“Why not go in?”

The sudden familiar voice from behind made You Qin Xuan Ya freeze.

Before the Great White Hall, You Qin Xuan Ya quickly turned around to look at Li Changshou, who had appeared not far behind her at some unknown time.

She had changed into her usual golden battle armor. As Li Changshou admired from afar, he couldn’t help but recall some childhood memories from his previous life, thinking she looked exactly like…

An “Athena” who had stolen the Gold Cloth.

“Star-Lord.”

You Qin Xuan Ya clasped her hands in greeting, her pretty face showing traces of joy, though she quickly concealed it.

Li Changshou smiled and said: “What’s this? Not calling me Senior Brother any more?”

You Qin Xuan Ya’s face reddened slightly as she gently bit her lip and whispered: “Senior Brother…”

“Mm,” Li Changshou nodded with a smile and said: “Let’s talk inside. Mount Minor Qiong is quite lively right now.

Last time when I came to have a heart-to-heart talk with you, hoping you’d visit Mount Minor Qiong more often, you didn’t give me any face at all.

There aren’t any man-eating beasts here.”

“This… this… I just don’t feel right disturbing Senior Brother and Junior Sister Ling E…”

“What’s there to disturb? Come on!”

Li Changshou casually released a stream of immortal power, pulling You Qin Xuan Ya into the Great White Hall, saying with a smile:

“Back at the Path-Leading Gate, besides Master Uncle Wine and Master Aunt Wine and their group, you were the closest to us.

Now that we’re in Heaven’s Court, we should help each other – why have you become so distant?”

You Qin Xuan Ya stammered incoherently, and even though she was only being pulled by Li Changshou’s immortal power, her feet had already gone soft, and her whole body lacked strength.

Immortal power and such – it was all ethereal, all ethereal.

She raised her head to look at Li Changshou’s back, listening to his “nagging,” and somehow, all the words she had prepared were forgotten, leaving only mosquito-like whispers at her lips:

“This time… thanks to Senior Brother helping Xuan Ya avenge her grudge…”

“The matter of Dengming?”

“Mm.”

“You’re the meritorious official in this matter – I should be thanking you.”

Li Changshou pulled You Qin Xuan Ya to his side as they rode the clouds out of the Great White Hall’s back door, heading toward the mist-shrouded miniature mountain peak ahead.

Entering the Mustard Seed Formation, You Qin Xuan Ya immediately heard Zhao Gongming’s hearty laughter. Following the sound, she saw numerous figures by Mount Minor Qiong’s lakeside.

Zhao Gongming, True Lord Taiyi, and other high-level experts from both schools were feasting there. The male immortals were clapping and laughing loudly, while Golden Light Holy Mother, Immortal Maiden Qiong Xiao, and other great female experts of the world covered their mouths in continuous light laughter;

It turned out Ling E was controlling two paper avatars, performing a comedic play.

Not far away by the stove, Chef Bai Ze was busy cooking up a storm, while the girl-formed Bear Ling Li ran back and forth, bustling about.

Under the lakeside trees at the feast, a white figure sat beside Ling E, her slight smile already intoxicating enough…

“Senior Yun Xiao is also here…”

You Qin Xuan Ya muttered softly, immediately retreating half a step back on the cloud, “Senior Brother, I’d better not go over.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Don’t worry, she has a very gentle personality, don’t overthink it.”

As he spoke, the white cloud beneath their feet suddenly accelerated, leaving You Qin Xuan Ya with nowhere to retreat.

Li Changshou sincerely wanted to bring her, who had no close friends in Heaven’s Court, back into Mount Minor Qiong’s circle.

“Senior Brother! Ah… Senior Sister You Qin!”

Ling E called out in delight, dropping the two small paper avatars and, not minding her fairy dress wrinkling as she knelt, transformed into a stream of light and rushed over.

When Ling E stopped, she was already behind Li Changshou, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she talked non-stop to You Qin Xuan Ya.

“Chang Geng is back!”

Zhao Gongming called out from his seat: “Did you place that stone coffin with Ksitigarbha? Did everything go smoothly?”

“It’s been placed properly, everything went smoothly.”

Li Changshou smiled and cupped his hands, while True Lord Yellow Dragon and Yu Ding True Lord stood up to return the greeting, while others simply cupped their hands while remaining seated.

— They were all ninety percent familiar with each other, so there was no need for excessive ceremony.

But when Immortal Maiden Yun Xiao stood up to greet Li Changshou with a slight bow, Zhao Gongming and the other immortals felt somewhat embarrassed and each stood up to return another greeting.

Ling E had already led You Qin Xuan Ya down from the clouds.

“Let me introduce everyone.”

Li Changshou stepped aside to present You Qin Xuan Ya, saying warmly: “This is my very close junior sister from when I cultivated at the Path-Leading Gate, You Qin Xuan Ya, now also a great general of Heaven’s Court.”

“Heaven Court’s War Goddess,” True Lord Yellow Dragon smiled and said, “I’ve heard your name for a long, it’s an honor to meet you.”

“Xuan Ya pays respects to all seniors,” You Qin Xuan Ya clasped her hands in greeting, using Heaven Court’s military etiquette.

The various Dao experts each returned the Daoist greeting, showing no discourtesy despite You Qin Xuan Ya’s cultivation level.

Zhao Gongming looked at You Qin Xuan Ya, then at Ling E, then at Yun Xiao, and suddenly felt some concern as an elder brother-in-law, opened his mouth to smile and say:

“This Friend Dao You Qin…”

“Tsk,” True Lord Taiyi raised his eyebrows beside him, sliding horizontally to intercept: “Pardon my asking, but how should Friend Dao You Qin address Friend Dao Yun Xiao?”

Yun Xiao was somewhat puzzled, not understanding why True Lord Taiyi had singled her out.

You Qin Xuan Ya was stunned for a moment before coming to her senses, her pretty face flying with a slight rosy glow as she tried to maintain composure:

“I should call her Senior, but if… if considering the relationship between Senior Brother and Senior Yun Xiao, I should naturally call her Sister Yun Xiao.”

“Oh?”

True Lord Taiyi felt quite disappointed, “I thought you were going to call her sister-in… Mmph! Mmph mmph!”

Before he could finish speaking, a large hand had already reached over from the side with lightning speed, pressing the Silence Treasure Zhenzhu into Taiyi’s mouth!

Yu Ding True Lord smiled apologetically at Li Changshou as he pulled Taiyi behind him.

Li Changshou naturally didn’t mind, smiling as he said: “Xuan Ya, sit with Ling E, don’t be formal. These senior experts are quite gentle and kind.

By the way, has Yang Jian not returned yet? And where did Spirit Zhenzhu go?”

Yu Ding True Lord said: “They both said they went to find a place to spar, don’t worry.”

Li Changshou took the opportunity to sit down between Zhao Gongming and True Lord Yellow Dragon, lightly brushing past the topic.

Seeing Li Changshou, True Lord Yellow Dragon thought of the great battle from a few days ago and couldn’t help but feel emotional, draining the wine from his cup in one gulp.

“Ah, such a great Vice Patriarch, gone just like that?”

The various Daoists more or less revealed some emotion.

Zhao Gongming said: “To be fair, Dengming was indeed formidable. From ancient times until now, to have his place in Heaven and Earth, he did not gain his fame without merit.”

“We’ve suffered losses at his hands several times,” Qiong Xiao muttered, “This fellow had one thing exactly like brother-in-law – he loved scheming and calculating, and when he started heaping on compliments, they just kept coming one after another.”

Li Changshou sighed and said: “Well, I guess my reputation can’t be protected anymore.”

The various immortal maidens each laughed lightly, while Ling E said softly: “Senior Brother only schemes against enemies.”

“Indeed,” Yu Ding True Lord said, “Associating with Chang Geng puts one’s heart at ease.”

True Lord Taiyi leaned over from the side, spitting out the treasure pearl from his mouth and smiling: “Then, Junior Brother Yu Ding, what about associating with your elder brother?”

Yu Ding: …

“Exhausting.”

True Lord Taiyi’s face darkened as the surrounding immortals clapped and laughed heartily.

Yellow Dragon raised his wine cup and said seriously: “Regardless, Dengming was ultimately the Enlightenment School’s Vice Patriarch. Let’s drink to him here, considering it a farewell send-off.”

“Why drink to him?”

Golden Light Holy Mother was somewhat dissatisfied, “He committed numerous evil deeds, harbored ulterior motives, and was also a pawn planted by the Western School, not to mention his crime of refining entire worlds.

If we don’t grind his bones to dust and scatter them to the winds, this poor Daoist’s heart still won’t be at peace.”

“Hey.”

Zhao Gongming pulled Golden Light Holy Mother’s arm, saying softly:

“Golden Light, we shouldn’t speak ill of Dengming at this time.

First, it would make people laugh at our narrow-mindedness, thinking we won’t even let the defeated rest and still want to mock them.

Second, Vice Patriarch Dengming was established by Second Master Uncle, and although Second Master Uncle didn’t know of Dengming’s evil deeds, it’s not appropriate for us to say too much now.

The three schools were originally one family, the Enlightenment and Severing schools merely differ in principles – there’s no need to judge individual immortals and deities.”

“Brother Gongming has such magnanimity,” Li Changshou raised his wine cup and clinked it twice with Zhao Gongming’s.

Zhao Gongming blinked, immediately understanding something.

Immortal Maiden Yun Xiao asked softly: “Did you strain yourself in the previous battle? Are you injured?”

The surrounding crowd couldn’t help but start in alarm, looking at Li Changshou with concern.

Li Changshou suddenly raised his hand to cover his mouth, coughing weakly twice, his voice becoming somewhat feeble:

“It’s nothing, nothing, just some minor injuries, not worth mentioning. Contributing to Heaven Court’s development, well, it’s what I should do.”

The crowd couldn’t help but snort, knowing he was joking.

Ling E said: “Senior Brother, you can’t joke about such things. Are you not injured?”

“Didn’t you see everything in the bronze mirror?”

Li Changshou’s eyes immediately crinkled in a smile, “Didn’t a certain named disciple of the Human School Sage Lord say she was going to enter closed cultivation and work hard to break through to the Golden Immortal tribulation?”

“Hehe, hehehe, I was just worried about Senior Brother…”

Ling E shifted closer behind Yun Xiao, softly saying “Sister Yun save me,” causing several male immortals to cast hateful glances at Li Changshou.

This guy was ninety-eight percent hateful!

“By the way, Chang Geng,” Zhao Gongming asked curiously, “What realm are you actually in now? Your Balance Dao flows so smoothly – could it be you’ve quietly stepped into the realm of great ability?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Great ability is just an empty title, it depends on accumulation, and I’m far from qualified.

This is one of my major trump cards, naturally, I can’t easily reveal it.”

True Lord Yellow Dragon said: “What’s there not to say? In ancient times, when someone broke through a level, they’d want to hold flowing feasts for ten years.”

“The world is full of hardship, with great tribulation ahead.”

Li Changshou took the opportunity to instill some ‘practical’ concepts into those present:

“What we call trump cards can be divine abilities, magical treasures, or powerful allies.

Trump cards are divided into two types: one type is hidden but deliberately lets others know you have it, using it to deter powerful enemies;

The other type is hidden without letting anyone know of its existence, hoping it will have a decisive effect at crucial moments.

For instance, when I previously captured Senior Brother Ju Liu Sun, he was caught off guard…”

Qiong Xiao asked: “Brother-in-law, were those patterns on your body during the battle with Dengming from the Ancient Tribe’s battle techniques?”

“Yes, they were gifted by Queen Houtu, and are also part of my trump cards.”

Ling E said softly from the side: “When my Senior Brother was a Celestial Immortal, everyone in the sect thought he hadn’t even achieved immortality yet.”

“Then by that logic…”

Daoist Yellow Dragon calculated with his fingers, then raised his eyes to stare at Li Changshou: “Junior Brother, is your true cultivation level at Half-Sage?”

“How is that possible,” Li Changshou glared at Ling E.

Ling E made a face, pulling You Qin Xuan Ya to hide beside Yun Xiao, wearing an expression of triumph.

‘Backing.’

Golden Light Holy Mother suddenly became somewhat emotional, sighing: “Dengming died just like that… what about us?”

True Lord Taiyi said: “Let’s talk about something else. Speaking of the deceased Vice Patriarch feels somewhat inauspicious.”

“Then let’s talk about… mounts,” Zhao Gongming smiled and asked, “Chang Geng, how does it feel riding on Master Bai?

Where can one get divine beasts of such caliber?”

Whoosh—Bang!

A pot lid flew over from the side, accurately hitting Zhao Gongming’s back, making him cry out in pain several times.

White Ze by the stove darkened his face and shouted: “Why don’t you ask how it feels for this poor Daoist to carry the Water God!

*cough* It’s quite nice, Water God don’t misunderstand, this poor Daoist is very comfortable.”

“Hey,” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “Master Bai is an important member of the Human School, not merely a mount.”

The crowd couldn’t help but smile, and the conversation expanded on this topic.

They spoke of how before the creation of heaven and earth, the Ancestral Dragon and Original Phoenix had been Pan Gu God’s mounts, carrying Pan Gu God in pursuit of primordial gods and demons.

They also talked about ancient times when some great experts were subdued and became mounts, but later betrayed their masters, resulting in mutual destruction.

They even discussed the end of ancient times, during the Half-Barbarian Chaos War, when Yellow Emperor Xuan Yuan battled Chi You, and how Chi You’s defeat lay with his mount.

“Why?” Li Changshou asked in confusion.

Zhao Gongming sighed: “That Iron-Eating Demon Beast… was too straightforward in temperament, losing composure when provoked.”

Iron-Eating Demon Beast?

Li Changshou couldn’t help but imagine the scene:

[A certain national treasure beast charged the front lines in armor, suddenly stood upright, throwing Chi You off, roaring:

‘No honey-glazed bacon for dinner, I quit today!’

The Yellow Emperor’s generals swarmed forward, surrounding Chi You and hacking wildly.

Chi You, defeated.]

Shaking his head vigorously, Li Changshou quickly erased this image and returned to the topic, discussing various divine beasts suitable as mounts with everyone.

Before they knew it, stars filled the sky; before they knew it, the sun rose in the east.

Some immortals sang immortal maidens played zithers, paper avatars served wine, and couples paired off – how beautiful it all was.

After Li Changshou’s return, the immortal feast lasted another three days. Everyone knew they couldn’t stay long at Mount Minor Qiong and bid farewell together.

Ling E begged Yun Xiao to stay longer at Mount Minor Qiong, but Yun Xiao said that during this time of great tribulation, as a disciple of the Severing Sect, she was also involved in the tribulation and couldn’t stay long in Heaven’s Court.

Li Changshou gave Ling E a look, and only then did she stop persuading.

You Qin Xuan Ya had only drunk some wine, eaten some food, and chatted with Ling E. Due to obvious differences in perspective and realm understanding, she temporarily couldn’t integrate into the immortals’ topics.

Before leaving Mount Minor Qiong, True Lord Yellow Dragon pulled Taiyi aside and said softly:

“Junior Brother, don’t smile so happily. Even if you can’t show sadness, you should at least restrain your smile.”

“Rest assured, Senior Brother,” True Lord Taiyi smiled and said, “Vice Patriarch Dengming’s… well, this could be considered a joyous funeral.”

Yu Ding True Lord reached into his sleeve.

True Lord Taiyi quickly withdrew his smile, pinched his eyes red, and clasped his hands behind his back while sighing softly.

“Farewell, Vice Patriarch, farewell.”

As the crowd left the Great White Hall, Golden Roc waited in front, transforming into his true form to carry them.

But Li Changshou said: “I still need to seek an audience with Master to ask about the identity of the corpse in that stone coffin. Let Golden Roc escort you all in my place.”

“That’s fine, that’s fine.”

True Lord Yellow Dragon smiled in agreement.

However, Golden Light Holy Mother felt that True Lord Yellow Dragon had been constantly defending Dengming’s reputation and was somewhat displeased, saying coolly: “Chang Geng, rest well, you’re tired from slaying demons and eliminating evil.”

True Lord Taiyi looked at Golden Light Holy Mother in surprise.

This… must be at least beginner-level, right?

Golden Roc spread his wings, carrying the immortals toward the Middle Heaven Gate.

Successfully passing through the Middle Heaven Gate, the immortals of the Enlightenment and Severing sects bid farewell to each other, then rode clouds east and west respectively.

Flying several thousand li on the clouds, Zhao Gongming suddenly slapped his forehead and said: “This poor Daoist forgot to ask Chang Geng something!

You all go ahead, this poor Daoist will go back once more.”

He turned to slip back to Heaven’s Court.

Yun Xiao asked: “Big Brother, why don’t I accompany you?”

“No need, no need!”

Zhao Gongming waved repeatedly, giving Yun Xiao a meaningful look, saying seriously: “We’re going to discuss some topics between male immortals, you female immortals shouldn’t ask too much.”

Yun Xiao was about to give some reminders, asking Zhao Gongming to be careful, when Golden Light pulled her arm from the side and lightly spat at Zhao Gongming.

“Let him go. He only has this much ability, and it’s all learned from Chang Geng.”

Immortal Maiden Yun Xiao didn’t understand, but she realized this must be related to matters of love between men and women, so she didn’t say more.

Big Brother was already experienced, he must be going to pass on some experience.

Yun Xiao’s thoughts became complicated, and she unconsciously stared at the distant flowing clouds for a while.

How thoughtful, Big Brother, knowing that Chang Shou was rather pure…

…

Soon after, in the backyard of the Great White Palace, on Mount Minor Qiong.

Zhao Gongming entered the formation ‘stealthily’, and after hearing the voice transmission, went straight to the pill room.

White Ze, who was washing dishes by the lake with rolled-up sleeves and an apron, showed a thoughtful expression but didn’t go join the excitement.

Ling E tilted her head and blinked, thinking of the wine and dishes she had just arranged in the pill room, showing confusion.

‘If Senior Brother wanted to entertain Brother Gongming privately, why didn’t he just keep him here?’

In front of the pill room, Li Changshou stood with his hands behind his back. When Zhao Gongming flew over, he turned and made a welcoming gesture.

“Brother, you and I truly have an understanding.”

“Hahaha!”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and laughed heartily: “Two toasts, one heavy, and one light – isn’t that the meaning of having a private feast after the main banquet?

Hahaha!”

“Please,” Li Changshou nodded with a smile, sitting cross-legged opposite Zhao Gongming.

They didn’t exchange pleasantries. Zhao Gongming picked up a piece of fish and brought it to his mouth, asking puzzledly: “Why did you call me back separately?”

“There are some things that couldn’t be discussed in front of Senior Brother Yellow Dragon and the others.”

Li Changshou tapped his fingers on the table, activating layer upon layer of formations on Mount Minor Qiong.

Only the Heaven-Concealing Formation wasn’t activated.

He said slowly: “Brother, did you gain any insights from watching my battle with Dengming?”

Zhao Gongming nodded and said seriously: “The physical body needs to be trained too, otherwise when encountering powerful physical cultivation methods like the Eight-Nine Mysteries Technique, those at the same level practicing the Primordial Spirit Dao might have trouble defending.”

Li Changshou said: “Indeed, the physical body needs to be strengthened to fill in weaknesses. I’ll write some insights about this for you later.

Anything else?”

Zhao Gongming asked puzzledly: “What else… what else is there?

Little Brother, what exactly do you want to say? Just say it directly.

If you’re giving Brother benefits, Brother will shamelessly accept them; if there’s something Brother did improperly, just point it out – how could Brother not listen to you?”

Li Changshou hummed a few times and said: “Brother, your Definite Sea Zhenzhus…”

“You want them? Just take them to use! What’s the big deal? Do we two need to be so formal?”

Zhao Gongming waved his hand, and twenty-four Definite Sea Zhenzhus fell beside Li Changshou, making him both laugh and cry.

“Brother, please put away your treasures first, don’t hurt their feelings.”

“It’s nothing, we’re family, they won’t feel wronged in your hands.”

Li Changshou pushed the Definite Sea Zhenzhus back and said seriously: “When I used the Definite Sea Zhenzhus before, I found their internal structure very similar to complete worlds with all five elements, but only endless seawater remained.

Brother, have you thoroughly comprehended the Definite Sea Zhenzhus?”

“Speaking of thorough understanding, there are still unclear points,” Zhao Gongming said, “But to say something presumptuous, except for Master and the two Master Uncles, I should be the living being in the primordial world who understands them best.”

“Then has Brother ever considered whether the Definite Sea Zhenzhus have room for further development?”

Li Changshou’s words stopped there, not daring to speak too plainly, lest the Dao Ancestor’s small lightning whip attend to him.

Zhao Gongming smiled and said: “I’ve thought about this, but unfortunately the universe within the Definite Sea Zhenzhus is virtual, just some rule projections, difficult to materialize.

Their power limit is like having twenty-four worlds pressing down on an opponent, but it’s only ‘like,’ not real.

To go from virtual to real, it lacks some catalyst.”

“Catalyst?”

“Yes, catalyst,” Zhao Gongming crossed his arms and sighed, “This poor Daoist had pondered this for a long time before reluctantly abandoning this line of thought.

If the Definite Sea Zhenzhus could be advanced one step further, it would be equivalent to carrying the power of twenty-four great worlds – truly terrifying.

But how easy is it to go from virtual to real?

Though chaos comes from nothingness, though all existence originates from non-existence, it still lacks the guidance of the Great Dao, lacks…”

Tap!

Li Changshou’s hand trembled, and a long ruler fell beside the table. Zhao Gongming looked closely, sensing the Dao rhythm on this dark-colored ruler, light flashing rapidly in his eyes.

“Brother,” Li Changshou asked puzzledly, “Is this ruler yours? How did it get here?”

“Isn’t this Dengming’s Space-Time… yes! Brother dropped it accidentally!”

“Then hold onto it firmly.”

Li Changshou picked up the Space-Time Ruler and stuffed it into Zhao Gongming’s hands, his eyes carrying a hint of a smile.

Zhao Gongming’s mind was blocked for a moment, then his face showed great joy as he raised his hand to punch Li Changshou.

“You little…! Hahaha! The Great Dao can be achieved!

With two or three hundred years of comprehension, the Great Dao can be achieved!”

Li Changshou looked at the blue sky outside the pill room, thinking to himself that it was indeed so.

Things beneficial to Heaven’s Court and the perfection of the Heavenly Dao – neither the Dao Ancestor nor the Heavenly Dao would obstruct them, even if it meant secretly handling stolen goods obtained from Heavenly Punishment…

This way, Brother was secure.