“Ling’e, from now on, our sect’s entrance is no longer safe…”

In the early morning, atop white clouds drifting toward the back mountain, Ling’e gazed at the eastern sky’s dawn in a slight daze. Senior Brother’s words from last night still echoed in her ears, leaving her unable to find peace.

Senior Brother had said:

“The situation in the primordial world has become unpredictable. The possibility of exposing our base grows greater by the day. Some powerhouses we cannot oppose care nothing for face. If I continue staying here, it might implicate the entire Du Xian Sect.

Fortunately, Brother anticipated this situation a hundred years ago and formulated this plan.

I will lift Small Jade Peak and fly it from Du Xian Sect to near the Tusita Palace in Heaven.

This plan will take approximately ten years. I call it…

The Small Jade Peak Wandering Project!”

Though Ling’e had wanted to criticize this at the time, when Senior Brother spoke these words, his eyes shone with light, his whole being radiating seriousness, steadiness, and determination, which left her mesmerized…

She had nodded in agreement without thinking, even feeling that Senior Brother’s words made perfect sense.

Recalling this, Ling’e couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh, thinking to herself:

“I’m probably beyond saving.”

According to Senior Brother’s plan, moving to Small Jade Peak would take five steps.

The first step, which Ling’e was currently undertaking, was to record detailed images of Small Jade Peak’s various terrains using recording orbs and to thoroughly catalog all the forests, spiritual objects, and other features.

The second step would be Li Changshou selecting a small mountain similar to Small Jade Peak, reshaping it to match Small Jade Peak’s form, transplanting the soil and grass, creating spirit lakes, replicating buildings, and completing a thorough disguise.

The third step involved requesting permission from the Sect Master to build a grand formation around Small Jade Peak to block external detection.

The fourth step: Switch heaven and earth, replace the real with the fake!

The fifth step: Move the real Small Jade Peak to Heaven, leave the fake Small Jade Peak at the sect entrance, and Li Changshou would station a paper clone here to guard it.

Actually, after seeing Senior Brother’s detailed plans, Ling’e had asked a soul-searching question:

“But Senior Brother, why can’t we just switch to a different mountain? Do we have to move our entire home when relocating?”

Li Changshou sighed then and answered…

“Junior Sister, do you know how much effort your Brother has invested in this Small Jade Peak?

Currently, eight-tenths of the mountain’s engineering is complete, with 672 formation bases embedded within.

The core contains several major formations: thirty-six Heavenly Stem killing formations, one hundred and eight Minor Celestial Cycle trapping formations, and three hundred and sixty-five Major Celestial Cycle defensive formations.

Different combinations of formation bases can transform into over a hundred different formations. At the mountain’s core formation eye, I’ve placed a set of Five Elements Spirit Zhenzhus comparable to Primordial Spiritual Treasures.

And these are just the formations…

Abandoning Small Jade Peak would be like abandoning what I bl… ahem, acquired from the Dragon Clan.

In short, Small Jade Peak represents our entire fortune and will be our future sanctuary and cave dwelling.

In the coming decade, I will continue adding formations, completing Small Jade Peak’s initial refinement…”

So this was what Senior Brother had been up to behind her back!

Formations…

Ling’e looked down at the quiet forest below, trying to probe the mountain’s interior with her divine consciousness. At first, she found nothing, her divine sense passing straight through.

After careful and repeated searching, she finally discovered one small formation base hidden within the rock patterns.

‘Could it be that Senior Brother has many formidable enemies?’

Ling’e patted her forehead, clenched her small hand, and made a resolution.

She absolutely couldn’t become Senior Brother’s burden. She must do well in these tasks within her ability, definitely becoming Senior Brother’s help… er…

Speaking of help, Ling’e recalled another major matter Senior Brother had mentioned last night.

Fairy Yunxiao!

A Primordial Being, a disciple of a Sage, Ancient Power, beautiful and charming, gentle and virtuous…

What could be done about this?

She was no match!

Ling’e’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she sighed from time to time. Though she had already reached the forest edge where she needed to begin surveying, she had forgotten to descend from the clouds.

“Hmph!”

This matter required careful consideration.

…

The Peach Banquet lasted for three days.

Though this was quite short compared to Dragon Palace banquets that typically lasted months at a minimum, this Peach Banquet had accomplished its intended purposes. The spirit peaches had been given to various immortals to taste, and there was no point in extending it further.

Three days ago, when the Dragon Clan arrived, they had positioned themselves as guests.

Three days later, when the Dragon Clan departed, they referred to themselves as subjects, performing their courtesies naturally and smoothly, without any psychological barriers.

When it comes to rapid acceptance of fate, look no further than the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas!

As the Peach Banquet concluded and various immortals dispersed, the Jade Emperor returned to the Lingxiao Palace. Li Changshou took this opportunity to bring Zhao Gongming to the Old Man of the Moon’s Marriage Palace.

At this time, Zhao Gongming’s free movement in Heaven was permitted by the Jade Emperor’s tacit approval.

Truthfully, no one would dare stop him even without permission…

Passing through clouds and mists, traversing the cloud seas up and down, the Old Man of the Moon’s residence came into view in the distance.

Li Changshou smiled and said, “Elder Brother, look, that’s the Marriage Palace.

The Old Man of the Moon has already returned to wait for us, we can go straight in to find him.”

“Alright!”

Zhao Gongming pulled out a jar of fruit wine from his sleeve, properly holding it in his hand, and flew alongside Li Changshou on a cloud to the Marriage Palace.

The Old Man of the Moon, wearing an auspicious red robe, hurriedly came to welcome them with two boy servants. After exchanging pleasantries at the palace entrance, he led the two distinguished guests into a side hall.

Host and guests took their seats as the boy servants served tea.

Zhao Gongming presented his gift, then hesitated for a moment. Wanting to speak but feeling his face burn with embarrassment, he simply gave Li Changshou a meaningful look.

“Ahem!”

Li Changshou’s paper clone of an old immortal cleared his throat and smiled:

“Elder Brother Gongming has come today to seek guidance from the Old Man of the Moon. You manage marriage fate and deal with relationships daily.

In the Three Realms, surely no one understands matters of marriage fate better than you.”

The Old Man of the Moon: …

He was just a Pure Yang Celestial Immortal of several tens of thousands of years placed by the Jade Emperor to guard the Marriage Palace! What did he know about the romance between men and women?

However, though the Old Man of the Moon wanted to protest internally, he maintained a composed appearance and smiled:

“I only know a little bit, just a little.”

Zhao Gongming’s eyes immediately lit up, feeling in his heart that the Old Man of the Moon had become more reliable.

Li Changshou continued: “Today’s matter must not be mentioned to others.”

“I understand the protocols of Friend Gongming and Water God.”

The Old Man of the Moon smiled calmly, raised his left hand, and declared in a strong voice:

“With Heaven’s Dao as a witness, this minor deity now makes a Great Dao oath…”

Only then did Zhao Gongming put his worried heart back in his belly. Though he had a slight feeling of ‘reputation damage’, he did feel more at ease.

After the Old Man of the Moon completed his oath, Li Changshou spoke on Zhao Gongming’s behalf about his troubles.

This and that, that and this.

The Old Man of the Moon smiled upon hearing it…

“So it’s like this. Golden Light Holy Mother has reached the stage of passionate waves toward Friend Gongming, but Friend Gongming only holds favorable feelings toward Golden Light Holy Mother.”

The Old Man of the Moon secretly glanced at the jade token in his sleeve with his divine sense, afraid of saying these stages incorrectly.

Then, the Old Man of the Moon slowly said:

“This is a disparity in emotional dao cultivation, very common in relationship fates. In our Marriage Palace’s custom, we call it ’emotional strength-weakness variation’.

Of course, simply put, it’s one-sided love, where one party has no attachment.”

Elder Zhao couldn’t help but slowly nod.

Though somewhat confused and impressed without fully understanding, it certainly seemed to make sense.

At this point, the Old Man of the Moon recited the words recorded on the jade token one by one.

Zhao Gongming listened from the side, his eyes gradually brightening. When Li Changshou tried to speak, Zhao Gongming pressed him down, telling him not to interrupt for now.

That jade token had been delivered to the Old Man of the Moon by a boy servant when he returned to the Marriage Palace, saying it was brought by an unfamiliar heavenly general yesterday.

The Old Man of the Moon had taken a brief look and knew these were ‘answers’ prepared by the Water God.

After just over ten sentences from the Old Man of the Moon, Zhao Gongming appeared to have an epiphany.

“According to the Old Man’s meaning, I should face Junior Sister Golden Light directly and have an open and honest discussion with her?”

“Correct, this is the most basic solution,” the Old Man of the Moon said solemnly. “Merely avoiding won’t solve the problem, and cutting it off completely might cause you to miss your destined marriage fate.”

“Ha,” Zhao Gongming smiled, “My path is not lonely with Changgeng!

Why seek any marriage fate?”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but have several black lines appear on his forehead…

The Old Man of the Moon hurriedly said: “Friend must not think this way. Good friends and confidants are one matter, partners and spouses are another.

As the saying goes, lone yin cannot birth, lone yang cannot grow. The harmony of yin and yang is also a great dao.

Friend is a Primordial Being, originally without matters of procreation, naturally different from Later Heaven beings born with the need for partners.

But beings, regardless of primordial or later heaven, all have voids in their dao hearts. A friend was born male from primordial birth, this also destined that your fate would encounter such a fine woman.”

Li Changshou on the side immediately smiled with squinting eyes.

This section was purely the Old Man of the Moon’s improvisation, and quite skillfully done.

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard in contemplation and asked: “Then, should I try… getting to know Sister Golden Light?”

Li Changshou said: “This is something for Elder Brother to consider yourself. Others can’t intervene.”

“But what should I do?”

Zhao Gongming couldn’t help but stand up and pace a few steps, sighing: “You don’t understand. Every time I try to speak with Junior Sister Golden Light, she looks at me with those eager eyes.

Ah, I truly don’t have such intentions, but I can’t bear to hurt her spirit, and I can’t speak harsh words.”

Li Changshou and the Old Man of the Moon exchanged glances, asking: “Old Man, do you have Golden Light Holy Mother’s marriage clay figure here?”

“Well,” the Old Man of the Moon stroked his beard in contemplation, “Primordial Beings don’t enter the Marriage Palace, and I don’t know Golden Light Holy Mother’s background. However, Friend Gongming has no clay figure here, so this relationship isn’t under my jurisdiction.”

Zhao Gongming immediately became worried, “How can this matter be resolved perfectly?”

“Why not write a letter?” Li Changshou smiled and suggested. “Elder Brother, you can write what you want to say in a letter, then have someone deliver it.

This way you can carefully consider your words, avoid facing her directly, and allow her to calm down and think carefully.”

“Write a letter?”

Zhao Gongming blinked, then slapped his thigh in approval:

“Little Brother, you always have the best ideas!

Come, let’s go to your Sea God Temple right now and figure out how to write this letter!”

At once, Zhao Gongming pulled Li Changshou along, hastily bid farewell to the Old Man of the Moon, and headed for the Marriage Palace’s main gate.

Just before leaving, Zhao Gongming suddenly asked: “Little Brother, your marriage fate should be recorded here. Since we’re already here, why not let Elder Brother take a look?”

Li Changshou quickly transmitted: “Elder Brother has forgotten again, my various titles cannot be mixed up.”

“That’s true,” Zhao Gongming didn’t insist and flew with Li Changshou toward the South Heaven Gate.

In that instant just now, Li Changshou had broken out in a cold sweat…

While heading to the South Heaven Gate, Li Changshou deliberately slowed their cloud speed and smilingly asked about his purpose in inviting Zhao Gongming to tour Heaven.

“Elder Brother, what do you think of Heaven?”

Zhao Gongming nodded and praised: “Spirit qi is abundant, the Great Dao leaves traces, calling it a cultivation holy land wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”

But Zhao Gongming’s tone changed as he shook his head: “It’s just a pity that Heaven’s Dao force is too thick, always making one feel somewhat uncomfortable and awkward, as if every word and action is under Heaven’s Dao supervision, quite disagreeable.”

Li Changshou smiled: “Heaven’s Dao is fair and impartial, what harm is there in supervision?”

“Perhaps we’re too used to being free and unfettered,” Zhao Gongming looked at this still somewhat desolate Heaven, with clouds and auroras steaming everywhere, extraordinary mountains, and beautiful scenes all around.

Zhao Gongming clasped his hands behind his back and smiled, saying: “I don’t desire Heaven’s merits, so I’m unwilling to be under Heaven’s management, much less wish for any ruler-subject relationship.

What is cultivation for?

First immortality, then freedom, seeking to be unrestrained, wanting thoughts to be unimpeded. Otherwise, how can one seek transcendence, and how can one find one’s true self?”

Li Changshou praised: “Elder Brother’s words are thought-provoking.”

By now the South Heaven Gate was in sight, and Zhao Gongming suddenly chuckled, that expert’s aura instantly vanishing without a trace.

“Come, let’s go to your Sea God Temple to write that letter first!”

“Elder Brother can go directly, this clone still has business in Heaven. There’s already a clone waiting for Elder Brother there.”

“You and your clones here and there,” Zhao Gongming laughed and scolded, “One day I must catch your true body and drink with you for three days and three nights!

Oh right, if not for my Second Sister appearing, your true body would also rarely show itself.

Ah, what brotherhood and friendship, still not as good as a beautiful confidante!”

Li Changshou’s old face reddened as he looked at Zhao Gongming with a bitter smile.

Zhao Gongming let out several hearty laughs, then rode his cloud straight out of the South Heaven Gate. The gate-guarding Heavenly Generals had already received word and pretended not to see this Severing Sect’s power.

Watching Zhao Gongming leave the gate, a trace of helplessness flashed across Li Changshou’s eyes.

‘Golden Light Holy Mother, Ten Heavenly Lords…’

This was also one of the threads leading to the Investiture of the Gods catastrophe. Li Changshou didn’t know whether he should forcefully intervene or let things take their course.

To be safe, if he wanted to calculate the Investiture catastrophe, he needed to plan from the perspective of ‘not knowing about the Investiture catastrophe.’ Only then could he avoid drawing Heaven’s punishment.

The highest realm of calculation was doing little, yet allowing everything one wanted to happen to occur naturally.

And Li Changshou suspected this was the true meaning behind Supreme Clarity Lord’s four words of ‘following nature’s course’…

“Sea God! Oh no, Water God! What a surprise to meet you here, hahaha!”

A familiar voice came from afar. Li Changshou turned to look and saw Hua Ritian approaching on a cloud.

“Marshal Hua,” Li Changshou cupped his hands in greeting. They exchanged courtesies and, with tacit understanding, flew together toward the Sea God Palace, where they were currently changing the signboard.

Before they could exchange many words, Hua Ritian burst into laughter, his mood extremely pleasant, his emotions quite turbulent.

Li Changshou slowly rode his cloud, waiting for His Majesty the Jade Emperor to finish laughing…

After all, his true body couldn’t be so unrestrained, he could only make a clone to release some emotions.

Hua Ritian transmitted: “Changgeng, now that the Dragon Clan matter is initially settled, my heart is greatly comforted. Do you have any rewards you desire?

If you have any requests, just speak up!”

Li Changshou’s thoughts stirred, and he said: “Your Majesty, this minor deity does indeed have a request today, wanting a small plot of land in Heaven.”

Hua Ritian smiled: “This is a small matter, not enough for a reward. Your mansion can be expanded ten or hundred fold without issue.”

Li Changshou explained: “Your Majesty, this minor deity wants a small plot of land next to the Tusita Palace, to move my mansion there, closer to the Old Lord.”

“Tusita Palace?”

Hua Ritian immediately showed a serious expression, thought briefly, and then smiled: “Such matters, beloved official, you can decide for yourself. As long as the Old Lord doesn’t drive you away, you can reside anywhere in Heaven.”

Li Changshou immediately transmitted his thanks. This permission from the Jade Emperor was exactly what he wanted.

In the future, Small Jade Peak naturally wouldn’t appear directly in Heaven; a few small disguises were necessary.

For completing Step Five of the ‘Small Jade Peak Wandering Project’, Li Changshou had several different solutions;

The optimal solution still lacked one divine ability and one formation. He would need to seek the Great Master’s help later.

“By the way, Changgeng,” Hua Ritian smiled and asked, “That matter of Lu Ya, do you have any clues?”

Li Changshou said seriously: “Your Majesty, this minor deity only knows that this Lu Ya is hiding in the Golden Crow Palace on the Sun Star.”

“Oh?”

Hua Ritian looked toward the sun at the horizon, golden light flashing across his eyes. “Changgeng, why don’t you lead some troops to surround that Golden Crow Palace, while I strike secretly to eliminate this remnant of the Demon Court?”

Li Changshou hurriedly said: “This minor deity fears he cannot lead troops there.”

Hua Ritian smiled gently, “That’s right, I almost forgot your clones are made of paper and can’t go near the fire.”

“Moreover, Your Majesty, this little Golden Crow has the Holy Mother’s protection behind him, and it was the Holy Mother who concealed his heavenly fate. This was personally calculated by the Great Master.”

Hua Ritian’s eyes narrowed, his expression becoming somewhat grave.

“If that’s the case, it is somewhat troublesome.”

Li Changshou was slightly distracted, using his divine sense through a paper clone hidden in some mountain forest at the border of East Victory Divine Continent and South Jambu Continent, to look at the demon couple currently offering incense to ‘Daoist Lu Ya’s spirit tablet…

Hmm, who knows how Friend Lu Ya’s situation is right now?