With Lord Laozi’s arrival, the entire banquet’s atmosphere became extraordinarily solemn.

The previously chatting and laughing fairies no longer dared to jest, and even the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother became much more serious.

Those Chang’e dancers preparing to perform hastily adjusted their breathing, put on their most perfect smiles, and repeatedly told themselves that the elderly immortal on the high platform was just a statue, just a statue…

Of course, the most nervous were certain registered disciples of the Original Teaching.

They didn’t dare to breathe heavily, and after paying their respects, they sat at their places with lowered heads, terrified that Lord Laozi might ask, “Who are you?”

That would be social death – there would be no future after that!

Even the direct disciples of the Enlightenment and Severing Teachings now sat with perfect posture, carefully weighing their words.

Especially True Person Taiyi, who had already moistened his lips, preparing to give the Western Teaching’s people some quotes “useful for both the netherworld and mortal realm.”

With Lord Laozi’s arrival, Taiyi could only keep his mouth firmly shut, and to be on the safe side, actively placed a seal on his own lips.

Lord Laozi, the avatar of the Supreme Pure One, was essentially equivalent to the Supreme Pure One appearing in person.

Among all the Dao masters present, only Great Law Master Xuandu’s expression remained unchanged.

After paying respects to Lord Laozi, the Great Law Master leisurely looked around, appreciating the excellent expressions of the Dao disciples and heavenly immortals.

The other Dao disciples were each more nervous than the last.

Though Severing Teaching disciples were quite relaxed before Patriarch Tongtian, speaking freely without concern, before Lord Laozi, they too had to actively display their gentle, respectful, frugal, and harmonious side.

The Enlightenment Teaching disciples were just the opposite – they now worried whether they might be too formal, displeasing Lord Laozi who advocated tranquility and non-action…

The heavenly immortals and deities were somewhat better off, merely very afraid rather than terrified, while secretly marveling at the Water God’s influence- ahem, prestige.

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother arranged the celebration, immortals from all directions came bearing gifts, the Old Lord of Tushita rode his ox here, and Dao disciples sat with perfect posture.

After tying up Little Silver who was forced to play the role of the blue ox, Li Changsheng hurried back to the banquet, thinking about how to use this opportunity to improve the Heavenly Court’s reputation among his senior brothers and sisters of the Dao.

When the time came, it would be better if they were willing to join the registrar in body, rather than having only a strand of primordial spirit “trapped” by the Investiture of the Gods.

The Jade Pool banquet was divided into three venues – besides the main venue where all the great powers gathered, there were two side venues accommodating the Heavenly Court’s numerous generals, various immortals, and the small number of river gods and earth gods stationed outside the Heavenly Court.

A ceremony of this scale had surpassed all previous Peach Banquets.

Of course, this was mainly because when holding previous Peach Banquets, the Heavenly Court didn’t have so many mouths to feed.

Entering the banquet area, Li Changsheng looked up to see Lord Laozi already seated.

Lord Laozi still sat in his “usual position,” on a throne slightly behind the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, eyes closed in meditation as if everything around him was irrelevant.

Soon after, a white cloud carrying six disciples of the Western Teaching swiftly arrived.

Upon reaching this place and seeing the grand setup, as well as Lord Laozi’s figure, their mindsets couldn’t help but change.

It was merely the promotion of an Original Teaching disciple’s position in the Heavenly Court – was it worth disturbing this usually invisible avatar of the strongest sage to make an appearance?

Disciples of great teachings compared to disciples of great teachings…

To say they were the same wasn’t quite right, but to say they were different wasn’t quite right either.

These four elderly Daoists and two middle-aged Daoists steeled themselves to step forward, about to take out their congratulatory message and hurriedly read it through, when they heard Li Changsheng say “Wait a moment,” making their scalps tingle as they almost turned to flee!

Li Changsheng said seriously:

“Since the six Daoist friends have come to the Heavenly Court, why not pay respects to His Majesty the Jade Emperor and Her Majesty the Queen Mother?”

How could these six Western Teaching sage disciples dare to say even half a word of refusal?

By now, who didn’t know the formidability of the Heavenly Court’s Water God?

If the Heavenly Court’s Water God, now Venus Changsheng, caught even a tiny flaw, he would immediately blow it out of proportion,恨不得把远古洪荒天地破碎的因果都算在他们头上！

As the saying goes, follow your heart’s desires without overstepping the bounds.

The six Western Teaching visitors honestly stepped forward and made a Daoist salute to the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor nodded with a smile, showing magnanimity, seeming somewhat more steady than before.

Li Changsheng also didn’t trouble these six ordinary Western disciples too much, his mind occupied with the matter of the “Western Teaching’s Senior Brother,” wondering if the other side had any hidden moves or secret plans.

To be safe, he would need to keep some tricks in reserve.

Li Changsheng’s earlier guess wasn’t wrong – the Western Teaching had begun to pay attention to Dizang’s current “special status.”

In other words, Dizang had become one of the few presentable faces that Western Teaching could put forward.

After the six Western Teaching disciples finished reading Dizang’s simple congratulatory message, Official Dongmu proactively stood up, smilingly leading them to the remote positions near the entrance.

This group of Western Teaching disciples immediately cast grateful looks at Official Dongmu.

— This was one of the rare times when Official Dongmu did such dirty work yet received gratitude in return.

Just as this small interlude ended, streams of light flew in – the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas had arrived, each bringing one beautiful dragon maiden and one handsome dragon prince, entering the Jade Pool, and stepping forward to pay respects to the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother.

After the ceremonies, Dragon King Ao Guang of the East Sea led the other three Dragon Kings and eight dragon princes and princesses to turn and make a uniform Daoist salute to Li Changsheng, offering various blessings.

Li Changsheng repeatedly returned their salutes and expressed thanks, his smile quite benevolent, but both sides intentionally maintained a certain distance, not appearing too intimate.

Though the Heavenly Court had no concept of ministers becoming too powerful to control, no one wanted to see subordinate officials establish solid factions.

The Dragon Race had been elevated to the Heavenly Court entirely through Li Changsheng’s efforts, and Li Changsheng was also the direct superior of the Four Sea Dragon Kings, overseeing all water-related matters. For both sides to show some distance was the wisest choice.

Just as the Dragon Kings and their children took their seats, cool breezes blew through the Jade Pool as the Ten Kings of Hell entered in single file…

Soon after, Emperor Yu appeared in magnificent robes, arriving with elegant bearing, and was also arranged in a prominent position.

The Jade Emperor waited a while longer, and seeing that most of the guests had arrived, called out:

“Changsheng.”

Li Changsheng, who had been clinking cups with Fairy Yunxiao, quickly came to attention and stood up, saying:

“This humble deity is here!”

“Today everyone has come to congratulate you,” the Jade Emperor smiled, “You should move around more freely, drink and chat casually with your senior brothers and sisters, and don’t be constrained by ruler-minister etiquette.”

Li Changsheng smiled and said: “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

At this, Li Changsheng raised his wine cup, looked around, and everywhere fell quiet.

[Returning Kindness for Kindness] was what Li Changsheng most liked to do.

Now he stepped out from behind the low table, holding his wine cup with both hands, went to the center below the high platform, made a Daoist salute to the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, and said in a clear voice:

“Thinking back to those years, this humble deity was but a wandering cultivator of the Original Teaching, following the Great Law Master’s orders to establish a Sea God Temple in the South Sea, aiming to educate mortals and maintain the flow of destiny.

I remember that day when Your Majesty and Official Dongmu came to inspect the mortal realm, seeking ways to save the common people from flood and fire, and happened to come to that Sea God Temple, allowing this humble deity to have a thorough discussion with Your Majesty.

Without Your Majesty’s recognition, without the Great Law Master’s guidance along the way, this humble deity could hardly have today’s glory, nor could I have had such fortunate circumstances to become my master’s disciple.

This first cup, Changsheng offers to Your Majesty and Her Majesty.

May the Heavenly Court prosper, the Three Realms be peaceful, and Your Majesty’s virtue benefits both immortals and mortals!”

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother smiled as they raised their cups before them, touching cups with Li Changsheng from afar.

The Queen Mother naturally took a graceful sip, while the Jade Emperor waved his hand and drained his cup in one gulp, his eyes full of emotion as he declared:

“When I first met Changsheng in the mortal South Sea those years ago, his twelve strategies have now all been realized one by one!

I actually didn’t understand how to be this Heaven’s Emperor, nor did I understand how to educate all beings, how to uphold Heaven’s Way, and how to stabilize Heaven and Earth.

How weak was the Heavenly Court at that time?

Who in the primordial chaos knew of it? Where in the Three Thousand Worlds could one hear of it?

Changsheng is to the Heavenly Court what his current divine position is – Venus, the Morning Star!

How fortunate I am to have Changsheng’s assistance!”

Official Dongmu stood up, and all the heavenly immortals and deities belonging to the Heavenly Court, the Dragon Kings, and the Kings of Hell simultaneously raised their cups to the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother.

Official Dongmu called out loudly: “Celebrating that Your Majesty has gained the assistance of an excellent minister, may the Heavenly Court live long and the Three Realms be peaceful.”

The assembled immortals and deities called out in unison: “Your Majesty’s virtue benefits both immortals and mortals!”

The Jade Emperor called for more wine, stood up, and drank three full cups with the heavenly immortals and deities, and though he tried to control himself, his overwhelming spirit could still be seen.

The disciples of the great teachings and several powerful beings watched from the side, suddenly seeing that the momentum of the Heavenly Court was now unstoppable.

Then, Li Changsheng returned to his seat, and the attending fairy quickly brought a second cup of immortal wine.

Li Changsheng raised the cup high and quickly walked to the side of the high platform, making a deep bow to Lord Laozi.

“This second cup, this disciple boldly offers to Lord Laozi.

This disciple cultivates the way of tranquility and non-action transmitted by my master, walking the path of yin-yang balance.

Without this way, how could I achieve these results?

This disciple’s ability to face numerous dangers relies entirely on their master’s name.

This disciple’s current cultivation is entirely thanks to the master’s teachings.

Whenever this disciple has doubts, confusion, or perplexity, it is always the master who points the way, resolving this disciple’s confusion.

Lord Laozi, you need not raise your cup, this disciple merely expresses his heart’s meaning.”

After speaking, he drained the cup in one gulp.

Lord Laozi showed a faint smile and said slowly: “You have always done well.”

Warmth flowed through Li Changsheng’s heart, and he bowed three more times before returning to his seat to get more wine and turning to the side.

The third cup, he offered to Great Law Master Xuandu.

The fourth cup, he offered to Emperor Yu and several senior powerful beings.

In the fifth cup, he offered to Official Dongmu and various true deities.

The sixth cup, he offered to his senior brothers and sisters of the Enlightenment and Severing Teachings.

Each cup was accompanied by heartfelt words – to the Great Law Master were pure gratitude and thanks, and for the senior brothers and sisters who had helped him, he was generous with praise.

His words and actions were perfectly measured, and his compliments were precise and appropriate.

His toasts were both proper and natural, without any hint of affectation, yet never appearing worldly or calculating.

With just these toasts and a few words, Li Changsheng perfectly embodied the concept of [Thoroughness], causing many immortals and deities to share the same thought:

If it were them, they truly couldn’t match this.

Venus Changsheng – no wonder he was valued by the strongest sage.

For the seventh cup, Li Changsheng walked quite far, going to the corner to stand before Ao Yi, Bian Zhuang, and Golden-Winged Dapeng, raising his cup to the three of them.

The three generals were first surprised, then hurriedly raised their cups.

Ao Yi’s eyes sparkled with a faint smile, everything needless to say;

Golden-Winged Dapeng’s handsome face was full of emotion, lowering his head with a sigh, his eyes reddening.

It was Bian Zhuang, the popular Heavenly Court recorder “weathered by experience,” who smiled and said:

“Lord Star, you honor us brothers too much… We’ll drain our cups, you drink as you please, as you please.”

This almost made Li Changsheng break character.

After the seventh toast, Li Changsheng returned to his seat, made a slight bow to the Jade Emperor, and sat beside Yunxiao.

The Jade Emperor understood and stood up, first saying:

“The Heavenly Court’s beginnings were difficult, the path full of dangers, surrounded by hostility. It was only through Lord Laozi’s presence that we have today’s situation.

My beloved officials, join me in offering this cup to Lord Laozi!”

The Queen Mother and the assembled immortals and deities again rose to toast Lord Laozi.

Lord Laozi smiled and nodded, without much other response.

After drinking, the Jade Emperor was in high spirits, his smile unceasing.

Official Dongmu stood to announce: “Your Majesty, the Chang’e dancers have been prepared for some time. Shall we have them perform to celebrate Lord Venus’s promotion?”

“Granted!”

Official Dongmu made a gesture, and immediately joyful music floated in from the side.

A layer of white mist spread across the jade-paved ground, and two rows of Chang’e dancers gracefully approached, bowing to the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, rising into dance positions…

Li Changsheng watched for a while with an academic mindset, then turned to look at Yunxiao.

“Hmm?” Yunxiao blinked gently, curiosity in her eyes.

Li Changsheng smiled and raised his wine cup, saying softly: “May I offer you the eighth cup?”

Yunxiao’s delicate fingers lifted her jade cup, and an attending fairy quickly poured wine for her.

Yunxiao asked softly: “Why offer me a toast? Is there some meaning?”

“This cup is different from the previous seven,” Li Changsheng said warmly, his eyes full of emotion, “The previous seven cups toasted past matters, this cup toasts our future.

May we still drink and celebrate together after ten thousand years.”

Yunxiao’s gaze was tender, her eyes rippling gently as she softly clinked cups with Li Changsheng, raised her cup, covered it with her sleeve, and drank it all at once.

To the side, many Severing Teaching masters skillfully took out jade talismans and tablets to record these words, making the Enlightenment Teaching immortals somewhat dazed.

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother exchanged glances, each showing slight smiles.

But the Queen Mother said: “Your Majesty, since this is such a rare grand occasion, why not invite Heng’e from the moon to come perform a dance in tribute to Minister Changsheng?”

The Jade Emperor transmitted: “This… wouldn’t be appropriate, would it? Fairy Yunxiao is here.”

The Queen Mother’s fine brows furrowed slightly, her gaze meaningful.

The Jade Emperor seemed to half-understand but felt his junior sister must have her reasons, so he cleared his throat and called Official Dongmu to speak of this matter.

But Official Dongmu said: “Your Majesty, Fairy Heng’e seems bound by an oath and cannot leave the Moon Star.”

“Oaths are the power of the Heavenly Way,” said the Jade Emperor, “My decree can naturally resolve this.”

“Yes,” Official Dongmu had no more doubts and bowed in response, hurriedly flying away on a cloud to the Moon Star.

During the song and dance, immortals and deities began to move about, finally beginning the public gift-giving that Li Changsheng had long anticipated.

The first to move was the Enlightenment immortal Chijingzi, bringing a brocade box before Li Changsheng. Li Changsheng rose and declined a couple of times before accepting the box, without opening it to look inside.

Afterward, various immortals and deities took turns approaching Li Changsheng, those who should give gifts hurrying to do so.

The gifts from heavenly immortals and deities had the most exquisite wrapping, but were unlikely to contain any treasures;

The gifts from the Two Schools’ immortals had simple wrapping, but glowed with immortal light and treasure radiance – none were ordinary items.

Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang circled to Li Changsheng’s back, helping him receive and count gifts while Li Changsheng only needed to exchange pleasantries and thanks.

Gradually, as major gifts arrived, the immortals of the Two Schools somehow began another round of competition.

Enlightenment Teaching’s True Person Taiyi presented innate yin-yang treasure materials, Severing Teaching’s Golden Spirit Supreme Mother presented an innate Five Elements spiritual treasure;

Enlightenment Teaching’s True Person Yuding presented fragments of a great treasure, Severing Teaching’s Fairy Qiongxiao presented scattered spirit holy water…

Then, Severing Teaching’s Immortal Wuyun presented six spiritual treasures, Severing Teaching immortals presented a pile of precious materials, Severing Teaching immortals presented two ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs…

With the advantage of numbers, the Severing Teaching quickly gained the upper hand.

After this round of competition, Li Changsheng naturally reaped abundant rewards, but the Great Law Master, who had originally prepared a few small items for Li Changsheng, silently took out his bottom-drawer divine power jade talismans…

But the main event was yet to come.

The East Sea Dragon King waved his hand grandly, and eight dragon princes and princesses stepped forward together, each holding an open brocade box.

The assembled immortals looked carefully and saw that each of the eight boxes contained eight rings of different styles, sixty-four in total;

Looking more closely, these rings were all high-grade storage treasures!

The Four Sea Dragon Kings stroked their beards and smiled lightly, self-assured they had secured the day’s gift-giving crown.

To the side, King Qinguang suddenly stood up, calmly walked to Li Changsheng’s side, looked around, and then somewhat awkwardly took out three rhomboid jade stones.

King Qinguang smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said in a low voice:

“Lord Star, the Underworld is in the netherworld, we don’t have many treasures, and our local specialties wouldn’t be appropriate to present. This is our Ancient Deity Tribe’s bottom-drawer treasure.

Please don’t decline, the Ancestors had us bring these for you, saying they would be of great use to you.

Each contains three drops of primordial blood essence left by the Ancestors from ancient times, one drop can create a Great Ancient Deity.

These three drops are Ancestor Gonggong’s primordial blood essence, these three are Ancestor Houtu’s primordial blood essence, and these three are Ancestor Dijiang’s primordial blood essence. Ancestor Houtu said you would have wonderful uses for them.”

Li Changsheng: …

Gazes gathered from all around, even Lord Laozi glanced this way.

“Lord Star,” King Qinguang pressed the three rhomboid jade stones into Li Changsheng’s hand, “please don’t decline, you’ve helped us too much.”

“Thank you,” Li Changsheng said slowly, solemnly putting away the three jade stones, “Another day I will surely go to the Six Paths Reincarnation Wheel to thank Great Virtue Houtu.”

“You’re too kind, too kind.”

King Qinguang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, made a Daoist salute to Li Changsheng, and calmly walked back to his seat.

This round won.

The discussion immediately broke out everywhere, moving from the Ancestral Deities’ primordial blood essence to tales of ancient times.

Just then, in a corner beside the banquet, two figures preparing to perform were weakly observing the various powers in the venue.

Spirit Zhenzhu wore form-fitting robes, and beside him, the young lady Jade Rabbit wore a cute short dress, both currently somewhat pale.

Spirit Zhenzhu said softly: “What should we do?”

Click click click click —

Jade Rabbit’s two rows of silver teeth chattered lightly as she stammered:

“When you asked me to help you choreograph earlier… you didn’t say we’d be performing before Lord Laozi today… Let’s… let’s forget it…”

“I’ll go dance alone,” Spirit Zhenzhu sighed, “I already arranged it with the Chang’e sisters earlier, it’s our turn after their dance, we can’t just go.”

Jade Rabbit hurriedly said: “Have you thought this through? If you make a fool of yourself, you won’t be able to show your face in the primordial chaos anymore!”

“What’s there to fear!”

Spirit Zhenzhu held his head high, “What real man fears making a fool of himself?”

Jade Rabbit muttered: “Your master might lose all face.”

“This…”

Spirit Zhenzhu immediately became conflicted, quite concerned about True Person Taiyi’s reputation.

Jade Rabbit thought for a moment, bit her lip, raised her hand to pat Spirit Zhenzhu’s shoulder twice, and said crisply: “We’re good brothers, I can’t help you. If you have a way to make me not afraid, dancing shouldn’t go wrong.

After all, I was raised by my master, practicing dance in the Moon Palace all these years.”

Spirit Zhenzhu carefully considered and said softly: “I know of a secret Ancient Deity method that can make people forget fear.”

“What is it?”

“Pain,” Spirit Zhenzhu hesitated, “How about I punch you and see if it works?”

Jade Rabbit blinked, “Will it work? Don’t hit too hard… Go ahead!”

“Ha!”

Spirit Zhenzhu gave a light shout and threw a straight punch at Jade Rabbit’s chest. She staggered back three steps and fell on her bottom;

The young lady opened her mouth, a trace of blood seeping from the corner, her face full of despair for life.

“I hadn’t even used force, how did you fall already?”

Spirit Zhenzhu hurried forward to help her up, asking: “Are you still afraid?”

Jade Rabbit weakly tilted her head: “Afraid… afraid of being beaten to death by you…”

“Hmm?”

A deep voice suddenly came from the side. Spirit Zhenzhu and Jade Rabbit jumped in shock, hurriedly turning to look, just in time to see the travel-worn Zhao Gongming flying past urgently, muttering:

“Young Dao couples these days, why do they like to play these kinds of games?”

Jade Rabbit and Spirit Zhenzhu looked at each other, the young lady’s pretty face reddening as she quickly turned away, the blush creeping to her ears.

But Spirit Zhenzhu just laughed “hehe” and said:

“Senior misunderstands – we’re brothers, not a Dao couple. Brothers are more important than Dao couples!”

Jade Rabbit: …

This world was too difficult.