On the Golden Roc’s back, a transformation within sleeves.

Li Changshou’s true form, hidden from view, silently touched his forehead while observing the murderous Yang Jian, letting out a quiet sigh.

It seemed that because he had played it safe earlier, not wanting to damage his Primordial Dao body, he had missed out on something good.

But such thoughts weren’t quite right.

First, the Heavenly Dao would unlikely allow him to obtain an all-seeing Divine Eye. Divine Eyes were different from one another, just like Sages had varying levels of strength.

If his Path of Balance were combined with Yang Jian’s Divine Eye that could perceive the essence of the Heavenly Dao…

What would likely follow would be a destructive Heavenly Punishment, with the Dao Ancestor himself appearing to say with a smile, “I misjudged, I misjudged. This child is an Outer Realm Demon!”

Second, in this Ancient Wilderness world, all benefits obtained by living beings had prices secretly marked by the Heavenly Dao. Obtaining this Divine Eye meant establishing a direct connection with the Heavenly Dao.

From now on, Yang Jian was destined to work for the Heavenly Dao, becoming a future War God of the Heavenly Court…

Well, whether he could transform the image of a “Heavenly Court Civil Official” would depend on how badly Yang Jian could wreck Mount Lingshan today!

Li Changshou cleared his thoughts and focused fully on the situation, observing every movement of the elderly Daoists on Mount Lingshan. The Golden Roc hovered high in the sky, directly in front of Mount Lingshan.

Today, he was here to be Yang Jian’s support.

More accurately, he – representing the Heavenly Court at this moment – was here to be Yang Jian’s support.

Why did Li Changshou insist on sending a paper avatar?

He had some self-preservation in mind, giving others the impression that “this is just a paper person, there’s no point in attacking it.”

Yang Jian, having just awakened his Divine Eye, advanced with his spear while keeping his “original” eyes closed.

The Western Teaching experts frowned, somewhat intimidated by Yang Jian’s Divine Eye…

But most of the elderly Daoists present had the strength to fight Yang Jian. Although he had awakened his Divine Eye, he hadn’t fully absorbed Ancestral God Di Jiang’s bloodline. Though his combat power was strong, he was still far from the Golden Immortal realm.

Among those present, even without core disciples like Dizang, Maitreya, and Xu Puti, or hidden experts like Wenjing, many could defeat Yang Jian.

At this moment, what they feared was not just the Golden Roc behind Yang Jian, but also the elder sitting upon it.

Star Lord Taibai.

“What is Star Lord’s intention?”

An elderly Daoist, seemingly unable to contain himself, stepped back into the crowd and pointed accusingly at Li Changshou:

“Does Star-Lord Taibai think our Western Teaching disciples have no temperament? You’ve come to Mount Lingshan to humiliate us repeatedly. We’ve shown great restraint because you’re the main figure of the tribulation, but now you protect the Jade Emperor’s nephew as he comes to wreak havoc, intending to defame Mount Lingshan’s reputation! Hmph! This is… outrageous!”

Li Changshou remained silent, only lowering his head to watch Yang Jian’s advancing steps.

The elderly Daoists exchanged glances, and immediately someone stepped forward, condensing ten thousand rays of golden light in their palm, striking out at Yang Jian.

As sleeves fluttered, Yang Jian’s form was instantly blocked.

“Stop right there,” that Daoist coldly said. “Don’t think you can run wild here just because your background is complicated! You say we owe you your father and brother’s lives – who were they?”

Yang Jian tightly pressed his lips, slowly raising the spear in his hand. The golden light barrier before him began to flicker constantly, showing fine cracks.

“My father Yang Tianyou, my mother Yunhua, my elder brother Yang Jiao!”

“What does the matter of Fairy Yunhua have to do with our Mount Lingshan?”

Yang Jian stepped forward, the golden light before him shattering with a ‘ping’.

But before he could rush forward to attack, several golden lights suddenly shot from left and right, transforming into ropes that entangled Yang Jian’s body, temporarily binding him in place.

Though Yang Jian tried to dodge, his movements were always half a beat too slow.

Seeing this, Li Changshou inwardly sighed…

While Yang Jian looked impressive after awakening his Divine Eye, his strength still couldn’t match the second generation of great sects. To reach the level where he could defeat these Western Teaching elders, Yang Jian would need to cultivate quietly, advance his Nine Mysteries Art to another major level, and cultivate more battle techniques to compensate for the shortcomings of focusing on physical cultivation.

Otherwise, he could only be a punching bag with high defense.

In the distance, seeing Yang Jian bound, East Wood Officer immediately called several commanders, leading a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals rushing toward Mount Lingshan. They weren’t too far away now and had already attracted attention from various parties.

At this moment, those Mount Lingshan elders had restrained Yang Jian but dared not harm him carelessly, leaving them in an awkward position.

They couldn’t afford to offend the Heavenly Court or the Enlightenment Teaching;

They couldn’t outmaneuver Star Lord Taibai, and their core disciples wouldn’t move.

But Yang Jian had no such concerns, having already decided not to leave alive.

He continued struggling, experiencing his newly acquired power through the struggle. Seven-colored divine light surged around him, and the immortal ropes began to loosen.

However, the Mount Lingshan elders still didn’t take Yang Jian seriously.

An elder showed confusion and scolded: “This Fairy Yunhua was originally captured by the Heavenly Court, Yang Tianyou died by the Heavenly Court’s hands, what did our Mount Lingshan do?”

A middle-aged female Daoist stepped out from a corner, looking at Li Changshou in the sky with grief and anger:

“Yes, our Mount Lingshan’s previous actions had many faults, and we’ve been repeatedly targeted by you, Li Changgen, bearing many accusations! But you can’t attribute all unsolved grievances to our Western Teaching! Star Lord Taibai wants to use our souls to fulfill the tribulation’s destiny, this is known throughout the Three Realms, but at the very least, you should use some clever strategies. These methods are truly too dirty! Our Western Teaching’s actions aren’t half as black-hearted as yours, Star-Lord Taibai.”

Li Changshou spoke slowly: “Has this poor Daoist ever killed innocents? Or used any means necessary to achieve certain ends? Or perhaps, has this poor Daoist ever used any dishonorable methods?”

That middle-aged female immortal was speechless, then coldly snorted: “Who can know these things, and who can understand them?”

“The Heavenly Dao.”

Li Changshou spoke flatly, and that female immortal frowned slightly.

An elder with a withered face couldn’t contain himself anymore, immediately rushing forward several steps and pointing at Li Changshou while shouting:

“You, Water God Taibai Li Changgen! Today, this poor Daoist will make a Heavenly Dao oath right here – if Yang Jian’s father and brother’s deaths have any direct connection to our Western Teaching, may the Heavenly Dao send down punishment! This poor Daoist will bear the crime!”

Crack!

As soon as this elder’s words fell, the sky within ten thousand li suddenly darkened, and a purple-red lightning bolt came from high above, instantly engulfing this elder’s form!

Without explanation, without a chance to dodge!

Electric arcs splashed in all directions, sending the Mount Lingshan elders stumbling backward.

Heavenly Punishment!

Purple Empyrean Divine Thunder!

When the punishment disappeared, that struck elder lay motionless, breath as thin as gossamer, neither severely nor lightly injured. Just as he tried to get up, a cold light suddenly flashed from the side…

Li Changshou’s brow twitched, and the Mount Lingshan elders were collectively shocked, their eyes full of disbelief.

Three-pointed double-edge drawn, a charred head flew up, its eyes still wide with shock in midair.

Yang Jian, who had broken free from his restraints at some unknown time, stepped forward, his Divine Eye on his forehead opening, shooting out a purple-golden beam that easily pierced through and shattered the nascent soul hiding in that head…

Mount Lingshan fell instantly silent.

Kill- killed?

Killing a Sage’s disciple at a Sage’s dao field?

This!

Is there still respect for Sages, still respect for Sacred Law?

“Yang Jian! You deserve death!”

An elder shouted in rage, and several elders with angry expressions pounced toward Yang Jian.

Li Changshou sighed, unhurriedly making his move, first pointing at Yang Jian from afar. The phantom of the Primordial Yellow Tower appeared above Yang Jian’s head, sprinkling some primordial yellow essence.

Then a banner disappeared from Li Changshou’s sleeve, breaking through space to appear behind Yang Jian. Its flames rolled out, causing all incoming treasures and divine abilities to dissipate into nothingness!

The Primordial Spirit Treasure of the Human Teaching, the Ground Flame Light Banner!

Yang Jian’s figure was protected by the banner’s firelight. He unleashed the Nine Mysteries Art, pouncing at that group of elders like a fierce tiger descending the mountain.

This scene caused many powerful beings watching this place to look on with glinting eyes.

On Mount Lingshan, cursing a few times was one thing, but directly killing a Sage’s disciple…

On the Golden Roc’s back, Li Changshou felt the Golden Roc’s eager heart and secretly shook his head.

Let them make trouble, let them fight.

At worst, it would just mean early persuasion for the Enlightenment Teaching and Western Teaching to go to war, and the Dao Gate could eliminate many hidden dangers.

Looking at Yang Jian again, now protected by the treasure banner, he was like a fish in water, unstoppable, fiercely pursuing and attacking those elders of no low cultivation realm;

Relying on the sharpness of the Three-Pointed Double-Edge Spear in his hand, he chased these elders all over the mountain.

The elders tried to use formation techniques to block Yang Jian but discovered that the treasure banner was impervious to all evil and unbreakable by all methods.

They then attempted to join forces to suppress Yang Jian with great magical power, but Yang Jian’s form flickered rapidly, with yin-yang energy surrounding him, causing his speed to surge dramatically. Fast as an illusion, the elders temporarily found themselves unable to counter.

Yang Jian’s spear swung, smashed, and slashed fiercely, his eyes showing complete ferocity, wanting to kill another person to repay his father and elder brother’s blood debt with blood!

“Who dares to fight!”

Yang Jian roared, but those elders all fell silent.

They thought: Come fight after removing the Ground Flame Light Banner!

Meanwhile, those who had the power to suppress this treasure banner merely hid in the shadows, each frowning as they watched this scene, waiting for the moment they would hear the Sage’s voice transmission.

— The treasure banner was displaying power on its own, without Yang Jian’s control, and had many inherent weaknesses.

In this situation, the Sages truly couldn’t intervene directly;

And if any of them showed themselves, they would be marked by Star Lord Taibai.

The elder who had just been beheaded proved two things with his life…

First, Heavenly Dao oaths couldn’t be made carelessly – this thing could be fatal!

Second, the Yang family tragedy was indeed caused by their Western Teaching. That elder hadn’t received the news and was overconfident.

It had to be admitted, that the elder had been gambling earlier.

Then he lost the gamble, lost his life, and might become the spark that ignites a war between great sects.

As the saying goes, the Daoist may run, but the temple cannot.

Yang Jian, under the banner’s protection, charged about wildly. Though he only inflicted minor injuries on several elders, he caused halls, spirit pools, and buildings to collapse thunderously, leaving craters everywhere.

— Mount Lingshan was the dao field of two Sages, but they usually didn’t even activate the mountain’s protective formation, let alone the protective formations of various buildings.

Regarding this, Li Changshou could only thank that sacrificial elder for giving Yang Jian a justified reason to wreck the mountain with his fatal backstab.

This situation…

Compared to when Li Changshou came to wreck the mountain gate before, this was much more satisfying to watch.

Streams of light flew in from the horizon, but this time, they were figures from the Dao Gate who weren’t particularly close to Li Changshou.

The first stream of light to arrive appeared directly outside Mount Lingshan’s gate, frowning at the chaos within;

He had a middle-aged face and wore neat gray Daoist robes – it was Guangcheng Zi, the leader of the Enlightenment Teaching’s Twelve Golden Immortals!

Just as Guangcheng Zi arrived, Chijing Zi, True Person Yellow Dragon, and True Person Taiyi appeared in succession. Several other Enlightenment Teaching Golden Immortals were hurrying here, with Yunzhong Zi and other Merit Golden Immortals arriving shortly after.

True Person Yellow Dragon first looked at Yang Jian’s figure with inexplicable excitement.

Their Enlightenment Teaching’s third-generation disciple had made something of himself!

But then, True Person Yellow Dragon saw that spear and banner and silently shed two lines of tears.

Nothing more than that, just that.

Li Changshou descended from the Golden Roc, his form falling on clouds. The Golden Roc transformed into human form, holding the small Soul-Reaping Spear and following step by step, ready to block arrows for his master at any moment.

“Greetings, Senior Brothers.”

“Changgen, what has happened here?”

Guangcheng Zi asked with furrowed brows, his eyes showing some urgency, “Why has Nephew Yang Jian gone berserk at Mount Lingshan?”

Gone berserk…

Li Changshou inwardly sighed, understanding that the Enlightenment Teaching didn’t want to escalate matters.

Whether to have fewer troubles or to avoid completely falling out with the Western Teaching, Guangcheng Zi and the others came here to stop Yang Jian, not to support him.

This was within Li Changshou’s considerations.

Li Changshou said seriously: “Yang Jian came to avenge a blood debt. The Western Teaching just admitted to this matter, and a ninth-rank Golden Immortal expert has already died.”

Guangcheng Zi transmitted his voice: “Is there any way to make Yang Jian stop? If the Sages are disturbed later, won’t Nephew Yang Jian be in danger?”

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I estimate that the Western Teaching’s Sage Uncle will soon be unable to sit still.”

“This?”

Before Guangcheng Zi could speak further, a golden light suddenly burst forth above Mount Lingshan. An invisible force struck Yang Jian, sending both him and the Ground Flame Light Banner flying far away.

Even with the Ground Flame Light Banner’s protection and the partial power of the Primordial Yellow Tower guarding his body, Yang Jian still couldn’t help spitting blood as he flew backward. After landing, he rolled dozens of zhang, coincidentally being knocked right in front of Guangcheng Zi.

A light sigh came from the mountain:

“For the sake of Elder Brother Yuan Shi’s face, this poor Daoist won’t quibble with such a juvenile today.”

The Sixth Sage, Zhunti!

Just as Guangcheng Zi was about to step forward…

“Come out!”

Yang Jian, lying on the ground, shouted but had already stood up. Kneeling on one knee, he wiped away the blood from his mouth, holding his spear as purple-golden light brewed in his vertical eye on his forehead.

“You come out!”

“Yang Jian!”

Guangcheng Zi frowned and called out, “Stop this nonsense, return to Jade Void Palace!”

Yang Jian’s movements paused, his silhouette trembling slightly.

Chijing Zi advised: “Nephew Yang Jian, this matter needs careful consideration. Today you’ve already destroyed many halls here and killed a Long Life Immortal. This is, after all, a Sage’s dao field. If we disciples of the Sages don’t respect the Sages, won’t we be ridiculed by all beings in the Three Realms?”

Yang Jian’s hand gripping the spear trembled, his arm tensed as he gritted his teeth, glaring at the ruins ahead, at those scattered figures.

Why…

Tap.

A hand suddenly patted Yang Jian’s shoulder, causing him, who was almost falling into a dao heart demon barrier, to instinctively turn his head to the side, facing True Person Taiyi who was smiling at him.

“Enough.”

True Person Taiyi’s smile was rarely so warm, his eyes carrying some emotion, “Your master is behind, not daring to show himself. He fears that if he appears, he’ll have to join you in wrecking Mount Lingshan, and things will completely spiral out of control. Leave the rest to your Uncle Master. Oh right, your father probably isn’t dead… I remember Yang Tianyou once studied together at some academy during the Jade Emperor’s mortal tribulation, becoming a registered disciple of a certain old divine immortal of the Heavenly Court. This old divine immortal’s other abilities I won’t comment on, but when it comes to scheming against others, he’s quite skilled. However, he’s always thorough in his actions and isn’t an evil deity. Why don’t you ask him if your father’s soul has truly scattered?”

Yang Jian was stunned, looking at that ‘old divine immortal’ standing submissively beside the Enlightenment Teaching immortals.

“Is… is it true…”

Li Changshou sighed and spoke slowly: “Consider it compensation for this poor Daoist’s previous arrangements of your cultivation path. Unfortunately, I could only protect one – Yang Jiao is indeed gone. However, ‘registered disciple’ is too heavy a term. I only taught your father some mathematical skills and how to become an excellent mortal merchant.”

Yang Jian’s expression instantly became extremely complex. He lowered his head, exhaled, and remained silent.

True Person Taiyi slowly stepped forward one zhang, looking at the smoke and dust across Mount Lingshan. With his hands tucked in his sleeves, his lips revealed a faint smile.

He, Taiyi, would today determine the great situation with one statement!

Speaking casually, breathing freely!

Muttering in a whispered voice, quietly mumbling:

“Why won’t they even show their faces today? Could it be that a Sage acted against mortals? That can’t be? How is that possible?”

Silence.

Suddenly came the sound of a treasure howling – before True Person Taiyi could turn his head, he was instantly collected into Guangcheng Zi’s sleeve.

Just then, drum beats echoed through the sky. Dark clouds arrived and stopped a thousand li away from Mount Lingshan. East Wood Officer, leading several hundred Heavenly Soldiers and over ten Heavenly Generals, hurriedly approached holding an imperial edict.

“Yang Jian, receive the edict!”

Yang Jian was stunned. Nearby, Li Changshou saw this and smiled slightly, his form retreating several steps.

As East Wood Officer unfolded the edict and began reading it aloud, a golden light fell upon Yang Jian…

There was a constant ringing in Yang Jian’s ears, and he barely heard much clearly, only catching the part about naming him “Pure Origin Wondrous Dao True Monarch,” with many rewards and military command authority.

But what… meaning did this have?

Yang Jian, who should have been looking up at the dome of heaven, lowered his head in the golden light, looking at his trembling palm. Somewhat weakly, he tried to grip his hand. Having repeatedly exhausted his strength and now relaxing his heartstrings, he found he couldn’t grip anything.

What did it matter being a Heavenly Court deity?

What did it matter being an Enlightenment Teaching disciple?

Was everything that existed in this world truly right?

The Six Sages high above, the Heavenly Court high above, the Sage’s great teachings high above, manipulating the destinies of living beings.

If beings don’t comply, they become flying ash;

If beings don’t submit, they are annihilated.

He was the same.

Just like a puppet on strings – if it were someone else, they could have reached this position too, right?

Besides this name Yang Jian, what else did he have that was truly his?

This Heavenly Court reward might as well be rejected. He could go retrieve his mother and live in seclusion outside Mount Yuquan, spending the rest of his life showing filial piety to his mother and repaying his master’s kindness.

“Never mind…”

“It’s best to accept the edict,” Li Changshou’s voice transmission came, “This way we can cover up your mother’s crime of descending to the mortal realm without permission, and give your maternal uncle a way out.”

Yang Jian raised his head to look at Li Changshou, his eyes like lightning.

Li Changshou’s breath was steady, his smile peaceful as he calmly met Yang Jian’s gaze.

Finally, Yang Jian closed his eyes, took a step back, and raised his left hand toward the sky, summoning that edict into his grasp.

Heavy realizations arose in his heart, and a banner condensed behind him.

A fourth-rank proper deity position in the Heavenly Court.

How laughable.

“From today forward,” Yang Jian looked toward East Wood Officer in the sky, divine light surging in his eyes again, his voice spreading across heaven and earth, “Yang Jian will only obey the Heavenly Court’s military orders, not the Jade Emperor’s proclamations.”

East Wood Officer’s brows furrowed, and those military officers all frowned as well.

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched slightly. Although he had anticipated this scene early on, he still felt somewhat depressed.

This successor still needed to be properly persuaded – no, properly polished.

Thus it was:

Yunhua descended to the mortal realm to bear children,

Western Sage cleverly implemented schemes.

Taibai secretly pushed along with the current,

Jade Void transmitted mysterious merit.

After bitter days of cultivation success was achieved,

After the battle at Heaven’s Gate fought Mount Lingshan.

Jade Emperor bestowed an edict granting a divine name,

In the end, obeying commands but not proclamations!