“…If the Enlightenment Sect has traitors from the Heavenly Court secretly causing trouble, then why would the Severing Sect refuse Minister Wood? Changsheng, aren’t you on good terms with Immortal Yunxiao and close friends with Zhao Gongming and other Severing Sect disciples?”

In the Lingxiao Divine Hall, on the steps of the high platform.

The Jade Emperor reclined, casually picking up a purple crystal grape offered by the Dragon Palace and placing it in his mouth, asking with some puzzlement.

Li Changshou: …

Why did these grapes look so familiar?

No, wait.

Had the Jade Emperor calmed down so quickly?

Not gnashing his teeth and cursing at this moment seemed somewhat unlike the Jade Emperor’s temperament.

Li Changshou sighed and said, “I wrote a letter in advance to Senior Brother Duobao.”

“Oh?” The Jade Emperor was completely confused. “Changsheng, why would you actively let the Severing Sect enter the tribulation? You should have tried to keep them out of it.”

“Your Majesty may not know,” Li Changshou said softly, “Since this minor deity began planning against the Dragon Clan, I have already affected the tribulation’s fate. Once the tribulation emerged, there was immediate backlash.

Though this minor deity forcefully killed Daoist Luya in the Northern Continent to avenge my master, I was consequently marked by the Heavenly Dao, with a will using the tribulation to manifest, closely watching my primordial spirit.

If this minor deity dared to obstruct the tribulation, my primordial spirit would suffer severe damage, likely taking a century or more to awaken.

The tribulation has long been predetermined, and this minor deity cannot prevent its arrival. Yet, as this minor deity cares for both the Dao School and the Heavenly Court, I made a choice.”

“Oh? What choice was that?”

The Jade Emperor levitated several plates of fruits from the jade table, placing them between the two of them, listening with increasing interest.

Li Changshou spoke slowly:

“The Enlightenment Sect and Severing Sect are destined to enter the tribulation. This matter is known to Uncle Master Tongxuan, Senior Brother Duobao, and any Severing Sect cultivator of note. This isn’t something I could save them from even if I wanted to. Besides Your Majesty, who can interfere with the Heavenly Dao’s operation, no one can prevent it.

But if the tribulation only targeted the Dao School, wouldn’t that benefit the Western Sect?

The two Uncle Masters of the Western Sect achieved sainthood through great vows, and they already have an urgency for great prosperity. If the Dao School declines, the Western Sect is destined to flourish.

Therefore, this minor deity took the initiative, discussing with the Severing Sect to let them enter the tribulation, selling a favor to the will within the tribulation. Then, using this favor, secretly asked Minister Wood to go to Spirit Mountain in the West, passing by without entering before returning to the Heavenly Court.

Speaking of favors, it’s a matter of balance.

Then using Your Majesty’s hand to draw the Western Sect into the tribulation, while extracting the Human Sect from the great tribulation…

Please forgive this minor deity, forgive me.”

“Haha, hahaha! Brilliant!”

The Jade Emperor sucked on a grape and burst into loud laughter, his hearty laughter echoing back and forth in the hall as he waved his hand lightly.

This white-robed Jade Emperor’s eyes carried traces of starlight as he smiled and said:

“No matter! I too was previously influenced by the tribulation, becoming the key to initiating it.

Instead, your calculations this time, Changsheng, though using my power, have put my mind at ease considerably.

I previously didn’t know what you sought, why you entered the Heavenly Court, or why you came to assist at my side, but now I roughly understand.

Senior Brother Taiqing is like this, the Great Dharma Master is like this, and you are also like this.”

Li Changshou blinked. Like what?

Had some sort of subtle misunderstanding occurred here again?

“Regarding this tribulation, Changsheng, where do you think the Heavenly Court should stand?”

“Above,” Li Changshou pointed upward, “In this tribulation, the Heavenly Court itself should not participate, only wait for the dust to settle.

That golden pillar outside the hall, Your Majesty should use it well.”

“How to use it well, and what if not used well? Most things have already been predetermined.”

The Jade Emperor smiled and said: “I intend to entrust this matter to Changsheng, just waiting for the tribulation to officially descend before granting Changsheng supervisory authority.

At that time, Changsheng will be the Heavenly Court’s special envoy and will be the Heavenly Dao’s envoy. If Changsheng wishes to save some people during the tribulation, it will also be more convenient.”

Li Changshou immediately stood up and made a Daoist salute to the Jade Emperor.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for this opportunity!”

“Returning the favor for favor, as it should be,” the Jade Emperor shook his head with a smile, “If the Ancestor of the Dao hadn’t told me some things, I truly wouldn’t have realized all your previous efforts, Changsheng.

Changsheng, you need not worry too much, nor keep words bottled up in your heart. Whatever can be discussed with me, discuss more.

You sincerely serve the Heavenly Court, serve me, this originally ignored Heavenly Emperor, so I will sincerely treat you, lending you my strength.

The Heavenly Court’s great prosperity will ultimately include Changsheng’s merit.

No matter how the Heavenly Court is after the tribulation, as long as I remain the leader of immortals, Changsheng will enjoy the second position.”

Li Changshou rose, and exchanged a glance with the Jade Emperor, his smile gaining several degrees of free-spiritedness.

The Jade Emperor sighed lightly again: “Let’s not speak of these things. This tribulation is called Investiture of the Gods, naturally, it’s the Heavenly Dao wanting to expand the Heavenly Court.

In a hundred years, the Enlightenment Sect, Severing Sect, and Western Sect must go to the Purple Void Palace to sign the Gods Investiture List. At that time, I must also go. Would Changsheng be willing to accompany me to pay respects to the Ancestor of the Dao?”

“At Your Majesty’s command, this minor deity will naturally follow.”

“I wonder how this tribulation will invest the gods,” the Jade Emperor’s mouth twisted, “Any tribulation must raise killing karma.

Changsheng, what do you say, will it make the three sects’ immortals directly fight each other? This one pushing down that one’s temple, that one killing this one’s disciple?

If so, what would be the basis for divine investiture?

Would it be based on the spirit’s original position within the three sects, or their magical power’s strength, or their character?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Presumably the Ancestor of the Dao has already arranged everything.”

The Jade Emperor muttered: “The Ancestor of the Dao said the same thing, saying the Heavenly Dao has already arranged everything.

By the way, Changsheng, when will Senior Brother Taiqing officially accept you as a disciple?”

“This…”

Li Changshou pondered for several moments, then joked: “This matter depends on the master’s intention, but at that time, this minor deity can call Your Majesty Uncle Master.”

“Hahaha!”

The Jade Emperor immediately burst into great joy, “Come, call me that several times!”

Li Changshou: …

“Your Majesty, the Heavenly Court’s rules must still be respected.”

“How boring, Changsheng, you were more interesting when you were Mu Qinghua.”

The Jade Emperor peeled a tangerine and tossed it into Li Changshou’s hand, smiling as he said: “I had originally thought, as soon as you entered the great hall, I would call your teacher once, to see if you would break out in a cold sweat.

Look at you, helping my junior sister is one thing, but even becoming a teaching master, intentionally matchmaking!”

Li Changshou was full of helplessness, sitting back on the lowest jade step, smiling bitterly as he said: “Your Majesty, with a bit of your soul entering the wheel of reincarnation, connecting the three realms of heaven, earth, and humanity, auspicious signs appeared all over the Southern Continent. Once the great capable ones calculated, they would know, it really couldn’t be hidden.

Matchmaking Your Majesty with the Empress was also truly unavoidable…

Your Majesty, at twelve or thirteen years old, when your heart first stirred with spring feelings, you suddenly increased five red strings, nearly frightening the Old Man under the Moon to tears.”

“Hahaha! Was I really that fierce?”

Li Changshou coughed once, eating the sweet but not cloying immortal tangerine, and asked quietly: “Could Your Majesty tell this minor deity in detail what you did in the Purple Void Palace?”

The Jade Emperor immediately sighed deeply and said softly:

“Ah, perhaps being influenced by Hua Youming’s mortal tribulation affected my temperament. At that time, my heart became angry, caught up in the tribulation’s fate, and I went directly to the Purple Void Palace.

When I reached the palace gates, I knelt and called out ‘Lord,’ and then…”

“And then?”

The Jade Emperor covered his eyes with one hand and sighed: “I burst into tears, truly losing immortal face.”

Li Changshou’s face showed sudden understanding. So the crying and pleading were true, not just rumors using artistic exaggeration.

Let men cry, let men cry, it is no sin; let the Immortal Emperor cry, let him cry as the Dao School kneels.

“If the Heavenly Court can successfully prosper and take control of the three realms, then this cry of mine was worth it,” the Jade Emperor stretched lazily, stood up, and gazed at the sea of clouds outside the Lingxiao Divine Hall.

“Beloved Minister Changsheng, receive the imperial decree.”

“This minor deity is present.”

“Three months from now, the beloved minister shall go to the mortal realm to bring my tribulation body’s sister back to the Heavenly Court.

I previously appeared in Hua Yun’s dream to tell her of this matter, letting her linger in the mortal realm for another hundred days.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “This minor deity accepts the command.”

“Ahem,” the Jade Emperor suddenly coughed, his gaze darting left and right, then drew close to Li Changshou’s side. Face to face, left shoulder to left shoulder, he whispered:

“When Changsheng goes there, remember to visit the estate where my tribulation body last retired. There’s a wooden box under the wardrobe – burn it directly with fire. Inside are some… you understand.

If this gets out, I might as well throw away my face.”

Li Changshou’s expression turned serious, nodding solemnly, his expression hundreds of times more grave than when discussing the great tribulation.

This feeling, he understood.

In his previous life, before dying, he had also grabbed his best friend’s collar, whispering in his ear, insisting that he take that enormous hard drive – which appeared empty of files yet was full – and format it, rewrite it, repeatedly rewrite it, preferably physically damage it, and burn the parts for him.

This was it!

A man’s face to save.

…

Leaving the Lingxiao Divine Hall, Li Changshou felt somewhat emotional.

After one mortal tribulation, the Jade Emperor had gained much more ‘human flavor’, his speech and conduct carrying several hints of ‘flesh and blood feeling’.

Especially when Li Changshou heard about the Jade Emperor’s bold ambition to have seven daughters, compensating for the regret of being unable to have offspring during his tribulation, he felt deep admiration.

Perhaps this was how the Seven Fairy Maidens came to be.

His avatar returned to the Water God Manor, but before entering the main gate, his Dao’s heart sensed ‘waves still present’ – guests were visiting the Sea God Temple in Anshui City.

Li Changshou dared not neglect the visitors. A paper person flew out from underground, hurrying to meet them.

The visitors turned out to be three members of the Enlightenment Sect’s ‘Twelve Golden Immortals organization – True Person Yellow Dragon, True Person Taiyi, and True Person Yuding.

If he wasn’t mistaken, they had come to inquire about matters concerning the God-Investing Tribulation.

After the Northern Continent battle, Li Changshou had deliberately ‘recuperated’ at Three Immortal Island for twelve years, not just to comprehend the Dao and planning strategies, but also to consider ‘avoiding disaster’.

Now facing the Enlightenment Sect immortals, Li Changshou could simply say that he was severely injured at the time and unaware of specific matters, resulting in someone taking advantage of the Enlightenment Sect…

This way, it wouldn’t harm their relationship.

The Severing Sect side didn’t need this – Li Changshou had discussed everything in detail with Immortal Yunxiao before making arrangements.

At present, Li Changshou opened the paper person repository beneath Anshui City, sending out a paper person to meet with the three Enlightenment Sect Golden Immortals.

The upcoming game would be a true battle between great sects;

In previous confrontations, disciples of the sages would mostly remain unharmed, but future battles would be far from simple matters of minor conflicts and reasoning.

Under the tribulation’s fate, those lacking in divine abilities or destined fate would all turn to fly ash.

Setting aside Li Changshou meeting the three Enlightenment Sect immortals at the Sea God Temple, let’s speak of how after Li Changshou left the Lingxiao Divine Hall, Minister East Wood was summoned inside by the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor sat back on his throne, holding a memorial, and said: “Minister Wood, tell me, how should we assign a crime to Changsheng?”

Wood Minister was stunned upon hearing this and hurriedly said: “Your Majesty, please examine clearly!

The Water God acts with measure and has absolutely no disloyalty to the Heavenly Court. These years he has repeatedly achieved great merit for the Heavenly Court!

This old minister can testify – it was all the Empress forcing the Water God to do it!”

“Enough, don’t I know Changsheng’s character?”

The Jade Emperor tossed aside the memorial in his hand, “Minister Wood, you need only find some small offense, so I can punish Changsheng by sending him to the Moon Palace to be an instructor for those Chang’e maidens, letting beloved minister Changsheng rest and relax for a time.”

Minister East Wood was stunned: “Your Majesty’s pardon, this old minister failed to fully comprehend Your Majesty’s intention. The Water God…

Went to the mortal realm without authorization, interfering with Your Majesty and the Empress’s tribulation, his crime deserves punishment.”

“Good, let it be settled thus,” the Jade Emperor smiled and said, “Tomorrow at noon, gather the immortals for a meeting.

After I speak of matters concerning the great tribulation, Minister Wood shall submit such a memorial.”

“This old minister obeys!”

Minister East Wood bowed his head accepting the command, turned, and withdrew.

The Jade Emperor sat on his throne and chuckled softly, stretched his body, and with hands behind his back left the Lingxiao Divine Hall for the Jasper Pool.

Having spoken such big words, he had to strive for them.

Seven might be a bit much, but it wasn’t like he hadn’t given birth before, hadn’t Dragon Princess already been raised so big…

In the rear hall of the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou sat in the main seat, with True Persons Yellow Dragon, Taiyi, and Yuding seated on his left, drinking mortal realm fragrant tea and discussing this great tribulation.

True Person Yellow Dragon cursed: “That fellow who came to the Jade Void Palace that day, that Heavenly Court True God called Fu Yuan, was deliberately causing trouble!

Who knew he would turn around and complain to the Jade Emperor, causing the Jade Emperor to angrily go to the Purple Void Palace?

Bringing such big trouble to our Enlightenment Sect for no reason!”

True Person Taiyi snorted with laughter: “The Heavenly Court isn’t picky about recruiting immortals and gods.”

“We can’t speak thus,” Li Changshou’s face showed helplessness, “The Heavenly Court is just starting, it’s unavoidable that some ill-intentioned individuals would mix in.”

True Person Yuding said: “This matter is beyond the Heavenly Court’s power to reverse. The Enlightenment and Severing Sects should enter the tribulation, we just didn’t expect the West would also enter the tribulation.”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou asked curiously: “Could Senior Brother Yuding explain in detail?”

“This poor Daoist isn’t very good at explaining,” True Person Yuding pondered for several moments, then said seriously: “This relates to understanding the Heavenly Dao.

If we compare the Heavenly Dao to a living being, then what this being contains most is the human race – the so-called protagonists of heaven and earth. The human race is the collection of the being’s fate.

The ancient tribulation responded to the dragons, phoenixes, and qilins;

The high ancient tribulation responded to the shaman and demon races.

This tribulation responds to the human race, but the human race’s fate is gathered in the mortal realm. In other words, the protagonists of heaven and earth are mortals. In the Heavenly Court, except for the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, the main body is the human race.

Our three Dao sects established our teachings by educating humans. Except for the Human Sect, after high antiquity, we rarely conducted educational activities, yet freely gained the protection of human race fate.

The more human race fate borrowed, the more needs to be returned in the great tribulation. Our Enlightenment Sect is thus, and the Severing Sect is the same.

The Severing Sect has it even more troublesome – the Severing Sect essentially borrowed the human race’s fate to shelter myriad spirit races… Any qi cultivator not connected to the human race will likely find it difficult to pass through this tribulation.

I previously calculated the great tribulation and comprehended these things, but didn’t expect the tribulation would not be initiated by the Human Emperor, but rather by His Majesty the Jade Emperor.

These are all predetermined. Without that Fu Yuan, it would only be different in form.”

As Yuding’s words fell, the entire inner hall was silent. Li Changshou, True Person Yellow Dragon, and True Person Taiyi all stared at Yuding in shock.

True Person Yuding frowned and said: “Did this poor Daoist say something wrong?”

Li Changshou hurriedly said: “Senior Brother’s insights are truly profound!”

True Person Yellow Dragon frowned and asked: “Junior Brother Yuding, how did you comprehend these things?”

“Ha!”

True Person Taiyi jumped back a step, glaring at True Person Yuding, pulling out the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover from his hand, “What demon dares impersonate my Junior Brother Yuding! How could my junior brother have such insights!”

Yuding helplessly said: “These are just some insights. It’s Senior Brother who always ponders how to curse people and refine treasures, neglecting his cultivation.”

“Really?” True Person Taiyi gave an embarrassed laugh.

Li Changshou and Yellow Dragon exchanged a glance, immediately bursting into laughter together.

Li Changshou ordered a feast prepared, discussing these matters with the three immortals while secretly requesting Zhao Gongming to come to this place.

The three sects entering the tribulation were the Enlightenment, Severing, and Western sects. The Dao School and Western School were already two separate families – taking the initiative to divide camps and increase Enlightenment-Severing feelings was the best strategy.

Li Changshou knew the Western School would try their best to draw in the Enlightenment Sect, so he needed to arrange this matter next.

Before long, the rear hall feast was joyous, filled with continuous laughter and merriment.

At the same time, on Three Immortal Island.

A white shadow left the thousand-mile cloud mist, concealed between heaven and earth, hurrying toward the East Victory Divine Continent.