But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 81

Facing the curious gazes of everyone, Xiang Yizhi let go of the last bit of awkwardness in his heart. Having been a ghost for so many years, he was long accustomed to being open and aboveboard; now, there was even less reason to hide anything.

Yuan Ji looked at the mission panel in front of her, which showed the progress had rapidly soared to 60%. A wave of pleasure washed over her. She reached out and poked the system floating before her. “A-Tong, what’s wrong?”

A-Tong let out an angry humph, puffing up its cheeks and deliberately turning its head away from Yuan Ji to show its displeasure.

“A-Tong?” Yuan Ji, puzzled, increased the pressure of her pokes. The semi-transparent system wobbled unsteadily but stubbornly refused to turn around.

A-Tong is angry. A-Tong cannot be coaxed!

A-Tong doesn’t want to talk to Yuan Ji ever again!

It never knew its host could actually create bodies for souls. If it had known earlier, it could have…

A-Tong swallowed the rest of that thought and let out another humph.

Yuan Ji stared at its back for a moment, then suddenly understood. This must be the legendary rebellious phase. Moody and hard to predict. Having reached this enlightenment, Yuan Ji decided to leave the space for A-Tong; perhaps it needed some alone time.

“A-Tong, remember to come back later then.”

With those words, Yuan Ji turned and left gracefully, leaving A-Tong staring after her in disbelief.

Yuan Ji… just left me behind like that?!

A-Tong was instantly overwhelmed by a sour feeling. This system was so heartbroken it flickered on and off, nearly crashing.

It swiftly flew after Yuan Ji, clinging tightly to her shoulder. A-Tong wasn’t so easy to get rid of!

But no sooner had it climbed back onto Yuan Ji’s shoulder than it saw a small, octopus-shaped water orb, azure blue, enveloped by Yuan Ji’s divine power. Inside, golden, flowing light spots swirled continuously with the water currents, stunningly beautiful.

“Yuan Ji, what’s this?” A-Tong’s eyes widened, a thought gradually forming in its mind, the corners of its mouth uncontrollably turning upwards.

Yuan Ji casually lifted the little octopus and offered it to A-Tong. “I just remembered, I probably know a spell to reconstruct physical bodies. I wonder if you, A-Tong, can attach to this.”

“Want to give it a try?”

“Yes!”

Before Yuan Ji could say anything more, A-Tong, its eyes glued to the little octopus, eagerly dove right in.

“Yuan Ji, you’re the best!”

The azure blue little octopus suddenly gained a consciousness that could control it. For a moment, the water rippled, and several octopus legs waved uncontrollably in the air. A closer look revealed its two small eyes now filled with pride and smugness.

“Muahaha! The Great Octopus King is here! You little ghosts, retreat at once!” A-Tong excitedly waved its octopus tentacles towards Xiang Yizhi, but the words that came out were an incomprehensible series of “Squeak squeak squeaks!”

Yet A-Tong didn’t mind at all. Before, only Yuan Ji could see it. Now, for the first time, everyone could see it. Even if it was just a little octopus, it was enough!

As A-Tong chattered away with another stream of gibberish, the expressions on everyone’s faces shifted from initial surprise to curiosity and fondness.

“River God, where did this little octopus come from? It’s so lively!” Ye Wenshu tried to prod a tentacle with a small twig to see what kind of octopus it was, but was met with a large water bubble spat right in his face, drenching him completely.

Ye Wenshu: …

Ye Wenshu immediately threw himself tearfully towards Xiang Yizhi, who now had a physical body. His heart was broken.

“Stop fooling around.” Yuan Ji scooped A-Tong into her palm and looked at everyone. “This is A-Tong.”

Noticing Qi Guan Shang staring thoughtfully at A-Tong, she added, “It’s a spirit pet.”

A-Tong raised a tentacle towards Qi Guan Shang. “Squeak squeak squeak squeak!” I know you, but you don’t know me!

Qi Guan Shang seemed not to hear A-Tong’s squeaks. He looked the little octopus up and down again. After a long moment, seeing it was no different from what he remembered, he withdrew a barely perceptible trace of complexity from his eyes, paused, and said, “Hmm, very cute.”

A-Tong lifted its head proudly. Of course it’s cute! Yuan Ji made this body for me!

With A-Tong causing occasional mischief nearby, the atmosphere in the River God Temple wasn’t so heavy when Xiang Yizhi told everyone how he became a ghost and was trapped in the Valley of Despair, unable to escape.

“You’re saying you were killed by a black mist?” Yuan Ji raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and glanced at Guan Rou nearby.

It seemed too coincidental; Guan Rou was also pursued and attacked by a black mist.

“Perhaps the mastermind behind it is the same person,” Qi Guan Shang added quietly. “Do you have any suspects?”

Xiang Yizhi and Guan Rou looked at each other and said in unison, “Guan Su!”

“It must be him. That guy never liked me from childhood, always setting up obstacles for me.” Recalling the various incidents during his years living with the Guan family, Xiang Yizhi gritted his teeth in anger.

“Uncle shouldn’t have taken him in back then! An ungrateful wretch like that should have been left to fend for himself!”

Xiang Yizhi slammed a fist on the stone table in front of him, his anger so intense it overturned several teacups.

Qi Guan Shang subtly lifted a finger. An invisible stream of air diverted the tea that would have splashed onto Yuan Ji’s skirt, forming a small puddle on the ground instead.

Guan Rou was also flushed with anger, but she still had many concerns. Over the years, the black mist had pursued her many times, and she could clearly sense its strength growing significantly. Several times, she had barely managed to escape.

“If it really is Guan Su, his power is probably… beyond our ability to handle,” Guan Rou detailed her observations on the black mist’s increasing strength.

From initially being like a child throwing stones, to being able to kill with one strike, and now capable of moving mountains and draining seas with a single blow – the rapid growth in power was astounding.

Xiang Yizhi fell silent for a moment, then cursed through gritted teeth, “Who knows how he increased his strength so quickly. Are we just supposed to wait here to be killed?”

For a moment, a stagnant silence spread among everyone.

“How powerful he really is… we’ll know once we fight him.” Yuan Ji tapped the table impatiently with her fingertip. She had never been interested in these complicated, convoluted matters. Rather than shrinking back and waiting, it was better to take the initiative.

Yuan Ji handed the key found on Han Shi to Guan Rou. “By the way, this is the key you were looking for.”

“This key is for a secret realm in the back mountains of the Tianji Sect.” Guan Rou’s eyes lit up, her previous hesitation fading. “Apart from the jade slips, all of our Guan family’s rare treasures, heavenly materials, and earth-grade techniques are there.”

“Back when I was captured and imprisoned in a secret realm, someone demanded I hand over the Guan family’s mechanical arts. Thinking about it now, it must have been Guan Su!” Guan Rou gnashed her teeth. That person used magic to conceal their face, preventing her from seeing their true features. Now it seemed certain it was Guan Su, afraid his deeds would be exposed.

The massacre of the Guan family… it must have been Guan Su’s doing!

Guan Rou’s eyes were instantly bloodshot, hatred filling her pupils completely.

[Ding: Mission progress has reached 80%. Please continue your efforts, Host.]

Yuan Ji’s fingertips lightly stroked the wooden spirit stone, a trace of doubt flashing through her mind.

Besides Guan Su, could there be someone else?

“It seems we need to make another trip to the Tianji Sect.” Yuan Ji quickly gave instructions. The secrets of the Tianji Sect were more numerous than she had thought.

But before they could set off, the Tianji Sect took the initiative first, sending a disciple to them.

This disciple looked young, his features still carrying the immaturity of a youth, but he was brimming with pride and energy when mentioning his sect.

“Senior Brother Ye Xin, if your injuries have healed, you should return to the Tianji Sect soon.” Meng Qi glanced at Ye Xin, whose head was bandaged, a faint trace of contempt unintentionally showing on his face. “The sect is currently holding the Ascension Ceremony and is short-handed.”

Ye Xin curled his lip, disdainful. Now he was under the River God’s command. What did the Tianji Sect matter to him?

He lifted his chin, his face cooling. “It seems the Tianji Sect is really short on people, sending even you, Meng Qi.”

He let out a derisive laugh, watching the changing expressions on the young man’s face, finding it even more amusing. “Why have you come to the River God Temple?”

“You.” Meng Qi gritted his teeth, but remembering his master’s instructions, he suppressed his anger. “Here. An invitation.”

“Hall Master Guan invites the River God to grace us with their presence. You give the invitation to the River God. I won’t go in.” Meng Qi threw his head back, practically aiming his nostrils at Ye Xin.

What’s he so proud about? After I deliver the remaining invitations and return to the Tianji Sect, Master will reward me with a divine pill. Then we’ll see who’s stronger.

“Hmph.” He snorted coldly, transforming into a white beam of light and swiftly departing, without even stepping through the gate of the River God Temple.

In Meng Qi’s view, this suddenly appeared River God Temple was nothing more than a minor, insignificant group. Given the Tianji Sect’s status as the number one sect under heaven, even sending them an invitation was doing them a favor. Why bother with pleasantries?

“Pah, what does he think he is?”

Seeing such disrespect, Ye Xin couldn’t help but curse inwardly. He raised the invitation in his hand, about to feed it to the pitcher plant, when he suddenly remembered that the River God had mentioned wanting to investigate the Tianji Sect again these past few days.

He turned on his heel, immediately purified the invitation with incense at the door, brushed off any dust, ensuring it was perfectly clean, and then presented it to Yuan Ji. “River God, this is an invitation from the Tianji Sect, requesting your presence at the Ascension Ceremony.”

“Ascension Ceremony?”

“The Ascension Ceremony is a grand event held by the Tianji Sect once every thirty years.” Qi Guan Shang approached steadily and explained for Yuan Ji. “At this event, all invited sects can send disciples from their sect to participate in competitions to win the prizes prepared by the Tianji Sect and other sects.”

“The Tianji Sect’s prizes are usually quite substantial, and other sects also prepare corresponding rewards. Therefore, many people participate in each Ascension Ceremony.”

“Scholar Qi Guan, you certainly know a lot.” Ye Xin exclaimed in admiration, adding, “Originally, the Ascension Ceremony was supposed to be held next year. I don’t know why they’re holding it this year instead.”

Yuan Ji examined the invitation carefully. Reading the high-sounding words on it, she tossed it aside with some amusement.

“Naturally, it’s for the sake of our River God Temple.”

“River God! Then we definitely mustn’t go!” Ye Xin cried out in alarm.

Qi Guan Shang picked up a teacup and calmly poured two cups of clear tea, placing one in front of Yuan Ji. “If we don’t go, wouldn’t the good show they’ve set up for us go to waste?”

“Of course we’ll go.” Yuan Ji took a small sip of the tea. The slightly bitter tea leaves left a sweet aftertaste, quite unique. “And we’ll take first place.”

Ye Xin listened to their meaningful words, lamenting his own slow-wittedness for not fully understanding. He swallowed and tentatively asked:

“Then, River God, who did you plan to send to compete?”

Yuan Ji pondered for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the eager faces before her, finally landing on a little octopus playing a game of statue with its own feet.

“Let A-Tong go.”

“What!!” Everyone was shocked.

A-Tong: Squeak squeak squeak!!