With Elder Zhao continuing to scam like this, things were becoming somewhat difficult to handle…

Corrupting the atmosphere of the Severing School and even the Dao Gate was a small matter, but if during the Investiture of the Gods war, when Zhao Gongming rushed to aid the Ten Heavenly Lords and consecutively defeated Guangcheng Zi, Chijing Zi, Daoxing Tianzun, and others… then captured them and threw them into the Ten Absolutes Linked Array…

‘Puh, you’re all so ruthless, the three schools were originally one family, I’ve shown mercy to you at every turn, yet you want to push me to death!

This injury won’t heal for several kalpas, come, follow me to Jade Void Palace to find Second Uncle Master!’

Then Qiong Xiao helps from the side with a few crying sounds…

Wouldn’t that be… completely chaotic?

Li Changshou raised his hand to his forehead, letting out a light groan.

Fortunately, the matter of the Investiture of the Gods list hadn’t been settled yet, the Sage Lords hadn’t yet signed and sealed it, so this didn’t count as causing karma yet.

What could he do about this?

The primordial world was vast, but if the Sage Lords didn’t act, who could control Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao?

Changes were already appearing on the Severing School’s side. Surely he didn’t need to go help the Enlightenment School’s great figures expand their tactical thinking as well?

This was naturally a joke – he couldn’t get away from these matters fast enough, how would he dare to get involved?

But this Elder Zhao…

He couldn’t become enemies with him, nor dare to associate too deeply. As for the Three Xiao Ladies, there was even less to say – such fierce people who dared to strike at the Sage Lords from behind, though they valued righteousness and emotions, still lacked some fortune and virtue.

Li Changshou couldn’t help but smile bitterly, his heart making a ‘ding’ sound as he secretly voiced over himself:

‘Would you like to start the Save the Three Xiao side quest? Quest rewards:混元 Golden Dipper, Golden Flood Dragon Scissors, the Three Xiao’s goodwill. Quest failure punishment: ashes.

No, ten thousand times no, thank you.’

Sigh…

That decree from the Jade Emperor, who knew when it would be ready. Currently, the Heavenly Court’s operational efficiency was truly too slow because it lacked too many proper deities.

With that decree, Li Changshou could receive the Heavenly Dao’s recognition and officially become the ‘Sea God’.

The South Sea God should be a proper deity position, and would also be Li Changshou’s first life-protecting talisman in the future Investiture of the Gods catastrophe.

Just then, the sound of sutra chanting with a strange accent came through the wind:

“Heaven and Earth’s proper law takes virtue as proper…”

At this time at the Three Schools Origin Flow Conference venue, several Golden Immortal boundary old Daoists were sitting in the small lake, taking turns explaining the great Dao of the three schools.

But Li Changshou didn’t quite dare to listen – if he was moved by something… that wouldn’t be good.

It seemed the Three Schools Origin Flow Conference would continue for quite a long period.

The matter of the Immortal Bird Cage, because the ‘final’ two bird cages were directly destroyed by Li Changshou and their ashes scattered on the spot, could be considered concluded.

But Li Changshou’s aftermath work hadn’t stopped.

After Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao left the Sea God Temple;

Li Changshou went to thank Sect Leader Ji Wuyou and voluntarily reported that Senior Cloud-riding Child had given him many treasures in the vase…

Ji Wuyou, the Empty Void Sect Leader of a small sect under a great school, naturally wouldn’t covet his small disciple’s treasures.

Though, he was quite envious.

Ji Wuyou didn’t forget to cough while repeatedly instructing Li Changshou — treasures were ultimately external things, and self-cultivation was fundamental.

Li Changshou repeatedly agreed.

Among the spirit treasures given by Senior Cloud-riding Child were defensive spirit treasures like immortal clothes and boots, as well as some jade pendants, necklaces, and other ornaments, all in men’s styles.

Among them was a spirit treasure grade imitation of Judge’s Brush, its power was quite impressive, and it provided good amplification for Li Changshou’s main battle divine ability [Writing Sutras into Law].

Li Changshou was quite fond of this counterfeit Judge’s Brush and made it his ‘main weapon’.

Cloud-riding’s products must be premium items!

The item that could be called a posterior spirit treasure was a small pagoda. This small pagoda had the effects of capturing people and subduing demons, and could also be used as a brick to hit people.

Li Changshou thought about it – currently, equipping paper avatars with posterior spirit treasures was still too extravagant…

When he had more posterior spirit treasures, it wouldn’t be too late to equip them to his paper avatar legion.

“Cousin, I’ve finished reading.”

Xiong Lingli, who was meditating on the ‘mattress’ at the side, obediently responded and handed the bamboo scroll to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou smiled and gave Xiong Lingli a pill for calming the spirit and satisfying hunger, transmitting: “Here, just endure for a while. When the conference is over, I’ll let you eat your fill.”

“It’s fine, Cousin, Lingli isn’t hungry.”

Xiong Lingli stuffed the pill into her mouth and said weakly, then couldn’t help but yawn.

Soon, that thunderous snoring arose again…

Jiuwu, who was meditating nearby, was awakened by the noise and opened a small crack in his eyes. With a fake mountain between the two of them, they began transmitting conversation.

“Changshou, I’ve never asked you before, have you considered the matter of a Dao companion?”

Li Changshou calmly transmitted back: “This disciple is intoxicated with the great Dao, and has no mind for Dao companion matters.

After Uncle Master used the Dragon Heart Pill, how is your relationship with Uncle Master Jiushi?”

“Harmonious and beautiful, quite good,” Jiuwu chuckled a few times, “What’s wrong with having a Dao companion? Except it’s taxing on the waist.

When you encounter difficulties in cultivation, you have someone to encourage you; when you feel the immortal path is lonely, you still have someone by your side to care for you.

Isn’t it good to have a companion on the immortal path?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “When my immortal path is peaceful when my great Dao is settled when my path ahead has only leisurely years, endless remaining life, I will naturally think about with whom to join hands as companions.”

“By that time, I’m afraid there will be no one by your side!”

Jiuwu advised somewhat dissatisfied, “All cultivators admire the long-life Dao, but how could the long-life Dao be so easily obtained?

Among the world’s cultivators, not even one in ten thousand.”

Li Changshou laughed softly, just about to turn around and advise Uncle Master Jiuwu to spend more time on cultivation daily when suddenly he felt some slight stirring in his heart.

What was going on today?

Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao had just left not long ago, and now East Wood Duke had come again.

Li Changshou said “Disciple will cultivate first” to Jiuwu, divided half his consciousness, and returned to his paper avatar of the old immortal skin.

…

Today’s East Wood Duke seemed somewhat… not quite right.

This high official of the Heavenly Court had lifeless eyes and unstable steps;

After seeing Li Changshou’s paper avatar, East Wood Duke neither exchanged pleasantries nor took out that treasure map, just cupped his hands and sighed, beginning to speak of the Jade Emperor’s decree.

The decree’s content was quite simple, just commending Li Changshou and giving him full responsibility for the [Dragon Tribe Ascending to Heaven] matter.

This time the rewards brought by East Wood Duke were quite abundant, from treasure materials and spirit pills to immortal herbs and immortal fruits, and some impractical precious silks and satins that were good for decorating mansions and cave dwellings.

Li Changshou bowed distantly toward the Nine Heavens Palace, thanking the Jade Emperor for the rewards, then took out two treasure pouches and handed them to East Wood Duke.

East Wood Duke waved his hand, this time not even saying half a polite word, just kept sighing…

“Wood Duke… what’s wrong with you?”

“I- I!”

East Wood Duke opened his mouth but was speechless, raised his head and took a light breath, “I cannot speak!”

Li Changshou frowned and said: “Are you bound by Great Dao oaths?”

“Alas!” East Wood Duke shook his head, sat down on a wooden chair at the side, raised his head, and let out a long sigh, “A lifetime’s reputation! This poor Daoist’s lifetime reputation!”

Li Changshou’s mouth corner twitched, and he frowned saying: “Wood Duke, you need not speak. If I guess correctly, just don’t speak or move.

Wood Duke, did you, when coming here, encounter two experts?”

East Wood Duke immediately stood still as wood.

Li Changshou raised his hand and rubbed his brow bone, some images floating in his mind…

The得意洋洋的 East Wood Duke, eating hotpot and singing songs, was knocked unconscious with a thud and woke up with disheveled clothes…

Uh, it shouldn’t be that script.

Li Changshou stood up and paced back and forth.

“Do you have any grudges with those who attacked you?”

“No grudge or enmity,” East Wood Duke smiled bitterly, “This matter cannot be mentioned. They didn’t lay hands on me, but, but… when did the primordial world develop such customs?

I didn’t even touch him, yet that old man fell! Fell!”

Rumble rumble–

Sudden muffled thunder sounded in the sky, and on the streets around the Sea God Temple there were shouts of [Collect the clothes, it’s raining!] and [Vegetables cheap sale on a rainy day].

East Wood Duke quickly shut his mouth, and the muffled thunder above his head immediately disappeared.

Li Changshou weighed his words and asked again: “Does Wood Duke know those two people?”

“How would I know them? They weren’t showing their true appearances!”

East Wood Duke let out a long sigh, “Cannot continue speaking, if I continue speaking, these Great Dao oaths will come!

Friend, when you go out recently, you must be very careful!

The primordial world is too complex, the path is blocked and slippery!

This poor Daoist, ah, will return to heaven now.”

Li Changshou: …

Fortunately, Wood Duke didn’t recognize the two great figures, and fortunately, they also didn’t lay hands on him.

Otherwise, if East Wood Duke went to cry to the Jade Emperor, and the Jade Emperor in anger went to cry to the Old Man Dao Ancestor, wouldn’t the Investiture of the Gods catastrophe come?

That Immortal Lady Qiong Xiao had an even more trouble-making nature than Zhao Gongming!

Isn’t this just increasing karma?

When the catastrophe falls, if you don’t get on the list who will?

“Wood Duke, Wood Duke!”

The paper avatar held his whisk and chased out of the Sea God Temple’s back hall, stopping East Wood Duke who was about to ride clouds to heaven, making him accept the ‘kickback’.

When East Wood Duke left, his departing figure was so desolate…

A gentle wind blew, making East Wood Duke shiver. He didn’t dare to continue flying slowly anymore, directly transformed into a beam of light and hurriedly rushed toward the South Heaven Gate.

Li Changshou’s old immortal paper avatar sat in the Sea God Temple deep in thought.

This matter…

He couldn’t manage it, could only let them be.

Now he just wanted to wait for the Three Schools Origin Flow Conference to end, for his true body to return to the Crossing Immortal Gate, to burn three sticks of incense before Grand Pure Laozi’s portrait and bow to the Sage Lord.

Grand Pure Lord above, the Dao Gate’s atmosphere was not corrupted by a small disciple who hadn’t even reached Golden Immortal!

Later he would remind Ao Yi to stay away from their Severing School’s outer door four great disciples, this was too…

Speaking of Ao Yi, Li Changshou couldn’t help but begin pondering what influence Zhao Gongming’s group going around scamming would have on the [Dragon Tribe Ascending to Heaven] matter.

There would naturally be an influence – striking at the Western School’s public experts would more or less delay the Western School’s calculations against the Dragon Tribe.

If Zhao Gongming could go scam Mosquito Daoist, that would truly be a wonderful thing…

It’s just that the possibility was too low.

Shaking his head, Li Changshou completely erased the aura from this place. This paper avatar used Earth Escape to disappear from the back hall, not forgetting to leave some wealth for the local temple keeper.

After arranging this Heavenly Immortal boundary paper avatar properly, Li Changshou continued waiting for the Three Schools Origin Flow Conference to end.

Who knew how long until this conference would conclude?

Those spirit beast seedlings in Little Qiong Peak’s spirit beast enclosure, who knew how many had been killed by Ling’e’s care…

…

Half a month later, in the Heavenly Court, the Old Man of the Moon Palace.

Wearing loose white robes, Grand Magus Xuandu floated over leisurely from the direction of Touśita Palace, the corners of his mouth carrying a few traces of a serene comfortable smile.

The Old Man of the Moon hurriedly welcomed him out of the great hall, leading two child servants, his body slightly leaning forward, expressing a warm welcome and sincere respect for Grand Magus Xuandu’s arrival.

Entering the Moon Palace, the Old Man of the Moon took the initiative to say: “Grand Magus, this time still… according to the old rules?”

“No,” the Grand Magus waved his hand, smiling saying, “Coming here this time is to tell Old Man of the Moon one thing – from now on there’s no need to do this anymore.”

The Old Man of the Moon froze, his legs going weak, almost directly kneeling.

The Old Man of the Moon hurriedly said: “Could it be this small immortal did something wrong?

Grand Magus, them not having children is truly not something this small immortal can control! This small immortal can only make marriage bonds!

They, they!”

“Oh?”

The Grand Magus raised his eyebrows, smiling and asking: “The Old Man of the Moon knew about this early on?”

“This,” the Old Man of the Moon sighed and said, “When cultivators form couples, they rarely have thoughts of raising children. This small immortal, this small immortal… please forgive this small immortal, Grand Magus!”

The Grand Magus smiled and waved his hand, saying gently:

“It has nothing to do with the Old Man of the Moon. It was my previous thoughts that were mistaken. Today I also came to thank and apologize to the Old Man of the Moon.

Here are some spirit pills, thank you for your trouble these years.”

“This small immortal dares not accept, this small immortal dares not accept!

Doing something for the Grand Magus, this small immortal is greatly honored!”

The Grand Magus was just about to persuade when suddenly his brows furrowed, some thoughts in his heart becoming unsettled as if something related to the Human Path was happening.

When the Old Man of the Moon saw the Grand Magus frown, his old hands trembled slightly, taking the initiative to ‘snatch’ over those jade bottles, his old face even turning somewhat pale…

Grand Magus Xuandu calculated with his fingers, soon showing a slight smile, cupped his hands to the Old Man of the Moon, and his form gently flickered before disappearing from the Moon Palace.

“Hmm… better go call Little Changshou, I shouldn’t appear directly either.”