“Water God, Water God?”

In his mind, Li Longshou suddenly heard Diting’s call, and his consciousness immediately returned to the paper avatar hidden in a corner of Fengdu City.

Diting whispered in his mind:

“Water God, please don’t have this avatar respond. I’m worried they might discover us. Today, a fat Daoist came to see my master. My master called him Senior Brother, but I’ve never seen this spirit on Spirit Mountain before. He must be one of the Western Sect’s hidden experts who has never shown himself.

His cultivation is profound, and his aura feels somewhat oppressive, yet his presence seems almost non-existent. Today, it was likely just a divine consciousness that came. He forced my foolish master to write a congratulatory message. He’ll probably send someone to the Heavenly Court later, though I’m not sure if he intends to cause trouble or wants to repair relations between the Western Sect and the Heavenly Court.

I thought I should report this to you first. My master has been dutifully managing the Reincarnation Tower lately, completely uninvolved in Western Sect affairs. He only wrote the congratulatory message because he had no choice.

And congratulations on your promotion to Taibai Star-Lord, becoming a Second-Rank True God of the Heavenly Court. I’ll take my leave now. Just call if you need anything…”

The mysterious mental voice gradually faded away, leaving Li Longshou in silent contemplation.

This Diting…

How did it end up becoming an unofficial informant for the Human Sect?

Western Sect’s Senior Brother? A fat Daoist?

He had truly never heard of this before. Could it be… Maitreya, who might appear in the future?

Come to think of it, with Ksitigarbha having already declared “If I do not enter hell, who will enter hell?”, Maitreya’s appearance shouldn’t be surprising.

It’s just that he had never heard of Maitreya having any connection to the Investiture of the Gods catastrophe…

In a dark corner, the small figure that Li Longshou had transformed into crossed his arms and fell into deep thought once again.

Just as he had predicted, various factions were stirring, wanting to take advantage of this Taibai celebration centered around him.

The Western Sect wanting to reconcile or even ally with the Heavenly Court was actually within Li Longshou’s expectations.

This was one of three possible strategies the Western Sect could use to break the deadlock at this time.

The other two strategies were:

[Using their previously hidden pieces to desperately provoke conflict between the Heavenly Court and the Dao Sects, as well as between the Enlightenment and Severing Sects.]

[Sacrificing a limb for self-preservation, abandoning the chariot to save the king, playing the victim in Purple Mystic Palace, and voluntarily taking three steps back.]

This time, the Jade Emperor had distributed invitations widely, allowing those with ulterior motives to enter the Heavenly Court, and providing the Western Sect room to maneuver.

So…

Was the Jade Emperor doing this intentionally or unintentionally?

If intentional, from the Heavenly Emperor’s position, this was absolutely a brilliant move.

— What the Heavenly Emperor needed to do at this crucial moment was balance the power between all the great sects, let them keep each other in check, and allow the Heavenly Court to gain more benefits in the upcoming catastrophe, thereby stabilizing his position.

This was understandable, and Li Longshou could comprehend it.

If it was unintentional, like the title of “Head Instructor of Three Hundred Chang’e” of the Heavenly Court, simply wanting to provide some benefits to him as an “employee”…

Then it was purely causing trouble.

This situation would have to be handled by him, the person involved.

Consider it a small price that must be paid to become an ordinary authority god in the Heavenly Court.

Praise be to the Jade Emperor.

His consciousness returned to the pill room at Little Jade Peak, and the paper avatar looked toward the spirit lake in the distance, seeing Ling’e meditating under a tree, and…

A three-inch-tall tower slowly rotates on Ling’e’s shoulder.

A gentle breeze passed by, making Ling’e’s long hair flutter slightly, her thin practice clothes emanating a faint soft light.

The corners of Li Longshou’s mouth revealed a slightly peaceful smile.

Come then.

Games, calculations, conspiracies, and schemes;

The path to peaceful days is always unpeaceful.

Today’s painstaking efforts are only so that these experiences won’t trouble those who come after.

Tomorrow’s steady pursuit of victory is nothing more than saving those he wants to save, ensuring no regrets remain in this vast world.

Eh, why did he suddenly develop such a fatherly mindset…

With a light chuckle, Li Longshou’s consciousness returned to the Water God Manor in the Heavenly Court.

The Golden Immortal paper avatar that would soon make its appearance sat quietly behind the desk.

This paper avatar, made from Ancient Spirit Tree sap, was equipped with three core Golden Pills and utilized various restrictions that Li Longshou had recently organized.

Additionally, the spotless white robe it wore was a spiritual treasure that could greatly compensate for the paper avatar’s inherent fragility.

For this grand ceremony, he also represented the image of the Heavenly Court’s immortals and gods, so he needed to pay attention to certain details to avoid ridicule.

Thus, ten days later.

As dawn approached…

As if previously arranged, streaks of light rose from various places in the Five Continents of the world, from Kunlun Mountain, from the Four Seas Immortal Islands, from Jade Void Palace, from Azure Toured Palace, from beyond the heavens, all converging toward the Five Great Heavenly Gates.

At each Heavenly Gate, celestial soldiers and generals stood with chests high and heads raised, wearing bright armor and holding gleaming spears, their auras linking as one, refusing to bow even to Golden Immortals.

Behold the Heavenly Gates built of white jade, with three divine swords circling with divine light, fully displaying the majesty of the Heavenly Court!

The first batch to arrive at the Heavenly Court were the sect leaders, mountain lords, elders, and others from various immortal sects in the Central Divine Continent.

— All immortal sects and schools related to the Dao Sect had received invitations from the Heavenly Court this time, and all sent powerful representatives who could represent their sects.

For a time, among those coming and going through the Heavenly Gates, there were hardly any Heavenly Immortals!

One could get a glimpse of just how many long-lived immortals had accumulated in the world from ancient times until now.

Following them came some less important disciples from the Three Schools of the Dao Sect.

The Enlightenment Sect’s Jade Void Palace sent dozens of immortals, while the Severing Sect carefully selected hundreds of men and women from various immortal islands.

Interestingly, among these two batches of great sect immortals, there were quite a few Heavenly Immortal realm cultivators;

Yet when those from the Central Divine Continent and East Victory Divine Continent immortal sects saw these Heavenly Immortals, they all positioned themselves as juniors.

The Dao legacy had its hierarchy, becoming a rule of the world.

This was a kind of order radiating from the Six Sages.

After guests entered the Heavenly Gates, there were cloud paths guarded by celestial soldiers and generals ahead, guiding them to travel by cloud toward Taibai Palace, not allowing random movement.

To prevent disruption of the Heavenly Court today, Taibai Palace, which was originally at the edge of the Seventh and Eighth Heavens, had temporarily moved to the center of the Sixth Heaven.

Gradually, more and more immortals arrived, somewhat reminiscent of the grand gathering of the Three Schools of the Dao Sect’s origins.

The ceremony would begin at noon, and the various “big-name” experts would naturally arrive later to maintain their prestige.

However today, several experts came together early.

They showed no airs, smiling warmly when meeting celestial soldiers and generals, and had agreed among themselves to actively help the Water God receive various guests.

They were the registered disciples of the Human Sect’s Sage, including a True Person who had extensive friendships on Kunlun Mountain, as well as sect leaders and school heads.

Along with them, even though he hadn’t received an invitation, Sect Leader Wu You of the Crossing Immortal Gate, an ordinary Golden Immortal combat unit summoned by True Person Du’e, had also arrived early to wait at the Western Heavenly Gate.

The Water God being conferred as a Second-Rank True God was a major event for their Human Sect immortals!

Indeed, before dawn, True Person Du’e had already begun bustling about in his Eight Treasures Cave.

He selected a bright cyan silk-faced robe, wore a pair of Eight Steps Cloud Boots, carefully arranged his gray-white long hair without a single strand out of place;

He also carefully selected a fly whisk, a cloud, a jade pendant, and a cloud handkerchief, and hid Primordial Qi in his apertures. Later if anyone caused trouble, he would step forward and give a “hmph” and a “ha”.

Guaranteed to make those troublemakers’ Golden Immortal divine souls wither and suppress even Daoists’ divine might!

Of course, if this aperture qi technique wasn’t practiced well, one could easily hurt oneself, suffering divine soul injuries that no medicine could cure…

As agreed upon several days ago, True Person Du’e gathered with several registered disciples of the Human Sect, adhering to world traditions, swaying their bodies while maintaining hearty laughter as they floated toward the Western Heavenly Gate, attracting many immortal senses to peek along the way.

From far away, when Ji Wu You saw his master and various Human Sect seniors, he immediately rode a cloud forward to meet them.

True Person Du’e shook his fly whisk and laughed heartily:

“Hahaha!

Wu You, today you must stay alert. When you see important people from the Enlightenment and Severing Sects, remember to go forward to greet and receive them, mind your manners!

Your master has heard that Senior Brother Changeng hasn’t taken any disciples, so today you should act as half a disciple to Senior Brother Changeng, attending to things front and back.”

“Dis-disciple understands.”

Ji Wu You lowered his head in response, forcibly holding back a cough, his gaze quite complex.

Human Sect crude talk.

What kind of situation was this?

The disciples were taught by his Crossing Immortal Gate, and he as the sect leader, yet had to call someone “Senior Uncle” and act as a greeter at the ceremony!

Ji Wu You sighed inwardly, looking at the complex and gorgeous Daoist robe he wore, which at least fit the occasion.

— This attire was specifically requested by True Person Du’e in his message, and he had no choice in the matter.

If Water God Changeng’s identity and rise to power were known by others…

Ji Wu You’s Dao heart trembled, and he suddenly wanted to turn and leave, shut his doors and not come out, and step down from the sect leader position early.

They entered the Western Heavenly Gate and headed toward Taibai Hall along with various guests. Many immortals greeted them along the way, with hearty laughter echoing through the Nine Heavens.

By the time True Person Du’e, Ji Wu You, and their group arrived at Taibai Hall, over a thousand Three Schools immortals and Three Schools sect members had already gathered inside and outside the hall, with more immortals continuously arriving.

Looking at Taibai Hall from afar, Ji Wu You found it truly magnificent.

The hall was over a hundred zhang in both length and width, with white jade pillars thick enough that three people couldn’t wrap their arms around them arranged in a circle, supporting the roof of green tiles and jade ridges.

The four walls of the great hall didn’t use much stonework; instead, they were made of premium spirit wood crafted into vermillion walls. These wooden walls were carved with hollow designs of ten thousand spirits and phenomena, surrounded by immortal light, projecting shadows of ten thousand spirits inside the hall, adding several touches of spiritual energy.

The hall’s arrangement wasn’t complicated, but every detail was exquisitely considered, from the carved beams and painted pillars to the vibrant colors.

The floor was made of ‘Starlight Stone’ squares, each thirty zhang wide, polished like bright mirrors. To avoid embarrassing the female immortals, a foot-thick layer of immortal mist now spread across it.

Looking up, the hall ceiling was divided into eight layers.

Nine being the supreme number, eight layers represented the hall’s master’s position as an authority minister below a single god.

The highest point of the dome was carved with the sun, moon, and stars. Below were towers and palaces, and further down were scenes of old men playing chess, children riding cranes, dragons and phoenixes in flight, and auspicious beasts presenting omens…

Various murals depicted countless scenes, each showing divine artistic charm.

The dome was also filled with Pure Clarity elements, with yin-yang double fish visible everywhere, while the Heaven-Earth Ruler and the Black-Yellow Pagoda appeared repeatedly.

At this time, most immortals in the hall appreciated each painting on the ceiling, each having different interpretations.

No platform had been set up inside the hall, and no seats had been added today, as everyone was just here to observe the ceremony.

Before the hall were thirty-six white jade steps, and below them was a perfectly square ‘plaza’ surrounded by railings, with an incense burner placed in the center.

Speaking of grandeur alone, it far surpassed the Tusita Palace.

When Li Longshou’s divine sense saw all this, he was somewhat puzzled.

Living alone, why did he need such a large place…

It felt like the Jade Emperor and Wood Lord were frantically hinting at something.

As True Person Du’e and Ji Wu You’s group reached the hall’s front, they climbed the steps under the watchful eyes of the celestial soldiers and generals at the sides.

The two young generals standing at the hall entrance both lit up. Before Ao Yi on the right could react, Bian Zhuang on the left rushed forward with a quick step.

Family tradition – professional guest greeting!

Bian Zhuang kept bowing and making Daoist salutes, exchanging pleasantries with True Person Du’e, and casually revealed his nine-toothed rake, proving he was also a member of the Human Sect.

Thus, moments later…

Du’e and several older generation Pure Clarity registered disciples of the Human Sect entered the great hall, while Ji Wu You was left behind by True Person Du’e, standing beside Bian Zhuang and Ao Yi, smiling as he greeted arriving and departing guests.

His Daoist robe was too eye-catching, and being naturally handsome and cultivating the path of tranquility and non-action, his personal qualities were quite outstanding, causing many immortal maidens to turn their heads.

Ji Wu You: ‘The desire to slam my head to death has never been so certain.’

Fortunately, not long after, a white cloud flew over from the Water God Manor’s direction, with that tall figure standing upon it, also joining the ranks of ‘doorkeepers’.

The Heavenly Court’s Golden Roc Marshal, the great expert of the Phoenix Tribe, the Golden-Winged Great Peng, now transformed into an elegant youth, stood in the most conspicuous position before the hall, helping ‘flamboyantly dressed’ Ji Wu You share most of the attention.

The world didn’t purely judge by looks; the strong received more attention.

Then immortal music began playing, with more than ten Moon Palace musicians starting to perform in the hall;

Accompanying the music came a hundred Chang’e, who lined up on the left and right of the great hall, then gently swayed and danced, their long sleeves swaying, adding much beauty.

Near noon, several hundred more fairy maidens arrived from the Jasper Pool, carrying trays filled with rare delicacies and fine wine from the Jasper Pool.

The fairy maidens cast spells together, making these jade plates, jade dishes, and wine cups float by themselves above the sea of clouds in the hall, slowly circulating the edges for guests to enjoy.

This also caused the ceremony’s organizational costs to rise sharply!

Half an hour later, the flow of guests slowed, and famous experts began appearing in large numbers.

Suddenly, a gong sounded outside the hall, and Bian Zhuang, wearing silver-white battle armor, went to the steps and called out to the white clouds still on the horizon:

“Distinguished member of the Severing Sect, the Ten Lords of Golden Turtle Island have arrived!”

All the immortals inside and outside the hall looked over to see in the distant clouds, led by Lord Qin and Golden Light Holy Mother, the Ten Lords arriving together at the Heavenly Court’s Taibai Palace!

Although the Ten Lords were a group of experts who had tried to match the Enlightenment Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals and became a laughingstock, they still had their due presence.

As Bian Zhuang’s voice fell, he turned back to his position, and Ao Yi immediately stepped forward half a step, calling out:

“The Enlightenment Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals, True Person Taiyi, True Person Yuding, and Heavenly Lord Daoxing have arrived!”

Once this started, the two Heavenly Court young generals began taking turns shouting:

“Distinguished member of the Severing Sect, the Four Immortal Masters of Nine Dragons Island have arrived!”

“Enlightenment Sect’s Fortune Golden Immortal, Yunzhong Zi has arrived!”

“Severing Sect’s Outer Disciples, Fairy Qiongxiao and Fairy Bixiao have arrived!”

“Enlightenment Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals, Senior Immortal Chijingzi, and Senior Immortal South Pole Immortal have arrived!”

“The Severing Sect Sage Lord’s attending immortals, Great Immortal Wuyun and Immortal Pilu have arrived!”

…

One after another, the Enlightenment and Severing Sects seemed to be ‘competing’, comparing who had more experts coming and whose experts were stronger.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ji Wu You watched with concern, truly worried that Bian Zhuang and Ao Yi might suddenly start fighting as they called out.

“Enlightenment Sect’s Vice Patriarch, Burning Lamp…”

Ao Yi’s words slightly paused, his voice lowering as he quietly added: “has arrived.”

Bian Zhuang then saw three graceful figures flying over in the distance. Just as he was about to get excited, he was immediately stunned by the incredibly sharp Dao charm, recognizing the arriving people in the clouds, and quickly called out:

“Severing Sect’s Inner Disciples, Holy Mother Jinling, Holy Mother Wudang, and Holy Mother Guiling have arrived!”

After speaking, Bian Zhuang raised his eyebrows at Ao Yi, as if he had won.

But Ao Yi smiled confidently and shouted:

“Severing Sect’s Outer Disciple, Fairy Yunxiao has arrived!”

This announcement truly startled everyone inside and out, instantly drawing all attention to the edge of the sky.

A white cloud slowly floated over, with a graceful figure standing tall and elegant.

Severing Sect, Yunxiao!

Today she hadn’t concealed her appearance or form, and had even specially dressed up, even wearing light makeup, clearly taking today’s event extremely seriously.

Eyes like autumn waters, sleeves like flowing clouds, between her brows lay creation, heaven, and earth gathered spiritual elegance.

Her delicate figure appeared slightly fragile, her waterfall-like black hair danced lightly in the wind, showing neither coquettishness nor imposing might, yet making it impossible to look away while also making one afraid to stare directly, only able to secretly exclaim:

‘The Water God’s enviable profound good fortune.’

Before Fairy Yunxiao had landed in the hall, the Golden-Winged Great Peng, Bian Zhuang, and Ao Yi had already stepped forward together, bowing with clasped hands halfway, saying in unison:

“Greetings to Fairy Yunxiao!”

Ao Yi said: “The Water God is currently in the Water God Manor and hasn’t arrived yet. Would you like to meet with him at the Water God Manor, or wait here for a while?”

Fairy Yunxiao said softly: “Thank you, generals. I’ll wait here with my fellow sect members.”

Bian Zhuang bowed his head and said: “If you need anything, please just call on us.”

Then, the three stepped aside, inviting Fairy Yunxiao to enter.

Below, the two rows of Chang’e standing on either side were now carefully observing, inwardly convinced, understanding why their Head Instructor could ignore Chang’e’s beauty and avoid trouble with the Vast Cold Palace.

The two fairy leaders in charge exchanged glances, and suddenly changed their steps, each leading several Chang’e to walk slowly forward, surrounding Fairy Yunxiao as she landed before the hall, dancing gracefully around her.

Yunxiao found it quite novel, standing quietly before the hall entrance, unaware that she was now surrounded by immortal light, beautiful as if in a dream.

At the Water God Manor, seeing this scene with his divine sense, Li Longshou couldn’t help but…

Break into a silly grin.

His knowledge was limited, only able to think of the word “beautiful” over and over, and he knew Yunxiao usually preferred tranquility. Her appearance like this was completely to give him more face.

Not to mention, she rarely wore makeup, yet had applied light makeup today.

She had gone to great trouble.

Li Longshou sat waiting in the study for a while, his divine sense catching East Wood Lord hurrying over. After brief consideration, the corners of his mouth revealed a slight mischievous smile.

Soon, East Wood Lord’s calls came from outside:

“Changeng! Is Changeng here? Oh my, Changeng, why haven’t you appeared yet?”

The door opened, and Li Longshou walked out holding a fly whisk, deliberately showing a puzzled expression: “Wood Lord, what’s the matter? Where do I need to appear?”

“This…”

East Wood Lord’s eyes widened. Today, as he was to announce the imperial edict, he had specially changed into a magnificent robe.

“Changeng, are you teasing me? Don’t you know what’s happening?”

“What’s happening?”

Li Longshou asked puzzledly, “I’ve been focusing on cultivation lately, and there’s been nothing major with the Heavenly Court, Immortal Alliance, or the Three Schools of the Dao.”

“How could this…!”

East Wood Lord stamped his feet anxiously and hurriedly said: “Quick, go to Taibai Hall, His Majesty has arranged a grand ceremony for you, and invited experts from all over the world, today to promote you to Second Rank…”

Suddenly, Li Longshou raised his hand, interrupting East Wood Lord’s words.

He frowned deeply, closed his eyes, and said:

“I was just teasing Wood Lord earlier, but wait, something’s happened over there.”

East Wood Lord was confused and was about to speak, but Li Longshou’s expression suddenly changed. His toes touched the ground, and his form vanished with a whoosh, leaving only ripples in the space-time around them.

At Taibai Palace, in the great Taibai Hall.

The immortal music stopped everywhere, the dancing Chang’e also stopped their dance poses, joining various immortals and gods in looking toward the deepest part of the great hall…

There, a pretty and elegant fairy maiden was standing helplessly before the Enlightenment Sect’s Vice Patriarch, the teacup on her tray tilted, most of the tea spilled on Burning Lamp’s Daoist robe.

This fairy maiden, both familiar and somewhat strange to Li Longshou, was Long Ji, who had emerged from seclusion early for today.

Long Ji had been going to pay respects to Fairy Yunxiao with tea, but when passing by Burning Lamp, her hand had somehow slipped…

“Senior, I’ll…”

Long Ji hurriedly put away the tray, somewhat at a loss.

Burning Lamp’s eyes focused intently as he said calmly: “Heavenly Court Princess, did you intentionally target this poor Daoist?”

Then he released his might, his eyes carrying several points of sharp light.

Long Ji frowned slightly. She knew she had to respond calmly, neither being discourteous nor bringing shame to the Heavenly Court, but for a moment didn’t know how to explain appropriately.

At this moment, True Person Taiyi frowned and was about to speak his mind, but was stopped by Senior Immortal Chijingzi’s glance from the side.

— After all, Burning Lamp was the Vice Patriarch. They could disrespect him in private, but on such an occasion, they couldn’t let others laugh at them.

To the side, Holy Mother Jinling coldly snorted, her eyes fixed on this spot as she stepped forward.

She wouldn’t tolerate Burning Lamp’s behavior.

But as Holy Mother Jinling had only taken half a step, a flash of green light entered the hall – arcs of green light scattered in all directions, the space-time in the hall slightly trembling.

A white-haired old Daoist in white robes appeared out of thin air before Burning Lamp, with kindly eyes and brows, and a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.

Today’s protagonist, is the Heavenly Court’s Water God, Li Changeng!

Li Longshou had to hurry.

In the original Investiture of the Gods catastrophe, Long Ji had been banished to the mortal realm for being ‘discourteous’. If Burning Lamp made a big issue of this matter, it would not only harm Long Ji but also cause the Jade Emperor to harbor resentment toward the Enlightenment Sect.

The provoking conflict between the Enlightenment Sect and the Heavenly Court could be achieved simply.

Beneath the calm surface, danger lurked everywhere!

Li Longshou’s thoughts turned rapidly, already finding the most stable approach.

“Vice Patriarch Burning Lamp, please don’t blame her,” Li Longshou said calmly. “This disciple of mine is straightforward, somewhat zealously hating evil. Having heard me speak too often of how the Vice Patriarch deliberately provoked conflict between the Enlightenment and Severing Sects, she couldn’t help herself.

Consider this cup of tea offered by my disciple.

Long Ji, go elsewhere now.”