On Little Jade Peak, the night was dark and windy, with fragrant shadows drifting among the trees.

Having just received a message from her Senior Brother, Ling’e hastily threw on a Daoist robe and rushed out of her thatched cottage, holding a formation-opening jade talisman as she hurried toward the pill room.

But just as she reached the pill room, Ling’e heard a suppressed…

Sobbing?

Her heart jumped in panic as she leaped out from the night forest, landing before the brightly lit pill room door, and saw… her Senior Brother reclining in a rocking chair, face covered in tears, snot, and tears flowing freely!

Crack!

It was as if lightning had struck behind Ling’e as she flinched backward, eyes wide with shock.

Heavens, how had everything suddenly collapsed!

“Senior Brother, what’s wrong?”

Ling’e’s voice carried a crying tone as she directly knelt before the rocking chair, her small hands grasping Li Changshou’s large one as she called out:

“Tell me what’s wrong, no matter what happens, we can bear it together!

Is… is it Master? Has Master become incurable?

Senior Brother, did something go wrong with your cultivation?

If your immortal fruit of longevity is destroyed, I’ll accompany you to reincarnate together, Senior Brother!”

“Ling’e… it’s nothing…”

Li Changshou responded with a trembling voice, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down, emanating an intense sense of sorrow.

Ling’e’s eyelids drooped, tears falling like broken strings of pearls as she placed her Senior Brother’s hand against her cheek, softly whimpering:

“Senior Brother, don’t frighten me. If you’re gone now, what will I do?

I can’t even be considered keeping vigil as your widow now, I can only keep vigil at your tomb…

Ouch! Senior Brother, why did you flick me!”

“What nonsense are you shouting!”

Li Changshou berated her irritably, withdrawing the finger that had flicked her forehead. He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, then let out a long sigh, muttering:

“This aftereffect is too strong.”

Ling’e covered her forehead and pouted, gazing at her Senior Brother gloomily as she said with melancholy: “I haven’t seen Senior Brother cry in so many years, I was worried.”

“Your Senior Brother isn’t crying,” Li Changshou sighed. “I’m merely releasing the emotions that have accumulated in my Dao’s heart.”

Ling’e was completely bewildered.

Li Changshou shook his head, gazing at the gloomy night sky, trying to calm the sorrow in his Dao’s heart as much as possible.

He had just returned to the mountain for an hour and had been ‘manly crying’ here for an hour.

Half a day ago, when leaving the Underworld, Li Changshou had declined Elder Zhao’s dinner invitation, citing the need to handle follow-up matters with the Sea God Sect and Heaven.

The Xuanhuang Pagoda had been deliberately taken back by the Grand Master, who had specifically requested Fairy Yunxiao to escort Li Changshou’s main body back to the sect…

Ever the good Senior Brother.

Li Changshou had shown rare fortitude, actively escorting Fairy Yunxiao back to Three Immortal Island, and even stayed for a cup of tea and some casual conversation before departing alone.

On the return journey, without Lord Pagoda’s protection, Li Changshou inevitably felt some ‘lack of security’…

A journey that should have taken less than half an hour of flying ended up circumnavigating half of the Central Divine Continent!

Upon returning to Little Jade Peak and settling back into his comfortable rocking chair, Li Changshou let out a gentle sigh as strands of deep blue Dao rhythm floated around him, waves of desolation emanating from his entire being.

Contemplating the vastness of Heaven and Earth, alone in sorrow, tears fall.

All things have their end, how to guard against loneliness.

It wasn’t that Li Changshou hadn’t been affected by Little Ai before, he had merely suppressed these sorrows, maintaining an air of unfathomable mystery to others.

Ahem, it wasn’t because he was in front of Fairy Yunxiao!

This pure sorrow, this pure infectious power, couldn’t be resisted even with an unblemished Dao heart…

Ling’e moved a meditation cushion to sit beside Li Changshou, asking in her most serious and gentle voice:

“Senior Brother, what happened?”

“Nothing major,” Li Changshou said calmly. “While helping Lady Houtu suppress the Seven Emotion Avatars, I was affected by the Dao rhythm transformed from all beings’ seven emotions. Once I release these emotions, it will be fine.”

Ling’e blinked, seeming to have heard her Senior Brother mention something that sounded quite remarkable…

Li Changshou said: “Do you know why I called you over?”

“I know,” Ling’e sighed lightly, putting on a face of having nothing worth living for as she turned her head to the side. “If rewarding me with scripture copying can bring Senior Brother joy, I… am willing…”

“That won’t be necessary this time. Just play some cheerful tunes for me, to counteract my state of mind.”

“Hehe, why didn’t you say so earlier? Coming right up!”

Ling’e immediately scooted backward, summoning two paper people to take up a drum and xiao flute, while she brought out a guqin, starting to play cheerful melodies.

Li Changshou smiled and closed his eyes again, waiting for the tide-like sorrow to gradually recede as his spirit began to busy itself once more.

The successful resolution of Lady Houtu’s Seven Emotions Calamity naturally couldn’t have been achieved without the cooperation of Heaven, the Dragon Palace, and the Three Schools of Immortal Sects.

Li Changshou’s paper Dao bodies set out again, going to the Dragon Palace to thank the Dragon King and report on the matter’s progress; then seeking out Minister Dongmu in Heaven to discuss the upcoming matter of sending people to express condolences to the Underworld.

And from Minister Dongmu, Li Changshou received somewhat unexpected news.

Earlier, when gathering all beings’ thoughts, a force of concentrated thoughts had also gathered in the Three Thousand Worlds and rushed to the Underworld, pouring into the Six Realms Wheel, adding no small assistance.

The source of these gathered thoughts…

Was actually from the large number of incense-burning religious sects that the Western School controlled in the Three Thousand Worlds!

Is the Western School lending a helping hand?

Li Changshou pondered carefully and came to understand the Western School’s intentions, which boiled down to three points—

First, to bestow favor upon the Underworld, facilitating future actions in the realm of the dead;

Second, to assist the Six Realms Wheel alongside the Dao School, counting as doing work for the Heavenly Dao – though they wouldn’t receive merit, they could recover some destiny through this;

Third, to claim the moral high ground.

In the cruel survival environment of the Primordial Chaos, [righteousness] seemed like merely a joke.

Before the Dao Ancestor merged with the Dao and the Six Sages emerged, it was indeed so; in ancient times it was purely might make right, with so-called righteousness being merely a fig leaf for the strong.

But after the Dao Ancestor merged with the Dao and the Six Sages emerged together, Heaven’s order had been established, and background and origins began to become more important than strength.

The existence of the Six Sages established the basic order of the Primordial Chaos;

And the existence of the Heavenly Dao made righteousness increasingly important.

The Western School’s assistance this time was to claim the moral high ground, to ‘legitimize’ themselves, demonstrating the responsibility of a great school of the Primordial Chaos, allowing them to continue competing on the same level as the Dao School.

Essentially—[We of the Western School are not the antagonists of the Primordial Chaos, we have a competitive relationship with the Dao School, each with our positions].

Was this ordered by the Sages, or was it Dizang or other Sage disciples who took the initiative to mention it?

Li Changshou pondered for a while, but naturally, there was no answer to this question, so he smiled and didn’t think more about it.

Well, better think about how to help the Underworld next, and incidentally earn some more merit.

This time helping Lady Houtu, the Heavenly Dao had bestowed vast amounts of merit, distributed among the nine immortals of the Dao School; and since Li Changshou was the one who contributed the most and was the most crucial figure, the merit he received was naturally the greatest.

But just as Grand Master had reminded him before…

When the merit from this matter was distributed to the high-level Dao practitioners who came to help, Li Changshou’s own share would naturally decrease.

There was no help for it – when it came to matters concerning Great Virtue Houtu, Li Changshou naturally wanted everything to be stable.

The Merit Golden Body was now about ninety percent complete!

But these ninety percent were still just ‘raw materials.’

Pure merit, aside from offsetting karmic obstacles, didn’t have much significant use – only a complete Merit Golden Body could produce the effect of ‘Heavenly Dao Protection.’

Of course, Li Changshou’s thinking on this matter had never changed—

He wanted the Merit Golden Body not to rely on it for survival.

With the Merit Golden Body’s protection, in general, dangerous situations not involving Sages, the safety coefficient would increase by at least thirty percent;

And in dangerous situations involving Sages, he could use the Merit Golden Body to make the Sages… hesitate for a moment.

This was a thread of survival!

Li Changshou had long prepared the method to cultivate the Merit Golden Body, and had even considered modifying it, but had never found a suitable approach.

Currently, what his Merit Golden Body lacked was just a lower leg and a foot.

So, could he make a smaller version of the ‘limb’?

Merit Golden Body · Crippled Foot?

“Hahaha!”

When this image appeared in Li Changshou’s mind, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Ling’e’s qin music stopped as she said happily: “Senior Brother, are you better now?”

“Ah, my Dao’s heart is fine now,” Li Changshou stretched his arms, looking at Ling’e before him, and fell into thought again.

Ling’e’s face suddenly reddened as she asked softly: “What is it?”

“Ling’e, how long have you been cultivating until now?”

How long has she been cultivating?

Could Senior Brother… be planning to make a move on her?

The home flower would finally bloom and bear fruit, and their Senior Brother-Junior Sister relationship could break through to the next level.

Thump!

Ling’e’s heartbeat suddenly amplified, her pretty face instantly turning bright red. She stammered, unable to form a complete sentence, directly jumping past a maiden’s reserve and unease to speak the words she had prepared for years, in a voice as thin as a mosquito’s:

“I… I… I’m ready…”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou’s eyes brightened as he smiled and said: “You can guess my thoughts – after reaching higher cultivation, your spiritual wisdom has indeed grown.

Then let’s settle it – in twelve years you’ll go down the mountain to travel.

It’s time to let you face this Primordial Chaos.”

“Eh?”

Ling’e was stunned as Li Changshou chuckled lightly, his form transforming into a wisp of green smoke and disappearing within the pill room.

…

Where to make up for the insufficient merit?

Though eliminating demons was a relatively stable option, suddenly putting too much pressure on the Demon Race could easily cause them to react violently.

It was still necessary to use Daoist Luya as the core of calculations, using his identity as the Demon Court’s crown prince to attract more major demons with heavy karmic obstacles to emerge.

The ideal calculation would actually be to have the Demon Race actively pressure Heaven, raising the great banner of rebellion against Heaven – then his own actions to reap merit would become logical and reasonable.

The Demon Race’s current strength and foundation, compared to the entire Human Race, was naturally far inferior;

But compared to the newly established Heaven, they were not to be underestimated.

Li Changshou counted carefully the matters he needed to handle in the next few decades.

Heaven’s recruitment drive, completing the reincarnation process plan, targeting Luya, secretly protecting the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, letting his Junior Sister understand the world’s dangers…

In principle, he still wouldn’t actively scheme about these matters.

The timetable for the Great Tribulation of Investiture had already appeared in the Southern Continent, and had Elder Sister Kong Xuan- ahem, Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan protecting it;

Li Changshou only needed to unhurriedly prepare for what came next at his own pace, without needing to be hasty.

Anxiety and haste were the greatest enemies of stability!

Next, he would first go talk with Junior Sister Youqin, see how far her cultivation had progressed, and try to raise her realm to the Celestial Immortal level before she went to Heaven.

Hmm… he also needed to arrange a show to let Youqin and the Water God of Heaven ‘officially meet,’ thereby giving her a sufficiently solid background and backing.

After all, she was going to Heaven to help his fellow disciple – naturally, he couldn’t treat her poorly.

“Senior… Senior, are you there, Senior?”

“Hmm?”

Li Changshou raised his eyebrows, most of his consciousness returning to his paper Dao body hidden at the border between Jambudvipa and the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, his immortal consciousness spreading out to observe the cave dwelling of the Black Panther couple.

The water demon Miaomiao was pacing back and forth before the cave, clutching the communication jade talisman Li Changshou had given her before.

What was going on?

Li Changshou’s paper Dao body stood up, checked his appearance to confirm it was the old Daoist form he had always shown to the Black Panther couple, and only then rode a cloud over.

His immortal consciousness detected that Black Panther was sprawled on a stone table inside the cave, snoring loudly, with two jars of immortal wine beside him – obviously, he had been made drunk by his wife.

This situation, this scene…

If Black Panther saw this, he would surely think that he, this ‘Old Daoist Luya,’ had something going on with the water demon Miaomiao!

Arriving at the cave, Li Changshou put on a stern face and asked:

“Why have you hurriedly sought this poor Daoist? And why did you make your husband drunk?”

The water demon bowed her head in salute and hurriedly answered:

“These past few days my husband keeps talking about Severing School immortals, Severing School immortals, and says he wants to visit Golden Tortoise Island.

I asked him what was wrong, and he said he’d been missing some old friends on Golden Tortoise Island lately and wanted to visit them.

That Golden Tortoise Island is the Severing School’s sacred ground, gathering many great figures. We’re just two small demons – how dare we go visit there? If we offend some powerful expert’s displeasure, wouldn’t that be a fatal disaster?

Senior, could you please advise my husband against this?”

“It’s fine,” Li Changshou pondered slightly and frowned, saying: “If he wants to go, then let him go.”

The water demon frowned deeply and asked softly: “Will… will this be alright?”

“Of course, it will be alright,” Li Changshou showed a bit of impatience. “You are husband and wife, this matter should be discussed between you two. This poor Daoist isn’t keeping you confined here.

This poor Daoist just feels that Friend Black Panther’s mouth is an extremely important ability for our Demon Race, which is why I’ve given you much attention.

The immortals on Golden Tortoise Island understand reason and speak pleasantly. If your husband hasn’t deceived you, you might even gain some benefits on Golden Tortoise Island.

Don’t feel inferior about your demon origins. Although our Demon Race isn’t doing well now, we were once glorious in ancient times.”

The water demon couldn’t help feeling anxious as she said softly: “If he goes, I certainly won’t go…”

“That’s between you as husband and wife,” Li Changshou waved his hand. “This poor Daoist has important matters and won’t stay long at your place.

Hmph, such a small matter.”

With these words, Li Changshou rode away on his cloud. The water demon seemed to have more to say but could only bow in farewell.

Sighing lightly several times, the water demon turned and returned inside the cave, carrying Black Panther to the bed and activating the formation protecting the cave dwelling.

Black Panther wanted to visit friends on Golden Tortoise Island.

What chain reaction would this produce for the Great Tribulation of Investiture?

Li Changshou pondered with several hums, having a faint premonition in his heart that once Black Panther moved, he would stir up the winds and clouds of the Primordial Chaos.

Indeed, this could be used to make a move against Luya…

Li Changshou’s train of thought continued to extend as his eyes gradually narrowed in a smile.

…

Three days later, Black Panther indeed set out from his cave dwelling, making his way stealthily toward the Eastern Sea and heading for Golden Tortoise Island along its edge.

Just as Black Panther began moving, Heaven issued a demon-hunting proclamation to the Five Continents, pursuing the ancient Demon Court remnant Daoist Luya.

The proclamation also stated the reason, saying that Daoist Luya possessed a treasure that threatened the balance of Heaven and Earth, and needed to be ‘captured and brought to Heaven’ as soon as possible…

When this proclamation was issued, the human immortal sects of the Central Divine Continent had little reaction, practically ignoring it.

—Though Heaven had begun to rise in power, its influence and authority were still lacking far too much; it didn’t yet have the manner of the Three Realms’ ruler.

But when the demon races heard of this matter, they first cursed Heaven for a while, then directly caught the key point.

Daoist Luya – a treasure that threatened the balance of Heaven and Earth!

How could this be allowed?

Many demon experts instantly experienced elevated intracranial pressure, demons rejoiced throughout the demon territories at the borders of various continents, and ancient demons who had just settled down for a short while emerged from their mountains one after another, waiting for His Highness the Crown Prince to raise the rallying cry!

And when the person involved received this news rather late, the entire crowd was… dumbfounded.