Cricket songs in the autumn night, as moonlight accompanies the frost’s splendor.

In the deep of night, within the back courtyard corridor of the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou, through his paper avatar wearing the old immortal’s skin, glanced up at the immortal maiden beside him who seemed to have walked straight out of his “proper” paintings, feeling quite fortunate inside.

Indeed, he should feel fortunate;

When he had persuaded—ahem, verbally convinced Golden Light Holy Mother and the others, he had only modified his wording slightly without distorting the facts.

Otherwise, it would have been quite difficult to explain himself before this immortal maiden.

This made Li Changshou more deeply realize the importance of adhering to the principles he had previously established.

For a man, persistence is precious.

Who was this immortal maiden?

At this particular moment, coming to seek him regarding Zhao Gongming’s matter, and able to cause slight ripples in Li Changshou’s usually calm heart… besides Lady Yunxiao, whom Elder Zhao somewhat feared, there probably wasn’t anyone else.

Li Changshou smiled and asked, “What brings the immortal maiden to visit so late at night?”

“I came from my elder brother’s place,” Yunxiao said softly but stopped halfway through her sentence.

She held her delicate hands behind her back, her long dress seeming to be woven from gathered clouds, possessing a light and soft texture;

Whenever she moved, it was as if two shallow white clouds followed beneath her feet. Though walking in this mortal realm, she remained completely untainted by it.

However, Li Changshou had no heart to appreciate such beauty before his eyes, as his mind raced with rapid thoughts and careful analysis.

This immortal maiden… had she come to assign blame?

That shouldn’t be the case. Elder Zhao would at most have mentioned stopping Western Religion’s experts, but wouldn’t likely have told Yunxiao how it was done.

Li Changshou instantly had a way to respond and smiled, “How fares Senior Gongming?”

“My elder brother is naturally well,” Yunxiao spoke softly, “I’ve heard everything from him.

When you persuaded Senior Yellow Dragon to aid the Dragon Clan, my brother felt he should also help, and thus lent his assistance, inadvertently becoming entangled in karma.

Friend, I came here only to ask, was this intentional or coincidental?”

“Coincidental,” Li Changshou said seriously, “This matter was truly just fortunate timing. That day had its precursors—Senior Yellow Dragon was schemed against, Senior Gongming went to his rescue, and then Yellow Dragon True Person called me over…”

Thereupon, Li Changshou briefly explained the events of the anti-scamming incident in the South Sea.

For powerful beings like Yunxiao and Great Law Master Xuandu, the best strategy was to have no strategy at all, maintaining the approach of “using sincerity to exchange for opportunities” and keeping one’s position properly aligned.

After listening, Yunxiao pondered briefly and couldn’t help but sigh softly, saying with concern:

“My elder brother has now lost that cautiousness he possessed in ancient times.

We four siblings have cultivated from ancient times until now; the deeper our cultivation, the stronger our abilities, and consequently, the more enemies we’ve made in the world.

With Sages existing in the world of Hongmeng, the more we walk toward such realms, the more we understand that they are insurmountable peaks. If such beings wished to strike us siblings dead, it would still be as easy as turning their palms.

Brother seems to have forgotten these things.”

Li Changshou: …

If only you could always remember these principles in the future, and not lose your head when things happen, your fate wouldn’t be so tragic.

“Immortal Maiden,” Li Changshou said, “Though Senior Gongming now has profound cultivation and powerful treasures, and theSevering Sect is at its zenith, there’s no need to worry too much.”

Yunxiao laughed lightly and said softly: “Since Friend can devise such wonderful strategies—blocking the West, saving dragons, and responding to Heaven’s Court—surely you can see through these matters, so why comfort me this way?”

“Ah… some things that you can say, I cannot.”

“Friend makes me laugh.

Just now, hearing your words of persuasion to Junior Sister Golden Light, I felt quite moved.”

Yunxiao turned to look at the old immortal beside her and asked softly, “Friend, though you have only a young or middle-aged dao heart, why do you disguise yourself as such an elderly figure?”

Li Changshou smiled bitterly—Lady Yunxiao was truly… quite perceptive.

She had nearly seen through all his depths!

“This appearance is merely for convenience in handling matters,” Li Changshou sighed, “Youth shows too many sharp edges, and middle age appears somewhat gloomy, only with this kind-faced elderly appearance can one gain more trust from others.”

Yunxiao praised, “Friend truly thinks of everything thoroughly and steadily.”

“It’s only because my strength is insufficient, so I must take care to protect myself.”

Li Changshou said with a light laugh, also glancing at Lady Yunxiao’s profile.

Today, could it be…

That Lady Yunxiao had come just to have a heart-to-heart talk with him?

Then Yunxiao said:

“Friend must be able to see the many hidden dangers within mySevering Sect. The cultivators in our sect vary greatly in quality—some fellow Daoists, though not exactly of poor character, are muddle-headed and easily manipulated by others.

Today when Junior Sister Golden Light came to find you, I saw your entire response, truly without a single flaw.”

Yunxiao paused briefly, looked at Li Changshou, and continued, “I didn’t intentionally eavesdrop from the side, I just didn’t wish to appear and meet with them, which would only add to the troubles.”

“Junior understands,” Li Changshou smiled, “Golden Light Holy Mother worries about Senior Gongming, I understand that very well.”

“Sigh, my brother’s current state truly worries me.”

Yunxiao gazed at the lonely moon in the sky, her voice ethereal and delicate, “My two younger sisters are also of reckless dispositions, and now my brother somewhat disregards others.

Recently while cultivating, I’ve often felt unsettled, fearing some calamity has already been destined for my elder brother.

I can confine my two younger sisters to Three Immortal Island, but my brother is ultimately my elder brother…

Now he praises you endlessly and quite admires you, yet somewhat avoids me, your words might be more effective than my persuasion.

Friend, could you help me think of a solution?”

“This…”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment. Of course, he had ideas, quite a few methods actually, with the general approach being to give Elder Zhao a good beating to adjust his mentality.

But it would involve too much karma, and it wouldn’t be right for him to do such things—better to stay uninvolved.

“We still need to wait for Senior Gongming to suffer setbacks and hit walls himself, forced interference would be useless.”

Li Changshou thought for a moment and added, “If it were Immortal Maiden yourself, how would you feel if your two younger sisters lectured you now?”

Yunxiao said softly, “If what they said made sense, I would naturally listen.”

“But Senior Gongming… values face,” Li Changshou said, “As for the general principles, I am his junior and dare not say too much.

Immortal Maiden might try to find a solution from this aspect.”

“Ah…”

Yunxiao let out a slow sigh, standing at one side of the corridor, her delicate brows furrowed as she continuously pondered.

She truly worried herself sick over her sworn brother.

Li Changshou suddenly felt sympathy and wanted to offer more advice, but rationally closed his mouth.

Firstly, he didn’t have the appropriate standing, and secondly, it would invite unnecessary karma.

Seeing Yunxiao seemed somewhat depressed, Li Changshou found another topic and actively brought up the matter of paintings;

Unable to get any method for ‘persuading elder brother’ from Li Changshou, Yunxiao could only temporarily set this matter aside in her heart, walking with Li Changshou through the Sea God Temple, chatting casually.

This casual stroll unexpectedly lasted for an hour, something Li Changshou hadn’t anticipated at all…

When Yunxiao bid farewell and left, Li Changshou first felt relief in his heart, followed by faint helplessness.

‘The precious part lies in valuing relationships and righteousness;

The dangerous part also lies in valuing relationships and righteousness.’

“Tsk, difficult.”

Li Changshou’s paper avatar shook his whisk, activated the earth movement technique, and his form disappeared from the Sea God Temple’s back courtyard.

Moments later, at Little Jade Peak, in the secret room of the dan-refining chamber.

Li Changshou opened his eyes and used a transformation technique to leave this place, letting his true body come out to get some fresh air.

In the Royal Card Room, illumination treasures spread soft light.

Li Changshou had originally wanted to name this tower the ‘Four-Three Joy House’ and invite Jiujiu as an image ambassador, which together would make…

Four-Three Jiujiu Little Jade Peak Card Room.

Just joking, joking.

Li Changshou passed by outside the card room, heard laughter from inside, and didn’t go in to disturb them.

After all, in the dead of night, for him as a grown man to approach three maidens—correction, two flower-like women plus one female fierce deity—who were in high spirits from drinking… ahem, it could easily lead to some beautiful but unnecessary incidents.

Walking to the back mountain, he looked at the spirit trees he had planted, then went to check on the fairy bean rapid cultivation base covered by the grand formation.

By the time he finished this round, dawn had broken, the golden crow rose in the east, and the world gained a measure of restlessness while losing some coolness.

He decided.

In the future, if he had the ability, under the premise of not causing any negative effects to himself, he would moderately give Elder Zhao some advice, and help Elder Zhao avoid that deadly calamity…

As long as Elder Zhao stayed safe, Lady Yunxiao should not become entangled in the Canonization calamity.

However, this matter was still very distant;

Li Changshou still wasn’t certain when the Canonization calamity would begin, anyway in a few decades, he would be able to reach shore early, naturally no longer wading into these muddy waters.

Thinking carefully, this matter was quite troublesome.

Suddenly, Li Changshou’s immortal sense detected a patrolling disciple flying toward Little Jade Peak on a crane…

Outside the immortal gate, there seemed to be a man and a woman…

Coming to find Little Master Ancestor?

Li Changshou was just about to go forward to stop this disciple, to prevent Master Ancestor and Senior Fugui from embarrassment, but before he could ride the clouds, his immortal sense detected the barrier of the lakeside grass house opening wide!

Then from inside came an arrogant laugh…

“Hahaha!

From now on, Fugui, you’re my person, Lin Jiang the Scattered Immortal’s person!

Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility!”

Then heard Forgetting Emotions Senior say with a light laugh: “Yes, everything as my wife says.”

Wi-wife…

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched, feeling his teeth were a bit sickly sweet, and continued walking aimlessly in the mountain, not getting involved in this matter.

Soon after, that disciple landed in front of the grass house, reporting that two people outside the gate claimed to be good friends of Master Ancestor Sister Jiang Liner;

Jiang Liner responded somewhat frantically from inside, but the one who walked out was… Forgetting Emotions Senior.

That disciple tilted his head, then quickly lowered his head in salute, his eyes flashing with extremely sharp light.

The Great Way of Gossip!

Forgetting Emotions Senior, wearing a long robe, spoke: “She’s not convenient to meet guests, lead me there.”

“Ah, ah, Master Uncle Ancestor please go first, this disciple flies rather slowly.”

“Very well.”

Li Changshou secretly observed Forgetting Emotions Senior for a few glances, his eyes suddenly brightening.

One night of spring wind blowing over the clear pond, the sense of Great Way completion in Forgetting Emotions Senior had increased by several degrees!

Could it be that yin-yang harmonization had such effects?

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, then understood this was because Forgetting Emotions Senior had let go of the worries in his heart, making his dao heart complete and unblemished.

The notion that dual cultivation was beneficial for passing the Golden Immortal tribulation was naturally something Li Changshou didn’t believe.

This had no theoretical support in the way of immortals.

…

Meanwhile, in the Three Thousand Worlds, a small world not far from the Five Continents.

The Great Thousand Worlds and Small Thousand Worlds were all formed from the fragments of Hongmeng after the Dragon and Phoenix shattered ancient Hongmeng;

The so-called Great Thousand Worlds referred to those with balanced yin-yang and five elements, where even mortals could live peacefully, with abundant spiritual energy and primal energy, and vast territories.

Most Small Thousand Worlds, due to incomplete five elements and difficulty in completing the Great Way, would often construct some strange scenery.

At this time, in a small world with only vast waters, the thousand-zhang waves stirred up on the water’s surface gradually calmed down, and at the bottom of the great marsh, a great battle had just concluded.

A three-headed flood dragon covered in black scales lay prostrate in the silt at the bottom of the great marsh, firmly bound by chains formed of golden light.

Around this flood dragon, three figures parted the water flow and slowly floated over.

If Li Changshou could see this place, he would certainly recognize that these three people…

He had dealt with all of them before.

The one in the middle was that hunchbacked old Daoist, the third disciple under the Western Great Sage;

Around this hunchbacked old Daoist, dao rhymes surged uncontrollably, clearly showing that to seal this powerful three-headed flood dragon, he had also used quite a bit of strength…

To the left of the hunchbacked old Daoist was Wen Jing Daoist in blood-colored gauze robes;

To the right of the hunchbacked old Daoist was a young Daoist with six golden short blades floating around him…

Golden Cicada.

That three-headed flood dragon’s eyes were full of anger, and beneath the anger was hidden despair.

“Western Religion! Why don’t you just kill me!”

However, these three figures didn’t even look at him.

The hunchbacked old Daoist spoke slowly:

“This black-scaled flood dragon was originally a commander among the immortal flood dragon soldiers of the Western Sea Dragon Palace, with considerable prestige among the immortal flood dragon troops.

Later he was expelled from the Dragon Palace over a trivial matter. If you can subdue him, you can use him to turn the immortal flood dragons and heavily damage the Western Sea Dragon Palace.”

Wen Jing Daoist calmly nodded;

Beside them, Golden Cicada clasped his hands and smiled, “The Vice Sect Leader’s vision is far-reaching, beyond what we can match.”

“Mm,” the hunchbacked old Daoist said indifferently: “Take action to subdue his primordial spirit.”

Wen Jing Daoist naturally started to walk forward, her fingertips gathering blood light, obviously intending to use the blood mosquito method.

This was her specialty.

But that hunchbacked old Daoist spoke again: “Wen Jing, you already control too many experts now, let Golden Cicada handle this flood dragon.”

Wen Jing Daoist frowned slightly but didn’t say anything more.

That Golden Cicada lowered his head and went forward, glancing at Wen Jing Daoist from the corner of his eye, his lips showing a faint smile.

As Golden Cicada walked before the flood dragon’s enormous form, the hunchbacked old Daoist looked toward Wen Jing Daoist, taking out a blood cocoon the size of a thumb from his hand, and said indifferently:

“There is an even more important task to give you.

This object is called the God-Locking Soul-Pursuing Butterfly, which can use avatar primordial spirit power to lock onto the avatar’s true body.

Three years is the time limit. Find the South Sea God’s true body, deal with it secretly, and don’t expose yourself.”

Wen Jing Daoist’s lips curved into a slightly alluring smile as she accepted the blood cocoon and bowed in salute.

“This subordinate will certainly not disappoint the Vice Sect Leader.”