“What kind of poison is this? How can it be so potent?”

“I don’t know, but Elder Zhao Gongming gave us medicine. Master Wood should be fine.”

“How dare those demons! I’ll fight them to the death!”

In the crowded Hall of Clarity, a group of immortals and deities turned their heads to look at the Celestial General who had spoken. The latter hastily nudged his companion beside him, giving him a meaningful look.

*Someone please stop me…*

“Ah! Old Zhu, don’t be rash! We must wait for the Water God to make a decision!”

“Has someone gone to request the Water God’s presence?”

“The Water God seems to be absent from his palace. The Celestial Generals have sought an audience many times but couldn’t find him!”

In the innermost part of the Hall of Clarity, an immortal had created a cloud bed where Master Wood lay, his body a ghastly green, his breath as thin as gossamer.

The gathered immortals and deities exchanged glances. Several Third-Rank True Gods stepped forward to stabilize the hearts of their fellows, while heavily guarding the Five Heavenly Gates to prevent chaos.

Rumors began circulating throughout the Heavenly Court, saying that Master Wood had been ambushed and now lay gravely injured between life and death. The Water God had vanished, possibly having fallen victim to a demon realm expert’s sneak attack as well.

The Heavenly Court began to grow restless. Many immortals and Celestial Generals gathered spontaneously, preparing their magical treasures, ready to wage war against the demon realm at any moment.

Overall, though the Heavenly Court lacked many experts, everyone remained united in purpose.

However, compared to the Heavenly Court, the demon tribes at the Northern Continent’s borders remained remarkably peaceful.

Even with Patriarch Lu Ya’s body being completely shattered, they remained unaware of what their Crown Prince had experienced. Everything continued as normal.

This was partly due to the great battle occurring deep within the Northern Continent, where the thick miasma and heavy clouds had buffered the “battle waves.”

After the battle, the Sage had casually smoothed out the spatial disturbances to prevent harm to too many living beings.

After all, poisonous insects and beasts were living beings too, equally entitled to live in the primordial world.

By the Celestial River, Bian Zhuang and Ao Yi secretly discussed for a while before beginning to act separately.

As the Water God’s most trusted lieutenants, they felt they must do something in this situation.

Ao Yi first went to the City God Temple of An Shui, calling out with his divine sense until he had a headache, but received no response.

In this situation…

The Heavenly Court’s Master Wood had been ambushed by demon tribes, yet was returned to Heaven by Elder Zhao Gongming of the Severing Sect, while their own sect master and brother remained missing.

Ao Yi promptly took out a jade talisman, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

Did he need to use this now?

Once upon a time, his sect master brother had patted his shoulder and earnestly instructed:

“If anything unusual happens with the Heavenly Court, Human Dao Sect, or Crossing Immortal Gate, and you can’t contact me through divine sense, open this jade talisman. Inside, it will teach you how to adapt to changing circumstances.”

This was the legendary Sea God Sect’s doomsday contingency plan!

With a solemn expression, Ao Yi confirmed there were no threats or prying eyes around before breaking the talisman’s restrictions and sending his immortal consciousness inside.

This was!

“Come in haste, mind not the trivial, the Way is fixed, difficult to strive ahead.”

The Sutra of Stability…

After reading the Sutra of Stability, there were several vertical lines of text at the end that read:

“Are you clear-headed now?”

“Think about whether the current situation truly requires finding me.”

“Now you can begin adapting to circumstances.”

Ao Yi: …

He wanted to maintain his numb expression and smash the jade talisman on the ground, cursing what kind of doomsday plan this was!

*Ahem, stay calm, stay calm.*

His sect master brother might be in trouble, and the most likely place to find him would be…

The Crossing Immortal Gate.

Ao Yi recited the scripture three more times to steady his mind, then brought some gifts and traveled circuitously to the Crossing Immortal Gate while concealing his presence.

As soon as he arrived at the gate of the Crossing Immortal Gate, Ao Yi noticed something unusual.

There was an extremely profound trace of the Dao here, quite similar to the Dao essence in the Palace of Satisfaction.

But this trace was very faint – if not for Ao Yi’s dragon’s sense of smell, draconic sensitivity, and years of influence from his sect master brother, he likely wouldn’t have noticed it.

Ao Yi had transformed into a youth. He rode a cloud forward, explained his purpose to the elderly gate guardians, and handed over a jade talisman, saying it was for the Crossing Immortal Gate’s Sect Leader’s eyes only. Then he waited outside the mountain gate.

Soon, an elder came to lead Ao Yi into the Crossing Immortal Gate, taking him to the Hall of Crossing Immortals.

Sect Leader Ji Wuyou wiped away traces of blood from the corner of his mouth and came out to welcome him, clasping his hands with a smile: “I didn’t know it was the Heav—”

“Sect Leader Wuyou,” Ao Yi interrupted Ji Wuyou’s words with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.

Ji Wuyou immediately understood that Ao Yi couldn’t reveal his identity and turned to make a welcoming gesture, leading Ao Yi to a side hall.

“General Ao Yi, do you have some urgent matter?”

“Sect Leader Wuyou, has there been anything unusual at Small Jade Peak?” Ao Yi furrowed his brows. “The Heavenly Court is currently facing some troubles, but I can’t contact my teacher— Brother Changshou.”

“Oh?” Ji Wuyou frowned in thought, then said: “Come with me but use invisibility techniques. Let’s go take a look at Small Jade Peak.”

Ao Yi thought: *Does a sect leader need to be so cautious within his sect?*

Of course, he couldn’t say this out loud. Although the Empty Void Sect Leader was just an ordinary Golden Immortal, and his foundation had been damaged from forcefully cultivating the Second Qi Divine Technique of the Acupoints, he was still the leader of a Human Dao sect branch.

All this sneaking around…

There was a certain thrill to potentially glimpsing his sect master brother’s daily life.

Unfortunately, when the two reached the invisible formation outside Small Jade Peak and were about to enter, their spiritual senses began wildly pulsing.

Ji Wuyou’s brows furrowed – he, a Golden Immortal, actually had the thought that entering this place would result in immediate grave injury.

This…

“Sect Leader Wuyou, let’s enter openly and properly,” Ao Yi suggested, not without disappointment.

Ji Wuyou coughed and revealed himself, calling out toward Small Jade Peak: “Is anyone on the peak?”

A trace of immortal consciousness probed out from within, but it only saw Ji Wuyou.

Suddenly, a sword light burst forth from Small Jade Peak!

This sword light was about ten zhang long, overall azure blue in color, containing sharp sword intent that was about to explode right in front of Ji Wuyou.

Ji Wuyou hurriedly retreated, using all his strength to flee. He barely managed to escape several dozen zhang away, narrowly avoiding the sword light, though a strand of his hair was cut…

This?

Ji Wuyou wasn’t particularly concerned, only wondering what he had done wrong to displease Young Master Xuandu.

However, the Crossing Immortal Gate erupted into chaos, with figures shooting up from various peaks, ready to rush over and protect their sect leader.

On Small Jade Peak, Ling E hurriedly ran out of the thatched cottage, waving the jade talisman in her hand. Waves of energy immediately appeared before Sect Leader Ji Wuyou and Ao Yi as the formation’s entrance opened.

Ling E slapped her forehead – if she hadn’t discovered the “operational error” in time, causing the Five Elements Formation to shift slightly, their sect leader might have perished!

“Not bad! *cough*!”

Ji Wuyou coughed, his voice reaching everywhere, “This formation that poor me designed together with Changshou is indeed powerful. Alright, no need for more testing, lest we disturb fellow disciples’ cultivation. Everyone returns, it’s fine, it’s fine.”

Ao Yi, hidden by concealment techniques in the shadows, couldn’t help wiping cold sweat from his forehead.

Was it this difficult to be his sect master brother’s sect leader?

Ji Wuyou smiled calmly, helped conceal Ao Yi’s form, and flew together into Small Jade Peak. The formation on the peak closed again.

The immortal ladies in the card room also came to the door and windows to look out, showing expressions of understanding when they saw what had happened.

“Hm?” Jiang Lin’er’s brows rose as her gaze suddenly turned sharp. “Little Jiu, are you switching cards?”

“No!”

Jiu Jiu, who was using telekinesis techniques, giggled. Jiang Lin’er said “Oh really!” and pounced directly at her. Under the somewhat helpless and envious gazes of Jiu Yushi and Xiong Lingli, quite a scuffle ensued.

Meanwhile, when Ji Wuyou and Ao Yi reached Small Jade Peak, Ao Yi revealed himself and clasped his hands in greeting Ling E, saying loudly: “Sister-in-law Ling E.”

Ling E felt somewhat embarrassed but nodded calmly, stepping forward to apologize profusely to the sect leader. Ji Wuyou repeatedly waved it off saying it was fine.

Ao Yi dared not waste time and went straight to the point, asking:

“Is my sect master brother on the mountain?”

Ling E’s brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Ao Yi, then at Ji Wuyou, showing some hesitation.

Ji Wuyou smiled and said: “This poor one has matters to attend to, I’ll wait aside…”

“Senior Brother should not be on the mountain,” Ling E said thus, and seeing Ao Yi’s frown, quickly added, “But Senior Brother should be safe right now.”

Ao Yi hurriedly asked: “Where did my sect master brother go?”

“Just earlier, Mr. Bai, that is, Elder Baize, came to our peak,” Ling E said. “Elder Baize said my senior brother had entered an ancient ruin and was trapped in a formation while comprehending a divine technique. Only after comprehending this divine technique could he escape from the formation.”

Ji Wuyou smiled and said: “Changshou truly has good fortune.”

However, Ao Yi lowered his head in thought for a while before asking: “Is there any proof?”

“Yes, and it’s very convincing,” Ling E took out a small four-cornered flag from her sleeve. A trace of Dao essence floated from it, causing Ao Yi and Ji Wuyou to unconsciously step back several paces, not daring to even breathe.

Ji Wuyou was quite the seasoned veteran of the primordial world.

He immediately recognized this treasure flag and its Dao essence, exclaiming involuntarily: “The Ground-Leaving Flame Light Flag of Xuandu!”

Ao Yi’s face also showed sudden understanding, and he relaxed slightly.

Ling E said: “Elder Baize said that Senior Brother had him bring this flag back for me to protect Small Jade Peak. If any danger arises, Elder Baize will come in time… Oh right, Elder Baize has gone to the Heavenly Court.”

Ao Yi smiled: “That’s good, that’s good, I’ll return to the Heavenly Court right away!”

Beside them, Ji Wuyou hummed thoughtfully, looking at the Ground-Leaving Flame Light Flag, then at Ling E, sensing the early-stage Celestial Immortal Dao essence she revealed, and quietly asked:

“Would Ling E be interested in the position of sect leader?”

Ling E: …

“Sect Leader, that’s… that’s not necessary.”

…

By the time Ao Yi returned to the Heavenly Court, Baize had already left.

By now, few in the world didn’t know that Baize was the mount of the Heavenly Court’s Water God Li Changgeng. After all, this was a fatal blow to the demon tribes but an entertaining moment of pride for humanity, so word spread extremely quickly.

When Baize came to the Heavenly Court, he released his pressure and unfurled his feathers to present the Water God’s jade talisman. The Celestial Army didn’t stop him, instead escorting him to the Hall of Clarity.

At the time, Baize maintained his true form while strolling through the Heavenly Court, moving with an ‘elegant’ bearing and ‘sophisticated’ gait, drawing the attention of many female immortals and admiration from male immortals.

Upon reaching the Hall of Clarity, Baize didn’t say much.

Though excited about being busy everywhere doing tasks assigned by the Sage Lord through the peculiar method of ‘Dao Heart Condensed Characters’ – which proved the Sage Lord had acknowledged him as his disciple’s… mount!

But thinking of Lu Ya’s death, Baize felt somewhat dejected.

The Heavenly Court couldn’t go a day without someone in charge. Now Li Changshou had been taken back to Three Immortal Island by Immortal Lady Yuanxiao to recover, and even with the Primordial Golden Dipper, he probably wouldn’t awaken for eight or ten years.

Though Master Wood wasn’t particularly capable, he could at least maintain the Heavenly Court’s normal operations.

After reaching the Hall of Clarity, Baize’s head feathers flickered slightly, and a medicinal pill entered East Master Wood’s mouth.

In moments, Master Wood’s green complexion faded, his injuries healed, and he could immediately get out of bed.

Baize spoke in human language with his auspicious beast bearing:

“The Water God is fine, everyone need not worry, though he cannot return to the Heavenly Court at present. Please have Master Wood maintain control of the Heavenly Court’s situation, and do not rashly deploy troops against the demon tribes. The Heavenly Court need only hold firm.”

East Master Wood’s gaze flickered as he heard Baize’s transmitted voice. He immediately responded with a Daoist salute and sighed:

“Many thanks for the Water God’s rescue!”

“Master Wood, you have much work ahead,” Baize said thus, then departed the Heavenly Court with blue ripples trailing behind him, maintaining his ‘sophisticated gait.’

After Baize left, the crowd hurriedly asked East Master Wood what had happened.

Following Baize’s transmitted message, Master Wood only said he had been ambushed by demon realm experts working together, but fortunately the Water God had saved him.

As for the Water God’s whereabouts, the explanation was similar to what Baize had told Ling E.

This news spread quickly through the Heavenly Court. The Celestial Army and Generals breathed sighs of relief, while Master Wood’s face showed helplessness.

When he had been thrown by Lu Ya, though his mind was unclear and hazy, he had distinctly seen it!

Seen…

He saw the Water God fighting more than ten great demon beasts to save him, finally falling from the sky dome!

He, Master Wood, owed the Water God two lives!

The Water God wasn’t discovering some secret ground for cultivation – he was afraid of chaos in the Heavenly Court and had hidden away to recover from grave injuries!

How hateful that he, East Master Wood, had such poor cultivation!

How hateful that His Majesty the Jade Emperor was not in the Heavenly Court!

But East Master Wood could only keep this hatred in his heart, turning instead to focus on the Heavenly Court’s affairs and stabilizing the overall situation.

This hatred was like a flame, constantly burning in Master Wood’s heart…

Finally, twelve years later.

While the Heavenly Court maintained peace with the Northern Continent’s demon tribes, East Master Wood could no longer endure. During the Night of Stars, he knelt before the sealed Palace of Celestial Purity and made a deep bow.

Outside Que City in the Southern Jambudvipa Continent, in a leisurely manner.

Hua Youming, who had let his horses roam the southern mountains and returned to farm the fields, living peacefully with his beloved wife for seven years, was now worried about having no children and facing the seven-year problem, considering whether to take a concubine, when he was awakened by a thunderclap in the night!

He sat up suddenly, his eyes full of bewilderment as memories returned to his heart, and he couldn’t help laughing loudly.

In this life, I campaigned for years, married, and retired… perfect…

Eh?

Why are the most frequent faces in these mortal memories so familiar!?

Soft murmurs came from beside the Jade Emperor, whose expression gradually changed from a smile to a black face before he silently raised his hand to cover his forehead.

Just then, two golden lights flew down from high above, shining upon the mortal incarnations of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother. The two instantly transformed into points of light and vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving only the thin blanket sliding down softly.

In the Palace of Celestial Purity, the Jade Emperor opened his eyes on his throne, unable to help raising his hand in silence.

This…

Messes with my mind!

How did Changgeng arrange this? How did it end up… This was just like being in Heaven!

No, Sister must have discovered something and forced Changgeng to follow down.

Hmph, this time I must punish Changgeng for his poor handling of affairs – I’ll make him train Chang’e in the Moon Palace for a hundred years!

The Jade Emperor gave a light laugh, savoring the various experiences of mortal life as his Dao essence slowly emanated. But seeing East Master Wood kneeling outside the hall, he didn’t rush to comprehend the Dao, instead opening the Palace of Celestial Purity to let Master Wood enter.

As soon as Master Wood entered the hall, the Jade Emperor smiled:

“Why is only Master Wood here? Where is my beloved official Changgeng?”

Master Wood’s eyes reddened as he rushed to the center of the great hall and fell to his knees, instantly breaking into tears as he cried out:

“Your Majesty! This old minister risks death to awaken Your Majesty, truly a grave offense! But twelve years ago, those demons were too outrageous in attempting to assassinate your old minister! The Water God, to save this old minister’s life, was surrounded and attacked by more than ten ancient great demon beasts, gravely injured nearly to death. Now this old minister doesn’t know the Water God’s whereabouts! After twelve years without news… this old minister was truly worried about the Water God, and so awakened Your Majesty!”

The Palace of Celestial Purity was quiet for a moment. The white-robed Heavenly Emperor sitting on the throne gradually darkened in expression, his eyes growing cold!

Bang!

The jade desk was kicked flying as the Jade Emperor stood up.

“Twelve years!

Why did you wait twelve years to awaken me? Why wait twelve years?

Go, go mobilize all divisions of the Celestial Army! March at once! If Changgeng has come to any harm, I swear to slaughter every ancient demon!”

Rumble—

Outside the Palace of Celestial Purity, the weather changed dramatically as lightning dragons flashed, shocking the Nine Heavenly Gates into constant trembling.