“Master White, is there some misunderstanding between us?

Didn’t we agree before? Heaven-Reaching Palace would ultimately answer directly to the Heavenly Court.

Using soul-refining incantations to increase cultivation, holding these secretive gatherings, creating this Holy Maiden position…

This!”

In his previous life, this had all the hallmarks of an evil cult!

In a side hall of the stone palace, within layers of formation barriers.

Li Changshou sat in a wooden chair, with Baize standing nearby. At this moment, this ancient leader of the Ten Great Demon Generals wore a somewhat awkward expression…

Outside the two stone doors, the Palace Master and elders of Heaven-Reaching Palace had gathered, temporarily halting their tasks.

Jiu Jiu pressed against the barrier’s light wall trying to eavesdrop, naturally unable to hear anything.

The others were more or less uneasy, especially since Li Changshou’s expression had been quite frightening when he first appeared…

Light footsteps sounded from nearby, drawing several gazes.

It was Wine Wu, the ‘steward’ of Heaven-Reaching Palace, a short Daoist hurrying over with several jade talismans. Arriving at the door, he asked quietly:

“How is it going?”

“Still haven’t come out.”

Wine Shi responded, then continued with a worried expression: “Somehow, Nephew Changshou gave me quite an overwhelming pressure earlier.”

Wine Wu smiled: “My lady, Changshou still calls us Senior Uncle and Aunt out of his initial respect – that’s his character.

But now he’s a disciple of a Saint Lord, countless ranks above us in seniority. We absolutely cannot casually call him Nephew anymore – we should address him directly by his Daoist title.”

“Alright, you’re always so thorough.”

Wine Wu said: “Master, Master’s Wife, I need to go in – Changshou wants to see these.”

Jiang Lin’er transmitted her voice: “Walk slowly when you enter, let us hear what they’re saying inside.”

“Rest assured, Master’s Wife.”

With that, Wine Wu stepped forward, the immortal power barrier opening on its own, yet…

Still, not a sound could be heard from within.

[Voice transmission face-to-face, an essential skill for Orthodox Dao experts!]

But Baize’s finger moved slightly, and a conversation appeared in everyone’s minds.

At this moment, Li Changshou’s voice carried hints of helplessness and disappointment, saying:

“…Even if the early stages are difficult, we still can’t use soul-refining incantations to increase cultivation!

Master White, ah Master White, with your great wisdom, how can you be so unclear on this small matter?

Even if no one investigates, even if Heaven-Reaching Palace’s dark history can be concealed once it rises successfully, aren’t our Dao hearts compromised? Isn’t the foundation of Heaven-Reaching Palace corrupted?

With an unstable foundation, how can we build a tower reaching to the heavens?

Soul-refining incantations may quickly increase cultivation, but they exhaust practitioners’ potential and cut off their chances for longevity!

Ultimately, they destroy Heaven-Reaching Palace’s foundation of fortune!

The Heavenly Dao watches you and me and the Heaven-Reaching Palace at all times. We must consider every action and plan from the Heavenly Court’s perspective from the very beginning.

The banner of righteousness must be raised from the start!”

Then came Baize’s somewhat aggrieved voice transmission in defense:

“But the fruits of longevity are not easily obtained, and they understand this principle…

Moreover, times are different from ancient days. Humans are not as easily persuaded as the Demon Race. Without tangible benefits, how can we get human practitioners to join us?

Talk of fortune is vague, talk of merit is empty promises and spirit stones are just basic expenses – we can only take an unorthodox approach.

Isn’t this exactly what you, Water God, called extraordinary measures?”

“Master White, my extraordinary measures could involve using soul-binding techniques to constrain those of purely evil nature, making them serve Heaven-Reaching Palace while doing good deeds to wash away their karmic burdens.

This way, we expand Heaven-Reaching Palace while having more assurance about these people…”

Though Wine Wu had slowed his steps as much as possible, he still had to enter;

After the barrier closed, Baize’s finger moved slightly again, and the voices in everyone’s minds suddenly ceased…

Outside was quiet again for a while.

Palace Master Wang Fugui cleared his throat: “This poor Daoist thinks Changshou’s words make sense.”

Jiang Lin’er frowned:

“But without something others don’t have, how can we recruit so many practitioners?

And with Senior Baize’s status in the primordial world, how can he be lectured like this!”

Jiu Jiu muttered: “Master’s Wife needn’t worry. I think Master White must be quite happy right now.”

“Hmm?”

Question marks like mushrooms popped up on everyone’s foreheads. Jiu Jiu smiled mysteriously and continued pressing her ear against the immortal power barrier to listen.

Wine Yiyi said softly: “Shouldn’t the focus be that binding others’ souls to control them seems even less righteous?”

The Mount Du Xian’s core members fell into silence, each lost in thought.

Finally, after half an hour.

Creeak—

The wooden door opened, and Baize stepped out with a beaming face, while Wine Wu behind him was frowning deeply, seeming quite conflicted.

Jiu Jiu hurriedly asked: “Where’s Changshou?”

Baize pointed to his sleeve and smiled: “He’s gone back. Please come in everyone, let’s carefully consider how to proceed from here.

You all heard some of my conversation with the Lord earlier – we have a long and arduous road ahead.

To cover our initial steps, the Lord has begun rallying powers across the Three Thousand Worlds, using this to draw enemies’ attention. We too must exert ourselves fully and give it our all.”

Jiu Jiu blinked: “Master White, aren’t you angry?”

“Hmm?”

Baize was puzzled at first, then gave a light chuckle.

“My heart is at peace.”

Jiang Lin’er’s mouth twitched slightly, her expression remarkably similar to Wine Wu’s.

They couldn’t understand why this ancient famous demon general, after being ‘lectured’ by a ‘junior,’ could be so genuinely delighted…

Perhaps this was the world of the strong.

…

In the underground chamber of Little Jade Peak, Li Changshou opened his eyes and sighed softly in his heart.

Fortunately, he had gone to check on Heaven-Reaching Palace – one small decision by Master White had nearly led them astray!

Indeed, Master White had great wisdom, and near-heaven-defying divine abilities, and was famous since ancient times with extremely rich experience, yet in one aspect…

He had never looked at matters from the Heavenly Court’s perspective.

Li Changshou understood Baize’s previous approach — early stains on a rising power didn’t matter, they could be whitewashed after success.

But what Li Changshou couldn’t explicitly say was:

[For Heaven-Reaching Palace to rise quickly, it needs the Heavenly Dao’s recognition and support from behind.]

Through human effort alone, Heaven-Reaching Palace could never gain enough power in mere hundreds of years to shake Western teaching’s outer circle…

These days had been rather unlucky.

The Heavenly Dao owed him merit, Heaven-Reaching Palace had nearly gone astray – at least the Netherworld affairs were stable and Spirit Zhenzhu Child’s situation had improved, offering some consolation.

“Ah…”

Wanting to be a hands-off boss was truly difficult.

“What’s wrong, Senior Brother?”

Ling’e, who had been writing at her desk, looked up with concern.

“Nothing,” Li Changshou said, “Senior Aunt Jiu Jiu just became Heaven-Reaching Palace’s Holy Maiden, and they’ve gathered quite a few practitioners. They should rise successfully within decades.”

Ling’e smiled: “With Master White sharing your burdens, Senior Brother can relax a bit.

Would Senior Brother like something to drink?”

“No need to trouble yourself.”

Li Changshou glanced at the two stacks of jade talismans before him, “I must continue attending to various matters. If you’re tired, go rest for a while, but don’t neglect your cultivation.

Xuanya now serves in the Heavenly Court, and her cultivation speed has surpassed yours.”

Hearing this, Ling’e sighed dejectedly:

“Senior Brother… isn’t there a pill that grants longevity with just one dose? I don’t want to work hard anymore!”

Li Changshou snorted: “Five hundred copies of the Stability Scripture, twenty copies of the formation diagram!”

“Ah, I was just joking…”

“Abandon fantasy, focus on cultivation,” Li Changshou said seriously, “If your power isn’t self-cultivated if your realm isn’t self-enlightened, you’ll ultimately be controlled by others.”

Ling’e burst into tears, laying on the table with a series of sighs.

Li Changshou smiled slightly, closed his eyes to concentrate, and shifted his consciousness to the Sky’s End Secret Realm, immersing himself in the game of greater powers.

He remained busy for five days and nights.

Li Changshou set the exact time for the [Anti-Western Immortal Alliance]’s first gathering but didn’t announce the location to prevent Western teaching from causing trouble.

Unifying various powers was no easy task.

Though Li Changshou’s strategy seemed complex, his thinking was quite simple.

First rally several major powers, give them the highest treatment and benefits, then use them to intimidate other powers, alternating between carrot and stick, while telling some emotionally stirring stories;

Finally, gather everyone together, pour a cup of hot tea, and say:

‘Who agrees, who opposes?’

Things shouldn’t have any… Ahem! Here speaks the holder of Heavenly Dao’s merit bonds!

That flag really couldn’t be raised!

Concerned about Spirit Zhenzhu Child’s situation, Li Changshou shifted his consciousness to the Netherworld to see how his ‘manly cultivation’ was progressing.

He initially wanted to activate the paper avatar near Spirit Zhenzhu Child directly, but this paper avatar had been stored in a storage treasure. Though Li Changshou could sense it, the mental connection wasn’t particularly stable.

This wasn’t a problem – Li Changshou activated one of his paper avatars hidden in Fengdu City, took on the appearance of the Heavenly Court’s Water God, and headed outside the city…

His divine consciousness spread out, immediately finding Spirit Zhenzhu Child still with Ox-Head and Horse-Face, sparring with several Ancient Shamanic experts at the peak.

Li Changshou didn’t rush over, but turned his steps toward a hillside outside Fengdu City, finding the nearly completed ‘Hall of Courage Testing’.

Just from the exterior, Li Changshou was quite satisfied – it matched his design drawings almost perfectly.

The Netherworld administration seemed to have misunderstood the dimensions, making the Hall’s area more than ten times larger than Li Changshou’s design…

At this time, King Chujiang arrived from within Fengdu City.

Li Changshou waited a while on his cloud, exchanged pleasantries with King Chujiang when they met, and together they entered the Hall for a tour.

When they emerged, Li Changshou was greatly disappointed…

Rigid, cliché!

They had merely placed some fierce evil spirits from the Eighteen Levels of Hell inside, with absolutely no impact!

These scenes could be seen almost anywhere in the Netherworld – how could this frighten immortals or train their courage?!

“Water God,” King Chujiang also said, “We’ve built this thing, but what use is it?

If we want to frighten mortal souls, why not just take them for a tour of the Eighteen Levels of Hell?”

Li Changshou frowned in thought. The Hall’s ‘hardware’ was ready, but it lacked ‘content’.

“Your Honor, could you summon some skilled craftsman souls for me, and lend me three hundred netherworld officials?

Let me modify this place to make it suitable for testing courage.”

“Water God, you’re too polite! Never mind three hundred – I could immediately dispatch three thousand for you!”

King Chujiang turned and shouted, and immediately a great ghost rode the black wind toward Fengdu City, soon returning with waves of ghostly shadows.

Li Changshou nodded with satisfaction, leading these Netherworld craftsmen and ghost soldiers into the great hall to begin infusing the Hall of Courage Testing with soul.

Building a haunted house in the Netherworld could be considered quite an undertaking.

First, Li Changshou set a rule — upon entering, one must seal their cultivation.

—This would take advantage of the inevitable anxiety and weakness cultivators feel after sealing their powers.

Then, Li Changshou began modifying the local formations, arranging twelve minor formations in sequence, and using his expertise in linked formations to connect all twelve, one ring leading to another.

—Using formations to create a sense of pressure and tension, bringing those who entered with sealed powers to a state of ‘complete insecurity’.

To stimulate immortals’ Dao hearts required extra effort – but this was still far from enough.

Li Changshou began focusing on the atmosphere, carefully crafting the ‘light’ and ‘sound’ of each section.

Details determine the ticket price!

From entering the first formation, one could hear slow heartbeats, occasionally hearing gradually appearing footsteps, soft laughter…

And so on.

In a very quiet environment, the gentler and more natural the sounds, the more spine-chilling they become.

Moreover, attention had to be paid to the suddenness of ‘ghost’ appearances, without pursuing their ‘grotesqueness’.

Li Changshou carefully selected dozens of Ancient Shamanic members, designed costumes for them, and trained them to flexibly grasp the timing of their appearances, from makeup to posture to perfect coordination with light and shadow…

Without realizing it, Li Changshou became thoroughly absorbed in the work. What was planned as a three-day project ended up taking half a month.

Half a month later, Li Changshou walked out of the Hall of Courage Testing with satisfaction, dismissing the netherworld officials and craftsmen, and gave a slight smile to King Chujiang who had been waiting outside.

He activated the various formations and barriers, setting up a wooden sign stating ‘Must Seal Powers Before Entering’.

After some thought, Li Changshou added a line of small text:

[Extremely frightening inside, best to enter in groups of three spirits].

“Water God, aren’t you looking down on us Ancient Shamanic people?”

King Chujiang said proudly: “This king will go in for a stroll, appreciate Water God’s masterpiece.”

Li Changshou smiled and handed over a jade talisman, “Your Honor can exit the formations at any time with this.”

“Ah, no need.”

King Chujiang waved his hand, and quickly tapped several points on his body, causing his blood qi to return to his bloodline and his energy to completely conceal itself, thus sealing his cultivation, then walked into the hall with measured steps.

Li Changshou didn’t think much of it.

After all, this was a Judge of Hell, surely he wouldn’t be too…

“Aiyo! What- what kind of ghost thing is this? Outrageous!”

“Why are the cabinets moving here!”

“I am a Judge of Hell! I am a Judge of Hell!”

Li Changshou: …

The effects seemed quite good.

Moments later, King Chujiang emerged muttering “I am a Judge of Hell,” his green face completely pale. Though he tried to walk with his chest out and head high, his legs couldn’t help but tremble.

Fortunately, Li Changshou reminded him, or King Chujiang might have forgotten he could release the seal on himself.

After his power returned, King Chujiang quickly caught his breath, his Ancient Shamanic heart returning to normal as he said softly: “Water God’s work is truly extraordinary. This minor deity concedes.”

Li Changshou smiled: “Your Honor is too kind. I mainly did this to temper Spirit Zhenzhu Child, got carried away with interest, and just put in a bit extra effort.”

“Can this hall remain here permanently?”

“Of course.”

“That’s good,” King Chujiang chuckled, “When you’re done using it, I’ll bring those fellows to try it out, let them have some fun too.”

Li Changshou smiled gracefully, inviting King Chujiang to ride the clouds with him to find the ‘main subject’ of this matter.

This was a grand gift for Spirit Zhenzhu Child!

Just as they arrived before the One Line Sky Fortress east of Fengdu City, Li Changshou happened to see this scene…

Spirit Zhenzhu Child’s body glowed with spiritual light as he shot up from the peak, hanging inverted in the air, striking down at those below with a palm while shouting:

“Great! Mighty! Heaven! Dragon!”

A four-clawed golden dragon emerged from his palm, its illusory form suddenly expanding, fiercely smashing into Ox-Head and Horse-Face’s ‘secret garden’, grinding four warrior shamans against the rocks.

King Chujiang praised: “Your honored nephew’s comprehension is astounding, able to master our Ancient Shamanic battle techniques so quickly.”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, about to transmit his voice to Spirit Zhenzhu Child when his spiritual sense suddenly trembled slightly.

Almost instinctively, Li Changshou whirled around, looking toward the west of the Netherworld, his expression extremely grave.

“Water God, what’s wrong?”

King Chujiang frowned as he asked, but Li Changshou couldn’t answer. The spiritual sense in his heart continued to tremble faintly.

This wasn’t a premonition of danger, nor was someone trying to warn him – it was purely because this avatar sensed something major related to himself.

Li Changshou asked: “What place is that?”

“Flying several tens of thousands of miles that way, it’s all Blood Sea territory,” King Chujiang answered immediately.

Blood Sea?

Li Changshou closed his eyes, thoughts rising and falling in his mind until a flash of inspiration appeared, which he firmly grasped.

Can’t rush, can’t be impatient, can’t make hasty decisions.

Clear Mind Dao Heart, activate!

Balanced Dao, activate!

Tribulation had no influence, Heavenly Dao hadn’t interfered, and Dao’s heart was like a mirror stand, without waves or ripples.

Trump card: Wind Speech Incantation – Ten Thousand Li Seeking Wind.

Li Changshou’s spirit stirred as he snorted softly, saying in a low voice: “Your Honor, quickly mobilize troops. There will be a battle at the Blood Sea.”

In the secret chamber of Little Jade Peak, before Supreme Pure Saint’s portrait, Li Changshou bowed deeply. Several streams of light immediately appeared before him, condensing into the Mysterious Yellow Pagoda, Heaven and Earth Ruler, Ground-Leaving Flame Banner, and a…

Taiji Diagram?!

Li Changshou thought carefully and suddenly understood his master’s deep meaning.

With almost all major treasures brought out, he wanted himself to… not get carried away, stay steady.

Yes, must be this.

…

Meanwhile, outside the primordial world, in Xuandu City which had been quiet for who knows how long.

On a gently rocking chair atop the city walls wrapped in layer upon layer of formation light barriers;

A certain Grand Magus who wished to remain unnamed stretched lazily, raised his hand to touch his chest, and mumbled drowsily:

“Hmm? Where did the diagram go?”