Anshui City, Sea God Temple back courtyard.

Wearing light green crystal armor and a light green crystal helmet, Ao Yi was full of vigor as he stood before his Sect Master Brother’s elderly immortal skin avatar, excitedly asking:

“Sect Master Brother, do we need to prepare anything for going to the Heavenly Court?”

“First change your helmet.”

“Uh,” Ao Yi blinked, removing the winged crown from his head, asking somewhat guiltily, “Brother, what’s wrong? Sisi picked this for me.”

Li Changshou shook his head, saying: “Heaven Soldiers and Generals all like to wear silver and gold colors – you should blend in.”

Ao Yi’s eyes brightened as he said he hadn’t thought it through, running to a room at the side and coming out in gleaming silver chain mail.

For the sake of this little brother’s back courtyard harmony, Li Changshou had truly worried endlessly.

Li Changshou looked at his paper doll’s appearance…

White hair bound with a Daoist band, loose robes showing his slender form.

Hand holding a clean fly whisk, feet wearing old cloth shoes.

Mm, this would do – that court robe worn later would truly be… too ostentatiously low-key.

Then he heard Ao Yi softly say beside him: “Sect Master Brother, Mother Queen had me bring some meeting gifts for the Heavenly Court deities – how should I give these?”

“Meeting gifts? What kind of things?”

Ao Yi hurriedly said: “Just some insignificant items unrelated to cultivation, like South Sea pearls, North Sea night-luminous pearls, East Sea coral, West Sea mysterious crystals…

Mother Queen said this way it wouldn’t count as bribing deities since they aren’t cultivation treasures.

But there are so many Heavenly Court deities, and I don’t know their relative importance…”

“That’s fine,” Li Changshou smiled. “Like this – watch my hand signals. If I raise my thumb, you take out one meeting gift.

If I raise two fingers, take out an important gift, or double portions of meeting gifts.”

“Good!” Ao Yi immediately agreed.

At this point, the brothers didn’t delay further. Li Changshou waved his fly whisk, creating a white cloud.

Ao Yi asked: “Brother, why don’t I carry you in dragon form?”

“Let’s not do that,” said the Human Dao School disciple who didn’t want to become a dragon rider, seriously. “When working in the Heavenly Court, the most important thing is keeping a low profile. We’re seeking Heavenly Court merit, not trying to make a great name in the Heavenly Court.”

Ao Yi showed an ashamed expression and honestly followed beside his Sect Master Brother.

The white cloud floated up as the two slowly ascended to heaven.

This journey was peaceful and smooth until they flew about a hundred li high, where fierce winds blew from all directions like knife blades toward this dragon and paper person.

Ao Yi immediately released immortal power to create a barrier – these winds naturally couldn’t affect someone in his Golden Immortal realm.

Rising several tens more li, a layer of visible heavenly fire appeared above, which they casually passed through.

The fierce winds and heavenly fire mainly prevented beings below the immortal level from flying into the primordial world’s high sky.

Breaking through the heavenly fire belt, the sky above immediately became higher, its original azure becoming lighter and fainter. White clouds floated above, with cloud roads hidden between them.

This was also Li Changshou’s first time ascending to heaven, without much experience. He could only follow his feelings leading Ao Yi onto a cloud road, flying toward the center of the South Jambudvipa Continent.

After flying just a moment, a majestic white jade heaven gate appeared in their vision.

Look at this heaven gate:

One body as if formed of white jade complete,

Dragons carved and phoenixes hooked guard clarity bright.

Evil-slaying treasure swords hang suspended in space,

Above writes South Heaven suppresses the wicked and vile.

Li Changshou felt inexplicably excited…

Now, he had reached this place earlier and more comfortably than in his immortal life plan made at eighteen years old, jumping out of the great pit of the Investiture of the Gods, never again to be the most tragic Investiture cannon fodder!

— Most tragic meaning the kind killed without even getting on the Investiture List.

Li Changshou held his fly whisk and brought Ao Yi, slowly riding their cloud forward.

The guarding Heaven General seeing them first showed a puzzled expression, then seemed to think of something. After carefully examining them for several looks, he immediately transmitted sound to various places:

“Everyone be alert – that Sea God has come to the Heavenly Court!”

Instantly, the Heaven Soldiers guarding the heaven gate all straightened up. That Heaven General hurriedly crushed the jade token left by the East Wood Officer, actively coming forward with several Heaven Generals to welcome them.

“May I ask, are you the Unsurpassed Divine Lord of the Four Seas?”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, very… benevolently.

Several Heaven Generals immediately showed delighted expressions, with one saying: “Could you display divine power? We need to verify.”

Li Changshou waved his fly whisk as golden light surged around him, his whole person gaining several points of divine sacredness.

The Heaven Generals immediately cupped their hands in salute. Li Changshou returned a Daoist salute, smiling: “Has this verified my identity?”

“Naturally, Sea God please enter!”

“Very well,” Li Changshou said properly, bringing Ao Yi through the South Heaven Gate.

Privately, Li Changshou shook his head slightly.

Just verifying divine power before letting him pass was too lax – no detailed questioning, no body search, not even noticing if this was an avatar or puppet…

He would have to mention this matter to the Jade Emperor later;

Otherwise, he would have no sense of security bringing his junior sister and master to the Heavenly Court in the future.

“Brother,” Ao Yi transmitted sound to ask, “Don’t we need to give these Heaven Generals gifts?”

“We’ll handle that when leaving, no rush.”

Just as Li Changshou’s voice fell, a flash of green light appeared on the cloud road ahead, revealing a kind-looking elderly man;

Li Changshou’s eyes brightened as he secretly extended… one palm toward Ao Yi.

Ao Yi blinked – five fingers? Five meeting gifts?

Immediately, Ao Yi busily moved things around in his storage treasure while Li Changshou rode his cloud forward, already calling out: “Many thanks to Wood Officer for personally coming to guide us!”

“Hahaha!” East Wood Officer was in great spirits. “Sea God, we’ve been waiting for you to come up!

Quick, quick, follow me to pay respects to His Majesty!”

Li Changshou immediately nodded in agreement. By rights, he should have gone to Tongming Hall first, but since the East Wood Officer wasn’t following the procedure, he would just follow along.

“Wood Officer, this is my Navy Commander, Ao Yi.

Ao Yi, quickly come forward and pay respects – this is the Heavenly Court’s East Wood Officer, His Majesty’s most trusted person!”

Ao Yi hurriedly came forward, making a very respectful Daoist salute, calling out “Wood Officer” while pulling out… five gleaming golden treasure chests from his embrace.

Each treasure chest was half a zhang long, three chi high and wide, neatly arranged before East Wood Officer, their lids opening by themselves…

Inside, treasure light flickered dazzlingly – night-luminous pearls the size of Xiong Lingli’s fists, supreme beauty jade carved into plates, large pearls the size of dragon eyes without any flaws…

Li Changshou: …

Little brother, did you come to the Heavenly Court to show off wealth?

These are what you call insignificant items. Can you get a hundred chests of significant items and convert them to cash to send to the Sea God Temple?

Ao Yi said steadily: “These are this junior’s – um, this soldier’s small thank-you gifts. Please accept them, Lord East Wood Officer!”

“This…”

East Wood Officer blinked, somewhat guiltily looking around, then with some confusion looked toward Li Changshou, wanting to know if this was an important part of Dragon Clan matters.

Li Changshou was also helpless inside.

He knew the Dragon Clan was enthusiastic, but hadn’t expected…

“Wood Officer, this is also Ao Yi’s sincere intention – they’re all just decorative items. Please accept them.”

“Ah, this isn’t proper – if people saw this, it would truly be!”

“Wood Officer please wait,” Li Changshou transmitted sound to Ao Yi, who immediately lowered his head in agreement, turning to transform into a rainbow light and landing at South Heaven Gate.

Bang bang – several more large treasure chests were given out, landing before those Heaven Generals.

“A bit of Ao Yi’s sincerity – please take care of me in the future!”

Then Ao Yi turned and flew back, giving the Heaven Generals no chance to refuse.

East Wood Officer now understood – this was probably the ‘Dragon Palace actively giving gifts to pave the way to heaven’ phase. His heart grew several points more admiring of this Sea God before him.

“Then, I’ll accept?” East Wood Officer carefully asked.

Li Changshou smiled and blinked. East Wood Officer gave a dry laugh saying this wouldn’t set a precedent…

Afterward, on the flight to Lingxiao Palace, whenever they met Heaven Generals, Ao Yi would go up to give a chest of insignificant decorative items.

The empty heavenly palace rang with “Oh, how could we” and “You’re too kind” and “Just some meeting gifts” and “Won’t set a precedent, won’t set a precedent”…

For a time, the cloud road from South Heaven Gate to Lingxiao Palace was filled with a joyful and pleasant atmosphere.

Approaching Lingxiao Palace, Li Changshou’s eyes brightened again seeing the Jade Emperor’s avatar ‘passing by’ with several Heaven Generals.

Li Changshou didn’t even need to signal Ao Yi – the latter had already run forward, taking out several treasure chests from his storage treasure, saying:

“Some small meeting gifts, please accept them with a smile – please take care of me in the future!”

The Jade Emperor’s avatar also puzzledly blinked at Li Changshou, who smiled and nodded.

Then, this Jade Emperor avatar who had come to see who dared openly accept gifts suddenly understood something.

‘Minister Changgeng’s actions must have deep meaning – after giving gifts, the Dragon Clan will feel closer relations with the Heavenly Court… Indeed, I hadn’t considered this before.

Moreover, sending all decorative display items – the Dragon Clan has put thought into this.’

So this Jade Emperor avatar smiled lightly saying: “This time is fine – Heaven has heavenly rules, but this won’t set a precedent.”

“Ah!” Ao Yi smiled and nodded, cupping his hands and bowing to this unknown passerby before happily running back behind Li Changshou.

The Jade Emperor’s avatar secretly nodded – quite a good little dragon.

Passing two more heavens, flying through nine jade gates, the Lingxiao Palace floating under a starry sky came into view. Inside gathered a hundred immortals, with Heaven Soldiers like statues before the palace.

Stepping onto the nine hundred and ninety-nine white jade steps before the palace, Ao Yi inexplicably grew nervous.

Li Changshou transmitted some encouraging words, then lightly lifted his robe hem with his left hand, holding the clean fly whisk in his right as he ascended the steps.

This was true:

Originally a carefree guest from the mountains,

In Lingxiao Palace bowing to the Emperor Lord.

Ranked among heaven’s cycles called proper path,

Long life in sight avoiding Investiture fate!

…

Half an hour later;

On the cloud road flying to Tongming Hall, Li Changshou transmitted to Ao Yi:

“How did it feel?”

“The Heavenly Emperor is so… young and vigorous,” Ao Yi transmitted back. “Moreover, the Heavenly Emperor caring so much about the Dragon Clan also moves Yi’s heart greatly.”

Li Changshou said gently: “Don’t just look at surface appearances in matters – Ao Yi, you must learn to analyze the internal causes of things.

The Heavenly Emperor showing such care for the Dragon Clan is eyeing the Dragon Clan’s influence in the primordial world. If the Dragon Clan can enter the Heavenly Court’s organization, the currently newly started Heavenly Court will certainly gain great fame.

This is the Heavenly Court’s motivation for helping the Dragon Clan.”

Hearing this, Ao Yi seemed thoughtful, transmitting back: “What brother says, Ao Yi already knows. But this is still infinitely better than those who secretly harm us when they can’t get our Dragon Clan’s loyalty.”

Li Changshou waved his fly whisk without saying much more.

This audience in Lingxiao Palace hadn’t gained Li Changshou any great benefits – just got a tiger tally that could mobilize a hundred thousand Heaven Soldiers at any time, plus a token allowing free movement throughout the heavenly palace, special permission to enter Lingxiao Palace without reporting…

Completely just the standard treatment for a powerful minister.

Going to Tongming Hall, several duty immortal officials were quite respectful, swiftly handling various matters.

Entered the immortal registry, received tokens, chose a mansion, and was given three thousand Heaven Soldiers as the first batch of the Sea God’s navy.

Li Changshou took the chance to understand the Heavenly Court’s current organizational situation in various aspects, discovering the Heavenly Court not only lacked True Deity positions but also had huge holes in the defensive forces that should be present in various places.

The entire Heavenly Court should have over three million stationed Heaven Soldiers, but now all areas combined only had one million.

The nine heavens were each very vast, with the lower three heavens being where ‘Heaven People’ lived. — Corresponding to the Heaven People Path among the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

Heaven People all had thousand-year lifespans to start, with good cultivation aptitude, being an important source of Heaven Soldiers.

From Heavenly Court to Netherworld, Li Changshou could see a clear thread – this was perhaps the divine authority system for the Three Realms that Dao Ancestor Hongyi constructed after merging with Heaven’s Dao.

But the Heaven People’s birth rate just couldn’t increase, and the Heavenly Court was limited by this – Heaven Soldiers were completely insufficient.

For the Heavenly Court to rise, they needed to work on multiple approaches simultaneously.

However, Li Changshou only thought about these things, not actively speaking up.

Unless the Saint Lord gave tasks, or he needed to earn merit through this, Li Changshou absolutely would not… do… things that needlessly increased his karma…

Hmm?

Suddenly understanding arose in his heart as the Great Clarity Dao produced tiny disturbances. A word formed in Li Changshou’s mind.

[Come]

“This is!”

Li Changshou’s spirit shook, making Ao Yi beside him puzzled.

Immediately, Li Changshou dared not delay, asking where Doulu Palace was before bringing Ao Yi flying that way.

Ao Yi hurriedly asked: “Isn’t that the Saint Lord’s avatar’s dao field?”

“Mm,” Li Changshou said. “Don’t ask much, don’t look much, and don’t listen much.”

“Yes,” Ao Yi tensed up like facing a great enemy, his whole dragon becoming tight.

However, before they could fly to Doulu Palace, they saw on the cloud road not far ahead a flourishing… bean sprout field.

Indeed it was a bean sprout field – this was an area the Heavenly Court had opened for growing beans after Li Changshou offered his modified initial version of the Sowing Beans Becomes Soldiers divine ability along with superior hybrid immortal beans.

The Heavenly Court was very empty now, and this immortal bean field added some greenery to the Heavenly Court.

These weren’t the main point;

The main point was that young Heaven General in the bean field carrying a hoe, full of sweat, also looking this way…

Ao Yi lost his head at first sight, his delicate face immediately flushing red as he unconsciously grabbed his treasure sword, drawing it from its scabbard with a clang!