Unlike their grand entrance, Li Changshou’s departure from the Netherworld with Ling E was rather low-key.
He told Golden Roc that he was taking his Junior Sister out for a stroll to clear her mind. Golden Roc readily agreed and led the ceremonial procession back to the Heavenly Court.
The commotion surrounding Qi Yuan’s reincarnation had already spread throughout Fengdu City and was steadily permeating the Three Realms.
The Ten Kings of the Netherworld bid farewell, with the ghost generals of the Netherworld gathering to pay respects;
Great Virtue Houtu nurtured his remnant soul, while the Holy Mother personally reconstructed his divine soul;
This even brought up the ancient conflict that determined the fate of the demon race in the Northern Continent, where Ancient Demon Court Prince Lu Ya met a tragic end, and even the Sages had engaged in battle…
At the center of these swirling events was merely a Turbid Immortal, which left the cultivators of Hongmeng both amused and bewildered, while simultaneously imbuing this Turbid Immortal with a rather legendary status.
Flying slowly on a cloud above the Santu River, Li Changshou did not attempt to conceal his whereabouts as he gazed down at the souls bobbing up and down in the river below.
He was contemplating something, sensing something.
At this moment, his future Great Dao was crystal clear, but the path to reaching it was filled with numerous obstacles.
The Heavenly Dao would obstruct him, and the Dao Ancestor would not permit it—this was the greatest resistance.
He had been constantly complaining that Senior Lang had increased many ‘life difficulties’ for him, his steady junior. Yet it was precisely because of the various arrangements left behind by Senior Lang that gave Li Changshou important capital for his next move in this game.
For instance, the Second Primordial Spirit technique;
For instance, the Kun Peng Ark, as well as the Heavenly Demon Sovereign who had been trained by Kun Peng.
These had all become near ‘bottom of the box’ existence in Li Changshou’s repository of trump cards.
The souls in the Santu River came from the Three Thousand Worlds and Five Continents, with the majority being from the Three Thousand Worlds. Although the Five Continents were vast, the Three Thousand Worlds were nearly limitless, with their population long surpassing that of the Five Continents several times over.
This was another aspect of the Heavenly Dao that needed to be balanced.
—The minority of living beings in the Five Continents possessed the vast majority of destiny belonging to all living beings.
This was because the Five Continents were the ‘orthodox’ lands of the ancient Hongmeng, where all living beings had originated from, so the Heavenly Dao most recognized the living beings of the Five Continents.
After quietly sensing for a while, Li Changshou’s divine consciousness moved through Heaven and Earth;
He had originally wanted to check the impact of his Master’s reincarnation, but unexpectedly received news that the Sages of both the Enlightenment and Severing Sects had gathered their disciples for a discussion.
Sure enough, the curtain was rising.
“Senior Brother~”
Ling E called out softly beside him, moving closer with a grin as she looked up at Li Changshou’s face, “Where are we going next?”
Li Changshou said: “We’ll walk around the mortal realm and make some arrangements.”
“Are we going to see Master’s reincarnated form?”
“No, for Master’s reincarnated form to remain peaceful, we’d better keep our distance,” Li Changshou smiled. “Don’t worry, Master will have the protection of the Heavenly Dao from now on.
Moreover, I’ve arranged quite a few benefits for Master’s reincarnated form.”
Ling E blinked and asked softly: “Junior Uncle Jiu Yu Shi?”
“Whether they can rekindle their former relationship depends on their fate. As juniors, we shouldn’t interfere too much,” Li Changshou smiled. “I only checked Master’s reincarnated form’s marriage destiny and gave the Moon Old Man some benefits.”
Ling E’s pretty face blushed slightly as she spat lightly and patted her Senior Brother’s arm.
“Master was so pure and proper! Oh my!”
Li Changshou chuckled softly, sat on the cloud gazing into the distance, and pointed his sword finger forward, making the white cloud fly more swiftly.
Ling E leaned against his side, humming some melodious folk songs.
Half an hour later, above the Eastern Sea.
Li Changshou stroked his chin in thought, then suddenly turned to ask Ling E: “Is there anywhere you particularly want to go?”
Ling E blinked and very sensibly replied in a small voice: “Three Immortal Island.”
“Ah, I was thinking of taking you around Hongmeng, as we siblings haven’t traveled together in all these years. I didn’t expect you’d want a three-person tour, then let’s go call…”
“This, no!”
Ling E jumped up, her small hands gripping Li Changshou’s neck, shaking him like a rattledrum.
“We’ll go to Three Immortal Island after we’ve played enough!
Senior Brother, you still have a conscience after all!
Hmph, this Junior Sister has endured hardship for so many years, not daring to suggest going out for a walk together!
Uh, Senior Brother, aren’t you afraid…”
“Afraid of what?”
Ling E said firmly: “Ambush assassinations, poison, heavenly punishment, karma, and arbitrary suppression from powerful beings!”
“I am a powerful being.”
Li Changshou smiled calmly, his mouth twitching slightly as he explained: “We’ve been busy for so many years and haven’t played around in Hongmeng. When the Great Tribulation ends and we leave this realm, wouldn’t we have missed out?”
Ling E blinked, feeling that her Senior Brother’s tone…
Seemed like he was deliberately speaking for someone to hear.
Based on her understanding of her Senior Brother, there must be some calculation at this moment. Senior Brother probably needed to use this ‘seize the moment for pleasure’ attitude as a cover for something.
This wasn’t because she was clever, but rather because today’s Senior Brother was too unusual.
She was, after all!
The old moth fluttering around Senior Brother’s divine platform!
“Let’s start nearby, go to the Edge of Heaven and Earth.”
Li Changshou waved his hand grandly, tossing two treasure pouches to Ling E, “Spirit stones and treasure materials, spend them as you wish.”
Ling E’s eyes immediately lit up brightly, revealing a pure, simple, adorable, and charming smile.
Another half hour later.
After visiting the Edge of Heaven and Earth and gazing into the void beyond the sky, Ling E and Li Changshou, who had changed their appearance, began ‘running around’ in the large market town there.
Li Changshou secretly released a bit of his Dao Realm pressure, making any cultivator who investigated him realize he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
Then, he walked with his hands behind his back, wearing a slight smile, following behind Ling E;
Ling E ran from one shop stall to another, her small face radiating the joy of a ‘shopping spree’.
Li Changshou’s gaze constantly followed her figure, occasionally also observing some immortals with decent foundations and passable Great Daos, making others quite nervous.
Soon, Ling E stopped her steps at ‘Immortal Clothing Street’ and began searching for fashionable dresses.
Li Changshou quietly waited nearby, but with his temperament and Dao Realm pressure alone, he became the most eye-catching presence on the entire street.
Ling E would run back from time to time, calling out:
“Senior Brother! Does this look good?”
“Senior Brother, I want this one and this one!”
“This seems very suitable for Sister Yun Xiao… need to prepare gifts for Immortals Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao too…”
Li Changshou would always smile and nod each time, carefully expressing some of his own opinions, trying not to be perfunctory about such questions.
At times like this, one couldn’t just blindly praise; a woman’s subtle state of mind was very difficult to handle;
One must stand in the same position as them, objectively evaluating the clothing’s style and design, rather than a stream of “right right right,” “yes yes yes,” and “everything looks good on you.”
Especially when a woman particularly favored a piece of clothing or jewelry, if a man could accurately point out its shortcomings, flaws, defects, and why it wasn’t suitable for that woman…
Then, the next time this woman came to the market town for shopping, she would either avoid such areas or wouldn’t extend an invitation to that man.
Meanwhile, in a great city in the South Jambudvipa Continent.
In a mansion marked with the Jiang family stone tablet, lanterns, and decorations were hung everywhere. The wealthy merchant Jiang family had been blessed with a son, and nearly every family of note in the city had sent someone to offer congratulations, making it extremely lively.
In the back courtyard of this Jiang mansion, on the eaves of a rather secluded building, the Jade Emperor’s avatar Quan Tong sat quietly, a confident smile playing on his lips.
Everything was under his control!
Chang Geng valued relationships deeply but rarely expressed his emotions;
The old Daoist Qi Yuan’s kindness to Chang Geng was as heavy as mountains—not only did he teach him the Dao methods, but he also raised him to adulthood. Qi Yuan’s passing must have dealt Chang Geng an enormous blow.
Therefore, Quan Tong determined that Chang Geng would surely come here to secretly observe Qi Yuan’s reincarnated form, Jiang Shang!
Perhaps Chang Geng’s paper clone was already hiding somewhere at this moment!
Quan Tong had formulated a complete plan to ‘encourage beloved official Chang Geng to overcome his difficulties.’
First, he would pretend to accidentally encounter Chang Geng here, then invite him to walk around and observe the mortal realm, starting with Heavenly Court matters to open the conversation and have a pleasant chat.
Next, Quan Tong leads Chang Geng to coincidentally pass through a street where they encounter a group of mortals holding a funeral, using the mortals’ crying to evoke Chang Geng’s hidden emotions.
Then drink with him until he was drunk, making him gradually open his heart and pour out his inner troubles.
Then, he, the ruler of the Three Realms and Jade Emperor of the Nine Heavens, would use the phrase “Cry, there’s no one else here,” to close the distance between ruler and minister!
Quan Tong anticipated that after this wave of ’emotional guidance,’ he and his beloved official Chang Geng could transform from iron-clad rulers and ministers into bosom friends!
Thinking of this, Quan Tong revealed a slight smile.
He had no choice.
Beloved official Chang Geng had clearly stated that he would leave the Heavenly Court after the Great Tribulation ended; the greatest contributor to the Heavenly Court’s complete prosperity was unwilling to enjoy the veneration of all beings.
Quan Tong could only try to retain him using such methods.
‘There must be some misunderstanding between Chang Geng and Teacher.’
A trace of contemplation flashed through the Jade Emperor’s avatar’s eyes, then he smiled and shook his head, closed his eyes to concentrate, quietly awaiting the arrival of their ‘chance encounter.’
And so, half a day later.
“Senior Brother, where shall we play next? Are we going to Three Immortal Island now?”
“We’ve only explored one great city, what’s the hurry… I’ll take you to tour the Sea Race’s royal city. There are many magnificent sights under the sea that should broaden your horizons.”
“Mm! Mm!”
“Let’s go. I might as well make a plan to take you touring through all the major scenic areas of Hongmeng.”
Ling E cheered, truly having dispersed some of the sorrow from Master’s departure.
And so, three… years later.
In the back courtyard of the Jiang mansion, atop the flying eaves.
Quan Tong stared listlessly at the boy wearing split pants and sporting a topknot, who was running and playing around the courtyard with servants and guards. Several black lines appeared on his forehead.
Continue waiting!
He simply refused to believe it!
If Li Chang Geng hadn’t come here, he would have discarded this avatar and established another one, naming it Quan Bu Dong!
[Ah, this is the “brand new” implementation method of Heavenly Dao’s protection that even the Heavenly Dao hadn’t imagined.]
…
Three years wasn’t enough time to travel through all Five Continents.
But Li Changshou didn’t dare idle too long, so he selected some wonders from the Five Continents and Four Seas to take Ling E to play.
They had ridden several zhang-long mantis shrimp racing through coral forests in the Eastern Sea’s Sea Race royal city.
They had also drifted freely on the ice plains of the Northern Sea, admiring the changing immortal lights in the sky.
They even lit bonfires with the followers of the Sea God Sect in An Shui City, singing and dancing until dawn.
They walked through the immortal-packed market towns of the Middle God Continent and saw various famous blessed lands and cave heavens from Hongmeng’s ancient times.
Sometimes they would hide their identities and gossip about various incredible matters with chatty immortals; sometimes Li Changshou would deliberately use paper clones to design some ‘scenarios’ that made Ling E laugh until she couldn’t breathe.
Li Changshou hadn’t thought of anything else; although he and Ling E had grown closer, there was nothing improper.
There were still many days ahead, he just wanted Ling E and himself to have more memories together, to give Ling E more memories of Hongmeng.
Her cultivation life had truly been too thin.
Previously, she could use “focusing on seeking immortality” as an excuse, but Ling E had already achieved immortality. Not going out to see the world would make her life experience too lacking.
Li Changshou was, after all, a mature traveler from the Blue Star, and he never wanted Ling E’s world to contain only him.
See more, walk more, make friends, meet more immortal maidens…
Male immortals could wait.
After three years of travel, Ling E had become much more lively.
Li Changshou set Three Immortal Island as their final destination, but to reduce negative impacts, he first toured the various immortal mountains of the Enlightenment Sect, visiting True Lord Yu Ding and paying respects to the Great Immortal of Yin and Yang.
Spirit Zhenzhu’s divine soul embryo had stabilized, and True Lord Tai Yi had secretly looked at many families, but found this one unsatisfactory and that one unsuitable.
Mortals were mostly imperfect, and True Lord Tai Yi’s standards were truly picky.
Li Changshou understood in his heart that the destined person True Lord Tai Yi was seeking was the Li Jing couple, but since Li Jing hadn’t yet met his destined child’s mother, True Lord Tai Yi could only continue waiting.
After bidding farewell to True Lord Tai Yi, Li Changshou took Ling E back to the Eastern Sea.
As soon as they arrived in the waters near Three Immortal Island with Ling E, Yun Xiao discovered their siblings and immediately came out to welcome them.
Whether by coincidence or through the Severing Sect’s calculations, several senior disciples were having tea and discussing matters on Three Immortal Island, as if specifically waiting for Li Changshou.
In reality, it was purely coincidental.
The Killing Tribulation had officially begun, and with the Severing Sect’s numerous immortals, they constantly had Severing Sect immortals reporting to Bi You Palace about their fluctuating Dao hearts and thoughts of going out.
It was the tribulation’s fate at work.
Duo Bao Daoist called upon Holy Mother Jin Ling and Holy Mother Wu Dang, making a round of the various Severing Sect immortal islands overseas to pacify the Dao hearts of the Severing Sect immortals, and naturally came to Three Immortal Island.
They certainly wanted to ask Yun Xiao to contact Li Changshou and inquire about the subsequent tribulations, so they could make early preparations.
But this was indeed difficult to bring up…
Just as Duo Bao and the others were about to leave, the sibling pair of Li Changshou and Ling E arrived gracefully.
Duo Bao Daoist was overjoyed and laid out his spiritual treasures vault by vault, letting Ling E pick and choose freely.
The myriad magical treasures and colorful precious lights stunned Ling E so much that she became a bit dazed, yet she didn’t dare take a single item.
Fortunately, Yun Xiao used the excuse of showing Ling E around Three Immortal Island to help her out of the situation, while also removing herself from the tea pavilion, leaving Li Changshou to face several senior brothers and sisters alone.
After Yun Xiao and Ling E left, Li Changshou revealed a gentle smile and took the initiative to speak:
“Now that the Killing Tribulation has appeared, has Third Uncle Master issued any instructions?”
“Yes,” Duo Bao Daoist sighed, his slightly chubby face full of helplessness. “Master told us to hold back, wait first, and not move about outside.”
Holy Mother Jin Ling said in a low voice: “Actually, now is the time to cut through the chaos swiftly and press down the Western Religion first! Fill the tribulation’s fate with their sect’s experts, so both our Severing Sect and the Enlightenment Sect can preserve more of our strength.”
Duo Bao Daoist hurriedly pacified Jin Ling: “Let’s not mention this matter anymore. It’s enough that we follow Master’s orders.
Oh right, Chang Geng, there’s one thing your elder brother wants to verify with you.”
“Oh?”
Li Changshou smiled. “Brother, just speak if you have something to say.”
Duo Bao pondered while pinching the fat on his chin, then spoke slowly: “Will Elder Qi Yuan’s reincarnated form cultivate?”
Here it comes.
Li Changshou’s three years of touring mountains and playing in waters with Ling E had included the intention of avoiding this matter.
He just hadn’t expected to accidentally run into Duo Bao Daoist when coming to Three Immortal Island.
“I don’t know about this either,” Li Changshou’s eyes revealed some sorrow as he sighed. “Brother doesn’t know, but when my Master reincarnated, he said not to seek his reincarnated form and to focus on working for the Heavenly Court.
I can only follow Master’s last wishes and resist looking for Master’s reincarnated form.
These years, to guide Junior Sister, I’ve taken her traveling everywhere, truly not daring to set foot in South Jambudvipa Continent.”
Duo Bao Daoist smiled and said: “You should still pay some attention to this matter. I heard that an immortal crane flew from Kunlun Mountain to where your Master’s reincarnated form is, circled several times, and returned to Kunlun Mountain.
I also heard…”
Duo Bao Daoist suddenly lowered his voice, leaned forward, and said quietly: “To avoid putting you in a difficult position, the Heavenly Court had the Jade Emperor’s avatar personally guard your Master’s reincarnated form’s surroundings.”
Li Changshou: …
His Majesty the Jade Emperor was so considerate of him?
Sure enough!
He had said it—the Jade Emperor usually just pretended to be simple-minded but was great wisdom appearing as foolishness, purely to slack off in daily life.
The Jade Emperor must have unique insight into the situation of Heaven and Earth!
Of course, it couldn’t be ruled out that the Jade Emperor had calculated this through the Heavenly Dao;
But regardless, Li Changshou was touched by His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s intentions.
To be honest, the Jade Emperor would personally send an avatar to protect Master’s reincarnated form just to avoid putting him, a subject, in a difficult position.
A warm current surged through Li Changshou’s heart, and he even felt some guilt towards the Jade Emperor.
Before leaving, he should leave some development plans for the Heavenly Court for His Majesty the Jade Emperor.
Seeing Li Changshou remaining silent, Duo Bao Daoist took the initiative to say:
“Chang Geng, do you need Elder Qi Yuan’s reincarnated form Jiang Shang to join our Bi You Palace for cultivation? Master would certainly take good care of Jiang Shang.”
Li Changshou pondered for a moment and said: “Who Uncle Master wants to accept as a disciple actually doesn’t need my input, and moreover, I was just a disciple raised by Master, how could I make decisions for Master?
Regarding Master’s reincarnated form, I can only avoid seeing him.
Who Jiang Shang is, I can only pretend not to know.”
Duo Bao Daoist carefully savored this, then his eyes suddenly lit up. He stood up directly and smiled: “You all keep drinking and chatting. This poor Daoist suddenly had some insight and will return to closed cultivation.”
After speaking, he turned and opened a void hole, and disappeared into it instantly, leaving Holy Mother Jin Ling and Holy Mother Wu Dang somewhat unable to react.
Jin Ling frowned and said: “You two, what scheme are you plotting in secret?”
Li Changshou shook his head with a smile, lightly brushing past the topic.
It was good to let Senior Brother Duo Bao try, and it could also test how Heavenly Dao’s converging force worked in the Great Tribulation.
As for Duo Bao, after leaving Three Immortal Island through the hole, he sped like lightning through the tunnel, rushing at full speed toward the Jiang family’s location in the South Jambudvipa Continent…