As Li Changshou rode his cloud toward the Eastern Heaven Gate, his thoughts were somewhat complicated.

Speaking of Golden Turtle Spirit Mother, this inner disciple of the Severing Sect, Li Changshou had interacted with her several times before.

To use a modern phrase to describe her, Golden Turtle Spirit Mother was a very ‘zen’ female powerhouse. She did things unhurriedly, her temperament neither warm nor cold. She could space out for hundreds of years in an instant, and sometimes while talking, she would simply drift into a daze.

Regarding Golden Turtle, what left the deepest impression on Li Changshou was her tragic end.

Transforming into her original turtle form, having her flesh and blood drained by mosquitoes.

Li Changshou had carefully analyzed this matter. There were several crucial details that needed attention, and through these details, a simple conclusion could be drawn.

In the original Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods, it wasn’t Senior Wenjing who drained Golden Turtle Spirit Mother.

Not to mention that Senior Wenjing was fundamentally somewhat cowardly in matters outside of being a Great Dharma Master. Even if she followed Western Paradise’s Sacred One’s orders to kill Golden Turtle, she wouldn’t likely use such a cruel method.

Simply put, she feared being eliminated by Patriarch Tongtian.

Don’t be fooled by Mosquito’s usual lovesick appearance towards the Great Dharma Master; she was quite shrewd at heart.

That she could survive the ancient Blood Sea to become a high-ranking member of the Western Paradise today was sufficient proof of her methods and capabilities.

Most likely, it was a swarm of blood-winged black mosquitoes that attacked Golden Turtle;

As it happened, the Western Paradise’s Sacred One had personally suppressed part of Senior Wenjing’s clan in ancient times, using this as leverage to prevent Wenjing from escaping into the Chaos Sea;

Additionally, the blood-winged black mosquitoes specifically countered Golden Turtle and Golden Turtle Spirit Mother had no power to resist when restrained by the Sacred One…

An ‘accidental’ elimination orchestrated by the Sacred One was thus accomplished.

Li Changshou had been considering:

[The reason why the Two Sacred Ones of Western Paradise chose direct elimination, and didn’t mind lowering themselves to deal with a captured Severing Sect senior disciple this way, rather than converting her into a disciple or mount…

Could it be related to the upcoming Severing Sect’s siege of Spirit Mountain?]

This was actually the main reason why Li Changshou had hesitated for several days with Yun Xiao, yet still felt uneasy in his heart.

However, some things he couldn’t speak of, as they involved future events he couldn’t explain in detail.

Was this also the converging force of the Heavenly Dao?

Contending with the Heavenly Dao was truly exhausting and always left one feeling like a puppet in its game.

It was quite frustrating.

Steady now. Currently, the odds of winning against the Heavenly Dao are less than thirty percent. He still needed to use the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods to secure at least eighty percent of his arrangements before he would qualify for a single attempt.

Of course, merely qualifying didn’t determine whether to attempt – that would depend on specific circumstances.

The affairs of a great stabilizer – how could that be called following one’s heart?

Li Changshou sighed softly in his heart.

When dealing with a great sect like the Western Paradise, a comprehensive, multi-faceted plan with sufficient flexibility was crucial.

Yet the more he looked at it, the more it seemed Senior Brother Duobao had suddenly slapped his thigh and arrived at the current situation.

[The Western Paradise and the Enlightenment Sect have joined forces. If we don’t act now, we’ll surely be passive in everything that follows!]

[Even if we spare the Western Paradise, would they spare us during the Great Tribulation?]

[Let’s just charge forward boldly – there will be clever people to explain things for us!]

And so on.

For a great sect conflict, this seemed somewhat hasty.

Riding clouds through Heaven’s Gate, thoughts dwelling on the Severing Sect’s fate.

Greeting all with smiling faces, paying proper respects to the Star-Lord.

When he arrived at the Eastern Heaven Gate, he spotted that slender figure in light cyan robes, and several question marks appeared on his forehead.

Why had she come looking for him?

Regardless, Li Changshou couldn’t avoid Golden Turtle Spirit Mother. He drove his cloud forward past the Eastern Heaven Gate, calling out from afar:

“Senior Sister, what brings you here? Do you have urgent business?”

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother had seemed lost in thought and quickly turned around. She showed Li Changshou a gentle smile, and was about to speak, but couldn’t help letting out a small sigh.

Li Changshou came close and made a Daoist salute to Golden Turtle Spirit Mother;

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother returned the greeting with a slight bow, her beautiful eyes particularly clear, as if they could speak.

She said: “Junior Brother Changgeng, might we find a place without others? I have some words I wish to speak to you privately.”

At the Heaven Gate, numerous ears immediately perked up!

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Senior Sister, what exactly is this about? This is only a paper avatar – if needed, I can have my true body come out.”

The implication was that he was merely a paper person here.

However, Golden Turtle Spirit Mother seemed not to understand the deeper meaning, and hurriedly said: “It’s just a few words, it won’t take much of your energy, the paper avatar is fine.”

Li Changshou: …

In an instant, numerous sparkling eyes appeared around the Heaven Gate.

Curiosity, pure curiosity – these pure-hearted heavenly immortals hadn’t detected any trace of sorrow or anxiety in Golden Turtle Spirit Mother’s humble and plaintive tone!

Li Changshou made a gesture of invitation, indicating Golden Turtle Spirit Mother should follow him, and rode his cloud eastward.

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother followed behind, revealing hesitation in her eyes, and couldn’t help but lower her head with another sigh.

Although she hadn’t said or done much extra, she gave off a strong sense of ‘having something on her mind’.

After leaving the Heaven Gate about several hundred li, Golden Turtle Spirit Mother took out a jade flute and opened layer upon layer of barriers, blocking outside observation.

Li Changshou activated a recording orb in his sleeve.

There was no choice – society was too complicated, the paths of the primordial chaos were slippery, and being cautious was never wrong.

“Ah.”

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother sighed softly, her delicate hand holding the jade flute, her eyes revealing some helplessness.

She said: “Junior Brother Changgeng, regarding Senior Brother’s sudden gathering of fellow disciples for… discussion, was this due to your advice to Senior Brother?”

Li Changshou shifted his gaze to the side and said calmly: “Senior Brother Duobao didn’t consult with me about this beforehand. Otherwise, I could have given him more suggestions, to make better preparations before going to war.”

“It wasn’t Junior Brother Changgeng’s suggestion?”

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother murmured, then asked: “How does Junior Brother Changgeng view this matter?”

“Well,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “For the Dao Sect as a whole, this is a good thing. For the Severing Sect, it’s both good and bad.”

“Both good and bad?”

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother switched to voice transmission: “Senior Brother says the Western Paradise has already allied with the Enlightenment Sect. If we don’t move against them first, they will eventually move against us.”

“Senior Brother Duobao speaks truly,” Li Changshou clasped his hands behind his back and smiled slightly. “However, we cannot touch the Western Paradise’s core; though this action can strike at them, it gives them a legitimate reason for future retaliation.

Sometimes, having a legitimate reason is quite important.

Though the primordial chaos is an unreasonable place, reason can have miraculous effects at crucial moments.”

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother silently pondered for a while, then stopped her steps and asked: “Junior Brother Changgeng, do you not wish to see the two sects go to war? If so, why not go advise Senior Brother…”

“Does Senior Sister not wish to see the Severing Sect take up arms?”

Li Changshou turned his head to gaze at Golden Turtle.

“I…”

Golden Turtle bit her lip lightly, seeming to want to speak but hesitating, but then only sighed softly and lowered her head, saying:

“I’ve never seen Senior Brother and several senior and junior siblings like this before, radiating killing intent, their gazes quite frightening.

We have no direct grudge with the Western Paradise, nor hatred demanding mutual destruction, yet suddenly we’re to move against them, for the reason that they will deal with us in the future.

But haven’t they not dealt with us yet?

If we destroy them just because they threaten us;

Is this still our Severing Sect?

Master taught us to seize a thread of life for living beings, not to rely on superior numbers to destroy other forces like this, even if that force hasn’t done good things…”

Though Golden Turtle’s words were gentle, they carried some excitement.

When she realized she had suddenly said too much and feared Li Changshou would misunderstand, she became somewhat flustered.

Li Changshou laughed softly, gesturing for Golden Turtle Spirit Mother to continue walking.

If he didn’t know of Golden Turtle Spirit Mother’s tragic end in the original Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods, Li Changshou would truly need to carefully consider whether Golden Turtle Spirit Mother’s stance was problematic.

The two walked among the clouds for a while longer, Li Changshou organizing his thoughts while Golden Turtle Spirit Mother composed herself.

Li Changshou said: “Senior Sister, it’s not that there’s no grudge between the Severing Sect and Western Paradise. As Senior Brother Duobao said, since war is inevitable, why care about how each side feels?

The conflict of great sects, the killing tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods – these are already mountains pressing down on the Western Paradise, Enlightenment Sect, and Severing Sect.

Senior Sister, you don’t normally participate in Severing Sect affairs, right?”

“Yes,” Golden Turtle Spirit Mother said, “I usually just cultivate…”

“Then you especially shouldn’t say such things now.”

Li Changshou transmitted: “Not being in Senior Brother Duobao’s position, you can’t feel Senior Brother Duobao’s pressure. Right now in the Severing Sect, the most anxious should be this senior brother.

Uncle Master Tongtian acts with openness and uprightness, but your opponents are not so.

When Senior Brother Duobao thinks further ahead, he sees the situation after the Enlightenment Sect and Western Paradise join forces – three Sacred Ones, two sects’ Sacred One disciples suppressing the Severing Sect.

How can he not be anxious? It would be problematic if he weren’t anxious.

The Severing Sect and Enlightenment Sect cannot directly oppose and go to war unless driven by the Great Tribulation. Otherwise, whoever strikes first becomes the enemy of the Dao Sect, and we of the Human Sect would favor the other side.

Before the Great Tribulation fully erupts, striking hard at the Western Paradise is already the Severing Sect’s only choice.

Let me give an analogy.”

“Oh?”

“Whether the Severing Sect moves against the Western Paradise now only determines the attitude of the Western Paradise’s Sacred One when they move against the Severing Sect in the future.

If the Severing Sect now destroys the Western Paradise’s forces, the Western Paradise’s Sacred One will act with grinding teeth and righteous indignation.

If the Severing Sect hesitates and doesn’t act now, the Western Paradise’s Sacred One will first breathe a sigh of relief, then show more smiling faces while dealing with the Severing Sect later, though they won’t reduce the force of their blows.

Perhaps they’ll even ask Senior Sister with a smile: Would you like to come cultivate at our Spirit Mountain?

What? You won’t come?

Then what a pity about your lives.”

As Li Changshou spoke with an air of experience, Golden Turtle Spirit Mother couldn’t help covering her mouth and laughing softly, her eyes now showing much less hesitation.

Li Changshou said slowly: “Senior Sister Golden Turtle, I once saw some matters in the Heaven Court’s records.

In the past, when the Western Sacred One sought to increase Spirit Mountain’s power and plan the Western Paradise’s rise, they extensively converted people to the Middle God Continent. When immortals wouldn’t submit, they destroyed their sects, bound their primordial spirits, and worse – washed their memories and locked their consciousness.

This was the meaning of conversion.

In ancient times, Spirit Mountain extensively accepted ancient demon tribe members. During the years of the God-Demon War and the rise of the human race, Spirit Mountain secretly did many dealings, most unknown to others.

What I know, and have sufficient evidence for, is that Spirit Mountain secretly cooperated with Kun Peng. When the demon tribe was falling apart, they treated demon tribe experts like goods to be converted by Spirit Mountain.

These demon beings achieved brilliant military exploits for Spirit Mountain, plundering countless resources. The rapid development of the Incense Fire Divine Kingdom within ten thousand years was closely related to their contributions.

But recently, to reduce the burden on the Twelve Golden Lotus Petals, Spirit Mountain ordered numerous primordial fierce beasts to bury these old contributors.

Such matters are countless.”

Li Changshou paused and looked at Golden Turtle, saying seriously:

“Suppose the Severing Sect was only three points stronger than the Enlightenment Sect, rather than having today’s overwhelming advantage, and the Western Paradise interfered.

The Enlightenment Sect, following the principle of minimizing their own losses, agrees to ally with the Western Paradise, then what path lies before the Severing Sect immortals?

Being converted, being devoured – it would only take Second Uncle Master restraining Third Uncle Master, and the Severing Sect wouldn’t even have a chance to resist.”

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother sighed: “I was perhaps too soft-hearted, always feeling this approach weighs on the conscience.”

“It’s not bad that Senior Sister has such thoughts.”

Li Changshou said slowly: “It shows that the Severing Sect and Western Paradise remain fundamentally different – we don’t disregard others’ lives simply for our benefit.”

“That’s… not exactly…”

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother tilted her head, somewhat embarrassed.

“Senior Sister, I have a question.”

“Junior Brother Changgeng, please ask.”

“Would Senior Sister be willing to help the Severing Sect, help the Dao Sect do something?”

Li Changshou secretly turned off the recording orb.

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother hurriedly said: “Of course I’m willing. Junior Brother Changgeng’s calculations are miraculous – if you can give us some advice, that would be best.”

Li Changshou gazed into Golden Turtle Spirit Mother’s eyes. Though they showed gentleness, behind that gentleness lay a hint of determination.

She had come seeking Li Changshou earlier simply because she couldn’t understand some things and wanted Li Changshou to convince her.

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother didn’t understand why Senior Brother had suddenly become somewhat ‘unreasonable’, why Senior Sister Jinling and Senior Brother Gongming and others were all radiating such killing intent when the Western Paradise had no direct grudge against their Severing Sect.

Li Changshou’s reasons were fair and simple.

First, the Western Paradise had done many evil deeds and was not benevolent.

Second, whether or not they destroyed the Western Paradise’s forces, the two Sacred Ones of the Western Paradise would move against the Severing Sect.

These two points alone were sufficient reasons for the Severing Sect to take preemptive action.

Li Changshou said:

“This time the Severing Sect’s move against the Western Paradise is hasty, with many improper and unstable aspects, but Uncle Master Tongtian’s orders have been given – the die is cast, the arrow is on the string.

I will help secretly later, but due to my position as an official deity of the Heaven Court, I cannot give too much obvious support.

I have a plan that can reduce the guilt felt by other Severing Sect immortals, but it may require Senior Sister to do some things that weigh on the conscience.”

“What does it matter if it weighs on the conscience,” Golden Turtle Spirit Mother said seriously. “As long as I can help Senior Brother and the others, and let our sect brothers and sisters feel less guilt, I don’t mind being the villain.”

“It won’t go as far as being a villain,” Li Changshou pondered for a moment, a plan already forming in his mind.

He remained silent for a while before speaking, carefully examining his thoughts and calculating various scenarios. Finding that Golden Turtle Spirit Mother could indeed play a unique role and that even the worst case wouldn’t affect the overall situation, he settled on this plan.

“Senior Sister, you just need to…”

And so he explained in detail.

Li Changshou repeatedly instructed Golden Turtle Spirit Mother in the clouds. She went from initial confusion and incomprehension to gradual understanding, unconsciously giving Li Changshou complicated glances.

“Junior Brother Changgeng,” she said softly, “your move is so underhanded… ah, I don’t mean it that way, I mean your abilities are too impressive.”

Li Changshou smiled calmly, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed at the sea of clouds.

This barely qualified as an underhanded tactic – what was currently happening was truly using dirty methods to combat evil.

…

Three days later, in a bustling town somewhere in the South Sea.

A nimble female immortal moved through various streets and alleys, following previously accumulated experience and old dragon guidance, finding scattered immortals who specialized in trading ‘information’, and spending some spirit stones.

The female immortal displayed the dao charm of the Heaven Immortal realm and used the type of treasure pouch common among human cultivators, making her origins completely unidentifiable.

Within just a few hours, messages began spreading through the town. The vast majority of independent cultivators, who believed [The path of cultivation is long – better to idle and gossip], quickly joined the crowd of spectators.

“Fellow Daoist, have you heard? The Western Paradise is going to ally with the Severing Sect against the Enlightenment Sect!”

“Fellow Daoist, is this information reliable?”

“How could it not be? This poor Daoist’s dao partner comes from Kunlun Mountain!”

“With the Great Tribulation descending, the three sects fighting, and blood flowing like rivers in Middle God Continent, it’s not surprising at all. How will the Enlightenment Sect handle this?”

“It’ll be difficult.”

Soon, more detailed messages spread, such as the Severing Sect’s senior disciple secretly meeting with the Western Paradise Sacred One’s disciple, Maitreya and Duobao Daoren sitting together drinking tea and discussing the dao, each rumor more fantastical than the last.

However, the female immortal hurriedly left, rushing to a distant immortal island to employ the same tactics.

But the messages spread from here claimed the Enlightenment Sect and Western Paradise had allied to deal with the Severing Sect together.

Soon after, the female immortal changed battlegrounds again, scattering spirit stones and turning large numbers of independent cultivators into mouthpieces.

The Western Paradise, Enlightenment Sect, and Severing Sect began combining in different configurations, opinions varied wildly with no clear truth, even leading to cultivators fighting over these matters.

The South Sea was in turmoil, with news rapidly spreading outward.

Two days later, under the hidden push of a great hand, the message that [Two of the three sects involved in the tribulation have already allied] was believed by the vast majority of cultivators.

Even the chaos of war in the Middle God Continent temporarily paused as various immortal sects activated their networks to investigate, thereby affecting the Enlightenment, Severing, and Western Paradise sects.

Disciples within the three sects also began discussing this matter.

The Severing Sect naturally believed the Enlightenment Sect and Western Paradise had allied, most feeling righteous indignation at the Enlightenment Sect colluding with outside enemies.

The Enlightenment Sect worried about the Severing Sect and Western Paradise joining forces, with great danger hanging over their heads.

Most of the Western Paradise was completely confused, though fortunately a Vice Patriarch-level elder quickly clarified that they were allied with the Enlightenment Sect and had no cooperation with the Severing Sect.

Of course, the Vice Patriarch strictly ordered this information not to be shared externally to avoid trouble.

However, the Western Paradise… had a mole.

Li Changshou learned of this immediately through Senior Wenjing and was somewhat speechless.

Had he overestimated his opponents?

He couldn’t be careless – better to continue following his steps.

Li Changshou’s great hand manipulated, his public opinion divine ability showing fierce fangs, beginning the first wave of fierce attacks.

[The Western Paradise and Enlightenment Sect have confirmed their alliance, jointly opposing the Severing Sect in the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods. The Western Paradise fully supports the Enlightenment Sect, promised three thousand Severing Sect disciples for conversion.]

After another three days, this news spread throughout the Five Continents and nearby Great Thousand Worlds. The Severing Sect was filled with righteous indignation, and the Severing Sect Golden Immortal Discussion Conference being held on Golden Turtle Island was temporarily suspended due to the participants’ intense emotions.

Ke Le’er withdrew in time, returning to Dragon Palace for vacation.

Ao Yi felt quite regretful about this, as he had only done some insignificant small tasks, unable to go kill enemies.

After Ke Le’er’s withdrawal, the public opinion offensive in the primordial chaos didn’t stop.

Li Changshou aimed the spearhead at the Dragon Race, revisiting the matter of the East Sea Eye being broken, igniting the Dragon Race’s flames of hatred while preventing the Western Paradise from focusing their attention in one place.

The killing move was still to come.

Half a month later, the Four Sea Dragon Kings gathered at the East Sea Eye to mourn their clan members who died in the past.

The West Sea Dragon King was extremely angry, giving the infamous [Their Mother’s · Must Have Revenge] speech, which received support from most of the Dragon Race’s upper echelons.

The East Sea Dragon King, as the Dragon Race’s leader, was somewhat hesitant. Although the Western Paradise was no longer what it had been, with their secret forces crippled and several disciples having successive mishaps, they still had two Sacred Ones presiding.

Even with just one Sacred One, the entire Dragon Race together wouldn’t be a match.

The Dragon Race felt quite stifled.

Just then, another piece of news came from the Three Thousand Worlds, which was rather ‘explosive’.

The day before, the Immortal Alliance armies had broken through an incense fire Buddha country, capturing intact the Buddha country’s domain – a palace floating in the sky. They found large quantities of treasure materials inside, dispersed huge amounts of incense fire merit, and discovered hundreds of stone tablets being carved.

These stone tablets were made of extremely particular material, ancient Xuanwu black stone, with some tablets having been deliberately aged, and polished to show the marks of time.

The content on the stone tablets was completely identical, summarizing eight characters…

[Enlightenment is Dao’s Truth, Severing is Enlightenment’s End].

What is killing the body to strike at the heart?

Tactical leanback.

When this news came out, the primordial chaos was in an uproar.

What was the Western Paradise doing with such tablets?

Blatantly causing opposition between the Enlightenment and Severing sects, especially at this moment when the Great Tribulation was erupting – their malicious intentions were beyond description.

The bell of the Enlightenment Sect’s Jade Void Palace rang out, immortal cultivators quickly gathered, and the Enlightenment Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals all appeared, each with a grave expression.

The Western Paradise immediately sealed their mountain, with several Vice Patriarchs immediately questioning whose rotten idea this was, reportedly leading to a bloody incident.

The Severing Sect…

Was about to explode.

That fuse was already crackling chaotically.

First, the Immortal Alliance spread the contents of several recording orbs and submitted them to the Heaven Court. The recording orbs showed the complete situation of the great battle, proving this matter was not the Immortal Alliance’s intentional frame-up.

The recording orbs showed that after an intense battle, hundreds of Heaven Immortal realm and higher experts on both sides were killed or wounded, and over a hundred thousand immortal soldiers died or were wounded, ending with the Western Paradise’s incense fire divine kingdom forces being driven away.

Afterward, the Immortal Alliance surrounded this celestial palace, and while counting the captured dao texts, found a secret chamber, discovering those many stone tablets covered in formations.

To be honest, the scene was quite shocking.

The Immortal Alliance simultaneously explained: that recording battles with recording orbs was the Heaven Court’s requirement, making the campaign to subdue incense fire divine kingdoms transparent, fair, and impartial, and this was also their Immortal Alliance’s consistent way of doing things…

And so on.

In short, this matter was now iron-clad.

Those stone tablets were quickly escorted back to the Five Continents by several Great Luo Golden Immortals, originally intending to report to the Heaven Court, but were intercepted and detained by a group of Severing Sect immortals.

Half a day later, on Golden Turtle Island.

Hundreds of stone tablets stood on the beach, numerous Severing Sect immortals with gloomy expressions, while living beings in the sea within ten thousand li trembled in fear.

Duobao Daoren’s face was ashen, his hands slightly trembling. He suddenly kicked out, directly crushing the stone tablet before him to powder, his slightly chubby figure showing immense dignity!

“To Spirit Mountain!”

The gathered Golden Immortals on the island were bursting with rage, transforming into streaks of light shooting into the sky, forming a river of stars spanning the heavens, surging toward Spirit Mountain.

Spirit Mountain’s protective grand formation had been activated early, golden light filling the sky.

This time, Spirit Mountain had shown foresight, with the elderly Daoist masters having already mobilized experts from the Three Thousand Worlds to return and guard Spirit Mountain. When this group of Severing Sect Golden Immortals came charging toward Spirit Mountain with a murderous aura, several Vice Patriarchs of Spirit Mountain were already waiting in the sky.

The Dragon Race, which had been watching this situation, also became somewhat restless.

…

In the Crystal Palace of the East Sea, in the Dragon King’s Great Hall.

The West Sea Dragon King paced back and forth continuously, while the South Sea and North Sea Dragon Kings stood to the side stroking their beards in contemplation. Only the Old Dragon King, the family head, remained most calm, still reclining in his coral throne, listening to music from the side, enjoying the gentle massage of sea maidens’ small hands.

Although this Dragon King wouldn’t have a crooked mouth, it was still extremely boring.

“Elder Brother, say something!”

The West Sea Dragon King turned around, his dragon head somewhat flat, his mane trembling at this moment.

“Our Dragon Race was bullied so badly by their Western Paradise before, now a great opportunity has come – how can we just sit and watch?

Elder Brother, what exactly are we waiting for?”

The East Sea Dragon King closed his eyes and sighed softly, but still didn’t speak.

The South Sea Dragon King said in a low voice: “This matter has many suspicious points. First rumors spread everywhere, then various incidents occurred, immediately followed by hundreds of stone tablets being discovered in the Western Paradise’s incense fire divine kingdom.

This sequence… seems too clear-cut.”

“I rather think, whether it’s a scheme or not, this is our chance for revenge,” the North Sea Dragon King sighed. “The Western Paradise is no longer what it once was. In just a few hundred years, they’ve lost half their strength. When they executed their demon tribe generals, they probably didn’t anticipate they would one day be short of troops and commanders.”

“Ah! Now is not the time for such talk!”

The West Sea Dragon King anxiously clapped his hands and declared firmly: “The Severing Sect immortals will reach Spirit Mountain in moments. Given their great anger this time, they’re likely going to directly wage war with Spirit Mountain.

If we don’t take advantage of the Severing Sect Sacred One’s might, when will we ever avenge our past humiliation!”

“Sigh…”

The East Sea Dragon King opened his eyes, looking at his brother, and sighed: “Without orders from the Heaven Court, the Dragon Race cannot act rashly.”

“This is our private grudge against Spirit Mountain! What does it have to do with the Heaven Court?”

“If you lead troops to flank Spirit Mountain today, tomorrow a Sacred One will break open the West Sea Eye.”

The East Sea Dragon King spoke slowly, but his dragon face showed dignity without anger.

“Our Dragon Race is already guilty of crimes. What gave you this mistaken notion that we could contend with Sacred One sects?

For Sacred One sects, are those Sacred One disciples the troublesome ones?

It’s the immortal and indestructible Sacred Ones themselves.

This time the Severing Sect’s angry charge toward Spirit Mountain must be someone’s scheme behind the scenes. The schemer is either the Severing Sect itself or Star-Lord Taibai. Their goal is to eliminate Spirit Mountain’s disciples, cutting off Spirit Mountain’s last arm.

If they truly wanted to destroy the Western Paradise, the Star Lord’s order would already be before us.

Stay put!

Focus on reforming our Dragon Race’s internal problems, clearing out the tumors and chronic ailments step by step. Don’t think about revenge.

We can’t afford any more turmoil.”

“But…”

The West Sea Dragon King wanted to say something more but couldn’t get the words out, only lowering his head with a long sigh, dejected.

The South Sea Dragon King smiled: “Watching from the sidelines is also entertaining. Now I’m curious about the Enlightenment Sect’s reaction.”

The Dragon Kings exchanged glances, each sending out a stream of light, tacitly forming a water mirror that directly showed the situation around Kunlun Mountain.

The Jade Void Palace was shrouded in Sacred One dao charm – they dared not probe it and couldn’t see through it.

But observing the situation outside wasn’t difficult to accomplish. From here they could see when the Enlightenment Sect would deploy troops and could make judgments about whether to give the Severing Sect any warnings or reminders.

At this moment, the Jade Void Palace appeared very peaceful from afar, as if nothing was happening.

But looking carefully, one could faintly see many figures moving within the Jade Void Palace, and many great daos had gathered here – almost ninety percent of the Enlightenment Sect’s disciples.

The South Sea Dragon King frowned: “Could today see a battle between the three sects?”

As soon as the South Sea Dragon King’s words fell, the East Sea Dragon King had already raised his claw to point at the mirror’s image, quickly pulling the viewpoint back.

A white cloud descended from the sky toward the Jade Void Palace, carrying dozens of beautiful immortal maidens, with Heaven Court Princess Longji leading them in full formal dress.

Behind the immortal maidens was a large contingent of heavenly soldiers and generals, either carrying gift boxes alone or in pairs carrying treasure chests, totaling several hundred gifts altogether.

Soon, this group of immortal maidens descended toward the Jade Void Palace. The already crowded palace instantly became even more lively.

The four Dragon Kings’ observation was quickly blocked by Sacred One dao charm. They exchanged glances and shared a knowing laugh.

The sea maidens behind them remained motionless, heads lowered as they continued their work.

Sure enough, this was Star-Lord Taibai’s handiwork.

Speaking of Longji, she timed her arrival precisely according to the jade talisman Li Changshou gave her, bringing people to deliver gifts to the Jade Void Palace at exactly the right moment.

The Enlightenment Sect’s Senior Brother Guangcheng Zi had just been about to order them to go observe the situation near Spirit Mountain – which actually meant going to support Spirit Mountain – when his divine sense detected Princess Longji and her group.

Guangcheng Zi immediately understood this was the Heaven Court – or rather, Li Changshou – intentionally intervening.

This made Guangcheng Zi hesitate for a while, considering the possible consequences of the Human Sect directly involving itself in this matter.

Although the Human Sect had few disciples, among the three Dao sects, it was the true elder brother. If the Human Sect directly intervened, it would mean the Dao Sect was ready to go to war with the Western Paradise.

Today’s matter truly needed careful consideration – a decision couldn’t be made lightly.

One wrong move could lead to Sacred One warfare.

For the Western Paradise, this was nothing short of impending disaster, but for the Enlightenment Sect, every choice was incredibly difficult.

While Guangcheng Zi was hesitating, immortals had already welcomed Princess Longji into the main hall.

Longji first spoke as the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter about the Enlightenment Sect’s great contributions to heaven and earth’s stability and presented gifts to the immortals.

Then she began taking out the gifts one by one, delivering them to every Enlightenment Sect immortal whose name she could recall.

Longji had done her homework. Most gifts were quite valuable, making the Enlightenment Sect immortals beam with joy as they exchanged pleasantries with her.

Using gift-giving to delay time – this truly was a unique approach.

Meanwhile;

At Small Qiong Peak in the Taibai Palace.

Before the pill-refining room, three lounge chairs were arranged in a row, covered with soft cushions and armrests, with two bronze mirrors floating directly in front.

From left to right lay Li Changshou, the Great Dharma Master, and Kong Xuan.

Kong Xuan appeared even more radiant and charming than her last appearance, her phoenix eyes containing spring peach blossom smiles, clearly quite satisfied with their recent time together, having spent a wonderful honeymoon period in Xuandu City.

The Great Dharma Master’s lips held a faint smile, seeming refreshed as he asked leisurely:

“Junior Brother, what scheme have you arranged this time?”

“I haven’t arranged… ouch!”

Li Changshou covered his temporarily ruined handsome features, now bruised and swollen, somewhat depressed.

Jealousy!

Senior Brother was simply showing naked jealousy!

With a wave of his hand over his face, Li Changshou returned to normal, sprawling in the lounge chair as he said weakly: “Senior Brother, I haven’t arranged anything.”

“Then why is the Severing Sect charging angrily toward Spirit Mountain?”

The Great Dharma Master watched the scenes shown in the bronze mirrors, his eyes showing slight confusion.

The mirrors were split in half – the left showing Spirit Mountain on high alert, while the right showed streaks of light crossing the horizon, rushing from east to west toward Spirit Mountain.

Li Changshou said seriously:

“Senior Brother, I truly have no direct connection to this matter. I only helped a little from the sidelines.

It’s the Severing Sect itself that wants to move against the Western Paradise. Today’s events were proposed by Senior Brother Duobao and approved by Uncle Master Tongtian, who issued the Severing Sect’s kill order.

Probably because the Severing Sect felt urgent, knowing this was the best opportunity to target the Western Paradise.”

Kong Xuan smiled: “This time, will they reduce the Western Paradise from two Sacred Ones to one Sacred One?”

“That’s… unlikely,” the Great Dharma Master of Xuandu smiled. “Sacred Ones are immortal and indestructible. Even the Sixth Sacred One cannot be underestimated – we must be cautious.”

Beside them, Li Changshou silently shed tears of emotion.

Finally, after all his years of preaching, Senior Brother understood this principle and knew not to directly confront Sacred Ones!

Then he heard the Great Dharma Master add: “However if needed today, why don’t we join forces to meet Zhunti? With the Taiji Diagram’s protection, we should be able to delay him for a few days.”

“Mm,” Kong Xuan nodded gently, “I’ll follow your arrangements.”

The Great Dharma Master immediately showed a contented smile.

Nearby, Ling’e and Xiong Lingli rode clouds carrying trays, serving fragrant tea, and placing fruit plates, while paper avatars transformed into immortal maidens played the zither nearby, creating quite a pleasant atmosphere.

The Great Dharma Master smiled: “You two, when will you achieve proper results? Changshou, do you have any of that wine left?”

“None left,” Li Changshou spread his hands honestly, then glanced at Ling’e’s blushing face and smiled: “Senior Brother, if you found that wine good, just considering certain aspects of its effects, I have many substitutes here.”

The Great Dharma Master smiled calmly: “Keep them for yourself. Your elder brother has his abilities… They’ve arrived.”

Li Changshou immediately focused his attention, staring at the scenes shown in the bronze mirrors.

The fastest streaks of light had already reached Spirit Mountain’s eastern side, directly facing several Western Paradise elderly Daoists who had been waiting in the sky.

The first person wore a gold gauze waist-binding dress, holding a dragon-tiger jade ruyi scepter, her beautiful face showing slight anger and eyes containing cold light, her long hair floating behind her, her pressure alone overwhelming five opponents!

It was Golden Spirit Mother.

To Golden Spirit Mother’s right, a celestial maiden in snow-white robes with incomparably beautiful features and naturally cold charm stood quietly, holding the Primordial Golden Dipper in her palm, with a palm-sized jade statue hidden in her sleeve.

It was Celestial Maiden Yun Xiao.

To Yun Xiao’s right, Qiong Xiao and Golden Turtle Spirit Mother revealed themselves, the former’s beautiful face showing slight anger, the latter’s face showing worry.

To Golden Spirit Mother’s left, Wudang Spirit Mother wore cyan robes, holding a strange wooden staff, her dao charm no weaker than Qiong Xiao and Golden Turtle Spirit Mother.

Six of the Severing Sect’s Eight Great Disciples’ celestial maidens had all arrived!

Just them alone made Spirit Mountain’s grand formation dim, causing those Vice Patriarchs to break out in cold sweat.

Six great daos spread out, heaven and earth turned ice-cold, and all living beings fled in all directions.

“Everyone…”

An elderly Daoist had just started to speak when Golden Spirit Mother’s eyes burst with cold light, making him instinctively close his mouth, not daring to say more.

Just then, streaks of light came flying in – one to two thousand immortals, male, and female in equal numbers, including the Ten Lords of Golden Turtle Island, the Four Lesser Saints of Nine Dragon Island, the Seventy-Two Immortal Beauties of Penglai Island, Shi Ji of Skeleton Mountain, Flame Immortal of Fire Dragon Island, Lu Yue of Sky’s Edge Mystery Realm…

Among them, fully one-third were experts whose names were known throughout the primordial chaos!

As the first batch of Severing Sect immortals arrived, Golden Spirit Mother gave a cold shout:

“Surround Spirit Mountain!”

The streaks of light immediately split into streams, completely encircling Spirit Mountain from left and right, numerous great daos contending, numerous immortal lights competing in brilliance!

A Western Paradise elderly Daoist demanded sternly: “Friend, what is the meaning of this! This is our Western Paradise Sacred Ones’ dao field!”

“We’re surrounding your Sacred Ones’ dao field!”

Golden Spirit Mother shouted angrily, streams of light flying from her sleeve, directly smashing over ten stone tablets into Spirit Mountain.

“Promoting Enlightenment to destroy Severing? Your Western Paradise schemes well!

Today we’ll see whether your Western Paradise falls, or our Severing Sect perishes!”

At these words, those elderly Daoists’ expressions changed immediately. The Severing Sect immortals’ rage was fully ignited, divine abilities and magical treasures raised together, suddenly darkening heaven and earth for a hundred thousand li!

But at the pill-refining room, the Human Sect’s small team sat quietly, showing no signs of moving yet.

Direct fighting was impossible now – the three Sacred Ones from both sides hadn’t appeared, and two key figures from the Severing Sect hadn’t shown up either.

This was just the intimidation phase. After forcing out the Western Paradise’s Sacred Ones would come the crucial step.

The Great Dharma Master asked softly: “Changshou, does Uncle Master Tongtian have confidence in dealing with two Sacred Ones?”

“Yes.”

Li Changshou nodded calmly, seeming quite confident about this.

Of course he was confident.

Elder Sister Chaos Bell just didn’t want to help the Severing Sect suppress their sect’s fate – she hadn’t said anything about not helping in combat.

The key point now was actually…

Li Changshou pointed with his finger, and the previously merged bronze mirror image split again into two sides, showing Zhao Gongming’s situation.

Zhao Gongming was hiding near the Jade Void Palace, looking up at the sky with vacant eyes, adjusting himself to the right state.

He was about to lie down, and must lie down.

Today was the moment to challenge the limits of his professional career – whether he could hold off one sect alone would depend on his performance in the moment.

There was honor to defend!

Li Changshou watched Zhao Gongming for a few moments, saw that the old brother was in good condition, and turned his attention to another small arrangement.

Golden Turtle Spirit Mother…

At this moment her face was melancholy, her eyes carrying some sadness, already in character.