“Is it appropriate to entrust this matter to Master Golden Dragon?” Li Changshou pondered deeply.

Though it was a small matter, he wasn’t particularly close with Master Golden Dragon and couldn’t help but worry. His main concern was that Master Golden Dragon might fall for someone else’s schemes again.

Li Changshou had two main purposes for using a Clarity School immortal’s voice to build momentum for the South Sea God:

First, to spread a smoke screen, making Western Sect members think of ancient figures, thereby concealing his true identity.

Second, to used the Clarity School as a cover for himself.

This way, the Western Sect would likely piece together this information:

– The Grand Master of the Human Sect had appeared within the South Sea God Sect’s sphere of influence

– The Severing School disciple and Dragon Clan’s Second Prince Ao Yi was the South Sea God Sect’s Second Sect Master and the South Sea God also had a good relationship with the Severing School’s elite disciple Zhao Gongming

– A Clarity School immortal praised the South Sea God’s virtue, suggesting they had a good relationship

With this arrangement, the Western Sect should have more reservations about moving against him… presumably.

The most important aspect of this approach was that it had no negative consequences.

Li Changshou shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it further. He began restoring his phantom bodies within the Sea God Sect’s territory to counter methods like the “God-Binding Butterfly.”

Besides this, Li Changshou also implemented some emergency measures:

He could instantly trigger the chain-destruction arrays of all paper avatars with a single thought, sever the connection between his Primordial Spirit’s power and its manifestation methods at any time, and activate the self-immolation array program for the paper avatar repository beneath Anshui City…

And so on.

Moving forward, he only needed to remain cautious—extremely cautious. Unless the Wood Minister from the Heavenly Court or the Three Schools’ leaders came looking for him, he would keep his paper avatars dormant.

These were all standard precautions.

When it came to protecting his foundation, his true trump card was still his status as Grand Master—this was his core deterrent.

Being a trump card, it naturally couldn’t be used carelessly. Having no cards to play in crucial moments would be truly troublesome…

The next two and a half years passed quietly for Li Changshou amid such vigilance.

Within the Sea God Sect’s territory, mysterious figures would occasionally appear, but most were merely scouts, with nothing else occurring.

Wenjing Daoist didn’t send any more messages, focusing entirely on staying hidden, which somewhat relieved Li Changshou.

The Human Sect didn’t need Wenjing Daoist for these small matters—they only needed him for… making a big move later…

During this period, the Dragon Clan entered a phase of “torment.”

Externally, sea creatures constantly cause trouble. Internally, conflicts between “transformed dragons” and “flood dragons” kept emerging. The Dragon Clan’s ruling class gradually split into two camps: those for change and those against it.

Ao Yi had discussed this matter with Li Changshou several times.

Li Changshou’s advice was to observe quietly, avoid taking sides or offering opinions, keep his stance ambiguous, and firmly stand by the East Sea Dragon King’s side.

If this were the younger Ao Yi, his dragon heart would have surely yearned for the sun and moon, willing to… ahem!

His dragon heart would have surely yearned for the sun and moon, ready to risk life and limb for Kunlun!

But now, though Ao Yi still maintained a youthful appearance, he was a mature young dragon with a beloved partner, no longer the reckless youth of before.

He had learned to observe quietly, calculate behind the scenes, and gradually become more steady…

Li Changshou wasn’t merely waiting passively either.

Though his next move would have to wait until the Western Sect acted again and the Dragon Clan’s internal conflicts erupted, he could make many arrangements beforehand.

For instance, he had Ao Yi develop a network of connections within the Dragon Clan, befriending various Dragon Clan power holders and secretly building good relationships with some powerful but low-ranking Dragon Clan commanders.

Additionally, Li Changshou had the Wood Minister arrange for several Heavenly Court generals to regularly patrol the Four Seas, improving relations with the Dragon Palace.

Once the Dragon Palace situation stabilized, Li Changshou resumed his daily routine: refining pills to build wealth, perfecting Little Jade Peak’s defense system, and finding time to reward his junior sister.

He naturally had to prepare for the Golden Immortal tribulation.

And the Heavenly Immortal expert within the sect, Wang Fugui… ahem, Forgetting Emotions Upper Immortal, having achieved perfect enlightenment and fulfilled all life’s desires, was on the verge of tribulation, expected to face it within fifty years.

This made Li Changshou quite emotional.

His previous efforts for his utterly wicked little master and the brooding Pure Yang King Forgetting Emotions hadn’t been wasted!

Having this reference would greatly increase his chances!

Worth mentioning was that the Little Master had indeed moved to Forgetting Emotions Residence.

As an “unequal exchange,” Jiu’er, who had been avoiding the Little Master, permanently settled in Little Jade Peak’s card room.

In a sense, Little Jade Peak seemed to have… profited!

It was just a shame about that super-luxurious tower’s defensive array system. Li Changshou even considered dismantling the array foundation there and reinstalling it in the card room.

One day, taking advantage of Jiu’er being in secluded cultivation after getting drunk, Li Changshou called Ling’e, who had been much more diligent in cultivation lately, and Bear Lingli, who had always worked hard but lacked some talent in cultivating Primordial Spirit methods, to the lakeside cottage.

Setting up barriers and activating arrays, Li Changshou looked at the two sisters before him—one robust, one delicate—and immediately felt more relaxed.

“Today, I will lecture Ling’e about cultivation methods and how to build a foundation for immortality. Lingli, since you’re also cultivating Primordial Spirit methods now, you can listen in. If you have any doubts or unclear points, feel free to ask. Don’t be too reserved.”

Both Ling’e and Bear Lingli responded, “Yes!”

Then, Li Changshou began lecturing about the Way of cultivation, enlightening them about cultivation methods.

To help them understand more thoroughly, he cited various examples and explained profound concepts in simple terms, occasionally using interesting metaphors that made Ling’e constantly suppress her laughter.

Listening to Senior Brother’s lecture was one of Ling’e’s favorite things.

Unfortunately, as her cultivation level gradually increased, the intervals between Senior Brother’s two lectures also grew longer.

This wasn’t because Li Changshou was lazy or intentionally distant—the principles he taught were becoming more profound, and Ling’e needed more time to digest them.

From dawn to dusk.

Ling’e asked several questions about cultivation, which Li Changshou answered in detail.

Beside them, Bear Lingli also wanted to ask some questions, but after hesitating for a long time, she didn’t dare trouble the Sea God. In the end, she only dared to ask one somewhat obscure question that puzzled her most…

A piece of obscure knowledge about the primordial world.

“Cousin, can I ask a question unrelated to cultivation?”

“Of course, just ask.”

“Why do the spirit beasts on our Little Jade Peak seem to taste much better than the ones I catch when hunting outside?”

Li Changshou was momentarily speechless, while Ling’e couldn’t help but laugh.

Ling’e said with a laugh, “That’s naturally because you raise them well!”

“Not entirely,” Li Changshou shook his head with a smile and said:

“All things in the world have their Way;

Whether mortal or immortal, all follow their principles.

The question Lingli asked might seem like a joke on the surface, but there’s an underlying principle.

Since ancient times in the primordial world, countless years have passed. Now that human cultivators dominate, many enjoy grilling, boiling, frying, and cooking—the Way of taste.

The common edible spirit beasts we can buy directly in the markets now are no worse in taste than those wild spirit beasts outside. They have already been carefully selected, bred, and had their flavors optimized step by step by numerous cultivators.

And those spirit beasts that weren’t chosen during the long years naturally taste inferior to those that have been ‘inherited’ until today.

Therefore, one needn’t always pursue novelty—the ancients have already made the selection for us.

This is one kind of Way.

The Way exists between heaven and earth, within bowls and chopsticks, inside sand and dust…

Well, enough said. If I say more, your current levels won’t be able to digest it all at once.”

“Wow…”

Bear Lingli cupped her small face in her two large hands, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Meanwhile, Ling’e’s small mouth was slightly open as she gazed at her Senior Brother somewhat entranced…

She just loved how her Senior Brother could derive so many principles from any random thing!

Of course, this wasn’t something she could say directly.

As night fell the moon shone among sparse stars.

Li Changshou had Bear Lingli fetch a spirit beast, and he demonstrated the secrets of “Changshou’s Beast Preparation” in person, opening up a new level of primordial world cuisine for Ling’e and Bear Lingli.

While they were enjoying their feast, a five-foot-tall figure rode a cloud to Little Jade Peak’s exterior. Seeing no one around, he flashed into Little Jade Peak’s secretly upgraded isolation array and descended toward the lake.

Eh?

Jiu Wu was slightly stunned seeing Li Changshou feasting with Ling’e and Bear Lingli by the lake.

“How rare, Changshou isn’t in the pill room.”

The short Daoist hesitated briefly but still descended on his cloud.

This time, having promised that elder and boasted so much, he had to complete this matter no matter what!

Li Changshou had already noticed some hesitation in Jiu Wu and, after saying a few words to Ling’e and Lingli, took the initiative to welcome Uncle Master Jiu Wu.

As soon as they met, Li Changshou could see something fishy in Uncle Master Jiu Wu’s evasive gaze.

“Uncle Master, has something happened between Ancestor Master Forgetting Emotions and my Master?”

“No, no,” Jiu Wu quickly shook his head, knowing there was no need to beat around the bush with this nephew…

Being indirect would make it easier to arrange.

Jiu Wu looked around and said in a low voice, “Changshou, have you stopped supplying the Masculine Heart Pills to Hundred Mundane Hall these past few months?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “I’ve been preparing for tribulation recently, so I’ve spent less time refining pills.

Moreover, according to the External Affairs Elder, no elders or stewards have gone to Hundred Mundane Hall to exchange for Masculine Heart Pills for two months, so I stopped supplying them.

By rights, there should still be Masculine Heart Pills remaining in Hundred Mundane Hall.”

“Well,” Jiu Wu gave an embarrassed laugh and said softly, “Actually, there are still elders who need Masculine Heart Pills, it’s just that they’re constrained by… constrained by face…

Mm, you understand.”

Li Changshou calmly said, “Uncle Master made this trip for the Masculine Heart Pills?”

“That’s right,” Jiu Wu nodded and smiled, “One of our elders, he has a friend…”

“Here,” Li Changshou took out a jade bottle and sighed, “This is the last bottle of Masculine Heart Pills, thirty pills in total. Uncle Master, you must distribute them carefully.”

Jiu Wu immediately broke into a happy smile and accepted the jade bottle, taking out two treasure pouches from his sleeve.

“This is that elder’s thank-you gift. This time, Uncle Master won’t take any…

Eh? Wait, the last bottle?

Nephew, you won’t be refining Masculine Heart Pills anymore?”

“That’s right,” Li Changshou said, “I’ve said several times before that I wouldn’t refine Masculine Heart Pills, but each time I’ve been troubled by such personal relationships.

At the very least, before tribulation, I won’t be refining these pills that are useless for passing tribulation.”

Hearing this, Jiu Wu’s expression turned serious, and he said, “This is my fault too. Alright, you don’t need to worry about this in the future, I won’t solicit such matters anymore!”

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, his heart also letting go of this small concern.

Matters of marriage affect fate, and as he had lectured Ling’e, they involve quite significant karma.

If Masculine Heart Pills were used to help those old immortals regain their vigor, rebuild their confidence, and reshape their second spring, that would naturally be good karma and good deeds.

Even without merit, one could earn many favors.

But once Masculine Heart Pills leaked out and were used for things like “openly seizing fairy maidens” or “secretly forcing immortal men,” that would be evil karma.

Now, using tribulation as an excuse to completely stop wouldn’t offend anyone…

After seeing Jiu Wu off, Li Changshou hummed a tune that Ling’e often played as he floated toward the pill room.

[Starting tomorrow, be a fulfilled cultivator

Cultivate, refine pills, strive for immortality

Starting tomorrow, care for spirit trees and immortal beans

This poor Daoist has a Little Jade Peak, facing the Heavenly Court, spring flowers bloom]

‘Starting tomorrow, I finally don’t have to be the little matchmaker of the Transcendent Gate anymore.’

Li Changshou let out a light sigh. Just as he sat down in meditation before the pill furnace, preparing to refine a batch of “special effect” pills for Ling’e’s tribulation, his heart suddenly trembled slightly.

There was a visitor at the Sea God Temple.

His divine consciousness fell upon a deity statue in a temple, and he immediately saw that familiar figure…

East Wood Minister.

Li Changshou carefully identified the East Wood Minister’s aura, paying attention to comparing details. Only after confirming it was Wood Minister himself did he activate the paper avatar underground, appearing as a kind-faced old immortal to exchange pleasantries with Wood Minister.

This time, the Wood Minister didn’t sit down or want tea but instead pulled Li Changshou to a corner and gave a little laugh…

Why did it feel like today’s Wood Minister, the future Pure Yang Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin, was a little bit…

Improper?

“Sea God, guess what I brought you this time?”

The official decree appointing the divine position?

No, if it were such an appointment, it should be grand and spectacular, with the immortal light blessing and music accompanying!

That would be a good opportunity to display the Heavenly Court’s majesty, it couldn’t be wasted like this.

What else could it be then?

Could it be…

Li Changshou smiled and said, “Could it be treasured for reconstructing a dao body?”

“No, no,” Wood Minister shook his head slightly and said, “Such treasures aren’t particularly precious, but they are quite rare and scarce, and since no one specifically collects them, they’re rather hard to find.

Last time, didn’t you ask, Sea God, if the Heavenly Court had any spirit medicines with effects similar to the Love-thinking Precious Tree?”

Li Changshou suddenly had a not-so-good premonition.

“Yes…”

“Hehehe, let me show you a little treasure!”

Wood Minister reached into his wide sleeve and took out a potted plant that looked somewhat familiar to Li Changshou, but much smaller…

This rich heavenly merit, this mysterious Great Dao rhythm…

This isn’t!

The Love-thinking Precious Tree that Old Man Yuelao used to stab him in that dream during their first meeting!

While Li Changshou was still stunned, Wood Minister had already stuffed the miniature precious tree into Li Changshou’s hands, smiling:

“When His Majesty heard your request at the time, he waved his great hand and said—just use merit to cultivate one and send it directly to beloved official Changgeng.

Because this precious tree hadn’t been cultivated properly before, we kept it hidden from you, friend Sea God.

Today it’s finally ready, and I fetched it from Yuelao overnight to deliver it to you!”

Speaking thus, East Wood Minister patted Li Changshou’s arm, “Friend, this is a Heavenly Dao Instrument, a posterior merit spirit treasure, and His Majesty’s great kindness!”

Li Changshou: …

“I—!”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you,” Li Changshou held this merit-filled miniature Love-thinking Precious Tree, showing a grateful yet gritted-teeth smile, “Thank you for His Majesty’s grace!

This subject offers thanks to His Majesty here!”

East Wood Minister immediately revealed a happy smile, “Well then, I’ll head back now. This treasure… use it well, use it well!”