The Dragon Clan had fought against mosquitoes and somehow ended up the victor.

When Li Changshou received the Dragon Clan’s gifts of gratitude, he only had a vague feeling about this. But when he received the Jade Emperor’s rewards delivered by Master Dongmu, Li Changshou finally understood completely…

Though the Dragon Clan had won this battle, he was truly the one who profited.

He had only spent some words and wasted a bit of immortal power. The Sea God Religion suffered the loss of several temple buildings, yet in return received a small mountain of treasures.

Moreover, he had gained the Dragon Clan’s gratitude and given them quite a favor.

This kind of deal, he would take as many times as it came…

But still, it would be best if nothing happened at all.

The Dragon Palace’s gifts were mostly precious materials and spirit stones, with a smaller portion being coral, pearls, night pearls, and other pure “treasures.”

Common items like gold and silver were naturally beneath the Dragon Palace’s dignity too.

The precious materials and spirit stones, along with those dozens of large chests, were all collected by Li Changshou’s paper avatar. These had little use in the mortal world.

Having many storage pouches proved critically important here!

Of those treasures, Li Changshou awarded some to the bear tribe’s shamanic divine envoys who had performed well and kept some for temple construction.

Next…

Li Changshou estimated that just counting and processing these materials, putting shamanic restrictions on them, would keep his two paper avatars busy for ten days to half a month.

But with this assistance…

The comprehensive defense formation of Little Qiong Peak, as well as the Little Qiong Peak wandering plan, could take a big step forward!

Although he had powerful backing now, he still needed to—ahem…

Though he now had big shots supporting him, he still needed to make thorough preparations for unexpected needs.

‘When good things happen, if one becomes too pleased, bad things of varying degrees will inevitably occur.’

Li Changshou pondered quietly, as the joy in his heart gradually transformed into worry, and he began examining everything around him.

However, just as Li Changshou had counted half of the Dragon Palace’s gifts, that familiar figure came again to the familiar old street, entering the familiar temple door…

The arrival was naturally Master Dongmu, bringing the Jade Emperor’s rewards.

Li Changshou had one paper avatar transform into a white-haired, thin elderly man, holding a duster and wearing white robes, who emerged from the ground to meet with Master Dongmu.

—Li Changshou’s previous reminder to Master Dongmu about meeting at a different Sea God temple had completely fallen on deaf ears.

After entering the mountain-water spirit painting, Master Dongmu showed concern and asked: “Is the Sea God well?”

“I am well, thank you for your concern, Master Dongmu.”

“This time, it’s not just this poor Daoist who is concerned, but His Majesty sent me here as well.”

“Oh? Many thanks for His Majesty’s concern!”

Li Changshou cupped his hands toward the air, though his smiling expression barely changed.

Master Dongmu secretly observed, somehow feeling that when meeting this Sea God’s… paper avatar this time, his divine and Daoist aura seemed slightly different.

It seemed…

This Sea God appeared more composed and confident than before, even his white hair had become smoother and more lustrous.

“Sea God, these are His Majesty’s rewards for you.”

Master Dongmu held up two storage bracelets and said with a smile: “Since the Heavenly Court’s decree hasn’t been formally established yet, and your divine position hasn’t been properly ordained, there won’t be a ceremonial procession for these rewards this time.”

Li Changshou stepped forward, holding the treasures in his hands, and said solemnly: “Many thanks for His Majesty’s rewards!”

Then, without even looking, he casually took one bracelet and stepped forward half a step, offering it to Master Dongmu.

“Master Dongmu…”

“Ah, what are you doing? I’m not that kind of immortal official!”

Master Dongmu frowned and waved his hands, while Li Changshou smiled and continued offering, saying things like “It’s all thanks to Master Dongmu’s kind words before His Majesty” and “Consider it a belated wedding gift for Master Dongmu”…

Outside the mountain-water spirit painting, one could see the two figures inside pushing and yielding to each other, taking quite a while before finally settling down.

Thus, the Jade Emperor’s rewards were halved just like that.

Li Changshou’s heart twitched, but he knew this was a necessary step;

According to what he learned from chatting with the Old Man Under the Moon, this was exactly how things worked among the Heavenly Court’s immortal officials…

Afterward, the two chatted briefly about trivial matters.

Li Changshou didn’t rush to speak about the Dragon Clan matter to the Jade Emperor—not only was the timing not right but saying too much could easily make His Majesty suspicious.

Master Dongmu tried several times to bring up the matter of “titles,” but each time, Li Changshou skillfully redirected the conversation without leaving any traces.

Finally, Master Dongmu had no choice but to ask directly:

“Though our friendship has deepened, I still don’t know your Daoist title, which is truly impolite.

May I know your honorable title? So this poor Daoist can report back to our Emperor.”

Li Changshou immediately nodded with a smile, though his thoughts were racing rapidly.

Report his real name?

Wouldn’t that waste his Holy Teacher’s effort in concealing his heavenly fate?

Although his plans still involved serving in the Heavenly Court, following behind the Jade Emperor and Lord Lao, this hadn’t changed;

But if the Jade Emperor knew that the South Sea God wasn’t some hidden expert of Human Teaching, but rather a minor disciple, that old immortal image would be ruined instantly.

His prestige would be greatly diminished, making future actions quite inconvenient.

Regarding the Jade Emperor, Li Changshou still wanted to maintain a certain mystique…

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

His name was Li Changshou, so why not…

Li Changshou smiled and said:

“Mystical gate of true wonder,

Immortal spirit self-nurturing.

No separate path intended,

Seeking longevity through attaining the Dao.”

Master Dongmu frowned and asked: “Friend’s Daoist title is hidden within these four lines?”

Li Changshou smiled and asked in return: “Does Master Dongmu know what titles are used in the Human Teaching, from top to bottom?”

Master Dongmu couldn’t help but ponder—the Human Teaching from top to bottom, weren’t there just two people?

One was the Supreme Clarity Holy Lord, and one was the Great Law Master of the Mysterious Capital…

Indeed, the Great Law Master of the Mysterious Capital himself had no Daoist title or name, and with the Taiji Diagram suppressing his fate, he could remain untouched by karma.

Perhaps experts of the Human Teaching all disliked using names?

Then how did they introduce themselves daily?

This poor Daoist, Middle Law Master of the Mysterious Capital; this poor Daoist, Little Whirlwind of the Mysterious Capital; this poor Daoist, Little Tyrant of the Supreme Clarity Temple…

Master Dongmu collected himself and said with a bitter smile: “But how should I report this to His Majesty?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “This poor Daoist will take a title now. From today onwards, I shall be known as Daoist Changgeng. Master Dongmu may report this to His Majesty.”

“Excellent!”

Master Dongmu immediately showed a smile, bowed to Li Changshou, and hurried back to the Heavenly Palace to report.

After seeing Master Dongmu off, Li Changshou finally looked at the Jade Emperor’s rewards, which were nothing more than some spirit stones and precious materials, with nothing particularly rare.

Though the Heavenly Court had much merit now, it didn’t necessarily have many treasures.

After receiving gifts from the Dragon Clan and rewards from the Jade Emperor, Li Changshou spent a month processing the materials he could use, secretly transporting them back to the Immortal-Achieving Gate.

Li Changshou found Ling’e and reminded her not to neglect her cultivation;

Then he went to report to his master, saying he needed to go into closed cultivation for five to ten years and asked his master to supervise his junior sister’s cultivation.

Afterward, Li Changshou fully activated the formation around the pill room.

He needed to properly comprehend the two jade talismans given by the Great Law Master of the Mysterious Capital, refine the precious materials into formation bases, and think about how to handle the Dragon Clan’s entry into the Heavenly Court.

As for the title he reported to the Jade Emperor…

Just hearing “Daoist Changgeng,” it would be difficult to establish any direct connection with his real name.

How many eldest sons were there in the world?

Moreover, outside the Immortal-Achieving Gate, how many people knew of Li Changshou?

‘Geng’ carried the meaning of ‘age,’ asking someone “How noble is your geng?” was asking their age.

“Changgeng” referred to longevity, which was naturally similar in meaning to “Changshou.”

His surname was Li, given name Changshou, title Daoist Changgeng—no problem.

If being more technical, Daoist Changgeng was just the title of one of his paper avatars, so what of it?

“Hmm?

This Daoist Changgeng…”

Sitting in the underground secret chamber, Li Changshou frowned in thought, slight confusion arising in his heart.

If one added his surname to this Daoist title…

Li… Changgeng?

Somehow, this name seemed slightly familiar, but when carefully searching his memories, he couldn’t say exactly where he had heard it before.

Perhaps it was some kind of mysterious resonance.

Li Changshou pondered this question carefully for several days, and feeling there was nothing inappropriate about this title, only then did he go to meet Ao Yi in dreams.

He reminded Ao Yi through a warning to the Dragon Clan that the Western Teaching’s desire to tame dragons wasn’t dead, and they definitely wouldn’t give up so easily;

At the same time, Li Changshou also advised Ao Yi not to leave Golden Turtle Island without Dragon Clan experts escorting him.

Golden Turtle Island had a small path leading to the Holy Teacher’s residence, the Azure Flower Palace;

And since the Patriarch of the Original Heaven Teaching wielded the Four Swords of Demon Slaying and was an unrivaled powerhouse of the Primordial World, cultivating on Golden Turtle Island was as safe as cultivating in the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun.

After discussing with Ao Yi several times, Li Changshou had no further moves…

The Dragon Clan matter must wait for the right opportunity.

Relying on himself alone, or even with the Great Law Master’s power, they certainly couldn’t directly subjugate the Dragon Clan.

Li Changshou’s thoughts were very clear:

He needed to work with the natural flow of things, rather than forcing the issue.

Not only did he need to complete the task of getting the Dragon Clan into Heaven perfectly, but he also needed to do it beautifully, without getting entangled in karma himself!

In the underground secret chamber of Little Qiong Peak’s pill room.

Li Changshou took out those two jade talismans and placed them aside, still not looking at them yet.

He spread out a canvas again, stepped barefoot onto it, showed a thoughtful expression, and quickly drew with his brush…

A chicken leg, an orchid grass, and a small slingshot.

First plan things out, set up various countermeasures, and seek peace of mind before proceeding.

Opportunities only come to those who are prepared and can catch them.

…

Years flow like water in curved cups, and mountain forests whisper in quiet comfort.

In the second year of Li Changshou’s closed cultivation, Little Qiong Peak’s ‘strategy bucket’ opened again, though this time with a rule that only three bamboo lots would be given each day.

This meant that Li Changshou had already prepared strategies regarding the Dragon Clan, writing three boxes full of cloth scrolls;

Li Changshou was currently refining formation bases, while also comprehending the external avatar method given by the Great Law Master of the Mysterious Capital.

That scripture authored by the Holy Teacher was called “Supreme Clarity Dao Containment.”

Within it, Li Changshou saw some concepts from the later “Dao De Jing,” though there were significant differences between the two.

Li Changshou only dared to read the opening before stopping…

Not for any other reason, but because reading the opening brought forth cascading insights, and unstoppable enlightenment, forcing him to advance a small realm.

This wasn’t like the small realms before achieving immortality and ascending—at Li Changshou’s level, like the sect’s Supreme Elder, a small realm would take at least a hundred years to fully comprehend.

Holy Teacher’s scripture was indeed extraordinary!

Li Changshou estimated that after comprehending “Supreme Clarity Dao Containment” once, he wouldn’t be far from the Golden Immortal tribulation.

But at this time, he didn’t have much confidence in passing the tribulation, one could even say no confidence at all, as there was no reference for the Golden Immortal tribulation.

Li Changshou wasn’t in a hurry, thinking it better to accumulate more deeply, increase his chances, and then face the tribulation…

The external avatar method that the Great Law Master of the Mysterious Capital gave to Li Changshou naturally couldn’t be Supreme Elder Laozi’s ‘One Qi Becoming Three Clarities.’

This was an avatar divine ability called “Dao Unity Control.”

The Great Law Master of the Mysterious Capital had ‘taught according to ability,’ seeing Li Changshou’s paper avatar and giving him a method to perfect his paper avatars, complementing their various shortcomings.

This was the opportunity gained by exchanging true hearts!

Moreover, as Li Changshou turned over the opening contents of “Supreme Clarity Dao Containment” again and again, he suddenly had an insight—

Between the lines of the opening, it was filled with the character for ‘stability’!

Just kidding, kidding.

This was Supreme Clarity’s non-action, quite different from his path of seeking stability within stability.

On this day…

Li Changshou noticed a patrol disciple hurriedly coming from the immortal gate;

His immortal consciousness swept over the Little Qiong Peak Royal Card Room, saw three figures playing inside, and didn’t pay much attention to the matter.

You Qin Xuan Ya had come a few days ago, having made another breakthrough in her cultivation, taking another step closer to the heavenly tribulation of immortality.

She hadn’t seen Li Changshou, so… she was playing around with Senior Aunt Jiu Jiu and Junior Sister Ling’e.

As for that male disciple, riding an illusory crane made from eye-deceiving techniques, he flew to the airspace above Little Qiong Peak, but couldn’t find anyone when his spiritual consciousness swept through.

So, following the laughter coming from the direction of the spirit beast enclosure, he flew over there.

Just as this disciple arrived, he heard…

“Senior Sister You Qin, you weren’t like this before!

How can you cheat, if you lose you must accept the punishment!”

“I’ll win it back later, don’t draw these things on my face, it would be truly embarrassing if someone saw.”

That disciple couldn’t help but look down curiously through the window, seeing two beautiful figures playing around inside, and also saw that face with a turtle drawn in black ink…

The… First… Senior… Disciple?

Inside the room, Jiu Jiu suddenly said with a laugh: “There’s really someone watching outside.”

“Hmm?”

With a clang, the Fire Qilin sword case had already been drawn!