The blood sword fell, its cold light flashing like a passing swan!

In this instant, Li Changshou’s mind turned over a dozen times, selecting the most stable path for the overall situation.

He immediately reacted, but only by striking out a palm to knock this dragon out of the hall…

The sword light closely pursued the dragon, and before the figure could land outside the door, the sword light had already severed his neck, sending his head flying!

This sword light…

Killing a peak Celestial Immortal realm dragon was as easy as cutting a watermelon…

Li Changshou secretly warned himself – the person scheming in the shadows had cultivation far beyond a mere Golden Immortal!

Dragon blood splattered everywhere, the corpse lying motionless before the hall;

The head, nearly identical to a human’s except for the horns, rolled down the steps, its eyes emitting an eerie light…

Li Changshou controlled his paper avatar to quickly walk out;

Everyone and Ao Yi’s divine sense saw this white-robed old immortal throw several emerald pearls and begin chanting sutras.

Soul-Catching Zhenzhu – Improved Long-lasting Version, capable of preserving remnant souls for several months or directly erasing them.

Several streams of light entered these Soul-Catching Zhenzhus – the remnant soul of this nostril dragon, though it was unclear if any useful fragmented memories remained within.

The Sea God Temple fell silent inside and out for a moment before mortal women’s panicked screams broke out, throwing everything into chaos.

“Sect Leader,” Ao Yi hurriedly said, “Just now that was…”

“The opponent must be hiding nearby observing,” Li Changshou said. “Any dragon experts who arrive next, if they weren’t invited by you, remember to investigate them secretly later.”

Ao Yi immediately nodded in agreement.

Then, Li Changshou pondered briefly and, to be safe, roughly explained to Ao Yi what might happen next.

As if coordinating with Li Changshou, just as he finished speaking, dragon calls echoed through the sky;

An Shui City’s weather suddenly changed as clouds gathered and lightning crossed the sky.

Before the Sea God Temple, the mortals had fallen into panic. The temple’s divine envoys were working hard to maintain order, organizing an orderly evacuation, and even willing to punch open the temple walls to prevent trampling accidents.

This was the [Sea God Temple Emergency Response Protocol] that Li Changshou had established long ago.

—It would truly be worthless to accumulate karmic obstacles due to chaos.

The dark clouds split open, and several azure dragons flew out, transforming into human form and landing before the main temple – two men and one woman, all middle-aged in appearance…

One played the bad cop, shouting: “What happened here? Why has one of our dragon races died so tragically here!”

The woman played good cop, frowning: “This matter must have other circumstances, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

Another pretended to be objective and fair while subtly directing the narrative: “To be honest, this place shouldn’t have such experts. Could someone be scheming from the shadows?

However, it did happen in the Sea God Temple – could those in charge come explain?”

Ao Yi listened with secret anger – this situation was almost exactly as his Brother’s Sect Leader had predicted!

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched, feeling their overall acting skills were too poor.

Not even looking at the corpse before starting to negotiate…

According to the theory provided in [Self-Cultivation for Primordial World Actors – Anonymous], one’s performance shouldn’t be affected no matter how poor the opponent’s acting is.

So the old immortal paper avatar walked out smiling, and what followed was a long bout of quibbling.

If not for Li Changshou having prepared a few extra recording pearls and observing secretly with Ao Yi from the beginning, today’s matter could easily have been led astray by the opposition.

Li Changshou was also intentionally training Ao Yi. While arguing with these three dragons and waiting for subsequent developments, he asked Ao Yi:

“Brother Yi, what have you realized from this incident?”

Ao Yi’s anger had built up so much that his rage meter exploded, paradoxically making him calm down.

The young dragon prince smiled bitterly, his handsome face showing some disappointment, “Our dragon race hasn’t realized we’ve already been infiltrated to this extent.

These three dragons can all be killed.”

Li Changshou said calmly: “Men die for wealth, birds die for food – dragons are no different.

The dragon race has a strict hierarchy, with status determined entirely by bloodline. Some lower-ranking dragons may gain cultivation and treasures, gaining strength, but can’t achieve proper status within the clan.”

“Sect Leader, I’ve also pondered this matter, but the dragon race is already solidified, difficult to reform.”

Ao Yi sighed softly, his eyes showing some loneliness, “I once advised Father King to reform clan rules and make better use of capable clansmen, but Father King just lay on his throne with closed eyes, not answering me.”

Li Changshou said: “Your Father King sees further than either of us. You should think carefully and act only after thorough consideration.

Let’s not discuss this now – how do you think we should handle the current situation?”

Ao Yi said coldly: “Investigate! Find out the forces behind these three dragons! Investigate to the end!”

“Wrong.”

Ao Yi asked curiously: “Sect Leader, should we not investigate?”

“We should investigate, but not recklessly as you suggest,” Li Changshou said. “You should send a message to your Father King soon, mentioning just one word without bringing up other matters.”

“What word?”

“Stability.”

Ao Yi was immediately confused, and Li Changshou sighed inwardly, having to spend more words teaching Ao Yi how to seek stability and how to scheme.

Currently, among the treasures- ahem, friends around him, the one Li Changshou could trust most was actually…

Master-Uncle Wu after stabilizing.

—Ling E wasn’t counted among the treasures, and Li Changshou wouldn’t let her take unnecessary risks.

In the elixir room, the human and dragon sat half a zhang apart, both with closed eyes, continuously conversing and questioning.

In An Shui City, the chaos continued, but fortunately no mortals were harmed.

When the two experts Ao Yi called arrived – an elder with a dragon head and an old turtle prime minister carrying a shell on his back – they temporarily suppressed the matter.

They collected the corpse, made a Daoist salute to the Sea God statue in apology, took two Sound and Image Zhenzhus and two Recording Zhenzhus from Li Changshou’s paper avatar, and hurriedly bid farewell…

After the dragon experts flew away, the Sea God Temple’s main hall was rarely quiet during daytime.

Bear Buhan called out: “Temple keeper, come clean the ground! Wash away all this dragon blood properly!”

As soon as he spoke, he heard his Sea God transmitting in his mind, carefully instructing how to handle the aftermath…

A new Sea God story – [Scheming Dragon Slain in Sea God Temple] – would soon spread through An Shui City and quickly propagate throughout the South Sea coastal regions.

Though there was scheming involved, the basic foundation of incense merit couldn’t be affected.

In the elixir room, Ao Yi went to a corner to transmit messages to the Dragon King, explaining the tactics Li Changshou had just taught.

Li Changshou was thinking…

According to the script he had established with the dragon race’s core leadership, the conflict between the dragon race and Sea God Sect would escalate, and the Sea God Sect would temporarily lose the dragon race’s protection, reducing its external deterrence.

Although Western Teaching’s attention was focused on the dragon race now, they still couldn’t let their guard down.

Better make something intimidating.

He already had the barbarian tribe on hand, and Li Changshou had observed that many of these barbarian divine envoys had bloodline divine abilities, spitting rainbow light from their mouths that transformed into strong arms and legs.

Why not create a ‘Minor Twelve Heavenly Demon Array’?

Mm, the key was having enough momentum.

When the time came, he’d have the divine envoys shout one by one “I’ll form the head!”, “I’ll form the left arm!”, “I’ll form the buttocks!” – it would certainly be quite imposing…

And amusing.

…

Half a day after the dragon-slaying incident in An Shui City, at dusk.

Ao Yi had adjusted his mindset and done what he could, also explaining in detail to his Father King the various aspects his Brother Sect Leader had reminded him about.

Both sides understood;

Today’s matter was just the beginning – various events would follow, driving a wedge between the Sea God Sect and the dragon race, thereby causing the dragon race to lose Human Teaching’s support.

Seeing Ao Yi somewhat depressed, Li Changshou suggested:

“Let’s walk in the mountains and roast some spirit beasts to send them for dinner.”

Ao Yi forced a smile, following behind Li Changshou with a heavy heart.

As they left the elixir room heading for the spirit beast pen, Li Changshou shifted the topic to dao partners, and Ao Yi was easily… distracted.

As they set up the grill and started roasting meat in the forest, a strain of song drifted over from the lakeside.

‘Not that I think of you, not that I ponder, beautiful jade exists here, the maiden returns home.’

It was the mermaid princess showcasing her voice, her song gentle and moving, seeming able to soothe the heart’s sorrows, making people unconsciously sink into it.

Li Changshou remained focused on grilling meat, unaffected by the song.

Shortly after, laughter carried on the wind.

Lady Jiu was saying: “This is what you called ‘not very good’?”

Bear Lingli was honest: “Can we hear more? Could you sing another verse?”

Jiang Si’er said: “You’re too kind. Mm, if only there were instrumental accompaniment.”

“No problem,” Ling E smiled calmly, casually pointing to the side as two paper people transformed into women holding a zither, flute, and drum.

Soon, musical accompaniment flowed from the thatched cottage, the mermaid’s voice rising again, merging with the music and flowing gently across Xiao Qiong Peak.

In the neighboring cottage, Qi Yuan stood by the window with hands behind his back, his old eyes showing some emotion.

Sect disciples passing near Xiao Qiong Peak were also attracted by the song and music, pausing on their clouds to listen quietly.

Li Changshou was also listening… quite thoughtfully.

Finally, Ling E had a skill – even if she had to get by in the towns, she could survive by performing on the streets.

One spirit stone for at least three verses!

A moment later, the song turned to laughter, and the figures hovering outside Xiao Qiong Peak dispersed.

Li Changshou and Ao Yi floated over to the thatched cottage carrying the finished grilled meat with immortal power. Everyone set up low tables by the lake and arranged wine and food.

Ling E went to prepare more dishes, habitually cooking two snakehead fish – one braised, one boiled.

But when Ling E brought out the dishes, she realized… merfolk were also…

However, Ling E’s worries were unnecessary.

Of the two spirit fish, Jiang Si’er ate most heartily, not sparing praise for Ling E’s cooking skills.

The evening meal passed with laughter and merriment until late night.

Lady Jiu called for some Xiao Qiong Peak specialty activities, bringing out Immortal Fighting, Life Simulation, and Bean Soldier Combat, dazzling Ao Yi and Jiang Si’er…

After three days of feasting, Ao Yi and Jiang Si’er bid reluctant farewells.

For Ao Yi, this was no time for carefree enjoyment – the dragon race faced difficulties, how could he, the Second Prince, idle here?

They had planned to leave after half a day; playing for three days had already made Ao Yi restless.

Before leaving, Li Changshou gave him several colorful pouches.

These were genuine strategy pouches;

Li Changshou instructed Ao Yi which color pouch to open at what moment, each containing emergency strategies.

And the strategies provided in these pouches would guide the dragon race toward the path of ‘seeking aid from the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court.’

Ling E and Jiang Si’er had truly become close friends. At the sect gate, the two women parted reluctantly, with Jiang Si’er looking back every few steps and Ling E continuously waving.

Ling E suddenly said: “Senior Brother, shouldn’t we give them some return gifts?”

“Don’t worry,” Li Changshou’s smile was meaningful, “It’s all prepared.”

Just as Jiang Si’er had given Ling E the Past Life’s Tear, Li Changshou had given Ao Yi the Dragon Poison Wine and Masculine Heart Pills. Though the former seemed ineffective, the latter…

Xiao Qiong Peak’s conscientious products naturally guaranteed effectiveness.

After Ao Yi’s flood dragon carriages disappeared on the horizon, Li Changshou and Ling E made a Daoist salute to the gatekeeper immortals before returning to Xiao Qiong Peak on clouds.

Just as they returned to the peak, Ling E lowered her head trying to slip away, but Li Changshou transmitted:

“Do you want to try that Past Life’s Tear again?”

Ling E immediately froze, turning her head with a giggling laugh.

“I just… well, I knew Senior Brother definitely wouldn’t fall for it… I just… hehe, Senior Brother don’t be angry…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t punish you this time.”

Ling E’s little face immediately went pale…

This time, Li Changshou spoke unusually gently:

“The Past Life’s Tear had no effect on me, but it could help Ancestral Master fulfill her wish.

Here’s a transmission jade tablet for you – it can contact Ancestral Master. You can tell her about the Past Life’s Tear and ask if she wants to use it.”

Pausing his words, Li Changshou looked down at the person before him, couldn’t help sighing softly, and raised his hand to lightly tap her forehead.

“Always thinking about these things, why not put this energy into cultivation?

Do you know your current cultivation conditions are no worse than any disciple in the sect?”

Ling E covered her forehead and bit her lip, looking pitifully at Li Changshou, twirling a strand of black hair, speaking as softly as a mosquito:

“Senior Brother, I will work hard at cultivation… it’s just that all these years, you never responded to me, so I had no confidence…”

Li Changshou calmly nodded, casually pointing behind Ling E as simulated magical power quickly formed a barrier.

He suddenly stepped forward, and Ling E instinctively stepped back half a step, lightly bumping into the barrier’s light wall, immediately feeling lost and confused.

“Senior…”

Li Changshou raised his left arm, passing by Ling E’s ear to rest against the light wall, then removed his usual disguise that concealed his presence and slightly adjusted his features, activated his charm aura, and looked down at Ling E;

His right hand moved forward, fingers gently lifting Ling E’s smooth little chin.

“Broth…”

“Don’t speak.”

Li Changshou slowly lowered his head…

A series of thudding drum sounds could be heard as Ling E’s face flushed red, her eyes full of panic, breathing only out without taking in air.

Li Changshou’s movements were actually very slow, but just as he was about to get close, Ling E suddenly shrank her neck and ducked under his arm, fleeing toward her thatched cottage with hands covering her face, leaving a trail of white smoke above her head.

Then came the sound of splashing water, followed by a series of bubbling sounds – she must have jumped directly into the bathing barrel.

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched as he shook his head slightly, casually dispersing the barrier and calmly floating toward the elixir room on a cloud.

See, that’s how it is…