“Senior Brother, are you not going to see…”

“You go bid Master farewell,” Li Changshou smiled, “Though Master told us not to go, he won’t scold you.”

Inside the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc, after Li Changshou stood up, his expression returned to normal, his gaze clear and face calm, showing no trace of anything unusual.

Ling E gently bit her lip, wanting to say something, but in the end, only let out a light sigh, turned, and walked two steps forward, as a golden light took her out of the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc.

Suddenly hearing a soft sigh, two streams of immortal light appeared beside Li Changshou.

These two streams of light chased and entwined with each other, transforming into the figure of the Great Virtue Lady Houtu.

Wearing ancient cloud robes, her gaze carrying the gentle kindness of Mother Earth, she watched Li Changshou.

“Not going to send him off one last time?”

Lady Houtu asked softly, her hands folded in front of her, gazing at the young Daoist before her.

“Going or not going, isn’t it all the same? It won’t change anything.”

Li Changshou made a Daoist salute to Lady Houtu, slowly let out a sigh, sat by the Treasure Pool, and became slightly lost in thought.

Great Virtue Lady Houtu stood quietly to the side, her presence seeming illusory, as if not existing in this place or the world, like a three-dimensional painting.

After an unknown period of silence, Li Changshou suddenly asked:

“When will the remaining will of the Pangu God move?”

Houtu seemed not to have expected Li Changshou to suddenly ask this, surprise flashing through her eyes: “Why suddenly ask about this?”

Li Changshou withdrew his gaze, showing a slight smile, and said calmly:

“I just suddenly thought, with Master’s departure, the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods should fully begin, and I fear that at crucial moments during the tribulation, I might become distracted.”

However, Houtu remained silent for a long while before saying: “About this matter, do you know something?”

“Some, not much.”

Li Changshou said slowly: “From my current understanding of the Heavenly Dao, the original should be Pangu God’s final will, resonating with the Great Dao to birth a quasi-being that maintains heaven and earth’s stability.

But there are several points I don’t quite understand, could Lady help explain them?”

“Mm,” Lady Houtu slowly walked a few steps closer, gathered her skirts, and sat a zhang away.

At this moment, this Great Virtue Lady Houtu’s temperament was somewhat contradictory, seeming both like an unworldly young girl and a wise elder who had seen all changes.

She said: “What I can tell you, I will tell you, after all… you were the one who called me back from submergence; I owe you a karmic debt, an enormous favor.”

Li Changshou didn’t stand on ceremony, directly saying: “The Six Paths Reincarnation Disc is part of the Heavenly Dao, this place should also be under the Heavenly Dao’s observation, right?”

“It can be, or not be.”

Lady Houtu said gently: “The Six Paths Reincarnation Disc is transformed from my dao body, the Heavenly Dao cannot erode my will.

But I need to follow the Heavenly Dao’s constraints on reincarnation, so that the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc can, through the Heavenly Dao, connect to the Three Thousand Worlds and all parts of Hongmeng.”

As she spoke, Houtu lightly pointed with her delicate finger, and Li Changshou heard Houtu’s gentle call in his heart:

“Speaking here, the Heavenly Dao cannot probe.”

Li Changshou sighed slightly in his heart.

Houtu asked in his heart: “Do you blame the Heavenly Dao? Or rather, do you harbor hatred toward it?”

“I don’t blame it,” Li Changshou said, “The Heavenly Dao isn’t any kind of living being after all, hatred must have a corresponding subject, and in the end, this is just the creator playing tricks.”

“You can treat the Heavenly Dao as a living being.”

Lady Houtu’s eyes showed some hesitation, and she smiled lightly: “Your dao happens to be able to complement what the Heavenly Dao lacks, this is probably why Master and Senior Brother Taiqing value you so much.

I cannot ask you to make any sacrifices or contributions.

But if possible, between living beings and the Heavenly Dao, between freedom and constraint, this path of balance is needed.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Lady mentioned freedom… does absolute freedom exist in Hongmeng?”

Lady Houtu said gently: “That depends on how you understand it.

Master can call it freedom, but cannot leave Hongmeng himself or separate from the Heavenly Dao, instead being constrained within heaven and earth. For beings like Master who have existed for so long and reached the peak of dao realms, being confined within heaven and earth, unable to roam the Chaos Sea, is itself a kind of torment.

Senior Brother Taiqing also calls it freedom, able to leave Hongmeng and abandon the position of Sage at any time, but he is influenced by Pangu God, upholding the concept of protecting heaven and earth, and has accepted the control of the Primordial Purple Qi.”

“Control?”

“I used the wrong word,” Lady Houtu’s lips carried a slight smile.

She had used that word deliberately.

Li Changshou thought for a moment and smiled: “Lady is actually the truly free one, the Heavenly Dao cannot influence you, and the Sages respect you three parts, unrestrained in this small heaven and earth.”

“Free?”

Houtu looked around, gently hugged her elbows, leaned slightly forward, and said softly: “Actually, it can be a bit boring too.”

Li Changshou smiled but didn’t say much more.

He had already obtained the information he wanted, those few keywords.

[Erode], [Control], [Treat as a living being].

Suddenly, the small world inside the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc began to shake, immortal light swaying everywhere.

Li Changshou was about to stand up, but Lady Houtu gestured that he need not mind, her delicate hand manipulating immortal clouds to open a cloud mirror, revealing a seven-colored passageway.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan’s figure flew through this passageway, the old Daoist’s appearance gradually fading, transforming successively into a middle-aged Daoist, young Daoist, youth, child, finally becoming the form of a spiritual embryo, then transforming into a light point the size of a mung bean, drilling into the seven-colored vortex at the end of the passage.

The scene shifted, thunder and lightning flashed on Reincarnation Island in Fengdu City, and a beam of light pierced through the layers of black mist above the Netherworld, vanishing into nothingness.

Above the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc appeared the strange phenomenon of flying bears, streams of purple divine lightning transformed into roaring azure dragons and white tigers.

In South Jambudvipa, thunder rolled in clear skies everywhere, and in one great city’s noble household, fierce winds arose…

Wind, rain, thunder, and lightning sounded together, beasts and insects all startled.

A baby’s cry echoed through the Netherworld, all strange phenomena immediately vanished, and the ghosts of the Netherworld gazed at the place of reincarnation, their eyes lit with the fire of longing.

In the Heavenly Court, the golden pillars before Lingxiao Palace flickered with light, suddenly beginning to spin rapidly, but no names were revealed.

The Jade Emperor looked up at the palace roof, smiled slightly, and closed his eyes to concentrate, busy using his avatar to make things happen.

After just a moment, a thunderclap sounded above the Nine Heavens;

The sword of tribulation that Li Changshou had once seen with his method of observing qi, hovering above the Hongmeng heaven and earth, slowly sank down a section, its tip almost touching the nation of Shang.

All living beings grew restless, and many cultivators uneasy.

In Taiqing Observatory, that gaunt elder’s eyelids slightly opened, letting out a light sigh.

In the Three Pure Ones’ courtyard behind Yuxi Palace, the South Pole Immortal Senior quietly received orders and turned to seek the White Crane Youth.

The Daoist under the tree kept making calculations with his fingers, his brows slightly furrowed, the smile at his lips gradually fading.

“South Continent…”

On the white jade steps of Biyou Palace, the young Daoist reclining on the steps laughed lightly, his eyes showing some indifference, as he continued to rest his gaze on the ‘little bell’ beside him.

Similarly, Patriarch Tongtian also began calculating with his fingers, his brows also tightly furrowed, muttering:

“The mortal world? The dynasty succession of the human race? Corresponding to the Three Schools’ Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods?

Using the ministers of the Human Emperor to fill the vacancies of proper deities in the Heavenly Court?

This… is quite interesting.”

Spirit Mountain, secret realm.

Two old Daoists each opened their eyes, one saying “Senior Brother,” one saying “No need,” and then each fell silent again, closing their eyes without speaking.

Inside the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc.

Li Changshou stood up as if putting down a burden, his whole person feeling much lighter.

He wasn’t one to dwell on things; what needed to be let go should be let go.

Li Changshou’s Great Dao balanced the relationship between the Heavenly Dao and living beings, exploring how beings could exist within heaven and earth while minimizing their impact on heaven and earth itself.

Conversely, the Heavenly Dao used his Master to balance the Great Tribulation.

The logic was simple—

On the Severing School’s side, there was Yun Xiao, and after his Master’s reincarnation, he would most likely be taken by the Teaching School.

The Heavenly Dao had vividly taught him a lesson in ‘balance,’ and he remembered this grudge, but the method to break this situation had long been prepared, so there was no need to dwell on it too much.

This game had only just begun.

Li Changshou turned and made a Daoist salute to Lady Houtu, just about to bid farewell.

Lady Houtu said: “Changgeng, could you petition the Jade Emperor or Master about one matter?”

“Please instruct, Lady.”

“What the Heavenly Dao just revealed, the final killing tribulation, I fear will fall upon South Jambudvipa, in the mortal realm of humanity.”

Lady Houtu’s fine brows carried some worry.

“If the killing tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods is only aimed at the Dao Schools and Western Religion, could the Three Schools’ immortals be constrained from indiscriminately killing innocents in the mortal realm?

The dissipation of life force from hundreds of thousands or millions of mortal deaths is far less than the fall of one ancient or primordial great power.”

Li Changshou said: “I will petition His Majesty the Jade Emperor about this matter shortly, it would be more appropriate for the Jade Emperor to go to Purple Void Palace to request the Dao Ancestor’s decree.”

“Mm,” Houtu nodded slightly, “Thank you.”

“Why does Lady need to thank me?”

Li Changshou let out a light sigh, showed a gentle smile, and said: “Mortals are innocent in their ignorance, their ability to live out their lives happily and freely, is true freedom.”

Lady Houtu smiled without speaking, and Li Changshou made a deep Daoist salute to Houtu before being gently sent out by golden light.

‘Indeed.’

Li Changshou sighed softly.

Lady Houtu had ultimately avoided his first question.

Pangu God’s final will was indeed related to the Wu Tribe’s matter.

Regarding manipulating the Three Schools, Li Changshou was already confident, conservatively estimating an 85% chance of success.

But this matter was truly difficult to control, its consequences unpredictable. If he wanted to play it safe, it would be best to eliminate this ‘variable’ that was beyond his control and calculations.

Hmm?

What was happening in front of the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc?

Li Changshou stood on the empty ground beside the Reincarnation Disc, watching the scene of the ‘sea of people’ dispersing in front of the disc, and couldn’t help tilting his head.

Had the Underworld put on quite a show?

Ling E stood near the reincarnation vortex, currently lowering her head to wipe tears. In the distance could be seen the backs of the Ten Kings of Hell leaving together, and the backs of groups of ghost officials, ghost generals, judges, and Underworld marshals departing.

The ground was still covered with azure orchid petals;

At the bridge before the reincarnation vortex, Immortal Lady Mengpo was collecting her especially large bowl.

Not far away, Li Changshou saw Ox Head and Horse Face holding their arms, carrying their head coverings, scolding more than ten kneeling Underworld ghost officials.

Horse Face was relatively calm, advising: “We could only find them on such short notice, don’t frighten them.”

But Ox Head couldn’t help grinding his teeth and cursing: “With this level of skill? You dare to claim you’re from the court musician family of the Great Shang nation?”

A ghost official who looked like an old man and was very well-dressed pleaded:

“Marshal! Marshal, you must be reasonable!

You found us just half an hour ago, and when we couldn’t find the chimes and flower bells in time, we could only play the earthen ocarina.

We thought, since the earthen ocarina’s sound is naturally mournful, it would be perfect for a funeral dirge…”

“Are you telling me how to do my job?”

“No, I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare, Marshal please spare me.”

“This is rebirth, understand? Rebirth!

When you lose your lives in the mortal realm, from death to life, that’s when you play dirges.

This is the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc, representing new life and hope, you should have played something cheerful just now!

You lot, day after day! This time you’ve embarrassed us in front of His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s avatar!”

Ox Head was so angry he stamped his feet, “Didn’t I give you drums and gongs? Why didn’t you beat and blow them? Every day just doing these gloomy things, where is this place?”

“The Underworld…”

“Well, yes… Ah, you dare to talk back!”

Not far away, Li Changshou’s forehead showed several black lines, his mouth corner twitching frantically.

The Jade Emperor’s avatar?

Well, he probably knew what had happened outside earlier. Just judging from the ghost shadows filling the sky as they dispersed now, Master’s farewell ceremony must have been extremely lively.

‘Face.’

That was fine too, Master was someone who cared about face, surely he must have been secretly pleased just now.

Li Changshou’s mood inexplicably improved greatly. With hands behind his back, he floated over to where Ox Head and Horse Face were, deliberately coughing while still far away, frightening Ox Head and Horse Face into hurriedly fumbling to put on their head coverings.

Outside Fengdu City, the Jade Emperor’s avatar concealed his traces and quietly slipped away, feeling somehow guilty.

…

Meanwhile.

Bell sounds rang out from Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun, and the traces of Biyou Palace appeared in the sky above Golden Turtle Island.

The two Sages of the Teaching and Severing Schools, almost simultaneously summoned their disciples, even those at crucial moments of closed-door cultivation had to stop their practice and hurry to see the Sages.

The figure of the Primordial Heavenly Lord rarely appeared in the main hall of Jade Void Palace, quietly sitting in the primary seat.

The Twelve Golden Immortals quickly arrived, all the blessed golden immortals lowering their heads not daring to speak much.

Patriarch Tongtian’s Biyou Palace was soon packed full with groups of disciples, the Severing School’s claim of ten thousand immortals coming to court was no empty talk.

It was rather modest.

Half a day later, there were no empty seats in Jade Void Palace, while Biyou Palace was overcrowded with immortals.

Such a scene had rarely occurred since ancient times.

In Jade Void Palace, the Primordial Heavenly Lord slowly began speaking:

“Heaven and earth birth great tribulation, creation manifests in the mortal realm.

The Heavenly Dao turns and the Great Tribulation reveals itself. This Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods shall manifest in the gathering and dispersing of the Human Emperor’s fortune in today’s South Jambudvipa.

All my disciples are within the tribulation’s grasp and must walk through the Great Tribulation. Those with insufficient blessed fate, lacking fortune, or burdened by karmic obstacles, must naturally respond to the tribulation and enter the list, to be bound by the Heaven Book.

The Heavenly Dao gives birth to all, and in the multitude, there are no errors.

You must make many preparations to respond to this tribulation.”

As soon as the Primordial Heavenly Lord’s words fell, the Teaching School disciples couldn’t help looking at each other.

A middle-aged Daoist with a dignified face, wearing silver robes, bowed from his seat – it was Manjusri Heavenly Lord among the Twelve Golden Immortals.

He asked: “Master, is there a way to avoid this tribulation?”

“Though there are ways to avoid it, they are not perfect,” Primordial Heavenly Lord’s eyes half-opened as he said slowly, “Those of my disciples with deep blessed fate may take one or two disciples, having the disciples respond to the tribulation in their stead, entering the Heavenly Dao sequence as Heavenly Court immortal deities.

The original intent of this Great Tribulation is ultimately for the rise of the Heavenly Court, to manage the Three Realms.”

All the Teaching School immortals simultaneously let out sighs of relief.

Having a way to avoid the Great Tribulation was quite good indeed.

Another immortal asked: “Master, is this Great Tribulation truly presided over by Junior Brother Changgeng of the Human School?”

“The Heavenly Dao reveals that Changgeng bestows titles on behalf of Heaven, you must not antagonize him.”

Primordial Heavenly Lord said slowly: “Within or without the school, there must be no slanderous words about Changgeng.”

The crowd of immortals lowered their heads in agreement, each responding, and another immortal asked if there were any divine abilities or magic arts for avoiding this Great Tribulation, whereupon the Primordial Heavenly Lord conducted a long-awaited lecture on the Dao.

This was the Teaching School’s ‘Sage meeting’, forming a stark contrast with the grand meeting simultaneously taking place at the Severing School.

In Biyou Palace, Patriarch Tongtian reclined on his throne, showing a troubled expression, brows tightly furrowed.

The immortals filling the hall didn’t dare speak, and the Eight Great Disciples standing on those white jade steps, the Seven Attendant Immortals, and the second-generation elites were all somewhat uneasy.

There were still many Severing School experts scattered throughout the Three Thousand Worlds who hadn’t been able to return in time.

Such as Lü Yue who was recuperating in the Sky’s End Secret Realm.

“Tsk! Sigh! Ah—”

Patriarch Tongtian sighed, frowning as he said: “This Great Tribulation will unfold in the South Continent’s mortal realm, centering on the succession of the Human Emperor’s position.

Do you have any thoughts? You may speak freely.”

The disciples looked at each other, but could only keep their mouths shut, not daring to say much.

Treasure Dao Lord asked: “Master, why not ask Junior Brother Changgeng?”

“We cannot.”

Patriarch Tongtian said calmly: “Earlier a child of the Great Tribulation was born, completely stirring the Heavenly Dao’s Great Tribulation, from this moment we have entered the true killing tribulation.

Heaven’s will is like a blade, ready to fall at any time, but everything has its traces to follow, and at this time victory or defeat is still unknown.

Changgeng is a high official of the Heavenly Court presiding over the Great Tribulation, we cannot actively seek him out from now on.”

Golden Spirit Holy Mother asked: “Master, why don’t we directly wage war against the Western Religion, first resolving part of the tribulation’s fate?”

“We must not move rashly,” Patriarch Tongtian sighed, “Our Severing School has no treasure to suppress the school’s fate, at this time your every thought could be the result of interference from the Heavenly Dao.”

Golden Spirit Holy Mother immediately frowned and fell silent, contemplating on her own.

Zhao Gongming asked: “Then Master, is there a way to avoid the tribulation?”

“For now, not moving is best,” Patriarch Tongtian said, “Thinking it through, there is only one method to avoid the Great Tribulation—defend.

From today onwards, you each return to your cave dwellings and cultivation places, do not move rashly and do not wander about.

Whether we can withstand the pressure of this Great Tribulation depends on whether we can endure.

Regarding the treasure to suppress the school’s fate, I will continue to think of ways, you must remember not to move about carelessly.”

The crowd of disciples bowed and agreed.

Patriarch Tongtian waved his hand: “Eight disciples stay behind, make some arrangements for the Great Tribulation with me. This Great Tribulation requires the Teaching, Severing, and Western Religion to send people to become immortal deities in the Heavenly Court, it wouldn’t be right if we don’t send anyone.”

Thereupon, the crowd of immortals bowed and withdrew, each lost in heavy thoughts.

Biyou Palace was soon enveloped in the Sage’s dao rhythm. Patriarch Tongtian discussed with the eight disciples for half a day, deciding to first send several disciples to the South Continent to ‘test the waters’.

Before long, Wen Zhong and Fire Spirit Holy Mother were summoned back again, entrusted with important tasks by Patriarch Tongtian.

Thus it was:

The Flying Bear descends to the world as the Great Tribulation moves,

Teaching immortals take disciples while Severing seals itself.