Wenshu, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment Sect, fully titled Celestial Lord Wenshu of Vast Dharma, had developed his abilities comprehensively. Among the Twelve Golden Immortals, he ranked in the middle tier for magical power, divine abilities, and treasures.

However, in the greater context of the primitive world, this already qualified him as a great master of divine abilities.

At this moment, Wenshu stood on his cloud with hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips, his gaze fixed on Jin Zha’s room in the back courtyard, seemingly already appraising his future disciple.

His coming to take a disciple was done under the guidance of his teacher, the Sage.

How should he begin?

Whatever approach he took, he certainly couldn’t mention ‘taking a disciple to ward off disaster’—the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment Sect still had their pride to maintain.

Li Jing had now taken his position in the courtyard and made a Daoist salute toward Wenshu in the sky, saying solemnly:

“I am Li Jing, Commander of Chengtang Pass. May I ask who you are, Senior…”

“Wenshu, a Qi cultivator from Jade Void Palace.”

Celestial Lord Wenshu spoke calmly from his cloud: “This poor Daoist, after deep meditation, has carefully calculated that fate originates from Chengtang Pass.

Li Jing, do you have any children?”

Li Jing was stunned for a moment but then understood this great immortal’s intentions.

One of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment Sect, a disciple of the Sage, truly among the top masters of the primitive world, wanted to take his son as a disciple!

This!

Well, it wasn’t anything to get too excited about.

Li Jing couldn’t help but recall his experiences after that one bow years ago.

Back then, it seemed every elder who bumped into him on the road turned out to be some great immortal, every person who touched him with a treasure was some Sage’s disciple…

Today, Wenshu had come wanting to take Jin Zha as his disciple—was it because he saw that Jin Zha had extraordinary bones, and exceptional talent, with rays of the Dao shooting from his crown?

No, it was all because of the adoptive father he had somehow acquired!

Thinking of this, Li Jing had made up his mind. He cupped his hands toward Wenshu and smiled:

“Honorable Senior, my humble son is named Li Jin Zha, but he is still very young. My wife and I treasure him dearly and cannot bear to let him leave our side at this time to seek the Dao.”

These words slightly surprised Lady Yin.

Previously, Li Jing had spoken of wanting to find Jin Zha a master to learn immortal cultivation and seek the truth of eternal life…

Hearing this, Wenshu’s brows furrowed slightly, his smile fading as he stared at the smiling Li Jing below.

In the senior servant’s separate dwelling, Li Changshou’s eyes also lit up.

This Li Jing was quite interesting.

Then Wenshu spoke: “Li Jing, do you know that the great tribulation approaches and only the great teachings of a Sage can protect oneself?”

Li Jing’s expression turned serious as he said in a deep voice: “I don’t understand much about this. My only aspiration is to protect the peace of Chengtang Pass and ensure the safety of my wife and children.

Senior, my wife, and I truly cannot bear to have our son leave our side at this time.

I haven’t yet taught him enough principles of being a person, haven’t taught him sufficient etiquette, nor told him what responsibilities a man should bear.

Please… don’t take offense.”

Wenshu’s brows furrowed deeply as his cloud slowly descended from the sky, hovering ten zhang above Li Jing’s mansion.

He was so conspicuous and unconcealed that many patrol guards of the Li Manor witnessed this, causing some commotion.

Wenshu waved his sleeve, naturally assuming a pose with hands behind his back, and said firmly:

“Li Jing, I know you are a disciple of the Human Sect, but merely a nominal disciple of Senior Brother Duxie.

Today, I have come personally, wanting to take your son Jin Zha as my dharma heir. Are you dissatisfied with this? Or perhaps you feel that my title as one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment Sect and Qi cultivator of Jade Void Palace carries too little weight?”

“Senior, how can you say such things?”

Li Jing feigned fear and bowed his head: “It’s just that my adoptive father once taught me to be responsible and dutiful.

A father must establish for his children the correct way of understanding this world.

I have not yet completed Jin Zha’s education and am truly unwilling to let him leave my side now, lest he take the wrong path and regret it too late.”

Wenshu’s eyes narrowed as a faint pressure manifested.

“Are you suggesting that my teaching would lead Jin Zha astray?”

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

Li Jing took out a jade slip with worn edges from his sleeve and said softly: “These are the teachings my adoptive father gave me. If Senior doesn’t believe me, please take a look.”

In the corner of the back courtyard, Li Changshou almost laughed out loud.

Unexpected, truly unexpected, that the manual he had given Li Jing years ago had such a profound influence on him.

Not bad, keep it up.

Wenshu naturally wouldn’t accept that jade slip. By now he had lost face but also didn’t dare to directly offend Star Lord Li Changcheng of Grand White Star, who was known for being ruthless.

He could only snort coldly and say calmly:

“If that’s the case, I shall first pay a visit to the Grand White Palace in Heaven!”

With these words, he flung his sleeve and turned to fly toward the horizon, his figure quickly disappearing.

Li Jing let out a slight sigh of relief, turned to exchange a glance with his wife, and both, having lost interest in refinement, went together to Jin Zha’s quarters in the back courtyard.

Li Changshou thought for a moment and shifted his consciousness back to the Grand White Palace.

Better safe than sorry—although he knew Wenshu wouldn’t come, he still summoned the celestial generals guarding this place and told them he would be in closed cultivation for several years and wouldn’t see any visitors.

After doing this, Li Changshou couldn’t help but consider another thought.

Perhaps Jin Zha changed marriage—no, change allegiance to the Severing Sect?

Li Changshou carefully pondered this idea but ultimately rejected it.

Although he was on good terms with many disciples of the Severing Sect’s Sages, the sect truly had too many problems.

Objectively speaking, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say the Severing Sect harbored the corrupt. It was only because they prioritized righteousness among immortals and showed more human warmth that he felt closer to them.

While the Enlightenment Sect might be less warm in human relations, they generally followed rules better and carried less karmic burden.

If he wanted what was best for Jin Zha and the Li family, he couldn’t force Jin Zha to join the Severing Sect.

Well, better to let things take their natural course.

Li Changshou had become quite interested now in seeing whether Jin Zha would still become Wenshu’s disciple, whether he was destined to follow Wenshu into Buddhism…

Li Jing’s bow that day seemed to have truly changed something.

After Wenshu left, Li Jing and Lady Yin went to Jin Zha’s doorway, greeted the maid inside, and stood at the window watching Jin Zha’s sleeping face, each letting out a soft sigh.

Li Jing had a premonition that Wenshu, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment Sect, would come again to take a disciple. By then, no matter how reluctant he might be, he would have to consider the Enlightenment Sect’s face.

“My lady, let me discuss something with you…”

Early the next morning.

Li Jing, wearing his armor, waited early outside Jin Zha’s door. When Jin Zha awoke, he sternly told him to change into a short jacket and long pants and follow him to the military camp.

At the Li Manor’s gate, Li Jing mounted his horse and extended his large hand to Jin Zha.

—In Chengtang Pass, Li Jing usually traveled on horseback to avoid inspiring the common people’s yearning for immortal cultivation and neglecting their farming.

Though just a child and somewhat afraid, Jin Zha still allowed his father to pull him up and place him in front before galloping out the west gate of the fortress.

The ride was so bumpy that Jin Zha nearly threw up last night’s dinner.

When Li Jing arrived at the military camp, soldiers gathered around to watch, commanders called out “Young General,” and loyal family retainers gave Jin Zha warm smiles.

Li Jing ordered the tent prepared with an added small bed, then spoke earnestly to Jin Zha:

“Usually Father is too busy with affairs and hasn’t been able to accompany you properly. I know you’ve been clever since young and are becoming sensible early.

Starting today, you will stay with me in the military camp for a hundred days, and Father won’t leave your side.”

Jin Zha blinked his big eyes and asked softly:

“But Father, don’t you usually go back every night to be with Mother?”

“…”

‘Silly child, Father planned to use teleportation to return to your mother after you fell asleep in the military camp.’

Of course, Li Jing couldn’t say this out loud.

Li Jing looked at Jin Zha with loving eyes, completely ignoring his question and only saying:

“From today on, you must learn to be a real man.”

“But Father, I’m already a man! Uncle Chang’an said that men are those who urinate standing up, and Jin Zha stands up!”

“This Wang Chang’an!”

Li Jing snorted irritably before saying seriously:

“That’s different. A real man must have an unyielding spirit, firm beliefs, and an iron-like physique.

You’re still too young, just a child now.”

Jin Zha couldn’t help tilting his head and said in his childish voice:

“But Father, we’re all made of flesh and blood. Uncle Chang’an said that flesh and blood naturally fear pain, there’s no need to pretend not to be afraid of pain.”

Li Jing: …

“What else did Wang Chang’an say?”

Jin Zha blinked: “But Father, why are you angry? What Uncle Chang’an said is right, isn’t it?”

Blue veins popped on Li Jing’s forehead as he was about to lose his temper when he suddenly recalled a maxim from “Fatherly Love Like Mountains”:

[If you don’t teach your children, others will teach them for you;

Just as, if you don’t care for your own Dao companion, others will care for them instead.]

So that was it.

Li Jing immediately had an epiphany. He reached out to rub Jin Zha’s head and said softly:

“Son, Father might have to send you to a distant place to learn abilities. Before you go, Father wants to teach you as much as possible about how to be a man, how to be a good person.”

“But…”

“Enough with the ‘buts’! Play here for a while, Father needs to gather the commanders and introduce you to some uncles.”

“Oh,” Jin Zha obediently responded, watching Li Jing’s broad back as he left, letting out a gentle sigh.

And so, the next day.

“Show some spirit—Good! That’s real spirit!”

“No energy, can’t hear you! Shout again!”

“Did you not eat or something? Thrusting a spear like that, are you delivering food to monster beasts?”

During military training, Li Jing sat in the commander’s seat while Jin Zha’s tiny form huddled in a round chair beside him, his little face pale as he watched the elite soldiers practicing with weapons in the large training ground ahead.

Li Jing secretly observed Jin Zha and noticed that although his face was pale, he showed no other signs of distress. He nodded with satisfaction.

The military camp had killing energy, and Jin Zha hadn’t begun cultivation yet. That he could withstand such energy at such a young age proved he truly had potential.

Over the next hundred days, Li Jing took Jin Zha around the military camp, letting him experience the hardships of training and interact with some of the more forthright generals.

Following the guidance in the “Parenting Manual” bestowed by the Star Lord of Grand White, Li Jing planted a seed of admiration for military affairs in Jin Zha’s young heart.

This seed had begun to sprout.

Li Changshou watched all this with great satisfaction and decided to secretly help Li Jing a bit more.

Time for something more exciting!

The day before Li Jing and Jin Zha’s hundred-day agreement was to end, urgent news arrived at the camp about a monster beast going berserk in the fields, destroying many crops. It seemed to be the fierce beast that had eaten someone and escaped earlier.

Li Jing immediately mobilized troops and, after some consideration, decided to bring Jin Zha along as he led several of the strongest commanders to the scene.

The monster beast was actually carefully selected by Li Changshou—a great beast with a heavy karmic burden whose mind had been destroyed. Li Changshou had secretly restricted its range of movement.

By the time Li Jing arrived, the beast had destroyed many village houses, but thanks to timely evacuation, no villagers were harmed.

Seeing this, Li Jing handed Jin Zha to his deputy commander, drew his sword, and charged forward. After a great battle, he slew the beast in the fields and ordered his soldiers to dispose of the corpse and compensate the affected villagers.

Though Jin Zha was shocked by the experience, his eyes were now full of stars when looking at his father…

In the fields, amidst the ruins.

Li Jing held Jin Zha’s hand as they walked slowly through, sighing with deep emotion.

“Jin Zha?”

“Father, I’m here.”

“Remember this,” Li Jing said, “No matter when or where you go, you were born human.

This world is vast, vast enough to make you and me feel insignificant, yet it is also narrow, narrow enough that different races fight fiercely for survival.

Monster beasts are beings formed from absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. Those with evil hearts are called demons, and they are mortal enemies of humans, like the beasts today.

We men must protect the weak and those who cannot cultivate from the claws of such evil.

Father doesn’t ask you to be a great hero who holds up the sky, only that when you see injustice and have the ability, you can step forward to help.

The character for ‘human’ shows people supporting each other.”

Jin Zha nodded quite seriously and said firmly: “Child remembers.”

“Come this way,” Li Jing pointed to a pond. “Today Father will tell you about an extraordinary person, the one Father respects most.”

“Is that your master, Father?”

Jin Zha tilted his head and asked.

Li Jing smiled, his eyes showing a trace of admiration as he said slowly:

“No, your Grand Master is True Lord Duxie of Kunlun Mountain, but Father has only met him once.

When Father was cultivating in the mountains, this extraordinary person gave me much guidance, leading to today’s achievements and cultivation.

He is Heaven’s First Star-Lord, Grand White Golden Star Li Changcheng.

You will hear this name from various beings in the future, but remember, never show him any disrespect…”

The sun gradually slanted westward, slowly stretching and extending the shadows of father and son, while the wind scattered Li Jing’s voice.

…

At Chengtang Pass, in the Li Manor.

Li Changshou’s paper avatar stretched lazily, his eyes full of contentment, no longer listening.

Hmm, too modest to hear others praise him.

His mood was quite emotional, feeling satisfied that his previous efforts hadn’t been wasted.

How the original Li Jing was no longer mattered.

The current Li Jing valued family education, understood how to guide his children in establishing correct values, and perfectly balanced authority with warmth.

This was exactly right.

Later when the Spirit Pearl reincarnated as Nezha, with this kind of Li Jing teaching him, how could he become too hot-tempered?

Li Changshou chuckled, then remembered something. His consciousness returned to the Grand White Palace as he activated another paper avatar hidden in a town in Central Divine Continent and rode a cloud toward Mount Qianyuan.

He still needed to remind True Lord Taiyi to guard the Spirit Pearl’s soul carefully, to be careful, careful, and more careful, cautious, cautious, and more cautious.

If necessary, they could go to Three Friends Cottage to request Sage’s decree to protect the Spirit Pearl’s smooth reincarnation.

True Lord Taiyi had already vaguely sensed the Spirit Pearl’s destiny as if the Heavenly Dao had already determined its place of reincarnation. He only needed to wait for the right moment, and the Heavenly Dao would give him a sign.

Although True Lord Taiyi’s combat skills were somewhat lacking, his realm of understanding was truly not low, so this perception had to be believed.

So, Taiyi stared at Li Changshou and asked:

“You rascal, did you already know where the Spirit Pearl would reincarnate?”

Li Changshou just smiled without speaking, pointed to the sky, made a gesture of sealing his lips, and then chuckled a few times. His paper avatar dissolved on its own, leaving True Lord Taiyi staring blankly.

Two years later, Wenshu returned to Chengtang Pass.

This time he brought True Lord Yellow Dragon and True Lord Puxian, never mentioning his previous harsh words.

About to find Star Lord of Grand White and such.

This time, the good-natured True Lord Yellow Dragon took the lead, disguising themselves as mortals to enter Chengtang Pass before visiting Li Jing’s mansion.

Three direct disciples of the Sage arrived, promising Jin Zha the best cultivation methods, and the best cultivation environment, to become a true third-generation disciple of the Enlightenment Sect…

Li Jing was truly somewhat moved.

Moreover, this time Wenshu had lost his previous arrogance and actively apologized to Li Jing.

Li Jing quickly agreed, having Jin Zha serve tea and formally accept them as masters.

Wenshu was overjoyed, growing fonder of Jin Zha the more he looked at him, and together with Puxian bestowed many treasures.

Yellow Dragon stroked his beard and smiled, giving several divine ability techniques.

Additionally, Puxian calculated with his fingers and smiled: “Commander Li, is your wife pregnant again?”

Black lines immediately covered Li Jing’s forehead.

Just as the Li family was enjoying their happiness, news “shocked” out from Chaoge City, quickly spreading far and wide.

Shang ruler Emperor Yi had ascended in a cloud of rosy light.

In Chaoge City, at the Grand Historian’s mansion, Li Changshou’s now “ancient and frail” paper avatar sat quietly in a round chair. As his immortal consciousness swept out, he squinted and smiled lightly.

Tonight’s Chaoge City was truly in high spirits.