The army set out, heading straight for the Western Sea.

Li Changshou’s paper avatar closely followed the Jade Emperor’s avatar while multitasking, continuously pondering matters concerning Master Lu Ya.

In the alchemy room of Little Jade Peak, Li Changshou took out a wooden tablet from his collection of immortal simulation items, sighed, and tossed it back.

“This is too difficult.”

It truly was too difficult.

Master Lu Ya, who rivaled Master Randeng during the Great Investiture of the Gods and repeatedly stirred up trouble, directly causing the death of Elder Zhao Gongming, and ultimately escaping unscathed—Li Changshou had now encountered him at this critical moment!

He was merely a junior disciple of the Human Path who had just entered the Golden Immortal realm and had only cultivated for a few hundred years!

Running into him was one thing, but their respective positions meant they must stand in opposition to each other…

What made it worse was that he currently was no match for Master Lu Ya and couldn’t take the opportunity to eliminate him and sever this karmic connection.

He had to think of a solution, he absolutely must!

‘This Master Lu Ya… which faction does he currently belong to?’

Li Changshou pondered deeply, contemplating in his heart.

Or perhaps Master Lu Ya had accumulated his cultivation through the Demon Race without pledging allegiance to any faction?

Though the Demon Court had fallen, the legacy left behind by the Demon Race couldn’t be underestimated, such as the Chaos Bell—also known as the Eastern Emperor Bell—that had vanished into the Chaos Sea.

If Master Lu Ya truly was the former crown prince of the Demon Court, he likely inherited some of the Demon Race’s “wealth.”

When Pangu created heaven and earth, his eyes transformed into the sun and moon, becoming the Greater Yin Star and Greater Yang Star, governing the world’s yin and yang energies.

According to ancient records, Emperor Jun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi of the Golden Crow Clan were born from the sun star, possessing immense power and their respective supreme treasures, later becoming the Demon Emperors.

Emperor Jun and Empress Xi He had ten sons, who became the Ten Princes of the Demon Race. All ten princes possessed Golden Crow true forms and could briefly transform into the sun star.

The War between Immortals and Demons lasted half of the ancient period, with intermittent fighting and periods of peace.

During one quiet period of the war, a Demon Prince made a wager with the great demon Kuafu to compare their speed and flying abilities, leading to the tale of “Kuafu Chasing the Sun.”

According to human records, when Kuafu was about to win the bet, the ten Demon Princes cheated by flying out of the Fusang Tree, transforming into ten suns that scorched the earth, secretly making things difficult for Kuafu until he died of thirst.

This became the legend of the “Ten Suns in the Sky.”

Among the demon tribe was a great archer named Houyi, who drew his bow against the suns, shooting down nine Golden Crow Princes in succession. Demon Race experts arrived in time to save the tenth son…

This became the widely circulated tale of “Houyi Shooting the Suns.”

Notably, Houyi’s shooting of the sun wasn’t exactly as human legends portrayed it. The ten Demon Princes had burned countless humans to death, which had enraged Houyi.

The human-centric perspective only emerged later as humans retold the story.

After Houyi shot the suns, the War between Immortals and Demons erupted again, plunging heaven and earth back into endless warfare.

The “Tenth Golden Crow Prince” who escaped disaster hadn’t been heard from since, and his whereabouts became even more mysterious after the fall of the Demon Court…

Today, when the Heavenly Court came to the Western Sea to eliminate demons, Master Lu Ya’s active interference unexpectedly exposed his background.

In retrospect, today’s Master Lu Ya showed excessive cunning but insufficient composure, completely unworthy of comparison to Master Randeng, the Vice Patriarch of the Enlightenment School.

‘Lu Ya… Six Crows?

The Demon Prince who escaped back then might not have been the youngest tenth prince.’

In the alchemy room of Little Jade Peak, Li Changshou paced back and forth, carefully considering what had transpired in the Western Sea earlier and analyzing the potential future impacts of this incident.

If Li Changshou could have avoided stepping forward earlier, he naturally wouldn’t have wanted to.

[Rushing forward to block the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife wasn’t a rash act but rather the result of careful weighing and consideration…]

The key point was that Li Changshou couldn’t be certain about the relationship between the Jade Emperor’s avatar and his true body.

According to the most widely circulated avatar techniques in the primordial world, if an avatar was slain, the true body would suffer great damage. If the Jade Emperor was inexplicably severely injured, the consequences would certainly be hard to control.

At best, the Jade Emperor would become enraged and spare no cost to eliminate Lu Ya, drastically altering the script of the Great Investiture of the Gods, and causing the Venerable Sages to sense something amiss prematurely.

Referring to the previous incident with Master Wenjing might trigger other karmic consequences.

At worst, the Jade Emperor would weep and turn to the Purple Apex Palace to complain to the Dao Ancestor.

‘My Lord! Some nobody managed to bully your disciple—what a disgraceful Emperor I’ve become!’

Then the Great Investiture would begin prematurely, the Three Schools of the Dao would be entangled by disaster, and the three Venerable Sages would cast their gentle gazes upon himself and Master Lu Ya…

Just thinking about it was terrifying!

The Jade Emperor had a temperament of meeting force with force, and it seemed unlikely he would swallow this grievance.

This happened in his domain as the Sea God and the Jade Emperor’s avatar had come because of his memorial request. If anything truly went wrong, Li Changshou would bear inescapable responsibility.

Li Changshou dared to use his paper avatar to block the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife because he relied on his paper avatar’s special properties.

—The paper avatar contained only a small amount of primordial spirit power but could maintain a real-time connection with his primordial spirit. His consciousness could be projected onto it, ignoring distance and ordinary formation barriers.

This principle was difficult for Li Changshou to explain clearly.

Back when he was researching paper avatars, he had explored step by step, finally discovering this property by chance and putting it to use.

But after years of working with paper avatars, Li Changshou’s understanding of their characteristics had become very thorough.

He had acted with reasonable confidence at the time.

Moreover, spiritual treasure attacks always left traces.

If the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife directly took one’s head, it wouldn’t matter if his paper avatar died.

If the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife directly attacked the primordial spirit, his paper avatar had no primordial spirit to attack.

Li Changshou had naturally considered the slight possibility that this Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife—which would become a famous killing weapon in the future Great Investiture—might be able to trace along the “connection”…

Therefore, in the instant his paper avatar blocked the Jade Emperor’s avatar, Li Changshou had already gripped the Nine Cycles Golden Pill and was ready to call out to the Venerable Sages!

After his first paper avatar was destroyed, Li Changshou quickly analyzed and found that this Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife wasn’t as “frightening” as imagined.

First, it was indeed a weapon that could slay primordial spirits.

It would first immobilize the primordial spirit, then destroy it, and finally take the head.

When the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife struck, Li Changshou saw surging waves of blood, and his paper avatar couldn’t mount any counterattack before being destroyed.

But his true body’s primordial spirit, far away on Little Jade Peak, remained completely unharmed, only retaining a slight sense of fear in his heart.

It was as if his paper avatar could withstand damage of “ten,” while the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife dealt damage of “nine hundred and ninety-nine”—it could only destroy the paper avatar more thoroughly, without any other significance.

Thus, Li Changshou grew more confident, and finally, to make Lu Ya leave sooner, he rarely engaged in some boasting…

Today’s Lu Ya was indeed quite different from the “mysterious cultivator” who would later cause “Elder Zhao’s tragic death in his bed amid casual conversation” during the Great Investiture.

Before meeting Master Lu Ya, Li Changshou had already been extremely wary of this cultivator who wielded the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife in his left hand and the Seven Nailing Arrows in his right.

After today’s unexpected encounter in the Western Sea, Li Changshou’s wariness hadn’t decreased but had intensified.

The current Master Lu Ya surely still had room for further improvement!

The Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife seemed imperfect, with its “primordial spirit immobilization” technique needing enhancement—this appeared to be a prerequisite for the knife’s activation.

And then there was that somewhat mysterious “Book of Seven Nailing Arrows”…

‘To be honest, should I make some arrangements to have Elder Zhao eliminate Master Lu Ya early?’

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Li Changshou stroked his chin and immediately dismissed it.

If he did this and Elder Zhao failed to kill Master Lu Ya, instead forming a karmic grudge with Lu Ya, wouldn’t that align perfectly with Zhao Gongming’s fated destiny?

To be safe, he couldn’t interfere too much with the Great Investiture matters right now.

Li Changshou had been pondering this issue, and now he had some insights.

To save Elder Zhao’s life, he absolutely couldn’t interfere too much or too early. He had to let Elder Zhao reach his original destined tribulation, and when he was being invested with divinity, slightly alter the method of his “ascension.”

This required great finesse.

Being killed and having a strand of primordial spirit ascend to the Investiture List meant becoming a puppet of the Heavenly Dao, with any decree from the Jade Emperor being forcibly executed by the Heavenly Dao.

Having one’s physical body directly ascend to the Investiture List was like Li Changshou’s current situation—serving in the Heavenly Court but free to come and go, maintaining the most basic “right to choose.”

Of course, the most tragic were those who were killed but couldn’t ascend to the Investiture List—that was dying in vain.

To save Elder Zhao, the most secure moment to act would be during the Great Investiture, right before Elder Zhao met his tribulation.

That way would minimize karmic consequences, only requiring a slight change in the “form” of Elder Zhao’s ascension…

‘Currently, my position in the Heavenly Court isn’t yet stable. I should focus on being a good Sea God—those matters can wait.’

Li Changshou sighed softly, burying these thoughts in his heart and focusing wholly on his current “official duties.”

Protect their Day-Reaching Marshal!

…

Afterward, wherever the Jade Emperor’s avatar went, Li Changshou’s avatar followed.

This was a Merit Golden Body, a Merit Golden Body away from its true form…

If it got knocked about, there would be Merit Golden powder everywhere!

Li Changshou desperately wanted to discuss with the Jade Emperor—after helping establish the Dragon Clan in the Heavenly Court, he wouldn’t ask for anything else if His Majesty would just help customize a Merit Golden Body for him!

One could dream, one could dream.

The joint forces of the Heavenly Court and Dragon Clan advanced in a killing formation. The Western Sea demon group made a token resistance before scattering in flight.

But the paths to escape from the primordial realm had been completely sealed off. Their east-west fleeing only added to the distance covered by the heavenly soldiers.

In the Heavenly Court’s official account—

This great battle was fierce and deadly, both sides fought until heaven and earth darkened, with seafood frolicking in the waters.

Soon, the Jade Emperor’s avatar, who had been fighting bloody battles and slaying demons with his sword, suddenly turned around to look at the old immortal who had been following within three zhang…

The Jade Emperor’s avatar transmitted: “Minister Long Geng, you…”

“Your Majesty, please continue your slaying. No need to worry about this minor deity,” Li Changshou smiled and nodded, transmitting: “This minor deity will guard Your Majesty’s side, lest that cultivator attempts a surprise attack.”

The Jade Emperor’s avatar transmitted: “Minister, there’s no need to worry… never mind.”

Looking at the kindly smiling elder before him, the Jade Emperor couldn’t maintain his imperial dignity and turned to continue leading the charge.

Li Changshou considered briefly, then took out two paper avatars from his sleeve and tossed them out. They transformed into two silver-armored warriors, following on the Jade Emperor’s left and right, each wielding a sword and spear as they fought fiercely with the enemy, protecting the Jade Emperor’s avatar.

Providing comprehensive nanny-style combat service!

During the battle, Li Changshou also discovered several promising heavenly generals.

For instance, his Second Patriarch Ao Yi silently led a group of Dragon Clan troops, tackling the toughest opponents and slaying the strongest demons, his Azure Dragon true form constantly churning.

That “love at first sight” “Marshal Tiandou” Bian Zhuang had also obtained a minor general position this time, leading two thousand heavenly soldiers in continuous charges.

Surprisingly, Bian Zhuang showed quite a bit of masculine prowess in battle, his Nine-Toothed Rake proving to be a powerful weapon.

It was unknown whether Bian Zhuang had water-fighting techniques, but his movements were even more agile underwater than above. Under his Nine-Toothed Rake, except for those aged demon elders, few could withstand even a single exchange!

Li Changshou secretly noted all of these down, planning to report them to His Majesty the Jade Emperor later.

Talent should be put to good use—this was exactly what the Heavenly Court needed now.

However, Li Changshou finally realized that recording all this was completely useless.

Half a day later, the Western Sea battle subsided. The heavenly soldiers and Dragon Clan forces combined and then swept through the depths of the Western Sea from north to south.

The Jade Emperor’s avatar had finally satisfied his urge to play general and returned to sit in the central army, which truly relieved Li Changshou.

He needed to think of a way to prevent the Jade Emperor from pulling these “personally leading the army” stunts in the future…

This large army patrolled the Four Seas for half a month, killing or capturing those deep-sea demons, and also attacked several marine rebel forces along the way.

The Dragon Clan grew increasingly trustful of the Heavenly Court, and those Dragon Clan elders’ gazes toward the heavenly soldiers were full of goodwill.

When East Wood Duke declared: “The deep-sea demons have now been expelled, the Four Seas are peaceful!”

The Heavenly Court’s first military campaign, lasting just sixteen days, came to an enthusiastic conclusion.

As soon as East Wood Duke’s words fell, streams of golden light appeared between heaven and earth. The Heavenly Dao bestowed merit, transforming into golden rain that showered upon the Heavenly Court and Dragon Clan armies!

The originally tired heavenly soldiers were immediately invigorated when the golden rain fell on them;

The Dragon Clan’s immortal dragon soldiers and prawn-crab troops were also inexplicably excited when touched by the drizzle.

The merit bestowed by the Heavenly Dao was determined firstly by contributions in this campaign, and secondly by divine position ranking.

Among the Dragon Clan, Ao Yi received the most merit. He accepted a pillar of golden light, and his realm showed a slight improvement.

Other Dragon Clan elders and experts each received over ten golden “feathers,” having some of their karmic obstacles cleansed, all showing their excitement to varying degrees.

Though the merit was little, it represented hope.

A Dragon Clan elder shouted: “The Heavenly Dao has been moved and bestows merit! Our Dragon Clan can finally receive the Heavenly Dao’s recognition again!”

Yet in the scene, only Hua Ritian and Li Changshou had nothing to do with these golden lights.

His Majesty the Jade Emperor had no use for this bit of merit, and the Heavenly Dao wouldn’t bestow merit separately to the Jade Emperor for this matter.

As for Li Changshou…

Above Little Jade Peak, a pillar of golden light descended from the sky, ignoring the mountain-protecting formation of the Immortal’s Gate and striking directly on Li Changshou’s head.

Although this golden light flashed quickly and disappeared in an instant, it still drew considerable attention.

Fortunately, Sect Leader Ji Wuyou flew out from the Immortal Hall in time and stood above Little Jade Peak. Under the gaze of various immortal consciousnesses, he muttered to himself:

“Not bad, the golden light formation that poor Dao set up here is showing effects.”

Thus, he helped cover up for Li Changshou.

Ji Wuyou had no choice—the situation just now clearly showed that the Grand Law Master of the Mysterious Capital was arranging merit for little Changshou.

Ah…

Having a deep background meant happiness.

Meanwhile, on the return journey to the Heavenly Court, Commander-in-Chief Hua Ritian deliberately slowed his steps on the cloud path to invite the Sea God along.

“Minister Long Geng, this Lu Ya is trouble. I see his fate is not weak, likely still blessed by the destiny of demon race revival. He’ll probably be difficult to handle in the future.

Why don’t you and I discuss and devise a complete strategy early on…”

The Day-Reaching Marshal raised his hand and waved it gently, revealing a hint of killing intent in his eyes.

Li Changshou blinked, then understood where the Jade Emperor’s killing intent came from.

Tsk, the crown prince of the previous dynasty.