The Jade Emperor sits in Lingxiao Hall,

Summoning avatars of immortals divine.

From Sea God’s single memorial, it springs,

Deep sea demons shall soon meet their decline.

Strange how the West shows such disrespect,

Thrice provoking the divine sovereign’s might.

Changeng’s strategy is steady and secure,

Using their pawns to repay Heaven’s light!

…

Though all were experts at using avatars, Li Changshou truly couldn’t bring himself to formally appoint his avatar.

In the Lingxiao Treasure Palace, a grand scene of multiple personalities unfolded.

General Hua Ritian wore golden chain armor, draped in a snow-white cloak, wearing a gold-plated helmet, his left hand resting on the sword at his waist, following East Wood Duke in quick strides.

Reaching the high platform, under Li Changshou’s watchful gaze, Hua Ritian’s expression was solemn as he knelt on one knee in salute, saying:

“This humble general greets Your Majesty!”

His Majesty the Jade Emperor sat regally on the high platform, golden light gleaming above his white robes, holding the Imperial Seal, and spoke:

“Today I appoint you Demon-Vanquishing Marshal, to lead ten thousand celestial troops alongside the Sea God, clearing out demons from the Four Seas!”

Hua Ritian responded firmly: “This general accepts the command!”

Li Changshou: …

The dialogue between the avatar and the main body could be so dramatic and emotional – His Majesty the Jade Emperor must spend quite a bit of time playing with himself daily.

Such was the lonely Celestial Emperor’s self-entertainment routine.

After the Jade Emperor personally appointed the Jade Emperor’s avatar as commander, Li Changshou secretly reminded Wood Duke to volunteer as military supervisor.

Though the Jade Emperor was enthusiastic, they couldn’t let the Jade Emperor’s avatar charge into battle; if word got out, wouldn’t the Celestial Court become a laughingstock among the various bigshots?

East Wood Duke had initially hesitated, feeling that being a military supervisor was meaningless;

But considering that the Sea God had never led him astray, Wood Duke still stepped forward voluntarily, requesting to serve as military supervisor.

The Jade Emperor agreed without hesitation, appointing East Wood Duke as the Celestial Court’s Supervising Marshal.

At once, Hua Ritian, East Wood Duke, and Li Changshou together accepted the imperial edict with thanks, left the Lingxiao Treasure Palace, and hurried to the Tongming Palace to discuss specific military matters.

East Wood Duke watched Hua Ritian’s back with some dissatisfaction, about to assert his divine authority;

Fortunately, Li Changshou’s voice timely resonated in East Wood Duke’s mind:

“Consider carefully, Wood Duke.”

Hearing this, East Wood Duke frowned in thought and quickly realized something.

‘Could it be that His Majesty is testing whether I have ambitions for power and victory?’

Immediately, East Wood Duke became alert, showing a gentle smile as he hurried forward to carefully instruct Hua Ritian on matters of military campaigns.

At this time in the Celestial Court, there weren’t many generals with actual battle experience, though East Wood Duke had at least commanded the battle to aid the Dragon Palace.

Seeing this, Li Changshou gave a light chuckle;

Unlike his old friend Yuelao, East Wood Duke’s immortal official career had gained a tiny bit more vitality.

Due to incomplete divine positions, the Celestial Court’s edicts were painfully slow at this time, but troop deployment was highly efficient – ten thousand elite celestial soldiers could be mobilized in three days.

—If not for needing to train the immortal bean soldiers in formations, they could set out in just a few hours.

Although Li Changshou had tried his best to be lazy… ahem, tried his best to share credit, after everything was settled, he discovered he still held multiple roles.

Managing logistics, coordination, providing minor tactics, and comforting a certain old deity’s fragile, sensitive, aged heart.

Beyond this, Li Changshou had to prepare another batch of paper avatars and ten thousand reserve immortal bean soldiers as reinforcements for crucial moments.

Calculating everything, it would have been more relaxing to just be the commander.

In Tongming Palace, East Wood Duke and ‘Hua Ritian’ gathered over ten celestial generals to discuss specific troop deployment matters;

Li Changshou said: “I’ll go coordinate with the Dragon Clan first, confirming the date for troop deployment.”

Hua Ritian showed a general’s bearing, clasping his hands with a smile: “Many thanks to the Sea God for handling this matter!”

“It’s my duty, my duty.”

Li Changshou smiled in response, secretly observing this avatar of the Jade Emperor.

Today His Majesty was clearly in high spirits, this avatar’s eyes constantly gleaming with brilliant light…

‘Wonder how long His Majesty’s avatar will exist in the Celestial Court.’

Controlling this paper avatar back to the Sea God’s mansion in the Celestial Court, Li Changshou had no moment to rest, immediately dispatching another paper avatar to rush to the East Sea Dragon Palace to negotiate matters of Dragon Clan troop deployment.

Li Changshou’s plan was a win-win for both the Celestial Court and the Dragon Clan.

The deep sea demon gathering spots were located in the depths of the South Sea and West Sea, mostly consisting of karma-bound demon beings.

The Dragon Clan had some old scores to settle with the deep sea demons.

Previously, the Dragon Clan first couldn’t spare the forces, with rebel troops constantly causing trouble in the Four Seas;

Second, rash military action would easily diminish the Dragon Clan’s already weak destiny, potentially leading to more troublesome consequences.

So most times, unless necessary, the Dragon Clan wouldn’t easily deploy troops.

Today, with the Celestial Court actively inviting the Dragon Clan to join forces, not only would the Dragon Clan not worry about losing destiny, but they could use this to boost their destiny.

Such a good opportunity – they would accept it a hundred times out of a hundred!

After Li Changshou’s paper avatar arrived at the Dragon Palace, he again received the Dragon Clan’s ‘tearful gratitude.’

Fortunately, the Dragon Clan now knew that the Great Sea God disliked pleasure and had no interest in women or men – apart from taking some of the Dragon Clan’s precious materials to pave the ground, he was nearly without desire!

Thus, when Li Changshou and the East Sea Dragon King privately discussed specific matters of Dragon Clan troop deployment…

In the adjacent side hall, Ao Yi helped his teaching elder brother collect batch after batch of their family’s treasure chests for his master.

The young dragon’s smile was so brilliant, satisfaction overflowing.

The Dragon Clan’s enthusiasm truly made Li Changshou somewhat embarrassed… to not accept.

In just half an hour, Li Changshou had settled specific matters with the Dragon King.

On the Dragon Clan’s side, Ao Yi would serve as overall commander of Dragon Clan forces, with two Dragon Clan elders as deputies, mobilizing three hundred Dragon Clan experts, thirty thousand immortal flood dragon troops, and one hundred eighty thousand shrimp and crab soldiers, taking full responsibility for reconnaissance and enemy tracking.

These troop numbers were all carefully deliberated between Li Changshou and the Dragon King before being finalized.

—Neither too many, to avoid overshadowing the host, nor too few, which would show the Dragon Clan’s lack of sincerity.

After much consideration, Li Changshou still hinted to the Dragon King:

“This time the Celestial Court’s commander is no ordinary person. The Dragon Clan’s troops absolutely cannot offend this person – everyone up and down must strictly follow orders and obey the Celestial Court commander’s unified deployment.”

“It shall be so.”

The Dragon King stroked his beard and nodded, naturally understanding who the commander was.

—Last time the Jade Emperor’s avatar Hua Ritian had been recognized by the East Sea Dragon King at Ao Yi’s grand wedding.

The Dragon King smiled and asked: “This person… values this matter so highly?”

“Not necessarily especially highly valued, after all, it’s the Celestial Court’s first proactive military campaign, different from the previous aid to the Dragon Clan.”

Li Changshou smiled in response, holding back the words ‘His Majesty is just bored’ in his heart.

Li Changshou continued: “Dragon King, this military action against the deep sea demons requires attention to prevent news from leaking.”

“Does the Sea God have an excellent plan?”

“We can arrange for a group of sea clan rebels to flee to where the deep sea demons are located. The Dragon Clan will openly pursue with troops, then turn their blade around to eliminate the sea demons.”

“Good,” the East Sea Dragon King smiled and nodded, “We’ll follow the Sea God’s plan.”

He was unexpectedly easy to deal with.

After agreeing with the Dragon Palace to deploy in three days, Li Changshou ordered Ao Yi to go to the Celestial Court first, representing the Dragon Clan to await the Celestial Court’s Demon-Vanquishing Marshal’s commands.

Every small step he took held deep meaning.

Li Changshou’s minor calculations this time had crafted a crystal coffin for the deep sea demons.

This was a Celestial Court military campaign, with the Celestial Court bearing most of the karma – and the Celestial Court’s great fortune couldn’t be shaken by mere remnants of two demon clans.

“Just don’t know how the Western Teaching will react, this matter should be concluded swiftly.”

Li Changshou’s main body muttered, continuing to calculate and plan.

To be safe, he arranged paper avatars to go out while his main body took the opportunity to slip back to Little Qiong Peak.

Although the thin lubricating formation protecting the mountain at Degree Immortal Sect could now be broken with one palm by him, within the immortal sect there was still an indescribable sense of security.

Perhaps it was being a bit closer to the Venerable Sage.

…

On the second day of the Celestial Court and Dragon Palace’s secret troop mobilization, Li Changshou had set several backup plans, which were handed to East Wood Duke through Ao Yi.

With the Jade Emperor essentially taking the field in disguise, Li Changshou’s paper avatar in the Celestial Court would also accompany the expedition.

A pair of avatar monarchs and ministers is quite an interesting affair.

With the ‘small’ battle imminent, Li Changshou wanted to draft more emergency plans to prevent the Celestial Court-Dragon Clan army from falling into Western calculations.

But before he could open his train of thought, Ling’e hurriedly came calling him to attend a ceremony on Breaking Sky Peak;

Li Changshou dared not neglect this, manifesting his main body and rushing to Breaking Sky Peak with Ling’e.

While he had been busy running about outside, matters regarding his senior uncle’s reincarnation taking a master had been settled.

She would be accepted as Immortal Wangqing’s disciple, given the Dao name ‘Wine Poetry’, and to distinguish her from Wine Shi, people would usually call her ‘Wine Rain Poetry’.

With this settled, naturally, there would be a formal discipleship ceremony.

Jiang Liner busily arranged everything;

Several elders and great elders came from Wangqing Residence, and the sect master who had been in closed cultivation recovering from injuries also came to join the festivities.

All nine Wine immortals gathered, each greeting their new little junior sister, most knowing about the matter of Wanjiang Rain.

Jiu Jiu was especially excited, pulling Wine Rain Poetry to her side, telling everyone she met this was her little junior sister.

Li Changshou had just arrived with Ling’e on a cloud before Wangqing Residence when Jiu Jiu pulled Wine Rain Poetry out, raising her head proudly with a light shout:

“Hey! You two juniors, hurry and greet your little master!”

Ling’e immediately burst into laughter, stepping forward to bow;

Li Changshou also properly made a Daoist salute, saying seriously: “Disciple Li Changshou greets Master-Uncle.”

Jiu Jiu inexplicably felt somewhat guilty, while the newly named young woman hurriedly stepped forward, bowing to Li Changshou instead, at a loss for what to say.

Li Changshou smiled and took out three bottles of pills from his robe, saying: “Congratulations to Master-Uncle on entering under a Golden Immortal of the sect, please look after me in the future.

These are hunger-suppressing pills – the mountain is different from the mortal world, so don’t let yourself go hungry.”

Beside him, Ling’e smiled and said: “Senior Brother, you don’t know yet, Rain Poetry Master-Uncle will cultivate on our Little Qiong Peak, with Nine Master-Uncle passing on teachings for the master, Rain Poetry Master-Uncle won’t go hungry!”

“Oh?” Li Changshou immediately smiled – this way, Master would have more opportunities.

Speaking of which, where was Master?

At such an important moment, Master should be here by rights.

Li Changshou handed over the pills, and young Rain Poetry’s pretty face blushed as she carefully accepted them.

Beside them, Jiu Jiu curiously came over and opened a bottle of pills to look, then her pretty face was covered in black lines.

Spi-spirit grade hunger-suppressing pills?

Li Changshou smiled slightly, stepped into Wangqing Residence, bowed to the various sect elders, and then quietly stood in a corner.

Ling’e stayed behind to accompany Jiu Jiu, attending to Wine Rain Poetry as they received guests.

‘After the Dragon Clan matter is done, should I trick some Degree Immortal Sect people up to the Celestial Court?’

Li Changshou pondered thus.

He had calculated early on that besides the main battlefield in South Jambudvipa, the three teaching immortal sects should also face a great tribulation during the Canonization Tribulation – Degree Immortal Sect would not be peaceful during the tribulation.

If he brought his friends and relatives up to the Celestial Court beforehand, they could mostly avoid such tribulation.

Would this count as ‘one person achieving the Dao, chickens, and dogs ascending to heaven’?

Probably not – he definitely wouldn’t arrange for Degree Immortal Sect members to serve under him as Sea God, the Celestial Court had so many vacant divine positions…

“Changshou, ahem, you’ve come.”

Suddenly hearing a somewhat unfamiliar voice beside him, Li Changshou turned to look and couldn’t help his breath rushing up as he lowered his head to cough twice.

He saw a silver-haired youth walking toward him from another corner.

He wore a silk-faced blue robe, black cloth boots on his feet, a gold jade ring at his waist, his face fair and figure straight, eyes bright with spirit, truly worthy of being called handsome with sword-like brows and star-like eyes.

If not for that strand of turbid immortal qi that Li Changshou was so familiar with on this person, he would truly have had to ask:

‘Handsome sir, who might you be?’

Qi Yuan, this was his own Master Qi Yuan the old Daoist!

Heaven above…

“Master, You!”

“What?” Qi Yuan immediately asked somewhat nervously, “Is this appearance somewhat strange?”

“No no, how could it be,” Li Changshou gave a thumbs up, “Master is handsome and suave, disciple always knew this, just need a moment to get used to it.”

Li Changshou thought for a moment, but still secretly reminded his master:

“Just that Master, though reincarnation keeps the same true spirit, she is no longer the person of the past – some things are better left to flow naturally.”

“Master knows, Master knows,” Qi Yuan nodded repeatedly, standing with Li Changshou and smiling as he transmitted: “Your master just dressed like this today to see her enter the sect again.

Your master has only ten thousand years left in life, dare not think too much about matters with Senior Sister.

In Senior Sister’s current life, your master wants to watch over and protect her from the side, wait until she becomes an immortal and finds the Dao, then your master will have no more attachments.”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, inwardly sighing gently.

Turbid Immortal… Earth Immortal Way…

“Master,” Li Changshou transmitted, “There is a great power known as the Ancestor of Earth Immortals. If a disciple has the opportunity, I will pay a visit and inquire about methods of Earth Immortal cultivation.

Moreover, if Master takes a position in the Celestial Court, your lifespan could increase severalfold.”

“No need to go to such trouble,” Qi Yuan transmitted with a light sigh. “Changshou, your master will cultivate with all his might in the future, striving to become a True Immortal early.

Your master knows you have already stepped beyond Degree Immortal Sect, with hopes for the fruit of long life – don’t divide your attention worrying about your master, just take good care of your junior sister.”

As he spoke, Qi Yuan secretly glanced outside, seeing that beautiful young woman with her shy smile, then withdrew his gaze, his eyes filled with peace.

“Disciple?”

“Disciple is here.”

“Thank you.”

Li Changshou: …

Master, if you keep being so needlessly polite, your disciple will start arranging that premium customized reincarnation package from the Netherworld for you right away!