Water God Li Changshou considered himself to have graduated from preschool and entered elementary school in terms of scheming, yet there were still two things he remained uncertain about.

First was understanding the thoughts of those with simpler mindsets.

Second was predicting what aspects of rumors would capture the attention of the vast majority of cultivators.

Working in tandem with Master Lu Yue, utilizing poisoning techniques he had refined and accumulated over many years combined with Lu Yue’s pill toxins, they had silently poisoned thousands of immortals!

This was practically the pinnacle of poison techniques, a masterpiece of unorthodox methods!

Yet no one paid attention to this.

Even though that elderly Daoist had shouted it out at the time, pointing out that it was ‘poison’ secretly taking their lives;

Even though the Horizon Palace later posted notices clarifying that the Young Palace Master’s rake didn’t possess such divine might;

Even though Master Bian Zhuang’s explanation about the Nine-Toothed Rake was merely meant to attract attention and confuse others’ judgment…

In the end, Bian Zhuang’s Nine-Toothed Rake still became famous.

In just two months, its fame spread from the Three Thousand Worlds to the Five Continents!

The Nine-Toothed Rake forged by the Supreme Lord Lao in the Palace of Pure Joy forcefully entered the ranks of the top ten supreme treasures formed after Primordial Chaos!

According to legend, merely flicking the silver teeth of the rake could ignite a living being’s karmic obstacles. Even Golden Immortals would instantly dissolve into black water.

It was supposedly a hundred times more effective than those Immortal-Slaying Flying Knives or the Seven Arrow Book of Nailing!

As a side effect, the matter of the Horizon Palace’s Young Palace Master joining the Heavenly Court early also gained some attention along with the Nine-Toothed Rake, sparking much discussion.

Because of this, Horizon Palace’s various establishments were packed with guests, and the Horizon Secret Realm welcomed many old customers who hadn’t appeared for years.

The Horizon Palace decided to make the Nine-Toothed Rake the unified symbol of their brothels across all regions. The immortal courtesans of Horizon Palace even embroidered the Nine-Toothed Rake on their flowery robes and soft skirts.

However, Bian Zhuang had already left the Horizon Secret Realm early with Master Qin Tianzhu, secretly returning to the Heavenly Court…

Water God Li left over ten paper avatars in the Horizon Secret Realm.

He found a secluded tower and took up long-term residence there, beginning to single-handedly establish the Anti-Western Immortal Dao Alliance.

When it came to getting something for nothing, the Heavenly Court’s Water God had quite the reputation!

To supervise Li Changshou and prevent his Junior Brother Changgen from making any formal mistakes, Lu Yue resolutely decided…

To continue staying in the Horizon Secret Realm.

To avoid disturbing Li Changshou’s important work, Lu Yue conducted spot checks when he had time. The rest of the time, he still struggled arduously to suppress the evil qi in his primordial spirit.

The battle never ceased.

After this incident, Elder Madam Bian and the various elderly madams of Horizon Palace naturally discovered how terrifying Lu Yue was.

They now exhausted every effort to build good relations with Lu Yue, not because they wanted to use him to achieve any goals, but because they feared this great power of the Severing Sect might become displeased and with just a wave of his sleeve…

Let’s return to that day.

That day, after Li Changshou and Lu Yue easily destroyed the attacking enemies, following Horizon Palace’s posted notices and spread messages, the Western Religion that had suffered a silent loss had some intriguing subsequent reactions.

In the direction of the Horizon Secret Realm, the Western Religion withdrew their forces, redeploying their elite troops to other directions.

Meanwhile, the various forces controlled by the Western Religion across the Three Thousand Worlds began a full-scale expansion. War spread across half of Primordial Chaos, with countless beings turning to劫 ashes daily.

The opponent’s response was quite clever, directly foiling Li Changshou’s “wait and ambush” plan, avoiding direct conflict with the Heavenly Court.

Elder Lu’s poison abilities temporarily had no further opportunities to be utilized.

Regarding Lu Yue, Li Changshou naturally attached great importance to him.

In the Anti-Western Immortal Dao Alliance that was beginning to form, Li Changshou designated Lu Yue as the First Vice Alliance Leader, ranking even before Elder Madam Bian.

Regarding this, Lu Yue expressed:

He was just helping his brother make an appearance, so being first or not didn’t matter.

What Li Changshou didn’t know was that this matter had also caused quite a stir within Spirit Mountain…

That escaped young Daoist, after much difficulty, was finally secretly brought back to Spirit Mountain by his fellow disciples.

When this person arrived at Spirit Mountain, what was once a proper cultivator at the Dao-Filled Great Luo realm, an ancient disciple of a Sage, now had his dao foundation corroded and nearly half his primordial spirit destroyed. If not for the Western Religion’s Second Patriarch personally taking action, he might not have even been able to preserve his long life dao fruit!

“Is this Nine-Toothed Rake truly so powerful?”

“Impossible, if such a treasure exists, why wouldn’t the Water God use it himself instead of giving it to Bian Zhuang?”

“Pulling Horizon Palace to their side? Could this Water God have been planning to manipulate the Three Thousand Worlds early on? He’s trying to destroy our Western foundation!”

A group of Sage disciples gathered around that familiar pool, beginning to contemplate countermeasures and discuss how to arrange future matters.

The strategy of avoiding confrontation with the Heavenly Court while accelerating development in other directions was the result of discussions among another batch of Sage disciples.

In a corner of Spirit Mountain, Ksitigarbha sat quietly under a tree, while behind him the large dog—ahem, the divine beast Qie Ting was lying down boredly, occasionally swishing its long tail.

A gentle breeze brushed past the treetops, spots of light flowing like water, making Ksitigarbha’s handsome face appear even more elegant.

“Master?” Qie Ting transmitted with some confusion, “Aren’t you going to join the crowd?”

“The incompetent are just comforting each other here,” Ksitigarbha’s mouth twitched slightly as he said indifferently, “I have already begun conceiving how to counter the Water God’s latest offensive.”

“We-we’re still going against the Water God?” Qie Ting’s voice transmission suddenly became a bit stuttered.

Ksitigarbha scolded: “Shut up! Wasn’t it you who made a complete fool of yourself last time!”

Qie Ting retorted: “It was only because this mount helped ease the Water God’s mood that he didn’t secretly harm you! Master, you can’t turn your back on your beast!”

“Hmph, didn’t he still scheme afterward? The Heavenly Court’s commendation, the Great Virtuous One – how long has it been since Master spoke to me alone?”

“That’s still better than losing your life. Master, just focus honestly on cultivating. Or, you could find me a good home early. If I could become the mount of some Holy Mother from the Severing Sect, I would still miss mas… ter.”

Ksitigarbha silently took out a sharp blade and a whetstone, his forehead darkening while wearing a smile, and began methodically sharpening the blade. A series of scraping sounds echoed across Spirit Mountain.

A certain Qie Ting: “The Water God and I cannot coexist under the same sky!”

“Hmph!”

Ksitigarbha calmly put away his blade-sharpening set and continued sitting quietly under the tree, as if completely detached from outside matters.

He knew he could only wait for an opportunity.

Wait for those fellow disciples who had begun emerging from seclusion to suffer losses at the Water God’s hands, wait for Master to once again entrust him with the important task of contending with the Heavenly Court…

Now, he would no longer harbor any trace of underestimation but would exhaust all efforts to compete with the Water God for a great victory for their Western cause.

Water God.

Next time, this poor Daoist will not disappoint you.

“Master, your current inner voice is too embarrassing for this mount!”

“Get lost!”

…

The Western Religion chose to retreat, avoiding direct confrontation with the Heavenly Court while accelerating the development of their own forces…

Instead gave Li Changshou more opportunities.

This way, more immortal dao forces in the Three Thousand Worlds could be more easily pulled to the Heavenly Court’s side.

This was the benefit of following the great trend.

But Li Changshou didn’t become idle because of this, instead becoming even busier.

The paper avatars stored in the Horizon Secret Realm acted like speaking tubes.

Screening suitable forces to pull in, and formulating plans to win them over – these important steps were all carried out in the secret chamber of Little Qiong Peak.

Next, multiple plans proceeded steadily simultaneously, leaving Li Changshou truly without leisure time…

He could only spare a bit of time each day to organize his insights, not letting his cultivation fall behind.

The Anti-Western Immortal Dao Alliance was just a dummy card in his hand, yet it required quite a lot of energy investment.

After all, getting something for nothing—ahem, getting sheep for nothing, spending more effort was understandable.

The Super Celestial Soldier Plan couldn’t be neglected either. Li Changshou began changing to new promotional videos.

You Qin Xuanya had joined the Thunder Department of the Heavenly Court, regularly leading celestial soldiers on patrols inside and outside the court, occasionally going out to battle with the celestial army and generals, eliminating some karmic obstacles and minor demons.

All of these arrangements were naturally planned by Li Changshou.

Just as Li Changshou had said before, You Qin Xuanya’s cultivation progress began to accelerate.

When she cultivated, her thoughts became extremely smooth, breakthroughs came as easily as drinking tea, and her body began to be wrapped in merit…

Following Li Changshou’s suggestion, You Qin Xuanya began suppressing her breakthrough speed, consolidating her dao foundation, and preparing for the Golden Immortal tribulation.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou erected those promotional bronze mirrors in various towns across the Central Divine Continent.

The number of scattered immortals coming to serve the Heavenly Court increased daily!

Half of the new celestial soldiers and generals expressed that they were initially attracted by that valiant female general of the Heavenly Court, began learning about the Heavenly Court, and finally decided to join the Heavenly Court to contribute their strength for the heavenly way and all living beings.

Well, it wasn’t because they wanted to see that female general in person!

Unfortunately, among those at or above the Golden Immortal realm, there were still very few experts joining the Heavenly Court.

As for the major project of the Approaching Heaven Palace, progress was also smooth.

The Emotionless One Jiang Lin’er and her husband, along with Baize, Master Jiu Yu, Jiu Yiyi, Jiu Wu, and Jiu Shi, had found their footholds and begun secretly contacting the first batch of ‘righteous ones’.

Li Changshou naturally had paper avatars following along – two paper avatars in Baize’s sleeve, and two stacks of paper avatars in Master Jiu Yu’s embrace…

Mainly because he worried about Master getting confused when drinking.

As the Great Tribulation approached, affairs in the Heavenly Court gradually grew more numerous;

The timing of the Jade Clarity Palace’s discussion on the Investiture of the Gods drew closer each day, making Li Changshou increasingly feel the pressure.

Time was a river that couldn’t flow backward. Everything would happen as destined, and if he took one wrong step, it would easily lead to bitter consequences.

His requirements for himself had increased severalfold compared to before.

In the Upper Clarity Palace, Li Changshou spoke eloquently, his presence always exuding confidence;

In the Horizon Secret Realm, he constantly interacted with various forces’ old schemers—ahem, capable and extraordinary individuals, his smile always carrying the composed calmness of having everything under control.

Before the celestial soldiers, generals, and immortals, Li Changshou maintained his scholarly and genial demeanor…

When occasionally walking around the Ascension Gate sect, he still flew at an appropriate height, riding clouds neither fast nor slow, addressing seniors as Uncle-Master or Elder-Master when encountered.

Only before Master’s memorial tablet in the thatched cottage of Little Qiong Peak would he sigh softly;

Only in the secret chamber of Little Qiong Peak would he pace back and forth, constantly worrying about the incomplete arrangements for certain matters, showing weariness on his face when thinking of the approaching Great Tribulation.

Now, he was no longer that Little Qiong Peak disciple who could only care for himself;

Many expressions could only be shown to himself and the portraits in the secret chamber…

“Senior Brother, may I enter the formation?”

A soft call interrupted Li Changshou’s thoughts—it was Spirit Maiden E, who had arrived on a cloud outside the pill room formation, carefully asking while holding a jade bowl.

‘She must be feeling a bit bored lately with Master Jiu Yu and the others away.’

Li Changshou transmitted: “Come to the secret chamber.”

“Alright,” Spirit Maiden E acknowledged, taking out the formation entry jade talisman and drifting on her cloud to the pill room, then skillfully entering the underground secret chamber.

As soon as she reached the study, Spirit Maiden E couldn’t help asking:

“Senior Brother, what are you doing?”

The ground and walls before her were covered with canvases, showing mind maps that were clear and orderly yet winding and complex, making her dizzy just looking at them.

Spirit Maiden E lightly tapped her toes, holding the soup while hopping a few times to safely reach the desk.

“Senior Brother, don’t work too hard.”

“Mm,” Li Changshou put down the jade talisman in his hand, lifted the jade bowl to sniff it, then took a sip.

Spirit Maiden E said somewhat dissatisfied: “I didn’t add any love potion, hmph.”

“I’ve been spending too much time lately with a poison expert, so it’s become a habit.”

Li Changshou explained with a smile, then glanced at Spirit Maiden E, “Why was your first thought about love potions?”

“Well…”

“Ah, Junior Sister has grown up.”

“No, I haven’t…”

Spirit Maiden E’s face reddened, and she covered it with both hands, stammering for a long time without forming complete sentences.

Li Changshou smiled in amusement.

Teasing his junior sister immediately improved his mood.

He picked up the jade talisman and continued reading its messages, quickly finishing the soup in the jade bowl.

A pair of delicate hands carefully reached from behind and rested on Li Changshou’s shoulders, beginning to massage gently.

“Use more strength.”

Li Changshou said.

“Okay!” Spirit Maiden E rolled up the silken sleeves of her powder-white long dress and massaged her senior brother’s shoulders and back, her technique so skilled that Li Changshou called her a professional.

“Senior Brother, um, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Li Changshou casually asked: “What is it?”

Spirit Maiden E blinked, cleared her throat, and said with affected maturity:

“You see, your dear junior sister has grown up now, has written the Stability Scripture countless times, has gone out for experience, and the sect elders all praise her intelligence.

She doesn’t want to wander outside anymore, just wants to cultivate steadily in the mountain, accompanying a certain heartless senior brother.

So for some of the senior brother’s matters, couldn’t she help provide some suggestions? For any difficulties, couldn’t he discuss them with her?

Maybe she’ll have some sudden inspiration and could help just a tiny bit…”

Li Changshou put down the jade talisman in his hand and closed his eyes in thought.

Seeing the situation didn’t look good, Spirit Maiden E hurriedly said: “Senior Brother, don’t be angry. If you don’t want me involved in these things, just pretend I didn’t say anything…”

“What you say makes sense.”

Li Changshou nodded quite seriously, stroking his chin while muttering:

“As they say, raise an E for a hundred years, use an E for a moment.

Now that Master Baize has gone to the Three Thousand Worlds if you could help with some things, I could also relax a bit.”

“Really?” Spirit Maiden E was overjoyed.

“Of course,” Li Changshou shook his head, “Since you’ve taken the initiative to suggest it, how could I not make use of such talent?

Go make some preparations, then come back. I’ll give you a portion of the major plans to review.”

“Okay! I’ll be right back!”

Spirit Maiden E exclaimed with high spirits and turned to jump towards the study door, but before running far she turned back, poking her head in at the door to ask:

“Senior Brother, what do I need to prepare?”

“Table, chairs, cushions, meditation mats,” Li Changshou smiled, “Though it’s fine if you want to keep standing.”

“Hehe, wait for me Senior Brother, I’ll be right back!”

Spirit Maiden E floated away joyfully like a fragrant breeze, and after just a moment, rushed back carrying her travel bag, officially taking up residence in Little Qiong Peak’s secret chamber.

Li Changshou kept his word, handing over to Spirit Maiden E the subsequent review of the most troublesome and mentally taxing part of the plans—the Anti-Western Immortal Dao Alliance.

This was just like writing an article—having one more review was always beneficial and never harmful.

“…Your main responsibility is to organize information about these forces. When I make decisions about what level of treatment to give a particular force, you’ll judge whether my decisions are prudent.”

“Okay!”

“Don’t just say okay, did you understand what I just said?”

“Mm!”

Spirit Maiden E nodded confidently, “Of course, if you explain it again Senior Brother, I’ll remember it even more clearly, understand it more thoroughly hehe…

Ouch! You hit my head again!”

“This is a major matter concerning the life and death of countless beings, be more serious.”

Spirit Maiden E immediately became well-behaved, calming her excited dao heart and starting from the mind maps laid out by her senior brother to understand the plan from the beginning.

When she got serious, she could serve as half an advisor, and at this time she was just doing review and error-checking work, which she was fully capable of handling.

Li Changshou made a listening gesture, quickly closing his eyes and saying: “Someone’s looking for me at the Horizon Secret Realm, I’ll go deal with it.”

“Mm!”

Spirit Maiden E hugged two stacks of jade talismans filled with information and sat cross-legged at the desk, her small face full of seriousness.

Half a day later, Li Changshou opened his eyes and couldn’t help but smile at the scene before him.

Spirit Maiden E was lying on a soft cushion hugging a soft pillow, her feet swaying gently, her long hair somewhat disheveled as she buried herself in several jade talismans, writing and drawing…

“Found anything?”

“Senior Brother! These few forces seem to have problems. Their self-descriptions don’t match up with Horizon Palace’s investigation reports in several places;

Moreover, their territory is too close to Western Religious forces, and the timing of their approach is also somewhat suspicious.”

Li Changshou’s lips curved into a slight smile.

This girl, you pass.

“Let me see. If there are problems, I’ll count it as one merit for you.”

“Oh my, merit or not, I just want to help reduce Senior Brother’s burden…”

“Well then, never mind,” Li Changshou nodded calmly, “Just as well to save some energy.”

Spirit Maiden E: …

Why did she feel like she’d been tricked by her senior brother?

…

Thus, half a year after the ‘Heaven-Defying’ duo’s debut battle.

A white cloud left the East Heaven Gate, leisurely flying to the Heaven Pillar before descending into the Netherworld.

On the cloud, Spirit Zhenzhu Boy, wearing a cyan loose robe, felt the cold atmosphere around him and asked softly:

“Uncle-Master, where are we going?”

“Didn’t I say earlier I’d introduce you to one or two friends?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “I have important business in the Underworld this time, and it’s a good opportunity to bring you along to meet those friends.

Spirit Zhenzhu Boy, have you perhaps forgotten your cultivation?”

“Uncle Master, disciple hasn’t forgotten!”

Spirit Zhenzhu Boy said firmly, his clear eyes full of determination, “Whatever Uncle Master arranges! That Uncle-Master can make time to help a disciple despite being so busy, a disciple is already endlessly grateful!”

Li Changshou just smiled without speaking.

‘Official Plan to Stimulate Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s Masculinity – Spirit Maiden E Revised Version’ Step One—Brave Trek Through the Netherworld House.

First train this fellow’s courage, then we’ll see.

Of course, Li Changshou’s visit to the Underworld wasn’t just for Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s matter. He also needed to find the King of Hell to jointly submit the Underworld Reform Plan, which the Jade Emperor had already approved, with the Ten Kings of Hell.

And incidentally, form a Merit Golden Body or something.