At the Eastern Heaven Gate, Li Changshou sat atop the Golden Roc, hastily returning while openly displaying the undeniably authentic Divine Water Authority treasure.

The Celestial Generals were first startled, then unanimously stepped forward to welcome him.

“Greetings, Star-Lord!”

“Star-Lord, you’ve finally returned!”

“We pay our respects, Star-Lord!”

The scene was somewhat chaotic, but Li Changshou didn’t respond. His expression remained tense as he merely nodded to the Celestial Generals before his figure flashed through the Eastern Heaven Gate.

Having received the Ancestor’s “summons for questioning,” Li Changshou dared not delay. He could only hastily bid farewell to Yun Xiao.

Elder Zhao, seeing Li Changshou’s urgent expression, didn’t ask many questions. He simply arranged to meet later for drinks before heading off to visit the Three Immortal Islands.

The matter of being summoned to the Purple Void Palace for a lecture was something he couldn’t tell Yun Xiao about, to spare her from worry. After all, Yun Xiao already knew quite a bit, including the existence of that Senior Wanderer.

Entering the Eastern Heaven Gate, Li Changshou didn’t conceal his presence. Instead, he actively spread his Dao resonance, flying boldly toward the Nine Heavens above.

He flew as fast as he could, creating as much commotion as possible.

From the deepest part of the Nine Heavens, one could find the path to the Purple Void Palace—provided the palace wanted to be found.

Li Changshou’s figure transformed into a daylight comet, shooting straight toward the deepest reaches of the Heavenly Palace! His intent was urgent.

When he decided to let Kun Peng swallow the Primordial Purple Qi, Li Changshou had already anticipated various possible outcomes.

Acting without planning was strictly forbidden for stability.

What drove Li Changshou to make this decisive move, to oppose the will of the Ancestral Master and Heaven’s Way at this moment by not accepting the Primordial Purple Qi, was his certainty that Heaven’s Way wouldn’t destroy him for refusing the Purple Qi.

The reasoning behind this was complex but could be simply understood as—he was still useful.

Thus, Li Changshou had understood from the beginning that after handling the Primordial Purple Qi and Kun Peng’s return to the Primordial World, he would likely face some form of punishment.

The worst scenario would be Heaven’s punishment descending, with the Ancestral Master giving him no warning before severely injuring him as a warning to others.

This summons to the Purple Void Palace, though the Ancestral Master appeared furious, contained enough room for maneuvering when carefully considering those two sentences.

The Ancestor’s implied meaning was that he should find an appropriate reason that would save face for everyone involved.

Refusing the Primordial Purple Qi meant refusing to bind with Heaven’s Way. In the current Primordial World, this matter could be either extremely serious or minimized and eventually forgotten.

If he couldn’t explain today that would satisfy both Heaven’s Way and the Ancestral Master, it would affect all his subsequent plans.

This wasn’t a game of chess, but rather Li Changshou’s calculated choice.

Li Changshou wouldn’t think he was qualified to play chess with Heaven’s Way and the Ancestral Master yet—he was still far from that level in every aspect.

Flying to the Ninth Heaven, Li Changshou suddenly realized something.

The message contained within that strand of Primordial Purple Qi about Zhao Gongming’s tribulation might have been added by the Ancestral Master at the moment when Kun Peng swallowed it along with the Primordial Purple Qi.

Was it some kind of warning for him?

Li Changshou couldn’t be certain at this point. He could only gauge from the severity of the Ancestral Master’s punishment and his words to come.

Well…

Hopefully, there wouldn’t be any embarrassing situations like Heaven’s punishment striking his posterior—he was going to the Purple Void Palace alone this time, with no need for public display.

“Changgeng!”

A sudden call reached his ears. Li Changshou halted and turned his head to see the Jade Emperor’s avatar approaching on a cloud from the side, his eyes showing concern.

Clearly, Quanxu truly understood this time.

In this place of swirling clouds with no one else around, Li Changshou made a Daoist salute and smiled, “Why are you here?”

“Naturally to wait for you,” Quanxu’s expression turned serious as he voluntarily asked, “Do you need me to accompany you to the Purple Void Palace?”

As he spoke, Quanxu gave Li Changshou a meaningful look.

Li Changshou smiled and said, “The Ancestral Master’s summons is likely just for some words of reproach. Your Majesty need not worry. Ah, it was my fault for being too hasty at the time. I didn’t expect the real Primordial Purple Qi would suddenly appear. In my urgency to appear and give chase, I nearly let the Kun Peng escape. In the end, there was no way to separate the Primordial Purple Qi from Kun Peng’s primordial spirit. I was careless.”

“Very well.” Quanxu smiled and said, “When you reach the Purple Void Palace, properly admit your mistake. The Ancestral Master is magnanimous and won’t hold it against you. The Heavenly Court faces many troubles now and truly can’t do without you. Go early and return early. Don’t provoke the Ancestral Master.”

How could Li Changshou not know that this was the Jade Emperor expressing his stance to the Ancestral Master on his behalf?

Feeling warmth in his heart, Li Changshou bowed deeply to Quanxu before turning to continue toward the outer reaches of the Nine Heavens.

Though this body might not be accepted by this world, having a few like-minded friends was enough to comfort the heart.

Quanxu raised his head to watch Li Changshou’s retreating figure for a while before sighing and returning to the Heavenly Palace.

Meanwhile, on the Three Immortal Islands, Yun Xiao stood on a beach of the immortal island.

Having changed back into her long dress, she held the folded Daoist robe over her arm, quietly gazing at the northwestern sky.

Her eyes carried traces of worry.

Behind her, Qiong Xiao, Bi Xiao, and several cultivating immortal maidens of the island were preparing wine and immortal fruits to welcome her return.

“Brother,” Qiong Xiao bumped Zhao Gongming’s arm and asked in a transmitted voice, “What’s wrong with Elder Sister?”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and hummed thoughtfully before smiling, “She must be missing the one in her heart. After all, they just spent several decades together before suddenly separating. It’s normal to feel some adjustment.”

Hearing this, Qiong Xiao frowned, her eyes showing concern as she knelt on the cushion.

“Brother, do you think…” she transmitted.

“Think what?”

Qiong Xiao asked via voice transmission, “Since Elder Sister has married into the Taibai Palace, will Fourth Sister and I go there too?”

“That…” Zhao Gongming truly couldn’t answer this one right away. “You’ll have to discuss it among yourselves when the time comes, but that would be after the Great Tribulation. By then, you can go wherever you want, without as many restrictions as now.”

“Ah, hopefully,” Qiong Xiao smacked her lips. “Anyway, I don’t want to go, to avoid people gossiping.”

Zhao Gongming chuckled softly but said no more on the matter.

From the side, Bi Xiao called out, and Yun Xiao turned to float over, her expression returning to its usual coolness.

But whether it was Zhao Gongming and the others’ imagination or not, Yun Xiao seemed gentler than usual, her beautiful eyes flowing like water when she looked around, and she spoke more than usual, earning praise from Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao.

The immortals’ conversation inevitably turned to the current Tribulation of Measure.

Yun Xiao specifically advised the immortal maidens on the island not to travel outside for hundreds of years. If they suddenly felt the urge to leave, it was likely the tribulation’s influence at work.

The immortal maidens readily agreed, though whether they would listen is another matter.

Hanzhi sighed, “I wonder if Master’s reincarnation will be affected by this great tribulation.”

“That black panther?” Qiong Xiao held her night-luminous cup next to her small face and smiled, “This tribulation affects the Severing, Enlightenment, and Western sects. It has nothing to do with him. Don’t overthink it—a reincarnation is no longer the same person.”

“Mm,” Hanzhi responded, but the concern remained in her heart.

“Oh right, Brother,” Qiong Xiao tossed up a grape and caught it precisely in her mouth before casually saying, “A few years ago, Senior Sister Jin Ling seemed to have taken a disciple, named Wen something, and took him to the Jade Game Palace for training.”

“Oh?” Zhao Gongming smiled and asked, “Male or female disciple?”

“Male disciple heard he’s quite handsome too.”

Whoosh!

Zhao Gongming’s figure instantly vanished, leaving behind only the words that he was going to the Jade Game Palace to pay respects to the Master, leaving a trail of spatial ripples.

Qiong Xiao blinked and muttered, “Are all disciples this defensive?”

Yun Xiao thought for a moment and said, “Brother lacks confidence, perhaps because Jin Ling Senior Sister has always been unwilling to make their relationship public.”

Bi Xiao whispered, “Why not ask Chang-geng-shi-di for some ideas? Changgeng Brother has so many clever thoughts.”

“He’s probably dealing with difficulties right now,” Yun Xiao glanced at the sky. “Let’s not trouble him with this matter. I’ll go talk to Jin Ling’s Senior Sister later to see what her concerns are. Enough talking behind others’ backs—how has your recent cultivation and comprehension been?”

The Great Immortal Yun Xiao transformed into a strict teacher, causing the two little immortals’ lips to purse into bitter melon faces. After a few small complaints, they began to demonstrate their recent cultivation achievements.

Living beings each have their sorrows and joys, the world’s griefs and happiness are not all the same;

Except for homework—that’s universal.

…

Beyond the heavens, the Purple Void Palace.

A streak of light flew out from the iridescent clouds directly below the Purple Void Palace, transforming into Li Changshou’s original form. Holding up the hem of his Daoist robe, he ascended the steps before the palace.

His face was flushed, his forehead beaded with sweat, and his eyes carried traces of unease.

Before reaching the hall’s entrance, he had already lowered his head and closed his eyes. After clearing his throat, he quickly ran up the last dozen or so steps, rushing into the vast empty hall of the Purple Void Palace.

“Disciple Li Changshou comes to request punishment!”

His voice echoed throughout the hall as his figure stood motionless behind the palace doors, maintaining a Daoist salute without moving a muscle.

He stood thus for three time periods.

Cold sweat formed on Li Changshou’s forehead, which he immediately evaporated away. His Adam’s apple quivered irregularly, as though some lethal beast capable of taking his life at any moment lurked within.

His slightly excessive nervousness made any trace of pretense impossible to detect.

Until a cold laugh came from ahead: “What’s this? Has the Taibai Star Lord turned to wood? Why are you standing there like a post?”

Li Changshou hurriedly lowered his head even further and cupped his hands, saying, “Without the Ancestral Master’s summons, this disciple dares not approach.”

“You dare not?” The voice instantly gained several degrees of anger, berating, “What is there that you dare not do!”

Li Changshou’s legs conveniently went soft, and he knelt prostrate on the star-imbued, dao-marked floor, not uttering a word.

Within the hall, on the Ancestral Master’s oversized meditation cushion, the imposing elderly Daoist slowly ‘grew’ out from streams of flowing light, angrily rebuking:

“If you looked down upon the Primordial Purple Qi given to you, you could have simply passed it to any random Dao sect disciple. Yet you went to such lengths to transfer it to the Kun Peng! Do you think I don’t know what sort of background that Kun Peng has?”

Li Changshou hastily replied, “Disciple had no such thoughts! That day when the Kun Peng attacked, the disciple suddenly saw that genuine strand of Primordial Purple Qi and instantly lost composure. The Primordial Purple Qi is of utmost importance—it’s an opportunity for sainthood, a chance for beings to transcend. Disciple feared the Purple Qi would be seized by those Demonic Ancestor’s generals, causing me to set aside the matter of the Kun Peng! Previously, to encircle and kill the Kun Peng, the disciple had already requested Uncle Master Tongtian’s help. At that time, to protect that strand of Primordial Purple Qi, the disciple even went against the promise made to Saint Uncle Master!”

The Ancestral Master Hongjun fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on Li Changshou prostrating at the hall entrance, and said indifferently:

“You truly didn’t plan this?”

“May Ancestral Master examine clearly,” Li Changshou sighed, “You know disciple’s temperament—I must plan before acting and would never move without considerable certainty. I don’t know what came over me at that time; that Primordial Purple Qi suddenly appeared almost simultaneously with the fake Purple Qi I had designed. Initially, the disciple mistook it until the Jade Emperor’s avatar beside me pointed it out, and I finally awoke as if from a dream. At that moment, the disciple thought of nothing else, hastily moving to protect one of the few opportunities for sainthood in this world. This should have been our Dao sect’s opportunity—how could we let those great powers snatch it away?”

“Heh.” The Ancestral Master smiled, “Are you suggesting I should reward you?”

“Disciple dares not seek rewards!” Li Changshou buried his head again and declared loudly, “Disciple merely did what was expected of a Dao sect disciple. Without the Dao sect, there would be no disciple!”

“In that case, let me ask you this,” the Ancestral Master’s surrounding aura grew stronger, “That Kun Peng—why did you not kill it when you could have?”

“This… this… Only because the disciple had previously promised Uncle Master Tongtian, requesting his help to intercept the Kun Peng, with the condition being that the Kun Peng would not be killed first, leaving it for Uncle Master Tongtian’s amusement.”

“Then why did you insist on requesting Tongtian’s help? Could it be you intentionally wanted to spare the Kun Peng’s life?”

“May Ancestral Master examine, without Uncle Master Tongtian’s assistance, the disciple’s confidence in the entire plan wouldn’t even reach ninety-seven percent. Only with Uncle Master Tongtian’s intervention did disciple have ninety-eight percent certainty of trapping the Kun Peng!”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou sensed a flash of light before him and raised his head to see the Ancestral Master standing before him with a gloomy expression.

This time he truly shuddered.

“Young one, repeat what you just said.”

“Only with Sect Leader Tongtian’s intervention did disciple have ninety-eight percent…”

Crack!

Purple lightning erupted, filling the entire Purple Void Palace, and causing the Three Thousand Great Daos to tremble slightly.

Moments later, Li Changshou lay charred black on the ground, his cheek pressed against the smooth floor of the Purple Void Palace, his mouth exhaling a tiny white primordial spirit with several spiral patterns on its head.

The Ancestral Master returned to his meditation cushion, contentedly watching Li Changshou at the hall entrance, even humming a happy tune.

“Striking others has no feeling, but striking you is different. Come over, this matter can be considered settled.”

Li Changshou sprang up like a carp flipping its tail, flashing a grin at the Ancestral Master. His pitch-black face revealed a set of white teeth, adding to his appearance of simplicity.

“Thank you for your magnanimity, Ancestral Master, not holding against disciple the matter of losing the Primordial Purple Qi.”

The Ancestral Master snorted and said coldly, “This matter isn’t finished yet. Why didn’t you bring the Kun Peng back to the Primordial World?”

“Disciple was mainly concerned about the Heavenly Court’s image,” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “The Kun Peng is an ancient fierce beast that everyone would seek to kill. If word spread that the Kun Peng had returned to serve the Heavenly Court, or that disciple had subdued it, the Heavenly Court’s reputation would likely collapse completely.”

“The Heavenly Court’s reputation?” The Ancestral Master said coldly, “I think you received benefits from your fellow townsman and are keeping the Kun Peng as a backup plan.”

“This…” Li Changshou’s thoughts raced as he lowered his head and said, “Please don’t be angry, Ancestral Master. Disciple’s nature is just like this—afraid of death to an extreme degree.”

“At least you know it!”

“Disciple is well aware of this flaw,” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “Please rest assured, Ancestral Master, the disciple will firmly stand with the Heavenly Court and won’t be swayed by others’ words.”

“It’s no matter,” the Ancestral Master’s expression turned somewhat melancholic as he said indifferently, “When your fellow townsman was obliterated that year, I saw his memories and knew what he had left behind. I thought that knowing defeat was inevitable, he would leave the Primordial World with the Kun Peng, but unexpectedly… he still returned.”

Li Changshou remained silent, simply standing quietly.

The Ancestral Master asked, “Changgeng, how much do you know about this matter?”

“Well, actually not much, just able to guess at some peripheral details.”

Li Changshou wiped his face and said seriously, “Past events have gone by. We study history to learn lessons from it, not to mock the ancients to satisfy some sort of vanity. Ancestral Master, from the traces left by that senior, one can judge that he knew at the time that he was being irrational and wrong.”

“There is no inherent right or wrong in the world, only different pursuits.”

The Ancestral Master sighed softly, looked at Li Changshou a few times, and casually pointed.

The charred black around Li Changshou disappeared, and his damaged Daoist robe repaired itself.

Hongjun Ancestral Master spoke slowly: “I have my own private thoughts and personal desires as well. Pangu once said that to transcend, one must abandon the self. Thus, after Pangu returned to heaven and earth, he reached a state of no-self and no-things, achieving his form of transcendence. Changgeng, I… I know you have your judgment and thoughts, but this world is now only a few steps away from establishing stable order, and you are the most suitable candidate. You need not feel burdened, or overthink this. I can make you a promise. After you assist the Heavenly Court in establishing the order of the Three Realms, if you wish to roam freely in the world, I can grant you that freedom. Your self-discipline and self-respect are what please me most. If you wish to embark on the path to find your homeland, or if you wish to cultivate in seclusion, I will instruct Haotian not to try to retain you. How about that?”

Li Changshou deliberately froze for a moment before showing joy on his face and making a deep Daoist salute.

“Disciple thanks Ancestral Master for your profound kindness! Disciple truly doesn’t know how to repay this!”

“Enough, stop with these pretenses,” Hongjun Ancestral Master waved his hand, “Remember what I told you last time. Go back now. That strand of Primordial Purple Qi has been swallowed by the Kun Peng, and the ninth Primordial Purple Qi is no longer in my hands—even if I wanted to give it to you, I couldn’t. Focus on assisting the Heavenly Court and completing the matter of canonization.”

“Yes!”

Li Changshou answered firmly, made another Daoist salute, and backed up more than ten steps before turning toward the hall entrance.

After walking swiftly for several hundred steps, with the hall entrance in sight, Li Changshou suddenly heard a call from behind:

“Changgeng, in your heart, am I truly like this?”

Li Changshou instinctively turned his head to look, and his Dao’s heart trembled slightly.

He saw the Ancestral Master sitting on the meditation cushion, corners of his mouth bearing a faint cold smile, his face gloomy and indescribably fierce and cold, his eyes emanating a coldness that seemed capable of piercing one’s Dao heart.

Li Changshou pursed his lips and said softly, “Ancestral Master, you’ve frightened disciple.”

“Go then,” the Ancestral Master wiped his face, that cold visage vanishing, returning to his usual spring-like warmth, “Don’t think too much about it.”

“Yes.”

Li Changshou lowered his head and walked out of the Purple Void Palace’s great hall, his eyes narrowing slightly before quickly returning to an expression of lingering fear as he descended the steps.