The Eternal Way

The most commonly worshipped deities were those of the heavens, earth, and water.

The deity of the heavens was responsible for the four seasons, while those of earth and water included local mountain gods, land spirits, and river deities, all falling under the category of earth deities.

These elements—seasons, mountains, and waters—were essential for the survival and livelihood of all living beings. Without them, humans could not exist or thrive, thus instilling a deep sense of reverence and devotion among people.

As recorded in the book "Wu", "Burn offerings to the heavens, ascend sacrifices to mountains and hills, submerge offerings into rivers, and bury sacrifices into the earth."

Water is likened to the blood circulating through the veins of the earth. It is the standard for all things, the essence of life, and the foundation of right and wrong. Therefore, there is nothing it cannot fill, no place it cannot dwell. It gathers between heaven and earth, hidden within all things, born from metals and stones, yet permeates all living beings. Thus, it carries out a function akin to the blood of the earth.

This nature of water defines the characteristics of water deities.

Water deities are responsible for transporting the sustenance between heaven and earth, like blood vessels regulating the energies of different places to maintain the vitality of both realms.

These teachings are detailed in the book "Wu".

Li Qi understood this to mean that the water cycle is crucial—a principle applicable in both worlds.

Therefore, when worshipping water deities, one should praise water's role in carrying away stale energy and bringing in fresh energy, enabling the continuous operation of all things.

Li Qi's arranged ceremony followed this principle.

Fish-skin drums were beaten, ten men sang praises loudly, and Li Qi, as a Zhu person, presented his blessings and presided over the ritual.

Passersby who happened upon the scene were curious; some stopped to watch, while others glanced as they passed by.

Li Qi paid them no mind, focusing on conducting the ritual.

Incense was lit.

Fish-skin drums were struck.

Paper boats laden with offerings were released into the river—one with meat, another with gold, a third with horsehair, a fourth with yellow wine, and finally, a fifth with a lit white candle, guiding the offerings into the river.

White candles were expensive, costing a hundred qian each.

Handing them over pained Li Qi deeply, but he couldn't show it.

Once everything was completed, ensuring the progress bar of the ritual reached 100%, Li Qi remained vigilant throughout. This small-scale ritual had cost him over three thousand qian, including the two thousand three hundred qian for materials and labor, plus the thousand-qian piece of gold.

After confirming everything was done, Li Qi drank the portion of wine reserved for Zhu people.

Closing his eyes, he began to channel the unique techniques of a Zhu person.

Yes, such rituals alone had no effect—they were merely offerings to the deities.

But Zhu people were not mere servants of the gods.

Having read nearly 3% of the book "Wu", Li Qi had deeply understood this point.

Zhu people were intermediaries who negotiated with the gods, brokers between divine beings, and bridges facilitating communication between humans and deities through rituals, using them as means of dialogue and exchange.

The Zhu people of Wu Deity Mountain were never servants of the gods and would not engage in pure sacrifice.

Drinking the second cup of wine, with the drumbeat echoing, he opened his eyes wide, watching the paper boats.

Suddenly, a small whirlpool appeared in the river.

This water vortex swallowed the paper boat with the candle first, then the other four boats, gradually pulling them in.

Some onlookers eyed the gold greedily.

Others mocked Li Qi, calling him a fool for throwing gold into the river.

Some even jumped into the river, attempting to retrieve the gold.

After all, this was a public ritual by the Li River, conducted for personal reasons rather than officially sanctioned, so it was normal for ignorant bystanders to gather.

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Through the ceremony, Li Qi hoped to establish a connection with the deity of the Li River, seeking to cleanse the cursed gold and ensure its negative effects were neutralized. By offering valuable items and performing the ritual correctly, he aimed to negotiate with the deity, ensuring the safety and prosperity of himself and Shen Shuibei.

The ritual concluded with the offerings being consumed by the whirlpool, symbolizing acceptance by the deity. As the final boat disappeared beneath the surface, Li Qi felt a weight lift off his shoulders, confident that the curse had been lifted.

With the ritual complete, Li Qi prepared to return to Shen Shuibei and Old Horse, ready to continue their journey with renewed vigor and peace of mind.

Li Qi paid no attention to the onlookers but watched as the paper boats were swallowed by the vortex. He then drank the third and final cup of wine.

*Bam.*

*Bam.*

*Bam—!*

Three consecutive drumbeats echoed, struck by the laborers he had hired.

As the fish-skin drums resounded, Li Qi suddenly felt a stirring within his body—the internal energy cultivated from the Carp Flow Intent!

He seemed to have established a subtle connection with the river before him.

Guided by this sensation, he stepped forward and leaped into the water.

Upon entering the river, it felt like stepping through a portal.

In an instant, the world transformed!

The surface of the river was no longer the familiar channel of Yixian County.

Beneath the surface, there was no longer any mud or silt.

Instead, countless palaces stretched from the depths to the surface, piercing the sky. Above the sky, it appeared as if it were still water—an endless expanse enveloping this realm.

Golden and silver palaces glittered before his eyes, adorned with coral branches, pearl flowers, jade flowers, and agate flowers, dazzling in their splendor. Despite being underwater, towering pavilions rose layer upon layer, extending infinitely, with windows and railings encrusted with gems that shone in vibrant colors. Pearls and jewels displayed their unique brilliance.

Islands and green landscapes reflected in the water, more beautiful than any earthly painting could capture. Various colorful fish swam gracefully, creating a breathtaking scene that one could hardly take in at a glance.

Even as a modern person, Li Qi had never witnessed such opulence!

What was this place?

Qinghua Palace?

A passage immediately came to mind, something Shen Shuibei had mentioned about Mount Luofu.

"Mount Luofu is located within a grotto-heaven. The Dao is inherently formless, emerging from the void and manifesting into substance. It originates from the primordial chaos, taking shape through the transformation of qi. Its essence and image become evident, establishing palaces in clear landscapes and opening caves within famous mountains. The layers of heaven are complex, with varied appearances, entirely different from the mortal world."

This place gave him a complete sense of being in a celestial realm rather than the human world.

It reminded him of the invocation he had recited earlier, mentioning Qinghua Palace and the deity of the Li River.

Could this be Qinghua Palace?

However, before he could fully appreciate the scene, a shooting star fell from the sky.

It struck him squarely.

Li Qi had no time to react; he hadn't even noticed it!

Struck, he felt a sudden dizziness and instinctively swam towards the surface.

"Huff—" He emerged from the water, finding himself back in the river of Yixian County.

The dreamlike scene vanished like an illusion.

But Li Qi let out a long sigh of relief.

He knew it wasn't an illusion.

Within his body, thirty pure strands of water qi were now circulating along with his vital and defensive qi.

The ritual was complete!

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Li Qi's successful completion of the ritual marked a significant milestone. Not only had he managed to cleanse the cursed gold, but he also experienced a profound connection with the deity of the Li River. The influx of pure water qi into his system indicated a substantial gain in power and potential, further solidifying his status as a Zhu person capable of negotiating with deities. 

With renewed confidence, Li Qi prepared to return to Shen Shuibei and Old Horse, ready to continue their journey with newfound strength and assurance. The experience had not only deepened his understanding of the spiritual realm but also opened up new possibilities for his future endeavors.