‘Tsk, these years have been unusually peaceful. Wonder how Elder Zhao and Aunt Jinling’s little life together is going.’

In an underground secret chamber of Mount Xiaoping, within the hollow scroll roller beneath an unremarkable painting.

Li Changshou’s tiny transformed figure sat comfortably in a miniature round chair, holding a luminescent cup, savoring the various mysteries after his breakthrough in the Dao realm.

Cultivation was like the wine in this cup—the longer one was immersed in it, the more mellow and fragrant it became.

Looking within himself, the Xuanhuang Tower floated up and down near his Primordial Spirit; the merit pool around his Primordial Spirit displayed a dazzling golden color.

Although two large portions of merit were still owed to him, the merit from his Heaven Court position and the incense offerings from the Sea God Sect in South Jambudvipa were slowly but continuously increasing Li Changshou’s accumulated merit.

At this rate, before the Investiture of the Gods Great Tribulation fully erupted, there was a high probability he could successfully congeal his Merit Golden Body.

Of course, if that frustrating [99.9%] situation occurred…

Then he could only carefully guard against it, not daring to express any opinions.

Senior Brother Xuandu had once said that perhaps the Dao Ancestor was preventing him from congealing his Merit Golden Body to help him cultivate better.

Li Changshou had always had some doubts about this.

He certainly knew that the Merit Golden Body was both a death-exemption golden ticket and something influenced by Heaven’s Way.

But what the Grand Magus didn’t understand was that Li Changshou’s Balanced Great Dao, if it wanted to take the final few steps toward perfection in the future, must understand and influence Heaven’s Way more deeply.

The Merit Golden Body was like a ‘data cable,’ giving Li Changshou a chance to connect directly with Heaven’s Way.

Therefore, Li Changshou had always suspected that the Dao Ancestor preventing him from congealing his Merit Golden Body was hindering his deeper understanding of Heaven’s Way.

If this was truly the case, although Li Changshou felt regret, he couldn’t force the issue.

After all, in this Primordial World, the Dao Ancestor was the strongest will outside of Heaven’s Will, surpassing the Six Sages.

Speaking of which, what had happened to the major powers of the Primordial World these past few years?

Among the Five Continents of the Primordial World, the Severing Sect was peaceful, the Orthodox Teaching was peaceful, and even the Western Teaching had become unusually peaceful.

Outside the Five Continents, the Immortal Alliance developed steadily, fighting local wars with the Incense Fire Divine Nations according to plan, and the Western Teaching likewise had no major movements.

A rare period of peace.

Today, if not for the need to regularly observe the situation at Approaching Heaven Palace, Li Changshou wouldn’t have actively left his enlightenment state.

Putting down the luminescent cup and stretching lazily, a strand of consciousness quickly swept through various paper dao-bodies, finally landing in Baize’s sleeve…

Before he could spread his divine sense, he felt what seemed to be Dao patterns colliding around him, and space-time slightly trembling.

A battle?

Li Changshou’s divine sense rapidly spread outward, perceiving the chaotic situation outside.

In the void, two groups of cultivators were engaged in a life-and-death battle, with thousands of immortals on each side, though it was now reaching its conclusion.

The winning side had surrounded the other from all four directions, victory firmly in hand.

Judging from Master Bai’s current calm state, it seemed the Approaching Heaven Palace had won this battle.

Baize wasn’t currently engaged in combat, but rather hiding in the shadows, observing from afar.

Truly high-class civil officials and strategists never did the crude work of charging into battle.

Li Changshou deliberately revealed his divine sense fluctuations, and Baize immediately made a light sound of surprise, raising his hand to look at his sleeve, asking:

“Water God? Oh no, Star-Lord?”

Li Changshou laughed inwardly, thinking Baize was just joking, and didn’t pay much attention to such small matters.

Whether his divine position was upgraded or not, whether third-rank or second-rank, couldn’t shake the real power he held in the Heaven Court.

The military authority over the Heaven River Navy and the power to execute first and report later were actually just superficial authorities. His position as an ordinary but influential official came from the Jade Emperor’s trust, and even more from his influence in Tushita Palace.

Li Changshou transmitted his voice in reply: “Master Bai, what’s happening here?”

“Star-Lord…”

“Just call me Water God, I’ve gotten used to hearing you say it that way.”

“Very well.”

Baize revealed a slight smile, hands tucked in his sleeves, and said softly: “This is an immortal sect that had a conflict with Approaching Heaven Palace three months ago, trying to seize our territory.

Water God need not worry, this matter will be concluded today.”

Li Changshou asked: “What are the casualties for Approaching Heaven Palace?”

“Cultivator casualties won’t exceed twenty percent,” Baize said, “Actually, because of the tempering from such battles, overall strength has somewhat increased.”

Twenty percent…

Behind these simple two words lay many lives.

But this was unavoidable—only an Approaching Heaven Palace forged in blood and souls could accomplish the great matters ahead.

Li Changshou asked again: “Have the aftermath arrangements for the fallen been properly handled?”

Baize answered: “They were arranged beforehand, but currently Approaching Heaven Palace’s strength is still insufficient, spirit stone and treasure material circulation isn’t enough, and we’re short on manpower, so we can’t yet achieve perfection.”

“Regardless, we must do our best.”

Li Changshou watched the battle situation over there, where Approaching Heaven Palace’s side had begun shouting ‘Those who surrender will not die,’ and many cultivators from the opposing sect had begun obediently restraining their immortal power…

In the Three Thousand Worlds, battles of this scale were common, but it was rare to see one side ‘encircle and annihilate’ another.

For most battles, once one side gained the advantage, most cultivators on the other side would calculate how to retreat;

And when one side’s advantage was large enough to determine victory, nearly half the cultivators on the other side would quickly scatter…

They beautifully called it preserving strength, keeping the mountain green for future firewood;

In reality, cultivators simply didn’t have such deep belonging to immortal forces and didn’t want to fight to the death for them.

Today’s battle situation was naturally carefully arranged and cleverly deployed by Baize, with Approaching Heaven Palace winning smoothly and being able to capture many prisoners…

Li Changshou’s divine sense swept across various places then was attracted by a scene in another corner.

There, a fairy of countless graceful poses stood on a seven-colored lotus platform, her jade feet wrapped in boots with thick soles to make up for slight imperfections in her figure.

The light red bodice almost seemed about to burst, while the black silk long garment interwoven with gold threads set off her snow-white skin that defied frost;

Above her slender neck was her increasingly stunning countenance; though now covered by a thin veil, it still couldn’t hide the brilliance of her red lips…

At this moment, her delicate hand waved lightly, controlling a large gourd that weaved through the crowd, releasing sharp sword energy.

Master-Aunt Jiu was…

Girls change greatly over eighty-one transformations, becoming more and more beautiful.

Jiu Yao’s biggest change was in her temperament;

Originally somewhat ‘juvenile’ and lazy, now she was mature, dignified, and imposing while retaining three parts of indolence.

Kingdom-toppling beauty beyond mortal bounds, one glance capturing all men’s hearts.

Li Changshou transmitted his voice to Baize in admiration: “If not for that large gourd, I truly wouldn’t have recognized this Master-Aunt Jiu.”

Baize smiled and said: “The Holy Maiden has been working very hard these years, naturally there are some rewards.

Does Water God know which of her many words moved me most?”

“How could I know that?”

“She said,” Baize sighed lightly, “If only she could help him.”

Li Changshou didn’t know how to respond, glanced at his master aunt over there, and could only say:

“Please take good care of Master-Aunt Jiu, Master Bai, don’t let her feel too much pressure. She’s already doing very well now.”

“Would Water God like me to convey these words exactly as spoken?”

“As you wish.”

After speaking, Li Changshou moved his ‘gaze’ elsewhere, not seeing Forgetting Emotions Sovereign·Wealth Palace Lord’s figure, but saw his own Ancestral Master Jiang Lin’er carrying a large blade and fighting in all directions.

His divine sense spread out and discovered another battle location where seven or eight Golden Immortals were fighting.

Forgetting Emotions Sovereign’s left hand formed sword fingers, spreading thousands of sword energies, his white temples floating left and right, his black robe shining with green light—how could the word ‘handsome’ alone describe it?

That was extremely cool!

Li Changshou said: “Master Bai, how are the Three Thousand Worlds recently?”

“The Western Teaching seems to want to delay time, only confronting the Immortal Alliance without forcefully attacking,” Baize said, “As the day of the Purple Void Palace discussion of the Great Tribulation draws closer, they should be fully preparing for this matter.

Does Water God have complete confidence in suppressing the Western Teaching then?”

Li Changshou smiled and said:

“Master Bai truly overestimates me. That will be the Six Sages meeting, with the Dao Ancestor presiding—I can at most say one or two words.

What can make a difference should be His Majesty the Jade Emperor.

At that time… I can’t say it’s certain, we can only do our best.”

Li Changshou predicted that at least three of the Six Sages would move against that scroll of the Heaven Book·Investiture of Gods List. Although the Jade Emperor now had a high probability of controlling the Investiture List, it was still somewhat unstable.

In the next few decades, what Li Changshou needed to do was prepare several sets of speeches for the Jade Emperor.

As for himself, he would try to be the man behind the Jade Emperor, becoming a small trump card for the Heaven Court.

After chatting idly with Baize for half a period, waiting for the two battles to conclude, Li Changshou was ready to leave.

Before leaving, he looked at Jiu Yao again, and couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows.

When Jiu Yao drank before, she mostly just put her mouth to the gourd and took a big gulp, somewhat unrestrained, lacking in aesthetics.

But today…

After the battle concluded, the Holy Maiden of Approaching Heaven returned to her lotus platform, where fairy attendants brought jade cups of immortal wine, and with two snow-white delicate fingers, she picked up a jade cup, lifted her thin veil and took a light sip, naturally flowing with countless charms.

Li Changshou: …

That was something else indeed.

“Thank you for your continued efforts, Master Bai,” Li Changshou said thus, “I shall return to my spirit and continue cultivating.”

Baize smiled and said: “Doing these things for Water God outside, though far from as comfortable as being on Black Pool Peak, is still interesting—there’s no talk of effort.

However, I won’t be able to show my face at this Great White ceremony, please forgive my discourtesy, Water God.”

“Master Bai jokes,” Li Changshou responded, his consciousness returning to his true body, the image of Master-Aunt Jiu flashing before his eyes, making him shake his head and smile lightly.

Rather impressive.

Next, he would go tour the Heaven Court, have a heart-to-heart with His Majesty the Jade Emperor, and maintain their superficial ruler-minister relationship…

Hmm?

Great White? Ceremony?

Question marks popped up one after another above Li Changshou’s head, some speculation arising in his heart, and he immediately chose the most direct solution.

Sensing his paper dao-body, his consciousness falling into place again, Li Changshou transmitted his voice:

“Master Bai?”

Baize, who was about to turn and leave the battle site, instinctively straightened his back and hurriedly said: “This subordinate is here.”

“What is this Great White ceremony about?”

Baize blinked in puzzlement and said: “You don’t know yet?

Yesterday the Heaven Court broadly distributed invitations to the Three Teaching Gates, inviting Orthodox Teaching immortals and Severing Sect immortals to attend a ceremony at the Heaven Court in half a month, celebrating Water God’s promotion to second-rank proper deity.

Could it be they’re keeping it from Water God, wanting to give you a… little surprise?”

Sur… surprise?

Could someone explain what they mean by surprise?

Li Changshou couldn’t help but hold his forehead with one hand, his paper dao-body letting out several light groans.

With a bitter laugh, his consciousness immediately fell to the Water God Manor in Heaven Court, his divine sense extending out, where everything seemed normal.

But when he activated the Wind Language Spell, he could hear whispered discussions carried by the wind.

“…It’s said Water God still doesn’t know about this matter.”

“Hehe, suddenly announcing this matter externally yesterday caught people off guard.”

“Speaking of which, we haven’t seen Water God appear for several years now, he must be cultivating.”

“That’s right, Heaven Court affairs aren’t many, Water God’s few words of advice can last for decades. Water God is the Human Teaching Sage Lord’s second disciple after all, his cultivation can’t fall behind…”

In the study, Li Changshou’s paper dao-body raised his hand to rub his brow, feeling as if his Dao heart had been invaded by a swarm of mosquitoes, buzzing chaotically.

How could His Majesty the Jade Emperor suddenly pull such a move?

It truly gave him a headache.

To prevent any chaos from occurring in various places while he was in closed cultivation, Li Changshou had always kept a strand of consciousness wandering outside.

As long as any paper dao-bodies he had placed in various locations sensed intense battle fluctuations, Li Changshou would be instantly awakened, even at crucial moments of enlightenment.

—Being able to maintain such ‘passive warning’ while comprehending cultivation was already quite difficult.

Regarding the Heaven Court, Li Changshou had never relaxed his vigilance. During each interval of comprehending the Great Dao, he would actively sense the Heaven Court’s situation.

This sensing was very superficial, merely feeling whether the Heaven Court’s atmosphere was peaceful.

Thus, when the Heaven Court ‘broadly distributed hero invitations’ and planned to hold a promotion ceremony for him as the Heaven Court Water God, Li Changshou instead became the last person to know of this matter.

By the way, the Approaching Heaven Palace’s intelligence network was quite efficient…

What to do about this?

What else could be done? He could only bite the bullet and accept this matter.

‘Does His Majesty the Jade Emperor have other considerations?’

Li Changshou carefully pondered. Although he dared not say the Jade Emperor was truly pure as ice and jade, the probability of the Jade Emperor using this matter to scheme for other things was extremely small.

Li Changshou could even imagine the scene of the Jade Emperor discussing the ‘arrangement’ of this matter with the Wood Minister, probably another case of His Majesty having a sudden inspiration, thinking this matter could strengthen the Heaven Court’s influence.

But in reality, it added countless variables, and who knew what changes would occur afterward.

It really couldn’t be worry-free…

Li Changshou rubbed his brow, carefully thought for half a day, and chose the most stable way to handle it.

On the surface, he would act as if he knew nothing about this, then later have his true body quietly rush to the Heaven Court, guarding against anyone using this as an excuse to cause trouble or accuse him of disrespecting the Jade Emperor.

If someone targeted this matter, in what other aspects might they cause trouble?

Li Changshou continued pondering, sitting in the Water God Manor study lost in thought, trying his best to prepare several backup plans.

…

On Three Immortal Island, among misty clouds, by tinkling mountain springs.

Several beautiful silhouettes were drinking and making merry by a pond on the grassland, beating drums and singing songs, their laughter echoing throughout the forest.

Those who could play here were naturally Qiongxiao, Bixiao, Hanzhi, and two other fairies cultivating on Three Immortal Island.

A white silhouette floated from the forest, that gentle voice reaching the fairies’ ears: “Stop playing, there’s a matter that needs someone to make a trip.”

“Me!”

Bixiao immediately jumped up, raising her small hand high: “Sister, let me go!”

Yunxiao frowned slightly but said: “You’re already somewhat impetuous now, how can I trust you not to make mistakes? May I trouble Hanzhi to make this trip?”

Hanzhi quickly stood up and gave Yunxiao a slight bow.

“If you have any instructions, please feel free to give them.”

Yunxiao took out a jade talisman and a jade ring, wrapped them in immortal power, and pushed them in front of Hanzhi, instructing: “Go to Golden Tortoise Island to pay respects to Wuyun Immortal, and personally hand this jade talisman and ring to Wuyun Immortal.”

“Yes,” Hanzhi agreed, carefully putting away the two items and immediately riding clouds to leave the island.

Qiongxiao asked puzzledly: “Sister, why are you sending a message to Wuyun Immortal?”

“Naturally there are matters to entrust to Wuyun Immortal,” Yunxiao sighed lightly, “In half a month will be his ceremony for ascending to the Great White Star Lord position. The Jade Emperor has already sent people to deliver invitations to our island, and I need to appear then.

If I bring too many gifts, it would easily cause people to gossip, so I’m borrowing Wuyun Immortal’s hand.”

“Sister, why worry about such things?”

Qiongxiao’s lips curved slightly downward, “What’s wrong with us giving more gifts? It’s perfectly natural.”

Yunxiao smiled lightly without speaking, staring at the pond somewhat absent-mindedly, thinking who knows what?

Meanwhile, at the famous blessed land Mount Emei in the Middle God Continent, Luofu Cave is protected by layers of grand formations.

A water-blue light stream flew in from outside the cave, the layers of grand formations automatically opening and closing after it, letting this light stream directly reach the deepest part of the cave, transforming into Zhao Gongming’s heroic form.

By now, Luofu Cave had completed its initial expansion, much more spacious than when Li Changshou last visited; from a ‘single immortal cave’ it had become a ‘two immortal love nest.’

Looking at the place behind multiple curtains, a beautiful silhouette sat at the dressing table, slowly combing her waterfall-like black hair.

Zhao Gongming walked over quickly and said happily: “Jinling, have you heard? Changeng is being promoted to second-rank proper deity, shall we go together to offer congratulations?”

“You go ahead.”

Golden Light Holy Mother said calmly, “Remember not to let anything slip, I haven’t decided yet how to announce our matter to others.”

“What’s there to think about? Let’s just be open about being together, who would dare to gossip?”

Zhao Gongming walked forward, very naturally taking over the comb and skillfully tending to Golden Light Holy Mother’s long hair, saying gently: “But all these things are for you to decide, I’ll just follow orders.”

Golden Light Holy Mother couldn’t help but lower her eyes and smile lightly, reproaching: “You just know how to say such things with your mouth, you’ve learned bad habits from your Junior Brother Changeng!

Oh right, remember to prepare more gifts.

This time the Heaven Court is making such a grand display, distributing invitations throughout the world in one day, it’s truly a rare grand event in the Primordial World.

We’re closest to Changeng, if our gifts are too few, we’d be laughed at.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry, everything’s arranged, it’s just lacking your appearance to make it perfectly complete.”

“I can go too, but you must remember not to appear too close.”

“Sigh, does old Zhao have anything to be ashamed of?”

“It’s not like that, it’s just somewhat embarrassing… Stop moving those thieving hands or I’ll chop them off! Behave!”

Thus, amid such gentle words, Luofu Cave was filled with auspiciousness.

In the Netherworld of the Underworld, at the top of the Six Rebirth Tower.

Earth Treasury wore a white robe, standing by the window gazing at Fengdu City in the distance;

Truth Hearer lay at his feet, seemingly bored, but his gaze never left that corner near the stairway entrance.

There, a somewhat chubby figure sat rather relaxed at an angle, his loose robe embroidered with two patches, his figure probably not considered tall and straight, his face hidden in shadows, making it impossible to distinguish clearly.

“Junior Brother Earth Treasury, do you truly not wish to write a letter, pen some congratulatory words for Water God?”

“You can’t outmaneuver Water God,” Earth Treasury said without turning his head, his voice quite clear and pleasant.

The shadowy figure laughed and said: “Why should I contend with him? Taking this opportunity to send someone to make amends for past wrongs and make peace with this Water God would be the right path.”

“If you go personally, I can write these congratulatory words.”

Earth Treasury turned his head slightly, his gaze sweeping toward that corner, “If you continue hiding like this, aren’t you afraid Spirit Mountain will forget you, Senior Brother?”