‘What… realm is this?’

Ling’e’s consciousness returned from enlightenment as she carefully sensed the many changes in her Primordial Spirit and Dao body.

Self-examination and internal observation were the first essential tasks any professional cultivator must do after emerging from seclusion.

Ling’e observed within herself:

A clear and light heart platform, immortal power flowing like mountain springs, peaceful and inactive yet carrying a touch of playful Dao rhythm…

The small Primordial Spirit figure wearing a small immortal dress sat meditating seriously, the connections between all parts of her immortal body and Primordial Spirit were extremely tight, this Dao body had already reached the level of [Pure and Flawless, Ethereal and Light].

Heavenly Immortal realm!

Ling’e’s mental state rippled slightly – she had reached the Heavenly Immortal realm!

This!

Well, there was nothing too surprising about it, after all, Senior Brother had guided her all the way, and this should all have been within Senior Brother’s arrangements.

Thinking of this, Ling’e felt somewhat resentful.

Always having the feeling that her whole life had been arranged by Senior Brother…

A True Immortal’s lifespan was no more than a ‘hui’, while a Heavenly Immortal’s lifespan could last one ‘yuan’.

—In the primordial world, yuan-hui had two concepts under Heaven’s Way’s laws: one yuan was 129,600 years, divided into twelve hui, with one hui being 10,800 years.

Logically, one yuan-hui should be the length of ‘yuan multiplied by hui’, but in most cases, when mentioning yuan-hui, it refers to the scale of ‘yuan’.

In other words, even if she could never break through again in the future, she could still stay by Senior Brother’s side for 129,600 years.

‘With such a long time, I wonder if Senior Brother will get tired of me.’

Ling’e muttered inwardly, her Primordial Spirit’s small figure also showing some worry.

Her immortal awareness slowly swept across, revealing the entire immortal sect’s situation in her mind sea.

With a slight movement of thought, the ripples created on the water’s surface by spirit fish gently swishing their tails in the lake seemed to ripple through her mind sea as well.

Penetrating, clear, gentle, comfortable…

Like a light feather floating in heaven and earth, like a butterfly wandering among flowers.

Her body felt incredibly light and nimble, as if about to fly up with the spiritual qi around her.

Ling’e’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, those eyes slowly opened, spirit light like stardust scattered from her eye corners, clear eye waves gently rippling…

She found herself floating three feet above the ground, so she slowly descended, her soft dress hem falling gently, black hair scattered and swaying slightly.

Opening her arms and looking down at herself, she felt she had changed a lot, yet also seemed unchanged;

Her gaze inadvertently glimpsed her fingertips, discovering her immortal body’s skin was as white and translucent as condensed jade, fingers gently pinching each other, still maintaining such smoothness.

“Wow…”

Ling’e softly exclaimed in appreciation, immediately unable to let go, poking and pinching herself, her cheeks becoming rosy red.

Her immortal awareness caught her Senior Brother’s figure in the grass hut next door, and immediately felt joy.

Was Senior Brother keeping watch over her seclusion?

Uh, no, it seemed to be an inactive paper avatar.

“Hmph,” Ling’e puffed her cheeks but then thought her Senior Brother must be busy with something.

She could only be generous once more and continue to forgive him.

Just then, she finally noticed the peaches placed on the table, and the note placed beside the bed.

Ling’e was about to draw the note to her hand when she thought of something.

[Something’s suspicious]

Ling’e’s eyes narrowed slightly as she took out a paper person from her sleeve and tossed it out, then retreated to beside the door, letting the paper person carefully open the note.

Li Changshou, who was currently multitasking while toasting with East Wood Lord to the Four Seas Dragon Kings, silently observed Ling’e’s actions.

Look how scared this child has become…

These many years have been quite hard, so in the future, towards her, he should just…

Be even stricter.

After all, her power increased too quickly, while her mental maturity was still lacking.

Soon, after Ling’e finished reading the note’s contents, she couldn’t help but look toward those three peaches…

Heavenly Peaches? Eating them would increase cultivation, improve immortal foundation, whiten skin, and gather spiritual qi.

Heh, she didn’t believe it.

Controlling the paper person to slowly approach, Ling’e also threw out a dagger, letting the paper person catch it, ready to poke those peaches a few times.

Li Changshou’s somewhat helpless voice timely rang out…

“This time it isn’t any test, you should first eat a peach and continue cultivating, I’ll come to find you in three hours, there are some things I need to formally discuss with you.”

Senior Brother?

For-formally…

Ling’e blinked, her pretty face carrying a slight blush, her bare feet lightly tapping as she floated to the table, took a peach and gently bit a small mouthful, yet couldn’t taste any flavor.

What formal matters?

Could- could it be…

[Ling’e, you’re already a mature junior sister, tonight Senior Brother will discuss with you some things that should be done between senior-junior-type Dao companions.]

This!

With a “poof” sound, Ling’e hugging the peach had bright red cheeks, wisps of white smoke rising from her head, her whole person dizzy and confused, her eyes spinning with peach-shaped hearts…

Li Changshou’s gaze swept over this scene, and he couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Sure enough, he hadn’t guessed wrong, the amount of steam was indeed much greater.

The mental scene shifting, Li Changshou’s attention returned to the Jade Pool in the Heavenly Court.

At the Peach Banquet, songs and dances brought good fortune.

Several Dragon Ladies of the Dragon Clan came forward to offer dances, and several Heavenly Generals and Dragon Princes competed in magical arts, everything peaceful and harmonious.

However, only those six Daoist elders from the Western Religion sat as if on pins and needles, though peaches were placed before them now, they all cared about faces and sat straight-faced without touching them.

But from this point, Li Changshou felt these six Daoist elders were at least a bit more lovable than their Second Patriarch.

The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord was now nowhere to be seen.

What shocked Li Changshou most was that no one knew when the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord had left.

It was only when Brother Zhao reminded Li Changshou and he looked toward the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord’s seat that he discovered there was no figure there.

Hearing thunder in silence, the truth was revealed in detail.

This was truly a transcendent existence.

However, the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord was only an avatar of the Sage Lord, truly unknown were the divine abilities and skills of the Sage Lord, how mysterious they must be.

With the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord gone, Zhao Gongming immediately relaxed much more, becoming loose and casual again, his sitting posture somewhat casual.

Zhao Gongming muttered: “Changgeng, shall we go pay respects to the Old Man of the Moon? To avoid seeming distant when visiting the Marriage Palace later.”

“Good,” Li Changshou smiled in agreement, taking their wine cups together with Zhao Gongming, circling halfway around the back to reach the corner where the Old Man of the Moon was seated.

The Old Man of the Moon hurriedly stood up, his old face wearing a gentle smile, and at Li Changshou’s reminder, did not bow to Zhao Gongming.

Zhao Gongming laughed warmly, also being completely amiable, saying softly: “Old Man of the Moon, this Daoist pays respects.”

The Old Man of the Moon cupped his hands and said: “Fellow Daoist, this minor god also pays respects.”

At that, Zhao Gongming offered a cup of wine and then returned to their seats with Li Changshou.

As they left, Li Changshou gave the Old Man of the Moon a meaningful look, transmitting a reminder: “After the Peach Banquet, I will accompany Brother Gongming to visit the Marriage Palace, having a favor to ask.”

The Old Man of the Moon’s heart trembled, “Wh-what matter? Primordial beings, this minor god has no authority over them, not even clay figures.”

“Don’t worry,” Li Changshou smiled, “these are matters the Old Man of the Moon will certainly understand.”

Li Changshou’s eyes carried a slightly deeper meaning, and the Old Man of the Moon quickly grasped the high official’s guiding spirit.

This matter, even if he didn’t understand it, he must understand it!

Thus, throughout the entire Peach Banquet, the Old Man of the Moon sat with furrowed brows, continuously pondering what exactly would happen…

The Severance Sect’s outer disciple, an ordinary high official of the Heavenly Court, the Marriage Palace…

How did these things come together?

The red-robed Old Man of the Moon gradually became entangled in confusion.

This Peach Banquet was originally for receiving the dragons.

Now the Dragon Clan had successfully submitted, and though the Four Seas Dragon Palaces still had various issues, the great righteousness had been established, and the Heavenly Court could naturally provide aid to the Dragon Clan afterward.

But this wasn’t just a one-time deal. Li Changshou had received so much merit, and would actively shoulder the ‘after-sales work.’

At the Peach Banquet, while others were eating peaches, Li Changshou laid out a piece of silk cloth and began writing a memorial.

This too was a calculation.

In this matter, Li Changshou had already received the Jade Emperor’s permission. Writing a memorial here wasn’t to highlight how hardworking he was, but purely to show it to the Dragon Clan and Western Religion.

Incidentally, it would tell his bros the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas that if they wanted to submit memorials in the future, they should use this standard format…

The first item of the memorial:

Suggesting the Heavenly Court station troops in the North Sea, which was weakest and had the most demons, outside the miasma of the Northern Continent, which could also serve as the Heavenly Court’s training ground.

The North Sea Dragon King immediately beamed with joy.

The second item was also favorable to the Dragon Clan, namely that the Heavenly River Army would be stationed at the edge of the Heavenly River, able to respond most quickly to Dragon Palace calls for aid if the Four Seas Dragon Palaces encountered unusual situations.

The South Sea, North Sea, and East Sea Dragon Kings all beamed with joy together.

The third item stated that the Heavenly Court should constrain the Dragon Clan with heavenly laws, not overlooking the laws due to the Dragon Clan’s deep foundation. When encountering evil dragons, they should be severely punished as a warning to others. The Heavenly Court should establish a dragon execution platform, balancing kindness and authority.

The Western Sea Dragon King’s face immediately became like a bitter gourd as he lowered his head and sighed.

After writing this memorial, Li Changshou put it away, waiting to submit it after the Peach Banquet…

The Dragon Clan matter was largely settled.

Only now did Li Changshou feel slightly relaxed, after all, regarding future Dragon Clan matters, he wouldn’t have to worry alone anymore, as the Jade Emperor could directly intervene.

Later he would need to turn “The Dragon Clan’s Submission to the Heavenly Court” into some ballads and stories to spread throughout the primordial world, enhancing the Heavenly Court’s discourse power and presence.

His paper avatar sat there, quietly waiting for the Peach Banquet to end.

From time to time, Heavenly Court immortals, gods, and Dragon Clan elders would come to toast him, and Li Changshou always responded with smiles, showing no airs.

When the appointed time with Ling’e arrived, just as Li Changshou was about to return his consciousness to Small Jade Peak, Ao Yi left his seat.

What was this fellow going to do?

Li Changshou sent a request for eye contact, but Ao Yi was only focused on quietly discussing with the East Sea Dragon King and didn’t notice.

Ao Yi first quietly discussed for a few sentences beside the East Sea Dragon King, receiving the Dragon King’s nodding approval, before quickly stepping before the Jade Emperor’s throne, lifting his battle skirt hem, and kneeling on one knee.

“This minor god reports to Your Majesty!”

The white-robed Jade Emperor, who had been smiling while appreciating the songs and dances, raised his hand in virtual support and smiled, “Whatever matter you wish to report, you may. Rise and speak, Ao Yi.”

“Yes!”

Ao Yi stood up and proclaimed loudly: “This minor god wishes to follow behind the Heavenly Court’s Water God, and requests to leave the ranks of Sea God’s divine authority!”

The Jade Emperor smiled and said: “Granted. Where is Wood Lord?”

East Wood Lord stood up and bowed, “This old minister is here!”

“Promote Ao Yi’s divine position by one rank, with specific duties to be determined by you and Beloved Official Changgeng.”

“This old minister obeys!”

Ao Yi relaxed slightly, turned his head to give Li Changshou a somewhat shy smile, lowered his head in a Daoist salute, then turned and ran back to his previous seat.

Li Changshou smiled and shook his head – this Second Patriarch of his was quite thoughtful.

…

Late at night, Li Changshou came from the pill room, his figure landing by the lake, quietly standing with hands behind his back.

There was no help for it, Ling’e had started playing out some “being accidentally encountered by Senior Brother while bathing” scenarios again.

Only after Ling’e discovered her scheme ineffective and quickly tidied herself up and removed the barriers around the grass hut did Li Changshou turn and walk over, corners of his mouth carrying a faint smile.

“Senior Brother!”

Ling’e came out to welcome him, calling out crisply.

Li Changshou looked up and smiled, “Which little immortal lady is this?”

She wore a thin gauze dress in gosling yellow, her jade-like skin appearing even more delicately beautiful under the precious pearl’s illumination.

Being addressed thus by Li Changshou, Ling’e’s cheeks were also dyed with an intoxicating blush. She lightly bit her thin lip, her delicate hands folded in front of her as she stepped aside from the doorway, lowering her phoenix head, eyes flowing with glances, showing an enchanting smile.

“Bad Senior Brother, you finally deign to look at me…”

Li Changshou calmly said: “The Scripture of Stability.”

“Hmph, I’ll copy it!”

Entering the grass hut, Li Changshou sat down casually in the chair reserved for Senior Brother, picking up the tea Ling’e had prepared earlier.

“Come sit over here, I have two matters to discuss with you today.”

Discuss?

Ling’e blinked and muttered softly: “Senior Brother, if you have matters can’t you just instruct me?”

“These two matters are rather complex,” Li Changshou thought for a moment, then took out that jade hairpin from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Ling’e, “First keep this close to you.”

Ling’e’s eyes immediately lit up as she snatched it over with a grin.

“This isn’t from me,” Li Changshou calmly said, “It’s from a female immortal who currently has quite a deep relationship with me, asking me to pass it to you.”

Crack crack crash!

Behind Ling’e seemed to appear dozens of lightning bolts, mournful erhu music immediately sounding around them.

Why, she was the first…

Just this period of seclusion after passing tribulation, and Senior Brother already had a deeply connected female immortal, sending her a jade hairpin to declare ownership of Senior Brother!

Why!

“Have you heard of the Three Pure Ones of the Severance Sect?”

“I’ve heard,” Ling’e hung her head dejectedly, on the verge of tears, “The Three Pure Ones of the Severance Sect, Primordial beings, among the numbered powerful beings in heaven and earth, they’re recorded in the classics Senior Brother gave me.”

“Mm, the one who sent you the hairpin is Immortal Lady Yunxiao, the eldest sister among the Three Pure Ones, the outer head disciple of the Severance Sect.”

Ling’e was suddenly stunned, her small eyes first losing focus, then suddenly showing shock.

“Senior Brother, you’ve gotten Immortal Lady Yunxiao!?”

“Three thousand copies of the Scripture of Stability,” Li Changshou couldn’t help but retort, “What do you mean ‘gotten’!

The course of this matter is very complex to explain, you can understand it as, Immortal Lady Yunxiao and I initially had some social interaction, but various powerful beings continuously helped on the side, making Immortal Lady Yunxiao, who didn’t quite understand matters of Dao companions, develop some good feelings toward me.

These powerful beings who sent assistance include the Grand Magus Xuandu of the Human Teaching, Dao Man Duobao of the Severance Sect, a certain wise and valiant, unrestrained by trifles Patriarch of the Severance Sect…”

Ling’e opened her small mouth, then raised her hand to support her forehead, her whole person dizzy and confused, not knowing where she was.

“Senior Brother, if you’d just eaten two peanuts… Ouch!”

She held her forehead that had been knocked and smiled bitterly in various ways, complaining: “Senior Brother, suddenly saying these things, how can I believe it?”

“Where is that pill I gave you before?”

Ling’e’s delicate hand flipped over, immediately taking out that pill, her cheeks red as she said:

“Here! Though, I’ve eaten… although wrapped in immortal power…”

“Carefully sense the Dao rhythm of this pill.”

“Oh,” Ling’e followed his words and began quietly comprehending, soon furrowing her delicate brows.

Li Changshou calmly said: “You’re now in the Heavenly Immortal realm and should be able to recognize this pill’s extraordinariness. This is the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill, refined by the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, gifted by Grand Magus Xuandu.”

Ling’e’s eyes flashed as she bit her lip and muttered: “Senior Brother, such a precious thing, why didn’t you keep it for yourself to use for the Golden Immortal tribulation.”

“The Golden Immortal tribulation was passed long ago.”

Ling’e: …

Li Changshou slowly sighed and said:

“Currently you and Master are still the people I trust most. Though your mental maturity is far from enough, Master’s title is was- ahem!

As they say, raise a junior sister for a hundred years, use her for a moment. Though I have the paper avatar method, sometimes I also feel unable to attend to both internal and external matters, needing you to step up and help me handle some sect internal affairs.

Today, I’ll tell you some matters about my external affairs. Though I can’t tell you completely, I will follow your suggestions.

If you feel you don’t want to bear these responsibilities, I can erase your memories of tonight, and tomorrow will treat you as usual.”

“I’ll bear it!”

Ling’e hurriedly said, “Senior Brother, I’ll bear it, you can use me for anything!”

Li Changshou: …

“Look here first.”

Li Changshou took out a scroll from his bosom and spread it out, revealing a portrait of Immortal Lady Yunxiao within, with lines of small characters noted beside it.

“These are Immortal Lady Yunxiao’s basic situation and her ‘views on Dao companions,’ you should understand this first, to avoid overthinking.

Then memorize all of these, don’t make any mistakes.”

Afterward, Li Changshou also took out a stack of jade talismans.

The ‘Small Jade Peak Wandering Plan’ was recorded in this stack of jade talismans.