‘Sigh, with a great deity in the sect, being sect master becomes increasingly difficult.’

Ji Wuyou stood before the window of his small room, gazing at the sea of clouds and mist outside. The jade talisman turned back and forth between his fingers as his eyes carried traces of contemplation.

This was a message talisman from his master, asking him to bring some experts to aid the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, which was also an Orthodox Unity sect.

The Xiaoyao Immortal Sect had established itself in the Central Divine Continent, with foundations far surpassing their Crossing Immortal Gate. His bringing people there would merely be a show of support.

For any power, it was inevitable to make enemies and grudges. According to the rules of the Great Wilderness, even for the Three Schools’ immortal sects, if sect wars erupted due to accumulated grudges, the saints’ disciples would not intervene directly.

Establishing a Dao lineage in the Great Wilderness was meant to promote one’s path;

If the lineage itself couldn’t stand firm, maintain stability, or compete effectively, one could hardly blame others.

Only in situations like the previous attack on the Crossing Immortal Gate by puppet demons, when Ancestral Master Du’e appeared and Grand Preceptor of Xuandu manifested, could intervention be considered reasonable.

Three major immortal sects had friction with the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, potentially erupting into full-scale sect warfare. Veterans like Ancestral Master Du’e couldn’t easily intervene directly, hence sending the jade talisman to the Crossing Immortal Gate, dispatching disciples as a gesture.

In the past, such situations rarely led to actual fighting. After both sides brought reinforcements, some prestigious elder would ‘coincidentally pass by,’ then ‘speak a fair word’ and mediate.

But now…

“Unstable indeed.”

Ji Wuyou lowered his head and coughed several times, looked at his primordial spirit, and sighed slightly.

He truly hadn’t expected that cultivating divine abilities would nearly cripple him.

It was also because his foundation wasn’t sufficient and his essence too weak – becoming a Golden Immortal had already been somewhat forced. Cultivating such powerful divine abilities had indeed been too hasty.

Of course, only his primordial spirit was weakened, not his Dao body.

The Dragon Poison Wine and Element-Stabilizing Spirit Pills that his sensible young disciple Jiu Wu had secretly brought earlier had little obvious effect when he tried them.

To this day, Ji Wuyou still has two puzzles:

Why did Orthodox Unity Dao lineages always have a several times higher proportion of Dao companions than other immortal sects?

How exactly had Changshou, right under his nose, become the second most powerful deity in the Celestial Court and second disciple to Orthodox Unity’s Sect Master, Lord Taiqing?

And even formed a life bond with Immortal Yunxiao…

He couldn’t figure it out, couldn’t quite understand, it was very perplexing.

Ji Wuyou had been protecting Changshou’s secrets with all his might, to the extent of stepping forward several times to forcefully cover up some anomalies for Changshou.

Originally he didn’t understand why Changshou had insisted on keeping these matters hidden, but gradually, Ji Wuyou came to understand.

Changshou had used his identity as a Crossing Immortal Gate disciple as a disguise, thereby avoiding the Western Teaching’s attention during his rise.

As for why Ji Wuyou had actively appeared to protect him several times and strictly controlled his urge to confide, not even telling his own master much, besides Changshou’s requests, the main reason…

‘Changshou is also a Crossing Immortal Gate disciple. As sect master, I should help when I can.’

Ji Wuyou slowly exhaled.

He wondered how Wangqing and the others were faring in the Three Thousand Worlds. Being able to help Changshou was each person’s opportunity to gain Heavenly Dao merit and Celestial Court fortune.

Unfortunately, as Crossing Immortal Gate’s sect master, he couldn’t retire early before finding a suitable successor to go experience the Three Thousand Worlds.

Was Xuanya doing well in the Celestial Court?

That silly girl was sometimes too upright, and hearts in the Great Wilderness were most treacherous. Going to develop in the Celestial Court was indeed good.

But whether sect members became celestial officials still respected individual choices.

Cultivation sought immortality, but from a medium-sized immortal sect’s perspective, immortal cultivators were extremely rare. Thus, most cultivators pursued long life and freedom.

At this point, Changshou seemed to not deeply appreciate. If he had the chance later, he should discuss this with Changshou…

Ahem, advise, advise.

No longer the little Changshou of the past never moved the acting sect master.

The jade talisman stopped turning between his fingers. Ji Wuyou turned around, placed it in his sleeve, mounted his cloud, and flew out the window, concealing his traces as he floated toward Little Jade Peak.

Reaching Little Jade Peak’s outskirts, Ji Wuyou waited briefly until spiritual energy fluctuations appeared ahead, then quietly slipped into Little Jade Peak’s thick formations.

Every time he sensed Little Jade Peak’s formations, two words would surface in Ji Wuyou’s heart…

Wasteful.

What was the use of nine layers and twelve formations for a peak with only two or three disciples? Surely no Daluo Golden Immortal would strike at Little Jade Peak?

If they did, wouldn’t that Daluo Golden Immortal be doomed?

Flying through the thick flowing spiritual power of the formation layers, a peaceful, quiet, and somewhat auspicious spiritual peak appeared before him.

Looking at the ancient spiritual wood forest full of wood essence energy, feeling the ancient water essence contained in the spirit lake, the entire peak appeared in immortal consciousness like a naturally blessed land…

But Ji Wuyou knew perfectly well that Little Jade Peak had originally been just a small broken peak that had its top cut off and spiritual energy destroyed in a great battle ten thousand years ago.

Changshou had already become this formidable.

Hmm? Why was there an extra small peak by the lake?

Hey! It moved!

The giant Lingli, about the size of a small mountain, stood up and raised her head to wave at Ji Wuyou. Though her movements were natural, her enormous size made them appear very slow.

“Mas—ter—”

“Lin-Lingli,” Ji Wuyou sighed in relief, feeling the terrifying power brewing throughout Bear Lingli’s body, his Adam’s apple trembling involuntarily.

Was this still his honorary disciple?

This… one punch would probably severely injure him, a Golden Immortal already carrying wounds?

Truly worthy of being an Orthodox Unity core member who followed Changshou!

Ji Wuyou revealed a gentle smile, extended his left palm to form a giant hand of immortal power, and lightly patted Bear Lingli’s forehead, smiling:

“Haven’t seen you lately, you’ve grown taller, very good, very good.”

Bear Lingli giggled embarrassedly, causing thunderous sounds across Little Jade Peak.

By the spirit lake, Li Changshou and Ling’e, who were waiting for Ji Wuyou to descend while being disheveled by the strong winds Bear Lingli had stirred up, couldn’t help but show faint smiles at this scene.

Li Changshou was naturally a paper clone here; his main body had already begun preparations to intercept those evil cultivators hunting mortal emperors in South Jambudvipa.

This was likely another Western Teaching scheme, but this method was much more sophisticated than their previous actions.

It could be called pulling the rug out from under, specifically targeting the Celestial Court’s weak points, aiming at what Li Changshou cared about most and what had the most far-reaching impact – the Celestial Court, Immortal Contract, and Shang Clan system – thereby affecting the Celestial Court’s influence over the Investiture of the Gods tribulation…

He’d hazard a guess that Western Teaching’s senior brother Maitreya was behind this.

At this juncture, it was indeed time for Western Teaching to make a move, or else they could only await their fate helplessly.

Seeing Ji Wuyou slowly descending, Li Changshou’s lips curved in a faint smile as he and Ling’e performed Daoist bows in greeting.

“Greetings, Sect Master.”

Ji Wuyou hurriedly descended from his cloud, returned a Daoist bow to Li Changshou, and smiled: “Greetings, Star-Lord. This poor Daoist should be the one greeting Star-Lord.”

Ling’e couldn’t help covering her mouth and laughing softly: “Senior Brother, I’ll go make tea for Sect Master.”

“Take out the good tea I brought back from Jade Pool,” Li Changshou instructed, then set out a low table and two rush cushions, inviting Ji Wuyou to sit.

Across the spirit lake, Bear Lingli lay down again, stared blankly at the sky for a while, then began her unique cultivation method.

Using bloodline to strengthen herself.

Extremely comfortable, she’d say.

Ji Wuyou smiled: “Changshou, are Celestial Court affairs busy lately?”

“Relatively quiet,” Li Changshou sighed, “but with the great tribulation descending, the world is quite unsettled. From Central Divine Continent to East Victory Divine Continent, and even the Three Thousand Worlds, cultivator bloodshed increases constantly.

According to Celestial Court monitoring, just the cultivator casualties in recent years have exceeded those of the past several centuries.”

“Ah, troubled times,” Ji Wuyou sighed slowly, “the world’s power is inconstant, living beings flourish and wither – this has been true since ancient times.

Changshou, what you’ve done already surpasses what most cultivators could achieve. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, “Thanks, Sect Master.”

“Just call me by my Dao title. You’re my senior now.”

“Within Crossing Immortal Gate, I am still a Crossing Immortal Gate disciple,” Li Changshou smiled, “Sect Master need not worry. I specifically requested this from my teacher and received his approval.”

“Oh?” Ji Wuyou’s eyes brightened as he asked softly, “Is our Saint Lord… talkative?”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, suddenly unsure how to answer appropriately.

To say his teacher wasn’t talkative wouldn’t be right – his teacher could chat with him for eight or ten years about various topics. Like his first visit to pay respects at Taiqing Temple, they talked for three years.

But to say his teacher was talkative… up till now, when alone with Teacher Taiqing, his teacher’s average speech reload cycle was fourteen point six days…

Li Changshou said: “Teacher speaks concisely yet profoundly, and is approachable while maintaining tranquil non-action.”

Ji Wuyou felt somewhat dizzy.

Truly, saying it was like saying nothing at all.

Ling’e floated over from the side carrying tea, knelt beside her senior brother, served tea to the Sect Master and her senior brother, and then floated back to the thatched cottage with her tray.

Li Changshou smiled: “Does Sect Master have business seeking me?”

“No other major matters,” Ji Wuyou pulled out the jade talisman from his sleeve, handed it to Li Changshou, and said seriously: “My master asked me to bring some experts to visit Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, to help maintain their dignity.”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou took the jade talisman, carefully examined it, and then showed understanding.

He asked: “According to Sect Master’s knowledge, do these several sects have any issues?”

“Issues meaning whether they have major schools behind them?”

Ji Wuyou pondered for a moment, divination naturally yielded nothing, so he said: “From what this poor Daoist knows, these three sects have long-standing grudges with Xiaoyao Immortal Sect. Their joint attack this time may well intend to take advantage of the great tribulation.

This concerns a sect’s standing. By convention, except for Xiaoyao Immortal Sect’s founding ancestor, my master, and other Orthodox Unity experts cannot directly intervene. Otherwise, we’d be accused of bullying with superior force, of Orthodox Unity being poor losers and such, damaging our sect’s reputation.

Thus, the master ordered me to bring people to assist – this is a kind of… convention.

It’s just that with the great tribulation descending, this poor Daoist vaguely worries something might happen.”

Li Changshou nodded slowly, thinking carefully for a moment.

“Sect Master should still be extra careful,” Li Changshou took out two bottles of pills and a stack of paper people from his sleeve, saying seriously, “These are my paper clone avatars. If Sect Master encounters danger, you can call me anytime.”

Ji Wuyou smiled: “That won’t be necessary. After mixing in the Great Wilderness for so long, I have my means of survival.”

“Sect Master,” Li Changshou’s expression was quite serious, “those words are somewhat dangerous.”

“Hmm?”

“Still, take them, just to be safe.”

Li Changshou smiled: “Consider this Star Lord’s command, please keep in contact with me at all times.

If Sect Master encounters trouble, I can directly appear in my identity as Celestial Court’s Grand White Star to intimidate the opposition.”

“Hahaha!”

Ji Wuyou clapped and laughed heartily, putting the paper people and pills in his sleeve, saying: “This poor Daoist will play it safe just this once!”

Li Changshou seemed to hear a ‘ping’ sound, like some strange ‘flag’ breaking and advised the Sect Master several more times.

He had received many kindnesses from the Sect Master. Now the world was in chaos, with pressure between Daoist immortal sects gradually emerging. Whether or not someone was secretly causing trouble underneath, this was the general trend.

The Investiture of the Gods tribulation affected not only the saints’ disciples but also the Three Schools’ immortal sects. Li Changshou had calculated this even before becoming immortal.

Great trends were hard to change, the Heavenly Dao’s crushing force.

To seek balance, start with the subtle.

After Ji Wuyou left, Li Changshou also thought carefully, his consciousness sliding over the paper clone army buried near Crossing Immortal Gate…

In terms of total ‘immortal power’ he had buried under Crossing Immortal Gate, it was enough to level the entire sect… dozens of times over.

Immortal power could be replenished by absorbing spiritual energy after consumption. The Great Wilderness still had abundant spiritual energy, so there would be no shortage.

“Senior Brother,” Ling’e floated over, collecting the teacups and pot, “what’s going on?”

Li Changshou smiled: “Nothing major, Sect Master is going to assist Xiaoyao Immortal Sect.”

“Xiaoyao Immortal Sect? Well, I don’t have any impression of them.”

“No need to worry, focus on cultivation,” Li Changshou smiled, “Ke Le’er has already become a Golden Immortal. Though you shouldn’t be hasty, you should still put in more effort.”

“Yes!”

Ling’e sweetly agreed, squinting her eyes as she smiled beside him.

‘When this immortal maiden reaches the Golden Immortal realm, I’ll enchant you and throw you onto the bed, doing this and that…!’

Li Changshou instinctively made a listening gesture, and this paper clone immediately transformed into a wisp of green smoke, drilling into Ling’e’s sleeve, leaving behind: “Brother has urgent matters to attend to.”

Ling’e stuck out her tongue tip and floated away with a lowered head, carrying her tray.

…

‘Water God~ Water God… ah no, Star-Lord, it’s me, your admirer, little Didi!’

Li Changshou nearly spat out his tea when he heard this call.

This call naturally came from Diting in the Tower of Reincarnation, using his innate divine ability in reverse to transmit directly to Li Changshou’s heart, addressing his paper clone hidden in Fengdu City.

Of course, Li Changshou could instantly sever this connection, but…

When the ‘Redemption Beast’ actively passed along information, though it couldn’t be fully trusted and one had to guard against possible smoke screens, he could still listen, right?

Diting transmitted:

“As usual, you needn’t respond. Don’t block your mind, and I can sense your thoughts.

That Western Teaching senior brother came to harass my master again, and he proudly spoke of his upcoming plans.

This time he’s targeting the human royal authority in South Jambudvipa’s mortal realm, seemingly aimed at that Shang clan that received Celestial Court protection and Star Lord your strong support.

Just by finding some evil cultivators to assassinate the Shang clan’s leading family, they can disrupt the Celestial Court’s arrangements, even further affecting the course of the entire Investiture of the Gods tribulation.

This time, his move is indeed quite powerful. Star-Lord should guard against it early.”

“I already know of this matter. What else did he say?”

“Seems he wanted to persuade my master to support him, talked about many past events,” Diting’s words carried clear disdain, “Where was he before?

When my master suffered disasters and hardships, he was hiding in the shadows, completely unwilling to step forward.

Now seeing Western Teaching as master as a pillar of fortune, and it’s time to profit from the great tribulation, he comes out prancing about.

Hmph, I look down on him.”

As Diting complained, Li Changshou fell into thought.

Li Changshou asked in his heart: “What did your master say?”

“Master only said this matter had nothing to do with him…”

“Thanks for the warning. Your master naturally has no connection to this matter.”

Li Changshou said this in his heart, then sealed the paper clone’s strand of primordial spirit power, breaking contact with Diting.

This Maitreya, it feels like… he’s lacking some maturity.

The former Ksitigarbha was more troublesome, giving him a sense of helplessness.

The wise may have a thousand thoughts but will still make mistakes. Perhaps Maitreya’s closed-door cultivation was too long. Though his grasp of the overall Great Wilderness situation remained and this strategy was quite powerful, having a flavor of four ounces moving a thousand pounds, before the plan even started, he went to boast to Ksitigarbha…

Hmm?

What if it wasn’t boasting, but deliberately setting a trap for him?

Li Changshou thought carefully for a moment.

Though he couldn’t rule out the possibility of secret cooperation between Enlightenment Teaching and Western Teaching, this possibility was extremely weak.

Play it safe, go request the Taiji Diagram now!

Secretly deploy Golden Peng over there, meet Big Sister Kong Xuan in advance, and make arrangements as thoroughly as possible.

If even then he couldn’t protect the Shang clan…

Then he could only request tribulation lightning to protect the proper path through vicissitudes.

Li Changshou softly exhaled, letting himself fully engage in this calculation, to properly compete with Western Teaching’s senior brother.

‘Buzz~~’

Well, just after dealing with a self-serving counterfeit spy, here comes an official spy.

Wonder if Wenjing’s news would differ from what True Lord Yuding and Diting provided.