A voice came from behind it: "Every small Yaksha looks different; those with keen eyes can see this."
The small Yaksha turned around and saw Li Tianqing standing behind it, blocking its way.
The small Yaksha hurriedly smiled apologetically: "I didn’t dare touch Your Majesty’s money, not a single coin. I’ll return it to Your Majesty!"
It quickly took off its bundle and was about to fetch the money when it suddenly saw the Clan Leader of the Big Belly Ghost Clan appear not far away. A shadow appeared overhead, and when it looked up, it was the Clan Leader of the Thunder Ape Clan standing amidst dark clouds, guarding the sky.
Besides, several Clan Leaders of the Ghost Clan were walking toward this place from different directions.
The small Yaksha sighed, did not take the incense money, and said with a smile: "You’ve found me after all."
Its body gradually transformed, slowly changing from a small, ugly Yaksha into a graceful and delicate young girl, with a round, fair face, exquisite features, fine arched eyebrows, and a slight blush, a bit charming.
Her clothing differed from the Great Ming attire; outside was a transparent long robe, extremely thin, and inside was a pink dress, long and tailored, showing off a seductive waistline.
Chen Shi extended his hand, saying: "Where’s my money?"
The girl chuckled softly: "I, like you, am a living person, and your paper money is useless to me, so I really didn’t spend it."
She took out numerous paper money notes; these were paper money from the Treasure Tree of Chen Shi. When in the Immortal City, Chen Shi saw the small Yaksha working for him for three years without receiving any money, feeling quite pitiful, so he gave it most of the paper money from the Treasure Tree.
Unexpectedly, a few days later, the small Yaksha ran off with the money, disappearing without a trace!
Chen Shi reclaimed the paper money and, with a slightly relaxed tone, asked: "What is the young lady’s name?"
The girl smiled sweetly and said, "Wen Wuyu."
Chen Shi nodded lightly to prevent his crown from falling and said: "Young lady Wen, follow me."
Wen Wuyu followed him.
Lei Qu and other Clan Leaders followed closely on both sides.
Chen Shi waved his hand, signaling them to retreat, walking at ease, unconsciously arriving at the Heavenly Pond beside the capital, the lake reflecting their shadows.
Chen Shi said: "Young lady Wen, isn’t Despair Slope detached from worldly affairs? Why intervene and kill the former King of Heavenly Pond Country?"
Wen Wuyu bent down, gracefully extended her slender hand from her sleeve, gently stirring the lake water, and shook her head with a faint smile: "People from Despair Slope rarely interfere in the Human World. King Xiang Fu was not killed by my arrangement but died at the hands of an Immortal."
Chen Shi’s heart was slightly shaken: "An Immortal? Is there really an Immortal on Yin Mountain?"
Wen Wuyu smiled silently.
Chen Shi did not continue to ask, seeking advice: "Then, when does Despair Slope choose to intervene?"
"When the world is without Dao and Demon Flowers bloom everywhere, on the eve before the True God’s annihilation, Despair Slope will act to correct chaos and prevent the True God’s destruction."
Wen Wuyu looked at the distant lake light, murmuring, "Many misunderstand Despair Slope, thinking it must be the secret hand ruling the Human World, even the Thirteen Families believe so."
Chen Shi smiled: "Isn’t it actually?"
Wen Wuyu stood up earnestly and said, "The word ’despair’ in Despair Slope actually signifies despair against the True God’s annihilation, a struggle before great despair arrives, a heroic deed to save the world. To rescue humanity from despair, to prolong civilization and life; this is the purpose of Despair Slope."
Chen Shi couldn’t help but be respectful: "I didn’t expect Despair Slope to be such a noble place, I am impressed!"
Wen Wuyu laughed: "The ignorant are not guilty. We dispatch Heaven Listeners to monitor the Human World to prevent the accumulation of demonic nature from leading to the True God’s annihilation. Unfortunately, the actions of Heaven Listeners are often misunderstood."
Chen Shi changed his tone and asked: "Since Despair Slope is so noble, then why did you take away my Innate Dao Embryo?"
Wen Wuyu fell silent.
Chen Shi walked on the lake surface, heading toward the center, calmly saying: "Act now, I want to see how strong my Innate Dao Embryo is."