Something was amiss!

Li Changshou stared at the bearded Senior Disciple of the Severing Sect before him—Elder Brother of Fairy Yunxiao and the first Great Being of the Primordial World he had contact with from the Severing Sect. His gaze grew increasingly sharp.

It was known that the Grand Assembly of Immortals had concluded a day and eight hours ago. Given Elder Zhao’s temperament, he should have come here immediately after to confide in him.

There had been ample time for mistakes to be made.

It was also known that the Severing Sect had experienced internal turmoil, with many of their immortals executed. The atmosphere within the sect was oppressive, and surely some would feel depressed and need someone to confide in.

The probability was high that someone had drunk some wine, and while wine might not intoxicate, people could intoxicate themselves when they needed to release their inner troubles.

The emotional conditions for mistakes were perfectly aligned.

Furthermore, Elder Brother Zhao Gongming’s eyes were now bright and spirited, filled with hopeful light. His lips curved slightly upward, his beard was immaculately groomed, and while his words expressed concern, his eyes concealed anticipation.

He was clearly in high spirits!

Based on all this, and the faint lip mark on Elder Brother Gongming’s neck, Li Changshou made a bold deduction!

“Jinguang?”

Zhao Gongming froze for a moment, instinctively glancing behind him. He grabbed Li Changshou’s arm and hurriedly said, “Don’t speak nonsense! Don’t speak nonsense! What does this have to do with Jinguang?”

Li Changshou furrowed his brows and asked quietly, “Elder Brother, then who was it?”

Elder Zhao chuckled, first showing various signs of bashfulness, then displaying utmost shyness. Finally, with a reddened face and continuous giggles, he revealed a name:

“Jin… Jinling.”

Li Changshou: …

Why did his neck suddenly feel cold?

“Elder Brother, is this for real?”

“Well… Changeng, will there be offspring?”

“That primarily depends on how far things progressed.”

“Hehe, if you’re asking, what steps are left?”

“Then?”

“There are no steps left,” Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and smiled lightly, then suddenly looked down at his feet and asked softly, “Why are we crouching?”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but hold his forehead with one hand and said quietly, “My legs went weak from fear. Elder Brother, was this… mutual attraction and budding feelings, uncontrollable passion, or was it impulsive disorder, drunken confusion, leading to a great mistake?”

Zhao Gongming thought carefully: “Jinling and I have known each other for many years, originally just as fellow disciples. It was only after Junior Sister Jinguang expressed her feelings for me, and we determined we couldn’t be Dao companions, that Jinling and I suddenly grew closer.”

Jinling…

And I thought it was something else!

Li Changshou said, “Then I must congratulate Elder Brother!”

“Let us share in the joy,” Zhao Gongming smiled while stroking his beard, but his smile gradually faded as he asked again, “Will there be offspring?”

Li Changshou asked, “Didn’t Sister-in-law say anything?”

“No,” Zhao Gongming said, “We were drunk at the time. When I woke up, she had already left the small universe I created with my Sea-Calming Zhenzhu, leaving behind a letter asking me to seek her out after some time.

She also said…”

Li Changshou asked quietly, “Said what?”

Zhao Gongming covered his face with his hand and sighed, “The gist was that last night was her fault. She was curious about what you and Yunxiao hadn’t finished that day, and unexpectedly…

In her letter, she said she would take responsibility for me, but her heart was somewhat confused now, so she asked me to seek her out later and told me not to reveal this matter to anyone.

To treat it as just a dream.”

“No, no,” Li Changshou said, “This is the time to press the advantage and solidify the relationship. Sister-in-law is beautiful, straightforward in personality, has vast divine powers, and is the First Female Immortal of the Severing Sect—she’s perfectly matched with you, Elder Brother.

Elder Brother, you are the first pure wind between heaven and earth. If Sister-in-law’s root attribute is water, you would be ‘fine rain embracing spring wind, moistening things silently.’

If your Sister-in-law’s root attribute is earth, you would be ‘you are the wind and I am the sand, endlessly intertwined across the sky.’

How compatible!”

“Is that so? Haha, Changeng, you truly have literary talent.”

Zhao Gongming continued stroking his beard and smiling lightly, suddenly realizing that after stroking his four-inch-long beard once, his hand touched the ground.

“Changeng, should we perhaps crawl out from under the chair? What are we hiding from?”

They looked at each other, shared an awkward smile, and both stood up to sit back on the chair surface, laughing together.

‘Husband’s Authority.’

Li Changshou said, “Regarding offspring, it’s relatively difficult for Primordial Beings, and it also depends on whether Sister-in-law wants them.

With the Great Tribulation ahead, and Sister-in-law feeling guilty towards you, thinking she forced herself on you… such a situation probably won’t occur. Elder Brother, you’ll still need to put in more effort.”

Zhao Gongming breathed a sigh of relief and sighed, “I was also worried about the Great Tribulation matter.

Alas, over a hundred fellow disciples were executed… Jinling was also quite depressed about this. When she was drunk, she mumbled for a long time, saying she didn’t want to kill them, it was all for the sake of the sect’s fate.”

“Though Sister-in-law seems hot-tempered, she’s quite gentle…”

“That temper is all for the show,” Zhao Gongming smiled, “When I first started following Master to cultivate, her personality was quite gentle. It was precisely because her soft-heartedness led to fellow disciples meeting with disaster that she stopped smiling and became more decisive in her actions.”

Li Changshou nodded slowly, then cupped his hands and said, “Regardless, congratulations to Elder Brother!”

“You’re too kind, too kind,” Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, “Little Brother, you should also put in more effort. You have feelings, and my sister has intentions—why the hesitation?”

“It’s still because of the Great Tribulation matter.”

Li Changshou said with a smile, then took out a treasure pouch from his chest and solemnly handed it over.

He explained earnestly:

“Elder Brother, this item was prepared for you when Senior Sister Jinguang came to seek my help last time. I didn’t expect Elder Brother to remain unmoved while holding her and treat Senior Sister Jinguang with proper etiquette—truly a role model for men of our generation.

This thing didn’t get to serve its purpose then.

Now I specially gift it to Elder Brother, hoping you will treasure it well.”

Zhao Gongming opened it to find several scroll paintings, some medicinal pills, and a few jars of immortal wine. Though he didn’t understand the specific meaning, he happily accepted it.

“Little Brother, you’re skilled in planning and calculation, please give Elder Brother some guidance… What should I do now?”

“Simply waiting is the worst strategy,” Li Changshou said, “Sister-in-law must be confused right now. Elder Brother should strike while the iron is hot, take the initiative to move forward, express your feelings to Sister-in-law, and dispel her concerns.

There are three taboos you must remember.”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou said:

“First, you must not speak of such matters between men and women. At times like these, you must especially respect propriety, otherwise, you’ll appear frivolous and rash, or make your Sister-in-law feel you respect her less than before.

Second, if Sister-in-law suggests keeping your relationship secret for now, you must not immediately agree. You should ask a question or two in return—you know what’s appropriate to say, Elder Brother—just express that you’re proud to be with her.

Third, don’t actively bring up the matter of offspring, or it will make Sister-in-law overthink.

Have you remembered all this?”

Zhao Gongming nodded to each point and said solemnly, “I’ve remembered it all. I’ll go find her now. Thank you, Changeng!”

“Elder Brother, you’re too kind.”

At that moment, Zhao Gongming stood up and quickly left the back hall. Li Changshou followed to send him off for a few steps, watching as Zhao Gongming transformed into a streak of water-blue light and flew urgently toward the horizon.

Li Changshou stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance of the inner hall. First, a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, then this paper dao-body quickly dove deep into the earth, while his true body laughed heartily in front of the pill room.

This laughter spread throughout Mount Xiaoping, startling Ling’e who was cultivating by the lake, frightening Xiong Lingli who was secretly giving wine to spirit beasts, and disturbing Jiuyushi who was cultivating in the card room.

Li Changshou even took out a bottle of Peach Wine from his sleeve, drinking alone contentedly.

Wonderful, truly wonderful!

Firstly, for Elder Zhao finally finding happiness, and secondly, for Elder Zhao and Golden Light Holy Mother getting together, eliminating the barrier between the inner and outer disciples of the Severing Sect.

If in the future, Elder Zhao really needs to face tribulation, one would only need to give timely warning and delay slightly. The first to come to his aid would no longer be the Three Fairy Sisters, but Golden Light Holy Mother.

To move against Elder Zhao would be to move against all Eight Great Disciples of the Severing Sect!

If one needed to protect and rescue people, the difficulty would be greatly reduced!

Marvelous, truly marvelous.

This matter could be traced back to when Golden Light Holy Mother and Fire Spirit Holy Mother came to his Sea God Sect seeking help. From that point, a red thread appeared with a deviation, ultimately leading to today’s situation.

At this moment, Li Changshou was happy rather than smug, that kind of joy coming from the bottom of his heart almost made him float into the air.

Soon after, Li Changshou shook his arms, ran to the secret chamber, and wrote a letter to Fairy Yunxiao. The letter vaguely mentioned this matter, asking Yunxiao to remind Fairy Qionxiao and Fairy Bixiao not to seek out Zhao Gongming in the next few years.

Then, the letter apologized for his previous abruptness and shifted to discuss matters of the Severing Sect.

Finally, he left a line or two, writing a phrase that was neither quite poetry nor quite lyrics:

[Your autumn eyes are like poetry, and I am slightly intoxicated at first encounter]

Thus, a love letter rich in content and meaning was completed.

There was a slight sense of embarrassment.

Of course, to be thorough, Li Changshou still needed to polish it once more, make a clean copy, and do a final review before he was satisfied enough to seal it within the magical artifact.

He took out a paper person, transformed it into a white crane carrying the letter in its beak, and departed through earth traversal as clouds and mist.

Li Changshou’s lips curved into a faint smile. His divine sense glanced at Ling’e by the lake, and seeing that she was cultivating, he decided not to go over to share his joy.

After waiting for Elder Zhao these past few days, receiving such good news was truly wonderful.

What could he see in the matter between Elder Zhao and Golden Light Holy Mother?

Perhaps ordinary immortals would see it as two powerful beings of the Severing Sect becoming Dao companions; those with a broader perspective might see it as the inner and outer gates of the Severing Sect growing closer.

But Li Changshou was different. He saw…

The future father of the Four Celestial Ministers of the Heaven Court—Gou Chen and Ziwei!

However, Li Changshou quickly activated his Void-Clarity Dao Heart and entered his sage mode, calming himself down from this excitement to carefully consider any potential negative impacts of this matter.

Apart from slightly corrupting the Severing Sect’s customs, there weren’t any major impacts.

Yes, he couldn’t always maintain a fixed mindset, presuming that Elder Zhao would be the primary target of Western Paradise and Orthodox Teaching. The current situation was quite different.

Li Changshou hummed thoughtfully and soon fell into deep contemplation.

Half a month later, one of Li Changshou’s paper dao-bodies left Mount Xiaoping, flying at a moderate altitude toward Pill Cauldron Peak.

Just as he arrived but before he could land, a streak of emerald light flashed, and Elder Wan appeared before him, grabbing this paper dao-body’s wrist with inexplicable excitement.

“Changshou! Quick!”

Li Changshou was a bit stunned and hurriedly asked, “Elder, what’s wrong?”

Then, he took out the storage treasure that Elder Wan had given him before his tribulation from his sleeve. “Disciple came specially to return this treasure and congratulate Elder on transcending tribulation to become a Golden Immortal and attaining the fruit of longevity!”

“Such things are trivial,” Elder Wan smiled coldly, his expression brimming with killing intent.

This was excitement, excitement…

Fortunately, Elder Wan still remembered the need to help conceal Li Changshou’s identity, and only said: “That Poison Scripture, the Poison Scripture.”

“Poison Scripture…”

Li Changshou smiled and said aloud: “Elder, I have memorized your Poison Scripture.”

While simultaneously transmitting voice face to face: “Elder, this matter shouldn’t be publicized. Let’s discuss it inside first. This is a major matter. If you wish to meet him, you will get to meet Senior Lu Yue.”

“Good, very good.”

At that moment, Wan Lingyun pulled Li Changshou’s arm and descended toward his dwelling.

Many divine senses around them watched the silhouettes of the old and young pair, feeling… unnamed envy toward Li Changshou.

Once inside the dwelling, Elder Wan didn’t ask about anything else, only pulled Li Changshou to discuss the contents of Lu Yue’s two Poison Scriptures, to which Li Changshou responded fluently.

With his current cultivation realm far above ordinary Golden Immortals, he naturally wouldn’t be stumped by Elder Wan.

For many obscure poison principles… as long as he spoke confidently, Elder Wan naturally wouldn’t have too many doubts.

Elder Wan’s heart was extremely eager to meet his ‘idol,’ so Li Changshou first had Elder Wan Lingyun maintain his composure, then mentioned several essential points that must be noted, before beginning to make arrangements.

First, Elder Wan went to report to the Sect Master, saying he needed to go out to seek some poisonous herbs and drugs to return and refine stronger poison pills. He also went to the Hundred Ordinary Palace to leave word that he would be taking the immortal Li Changshou from Mount Xiaoping along to travel and gain experience.

Then, deciding there was no better day than today, Elder Wan took Li Changshou’s paper dao-body and left the Crossing Immortal Gate half a day later.

After leaving East Victory Divine Continent, Li Changshou resumed his paper person form and hid in Elder Wan’s sleeve.

Elder Wan also followed Li Changshou’s guidance, changing his appearance from a wrinkled-faced cold old Daoist to a fair-faced cold middle-aged Daoist.

Wearing brocade robes and fine clothes, concealing his Golden Immortal realm aura, only releasing a bit of Golden Immortal pressure, he placed several extraordinarily powerful poison pills nearby and flew to the ends of the earth.

The journey was smooth and uneventful, and Elder Wan successfully arrived at a small universe near the World’s End Secret Realm.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou pulled Lu Yue out from Rouge Pile, saying he had a friend skilled in poison pills who wished to seek guidance from Lu Yue.

Lu Yue was always eager for recognition.

Naturally, he agreed immediately and set off with Li Changshou’s paper dao-body to meet with Elder Wan.

It was a crisp autumn morning.

The projection of the Sun Star cast golden radiance over the edge of this small universe. When Wan Lingyun, standing on a mountain peak, saw the old Daoist descending from the sky, his form suddenly trembled.

“Might you be Poison Venerable?”

Lu Yue raised an eyebrow, quite pleased with this title, and revealed a composed smile: “This poor Daoist is Lu Yue of the Severing Sect. Has fellow Daoist been waiting long?”

“Not at all, not at all! Senior Lu, please accept my bow!”

“Ah, fellow Daoist, what are you doing?”

Elder Wan bowed his head immediately, and Lu Yue, knowing this was Li Changshou’s ‘friend,’ hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, quickly descending and helping Wan Lingyun up.

These two poison immortals, holding hands and looking at each other with tearful eyes, were speechless… ahem.

Elder Wan Lingyun sighed, “Senior, you are my guide on the path of poison. It was precisely because I read half of your Poison Scripture in my early years that I understood the way of poison pills. This bow is only right for you to accept.”

“Don’t speak like this,” Lu Yue couldn’t help but stick out his chest and raise his head, glancing at Li Changshou’s paper dao-body standing to the side, and smiled, “This poor Daoist has merely immersed himself in this path for a few kalpas, nothing worth mentioning, nothing worth mentioning.

Fellow Daoists, we can speak as equals, no need for senior and junior titles.

This isn’t the place to talk. Shall I take you to a good spot?”

Wan Lingyun hurriedly agreed, his eyes full of emotion.

Li Changshou quickly tried to stop them from the side: “Senior Brother, there’s no need!”

“Look at this,” Lu Yue smiled, “This is where you’re wrong, Junior Brother Changeng. You’re being prejudiced against the World’s End Secret Realm. We’re just going there to drink and chat, not what you’re thinking.

Come, come, don’t listen to him.”

At that moment, Lu Yue conjured a white cloud and took Wan Lingyun flying into the sky.

Li Changshou stood by, wanting to speak but hesitating, seeing that Elder Wan was now in a state of ‘ears deaf to outside matters, heart set only on following his idol,’ and didn’t want to spoil the mood.

Well, let them be.

Help Elder Wan fulfill his wish, then later see Elder Wan’s intentions. If he wants to return to Crossing Immortal Gate to cultivate, then return to continue cultivation.

If he wants to walk around and see the world, experiencing a different immortal life, he can also help out at the Approaching Heaven Palace.

A Golden Immortal with such a transparent background and one he could trust was truly valuable support.

As for himself…

Next, he must act low-key, reduce opportunities to attract others’ attention, and peacefully wait for the Purple Void Palace meeting.

The seeds planted earlier would only bear fruit then.

…

“Wood Minister, tell me, should we hold a grand ceremony for Changeng?”

In the Upper Heaven Palace, the white-robed Jade Emperor leaned forward and suddenly asked thus.

Below, Wood Minister blinked and immediately smiled, “Your Majesty, didn’t you say before that when that decree is formed, you want to announce it to the Three Realms, for Heaven and Earth to celebrate together?”

The Jade Emperor smiled, “How exactly should they celebrate?”

Wood Minister hummed thoughtfully, “This old minister isn’t quite clear, but generally, it means letting the mortal world have favorable weather and the Four Seas be peaceful without disaster.”

“That’s not enough.”

The white-robed Jade Emperor drummed his fingers on the table. “Changeng’s great merits are countless, and he is moreover the mediator of relations between the Heaven Court and the Orthodox and Severing Teachings, no ordinary immortal deity.

When Changeng assumes the position of Great White Star-Lord, why not broadly invite immortal deities of the Three Realms, the Hell Kings, the Four Sea Dragon Kings, various City Gods and Earth Gods, and Mountain and River Gods, all to gather at the Heaven Court.

Taking this opportunity, we can also establish the Heaven Court’s authority.”

Wood Minister carefully weighed the advantages and disadvantages, then hugging his right sleeve with his left hand raised his right thumb, and exclaimed, “Your Majesty, brilliant!”

“Hahaha!”

The Jade Emperor threw back his head and laughed, then hummed thoughtfully and said, “Wood Minister, see how we can temporarily keep this from Changeng, otherwise he will certainly decline and refuse.”

Wood Minister immediately found this quite difficult: “This… trying to keep it from him… is harder than keeping it from you— ahem, this old minister misspoke, please punish me, Your Majesty.”

“Ah,” the Jade Emperor waved his sleeve, “Changeng is skilled in calculations, with countless incarnations. Wood Minister, what you said is certainly correct.

But you asked for punishment, so you’ll be fined three hundred years of merit salary.

So then, prepare this matter secretly first, don’t let others know. Wait until the decree is about to form before broadly sending invitations. We must make it so Changeng has no time to decline!”

Such a Heaven Emperor who took such care in arranging ‘surprises’ for his officials…

Wood Minister silently shed tears of emotion, bowing his head and crying out “Wise decision!”