Sigh…
Pangu stands alone, revered by all spirits.
Within the Spirit Platform, Li Changshou’s Primordial Spirit let out a gentle sigh.
The endless Primordial Chaos could not contain another Pangu, and countless living beings would no longer see traces of Pangu’s divinity. Only tales of world creation remained in circulation.
He couldn’t help but reflect on past and present, thinking of Honorable Ancestor Hongjun, the Heavenly Dao, Senior Brother Lang, and the Six Saints of this world.
The Dao was boundless, but cultivators had their limits.
The world that Divine Pangu wished to see ultimately remained in ancient times. When beings reached the realm of Sainthood, they naturally blocked the path for those who would follow.
How should his own Dao of Balance find its place in Heaven and Earth?
Li Changshou’s Primordial Spirit returned to tranquility, distinguishing and digesting the insights accumulated in his heart.
‘It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?’
This thought surfaced in his mind. He could faintly sense that the Great White Palace in Heaven remained peaceful, and there were no disturbances related to him in Heaven and Earth, so he settled peacefully into the state of Dao comprehension.
Heaven had Emperor Jade to guard it, White Ze was in the Three Thousand Worlds, he had Senior Brother and several masters of the Dao Sect around him, the Taiji Diagram and the Xuanhuang Tower protected his flanks, and a strand of his consciousness roamed outside his body…
If this cultivation setup wasn’t secure enough, Li Changshou might as well find an excuse to cultivate in seclusion at the Taiqing Temple.
Divine Pangu’s process of falling greatly impacted Li Changshou.
Li Changshou asked himself if he could be so free and calm in facing death if he were in that position.
Revolution never comes without bloodshed.
How could Li Changshou not understand this principle? Now, as the Great White Star-Lord in charge of revolution, he was always prepared to let others bleed.
Primordial Chaos.
Heavenly Dao.
Balance.
Living Beings.
The blood-red clouds around Li Changshou dispersed, and the surging blood energy from earlier due to the “Pangu Visualization Diagram” returned to the stillness within his Mystic Body.
No matter how strong the physical body, it was merely for combat and couldn’t determine one’s true battle strength.
The level of comprehension of the Great Dao and the height of one’s Dao realm determined the level one could reach.
Gradually, Li Changshou sank into the Great Dao, as if entering a dream of world creation.
Time passed without measure, and years flowed without count.
His consciousness experienced some disturbance, and Li Changshou opened his eyes, filled with bewilderment that quickly faded, replaced by flashing divine light. Muffled thunder sounded throughout Xuandu City.
The Great Dao trembled.
This period of seclusion hadn’t brought breakthroughs in his Dao realm, but his understanding of the Great Dao had become more thorough.
Along with this, the path he should take in the future appeared clearly before his eyes.
“Awake?”
The Grand Magus’s gentle call came from the side. Li Changshou nodded with a smile, looking toward the Grand Magus meditating on the distant city wall, and the Immortal Lady standing just dozens of zhang away from him.
Cloud Roam’s lips revealed a gentle smile as she nodded to Li Changshou.
From afar, General Zhao and Golden Spirit Sacred Mother also flew over together.
The grand formation of Xuandu City was complete, and the other Dao Immortals had returned to the Primordial World without lingering here.
Li Changshou calculated with his fingers and was startled to realize he had been cultivating for seventy to eighty years.
A common Privileged God of lower rank would probably have asked by now if Heaven was peaceful or if anything major had happened in Heaven and Earth.
But Li Changshou knew such questions would be pointless and would only spoil the atmosphere.
So he said softly: “Have you been here the whole time?”
“Yes,” Cloud Roam nodded slightly.
“Thank you,” Li Changshou rose and made a Daoist salute. Cloud Roam returned it with a slight bow, feeling the mutual respect between them.
This respect was quite important to Cloud Roam.
The compound formation of Xuandu City was much simpler in overall structure compared to the Small Qiong Peak compound formation, but it consumed far more precious materials.
This formation focused more on sturdiness and efficient use of spiritual power, with rapid transfer of formation power in short periods.
The highlight of this formation lay mainly in switching between three states—defensive, offensive, and energy-saving.
Li Changshou held nothing back this time, as this place concerned the stability of the Three Realms and the defense of Heaven and Earth. He couldn’t be careless and shared all his insights about chain formations.
It could be considered a small gift to these familiar high-level practitioners of the Dao Sect.
As General Zhao and Golden Spirit Sacred Mother approached, Li Changshou clasped his hands in greeting and invited Cloud Roam to join him in going to the Grand Magus’s side.
The Grand Magus smiled and said: “Changgeng, this formation you designed is truly excellent. In the future, your Senior Brother can sleep—ahem, can guard this place peacefully.”
“Senior Brother’s hard work is appreciated, truly appreciated.”
Li Changshou gave a thumbs-up before asking about any major events in the Three Realms during his seclusion.
General Zhao smiled and said: “I knew you’d be concerned about this. That’s why your old brother waited here and had Master White come to deliver the news every three years.
Everything is fine everywhere, don’t worry.
Master White reported earlier that a Sacred Maiden came looking for you twice recently but couldn’t find you. Master White didn’t tell her you were in seclusion.”
Sacred Maiden?
Ninth Junior Aunt?
Li Changshou showed understanding and smiled: “She must be out of wine… Senior Brother, if there’s nothing else here, I should return to Heaven. Calculating the time, I shouldn’t delay some important matters.”
“Go ahead,” the Grand Magus waved his sleeve, and the Qiankun Ruler flew out, about to land before Li Changshou.
But Li Changshou pushed the Qiankun Ruler back, saying seriously: “With Demon Master Kun Peng coveting the Three Realms, the Qiankun Ruler should stay with Senior Brother.”
“Very well.”
The Grand Magus patted Li Changshou’s shoulder and sighed:
“Your cultivation realm is now sufficient for self-protection, but remember, when facing a Saint directly, you must request Master’s intervention in advance.
Sometimes Master is lost in thought and may not catch your situation in time.”
“Mm,” Li Changshou agreed with a smile.
Senior Brother must have some misunderstanding…
Could he protect himself now? Not really, far from it.
Besides, why would he face a Saint directly? Last time when protecting Yang Jian, he was representing Heaven and Emperor Jade, and was only prepared for a war of words.
Fighting was impossible, impossible in this lifetime.
The Grand Magus suddenly transmitted: “If Kun Peng attacks again, do you need me to ask…”
“Senior Brother, don’t talk too much with Kun Peng,” Li Changshou immediately transmitted back, “That Kun Peng is putting on an act. I can roughly calculate what he has in his possession.
This matter is too significant and has some connection to my background. If I tell Senior Brother, it would be pulling you into this vortex.”
“Can you ensure a complete retreat?”
“Right now I only have an eighty percent chance,” Li Changshou stared at the Chaos Sea outside the formation, “But some things are bound to happen. I just need to do my best without complicating matters, then the chances can increase further.”
“That’s good.”
The Grand Magus nodded with a smile, his eyes full of peace, and stopped transmitting, saying warmly: “If there’s anything your Senior Brother can do for you, don’t be shy to ask.”
Li Changshou pondered: “Senior Brother, there might be two important matters soon.”
After so many years, he wondered if Comrade Wen Jianguo in the ‘West’ still maintained his loyalty to the Human Teaching.
Also, to increase Kong Xuan’s goodwill toward Human Teaching, the position of Senior Sister-in-law should be arranged.
Mm, upon return he would prepare a Nine Transformations… Heart Fire Burn.
Grand Magus Xuandu took out the “Pangu Visualization Diagram” from his sleeve and muttered: “Why do I feel like you’re scheming against your Senior Brother?”
“How could that be possible!”
Li Changshou quickly denied, “Senior Brother, keep this diagram here. I can draw another one when I get back.”
General Zhao couldn’t help asking from the side: “Changgeng, what did you comprehend this time? I stayed at that Heaven and Earth entrance for over ten years but only saw some chaotic images.”
Hearing this, Li Changshou couldn’t help but recall his brief conversation with the groundhog—ahem, with Senior Brother Lang when Divine Pangu fell.
“Sigh… Having the fortune to witness Divine Pangu’s mighty form made me realize what the peak of living beings means, and how shallow my own Dao is.
The path ahead is long, and the Dao is endless.
Senior Brother, Old Brother, Senior Sister Golden Spirit, Cloud, may we all pluck the fruit of the Great Dao together and understand the true meaning of transcendence.”
The group exchanged glances, some saying “Good,” and others smiling lightly.
At this moment, Li Changshou suddenly realized he stood in the middle of everyone, unconsciously surrounded by them.
Xuandu City had returned to quiet. Li Changshou was concerned about the Great White Palace’s situation and didn’t stay long.
On the way back, General Zhao and Golden Spirit Sacred Mother deliberately went ahead first, incidentally luring away the Golden Peng Bird who had been waiting for his master at the other side of the entrance.
Li Changshou understood Old Brother Zhao’s intentions, but he still couldn’t help worrying about various matters.
Cloud Roam rode her cloud through the virtual starry night, and he sat beside Cloud Roam, closing his eyes to shift his consciousness, quickly ‘patrolling’ the Three Realms once.
Goddess Nüwa was right—if Li Changshou’s abilities grew any stronger, he might end up monitoring the Three Realms at all times.
Half a shichen later, Li Changshou opened his eyes and let out a breath.
Cloud Roam smiled and asked: “Are you at ease now?”
“I am,” Li Changshou said, “The Four Seas Dragon Palaces are fine, the Great White Palace is stable as usual, the Six Paths of Reincarnation are steady, Heaven remains in its semi-sealed state, and Lord Wood is safe and sound.
It’s just that the Human Emperor of South Jambudvipa is about to be born so that needs closer attention.”
Cloud Roam blinked and asked softly: “With so many matters to worry about daily, how can you still comprehend the Dao?”
“This is where time management studies come in.”
“Oh?”
“It’s about reasonably allocating the twelve shichen of a day… Why don’t we continue this chat over a game of chess?”
Li Changshou took out a chessboard from his sleeve, and Cloud Roam revealed a gentle smile, her eyes showing a hint of eagerness.
When alone together, the atmosphere was important.
At this stage, one shouldn’t forcefully start topics or appear overly talkative. Through activities both could participate in, the atmosphere would become relaxed and comfortable, allowing both to be more at ease.
As chess pieces fell, their conversation gradually wandered.
Cloud Roam seemed to share the Grand Magus’s concerns and asked him:
“Do you not need to make a trip to the Chaos Sea? Are the items Kun Peng has important to you?”
The implication was that if they were important, she would think of a way to try to snatch them back.
Li Changshou smiled and said: “It’s just Kun Peng’s tricks, no need to take it to heart, and certainly don’t risk danger for this matter.”
“Mm,” Cloud Roam responded gently, seeming to have something more to say, but ultimately remaining silent.
Seeing this, Li Changshou laughed inwardly.
He said: “Do you want to ask about my origins?”
Cloud Roam’s gaze carried a hint of guilt as she said softly: “The Heavenly Dao, Grand Uncle, and Ancestral Master have all acknowledged you, I shouldn’t ask…”
“What’s wrong with that? If you weren’t curious about me, I should be worried.”
Li Changshou drew several barriers around them, and Cloud Roam immediately added two layers of immortal power screens.
To be safe, Li Changshou held Tower Lord in his palm and extended his right hand to Cloud Roam.
Cloud Roam understood and reached out her left hand to press against his palm. Their gazes met, and their divine thoughts resonated in each other’s hearts.
This way, they could ensure to the greatest extent that their conversation wouldn’t be heard by other beings or treasures.
Whether the Heavenly Dao could monitor divine thoughts was another matter, but what Li Changshou wanted to say, the Ancestral Master already knew.
Li Changshou pondered for a moment and said: “Where should I begin?
There are some questions I haven’t confirmed, and I don’t know how I came here, so let’s skip that part for now.
You can consider that in my previous life, I wasn’t in the Primordial Chaos, but in some corner.
It might have been the future of the Primordial Chaos, or it might have been a world outside it. The principles there were different from here, but the state of living beings was similar… I can’t say too much about this, fearing it might affect your cultivation.
In my previous life, I was also a mortal, careful for half my life, but in the end couldn’t escape the word ‘illness’.
That’s how it was.”
Cloud Roam blinked: “Then why does Kun Peng speak as if your homeland is particularly special?”
“Probably because of ideology.
The matters involved are very complicated and can’t be spoken of clearly in Heaven and Earth.”
Li Changshou thought for a moment, then suddenly turned serious, fixing his gaze on Cloud Roam, and said solemnly: “We’ll discuss it in detail after marriage.”
Cloud Roam was first stunned, then slightly furrowed her brows, her pretty face growing hot with blush as she actively avoided Li Changshou’s half-smiling gaze.
Her white teeth squeezed out between slightly pursed lips:
“How did you suddenly… become so improper.”
“How is this improper? This is a major life event.”
Li Changshou’s eyes showed a hint of yearning, but he rationally changed the topic to avoid embarrassing the Immortal Lady.
Dating a female powerhouse of the Primordial Chaos truly required a hundredfold more mental energy.
Meanwhile, in the Chaos Sea, at the place where the principles had gathered when Li Changshou and Cloud Roam had previously ‘bumped’ into each other, in a half-destroyed cave dwelling.
…
Impossible!
This is impossible!
So much time has passed, why hasn’t that foreigner come looking for me?
Were my hints too subtle, or was he too dull?
In Kun Peng’s old molt cave-dwelling, Kun Peng in human form paced back and forth, his gaze rather sharp.
Damn it!
He was just one step away from erasing the mark that bastard had branded on his Primordial Spirit back then, regaining true freedom!
He had already risked appearing at Xuandu City before, wasn’t that sincerity enough?
However, it was also somewhat out of desperation.
Kun Peng truly didn’t understand why, according to messages from the Heaven Demons who had infiltrated the Primordial Chaos, rumors about ‘Kun Peng’s avatar’ and ‘second Primordial Spirit’ had appeared throughout the Primordial Chaos overnight.
He had arranged the old molt almost flawlessly—even when the old molt encountered a certain impatient Saint in the Chaos Sea several times, it hadn’t shown the slightest flaw.
But why, when the old molt’s arrangements were reasonable and sensible, after being killed by that foreigner, did rumors appear in the Primordial Chaos that had seen through his scheme?
As for Maitreya of the Western Teaching mentioned in the rumors…
Just a shortsighted fellow, not worth worrying about, and had nothing to do with him.
In the Western Teaching, only Jieyin was a tough character, the others… were nothing special.
Kun Peng’s steps slowed, his eyes revealing a hint of ruthlessness, but followed by abundant wariness.
He must not underestimate beings with the same background as that bastard.
These foreigners were each ten or a hundred times more black-hearted and bold than himself!
Of course, this foreigner probably couldn’t compare to the one from back then—the latter was, in Demon Master Kun Peng’s knowledge, an existence of ultimate cunning and craftiness.
Where had he gone wrong, or was his fierce reputation too great, making this young foreigner afraid to come to the Chaos Sea?
Speaking of this matter, Kun Peng was also somewhat depressed.
He admitted he wasn’t a good spirit, and in the mainstream views of various periods in the Primordial Chaos, he was always an evil being, but he was far from reaching the level of ‘ultimate evil’.
In ancient times, he had merely followed the rules of the Primordial Chaos—killing for treasures, hiding here and there, and using any means to become stronger.
This was the survival mode of Primordial Chaos beings during the Dragon-Phoenix Catastrophe and the end of ancient times.
During the Demon Court period, he was often just the mouthpiece of the Demon Emperor. Some evil deeds and a notorious reputation were carried by the Demon Emperor, and he received corresponding rewards, standing below the two Emperors but above all demons.
The main reason he earned the title of Demon Master was his participation in constructing the ‘Great Array of Stars’.
Many times, the Demon Emperor sat in a high position, just waiting for him to speak up, waiting for someone to make proposals.
It couldn’t be that the Demon Emperor directly said: ‘Our Heavenly Court patrols on behalf of Heaven, we can kill other beings indiscriminately and refine treasures to strengthen our power.’
It must be that the Demon Emperor discussed with him beforehand, and gave this minister some benefits to make him actively propose in court;
Then, the two Demon Emperors would hesitate for a long time, show some reluctance, and he would persuade them several times, saying this was for the stability of Heaven and Earth…
In the end, the virtuous reputation would belong to the Demon Emperor, while the notorious name would fall on him, the vicious Demon Master.
However, Kun Peng didn’t care about this.
“Hmph! This little bastard!”
Kun Peng narrowed his eyes, intense killing intent already rising in his heart. He searched in his sleeve for a while and took out several black magical pearl treasures, casually throwing them to the side.
With several boom sounds, black shadows in the form of women flew out from the pearls, kneeling on one knee behind Kun Peng.
They weren’t Primordial Chaos beings but were similar to them, even their faces and figures matched the appearance of Primordial Chaos immortal ladies. In the Primordial Chaos where immortal ladies generally carried a soft glow effect, they could be considered beauties, with an additional subtle ‘exotic charm’.
Kun Peng’s lips revealed a faint smile.
That little foreigner’s weakness might be the same as his bastard predecessor—no resistance to these.
Just wait!
This poor Daoist will let you know the consequences of daring to toy with me!
“Listen up, all you evil spirits!”
…
Thus, three months later.
At Small Qiong Peak behind the Great White Palace, in front of the dan room, in the bright sunlight.
Wearing a short dress, Ling E, with two bun-shaped hairstyles, sat on a meditation cushion in front of the dan room door, her hands in a returning-to-one position, eyes closed in quiet cultivation.
Li Changshou half-reclined in a rocking chair, a bronze mirror floating before him, with snacks and hot tea floating at his side.
In the bronze mirror, Yang Jian was fighting fiercely alone, with a team of celestial soldiers and generals in the sky beating drums for support and waving flags to cheer.
At this moment when Heaven was maintaining a completely low profile, having an exceptionally active general whom the Western Teaching dared not retaliate against was quite good.
Since Yang Jian had chosen this path, he would help promote him later, expand his fame, and increase his influence.
This path was Yang Jian’s own choice—he, the Great White Star, hadn’t calculated anything this time, merely going with the flow.
After a while, Ling E opened her eyes and asked: “Senior Brother, do you want to change the tea?”
“No need to trouble yourself,” Li Changshou mentioned as if casually, “If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll take you to see my homeland.”
After speaking, Li Changshou stood up and stretched his muscles and bones.
The time was about right to go down to the mortal realm to preside over the ‘World Sovereign’s’ ascension and the establishment of the Shang tribe.
Who knew if the Heavenly Dao would give merit this time, to fill up his pitiful 98% exclusive merit golden body?
“Oh.”
Ling E responded, lowering her head to read the contents of the jade talisman. Only after Li Changshou had left on his cloud did she suddenly freeze.
Homeland? Pay respects to Senior Brother’s parents. Formally receive Senior Brother’s acknowledgment?
Boom!
Li Changshou was shocked as he ‘stared’ with his immortal consciousness at the front of the dan room, seeing a small mushroom cloud float up from Ling E’s forehead, her graceful body swaying, her eyes full of spiral lines.
What, could she be thinking about?
‘If it’s a boy in the future, we’ll call him Li Zheng, if it’s a girl, we’ll call her Li Xiang! Haoran or Yanran would be fine too! Whatever Senior Brother likes! Eep~’