When Zhao Gongming arrived at the Three Xiao Sisters’ wine-drinking heart-to-heart gathering, he first let out a series of sighs, then furrowed his brows tightly:

“Your elder brother can’t figure it out!

Could it be that your Senior Sister Jin Ling still thinks the Western Sage won’t intervene directly?

She insists that our Severing Sect has victory firmly in hand, that we needn’t do much, just wait for the right moment, stand on moral high ground, and then act when the time comes.

How can we succeed if we don’t take initiative in planning if we don’t devise ways to make the Western Sect’s Sage wary at crucial moments?

Tell me, can this work?”

The Three Xiao Sisters: …

Qiong Xiao asked softly: “Big Brother, did you… fight with Sister-in-law Jin Ling?”

“What fight? How is this a fight!” Zhao Gongming slammed the table several times, “This is having a reasonable disagreement, trying to persuade each other to accept our respective ideas!”

Qiong Xiao covered her mouth and laughed lightly: “If that’s not a fight…”

“Fine, we did fight,”

Zhao Gongming’s expression was full of gloom as he said quietly: “But you tell me, should we just wait around doing nothing?”

Bi Xiao smiled: “It’s not like we’re doing nothing! Look, we’ve even brewed several jars of wine!”

Zhao Gongming said seriously: “If we don’t actively plan for the great tribulation, we might as well flee to the Chaos Sea and become deserters.

We need to get moving, strive, and at least practice our battle formations so we can withstand the Western Sect’s two Sages when necessary!

Also, are you like Jin Ling, not considering who Second Uncle Master will support when we contend with Big Uncle Master?”

“Of course, he’ll support us!”

Qiong Xiao said seriously: “With Brother-in-law here, what’s there to fear?”

“Yes, your Senior Sister Jin Ling said the same thing,” Zhao Gongming glared, scolding: “These are all short-sighted views!”

Yun Xiao slightly furrowed her brows but didn’t refute this statement.

“Big Brother, now you’re just being argumentative,” Qiong Xiao said, “Though the great tribulation approaches and the killing tribulation descends, we are firstly senior disciples, and secondly not weak ourselves, so what’s there to fear?

Moreover, with Brother-in-law mediating, even if we encounter some thorny issues, there will be solutions.”

“Not necessarily.”

Zhao Gongming sighed: “True, our abilities aren’t weak, but how long can we four siblings hold off a Sage?

The Western Sect must now have their Sages personally intervening, using revenge for the Severing Sect destroying Spirit Mountain as a pretext to cause us trouble, perhaps even directly striking to kill us.

We must guard against this.”

Bi Xiao muttered softly: “Brother-in-law’s calculations are miraculous, he should have preparations already.”

Zhao Gongming entered his patient explanation mode, speaking quietly:

“Have you thought about it this way?

Though we have Changsheng’s help, he will only protect our lives.

If later Big Uncle Master calculates which side will win, to protect the Dao Sect’s vitality, he might assist the side already having an advantage.

We can’t consider issues from our perspective alone, nor simply think that Changsheng can influence Big Uncle Master’s judgment.

It’s the opposite.

Changsheng must listen to Big Uncle Master.”

Bi Xiao blinked: “Put that way, aren’t we in some trouble?”

“I think Big Brother’s words are somewhat incorrect,” Qiong Xiao withdrew her smile and said seriously, “Brother-in-law is now the master of tribulation, Big Uncle Master should heed his opinions.

Big Uncle Master won’t necessarily only help the advantaged side. If both sides are equal, he will lean toward us, or help neither side.

Brother-in-law must surely side with the Severing Sect.”

“Ah, you two don’t understand Changsheng as well as Second Sister and I do.”

Zhao Gongming let out a long sigh and drained the jade wine before him in one gulp.

Yun Xiao said: “Our involvement in the tribulation has already entangled him greatly. We needn’t speak more of this matter, lest we put him in a difficult position.”

“I’m just lamenting here a bit.

How could I not understand Changsheng’s various past actions that I’ve witnessed?”

Zhao Gongming’s smile was rather bitter: “I met him at the Sea God Temple, and afterward we became confidants worthy of entrusting our lives to each other, brothers.

His various past concerns, several hints, constantly urging me to comprehend the Ocean Stabilizing Zhenzhu, even giving me treasures that could enlighten the pearl.

Why? Isn’t it all for my life?

Let alone that your elder brother’s path ahead likely holds great tribulation and disaster, just these considerations he’s taken…

Your elder brother has roamed the primordial chaos for many years, yet is so carefully looked after by Changsheng who has cultivated for not long – I truly don’t know what to say.”

Bi Xiao muttered softly: “Maybe Brother-in-law just wants to protect Sister and doesn’t want Big Brother to fall into karma.”

Zhao Gongming couldn’t help but glare.

Is that how it is?

Qiong Xiao said from the side: “Now that Big Brother mentions it, I somewhat feel it too.

Brother-in-law might protect our lives, but won’t necessarily favor our Severing Sect.

Compared to the Enlightenment Sect disciples’ backgrounds, our Severing Sect could be called a mixed bag, or to put it harshly, a haven for the corrupt.

The Red Lotus incident should have been Brother-in-law’s effort for our Severing Sect, but the Red Lotus shattered – and then the business of buying and selling registered disciples happened. Brother-in-law must be quite disappointed in our Severing Sect.”

Zhao Gongming sighed: “The structure has grown too large, hard to manage now.”

“The Chaos Bell is unwilling to suppress our sect’s fate – how difficult must our sect’s fate be to suppress?” Bi Xiao said worriedly.

Yun Xiao asked: “How far has Elder Brother comprehended the mysteries of the Ocean Stabilizing Zhenzhu?”

“The most crucial step,” Zhao Gongming produced an ancient ruler, then put it away, “But I always feel something is missing, unable to take the final step…

It’s like lacking, hmm, lacking Heaven’s Mandate.”

“Heaven’s Mandate?”

Yun Xiao pondered briefly but couldn’t comprehend it either, and could only sigh softly.

These four siblings sat in the pavilion discussing matters of the great tribulation, but could only worry about the path ahead and the Severing Sect’s fate, unable to propose any solutions or brilliant strategies.

The structure of the Investiture of the Gods tribulation was too simple – just the three sects fighting, burying the experts, and greatly developing the Heavenly Court.

But the simpler such a structure, the more stable it was inherently. Breaking through became more difficult, and there were fewer paths to take.

Zhao Gongming stayed at Three Immortal Island for half a day, his troubled mood largely recovered, and bid farewell to his three sworn sisters before leaving.

“No choice, once the anger subsides I should quickly go apologize. Can’t keep having friction with her – I am a man, after all, I should know when to yield.”

After Zhao Gongming left, Yun Xiao pondered for a while, returned to her tower chambers, gazed at the portrait on the wall for a moment, and then found silk and writing implements. She lifted the brush and wrote a small line.

[My Lord, have you received this letter safely? Respectfully, Yun Xiao.]

Frowning slightly, Yun Xiao felt somewhat troubled. After careful consideration, she dissolved the writing on the silk.

Soon after, a paper crane flew out the window, transformed into a white crane outside, spread its wings and flew into the mist beyond the island, then disappeared from sight.

Several hours later, at the Taibai Palace in the Heavenly Court.

Li Longshou’s paper avatar sat in the depths of the great hall, looking at the blank silk before him, three question marks slowly rising on his forehead.

This was…

Did Yun accidentally send a blank letter due to carelessness?

The possibility of such a situation occurring seemed truly low.

Hmm, could it be that because of the Chang’e matter, Yun was somewhat concerned in her heart but didn’t know how to express it, and thus used this method to show she was at a loss for words?

What should be done about this?

Li Longshou hummed thoughtfully. At this delicate moment, it wasn’t convenient to go to Three Immortal Island, so he could only write a letter, fold it into a paper crane, and send it there.

The opening was straightforward and quite direct:

‘Yun, let me explain, this matter isn’t as the rumors outside suggest!’

Cross-server communication was most fatal.

…

Rumble rumble—

Wooden wheels kept rolling on the main road, the luxurious carriage swaying with every slight undulation of the road surface.

In the carriage, the woman wearing a light red dress sighed softly, her eyes carrying some helplessness, her lips bearing a slightly bitter smile.

The carriage had a large escort of armored soldiers before and after, along with several generals riding horses and exotic beasts, chatting casually while remaining vigilantly aware of all areas ahead.

The woman in the carriage was no ordinary person; they dared not relax their vigilance.

The procession carried two banners, one reading ‘North,’ one reading ‘Su,’ making the woman’s identity in the carriage self-evident.

Su Da Ji, daughter of Ji Province Lord Su Hu, had been renowned for her beauty since girlhood, and now, with Ji Province’s recent defeat and Su Hu offering his daughter, was on her way to Zhaoge City.

The journey to Zhaoge was long, and she would have to endure months of jolting travel, but for her parents and brother, she would have to bear it.

Before departure, an old woman who would normally only appear on her wedding night had instructed her in matters between men and women, teaching her some bedroom arts. Su Da Ji understood that her journey was to please King Di Xin, only thus could she protect her family.

“Ah…”

Su Da Ji sighed softly. If not going to Zhaoge City, she would have married into some great feudal lord’s family, and to avoid causing trouble for her parents and brother, she would still have had to deliberately please others.

‘What difference does it make?’

Su Da Ji thought thus.

This was probably the inescapable fate for women like her.

Underground, Li Longshou crossed his arms, his form ‘backstroking’ through the earth, carefully observing Su Da Ji’s situation.

The current Su Da Ji was merely mortal; arranging things for her wouldn’t have the effect of absorbing variables.

He would have to wait until dusk at the next relay station when the nine-tailed fox demon Xiao Lan would possess her body—then she would become a minor variable in the great tribulation: Demon Consort Da Ji.

How should he arrange things for Da Ji?

It was quite troublesome. He couldn’t just give Da Ji some erotic art scrolls to make her and Di Xin’s happy life more fulfilling.

Li Longshou considered back and forth, concluding he could only play it by ear. If there was an opportunity to arrange things later he would, and if not, like with Lei Zhenzi, suitable opportunities would come eventually.

At nightfall, the troops made camp near a relay station.

The station was surrounded by three layers deep inside and out, with Su Da Ji and two maids staying in a large room.

After bathing, changing clothes, and arranging her long hair, Su Da Ji was about to rest and relieve the day’s travel fatigue. The two maids bowed and withdrew.

Suddenly a wind arose, and an invisible mist spread throughout the room.

Da Ji, who had just laid down, immediately relaxed completely, her head tilting as she fell into deep sleep.

A wisp of green smoke floated in through the window, transforming into an alluring figure in red clothes, walking slowly to the bedside.

The candlelight flickered, the screen casting her shadow, hazy yet soul-stirring.

Xiao Lan gazed at the sleeping Da Ji, her heart full of the warnings she had heard while kneeling at Holy Mother’s feet.

Enter the mortal world, find an opportunity to reach Di Xin’s side, use her charm to interfere with Di Xin, make him neglect state affairs, and promote the dynasty’s change.

This was Holy Mother’s assigned task, which she could neither refuse nor had any room to decline.

Xiao Lan didn’t understand why Holy Mother wanted to punish the current human sovereign in this way, but she knew she only needed to borrow this human woman’s shell to complete Holy Mother’s instructions.

“Excuse me.”

Xiao Lan exhaled softly, placing a finger on Su Da Ji’s forehead, slowly drawing out her soul.

“Do you want to do this?”

A voice suddenly rang out in her heart. Xiao Lan was startled, recognizing it as the voice of Heaven’s Taibai Star, almost crushing Su Da Ji’s soul in fright.

“Lord Star-Lord!”

Xiao Lan called out trembling, seeing a man standing behind the screen—naturally Li Longshou’s paper avatar. She hurriedly knelt.

“Aren’t you afraid of accumulating a karmic burden?” Li Longshou asked in return.

Xiao Lan was momentarily speechless.

“Lord Star-Lord, Holy Mother commanded…”

“Since I appear before you thus, I naturally know the matter,” Li Longshou said calmly. “Remember, speak no more of Holy Mother; what you’re about to do cannot see the light of day.

Though Holy Mother doesn’t mind others’ idle talk, you should mind your own words.”

“Yes,” Xiao Lan answered trembling.

“Very well, continue.”

Li Longshou’s form slowly dissipated as he casually explained: “I was just passing by, don’t think too much of it.”

Done.

Xiao Lan was covered in cold sweat, kneeling on the ground for a while before coming to her senses. Turning to look at the sleeping Su Da Ji, she hesitated slightly, deep in thought.

Soon after, Xiao Lan still acted again, drawing out Su Da Ji’s soul but not erasing it, instead storing it in her nine tails. Then Xiao Lan herself transformed into a stream of light, entering Su Da Ji’s forehead.

The next instant, ‘Su Da Ji’ opened her eyes, her lips showing a faint smile, the shadows of nine white fox tails spread across the bed.

She sighed softly and changed position to feign sleep while thinking about what to do.

Learning to be a villain from scratch wasn’t an easy thing.

Meanwhile, Li Longshou kept pondering how to prevent the meeting between Jiang Shang and Da Ji.

The tone of this Investiture of the God tribulation was truly puzzling.

Had he changed the heavenly path’s script too much?

No, the changes made so far still weren’t enough to ensure those he cared about could smoothly escape the great tribulation.

The heavenly path or the Dao Ancestor must have other calculations.

Usually, when the heavenly path and Dao Ancestor act, their purpose isn’t as simple as just one thing.

They should have a basic goal, and then continuously extend second, third, and fourth-layer purposes from that foundation.

The foundation must be achieved, with the subsequent layers having different priorities.

The basic goal of the Investiture of the God tribulation must be to reduce the power of living beings and greatly develop the Heavenly Court.

Li Longshou shifted his divine consciousness back to the Li Manor in Chen Tang Pass, his divine sense watching the soundly sleeping little Nezha, chuckling twice.

Carefree and thoughtless were truly correlated.

Hmm?

How is that little dragon active again so quickly?

Even for a dragon race, even with an iron-forged physique, busy in the sea by day and busy on land by night—how could anyone withstand this?

“Should I remind the East Sea Dragon King to exercise some proper control?”

Li Longshou stroked his chin, muttering.

Although using his looks to get by and deceiving women’s hearts with honeyed words wasn’t illegal, it was truly quite unethical.

Never mind, this little dragon didn’t have many years left to live anyway.

And so, two years later.

[Da Ji entered the palace for a year and a half, gained Di Xin’s favor, and was made Noble Consort.

Di Xin was diligent in state affairs and distant from the inner palace but summoned Da Ji to accompany him every night. Queen Jiang gradually became dissatisfied, wanting to punish Da Ji.

Di Xin began widely employing talented commoners and slaves not born to privilege as officials throughout Shang territory. The various families in Zhaoge City were somewhat dissatisfied but were early pacified by Di Xin.

After Su Hu, rebellious feudal lords grew increasingly numerous. Wen Zhong campaigned east and west, constantly on distant expeditions, secretly using magic, and repeatedly returning to Zhaoge City to discuss matters with Di Xin.

The Shang territory remained stable as a mountain, without upheaval. In Zhaoge City, undercurrents surged but dared not surface.]