Within half a day of Ao Yi’s departure, the Dragon Palace’s gift-bearing convoy arrived at the Sea God Temple, carrying boxes of treasures.
Given the Dragon Palace’s immense wealth and their dominion over the four seas for countless ages, they didn’t hesitate in their gift-giving.
However…
Receiving gifts with the left hand while dispensing divine positions with the right…
Li Changshou couldn’t help but feel he had somehow turned himself into a corrupt Heavenly Court official selling positions for profit.
He was supposed to be a virtuous minister!
In the Sea God Temple’s back hall, Li Changshou’s elderly immortal paper clone swept his whisk, making most of the treasure boxes vanish. He kept only the pearls, agates, corals, and gems that would be considered precious in the mortal realm as rewards for his subordinates.
Afterward, this paper clone adjusted his appearance and rode a cloud toward the East Sea, beginning the plan he had previously discussed with Ao Yi—
The Primordial World’s first talent selection… ahem, divine position selection competition!
For this competition, the Four Sea Dragon Kings would serve as special guests, thirty-nine Dragon Clan elders as the judging panel, and the Four Seas Supreme Flawless Great God along with the Dragon Clan’s heavenly pioneer Ao Yi would form the ‘senior panel.’
If you were outstanding enough, you could make these ‘seniors’ turn their chairs for you, granting you a Heavenly Court position!
This arrangement would show that the Dragon Palace took the matter seriously, giving face to the Heavenly Court;
Since it was an internal Dragon Clan selection, it would reduce their resistance;
It would also help unite the dragons in celebration, ease internal conflicts, and add some entertainment to their monotonous daily lives… and so on.
Li Changshou had even come up with a slogan—’ All Dragons Unite, Divine Positions Await!’
Of course, this divine position selection competition was extremely non-transparent, with the initial candidates already decided. Most dragons were just there to watch the show.
The sixteen divine positions had already been mostly allocated—this was just going through the motions, giving sufficient face to both the Heavenly Court and Dragon Palace.
In Li Changshou’s memory, in his previous life…
Ahem, back to the matter at hand.
Upon reaching the East Sea, before even arriving at the Dragon Palace, Ao Yi led a large contingent of shrimp soldiers and crab generals to welcome him.
Following Li Changshou’s instructions, the venue was ready in a side hall of the Crystal Palace, with all arrangements in place.
The Four Sea Dragon Kings would gather tomorrow, and it would take about fifteen hours for the Dragon Clan elders to assemble…
Taking advantage of this gap, Li Changshou and Ao Yi began establishing various rules.
For instance, selected dragon sons and daughters must have real talent and ability, not just singing and dancing skills. They must have a sense of responsibility and feelings for the Dragon Clan and the Four Seas.
There was no need for touching stories—they were all second-generation dragons, and claims of hardship would likely be met with skepticism.
According to Li Changshou’s requirements, several Dragon Clan craftsmen created six rotating magical thrones on-site, to be used later by the Four Sea Dragon Kings and their Sea God Teaching duo…
Li Changshou also found the Dragon Palace musicians he had previously worked with and discussed details about background music with them.
After finishing these preparations, Li Changshou looked at the magnificent but somewhat empty great hall and pondered for a while.
Something still seemed missing…
Song and dance performances were already arranged—the Dragon Clan had those in abundance.
They had selected a graceful dragon princess with clear diction who wouldn’t mispronounce contestants’ names as the competition host—Sa Rui;
What else was missing?
Li Changshou pondered briefly before his eyes lit up.
Audience! They needed an audience that could laugh and cry on cue!
This was easily solved. Although the Dragon Clan’s overall acting skills weren’t high, they ruled over many sea races. It wouldn’t be difficult to select some good-looking, emotionally expressive sea race men and women as spectators.
Li Changshou made the request, and Ao Yi immediately executed it, quickly gathering several hundred Dragon and Sea race ‘audience members.’ Li Changshou gave on-site guidance, having them practice expressions in coordination with the music.
There was much artistry in how to appear moved without being exaggerated, and how to cheer without being jarring.
Thus, after reaching Golden Immortal status, Li Changshou tested his abilities, serving as both executive director and ‘teacher’ in organizing a Dragon Clan divine position selection competition.
Although it was just going through the motions, these motions were quite innovative.
Li Changshou also took this opportunity to formally meet with the Four Sea Dragon Kings…
Before the competition began, in the Crystal Palace’s main hall;
The four dragon-headed elders sat together on the high platform, with Li Changshou and Ao Yi arranged to sit at the side.
These four dragon-headed elders had similar faces, differing only in height and build.
The East Sea Dragon King was most dignified but also appeared most indolent;
The North Sea Dragon King was rather thin, the West Sea Dragon King slightly plump, and the South Sea Dragon King appeared most honest.
When Li Changshou walked in from the side hall, all Four Sea Dragon Kings rose to welcome him;
After Li Changshou was seated, the Four Sea Dragon Kings together raised golden goblets in toast, giving full respect to Li Changshou as Sea God…
Moreover, the Four Sea Dragon Kings spoke most pleasantly, continuously flattering Li Changshou:
“Our Dragon Palace’s good relations with the Heavenly Court, receiving divine positions to resolve our current predicament, all rely on Fellow Daoist’s mediation!”
—This was the West Sea Dragon King’s praise, the one whose subordinates were mostly already double agents.
“Looking across heaven and earth, from ancient times to now, only the Ancient Demon Court’s Kun Peng Demon Master could compare to the Sea God’s wisdom and strategy!”
—The North Sea Dragon King’s praise seemed more like an insult.
The South Sea Dragon King was more straightforward, simply saying: “Let’s drink!”
Li Changshou accordingly raised his goblet and began counter-flattering. With just a few words, he had the four Dragon Kings smiling and nodding repeatedly, secretly praising the Sea God’s brilliance…
After the banquet, they were supposed to begin the “Dragon Selection for Divine Positions”;
Li Changshou had already arranged everything, and after going through the process, the Dragon Clan could receive these lower-ranked divine positions;
But at this crucial moment, the North Sea Dragon King suddenly spoke:
“This selection of Dragon Clan youth for Heavenly Court positions is itself a cause for celebration.
I see the Sea God’s arrangements are already quite complete and nothing should go wrong, why not broadly invite Primordial World fellow Daoists to come to witness this?”
Li Changshou: …
This would be… too embarrassing!
Seeing the other three Dragon Kings about to nod, Li Changshou hurriedly said:
“Dragon Kings, in this poor Daoist’s opinion, the positions the Heavenly Court is bestowing are all Sea Patrol Dharma Protector roles, not high-ranking positions. Wouldn’t such a grand display diminish the Dragon Clan’s reputation?”
“No,” said the South Sea Dragon King, “It should be done properly.”
The North Sea Dragon King smiled and said: “The Primordial World already knows our Dragon Clan’s predicament. Rather than that, we might as well take this opportunity to let them know we’re now on good terms with the Heavenly Court.”
“Good,” the East Sea Dragon King slowly nodded, making the final decision on this matter.
Li Changshou’s brows furrowed slightly as he considered the pros and cons.
The Dragon Palace actively promoting this matter was indirectly promoting the Heavenly Court’s authority, also announcing the Dragon Palace’s allegiance to the Heavenly Court, boosting the Heavenly Court’s presence;
For him, this was inherently good, equivalent to earning merit while lying down.
Ahem, while sitting down!
It’s just that his somewhat playful designs would be displayed before powerful figures outside the Dragon Clan, especially since he would have to sit on that mist-spewing throne, constantly turning…
The embarrassment level was truly overwhelming.
Thus, the Dragon Palace competition was postponed for half a month as the Dragon Clan began widely distributing invitations, inviting various powerful figures to attend.
Li Changshou worried that Western Teaching’s pawns would surely infiltrate, so he needed to make some arrangements to prevent them from disrupting matters…
But what Li Changshou hadn’t anticipated was that this would become a Dragon Clan grand event!
Half a month later, the Crystal Palace’s main hall was packed, with countless figures gathered outside.
When Li Changshou pressed the red button before him, turning for a dragon son in the dispersing white mist…
His hidden supporters Great Law Master and Master Zhao Gongming both burst out laughing, while honored guests like True Person Yellow Dragon and the Ten Lords of Golden Turtle Island squinted their eyes in amusement.
General Hua Ri Tian is hidden among the “edict-guarding” generals, East Wood Lord holding the edict on the guest platform;
The Golden Immortal of Fortune and Virtue Yun Zhong Zi who came with True Person Yellow Dragon to observe, and numerous Enlightenment Teaching immortals from the Jade Void Palace who had previously spread the Sea God’s name;
Along with several dozen Severing Teaching immortals from Golden Turtle Island who had nothing better to do…
All showed expressions of admiration.
The Sea God’s reputation for knowing how to have fun spread throughout the Primordial World from this point, becoming a popular topic of discussion.
…
Although the process was somewhat embarrassing, under Li Changshou’s management, the sixteen lower-ranked divine positions were successfully distributed;
Half of the selected Dragon Clan youth were children and nephews of the Four Sea Dragon Kings, half were dragons of pure background and outstanding ability.
When the divine positions were bestowed, the karmic obstacles descended by the Heavenly Dao were offset, and all sixteen dragon sons and daughters had breakthroughs.
Later they would patrol the Four Seas. Li Changshou also gave them some admonitions, telling them to do good and accumulate virtue, help beings in distress, promote the Heavenly Court’s authority, and not do things that would add karmic obstacles.
These sixteen dragons were now all Li Changshou’s subordinates, and he could revoke their divine positions at any time.
After proclaiming the edict, Li Changshou and East Wood Lord left with the Heavenly Court troops, having little connection to the celebrations in the sea.
Li Changshou took the opportunity to switch a paper clone back to the Heavenly Court, while the replaced paper clone secretly left the East Sea Dragon Palace and waited for a while on a small island.
Suddenly a cloud of mist appeared over the sea, and a figure that could barely be called slender stepped out, walking on the sea surface. His face was unremarkable, but he carried a mysterious natural Dao charm…
It was Great Law Master Xuan Du.
The Great Law Master smiled and said: “How is your realm stabilization?”
“It’s stable now,” Li Changshou made a Daoist salute and smiled, “Thank you, Great Law Master, for protecting me.”
The Great Law Master’s eyes immediately crinkled in a smile as he asked somewhat mischievously: “Are you thanking me for protecting you, or thanking me for finding you a protector?”
Li Changshou: …
“Great Law Master, regarding Immortal Yun Xiao, I truly was… well, caught off guard.”
The Great Law Master smiled without speaking, not teasing further, only saying: “Since I’ve rarely come down, walk with me for a while. I might need to go into seclusion in the Tushita Palace for some time later.”
Li Changshou said: “Please rest assured, Great Law Master, this disciple definitely won’t cause trouble for the Human Teaching.”
“That’s not quite right,” the Great Law Master smiled and said: “What counts as trouble? Only what I cannot resolve counts as trouble.
The timing for the Dragon Clan’s ascension to heaven is gradually maturing, you needn’t hesitate when you should act.
Since the Old Lord has passed down alchemical methods, you’re now considered half a disciple of my teacher. If anyone bullies you, that would be losing face to my teacher.
Being careful is fine, but if you’re overly cautious and my teacher thinks you’re timid and afraid of action, that wouldn’t be good.”
Li Changshou made a deep Daoist salute, “Disciple follows the Great Law Master’s teachings!”
“Good,” the Great Law Master nodded with a smile, waving lightly to Li Changshou as they walked along the East Sea, taking this opportunity to teach Li Changshou Supreme Pure’s Dao and Natural Wonderful Methods.
Half a day passed unconsciously before the Great Law Master showed signs of wanting to leave, giving Li Changshou a few more instructions…
Just then, Li Changshou suddenly felt a surge in his heart, and upon scanning the An Shui City main temple with his divine sense, his brows furrowed slightly.
The Great Law Master smiled and said: “Is there something difficult to speak of? Just say it.”
“Great Law Master, my Dao body should be fine.
A boy riding a crane has arrived at my Sea God Temple…”
“Oh?” the Great Law Master smiled and said: “A boy riding a crane? What does he want?
Never mind, I’ll send this avatar of yours over and watch the show.”
As he spoke, the Great Law Master grabbed Li Changshou’s wrist and took a step forward.
Li Changshou only felt the surroundings rapidly shift, and when they reappeared, they were already in the air An Shui City in the South Sea.
This was the Heaven and Earth Escape Method!
Li Changshou looked down and could see a boy sitting on a crane, floating in front of the Sea God’s great hall.
This boy was handsome and clear-featured, sitting cross-legged on the crane’s back, arms folded and eyes closed, his expression carrying a hint of arrogance.
Many worshippers were gathering around, with some aunties praising ‘what a handsome child,’ making the boy somewhat impatient.
Li Changshou smiled and said: “Great Law Master, let me go handle this.”
“Good.”
The Great Law Master calculated with his fingers, already determining this boy’s origin, raising his eyebrows slightly.
Meanwhile, Li Changshou’s paper clone concealed its presence, riding a cloud down to the Sea God Temple’s back hall, then walked around to the front hall holding his whisk, smiling as he approached.
The worshippers now knew this was the Sea God’s avatar, and they all bowed down in worship…
The boy opened his eyes, his gaze somewhat cold as he said indifferently: “Fellow Daoist, are you the Sea God?”
“Indeed,” Li Changshou smiled and said: “May I know who you are and what brings you here?”
The boy then said: “My master wishes to see you. Have your main body appear and come with me quickly.”
Hearing these words, the mortal worshippers below and the dozen or so Sea God Teaching divine messengers around mostly showed unfriendly expressions.
How dare this child speak to their Sea God this way?
Li Changshou frowned upon hearing this, and to be safe, wanted to first ask who this boy’s master was before swinging his whisk to drive out this discourteous youth.
—The other party was already losing face with the Human Teaching, so he had to respond appropriately.
Li Changshou said coldly: “May I know who your master is, and why he wants to meet me?”
“Hmph, listen well as I tell you, and don’t make me repeat myself!
My master—
Gained the Dao and manifested divinity since ancient times, his status equal to the Six Sages.
Discussing Dao with the Sages revealed their true meaning, now sitting in the Jade Void Palace.
Teacher to the Twelve Golden Immortals, his Dao methods command Heaven and Earth’s great divine powers.
In the Primordial Awareness Cave burns the Dao fire, on Spirit Vulture Mountain shines the bright lamp!”
Li Changshou immediately showed realization, swung his whisk, and said:
“Please leave, no need to see you out.”