“Brother Changshou?”

Ao Yi immediately looked around but couldn’t find Li Changshou’s figure anywhere.

When he gazed at the stone statue before him, the shock in his heart grew even stronger.

Could it be that Brother Changshou had started down the path of becoming a deity through incense and worship before even becoming immortal, using this divine statue to transmit his voice?

Seemingly perceiving Ao Yi’s thoughts, Li Changshou’s transmitted voice carried a light chuckle…

“Brother Yi, there’s no need to speak aloud for now. The causes and consequences of this matter are complex and difficult to explain quickly.

I am here right now – the statue floating and displaying divine power is merely a trick.

During our last conversation, I learned of Brother Yi’s deep concerns about the Dragon Clan’s current predicament. I’ve been contemplating some countermeasures on your behalf.

If you trust me, please have these South Sea Dragon Palace immortal dragon soldiers temporarily withdraw to the South Sea, and wait here for a moment.

After I manifest divine power for this celebration, I will meet with you again. What do you say?”

Ao Yi’s expression changed slightly, but he nodded imperceptibly.

Just as he was about to fly away, he heard Li Changshou transmit: “There is one thing I need Brother Yi’s help with…”

And so it went, thus and such.

After Li Changshou transmitted a couple of sentences, Ao Yi quickly nodded.

With a light shout from Ao Yi, a dragon’s roar suddenly rang out in the sky!

In an instant, auspicious light filled the air and clouds materialized!

Ao Yi revealed his hundred-zhang dragon form and nodded his dragon head at the Sea God statue. His elongated form swayed gently as he flew into the sky – quite a magnificent sight.

Below, the group of Bear Village warriors and the faithful all stared in amazement…

The Azure Dragon circled twice in the high sky before slowly flying back before the immortal dragon soldiers, transforming into that elegant youth.

“Second Brother!” Ao Mou rolled up his sleeves and immediately came forward.

“Second Brother, I’ve already sent someone back to mobilize troops. Today, we’ll level this South Sea Religion!

We’ll smash all their South Sea God temples here!”

“No,” Ao Yi frowned slightly. “Leave this matter to me. Take the troops back to the sea surface. Do not harm mortals and accumulate karmic obstacles.”

Ao Mou furrowed his brow. “Second Brother, aren’t we…”

He moved closer to Ao Yi and muttered in a low voice: “Isn’t this losing too much face?”

“Is face more important, or life?”

Ao Yi said calmly, “People – those we can avoid offending, we should avoid offending.

The word I speak of does not refer to living beings.”

People, not referring to living beings? Then that means…

The Way of Humanity School!

Realization dawned on Ao Mou’s face as he glared at the Sea God statue. “Second Brother, this is—!”

“Say no more, go first. I will handle this matter appropriately.”

Ao Yi raised his hand and patted Ao Mou’s arm. “If there’s a chance later, I’ll introduce you to a remarkable person.”

Ao Mou immediately caught his meaning and smiled:

“I understand. Second Brother, you stay here and handle business.

I’ll explain to Fairy Hanzhi that you have important matters here.

Later I’ll also bring a remarkable person… no, I’ll bring two!”

With that, Ao Mou winked meaningfully, then laughed heartily and waved his sleeve, issuing the order to withdraw troops with great authority.

The immortal dragon soldiers carried away the wounded, and this dark cloud immediately flew toward the South Sea.

Ao Yi rode a cloud to the nearby forest, paying no mind to the mortals’ prostrations and gazes.

Although Ao Yi could sense there were some misunderstandings in his conversation with Ao Mou, he couldn’t be bothered with such trivial matters now.

Ao Yi was very interested in the two things Li Changshou had mentioned.

[The Dragon Clan’s current predicament]

[This Sea God Religion wasn’t established by me]

The first made it impossible for Ao Yi to leave – he wanted to consult with Li Changshou to see if he could provide some insights.

The second sent Ao Yi’s thoughts racing…

If the Sea God Religion wasn’t established by Brother Changshou, then who established it?

Ao Yi had long known that the Way School, the Western Paradise, major religions, immortal sects, and various masters had been scheming over mortal incense offerings in South Jambudvipa for ages.

On the way here, Ao Yi had also heard Turtle Immortal mention that the South Sea Religion had grown to a considerable scale in just a few years – quite rare…

‘Could there be a Way of Humanity School master scheming behind this?

But why must Brother Changshou be the front man?’

In the forest, Ao Yi became lost in thought while watching the Sea God’s divine manifestation nearby.

At this moment, Ao Yi didn’t realize he had already fallen into Li Changshou’s “ring toss” trap.

If one wants to mislead someone…

“Mislead” isn’t quite accurate, since Li Changshou was also a proper Way School disciple – upright and honest, pure and clean. Besides liking to keep a few cards hidden, his nature wasn’t that of a great villain.

The accurate way to put it would be:

[If you want to lead someone astray, what should you do first?]

Step one – make them interested in what you’re saying. Getting them to stay is the beginning of everything.

Step two – which Li Changshou had just executed – was giving Ao Yi some hints while leaving enough room for imagination, letting Ao Yi brew his own thoughts.

Later, Li Changshou would choose his next steps based on Ao Yi’s reactions…

According to Li Changshou’s writings – which stood alongside the “Sutra of Stability” and could be considered one of Sister Apprentice Ling’e’s teaching materials, one of the “Three Treasures of Stability from Little Qiong Peak” – the “Treatise on Tactics”:

The third step could be feigning defeat to capture, advancing by retreating, or guiding based on circumstances…

In any case, by choosing to stay, Ao Yi already had one foot in the quagmire.

Li Changshou calculated that his chances of surviving this tribulation had increased by two or three percent!

After stabilizing Ao Yi, next would be properly dealing with this Bear Village.

…

The statue emanated immortal light from midair before slowly descending. Below, whether Bear Village warriors or faithful followers, all continued kowtowing.

A shadowy figure flew out from the statue – its face indistinct, its form seemingly composed of light.

This was actually one of Li Changshou’s small trump cards – the “Flying Feather Substitute Technique” specially used for escape, capable of creating three identical false bodies in an instant.

The false bodies were formed from immortal power and could be condensed directly within the stone statue.

He just hadn’t expected this escape technique would be used here today…

But it didn’t matter – Li Changshou had several complete escape methods.

[Escape techniques are just the foundation – these “little tricks” for adapting to circumstances are equally important]

The false body slowly opened its mouth, its voice spreading throughout the mountains. Over a hundred thousand mortals knelt silently on the ground, quietly listening.

“I manifest my divine spirit to guide you all toward enlightenment.

Be diligent and frugal, friendly and protective of the elderly and young.

Fear not hardship, and you shall attain fortunate fruits.

Today I transmit the Sea God Religion’s teachings. You must always remember them, be good people, and follow Heaven and Earth…”

Then Li Changshou reorganized the Sea God Religion teachings he had heard over the past few days, simply explaining them in three-character phrases, mixing in some of his Sutra of Stability…

While one paper puppet in the statue base recited scriptures, another paper puppet had already returned.

Li Changshou secretly observed the Bear Village people’s reactions and found that the vast majority of the Bear Village warriors knelt on the ground with faces full of reverence.

But the old village chief and several high priests now wore complicated expressions as they knelt, their faces showing bewilderment.

What? There was a Sea God?

“Hmph!”

These people suddenly heard a cold snort, as Li Changshou’s other paper puppet transmitted into their minds:

“Years ago when I was patrolling the sea, you pulled me from my undersea carriage and saw my true form.

You knew I was the Sea God, yet you built temples and shrines for me across the South Sea territory.

How is it that now when I appear, you kneel but do not kowtow?”

The old village chief frowned and was about to signal to the others to temporarily kowtow…

But several high priests beside him suddenly rolled their eyes back and slowly collapsed, lying scattered on the ground.

The old village chief was immediately startled.

Li Changshou’s voice entered the old village chief’s ears: “I will take their souls for punishment for a few days. They will awaken in a few days.

Then you can ask them if they remember anything.”

—Actually, it was just some immortal sedative powder; Li Changshou had increased the dose somewhat.

The old village chief shuddered a few times, his Adam’s apple trembling, as Li Changshou’s transmission continued entering his ears like demonic sounds…

“Did you truly think that because you have some Shaman Race blood, I could do nothing to you?

It was only because of old ties with your ancestors that I’ve ignored your use of my name to accumulate wealth.

Did your ancestors not pass down teachings strictly ordering you not to venture out much, to live in obscurity in that corner?

Did they not also pass down teachings forbidding you from taking many wives from outside villages, allowing women to take in husbands but not marry out?

Were there not also special teachings for each generation’s village leader, telling you to be content with your lot and not cause trouble?

And you, what have you done these years?”

Cold sweat poured down the old village chief’s body as he trembled more violently, his pupils beginning to dilate.

The Sea God…

Each “did they not” felt like a thousand-pound weight pressing down on the old village chief’s back, constantly pressing him lower and lower.

That voice appeared in his mind again:

“Do you want your Bear Village to continue existing?

If not, I can simply erase you, to avoid bringing shame to your ancestors.”

“Want to! Want to!”

The old village chief hurriedly shouted, raising his head to look at the statue, just happening to see the ethereal figure lecturing on the statue.

The latter also happened to lower his eyes, looking down.

In that instant, it was as if the statue had come alive, those eyes full of coldness.

The old village chief was ultimately just a “mortal.” At this moment his mental defenses completely collapsed. He prostrated himself on the ground, continuously kowtowing with tears and mucus flowing…

“Sea God, punish me, just punish me!

I was greedy, I was greedy!

This idea was mine, our village people all listened to me!”

“In that case, your soul shall also come to receive punishment for a few days.”

Li Changshou snorted coldly again as a wisp of sedative entered the old village chief’s nostrils. The old man instantly collapsed on the ground.

Just then, the “Sea God” who had finished teaching the doctrine slowly dissipated above the statue.

A transmitted voice entered the minds of the remaining Bear Village people.

“Continue the celebration and maintain order here. Let no one be harmed.

The High Priest has been greedy for a long but fortunately did not commit great errors.

Today I apply slight punishment, taking his soul back for discipline. He will awaken in a few days.

Since you revere me as Sea God, you should henceforth follow the principle of benefiting all beings and enlightening the ignorant. Do not engage in filthy and despicable acts. Bear the responsibility of divine envoys and protect all faithful followers!”

The voice gradually faded, along with the light on the statue…

The group of Bear Village warriors shuddered, looking at the High Priest and high priests lying scattered at the statue’s feet, not daring to step forward and help them up.

Indeed, the village chief was too greedy and suffered the Sea God’s punishment…

Seeing this, many followers also cheered, loudly praising the Sea God’s glory.

The Sea God celebration continued as followers grew unprecedentedly excited, taking turns coming forward to offer incense and pray for blessings.

Li Changshou calculated that his incense merit…

Was skyrocketing.

…

Ao Yi sat cross-legged in the forest clearing, quietly contemplating the Sea God Religion teachings he had just heard, his heart gaining even more admiration for “Brother Changshou.”

Nearby, over a hundred thousand humans continued celebrating. Ao Yi watched the clouds of merit rising from there, his gaze showing a hint of envy.

Once upon a time, the Dragon Clan had also been like this…

“Brother Yi?”

A voice came from the side. Ao Yi hurriedly stood up to look and saw a middle-aged Daoist approaching unhurriedly.

The Daoist smiled and recited a poem they had read when they last met. Ao Yi also noticed he was using an illusion technique and immediately understood something.

Ao Yi carefully sensed that this Daoist still had Return to Void Realm eighth stage cultivation – his identity was confirmed without a doubt.

—Way of Humanity School Degree Immortal disciple, Li Changshou.

Li Changshou bowed and said: “I’ve made Brother Yi laugh.”

“Brother Changshou is too formal,” Ao Yi cupped his hands in greeting as they strolled together.

Li Changshou had already observed Ao Yi’s reactions and drawn some conclusions, knowing which “third step” he should choose next.

Li Changshou looked at Ao Yi, set up a simple sound barrier around them, and said seriously, “What does Brother Yi think of this South Sea Religion?”

Ao Yi slowly nodded and said: “The teachings guide people to do good, not merely a sect plundering incense offerings – quite meaningful.”

Li Changshou smiled as if he had anticipated this response.

Ao Yi couldn’t help lowering his voice to ask: “Brother Changshou, can you reveal something?

This Sea God Religion is it…”

Li Changshou immediately shook his head, pointing up, then at his mouth, then down.

Ao Yi seemed to understand yet not understand, feeling dazed, immediately grasping something.

‘Indeed it’s as I thought – Brother Changshou is just the frontman, it’s Way of Humanity School masters collecting incense merit.’

Li Changshou smiled again and sighed: “Those divine envoys just now caused some injury to the Dragon Palace immortal soldiers – I truly feel bad about it.”

Ao Yi started, then thought of something else.

‘Not just Way of Humanity School masters – there are Shaman Race schemes behind this too!’

A certain Sea God: I haven’t said anything at all.

Ao Yi immediately smiled: “Don’t worry, this is just a small matter. I’ll give them a word of warning later.”

Ao Yi looked up at the “Li Changshou” beside him, feeling emotional.

“Brother Changshou asked earlier if I knew of the Dragon Clan’s troubles – how much does Brother Changshou know?”

Li Changshou sighed:

“No immediate external worries, yet ancient disasters remain. Living in drunken dreams while the sea eye struggles to hold.

Brother Yi, I roughly know what you’ve done, but it’s difficult for you alone to reverse this situation.”

Li Changshou paused, secretly observing Ao Yi’s eyes.

Just now, he had used a series of misleading techniques, like [Deliberate Blanks], [Implicit Hints], [Let You Imagine], [Step by Step Into the Trap]…

But the highest level of misleading was not speaking yourself, but letting the other party actively make the request you want.

Thus, karma could be transferred.

Perhaps in the end, Ao Yi would even be deeply grateful and say “Thank you Brother Changshou for the guidance.”