‘What a venomous scheme.’

Li Changshou divided his attention, one paper avatar taking Long Ji to tour the Dragon Palace, while another paper avatar in the Sea God Temple’s back hall dismissed the ‘blah-blah’ mosquito who had just come to deliver a message.

Then he began considering countermeasures.

Speaking of which, this was his fault. Perhaps he had hidden things too well, leaving the Western School unable to find a suitable breakthrough point, causing them to shift their attention to the Sea God Religion’s basic structure itself.

A mighty school with two Holy Ones presiding, a top-tier second-rate power in the primordial world, after much deliberation, actually planned to destroy the small Bear Village of the Shamanic People and assassinate the Sea God Religion’s Bear Village divine envoys everywhere!

This was purely revenge and venting anger!

Though this method was somewhat absurd, it truly made Li Changshou feel exceptionally uncomfortable…

Thinking carefully, it was because his ‘stability’ had been somewhat insufficient.

Previously in his youthful arrogance, he had always thought ‘stability’ meant comprehensive, all-around absence of errors and oversights.

Now with a slightly more mature mindset, he belatedly realized that when managing a power, true stability should be deliberately exposing a false weakness, thereby guiding the enemy’s actions, letting them exert force toward this weakness, thus giving oneself more time to respond.

Now was not the time for self-examination, he needed to quickly devise countermeasures.

If the Western School wanted to destroy the Sea God Religion, they only needed to send several fierce beasts to indiscriminately kill the religion’s divine envoys and temple keepers, achieving shocking effects in a short time.

Fortunately, he, Li Changshou…

Was prepared early.

The paper avatar in the back hall immediately burrowed underground, while seven or eight paper avatars began taking action separately.

He would, in the shortest time possible, relocate the Bear Village, take most of the village’s Shamanic People to East Victory Divine Continent, and gather those ‘elite’ divine envoys in the [Safe House] beneath the Great Sea God Temple.

Although the Western School was targeting the Shamanic People this time, Li Changshou would simultaneously warn the true dragon protectors stationed in various places, having them temporarily withdraw to the South Sea…

Moreover, to protect their excellent underground ambush personnel behind enemy lines, Li Changshou also had notices posted at various Sea God temples:

[Divine envoys are gathering for a divine power advancement, please burn incense at home in the coming days.]

After doing all this, Li Changshou still felt it was insufficient.

The Dragon Clan matter had also reached a critical juncture. If he couldn’t divide his attention later and make mistakes, the enemy might take advantage.

Although the Shamanic People had initially ‘schemed’ against him, they had spent so many years wholeheartedly scamming food and drink—ahem, wholeheartedly developing the Sea God Religion!

Li Changshou could obtain so much incense and merit, that the Shamanic People had an indelible contribution; since he could protect them, he naturally wouldn’t let them bleed in vain…

After some thought, Li Changshou used a Golden Immortal realm paper avatar to take several divine envoys skilled in acting—such as that ‘midnight-fighting woman’ Bear Third and rushed together to the Netherworld.

If the Shamanic People encountered a crisis, having Shamanic Tribe experts stand out to protect them was also reasonable.

Li Changshou wouldn’t freeload off the Shamanic Tribe experts either, he wouldn’t be stingy with appropriate thanks. Whatever the Netherworld Shamanic Tribe lacked, he would have people prepare more of it.

It was just a matter of business involving tens of thousands of spirit beasts!

While making these battle preparations, Li Changshou led Long Ji into the seawater, arriving at the East Sea Dragon Palace waters.

Li Changshou said: “Wait a moment, I have some matters to attend to first.”

“Alright~”

Long Ji obediently agreed, standing behind Li Changshou, admiring the gorgeous scenery in the sea.

No matter how deep or vast the Four Seas of the primordial world were, there would always be some dim light, and immortals and qi cultivators were mostly skilled in the art of ‘observing in darkness’—viewing things in the sea was like appreciating flowers in broad daylight.

Before long, Li Changshou adjusted his divided attention, arranging the Bear Village matters appropriately, then called to Long Ji:

“Alright, let’s go to the Dragon Palace.”

“Sea God, do you have some difficult matter?”

Long Ji said seriously: “Last night I received Mother’s instructions—though the Heavenly Court currently has few soldiers and generals, we cannot let Sea God toil alone. If there are difficult matters, please feel free to inform the Heavenly Court.

Umm…

That’s what Mother said.”

“Hahaha,” Li Changshou laughed and said, “Thanks for Her Majesty’s concern. If I encounter difficulties, I naturally won’t bear them alone, I shall prioritize the greater righteousness of the Heavenly Court!”

Long Ji blinked lightly, suddenly discovering…

The Sea God was truly skilled at speaking.

Those words that were just right, touched briefly, completely at ease, and full of meaning, came almost as soon as he opened his mouth!

Taking out her jade talisman, Long Ji immediately wrote down her discovery;

When she raised her head to look at the Sea God’s back, she increasingly felt the Sea God was unfathomable…

In various senses of the word.

Ahead, dragon roars rang out continuously, the seawater boiled, and fish schools scattered in flight.

The Dragon Clan, already aware of Li Changshou’s arrival in the East Sea, sent out large numbers of troops to welcome him when Li Changshou was still a thousand miles from the Crystal Palace.

Just then, Long Ji heard a soft intake of breath within the immortal power barrier.

Long Ji stood on tiptoe and leaned forward, seeing the Sea God’s expression was somewhat solemn, and his gaze was actually firmer than it had been throughout their previous journey.

“Sea God, are the Dragon Clan matters very difficult?”

“It’s manageable.”

Li Changshou slightly clenched his fist, already determined to fight this battle well!

From today onward determine the situation, in the Hall of Celestial Mist be called a mighty minister!

Unexpectedly, he, Li Changshou, could feel some heroic spirit!

While Long Ji at the side keenly noticed the Sea God’s change in mindset, feeling somewhat emotionally stirred.

‘Father said this Sea God has one flaw—being too stable in everything, needing to consider several times before taking action.

But seeing him today, he doesn’t seem like what Fath… er… said…’

Before Long Ji’s small inner voice could finish, a Dragon Clan expert rushed ahead first, laughing heartily at Lord Sea God, bowing from afar.

And Lord Sea God instantly broke character—one moment ago still full of heroic spirit, suddenly… squinting his eyes with a smile, face full of smiles.

That dragon-headed elder shouted: “Sea God, have you been well!”

The Sea God here responded: “Isn’t it all thanks to Elder Ao Jiao’s blessing that I’m enjoying leisure in the Heavenly Court!”

After speaking, both people threw back their heads and laughed, their laughter spreading far in the seawater.

This…

Several black lines appeared on Long Ji’s forehead.

She also knew there was an unwritten rule in the primordial world—if two parties met and their relationship was unclear, they could laugh for a while; the longer the laughter, the lower the hostility.

How did this rule come about?

According to legend, in ancient times, many primordial beings would laugh happily when they found treasures and other primordial beings hearing the laughter would take detours, hurrying to find treasures elsewhere…

Over time, this rule developed.

In ancient times, various experts would start laughing from a thousand miles away. If going to places likely to cause battles or treasure disputes, they would laugh while flying past…

Hmm, reasonable and well-founded, quite convincing.

Long Ji gently pursed her thin lips, listening to that dragon-headed elder and the Sea God continuously exchange pleasantries…

“Hahaha! Sea God, quickly come with me to the Crystal Palace, today we must drink three hundred cups together!”

“Is the Dragon King home?

This time I have several important matters to discuss with the Dragon King.”

“He is, he is! His Majesty is already waiting for you, hahaha!”

Accompanied by such hearty laughter, Li Changshou led Long Ji, surrounded by Dragon Clan experts, slowly heading toward the Crystal Palace.

Long Ji still couldn’t quite process it, not understanding how the Sea God could do it, being like two different people in consecutive moments.

Thus, Long Ji wrote in her jade talisman:

[The Sea God switches his emotions incredibly quickly, his skill at playing along with situations is unmatched.]

But Long Ji blinked and added a line after:

[Those who like to smile with squinting eyes are all stran… formidable characters!]

Although I am the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter, when it comes to the Sea God, being more cautious is never wrong.

…

Let us set aside idle talk for now, as the Dragon Clan’s destiny approaches.

Li Changshou rarely felt nervous, except for his first time facing the Heavenly Tribulation, first time facing Heavenly Punishment, first time facing the Grand Priest, and that year when he had just reached the Return to Void realm and was practicing teleportation arts, accidentally teleporting into a True Immortal couple’s cave dwelling and stumbling upon…

That’s not important.

Ahem, in any case, he could maintain a relatively calm mindset in the vast majority of situations.

But this time coming to the Crystal Palace, Li Changshou truly felt a bit nervous.

This scheme had already continued for so many years, relating to great merit not yet obtained, and to some extent, determining his future development, seriously affecting the curve fluctuations of the ‘Primordial World Survival Safety Index’!

However, it was precisely this nervousness that kept Li Changshou’s mind taut, making his thinking more nimble and thoughts turn more quickly.

Entering the Crystal Palace, they went to the Dragon King Hall.

The East Sea Dragon King walked down from the high platform to welcome them, exchanging greetings with Li Changshou, then welcomed Li Changshou up onto the high platform, host and guest taking their seats at the banquet.

The Dragon Clan must have seen through Princess Long Ji’s identity, as they had also prepared a seat for her at the banquet.

Seeing Long Ji still wanting to stand behind him, Li Changshou smiled and said: “Sit down, don’t waste the Dragon King’s kindness.”

“Yes,” Long Ji bowed and agreed, sitting up straight with head held high in a position slightly behind and to the side of Li Changshou.

She was naturally composed and measured, quite showing the style of a noble family.

“Dragon King,” Li Changshou cupped his hands and smiled, saying, “Today I come with joyous news to tell the Dragon King. Has Ao Yi told the Dragon King about the Peach Banquet matter?”

“My son has spoken of it,” the East Sea Dragon King stroked his beard and smiled lightly, his dragon eyes also showing more spirit, unlike his usual drowsy state.

The East Sea Dragon King smiled and said: “Sea God, my son has been rushing about these days in the East Sea, persuading his various elders, speaking of how the Heavenly Court divine positions are such and such… Were these instructions given by the Sea God?”

“Indeed.”

Li Changshou frankly acknowledged it, smiling and saying:

“It was also to lay some groundwork, to avoid any sense of abruptness in my coming today. I tell the Dragon King these things only to let you know that I have never had the slightest intention of deceiving the Dragon Clan.”

The East Sea Dragon King hummed in thought, looking down at the wine goblet before him.

Li Changshou wasn’t in a hurry either, waiting at the side for a moment.

In the silence, this was both a contest and not a contest.

Beside them, Long Ji held her jade talisman, recording every word the Sea God said, carefully savoring them, feeling they contained profound meaning.

At this time, Long Ji seemed to see two black clouds gathering above the Sea God and this old Dragon King, making her feel some pressure…

“Ah—”

The Dragon King slowly sighed, raising his wine goblet, his smile showing several points of weariness.

“I toast to the Sea God.”

“Thank you, Dragon King!”

Li Changshou raised his cup in return and took a light sip, then showed a serious expression.

“Dragon King, let me ask, not speaking of the other three seas, in the East Sea Dragon Palace, are there still any key figures who resent the Heavenly Court?”

The Dragon King said: “Sea God, your words are too heavy. Toward the Heavenly Court, our clan has only respect. The Heavenly Court has helped our clan several times, and given our clan so many benefits, and our clan is grateful. It’s just… currently, there are indeed many clan members who are worried, concerned that the Heavenly Court is just another Western School, and our clan having lost most of its vitality, truly cannot withstand such turmoil.”

“Hahaha!”

Li Changshou laughed and said: “Then today, I shall dispel these doubts for the Dragon Clan! Dragon King, why not gather all the elders within the East Sea Dragon Palace now, I will explain today’s joyous news to the elders in detail. This way, it will also save the Dragon King from having to repeat it later.”

“Oh?”

The East Sea Dragon King also became interested but didn’t ask more, only smiling and saying: “If so, please wait a moment, Sea God. Where is the Prime Minister?”

Several turtle ministers immediately ran in from outside the hall.

Thereupon, the Dragon King ordered that within the East Sea Dragon Palace, the Dragon Mother, Dragon Children, dozens of Dragon Clan elders with real power, and dozens of Dragon Clan generals of slightly lower status but strong strength, all gather in the Crystal Palace main hall.

Such an assembly made even Long Ji’s palms sweat…

Li Changshou remained calm and composed. When the East Sea Dragon Palace’s powerful upper echelons had gathered, he first rose to greet them, then performed a small pre-written comic dialogue with Ao Yi, finally smoothly bringing the topic to the matter of the Dragon Clan ascending to heaven…

“Everyone!”

Li Changshou stood before the high platform, making a slight Daoist salute to the Dragon Clan crowd, speaking slowly:

“Now that the Dragon Clan’s opportunity is before us, I, as the Four Seas Sea God appointed by the Heavenly Court, have come specially today to persuade you. I know your worries, and I know the Dragon Clan is unwilling to serve any power. The Dragon Clan, once rulers of heaven and earth in ancient times, laughing proudly over the Four Seas in high antiquity, even today remains a non-negligible force within the primordial world and the Three Realms!

Today, I won’t mention those powerful ones eyeing the Dragon Clan’s vitality, nor speak of so-called great fortune or great trends, but only discuss matters closely related to the Dragon Clan!

The Dragon Clan serving Heaven has three benefits.

First is merit, and second is karmic obstacles—these two are originally one body, yet not entirely the same. You need only look at Prince Ao Yi to understand.”

Ao Yi voluntarily stepped forward, catalyzing his merit—the almost overflowing incense merit and that pure, pristine heavenly way merit were shining in mutual reflection…

Li Changshou continued: “I need not say much about these two points. The third point is being able to protect the Dragon Clan from Western School interference.”

“Sea God!”

A Dragon Clan general frowned and said: “The first and second points are most important, why brush past them?”

Another Dragon Clan elder spoke:

“Since the Sea God speaks directly, we need not beat around the bush either. I have a question! How many Heavenly Court divine positions can be promised to the Dragon Clan to let us escape our current predicament? Has the Sea God calculated this?”

“Dozens or hundreds would not be enough,” Li Changshou said calmly, “but if you want divine positions to sweep away your karmic obstacles, why not set term limits on the positions, rotating every thousand years or few hundred years, letting the Dragon Clan take turns? How could you worry about karmic obstacles not being resolved then?”

The Dragon Clan crowd couldn’t help but be stunned.

Heavenly Court divine positions could be handled this way.

“The Heavenly Court rules are strict, but heavenly laws can be applied flexibly,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “The heavenly way is eternal, absolutely impartial, yet has many rules that can be used by you and me. Moreover, the Heavenly Court’s divine positions are not permanently fixed. Regular rotation and evaluation of lower-ranking divine positions that aren’t proper gods is something I am about to memorialize to His Majesty the Jade Emperor. Are you satisfied with my answer?”

Many Dragon Clan leaders were already somewhat moved, and the elder who had raised the question made a deep Daoist salute to Li Changshou, showing shame on his face.

“It was my shallow understanding, please don’t blame me, Sea God!”

“That’s not all!”

Li Changshou laughed loudly and said, “To resolve the Dragon Clan’s crisis, the Heavenly Emperor commanded me to visit the human ancestors in that Fire Cloud Cave and bring back this treasure. Everyone, look!”

With these words, Li Changshou took out the ‘Great Yu Controls the Waters Map’ flickering with golden light.

His left hand waved, and this treasure map spread open, projecting a panorama of the South Jambudvipa Continent in the Crystal Palace, with surging rivers flowing forth upon it.

“Today I might as well tell everyone that His Majesty has already commanded me to investigate the rivers, waterways, lakes, and marshes of South Jambudvipa Continent. Soon we can appoint various water gods! The Dragon Clan has managed the Four Seas for long, skilled in water battles and understanding waterways—could there be any more suitable southern continent water gods than the Dragon Clan?”

At these words, all the dragons were moved, and many old dragons even had reddened eyes…

Li Changshou pressed his advantage, continuing: “The Dragon Clan ascending to Heaven follows the trend of the heavenly way, gaining heaven and earth’s righteous heart. Now I have the brushwork of disciples managing affairs for the Way School’s Enlightenment School and Extinction School Holy Ones, specially presented to the Dragon King!”

With these words, Li Changshou took out the already-bound scroll and handed it to Ao Yi.

Ao Yi slowly opened this piece of calligraphy, and those four large characters ‘Trapped Dragon Rising to Heaven’ emanated two completely different dao rhythms, making all the present Dragon Clan members shake.

The benefits of the Heavenly Court, the might of the Way School!

A Dragon Clan elder said in a low voice: “These are indeed Elder Duobao and Guangcheng Zi’s dao rhythms.”

Ao Yi held the scroll and respectfully presented it before the Dragon King. The East Sea Dragon King received it with both hands and then showed deep feeling on his face.

The dignified and beautiful Dragon Mother with quite an imposing manner spoke from the side: “If everything is truly as the Sea God says, how could our clan not serve under His Majesty the Jade Emperor? However, even if you, Sea God, make a great dao oath, how… how can the Jade Emperor’s heart be guaranteed?”

“How could it not be guaranteed?”

A clear crisp voice came forth—it was Long Ji standing up, saluting all directions and saying calmly:

“If the Dragon Clan enters Heaven to assist the Heavenly Court in governing the Three Realms, His Majesty the Jade Emperor absolutely will not mistreat the Dragon Clan. Though the Heavenly Court indeed has some difficulties now, His Majesty the Jade Emperor is working diligently for improvement, the Heavenly Court above and below is of one heart, and with the Sea God’s extraordinary strategies and wisdom assisting, great prosperity is only a matter of time! If you ascend to Heaven at this time, there are many opportunities to establish merit and obtain merit—isn’t this wonderful?”

“Your Highness,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “Please sit down.”

“Oh,” Long Ji obediently agreed, hurriedly sitting back in her position, causing several Dragon Children to cast repeated glances.

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Dragon Mother, today I came just wanting the East Sea Dragon Palace to show its stance. To be honest, besides the East Sea Dragon Palace, I am not at ease with any of the other three seas’ Dragon Palaces, fearing there are Western School people hidden within. This is my final trump card… please look here!”

While speaking, Li Changshou took out a golden scroll from his sleeve, holding it high, as it shot forth ten thousand rays of golden light, with thick heavenly way power rippling out.

Li Changshou’s hand trembled, and this scroll quickly opened, but it was completely blank inside!

“As long as the Dragon King and all the elders agree to this matter today, and swear an oath never to regret it. If you have any concerns, please speak freely. Naturally, I will still need to carefully consider, and write the Heavenly Court’s guarantees on this decree in front of everyone, to present before His Majesty the Jade Emperor. Once it bears the Heavenly Emperor’s seal, it will gain the heavenly way’s recognition. Thus, can you trust me, can you trust the Heavenly Court?”