“Why has Senior Brother… set up another memorial tablet?”

Oh!

Could it be that Senior Brother has another master somewhere who also met with misfortune?

Outside the thatched cottage, Ling E’s figure lurked somewhat furtively, holding a small bell as she peered inside. When she discovered the wooden tablet was carved with the characters of ‘Sui Ren’, she suddenly understood.

Suddenly, Li Changshou’s voice came: “Come in, what are you doing out there?”

Ling E pursed her small lips, looked down at her attire, and with a light tap of her toes, floated into the thatched cottage.

“Senior Brother, what’s the matter?”

“It’s Fire Emperor Sui Ren’s memorial tablet. Come pay your respects.”

Li Changshou gave Ling E a slight smile, then sighed softly: “The ancestors of humanity put righteousness first, and I should bear half the responsibility for this elder’s passing.”

Ling E was suddenly confused. She let the small bell hover beside her, gathered her skirts, and bowed forward, properly kowtowing three times.

“Senior Brother, why did Elder Sui Ren…”

“I was the one who asked the elder to act.”

Li Changshou glanced at the Chaos Bell and continued:

“Half a day ago, at the Purple Mysteries Palace beyond the heavens, the Three Sovereigns of the Fire Cloud Cave and Emperor Xuanyuan joined forces to seal away Heaven’s Dao’s desires. Elder Sui Ren exhausted the last of his power.”

“Oh?”

Ding ding dang dang, the small bell emitted a few bright lights, and the Bell Spirit transformed into a thumb-sized person, standing atop the small bell, asking in return:

“How can the Heaven’s Dao have personal desires? Isn’t that nonsense?”

Li Changshou said seriously: “The Ancestral Master of the Dao spoke thus.”

“Uh,” the Bell Spirit stroked its chin and said quite earnestly, “If that’s the case, it seems credible. Being sealed by the Human Sovereign… did they use humanity’s Fuel Firepower?”

“Elder, you know of the Fuel Firepower?”

The Bell Spirit said: “Of course, I know, this is the foundation of humanity’s rise. Years ago, when humans faced tribal extinction, they struggled bitterly for thousands of years. The dying intentions of countless humans condensed into the Great Dao of Fuel Fire, finally overwhelming the Monster Race and forcing Heaven’s Dao to acknowledge them. But as for how the Fuel Fire Dao specifically works, I don’t know, after all, that’s humanity’s highest sec—”

Whoosh—

At Li Changshou’s fingertip, a small flame danced lightly, seeming ordinary yet somehow possessing endless vitality.

Humanity’s Fuel Fire.

The Bell Spirit couldn’t help but raise its hand to its forehead, momentarily at a loss for words.

Li Changshou’s eyes revealed a trace of loss as he said softly: “Elder Sui Ren passed this fire to me.”

Ling E said quietly: “But Senior Brother, this isn’t your fault either, don’t blame yourself…”

“It’s nothing.”

Li Changshou withdrew the Fuel Fire, placing it beside his Primordial Spirit, nurturing it carefully with his spirit power, and said calmly:

“Don’t you know your Senior Brother’s temperament? I have a heart of iron and stone, naturally won’t take these things to heart.”

As he spoke, Li Changshou suddenly began loosening his clothes, casually pulling off his waistband and undoing the cloth buttons of his Daoist robe.

Ling E’s small hands trembled, her face flushing red.

Sen-Senior Brother is… oh my and in front of Sister Bell…

Could it be that Brother is feeling depressed and wants some comfort? As his junior sister, she should fulfill her responsibility to give Senior Brother enough support and encouragement!

What-what should she do?

Should she wait for Senior Brother to come over, or should she take the initiative to undress…

How embarrassing, weren’t they supposed to worship Heaven and Earth first and wait until evening to enter the bridal chamber…

Ah, this is!

Senior Brother’s shoulder!

Puff-pong!

Ling E’s rippling beautiful eyes turned into circles, white steam rose from her forehead, and layers of blush spread to her earlobes.

The small bell immediately fled, with the Bell Spirit’s consciousness muttering something about ‘young people these days.’

“Here.”

Li Changshou removed the jade fragments from his arm, shook them lightly in front of Ling E, and placed them in her palm.

“This is the Fire Virtue Jade, containing a bit of Elder Sui Ren’s merit. It can avoid ordinary heavenly fortune detection. You’ve been adapted to this for so long, how do you still have such symptoms?”

Ling E blinked, looking at Senior Brother’s already properly worn Daoist robe, first feeling slightly stunned, holding the jade fragments speechlessly, then seeming to want to speak but stopping herself repeatedly.

After Senior Brother flew away on his cloud, Ling E unconsciously chased to the doorway, her small hand clutching the jade fragments, silently bumping her smooth forehead against the doorframe…

If it had been Sister Yun Xiao just now, she might have directly deployed a celestial power barrier!

“Ying!”

In the underground chamber of the pill room.

Li Changshou sat back at his desk, counting each step of his recent actions.

The Clear and Bright Heart Dao dissolved.

Li Changshou sighed dejectedly, his form sinking into the round chair, traces of tears appearing at the corners of his eyes, which he immediately evaporated with celestial power.

Developing this Sage Mode technique had truly been the right choice.

Without the Clear and Bright Heart Dao, it would have been difficult to match wits with the Ancestral Master of the Dao, after all, that was an old immortal who had lived for who knows how many years – he himself was still too green.

After blanking out for half an hour, like a whale that had been lurking underwater finally bursting to the surface for a breath, Li Changshou’s entire being relaxed considerably.

But now was far from the time when he could allow emotions to surge.

His gaze fell once again on the Investiture of the Gods catastrophe, and Li Changshou spread open a scroll in his mind, beginning to think carefully and adjust.

A game of chess is constantly making moves and changing tactics.

The restrictions on Heaven’s Dao should be effective, and his final threat in the Purple Mysteries Palace also met the Ancestral Master’s expectations.

All the calculations and schemes ultimately came down to one thing.

Personal strength.

He must have the strength to personally flip the table at the crucial moment, not simply rely on the protection of Heaven’s Dao’s underlying rules.

Strength should be his greatest trump card.

But the path of advancement in the Primordial World had already been sealed off by the Ancestral Master of the Dao himself. Becoming a sage required Chaos Purple Qi, and the Chaos Purple Qi restricted sage power, turning sages into cornerstones of Heaven’s Dao.

Moreover, among the current powerful beings of the Primordial World, the vast majority had taken the path of severing the three corpses, and could no longer truly transcend.

Seeking truth in cultivation by severing good and evil self was originally just a shortcut to avoid oneself.

The method of severing the three corpses was actually for better fusion with Chaos Purple Qi, and the return of the three corpses to origin – perhaps only his teacher could accomplish this.

What a pity, Great Magus.

Of course, becoming a sage through force was even more impossible. That would require draining half the Primordial World’s spiritual energy, and the Ancestral Master would fight him to the death. Moreover, becoming a sage through force was too difficult – Pangu had fought with countless Chaos Gods and Demons for so many years before reaching that realm.

He could only blaze a different trail, finding ways to infinitely approach that realm, pursuing instantaneous explosive power.

Fuel Fire, the fire of the Human Dao.

This thing had great use, but clearly took too long to accumulate power and required too much preparation time. Moreover, it directly consumed the power of living beings’ origin, and although it didn’t affect mortals’ lifespans, using too much would affect mortals’ true spirits.

The three great origins of the Primordial World: are Great Dao, True Spirit, and Qi.

The renowned Primordial World scholar of the art of stealing, Senior Lang, had detailed explanations in several works he left in Kun Peng’s body, which had long been important references for Li Changshou’s enlightenment.

After this heaven-challenging incident, in the Investiture of the Gods catastrophe, while the main trajectory of Heaven’s Dao’s script remained unchanged, he could now alter more minor trends.

Regarding Di Xin, Goddess Nu Wa had already made her judgment.

If one wanted to overturn the case by writing poems for Di Xin, one would first need to shake Nu Wa’s prestige, which would be somewhat self-defeating.

The Holy Mother was always humanity’s creator, and although she was now constrained by Heaven’s Dao, she had already helped him too much both openly and secretly.

One shouldn’t forget kindness and betray gratitude. Regarding the Holy Mother, Li Changshou would try his best not to involve her in subsequent schemes.

Mm, the Holy Mother was probably selecting female spirits now, to go to Chaoge City and mess with Di Xin’s mind.

Speaking of female spirits brought to mind Fox Girl Xiao Lan; and speaking of Xiao Lan, who knew how Jiang Shang, who always claimed “This poor Daoist once had thirty-two wives,” was doing.

Surely not?

Surely no one would think Xiao Lan couldn’t recognize that Jiang Shang was Master Qi Yuan’s reincarnation?

Should he stop this ill-fated relationship, prevent Jiang Shang from going to Chaoge City to become… an official…

“Li Changgeng! Give me an explanation!”

A shout came from outside Little Qiong Peak, and Li Changshou shook his head with a smile as he rose.

The wronged party had arrived.

Outside the great formation of Little Qiong Peak, Chang’e, wearing a light long dress, stood in the air, somewhat irritated and angry, shouting without restraint…

Half of the Heavenly Court heard it!

The celestial soldiers and generals guarding the gates of Taibai Palace exchanged glances, instantly imagining a great drama of love and hatred among the upper immortals of the Heavenly Court!

The proper immortals pretending to pass by pricked up their ears, afraid of missing any details!

Fortunately, the Little Qiong Peak formation quickly activated, and Chang’e flashed inside, leaving behind…

Endless legends.

By the lakeside, the despondent Ling E’s mouth twitched, and she couldn’t help but raise a hand to her forehead, taking out a communication jade talisman.

In front of the pill room, as soon as the formation dispersed and Li Changshou had barely appeared, Chang’e was already before him, her beautiful eyes carrying traces of grief and indignation.

“You deceived me!”

Silence.

Unprecedented silence fell over Little Qiong Peak. The spirit beasts who would later [die of illness] from knowing too much immediately pricked up their ears.

With a crack, from the side came the sound of a certain Bell Spirit cracking melon seeds.

Li Changshou and Chang’e turned to look. The Bell Spirit weakly merged back into the Chaos Bell, leaving only a pair of bright, blinking big eyes visible.

Li Changshou said: “Star-Lord, when have I ever deceived you?”

“Have you forgotten what you said before?”

“Haven’t you already seen,” Li Changshou sighed, “when you awoke if I’m not mistaken, it should have been in a cave dwelling. The three Imperial Lords took you back, and since Imperial Lord Xuanyuan had too many women in his household, he certainly wouldn’t have been allowed to take you back to care for you, fearing it would become three thousand and one. The other two Imperial Lords had clean reputations, so they most likely guarded you together, waiting for Star-Lord to awaken. Did I say anything wrong?”

Chang’e was stunned: “You mean…”

Li Changshou slowly nodded.

Senior Lang’s chronicles mentioned that during the opening of heaven, he was injured by God Pangu for being too weak. After Pangu’s death, Senior Lang sought a place to cultivate.

Only after controlling the Kun Peng Ark did Li Changshou understand – it wasn’t really seeking a place to cultivate, but rather similar to Kun Peng, being ‘possessed’ by Senior Lang.

Senior Lang’s hiding place was inside a certain powerful being’s body. He logically replaced this powerful being’s identity and refined the being’s original Primordial Spirit into his own second Primordial Spirit.

The subsequent information was very clear.

Someone who could directly interfere with Nu Wa’s judgment, who could approach the Sun Goddess Xi He in the Monster Court, and whose second Primordial Spirit was likely destroyed when they perished in ancient times.

But the second Primordial Spirit might have left behind the powerful being’s residual soul, which reincarnated.

The ’empty shell’ mentioned by Goddess Nu Wa, the opportunity for reincarnation, the restriction of a strand of Chaos Purple Qi.

Chang’e said tremblingly: “It was Shen Nong…”

“It was Fu Xi! Fu Xi! How could you not guess that!”

The Bell Spirit appeared again, blurting out from the side, then covered its mouth, looking at the sky with lingering fear.

Chang’e couldn’t help covering her nose and mouth. Before her eyes floated the image of that white-robed elder, yet she couldn’t recall any memories of this face, this figure.

But in the depths of her dao heart, that empty gap seemed to have found some healing.

The puzzle piece… had been found…

“I even struck him with a palm!”

Li Changshou couldn’t help blinking.

Chang’e said tearfully: “I even struck him with a palm.”

“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “You had no relationship, what was erased has been erased. Star-Lord, you should let this matter go. I have a portrait of that elder here, keep it for the memorial.”

“Won’t Heaven’s Dao…”

“It won’t rest assured.”

Li Changshou took out a scroll from his sleeve and opened it. On it was painted a groundhog, frantically running across an endless expanse of land.

Heaven’s Dao did not react, but Chang’e couldn’t help giving a light laugh, carefully examining the large rodent with its detailed fur.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly.

His painting skills were insufficient; he could never capture even one ten-thousandth of Senior Lang’s free spirit.

And so, Chang’e accepted the painting, repeatedly expressing thanks before turning to leave on her cloud.

The Bell Spirit watched Chang’e’s departing figure and mumbled softly: “How come these Heaven’s Dao taboos aren’t working anymore?”

“She’s different,” Li Changshou explained thus.

“The Three Realms’ number one beauty gets such preferential treatment?” The Bell Spirit’s mouth twisted, “This Ancestral Master of Dao, ptui!”

Boom rumble rumble—

Black clouds rolled in the sky, Little Qiong Peak’s weather changed dramatically, and a thunderbolt struck, making the Chaos Bell sway left and right. The Bell Spirit rolled its eyes, and the Chaos Bell emanated some dao rhythm as its upper, middle, and lower rings rotated!

Divine Ability: Retreat One Instant.

The black clouds in the sky swirled for a moment before having to disperse on their own.

Li Changshou smiled and was about to turn back to the secret chamber to refine his subsequent plans when he saw Master Wood hurriedly arriving on a cloud outside Taibai Palace, his expression rather anxious.

He sent a paper avatar to actively welcome him to Taibai Palace. Li Changshou thought Emperor Jade had summoned him for an audience, but unexpectedly, as soon as Master Wood opened his mouth, he cried out loudly:

“It’s over! It’s all over!

Save me, Changgeng, what should I do!”

Li Changshou was somewhat puzzled and hurriedly said: “Master Wood, don’t be anxious, speak slowly.”

“This, aiya!”

Master Wood stamped his feet and clapped his hands, spinning in circles before Li Changshou, and haltingly explained what had happened before.

When Sui Ren took action and the army of human hero spirits rushed to the Purple Mist Palace, Heaven’s Dao’s command fell on the Lingxiao Treasure Palace. Emperor Jade had already donned his battle armor, and the celestial army had been wrapped in Heaven’s Dao’s power.

They were just waiting for Emperor Jade’s command to appear outside the Purple Mist Palace and block the army of human hero spirits.

Heaven’s Dao’s power released into the void was mainly in the form of heavenly tribulation – lightning, heavenly fire, annihilation wind, spirit-dissolving water, and so on.

But when bestowed upon the celestial soldiers and generals, it could greatly increase their strength.

If the celestial army had descended, who knew how much chance of victory the army of human hero spirits would have had?

Li Changshou had thought Emperor Jade had resisted Heaven’s Dao’s command, but he hadn’t expected Master Wood’s contribution to this.

Master Wood: …

“I don’t regret it, I’ve lived in the Heavenly Court for so many years, being called Master Wood, Master Wood every day, already hundreds of times better than those old brothers.

It’s just, a bit scary.”

East Master Wood heaved a long sigh: “I was never some wise and virtuous person of the human race, but now I’ve directly resisted Heaven’s Dao, I fear my end will be miserable.

Changgeng, look at this, I…”

“Master Wood, don’t worry,” Li Changshou smiled, “I was right there in the front carriage then, and aren’t I fine now?”

Master Wood smiled bitterly: “Changgeng, you’re different, you have the Pure Clarity Sage’s protection behind you, what should I do?”

“Now that Master Wood mentions it, there are indeed some issues.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, thought carefully, and said slowly:

“Master Wood, don’t worry, first continue your duties in the Heavenly Court peacefully. If there are no problems within three years, then naturally there won’t be any problems.

If there is trouble, I will certainly report to His Majesty, and the Heavenly Court absolutely won’t mistreat such a meritorious old minister as Master Wood.”

“Ah!”

Master Wood lowered his head and sighed, smiling bitterly again and again.

“Happy to have half a lifetime of East Flower fame, who knew it would turn to nothing in the blink of an eye.

Never mind, I just ask Changgeng to take extra care, if anything happens to me, please arrange for my several wives!”

Li Changshou nodded heavily and kept Master Wood for half a day drinking tea. Only after Master Wood’s emotions had stabilized did he let Master Wood return to rest.

It wasn’t any big matter.

If Master Wood was to be revenged by Heaven’s Dao, wouldn’t that just prove Heaven’s Dao still had personal desires?

At that time, it wouldn’t just be the human race challenging heaven, but also Emperor Jade of the Heavenly Court.

Li Changshou let out a light breath and shifted his divine consciousness to his paper avatar in the Southern Continent, but before he could spread out his immortal awareness, another messenger flew to Taibai Palace.

It was Fairy Yaochi.

…

Meanwhile, in the Holy Mother’s Palace.

Goddess Nu Wa reclined somewhat lazily on her throne, with a banner floating before her. Upon it, projected rays of light, and various alluring female monsters continuously slid past under her fingertips.

This banner was called the Monster-Summoning Banner, not for sale, exclusive collection.

Teacher…

Gave her just a few lines of script so many years in advance, making her figure everything out herself, and only knowing what to do when the time came.

She had moderately expressed her anger in the Southern Jambudvipa Continent and now had to summon some female monsters to seduce King Shang.

If this got out, wouldn’t people say she was petty?

It was the Teacher scheming behind the scenes.

It was a pity that Sui Ren ultimately missed out on the position of Heavenly Emperor… but this time it was also a kind of release.

Eh, this one’s not bad, from the Nine-Tailed Fox clan, named Xiao Lan, currently cultivating in Emperor Xuanyuan’s ceremonial tomb, possessing Heaven’s Dao’s fortune?

This has a bit of the flavor that could keep Di Xin from attending court.