In the Lingxiao Palace, Immortal Fu Yuan destroyed himself, his divine spirit and immortal body turning to ash in an instant.

Li Changshou stood before the assembled immortals with lowered eyes and a stern expression, silent and unmoving.

An uneasy atmosphere permeated the hall.

The Jade Emperor let out a cold snort, his eyes radiating golden light that swept across the immortals below. Instantly, more than ten immortal officials collapsed, writhing on the ground as black smoke dissipated from around them.

Minister Wu shouted, “What demon dares cause chaos in Heaven!”

The immortal officials collectively circulated their divine power, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.

Battalions of celestial soldiers rushed up the jade steps, surrounding the Lingxiao Palace with grave expressions. This was the first time such an incident had occurred in the palace.

“No matter,” the Jade Emperor spoke slowly, his clenched fist gradually relaxing within his sleeve. “The enemy has been frightened away by Minister Changgeng.”

Li Changshou performed a Daoist salute, his mind turning as he maintained his stern expression. He announced clearly, “Your Majesty, Fairy Cloud Flower’s family was ambushed by these demons. Yang Tianyou and his eldest son were killed. My avatar is currently escorting Fairy Cloud Flower back to Heaven.”

The Jade Emperor’s sword-like eyebrows rose as he slammed his palm on the jade table. “These demons are too brazen! Are Cloud Flower’s children safe?”

“They are safe for now,” Li Changshou bowed again and sighed. “I have failed Your Majesty’s trust. Please punish me!”

The Jade Emperor waved his hand lightly and closed his eyes, remaining silent for a long time.

Li Changshou stood quietly, carefully considering his next steps. His brief exchange with the Jade Emperor had been intentional, letting the heavenly officials contemplate the meaning; some things should not be mentioned at all.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou had also protected Fairy Cloud Flower, ensuring no one would dare move against her again. Otherwise, Heaven would wage war without hesitation.

At this moment, most immortal officials were focused on what Li Changshou had whispered to Immortal Fu Yuan earlier. It must have been a very brief statement, yet it had caused the “demon” impersonating Fu Yuan to destroy itself in such panic…

[You’ve gone too far, Senior Uncle.]

This was Li Changshou’s heartfelt sigh, and also a warning issued after careful consideration.

Why had the opponent retreated so directly?

Simply put, Li Changshou’s words “Senior Uncle” had struck at the mastermind’s weakness.

This wasn’t because the mastermind feared Li Changshou, but purely because…

They feared the Supreme Sage behind Li Changshou.

Of course, “fear” was only part of the reason. The other part was likely:

A Sage personally taking action only to be exposed by another Sage’s disciple – if Li Changshou wasn’t merely guessing but had actual evidence of their identity, it would give the Dao School and Heaven grounds to challenge them.

Thus they hurriedly self-destructed and withdrew from this simple scheme.

Before Fu Yuan’s self-destruction, Li Changshou had only been seventy percent certain that a Sage was directly manipulating events.

But even with this foundation, Li Changshou couldn’t definitively determine which Sage had acted.

The current tragic state of Old Man Fu Yuan gave Li Changshou a clear answer – the one who had plotted against Fairy Cloud Flower and Yang Tianyou was none other than the Sixth Sage of the Western Paradise who wished to remain anonymous!

First, looking at the results, Western Teaching stood to gain the most from this incident.

Li Changshou knew Yang Jian’s growth trajectory – he would likely join the Enlightenment Teaching next, cultivate the Eight-Nine Mysterious Art, become a powerful expert in a short time, and cause havoc in Heaven by splitting apart Peach Mountain.

While this appeared to be Yang Jian’s “personal story,” behind the scenes it would deepen the opposition between the Enlightenment Teaching and Heaven, leading to greater conflicts.

At its core, the Western Paradise Sage was using their old tactics again.

[Highlighting the Enlightenment Teaching’s crisis, sowing discord in the Dao School, weakening Heaven’s power and authority, laying the moderate groundwork for future alliance with the Enlightenment Teaching against the Severing Teaching.]

Second was Heaven’s special nature.

Heaven was crucial to the operation of the Heavenly Dao. Though Fu Yuan didn’t hold an important position, he was still a proper deity of Heaven. Not just any powerful being could move against him.

Otherwise, Heaven would have been undermined long ago!

Furthermore, when this plot was carried out, the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother were undergoing their tribulation.

Their tribulation bodies were constantly protected by the power of the Heavenly Dao and could act accurately when the Great Tribulation was approaching.

Only a Sage would dare to plot in such a way.

Most important was the Sages’ special nature.

Sages could not be destroyed by any tribulation, nor eliminated by the Great Tribulation.

This was a sensitive period before the Great Tribulation had become clear. Any slight movement in Heaven could affect the course of the Great Tribulation and potentially draw the perpetrator into an inescapable situation.

At this time, even Great Master Xuandu wouldn’t dare claim he could emerge unscathed…

But Sages were different. Apart from having their heavenly vision obscured, they weren’t affected by the Great Tribulation. They could choose to remain mere observers if they wished.

Following the principle of “bold hypothesis, careful verification,” Li Changshou had preserved this possibility seven years ago, calculating and verifying step by step, leading to those simple five words just now.

Indirectly facing off against a Sage in a battle of wits…

Was quite thrilling indeed.

Based on this, the three celestial soldiers Li Changshou had briefly fought in the mortal realm earlier were likely not directly controlled by the Sage.

During the fight, Li Changshou had faintly sensed their presence. They gave him the impression of being much weaker than Old Man Zhao, probably disciples of the Western Sage.

They had intended to kill Fairy Cloud Flower, Yang Tianyou, and his eldest son Yang Jiao, planting a seed of hatred in Yang Jian’s heart.

The Western Paradise had likely already calculated Yang Jian’s identity as one of the “Great Tribulation Children” of the Investiture of the Gods.

“Sigh…”

Li Changshou suddenly let out a sigh.

The immortal officials in the Lingxiao Palace who had just relaxed now became tense again.

Li Changshou was thinking that for a mighty Sage to plot against two mortals, using such methods to plant seeds of hatred for Heaven in the destiny-blessed Yang Jian…

It was truly unprecedented.

Half an hour later, a squad of celestial soldiers surged outside the Lingxiao Palace, escorting Fairy Cloud Flower inside.

All the immortal officials looked over. Fairy Cloud Flower’s long hair was disheveled as if she had lost her soul, her entire being seeming absent. Her beautiful eyes were lifeless.

Reaching the center of the hall, Fairy Cloud Flower collapsed onto the cloudy white jade floor.

The Jade Emperor glanced at Li Changshou, who had no choice but to step forward and ask in a cold, flat tone:

“Fairy Cloud Flower, do you acknowledge your crimes?”

Fairy Cloud Flower showed no reaction, sitting silently, lost in despair.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly. At this point, only strategy remained before him.

[Play the villain.]

“Fairy Cloud Flower, you descended to the mortal realm without permission, married a mortal in secret, lived together for several years, and attempted to deceive His Majesty the Jade Emperor and Her Majesty the Queen Mother. Your crimes cannot be forgiven.”

Fairy Cloud Flower mumbled softly, her voice hoarse.

“Is this why you killed my husband…”

Li Changshou remained silent.

Minister Wu spoke in a low voice beside them: “Fairy, you must know—”

“Minister Wu, step back,” the Jade Emperor said calmly without opening his eyes. “This matter is left to Minister Changgeng to handle.”

Eastern Minister Wu turned and acknowledged, speaking no more.

Those immortals who had wanted to explain that “His Majesty only ordered your return” now dared not say a single word.

Li Changshou spoke again: “Do you acknowledge your crimes?”

Fairy Cloud Flower laughed sorrowfully, tears flowing continuously. She slowly stood up. Her frail body, merely in the True Immortal realm and contaminated by mortal turbidity, somehow possessed an indescribable power at this moment.

Her hoarse voice screamed and cursed, venting the hatred in her heart as she pointed at Li Changshou:

“So this is Heaven… this is the Heavenly Emperor…

And this is the benevolent Water God!”

“Do you acknowledge your crimes?”

Li Changshou asked with furrowed brows.

“If you want to kill, then kill me! Why did you have to kill my husband and eldest son!”

Li Changshou said calmly: “If you acknowledge your crimes, I can ensure your children’s safety.”

Fairy Cloud Flower’s body trembled as if awakening from a dream. Her previously strong figure shook lightly, but ultimately she lowered her head and knelt, pressing her forehead against the white jade floor.

“Please don’t harm my children.

They have nothing to do with this. I was the one who disrespected Heaven’s laws, it was all my fault…

Water God, please don’t kill them.”

Li Changshou closed his eyes and sighed, turning to bow to the Jade Emperor and make his request.

“Your Majesty, Fairy Cloud Flower has admitted her crimes.

I humbly request Your Majesty order Fairy Cloud Flower to be imprisoned for a thousand years within Heaven, beside the Jasper Pool!”

The Jade Emperor spoke with closed eyes: “Granted.”

Li Changshou waved his sleeve, and celestial soldiers came forward to take Fairy Cloud Flower away.

Li Changshou secretly transmitted a message, and Eastern Minister Wu immediately took his leave to follow.

“Court is dismissed for today.”

The Jade Emperor stood up, his expression unreadable as his form dissipated into clouds and left the Lingxiao Palace.

The assembled immortal officials bowed in unison and silently withdrew.

Li Changshou also acted as if nothing had happened, returning to the Moon Palace on his cloud to continue his remaining half-year term as Chief Instructor.

Within half a day, news of Fairy Cloud Flower’s family’s “tragedy” began spreading through Heaven.

The Chang’e dancers in the Moon Palace showed less enthusiasm and more reverence – or more accurately, fear – when facing Li Changshou.

Li Changshou paid this no mind and continued with his duties.

In the Lingxiao Palace, he had promised Fairy Cloud Flower not to harm Yang Jian and Yang Chan. Though Li Changshou knew Yang Jian would likely be safe going forward, he still summoned the Xuanhuang Pagoda.

He casually dispatched a paper puppet legion carrying the Xuanhuang Pagoda to the underground of Que Prefecture.

He didn’t appear before Yang Jian again, only secretly watching and observing him.

When disaster first struck the Yang household, chaos naturally ensued. Though Yang Jian was only a child, he made a judgment in an extremely short time, “forcefully escaping” the Yang household with his sister.

The siblings lived a wandering life for half a month. The originally lively Yang Jian became quiet and withdrawn, living on the streets with his sister each day, not knowing where to go or what to do.

Fortunately, they would always encounter one or two kind people who would give them food and blankets…

These weren’t Li Changshou’s paper puppets, but likely Yang Jian’s destiny at work.

In the dead of night, as they slept on the street, Yang Jian held his sister, the two little ones huddled under a tattered blanket;

Yang Jian couldn’t close his eyes for a long time. Since the incident, he hadn’t cried once. Now he just gently patted his sister’s back, soothing her frightened spirit.

Perhaps this was the trial one must endure for rapid ascension.

Half a month later, an immortal from the Enlightenment Teaching passing thousands of miles away was startled by the destiny surrounding Yang Jian and brought this news back to the Jade Void Palace.

That day, more than ten immortals came to the Jade Void Palace, including True Lord Yellow Dragon, True Lord Jade Cauldron, True Lord Grand Unity, and Master Red Essence.

Master Red Essence used his destiny-viewing technique and determined that Yang Jian would certainly be extraordinary in the future. The other True Lords all had thoughts of taking him as a disciple, except for True Lord Jade Cauldron who remained the most composed, neither competing nor grabbing.

He had merely been dragged along by True Lord Grand Unity.

True Lord Grand Unity’s loose tongue had offended many people. With the Great Tribulation about to descend, he didn’t dare venture out randomly without bringing along a powerful expert in solid cultivation.

Affected by the tribulation’s destiny, divination methods were forbidden at this time, and the Enlightenment Teaching experts couldn’t divine Yang Jian’s background.

But when they made inquiries in the city and connected it to the recently circulating news of “the Jade Emperor’s sister descending to marry a mortal,” they all found themselves in a difficult position.

Master Red Essence said, “Currently Heaven leads the Great Tribulation. We must consider Senior Uncle Jade Emperor’s face.”

“I truly want to take him as my disciple. Such great destiny is rare indeed,” True Lord Grand Unity sighed. “Unfortunately, this fellow carries too much karma. He will inevitably become incompatible with Heaven in the future. With my loose tongue, I fear I couldn’t protect him.”

“I will do it.”

True Lord Jade Cauldron spoke softly, and before True Lord Yellow Dragon could speak, he had already drifted down on his cloud.

True Lord Yellow Dragon: He actually wouldn’t have minded…

Soon after, True Lord Jade Cauldron brought Yang Jian and Yang Chan back to the heavens on his cloud. Yang Jian watched these old Daoists somewhat warily. True Lord Jade Cauldron raised his hand to make him fall asleep, supporting him with immortal power behind him.

Master Red Essence seemed to want to speak but held back, only saying:

“Let’s return.”

The True Lords each mounted their clouds and flew northward.

Hmm?

True Lord Jade Cauldron sensed something and turned his head to look at a certain street in the mortal city below, catching a glimpse of a fleeting figure and showing a slight smile.

True Lord Grand Unity drove his cloud closer, hands tucked in his sleeves as he examined Yang Jian and Yang Chan, muttering:

“Junior Brother, are you sure you want to take on this karma?”

“No matter,” Jade Cauldron withdrew his gaze from that street, “I trust Changgeng.”

True Lord Grand Unity sniffed, somewhat puzzled.

…

The second day after Yang Jian was taken by True Lord Jade Cauldron, Li Changshou carried out a major task he had long prepared for.

Taking the one hundred and eight demon soldiers to the Underworld to seek Lady Houtu’s aid!

Using the Xuanhuang Pagoda to protect his true body, he borrowed a large ship from the Dragon Palace and led the one hundred and eight demon soldiers in a grand procession east of the Eastern Sea to the ghostly Underworld, seeking the city of Fengdu.

He would try using Lady Houtu’s Seven Emotions Dao Fruit to save these demon soldiers’ Dao hearts.

Meanwhile, on Three Immortals Island.

Qiongxiao, Bixiao, and Fairy Hanzhi bringing rumors they had just heard from outside, hurried to Fairy Yunxiao’s tower to tell her about the circulating news of Fairy Cloud Flower.

In the current circulating version, whether due to deliberate scheming or distortion through word of mouth, Yang Tianyou and his eldest son’s deaths were attributed to Heaven’s poisonous hand.

In this story, Heaven’s Water God Li Changgeng becomes an absolute villain, both condemning Fairy Cloud Flower and personally escorting her to Heaven, requesting she be imprisoned for a thousand years.

Qiongxiao frowned: “By rights, brother-in… hehe, this Water God fellow is Big Senior Uncle’s beloved disciple. There’s no need for him to do such dirty work for the Jade Emperor.”

“I also feel something is strange,” Fairy Bixiao muttered quite seriously.

Fairy Yunxiao hummed softly and said gently:

“Why do I feel that his escort of Fairy Cloud Flower was protection, her imprisonment seems to be for future safeguarding, and his condemning her seems to be deliberately taking on infamy to suppress this matter…

There must be other factors at play.

Third Sister, you are permitted to go out once to investigate the cause and effect of this matter.

If others intentionally defame him, I cannot stand idly by.”

“Sigh, it’s troublesome not being able to use divination methods!”

Qiongxiao complained, mounted her Golden Scissor Blade, and broke through the void.

Half a day later, Qiongxiao brought back the complete story, saying the Jade Emperor had only ordered the family of five to be brought to Heaven, but some celestial soldiers had been controlled;

A proper deity, Immortal Fu Yuan, had been killed by one sentence from the Water God, turning directly to ash, and more than ten heavenly immortals seemed to have had their minds controlled…

Yunxiao pondered carefully for a moment and said softly: “No wonder he had to step forward and take this burden. I fear a Sage was involved.”

The other fairies looked at each other.

“A Sage? For such a small matter? Surely not…”

“Speak no more of this. I cannot see through the calculations behind it for now. We need only inform our sect’s various immortal islands of the complete course of events.”

Yunxiao rested her cheek on her hand in thought for a while, took out a brush and ink, wrote a letter, and handed it to Qiongxiao.

“If Big Brother is still with him, help me pass this letter to Big Brother.

Even if he doesn’t mind others’ misunderstandings, I should still give him some support.”

Qiongxiao and Bixiao exchanged glances, both laughing out loud, and hurriedly took their leave before their elder sister could reproach them, each sending message talismans.

Meanwhile, within the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk.

Li Changshou stood beside the pool where Master Qi Yuan’s soul was soaking, waiting for Lady Houtu to “slowly” approach.

“My Lady,” Li Changshou turned and bowed, smiling: “Might you help me with one more matter?”

Houtu smiled: “Is this about the ancient human demon soldiers? I already agreed to help you with that before, so how can you say ‘one more’?”

“It’s this…”

Li Changshou’s left hand turned over, revealing a softly glowing pearl in his palm. “There is one hun soul and one po soul of a certain human here. I wonder if using the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk, these hun and po souls could be made whole?”

Houtu asked softly: “Are the other souls shattered?”

“Shattered,” Li Changshou nodded in reply, “Not even fragments remain. Fortunately, I extracted one hun and one po soul in an instant beforehand.”

“If they are shattered, they can be repaired. If the other souls still existed, the Heavenly Dao would not permit it.”

Houtu said: “As long as he has reincarnated through the Reincarnation Disk before, he will have left tiny traces.

Collecting these traces, receiving those shattered souls, and with these hun and po souls as guidance, it would only take one or two hundred years to restore.

Place them in the pool. What is his name?”

Li Changshou carefully placed the hun and po souls next to his master’s soul and replied:

“Yang Tianyou.”

Houtu asked curiously: “Is he your fellow disciple?”

“No,” Li Changshou thought for a moment and smiled: “Let’s say he’s my registered disciple, plus… a small trump card.”