“Disciple, what’s the meaning of this? Why have you immobilized your Master?”

Inside Master Qi Yuan’s thatched cottage by the lake of Lesser Jade Peak, the elderly Daoist had just opened his eyes from meditation when a paper figure emerged from his sleeve, taking his form and raising a hand to envelop his entire body in light.

Master Qi Yuan found himself… completely unable to move.

Li Changshou hurriedly said, “Master, there’s no time to explain. Please stay seated—Grand Master is bringing that fox demon here right now! Um, I must ask though, do you have any… thoughts about fox demons?”

In Elder Qi Yuan’s aged eyes, the left one read ‘bewildered’ and the right one ‘confused’ as he stared at Li Changshou, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Changshou, what is going on here?”

Li Changshou let out a soft sigh, his hands swiftly moving over his master’s body while quickly explaining the situation.

In simple terms, he had—with his master’s permission—used his master’s appearance to entangle with a… stunningly beautiful fox demon. One that couldn’t simply be reduced to ashes with a cry of ‘Divine Power of Demon Slaying!’

Master Qi Yuan pondered for a moment, seemingly understanding the situation, and declared magnanimously, “Changshou, if worse comes to worst, your master will take the fall for you!”

“There’s no need to worry, Master,” Li Changshou smiled. “This disciple has a way to break her wishful thinking!”

After a pause, adhering to the principle of [Being Thorough], Li Changshou asked in a low voice, “Master, would you like to take a look at this demoness?”

“Why would I want to look at her!”

Master Qi Yuan’s eyes widened as he hastily exclaimed, “Don’t speak such nonsense! What if others hear of this? My lifelong reputation for purity must not be ruined today!”

“Very well, then I can proceed with peace of mind,” Li Changshou stepped back two paces and made a Daoist salute to his master. “Master, please remain in this cottage and do not step outside. Let your disciple handle everything!”

“Go on, go on, ah!” Master Qi Yuan waved his hand. “These days, your master truly doesn’t know the extent of your abilities, or what you’re doing out there day after day.”

Li Changshou smiled faintly, casually conjuring a water mirror to examine the appearance of his paper construct. The face wasn’t particularly remarkable, but the eyes were bright and piercing, and the silver hair quite spirited—identical to his master’s appearance after Sister Jiuyu came to the mountain.

Subsequently, Li Changshou borrowed his master’s whisk, infusing its essence into the paper construct. After carefully checking twice, he finally opened the door and walked outside with the whisk in hand.

Sitting on his meditation cushion, Master Qi Yuan pondered briefly before watching the door close by itself as layer upon layer of formations activated… He had been secured here by his disciple.

Qi Yuan casually conjured a water mirror to examine himself, only to see an unfamiliar… and beautiful woman’s face… He nearly fainted from shock.

On Lesser Jade Peak, Li Changshou’s “Human” paper construct stood silently by the lakeside under the willow tree, watching the figures flying in from the mountain gate.

Though only the fox maiden had come from the demon side, how could the sect’s immortals dare to be careless? This was a demon after all! Extremely fierce, they say!

Therefore, apart from the necessary defensive forces remaining at the mountain gate, all the elders and masters from various peaks kept their eyes fixed on this fox maiden, whose cultivation was merely at the True Immortal realm…

Ahem, they were merely being cautious, absolutely not there to observe how this demoness might have injured Elder Jiang Liner’s Dao companion with self-destruction. They weren’t there to practice the art of gossip!

Seeing this, Li Changshou shook his head. Whether the sect’s immortals were present or not made little difference. His current mastery of paper construct techniques could certainly deceive any cultivator below the Golden Immortal realm.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou had already begun operating on two fronts, activating his backup [Sea God] paper construct hidden in the Heavenly Court’s Sea God Palace.

To resolve this matter’s karma, multiple methods must be employed simultaneously.

At the Heavenly Court, outside the Sea God Palace;

The kindly-looking old Sea God departed from his residence on a cloud, holding his whisk and heading straight for the Palace of Marriage!

Just after Li Changshou left on his cloud, several Heavenly Generals at the palace gates exchanged glances, looking at each other in bewilderment.

“When did the Sea God return?”

“Don’t know, didn’t see him earlier. How did he appear so mysteriously?”

“Watch your words. If we could see through the Sea God’s movements, would he still be the Sea God?”

The Heavenly Generals found this reasoning sound and fell silent, gazing in the direction of Li Changshou’s departure.

As the [Sea God] paper construct reached halfway, Lesser Jade Peak was already filled with the sect’s immortals.

Fortunately, Jiang Liner said, “Fellow sect members, please just observe from outside. It’s not appropriate for so many people to watch this up close.”

With these words, she led the fox maiden, along with Jiu Wu, Jiu Shi, and Jiu Jiu, down toward the lakeside.

As for Fox Maiden Xiao Lan, upon seeing the elderly Daoist standing under the willow tree, her spirit first lifted, and she eagerly wanted to rush forward.

But her feet grew weak, and her eyes showed traces of timidity. She couldn’t help but bite her plump vermillion lips, adding to her pitiful charm.

However, Jiang Liner stopped with the three Jiu siblings a hundred zhang away and directly transmitted her voice to the old Daoist under the tree…

“Are you Second Brother or Changshou?”

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, knowing this matter couldn’t be hidden from Jiang Liner. After all, Grand Master knew his master too well and had been well-nourished since childhood.

Li Changshou transmitted back to Jiang Liner: “Disciple Changshou here. This matter has nothing to do with my master. I merely borrowed master’s appearance at the time for convenience.”

Jiang Liner immediately let out a soft laugh, winking at the old Daoist under the tree, as if saying ‘Then you handle it yourself.’

Then, Jiang Liner pointed toward ‘Qi Yuan’ under the tree.

“He’s right there. Go ahead.”

“Yes,” the fox maiden responded softly, floating down gently.

Her bewitching figure was as enchanting as the drooping willow, like ripples on the lake.

When she was only about ten zhang away from the elderly Daoist of her heart, the fox maiden’s voice trembled slightly as she softly said, “I…”

Li Changshou maintained a stern face and asked, “Fellow Daoist, why did you wish to see me?”

The fox maiden seemed to have countless words she wanted to say at once, but when they reached her throat, she only managed a soft “mm” before saying…

“Daoist Master, do you remember me?”

Hearing these words, Li Changshou slightly furrowed his brows, internally measuring the changes in his expression, letting his eyes show traces of confusion.

Li Changshou said, “I remember. Fellow Daoist and I have no deep entanglements.

I captured you to protect the human realm;

When I met you down the mountain, it was to contemplate a certain technique, and I gave you spiritual pills as thanks.

Fellow Daoist, why have you caused such a commotion today? What is your purpose? Are you targeting me?”

“How could I target you?” The fox maiden anxiously stepped forward.

Li Changshou swept his whisk, and a strand of immortal power tinged with turbidity appeared at the fox maiden’s feet.

“Fellow Daoist, please maintain your dignity. I have cultivated in purity for a thousand years and will not allow you to tarnish my reputation!”

“I, I…”

The fox maiden’s breathing became somewhat rapid, her snow-white skin taking on a slight blush, but she soon calmed down and said softly, “I just wanted to see you once.”

Li Changshou flicked his whisk, “Very well, now that you’ve seen me, farewell.”

Fox Maiden Xiao Lan was stunned, and many Degree Immortal Gate cultivators outside Lesser Jade Peak either transmitted messages or inwardly praised.

This Fellow Daoist Qi Yuan (senior brother, junior brother, nephew) was such a firm and righteous person—it was truly a shame he could only cultivate to become a Turbid Immortal.

The fox maiden said sorrowfully, “Are you so heartless that you won’t even give me a chance to speak before sending me away?”

“Fellow Daoist, at this point, you have already spoken forty-nine words to me. How can you say I’m not giving you a chance to speak?”

Li Changshou frowned deeply, his wide sleeve sweeping past, materializing a low table and two chairs on the ground.

“Come, sit.

Not only will I give you a chance to speak, but I’ll give you a chance to speak properly.

However, if our conversation proves unproductive, please say no more;

Today, let’s speak clearly between us, to avoid any misunderstandings in the future.”

At this, Li Changshou sat down without ceremony, and the fox maiden hesitated before sitting opposite him like a wronged young wife, full of grievance.

At this moment, the Sea God paper construct in the Heavenly Court had just caught sight of the Old Man of the Moon’s Marriage Palace, so Li Changshou didn’t hurry to speak more under the willow tree.

The time wasn’t right yet.

Nearby, Ling’e approached with a teapot and cups, called out “Master,” and served tea for both of them.

This was naturally arranged by Li Changshou through voice transmission.

At this point, Li Changshou took the opportunity to give Ling’e a kind and benevolent smile, saying, “Disciple, thank you for your effort. Go cultivate now.”

Although Ling’e didn’t know this version of her master was her senior brother in disguise, her everyday master was equally benevolent to her. She bowed respectfully, said “Yes,” and turned to leave.

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, then shifted his gaze to the fox maiden, his expression instantly becoming very serious.

“Fellow Daoist, say what you wish to say. With so many of my sect members watching, I truly don’t want to be alone with you.”

The fox maiden felt her fragrant heart quite sour, yet she knew this was just her one-sided feeling.

She sighed softly, “Daoist Master, do you need a serving maid by your side?

I can do anything, I just wish to remain by your side.”

This time, Li Changshou fell silent instead, lifting his teacup but not drinking, frowning for a while.

It seemed as though he was somewhat moved by this proposal…

As Li Changshou ‘hesitated,’ immortals throughout the Degree Immortal Gate were held in suspense, focusing intently on this location, afraid to miss any exciting details…

However, Li Changshou was just concentrating on his conversation with the Old Man of the Moon, temporarily pausing the speech of his paper construct here.

If he mixed up the threads, that would be truly troublesome!

In the Heavenly Court, within the Palace of the Old Man of the Moon.

Li Changshou’s Sea God paper construct hurried in, not even giving the Old Man of the Moon a chance to welcome him outside. Upon arrival, he immediately grabbed the Old Man’s arm.

“Old Man of the Moon, I have a favor to ask!”

“Don’t rush, Sea God, don’t rush,” the Old Man of the Moon’s spirits lifted greatly.

Who was the Sea God?

He was the Jade Emperor’s current favorite. Even if he wanted to marry ten or eight beautiful immortal maidens, the Old Man of the Moon would arrange it even at the cost of a hundred years of merit!

At once, the Old Man of the Moon said seriously: “Sea God, please feel free to command!”

However, Li Changshou’s next few words made the Old Man’s expression grow even more solemn.

“To be frank, besides being the Sea God, I have another identity—I belong to the Human Dao.

Moreover, I received orders from the Grand Master to handle some minor affairs of the Human Dao.”

The Old Man of the Moon immediately nodded, saying, “I’ve heard of this, I’ve heard of this.”

Li Changshou said gravely:

“This time I come to trouble the Old Man not as the Sea God, but as a Human Dao immortal.

Old Man, according to my previous calculations, a small calamity is brewing at the Human Dao’s Degree Immortal Gate. I sent an avatar to investigate.

By chance, I discovered it was a female demon who had fallen for a member of the Degree Immortal Gate.

This demoness is actually from the Azure Hill clan, and now many Azure Hill demons have gathered at the Degree Immortal Gate. If this continues, I fear they might use force against that sect member!”

“Ah?!”

Hearing this, the Old Man of the Moon’s eyes widened, “Such a thing is happening!”

Li Changshou said seriously: “Indeed, I’ve thought it through, and there’s no good way to handle this.

If a man were infatuated with a woman and brought his clan members to force her, that would be evil conduct deserving punishment.

But once it’s reversed and a woman takes the initiative with a man, most people would first question the man: ‘Didn’t you lead her on?’

Therefore, this matter can’t be handled directly. I rushed here to request the use of your golden scissors to sever this ill-fated bond!”

“Good! I will help with this!”

“There’s no time to waste—they’re about to fight over there!”

“Come, quickly to the rear hall!”

The Old Man of the Moon shook his sleeves, grabbed a pair of golden scissors, and hurried to the rear hall with Li Changshou following closely behind.

This Old Man of the Moon was thoroughly reliable, immediately pushing stars and drawing dust to summon two groups of clay figures before him.

On the left were the Azure Hill clan figures, numerous in quantity, mostly with human faces and bodies but with pointed fox ears.

Overall, the Azure Hill clan’s red threads showed a ‘radiating pattern,’ with many extending in all directions.

One red thread stretched out from among them, reaching into the right group of Human Dao Degree Immortal Gate’s marriage clay figures. Following this red thread, they immediately found the clay figure that somewhat resembled Elder Qi Yuan.

The red thread was wrapped around Elder Qi Yuan, but his clay figure had no corresponding red thread…

Not even a thread end.

“This is it!”

The Old Man of the Moon moved swiftly, stepping forward with his hair and beard flying!

With a snip, the red thread was cut in half!

But the thread trembled slightly and began to regrow on its own, continuing determinedly toward Elder Qi Yuan’s clay figure…

“Another such passionate soul?”

The Old Man of the Moon snorted coldly, calculating in his heart that he absolutely couldn’t lose face in front of the Sea God—this was his primary duty after all!

The Old Man immediately said: “Hmph! Since ancient times, passion has been nothing but excessive sentiment!”

At that, the golden scissors continued snipping.

Seeing this, Li Changshou considered briefly and launched an offensive on the main battlefield!

At Lesser Jade Peak, under the lakeside willow.

The silent ‘Qi Yuan’ suddenly gave a light laugh.

Due to the cut red thread, Fox Maiden Xiao Lan, who was inexplicably troubled in her heart, immediately asked:

“Daoist Master, what is it?”

“I was waiting for you to speak. Why are you silent?”

Fox Maiden Xiao Lan froze, then hurriedly said: “I thought Master was considering…”

“Considering letting you stay? Don’t think too much.”

Li Changshou smiled, hearing the snipping sounds of the Old Man’s golden scissors in his ears, and his expression toward the fox maiden became much more relaxed.

Li Changshou said calmly: “Fellow Daoist, you haven’t truly fallen for me, have you?”

The fox maiden’s expression immediately became urgent, “Master, Lan’er’s heart is filled with nothing but Master’s image!”

“You call this love?”

Li Changshou’s gaze burst forth with penetrating divine light, staring at the fox maiden as if seeing through her mental defenses.

Li Changshou said: “Have you ever asked yourself what your heart truly thinks? Have you truly understood your feelings?”

“Of course, I’ve… asked…”

The fox maiden’s voice weakened as she examined her dao heart, only to find those images had become somewhat faint!

“No, actually you haven’t,” Li Changshou said calmly. “The simplest example: if the one who visited you in the underground prison wasn’t me, but any random person from the Degree Immortal Gate.

As long as they had prepared countermeasures against your charm techniques and made you feel defeated, you would have kept their shadow in your heart. With time’s fermentation, you would have the illusion that you were deeply in love with that person.

Isn’t that so?”

“This…”

The fox maiden parted her vermillion lips but couldn’t speak, hurriedly standing up, at a loss for what to do.

Li Changshou sighed:

“Fellow Daoist, if you replaced me with someone else, you would simply have fallen for that other person—how can you say you’ve fallen for me?

In matters of love between men and women, in the grace between Dao companions, the most basic and precious thing is ‘no one but you.’ A beloved isn’t simply someone you keep in your heart; a beloved is the irreplaceable one in your heart.

You don’t have this.”

The fox maiden’s eyes became dazed as she murmured: “I don’t have…”

“The underground prison was dark and gloomy. You were alone there, without small demons flattering you, without the scenes of worldly prosperity. In your heart, you were simply looking for something to depend on.

You’re also in the True Immortal realm; feel it yourself, isn’t this the case?

Fellow Daoist, it’s not me, Qi Yuan, that you’ve fallen for.”

The fox maiden stepped back twice, her eyes full of bewilderment, softly murmuring: “The one I’ve fallen for isn’t Daoist Master Qi Yuan, the one I’ve fallen for…”

“Is loneliness.”

Fox Maiden Xiao Lan’s delicate feet weakened, and she collapsed onto the grass.

Li Changshou sighed: “Don’t mistakenly give your deep feelings to loneliness. I speak these words to you because you’re from the Azure Hill clan.

Please go, I won’t see you out.”

With these words, Li Changshou swept his sleeve and walked toward Ling’e’s thatched cottage, leaving behind the bewildered fox maiden and the various Degree Immortal Gate immortals lost in thought.

But this wasn’t over yet.

At the Degree Immortal Gate’s entrance, the [Original] paper construct that hadn’t followed Jiang Liner to Lesser Jade Peak flew out on a cloud toward the elderly woman who seemed to be the Azure Hill demon clan’s person in charge.

The internal cause was resolved; now the external pressure needed to be relieved promptly.

…

Moments later, in the Heavenly Court’s Palace of the Old Man of the Moon, the Old Man wiped the sweat from his brow, looking at the red thread that had finally stopped growing, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

The Old Man of the Moon turned his head to look, only to see the Sea God examining the Degree Immortal Gate’s clay figure formation with great interest…

“Sea God, is everything resolved?”

“Temporarily resolved,” Li Changshou let out a gentle sigh, “Many thanks for the Old Man’s assistance!

However… why does this clay figure have three red threads encircling it?”

“Oh?” The Old Man of the Moon came over to look and smiled, “This is the marriage clay figure of young friend Changshou from the Degree Immortal Gate. When this humble deity first saw it, it was already like this.

My young friend Changshou is truly an excellent person. Sea God should pay more attention to him—he’s promising material among the Human Dao disciples!”

Hearing this, Li Changshou smiled and shook his head.

The Old Man hurriedly asked: “Sea God, what is it?”

“Nothing,” Li Changshou sighed inwardly but only said, “Let’s hope there aren’t anymore.”