In the Underworld’s Fengdu City, at the mountaintop beside the Yixiantian fortress on the eastern side.

This was the secret garden where two Soul-Collecting Marshals would slack off during their shifts—a place that had witnessed their brotherly bond since ancient times. The pure kind of bond, that is.

A gentle breeze ruffled Horse-Face’s soft mane as gray clouds drifted past Ox-Head’s obsidian eyes. The two of them lay on the cliff’s edge, arms behind their heads, minds free of unnecessary worries.

Days without having to lead teams to carry coffins were just like this—boring, leisurely, and… lonely.

“Horse, what’s happening in the Primordial World lately? For more than ten years now, the Underworld keeps shaking, moo.”

“The Great Shaman said there’s supposed to be a Great Tribulation coming, neigh.”

“We should recruit some people early. Who knows when the tribulation will break out, and we’ll be short-handed again.”

Horse-Face snickered, “Who would we recruit? Being a Soul-Collecting Officer isn’t that simple—they need to be able to intimidate mortal souls.”

“Ah, if only the Water God could give us some advice… I heard the Water God was injured, don’t know if he’s recovered yet.”

As Ox-Head spoke, he suddenly blinked and sat up, adjusting his headpiece.

“Why didn’t we think of this earlier? Quick! Let’s get some Underworld specialties and visit Water God!”

Horse-Face shook his head calmly, “Is the Water God someone you can just visit? That’s an Authority God of the Heavenly Court, a disciple of the Human Dao Saint. I heard the Jade Emperor nearly wiped out the Demon Clan in a fit of rage for the Water God…”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Ox-Head grinned, “If we go visit in the name of the Underworld, the Water God would have to receive us, right? Even the Heavenly Court couldn’t stop us. Think about it—when the Water God is injured and most in need of comfort, we select five hundred—no, fifty beautiful female grieving souls! If the Water God happens to find some previously unknown joy, hehe! Wouldn’t that make us…”

Ox-Head waggled his thumb suggestively, while Horse-Face’s face filled with disgust.

Suddenly…

“Greetings, Honored Marshals.”

That gentle voice, that familiar aura, that bone-deep essence!

Ox-Head and Horse-Face’s headpieces trembled as they stood and looked toward the horizon, seeing a young Daoist approaching on clouds…

Li Changshou, disciple of the Degree-Granting Gate.

Ox-Head and Horse-Face exchanged glances, their eyes frantically communicating.

Li Changshou smiled helplessly and transmitted his voice from afar: “I didn’t hear anything just now. Are you two perhaps running low on seasonings?”

Hearing this, Ox-Head and Horse-Face’s faces lit up with joy. They jumped down from the cliff, calling for the listless ghost officials below to perk up, strike the gongs, beat the drums, and raise their long-sealed banner.

“Welcome to the Underworld—We’re All One Family, Living or Dead!”

Li Changshou: …

Great Lord Taishi felt somewhat offended.

From Li Changshou’s sleeve, a tiny head peeked out—it was Ling’e, shrunk to three inches tall, her cloud-like hair and silk dress framing her pretty face as she gripped her Senior Brother’s sleeve edge, curiously surveying their surroundings.

Senior Brother said he’d take her somewhere interesting, and this was…

Ling’e suddenly startled!

“Senior Brother, isn’t this the Underworld? Has Master really…!?”

“Mm…” Li Changshou gently pushed Ling’e back into his sleeve.

“Stay put. Master decided to reincarnate early. The situation is complicated—we can only visit Master this one time here.”

Ling’e froze.

Though her Senior Brother spoke lightly, she didn’t feel overwhelmed with emotion… After all, she had sensed something was wrong years ago and had done much mental preparation.

She just hadn’t expected Master would really reincarnate. Since Master decided to reincarnate, as a disciple she should wish… Wait a minute!

Was decided to reincarnate?

Little Ling’e’s forehead was covered in black lines.

Wasn’t that just being killed?!

Before she could question her Senior Brother further, she heard a conversation outside. Standing on tiptoe in Li Changshou’s sleeve, she peeked out again to see Ox-Head, Horse-Face, and the Underworld’s “welcome party” of ghost officials…

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Changshou received two jars of seasoning and produced a jade token, saying he had come on the Water God’s orders to seek an audience with Mother Earth.

Ox-Head and Horse-Face didn’t dare take this lightly. After examining the jade token, Ox-Head summoned an ox cart specially for receiving honored guests and slowly led Li Changshou on a tour toward Fengdu City.

Horse-Face galloped ahead to report to the King of Hell.

Though Li Changshou’s true appearance was exposed during the Northern Continent battle twelve years ago, the beings present were either eliminated or allies like Elder Zhao. He could still maintain his act for now.

More protection is always better.

The reason Li Changshou brought Ling’e to the Underworld was that he had some confidence.

After all, now that the Saints knew and the Supreme Clarity Saint personally appeared to protect him, his insurance had increased by quite a bit.

Moreover, Li Changshou currently had the Xuanhuang Pagoda floating around his divine soul, the Qiankun Ruler in his sleeve, the Leaving Earth Flame Banner against his chest and could request partial power from the Taiji Diagram for support at any time…

To put it conservatively, this was his most secure moment in 500 years past and 500 years future!

At this moment, Li Changshou’s mind was quite lively—Tower Lord drunkenly recounting twelve years of close contact with Sister Golden Fighting Bowl, Aunt Leaving Earth Flame Banner expressing speechlessness, Brother Qiankun Ruler giving a cold sneer.

As if he hadn’t been there!

Of course, the Qiankun Ruler wouldn’t dare say this out loud.

How could there be no hierarchy?

Worth mentioning was that the Taiji Diagram had begun sending spiritual thoughts, and participating in their conversation.

Clearly after passing Tower Lord’s test, the Supreme Clarity Lord had fully accepted him as a Saint’s disciple, and the Taiji Diagram no longer treated him as an outsider…

Taking advantage of not having to return the Human Dao treasure yet, Li Changshou left Three Immortal Island and decided to bring Ling’e to pay respects to their Master.

As cultivators, they should view life and death lightly, otherwise they couldn’t endure the loneliness of endless years…

Normal immortals visiting graves: Find a tomb, bow to it, light incense, place some fruits, and recite a few memorial words.

Heavenly Court Authority visiting graves: Go straight to the Six Paths of Reincarnation in the Underworld, and even enter it.

Without any complications, Li Changshou arrived beside the Six Paths of Reincarnation and was drawn in by a beam of light…

This time, Mother Earth didn’t appear, placing Li Changshou on a gentle slope.

Beyond the slope was a small pond where several golden orbs floated up and down—Old Daoist Qi Yuan’s soul was among them.

A hint of peace showed in Li Changshou’s eyes as he brought Ling’e out from his sleeve.

Streams of immortal light swirled around as Ling’e spun back to normal size, and then…

Her little mouth trembled, her eyes reddened, tears welling up as she stared at Master’s soul, covering her nose and mouth as she cried:

“Master, you died so tragically!”

Li Changshou: …

At least his soul and spirit weren’t destroyed.

Standing at the pond’s edge, Li Changshou gazed at Master’s soul for a while, then looked toward the distant horizon, his mood less heavy than before.

Ling’e busied herself nearby.

Somehow she had prepared everything in advance—yellow paper, incense table, offerings, fruits—setting up a small altar here, donning a white cape, kneeling to burn paper money for Master.

Ling’e sniffled, her tiny nose swollen from crying, as she murmured:

“Master, have a good journey…”

Li Changshou corrected: “This is already the journey’s end and a new beginning.”

Ling’e mumbled between sobs: “Then, Master. When you were here before, this disciple couldn’t show much filial piety, though that was because you were always sleeping in your room and wouldn’t come out. Master, you brought this disciple up the mountain and into the immortal path, but I couldn’t let you enjoy peace and comfort… Master, I’m burning paper money here, you can use it directly, without going through the Underworld’s big and small ghosts, to buy more in the Underworld… no wait, Master can’t leave here. Master, you died so tragically.”

“It’s not bad,” Li Changshou said calmly. “Master’s next life will be much more wonderful than this one. He needs to nurture here for who knows how many hundred years before reincarnating.”

Ling’e looked up at her Senior Brother, sighed, and went back to burning paper money.

Half an hour later, Ling’e packed up the memorial setup with red-rimmed eyes. The Qiankun Ruler tapped her shoulder, instantly shrinking her to three inches tall, and her Senior Brother placed her in his sleeve…

This was simply to keep her identity hidden.

Li Changshou bowed toward the distance and was sent out of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

The siblings received a gentle voice transmission:

“Come visit anytime.”

Ling’e transmitted: “Senior Brother, was that Mother Earth speaking?”

“Mm,” Li Changshou responded, bowing to the waiting Ox-Head and Horse-Face with a smile. “Thank you both for your trouble.”

Ox-Head laughed: “No trouble at all, we’re family! Moo.”

Horse-Face asked: “Has Water God recovered from his injuries?”

“Should be fine now, will return to the Heavenly Court to report soon,” Li Changshou explained briefly before departing with Ox-Head and Horse-Face from the Reincarnation Immortal Island above the Eighteen Layers of Hell, heading back the way they came.

Returning to Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou and Ling’e busied themselves for a while.

Li Changshou tidied up Master’s thatched cottage and sealed it with immortal power, preserving it from decay for thousands of years to come.

Using the skills she had honed carving the ‘Stability Scripture’ repeatedly on stone slabs, Ling’e carved a small stone memorial tablet for Master and placed it in the center of the cottage.

Wiping tears before the memorial tablet, Ling’e asked softly:

“Senior Brother, how should we tell Grandmaster about this?”

“We’ll just tell him directly,” Li Changshou smiled. “You go inform Grandmaster, and I’ll notify the sect at Hundred Mortal Palace. Ling’e…”

“Hm?”

Ling’e looked up at Li Changshou, her eyes reflecting the relaxed smile on her Senior Brother’s lips, unable to help but purse her lips slightly.

Li Changshou said: “For us cultivators, without the soul and spirit being destroyed, one isn’t truly gone. Though Master has reincarnated and is no longer our Master, we know that Master is still here in a way. Moreover, after reincarnation, Master won’t enter the path of lesser immortality again…”

“Senior Brother,” Ling’e interrupted, a slight smile appearing on her lips, “I know all this.”

“Mm,” Li Changshou raised his hand, instinctively wanting to pat her head, but hesitated.

She had grown up so much already.

With a wry smile, Li Changshou said “I’ll head to Hundred Mortal Palace first” and turned toward the door.

“Senior Brother!”

At Ling’e’s call, before Li Changshou could turn around, she had already gently embraced him from behind. This little Steam Immortal showed no signs of blushing today, gripping Li Changshou’s Daoist robe with her forehead pressed against his back as she said softly:

“You still have me here.”

“I’m fine. Don’t let this affect your heart. Master’s lifespan was limited, to begin with; this day just came a bit earlier.”

Li Changshou patted Ling’e’s delicate hand and responded gently before heading to Hundred Mortal Palace on his cloud.

When Qi Yuan died, the Degree-Granting Gate’s Sect Leader decided to hold a grand funeral ceremony for Little Qiong Peak, but Li Changshou stopped it. Elder Wan Linyun proposed taking Li Changshou and Ling’e to Dan Ding Peak, but Sect Leader Ji Wuyou quickly rejected that idea.

If Elder Wan hadn’t looked so fierce, Ji Wuyou might have rushed to cover his mouth right then!

But overall, Master’s presence in the Degree-Granting Gate hadn’t been particularly prominent, so it didn’t attract much attention.

Jiang Lin’er shut herself in Qi Yuan’s cottage for half a month before walking out with a smile, telling the Forgotten Emotion Immortal who had waited outside for her the entire time that she was “fine.”

Life and death, partings and meetings—these are matters of great emotion from which even cultivators can gain many insights.

Whether these insights are useful is another matter, but people must look forward.

Li Changshou composed himself and began gradually returning to work.

He started by activating his paper puppets one by one and visited Black Pool Peak to drink and chat with Baize, planning for future matters.

The Great Tribulation of Canonization should be in eight or nine hundred years.

Li Changshou had now officially entered the tribulation, but not the Great Tribulation of Canonization itself.

His tribulation wasn’t about dying or losing his dao, nor about entering the Canonization List.

First, he wouldn’t become a subject of canonization—the three schools currently facing tribulation were the Severing School, Enlightenment School, and Western School.

Second, he was now an Authority of the Heavenly Court, quite different from the future Yang Jian’s situation.

Yang Jian, the yet-to-be-born Erlang God, though holding a Heavenly Court position during canonization, was still a disciple of the Enlightenment School who entered the Great Tribulation of Canonization to take his master’s calamity, ultimately ascending to heaven in physical form with a promoted divine position.

Li Changshou didn’t need to enter the Human Dao School, having extracted himself from that.

But when he killed Lu Ya, he used the Dao of Balance to draw Lu Ya into the tribulation, making Lu Ya controlled by the Great Tribulation to offset Lu Ya’s “Heavenly Dao Protection,” thereby binding himself to the Great Tribulation of Canonization as well.

Using tribulation to attack tribulation was the only way to kill Lu Ya on the spot.

Li Changshou didn’t regret this—he would make the same choice again.

His entering the tribulation meant he needed to perfect his dao within the Great Tribulation. If he successfully passed through it, he would gain immense benefits.

If he lost…

He could still keep his Changshou Dao Fruit, but afterward, he would surely become just a tool of the Heavenly Dao, without any room for struggle.

The Heavenly Dao needing to be balanced was actually the Heavenly Dao’s tacit approval—the relationship was extremely subtle and needed careful consideration.

In these twelve years, while comprehending the Great Dao of Balance, Li Changshou also restored his Void-Clarity Dao Heart.

After strengthening and enhancing the Void-Clarity Dao Heart, Li Changshou renamed this divine ability—Sage Mode!

Vivid, symbolic, and profound.

“Let’s return to the Heavenly Court tomorrow.”

On a starry night, Li Changshou looked up at the celestial vault, emptying his mind, and letting the dao flow naturally.

…

Meanwhile, in the card room.

Several figures gathered quietly, activating the formation arrays around the card room and setting up layers of immortal barriers.

Ling’e, Jiu Jiu, You Qin Xuanya, Jiu Yushi, Jiang Lin’er, and Xiong Lingli were now gathered in a hidden corner, practicing the Human Dao School’s traditional skill—face-to-face voice transmission.

Jiu Jiu muttered: “I think Changshou seems pretty normal. Though Senior Brother Qi Yuan’s unfortunate death pains us all, Changshou’s dao heart shouldn’t be broken by this.”

Ling’e gripped her chin and said seriously: “No, he is not truly happy.”

You Qin Xuanya declared firmly: “For Senior Brother Changshou to emerge from the shadows, I’m willing to do anything.”

Jiang Lin’er asked puzzled: “Why would Changshou have shadows?”

“Well…”

Jiu Jiu waved her little hand: “He doesn’t need to know. Let’s start discussing what to do—Operation Save Changshou from Unhappiness!”