So this was the location of the Sea Eye?
Li Changshou gazed at the seemingly empty expanse of ocean before him, countless thoughts rushing through his mind.
Having transformed into a fish using his shapeshifting technique, he remained unnoticed by the numerous figures in the depths below…
These thousands of silhouettes had emerged from a distant sea trench, where a Space Transfer Formation still actively operated.
Just moments ago, Immortal Yunxiao had suggested to him – why not destroy that formation and cut off their retreat and reinforcements?
Li Changshou carefully explained several points…
“First, the Western Teaching has committed significant resources this time, intending to extort the Dragon Clan. If we harbor thoughts of annihilating these Western forces, it would likely draw the attention of shameless powerhouses.
Second, if this is merely a feint, these Western forces would be like scattered crowds crossing water – striking once before retreating, ultimately causing little trouble for the Dragon Clan.
But if we cut off their retreat, it might inspire them to fight with the desperation of those with their backs against the water, needlessly increasing Dragon Clan casualties.
Third, there might be disciples of the Sages secretly guarding the Space Formation, and it could turn into a fierce battle.”
After some consideration, Yunxiao nodded solemnly and said, “Indeed, this reasoning is sound. The difference between crossing water to strike once and fighting with one’s back to the water is vast – your analogies are quite vivid.”
Li Changshou felt somewhat uneasy at that moment since these two references had little connection to the Primordial World.
But back to the matter at hand.
From the current situation across the Four Seas, it was clear that the Western Sage had indeed secretly intervened.
Moreover, when the Sage acted, they struck directly at the Dragon Clan’s weakness, revealing the locations of the Four Seas’ Eye.
It had to be said that at this moment, the Western Sea’s Eye had ironically become the most stable location.
Li Changshou had previously discussed this matter with the Jade Emperor.
If the Western Sea’s Eye were destroyed, those rebellious dragons of the Western Sea would also be struck with karmic retribution by the Heavenly Dao, forced to fill the Sea Eye.
None could escape.
Today, the reason Li Changshou was only ninety-five percent confident was because he couldn’t be certain whether Sage Zhunti would appear in person;
Though the probability was quite low, it would indeed be the trump card.
Could a Sage not possibly engage in robbery and plunder?
No, no – how could Sage’s actions be considered robbery and plunder?
It would simply be that the Dragon Palace’s treasures were destined for the West, and the honorable Sage was following Heaven’s will by bringing some resources back to the Western lands.
The West had long been famous for such double standards.
Li Changshou refrained from further comment, not daring to retain any right to speak on the matter.
At this moment, Yunxiao transmitted another message, detailing the strength of the beings that had appeared in the South Sea…
This was extremely thoughtful.
According to the Immortal’s words, these Western forces were a mix of Fierce Beasts, Monster Clan members, humans, and several powerful Primordial Beings.
Most of their strength was in the Celestial Immortal realm, but dozens emanated incredibly dense energy, and there were even several Golden Immortals of the Great Luo.
Li Changshou also found this quite troublesome.
Could this be the main assault?
If these were merely diversionary forces, the West was deploying far too much power!
Moreover, near the Sea Eye, Li Changshou couldn’t employ his spiritual explosion tactics.
He couldn’t very well – when others were just trying to intimidate the Dragon Clan and tie up their forces – use a Golden Core and seventy-two paper people to directly blow up the Sea Eye…
The karmic consequences would be catastrophic!
Li Changshou could only hide here for now, necessarily waiting for the enemy to make their move and the Sea Eye to reveal itself before rushing out to assist;
Otherwise, he might be misunderstood by the Dragon Clan as having led the enemy here.
Li Changshou’s only concern was whether the dragons guarding the Sea Eye were sufficiently vigilant…
Immortal Yunxiao lurked not far behind him, but Li Changshou didn’t consider asking her to directly intervene.
Although the Grand Magus had elevated this assistance to the Dragon Clan into a Dao School mission with just a few words;
Yunxiao already had karmic ties to a future great tribulation, and it was better to minimize any karmic connections with the West if possible, to avoid adding variables to her future.
What to do?
Li Changshou pondered silently as he watched this group of demons and monsters lying in wait, carefully considering his options.
At this moment, flexible thinking was particularly important.
Li Changshou quickly formed a plan, and his fish form opened its mouth to release a small fish;
This small fish swayed its tail, used water teleportation, and instantly vanished.
Immortal Yun xiao’s voice entered his ear:
“Are you planning to create a disturbance to alert the Dragon Clan in advance?”
Li Changshou silently praised her cleverness, then turned his whole fish body flat, fighting against the enormous water pressure as his tail moved up and down.
— A nodding gesture.
However, Li Changshou wasn’t in a hurry to act.
Based on Western Teaching’s usual tactics and making reasonable deductions from the current situation, their next strategic moves should be:
First strike at one location, causing chaos among the Dragon Clan and forcing them to send aid in multiple directions, creating a sense of crisis.
Then launch attacks at two more locations in succession, gradually drawing away the Dragon Clan’s experts, making their forces travel back and forth, thus making it easier to achieve their goal of coercing the Dragon Clan.
Li Changshou’s timing to act would be when the West made their first move at one location, disrupting their rhythm.
So, he sank his divine consciousness, and multiple small windows appeared in his mind again, instantly maximizing his ‘computing power’.
His focus of observation was naturally on the North and East Seas.
The North Sea was still calm.
The army of Dragon Clan traitors that had crossed from the Western Cattle Gift Continent over the northwestern border of the Northern Continent was not far from the North Sea, presenting a situation like dark clouds pressing down on a city about to fall.
The North Sea Dragon Palace had already positioned many experts to form defensive lines in this direction.
The West had multiple layers of schemes against the North Sea Dragon Palace, one wave on the surface, one wave hidden, and likely two or three more waves in reserve…
There was no help for it – this was the Dragon Clan’s weak point, the easiest place to break them.
In the East Sea, the East Sea Dragon Palace was the strongest, united in purpose, and both the East Sea Dragon King and many palace elders possessed formidable strength…
There should be at least two layers of schemes here, and this was most likely where trouble would first appear.
The Western Sea Eye location also couldn’t be ignored, but due to karmic restrictions, the self-interested West had a very low probability of cutting their own flesh.
If the West truly wanted to cut, Li Changshou wouldn’t stop them, and would instead memorialize the Jade Emperor thusly—
[Due to Heaven’s decline, we cannot assist the Western Sea Dragon Palace in plugging the Sea Eye broken by demons. I hope Your Majesty will decree that the Western Teaching nearby should suppress the Sea Eye.
If Western Teaching experts can sacrifice themselves to fill the Sea Eye, it would also be boundless merit, able to repay some interest on their Sage’s great vows…]
One who isn’t dirty at heart isn’t qualified to play tactics.
The subsequent changes in the Four Seas’ situation indeed developed as Li Changshou had predicted.
The first incident occurred in the East Sea, where a group of mysterious experts launched a surprise attack on the East Sea Eye, disguised as an undersea volcano.
One of Li Changshou’s paper Dao bodies ‘happened’ to be a thousand miles away, taking in the entire scene.
However, these experts only broke through the formations near the East Sea Eye, exposing its true appearance, before immediately engaging in mobile combat rather than pressing a strong attack.
Thinking it through carefully, the Western Teaching’s actions killed several birds with one stone.
They simultaneously pressured the Dragon Clan, probed their preparations, and told the Dragon Clan:
[We’ve long since grasped your weakness.]
However, the Sea Eye wasn’t the Dragon Clan’s weakness, but rather…
Their reverse scale.
Hundreds of shocking auras erupted from the East Sea Dragon Palace as elders and war generals rushed to provide support!
The East Sea Eye was an enormous deep pit, with clear seawater constantly overflowing from its edges;
And in the pit, ancient dragons opened their eyes, their bodies intertwined and coiled, layered at the bottom of the deep pit.
Below these ancient dragons were numerous terrifying dragon corpses that, though their dragon souls had departed, still emanated powerful pressure.
This was both the Sea Eye and the dragons’ final resting place!
The ancient war dragons guarding this place also rose from the edges of the Sea Eye, emanating intense killing intent…
The nerves of this ancient hegemon, the Dragon Clan, had been directly provoked.
It was at this moment that Li Changshou suddenly acted in the South Sea!
The small fish he had released earlier quietly snuck to the direction the Western Teaching experts were facing, transformed into a Celestial Immortal realm sea monster with an octopus head, and shouted:
“Hurrah!
For the glory of the Western Deity!”
Its body, wrapped in monster qi, suddenly swelled, and then – pop! – directly exploded!
The seawater churned as the simulated monster energy burst out in all directions!
The previously empty waters ahead suddenly revealed a layer of transparent wall-like structure, similar to ice crystals.
Li Changshou looked closely and discovered…
This was no wall at all, but rather an immense dragon body!
Scales like crystal, several zhang high and wide, flickered gently as an azure dragon coiled there, its body as vast as several great cities stacked together!
Looking carefully, this dragon’s body appeared to be formed from formations, its dragon head lowered in observation, without any trace of living energy, and not the corpse of a true dragon either.
At this moment, dragon roars echoed from the South Sea Dragon Palace as large numbers of Dragon Clan experts rushed over.
Dozens of azure dragon phantoms appeared within the Sea Eye, and the Western Teaching forces’ hiding place was quickly discovered.
The battle erupted around the Sea Eye in an instant!
The East Sea and South Sea – battles had broken out at both Sea Eyes…
Li Changshou didn’t directly join the battle, only sending paper Dao bodies as support;
That group of traitor dragons and fierce beasts who had rushed from the Western Sea to the South Sea also received orders at this moment, speeding toward the South Sea Eye’s location.
‘How many layers of arrangements will there be in the South Sea?’
Li Changshou pondered silently as he continued observing various locations.
After he sent Golden Cicada back to his golden shell for refinement, the Western Teaching had switched to a more troublesome ‘operator’.
Though the East Sea and South Sea situations were chaotic, there was a method in the chaos, with Western Teaching advancing and retreating methodically.
The Dragon Clan, however, had somewhat lost their composure after two Sea Eyes were discovered, thinking only of eliminating the powerful enemy quickly.
Originally, Li Changshou had established a ‘trump card staging’ strategy for the Dragon Clan, having them reveal their strength gradually to stabilize their own morale while pressuring the opponent.
But now, the Dragon Clan seemed to have forgotten this point, deploying all their strength from both dragon palaces at once, seeking to quickly overcome the powerful enemy and secure the Sea Eyes.
Though their momentum was strong, they lacked sustained power.
The enemy could easily wear down the Dragon Clan just by using delaying tactics.
Fortunately, the Heavenly Army hadn’t joined the battle yet, so there were still some reserve forces.
Li Changshou sighed inwardly…
Without absolute obedience to commands, even the cleverest strategies were like trying to cook without rice.
The Dragon Clan would likely suffer some real hardships this time, with more casualties.
Just as great battles erupted in the South Sea and East Sea, beneath the endless ice shelf of the North Sea…
Dozens of whirlpools silently appeared, figures streaking out from them to gather behind a woman in blood-red clothing, rushing toward the depths of the North Sea.
…
‘When will Water God let this king leave the West to serve the Human Teaching?’
In the cold seawater, as Daoist Wenjing led many Western experts charging toward the North Sea Eye, she couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
If she didn’t leave soon, she would become the great commander of the Western Primordial Fierce Beasts!
Moments ago, Daoist Wenjing had just been appointed as commander for the North Sea battle and received the specific location of the Sea Eye;
Now she and many experts had been sent here, assaulting the North Sea Eye.
Ah, dragons were so cute, and their blood taste wasn’t bad.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t go on a killing spree, only symbolically drain a few…
Speaking of which, that Sage disciple named ‘Dizang’ who had recently emerged from seclusion did have good strategic abilities.
This was the first time that after the Western vice sect masters had formulated the overall plan, they hadn’t revealed it to any subordinates;
They only gave orders moments before, telling who should go where and do what.
This suggestion had come from this Dizang.
Thus, Daoist Wenjing couldn’t find any opportunity to send word to Water City.
Daoist Wenjing had already sensed that the West must have detected there were moles within the sect, so she had to be more careful in her actions and not make any rash moves at this time.
After charging through the seawater for a while, Daoist Wenjing saw from afar a ‘forest’ of sea ice.
It was a collection of enormous white ice pillars, connecting the North Sea ice sheet above to the seabed below, with the North Sea Eye hidden within one of these ice pillars…
Daoist Wenjing raised her slender hand, feeling the local currents, and called out:
“Begin! Shatter all the ice pillars here!”
Black shadows streaked out from behind her, either transforming into great monster true forms to charge and crash about or unleashing magical treasures to bombard the area ahead.
Just then, a voice transmission entered her ear, causing Daoist Wenjing’s spirit to shake.
It was from a Western Teaching vice sect master…
“Another batch of colleagues will arrive soon. Wenjing, prepare to coordinate them.”
Daoist Wenjing calmly nodded, a drop of fresh blood emerging from her fingertip to congeal into a blood mosquito, which quickly vanished.
Shortly after, the North Sea Eye was exposed, and dozens of ancient war dragons guarding it actively emerged to meet the enemy. When the North Sea Dragon Palace experts rushed to provide support, they were beaten back by Western Teaching ambushers…
The West had indeed committed no small number of experts to the North Sea.
Li Changshou’s paper Dao Body had long captured these developments, which matched his predictions perfectly;
Even Daoist Wenjing’s appearance in the North Sea had been within his expectations.
The Grand Magus was at the North Sea Eye now – he wouldn’t interfere much with Dragon Clan casualties but would protect the Eye from being broken.
The Grand Magus and Old Master Tu were essentially their side’s trump cards.
After careful consideration and comprehensive observation, Li Changshou felt relieved inwardly, his dao heart maintaining its calm throughout.
Next, he should consider how to deal with the possible direct appearance of the Western Sages…
Above the South Sea battle, streaks of golden light fell from the sky as one hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers, led by Marshal Hua Ritian, arrived to reinforce the battle.
However, the Heavenly Army could only operate on the periphery.
In areas where experts fought chaotically, they would only serve as cannon fodder if they went in.
Hmm?
Seeing the Jade Emperor’s avatar join the battle, Li Changshou’s fish form simply retreated to Immortal Yunxiao’s side.
Yunxiao spread her dao rhyme to cover Li Changshou as they once again concealed themselves in the sea.
As soon as he showed his form, he heard Yunxiao ask with concern: “Why do you look so unwell?”
“Just thinking about some things,” Li Changshou smiled, “The battles have begun everywhere now, and we can only wait for them to settle. We’ve used all the strategies and schemes we could.”
Yunxiao said softly: “Actually, doing your best is enough, you needn’t force perfection.
What in the world can be perfect?”
Li Changshou nodded gently and was about to say something interesting when a trace of doubt arose in his heart.
It seemed that something wasn’t quite right…
It wasn’t that his calculations or arrangements had any problems – he had done everything possible to help the Dragon Clan deal with the West’s three-pronged attack.
The Western Teaching’s actions this time showed very distinct differences from before.
Daoist Wenjing hadn’t been able to send him timely information…
That group of rebel forces from the Western Sea Dragon Palace retreated as soon as ordered, with a very clear purpose – to preserve their fighting strength to exert enormous pressure on the Dragon Palace’s side later…
The locations of all Four Seas’ Eyes had been completely exposed…
The West’s new operator this time was much more brilliant than the previous ones.
Li Changshou clasped his hands behind his back and lowered his head, carefully analyzing the overall situation.
[If I were the Western operator, what would I want to get from the Dragon Clan at this point?]
Wealth…
Just wealth?
A flash of inspiration struck Li Changshou’s heart, but his face suddenly turned somewhat pale.
No, not just wealth, but also Western prestige!
The Western Teaching had lost too much face in Dragon Clan matters, had their face swept away too many times – if they couldn’t punish the Dragon Clan, wouldn’t the Western Teaching’s Two Sages become a joke? How could they maintain their authority?
The Primordial World didn’t speak of good and evil, only of strength and weakness!
Judging from this starting point, among the Four Seas’ Eyes, one would likely have to be broken.
But if the West did this, they would also bear karmic retribution – how could they avoid this?
What exactly wasn’t quite right…
In front of Yunxiao, Li Changshou sat cross-legged in the seawater, closed his eyes to concentrate, and used his paper Dao bodies to observe the various battle situations.
That sense of incongruity…
When the Western Sea spiritual explosion occurred, he used his Water God divine authority to stabilize various locations, his immortal consciousness sweeping over all the ‘cannon fodder’ affected by the spiritual explosion…
No, this was what was wrong!
He suddenly recalled something he used to often consider when plotting against the Dragon Clan, but had later subconsciously overlooked after the West directly controlled the Western Sea Dragon Palace!
The Immortal Sea Serpents were unsatisfied, harboring resentment!
This was karma the Dragon Clan owed, hatred and resentment accumulated from ancient times because the Dragon Clan never treated the Immortal Sea Serpent soldiers as equals!
Yes, the West didn’t necessarily need this contradiction to incite an Immortal Sea Serpent rebellion, they could completely…
Let the Dragon Clan itself bear the karma of a broken Sea Eye!
The Western Sea Dragon Palace was controlled by the West, but among the Western rebel forces affected by the earlier spiritual explosion and now split between the South Sea and the North Sea, the number of Immortal Sea Serpent soldiers…
Was wrong!
“The East Sea!”
The West’s target was the wealthiest, actually strongest, and most representative of the Dragon Clan – the East Sea!
Who exactly was the West’s strategist today?
Li Changshou turned his head to look at Yunxiao, “Immortal, could you go to Mount Emei to request Brother Gongming’s help? We need to hurry to the East Sea – I need the Sea-Calming Zhenzhu’s power!”
Yunxiao immediately nodded, her eyes carrying a hint of concern as her form quickly transformed into a cloud of mist and vanished.
Li Changshou took a gentle breath.
All teleportation arts, activate!
“Hmm?”
Sensing a familiar dao rhyme flash past, Hua Ritian, who was fighting fiercely, slightly furrowed his brow and looked toward the northeast…