Last night’s gentle wind and light rain couldn’t wash away the lingering mix of joy and worry.

By dawn in the Eastern Heaven, only scattered cups and plates remained in the Sea God Temple’s rear hall.

Dao Master Wenjing was the first to leave, not because she had been defeated, but because her blood mosquito power was exhausted.

Moreover, to leave a good impression on the Great Master, she employed a small trick – she didn’t drain the life force of the small calico cat. After her blood mosquito’s divine ability dispersed, the cat was unharmed.

However, it did leave one side effect – the cat became especially clingy with the Great Master.

At dawn, Kong Xuan was the second to bid farewell.

He left with additional concerns on his mind, giving Li Changshou a meaningful look before departing.

As for Li Changshou’s response to this… he pretended not to notice.

Could he directly meddle in this matter?

The main players in this love triangle were Kong Xuan, Dao Master Wenjing, and Great Master Xuandu. Except for Dao Master Wenjing who excelled at sneak attacks and ambush tactics, she was a couple of notches weaker than the other two in confrontation. Which of them could he dare to provoke?

Most importantly…

The Great Master clearly showed some resistance to this matter.

When leaving, the Great Master frowned in deep thought, pondering for a long while before finally realizing, muttering:

“Changshou, could it be that Friend Kong Xuan has some non-friendly thoughts about your senior brother?”

Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes: “Senior Brother, you’re overthinking it.”

“That’s good,” the Great Master sighed in relief. “Such matters are truly difficult to handle. Sleeping alone is so comfortable – having another person beside would be too constraining.”

Li Changshou calmly added: “These two both harbor deep feelings for Senior Brother, far beyond mere ‘non-friendly thoughts.'”

The Great Master’s eyes widened instantly. He paced back and forth before sighing: “Help your senior brother handle this!”

Li Changshou spread his hands: “This matter is too significant. Dao Master Wenjing was specifically chosen by Teacher, and Friend Kong Xuan is one of the rare supreme experts in heaven and earth.

Senior Brother, think about it – if we could attract Friend Kong Xuan to join our Human Sect as an expert… in future situations requiring top-tier power, wouldn’t you be justified in taking it easy?”

Teaching according to one’s nature, persuading based on personality.

The Great Master thought carefully and smiled: “That does make sense.

Let’s set aside the matter of a Dao partner – I won’t harbor such foolish thoughts. If Friend Kong Xuan could join our Human Sect, it would strengthen the Dao School’s destiny.

Changshou, keep this matter in mind and do your best. I’ll head back to Xuandu City now.”

After speaking, the Great Master’s palm surged with yin-yang energy, patting the Taiji Diagram onto Li Changshou’s shoulder. His form turned and vanished with a whoosh.

From Li Changshou’s perspective, the Great Master seemed to be fleeing in panic.

Ultimately, it was the Great Master’s free-spirited nature – he saw both Kong Xuan and Dao Master Wenjing as troublesome, completely unmoved by either.

The Great Master left the Taiji Diagram with him before departing. Li Changshou knew in his heart that the Great Master would hide in Xuandu City…

The next time he would see the Great Master would probably be during the Purple Void Palace assembly.

Li Changshou casually scattered a handful of Samadhi True Flame, burning to ashes all the tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks that Dao Master Wenjing and Kong Xuan had touched.

Standing at the rear hall entrance, he sighed lightly. His true body used the earth traversal technique and vanished at the South Seashore.

Half a day later.

Li Changshou returned to Little Qiong Peak, placing the Taiji Diagram, Xuanhuang Tower, Heaven-Earth Ruler, and Flame Light Banner before Supreme Lord Taiqing’s treasure painting, bowing three times.

A faint Dao charm floated up from the Taiji Diagram as the four treasures were retrieved to Supreme Clarity Sage’s side.

Seeing this, Li Changshou felt a weight lift from his heart.

It seemed his main body wouldn’t need to make an appearance anytime soon…

He temporarily left the underground chamber with Ling’e to refresh themselves on Little Qiong Peak’s surface. Ling’e made tea for him and brought two plates of snacks before riding a cloud to play with Jiuyushi.

Li Changshou sat in a rocking chair, gently swaying while playing with a golden ‘longevity lock’ in his hand…

For Patriarch Tongtian to give such a precious treasure at the first meeting – was it really, as Ling’e thought, hinting at something?

The treasure had already introduced itself earlier, sending a spiritual sense into his heart that manifested as a somewhat cold female voice:

“I am the Heart-Piercing Lock, following the Lord’s command to obey your orders henceforth as your companion treasure.”

Li Changshou calmly expressed his thanks, currently familiarizing himself with the Heart-Piercing Lock’s powers.

This lock…

Li Changshou didn’t have many past-life memories related to it, and its reputation naturally couldn’t compare to treasures like the Four Swords of Demon Slaying, the Green Pine Sword, or the Primordial Golden Dipper from the Severing Sect system.

But being able to directly communicate and converse with him was the mark of a precious treasure.

Named Heart-Piercing, it was also a weapon of killing.

When deployed, it could be used as a hidden weapon, easily assassinating ordinary Great Luo Immortals. It could also serve as an immortal rope, both binding the target and restraining their primordial spirit while sealing their immortal power.

Truly a supreme treasure for murder, robbery, and sneak attacks!

It quite matched Li Changshou’s style of operation.

Unfortunately, such a precious treasure couldn’t be casually poisoned – it required sufficient respect.

“Looking forward to working together,” Li Changshou said with a smile, holding the Heart-Piercing Lock in his palm as he began initial refinement.

The Heart-Piercing Lock didn’t resist, actively deepening its sense of closeness to Li Changshou, adapting to his primordial spirit power…

A gentle breeze passed through the forest, leaves rustling.

Clouds dotted the sky beyond the great formation, occasionally revealing human cultivators flying past.

Without realizing it, Li Changshou’s mind wandered slightly, lingering among the clouds, playing with returning birds, before sighing softly, thinking of the coming millennium.

A thousand years later, would he be able to withdraw safely?

This wasn’t something he dared to make predictions about…

After resting for half a day, he would need to return to busy work in the Heavenly Court. The Western Sect had gained a small victory this time, their destiny rising somewhat – he needed to find a way to suppress them as soon as possible.

There were still over eighty years until the Purple Void Palace assembly to discuss the God Canonization. Before then, he still had much to do.

Several questions emerged in Li Changshou’s mind…

Was Earth-Storage truly deceived by his master Initiation? Or was the entire setup under Sage Initiation’s control?

Had Original Heavenly Honored One and Patriarch Tongtian realized that the Severing Sect and Enlightenment Sect must eventually battle?

When Original Heavenly Honored One mentioned ‘three friends’ that day, he clearly remembered old friendships, but how much of that friendship would extend to Patriarch Tongtian’s disciples?

Would True Lord Taiyi’s mouth truly trigger an internal war in the Dao School…

Li Changshou unconsciously yawned as drowsiness surged. His heart immediately raised slight warnings. He deployed the Void-Bright Dao Heart to verify left and right, confirming that the tribulation destiny hadn’t affected him.

It must be due to dealing with the Sage’s challenge earlier, leaving his spirit somewhat fatigued.

‘Divide the spirit into regions, take turns resting for a while.’

Li Changshou closed his eyes, entering a state of light sleep as the formations across Little Qiong Peak stood ready.

In his hazy state, Li Changshou seemed to have a dream.

In the dream, he saw a blood-colored lotus flower absorbing turbid spiritual energy in a misty fog.

The lotus had nine petals, but a tenth was slowly forming.

Li Changshou couldn’t form many thoughts at this moment, only ‘watching’ this lotus flower, trying to read its message. His vision blurred, and behind the lotus appeared the figure of a tall, thin old Daoist.

This scene flashed by extremely quickly. The lotus shattered, and Li Changshou’s dream gradually dispersed.

Heaven’s Dao charm?

Maintaining his Void-Bright state of mind, Li Changshou keenly caught a trace of Dao charm flowing away like a stream, his lips curling slightly.

He knew it – this was Heaven’s Dao giving him a hint about something!

Combined with having heard twice before about the possibility that Old Ancestor Minghe might not be completely dead, this scene, no matter how you looked at it, suggested that Old Ancestor Minghe might come back to life soon.

Regarding this, Li Changshou carefully considered and decided…

To reject such hints.

Dream visions and induced anxiety – these were Heaven’s Dao’s common tactics.

If Lord Dao’s Ancestor wanted to give him a hint, he could just form a few words directly, as established by the previous “Owe it first” and “Together next time.”

Li Changshou could now confirm that Heaven’s Dao was divided into at least three components.

First was Heaven and Earth’s will;

Second was the collective will of all beings.

These two intertwined, based on the great laws of heaven and earth, giving birth to Heaven’s Dao which governed heaven and earth – completely impartial, without emotion or mind, treating all things in heaven and earth equally, with stability as its evolutionary tendency.

Third was Ancestor Hongjun, who after completing Heaven’s Dao wasn’t completely assimilated by it. Although he couldn’t separate from Heaven’s Dao, he could in turn greatly influence it.

The tribulation destiny of great calamities should have evolved from Heaven’s Dao itself, without direct connection to the Dao Ancestor.

The reason Li Changshou could distinguish this so clearly was that he had directly encountered the tribulation destiny of great calamities, relying on destiny to eliminate Daoist Luya.

While recovering in the Primordial Golden Dipper, that black shadow appearing in his Dao’s heart was the projection of Heaven’s Dao’s original will manifesting the tribulation destiny.

It wasn’t a being, but Heaven’s Dao’s own will, supervising him not to cause trouble, ensuring the God Canonization great calamity would begin smoothly.

When the Dao Ancestor formed words to send messages to him twice before, the manifested Dao charm was similar to but different from the tribulation destiny.

Therefore, Li Changshou determined that Heaven’s Dao wanted to use him as a treasure-bearer, deliberately giving such warnings when his spirit was resting.

That lotus flower… wouldn’t it be quick and clean to just strike it with Purple Void Divine Thunder?

Li Changshou naturally wouldn’t take risks, content to cultivate peacefully at home.

If changes arose in the Blood Sea, he could take the opportunity to organize another team-building event for the three schools of the Dao path…

With True Lord Taiyi’s mouth, what team couldn’t be built?

Speaking of which, which part of Heaven’s Dao decided to eliminate Senior Lang back then?

Li Changshou carefully calculated, but with too little information known at present, he couldn’t conclude.

Yet the answer to this question was incredibly important to him…

“Water God?! Water God!”

Suddenly, an excited shout came from beside his ear.

Li Changshou quickly awoke, instantly feeling refreshed and energized, his breathing smoother, the mountain forest scenery before him more pleasant than ever.

Part of his consciousness shifted to the Water God Manor in the Heavenly Court, activating a paper puppet and examining its appearance in the bronze mirror;

White hair, white robes, and a thin face, benevolent yet dignified, mature and steady – the Water God’s usual appearance.

Opening the study door, Li Changshou saw Qin Tianzhu’s excited face and smiled:

“Marshal Qin, what’s the matter?”

– After his previous journey to the Netherworld, His Majesty the Jade Emperor rewarded his avatar with a promotion to Marshal rank.

Qin Tianzhu stared wide-eyed, took a breath, and used all his strength to transmit two soft words:

“It happened!”

Li Changshou was a bit confused.

Qin Tianzhu slapped his thigh and transmitted with a grin: “My junior sister, my junior sister is with child!”

Li Changshou’s eyes lit up as he clasped his hands and transmitted:

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! What joyous news!”

“Hehe, hahaha!”

Qin Tianzhu immediately put his hands on his hips and laughed heartily, chest puffed out majestically. “It truly wasn’t easy, as both my junior sister and I are innate spiritual beings, and our current Dao realms are not low!”

Li Changshou gave a thumbs up: “Your Majesty’s virility benefits all beings – this is your blessed reward.”

Qin Tianzhu kept laughing while Li Changshou offered congratulations, forming a somewhat strange silent tableau that left the celestial soldiers and generals of the Water God Manor a bit bewildered.

Soon after, Qin Tianzhu composed himself and called out loudly, notifying Li Changshou to visit the Jade Pure Treasure Palace.

Li Changshou had thought the Jade Emperor would discuss matters of divine position promotion with him, but unexpectedly, he sealed off the Jade Pure Treasure Palace and had a grand drinking session.

In the end, the Jade Emperor collapsed drunk on the jade steps, while Li Changshou could only pretend to be drunk beside him.

Experience from his previous life told Li Changshou:

Even if your alcohol tolerance is better than your superior’s, you can’t show it, or else you’ll either end up being forced to drink for them or cause them trouble.

The Queen Mother’s pregnancy timing matched perfectly with the Seven Emotions avatar’s reincarnation.

Li Changshou truly broke out in a cold sweat – if he hadn’t personally sent the Seven Emotions avatar to reincarnate in the mortal realm, he would have suspected some connection here.

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother hadn’t announced this publicly, but rumors circulated in the Heavenly Court. Many celestial record keepers were watching the Jade Pool’s movements, questioning any fairy they saw from there.

Affairs throughout the Heavenly Court were generally leisurely, so such major news truly captured the attention of various immortals and deities.

Thus, ten months later.

There was naturally no movement from the Queen Mother’s side – the gestation period for innate spiritual beings’ offspring was different from mortals.

The woman that Li Changshou and Kong Xuan had found was about to give birth. Li Changshou went directly to Kong Xuan’s location in his Heavenly Court Water God form to provide protection.

Without danger or alarm, the woman smoothly delivered a baby girl.

At that moment, auspicious light filled the sky, various areas sprouted blessed clouds, and pink flower petals floated throughout the city.

The baby girl neither cried nor fussed after birth, her big eyes observing everything around her. A grass ring encircled her wrist, and though just born, she was already exquisitely beautiful, notably larger than ordinary infants.

After the midwife left with her reward, flying bird spirits at the Celestial Immortal realm that Kong Xuan had arranged beforehand came forward to care for the child.

At this time, Little Ai and the others’ memories and personalities remained sealed, set to gradually awaken as she grew, fully recovering to their original Seven Emotions avatar forms after sixteen years.

This Dao body was personally crafted by Goddess Nuwa, providing seven vessels for the Seven Emotions primordial spirits.

In the future, they could choose to take turns controlling this Dao body or coordinate simultaneously to fight others, without any sense of disconnection.

Soon after, Kong Xuan in white robes, Li Changshou in cyan Daoist robes, and several gorgeously dressed immortal maidens gathered around the bed to ponder.

Kong Xuan said: “Since she’s the Seven Emotions avatar, why not call her Qiqing (Seven Emotions)?”

“We can’t,” Li Changshou said, “Within the Seven Emotions, each avatar is relatively independent. Using one name to encompass all seven of them wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Kong Xuan smiled: “Then you name her.”

“Great Virtue Houtu benefits all beings and was the gentlest ancestor of the Witch Tribe. The Seven Emotions avatar was born from her and merged with the seven emotions of all beings.

So, how about… Iron Egg?”

The room instantly fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The baby girl who had been smiling foolishly immediately burst into tears, her little legs kicking wildly as a faint aura of sadness spread out.

Seeing this, Li Changshou smiled and said calmly:

“So the seven of you are indeed awake. Don’t cause trouble – I naturally wouldn’t give you such a name, I was just testing you.

This is the mortal realm, where humans inherently value the seven emotions and six desires. Observe well here, and if you need anything, you can always find me or Friend Kong Xuan. If you want to go somewhere, just tell me, and I’ll arrange it.

But remember, if you use your divine abilities to influence others and cause tragedy, I’ll take you away from this colorful world and make you cultivate in austere mountain seclusion.”

The baby girl rolled her eyes slightly, yawned in her swaddling clothes, and fell asleep.

Li Changshou smiled faintly, exchanged glances with Kong Xuan, and left the house.

“Friend, I’ll have to trouble you much.”

“I should be thanking you,” Kong Xuan said seriously. “Whether watching over the Shang tribe or looking after the Seven Emotions avatar’s reincarnation, both will improve my Phoenix Clan’s destiny.”

Li Changshou waved his hand and smiled: “We’re family – no need for such formality. You and my senior brother are close friends, so I naturally think of these benefits for you.”

Kong Xuan immediately showed a gentle smile, then sighed softly: “Does Changshou know, I’ve decided to settle my yin-yang nature, but currently lack a strand of primordial yin energy as a catalyst.”

Li Changshou quickly asked: “Where can this be found?”

“In the Chaos Sea,” Kong Xuan said, “or on the Great Yin Star.”

“Oh? The Great Yin Star?”

Li Changshou pondered briefly and smiled: “In that case, I’ll make a trip to the Great Yin Star and see if I can help you, friend.”

Kong Xuan was somewhat embarrassed, and after much consideration, asked quietly: “Is there anything you need my help with? Just receiving your kindness without return truly makes me uneasy.”

“Eh!”

Li Changshou swept his sleeve, gazing into the distance at the starlight, and said deeply:

“Without Senior Brother Xuandu, there would be no me today.

In my heart, I only hope Senior Brother Xuandu can live peacefully, with a worthy Dao partner by his side, free from worldly concerns, unfettered between heaven and earth.

Right now I can only call you ‘friend,’ but one day, I still hope to call you… Senior Sister.”

Kong Xuan was stunned, also gazing at the horizon, eyes full of peace, lost in thought for a long while.

Li Changshou: …

False matchmaking is nothing but “Love is a light that blinds you green” or “I have a shovel to dig at the corner of walls.”

True matchmaking centers around Senior Brother, painting a beautiful future for Kong Xuan who admires him, creating anticipation in Kong Xuan’s heart, and then expressing full support to make it happen!

This is Shou’s way of repaying kindness!

Hmm, next he needed to find a way to stabilize Wenjing, letting her work steadily for the Human Sect while giving her more hope for the future.

Senior Brother, your junior brother can only help you with these insignificant matters.

“Tsk tsk…”

On Xuandu City’s walls, Great Master Xuandu couldn’t help turning over in his sleep, raising his hand to pinch his nose before continuing his comfortable slumber.

In the distant Chaos Sea, grey energy rose and fell, but those annoying Outer Heavenly Demons and extraterrestrial beings were nowhere to be seen.

…

Blood Sea, in an inconspicuous corner, the scene from Li Changshou’s dream ten months ago played out here.

By now the blood lotus had formed eleven petals, with the rough outline and shadow of a twelfth petal taking shape, gathering all beings’ resentment, hatred, evil, and killing intent, condensing boundless karmic obstacles.

Behind the blood lotus, the old Daoist figure had become extremely faint.

Just then!

This dim world was suddenly illuminated by purple light as waves of purple lightning surged forth like wild waves, swallowing the blood lotus in an instant!

But after the lightning passed, the blood lotus remained unharmed, though the old Daoist behind it had vanished.

The boundless karmic obstacles stored in the Blood Sea gathered again as a pale white flame rose from the center of the lotus.

Eerie, yet peaceful.