It had been barely half a month since Li Changshou returned to the Heavenly Court when winds of change swept across the world, drawing all eyes to the borders of the Northern Continent.

The Five Continents were sealed, the Four Seas churned with massive waves, and the various Immortal Sects of the Central Divine State had largely halted their conflicts.

Unknowingly, the human Immortal Sects that once disregarded the Heavenly Court now had to consider how the Court’s campaign against the Demon Race would affect them.

On this day, thunder rumbled across the Northern Continent’s skies, which were thick with dark clouds.

At the Northern Heavenly Gate, dozens of golden-armored Celestial Gods stood with weapons drawn, their killing intent palpable.

Ten thousand Thunder Division soldiers stood on either side, arranged in upper, middle, and lower tiers among the clouds. They held their breath, taut as drawn bowstrings.

Before the Lingxiao Hall, ordinary Court officials who had just bid farewell to the Jade Emperor emerged, followed by over ten Celestial Gods.

The white-robed Jade Emperor sat atop his high platform, his eyes showing traces of peace and satisfaction as he slowly closed them.

Military Supervisor – Understanding the Heavenly Emperor’s intentions!

How could the Jade Emperor miss such an important Court matter?

Regarding this avatar Quandong, he had changed his approach. No longer hiding, he openly yet subtly let others know this was the Jade Emperor’s avatar, though none dared speak of it. This made it convenient for him to move about.

In contrast, Li Changshou had no particular thoughts about it.

As long as this avatar didn’t appear too often or do anything to please himself while angering Junior Sister, all would be well without issues.

Quandong now mixed among the Celestial Generals at the Northern Heavenly Gate, standing behind them.

This was also the main source of tension in the area.

The Jade Emperor at this moment…

To be honest, was somewhat confused.

He naturally knew the Court’s current strength and understood they still lacked powerful experts. Previously, they had maintained conservative defensive strategies out of concern for past embarrassments.

During the Great Tribulation of Canonization, the Court had mobilized but lacked powerful experts. Without support from the Three Schools, they had retreated ingloriously.

However, from the Jade Emperor’s perspective, Li Changshou’s thunderous actions weren’t reckless. They were methodical and orderly, like a plan prepared for many years, though he had never mentioned it before.

Why this sudden offensive?

The only known factor was Li Changshou’s visit to the Purple Void Palace.

The Jade Emperor fell into contemplation, his heart stirring with a guess that seemed bold even for him as the Heavenly Emperor!

[Changsheng was scolded as incompetent by Lord Dao Ancestor for losing the Primordial Purple Qi, so he grew resentful and immediately set out to prove his ability to the Dao Ancestor.]

Yes, it must be this.

It couldn’t possibly be that beyond his view as Heavenly Emperor, the Dao Ancestor, and Changsheng were secretly competing and maneuvering against each other.

That would be absurd – the Dao Ancestor could remake heaven and earth with a wave of his hand.

Including himself as Heavenly Emperor, who could be replaced with just a word from the Dao Ancestor. How could he compete with Changsheng?

Moreover, Changsheng had a steady temperament. Even when opposing the Western School, he never used harsh words against their Sages. How would he dare harbor thoughts against the Dao Ancestor?

Quandong smiled calmly, his eyes peaceful.

The Three Realms were peaceful, and all beings lived in tranquility.

Just then, streams of light shot forth, transforming into Li Changshou and over ten Celestial Gods at the Northern Heavenly Gate.

“Move out.”

At Li Changshou’s command, two hundred thousand Thunder Division soldiers departed in unison, completing the final piece of the Northern Continent’s encirclement.

Half a day later, at noon.

Under the blazing sun above the Northern Continent, even the perennial miasma seemed to have thinned considerably.

From the southern border of the Northern Continent to the Northern Sea shores, eight divisions of Heavenly soldiers and over a thousand commanders had taken their battle positions.

Hundreds of powerful experts recruited by the Heavenly Court were distributed throughout. Though lacking supreme experts, their fighting power was considerable.

Li Changshou appeared at the central position of the Northern Continent’s border, seated in a round chair with a hundred messenger soldiers standing behind him and several Court civil officials on either side.

Quandong had gone to supervise the battle at the Northern Sea shores, where the fighting would be particularly fierce.

Below, demon qi roiled as countless powerful demons gathered, yet the mountains were completely silent.

Li Changshou appeared to be resting with closed eyes but was secretly coordinating the various forces. The messenger soldiers behind him continuously sent out jade tablets with orders, carefully dividing the various battlefields.

Where the enemy had many powerful experts, the strategy was to contain and delay while identifying weaknesses to deploy elite soldiers and powerful experts for quick resolution before reinforcing other areas.

The soldiers and generals were in high spirits and full of confidence. This battle would inevitably see bloodshed and casualties, but also meteoric rises in status.

“Has Ao Yi returned?”

When Li Changshou asked, a general immediately reported that Ao Yi, Vice Commander of the Heavenly River Navy, had arrived yesterday.

“Prepare all divisions for the assault. Attack at the third quarter hour. First, beat the war drums to boost morale.”

“Yes!”

The messenger soldiers waved their magical battle flags, and drum beats echoed across the Northern Continent’s various locations, though the skies remained silent.

During the drumming, several bronze mirrors appeared at the major predetermined battlefields across the Northern Continent.

The mirrors projected the same image onto the clouds – Li Changshou seated on his throne.

Li Changshou smiled slightly, his fingers gently tapping the jade armrest of his round chair, appearing to be in quite good spirits.

His relaxed demeanor further boosted their side’s morale.

But among the Demon Race, the old demons were heavy-hearted, the Demon Kings felt immense pressure, and the demon soldiers muttered about “the great spirit bomb coming,” their faces pale and fighting spirit gone.

‘Deterrence.’

“Report—”

A messenger soldier was suddenly heard rushing through on clouds, passing through thousands of troops to reach Star Lord Taibai’s presence.

The messenger knelt on one knee on the clouds, holding a command tablet. His voice carried through the bronze mirrors across the Northern Continent.

“Reporting to the Star Lord!

Some from the Demon Race have come seeking peace, saying they are old acquaintances of yours. When they previously sought an audience at the Heavenly Court, you agreed to meet them today!”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou half-opened his eyes, pondered briefly, and said calmly: “Yes, there was such a matter. There’s still some time before battle begins, let them come.

Guards.”

“Present!”

“If any demons harbor ill intentions later, kill them.”

“Understood!”

The generals answered in unison, their military might sharp and causing all beings to tremble.

Soon after, a white cloud floated past the heavenly soldiers, carrying two elderly women and several beautiful demon women. Standing in the center was that ‘acquaintance.’

Lan, the fox from Qingqiu who had once madly pursued Old Daoist Qi Yuan due to some misunderstandings, ultimately ended up lonely and caused Li Changshou to be disciplined several times by his master Qi Yuan.

Now she lowered her head with furrowed brows, not daring to look at the only seated deity, her mind continuously recalling the elders’ instructions before she came here.

Many demon elders had placed their only hope in her, and she had prepared herself to sacrifice everything to protect her race.

Facing hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers and their overwhelming celestial might, Little Lan felt no fear.

Her cultivation was now formidable, making her the brightest star among the rising talents of the demon race. Due to her experiences with the Path of Love and its subsequent heartbreak years ago, her appearance had undergone subtle changes.

Gone was the domineering air from her days managing a flower house in the Southern Continent, gone was the infatuation that had led her to beg for a glimpse of Daoist Qi Yuan at the mountain gate of the Crossing Immortal Sect. She had become more dazzling, more gentle, and pleasing.

Her skin glowed with crystalline radiance, like a maiden of eighteen, her features delicate and naturally alluring.

Dressed in a short-sleeved dress with her hair simply bound, she possessed a natural charm. Her slender fingers, red lips, and graceful yet bewitching figure invited endless contemplation.

Fortunately, the heavenly soldiers and generals maintained strict discipline, and none dared stare regardless of their cultivation level.

Ordinarily, any improper behavior from these soldiers would be considered the greatest insult to the Jade Pool Immortal Ladies.

Little Lan approached Li Changshou with the two elderly women, and they knelt together.

One elderly woman called out: “Special Envoy of the Qingqiu Clan pays respect to Star-Lord Taibai of the Heavenly Court!”

Li Changshou remained silent, leaving them kneeling.

The two elderly women exchanged glances, and lowered their heads with hands behind their backs, signaling Little Lan and the other demon women not to move rashly.

At this moment, Li Changshou was also puzzled.

This Little Lan…

Something was wrong!

How had her Dao cultivation progressed so rapidly? She had unknowingly reached the edge of the Golden Immortal realm!

Li Changshou secretly used his method of reading auras but saw no particular fortune blessing her. When his eyes flashed blue using the Borrowed Heavenly Eye technique, he inwardly exclaimed in alarm.

A snow-white fox knelt before him, nine tails spread across the ground behind her.

This…

The nine-tailed fox who had possessed Su Daji?

Very likely.

Following Heaven’s usual pattern—cough—Heaven’s typical arrangement: wherever there are connections, there must be consequences.

His master Qi Yuan was Jiang Ziya’s reincarnation, so it wasn’t surprising that the fox woman who had pursued his master was the nine-tailed fox…

Bah! Who wouldn’t find this surprising?

What kind of story was this version of the Canonization becoming?!

The nine-tailed fox secretly loved Jiang Ziya, while her possessed form Daji spent nights with King Di Xin;

Su Daji was childhood friends with Crown Prince Bo Yikao, yet the nine-tailed fox deliberately seduced him to complete the overthrow of the Shang…

Chaotic, so chaotic.

His thoughts quickly returned to tranquility as Li Changshou activated his Clear and Void Dao Heart, asking calmly:

“How have you been lately, fellow Daoist?”

Little Lan started, raising her head weakly to glance at Li Changshou, asking softly: “Is My Lord Star speaking to this humble one?”

“Yes,” Li Changshou said placidly, “besides you, who else here has had past dealings with me?”

“This humble one has been peacefully cultivating, not venturing out, all is well.”

Little Lan answered gently, her voice unconsciously trembling as she said quietly: “Back then… Little Lan did not recognize My Lord Star’s esteemed position and caused much offense. Please be magnanimous, My Lord.”

She paused, her eyes showing hesitation before asking:

“The Daoist… did he pass peacefully?”

Li Changshou closed his eyes and sighed lightly, saying: “How could it be peaceful when his soul was burned away by the Golden Crow’s True Flame?

Enough of that. Today is the battle to destroy the demon race, which will also serve as vengeance.

The ancient demon race committed countless evils, neglected virtue, and oppressed all beings. They originally intended to unite against the Ancient Ones but ended up replacing them as the evil of heaven and earth.

After the war between the Ancient Ones and demons, beings suffered terribly and the world’s vital energy was gravely wounded. The Dao Ancestor strictly ordered both sides to cease causing trouble.

But your demons still cling to ancient dreams, treating humans, the current protagonists of heaven and earth, as livestock, never forgetting your desire to destroy the Ancient Ones and rise again, committing countless crimes in the process.

Even heaven and earth can no longer tolerate this.

You come today to plead for the demon race, but have you considered those beings who perished in the maws of vicious demons?

Who will plead for them?”

“This…”

Little Lan lowered her head, not daring to answer, as she had never been skilled at such debates.

If it were about discussing love or seeking pleasure, she had endless knowledge learned from Qingqiu, but regarding such matters of right and wrong, the causes and effects of great wars, she truly had nothing to say.

One elderly woman hurriedly said: “My Lord Star, not all demons are evil, there are good clans who do not kill.

Those ambitious demons who view beings as livestock are not the majority of our race.”

“Is that so?”

Li Changshou smiled faintly and said: “You came today to plead for these demons?”

“My Lord Star is wise! We only wish for a place to exist in heaven and earth!”

Li Changshou pondered, his fingers lightly tapping the jade armrest.

“How does one judge whether a demon is good?”

“Karmic burden and merit can judge,” the elderly woman said, “demons naturally face hardships. Many of our kind acted on instinct before gaining spiritual awareness, eating raw meat and drinking blood, accumulating some karma, but such karma is quite minor.

With war imminent, My Lord Star need only order the innocent demons to seclude themselves in their caves and not venture out. Many demons will disperse, saving the Heavenly Court much resistance.”

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow, sitting in silent contemplation.

A voice suddenly resonated in Little Lan’s mind: “Do you know what bitter fruit you sow by coming here today?”

Little Lan started, looking up at Li Changshou. Beneath his white hair and eyebrows, she could faintly see the face of that young Daoist.

Little Lan shook her head, her gaze confused.

Li Changshou sighed and transmitted:

“Very well, consider this settling our karmic ties. I’ll give you some guidance today.

Your coming here to plead is an important sign of division among the demons. These words you speak now have been broadcast by me across the Northern Continent.

In the eyes of those old demons, you who came to plead for yourselves are now traitors.

You are too conspicuous today and will surely be targeted by the demon race later. Even if they dare not move against your Qingqiu clan, there will be gossip.

Make preparations.

That’s all I’ll say. The karma from twice deceiving you with my master’s appearance ends here, and we shall have no further connection.

Though heaven and earth are vast, take care of yourself.”

After the transmission, Li Changshou sighed slowly.

“Rise.”

Li Changshou said: “The Qingqiu fox clan rarely commits evil and is on good terms with many immortal ladies of the Holy Mother’s Palace, this I know.

Since you have come to plead today, I cannot easily refuse, especially given the Holy Mother’s great kindness to me.

From today forward, demon clans without karmic burden may retreat to the eastern side of the Eastern Victory Divine Continent to wait. The heavenly army will not trouble you but maintain your virtue henceforth.

The term ‘demon race’ need not be used anymore.”

With these words, Li Changshou waved his hand, and heavenly generals and soldiers came forward to urge them away.

The two elderly women were overjoyed, and the demon women felt greatly relieved, each kowtowing in gratitude.

Only Little Lan seemed lost in thought. Before being driven away by the soldiers, she looked back at Li Changshou and bowed to this old immortal.

Li Changshou fell into deep thought on his cloud.

What to do?

Though he had said his master’s soul was scattered, Little Lan still harbored feelings.

If during the Great Tribulation of Canonization, when his master Jiang Ziya went to serve in Chaoge City, Little Lan recognized him and couldn’t resist meeting him at night, and if his master also couldn’t resist…

King Di Xin would truly be pitiful.

Private matters of love were minor, but if this changed the story of the Canonization and ruined some of his calculations, it would mean losing the greater for the lesser.

What to do?

Make some adjustments to his master’s reincarnation to prevent Little Lan from recognizing him.

No, that’s not right. The primordial world was vast, and the nine-tailed fox might not necessarily be Little Lan… Hmm, he would send paper avatars to monitor her later, observation would lead to conclusions.

A general at his side transmitted a reminder:

“My Lord, the time has come.”

Li Changshou looked up at the sun, slowly rising. His left hand opened, and a general presented a divine sword, which Li Changshou gripped tightly.

“All divisions, hear my command!”

Hear my command… hear my command…

Li Changshou’s voice echoed across the Northern Continent through the cloud mirrors.

A killing intent pervaded heaven and earth.

The ground was like a volcano about to erupt, the suppressed demon qi like surging magma, accumulating force to burst upward.

The sky was like the eye of a storm, though momentarily calm, the slightest shift would unleash fierce winds and rain!

Clang—

Li Changshou drew his divine sword, pointing it downward at an angle.

“Expunge the demon’s name.”