If an excellent Heavenly Tribulation takes pride in being a cultivator’s nightmare…

Then Shen Bao’s Heavenly Tribulation had no sense of shame.

It was a disgrace among Tribulations!

It acted recklessly without regard for living beings, violating its value positioning!

Li Changshou’s paper person hid deep within the earth, his divine consciousness watching the layers of lightning curtains.

Initially, the Heavenly Dao seemed like an emotionless roadblock to immortality for living beings, showing no mercy even when striking Tribulation Envoys like Shen Bao.

After just five tribulation lightning bolts, Shen Bao was already thoroughly wretched.

Shen Bao’s Dao body showed obvious signs of collapse. He certainly couldn’t withstand the next three bolts – he would inevitably fall at the seventh tribulation.

There was no help for it – Shen Bao’s foundation was weak and his techniques were mixed. Before taking form, he had no special background, had never eaten any miraculous pills or medicines, and had never encountered any Ancient World bigshots who would cry “I don’t want to live anymore” and sacrifice themselves to enlighten him.

Shen Bao didn’t even know how he had muddleheadedly arrived at the immortality tribulation.

Facing the violent tribulation, Shen Bao lowered his head with a long sigh, despair showing in his eyes, and then…

Composed a poem.

“Half a life drifting, half at ease,

One tribulation empty, immortal path hard to seize.

Though unfaithful, still a confidant knows me,

This lonely body can only sigh with unease.”

Shen Bao revealed a somewhat resigned smile, in this instant overcoming his heart demon, welcoming his own destruction.

As is widely known, though living beings differ from one another, they all experience ‘flashbacks’ when facing desperate situations.

In this extremely desperate situation, scenes flashed through Shen Bao’s mind…

Several times drinking and talking freely with Brother Geng Chang;

The few meetings with Senior Lu Ya;

The rest were beautiful and joyful moments between men and women, too numerous to count…

Now, all that remained were a few bitter laughs.

“Miaomiao!” Shen Bao suddenly called out to the tribulation clouds: “Thank you for your care! This poor Daoist… can only repay you in the next life!”

If there would even be a next life after falling under tribulation.

Shen Bao closed his eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks, preparing his last bit of magical power. Though he had despaired, the instincts of a living being made him want to struggle.

By the way, his few minor spiritual treasures – his entire fortune – had all been destroyed while resisting the tribulation.

Rumble!

The tribulation clouds shook!

The sixth bolt arrived right on schedule!

Shen Bao opened his eyes, his gray-white hair floating behind him, his seemingly honest face completely numb.

Just then!

A scene that almost made Li Changshou curse out loud unfolded—

The originally fast-rotating tribulation clouds suddenly coiled inward, releasing two purple-red lightning balls, each containing rather powerful tribulation force, crashing down.

Halfway down, the two lightning balls suddenly collided with each other, exploding without warning into electric arcs filling the sky.

What makes a Tribulation Envoy?

This is what makes a Tribulation Envoy!

The Heavenly Dao blatantly cheated, displaying pure domineering might!

Shen Bao was stunned as the tribulation clouds visibly shrank by a small half.

He made some quick mental calculations, his eyes suddenly lighting up with joy as he exclaimed:

“Could this poor Daoist… pass!?”

Then came a “crack” as a purple-black lightning bolt swallowed Shen Bao’s form, making him lower his head and spit blood, black cracks appearing all over his Dao body.

This was the harbinger of his foundation about to shatter.

The light in Shen Bao’s eyes immediately dimmed. He hadn’t even considered why there was such a short interval between the sixth and seventh tribulation bolts.

By the way, his tribulation seemed to only have a tiny heart demon, without any “Annihilation Heavenly Wind,” “Mortal Karma Fire,” or “Dao Merging Divine Water” as [seasoning].

“Indeed, still hoping to live.

All bubbles, just a moment’s firework.”

Shen Bao laughed bitterly, sighing, quietly awaiting his final fate.

He was finished!

Hum—

Strange fluctuations suddenly appeared in the tribulation clouds, and two bolts of lightning – one black, one white – fell!

They appeared mighty in power, carrying the dao rhythm of yin-yang annihilation, but the two lightning bolts canceled each other out above Shen Bao’s head, with only a slight impact force making Shen Bao fall back awkwardly.

Li Changshou: …

Black Panther: …

All watching living beings: …

Shen Bao was still a bit dazed, carefully counting – this black and white tribulation lightning seemed like, should be, probably… was the eighth bolt?

“Did this poor Daoist… pass?”

Just then!

The tribulation clouds above kept converging inward, slowly condensing into a huge lightning ball over a thousand zhang in diameter, crashing down toward Shen Bao without a word.

At that moment, Shen Bao was terrified but also numb, allowing himself to be swallowed by the tribulation of lightning, even spreading his arms.

A tear slowly rolled down from the corner of his eye.

Li Changshou now quite understood Shen Bao, after all, they had drunk together several times, talked several times, and Shen Bao had poured his heart out dozens of times.

In the mysterious beyond, Li Changshou seemed to hear Shen Bao’s heart voice, an indignant lament:

[Damn it, just give me a quick end.]

Underground, Li Changshou’s paper person took out a jade slip, writing line after line of text within.

This was an irregular tribulation, evidence of the Heavenly Dao’s consciousness, while also reflecting certain mechanisms of the Heavenly Dao’s operation, as well as the positive and negative feedback when Shen Bao the Tribulation Envoy repeatedly jinxed things.

Shen Bao had something linking him to the Heavenly Dao’s origin, or rather, the Heavenly Dao had shaped Shen Bao into this Tribulation Envoy, responsible for later drawing the Severing Sect into the tribulation.

Half an hour later, the lightning dispersed, and a charred body fell from the sky.

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow, naturally discovering a thread of life force contained within Shen Bao’s body…

Help?

Or not save?

Not far away, several streaks of light flashed up – some wandering cultivators coming to try their luck.

Li Changshou pondered briefly, his paper person moving closer underground, but just as he was about to act, a clear cry cut across the sky.

A white crane swooped down from high in the sky, transforming into a white rainbow, catching up to Shen Bao extremely quickly, directly grabbing the severely injured Shen Bao, leaving behind a cold snort as it turned back toward Mount Kunlun.

“Don’t court death.”

White Crane Boy, the Enlightenment Sect’s messenger, South Pole Immortal Elder’s servant.

Those few wandering cultivators who had been about to advance looked at each other, exchanged glances, and quickly lowered their heads and flew away, leaving this place of trouble.

Li Changshou’s paper person quietly left using escape techniques, pondering for a while.

Shen Bao’s identity as a Tribulation Envoy must have been discovered by the Sages, after all, the hints given by the Heavenly Dao in this tribulation were extremely obvious.

On Patriarch Tongtian’s side, either he wasn’t paying attention to this place, or he had also sent someone out but they were too far away and were beaten to it by White Crane Boy.

With Shen Bao returning to Mount Kunlun, next should be him becoming Second Uncle Master’s disciple.

This seemed like the Heavenly Dao consolidating and maintaining the original tribulation script, but actually, there were many differences.

Because of his own “delay,” Master’s reincarnation as Jiang Ziya was pushed back;

In his interactions with Shen Bao, he had secretly given Shen Bao many pointers about cultivation, accelerating Shen Bao’s tribulation.

This led to…

Shen Bao might very well become Jiang Shang’s senior brother.

Regardless, the year of Jiang Shang’s ascent of the mountain had changed.

Though the change was small, it could become the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings; and this was just one among many butterflies.

At Little Jade Peak, Li Changshou’s consciousness returned, and he couldn’t help but purse his lips.

Who was the Heavenly Dao’s most beloved “son” – there could be no dispute now, right?

Of course, it was the Jade Emperor.

…

With Shen Bao returning to Mount Kunlun, Li Changshou immediately turned his attention to where his old master’s reincarnation was.

Sure enough.

Second Uncle Master Primordial Heavenly Lord seemed to have glimpsed the heavenly secrets and received the Heavenly Dao’s reminder. Wanting to keep two Tribulation Envoys under his control, the very next day he sent South Pole Immortal Elder to the Jiang family in the Southern Continent.

At this time, Jiang Shang was middle-aged, with a happy family, carrying on his father’s will with a prosperous family, just lacking children.

For this reason, Jiang Shang had widely opened the door to taking concubines, with as many as thirty-two concubines, working day and night to continue the family bloodline.

His determination and persistence were truly moving heaven and earth!

Li Changshou didn’t quite know how to comment on this matter.

Although when he had found the Old Man Under the Moon, he had only arranged three marriages for his master, and they were just ordinarily stunning beauties.

But he hadn’t expected…

This wave was quite impressive.

If Li Changshou hadn’t been disguising himself as the Jiang mansion’s head chef these years, secretly providing Jiang Shang with foundation-nurturing pills, Jiang Shang would have been emptied by wine and women long ago!

But looking at it another way, through this, Jiang Shang had experienced mortal glory and wealth, which might significantly help his mindset for cultivation.

By the way, that immortal maiden from the Holy Mother Palace had deliberately transformed into an old woman’s appearance to avoid being chosen.

That day, South Pole Immortal Elder floated on a cloud above the Jiang mansion, observed Jiang Shang taking an afternoon nap in the courtyard for a while, and then slowly descended.

In an instant, immortal light flashed and hundreds of birds sang in harmony. Strands of immortal dao rhythm spread out, making the mortals in the mansion first startled, then hurriedly bow in worship.

“An immortal!”

“The Peach Immortal has descended!”

Jiang Shang was awakened by the surrounding calls, stunned for a moment before quickly rising and hastily bowing to the South Pole Immortal Elder.

South Pole Immortal Elder raised his hand in a virtual gesture of support, using immortal power to help Jiang Shang up, saying gently:

“Jiang Shang, your mortal fate is exhausted, and your immortal destiny has arrived. Why not quickly follow this poor Daoist back to Jade Void Palace to cultivate the method of longevity and seek freedom and ease?”

Jiang Shang was stunned, first overjoyed, stepping forward twice, but then heard gentle calls from the side.

“My Lord~”

“Husband!”

Jiang Shang stopped in his tracks, turning his head to look toward the side courtyard, seeing all the beauties rushing over after hearing the news, each with tears in their eyes.

“This…”

Jiang Shang showed hesitation in his eyes, turning to ask the South Pole Immortal Elder: “If my mortal fate is exhausted, what of my wives?”

South Pole Immortal Elder smiled and said:

“Jade Void Palace is Sage’s dao field, a place for immortal cultivation, naturally it cannot accommodate mortal husband-wife sentiments.

But you need only follow this poor Daoist, and I will send disciples to settle your household matters.

The mortal realm is like a dream, decades pass in an instant. How can there be talk of eternal love when pursuing momentary pleasure?

Better to seek immortality and the Dao, find true happiness.”

Hearing this, those beauties, thinking that their husband and their support would leave them from now on, couldn’t help but feel grief rising in their hearts. One after another they cried and wept, saying they couldn’t bear to part.

“This, this…”

Jiang Shang was quite hesitant for a moment, but the South Pole Immortal Elder waited with a smile, waiting for Jiang Shang to make his choice.

If their Jade Void Palace used force when actively recruiting disciples, they would inevitably invite criticism.

Moreover, Jiang Shang’s identity was special, requiring careful handling.

“My Lord! My Lord!”

A call came from the side as a burly man ran in carrying a kitchen knife – it was the Jiang mansion’s gold medal chef.

That South Pole Immortal Elder’s eyes crinkled in a smile.

The ‘head chef’ smiled and said: “Congratulations to My Lord for obtaining immortal destiny, congratulations to My Lord for obtaining immortal destiny. From now on, may you have eternal life and heavenly blessings!”

Jiang Shang frowned and sighed, turning to repeatedly bow to the South Pole Immortal Elder, then said:

“Immortal, might I think about this matter properly?

This is not disrespect toward the immortal, it’s just that family ties are hard to let go.”

“Hey, what’s so difficult about this?”

The ‘head chef’ muttered: “My Lord, you’re going to cultivate immortality, you have no sons or daughters, and you won’t need these mortal gold and silver treasures anymore. Why not give us five or ten years’ wages first, sell off the mansion and businesses, and divide the family property into thirty-two shares, The wife gets the big share, and concubines get the smaller ones.

Everyone parts on good terms, no need to waste this fate.”

Jiang Shang stamped his foot and scolded: “Nonsense! These wives of mine are so loving toward me, how can the deep feelings between us be measured by family property and gold and silver!”

“Well… that’s not impossible,” came a mutter from the corner.

The women stopped crying, their eyes shining as they looked at Jiang Shang.

“My Lord, immortal destiny is rare, you shouldn’t miss it.”

“Though this humble one is reluctant to part with My Lord, I know this is My Lord’s great blessing. How could I use mortal feelings to bind My Lord? That would be this humble one’s greatest sin.”

“Isn’t there a saying that rouge and powder are like skeletons? My Lord, we are all skeletons, you shouldn’t be attached.”

Jiang Shang: …

Thus, half a month later.

As the Jiang mansion’s plaque was slowly taken down, only a few strong men remained moving furniture inside.

Where once were fluttering orioles and swallows, red flowers and green willows, now remained only a lonely lamp and wild grass.

“Alas.”

Jiang Shang sighed, smiled self-mockingly, and walked with his hands behind his back toward the empty white cloud ahead. The cloud steadily carried him up, slowly rising into the sky, leaving the common folk below bowing and calling out.

Outside the city, on a donkey cart, the Jiang mansion’s head chef traveled far away with an old woman.

When they reached a place far from any people, immortal light flowed around that old woman as she transformed into a beautiful immortal maiden;

The head chef’s form slowly changed, becoming the middle-aged Daoist face that Li Changshou commonly used.

The immortal maiden first gave a light laugh, then sighed, saying:

“Mortal feelings are truly hard to fathom.

Previously so loving and intimate, jealous and angry for each other, but in the end they just took some gold and silver trinkets and went their separate ways, quite happily.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “There were a few who were truly heartbroken, just overshadowed by the joy of many others.”

“Still find it hard to accept.”

That immortal maiden stood up and smiled: “Star-Lord, why did you acquiesce to the Enlightenment Sect taking a disciple? Didn’t you turn back Guangcheng Zi when he came before?”

Li Changshou smiled and said:

“When Senior Brother Guangcheng Zi came, he represented the Enlightenment Sect. When Senior Brother South Pole came, he represented Second Uncle Master.

I can refuse the Enlightenment Sect, but can’t well refuse Second Uncle Master.”

The Holy Mother Palace immortal maiden carefully pondered this, praising it as ‘marvelous’, then sighed:

“Alas, the Great Tribulation will fall, living beings will suffer… This servant will return to Holy Mother Palace to report.”

“Thank you for Holy Mother’s concern in protecting Jiang Shang’s safety. Please convey my gratitude.”

“You’re too kind.”

The immortal maiden bowed slightly, her figure transforming into glowing points of light that quietly burst apart – quite an excellent escape technique.

Li Changshou’s eyes lit up as he carefully felt the fluctuations of the five elements’ power and the subtle disturbances in heaven and earth, then nodded after a moment.

Learned it, average, not much use.

He looked up to see Jiang Shang had already flown high into the sky, meeting with the South Pole Immortal Elder. After exchanging Daoist bows, they headed toward Mount Kunlun.

From then on, the mortal world had one less ‘wealthy man’, while Jade Void Palace gained one more cultivator, who would tell everyone…

[Before coming to the mountain, this poor Daoist had thirty-two wives and concubines.]

Li Changshou stretched his legs, and this paper person along with the ox cart instantly transformed into a bit of dust, dispersing in the wind.

Thus it was:

Shen Bao and Jiang Shang return to Jade Void, and the Severing Sect completely fails to entangle.

In front of the pill-refining chamber, Li Changshou’s brows were slightly furrowed as he pondered why there was no movement at all from the Severing Sect.

After Shen Bao was taken back by White Crane Boy, Jiang Shang became a necessarily contested Tribulation Envoy. The Great Tribulation’s mandate of heaven was on these two people – it was impossible the Sages couldn’t detect this yet.

Could Third Uncle Master…

Have fallen asleep in the bath?

Li Changshou scratched his brow, somewhat puzzled by this but not too hung up about it.

Just as he was thinking of resting for a few days before continuing to manage various complicated calculations, his heart suddenly stirred, and his consciousness immediately moved toward the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, where a paper person opened his eyes in a room.

Outside came the sound of gongs and drums, and joyful shouts:

“It’s time! The Lady is about to give birth!”

It was Jin Zha about to enter the world.

Li Changshou’s paper person blinked, deftly put on a satin short jacket, brought his ‘senior servant’ wooden tablet, and calmly walked out of his private cottage.

That [My Lord, the Lady has given birth!] had to be announced by him.

Just a little sense of participation.