With Original Lord Yuanshi’s departure, signing the Investiture List could proceed no further.

This was within Li Changshou’s expectations, and he had previously explored various negotiation scenarios with His Majesty using phrases like “might happen” when analyzing the Sages’ possible reactions.

But when it happened, it truly left one feeling quite helpless.

Having one’s name added to the Investiture List was equivalent to being destined for tribulation. Among the Sages, only the Western Religion’s Sages might do such a thing.

Whose disciples weren’t disciples? Weren’t they all cultivated through lectures and guidance, meant to inherit one’s legacy?

Both Lord of the Severing Teaching and Original Lord Yuanshi greatly valued their disciples – this was perfectly reasonable.

So, Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor had repeatedly mentioned that “being listed could save one’s life in the great tribulation”… but the effect was quite weak.

Well, being able to control the Investiture List and God-Striking Whip today was already quite an ideal outcome.

Original Lord Yuanshi saying “each relies on their destiny” was actually a method more favorable to the Enlightenment Teaching, after all, they had treasures to suppress teaching destiny, and most within were blessed golden immortals.

The three principles Original Lord Yuanshi followed in accepting disciples — background, blessed destiny, and fate — had indeed laid a sufficient foundation for the Enlightenment Teaching in the face of the great tribulation.

As for why Original Lord Yuanshi needed to meet with Dao Master Jiexing and had been targeting the Severing Teaching all day…

Li Changshou could understand but didn’t want to support it.

Regardless, since Master Primordial disliked both Original Lord Yuanshi and Dao Master Jiexing, he could only later stand from the Heavenly Court’s position, maintaining distance from both the Enlightenment and Severing Teachings.

Would Master Primordial later help the Enlightenment or Severing Teaching?

In the original tribulation, Master had helped the Enlightenment Teaching, but now…

[Master would only help the side with a clear advantage, thereby protecting the Dao path’s vitality.]

It all depended on how later matters developed, how tribulation destiny was manipulated, and how both the Enlightenment and Severing sides responded.

Li Changshou raised his head to look toward Lord of the Severing Teaching’s direction but saw him frowning while looking outside the Purple Void Palace, his gaze somewhat complex, though he quickly sighed lightly and slowly closed his eyes.

The Purple Void Palace’s atmosphere became somewhat oppressive again, the five Sages maintaining silence, seemingly just waiting for Primordial Lord Laozi to say “Let’s go.”

Treasure Dao Master considered left and right, but still walked out from behind Lord of the Severing Teaching, asking softly: “Great Master-Uncle, Your Majesty, how exactly will this great tribulation proceed?”

Primordial Sage said slowly: “Heaven’s mechanisms show the tribulation should occur in the mortal world of the Southern Continent, with no other information.”

Goddess Nuwa also said: “This tribulation beginning with mortals and manifesting in the Southern Continent makes sense, but when the tribulation falls, who knows how many innocent mortals will suffer.”

The Jade Emperor smiled and said: “Honored elder brothers and sister, why don’t we first agree here in the Purple Void Palace? The tribulation of living beings is destined to have heavy casualties, but mortals are naturally weak and not the cause of the great tribulation, moreover have Heaven’s Dao’s protection. Please may the honored brothers constrain their disciples, not to slaughter mortals indiscriminately. Tens of thousands of mortal deaths cannot compare to the burden relieved from Heaven and Earth by one long-life immortal’s fall – the great tribulation is also a test for qi practitioners.”

“Your Majesty speaks reason,” Dao Master Jiexing opened his eyes, revealing a faint smile, “This poor Dao will certainly constrain disciples within the teaching from walking in Southern Continent lands.”

Li Changshou shook his head internally – these Sages changed faces truly too quickly.

The Jade Emperor smiled and nodded, his gaze looking toward Original Lord Yuanshi’s empty position.

“Let’s go.”

Primordial Sage spoke these words, and streams of light arose around the other Sages, about to leave the Purple Void Palace.

Li Changshou immediately wanted to walk back behind Master Primordial, but the Jade Emperor spoke: “Elder Brother Primordial, may Changsheng stay a while longer? I wish to discuss the matter of arranging this Investiture List with him.”

“Good.”

Primordial Sage answered with closed eyes, and as his voice fell, his form flashed, already taking the Great Master and the Taiji diagram’s shadow away and vanishing.

Streams of light flickered as the remaining four Sages disappeared along with Primordial Sage, only Goddess Nuwa leaving these words:

“Changsheng, if you have no matters, remember to come by my place.”

Li Changshou made a Dao salute toward outside the Purple Void Palace, then let out a long breath, and turned to exchange glances with the Jade Emperor, each revealing slight smiles.

However, there was some depression in Li Changshou’s smile.

The Jade Emperor smiled and said: “Originally thought the several Sages would discuss some profound principles, delaying here for decades, unexpectedly it was less than an hour from start to finish.”

“After all, it concerns the lives of two teachings’ disciples,” Li Changshou held the God-Striking Whip forward and asked, “Your Majesty, should this minor god truly keep the God-Striking Whip?”

The Jade Emperor’s mouth twitched slightly as he laughed and scolded:

“Still the God-Striking Whip, you had me hold this Investiture List just wanting to stabilize things, avoiding being called over by Sages for tea in turns!”

Amid the laughing scold, the Jade Emperor shifted sideways, revealing half his cushion, “Come sit.”

But Li Changshou didn’t dare truly sit over there, made a Dao salute to the Jade Emperor, and sat cross-legged on the ground…

The coolness through the cloth reminded him of that somewhat embarrassing scene earlier, making him raise his hand to his forehead.

Was the Dao Ancestor doing it deliberately?

This was too playful, too approachable!

“Changsheng, what’s the Enlightenment Teaching’s Sage thinking?”

“I’m not sure either, but…”

Surely it couldn’t be tsundere or something.

Li Changshou hummed several times and said: “Second Master-Uncle probably wants to give the Severing Teaching a good cleanup.”

Just then, from the side came a voice:

“Yuanshi is just that kind of character, feeling Tongtian has gone astray and wanting to help correct him, worrying more than anyone, never gaining any good reputation each time.”

Li Changshou’s whole body instantly stiffened, and the Jade Emperor hurriedly stood up.

On that giant cushion, the Dao Ancestor’s towering form appeared again without warning, as if he had never left before.

The Jade Emperor raised his hand to pull Li Changshou once, letting Li Changshou rise in time, together making Dao salutes to the Dao Ancestor.

The Dao Ancestor looked at Li Changshou with a half-smile, his eyes carrying some playfulness.

Li Changshou lowered his head not daring to meet his gaze, his heart slightly twitching.

Why hadn’t he insisted on leaving together with his master just now?

“Ninety-eight percent,” the Dao Ancestor narrowed his eyes slightly, “why aren’t you mentioning merit matters today?”

Li Changshou sighed and said: “This disciple’s wisdom is shallow, naturally dare not compare with Honored Teacher, Honored Teacher not giving this disciple these two merits must have deep meaning, this disciple just obeys.”

The Jade Emperor said softly from the side: “Teacher, is there some problem with Changsheng condensing a merit golden body?”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu said calmly: “Doesn’t he like ninety-eight percent? Everything just right, isn’t a ninety-eight percent merit golden body wonderful?”

Li Changshou’s legs trembled almost making him kneel, the Jade Emperor’s forehead was covered in black lines as he turned his head away, his shoulders shaking.

Dao Ancestor Hongwu smiled and said: “Having Haotian keep you behind, Changsheng, is because there are some matters that need to be told to you in advance. Let Haotian return to the Heavenly Court first to arrange the Investiture List, and have Changsheng linger in the Purple Void Palace for a bit.”

Though the Jade Emperor didn’t understand, he still bowed making a Dao salute, gave Li Changshou an encouraging look, and quickly left carrying the Investiture List and Imperial Seal.

Li Changshou: …

Dazed.

If he had to use one word to describe his current mood, it could only be this word – dazed.

The Jade Emperor speaking was the Dao Ancestor’s instruction, the Dao Ancestor keeping him alone in the Purple Void Palace, saying there were matters to tell him.

Could… could there be some dramatic development?

Would the next words from Dao Ancestor Hongwu be a thick regional-accented “Oh, fellow townsman”?

Seemingly able to see through Li Changshou’s thoughts, after the Jade Emperor left the Purple Void Palace, Dao Ancestor Hongwu pointed a finger, and golden light enveloped all parts of the Purple Void Palace.

Li Changshou instantly felt all his connections to the Primordial Chaos world and his connection to the Great Dao vanish!

Even more thorough than the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk’s isolation!

Could… could it be the Dao Ancestor was going to modify his soul, completely turning him into Heaven’s Dao’s puppet?!

This…

Streams of light arose around Dao Ancestor Hongwu, that towering form changing to normal human size, looking somewhat more kindly and benevolent.

He slowly opened his mouth and said calmly:

“Thinking whether this poor Dao should call you a fellow townsman, or should change your divine soul, turning you into Heaven’s Dao’s treasure?”

Li Changshou’s Dao heart trembled as he tightly closed his mouth, frowning while staring at the Dao Ancestor before him.

“You… are?”

“Of course not,” Dao Ancestor Hongwu laughed, “This poor Dao having today’s achievements still has to thank that townsman of yours, come, let me take you for a casual tour.”

After speaking, Dao Ancestor Hongwu waved his hand, and though the two didn’t move at all, their surroundings instantly changed greatly, becoming a lush mountain forest, with two wooden houses to the side.

Heaven and Earth displacement!

The Dao Ancestor stood up, hands behind his back, walking toward that small wooden house. His straight figure showed slight weariness, gesturing for Li Changshou to follow.

Li Changshou sighed in his heart – even if he was to be erased today, he couldn’t be a muddled ghost…

“Honored Teacher, what exactly happened back then?”

“No need to mention past matters,” Hongwu sighed slightly, “Heaven’s Dao has already erased that townsman of yours, originally quite a few beings like Nuwa and Houtu received his beneficence, and he also did quite many good things for the Primordial Chaos. But in the end, that person went mad for some unknown reason, insisting on forcing his way to Sagehood, shattering this Heaven and Earth, and suffering Heaven’s Dao’s backlash.

Heaven’s Dao is supremely impartial, just order rules condensed under Pangu God’s will from the Great Dao. Your Dao is quite good, considering giving Heaven’s Dao a kind of feedback and complement, this is also why this poor Dao has several times blocked Heaven’s Dao from interfering with you.”

Hearing these words, Li Changshou felt somewhat moved in his heart and bowed saying: “Thank you, Honored Teacher.”

As they spoke, Dao Ancestor Hongwu had already led him to a wooden house, and pushed open its wooden door, revealing simple furnishings inside.

“Sit, don’t worry too much, today this poor Dao has a request of you.”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu sat cross-legged on a cushion, seeing Li Changshou’s expression still not very clear, and smiled: “If I wanted to destroy you, why would this poor Dao cultivate you all this way until today?”

“Thank you, Honored Teacher.”

Li Changshou could only repeat these words, made a Dao salute, and moved a cushion to sit in the lower position from Dao Ancestor Hongwu.

Dao Ancestor Hongwu’s smile grew deeper as he said: “What do you understand about this poor Dao and Heaven’s Dao?”

“This disciple doesn’t understand, and doesn’t dare speak nonsense.”

“Look,” Dao Ancestor Hongwu’s left hand gained an emerald jade plate, upon which shone intersecting lines of light, forming a three-dimensional grid, within which projected shadows of the Primordial Chaos world.

“This poor Dao is Heaven’s Dao, but Heaven’s Dao is not this poor Dao. In other words, this poor Dao can control Heaven’s Dao for short periods, but Heaven’s Dao cannot influence this poor Dao.”

Li Changshou felt quite shocked, but then frowned and asked: “Honored Teacher is already omnipotent in this world, what can this disciple do?”

“Omnipotent?”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu questioned back, slowly shaking his head, “If this poor Dao were omnipotent, how could there still be great tribulations?”

The jade plate in his hand rotated gently, the fine lines representing rules and the world vanishing, the jade plate projecting nine differently colored spring eyes.

Nine Filthy Springs.

“The Nine Filthy Springs exist between real and virtual, saying the sea eyes are the Nine Filthy Springs is both right and wrong.”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu said slowly: “The sea eyes are merely one place where the Nine Filthy Springs’ power vents, the Blood Sea is also thus. The Nine Filthy Springs gather living beings’ karmic obstacles – once karmic obstacles accumulate too much, the Nine Filthy Springs will overturn the Primordial Chaos land, burying living beings. Thus begins another cycle within Heaven and Earth, starting a new epoch.

This matter this poor Dao also cannot prevent – though this poor Dao considers having reached the peak of the cultivation path, still cannot be mentioned alongside Pangu God. Therefore, whenever the Nine Filthy Springs is about to erupt, Heaven’s Dao will brew tribulations one after another, continuously delaying this tribulation of living beings.”

Li Changshou showed realization: “So, Heaven’s Dao continuously suppressing living beings’ power is because, after each great tribulation, there will be many karmic obstacles remaining, leaving increasingly narrow buffer zones for the Nine Filthy Springs?”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu praised: “Truly good comprehension. However, the Great Dao of living beings shows that birth, aging, sickness, and death are naturally living beings’ laws – it is thus for individual beings, and thus for all beings. Therefore, this poor Dao is not omnipotent, this poor Dao has merely reached the living beings’ peak, merged with Heaven’s Dao, and completed Heaven’s Dao, continuing Pangu God’s will. Similarly, at this time this poor Dao also cannot leave this world.

All these are still thanks to that townsman of yours – at that time to prevent him from forcing his way to the Dao and destroying the Primordial Chaos, this poor Dao could only take this inferior strategy, giving up the chance to attain Mixed Origin in the Chaos Sea.”

Li Changshou asked softly: “According to Primordial Chaos rumors, wasn’t it that Honored Teacher worried attaining Heaven’s Dao would be unbearable?”

“That was just a misunderstanding after Heaven’s Dao erased that fellow,” Dao Ancestor Hongwu sighed, “If not for this poor Dao and Heaven’s Dao joining forces, we likely couldn’t have suppressed him. This fellow, due to the chaos when opening the heavens, accidentally arrived in the ancient Primordial Chaos, and was even friends with Pangu God.”

Senior Lang was that fierce?

Li Changshou first felt shocked, then somewhat depressed.

Such a fierce man was still erased by Heaven’s Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongwu… better not have thoughts one shouldn’t have – after settling the Investiture tribulation, he should retire early and enjoy his elder years.

“Feeling endangered?” Dao Ancestor Hongwu asked.

“This disciple… naturally feels somewhat afraid.”

“As long as you don’t do things that shake Heaven and Earth’s stability, you naturally won’t be targeted by Heaven’s Dao,” Dao Ancestor Hongwu smiled, “Do you know when this poor Dao first noticed you?”

“This disciple doesn’t know.”

“Guess.”

“This…,” Li Changshou hummed several times, “When this disciple’s soul came to the Primordial Chaos?”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu shook his head and smiled lightly, saying: “Though your homeland isn’t in the Primordial Chaos, whether coming as a remnant soul with memories or coming as a true spirit makes no great difference. The Chaos Sea is endless – the universe you know may just be a grain of dust in the Chaos Sea. The River of True Spirits flows within, the Great Dao of life and death accompany each other – living beings, ultimately, are just disturbances and accidents, manifestations of the Great Dao and rules. Therefore, in this poor Dao’s eyes, you are no different from ordinary living beings – your background isn’t worth mentioning.”

Li Changshou: …

What was this inexplicable happiness yet also inexplicable loss?

“Then when did Honored Teacher notice this disciple…”

“When you passed your immortalization tribulation at sea, you even deceived Heaven’s Dao,” Dao Ancestor Hongwu smiled, “You also startled this poor Dao, unexpectedly discovering your Dao was born from the balanced meaning within the Yin-Yang Great Dao, needed by Heaven’s Dao. Thus, this poor Dao secretly acted, raising a divine statue for you in that Wu people’s village, thereby disturbing your original destiny. If not for this, you might have stayed in the mountains until the end of time. But this poor Dao also didn’t expect you would be so outstanding, not only outstanding in your personal Dao, but even single-handedly raising the Heavenly Court, saving this poor Dao much effort.”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

This!

The case was finally solved!

Dao Ancestor Hongwu’s hand waved gently, a spot of light appearing on the jade plate, faintly the silhouette of a Daoist sitting in meditation, surrounded by misty shadows.

“Keeping you here was because of this matter – do you know what this is?”

“This disciple doesn’t know.”

“This is Pangu God’s will remaining in Heaven’s Dao,” Dao Ancestor Hongwu sighed lightly, “With Heaven’s Dao’s evolution, he has gradually gained his ability to think. If Heaven’s Dao experiences major disturbances, he will be born from within Heaven’s Dao.”

Li Changshou exclaimed in shock: “Could Pangu God be reborn?”

“That is not this – he is just a trace of Pangu God’s remnant thoughts,” Dao Ancestor Hongwu said, “What this poor Dao wants to entrust to you is, when he is born, to judge whether he is beneficial or harmful to Heaven and Earth. If the former, protect him from being erased by Heaven’s Dao; If the latter, you need to ensure he is thoroughly erased.”

Li Changshou asked softly: “This disciple fears not being a match for Pangu God’s remnant thoughts.”

“When he is first born his surroundings will have no spiritual energy, unable to absorb spiritual energy for his use, quite weak,” Dao Ancestor Hongwu’s gaze was somewhat complex, too complex for Li Changshou to fully understand at this moment.

The Dao Ancestor said slowly: “His life or death, Heaven and Earth’s fate, all lie in your single thought. The Three Pure Ones were transformed from Pangu’s primordial spirit, the Western Religion’s two Sages only care for themselves, Nuwa’s nature is indecisive, Haotian is too deeply connected to Heaven’s Dao – only you handle matters most steadily. Do you need any reward?”

Li Changshou hesitated briefly and sighed: “Being able to share Honored Teacher’s worries is already this disciple’s blessing.”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu showed regret, took out a small bronze cauldron from his sleeve, and then stuffed it back.

“Had thought to reward you this Heaven and Earth Cauldron that killed Luohou in advance, but since you want to serve selflessly, forget it.”

Li Changshou’s eyes bulged, couldn’t catch his breath, almost fainting with his eyes rolling back.

“Honored Teacher, this disciple’s merit golden body, you see…”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu immediately smiled with narrowed eyes: “Didn’t I say, just use ninety-eight percent.”

“But this…”

“Hahaha!”

Dao Ancestor Hongwu clapped and laughed heartily, then took out a stone tablet from his sleeve and threw it into Li Changshou’s hand.

“Cultivate well, complete your Balance Dao early, so this poor Dao can be less disturbed by Heaven’s Dao. Return now. Later if Heaven’s Dao disturbances appear, this poor Dao will naturally send you a message.”

Li Changshou wanted to say more, but Dao Ancestor Hongwu’s hand waved gently, light and shadows flowed before his eyes, and in a daze, he appeared above vast boundless waves stretching ten thousand li.

This was… the East Sea?

Everything before seemed like a dream, only the stone tablet in his hand felt quite real.

Standing up in mid-air, Li Changshou looked at the stone tablet in his hand, with several segments of Dao patterns carved on it, natural methods of cultivation.

Back then the Dao Ancestor merging with Heaven’s Dao was to prevent Senior Lang from forcing his way to Sagehood and destroying the Primordial Chaos.

A being transformed from Pangu God’s will would soon be born from Heaven’s Dao, escaping Heaven’s Dao’s control.

This…

Steady now – even if it was the Dao Ancestor infusing him with this information, he could only believe sixty… no, forty percent.

History is written by the victors – however unrestrained Senior Lang was, he shouldn’t have tried to destroy the Primordial Chaos.

Was the Dao Ancestor truly simply taking protecting living beings as his duty?

Putting away the stone tablet, Li Changshou’s mind was somewhat dazed as his form transformed into a swimming fish and dove into the East Sea, heading toward a safe house within the East Sea.

First, calm down and think clearly about the current situation and this task entrusted by the Dao Ancestor, carefully consider whether to report this matter to his master – these were the most important things.

Thus, three months later.

Li Changshou acted as if nothing had happened, quietly returning to Little Qiong Peak.