On Mount Qianyuan, a white cloud flew out from the Golden Light Formation, slowly rising toward the starry sky.

On the cloud, Li Changshou looked down at his nephew sitting beside him, observing his pitiful expression as he tried hard to endure, with reddened eyes, trembling shoulders, and a gently swaying Daoist band…

Li Changshou suddenly felt guilty, as if he had done something wrong.

Remarkable Spirit Zhenzhu.

“Nephew,” Li Changshou called gently.

Spirit Zhenzhu weakly raised his head, his eyes revealing slight helplessness, “Uncle Changgeng, I’m fine.”

Li Changshou’s Dao heart nearly melted on the spot. He quickly said: “Don’t worry, I’m taking you to the Heavenly Court. The beings there are all very interesting and gentle.

How about we make a bet?”

Spirit Zhenzhu said in a crisp voice: “Uncle, what kind of bet? Master said betting is a bad habit, one should have a firm Dao heart and certainty in handling matters.”

Li Changshou: …

He had been lectured by Spirit Zhenzhu!

“Then let’s put it another way,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “Later at the Heavenly Court, everyone who sees you will show kind smiles.

If it truly turns out this way, you’ll promise your uncle to make one good friend in the Heavenly Court, how about that?”

“Mm,” Spirit Zhenzhu nodded and responded, “Disciple will follow Uncle’s arrangements.”

Li Changshou smiled gently and said no more, steering the cloud toward the Central Heaven Gate.

On the way there, Li Changshou had deliberately flown half a circle along the edge of the demon race’s controlled territory. But on the return journey, fearing an ambush by demon experts, he specially detoured to the Western Heaven Gate above the Western Oxhead Continent.

After all, Spirit Mountain wouldn’t dare to openly make things difficult for him, a disciple of the Human School… or rather, his paper avatar, nor would they let anything happen to him near Spirit Mountain.

There wasn’t much conversation along the way. Li Changshou secretly observed Spirit Zhenzhu’s reactions, wanting to quickly understand all aspects of Spirit Zhenzhu’s temperament.

Spirit Zhenzhu’s current emotions were mostly anxiety, as he hadn’t left Mount Qianyuan since his transformation—this was essentially his first trip far from home.

“Uncle Changgeng…”

“Hmm?” Li Changshou lowered his head at the sound.

Spirit Zhenzhu was looking up at him, those eyes brimming with spiritual energy revealing slight helplessness.

“Am I very abnormal?

Master seems very troubled, always saying I should become more manly, and when Elder Uncle Yuding looks at me, he often has a kind of sympathetic gaze.”

“Hahaha,” Li Changshou couldn’t help but laugh at Spirit Zhenzhu’s words.

Spirit Zhenzhu frowned, looking at Li Changshou with complete confusion, “Uncle Changgeng, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Li Changshou waved his hand and sat cross-legged on the cloud as well. With his white hair and white eyebrows giving him a kindly appearance, Spirit Zhenzhu felt quite close to him.

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Your master keeps telling you to have a masculine spirit because he feels your nature is too soft.

And Elder Brother Yuding isn’t sympathizing with you—he also just thinks your nature is too gentle.

Generally speaking, men represent the yang aspect, while women often symbolize the yin aspect, but this isn’t absolute—it’s just how the majority are.

Senior Brother Taiyi is rather crude in this regard, failing to tell you these things in time, only blindly wanting you to be a man.

In Heaven and Earth’s yin and yang, yin and yang are neither opposed nor distinct.”

Spirit Zhenzhu pursed his lips in thought.

Li Changshou added: “To make your master happy, just change some small habits.”

Spirit Zhenzhu hurriedly said: “Please instruct me, Uncle!”

“Today isn’t convenient to tell you much,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “Later when we reach the Heavenly Court, I’ll introduce you to one or two good friends. Spend some time with them first, and find for yourself what your master wants you to become.”

Spirit Zhenzhu immediately seemed to have words he wanted to say but held back.

Li Changshou didn’t continue, instead taking out scripture and giving it to Spirit Zhenzhu to pass the time on the journey.

Spirit Zhenzhu, being an ancient Spirit Zhenzhu from Jade Void Palace, started his cultivation at the True Immortal realm, and had now reached the late stage of the Celestial Immortal realm, though still some distance from the Golden Immortal realm.

But Spirit Zhenzhu’s foundation was profound, his greatest reliance being his Pure Blessing Primordial Spirit. If he could achieve Golden Immortal status and experience one or two grand kalpas, he would become a Pure Blessing Golden Immortal like Yunzhongzi, able to increase the fortune of the Enlightenment School.

Li Changshou fell into contemplation…

In the original story of the Great Catastrophe of Investiture of the Gods, the Severing School was famous for its second-generation disciples’ strength, while the Enlightenment School was known for its third-generation disciples competing hard against the Severing School’s second generation.

Like Yang Jian, the Clear Origin Wondrous Dao True Lord who cultivated the Eight-Nine Mysteries Art and held a Heavenly Court position before entering the catastrophe;

The previous Spirit Zhenzhu, who after entering the catastrophe became the Three Platforms Sea Assembly Great God Nezha by combining the Spirit Zhenzhu Primordial Spirit with the Lotus Treasure Body;

Yin Jiao and Yin Hong, who received treasures from Guangcheng Zi and Chijing Zi, but got carried away by Sage Shen Gongbao’s “Friend, please stay,” wavering back and forth and nearly killing their master…

These were all rising stars of the Dao School.

Indeed, the Severing School also had many rising stars, but Fire Spirit Holy Mother, Wen Zhong, and Yu Yuan were far less well-known than Yang Jian, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi.

Could it be that his own Sage Lord chose to stand with the Enlightenment School during the Great Catastrophe partly for this reason?

Li Changshou pondered carefully, feeling somewhat helpless in his heart.

Why had he also already accepted that the Enlightenment and Severing Schools would fight to the death during the Great Catastrophe…

The Ten Ultimate Array, Nine Curves Yellow River Great Array, and Ten Thousand Immortals Array—three symbolic major arrays marking the escalation of the great battle…

Li Changshou suddenly thought of another matter.

All these years he had been paying attention to the romantic developments in the Severing School, but he wondered how Golden Light Holy Mother, Qin Wan, and Heavenly Lord Qin’s research on the Ten Ultimate Linking Array was progressing.

Could this become a small foreshadowing of the Great Catastrophe?

Li Changshou thought about it and chuckled helplessly.

His butterfly had flapped its wings so many times, yet at this point, everything was still progressing toward the Great Catastrophe.

The corrective force of Heaven’s Way, or rather, the convergent force of this world line, was truly not to be underestimated.

The previous senior who wanted to change mythological history had already become a small patch on history’s wheel;

He should still prioritize his survival—after all, when a person dies, everything is lost…

“Uncle Changgeng,” Spirit Zhenzhu suddenly asked softly, “are there many beings like me in this world?”

Li Changshou thought for a moment and said gently: “Every being is a unique individual. Don’t think about changing yourself to fit in—think about improving yourself to become more perfect.

Beings don’t need too many edges, but they also don’t need to be too smooth.

After all, being diplomatic and such is the business of us old folks.”

Spirit Zhenzhu blinked, “Spirit Zhenzhu doesn’t understand.”

“In the future, refer to yourself as ‘I,’ don’t use your title—that’s equivalent to directly exposing your background,” Li Changshou said seriously. “This is the first small habit you need to correct.”

“Yes, Spirit Zhenzhu understands.”

“Hmm?”

“I understand…”

“That’s better,” Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, seeing the Western Heaven Gate already in sight. “Do you remember our agreement from earlier?

You can watch along the way to see if they’re all smiling at you.”

Immediately, Spirit Zhenzhu perked up. Though usually shy around strangers, he now actively observed the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.

The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals: …

To be honest, when the Water God brought back a delicate young immortal who gazed at them with clear, curious eyes, what expression could they show?

Of course, they all smiled in various ways!

Halfway there, Spirit Zhenzhu couldn’t help but tug at Li Changshou’s robe, his large eyes filled with starlight.

“Uncle, Uncle, it’s true! Everyone is smiling at me!”

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, holding his whisk and leading Spirit Zhenzhu toward his Water God Mansion.

After playing mind games with White Marsh for so long, suddenly tricking a child like this was quite enjoyable…

Back at the Water God Mansion, Li Changshou ordered the Heavenly Soldiers to prepare a residence and let Spirit Zhenzhu move in.

“Spirit Zhenzhu, you’ll stay here for now. If you need anything, just mention it to the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals in the courtyard.

Your uncle holds a civil position in the Heavenly Court, albeit a minor one, but everyone will give me some face. If you want to go out for a walk, that’s fine too.

In a few days, I’ll arrange for some Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to practice techniques and divine abilities with you. Make some preparations first, and when you act later, exercise restraint—don’t hurt anyone.”

“Yes!”

Spirit Zhenzhu’s spirits were now high, almost like a different person from when he was on Mount Qianyuan.

She—ahem.

He made a Daoist salute to Li Changshou, “Disciple understands. On this path of cultivation, please feel free to discipline this disciple!”

Li Changshou almost blushed…

That old yin-yang master True Lord Taiyi, what had he been teaching Spirit Zhenzhu!

Well, maybe his thoughts were too complicated…

Now things were good.

Li Jing was at Crossing Immortal Gate, Nezha at the Water God Mansion—if they could find Lady Yin now, the main actors for the “Chen Tang Pass” play would be assembled.

Nezha was a self-funded actor, the heaven-ordained protagonist of this play.

Right now, Ao Bing wasn’t even a dragon egg yet, and Mozha and Jinzha had no parts in this play.

As for Goddess Shiji, should they test the waters in advance?

In the pill-refining chamber, Li Changshou gazed at the simplified map of the Five Continents before him, lost in thought.

He divided his attention, on one hand considering how to direct this grand play, and on the other hand selecting from among the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals guarding the Water God Mansion a few generals with particularly strong masculine energy and naturally heroic auras, to have them interact more with Spirit Zhenzhu later.

Li Changshou gradually discovered that in calculating the Great Catastrophe of Investiture of the Gods, the most important thing was to properly weigh [Heaven’s Way’s trends].

Taking Nezha as an example, in Heaven’s Way’s scripted Great Catastrophe, how much influence did Nezha’s tribulations and the series of consequences he caused have on the Great Catastrophe and Heaven’s Way?

Understanding this clearly would allow for targeted actions…

Overall, they needed to ensure Nez ha’s combat power, ensure he became one of the regular main forces in the Enlightenment School’s camp;

The conflict between True Lord Taiyi and Goddess Shiji might become the spark that ignites the great battle between the two schools…

Based on these few interactions with True Lord Taiyi, Li Changshou no longer doubted True Lord Taiyi’s ideological awareness of “striking first,” as well as his high-level skills in “trash talk” and “mockery.”

Unfortunately, he couldn’t deliberately target True Lord Taiyi.

Li Changshou knew he couldn’t stand either the Enlightenment School’s or Severing School’s position. He was a disciple of the Human School and needed to stand where Master Taiqing wanted him to stand—

The Dao School.

“The big picture…”

After thinking for a while, Li Changshou stood up and paced quietly in the pill-refining chamber with slight worry.

His consciousness stirred slightly—Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang had arrived at the Water God Mansion in the Heavenly Court.

At this moment, Ao Yi wore a deep smile, while Bian Zhuang was downcast with bloodshot eyes, though forcing himself to appear happy.

As the two reached the study and were about to salute, Li Changshou’s finger moved slightly, opening the door wide and closing the formation.

“Come in.”

Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang responded in unison, entering the study with lowered heads and clasping their fists in salute to Li Changshou behind the desk.

“Elder Brother Sect Leader, we’ve found a suitable demon woman,” Ao Yi smiled and said, “Should Bian Zhuang act now?”

Li Changshou asked: “Which woman did you find?”

“The Old Man under the Moon found her,” Ao Yi said, “She’s a great demon of karmic obstacles from the border between South Jambudvipa and Western Oxhead Continent, with Celestial Immortal cultivation;

We’ve checked her background in the Ten Thousand Spirits Hall. Her bloodline is also from an ancient great demon, and she now has considerable influence among the demon race.

This demon’s clay figures often run around everywhere with red strings, having no fixed abode and being quite promiscuous. If news of a romance with a Heavenly General spreads, it won’t arouse suspicion.

The rest depends on Vice Commander Bian Zhuang’s abilities.”

Bian Zhuang’s legs trembled as he smiled bitterly and said: “This humble official would die ten thousand deaths without complaint, but Water God… this humble official is still pure…”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “I’m just asking you to show affection in dreams, not to sacrifice yourself, what are you afraid of?”

“Ah, this humble official obeys.”

Ao Yi feigned surprise, “Vice Commander Bian is so chaste?”

Bian Zhuang immediately put on a face of complete despair.

“Enough,” Li Changshou said, “The Marriage Hall will fully assist you with this matter, and it’s fine if it doesn’t succeed.

Besides, I’m not asking you to descend to the mortal realm, just to meet with the demon woman in dreams through the Divine Might Hall…

Remember, through this matter, we want to spread the word that the Heavenly Court isn’t just puppets controlled by Heaven’s Way—Heavenly Generals have true feelings and are beings of flesh and blood. We’re not asking you to develop a relationship with a demon woman, especially one who’s a great demon of karmic obstacles.”

“This humble official understands!”

Bian Zhuang answered loudly, then became worried again.

Would his first experience of love have to be…

Li Changshou suddenly frowned and said: “Wait here for a moment, I have matters elsewhere.”

After speaking, he closed his eyes in concentration, motionless.

At Little Jade Peak, Li Changshou walked out of the pill-refining chamber. Seeing the slight “aurora” floating up from Black Pool Peak, he immediately flew over on a cloud using this [main body] paper avatar.

Arriving at Black Pool Peak and entering the formation, he saw White Marsh lying by the pond in his original form, the three colored feathers on his forehead gleaming brightly, surrounded by streams of seven-colored immortal light.

“Water God,” White Marsh’s surrounding immortal light shone even brighter as he transformed into human form and made a Daoist salute.

Li Changshou said: “Mr. White called me here, is there something important?”

White Marsh said seriously: “It’s not a major matter for the Water God, but just now while I was comprehending Heaven’s mechanisms, I suddenly had a sensing.

There’s disaster appearing in the northern part of the North Continent.

I fear the demon race will attack the shamans of the North Continent, forcing the Heavenly Court to send troops in aid, thus engaging in direct combat with the Heavenly Court.”

Li Changshou made a Daoist salute and said seriously: “Thank you for the warning, sir.”

White Marsh smiled and said: “Did the Water God already make such a prediction? If so, then I worried unnecessarily.”

“No, I hadn’t made such a prediction,” Li Changshou said, “And to be honest, I haven’t cultivated long, and my realm isn’t at your level, sir.

Speaking of calculation methods, I’ve only just begun learning and can’t calculate much beyond myself.

In the future, if there are such situations, please inform me promptly, sir.”

White Marsh frowned and asked: “Then how did the Water God previously intervene in Heaven’s Way’s great matters, and how did you contend with the West, making so many decisions?”

Li Changshou sighed and said somewhat helplessly:

“Nothing special, just making more preparations and considering all possibilities.

Sir, you needn’t worry too much about this matter. When the demon race issued their declaration of war, I had already secretly notified the shamans of the North Continent. They’ve made preparations to respond and won’t be caught off guard by the demon race.”

White Marsh made a Daoist salute to Li Changshou and praised:

“The more I understand the Water God, the more I admire you.

Water God, now that the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother aren’t in the Heavenly Court, the Dao School’s experts might not interfere in the conflict between shamans and demons.

If the Water God needs assistance, please consult with me promptly!”

Li Changshou nodded in agreement, made a Daoist salute to White Marsh, said he would “return to arrange the North Continent’s war matters,” and flew away from Black Pool on a cloud.

His consciousness returning to the Heavenly Court, Li Changshou told Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang to set aside their previous small matter and prepare the Heaven River Navy and replenish resources like immortal beans.

Bian Zhuang almost wept with joy.

Afterward, Li Changshou extended his consciousness power to its maximum, and various windows appeared in his mind—the gathering places of the North Continent’s shamans and the demon race’s gathering places at the North Continent’s borders were all covered by his paper avatar’s divine sense network.

As Li Changshou had said, the shamans had already hidden in their refuge; the previous harassment of the demon race by some warrior shamans was also at his instruction.

He naturally wanted to prevent another tragedy like the East Sea’s eye.

But those demon territories…

How quiet.

There were no signs of movement among the experts or demon soldiers anywhere.

However, White Marsh had given a warning, and attacking the northern shamans would be a good move for the demon race—the probability of this happening was extremely high.

Li Changshou waited quietly, but for several consecutive days, the demon race showed no reaction whatsoever.

Li Changshou was puzzled but still kept most of his consciousness monitoring the demon territories, using a small portion to handle various daily matters.

With insufficient consciousness power, only his efficiency in handling matters decreased. Li Changshou handled everything steadily, so nothing would go wrong.

However, what Li Changshou hadn’t expected was that this wait would last exactly half a year!

During these six months, Spirit Zhenzhu had several encounters with the Water God Mansion’s generals, but each time, due to Spirit Zhenzhu’s excessive shyness, apart from practicing martial arts, he only watched the generals playing around, unable to truly integrate.

This matter indeed couldn’t be rushed and needed to be handled gradually.

The Heavenly Court had also made sufficient battle preparations, with hundreds of thousands of elite Heavenly Soldiers carrying millions of immortal beans, ready to support the North Continent at any time.

Just as Li Changshou began to doubt whether White Marsh’s definition of disaster might be somewhat problematic, a familiar aura appeared in the demon territory.

Wenjing!

Li Changshou’s divine sense spread like a net, immediately investigating this aura, and soon saw three somewhat blurry figures entering several layers of formations set up by the demon race underground.

Wenjing’s deliberate revelation of this trace of aura was a “signal” they had previously arranged.

To protect their undercover agents, Daoist Wenjing and he couldn’t communicate directly at this time, but this trace of aura was sufficient to prove that Daoist Wenjing’s stance hadn’t changed.

Of these three figures, Daoist Wenjing was on the left, a young woman with silver-white hair carrying a long sword was on the right, and in the middle was a tall, thin figure wearing a cloak.

Li Changshou calculated with his fingers and confirmed he had never seen this Daoist before.

Was the West going to cause trouble again?

Uh, could it be that the West had come to offer strategies and help to Lu Ya, pointing out a clear path for Daoist Lu Ya and the demon race—attack the shamans, forcing the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to descend and fight?

If that’s the case, then…

White Marsh’s divine ability to “seek fortune and avoid disaster” was simply excessive!