In the Heavenly Court, before the Dream Sky Instrument in the Divine Might Palace.

After sending a second dream to Crossing Spirit Gate disciple Lan Ling’e…

The golden-armored immortal official’s spirit returned from the Dream Sky Instrument. Furiously grabbing a long spear, he gritted his teeth and said:

“He actually won’t come! Says he’s refining pills!

Old Man, this minor official will go down and bring him up here!”

The Old Man of the Moon beside him was startled and hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.

Though he knew in his heart the official was just putting on a show – even the smallest Orthodox Unity Sect inheritance was still Orthodox Unity Sect inheritance, and the Crossing Spirit Gate might not even take two small Heavenly Court deities seriously, let alone allow them to directly seize someone.

But after all, he was the one seeking help…

“Official must not, official must not let’s think this through carefully, think this through!”

After the Old Man of the Moon’s persuasion, the golden-armored official finally ‘calmed down.’

The Old Man of the Moon asked: “What did they say over there?”

The official said: “His Junior Sister was quite polite, observing proper etiquette, saying her Senior Brother was at a crucial moment in pill refining and couldn’t be distracted.

She also asked what important business we had with her Senior Brother, requesting we explain if it was urgent.”

“This…”

The Old Man of the Moon immediately found himself in difficulty.

This matter couldn’t be casually spoken of – it concerned his reputation. If it reached His Majesty’s ears, His Majesty would surely blame him.

The Old Man of the Moon pondered for several moments, then said: “Could I trouble Official to help contact his Junior Sister once more? This old one is most grateful.”

“Old Man is too polite, it’s just a tiny matter!”

The official turned to face the Dream Sky Instrument, but couldn’t help grimacing;

Each dream invasion consumed no small amount of his primordial spirit power. A few more times and he would surely faint here…

At the Crossing Spirit Gate, in the pill room.

Li Changshou listened to his Junior Sister describe what had just happened in the meeting, giving her a few instructions.

Soon, Ling’e’s mind wandered slightly, and she hazily saw a patch of clouds and mist.

“Senior Brother! It’s happening again!”

“Go ahead,” Li Changshou smiled and nodded;

Ling’e closed her eyes and quickly entered the dream state, while Li Changshou carefully observed her condition from the side.

She was just asleep…

Completely without Dao rhythm flowing, and no other movements.

Li Changshou raised his hand to poke Ling’e’s arm, and she lightly “mm” in response, as if half-asleep half-awake.

‘As expected of the Heavenly Court, the organization established by Heaven’s Way to manage heaven and earth. Dream invasion must also be triggered by some Heaven’s Way treasure.

How amazing.’

His immortal consciousness swept across Little Jade Peak as Li Changshou fell into thought.

The one pulling strings behind the scenes might not just be the Old Man of the Moon.

The Old Man of the Moon was probably like this current golden-armored divine general, just a tool…

The Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods was far from arriving, the Heavenly Court had only been established recently, even the Jade Emperor had to be cautious, and the Old Man of the Moon appointed by the Jade Emperor should also be a timid person.

Currently, even personal disciples of the Three Schools’ Patriarchs, after ascending to the Heavenly Court, addressed the Jade Emperor as Uncle Master Haotian rather than Your Majesty, and the Jade Emperor had to treat second-generation disciples of the Dao Sects with courtesy…

The Orthodox Unity Sect inheritance was sparse, but had Taiqing Laozi behind it;

Taiqing Sage’s avatar Taishang Laojun had already taken residence in the Heavenly Court’s Tushita Palace, the Jade Emperor certainly wouldn’t dare scheme against the Orthodox Unity Sect, and had no motive to scheme.

Moreover, the Heavenly Court was still the Dao Sect’s back garden at this time, and the Western School’s hand temporarily couldn’t reach in…

Though disciples and followers of the Enlightenment and Severing Schools were gradually becoming incompatible with each other, they hadn’t reached the point of breaking face;

The Orthodox Unity Sect originally didn’t have many inheritances, and had no friction with the Enlightenment and Severing Schools, so their probability of causing trouble was also low.

Using the process of elimination, those who would dare, could and would mess with the Orthodox Unity Sect, could only be the Orthodox Unity Sect itself…

Could it be that some expert within the Orthodox Unity Sect, feeling the Orthodox Unity Sect inheritance was too few, wanted to use marriage fate red strings to make various sect inheritances branch out and multiply?

This had similar ingenuity to his plan to use emotion parasites to promote a pair of rare spirit beasts to breed and multiply…

Who was this expert?

The Crossing Spirit Gate’s acknowledged founding patriarch, Degree Hardship True Person who cultivated on Mount Kunlun?

Not likely…

As a Sage’s registered disciple, this sect patriarch also cultivated carefully, basically had no presence, and wouldn’t dare bear such karmic backlash.

Having heard the Sage lecture on the Dao, one could call oneself registered.

Thinking it through, the Orthodox Unity Sect Sage only had one personal disciple who had this leisure, strength, and influence and dared to have the Old Man of the Moon act to skew the Orthodox Unity Sect’s style…

Xuandu, the Great Master!

Most likely it was him.

But this time the Old Man of the Moon wanted to meet him in dreams, and Li Changshou thought of his previous abnormal conditions…

The current situation was likely that some small problems had been created with his marriage fate by the Great Master, and the Old Man of the Moon was appearing to settle things.

‘I knew it, how could it be poisoning? How could she suddenly have good feelings for me without reason?’

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow but then felt puzzled.

If You Qin Xuanya’s good feelings toward him were indeed arranged by the Old Man of the Moon, then why arrange them for him?

Could it be, he had already caught the Great Master’s attention?

He would need to carefully probe for information later.

Regarding marriage fate, he should have Junior Sister as a shield;

— This was one of the few benefits he could think of when Master took in Junior Sister.

“Heaven’s Way’s transformations are truly unfathomable.

In the vastness of the Primordial World, we are but mayflies.”

Li Changshou sighed softly, continuing to ponder how to turn passive into active;

Hands behind his back waiting for Junior Sister to wake, meanwhile starting to activate the surrounding formations.

Since the Old Man of the Moon dared not offend anyone before or behind, left or right, and wanted to find him, the weakest party, to exert pressure or negotiate…

Then what could he scheme to gain from this matter?

No, couldn’t force schemes;

Act according to circumstances, peace would be best.

He, a small Crossing Spirit Gate disciple, had his own planned path and didn’t need to necessarily climb others’ high branches. Having control of his initiative would be more reassuring.

However, if he could establish a connection with the Old Man of the Moon, it would make things easier when he, Master, and Junior Sister ascended to heaven in the future…

The Old Man of the Moon managed marriage fate and surely had extremely broad connections in the Heavenly Court.

This time, he could work from this angle, sell a favor to the Old Man of the Moon, yet let the Old Man of the Moon know he deliberately sold him a favor, while not exposing anything…

It indeed needed careful handling.

A moment later, Ling’e awoke.

She thought briefly, then told Li Changshou what the Old Man of the Moon had the golden-armored divine general, and the divine general had her relay to her Senior Brother:

“The Old Man of the Moon said that earlier when checking marriage fate clay figures, he carelessly bumped Senior Brother’s clay figure, causing some damage to it.

The Old Man feels quite uneasy and wants to meet with Senior Brother to discuss this matter and check if Senior Brother has any abnormalities.”

Li Changshou immediately understood. With this attitude, the Old Man of the Moon should want to resolve karma with him, so that…

Would be easy to handle.

Ling’e was somewhat nervous, saying softly:

“Senior Brother, are you alright?

If the marriage fate clay figure is damaged, does that mean you won’t have marriage fate in the future?”

“I don’t know either,” Li Changshou shook his head, “Well, might as well meet with him.”

Regardless, the other party had come seeking him with a sincere attitude.

He only needed to maintain his identity as a current young disciple of the Crossing Spirit Gate and act according to circumstances.

“Junior Sister, help protect me.”

“Okay!”

Ling’e crisply agreed, lightly jumping up from the rocking chair with several treasure pouches in her hands.

Li Changshou lay in the rocking chair, his palms holding two paper people, trying to relax his spirit, slowly expanding his consciousness…

Sure enough, he gradually entered a dream realm of misty clouds.

Ahead was an immortal pavilion on a mountain peak, inside was a thin elderly man wearing celebratory robes, bowing and gesturing welcome to him.

Li Changshou found himself seemingly standing on a cloud, and with a thought, rode the cloud forward to bow to this elder.

“Crossing Spirit Gate disciple Li Changshou pays respects to Senior.”

The Old Man of the Moon revealed a smile of relief, “Finally got you to come, no need for formalities, no need for formalities.

This is within dreams, can’t properly host you, please sit and talk.”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, the two exchanged Daoist bows and sat on opposite sides.

They smiled at each other, but each had their considerations.

The Old Man of the Moon thought: ‘This person should be quite reasonable.’

What flashed through Li Changshou’s mind however was: ‘This Old Man of the Moon, looks…

Quite robust physically.’

“Senior, please speak directly about what matters, junior knows you are busy with many things and dares not delay you long.”

“Ah, good,” the Old Man of the Moon weighed his words, “Ahem… recently these past year or two, your body, has had no problems?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Just some itching, nothing major.”

The Old Man of the Moon immediately frowned and hurriedly asked: “Then, that… have you felt yang energy gathering, surging emotions, stirring desires… such feelings?”

“This, Junior doesn’t know.”

“Wait a moment,” the Old Man of the Moon waved his hand, and a potted lovesickness tree appeared in his hand, “This is the spirit treasure lovesickness tree, I’ll prick you with a branch to see if there’s any feeling.”

Li Changshou very cooperatively nodded but was pondering in his heart.

This dream realm was indeed extraordinary;

Thinking carefully, some books seemed to have records of ‘passing objects through dreams’…

A branch of the lovesickness tree extended toward Li Changshou. Li Changshou let it prick him once, and layers of amorous thoughts immediately arose in his heart, his breathing becoming slightly rapid.

The Old Man of the Moon leaned forward, asking with concern: “Do you feel anything?”

“There is something…”

Li Changshou smiled inwardly, feeling the ball of innate yang energy surging within him, but deliberately frowned and said, “But not much.”

“This, this,” the Old Man of the Moon frowned, immediately showing a bitter smile, “Let’s try pricking a few more times.”

Li Changshou coughed and hurriedly refused;

One more prick and who knows what might happen!

“No matter, Senior, I’ll go back and regulate myself. My Junior Sister is beside me, it’s not very convenient.”

The Old Man of the Moon immediately looked worried.

Li Changshou weighed his words carefully, then continued speaking with a smile…

…

Half an hour later.

In the Heavenly Court, before the Dream Sky Instrument.

The Old Man of the Moon’s body moved as he awakened, couldn’t help stroking his beard and smiling, feeling deeply moved in his heart.

He felt his sleeve where that storage treasure ring had now disappeared, and his heart immediately relaxed.

Perfectly resolved.

“What a good junior, has the bearing of a great sect’s disciple!”

“Cough, cough cough,” the golden-armored divine general beside him slipped and hurriedly steadied himself, looking at the Old Man of the Moon with a smile.

Though he hadn’t participated in the dream just now, it had been created using his immortal power as a foundation.

Especially passing objects through dreams had nearly drained his primordial spirit power, particularly since he had already sent several dreams before…

“Old Man, is everything settled?”

“Many thanks, many thanks, friend!” The Old Man of the Moon took out a brocade box from his bosom, “A small token of thanks, cannot express my gratitude.”

The official showed a righteous face, firmly refusing: “Ah, we’re not that kind of immortal official!”

“Can’t let you help for nothing, this old one truly cannot accept that,” but the Old Man of the Moon familiarly spoke courtesies.

One half-pushing half-pulling, one pushing forward, the brocade box quickly entered the official’s sleeve.

The Old Man of the Moon made a deep Daoist bow and took his leave from the Divine Might Palace.

That official saw the Old Man of the Moon off, then sat down heavily at the palace door, letting out a long breath…

This immortal official had become several points thinner than half a year ago.

On the other side, the Old Man of the Moon was in quite a good mood, smiling as he flew forward on clouds.

‘Changshou, truly a good junior ah.’

This Crossing Spirit Gate disciple, no wonder he could attract three stars converging on the moon. Nothing to criticize about his character, respectful of elders, knew propriety and considered things from his perspective as a minor deity throughout.

Usually when people met him, the Old Man of the Moon, they wouldn’t go three sentences without mentioning marriage fate;

But talking with Changshou for so long, he hadn’t heard the words ‘marriage fate’ once!

This made the Old Man of the Moon feel very comfortable.

Changshou’s words about ‘letting things take their natural course’ were truly countless times more enlightened than some of the Celestial Generals serving in the Heavenly Court!

Marriage fate, in the end, wasn’t it about finding a good match by letting things take their natural course?

Changshou’s considerations were also incredibly thorough, agreeing to make oaths to set his mind at ease…

Just that, when they made oaths together later, this junior’s oath content was somewhat wordy;

But examining it carefully, it was very complete, basically considering all conditions and circumstances.

Making Great Dao oaths, neither party would mention the clay figure’s damage again in the future, the Old Man of the Moon wouldn’t interfere with Li Changshou’s marriage fate, and Li Changshou wouldn’t tell others about this dream meeting.

When the Old Man of the Moon came, he had carefully examined and found the clay figure was wrapped in Heaven’s Way power with no damage, could generate and grow red strings, with all functions complete.

Originally, the Old Man of the Moon was just worried…

Just hadn’t expected the other party would worry about his position as the Old Man of the Moon, especially those few words that struck straight to his heart!

Was it easy for him?

Originally had no background, cultivation wasn’t high either, placed in this position by His Majesty the Jade Emperor, having to deal with external matters while serving the Heavenly Court and Heaven’s Way;

Those with higher positions than him in the Heavenly Court, he dared not offend;

Those with lower positions but higher cultivation than him, he also dared not offend;

Those with background, he, the Old Man of the Moon, even more dared not offend…

Moreover, being in the sensitive Marriage Palace, if he had private motives, he would easily be directly reduced to ash by Purple Lightning from the Highest Heaven…

‘Senior, you truly have it too hard.’

The Old Man of the Moon looked up at the sky, hands behind his back, his old eyes full of emotion.

Ten thousand years as the Old Man of the Moon, only he knew the hardship!

And now, he who understands me includes one Changshou!

This Crossing Spirit Gate disciple, if possible, truly should be made a close friend!

Right, he mentioned his Master’s story;

Friend Qi Yuan experienced many difficulties, yet still disregarded surrounding gazes of criticism, using great determination to dissolve his body and transform into a turbid immortal;

Changshou was using this story to encourage him, this struggling Old Man of the Moon…

In the future, if Friend Qi Yuan wants to come to the Heavenly Court for a leisurely position, he must make an efforts to help!

Those gifts of apology given to Friend Changshou truly counted as nothing!

Only regret not preparing more!

At the Crossing Spirit Gate, Little Jade Peak, by the pill room.

Li Changshou awoke from the dream, quickly checking his surroundings, instantly discovering Junior Sister three zhang away with her back to him, her face red.

Li Changshou looked down at his robe…

Well…

Hard to explain in a few words.

Being pricked by the lovesickness tree in the dream, this couldn’t be helped – he was after all a normal male immortal who hadn’t cut off his emotions.

Slowly rising, Li Changshou imperceptibly adjusted his clothes, putting away the ring that had somehow appeared in his hand, and smiled: “I’m awake.”

“Sen-Senior Brother,” little Ling’e’s shoulders trembled slightly, not daring to turn her head, saying with a shaking voice, “I-I’m going back first… I’ll come back later!”

With that she fled on clouds, not even looking back, white steam rising from the top of her head…

Li Changshou immediately smiled, closing the surrounding formations for her, but couldn’t help complaining in his heart.

Really, like Lord Ye professing to love dragons but fearing the real thing.