In a Lesser World enveloped by the Taiji Diagram’s power, several figures were observing a three-chi diameter sphere.

With the Treasure Master present, there was no shortage of treasures to use; this type of illusory treasure was perfect for breaking through Xu Puti’s mental defenses.

—Of course, the knee guard-type treasures were purely accidental.

With Cloud Dweller present, examining things from the side, hands behind his back, rising on tiptoes, letting this poor Daoist have a look…

[Hmm, learned that one, next.]

Inside the sphere, Li Long Shou stood with his hands behind his back, his form shrunk several times;

Before Li Long Shou lay an old Daoist whose breath was failing, the transparent hole in the old Daoist’s body had been plugged with immortal power.

At this moment, with the assistance of this spherical illusion treasure, Li Long Shou had successfully invaded the old Daoist’s spirit platform… just as this old Daoist had invaded Yang Jian’s spirit platform before.

Xu Puti was truly miserable now.

His dao heart had been planted with a heart demon by Li Long Shou, his dao body was bound layer upon layer, his primordial spirit was carved with ancient talismans that could be detonated at any time, and he still hadn’t recovered any consciousness…

Outside the sphere, five figures stood silently, all male immortals.

Cloud Maiden, Jade Maiden, and Gold Spirit, the three Severing Sect immortal ladies, along with the Phoenix Tribe’s big sister Kong Xuan, were now gathered by a nearby pond, sitting on soft cushions and chatting with smiles, surrounded by faint clouds and mist, making the male immortals here not dare to look too much.

The topic over there had already diverged from today’s matters.

Kong Xuan, who originally didn’t want too much interaction with the Three Sects’ immortals, couldn’t refuse Cloud Maiden’s invitation to chat.

After all, they had another relationship—soon-to-be sisters-in-law.

Zhao Gongming glanced toward the pond, then let his gaze fall on the spherical treasure before him, looking at the two figures inside the sphere—one standing, one lying—and muttered:

“What might they be discussing over there?”

“Why not go over and ask?”

Treasure Master replied irritably, his slightly chubby face still showing some gloom.

After anticipating for so long earlier, when the action finally started, he hadn’t gotten even a bit of excitement…

The direct action was taken by Gold Spirit and Kong Xuan, and the space-time cracks and various formations were arranged by Cloud Maiden and Zhao Gongming; those guarding the several transfer formation points were Jade Maiden, Cloud Dweller, True Person Tai Yi, and even the Jade Emperor’s avatar!

He, the proud first disciple of the Severing Sect, Teacher Supreme Tongtian’s most beloved disciple, had just sat on the cold bench for several days in this cold, remote, uninhabited little broken world!

Beautifully termed as: guarding the most crucial location.

In reality, he was just a watchman!

If not for him, Treasure Master, having many treasures and casually providing an illusion treasure to be of some use, he, the Severing Sect’s First Senior Brother, would have lost face this time…

Treasure Master asked: “Why doesn’t Long Geng just kill this person? Hasn’t this Xu Puti opposed Long Geng and the Heaven Court several times before?”

The Jade Emperor’s avatar Quan Tong smiled and said: “This matter Long Geng… ahem, Star-Lord Tai Bai has explained to this official, that Xu Puti is more useful alive than dead.”

The four male Dao Sect immortals immediately cast kind glances his way.

Better not expose it.

It wasn’t easy for the Jade Emperor to come out once, and revealing his identity would not only embarrass the Jade Emperor, but they would also have to bow and call him Uncle Master and Your Majesty.

“This poor Daoist knows a thing or two about this matter.”

True Person Tai Yi folded his arms and explained: “This time it’s mainly because Xu Puti himself ran into the blade.

Our Enlightenment Sect has a junior whom Long Geng values highly, who was bewitched by Xu Puti’s spirit technique, which happened to be witnessed by this poor Daoist and Long Geng, just over twenty days ago.

Although Xu Puti had previously opposed and schemed against the Heaven Court several times, he later suffered the Heaven Court’s revenge and became quite miserable, so both sides could be considered even.

Long Geng’s action this time is purely because of that junior’s matter.”

Zhao Gongming asked curiously: “Which junior?”

Cloud Dweller, however, seemed to realize something and showed understanding, asking: “Could it be the Jade Emperor’s nephew?”

Quan Tong blinked beside them, his eyes full of surprise.

“Correct,” True Person Tai Yi smiled calmly.

Though Tai Yi appeared calm on the outside, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat uneasy inside, after all, Long Geng hadn’t said whether this matter could be disclosed to others.

If he said too much and ruined Long Geng’s arrangements, affecting Nephew Yang Jian’s opportunities, that wouldn’t be good.

He wasn’t afraid of Long Geng, at worst he could just say ‘Yu Ding save me.’

True Person Tai Yi glanced at Quan Tong and smiled:

“To cultivate Yang Jian into a Heaven Court divine general, Long Geng has been bearing undue criticism these years, and let Yang Jian harbor much resentment toward him in his heart.

Such obsession drives Yang Jian to cultivate desperately. Do you all know how long it took Yang Jian to reach the Heaven Immortal realm?

Less than a hundred years.

Moreover, he broke through each realm one by one, without the Primordial Spirit Path’s ascension. Nephew Yang Jian tempers his physical body every day, without any slacking.”

Quan Tong’s gaze was quite emotional.

Treasure Master’s eyes brightened as he smiled and said: “This Nephew Yang Jian’s character must be very tenacious.”

“This child is indeed quite outstanding, but everyone should still keep this matter secret, don’t ruin Junior Brother Long Geng’s arrangements.”

True Person Tai Yi, rarely being serious, continued:

“This Xu Puti targeted Nephew Yang Jian’s identity as the Jade Emperor’s nephew, it wasn’t the first time he secretly bewitched him, thinking he had done it perfectly, but actually it was all under our observation.

Long Geng’s urgency to move against this Xu Puti was for fear that Yang Jian would be provoked to anger by Xu Puti, ending his [Obsession Cultivation] too early.”

Treasure Master asked: “Then why not just kill Xu Puti?”

“This poor Daoist is not Long Geng, how could I fully understand Long Geng’s thoughts?”

True Person Tai Yi shook his head, “One thing is certain, Long Geng wants to use Xu Puti’s identity.

Or rather, use Xu Puti’s mouth to continue stimulating Nephew Yang Jian.

Taking an originally uncontrollable variable and turning it into a card in his hand… perhaps this is Star-Lord Tai Bai’s first layer of calculation.”

“Hiss—”

Quan Tong stroked his chin in thought, muttering: “This time, how many layers has Star-Lord calculated?”

The several Dao Sect immortals exchanged glances, each smiling without speaking.

Treasure Master raised an eyebrow at True Person Tai Yi, who gave an embarrassed laugh.

This wave was purely for securing some future benefits for Nephew Yang Jian, not to praise that heartless Li Long Geng!

Star-Lord Tai Bai cut open he’s all black, black to the point of dazzling, multicolored brilliance!

…

Laughter, wild laughter, near and far human voices, everything seemed like a dream from before cultivation.

As soon as Xu Puti regained consciousness, his heart skipped a beat—his immortal consciousness was confined, six senses sealed, and his primordial spirit was carved with blood-colored patterns…

‘Captured?’

This somewhat absurd thought surged into his mind, and Xu Puti wanted to give a cold laugh, thinking the other party truly didn’t take his two masters seriously. He was different from those placeholder Sage disciples by Spirit Mountain’s treasure pond—he had too much dirt on the Western Sect.

But then, Xu Puti fell into deep thought.

He seemed to have been captured by the other party for a long time, and the masters hadn’t come to save him…

Who was the other party, and why capture him rather than kill him?

Xu Puti tried to make some noise, but the feeling of having his six senses sealed was quite bad.

Suddenly hearing a cold laugh, Xu Puti felt light, shadow, and sound surge in simultaneously, spots of light appeared before his eyes, and his primordial spirit barely ‘opened its eyes.’

He immediately saw that he was lying on a mirror-like lake surface, reflecting countless stars in the sky.

An illusion.

Xu Puti, with his extensive experience and long hair, saw through the setup here at a glance, but when he saw the figure sitting not far away, his whole body suddenly tensed up.

El- Elder Brother?!

The slightly chubby figure sitting dozens of zhang away now, wasn’t that Maitreya?

Xu Puti’s dao heart was confused, not knowing why Maitreya would ambush him, but if it was true, it would explain why the masters hadn’t intervened to protect him.

Or perhaps, this was the masters’ intention?

That ‘Maitreya’ wore a faint smile and said: “Junior Brother, are you awake?”

That somewhat chilling smile…

Indeed, it must be his First Senior Brother.

“What is Elder Brother’s meaning?”

Xu Puti’s primordial spirit ‘sat up’ in the illusion, continuing to discern the authenticity of the Maitreya before him, his dao heart completely tense.

That ‘Maitreya’ only smiled without speaking, his form gradually dispersing, leaving only one sentence:

“Think about it yourself, why would this poor Daoist move against you.”

Xu Puti’s primordial spirit trembled slightly, wanting to speak but holding back, and after ‘Maitreya’s’ form dispersed, he couldn’t help but look down at his own ‘hands.’

What had he done wrong?

The stars twinkled overhead, and the illusion rapidly collapsed, finally becoming several zhangs in size, like a prison.

Outside the illusion, that spherical spiritual treasure flickered with light, and Li Long Shou crawled out, letting out a light breath.

Had there been any flaws in his impersonation of Maitreya just now?

These characteristics and mannerisms of Maitreya were all ‘investigated’ by Di Ting through Golden Peng, and judging from Xu Puti’s first reaction, there shouldn’t have been any mistakes.

Golden Peng had held the Little Soul-Destroying Divine Spear against Di Ting’s forehead at the time, and given Di Ting’s nature, what he said shouldn’t have contained any lies.

After all, if he lied, he would only ruin his schemes;

What one could do was host a grand feast for divine beasts.

Treasure Master hurriedly asked: “Long Geng, how is it?”

“The first step is secure,” Li Long Shou smiled, “Next is gradually breaking down his dao heart, covering the heart demon’s growth. Thank you all, Senior Brothers, for righteously lending your aid this time.”

True Person Tai Yi’s mouth twisted, “This verbal praise, how very old Heaven Court official-like.”

Just as Quan Tong was about to speak from the side, Li Long Shou smoothly said: “Since we still need to wait some days anyway, why don’t we drink and sing here, and chat about matters concerning the Great Tribulation?”

The various immortals each agreed it was good, True Person Tai Yi gave an embarrassed smile as Li Long Shou assigned him the task of setting up the venue.

And so, this handsome male immortal in red robes threw down some rush cushions, a pile of wine cups, and crystal glasses, and rolled his eyes as he went to cut trees to make a primitive wooden round table.

—He wasn’t skilled in the method of condensing objects from creation.

Li Long Shou invited Jade Maiden to help, brought out pre-prepared ingredients, wine brews, and immortal fruits, and hosted a wine feast.

It seemed True Person Tai Yi had guessed correctly—dealing with Xu Puti was just incidental, today’s gathering of representatives from the three sects for a meal was the real matter.

Soon, the fragrance of wine wafted through the air, accompanied by constant laughter.

Five male immortals gathered together, four female immortals gathered together, and Li Long Shou’s paper Daoist avatar rushed east and west, busy back and forth, creating a sense of déjà vu of being the ‘Primordial World’s Number One Family Cook.’

Quan Tong ate the dishes carefully prepared by his beloved minister, and although it wasn’t his first time tasting them, his eyes still lit up with endless praise.

Cloud Maiden smiled as she tasted most of the dishes, then just focused on conversing with Kong Xuan, doing her utmost not to let Kong Xuan feel neglected by the Dao Sect immortals.

This matter would have been handled more naturally and appropriately by Ling E.

Jade Maiden helped with cooking for the most part, then lazily ran over to joke with Gold Spirit Holy Mother, occasionally giving her elder brother a look, making Zhao Gongming squint and smile various times, his old face occasionally flushing red.

Treasure Master smiled and said: “Long Geng, stop bustling about, come drink with us.”

Only then did Li Long Shou stop his busy work, bringing the last two dishes and taking the opportunity to sit beside Cloud Maiden.

Naturally, his immortal consciousness had been monitoring Xu Puti’s condition from beginning to end.

“Come, Long Geng toasts to all Senior Brothers and Sisters, to General Quan Tong, thank you all for taking time from your busy schedules to help, allowing us to capture this villain so smoothly.”

The various immortals raised their cups in response, each drinking the fine wine.

Zhao Gongming leaned forward and asked softly: “Long Geng, how many layers did you calculate this time?”

“This time,” Li Long Shou carefully calculated, deliberately omitting several layers with lower success probability, “three or four layers at most, mainly for Yang Jian’s matter.

Just now Senior Brother Tai Yi probably couldn’t help himself and told everyone the cause and effect, so I can say a bit less.”

True Person Tai Yi’s forehead was immediately covered in black lines as he cursed: “Am I that easy to guess?”

The crowd couldn’t help but smile with amusement.

Cloud Dweller asked from the side: “Long Geng, now that the Great Tribulation remains mysterious, what should we pay attention to?”

Gold Spirit Holy Mother also said: “The Three Thousand Worlds are already covered in the flames of war, with living beings suffering heavy casualties, while in the Central Divine Continent, undercurrents surge and friction between immortal sects is constant…

Is the Heaven Court letting this matter develop naturally, or has it already thought of ways to stop it?”

Li Long Shou said: “What you both speak of is the same matter.

But I can only regretfully tell everyone that I don’t know either, nor does the Heaven Court.”

“Ahem,” Quan Tong stepped out timely to support his beloved minister’s position, smiling and saying: “Star-Lord, this official heard an elder in the Heaven Court say that this Great Tribulation is likely divided into three stages, corresponding to the three great Ancient Immortal-Demon wars.”

Li Long Shou: …

He had already tried to gloss things over for his in-laws!

Well, if His Majesty the Jade Emperor wanted to say these things, then let His Majesty speak—there weren’t any outsiders here anyway.

The Daoist title that His Majesty the Jade Emperor had wracked his brains to come up with this time was quite accurate.

Quan Tong understands all and understands the Heaven Emperor.

Then they heard this Jade Emperor avatar smile and say:

“Using the Purple Void Palace meeting as a dividing point, before that was the initial brewing and launching stage of the Great Tribulation, after that, which is the current period, is the stage of accumulating casualties among living beings and easing the burden on heaven and earth.

The final stage will be the true descent of the quantitative tribulation.”

“The Heaven Court won’t manage these immortal sect conflicts more?” Gold Spirit Holy Mother asked with furrowed brows.

Quan Tong pondered for a moment before saying: “The Heaven Court can’t oppose the Heavenly Dao and interfere with the Great Tribulation’s operation.

Better a short understanding than long pain. There are truly too many qi cultivators in the world, and in the Heavenly Dao’s eyes, qi cultivators are essentially no different from mortals, yet they occupy too much of the world’s spiritual qi and vitality.

Thus, in the Great Tribulation, the Heaven Court primarily protects mortals, while recruiting those of superior character and loyal righteousness into the Heaven Court, without excessive intervention in the various aspects of the Great Tribulation.”

The various immortals slowly nodded.

True Person Tai Yi held his wine cup and shook his head, then couldn’t help but put it down.

“Let this poor Daoist interject.

The Heaven Court’s meaning is to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, reaping the fisherman’s benefit, right? Not caring that this Great Tribulation was launched by the Heaven Court itself, right?”

“It can’t be called reaping the fisherman’s benefit,” Quan Tong said, “Although the Great Tribulation was triggered by the Heaven Court, its root cause doesn’t lie with the Heaven Court.

True Person, don’t forget that tribulation existed in the world first, the tribulation schemed against both the Demon Tribe and Heaven Court, and even destroyed Beloved Minister Long Geng’s master, forcing Beloved Minister Long Geng himself into the tribulation, slaying the last Golden Crow.

Only then came the Heaven Court’s campaign against the Demon Tribe, and during this process tribulation intervened again, leading to the subsequent series of Great Tribulations.

In other words, the Heaven Court was merely chosen by the Great Tribulation as a reasonable trigger for the Great Tribulation’s descent.

The root cause of the Great Tribulation lies in how, after the Ancient Great War, the human race multiplied and prospered, Dao Sect inheritance bloomed everywhere, the number of qi cultivators rapidly expanded, and now the total power of living beings exceeds the world’s burden.”

Gold Spirit Holy Mother asked: “This poor Daoist has always been somewhat confused about this matter. Why does an increase in the power of living beings affect the world’s stability?

Although we always talk about the Nine Pollution Springs matter, why was there never any mention of this in ancient times?

Surely in ancient times, the total power of living beings far exceeded today’s… Could it be that it’s merely because the Heavenly Dao thinks so?”

Li Long Shou hurriedly said: “Senior Sister, be careful with your words.”

Gold Spirit Holy Mother pursed her lips but didn’t express any dissatisfaction.

Cloud Dweller said: “This poor Daoist feels that the so-called world’s inability to bear the power of living beings refers to how, once the power of living beings loses control and erupts into a war like in ancient times, the world would be completely shattered.”

“Not so,” Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and shook his head, “With six Sages present, how could the world be shattered?

Sages can reforge wind, fire, water, and earth—this is a level that even a hundred mighty ones cannot reach.”

But Quan Tong smiled and said: “Just as True Person Tai Yi once said, even Sages are divided into strong and weak, this matter cannot be discussed generally.

However, while I’m here, I can reveal one more thing.

The danger of the Nine Pollution Springs truly exists, related to the Demon Ancestor’s fall in past years.

The Demon Ancestor’s dao didn’t completely shatter, adding some unstable variables to the world, and the Demon Ancestor’s dao was the pursuit of world destruction, with living beings returning to the river of true spirits.

The Dao Ancestor’s dao was the opposite.”

Treasure Master said seriously: “Then, how will the final killing tribulation proceed? Is there any predestination?”

“There is no predestination yet, we can only wait for the great tide to recede before things become clear.”

Quan Tong said seriously: “But it will surely unfold among the three sects undergoing tribulation, so if we can quickly clear away the Western Sect when the killing tribulation descends, the Dao Sect should suffer fewer casualties.”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and sighed lightly: “The Western Sect also has two Sages protecting them, especially Second Uncle Master… How could it be easy?”

True Person Tai Yi frowned and said: “Jokes aside, don’t joke about the Master.”

Li Long Shou immediately smoothed things over:

“We’re just chatting today, let’s not involve the Sages, nor do we need to bring in future positions.

The Great Tribulation is the Great Tribulation, we are still ourselves, and now the Great Tribulation hasn’t completely descended, perhaps there’s still some room in everything.

Elder Brother Gongming, may I play with your Sea-Stabilizing Divine Zhenzhus?”

“Take them!”

Zhao Gongming waved his large hand, and twenty-four treasure pearls flew before Li Long Shou, immediately attracting gazes from all directions.

Zhao Gongming smiled and said: “Never mind playing with them, little brother, what harm would there be in taking them to use?”

“Elder Brother’s treasure can’t be casually lent out,” Li Long Shou specifically reminded him, then carefully examined the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Zhenzhus.

He was considering how to remind Zhao Gongming that these things could evolve into twenty-four heavens.

Jade Maiden wiped the corner of her mouth and smiled: “They’re just treasures, what is there to comprehend?”

“It’s not about comprehending anything,” Li Long Shou smiled and said, “These Sea-Stabilizing Divine Zhenzhus are named for stabilizing the sea, but they’re not purely water-element treasures. Each pearl seems to contain an endless world within.

By the way, isn’t this set of pearls missing something?”

Zhao Gongming pondered for a moment and muttered: “This poor Daoist has always felt that there might be twelve missing, if there were thirty-six Sea-Stabilizing Divine Zhenzhus, their power would be immeasurable.”

“May this official have a look?”

Quan Tong spoke up from the side, making Li Long Shou slightly startled, but Zhao Gongming had already smilingly agreed.

The truly righteous old Gongming wasn’t at all afraid of others tampering with his life-bound treasure.

Quan Tong took a pearl and carefully experienced it, then closed his eyes as his palm radiated a rich Heavenly Dao power. Soon he gave a light exclamation and muttered something under his breath.

Just this one phrase made Zhao Gongming’s wine-holding hand tremble slightly, while Treasure Master beside him frowned deeply. Li Long Shou, however, showed a smile, and everyone else’s gazes all turned toward this spot.

There was no other reason—these words muttered by His Majesty the Jade Emperor were a famous phrase in the Primordial World:

“This treasure is fated to my Heaven Court.”