Sizzle—

A piece of perfectly seared spirit beast meat, uniformly thick and tender inside, sent tiny drops of oil spattering across the iron plate.

A pair of tongs made from premium spirit-sealing snow jade occasionally flipped and pressed the meat.

High-end ingredients often need only simple searing and simmering.

Paired with this spirit beast meat was just a touch of a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit root, carrying subtle effects that relaxed the primordial spirit and elevated consciousness.

Sniff, sniff.

Baize twitched his nose, stroking his goatee with a faint smile.

The Temple of Heaven’s Approach had found its rhythm, with dozens of people from the Temple Master to the strategists now participating in ordinary decision-making. Yet those who knew the temple’s true background remained their original small team of experts from the Immortal-Guiding Gate.

The days of idling had become so comfortable and pleasant, filled with ceremony.

“Sir Baize, your meals aren’t bad at all.”

A sudden call came from his sleeve, making Baize jump and nearly drop his tongs.

Another flash of light and a familiar figure flew out from his sleeve, landing before him.

“Lord Water God!”

Baize quickly said: “The temple has been quiet lately, so this poor Daoist was here practicing his culinary skills, hoping for a chance to demonstrate before you and the two fairies, Yun Xiao and Ling’e.”

Li Changshou: …

Well, being quick-witted with words could barely count as a traditional skill.

Li Changshou asked: “Has Sir Baize been paying attention to the Heavenly Court’s affairs lately?”

“Naturally,” Baize smiled: “I heard Lord Water God went to Taiqing Temple, so I thought the matter was settled and took a break to work on my cooking.

What’s wrong? Has there been a development? Even the Sage Taiqing doesn’t know who’s behind the scheme?”

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, then let out a light sigh. He sat down nearby, gesturing for Baize to continue grilling.

He said: “My teacher is the greatest support and trump card. The reason for requesting his help was that this enemy left too few clues and was extremely cautious.

Those who coerced Chang’e were independent cultivators; behind these cultivators, those who gave them their tasks were also independent cultivators.

Following the trail of these independent cultivators, one had connections to the Severing Sect through relatives but was just an unknown cultivator from Nine Dragon Island. The trail went completely cold there because those independent cultivators had already been secretly killed.

The opposition’s methods were so brilliant, executed without flaw, and planned meticulously in advance, cutting off the entire chain of clues before I could investigate. Truly quite formidable.”

Baize pondered carefully and asked: “Could it be that this time, it wasn’t the Western Sect’s doing?”

“I wish it were; that would make things much simpler.”

Li Changshou shook his head and smiled bitterly, “I’ve already broken most of the Western Sect’s covert forces. Even with two Sages supporting them, they’re now completely at the bottom in terms of power and strength among the three sects facing tribulation.”

Baize exclaimed in surprise: “Could it be the Severing Sect acting rashly, scheming against themselves?”

“Among the Severing Sect disciples capable of such meticulous planning, understanding how to accomplish much with little effort, there can only be very few.”

Li Changshou shook his head and explained: “How could this portion of Severing Sect disciples not understand that this would only anger me?”

“This…”

Baize pondered, spitting out several question marks, mentioning the Monster Race, the Shamanic Race, and even ancient powerhouses and outer realm demons.

Li Changshou denied them all.

Baize fell silent.

Li Changshou asked with interest: “Sir Baize seems to be deliberately avoiding mention of the Enlightenment Sect.”

Baize now smiled bitterly:

“If it truly is the Enlightenment Sect who couldn’t resist acting, trying to divide Lord Water God from the Severing Sect, even hoping to create discord between Lord Water God and Fairy Yun Xiao, given the forces you’ve mobilized this time, the resources you’ve deployed, the rhythm you’ve set…

To say this small matter could become the fuse for the Canonization killing tribulation, this poor Daoist wouldn’t be surprised in the least.

This matter has become serious.”

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, looking at the grilled meat on the iron plate, and praised: “Common iron plate, ordinary charcoal fire, premium spirit meat, precious ingredients—this dish has some meaning.”

Baize also laughed, saying: “Simple schemes, serious consequences—that’s what makes this matter interesting.

Lord Water God, what do you plan to do?”

“Investigate what needs investigating, kill who needs killing,” Li Changshou said, “Whoever did this is who did this. If the two sects want to fight, let them fight.

The schemer’s plans might succeed, but the cost is beyond their control. Consider it a warning to those who are restless.

Sir Baize, return to the Heavenly Court.

When you arrive at the Heavenly Court, that will be when I make my move… the meat is about to burn.”

“Ah,” Baize quickly moved the spirit beast meat aside, “Won’t you try some?”

Li Changshou’s figure had already transformed into a streak of light and entered Baize’s sleeve, leaving only the words: “What taste can a paper avatar experience? After this is over, Sir Baize can prepare a meal.

No need to return too quickly; I want to let that person stew for a few more days.”

“Understood,” Baize said with a smile. Feeling Li Changshou’s divine sense dissipate, he finally let out a light breath.

The Enlightenment Sect?

Baize’s expression was slightly puzzled.

What were these fellows so hurried about?

…

At the same moment;

On Mount Kunlun, in the Jade Void Palace.

In a fairy pavilion beside a mountain stream waterfall, some zither notes drifted with the wind, creating an atmosphere of distant serenity.

Twang!

The zither music suddenly stopped. Though the zither was a celestial treasure, one of its strings had suddenly snapped.

Elder Guangcheng sat quietly there, his dignified face showing traces of contemplation as he picked up the string. His fingertip emitted a slight glow as he slowly rejoined the string.

A streak of light flew in from beyond the heavens, transforming into Elder Chijing’s form. His steps were somewhat hurried, and when he arrived before Elder Guangcheng, the ornaments at his waist were still swaying gently.

Elder Chijing said: “Senior Brother, that Golden Peng bird seems to have found something and is rushing back from the Three Thousand Worlds.”

Elder Guangcheng calmly nodded, releasing his fingers as the zither string had been reconnected.

He asked: “How was the subsequent handling?”

“Ah,” Elder Chijing said, “Everything that needed to be destroyed has been destroyed. By all rights, there shouldn’t be any clues left.

However, according to this poor Daoist’s deduction, Golden Peng entered the Three Thousand Worlds first, followed by Changgen Junior Brother’s avatar leading people there—one obvious, one hidden; one loose, one tight—thus confusing the issue.

They might find something.”

“Junior Brother Changgen has already been to Taiqing Temple, delayed there for eighteen or nineteen days.”

Elder Guangcheng revealed a gentle smile and said softly: “What can be hidden from Uncle Master? Changgen likely already knows the answer; now we’ll see how he chooses to act.”

“Then why is Senior Brother still so relaxed?”

“Junior Brother Changgen is steady in nature and considers everything from the bigger picture,” Elder Guangcheng said, “He worked hard to establish the non-aggression pact between the three sects precisely to preserve more of the dao sect’s vitality during the Great Tribulation.

In this, we cannot compare. We only see the Enlightenment Sect’s interests.

Moreover, it’s precisely because we destroyed all the clues that we forced Junior Brother Changgen to go to Taiqing Temple. Every action and reaction has its predestined arrangement.”

“But this!”

Elder Chijing slapped the back of his hand against his palm, “Now the entire Severing Sect is filled with righteous indignation, and the entire Heavenly Court burns with fury. If they directly attack our Jade Void Palace, the situation certainly cannot be contained.

We absolutely cannot let our teacher lose face!”

“Then we’ll hand over the main culprit.”

Elder Guangcheng swept his large sleeve as he stood up, his expression commanding without anger, and said firmly:

“Since we noticed this matter from the beginning yet failed to stop it in time, we already erred.

What did this poor Daoist say before? If we continue to cover up, even if done perfectly, Junior Brother Changgen would still cast suspicious glances our way!

Our teacher has the Pangu Banner to sever heaven’s workings. The Pangu Banner shares its origin with the Taiji Diagram—Uncle Master might be able to calculate it was us but cannot calculate exactly who did it.

But after Junior Brother Changgen went to Taiqing Temple and came out, whoever he says was scheming is who was scheming.

Whoever he names as the mastermind is the mastermind!

Why hasn’t he directly announced that it was someone from our Enlightenment Sect? This is Junior Brother Changgen’s method! This is where he’s most brilliant!

He’s giving us a chance, waiting for us to step forward and admit our mistakes.

Junior Brother, stop continuing to shield those with different hearts for the sake of the Enlightenment Sect’s reputation. We should give Changgen an explanation.

Junior Brother Changgen won’t target the entire Enlightenment Sect. He acts with such measure.”

The elderly Elder Chijing furrowed his brows, standing there looking at Elder Guangcheng’s back, his eyes showing traces of contemplation before finally letting out a long sigh.

“Senior Brother, are we truly going to let this go unmanaged?”

“Junior Brother, don’t drag our entire Enlightenment Sect into muddy waters because of one or two people.”

Elder Guangcheng sighed lightly and said: “Don’t continue to interfere. The matter of killing those vicious independent cultivators, treat it as if it never happened.”

“Ah, we can only do so.”

“We shouldn’t have interfered in this matter from the start,” Elder Guangcheng shook his head, his eyes carrying some melancholy.

Elder Chijing sighed: “But if we didn’t do something, letting those people with sinister intentions provoke a war between the three sects, wouldn’t the situation be impossible to contain?”

“The Great Tribulation hangs over our heads.”

Elder Guangcheng clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the waterfall outside the window, watching that rainbow, and said in a deep voice:

“Before doing anything, one must consider whether what you’re doing is what you want to do, or what Heaven’s Will wants you to do.

The deadline Junior Brother Changgen gives us probably won’t be too long.

Let’s call all the junior brothers and sisters from various caves to gather at the Jade Void Palace and wait for Changgen to arrive.

Also, keep watch over Randeng and Julun, don’t let them make any more small moves.”

“Alas…”

Elder Chijing let out a soft sigh and quickly left the pavilion.

Elder Guangcheng narrowed his eyes slightly, his dignified middle-aged face showing traces of hesitation, but he quickly seemed to make up his mind as his left fist slowly clenched.

Thus, three days later.

Golden Peng’s loud cry echoed throughout the Primordial World, and the rumors that had already been burning like furnace flames surged once again.

The matter of Heavenly Court’s Chang’e framing a heavenly general had new developments!

The entire Heavenly Court, from celestial soldiers to Linxiao Hall ministers, from the Jasper Pool to the Moon Palace, finally found a direction for their pent-up anger.

As soon as Golden Peng arrived at the Palace of Taibai, a group of male and female immortals rushed to its vicinity.

The Moon Palace Chang’e fairies hated how that guilty Chang’e had tarnished their reputation, and even more despised those villains who had used such base methods as threatening family members’ lives to force their sister to commit wrongdoing.

Unfortunately, after Golden Peng entered the Palace of Taibai, it took a full day and night before he emerged, then hurriedly rushed to the Hall of Clear Light.

Subsequently, Star-Lord Taibai appeared, riding clouds toward Linxiao Hall.

Everything seemed to have come to light.

And when the immortals were at their most emotional, they suddenly recalled that Star-Lord Taibai had already sought Sage’s guidance at Taiqing Temple and had a definite answer in his heart.

At present, the heavenly generals followed, and the fairies all proceeded.

Two days later, the Heavenly Court suddenly deployed large numbers of celestial soldiers. The Five Continents of the Primordial World were once again sealed by Heaven’s willpower driven by the celestial army. Every corner of heaven and earth, including the small paths of the Netherworld, was completely blocked by the Heavenly Court.

The last time this happened, the Monster Race fell, and the Western Sect had a wing torn off.

With such movement again, various forces and cultivators throughout the Primordial World instantly knew another major event was about to unfold.

Who was scheming behind the scenes?

The atmosphere throughout Heaven and Earth gradually grew heavy.

After a century, the Heavenly Court’s authority had grown day by day.

During these hundred years, as the Heavenly Court’s rise had proven unstoppable and it would inevitably become the future power center of the Primordial World, many more cultivators had rushed to join it.

This time sealing the Five Continents, the Heavenly Court no longer needed the Dragon Palace’s cooperation.

It was even more tightly sealed than last time.

Ten days later, an auspicious beast radiating water-blue light appeared from the edge of the Western Sea. The various celestial soldiers and generals dared not obstruct it, watching as this big shot returned to the Five Continents.

The auspicious beast, Baize, the Human Sect’s second-ranked mount, Star-Lord Taibai’s strategist, had spent these years hiding in the Three Thousand Worlds seeking premium ingredients, earning the title of the Primordial World’s number one culinary expert.

Baize’s return undoubtedly became the signal that Star-Lord Taibai was about to act.

Sure enough, just as Baize flew to the Middle Heaven Gate, Li Changshou appeared, landing on Baize’s back.

Baize turned toward the south of the Eastern Sea. Li Changshou’s face was extremely grim as several bronze mirrors floated around him, heading toward Golden Tortoise Island.

Throughout the Heavenly Court and the major towns of the Central Divine Continent, any mirror connected to the Water God Manor’s three hundred and sixty [Broadcasting Great Bronze Mirrors] displayed this same scene:

Star-Lord Taibai’s hair and beard fluttering, his face grim, his eyes carrying deep exhaustion as if he had been under great pressure during this period.

Baize was spirited and proud, walking with elegant steps, shallow ripples blooming beneath his feet, demonstrating what it meant to be a high-class auspicious beast.

Golden Tortoise Island soon came into view.

Vaguely, behind Li Changshou seemed to be a volcano containing the anger of the entire Heavenly Court, these emotions seemingly about to pour toward this small island.

The Severing Sect immortals immediately grew tense. Hundreds of streaks of light flew out from Golden Tortoise Island, waiting early in the sky, each peering toward the horizon.

A blessed cloud also appeared in the high sky, revealing the palace gates of the Jade Play Palace. Several figures flew out, naturally being Duobao Daoist, Zhao Gongming, Golden Spirit Sacred Mother, and Turtle Spirit Sacred Mother.

Duobao muttered: “It was that fool acting on his own, causing such huge trouble?”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and shook his head, transmitting: “Impossible. If that were the case, Brother Changgen would surely have given us word early on.”

The other three great disciples each nodded, waiting quietly.

In the Jade Void Palace, over a hundred figures either stood or sat. The Enlightenment Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals were all present, several Fortune and Virtue Golden Immortals had emerged from seclusion, and all second-generation registered disciples and Enlightenment Sect followers had gathered here.

If their blessed fate could manifest, they would see waves of auspicious light here, all being people of pure background and deep blessed fate.

In the center of the main hall’s floor, several experts created a cloud mirror, showing the scene above Golden Tortoise Island.

Yellow Dragon Daoist sighed: “Who would have thought this major event that shocked the Three Realms was just a farce?

It seems someone from the Severing Sect, worried about Junior Brother Changgen getting too close to Fairy Chang’e, used such a clumsy scheme.”

Elder Chijing, sitting above the Yellow Dragon Daoist, smiled bitterly and lowered his head without speaking.

On Yellow Dragon True Person’s other side, the early-entry True Person Taiyi swept his gaze around, folded his arms and muttered:

“Why does this poor Daoist feel this doesn’t look like going to demand justice, but rather like going to find helpers?

Is this unrelated to us?”

Elder Guangcheng said: “Junior Brother, don’t overthink. What does this have to do with our Enlightenment Sect?”

The gathered immortals each nodded.

Elder Guangcheng’s gaze swept past the corner where sat a short elderly Daoist, but he said nothing more.

“Oh? What is Baize doing?”

Merciful Navigation Daoist asked softly, and all gazes instantly fixed on the scene in the cloud mirror.

They saw Baize carrying Li Changshou hovering above Golden Tortoise Island. Li Changshou had his eyes closed and said nothing, while three long feathers rose from Baize’s forehead, reaching forward as if sensing something.

The Enlightenment Sect immortals showed confusion, but True Person Yudding smiled bitterly and said:

“Changgen has stayed steady until today, waiting for Baize’s return to test the fortune and misfortune of the three sects’ fate.

As long as Golden Tortoise Island’s fate isn’t greatly inauspicious, it means this matter won’t trigger the final killing tribulation.

How thoughtful.”

Elder Chijing was quite moved and said in a deep voice: “Ah, Junior Brother Changgen is truly in a difficult position.”

“What do you mean?”

True Person Taiyi frowned and said: “Second Senior Brother, could this matter be related to someone here?”

Elder Chijing remained silent. The Jade Void Palace fell quiet, with many immortals’ gazes searching back and forth, yet no one showed any abnormality.

In the scene, Li Changshou opened his eyes, Baize withdrew his feathers, and the words ‘Minor Misfortune’ spread everywhere.

Li Changshou nodded and said: “Please have some senior brothers and sisters from the Severing Sect with decision-making power accompany me westward to witness and represent the Severing Sect’s stance.”

Westward?

The Enlightenment Sect immortals breathed sighs of relief, while confusion flashed in Elder Guangcheng’s eyes.

The Severing Sect immortals all breathed sighs of relief as well—this matter had no connection to the Severing Sect. On the contrary, the Severing Sect had also been wronged, and their anger needed to be vented too.

“How dare they scheme against Ancestral Master Yun Xiao!”

“Ancestral Master Yun Xiao’s marriage fate cannot be slandered!”

“Just which bastard was it!”

Waves of cursing appeared above Golden Tortoise Island, but Duobao Daoists didn’t let large numbers of disciples go along, instead selecting a group of experts.

Led by Zhao Gongming and Golden Spirit Sacred Mother, accompanied by Turtle Spirit Sacred Mother, over twenty Severing Sect experts including the Ten Heavenly Lords went along.

Additionally, Three Immortal Island sent Qiong Xiao, who caught up shortly after.

Duobao Daoist not going was actually quite clever, giving the Severing Sect room to maneuver in this matter, avoiding easily going “all in.”

Baize turned around, Li Changshou led the way, and over twenty streaks of light flew straight west, charging into the southern part of the South Jambudvipa Continent.

Seeing this.

The bells of Spirit Mountain rang out greatly, and the Western Sect was caught between laughter and tears, those groups of elderly Daoists’ faces turning ashen.

Those who witnessed this scene and had relatively high perspective and vision all thought Li Changshou would, out of consideration for the dao sect’s stability, pour this anger indiscriminately onto Spirit Mountain.

Li Changshou could indeed do it. Even now, Spirit Mountain had no way to defend itself unless the Sages appeared in person to directly tear faces with the dao sect.

In the Enlightenment Sect’s Jade Void Palace, that short elderly Daoist revealed a smile at the corner of his mouth.

The elderly Elder Chijing’s face showed more shame as he lowered his head and sighed softly.

However, alas!

Suddenly—

These twenty-plus streaks of light flew very quickly for two hours, then abruptly turned around in the South Continent, flying straight north. Their direct line of travel was toward Mount Kunlun!

Toward this very Jade Void Palace!

In the Jade Void Palace, the crowd was startled. The Enlightenment Sect immortals spoke up with questions, while Elder Guangcheng closed his eyes and remained silent.

And in the corner, that short elderly Daoist’s face suddenly turned somewhat pale.

“Tsk?”

True Person Taiyi clicked his tongue and chuckled lightly. His handsome face had somehow moved closer, leisurely looking up and down:

“Junior Brother, why has your face turned white?

Where did Vice Patriarch Randeng go? This couldn’t be our scheme, could it?”

That elderly Daoist forced a smile and said softly: “How could it be?”

“What, what is this?”

Yellow Dragon Daoist watched what the cloud mirror showed, anxiously standing up:

“They’re coming to our Mount Kunlun?

It couldn’t be they’re coming to the Jade Void Palace. Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, are you hiding something from us?”

Elder Guangcheng remained silent, while Elder Chijing covered his face with his hands.

True Person Taiyi’s mouth curved as he said calmly: “Watching others’ houses burn with excitement, who would have thought upon closer look, it’s our roof that’s on fire.

Interesting, very interesting indeed.”

“Enough,” Elder Guangcheng sighed, “Wait until Changgen arrives to discuss everything.”

The Enlightenment Sect immortals each frowned, while many of Spirit Mountain’s elderly Daoists were covered in a cold sweat, feeling as if they had escaped the tiger’s mouth.

Another hour later, outside the Jade Void Palace, Golden Spirit Sacred Mother’s angry shout echoed through the heavens!

“Julun Sun! Get out here!