He had originally said he would return in half a day, but now more than half a month had passed!

However, for such a major issue as peace between the three schools, it was understandable that the Sage Lord would spend more than half a month in careful consideration…

Though he did somewhat suspect that his own Sage Lord might have too long of a reaction time or something, this was something he neither dared to bring up nor ask about.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly as he rode his cloud out of the Heavenly Court, quickly floating toward Mount Kunlun.

Since he was going to seek an audience with a Sage, Li Changshou hadn’t concealed his true form at this time, only taking on the appearance of the Water God.

As his cloud reached Mount Kunlun, Li Changshou briefly considered and then abandoned the idea of paying a visit to True Lord Du’e along the way.

Earlier, he had already used a paper clone to check the Emperor’s Virtuous Decree Stone, and learned that the rapid spread of the Crimson Lotus incident throughout the Three Realms was inseparable from those who were supposed to “keep their mouths sealed.”

But since he was a disciple of the Du Immortal Gate, going to reprimand the sect’s founding patriarch would be somewhat…

Not quite proper.

He would ask Senior Brother to make the trip later, to properly explain to True Lord Du’e the harm of spreading rumors.

Eighteen days had now passed, and Li Changshou figured the eight great experts of the Dao sects must have awakened from their dreams by now, either having left the Netherworld directly or still guarding the Crimson Lotus.

— To preserve the majestic image of his senior brothers and sisters in his mind, Li Changshou hadn’t used the paper clone he left with Baize to observe their awkward state upon awakening.

As he reached where the colorful clouds lay peacefully, he heard the voices of immortals from the front mountain.

A clear cry rang out as a white crane flew from the shadowy distant form of Yuxu Palace, transforming in mid-air into a handsome youth who bowed to Li Changshou from afar.

“Uncle Master Changgeng, the Lord instructed this disciple to directly lead you to the back mountain.”

This was none other than South Pole Immortal’s disciple and Supreme Lord Yuanshi’s grand disciple, the White Crane Boy, senior brother to Yang Jian, future Nezha, and other third-generation disciples of the Enlightenment Sect.

Li Changshou cupped his hands in return greeting as he rode his cloud forward, politely declining White Crane Boy’s offer to transform into a crane and carry him, instead riding clouds together with White Crane Boy.

Li Changshou asked with a smile: “Has Senior Brother Guangcheng returned?”

“In reply to Uncle Master, Senior Uncle Guangcheng returned the day before yesterday,” White Crane Boy hurriedly replied.

The day before yesterday…

Li Changshou asked again: “Did Senior Brother Guangcheng mention anything about the Crimson Lotus?”

The boy answered: “Senior Uncle reported to the Lord that the Twelve-Petaled Karmic Crimson Lotus is being safeguarded by Elder Brother Changgeng and suppressed by the Taiji Diagram, quite securely.”

Li Changshou nodded slightly upon hearing this, continuously pondering in his heart.

Without realizing it, they had flown deep into the clouds, and when he came to, they were in a secret realm.

Looking around, it could be described as an empty mountain after fresh rain, with delightful scenery – distant mountains in dark green, near mountains in varying shades of green, clouds rising and mist falling, birds calling in return, rich in spiritual energy and overflowing with the Great Dao.

Though Hongmeng had many blessed lands and caves of wonder, this place must be the most elegant and refined.

After all, three Sages had once lived here (Note 1).

Several hundred zhang away, embraced by groves of spiritual trees, a few thatched cottages, and a fence formed a courtyard.

The precious pool in the courtyard had once been “appreciated” by True Lord Yellow Dragon, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment Sect;

Under that tree by the pool, Great Dharma Master Xuandu had also once meditated here, though he hadn’t meditated long before moving to today’s Taiqing Temple.

And in that small earthen hole in the corner of the fence, one could seemingly see traces of Today’s Treasure Dao Lord’s “Heaven and Earth Tunneling” divine ability…

The Three Pure Ones’ small courtyard.

Li Changshou called out to Tower Lord in his heart, and Tower Lord complained irritably:

“What, you don’t call on us when Sister Golden Dipper is around, but you know to call when you’re uncertain!

What use is calling now?

Your own Uncle Master wouldn’t hit you without reason, would he?”

Li Changshou repeatedly apologized in his heart as he followed White Crane Boy to the small courtyard, making a Daoist bow toward the courtyard gate.

White Crane Boy called out: “Lord, Uncle Master Changgeng has arrived.”

A light laugh came from within the courtyard as the wooden door creaked open. White Crane Boy gestured invitingly from the side as Li Changshou stepped inside with some trepidation.

As he stepped across, the scene transformed.

Ahead under the trees appeared a bamboo chair, upon which sat the middle-aged Daoist he had met once before.

Li Changshou didn’t dare study the Sage’s countenance directly, only carefully sensing the Sage’s dao rhythm.

The dao rhythm of the Jade Pure Sage, though faint and remote, concealed a sense of proper order, as if all things in the world were naturally well-ordered, and within this order existed both freedom and ease.

Li Changshou immediately stepped forward, made a Daoist bow to the Daoist, and said clearly: “Disciple Changgeng pays respects to Uncle Master.”

“Sit.”

Supreme Lord Yuanshi waved his hand lightly, and a meditation cushion materialized to the side.

The Enlightenment Sect valued propriety, and Li Changshou followed local customs, using the “Universal Dao Etiquette” he had learned at Du Immortal Gate. He first expressed thanks, then slightly lifted the hem of his Daoist robe with a lowered head, circled to the back side of the meditation cushion, stepped with his right leg first then extended his left foot, slowly sat down, and placed both hands on his knees.

The key was that the front and back of the Daoist robe bloomed like a lotus flower, with his posterior seated squarely in the center of the meditation cushion, neither leaning left nor right, thus achieving proper righteousness.

Supreme Lord Yuanshi’s smile deepened as he said: “Do I cause you such fear?”

Li Changshou hurriedly replied: “Before Uncle Master, this disciple dares not be disrespectful.”

Supreme Lord Yuanshi smiled and shook his head as the small courtyard’s wooden door slowly closed, with no other Sage disciples present at the side.

This Enlightenment Sect leader spoke warmly:

“Just give the Crimson Lotus to your Third Uncle Master, remember to erase Ancestor Minghe’s remnant soul. Today I have other matters to discuss with you.”

Li Changshou was truly stunned in his heart, but then immediately felt admiration.

Earlier he had waited eighteen days at Taiqing Temple, only to receive from his own Sage Lord the words:

‘Do as you see fit.’

Li Changshou seemed to no longer recognize these four words, not quite understanding his master’s meaning, and could only interpret it as his lord wanted him to figure out how to come to explain things.

Along the way, he had prepared five or six explanatory approaches to prove he wasn’t biased toward the Severing Sect…

Unexpectedly, before Supreme Lord Yuanshi, none of them were needed.

Surprised as he was, Li Changshou immediately said: “This disciple listens to Uncle Master’s teachings.”

“This is not teaching, just casual conversation.”

Supreme Lord Yuanshi continued warmly, “I have many disciples, but few who are good at adapting. You do well at this.

What flaws does Changgeng see in the Severing Sect?”

This…

How could he dare answer this question? Should he say the Severing Sect was full of scaly and horned beings?

If he said such things before Supreme Lord Yuanshi, he would surely gain the Enlightenment Sect Sage’s favor, but wouldn’t that be… one face in front of people and another behind their backs – how could he face Yunxiao then?

Li Changshou reacted quickly though, saying seriously: “This disciple’s view may be somewhat limited, please forgive me, Uncle Master.

In this disciple’s view, the Severing Sect’s flaw lies in having too many disciples, spreading itself too thin, with quite a few vicious beings mixed in who drag down the sect’s destiny.

The Severing Sect already lacks treasures to stabilize its destiny, and the current situation is even more concerning.”

Supreme Lord Yuanshi said: “Your view is indeed not wrong. What I worry about most is that the Severing Sect will drag down itself.”

Hearing this, Li Changshou immediately understood something in his heart.

In Supreme Lord Yuanshi’s eyes, Patriarch Tongtian was Patriarch Tongtian, and the Severing Sect was the Severing Sect;

Supreme Lord Yuanshi disapproved of the Severing Sect but still had deep feelings for Patriarch Tongtian.

Sure enough, Supreme Lord Yuanshi earnestly instructed:

“If this Crimson Lotus can truly help your Third Uncle Master stabilize the sect’s destiny, that would be good, but you should also advise him – tell him not to use the Crimson Lotus to shelter those of evil nature.

Now that the great tribulation has descended, my disciples entering the tribulation together with his disciples may be an opportunity to clean house.”

Li Changshou nodded repeatedly, cupping his hands and lowering his head, saying: “Second Uncle Master’s teachings, this disciple has remembered.”

Supreme Lord Yuanshi looked at the thick tree canopy before him and continued speaking slowly to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou listened with full attention, trying hard to think about how to respond, doing his best to make his answers sufficiently measured, avoiding any displeasure from the Sage.

He also truly felt that Supreme Lord Yuanshi genuinely cared for Patriarch Tongtian, though he indeed had some aversion to most Severing Sect disciples.

— Besides needing enough tribulation ash under the great tribulation, this was the fundamental contradiction between the Enlightenment and Severing sects.

This must be the internal reason why, from ancient times until now, Guangcheng and other Enlightenment immortals actively maintained distance from Severing Sect immortals and continuously came into conflict.

Of course, the instigation by those with ulterior motives like Dipankara had also made “meritorious contributions.”

Should he take this opportunity to ask Supreme Lord Yuanshi about his attitude toward Dipankara?

Li Changshou quickly dismissed this thought, silently reciting the Sutra of Stability several times.

He was a disciple of the Human Sect, how could he interfere in Enlightenment Sect affairs?

After all, who knew if Dipankara was Supreme Lord Yuanshi’s chess piece, with other calculations in mind?

…

Li Changshou stayed in the Three Friends Courtyard for half an hour, mostly listening to Supreme Lord Yuanshi talk about how Patriarch Tongtian was too casual in accepting disciples, how improper it was, and so on.

To summarize in one sentence: He shouldn’t be doing this!

These three Sage Lords truly had three different personalities.

Supreme Lord Yuanshi seemed carefree but worried about everything, even wanting to arrange the reorganization of the Severing Sect for Patriarch Tongtian.

Patriarch Tongtian was naturally unrestrained and carefree, not worrying much about anything, and was high-spirited, wanting to seize a thread of hope for all beings from between heaven and earth.

His lord was formidable – quiet and non-interfering, never going out if he didn’t have to, absolutely not doing anything that could be delegated to disciples, and even when assigning tasks to disciples, it was just with a single word “Go”…

The rest was left for him to figure out himself.

Without going to Yuxu Palace, Li Changshou rode his cloud straight out of Mount Kunlun, then employed his wind escape technique, transforming into a streak of green light quietly crossing between heaven and earth;

He hurried back to the Eastern Sea’s Heavenly Pillar, diving down into the Netherworld.

Next would be delivering the Crimson Lotus to Biyou Palace, tactfully expressing Supreme Lord Yuanshi’s opinions to Patriarch Tongtian.

If the two Sage Lords could reconcile and join hands, half of the Dao sects’ great tribulation could be directly resolved.

Unfortunately, Li Changshou could already predict that Patriarch Tongtian probably wouldn’t take Supreme Lord Yuanshi’s advice to heart…

Passing by Fengdu City, he found that both the Heavenly Court and the Netherworld had withdrawn their troops from the Sea of Blood, and the Netherworld had returned to its usual peace.

Li Changshou specifically secretly observed those three “rising stars,” seeing them earnestly reciting scriptures and dissolving the resentful spirits’ grievances, and nodded with satisfaction.

Looking at Ao Yi’s current realm, he wasn’t far from the Golden Immortal realm. Later, giving him a few decades of leave to return to the Dragon Palace for in-depth cultivation and awakening his Dragon King bloodline, there wouldn’t be too much risk in entering the Golden Immortal realm.

To be safe, he would prepare a Nine Revolutions Golden Pill for him – after all, he was his good brother!

Bianzhuang wasn’t far from the Golden Immortal realm either. With continued cultivation, he would surely become a pillar of talent for the Heavenly Court, it’s just… he couldn’t be assigned to suppress female demons or deal with demon queens.

Spirit Zhenzhu Child needn’t be mentioned – now blessed with a great destiny, he should quickly pull ahead of Bianzhuang.

Currently, Spirit Zhenzhu Child had cultivated the Primordial warfare methods and could hold his own against Ao Yi in close combat…

Thinking of this, Li Changshou couldn’t help but have various concerns arise in his heart.

Ao Yi’s third brother Ao Bing, in the original Investiture of the Gods tribulation, was to be beaten to death by the reincarnated Spirit Zhenzhu Child as little Nezha and sent onto the Investiture List…

Although he now had the power to prevent such a tragedy from occurring, future events were truly hard to predict; from his own master’s fate, one could see that the Heavenly Dao’s converging force couldn’t be underestimated.

He should still find a way to keep Ao Yi and Spirit Zhenzhu Child from getting too close, to spare Ao Yi future torment.

To play it safe, he would later bring Spirit Zhenzhu Child back to the Heavenly Court, let him play more with Little Jade Rabbit, and have less contact with Ke Le’er.

“Mm, well done.”

Li Changshou left a light laugh by these three fellows’ ears, then immediately headed toward the Sea of Blood.

Ao Yi, Bianzhuang, and Spirit Zhenzhu Child stopped reciting scriptures and turned their heads to look around, but couldn’t find any trace of Li Changshou.

Bianzhuang couldn’t help but shiver: “Is Lord Water God deliberately trying to scare people?”

Spirit Zhenzhu Child smiled and said: “Uncle Master must have passed by here and looked at us. It’s good we didn’t follow Vice Commander Bian’s suggestion to slack off and play here, or we would surely have been punished by Uncle Master.”

Ao Yi said gently: “Elder Brother Sect Leader is very gentle. Sometimes when he says he’ll punish someone, it’s just talk.”

Bianzhuang let out a sigh: “That’s only for you, Er-er.”

“Haha!”

Spirit Zhenzhu Child couldn’t help but be amused by this form of address – his own master’s Dao title also contained “Er.”

Blue veins popped up on Ao Yi’s forehead as he scolded: “Who told you to be so improper in conduct, falling for every immortal maiden you see, your mouth speaking of Jade Pool maidens while your heart thinks of Chang’e of the Moon Palace!

If you keep going on like this, sooner or later you’ll be dealt with by Heaven’s laws, your face transformed into an ugly visage that frightens everyone who sees it!”

Bianzhuang chuckled: “Don’t worry, don’t worry, which heavenly law says we can’t like immortal maidens?

As long as I respect propriety and don’t offend the immortal maidens, isn’t it alright to just appreciate them?”

Spirit Zhenzhu Child remembered the three strategies of friendship he had learned from Ox-Head and Horse-Face, and sighed from the side:

“The deep friendship between the two Vice Commanders truly makes Spirit Zhenzhu envious.”

And showed an envious expression.

Ao Yi’s mouth twisted: “If it weren’t for Elder Brother Sect Leader’s instructions to keep a close eye on him, who would want to pay attention to him?”

“That’s not true, we’re the best vice commanders of the Heavenly River Navy, Lord Water God’s most trusted right and left arms!”

Bianzhuang tried to put his arm around Ao Yi’s shoulders but was kicked away by Ao Yi.

Then, Bianzhuang’s eyes rolled as he chuckled: “Why don’t we three brothers today learn from mortals and become sworn brothers, how about it?”

Ao Yi flicked his sleeve but didn’t refuse.

Spirit Zhenzhu Child just wanted to make more friends and immediately clapped his hands in approval.

And so, just as Li Changshou had arrived in the depths of the Sea of Blood, this dragon, human, and spirit pearl, witnessed by the surrounding sleeping resentful spirits, bowed three times to heaven and earth.

Ding~

The bond increased by one!

On the other side, Li Changshou secretly arrived at the ancient Asura city and found few figures remained there.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird was circling unhurriedly around the outskirts, keeping watch;

Treasure Dao Lord, Zhao Gongming, and Baize had set up a low table on the city wall, sitting on three sides, each holding cards made from paper clone original pulp, engrossed in their game.

That Crimson Lotus was floating nearby, simultaneously wrapped in the dao rhythms of Treasure Dao Lord and the Taiji Diagram.

The team of top Dao sect experts who had come together earlier had disbanded on the spot not long ago.

From the Enlightenment Sect, True Lord Taiyi and True Lord Yuding had left with Guangcheng, while the three Holy Mothers of the Severing Sect also felt they couldn’t save face and had withdrawn first with Qiongxiao.

After all, they had come confidently to seize the Crimson Lotus, but as soon as they entered the city they were knocked down, sleeping on the spot for three to twelve days, which was truly somewhat…

Immortal-shaming.

As soon as Li Changshou appeared beside the low table, Treasure Dao Lord, Zhao Gongming, and Baize immediately stood up to welcome him, asking how things had gone.

Supreme Lord Yuanshi’s words naturally couldn’t be directly told to the Severing Sect immortals;

Li Changshou only said that he had already received permission from his Master and Second Uncle Master to hand this Crimson Lotus over to the Severing Sect to handle, on the condition that Ancestor Minghe’s remnant soul must be erased.

Breaking this remnant soul would certainly affect the Crimson Lotus’s power;

But Treasure Dao Lord and Zhao Gongming were both reasonable people who knew this was already the result of Li Changshou’s half-month of effort, and the requirement to erase Ancestor Minghe’s remnant soul was fair and reasonable…

Although Li Changshou felt he had only run some errands and hadn’t helped much, Treasure Dao Lord was still extremely grateful.

After some jokes and casual conversation, Li Changshou also learned what had happened over this past half month.

Green Bull had left with Iron Fan, saying he would accompany her to clear her mind.

In reality, Old Bull had followed her on his own, and the young lady simply hadn’t directly refused.

Among the eight sleeping immortals of the Dao sects, Enlightenment Sect’s Senior Brother Guangcheng had awakened first, followed by Treasure Dao Lord and Holy Mother Jinling – they had only dreamed for three days, while the other immortals varied from five to seven days.

Great Dharma Master, whether intentionally or taking the opportunity to sleep in, had slept for twelve days before sitting up with a yawn, and even said some laughable things:

‘Dream? What dream?

I just suddenly felt sleepy… seems I dreamed I was tired, so I slept in the dream.

That was truly a comfortable sleep, has Changgeng resolved things?’

Li Changshou: …

Fortunately, Great Dharma Master had left right after waking, otherwise he would have had to… well!

Complain a bit.

But here and now, there was still one person who hadn’t awakened…

Li Changshou walked to the broken wall, looked down, and slightly furrowed his brow.

Beside him, Baize said softly: “Water God, should we wake the Immortal Maiden?”

“No need,” Li Changshou said gently, “I’ll just wait here a few more days. Senior Brothers, please present the Crimson Lotus to Third Uncle Master first.”

Treasure Dao Lord and Zhao Gongming exchanged glances, each showing slight smiles.

Treasure Dao Lord said: “It’s fine, we’ll just wait here for Junior Sister Yunxiao. We’ll go to Biyou Palace together – this elder brother dares not take credit for the Crimson Lotus from you.”

“That… works too.”

Li Changshou agreed while Zhao Gongming called Baize and Treasure Dao Lord to continue playing;

The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird was just about to come forward and pay respects, but seeing Li Changshou’s form float down from the broken wall to land beside the sleeping immortal maiden, he tactfully made a Daoist bow and continued patrolling the surroundings.

The Taiji Diagram’s phantom image contracted by half, becoming one zhang in diameter, covering Li Changshou and Immortal Maiden Yunxiao’s heads.

Was she trapped in the dream?

Li Changshou slightly furrowed his brow and carefully sensed, but found that the mirage force had already receded, yet she was still unwilling to wake from the dream.

She must have had a pleasant dream that put her at ease.

Looking at the immortal maiden before him – she leaned against the wall, her black hair like a waterfall, immortal robes like clouds, her face that usually maintained its cool demeanor had now let down its guard, leaving only gentleness and beauty.

If a woman’s appearance were to be compared to poetry, with facial features as rhetoric and proportions as rhyme, then that belonging to Yunxiao would surely be an eternal masterpiece.

Her lips bore a slight smile, her long eyelashes gently closed, as if having stood in the clouds too long and grown somewhat tired, taking the opportunity to rest here for a while.

Li Changshou smiled inwardly, walked to the side where her body was slightly tilting, and sat down against the wall again, quietly waiting.

Time flowed by unnoticed, days and nights alternated unknown.

Another month later, the eyelashes beside him trembled slightly a few times. Li Changshou looked down, just in time to see the gradually fading loss in her somewhat confused eyes.

“What did you dream about?” Li Changshou asked with a smile.

The corners of Yunxiao’s mouth couldn’t help but rise slightly, a touch of red flashed extremely quickly across her cheeks, and as her gaze lowered, she avoided meeting his eyes.

Li Changshou: …

Still won’t admit it? He had heard it – earlier when sleep-talking, she had called out his title.

Of course, there was also the kneeling.