The Jade Emperor himself had come…

Was there any other choice?

Elder Guangcheng had nearly sealed off all paths. At such a crucial moment, could they avoid having Heaven’s junior boss make an appearance? Would things have to escalate until they disturbed the Heavenly Dao, the supreme boss?

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched as he silently added a few more sarcastic remarks, and then activated his Void-Clarity Dao Heart. His eyes flashed with coldness before returning to their usual gentle warmth.

[Life is like theater—it all depends on one’s acting skills.]

Feeling the rushing wind against his face and contemplating today’s bigger picture, Li Changshou sat atop Baize’s back, following beside the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage. He even felt somewhat leisurely, completely free of tension.

The Jade Emperor had no choice but to come.

According to his and Baize’s calculations, this was the only way to minimize the possibility of the Enlightenment School and the Severing Sect openly turning against each other.

His divine sense detected the Severing Sect immortals approaching Yuxi Palace from the direction of Mount Emei.

They hadn’t strayed far; Zhao Gongming had Li Changshou’s paper avatar in his sleeve.

As the Jade Emperor hurriedly made his way to Yuxi Palace, they continued to approach to bear witness, gaining at least some sense of involvement.

If today’s events truly led to another dispute between the Three Schools, the Severing Sect immortals needed to be present. Otherwise, their sect would be at an extreme disadvantage afterward.

Originally, Li Changshou had planned to use delaying tactics, hoping to find an opportunity to resolve this crisis within the Dao Schools, but unexpectedly…

Less than half a day!

This Ju Liusun had cracked in less than half a day!

Li Changshou was still discussing plans with Baize, had just found some promising angles, and was about to rush to Linxiao Hall!

This Ju Liusun, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment School, had merely been questioned in Linxiao Hall by Elder Mu and several other Golden Immortals. The Jade Emperor hadn’t even applied the slightest bit of pressure…

Ju Liusun had confessed everything.

Were Elder Mu and the others really that frightening?

If Ju Liusun hadn’t been restrained and severely injured, he could have sent Elder Mu down the “predetermined path” with a single encounter!

It was just…

Just ridiculous!

Ridiculous.

Ju Liusun had confessed that he was only following orders, specifically those of Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch, Burning Lamp Immortal.

But Ju Liusun was clever enough not to mention any grand matters of heaven and earth, which would have left the Enlightenment School with no room for retreat.

Ju Liusun had only said:

[The Vice Patriarch was concerned about Great Tribulation’s key figure, Star-Lord Taibai, becoming too close to the Severing Sect’s fairy Yun Xiao. He feared that during the Great Tribulation, the Enlightenment School would face constant opposition from Star-Lord Taibai.

Subsequently, the Vice Patriarch shared this strategy with him, instructing him to find some rogue cultivators to secretly coerce Chang’e of the Moon Palace and set up a trap to frame Bian Zhuang, Star-Lord Taibai’s trusted deputy commander of the Heavenly River Navy.

Once Bian Zhuang was compromised and the matter was traced to the Severing Sect, it would surely create discord between Star-Lord Taibai and Yun Xiao…]

He had sold out Burning Lamp completely and clearly.

Li Changshou inwardly smiled bitterly.

Though such claims spreading would surely wound Yun Xiao’s sensitive and gentle Dao Heart, making her feel she was bringing trouble to others, the overall impact was better than if Ju Liusun had said something like “the Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch just wanted the Three Schools to start fighting as soon as possible.”

That would have been the ultimate trump card.

If Li Changshou hadn’t known that this Ju Liusun would eventually become Buddha Ju Liusun in the original Investiture of the Gods timeline, following the same path as Burning Lamp Immortal…

He would have had every reason to believe that Ju Liusun was now deliberately sent by Elder Guangcheng to deal with Burning Lamp!

The more Li Changshou thought about Ju Liusun’s immediate confession and complete lack of backbone, the more annoyed he became, nearly losing control of his Void-Clarity Dao Heart.

If only this Ju Liusun had held out for half a day, he and Baize had already found some promising angles and might have even been able to reduce his punishment!

He had just given up without a fight!

Enough, there was no use dwelling on this now.

There might be countless schemes at play here, but he only needed to achieve his objectives.

The waters of the Enlightenment School were even murkier than he had previously imagined.

As Li Changshou pondered these matters, the silhouette of Mount Kunlun appeared ahead.

Mount Kunlun rose suddenly from the gentle terrain like the spine of an ancient Dragon Ancestor, crawling and meandering across the earth, rich with spiritual veins and qi, with shadows of the Great Dao visible everywhere.

Soon after, the Nine-Dragon Carriage arrived before Yuxi Palace but didn’t immediately enter its bounds.

Looking outward from Yuxi Palace, one could see rolling black clouds and roaring azure dragons, causing many immortals’ expressions to change.

Hundreds of thousands of troops stood upon the black clouds, divided into upper, middle, and lower levels, and nine formations on the left and right. The power of the Heavenly Dao had reached a certain extreme!

As the surrounding immortal light dispersed, nine azure dragons prostrated themselves upon the cloud mountains. The Jade Emperor, wearing pure white robes and maintaining a youthful appearance, slowly rose from within the carriage.

With just his hands clasped behind his back, he emanated an indescribable majesty.

Golden clouds formed around the Jade Emperor, entwined with seven-colored divine light. His figure seemed to have reached directly above Yuxi Palace, yet maintained a three-li distance.

At this moment, several figures flew out from Yuxi Palace, the vast majority wearing suspicious expressions, while a small number appeared quite stern.

Elder Guangcheng led five or six of the Twelve Golden Immortals who hadn’t yet returned to their caves forward, and they all bowed in the clouds.

Elder Guangcheng spoke in a clear voice:

“Disciples of Yuxi Palace pay respects to Uncle Master Haotian!

Uncle Master’s grand arrival is truly a rare occasion, please enter the hall to rest.”

Rare occasion?

The Jade Emperor’s face showed displeasure as he stood in the carriage and coldly snorted, making the Enlightenment School immortals feel quite uneasy.

The Jade Emperor said: “There’s no need for the hall. I’ve come today merely to apprehend Heaven’s criminal. Where is Burning Lamp Immortal?”

Elder Guangcheng maintained a faint smile and said:

“Uncle Master, Burning Lamp Immortal is our Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch, personally appointed by Teacher in ancient times and doesn’t usually handle sect affairs.

Uncle Master calls him Heaven’s criminal, but what crime has he committed?”

Li Changshou, who had been holding back from stepping forward beside the carriage, observed thoughtfully at this scene.

Indeed, no matter how fiercely they fought normally, at such a moment, Elder Guangcheng had no choice but to defend Burning Lamp.

But was it really that simple?

Li Changshou quietly watched this scene, sitting on Baize’s back without moving forward or speaking.

The script had already been written for His Majesty, with no dialogue, only some ‘guidelines.’

This time, it was the Jade Emperor pressuring Mount Kunlun, with no direct connection to the Three Schools.

At this moment, the Jade Emperor was quite domineering.

Hearing Elder Guangcheng’s words, the Jade Emperor merely said indifferently: “Do I need to report this matter to you?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Elder Guangcheng said seriously, “This disciple has no intention of interfering with Heaven’s affairs, but Vice Patriarch Burning Lamp is our Enlightenment School’s only Vice Patriarch, personally appointed by Teacher in ancient times…

Uncle Master, has Ju Liusun been speaking nonsense?”

“Very well, since that’s how it is!”

The Jade Emperor’s sleeve swept outward, directly throwing a memory orb onto the cloud path before Elder Guangcheng.

“Then everyone come look!

This is your Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch.”

Elder Guangcheng frowned deeply, raising his hand to catch the memory orb. Before he could call others over, dozens of immortals had already crowded around.

Though initially hesitant, Elder Guangcheng now had no choice but to open the memory orb and release its scenes; when the Enlightenment School immortals saw it, their expressions became quite fascinating.

The memory orb recorded Ju Liusun’s recent questioning.

This plump old Daoist of unremarkable appearance sat on a meditation cushion, neither kneeling nor suspended, with six jade pillars of Linxiao Hall emitting light around him, completely suppressing his primordial spirit and Dao body.

Right in front of Ju Liusun stood several figures, all appearing kindly and benevolent.

Elder Mu could be heard asking: ‘Friend Ju Liusun, still unwilling to speak? This stalemate isn’t a solution.’

The tone was quite polite.

Various details showed that Ju Liusun hadn’t faced much trouble in Heaven, and though the surrounding celestial soldiers and generals looked fierce, Ju Liusun’s injuries were all old ones from being struck by the Heart-Piercing Lock.

Just as the Yuxi Palace immortals were wondering why the Jade Emperor had personally come for this matter, Ju Liusun in the scene let out a long sigh…

‘It was our Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch who ordered this poor Daoist to do this.’

The scene abruptly ended.

The Enlightenment School immortals first frowned, trying to analyze the impact of this matter, then seemed to be provoked, causing waves of reaction!

“Where is Vice Patriarch Burning Lamp? Where is the Vice Patriarch!”

“This Ju Liusun answered quite carelessly! Doesn’t he think… Ah! Never mind!”

“What can we do? Ju Liusun was already in the wrong, and now he’s implicated, Elder Burning Lamp… Could it be that Elder Burning Lamp will also be taken to Heaven for questioning?”

True Lord Taiyi and True Lord Yuding exchanged glances from behind the crowd, the former pursing his lips and the latter shaking his head, but these two senior brothers didn’t speak, merely standing there to make up numbers.

The weakness of their Enlightenment School could be summed up in four characters—[Too Face Conscious].

Even though they normally criticized Burning Lamp behind his back, pointing fingers and grumbling, even wishing they could extinguish that spirit-coffin lamp with a single immortal breath, they still had to stand up now and try to maintain the Enlightenment School’s reputation.

Thinking carefully, what wouldn’t this ancient powerhouse Vice Patriarch Burning Lamp do?

Scheming against a minor Heaven official was just basic operations, nothing to make a fuss about.

“Ahem! Ahem ahem!”

Li Changshou cleared his throat while standing before the carriage, drawing all gazes to himself.

He then bowed to the Jade Emperor and said gently: “Today the Jade Emperor has come personally, showing that this matter is extremely troublesome and malicious, likely to have a significant impact on the Enlightenment School as a whole.

Senior Brothers and Sisters, His Majesty has already arrived, and Ju Liusun has confessed personally—would Heaven deliberately frame the Enlightenment School?

This junior has always held great respect for both the Enlightenment School and the Severing Sect.

I admit, I do have old grievances with Burning Lamp, but this is an official matter, and I haven’t mixed in personal feelings.

And the Jade Emperor has always shown great courtesy to the Dao Schools.

So where is Vice Patriarch Burning Lamp?

Regardless of whether we’ve come to take him today, His Majesty is present—why hasn’t he come to pay respects?”

The Enlightenment School immortals looked at each other, and then cleverly looked toward Elder Guangcheng.

Fairy Cihang asked softly: “First Senior Brother, how should we handle this?”

Elder Guangcheng frowned in thought, looking at the memory orb in his hand, then raised his head to look at Li Changshou, seeming somewhat hesitant to speak.

This Enlightenment School First Senior Brother seemed to be in a difficult position;

In Li Changshou’s heart, he had already prepared a simple multiple-choice test for Elder Guangcheng’s next action.

If Elder Guangcheng were to say something like [Please allow me to consult with the Teacher], it would prove that the evaluation of him having “extremely deep schemes” was somewhat inaccurate.

If Elder Guangcheng said [Burning Lamp Immortal is our Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch], it would prove that Elder Guangcheng was taking advantage of the situation to scheme against Burning Lamp.

And if Elder Guangcheng said [How can Heaven so easily determine that this matter involves Vice Patriarch Burning Lamp], that would prove…

Elder Guangcheng was operating on a higher level than Li Changshou had imagined.

True Lord Yellow Dragon reminded me from the side: “First Senior Brother, please say something.”

Elder Guangcheng sighed, then bowed again to the Jade Emperor, his eyes full of helplessness and his face showing some desolation, as if he had made some difficult decision in a short time. He stepped forward twice and said slowly:

“Uncle Master, Star-Lord.

This poor Daoist knows that Heaven is extremely angry about this matter, but Burning Lamp is our Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch. If we don’t protect Burning Lamp, the Enlightenment School would bear the stigma of being disloyal and unable to stand in heaven and earth.

Please be understanding, Uncle Master, and may Star-Lord not take offense.

I must ask!”

Elder Guangcheng raised his voice, his body radiating righteous qi of heaven and earth, and spoke decisively: “Does Heaven mean to convict our Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch based solely on Ju Liusun’s one-sided words?

This is simply showing too little regard for our Enlightenment School!”

“Guangcheng,” sword light seemed to surge in the Jade Emperor’s eyes, “Are you saying that my personal arrival still isn’t enough to take your Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch back for questioning?”

Elder Guangcheng unclenched his fist and let out a light breath, staring directly at the Jade Emperor’s carriage.

“We request that Heaven thoroughly investigate this matter and produce convincing evidence!”

“Good! Such courage!”

The Jade Emperor’s form suddenly shot skyward, standing in the high heavens, drawing countless purple celestial lightning bolts. His white robes trembled slightly, the lower front hem rapidly turning golden.

In the blink of an eye, the Jade Emperor wore the Great Golden Robe of the Heavenly Emperor, crowned with a golden imperial cap with hanging beads, surrounded by the phantom images of Ancestor Dragons.

In an instant!

Thunder and lightning filled the sky for ten thousand li, the world saturated with supreme imperial presence. The Heavenly Dao manifested countless phantom images of fierce beasts, and the silver armor of the celestial army troops turned golden!

The Jade Emperor’s eyes glanced downward at Elder Guangcheng, but he no longer addressed him, instead staring directly at the Three Friends Courtyard.

He spoke slowly, his voice penetrating heaven and earth, divine light flickering around him.

Without any magical enhancement or supernatural power surrounding him, the Jade Emperor’s figure appeared incredibly majestic at this moment, standing firm between heaven and earth, with all creation respecting his command!

“Elder Brother Yuanshi, I came personally because I didn’t want to make things difficult for the Enlightenment School.

I’ve given face to Elder Brother.

But where is Heaven’s dignity?”

“Ah…”

A light sigh came from the Three Friends Courtyard, as a cloud of mist rose with a middle-aged Daoist standing upon it with his hands behind his back.

Patriarch Yuanshi!

The Enlightenment School cultivators all turned and prostrated themselves before Sage’s image, including Elder Guangcheng and the other senior disciples.

Seeing this, Li Changshou hesitated slightly but only bowed with clasped hands, as his current divine position prevented him from easily prostrating himself.

Faced with the Sage’s prestige, the celestial soldiers and generals instinctively wanted to kneel and kowtow, but the golden light covering their bodies seemed to tell them it wasn’t necessary—they couldn’t kneel, as they now represented Heaven’s Court and the dignity of the Heavenly Dao.

Zhao Gongming and his group were quite unfortunate.

Racing at full speed from Mount Emei, they hadn’t even spoken half a sentence before arriving just in time to witness the Jade Emperor’s display of might and Sage’s appearance. They could only follow Severing Sect rules and honestly kneel on the clouds to pay respects to their Grand Uncle.

There was no choice—who made Patriarch Tongtian the youngest, having to listen to his two brothers’ words? —Under normal circumstances.

Patriarch Yuanshi’s gaze swept around, showing a hint of a gentle smile to Li Changgeng, then distantly gazed at the Jade Emperor and sighed:

“Thank you for your trouble, Junior Brother. This poor Daoist has also been struggling with this matter, unable to meet with Junior Brother in time.

This matter concerns this poor Daoist Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch and also concerns a disciple I mistakenly trusted. This poor Daoist feels heartache.

But Heaven’s Court’s great prosperity is necessary for the operation of the Heavenly Dao and the continuation of all living beings. This poor Daoist naturally won’t add resistance to Heaven’s Court’s prosperity.

Burning Lamp.”

From the Three Friends Courtyard, that emaciated old Daoist rode out on a cloud, stood in the air and bowed to Patriarch Yuanshi, then turned without a word and flew toward the Nine-Dragon Carriage.

Li Changshou made a gesture, and several Golden Immortal-rank celestial generals stepped forward, channeling the power of the Heavenly Dao. As Burning Lamp flew near, they surrounded him.

They didn’t take any forceful measures as Burning Lamp sealed his primordial spirit and sat quietly in meditation, being very cooperative.

If he didn’t cooperate, that would be defying the Sage’s decree.

The Jade Emperor’s expression softened slightly, the golden light around him withdrawing into his body, the Ancestor Dragon phantoms vanishing as he returned to his pure white-robed appearance.

This nominal supreme ruler of the Three Realms showed a faint smile and said: “Heaven’s Court’s officer matters have disturbed Elder Brother’s peaceful cultivation. This is also due to Heaven’s Court’s insufficient supervision.

Beloved Official Changgeng?”

Li Changshou immediately stepped forward and bowed his head: “This minor deity is present.”

The Jade Emperor smiled and said: “Regarding the later handling of Burning Lamp and Ju Liusun, you must be fair and reasonable, and must consider the Enlightenment School’s contributions to world stability, consider Elder Brother Yuanshi’s face.

We must explain to all of Heaven’s Court while also preventing others from criticizing the Enlightenment School.”

Li Changshou smiled bitterly, his expression quite troubled, but still bowed his head and accepted the command.

The script he had written himself, he could only grudgingly swallow it now.

“This minor deity obeys.”

The Jade Emperor slowly nodded, cupped his hands toward Patriarch Yuanshi, and turned to walk toward the Nine-Dragon Carriage.

Patriarch Yuanshi smiled and nodded, his figure dispersing with the wind, leaving only strands of mysterious Dao rhythms flowing through heaven and earth.

At this moment, Li Changshou looked toward Elder Guangcheng, and Elder Guangcheng happened to look toward Li Changshou as well.

In just an instant, their eyes met, and like old friends of many years, they each felt a sense of mutual understanding.

By now, Li Changshou was completely certain that when he arrested Ju Liusun, Elder Guangcheng had deliberately sealed off all paths and deliberately brought up the Dao Schools’ non-aggression pact.

The purpose was to destroy the non-aggression pact, create a pretext in the relationship between Heaven’s Court and the Severing Sect, and then allow the Enlightenment School and Western School to openly join forces.

When Li Changshou had previously considered various aspects of the problem, he had overlooked one point—the Enlightenment School’s demands.

The Enlightenment School was indeed under great pressure, unable to match the Severing Sect in strength, and he, the key figure of the Great Tribulation, had formed a Dao partnership with the Severing Sect’s senior disciple and had many friends within the Severing Sect.

But he had already figured this out on his way back to Heaven’s Court, and when discussing this matter with Quandong and Baize in Star-Lord Taibai’s Palace, he had deliberately paced back and forth, showing his anxiety.

That was merely to express something for the Heavenly Dao to see, to transmit some false information, preferably to make the Dao Ancestor think that he, this ‘later stabilizer,’ was nothing special.

Li Changshou had long ago figured out the key to breaking through today’s situation—it was the Jade Emperor.

When Elder Mu was questioning Ju Liusun, he had merely secretly guided Baize, using Baize’s mouth to give such suggestions.

The Jade Emperor’s arrival, bypassing Elder Guangcheng, not giving Elder Guangcheng the chance to bring up the non-aggression pact, directly negotiating with the Sage, thus declaring Elder Guangcheng’s calculations bankrupt.

[Life is like theater—it all depends on one’s acting skills].

However, Li Changshou had always had one confusion in his heart that couldn’t be answered.

Was it Burning Lamp who schemed first, and Elder Guangcheng discovered it afterward, going with the flow and waiting for him to come knocking;

Or was it Elder Guangcheng who had directly instructed either Burning Lamp or even Ju Liusun from the start?

If it was the latter, this Enlightenment School First Senior Brother was truly also an old fox…

After their gazes met for a while, Elder Guangcheng sighed lightly, his lips showing a helpless smile.

Li Changshou made a formal bow and was about to leave.

Hum—

Li Changshou’s spirit trembled, and he instinctively closed his eyes. His spirit platform was occupied by Supreme Clarity Dao rhythms, revealing a scene.

A scene from before Li Changshou left Supreme Clarity Temple when he had asked his teacher for help with divination.

[In the Flying Waterfall Tower behind Yuxi Palace, Elder Guangcheng held jade scissors, trimming the branches before him, but his eyes revealed contemplation.

Shortly after, a phantom appeared behind him—a somewhat short and plump old Daoist.

Ju Liusun.

‘Heaven Court’s Heavenly River Navy Deputy Commander Bian Zhuang is Junior Brother Changgeng’s trusted subordinate, with a somewhat questionable reputation. We can work with this.’

‘Yes, First Senior Brother.’]

Just then, the conversation between True Lord Yellow Dragon and Elder Guangcheng drifted over from behind.

Yellow Dragon asked: “First Senior Brother, what should we do? This Vice Patriarch truly… the Jade Emperor coming personally to take someone, it’s truly unexpected.”

“Don’t speak nonsense.”

Elder Guangcheng frowned slightly and said in a low voice: “Vice Patriarch Burning Lamp was merely afflicted by tribulation fate. Fellow Junior Brothers and Sisters, return to the hall to discuss how to rescue Vice Patriarch Burning Lamp and Junior Brother Ju Liusun.

This poor Daoist will go pay respects to Teacher.”

The Enlightenment School disciples answered in low voices, their eyes showing mostly respect when looking at Elder Guangcheng.

Li Changshou: …

Indeed, none of the Three Schools’ First Senior Brothers were simple characters. This undercover movie was played beautifully.

But why did he feel so uncomfortable in his heart?

Li Changshou turned his head to look at Elder Guangcheng, pretending to have a sudden realization, then turned to look at the Nine-Dragon Carriage that was about to soar skyward, and hurriedly called out:

“Your Majesty! This minor deity has a sudden idea!

Could we invite three disciples from each of the Enlightenment and Severing Schools to observe the entire trial in Heaven’s Court, to demonstrate Heaven’s Court’s open and transparent prosecution, absolute fairness, and impartiality!”

“Granted!”

The Jade Emperor’s light laugh came from within the carriage, “Beloved Official, make the arrangements as you see fit. If you need my involvement, just say the word.”

Challenging a Sage was quite interesting indeed.