In the Crystal Palace of the East Sea;

Several cultured and amiable elder dragons had been so angered by the conversation in the Sea God Temple that they were spewing fragrant words, continuously cursing!

The East Sea Dragon King sat quietly, his dragon eyes showing a rare sharp gaze.

The Dragon King himself had also been stirred to anger.

However, Jin Chan Zi, who had caused these elder dragons to become so agitated, was unaware of what he had done…

Even more wonderfully, as long as there were no Western Teaching’s planted pieces among the Dragon Clan ministers watching this ‘live broadcast’, the Western Teaching wouldn’t know about this matter later…

Without anyone knowing, Jin Chan Zi had completely pushed the Dragon Clan toward the Celestial Court.

— The already heavily infiltrated West Sea Dragon Palace didn’t count in this case.

In the Sea God Temple, Li Chang Shou swept his whisk, said “Please take your leave,” then turned and walked toward the rear hall, giving Jin Chan Zi a view of his gracefully departing back.

Jin Chan Zi was stunned for a moment, unconsciously clenching his fists, his gaze like two sharp blades, as if wanting to pierce through Li Chang Shou’s avatar…

What was this supposed to mean?

Was he being played for a fool?

[You just need to prove you’re from Western Teaching, and I’ll discuss it with you.]

He had sworn an oath.

[Very good, you’ve successfully proven you’re from Western Teaching, but there’s nothing to discuss.]

What kind of wild tactics were these Human Teaching people?

“Sea God! Please wait!”

Jin Chan Zi called out through gritted teeth.

“Go back, young man.”

Li Chang Shou flicked his whisk, layers of clouds appearing around him, his form disappearing within the mist.

Though it looked quite mysterious, it was just a simple fog-creation spell combined with earth traversal.

When the clouds dispersed, Li Chang Shou’s aura had completely vanished;

The dazed Jin Chan Zi could only vaguely sense that this avatar of the Sea God had gone to the great Sea God Temple in An Shui City.

Young man?

“Hmph! Farewell!”

Jin Chan Zi snorted coldly and turned to leave, his face as dark as water when he departed.

If the Vice Patriarch hadn’t warned him that this South Sea God was the Human Teaching’s third-ranked figure and that moving against him would be losing Supreme Lord Tai Qing’s face, inevitably provoking the Human Teaching’s fury…

He would have destroyed this shabby temple today!

As he left this remote Sea God Temple, Jin Chan Zi felt he had fallen for this Sea God’s scheme…

But for the moment, he couldn’t say exactly where he had slipped up.

Li Chang Shou’s divine consciousness, attached to his deity statue, watched Jin Chan Zi’s rapidly disappearing figure on the horizon and laughed inwardly a few times.

‘This Jin Chan Zi is indeed a talent necessary for Western Teaching’s great rise.’

The tactics he had used in this play had only shown a tiny bit of their effectiveness.

The reason the result appeared so excellent was entirely because Jin Chan Zi was arrogant and looked down on the Dragon Clan from the bottom of his heart.

It wasn’t that my tactics were deep, but rather that the enemy was a self-saboteur!

Li Chang Shou had understood this principle early on…

The Dragon Clan, after all, had been ancient overlords, occupying vast lands of the primordial world for long ages, gaining profound accumulations through this.

The Dragon Clan fought to the death with the Phoenix Clan and Qilin Clan, and even now after the ancient times had passed, the dragons still held their place in the Five Continents – this was proof of their inherent strength.

Everyone said the Dragon Clan had declined, but they only lacked merit and destiny;

Thinking about it another way, that the Dragon Clan could still be an unavoidable force in the primordial world despite bearing karmic obstacles and lacking destiny – didn’t this prove even more the Dragon Clan’s might?

This ‘live broadcast of the Western plot’ was accomplished by Dragon Clan experts’ work, deceiving Jin Chan Zi’s senses.

This matter must also serve as a warning – underestimating one’s opponent will ultimately exact a price.

Divide and consume the dragons…

Take two each from East, West, South, and North…

To directly shout such words like slogans, the Dragon Clan side must be about to explode with anger.

But for Li Chang Shou, this Jin Chan Zi was simply providing divine assistance!

The matter of the Dragon Clan ascending to heaven had instantly taken a great step forward.

In the Sea God Palace of the Celestial Court, Ao Yi hurried again to the main hall, this young dragon’s face also ashen, nearly grinding his teeth in anger.

“Elder Brother Patriarch!”

“Hmm?”

Li Chang Shou quietly looked at Ao Yi, who wanted to say something but stopped several times, finally just sighing dejectedly.

Ao Yi said: “They have Sages there, we’re still just meat on their chopping block.”

After speaking, Ao Yi slowly sat in a wooden chair to the side, soon closing his eyes with a long sigh, his youthful face full of helplessness.

“Let the Dragon Clan quickly deepen their ties with the Celestial Court,” Li Chang Shou said thus, and Ao Yi nodded in agreement, after which neither dragon nor man spoke further.

What Ao Yi needed now was encouragement and comfort, not to be instilled with any grand principles.

Li Chang Shou could only sigh inwardly.

It’s hard to achieve both things in this world, can’t fail the kidneys nor… ahem, can’t fail the Jade Emperor nor Er!

Half a day later, Ao Yi requested leave from Tong Ming Hall, departing the Celestial Court under the pretext of [Inspecting the East Sea on behalf of the Sea God], and returning to the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Another half day later, Ao Yi communicated with Li Chang Shou through divine consciousness, speaking of the Dragon Clan’s reaction to this matter.

Angry they certainly were;

But anger could accomplish nothing, it was just impotent rage.

The Western Teaching had two Sage Lords presiding, unless the Dragon Clan wanted to be exterminated, going mad and attacking Spirit Mountain was the only way to vent this anger.

— Being schemed against by Sages and actively attacking to lose Sage’s face were completely different concepts.

Until now, Li Chang Shou’s greatest worry of ‘Sages getting involved’ had not occurred, so things hadn’t reached an irreversible point.

“Brother, my Father King is quite calm though.

Several elders showed their agitation, pulling me aside repeatedly to instruct that I must maintain good relations with my brother.”

“Ao Yi, now is a difficult time for the Dragon Clan. Why don’t you take your wife and stay in the Dragon Palace for a while, paying regular visits to your Father King, and Queen Mother.”

Li Chang Shou instructed: “In all matters, listen and observe more, speak less.

Unless your Father King speaks first, don’t involve yourself in any affairs.”

Ao Yi pondered for a moment, his expression somewhat troubled, saying softly:

“Brother, Queen Mother asked me to inquire, what must our Dragon Clan do to obtain some positions in the Celestial Court…”

“This matter requires the Jade Emperor’s approval,” Li Chang Shou had known the Dragon Clan would ask this, and said, “I will find an opportunity these days to pay respects to His Majesty and try to inquire about this matter.

If His Majesty agrees, just bestowing some lower-ranking positions would greatly improve the Dragon Clan’s situation.”

Hearing this, Ao Yi immediately brightened, hurriedly saying: “Thank you, brother!”

“Mm, go rest now, don’t worry too much. I’ll notify you immediately when there’s news.”

Li Chang Shou instructed warmly a few times, Ao Yi made a Daoist salute and hurriedly took his leave.

Originally, Li Chang Shou had wanted to mumble a few words about how he was running low on precious materials for array refinement again…

But considering Ao Yi’s current mood, he didn’t have the heart to make such autumn wind requests.

One must have some conscience after all!

Li Chang Shou didn’t delay further, his avatar in the Celestial Court immediately rushed to Ling Xiao Hall.

After the celestial general announced him and the Jade Emperor granted the audience, Li Chang Shou entered with a lowered head and presented a memorial that had been prepared long ago, requesting a batch of lower-ranking positions for the Dragon Clan.

Only those several hundred proper deity positions could influence the Heavenly Dao’s operation in the Celestial Court.

As for these lower-ranking positions Li Chang Shou requested this time, though one couldn’t say they were unlimited, the Jade Emperor granted several dozen with just a wave of his hand…

Li Chang Shou thought for a moment, then advised the Jade Emperor that too many couldn’t be given at once.

Thus, the Jade Emperor approved sixteen positions of Sea Patrol Protection Deities, subordinate to the Sea God position, for Li Chang Shou to arrange and distribute as he saw fit.

This edict would later enter Tong Ming Hall, taking about ten years to crystallize according to the procedure.

At that time, Li Chang Shou would personally go to the Dragon Palace to select sixteen minor deities for the Celestial Court…

Thus, the Dragon Clan matter was largely settled!

Next, they just needed to proceed step by step according to plan, finally incorporating the Four Sea Dragon Kings into the Celestial Court to complete the great achievement…

“Chang Geng, beloved minister.”

The white-robed Jade Emperor sat on that high platform, smiling: “This matter has had such pleasing progress again, has some turning point appeared?”

“Your subject dares not deceive Your Majesty.”

Li Chang Shou then told the Jade Emperor in detail about that scene in the Sea God Temple.

To be safe, Li Chang Shou did not mention the name ‘Jin Chan’, avoiding getting entangled in any strange karmic consequences…

The Jade Emperor clapped and laughed heartily after listening.

“Hahaha! Chang Geng, your methods are too… too unexpected!”

Li Chang Shou smiled with narrowed eyes, saying warmly: “Your subject only used some minor techniques unworthy of mention, plus a lack of face.”

This white-robed youth stood up, slowly walking down from the high platform, smiling:

“Let me think carefully about how to reward you this time, beloved minister!”

Li Chang Shou hurriedly said:

“Your Majesty, rather than rewards, let us wait until this matter concludes. Now we still need to advance slowly step by step.

When your subject has completed the full achievement, then coming to request Your Majesty’s rewards would not be too late.”

“Good,” the Jade Emperor nodded with a smile, standing before the jade table, looking at this empty Ling Xiao Hall.

“Chang Geng, when must I wait until this place can gather celestial generals and immortal officials…”

“Your Majesty, this matter cannot be rushed.”

“Indeed it cannot be rushed,” the Jade Emperor laughed lightly, “With you Chang Geng’s assistance, I have no worries.”

Li Chang Shou: …

Sorry, your subject only wants to be a merit-seeking idler.

These words naturally couldn’t be spoken aloud, moreover, Li Chang Shou had to maintain an expression of [Having a small emotional fluctuation but striving to remain calm].

Li Chang Shou carefully chose his words, smiling:

“Your subject only follows Your Majesty’s thoughts, carries out Your Majesty’s orders, doing things beneficial to the Celestial Court. I dare not claim credit, nor dare view myself too highly.”

The Jade Emperor couldn’t help but be amused, “You… oh right Chang Geng, there is one matter I still must ask you about.”

“Your subject is listening.”

“That celestial general planting beans near the Dou Shuai Palace, seemingly named Bian Zhuang, has he recently received the Great Master’s reward?”

The Jade Emperor frowned saying: “These days, my avatar has heard people speak of this matter several times.”

Li Chang Shou smiled: “This, can indeed be considered to have happened.”

“Oh?”

The Jade Emperor’s eyes brightened as he smiled: “Since the Great Master considers him a fine talent, I should make good use of him.”

Li Chang Shou explained: “This matter is for Your Majesty to decide, your subject dares not say much.

That day, Bian Zhuang’s hoe simply broke, and the Great Master had his page give him a rake, nothing significant.”

The Jade Emperor nodded slowly but had already made plans.

Whether Bian Zhuang had lucked into obtaining a magical treasure or was truly favored by the Great Master, wasn’t important…

What was important was that the Jade Emperor wanted to use this matter to make a statement, make his gesture, using this to express his respect for the Elder Lord of Dou Shuai Palace.

No help for it, the Jade Emperor now also needed to hold onto Supreme Lord Tai Qing’s thigh.

Li Chang Shou also understood this clearly, speaking just enough without saying too much, neither interfering nor undermining.

This future ‘Second Elder Brother’ Bian Zhuang would likely soon receive a promotion.

This position of Marshal Tian Peng, perhaps, came because of that rake.

…

Li Chang Shou soon took his leave from Ling Xiao Hall, this paper avatar returning to his immortal residence, still maintaining a state ready to hear summons at any time.

The Dragon Clan matter could be temporarily set aside.

Although there would likely still be some variables appearing later, now he could withdraw most of his energy to focus on preparing for his own Golden Immortal tribulation.

Elder Wang Qing’s tribulation crossing had made Li Chang Shou’s heart somewhat restless…

Among those alchemical formulas obtained from the Elder Lord, Li Chang Shou had selected an ‘Enlightenment Heart-Opening Pill’ for Elder Wan Lin Yun;

But this medicine required waiting until he passed the Golden Immortal tribulation and achieved the Long Life Dao Fruit before having the ability to refine it.

As long as he could guarantee a fifth-grade quality, there would be hope of helping Elder Wan Lin Yun break through his bottleneck; whether he could reach the Golden Immortal tribulation would depend on the old man’s destiny.

Returning peaches for plums, remembering the source when drinking water.

Elder Wan passing down the Poison Classic back then, now helping Elder Wan break through his realm boundary, was simply repaying karma, as it should be.

Moreover, an elder skilled in the Dao of Poison ascending to Golden Immortal…

Just thinking about it was particularly exciting!

Next, Li Chang Shou began gathering spirit medicines, his avatar traveling throughout the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, sparing no expense in purchases.

— He prepared to refine two more types of spirit pills that he might use during his tribulation.

When it came to his life, there was no room for the slightest error.

Li Chang Shou concentrated fully on this pill refinement, rare for him, fearing to waste any of these extremely valuable rare immortal herbs.

By the way, after Elder Wang Qing crossed his tribulation and achieved the Long Life Dao Fruit, he went into seclusion together with Ancestral Master Jiang Lin Er, likely to be in seclusion for a very long time.

Besides consolidating his realm, Elder Wang Qing also had thoughts of advancing Jiang Lin Er’s cultivation.

One achieved a long life while the other still had to calculate their lifespan limit – this was the most helpless and rather awkward matter in a Dao companion relationship.

Before entering seclusion, Jiang Lin Er especially came to find Li Chang Shou and Ling E, entrusting the matter of the little tree spirit’s reincarnation to Li Chang Shou.

Li Chang Shou carefully agreed…

Now having acquaintances in the Underworld, going to pull some strings should not be difficult.

Mm, the Barbarian Clan likes blood offerings, his Little Qiong Peak spirit beast enclosure and immortal lake spirit fish farm would likely prove useful again this time.

This little tree spirit had been nourished on Little Qiong Peak for over ten years, living slightly longer than its predestined lifespan limit.

By the time Li Chang Shou had prepared various elixirs for crossing the tribulation, as well as backup elixirs and backups for the backups, this little tree spirit gradually weakened, becoming feeble, among the little trees…

Passed on.

At this time, Li Chang Shou, Ling E, Xiong Ling Li, and Jiu Jiu quietly waited beside it.

When the tree spirit’s form dispersed, Li Chang Shou took action, using a specially made soul-capturing device to collect the tree spirit’s already somewhat incomplete soul.

Fortunately, after being pampered and well-fed for over ten years on Little Qiong Peak, the tree spirit’s true spirit had become complete, and it could directly reincarnate now.

Li Chang Shou did not delay, preparing to make a trip to the Underworld right away.

This time, Jiu Jiu volunteered to come along, and when Li Chang Shou advised her to cultivate on the mountain as it was too dangerous outside;

But Jiu Jiu, relying on her peak True Immortal realm cultivation, used her killer technique — tears welling up.

Li Chang Shou quickly admitted defeat, having this departing paper avatar carry more emergency preparations, increasing the number of backup paper people several times, and deploying several small trump card repositories…

Half a day later, after many years, they once again sat upon Little Master-Uncle’s great gourd, heading together toward the Eastern Sea Pillar.

Due to Master-Uncle Jiu’s insistence on coming along, the estimated time to reach the Underworld would be… delayed by a day or two…