On a dark and windy night, Li Changshou quietly returned to Lesser Qiong Peak. Only after walking around and checking that everything was normal did he return to his alchemy chamber with peace of mind.

Although the Taiji diagram’s power protecting him had doubled, Li Changshou’s true form had still spent half the night in hiding, leaving behind plenty of misleading traces before using his escape technique to return to the sect…

His first act upon returning was to check on Ling’e.

Though he hadn’t done anything wrong, he inexplicably felt a subtle sense of guilt…

Even though she was merely a “steam player” who loved dragons from afar.

Back in his underground secret chamber, Li Changshou picked up his brush and painted a portrait – capturing that moment when Immortal Yunxiao looked back while standing beneath the peach blossoms.

He hung this portrait beside his desk, and…

Hung two rows of large characters spelling “STEADY” next to it.

After some thought, Li Changshou picked up his brush again and painted another portrait of Ling’e catching fish barefoot by the lake.

Amidst hanging willows, the young girl in the painting had her sleeves rolled up, bending to watch the spirit fish swimming below the lake’s surface. Her expression was particularly serious, with droplets of water on her cheeks and hair hanging to the side…

This was from when she was seventeen, when Li Changshou had sealed her powers to train her reflexes, making her catch spirit fish with bare hands a hundred times.

That was also the first time Li Changshou realized that the little junior sister he saw every day had grown into a graceful young woman.

However…

Li Changshou looked at these two portraits, his lips curling slightly.

If it was only to this extent, it wouldn’t be enough to affect his judgment regarding the Great Tribulation of Investiture.

He hung Ling’e’s portrait next to Yunxiao’s, and after briefly considering how to handle future matters, immediately felt a headache coming on.

There was no other way – Immortal Yunxiao was too powerful and too intelligent; it would be difficult to outmaneuver her the way he did with Ling’e.

Ling’e had been too well-protected by him, and with her naturally lively nature, her thoughts were somewhat simple. Even with his constant teachings about human nature’s treachery, Ling’e would sometimes still lack vigilance.

Immortal Yunxiao was purely too powerful for others to dare scheme against her, hence her relative innocence…

Looking at Yunxiao’s gentle smile in the portrait, Li Changshou realized that within her gentleness, what dominated was detachment.

In comparison, deceiving Ling’e was much simpler.

Taking out the jade hairpin, Li Changshou pondered for a moment before deciding to give it to Ling’e once she emerged from cultivation, using the opportunity to put some pressure on her.

“Karma… tribulation…

Endless matters, endless heart.”

When a sage acts, there must be profound meaning – it couldn’t possibly be just a whimsical arrangement.

Li Changshou sat in his round-backed armchair, stirring up a storm in his sea of thoughts, carefully savoring and analyzing.

Today’s events hadn’t reached the ‘worst’ scenario, and he had managed to stabilize the situation even when unable to change the framework.

Part of his consciousness had remained in South Jambudvipa, sailing along with Longji and three Dragon Clan experts, meticulously mapping out two small tributaries.

It was quite possible that the Jie Sect had also discovered the importance of the Celestial Court, and thus wanted to influence the Great Tribulation of Investiture by influencing him.

[First, assume that our own Sage Lord has already calculated the general outline of the Great Tribulation of Investiture.]

From this, two supporting lines could be drawn: [Assume all six sages have the same calculation ability as Lord Taiqing] or [Other sages’ calculation abilities are inferior to Lord Taiqing’s]…

Habitually taking out a piece of paper, Li Changshou drew carefully, unconsciously spending several days hunched over his desk until his head spun and his eyes blurred.

And so, several months later.

Dong—

Melodious bell sounds floated through the Du Xian Sect, as figures emerged from various peaks, gathering toward Breaking Heaven Peak.

Li Changshou was also called out by his master, following behind him as they headed to Du Xian Hall.

Most of this term’s disciples would be setting out on their journey home today.

Li Changshou kept his head down, continuously pondering in his heart:

‘Still can’t rule out that Patriarch Tongtian already knows about the Jie Sect’s impending doom…’

‘Eighty percent probability that our own Lord Taiqing doesn’t want to see the Dao sects rapidly weaken, and is likely also looking for ways to modify the Great Tribulation of Investiture’s script, with me becoming one of the small nails in it…’

‘If even our sage feels the need to proceed slowly, then what is the script of the Great Tribulation of Investiture, or rather, where lies the necessity of its outbreak?’

“Changshou…”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan called out from ahead, and Li Changshou quickly gathered his thoughts; his paper avatar drawing water conservation maps in South Jambudvipa also trembled, staining some ink work.

“Disciple is here.”

“Are you having any troubles?” Old Daoist Qi Yuan asked with furrowed brows. “You look somewhat haggard – are you encountering problems in your cultivation?”

Then, Qi Yuan transmitted his voice: “If you’re having cultivation troubles, you should seek guidance from the Sect Leader or your Grand-Master!”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Master, please don’t worry. I’ve just been expending too much mental energy lately. My cultivation is progressing smoothly, just slower than before my immortalization.”

Every word was true, yet contained no useful information.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan finally nodded in relief, smiling as he said: “It’s not good to worry about everything. Make more friends, get to know some powerful figures, discuss things with them, and your thoughts will become clearer.

Don’t be self-satisfied, but don’t worry excessively either.”

“Yes, disciple understands,” Li Changshou felt warmth in his heart, followed by helplessness.

Who could he discuss these major matters he was plotting and considering with, besides his own Sage Lord?

If he were to speak even half a word about the Investiture or mention even half a character about such a great tribulation, he would likely attract the Purple Lightning of Heaven – Official Version, Not Just a Warning!

Before the Tribulation of Investiture, karma intertwines.

The Celestial Court must rise, but how to break through this situation?

Li Changshou pondered quietly, following behind his master while thinking carefully.

The matter with Immortal Yunxiao proved that the great tribulation couldn’t be avoided simply by the subjective desire to do so. If he felt content just because of entering the Celestial Court early, he would likely stumble.

If avoidance couldn’t solve the problem, then Li Changshou could only cooperate with his own sage’s schemes while ensuring his safety.

Fortunately, he was still standing on the shore, with several options available for breaking through this situation.

The Merit Golden Body would be best completed before the Great Tribulation of Investiture – this would surely become an ace in his deck of trump cards…

Li Changshou’s thoughts became somewhat chaotic, and he couldn’t help but yawn.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan told him to go back and rest, but Li Changshou smiled and declined, accompanying his master to attend the Du Xian Sect disciples’ ‘graduation ceremony.’

Over seven hundred disciples stood in the clearing before Du Xian Hall, wearing various colored Daoist robes, nearly half in pairs, each having packed their belongings, carrying both reluctance and yearning…

They were about to embark on their respective journeys, most returning to the Three Thousand Worlds, while a smaller portion would remain in the Five Continents, either joining a cultivation force, returning home to inherit property, or becoming independent cultivators in various locations.

Among them, only those who had achieved immortalization possessed the upper section of Du Xian Sect’s “Scripture of Non-Action,” and had to take serious oaths not to teach it to outsiders.

—Apart from the “Scripture of Non-Action,” the vast majority of scriptures and techniques could be spread outside.

The lower section of the “Scripture of Non-Action” was only transmitted to True Immortals or the highest-ranking immortal seedlings. Disciples with high rankings and good aptitude would mostly continue cultivating at various peaks.

After the Sect Leader, Vice Sect Leader, and Supreme Elders delivered their not-particularly-moving or inspiring speeches, these disciples gradually left the mountain gate, riding clouds and cranes, heading in various directions.

Like scattered stars across the sky.

Those seeing them off gathered at the mountain gate, many “masters” feeling emotional, while some more sensitive female immortals had reddened eyes.

According to Du Xian Sect rules, True Immortals who had taken disciples in the previous two-hundred-year cycle could choose whether to take disciples in the next cycle, which was considered a cultivation task arranged by the sect.

Also on this day, Du Xian Sect announced the date of their mountain-opening ceremony, and these graduating disciples would carry this news far and wide.

Later, the sect would arrange for various stewards to promote at some excellent “source locations” and scout for the next batch of promising seedlings.

When would the great ceremony be held?

In the month between spring and summer, eighteen years from now.

Originally, the mountain-opening ceremony was to be held earlier, but due to external factors—many immortal sects choosing concentrated dates for their ceremonies—Du Xian Sect finally decided to postpone their ceremony slightly to avoid the peak recruitment period.

Regarding the mountain opening ceremony, Li Changshou didn’t have much feeling about it, having already witnessed one before.

As long as Lesser Qiong Peak didn’t accept disciples, it wouldn’t accumulate strange karma – he had reminded his Grand-Master and Master of this several times, and there shouldn’t be any major oversights.

To be safe, he should still visit Hundred Ordinary Hall later to move around a bit, ensuring the elders don’t allocate quotas to Lesser Qiong Peak…

Otherwise, he would have to seek the Sect Leader’s help in resolving this matter.

After bidding farewell to his unfamiliar sect siblings, Li Changshou followed his master back to Lesser Qiong Peak, beginning his long path of secluded cultivation.

Because Ling’e’s seclusion had been unusually long this time, Li Changshou worried she might encounter cultivation problems. He simply returned to his thatched cottage, took several blank scrolls, and began his seclusion to plan for the Investiture.

Such a great heavenly tribulation involved too many beings to plan for every detail.

Li Changshou could only analyze from different angles, focusing on core figures, the intentions of several Sage Lords, and the influence of the Celestial Court and Western Sect on this matter.

He constantly put himself in various positions – ‘What if I were the Jade Emperor’, ‘What if I were the Orchid Grass’, ‘What if I were the shameless slingshot’ and other important positions, carefully calculating…

He even specifically opened that sealed memory of his to take a look, this time not re-sealing it.

Time to lay the cards on the table!

If he was destined to be Grand White Star, then he would make this Grand White Star different from what he knew!

Hmm, better play it safe first and maintain skepticism about the ‘Grand White Star’ matter.

This opened up entirely new lines of thought.

Li Changshou combined what he knew, either calculating the Great Tribulation of Investiture from current circumstances or reverse engineering it from what he knew of the Celestial Court’s situation during the Journey to the West tribulation.

What was originally a fog of confusion gradually gained some clues…

Qi Yuan often noticed that after Li Changshou entered seclusion in the thatched cottage, the light from magical treasure lamps within would shine day and night, never stopping through months and years.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan could only worry, but truly… couldn’t help at all.

Gradually, scrolls filled the cottage as Li Changshou grew increasingly thin.

Hard work pays off – he finally deduced the most stable path!

On this path, he saw some inevitability in the Great Tribulation of Investiture’s occurrence, saw various moves the Western Sect would make to take advantage, and saw the role the Celestial Court would play.

Whether by arrangement of fate or not, a key to unlocking the tragedy of the Investiture was now on Li Changshou’s side.

—Princess Longji of the Celestial Court.

Princess Longji’s special status, outstanding aptitude, and symbolic meaning in the Great Tribulation of Investiture all gave her profound significance.

Li Changshou would not act carelessly before understanding the true nature of the Great Tribulation of Investiture.

But once he did act, no plan could bypass Longji.

Eleven and a half years passed swiftly.

Theoretically, there were about four hundred and eighty-eight years until his next meeting with Immortal Yunxiao.

Thanks to his increased power after the Golden Immortal tribulation, during this time, Li Changshou only maintained half his consciousness on planning for the Investiture.

The water route inspection in South Jambudvipa couldn’t be neglected, and Dragon Clan matters often required attention.

Although resistance to Dragon Clan matters decreased greatly after the East Sea Dragon Palace swore allegiance to the Celestial Court, internal conflicts within the Dragon Clan didn’t decrease because of this – they became even more prominent.

After taking one loss at the Sea God Temple, the Western Sect had no further actions, and Ox-Head and Horse-Face had long since led the war shamans back to the Netherworld.

It must be said that the War Tribe’s battle methods were indeed unique – the Sea God Church’s divine envoys had all experienced surging power increases, and the church’s self-protection ability had grown somewhat.

Of course, encountering experts still meant being slaughtered.

Li Changshou closed his eyes, seeing what seemed like doors before him, waiting for him to push them open one by one…

Collecting the Dragon Palace, watching the Netherworld, scheming for the Three Thousand Worlds;

Strengthening the Celestial Court, eliminating the Demon Tribe, and separating immortals and mortals in the South Continent.

Not all Three Schools’ immortals could be saved, and not all Three Schools’ experts could be destroyed;

The Western Sect’s rise must be delayed, the Celestial Court’s ascension cannot be stopped!

Steadiness was just his way of doing things, not meaning he would only dodge.

Avoidance was mere because it carried the lowest risk, but when there was nowhere to dodge and risk assessment showed changes, Li Changshou would naturally make plans more suited to his safety.

“Actively thinking about these matters makes one feel more confident.”

Li Changshou muttered, glancing at Ling’e still in meditation next door, his lips twitching slightly.

Thankfully the Peach Banquet had a thousand-year shelf life!

This girl, did she want to ascend to heaven? It would be enough to stay steady at Celestial Immortal level, he wouldn’t make her sever her Dao foundation nine times!

Shaking his head, Li Changshou was about to continue writing when he heard a call in his heart.

…

“Little brother? Little brother?”

His divine consciousness turned to find a familiar visitor at the South Sea Sea God Church—

Zhao Gongming, Elder Zhao.

Li Changshou’s paper avatar emerged from underground, greeted Zhao Gongming, and invited him to sit in the back hall. Seeing Zhao Gongming’s furrowed brow, he couldn’t help but ask:

“Elder Brother, what’s troubling you?”

“Ah, how do you think this matter should be resolved?”

Zhao Gongming sighed: “Those words you spoke when meeting Second Sister last time have spread like wildfire through the Jie Sect these past ten-plus years!

Now these folks are all shouting and clamoring about being in the Good Feelings period, seeing if they can enter the Heart Movement period, trying to get a Warming period going – it’s chaos everywhere!”

Li Changshou furrowed his brow, forcing himself not to laugh out loud.

Karma, after all, tends to link one thing to another.

When that group of Jie Sect immortals held blades to his neck, they should have considered that even a small law master of their Human Dao wasn’t to be trifled with.

Of course, this couldn’t be mentioned.

Li Changshou said: “Everyone gets too lonely cultivating. If it’s just this matter, it shouldn’t worry Senior this much, right?”

“Well, indeed,” Zhao Gongming stroked his beard, unconsciously glancing outside the hall before lowering his voice, “Golden Light… do you know her?”

Li Changshou smiled: “Of course, this disciple knows Senior Golden Light Holy Mother.”

“Is there any way to make her give up these thoughts about me?”

Zhao Gongming worried: “This truly puts me in a difficult position. Against any powerful enemy, I can just lie on the ground and naturally resolve things.

But this matter, I feel…

If I lay on the ground, she might lie down beside me.”

Li Changshou was amused by Elder Zhao’s words, but then shook his head, “Who can explain matters of the heart?

If you’re not interested, just reject her directly.”

“We’re all set siblings, face must be considered!” Zhao Gongming pondered, deeply troubled.

Li Changshou was about to offer advice when suddenly inspiration struck. He said seriously: “Elder Brother, I have a friend who’s an expert in such matters.”

“Oh? Who is he?”

“None other than the Old Man Under the Moon of the Celestial Court’s Marriage Palace, who oversees all beings’ marriages,” Li Changshou smiled. “It would be most appropriate to ask him about this matter. Why don’t you come with me to the Celestial Court?”

Zhao Gongming’s eyes lit up, “That would be perfect, when shall we go?”

“By Celestial Court rules, those who aren’t Celestial Court immortals or deities cannot enter easily. Though they wouldn’t dare stop us if we forced our way in, it would still damage your reputation, Elder Brother.”

Li Changshou showed concern, “I’m just a minor Sea God, without much say.

How about this – in less than half a month, the Celestial Court will hold the Peach Banquet. I’ll find a way to get an invitation, and then we can first go to the Jasper Pool to eat peaches, then visit the Marriage Palace to seek advice.

How’s that?”

“Excellent!”

Zhao Gongming slapped his thigh and smiled: “I’ll go call my three sisters right away!”

“Ah, ah, Elder Brother, don’t rush,” Li Changshou hurried to say, “This matter shouldn’t be spread around, especially since…

The Celestial Court has another major event this time. Too many people from the Jie Sect attending could make things more complicated.”

Zhao Gongming nodded at these words, and though he felt Li Changshou’s reasoning was sound, he still had a feeling he was being manipulated.

Hmm, just a feeling.