We are all trying our best to live

Lin Yuyu was an uncut gem, a blank sheet of paper yet to be stained.

Though perhaps a bit too naive, her fervent heart remained unextinguished—it was simply that the soil here wasn’t suited for her survival.

So, Chen Yi rewrote her mind, inscribing a grand ambition onto that blank page... then packed her up and took her away. There would be a place for her aspirations to flourish!

"Group Leader, you’re right!" After an intense internal struggle, Lin Yuyu’s gaze gradually hardened as she spoke slowly:

"Being a god is hard. Being a good god is even harder. In the past, I refused to compromise, so I was constantly hindered, struggling at every step. But now I understand—good gods aren’t necessarily suppressed, but weak gods will always be bullied. So..."

"I won’t be a good god anymore. I’ll be a strong god—stronger than all the others. I’ll make every god listen when I speak reason. And if they don’t understand reason... well, I know a thing or two about fists too!"

"Group Leader, I want to become stronger. What should I do?"

Chen Yi smiled. "Want to learn?"

Lin Yuyu nodded emphatically. "Yes!"

Due to the limitations of the Faith Path, she was currently only a special spirit entity, capable of absorbing faith to grow but unable to refine spiritual energy—let alone cultivate the advanced techniques shared in the group.

Yushui Village was too small; the faith it provided was limited. At best, she could advance to the Twelfth Rank. To climb higher, she’d need to move to larger territories—county towns, prefectural cities, regional capitals, even the Celestial Court itself!

But every position was already filled. Advancement wasn’t as simple as just wanting it. Without backing from a higher-ranking patron, she’d be stuck in the lower ranks until death!

So, if Lin Yuyu wanted to progress, she had to cling tightly to the Group Leader’s leg.

Slacking off before was one thing—after all, as a transmigrator, she had her pride. Bowing to a native? Impossible!

But was the Group Leader a native? No! He was a fellow transmigrator, a senior from the same world!

Holding onto his leg wasn’t shameful at all!

"You’re only Thirteenth Rank now, still ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth. Once that Eighth Rank River God of Clearwater River arrives, exchange a few moves with them. We’ll talk after that," Chen Yi said calmly.

"Me?!" Lin Yuyu pointed at herself in disbelief. "I fight an Eighth Rank River God? Are you serious?"

Chen Yi gave a slight nod. "Just face them. That’s all."

"Alright!" Though her heart trembled and her legs shook, Lin Yuyu steeled herself. If this was the Group Leader’s test, no matter how difficult, she had to push through!

An Eighth Rank River God—to a mere Thirteenth Rank village land deity like her—was like the heavens themselves!

This was no different from sending a village clerk to confront the director of a provincial water resources bureau and meteorological department, or asking a Qi Refining novice to slay a Nascent Soul grandmaster!

A single flick of the River God’s finger would reduce her to dust, leaving no corpse to bury!

Of course, with the Group Leader and the other seniors present, she probably wouldn’t die. But how could she last longer under the River God’s pressure? How could she perform better?

All she knew were minor skills like Ghost Repelling, Blessing, and Mind Cleansing—none of them offensive. Her only attack was conjuring a Demon-Dispelling Whip, useful against minor ghosts and spirits, but against an Eighth Rank River God? Even if they stood still and let her strike, she couldn’t hurt them. And they certainly wouldn’t just stand there...

Damn it, I’m useless...

As Lin Yuyu agonized, deep within Clearwater River, the River God’s eyes snapped open upon sensing the death of his subordinate, the Catfish Demon.

"What reckless cultivator dares kill my pet demon? Such audacity!"

With a low roar—

Splash!

Waves surged as the River God emerged, striding across the turbulent river surface, speeding toward Yushui Village.

Towering at ten meters tall—like a three-story building—his divine form radiated a soft glow under the moonlight, draped in an ethereal, holy veil.

His face was solemn and imposing, vertical pupils gleaming with cold light. A jewel-encrusted crown adorned his head, a thick staff gripped in his hand, and two sapphire crystals hung from his chest. His lower body consisted of two short, scaled crocodile legs shimmering with an eerie luster.

In less than three breaths, he arrived at Yushui Village.

The Yusu Shrine stood just a hundred meters from Clearwater River.

The moment the River God stepped ashore, his gaze locked onto Xiao Chunan, roasting the giant catfish outside the shrine.

Blue flames roared. The three-zhang-long catfish, gutted and skewered on a stone rod, rotated mid-air, sizzling as fat dripped...

Hiss—

The Eighth Rank River God couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath.

This man seemed utterly ordinary, so why was he using such terrifying flames to cook fish?!

That fire... even compared to the Great Solar True Flames, a technique only Fifth Rank True Gods could wield, it was no less formidable—perhaps even more terrifying?!

Bad news.

A trap. This opponent was trouble!

Retreat!

Without hesitation, the River God turned and left, resolved never to look back.

But just as one foot was about to touch the river’s surface—

"Oi! You’re already here—why leave in such a hurry? Come chat!"

Xiao Chunan casually flipped the catfish, not even lifting his head, as if the words hadn’t come from him.

Yet the River God could no longer take that step. Locked in place by an overwhelming aura, he could only step back, not forward.

Gulp.

Swallowing hard, the River God slowly turned, shrinking his massive form to human size, forcing a flattering smile:

"Senior, my little catfish seems to have gone missing. Have you seen it?"

Xiao Chunan looked up, feigning surprise. "You’re playing dumb with me?"

The River God chuckled awkwardly. "No, no! If there’s nothing else, I’ll go look for my fish. You carry on..."

Xiao Chunan waved dismissively. "Don’t bother. Your fish was too weak—I didn’t even notice it. Thought it was a speed bump. It’s roasting right there. Got a problem? Take it up with my boss. We’re all just trying to survive here."

Eighth Rank River God: "..."

Is this guy even human?!

"Too weak to notice"?

"Speed bump"?

Dare I have a problem?!

"And take it up with your boss"...

Who exactly is "trying to survive" here?!

Yet Xiao Chunan ignored him, focusing intently on roasting the fish.

The flames were controlled to perfection, evenly heating every strand of meat while slowly refining the demonic energy within. The goal? Stall for as long as possible—until the boss called.

Until then, he was the gatekeeper, barring any fools from causing trouble. Otherwise, why would a Half-Step Unity Realm expert spend so long roasting a measly catfish?

Stranded, what could the River God do?

That man’s oppressive will loomed over him like a blade.

What choice did he have?!

Nothing.

Since when did Yushui Village harbor such a monstrous rogue cultivator?!

And this formidable man wasn’t even the boss—he seemed like nothing more than a gatekeeper!

Just how terrifying must the real boss be?!

As the Eighth-Rank River God gazed at the tranquil and peaceful Fish-Su Temple at the end of the path, for a fleeting moment, it felt as though a monstrous beast had opened its maw right before him!

Little Catfish, you’ve really doomed me this time!!!