After the Sea God Temple in Anshui City was torn down by Ox-Head and Horse-Face… ahem, by the Asura Clan, it underwent an extensive renovation and expansion.

Now that the relationship between the Sea God and the Dragon Clan had evolved beyond its initial state, the Dragon Clan, to express their gratitude to the Sea God, directly deployed their dragon craftsmen along with numerous shrimp soldiers and crab generals.

Under the blessing of immortal and magical powers, it took merely half a month to construct Anshui City’s new landmark—the new Sea God Temple.

The temple’s scale increased several times over, becoming more solemn and majestic, while also gaining an air of grandeur.

Following Li Changshou’s arrangements, the Dragon Clan redesigned the main hall into a three-courtyard layout.

The front hall remained the Sea God Hall, featuring the Sea God statue, the Great Guardian statue, and True Dragon guardian pillars, among other fixtures.

After worshipping the Sea God, visitors could proceed around either side to enter the more dignified middle hall, where a painting of the Lingxiao Treasure Palace hung high. Within the palace sat the Three Realms’ Emperor, whose face remained indistinct.

After paying respects to the Emperor’s portrait and circling, one would enter the rear hall. This area was simply decorated, with only a Taiji diagram hanging in the center.

Li Changshou had considered directly copying the Saint’s portrait from within the Cultivation Gate, but fearing that mortals might offend the Saint, he opted to use the Taiji diagram to represent the Human Dao lineage instead.

Behind the Taiji diagram lay the true core of the Sea God Temple—the inner hall, which housed the Saint’s calligraphy and contained a trace of the Taiji diagram’s power.

At this moment, the white-robed youth who had caught Li Changshou’s divine sense’s attention was standing alone in a corner, admiring the murals created by Dragon Clan masters.

The numerous worshippers instinctively ignored his presence, avoiding disturbing him with their gazes…

The temple’s divine envoys and priests had all received Li Changshou’s instructions not to interfere when encountering ‘immortal strangers.’

The white-robed youth was clearly in good spirits; since arriving, the smile had never left his face.

Because the Sea God Religion’s story system that had spread over the recent decade heavily emphasized the role of the ‘Heavenly Emperor,’ most worshippers now visiting the Sea God Temple would go to the middle hall to pay respects to the Emperor’s image.

Moreover, the murals’ content had been completely renewed, changing all instances of ‘the Sea God did such and such’ to ‘the Heavenly Emperor commanded the Sea God to do such and such.’

Of course, those spiced-up entertaining unofficial histories like “The Untold Tales of the Sea God and the Widow Wang from West Street” couldn’t be changed to “The Heavenly Emperor Commands the Sea God’s Untold Tales with the Widow Wang from West Street.”

Such attention to detail showed true thoughtfulness.

As the white-robed youth was thoroughly enjoying the view, a hurried divine message came from the rear hall.

“This minor god pays respects to Your Majesty!”

The white-robed youth turned at the sound, seeing the familiar thin elderly immortal.

Li Changshou, holding his horsetail whisk, came quickly forward. Disregarding the worshippers’ bewilderment and the divine envoys’ surprise, he directly performed a Daoist salute to the white-robed youth.

The white-robed youth waved his hand, transmitting: “Before mortals, no need for such ceremony.”

Li Changshou frowned slightly and hastily transmitted: “Your Majesty, how did you… come down in true form?”

“The Heavenly Court has no pressing matters, so I came down for a walk,” the Jade Emperor smiled lightly. “Let’s find a quieter place to talk.”

Li Changshou stepped aside and gestured invitingly, leading the Jade Emperor to the rear hall.

At this moment, Li Changshou’s immortal consciousness carefully explored and finally discovered several white clouds hovering far up in the high sky, where Dong Mugong was waiting obediently with a large contingent of soldiers.

They must have been ordered by the Jade Emperor not to follow.

After taking the main seat in the rear hall, as divine envoys brought fragrant tea, Li Changshou personally served it, not daring to show any disrespect.

The Jade Emperor smiled, “Your temple has become even more impressive, beloved official.”

“Last time when evil spirits invaded and damaged this temple, the Dragon Clan helped with the repairs,” Li Changshou smiled while standing to the side, slightly bowing, his posture outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense.

“Oh? What happened?”

“It was the Asura Clan…”

Thereupon, Li Changshou detailed the recent incident of the Asuras’ demolition, causing the Jade Emperor to frown as he listened.

Indeed, it was worth frowning about.

Demon Clan, Asuras, Primordial Fierce Beasts…

The Western Teaching’s exposed peripheral forces were becoming increasingly numerous. Setting aside the power of the Venerable Ones and the gap between their disciples, the Western Teaching’s overall framework had already become quite ‘massive.’

And these peripheral forces were merely pawns that the Western Teaching could easily sacrifice—even if they were all destroyed, it wouldn’t harm the Western Teaching’s foundations.

The Jade Emperor sighed, “If the West gains control of the dragons, I fear our Heavenly Court will forever remain merely nominal. Fortunately, we have Changsheng’s assistance.”

Li Changshou smiled, “Your Majesty, this minor god hasn’t done much. It’s simply that the Heavenly Court’s time has come, and Your Majesty is destined to rule the Three Realms.”

“Haha, it’s thanks to Elder Brother Taiqing’s protection.”

The Jade Emperor laughed heartily, then winked at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou couldn’t help but frown, returning several blinks.

The Jade Emperor nodded and winked again…

Li Changshou lowered his head in contemplation, feeling somewhat helpless inside.

It turned out that His Majesty the Jade Emperor had come down this time to deal with that Lu Ya, and was quite confident that once Lu Ya was found, he could be easily dispatched.

This…

The Jade Emperor said, “Beloved Official Changsheng, why not take me to inspect the Four Seas?”

“How could Your Majesty risk yourself so casually?”

The white-robed Jade Emperor smiled lightly, “What’s this? Does my beloved official think that during the ancient war between immortals and demons, the Demon Court’s Emperor merely hid in his heavenly palace?”

“Well,” Li Changshou pondered briefly, but couldn’t help muttering inside.

Was Little Leopard’s Heaven’s Way curse really this powerful?

They had just set up Lu Ya’s tablet for worship, and now the Jade Emperor personally appeared, wanting to deal with Lu Ya.

If things continued like this, wouldn’t the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods need to rewrite its script?

“Your Majesty,” Li Changshou transmitted, “This minor god boldly has a word or two of advice.

Your Majesty wishes to inspect the suffering of living beings and understand the worries of the Three Realms—this shows Your Majesty’s compassionate heart. As a subject of the Heavenly Court, I shouldn’t obstruct this.

However, Your Majesty’s safety concerns the Heavenly Court’s dignity, the stability of the Three Realms, and even the operation of Heaven’s Way.

Please prioritize your safety and consider the greater situation of the Three Realms.”

“Well said!”

The white-robed Jade Emperor’s face turned serious as he agreed, his eyes full of comfort.

The Jade Emperor continued, “In that case, there’s no need to delay further. Shall we set off now?”

Li Changshou smiled and asked, “Would Your Majesty prefer something elegant or something formal?”

“Seeking those demon clan remnants is just one aspect. I might as well take this opportunity to go out for a look around and relieve some boredom,” the Jade Emperor smiled. “Why not take a small boat, following the waves, free and at ease?”

Li Changshou bowed to accept the command, asking the Jade Emperor to wait briefly while he immediately had the divine envoys make arrangements.

After Li Changshou accompanied the Jade Emperor on a casual stroll through Anshui City, they rode clouds to the seaside port, where a wooden ship several hundred feet long was already waiting, with several elderly musicians and some of Anshui City’s most popular dancing girls aboard…

Meanwhile, in the clouds high above.

Dong Mugong used his immortal consciousness to observe the situation below, and couldn’t help but sigh.

‘The Sea God has become His Majesty’s most trusted…’

‘But I was here first…’

‘Alas, the positions by His Majesty’s side have been filled with new people…’

Only newcomers laugh, who hears the old guard’s tears?

Just then, a transmitted voice reached his ears: “Master Mu, don’t just stand there. The Jade Emperor wants to cruise the Four Seas for pleasure, quickly select some high-cultivation Heaven Generals to change into civilian clothes, and come protect his flanks. If not seizing merit now, then when?”

Dong Mugong’s spirits lifted, and he silently praised:

‘Sea God, you are indeed my brother!’

Immediately, Mu Gong selected several Heaven Generals, had them change into long and short robes, and descended toward the sea.

They waited along the wooden ship’s route, and when the ship arrived, Dong Mugong saluted and apologized, conveniently boarding the ship to watch dance, and listen to music—ahem, to closely protect the Jade Emperor.

Li Changshou’s Sea God divine power finally found its use today.

—Piloting the ship!

At his true body in the Cultivation Gate, his primordial spirit gripped the Sea God’s divine authority treasure, and his paper avatar immediately received the Sea God’s divine power’s blessing.

He stirred up a mass of seawater to envelop the wooden ship, letting it float slightly above the sea surface, moving swiftly yet completely stable, such that those aboard couldn’t detect any wind or waves.

In the cabin, the mortal musicians played earnestly, and the dancing girls danced gracefully, none losing their composure.

They all had Anshui City household registration—who hadn’t seen a few immortals before?

Moreover, they were getting paid extra!

Though the cabin was fairly spacious, it was still a mortal vessel and not particularly luxurious.

In the main cabin, there was only one low table, with the Jade Emperor in the main seat and Li Changshou and Dong Mugong attending on either side, maintaining only a few feet’s distance from the dancing girls.

Li Changshou also knew that the Jade Emperor hadn’t come down just for a casual tour, but was getting impatient waiting for his strategy and had personally descended to seek out Lu Ya for some trouble.

Therefore, the sea vessel flew swiftly along the coast, heading for the Western Sea.

At the very least, they should go to where they had encountered Lu Ya last time to accompany His Majesty… and make a show of it.

Along the way, the Jade Emperor discussed with his two important officials about several recently active Heaven Generals, arranging promotions for them.

As they spoke, the musicians and dancing girls could only sense these immortals laughing and chatting, but couldn’t hear what they were specifically saying.

Originally, the topics between these three Heavenly Court rulers and ministers were all quite normal, but somehow, as they talked, the subject turned to the Queen Mother…

“Changsheng,” the Jade Emperor frowned slightly, “The Queen Mother recently intends to hold a Peach Banquet at the Jade Pool, different from previous times, wanting to invite some immortals from the Three Schools.

This is also the Queen Mother’s goodwill, hoping to use the Peach Banquet to give our Heavenly Court more weight among the Three Schools’ immortals.

What do you think of this matter?”

“This…”

Li Changshou pondered for several moments, thinking carefully.

He very much wanted to say this matter was inappropriate.

Inviting the Three Schools’ immortals to enjoy peaches in the Heavenly Court would only benefit the Heavenly Court in two ways—slightly increasing the Three Schools’ immortals’ goodwill toward the Heavenly Court, and marginally increasing the Heavenly Court’s presence in the world.

But the risks were substantial.

Most of the Three Schools’ immortals currently looked down on the Heavenly Court, thinking it was merely established by the Dao School, with the three Venerable Ones all above the Heavenly Court.

If the Heavenly Court placed too much emphasis on formalities and the Emperor’s position, it could easily anger some disciples of the Three Schools’ Venerable Ones.

Just a few words of mockery, and the matter would blow up.

Not to mention the existence of “false bigshots” like Deng Mingdao, who might want to see the Heavenly Court fall out with the Dao School.

Li Changshou said, “Your Majesty, this minor god feels the timing isn’t right yet.”

“Oh?” the Jade Emperor smiled, “Then when does Changsheng think would be the right time to hold the Peach Banquet?”

That would naturally be when the peaches are ripe, the tribulation is complete, the monkey is born…

Ahem, just joking, these aren’t related matters.

“After enfeoffing the Four Seas’ Dragon Clan, raising the Heavenly Court’s prestige,” Li Changshou said, “This minor god feels that would be when the timing is mature.”

The Jade Emperor’s eyes lit up at these words, and he nodded in approval.

Dong Mugong at the side just listened quietly, having no intention of speaking up.

Li Changshou then discussed with the Jade Emperor in detail the subsequent developments of the Dragon Clan matter. At this point, they had gained some initiative and didn’t necessarily have to wait for Western Teaching to make a move.

But this matter couldn’t be rushed; steadily ensnaring the dragons step by step was the best choice.

Music drifted on as cups were exchanged.

Under Li Changshou’s Sea God divine power’s blessing, this sea vessel quickly flew past the southwestern corner of the Five Regions and entered the Western Sea territory.

The Jade Emperor, who had been chatting happily with Li Changshou, suddenly raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Changsheng, there seem to be several dragon princes playing around thirty-six thousand miles to the northwest.

This is a good opportunity—I’ll go see what these Dragon Clan princes are like.”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, but inwardly felt puzzled.

A gathering of dragon princes?

Why hadn’t Ao Yi told him about this?

This wasn’t the time to think about that though. Li Changshou immediately adjusted the wooden ship’s direction, heading toward the location the Jade Emperor had mentioned.

The Jade Emperor had also grown interested, “Come, come!

Wood Gong and I will pretend to be your assistant gods later, you must not reveal my identity.

Since we’ll be using the Dragon Clan in the future, I should at least probe their depths and know what I’m dealing with.”

Li Changshou explained:

“Your Majesty, the Dragon Clan has carried karmic burdens since ancient times, and most clan members live in a drunken stupor, especially the several Dragon Clan princes who are the worst offenders.

According to what this minor god knows, Ao Yi is considered the most promising among the dragon princes.”

“Ao Yi is indeed a good seedling, useful for great things in the future,” the Jade Emperor nodded and said, then urged Li Changshou to change seats.

Li Changshou reluctantly sat down, and the Jade Emperor immediately concealed his aura and withdrew his imperial majesty, hiding his merits and not revealing his destiny.

The Jade Emperor also had Dong Mugong transform into the appearance of a middle-aged man before continuing to chat with Li Changshou.

Li Changshou: …

This Emperor was purely coming down for a stroll, hoping to perhaps encounter Lu Ya along the way, right?

In this matter, he couldn’t help the Dragon Clan much either—it all depended on how these dragon princes would perform.

If they happened to encounter some unsightly scene, there would be no need to help the Dragon Clan cover anything up. After all, the Dragon Clan’s ascension to heaven was, for both the Heavenly Court and the Dragon Clan, simply a win-win cooperation.

The wooden ship sped along, crossing over thirty thousand miles in no time.

From afar, they could see a massive seashell several hundred zhang in diameter floating on the sea surface. It glowed with precious light, groups of sea maidens danced about, and music carried for hundreds of miles.

Rows of dragon-transformed soldiers stood at the edges, facing the sea with solemn expressions.

On the eastern side of this divine seashell vessel were more than ten low tables laden with rare delicacies. Beautiful maidens surrounded each table, and over ten young and middle-aged men were drinking and making merry, already showing signs of debauchery.

“Do we have to go?” Li Changshou asked softly.

“Go,” the Jade Emperor smiled with narrowed eyes, transmitting, “Beloved official, quickly release your aura, and let’s see how they react.”

This would be ‘fishing for dragons,’ wouldn’t it?

Li Changshou sighed inwardly but didn’t do anything else, simply releasing his aura and divine power fluctuations, giving them a distant shock.

However, this shock drew out a big fish.

“Hahaha!”

At a low table beside several dragon princes, a youth with delicate features stood up. Light flashed in his eyes as his aura locked firmly onto Li Changshou, his voice carrying across thousands of miles.

“The Sea God coming to seek me out saves me quite some effort.”

This familiar aura…

This somewhat arrogant voice…

Li Changshou frowned slightly, already recognizing this fellow.

The Primordial Fierce Beast, Six-Winged Golden Cicada.

“Sea God, are you willing to have another talk with me?”