The atmosphere within the mountaintop grand array was inexplicably oppressive.

In the capital of the Shang Nation, grand celebration ceremonies were still ongoing. Fortunately, the Primordial World didn’t yet have the custom of “let me say a few words”—mortals sang and danced while taking the opportunity to resolve young people’s marriage arrangements.

Young men and women catching each other’s eye, getting knocked out, being carried away—all in one go. This was an old human tradition.

Someone as handsome and dashing as Bian Zhuang, if without magical powers for protection, could easily meet an untimely death in such situations.

But at this moment, Bian Zhuang had no leisure to observe these things. His heart-dao trembled slightly, trembling to the point he forgot to admire the beautiful figure wrapped in light nearby, instead staring dumbfounded at his patron.

The Heavenly Court’s authority figure, the Grand White Star.

What was called deception?

This was deception!

Able to deceive black into white, curved into straight, crying into laughing, and a demon into an immortal spirit!

With this level of skill, he was the Primordial World’s greatest orator, capable of discussing anything past or present!

Bian Zhuang suddenly understood, with the kind of understanding that comes from great enlightenment.

Why did Western Teaching repeatedly suffer setbacks when facing the Grand White Star? Why did those ancient figures from remote antiquity repeatedly fail? Why could the Heavenly Court achieve such a favorable situation today?

Wasn’t it all because of Grand White Star’s mouth, deceiving everything under heaven into submission?

It’s just…

The result was somewhat difficult to accept for a moment.

The Outer Realm Demon, who should have been the natural enemy of Primordial World beings, under Grand White Star’s verbal manipulation, was directly transformed into a kind female immortal approved by the Heavenly Dao, instantly changing her being’s form.

Moreover, she now seemed tearfully grateful to Grand White Star for guiding her out of confusion.

This was slightly… slightly…

Too terrifying.

This made Bian Zhuang unconsciously recall his years following Star-Lord, wondering if he had ever been deceived by Star Lord’s divine abilities, and why he was so utterly devoted and afraid to disobey Star Lord’s commands.

After reminiscing for a while, Bian Zhuang finally confirmed.

He genuinely feared Grand White Star from the bottom of his heart, with no direct connection to Grand White Star’s deception arts.

Simply put, he wasn’t qualified enough.

Inside the grand array, Bian Zhuang glanced at Jiu Jiu standing in another corner, quietly hiding behind Ao Yi, waiting for those four silent bigwigs to speak.

At this moment, Li Changshou’s paper avatar, the Jade Emperor’s avatar, Kong Xuan the Great Law Master’s admirer, and Seven Emotions’ reincarnated avatar from Lady Houtu, stood beside the ‘mutated demon’.

Quan Tong, Kong Xuan, and the Seven Emotions maiden were taking turns examining the demon maiden’s condition.

They had all discovered the unusual aspects of this matter.

They exchanged glances, each stepping aside, their expressions somewhat complex, though Li Changshou remained the most composed.

After all, though the result exceeded his expectations, the process was entirely his doing, and understanding it wasn’t complicated.

For example, in the Primordial World, whether primordial beings or posterior beings, during their cultivation process, whether influenced by their Seven Emotions and Six Desires, their heart-dao obsessions, or damage to their primordial spirit, they could easily develop heart demons.

What were heart demons?

Li Changshou had explained to Ling’e before that the emergence of heart demons could be understood as cultivators’ self-doubt and self-denial.

Li Changshou had once declared that immortal maidens with personalities like Youqin Xuanya would never encounter heart demons in their lifetime.

Although he was later proven wrong, it was indeed because of her emotional issues at the time causing self-doubt, leading to the birth of heart demons.

What were Celestial Demons?

Outer Realm Demons generally referred to various Chaos beings who harbored ill intentions toward the Primordial World and continuously attempted to invade it, mostly created from the primordial god-demons who had escaped the great chaos of world creation.

Like the previous ‘Du Shuren’ and today’s ‘Mei Wenhua’, they were Chaos beings capable of invading immortals’ heart-dao, inducing and merging with Primordial World beings’ heart demons.

They were born from the Demon Sovereign, seemingly split from the Demon Sovereign.

During Li Changshou’s dissection research of Du Shuren, he had already confirmed one fact.

—Each demon was constituted by a single true spirit.

It was known that the Chaos Sea’s primordial god-demons shared the same origin as Great God Pangu, all being powerful beings born from countless true spirits gathering upon incomplete and disordered great daos.

That Demon Sovereign must have some divine ability to split the true spirits constituting itself again, transforming them into these various Outer Realm Demons, while itself could likely absorb true spirits again in the Chaos Sea, thus continuously producing new Outer Realm Demons.

Would eliminating the Demon Sovereign solve the Outer Realm Demon problem?

Li Changshou had such thoughts, but his conclusion was uncertain.

To resolve the Outer Realm Demon issue, the most fundamental measure would be to melt away the Demon Sovereign’s dao; otherwise, another Demon Sovereign would still be born.

Understanding these basics, looking at Mei Wenhua’s ‘mutation’, there was a reasonable explanation.

Primordial World beings were born from the resonance between true spirits and the great daos of the Primordial World, their life essence identical to demons. Primordial World beings’ heart demons mostly emerged from deep within their primordial spirit, able to affect beings’ nature and amplify negative emotions.

Celestial Demons themselves could develop heart demons.

Under the influence of Seven Emotions’ power, Mei Wenhua was deceived by Li Changshou into complete self-denial, producing ‘holy thoughts’ similar to heart demons, with various conditions cleverly achieved.

Also, because Mei Wenhua’s own ‘construction’ was unstable, when her true spirit and original incomplete dao experienced major fluctuations and split, she was directly assimilated by the Primordial World’s dao-principles, transforming into a spirit body close to Primordial World beings…

Though Li Changshou still had some doubts, he generally understood the situation.

It’s just…

Looking at today’s gathering, he feared this story would spread again.

Well, as long as the Broad-Mouthed Treasure Bottle Daoist of Mount Kunlun didn’t learn of it.

“Changshou,” Quan Tong muttered softly, “this matter is too mysterious. Although this Marshal sensed the Heavenly Dao’s power and understood the cause and effect.

But ultimately… it’s too inconceivable.”

Kong Xuan, however, said: “Such pure benevolent thoughts, this spirit body seems to have received the Heavenly Dao’s protection.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Perhaps the Heavenly Dao is also interested in her. I never thought that planting a heart demon inside a Celestial Demon could have such an effect.”

Quan Tong praised: “If so, the danger of Outer Realm Demons can be resolved.”

“Let me say first,” the Seven Emotions maiden raised a finger beside them, slowly shaking it: “I can’t casually take action. Once the Seven Emotions balance is broken, the problems would be more troublesome than Outer Realm Demons.”

Li Changshou smiled and asked: “Can Little Sadness come out?”

“Then let me test you,” the Seven Emotions maiden winked at Li Changshou, her smile full of innocence, “guess which one I am now?”

“Desire.”

“Eh, how did you know?”

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched slightly as he calmly said: “When Lady Nuwa shaped this body for you, I was present throughout, naturally observing some principles.”

Hearing this, Desire’s avatar deliberately bit her lip lightly, her eyes showing slight panic, her face full of shyness, unconsciously gripping her dress’s collar, softly saying:

“Then… then for you, I have no secrets at all?”

Li Changshou showed a helpless expression, while Quan Tong beside him slightly frowned.

Desire’s avatar rolled her eyes, let out a light snort, and closed her eyes. The world seemed to darken with her.

“Alas,” Little Sadness sighed lightly, “I have it so hard, still being teased by them, and they say they’ll let me handle you in the future when I have no relationship with you.

Friends and such are all fake, after their story ended, they never took the initiative to visit even once.

Sigh…”

Li Changshou suddenly felt somewhat awkward, not knowing how to explain to Little Sadness.

After all, he was in the wrong. Concerned about safety outside, he avoided going out when possible, since his movements easily attracted karma.

Seeing this, Kong Xuan actively helped Li Changshou change the subject, saying:

“Don’t think that way. Changshou is truly busy. From what I understand, he rarely takes the initiative to visit even Cloud Maiden’s Three Immortal Islands.”

Quan Tong beside them nodded, “Indeed, I can testify to this.”

Little Sadness sighed dejectedly: “Friends and such, really aren’t important at all.”

“Well,” Li Changshou quickly spoke up, interrupting Little Sadness’s increasingly dense melancholy.

She was just like this—if the topic wasn’t promptly changed, she would fall into an increasingly sad cycle, finding pessimistic interpretations for any words.

Li Changshou said: “Little Sadness, could you help once more?

I want to confirm if this demon truly developed a heart demon, and isn’t trying to deceive you and me by hiding from heaven’s notice.”

Little Sadness softly agreed, turning to walk beside the maiden curled up in mid-air, letting out a long sigh.

A light gray ripple wrapped around the maiden, not affecting others.

Kong Xuan asked: “Do you want to use this method to resolve the Outer Realm Demon trouble?”

“Indeed,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “If this matter can be resolved, Senior Brother can also be more carefree, no longer confined in Xuandu City.

Senior Brother’s kindness to me is as heavy as mountains; I can only do these things to repay him.”

The Jade Emperor smiled beside them: “When the Heavenly Court grows stronger, we can also dispatch troops to the garrison, with Heavenly Generals taking turns guarding Xuandu City.”

Kong Xuan, however, slightly frowned, his eyes showing contemplation.

She seemed to be hesitating about something.

She, who was usually decisive in killing and never dawdled in her actions, rarely showed such reluctance to speak.

Li Changshou seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled, saying:

“Now that Great Shang is established and the Human Emperor’s fortune has taken shape, it’s not something anyone can easily disturb.

How about this: the Heavenly Court will next dispatch troops to guard the border between Central Divine Continent and Southern Jambudvipa Continent, and establish patrol envoys and demon-eliminating celestial masters in the mortal realm, with the Heavenly Dao protecting the Shang Nation.

This way, friend, you need not guard this place steadfastly, and can go to Xuandu City to lend my Senior Brother a hand.”

Quan Tong spoke seriously beside them: “Has the situation in Xuandu City become urgent again?”

“Indeed, the situation is far from optimistic.”

Li Changshou secretly gave the Jade Emperor a thumbs up—truly worthy of being the Heavenly Court’s best ruler-minister partnership, with such practiced coordination.

“Especially since this demon mutation has appeared, it might directly enrage the Demon Sovereign.

Eighty years ago when Xuandu City was in crisis, Kunpeng and four or five primordial god-demons pressured Xuandu City. My Senior Brother guarded the Primordial World’s entrance, his long hair disheveled, magical power nearly exhausted, relying on the Taiji Diagram to avoid retreating even half a step.

Senior Brother’s silhouette was so firm…

When we went to support him, Senior Brother worried we would fall prey to the demons’ tricks. He took up the Dimension Ruler himself and single-handedly repelled Kunpeng and other Chaos beings. That great battle…

Words cannot describe it.”

“May I go there?”

Kong Xuan stepped forward, her phoenix eyes showing urgency, “Would Supreme Clarity allow me to go help him?

My Five-Colored Divine Light can transform Chaos qi into Five Elements spiritual power in the Chaos Sea. In the Chaos Sea, not only will I be unaffected, but I’ll have inexhaustible magical power!”

Li Changshou’s eyes lit up as Kong Xuan’s eyes were full of eagerness, seeming ready to fly there immediately.

But Li Changshou didn’t rush now. Instead, he wanted to settle matters between his Senior Brother and Kong Xuan today, to nail things down.

“Well… Xuandu City is critically important.”

Li Changshou showed hesitation. Beside him, seeing, Quan Tong instantly knew in his heart that his beloved official Changshou was calculating something again.

Playing his part in the performance, his eyes full of worry, he continuously hummed to create a background atmosphere.

“I’ll ask my teacher,” Li Changshou said, “After all, Xuandu City is the Dao School’s holy land, and it’s outside the world. It’s more prudent to request instructions from my teacher.”

Quan Tong asked: “Going beyond the Nine Heavens now?”

“No need for such trouble.”

Li Changshou waved his sleeve, and a blank scroll quickly unfolded before him. Then he took up his brush to paint, his long hair and arms flying up and down as he directly painted the Supreme Clarity Riding Buffalo Picture – Degree Immortal Gate Offering Version.

Afterward, Li Changshou used immortal power to place this painting before him, took out a meditation cushion and incense burner, lit three sticks of incense, properly knelt on the cushion, and proclaimed:

“Teacher above, disciple Changshou!

To prevent Xuandu City from falling into such a predicament as before, the disciple wishes to request Friend Kong Xuan to assist Senior Brother outside the world.

If the teacher permits, please send down some tokens, so Senior Brother may understand this matter!”

As soon as Li Changshou finished speaking, a corner of the sage’s portrait floated up, revealing strands of profound and obscure sage dao rhythm from within, startling all the immortals present.

Long Ji hurriedly came forward and knelt behind Li Changshou. Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang immediately stepped forward to bow, while Quan Tong also made a Daoist salute to the portrait.

Just then, though the cosmos remained undisturbed, a small vortex appeared before Kong Xuan, and two-spirit pills emanating seven-colored flowing light fell before her, which she reached out to catch.

Nine Transformations Spirit Pills!

Different from those refined by the Elder Lord, unlike the Nine Transformations Golden Pills that could revive the dead and regrow flesh and bones, these two spirit pills contained pure Supreme Ultimate Non-Ultimate dao and emanated primordial perfection.

One pill alone could make a mortal ascend in broad daylight, transforming into a Celestial Immortal!

Such spirit pills purely enhanced dao comprehension and had enlightening effects—in all of creation, perhaps only Supreme Clarity, who could bear the Heavenly Dao’s pressure, could refine them.

And these two pills were created in remote antiquity—use one, and there would be one less.

Under current Heavenly Dao restrictions, all things must be balanced, including these pills.

If mortals used such pills, the Heavenly Dao would lock their path of cultivation progress. Such pills in the current world were actually indirect poison for cultivators with Golden Immortal potential.

But if given to the Phoenix Race, combined with the True Blood of the Original Phoenix in Kong Xuan’s possession, they could directly cultivate two Phoenix Race members to the Golden Immortal realm!

Supreme Clarity’s move wasn’t simply providing tokens—this was practically half a betrothal gift.

Kong Xuan didn’t hesitate much, storing these two pills in her sleeve, then folded her hands before her impossibly slim waist and bowed to the portrait…

“Hm? Achoo!”

On Xuandu City’s walls, a certain Dao School Senior Brother, using the Dimension Ruler as a pillow and wrapped in the Taiji Diagram, lying on a soft comfortable meditation cushion, hazily rubbed his nose.

With this compound grand array designed by Changshou, the Great Law Master’s waist no longer ached, his legs weren’t sore, the outer demons didn’t dare gather randomly, and he could finally sleep soundly.

However, what the Great Law Master didn’t know was that at this very moment, on a mountaintop outside the Shang Nation’s capital in Southern Jambudvipa Continent, Li Changshou was handing over a jade talisman, a treasure pearl, and some small items to Kong Xuan.

That jade talisman recorded a divine ability;

Called a divine ability, it was the first half of an entire method. Li Changshou had just used it—using origin mirage qi to construct illusions, then infiltrating the illusions.

This divine ability was used for infiltrating others’ inner illusions, and could also be used to enter others’ dreams. Li Changshou gave it a very romantic name.

‘His Dream Technique’.

Those small items were nothing special, just various board games and card games for two or three players.

Besides these, Li Changshou dared not do much more, fearing Kong Xuan would see through the ruse.

After all, he was just a Junior Brother, and could only do so much for his Senior Brother… Very shameful, just another bit of minor work.

…

Kong Xuan still needed to hand over Shang Nation’s defenses to the Heavenly Court before she could go to Xuandu City with peace of mind.

Actually, with the rise of the Shang tribe, as their totem, the Phoenix Race’s fortune had recovered to the point where creation would allow the Phoenix Race to have descendants.

Kong Xuan’s mission only remained to continue the Phoenix line.

—Using Original Phoenix True Blood to transform flying creatures.

Toward Li Changshou, Kong Xuan’s heart was full of gratitude. Although Kong Xuan had never expressed this, whenever Li Changshou made a request, she would certainly respond.

The matter of Kong Xuan going to guard Xuandu City was thus settled, and their attention returned to the mutated demon.

Little Sadness released Seven Emotions power for half a day, completely breaking through the mutated demon’s ‘heart-dao’, revealing it before everyone.

What shocked even Li Changshou was that when this mutated demon was opened up, she was truly pure white inside.

Mei Wenhua no longer cared whether she had been a kidnapped Primordial World being. Her heart held only compassion and sympathy—sympathy for those Outer Realm Demons who shared her experience.

Her only belief now was to rescue her kind, to let them break free from their shackles, and escape their fate of enslavement.

Their lives were given by Mother and could be taken back by Mother at will, but they were also beings transformed from true spirits—they had their own dignity.

She must bring the flower of hope to the Outer Realm Demons, bring them the fruit of freedom!

Let the Outer Realm Demons stand up and take control of their destiny.

After all, they didn’t want to enter the Primordial World—what they loved most was happily stretching their bodies in the Chaos Sea…

Seeing these things, the gathered immortals fell silent again.

Quan Tong pondered aloud: “What exactly did Star-Lord do? This is completely… completely…”

Bian Zhuang said softly: “Just as we cultivators’ heart demons are mostly evil thoughts, could demons’ heart demons be benevolent thoughts?”

Kong Xuan asked: “Should we take her to Xuandu City?”

Li Changshou didn’t answer, only closed his eyes in concentration, then quickly said: “She cannot go outside the world for now. I want to take her somewhere first.”

Quan Tong asked puzzledly: “Where to?”

“Fire Cloud Cave,” Li Changshou said, “Let the human ancestors ponder this matter, see if there’s a permanent solution to the Outer Realm Demon problem.”

Quan Tong showed sudden understanding, but in the corner, Jiu Jiu blinked.

Why did she feel that Changshou had just… told a lie…