The Heaven Court’s prestige was truly not prominent these days;

Tens of thousands of celestial soldiers mixed with Dragon Clan’s elite dragon soldiers formed the vanguard, currently at the height of their momentum, yet someone dared to block their path.

The key point was…

They succeeded in blocking them.

This old Daoist who appeared midway had profound qi and intense pressure, his own Dao realm far beyond what a Golden Immortal could compare to.

Li Changshou’s current cultivation realm was barely adequate to perceive this, and he had close contact with great masters like Great Master, Elder Zhao, the gentle Cloud Maiden, and other top experts below the Sage level.

The brown-robed Daoist appeared with his pressure fully released, actively exposing his cultivation level, which was indeed impressive; but Li Changshou’s direct impression was that this person’s Dao realm should not match those strongest disciples of the Sage…

However, here, this old Daoist could completely intimidate Heaven Court’s generals.

— What Heaven Court lacked most at this time was high-end combat power.

Li Changshou’s paper doll had limited power and detection range. Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, Dongmu Gong beside him had already stood up.

Wood Public sighed: “Look, just look!

How can the commander act recklessly? Now we’ve encountered trouble, aren’t we passive everywhere?

Sea God, please lead the army from behind, let me go to the front to see.”

“Wood Public, let me go.”

Li Changshou stood up, his expression extremely solemn, “This Daoist is no ordinary person, it’s best not to conflict with him.”

Hearing this, Dongmu Gong didn’t dare to be careless and immediately agreed.

Li Changshou swung his horsetail whisk, his form transforming into a wisp of faint blue smoke, slipping into the sea breeze, crossing thousands of li in the blink of an eye.

Who was this old Daoist?

Shouting about ‘these great demons being orphans of the Demon Court’, holding a purple-white large gourd, his appearance rather unremarkable, a common template of old Daoists in the primordial chaos…

Among the primordial chaos, there were countless great mystic arts practitioners, to be safe, Li Changshou couldn’t just determine this person’s identity based on a gourd.

This old Daoist was likely of demon origin or had deep connections with demons…

But…

Using the former Demon Court to seek recognition from the current Three Realms’ Heaven Court, wasn’t something wrong with that?

Li Changshou could only make some rough guesses at this time, worried about the Jade Emperor’s avatar being injured, he exerted all his effort in wind teleportation.

The demon-vanquishing strategy was his suggestion;

The Jade Emperor’s avatar wanting to experience a man’s romance was also due to him, the Sea God, holding back Dongmu Gong and encouraging the avatar to go.

If the Jade Emperor was beaten, or even his avatar destroyed, Heaven Court would lose face and become a laughingstock of the primordial world, the Sage Lords might even doubt his little disciple’s professional capabilities!

However…

Even though Li Changshou was quite confident in his teleportation technique, and rushed to the vanguard’s location at the first moment, he was still half a step too late.

There was no help for it, Commander Ritian’s first words immediately made that old Daoist explode with anger.

“How dare you!”

Hua Ritian raised his sword eyebrows and pointed his sword forward, “Demon Court remnants dare to block our Heaven Court’s great army!”

When the Jade Emperor’s avatar said these words, Li Changshou’s form had just appeared on the avatar’s left side;

Hearing these words, Li Changshou almost knelt before the Jade Emperor.

This was reckless to the extreme…

No, this wasn’t recklessness, recklessness was being confused about the situation and getting carried away.

The Jade Emperor was being unyielding, truly unyielding!

Li Changshou suddenly realized that the Jade Emperor completely disregarded this old Daoist.

The Jade Emperor had the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor behind him, and was himself nominally the ruler of the Three Realms, with six Sage Lords as his senior brothers and sisters!

What did he have to fear?

Today this old Daoist not only hindered Heaven Court’s great affairs but also tried to use the ancient Demon Court to pressure today’s Heaven Court — this was already stepping on the Jade Emperor’s face and grinding it back and forth.

Most likely, the Jade Emperor now wanted to defeat this old Daoist to bolster Heaven Court’s prestige!

Moreover, it seemed that the Jade Emperor’s avatar also had his confidence…

Li Changshou quickly analyzed these points internally, finding his position, and reminding himself to stick to those few principles without wavering.

Commander Ritian called out again: “Where are my soldiers?”

The celestial generals and soldiers behind him shouted in unison: “Awaiting Commander’s orders!”

Their voices shook the nine heavens, their qi surging to the stars!

The brown-robed Daoist in front widened his eyes, that ‘remnants’ had already enraged him to the extreme, and he shouted:

“You celestial general, relying on your merit protection, you think others can’t touch you!?

Do you perhaps want this poor Daoist to have a bout with you?”

As he spoke, this old Daoist’s beard and hair flew wildly, his whole body maintaining an astonishing pressure, immortal power condensing into vast thunderclouds behind him!

Hua Ritian remained completely fearless, raising his long sword high, a golden light descended from the Nine Heavens, reflecting off him into ten thousand rays of golden light!

Within the golden light, Hua Ritian maintained his sword-raising posture, his whole body coated in a layer of golden divine power, his eyes surging with golden light, staring down the old Daoist before him.

For a moment, he offset most of the pressure emanating from this old Daoist, greatly boosting the morale of the celestial army!

This old Daoist stared with widened eyes…

His attempt at intimidation with magical power was ignored by this Heaven Court general, who even seemed impatient with his slow action, wanting to take the initiative to cut him down.

Was there any heavenly principle left?

Did the primordial world still follow the truth that [the strongest fist rules]?

The old Daoist roared: “Fine! This poor Daoist will today cut down you, this arrogant celestial general!”

His right hand patted the purple gourd, and from its mouth sprayed a thread of light, rising three zhang high, instantly condensing into a cloud of smoke, upon which appeared a pair of cold eyes, fixedly staring at the Jade Emperor’s avatar!

The old Daoist’s beard and hair flew wildly, his whole body’s aura suddenly becoming incredibly sharp, a murderous air pressing down on the scene!

“Freeze!”

The old Daoist shouted lightly, and the pair of eyes above the gourd shot out two beams of white light, directly targeting Hua Ritian’s forehead!

And this old Daoist, not waiting for the white light to land on Hua Ritian, had already started chanting his spell:

“Turn, treasure!”

“Wait!”

Suddenly a loud shout rang out, a figure directly blocked in front of Hua Ritian, white hair flying, horsetail whisk floating, arms spread wide, expression emotional.

It just lacked a cry of ‘if you want to cut someone down, cut me instead’!

The old Daoist’s words paused, but this technique couldn’t be stopped just by saying stop — once the treasure was activated, not cutting would harm oneself.

That word “turn” had already left his mouth!

Two beams of white light struck Li Changshou, and a sharp radiance flashed in empty space, Li Changshou’s spirit trembled, and he actually saw surging seas of blood rolling toward him.

In this instant, Li Changshou’s spiritual sense jumped, he almost instinctively cut off the connection between his main body and this paper doll, and the internal vision instantly vanished, that sharp sensation dissipating like smoke!

Was this the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife?!

Li Changshou experienced his momentary powerlessness just now, cold sweat beading on his forehead…

What a terrifying treasure!

His paper doll had absolutely no power to resist!

Just a little more, and it would have injured his main body!

But it seemed it wasn’t a flying knife taking one’s head but rather targeting the primordial spirit, slaying the primordial spirit…

Li Changshou had no time to think more, immediately activating… the paper doll in the sleeve of that [Sea God] paper doll, his spirit quickly returning to the West Sea.

Just as his spirit returned to position, Li Changshou heard Commander Ritian’s enraged roar:

“You dare to slay my Heaven Court’s true god!”

This paper doll quickly emerged from the sleeve, just as golden light arcs filled the sky slashing across the sea surface, fiercely smashing toward that old Daoist.

The paper doll that had been struck by the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife, at this moment…

Had lost its head!

The body quickly deflated, streams of immortal power continuously dispersing outward.

The Jade Emperor’s avatar Hua Ritian, now wearing golden armor and wielding his light sword, with nine golden dragon images circling him, chased after the old Daoist with fierce slashes.

The old Daoist had originally disdained to dodge, wanting to forcefully withstand Hua Ritian’s assault, but when that golden light slashed over, it contained a thread of Heavenly Dao power, causing the old Daoist’s great dao to tremble, and in his shock, he hurriedly retreated.

For a moment, Hua Ritian’s momentum gained the upper hand, and immediately generals on both sides gave orders, teams of celestial soldiers about to encircle and form formations;

Seeing the Sea God beheaded, his head completely gone, and the Heaven Court commander so fierce, each of the Dragon Clan experts was also rubbing their palms, just wanting to rush up and beat this old Daoist to death with their treasures.

But several Dragon Clan experts transmitted messages, telling them to remain calm.

Li Changshou now also saw that His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s avatar’s strength should be in the late Golden Immortal realm, equivalent to a sixth or seventh-grade Golden Immortal general skilled in warfare.

That he could now make that old Daoist somewhat disheveled dodging left and right was entirely due to those golden light enhancements.

After just a few moves, this old Daoist’s form flashed and appeared several hundred zhang away, his left hand holding that treasure gourd, and in the clouds three zhang above the gourd, that pair of cold merciless eyes opened again!

“Freeze!”

This old Daoist shouted, and Hua Ritian’s form instantly stopped in midair.

At this moment, this old Daoist was about to invoke the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife again, but Li Changshou’s shout had already arrived!

“Wait!”

A stream of water surged, and Li Changshou’s form appeared extremely quickly in front of the Jade Emperor’s avatar, holding his horsetail whisk and directly facing this old Daoist.

Both the old Daoist and the Jade Emperor’s avatar were stunned, simultaneously looking at the recent ‘headless corpse’, only to find no trace remained there.

Commander Ritian, the Jade Emperor’s avatar, said joyfully: “Sea God, you’re alright!”

“Hmph, so it was just an avatar!”

That old Daoist narrowed his eyes and sneered.

Just then, a golden light flashed around Hua Ritian, already breaking free from the freezing technique.

Li Changshou truly feared the Jade Emperor’s avatar would charge up again and get slain by Lu Ya.

— Li Changshou’s paper dolls were a bit of primordial spirit power, using the mystical art of paper-cutting to create people, supplemented by the external avatar technique passed down by Great Master Xuandu, combining talismans and restrictions, continuously improved.

When the avatar was just slain, Li Changshou timely cut off his connection with the avatar, only losing a strand of primordial spirit power, resulting in a headache.

But for the Jade Emperor’s avatar, Li Changshou wasn’t clear about its principles, it might be related to the Jade Emperor’s primordial spirit, and could easily seriously injure the Jade Emperor.

Li Changshou immediately transmitted: “Your Majesty, let this minor deity handle this old Daoist, the gourd in his hand is no small matter, I can dismiss him in a few words.”

“No matter!”

Hua Ritian spoke directly, walking in front of Li Changshou, calmly saying: “Let him cut!”

After speaking, Hua Ritian put his left hand behind his back, his right hand holding the long sword.

The left hand behind his back, its palm actually became somewhat transparent, actively showing Li Changshou the main constituent of this avatar.

It was merit…

An avatar formed of Heavenly Dao merit, formed of merit power… a Merit Golden Body!

Li Changshou’s eyes immediately reddened.

He had struggled desperately, managing incense offerings, coming to Heaven Court to be the Jade Emperor’s subordinate, calculating this and that, all to earn some merit and form a Merit Golden Body, giving himself a safety vest of ‘whoever kills me will be entangled by karmic burden’.

Yet before him, the Jade Emperor’s external avatar used for experiencing life was purely formed of merit, an independent Merit Golden Body!

Today he even wanted to use the Merit Golden Body to deal with this old Daoist;

As soon as the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife cut down, heavenly punishment would likely follow right after!

“Your Majesty,” Li Changshou transmitted, “the commander being slain would certainly be a huge blow to Heaven Court’s army morale. Today we came to raise prestige for Heaven Court and Your Majesty, not to quarrel with this old Daoist.”

Hearing this, the Jade Emperor’s avatar nodded slightly and transmitted: “When I just saw you being slain, I wanted to destroy this old Daoist today, but that was somewhat inconsiderate.

Minister, do you have any brilliant strategy?”

“Your Majesty, please let this minor deity try.”

“Good!”

The Jade Emperor’s avatar nodded lightly, Li Changshou held his horsetail whisk and stepped forward again, facing that old Daoist directly.

This old Daoist sneered and said calmly: “What, finished discussing? Since my treasure has slain your avatar, you should know its power!

Quickly withdraw, leave the demon race a way to survive!”

“Who are you, fellow Daoist?” Li Changshou frowned and asked.

“This poor Daoist…”

“Fellow Daoist, you neither reveal your origins nor speak of cause and effect, directly blocking our Heaven Court’s righteous army, yet want Heaven Court to withdraw troops for your face.

Fellow Daoist, when you say nothing, how can we know what your face is worth?”

Li Changshou swung his horsetail whisk and chuckled;

That old Daoist’s brows slightly furrowed, and then he made his decision.

The old Daoist called out:

“Listen well!

This poor Daoist was originally a pure cultivation seeker,

Rarely questioning worldly affairs while riding idle cranes.

Understanding the Way of Heaven and Earth through cultivation,

In the blink of an eye, the great tribulation passed.

Never went to Xuandu to pay respects to Supreme Clarity,

Nor went to make promises at Jade Void’s gate.

Now comprehending the law of separation fire,

When treasure emerges, heads will fall.

How’s that, is this face enough!”

Li Changshou pondered carefully, this old Daoist was also careful, not revealing any background.

But the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife…

This thing was Lu Ya Daoist’s calling card!

And from Lu Ya standing up for the demon race, the phrase ‘Demon Court orphans’ had already let Li Changshou roughly understand his origins.

After hearing Lu Ya finish his establishing poem, Li Changshou cupped his hands and smiled: “I’m afraid it’s not enough.”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou smiled and said:

“Fellow Daoist, listen to my background, see if I have enough face to make you withdraw today.

Fellow Daoist, listen well!

I was originally a Human Teaching disciple in the mountains,

By the Lord’s command entered Heaven.

Originally coming and going without mediocre guests,

Having old immortal friends in all three teachings.

Obtained a divine position in Lingxiao Hall,

Heaven’s Way permitted authority overseas.

Three kowtows in Tusita Palace,

Received Supreme Clarity’s pill way verses!”

After speaking, Li Changshou snorted coldly, “Fellow Daoist, do you think my face is enough or not?”

“Hahaha!”

Lu Ya Daoist laughed loudly, but took the opportunity to plug up the Immortal-Slaying Gourd, then said calmly, “You’re a disciple of the Three Teachings’ Sages, yet go to serve the Jade Emperor in Lingxiao Hall, truly laughable.”

“The Jade Emperor rules the Three Realms according to Heaven’s Way, being able to strategize for His Majesty is itself a blessing for all beings of the Three Realms!”

Li Changshou sighed: “Those whose ways differ cannot work together. Fellow Daoist, if you think my face is enough, please leave.

The deep sea demons repeatedly do evil, most beings in their race bear the karmic burden, and eliminating them is Heaven’s Way!”

“It seems,” Lu Ya Daoist said coldly, “today we must have another bout!

Listen well again!

I was originally…”

“Fellow Daoist, why not listen to a few lines from me?”

Li Changshou smiled, also feeling poetically inspired, interrupting Lu Ya Daoist’s poetry.

What was this?

Is primordial chaos good poetry?

It could be seen that Lu Ya Daoist was somewhat wary of Heaven Court at this time, otherwise he wouldn’t have rambled so much; if he were truly confident, he would have just slain Commander Ritian and left.

Thus…

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Fellow Daoist was originally Yang Fire Essence,

Attaining the Way in ancient golden halls.

Is that so?”

Lu Ya Daoist’s face slightly trembled, his eyes bursting with overwhelming divine light, staring fixedly at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou continued: “Playing with Kua Fu in the clouds,

Provoking the divine bow to shake demon heaven.

Did I speak wrongly?”

This old Daoist’s divine light in his eyes receded, and he said firmly: “Fellow Daoist knows my background, you’ve been toying with me all along!”

Li Changshou said calmly: “I have some connection with Fellow Daoist ancestors, originally didn’t want to make you so embarrassed.

Fellow Daoist, withdraw like this today.

You can’t protect the deep sea demons and don’t make my main body come.

Your Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife is likely of little use against my avatar formed of mystical arts.”

— The connection with ancestors was limited to: we know them, they don’t know us.

“How do you know my treasure’s name?”

Lu Ya Daoist was also shocked, he had only recently refined the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife, and the three or four Daoists who had faced this treasure had already vanished like smoke.

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, Lu Ya Daoist’s gaze uncertain.

“Hmph!”

Lu Ya Daoist snorted lightly, “Today I’ll give a face to your predecessors!

If your Heaven Court deliberately targets my demon race, I will surely go to Lingxiao Hall to demand an explanation!”

After leaving these harsh words, his figure turned, transforming into a beam of rainbow light, vanishing with a whoosh, departing extremely swiftly.

Li Changshou shook his head slightly, revealed a smile, and muttered: “At least you juniors know what’s good for you.”

After speaking, he turned and went toward the Jade Emperor’s avatar.

The Jade Emperor’s avatar stepped forward to meet him, transmitting: “Was that the Tenth Prince who escaped from the demon race back then?”

“Should be,” Li Changshou transmitted with a smile, “This minor deity didn’t know either, just now was only testing him, but now it seems to be so.”

“That Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife is indeed extraordinary,” the Jade Emperor’s avatar laughed, “but Minister Changgeng’s quick wit is even more formidable.”

Li Changshou advised: “Your Majesty, it’s time to lead the army to slay enemies, being delayed by this Lu Ya for a while, who knows how many West Sea demons have escaped.”

“Good!”

The Jade Emperor laughed, resuming his original solemn expression, turning to look at the tens of thousands of celestial soldiers behind him, and the great army flying from further away.

Raising the golden light sword in his hand, tens of thousands of celestial soldiers cheered in unison, their voices shaking heaven and earth.

For Heaven Court!