Li Changshou understood a principle from his previous life—

[Life is full of suddenness, and there’s one inevitable experience of ‘baldness’.]

Therefore, one must learn to be grateful to oneself, grateful for destiny’s random twists, and grateful for all the ways one twists destiny.

For instance, at this very moment, Li Changshou was quite grateful for the Primordial World stage play he had produced over the past decade—”Yang Jian’s Descent from the Mountain,” as it had given him… a common topic of conversation with his Sage Master!

On the twenty-first day after arriving at the Grand Clarity Temple, Li Changshou had almost completely returned his consciousness to his true form, ensuring he could give correct, timely, reasonable, and Master-pleasing responses when his Master spoke.

Communicating with a Sage was truly too troublesome.

Not to mention, Li Changshou now seriously suspected that his Master had already transcended the Primordial World’s rules, causing a disorder in his perception of ‘time rules’.

Three years on the time scale equaled ‘about to’;

The interval between each conversation was steady ‘half a month’.

A mortal’s hurried life of several decades was probably like a mayfly’s dawn-to-dusk existence in Master’s eyes;

The long years of this world’s existence had likely made Master forget the original time scale.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, pushing back numerous insights;

Inexplicably, he felt more admiration and respect for Master Grand Clarity.

How peaceful and smooth must one’s Dao heart be to let the years flow by without notice, causing barely a ripple?

Was this what it meant to be at the pinnacle of all beings?

“Yang Jian, not bad.”

Suddenly hearing Master speak, Li Changshou thought for an instant, smiled for an instant, and had already slightly lowered his head in an instant, responding gently: “His character is virtuous, resolute, and steady—truly an outstanding rising talent in the Dao School.”

Grand Clarity Sage transmitted: “You arranged it well.”

Li Changshou smiled awkwardly, about to continue responding when two strands of Yin-Yang energy flew out from Grand Clarity Sage’s sleeve, condensing into a faint Taiji Diagram, within which appeared incredibly clear images.

True billion-pixel quality.

What shocked Li Changshou most was that the Taiji Diagram—an Innate Precious Treasure and one of the three Creation Tools—was now so docile and smooth that, Old Master Diagram’s majesty was completely gone.

The scene in the image was one Li Changshou had imagined many times before, feeling quite familiar.

That handsome young Daoist practitioner, future Heavenly Court General Yang Jian, holding a precious sword, faced more than ten demon beasts wrapped in black qi who were about to rampage toward a distant village. His body emanated faint golden light, divine light showing in his eyes.

He suddenly raised his sword, the blade cutting across his palm, drops of blood glowing with golden light scattered outward!

“Come!”

Yang Jian roared angrily, those more than ten demon beasts stimulated by his Mysterious Body’s precious blood, charged toward him like madmen.

Yang Jian’s feet stamped the ground, leaving rows of cracks, like an arrow leaving its string, like a comet falling!

Sword light exploded as his form directly pierced through a bat-like demon beast, actively charging into the demons’ encirclement, then tearing open his own robe with one hand, revealing a light golden muscular Daoist body, lowering his head to roar in anger, wielding his sword to slash!

That sword now seemed so thin, like paper or wood!

The Eight-Nine Mystical Art?

No, this was the Eight-Nine Robe-Tearing Mystical Art!

It extended the battlefield rule that usually only immortal maidens had [The less you wear, the higher your defense] to male immortals, letting male immortals be more confident, holding their heads high as real men!

This was the true essence of the Eight-Nine Mystical Art that Li Changshou had comprehended over many years!

Because of Yang Jian’s excellent performance, Li Changshou finally could actively find a topic, softly saying from the side: “Master, what do you think of this Eight-Nine Mystical Art?”

“Passable.”

Grand Clarity Sage’s lips showed a faint smile, “Though it’s body cultivation, it protects the Primordial Spirit.”

Li Changshou said: “This disciple has also practiced this mystical art somewhat, Master please look.”

As he spoke, Li Changshou rolled up his sleeve, his palm to wrist gradually changing. His originally fairly fair skin gradually turned light golden, this golden color gradually brightening then dimming, finally changing from dark gold to humanity’s original yellow.

His palm was like a solid spirit treasure, seemingly able to pierce the heavens or press down the earth.

Grand Clarity Sage slowly nodded, then said: “Without the Ancestral God’s blood essence, this art would be merely mediocre.”

“Master, you could see this mystical art’s flaw at a glance, while this disciple took decades to comprehend it.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Lady Houtu combined the barbarian tribe’s battle methods to create this mystical art, originally wanting to create a perfect technique, but in considering all aspects, it lost the word ‘extreme’.

Unable to reach the extreme, it also cannot break through limits. Though the Eight-Nine Mystical Art can achieve success in hundreds of years, it can never create masters like Senior Brother Gongming.

Though the Ancestral God’s origin blood essence can make up for this, there’s truly too little origin blood essence.”

“Good.”

Laozi’s smile took on a trace of comfort, responding thus, then falling into prolonged silence.

Was Master happy, or did he think Li Changshou talked too much?

Li Changshou pondered internally, realizing Master’s “good” should express approval and satisfaction, and his previous words weren’t too excessive.

*Hiss*, communicating with a Sage was truly the most difficult technical task in the Primordial World.

Whether Grand Clarity Sage had forgotten to put it away or intentionally left it for Li Changshou to watch, the Taiji Diagram still locked onto Yang Jian’s form, showing clear images.

A fierce battle, self-injury, protecting a mortal village, receiving the mortals’ gratitude, being gifted with a broken spirit treasure spear passed down in this place.

This was naturally a small gift arranged by Li Changshou.

Yang Jian was still young after all, and quite happy to receive a treasure at this time, speeding around within a thousand li of the village for two days, eliminating various hidden dangers before heading toward the ‘perilous place’ according to the information he had gathered.

If Li Changshou remembered correctly, this road still had small emotional scenes like [The Little Immortal Maiden Selling Stars] and [The Old Man by the River Waiting for His Dead Son’s Soul to Return].

Basic training could only let trainees feel their lives being threatened, constantly struggling to survive, striving to break through their limits.

Advanced training, however, needed to add some contemplation of human nature and attention to human kindness in the gaps between intense battles, on the foundation of basic training, letting trainees generate some spiritual touching even if they guessed these were pre-arranged scenes.

Come to think of it, now collecting his thoughts, watching through the Taiji Diagram’s broadcast as a pure ‘audience’ appreciating his arranged scenes, Li Changshou gradually developed a subtle sense of pleasure.

Like appreciating an artwork he had painstakingly created.

After thirteen or fourteen days and nights, Grand Clarity Sage slowly spoke:

“The Dragon Tribe is corrupt, it should be carefully managed.”

Li Changshou was stunned, not knowing what Master was thinking of, but he quickly thought and grasped the thread, answering from the side:

“Master, the Dragon Tribe’s corruption has accumulated over many years. Previously during the Sea Tribe’s rebellion and the Western Teaching’s scheming against the Dragon Tribe, quite a few dragons were awakened, but overall the effect was limited.

Master, are you concerned that as the Heavenly Court rises, many dragons will sink back into ancient dreams, even taking the Heavenly Court’s rise as their merit, thus disturbing the world’s order?”

Grand Clarity Sage… smiled again.

“Not bad.”

Li Changshou pondered again for a while, saying: “Please rest assured, Master. During this great tribulation, this disciple will try to arrange some conflicts to knock some sense into the Dragon Tribe, letting them recognize their position.”

Grand Clarity Sage slowly nodded, again saying “Good,” smiling and closing his eyes, entering…

the next dialogue cycle.

‘What will Master ask next?’

Li Changshou couldn’t help having such doubts arise in his heart, sitting to the side and beginning to frantically predict.

However, after another half month, Li Changshou deeply recognized the fundamental difference in life levels between himself and Master…

This time it wasn’t the Sage speaking first, but Grand Clarity Sage slowly raising his hand, lightly pointing at the Taiji Diagram, making the images begin to continuously jump and change, the jumping speed getting faster and faster!

Li Changshou’s eyes originally followed each image swaying left and right, but after just two breaths, his pupils’ trembling frequency could no longer keep up with the speed of the image changes!

The scenes presented in the Taiji Diagram became a blur of light and shadow.

Massive information impacted him, Li Changshou’s eyes aching, his Dao heart filled with image after image, his mind buzzing, almost directly losing consciousness!

Fortunately, Grand Clarity Sage timely discovered that Li Changshou was still just an ‘insect’, raising one palm and pressing it on Li Changshou’s back.

Li Changshou lightly exhaled, sitting there with a pale face, struggling to digest the information he had just received.

Master Grand Clarity had just been monitoring the entire Three Realms, seemingly searching for a trace of ‘disturbance’.

Among these images were mortal cities everywhere, the kingdoms of celestials in the lower three levels below the Nine Heavens, and countless places of soul reincarnation in the Netherworld.

Li Changshou saw…

Ling’e wearing a floral short skirt, properly holding a fishing rod by the lake, sitting on a small stool, and resting her chin while staring blankly at the lake’s surface.

For some unknown reason today, she had tied her long hair into two buns, wrapped in fabric matching her short skirt.

She must be trying different clothing styles.

He also saw…

On Three Immortals Island, Cloud Maiden standing by the window with closed eyes in concentration, mysterious Dao rhythms coiling around her.

She seemed to have some insights, though not particularly deep ones, and this window faced the direction of the Immortal-Making Gate.

Surely… he wasn’t overthinking this?

He could also see:

Three thousand worlds of chaos swirling,

The mortal realm is like dreams in an urn.

Countless calculations in immortal lands,

Seeking true essence brings no eternal life.

Grand Clarity Sage had, in just a brief moment, looked over countless mortal worlds, searching for the source of that ‘disturbance’.

The information Li Changshou had just received was merely a trace of what was shown through the Taiji Diagram.

As he closed his eyes to concentrate on digesting this information, he could sense light continuously flashing outside his eyelids as his Sage Master continued searching the Three Realms.

With the Heavenly Mechanisms now obscured, could Master achieve this level merely using his methods, without borrowing the power of the Heavenly Dao?

The part of Li Changshou’s consciousness that remained free could only feel shock…

Truly worthy of being the strongest Sage.

Not daring to keep Master waiting, Li Changshou concentrated fully on receiving this information, like sifting sand from water, letting useless information naturally fade while storing the scenes he cared about as memories.

When Li Changshou’s Dao heart regained stability, he felt a weakness spreading from within. The impact of that information on his spirit was such that nine out of ten Dao School masters, aside from the Three Schools’ Senior Brother, would have directly fainted. Li Changshou could grit his teeth and endure it only because he had always consciously tempered his spirit.

— To simultaneously detonate more Earth-Crushing Sky-Shaking Paper Avatar Spirit Explosion Arrays.

When Li Changshou opened his eyes, Grand Clarity Sage’s sigh came from beside him, actually… carrying some emotional fluctuation.

Somewhat disappointed.

What was wrong?

Li Changshou looked up to see his Master with closed eyes, his withered face showing faint helplessness. The strongest Sage, who should have been as calm as an ancient well without any fluctuations, now…

“Master,” Li Changshou asked softly, “is there anything this disciple can do to help ease your worries?”

Grand Clarity Sage shook his head slightly and opened his eyelids halfway, his gaze falling on Li Changshou’s face, finger pointing at the Taiji Diagram again.

The Yin-Yang fish slowly rotated, the scenes shown above somewhat blurry, but Li Changshou recognized at a glance where it was, sensing two familiar obscure Dao rhythms.

Mount Kunlun, the Three Friends Courtyard behind the Jade Void Palace!

The Dao School’s Sage Original Heavenly Honored One and the Western Teaching’s Sage Guide Person!

This!

Li Changshou was sixty percent shocked inside, the rest entirely ‘chilled’, and then understood why Master was so helpless.

The only ones who could trouble Master were probably these two Sage brothers.

“Master,” Li Changshou said, “perhaps the Western Teaching’s Great Sage is just trying to convince…”

Halfway through these words, Li Changshou himself didn’t quite believe them.

If Original Heavenly Honored One had no intention of joining hands with the Western Teaching, Guide would probably find it difficult to enter the Three Friends Courtyard.

Grand Clarity Sage sighed slowly again, the scenes in the Taiji Diagram dissipating.

“Changshou.”

“Disciple is here!”

Li Changshou hurriedly responded.

“In the Purple Void Palace, you stand with the Heavenly Court.”

“Yes,” Li Changshou lowered his head and agreed, his heart already understanding Master’s decision.

Between the Severance Teaching and the Enlightenment Teaching, the Human Teaching decided to help neither.

That scene in the Three Pure Ones’ small courtyard just now had let Li Changshou feel the difficult obstacles of the coming great tribulation, experiencing the uncontrollability of the Sages’ game.

This scene was enough to make Grand Clarity Sage sad and True Lord Communication’s Heart angry.

If the Dao School had internal strife, that would just be a family matter…

Li Changshou still didn’t want to believe in his heart, secretly pondering if this was the Sage Guide intentionally dividing the Dao School’s three Sages.

But then, Li Changshou noticed two details.

First, through the Taiji Diagram, the reason he could sense the two Sages’ Dao rhythms was that the Original Heavenly Honored One and Sage Guide had jointly acted to conceal the Heavenly Mechanisms and block investigation…

Second, both Sage Guide and Original Heavenly Honored One were seated.

“No need to worry.”

Grand Clarity Sage spoke gently.

Li Changshou endured his Dao heart’s fatigue and asked: “Master, could we look at where the Western Teaching’s two Sages are?”

“Good.”

Grand Clarity Laozi pointed again, this time the Taiji Diagram didn’t take much effort to show a clear scene.

That should be in some corner of Spirit Mountain, Sage Honorable Achievement sitting before a golden great cauldron, both hands maintaining the Lotus Treasure Seal, both eyes staring at the flames dancing in the golden great cauldron.

“Tsk.”

A trace of breath escaped from Grand Clarity Sage’s lips.

That was disdain, right?

You’re expressing disdain, aren’t you, Master?

Indeed, in the field of pill refining, Master’s avatar Supreme Lord Laozi had already reached the peak, naturally able to mock Sage Honorable Achievement.

Back to the matter at hand.

Honorable Achievement and Guide weren’t together, proving that the scene in the Three Pure Ones’ courtyard wasn’t self-directed by Western Teaching.

Though the possibility was very low, this situation indeed couldn’t be ruled out before.

“Master, could we see where Third Uncle-Master is?”

“Good.”

Grand Clarity Laozi’s finger lightly slid, the Taiji Diagram’s Yin-Yang fish turned for a while before showing a barely clear scene filled with clouds and mist.

Splash, splash—

Water sounds came through, the viewpoint slowly zooming in to show True Lord Communication’s Heart sitting in that familiar hot spring pool, Treasure Lord sitting behind True Lord Communication’s Heart, Zhao Gongming sitting behind Treasure Lord…

Each holding a snow-white towel, vigorously scrubbing the back of the Sage or Senior Brother in front of them while chatting about some men’s topics.

“Gongming, when are you planning to marry Golden Spirit?

Let your Master help arrange it properly, and have Changsheng come over to preside over your wedding, bring all Second Senior Brother’s disciples over to see.

Let him keep only taking male disciples, see them all dumbfounded then?”

“Master, please don’t rush. Golden Spirit won’t let this disciple speak of it publicly yet, she’s shy…”

“Master,” Treasure Lord also said, “This disciple feels we should hold this event after the great tribulation ends, just in time to celebrate.”

“Sigh, don’t know how many little ones won’t make it through this great tribulation,” True Lord Communication’s Heart let out a long sigh, “Bribe Changsheng more, let him help arrange for more remnant souls to go to the Heavenly Court. This time when your Master goes to the Purple Void Palace, I’ll also fight for your interests, worst case your Master will make a scene with the Teacher, after all, your Master is the youngest…”

True Lord Communication’s Heart’s voice gradually faded with the splashing water sounds, the scenes on the Taiji Diagram dissipating again.

Third Uncle-Master was clearly about to be set up by Second Uncle-Master. While one side was already contacting outside help, this side was still discussing Golden Spirit Sage Mother’s level of shyness.

This!

Drowsiness attacked, and Li Changshou couldn’t help yawning, hurriedly raising his hand to cover his mouth.

“Don’t sleep too long, recover your spirit.”

Grand Clarity Sage spoke gently, and Li Changshou indeed couldn’t hold on, showing an embarrassed expression, lowering his head to give thanks, but before he could raise his head, his consciousness was gradually closing.

The indescribable sense of safety beside Master let Li Changshou’s spirit, which had been sustained for several hundred years, relax completely for once.

At that moment, the Qiankun Ruler flew out on its own, transforming into a hard pillow, and falling behind Li Changshou.

The Primal Yellow Tower sprinkled streams of primal yellow energy, like a thin blanket covering Li Changshou, pushing him to slowly lie down.

The meditation cushion under Li Changshou opened up, transforming into a narrow ‘mattress’, letting Li Changshou lie down comfortably.

Grand Clarity Sage pointed out a strand of Dao rhythm, wrapping around Li Changshou’s cheek, helping him enter deep sleep, and then continued gazing at the Taiji Diagram.

Li Changshou had a dream.

He dreamed that Sage Guide and Original Heavenly Honored One parted on bad terms, dreamed that Sage Honorable Achievement’s pill furnace exploded with a burnt golden cicada jumping out;

Dreamed that True Lord Communication’s Heart, while scrubbing Treasure Lord’s back, was advising him to lose weight to avoid the three highs.

The dream scene shifted to a pure white world, where the Sage Mother, lying by a pool with a human body and snake tail, was raising her head to chug immortal wine ‘glug glug glug’, looking at the comic book before her with tears streaming down her face while gritting her teeth and cursing:

‘This damned Li Changsheng, how dare he write such an adorable sister out of the story! Want Mother to send you a blade?’

The sleeping Li Changshou shuddered a few times.

Dreaming of Primordial World Sages sending death threats – a true nightmare.