“Everyone, everyone, let me explain.

I truly sensed it – His Majesty the Jade Emperor wanted to promote my divine position, adding a second-rank position for this purpose, which then triggered Heaven’s Way’s power to surge, manifesting as this divine lightning here.

Every—”

Ah, what was wrong with Heaven’s Way Lord?

Deliberate targeting, crazy backstabbing – if someone said it was just coincidence, Li Shouting truly… also felt there was indeed this tiny probability.

Could it be that Heaven’s Way was warning him about something?

Li Shouting, immobilized by the Sea-Calming Zhenzhu and hung from the rafters with immortal-binding rope, listened to the laughter and clinking of cups beside him, his forehead covered in black lines.

Come to think of it, why were Big Brother Tu, Brother Chi, and Lord Ta all pretending to be offline when they were wandering near his primordial spirit?

He was pure!

Then Yun Xiao Immortal Maiden said gently: “I believe him, don’t trouble him so, Big Brother.”

Sure enough, the one who truly cared for him was the one who truly understood him…

Yun Xiao continued:

“It’s only natural for later-born beings to have stronger seven emotions and six desires. I already knew he liked listening to music and watching dances before.

I won’t blame him for this – I can accept these kinds of interests of his.”

The black lines on Li Shouting’s forehead instantly grew denser.

The immortal maiden suddenly turned mischievous!

Golden Spirit Sacred Mother angrily scolded: “How can we disciples of the Severing Teaching suffer such grievance!”

“Indeed, indeed,” Taishi Zhenren fanned the flames from the side. “Chang’e in the Celestial Court is called the Three Realms’ First Beauty – we must be vigilant!”

Li Shouting immediately glared at Taishi, who smiled with narrowed eyes, full of smugness.

Li Shouting calmly transmitted: “Wonder how Spirit Zhenzhu Child’s cultivation is going lately – from what I saw before, it was quite effective.”

Taishi Zhenren’s smile froze. He cleared his throat and said with hands behind his back:

“Everyone, jokes aside, we should trust in Changgen’s character.”

Yun Xiao Immortal Maiden held back a slight smile and sighed softly, turning her back to Li Shouting to drink and chat with Golden Spirit Sacred Mother.

Li Shouting tilted his head and sighed, taking the opportunity to rest while hanging from the beam.

The Netherworld matter was temporarily settled, with Heaven’s Way owing him two great merits.

The game with the Western Teaching still needed to unfold in the Three Thousand Worlds – openly forming an anti-Western cultivation alliance while secretly supporting the Approaching Heaven Palace.

But this matter must not become his next ‘main business.’

With Ling’e’s help on this matter, he must free up more time to comprehend the Way of Balance and reduce his outings.

This time, Li Shouting was completely certain – Heaven’s Way not giving him merit meant it wouldn’t allow him to condense a Merit Golden Body.

Now only two possibilities remained:

First, the Merit Golden Body could affect his tribulation crossing, and Heaven’s Way intended to erase him.

Second, all this merit he had accumulated had some other use.

If this kept accumulating until the merit Heaven’s Way owed him was enough for a Merit Golden Body, it would be the biggest joke in the Primordial Chaos…

But that was impossible – there wouldn’t be so many opportunities to gather merit later.

Even if the probability of the first scenario was extremely low, Li Shouting couldn’t guard against it.

Everything still needed careful planning to give Heaven’s Way no opportunity. His true body would stay in Small Jade Peak, moving to the Palace of Supreme Purity depending on circumstances, or actively taking Ling’e to Supreme Clarity Temple to fulfill filial duties.

Caring for solitary Sages starts with you and me.

Li Shouting’s heart leaned more toward the second possibility – that all this merit still had great use.

And Supreme Clarity Teacher had said to be at ease, so Li Shouting could only choose to look at it more openly now.

If the Supreme Clarity Teacher couldn’t be trusted, then he could only — eat when hungry, drink when thirsty, and not take things to heart.

Being immortal, the most important things were happiness… and stability.

After several jokes and some laughter, Li Shouting was only hung up briefly before Yun Xiao’s plea got him released.

At this point, Li Shouting couldn’t guess Yun Xiao Immortal Maiden’s exact thoughts, unsure if she was truly concerned or exploring new modes of interaction…

Hmm, it had that flavor of dating from his previous life.

Their group gathered for three days before dispersing. Li Shouting escorted Yun Xiao back to Three Immortal Island, speaking softly and exchanging glances along the way. Their relationship had indeed grown closer than before.

The ‘coquettishness’ Yun Xiao unconsciously revealed, completely different from her usual cool demeanor, also felt quite novel to Li Shouting.

To be safe, Li Shouting took out several letters he had written before to consolidate their warm relationship.

Just after placing these letters in her hands, Li Shouting gave a light laugh and used his escape technique to flee far away.

More or less, there was still some sense of embarrassment…

Li Shouting’s true body didn’t hurry back to Small Jade Peak. His paper avatar had been regularly checking the state of his home, and Ling’e always carried the [Leaving Earth Flame Light Flag] of the same origin as the [Blue Lotus Precious Color Flag], so they were naturally safe and sound.

Taking advantage of the Taiji Diagram and Lord Ta’s protection, Li Shouting rushed to the Netherworld again, wanting to enter the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk once more.

The Seven Emotions Grass Ring had already been returned to Lady Houtu;

A few days ago, after stabilizing the Reincarnation Pagoda, when Li Shouting entered the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk to bid farewell to Lady Houtu, she had requested Li Shouting’s assistance, but he hadn’t been able to answer then.

Now, Li Shouting had an answer and needed to go report it in the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk.

—The Six Paths Reincarnation Disk was isolated from the outside world. Paper avatars would lose connection upon entering, so only his true body could go in.

That day, Lady Houtu had asked him:

“Now that the Reincarnation Pagoda can be used, Little Sorrow and the others want to walk in the world. They can now reincarnate through this pagoda – could you protect them for me?”

Originally, with Lady Houtu making such a request, Li Shouting naturally wouldn’t and shouldn’t refuse.

But Li Shouting had hesitated then.

What seemed like a good thing had an unavoidable problem when it came to actual implementation—

Should Little Sorrow and the others reincarnate as one person or as seven people?

If as seven people, they would be seven individuals with absolute personality defects. If their Seven Emotions infection power was preserved, it would be difficult to find a place for them.

If they reincarnated as one person, sharing one body and balancing each other, it would be quite torturous…

Wasn’t this what they called multiple personalities in his previous life?

Lady Houtu’s meaning was to have them reincarnate as one person, not adding trouble for all living beings in Heaven and Earth, just letting them go out to look around and support each other, completing their mental state.

Li Shouting had offered another proposal then, wanting to let Little Sorrow and the others reincarnate as seven people, but these seven couldn’t separate, maintaining the balance of Seven Emotions power at all times.

Though this had many hidden dangers, it would let Little Sorrow and them suffer less torment.

Li Shouting vaguely speculated that Lady Houtu must have deeper considerations for wanting the Seven Emotions avatars to reincarnate.

The divine ability and power that Little Sorrow and Little Anger had shown before was truly strong to the point of imbalance – with one sorrow and one anger, they had nearly played with that many Asura clan experts in the palm of their hand.

But now after much thought, Li Shouting’s conclusion was…

To follow Lady Houtu’s wishes entirely.

The Seven Emotions avatars were born from Lady Houtu. He only had a slightly better relationship with Little Sorrow and had no right to interfere in this matter.

From multiple angles, seven avatars reincarnating as one being had the lowest hidden dangers and least trouble, and might even cultivate a trump card-level expert.

It’s just that Taishi Zhenren had a vague ‘danger’ character written above his head.

A series of questions followed.

How should it be arranged for Lady Houtu’s Seven Emotions avatars to successfully reincarnate?

Little Sorrow and the others were equivalent to Houtu’s sisters, counted as heart demons tamed by Lady Houtu – who of such high status could be their parents?

Find two mortals who knew nothing of this matter.

Just like with Wine Rain Poetry back then, pretended to pass by himself and take the Seven Emotions reincarnation to the Celestial Court.

Or go ask Lady Nuwa to mold a perfect Dao body…

Speaking of which, Lady Nuwa hadn’t urged him to visit the Holy Mother Palace lately – that account of five hundred [pages] of comics wasn’t settled yet.

What? Five hundred years? Impossible!

Lady Nuwa was so reasonable, knowing that he as the Celestial Court’s Water God was busy dealing with the God-Making Tribulation. Even with the ‘time-stopping’ divine ability, he shouldn’t be distracted for so long.

Uh, could it be the goddess was waiting for the Heaven and Earth Tribulation to pass before using the divine ability to confine him five hundred times…

While moving stealthily, Li Shouting couldn’t help but pat his forehead thinking of this. He decided to proactively visit the Holy Mother Palace later to settle accounts and arrange Lady Houtu’s avatar matter along the way.

Seven Emotions avatars reincarnating into the world…

The Water God Manor would probably become completely lively.

…

Just about to enter the Netherworld, his spiritual sense suddenly jumped several times, making Li Shouting immediately cast aside distracting thoughts.

Big Brother Tu transmitted this message:

“Big disciple has come, seems to have something to find you about, currently releasing immortal consciousness to search for your traces.”

Li Shouting’s spirit lifted – Great Dharma Master!

Is nothing wrong in Xuandu City?

Just as he was thinking about hiding his true body, the Great Dharma Master returned to the Primordial Chaos world – this was exactly like someone bringing a pillow when you wanted to sleep.

Following Taiji Diagram’s guidance, Li Shouting turned east and west at the Netherworld’s edge, searching for half a day before finding a mass of mysterious fog. He actively released his aura…

“Hmm?”

A familiar voice sounded, and the mysterious fog parted slightly, revealing a face within;

This face was neither handsome nor strange but had its charm, quite pleasant to look at.

Who else could it be but Great Dharma Master Xuandu?

Li Shouting hurriedly manifested his true body… the paper avatar that had already been hidden in his sleeve before.

At this moment, the Great Dharma Master looked left and right before beckoning to Li Shouting’s paper avatar, indicating him to enter the mysterious fog.

Why did this feel like stealing something?

With three great treasures present and the Taiji Diagram actively confirming the Great Dharma Master’s identity, Li Shouting naturally had deep faith with few doubts in his heart – though symbolically maintaining the most basic three-tenths suspicious attitude.

Li Shouting entered the mysterious fog with full concentration, immediately feeling his connection to Heaven and Earth weaken by more than half.

Great Dharma Master let out a gentle sigh of relief and said softly: “Shouting, how did your avatar discover your elder brother?

I snuck back this time – please don’t mention it to Teacher.”

Li Shouting asked: “When did Senior Brother return?”

“Yesterday.”

Great Dharma Master smiled calmly: “I thought with the recent big events in the Netherworld, waiting here would have an eighty percent chance of running into you. Didn’t expect your ability to conceal yourself had become so remarkable…

Hmm? No, that’s not right.”

The smile at the corners of Great Dharma Master’s mouth gradually faded as he frowned and asked: “Could it be that Old Master Tu is with you?”

Li Shouting’s face was pure and harmless as he spread his hands, slowly revealing the Taiji Diagram, Mysterious Yellow Pagoda, and Heaven Earth Ruler. Big Brother Tu’s cold snort sounded in both brothers’ hearts.

Great Dharma Master smiled calmly, his bearing undiminished as he said indifferently:

“What you see is all illusion. This poor Daoist comes through dream-state techniques, this body is merely a phantom.

Pardon the disturbance, farewell.”

As he finished speaking and turned to slip away, two wisps of yin-yang energy flew out from the Taiji Diagram, entangling him and pulling him right back.

Big Brother Tu scolded: “You think you can hide from the Master? If you have something to say, just say it!”

Lord Ta and the Heaven-Earth Ruler watched the commotion happily from the side, making the Great Dharma Master break into bitter laughter.

Shortly after, Li Shouting and Great Dharma Master Xuandu sat facing each other, with the Taiji Diagram slowly circling above their heads.

Great Dharma Master Xuandu said: “Seeing you’ve grown much more steady lately and can handle matters independently, your elder brother is quite gratified.

My return this time is just passing through… *cough*!

There’s one matter I need to warn you about.”

Passing through!

Li Shouting felt too weak to even snark!

So it turned out their faction’s strongest fighter below the Sage level, under the name of guarding Xuandu City, was wandering the Three Thousand Worlds for fun…

Their several junior brothers and sisters had almost gotten into a fight with a Sage!

Li Shouting rubbed his brow and sighed lightly:

“Senior Brother, please feel free to instruct. Without Senior Brother, there would be no Shouting today. Senior Brother is not merely a fellow disciple to me.”

“Don’t be so emotional. I’ve also benefited much from you, otherwise, how could I be so relaxed and carefree now.”

Great Dharma Master waved his hand, clearly somewhat hesitant. He glanced at the Taiji Diagram overhead, then spread another layer of immortal force barrier around them before saying:

“River of Destiny Ancestor may not truly be dead.”

Li Shouting blinked, feeling his senior brother was making conversation from nothing.

“Senior Brother, wasn’t it you who personally eliminated River of Destiny Ancestor back then?”

“Ah,” Great Dharma Master smiled and said, “I merely relied on our Human Teaching’s supreme treasure to barely suppress River of Destiny Ancestor, nothing worth mentioning, nothing worth mentioning.

I’ve always known the Asura clan harbored plans to summon River of Destiny Ancestor back.

With you frequently moving about the Netherworld lately and constantly approaching the Blood Sea, your elder brother thought it better to warn you in time.”

Li Shouting couldn’t help but give a bitter laugh, Great Dharma Master’s words frightened a bit of cold sweat out of him.

“Rest assured, Senior Brother. I will certainly act with caution.”

Great Dharma Master smiled with satisfaction and added: “Oh right, I heard the news that you were supposed to receive merit before but got struck by lightning instead?”

Li Shouting: …

It’s only been a few days and it already spread to distant Xuandu City!?

Seeing Li Shouting’s bewilderment, the Great Dharma Master smiled and said:

“Things have been stable in Xuandu City lately. Your elder brother went out for a stroll from Xuandu City two days ago and happened to hear such rumors.”

Sure enough, he was touring everywhere!

“It was like that, and it’s already the second time,” Li Shouting hurriedly asked, “Could Senior Brother know the reason?”

A hint of reminiscence flashed through the Great Dharma Master’s eyes as he asked in return: “Do you want to condense a Merit Golden Body?”

Li Shouting said: “Yes, is there something wrong with that?”

“Better not to condense one unless necessary.”

Great Dharma Master said earnestly: “What’s suppressing your merit now is likely our Grand Master, not Heaven’s Way.

Though the Merit Golden Body is good, like an immunity token, shout, think carefully now – do you truly need such a body for protection?

The Merit Golden Body has one major flaw, which is also what makes it precious – its close connection to Heaven’s Way. Your Dao will be unconsciously influenced by Heaven’s Way.”

Li Shouting frowned in thought, a slight hesitation in his eyes.

He naturally believed the Great Dharma Master’s words, but after striving so long for the Merit Golden Body…

“Then Senior Brother, what use is all this merit I have?”

“You can condense the Merit Golden Body when your cultivation stagnates, or use it to refine treasures – that’s not bad either.

If your merit is enough to condense a Merit Golden Body, it’s naturally also enough to refine supreme-grade merit spiritual treasures. It’s up to you how to choose.”

Li Shouting couldn’t help but become lost in thought.

Great Dharma Master smiled and said: “Alright, seeing you safe and sound puts your elder brother’s heart at ease. I should return to guard Xuandu City.

Ah, speaking of Xuandu City, everything there is good except for lacking a mirror…”

Li Shouting joked: “Big Senior Brother having no place to admire his handsome face is indeed unfortunate.”

“Hmm?” Great Dharma Master blinked.

Li Shouting was slightly confused and blinked back at the Great Dharma Master.

The Taiji Diagram rotated gently as the Great Dharma Master stood with hands behind his back, giving Li Shouting a ‘hurry up and understand’ look.

Lacking a mirror… lacking a…

Broadcasting bronze mirror?

Great Dharma Master returned this time to ask for a broadcasting bronze mirror for entertainment.

Li Shouting couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t thought in that direction at all earlier, since the bronze mirror system wasn’t perfect yet. Just ‘sending signals’ from the Netherworld back to the Celestial Court consumed considerable immortal force.

‘Receiving signals’ from the Celestial Court to the incredibly distant Xuandu City was simply impossible.

Li Shouting pulled out two bronze mirrors from his chest and smiled:

“Senior Brother, this style of bronze mirror has been popular in the Celestial Court lately, but unfortunately its main function can only be used near the Celestial Court.

However, as an ordinary mirror for Senior Brother to fix appearance and dress, it’s quite good.”

Great Dharma Master’s face showed sudden understanding, though inevitably some disappointment as he took the mirrors and played with them for a while.

A thought moved in Li Shouting’s heart and he said: “Senior Brother, I happen to have an important matter to discuss with Lady Houtu. Why doesn’t Senior Brother come along to the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk?”

“Since that’s the case,” Great Dharma Master maintained his expert bearing and slowly nodded, “your elder brother will reluctantly agree.

But we can’t delay too long – The teacher ordered me to guard Xuandu City, so I should return earlier.”

Li Shouting nodded with a smile and rose to make a ‘please’ gesture.

Big Brother Tu gave a light snort, this time falling into Great Dharma Master Xuandu’s palm and transmitting to them both:

“Don’t play for too long. When the Master reproaches, I definitely won’t say a single good word for you.”

Great Dharma Master winked at Li Shouting, who turned away with a helpless sigh.

This senior brother had indeed come back to play out of boredom!

If only he’d come half a month earlier – dealing with the Western Teaching would have been much easier, maybe the Dao sect wouldn’t have needed Original Beginning Heaven Honored One to appear…

“Shouting, what’s the matter with Lady Houtu?”

“Lady Houtu wants her Seven Emotions avatars to reincarnate for experience, to see the prosperous world and complete their natures.”

“Oh? There’s such a matter? Then your elder brother might as well stay a few more days to prevent you from acting rashly and making mistakes.”

“Thanks for Senior Brother’s help.”

“Small matter, small matter, haha, what an excellent reason!”

…

Meanwhile, in the underground chamber of Small Jade Peak.

“Hmm hmm hmm~”

Humming a light tune while sitting in the mountain chamber’s study, constantly sorting and organizing jade talismans, Ling’e’s mood was quite pleasant.

Heaven and Earth suddenly had a subtle fluctuation. Small Jade Peak’s grand formations didn’t move and various parts of Crossing Immortal Gate noticed nothing, but a vermillion box suddenly appeared before Ling’e!

Ling’e was stunned for a moment, then immediately jumped up, her delicate body hitting the wall as she gripped over ten ‘poison-tempered magical devices.’

A light laugh sounded beside Ling’e’s ear:

“You are Changgen’s junior sister?

Don’t be afraid, this poor Daoist promised your senior brother something. Too lazy to find him, so I’ll leave it here.”

“Sen-senior?”

Ling’e quickly calmed herself and made a Daoist bow toward the front.

She naturally understood that by directly ignoring the layers of grand formations her senior brother had arranged and placing an object before her without warning… if someone of this level wanted to harm her, she would have no power to resist!

Ling’e hurriedly said: “May I know the senior’s name, so I can properly report to the senior brother?”

“This poor Daoist is Supreme Clarity, your Yun Xiao sister’s teacher.”

Ling’e’s primordial spirit instantly froze.

Then that clear, moist voice added: “Good character, a good little girl. Consider whether to come to cultivate at this poor Daoist’s Azure Void Palace. When you want to come, just have your senior brother bring you. I’m leaving.”

The voice gradually drifted away, that “leaving” falling as it completely disappeared.

Ling’e stood there dumbfounded.

Just now, that was a Sa-sa-sage?

Hmm… seriously speaking, her senior brother’s voice still sounded a bit better.

Ling’e blinked, looking at the wooden box pressed on the pile of jade talismans, unable to come back to her senses for a long time.