This time, the Dragon Clan truly suffered devastating losses…

Although the “breach” of the sea eye wasn’t particularly long, most of the Dragon Clan experts who were closest to the sea eye and rushed toward it without hesitation, as well as many of those originally suppressing it, were torn apart by the sea currents.

While it appeared that only ten to twenty percent of the Dragon Clan suffered casualties, those who perished were the elite fighting force of the East Sea Dragon Palace.

After this battle, the East Sea Dragon Palace’s strength was significantly weakened.

When counting the losses of the West Sea Dragon Palace, the injuries sustained by the Dragon Clan in the previous brief battle, and the mysterious disappearance of the East Sea’s largest dragon treasury…

The Dragon Clan had suffered immense losses.

The good news was that they now had one less sea eye to suppress at the cost of lives, and the East Sea Dragon Palace’s remaining power was fully unsealed.

Li Changshou stood before the iron rod, gazing at the now-harmless sea eye with complex emotions.

There was no need for excuses or shifting blame to the Dragon Clan’s hastiness after the sea eye was exposed;

This time, he had simply lost this round to the Western Religion.

No matter how many calculations or strategies he had, he still lacked the crucial power needed to turn the tide at critical moments…

This power could be either a Heavenly Court strong enough to suppress a Sage’s influence,

Or the ability to briefly unleash combat prowess matching that of Great Master or Fairy Yunxiao…

“Water God,” the old Dragon King, wearing a ceremonial robe, walked behind Li Changshou and performed a deep ceremonial bow.

Li Changshou turned around and hurriedly moved to support him, “Dragon King, what are you doing?”

The Dragon King said, “Water God saved our East Sea lineage. I don’t know how to express my gratitude, but from now on, if Water God has any requests, please speak directly without any reservations.”

“Dragon King, great tribulation is also great fortune. The Dragon Clan should learn from this experience.”

Li Changshou changed the subject and asked, “How does the Dragon King plan to handle the Four Seas Divine Dragons?”

“Ah,” the East Sea Dragon King sighed softly, his dragon eyes showing resignation, “Today’s casualties were already too heavy. Although the East Sea eye is safe, the Dragon Clan’s burden of sin remains unresolved.

Let them each make an oath never to interfere with the sea eye.

Those who wish to leave may leave;

Those who wish to stay will be treated like transformed dragons.”

“That’s good.”

Li Changshou took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to the East Sea Dragon King.

“This iron rod was gifted by Emperor Yu and originally forged by Supreme Lord Lao. Now it seems it can serve as a treasure to seal the sea eye.

I’ll leave it here for now; the Dragon Palace must guard it well.

Within this jade talisman are nineteen strategies I just wrote. If the Dragon King finds them useful, please consider adopting them.”

As he finished speaking, the paper avatar swam over from afar carrying Ao Yi, placing the unconscious dragon prince before the Dragon King.

“Please forgive me, Dragon King,” Li Changshou said softly, “Ao Yi treats me as a brother, and I couldn’t bear to see him suffer at the sea eye. He did not desert his post.”

“Thank you, Water God…”

The Dragon King enveloped Ao Yi in water currents and sent him to the waiting elders.

The Dragon King transmitted, “Regarding His Majesty, we should…”

“Some gesture should be made,” Li Changshou transmitted back, “Although His Majesty is the Heavenly Emperor, merit isn’t simply taken at will – that’s His Majesty’s accumulation over long ages.

I just heard an elder mention that the East Sea Dragon Palace’s treasury seems to have been raided.”

“Water God need not worry,” the old Dragon King sighed, “It was just an accumulation of some precious materials. The East Sea has two more such treasuries.”

Li Changshou nodded and said directly, “The Heavenly Court will soon need armor and weapons.”

“Thank you for the guidance, Water God!”

Li Changshou transmitted again, “The two Severing Sect friends exerted great effort this time. The Dragon Palace needn’t send precious gifts – remember to personally express thanks at Three Immortal Island and Luo Fu Cave.”

“Of course we should,” the East Sea Dragon King repeatedly agreed.

Li Changshou took out two bottles of healing pills he had refined from his sleeve, as a small token of his sentiment.

After the Dragon King accepted the pills with thanks, Li Changshou took his leave, citing the need to deal with the East Sea tsunami…

Such a sorrowful occasion was not appropriate to observe further.

As Li Changshou used water teleportation to head toward the sea surface, the assembled Dragon Clan members, near and far, uniformly performed ceremonial bows.

The Dragon King looked down at the jade talisman in his hand and infused it with immortal power, revealing lines of small text.

[Dragon Strategy One]: Quickly establish Water God positions for various South Continent routes, proactively request the Heavenly Court to impose strict regulations on oneself, and ensure the fastest accumulation of sufficient merit to pacify the West Sea, North Sea, and South Sea eyes;

[Dragon Strategy Two]: Establish Dragon Gate, open the path for dragon advancement;

[Dragon Strategy Three]: Forge water armies, and station them in the great worlds around the Five Continents…

When Li Changshou emerged from the East Sea, Fairy Yunxiao, Zhao Gongming, and East Wood Duke were waiting in the clouds. One hundred thousand heavenly soldiers had been divided into dozens of units and dispatched to the East Sea coast as a precaution.

After briefly explaining what needed to be done next, the four rode their clouds and easily caught up with the water line extending westward…

After careful consideration, Li Changshou smiled at Zhao Gongming and said, “Brother, please trouble yourself to use the Sea Stabilizing Zhenzhu to absorb all of the East Sea tsunamis.”

“Small matter!”

Zhao Gongming smiled slightly, not suspecting anything, and deployed the Sea Stabilizing Zhenzhu. Taking advantage while the East Sea wasn’t paying attention, he swiftly absorbed all the water that had spilled from the sea eye.

The entire process didn’t cause a single casualty.

Just as Zhao Gongming was about to ride his cloud back, a large patch of golden clouds flew over from the horizon. A small portion went to seek the hundred thousand heavenly soldiers, while the majority floated above their heads.

Streams of golden light descended, bestowing merit upon Li Changshou, Zhao Gongming, Fairy Yunxiao, and East Wood Duke.

East Wood Duke was accustomed to this, while Li Changshou observed Zhao Gongming’s reaction. Fairy Yunxiao took out her Primordial Golden Dipper, letting it receive this substantial merit power on her behalf.

Li Changshou received the most merit, his Merit Golden Body taking another small step forward.

Zhao Gongming received the second most, about eighty percent of Li Changshou’s amount. He was quite pleased, stroking his beard and smiling:

“I never thought I’d see the day when I would receive merit.”

Li Changshou cautioned, “Brother, don’t underestimate this merit. Without an innate supreme treasure protecting oneself, one needs this merit to guard against some evil calculations!”

Hearing Li Changshou speak so seriously, Zhao Gongming nodded repeatedly and said, “Thank you for your concern, brother. I’ll remember this.”

Beside them, Yunxiao glanced at her Primordial Golden Dipper and pressed her lips together without speaking.

East Wood Duke smiled from the side and said, “Water God, I shall return to report to His Majesty.

This time Water God plugged the sea eye, saved the Dragon Clan, and protected our Heavenly Court’s dignity – this is a great achievement…”

“Wood Duke!”

Li Changshou hurriedly said, “Please do not congratulate His Majesty!”

“Oh?”

East Wood Duke was immediately puzzled.

Li Changshou explained, “We lost in the East Sea this time. The Dragon Palace suffered heavy losses, which means the Heavenly Court suffered heavy losses. There is nothing worth congratulating.

This matter was due to my insufficient calculations, and I will personally go to His Majesty to request punishment.

Wood Duke should just say that the Dragon Palace was severely damaged by evil spirits and must attribute the sea eye breach to demon dragons corrupted by Blood Sea pollution. Then request His Majesty to order a Three Realms investigation into the primordial evil spirits that wreaked havoc in the East Sea.

That will suffice.”

East Wood Duke clasped his hands and said, “Rest assured, Water God. I’ve remembered all this.

But today’s situation was the West’s calculation – why not use righteousness to pressure the West?”

“Pressure would be useless and would only invite Western retaliation,” Li Changshou said seriously, “Moreover, without evidence, how can we say it was the West’s doing?

Some things, though known in our hearts, cannot be spoken.”

Zhao Gongming muttered, “The Heavenly Court suffered such a great loss, and we’re just letting it go like this?

Changgeng, should I go stir things up in the Western Bull Continent, to vent some anger for Junior Uncle and you!”

“Brother, there’s no need,” Li Changshou smiled, “The Heavenly Court’s rise must experience tribulations. Our respect for the Western Religion’s Sage Lords is respect for our own Dao Sect’s Sage Lords.

Those evil spirits who obtained the Dragon Palace treasury today and took revenge on the Dragon Clan and Heavenly Court will quiet down for a while.

This period is especially important for the Heavenly Court.”

“This is too infuriating!”

Zhao Gongming felt dejected and was about to continue when Fairy Yunxiao beside him parted her thin lips:

“Elder Brother, stop making trouble for him. This matter indeed needs careful handling.”

Zhao Gongming immediately nodded, “Second Sister is right!”

At this point, East Wood Duke took Li Changshou’s instructions and hurried to join the heavenly soldiers before returning to report to the Heavenly Court.

Seeing weariness on Li Changshou’s face, Yunxiao said softly, “Let me send you back to rest on your mountain. I don’t know where Senior Brother Xuandu has gone.”

“Let me escort you instead. It’s not far from Three Immortal Island,” Li Changshou smiled, “Then Brother can send me back to the Sea God Temple.”

Yunxiao nodded slightly, “You could rest at Three Immortal Island too.”

“There’s still much to do,” Li Changshou’s smile gradually faded, “I need to summarize the oversights from this incident to avoid such loopholes in the future.

This time it was the Dragon Clan’s crisis, next time it might endanger us. We must stay vigilant.”

Zhao Gongming smiled, “Little Brother, you’re truly steady.”

Li Changshou seemed to think of something and frowned in contemplation.

Beside them, Yunxiao looked up at this ‘elder,’ as if seeing through his transformation technique to the young face within, and didn’t move her gaze for a moment.

Zhao Gongming behind them: …

He felt like his abilities had gained a [Superfluous] option.

Yunxiao rode her cloud, taking them to nearby Three Immortal Island, passing through layers of clouds to find the immortal island hidden under the great formation.

The three’s immortal awareness spread simultaneously within the formation’s interior.

—This was almost a habit all cultivators had, except when Li Changshou extended his immortal awareness, he would instinctively be careful, ready to cut off his probe if encountering any ‘immortal awareness poison pills.’

When the three probed, Fairy Yunxiao’s delicate brows furrowed, Elder Zhao’s eyes lit up, and Li Changshou silently held his forehead.

He was speechless.

In a misty courtyard, ‘Li Changshou’ and ‘Yunxiao’ were embracing, speaking romantic words Li Changshou would never attempt, with exaggerated expressions.

What made Li Changshou want to blind himself even more was that this ‘Li Changshou’ was in his true form…

In the pavilion, ‘Li Changshou’ called out tenderly:

“Yun, look at me, come closer, can you see your reflection in my eyes?”

“Shou, don’t look at me like that, it makes my heart flutter, like a little deer prancing within.”

“Yun…”

“Kneel!”

A sudden soft shout rang out, and the embracing pair instantly separated, transforming with two puffs into two young fairy maidens.

Qiongyao, wearing orange robes, turned pale;

Bixiao, wearing an outer dress of grass-green gauze, moved quickly as a phantom, legs together, knees bent, pinching her ear, lips pursed…

Qiongyao trembled and said, “Sis-sister, when did you return?”

Yunxiao’s figure flashed, appearing in the pavilion, picking up the image ball on the stone table and crushing it directly.

“You two, do you find cultivation too boring?”

Qiongyao and Bixiao trembled together, with Qiongyao silently kneeling beside her younger sister, full of regret.

Regret, such regret…

At the island’s edge in the clouds, Li Changshou turned his head and couldn’t see Zhao Gongming in his level line of sight;

Looking down, he saw Elder Zhao, extremely embarrassed, slowly standing up while holding his knees, muttering:

“Ah, my leg… how did my old injury act up just now…”

Li Changshou: …

What were they all afraid of?

After staying briefly at Three Immortal Island, Li Changshou bid farewell together with Zhao Gongming and headed toward East Victory Divine Continent.

Yunxiao repeatedly instructed Zhao Gongming to ensure Li Changshou’s safe escort, preventing Western powers from taking advantage.

Though Zhao Gongming wanted to say ‘Second Sister, why don’t you protect him personally,’ ultimately he still…

Ahem!

Between the Severing Sect’s senior disciple and sworn siblings, how could it be called fear?

He just wasn’t quite daring enough.

Thus, Zhao Gongming rejected Li Changshou’s suggestion to part at the East Sea and forcibly took him to the Sea God Temple in the South Jambu Continent, increasing Li Changshou’s difficulty in returning home.

Finally, protected by the Xuanhuang Pagoda and the Qiankun Ruler, Li Changshou successfully returned to Small Jade Peak at the Cultivating Immortality Gate, hiding within the formation and activating his paper avatar.

The Western Religion…

Li Changshou felt some inner turmoil and didn’t hurry to see the Jade Emperor, nor did he seek out Great Master Xuandu who had gone who knows where. His consciousness transferred to his paper avatar, walking by the lakeside and spirit beast enclosure on Small Jade Peak.

He carefully contemplated, summarized, and incidentally planned his next steps.

His immortal awareness swept over young Li Jing’s cultivation spot on Breaking Heaven Peak and finding everything normal, Li Changshou didn’t interfere further.

Unconsciously walking to the lakeside cottage, Li Changshou’s steps halted as he looked toward his master’s meditating figure.

‘It’s time to arrange Master’s ascension, and this opportunity is just right…’

The next memorial to submit to the Jade Emperor had already been fully considered.

“Senior Brother?”

Ling’e flew over on a cloud from the direction of the card room, landing gracefully before Li Changshou and asking softly:

“What’s wrong? You look terrible.”

“Got outmaneuvered,” Li Changshou smiled, “Met some obstacles outside, but it’s no big matter.”

Ling’e blinked, “There are still people who can outmaneuver Senior Brother?”

“Many indeed,” Li Changshou said seriously, “Beyond the sky is another sky, beyond people are other people, and above all are transcendent beings. We’re just two small fish in the primordial chaos.

Don’t become arrogant or complacent because of our sect siblings’ flattery, losing your heart of reverence!”

Ling’e puffed her cheeks, “Senior Brother, I was wrong.”

“Mm, lecturing you has indeed improved my mood,” Li Changshou casually conjured a white cloud and stepped onto it, “I’m going to the dan room to refine pills and think about some important matters.

This time, I’ve decided to punish myself by copying the ‘Scripture of Stability’ six thousand times, but I’m too busy to spare the time…”

“Then good luck with that!”

Ling’e immediately made a ‘fighting’ gesture with her small fist and turned to use wind teleportation.

Li Changshou flicked his finger, and Ling’e’s body trembled as her forehead hit an invisible wall.

She heard her Senior Brother say leisurely: “This time I’ll trouble Junior Sister to accept the punishment on my behalf.”

“Yes, understood,” Ling’e agreed with great reluctance.

Li Changshou’s mood immediately improved greatly as he rode his cloud toward the dan room.

Being inhuman was such joy.

Just then, at Li Changshou’s true body’s location, a small Taiji diagram appeared, and the Xuanhuang Pagoda and Qiankun Ruler hastily bid him farewell, directly entering the Taiji diagram.

They said the senior disciple had summoned them…

Just now through the Taiji diagram, Li Changshou seemed to sense a familiar polluted aura.

The Blood Sea?

Had the Great Master gone to the Blood Sea?

In the depths of the endlessly rolling crimson Blood Sea at the edge of the Netherworld and the Underworld.

A beautiful-faced, scantily-clad ‘two-armed’ female Asura sat cross-legged at the bottom of the Blood Sea, absorbing its power to heal herself, with a silver-white sword lying flat across her knees.

Suddenly hearing a light laugh, this female Asura’s eyes snapped open, the aura around her trembled, and she looked up abruptly.

Above the Blood Sea, a Taiji diagram slowly rotated as a young Daoist in cyan robes stepped out;

With the Xuanhuang Pagoda above his head, holding the cyan ruler, the Taiji diagram slowly revolving behind him, the originally churning Blood Sea instantly quieted…

“It’s this poor Daoist’s turn.”