Warm winds swept the cloud terrace, fragrance lingered along the winding path.
In a pavilion on Three Immortals Island, seven figures either stood or sat—all direct disciples of the Xianjiao Sect.
Each immortal’s expression was different at this moment.
Master Duobao was the most composed, smilingly savoring a cup of hot tea;
Zhao Gongming and Golden Spirit Holy Mother showed slight impatience, pacing back and forth in the pavilion.
Yunxiao sat quietly in the pavilion’s corner, her hair arranged in cloud-like coils, wearing a light scholarly dress, her face cold yet beautiful, showing little emotion—maintaining her usual gentleness as she watched her two sisters.
Qiongxiao in her light yellow dress, Bixiao in her short skirt and jacket, and Turtle Spirit Holy Mother who favored light green gauze dresses—the three immortal ladies gathered around the stone table in the center of the pavilion. Qiongxiao and Bixiao were engaged in a game of chess, while Turtle Spirit Holy Mother was “offering suggestions” from the side…
These three had the most relaxed expressions as if the current situation had nothing to do with them.
The crisp ‘tap tap’ of placing pieces, mixed with bird songs and insect chirping carried by the wind, gave the pavilion a moment of tranquility.
Outside the pavilion, Zhao Gongming turned to say something, but opening his mouth only produced a sigh as he continued pacing with his hands behind his back.
Qiongxiao’s beautiful eyes focused on the chess board, her delicate fingers holding a smooth piece as she smiled:
“Big Brother, just speak if you have something to say. We’re here to discuss strategy—how can we discuss anything if no one speaks?”
“Ah…” Zhao Gongming sighed: “What is there to say about this matter? Changgeng has good relations with us, but he’s still a disciple of the Human Dao and must oversee this Great Tribulation… I know that Changgeng has always worried about us entering the tribulation. Whenever there’s a chance to gain merit, he calls on you and me to join in, all to provide more security during the Great Tribulation. He’s done enough for our Xianjiao Sect; we can’t always rely on Changgeng for everything.”
“Hmm… oh?” Turtle Spirit Holy Mother in her light green dress exclaimed in surprise: “There are such good opportunities for collecting merit?”
Qiongxiao rolled her eyes, with an expression identical to Bixiao’s—disdain mixed with a hint of pride.
Qiongxiao said: “I haven’t encountered many such chances anyway.”
Bixiao said: “That’s right, that’s right! The Human Dao disciples are so biased!”
To the side, Master Duobao’s eyes crinkled in amusement. He wanted to tease them but instinctively glanced at Yunxiao…
Hold back, hold back.
As Xianjiao’s Senior Brother, he needed to mind his bearing and the precision of his words.
Turtle Spirit Holy Mother thought carefully before asking softly: “Aren’t we discussing how to obtain the Blood Sea Red Lotus? Why are we stuck on Junior Brother Changgeng?”
Zhao Gongming explained:
“If the Red Lotus matter is truly real, we must compete for it. The Zhengyi side will likely also try to obtain it, which is reasonable—there’s no logic in saying such a treasure must belong to our Xianjiao Sect. Thus, Changgeng’s attitude becomes very important.”
“Correct.”
Golden Spirit Holy Mother interjected from the side, leaning against the railing with her jade arms crossed;
Her delicate figure naturally carried some innate charm, though it was completely overshadowed by her imposing presence.
She continued: “Without working with Changgeng, it’s hard to appreciate how formidable he is. Anticipating the enemy’s moves, judging their methods, and then providing comprehensive countermeasures—even facing Sage’s schemes, he can maneuver through with quick wit. Such a person, who can also borrow several supreme treasures from Uncle Master Taiqing for protection at any time, possesses the mysterious and unpredictable Balanced Dao and is now the leader of the Great Tribulation, a power god whose words carry absolute weight in the Heavenly Court. Moreover, this Junior Brother’s attitude is, to some extent, equivalent to Big Uncle Master’s attitude. If he’s won over by the Zhengyi side, our chances of obtaining that Red Lotus to suppress our sect’s fate will become incredibly slim.”
Turtle Spirit Holy Mother pursed her lips and blinked, deep in thought.
Bixiao muttered softly: “Is soon-to-be Brother-in-law already so formidable?”
“Big Sister,” Qiongxiao said, “what did you write in your letter to him earlier?”
Yunxiao replied gently: “I only told him not to struggle, to judge this matter from his position as a Human Dao disciple, and not let personal feelings affect his judgment.”
Hearing this, Golden Spirit Holy Mother’s brows furrowed slightly, somewhat dissatisfied, and asked repeatedly:
“Sister Yunxiao, are personal feelings not important? He is already your future Dao partner, why can’t we use this to win him over to our Xianjiao side? You are a disciple of the Xianjiao Sage, he is a disciple of the Human Dao Sage—if you form a heavenly union, shouldn’t the Human Dao and Xianjiao naturally become closer? How can we not gain some advantage through him?”
Immortal Yunxiao said softly: “Sister might not know, in my association with him, I seek nothing, scheme nothing, we simply delight in each other’s company, as peaceful as clouds and lone wild geese. Because of me, he has already done too many things he shouldn’t have—how could I use our relationship to make him show further bias?”
Golden Spirit Holy Mother’s eyes showed a hint of sharpness: “Sister, could it be you only care for your relationship, but not for sect loyalty?”
“Personal feelings belong to personal feelings, sect loyalty belongs to sect loyalty—why must they be mixed?”
Yunxiao stood up, her plain white dress flowing like water, leaving not a single wrinkle.
Her gentle words carried an unyielding firmness:
“Just as I wrote in my letter to him, if Big Senior Brother gives orders later, you and I will go to the Blood Sea to search for the Twelve-Petaled Karmic Red Lotus, and I will do what a Xianjiao disciple should do. If personal feelings disrupt loyalty, or loyalty disrupts personal feelings, neither will be achieved.”
As Golden Spirit Holy Mother was about to speak again, Zhao Gongming and Master Duobao hurried forward, almost simultaneously interrupting.
Zhao Gongming quickly said: “I think Second Sister’s words make sense, but Golden Spirit’s points aren’t wrong either.”
“Sisters, don’t argue, don’t argue,” Master Duobao smiled, “The Red Lotus hasn’t appeared yet—perhaps this whole thing is a scheme by the Western Sect’s Second Patriarch to make us fight with Zhengyi.”
Bixiao snorted lightly: “Zhengyi doesn’t lack treasures to suppress their sect’s fate, why would they fight with us?”
Golden Spirit Holy Mother said calmly: “They simply don’t want to see us at peace. Several disciples I sent to search for the Red Lotus in the Blood Sea all discovered traces of Zhengyi members. If the Great Tribulation is destined to destroy three thousand great sects’ long-life immortals, Zhengyi naturally hopes that share of three thousand will fall entirely on our Xianjiao and the Western Sect.”
“Ah,” Qiongxiao tapped her pretty face with a chess piece, “Who wants themselves or their fellow disciples to die? This is all understandable—there’s no need to blame Zhengyi too much.”
Master Duobao chuckled:
“I say, aren’t you all thinking too far ahead? Right now things haven’t even started, yet you’re already thinking about what benefits we’ll get if we obtain the Red Lotus? In your elder brother’s opinion, this Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus—is good if we have it, no worries if we don’t. It’s not like it will make the current situation worse, so why be anxious about it?”
“Big Senior Brother, you just make it sound so easy!”
Golden Spirit Holy Mother shook her head without saying more.
“How about this,” Zhao Gongming said, “Those of us who are too close to Changgeng shouldn’t appear directly this time, to avoid making him uncomfortable. Big Senior Brother, Sister Turtle Spirit, why don’t you two go to the Netherworld first to discuss this matter with Changgeng? I expect the Zhengyi side will have sent someone too.”
“Can I go too, Sister?” Qiongxiao asked, not forgetting to slowly place her piece. On the board, the situation changed dramatically, as each jade piece emitted crystalline immortal light.
Five in a row—victory!
Bixiao frustratedly patted her forehead. This toy from Small Jade Peak had brought much joy to Three Immortals Island.
Immortal Yunxiao pondered briefly before nodding gently in agreement.
The six Xianjiao senior disciples discussed further for a while, finally deciding that Xianjiao’s Senior Brother Master Duobao would lead inner sect senior disciple Turtle Spirit Holy Mother and outer sect senior disciple Qiongxiao together to the Netherworld to discuss the Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus matter with Li Changshou.
Qiongxiao changed into a dignified long dress, carefully grooming herself to become a radiant little immortal, a beauty of boundless charm.’
When Qiongxiao was ready, Duobao opened an earth tunnel. Qiongxiao and Turtle Spirit Holy Mother entered it, and the three quickly left Three Immortals Island, hurrying to the Netherworld.
Yunxiao walked to the pavilion’s edge, gazing at the horizon as a breeze lifted a strand of black hair by her ear. Hidden in her soft sleeve, her delicate handheld that warm copper coin.
“Sister Yunxiao.”
A soft call came from behind as Golden Spirit Holy Mother said quietly: “My words earlier weren’t out of dissatisfaction with you. We’ve known each other for many years, and I know your nature—don’t take it to heart.”
Yunxiao turned back with a light smile, her beautiful eyes full of mirth.
Zhao Gongming said: “Who knows if this Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus matter is true or false—the timing of its appearance is too delicate.”
“Someone must be scheming behind this,” Golden Spirit Holy Mother said, “Whether it’s the Western Sect, some Sage, or someone we don’t know about—we mustn’t be careless.”
Immortal Yunxiao murmured: “I wonder how he will handle this.”
With her murmur, this concern followed her gaze to the clouds, drifted to the horizon, and turned toward Li Changshou’s ear.
…
Ding!
Ding ding ding—
On the wooden stairs leading to the top of the Samsara Tower.
That green-furred big dog, who had shrunk himself by more than half, was holding a tray full of teacups, trembling with every third step as he slowly climbed to the top floor.
Deiting first ran to Li Changshou’s side, using immortal power to offer a cup of tea, chuckling: “Lord Water God, please have some tea, have some tea.”
A blue vein popped up on Dizang’s forehead.
Then, Deiting turned on his feet, and ran to sit before Baize, holding up a cup of tea with both front paws: “Lord Baize, please have some tea, have some tea.”
A cross-shaped vein popped up on Dizang’s forehead.
Still oblivious, Deiting used immortal power to push two cups of tea toward Golden Wing Great Peng and Wei Shenmo, saying softly: “My humble abode is modest, honored Commander Lords.”
The two Heavenly Court commanders voiced their thanks.
Finally!
Deiting’s whole body trembling, brought the last cup of tea, shaking, to the burly man transformed from Azure Ox.
“Se-Senior, have some tea! Every mount in the Three Realms wants to reach your level, being able to carry the Sage Lord around majestically!”
Azure Ox smiled calmly, accepting the teacup and reaching out to pat Deiting’s head.
Instantly, Deiting’s blue-white long fur gained a pink tinge. He scampered behind Li Changshou, the whole divine beast standing upright to help massage the Water God’s back.
Wei Shenmo frowned watching this scene, feeling somewhat…
Dumbfounded.
This was that divine beast Deiting, who could hear the heart voices of all beings in the Three Realms?
Scrape, scrape, scrape scrape!
And over there, that young Daoist sharpening knives and setting up an iron pot—was this the Lord of Samsara Tower, Dizang, whom his previous avatar had met in the Netherworld and been moved by?
“Uh,” Wei Shenmo couldn’t help rubbing his brow, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
Li Changshou said slowly: “Does Deiting know about the Red Lotus matter?”
Deiting hurriedly said: “Lord Water God, the Red Lotus matter should be true, but this small beast doesn’t know where exactly the Red Lotus is hidden.”
“What results did the Western Sect’s previous search in the Blood Sea yield?”
“This time the Western Sect sent…”
“Ahem!”
Dizang coughed forcefully, brandishing his short knife.
Deiting trembled several times, turned to glare at his master, then continued: “Lord Water God, please don’t mind, my master still has feelings for the Western Sect. I absolutely won’t tell Lord Water God that the Western Sect sent several thousand beings, from Sage disciples to Primordial Fierce Beasts and Karmic Great Demons, to search the Blood Sea for a long time, finding nothing before finally leaving. Only then did news of the Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus’s imminent appearance spread.”
Dizang snorted, tossing aside his short knife and saying calmly: “Why doesn’t Water God stay for a meal today? This poor Daoist has heard Lord Baize has excellent culinary skills—I wonder how many times he’s made braised divine beast!”
Deiting grimaced, running back behind Dizang to lie down calmly.
Baize smiled slightly: “Such cooking would harm natural order… Friend Dizang, since you’re already listed in the Heavenly Dao sequence, why still identify as a Western Sect disciple?”
“Originally thought cultivating the Dao and seeking immortality was for this body’s freedom. Only after understanding thoroughly and looking back did I realize everything stems from two words—roots. Just like Water God, once we step into a sect’s door and cultivate its divine abilities, we’re already marked with an indelible brand. Many mortals can’t walk beyond several hundred miles in their entire lives; while we immortals can roam the Three Thousand Worlds and even explore the Chaos Sea, we still must remember where our roots are, or our hearts will become chaotic.”
Li Changshou gave a thumbs up: “Friend, you seem to have had much free time lately, to have gained such insights about immortal life.”
“Hmph,” Dizang withdrew his smile, “Today I definitely won’t help you search for the Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus.”
“Is that so?”
The gazes of Li Changshou, Baize, Azure Ox, Wei Shenmo, and Golden Wing Great Peng all fell on the spot behind Dizang.
There, Deiting held a wooden tablet in his mouth, with several crooked large characters drawn on it.
[Hell, Karmic Fierce Souls;
Red Lotus Absorbing Karma]
“Hmm?”
Dizang turned to look, and the wooden tablet in Deiting’s mouth vanished with a whoosh, quickly swallowed by Deiting, who calmly chewed several times.
“What are you eating?”
“Master, to show my respect for Senior Azure Ox, I’m trying to learn the special abilities of the ox tribe, regurgitating some previously eaten food.”
Dizang’s face immediately showed disgust as he shifted his position to the side.
Li Changshou stood up at this moment, smiling: “Since Friend Dizang won’t help, let’s forget it and leave.”
The other four experts agreed and rose to bid farewell to Dizang and Deiting.
Dizang didn’t stand, just sat there meditating.
After leaving the Samsara Tower, Li Changshou frowned in thought, considering the method Deiting had suggested.
The more he pondered, the more feasible it seemed.
If they could find fierce souls in the Eighteen Levels of Hell with sufficient karma but relatively weak soul power, wouldn’t that effectively “mark” that karmic force?
Then, by tracking the flow of karmic force and releasing more “samples,” they might be able to find the whereabouts of the Twelve-Petaled Karmic Red Lotus!
Better than just waiting here.
Wei Shenmo asked: “What did Deiting’s hint mean?”
Li Changshou smiled and explained his newly conceived method using Primordial World cultivation terms. Except for Baize, the other three all showed expressions of sudden understanding.
Azure Ox smiled: “This Deiting is quite clever.”
“It should be Dizang giving us a hint,” Li Changshou said, “But Dizang still has his persistence he’s unwilling to let go of, so he used Deiting this way.”
Wei Shenmo smiled: “Why couldn’t it be Deiting acting on his own?”
“Commander,” Li Changshou said gently, “That wooden tablet had no restrictions on it, and Dizang still has his immortal sense.”
Wei Shenmo patted his forehead, his smile full ofæ„Ÿæ…¨.
“Let’s go, we’ll select from the Eighteen Levels of Hell…”
Li Changshou’s words paused as he looked at the streaks of light crossing Fengdu City’s sky, and smiled:
“Let’s split into two groups, several Senior Brothers from Zhengyi have arrived. I’ll trouble Master Bai and Golden Peng to take my token and select suitable karmic souls, while I receive several Senior Brothers here.”
“Very well.”
“Rest assured, Master!”
Baize and Golden Wing Great Peng each agreed, turning to head toward the Reincarnation Immortal Island in Fengdu City.
Those approaching streaks of light transformed into four figures—Chijingzi, Yellow Dragon True Person, Master Tayi, and Master Yuding, while from Master Tayi’s sleeve flew a faint shadow, revealing that Lingzhu had also come along.
Yellow Dragon True Person, seemingly afraid the atmosphere would be awkward, started laughing as soon as he landed, performing the Primordial World’s conventional social etiquette to perfection.
Both sides exchanged greetings, while Wei Shenmo and Azure Ox stood behind Li Changshou, not drawing attention to themselves.
Chijingzi looked at Master Tayi, but the latter kept his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky, completely refusing to speak.
Li Changshou took the initiative: “Several Senior Brothers, you’ve come for the Red Lotus matter, right?”
“Correct,” Chijingzi revealed a gentle smile, but just as he was about to continue, the space beside them suddenly collapsed into a round hole, from which three figures immediately jumped out.
The slightly chubby Daoist in front smiled calmly: “Better late than never, what perfect timing.”
Chijingzi’s brows furrowed slightly as he immediately led several Zhengyi immortals in greeting, addressing him as ‘Senior Brother Duobao.’
Turtle Spirit Holy Mother and Qiongxiao didn’t step forward to greet them, only nodding in acknowledgment.
Representatives of the Human Dao, Zhengyi, and Xianjiao sects had thus unexpectedly met.
Though it wasn’t raining, the atmosphere was indeed not particularly harmonious.
Li Changshou was carefully considering his words, about to invite everyone to the Heavenly Army camp to discuss matters…
“Uncle Master Changgeng!”
Lingzhu actively jumped in front of Li Changshou, showing an innocent and unrestrained smile, “I want to return to the Heavenly Court to continue cultivation for a while!”
“Good,” Li Changshou reached out to pat Lingzhu’s shoulder, encouraging him, “Never forgetting to improve oneself leads to true achievement.”
Master Tayi’s mouth twitched: “Indeed, raising disciples is just like raising daughters—they can even be lured away like this.”
Chijingzi immediately showed a slight smile.
The three Xianjiao immortals exchanged glances, each feeling a bit of pressure.
At this moment, Qiongxiao, her eyes containing a smile, naturally jumped in front of Li Changshou, giving him a slight bow, and just as naturally reached out with her delicate hands to grab Li Changshou’s arm.
Her moistened lips and white teeth spoke gently, like an oriole’s entrancing song:
“Brother-in-law~ I also want to play in the Heavenly Court.”
Li Changshou’s whole body stiffened, his hair standing on end. He wanted to struggle free but couldn’t, as every movement he made now could be over-interpreted.
Black lines covered the foreheads of Chijingzi and Yellow Dragon True Person as they instinctively looked toward Master Tayi.
Go on, can’t lose!
Master Tayi immediately stepped back half a step, hiding behind Master Yuding, blurting out:
“What are you thinking? Chang’e isn’t my sister!”
Li Changshou’s mouth twitched frantically, feeling he’d been inexplicably targeted, with the word “danger” hanging over his forehead.
Those two small hands that seemed to be holding his arm were actually pinching and twisting hard…
Fortunately, the one active outside now was just the [Advanced-Primary Body] paper puppet, with his true body hiding in another paper puppet’s sleeve within this paper puppet’s sleeve, feeling no pain at all.