Thankfully, they had managed to save her…

Looking at the green light before him, watching the tiny ethereal figure within that was no larger than a thumb.

Such a tree spirit reminded Li Changshou of some little stories he had heard in his previous life.

— The proper kind, of course.

Having found Master Uncle Wan Jiangyu, Li Changshou again pictured his master’s aging appearance in his mind.

People only have a few countable pursuits in this life – having support and comfort in old age could barely count as one of them.

If his master had hope for immortality, Li Changshou as a disciple wouldn’t need to worry so much.

But his master…

Sigh, even with a Heavenly position and merit protection in the future, he would barely manage to live a few tens of thousands of years.

Not even comparable to some old spirit beasts in the Primordial Chaos who didn’t even cultivate.

Though Wan Jiangyu’s remnant spirit was preserved, it was still extremely weak at this moment.

A normal tree spirit could transform into a rough human shape;

But Master-Uncle Wan Jiangyu’s reincarnated tree spirit could only lie in that orb of light, barely breathing, seeming as if it might dissipate at any moment.

But as long as they could return to Du Xian Gate, there were precious grounds rich in vitality where she could recover…

The five from Du Xian Gate didn’t delay further, quickly flying away from this great world, finding their bearings in the void to return to the Five Continents.

How should they arrange what comes next?

Surely he couldn’t just wait until Master-Uncle recovered and then go to his master with a grin…

‘Master, want a Dao companion?’

Uh, just kidding, just kidding.

Tree spirits themselves had great difficulty cultivating. They were like spirit bodies dwelling within tree spirits, finding it very hard to comprehend the Great Dao.

According to Li Changshou’s personal opinion, the best choice would be to let Master Uncle Wan Jiangyu return to reincarnation after her tree spirit’s lifespan was exhausted, to be reborn into the human path…

Of course, this wasn’t something he could decide alone. He would need to discuss it with Little Grand Master and Junior Sister later.

Master Qi Yuan temporarily had no right to know or speak about this.

On the way back, Jiang Lin’er held the little tree spirit in her palms and embraced it in her bosom, being extremely careful, constantly infusing immortal power into the little tree spirit…

By the way, they hadn’t given too much trouble to that Heavenly Immortal realm Daoist named Cai Wei;

Li Changshou had explained the matter clearly to Cai Wei and given him sufficient thanks while having Cai Wei make a Great Dao oath to ‘never pursue this matter further.’

The thousand-character basic version.

As for the other tree spirits saved at the same time, Sect Leader Ji Wuyou casually released them back into the forest…

Whether they could survive afterward was another matter entirely.

Ji Wuyou steered his cloud as the five sat cross-legged upon it, crossing the void beyond the heavens.

This Golden Immortal Sect Leader, combining functions of ‘transport, combat, explanation, and flag-planting,’ had left a deep impression on the sect’s junior disciple Li Changshou this time.

[After recovering from his injuries, the Sect Leader is quite a reliable Golden Immortal expert.]

Speaking of which, this was Li Changshou’s first time flying so far beyond the Five Continents.

Even though it was just his paper doll avatar.

In the boundless void, the unique scenery they could see was the occasional appearance and quick passing of various heavens and worlds.

Jiang Lin’er had seen such sights many times and had no mood to appreciate them now;

Master Wangqing, You Qin Xuanya, and Li Changshou, who usually stayed home cultivating, all held a deep interest in such marvelous views.

The great and small worlds evolved from Primordial Chaos fragments all had a ’round heaven square earth’ structure.

The earth and oceans spread out on a horizontal plane, covered by a hemispherical sky dome with projections of the celestial stars above;

These projections were mostly incomplete, corresponding to whether the ‘Dao principles’ of various worlds were perfect.

Because they were hurrying back to Du Xian Gate, they had no chance to find a world to observe.

Moreover, with the current cultivation realms of the five from Du Xian Gate, even if they stared at these ‘worlds’ for several thousand years, they would hardly gain any insights.

Creating heaven and earth was a great art, only comprehensible to great beings.

Thinking of worlds made Li Changshou inevitably think of those twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Divine Zhenzhus that could each form their heaven and earth;

Thinking of the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Zhenzhus made Li Changshou think of that ‘righteously loyal, boneless-legged’ Old Master Zhao, and he couldn’t help showing a slight smile.

Old Master Zhao was quite lovable.

“Senior Brother Changshou,” You Qin Xuanya saw this and asked softly beside him, “Have you put down a worry today?”

“Mm,” Li Changshou nodded slightly, glancing at the three sect seniors in front before making a ‘let’s transmit speech’ gesture to You Qin Xuanya.

He wondered how the effects of the last oath were going;

Li Changshou decided to take this opportunity to chat with You Qin Xuanya for a while, to consolidate the therapeutic effect.

Li Changshou casually found a topic, “Junior Sister, do you have any cultivation difficulties when practicing?”

This was meant to be just a casual opening line, but You Qin Xuanya calmly nodded and directly asked:

“Senior Brother, in the ‘Scripture of Non-Action’ there’s a line ‘Only profit guides, not contending for power leads to progress, not being clear about delusion leads to clarity’ – can this be understood as…”

And so on, like this and that.

Li Changshou truly wanted to give himself two slaps – why did he make small talk? Why did he speak carelessly?

When speaking with You Qin Xuanya, one must be direct and straightforward, not beat around the bush, otherwise, this sister would believe everything said.

The result was that he had found himself work to do while idle, beginning on the road with You Qin Xuanya…

To discuss scriptures and verify Dao methods.

How did he suddenly feel that if this situation were in his previous life, it would be like…

‘Shocking! Ordinary homebody college student has late-night hotel rendezvous with school beauty but reviews homework!’

Mm, full of proper energy!

…

Sect Leader Ji Wuyou estimated their pace – they should reach Du Xian Gate in about thirteen days.

Along the way, Jiang Lin’er and Master Wangqing continuously used immortal power to heal the tree spirit;

By the time they returned to Du Xian Gate, this tree spirit probably wouldn’t need to find any precious grounds for recovery, as it would certainly be able to bounce around again.

Jiang Lin’er had specifically reminded Li Changshou not to tell Old Daoist Qi Yuan about this matter.

After the tree spirit’s lifespan was exhausted in the future and Wan Jiangyu’s true spirit entered the ‘human path’ again to restart the immortal path, then telling Qi Yuan about this matter wouldn’t be too late.

But how things would go between Qi Yuan and Wan Jiangyu in the future was something no one could be certain about…

On this journey, Li Changshou truly wasn’t idle.

After explaining several questions to You Qin Xuanya, she took out her ‘error book’… ahem!

She took out the questions she had accumulated over many years that her master Jiang Jingshan could no longer explain clearly, constantly asking Li Changshou.

Li Changshou gradually felt this wasn’t bad at all.

Having a fellow Daoist who could discuss the Dao and cultivation matters with him and was quite pleasing to the eye was much better than having a Dao companion who spent all day thinking wildly and causing trouble.

Moreover, Junior Sister You Qin had good aptitude and understood flexibility in cultivation. With some nurturing, she would become another outstanding magical treasure…

Elite of the Humanity Dao!

On the sixth day of crossing the void, while Li Changshou was lecturing You Qin Xuanya about the Dao, his heart suddenly stirred slightly.

His divine consciousness was slightly disturbed, and he heard that voice:

“Brother Sect Leader~”

Uh, today’s Second Sect Leader, why so flirtatious?

From the trembling tone in this call, Li Changshou could hear that Ao Yi’s state of mind was slightly unstable…

“Junior Sister You Qin, let’s continue the lecture later.”

Li Changshou looked at You Qin Xuanya and transmitted: “I have some insights to contemplate first.”

You Qin Xuanya hurriedly said: “Please do as you wish, Senior Brother. I’ve been constantly disturbing your cultivation.”

“It’s no trouble,” Li Changshou said, “If it’s just cultivation matters, I’m also happy to verify with you mutually.”

After speaking, Li Changshou closed his eyes, and clasped his hands in the primordial unity pose, appearing to be cultivating.

Actually, most of his consciousness returned to his main body, using the divine statue to connect his divine consciousness, establishing a remote connection with Ao Yi…

In the dream realm constructed by the divine statue, when Li Changshou’s form condensed from beneath the statue, Ao Yi hurriedly ran over.

“Brother Sect Leader!

Happy news! Great happy news!”

“Oh?” Li Changshou smiled, “Are you and Sister-in-law moving so quickly? Am I about to become an uncle?”

Ao Yi’s young face immediately flushed red as he hurriedly said:

“It’s not that – with the Dragon Clan’s current unstable situation, I wouldn’t dare have such thoughts… Brother Sect Leader, this time it’s truly wonderful news!”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou smiled, “What kind of good news could make you so happy?”

“The West Sea Dragon Palace…”

Just hearing the words ‘West Sea,’ Li Changshou already had some ominous premonitions.

He knew that the Western Paradise had already infiltrated about half of the West Sea, and basically, only the West Sea Dragon King could still be trusted; whenever any news came from there, it could be seen as the Western Paradise plotting and arranging things behind the scenes.

But this time, after hearing Ao Yi’s explanation, Li Changshou was also somewhat confused.

The news that made Ao Yi so happy was actually—

The West Sea Dragon Palace had decided to reform old customs, following the successful experience of East Sea Dragon Palace’s Second Prince Ao Yi in taking a master, sending thirty-six Dragon Clan youths to try joining the lineages of the Sage’s Dao.

Li Changshou rubbed his brow – this matter, he couldn’t quite understand for the moment.

If this was the Western Paradise’s doing, what were they after?

Using this move to plant ‘spies’ in the Dao sects?

Wouldn’t that be superfluous? What could be hidden from a Sage’s eyes?

The only questions were whether the Sage Lords wanted to calculate things and whether other Sage Lords would interfere.

Li Changshou said: “Tell me the details of this matter.”

“Ah,” Ao Yi nodded solemnly and explained the cause and effect of this matter in detail.

This proposal was put forward by the West Sea Dragon King’s brother. The West Sea Dragon King gathered all the palace ministers and the Turtle Prime Ministers sent by the other three seas’ Dragon Kings to discuss it in detail for seven days.

During these seven days, the West Sea Dragon Palace’s meetings had forty-eight fights and over a hundred arguments, fully demonstrating the spiritual outlook of ancient nobles’ love of combat and bravery.

According to Ao Yi, Dragon Clan affairs often went like this when it came to truly important matters…

No help for it, traditional Dragon Clan skills.

The final discussion result was a deadlock with half for and half against. The West Sea Dragon King thus made a compromise plan, reducing the originally planned hundred dragon sons and daughters to thirty-six.

Among them were two princes and three princesses of the West Sea Dragon Palace, thirteen nephews and nieces, and the remaining eighteen were Dragon Clan talents…

After hearing Ao Yi’s explanation, Li Changshou also showed a slight smile.

What kind of scheme this was, or whether it was part of some greater scheme, Li Changshou couldn’t see through for now;

But his vigilance was already completely maxed out.

Li Changshou smiled and asked: “What are the destinations these dragon sons and daughters want to take masters at?”

“The Three Schools’ Immortal Sects in Central Divine State.”

Ao Yi immediately answered: “This is also the main reason so many clan members opposed it. I understand the pride in our clansmen’s hearts, but trying to join places like Golden Turtle Island is already very troublesome.

So, the places the West Sea Dragon Palace wants to send dragon sons and daughters to take masters at this time are the Dao sects that appeared at the Three Schools’ Origin Flow Conference!

Brother Sect Leader, Du Xian Gate’s founding ceremony should be in twenty or thirty years – two cousin sisters should try Du Xian Gate to see if they can join the Humanity Dao.”

Hearing this, Li Changshou couldn’t help raising his eyebrows…

The Dragon Clan’s intelligence-gathering skills weren’t weak – they’d even calculated the founding ceremony timing for Du Xian Gate.

Should he directly refuse this, or should he let nature take its course and not interfere much?

“Brother Yi, Du Xian Gate ranks last among Humanity Dao sects,” Li Changshou said. “If taking masters, it would be more appropriate to go to sects like Xiaoyao Immortal Sect.”

“They’re being sent everywhere,” Ao Yi smiled, “Half of the dragon sons and daughters this time are choosing Humanity Dao lineages.

Brother Sect Leader, because of our Sea God Religion’s connection, the Dragon Clan now has quite good feelings toward the Humanity Dao.”

Understood…

Hearing these words, Li Changshou suddenly understood something in his heart.

Could it be that Western Paradise was trying to use a wedge strategy again?

This time they changed to using dragon sons and daughters to cause trouble within the Humanity Dao lineages, thereby angering the Humanity Dao.

This move could barely be called clever…

Unfortunately, if it truly was such a scheme, it was destined to be drawing water with a bamboo basket – all in vain.

The Humanity Dao’s core, strictly speaking, currently only had two people – that is, Supreme Clarity Sage Lord Laozi and Grand Magus Xuandu; Li Changshou was striving to become the third, but that was barely beginning.

To make the Humanity Dao despise the Dragon Clan would require causing trouble in the Doulu Palace.

Moreover, the Western Paradise probably hadn’t fully understood the Humanity Dao’s position – the Humanity Dao stood behind Heaven, not behind the dragons.

Seeing Li Changshou frown, Ao Yi immediately asked somewhat anxiously: “Does Brother Sect Leader dislike this?”

“Ah, not at all,” Li Changshou smiled, “If the Dragon Clan can understand this, that’s for the best.”

Hearing this, Ao Yi immediately revealed a heartfelt smile and also gave a light sigh…

The youthful arrogance of years past, thinking of waking up the Dragon Clan through endless schemes;

The gradual steadiness of the present, looking at the pattern of heaven and earth, seeking a true way out for the Dragon Clan…

This was probably the difference between an adolescent dragon and a young adult dragon.

Ao Yi asked again: “Brother Sect Leader, are there any matters that need attention in this?”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment before saying:

“I don’t know about the other three schools’ sects, but within the Humanity Dao lineage, the atmosphere is somewhat… um, rather romantic.

Although the Humanity Dao advocates following nature, they’re quite conservative regarding Dao companions, while the Dragon Clan is relatively more open-minded in this aspect.

If possible, it would be better to send some more well-behaved dragon sons and daughters to the Humanity Dao lineage, to avoid any unpleasantness.

Of course, these are just my slight suggestions.”

Hearing this, Ao Yi immediately fell into deep thought, but quickly nodded heavily and said seriously: “Brother Sect Leader, rest assured, I’ll go warn them right away.”

With that, Ao Yi made a Daoist bow and hurriedly cut off the divine consciousness connection.

Seeing this, Li Changshou couldn’t help blinking…

Could it be that the two dragon maidens previously meant to be sent to Du Xian Gate were those who dealt in red strings?

If so, that would be a bit stimulating…

Ao Yi’s reminder also made Li Changshou think of the founding ceremony matter.

Du Xian Gate’s founding ceremony happened once every two hundred years and would be in twenty or thirty years’ time, roughly when the current batch of disciples’ ‘tribulation fever’ had passed, those who should stay had stayed and those who should leave had left – then Du Xian Gate would prepare to accept new disciples to cultivate in the mountain.

If Master-Uncle Wan Jiangyu’s reincarnation timing was tight enough, she might be able to return right at the founding ceremony…

Li Changshou calculated this matter slightly in his heart, then dismissed it with a smile, not thinking further.

This matter, let Little Grand Master arrange it herself.

On the twelfth day of crossing the void, with the Five Continents faintly in sight, Sect Leader Ji Wuyou suddenly turned his head and asked:

“Oh right, Wangqing, Changshou, I have a divine ability passed down by my master – want to study it together?”

Li Changshou: …

If it’s the kind that requires coughing blood for several hundred years, please absolutely forget it.