The starry river glittered brilliantly in the night sky as a cool breeze swept away the mundane clamor, brushing over mountains that resembled a dark forest.

A white cloud drifted from the southwest, heading toward a region in the Central Divine Continent. The atmosphere atop it was rather peaceful.

Li Changshou sat quietly at the front of the cloud, appearing as the paper avatar with white robes and beard that had previously shown itself in the Shang Kingdom of the Southern Continent.

Behind Li Changshou, the ‘Holy Celestial Demon’ that had been deeply infected by Little Ai’s divine power was now curled up in a ball, with large teardrops seeping into the cloud.

This…

How should one address this being?

Names like Holy Demon or Holy Celestial Demon seemed too imposing. Mei Wenhua’s strength wasn’t particularly remarkable, and at this moment, it was unclear what divine abilities she possessed.

The original Outer Celestial Demons’ most powerful ability was infiltrating the dao hearts of Hongmeng beings. After mutation, these Outer Celestial Demons retained this ability.

However, while the former caused corruption, the latter induced goodness.

It was precisely because Li Changshou realized this point that he wanted to take Mei Wenhua to Fire Cloud Cave…

Perhaps somewhat ironically for Mei Wenhua, despite receiving the Heavenly Dao’s acknowledgment, possessing such a celestial spirit body, and enduring multiple trials before,

She still hadn’t earned Li Changshou’s trust.

How to handle this mutated demon also gave Li Changshou a headache.

He hadn’t yet decided whether to make this matter public, when would be the right time if so, and what benefits it could bring to the Heavenly Court or himself.

More importantly, Li Changshou couldn’t completely rule out the threat she posed.

If this was all an act by Mei Wenhua, and she managed to get close to some high-ranking but vulnerable figures in the Heavenly Court, the consequences would be truly unthinkable.

This didn’t necessarily refer to Elder Wood.

One must maintain basic respect toward Outer Celestial Demons and never let down their guard, after all, their favorite activity was tampering with beings’ dao hearts.

Li Changshou had considered killing Mei Wenhua outright over ten times but felt it would be truly wasteful.

This mutation might be unique and irreplicable, meaning Li Changshou would lose a trump card against Kun Peng and the celestial demons.

Suddenly, Li Changshou recalled several words.

They were from a mountain walk with his Master Qi Yuan after the new rain, discussing the fox girl Alan.

His master’s teachings still echoed in his ears, having quite an impact on Li Changshou.

[Reverence].

Never lose reverence for living beings…

With this in mind, Li Changshou raised his left hand toward the curled-up Mei Wenhua, adding two more layers of celestial power protection.

Being extra careful was never wrong.

The Outer Celestial Demons were considered part of Kun Peng’s outer circle forces. This time, Kun Peng had made consecutive moves against him, even threatening his Little Master-Uncle.

This could not be tolerated!

He needed to think of some countermeasures.

During this visit to Fire Cloud Cave, he would take the opportunity to consult with several retired Human Sovereigns to see if they could find ways to deal with Kun Peng.

This Kun Peng had become too aggressive.

Meanwhile, in the vast void beyond the Five Continents of Hongmeng,

Li Changshou’s paper avatar was hiding in Jiu Yu’s sleeve as she concealed her movements and flew toward the Direction of临天 Palace.

Jiu Yu’s intuition hadn’t been wrong earlier – Li Changshou had indeed lied to Quan Tong at the time.

However, there were some things Li Changshou couldn’t directly explain to His Majesty the Jade Emperor, he could only hint at them through voice transmission.

He couldn’t just say outright that he wanted to take this special Outer Celestial Demon to Fire Cloud Cave to see if she could help Suiren.

That would touch on taboo subjects.

Late in the Ancient Period, there were rumors that the Heavenly Emperor position should have belonged to the Human Sovereigns. Suiren was considered the most senior and powerful among the ancestral Human Sovereigns.

Unlike Fu Xi and Shennong, Suiren was purely human, and now with humanity prospering in the world, this carried an air of “legitimacy.”

Li Changshou had even theorized that perhaps the Heavenly Dao deliberately used demon energy to control Suiren, ensuring the Heavenly Court’s stable rule over the Three Realms.

Of course, Li Changshou would never confuse his own identity or misunderstand his position.

He was an ordinary minister of the Heavenly Court, currently working for the Heavenly Dao.

This visit to Fire Cloud Cave stemmed only from his respect for the Human Sovereigns and his previous “small agreement” with Emperor Yu, bringing Mei Wenhua to try if she could ease some of Suiren’s suffering.

Before parting with Quan Tong, fearing the Jade Emperor might not understand the key points, Li Changshou took the initiative to explain further through voice transmission:

‘The human ancestors at Fire Cloud Cave previously entrusted a matter to this minor deity.

It concerns Suiren’s fall to demon energy in his early years, which is now becoming increasingly difficult to suppress.

As extremes inevitably reverse, Mei Wenhua might have a unique approach to dealing with demon energy. This minor deity will try having her help suppress Ancient Human Sovereign Suiren’s condition during this visit to Fire Cloud Cave.’

At the time, Quan Tong… blinked, calmly nodded in agreement, and slightly furrowed his brow before leaving.

Li Changshou secretly sighed, seeing that His Majesty was indeed concerned about this matter. Those at the peak of power probably all harbored some wariness toward anything that could threaten their actual authority.

‘Understanding’ Heaven Emperor: ‘Hmm? What deep meaning is there in Changgeng’s special instructions? Perhaps it’s time to show goodwill to Fire Cloud Cave.

Indeed, I had overlooked this matter before. Now that mortal humans respect the Heavenly Court, we mustn’t let the Ancient Human Sovereigns develop grievances.

I’ll arrange it upon return. Thanks to Changgeng’s thorough consideration of all aspects.’

A true major scene of monarch-minister misunderstanding in Hongmeng.

For this trip to Fire Cloud Cave, Li Changshou brought only Bian Zhuang along beside Mei Wenhua.

There was no other reason – just to have a witness throughout, avoiding His Majesty’s overthinking.

Long Ji was the Heaven Emperor’s daughter, Ao Yi was purely his person, while Bian Zhuang, who had shown goodwill toward him and naturally respected the Heavenly Court, was just right for a Heavenly General.

Li Changshou multitasked, his two paper avatars observing different scenery while organizing his thoughts.

Even after Kong Xuan went to Xuandu City, it didn’t mean they would avoid the Great Tribulation of Canonization later.

Bearing humanity’s fortune meant being drawn into such tribulations – this time would be hard to escape.

If he forcibly helped Kong Xuan escape the tribulation, he needed to consider whether he could bear the backlash from leaving the Buddha Mother position vacant.

Breaking the barriers of fate always required paying some price.

He couldn’t just protect Kong Xuan by arranging for the Golden-Winged Great Peng to play Kong Xuan’s role, and then…

Change Buddha Mother to Buddha Father?

Never mind, he was worrying about too much. Perhaps it was better to let Senior Brother handle Kong Xuan’s matter.

“Changshou.”

“Hmm?”

The concealed Jiu Yu hummed softly and transmitted to the paper figure in her sleeve: “You’ve… been quite busy lately, huh.”

Li Changshou laughed and replied: “For the past hundred or two hundred years, I spent most of my time cultivating. It’s thanks to you Master-Uncles running east and west that I didn’t have to put all my energy into matters beyond cultivation.”

“Ah come on, why so formal with me,” Jiu Yu giggled happily, then cleared her throat, “Ahem, well, Ling’e has been fine lately.”

“What could happen to her? She’s just cultivating in the mountains,” Li Changshou sighed, “When Crossing Immortals Gate faced tribulation, I couldn’t keep Ling’e there to weather the hardship with the sect. For safety, I moved Little Qiong Peak to the Heavenly Court, though this has left Ling’e somewhat lonely.”

“Then why don’t you spend more time with her,” Jiu Yu’s smile faded as she muttered, “You better not let Ling’e down. Ling’e is different from you – you’re a formal deity of the Heavenly Court, among those of the highest rank, also a great power in Hongmeng, admired and respected by mortals, with countless identities.

But Ling’e has only one identity… your Junior Sister.

She began admiring you just a few years after entering the mountain, and has remained devoted to you all these years.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Rest assured, Master-Uncle, I certainly won’t let Ling’e suffer any grievances.”

“Why do I still feel somewhat dejected hearing your answer?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s nothing, nothing, I’m used to feeling dejected,” Jiu Yu waved her small hand, shifting her gaze to the side. There was a hint of loneliness in her eyes, but it quickly returned to their usual sparkle.

Never mind, let’s not think about other matters for now.

Jiu Yu asked: “Changshou, how are things progressing between you and Ling’e?”

“Well,” Li Changshou pondered for a moment, finding it difficult to answer, “It’s stable.”

“Can you have a baby now?” Jiu Yu asked in surprise.

“How is that possible,” Li Changshou transmitted with slight helplessness, “Actually, sometimes I feel quite conflicted.”

“Conflicted?” Jiu Yu blinked, “There are things even you can’t resolve? Great Star Lord!”

“Please don’t tease me, Master-Uncle.”

Li Changshou laughed, feeling an urge to confide. After a brief hesitation, he felt it was fine to share these thoughts with Jiu Yu.

In this world, on his journey to the present day, those he could call friends were spread throughout the Three Realms.

But those he could consider close confidants… Little Master-Uncle ranked even before Master White.

Li Changshou spoke slowly: “The greatest taboo for cultivators is not understanding their own heart and nature. If they feel confused, they’ll soon hit bottlenecks.

I’m a mundane person, with seven emotions and six desires, hoping for perfect endings to everything, though that’s unlikely.

My feelings for Ling’e go beyond those for a dao partner. I raised her and taught her all her skills, we’re like siblings and master disciples. Watching her transform each day, I feel a strong desire to protect her.

But I fear that becoming dao partners might cause our relationship to regress.

Sometimes I think about letting her make more friends, letting her travel more once the world is stable, making her life less monotonous than just having me, but then I worry she’ll leave me.

That subtle emotion of fearing to lose my unique place in her heart truly makes me both laugh and cry.”

Jiu Yu’s mouth twitched as she lectured: “You just lack resolve.”

“Resolve?”

“Yes, resolve. You’re not decisive at all.”

Jiu Yu snorted and continued criticizing: “You could even win over an innate powerful being like Immortal Yunxiao, yet you keep your distance from your dear Junior Sister whose heart is filled only with you.

I think you just can’t face it, afraid your conscience won’t let you rest, feeling that your previous kindness to Ling’e had ulterior motives, making you uncomfortable inside.

You’re just avoiding this discomfort.

What’s the big deal? Why care if others mock you? Let them talk, what’s there to fear? You’re both fellow disciples and childhood sweethearts.

Ling’e is devoted to you, constantly working hard at cultivation, becoming more beautiful, all to please you, yet you’re still concerned about saving face, really…”

“Is that so?”

Li Changshou pondered for a while, thinking carefully, “Master-Uncle’s criticism is fair, but something seems not quite right.

I’ve tried being proactive too, but every time Ling’e…”

“Every time?”

“She runs away because she’s too shy.”

“Just because of that?”

Jiu Yu looked exasperated, “Give her some wine! It’s such a simple solution! Wine emboldens the timid, just let Ling’e drink a bit, wouldn’t that solve everything?

And you call yourself Taibai Jinxing, is this all you can come up with?”

Li Changshou’s forehead was covered in black lines, feeling this approach wasn’t quite… proper.

“Master-Uncle, I still need to consider this carefully.”

Jiu Yu asked puzzled: “Why? What’s there to consider?”

“A relationship, especially between man and woman, actually has different stages,” Li Changshou said, “People always see the joy and satisfaction when love blossoms, calling it happiness.

But few consider how two people should get along after the relationship gradually becomes mundane.

Mortals live only several decades, yet still face such issues.

Long-living immortals have endless lifespans unless they meet with tribulation. During that long period of mundaneness, would they gradually grow weary, leading to mutual disgust?”

“This…”

Jiu Yu blinked, “Do you need to think that far ahead?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Actually, I’ve already thought of some solutions to this matter.”

“What?”

“I’m thinking of sending Ling’e to Nüwa Palace to cultivate for a period, though I haven’t been able to make up my mind,” Li Changshou said, “With a Sage’s protection, her safety would be guaranteed. Being apart for some time would allow her admiration for me, which developed since childhood, to cool down.

If afterward, she still holds me in her heart, I won’t hesitate anymore. We’ll become husband and wife, never to part again.”

Jiu Yu smiled and said: “That’s indeed a solution, and it would help Ling’e establish some stronger foundations.”

“Thank you for guiding me through this matter, Master-Uncle,” Li Changshou said warmly, “My other aspect is nearly at Fire Cloud Cave, I must attend to that now.”

“Go on then, your master uncle can sneak back quietly, no need to worry too much.”

Though Jiu Yu said this, how could Li Changshou not worry? After all, Wine Master-Uncle’s cultivation was only at the late stage of the Celestial Immortal realm.

Li Changshou kept three parts of his divine sense here, using his immortal awareness to constantly scan the maximum distance;

Meanwhile, at the great marsh where Fire Cloud Cave’s entrance was located.

Li Changshou created a ‘bubble’ with immortal power, letting the constantly crying Mei Wenhua sleep within it. Bringing Bian Zhuang and pulling the bubble along, he made a ceremonial bow toward Fire Cloud Cave’s entrance.

“Junior Li Changgeng, seeking an audience with the human ancestors.”

The highly nervous Bian Zhuang was now completely tense, making a proper ceremonial bow toward the front.

A swirling vortex of flowing light appeared above the lake’s surface. Li Changshou led Bian Zhuang into it, walking through that long passage to arrive above another marsh, where a familiar figure wearing a bamboo hat approached walking on the waves.

It was Emperor Yu.

Eh?

Li Changshou shifted his attention to his other paper avatar, seeing Jiu Yu repeatedly hitting her forehead while flying, silently screaming skyward, her speed suddenly increasing threefold.

Wine withdrawal agitation?

Li Changshou smiled slightly. His paper avatar escorting Jiu Yu back to Lingtan Palace could also teach her some wine-brewing methods, preventing Master-Uncle from lacking wine and sugar candies.

…

‘Are you certain?’

‘Master, my dao has been reversed. I can sense it even through the Heavenly Dao’s power.’

‘Reversed?’

In some corner of the Chaos Sea, two divine thoughts intertwined in communication.

Kun Peng swayed its enormous body, its flesh wings folded at its sides, its form indeed resembling a great fish.

After pondering for a while, Kun Peng asked:

‘You’re saying someone can reverse your dao, turning celestial demons into other puppets rather than directly purifying them?’

‘Yes, Master,’ the Demon Sovereign’s divine thought carried some anxious emotions, ‘There are over ten known Great Daos that can purify my dao principles, but none have ever made me feel fear.

This time, I directly lost connection with that child, and that child became something I extremely detest, exactly opposite to what I am.’

‘No need to fear too much,’ Kun Peng said, ‘Hongmeng contains countless beings, it’s likely Hongjun researching how to deal with us.

Hongjun cannot leave the Hongmeng Heavenly Dao, he’s no longer worth worrying about.

Which child did you lose?’

‘She was sent to Hongmeng by Master, you named her Mei Wenhua.’

‘Oh?’ Kun Peng pondered for a moment, ‘Sense the whereabouts of the remaining three pseudo-spirits, tell them not to be slack, succeed quickly.’

‘Yes.’

The Demon Sovereign acknowledged, and the two streams of divine thought separated.

Kun Peng opened its terrifying giant eyes, flashing with traces of killing intent.

[It seems relying on these celestial demons alone truly won’t accomplish anything.]

Then, Kun Peng spread those enormous flesh wings, seemingly stretching across two realms, lightly flapped its wings, and its body crashed through chaos and departed.

Time to wake up, you escapists who dare not face the Great Tribulation.

Meanwhile, in Fire Cloud Cave, Li Changshou was discussing ‘fishing’ matters with Emperor Yu, Emperor Xuanyuan, and Fu Xi in a pavilion on Emperor Yu’s mountain.

“Do the seniors have any strategies, preferably to lure Kun Peng near Xuandu City? This time we’ll make perfect preparations to capture it in one move, eliminating future troubles forever.”