[Previously:

Li Changshou took a brief respite from his busy schedule to issue an imperial edict from Heaven Court, using Heaven’s Way to lock onto Xu Puti’s whereabouts. He then led Baize and Golden Peng to surround him from all sides, driving Xu Puti into the Chaos Sea]

When Western Scripture disciples discovered Xu Puti, his body was covered in marks that spelled out “righteous”—no, rather “tragic.”

This occurred outside the Spirit Mountain Formation.

Xu Puti wore tattered Daoist robes, his body covered in bloody wounds, his consciousness hazy, with wisps of blood energy surrounding him. No one knew which life-preserving divine ability he had employed.

He appeared to have survived a great battle through some life-saving measure and fled back to the Primordial World.

Perhaps because Xu Puti hadn’t strayed too far from Heaven’s Way’s influence;

Or perhaps because the Western Scripture’s Saint had secretly intervened, Heaven’s Way did not reject Xu Puti.

The Spirit Mountain Formation activated, and a great hand grabbed Xu Puti inside. At this point, Li Changshou’s awareness of Xu Puti was cut off.

Saint Jieyin had personally intervened.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the Three Thousand Worlds, atop Golden Peng’s back.

Li Changshou lowered his head in contemplation. Beside him sat Baize, who had transformed into a three-foot-tall auspicious beast, his hind legs bent as he sat stroking his goatee with a hoof.

Li Changshou smiled and said, “Why doesn’t Master Bai take human form?”

“Oh, I forgot, I forgot,” Baize responded with a laugh. Amid streams of immortal light, he transformed into a scholar with a small mustache, sitting cross-legged beside Li Changshou.

Golden Peng flew even more steadily now, his beak curving into a slight smile. His position as the Human Sect’s second mount was now unshakeable.

Though somehow, it didn’t feel as satisfying as he’d imagined.

Baize glanced toward the Chaos Sea, stroked his beard while pondering, and asked, “Why didn’t you finish off Xu Puti earlier?”

“The Seven Arrow Curse Book,” Li Changshou sighed, “I’ve been worried that he might have hidden it somewhere else, so I wanted to force him into a desperate situation. Unexpectedly, he still managed to escape by luck.”

Baize’s eyes crinkled in amusement as he nodded at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou maintained a neutral expression and winked at Baize.

The two tacticians shared a light laugh.

Baize naturally understood that Li Changshou’s pursuit of Xu Puti and deliberate release was part of a deeper strategy.

The Seven Arrow Curse Book wasn’t just an excuse; it too was part of Li Changshou’s multilayered calculations.

Baize smiled and said, “Lord Water God, with your current divine position and merits, are you still wary of the Seven Arrow Curse Book?”

“I am not afraid, but many direct disciples of the Enlightenment and Severing Sects don’t have much merit to their names.”

Li Changshou shook his head, his expression quite solemn.

“This Seven Arrow Curse Book can be understood as a lethal weapon created by the Demon Court using ancient Heaven’s Way rules. Heaven’s Way cannot deny its significance without denying itself. It’s an evil treasure that takes lives based on merit and destiny. However, it seems to have fallen into Western Scripture’s hands now.”

Baize asked puzzled, “How does Water God deduce that the Seven Arrow Curse Book would be with Xu Puti?”

“First, this aligns with Heaven’s Way’s trend of diminishing beings’ power. Second, Xu Puti had the closest contact with Lu Ya in Western Scripture back then. This Xu Puti convinced many old demons to join his cause, and the Demon Emperor’s Seal was likely delivered to Lu Ya by Xu Puti. Third, I’ve secretly investigated the demon race and questioned many old demons, and when Vice Patriarch Randeng’s lamp was extinguished, the Seven Arrow Curse Book wasn’t found. Calculating all possibilities, the likelihood of the Seven Arrow Curse Book being in Xu Puti’s possession is highest, possibly from some exchange with Lu Ya.”

Li Changshou paused, “Now, it’s probably at Spirit Mountain.”

“Hiss!”

Baize drew in a sharp breath and said firmly, “If a Saint uses this item to secretly plot against a major disciple of the Severing Sect, the Enlightenment and Severing Sects will inevitably break into all-out war.”

“War is already unavoidable.”

Li Changshou sighed softly: “What I’m thinking about now is how to preserve more of the Dao Gate’s vitality, ensure its teachings aren’t lost, and maintain a foothold in the world. Ideally, my two Senior Uncles won’t completely break ties. Though their relationship may worsen, they won’t become mortal enemies. After that, I can retire normally.”

Baize chuckled, “Water God’s attitude of achieving success then retiring shows admirable integrity.”

“Don’t flatter me,” Li Changshou smiled, “I’m just afraid of death.”

Baize nodded in understanding, pondered for a moment, then asked a question he’d long been concerned about…

“When that time comes, might there be room for one more dwelling at your Little Jade Peak?”

“Master, you’re welcome anytime, though we’ll need to entrust the Heaven-Reaching Palace to someone trustworthy first.”

Golden Peng, still soaring swiftly, said, “Master, this disciple wishes to follow you to avoid the world beyond heaven!”

“Ah, Golden Peng, that won’t be necessary.”

Li Changshou said seriously, “You’re different from Master Bai and me. Master Bai originally lived in peaceful seclusion before I caught—ahem before I invited him back as a military advisor.”

Baize’s mouth twitched several times: “Caught is caught indeed. I was outmaneuvered, my wisdom falling short of Changgeng’s.”

“Just luck, just luck.”

Li Changshou calmly changed the subject: “Golden Peng, you carry the fate of the Phoenix Clan. You must serve well in Heaven Court so you can help your Phoenix Clan at crucial moments.”

Golden Peng lowered his head and sighed, but quickly rallied, flying even more swiftly.

He wasn’t a bird given to affectation; he truly bore his clan’s destiny and couldn’t make such decisions based on personal desires.

Golden Peng smiled and said:

“Master, let me carry you through the storms of this great tribulation!

Wherever Master’s gaze falls, this disciple’s spear shall follow, without regret even unto death!”

“Why suddenly so passionate?”

Li Changshou smiled and said, “Master Bai should return to Heaven-Reaching Palace from here. Try not to get too close to the Five Regions; killing intent swirls there, conflicting with Master Bai’s auspicious energy.”

“Yes, thank you for Water God’s concern.”

“Also,” Li Changshou’s smile faded, showing hints of hesitation in thought, but he quickly continued, “Please relay to Junior Aunt Xiaojiu, word for word, that…

After the Investiture’s Great Tribulation, once I’ve handled Heaven Court affairs, I will retire to the Chaos Sea.

By then, Little Jade Peak will have seven or eight beings. If you’re willing to come, there will never be a shortage of spirit wine, though it may grow lonely as time passes.”

Baize’s eyes lit up as he smiled, “Water God, you still can’t let go of Holy Maiden after all.”

“This is all I can promise,” Li Changshou rubbed his brow, “Matters of the heart are a hundred times more complex than any strategy.

When I first felt stirrings for Junior Aunt, she knew nothing of romance, her heart uncertain.

By the time my dao heart was completely occupied by another, I could no longer respond to her feelings.

In the end, I hope she can move past this and stay in the Primordial World, carefree and unfettered. But if she can’t overcome this, I will give her a helping hand.”

Baize muttered softly: “This poor Daoist sees that Yun Xiao and Ling’e wouldn’t mind…”

“Not all relationships are meant to bloom,” Li Changshou’s gaze grew distant, “A person’s heart is finite. If one doesn’t control greed and selfish desires, no matter how profound their dao cultivation, they’ll ultimately be consumed by their avarice.

Besides, even just with Yun and Ling’e, I fear I couldn’t handle it in the future.

As time passes, all sorts of small problems emerge. When couples are in the heat of passion, they only see each other’s virtues, but with time, they must learn to tolerate each other’s flaws.

Especially since the relationship between two great stars attracting and orbiting each other is still calculable;

But three great stars attracting and orbiting each other leads to endless, unpredictable variations.

You can relay these words to Junior Aunt Jiu as well, but not the earlier part about my having feelings—no need to influence her judgment.”

“Understood!”

Baize nodded and said seriously: “This poor Daoist will deliver these words without missing a single character.

However, Lord Water God, living in the Chaos Sea would be livelier with more friends.”

“We’ll see about that when the time comes.”

Li Changshou gazed at the scattered stars in the void and the spots of light blooming from various worlds.

He wondered how much Heaven’s Way and Ancestral Master Dao Creator would believe in his words.

Avoiding the world?

That would only work if the world truly stabilized and he could return at will.

…

Several months later, in the thatched cottage on Little Jade Peak.

Li Changshou slowly unrolled the scroll before him, looking at the symbols each with their meaning, and let out a soft breath.

Without a mechanism to constantly monitor Heaven’s Way’s feedback, all these calculations left him somewhat uncertain.

From hundreds of years ago, he had been ‘promoting’ his retirement, and all arrangements developed in this direction, but whether this truly deceived Heaven’s Way was impossible to judge.

However, the lack of additional resistance likely meant Heaven’s Way or the Dao Creator tacitly approved his plans.

“Tsk…”

After Senior Wave’s death, the Primordial World was nearly at an impasse.

To break through, only the Investiture’s Great Tribulation offered a chance.

Li Changshou’s palm swept across the scroll before him, streams of flame consuming it into a small pile of ash, while the ordinary wooden table remained completely undamaged.

The Investiture had now entered its countdown.

Li Changshou closed his eyes, as if his spirit wandered beyond the material world, his consciousness shifting between various paper avatars, observing the various ‘roles’ in the ‘Primordial World’s Stage: Investiture Drama.’

Shen Bao had gone to the edge of the Western Oxhead Continent, mingling with a group of demons, not far from his Golden Immortal tribulation.

Di Xin was still in swaddling clothes, already immune to all poisons with bones of steel, white and tender, quite adorable, looking nothing like a tyrant.

At Xuanyuan Mound, nightly revelry continued as several demonesses, swayed by Heaven’s Way, spent their last carefree days.

In Great Yin City, a certain fire-stoking maid finally found her chance to shine, earning recognition from a female general.

Wen Zhong wrote furiously at court, cultivating the ways of officialdom and humanity, building his ladder for the next step up.

At the Grand Historian’s mansion, the Scholar of Fifty Carts of Learning bantered with various ministers and visiting feudal lords, mastering hearts and minds with ease despite its difficulty.

In the Southern Continent, numerous capable and extraordinary individuals secretly lurked, with Heaven Court turning a blind eye.

The Severing and Enlightenment Sects each moved their pieces, but both sides avoided conflict, maintaining peace between them.

At age three, Zi Shou witnessed Ji Chang officially succeed as Earl of the West, increasing tributes to the Shang while developing agriculture but reducing military forces, earning Di Yi’s appreciation.

That year, Zi Shou was struck by a startled horse; his head knocked the horse over.

At six, Heaven sent disasters of drought and flood.

Di Yi ordered the capital’s relocation from Yin City to Zhaoge City, using the opportunity to purge some overly powerful noble factions and restructure the power center.

The Shang nation’s power recovered, and to absorb surplus slaves, they launched an expedition against major nations in the southwest not yet under Shang rule.

Li Jing seized this opportunity to join the expeditionary army, and with his father-in-law’s family’s help, his military achievements soared.

At nine, the victorious expeditionary army returned.

Li Jing entered the court as a great general, showing extraordinary ability, but voluntarily requested to return to Chen Tang Town to defend against demons and protect Shang’s borders.

Di Yi was overjoyed, rewarding him generously, especially permitting Chen Tang Town to be renamed Chen Tang Pass, appointing Li Jing as Commander of Chen Tang Pass, controlling a thousand li around it.

Commander meant overseer of military affairs, already a regional governor.

That same year, Li Jing took his wife Lady Yin to Chen Tang Pass, secretly teaching her cultivation methods. The couple lived freely and quite contentedly.

At twelve, eight hundred feudal lords paid court at Zhaoge, the Shang nation prospered, and politics stabilized.

Wen Zhong was appointed Junior Tutor, teaching Zi Shou.

Yet beneath this peace, Li Changshou saw gradually awakening ambitions and saw faces bearing their fangs and claws.

He, the Grand Historian, began fading from Zhaoge City’s view.

At thirteen, the palace collapsed, a beam falling toward Zi Shou, but the strapping youth caught it with one hand, calmly drinking tea.

Nothing unusual, he was used to such things.

Wen Zhong secretly sought an audience with Li Changshou at the Grand Historian’s mansion, speaking privately for several hours before leaving by divine movement.

Within months, Wen Zhong revealed his ‘abilities,’ breaking evil curse formations secretly placed in the Shang palace, accompanying Zi Shou to suppress rebellious states, and establishing magnificent military achievements.

At sixteen, Zi Shou’s marriage was arranged with the Jiang family;

At eighteen… nineteen… twenty-one…

Within the mortal dynasty, power struggles never ceased, but this heir apparent stood like an unwavering rock.

Atop the newly constructed mighty walls of Chen Tang Pass, Li Jing supported his pregnant wife, warm smiles gracing their lips.

Li Jing’s eldest son was already rushing to reincarnate.

Meanwhile, True Lord Taiyi still searched the mortal world, unable to find a satisfactory couple.

At the same time;

Beneath the East Sea, deep in the Dragon Palace.

The East Sea Dragon King and two elders who had survived since ancient times stood before the empty ‘Dragon’s Nest.’

After a long silence, the East Sea Dragon King took a dragon egg from his mouth, placed it in the Dragon’s Nest, and crushed the jade talisman in his hand.

An old dragon asked softly, “Are we going to do this?”

“Yes,” Ao Guang said heavily, “Now we can only trust Star Lord Taibai. Even if it fails, it means our Dragon Clan is fated for tribulation.”

The two old dragons nodded, their three gazes fixed complexly on the slowly trembling dragon egg.

Heaven Court, Little Jade Peak, lakeside cottage.

Li Changshou’s long sleeve lightly swept across, another scroll before him turning to ash.

He chuckled softly, his eyes bearing some brightness, seeming somewhat expectant.

Looking up toward Purple Void Palace, as if he could see that sturdy elder sitting casually among bamboo groves, who was also looking down at him.

The game board: Heaven and Earth.

The players: Non-Saints.

Li Changshou chuckled softly, withdrawing his upward gaze, his consciousness shifting to the edge of the Western Oxhead Continent, watching the rolling tribulation clouds and the trembling middle-aged cultivator beneath them.

Shen Bao’s voice quavered as he looked up at the Golden Immortal tribulation he had drawn, his dao heart continuously twitching, but he still softly exclaimed:

“This, this is the legendary Eight Wilderness Eight Summons Heart-Killing Tribulation, ranked seventeenth among Golden Immortal tribulations!

Eh, seems this poor Daoist has said these words somewhere before.

It’s over, it’s over, this poor Daoist’s efforts for so long were all for nothing!

Alas, why does Heaven treat this poor Daoist so? Death awaits!”

Li Changshou: …

This wave, if you said it wasn’t utilitarian jinxing, even beating Maitreya wouldn’t make him believe it!