Li Changshou had to admit that forcefully confronting the Heavenly Dao’s avatar had prematurely exposed several of his surface-level trump cards.
Though the impact was minimal, vigilance was essential.
“Getting carried away is stability’s greatest enemy!”
On his way back to the Five Continents, Li Changshou changed into a Daoist robe and wiped the Mystic Blood from his forehead, refining it back into primordial energy.
At present, his Mystic Blood rivaled that of the Ancestral Gods—it couldn’t be carelessly wasted.
In truth, Li Changshou had long been certain that Mother Goddess Nuwa was constrained by the Heavenly Dao.
Whether it was arranging the spirit stone at Flower Fruit Mountain or initiating the Investiture of the Gods catastrophe through the Shang Kingdom, everything bore the distinct mark of the Heavenly Dao.
Especially this time, at this crucial moment when the contradictions of the Investiture catastrophe were erupting, Mother Goddess Nuwa’s precisely timed summons could be interpreted in two ways.
First, Mother Goddess Nuwa had observed his arrangements in various places and expressed her determination to overturn the Heavenly Dao’s plans. Fearing he might follow Senior Lang’s old path and involve humanity in calamity, she temporarily imprisoned him in the ‘Anti-Time-Stop’ divine ability.
Second, naturally, was that the Dao Ancestor had ordered Mother Goddess Nuwa to temporarily confine Li Changshou.
Both factors were likely at play, just in different proportions.
But seeing Mother Goddess Nuwa’s actual condition, Li Changshou truly couldn’t accept it.
How could the Heavenly Dao still claim to be impartial and selfless?
Even if the Dao Ancestor’s position was strong, using humanity as leverage and persecuting humanity’s Holy Mother—wasn’t this completely without principle?
How could the Dao Ancestor face those countless calls of “Master” with equanimity!
Stay calm, stay cool, don’t let previous efforts go to waste.
That Heavenly Dao avatar that had blocked Li Changshou—the will of catastrophe—only had the strength of an ordinary Great Luo, but possessed extremely high Heavenly Dao authority. It was inherently difficult to deal with, its true power hard to define.
However, for every thing there is its counter, and when encountering someone like himself whom the Heavenly Dao’s power couldn’t eliminate, the opponent actually had limited options.
Li Changshou deliberately took injury while slapping the opponent to death, though he wasn’t sure if this would expose his fundamental strength in the Dao Ancestor’s eyes.
After all, it was the Dao Ancestor—respect was necessary.
As the Five Continents came into distant view, Li Changshou pondered briefly in his heart.
“What you see is only what the Dao Ancestor wants you to see, what you hear is only what the Dao Ancestor wants you to hear.”
This statement wasn’t wrong.
Wasn’t the world he saw now just the world presented after the Dao Ancestor had modified many beings’ memories?
This point was actually unavoidable—who made ‘Senior Lang’ lose back then?
After leaving the vicinity of the Holy Mother’s Palace, Li Changshou concealed his presence and monitored various parts of the Primordial World through his paper avatars. He naturally learned the specific situation of the Southern Continent’s battle situation and continued following his previously established plans step by step.
On his way back, Li Changshou began to consider a very mature question.
When did his earliest influence on the Investiture catastrophe begin?
He remembered that time when the Severing Sect’s immortals came to Ascending Immortality Gate to ‘apologize.’ He still didn’t know what Sect Master Wuyou, that Golden Immortal combat unit, was thinking when he showed off Little Jade Peak’s Chain Formation.
When Li Changshou recalled it, he nearly became dumbfounded.
One enters, one is trapped; a pair enters, a pair is trapped.
The Chain Formation was inherently unsolvable, similar to a ‘Möbius strip’ structure. It had no starting point or focal point—breaking the formation could only be achieved by destroying the grand formation itself.
At that time, Qin Wan, the eldest brother among the Ten Heavenly Lords, had shown great interest in Li Changshou’s Chain Formation.
Li Changshou couldn’t withstand the Sect Master’s constant hints and gave Qin Wan the ‘solution’ to an obsolete version of the Chain Formation.
Back then, Li Changshou had thought that with this butterfly effect, wouldn’t the Investiture catastrophe stir up boundless waves?
The classic butterfly effect indeed.
Later, when Li Changshou learned that the Heavenly Dao’s constraining force was overwhelmingly strong, able to suppress beings until they could hardly breathe, and completely without principles, he didn’t pay much attention to the Ten Heavenly Lords’ formation matters.
These Ten Heavenly Lords were merely ‘above average’ experts of the Severing Sect, their strength comparable to those previously defeated Four Generals of the Demon Clan and Four Saints of Nine Dragon Island.
Even if the Ten Absolute Formation added some elements of the Chain Formation, could it overshadow the brilliance of the Twelve Golden Immortals?
The important achievement of the Enlightenment Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals was that under Vice Sect Master Burning Lamp’s leadership, they broke the Ten Absolute Formation one by one by using battle formations to sacrifice cannon fodder.
At most, it would cause some minor problems for the Twelve Golden Immortals.
But Li Changshou never expected…
On the first day the Ten Absolute Formation was deployed, it wounded Martial King and confused Little Nezha.
On the second day, it trapped Yang Jian, scared away Lei Zhenzi, and killed several Enlightenment Sect immortals.
It was only because Nezha had many treasures and could escape quickly, with an unwavering dao heart;
And because Yang Jian had reached profound levels in the Eight-Nine Mystical Technique and couldn’t be hurt even when trapped by the formation;
That this prevented Li Changshou’s carefully nurtured Heaven’s young successors from losing their physical bodies and being forced into deification.
Looking at that Ten Absolute Formation from afar!
The Heaven Severing Formation was unpredictable, with Three Powers in One Breath and boundless spiritual power.
The Earth Raging Formation was incredibly fierce, with earth fire burning and endless toxic flames!
The Wind Howling Formation annihilated celestial winds, while the Ice Formation had countless mystic ice.
The Golden Light Formation had countless immortal mirrors specifically targeting people’s eyes, harming their vision.
The Blood Transformation Formation had murderous black sand destroying people’s primordial spirits, while the Raging Flame Formation had endless waves of fire and inexhaustible true fire.
The Soul Dropping Formation confused people’s minds between life and death, the Red Water Formation had life-taking water, and the Red Sand Formation had flying sand and rolling stones.
These were just the basics—the entire Ten Absolute Formation was actually interconnected, linking front to back. Those who entered the formation not only had to face the dangers of one formation but almost simultaneously face the perils of all ten formations!
Moreover, the Raging Flame, Wind Howling, and Golden Light formations formed a subtle pincer movement; the Ice, Blood Transformation, and Earth Raging formations were interconnected; the Soul Dropping, Red Water, and Red Sand formations were linked left and right; and the Heaven Severing Formation coordinated boundless spiritual energy to continuously replenish the Ten Absolute Formation!
The Ten Heavenly Lords had been practicing their respective formations since their debut on the ‘Primordial World Stage’ in ancient times, and in recent centuries had perfectly integrated these individual formations with the Chain Formation concept…
If the original Ten Absolute Formation was equivalent to a wall several zhang high, which could be climbed with some cloud ladders.
The current ‘Ten Absolute Chain Formation of Heaven’s Killing Array’ would be equivalent to a hundred zhang high wall, piled with oil, rolling logs, boiling water, and itching powder!
They were completely different things!
In any case, when Li Changshou had just shattered the Heavenly Dao’s avatar and was returning to the Five Continents from the Holy Mother’s Palace, the first glimpse he caught of the Ten Absolute Formation through his paper avatar showed True Lord Yellow Dragon tied up like a dumpling, hanging in front of the Golden Light Formation’s gate, his Daoist robe in tatters, slowly spinning around.
This move was quite fitting for Yellow Dragon.
The Severing Sect’s side was quite pleased, counting down the hundred-day period. If the Enlightenment Sect didn’t surrender or admit defeat, they would simply annihilate this Zhou army force and make the Zhou Kingdom collapse.
Before coming, the Ten Heavenly Lords had already agreed to actively bear these karmic burdens to alleviate the enormous pressure currently facing the Severing Sect.
The Enlightenment Sect’s side was quite troubled, and had already contacted Jade Void Palace to get more support, preferably formation experts to come break this Ten Absolute Formation.
After Yellow Dragon was hung for half a day, he was rescued by Yang Jian, who excelled in teleportation and transformation techniques.
This member of the Twelve Golden Immortals was quite embarrassed and made a Daoist salute to thank Yang Jian, then began to contemplate… how to adjust his posture the next time he was bound, to achieve an elegant and comfortable position.
There would be no good fortune after surviving this great danger.
The Jade Void Palace side was dawdling, with Guangcheng Zi unable to think of any good way to break the deadlock, still discussing with his junior brothers and sisters.
The Azure Lotus Palace side, however, had gained some vitality.
Indeed, as Li Changshou had predicted, the Severing Sect disciples had quarreled among themselves and were scolded by Ancestral Master Tongtian.
Ancestral Master Tongtian had issued strict orders that disciples were not to enter the great catastrophe, or else becoming catastrophe ash would be their fate.
The Ten Heavenly Lords were ‘defying orders,’ though after careful consideration, they bore the risk of disobeying their master’s command to restore the Severing Sect’s morale here.
By the way, before the Ten Heavenly Lords set out, Shen Bao had repeatedly advised them not to leave the island.
Who knew if Shen Bao’s innate divine ability had mutated—the more he advised against it, the more determined the Ten Heavenly Lords became.
Especially Holy Mother Golden Light, who had been in a poor mood lately with depressing thoughts, just wanted to find some people to fight to the death…
Honestly, with the Ten Absolute Formation deployed like this, Li Changshou didn’t know how the Enlightenment Sect could counter it. They couldn’t possibly ask Second Uncle to personally intervene now—that would likely completely destroy the Enlightenment Sect’s reputation.
And those who could serve as external support for the Enlightenment Sect—Master Lu Ya and Vice Sect Master Burning Lamp, who was quite accomplished in formations—had already been eliminated by Li Changshou beforehand.
With this shift in power, the Enlightenment Sect’s side found themselves in quite a predicament.
Therefore, Li Changshou was in no hurry at all.
He quietly slipped into the Netherworld, unhurriedly making his way to the Tower of Reincarnation.
First, he checked the tower’s condition, confirming that the spirit cores of the Demon Venerable imprisoned here and the mysterious ancient Daoist’s stone coffin were intact, before floating up to the top floor.
He had specifically come to the Netherworld this time to borrow a mount from ‘Old Cang,’ which would serve an important purpose later.
…
“Awoo, awoo~”
Discernment howled twice toward the window, then dejectedly flopped down on the warm stone slab, lazily yawning.
Life in the Netherworld was far too peaceful.
Now that the great catastrophe was in motion, he didn’t dare listen or think too much. Watching the Enlightenment Sect and Severing Sect battle was quite dull.
Both sides showed restraint on the surface while fighting viciously in secret. When one side gained the advantage, the other immediately raised the stakes, constantly creating difficulties, going round after round.
They completely lacked the spirit shown when the Severing Sect destroyed Spirit Mountain.
Indeed, it was all because that man hadn’t appeared—the great catastrophe had no excitement to speak of, just schemes in the shadows.
Yet his master still had him compile the current situation daily into a ‘brief report’ to be delivered on schedule.
He was a mount, and also one of the top ten divine beast mounts in the world—he had dignity and reputation to maintain!
With his master constantly doing all these unnecessary things, where was the respect for him!
At the center of the top floor, on a meditation cushion, the Tower Master of Reincarnation Ksitigarbha opened his eyes with his handsome countenance and asked:
“How did the fighting go today?”
See, right on cue.
“Same as usual,” Discernment sighed. “The Enlightenment Sect is still dawdling about dealing with the Ten Absolute Formation. They’re probably going to drag it out for a hundred days, letting the Ten Heavenly Lords kill mortals and thus wear away their own fortune.
The Ten Heavenly Lords aren’t fools either. They’ve secretly discussed that when the hundred-day deadline arrives, they’ll just set another hundred-day deadline, then spread this matter far and wide across the world, causing the Enlightenment Sect’s reputation to plummet.
Oh right, Qin Wan of the Ten Heavenly Lords made ten wooden signs yesterday that read ‘Lost your way?’ and hung them in the Ten Absolute Formation.
Who knows what that’s about.”
Ksitigarbha nodded slowly and said: “Are there any abnormalities in other areas affected by the catastrophic fate?”
“Still the same as usual. Alas, they won’t fight properly but don’t dare to retreat either.”
Discernment complained listlessly:
“Master, there’s no point in watching all this. We’re trapped here and can’t leave, everything we do is restricted.
The Western Religion has almost been completely defeated. Can’t we just live our lives peacefully?”
“Hmph!”
Ksitigarbha snorted coldly: “If we don’t pay attention to these matters, what if great disaster befalls us one day and we remain unaware?”
“Then why don’t you do like the wise and mighty Star Lord and send out some avatars to wander about,” Discernment grumbled reluctantly. “Monitoring the thoughts of all beings in the world is quite exhausting work, and I’m doing it for you for free every day!”
Ksitigarbha glared at Discernment and snorted irritably before closing his eyes to contemplate the Laws of Reincarnation.
Just then, gentle laughter came from outside the window. Both Ksitigarbha and Discernment were startled to attention.
Ksitigarbha naturally frowned;
Discernment’s blue fur stood on end as he raised his head to peek out the window, then immediately lowered it, his whole body trembling several times.
Why did speaking of him make him appear?!
Li Changshou, who had been listening outside for a while, stepped in and cupped his hands toward Ksitigarbha, smiling: “How has the Tower Master been lately?”
“Thanks to Star Lord’s blessing, well enough for now,” Ksitigarbha frowned. “With the great catastrophe arising everywhere, why has Star Lord come to my place?”
Li Changshou got straight to the point: “To borrow Discernment for use.”
Before the words had fully fallen, Li Changshou felt a large fluffy head rubbing back and forth against his feet.
Ksitigarbha: …
Though he wanted to say “get lost,” he ultimately succumbed to divine authority and loneliness.
Ksitigarbha smiled and said: “In the world today, the Severing Sect and Enlightenment Sect are fighting so intensely, about to go to all-out war. What use does friend have for borrowing Discernment?”
Li Changshou stared at Ksitigarbha and said seriously: “Friend seems to be trying to mock me?”
“The Dao Sects’ non-aggression pact.”
Ksitigarbha smiled: “I feel it’s not worth it for friend. You did so much for the unity of the three teachings, but in the end when the great catastrophe came, it was still like pouring a cup of water on a burning cart.
Catastrophic fate cannot be changed, the great catastrophe will descend of its own accord. What good is your ability to calculate heaven’s will?”
Li Changshou asked: “When does friend think I learned of the Investiture catastrophe?”
Ksitigarbha’s smile faded as he frowned in thought for a while.
“I don’t know.”
“From the moment I first stepped onto the path of cultivation.”
Li Changshou revealed a warm smile, speaking gently:
“I long knew today’s situation would come, yet still wanted to do those things. If I had to do it all over again, I would still do those things.
Some things must be attempted, and under my attempts, too many things have already changed.
For friend to try to make me question myself with just a few words—you’re really underestimating me too much.”
Ksitigarbha fell briefly silent.
“I’ll wait for you outside, Lord Star Lord.”
Discernment mumbled as he flew out of the Tower of Reincarnation first.
Li Changshou cupped his hands to Ksitigarbha and said: “I’ll return him in three months.”
With that he turned to follow Discernment, ignoring Discernment’s numerous attempts to curry favor and get him to ride, only gesturing for Discernment to follow behind him.
Ksitigarbha shook his head slightly, sat on the meditation cushion and blanked out for a while, unable to say the words “don’t be too heartbroken.”
From far away, Ksitigarbha could still hear the conversation between Li Changshou and Discernment, and couldn’t help grinding his teeth as he took out a whetstone.
“Lord Star Lord, what matter do you seek this little one for this time?”
“A big matter—I want you to help me search for Maitreya’s whereabouts.”
“This… you… Maitreya is my master’s senior brother. Though they don’t have much interaction, they are still fellow disciples…”
Ksitigarbha immediately revealed a satisfied smile.
As expected of the divine beast he raised—though usually lazy and negligent in his duties, he still had strong principles.
Discernment: “Extra meals!”
“Very well,” Li Changshou smiled. “As long as you can find Maitreya’s whereabouts, I won’t let you lack for delicacies.”
“Thank you Star Lord, thank you Star Lord, I shall search for Maitreya’s traces in my heart right away!”
Ksitigarbha: …
Keep sharpening the knife.
The sharper the blade, the smoother the cut, and it won’t affect the texture of the meat.
And so, three months later.
Wooo—
Boom boom boom boom boom!
Long horns and dense drumbeats, shadows running swiftly.
The morning military camp was full of vitality and energy.
This was in the northwestern region of the central South Jambudvipa Continent, where the Shang army was pressing against Mount Qi, completely surrounding it. The Zhou army’s camps were arranged in a continuous line from the heights of Mount Qi, now hanging signs declaring non-combat.
And today was the final deadline given by the Ten Heavenly Lords.