Dizang was indeed a good immortal god.

On the cloud ride leaving the Tower of Reincarnation, Li Changshou and Grand Magus Xuandu exchanged glances, each revealing slight smiles.

Things had progressed quite smoothly. With Dizang’s full cooperation, the Grand Magus and Taiji Diagram providing protection, Li Changshou had fulfilled Lady Houtu’s trust by transforming the Seven Emotion Avatars into ‘reincarnation spirits.’

Naturally, Lady Houtu had prepared most things in advance, and the Seven Emotion Avatars were each stable and mutually balanced…

At this moment in Li Changshou’s palm, a thumb-sized spirit light flickered gently, wrapped in the yin-yang energies emanating from the Taiji Diagram for complete protection.

—This was the initial form of a being’s soul when leaving the Six Paths of Reincarnation and entering a mortal vessel.

The pair of senior and junior brothers chatted as they left the Netherworld, both taking Lady Houtu’s request seriously but not considering it a difficult matter.

Li Changshou had originally planned to bring Spirit Zhenzhu along to the Holy Mother’s Palace to broaden his horizons;

But when his divine consciousness swept over Fengdu City, he found Spirit Zhenzhu deeply engaged in weapon practice with Ox Head and Horse Face near the Trial of Courage Hall, so he didn’t disturb them.

Looking at Spirit Zhenzhu today, seeing… that ‘bright,’ ‘confident,’ and ‘free’ smile blooming on his face, Li Changshou felt deeply gratified.

This was only the first formal therapy session, yet it had already shown such results!

The many arrangements planned for later could be reduced – let Spirit Zhenzhu stay with the Shamanic Tribe for a while longer.

Unfortunately, that heart-burning plan meant to ignite the small flame in Spirit Zhenzhu’s heart…

Wouldn’t be needed anymore.

Additionally, Li Changshou discovered that because Spirit Zhenzhu was born from a spirit pearl, his physical body was much stronger than ordinary immortals and gods, quite compatible with Shamanic battle techniques. He had already learned many Shamanic fighting skills.

He was particularly adept at the Great Majestic Heaven Dragon battle technique.

Though Spirit Zhenzhu’s spiritual cultivation was only at the Heaven Immortal realm, his combat power was already quite remarkable.

Worth about one [Season] of power.

Li Changshou hadn’t forgotten his earlier promise to Uncle Master Yuan Shitianzun to visit Jade Void Palace… He could use Spirit Zhenzhu as an opportunity to take him there for a visit.

Should he also visit the Jade Clarity Palace?

Come to think of it, hadn’t Master Tongtian said he would give him a magical treasure? Why hadn’t there been any news?

Could he still be beating up Zhunti in the Chaos Sea?

“What are you thinking about?”

Grand Magus Xuandu smiled and said, “You look quite troubled. If you have concerns, discuss them with your elder brother.

Though I might not be able to give you any useful advice.”

“No, just reflecting on various past matters,” Li Changshou said with feeling. “Dizang is someone worth befriending.”

Grand Magus Xuandu shook his head and sighed, “Compared to you, he’s still somewhat naive.”

“Senior Brother, we shouldn’t look at it that way,” Li Changshou said. “If our positions were reversed, I might not have done better than him.

I ultimately had the support of the Dao School’s great influence.

Without this influence, the outcome of my contest with Dizang would truly be hard to predict.”

“That you can think this way puts my mind at ease. Don’t become self-satisfied and complacent; everything is under the Heavenly Dao’s watch.”

Grand Magus Xuandu casually opened a spatial rift: “Come, let’s go to the Holy Mother’s Palace. After sending you there, I need to return to Xuandu City.”

“Don’t rush, Senior Brother,” Li Changshou said seriously. “As they say, escort… escort to the end. Why don’t we settle the Seven Emotion Avatars together?”

“Good,” Grand Magus Xuandu nodded with a smile. “Then if Master blames me, you must put in some good words for me.”

Li Changshou agreed and stepped into the space rift before him, wrapped in the Taiji Diagram, instantly traversing countless miles.

He wanted to ask questions like ‘When you talk with Master, is it also averaging one sentence every three years?’

But considering the several supreme treasures present, who might go tattle to Master about the senior and junior disciples secretly mocking Sage’s poor communication skills – that wouldn’t be nice at all.

At the top of the Tower of Reincarnation;

Dizang stood quietly, gazing in the direction where Li Changshou and Grand Magus Xuandu had departed on their cloud, his eyes showing slight emotion.

“Setting aside our respective positions, the Water God is indeed someone worth befriending.”

“Pfft! Hahaha!”

The green-haired big dog rolled over, kicking his four legs forcefully, trying to hold back his laughter.

Dizang snorted, showing an expression of not bothering to deal with him, and stood quietly for a long time, his eyes full of serenity.

…

Buzz—

A mosquito-like sound cut through the depths of the Blood Sea, falling into that ruined great city.

A flash of blood light revealed Minister Wenjing’s bewitching and charming figure, her blood-colored gauze robes adding somewhat more to her troublemaking intent.

She wasn’t in a hurry to go to the abandoned great hall where expert auras were concentrated, but stood quietly there, looking down at this city full of broken formations.

‘How did Lord Water God manage it?

Passing through this checkpoint without a sound or trace.

Now that’s the kind of superior I, the Queen, should have!’

Minister Wenjing couldn’t help but feel such emotion.

With light movements of her lotus feet and slender waist, in a flash of blood light, the Queen had arrived before that abandoned great hall, her face full of coldness.

In the hall, dozens of figures either sitting or lying down stood up, watching Minister Wenjing’s figure with unfriendly expressions.

Before Minister Wenjing could speak, a cold snort came from within:

“Where is the fortune the Western Teaching promised us?

Where is the Tower of Reincarnation? Why has it been incorporated into the Six Paths of Reincarnation?”

Minister Wenjing’s mouth twitched slightly: “Go ask the two Sage Lords yourselves. Coming here full of anger to blame me, do you think I can’t destroy you?”

The Asura expert who had spoken immediately closed his mouth, sitting there in silence.

Another Asura expert asked, “Wenjing, what is the Western Teaching’s response to us?”

Minister Wenjing said calmly: “This matter of the Tower of Reincarnation was all due to the Dao School’s challenge and the Water God’s interference.

That day you should have sensed it too – two Dao School Sages came, which truly put us in a very passive position.

But rest assured.

Now the Great Sage Lord’s disciple Dizang has become the Tower Master, and with this fortune’s support, the Western Teaching’s great prosperity isn’t far off.

When that time comes, we won’t shortchange anyone. The status and prestige due to the Asura Tribe will be delivered as promised.”

The Asura experts in the hall fell into silence.

An old woman asked softly, “What about that matter?”

Which matter?

Minister Wenjing maintained her composure and said coldly: “Don’t ask for too much. Now no one will easily invade the Blood Sea, isn’t it good for your Asura Tribe to multiply and prosper peacefully?”

The old woman said excitedly: “The Western Teaching’s Second Patriarch personally promised us! If not for that, why would we serve the Western Teaching?”

Minister Wenjing said: “I don’t know what the two Patriarchs promised you, but you’d better know your place. In today’s world, you don’t have many places to stay.”

“You!”

“Blood Mosquito Queen probably doesn’t know,” another aged voice came from the corner, “We want to retrieve a treasure that was secretly taken by the Western Teaching’s Second Patriarch years ago.

For this, we’ve already sacrificed a prince, and even tolerated our ancestor’s sword remaining on Spirit Mountain.”

“Oh?” Minister Wenjing said calmly, “What treasure?”

“The last seed of the Twelve-Petaled Karma Fire Lotus.”

Minister Wenjing laughed lightly: “So you want to resurrect your ancestor, no wonder… I’ll report this matter truthfully to the Vice Patriarch when I return.

However, you shouldn’t hold too much hope. I can’t say much about Western Teaching nowadays.

The Vice Patriarch had me come to appease you, take these.”

With that, Minister Wenjing casually threw several storage treasures forward, then flicked her sleeve, her figure transforming into a streak of blood light and disappearing, leaving a group of Asura experts snorting and spitting.

The trip wasn’t wasted, wasn’t wasted!

I have another piece of news to report to Lord Water God!

Before Minister Wenjing had left the Netherworld, a blood mosquito had already flown to the back hall of the Sea God Temple in Anshui City, waiting for a while in the corner of the beam, and soon saw the Water God’s paper avatar.

Li Changshou frowned and asked if she had urgent matters;

Minister Wenjing said it wasn’t urgent, just some important intelligence, and truthfully told Li Changshou about the matter of the last seed of the Twelve-Petaled Karma Fire Lotus.

Li Changshou: …

Just this? [Taiyi Limited Edition].

He was just chatting with the Holy Mother, about to be drawn into the ‘time stop’ divine ability when he suddenly had to tell the Holy Mother to wait, dividing his attention to come here!

Of course, he couldn’t show any impatience.

Minister Wenjing was key to the Dao School’s major calculations; he had to use both grace and pressure to thoroughly secure her on the Human Dao’s side.

Li Changshou explained unhurriedly: “I’ve heard about this from Senior Brother before. The Asura Tribe proves their Dao through killing, their fortune isn’t prospering, and they can’t accomplish great things.

Ancestor Minghe was destroyed by the Heavenly Dao’s Purple Lightning, even Sages must consider carefully whether to help him return to life.

You don’t need to make a special trip just for this matter. You should still be careful, focusing primarily on concealing yourself.”

The blood mosquito asked softly: “My Lord, until when must your servant hide? And what am I to do?”

Li Changshou smiled slightly and said calmly: “When the time comes, you’ll know. I won’t treat you unfairly.”

“Thank you, My Lord,” Minister Wenjing responded thus, but her heart was slightly unsure.

She had seen the Water God’s calculations too many times, almost always completely thorough and far-reaching in their planning.

She had long since become part of some calculation of the Water God’s – Minister Wenjing had this much self-awareness;

But what the Water God was calculating, Minister Wenjing truly didn’t understand. Surely he couldn’t want her to bite the face of the Western Teaching’s Sage Lords – she couldn’t bite through that.

Li Changshou suddenly smiled and said: “Since you’re here, let your blood mosquito hide here.

Senior Brother Xuandu just returned to this realm yesterday – would you like to see him?”

Minister Wenjing’s blood mosquito instantly transformed into a shadowy figure, looking at Li Changshou with anticipation. Her originally bewitching face gained a blush from excitement, adding a touch of feminine shyness.

“Find some living creature here to attach to, remember not to choose a human. After I finish official business with Senior Brother, I’ll invite him to come sit for a while.”

“Thank you, My Lord, for your kindness! Thank you, My Lord, for your kindness!”

The shadow kept bowing in gratitude, unable to resist covering her mouth with her hand as she said coquettishly:

“Speaking of it now, this servant feels quite shy.”

“Remember to keep your tears of joy inside, don’t let them spill out!”

“Yes, this servant will obey.”

Li Changshou: Such repetitive words are truly sickening.

This paper avatar returned to the underground paper avatar storage, and Li Changshou secretly watched Minister Wenjing until he saw her settle onto a small calico cat. Only then did he feel assured enough to return his consciousness to his main body.

In the Holy Mother’s Palace, within the Holy Mother’s Hall.

Li Changshou opened his eyes to look forward, seeing several beautiful immortal maidens performing sword dances;

Beside him, the Grand Magus watched with interest, casually putting some rare immortal fruits into his mouth.

‘Everything alright?’

This question arose in Li Changshou’s mind.

He nodded, looking up at the throne on the high platform, seeing the Human Race’s Holy Mother sitting quietly beneath the divine statue.

Sacred light fell upon her golden dress; the dignified and majestic Holy Mother’s sage-like bearing made one unable to look directly at her.

Click!

A light sound, and before Li Changshou’s eyes, light and shadow flowed, the world turned pale white, and he was pulled into Empress Nuwa’s divine ability.

The familiar pavilion, familiar setting, familiar pool.

By now the Holy Mother had walked out of the pool, her snake tail transformed into human feet, slightly curled long hair falling, loose robes rippling like water waves, naturally giving off a sense of lazy comfort.

She put down the painting book in her hand, covered her mouth for a yawn, pulled out a low table, took out some seven-colored earth, and asked:

“Did Friend Houtu mention what kind of physical form she wanted?”

Li Changshou hurriedly asked: “Holy Mother, you mean… this can be customized?”

“Of course,” Empress Nuwa sat down cross-legged calmly. “Although this Empress achieved sagehood through merit, after so many years of comprehending the Great Dao of Creation, I naturally have some dao fruits to show for it.

For Friend Houtu’s sake, I won’t be stingy.”

“I see,” Li Changshou sat cross-legged at the side of the low table and explained in detail the special nature of the Seven Emotion Avatars.

Empress Nuwa supported her chin in thought, a strand of hair sliding down from beside her ear. Though the scene was beautiful, it didn’t stir the slightest improper thought.

“So this dao body needs to contain seven souls…”

Nuwa murmured, her slender fingers slowly beginning to knead, quickly molding a simple clay figure wearing a long dress.

Judging by the technique, speed, and artistry of the finished product…

This was truly an ancient master craftswoman.

The Holy Mother asked: “How about this?”

Li Changshou widened his eyes looking at this simple clay figure. It had a nose and eyes, but it was still just a clay figure.

Being asked to evaluate it directly… was quite sudden.

“Holy Mother, I don’t understand this art, but it seems quite harmonious.”

Empress Nuwa gave a light laugh: “Wait a moment, I’ll add some details for her.”

With these words, she blew a breath of immortal qi at the clay figure, which transformed into seven-colored auspicious light, condensing into a graceful figure at the side.

Skin like jade, hair like a waterfall, form slender and delicate, features elegant and beautiful, the silk dress exquisitely crafted, making her figure even more enchanting.

Truly ‘some details.’

Then, Empress Nuwa’s fair hand waved lightly, and this dao body slowly ‘shrank,’ from the prime of youth to tender adolescence, then to childhood, to infancy, finally becoming a seven-colored orb of light the size of a fist…

Such divine ability of creation truly left Li Changshou in endless amazement, unable to recover for a long time.

The methods of a Sage were truly extraordinary.

“Here,” Empress Nuwa guided the light orb over, placing it in Li Changshou’s hand. “This is a primordial embryo. Place it before a woman and she will conceive.

Of course, a man could also work.

However, you’d need to suppress the man’s yang energy and infuse more yin energy, to prevent unstable pregnancy.

Remember, place this embryo first, then the Seven Emotion souls, and they can be born like mortals.”

Li Changshou’s eyes brightened: “Speaking of which, doesn’t this mean we don’t need to go to the mortal world?”

Empress Nuwa smiled and said: “In the current era, mortals’ fortune is still quite good. It’s up to you to choose.”

“Thank you for your creation, Holy Mother!”

Li Changshou stood up and made a Daoist salute, took out a jade box, placed the primordial embryo and Seven Emotion souls in separate compartments, and inquired about several more details.

Empress Nuwa maintained no airs, answering Li Changshou’s questions one by one in detail.

Then Li Changshou asked about…

“Holy Mother, you mentioned the number five hundred last time. When would you like me to come paint for you?”

“No hurry, handle the great tribulation matters first,” Nuwa gave a light laugh. “When the winds calm and waves settle when nothing is pressing outside, then come stay in my Holy Mother Palace for five hundred years.”

Li Changshou’s feet slipped and he almost fell to his knees.

Stay in the Holy Mother Palace for five hundred years? That meant five hundred years outside the time-stopping divine ability, plus the time within the time stop…

When Li Changshou left the Holy Mother Palace, his legs were somewhat weak, making Grand Magus Xuandu click his tongue in wonder.

The pair of senior and junior brothers headed to the Shang tribe as planned.

The matter of the Seven Emotions’ rebirth proceeded smoothly.

Kong Xuan naturally wouldn’t hide from Grand Magus Xuandu, personally selecting a strong and healthy woman as the vessel to carry the Seven Emotions’ reincarnation.

Li Changshou gave this woman many benefits, adding twenty years to her lifespan alone, and gave her many pills as well.

—Because Lady Houtu’s status was too high and the Seven Emotions retained their original memories, the baby girl to be born couldn’t call this woman mother, which made Li Changshou feel quite guilty.

So he also casually added some fortune and luck for this kind-hearted woman, ensuring she would have blessed lives for several reincarnations.

Quite ashamed that he could only give this much in return.

After settling the woman, Li Changshou left two normal army units of paper avatars, hiding secretly underground, with the power of the Heavenly Dao also covering this woman.

The Heavenly Dao also had to give Lady Houtu some face.

Grand Magus Xuandu expressed his intention to leave, but Li Changshou said that the brothers hadn’t seen each other for years, and his main body would have difficulty coming out of seclusion later, so why not have a drink before parting?

The Grand Magus was extremely willing – as long as Li Changshou had enough reasons to keep him, not returning wouldn’t be a problem.

But when Grand Magus Xuandu opened space and was about to return directly to the Sea God Temple’s backyard in Anshui City using the Taiji Diagram, Kong Xuan somehow stepped forward and said:

“May I come along?”

Come… along?

Li Changshou couldn’t help but frown – there was another sister-in-law… ahem, future sister-in-law over there!

The Grand Magus said gently: “Come along then, Changgen has quite a good skill.”

With these words, he went through the spatial rift without looking back. Kong Xuan seemed to relax slightly and had already stepped forward to follow, disappearing with a whoosh.

Li Changshou: …

!?

“Why don’t we ride clouds and fly there instead!”

The spatial rift was about to close, and Li Changshou could only shout half his sentence before having to step forward and quickly dive in.

Walking no more than ten steps or so, they had already walked out of another spatial rift, arriving in the Sea God Temple’s backyard.

“Meow?”

In front of the back hall, the obediently sitting calico cat tilted its head slightly.