In the magnificent palace of the East Sea Crystal Palace, various ornamental fish and beasts swam leisurely around the palace. The old dragon-headed man reclined on the throne while several beautiful mermaids gently fanned him and massaged his legs. Not far away, behind two white jade pillars, more than ten mermaids played various spiritual instruments…

This was how the Dragon King’s daily routine began and ended.

Suddenly, a group of ornamental fish scattered in all directions outside the palace as a young man with a refined face landed, transforming from a green dragon. He raised the hem of his brocade robe and quickly entered the palace.

“Father! Your son Aoyi seeks an audience!”

“Hmm?” The East Sea Dragon King seemed to have just woken up, his eyes opened slightly as he raised his hand and waved.

The mermaids quickly retreated. Aoyi hastened to the throne and bowed his head in salute.

Once there was no one else in the palace, the dragon generals guarding outside activated the palace’s formation.

The Dragon King slowly sat up, his dragon face showing a hint of laziness and fatigue…

“What is the matter, my son?”

“Father…” Aoyi was at a loss for words and said with a wry smile, “Half a month ago, you asked me to investigate the matter of the dragons being slain at the Sea God Temple in Anshui City. I have now found out that there is a fragment of memory in this Soul-Seizing Zhenzhu that can reveal the scheme behind it!”

As he spoke, Aoyi presented the Soul-Seizing Zhenzhu to the Dragon King using his immortal power.

The Dragon King took the pearl, closed his eyes to focus, and soon nodded slightly before crushing it.

Aoyi was stunned and hurriedly said, “Father, why!”

“I understand this matter now.”

“But Father, if this evidence is destroyed…”

“Haha, silly child.” The Dragon King laughed and waved his hand, “Go, spend more time with your… your…”

“Sisi…”

“Yes, spend more time with her. You don’t need to worry too much about these internal affairs before your wedding.”

The Dragon King leaned back into his reclining position and lazily instructed, “Remember, find suitable reasons to send gifts to that Sect Master of yours every few days. You can agree to any of his requests. Don’t let your relationship with him fade. This is the important matter.”

Aoyi was puzzled, but recalling his father’s words and expressions just now, it was already considered… quite abundant.

“Yes, your son will take his leave.”

The Dragon King waved his hand without saying much more as if he had already fallen asleep, snoring lightly.

After Aoyi left, the mermaids returned, some playing music, some massaging his legs; the old Dragon King showed a faint smile, followed by a light sigh, continuing this simple and boring daily routine.

‘Why doesn’t Father want to continue investigating this matter?’ Aoyi was confused as he walked along the pearl-paved corridor, enjoying this luxurious… foot massage.

He really couldn’t quite understand.

In the past half month, he had worked hard to verify, constantly searching and investigating. As the Sect Master brother had said, he had followed the clues and identified a large number of restless dragons and rebellious dragons within the dragon race.

Why…

Returning to his palace, Aoyi saw Jiang Sier playing with several mermaids and recalled the Sect Master’s instructions.

If unsure, discuss it with your Dao companion…

Aoyi shook his head slightly, not disturbing them. He turned and went to the side hall where he usually cultivated, sitting in meditation.

He still felt a bit stifled.

Aoyi’s divine sense settled in the main temple of the Sea God Sect in Anshui City. Just as he was about to use his divine sense to communicate with the Sect Master, he suddenly discovered…

In the back hall, two old men were drinking tea and chatting.

Aoyi naturally recognized the old man sitting in the main seat. It was the Sect Master’s paper avatar.

This should be the incarnation bestowed by Archmage Xuandu. Otherwise, how could it have the strength of the Heavenly Immortal realm?

Although Aoyi had never directly asked, the answer to this question seemed obvious to him.

As for the other old man, Aoyi found him a bit unfamiliar.

His cultivation was not bad, with the oppressive might of a Golden Immortal, and he seemed to have a bit of a noble air. His speech and bearing were also quite extraordinary.

Listening carefully, the two of them were talking about the dragon race at the moment…

Aoyi heard the Sect Master’s paper avatar sigh…

“Alas, the situation for the dragon race is becoming more and more difficult.”

“Indeed, this Daoist has also heard some things in the heavens,” the other unfamiliar old man sighed, “After you, the Sea God, reported this matter, His Majesty is also very concerned. The dragon race is one of the four great sea races. His Majesty also intends to recruit them, but unfortunately, the dragon race is too proud. I’m afraid they won’t be satisfied with any divine position given to them. Moreover, although there are many vacancies in the heavenly court’s divine positions, it’s impossible to give a few to the dragon race. They must be recognized by the Heavenly Dao.”

“The time has not yet come,” Li Changshou sighed, “His Majesty’s prestige is not yet evident, and the dragon race’s spirit is indeed too high. Mu Gong, does the Jade Emperor have any favorite items?”

“His Majesty doesn’t have many favorite things,” Dong Mu Gong shook his head, “Now His Majesty takes it as his duty to serve the Heavenly Dao, support the Dao sects, improve the heavenly court, and benefit the living beings of the Three Realms. His Majesty diligently governs every day, either handling affairs or on the way to handle affairs.”

As he spoke, Dong Mu Gong lowered his voice and said softly, “Recently, His Majesty has even been going to the Jade Pool less often.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, then lightly changed the subject.

There was no use discussing the Jade Emperor’s private life.

Li Changshou had naturally sensed Aoyi’s divine sense as soon as it arrived. Today, Dong Mu Gong happened to come and run into Aoyi.

Immediately, Li Changshou hurriedly transmitted a few instructions to Mu Gong;

Except for the sentence about the Jade Emperor not going to the Jade Pool much recently, what Dong Mu Gong had said just now all came from Li Changshou.

There was no other way. Li Changshou was also afraid that Mu Gong would say something wrong, revealing dissatisfaction or disdain for the dragon race in his words.

Dong Mu Gong secretly glanced at the position of Aoyi’s divine statue, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Li Changshou, took Li Changshou’s memorial, and bid farewell.

After Dong Mu Gong left, before Li Changshou could sink this paper avatar into the underground paper avatar repository, Aoyi had already excitedly sent a request for divine sense communication…

As soon as the two met in the hazy dreamscape, Aoyi couldn’t help but ask, “Sect Master brother, could that eminent person just now be the Eastern King Gong from the heavenly court?”

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, his eyes slightly amused.

No wonder people often said “directing is better than acting” in the previous life. Being a director, screenwriter, and crew member at the same time was indeed much more troublesome than simply being an actor.

After chatting with Aoyi for half an hour, Li Changshou retracted his divine sense.

He lowered his head to refine a few formation foundations and sorted out the treasure materials he was going to refine next. Only then did he leave the secret room inside the mountain and take a stroll around the alchemy room, carefully pondering what Aoyi had said…

‘This old Dragon King is not a simple character either.’

Li Changshou muttered to himself, feeling that this old Dragon King was truly a wise man. Situated within the situation, he could still sit steadily like Mount Tai, observing the overall situation.

Indeed, the experts who had made it through from ancient times were all low-key existences…

Well, except for Old Man Zhao.

Next, he had to be careful not to let the dragon race develop any ill feelings toward the heavenly court.

The East Sea Dragon King was the elder brother of the four sea dragon palaces and the one with the highest authority in the dragon race. His choice to remain silent and tolerant was probably not just out of fear and consideration.

The old Dragon King might be planning something big…

‘If I were the Dragon King, how would I save the dragon race?’

Li Changshou walked with his hands behind his back, strolling in the back mountains of Mount Xiao Qiong. He kept pondering and unknowingly walked to the area where he had planted the spiritual trees used for the Matures Cut-Out Paper Divine Ability.

By the way, the planting of immortal beans was now handled by a dedicated 【Farmer】 paper avatar. Li Changshou didn’t need to go there all the time.

To grow beans, he only needed to allocate some of his mind to that paper avatar, which could greatly improve efficiency.

The breeze blew, and the sturdy young trees, carefully nurtured by them, paid their deepest respects to Li Baskin…

Li Changshou walked to a tree and patted the trunk as if encouraging a young man, encouraging it to produce more sap and make a few more contributions to Mount Xiao Qiong.

After a long time, Li Changshou slowly exhaled.

The dragon race…

“The poison has entered the bones. The Dragon King probably wants to find an opportunity to scrape the bones and cure the poison. This was considered before.”

Looking at the few invitations brought by Aoyi in his storage magic treasure…

Although Li Changshou had no evidence at this time, he always felt that Aoyi’s wedding would be a rather critical turning point in the matter of the 【Dragon Race Ascending to Heaven】.

He’d better make plans early.

This was the task given to him by the Sage. It was related to the foundation of his future Dao. He must treat it carefully.

“Senior Brother!” A shout came from behind. Li Changshou turned his head and saw Ling’e riding a cloud, floating a few hundred zhang away.

Li Changshou narrowed his eyes and smiled. Ling’e immediately thought of her previous embarrassment. She couldn’t help but pursed her lips and blushed, saying, “Master just replied to me, saying that she’s already on her way back. Senior Brother… I! I’m going back to cultivate…”

With that, Ling’e covered her face, turned around, and ran, diving back into her thatched hut.

Li Changshou couldn’t help but chuckle. He had teased her by pressing her against the wall once before, and it had been half a month, but she still hadn’t recovered.

Could it be that this girl’s passive skill of shyness was maxed out?

In any case, Master Jiang Lin’er had hesitated for so long and finally decided to use these Tears of Previous Life…

This was a good thing. It was just unknown whether it would have an effect when used on the Oblivion Immortal.

After all, the Oblivion Immortal was also a peak Heavenly Immortal expert in the sect…

Regardless, they would only know by trying.

If they could pull such a big shot to Mount Xiao Qiong within the sect, even if he had something to do in the future and his true body had to go out with the Great Master, the safety factor of his Master and Ling’e could also be greatly improved.

Thinking of this, Li Changshou thought of another matter related to the dragon race.

Among the dragon race, there was also an expert of the Dao Sect, the Yellow Dragon True Monarch…

In the later outbreak of the dragon race war, the Human Sect on their side only had the Great Master and Little Master as effective combat forces. The current heavenly court also had no experts to dispatch.

Although the Great Master was strong enough, the Great Master was also the type to not act if he could help it…

To occupy the initiative as much as possible when the dragon race conflict erupted, they must have sufficient strength.

[Use the identity of the South Sea Sea God to contact the Yellow Dragon True Monarch?]

Although in Li Changshou’s impression, this Yellow Dragon True Monarch was also the “number one in getting captured” during the Investiture of the Gods, he was still one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Righteous Sect.

He was of dragon race origin. It was reasonable for him to come to the rescue when the dragon race was in a crisis…

Using the identity of the South Sea Sea God to contact him was not safe either; it was better to go through the heavenly court and have Dong Mu Gong invite the Yellow Dragon True Monarch.

In the next memorial, he would report this matter to His Majesty…

Li Changshou stretched his muscles and bones, casually found a big tree to sit under, took out a stone tablet, and began to write the 《Scripture of Stability》.

Of course, he was not punishing himself;

He was just extending and improving the Scripture of Stability a bit. Many aspects were not covered before, and the warning significance was not enough.

…

Half a month later, east of the East Sea, beside the Celestial Pillar.

A figure sneaked around, slipping past the ancient stone tablet with the four characters “End of the World”, quietly heading towards the distant big city.

She wore a bamboo hat and carried a blood-red giant blade on her back. Her entire body was wrapped in strands of fierce aura, but she had hidden her cultivation.

Passersby would instinctively avoid this figure…

This person should, could, probably be a woman, wearing armor that was quite loose. Her figure was petite and slender.

This was naturally Li Changshou’s awaited master, Jiang Lin the Scattered Immortal.

She was slightly hesitant, glancing west a few times, but still entered the big city.

She found an inconspicuous room in an “Immortal Inn”, activated the room’s formation after entering, and set up a few more barriers herself before relaxing a bit…

Wandering the martial world, how could one not be stabbed?

Although she had no enemies here, it was better to be more careful.

“Tears of Previous Life…”

Jiang Lin’er sat on the bed, frowning and pondering.

She, who had always been quite decisive, was a bit hesitant at this moment.

She had been hesitating all the way, constantly denying in her heart…

“Forget it, let’s just forget about it”, “What’s so good about that dullard”, “If I get him, won’t I have to give up the carefree days of wandering outside”…

But amid constant denial, she had inexplicably flown to this place.

“Annoying!”

Jiang Lin’er rolled her eyes and directly lay down on the bed, then tossed and turned in irritation.

“Hmph! Since I have it, I’ll use it! My disciple grandson got such a good thing and even offered it to me, his master. How can I not use it!”

Gritting her teeth, Jiang Lin’er was about to set off immediately, but then her footsteps paused as she saw herself in the magic tool mirror beside her.

She lowered her head and touched her conscience. Jiang Lin’er couldn’t help but pout.

“I must absorb more of Little Jiu’s blessings when I get back!”

Jiang Lin’er snorted coldly, deactivated the formation in the room, wasted three spirit stones, and left the “Immortal Inn” with her big sword on her back, riding a cloud towards the exit of the big city.

Suddenly, Jiang Lin’er raised her eyebrows. Her immortal perception captured a familiar person.

She hastily glanced at a tall building in the city and immediately retracted her gaze to ensure she wasn’t discovered…

“Isn’t this the young dragon who gave me things last time? Seems to be the dragon prince too? This guy is with a group of fierce demons and monsters… no, this is an illusion created by the Illusory Appearance Technique.”

Jiang Lin’er’s heart was filled with deep suspicion.

At this moment, her intuition cultivated over many years of wandering told her that there must be a big conspiracy here;

But her experience also told her that this was not something she could get involved in.

Without much thought, Jiang Lin’er chose to ignore it. She left the huge city near the End of the World, took the route through the East Sea, concealed her tracks, and headed towards the Duxian Sect.

After flying for a short while, she felt more and more that something was wrong.

This Second Prince had a close relationship with her mysterious little disciple grandson. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent such a heavy gift last time…

When out in the world, one has to show some loyalty and righteousness.

After a brief contemplation, she took out a transmission jade talisman, consumed a precious use of it, and sent what she had seen back to the Duxian Sect.

Jiang Lin’er soon received a reply from Li Changshou and slightly pouted.

“This little guy, ordering his own master around, he’s quite unabashed!”

Forget it, for the sake of her second disciple…

Shaking her head, Jiang Lin’er descended towards the sea below, waiting for the “expert” Li Changshou mentioned to come and meet up.