‘Why haven’t Little Brother and Second Sister returned yet? Could they have encountered some trouble?’

Although there had been Supreme Pure Sage’s “passing by” earlier, and Baize’s classic interpretation, Zhao Gongming still couldn’t quite set his mind at ease.

Moreover, right now he…

Had a very strong premonition as an uncle.

Was the Chaos Sea any good place to be?

If they wanted to find opportunities to be alone, weren’t the Three Thousand Worlds of the Hongmeng filled with beautiful scenic spots? Weren’t those better?

The ones who had lost contact now were his closest brother and the sworn sister he had been bonded with since ancient times.

If he didn’t go help, who else could assist his gentle and lovely Second Sister and his honest and straightforward Second Brother-in-law?

After all, never had there been such a like-minded good brother, who had broadened his horizons and increased his knowledge, elevating him from an ordinary senior apprentice-brother of the Severing Sect’s outer door to a person of character…

A figure in the Hongmeng’s ancestral realm.

Zhao Gongming was calculating in his heart that if Xuandu City received news that help was needed in the Chaos Sea, he would ride the Golden Peng Bird and dash over there with lightning speed.

But what was the situation in Xuandu City?

Elder Brother Xuandu and Kong Xuan were chatting and laughing there every day!

Any clear-headed person could see that the Orthodox Teaching was about to form a marriage alliance with the Phoenix Clan!

Golden Peng Bird was a hothead, stubbornly staying in Xuandu City as a ‘watching stone’, but he, Zhao Gongming, as someone who had been through it all, naturally couldn’t stay there and spoil the atmosphere.

Therefore, when Zhao Gongming left Xuandu City before, he had wandered in the Great Thousand World closest to Xuandu City, found a place with nice scenery to build a hut, and spread his Dao rhyme far and wide, fearing others wouldn’t know he was there.

Regrettably, Holy Mother Jinling had returned to Azure Lotus Palace to cultivate and hadn’t openly stayed here with him to enjoy leisure time together.

Regarding his successful relationship with Holy Mother Jinling, Elder Brother Zhao had always wanted to arrange a ceremony, to get back some of the gifts he had given out since ancient times.

But judging from Holy Mother Jinling’s meaning, it seemed she was content with them staying together secretly, not wanting to make their Dao companion relationship public.

It must be declared here that there was nothing wrong with this—Holy Mother Jinling’s unwillingness to go public was purely because she couldn’t bring herself to face it.

There absolutely weren’t any side stories!

Zhao Gongming could only accept this, not daring to say much more.

During these twenty or thirty years without Jinling by his side, Elder Brother Zhao felt somewhat empty and lonely, but after all, he was an ancient being—staring blankly at the sky, spacing out while looking at the lake’s surface, time passed in a flash.

He waited and waited, received one greeting from Baize, one message from True Lord Taiji, a reminder from Senior Brother Duobao, and also that one…

“Big Brother.”

“Cough!”

Zhao Gongming almost choked on his breath, his legs trembling slightly. He had been fishing by the lake but immediately stood up, hurriedly stuffing several scrolls of paintings back into his storage treasure.

A flash of golden light streaked past—naturally, it was the Golden Peng Bird flying over, with two figures standing upon it.

Zhao Gongming looked carefully—who else could it be but the two people he had been waiting for news about?

Hmm?

Something was wrong…

Why was Second Sister wearing Little Brother Changshou’s Daoist robe? And it had been carefully tailored?

Uh, were they so hard on clothes when alone together?

But then, Zhao Gongming frowned, and pondered for a moment, with twenty-four Ocean Stabilizing Zhenzhus circling around him, vigilantly looking at the Golden Peng Bird.

“Wait, don’t come closer yet.”

Li Changshou blinked, and Fairy Yunxiao also showed confusion.

“What’s wrong, Elder Brother?”

“Are you Changshou?”

Zhao Gongming frowned and said: “Tell me, when we first met years ago, what matter did I seek you for?”

“The matter of incense offerings.”

Li Changshou answered casually, but seeing Zhao Gongming’s reaction, a slight bad premonition rose in his heart.

After he and Yunxiao returned to Xuandu City, they only briefly met with the Grand Master and Kong Xuan before immediately coming to find Zhao Gongming after sensing his aura.

—After all, just before returning, they had seen tragic scenes concerning Zhao Gongming in that strand of Primordial Purple Qi.

At this moment, Li Changshou had only activated his paper avatar in Great White Palace to confirm Ling’e was safe and sound, not having time to investigate elsewhere.

Seeing Zhao Gongming’s reaction, could it be that someone had caused trouble while he was away?

Li Changshou’s thoughts turned rapidly, immediately adding: “The Spring Flowers Autumn Moon painting you were just looking at, Elder Brother, was the hundred and sixty-second one I gave you, with the theme of ‘Hearing Rain Through Begonia Blossoms’, the main composition…”

“Enough! Enough!”

Zhao Gongming hurriedly shouted, “I know you’re Little Brother! Stop talking nonsense about what begonia blossoms.”

On the Golden Peng’s back, Fairy Yunxiao looked elsewhere, her slightly furrowed brows, helpless smile, and faint blush on her cheeks all indicated…

She had also seen the contents of the painting with her immortal awareness.

These two are unserious ones.

Li Changshou smiled calmly—this small calculation was insignificant—and hurriedly asked: “Elder Brother, when did you become so cautious? Has something happened?”

“Well,” Zhao Gongming waved his sleeve, floating up with hands behind his back, the bamboo fence of his thatched cottage dispersing in the wind.

He said: “You’ve just returned? Rest a while first, it’s nothing major.”

“Has someone been impersonating me to cause trouble?”

“Indeed,” Zhao Gongming sighed, “It’s a long story. You went to the Chaos Sea chasing the Kunpeng, showing no trace for many years, and the Heavenly Court has somewhat lost its bearings.

Especially these past ten-plus years, the Heavenly Court hasn’t had an easy time.

By the way, what happened with the Kunpeng?”

“The mission was accomplished,” Li Changshou pondered for a moment, “Golden Peng, full speed back to the Heavenly Court.”

Golden Peng Bird answered solemnly: “This disciple obeys!”

“Elder Brother, talk with Yunxiao first, let me check various places with my avatars,” Li Changshou sat down cross-legged with a gloomy expression.

In the Chaos Sea, he had completely lost contact with the Hongmeng, worrying most about Ling’e’s safety, and secondly, whether the Western Teaching would take advantage of this time to move against the Heavenly Court.

Looking at it now, Western Teaching had indeed made its move.

Sure enough, when it came to causing trouble, Western Teaching never disappointed.

Meanwhile, on the walls of Xuandu City.

Two rocking chairs, separated by no more than a foot, were gently swaying. The Grand Master stretched lazily, using his arm as a pillow while gazing at the chaos of the Chaos Sea.

Besides the Grand Master, Kong Xuan, wearing thin gauze robes accompanied by five-colored immortal light, held a book scroll in one hand, reading quietly.

The two didn’t speak much, but their companionship was quite harmonious, giving a natural and pleasant feeling.

Kong Xuan seemed to think of something, put down her book, turned sideways to face the Grand Master, and asked softly:

“Just now when Changshou and Yunxiao appeared together, did you notice anything strange?”

“Hmm?” Grand Master Xuandu was startled, “What’s wrong? Was there something off about them? I certainly wouldn’t mistake their Great Daos, don’t overthink it.”

“I’m not saying they were impostors,” Kong Xuan said softly, “Didn’t you go to Supreme Pure Temple to ask the Sage Lord before? What did the Sage Lord say that time?”

“Master said that Junior Brother and Junior Sister Yunxiao were fine, in the Kunpeng’s secret realm in the Chaos Sea, and that the Kunpeng had been subdued early on.”

“Counting carefully, it’s been over thirty years.”

Kong Xuan lowered her voice, her red lips slightly pursed, phoenix eyes burning with the soul of gossip, and said softly:

“But when we just saw them, their auras were separated, their Dao rhymes hadn’t merged, one still had an intact jade body, and one still had a solitary yang body.

No matter how high their cultivation, they couldn’t hide this from me.

Is this normal?”

“This… isn’t it normal?”

Grand Master Xuandu frowned and asked back, carefully considering, indeed feeling something strange.

The Grand Master muttered: “Changshou and Junior Sister Yunxiao’s feelings are deep and long-standing, yet in such a secret place in the Chaos Sea, nothing happened in over thirty years.

Could it be…”

“Could it be?”

“No, that’s not right, how could Changshou not understand these things?”

The Grand Master shook his head and smiled: “Don’t forget, Changshou is the Severing Sect’s ambassador for promoting Dao companion relationships, single-handedly facilitating hundreds of Dao companion pairs in the Severing Sect.

If you asked who understands matters between men and women best among the Three Teachings, it would have to be Changshou.”

“Some people talk a good game, one set after another. Seeing them speak eloquently, you’d think they were experts in some Dao,” Kong Xuan’s mouth curved, “But when it comes to themselves, they become stiff and just stare blankly, unable to do anything.”

The Grand Master frowned and said: “Hmm? Why do I feel like you’re speaking in metaphors, making oblique references?”

“Am I?”

Kong Xuan smiled with narrowed eyes, saying no more.

She returned to sitting from her side-lying position, those bewitching curves behind the thin gauze, illuminated by the formation wall’s light, were so enchanting.

A certain Grand Master cleared his throat and continued using his arm as a pillow while staring blankly at the Chaos Sea.

After who knows how long, the Grand Master sighed and said softly:

“The void is illusory, only the Dao endures.”

Kong Xuan’s delicate fingers paused while turning the page, her beautiful eyes showing a trace of helplessness, but she wasn’t in a hurry, continuing to sit quietly beside him.

…

Not knowing until he looked, Li Changshou’s paper avatar’s inspection almost made him curse out loud.

Was there no one else in the Heavenly Court besides him who could manage the overall situation?

The Western Teaching truly knew how to seize opportunities!

Not to mention the situation in the Three Thousand Worlds where the Immortal Alliance was restricted everywhere;

Just looking at the Five Continents region, Li Changshou’s spirit jumped through the paper avatar network, seeing scene after scene.

The Heavenly Court’s five great gates were tightly closed, and the original outpost’s immortal armies were reduced by fifty percent.

War had broken out again in North Fusang Continent, with the Demon Clan and Shamanic Clan in confrontation, both sides suffering casualties;

In the Central Divine Continent, blood qi soared to the heavens. In just the half hour Li Changshou’s immortal awareness searched back and forth, two Three Teachings immortal sects had broken into fighting, with the auras of Enlightenment Teaching and Severing Sect’s Sage disciples hiding in the shadows.

In the Four Seas territory, conflicts between the Dragon Clan and Sea Clans had been stirred up again. At the border of the North Sea and East Sea, the surface was covered with masses of dead fish and shrimp, clearly the aftermath of a great battle.

Even his Sea God Teaching, which he had carefully cultivated for many years, had nearly half its temples destroyed, while the Western Teaching’s incense fire divine teachings rose from the ashes.

How many years had it been?

Thirty-five years!

If he and Yunxiao had stayed outside for three to five hundred years, would the favorable situation he had worked so hard to create have been destroyed?

Li Changshou suppressed his anger and quickly considered countermeasures.

Venting emotions wouldn’t change anything. Now he needed to understand the extent of losses everywhere, boost morale, gradually reclaim ‘lost territory’, and suppress this wave of Western Teaching’s aggressive momentum.

On Golden Peng’s back, Li Changshou opened his eyes, forcing an ugly smile.

“Elder Brother, someone impersonated me before?”

“Ah,” Zhao Gongming immediately said, “There were three instances of impersonation.

The first was over ten years ago, when ‘you’ appeared in the North Continent, inviting the North Continent’s Shamanic Clan to attack, joining with Heaven’s soldiers to deal with the demon clans at North Continent’s borders, but instead led large numbers of Shamanic Clan members into the demon clan’s trap.

The second and third times were in the Three Thousand Worlds. The first targeted the Immortal Alliance, causing them great defeat with heavy casualties.

The third targeted Heaven’s soldiers delivering spirit stones and immortal pills to the Immortal Alliance. General Bian Zhuang, vice commander of the Celestial River Navy, saw through the plot but still suffered heavy casualties.

After that, Senior Brother Duobao ordered Severing Sect immortals to spread news everywhere, saying you hadn’t returned from beyond the heavens yet, and to strictly investigate anyone impersonating you.”

“What appearance did my impersonator use?”

“Naturally the elderly appearance you often show to others.”

Li Changshou nodded slowly, frowning in thought for a while, “This is good news.”

Zhao Gongming and Yunxiao didn’t understand. Yunxiao asked puzzledly: “How is this good news? According to Hongmeng rules, someone impersonating you is now a mortal enemy to both you and me.

This matter can’t be taken lightly.”

“Mm,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “I certainly won’t take this lightly, but being able to impersonate me and deceive the Shamanic Clan’s Great Shamans and the Immortal Alliance’s vice leaders means they must have accurately imitated my Dao rhyme and aura.

This person must have considerable cultivation and supernatural abilities. Once news of my return spreads, they will certainly disappear without a trace.”

Zhao Gongming asked: “Could they have already infiltrated the Heavenly Court?”

“The Heavenly Court has the Three Divine Swords guarding it and is where Heaven’s Dao power is most concentrated. There won’t be any impact.”

Li Changshou thought briefly and said: “Later I’ll make a trip to the Netherworld, then I’ll naturally know who this person is—that Diciwen Beast can’t just enjoy Heaven’s Dao’s protection for nothing.

Let’s not discuss this matter for now. Elder Brother, have you recently felt… restless, wanting to move around?”

Zhao Gongming blinked: “No, I’ve been very stable lately, just wanting to find a place to take a nap.”

Li Changshou and Yunxiao exchanged glances, their eyes meeting with perfect tacit understanding.

Yunxiao said: “Big Brother, would you be willing to listen to one piece of advice?”

“Of course, I’ll listen,” Zhao Gongming sat up straight, righteous and proud, chest out and head high, “Second Sister, spoke. Your elder brother will obey!”

Li Changshou: …

Why did those words sound somewhat off?

Yunxiao said: “It’s nothing much, just wanting Big Brother and Senior Sister Jinling to move to Three Immortal Island.

After I return this time when the timing is right, I’ll send out invitations for inner and outer disciples to come to Three Immortal Island for Dao lectures and discussions, and you and Senior Sister Jinling can take the opportunity to stay on the island.

You don’t need to stay too long, just until this Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods passes.”

Zhao Gongming frowned and pondered for a moment, looking at Yunxiao, then at Li Changshou, asking in a low voice:

“Second Sister, do you mean… your elder brother might have trouble ahead?”

Yunxiao nodded slightly, while Li Changshou remained silent.

Zhao Gongming thought for a while, his smile full of unrestrained freedom, “Let’s forget about moving there. Jinling would probably feel uncomfortable, and besides, your elder brother isn’t a child who needs such watching over.

Second Sister needn’t worry, I’ll seclude myself in cultivation in Luofu Cave, knowing nothing and asking nothing of outside matters, how’s that?

If tribulation comes, one can’t escape it, and breaking through isn’t as simple as just talking about it.

Second Sister…”

“Yes?”

Zhao Gongming smiled and said: “If I truly face a great tribulation that can’t be avoided, don’t be too impulsive and fall prey to the tribulation’s momentum.

Everything has Changshou handling it, discuss everything with Changshou before acting.”

Li Changshou’s eyes showed traces of a smile as he nodded slowly nearby.

But because his identity as the main tribulation’s orchestrator was too special, even here and now, he couldn’t say half a word more.

Yunxiao’s gaze was somewhat complex, but she didn’t try to persuade further, only warning Zhao Gongming not to be impulsive in anything.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly.

They all spoke well, this one warning that one not to be impulsive, that one warning this one not to be rash, but when the time came, likely one would be more carried away than the other.

This matter would be best handled by him, the ‘outsider’.

The message carried by that strand of Primordial Purple Qi was just a scene, something that might happen in the future, or that Heaven’s Dao would guide things toward.

Setting other matters aside, arranging an ‘avatar to pass tribulation’ for Elder Brother Zhao was theoretically possible.

In the original Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods, Zhao Gongming descended the mountain into tribulation because the Ten Ultimate Arrays were successively broken, and several of the Ten Heavenly Lords died tragically—all were Zhao Gongming’s good friends.

Now, the Ten Heavenly Lords’ formation had probably become the [Ten Ultimate Chain Heaven-Destroying Earth-Extinguishing Yin-Yang Formation]…

Ahem, this had nothing to do with him. Back then he had only given the concept of a chain formation, and the Ten Heavenly Lords had figured out this formation themselves, even demonstrating it on Golden Tortoise Island recently.

Now, the trigger for Elder Brother Zhao entering tribulation might no longer be the Ten Heavenly Lords.

What kind of situation would happen that would make Zhao Gongming fall into such dire straits, wounded so severely that he had to fight to the death?

This matter was truly difficult to figure out.

The final Three Teachings Immortal-Killing Tribulation of the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods suddenly felt imminent.

The Golden Peng Bird flew at extreme speed, shooting from the direction of Xuandu City toward the Five Continents.

Li Changshou quickly rejoined the conversation, chatting with Zhao Gongming about various matters, easing the worry in his eyes.

Yunxiao also had some heavy thoughts, naturally worried about her brother facing tribulation, but she didn’t say much to Li Changshou about this matter, seeming to want to think of solutions herself.

On the way back, Li Changshou wasn’t idle.

His paper avatars began to be active in the Heavenly Court, first seeking an audience with the Jade Emperor, then understanding recent events from Lord Wood;

He didn’t forget to send a message to Ling’e saying he had returned, making her spin in circles with joy.

Fortunately amid the misfortune, Lord Wood was still there, not having gone to reincarnate as that Pure Yang Daoist.

From Lord Wood’s mouth, Li Changshou heard about a series of fierce attacks launched by the Western Teaching, from the Three Thousand Worlds to the Five Continents. The Heavenly Court had lost quite a few troops but hadn’t suffered vital damage.

Instead, the Jade Emperor smiled and said: “The Western Teaching’s urgent actions are actually within reason. Changshou might not know.”

“Your Majesty, what happened?”

The Jade Emperor sat on the jade steps and smiled: “When you were swallowed by the Kunpeng in Xuandu City… ahem when you charged into the Kunpeng’s mouth to break it from within, the Western Teaching’s two Sages appeared to stop Elder Brother Original Heaven who was going to slay the Kunpeng.

Elder Brother Original Heaven fought a great battle with these two in the Chaos Sea, seemingly fighting to a draw, neither side taking advantage.

But when the three Sages appeared in Xuandu City and were about to return to the Hongmeng, Elder Brother Supreme Pure suddenly appeared, not only wounded Sealed One Sage with one palm but also destroyed two-tenths of Zhunti Sage’s Dao cultivation.

This was at the Sage realm—Zhunti Sage was already the sixth Sage, and now his Sage position is probably precarious.

Hahaha!”

Lord Wood hurriedly said: “Your Majesty, don’t laugh so obviously.”

“Really?” The Jade Emperor’s mouth curved, “It’s truly satisfying.”

Li Changshou showed sudden understanding, carefully considering while continuing to inquire about subsequent matters from Lord Wood.

Before his person had even returned to the Heavenly Court, his paper avatar had already begun managing work everywhere, first stabilizing matters inside and outside the Heavenly Court, then appropriately counterattacking the Western Teaching.

The battle situation in the Three Thousand Worlds was a troublesome matter, requiring great effort later.

Then there was the culprit who impersonated him—they would be his whetstone next. He must not let this matter go, must pull out the rat’s tail!

—This had no intention of disparaging Senior Brother Duobao.

However, Li Changshou truly hadn’t expected it.

Just as he was working hard for the Heavenly Court, carefully arranging things, intending to turn the tide and change the declining situation, his true body sitting on Golden Peng’s back, entering the Five Continents with Fairy Yunxiao and Elder Brother Zhao…

His Dao’s heart suddenly trembled, his heartstrings vibrating slightly, several lines of large characters condensed in his heart, but not from Supreme Pure’s Dao rhyme.

[Ninety-eight percent, come quickly to Purple Void Palace!

Think well about how to explain losing the Primordial Purple Qi!]

Ah, it had come.