“How have you been lately, Elder?”
“What brings Long Geng here? You must be extremely busy these days.”
Within the Three Thousand Worlds, in the territory of the Approaching Heaven Palace, there was a tranquil Lesser World.
By the arrays of spirit herbs and poisonous plants, an elderly man and a youth were taking a leisure stroll.
The elder leaned on a copper-skinned cane, his spirits much improved from before. His once nearly white hair had regained some color, now a mix of gray and white. Though his frame remained thin and stooped, there was a new vitality about him.
This was Elder Wan Linyun, now the Poison Elder of the Approaching Heaven Palace.
Elder Wan was responsible for producing poison pills for defeating enemies. His reputation as a Poison Elder was only slightly lesser than that of Alliance Elder Lu Yue.
Of course, in Elder Wan Linyun’s own words, he was merely a beginner, a mere poison apprentice compared to Senior Lu Yue.
The reason his reputation grew so quickly was partly because the Great Luo poison pills that only Lu Yue could refine were rarely used in actual battles. For the more commonly used Heaven Immortal-grade poison pills, Wan Linyun’s products were comparable to Lu Yue’s.
After joining the Approaching Heaven Palace, Elder Wan Linyun’s life became more comfortable.
He enjoyed Bai Ze’s secret protection daily, and the power core of the Approaching Heaven Palace consisted of Elder Wan’s juniors. This elder, hidden within the Palace, lived a life both comfortable and monotonous.
Beside Elder Wan Linyun stood one of Li Changshou’s paper avatars.
He had come from Bai Ze’s sleeve, taking on his appearance from his time at the Degree Immortal Gate, bringing some wine and dishes made by Bai Ze, intending to share a drink with Elder Wan.
Hearing Elder Wan’s teasing words, Li Changshou couldn’t help but feel emotional as he smiled and said:
“Just keeping busy. I missed Elder and wanted to come see you. It’s quite peaceful here.”
Elder Wan Linyun turned his head and showed a gentle smile. Though Li Changshou was somewhat prepared, he still couldn’t help feeling… pleasantly surprised.
Elder Wan’s signature smile wasn’t as frightening anymore!
Though it still had the effect of making babies stop crying and causing the quick-witted to tremble, it was enough to make those with clear consciences feel a hint of warmth that passed by unnoticed.
Increased interaction with others has indeed helped overcome some ‘minor issues’ in social situations.
Elder Wan Linyun said: “You’re not just keeping busy. The Heavenly Court now manages the Three Realms, and you are the Divine Official most trusted by His Majesty the Jade Emperor, as well as a Second-Rank True Divine Official. If what you’re doing is just keeping busy, who in this world is doing real work?”
Li Changshou: …
It really was just keeping busy. Lately, he had been constantly creating smokescreens, including this visit to see his elder who had taken care of him before – it was all part of the plan to deceive the Heavenly Dao.
Creating an impression that he might leave the Primordial World at any time.
It was also a way to pressure the Heavenly Dao, indicating that he would do anything to save Zhao Gongming in the upcoming Great Tribulation.
In such a game, besides moves and countermoves, ‘expressions’ and ‘attitudes’ were also incredibly important.
One shouldn’t forget their roots or the kindness shown to them. At the Degree Immortal Gate, besides his master Qi Yuan, Elder Wan was the one Li Changshou was most grateful.
Li Changshou smiled and asked: “Does Elder have any dissatisfaction with the current state of the Approaching Heaven Palace?”
Elder Wan spoke softly: “I’m merely an elder who refines poison pills, how could I speak of such things…
But if you ask about dissatisfaction, there is indeed some.
The Approaching Heaven Palace is expanding too quickly now, with countless branches, and traces of our presence in half the Greater and Lesser Worlds. This inevitably leads to varying quality among our members.
That’s why the Approaching Heaven Palace early on established the Heaven Punishment Palace to handle discipline, conducting regular inspections everywhere.”
Li Changshou asked puzzledly: “Is this not appropriate?”
“It’s appropriate, of course,” Elder Wan Linyun sighed, “but those who conduct inspections are all cultivators, and whenever there are such interactions, there will be favoritism and perversion of justice.
The Heaven Punishment Palace has already dealt with several batches of cultivators who handed out unfair punishments, to the point where now no one dares to take up positions there.
I was wondering if there might be a solution.
So, I combined ninety-nine types of poisonous insects to refine a type of poison pill. This pill can enhance cultivation, but every hundred or thousand years, one needs a supplementary pill to moderate the toxicity, otherwise even a Golden Immortal would dissolve into blood.
I was overjoyed to bring this pill to the Palace Master but was scolded instead… you see, wasn’t that all for nothing?”
Li Changshou: …
A Primordial World version of the Three Corpse Brain Pills?
Ah, this…
“Elder, this won’t do!” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “It would be better to destroy this pill quickly, and the formula must never be leaked.”
Elder Wan Linyun frowned deeply and said quietly, “The Palace Master said the same thing… but why can’t it be used?”
“What would those who are given the poison pill think? They would certainly be dissatisfied and uncomfortable, which would inevitably breed endless disasters.
Moreover, the Approaching Heaven Palace’s purpose is to maintain balance, not to control or dominate.
Why should we control those whose hearts aren’t with the Approaching Heaven Palace?
Why force them to stay if they want to leave? If we don’t even have this much confidence, the Approaching Heaven Palace will collapse sooner or later.
Since I first ordered the establishment of the Approaching Heaven Palace until today, it has relied on three fundamental principles.
Wealth, Law, and Faith.
Wealth refers to cultivation resources, Law refers to strict discipline both internal and external, and Faith has two meanings – first is integrity, and second, most crucially, belief!”
Li Changshou shook his head with a bitter smile:
“If we lose our belief, the Approaching Heaven Palace might as well disband right here.”
Elder Wan Linyun pondered carefully, then sighed, crushing the jade slip in his sleeve that he had intended to share with Li Changshou, and erasing a small section of his memories.
Li Changshou made a respectful gesture to the elder: “Disciple has been too presumptuous.”
“I was the one being hasty,” Elder Wan sighed, “Alas, I’m ultimately just someone who enjoys refining pills, I don’t understand how such major sects and schools should operate.
Changshou, please mention this matter to the Palace Master later.”
“Rest assured, Elder,” Li Changshou nodded with a smile, made a gesture of invitation, and with his hands tucked in his sleeves, steered the conversation toward the current situation in the Three Thousand Worlds.
One could feel that Elder Wan Linyun had also become more talkative than before, speaking with considerable concern about the friction between the Immortal Alliance and the Approaching Heaven Palace.
The fact that the Approaching Heaven Palace was established by the Heavenly Court was now a semi-open secret.
—When a group grows large enough, traces will inevitably show.
But because the Heavenly Court had yet to take a stance, with few Incense Fire Divine Nations remaining in the Three Thousand Worlds, some degree of opposition between the Approaching Heaven Palace and the Immortal Alliance was unavoidable.
Whether the Heavenly Court wanted to walk on two legs or become a ‘unicorn’ was crucial to the rise and fall of both the Immortal Alliance and the Approaching Heaven Palace.
Elder Wan Linyun asked: “Changshou, what are your thoughts?”
“Well…” Li Changshou had some hesitation at first, but after some thought, he realized such blueprints were no secret – any clear-minded person could deduce them, so he simply shared his plans.
“As things stand now, the Three Thousand Worlds cannot yet be stabilized.
The Great Tribulation of Living Beings is ongoing, and the beings lost previously in the Three Thousand Worlds have filled a large portion of the tribulation’s power. If the Three Thousand Worlds stabilize too quickly, the force of the Great Tribulation might backfire here.
When to stabilize depends on what the Heavenly Dao reveals.
For the Approaching Heaven Palace and the Immortal Alliance, I intentionally let them become two camps that compete with each other.
The Greater and Lesser Worlds near the Five Continents will be guarded by Heavenly Court troops, forming a protective layer around the Five Continents region.
The Immortal Alliance and Approaching Heaven Palace will each either contract their current territories or maintain them unchanged, gradually reducing their control over the Greater Worlds, only maintaining justice and morality, leaving enough cultivation grounds for independent cultivators.
After the Great Tribulation, vast numbers of mountain gates will be abandoned in the Central Divine Continent, and cultivators from the Three Thousand Worlds can fill this void perfectly.
Currently, the Heavenly Court has control over the passages into the Five Continents, trying to keep out cultivators with evil hearts and those who practice methods of plunder.
All of this concerns the world’s structure after the Great Tribulation. The Clear Brightness Palace of the Heavenly Court has already made arrangements, and His Majesty the Jade Emperor has approved.”
Elder Wan Linyun nodded deeply in agreement.
Just hearing about it felt incredibly impressive.
“For the Degree Immortal Gate to have such a disciple, truly… the ancestral masters of all generations can rest easy.”
Li Changshou smiled and shook his head. Seeing a stone table under the tree shade ahead, he invited Elder Wan over. He took out the snacks made by Bai Ze and they continued drinking and chatting casually.
They spoke of past events at the Degree Immortal Gate and discussed the prosperity of the Three Thousand Worlds.
They had some minor disputes about poison pill refinement, but overall, it was quite enjoyable.
When the starry sky cast its projection over this realm, Li Changshou naturally had the intention to leave.
Li Changshou said: “Elder if you hear anything about this disciple in the future, there’s no need to worry or be concerned. This disciple is fully prepared.”
A thoughtful look flashed through Elder Wan Linyun’s eyes as he gave Li Changshou a slight bow.
Li Changshou lowered his head and made a Daoist salute to Elder Wan Linyun, gave a light chuckle, and this paper avatar was ignited from within, its form turning to ash and dispersing in the wind.
Elder Wan Linyun was stunned for a moment, slightly lost in thought, then clasped his hands behind his back to gaze at the starry sky, quietly contemplating the night breeze.
…
“Xiao Jiu!”
At this gentle call, a black shadow flew out from the side with lightning speed, becoming entangled with the figure sitting on the pavilion steps.
The scene became briefly indescribable, with sacred light and checkered patterns flying everywhere.
Within the grand array covering this place, silver bell-like giggling and slightly breathless pleas for mercy echoed, making the situation rather peculiar.
“Ahem!”
“Ahem, ahem, ahem!”
Several dry coughs came from the edge of the array. Jiang Lin’er, who had been roughhousing with Jiu Gou, immediately jumped up, shouting: “Who dares to intrude on the Holy Maiden’s residence!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Jiang Lin’er let out an “Ah!” and exclaimed happily: “Changshou! What brings you here!”
Changshou?
Jiu Gou hurriedly stood up, looking toward where Li Changshou was, then frantically lowered her head to straighten out her black gauze immortal dress that had been messed up by Jiang Lin’er – the one she had worn to the Approaching Heaven Palace assembly earlier.
Jiang Lin’er, on the other hand, wore battle armor, cutting a gallant and extraordinary figure.
Li Changshou waited with a smile until both of them had stood up before walking forward with his hands behind his back.
“Ancestral Master, Junior Master.”
“Hehehe,” Jiang Lin’er’s eyes curved into crescents as she looked left and right, then took two steps backward.
“Oh my, that Fugui just can’t do without me, I should go tell him some private couple’s talk!”
Jiang Lin’er was about to run, but Li Changshou’s voice had already caught up with her.
“Please trouble Ancestral Master to gather all the Degree Immortal Gate members currently here. I have something to discuss with everyone.”
Jiu Gou blinked gently, while Jiang Lin’er waved her hand vigorously before shooting off into the distance.
Li Changshou looked at Jiu Gou, examining her up and down.
Whether from a guilty conscience or some complex psychology, Jiu Gou kicked off her thick-heeled ‘slippers,’ stood barefoot, raised her hand to adjust her hair by her ear, and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
“Why… did you suddenly come here?”
“Naturally, I have something to discuss with you,” Li Changshou smiled. “The Approaching Heaven Palace owes its current scale largely to you.”
A slight blush appeared on Jiu Gou’s pretty face, and she raised her head rather proudly, saying: “That’s right! Our reputation is quite resounding in the Three Thousand Worlds now!”
Li Changshou asked: “Junior Master, if I were to leave the Primordial World and settle in the Chaos Sea, right now it’s decided that Ling’e and I will go, and later Cloud Maiden and Master Bai will likely join.
Would you like to join us in the excitement?
This is also the question I want to ask everyone today.”
Jiu Gou blinked gently and asked softly: “Can I go?”
“Why not?” Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, his smile particularly warm. “However, if you decide to leave with us, the Primordial World will have a repulsive force against you, making it very difficult to return.
The outside is ultimately quite desolate, and even if we can build an immortal realm with some living beings, it still won’t compare to the prosperity of the Primordial World.
Though if I can break through one matter, perhaps we could go to another prosperous world… but never mind, that’s all far in the future.
Junior Master, what do you think?”
“Well,” Jiu Gou hummed thoughtfully, “if there’s wine and pills, and I can talk with you all regularly, then I want to go.
There are too many troublesome matters here, I need to find excuses to go into seclusion just to drink and sleep.
Count… count me in!”
Li Changshou nodded with a smile and said: “Then the thatched cottage on Little Jade Peak will count Junior Master as one.”
“Ahem,” Jiu Gou nodded calmly, saying with an air of maturity: “You wait here, I’ll go see what luggage I should bring.”
With that, she turned and flew toward the pavilion, crashing into the doorframe halfway and creating a large hole, then rushing into her messy room, causing a series of clanging and banging sounds.
Li Changshou: …
Soon after, Forgetting Emotions Sovereign Wang Fugui, Set-in-Stone Jiang Lin’er, Jiu Yiyi, Jiu Shi, and Jiu Gou arrived to meet with Li Changshou.
Li Changshou didn’t hide anything, directly speaking of his intention to leave and asking who wanted to go along.
The Forgetting Emotions Sovereign was no longer the personality who only knew cultivation. After sitting in the Palace Master’s position for so many years, he had experienced what “power” meant and what it meant to “determine others’ life and death with a word.”
He didn’t ask much, but after some contemplation said: “Originally, I had thoughts of retiring.
Now the Approaching Heaven Palace has completely found its footing, and as long as the Palace Master position isn’t held by someone consumed by power and desire, it can maintain stability for at least several tens of thousands of years.
These years, I have neglected Lin’er too much, and was thinking of finding an opportunity to return early.”
Jiang Lin’er smiled and said: “A married woman follows her husband wherever he goes. Lin’er will follow Fugui!”
Jiu Wu hurriedly said: “Changshou, even if retiring, is it necessary to leave this world?”
“Senior Uncle, this matter isn’t that simple,” Li Changshou said seriously. “This isn’t about retiring or not retiring. If you want to stay in the Approaching Heaven Palace and continue working, you can certainly remain safe and sound.
If you want to withdraw from the Approaching Heaven Palace, because of my relationship, there might be some misfortune.
Therefore, now there are only two choices: stay in the Approaching Heaven Palace and continue working for the Heavenly Court, don’t think too much about it, the Heavenly Court certainly won’t mistreat Senior Uncle.
If you want to leave the Approaching Heaven Palace, then directly leaving the Primordial World with me would be most secure.”
“Then we’ll go with you,” Jiu Wu smiled. “It’s just that Shishi and I lack sufficient cultivation, we might find it difficult to survive in the Chaos Sea.”
“That’s not a problem, I will make complete preparations,” Li Changshou’s expression became serious as he handed jade slips to everyone. “You can bring whoever you want to leave with you.
These jade slips come in sets of three. If one breaks, prepare immediately.
If two break, gather quickly and head to the entrance of Xuandu City to await my news.
If all three break simultaneously, don’t worry about anything else, each head to the entrance of Xuandu City, whoever can leave should leave, I will arrange people there to receive you, or wait there personally.”
The Forgetting Emotions Sovereign frowned and asked: “Has the situation become this tense?”
“The Human Emperor of Fire Cloud Cave previously attacked Heaven, but the results were not ideal,” Li Changshou said. “The Heavenly Court intervened to prevent this matter from spreading throughout the Three Realms, but the situation has indeed become this critical.
There will be several key points soon where I might have a falling out with the Dao Ancestor, and innocent bystanders might be affected by the fire at the city gates.
However, everyone needn’t worry. If I fail, at most you’ll have some memories modified, forgetting my existence. As long as you haven’t accumulated karmic obstacles yourself, the Heavenly Dao won’t arbitrarily destroy living beings.
The Heavenly Dao is still the Heavenly Dao, but it must follow several basic principles.
Of course, it can now choose not to follow them.”
Everyone was stunned for a moment. Li Changshou clasped his hands in salute, didn’t say more, and his form transformed into scattered leaves that covered the ground.