quickly clasped his hands: "I, the newly appointed King of the Underworld, pay respects to Su Tian Sage."

"King Yan, no need for formalities, have a seat."

The yellow‑robed Daoist turned his back to the King Yan, who sat down and suddenly felt a meditation cushion beneath his bottom, yet he dared not ask further, only saying:

"Su Tian Sage, regarding the lost Nether Realm matter, what do you think…?"

"I'd love to help, but the Underworld is being rebuilt; we must first restore the reincarnation order. As for the one in the Western Pure Land, that's the same story; you needn't worry."

"Oh, I mean…?"

"If King Yan is ready, the merging of the lost Nether Realm into one, we old bones will naturally lend a hand."

"Thank you, Sage!"

The new King Yan hesitated a moment, then couldn't help asking: "Su Tian Sage, my mind… occasionally spouts incomprehensible techniques… this…?"

"That's the destiny of a King Yan; those favored by Heaven are alike. You needn't mind—fate is fickle yet fixed; let everything follow its natural course."

The new King Yan exhaled.

He thought that since even Li Ruo‑yi couldn't be fooled by his modest cultivation, his very title of King Yan was unfit.

Yet he sat on the throne of King Yan—wasn't that a cuckoo taking over a magpie's nest?

Everything owed to the occasional voices in his head and the rewards he received—mysterious origins. Since the sages could see it, he wanted to ask about its source.

"But…"

"It seems the sages have already spoken clearly."

"Thank you, Sage; I have no further questions."

"Go then."

"Yes!"

As the new King Yan left, Li Ruo‑yi stood at the doorway, puzzled: "Master, why did you say those things to the King Yan?"

"He feels uneasy inside, so he can't accept it. Yet destiny's favor is unreasonable, just as Heaven's will—who can truly know?"

"Then what are you afraid of? Still have to run to this Zhong Tian Zhi Yu?"

"Humph! Is this fear? It's a tactical relocation to avoid…"

As they spoke, Su Tian Sage and Li Ruo‑yi's expressions changed!

Li Ruo‑yi hurriedly bowed, clasping his hands, unwilling to look at the shabby figure passing before him.

"Avoid what? Are you scared I'll cause you trouble?"

Su Tian Sage inhaled deeply, stood, turned, and clasped his hands: "Really, Daoist, why did you run here?"

"I go wherever I want; can you control me?"

"Well… didn't you yourself say you still have to watch the human‑path development in Nan Ting Mountain Region?"

"Oh, also." The sloppy Taoist turned and left.

Su Tian Sage let out a breath of relief.

"Oh right, regarding the Youming Jie affair, none of you can interfere. Tell your little gang clearly, this is what I say when I'm sober; if you try to pull any tricks while I'm crazy, don't later say I'm unreasonable—I'm actually the most reasonable person."

Su Tian Sage's face stiffened, and he clasped his hands, saying: "I understand."

After the sloppy old Taoist completely disappeared, Li Ruoyi took a deep breath: "I told you, Master still had to come here—this isn't just adding chaos to Zhong Tian Zhi Yu, is it?!"

"Hmph! He's only been arrogant for these few years; once we find a way to break through, we'll definitely take him down!" Su Tian Sage said, face dark, unwilling.

Li Ruoyi opened his mouth wide, immediately knelt on the ground, and kowtowed, saying:

"Master, stop bragging; I, your disciple, haven't had enough life yet."

"What do you mean?"

"Not even slapping you is considered restrained; you really shouldn't court death."

"You wretched disciple! Get lost!"

"Alright!"

Li Ruoyi hurriedly ran away, looking as if he feared being implicated.

Su Tian Sage, helpless, gazing at the formless Dao Ancestor's image, couldn't help but shed tears of old age.

"Dao Ancestor, the cultivators of the Five Domains have suffered for so long; please, take him in!!"