At the Sea God Temple in Anshui City, Ao Yi strode quickly into the main hall wearing silver armor.

Looking at Ao Yi—upper body clad in bright silver chainmail, lower body in traditional dragon warrior’s battle skirt, with features as delicate as a youth’s—many female worshippers couldn’t help but glance repeatedly in his direction.

Of course, most were merely curious about why this young general looked so similar to the Guardian Protector’s statue.

It wasn’t until the temple’s divine envoy came to pay respects upon hearing the news, and the True Dragon Guardian hurriedly addressed him as “Your Highness,” that the worshippers finally understood—this was the actual Guardian Protector descended to the mortal realm!

They immediately began bowing and kneeling, gathering around him, causing quite a commotion in the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou: …

His elderly immortal paper avatar had been active here and later openly declared himself as the Sea God’s avatar, how come?

These days, even immortals are judged by their looks…

Just as Ao Yi was feeling somewhat lost, unsure how to handle such a situation, Li Changshou’s voice transmission reached his ears in time.

“Come to the back hall. Grand Master is also here, don’t be remiss in etiquette.”

Grand Master?

Ao Yi became nervous, glanced at his attire a few times, and then hurried to the back hall, where he saw a young Daoist sitting there drinking tea and standing beside him…

Li Changshou.

Ao Yi even forgot to first pay respects to the Grand Master, instead blurting out in surprise:

“Elder Brother Sect Leader, how did you… come out?”

Li Changshou glared at Ao Yi, who immediately reacted, stepping forward to bow to the Grand Master, saying: “Dao Sect disciple Ao Yi pays respects to Grand Master!”

“Good,” the Grand Master nodded with a smile, not saying more.

Li Changshou also knew the Grand Master didn’t want to increase karmic ties, so he took the initiative to step forward, taking out a scroll from his sleeve, earnestly instructing:

“Your handling of the Western Sea matter in advance was quite good.

Ao Yi, you’re now a mature dragon prince, with a position in Heaven, having cleansed your karmic obstacles, and established a firm footing in the Severing Teaching.

Today, I pass this scripture to you, hoping you will comprehend well from it well, remaining humble and patient.

You have the aspiration to assist dragons, and will surely soar to the heavens one day. No matter what the dragon race experiences in the future, you must use this scripture as a mirror.

Do you understand?”

Ao Yi responded with, “Yi understands!”

He then reached out with both hands to receive the scroll, seeing no writing on its exterior, immediately becoming curious.

The Grand Master beside them also glanced at this scripture a couple of times, neither asking nor saying anything, just smiling as he watched.

Li Changshou pondered again for a few moments, his expression somewhat serious.

Ao Yi asked in a low voice: “Elder Brother Sect Leader, has something major occurred?”

“This matter isn’t yet settled,” Li Changshou said, “The Jade Emperor intends to hold a Peach Banquet in twelve years, inviting the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas to attend in Heaven.

There are deeper meanings within this, ponder it carefully. You may report this to the East Sea Dragon King, but remember not to spread it externally.”

“Brother can rest assured!” Ao Yi agreed, looking at the scripture in his hands, his mind already beginning to contemplate this matter.

Li Changshou deliberately omitted the Heavenly Emperor’s threat and described the Peach Banquet matter very vaguely, thus reducing pressure on the dragon race.

Over the next twelve years, goodwill and pressure would need to be applied simultaneously.

With the Four Sea Dragon Kings being such old and crafty—ahem, such old and steadfast beings, they should understand Heaven’s attitude.

Li Changshou instructed: “Return to the East Sea Dragon Palace now, remember to read this scroll carefully, it will surely benefit you.”

When Ao Yi asked if there was anything he could help with, Li Changshou just shook his head, saying he needn’t worry.

Then, Li Changshou subtly hinted:

“Previously that Western Faith expert attacked my avatar, this karma needs to be settled promptly.”

Ao Yi immediately understood something, made a bow to the Grand Master, and said no more, leading the dragon troops to swiftly leave Anshui City.

This matter was not something a mere dragon prince could meddle in.

Grand Master Xuandu smiled and sighed: “Changshou, with just those few words earlier, you accomplished several things.

Passing on that scripture, advising the dragon race, and using Ao Yi to disperse the karma of the Golden Cicada matter.

I truly don’t know how to praise you anymore.”

Li Changshou said seriously: “Disciple merely handles some trivial small matters. Without Grand Master and the Sage’s protection, these little tricks would have nowhere to be employed.”

“You!”

The Grand Master swept his sleeve, placing a round chair beside himself, smiling and saying:

“Come, let’s carefully consider how to proceed.

Whatever good strategies you have, just speak to them. We’ll study them carefully. For matters personally arranged by Master, whether successful or not, we should give our all.”

“Grand Master speaks most correctly,” Li Changshou didn’t hesitate, directly saying, “Disciple humbly believes that for this operation, the most important element is… retreat.”

The Grand Master’s mouth twitched slightly, “What kind of reasoning is this?”

“Thank you Grand Master for testing me.”

Li Changshou said slowly: “This time when we move against Golden Cicada, this Golden Cicada is also a key piece in the Western Faith’s great prosperity. Even though the two Western Faith Sages’ calculation ability is far inferior to our Sage, they are still Sages.

According to what disciple knows, Golden Cicada is considered among the primordial fierce beasts recruited by the Western Faith, currently, the only one especially favored.”

“Hahaha!”

The Grand Master suddenly laughed several times, “Continue, continue, how these four words ‘especially favored’ make one imagine…”

“Uh, the disciple was just trying to be more vivid,” Li Changshou laughed awkwardly, continuing his analysis.

He spoke of Sage’s divine abilities and power, Golden Cicada’s cosmic escape techniques, and the generally cunning and fierce nature of primordial beasts, analyzing from several angles the possible life-saving trump cards Golden Cicada might possess.

After half an hour, Li Changshou said:

“By planning how to handle failure before taking action, we can maximize the prevention of failure.”

The Grand Master nodded slowly, saying: “What you say makes sense, Changshou. This matter involves Sage’s calculations, one cannot be too cautious.

Regarding retreat, how specifically should it be arranged?”

“Grand Master, may disciple write while speaking?”

Li Changshou took out two blank scrolls from his sleeve, “Disciple is accustomed to thinking this way.”

“Good!”

The Grand Master was also enthusiastic, directly condensing a writing desk for Li Changshou, joining him in discussing the upcoming ‘simple’ plan.

Two hours later…

“Excellent!”

The Grand Master looked at these two pieces of silk filled with small characters and arrows, praising: “With this method, how could this matter not succeed? What fear is there of Western retaliation!”

Li Changshou smiled sheepishly beside him, saying: “But Grand Master, this is just our priority plan, and it’s an ideal state that deliberately ignores several variables.

In disciple’s humble opinion, we should make several backup arrangements and reconsider those most basic variables.”

The Grand Master pondered for a few moments, just about to say this wasn’t necessary.

Li Changshou made another bow, saying: “Disciple feels there are no unexpected matters in the world, only circumstances we haven’t considered.”

“Good!”

The Grand Master felt these words made sense, pulled up a chair, and continued discussing backup plans with Li Changshou.

Another two hours later…

“Changshou, these plans should be about enough, we’re going to kill a primordial fierce beast, not attack Spirit Mountain.

How about this?

If there are unexpected circumstances, I can directly request Master’s intervention.”

“Mm, since Grand Master says it’s sufficient, then let’s stop the planning here. Disciple only provides some inadequate suggestions, the final plan still needs Grand Master’s approval.”

The Grand Master breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, saying: “Grand Master, disciple dares to ask, could you introduce that piece we have planted in the West?

She should have some connection with Six-Winged Golden Cicada, perhaps able to grasp Golden Cicada’s weaknesses.

Thus, when a disciple takes action later, there will be a better chance of success.”

The Grand Master tilted his head slightly, sitting in the round chair, smiling and saying: “I can truly rest assured now, letting you handle our Human Dao’s affairs in the future.

Go ahead, do you need me to help conceal her tracks?”

“Grand Master need only cover this area with divine abilities, she is quite vigilant and should have methods of concealment for protection.

However, a disciple’s identity and background cannot be exposed, so I will disguise myself.”

“Mm,” the Grand Master smiled, “Your transformation technique seems to have its own uniqueness, come, show me a transformation.”

Li Changshou immediately complied, silently reciting incantations in his mind, his form turning half a circle, already transformed into the [Sea God] paper avatar’s usual appearance.

The Grand Master immediately smiled with narrowed eyes, not commenting, only saying: “Go make arrangements.”

Li Changshou agreed, immediately closing his eyes to concentrate, letting the paper avatar become active.

Taking this opportunity, he could finally fulfill Daoist Wenjing’s long-cherished wish, allowing her to formally meet the Grand Master.

Thus, he wouldn’t be breaking his word to Daoist Wenjing.

…

Gr-Grand Master?!

On a desolate beach south of Anshui City, a fish jumped out from the sea surface, its tail supporting it on the water’s surface, staring wide-eyed at the young woman holding a short flute before it.

The young woman transmitted: “No need to hurry, be steady, absolutely don’t expose yourself.”

The sea fish kept nodding, riding a wave as it disappeared from view.

At the foot of Spirit Mountain, in that cave dwelling.

The figure originally lying sideways on the bed suddenly sat up, her delicate hand waving slightly, making the gauze sleeves dance.

‘He… wants to meet with me?’

Daoist Wenjing’s phoenix eyes rippled like water, but she immediately snorted, her smooth chin lifting slightly.

‘This queen is merely gracing you with her presence, really thinking that being Sage’s disciple means you can be high and mighty, ordering this queen around.

Hmph, I’m only considering Sea God’s face…

No no, Sea God still has to obey his commands.’

Daoist Wenjing sat there stunned for a while, then let out a “tch” laugh, somewhat proudly floating toward a clear pool to the side.

Gauzy robes floating like a thin mist, bathing, and grooming with shy bearing.

She changed into the set of gauze skirts she had prepared long ago, but felt it was too ‘conservative,’ too different from her usual style, and anxiously condensed several different outfits.

After picking and choosing, she still ended up in red clothes, only now concealing her fragrant shoulders, the skirt without slits, keeping only four parts of her usual allure while adding a touch of otherworldly air.

Her jade feet, usually bare, were now wrapped in embroidered shoes;

She who usually disliked inner garments had today added an undergarment.

She carefully considered her makeup again, combed her long hair into cloud-like buns, standing before the water turning half a circle.

‘Hmph, I must make you lose your soul at the sight! Falling at the hem of this queen’s silk skirt, haha, hahaha…’

Just then!

“Have you encountered trouble? If it’s inconvenient to come, don’t force yourself.”

This was naturally Li Changshou speaking to the blood mosquito puppet.

“Nothing’s wrong, nothing’s wrong, this servant just dealt with some Western Faith disciples,” Daoist Wenjing hurriedly responded in her heart, then pouted, raised an eyebrow, rolled her eyes, flung her sleeve, and her figure vanished into thin air.

Regarding how to avoid others’ detection, she was naturally an expert in this area.

Moreover, Daoist Wenjing had not been suspected, nor had the Western Sages discovered anything unusual, so no one would especially pay attention to her whereabouts.

To be safe, Daoist Wenjing still used several methods to conceal her tracks, choosing a gathering place frequented by Western Faith’s hidden experts, then halfway using divine abilities to send an avatar there while her true body secretly headed to Anshui City.

Half an hour later, at the Sea God Temple’s back hall.

Daoist Wenjing appeared outside the back hall door, feeling the Dao resonance of the primordial treasure here, her Dao heart trembling slightly.

She had originally walked forward with head high and chest out, but after taking two steps, seeing the person dozing in the main seat of the back hall, she unconsciously switched to lotus steps;

Moreover, as she walked, her path began to deviate, inexplicably arriving at the left side of the inner hall’s main door, her delicate hand holding the doorframe, head peeking into the hall.

Such a powerful aura!

Such a mosquito-intimidating, familiar feeling…

Just like when she was still a naive little mosquito, witnessing that powerful leader in the blood sea, feeling a maiden’s heart flutter.

—By the way, she later smashed that leader to pieces.

Mm…

Gently humming with seductive eyes, speaking slowly with autumn waves secretly sent.

It’s him, it’s him, it must be him!

She… was staring in a daze.

“Ahem! Ahem ahem!”

Li Changshou coughed forcefully, and the Grand Master who had been sleeping peacefully sat up straight, while Daoist Wenjing outside the door, as if startled, quickly shrank to one side.

Outside the room, Wenjing’s forehead pressed against the doorframe, fingers twisting her clothes.

Inside the hall, the Grand Master tilted his head slightly, somewhat puzzled, frowning as he looked toward the Sea God-appearing Li Changshou.

‘This is what you called a primordial fierce beast, the Black-Winged Blood Mosquito Tribe Queen, the ancient fierce person who slaughtered countless beings?’

Li Changshou helplessly nodded.

The Queen was indeed a queen, just that today she might be a bit broken…

“Ahem!”

The Grand Master cleared his throat, saying: “Changeng, has that person you spoke of arrived?”

“She has arrived,” Li Changshou smiled, “Disciple will go call her in now, please wait a moment, Grand Master.”

With that, Li Changshou held his whisk in his left hand, lifting his robe with his right, hurriedly going out.

“Wenjing, come here!

Grand Master is inside, what are you standing here for…”

Reaching the door, Li Changshou’s words also paused, seeing Daoist Wenjing holding a handkerchief over her red lips, her eyes carrying slight tears.

That handkerchief was completely soaked through.

Such dedication truly deserves admiration!

Li Changshou said gently: “Wenjing…”

“Please wait a moment, my lord,” Daoist Wenjing covered her lips, hurriedly transmitting, “This servant saw the Grand Master and can’t stop drooling, I’ll control it right away.”

Li Changshou: …

Human Dao crude speech, Bear Village dialect.