Chapter 209: Those Who Make Good Arrangements, Ultimately Are...

“Bian Zhuang...” Li Changshou repeated this unfamiliar name, severing his spiritual connection with Ao Yi. He had never imagined that the young qi refiner who confessed his feelings to Ke Le'er at the ends of the earth that day would actually pursue her all the way to the Dragon Palace.

Normally, a young master of a 'temporary enlightenment realm for love tribulations' could be easily dismissed by Ao Yi with a flick of his finger. But the current issue was that this Bian Zhuang possessed an invitation to Ao Yi's wedding. All who held an invitation to Ao Yi's wedding at the Dragon Palace were considered esteemed guests of the Dragon Clan. The Dragon Clan's dignity was currently upheld solely by their immense pride; how could they possibly ask a guest to depart?

At this very moment, Bian Zhuang was guarding the gates of the East Sea Dragon Palace, unmoving day and night, awaiting the appearance of Ke Le'er, his beloved. Due to Bian Zhuang's profound devotion, Ke Le'er's name quickly spread and became well-known among the Dragon and Sea Clans. Ao Yi was so distraught by this that he dared not approach the East Sea Dragon Palace's entrance, fearing Bian Zhuang would recognize him. Had Jiang Si'er not intervened, Ao Yi would have secretly arranged for someone to knock Bian Zhuang unconscious, imprison him somewhere for over a decade, and decide his fate only after the wedding. 'Brother Cult Master, what should we do now?'

What to do... There was nothing to be done but to ignore him for now. For the time being, Bian Zhuang was merely an insignificant figure; his origins were transparent and would not impact Ao Yi's wedding in any way. Li Changshou offered a few words of comfort to Ao Yi, advising his Second Cult Master not to worry excessively.

Truth be told, there was quite a significant difference in Ao Yi's appearance before and after he wore women's attire. Incidentally, Li Changshou gave Ao Yi several instructions, reminding him once more that powerful enemies might target the Dragon Clan during his wedding, and that the Dragon Clan should prepare accordingly in advance.

In reality, the Dragon Clan had already taken precautions even without Li Changshou's reminders. Nevertheless, for prudence, Li Changshou patiently reiterated his warnings to Ao Yi several times. 'We'll deal with Bian Zhuang later,' he said.

Li Changshou sighed softly, brushed his sleeves, and formally began making arrangements for the 'grand affair' twelve years from now.

Presently, he served as the nexus for several major powers: the Heavenly Courts, the Human School, and the Dragon Clan. There was Ao Yi's wedding, Western schemes, the Human School's subsequent actions, and the Heavenly Courts waiting to swoop in. Li Changshou had a multitude of tasks to handle, and the upcoming eleven years and nine months promised to be exceptionally busy.

He went to his underground secret chamber, retrieved a piece of parchment, and began to meticulously list his tasks, prioritizing each one. The most crucial item was, naturally, to enhance the individual strength of the bean soldiers; the sooner this work was completed, the better.

In addition, forming the Dragon-script paper figure army and equipping them with an ample supply of poison pills were also highly critical tasks. These two endeavors alone would consume the majority of his energy.

As a core member of the Heavenly Courts' congratulatory committee, Yue Lao and Dongmu Gong regularly visited the Sea God Temple to discuss specific matters with Li Changshou.

As for Ao Yi, he would encounter various issues, large and small, approximately every three months. Following Li Changshou's instructions, Ao Yi would consult him on every detail via spiritual communication.

Venerable Zhao Gongming was truly a warm-hearted individual. During this period, he often dropped by the Sea God Temple for tea, and before leaving, he never failed to remind Li Changshou to call upon him for assistance during crucial moments.

Furthermore, Zhao Gongming, worried that his seclusion for enlightenment might cause him to miss the momentous event, decided not to return to Mount Emei for these twelve years. Instead, he spent his time visiting various renowned immortal dojos of the Jie School. The qi refiners from Jin'ao Island would also attend Ao Yi's wedding to offer their congratulations, representing a potential combat power to be factored in.

Li Changshou's responsibilities extended beyond these matters. The Western Sect had been consistently employing 'schemes of division,' frequently sending peripheral Dragon Clan members to stir up trouble at the Sea God Sect, a tactic that greatly exasperated Li Changshou.

In response, Li Changshou could only turn their schemes against them, meticulously calculating to encourage the Western Sect to boldly strike at the Dragon Clan.

Beyond the significant matter of the Dragon Palace's integration into the Heavenly Courts, Li Changshou also had to keep an eye on the blossoming romance of two elder immortals.

The Fiendish Junior Ancestor's return to the mountain lasted for a total of six months, during which she met with Master Wangqing sixty-two times. They met every three days, and their activities were consistently the same: strolling, conversing, playing the flute, and exchanging a few dry jokes.

The scenery on the mountain might have been monotonous, but in each other's eyes, they became increasingly captivating. After six months of this, the Junior Ancestor directly coaxed Master Wangqing out of the Duxian Gate, causing Li Changshou to break out in a cold sweat.

Master Wangqing was, after all, a key observation target for the Golden Immortal Tribulation, which was Li Changshou's primary motivation for assisting them.

Fortunately, Jiang Lin'er had merely gone to temporarily bid farewell to her acquaintances in the cultivation world, intending to reside and cultivate at Duxian Gate from then on. It was Master Wangqing who had voluntarily offered to accompany Jiang Lin'er, out of concern that she might encounter trouble.

Jiang Lin'er was utterly transparent in her conduct, acting with such integrity that she could look down at her toes without shame and place her hand on her heart without guilt. Naturally, she wasn't afraid of Master Wangqing meeting her old acquaintances.

She readily agreed, and the very next day, she took Master Wangqing to a Great Thousand World located beyond the Five Continents.

They were gone for three years.

Three years later, Master Wangqing and Jiang Lin'er returned together, their affection for each other visibly deepened. Although they had not yet reached the point of holding hands in public, their gazes, when they met, were filled with tender affection. One had shed a bit of his reserved nature, and the other had softened a touch of her haughtiness.

Such was the arduous journey of elder immortals falling in love.

Li Changshou had initially thought that in three years, Master Wangqing and Jiang Lin'er might return with a child.

Pleasingly, both Master Wangqing and Jiang Lin'er had rediscovered the feelings they once held for each other.

Master Wangqing was now facing the Golden Immortal Tribulation, and Jiang Lin'er, unwilling to be a burden, frequently advised him to focus on his cultivation and engage in more seclusion.

Consequently, Master Wangqing's visits changed from once every three days to five times every fortnight.

Seeing the relationship between the Junior Ancestor and Master Wangqing steadily deepen, Li Changshou temporarily diverted the small portion of his attention that had been invested in their affair.

With full focus, he shifted his attention to the Dragon Clan!

This intense period of work lasted for a full nine years, as time swiftly passed, leaving no discernible trace.

Li Changshou's preparations across all fronts were nearing completion, with three distinct tactical systems now fully established.

This tribulation facing the Dragon Clan was an entirely different matter from the previous tribulation suffered by the Duxian Gate.

This time, it was a struggle orchestrated by major sects and great clans. Li Changshou, caught in the vortex, sought to influence the shifting tides. He could only employ subtle means to counter strong forces, pouring all his effort into planning, scheming, and leveraging existing powers.

He understood very well that his ability to maintain the patronage of the Grand Pure Saint depended entirely on how effectively he managed the Dragon Clan's affairs.

Less than three years remained until Ao Yi's grand wedding.

Li Changshou dispatched a paper figure with a youthful appearance to secretly take up residence in the East Sea Dragon Palace, serving as Ao Yi's 'temporary military advisor' and directly influencing the Dragon Clan's strategic arrangements.

At this stage, the South Sea Sea God Sect and the Dragon Palace remained outwardly at odds, so Li Changshou could not appear in his persona as the elder immortal. This matter was also a closely guarded secret within the Dragon Clan.

That night, the East Sea Dragon King summoned his two sons—Ao Jia and Ao Yi—along with several influential Dragon Clan ministers, and hosted a banquet in honor of the South Sea Sea God's paper figure.

Even though it was merely an avatar, the Dragon Palace accorded it the highest respect.

During the night banquet, Li Changshou's seat was arranged second only to the Dragon King's, even surpassing the two Dragon Princes.

The elderly Dragon King conveyed a clear signal to Li Changshou: the Dragon Clan required the Human School as their formidable backing.

In response, Li Changshou promised that after Ao Yi's wedding, the South Sea Sea God Sect would establish thirty new positions for True Dragon Protectors, thereby allowing the Dragon Clan to accrue additional merit.

Though this gesture was modest, it greatly pleased the Dragon King and many of the Dragon Clan's most skilled practitioners.

Subsequently, acting on Li Changshou's suggestion, the Dragon Clan not only deployed formidable forces within the East Sea Dragon Palace but also stationed substantial garrisons in the West, South, and North Sea Dragon Palaces.

Naturally, on the day of Ao Yi's wedding, the Dragon Clan's elite forces would still converge upon the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Upon his arrival at the Dragon Palace, Li Changshou discreetly reminded the Dragon Clan that they should not incur too much negative karma from killing before the wedding.

However, to maintain their dominion over the Four Seas, the Dragon Clan still implemented a strategy of 'killing the chicken to warn the monkey.' Three years before Ao Yi's wedding, the Dragon Clan initiated a large-scale suppression campaign against the Sea Clan rebels. For a period, the Four Seas ran red with blood, and countless lives were plunged into misery.

With two years remaining until Ao Yi's wedding, Li Changshou formally presented Dongmu Gong with the preliminarily enhanced version of the 'Sprinkling Beans to Form Soldiers' divine ability, along with two hundred thousand immortal beans. He instructed Dongmu Gong to arrange for the forty thousand Heavenly Soldiers to practice this technique.

These two hundred thousand immortal beans were not the advanced 'poison beans,' but rather normal immortal beans cultivated by Li Changshou. The summoned bean immortals consistently possessed the combat prowess of early-stage Origin Immortals. While the poisonous immortal bean soldiers were potent in their destructive power, their use would diminish the Heavenly Courts' dignity, making them unsuitable for Heavenly Soldiers.

Upon receiving the storage treasure containing the two hundred thousand immortal beans, Dongmu Gong was deeply moved. He repeatedly bowed to Li Changshou before rushing back to the Heavenly Courts to report the matter to His Majesty, the Jade Emperor.

Before officially obtaining his divine position, Li Changshou had already worried himself to exhaustion over the Heavenly Courts. A truly conscientious wild god.

That year, Li Changshou brought thirty million poisonous immortal beans, created by Elder Lin Yun, and sixty Dragon-script paper figures to the East Sea, concealing them in a secluded location not far from the East Sea Dragon Palace.

This represented the bulk of his resources that he could deploy without compromising the 'Little Qiong Peak' defense system.

For this counter-encirclement tactic, the spirit trees on Little Qiong Peak, specifically dedicated to the 'Paper-Cutting to Form Humans' divine ability, had all collectively... visibly thinned.

Though his efforts left him worn, he harbored no regrets; for this purpose, his vital resources had been consumed.

Li Changshou's paper figure army could certainly not be deployed on the front lines. Why launch a frontal assault when a sneak attack was possible? Why resort to divine abilities when poison was available?

When the East Sea Dragon Palace came under siege by formidable enemies, at the most critical juncture of the battle, once casualties on both sides reached a certain threshold, Li Changshou's paper figure and bean immortal army would launch a pincer attack in conjunction with the Heavenly Courts' two hundred and forty thousand strong army!

With True Person Huang Long and Venerable Zhao delivering a crushing blow to the enemy's experts from behind, the Dragon Clan's crisis would undoubtedly be resolved.

Li Changshou's strategy was as clear as ever: through the Western Sect's actions, inflict pain upon the Dragon Clan, but without completely subduing them. Afterward, he would gradually guide the Dragon Clan into conflict with the Western Sect, ultimately coaxing them into aligning with the Heavenly Courts.

Six months before Ao Yi's wedding.

Battles across the Four Seas briefly subsided, and the Dragon Clan's armies returned to their respective Dragon Palaces. However, the Sea Clan rebels, far from diminishing, became even more active.

Li Changshou received a secret message from Daoist Wen Jing: the deep-sea demon clan was stirring.

Immediately after, large numbers of demon and sea creatures, gathered from the Three Thousand Worlds beyond the Primordial World's Five Continents, were found to be secretly lurking.

To ultimately subdue the Dragon Clan, the Western Sect had now brought forth two trump cards they had reserved for many years.

For the Western Sect, these were likely considered relatively minor trump cards; even if expended, the impact would not be too significant.

Li Changshou also began making targeted tactical adjustments, influencing the Dragon Clan's decisions to minimize their pressure when a major conflict erupted.

Furthermore, owing to Li Changshou's tireless efforts and extensive travel on behalf of the Dragon Clan over these years, the Dragon Clan's high command felt profound gratitude towards the 'South Sea Sea God.' Ao Yi, in particular, grew increasingly dependent on his Brother Cult Master.

They planned to present a grand gift to the South Sea Sea God during Ao Yi's wedding. Before all the guests of the Three Realms, they intended to make it known that... the South Sea Sea God and their Dragon Clan were true brothers, their bond as thick as blood.

Over the next six months, the Four Seas fell completely silent. The East Sea Dragon Palace was adorned with lanterns and festive decorations, as waves of guests continuously arrived from the Four Seas, the Five Continents, and the Three Thousand Worlds. The immense East Sea Dragon Palace grew considerably crowded.

The Dragon Clan's immense opulence was also undeniably showcased at this time.

Three months before the wedding commenced, the Dragon Palace's grand banquet continued daily without interruption. Distinguished guests bearing invitations were each entitled to a spirit treasure as a return gift.

Li Changshou was left speechless for months.

Even as undercurrents surged elsewhere, this place remained entirely lost in revelry.

In the blink of an eye, only two days remained until Ao Yi's grand wedding...

Li Changshou completed his final inspection, his mind effortlessly switching between several leading paper figures, and meticulously re-analyzing every possible scenario. Only then did he finally relax.

This time, he had to disappoint Ao Yi. Li Changshou, the disciple of Duxian Gate, would not attend Ao Yi's wedding in the East Sea; only his persona as the South Sea Sea God would be present.

This remained a source of deep regret for Ao Yi.

However, Ao Yi also knew that his Brother Cult Master had already done an immense amount to ensure his wedding proceeded smoothly.

"Well, it's finally all arranged; everything that could be done has been done," Li Changshou said. He stretched, a trace of fatigue in his eyes, but quickly revitalized his spirit.

After this matter was concluded, he would relax and rest for a few days. Balancing work and rest was essential, as constant mental tension made one prone to unexpected insights.

The upcoming major battle at the East Sea Dragon Palace would certainly be significant. His true body had not even reached the Golden Immortal realm, so he wouldn't be able to offer much direct assistance if he were present.

Relatively speaking, by remaining securely in the rear and maintaining overall control of the battle, he could exert a far greater influ...ence...

Someone stirred the Grand Pure Dao, causing layers of insights to emerge within his Dao heart.

'The Dragon Clan's wedding faces tribulation. Duxian, thirty thousand li to the east, awaits you.'

Li Changshou couldn't help but twitch his lips. 'Did Grand Master... just get connected to the network in Doushuai Palace?'