“Sister, what’s wrong? Why are you lost in thought here?”

At Three Immortal Island, before the jade statue.

Yun Xiao floated silently in the air. Suddenly hearing a call from behind, she quickly concealed the slight worry on her face, bringing forth a gentle smile.

She turned to look at Qiong Xiao flying over and said softly:

“Just pondering what happened in the Southern Continent.”

“You mean the strange matter of the Human Emperor’s poem?”

Qiong Xiao wore a short yellow dress, her lips carrying a smile as she clicked her tongue and said: “This Human Emperor is truly ignorant and fearless. Perhaps it’s because of the separation between mortal and immortal realms among humans, making mortals lose their reverence for the Saints.

This Human Emperor has truly reached his end.”

Yun Xiao hummed softly before saying: “What news have you heard about this matter?”

“I came to find Sister precisely because of this.”

Qiong Xiao said:

“Just received news from Biyou Palace, apparently Wen Zhong sent word that Human Emperor Di Xin was suddenly bewildered, falling asleep after leaving Nüwa’s Temple, and upon waking had no memory of what had happened before.

Someone plotted against the Human Emperor, but the Holy Mother’s Dao rhythm has already shown traces in the Southern Continent, clearly blaming this matter on the current Human Emperor.

What’s done is done.”

Yun Xiao sighed softly: “This is exactly what I’m worried about.

Given his nature, he would likely watch from the sidelines in this matter. Seeing someone plot against the Human Emperor, writing poetry to insult humanity’s Holy Mother, he would surely intervene to stop it.

If even he couldn’t prevent it, and it could directly affect a Human Emperor protected by imperial fortune, could it be the disaster’s fate and Heavenly Dao acting…”

Qiong Xiao smiled:

“Sister, don’t worry.

What you’re saying is just speculation, and now the heavenly mechanisms are obscured and cannot be calculated.

Moreover, even if it’s the disaster’s fate descending or the Heavenly Dao acting, this is normal within the great catastrophe. Since cultivating from ancient times until now, haven’t we seen such situations before?”

“But he hasn’t seen it before.”

Yun Xiao’s lips tightened slightly as if wanting to find Li Changshou, but then realized that it wasn’t appropriate for her to appear at this time.

“Will Brother-in-law be alright?”

Qiong Xiao blinked, asking quietly: “Should we go check on him?”

“His calculations for the great catastrophe run deep,” Yun Xiao sighed, “All his calculations were within the rules set by the Heavenly Dao. If this time it truly is the Heavenly Dao violating its own rules, directly acting against the Human Emperor, it must be a tremendous blow to him.

The more someone has his temperament, the harder it is to accept such a situation.

If I go to him now, either he’ll force himself to stay strong, or if he acts impulsively, it would be all harm and no benefit to him.”

“I see…”

Qiong Xiao held her small chin in thought for a moment, then smiled: “Sister needn’t worry, I’ll contact my friends in the Heavenly Court to ask about the exact situation.

Besides, I don’t think my Brother-in-law is someone who can be easily discouraged.

Sister, just wait, I’ll contact them right away.”

Yun Xiao asked curiously: “What friends do you have in the Heavenly Court?”

“Hehe,” Qiong Xiao kept the mystery, taking out a communication jade symbol and releasing it, “Sister, just wait for my news!”

Half an hour later.

Qiong Xiao looked at the vibrating jade symbol in her hand and the characters slowly appearing within it, her mouth twitching uncontrollably.

“Sister, you worried for nothing.”

“What is it?”

“Brother-in-law is in high spirits! Bah! He entered the Moon Palace an hour ago and still hasn’t come out!”

Qiong Xiao bit her silver teeth lightly, cursing: “These male immortals, none of them are faithful!

Is that Three Realms’ Number One Beauty so great?!”

But Yun Xiao said: “Don’t overthink it, I trust his character.”

Then, Yun Xiao stood quietly in thought before the jade statue.

Why did he go to find Chang’e at the Moon Palace?

This was indeed something to ponder… hmph.

…

Meanwhile, in the Moon Palace.

Chang’e looked anxiously at the man sitting by the round table, and couldn’t help but let her imagination wander.

She could sense that Li Changshou’s state was off.

He had been here for an hour, just sitting by the table, neither speaking nor opening his mouth, occasionally lifting his teacup for a sip, the light in his eyes flickering extremely quickly.

The Jade Rabbit was so frightened it hid trembling in the back courtyard, not daring to approach at all.

“Star-Lord?”

Chang’e couldn’t help but inquire.

“Ah, it’s nothing, just lost in thought.”

Li Changshou closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting his spirit gradually relax.

He had been calculating earlier how far he needed to go, which trump cards to give up, and which pieces to remove from the board.

Emotionally, he would need to show appropriate anger later, displaying the side of himself that ‘mistakenly believed he was humanity’s current pillar’.

Yes, it must be mistakenly believed.

Li Changshou first sighed, then said:

“Star-Lord probably doesn’t know yet, a major event has occurred among humanity!”

Chang’e’s beautiful face showed a strange expression as she carefully asked: “The Holy Mother’s Temple?”

Bang!

Li Changshou slammed the table and stood up, making Chang’e’s delicate body tremble slightly.

Why did she keep feeling that Taibai Star-Lord was plotting something…

Li Changshou showed an angry expression, recalling the emotions he had inadvertently revealed before his Master, and ‘acted out’ these emotions again.

Nostrils flared, eyes widened, breathing slightly heavy, his voice needed to come from further back at this time, below the vocal cords, resonating from the chest cavity with the anger of a ‘promising youth of humanity’.

Sometimes, such impotent roaring appeared less threatening.

“What is this?

This is too much!

What does the Heavenly Dao take us humans for?!”

Chang’e frowned slightly, saying softly: “This matter, why don’t you ask His Majesty the Jade Emperor…”

“His Majesty the Jade Emperor is probably also in a difficult position,” Li Changshou threw his head back and sighed deeply, then immediately recited a poem, “The road is difficult, the road is difficult, humanity’s rise from ancient times until now has truly been arduous.

Today the Heavenly Dao manipulates the Human Emperor at will, tomorrow it will manipulate humanity at will!

What did humanity’s rise rely on? It relied on constant struggle, relied on the pioneering ancestors shedding their blood and laying down their lives!

The Heavenly Dao was standing behind the Demon Court then!”

Chang’e said softly: “The Primordial World is just like this, Star-Lord, don’t be so indignant. Humanity’s fate isn’t determined today, humans will always find it difficult to defy Heaven’s will.”

Li Changshou cursed:

“If Saints aren’t virtuous, how can they be Saints? If the Heavenly Dao is partial, how can it establish virtue!”

Chang’e’s pretty face turned pale.

How dare he say such things?

Li Changshou slowly exhaled, somewhat nervously looking at the sky, waiting for a while and seeing no abnormality before finally relaxing slightly.

Indeed, this time the Heavenly Dao should intend to force him to act early and expose his trump cards.

Chang’e thought briefly, then hurriedly said: “If Taibai Star-Lord just wants to complain, complain here to Chang’e. The Heavenly Court has many people with loose tongues, these words absolutely cannot spread.”

“What is there to fear?

The Heavenly Dao controlled the Human Emperor and pushed forward the catastrophe right before my eyes.”

Li Changshou’s smile was full of desolation, “You might think that the Heavenly Dao acting through others is still the Heavenly Dao’s doing, but this is different, not just different in form, but different in principle.

The Heavenly Dao makes rules, protects rules, and uses rules to influence Heaven and Earth—this should be the tacit understanding between the Heavenly Dao and living beings.

If we don’t seek an explanation from the Heavenly Dao today, the word ‘balance’ is nothing but nonsense.

Taiyin Star-Lord, do you still remember when we first met, that matter you entrusted to me?”

Chang’e was stunned, unconsciously standing up, her eyes inexplicably reddening as she rushed forward two steps, wanting to grab Li Changshou’s right arm, but her raised delicate hand stopped midway.

She wore no makeup at this moment, but this appearance was beautiful enough to move one’s spirit.

Li Changshou also felt somewhat reluctant.

“Who… who is he…”

Li Changshou transmitted: “I need to use Star-Lord for something, and in return, I will let Star-Lord know indirectly about what happened back then.

This is a transaction. If Star-Lord doesn’t agree, I will stop here.”

“I agree, I agree to anything.”

Chang’e spoke tremblingly, her voice carrying a hint of pleading, her raised hand now gripping Li Changshou’s arm, seemingly forgetting about voice transmission magic.

“Tell me, who is he, what is he to me, what exactly is the deficiency in my Dao’s heart…”

“Come with me then.”

Li Changshou said in a deep voice, pointing out a white cloud, “Don’t ask too much, don’t do too much, just watch carefully and feel, I will tell you what to do.”

“Mm,” Chang’e responded, stepping first to the edge of the white cloud.

Li Changshou leaped to the center of the white cloud, rising, not concealing his form, and heading straight down toward the Central Heaven Gate.

Streams of immortal consciousness probed over, most of the Heavenly Court immortals somewhat puzzled.

Chang’e was absent-minded, forgetting at this moment to fix her makeup or conceal her form, just standing quietly at Li Changshou’s side, one delicate hand pressed against her heart.

Halfway there…

“Star-Lord! Both Star Lords!”

Wood Duke called out loudly, hastily coming over on a cloud.

Li Changshou stopped his cloud, cupping his hands to Wood Duke, his expression somewhat unfriendly, yet forcing a smile, saying:

“What is it, Wood Duke?”

“Star- Changxing,” Wood Duke frowned and asked, “Where are you going? What do you intend to do?”

Li Changshou’s smile faded as he said calmly: “Fire Cloud Cave, to discuss a matter with humanity’s ancestors.”

“Is this related to the Human Emperor’s poem at the Holy Mother’s Temple?”

Wood Duke showed worry, not waiting for Li Changshou to answer before saying directly: “Changxing, please think thrice, this matter is no small thing, above it is the Heavenly Dao plotting…”

“Wood Duke,” Li Changshou sighed, “Just assist His Majesty well.”

With these words he drove his cloud around Wood Duke, heading straight down toward the Central Heaven Gate.

Eastern Wood Duke was stunned, about to raise his hand to call out to Li Changshou, but when the words reached his lips, he didn’t know what to say.

This matter seemed to be beyond his understanding.

In the Lingxiao Palace, the Jade Emperor on his high seat frowned deeply, couldn’t help but lean forward and hold his head in his hands, hesitation and struggle constantly appearing in his eyes.

Outside the palace, a colorful cloud slowly flew over, carrying the Queen Mother’s form.

In the bamboo grove of Purple Void Palace, the stalwart elderly Daoist’s lips showed a faint smile as he gazed at the jade plate on the low table before him, which displayed Li Changshou leading Chang’e flying out of the Heaven Gate.

The stalwart elderly Daoist’s palm tapped a rhythm on his thigh, his smile growing increasingly rich.

Above the Eastern Sea, in the Saints’ Dao field, within Biyou Palace.

The young Daoist playing with four miniature swords now changed from his usual unrestrained manner, frowning thoughtfully in a daze, the clouds before him showing the same scene as what the Ancestral Master of the Dao saw in the Creation Jade Plate.

At Mount Kunlun, behind Jade Void Palace, in the Three Friends Courtyard.

The middle-aged Daoist now sat with closed eyes in concentration, his fingers lightly tapping the bamboo chair’s armrest, his brows occasionally furrowing.

The ‘Elder Immortal Tao’ at his side couldn’t help but be secretly surprised, not understanding how the situation could be so serious as to make his master contemplate so deeply.

How many years had it been since Master had calculated something like this…

At a certain Spirit Mountain.

“Senior Brother, it’s an opportunity! If only that Li Changxing falls out with the Heavenly Dao.”

“Don’t move rashly, movement means death.”

“This?”

“Sigh… better stay quiet.”

The elderly Daoist sighed softly, his eyes full of helplessness, simply closing them without speaking.

Outside the Five Continents, in the depths of void space, within the Holy Mother’s Palace.

The female Saint who had just returned from the Southern Continent leaned somewhat coquettishly against her bookshelf, her fine brows lightly furrowed, also pondering the same matter.

She unconsciously glanced out the window, her fingers sliding across the books on the shelf, shaking her head slightly.

“None of them let one rest easy.”

Amidst the gentle complaint, the female Saint’s figure silently vanished;

A strand of Dao rhythm flowed through the depths of Heaven and Earth, rapidly traversing to within the Five Continents of the Primordial World, finding those two figures riding clouds toward Fire Cloud Cave.

Immortal light swayed, flowing light flickered, an auspicious cloud condensed from the colored clouds, thousands of flower petals blooming within a hundred-li radius.

Then came a call:

“Li Changxing, where do you intend to go?”

Li Changshou stopped his form, looking up to see Nüwa wearing a light red dress, slowly descending from the sky.

That bearing, that demeanor, that pure wonderful Dao rhythm, even Chang’e appeared dim in comparison.

Li Changshou dared not directly look at Nüwa at this moment, lowering his head in a Daoist salute, saying in a deep voice: “Reporting to Holy Mother, your disciple has grievances, indignation, and things that cannot be endured, and wishes to go to Fire Cloud Cave.”

Nüwa showed a gentle smile, surrounded by streams of immortal light, asking slowly:

“Li Changxing, you are an important minister of the Heavenly Court, beloved by immortals and gods, valued by His Majesty the Jade Emperor, and currently at the height of prestige in the Dao School.

What grievances and indignation do you have? What must you endure?

Don’t momentarily take the wrong path and waste your bright future.”

Li Changshou said directly: “You should know.”

Saint Nüwa sighed: “That current Human Emperor was arrogant and presumptuous, deserving punishment, this matter is thus concluded.”

“But this matter shouldn’t only have such a conclusion.”

“Humanity’s current situation wasn’t easily achieved…”

“Humanity has stood until today precisely because of this spirit!

If this spirit is gone, there’s no situation to speak of.”

Li Changshou said firmly: “You are humanity’s Holy Mother, you have your own difficulties, your disciple dares not use humanity to bind what you must do today, but please Holy Mother, do not stop your disciple.

The character of a human (人) has two strokes, one weak for the frail body, one strong for the unyielding backbone, only then can it be called human.

Your disciple respects Heaven and Earth, and reveres the Heavenly Dao, but when the Heavenly Dao regards human dignity as nothing, how can your disciple’s heart be content, how can he not be indignant!”

Saint Nüwa’s fine brows lightly furrowed as she gazed at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou’s eyes showed some apology, yet he met Saint Nüwa’s gaze.

Nüwa suddenly said: “Since you’ve made up your mind, I shouldn’t stop you in this matter, but you must remember to grasp the measure, don’t let things become irreconcilable, as that would not benefit humanity.

Moreover, let Chang’e return, she shouldn’t be involved in today’s matter.”

Li Changshou said: “Your Majesty, I’m afraid your disciple cannot agree to this.”

Saint Nüwa sighed: “Using such a weak woman as a bargaining chip, though the Heavenly Dao may have some misgivings, it might tarnish your heroic name.”

“Your disciple’s actions are not for fame.”

Li Changshou looked at Chang’e, who was still somewhat absent-minded at this moment. She shook her head lightly, Li Changshou slowly nodded, then turned to show Nüwa a bitter smile.

“I fear death and cherish life, not wanting to be entangled in too much karma, destined to never be any kind of hero.”

With these words, Li Changshou made a Daoist salute to Saint Nüwa, driving his cloud to take a detour to the side. Saint Nüwa sighed softly, her form dissolving into flower petals and vanishing.

When Li Changshou circled back to the original path, Fire Cloud Cave was near.

Li Changshou looked toward Chang’e, transmitting:

“There was once a Heavenly Dao taboo who went mad without cause in ancient times, attempting to destroy the Primordial World, to return everything to chaos.

He was your master, my fellow townsman, and is now an existence unknown to the beings of Heaven and Earth, a name that even Saints avoid mentioning.

This senior had a Second Primordial Spirit method, operating in the Primordial World back then with an open and righteous identity, while hiding himself behind this identity. Now what can be found is just this Second Primordial Spirit who knows nothing of those events.

After the Ancestral Master of the Dao and Heavenly Dao jointly suppressed and killed this Heavenly Dao taboo, they erased all traces of his existence, including your memories.

Chang’e, do you want to know who he is?”

“Yes,” Chang’e’s beautiful eyes were moistened with tears as she nodded heavily.

Li Changshou said in a deep voice: “Later follow me to Purple Void Palace, you only need to cry there, and you will know all the truth.”

“Cry?”

“Yes, cry,” Li Changshou looked toward Fire Cloud Cave below, saying deeply, “Don’t ask more, it’s not convenient for us to discuss too much even through transmission.

Wait here briefly while I request some help.”

Help…

The confusion in Chang’e’s eyes grew stronger, while Li Changshou’s form leaped down, standing in the air that great marsh, gazing at Fire Cloud Cave’s entrance, making a deep Daoist salute toward it.

Rising, he called out loudly!

Master told him to act freely, but even acting freely, he couldn’t directly curse.

He still needed to consider the subsequent effects, to strive for the greatest benefits for humanity and himself, both now and in the future.

“Humanity’s son Li Changshou requests an audience with the ancestral worthies.

The Heavenly Dao has lost its fairness, using the great catastrophe as an excuse to willfully control the Human Emperor and insult the Holy Mother.

Heaven, Earth, and Human realms are imbalanced, Immortal, Human, and Ghost existences have lost their measure.

Today!

I wish to journey to Purple Void Palace, seeking a resolution to this matter!

Humanity’s warrior spirit is undying, how can the human way lack heroes!”

Boom—

Thunder appeared in the clear sky, a black cloud manifesting high above, within it purple-red lightning flashing, seeming ready to deliver heavenly punishment to Li Changshou!

Li Changshou looked up, divine light surging in his eyes, his long hair floating behind him, this time standing proudly, without the slightest intention to retreat.

When facing his tribulation, it was fine to call out some witty remarks;

But now representing humanity’s voice, he couldn’t allow himself the slightest frivolity.

Come then, let’s first make a great commotion.

If ahead is already a dead end, then let’s create a thread of survival through chaos!

Li Changshou called out firmly:

“Please! Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors!”

The great marsh’s surface suddenly burst apart, a volcano’s phantom faintly appearing, endless black qi surging from within;

The boundless black qi condensed into a heaven-covering great hand, directly inserting into the tribulation clouds above, streams of flame sweeping Heaven and Earth, instantly evaporating the tribulation clouds!

From that volcano’s mouth, a somewhat withered figure slowly floated out, his withered flesh rapidly filling out, eyes suddenly opening, pupils carrying towering demonic flames!

Wu—

Boom boom boom—

Horn calls, war drums, uniformly organized footsteps.

Beside that withered figure, several armies surged forth from nowhere, their numbers momentarily incalculable, rows of bronze war chariots rolling forward, the figures upon them somewhat faint, but their gazes determined, expressions resolute.

Upon the first three war chariots.

Yellow Emperor wearing golden armor, Divine Farmer Emperor wearing a cape of hundred grasses, Fu Xi Emperor in ethereal cyan robes, each radiating dazzling divine might!

From the Southern Continent, nineteen streams of light shot toward this location.

Below the Central Heaven Gate, the strong man carrying a giant rock looked down in shock, throwing away the rock in his hands, unable to hold back his hot tears.

Before Fire Cloud Cave, Sui Ren who had already slowly stood up, cast a gentle gaze toward Li Changshou.

This elder raised his finger, pointing forward somewhat slowly, Heaven and Earth collapsing layer by layer, transforming into a path burning with flames.

And at the path’s end was a stretch of chaos, after the chaos stood a majestic palace.

The Purple Void Palace beyond Heaven!

Sui Ren slowly stepped forward, leaving flames blooming beneath his feet, behind him surging countless heroic spirit armies.

Li Changshou at this moment only lowered his head and sighed, his eyes carrying some reluctance as he deeply bowed to Sui Ren’s back.

For him, Li Changshou, this wasn’t the crucial battle.

This was merely a forced counterattack, to restrict the Heavenly Dao; it could only increase what might be just a thread of certainty when the time comes in the future.

But for Sui Ren, this was belief and dignity!

Perhaps, it was already Sui Ren’s final strength.

In the mystical void, Li Changshou saw in this somewhat lonely silhouette, in each cluster of flames, scene after scene…

In humanity’s darkest moment, the Demon Court carrying Heaven’s Mandate slaughtered at will, harvesting souls, leaving barely one in a hundred humans alive, blood staining the Primordial World.

This leader gritted his teeth and endured, leading the last humans to hide with difficulty across the earth, using his own hands, rubbing that rough wooden handle, and trying to polish out the last ray of light in the darkness.

He succeeded.

He stood in endless darkness, letting himself merge with the darkness, falling to become a demon, competing with demons for a thread of survival, sending out continuous roars to Heaven!

When I was Sovereign, humanity did not fall!

When I became a demon, humanity was not defeated!

Later ones, I cannot give you an eternally burning divine fire, I can only tell you that fire can be created by human hands rubbing wood, needing neither Heaven’s nor God’s favor.

If gods are not righteous, then go destroy gods.

If Heaven is not fair, then go challenge Heaven!

May our human race’s torch never be extinguished, passing from generation to generation, competing with Heaven and Earth, bending but breaking.

Clang!

Yellow Emperor drew his Xuanyuan Sword, shouldering the Kongtong Seal, ancestral dragon qi coiling around him, sword brows containing anger as he commanded the three armies!

“March!”