“Senior Brother, Senior Brother, come over here~

It’s nothing bad, how could your Junior Sister trick you?

Even if I wanted to trick you, I couldn’t, right?”

In the deep night, behind Little Qiong Peak, within the formation-covered giant wood forest.

Ling’e pulled Li Changshou’s arm, acting coquettish as she dragged him to a grass clearing.

The surrounding perfectly straight, ordinary spirit-sap-supplied spirit trees seemed like majestic pillars supporting the night, emanating an ancient and profound aura.

Ling’e pulled her Senior Brother to the center of the clearing. Just as she was about to step back, she frowned and asked:

“Senior Brother, right now, standing here is…”

“My true body,” Li Changshou answered seriously, “since you specifically mentioned it earlier.”

“That’s good,” Ling’e bit her tongue lightly, smiled, and stepped back two paces, slowly turning around.

Her movements were gentle and fluid, her long hair and dress floating slightly, accompanied by starlight filtering through the treetops—she looked like the most beautiful sprite in the forest.

A soft white light began glowing from the surrounding grass, coming from common luminescent spirit insects.

They slowly rose, then danced around the forest clearing, adding halos of faint light throughout the grounds.

Li Changshou watched this scene, his eyes showing traces of peace.

Ling’e stood ten feet away, leaning forward slightly, starlight reflecting in her eyes, beautiful as if in a dream.

“Senior Brother, is it pretty?”

“Mm,” Li Changshou asked somewhat helplessly, “I am fine, what are you trying to…”

“No talking allowed!”

Ling’e suddenly turned forcefully, straightening her chest and raising her head with a light shout.

Then, remembering past years of being bullied by her Senior Brother, she shrank her neck and said softly: “Is… is that okay?”

Li Changshou nodded and sat down cross-legged.

Come on then, let’s see what you and those sneaking figures nearby are up to.

Ling’e stepped back further. Two lovely-faced but vacant-eyed immortal maidens emerged from the forest—Ling’e’s paper puppets.

Playing zither, flute, and gently tapping hand drums, melodious music filled Little Qiong Peak.

Operation Save the Unhappy, Step One: [Music].

Use music to soothe the wounds of the dao heart;

Use music to ease emotions;

Use music to set the stage for the next part of the plan!

As one piece ended, Li Changshou’s eyes showed a trace of amusement…

Thump! Thump thump!

Like a giant elephant charging through the forest, the melody Ling’e played became livelier with the footsteps.

“Huwa!”

A shout came from the side as Xiong Lingli jumped in front of Li Changshou, holding two “long-necked sheep” cubs!

This sixteen-foot-tall, mountain-like massive figure began dancing the prayer dance passed down in the Bear Tribe, shouting “Hey! Hey! Hey!”…

Li Changshou: ???

Ling’e also pursed her lips but couldn’t say anything.

When Little Qiong Peak’s High-Level Foodie Group was discussing the plan, they had different opinions and couldn’t reach a consensus, so they decided to take turns performing, seeing who could make Li Changshou laugh heartily.

With a head full of little friends—ahem, with a head full of question marks, Li Changshou patiently watched until Xiong Lingli struck her final pose.

The two spirit beast cubs tucked under her arms immediately turned their heads and started vomiting chaotically.

At this moment, Xiong Lingli’s little face was full of expectation, constantly giving Li Changshou eye signals, seemingly waiting for his review.

Li Changshou frowned and asked:

“Feeling homesick? If you want to visit the Bear Tribe, I can arrange for you to go home tomorrow.”

Home…

Xiong Lingli’s legs went weak, nearly kneeling, and hurriedly said:

“No, no, no, Cousin, I’m doing fine on the mountain. I’ll… I’ll head back now, don’t worry about me, heh, hehe.”

With that, Xiong Lingli hugged the two doll-like spirit beast cubs and retreated dejectedly.

Watching Xiong Lingli’s back, Li Changshou suddenly understood—they were trying to cheer him up… he had thought they wanted to ask for something.

Ling’e lowered her head, the music returning to its original melodious state.

“Ahem!”

A light cough came from the forest as Jiang Lin’er approached with hands behind her back, waving at the grass in front of Li Changshou to set down a low table with two jars of immortal wine.

Just as Li Changshou was about to stand and bow, Jiang Lin’er pushed him back down.

“Master…”

“No need to speak, I understand everything. What’s the big deal?”

Jiang Lin’er casually poked open the paper seal on the wine jar, took out two large bowls, pulled back one jade arm into her sleeve, and then reached out through her collar to tie her sleeves at her chest.

An aura of primordial heroism swept forth.

Raising the wine jar, Jiang Lin’er shouted lowly: “It’s all in the wine! If you’re brothers, drink it all!”

With that, she threw her head back and gulped.

This way of drinking was a small trick—appearing to drink heavily while actually spilling most of the wine.

Li Changshou sighed, knowing Jiang Lin’er must be quite depressed. After all, both Uncle Master Wan Jiang Yu and his own Master Qi Yuan were raised by Jiang Lin’er, and yet…

Li Changshou picked up the wine jar, frowning as the wine entered his throat—the taste was far inferior to what he brewed.

Though he sought stability in all things, he was a refined little disciple of the Human Dao School. Especially in recent years under Elder Baize’s influence, he had developed certain standards for taste.

Ling’e, playing the zither nearby, twitched her lips slightly, feeling the current atmosphere was somewhat different from what she had imagined…

A moment later.

Clang!

The empty wine jar slammed onto the table as Jiang Lin’er hiccupped, looking at her disciple’s disciple before her, who was giving her a gentle gaze.

This gaze was so warm, carrying a slight apology and some helplessness. In an instant, it reopened the two scars in Jiang Lin’er’s heart.

Jiang Lin’er lowered her head, spat out some wine, bent over the low table, and broke into sobs:

“I’m just a failed Celestial Immortal!”

“Grandmaster, it’s all past,” Li Changshou consoled gently, “We must look forward. Master’s soul is still…”

Ling’e’s zither music went chaotic, seemingly producing sounds of clashing arms and horses;

Xiong Lingli, crouching nearby, quickly ran up, hoisted Jiang Lin’er onto her shoulder, gave Li Changshou an embarrassed smile, and ran away with a lowered head.

Operation status: second failure!

Li Changshou couldn’t help but laugh. Just as he was about to tell them to stop this nonsense, the clear sound of copper bells rang from nearby…

Two graceful figures approached with the music, wearing immortal silk clothes and holding delicate fans, their tasseled dresses rippling like waves.

But their somewhat awkward, very unnatural dance moves nearly made Li Changshou laugh out loud.

Looking at the left side was Jiu Jiu, who rarely wore immortal dresses!

Though she was still outrageously beautiful as ever, she now had three parts more immortal grace and three parts more purity than usual. Her appearance and temperament had matured considerably, showing some immortal maiden bearing.

On the right side, You Qin Xuanya looked quite charming at this moment.

She naturally had a delicate figure, and this outfit added touches of gentleness and allure. Yet her expression remained stiff, her beautiful face frequently frowning as she seriously recalled the next moves…

Unfortunately…

If the skill level was just this, Li Changshou’s urge to cover his eyes exceeded his urge to laugh heartily.

However, after dancing awkwardly for a while, Jiu Jiu and You Qin Xuanya suddenly retreated to the sides, each bowing while maintaining their fan-waving poses.

The music began to sound somewhat… strange.

A black shadow flashed from the forest, bursting out between Jiu Jiu and You Qin Xuanya’s fans, with two beams of light shining on them from the sides!

This person wore a blue veil, dressed in pink and green immortal robes, began swaying to the music, and started singing somewhat suggestive mortal songs.

After singing just two lines, they lifted the veil, revealing a heavily made-up face, two braided pigtails, and that signature…

Goatee!

“Oh my handsome brother so beautiful and wonderful, handsome brother’s beauty moves my heart, I smile tenderly as my eyes make introductions…”

Poof!

Li Changshou raised his hand to poke his eyes, choosing temporary blindness.

Elder Bai, your elegant military advisor image is completely ruined!

But overall, Li Changshou still strongly resisted the urge to criticize, letting them finish their “performance” before standing up with a dark face.

“All of you, come here!”

From the forest sides, several people looked at each other, then walked out obediently, somewhat afraid to look forward directly.

Li Changshou sighed: “I appreciate everyone’s intentions, but I’ve truly already adjusted my state.

Also, Elder Bai!”

Baize hurriedly wiped his face, smiling: “I was just responding to Ling’e’s request, joining everyone in having some fun…

This poor Daoist even put aside his dignity.”

Immediately, Li Changshou was full of criticism but couldn’t speak.

You Qin Xuanya frowned and asked: “Senior Brother, seeing all this… aren’t you happy?”

“Come, sit where I am, and look at Elder Bai.”

You Qin Xuanya followed his words and came closer, looking up at Baize—her fair forehead immediately covered in black lines.

Jiu Jiu and Jiang Lin’er also came over, the former immediately bursting into laughter;

The latter, still drunk, looked at the male-dressed-as-female Baize, then at herself, sighed dejectedly, turned to hug You Qin Xuanya, and cried again, mumbling “Actually the same, all the same.”

Li Changshou swept his long sleeve, turned, and used his escape technique, retreating in defeat.

Baize also hurriedly bid farewell—with Li Changshou gone, he didn’t dare interact much with Little Qiong Peak’s women…

Gazing toward the elixir room, Ling’e showed a thoughtful expression.

It seemed Senior Brother was forcing her to use her trump card.

Ling’e pulled out a jade token from her sleeve, her lips showing a slight “cold smile,” tapped the jade token twice, then turned and dove into the forest.

“Big Sister, are you in closed cultivation?

No? Well, then, I was thinking about how to make Senior Brother happier…

Yes, yes, Master’s matter hit Senior Brother quite hard.

Me? I’m fine, I’m just worried about Senior Brother. I cultivate on the mountain every day, but Senior Brother has to deal with all sorts of major events. If his mindset becomes unstable and enemies take advantage, that would be terrible…”

These soft words continued in the forest for a while, until laughter from several female immortals plus one female half-shaman came from the side. Only then did Ling’e put away the jade token with a satisfied smile.

…

Li Changshou, who had planned to return to the Heavenly Court at daybreak, decided to depart half an hour early.

A true dao heart shadow.

His true body hiding in Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou closed his eyes and activated the paper puppet in the Water God Manor of the Heavenly Court with his consciousness. A paper figure floated out from a nearby bookshelf, transforming into an old Daoist with white hair and a beard.

It had been a while.

Li Changshou’s immortal consciousness spread out like flowing water, seeing Spirit Zhenzhu Child in cultivation, seeing the large contingent of Heavenly Soldiers guarding the entrance.

Everything was as usual in the Water God Manor, and the Heavenly Court seemed unchanged as well. However, outside the Jade Emperor’s Palace, a golden pillar of light slowly spiraled, with square segments displaying the vacant divine positions in the Heavenly Court.

When the Great Tribulation of Canonization begins and tribulation-bound spirits appear with their divine souls entering the Canonization List, this golden pillar will gain another name.

The Jade Emperor would decide whether these beings were needed in the Heavenly Court—the Heavenly Dao and Lord Dao Ancestor had given him full authority.

Seeing this pillar, Li Changshou smiled inwardly.

Indeed, many changes have occurred.

The current Heavenly Court should be much stronger than in the original Canonization story, to the extent that His Majesty the Jade Emperor had gained considerably more authority…

From this perspective, everything he had done before had become small ripples changing the Great Tribulation of Canonization.

Quite a few changes.

Li Changshou held his whisk and stood up, deliberately releasing a trace of his aura, startling the crowd of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals outside.

The wooden door opened, gazes turned toward him, and Heavenly Generals’ faces lit up with excitement as they cupped their hands and bowed to Li Changshou, shouting: “By His Majesty’s command, we respectfully welcome the Water God’s return to Heaven!”

Several Heavenly Generals cupped their fists in salute, while the crowd of Heavenly Soldiers knelt on one knee, shouting in unison:

“We respectfully welcome the Water God’s return to Heaven!”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, holding his whisk and returning their salute, saying: “Thank you all for guarding here. I must now go to the Jade Emperor’s Palace for an audience with His Majesty.”

“Does the Water God need our escort?”

“No need, no need,” Li Changshou smiled and waved, “Don’t worry.”

At this moment, the Water God Manor became extraordinarily lively. Even Spirit Zhenzhu Child was awakened from cultivation, and seeing Li Changshou’s figure, let out a long sigh of relief.

The gazes of the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals guarding the Water God Manor were somewhat intense.

Though it had only been over ten years—not a long time in the Primordial World for Element Immortals and True Immortals—to these Heavenly Army officers, it felt like an eternity had passed.

This worship wasn’t just for the powerful or skilled, but a subtle sense of recognition.

Many Heavenly Soldiers surged forward but dared not speak, only watching Li Changshou while leaving him a path outward.

Li Changshou smiled as he rode his cloud, calmly proceeding toward the Jade Emperor’s Palace.

He hadn’t flown far when…

“Teacher!”

A call came from the side as Long Ji approached her cloud. Seeing Li Changshou, her eyebrows rose with joy and she bounced excitedly.

“Teacher, have your injuries healed?

Can your divine soul use avatars now?

When East Wood Lord was carried back that day, it frightened everyone half to death…”

“It’s fine now,” Li Changshou said seriously, “Have you completed all the tasks I assigned you before?”

Long Ji’s cloud came to an emergency stop as she pointed at her brow, muttering: “Eh? I thought I just saw Teacher, must be an illusion, yes, must be an illusion. Oh my, I still need to bring Mother her tea.”

“Wait for me at the Water God Manor.”

Li Changshou spoke firmly, and Long Ji sniffled pitifully before slinking away toward the Water God Manor.

On the way to the Jade Emperor’s Palace, most of the Heavenly Court’s immortals and gods came to see him, with Ao Yi, Bian Zhuang, and other Heavenly River Navy commanders being the most excited.

When Li Changshou reached the palace gates, Wood Lord, who had been waiting for a while, immediately gave him a deep bow and called out:

“Thank you, Changgeng, for saving my life!”

“Wood Lord, please don’t bow,” Li Changshou hurriedly raised his hands, “We serve in the same court, all working for His Majesty. How could I not save you?”

Wood Lord seemed to have more to say but finally just smiled: “His Majesty has been waiting for Changgeng for a long time, hurry inside.”

Li Changshou cupped his hands and quickly ascended the steps, hastily entering the Jade Emperor’s Palace.

Looking up at His Majesty the Jade Emperor, who sat quietly on his throne reviewing memorials, Li Changshou continued his quick pace, reaching the high platform and bowing deeply.

“This minor god pays respects to His Majesty the Jade Emperor!”

His voice echoed through the great hall, but there was no response.

Outside the hall, East Wood Lord couldn’t help but turn his head to look, only to find the entire hall wrapped in golden light, cutting off external observation…

Inside the hall, Li Changshou maintained his bow, slightly raising his head to secretly peek at His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s calm expression, then lowered his head and called out again:

“This minor god pays respects to His Majesty the Jade Emperor!”

“Mm,” the Jade Emperor finally responded, faint golden light drifting over his white robes.

Since the Jade Emperor didn’t speak further, Li Changshou couldn’t straighten up, and could only maintain his position…

What’s going on?

Li Changshou’s thoughts turned slightly, and he quickly found a strategy, speaking out: “Mu Qinghua of the Wood Flower Academy, pays respects to His Majesty the Jade Emperor!”

Slap!

The Jade Emperor slammed the memorial onto his jade desk, gritting his teeth:

“Very well! So it was you! Li Changgeng, do you know your crime!”

Li Changshou showed a worried expression and sighed: “This minor god is willing to go to the Thunder Punishment Palace for punishment again!”

He was secretly referencing his previous thunder punishment from the Queen Mother.

“Hmph!”

The Jade Emperor snorted lightly, stood up with slight smugness, and said calmly: “Considering you were forced into it, I will settle this account with you later.

Now tell me, what happened in your battle with the Demon Clan’s powerful beings in the Northern Continent?”

Li Changshou hurriedly said: “They captured Wood Lord, and this minor god, fearing the Heavenly Court would be put at a disadvantage, gave chase.”

“Just that?”

“More or less… that’s how it was.”

The Jade Emperor walked down from the high platform and sat on the third-to-last jade step, leaning back leisurely:

“Then why did Elder Brother Supreme Clarity strike Western Subhuti, and why did the Holy Mother repair a Lesser Immortal’s soul? And why does the Heavenly Dao show that the Heavenly Court lost a Mountain God?”

“Ah,” Li Changshou sighed, “That Mountain God was the master who raised this minor god since childhood.”

The Jade Emperor started, immediately sitting up straight and saying softly:

“So there were such circumstances. Changgeng, don’t take it to heart, I was just curious… This is…”

“Your Majesty, my master was only a Lesser Immortal, and now he’s just reincarnating early. He even received benefits from the Holy Mother—this is already an enormous fortune.”

Li Changshou smiled: “Your Majesty, this minor god has matters to report.”

“Changgeng, come sit,” His Majesty the Jade Emperor patted the jade step beside him, “First report the official matters, then tell me what happened with this tribulation, and why the Severing School refused Wood Lord’s request?”

Li Changshou agreed and sat on the lowest jade step, giving a detailed report about the Northern Continent battle.

The Jade Emperor was his necessary ally and one who needed mutual trust during the Great Tribulation of Canonization. Li Changshou now needed to strengthen this relationship, so he didn’t conceal anything, even telling the Jade Emperor about the arrangements he made while recovering.

However, the Jade Emperor seemed somewhat distracted, thinking to himself…

The pain of losing a master, how tragic!

Mm, better find an excuse to punish Changgeng by sending him to the Moon Star to train the Chang’es.

According to the information he collected during his “Hua Ritian period,” this was the most sought-after position for male immortals in the Heavenly Court—it should bring great joy.

Being the Head Instructor of Three Hundred Chang’es—approved.