Had Duxian Gate’s mockery attribute been maxed out?

Being openly the weakest Human Dao immortal sect, how could they be targeted so easily?!

Li Changshou watched the situation his divine consciousness monitoring network had detected:

Several demon armies marched underground, passing through the gaps between various Eastern Continent immortal sects’ territories, steadily converging on the Duxian Gate…

For a moment, he was too speechless to even mock the situation.

Of course, these hundred thousand demons weren’t particularly troublesome at this point. With the paper clone army Li Changshou had stockpiled outside Duxian Gate, he could handle most of them.

But fighting with the paper clone army would directly expose Duxian Gate’s “uniqueness,” and with the rich imagination of the sect’s immortals, it would easily reveal that “the Water God’s true form is in Duxian Gate.”

He had to find a way to change battlefields, or perhaps make all the sect members fall unconscious…

As soon as he discovered these demon armies, Li Changshou deduced some of the schemer’s thoughts behind today’s events.

It was simple – just think from the Western Religion’s perspective.

Assuming the one planning this was the mastermind behind the East Sea incident – Spirit Mountain’s Ksitigarbha.

Ksitigarbha’s move seemed risky but was steady and measured.

Ksitigarbha must have connected the Heavenly Court with the Human Dao, then set up the Heavenly Court’s Water God – the black hand behind destroying Demon Ascension Mountain – as a target, inciting the demon race to attack Human Dao immortal sects, telling them they could force Human Dao experts to appear and surround and kill them.

But Ksitigarbha surely understood in his heart that once battle broke out, the demon race would undoubtedly be defeated.

The Human Dao’s Grand Master alone was enough to turn the tide of battle here. Even the Demon Emperor of old would struggle to face the Grand Master empowered by innate treasures.

“But with the demon race’s defeat today, it would increase their hatred toward the Heavenly Court and Human Dao, indirectly pressuring the demon race.

Looking ahead, there’s also the matter of demons seeking help from the Holy Mother’s Palace, only to be strung up and beaten by those the Holy Mother dispatched;

If the Human Dao begins retaliating against the demon race, or if rumors spread about the Human Dao preparing to deal with the demon race, the demons will surely panic. Then they can only turn to the West, seeking refuge with the Two Sages, easily becoming tools of the West.”

These should be Ksitigarbha’s main calculations.

Other calculations included using this chance to search for potential Human Dao spies hiding in the Western Religion;

Attempting to assassinate Human Dao disciples, confirming the Heavenly Court Water God’s background, striking at the Sea God Sect’s incense-gathering tool, suppressing the Heavenly Court’s fortune… and so on.

There were at least ten layers of consideration.

Whether the demon race won or lost, the Human Dao would be damaged, the Sea God Sect would meet disaster, pressure on the demon race would greatly increase, and the Western Religion would reap the benefits.

Overall, compared to when Golden Cicada came to the Sea God Sect and carelessly said he wanted to share dragons with the Heavenly Court, this was hundreds of times more brilliant!

Analysis aside, the current problem was…

“How to perfectly break this situation?”

Li Changshou muttered, continuing to pace back and forth.

Tower Lord’s voice came from his heart:

“Don’t fear, fight! Let them slash freely! With Big Brother protecting you, you can sit right in front of them recovering immortal power!

Large numbers? That’s always been a question of endurance!”

Just as Li Changshou was about to explain, he suddenly saw a flash of golden light on Breaking Heaven Peak as the Sect Master’s figure hurriedly flew over.

Li Changshou quickly opened the outer array for passage and went out to meet him from the pill-refining chamber.

—At this time, the Sect Master no longer needed to conceal his form on Little Qiong Peak, as the outer array had been set with enough illusions.

“Changshou! Cough! Cough cough!”

Li Changshou said: “Master, don’t worry, I already have countermeasures for this.”

Ji Wuyou, showing an anxious expression, was stunned and asked: “You know what’s happened?”

Li Changshou habitually steadied things, saying: “Sect Master, please speak first, and see if it matches what I know.”

Ji Wuyou steadied his voice and said:

“Large numbers of demons have appeared around the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, at least a hundred thousand, and among them are many great demons with thick auras. There are even several demon experts in the Daluo realm!

The Xiaoyao Immortal Sect surely can’t hold on. They’ve already sent calls for help to Human Dao sects, but even if this poor monk leads people to rush over now, we’d likely be inadequate!

What can be done?”

Li Changshou frowned. “Xiaoyao Immortal Sect? Hundreds of thousands of demon troops?”

Goodness, this time the demon race had been fooled by Ksitigarbha into making such a huge investment!

Subsequently, many doubts in Li Changshou’s mind were resolved;

The opponent’s overall calculations had revealed a complete puzzle in his mind.

As expected, by now large numbers of lesser demons would be hiding along the South and East Sea coasts, preparing to raid cities within the Sea God Sect’s sphere of influence, tying up Heavenly Court forces…

Later, as soon as he appeared in his Water God identity, Primordial Fierce Beasts sent by the West would surely strike, thus making the demon race feel they shared a common enemy with the West.

Ji Wuyou realized something seemed wrong and asked softly:

“Changshou, what is it?”

“The Western Religion’s move this time has great aims and no small schemes,” Li Changshou said. “Master, right now there’s also a group of demon soldiers outside Duxian Gate.

The demon race is reluctant to use too many forces at this time, and has likely only chosen our Duxian Gate and the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect as targets for revenge for the Battle of Demon Ascension Mountain.”

Ji Wuyou’s expression shook, showing some confusion as he said: “What connection do we have to the Battle of Demon Ascension Mountain?”

“Demon Ascension Mountain was blown up by a Human Dao expert. The Heavenly Court has always had our Human Dao’s support.”

Li Changshou said seriously: “Next, the Master should gather the peak masters of each peak in the sect. No one should remain on the peaks. Take precious treasures and materials and hurry to the underground geomantic transportation array.”

Ji Wuyou said: “To flee without fighting like this, isn’t that…”

“This isn’t fleeing without fighting, but avoiding needless losses.”

Li Changshou reached back, and a paper clone jumped out from the corner. From its shoulder bag flew out a jade tablet, floating into Li Changshou’s palm.

Li Changshou said: “Forgive this disciple’s offense, but this disciple orders this with the identity of a Human Dao Minor Law Master. Master, please don’t hesitate, act quickly!”

Ji Wuyou’s brows were tightly knitted, but he didn’t hesitate, immediately nodding in agreement.

But then the Sect Master seemed to recall something and smiled bitterly: “The underground transportation array was destroyed long ago. Repairing it now would take at least half a month!”

“No matter, this disciple has prepared one for the sect.”

What!

Ji Wuyou’s eyes bulged as he looked at the Little Qiong Peak disciple before him who had spoken such words so casually…

“Cough cough! What did you prepare this thing for?”

“Better safe than sorry,” Li Changshou smiled. This was something he’d only created in the past dozen or so years.

“Master, go sixteen hundred zhang below the original array.”

Li Changshou took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and presented it to Ji Wuyou with both hands. “There’s another underground transportation array there, more hidden and untraceable.

That ley line connects to the northeastern part of the Southern Continent. When you emerge, you’ll be near a major mortal city where sect disciples can temporarily hide.”

Ji Wuyou: …

Li Changshou urged: “There’s at most half a Shichen. Once battle breaks out at the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, they will attack our Duxian Gate.

Master need not worry about the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect. I have ways to help them break the siege.”

“Ah! This time we’re completely relying on you, Changshou!”

“Master, remember to keep this matter strictly secret.”

“Rest assured, I absolutely won’t tell my master half a word!”

With that, Ji Wuyou grabbed the array control jade talisman and shot toward the nearest peak.

Li Changshou made a Daoist salute and also breathed a sigh of relief.

This way, what came next would be much easier to handle.

Just then, Li Changshou discovered that the four demon armies approaching Duxian Gate were secretly lying in wait between fifteen to eighteen thousand li away, not directly attacking.

This matched his expectations quite closely.

Tower Lord puzzledly asked in his heart: “Little disciple, how will you help the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect? Send Heavenly soldiers?”

“Though there are enough Heavenly soldiers and they’re well-trained, there are too few experts above the Heavenly Immortal realm,” Li Changshou shook his head. “For now, we can only seek aid.”

Tower Lord made a rare moment of rationality, muttering: “Seek aid? Those Western puppies should also have anticipated other Human Dao sects coming to aid that Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, they must have set ambushes.”

“Given how deep their calculations run, they should have thoroughly investigated the Human Dao sects’ situations. Daring to penetrate deep into the Central Divine Continent, they must have prepared escape routes.”

Li Changshou took out a jade talisman from behind his back and smiled: “The simplest way to break the deadlock is to introduce external forces.

These demons who have already shown themselves in the Central Divine Continent, today… well, they won’t need to go back.”

At once his fingers quickly tapped lightly, activating the talisman’s restrictions. From the other end came a jingling sound, as if many treasures were piled together, colliding with each other…

“Changgeng?”

…

With Sect Master Ji Wuyou personally transmitting the message, all peaks of Duxian Gate immediately sprang into action.

Those in seclusion were all awakened, fortunately, no one was at a crucial moment of breakthrough.

Most cultivators carried their belongings with them, and with the sect elders helping to empty the inner hall of the Dao Collection Palace and the Hundred Mortals Palace treasury, it was but a moment’s work…

Peak masters and elders each displayed their divine abilities, leading disciples underground.

They somewhat difficultly bored several thousand zhang underground, entering a spacious “great hall” and seeing that geomantic transportation array hundreds of zhang in diameter…

Hearing the sect immortals praise the Sect Master’s deep foresight, Ji Wuyou felt somewhat embarrassed.

Forgetting Emotions Elder Wang Fugui and Extremely Vicious Jiang Lin’er led the Nine Wine Immortals together, maintaining order everywhere.

At this time, Wine Wu and Wine Shi were also hurriedly searching for where Wine Jiu had gone, but they quickly received transmissions from both Sect Master Ji Wuyou and Forgetting Emotions Elder telling them not to worry.

Wine Jiu and Wine Yushi were naturally on Little Qiong Peak.

Li Jing, now grown into a youth, was being protected by two old True Immortals in the crowd. Seeing such arrangements, he was quite puzzled but showed no trace of fear.

Hearing uncles and aunts at his side mention that demons and monsters were attacking again, Li Jing’s eyes were filled with fighting spirit.

However, at this moment, the sect wouldn’t allow him to draw his sword and advance, slaying demons and eliminating monsters; if he rushed out now, he would be at the other extreme of a descending deity…

A deity delivering meals.

Then Sect Master Ji Wuyou’s voice transmitted everywhere:

“Cough, cough cough!

Behind Breaking Heaven Peak’s hall, Mist Spirit Peak, Pill Cauldron Peak, and Immortal Rain Peak will lead the way forward to scout.

Elders, disciples, and sect members of each peak will monitor each other. Anyone who privately uses communication talismans or arrays will have their cultivation sealed and dealt with afterward!

Do not ask about other matters.”

The immortals responded in unison. As the array activated, groups of cultivators entered in an orderly and swift manner, using the ley line’s power to transport away.

Before long, You Qin Xuanya hurriedly found Ji Wuyou. With hesitation in her eyes, she still lowered her head and clasped her hands, asking:

“Sect Master, why is Little Qiong Peak’s branch alone missing?”

Ji Wuyou sighed softly. He was about to tell You Qin Xuanya not to ask about this matter when he suddenly thought of something and said: “They decided to stay behind.”

“Then this disciple also decides to stay behind!”

You Qin Xuanya raised her head to look at her ancestral master, her beautiful eyes full of brightness. “Please grant this, Sect Master! This disciple has no regrets about life or death!”

“Go then,” Ji Wuyou waved his hand. Before the Breaking Heaven Peak disciples around could react, You Qin Xuanya had already made a Daoist salute and turned to fly away swiftly.

“Little Ya!”

Jiang Jingshan hurriedly called out but was stopped by Ji Wuyou’s gesture.

“Don’t worry, she should be safer here than moving with us.”

The immortals were immediately bewildered.

You Qin Xuanya wrapped herself in immortal power and dove into the crevices in the ascending rocks. Riding her immortal sword toward the surface, before long she emerged from the river valley below Breaking Heaven Peak.

Just as she was about to rush toward Little Qiong Peak’s direction, she saw several figures fly overhead.

Spreading her divine consciousness, You Qin Xuanya was slightly stunned.

Over ten figures stood in the air, sprinkling immortal beans onto each peak. These beans exploded with bang-bang sounds, quickly transforming into “Heavenly Soldiers.”

Many peaks were already crowded with brightly armored soldiers and generals. The mountain-protecting array was fully activated, with five-colored auspicious light everywhere in the sky.

“Come to the peak,” Li Changshou’s voice sounded in her heart.

Though You Qin Xuanya’s eyes were full of confusion, she nodded and answered: “Yes, Senior Brother.”

She rode her sword to Little Qiong Peak, and before long entered Little Qiong Peak’s array, being guided by a beam of immortal light to the pill-refining chamber.

Just stepping into the chamber, You Qin Xuanya was stunned again.

Inside, several familiar figures lay sprawled about, all fallen asleep.

Elder Qi Yuan lay in the corner, Wine Jiu naturally hugged a wine jar sleeping soundly in a chair, Wine Yushi had collapsed sitting on a meditation cushion, and Xiong Lingli’s snores thundered…

Li Changshou sat before the pill furnace with a thoughtful expression, suddenly saying:

“You Qin won’t be necessary.”

Before You Qin Xuanya could come to her senses, she heard a familiar light laugh from behind, and her heart was slightly startled.

Her divine consciousness hadn’t detected at all that Ling’e had approached her back!

“Hehe,” Ling’e’s small hand retracted, putting the porcelain bottle back in her sleeve as she hurriedly stepped forward and hugged You Qin Xuanya from behind. “Senior Sister, don’t be angry, Senior Brother told me to do all this!”

Li Changshou snickered but didn’t deny it.

You Qin Xuanya’s mouth corner twitched slightly. She sighed softly before asking firmly: “Senior Brother Changshou, what do you need me to do?”

“Everything is already arranged,” Li Changshou answered with closed eyes. “You two just play chess to pass the time. Don’t panic no matter what sounds you hear later.”

You Qin Xuanya turned her head to exchange glances with Ling’e, each reading some helplessness in the other’s eyes.

“Should we play chess?” You Qin Xuanya asked softly.

Ling’e blinked. “Senior Brother ordered it, so we should just do it.”

Shortly after, they really set up a chess board, knelt facing each other, and began seriously competing with black and white pieces.

The entire Duxian Gate was quiet. Over ten peaks were filled with “Heavenly Soldiers,” tens of thousands of immortal bean soldiers beginning to execute simple “defense” orders.

The opponent’s sequence of attacks should be the Sea God Sect, Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, then Duxian Gate;

On the Sect Master’s side, two Golden Immortal realm paper clones were also mixed in, ready to assist at any time.

The Sea God Sect’s sphere of influence was currently too vast and could only defend passively. Damage might be very severe. Li Changshou could only try to minimize casualties among mortals and divine envoys, recording accounts in his notebook.

Arrangements were also made for the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect side. They needed to grit their teeth and hold on at first, but reinforcements would arrive soon.

But purely taking hits passively, facilitating the Western Religion and Ksitigarbha’s schemes, wasn’t the style of his Human Dao disciples…

Li Changshou’s mouth corner revealed a slight smile.

“Ah, Senior Sister You Qin, a quick look at my Senior Brother…”

“What is it?”

“When Senior Brother smiles like this, someone is going to be arranged.”

You Qin Xuanya tilted her head slightly as Ling’e acted completely serious.

In various places on Little Qiong Peak, the immortal bean soldiers Li Changshou had originally arranged all lay down, concealing themselves…

Moments later.

In the South and East coastal areas of the Southern Continent, similar scenes occurred simultaneously in several hundred somewhat remote Sea God Sect cities:

Over ten seemingly unaffected mortals suddenly had demon fire wrapping their bodies. Each screamed miserably as terrifying demon beasts crawled out from within them!

These demon beasts roared several times, pouncing toward the already empty Sea God temples, destroying the way.

In but an instant, golden light flashed in the high sky, dragon calls resounded from the sea, and beams of golden light fell toward these hundreds of cities, silver-armored figures flying out from within.

The great drama of Heavenly Soldiers battling demon beasts played out synchronously in various places.

Meanwhile, in the Central Divine Continent, at the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect’s gate.

Dark clouds blocked heaven and sun, demon qi rolled everywhere in the sky!

Hundreds of thousands of demon troops, carried along by countless demon experts, directly scattered near the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect’s gate, launching a fierce attack.

Within the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, most disciples’ faces were pale. Dozens of sect experts rushed to the air above various peaks, shouting in unison as they struck out streams of immortal power, supporting the mountain-protecting array with all their might!

And in the southwest, northeast, and due east directions from the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, streams of light began gathering, like three rivers surging toward this place!

Moreover, streaks of jade talismans appeared throughout the Central Divine Continent, alarming human immortal sects one after another…

Moments later.

Dozens of large holes appeared in Duxian Gate’s surroundings, endless demon winds blowing out from the holes, similarly with demon experts carrying demon soldiers.

In an instant, demon armies surrounded from four sides, collectively attacking Duxian Gate!

However, just as the demons were about to bombard the mountain-protecting array, several old demons found something… wasn’t right.

They each gave orders, the demons temporarily halting their charge forward. One demon expert after another looked into the array to see the entire Duxian Gate empty.

An old demon sniffed and said in a deep voice: “Not much human smell. They all ran away.”

Dong—

A strain of zither music sounded between heaven and earth. A white cloud was seen slowly descending from high in the sky, upon which sat an old immortal with white hair and beard, lowering his head to play the zither.

“Water God!”

“The Water God is here!”

“Kill…

Wait! Be careful of spirit explosions! All the people here have left!”

“Heh,” Li Changshou gave a light laugh, stopped playing the zither, and floated above the mountain-protecting array, his gaze sweeping over the demon figures filling the sky and land.

Flames suddenly appeared around his body, and this avatar was instantly consumed by fire, but that calm, comfortable voice echoed between heaven and earth.

“A hundred thousand demons, medium merit. That friend truly did not deceive me.

Everyone, please come in.”

As the words sounded, Duxian Gate’s mountain-protecting array flickered gently, then popped with a “pa” sound like a bubble bursting.