In the southern region of the Northern Continent, a heaven-shaking battle unfolded.

The war between Heaven and the Demon Tribe lasted half a day, and it was nearly one-sided—the Demon Tribe resisting and fleeing, being hunted for half a day.

Fortunately, Heaven did not pursue complete annihilation. They would not pursue charges against demon forces uninvolved in the Northern Continent’s rebellion, keeping casualties within certain bounds.

Demons could never be eliminated.

What Heaven needed to do, or rather what Li Changshou needed to do through Heaven’s hand, was to redefine demons.

How could balancing the Heavenly Way be so simple?

Li Changshou not only needed to promote his system of balanced beings—the ‘Human-Spirit-Immortal-Demon-Devil-Ghost’ framework;

More importantly, he needed to start from the minutiae, accumulating gradually to form constraining power over the Heavenly Way, with the ultimate goal of achieving his own Dao through this process!

One’s own Dao would be the greatest guarantee for the future.

The battle in the Northern Continent’s miasma clouds twelve years ago had helped Li Changshou understand many things.

[Power] was the ultimate deciding factor, not [Position]. Without sufficient power, even if opportunity struck one’s face, it couldn’t be grasped firmly—instead, it might cost one’s precious life.

An ancient certain red figure: Always feeling repeatedly offended by some upstart.

Now when calculating various matters, Li Changshou would ask himself whether it benefited his Dao.

Eliminating the Northern Continent’s demons, severely damaging the Demon Tribe’s destiny, and forcing them into a weakened position in the world greatly benefited his Dao.

So he did it without hesitation, even if it meant bearing some karmic burden.

—After this battle, the merits gained from killing demons just balanced out the slight karmic burden of ordering the slaughter of numerous demons.

Returning to this all-out battle between Heaven and the Demon Tribe.

In truth, once Li Changshou’s three-piece move fell—’Establishing Heaven’s Might,’ ‘Demon-Slaying Seal,’ and ‘Great Spirit Explosion’—the Demon Tribe had lost all chance of victory and any will to continue fighting.

The overall deployment of Heaven’s army was a ‘Seven’ formation missing one side. Under Li Changshou’s command, they deliberately left one side open, allowing large numbers of demon soldiers to flee toward the Western Cattle Gift Continent…

Unfortunately, these demon troops scattered and suffered heavy casualties before reaching Spirit Mountain, failing to achieve the grand feat of staining Spirit Mountain with blood.

Li Changshou’s arrangement contained several hidden calculations.

—He wanted to force the Western Religion to make a choice.

At this time in the world, everyone knew that the West had previously greatly assisted the Demon Tribe, inciting them to oppose Heaven.

Now that the Demon Tribe’s destiny was broken and ancient demons were mostly slain, if large numbers of demons fled to Spirit Mountain’s vicinity, would the Western Religion kill these demons or protect them?

If the Western Religion killed these demons, they would suffer a [Credit Collapse];

Although a certain True Immortal Lord on the edge of leaving the group didn’t care about such things, with the Great Tribulation approaching and the Canonization involving Orthodox, Severing, and Western sects, if the West did such a thing, they would struggle to gain allies later.

If the Western Religion protected these demons, they would stand in opposition to Heaven—the orchestrator of the Great Tribulation.

Li Changshou could then naturally develop the contradiction between the Jade Emperor and Western Religion to an irreconcilable point, making the Western Religion bear more tribulation fate in the Great Tribulation!

Unfortunately, these demons proved truly useless.

Even though Li Changshou later hinted to his heavenly generals not to pursue too closely, the demon horde still couldn’t hold until reaching Spirit Mountain…

With slight regret, Li Changshou cast a distant glance at Spirit Mountain before vanishing.

It was indeed somewhat regrettable that such an opportunity couldn’t be fully utilized.

In a hundred years, the Canonization List would be signed in Purple Void Palace, natural rifts would appear between the Orthodox and Severing sects, and the Western Religion would inevitably switch sides, causing Orthodox and Severing sects to fall into opposition.

By then, the relationships between Western, Orthodox, and Severing sects would certainly become intricate. Severing Sect’s “Ten Thousand Immortals Coming to Court” would inevitably invite wariness, and the Dao Gate framework would exist in name only.

The great sects’ game would gradually push to its peak.

That would be the true moment requiring effort to deal with the West.

For now, the task was to accumulate foundation and increase his trump cards against the West, to have something to pull from under his Dao robe at crucial moments to turn the tide.

Participating in the great sects’ struggle and playing games with True Immortals required steady progress—one wrong step meant total defeat.

True Immortals were not like their disciples of varying quality—they were the greatest winners of the ancient and primordial eras!

Pondering these thoughts, Li Changshou’s palm burst with lightning as his true body took the opportunity to return with Baize, withdrawing from the battlefield.

The [Water God] paper avatar unhurriedly flew back to the high heavens to report to the Jade Emperor.

This battle was, naturally, a great victory.

Over three hundred demon kings suffered heavy casualties, a small portion of demon troops scattered, and the majority were routed by Heaven’s armies.

The Dragon Clan slew more demon experts than the Shamanic Tribe, only because during the pursuit, the Shamanic Tribe, skilled in running but poor at flying, couldn’t keep up with the demons’ escape speed.

After all, in ancient times, two legs being unable to outrun a gust of wind or two wings was already an important factor limiting the Shamanic Tribe’s population.

When the Northern Continent’s border was strewn with corpses, Li Changshou ordered the heavenly soldiers to collect their fallen comrades’ bodies, then used true fire to burn the mountains within a thousand-li radius, letting ashes pile in this place.

In several decades, this place would naturally recover its greenery.

Green was the color of life and hope.

Before the Nine Dragons Carriage, Li Changshou bowed and reported clearly:

“Your Majesty! The demon horde is subdued, and our troops return in great victory!”

The Jade Emperor, leaning on his great sword, spoke calmly: “Where is Wood Lord?”

East Wood Lord, his robes stained with blood, hurried forward and bowed: “This old minister is here!”

“After this great battle, reward the various troops according to merit,” the Jade Emperor said calmly. “Minister Long Geng holds the highest merit, awarded divine merit—another great achievement will raise his divine rank.”

Li Changshou immediately wanted to speak…

Why had he gone to such lengths to eliminate the Northern Continent’s demons?

Wasn’t it to avoid taking up the Moon Palace position?

However, just as Li Changshou opened his mouth, a golden light fell from the horizon, enveloping him, as streams of merit gathered in the merit pool around his Primordial Spirit.

The merit spent earlier saving his master’s soul had returned!

However, he was still just short of achieving a Merit Golden Body…

This small difference didn’t matter—he only needed to make a trip to the Underworld later and present his already-prepared Underworld reform proposal to Lady Houtu.

As long as Lady Houtu approved, this merit would be his, and his Merit Golden Body would also—!

“Minister Long Geng has worked hard in this battle,” the Jade Emperor said. “After returning to Heaven, still take up your position at the Moon Palace early, don’t let my words flow away like water.”

Li Changshou: …

Why did he feel like he’d been schemed against?

He answered listlessly: “This minor deity obeys.”

The Jade Emperor smiled and sighed, standing up from his carriage to gaze at the dancing ashes below, his eyes bearing a gleam, his figure seeming more majestic.

He wanted to say something, like the bold words he’d proclaimed to Wood Lord and Li Changshou while touring the Western Sea;

Like those poems and distant dreams, he’d discussed with Li Changshou while sitting on the steps when no one else was around.

But today, feeling the beings’ sorrow and the world’s grief, the Jade Emperor only let out a light sigh:

“Return to Heaven.”

…

“Did you see? These are our future enemies.”

Tens of thousands of li from where the demon ashes danced, two figures stood at the edge of a cliff.

Wrapped in blood-colored gauze that outlined an extremely enchanting figure, Dao Master Wenjing leaned against a large tree, speaking thus leisurely.

The silver-haired girl lowered her head slightly, clutching the treasure sword in her arms.

“Does it feel somewhat hopeless?”

Dao Master Wenjing’s voice-transmitted whisper made the silver-haired girl nod slightly.

“It’s right to feel hopeless,” Dao Master Wenjing’s voice seemed to carry some magical power, eroding the silver-haired girl’s Dao heart.

“Let’s go. With the Great Tribulation approaching, we too should reduce our outings, lest we cause trouble for the True Immortal Lords.”

“Oh,” the silver-haired girl responded, taking one last look at the battle’s remnants before turning to leave.

Meanwhile, on Black Pool Peak.

A ripple slowly spread from beside the black pool as Baize, carrying Li Changshou on his back, materialized and slowly crouched by the water.

“Ah,” Baize sighed, transforming into human form after Li Changshou floated to the side.

Li Changshou smiled, “Is Master Baize feeling somewhat sympathetic about the Demon Tribe’s great defeat today?”

Unexpectedly, Baize shook his head and said seriously:

“I was thinking, Water God, isn’t your Great Dao a bit too ruthless in battle?

Universal Balance—you balance the extreme speed of flying demons, balance the physical might of powerful demons, and when about to kill one great demon, you even balance its injuries with other demons.

This, this… what’s the point of fighting? Whoever engages you in group combat is just seeking death, aren’t they?”

“Hahahaha!”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but laugh heartily, waving his hand as he explained:

“Master Baize misunderstands.

What can be balanced must be within my Primordial Spirit’s tolerance—these are merely divine abilities extended from my personal Dao.

It’s like how those who nearly perfect the Dao of Fire can directly harm others with flames. I just harm others differently.

What I used today was merely the basic version of the Dao of Balance. I still have a killing move held in reserve.”

“Oh?”

Baize blinked, mumbling: “Given our relationship… might you share some details?”

Zhao Gongming, who had been sleeping soundly in the Kitchen Palace, couldn’t help but prick up his ears.

Li Changshou smiled slightly. Since he dared to mention it, he naturally had developed more trump cards. This was just a hint for Baize, with a slight purpose.

Li Changshou said: “If I disregard everything, ignite my Primordial Spirit’s power, and prepare the Nine Cycles Golden Pill, I can balance with a great divine power wielder’s…

Lifespan.”

Baize froze, carefully considering this before suddenly turning pale with shock.

“Then wouldn’t you—!”

“I wouldn’t gain cultivation levels for nothing—the Great Dao has its limits. But it would pull the opponent back to their cultivation level at my age.

Unfortunately, I’ve calculated that using this move would be practically equivalent to mutual destruction. Even the Nine Cycles Golden Pill might not save my Primordial Spirit.

The implications are simply too vast.”

Li Changshou sighed regretfully, turning to float toward Little Qiong Peak at a moderate height, leaving behind a thoughtful remark:

“A chicken rib.” [Something of little value but a pity to throw away]

“Pah!”

Baize jumped up to perform his ultimate technique at Li Changshou’s retreating figure—the Old Mountain Goat’s Spittle.

Zhao Gongming walked out stretching lazily and smiled: “It’s rare to see Brother Changshou reveal his divine abilities to others.”

“Brother Gongming misunderstands,” Baize sighed. “The Water God was merely reminding this poor Daoist, and as for the rest… well, better left unsaid.

Ultimately, the Water God can only trust me seven or eight parts out of ten at most, never completely.”

Zhao Gongming asked puzzled: “Why?”

“This is the Water God’s nature,” Baize smiled. “Only when the Water God feels he can effortlessly eliminate me will he grant nine parts of trust.

Why else do you think I call him Water God rather than Changshou?

A mount and a cook are not yet worthy.”

Zhao Gongming said: “I must speak with Changshou about this—how can he treat Master Baize this way!”

“Don’t go, Brother, please don’t,” Baize hurriedly stopped Zhao Gongming, smiling somewhat embarrassedly. “To speak frankly, such a Water God makes me feel most at ease.”

Elder Zhao was instantly covered in question marks, utterly bewildered, and quietly moved a bit further from Baize.

“Master Baize, could you be…”

“Please choose your words carefully, Brother,” Baize’s eyes blazed with immortal light as he transformed into his true form with a “poof,” his single horn gleaming coldly.

Zhao Gongming chuckled while stepping back:

“If I joined Heaven’s Court, I’d surely be a military official—I don’t understand you civil officials’ ways.

As long as Master Baize is happy, that’s what matters…

Hey, I didn’t say anything! Master Baize, stop butting! I’m a senior outer disciple of the Severing Sect—I have a face to maintain!

Hahaha!”

On Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou’s divine sense swept over these two playful great beings, and he smiled while shaking his head.

Elder Zhao was truly salty—ahem, truly idle.

The Jade Emperor had personally urged him to take up his position at the Moon Palace. What method could he use to distance himself from that person in the Moon Palace?

This matter seemed small but was quite delicate.

His biggest connection to the Severing Sect now was that he and Immortal Maiden Yun Xiao were in the ‘gradually warming feelings’ stage, so even if he overstepped somewhat, the Severing Sect immortals would listen.

The Jade Emperor’s move seemed intentionally aimed at weakening his connection to the Severing Sect, making him stand in Heaven’s position…

When a leader opens their heart to you, it’s precisely when they want to make heavy use of you while fearing you might leave.

This logic was just like when a leader talks about dreams—it’s exactly when they don’t want to raise your salary but want you to work more.

If the Jade Emperor turned around and said he wanted to bestow either Hua Yun or Long Ji in marriage to him, the Water God, Li Changshou wouldn’t be surprised at all;

This was the necessary judgment and precaution from the Jade Emperor’s position.

The Moon Palace matter, while seemingly a whimsical move by His Majesty, actually contained more than ten layers of deeper meaning.

After careful consideration, Li Changshou decided to play it safe and make some preparatory arrangements.

His ‘popularity’ in Heaven was currently at its peak. Going to the Moon Palace might trap him in a battlefield of romance, especially facing so many top-tier beautiful immortal maidens dancing before him.

With the Hundred Beauties Old Master series of magical artifacts, Li Changshou naturally didn’t fear these things, but rumors were frightening because of how others might associate…

His thinking had to be clear.

After he went there, he must appear to be in opposition to Chang’e. At a minimum, rumors should spread that Chang’e despised the Water God for something and that the Water God berated Chang’e for being unmanageable.

Achieving this was simple.

Li Changshou raised his hand and wrote a line of large characters on the blank paper before him—

‘One Hundred Ways to Cook Rabbit Meat’

This was naturally just to scare the Jade Rabbit. He only needed to accidentally drop this out, then while training the Chang’e maidens in dance rehearsal, do some barbecue and make some delicacies on the side to relax.

Coming back to the point, he was only sending a paper avatar there—what could happen?

At most, he could influence some of Dao’s hearts.

How could he, the mighty Water God of Heaven and third-ranked figure of the Human Dao School, fear those immortal maidens?

He acted properly and stood uprightly!

“Senior Brother?”

A soft call suddenly came from beside his ear, making Li Changshou’s hand tremble, nearly tearing the document he had just written.

Turning to look at the glowing jade talisman on the wall, he summoned it and asked: “What is it?”

“I made some soup, would you like to try it?” Ling’e’s voice carried full expectation.

Black lines immediately covered Li Changshou’s forehead.

This was the emergency survival line! Could we be more serious? The jade talisman had limited uses!

“Send some over, my true body will go to the pill room later.”

Should he mention the Moon Palace matter to Ling’e? After all, rumors would certainly spread later, and it would be good to dispel Ling’e’s doubts in advance.

Thinking thus, Li Changshou took another piece of paper and wrote down a backup plan.

‘Supreme Clarity Pure Yang Boy Divine Technique – Concise Edition’