“You are the Sea God?”

Enlightened Buddha brought his attendant riding on clouds, and as soon as they arrived above the Sea God Temple’s rear courtyard, he spoke coldly.

Li Changshou nodded slightly, waved his whisking brush at Enlightened Buddha, and said indifferently: “I received the Heavenly Court’s decree and Jade Emperor’s investiture to patrol the four seas and manage maritime affairs, so naturally I am the Sea God.”

A trace of severity flashed in Enlightened Buddha’s eyes as he said: “Such grand talk of Jade Emperor’s investiture and Heavenly Court’s decree, no wonder you’re so dismissive of others, not even placing my Chanzong Sect in your eyes!”

From the Enlightened Buddha’s first words, Li Changshou knew he was an ancient being.

With just two casual sentences, he directly elevated the issue to the level of great sects, escalating ‘not following his orders’ to ‘disrespecting the Chanzong Sect’…

Fortunately, Li Changshou was well-prepared, his vigilance at maximum, and immediately broke free from the other’s verbal rhythm.

Li Changshou waved his whisking brush again, frowning as he said: “Fellow Daoist comes aggressively, arriving at my Sea God Temple with just a ‘you are the Sea God’, then directly accusing this poor Daoist of disrespecting the Chanzong Sect.

How should we address this?

Has Fellow Daoist introduced himself? Could you let this poor Daoist know how exactly I have disrespected the Chanzong Sect?”

The attendant kneeling beside Enlightened Buddha immediately shouted: “Open your eyes and look, this is my master!”

Li Changshou’s brows furrowed tightly as he scolded: “You mysterious attendant!

Earlier you came to my Sea God Temple arrogant and domineering, causing trouble!

And you were even so brazen as to claim you were under orders from the highly respected Vice Leader of the Chanzong Sect, demanding my true form appear outside!

Hmph, clearly you came to lure me out, intending to harm my life!

What now, unsatisfied after being driven away by me, you’ve brought some unknown demon to impersonate the Senior Enlightened Buddha of the Chanzong Sect!

You think I would believe this?”

The attendant’s eyes bulged, “You!”

Just as Enlightened Buddha was about to speak, Li Changshou pointed at the attendant and continued berating, unleashing his verbal prowess like rapid-fire artillery!

“Is this all? You dare impersonate that otherworldly, noble-charactered, and kindly Vice Leader Enlightened Buddha of the Chanzong Sect?

Do you know that Vice Leader Enlightened Buddha is an innate being from ancient times, born before the Heavenly Dao was complete, now praised for his virtue in Jade Void Palace? In our Dao Sect, those who can compare to Vice Leader Enlightened Buddha can be counted on fingers!

Look at this old Daoist you found, birds of a feather with you!

Seeming loyal but eyes revealing treachery, shameless and disrespectful, hypocritical and rebellious, at best just a big-eared thief!

Can’t even imitate the dao charm of the Jade Clarity Great Dao, yet dares to impersonate the Vice Leader of the Chanzong Sect!?

Haha, ridiculous to the extreme!”

Ah, how satisfying…

Li Changshou’s tirade directly seized upon slight logical flaws in the other’s words.

So thoroughly that—

Enlightened Buddha’s face darkened like water, the attendant’s little face flushed red and speechless;

True Person Yellow Dragon was caught between crying and laughing, Lord Zhao was pinching his thigh to hold back laughter, and that man in Doushuai Palace’s rear garden was laughing his precious form over.

To be honest, Li Changshou had never met Enlightened Buddha before, their only previous interaction being when Enlightened Buddha had deceived True Person Yellow Dragon, who then came asking if Li Changshou was plotting against the Dragon Clan…

Now by first asserting this was the attendant’s mischief, using ‘Enlightened Buddha is an otherworldly expert, he couldn’t possibly be like this’ to openly praise while secretly criticizing, throwing out several traps to see if the other would take the bait, while also probing Enlightened Buddha’s depths.

It could be called a brilliant plan hitting several birds with one stone.

As for whether Enlightened Buddha would strike in anger…

This was exactly the situation Li Changshou most wanted to see, and he guaranteed this paper avatar could self-destruct one step ahead.

In exchanges between experts, everything happens in an instant!

“Sea God, have you scolded enough?”

“Hmph! Impersonating our Dao Sect’s great expert, this poor Daoist is already being generous by not striking at you, how could the scolding be enough!”

Li Changshou coldly laughed, secretly sighing inside.

Indeed not easy to deal with, Enlightened Buddha’s face was thick enough, not to be provoked into action by a few harsh words.

Li Changshou thus became even more vigilant internally.

Then Enlightened Buddha spoke again, his voice carrying a trace of coldness, “This poor Daoist has cultivated for so many years, yet this is the first time being insulted so.

Considering you don’t recognize this poor Daoist, this poor Daoist won’t blame you.

Sea God listen well, this poor Daoist is the Vice Leader of Jade Void Palace, Enlightened Buddha!”

“Oh?” Li Changshou nodded, asking as per usual: “What proof do you have?”

“Proof!”

Enlightened Buddha nearly burst out cursing, but held back, as the bronze lamp on his shoulder erupted in brilliant flowing light, dyeing Anshui City’s sky in rainbow colors.

Enlightened Buddha said: “How about this?”

Li Changshou frowned, his eyes showing some panic as he asked: “Could Fellow Daoist truly be that honored guest of Jade Void Palace, the old immortal of Yuanjue Cave?”

“Hmph,” Enlightened Buddha laughed coldly, “Could it be my crystal lamp still…”

“I don’t believe it,” Li Changshou shook his head, “There are countless magical treasures in the primordial world, having a few similar ones is normal.”

Enlightened Buddha cursed: “Stop this nonsense!”

“Could Fellow Daoist be feeling guilty?” Li Changshou smiled and said, “Actually, in my opinion, Fellow Daoist’s dao realm is not low, why must you impersonate others to walk the primordial world?

If Senior Enlightened Buddha learns of this, wouldn’t he strike at Fellow Daoist?”

“This poor Daoist IS Enlightened Buddha!”

“Really? I don’t believe it.”

“You!” Enlightened Buddha’s eyes widened round, truly wanting to throw his crystal lamp over at this moment, but understanding that if he struck, he would fall into this scheming Daoist’s trap.

Enlightened Buddha took out several treasures at once – a string of prayer beads, a golden pagoda, and a lotus flower meditation cushion.

“Do you believe now!”

Li Changshou shook his head, “Nowadays, walking the primordial world impersonating famous experts has such a high cost? Even these magical treasures have been replicated.

However, speaking of which, I have never met Senior Enlightened Buddha, so I know nothing of what magical treasures he has.

Fellow Daoist, if you truly are that Master Enlightened Buddha, why not take the Heavenly Dao as a witness, make a Great Dao oath to verify yourself.”

“How could this poor Daoist not dare to swear?”

At that, Enlightened Buddha swore to the Heavenly Dao, proving himself to be himself;

The power of the Heavenly Dao descended, yet showed no abnormality.

Seeing this, Li Changshou’s expression immediately changed, stepping back several paces in mid-air, forehead sweating and hands trembling, making a deep Daoist salute:

“Aiyaya!

This Human Dao Sect disciple was greatly offended, not knowing Senior was truly Vice Leader Enlightened Buddha of the Chanzong Sect! My deepest apologies!”

Although seeing Li Changshou so ‘frightened’ and hearing such apologetic words, Enlightened Buddha felt no satisfaction whatsoever.

Rather, he had a feeling…

That the other only respected the Vice Leader of the Chanzong Sect, not him Enlightened Buddha personally, as if without this title he would be nothing…

This made Enlightened Buddha even more stifled, a flame of anger pressed in his heart, yet he could neither curse nor strike, only turn his head to glare at that attendant.

The attendant’s whole body went soft, collapsing on the cloud, even his breathing stopped.

“Senior please forgive me, forgive me, junior is seeing Senior’s true appearance for the first time, truly had eyes but failed to recognize a true hero.

Quick, Senior please come inside!”

Without waiting for the Enlightened Buddha to respond, Li Changshou had already descended first;

Enlightened Buddha’s brows furrowed, realizing at this moment that he had been led by the nose by this Sea God at every turn, temporarily unable to find a point of attack, and could only follow on his cloud to descend.

If he left like this today, he might as well forget about saving face.

However, just as he stepped into the Sea God Temple’s rear hall, Enlightened Buddha sensed some anomaly, his peripheral vision sweeping toward the corner where Zhao Gongming and True Person Yellow Dragon were hiding.

Li Changshou: …

Lord Zhao’s concealment skills were not up to par, actually being exposed directly.

Just then, a strand of dao charm manifested, displaying faint phantoms of the intertwining Yin-Yang fish in the rafters and four corners of the rear hall.

The power of the Taiji Diagram?

Enlightened Buddha’s expression changed, his gaze toward Li Changshou showing more wariness.

No wonder this person could contend with the Western faction for so long, it was indeed Supreme Clarity Saint suppressing the West!

The anger in Enlightened Buddha’s heart decreased by three parts, forcing a slight smile toward Li Changshou, then seeing Li Changshou gesture an invitation, only to be seated in the guest position on the left, adding several more parts of dissatisfaction.

At that moment, the host and guest took their seats, Li Changshou first personally served tea, then sat down slightly later in his host position.

This was showing [Junior’s Courtesy], quite different from [Disciple’s Courtesy].

Li Changshou spoke first, pointing at that attendant with a smile:

“Is he truly Senior’s Daoist attendant?”

“Indeed,” Enlightened Buddha nodded slowly.

“Truly clever, lovable, and courteous,” Li Changshou’s eyes immediately crinkled in a smile, these words spoken without the slightest insincerity, “When he came here before, I could tell at a glance he was from a great family.”

Enlightened Buddha squeezed out an ugly smile, “Since that’s the case when this poor Daoist sent the child to invite you to Jade Void Palace for a meeting, why did Sea God rebuke my attendant so?”

“Senior, you must have misunderstood something,” Li Changshou took out a recording pearl from his sleeve, passing it over with immortal power, inadvertently revealing his immortal power’s dao charm.

Li Changshou said: “Please look, Senior, the cause and effect of the matter is within.”

Enlightened Buddha hesitated slightly, not directly crushing this recording pearl, but closing his eyes to probe its contents.

In fact, from when Enlightened Buddha appeared until now, for every decision he made, several options would appear in Li Changshou’s mind, and the moment Enlightened Buddha made his decision, Li Changshou already had a response prepared, plus subsequent options ready for Vice Leader Enlightened Buddha in his mind.

Simply put, having been seized of the initiative in logic by Li Changshou, to turn things around would require either completely overturning everything or striking dead this paper avatar of his with one palm.

Unfortunately…

The Taiji Diagram’s warning.

But Enlightened Buddha was no easy opponent either, his words containing hidden barbs, traps everywhere.

Moments later, though the two had exchanged barely more than ten sentences, it was like thousands of rounds of combat, every word containing deep meaning when carefully considered, their laughter concealing words to kill bodies and destroy hearts!

Zhao Gongming and True Person Yellow Dragon in the corner were also listening with furrowed brows at this point.

True Person Yellow Dragon was somewhat better, roughly able to appreciate the intensity of Li Changshou and Enlightened Buddha’s verbal sparring.

Looking at Lord Zhao’s face with its beautiful whiskers…

It wrote [What is this], [What are they saying], [What to do], [Can’t we just roll up our sleeves and be righteous and gallant]…

Before long, Li Changshou and Enlightened Buddha had ‘moved past earlier matters’ and begun discussing Dragon Clan affairs.

Li Changshou first said: “Senior says you came for Dragon Clan matters, could it be the Dragon Clan has Senior’s… some relatives?”

Enlightened Buddha said indifferently: “Of course not, this poor Daoist came for the Western faction.”

“Oh, so Senior has relatives in the Western Teaching.”

“The word relatives is quite inappropriate,” Enlightened Buddha said indifferently, “This poor Daoist simply has broad friendships, owes some favors, and is taking this opportunity to repay them.

Fellow Daoist, could you, considering the face of our Chanzong Sect, give some benefits to the West regarding Dragon Clan matters?”

Li Changshou blinked and smiled: “Senior, before junior answers this question, there is something junior wishes to ask Senior.”

“Feel free to speak.”

“Senior, are you ultimately speaking from your position to discuss this matter with junior for repaying some favor to a senior expert of the Western Teaching, or using your identity as Vice Leader of the Chanzong Sect to order junior to give benefits to the West?”

Enlightened Buddha’s gaze focused, but he did not answer directly, only saying: “Fellow Daoist means to refuse?”

“Junior has not yet answered, must see Senior’s meaning before giving Senior a response.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Junior is a Dao Sect disciple, if Senior orders as Vice Leader of the Chanzong Sect, junior will naturally accept.

But seniors and juniors truly don’t know how to give benefits to Western Teaching.

Junior is on good terms with the Dragon Clan, this Sea God Temple was built with dragons providing labor to help junior, and junior couldn’t bear to see the Dragon Clan schemed against them before, so assisted secretly several times, just repaying some favors.

Junior is also the Sea God of the four seas invested by His Majesty the Jade Emperor, and cannot watch the beings of the four seas suffer, so stopped the West from dealing killing blows to the Dragon Clan several times.

If Senior speaks as a cultivating expert from Vulture Peak’s Yuanjue Cave to discuss this matter with junior, then junior must truly remind Senior of one thing—

The Dragon Clan is an ancient legacy clan, if they submit to the Heavenly Court, it would greatly benefit the Heavenly Court;

The Heavenly Court was established by three Saint Lords of the Dao Sect and is moreover the divine authority appointed by the Dao Ancestor to manage the Three Realms.

Not to mention other things, the Senior Vice Leader of the Chanzong Sect, helping an outside teaching to diminish the interests of the Heavenly Court and Dao Sect, this seems somewhat unreasonable.

If one sits improperly, how can one’s actions be proper?

One’s position determines one’s perspective, Senior.”

Enlightened Buddha’s eyes narrowed slightly, suddenly smiling at Li Changshou and sighing: “This poor Daoist was inconsiderate before, greatly offensive.”

With those words, Enlightened Buddha directly stood up, a white cloud forming under his feet, casually bringing that attendant along.

Enlightened Buddha smiled and said: “Today’s chat with Fellow Daoists was most enjoyable and beneficial, let’s discuss further another day.”

“Let me see Senior out.”

“No need.”

Li Changshou: …

He left quite quickly.

This Enlightened Buddha was extremely difficult to deal with;

When I touched on the edge of the word ‘betrayal’, Enlightened Buddha immediately apologized and left, though this indirectly confirmed he had something to hide in his heart, I couldn’t grasp any evidence.

Could it be that Enlightened Buddha’s allegiance to the Chanzong Sect was a calculation from many years ago?

Was Enlightened Buddha a piece on the Western faction’s board from the beginning?

Li Changshou stood at the rear hall entrance, carefully pondering for a while. After the Enlightened Buddha left, he cast a flame of Samadhi True Fire from his palm, burning the chair the Enlightened Buddha had sat in.

He also waved his whisking brush at the ground where Enlightened Buddha had just stood, directly dispersing a trace of energy hidden underground.

Afterward, the Taiji Diagram slowly manifested in the rafters, a strand of dao charm flowing through various places, seemingly helping Li Changshou check for any problems.

After the Taiji Diagram retreated, Li Changshou finally said:

“Elder Brother, True Person, you can come out now.”

The corner rippled like water, and True Person Yellow Dragon slowly revealed himself with a complex expression, but Zhao Gongming was nowhere to be seen.

Li Changshou blinked and hurriedly asked: “Where is Senior Gongming?”

“He… couldn’t stand it…”

“Went to… confront?”

“Mm!” True Person Yellow Dragon nodded honestly.

Li Changshou couldn’t help but groan, raising his hand to rub his brow.