Mount Kunlun was not only the location of the Jade Void Palace, a sages’ sanctuary but also a famous gathering place for independent cultivators in the Primordial World.

The numerous elder immortals cultivating here mostly had no direct connection to the Zhengyi Sect, after all, the sect’s requirements for accepting disciples were quite high, not something an ordinary Golden Immortal could aspire to reach.

Many of the immortals cultivating here were sharp-eared and bright-eyed individuals with extensive connections to various towns and sects across the Central Divine Continent.

Thus, Mount Kunlun gradually became a hub for minor news in the Primordial World, with the nearly daily immortal feasts at various peaks becoming the best social venues for gods and immortals.

Master Du’e was quite a well-known figure.

In the past half month, ninety percent of the news about the “Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus about to appear in the world” originated from here.

Initially, most immortals dismissed it as false news.

The Primordial World was vast, with many similar rumors circulating daily, making it difficult to distinguish truth from fiction.

However, things changed when Master Du’e—the patriarch of the Du Immortal Gate and a registered disciple of the Human Dao Sage Lord—spoke of it after drinking.

“How could this news be false? This poor Daoist has inquired with many good friends. The Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus is indeed about to emerge. This treasure can suppress a great sect’s fate! Several of my friends from the Xianjiao Sect have already gone to search in the Blood Sea. Please don’t ask further, and don’t spread this around. I promised them to keep it secret to avoid causing them any trouble.”

Thus, within days, news of the “Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus about to appear” spread throughout the Five Continents’ various immortal sects and dozens of nearby Great Thousand Worlds.

Expert cultivators from major sects and independent cultivators from the Five Continents swarmed toward the Blood Sea, forcing the Netherworld to remain vigilant and the Heavenly Court to increase its forces again.

Fortunately, Li Changshou hadn’t investigated the source of the information…

With more experts gathering in the Blood Sea, things became complicated.

Though numerous independent cultivators and sect representatives had arrived, they mostly operated independently, cooperating when beneficial and scattering when trouble arose.

The Asura Clan, viewing the Blood Sea as their home, placed great importance on the Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus and was hostile to all cultivators searching for traces of the lotus.

Though they too had no precise information about the lotus.

Battles had begun to break out, with cultivators engaging briefly before retreating, none willing to fight to the death.

The Western Sect, Zhengyi Sect, and Xianjiao Sect began restraining their disciples, especially the Western Sect, whose experts had mostly returned to Spirit Mountain, no longer involving themselves in the Blood Sea situation.

This made Li Changshou suspect in recent days whether the Western Sect might have already found the Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus but deliberately didn’t take it, hoping to cause strife between the three Dao sects.

But how could the Western Sect, which claimed to be “impoverished,” not take such a precious treasure?

Or perhaps, for some reason, they couldn’t extract the blood lotus, so they chose to give up and spread the news to scheme against others?

This explanation seemed most reasonable.

Headache—that was Li Changshou’s only feeling right now.

At the edge of the Blood Sea, within the formation where two hundred thousand elite Heavenly Soldiers were stationed, he was pacing back and forth in his tent.

In the main seat, Wei Shenmo, the Heavenly Court’s general with a thick beard, stroked his facial hair and said in a rough voice:

“Water God, haven’t the immortals from Zhengyi and Xianjiao come to find you yet?”

This fourth avatar of the Jade Emperor had put in some effort, trying to avoid any resemblance to the Heavenly Emperor in appearance and speech habits.

At his question, Li Changshou stopped pacing and returned to his side “military advisor” seat, sighing: “This proves that my friends are quite considerate.”

“Oh?” Wei Shenmo adjusted his immortal helmet. “Why do you say that?”

Li Changshou replied: “We’ve been here for six days, and none of my acquaintances from Xianjiao or Zhengyi have shown up, likely because they don’t want to put me in a difficult position.”

Wei Shenmo let out a hearty laugh, saying: “Indeed, this Commander originally thought we’d have high-ranking members from both sects coming to meet you as soon as we arrived. I was worried we might end up fighting here.”

“That won’t happen, Commander, rest assured, everyone knows their bounds… Hmm?”

His immortal sense suddenly detected two streaks of light shooting toward the army camp from the east and west, each containing a jade talisman.

This…

Just after praising them, messages arrive from both sides?

Suddenly, a golden light flashed by extremely quickly, intercepting the two jade talismans still a thousand miles from camp.

Shortly after, the tent door opened, and Golden Wing Great Peng, wearing golden chain mail, stepped in and presented the two jade talismans to Li Changshou.

“Master, I’ve checked them—no tricks or schemes!”

“Good,” Li Changshou responded, accepting the talismans with apparent composure while maintaining internal vigilance at eighty percent.

After reading the messages within the talismans, Li Changshou’s white eyebrows first furrowed, then relaxed as he said quietly: “Golden Peng, please continue patrolling outside.”

“Yes!”

Golden Wing Great Peng Bird bowed and hurried away, full of energy.

Commander Wei Shenmo stood and asked: “How is it?”

Li Changshou handed one jade talisman to Wei Shenmo while putting the other in his sleeve, smiling: “Commander, better not look at this one.”

Wei Shenmo’s eyes brightened as he asked: “Is it from Immortal Yunxiao?”

“Yes,” Li Changshou let out a gentle sigh. “She told me to handle matters here with peace of mind. She understands my difficult position and advises me not to let personal feelings sway my stance. She also said that if she receives orders from her master to come to the Blood Sea and compete for the Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus, she will do her best to persuade her fellow disciples not to start conflicts.”

Wei Shenmo praised: “Truly a sensible immortal lady. Why hasn’t Water God married her already?”

“It’s still early, still early,” Li Changshou hurriedly said. “Commander, please look at the message from Zhengyi first. This is from Senior Brother Chijingzi.”

“Let this Commander see,” Wei Shenmo rolled up his sleeves and carefully read through it with his immortal sense.

“Water God, this doesn’t say much, just asking whether the lotus matter is true or false.”

Li Changshou said: “The key is in the last sentence.”

“Hmm?” Wei Shenmo looked again, carefully considering.

[If this matter is true, I request Junior Brother Changgeng to make an early decision.]

“Zhengyi wants you to take a stance.”

Wei Shenmo tossed the jade talisman onto the desk, placing both hands on its edge, and continued: “Looking at their choice of words, they’re being polite and showing proper courtesy, giving you, Water God, sufficient face. Yet there happens to be a letter from Immortal Yunxiao, which we can consider as Xianjiao’s stance for now. Comparing the two, the difference in closeness is clear.”

Li Changshou smiled and asked: “Commander seems to prefer Xianjiao?”

Wei Shenmo quipped: “Isn’t that because of your influence!”

They both laughed and then began discussing strategies for how to reply to Zhengyi’s message.

Half an hour later, Baize maintained his auspicious beast form as he flew in from the horizon, accompanied by a burly man wearing a bull nose ring—they were the “Human Dao Mount Small Team” returning from their initial exploration of the Blood Sea.

Why wasn’t Golden Wing Great Peng Bird taken along?

A few days ago, Golden Wing Great Peng Bird had voluntarily positioned himself as a junior, offering to carry both “seniors” Baize and Azure Ox to investigate the Blood Sea together.

But…

He was simply too fast.

Golden Wing Great Peng Bird’s extreme speed was terrifying, completely unaffected by the Blood Sea’s environment. However, this meant Baize couldn’t sense danger ahead before Golden Wing Great Peng Bird would crash right into it.

Flying so fast also made thorough investigation impossible, proving somewhat counterproductive.

Thus, Golden Wing Great Peng Bird could only tearfully wave goodbye to the two distinguished members of the Primordial World mount industry, volunteering instead to patrol around the Heavenly Army camp.

Soon after, Baize maintaining his refined auspicious beast form, along with the humanoid forms of Golden Wing Great Peng Bird and Azure Ox, entered the main tent together.

Li Changshou went forward to welcome them, inviting Golden Wing Great Peng Bird and Azure Ox to take seats, while Baize gracefully lay down behind Li Changshou’s chair of his own accord.

The Heavenly Army Commander, who didn’t deserve to have a mount, spoke up: “Did you two make any discoveries?”

Azure Ox shook his head: “Everything is in chaos. We’ve searched every corner, but there’s no trace of the Karmic Red Lotus.”

Baize pondered before saying: “Could this be the Western Sect’s deliberate scheme to create confusion?”

“Ahem,” Li Changshou coughed lightly, then smiled: “This matter should be true. At that time, just after resolving the Netherworld’s Samsara Tower incident, I was facing Sage’s pressure and had schemed too much, my spirit could barely hold on, and I was extremely tired…”

“Water God!” Wei Shenmo’s eyes filled with shame as he stood and cupped his hands: “You’ve worked so hard for all living beings!”

Baize turned his head away, unable to watch directly. Golden Wing Great Peng Bird’s eyes were full of admiration, while Azure Ox nodded in approval.

When it came to recruiting help to save all beings, Li Changshou indeed possessed extremely rich experience.

Li Changshou smiled bitterly: “Let’s discuss the main matter, I’m not trying to gain sympathy. That time I dozed off in my daze, my spirit relaxed, and a strand of Heavenly Dao power took advantage of the opening, forming this scene in my mind.”

Li Changshou opened his left palm, and faint clouds emerged, showing the scene from his dream.

The Blood Lotus and the old Daoist.

Wei Shenmo asked puzzledly: “At that time, why didn’t Water God eliminate this Blood Lotus?”

“I worried it was the Great Tribulation deliberately luring me,” Li Changshou said seriously. “Moreover, I was busy establishing the Immortal Alliance and couldn’t spare the effort. If this Blood Lotus needed to be destroyed, the Heavenly Dao could directly send down punishment—why would it need me to act?”

Wei Shenmo deeply agreed, nodding and sighing: “Water God truly had his hands full.”

However, Baize said: “Can matters shown by the Heavenly Dao be ignored like this?”

Li Changshou sighed: “Twice now, no merit was gained. It takes away some motivation when handling matters.”

Boom!

Sudden thunder rolled overhead, and Li Changshou hastily corrected himself:

“For the stability of Heaven and Earth, for the wellbeing of all beings, what does it matter if there’s no merit? Master Bai, let’s not mention merit anymore!”

Baize’s goat-like beard trembled, and he lowered his head in acceptance, though his eyes held a slight grudge.

Wei Shenmo brought the topic back to the main matter, saying worriedly:

“Since we can’t find traces of the Red Lotus, how should we handle the current situation? More and more cultivators are coming to the Blood Sea, and conflicts with the Asura Clan are constant. If we delay for several more days, the situation might spiral out of control.”

Li Changshou said: “Commander, don’t rush. We must keep our thinking clear and not panic.

First, we must continue searching for the Red Lotus. Later we’ll go meet Dizang and Deiting to see if that divine beast who can hear the hearts of all beings in the Three Realms might bring us some good news.

Second, the Heavenly Court needs to issue an announcement protecting the Netherworld. The Blood Sea can be chaotic, but the Netherworld is the place of reincarnation—it absolutely cannot fall into chaos.

Third, we need to find a way to bring together the Zhengyi and Xianjiao immortals, discuss this matter openly, and negotiate terms. First, we must ensure this Red Lotus is controlled by the Heavenly Court and Dao Gate—whether to destroy or keep it can be discussed later.

Time is of the essence, Commander. Let’s go to the Samsara Tower to find Deiting first.”

“I’ll come too,” Wei Shenmo stood up, “The Samsara Tower isn’t far anyway.”

Li Changshou readily agreed, turned around, and… and… tilted his head in confusion.

He saw Baize, who had been maintaining his auspicious beast form, now stepping forward elegantly, surrounded by flowing light, the colored feathers on his head flickering with seven-colored aurora.

An ancient auspicious beast, pursuing fortune and avoiding calamity, one of the Ten Great Demon Commanders—truly the first choice mount for great worthies.

Going out riding on such an auspicious beast’s back, every word spoken would be profound, every conversation significant.

It was all about the prestige.

Li Changshou chuckled inwardly and was about to step forward when a golden light flashed beside him. Golden Wing Great Peng Bird had transformed into his original form, about twenty feet long, with a jade cushion materializing on his back.

Child of the Original Phoenix, possessing extreme speed, a Heavenly Court Commander—truly worthy of being the first choice for a swift mount.

Going out riding on this Golden Peng’s back, one could cross thousands of miles in an instant, laughing while slaying thousands of enemies.

It was all about the speed.

At this moment, Golden Wing Great Peng Bird and Baize exchanged single-eyed glances, the former’s eyes showing respect but also determination, the latter’s full of confidence…

Li Changshou: …

Really, he never expected to see mounts creating a “love rivalry” scene.

One was a strategist, one was a military general—what mount did he need? Couldn’t he fly by himself?

How should he choose now?

He couldn’t exactly do a split…

“Ahem,” Li Changshou pretended to cough, when suddenly a gentle moo came from the side.

Moo~

The Azure Ox, who had been maintaining his burly man form, now transformed into his original body and called to Li Changshou: “Want to experience treatment usually reserved for Sages?”

Li Changshou smiled lightly, cupped his hands, and carefully jumped onto Azure Ox’s back… Azure Ox had temporarily helped Li Changshou out of his predicament.

Ahead, golden light flashed and aurora light withdrew as Baize and Golden Wing Great Peng Bird simultaneously resumed their human forms, smiled at each other, and made gesturing invitations together.

This left Wei Shenmo, who had been hesitating between choosing left or right, awkwardly rubbing his nose.

He could only follow on his cloud.

…

In the Central Divine Continent, at the Golden Light Cave of Mount Qianyuan.

Two white clouds flew swiftly from the northwest, carrying two old Daoists—one was Chijingzi, the other was Yellow Dragon Daoist.

Entering the mountain-protecting formation and arriving at Golden Light Cave, three figures had already come out to meet them.

The elegant youth Lingzhu paid his respects, while the taciturn Master Yuding frowned slightly.

Master Tayi, distinctively eye-catching in his red robes, wore a helpless smile, as if he had expected Chijingzi would come here, and sighed: “Senior Brother, you came after all.”

Chijingzi said seriously: “Junior Brother, do you know what has happened?”

“It’s just the Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus,” Master Tayi’s mouth twitched, “Let me say this first—I’m not that close with Li Changgeng, our relationship isn’t that strong, don’t ask me to go persuade him.”

Hearing this, Chijingzi’s brows furrowed slightly: “This matter firstly concerns our Zhengyi Sect’s fate, and secondly concerns Heaven and Earth’s stability. We must handle it with utmost care.”

However, Master Yuding said: “We don’t lack treasures to suppress our sect’s fate.”

Chijingzi continued: “But according to Big Senior Brother’s meaning… in this Great Tribulation, even if the entire Western Sect is destroyed, it won’t be enough to fulfill the tribulation’s fate.”

Yellow Dragon sighed: “This matter is truly somewhat troublesome.”

Master Tayi said calmly: “We don’t lack treasures, let’s just observe. If we want to fight with Xianjiao, facing each other directly, competing for the first move, exchanging crude words—all this is fine, better a dead friend than oneself. But secretly setting up stumbling blocks for Xianjiao… that’s a bit, tsk.

Has Big Senior Brother been influenced by Vice Sect Leader Randeng? Must there be a fight to the death between us and Xianjiao?”

Chijingzi fell silent, and Yellow Dragon True Person wanted to explain, but thinking of his days drinking and making merry with Zhao Gongming, he could only sigh softly.

Master Yuding said: “Don’t send messages to Changgeng now, it will only make things difficult for him.”

“Why?” Chijingzi said, “On the way here, I already wrote a letter and sent it by jade talisman to the Netherworld.”

“Then what’s there to fight about,” Master Tayi couldn’t help but quip, “The person who can determine victory or defeat has been pushed to Xianjiao’s side.”

“This?” Chijingzi was slightly confused.

“Ah,” Master Yuding sighed, “It seems we’ll have to make a trip to the Netherworld.”

Meanwhile;

Deep in the Eastern Sea, Three Immortals Island wrapped in thousands of miles of mist.