Chapter 206: Great Dao Oath, Five Combo with One Click

“Is fellow Daoist the incarnation of the Sea God?”

At the Sea God Temple in Lingnan City, where many pilgrims were gathered, Li Changshou’s elderly paper-effigy Daoist had just emerged from the backyard when he was immediately blocked at the entrance by an old Daoist in a yellow robe, who had arrived on a cloud. The old Daoist looked somewhat anxious and quickly questioned Li Changshou upon seeing him.

Li Changshou had met many distinguished seniors before, but such a frantic demeanor was quite rare. Li Changshou smiled, "How should I address fellow Daoist?"

"I am Huang Long of Jade Pure Palace. Is fellow Daoist the Sea God?"

Huang Long? Li Changshou's Dao heart couldn't help but tremble slightly. Through the paper effigy, he gazed at the tall, thin old man before him, quickly regaining his composure, his mind already formulating a plan.

"It's Senior Huang Long, my apologies for not recognizing you! Senior, there are many mortals here; please allow us to speak in private."

"Oh, quickly, quickly!" True Master Huang Long gestured for him to follow, almost hurrying Li Changshou to the back hall.

Meanwhile, the local temple priest and two divine envoys from Xiongzhai had already led the temple staff to block the pilgrims at the main hall, preventing anyone from approaching.

In the back hall, Li Changshou scrutinized True Master Huang Long at close range, feeling a surge of emotion. *This* was the one who was perpetually captured during the Investiture of the Gods, the Dragon Race's sole direct disciple of a Saint, the "Ancestor Dragon bloodline successor" who could force a "four-six split" with any expert below a Saint? (Note: Huang Long takes the four.)

Previously, Li Changshou had considered seeking True Master Huang Long's assistance to support the Dragon Race at a critical moment, which could significantly alleviate their pressure. Unexpectedly, before he even had to approach Huang Long, Huang Long himself came to him. Li Changshou didn't delay and went straight to the point:

"Senior, you seem flustered. Has something happened?" He then added, "This junior is the Sea God of the South Sea, here to gather incense offerings. I hope senior doesn't find it amusing."

True Master Huang Long whispered, "Incense merit is a good thing; there's nothing to laugh at. Fellow Daoist, to be honest, I, I am... well, Junior Brother Zhao Gongming sent me!"

Li Changshou couldn't help but twitch his lips a few times, forcing a bitter smile. "Could it be that Senior Gongming... lay down in front of others again?"

True Master Huang Long's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Fellow Daoist is truly divine! To be able to deduce this much! Yes, he lay down again!"

"And perhaps, even vomited blood?"

"Ah, yes..."

"Oh my!" Li Changshou couldn't help but palm his forehead, just about to complain whether Old Man Zhao had become addicted to staging accidents, feeling uncomfortable if he didn't do it for a day. True Master Huang Long quickly explained: "Junior Brother Zhao Gongming, to help me out of a predicament, reluctantly injured two fellow Daoists from the Western Sect, and then, he lay down..."

"Oh?" Li Changshou quickly asked, "Does senior mean that Senior Zhao used this method to act chivalrously and help others?"

"Precisely!" True Master Huang Long's face was serious. "Just now, this poor Daoist realized. Those two from the Western Sect clearly intended to trick me out of my treasures with a cunning scheme! This poor Daoist possesses few treasures to begin with; their intentions were truly malicious! Fellow Daoist, Junior Brother Gongming instructed this poor Daoist to come and seek a brilliant plan. Please advise quickly, and Junior Brother Gongming and I will be immensely grateful."

*Why do I feel like this True Master is a little bit... honest? It must be an illusion, yes, an illusion. This only goes to show that True Master Huang Long is deeply reclusive; where in the primordial world could there be an honest person? Daoist Hongyun was merely a beautiful accident from the ancient era of the primordial world.*

Li Changshou rose and paced, pondering for a few moments, his tied silver hair gently swaying. He hesitated; instinctively, he wanted to avoid this karma and send True Master Huang Long directly to Three Immortals Island for help.

However, firstly, he was acting under the Saint's orders to orchestrate the Dragon Race's ascent to heaven. If he used this opportunity to befriend True Master Huang Long, a slight arrangement later could prove quite effective. Secondly, unnecessarily offending Zhao Gongming because of this was not a good thing. Yet, increasing Zhao Gongming's favor towards him without cause was also not a good outcome. Thirdly...

*Never mind, it's time to tell the Western Sect and Zhao Gongming how to counter "staged accidents" and where the fatal flaw in this tactic lies. Through this, Old Man Zhao can completely abandon this tactic in the future, and he can also fully sever his karmic ties to this matter.*

After much deliberation, Li Changshou stomped his foot and gritted his teeth, making a choice against his true inclination, a rare occurrence.

"Senior Huang Long, please take me with you. Tell me the details on the way!"

"This..." True Master Huang Long hesitated, knowing that bringing Li Changshou along would implicate him in this karmic entanglement. "Just tell this poor Daoist what to do, fellow Daoist."

"This matter is intricate and extremely troublesome," Li Changshou said. "Later, I will hide in senior's sleeve and will not appear. Please conceal me, and I will secretly transmit messages to Senior Gongming."

"Excellent!" True Master Huang Long's doubts immediately vanished, and he nodded in agreement.

Li Changshou's figure flickered, transforming into a thick paper effigy, and he directly slipped into True Master Huang Long's sleeve. True Master Huang Long was momentarily stunned, then praised, "Fellow Daoist has cultivated such a profound incarnation; it's truly unprecedented."

"I hope I haven't made senior laugh," Li Changshou replied with a smile.

True Master Huang Long didn't ponder it further. He used his immortal power to protect Li Changshou's paper effigy, then quickly teleported out of the back hall, soaring directly into the sky. He transformed into a faint yellow rainbow light and sped towards the depths of the South Sea.

Along the way, they traversed clouds and mist, covering thousands of miles in the blink of an eye. During the journey, True Master Huang Long quickly recounted his recent encounter to the Sea God's incarnation. Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, sighing inwardly...

The Western Sect likely intended to scheme against True Master Huang Long, making him leave the Dragon Race's disputes, thereby avoiding the involvement of the Chan Sect in this matter. As expected, the Western Sect had resolved to severely injure the Dragon Race on Ao Yi's wedding day. The plan known to Daoist Wen Jing was likely only a part of the Western Sect's overall strategy; this matter still needed to be reconsidered thoroughly to ensure peace of mind.

Regardless of True Master Huang Long's actual combat prowess, or whether he would become a unit of measurement for experts' strength during the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods, his cultivation was indeed unfathomably profound.

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the hidden great formation in the South Sea. True Master Huang Long once again broke through the formation and charged inside. Li Changshou glanced at the scene and nearly burst out laughing. Three Saint disciples lay on the sea surface... One was vomiting blood, and two were glaring. The scene was indescribably strange, yet it exuded an inexplicable harmony. Old Man Zhao, fighting two opponents, still managed to maintain the upper hand in the "staged accident," appearing far more "miserable" than the other two.

*I, Daoist Chang Geng, declare you the Primordial World's King of Staged Accidents! Ahem, let's get down to business, down to business.*

The "staged accident" tactic Li Changshou provided to Zhao Gongming had always contained serious flaws, more than just one. The fundamental reason Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao repeatedly succeeded was simply that they were strong enough; anyone else would have long turned to dust. This time, the two Western Sect experts thought they had True Master Huang Long cornered with their staged accident, and indeed, their combined efforts could suppress him... After Zhao Gongming appeared, he actually didn't need to do anything. He just needed to testify for True Master Huang Long, and the opponents would naturally retreat disheartened.

However, Zhao Gongming couldn't stand seeing his own Daoist kin suffer losses. In a fit of anger, he injured the two opponents, which made the situation somewhat difficult to manage. The opponents were now indignant and surely unwilling to let the matter rest. Having also suffered damage to their cultivation, they had become genuine victims... This subtly increased the difficulty. Moreover, Saint disciples could not be killed; using force was definitely not an option.

On the way, Li Changshou's mind reviewed several tactics, all designed to counter "staged accidents." Upon arriving, he had already selected the most secure strategy and immediately transmitted a message secretly to True Master Huang Long and Zhao Gongming... This plan was named: "Stealing the Beam and Replacing the Pillar, Drawing the Fire from Under the Cauldron, Substituting Concepts, Great Luo's Fear, Heavenly Dao's Clarity, Oath Bombardment Method!" And so, he whispered the details.

Seeing True Master Huang Long's hesitation, Li Changshou transmitted another message: "If this matter isn't handled properly, both senior and Senior Gongming might face trouble. The Western Sect is not to be trifled with, senior."

True Master Huang Long nodded heavily. Only then did he resolve to scheme against the two from the Western Sect. He transmitted a message back to Li Changshou: "I cannot trick Junior Brother Gongming!"

With that, True Master Huang Long, as instructed by Li Changshou, showed indignation on his face and actively stepped forward... helping Zhao Gongming to his feet.

Zhao Gongming was still a bit puzzled at this moment; because he had just heard the Sea God's transmission, telling him not to speak and to observe the situation, leaving the matter to True Master Huang Long for now... Zhao Gongming calmly stood up, waiting to see how Senior Brother Huang Long would perform.

"Alas!" True Master Huang Long walked on the waves, approached the two Western Sect experts, sighed, and said, "When did this poor Daoist ever offend you two fellow Daoists?" The two immediately blinked repeatedly, but were completely unable to move. True Master Huang Long then said, "Junior Brother Gongming, please retrieve your divine pearls."

"Eh?" Zhao Gongming instantly felt a bit uneasy, but Li Changshou transmitted another reminder. He nodded and recalled the Sea-Suppressing Divine Pearls.

The two Western Sect experts immediately leaped up, glaring angrily at Zhao Gongming. "Zhao Gongming! You have damaged our cultivation! Today's matter must be thoroughly explained to you! To Biyou Palace!"

"There's no need for such trouble," True Master Huang Long sighed. "Please, both of you and Senior Brother Gongming, return with me to Jade Pure Palace. I will seek an audience with our teacher and let him handle this matter."

The two were immediately stunned. *What, how is this... Not following the script? Aren't they the more miserable party right now?*

True Master Huang Long conjured a white cloud, sighed, and said, "Please, everyone. This poor Daoist will kneel indefinitely before our teacher's Jade Statue, and even today, I will ask our teacher to come out and make a judgment on this matter. Here, this poor Daoist makes a Great Dao Oath—the matter of Junior Brother Gongming injuring you two, this poor Daoist will bear it alone! Even if our teacher slays this poor Daoist, I will have no complaints!"

*Boom!* A muffled thunderclap sounded, as the Heavenly Dao responded instantly.

The two Western Sect experts immediately frowned, realizing... they had lost the initiative. *Wasn't this Huang Long supposed to be honest and simple-minded? How did he become like a completely different person?*

Meanwhile, Li Changshou, hidden in True Master Huang Long's sleeve, couldn't help but reveal a slight smile.

The best way to counter "staged accidents" is, of course, to find the police, *ahem*... to find a Saint. The "staged accident" tactic exploits the subtle psychology of the victim: they can't win a fight, are afraid of losing face if the matter becomes public, and certainly don't want it to become widely known. To break this tactic, one must convince the instigator that the victim has a fiery temper, willing to self-destruct rather than suffer injustice...

Today, it was these two Western Sect experts who were scheming. If the matter truly reached a Saint, how could they deceive a Saint? At that point, with a little guidance, the incident could be framed as these two Western Sect experts attempting a "staged accident" with insufficient skill, and then getting injured by the victim's friends or family. This would undoubtedly result in the Western Sect's Saints losing face! And with the two Western Saints in the wrong, they would have no choice but to discipline their own disciples behind closed doors...

The two shabbily dressed old Daoists exchanged glances, a hint of apprehension in their eyes. They had naturally considered these implications. True Master Huang Long, following Li Changshou's instructions, added, "You two, please come along. Otherwise, we can go to Western Spirit Mountain, or Biyou Palace overseas, or even the Tushita Palace in the Heavenly Court. If you still find this troublesome, how about the three of us each make a Great Dao Oath? This poor Daoist will go first..."

True Master Huang Long cleared his throat, bowed respectfully to the sky, and declared, "Disciple Huang Long, respectfully beseeches the Heavenly Dao, if today this disciple intentionally harmed or *previously* intentionally schemed against these two fellow Daoists, I am willing to accept punishment by the Purple霄 Divine Thunder!"

Immediately, peace fell across the heavens and earth. The key word: "previously."

True Master Huang Long turned his head and sighed, "Fellow Daoists, it's your turn."

"When did we agree to make such an oath?"

"Fellow Daoist Huang Long, we merely... never mind. We have urgent matters to attend to. Let's not mention today's incident. Farewell!"

The two Western experts immediately retreated.

"Wait!" Zhao Gongming, without waiting for Li Changshou's transmission, already understood how to cooperate with True Master Huang Long's performance and immediately stepped forward! "You two, leaving today without making this oath? Do you have something to hide?"

The two opponents' expressions changed, and they immediately attempted to use escape techniques. However, at some unknown point, the Qiankun of this place had been completely sealed, and twenty-four Sea-Suppressing Divine Pearls appeared in various locations, rapidly suppressing them... True Master Huang Long, watching from the side, was somewhat dumbfounded, but Li Changshou transmitted another message into his ear... "Senior, let's just observe. Senior Gongming can handle the rest."

True Master Huang Long subtly nodded, quietly observing from the side, truly having his eyes opened.

Half an hour later, the two Western Sect experts sighed dejectedly. Each began to make a new template of Great Dao Oath, vowing secrecy and promising not to travel outside for the next five hundred years...

Today, the power of the Heavenly Dao over the South Sea was several times more concentrated than usual.