Chapter 139: Great Mage's Admonition

"Hahahahaha… Is that even possible? A Sea God, forcibly established by a tribe of Witches? And those Witches, relying on their powerful bloodline, grew strong as oxen and became divine envoys, accumulating wealth… only for the Dragon race to get involved in the end? Marvelous, truly marvelous are the affairs of this world!"

In the river valley, beside a stream, Xuandu laughed heartily, holding a grilled fish. Li Changshou, standing by, tried to maintain a smile and pulled out two snakeheads, which he had originally intended for his sect elders, to grill.

The first rule of currying favor was sincerity; then, sincerely catering to the other person's preferences.

After a bout of laughter, Xuandu asked, "What happened next? Continue the story. I won't listen to your tales for free; later, you can choose a divine ability. Anything I know, you can learn, and I will personally teach it to you."

Li Changshou wasn't overly pleased by this offer. He sighed softly and explained how he had handled the South Sea Sea God Sect. He also answered Xuandu's question about his involvement with the Dragon race.

When Xuandu heard that Li Changshou, lacking powerful backing, had resorted to speaking vaguely and leaving sentences unfinished to let the Dragon race fill in the blanks, he couldn't help but burst into laughter again. He greatly admired Li Changshou's "clever stratagem," praising him, "You are truly resourceful! No wonder Master personally intervened to conceal the heavenly secrets on your behalf!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou was deeply moved. "The Saintly Master truly… recognizes him?"

Immediately, Li Changshou understood the cause and effect. The Dragon race's entry into the Heavenly Court was a crucial step to bolster its prestige and enhance its authority. His own Saintly Master clearly intended to support the Heavenly Court, even transforming his benevolent incarnation into the Grand Pure One, Lord Lao, to stand by the Jade Emperor. When the Grand Pure Saint discovered that the South Sea Sea God Sect could significantly advance the Dragon race's integration into the Heavenly Court, he intervened to conceal the heavenly secrets for Li Changshou, preventing the Dragon race and the Western Sect from discovering his true intentions. This explanation made perfect sense.

Li Changshou's thoughts raced. He surmised that the most probable time for the Saint to conceal heavenly secrets on his behalf was when he had encountered the Jade Emperor. However, he couldn't draw a definitive conclusion and dared not speculate further on the Saint's intentions. Nevertheless, his incense offerings had certainly not been wasted!

"Changshou," Xuandu chuckled, "Master has given us a task: to bring the Dragon race under the Heavenly Court's dominion. What are your thoughts on this?"

Li Changshou replied earnestly, "Your disciple will follow all your arrangements, Master."

"Just now, I heard you say that a disciple should serve when an elder has a need," Xuandu said, narrowing his eyes with a smile. "Since you've already started this matter, you should continue with it. However, the Dragon race has always been arrogant and naturally looks down upon the Heavenly Court. Even when the Demon Emperor established the Demon Court and the Demon race was at its peak, the Dragon race could only be made 'guest advisors.' Although the Dragon race now lacks merit and opportunities, and their influence is waning, it will be difficult to break their arrogance without some trials."

The implication was that Xuandu wanted Li Changshou to devise a plan to temper the Dragon race. Li Changshou, a mere junior disciple of the Duxian Sect, wondered if his shoulders were too frail for such a task! His Master truly used juniors without a blink.

"Master…" Li Changshou looked troubled. "Your disciple was already uneasy about using the Dragon race's influence to protect the South Sea Sea God Sect. Now, for me to intentionally scheme against the Dragon race…"

"Wait a moment, let me perform a divination," Xuandu said. He performed a finger divination, uncharacteristically shedding his smile and adopting a serious expression.

"This matter is not so simple," he stated. "The two Saints of the Western Sect are currently trying to bring the Dragon race under their command and have already begun to act, seemingly putting secret pressure on the Dragon race to force them into submission… Tsk, after all these years, it's still the same old tactic."

Li Changshou whispered, "Master, is it appropriate for us to discuss this matter so openly?"

"Don't worry," Xuandu replied, "Within ten zhang of my presence, you may speak freely."

Li Changshou marveled inwardly. Meanwhile, Xuandu was already seated, holding the grilled fish, meticulously picking out bones and putting the flesh into his mouth, all while contemplating how to arrange this matter.

Li Changshou, however, had already begun to consider what divine ability he might request later. Ideally, an escape technique, a method to conceal his aura, or perhaps a way to become undetectable by immortal sense, similar to his Master.

Li Changshou suddenly realized and quickly asked, "Master, when you said that, did you mean the two Venerables from the West have already moved against the Dragon race?"

"Precisely," Xuandu replied. "The heavenly secrets indicate that the Dragon race has encountered some calamity today, but for now, they are out of danger."

Li Changshou couldn't help but chuckle wryly, shaking his head.

Xuandu, for his part, found this young disciple genuinely interesting. Not only was he amusing, but he also suited Xuandu's temperament, seemingly possessing many intriguing qualities.

Xuandu asked, "Any other amusing stories?"

"Your disciple had previously sensed a tribulation affecting the South Sea Sea God Sect…" Thereupon, Li Changshou elaborated to Xuandu about the ongoing battle in the southwestern part of Southern Jambudvipa.

"So, what I had originally told the Dragon race as a deception actually turned out to be the truth," Li Changshou mused. "No wonder the Dragon race believed it so profoundly."

"Hahahahaha…" Xuandu laughed for a while longer. The impression Li Changshou got from his Master was that he was optimistic and… joyful.

Soon, Xuandu raised a hand and patted Li Changshou's shoulder, saying, "You handled this beautifully! I now understand Master's intention: you are to oversee the Dragon race's integration into the Heavenly Court. If you encounter any insoluble difficulties, you can rely on your Duxian Sect… No, wait, since you are here, how could you have orchestrated all of this?"

"Your disciple possesses a rudimentary divine ability called 'Paper Effigy Transformation'," Li Changshou admitted without concealment. He produced a paper effigy from his sleeve. "Your disciple modified it into an external incarnation technique."

Xuandu gazed at the paper effigy, then at Li Changshou, and shook his head. An external incarnation technique developed in less than two hundred years of cultivation…

"If Master hadn't forbidden me from taking disciples, I would truly want to bring you back to Tushita Palace," Xuandu stated. "But Changshou, there are a few things I must still caution you about."

Li Changshou immediately adopted a serious expression, sitting upright on a stone to listen attentively.

With a hint of reminiscence in his eyes, Xuandu slowly began, "The Primordial World is far less peaceful than it appears to you."

Li Changshou had expected his Senior Master to utter some profound wisdom, but this particular truth he already understood.

As he listened to Xuandu's lamentations, Li Changshou also maintained a solemn expression in silent agreement.

Xuandu continued, "I was not yet born in the ancient past, so let's set that aside for now. But from antiquity to the present, how many heaven-gifted talents, how many powerful beings who astonished the world, ultimately turned to dust? The Primordial World is filled with nothing but schemes…"

Li Changshou couldn't help but wonder why these words sounded so familiar.

"Do you know why Master instructed me not to become entangled in karma?" Xuandu sighed. "It is because the two characters, 'karma,' cannot be severed or cut away. What you might perceive as a trivial matter could, after countless ages, bring about your demise. Having witnessed events from antiquity to the present, the best piece of truth I can impart to you is this: The Primordial World holds far too many dangers."

Li Changshou nodded with a grave expression. At that moment, a sudden feeling of profound emotion welled up within him. It was the feeling of finally finding one's true kin!

Xuandu continued, "Look at Kunpeng, the Demon Master, who once soared beyond the Nine Heavens, yet ultimately ended up crippled and fleeing into the Chaos Sea. Look at the two spirited Demon Emperors, who once stood proudly atop Mount Buzhou, yet ultimately perished, their bodies utterly destroyed. And then there are the War Witches, the Ten Great Demon Sages, the Asuras of the Sea of Blood, and all those mighty cultivators and powerful beings who swept across heaven and earth… They are as numerous as the stars, countless. Changshou, in this world, there are no victors. There are only the living and the dead."

Li Changshou nodded in profound agreement and asked, "Master, why don't you impart these principles to the many other disciples of our sect?"

"These are merely cautionary words; who can truly avoid entanglement with karma?" Xuandu chuckled. "I say all this merely to give you a reminder. An immortal Golden Immortal is nothing grand, and what of the Da Luo realm? Do not become complacent merely because you have achieved ascension; cultivating peacefully is the true path."

Li Changshou rose and bowed, feeling a profound sense of closeness to Xuandu. A feeling of validation, after more than a century of arduous perseverance, welled up within him, making him truly wish to converse freely with Xuandu. However, he knew he could not. The more he spoke, the more likely he was to make mistakes; he had to remain vigilant at all times. Even when facing his Master, who showed him such great care, he could feel grateful, but he could not become dependent, much less fully trusting. His Master could not possibly watch over him constantly. Furthermore, if someone were to suddenly launch an attack on him, his Master could, at best, help collect his body, and perhaps, if there was still some warmth, place a Nine-Revolving Golden Elixir within him… He was overthinking, far too much.

"Well then, you handle the Dragon race matter as you see fit," Xuandu said. He patted his knees and slowly stood up, seeing that the bonfire had almost burned out.

"Let's conclude our discussion here for today," Xuandu said. "What divine ability do you wish to learn? I cannot go back on my word."

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, weighing his options, and finally said, "An escape technique."

Xuandu was momentarily stunned, then clapped his hands and burst into laughter. He produced two jade talismans from his sleeve. "I had intended to give these to you as rewards on two separate occasions, but I'll give them both to you now. I do possess an escape technique, but your current cultivation is too low to learn it. This is an external incarnation technique you can study to refine your paper effigy divine ability. There is also a scripture penned by Master, which will certainly offer you some insights into cultivation. Just remember, do not display this scripture publicly; study it in private."

Li Changshou accepted the two jade talismans, displaying an appropriate hint of joy, and said, "Many thanks, Master."

"After all these years, for one like you, a junior disciple valued by Master, to emerge from these few Human Sect lineages, I will naturally look after you more," Xuandu said, patting Li Changshou's shoulder. "Since I am down here this time, do you need me to make an appearance at that Sea God Sect? Previously, you had no one backing you; now, you do. However, it's still best not to cause trouble everywhere. Master prefers stable disciples. If you provoke too much karma, Master might just personally step in and clear you out."

Was this a sweet date, followed by a strike of divine thunder?

"Master, please rest assured, your disciple will be doubly careful in his future actions," Li Changshou said. After a brief pause, he continued, "The South Sea is currently where many Dragon experts are gathered. Your disciple would like to request that you reveal your presence there. However, since the Grand Master has arranged for the Dragon race to enter the Heavenly Court, your disciple believes there's no need to alarm the West…"

"Oh?" Xuandu's eyes narrowed slightly. "What good plan do you have? Just say it; I dislike having to think about such matters myself."

"Hmm… Your disciple will speak a few reckless words. If there is anything inappropriate in my speech, please do not blame me, Master." Thereupon, Li Changshou quietly whispered a few sentences.

Xuandu quickly nodded with a smile, saying, "It's quite similar to what I had in mind."

"Your disciple racked his brains and stumbled upon this idea," Li Changshou humbly replied, "it must have been due to your guidance, Master."

"Mm, mm, good, good. If you're skilled at speaking, say more."

Truly, great masters are always so unique.

Seeing his Master about to depart, Li Changshou hesitated for a moment, then said, "Master, your disciple has something to say, but I'm not sure if I should…"

"Just say it," Xuandu replied.

"Promoting the custom of dao partners within the sect… your disciple understands that you did this to ensure the prosperity of the Human Sect," Li Changshou began, "but…"

Xuandu chuckled, "What? Is this plan not good?"

"It is certainly excellent," Li Changshou whispered, "but the problem is, they… are not conceiving…"

Xuandu frowned. "Why is that? Logically, the union of Yin and Yang should give birth to spiritual beings."

Li Changshou suddenly understood something. So, his Master had been promoting the custom of dao partners for so many years, yet he himself had…

"Could it be that this matter can be controlled by oneself?" Xuandu asked, belatedly realizing the situation, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on his face.

"Most likely," Li Changshou could only respond, "Your disciple doesn't understand it very well either… This path is truly too complex."

In the desolate mountains and wilderness of southwestern Southern Jambudvipa, where the Dragon race had laid their ambush, Ao Yi stood amidst the swirling dust on the mountainside, his heart filled with a succession of emotions.

If not for the strategies provided by the esteemed senior behind Brother Changshou, while the Dragon race would still have won this battle, their casualties would undoubtedly have been several times higher. Truly, he owed Brother Changshou a great debt of gratitude.

As for "Twenty-Six Steps to Repel the Enemy," Ao Yi decided that upon his return to Jin'ao Island, he would compile them into a set of military strategies. If Brother Changshou agreed, he would present this treatise to his royal father.

At that very moment, several elder dragons approached, looking rather worried.

One of the elder dragons said, "Your Highness, the enemy we encountered this time is an ancient fierce beast, the Bloodwing Black Mosquito, exceptionally brutal… Perhaps we could invite a Human Sect expert to reveal their presence? That would help resolve our desperate and isolated situation."

Ao Yi pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then slowly nodded. "This matter," he began, "I must first discuss with Brother Sect Master before I can make a decision…"

"Oh?" Suddenly, a faint chuckle drifted down from the sky. Ao Yi's words caught in his throat, and the dragons, as if facing a formidable enemy, collectively turned their gazes towards the sky, hundreds of zhang above them.

There, a figure clad in a dark robe stood with hands clasped behind their back, appearing from unknown origins and at an unknown time.

The figure glanced downwards and uttered, "Do not harm the mortals."

Having spoken, the figure left behind a wisp of Dao charm and vanished with a soft flicker.

The dragons below exchanged bewildered glances. "That was…" "Master! That Dao charm… it's from the Daoist Human Sect, Grand Master Xuandu!"

Meanwhile, the Daoist Wen Jing, who had been observing the scene with her heart consumed by rage, suddenly shivered, and her anger instantly dissipated…