When it comes to an entire ‘race’ in the Primordial World, one cannot avoid the three matters of ‘destiny’, ‘karmic burden’, and ‘merit’.

The ancient war between the Phoenix Clan and Dragon Clan should be considered the first tribulation after the opening of heaven.

At that time, heaven and earth had just opened, Innate Beings dominated, and the Dragon and Phoenix clans ruled jointly as overlords. Most beings didn’t even have the concept of lifespan then—many with poor aptitude simply achieved immortality by living long enough.

That was truly an era when Great Luo Immortals walked everywhere, and Golden Immortals were as common as dogs.

However, ninety percent of these powerful beings perished in the Dragon-Phoenix War, shattering the Primordial World and establishing the pattern of Five Regions and Three Thousand Worlds.

If not for the Dao Ancestor averting catastrophe by eliminating the troublemaking Demon Ancestor behind the scenes, and heaven and earth accelerating the perfection of the Heavenly Dao to suppress the final ‘climax’ of the great tribulation in time, everything would have returned to chaos…

—The war wasn’t simply a conflict between the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans. The Dragon Clan was the ‘King of Scales’, the Phoenix Clan the ‘King of Wings’, and the Qilin the ‘King of Beasts’. The tribulation that began with Dragons and Phoenixes engulfed almost the entire Primordial World.

The karmic burden borne by the Dragon and Phoenix clans was nearly limitless.

The outcome of the Dragon-Phoenix War was the Dragon Clan’s victory, while the Phoenix Clan and the Qilin—who didn’t even merit naming the tribulation—were nearly extinct.

The Dragon Clan guarded the sea eyes of the Four Seas but burdened by karma, they had been weakening from ancient times to the present;

Even after being pacified by the Heavenly Court, they still suffered the tragedy of the East Sea Eye being breached.

The Qilin, once the third great clan of antiquity, became rare auspicious beasts of the Primordial World, nearly extinct by the end of ancient times…

The Phoenix Clan fared even worse. Originally at least the ‘Clan of the Wing King’, now only one or two clan members remained active—just Kong Xuan and the Golden Peng Bird.

Other flying creatures claiming Phoenix bloodlines were mostly just former ‘followers’ of the Phoenix Clan. True Phoenix bloodline containing the divine ability of Nirvana rarely appeared after ancient times.

The Dragon Clan was different—they had always been quite ‘productive’ in this aspect, struggling from ancient times to the present, maintaining many ‘blood relatives’ throughout heaven and earth…

The Phoenix Clan now faced two problems: destiny and bloodline.

The clan’s karmic burden was borne by the Primordial Phoenix, who relied on the divine ability of Nirvana to suppress the Undying Volcano alone, hoping the Phoenix bloodline could continue. The responsibility for continuing the Phoenix lineage then fell to…

Kong Xuan.

Hearing this, Li Changshou couldn’t help wanting to make some sarcastic remarks.

It felt like the Primordial Phoenix had entrusted this to the wrong… bird.

Even now, Kong Xuan hadn’t decided his yin-yang attribution!

The Phoenix Clan’s problem was now very clear—how to ensure the continuation of their bloodline and slightly restore some destiny to reestablish themselves in the Primordial World.

Kong Xuan said: “My clan previously wronged the Primordial World and bears heavy karma. Now we only seek to continue our bloodline.

We don’t seek to flourish again—several dozen clan members would suffice;

We don’t require all clan members to achieve immortality—being able to continue the bloodline and maintain Phoenix’s presence in heaven and earth would be enough to comfort Mother.”

Li Changshou pondered while beside him, Zhao Gongming crossed his arms, also thinking hard.

Qiong Xiao pointed at the Phoenix Clan girl serving tea and asked curiously: “Then how did she come to be?”

Kong Xuan replied: “Mother gave me three drops of essence blood, which can be given to flying creatures with similar bloodlines to our clan, transforming them into Phoenix Clan members.”

“Oh~” Qiong Xiao nodded in sudden understanding.

Nearby, Zhao Gongming said: “Talk of destiny is mysterious and vague, but generally speaking, doing good deeds and accumulating merit should bring destiny… right?”

“If it were that simple, I wouldn’t be so troubled,” Kong Xuan frowned and shook his head, “Merit and destiny have no connection.”

“I have an idea,” Li Changshou spoke slowly, lifting his tea for a sip.

Since the Sage Lord told him to help, he naturally couldn’t stand idly by.

However, he wasn’t sure if Lord Great Clarity wanted Kong Xuan to grow closer to the Human Dao, or if there was some greater calculation…

Li Changshou had already thought of a possibility with a ninety percent probability—

[The Dark Bird Gives Birth to Shang].

As far as Li Changshou knew, the Shang state’s totem was the ‘Dark Bird’.

In ancient times, the Dragon Clan had aided humanity and became humanity’s totem, thereby reversing their destiny and extending their fate.

If what he was now participating in was the story of ‘the birth of the Shang Dynasty’, then this matter was indeed worthy of the Sage Lord’s attention;

It would also explain why Kong Xuan would intervene to protect the Shang state during the Investiture of the Gods’ tribulation.

Simply put, it was about vested interests.

Li Changshou set down his tea, having made up his mind, and smiled: “In ancient times, the Dragon Clan used that method—why shouldn’t the Phoenix Clan use it?”

Kong Xuan was no ordinary being; with Li Changshou’s hint, he immediately understood what was meant.

Kong Xuan sighed: “Humanity is already prospering now, there’s no opportunity to protect them anymore. This is just idle talk.”

“Not necessarily,” Li Changshou spoke seemingly calmly, though internally vigilant, constantly sensing whether heavenly punishment would descend or if the Sage Lord would stop this line of thinking.

But he soon confirmed that Kong Xuan’s matter must be intricately connected to the rise of the Shang state.

Li Changshou said:

“Human destiny is concentrated in South Jambudvipa, where nations are numerous and warfare widespread. As they say, unity leads to division and division leads to unity—humanity has long lacked a common ruler, and one must arise.

The Phoenix Clan’s opportunity lies here.

If one knows early where the heavenly mandate will fall, and protects the future common ruler in advance, making them take the Phoenix divine bird as their totem, how could the Phoenix Clan not establish itself?”

Even a great power like Kong Xuan showed joy at this moment, standing to salute Li Changshou:

“If Friend can assist in this matter, the Phoenix Clan will owe Friend karmic debt, and Kong Xuan will owe Friend a personal favor!”

Li Changshou smiled: “Friend needn’t be so formal. If my Senior Brother were here, how could he not help my Friend?

Senior Brother’s matters are my matters—we of the Human Dao are of one mind and will fully assist Friend in this matter.

However, there are two things Friend must understand.”

“Please speak.”

Li Changshou’s expression turned serious as he spoke frankly:

“First, in the mortal realm, dynastic change is normal. If the Phoenix Clan achieves its wish, please don’t intervene much when this dynasty falls.”

—This was purely to outmaneuver the Western Paradise.

When Kong Xuan entered the Investiture of the Gods, he originally defeated Enlightenment and injured several Zen Sect immortals, but then Honored Lord Preparation emerged with the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree to counter the Five-colored Divine Light.

Though that battle spread Kong Xuan’s fame, his fate was rather tragic—after being defeated by Preparation, he was forcibly converted to the Western Paradise.

After Laozi transformed into Buddha, Kong Xuan was arranged to be Buddha’s tribulation, swallowing Buddha into his stomach only to have Buddha break out through his back, becoming Buddhism’s Buddha Mother and passively losing his Innate Perfect Body…

The Buddha transformation was a major calculation at the end of the Investiture tribulation. Li Changshou only knew it happened but currently knew nothing of its complex entanglements or final victor.

But what happened to Kong Xuan was very un-Human Dao, lacking any Primordial World romantic spirit.

Wouldn’t the most beautiful script be…

[Kong Xuan voluntarily giving up his Innate Perfect Body for the Great Master, returning to yin to become a woman, putting on rainbow clothes in the flames, applying rouge, wearing a phoenix crown, walking proudly to the back garden of Tushita Palace, pointing at the Great Master taking a lazy nap and saying:

‘Xuandu! I want to marry you!’

Then a mosquito lying on a nearby tree immediately became teary-eyed, thinking that she had flown over first…]

Ahem, back to business, back to business.

Li Changshou continued:

“Second, I can’t say I’m completely certain about this matter and will need to report to His Majesty the Jade Emperor after returning.

To be frank, the Heavenly Court also has a series of plans regarding human incense.

Giving the totem destiny to the Phoenix Clan wouldn’t greatly affect the Heavenly Court, but Friend would need to show some goodwill toward the Heavenly Court—in the future if you encounter Heavenly soldiers and generals in crisis while traveling, please assist them.”

“Agreed! It shall be so!”

Kong Xuan agreed quite decisively.

“Let’s discuss the general direction today,” Li Changshou said, “When changes come to South Jambudvipa in the future, we’ll invite Friend to emerge.”

Kong Xuan said there was no hurry, but Li Changshou forced the topic into practical matters using the excuse that “Senior Brother would blame me if he knew I was negligent.”

In the adjacent seats, Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao looked at each other.

Zhao Gongming transmitted: “Third Sister, do you think Changgen had planned this all along? How does he speak so systematically, arranging everything for the Phoenix Clan in such a short time?”

“Doesn’t sound like it.”

Qiong Xiao muttered:

“If he had it all figured out beforehand, he would usually present it all at once, speaking straight through.

Now he’s thinking while speaking, leaving room in many statements, and often uses a contemplative tone—that’s because he hasn’t figured it all out.

However, being able to consider the Western Paradise, Heavenly Court, and humanity in such a short time, even laying the groundwork for the aftermath, is indeed quite impressive.”

Zhao Gongming sighed deeply: “Ah, feels like I’ve lived all these years in vain…”

“It’s different, Big Brother. You’re not naturally good at these twists and turns—you’re like the wind, only turning when hitting a wall.”

Qiong Xiao calmly said: “Big Brother, you’ll be in trouble if his cultivation surpasses yours in the future.”

“What about you? Won’t you also be surpassed then?”

“What do Little Sister and I have to fear? Being sister-in-law naturally means being taken care of, hmph hmph!”

Hearing this, Zhao Gongming also chuckled, feeling quite content.

It was indeed more relaxing to interact with his brother-in-law and sister.

…

They stayed on Peacock Island for half a day, and when leaving, Kong Xuan personally saw the three off.

Kong Xuan handed a jade talisman to Li Changshou for communication, saying he could repay the favor at any time.

In other words, he gave Li Changshou one chance to request his help.

This was Kong Xuan’s nature—even when repaying favors, he required Li Changshou to actively invite him;

And he indeed had the capital to be proud, after all, not every master below the Sage level could force Honored Lord Preparation into such a desperate situation.

On the return journey, Li Changshou kept his eyes closed in thought.

If he was now being ‘used’ by the Heavenly Dao Lord and involved in the ‘Dark Bird Gives Birth to Shang’ matter, then next, signs would appear in the Heavenly Court and South Jambudvipa…

If the Shang state were successfully established, then the Investiture of the Gods tribulation would truly not be far off.

By the way, Li Changshou had long noticed that South Jambudvipa’s time scale was completely different from the timeline he knew.

Counting from when Emperor Yu returned to the Fire Cloud Cave, this period coincided with the ‘End of Xia Chaos’, and the entire chaotic era had already lasted at least several tens of thousands of years…

This led to an interesting question:

[What exactly was the connection between the Primordial World and later ages?]

Li Changshou had zero interest in exploring this, as he hadn’t yet resolved his most crucial need—the power of self-preservation.

Incidentally, how much merit could be gained from helping South Jambudvipa transition from chaos to unity?

If the merit from the Netherworld’s ascension and reforms, plus the merit from ending South Jambudvipa’s chaos, wasn’t enough for him to cultivate a Merit Golden Body…

Li Changshou had a premonition that he might get stuck at an awkward point.

But it didn’t matter—first accomplish these major tasks, then see how much was lacking. If too much was missing, he could slowly wait for incense merit and Heavenly Court wages;

If it wasn’t much, he could go eliminate some heavily karmic demon beasts to fill the gap.

Eliminate demons and uphold the Dao, for humanity and heaven!

“Ah!”

Zhao Gongming suddenly sighed and declared loudly: “I’ve decided!”

Li Changshou and Qiong Xiao were both startled by him. They watched as this elder brother patted his chest and shouted:

“I’m going to find Jinguang right now.

Since Junior Sister Jinguang has feelings for me, and I can’t bear to refuse her, we can start as Dao partners!

If after hundreds or thousands of years, her feelings haven’t changed and I’ve developed feelings for her too, we can become husband and wife!”

“Wow,” Qiong Xiao immediately jumped over, tugging and shaking Zhao Gongming’s arm, “Big Brother, how did you suddenly become so enlightened!”

Li Changshou also offered a gentle smile.

Zhao Gongming laughed awkwardly, tilting his chin toward Li Changshou, and sighed:

“Earlier at Friend Kong Xuan’s place, seeing how much effort Changshou put into speaking for Senior Brother Xuandu, I was quite moved.

This matter can’t be delayed any longer—it’s making everyone’s Dao hearts unstable and the sect restless.

Little brother, are you free?”

“Elder Brother’s matters are naturally important matters.”

“Let’s go!” Zhao Gongming waved his hand, “We’re heading to Golden Turtle Island right now!”

“Don’t rush, Big Brother,” Qiong Xiao quickly said, “This isn’t something you can decide with just one word. You go slowly with him, I’ll go ahead first to test Junior Sister Jinguang’s feelings!”

“That works…”

Zhao Gongming’s momentum immediately deflated. Qiong Xiao then summoned her Golden Flood Dragon Scissors and flew swiftly to Golden Turtle Island accompanied by dragon roars.

Li Changshou stood by somewhat hesitantly, then shook his head and followed beside Zhao Gongming, continuously answering Elder Zhao’s rather boyish questions.

“Changgen, should I change this armor?”

“Changgen, should I trim my beard?”

“Changgen, what would be appropriate to discuss when I’m alone with Sister Jinguang?”

Li Changshou silently took out a scroll and smiled: “I already prepared this for Elder Brother!”

Zhao Gongming was overjoyed, opening the scroll and reading it like a treasure. Soon he felt confident, believing the matter would succeed.

The two waited for an hour before receiving Qiong Xiao’s transmitted message.

Then, Zhao Gongming brought Li Changshou to Golden Turtle Island. The meeting place was at a scenic treasure pool.

—Which happened to be Ao Yi’s cultivation spot.

Li Changshou didn’t approach the area, preparing to leave after Zhao Gongming went to the island by himself.

However, just as he flew barely thirty to fifty feet before he could even circulate his immortal power, a small vortex appeared in the clouds ahead, and a slightly chubby hand reached out, beckoning to Li Changshou…

Li Changshou smiled, but just as he approached, someone grabbed his collar and pulled him directly into a familiar earthen tunnel.

“Duo…”

“Shh!”

A group of people immediately turned around making shushing gestures, while nearby Duobao grinned and pulled Li Changshou’s arm toward another pit.

Familiar earthen pits, familiar audience, different scenes, different protagonists.

Outside the tunnel, Zhao Gongming was crouching by the pool, running his hand over his face as his beard slowly drifted away strand by strand.

Not far away, Holy Mother Jinguang, wearing a light red long dress, waited quietly with her hands behind her back, her cheeks flushed and her heart pounding like a deer.

Around the treasure pool were earthen tunnels created by Duobao Dao Person’s unique divine ability, and these tunnels were packed with enthusiastic immortal disciples from several Severing Sect island cultivation grounds…

No wonder people say the Severing Sect has high cohesion!

This kind of thing was quite a significant factor.

Li Changshou was led to the best viewing position, receiving the same treatment as sacred disciples like Qiong Xiao and Holy Mother Jinling.

However, after watching for a while, Li Changshou became secretly worried…

If news reached Yun Xiao’s side and she came over, wouldn’t she be reminded of a similar grand spectacle in the peach blossom forest…

Li Changshou’s Dao heart shuddered, and he immediately prepared to self-immolate this paper avatar to withdraw in time; but just as this thought arose, before the Three-Flavors True Flame could ignite, a light snort echoed back and forth through the tunnel…

Many Severing Sect immortals instinctively felt their legs go weak.