The immortal maiden who had come here but was unwilling to reveal herself was naturally Yunxiao.

Only someone of her caliber could hide from the detection of Grand Master Xuandu, Zhao Gongming, and others at a distance of tens of li.

— Clearly, others did not know Immortal Maiden Yunxiao was hiding here.

Li Changshou accidentally discovered the maiden’s presence using his Heaven’s Dao ‘divine tool’, and when she sensed this, she no longer hid, gracefully flying toward the Cloud Ascending Platform.

She had merely been unwilling to appear, not unable to appear.

In the air, Li Changshou turned his head to look several times. Viewing the immortal maiden from this angle at a distance made him feel even more…

“Congratulations to the Sea God!”

With a great laugh, Old Man under the Moon appeared in the clouds wearing celebratory robes, leading a large group of Heavenly Court civil and military officials forward, constantly saluting Li Changshou.

Li Changshou withdrew his distant gaze, turned to exchange Daoist salutes with the Heavenly Court immortals, and began familiar greetings.

What did the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court fear most?

Naturally, it was subordinate deities forming factions and private interests, usurping divine authority.

Li Changshou had prepared for this early on. Though he exchanged greetings with the various deities, he always maintained some distance, neither offending anyone nor becoming too friendly with any immortals besides his old friend Old Man under the Moon.

After all the immortals had offered congratulations, East Wood Officer rode his cloud over and smiled:

“Sea God, you may handle mortal affairs for now, but within three years you must come to Tongming Hall to report and receive instructions.”

Li Changshou made a Daoist salute, “Today I was able to receive His Majesty’s bestowal of True Deity position thanks to Wood Officer’s constant support over these years.”

“Sea God is too kind,” East Wood Officer smiled. “From now on we will serve as ministers in the same hall, serving His Majesty. If I have any improper conduct, please let me know.”

“Wood Officer’s words are too heavy.”

These true and false old immortals smiled at each other, their tacit understanding undiminished.

What needed to be done had been done. East Wood Officer bid farewell with the Heavenly Court immortals. Streams of golden light appeared in the sky, receiving the Heaven Soldiers and Generals back to South Heaven Gate.

From start to finish, the Heavenly Court deities were wrapped in Heaven’s Dao power, protected by Heaven’s Dao – this was considered one of the Heavenly Court’s major ‘advantages’…

However, after carefully observing the Three Schools immortals’ subtle expressions for a while, Li Changshou found they had remained unmoved throughout.

Cultivating immortality was originally for freedom – why be bound by Heaven’s rules?

The Three Schools immortals were already under the Saints’ protection, naturally having no interest in the Heavenly Court.

Li Changshou couldn’t help recalling how the surface cause of the Great Investiture of the Gods tribulation was naturally ‘Three Schools disciples having no respect for others, not honoring the Heavenly Emperor’s orders’, leading the Heavenly Emperor to cry at Purple Void Palace, and the Dao Ancestor having the Three Pure Ones sign the Investiture List.

Things like ‘King Zhou’s poem insulting Nüwa, Nüwa angrily sending three demons’ were all incidents arising from the tribulation’s destiny – the tribulation had begun operating long before…

The Three Schools immortals looked down on the Heavenly Court, naturally having their confidence to do so.

In contrast, those Dragon Clan experts were all excited, many old dragons with tears in their eyes as they watched the… little azure dragon rolling in the black storm clouds.

Li Changshou showed considerable loyalty today, not immediately going down to receive honored guests but quietly standing in the air, waiting for Ao Yi to complete his transformation.

Below, countless mortals kept kneeling and kowtowing. Some thought the Sea God was going to heaven and leaving them. From eighty-year-old grannies to sixteen and seventeen-year-old maidens in the flower of youth, all wept bitter tears, extremely reluctant to part.

Fortunately, Li Changshou had transmitted a few reminders to Bear Village Divine Envoy. The divine envoys brought out several rhymes Li Changshou had composed earlier and began spreading basic Heavenly Court knowledge on the spot…

The Sea God had merely received the Heavenly Emperor’s conferment and would continue protecting the Four Seas’ shores and looking after the fishermen who made their living fishing.

They also announced that Sea God Temple shrines would now display the Heavenly Emperor’s portrait.

The Heavenly Emperor was the leader of all immortals, managing all deities…

The crying at the Sea God ceremony quickly disappeared, replaced by rejoicing masses and endless shouts praising the Heavenly Emperor.

After Ao Yi burst out of the black clouds, his thousand-zhang-long dragon body flew straight to the sky, then dove down toward Li Changshou in the high air, shrinking to several tens of zhang long and actively landing beneath Li Changshou’s feet.

The azure dragon let out a deep call: “Elder Brother Sect Master!”

Li Changshou shook his head slightly in refusal, but the azure dragon stubbornly lowered his head, directly lifting Li Changshou onto his head.

Then the azure dragon carried Li Changshou, soaring and gliding in the sky, leading a thousand dragons following in dance above the South Sea for a long while.

Unfortunately, Li Changshou was wearing a long robe at this time, without majestic armor and helmet, nor a shining golden trident in hand.

Otherwise, with a segment of [Snow drifting~ North wind howling~], it would have been perfect…

At this time, Ao Yi’s realm was equivalent to the mid-Golden Immortal stage of human cultivators.

This made Li Changshou quite emotional – these races that relied on bloodline to increase strength were completely unreasonable.

Human cultivation required comprehending the Great Dao, while dragons only needed to level up their bloodline…

No point in being envious, no point at all.

After flying above the South Sea for a while, Li Changshou jumped onto a cloud. Golden light flashed all over Ao Yi’s dragon body as he transformed into human form, jumping to Li Changshou’s side with a somewhat embarrassed grin…

Li Changshou frowned: “How come you still haven’t changed in human form?”

Ao Yi looked down at his youthful form, also somewhat troubled, and said softly: “Perhaps… it’s because the nightmare from my youth hasn’t yet faded…”

“Ah,” Li Changshou raised his hand to pat Ao Yi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry too much about these things, this form is fine too.

Hmm… at least you look young.”

Several black lines appeared on Ao Yi’s forehead and he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Those cold-faced old Daoists from back then still couldn’t be tracked down, leaving Ao Yi with no target to get revenge on.

The true dragons and flood dragons following behind them now flew ahead toward the Sea God ceremony, each transforming into human form and lining up to guard the South Sea shore.

Li Changshou rode his cloud, bringing Ao Yi toward the ceremony.

“Elder Brother Sect Master, now that we have Heavenly Court divine positions, what should we do next?”

“No need to do much of anything, just wait for your father king, and the others to reach their decision.”

“Father King and the others should have made some decision by now.”

Li Changshou said: “In about half a year, I’ll report to the Heavenly Court. Would you like to go together then?”

Ao Yi nodded heavily, saying: “Just call me anytime, brother!”

“The burden on your shoulders will grow heavier and heavier in the future,” Li Changshou said. “If you have any worries or troubles, or anything you’re unsure about, you can always come discuss it with me. Don’t walk into dead ends or get stuck on problems.”

“Ah,” Ao Yi agreed with a smile.

The youth’s smile was so pure it made Li Changshou feel somewhat…

Embarrassed.

…

The Sea God ceremony continued;

But the main course had passed, and what followed was the Sea God Temple’s internal celebration.

Li Changshou invited the Three Schools immortals back to Sea God Temple for tea while having Ao Yi entertain the Dragon Clan and Netherworld guests as they continued watching the ceremony.

The Grand Master also showed his ‘host’s’ bearing, inviting Guangcheng Zi, Divine Mother Turtle Spirit, Zhao Gongming, Chijing Zi, Divine Mother Wudang, and other direct disciples of the Saints to jointly expound on the Dao and discuss dharma for the present Dao School disciples.

This was a tremendous opportunity, making the Visualization andSevering School immortals feel the trip was worthwhile.

Even someone of Guangcheng Zi’s caliber was quite looking forward to it, as they only knew Grand Master Xuandu was unfathomable but didn’t know exactly how profound their Dao School’s eldest senior brother’s cultivation was…

Discussing together would reveal something at least.

Thus, the Sea God Temple’s back hall instantly became a place for expounding the Dao, as the Grand Master lightly brushed his sleeve and arranged a barrier around the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou had slipped away early, not joining this lively gathering.

Though he very much wanted to hear the Grand Master expound on the Dao, his current situation had tribulation ready with a bowstring drawn – just a few trembles away. If listening to the teachings caused him to tremble a few times early, things would become uncontrollable.

The success rate for tribulation could still be increased, there were still some methods that could be used;

To be safe, Li Changshou didn’t want to stumble on that lacking one percent…

A man must learn to control himself.

Just as Li Changshou left the Sea God Temple, a strand of transmitted sound entered his ear.

“Why not go listen to the various senior brothers and sisters expound on the Dao?”

Looking over, he saw Immortal Maiden Yunxiao standing in the clouds, wearing a plain white dress with simple cloud-style hair buns, elegant without mortal vulgarity, clear eyes reflecting her flower-like countenance.

Li Changshou smiled wryly:

“The ceremony hasn’t ended yet, and here I am as Sea God hiding in this place not going out – truly sorry to so many faithful who came to offer incense.

I wanted to go listen too.”

Hearing Li Changshou’s slightly complaining words, Immortal Maiden Yunxiao revealed a slight smile at the corners of her mouth.

Li Changshou made a Daoist salute. Yunxiao nodded lightly and turned sideways, counting as half-accepting this salute.

Li Changshou asked: “Does the immortal maiden have an urgent business?”

“Nothing urgent, I was just worried about my elder brother earlier, so I followed him here.”

Yunxiao said softly: “Elder brother was troubled at not receiving friend Dao’s invitation, and complained to me and the third and fourth sisters on Three Immortals Island yesterday.

I figured friend Dao must have proper business hosting this faith-based divine school ceremony, and likely considered carefully before deciding not to invite their elder brother.

But seeing elder brother so troubled, I let him come ask you directly.”

Li Changshou: …

No wonder!

He had thought Elder Zhao would consider face and not come uninvited. Unexpectedly…

Li Changshou sighed: “Immortal maiden, could we walk around the South Sea? I should explain this properly.”

“Very well,” Yunxiao nodded lightly, riding her cloud to walk alongside Li Changshou, maintaining a three-chi distance.

Handling relationships with Zhao Gongming and Yunxiao was truly quite tricky.

He could neither be hostile nor too close, to avoid being entangled by karma and joining them in confronting Saints above.

At present, Li Changshou briefly explained a few things – that today he was merely putting on a show for the Dragon Clan, pointing out a path to heaven for them, no need to invite Senior Zhao Gongming… and so on.

After listening, Yunxiao thought briefly, gave a light sigh and said softly:

“Friend Dao’s consideration was quite good, such an occasion indeed didn’t require elder brother’s presence.

It was Yunxiao who was rash, making elder brother come over, leading to the arrival of high-level people from both schools and even disturbing Senior Brother Xuandu.”

Li Changshou was secretly praised a few times, hurriedly saying: “Immortal maiden need not blame yourself. Looking at the results, this turned out extremely well, incidentally thickening my background and giving the West more misgivings when calculating against me.”

Yunxiao asked softly: “Why is friend Dao so wary of the West?

With Great Master Uncle standing behind friend Dao, even though the West has two Saints for one school, they shouldn’t make things difficult for friend Dao.”

Li Changshou’s heart stirred, and he decided to take this chance to say something to Yunxiao;

He cupped his hands toward the air;

Yunxiao immediately understood, her delicate hand waving to create a layer of clouds around Li Changshou. She then blinked lightly, indicating he could speak freely.

“I have a few presumptuous words, immortal maiden can treat them as mere entertainment.”

Li Changshou transmitted: “What circumstances does immortal maiden think would cause the Saint Lords to directly take action, using Saint power to fight others?”

Yunxiao showed a thoughtful expression, but before she could answer, Li Changshou continued:

“Then, under what circumstances would Saint Lords directly take action against those who haven’t become Saints?

Similarly, there’s another question – under what circumstances would Saint Lords take action against other Saints’ disciples?

In my view, one shouldn’t rely on Saints’ protection to consider oneself safe. Before becoming a Saint, one is ultimately an ant. What should be guarded against must be guarded against. One must never be careless, much less lose composure in urgency.”

Yunxiao couldn’t help falling into deep thought.

Li Changshou sighed inside, not knowing what influence his words would have on Immortal Maiden Yunxiao, or whether they could give her more restraint in the future Great Investiture tribulation…

When Yunxiao left, she thanked Li Changshou, seeming to have some realization yet also still pondering.

She had only come to look around, not going to the Dao discussion as she wanted to leave quickly, merely scattering clouds and chatting with Li Changshou above the South Sea for a while.

Watching Immortal Maiden Yunxiao’s figure gradually fade into the distance, Li Changshou also felt inexplicably relaxed and joyful.

He tested again the detection ability of that small golden trident beside his primordial spirit, finding this thing’s detection was also limited.

Now it could only reach out to fourteen thousand li before losing sight of the immortal maiden’s figure…

‘It should be related to one’s strength.’

Li Changshou smiled inside, planning to spend time later developing the uses of this ‘divine power’.

Turning his gaze to the Sea God ceremony vicinity, Li Changshou couldn’t help his mouth twitching several times.

The Dragon Clan’s move this time was truly fast.

Box after box of treasures had already been transported over. This time they even brought several hundred beautiful maids as ‘gifts’ to celebrate the Sea God’s ascension to heaven.

How could they openly give such gifts?

Ahem, he definitely wouldn’t accept these!

Li Changshou truly wanted to go ask if these maids could be converted to formation base treasures instead…

At this time, these several hundred maids weren’t just troubling Li Changshou but also troubled the Netherworld representatives who hadn’t had much presence yet.

Ox Head gritted his teeth and said softly: “It’s just about giving local specialties, right?

Hmph! They have beautiful merfolk in their seas, don’t we have beautiful female ghosts in our Netherworld?

Go, send people to capture several hundred fierce female ghosts who can’t reincarnate!”

The other Wu tribe experts’ eyes immediately lit up. The head was squatting in a corner with several Wu tribe experts, looking at the Dragon Clan’s gift-giving procession in the sky above the sea, quite troubled.

“These old Dragon Clan fellows moved so fast. We’ve just started researching how to curry favor with the Sea God, and they’ve already delivered gifts.”

“Commander, what should we do? Our Netherworld is poor as dirt – we definitely can’t give treasures.

And our Wu tribe female warriors are all as burly as hammers – we can’t present them either.”

Ox Head gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: “Isn’t it just about offering local specialties?

Hmph! They have plenty of sea tribe beauties in their waters, don’t we have pretty female ghosts in our Netherworld?

Go, send people to round up a few hundred vicious female ghosts who can’t reincarnate!”

The other Wu tribe experts’ eyes immediately lit up.