In the underground chamber of Little Jade Peak, Li Changshou detected his master deep in meditation through his spiritual sense. He smiled and continued arranging the pieces on the Go board before him.

He was simply arranging the black and white stones into simple patterns without any particular meaning, using this to relax his mind.

The original underground chamber had been expanded tenfold, transformed into a complete cave dwelling with rooms reserved for his master, junior sister, and two martial uncles.

Li Changshou sat alone, carefully contemplating his comprehensive preparation plan for the upcoming Investiture of the Gods. He had already decided while in the Northern Continent that he wouldn’t actively scheme anything for the next century or two, instead quietly observing the changing situations while cultivating his Dao’s heart and exploring the Great Dao.

During this phase, two relatively important minor tasks had been completed—

The Phase Three renovation of Little Jade Peak was finished;

His master had gained karmic merit from the Heavenly Court.

Now Little Jade Peak, using the Five Elements Spirit Zhenzhus gifted by Master Duobao as its foundation and several “treasures” obtained from the Palace of the Holy Mother, had vastly strengthened the power of the Five Elements Grand Formation.

Though he wouldn’t dare claim that Little Jade Peak could now withstand direct strikes from Primordial Treasures, it had at least reached the “ultimate defensive capability” that Li Changshou could currently achieve…

Hiding at home wasn’t meaningless!

If he could obtain a supreme defensive treasure to place at the primary formation eye of Little Jade Peak’s composite formation, that would truly be the ultimate cave dwelling!

Of course, this was just a concept, purely theoretical…

How many manga works would he need to accumulate enough points to exchange for the “Mountains and Rivers Diagram” that Lady Nuwa would eventually bestow upon others?

The difficulty seemed far too high.

This harvest from the Palace of the Holy Mother was already quite bountiful.

Using the power of that small pinch of Nine Heavens Soil, along with the “Space-Time Formation” previously given to him by the Grand Magus, Li Changshou had completed the overall “Space-Time Malleability” transformation of Little Jade Peak.

Little Jade Peak could not only change size at will, combining the functions of a cave-dwelling, a flying brick, and a mobile super formation artillery platform but could also use space-time pocket techniques to shrink or enlarge anyone standing on the peak.

Making escape easier and more convenient was his lifelong unwavering pursuit as an ordinary deity of the Heavenly Court!

With this, the strategic retreat had been imbued with rich artistic qualities!

Li Changshou also realized that this trip to the Palace of the Holy Mother had significantly impacted his mindset.

But no matter how great the impact was, cultivation still needed to be done, and planning still needed to be made.

His fundamental approach of staying low-key in the Human Teachings couldn’t change. Before he possessed the strength to protect himself, he still needed to work toward gaining Sage’s protection and achieving a Meritorious Golden Body…

Though his mindset had changed, it wouldn’t affect his various preparations before the Investiture of the Gods. He still needed to do what he could manage without threatening his safety to preserve the vitality of the Dao School.

While working on those tens of thousands of pages of manga, Li Changshou had casually asked some small questions; perhaps because the Holy Mother was also somewhat bored, she had given Li Changshou some answers, allowing him to obtain quite a bit of useful intelligence.

At the very least, his understanding of the term “Heavenly Dao” had deepened considerably compared to before.

Regarding the Heavenly Dao, one should neither blindly comply nor forcefully oppose.

What did this mean?

[Cannot Comply with Heaven]: Actively becoming Heaven’s tool, being wrapped up in Heaven’s fortunes—as soon as one’s desires deviate from Heaven’s grand trends, it becomes difficult to meet a good end.

[Cannot Forcefully Oppose]: Fighting against Heaven’s grand trends—unless one is a Sage who can transcend the Heavenly Dao, this is merely seeking death.

With Senior Wave’s warning of destruction in the past, and Zhao the Elder and Immortal Yunxiao’s tribulations in the upcoming Investiture of the Gods, Li Changshou now had no choice but to extend his hand into the chessboard of the Investiture.

Abandoning all illusions that the Heavenly Dao would be merciful to him, he had to make the most thorough preparations!

Borrow the grand trends to change one’s fate!

“Fate…”

Li Changshou stretched, put away the Go board, and stood up.

The higher his cultivation level grew, the more he realized that the four characters “peaceful non-action” truly had unfathomably profound boundaries, far beyond what he could currently comprehend thoroughly…

Walking to the two newly mounted portraits of immortal maidens, Li Changshou stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Ling’e on the left, then raised his hand to touch his lips…

What good would waking him have done?!

Speaking of which, this girl who claimed to love dragons but feared them had grown up somewhat to be able to do such a thing.

Later he would arrange for her to go out and gain experience, to interact with the primordial world. If she could ultimately settle down and return to cultivate quietly at Little Jade Peak, she would have passed the third-to-last test.

Looking again at Immortal Yunxiao beside her…

She stood there under that peach blossom branch, otherworldly and ethereal.

Li Changshou’s thoughts, however, were quite simple:

‘Whether we end up together or not, since I can help you this time, I naturally won’t stand idly by.’

“On How to Steadily Save People During the Investiture of the Gods”

Li Changshou naturally had plans ready. He went to a corner, took out a scroll, slowly opened it, and carefully pondered.

This was a complex “formula,” and its result was the “deviation rate” allowed by the Heavenly Dao.

Li Changshou needed some “sample data” to derive this fixed value as a reference for his actions during the tribulations of the Investiture…

The Investiture of the Gods overlaid on the plot of the transfer of royal power between Shang and Zhou, developed step by step, with the great tribulation also spiraling out of control step by step.

Not to mention the three Sages signing the List of Gods in the Purple Void Palace, just looking at how the Investiture developed:

It started with King Zhou of Shang offering lewd poetry insulting Holy Mother Nuwa, leading the Holy Mother to summon ten thousand demons, choosing three from Xuanyuan Tomb—the Nine-Tailed Fox, the Pipa Spirit, and the Nine-Headed Pheasant—to bewitch King Zhou and accelerate Shang’s destruction as punishment.

Later, as King Zhou became increasingly tyrannical and Zhou rose to power, an anti-Shang alliance of feudal lords formed, with immortals from both the Orthodox Teaching and the Severing Teaching descending to join the Zhou and Shang camps…

Among these events, [The Bear Child’s Trouble at Chen Tang Pass] happened long before [Zhao Gongming’s Tragic Death at the Ten Absolute Formation and the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation Trapping the Twelve Golden Immortals].

The story of “Little Zha”—to what extent could he change it? This could serve as a reference for subsequent calculations during the Investiture.

Where was that Spirit Zhenzhu now?

Was it in Queen Mother’s Jade Pool or some corner of the Holy Mother’s Palace?

Li Changshou had no information about this, nor was he in a hurry; after all, Little Zha’s “daddy” was cultivating on Breaking Sky Peak next door.

Catching bare-handed… bah!

The Great Father of the Investiture Development Plan needed to be put on the agenda!

…

“Third Sister, Third Sister!”

In a certain elegant room of a well-known primordial chain “restaurant” in a prosperous town deep in the South Sea.

Having removed his favorite armor and changed into ordinary Daoist robes, while concealing his aura, the Severing Teaching’s outer disciple Zhao Gongming asked worriedly:

“You’ve been out wandering for so long, when are you going to do what needs to be done?

Don’t deceive your big brother, if Second Sister finds out about this…”

“Oh my, it hasn’t been that long!”

Qiongjiao, having drunk some fine wine, her cheeks slightly flushed;

She leaned by the window, watching the various glowing immortal lights and people flying back and forth outside, complaining:

“Where on the island is it as lively as out here, Sister is always so cautious, who knows what she’s afraid of.

Big Brother, besides the six Sage Lords, are there still many experts you can’t defeat now?”

“There should be some,” Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and pondered, “Never mind that, didn’t you say you had a clever plan?

Junior Sister Jinguang is still waiting on the island for my reply, we can’t keep her hanging.”

Qiongjiao snorted: “Keeping her hanging is the best strategy right now.

Big Brother, first clarify your true feelings, lest I help push this relationship forward only for you to blame me later for meddling.”

“Well…” Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and sighed, “That’s exactly why I can’t make up my mind.

Nowadays, the term ‘Dao companion’ has become synonymous with immortal marriage, and when Junior Sister Jinguang confessed her feelings to me, she was aiming for marriage.”

“Big Brother, you don’t like that?” Qiongjiao chuckled, “All beings are divided into yin and yang, great desire has existed since ancient times. Why avoid such matters between men and women?”

Zhao Gongming frowned, “What are you saying? Acting as if you know everything!”

Qiongjiao clicked her tongue and lowered her gaze, sighing, “Big Brother, don’t you understand what you’re avoiding?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you truly not interested in Junior Sister Jinguang?

Or do you feel that, having cultivated since ancient times and now being a notable figure in the world, it would be beneath your dignity to follow the customs of mortal desire like posterior beings?”

With that, Qiongjiao deepened her voice, vividly imitating Zhao Gongming:

“Waa ya ya! How could this poor Daoist do such things? Dual cultivation would surely invite mockery! Where would my dignity as a master be!”

Elder Zhao was stunned, carefully considering and pondering her words.

“Third Sister, what you say… makes some sense…”

Qiongjiao cleared her throat and sat properly in her chair, smiling, “Big Brother, do you know what this is?”

“Please enlighten me.”

“Pride.”

“Uh…”

“How about that?” Qiongjiao’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, “Isn’t my analysis no worse than your brother Changgeng’s? Sisters know their brothers best, don’t I understand your temperament?

That’s why I need to help you with this. Changgeng can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.”

Zhao Gongming nodded slowly, his eyes full of gratification.

How fortunate to have such a sister!

But…

Zhao Gongming’s spiritual sense swept the surroundings. With his power, he could easily see through all the arrangements in this place. The indescribable scenes visible everywhere made his forehead covered in black lines once again.

“So this is why you brought your brother to the Horizon Tower?”

Qiongjiao’s eyes curved into crescents again as she waved her small fist at Zhao Gongming, “Big Brother! Today is the perfect opportunity for you to let go of your pride and face these matters head-on!

This is a place for fleeting romance, one-day marriages, and tribulation training that lasts but a few hours!

Big Brother, you haven’t accepted Junior Sister Jinguang yet, no one can control what you do!”

With that, Qiongjiao took out a jade talisman, and pressed it lightly twice, and the immortal light around the private room receded. One by one, immortal maidens in gauze robes gracefully approached, each one a celestial beauty with willow-like waists.

“Big Brother! Your little sister takes her leave!”

Qiongjiao stood up, cupped her hands, and her figure flashed away, leaving behind a confused Zhao Gongming covered in black lines.

“Immortal Master,” a captivating woman gracefully stepped forward, asking softly:

“How would you like us to address you?

Common terms like Senior, Fellow Daoist, or perhaps Junior Brother, Elder Brother, Master…

Whatever you command, we shall comply.”

Zhao Gongming coughed, stood up, and cupped his hands, leaving a pile of spirit stones on the table, immediately turned to leave, inwardly cursing his third sister’s mischief…

However, just as Zhao Gongming was about to step away, his brows suddenly twitched, and he turned back around.

He first raised his hand to create an immortal power barrier, enclosing the private room, then casually cast a freezing spell, rendering all the Horizon Tower immortal maidens unable to speak or move.

Then Zhao Gongming…

Closed his eyes, listened carefully, and even manifested the phantom of the Sea Calming Zhenzhu behind him.

Just as he was about to leave, he had instinctively conducted a thorough investigation of the Horizon Tower, to avoid being seen and gaining a bad reputation.

This investigation revealed something unexpected—Zhao Gongming detected two familiar auras!

Spirit Mountain monks, and ones he had encountered before, absolutely no mistake!

‘Well well, how long has it been and they’re out here scheming again!

Claimed to seal the mountain for a thousand years! Those words were truly like…’

Never mind, better not blaspheme the Sage Lords. As Brother Changgeng often says, stay steady, stay steady.

What were they doing at the Horizon Tower?

If they wanted to experience temporary tribulations, why not go to the Western Sea?

Even to conceal their tracks, the Eastern or Northern Sea would be better locations.

Moreover, in that top-floor suite, besides those two monks, there were several other powerful experts with profound auras.

Judging from these experts’ aura fluctuations, they seemed to be from the ancient demon clan lineage.

“Something’s wrong,” Zhao Gongming’s spirit shook as he began a series of connections…

While being led around sightseeing by Qiongjiao, he had also heard about the recent uproar of the Demon Ascension Mountain battle;

The Heavenly Court, with the help of his soon-to-be second brother-in-law, had begun to assert its authority over the four seas, making Zhao Gongming somewhat proud.

Here, Western experts and demon clan powerhouses meeting in secret, and not a single “romance seeker” in the suite—this was very telling.

Zhao Gongming quietly waited for a while, using his abilities to listen to the five people’s conversation.

This and that, such and such.

Zhao Gongming quickly became furious, truly wanting to rush up and lay them out, but as he listened to the end, he heard the two Spirit Mountain monks mention they were going to meet someone.

Follow them, lay them all out together!

Several gleams of light flashed through Zhao Gongming’s eyes as he immediately called out to Qiongjiao, who was hiding nearby, using the ‘Synchronous Recording Orb’ series given by Li Changshou years ago to record the scenes in this private room…

Uh, no need to mind these small details.

Upon hearing this matter, Qiongjiao immediately put aside her playful heart, made preparations, and quietly joined Zhao Gongming in secretly following the two monks toward the intersection of the South and West Seas.

Half an hour later, the two monks arrived at an island and met that young Daoist who was sitting on a green-furred divine beast…

“Big Brother, are your skills rusty?” Qiongjiao asked softly.

“No.”

A thousand miles from the island, Zhao Gongming took a light breath, adjusted his expression, and flashed to the high sky, then flew toward the Western Sea, his expression rather leisurely.

His flight path happened to pass over that island…

The young Daoist and the two monks simultaneously discovered Zhao Gongming’s figure and the two monks’ expressions changed in unison as they immediately tried to conceal themselves completely.

But Zhao Gongming suddenly began showing unstable qi, as if old wounds were acting up. In midair, he took out a jade talisman and shouted at it: “Sister, come help me quickly, someone…”

“Waa! Puh!”

Before finishing his words, Zhao Gongming spat blood dramatically, immediately rushing toward the small island. After several flashes, he landed on the island, collapsing right in front of… the young Daoist and the two elders.

The young Daoist reacted swiftly, immediately frowning and saying: “Senior, what’s wrong with you…”

“Puh!”

However, Zhao Gongming ignored him completely and lowered his head to spit out a mouthful of fresh blood, his eyes’ divine light scattered, and his body slowly fell backward toward the ground.

“You… good… poison…”