Three thousand miles beyond the Crossing Immortal Gate, in a desolate ‘depleted’ spiritual vein, a golden light suddenly flashed, penetrating through the thick rock walls.

As the golden light receded, the figure hiding within silently vanished.

Having learned from last time, Li Changshou naturally wouldn’t stand obediently at Little Qiong Peak, waiting for the Heavenly Dao to bestow merit upon him.

One could be covered up by Master Kongxu, but twice, thrice…

The immortals in the sect weren’t all foolish!

Well, at least most of them were quite clever, just somewhat lacking in imagination and associative ability.

However, to be fair, this merit was indeed substantial!

Not counting his previous accumulated merit, just this newly acquired merit alone would complete… a full forearm of Li Changshou’s anticipated Merit Golden Body!

At this moment, his Primordial Spirit was swimming happily in the pure merit force, while beside him, the Sea God’s trident—ahem, the Sea God’s divine authority treasure—was also wrapped in merit force, seemingly becoming more pure…

Satisfaction, contentment, moved to tears!

Twelve years of ‘painstakingly’ drawing charts…

This time he struck gold!

But Li Changshou also knew such opportunities to rake in merit were rare.

Firstly, the South Jambudvipa Continent was special, with the human race being the protagonist of Heaven and Earth, eight to nine-tenths of the fortune converged in the mortal world of the South Continent.

Secondly, investigating waterways and bringing them under Heaven’s administration also somewhat completed Heaven’s divine authority, indirectly completing details of the Heavenly Dao.

Combining these two factors resulted in the substantial merit Li Changshou received.

To obtain similar merit again, following the same logic, he could investigate the mountains of South Jambudvipa once.

However, water benefited the common people immensely, as people relied on water for life.

Mountains weren’t quite as significant; the merit obtainable would likely be minimal.

But even mosquito legs were meat, however thin. Li Changshou decided that once the Dragon Clan matter was settled, he would send a paper avatar to slowly work on it.

Today, there was still a second substantial merit to be gained!

Li Changshou circled halfway around the Crossing Immortal Gate, concealed himself in a river, quietly waiting while his immortal consciousness ceaselessly explored various areas within a radius of ten thousand miles.

In the mountain gate, Spirit E was still in meditation like taking a “nap.” Li Changshou replaced the paper note beside her, telling her to eat peaches herself when she woke up to consolidate her realm, and they would have an intimate senior-junior discussion in the evening.

While Li Changshou’s main body was relocating, his paper avatar wasn’t idle either.

To ensure nothing went wrong today, besides the [Sea God] paper avatar causing trouble in Heaven, he temporarily suspended all other paper avatar activities.

Full force ahead, dealing with the Peach Banquet!

…

Speaking of moments ago, at the Peach Banquet, Li Changshou had thanked for his merit and returned the Demon-Slaying Sword to the Heavenly Emperor.

When a flash of golden light from the Lingxiao Hall streaked toward Li Changshou’s main body, another beam of golden light shone upon Long Ji beside him, coating her entire body in a layer of golden powder.

The Jade Emperor smiled as he looked at his daughter, and Long Ji immediately lowered her head, not daring to meet her father’s gaze.

Li Changshou smiled and said, “Along this journey, Princess Long Ji contributed both wisdom and effort, not only assisting this minor god in investigating waterways but also wielding the Demon-Slaying Sword to eliminate demons and monsters. Your Majesty, she deserves commendation.”

“Hahaha!”

The Jade Emperor immediately burst into hearty laughter. Looking at Long Ji’s somewhat uneasy face, he said gently, “Go change your clothes and find your mother to be seated. Distinguished guests have come to Heaven today, don’t lose your manners.”

Long Ji’s somewhat frail body trembled slightly. She raised her head to look at the Jade Emperor, then quickly lowered it again, saying softly, “Daughter accepts the command.”

Seeing this, Li Changshou smiled inwardly.

He had discovered something twelve years ago—although the Jade Emperor doted on Long Ji, he had never publicly announced Long Ji’s existence. Very few in Heaven knew of the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter.

This was also a small knot in Long Ji’s heart.

Li Changshou merely went with the flow to help Long Ji. It was a small matter for him, but it could make the Jade Emperor look good, while also laying groundwork for calculating the God-Making ceremony…

Another case of killing several birds with one stone.

“Sea God,” Long Ji called out softly, her voice somewhat excited, “I’ll come back later.”

Li Changshou looked at her, smiled, and cupped his hands, then turned to leave.

The Jade Emperor raised his hand to grab Li Changshou’s arm, pulling him into the immortal banquet area and leading him to the empty seat. “Long Geng, you’ve worked hard. Quickly take your seat. Today’s Peach Banquet is also to celebrate your achievements!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

As the Jade Emperor returned to his throne, Li Changshou made a Daoist salute to Zhao Gongming and smiled, “Greetings, Senior Gongming. Senior Gongming arrived even earlier than me.”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard with a smile, already knowing that everyone in Heaven, high and low, was putting on a show for the Western Sect and Dragon Clan.

“Haha, Brother Sea God, no need for formalities. Let’s speak as equals. You and my second sister are close friends, why be so courteous?”

Then Li Changshou turned his head to look at the old Daoist standing beside him, as well as the other five old Daoists sitting to the side. He couldn’t help but furrow his brows and reveal a puzzled expression, letting out a light “eh”:

“Why are there unfamiliar faces here? Lord Wood Minister, which distinguished guests did His Majesty invite this time?”

East Wood Minister said, “This Peach Banquet is for His Majesty to entertain the dragon clan heroes and Senior Gongming. No other guests were invited besides them.”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou frowned as he looked at these six old Daoists. Before even taking his seat, he had already started causing trouble.

“In other words, these six came uninvited?”

That old Daoist snorted coldly and said indifferently, “Does the Sea God not welcome our Western Teaching?”

“Oh, Western… Then naturally not welcome.”

The six old Daoists couldn’t help but frown at Li Changshou’s direct face-tearing behavior, somewhat caught off guard.

According to their Primordial Chaos ‘old calculation’ convention, shouldn’t they first exchange pleasantries, then hide daggers behind smiles, excel at speaking with hidden meanings, finally engage in a game of wit, and only resort to face-tearing and fighting when there was no other choice?

“What does the Sea God mean by this?”

Li Changshou stood straight, his gaze fixed on this old Daoist’s face, and said indifferently:

“Last time when I followed His Majesty from the Western Sea on a tour, inspecting the Western Sea’s conditions, I was ambushed by your Western Sect’s Six-Winged Golden Cicada, attempting to take my life. Yet today you swagger into Heaven to attend the banquet.

Heh heh, you Western Sect do take all the good things in Heaven and Earth!”

Another old Daoist in tattered clothes stepped forward, divine light blazing in his eyes as he stared at Li Changshou, saying coldly, “Friend, don’t spout nonsense. What does the Six-Winged Golden Cicada have to do with our Western Sect?”

Li Changshou gave a cold laugh, “The same old tricks!

Such lies roll off your tongue, wanting to keep both face and scheming!

Your Western Sect has developed quite a repertoire.”

That old Daoist immediately moved to step over the low table to confront Li Changshou directly, while behind Li Changshou, Old Master Zhao calmly took half a step forward and said leisurely:

“My, the ground in this Jade Pool is rather slippery.”

The six old Daoists all glared but stood obediently where they were, each suppressing their aura.

Today’s situation could only be resolved through verbal sparring; physical confrontation was… not an option.

The old Daoist who had first stood up said indifferently, “The Six-Winged Golden Cicada is a Primordial Chaos fierce beast, what does it have to do with our Western Sect?

According to Primordial Chaos rumors, the Six-Winged Golden Cicada excels in Heaven and Earth magic, and eating its flesh can grant immortality to those who haven’t achieved it. For such a strange beast, if we had captured it, how could we have let it live?”

After speaking, this old Daoist revealed a slight sneer at Li Changshou.

This was mockery, as the rhetoric he had just used was the rumor Li Changshou had the Dragon Clan spread.

Use your shield to block your spear.

However…

Li Changshou’s eyes blazed with brilliant light as he shouted, “Dare you say that again?”

The old Daoist replied, “The Six-Winged Golden Cicada is a Primordial Chaos fierce beast, what does it have to do with our Western Sect?”

“So it has nothing to do with your Western Sect!”

Li Changshou took two steps back, hiding behind Zhao Gongming, then shouted, “Your Majesty! Please order the arrest of these six imposters!”

On the throne, the Jade Emperor frowned deeply at these words.

All around the Peach Banquet, Heaven’s military officers and the Dragon Clan crowd all stood up at this moment;

Several literary officials of Heaven who were closer to these six Western Daoists immediately jumped far away.

Seeing this, East Wood Minister immediately spread his arms and rushed out, fearlessly and righteously blocking in front of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, shouting:

“Guards, protect Their Majesties!”

East Wood Minister was Heaven’s second-in-command and also served as Heaven’s Military Grand Marshal.

At his loud shout, tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers around the Jade Pool moved in unison, and hundreds of heavenly generals immediately swarmed over.

Zhao Gongming’s beard twitched up and down as he was having a very difficult time holding back his laughter.

Far away in the back garden of Tusita Palace, a certain nameless expert of Human Teaching was already laughing so hard he could barely breathe as he watched the cloud mirror before him.

The six Western Teaching sage disciples had black lines all over their heads, and one cursed, “We often heard that the Sea God had a reputation for wisdom and was valued by the Jade Emperor. Never thought he was just someone who stirs up trouble and spouts slanderous nonsense!”

The Jade Emperor spoke at this moment:

“Beloved Official Long Geng, how are you certain they are not disciples of the Western Sage?”

Li Changshou secretly praised: What excellent support!

This part of the play hadn’t been recorded in Li Changshou’s previous memorial.

—Li Changshou had previously made a few small suggestions about today’s Peach Banquet’s overall process in the form of memorials.

Although he and the Jade Emperor both knew these Western Daoists would come, they didn’t know exactly where they would start causing trouble, so they could only establish rough response strategies and couldn’t discuss too many details.

At this moment, those six old Daoists obviously couldn’t keep up with Li Changshou’s rhythm, but the Jade Emperor could precisely time his support and prepare to be an outside mediator…

This was no easy feat.

Li Changshou first bowed to the Jade Emperor, then began explaining:

“Your Majesty may not know, last time when I was attacked by that Golden Cicada, fortunately, Your Majesty intervened to drive it away. This minor god was both angry and ashamed, feeling useless and incompetent!

Therefore, this minor god secretly prepared and made plans, first luring that Golden Cicada out from the Western Sea Dragon Palace!”

At these words, Li Changshou glanced at the dragons behind the Western Sea Dragon King, his gaze sharp as a sword, but the dragons all dared not meet his eyes.

The dragons from the other three palaces now mostly understood something as well, frowning as they looked toward the Western Sea dragons, their eyes showing increased vigilance.

The four old Dragon Kings remained silent, sitting there like stone statues.

Li Changshou continued:

“This Golden Cicada’s space-time magic was truly exceptional, particularly formidable at escape and tracking. This minor god went all out to lure that Golden Cicada into a pre-arranged great formation, hoping to kill it instantly with divine abilities and spells!

However, the Golden Cicada had a divine ability called ‘Golden Cicada Sheds Shell,’ and this minor god’s strike could only reduce it to a larval state. Just as I was about to deliver the finishing blow…”

“What happened?”

The Jade Emperor couldn’t help but ask, as all eyes had now converged on Li Changshou.

Li Changshou revealed a deeply moved expression, his eyes becoming distant as he let out a long sigh:

“Suddenly, Heaven and Earth were filled with rosy clouds, a figure appeared in the clouds, auspicious clouds filled the sky, and propitious omens were everywhere.

It turned out to be a great compassionate sage lord of the Western Teaching who suddenly appeared, saying this Golden Cicada had once attacked a Western Teaching sage’s golden body, so to settle Western karmic ties, they needed to take the Golden Cicada back to be properly watched over.”

His tone shifting, Li Changshou pointed at those six old Daoists and berated them angrily: “Yet now these six claim the Golden Cicada has nothing to do with the Western Teaching!

If they don’t know of this matter, they must be imposters!

If they do know of this matter, then they’re deliberately disregarding the sage lord!

The Two Sages of the West heard the Dao in the Purple Void Palace, their golden bodies condensed from Heaven and Earth’s merit. Although they’re only registered disciples of the Ancestral Master, they should be considered fellow disciples of our Three Teaching Lords.

Your Majesty, this minor god comes from Human Teaching, and truly cannot bear to see them impersonating sage disciples and tarnishing the Western sage lords’ names!

Are the Western sage lords’ faces, not sage faces? Anyone under a sage should protect them!”

The Jade Emperor nodded, “What you say is correct.”

Then, frowning with some confusion, he looked toward those six old Daoists.

Suddenly there was a “puff” sound as one Western Daoist’s face turned red, and he lowered his head to spit out a mouthful of blood.

The other five old Daoists’ faces turned as dark as water, looking like they wanted to swallow Li Changshou alive.

Just then, four shocking pressures appeared in the seats opposite the six old Daoists!

Only to see the Four Sea Dragon Kings each stand-up, neither speaking nor raising their heads, all appearing submissive.

But behind these four old Dragon Kings, there seemed to be the phantom images of four azure dragon heads, staring at these six visitors from the West.

How domineering was the dragon qi!

The Dragon Kings were sons and grandsons of the Ancestor Dragon!

The Dragon King’s stance at this moment was crucial. They could have completely stayed silent on the sidelines, letting Heaven and the West fight it out with their abilities, then make whatever choice best suited the Dragon Clan’s interests.

But they stood out now, pressuring the Western visitors!

This showed that in the Dragon Clan’s eyes, Li Changshou as Sea God had added considerable ‘weight’ to Heaven.

“Sea God,” a tattered-clothed old Daoist squeezed out a smile, “This matter must not have been mentioned to us by the Second Lord, please Sea God…”

“I didn’t specify which lord earlier, how does friend know it was the Western Teaching’s Second Sage Lord who took away the Golden Cicada?”

Li Changshou said indifferently, “Could it be that you all knew of this matter before, yet still chose to cause trouble here in Heaven’s sacred ground, before His Majesty the Jade Emperor?”

The six Westerners didn’t know how to respond, frantically exchanging glances.

But Li Changshou deliberately took a step back at this moment, his tone becoming less aggressive.

He said: “Sage disciples also represent the sage’s face, this identity cannot be falsely claimed. How can you six prove you are sage disciples?”

At this, these six tattered old Daoists’ eyes showed even more wariness.

Seeing this, Li Changshou smiled and first transmitted some words to Old Master Zhao, then said:

“Everyone, the simplest way to prove yourself is to make a Great Dao oath.

You need only swear an oath proving you are disciples of the Western Teaching sage lords, no need to say more about other backgrounds.

If not…

I’ll make a trip to Tusita Palace right now and ask how those who falsely claim to be sage disciples should be dealt with!”

Moo—

Just as Li Changshou finished speaking, a cow’s cry came from the side.

Looking into the distance, an old Daoist wearing a brown Daoist robe held a whisk while sitting cross-legged on a blue ox’s back. There were no rosy clouds or unusual colors, yet he could make people’s hearts tremble with awe;

Moreover, looking at this old Daoist one more time, it felt like facing this Heaven and Earth itself, as if Heaven, Earth, and the Great Dao had been given thought and emotion, coming alive.

Looking at who had come—

What need has the Great Dao’s realm for proclamation? This body’s dignity needs no震ing.

Boundless pure qi naturally forms from him, after he was born in Heaven and Earth’s primordial chaos.

His every word contains Dao principles, where his gaze falls on immortals and gods appear.

There is a revered Dao spirit called Supreme Lord, in the Three Realms named Lord Lao.

Lord Lao had come in person!

Li Changshou’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly tried to recall if he had said anything wrong;

Heaven’s immortals and gods showed shocked expressions, while the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother immediately stood up, about to go forward to welcome him.

But Lord Lao flicked his whisk, the blue ox took two steps, and Lord Lao’s figure had already appeared in the immortal banquet.

Lord Lao looked at Li Changshou and raised his left hand.

The reaction time left for Li Changshou was less than an instant, but Li Changshou seized this opportunity!

He quickly stepped forward, supported Lord Lao’s arm, and helped Lord Lao down from the ox’s back!

“Changshou,” Lord Lao spoke softly.

“Disciple is here!”

Lord Lao said: “Tie the ox outside, don’t be discourteous before His Majesty.”

“Yes!”

Li Changshou responded and led the ox away, now walking as swiftly as flying.

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother came forward to bow and invited Lord Lao to be seated, quickly adding a meditation cushion beside the throne, positioned slightly behind the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother’s thrones.

Lord Lao didn’t say much, made a Daoist salute to the Jade Emperor, and went to sit cross-legged on the cushion.

Those six Western Teaching sage disciples now kept their mouths shut, each lowering their heads not daring to look at Lord Lao even once.

The Four Sea Dragon Kings each addressed Lord Lao, all immortals, and gods bowed together, and Zhao Gongming also came forward to pay respects, only calling him Lord Lao, not daring to call him Senior Uncle Master.

Outside the immortal banquet, Li Changshou accompanied the blue ox to a large rock and nimbly took out an immortal rope, tying it to the ox’s nose ring.

The blue ox weakly spoke in human language:

“Senior Brother Changshou… you don’t need to… tie it.”