Li Changshou was suddenly called to study the Dao at Taiqing Temple for three years… yes, study the Dao.
All his ongoing affairs were consequently postponed for three years.
However, this didn’t cause much disruption, as Li Changshou had always included sufficient ‘preparation’ phases in his plans, and there weren’t any particularly urgent matters at hand.
What touched Li Changshou’s heart slightly was that Youqin Xuanya had packed her belongings and waited for three years, never once coming to Little Qiong Peak to inquire, simply waiting for his message to ascend to the Heavenly Court.
Although he had spent three years in ‘harmonious discourse’ with the Sovereign, Li Changshou was mentally and physically exhausted, his spiritual energy nearly depleted—
—Maintaining such intense vigilance was more draining than multitasking!
But upon hearing Ling’e mention this matter, Li Changshou roused himself and, accompanied by Ling’e, went to Black Pool Peak to summon Youqin Xuanya there.
The dozens of large bronze mirrors Li Changshou had previously erected across the East Victory Divine Continent had been playing the same ‘short recording’ for three years, and could finally be changed to the next segment…
What surprised Li Changshou was that Elder Zhao had left.
After freeloading for so many years, Zhao Gongming seemed somewhat embarrassed and bid farewell last year, saying he wanted to travel to the Western regions.
Elder Zhao was just going for a casual tour, with no immediate plans to resume his old profession.
Li Changshou felt quite relieved about this.
Currently, the situation within the Great Calamity remained unclear, and Zhao Gongming had the entire Dao sect behind him—his backing was solid.
This was different from a Sovereign personally manipulating mortals; Zhao Gongming had the Sovereign of Original Commencement, Master Taiqing, and others standing shoulder to shoulder behind him during their peak period.
Just as Li Changshou and Ling’e landed beside the Black Pool Peak’s pond, Ling’e held up a treasure vase, exclaiming happily:
“Master White, look! Senior Brother gave this to me!”
“Oh?”
White Tiger’s mouth twitched slightly as he seriously addressed Li Changshou: “A spiritual treasure forged from innate materials like this would be considered quite precious in this era. Don’t let Ling’e flaunt it outside—she hasn’t even achieved immortality yet.”
Li Changshou smiled, “Master White, please sense it carefully.”
“Hmm? The Sovereign Taiqing’s Dao resonance… this?”
“Bestowed by Master,” Li Changshou explained with a smile. “It’s meant to protect Ling’e.”
Ling’e blinked and whispered, “The Sovereign seems to have accepted me as a registered disciple too.”
“Indeed,” Li Changshou said seriously. “I almost forgot—remember to pay respects before Master’s portrait later.”
Beside them, White Tiger opened his mouth, and silently stroked his beard, his eyes filled with vicissitudes.
Ling’e and Li Changshou exchanged glances, the senior and junior disciples sharing a laugh. She put away the treasure vase, naturally understanding not to reveal it to outsiders.
She understood clearly in her heart that her aptitude and comprehension were far from sufficient to be chosen by a Sovereign, and she didn’t even have the fortune to hear a single lecture from the Sovereign;
Being personally accepted as a registered disciple by the Sovereign was merely due to her Senior Brother’s influence, giving her an additional layer of protection, so she didn’t take it too seriously.
Li Changshou didn’t know…
As long as Senior Brother’s true form didn’t leave, she didn’t lack any sense of security.
Soon after, a streak of water-blue light flew over from Breaking Heaven Peak—it was Youqin Xuanya, who had been waiting for some time.
After landing, she cupped her hands in greeting, her beautiful eyes carrying a hint of anticipation.
“Senior Brother Changshou, Master White, Junior Sister Ling’e.”
“I was suddenly detained by urgent matters earlier, please don’t hold it against me,” Li Changshou’s eyes showed a trace of apology.
Youqin Xuanya smiled slightly and said, “Senior Brother, you have many affairs to handle, there’s no need to explain to Xuanya. Xuanya understands.”
This, indeed, was understandable.
These years of chuunibyou shame training—ahem, these years of training regarding super celestial soldiers had significantly reduced Youqin Xuanya’s toxicity.
Li Changshou spoke seriously: “Are you prepared now?
Once you go, you will quickly become a banner for the Heavenly Court’s external affairs. Your cultivation may rapidly increase because of this, and the attention you receive will be a hundred times that of ordinary immortals and gods.
But you must not lose your conviction;
What you pursue should always be the justice in your heart, the vicissitudes of the righteous path, the balance of all living beings—all creatures should have the right to exist between heaven and earth.
Some will say such persistence is childish and impractical, but you will use the sword in your hand to tell them that not doing these things, not persisting in maintaining heaven’s order, not speaking up for justice, is indulging evil desires!
Even if you’re not the highest cultivator between heaven and earth, you should be a beam of light, illuminating the walls of all living beings!”
Youqin Xuanya’s beautiful face was full of radiance, her delicate skin seeming to be filled with sacred light;
She nodded solemnly, her ponytail swaying gently behind her.
“Senior Brother, I’m ready!”
Ling’e blinked repeatedly beside them, feeling that what Senior Brother just said… seemed incredibly powerful.
White Tiger couldn’t help muttering beside them:
“I always feel that if you, Water God, were to become a villain, you could truly turn heaven and earth upside down, and would have a group of followers willing to die for you.”
Li Changshou laughed lightly and said: “In this world, some villains are evil by nature, while others are simply different in their beliefs.
Xuanya, let’s go to the Heavenly Court now… Master White, thank you for your trouble.”
“It’s my duty,” White Tiger responded, his form transforming into an auspicious beast amidst streaks of rosy light.
Li Changshou snapped his fingers and said: “We’ll continue with the fifth set of recordings.
Xuanya, you’ve just experienced a great battle, your immortal power is depleted, your long dress is stained with blood, and you’re being personally escorted by Master White to the East Heaven Gate.
My avatar is already waiting in the Heavenly Court.
Ling’e, go get some spiritual beast blood, Master White will simulate some demon beast aura to envelop Xuanya.”
“Alright!”
“Rest assured, Water God.”
At once, the three people and one beast began busying themselves.
Youqin Xuanya released her immortal power toward the nearby pond, quickly depleting her immortal energy.
Soon after, Ling’e brought spiritual beast blood, White Tiger simulated demon beast aura and mixed it into the blood, performing simple special effects makeup for Youqin Xuanya.
Quickly, Youqin Xuanya’s long hair became disheveled, her long dress developed holes, her crystal-clear skin was stained with dust, and her beautiful face was filled with exhaustion.
When she shouldered the Fire Scale Sword Box, it truly caught everyone’s attention.
Ling’e quietly praised: “Senior Sister Youqin is so beautiful… that indescribable feeling.”
Youqin Xuanya smiled somewhat embarrassedly, and even Li Changshou felt his Dao’s heart waver slightly as he looked at her from the side.
This wavering was about three and a half thousandths, causing Li Changshou to self-reflect and sigh at his unstable Dao heart.
Ling’e asked quietly: “Senior Brother, will people not be suspicious of Senior Sister Youqin going to the Heavenly Court like this?”
Li Changshou smiled lightly:
“Our Crossing Immortal Gate is originally of the Human Teaching lineage, and although there are now many anomalous points, with Master’s protection and Master White guarding this place, Crossing Immortal Gate is relatively stable comparatively speaking.
Moreover, with the Great Calamity descending and divination becoming ineffective, as long as Xuanya doesn’t mention her own Dao lineage and background later, the possibility of exposure won’t be too high.”
White Tiger smiled and added beside them:
“Clever calculations often require considering how much information the enemy knows, rather than how much information one knows oneself.”
Ling’e became even more puzzled.
Li Changshou smiled and said: “Is what you see when looking down at Little Qiong Peak from the clouds the same as what you see while standing by the lake looking around Little Qiong Peak?”
“Oh! I understand now!”
Ling’e clenched her left hand into a small fist and hit her right palm, “I get it as soon as Senior Brother explains!”
A certain auspicious beast lifted its hoof slightly and gave a light snort.
Subsequently, a very serious question presented itself before this temporary team.
“Senior Brother,” Xuanya asked somewhat conflicted, “Should I pretend to be unconscious and be carried by Senior White’s immortal power, or should I lie on Senior White’s back?”
White Tiger, transformed into a noble auspicious beast, also said: “Or should I carry her sword hilt in my mouth?”
“Let’s try them all and see which looks best.”
In the end, Youqin Xuanya lay on a cloud, with White Tiger pulling the cloud using immortal power formed into ropes as they flew toward the East Heaven Gate.
Li Changshou moved simultaneously, changing the promotional short film and releasing the ‘budget-burning’ fifth episode in advance, adding this promotional recording to the Heavenly Court’s bronze mirror live broadcast system for continuous play.
The recording showed:
[Youqin Xuanya fighting with dozens of fierce demon tribe members, each move displaying heroic valor, her great sword invincible wherever it pointed, opening into streaks of flowing light, closing into a giant blade several zhang long;
In every frame, Youqin Xuanya fully displayed her heroism and sharp spirit, along with a woman’s grace and overwhelming strength.
After all, they had filmed for over a month…
Finally, Youqin Xuanya leaned on her great sword, walking unsteadily out of the mountain of corpses and sea of blood, collapsing powerlessly to the ground.
But her finger pointed forward as she struggled to raise her head, hope burning in her eyes.
A ray of sunlight shone upon her, and even her flowing blood streamed forward, flowing in the direction her finger pointed…
“Must… keep going.”
Then she completely lost consciousness.
At the end of the scene, a light blue water screen flew in from the horizon, accompanied by tinkling sounds, as an elegant, beautifully formed auspicious beast slowly flew in, stepping on circles of seven-colored halos…]
Now, the unconscious Youqin Xuanya seemed to walk out of the recording, appearing on the white cloud, and being carried by White Tiger to the East Heaven Gate.
As soon as White Tiger’s figure appeared at the end of the cloud path, all the celestial soldiers and generals standing guard became alert.
A general looked at the bronze mirror several times, then raised his head to look toward the horizon, his divine consciousness immediately discovering the female immortal floating behind White Tiger, and called out loudly:
“Quick! Report to Tongming Hall!”
The process of Youqin Xuanya entering the Heavenly Court went very smoothly.
After all, with White Tiger’s reputation, and Li Changshou’s advance publicity, plus when White Tiger stopped outside the East Heaven Gate and placed Youqin Xuanya before the gate, he specifically said:
“The celestial general Water God has been seeking is delivered here.”
After speaking, White Tiger departed gracefully, while Youqin Xuanya, wrapped in seven-colored rosy clouds, lay quietly in the cloud, holding her great sword in her arms.
Many immortals and gods came upon hearing the news, and Li Changshou also set out from the Water God Palace, riding clouds to the East Heaven Gate, then took Youqin Xuanya back to the Water God Palace in front of all the celestial soldiers, generals, immortals, and gods.
Princess Longji came upon hearing the news, bringing healing pills;
Wood Duke came upon hearing the news, asking Li Changshou what had happened, saying the Jade Emperor would summon this demon-slaying immortal maiden later.
Bianzhuang came upon hearing the news but was knocked unconscious by Ao Yi and thrown back into the Heavenly River for a bath.
Li Changshou entrusted Princess Longji to care for Youqin Xuanya, then returned to his study, ordered the palace gates closed, declined outside visitors, and unhurriedly pushed forward the next step of his plan.
Once this step was stable, the following steps would be much simpler.
…
After resting for half a day to recover some of the mental energy spent at Taiqing Temple, Li Changshou activated that [Human Teaching Little Law Master] paper person who had been hiding underground for three years.
He still needed to visit True Lord Yuding, to personally see what cultivation path Yang Jian was currently following, just to be safe.
Riding clouds and mists was trivial as he took the route to Jade Spring seeking golden clouds.
This Jade Spring Mountain wasn’t far from True Lord Taiyi’s Qianyuan Mountain, also situated between the cracks of several immortal sects’ power.
However, unlike True Lord Taiyi who was so high-profile as to strongly warn against trespassing on Qianyuan Mountain, True Lord Yuding directly sealed Jade Spring Mountain with formations, preventing outsiders from investigating or sensing it.
As Li Changshou arrived on his cloud, True Lord Yuding had already sensed him. A cloud-like gate condensed in the outer layer of Jade Spring Mountain’s formation, and a gentle voice fell on Li Changshou’s ears:
“Please enter, Changgeng.”
Li Changshou slowly nodded and carefully entered the clouds. When he flew out of the clouds, he was already before a cave dwelling.
True Lord Yuding, wearing a green robe, made a Daoist salute to Li Changshou, who hurriedly returned the gesture.
Just then, another Daoist wearing a red robe emerged from the cave. This immortal’s eyes contained a smile, and he opened with:
“Oh, isn’t this the great enemy of Yuding brother’s disciple?”
Li Changshou’s forehead was covered in black lines, while Yuding frowned beside him and said: “Don’t joke about this matter.”
“Yes, yes,” True Lord Taiyi shrugged, “Just teasing a bit, Changgeng always has calculations in his actions.”
Li Changshou sighed and quickly asked: “Have both Senior Brothers told Yang Jian the truth?”
“We have not,” True Lord Yuding said, “My disciple hasn’t mentioned it, and I haven’t explained it to him.
Is Junior Brother Changgeng here for this matter?”
“Indeed,” Li Changshou said, while his divine consciousness discovered Yang Jian cultivating in the back mountain.
Currently, Yang Jian had grown considerably, with dense spiritual mist condensed around him, his cultivation progress truly somewhat frightening.
Li Changshou said: “I came here to urge both Senior Brothers not to let Yang Jian know the truth.”
“Why?” True Lord Yuding was somewhat puzzled.
“There are my calculations in this matter, and I don’t want to speak empty words to both Senior Brothers, saying I’m worried Yang Jian will go cause trouble for the Western Teaching, which would be like eggs striking stone.
My purpose is to cultivate a fierce general for the Heavenly Court.”
Li Changshou’s gaze was open and aboveboard, “The Western Sovereign calculated this matter to make the Orthodox Teaching oppose the Heavenly Court.
I have made full preparations to resolve this grudge and won’t let Yang Jian be used by the West.
Yang Jian was originally the Jade Emperor’s nephew, destined to become a divine general of the Heavenly Court. Today’s ability to enter Senior Brother Yuding’s tutelage is also his fortune and blessing.”
True Lord Taiyi suddenly realized: “You want Yang Jian to cultivate through obsession?”
“Correct,” Li Changshou looked at True Lord Yuding and smiled, “Has Senior Brother checked how well the Eight-Nine Mystic Art suits Yang Jian?”
True Lord Yuding thought for a moment and said: “Perfect compatibility.”
“With the Eight-Nine Mystic Art, plus the Dao methods transmitted by Senior Brother Yuding, Yang Jian’s future achievements will be limitless,” Li Changshou said, “But the Great Calamity is imminent, we cannot wait too long.
Yang Jian entering the Orthodox Teaching is already within the calamity. If he can receive the Heavenly Court’s rewards before the Great Calamity officially begins, this matter would be both logical and reasonable, and would also let him avoid the calamity’s disasters.”
True Lord Yuding said slowly: “I understand what Changgeng says, and naturally won’t mention his background to him later.”
True Lord Taiyi muttered beside them: “Why do I feel like Changgeng has all the reason on his side?”
“Reason follows the Way, and the Way preserves virtue,” Li Changshou calmly replied, “I haven’t lacked virtue, so naturally Senior Brother Taiyi feels I have a reason.”
True Lord Taiyi cursed: “Well! You’re roundaboutly cursing me for lacking virtue!”
“Ah, I recently went to the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc,” Li Changshou said with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky, “A certain Seven Emotions Avatar seems to still be dwelling on old matters, saying they want to come out for a walk.”
True Lord Taiyi, who was rolling up his sleeves, trembled upon hearing this and hurriedly said: “You agreed to help me share the karmic consequences of this matter!”
True Lord Yuding showed a slight smile beside them, and after Li Changshou and True Lord Taiyi determined victory in their verbal sparring, he invited the two inside.
Li Changshou then saw the small girl sleeping deep in the cave-dwelling, who was naturally Yang Chan.
His heart slightly moved, and Li Changshou urged:
“Senior Brother Yuding, Yang Jian must care extremely deeply for his sister right now. While teaching Yang Jian, Senior Brother should also pay more attention to Yang Chan.”
“I will certainly mind these things.”
True Lord Yuding agreed, then revealed some helplessness in his eyes and said solemnly:
“I know you have responsibilities and consider things more far-reaching than us.
Regardless, Yang Jian was just a child when he encountered these events. If he has offensive words in the future, please be more tolerant.
The calculations within are complex and intertwined, Yang Jian is ultimately just a chess piece…”
“Senior Brother, rest assured,” Li Changshou couldn’t help but smile, “I will do my best to protect Yang Jian completely!”
It must be said that this True Lord Yuding was truly a worthy person to befriend.
True Lord Taiyi suddenly said: “Right, about the Investiture of the Gods discussion at Purple Void Palace in eighty or ninety years, Changgeng, do you have any inside information? I heard that this time from our Orthodox Teaching, it will be Big Senior Brother accompanying Master to Purple Void Palace.”
Li Changshou smiled slightly, just about to throw some smokescreens when his Dao’s heart fluctuated and a familiar calling voice transmitted to his heart.
Buzz—
“Water God, my lord~Water God, my lord!”
Wenjing? Eighty years haven’t passed, why is there suddenly buzzing? Could there be some urgent matter?
Regarding Senior Brother Xuandu’s battlefield construction project… ahem, regarding the downfall of Western Teaching, Li Changshou naturally dared not be careless. His mental energy instantly maxed out as he began dual-line basic operations.