Look at what’s been happening lately.

Setting aside Earth Treasury’s troublemaking—which falls within the normal scope of conflict between the Dao sect and Western Teaching, with victories and losses on both sides, just ordinary power struggles.

But following right after…

First, his master’s marriage fate became problematic, with strings of fate tied by the Holy Maiden;

Before this wave settled, His Majesty the Jade Emperor suddenly decided he wanted to descend to the mortal realm to temper himself, pursue the perfection of the Great Dao, and experience the birth, aging, sickness, and death of posterior beings…

Even with Li Changshou’s abundant tactical reserves, this gave him quite a headache, leaving him powerless to complain.

This was all idle trouble!

Ahem, one involved the Holy Maiden, and one was his direct superior—he couldn’t say much about either.

But fortunately, looking at his master’s situation currently, it remained just a small matter. Though the Jade Emperor’s situation was major, he had listened to Li Changshou’s advice and chosen a relatively stable approach:

[Divine Soul Descent].

When posterior beings are born, they all have souls. After stepping onto the path of cultivation, these souls can transform into demon souls or immortal souls, condensing into primordial spirits.

The Jade Emperor, being an innate being, had formed his primordial spirit and immortal body during his innate transformation, with most referring to his primordial spirit as a divine soul.

Originally, the Jade Emperor had planned to truly pass through the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc, take a trip through the mortal world, and after experiencing some tribulations and gaining insights, instantly restore his true form as the Jade Emperor and return to the Heavenly Court.

But this was truly somewhat risky and would leave the Heavenly Court with a ‘crisis period’ of several decades without its backbone.

After Li Changshou’s not-very-strenuous ‘forceful remonstration,’ the Jade Emperor very easily accepted the solution Li Changshou proposed.

Next, the Jade Emperor would separate a strand of divine soul, letting his main body fall into slumber, and use this strand of divine soul to experience a real dream.

This arrangement, compared to the Jade Emperor’s original idea, not only had no drawbacks but had numerous benefits.

The Jade Emperor could see four layers of benefits:

First, he could wake from his slumber at any time to handle emergencies;

Second, even if the matter of reincarnating to experience and gain insights were discovered and schemed against by others, the Jade Emperor himself wouldn’t be in danger;

Third, it was more secretive and less likely to be discovered;

Fourth, if the Queen Mother asked about it, it would be easier to explain…

However, there was a fifth benefit, though few would consider it—perhaps only Li Changshou was worrying needlessly:

—Avoiding personality changes in the Jade Emperor due to experiencing tribulations during reincarnation.

For the Jade Emperor, several decades wasn’t too long.

His Majesty was also eager, first having Li Changshou wait a moment while he sent a jade tablet flying to the Jasper Pool;

Afterward, the Jade Emperor directly sealed Lingxiao Palace, announcing to the outside that he had some insights and needed to comprehend the Heavenly Dao, ordering the East Wood Lord and the Water God to discuss and handle Heavenly Court affairs together with the duty gods of Tongming Palace.

For urgent matters, the Queen Mother of the Jasper Pool could make decisions.

Completing all this took no more than two hours!

Even before the Qingqiu Clan and Fox Spirit Lan had left Spirit Transcendence Gate, Li Changshou had already ‘received’ the Jade Emperor’s ‘divine soul light’ at the Heavenly Court and left the newly-sealed Lingxiao Palace…

It wasn’t hard to see that His Majesty the Jade Emperor had indeed been looking forward to this for a long time…

The Jade Emperor might not care about the merit power this matter could generate;

But Li Changshou, a third-rank proper god desperately short on merit, naturally wanted to take this opportunity to deepen the connection between the Netherworld and the Heavenly Court.

After several decades, when the Jade Emperor returned to heaven, Li Changshou already had ‘big news’ planned, with the headline already thought out—

“Jade Emperor Personally Experiences Six Paths of Reincarnation, Understands the Hardships of All Living Beings”!

Uh, why does this give off a sense of [You’re already a mature Jade Emperor, it’s time to set off on your journey]…

Carefully placing this bit of divine soul light in his sleeve, Li Changshou rode this paper puppet directly back to the Water God Palace.

To be safe, he waited an extra hour until a paper puppet with strength comparable to the Golden Immortal realm arrived at the Heavenly Court, then called Ao Yi to bring three thousand elite Heavenly River water troops to the Water God Palace.

To show respect, Li Changshou placed the Jade Emperor’s divine soul in an exquisite jade box, then arranged dozens of layers of restrictions around it before finally feeling secure enough to put it away…

While waiting for Ao Yi to arrive, Li Changshou’s main consciousness returned to Spirit Transcendence Gate to watch the Qingqiu Clan depart by boat.

As Li Changshou had expected, even though Fox Spirit Lan’s red string was already wrapped around his master’s clay figure, the development of their relationship wouldn’t be too smooth.

Elder Qi Yuan still firmly rejected Fox Spirit Lan, though this time he left some room, willing to be friends with her;

Regarding this, Fox Spirit Lan was quite encouraged, showing signs of wanting to build a residence near Spirit Transcendence Gate and regularly visiting her friend’s home…

How this matter would develop further, Li Changshou couldn’t see through at all.

He even suspected there might be great calculations involving the entire human race and demon race behind this!

We’ll see what happens.

“Brother! I’ve brought the troops!”

Ao Yi, wearing silver armor, strode quickly from outside the Water God Palace, his helmet tucked under his arm. Though he had a youthful face, he already showed six parts of martial dignity.

Li Changshou stood up and shook his whisk, smiling as he said: “Let’s go, follow me to the Netherworld’s Yama Courts.”

Ao Yi made a proper fist-and-palm salute, “Yes!”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Have you returned to the East Sea recently? I specially requested entry and exit jade tablets for you at Tongming Palace earlier—you shouldn’t let your dear wife guard the empty chamber alone.”

“Brother!”

Ao Yi was somewhat embarrassed, muttering: “I just returned yesterday, and I go back at least once a month.”

Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, walking into the star-filled night, just about to continue teasing the little dragon when a graceful figure jumped out from the side.

“Master! Where are you going? Take your disciple along!”

A voice like a hundred orioles, figure light and graceful, wearing a light blue short dress with slightly rolled-up black hair, able to freely enter and exit the Water God Palace… who else could it be but Princess Longji?

What was he going to do?

The simple answer: Send your father to reincarnate.

Detailed answer: Put your father’s divine soul in a small box and send it to the Netherworld’s Yama Courts to arrange reincarnation so he can experience mortal life!

Li Changshou said gently: “I have important business to attend to outside. Do you have more questions you don’t understand?”

“Then I’ll wait for Master to return before seeking guidance.”

Longji responded quite quickly, answering with a smile.

When Li Changshou mentioned ‘important business,’ she no longer spoke of ‘going along’—this point made Li Changshou quite comfortable.

At that moment, Li Changshou let Longji play freely in the Water God Palace, then hurriedly left the palace gates with Ao Yi.

Three thousand heavenly soldiers formed a long dragon in rows of four, and Li Changshou was invited by Ao Yi into a magnificent carriage pulled by two rather imposing exotic beasts.

With heavenly soldiers clearing the way and heavenly generals accompanying, the carriage passed through the Heaven Gate with no one stopping them.

It had somewhat of an ordinary high official’s flavor.

Leaving the East Heaven Gate, and crossing the vast East Sea, these heavenly soldiers each supported themselves with immortal power, like a silver-white azure dragon, following the Heaven Pillar down, rushing into the Netherworld.

This journey was as swift as lightning with clouds and mist following, attracting the attention of many qi practitioners, and causing much discussion among immortals heading to the Netherworld on business.

Arriving outside the mighty gates of Fengdu City, a squad of ghost soldiers came forward and politely stopped the Heavenly Court carriage; after learning the Water God was inside, they immediately cleared the way and rushed ahead to Fengdu City to report the news.

Before long, the entire Fengdu City became lively.

The Ten Yama Kings gathered at the city gate to wait, thirty of the most senior great judges came from the three thousand Netherworld judges, and there were countless other ghost soldiers and generals.

The Water God’s good helpers and closest friends in the Netherworld—the representatives of the Witch tribe, Ox Head, and Horse Face—were arranged in relatively prominent positions, and responsible for managing the atmosphere later.

All paths entering Fengdu City had been sealed, and immortals coming to handle business at the Yama Courts were told to temporarily halt their activities.

Heavenly soldiers cleared the way, ghost soldiers stepped aside;

The carriage halted in mid-air, and heavenly generals reported ahead.

Ao Yi called out in a clear voice: “Reporting to Water God, we have arrived ten li outside Fengdu City!”

In the carriage, Li Changshou put away the jade slip he had been reading, straightened his white robe, and holding his whisk, stepped out of the carriage with a lowered head, immediately making a distant bow toward Fengdu City.

“Let the troops wait here. This is the sacred ground of reincarnation, the domain of Great Virtue Earth Mother—don’t cause trouble for the Yama Courts.”

“Yes!”

Ao Yi saluted and agreed, selecting thirty heavenly soldiers to follow behind Li Changshou as they rode clouds toward Fengdu City.

They exchanged brief pleasantries before the city, each making ceremonial Daoist bows.

Li Changshou went straight to the point, smiling as he said: “I have important matters to discuss with the Yama Courts. Please find a quiet place where we can talk in detail.”

“This way, Water God!”

King Qinguang immediately made arrangements, ordering the greater and lesser ghosts of the Yama Courts to disperse. The ten Yama Kings, along with Ox Head and Horse Face, led Li Changshou and Ao Yi to the Palace of Yama.

Inside the palace, King Qinguang insisted on giving Li Changshou the seat of honor, which Li Changshou firmly declined.

The Netherworld’s Yama Courts showing such respect was firstly because they needed something from the Heavenly Court, and secondly out of consideration for Li Changshou resolving the crisis of tribal extinction for the Northern Continent’s Witch tribe during the battle at Monster Ascending Mountain.

The ten Yama Kings held high positions in the Heavenly Dao hierarchy, and Li Changshou always measured his weight in the most stable direction.

Sitting in the stone chair that had just been brought by the Yama King’s order, Li Changshou looked around and said:

“Ao Yi, take the heavenly soldiers to guard outside the palace.”

Seeing this, King Qinguang immediately added: “Except for Generals Ox Head and Horse Face! All other guards withdraw!”

At once, the ghost officials and heavenly soldiers all withdrew, leaving this majestic palace with its hint of gloom suddenly spacious.

“Ahem!” Li Changshou cleared his throat, and the ten Yama Kings sitting at the side, along with Ox Head and Horse Face standing nearby not daring to speak, all leaned forward, afraid to miss even a word from Li Changshou.

“There’s no need to be so tense,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “Actually, for the Netherworld, this isn’t a difficult matter.”

King Qinguang smiled and said: “How could any matter entrusted by the Water God be difficult? They’re all important matters! Especially since you’ve brought the Heavenly Court’s ceremonial procession!”

King Wuguan beside him clasped his hands and smiled:

“Earlier in the Northern Continent affair, we were greatly indebted to Water God’s intervention. We don’t know how to repay you.

If Water God has any requests, we will certainly do our utmost.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, then took out that jade box from his sleeve and held it in his palm.

“To be frank, my coming to the Netherworld’s Yama Courts this time is for public matters, not private ones. This matter requires absolute secrecy from all of you for the next hundred years—not even half a word can be leaked outside!”

The ten Yama Kings immediately widened their bell-sized eyes, each holding their breath.

Li Changshou: “I would like your help in sending a strand of divine soul to reincarnate.”

The Palace of Yama instantly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop and the crackling of torch flames until Ox Head blurted out:

“Ha!”

However, before Ox Head could say more, Horse Face beside him moved with ‘quick feet and eyes,’ directly kicking Ox Head to the ground.

King Chujiang, who was sitting closer, turned his head and delivered a slap, making Ox Head see stars.

“This is truly a major matter,” King Qinguang said firmly, “But no matter how difficult, our Netherworld will give it our all. The entire Yama Court system will help Water God accomplish this great matter!”

Li Changshou smiled slightly: “This puts me more at ease. Please look.”

He calmly undid the restrictions on the treasure box, from which streamed golden merit light, directly forming the image of a white-robed youth sitting in meditation with closed eyes.

“The one to be reincarnated is none other than our Heavenly Court’s Jade Emperor.”

With several thuds, several stone chairs were directly crushed as the ten Yama Kings stood up simultaneously;

First, they stared in shock, then looked at each other in dismay, almost falling to their knees…

“The- the Jade Emperor reincarnating?”

“How can this be? Is the Jade Emperor injured?”

“This seems to be a strand of divine soul…”

“Correct,” Li Changshou stood up with a smile, then put away his smile and said seriously: “Our Emperor, concerned for the Three Realms and mindful of all living beings, has never experienced the mortal realm and doesn’t know exactly where the suffering of mortals lies.

Therefore, His Majesty will reincarnate with this strand of divine soul, experiencing mortal hardships to comprehend the Heavenly Dao and gain insights into the way of the Heavenly Emperor.

Everyone, this matter must not be leaked, lest it spoil His Majesty’s cultivation.”

“Understood!”

“You can rest assured about our handling of this, Water God!”

The ten Yama Kings immediately gathered around, surrounding the brocade box and whispering, discussing how to handle the reincarnation, how to maintain secrecy, and how to report this matter to Lady Earth Mother.

Li Changshou quickly caught the key point…

Lady Earth Mother?

He unexpectedly confirmed that Lady Earth Mother, who had transformed into the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc, could still directly communicate with the outside world!

This should be the Netherworld’s trump card, and also Fengdu City’s final reliance. Li Changshou didn’t ask further as the Yama Kings formed a circle and continued their discussion.

Matters of reincarnation were their professional domain.

Ox Head and Horse Face came closer from the side, curiously examining the Jade Emperor’s divine soul, their headpieces swaying…

Hmm? Headpieces…

Li Changshou looked at these ten Yama Kings with their fearsome horns and frightening faces, carefully examining them.

Sure enough, he found subtle color differences at their necks!

Soon, the ten Yama Kings finished discussing the matter, and King Qinguang stepped forward to speak:

“Water God, we will certainly do our utmost to assist with this matter, but there are two issues.

First, how should we determine this reincarnated body’s fate in the Book of Life and Death? We dare not set this arbitrarily. If we let the book generate it automatically, what if His Majesty doesn’t like it…

Besides this, even if it’s just a strand of divine soul, the Jade Emperor’s reincarnation is still an earth-shattering matter. This requires the Lady’s verbal approval, otherwise we dare not initiate the reincarnation.

Why don’t I take you into the Reincarnation Disc later to discuss this matter with the Lady?

Don’t worry, the Lady likely won’t refuse.”

Li Changshou said seriously: “What the King says is reasonable. This is a major matter, and having the Lady oversee it is proper.

As for the future fate, His Majesty has a few small requirements.”

King Qinguang shook his sleeves, treasure light surging in his hand to form a judge’s brush and a Book of Life and Death—this might be the ‘original copy’ of this Heavenly Dao treasure.

“Please tell us, Water God!”

Li Changshou took out a scroll from his chest and handed it to King Qinguang, his expression somewhat embarrassed.

“These are His Majesty’s small requirements.

Ahem, His Majesty is going to experience mortal life this time, with emphasis on the word ‘ordinary,’ so we should choose an ordinary… wealthy family, have an ordinary childhood sweetheart, and have ordinary aspirations—the whole life should be ordinarily spectacular.

The key point is, His Majesty wants to experience being an elder brother, so we must specifically arrange for an ordinary but exceptionally beautiful younger sister…”

King Qinguang’s forehead immediately broke out in cold sweat, but he carefully read through the scroll. Seeing that half of its contents were about the reincarnated body’s form, appearance, and temperament, with no substantial fate arrangements, he relaxed slightly.

“Like this,” King Qinguang smiled and said, “Why don’t you first visit the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc, while we carefully arrange the general fate for His Majesty here, then let you review it?”

“Excellent, thank you all for your trouble.”

Li Changshou clasped his hands in thanks, and everyone hurriedly returned the gesture, then gave Ox Head and Horse Face a stone talisman, letting them guide the Water God to the secret realm of reincarnation.

As soon as Li Changshou left, the ten Yama Kings gathered again, beginning to piece together an ordinary life script.

Great Virtue Earth Mother…

Li Changshou felt inexplicably nervous in his heart. Now, whenever he heard the word ‘Lady,’ he inevitably had a bit of… shadow.