Chapter 304: Firstly, There Should Be a Small Plan

At Anshui City's Sea God Temple, Ao Yi, clad in silver armor, swiftly entered the main hall. He wore shining silver chainmail on his upper body and a traditional dragon battle skirt on his lower body. His face was as handsome as a young man's, causing many female pilgrims to repeatedly cast sideways glances at him. Most, of course, were simply curious why this young general bore such a striking resemblance to the statue of the Great Protector. It wasn't until the temple's divine envoy arrived to pay respects, and the True Dragon Protector rushed over, addressing him directly as "Your Highness," that the pilgrims finally understood: this was truly the Great Protector himself, descended to the mortal realm! They immediately bowed, knelt, and crowded around him, causing quite a commotion within the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou was speechless. His old immortal paper effigy, a Daoist figure, had always been active here, and it had even been publicly announced that it was the Sea God's incarnation. How could this be happening? In this era, even immortals are judged by their looks...

Just as Ao Yi found himself flustered and unsure how to manage the situation, Li Changshou's timely voice transmission reached his ears. "Come to the back hall," the voice said. "The Grandmaster is also here; do not forget your manners."

The Grandmaster? Ao Yi immediately grew nervous, glancing at his attire before hurrying to the back hall. There, he saw a young Daoist sitting and drinking tea, and standing beside him... Li Changshou.

Ao Yi even forgot to salute the Grandmaster first, exclaiming in astonishment, "Elder Brother Cult Master, why did you... come out?"

Li Changshou glared at Ao Yi, who immediately understood. He stepped forward, bowed to the Grandmaster, and formally announced, "Daoist disciple Ao Yi greets the Grandmaster!"

"Good," the Grandmaster nodded with a smile, offering no further words.

Knowing the Grandmaster wished to avoid accumulating karma, Li Changshou stepped forward, took a scroll from his sleeve, and earnestly instructed: "Regarding the West Sea matter, your proactive response was commendable. Ao Yi, you are now a mature Dragon Prince. You hold a divine position in the Heavenly Court, have cleansed your karmic obstacles, and have established a firm footing within the Jie Sect. Today, I impart this scripture to you. I hope you will thoroughly comprehend its wisdom and guard against pride and impatience. You possess the ambition to support the dragon race, and one day you will surely soar. No matter what the dragon race endures in the future, you must use this scripture as a guide. Do you understand?"

"I understand!" Ao Yi affirmed. He then extended both hands to receive the scroll. Seeing no writing on its exterior, he felt a surge of curiosity. The Grandmaster nearby also glanced at the scripture, but said nothing, simply watching with a smile.

Li Changshou pondered for a few more moments, his expression turning somewhat serious.

"Elder Brother Cult Master," Ao Yi whispered, "has something significant occurred?"

"This matter is not yet settled," Li Changshou replied. "His Majesty the Jade Emperor intends to host the Peach Blossom Banquet in twelve years, inviting the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas to attend in the Heavenly Court. There is deep meaning behind this; you must consider it carefully. You may report this to the East Sea Dragon King, but remember, you must not disclose it to anyone else."

"Don't worry, Elder Brother!" Ao Yi assured him. As he looked at the scripture in his hand, he began to carefully consider the matter. Li Changshou deliberately omitted the Heavenly Emperor's implicit threat and vaguely described the Peach Blossom Banquet to reduce pressure on the dragon race. For the next twelve years, a balance of goodwill and pressure would be maintained. Given the sagacity and enduring wisdom of the Four Sea Dragon Kings—these old, venerable beings—they should certainly grasp the Heavenly Court's intentions.

"Return to the East Sea Dragon Palace," Li Changshou instructed. "Remember to read this scroll meticulously; it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to you."

Ao Yi asked if there was anything he could do to assist, but Li Changshou merely shook his head, telling him not to worry. Then, Li Changshou subtly hinted: "The Western Sect expert who attacked my incarnation earlier—this karma must be settled swiftly."

Ao Yi instantly understood. He bowed to the Grandmaster, said nothing more, and swiftly departed Anshui City with the dragon soldiers. This was not a matter for a mere dragon prince like him to interfere with.

Grandmaster Xuandu smiled and sighed, "Changshou, with just a few words, you managed to accomplish several things. You imparted the scripture, advised the dragon race, and even used Ao Yi to diffuse the karmic repercussions of the Golden Cicada incident. Truly, I don't know how to praise you enough."

Li Changshou replied earnestly, "Your disciple is merely attending to trivial matters. Without the protection of the Grandmaster and our Saint Lord, these minor cleverness would be useless."

"Oh, you!" The Grandmaster flicked his sleeve, conjuring a round chair beside him. He smiled and said, "Come, let us consider how to proceed. Feel free to share any good strategies you have; we will thoroughly analyze them. What Master himself has arranged, we must approach with our utmost effort, whether it succeeds or fails."

"The Grandmaster speaks wisely," Li Changshou replied without hesitation. "Your disciple humbly believes that the most crucial aspect of this operation is... the retreat."

The Grandmaster's mouth twitched slightly. "What sort of logic is that?" he asked.

"Thank you for testing me, Grandmaster." Li Changshou slowly explained, "This time, we are acting against Golden Cicada, who is a crucial chess piece in the West's impending prosperity. Even if the two Western Sect Saints' divinatory powers are far inferior to our Saint Lord's, they are still Saints. From what your disciple understands, Golden Cicada is currently the only primordial fierce beast assimilated by the Western Sect that enjoys unique favor."

"Hahaha!" The Grandmaster suddenly burst into laughter. "Go on, go on," he urged. "Those four words, 'uniquely favored,' are remarkably evocative."

"Uh, your disciple merely sought to make it more vivid," Li Changshou said with an awkward smile, resuming his analysis. He delved into the Saint Lord's divine powers, Golden Cicada's own Cosmic Escape technique, and the inherently cunning and vicious nature of primordial fierce beasts, dissecting from several angles Golden Cicada's potential life-saving trump cards. Half an hour later, Li Changshou concluded, "By planning for potential failure before taking action, we can largely prevent it from occurring."

The Grandmaster nodded slowly. "Changshou, your point is valid," he said. "This matter involves a Saint's machinations, so one cannot be too cautious. How should the retreat be specifically arranged?"

"Grandmaster, may your disciple speak as I write?" Li Changshou produced two blank scrolls from his sleeve. "Your disciple is accustomed to doing this when formulating plans," he explained.

"Excellent!" The Grandmaster, equally enthusiastic, conjured a desk for Li Changshou, and together they began to discuss the upcoming 'simple' plan.

Two hours later...

"Excellent!" The Grandmaster gazed at the two pieces of silk, covered in small characters and arrows, and praised, "With this method, how can we fail? What need is there to fear a Western counterattack!"

Li Changshou smiled shyly beside him. "But Grandmaster," he said, "this is merely our preferred plan, and it represents an ideal state where several variables have been deliberately overlooked. In your disciple's humble opinion, we should create several alternative arrangements and reconsider those fundamental variables."

The Grandmaster pondered for a moment, on the verge of saying it wasn't entirely necessary.

Li Changshou bowed again and said, "Your disciple believes there are no true accidents in the world, only situations that have not been thoroughly considered."

"Indeed!" The Grandmaster found wisdom in these words, pulled up another chair, and continued discussing backup plans with Li Changshou.

Another two hours later...

"Changshou, these plans should be sufficient. We are going to slay a primordial fierce beast, not assault Spirit Mountain. What do you say to this? Should there be an unexpected turn, I can directly ask Master to intervene."

"Hmm, if the Grandmaster deems it sufficient, then we shall conclude the planning here. Your disciple merely offered some rudimentary suggestions; the final decision rests with you, Grandmaster."

The Grandmaster visibly relaxed.

Li Changshou pondered for a few more moments. "Grandmaster," he ventured, "may your disciple be so bold as to request an introduction to the Human Sect's agent planted in the West? She should have some familiarity with the Six-winged Golden Cicada, and perhaps she can discern his weaknesses. This way, when your disciple acts later, there will be a greater chance of success."

The Grandmaster tilted his head slightly, leaning back in his round chair. He smiled and said, "Now I can truly rest assured, allowing you to handle the affairs of our Human Sect from now on. Go on, then. Do you need my assistance in concealing her movements?"

"Grandmaster, you simply need to envelop this area with your divine power. She is quite astute and should possess methods for hidden self-protection. However, your disciple's true identity must not be revealed, so I will need to disguise myself."

"Hmm," the Grandmaster chuckled. "Your transformation art seems quite unique. Come, show me."

Li Changshou promptly accepted the command. Silently chanting an incantation, he spun half a circle, transforming into the familiar appearance of the Sea God Paper Daoist. The Grandmaster's eyes crinkled with a smile. He offered no comment, simply saying, "Go make the arrangements."

Li Changshou agreed, immediately closing his eyes and concentrating, allowing the paper Daoist to become active. He would seize this opportunity to fulfill Daoist Wen Jing's long-cherished wish, allowing her to formally interact with the Grandmaster. This way, he would not be breaking his word to Daoist Wen Jing.

The Grandmaster?!

South of Anshui City, on a desolate beach, a fish leaped from the sea, its tail resting on the surface. It stared intently at the girl holding a short flute before it. The girl's voice transmitted, "There's no need to rush; be cautious and absolutely do not expose yourself." The fish continuously nodded, then, as a wave crashed, it disappeared with the current.

In the cave dwelling at the foot of Spirit Mountain. The figure that had been lying sideways on the couch suddenly sat upright. Her delicate hands gently waved, and the wide sleeves of her gauze robe swayed with the motion. *He... he's going to meet me?* A subtle ripple passed through Daoist Wen Jing's phoenix eyes, but she immediately huffed, her smooth chin lifting slightly. *This queen is merely gracing him with her presence. Does he truly believe that just because he's a Saint's disciple, he can be so condescending, ordering this queen around? Hmph, I'm only doing this out of respect for Lord Sea God... Wait, no, no, the Sea God still has to obey him.*

Daoist Wen Jing sat there in a daze for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle, a hint of self-satisfaction in her eyes, as she floated towards a clear pool. Her gauze robes billowed like thin mist as she bathed and adorned herself, a touch of shyness accompanying her preparations. She changed into the gauze skirt she had prepared long ago, but then found it too 'conservative' and too different from her usual style. Anxiously, she conjured several other outfits. After much deliberation, she still chose a red dress, though this one concealed her shoulders and had no slits in the skirt. It retained only a fraction of her usual allure, subtly enhanced by an ethereal touch. Her accustomed bare, jade-like feet were now enclosed in a pair of embroidered shoes. Though she usually disdained inner garments, she added one today. She meticulously considered her makeup, styled her long hair into an elegant bun, and then gently turned half a circle before the water's reflection. *Hmph, I'll surely mesmerize you! You'll fall to your knees beneath this queen's skirt, haha, hahahaha...*

Just then! "Have you encountered any trouble?" a voice asked. "If it's inconvenient to come, don't force yourself."

This, of course, was Li Changshou speaking to his blood mosquito puppet.

"No, no trouble at all, your humble servant just finished dealing with a few Western Sect disciples," Daoist Wen Jing hastily replied in her mind. Then, she pursed her lips, raised an eyebrow, rolled her eyes, flicked her sleeve, and vanished into thin air. As an expert in evading detection, she was well-versed in the art. Furthermore, Daoist Wen Jing was neither suspected nor had the Western Saints detected anything unusual about her, so no one would specifically track her whereabouts. For greater security, Daoist Wen Jing simultaneously employed several methods to conceal her movements. She chose a frequent gathering spot for hidden Western Sect masters, then midway, she cast a divine ability, sending an incarnation there while her true body secretly hastened towards Anshui City.

Half an hour later, in the back hall of the Sea God Temple. Daoist Wen Jing appeared just outside the back hall door. Sensing the Dao rhythm of the innate supreme treasure within, her Dao heart subtly trembled. She had intended to stride forward proudly, but after two steps, her gaze fell upon the drowsing figure in the main seat of the back hall. Subconsciously, she changed her gait to delicate lotus steps. As she walked, her path inexplicably deviated, leading her, as if by some strange twist of fate, to the left side of the inner hall's main door. Her slender hand gripping the door frame, she peered inside.

Such an immense presence! Such a terrifying, yet strangely familiar, feeling for a mosquito... It was like the youthful flutter in her heart when she, a naive little mosquito, first beheld that powerful leader in the Sea of Blood. (Incidentally, she later crushed that leader.)

Hmm... She hummed softly, her flirtatious eyes like silken threads, and her words came slowly as she covertly cast glances. It's him, it's him, it's really him! She stood there, utterly mesmerized.

"Ahem! Ahem-hem!" Li Changshou coughed loudly several times. The Grandmaster, who had been dozing, calmly sat upright, but Daoist Wen Jing outside the door, as if startled, quickly recoiled to the side. Outside, Wen Jing's forehead rested against the doorframe, her fingers twisting the corner of her robes.

Inside the hall, the Grandmaster tilted his head slightly, appearing somewhat puzzled, and frowned at Li Changshou, who was in the Sea God's form. *This is the primordial fierce beast you spoke of? The Queen of the Black-winged Blood Mosquito clan, the ruthless figure of the ancient era who annihilated countless beings?*

Li Changshou nodded helplessly. The Queen was indeed a queen, though she seemed to be a little... off today.

"Ahem!" The Grandmaster cleared his throat and asked, "Chang Geng, has the person you mentioned arrived?"

"She has arrived," Li Changshou replied with a smile. "Your disciple will go fetch her now. Please wait a moment, Grandmaster." With that, Li Changshou, holding a whisk in his left hand and lifting the hem of his robe with his right, hurried out.

"Wen Jing, come over here! The Grandmaster is inside; what are you doing standing there...?" Stepping outside, Li Changshou's words trailed off as he saw Daoist Wen Jing holding a handkerchief to her red lips, a few tear stains visible at the corners of her eyes. The handkerchief was completely soaked. Such devotion was truly astonishing!

"Wen Jing..." Li Changshou said gently.

"Please wait a moment, sir," Daoist Wen Jing quickly transmitted, her hand still covering her mouth. "Your humble servant couldn't help but drool a bit when she saw the Grandmaster, but I've stopped now."

Li Changshou was speechless.

A crude Human Sect phrase, in Bear Tribe dialect.