What kind of situation was this?

Lu Ya hadn’t even shown his shadow, and now the Golden Cicada had unexpectedly jumped out.

Accompanying the Jade Emperor to patrol the coastline was already a variable outside Li Changshou’s plans.

He had thought that since he couldn’t dampen the Jade Emperor’s spirits, and no one in the Three Realms would dare to truly confront the Jade Emperor, they might as well go for a stroll together.

But how had today’s events become so unstable?

A gathering of dragon princes, with Western sect people hiding here…

There must be something wrong with this!

Li Changshou’s thoughts raced quickly, and he had already made a decision. He transmitted to the Jade Emperor in the cabin:

“Your Majesty, this person is a Western Teaching expert known as Golden Cicada, who has crossed paths with this minor god several times in recent decades.

Today’s dragon prince gathering must be part of his scheme, which we’ve accidentally stumbled upon.

This minor god doesn’t know exactly what he’s plotting right now, but it must be related to Dragon Clan matters.”

The Jade Emperor calmly transmitted: “Beloved official, just pretend I’m not here and handle this as you normally would.”

Li Changshou: …

Your Majesty, if you weren’t here, this fellow could dance naked in prayer at the Sea God Temple and still wouldn’t see this minor god.

However, seeing the eagerness in the Jade Emperor’s eyes, Li Changshou couldn’t just say these things directly.

‘Come to think of it, His Majesty probably just wants to have some sense of participation in these major Heavenly Court matters…’

“This minor god accepts the command!”

Li Changshou acknowledged, and then transmitted instructions to Dong Mugong.

If conflict broke out later, they must protect the Jade Emperor as their priority.

His paper avatar’s power was limited, and even joining forces with Dong Mugong, they probably weren’t a match for Golden Cicada. Moreover, there were many Dragon Clan troops here whose stance remained uncertain…

If fighting broke out, there was an eighty percent chance the Jade Emperor would have to step in to protect his two Heavenly Court divine officials.

They knew their strength wasn’t enough, and the Jade Emperor knew this too, but their attitude had to be right—their posture must score full marks.

Li Changshou signaled the dancing girls to take a break and had the musicians stop playing, then took up his horsetail whisk and left the cabin first.

Dong Mugong made a slight bow with an inviting gesture, but the Jade Emperor glared at him. Dong Mugong quickly straightened up and gave the Jade Emperor a knowing smile.

Thus, the three stood on the ship’s bow deck as Li Changshou’s divine power propelled them forward like lightning.

The Jade Emperor transmitted with a smile: “Beloved Official Changsheng, how do you usually handle such adversaries?”

“This minor god’s avatar has limited power and isn’t skilled in combat, mostly relying on strategy instead.”

Li Changshou didn’t turn around as he secretly transmitted, “This Golden Cicada is ruthless. His true form is a Primordial Fierce Beast, but he’s now gained recognition from the Western Teaching’s Venerable One, who seems to want to take him as a disciple.

Recently, many of the Western Teaching’s schemes regarding the Dragon Clan have come from his hand.

If we could keep him here today, that would be ideal.”

“Good!”

The Jade Emperor’s eyes lit up, “Today, let me witness how my beloved official outwits a Western powerhouse!”

Several black lines appeared on Li Changshou’s forehead.

He had said all that mainly to suggest—eliminating this Golden Cicada would pain the Western Teaching.

Though admittedly, a mere Golden Cicada wasn’t worth the Jade Emperor personally taking action.

But having the power to directly strike down an opponent yet choosing to watch from behind was somewhat…

Not very steady.

Well, what could he do? This was the Jade Emperor’s wish, and he was just a fourth-tier minor god with lots of work, little merit, working overtime while others took vacation, relying on bean soldiers for troops.

How to outwit?

What other way was there to outwit…

Li Changshou began secretly calling for help.

First, his divine consciousness descended on the Sea God Temple, where he connected with the jade statue next door, quickly getting through to Ao Yi, telling him to immediately gather whatever Dragon Clan experts he could find and hurry to this location in the Western Sea.

After Ao Yi agreed, Li Changshou cut off the divine consciousness.

Next, he sent a paper avatar in the form of a young girl from underground in Anshui City to the edge of the South Sea, where she blew a short flute toward the ocean.

In an instant, a swimming fish appeared in the water, and Li Changshou transmitted to it.

This fish was Wen Jing Daoist’s puppet.

Li Changshou didn’t explain much, just asked Wen Jing Daoist to come to the Western Sea if possible, not to reveal himself directly, but to connect secretly with him first.

After doing all this, Li Changshou began thinking about how he could stall for time while maintaining both his own face and the Heavenly Court’s dignity, while also making the Jade Emperor feel…

‘Hey, this battle of wits is quite entertaining.’

Such matters required what you might call ‘reasonable within expectations, yet surprising in execution.’

It seemed he would have to exploit that hint of arrogance and dramatic flair in Golden Cicada’s nature…

“Hmph!”

Still, thousands of miles away, Li Changshou coldly snorted, his face expressionless as he lightly flicked his horsetail whisk.

Seeing this, Golden Cicada’s eyes curved in a smile, seeming quite pleased.

At this moment, on the divine seashell vessel, several dragon princes stood up with varying expressions.

The princes from the Western and Southern Sea Dragon Palaces smiled faintly, unmoved;

The Crown Prince of the Northern Sea Dragon Palace was somewhat puzzled but still seemed normal.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, Ao Jia, however, was rather uneasy, frowning as he watched the suddenly standing Golden Cicada, his eyes filled with confusion.

Where had this fierce character come from?

Ao Jia was tall and handsome, but years of indulgence had left him looking thin, standing on the ship like an animated set of fine silk robes, the horns on his head lacking proper clarity.

Now, seeing the Sea God approaching from the southeast with an unfriendly expression, and suddenly having a powerful expert appear shouting about ‘having another talk with the Sea God’…

After careful consideration, Ao Jia understood something.

He had been set up!

Though Ao Jia spent his days in indulgence, he wasn’t a fool. He knew which path his royal father had chosen, and he made a quick decision.

“Brother Sea God!”

Ao Jia called out, showing some urgency as he flew past Golden Cicada to greet Li Changshou thousands of miles away.

Seeing this, Golden Cicada’s brow furrowed slightly. His hands behind his back, his fingers gripped a willow leaf dagger as thin as a cicada’s wing, his eyes showing a hint of ferocity.

Li Changshou keenly caught Golden Cicada’s subtle movement and narrowed his eyes, saying calmly:

“You dare?”

Golden Cicada’s lips curved in a slight smile, and just as the fingers behind his back were about to flick, his movement suddenly stopped.

What intense killing intent!

Suddenly, several dragon roars sounded as three figures flashed out from the seawater without causing a single splash, forming a triangular formation that subtly surrounded Golden Cicada.

These were three dragon-headed elders, their auras steady and uncommonly majestic, the scales on their faces tinged with a faint blood color, their bodies wrapped in a visible layer of karmic burden.

Ancient war dragons!

At this point, Golden Cicada’s expression began to change.

The Sea God’s sudden arrival…

The Dragon Clan had ambushed with such powerful experts…

It seemed his plans for today had been seen through early on by the Sea God and Dragon Clan!

Why?

He had schemed for so long, finding a different approach, secretly using Western Teaching secret methods to influence the Western Sea Dragon Palace Crown Prince’s mind, preparing to use this as a breakthrough point to gradually consume the Dragon Clan’s next generation.

The Dragon Clan greatly valued their future inheritance. If he could control the majority of the Dragon Clan’s next generation, combined with pressure from other aspects, how could the Dragon Clan not fall?

However, this plan had just begun implementation. Today he had finally gathered the dragon princes from the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Sea Dragon Palaces, along with several children of important Dragon Clan ministers.

He had just begun working on two unimportant dragon minister’s children when the Sea God had already arrived!

Indeed, worthy of being the one who had repeatedly frustrated the Mosquito Clan Queen.

“Hahaha!”

Though surrounded by three Dragon Clan experts, Golden Cicada showed no fear, still laughing heartily and exclaiming:

“Sea God, you win!”

Hm?

Though Li Changshou’s heart was full of question marks, his exterior remained completely calm, casually smiling with a hint of dismissiveness in his eyes.

Behind him, the Jade Emperor and Dong Mugong exchanged glances.

Dong Mugong’s eyes were full of admiration, though he had no idea how the Sea God had accomplished this, but he absolutely couldn’t let His Majesty see that he didn’t understand.

The Jade Emperor also showed a faint smile, as if everything was within his grasp.

The Eastern Sea Dragon Palace Crown Prince had flown before Li Changshou, with an elder following behind him, and made a deep Daoist salute to Li Changshou.

“Brother Sea God! Jia nearly fell victim to someone’s scheme today, fortunately, Brother Sea God arrived in time!”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, asking the elder: “Why are you all here?”

The Dragon Clan elder hurriedly replied: “In response to the Sea God, the Second Prince found us and asked us to come to protect the Crown Prince.”

Ao Jia smiled: “So Brother Sea God had already arranged everything!”

Li Changshou: …

This matter truly wasn’t his arrangement, it must have been Ao Yi’s response.

Li Changshou calmly said: “Please, everyone, take action and capture this fierce beast!”

“Yes!”

The dragon-headed elder cupped his fists in acknowledgment, turned around, and let out a heaven-shaking dragon roar, and the three Dragon Clan experts surrounding Golden Cicada attacked simultaneously.

Golden Cicada smiled as he pinched his knife, his figure mysteriously disappearing from his position, reappearing behind the somewhat bewildered Northern Sea Dragon Prince.

A thin winged blade pressed against this dragon prince’s neck!

At the same time, several thin blades appeared at the necks of the Western and Southern Sea dragon princes!

The three dragon princes were instantly subdued, forcing the three ancient war dragons to halt their movements.

Seeing this, Ao Jia, thousands of miles away, immediately ducked alertly behind the dragon-headed elder, peering out from behind the elder’s shoulder.

Golden Cicada’s gaze swept across everyone, still composed, clearly having calculated this escape method beforehand.

He smiled and said: “This poor Daoist excels in teleportation and extreme speed, I’m afraid it would be troublesome for you all to try to detain me.

Sea God, why don’t we take this opportunity to have another talk?

After our last conversation, I felt that I was led astray by the Sea God and couldn’t express my true thoughts.”

Li Changshou calmly said: “I have nothing to discuss with you.

Golden Cicada, do you dare to kill these three princes?

Does your Western sect want the Dragon Clan’s obedience, or do you want a fight to the death with them?”

“The Sea God misunderstands,” Golden Cicada said coldly, “This poor Daoist is but a wandering cultivator, with no connection to the Western Spirit Mountain.”

“Is that so?”

Li Changshou said calmly, “Your great Dao oath from last time still rings in my ears, how come you’re now unwilling to acknowledge your backing?

Could it be you’ve been expelled?”

“Nonsense!”

Golden Cicada shouted coldly, though this time he was much more cautious and didn’t continue arguing.

Just then, Li Changshou heard a transmitted voice, the tone coquettish and soft, carrying a hint of timidity, with an intentionally cultivated delicate flower feeling.

“Master, your servant has arrived. You can transmit to that spirit fish floating belly-up in the sea, your servant is currently hiding a thousand miles away.”

It was Wen Jing Daoist who had arrived.

They hadn’t been in contact for some time, and even the way of address had changed.

Li Changshou immediately transmitted to that spirit fish, instructing:

“If Golden Cicada manages to escape later, you help rescue him, remember not to reveal your true form.

If Golden Cicada can’t escape later, you need not appear, just pretend you were never here.”

Wen Jing Daoist immediately transmitted back:

“Your servant obeys, Master. The Western Teaching also has experts hiding in this area, please be extra careful.”

Li Changshou smiled slightly at this—he had already considered this point.

Just after arranging things with Wen Jing Daoist, he heard Golden Cicada declare loudly:

“Why does the Sea God stay six hundred miles away, could it be fear?

If this poor Daoist isn’t mistaken, the Sea God is currently using an avatar, how come you lack even the spirit to sit and talk with me?”

—A provocative technique.

Li Changshou calmly said: “All who discuss the Dao with me are heroes, only the petty sit and drink together.”

—Counter-provocation.

“Fine words about heroes,” Golden Cicada said sarcastically, “Speaking of the petty, who are these two behind you?

Looking at their mediocre auras with a hint of Heavenly Court merit, they’re nothing but minor Heavenly Court gods.

What, am I not even their equal?”

Hearing these words, Dong Mugong shouted: “You—!”

“Ah,” the Jade Emperor smiled and interrupted Dong Mugong’s words, not saying anything more, just quietly watching Golden Cicada.

Li Changshou directly scolded:

“Absurd! Laughable!

Golden Cicada, you judge heroes by divine abilities, yet don’t understand that this poor Daoist speaks of moral character, speaks of temperament!

Look at your behavior, currently using three princes’ lives as leverage, yet still wanting to sit and discuss the Dao with this poor Daoist?

One could say you’re completely shameless, how could you not deserve the word ‘petty’?”

“Well played, Sea God! Sharp-tongued, this poor Daoist can’t out-talk you!”

Golden Cicada’s eyes flashed with fierce light, and as his words fell, golden light surged as his figure instantly vanished!

The three ancient war dragons almost simultaneously punched toward a spot in the sky, shaking heaven and earth and shattering clouds, but gained nothing!

One war dragon suddenly shouted: “Sea God, be careful!”

Li Changshou felt an internal warning, and a hundred zhang away on the sea surface, a black vortex mysteriously appeared, shooting out six weak golden lights!

In that instant!

Li Changshou jumped from the left, and Dong Mugong from the right, both blocking in front of the Jade Emperor!

Li Changshou spread his arms, and Dong Mugong threw caution to the wind, both their expressions showing that readiness to die, just short of directly shouting “Protect His Majesty” “Protect His Majesty”…

The Jade Emperor’s forehead was covered in black lines, almost directly swatting away his left and right arms.

Using Li Changshou and Dong Mugong’s cover, the Jade Emperor lightly pointed his finger, and a beam of white light descended from above, enveloping Li Changshou’s paper avatar.

Several light clinks were heard as six golden thin blades were easily deflected by the white light…

Two more beams of white light shot from the Jade Emperor’s eyes, converging to form a giant sword that slashed into the vortex!

A pained grunt came from within the vortex, and a blurry figure trembled slightly before disappearing along with the vortex, leaving only a handful of fresh blood spraying down from the sky…

Golden Cicada’s somewhat fierce voice came from all directions:

“Who would have thought the Heavenly Court also harbored such hidden dragons and crouching tigers, today this poor Daoist has learned his lesson!

Hiding one’s strength and striking from ambush, friend, you too are no hero, truly one of the petty!

Hahaha, hahaha!”

Li Changshou secretly observed the Jade Emperor’s expression, his heart twitching slightly.

This brother was still laughing, what was there to laugh about?

‘Ah, Imperial Brother, now I finally understand why, when you reincarnated to fetch the scriptures, you were pressed to death nine times by a certain unnamed Heavenly Court’s Roll-the-Curtain General…’

The Jade Emperor’s eyes were covered in white light as he stared at a certain direction in the sky, transmitting to Li Changshou: “Someone helped him escape.”

“Your Majesty, who was it that helped him?”

“A woman should also be one with Fierce Beast origins.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “What does Your Majesty think of that woman?”

“Hey, beloved official, don’t get any strange ideas,” the Jade Emperor said seriously, “My relationship with my junior sister represents the model of heaven and earth’s destined marriage, we cannot engage in frivolous or improper matters.”

Li Changshou: …

These words from His Majesty really couldn’t bear closer examination.