Chapter 232: Fellow Daoist, Have You Heard of the South Sea Sea God? (2)

"Haishen Daoyou... Ah."

Li Changshou looked at the tall, thin old Daoist in the pale yellow robe before him. After exchanging greetings, the old Daoist hesitated several times, as if wanting to say something, and kept sighing.

This made Li Changshou feel like the situation was hopeless...

"Senior, what is the matter?"

Li Changshou asked with concern, "Is it the Long Clan causing you trouble?"

Huanglong Zhenren sighed again and sat quietly to the side, remaining silent for a long time.

For a moment, Li Changshou was confused by this senior expert, unsure what major issue had arisen.

Among the Three Teachings of the Daoist path, Chan Jiao was the one he had the least connection with.

In other words, Chan Jiao was the most unfamiliar to him.

"Haishen Daoyou..."

"Ah!"

Li Changshou preempted him with a sigh, leaving Huanglong Zhenren speechless for a moment.

Li Changshou smiled and said, "Senior, what is bothering you? If there's something, please speak directly.

If you have any instructions, this junior is all ears."

"To be honest with you, Haishen Daoyou, I came today because there's something I find hard to bring up."

Li Changshou: ...

Then don't bring it up.

But Huanglong Zhenren had already asked, "Could you give me some insight, Daoyou?

Does the Western Cult want to incorporate the Long Clan for their own use, or do they want the Long Clan to submit to the two sages of the West?"

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou felt a wave of doubt in his heart.

Who had said something to Huanglong Zhenren? Why would he ask such a question?

—Incorporating the Long Clan for their own use meant turning them into something like Wen Jing Daoist, handling the dirty and tiring work with little benefit, and being thrown out to take the blame at critical moments.

Submitting to the two sages of the Western Cult, on the other hand, meant joining the overt forces of the Western Cult, enjoying the protection of the sages and gaining opportunities from them.

Though it seemed like the same thing, in reality, it was worlds apart.

This question...

Li Changshou's thoughts turned quickly in his mind, and he knew he absolutely could not answer directly.

It wasn't that he felt guilty.

What he had done for the Long Clan's ascension to the heavens was upright and open, with a clear conscience.

Helping the Long Clan join the Heavenly Court was entirely beneficial for them, like giving them a hand up.

Otherwise, Li Changshou wouldn't feel right about accepting the gifts from the Long Clan, which had added up to over a thousand boxes of treasures and spiritual items by now.

The fact that Huanglong Zhenren was asking this suggested he had heard something from others and formed preconceived notions, so whatever Li Changshou said would be risky.

With a quick turn of his thoughts, Li Changshou had a strategy; he preferred to take the initiative.

Li Changshou smiled and said, "Forgive this junior for being forward, but Senior, where did this question come from?"

Huanglong Zhenren replied, "It's just something weighing on my mind, so I asked."

Li Changshou shook his head at once, stood up, held his duster, and took a couple of steps forward, saying warmly,

"Senior, if I guess correctly, someone must have told you that the Western Cult is quite good, that it has two sages and is destined for great prosperity, and that the Long Clan could benefit and gain opportunities by following them, perhaps even revive their glory... Is that it?"

"Well," Huanglong Zhenren chuckled a bit awkwardly and nodded honestly.

"Yes, that's exactly it.

But it's also reasonable, and I think the Western Cult isn't bad at all. After all, it has two sage lords and the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus to secure its destiny. If it could become a refuge for the Long Clan..."

"Ah, Senior, how misguided!"

Huanglong Zhenren couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Misguided? Isn't this just obvious logic? How is it misguided?

Then he heard Li Changshou say, "Such words would truly push the Long Clan into a pit of fire. The person saying this is either unaware of the facts or has... ahem, lost their senses."

Originally, Li Changshou had wanted to use the phrase "their heart is deserving of execution," but on second thought, anyone who could influence Huanglong Zhenren was likely a major figure in Chan Jiao, so he didn't want to outright criticize.

Better to offend fewer people if possible.

From the heart, stay steady; the great Dao brings peace.

"Oh?" Huanglong Zhenren asked hastily, "Please enlighten me, Daoyou."

Li Changshou smiled and said, "Daoyou, could you cast a divine ability to ensure our conversation remains private?"

"I'll do it right away."

Huanglong Zhenren immediately set up over a dozen barriers around the back hall of the Haishen Temple, then stared intently at Li Changshou's paper effigy in the form of an elderly immortal.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and said,

"Ao Yi's wedding, the battles in the South Sea and East Sea—the curtain has yet to fall, and the lingering souls of sea creatures have not fully dissipated, while the bodies of the Long Clan's warriors remain unburied.

What caused all this?

It stemmed from the Western Cult trying to recruit the Long Clan, but the Long Clan refused.

Since the Long Clan refused, the Western Cult resorted to such methods and schemes, even unleashing calamities and slaughtering so many lives.

The Western Cult lacks righteousness and virtue, is hypocritical and inconsistent—how can it be called a rightful lord? How can it serve as a refuge?"

Huanglong Zhenren nodded slightly, about to speak, when he heard Haishen Daoyou continue,

"Senior, what you said earlier about submitting to the Western Cult to gain opportunities for revival is utterly baseless!

How would the Western Cult achieve great prosperity?

Nothing more than gathering experts, accumulating merits, and gaining Heavenly Dao's recognition.

If the Long Clan joins the Western Cult, they might treat the Four Seas Dragon Kings and the Long Clan elders well, but what about the other Long Clan members?

It would be no different from the deep-sea demon clans or the sea rebel forces today—just tools for the Western Cult to command at will, forcing them to commit acts that harm living beings.

Senior, have you considered why the Western Cult wants to subdue the Long Clan?

Isn't it because they've set their sights on the Long Clan's accumulated resources and remaining strength?

In just a few thousand years, the Long Clan's own karmic burdens would surge, allowing the Western Cult to use them for many things. In return, the Western Cult might offer the Long Clan a few minor benefits, but it would lead to the complete collapse of the Long Clan's destiny!

Senior, have you thought about all this?"

Li Changshou's words, though heartfelt, were merely stating the pros and cons without any exaggeration.

Precisely because of this, they sounded quite convincing.

Coupled with Li Changshou's sincere tone, full of emotion and persuasion, it stirred Huanglong Zhenren's feelings...

At that moment, Huanglong Zhenren's face flushed red and then pale, feeling both ashamed and regretful for having believed others and come to question the South Sea Haishen, who had a true red heart for the Long Clan.

Haishen was truly a brother to the Long Clan!

Huanglong Zhenren stood up, bowed deeply, and sighed,

"It was my momentary confusion that almost led me to wrongly believe others. Please don't hold it against me, Daoyou!"

After a brief reflection, Li Changshou decided to retreat for advance and sighed,

"It's good that you've come to understand, Senior.

Truth be told, this junior isn't entirely without self-interest.

The Long Clan matter affects whether this junior can stand firmly in the Heavenly Court, so that's why I've been so dedicated and planned everything carefully.

Senior, could you now tell this junior who exactly said those words to you about the Western Cult being alright?"

Huanglong Zhenren sighed, "Actually, I was uneasy in my heart, so I went to seek advice from our Chan Jiao's Deputy Leader Ran Deng and asked for his guidance.

Little did I expect that Deputy Leader Ran Deng would actually..."

Li Changshou: ...

No wonder—it was that Ran Deng "Ancient Buddha."

Li Changshou had never had a good impression of Ran Deng Daoist.

In his view, the early stages of the Feng Shen calamity didn't involve so much trouble. Chan Jiao used the strategy of "taking disciples to ward off disasters," and Jie Jiao had plenty of people, so they could just select a group to face the calamity without damaging their vital energy.

But as the Feng Shen war escalated, it dragged in figures like Grandmaster Zhao and triggered the full outbreak of the great calamity, leading to the Nine Bends Yellow River Array and the Ten Thousand Immortals Array...

In all this, besides Shen Gongbao's constant meddling and wild maneuvers with his "Fellow Daoist, please stay," Ran Deng Daoist and Lu Ya Daoist were also deeply involved in stirring up trouble!

And before the Feng Shen calamity even ended, Ran Deng Daoist had already succeeded and "retreated," taking several of Chan Jiao's Twelve Golden Immortals with him to the Western Cult to continue as deputy leader...

Today, what Ran Deng had said to Huanglong Zhenren faintly revealed some information...

'Could it be that Ran Deng has already been colluding with the Western Cult?'

Li Changshou pondered for a moment but decided not to meddle in such matters.

This involved the schemes of someone like Ran Deng Daoist, which was genuine sage-level maneuvering. As someone who wasn't even a sage's disciple, how could he dare get involved?

Li Changshou sighed and, to avoid trouble, took the initiative to offer a few words in defense of Ran Deng Daoist:

"Actually, what this deputy leader sees isn't entirely wrong;

It's just that his perspective on issues is still from the ancient or primordial eras, which no longer matches the current great world of the primordial chaos."

Huanglong Zhenren thought it over and found this reasoning sound; he looked at the elderly form of Haishen before him with growing admiration.

"Daoyou," Huanglong Zhenren asked earnestly, "what should I do next? Please advise me.

Since I've decided to help my kin, regardless of whether they accept my goodwill, I must see this through and do it properly, without any regrets toward them."

Li Changshou praised, "Senior, you are truly benevolent!"

"It's just the pull of blood ties and unbroken karma, that's all."

"Senior," Li Changshou's thoughts turned quickly, and after a slight hesitation, he decided to make use of this honest elder once more.

He said seriously, "This junior does have a small matter I'd like to ask you to handle."

"Oh?" Huanglong Zhenren brightened up at once and asked eagerly, "What is it? I'll do it right away."

"Senior, it's like this..."

And so, Li Changshou explained in detail what he needed Huanglong Zhenren to do. For Huanglong Zhenren, it was just a trivial task, but for Li Changshou, it was quite important.

It could serve as a small warning to the Western Cult.

Three or four days later, at the Yuxu Palace on Kunlun Mountain.

Among the three Daoist sacred sites, Yuxu Palace was probably the easiest to find.

The Biyou Palace of Tongtian Jiaozhu was hidden on an overseas immortal island, visible only to those with fate;

Laozi's Taiqing Temple was concealed above the nine heavens, said to be within the Thirty-Three Heavens, accessible only to Xuan Du Dashi;

Yuxu Palace, however, was on Kunlun Mountain, shrouded in layers of mist, and many Qi refiners on the mountain could see its eaves just by looking up.

Naturally, Yuan Shi Tianzun was not in Yuxu Palace; it only housed his jade statue, while he resided in the small courtyard of the Three Pure Ones...

Yuxu Palace itself didn't have many famous Chan Jiao experts. Figures like Chijingzi, Huanglong Zhenren, Taiyi Zhenren, and Yuding Zhenren all had their own caves. Only Guangchengzi and a few others guarded the place, with everyone gathering there for discussions when needed.

In Yuxu Palace, there were over two hundred Chan Jiao Qi refiners. A small portion had heard sages lecture, while most were registered disciples cultivating there.

That day, Huanglong Zhenren arrived at Yuxu Palace on clouds and gathered seventeen or eighteen Chan Jiao disciples he was on good terms with to discuss matters in a side hall...

Huanglong Zhenren said directly, "Today, I have a request."

The group of disciples quickly agreed, telling him to speak freely.

"It's like this," Huanglong Zhenren smiled, "Lately, I've been getting closer to a Daoyou and find his character refined and unlike ordinary people. It's a pity that not many know about him, and some even misunderstand him.

So, I thought of using the name of our Chan Jiao to help clear his reputation."

A less important female Qi refiner laughed, "Such a minor matter— just give the orders, Senior Brother."

"May I ask, Senior Uncle Huanglong, who is this Daoyou you're referring to?"

Huanglong Zhenren smiled, "Fellow disciples, have you heard of the South Sea Haishen?"

The group shook their heads in unison.

"No wonder," Huanglong Zhenren chuckled lightly, took out a stack of silk scrolls from his sleeve, and distributed them. "Please, everyone, follow what's written here."

One person unrolled the silk and read aloud softly:

"The South Sea Haishen is a true master, kind and compassionate in deeds of virtue.

He did not attend the lectures at Zixiao Palace, nor was his name in the Witch-Demon wars.

Now in the South Sea, he fulfills the sacred mandate, guiding the masses for the greater good.

In a world of uncertainty and unstable Dao, the Haishen teaches with genuine sincerity!"

After the person finished reading, the Chan Jiao immortals chuckled lightly, and one couldn't help but laugh,

"How can someone who didn't go to Zixiao Palace sound so profound and mysterious?"

Huanglong Zhenren said seriously, "Don't ask too much, everyone. This matter is quite significant.

Starting today, all of you should visit the various towns, famous mountains, and caves within a hundred thousand li of Kunlun Mountain and spread this poem around..."

"Senior Brother, should we just... spread it directly like that?"

"Everyone, think of ways," Huanglong Zhenren said with a smile. "You can chat with your acquaintances and casually bring this up."

The immortals pondered briefly and mostly nodded in approval.

"In that case, I'll trouble you all."

And so, the matter was set.