Chapter 112: Innate Stars (Second Update)

Chapter 112: Innate Star (Second Update)

In the vast primordial universe, deities are divided into three ranks.

The Heavenly Way nurtures ancient gods, the Investiture of the Gods list appoints divine spirits, and incense offerings coalesce into gods.

The innate star gods, born from the primordial Mercury Star, possess a status incomparable to those gods created later through incense offerings.

Innate ancient gods have both physical bodies and divine souls; they can cultivate the divine path or the immortal way, holding a lofty position and high karmic rank.

In contrast, gods created through incense offerings are merely servants of the Heavenly Emperor, whose life and death rest on a single command.

As for those appointed by the Investiture of the Gods list, they stand between the innate ancient gods and the incense-born spirits.

Their true souls are stored within the Investiture list; as long as it remains intact, these gods cannot die. Backed by the Three Teachings’ divine powers, they still have hope to escape the list and tread the path of immortality.

The term “immortal above god” refers to those appointed gods and incense-born spirits.

Sages uphold the heavenly order, while the Heavenly Emperor is the embodiment of the Heavenly Way.

When the Jade Emperor personally decreed the appointment, it was tantamount to the Heavenly Way itself nurturing the creation of a god.

This act stirred immense envy and sighs among the myriad immortals—why was it not their sect leading the ascent to heaven?

In that moment, the immortal who forges the innate star god’s body will be themselves.

That position is none other than the Northern Water Virtue Star Lord, with the karmic rank of a Golden Immortal!

Unlike the narrow-minded immortals, many Golden Immortals within the Lingxiao Palace sighed softly.

“Another Taibai Venus.”

The Heavenly Emperor’s personal appointment had happened only once before.

Now, this was the second time.

Luofeng could not care less about the thoughts of other immortals, for his happiness soared like a small hamster who had stumbled into a warehouse of nuts.

The celestial voice descended, and myriad profound transformations unfolded.

A white radiance wrapped Luofeng’s entire body, while the Jade Emperor’s heavenly voice echoed in his ears: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Heavenly Way decrees: Scatter Immortal Luoyi Daoist, virtuous and talented, heart aligned with heaven... henceforth appointed Northern Water Virtue Star Lord!”

Countless golden ancient characters appeared before him, phoenix seals and dragon scripts, arranged with tenfold splendor and dazzling hues. Crimson inscriptions on jade characters, shining with eight-sided brilliance.

These deeply mysterious characters, woven intricately together, faintly glowed, forming one of the primordial universe’s foundational principles—the Water Dao.

Sometimes manifesting as rivers, lakes, and seas; sometimes as cold and hot currents; sometimes as monsoons and ocean streams; sometimes as the three states of water—water transforming to vapor, solidifying into ice, or vapor condensing back into water.

At times, the characters depicted the distribution of earthly waters, at others the flowing celestial rivers; they even revealed the obscured realm of the Void, then the roaring waters of the Yellow Springs mingled with the sea of blood.

The water element of the heavenly realm, the water element of the mortal world, the water element of the underworld—all secrets of the Water Dao lay within.

Staring intently at the dense and profound script, Luofeng suddenly recalled a joke.

If you can’t even understand phoenix seals, dragon scripts, and crimson jade characters, how do you expect to cultivate the Dao? Cultivate what immortal path!

With such low intelligence that you can’t even read the texts, you might as well descend the mountain and take the imperial examination to become a top scholar!

As one who had attained the innate Dao and activated the Divine Host cheat, Luofeng had great confidence in himself.

At the very least, he could understand the dragon scripts and phoenix seals—an immense blessing indeed.

While immersed in the composition of the Water Dao, he began transforming the puppet Luotianyi’s body into that of an innate star god.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the radiance gradually faded, revealing a majestic innate star god form within the Lingxiao Palace.

“Your subject bows to the Heavenly Emperor!”

Luofeng stepped forward and kowtowed deeply, performing the full kneeling ritual.

Immortals do not usually kneel out of respect for their dignity.

But now was different; the Heavenly Emperor’s favor was grace bestowed.

To possess the body of an innate star god was equivalent to a direct path to Golden Immortal status, and even a future breakthrough to the Great Dao of the Celestial Realm was within reach.

For a mere Earth-born minor immortal like Luofeng, kowtowing was entirely appropriate.

Of course, if the Jade Emperor were to bless him with several more innate star god bodies, Luofeng wouldn’t mind kowtowing even more.

After all, he had worshipped gods many times back on Earth.

A few kowtows could earn him a guaranteed Golden Immortal avatar in the future; Luofeng was confident he could kowtow the Jade Emperor into bankruptcy.

He would receive the Jade Emperor’s vast blessings, as immense as the sea and sky.

That thought, however, was just a fleeting fancy.

After rising, two magical treasures appeared in the void.

One was a seal, the other a mirror.

The seal was the Water Virtue Divine Seal, allowing one to harness the water element power of the heavenly realm.

The mirror was the Moon in Water Mirror, the Water Virtue Star Lord’s matching treasure, a superior post-heaven spiritual artifact.

They transformed into streams of light and flew into Luofeng’s embrace.

A celestial voice sounded within the hall:

“Facilitating all things, containing true life essence. As mortals encounter the flux of fate, suffering many calamities and hindrances, one should cultivate kindness and welcome them. Praise be to the Northern Star of Water Virtue, the True Lord; praise be to the Northern Water Virtue Star Lord.”

In an instant, the Water Virtue Star Lord took his rightful place.

All the gods of the heavenly court felt the resonance deep within their hearts.

The immortals within Lingxiao Palace praised in unison, “With the water element restored, the heavenly court gains another great general—truly joyous and worthy of celebration.”

Whether sincere or feigned, the Water Virtue Star Lord was recommended by Taibai Venus and appointed by the Jade Emperor himself.

Respect was unavoidable.

“Water Virtue Star Lord, you are entrusted with the water element, a grave responsibility demanding utmost diligence.”

“Taibai Venus, you shall lead the Water Virtue Star Lord to the Water Palace.”

The Jade Emperor spoke calmly.

Taibai Venus stepped forward, bowed, and said, “I will follow the order faithfully.”

The Jade Emperor nodded and then vanished, his divine form dissipating.

The assembly of immortals respectfully bowed once more, “Farewell, Heavenly Emperor!”

After the Heavenly Emperor's departure, the Lingxiao Palace became lively as a classroom after the homeroom teacher leaves.

Groups of three or five immortals gathered, chatting animatedly.

Most surrounded Luofeng, the new exalted figure.

Luofeng responded with a smile, answering their questions while noting their identities, names, and positions.

After politely entertaining one celestial immortal after another, a black-robed star lord passed by and smiled softly, “Water Virtue Star Lord, when you have time, visit my Seven Primaries Division.”

Luofeng cupped his hands in respect, “May I ask which Beidou star lord this is?”

“Tan Lang.”

With that, the Beidou Tan Lang Star Lord walked toward the hall’s exit.

Luofeng pondered—what was the meaning of the Beidou star lord’s invitation?

Was it because the Heavenly Emperor valued him? The status of a star god? Or merely a polite gesture?

...

After a moment, Luofeng had finally dealt with all the enthusiastic immortals.

Looking at their smiling faces, he couldn’t help but marvel at how cunning immortals had become with age.

So many immortals, yet not a single one dared to challenge or expose the newcomer.

“Is the Water Virtue Star Lord suitable for the position?” Taibai Venus asked with a smile from the side.

Luofeng cupped his hands and shook his head.

“The friends of the heavenly court are overly enthusiastic.”

Taibai Venus stroked his long white beard and chuckled, “When you have more duties in the future, others will be busy. For now, let this old Daoist introduce you to the Water Palace of the heavenly realm.”

...

Upon leaving Lingxiao Palace, ninety-nine jade-colored immortal paths stretched out, leading to distant celestial pavilions and palaces.

Countless spiritual herbs, rare trees, and divine fruits lined the paths, serving as beautiful adornments.

Clouds and mist drifted around, condensed from the dense spiritual energy, enveloping the heavenly court.

Taibai Venus led Luofeng toward the Water Palace, explaining its situation along the way.

[Supplement to yesterday]

(End of chapter)