Someone was stirring up trouble.

After hearing Elder Duobao’s words, Li Changshou and Elder Zhao Gongming exchanged glances, both arriving at the same thought almost simultaneously. Even Elder Duobao himself felt something was amiss after speaking, carefully pondering his words…

[“Holy Mother Fire Spirit has moved to practice cultivation in the Luofu Cave of Mount Emei. Zhao Gongming, the great outer disciple of the Severing Sect, and Holy Mother Fire Spirit, the senior disciple of the inner circle, have long been dual cultivation partners. This was personally stated by True Lord Yellow Dragon in the Jade Void Palace!”]

Elder Duobao muttered, “Could Fire Spirit have fallen victim to someone’s scheme?”

Zhao Gongming immediately responded, “How could Fire Spirit Junior and I possibly be entang— *cough*, how could there be such a thing? Previously, when Junior Sister Golden Light collapsed wounded outside my cave dwelling, I brought her inside. Thinking it inappropriate for me to tend to her, I asked Junior Fire Spirit to help care for Golden Light, as they are closest friends and usually inseparable.”

Elder Duobao’s slightly plump face took on a contemplative expression as he stood with his hands behind his back atop the clouds.

“This news came from Junior Brother Yellow Dragon…”

“Senior Brothers,” Li Changshou smiled, “let’s discuss this in the inner hall. The Taiji Diagram there will prevent others from overhearing our conversation.”

His words carried deeper meaning…

However, Zhao Gongming said, “I should return to my cave dwelling first to find out exactly what happened!”

“Let’s go together,” Elder Duobao said, rarely showing such a serious expression. “Changgeng, you’re skilled in strategies and schemes. Would you accompany us? Though this matter seems small, perhaps just a joke from Junior Brother Yellow Dragon, it could easily create new rifts between the Enlightenment Sect and our Severing Sect. As a disciple of the Human Sect, it would be simple for you to mediate.”

“Very well.”

Li Changshou agreed readily, taking out a paper figure from his sleeve and handing it to Zhao Gongming, saying, “Senior Brothers, take this paper figure with you first. I need to make some arrangements.”

“Good.”

Gongming and Duobao nodded in unison, immediately taking to the clouds… *cough*, tunneling their way toward Luofu Cave on Mount Emei.

After the two senior figures left, Li Changshou frowned slightly, clasping his hands behind his back as he descended from the clouds to the rear hall of the Sea God Temple.

This matter was both simple and complex.

‘Could it be that someone witnessed it? With that rumor from the Great Law Master spreading rapidly through the Five Continents, did they choose to make trouble with this?’

Li Changshou returned this paper figure to the underground paper figure repository, while his paper figure in the Heavenly Court began busying itself, flying on clouds toward the Doulu Palace.

Though the information received so far was limited, Li Changshou could roughly outline a logical sequence:

True Lord Yellow Dragon must have seen the Holy Mother Fire Spirit at Luofu Cave.

The question lay in whether Yellow Dragon had mentioned this to others. If he had spoken of it to anyone, even just saying something as simple as “Why is Holy Mother Fire Spirit at Luofu Cave,” then the rumor must have originated from him.

But if Yellow Dragon hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, then this matter…

Would be rather intriguing, and could be narrowed down to someone plotting in the shadows, most likely someone from the Western Sect.

Better to be cautious – matters involving the Three Schools could turn even small issues into major problems.

Li Changshou dared not mediate rashly, thinking it more prudent to have the Great Law Master step forward…

When the paper figure reached Doulu Palace, Li Changshou was about to announce his presence outside when the palace gates slowly opened a crack.

Delighted at this, Li Changshou ascended the steps with his whisking brush, slipping inside and heading straight for the back courtyard.

Finally, after gaining the ability to freely enter and exit the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, this ordinary court official of the Heavenly Court unlocked the ‘freely enter and exit Doulu Palace’ privilege!

Well, one must have dreams.

Li Changshou steeled his resolve, planning his next step toward achieving ‘freely enter and exit the Supreme Clarity Observatory,’ determined to maintain a firm grip on the Human Sect’s support!

Upon reaching the back courtyard and seeing the Great Law Master, Li Changshou frowned slightly…

The Great Law Master’s resting place was far too modest.

Without even a proper bed, just lying on a haystack of condensed green grass – how could the sleep quality be good? How could dreams be sweet?

“Ahem, Great Law Master… Great Law Master? Senior Brother?”

Li Changshou called out softly several times, but the rhythm of the Great Law Master’s snoring remained undisturbed.

This…

Li Changshou took out a stool from his sleeve and sat down, then produced an erhu. Sitting on the stool, he played a rousing horse-racing tune.

“Hmm?”

The sleeping Great Law Master slowly opened his eyes, turning his head to look at Li Changshou sitting not far from his side, and sat up stretching.

“Ah, Changshou, what’s the matter? Has someone bullied you?”

Li Changshou put away the erhu and quickly explained the current small matter.

The Great Law Master listened and smiled, saying, “Perhaps it’s just a misunderstanding or two, no need to be so tense.”

“Before the East Sea incident, I too would have thought this might be a misunderstanding,” Li Changshou said. “But after that affair, I really must consider multiple angles now. Based on the information I’ve just received, could the Great Law Master divine the title ‘Ksitigarbha’? He should be a disciple of the Western Sage.”

The Great Law Master said, “Could it be Wenjing’s…”

“Great Law Master!” Li Changshou suddenly interrupted, making a gesture of silence.

The Great Law Master couldn’t help but laugh, “This is within Doulu Palace, what is there to fear?”

At that moment, the Great Law Master held up a virtual image of the Taiji Diagram in his left hand, closed his eyes in concentration, and began to calculate carefully.

Soon…

A twelve-petaled golden lotus warning.

But the Taiji Diagram slowly rotated, streams of yin and yang energy condensing from thin air, flowing into the virtual image of the diagram.

The Great Law Master closed his eyes, surrounded by strands of Dao rhythm, and soon let out a gentle sigh:

“This Ksitigarbha you speak of is a disciple of Master Uncle Jieyin of the Western School. His cultivation is quite good, and it seems he has recently emerged from seclusion.”

Li Changshou said, “The East Sea incident was orchestrated by him.”

“Oh?”

The Great Law Master raised his eyebrows and smiled, “Not bad, Changshou, you’ve finally met a worthy opponent.”

Li Changshou continued, “Great Law Master, could you divine further? I want to know if Ksitigarbha has any powerful divine abilities, especially those related to gathering information. This matter very likely occurred when True Lord Yellow Dragon went to Luofu Cave seeking Zhao Gongming, and then accidentally encountered the Holy Mother Fire Spirit. The two may have conversed, and someone overheard.”

The Great Law Master smiled, puzzled, “Who could be constantly watching Luofu Cave?”

Despite his words, the Great Law Master still closed his eyes in concentration to calculate carefully.

This time, it truly took some effort, and the Great Law Master’s expression grew serious…

“There is an auspicious beast called Dicheng, which serves as Ksitigarbha’s mount,” the Great Law Master said. “The heavenly mechanisms reveal it has a divine ability to hear the heart voices of all living beings in the Three Realms and discern truth from falsehood in the world. This isn’t considered a particularly powerful divine ability – those of slightly higher realms need only be prepared in advance, sealing their Dao’s hearts, and nothing will be heard by it.”

Only then did Li Changshou breathe a sigh of relief, “It’s good that it can be defended against.”

The Great Law Master smiled, “Are you saying that Ksitigarbha is using Dicheng’s divine ability to cause trouble?”

“These are just speculations, for now, I dare not jump to conclusions.”

After some thought, Li Changshou asked again, “Are there still many such auspicious beasts in the current world of Hongmeng?”

“That’s hard to say,” the Great Law Master smiled, “Many great beings who have survived from ancient times to today possess various unusual divine abilities.”

“Speaking of auspicious beasts, during the peak of the Ancient Demon Court, there was a great demon called Baize, whose heaven-granted divine ability was to seek fortune and avoid calamity. As soon as the Third Great War between Shamans and Demons began, he vanished without a trace. I crossed paths with Baize twice, and each time he escaped before I could act. Even when I merely had thoughts of killing him, that fellow would sense the danger – he was a hundred times more troublesome than this Dicheng.”

Was the ancient Baize still alive?

Li Changshou made note of this matter in his heart, then steered the conversation toward the current rumors.

The Great Law Master initially didn’t want to intervene for such a small matter.

But after hearing Li Changshou say:

“Though this matter seems minor, the disciple feels that if the Severing Sect goes to the Jade Void Palace to question True Lord Yellow Dragon, it could easily escalate. Great Law Master, why don’t you first invite True Lord Yellow Dragon, then together go to Luofu Cave? My avatar is already waiting there. I need to think of another way to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

“Good,” the Great Law Master stood up and advised, “Best to resolve it once and for all. Such rumors truly make one rather uncomfortable.”

“Please rest assured, Great Law Master, I already have a plan.”

The Great Law Master nodded slightly and directly used space-shifting to leave Doulu Palace.

Li Changshou glanced at the empty main hall of Doulu Palace, made a Taoist salute, and then slipped away.

Little Gold and Little Silver had gone who knows where making Doulu Palace unexpectedly quiet today…

After leaving Doulu Palace, Li Changshou went straight to Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and waited outside for a while, dividing his attention.

The Great Law Master quickly arrived at Luofu Cave with True Lord Yellow Dragon, meeting with Duobao, Gongming, Li Changshou, and two confused young Holy Mothers.

The rumor about ‘Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Fire Spirit’s affair’ was just that – a rumor. When the involved parties met, things were naturally explained clearly.

True Lord Yellow Dragon even took the initiative to make a Great Dao oath, stating he had never spoken a single word about the Holy Mother Fire Spirit to anyone. The power of the Heavenly Dao came and went, verifying.

At this point, Li Changshou finally had no more doubts.

This was most likely Ksitigarbha and Dicheng’s casual doing…

With the divine beast Dicheng’s assistance, Ksitigarbha could ‘catch wind and shadows,’ spreading rumors at will. Though effective and having a sense of ‘four ounces moving a thousand pounds,’ it was ultimately taking the lower path.

This matter itself was evidence!

The Western School started using these tactics first – this was the cause;

His appropriate counterattack would be the effect.

Having sown bitter causes, they must receive bitter fruits!

Having made up his mind, Li Changshou stepped into Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

The Jade Emperor, sitting high on his throne, immediately became alert and showed a faint smile.

The white-robed Jade Emperor said, “Minister Changgeng has been standing outside for quite a while. Is there something difficult to bring up?”

“Your Majesty, this minor deity was indeed hesitant earlier, unsure whether to ask Your Majesty…”

“Ask! I shall withhold nothing!”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, then asked softly, “How much Heavenly Dao power can Your Majesty command? To what extent?”

The Jade Emperor was somewhat puzzled, not understanding why Li Changshou would bring this up…

“Hmm…”

The Jade Emperor hummed lightly, his words quite precise: “When encountering great villains, those who disrespect the Heavenly Court, or those who bring violence to this Lingxiao Treasure Hall, calling upon Purple Void Divine Thunder shouldn’t be a problem.”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but inwardly praise him.

He truly appreciated how the Jade Emperor’s way of handling matters was becoming increasingly precise.

Purple Void Divine Thunder… shouldn’t be a problem…

Simply unmatched.

…

In Luofu Cave.

Li Changshou sat cross-legged with closed eyes on a meditation cushion in the corner, while the four great figures of the Three Schools sat around a low table. Holy Mother Golden Light and Holy Mother Fire Spirit were hiding in a stone chamber deeper in the cave dwelling.

Golden Light continued to lie there “unconscious,” while Holy Mother Fire Spirit felt somewhat guilty; fortunately, Li Changshou had previously secretly instructed them to play their parts to the end.

Silence reigned in Luofu Cave for a long while…

“Senior Brother,” Elder Duobao spoke up, “Are we going to let this matter go just like this?”

The Great Law Master smiled and shook his head, “Without evidence, how can we confront those plotting behind the scenes?”

“Their hearts are contemptible!” True Lord Yellow Dragon cursed, “Those who plot behind the scenes, their hearts are contemptible!”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard at the side and said in a deep voice, “This matter truly cannot be left as is. Such rumors have already spread everywhere, needlessly sullying Junior Fire Spirit’s reputation. But as Senior Brother says, though we know the Western School is behind this, what can we do?”

Duobao also said, “Must we swallow this bitter pill?”

The Great Law Master asked, “How shall we counter?”

The three cultivators all fell into silence, each frowning in thought.

Duobao suddenly laughed, “Then let’s also spread rumors everywhere, returning it double!”

Zhao Gongming said, “Then rumors will fly everywhere without any basis, and we’ll end up being the ones who suffer in the end.”

“Senior… Brothers?”

Li Changshou opened his eyes in the corner, smiled calmly, smoothed his Taoist robe, and slowly stood up.

“I have a plan that might work.”

Eight eyes immediately lit up.

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and smiled, “What is your plan?”

Li Changshou made a Taoist salute, then stood tall and smiled, saying:

“This plan is different from before. I call it — suppression before promotion. Since our opponent has given us this opportunity, why don’t we make full use of it?”

Elder Duobao couldn’t help but ask, “How do we use it?”

“Make it bigger!”

Li Changshou said firmly, “So big it might alarm the Sages at any moment, using this to make the Western School panic, to make those plotting behind the scenes feel they cannot bear such karma, indirectly pressuring them!”

The Great Law Master smiled, “Changgeng, tell us your scheme, and let’s discuss it in detail.”

“Yes,” Li Changshou made a Taoist salute, organized his thoughts, and spoke clearly:

“This counterattack can be divided into three steps.

The first step begins today.

Shortly, we’ll need Senior Brother Yellow Dragon to leave this place in anger, making some commotion, then return to Jade Void Palace to complain to several Enlightenment Sect masters.

Then we’ll need Junior Fire Spirit to put on a show, best if she acts suicidal, feeling her pure reputation has been insulted, and spread this matter around.

This first step will be ‘True Lord Yellow Dragon Wronged at Luofu Cave, Holy Mother Fire Spirit Proves Her Innocence Through Death.’

Remember, everyone who knows of this plan must remain constantly vigilant, giving the enemy no opportunity to take advantage.

Since they want to scheme against our Dao School, let’s give them a scare, teach them a lesson, and let them know that when using such despicable methods, the consequences are endless!”

The Great Law Master and Elder Duobao’s eyes lit up, already understanding Li Changshou’s subsequent strategy;

As for Zhao Gongming and True Lord Yellow Dragon, they exchanged glances, seeing in each other’s eyes that they ‘didn’t quite understand,’ which immediately made them feel somewhat better.

They weren’t alone.

Half an hour later;

True Lord Yellow Dragon, with a gloomy expression, rode the clouds away from Luofu Cave. After flying only a few hundred li, he turned back toward Mount Emei, coldly snorted, and left with a flick of his sleeve!

Soon after, the Holy Mother Fire Spirit, with reddened eyes, left Luofu Cave following Elder Duobao, conveniently taking the “severely injured” Holy Mother Golden Light with them.

A great show had begun.

Li Changshou hadn’t expected that his proposed plan would be so readily accepted by Duobao and True Lord Yellow Dragon…

During that half hour, the four great figures of the Dao School had even exchanged acting tips and simulated several developments of subsequent events, making Li Changshou quite gratified.

One of his paper figures had hidden in True Lord Yellow Dragon’s sleeve, to secretly observe the Enlightenment Sect’s “direction” later.

This plan had five layers.

Li Changshou had told the senior figures about four layers, keeping the last one to himself.

A gentleman’s revenge should not wait a month.

Taking this opportunity to strike at Ksitigarbha, laying the foundation for ‘Ksitigarbha’s self-isolation,’ while also setting some constraints and rules for Ksitigarbha’s future schemes.

Not all tactics can be used carelessly.