The Eighth-Rank River God Enters the Heavenly Battle, Giving His All Yet Unable to Prevail

The Eighth-Rank River God ultimately steeled himself and stepped into the Yusu Temple.

Head bowed, back bent, trembling with every step, he dared not make the slightest disrespectful move, his posture so reverent it bordered on absurd.

After all, no one strikes a smiling face—as long as he played his cards right, surely they wouldn’t kill him without reason?

If they really wanted him dead, that man outside would’ve done it already. Why bother making him dirty their sacred space?

So, there was still room for negotiation!

"Ah!"

But to the River God’s shock, the moment he crossed the threshold—before he could even steady himself—a sharp cry rang out, followed by the crack of a whip slicing through the air, aimed straight at him!

Damn it! They’re unreasonable! They lured me in just to kill me!

"Spare me, Great One! Spare me!!!"

In a flash!

The Eighth-Rank River God thudded to his knees, shaking like a leaf, kowtowing so fast his forehead might as well have been a pestle grinding against the floor.

Yet, what surprised him even more—

That whip, which had seemed so deadly... why did it feel like it did no damage?

The strikes landed on him like tickles, less satisfying than an idle scratch...

What the hell is going on?

Lin Yuyu: "......"

This was... honestly kind of embarrassing.

The Group Leader had told her to spar with the River God, but even after going all out—even ambushing him—she hadn’t even broken his skin.

The way he was groveling on the ground almost felt like mockery of her weakness!

"River God, looking down on the little rookie from the bottom of his heart..."

Ye Wuchen, the on-site recorder, muttered under his breath, stating facts as they were.

"Big Senior, you’re so mean!" Lin Yuyu’s face flushed red.

"N-no, no! I wouldn’t dare, I really wouldn’t..." The River God’s cowardice was absolute, still kowtowing without pause.

What else could he do? The figures inside were far more terrifying than the one outside. Under their gaze, he felt suffocated—like back in his pre-godhood days ten thousand years ago, when his mortal enemy, the giant serpent, had coiled around him, the icy grip of death creeping into his heart...

"You wouldn’t dare?!" Gu Yuan suddenly spoke. "Your scales just shattered my junior’s divine whip. How do you plan to compensate for that?"

River God: ???

Excuse me, since when is this fair?

Your junior was the one whipping me. I suppressed my combat instincts and didn’t even fight back! She’s just weak—how is that my fault?!

This is pure bullying of an honest god!

"Then... how does the Great One suggest I compensate?"

"Simple. Hand over your River God’s Scepter to her." Gu Yuan’s tone was calm, as if discussing the weather.

The River God had known stepping into this trap wouldn’t end well—but how could you say something so outrageous with such a straight face?!

The River God’s Scepter was the foundation of his divinity, just like the sacred idol enshrined in the Yusu Temple—a symbol of heavenly mandate, granting him authority over his domain!

True, such authority could be transferred, but only if the holder willingly relinquished their godhood and passed it to a successor. But without the scepter... what would happen to his life?

"Great One, is there truly no alternative?"

The River God’s gaze darkened abruptly.

"So, you’d prefer to be erased from existence?" Gu Yuan took a slow step forward.

"Fine, fine! I thought I was ruthless, but I’ve never met anyone as unreasonable as you!"

The River God could endure no more. He rose slowly, his eerie vertical pupils locking onto Gu Yuan. "Yes, my little catfish offended you, and that was its mistake. But you already roasted it—why must you kill me too?!"

"If I’m not mistaken, you’re all Outer Realm Demons, aren’t you?!"

"If I surrender my position, will you really let me reincarnate?!"

"May you suffer Heaven’s wrath!"

With that, his divine form began to swell unnaturally!

The unjust death of an Eighth-Rank God would surely draw the attention of the Heavenly Dao!

Once that happened, everything here would be thoroughly investigated!

If he couldn’t live... neither would they!

"That’s enough. Stand down." Chen Yi shook his head lightly, raising a finger. The River God’s expanding form instantly stilled as Chen Yi’s words became law:

"The River God of Clearwater, while passing through Fishwater Village, discovered the local Land God to be exceptionally gifted and diligent. After thorough evaluation, he chose to pass his mantle to her."

The Heavenly Dao of the Divine Land was of a high tier—even Gu Yuan’s strength couldn’t flawlessly deceive it. Only Chen Yi himself could intervene so seamlessly.

Gu Yuan, of course, understood this. His role was merely to handle the less savory tasks on behalf of his leader.

Meanwhile, the River God was utterly dumbfounded.

Not only had this demon effortlessly snuffed out his internally combusting divine soul, but he’d also lied to the Heavenly Dao’s face without consequence?!

How could an Outer Realm Demon be this brazen?!

Utterly outmatched—game over!!!

Lin Yuyu was also stunned.

This whole operation had left her speechless.

She’d thought the Group Leader had her spar with the River God to highlight her inadequacies and motivate her to grow stronger!

But no—it was all to establish karmic ties, paving the way for her to usurp his godhood?!

This... this... this is too absurd!

"Little rookie, mind blown yet?" Ye Wuchen chuckled warmly. "Thought about how you’ll manage as a River God?"

Lin Yuyu shook her head frantically. "I can’t! I’m only Thirteenth-Rank—how can I handle Eighth-Rank duties?!"

"Don’t worry!" Fang Zheng reassured her. "You don’t need to do much. Just sit in that Eighth-Rank seat. We’ll handle the rest!"

Lin Yuyu’s mind was a tangled mess. "Senior Fang Zheng, I don’t get it. Weren’t you all here just for research and observation? Why are you getting involved now? What exactly are you trying to do?"

Fang Zheng smiled faintly. "No matter how clear an outsider’s perspective, they’re still just spectators. Some truths can only be uncovered by diving in yourself."

"Still don’t really understand..." Lin Yuyu remained baffled.

"Heh, don’t worry your little head over adult matters. Just be our mascot!" Ye Wuchen rubbed his hands excitedly.

"Playing the weakling only to reveal overwhelming power—haven’t done this in ages! Just imagining those fools trying to strong-arm me, only for me to ‘snap’ and reveal my True Immortal cultivation, scaring them half to death... ah, the thrill!"

But then, Chen Yi—who had just wrapped up the scene—suddenly stiffened. Without delay, he issued quick orders: "Old Ye, take command of this investigation for now."

The moment he finished speaking, his primary consciousness withdrew. At the same time, his one-star Chaos avatar reverted to a colored pearl, joining fourteen others to form a necklace that slapped around Ye Wuchen’s neck.

"Ahhh—this familiar feeling... Brother Yi, what now..."

Ye Wuchen stood frozen for a second before his thoughts descended into further chaos.