Chapter 140: A Stone Startles a Flock of Birds

Flying on a cloud amidst the green mountains and clear waters, Li Changshou felt quite at ease, his posture even straighter than before.

He absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, breathing in the vital energy of the sun and moon.

Originally, the desolate, dark, cold, and endless primordial world was suddenly illuminated by a ray of warm sunshine...

‘My path is no longer solitary.’

Finally, he had found a rare sense of belonging!

A touch of poetic inspiration arose in Li Changshou's heart. After a moment of contemplation, he muttered:

‘Though I have a strong backing, I must not let my guard down.’

The arrival of the Grandmaster truly injected a shot of confidence into him. With a protective umbrella overhead, he had indeed found a powerful patron and boarded the solid and spacious ship of the Human Sect.

However, the Human Sect's core consisted of only two individuals, and both, from the Sect Master to the Eldest Disciple, adhered to the principle of ‘purity and inaction’.

Grandmaster Xuandu's admonition was meant to prevent Li Changshou from becoming conceited or complacent simply because he had gained the favor of the Saint.

In reality, this warning from the Grandmaster didn't hold much meaning for Li Changshou.

In fact, immediately after bidding farewell to the Grandmaster, Li Changshou began contemplating a question...

Why had he gained the Saint's favor?

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, slowly piecing together his thoughts.

Firstly, the Sea God Sect of the South Sea became entangled with the karma of the Heavenly Court and the Dragon Race, which was how he came into his own Saint's notice.

Secondly, his previous actions and demeanor must have aligned well with the Saint's intentions, which prompted the Saint to help him conceal heavenly secrets and entrust him with the task of integrating the Dragon Race into the Heavenly Court.

Several interwoven clues slowly unraveled in Li Changshou's mind.

Li Changshou clearly understood that this wasn't simply a case of the Patriarch bestowing benefits upon him because he looked appealing.

To gain the Saint's protection, he had to prove his worth and constantly adhere to the eight-character guideline of ‘purity and inaction, avoiding karma’!

Similarly, his cultivation must not lag; only by reaching the realm of an Immortal Golden Immortal would he be qualified to continue serving the Saint and receive the Saint's blessing.

Li Changshou let out a bitter laugh, sighing softly in his heart...

Those who are good at using others as tools inevitably become tools themselves.

This was probably similar to the saying, ‘The boy who slays the dragon eventually becomes a dragon himself’... probably.

His immortal perception scanned the river valley, confirming the Grandmaster was no longer there. Li Changshou then descended on his cloud towards the forest below.

He then covertly moved underground, making his way back to the Immortal Du Sect.

In Li Changshou's view, his newfound connection with the Grandmaster actually held only two practical implications...

Firstly, his previous bluffs had become reality;

He now had greater confidence concerning the matters of the South Sea Sea God Sect.

Secondly, it directly offset much of the pressure from ‘Daoist Mosquito’.

As long as the Grandmaster appeared in the South Sea and uttered the phrase 'do not harm mortals', it would achieve the effect of 'scaring a flock of birds with one stone'.

The Dragon Race would likely assume that the Grandmaster had appeared to support the South Sea Sea God Sect, thereby solidifying the Sea God Sect's status as a Human Sect conduit for incense and merit.

The Dragon Race would naturally pay more attention to the Sea God Sect; their outward pride, current predicament, and inner apprehension would compel them to cling to this lifeline.

On the Western Sect's side, Daoist Mosquito would likely feel a slight apprehension.

However, the Grandmaster had only said ‘don't harm mortals’, nothing more. The implicit meaning was actually...

You can fight at sea.

This statement was consistent with the image of the Human Sect's Eldest Disciple;

The Western Sect should also exercise some caution when collecting merit in the western part of Jambudvipa.

If Li Changshou's predictions were correct, the Western Sect would continue attempting to scheme against the Dragon Race, aiming to integrate them into their sphere of influence.

He needed to plan carefully, fully utilizing the South Sea Sea God Sect to draw the Dragon Race into the Heavenly Court when they felt overwhelmed, making them an asset to the Jade Emperor...

Contending with the Western Sect for the Dragon Race was akin to snatching food from a tiger's mouth;

Before today, with only the vague backing of the Jade Emperor, Li Changshou naturally wouldn't have dared.

But now, Li Changshou also had a Saint personally concealing heavenly secrets for him, and it was widely acknowledged as the strongest among the Six Saints...

Therefore, as long as Li Changshou remained sufficiently cautious, did not reveal his true identity, and avoided personal karma, he might as well give it a try!

This matter was essentially the first task assigned by the Saint;

It concerned his future prospects and the safety of his destiny, so he had to approach it with utmost caution and full effort.

Originally, after returning to the mountain, Li Changshou had planned to invite his master and junior sister for a celebratory hot pot meal with frog and fish heads, and then study the two jade talismans he had just received...

But now he felt...

It was most crucial to first list all his upcoming strategies and the potential reactions of the Western Sect and the Dragon Race, then formulate rough follow-up plans based on these possibilities to avoid being caught off guard should circumstances arise!

He traveled underground until he was six hundred li away from the Immortal Du Sect.

Li Changshou changed direction and slowly returned on a cloud, maintaining the speed appropriate for a disciple of the Reversion to Dao Realm.

Just as the Grandmaster had been slightly surprised upon hearing that he was the leader of the South Sea Sea God Sect...

Now that the Grand Pure One Saint had intervened to conceal heavenly secrets, as long as Ao Yi didn't expose him, who would ever guess that the leader of the South Sea Sea God Sect was a young, 'not-yet-immortal' disciple from the Immortal Du Sect?

This layer of camouflage, in Li Changshou's view, was already one of his trump cards.

And it was becoming increasingly important.

In the vicinity of Spirit Mountain in West Niuhe Continent, within Daoist Wen Jing's cave dwelling.

With a faint buzzing sound, Daoist Wen Jing's figure appeared out of thin air, standing before the two maidservants who were cultivating.

The two maidservants trembled. Before they could even open their eyes, Daoist Wen Jing casually waved her hand, and the two instantly turned to ash...

‘Did this queen tell you to cultivate?’

Daoist Wen Jing said coldly. As her gauze dress fluttered, a faint sound of water echoed within the cave;

Once her dress settled, she was already seated in the precious pool emitting misty spiritual energy.

With slender fingers, she plucked a spiritual lotus, slowly tearing its petals into tiny fragments...

This was her effective way of keeping calm.

After all, those who had lived for countless ages often had peculiar habits that others didn't understand.

‘What cunning dragons! My children were buried just like that by you! And even their ashes were scattered!’

Daoist Wen Jing cursed through gritted teeth, but then slowly exhaled.

It was merely an unfortunate start.

This time, the Second Sect Master had given her thirty percent of her clan members. She had deployed ten percent to ambush this group of dragons, believing it to be a guaranteed victory.

To her surprise, the other side was too cunning, and her preparations weren't cautious enough!

With so many clan members killed and wounded, as their queen, she naturally felt distressed.

But despite the heartache, as long as the old mosquitoes in her clan were still alive, they could reproduce again in a few tens of thousands of years...

Gradually suppressing her anger, the figure of that Daoist re-emerged in Daoist Wen Jing's mind...

Xuandu, the Grandmaster!

She had intended to grit her teeth and curse to vent her frustration, but her heart subtly trembled. She recalled the fear and helplessness she felt when Xuandu had appeared before her that day...

That man was not to be provoked.

‘Next, I must avoid the Human Race... That South Sea Sea God Sect truly has the Human Sect's shadow.’

Daoist Wen Jing murmured softly. The petals had already been torn to shreds and scattered by her into the pool water.

It seemed she would have to start by targeting the Dragon Race themselves.

Generally, for matters assigned by the Second Sect Master, she had to produce a result within a thousand years.

Were there any exploitable weaknesses within the Dragon Race?

Daoist Wen Jing performed a divination. Her narrow phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, and the smile curving her lips was alluring yet conveyed an eerie, chilling coldness.

She recalled that some years ago, certain Jiao-dragon soldiers had expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the Dragon Race, leading to a few rebellions...

‘This matter can be slightly exploited.’

Meanwhile, in the sea area south of Anshui City.

‘It was really Grandmaster Xuandu?’

‘Absolutely true, it was indeed Grandmaster Xuandu. There's no doubt about it.’

‘What if it was Grandmaster Xuandu? Are we, the Dragon Race, to rely on them?’

‘Exactly. This bit of incense from the Sea God Sect was originally just arranged for nephew Ao Yi.’

Seated in the Jiao-dragon carriage, Ao Yi couldn't help but let out two bitter laughs as he listened to the words of his Dragon Race uncles.

Ultimately, some refused to acknowledge the Dragon Race's decline, stubbornly denying it and claiming that the Dao Sect's Eldest Disciple was nothing special.

Ao Yi had seen with his own eyes that the two senior uncles who were now shouting the loudest had nearly dropped their dragon jaws when Grandmaster Xuandu appeared!

Shaking his head, Ao Yi took out a palm-sized treasure mirror from his robes and activated its restrictions.

Humming—

The treasure mirror vibrated a few times, and immediately a scene appeared.

Ao Yi saw his increasingly inscrutable father reclining on a seven-colored coral throne, with several gentle sea maidens fanning him, massaging his legs and shoulders, and serving tea.

The Dragon King of the East Sea was also the current patriarch of the Dragon Race, commanding the Four Seas and possessing countless treasures. A dragon's life was inherently like this...

Boring, absurd, and monotonous.

Then, he heard an old, trembling voice from the side call out:

‘Your Majesty, the Second Prince seeks an audience.’

Ao Yi naturally knew this voice belonged to his father's Turtle Prime Minister.

‘Ao Yi, my son,’ the Dragon King opened his eyes, waved away the sea maidens, and gazed at Ao Yi through the treasure mirror.

Ao Yi immediately sat up straight, feeling a little tense.

‘Father, your son reports back!’

‘Hmm, I already know about the battle there. You've done well.’

Upon hearing this, Ao Yi's lips curved slightly upward, but he quickly lowered his head and said, ‘It was all thanks to the guidance of the expert behind the scenes; your son dares not claim credit.’

The Dragon King of the East Sea smiled, ‘To not take credit, your cultivation on Jin'ao Island hasn't been in vain.

Later, remember to place more treasures at the Sea God Sect. Our clan must not owe this Sea God a favor.’

‘Your son understands. I will arrange for it shortly.

Father, your son wishes to return directly to Jin'ao Island for cultivation.’

‘Go,’ the Dragon King of the East Sea waved his hand. ‘My son is diligent and kind; my heart is greatly comforted. You don't need to concern yourself with the delivery of treasures; this king will arrange it personally.’

Subsequently, the treasure mirror vibrated gently, and the image within it gradually faded away.

Ao Yi immediately let out a sigh of relief and put away the treasure mirror.

He was actually very afraid that his father would ask him who the leader of the South Sea Sea God Sect truly was; if his father had indeed asked, Ao Yi didn't know if he would have answered...

‘Brother Changshou, what can I do to repay you?’

The Dragon King of the East Sea's decree was quickly relayed.

By the time Ao Yi separated from the main force and was escorted back to Jin'ao Island, a contingent of immortal Jiao-dragon soldiers were already carrying dozens of large chests towards Anshui City.

Not to mention what was inside the chests, the chests themselves... were rare refining materials...

Two days later.

In the nine layers of heaven, within the empty Grand Cloud Palace.

Duke Dongmu arrived from outside on a cloud, directly entering the Grand Cloud Palace. He bowed beneath the high platform and said:

‘Your Majesty, the events that transpired recently at the Sea God Sect have been clarified.’

‘Oh?’

The white-robed youth, who was amending heavenly decrees on the high platform, set down the jade brush in his hand.

‘Speak.’

‘Your humble subject obeys. Someone conspired against the Dragon Race, using the South Sea Sea God Sect as bait, intending to ambush the Dragon Race's forces. However, the Dragon Race turned the tables and led them into an ambush instead.

Your humble subject cannot deduce or investigate the identity of the schemer against the Dragon Race, but those who appeared at the time were swarms of ancient fierce beasts, the Blood-winged Black Mosquitoes.

At present, only two factions could release such a large number of Blood-winged Black Mosquitoes...’

The white-robed youth slowly nodded, naturally understanding whom Duke Dongmu was referring to.

‘They consistently disregard me,’ the white-robed youth sighed slowly. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes before instantly reverting to his usual smiling expression.

‘Later, Duke Dongmu, take some rewards and make a trip to the South Sea Sea God Sect.

As the decree is not yet finalized, we can only appease this... this... esteemed official...’

The Jade Emperor paused, calculated with his fingers, then let out a bitter laugh. ‘Duke Dongmu, this time, remember to ask for the name and Daoist title of this esteemed Sea God official.’

Duke Dongmu was also stunned, only then suddenly realizing that he didn't know even half of the South Sea Sea God's name or title.

He didn't even know any aliases.