[Ah, this is probably what life is all about.]

At Little Qiong Peak, before the pill room.

Li Changshou lay in his exclusive rocking chair, gazing at the sea of stars, a serene smile on his lips.

His Daoist robe was in tatters, his whole body charred and peeling;

His hair, blown by the heavenly wind, had achieved the disheveled look of an alternative youth from his previous life’s hometown. Only that heaven-defying handsomeness remained unaffected by the tribulation’s strikes to his face.

Tsk, the script was indeed written this way.

His junior sister’s tribulation, its power poured onto him.

He hadn’t even needed to use the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill in his mouth—after all, it was just punishment power from a Long Life Tribulation. His physical form could barely handle it, enduring the torment.

Ling’e…

Having just passed her tribulation with too many insights, naturally went into seclusion.

Seeing her smug expression earlier, she probably wanted to tease her senior brother, but her insights couldn’t be suppressed, directly pulling her into the enlightened state.

Now Ling’e was in the underground secret chamber comprehending her dao, occasionally giggling “hehe,” making Li Changshou worry about his “purity” being at risk later.

The current public opinion in Honghuang…

Was simply unbearable to look at!

[Ancestral Master personally manifested to escort Venus Star Lord’s beloved junior sister through her Long Life Tribulation, openly acknowledging Venus Star-Lord as his grandson-in-law!]

Such incredible and severely distorted news had already spread throughout heaven and earth.

If Li Changshou hadn’t deliberately acted severely injured, cupped his hands to those around, and taken Ling’e back to Little Qiong Peak while activating Venus Palace’s multiple formations, his place would now be crowded with visitors…

As usual, the injuries weren’t deep, but the pain was real.

Had Master Ancestor rubbed chili oil on each bolt of lightning?!

He could only let the Three Realms’ rumors spread as they would.

This time, Li Changshou dared not do much—after all, with the Ancestral Master personally stepping into the scheme, doing more meant making more mistakes. Being a ‘silent party’ and ‘cold observer’ was enough.

What level was the Ancestral Master playing at?

Just like the Ancestral Master’s current location—the Purple Void Palace beyond heaven, the literal atmosphere of Honghuang’s world!

Later, he should take Ling’e to look inside the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk.

According to what Mother Houtu said before, conservatively estimating, Master’s soul should have awakened by now. Seeing Ling’e achieve a long life should make him quite happy.

Moreover, Master’s soul had been repairing itself in the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk for so long, naturally gaining quite a few benefits.

“Jiang Ziya…”

Li Changshou raised his hand to shield his forehead, letting his thoughts return to tranquility. The charred skin on his body flew off on its own, dissolving into ashes, with new skin growing underneath.

Golden Immortal, Long Life.

His attitude toward Ling’e would need to change from now on.

Thus, Li Changshou dispersed all those memories of her first few years on the mountain, planning to get to know his little junior sister anew.

If she wanted to have a romance with him, then they should do it properly, and create more memories that weren’t about being senior and junior siblings.

Afterward, Li Changshou planned to rest for a few days before continuing his previous tasks.

[Request the Jade Emperor to go out with him, and inspect the state of beings in the Three Realms.]

He still needed to perform Venus Star Lord’s primary duties.

But whether it was fated for the Jade Emperor to wait longer, or various matters converging at once, just as Li Changshou adjusted his state and was about to get up, he suddenly had a premonition.

Someone was calling for his paper avatar to appear!

Li Changshou calculated briefly, quickly locking onto an old version paper avatar left with True Lord Jade Perfect, immediately transferring his consciousness there.

Before his immortal consciousness could expand, Li Changshou already sensed several familiar auras.

Jade Perfect, Supreme Unity, Yang Jian, True Lord Yellow Dragon.

This ranking had nothing to do with personal strength; any similarities were purely coincidental.

What was happening?

Li Changshou first created some slight movement, the paper avatar flying out from True Lord Jade Perfect’s sleeve, transforming into the appearance of Zhao Gongming minus the beard.

This paper avatar was still the false identity deliberately designed years ago to arrange matters for Yang Jian.

“Changgeng!”

True Lord Yellow Dragon’s eyes lit up as he immediately stepped forward twice, calling out:

“Come quickly and see! Something happened today!”

Two question marks appeared on Li Changshou’s forehead.

True Lord Jade Perfect sighed, then turned to glare at True Lord Supreme Unity, clearly burning with anger.

True Lord Supreme Unity, who normally [Wears a red robe, speaks flirtatious words heaven cannot control], was now lowering his head with a long sigh, his eyes showing some loss, traces of emotion flowing in their depths as he muttered:

“Karma, this is karma.”

If Yellow Dragon had just arrived and encountered this situation, mushrooms would likely grow all over his head.

But Li Changshou had already completed his intelligence gathering and deduced what had happened.

There was only one truth!

“Did Nephew Spirit Zhenzhu become somewhat dejected about my junior sister’s Long Life Tribulation, return to Mount Qianyuan seeking some guidance from Elder Brother Supreme Unity, but Elder Brother Supreme Unity said the wrong thing, hitting Nephew Spirit Zhenzhu’s sore spot?”

Jade Perfect and Yang Jian nodded honestly, while Yellow Dragon’s eyes were full of shock.

“Isn’t the heavenly mechanism blocked now? Changgeng, how did you know?”

True Lord Supreme Unity lightly slapped his mouth twice. “This mouth of mine!”

Li Changshou looked at the formation-covered cave dwelling and frowned:

“Elder Brother, what did you say?”

“I didn’t say much,” Supreme Unity smiled bitterly. “Just…”

…

Two hours ago, on Mount Qianyuan.

‘Yo, why did my good disciple think to come back?’

True Lord Supreme Unity walked out of the cave-dwelling with a smile, seeing Spirit Zhenzhu Boy spacing out before the cave entrance, and teased: ‘Tired of playing with your good brother? Or missing your master, especially coming back for a visit?’

Spirit Zhenzhu Boy sighed, stood up to make a Daoist salute to Supreme Unity, performing a disciple’s courtesy, then sat back dejectedly on the cliff-edge stone.

‘What’s wrong?’

Supreme Unity asked puzzledly, ‘Feeling down? Could it be that little Jade Rabbit has found other good brothers?’

‘Master… how should disciple break through this bottleneck?

I’m just one step away from facing the Golden Immortal Tribulation. Even if disciple were to be crushed to dust in the Golden Immortal Tribulation, it would be better than being stuck neither up nor down like now…’

‘Ah! What foolish talk!’

Supreme Unity smiled: ‘How can cultivation be judged by speed? Examples of steady accumulation and late blooming are very common in Honghuang.

You’re only one step away from a long life, how can you throw away all your previous efforts at this time?

Besides, even if you can’t achieve a long life, your master will try to extend your lifespan. Don’t you still have your Uncle Changgeng? Getting renewed every few hundred years with peaches and such, isn’t that the same as a long life?’

‘It’s not like that, Master. Disciple doesn’t fear a short life, only mediocrity!’

‘Silly disciple,’ Supreme Unity smiled, ‘Sometimes you shouldn’t compare yourself with others, just live contentedly.

Immortal life is just like this—every immortal has different encounters, different destinies, different selves, so naturally different achievements.

Sometimes, you know, if you don’t work hard, you won’t know the gap with others. If you don’t strive forward, you won’t understand where you’ll fail.

Now you can completely use the bottleneck as an excuse to contentedly not work hard, and play with your good brothers every day, isn’t that comfortable… eh, where are you going?

Why are you crying now?

Master was trying to cheer you up, maybe the bottleneck would just… don’t cry, good disciple! Master said the wrong thing!’

…

“This poor Daoist only said these things.”

Mount Qianyuan, before the cave dwelling.

After Supreme Unity finished speaking, Li Changshou beside him wore a helpless expression, Jade Perfect looked up with a long sigh, and Yellow Dragon was crying rivers.

This Yellow Dragon shouted: “Junior Brother, you spoke so correctly!

If this poor Daoist hadn’t worked hard back then, contentedly swimming back and forth in the pool, I’d be more comfortable than now!”

Li Changshou hurriedly said: “Elder Brother Yellow Dragon, we can’t generalize about this!”

Jade Perfect glared at Supreme Unity, scolding with a black face: “Is this how you teach disciples? Not working hard means not knowing the gap!

You! You! Ai!”

Yang Jian spoke softly from the side: “Elder Brother Spirit Zhenzhu already had a knot in his heart.”

“Right,” Supreme Unity spread his hands, “This poor Daoist was just trying to use this method to help him resolve that knot!”

Li Changshou raised his hand to rub his brow.

Was this why Spirit Zhenzhu Boy, in a moment of despair, decided to reincarnate and start over?

This made Li Changshou secretly relieved—having thought Spirit Zhenzhu Boy would face some great tribulation, at least now he could help somewhat.

Why did Spirit Zhenzhu Boy reincarnate as Nezha?

Li Changshou had been pondering this question long ago, and all possible conclusions pointed to the Heavenly Dao.

Given the Heavenly Dao’s style, it would most likely arrange some dangerous situation for Spirit Zhenzhu Boy, damaging his dao foundation and depleting his primordial spirit, forcing True Lord Supreme Unity to send him for reincarnation and cultivation renewal, becoming a “little hero.”

Therefore, Li Changshou had long avoided sending Spirit Zhenzhu Boy on outside missions.

Though if such a thing happened, it would be the Heavenly Dao’s deliberate arrangement, Li Changshou didn’t want Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s loss to fall on his shoulders.

After all, he was a nephew disciple he quite admired, and they had spent considerable time together.

But on the other hand…

The contradiction was that in Li Changshou’s plans, Nezha was also necessary, so he couldn’t prevent Spirit Zhenzhu Boy from facing tribulation.

Now, if he could confirm that Spirit Zhenzhu Boy truly chose reincarnation as a human and cultivation renewal due to his bottleneck, plus his master Supreme Unity’s provocation, then Li Changshou needn’t agonize further—he could assist with all his might.

True Lord Jade Perfect suddenly spoke:

“Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s dao heart is withering.

If too much time passes, it will inevitably damage his cultivation and harm his mental state.”

Yang Jian asked from the side: “Is there no remedy now?”

Li Changshou hummed softly, raising his hand to grab Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s cave chamber, and everyone immediately heard Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s low muttering.

“Master was right…

I’ve worked so hard, just refusing to admit the gap between me and them.

I’m just a pearl, a pearl without much spirit…”

“This!”

Supreme Unity couldn’t help but pace back and forth anxiously, “This mouth of mine, this mouth of mine! What can be done about this?

Changgeng!

Changgeng, you have many methods, quickly save this child!”

Li Changshou frowned: “Elder Brother, I know you cherish Spirit Zhenzhu Boy, but there should be limits. Your words struck right at his dao heart.”

“How about erasing part of his memories?”

Jade Perfect offered this suggestion solemnly.

“That’s improper,” Yellow Dragon sighed, “Moreover, even erasing memories can’t erase Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s heart knot.

Aren’t we gathered here today to find a way to help Spirit Zhenzhu Boy break through his bottleneck and restore his confidence?”

“Let’s think together.”

Li Changshou spoke softly, then began pacing back and forth.

The other immortals couldn’t stand still or sit steady, all walking around together.

Soon, Li Changshou said: “Even mortal doctors first ask about the cause of illness. Just thinking blindly like this, we’ll easily go astray.

Why not first investigate exactly where Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s cultivation went wrong?”

“This…”

Supreme Unity seemed to want to speak but hesitated, then immediately nodded in agreement: “It’s good for everyone to look together, perhaps there will be discoveries.”

Li Changshou said: “Nephew Yang Jian, first go ambush Spirit Zhenzhu Boy, knock him unconscious and seal him. Don’t let him know we’re helping diagnose him, or he’ll feel even worse.”

“Yes!”

Yang Jian instinctively saluted, transformed into a butterfly, and fluttered into Supreme Unity’s cave dwelling, mixing into the formation…

Shortly after.

“Aiya, ah!”

“Let’s go,” Li Changshou gestured, and several immortals quickly entered, surrounding the unconscious Spirit Zhenzhu Boy for examination.

The entire examination lasted half an hour, thoroughly investigating Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s problems.

Innate deficiency, flawed dao foundation.

This wasn’t injury or taking the wrong cultivation path. Simply put, Spirit Zhenzhu Boy as a being had inherent defects in his dao foundation.

His original form was a spirit pearl, and when taking form he was tainted by post-celestial qi, no longer a pure precelestial being. Though his root wasn’t low, it wasn’t particularly high either.

Compared to that stone by the East Sea which possessed heaven-mending merit and was personally refined by Lady Nuwa, the difference was indeed vast.

The reason Spirit Zhenzhu Boy was stuck at the bottleneck was also due to innate deficiency, unable to achieve perfection, and thus unable to trigger heavenly tribulation to pluck the fruit of long life.

“Ai,” Li Changshou sighed, and the others all sighed.

Finding the root cause, they could prescribe treatment.

They looked at each other, seeing the tacit understanding in each other’s eyes.

Li Changshou said: “It seems everyone and Nephew Yang Jian have methods.”

Yellow Dragon was suddenly inspired: “Why don’t we all say our methods at the same time, and see if they match?”

These five men nodded simultaneously, exchanged several glances, and at Li Changshou’s gesture, they all spoke at once!

Li Changshou: “Precelestial dao body.”

Supreme Unity: “Dual cultivation with a dao partner!”

Yellow Dragon: “Master’s lecture on dao.”

Yang Jian: “Breakthrough in a life-and-death battle!”

Jade Perfect: “Reincarnation with memories.”

Instantly, a few small leaves floated behind the five immortals, each giving an awkward smile before explaining their ideas.

Li Changshou and Jade Perfect’s thoughts coincided without prior discussion.

Precelestial dao body meant letting Spirit Zhenzhu Boy transform into a human, enjoying the innate dao body advantages of the human race. The method was as Jade Perfect said—reincarnation with memories retained.

They debated for a while, quickly determining the approach, with Supreme Unity making the final decision.

Try everything possible to rebuild Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s roots without damaging his current self!

The sleeping Spirit Zhenzhu Boy shuddered a few times, then mumbled something before continuing to sleep.

“Master, am I not suited for cultivation?”

…

Compared to Yang Jian, Spirit Zhenzhu Boy was closer to Li Changshou, so Li Changshou naturally wouldn’t shortchange Spirit Zhenzhu Boy.

After careful consideration, Li Changshou had a complete plan in mind, and through a series of hints, guided Supreme Unity to formulate a rough plan.

Having Spirit Zhenzhu Boy reincarnate wasn’t as simple as killing him and sending his primordial spirit to the netherworld for rebirth.

That would be too violent, and the reincarnated Spirit Zhenzhu Boy would no longer be Spirit Zhenzhu Boy.

Helping Spirit Zhenzhu Boy achieve his dao fruit was naturally delicate work.

First, they needed to separate Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s primordial spirit from his original form, make the primordial spirit into a “fetal spirit” similar to the Seven Emotions Avatar from years ago, and return his original form to its source, refining it into a spirit pearl carrying his current magical power, dao realm, and spirit nature.

This process required Li Changshou’s strong assistance.

Li Changshou needed to take Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s primordial spirit to the Reincarnation Tower to pull strings, having Earth Treasury act to transform Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s primordial spirit into a pre-reincarnation fetal spirit state;

And take Spirit Zhenzhu Boy to Three Immortals Island to borrow the Chaos Origin Golden Dipper to strip away Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s magical power and dao realm.

Of course, several Orthodox School immortals would accompany them throughout.

Having Supreme Unity owe Three Immortals Island a favor, showing mercy in the upcoming killing tribulation, was also one of Li Changshou’s arrangements for going with the flow.

After these processes, a perfect “fetal spirit” ready for birth would be created.

Yang Jian asked: “Then how should we choose Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s parents?”

“This poor Daoist will find a female immortal as a dao partner!”

Supreme Unity immediately stood up, his eyes full of deep love and guilt, “Son-disciple, disciple—what’s the difference?”

Yang Jian muttered softly: “With all the karmic obstacles Master Uncle has accumulated with his mouth over the years, aren’t you afraid of not being able to… disciple speaks nonsense, just nonsense.”

Jade Perfect advised: “Elder Brother, don’t make trouble. Everything is in Changgeng’s hands, just let Changgeng arrange it.”

Supreme Unity immediately looked disappointed, then turned to Li Changshou with a serious expression.

“Changgeng, if this can be done, Elder Brother will owe you an enormous favor!”

“Elder Brother is too kind.”

Li Changshou smiled: “This is what I’m thinking.

Converting Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s primordial spirit into a fetal spirit, and refining his original form to carry magical power, cannot be done in a day.

Human reincarnation isn’t difficult. I’ll make a trip to the netherworld to select a couple with the best aptitude among humans, thus adding more aid to Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s cultivation.

Now, there’s one most crucial issue.”

The immortals immediately listened intently, their eyes full of concern.

“All these plans are what we’ve decided…”

Li Changshou slowly exhaled, saying seriously:

“We can provide methods and assistance, but ultimately, Spirit Zhenzhu Boy must make this decision himself. We should try not to interfere.

Giving juniors the freedom to choose their path is the greatest respect we can show them.”

The immortals each nodded, Supreme Unity gazing at the youth in the cave with complex emotions.

Supreme Unity said: “Actually, it’s fine if he’s ordinary. This poor Daoist doesn’t need a disciple to maintain face.”

Li Changshou laughed lightly, but couldn’t help complaining in his heart.

The Heavenly Dao truly had skillful methods.

Spirit Zhenzhu Boy’s problem wasn’t as simple as innate deficiency. That bit of dao foundation he now lacked, when Li Changshou had previously taken Spirit Zhenzhu Boy to the Heavenly Court…

Had still been there.

The Heavenly Dao had reined things in.