Chapter 1: Overnight Became a Landlord

  On a towering mountain that pierced the clouds, misty vapors lingered, and cranes cried out while monkeys wailed. In the midst of the deep and serene cloud and mist, ancient trees hundreds of feet tall would occasionally emerge from the void, or exquisite pavilions stood at precipitous locations. Below, birds chirped and flowers fragranced, green rocks paved the road, brooks babbled, humans and beasts lived in harmony, forming a paradise on earth, a heavenly realm among men.

  This is Tongyuan Mountain, one of the ten thousand great mountains in the northwest of Jambudvipa.

  Since Pangu opened up the sky and earth, heaven has been divided into thirty-three layers. The six heavens above are where the immortals and Buddhas live, while the six heavens below are where those who cultivate immortality and seek the Tao reside. Tongyuan Mountain is located in the second layer of the Six Desire Heavens, namely Dalitian Heaven.

  Since the Xian tribe ruled the Three Realms, all living beings have taken becoming an immortal and a Buddha as their life's struggle goal. Therefore, there are countless Xian schools led by the four major sects of Tongyuan Gate, Shushan, Puti Cave, and Penglai Island established in Liuyutian. Most of them ferry across all living beings and help ordinary people with spiritual roots to become immortals and achieve their way.

  Cultivating immortality was originally a dull and tasteless path, but twenty years ago, a purple aura descended, and from then on, Tongyuan Gate added a lot of fun. The story begins here.

  On top of Tongyuan Mountain, in the midst of thick fog, a black dot suddenly appeared and rapidly enlarged. In an instant, an object shot up from the ground into mid-air.

  "Oh yeah——"

  Upon closer inspection, he was a handsome young man with a clear and elegant brow. He was treading on a cloud, practicing the art of flight. This person was none other than Li Mu, the embodiment of joy from the Tongyuan Gate, the incarnation of purple energy, and the most beloved disciple of the Great Immortal Tongyuan.

  "Li Shidi is indeed a person valued by his master, with a high level of spiritual awareness that's frightening. On the ground, the Tongyuan Gate disciples looked up at Li Mu in mid-air with envy as he flew freely."

  "Yes, Li Shidi learned from Xiangyun for just a year and was able to master it like this, we can't keep up."

  There are many varieties of auspicious cloud techniques, and people who cultivate the Tao often rely on magical artifacts, which is also the lowest level. Slightly higher-level ones can drive auspicious clouds. Cultivators can condense auspicious clouds at any time, ride the wind and clouds in the nine heavens. The highest level is the extremely fast tendon cloud. This method is not something that everyone can learn, but rather relies on one's own understanding and wisdom.

  Two people were talking when Li Mu suddenly disappeared from mid-air, leaving behind a auspicious cloud rushing towards the two. The two had grown up watching Li Mu and knew that he was notorious for causing trouble. The entire Tongyuan Gate, including the Tongyuan Great Immortal, had been fooled by Li Mu before. Seeing the rapidly approaching auspicious cloud, the two were frightened and dropped their brooms, scattering in all directions as they shouted: "Junior brother, stop messing around, it hurts when you hit people!"

  Both of them thought Li Mu was still hiding in the auspicious cloud, and they focused all their attention on the auspicious cloud. They never thought that Li Mu had used his shadow clone technique and had already descended to the ground.

  "Set!"

  Li Mu pointed with one hand, and the two disciples were caught off guard by his immobilizing spell. Li Mu controlled the auspicious cloud, quickly wrapping up the two disciples and lifting them into mid-air. Although they had been on the mountain for a longer time than Li Mu, their innate abilities were limited, and their magic was inferior to Li Mu's. The two of them let out a long "Ah——" cry, their foreheads and temples already drenched with sweat.

  Xiangyun sent them into the air, then suddenly accelerated downwards. The two Tongyuanmen disciples who had been immobilized by a spell were like two stiff stones, falling faster and faster. Terror crawled all over their faces, and their screams pierced the clouds. Falling from hundreds of feet in the air, they still didn't splatter into pulp.

  Their falling speed got faster and faster, but Li Mufen didn't have the slightest worry, instead he jumped onto a big tree's branch and sat down, taking great delight in it, getting more and more excited.

  Falling to a distance of only three feet from the ground, both disciples thought they were dead this time. Suddenly, two auspicious clouds condensed under their bodies, holding them up hard. The huge impact force pressed down a section of the thick auspicious cloud, finally stopping on the ground.

  "Open." Li Mu muttered an incantation and pointed at the two of them with his finger, lifting the immobilization spell that had been cast on them.

  The two of them looked as if they had just walked out of a steamer, with sweat dripping all over their bodies. The petrifying spell was lifted, and they immediately collapsed to the ground, their mouths twitching, saliva flowing uncontrollably from the corners of their mouths, looking like they were so scared that their bodies couldn't take care of themselves.

  Li Mu's mouth slightly curled up, and he jumped down from the tree, lightly landing on the ground. He walked to the two disciples in front of him, faintly smiling: "Two senior brothers, thank you for your help, my Auspicious Cloud Technique has already been greatly successful, haha..." After speaking, he ignored the two and shook his head, preparing to leave. Everyone is a cultivator, if they can't even withstand this little fright, it's better to go down the mountain early, lest they lose the face of Tongyuan Great Immortal.

  "Junior brother, you're teasing people again." At this time, a solemn and serious voice called out to Li Mu. Li Mu awkwardly stopped in his tracks, slowly turned his head to look at the speaker, and with a sly glint in his eye, argued: "No way, I'm just practicing the Auspicious Cloud Technique that Master taught me. These two senior brothers are helping me out of kindness, right?" At this time, those two were still dazed and didn't know what Li Mu was talking about, they simply nodded mechanically.

  Zhong Dashan could only shake his head and let it go, as he had been played by Li Mu before. He remembered the purpose of his visit and said, "The master is looking for you, hurry up."

  "Master!" Li Mu was taken aback, thinking to himself: Could it be that Master knows I've mastered the Cloud Escapade Technique and wants me to learn a new spell? His heart racing with excitement, he bowed his hands towards Zhong Dashan and said gratefully, "Thank you, Big Brother Master." Having spoken, he hastily summoned a cloud and quickly flew towards the summit of Tongyuan Peak.

  "Qingyuan Hall" is the most sacred place in Tongyuan Gate, and it is also where Tongyuan Daxian cultivates and practices Taoism. Tongyuan Gate has been established for thousands of years, with countless disciples under its umbrella. Until today, many disciples want to catch a glimpse of Tongyuan Daxian, but it's like grasping at clouds. For example, the two disciples who were just tricked by Li Musu have never seen Tongyuan Daxian before, let alone received his teachings.

  Even the unconventional Li Mu becomes dignified when arriving at the Qingyuan Hall. Jumping down from the auspicious clouds, he proceeds with caution and humility.

  From a distance, he asked about the fragrance of a refined scent. Li Mu knew that it was the smell from the dan furnace. The better the smell, the higher the quality of the elixir being refined.

  "Master, disciple Li Mu pays his respects." Standing in front of the door, Li Mu bowed respectfully.

  "Come in." A low and steady voice came from inside. Just by listening to the sound, it was clear that the master's age was not young.

  Thinking that the master was going to teach him new magic, Li Mu was overjoyed and quietly pushed open the door and walked in. Then he gently closed the door behind him. "Master." Li Mu passed through two rooms and came to where Tongyuan Daxian was meditating, standing respectfully in front of an old man in a gray robe. The old man had a gray robe and silver whiskers, with hair as white as snow and a face as youthful as a child, his sparkling eyes full of spirit, as if he were still in the prime of life, without any signs of aging.

  Tongyuan Dasheng slowly opened his eyes, doting on Li Mu, and after a moment, he said slowly: "Mu'er, how are the immortal methods I taught you?"

  Li Mu's mouth slightly curved upwards, proudly saying: "The 36 transformations technique, flying technique, five elements escape technique, demon-subduing technique, thunder and fire control technique, wind and rain borrowing technique have all been mastered. Master, do you want to teach me new immortal methods?" Li Mu had an expectant face, having learned new immortal methods, he could change his ways again to tease people.

  "Patience, patience," said Tongyuan Daxian with a faint smile. "Your master has a task for you; you can learn later when you return."

  "Mission! What mission?" Li Mu looked at Tongyuan Daxian in surprise. Although he had been studying Taoist magic for over a decade, he had never left Tongyuan Mountain before. Often, his senior fellow disciples would receive tasks assigned by their master and go out to gain experience. After returning, they would tell him about the wonders of the outside world. Li Mu had always yearned for and expected this, but didn't think it would happen today.

  "On the coast of the East Sea, inside Li Lake, there is a Pi Xie that has been wreaking havoc on humanity, committing all sorts of evil deeds. The Master orders you to go and eliminate this scourge for the people. This is your first mission, which must be completed independently by yourself."

  Tongyuan Daxian gazed at Li Mu with a worried expression, "Mu Er, you don't understand the outside world. Your master has some advice for you, remember them well: Firstly, the outside world is full of temptations, you must restrain yourself and not be greedy. Secondly, in this world, all things are interconnected, there are many demons and monsters stronger than your magic, you cannot act recklessly, complete your task quickly and return."

  Li Mu nodded and replied honestly: "Yes, disciple obeys your teachings."

  "I'll give you two magical artifacts, ordinary demons are no match for you." With that, Tongyuan Daxian took out two magical artifacts from the Qiankun bag, "The Purple Crystal Armor can protect you from harm, and the Qiankun Spear can help you slay demons and exorcise evil. Take them."

  To be honest, Tongyuan Daxian was very worried about Li Mu going to practice alone. But he knew that in order to truly grow, he had to rely on himself. So he had no choice but to steel his heart and let him go practice alone. All he could do was try to make Li Mu's journey easier and give him a good start.

  With great expectation, the excited mood came down from the peak and met several senior brothers who were training new disciples below. Zhong Dashan saw the Qiankun gun in Li Mu's hand and exclaimed: "Younger brother, Master has passed on the Qiankun gun to you, I'm afraid it's time for you to go out and gain experience."

  "Haha." Li Mu smiled, proudly looking at his disciples. Being able to go out and gain experience meant that they already possessed a certain level of strength. This was indeed something worth being proud of.

  Li Mu was silent, and this powerful senior brother had no news. Zhong Dashan said again: "Could it be that Master let you go through the trials alone?"

  "What's wrong with that?" Li Mu retorted.

  Zhong Dashan shook his head, smiling to conceal his surprise. He went out alone for the first time, it can be seen that Tongyuan Daxian valued Li Mu very much, no wonder he would pass on the Qiankun spear to him.

  Farewell to the fellow disciples, under the envious gaze of the Tongyuan Gate disciples, Li Mu stepped on a auspicious cloud and quickly disappeared into the clouds. The Great Immortal Tongyuan stood at the top of the Yunxiao Peak, benevolently watching Li Mu leave hastily like a monkey. In his heart, he silently prayed for him, hoping that his journey would be smooth.

  Everyone in Tongyuan Gate knows that Grandmaster Tongyuan has long regarded Li Mu as his own child, and his expectations of him are also the highest.

  From Tongyuan Mountain to Lihu, there is a long way to go. Li Mu only had some dry food and two magical artifacts on him. To test him, the Great Immortal Tongyuan only told him the general direction, and everything else relied on Li Mu himself to determine.

  Li Mu flew over mountains and ridges without stopping, his excitement had already forgotten his fatigue. Finally, after three days, he saw a stretch of water and a place that roughly matched the description given by Tongyuan Daxian.

  "It should be here." Li Mu muttered to himself, selecting a location to land. "Huh? What's this?" Suddenly, Li Mu saw a group of people with red and festive decorations approaching the water's edge, with four strong men carrying two sedan chairs in front. On the left sat a 4-5 year old boy, on the right a 4-5 year old girl, both enthusiastically playing with hand-held drums. The expressions of the crowd were sorrowful, clashing with the festive scene. Behind the crowd, two couples desperately cried out in despair.

  Suddenly, a huge whirlpool appeared in the calm water, and a dragon-headed man slowly rose up on a water bead. Seeing two little kids, he stretched out his tongue to lick his dry lips with hunger.

  "Dragon King, the offerings have been delivered, please enjoy them slowly." An old man with a flower beard said tremblingly, who can bear to make their own child an offering to the gods?

  Long Jun was overjoyed and said to the old man, "Good, very good. This year I guarantee that our county will have favorable weather." After speaking, he rolled out two whirlpools to take away the two children.

  Li Mu saw clearly in mid-air, knowing that this was a demon harming people. Suddenly, anger arose from his heart, and he stepped on the auspicious cloud to rapidly descend from mid-air. He shouted loudly: "Daring demon, how dare you harm people here!" As he spoke, his hands didn't idle, and he pinched out an Ice-sealing Spell that froze the entire lake surface, preventing the demon from escaping.

  The people around saw a young man suddenly jumping out of the sky, shouting and scaring them. However, afterwards they all looked at Li Mu with expectant faces, their hearts wanting to get rid of this monster more than Li Mu's.

  "Halt! Who are you, daring to block my way?" Lord Hong Zelong was also startled by Li Mu's speed, but upon seeing that he was just a young whippersnapper, he regained his composure.

  Li Mu was furious, having witnessed the monster harming people with his own eyes. He was consumed by rage and didn't listen to Hong Zelong's explanation. Moreover, dragons and water serpents were originally of the same kind and looked similar, so Li Mu thought he was the target of his mission and angrily shouted: "Monster, surrender!"

  Qiankun spear drew a purple light, chopping down on Hong Zelong's head. Long Jun saw that the other party spoke and took action, and also sealed his own retreat, couldn't help but get furious, and took out a three-pronged trident, swinging out a green light to neutralize Li Mu's purple light. "Since you're looking for death, Dragon will fulfill your wish." A hint of resentment flashed in Long Jun's eyes, and killing intent rose from his body. Think about it, who would feel good when they were interrupted while enjoying a delicious meal?

  In the arena, a purple and green figure entwined in battle, from the lake surface to the sky, and then from the sky to the ground. The Dragon King's strength far exceeded Li Mu's estimation, if not for his own two powerful magical artifacts, he would have been seriously injured and defeated long ago. But no matter how the Dragon King attacked, he couldn't break through Li Mu's defense. He was just a low-level dragon clan, how could he possibly break through the Purple Crystal Armor of Tongyuan Great Immortal?

  Li Mu became more courageous as the battle went on, while Long Jun's strength gradually waned. The situation reversed, and Li Mu began to gain the upper hand. Although it was his first real battle, Li Mu executed his moves with ease, without any hesitation, and performed even better than he did during practice. He perfectly combined all the techniques he had learned. Suddenly, Li Mu consecutively used the Shadow Clone Technique and Stealth Technique. Long Jun was already exhausted and couldn't distinguish between reality and illusion, allowing Li Mu to stab him in the back with a chilling blow. Until his death, Long Jun didn't understand what Li Mu did or why his skin was even harder than his dragon armor.

  "Long Jun is dead!" The body lay quietly on the ice surface, staining the pure white ice red.

  The people around fell silent for a moment, then suddenly knelt down and burst into tears. The two couples behind the crowd rushed over, holding the two children who still didn't know what had happened.

  "Living god, oh god." All the villagers knelt down to kowtow to Li Mu, suddenly making him at a loss. Putting away his weapons and coming to the side of the villagers, he helped them up: "Everyone get up, this is what I should do, there's no need for you all to be like this." Just now still invincible, Li Mu suddenly became constrained. He had thought that the Dragon Lord in front of him was the very dragon he was supposed to kill, and killing him was the right thing to do; but with everyone being so grateful and tearful, it made him feel embarrassed instead.

  In the depths of the lake, in a dark place even Hong Zelong didn't know existed, a woman emerged.

  Li Mu carefully remembered the instructions of Tongyuan Daxian, and after killing him, he immediately returned to report back. He bid farewell to the people and stepped on a auspicious cloud to hurry back on his journey. After traveling for a day, suddenly hundreds of heavenly generals descended from the sky, without saying a word, they took out a rope to bind Li Mu.

  "Bring back to Heaven."

  Ling Xiao Hall, Li Mu was tied up with five flowers and hung in front of the hall, surrounded by gods who looked at him like a monkey.

  "Let me go quickly, why did you catch me?" Li Mu knew that the guy in front of him with a crown was the Jade Emperor who ruled the Heavenly Court, and his power was even greater than that of his own master. But to be caught without reason, there must be some explanation.

  "A reckless and arrogant thief, you still don't kneel down even when you see the Jade Emperor, do you know your crime?" a middle-aged man with a stern expression said from the left side.

  "What crime is there?" Li Mu was taken aback. He had only heard his master mention the Jade Emperor, but he had never heard of such a person.

  "You killed Hong Zelong, violating heavenly rules, such disrespect, your crime is increased by one degree." Tota continued to shout.

  "Hong Zelong? He's not the Lihu Jiaoshou!" Li Mu was taken aback, vaguely recalling that Dragon Lord had introduced himself before. "Could it be that I killed the wrong person?" But even if so, he still deserved to die, Li Mu raised his head and said: "Since he is Hong Zelong, yet brought harm to the people, killing him is doing justice on behalf of heaven."

  "Sly tongue, even if he offends the heavenly code, there are heavenly laws that will punish him, it's not for you to interfere. " Long Jiang roared in anger, Hong Ze Long Jun was his cousin, mysteriously killed by a young boy, this matter concerned the reputation of the dragon clan, how could he not be angry.

  "Alright," said the Jade Emperor with a wave of his hand, asking an old man with a white beard: "Taibai, what should be done according to the law?"

  The old man with a white beard replied: "To report to Your Majesty, the crime of killing a god should be punishable by death. However..."

  "What's wrong?" Yu Huang frowned unhappily.

  Tai Bai Jin Xing walked up to the Jade Emperor and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this young man is not yet twenty years old, but his magical powers are extremely strong. He must be the disciple of a high-ranking immortal...".

  Another old man beside him took a closer look at Li Mu, and then smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, this young man has two unparalleled treasures on his body, namely the Purple Crystal Armor of Tongyuan Great Immortal and the Qiankun Spear. Both are deeply loved objects of Tongyuan Great Immortal, if I'm not mistaken, this young man must be Li Mu."

  "Lao Jun's words are extremely right." Tai Bai also nodded in agreement.

  The words had hardly been spoken when a heavenly general from the Southern Gate of Heaven arrived to report: "The Great Immortal Tongyuan has arrived."

  The heavenly court was filled with the disciples of Tongyuan Daxian, and someone had already informed him. Tongyuan Daxian immediately set out to hurry to Lingxiao Hall to meet Yu Huang: "Your Majesty, this humble deity's discipline is not strict, which led to his disciple making a mistake. Please forgive him for his first offense and show mercy."

  The Jade Emperor can afford not to give face to anyone, but must give face to Tongyuan Daxian. After consulting with Taibai Jinxing and Taishang Laojun, it was decided to seal Li Mu's immortal method and demote him to the mortal world.

  "Though death may be pardoned, a life sentence is hard to escape. From today on, you are demoted to the position of Land Public Official of Qing Shui Village in Qing Shui County, to await further consequences." Taibai Jinxing's words, with their characteristic trailing tone, determined Li Mu's fate for the rest of his life.