“The wind in Western Kunlun Mountains seems a bit restless today.”

In a secluded valley among the majestic mountains, within a cave-dwelling bearing the placard “Eight Treasures Cloud Light Cave,” an elderly Daoist with refined clothing and a youthful face despite his white hair slowly rose to his feet.

He seemed to sense that something was about to happen.

Yet he couldn’t determine exactly what it was. Divining with his fingers, he only knew it had something to do with his established sect—the Crossing Immortal Gate.

“It seems the time has come again for the sect’s grand ceremony and recruitment of disciples.”

True Immortal Du’e contemplated briefly before deciding to secretly observe the Crossing Immortal Gate.

For this True Immortal, the previous incident where demon puppets attacked the Crossing Immortal Gate, requiring the Grand Master’s intervention, was quite a loss of face.

“We cannot have any more mishaps that would disturb the Grand Master to descend.”

—So thought the elderly Daoist.

The old Daoist hummed a sutra tune while pacing back and forth in his spacious cave dwelling.

He first went to a tidy side chamber.

Opening a wooden cabinet, he selected a gray Daoist robe with silver velvet, then turned to look at the various ceremonial whisks hanging on the adjacent wall.

True Immortal Du’e chose one that matched his robe and held it in his hand;

He then went to the adjacent “Cloud Chamber” and selected a grayish-white cloud to ride upon, floating out of his cave dwelling with grace.

Not every ceremonial whisk could meet True Immortal Du’e’s approval.

Just as not every independent cultivator had the fortune to become even a registered disciple of the Supreme Pure One.

‘Particular,’ indeed.

Unhurried, he rode the cloud eastward, admiring the magnificent landscapes of Central Divine State, soon arriving near the Crossing Immortal Gate.

The Crossing Immortal Gate was bustling with activity, crowds of people gathered outside the mountain gate, while layers of trials awaited within.

True Immortal Du’e nodded while stroking his beard, concealing himself in the clouds, moving about to observe various places, quite satisfied with the grand scene.

Soon after, two elders of the Crossing Immortal Gate flew out from the mountain gate, announcing the start of disciple selection…

“Today’s grand ceremony begins as aspiring disciples enter through the mountain gate, proceeding to the main peak, facing eighteen trials along the way.

Those chosen by the immortals within may decide whether to stay or leave;

Those not chosen but showing exceptional talent may stay as menial disciples, with the sect arranging their cultivation schedules.

Following the Sect Master’s orders, this ceremony adds the Stone of Fate—those testing with long-lasting fate may also enter for cultivation…”

Fate?

True Immortal Du’e raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, finding it somewhat reasonable.

At present, this True Immortal continued hiding in the clouds, easily seeing through the sect’s mountain-protecting formation, clearly observing everything that would transpire.

None of the three apparent Golden Immortals within the sect noticed this scene.

However…

‘True Immortal Du’e came?’

Li Changshou stood by Lake Qiong Peak with his hands behind his back, contemplating carefully.

He had originally planned to use fate as a hook, having the Sect Master accept Li Jing on behalf of his master; but now it seemed his many arrangements might be unnecessary.

Better safe than sorry.

And True Immortal Du’e’s appearance further confirmed that this Li Jing was indeed that Li Jing!

After brief consideration, Li Changshou returned to his thatched cottage.

The fate-measuring artifact had already been handed to the Sect Master, and for safety’s sake, Li Changshou had made two backup arrangements.

First, he had indicated to the Sect Master that among this batch of disciples, one possessed a remarkably powerful fate.

—Of course, this was done in the Grand Master’s name.

Second, Li Changshou would closely monitor young Li Jing’s entry into the sect;

If Li Jing’s fate proved insufficient, Li Changshou would manipulate the “backup measures” he had left on the fate-measuring artifact.

Li Jing, currently mixed among the youths and children, had no idea what awaited him ahead…

Thus, half a day later;

Before Breaking Sky Peak, a deep purple light shot skyward.

True Immortal Du’e, who had intended to leave, was startled in the clouds, while the various elders gathered in the Crossing Immortal Hall rushed out.

Even Sect Master Ji Wuyou, who had received Li Changshou’s instructions beforehand, was shaken by this force of fate. He coughed a few times behind his elbow before riding a cloud to the fate-measuring stone…

In the blink of an eye, the somewhat awkward young Li Jing was surrounded by various figures…

Li Changshou, in his thatched cottage, gave a light chuckle, continuing to keep a strand of immortal consciousness observing Li Jing’s surroundings while focusing most of his attention outside the mountain gate.

An ordinary power broker still had ordinary matters to attend to ordinarily.

The paper avatar he had planted near the Western Sea Dragon Palace observed unusually large movements of immortal dragon soldiers around the palace these past two days.

The Western Teachings should have accumulated considerable anger by now, likely preparing to vent it on the Western Sea Dragon Palace.

The Western Sea Dragon King…

Was in danger.

To facilitate command and unified management, after ascending to Water God status, Li Changshou also upgraded his paper avatars by category, establishing the [Water] paper avatar corps for river and sea affairs.

Thanks to Junior Uncle Jiu’s diligent exploitation of sap from the sect’s old spirit trees these past years, Li Changshou’s paper avatar repository and spirit-explosive paper avatar trump cards had rapidly replenished.

Li Changshou had previously deployed half of his [Water] paper avatars to the Western Sea, preparing for any possible changes.

Based on the Western Slingshot’s style of operation, calculating the Western Teachings’ next move, they would likely fleece this sheep—the Western Sea Dragon Palace—thoroughly.

He might as well do what he could.

However, just as Li Changshou had arranged several paper avatar corps, his divine consciousness heard Little Dragon’s cry…

“Elder Brother Patriarch! Something’s happened!”

‘The Dragon Clan’s reaction is even more timely than mine this time.’

So thinking, Li Changshou extended his divine consciousness through the statue, pulling Ao Yi into a dream state.

When the Sea God Church’s senior and junior patriarchs met, they spoke simultaneously with remarkable synchronization…

Li Changshou said: “The situation around the Western Sea Dragon Palace is worrying, I’ve already discovered traces of many primordial fierce beasts.”

But Ao Yi said: “Junior Uncle Jinguang has brought a group of female immortals from the island to our Sea God Temple in Anshui City!”

After speaking, both were stunned.

“Holy Mother Jinguang?”

“Brother, what’s happening in the Western Sea?”

Li Changshou hurriedly said:

“The Western Sea Dragon Palace shows some anomalies, I suspect the Western Teachings are about to cause trouble. Go notify your father.

I’ll handle matters at the Sea God Temple.

These immortal ladies you mentioned… when they came, were they happy or angry, righteously indignant, or worried?”

“They were… seemingly without much emotion, they were originally consoling Junior Uncle Jinguang, then agreed to come find you together.”

Li Changshou nodded slowly, his heart truly relieved.

Without his urging, Ao Yi had already bowed and hastily departed.

Li Changshou hid his Western Sea paper avatars even deeper, keeping a small portion of consciousness on the Western Sea, while early arranging a Golden Immortal realm paper avatar to wait in the Sea God Temple.

Soon after, two white clouds floated over from the South Sea, carrying seventeen or eighteen beautiful immortal ladies;

Looking carefully, most were familiar faces.

Either seen at the Sea God Ceremony or encountered in the earthen cave.

The leading immortal lady wore a red dress and phoenix crown—she was Holy Mother Huoling, a beloved disciple of Master Duobao.

Beside Holy Mother Huoling was the slightly shorter Holy Mother Jinguang;

Holy Mother Jinguang currently appeared distracted and dejected, her pretty face haggard, even her gold-threaded short skirt having lost some luster.

Li Changshou actively rode out on a cloud to welcome them, making a Daoist salute from afar.

Holy Mother Huoling slightly furrowed her brow, glancing at the mortals watching them from rooftops and streets throughout Anshui City, and said softly:

“Uncle Master, shall we speak in your temple?”

“Very well.”

Li Changshou made a welcoming gesture, leading these immortal ladies into the Sea God Temple.

Thus, the “Sea God’s Romance” spreading through the marketplace rapidly gained dozens of versions…

At this time, Li Changshou hadn’t yet implemented the sixth reform of the Sea God Temple, so mortals didn’t know the Sea God had been replaced by the Dragon King; however, this didn’t affect Li Changshou’s collection of incense fire merit.

In the inner hall, hosts and guests took their seats, the hall was filled with graceful beauties, light and color flowing everywhere.

Li Changshou didn’t exchange pleasantries, saying seriously:

“What important matter brings the immortal ladies from Golden Turtle Island?”

At this, all the immortal ladies seemed hesitant to speak, while Holy Mother Jinguang kept her head lowered in silence.

“Uncle Master,” Holy Mother Huoling hummed briefly, then showed Li Changshou a somewhat forced smile, “We’ve come with a request…”

“Let me speak,” Holy Mother Jinguang spoke up from the side, her voice carrying some weakness.

She raised her head, beautiful eyes flowing with some unease, and said softly: “Did Elder Brother Gongming… come here before?”

Li Changshou: …

After the previous meeting with Immortal Lady Yunxiao on the Eastern Sea shore, his status and influence within the Severing Teachings seemed to have increased significantly.

Although it was of no use…

And he didn’t want more karmic ties.

“He did come,” Li Changshou answered with a smile, “Elder Brother Gongming seemed quite troubled, so to help him relax, I invited him to the Heavenly Palace’s Peach Banquet.”

Holy Mother Jinguang couldn’t help but ask: “Was he deeply troubled?”

Li Changshou suddenly didn’t know how to answer, and at this moment didn’t dare add subjective feelings, only able to reflect objectively.

He said: “Not too deeply…

One could say he had some confusion about ‘where this body should belong,’ and some worry about ‘what in the world wastes time most.'”

Hearing this, Holy Mother Jinguang gave a soft sigh, her eyes carrying a touch of bitterness as she murmured:

“I truly deserve death, adding to Elder Brother Gongming’s troubles.

Had I known, I needn’t have spoken those words, shouldn’t have persisted so stubbornly.”

Several immortal ladies immediately spoke up to comfort her, telling Holy Mother Jinguang not to blame herself, saying perhaps Elder Brother Gongming just couldn’t bring himself to speak directly.

Li Changshou: …

That wasn’t it.

Old Brother Zhao simply doesn’t like your type—the cute style with small round faces!

Watching Holy Mother Jinguang gradually rekindling her “fighting spirit” amid the encouraging voices of the surrounding immortal ladies, Li Changshou felt somewhat helpless.

In such matters, consolation from others was most feared—better a short pain than a long one.

However, Li Changshou wasn’t a Severing Teachings immortal and didn’t dare say much about this matter, only quietly listening from the side…

The great karma of romance—the words he used to teach Ling’e still rang in his ears, he naturally wouldn’t get entangled in it.

When Holy Mother Jinguang’s spirits lifted and light returned to her eyes, she asked softly:

“Elder Brother Changgen…

My heart is truly confused, and I don’t know how to handle myself. You’re closest to Elder Brother Gongming, could you, could you help me see what the meaning is behind the words in this letter.”

Holy Mother Jinguang passed the letter over with immortal power.

Li Changshou coughed and said: “Actually, I was beside Elder Brother Gongming when he wrote this letter.

It’s a long story, but at the time Elder Brother Gongming told me what had happened, troubled that he couldn’t speak to you directly.

That’s why I suggested he write down in a letter what he wanted to say but couldn’t express…”

Holy Mother Jinguang was stunned, murmuring: “So he is annoyed by me.”

“How could that be!”

Holy Mother Huoling stood up, snatched the letter, quickly walked to Li Changshou’s front, and opened it.

“Uncle Master, please look carefully!”

Li Changshou thus read it carefully, his heart full of confusion.

Could there be some problem with the expression?

Between the lines, it was all gentle rejection, just short of stating it directly…

But Holy Mother Huoling pointed with her delicate finger: “Uncle Master, starting from the third line, read the first character of each line together, and you’ll understand the meaning.”

Li Changshou focused intently, murmuring: “Jin, Mei, Mo, Ji, Wu, Xin, Jiu, Yi… This?”

This seemed too far-fetched…

If it were truly an acrostic poem, why not start from the first line?

However, just as Li Changshou was about to object, all the surrounding immortal ladies suddenly stood up, each watching him.

While Holy Mother Jinguang beside him gently pursed her small mouth, her eyes carrying a hint of hope…

Then a thread of voice transmission reached his ear, it was Holy Mother Huoling speaking beside him.

Huoling said:

“Uncle Master, we all know Elder Brother Gongming’s meaning, but Holy Mother Jinguang has suffered in love for long, and we truly don’t wish to see her so dejected.

Even if Elder Brother Gongming could spend half a day with her, it would fulfill her years of dreams.

We’ve always admired your strategic wisdom, and this time we secretly discussed and coaxed her to come to you.

Please help her; we’ll bear any karmic consequences.

If you find it inappropriate, please don’t point it out directly—giving her something to hold onto, letting her gradually forget, would also be good.”

Li Changshou looked up at the tall graceful figure beside him.

Seeing the pleading in Holy Mother Huoling’s eyes, Li Changshou hummed in thought several times, then sighed:

“Now I’m confused too, what exactly does Old Brother Zhao mean?”

Holy Mother Jinguang’s eyes were immediately filled with light.

Holy Mother Huoling couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, but Li Changshou’s voice transmission had already returned…

“First swear an oath—I will give you three brocade pouches later to help you assist Jinguang.

But this matter cannot be leaked in the slightest, nor have any connection to me; all actions must be the result of discussions between you and the immortal ladies.”

Holy Mother Huoling’s mouth twitched.

Calling him “Uncle Master” for so long had had no effect…

This prospective partner of Immortal Lady Yunxiao truly had a troublesome personality.

…

Meanwhile, in the Crossing Immortal Hall of the Crossing Immortal Gate.

Young Li Jing knelt on a meditation cushion, head lowered not daring to look around, many elders seated on both sides, still marveling at this youth’s fate.

Purple qi coming from the east, great fate descending!

Without comparison, there would be no damage.

Sect Master Ji Wuyou had just tested his fate and found that even as a mighty Golden Immortal, it was only light red… allowing the sect’s elders to directly experience this youth’s ‘rarity.’

But this equally showed that fate had no direct connection to one’s cultivation level.

In the side hall, True Immortal Du’e sat in a chair, with Ji Wuyou standing beside him.

At this point, True Immortal Du’e had decided to accept Li Jing as a disciple, but due to Li Jing’s weak aptitude, would only accept him as a registered disciple.

However, when True Immortal Du’e said he wanted to take Li Jing to cultivate in Western Kunlun, Ji Wuyou hummed several times and said:

“Master, why not let Li Jing stay at the Crossing Immortal Gate to cultivate.”

“Oh?”

True Immortal Du’e asked curiously, “Do you perhaps think that my guidance wouldn’t be as good as staying in the sect?”

Ji Wuyou said solemnly: “Master doesn’t know, if his fate is high, he might have more opportunities in the sect.

Master, times have changed.

We have a formidable figure in our Crossing Immortal Gate now.”

True Immortal Du’e became even more puzzled, “What kind of formidable figure?”

“Master, you must not spread this outside,” Ji Wuyou leaned forward and whispered a few words.

“Ah?”

True Immortal Du’e stood up, staring with old eyes, and asked in a lowered voice: “You’re not deceiving this old Daoist, are you!”

“How would disciple dare deceive you? There were continuous anomalies, endless opportunities…”

Ji Wuyou said seriously: “Master, you absolutely must not tell anyone about this matter.”

“Rest assured,” True Immortal Du’e’s dao heart quickly regained calm as he smiled and said, “How could your master lose such composure?

Come, tell me in detail about this… this worthy nephew’s anomalies.”

Ji Wuyou nodded and began to whisper.