Chapter 357: A New Special Mission
The Other Mountain Stone specialized in offense—it could strike anything under heaven, ensuring an inevitable hit. The defensive functions of the Four Seas Dragon Orbs were useless against it.
Though the Four Seas Dragon Orbs possessed formidable defensive capabilities, they couldn’t block every attack. The Other Mountain Stone involved principles of natural law, and its forging methods surpassed those of the Four Seas Dragon Orbs.
Meanwhile, the Desolate Heaven Halberd was indestructible. The Other Mountain Stone’s guaranteed hit attribute had no effect on it, making the halberd its natural nemesis. It was only natural that both weapons wanted to dominate each other.
Logically, the Four Seas Dragon Orbs should counter the Desolate Heaven Halberd. Once the orbs developed sentience, no attack below immortal level could breach their defense. Even if a Tribulation Transcendence Stage cultivator wielded the Desolate Heaven Halberd, they couldn’t break through the orbs’ protection.
But unfortunately for the orbs, the halberd’s master was Jiang Li. When Jiang Li swung the halberd, no amount of defense could withstand it.
“Did you come here because you’ve taken a liking to someone?” Island Master Mo’s suspicion wasn’t unfounded. As a righteous gentleman, Jiang Li wouldn’t attend the all-female Shangsi Festival just to peep. The only plausible explanation was romantic interest.
Jiang Li shook his head. “I’m just concerned about Jingxin.”
This wasn’t entirely untrue. Since the Mortal World Celestial was attending, Holy Maiden Jingxin would surely follow. Jiang Li worried Jingxin couldn’t restrain the celestial’s behavior, hence his presence at Penglai Immortal Isle.
Island Master Mo nodded knowingly, surprised Jiang Li had finally developed romantic inclinations. Yu Yin noticed her misunderstanding from the expression alone.
“Please don’t disclose my presence here,” Jiang Li requested.
“Of course, of course,” Island Master Mo agreed readily. “We’re already fortunate you’re not upset about the event themed around you. Why would we spread word of your visit?”
Jiang Li smiled. “Actually, such events are good—they help me understand myself better.”
The Q&A session grew increasingly intense, with increasingly bizarre questions emerging. Jiang Li realized he could only answer about ten percent of them.
Holy Maiden Jingxin surpassed all others to claim first place. The cheating golden-eyed Baixue Ling took second, Meng Youyou third, and the Bodhisattva of Joy fourth.
“Congratulations on your prize,” Island Master Mo announced while presenting the awards.
“Could you say that again?” Jingxin requested.
Though puzzled, Island Master Mo complied: “Congratulations on your prize.”
Jingxin beamed with joy—the phrase sounded remarkably similar to “Congratulations on getting Jiang Li.”
She accepted The Unknown Human Sovereign Jiang as if it were priceless treasure, while merely pocketing the six-thousand-year-old Tribulation Transcendence cultivator’s cultivation notes for later reading.
Runner-ups received participation prizes—water cups identical to Jiang Li’s. Jiang Li himself didn’t even remember using such a cup. Having practiced inedia for over four centuries, he never drank water, and even during occasional feasts never needed a special cup. This was likely from his pre-inedia days.
“I’m surprised you answered all those questions correctly,” Jiang Li congratulated Jingxin.
Too shy to respond, she hid her blushing face behind the book.
“Did you enjoy yourself, Celestial?” Jiang Li asked the Mortal World Celestial.
“Mmm.” Even through her veil, Jiang Li could sense her happiness.
The celestial was genuinely delighted. While others envied the Red Dust Pure Land as a female cultivator’s paradise, she found the outside world far more exciting. Though pleasant, the pure land lacked vitality and felt monotonous.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Jiang Li escorted both the celestial and Jingxin back to Red Dust Pure Land.
Yu Yin returned to the Tianyuan Dynasty, kicked the Wishful Gourd out of her chambers, locked the door, and settled down with a book purchased from a stall, savoring this peaceful moment.
The golden-eyed Baixue Ling returned to the Baize Dynasty.
“Disgraceful! Couldn’t even find the answers!”
“Pathetic! Couldn’t even copy properly!”
“Don’t ever say you’re me!”
“Don’t ever say you’re me!”
The golden-eyed Baixue Ling and the real Baixue Ling exchanged accusations.
“My fault? Some questions were obviously from Yu Yin! ‘What’s Jiang Li’s sleeping posture?’ Who would know that? Jiang Li isn’t like Zhang Konghu—he hasn’t slept in centuries!”
“Probably only Yu Yin, Bai Hongtu, Ji Zhi, and Holy Maiden Jingxin would know…”
[…]
[System Notification: You witness a cultivator abusing power—galloping carriages through crowded streets, kidnapping women, collecting taxes centuries in advance. The people suffer greatly. A noodle stall overturns, nearly crushing an elderly patron. You rescue the old man and confront the bully cultivator. Unknown to you, this old man is actually the current Human Sovereign, Lu Yu.]
[Quest: Earn praise from the current Human Sovereign]
[This quest can be abandoned]
[Reward: Unlock special mission]
Jiang Li recognized the scenario—the bullying cultivator must be Ye Ming, son of Tianxing City’s mayor under the Martial Emperor’s regime. Relying on his Divine Transformation Stage father, Ye Ming toyed with lives daily in Tianxing City.
The system apparently wanted him to punish Ye Ming and gain Lu Yu’s favor. However, unlike the system’s description, Jiang Li had already met the Human Sovereign long before.
The roadside noodle stall was a time-honored establishment with authentic flavors. While eating there once, Jiang Li coincidentally shared a table with Lu Yu, even generously offering him some garlic.
When Ye Ming rampaged through the market with his carriage, before Jiang Li could act, Lu Yu had already restrained both Ye Ming and his father pending punishment. Investigation revealed their numerous crimes, prompting Lu Yu to execute them in righteous fury.
Jiang Li’s only contribution was serving tea to calm Lu Yu down. The Human Sovereign developed the mistaken impression that Jiang Li was a good boy—a misconception that persisted until Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu took the Human Sovereign candidacy tests together. Lu Yu was utterly dismayed, making Commander Liu suspect Commander Huang’s emotion-affecting techniques had reached Tribulation Transcendence levels.
“Unlock a special mission?” This was Jiang Li’s third special mission. The first, “Traces of the Immortal Realm,” failed due to incomplete prerequisites. The second, “Finding Celestial Ladder Fragments,” remained ongoing. He wondered what the third would be.
Jiang Li produced a small mirror: “You’re amazing.” Earning the current Human Sovereign’s praise was easier than defeating Outer Realm Demons.
[Quest Complete]
[Special Mission Unlocked: Path of the Human Sovereign]
[This mission will help you overcome all obstacles to become the revered Human Sovereign]
Jiang Li: “What’s my current identity?”
[Current Human Sovereign]
“What does the special mission ‘Path of the Human Sovereign’ do?”
[Helps you become Human Sovereign]
“What’s my identity?”
[Current Human Sovereign]
“What does…”
[Current Human Sovereign. Helps you become Human Sovereign]
Jiang Li: “……”
This dialogue felt eerily familiar—just like when he first obtained the system.