Chapter 73

### First Year

Amidst the vast sea, where the horizon seemed to stretch endlessly, a faint rumble of thunder could be heard. The sky suddenly darkened.

Ye Qing stood on a rock, lifting his head to gaze at the sky, sensing something unusual swirling above.

"Shao Yuan, Shao Jun!" A deep and authoritative voice echoed, and a giant dragon emerged from the clouds. In a burst of golden light, it transformed into a middle-aged man with dragon horns on his head, the Dragon King himself.

The Dragon King descended with a heavy tread, his presence so imposing that it forced people to keep their heads down.

Seeing this, Ye Qing immediately bowed and responded loudly, "Shao Yuan greets the Dragon King!"

The Dragon King, when traveling, would usually be accompanied by wind and rain, but he did not interfere with Ye Qing's management and did not bring the storm. Instead, he brought only clouds, concealing his form.

When Ye Qing raised his head, he could see the Dragon King's sullen face, clearly displeased. However, he was not at all flustered, knowing that what was to come would come.

"Shao Yuan! Do you know your fault?" The Dragon King's face was dark, cold as if covered in frost.

"My Daoist arts are not yet refined. I caused a flood by overwatering, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens. My negligence led to massive waves that destroyed houses, causing the deaths and injuries of hundreds. Shao Yuan knows his fault!" Ye Qing bowed deeply as he spoke.

Ye Qing was responsible for managing the waters of the Eastern Prefecture, scheduling rain, and controlling floods. However, as a newcomer, he was still inexperienced. Sometimes, the rain was too heavy, causing floods, and other times, the waves were too large, and he failed to stop them in time.

If he were a true dragon descendant, he would never have made such basic mistakes. But for Ye Qing, this was the best he could do in his first year.

Seeing Ye Qing admit his fault, the Dragon King's anger subsided slightly. "Since you have acknowledged your mistake, I will not pursue it further. I will deduct half your salary, which will be transformed into good fortune and wealth. A small portion will be given to the injured, and the larger portion will be used to communicate with the underworld, adding to the reincarnation of the deceased. How does that sound?"

This was the Dragon King's way of helping him resolve the issue. Ye Qing, knowing these customs from the water god's memories, immediately expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Dragon King!" Ye Qing repeatedly thanked him.

The Dragon King coldly snorted and said, "Your performance this year has been very poor. I hope it does not happen again. Take care of yourself!"

With that, he turned and left, a thunderclap marking his departure.

Ye Qing let out a long breath. He knew his performance this year was poor, but through this year, he had gained experience and a better understanding of climate control. The future looked promising.

### Second Year

Time passed, and it was summer again. Continuous summer rains brought a violent storm, with water columns stretching hundreds of meters, and the sky was dark and oppressive.

In the midst of the storm, a large crowd of people cried out in distress.

Ye Qing slowly ascended into the air, and wherever he went, the dark clouds dispersed, and the rain temporarily ceased. However, more dark clouds and rain continued to gather from a distance, and the storm at sea showed no signs of stopping.

"Water Absorption Spell!" In the dark clouds, Ye Qing made the hand seals, and transparent, tiny water dragons began to weave through the clouds, growing larger with each pass.

These small water dragons, now hundreds of miles long, weaved through the clouds, continuously forming and growing under Ye Qing's command, eventually falling into the sea.

All the rain in the dark clouds was absorbed and injected into the sea.

The rain became sparse, and even if it increased, it would not cause a major disaster.

This year, the Dragon King did not appear, but a message from the Turtle Chancellor read: "Satisfactory."

The Dragon King's evaluation of Ye Qing this year was average, with no major mistakes.

### Third Year

The storm connected the sky and the deep sea, the clouds even darker, and the sea was pitch black. Only the occasional lightning illuminated the area.

Three dragon descendants appeared, watching as the storm continued to approach.

"Brothers, in this situation, we must intervene from a thousand miles away, or it will be too late. Let's work together to divert the storm slightly!"

"Great idea!" the two dragon descendants praised.

Ye Qing took a deep breath and chanted loudly, his body gradually transforming into a dragon. At the same time, the two dragon descendants also transformed into dragons.

"Exactly. If this storm reaches the island, we will be responsible for the sins if we do not stop it."

"Shao Yuan, your progress this year has been remarkable. Last year, you were reprimanded by the Dragon King."

Ye Qing was unperturbed. "Let's not talk about that. Let's divert the storm first."

The two dragon descendants nodded and shouted in unison. The dragons' bodies generated wind and rain, which collided with the storm, and lightning flashed in the sky.

It was clear that the three dragons' power was still weak compared to the natural storm, but they managed to cause a slight deviation.

This deviation was minimal, but it was enough to make the storm pass by the island and head toward the uninhabited sea.

At the end of the year, the Dragon King rewarded Ye Qing with food and drink, saying, "A small achievement!"

### Fourth Year

In a small city along the East Sea coast, people were bustling about. It was late summer, and the crops were almost ready to be harvested, needing one last rain to ensure a good yield. A group of people carried offerings, beating drums and gongs as they headed to the Dragon King Temple.

The temple's sign read "Dragon King Temple" in gold letters, and inside, a statue of Shao Yuan was enshrined. The group of people offering sacrifices lit incense and knelt down, placing piles of fruits and offerings on the table.

"Shao Yuan, Shao Jun, please have mercy and bring rain to ensure a good harvest."

"Please bring rain! We have brought you offerings!"

"Please, Dragon King, bring rain to end the drought..."

Suddenly, a dragon's roar echoed in the sky, and rain and wind followed. The sky darkened, and large raindrops fell, leaving the people below in awe.

"Look! The Dragon King has answered our prayers!"

"Yes, I saw the Dragon King flying in the clouds just now!"

In the high clouds, Ye Qing dissipated the clouds, and everything returned to normal. His control over the weather was now smooth and effortless.

### Fifth Year

The clouds were vast and boundless, and Ye Qing, transformed into a dragon, flew through the thick cloud layers, altering the clouds and wind direction as he passed.

After completing his task, he exhaled and descended quickly.

"Controlling the weather is about being prepared. Before the rainy season arrives, one must plan and arrange everything, avoiding last-minute panic."

"Foreseeing the future and managing the seasons, true harmony in the weather is achieved through such foresight."

In the summer and autumn, swarms of locusts darkened the sky, like dark clouds sweeping across the land. Wherever they went, the sky was darkened, and the sound of their feeding on crops was like rain.

When locusts invaded a village, the fields turned barren, and the sky darkened, with cries of distress echoing everywhere.

Suddenly, a frost and hail fell, and the locusts, which had been impossible to eliminate, were all dead by the next morning, piling up like mountains.

"Even if ten thousand people tried to eliminate the locusts, it would be impossible. But the heavens can do it with just a frost!"

"No, it was the Dragon King who brought the frost. Let's go and pray to the Dragon King!" someone shouted.

This year, under Ye Qing's management, the Eastern Prefecture had a good harvest, and even the locust plague was eliminated without violating the boundaries of the divine and human realms, ensuring the prosperity of the people.

Along the East Sea coast, many Dragon King Temples were built, and countless fishermen and farmers prayed and offered incense, with statues of Ye Qing enshrined inside.

### Side Hall

Compared to five years ago, the hall had been raised by one level, making it more spacious. Screens surrounded the area, and the floor was paved with golden bricks, polished to a shine, making the hall appear even deeper.

Ye Qing, dressed in a simple silk robe, was reading a book. Opposite him sat the guide, perched on a carved stool, occasionally sipping from a cup and glancing at Ye Qing, who was reading intently.

After a while, Ye Qing sighed softly, put down the book, and asked, "Guide, what do you think I am still lacking?"

"You have done very well these past few years," the guide said.

"Perhaps not." Ye Qing closed his eyes, listening to the sound of the wind and rain outside. "The Dragon King has not given any evaluation, so I cannot say."

"No, it's coming soon!" the guide smiled.

"Really?" Ye Qing was surprised. At that moment, Shiliu entered, bowed, and said, "Shao Jun, the Dragon King has sent a message to you."

Ye Qing stood up and said, "Please convey the message."

"Shao Jun, your performance has been excellent. You are already qualified to become a water god!" Shiliu relayed the message.

From a shadow under a pillar, the guide, wearing a straw raincoat, watched as Shiliu left. He then said, "It seems you have fully mastered it and no longer need my guidance. As long as you maintain your current performance for ten years, you will be fine."

The guide's figure was about to fade away, but Ye Qing reached out and said, "Wait!"

The guide was surprised, his figure becoming solid again as he turned around.

Ye Qing pressed the book on the table and said, "This is just the basic standard. I've heard that true liberation comes when the Heavenly Court issues an edict in this realm."

The guide's face showed a mix of sorrow and joy, a smile that was not quite a smile. After a long pause, he sighed and said, "It seems your ambitions are greater than I thought. Originally, to be released from prison, one had to receive an edict from the Heavenly Court in this realm, but that was too difficult."

"Now, as long as you gain the recognition of the Dragon King or another superior, you can be released. Do you still want to achieve complete success?"

"Of course. If I've come this far, why stop now?" Ye Qing smiled faintly.

In the first year, he familiarized himself with the dragon's Daoist arts. In the second year, he began to use Earth's knowledge to control water and wind. In the third year, he applied Earth's climate knowledge and understood the holographic principle. In the fourth and fifth years, he perfected this system.

This was a difference in perspective, but even so, he had not yet triggered the highest response—the Heavenly Court's edict to pardon and confer a title.

The guide smiled bitterly. "Your cultivation is nearly perfect, but you are still missing something. I don't know what it is, but I know you are very close. If you want to continue, I will stay with you."

Ye Qing nodded, his demeanor calm and composed.

### End of Page

### Start of AD

### End of AD