“Fellow Daoist, have you heard? The Western Teaching destroyed Crossing Immortal Gate where Grand White Star Lord Li Changgeng originally cultivated, and Li Changgeng immediately went and destroyed the Western Teaching’s mountain gate in return! He destroyed Spirit Mountain’s main gate, mind you, not the entire Spirit Mountain—don’t spread misinformation.”
“I heard it was Severing Sect immortals who destroyed Crossing Immortal Gate. And they even killed Sect Master Ji Wuyou?”
“How could Severing Sect immortals do such a thing? What’s the relationship between Immortal Maiden Yunxiao and Grand White Star Lord? With Grand White Star Lord’s strategic mind, and him already destroying the Western Teaching’s mountain gate, do you even need to ask who’s responsible?”
“That makes sense… This Western Teaching does such despicable things. At a time like this, they’re still stirring up trouble here and there.”
“Speak cautiously, speak cautiously.”
…
“Fellow Daoist, have you heard? Grand White Star Lord destroyed the Western Teaching’s mountain gate. The scene was incredibly bloody and terrifying!”
“Isn’t everyone talking about this? The Western Teaching controlled some Severing Sect immortals to cause trouble at the immortal sect that Grand White Star Lord cultivated in his early years, killing Sect Master Ji Wuyou of Crossing Immortal Gate.”
“Just know about this matter but don’t spread it around. The Western Teaching is still great—we can’t afford to offend them.”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
…
“Hey, Fellow Daoist, have you heard? Grand White Star Lord destroyed the Western Teaching’s mountain gate, and right in front of two Sages, he tied up all the Western Teaching disciples from top to bottom and hung them from trees for a beating.”
“Oh? Why did he do that?”
“Please don’t spread this around, but they say the Western Teaching was sowing discord among the three Dao teachings, secretly controlling Severing Sect immortals under the name of Enlightenment Teaching immortals to attack the Human Teaching’s Crossing Immortal Gate. That Crossing Immortal Gate was where Grand White Star Lord cultivated in his early years—he had deep feelings for it. After the Sect Master was killed along with thousands of disciples, the Grand White Star-Lord went to destroy the Western Teaching’s mountain gate. Since the Great Tribulation hasn’t officially begun, he restrained himself and didn’t kill too many people.”
“Hiss— So that’s what happened! Don’t worry, Fellow Daoist, I’ll keep this as secret as… Wait a moment?! Crossing Immortal Gate? Which Crossing Immortal Gate? The Human Teaching’s Crossing Immortal Gate that I established?”
At the banquet, True Lord Du’e suddenly stood up, staring at his old conversational friend beside him.
Before this friend who had known him for many years and was equally skilled at [keeping secrets] could speak, True Lord Du’e had already turned and rushed out, not even taking time to carefully select a cloud before hurrying toward East Victory Divine Continent.
True Lord Du’e tried divination calculations, but naturally, the heavenly mechanisms were obscured, yielding no conclusions. Only then did he remember that he had only maintained contact with Ji Wuyou in the past.
Now he was hearing news about Crossing Immortal Gate at a banquet, and that disciple he had painstakingly nurtured from a registered disciple to a formal disciple…
Riding clouds and passing through the mist, then moving as fast as lightning, True Lord Du’e had already calmed down halfway through his journey.
After all, he had worked his way up to become the Primordial World’s number one megaphone—no, to become a prestigious immortal figure within certain circles.
If the rumors were true, and the currently red-hot Second Disciple of the Human Teaching Master came from his Crossing Immortal Gate, then it was only a matter of time before Crossing Immortal Gate would be drawn into conflicts between the great teachings.
What kind of people were the Western Teaching?
Since ancient times, they had been forcibly converting people, relying on the backing of two Sages to act without restraint in the Western Ox-Treasure Continent.
In the rumors, they only mentioned that Lord Grand White Star Lord destroyed the Western Teaching’s mountain gate, but not that he killed any specific people from the Western Teaching—why was that?
Very simple—those Western Teaching disciples who could openly show themselves weren’t important figures and could be sacrificed at any time to pay karmic debts. The true core figures of the Western Teaching all hid in the shadows.
Killing them would be a loss; it was better to directly destroy the mountain gate to slap the faces of the Western Teaching’s two Sages.
The Sages’ face, which had been continuously ‘deified’ before, was now worthless.
Accompanied by complicated thoughts, True Lord Du’e finally reached East Victory Divine Continent. His immortal awareness eagerly extended toward Crossing Immortal Gate’s direction, frightening many passing cultivators along the way.
Soon after, True Lord Du’e slowed his cloud and frowned as he looked at Crossing Immortal Gate with its formation lights rekindled, and the squadrons of Celestial Soldiers and Generals patrolling in the sky around its perimeter.
With the Celestial Court stationing troops here, things were indeed unusual.
“Halt!”
A light shout rang out as the shadow of an azure dragon flashed through the clouds. Ao Yi descended from the sky, blocking True Lord Du’e’s path.
True Lord Du’e made a Daoist salute and hurriedly said: “Greetings, General. I am Du’e of Eight Treasures Cave on Kunlun Mountain, the founding master of this Crossing Immortal Gate. I heard Crossing Immortal Gate met with disaster and came to check on it.”
“True Lord need not stand on ceremony. This junior naturally recognizes True Lord,” Ao Yi cupped his hands in greeting, first sighing before saying softly, “Please accept my condolences, True Lord. Sect Master Wuyou…”
“Is it true about Wuyou?!”
“Sect Master Ji Wuyou forcibly burned his primordial spirit and unleashed divine abilities to protect the sect’s disciples, finally dying from exhaustion. My Teaching Master Brother arrived half a step too late.
Fortunately, most disciples within the sect were protected by the Ground-Leaving Flame Light Banner. Though there were casualties, the sect’s vital energy remains.
Teaching Master Brother has ordered this junior to guard this place for three hundred years, helping Crossing Immortal Gate through this period. This junior has also invited several Grand Luo realm ancestral elders from my clan to ensure no further troubles arise here.”
Hearing this, True Lord Du’e’s eyes were filled with worry. He opened his mouth but could only sigh softly and smile bitterly, “Truly, truly… Did Wuyou have any regrets or concerns when he passed?”
“Sect Master Wuyou had no regrets,” Ao Yi said. “True Lord need not be too grieved. Sect Master Wuyou’s remaining soul has been protected by Teaching Master Brother and sent to the Six Realms Wheel for recovery.
Except for over a hundred sect members whose souls scattered with only their true spirits escaping to the Netherworld, Teaching Master Brother has properly arranged for all other souls that could be saved.
The great virtuous Lady Houtu personally helped improve Sect Master Wuyou’s qualifications, and his next reincarnation has already been determined in the Book of Life and Death.
Sect Master Wuyou’s last wish was to become the True Lord’s disciple again after reincarnation. Would True Lord be willing to accept this?”
“Accept, accept, how could I not accept?”
True Lord Du’e’s expression improved considerably as he frowned and said: “Senior Brother Changgeng… I mean, Lord Star-Lord has gone to such trouble.”
“My Teaching Master Brother has two more matters to ask True Lord. Would True Lord be willing to set aside some face to help the Human Teaching vent their anger and seek justice for Sect Master Wuyou and the deceased disciples?”
“I am willing!”
True Lord Du’e held his whisk firmly and said resolutely:
“Never mind losing some face—if the Human Teaching needs it, if Lord Star-Lord needs it, if it can avenge my disciple, what does risking this life matter? General, what are Lord Star Lord’s instructions?”
“First, True Lord should appear in the sect and appoint an elder to temporarily take the position of Crossing Immortal Gate’s Sect Master.
Also, Teaching Master Brother specifically mentioned that Li Jing within the sect has a high fortune. During the great battle, he managed to delay a Golden Immortal enemy for a long time despite being only a True Immortal—he has great potential. Teaching Master Brother hopes the True Lord can nurture this child well.
As for those two matters… please let me whisper them to the True Lord.”
Thus and so, like this and that.
After Ao Yi spoke for a while, True Lord Du’e showed understanding and immediately agreed.
Soon after, True Lord Du’e first went into Crossing Immortal Gate to comfort and console the sect members and elders, appointing a late-stage Celestial Immortal elder as temporary Sect Master.
He then treated the Ink Qilin’s wounds, and accepted Li Jing as a formal disciple with encouragement and praise, before hurriedly leaving Crossing Immortal Gate.
Afterward, True Lord Du’e rushed back to Kunlun Mountain and, according to Li Changshou’s plan, began a rather dramatic performance of…
Crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide.
In less than half a day, True Lord Du’e was wailing loudly on Kunlun Mountain, mourning his disciple Ji Wuyou. Along with news of the Western Teaching’s mountain gate being destroyed, this began spreading throughout the Five Continents and Three Thousand Worlds.
True Lord Du’e kept up the momentum for four or five days, crying through five immortal feasts, six immortal gatherings, and seven tea sessions, arousing righteous indignation among many friends.
After another three or four days, when the heat of this matter had slightly subsided, True Lord Du’e called out Supreme Clarity Sage’s honorific title and rode his cloud toward Spirit Mountain.
More than ten of True Lord Du’e’s good friends tried to stop him along the way, telling him not to be rash, and that going to Spirit Mountain was like an egg striking stone.
Atop Spirit Mountain, the assembled elders held urgent discussions, with several Vice Teaching Masters worried to the point of losing hair…
When the Human Teaching lost a registered disciple’s disciple, Grand White Star Lord Li Changgeng destroyed their mountain gate without a second word.
If True Lord Du’e died on their Spirit Mountain, wouldn’t the Human Teaching Master come personally?!
“What kind of situation is this? What does that tiny Crossing Immortal Gate being attacked have to do with our Spirit Mountain?
That Water God Changgeng didn’t investigate, didn’t ask questions, didn’t debate—he directly demolished our mountain gate, and now the endless mouths of the Three Realms are all aimed at us!
Does that Water God have any evidence that we did it?”
“What use is righteous indignation now? Why didn’t you speak up before?”
“We couldn’t react in time—everyone knows this Water God’s divine abilities are all in his mouth. Who knew he would take direct action this time?”
“What is this Du’e fellow doing?”
An elder muttered somewhat strangely, and all the Spirit Mountain elders looked toward the clouds outside the mountain together.
They saw True Lord Du’e persuade away his many friends and descend directly toward Spirit Mountain’s halfway point, landing on those layers of golden steps.
At this time, these steps still had cracks running through them, naturally created by Li Changshou’s spear strike.
But that mountain gate had already been restored to its original state in the shortest possible time.
[If we repair it fast enough, we can pretend nothing happened.]
The many Spirit Mountain elders stepped forward together. Seeing that it was True Lord Du’e this time, and there was no Sage’s pressure behind him, they felt the sky had cleared and the rain had stopped—they could handle this situation.
‘Once True Lord Du’e approaches the mountain gate, we’ll first show him who’s boss!’
Just then, True Lord Du’e stopped in his tracks, still some distance from Spirit Mountain’s gate, standing on those steps and looking up with a sigh.
“Disciple! Your Master is useless!”
Mushroom-shaped question marks popped up above the Spirit Mountain elders’ heads.
True Lord Du’e shouted again: “Disciple, your Master is useless, ah!”
After these two cries, True Lord Du’e was already emotional, tears glinting in his eyes as he couldn’t help but weep to the heavens, truly making listeners weep and viewers grieve.
Amidst his crying, a black coffin flew out from True Lord Du’e’s sleeve, landing on the golden steps. He then placed two stone tablets beside the coffin. One tablet read:
‘Western Maitreya, return my disciple’s life!’
The other tablet read:
‘Supreme Clarity Teacher is watching this place!’
The Spirit Mountain elders immediately stopped, not daring to step forward. They looked at each other and finally chose to remain silent, stepping back a few paces.
True Lord Du’e looked up and let out a long sigh, unable to help beating his chest and stamping his feet.
“This old Daoist had only this one capable disciple, he had already attained the Golden Immortal fruit. Our Human Teaching wasn’t meant to be involved in the tribulation, why must you slaughter us so!”
“Return my disciple’s life! Spirit Mountain must give this poor Daoist justice!”
An elder couldn’t help but shout angrily: “Without proof, stop slandering!”
But True Lord Du’e paid no attention at all, continuing to wail loudly in front of Spirit Mountain’s gate.
Those friends who had followed him here silently moved farther away, while conveniently spreading word of what was happening here.
…
In the Celestial Court, within the Grand White Palace.
Li Changshou looked at the scene displayed in the bronze mirror before him, carefully pondering for a while. After confirming True Lord Du’e wouldn’t suffer any sneak attacks, he placed the mirror aside and continued examining several paper avatars before him.
These were all paper avatars that had been destroyed by the enemy’s magical artifacts and later recovered.
Li Changshou carefully inspected them, discovering that the core restrictions on the paper avatars had been damaged. The talismanic restrictions that stored a strand of primordial spirit power and maintained a constant connection with his main body had been burned and melted.
Since returning to the Celestial Court from Spirit Mountain, he had been researching this matter.
The number of paper avatars he had distributed outside was enormous. If this divine ability could easily be rendered unusable, he would face a situation of truly ‘running out of bodies.’
Many important matters would be affected, and he couldn’t have his main body rush over for every little thing.
Li Changshou pondered for a moment, continuing to try adding another layer of protection to the restrictions themselves.
From the time the paper avatar technique took shape until today, this divine ability has helped Li Changshou accomplish too many things. Previously, paper avatars had only failed or been affected under the Six Realms Wheel and Lady Nuwa’s divine abilities.
After working busily for another half day, Li Changshou stretched tiredly, having found an approach to improve the paper avatars.
To be safe, he should develop another form of avatar as well.
Letting avatars develop their consciousness was impossible—that would be too unstable.
Developing different forms of puppet avatars to complement and assist the paper avatar system was the right path.
What about the Three Corpse Severance?
The Three Corpse Severance methods in the Primordial World all involved severing three corpses and then merging them again, to reach the ‘perfect’ realm below the Sage realm.
Like Supreme Clarity Sage creating his benevolent corpse as Old Lord Laozi—that was purely because his Dao realm was too high and his strength too great. The Three Corpse Severance path wasn’t Supreme Clarity Sage’s only route to the ultimate Dao.
Li Changshou planned that once his Balanced Dao was further perfected and he could sever his corpses, he would gradually merge the three corpses with his main body, preventing the three corpses from gaining sentience.
Now, regarding current matters.
Li Changshou waited another two days until True Lord Du’e had ‘completed’ his performance and left Spirit Mountain, and the revenge plan officially entered its second phase.
His paper avatars began to become active, but mainly for transmitting messages and coordinating.
Less than half a month after Li Changshou’s plan began, Spirit Mountain was already crying out in distress.
The Immortal Alliance made the first move.
The Celestial Court directly sent twelve marshals to form an ‘inspection team’ stationed within the Immortal Alliance, supervising its war against the Incense Fire Divine Nations.
And those two Vice Alliance Leaders who hadn’t been seen since the Immortal Alliance’s founding day—the Severing Sect’s senior disciple Golden Spirit Mother and Zhao Gongming—also appeared in the Immortal Alliance with over twenty Severing Sect experts, joining the elimination of Incense Fire Divine Nations in their capacity as Vice Alliance Leaders.
With the Celestial Court and Severing Sect’s assistance, the Immortal Alliance began operating at high speed, temporarily concealing its various exposed problems. In just a few days, they captured several ‘cities,’ reclaiming several Great Thousand Worlds.
The Celestial Army acted next.
Under the pretext of hunting anti-heaven demon tribes in the Western Ox-Treasure Continent, they searched various caves there, throwing those Primordial Fierce Beasts and ancient remnant great demons into chaos.
Moreover, a hundred thousand Celestial Soldiers practiced formations daily right beside Spirit Mountain.
The Dragon Clan was not to be outdone.
Remembering the grudge of their East Sea Eye being breached, they sent out large numbers of war dragons to assist the Celestial Court’s actions. Whenever they confirmed traces of Primordial Fierce Beasts, they struck hard and killed completely.
For a time, the Western Ox-Treasure Continent was bustling with activity, and the Western Teaching’s hidden forces could only huddle within Spirit Mountain’s range, afraid of being eliminated by the Dragon Clan and Celestial Court if they went out.
Li Changshou decided this revenge would continue for three years.
In just three years, Western Teaching’s situation would become awkward and troublesome, its prestige would directly collapse, its deterrence would greatly decrease, and those experts dependent on Western Teaching should wisely make their choices and selections.
The third phase of revenge had also been arranged, written into the God-Conferring calculations.
The third phase will be divided into three steps.
First step: Use the God-Conferring Great Tribulation to eliminate the Western Teaching’s fighting force;
Second step: Encourage Daoist Wenjing to absorb more and gain more;
Third step: Plan to transform the barbarians into Buddhists, leaving the Western Teaching no opportunity, replacing them with the flourishing of Buddhism, then arrange for all important positions within Buddhism to be filled by Dao disciples.
Transforming barbarians into Buddhists was already the teacher’s calculation—he was just helping on the side, making some stable and thorough arrangements.
Weren’t they trying to give him a taste, make him have some reservations?
Li Changshou shook his head slightly.
What in the world could give more sense of security and satisfaction than eliminating one’s greatest hidden trouble without leaving any ashes?
These acts of revenge weren’t just for the beings who died tragically at Crossing Immortal Gate;
More importantly, they were to establish his image as the Human Teaching’s Second Disciple and the Celestial Court’s ordinary authority god—one of ‘great tolerance,’ ‘returning kindness for enmity,’ with a heart broader than the sea.’
This would make others weigh whether they could bear these consequences and costs when thinking of threatening him through his loved ones in the future.
Don’t let temporary satisfaction in causing trouble lead to losing everything afterward.
Just as he was about to go out for a walk and exercise, he saw Longji arrive on a cloud, stopping before the palace and hurrying in to report something.
In an instant, Li Changshou walked with his hands behind his back toward the rear of the Grand White Palace.
At this time, Little Qiong Peak was behind the Grand White Palace, no more than a hundred zhang tall, naturally using the Mustard Seed Universe Formation. When the Golden Roc had carried Little Qiong Peak back earlier, this formation had also been in effect.
Li Changshou walked through a water-like light barrier, and the small mountain instantly returned to Little Qiong Peak’s original appearance.
At this time, most of Little Qiong Peak was hidden in clouds and mist, everything remaining unchanged, only without the layers of mountain shadows outside.
“Cousin~”
Xiong Lingli sat up by the lake, waving energetically at Li Changshou.
Li Changshou nodded with a smile, thinking about the battle armor Old Lord had promised to forge for her, wondering when it would be completed.
Ling’e came from the thatched cottage on a cloud, but before she could speak, Li Changshou asked: “Do you want to dress up a bit more?”
“Hm?”
Ling’e looked down at herself. Because she had always wanted to make Senior Brother’s heart flutter, she paid special attention to her daily attire, only wearing loose and comfortable training clothes when she was certain Senior Brother was in long-term seclusion or not on the mountain.
Why did Senior Brother suddenly ask this…
Had her face lost its freshness, or was this tasseled long dress not form-fitting enough?
Li Changshou smiled and said: “His Majesty the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother have invited us to a banquet at the Jade Pool.”
“Ah!”
Ling’e immediately shuddered and asked softly: “Senior Brother, do I have to go?”
“This counts as His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s decree,” Li Changshou said seriously. “To be safe, it’s better not to disobey. You and I are both in the Celestial Court now, and you’ll be cultivating here for quite a long period in the future, so it’s better to go pay our respects.”
“This, this… alright.”
Ling’e’s little face turned somewhat red, overflowing with nervousness as she turned and hurriedly flew back to the thatched cottage, activating the formation and beginning to busily prepare.
Jiuyushi remained at Crossing Immortal Gate to cultivate and hadn’t ascended to heaven—this was her own choice, and Li Changshou naturally respected it.
Should he arrange an immortal position for Ling’e to accumulate merit?
Never mind, better not disturb her peace.
Just as he was thinking this, Li Changshou’s immortal awareness suddenly detected Little Silver flying toward Grand White Palace on a cloud, calling out before even entering the main hall:
“Senior Brother Changgeng, Old Lord wants you to bring Junior Sister Ling’e to pay respects!”
Well, the opportunity for Ling’e’s sudden wealth had arrived just like that.