Chaos erupted in the Jade Void Great Hall.

Brick Immortal dodged, as the Twelve Golden Immortals rushed to mediate;

Spirit Zhenzhu tried to intervene, as True Lord Taiyi called for karmic retribution.

Li Changshou spent quite some time explaining through voice transmission, finally managing to temporarily calm True Lord Taiyi. He pulled Taiyi to sit beside him, carefully explaining the misunderstanding that had just occurred through voice transmission.

Spirit Zhenzhu had only become slightly more combative, nothing worth making a fuss about.

The congregation of the Enlightenment Sect immortals didn’t fully understand, but seeing their fellow Enlightenment Sect member True Lord Taiyi being so close with Human Sect’s Junior Brother Changeng, they were content with the situation.

The Human Sect disciple Changeng was the main orchestrator of this great tribulation – this was stated directly by the Enlightenment Sect Leader, Primordial Heavenly Lord, so it couldn’t be wrong.

What concerned the Enlightenment Sect most was that Li Changshou, due to his relationship with Immortal Maiden Yunxiao, would favor the Severing Sect and protect them while undermining the Enlightenment Sect in the upcoming, yet yet-unknown great tribulation.

But now looking at the situation…

While the Severing Sect had Immortal Maiden Yunxiao, they had True Lord Taiyi on their side.

Though the two situations weren’t exactly comparable.

Thus, as Li Changshou, True Lord Taiyi, and Spirit Zhenzhu huddled together for face-to-face voice transmission, the Enlightenment Sect immortals led by Guangcheng didn’t interrupt, instead watching them with… rather accommodating gazes.

True Lord Taiyi transmitted his voice to Spirit Zhenzhu: “Dear disciple, tell me honestly, what kind of Dao companion are you looking for?”

Spirit Zhenzhu gave a bitter laugh and hastily transmitted back:

“Disciple’s heart is solely focused on pursuing the Dao, with no thoughts of seeking a Dao companion.

Master, why is it that so many Uncle and Elder Uncle Masters in our sect have no Dao companions, yet when it comes to me, I must have one?”

“Hmm, that is true reasoning,” True Lord Taiyi nodded calmly, giving Li Changshou a rather serious look.

Li Changshou transmitted in confusion: “Senior Brother, hasn’t everything been explained clearly?”

“My disciple only said he currently has no interest in Dao companions but didn’t specify whether he lacks interest in male Dao companions or female Dao companions. Isn’t this a fifty-fifty situation?”

When True Lord Taiyi put it this way, Li Changshou pondered.

There was some logic to it… though the reasoning felt somewhat off.

Li Changshou transmitted: “Senior Brother, please rest assured. I will arrange to verify this matter later, but I came to Jade Void Palace today for important business and request Senior Brother’s assistance.”

True Lord Taiyi raised an eyebrow, transmitting back: “You truly never visit without cause. Tell me what it is, and I, like you, will do my best while exercising discretion.”

Li Changshou gave a light laugh and explained the matter to True Lord Taiyi through voice transmission.

Like this and that, such and such.

True Lord Taiyi quickly agreed, taking Spirit Zhenzhu to sit on meditation cushions to the side, quietly inquiring about his experiences in the Heavenly Court these past years.

Spirit Zhenzhu spoke with gleaming eyes, while True Lord Taiyi nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Senior Brother Guangcheng, have you heard about the Western Sect establishing Karma-Fire Divine Nations?”

Guangcheng replied with a smile: “Of course, I’ve heard. These Karma-Fire Divine Nations deceive mortals and harm regions – they should be despised by all cultivators.”

“Alas,” Li Changshou sighed, then continued, “The two Sacred Ones of the Western Sect turn a blind eye to this matter. The Karma-Fire Divine Nations accumulate merit and increase fortune for their Western Sect, but…

Thinking carefully, Master has already indicated clearly that this great tribulation involves the Western Sect and our two major Dao sects. If the Western Sect avoids it, our Dao sects will suffer greater losses.

I’ve been worried about these Karma-Fire Divine Nations lately, unable to find peace each day.

The Karma-Fire Divine Nations have become the Western Sect’s sword lodged in the fortune of the human race. This matter must be resolved preemptively.”

Chijing stroked his beard and smiled: “What’s so difficult about that?

Why don’t you, Changeng, initiate a crusade in the name of the Heavenly Court, coordinating with the Severing Sect to take action?

The Severing Sect boasts ten thousand immortals answering their call, and our Enlightenment Sect has immortals to deploy as well. With your planning and arrangements, what’s stopping us from destroying these Karma-Fire Divine Nations one by one?”

Li Changshou solemnly said: “Thank you for the suggestion, Senior Brother, but there are many considerations in this matter.

To mention just one point, we are currently in the prelude to the great tribulation, and you and I could be affected by tribulation fortune at any moment, yet the matters of the great tribulation haven’t been settled.

If we take action openly and grandly, any deaths among our fellow sect members would simply turn them to tribulation ash.

This tribulation is called Investiture of the Gods, meant for the great prosperity of the Heavenly Court. Senior Brothers and Sisters, please consider this carefully, very carefully…”

Guangcheng pondered: “Could it be that even if one perishes in the great tribulation, there’s still a sliver of hope to be reborn as a deity of the Heavenly Court?”

Li Changshou smiled: “That’s what I speculate.”

True Lord Huanglong said: “If that’s the case, then the Heavenly Court in this great tribulation…”

He paused, looked at Li Changshou, and suddenly laughed twice in admiration: “Grand Master Uncle truly has matchless calculations! Setting you up to serve in the Heavenly Court beforehand!”

Li Changshou said: “Master doesn’t wish to see the Dao sects decline from prosperity, so he arranged for me to go to the Heavenly Court early on.

At first, I didn’t understand Master’s intentions. I thought since the Heavenly Court had no armies or generals, and the Master’s avatar personally presided there, our Human Sect was simply taking it upon ourselves to support the Heavenly Court.

Thus, I served the Jade Emperor diligently, doing some minor tasks.

But when this great tribulation descended, I realized Master had such foresight since ancient times. The Human Sect’s support of the Heavenly Court was also to prevent the Dao sects and Heavenly Court from becoming disconnected, thereby adding a layer of protection for the Dao sects in this great tribulation.

Everyone should know that this great tribulation originates from the human race and ends with the Heavenly Court.”

He made his point without elaborating further – this was Li Changshou’s usual technique.

Otherwise, in front of so many Enlightenment Sect disciples, speaking about how the Enlightenment Sect established itself on human fortune yet did little to educate humanity, or how during humanity’s ancient tribulations, besides the Human Sect, who stood up against the Demon Court?

That wouldn’t be stable and would be meaningless.

Master Cihang spoke: “Then according to Junior Brother Changeng’s view, what should we do to resolve this great tribulation?”

Li Changshou said: “With my shallow learning, I truly dare not answer such a question.”

“The matters of great tribulation cannot be calculated by one person,” Guangcheng sighed deeply, “During the ancient Demon-God War, we were mere observers.

Afterward, the Dao sects rose and humanity prospered. Today this great tribulation has fallen upon the Dao sects, unavoidably.”

Great Law Master Lingbao said calmly: “The Heavenly Dao is gradually restricting the power of all beings.”

True Lord Huanglong sighed: “What use is immortality? There are still three disasters and five calamities. What use is being a Daluo Immortal? Countless kalpas cannot be avoided.”

True Lord Taiyi snorted with laughter: “Senior Brother’s words… are quite poetic.”

True Lord Huanglong immediately broke character, giving True Lord Taiyi a helpless look. The latter kept apologizing with smiles, indicating he didn’t mean to undermine the moment.

Straightforward and outspoken, that’s just how he was.

Li Changshou brought the topic back to the Karma-Fire Divine Nations, saying that if this matter couldn’t be resolved early, the Western Sect would become a great threat to the Dao sects.

The reasoning was simple – saying it a thousand different ways, it came down to “better them than us.”

Everyone present was clever… with a few exceptions.

The point Li Changshou was expressing today was to maintain the Dao sects’ unity first, minimize the Western Sect’s threat, and incidentally let the Western Sect’s experts fill some of the tribulation’s gaps.

Guangcheng asked three key questions:

“Junior Brother Changeng, this great tribulation involves Sacred Ones moving the pieces, and we are merely Sacred Ones’ disciples. If one day the Western Sacred Ones step forward, wouldn’t all our calculations amount to nothing?”

Li Changshou answered: “Senior Brother, as disciples of the Sacred Ones, we should naturally help our three Masters ease their burdens and consider their faces. If our actions don’t align with our Masters’ wishes, they will remind us.

The Western Sect’s Sacred Ones have intervened several times, and each time they actively intervened, the Western Sect lost some initiative.

With the great tribulation approaching, we cannot let the Western Sect’s disciples of the Sacred Ones counter us.”

Guangcheng asked again: “Regarding this great tribulation, setting aside the Western Sect, our Dao sects are inevitably going to be involved. Has Junior Brother considered how to balance the three Dao sects in the future?”

Li Changshou smiled: “I always plan for the Dao sects’ benefit, naturally wanting to minimize the losses of our three Dao sects.”

Guangcheng nodded with a smile and asked once more:

“How can Junior Brother be certain that dealing with the Western Sect’s Karma-Fire Divine Nations isn’t caused by the great tribulation?”

Li Changshou said:

“Since the great tribulation descended, all calculations are under the Heavenly Dao’s observation and influence the great tribulation.

The matter of Karma-Fire Divine Nations has already shaken the foundation of the Heavenly Court’s future control over Heaven, Earth, and the Human Realm, extinguishing human nature. They must be destroyed.”

Guangcheng pondered for a while, falling into deep thought on his main seat.

All the Enlightenment Sect immortals remained silent, pondering to themselves, with only three or five people truly understanding what these two were discussing.

The Dao Sect and the Western Sect, the Enlightenment Sect and the Severing Sect, the great tribulation and humanity.

Finally, Guangcheng smiled and asked: “Does Changeng have any good strategies for dealing with these Karma-Fire Divine Nations?”

He had already been convinced by Li Changshou and decided to participate in this matter.

Li Changshou instead sighed and said: “Speaking of this matter, I’m quite troubled.”

The Enlightenment Sect immortals immediately became interested, wanting to see what kind of problem could stump Li Changshou.

Li Changshou sat formally behind the low table and explained the difficulties of this matter. He mentioned that by the Jade Emperor’s command, he was establishing an alliance of immortal forces against the Karma-Fire Divine Religion across the Three Thousand Worlds, abbreviated as the Immortal Alliance.

They had already contacted one or two hundred immortal forces, and the first Immortal Alliance assembly would commence in several months…

“No matter how I think about it, how could the Western Sect let such an opportunity pass?

They will surely arrange for many powerful experts to launch sneak attacks, both striking at the Immortal Alliance and eliminating the key figures who oppose them in one fell swoop.

This matter is truly difficult!

Though the Heavenly Court now has many soldiers and generals, where can we find experts capable of deterring these villains?”

Li Changshou paused, looked around, and smiled: “So my visit to Jade Void Palace today also carries personal motives. I wish to invite a highly respected and powerful figure from the Enlightenment Sect to serve as the Alliance Leader of this Immortal Alliance…”

At this point, Guangcheng calmly lifted the tea from the low table before him and took a sip, knowing Li Changshou wanted to recruit him;

Whatever about being Alliance Leader, it was just an empty title.

Meanwhile, Chijing also lifted his tea, thinking that although the immortal forces across the Three Thousand Worlds were numerous, many weren’t quite presentable. This position would likely fall to him, the second of the Twelve Golden Immortals and third disciple of the Primordial Heavenly Lord.

Whatever about being Alliance Leader, it was just a nominal position.

Li Changshou took a breath and spoke the latter half with genuine feeling:

“I wonder if Vice Sect Leader Randeng is currently in seclusion? If Vice Sect Leader Randeng could come to serve as the Immortal Alliance Leader, that would be perfect!”

Pfft!

Chijing truly couldn’t hold back, spraying a mouthful of tea to the side, moisturizing True Lord Huanglong’s facial skin.

Guangcheng’s cultivation was profound enough that he forcefully suppressed his breath, his expression instantly returning to its previous smiling state.

“Junior Brother wants to invite Vice Sect Leader Randeng to be the Immortal Alliance Leader?”

“Correct,” Li Changshou’s expression turned serious, “Of course, Vice Sect Leader Randeng is busy with many matters. We only need him to make an appearance for this Immortal Alliance assembly.”

Guangcheng pondered for a moment, truly unable to understand why.

Regular Enlightenment Sect immortals might not know, but how could he, the head of the Twelve Golden Immortals, not know Randeng’s ways?

And Guangcheng knew that Li Changshou was aware of Randeng’s background – wasn’t this Human Sect’s second disciple and Heavenly Court’s Water God the one who had most enthusiastically opposed Randeng before?

Back then in East Victory Divine Continent, when Randeng schemed against the Gate of Immortal Crossing, he was thoroughly dealt with by the combined efforts of Li Changshou, Kong Xuan, and Zhao Gongming, losing his precious pagoda and reputation. After that, he had become much more restrained.

Now why…

Li Changshou inwardly smiled slightly, having anticipated the reactions of the Enlightenment Sect immortals.

This was neither a brilliant move nor a risky one, but rather a standard “regular move” that Li Changshou had arrived at after careful consideration.

Guangcheng asked somewhat uncertainly: “Really?”

Li Changshou smiled: “Really.”

“Junior Brother Huanglong,” Guangcheng smiled, “go relay this matter to the Vice Sect Leader, and see if he agrees.”

Just as True Lord Huanglong was about to stand up, True Lord Taiyi in the corner lazily spoke:

“Asking is pointless, better not ask. Having our Vice Sect Leader work with Changeng… he might lose even his coffin.”

Several immortals broke into light laughter.

However, Julou Sun said: “Senior Brother Taiyi, the Vice Sect Leader was still appointed by our Master, we should maintain respect.”

But True Lord Taiyi seemed to have gotten fired up, his mouth twisted and eyes rolled, his light red Daoist robe appearing somewhat flamboyant.

“Master taught us to respect those worthy of respect, honor those worthy of honor.”

True Lord Huanglong hurriedly said: “Junior Brother Taiyi, don’t speak like this!

Of course, Junior Brother Taiyi isn’t really talking about Vice Sect Leader Randeng, everyone doesn’t take it to heart, and don’t let these words reach the Vice Sect Leader’s ears.”

True Lord Taiyi shrugged, wearing an excellent expression of [Whatever, whoever cares can care].

True Lord Taiyi said to Li Changshou: “Junior Brother, you need to be more careful in judging people…”

Dong!

This should be the sound of an extremely heavy staff striking the ground.

A golden light flashed from the side, and Randeng sat on a cloud, entering through the hall’s side door. His gaze swept over True Lord Taiyi as he calmly said:

“This matter, I accept.”

Li Changshou smiled slightly and made a Daoist salute to Randeng: “Most noble of Vice Sect Leader Randeng!”

True Lord Taiyi paid no mind to Randeng’s gaze, still smiling as he asked: “Changeng, does your Immortal Alliance have any Vice Leader positions?”

Li Changshou smiled: “We’ve tentatively set twelve Vice Leader positions, with Severing Sect’s Senior Brother Gongming, Senior Sister Jinling, and Senior Brother Lvyue ranking first, second, and third, along with key figures from several major forces across the Three Thousand Worlds, as well as important figures from the Heavenly Court.

These Vice Leader positions are unlimited. If any Senior Brothers or Sisters want to join in the excitement, just speak up.”

The various Enlightenment Sect immortals immediately showed different expressions, while the old priest Randeng now had furrowed brows, remaining silent.

Master Cihang asked again: “Then, what position will you hold, Changeng?”

“Special Envoy of the Heavenly Court.”

Li Changshou smiled slightly, meeting Randeng’s gaze, calmly made a Daoist salute, and continued:

“Just responsible for supervising everything in the Immortal Alliance, having to manage a bit of everything.

Rest assured, Vice Sect Leader Randeng, your position will be very relaxed.”

Randeng slowly nodded and said: “When do we depart?”

“Alliance Leader Randeng, take this jade token,” Li Changshou took out a communication jade token and slowly pushed it towards Randeng’s hand, “One month in advance, I will notify the Alliance Leader of the location.”

Randeng took the jade token, gave Li Changshou an awkward smile, and flew away.

True Lord Taiyi raised his eyebrows at Li Changshou, “This Special Envoy of the Heavenly Court position is truly brilliant.”

To the side, Guangcheng and Chijing exchanged glances, nearly bursting into laughter.