Chapter 4: The Time River Is Still a River

"I don't think much of it." Mu Yao, the Year Star, twitched his lips; given how seriously Xiang Xuanqing had taken this, the Hong Jun Daoist’s power was likely on par with Yin Yao Luo Hou.

Not to mention whether he can even pinpoint the opponent’s exact location—even if he could, Hong Jun isn’t alone.

Who knows if he’ll summon his allies from Bai Yujing to launch a counter-raid on Taiwei Yuan?

Xiang Xuanqing, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

He regarded Chen Xing, the Supreme Star, with a playful expression: You’ve already provoked Luo Hou—now you’re thinking of targeting Hong Jun?

When the two titans of Hong Huang’s Heaven and Earth take turns “serving” you alone, isn’t that quite the fortune?

"Is it not possible?" Chen Xing, seeing Mu Yao’s lack of support and Xiang Xuanqing and others’ silence, turned his gaze upward to Yue Yao Taiyin, the Supreme Yin Star.

To his surprise, Wang Shu propped her chin on her hand, assuming an air of deep thought—as if genuinely considering the feasibility of this plan.

"If you truly wish to act, I can find you some professional help!"

"????" The deities on either side all turned their heads.

Wait—you have the same idea?

And what do you mean by “professional help”?

Deities who specialize in robbery?

Does such a Dao even exist?

Facing everyone’s confusion, Wang Shu’s eyes curled into a smile, her flawless face radiating mischief.

All saw her gently tap a jade finger on the long table; pure moonlight rippled like water, clouds and mist dispersing layer by layer to reveal an open plain.

"Ten deities dwell in the Grain-Extensive Wild, lying across the path..."

Wang Shu softly recited these words, then abruptly shifted tone, donning a face she deemed fearsome: "They specialize in robbing passing sacred beings!"

The assembly seemed “startled” by her fearsome expression, falling silent.

The entire Taiwei Yuan was unnervingly still.

Several glances met again.

"Do you think those ten deities might be her?" Jin Yao Taibai raised an eyebrow, communicating silently with his gaze.

Ri Yao, the Supreme Sun Star, replied effortlessly with his eyes: "Very likely. Wang Shu only gave us the coordinates of the Grain-Extensive Wild—she didn’t even project their forms."

"This must be hiding something!" Jing Yao’s gaze burned brightly, as if he had uncovered everything.

"Truth revealed!" Mu Yao conveyed his approval with his eyes—though inwardly he was laughing uproariously. Good, everyone thinks the same—I’m relieved now. Wang Shu, forgive me.

"To be fair, Wang Shu’s ten Dao bodies are quite interesting—they’re specifically meant for robbery."

Tu Yao Zhenxing, beside him, was taking notes; he understood the others’ implication and winked back: "Who says otherwise?"

"..."

Watching the two sides exchange glances as if no one else were present, Wang Shu’s elegant forehead twitched with dark veins: "You all have had enough!"

"Those ten deities are not my Dao bodies."

"Alright, we believe you!"

You believe what exactly... Wang Shu’s almond eyes widened slightly; she gave a light huff and offered no further explanation, instead pointing one finger at Xiang Xuanqing.

"I’m merely offering you a viable option. Even if you truly intend to do something dangerous, you’ll have to wait until the next term, won’t you?"

The Lord of Taiwei Yuan has always been rotated, changing every thirty yuan hui. (One yuan hui: 129,600 years.)

Wang Shu’s term had just ended; after this routine meeting, Xiang Xuanqing would assume leadership of Taiwei Yuan.

After waiting thirty yuan hui, Wang Shu had no intention of adding more work to herself: "My main duty this term was to explore and identify problems. Solving and creating problems? That’s better left to Ji Du and Luo Hou!"

Though everyone here used alternate identities to “go online,” after so long together, they all knew each other to some degree. If strength were the measure, Luo Hou, the Hidden Star, was unquestionably first.

After all, He constantly leaps about at the source of the Time River—and the fact that Pan Gu hasn’t casually sent Him packing already speaks volumes.

In everyone’s minds, An Yao Ji Du was simply: steady yet reckless.

When steady, He could handle any situation, making Wang Shu once suspect that, aside from Pan Gu, nothing was beyond Ji Du’s capability;

when reckless, He made even deities tremble, as if He always managed to create grand disturbances at certain moments.

Wang Shu recalled: so far, Taiwei Yuan’s three collective operations had all occurred during Ji Du’s term.

Yet precisely this steady-yet-reckless Ji Du was the most reliable among all eleven stars of Taiwei Yuan!

"Why are you all staring at me?" The sudden attention from everyone left Xiang Xuanqing baffled.

Jin Yao Taibai, cradling his long sword, sighed: "Nothing. Just reflecting."

Ri Yao, the Supreme Sun Star, nodded: "I have great expectations for your upcoming term, my friend."

"Me too! Me too!" Chen Xing raised his hand, but Mu Yao, the Year Star, pressed it down.

Mu Yao glanced at Chen Xing coolly: "Set Hong Jun aside for now—first, think about how to handle Luo Hou."

"Don’t say I didn’t warn you—Luo Hou is returning soon."

"So soon?" Chen Xing instinctively looked at Xiang Xuanqing, who smiled and nodded.

Upon receiving identical confirmation from both sides, Chen Xing finally grew tense. He rose, bowed to all: "Well, I’ve got something urgent—I’ll take my leave. Until next time!"

Then Chen Xing spread his arms, tilted his head back, and slowly fell backward.

*Boom~~*

His entire body dissolved into flowing water, scattering—some toward the earth, some returning to the star-river, some drifting into chaos...

Along every direction each drop of water flowed, a new timeline branched forth.

Countless joyful fish broke free from restraint, freely leaping through every timeline, racing toward the unknown.

"Do you think he can escape?" Jin Yao Taibai watched the scattered water with interest; water, the source of life, could serve as a foundation to create infinite possibilities.

Not to mention, given Chen Xing’s mastery of this path, if Hong Huang’s land ever lost vitality, burying Chen Xing into the earth might yield miraculous results.

"I doubt it," Mu Yao shook his head; with one glance, he had already seen Chen Xing’s countless grim fates.

The scenes at the ends of those countless timelines could easily be compiled into a historical chronicle: *Hong Huang Tragedies: The 36,000 Ways Chen Xing Dies.*

Ri Yao spoke: "It’s unrealistic for him to escape entirely—but even if one drop escapes, that’s enough."

Mu Yao didn’t object; after all, he’d only seen thirty-six thousand possibilities at a glance.

Xiang Xuanqing noticed a stream of water, carrying a small fish, flowing into the Time River.

"A good choice," he nodded.

The Time River is still a river; the water of time is still water.

Chen Xing’s Dao path has broadened.

The author’s previous novel, 2 million words completed, had a rather peculiar tone—friends interested may check it out.

(End of Chapter)