‘The matter mentioned last time must refer to Pangu’s fragmented will… I feel this matter is even more complex than this strand of Primordial Purple Qi.’

On Little Jade Peak, a gentle breeze passed by, and Li Changshou’s figure appeared on the rocking chair before the pill-refining chamber, yet the formation showed no reaction.

At this moment, true cold sweat finally seeped from his back, soaking half his Daoist robe.

Even immortals have a metabolism, though because their immortal bodies are pure and unblemished, they mostly complete their internal and external circulation through spiritual energy.

Li Changshou sat there in a daze, then closed his eyes, carefully savoring the conversation that had just occurred in the Purple Void Palace.

Conversing with a powerhouse like the Ancestral Master was truly exhausting.

The Ancestral Master’s meaning, he should have fully understood, and the Ancestral Master should have understood that he had fully understood… right?

That final scare from the Ancestral Master was inconsequential.

The Ancestral Master was reminding him not to cling to perspectives based on mortal human reasoning, but to view things from the perspective of the entire world.

[Value judgments based on personal emotions cannot apply to the great order of the world.]

Though Li Changshou had known this principle long ago, he didn’t want to constrain himself with it, still preferring to be a common person.

Ah, life was already so difficult—to enjoy immortality happily, one must work doubly hard.

More important than the Ancestral Master’s like or dislike of him as a disciple-grandson was avoiding any form of opposition with the Ancestral Master.

Daily self-examination: stable? Stable? Thoroughly stable?

As Li Changshou sat there deep in thought, a faint mist appeared around him, and a strand of Dao resonance spread throughout Little Jade Peak.

In the card room, Spirit Moth, who was playing cards with Dragon Princess and Bear Linggli, suddenly perked up. She stood, knocking over her jade stool, her form transforming into a pale white halo before vanishing.

Dragon Princess, wearing a thin gauze summer dress, blinked. “What happened to Aunt Spirit Moth?”

“Hmph hmph,” Bear Linggli threw down her cards and stretched her small arms and legs, feeling the urge to transform to her larger size.

She smiled proudly, her two pigtails that reached the carpet swaying slightly, “In this situation, there’s only one possibility… Cousin’s true body has returned!”

“Master has returned?”

Dragon Princess froze for a moment before flashing to the side hall.

Opening layer after layer of restrictions, Dragon Princess quickly changed into attire suitable for going out. When she tried to extend her immortal sense toward the pill-refining chamber’s location, she was easily blocked by the grand formation.

“Senior Brother~”

A call interrupted Li Changshou’s train of thought. Turning his head to look, he saw a rainbow flash as Spirit Moth jumped close, her small hands pressing down on his shoulders.

Li Changshou didn’t resist, letting her press and shake his shoulders while wailing:

“Senior Brother, you finally returned alive!”

“Mm, almost didn’t make it back.”

“Really?” Spirit Moth’s crying expression vanished as she unconsciously knelt to one side, hurriedly asking, “Senior Brother, did you encounter trouble this time? Is Sister Yun Xiao alright?”

“Don’t worry, she’s fine too,” Li Changshou sighed slowly, “Though there were some twists in dealing with the Kun Peng, with the Saints backing us up, it wasn’t too difficult. The problem arose elsewhere.”

Spirit Moth frowned thoughtfully, considering for a moment before asking softly, “Is it related to the Primordial Purple Qi that the Kun Peng supposedly swallowed?”

“Oh? You’ve become quite perceptive?”

Li Changshou’s eyes curved in a smile as he raised his hand to rub Spirit Moth’s head, messing up her carefully arranged hair ornaments, and causing her to pout in dissatisfaction.

Spirit Moth snorted: “I was never stupid.”

Then her eyes rolled and she changed the subject, jumping up with a grin, “I’ll go pour Senior Brother some tea!”

Li Changshou said calmly, “Not thirsty, no need to trouble yourself. By the way, return the emotion-inducing water you took from the bookshelf’s hidden compartment. My current Dao body is as firm as rock, no longer affected by such things.”

Spirit Moth stood on tiptoe, seeming to want to say something but holding back. Her lips twitched slightly, and finally, all that came out was:

“Oh.”

Li Changshou shook his head with a slight smile, casually taking out a jade talisman while considering his next moves.

Spirit Moth felt somewhat guilty and tiptoed away from the pill-refining chamber to busy herself by the lake.

Though she had immortal arts and divine abilities, she still used the stove to boil water. Though there weren’t many steps in making tea, she still concentrated fully, as if each movement had precise considerations.

Before long, Spirit Moth floated back with a tray.

Li Changshou thanked her and took a sip directly from the teapot.

Spirit Moth walked behind the rocking chair and pressed Li Changshou’s shoulders, gently massaging them while using her specially cultivated technique to inject streams of primordial spiritual energy into her senior brother’s Dao body.

“Senior Brother, was this trip outside very troublesome?”

“Not troublesome,” Li Changshou smiled, “I was accidentally swallowed by Kun Peng, but I went with the flow and caused some havoc inside his body…”

At this point, Li Changshou activated his ‘walls have ears’ mode and briefly recounted his battle with Kun Peng.

Spirit Moth listened intently, her delicate brows occasionally furrowing.

When she heard how Li Changshou had faced off against Kun Peng’s primordial spirit, only maintaining the upper hand thanks to the God-Slaying Spear and the Primordial Yellow Pagoda, her small face filled with worry.

“Bad Senior Brother, how did you teach me before? To be stable in everything, and then more stable. How could you go out and face off against someone as important as the Kun Peng, even getting swallowed and engaging in a battle of primordial spirits?”

Spirit Moth complained a bit, her small hands climbing to Li Changshou’s forehead, her slender fingers gently massaging.

Li Changshou didn’t say much more—that phrase ‘everything was under his control’ wasn’t appropriate to voice.

After quietly enjoying his junior sister’s proper service for a while, Li Changshou asked, “Have you ever thought about leaving my side?”

Spirit Moth’s movements paused as she asked softly, “Senior Brother, do you want me to go somewhere?”

“Not anywhere specific. I was thinking of having you cultivate with the Holy Mother for a period, perhaps a few hundred years,” Li Changshou said, “After you pass your Golden Immortal tribulation, I’ll bring you back. What do you think?”

“Um…”

“This is just my thought, I haven’t yet requested the Holy Mother’s permission.”

“Senior Brother, aren’t I a disciple of the Human Dao sect?” Spirit Moth muttered softly, “Wouldn’t it be somewhat inappropriate to cultivate in the Holy Mother’s Palace? I naturally want to follow Senior Brother’s arrangements, but would Master blame us?”

Li Changshou opened his eyes to look at Spirit Moth’s downturned profile, but she quickly avoided his gaze.

“You don’t want to go?”

“Mm.”

Li Changshou asked again, “Don’t you get lonely on the mountain?”

“Not when Senior Brother is home.”

Spirit Moth pressed her lips together, as if gathering courage, then lowered her head to look at her senior brother, muttering as quietly as a mosquito:

“How can a Qi practitioner achieve the Dao if they don’t understand their own heart?”

Li Changshou: …

“As you wish,” Li Changshou closed his eyes to adjust his breath, “If you don’t want to go then don’t. The safety level in the Heavenly Court is about the same as in the Holy Mother’s Palace. Do you want some immortal maidens to serve you? With my current rank as a proper deity, I could request some maids and such.”

“No!”

“So decisive?”

“I’m used to cultivating alone!”

Spirit Moth snorted lightly, immediately regaining her spirit. She pressed hard on Li Changshou’s shoulders twice, then floated to the side on her tiptoes, turning her head and pouting, complaining with some dissatisfaction:

“Senior Brother, if you want someone to serve you, just arrange it yourself. I wouldn’t dare say anything, and Sister Yun Xiao is so gentle she definitely wouldn’t say anything either. You are the master of Little Jade Peak after all, hmph hmph! Master has said before, that those who seek pleasure will hardly achieve greatness! I suspect there’s something wrong with Senior Brother’s thinking.”

Li Changshou: …

“Alright, if you don’t want them then never mind,” Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes and stretched, “I’ll rest for half a day first. I have a task for you and Dragon Princess. List all the major events that occurred in the world during my thirty-plus years in the Chaos Sea, in chronological order. Include everything you know, but it doesn’t need to be too detailed.”

Spirit Moth blinked—they were just bantering, what kind of move was this sudden task assignment?

However, since it concerned official business, Spirit Moth didn’t dare fool around. She answered firmly: “I guarantee to complete Senior Brother’s orders!”

Li Changshou closed his eyes to concentrate, holding the teapot and jade talisman, completely at ease.

The practical technique of changing the subject in male-female interactions proved quite useful.

Moments later, Dragon Princess hurriedly left Little Jade Peak and the Taibai Palace, rushing to the Jade Pool.

While Li Changshou’s true body rested, his paper avatar went to meet the Jade Emperor’s avatar to discuss upcoming arrangements with General Quanxu.

During these decades, the Western Teaching had given the Heavenly Court endless troubles. Now that he had returned, he naturally had to…

First, stabilize the situation, then observe in secret, and finally counterattack appropriately.

Being hasty and aggressive wouldn’t necessarily be effective—the mastermind behind Western Teaching was likely his old opponent.

This time, he must ensure the other party has no chance of recovery.

Thus, half a day later.

Outside Fengdu City in the Netherworld.

A young temporary judge rode a cloud out of Fengdu City, humming a somewhat netherworld tune as he headed toward Earth Treasury King’s Wheel of Reincarnation Tower.

…

“Ah, Master, what can we do?”

Inside the Wheel of Reincarnation Tower, beneath the window, a blue-furred great dog curled into a ball, muttering softly.

Hearing this, the young Daoist who had been cultivating frowned and opened his eyes, looking over with confusion: “What have you done now?”

“Nothing at all… really!”

The blue-furred dog sighed, raising a paw to cover his head, lamenting:

“I told you before about that fellow who impersonated the kind, benevolent, gentle, and amiable Taibai Star-Lord, consecutively tricking both the Heavenly Court and Immortal Alliance two or three times.”

Earth Treasury puzzled: “What does that have to do with you?”

“It originally had nothing to do with me, but alas, that Star-Lord is wise, intelligent, refined, and approachable—he’ll surely think to come to ask me about this matter. My ability to hear all beings’ heart sounds would be perfect for finding the impersonator’s true identity. Even if they’re a great power, they would have left some traces. Ah, these days, it’s getting harder and harder to get by in the Primordial World.”

Truth Listener sighed deeply, lying there listlessly wagging his tail.

Earth Treasury hummed thoughtfully, saying: “You could simply not answer—what could he do to you?”

“That won’t work. How dare I play tricks with Star-Lord? That would truly cause trouble…”

Earth Treasury shook his head helplessly, scolding in frustration:

“Where has your past arrogance gone? Where is that unwillingness to yield from when we schemed against each other? Where is that anger from when I first subdued you!”

“That’s because I’ve seen more and know more now. Before I thought you were ruthless enough, Master, with a black enough heart, but now I see you’re a great benevolent person!”

Truth Listener muttered: “Now even when I’m extremely angry, I just curse a bit behind others’ backs. Ah, if I offend the Taibai Star-Lord, I fear there won’t be any place for me in the entire Primordial World.”

“You—!”

Earth Treasury was about to scold with a darkened face when a light chuckle came from outside the window.

“Oh? Am I really that fearsome?”

Truth Listener’s blue fur instantly stood on end. He got up to flee, then halfway through darted back, anxiously pacing back and forth.

A streak of light crossed the windowsill as Li Changshou’s paper avatar landed beside Earth Treasury. He cupped his hands toward Earth Treasury and was about to speak when that blue-furred divine beast prostrated himself at the steps, kowtowing repeatedly.

“Star-Lord, please spare me! I dare not get involved in this matter—I can’t afford to offend either side!”

Earth Treasury’s mouth twitched as he calmly looked out the window, suggesting he didn’t know this dog.

Li Changshou showed sudden understanding: “Thanks for the hint. I understand.”

Truth Listener froze, hurriedly saying: “No, what hint did I give you?”

“Besides that Senior Brother of Spirit Mountain who doesn’t put the Heavenly Court or the divine authority of Heaven’s Way in his eyes, there’s probably no one else you would fear so much. The one impersonating me to scheme against the Heavenly Court—could it be Maitreya?”

“You… you already knew…”

“I was just testing you,” Li Changshou shook his head with a slight smile, turning away from Truth Listener to exchange pleasantries with Earth Treasury.

The blue-furred divine beast opened and closed his mouth, his eyes filled with bewilderment as he raised his head to lie there as if turned to stone.

Earth Treasury smiled: “Friend, it seems you gained much in the Chaos Sea. However, your refusal of the Primordial Purple Qi has earned my admiration.”

“Friend misunderstands,” Li Changshou cupped his hands, showing regret, “I made a misstep then, which Kun Peng took advantage of. I was even disciplined by the Ancestral Master for it.”

“Is that so?” Earth Treasury’s smile deepened, “It seems Friend Changgeng has grand ambitions.”

“A cup of tea as an idle cloud and wild crane, paired shadows in harmony with zither and se,” Li Changshou smiled with hands behind his back, “These are my only ambitions. I’ve gotten my answer from this visit and shall take my leave, lest Maitreya discovers something amiss and flees into the Chaos Sea first.”

As he spoke, Li Changshou turned to leave, but Earth Treasury’s smile faded and his brow slightly furrowed as he called out:

“Friend Changgeng, might you hear one thing from me?”

“Oh?” Li Changshou smiled, “Surely Friend isn’t trying to defend that Senior Brother of Spirit Mountain?”

“His matters are not my concern,” Earth Treasury said seriously, “I know you intend to target the Western Teaching—this is also the conflict between the Dao Sect and Western Teaching under the Great Tribulation. But Maitreya’s actions were not done by Western Teaching. Please don’t hold this account against the Western Teaching.”

Li Changshou said indifferently: “His identity and position already represent the entire Spirit Mountain. These words, you should have advised him before he acted thus. The matter of impersonating me—this is now a death feud.”

Earth Treasury pondered for several moments, sighing: “If he sees the situation is unfavorable and hides in the Chaos Sea, those who will suffer are the cultivators of Spirit Mountain.”

“Similarly, that is not my concern.”

Li Changshou turned around, looking at the distant view of the Netherworld through the window, speaking slowly:

“Moreover, even if he hides in the Chaos Sea, I have ways to drag him out. This person is also a disaster for Western Teaching.”

Earth Treasury countered: “If you truly move against him, I fear it will spark a battle between Saints. The master will not sit idly by while he comes to harm.”

“Then let it spark a battle between Saints.”

Earth Treasury was suddenly speechless, raising his head to look at Li Changshou’s paper avatar, only to see his expression unchanged, his eyes without any fluctuation.

Li Changshou suddenly smiled, saying indifferently:

“Just idle talk—Friend need not take it to heart. I’m merely a Saint’s disciple, how would I dare make such decisions? However, even if we can’t kill Maitreya this time, I will make Western Teaching pay an appropriate price, thus restricting Maitreya’s actions. Currently, the Great Tribulation looms overhead—all beneath the Saints may become tribulation ash. You and I are the same.”

With that, Li Changshou cupped his hands and his figure transformed into flowing light and departed, leaving Earth Treasury furrowing his brow in deep thought.

Moments later, Earth Treasury turned his head to look at Truth Listener beside him, who was crying and packing his bags, and black lines couldn’t help but cover his forehead again.

Earth Treasury waved his great hand, causing golden light to flash throughout the Wheel of Reincarnation Tower—temporarily sealing it and refusing entry to any living being.

Meanwhile, in the Heavenly Court.

Just as Li Changshou’s paper avatar left the Wheel of Reincarnation Tower, thunderous drum sounds rang throughout the Heavenly Court. Squad after squad of celestial soldiers gathered toward the Five Great Heaven Gates, while Celestial Generals transformed into streaks of light rushing toward the Jade Clear Palace.

You Qin Xuanya, who had been in closed cultivation, was also awakened. Changing into golden armor and battle skirt, donning her feathered flower helmet, she quickly rushed toward the Jade Clear Palace.

Such drum sounds meant an emergency assembly—all ranked officers had to gather at the Jade Clear Palace.

You Qin Xuanya didn’t know if it was because of her somewhat cold personality, but both while cultivating at the Degree Immortal Gate and serving as a general in the Heavenly Court, it was the same—she was always isolated, with no other figures within a zhang’s radius around her.

Over the years, she had grown somewhat used to it.

If someone said her personality was unlikeable, she wouldn’t mind.

Unless that Senior Brother spoke of it.

Landing before the white jade steps of the Jade Clear Palace, it was indeed the same—there seemed to be a natural barrier between her and the surrounding figures.

You Qin Xuanya stood silently carrying her Fire Scale Sword Box, paying no mind to the furtive glances cast her way, paying no mind to the discussions all around.

Streaks of light flashed on the horizon for a while as several hundred Celestial Generals gathered before the Jade Clear Palace.

When it seemed most had arrived, an elderly figure walked out from the entrance of the Jade Clear Palace—naturally the hardworking minister of the Heavenly Court, East Wood Duke.

Wood Duke announced loudly: “Marshals and Generals, enter the palace to pay respects!”

The Celestial Generals responded loudly, voices somewhat chaotic, then proceeded forward by rank, ascending the steps row by row, quickly gathering within the Jade Clear Palace.

You Qin Xuanya suddenly froze, because she saw that figure standing below the high platform.

He had returned.

Inexplicably, You Qin Xuanya’s heart settled greatly. Those previously chaotic and complex thoughts disappeared, leaving only faint joy in her heart, though her expression grew even colder.

She lowered her head and moved forward, standing in a slightly rear position, not looking further as she bowed with the other generals.

Shortly after, You Qin Xuanya heard several unimportant words from the Jade Emperor, heard unimportant instructions from East Wood Duke, heard that military order:

“Everyone, after returning to your formations, prepare your troops for bloodshed. The Heavenly Court’s authority was not won through negotiation, was not gained through exchange, and cannot be restored by my words alone. It was won through our previous great battles in the Primordial World! Leaving the palace means life and death partings, and drawing swords means heads will roll. Always remember His Majesty’s words. What the Heavenly Court must establish is order from bottom to top, not oppression from top to bottom! It is time to give equal value to every true spirit! It is time to use the swords in your hands, use the valor of the Heavenly Court’s soldiers, to tell those corrupted ones clinging to old dreams—in this world! The order shall prevail!”