It was rare for Li Changshou to make a request, and Zhao Gongming didn’t hesitate at all. He brought along Li Changshou’s avatar, called his Third Sister, and set out towards the South Sea wielding his twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Divine Zhenzhus!

Moments later, they quietly arrived at the previous incident site. Qiong Xiao took out a bag of cyan-colored flowing sand and immediately began using her tracking techniques.

Zhao Gongming, now wearing his armor, stroked his beard and smiled, “What’s going on? Is the sun rising from the west? Little brother, I’ve never seen you be so decisive.”

“Between two evils, choose the lesser one. This time I’m just taking a chance,” Li Changshou said seriously. “If we can catch up to him, it doesn’t matter if we can’t eliminate him—we just need to get rid of that blue-haired hound of his!”

After brief contemplation, understanding dawned on Zhao Gongming’s face: “So you’re wary of that divine beast’s abilities.”

Qiong Xiao let out a snort of laughter and said, “It’s just a divine beast that can hear living beings’ thoughts. Couldn’t we just use a minor spell to conceal our divine spirits?”

Li Changshou replied, “Lady Xiao if we weren’t hiding our forms right now, all the fish around this island and the spirits in the sea would have seen our movements. Wouldn’t our whereabouts already be exposed to Dichou’s ears?”

Qiong Xiao blinked, “That… does make some sense… It’s ready over here.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the floating sand before her transformed into a cyan cloud that drifted toward the depths of the South Sea.

After some thought, Zhao Gongming said, “Third Sister, you bring Changgen’s avatar and follow behind. Your brother will go meet him first!”

With these words, a water-blue divine light flickered around Zhao Gongming’s body, and his figure transformed into a gentle breeze, vanishing instantly…

Qiong Xiao’s lips curled as she cast a lingering glance at Li Changshou, snorting, “Big Brother is taking your request so seriously that he’s even using his innate divine ability, which he hasn’t revealed for many years.”

Li Changshou nodded with a slight smile beside her, his eyes showing traces of emotion.

Qiong Xiao casually pointed her finger, and a golden rope wrapped around Li Changshou’s arm. She mounted her cloud to give chase, though notably not inviting Li Changshou to ride the same cloud.

Sensing the awkwardness between them, Li Changshou took the initiative to ask, “How has your elder sister been lately?”

“Fine, she’s in closed cultivation,” Qiong Xiao responded curtly, then turned back to look at Li Changshou behind her. “You… never mind.”

“Lady Xiao, please speak freely.”

Qiong Xiao snorted, “Do you know what wine my sister likes? Do you know what kind of clothes she prefers? Looking at how you’re always running errands for the Heavenly Court, it seems you don’t care about my sister at all. Are you waiting for my sister to invite you before you visit our Three Immortal Islands? With my sister’s beauty, gentleness, and innate mastery, you show no initiative at all. Do you think she has no choice but you for crossing her emotional tribulation?”

“Well…”

Li Changshou was at a loss for words. Just as he was about to explain that his relationship with Lady Yun Xiao hadn’t yet reached that passionate stage, the sky suddenly darkened ahead.

The cosmos shook, and the Great Dao surged!

“Big Brother’s engaged in combat!”

Qiong Xiao’s bright eyes instantly lit up. “Let’s hurry, or we’ll miss the fight!”

After speaking, Qiong Xiao immediately pulled Li Changshou along faster but then remembered his avatar’s limited strength. Leaving him with a “fly over slowly, I’m going to help with the battle,” she transformed into a golden light and rushed forward.

Shortly after, dragon roars filled the air as two golden flood dragons twisted and turned in flight. Twenty-four star-like pearls hung in the border region of the South Sea, sealing off a vast portion of space!

Could Dizang be this powerful? To make Elder Zhao fight at nearly full strength!

Just as Li Changshou was about to request the Great Master’s help, five streams of divine light suddenly burst forth from the horizon, attempting to break through the Sea-Stabilizing Zhenzhus’ containment.

The divine lights were black, white, cyan, yellow, and red, interweaving to form a heaven-covering hand that seemed poised to tear apart the azure sky!

Five-colored Divine Light?!

Li Changshou’s eyes widened.

How did Elder Zhao end up fighting with Sister Xuan—no, with Kong Xuan?!

The two golden flood dragons roared and crashed directly into the Five-colored Divine Light, dispersing the giant hand. The twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Zhenzhus continuously flickered, changing positions in the air, forcefully suppressing the divine light that threatened to surge again!

This…

Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao, along with the Sea-Stabilizing Zhenzhus and Golden Scissors, join forces to battle Kong Xuan’s Five-colored Divine Light.

Such a spectacle was truly unprecedented.

Li Changshou immediately pressed forward, using his wind escape technique to hurriedly catch up to the battle site tens of thousands of miles away.

Despite his swift movement technique, he still needed a brief moment to arrive;

During this interval, Zhao Gongming and his sister had already exchanged several rounds with Kong Xuan!

The Sea-Stabilizing Zhenzhus unleashed their power, temporarily suppressing the Five-colored Divine Light, preventing it from sweeping away the divine pearls.

Zhao Gongming wielded his golden wooden whip while Kong Xuan gripped a long sword. The two figures repeatedly clashed above the sea surface, each leaving traces of afterimages, their fierce battle raising titanic waves!

Fortunately, Zhao Gongming’s Sea-Stabilizing Zhenzhus possessed the power to stabilize the cosmos, otherwise, the space here would likely have been shattered!

Qiong Xiao’s delicate hands formed sword fingers, controlling the Golden Scissors to dodge the Five-colored Divine Light. Whenever the divine light attempted to close in, she immediately manifested the flood dragons from the Golden Scissors to disperse it with a strike.

Even while fighting against two opponents, Kong Xuan showed no signs of defeat. Instead, using the Five-colored Divine Light, he managed to contain Zhao Gongming’s Sea-Stabilizing Zhenzhus and force Qiong Xiao to stay back from entering close combat…

Li Changshou’s figure appeared beside Qiong Xiao, and he immediately called out loudly:

“Elder Brother! Friend Kong Xuan! Please stop fighting!”

However, his voice, even enhanced with immortal power, was torn apart by the spiritual energy turbulence from the battle site…

“Don’t worry,” Qiong Xiao smiled, “Big Brother can handle this.”

Li Changshou had a quick thought and shouted toward the sky: “Senior Brother! Why are you here?”

As soon as he spoke, the Five-colored Divine Light flashed rapidly, enveloping Kong Xuan as he shot toward the distance, directly escaping the Sea-Stabilizing Zhenzhus’ coverage to stand thousands of miles away.

“Elder Brother! Elder Brother!”

Li Changshou quickly moved forward to stop Zhao Gongming, who was about to give chase, then released his aura.

Thousands of miles away, Kong Xuan, dressed in a cyan cotton robe, slightly furrowed his brows, looked up at the sky, then stared at Li Changshou before snorting and approaching on a cloud.

Li Changshou pulled Zhao Gongming’s arm and asked, “Elder Brother, do you have an old grudge with Friend Kong Xuan?”

“What old grudge? We just met!”

Zhao Gongming angrily puffed his beard, “I was tracking Dizang’s trail and found him standing above an immortal island. I wanted to ask if he’d seen him. I was being perfectly cordial, even called out ‘Brother,’ but who knew he’d glare and curse at me, demanding to know which eye of mine saw him as a brother.

I thought… well, I made a mistake, and when you make a mistake, you should admit it, right? So I corrected myself and called him ‘Lady,’ and even apologized.

Who knew he’d glare and curse at me again, asking which eye of mine saw him as a lady!

I just asked if he was a brother or a lady, or neither brother nor lady, and he came at me wanting to teach me a lesson!”

“Pfffft… Hahaha!”

Nearby, Qiong Xiao couldn’t help but burst into laughter, nearly falling off her cloud.

By now, Kong Xuan had flown back, coldly saying, “What’s wrong with teaching you a lesson? If I didn’t consider that you’re Sage’s disciple and a famous figure of the Severing Sect, I would have plucked every hair from your beard today!”

“Hey now!”

Zhao Gongming’s eyes widened, the twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Zhenzhus circling around him, “Friend, you’re going too far! Perhaps we should have another round today!”

“Both of you, please!”

Li Changshou felt a massive headache coming on.

Kong Xuan was currently a ‘neutral party’ between the Dao School and the Western Paradise. Even if they couldn’t win him over, they shouldn’t make an enemy of him.

To be safe, Li Changshou transmitted a calming message to Zhao Gongming while turning to make a Dao salute to Kong Xuan, smiling as he said:

“Friend Kong, this was just a small misunderstanding. Your martial prowess and ethereal bearing, as an Innate Perfect Dao Body, transcend the mundane and cannot be judged by ordinary standards. My Elder Brother’s momentary mistake, followed by your justified response—perhaps we could let this matter rest here.”

Kong Xuan’s expression visibly shifted from dark to bright, and he nodded slightly, saying, “My hasty attack earlier was indeed discourteous. I offer my apologies here.”

Zhao Gongming emerged from behind Li Changshou, smiling, “It was also my careless oversight that offended me. However, Friend’s Five Elements divine abilities were truly eye-opening. If there’s a chance, why don’t we have another friendly exchange!”

Kong Xuan’s narrow phoenix eyes filled with light, as two streams of Dao charm and aura clashed gently across the space.

“How about right—”

“Another day! Another day!” Li Changshou quickly interjected.

Kong Xuan’s lips curled as he asked, “Who were you looking for?”

Li Changshou replied, “We were pursuing some enemies—a young cultivator riding a blue-haired spirit beast.”

Kong Xuan made some calculations with his fingers and quickly provided an answer.

“They passed over my island’s formation earlier, heading south toward the Celestial Pillar. By now they’ve already left the Five Regions.”

Hearing this, Li Changshou sighed in disappointment.

Kong Xuan smiled, “How about I chase them down for you? Perhaps I could find their trail.”

“No matter, let them go this time,” Li Changshou made a Dao salute, “I appreciate your kind offer, Friend.”

Kong Xuan continued, “In that case, why not visit my island for a while?”

Li Changshou looked to Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao for their opinion, and both nodded, letting him decide.

For a master like Kong Xuan, Li Changshou felt that building good relations was better than making enemies.

Moreover, this concerned the Great Master’s marriage prospects. As a candidate for the Human Dao’s high-ranking position, and himself being a minor master of the Human Dao, he should certainly help the Great Master in this matter.

How could he let the Great Master grow old alone and dejected in Xuandu City?

Care for Humanity’s First Pure Yang Elder of the Primordial World!

If everyone contributes a bit of love, the Three Realms will have a better tomorrow!

Li Changshou smiled and said, “Friend Kong Xuan, let me introduce you—these two are among the top masters of the current Dao School’s Severing Sect.”

Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao exchanged glances, then stepped forward together, blocking Li Changshou behind them.

“I am Zhao Gongming, considered Changgen’s elder brother-in-law.”

“Qiong Xiao of the Three Immortal Islands, his younger… sister… in-law!”

Li Changshou: …

He and Lady Yun Xiao hadn’t even…

Wait, what are you two worried about?!

Seeing this, Kong Xuan snorted: “I treat him so kindly only because he’s the Great Master’s junior brother, and I owe the Great Master many favors.

Hmph, follow me.”

Then with a sweep of his sleeves, he turned to lead the way.

…

Kong Xuan’s secluded dwelling was quite hidden.

An entire island was concealed by formations, undetectable whether by the naked eye or immortal consciousness.

The island’s arrangement was rather elegant, with clear streams winding around bamboo pavilions and rocks dotting the forest.

The young woman Kong Xuan had previously rescued had recovered from her ‘mental rampage’ and now wore colorful clothes with a pretty face, serving tea and water, looking nothing like a man-eating peacock bird.

Perhaps because he had recently renovated Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou unconsciously began exploring various places, catching some very detailed arrangements on the island. Upon careful inspection, he found it quite enlightening…

After being seated, there wasn’t much small talk—Kong Xuan only asked about matters concerning the Great Master.

Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao exchanged glances; the siblings now roughly understood something, both feeling great reverence for that man…

Li Changshou answered everything in detail while subtly steering the conversation away…

Li Changshou asked, “Why was Friend earlier outside your formation, where my Elder Brother encountered you?”

“I was feeling somewhat restless earlier as if sensing some opportunity approaching.”

Kong Xuan sighed softly, gazing at the bamboo forest outside while playing with the jade cup in his hand, “But as soon as I went out, I ran into Friend Zhao.”

“Opportunity?”

Zhao Gongming was puzzled, “What kind of opportunity? Perhaps something I possess?

If so, please tell me, Friend. Since you’re my little brother’s friend, you’re naturally my friend too!

I certainly won’t be stingy!”

“I’m not exactly sure myself, and it’s not about treasures,” Kong Xuan calculated with his fingers, sighing, “The opportunity I speak of has little to do with me, but rather concerns my clan’s fortune.

Friends, do you know of my Phoenix Clan?”

Li Changshou nodded slowly, and Zhao Gongming also stroked his beard in acknowledgment.

Qiong Xiao pointed at Li Changshou, smiling sweetly: “If you’re talking about Phoenix Clan matters, the word ‘opportunity’ might just apply to him.”

“Hmm?” Li Changshou was confused, “Why would Lady say such a thing?”

What opportunity could he possibly have with the Phoenix Clan?

Dragons and Phoenixes were mortal enemies, and he had already sided with the Dragon Clan—the Phoenix Clan probably wouldn’t trust him either.

Qiong Xiao rolled her eyes, “Don’t you know your status?”

Kong Xuan’s eyes also showed traces of curiosity…

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and sighed, saying:

“Friend Kong Xuan, my little brother here has quite a list of titles, listen well!

Sitting before you is currently the most trusted deity of the Heavenly Court’s Jade Emperor, overseeing all water affairs in the Three Realms, and more importantly, an undisclosed disciple of the Human Dao, responsible for handling Human Dao affairs, coming and going freely between the Jade Capital Palace and Tushita Palace.”

“Ahem!”

Qiong Xiao cleared her throat and continued:

“He’s also the great strategist behind the Heavenly Court’s rise, single-handedly facilitating the Dragon Clan’s ascension to heaven, destroying hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers with a wave of his hand, resolving the life-and-death crisis of the Primordial Clan with a point of his finger, and the universally acknowledged relationship advisor in our Dao School!

Of course, most importantly, he’s my sister’s future Dao partner, oh~”

As the siblings spoke, Kong Xuan’s eyes grew increasingly bright, and when he looked at the somewhat embarrassed Li Changshou, there was additional warmth in his gaze.

“Then, could Friend help my Phoenix Clan?”

“Friend, please don’t listen to Elder Brother and Lady’s exaggerated praise. I’m just an ordinary—”

[Help]

This word unexpectedly appeared in his heart, accompanied by the faint Dao charm of the Great Clarity Dao, undoubtedly from Lord Great Clarity!

“—immortal official.”

Li Changshou cleared his throat and said seriously, “However, given my connection to the Great Master, whenever Friend has a request, I will carefully consider it and help wholeheartedly.”