Chapter 329: Wanting a Piece of Land in Heaven to Be Neighbors with Laozi

“Ling’e, from now on, our sect is no longer secure…”

Early that morning, on a white cloud drifting towards the back mountain, Ling’e gazed at the eastern sky, slightly lost in thought. Her Senior Brother’s words from last night still echoed in her ears, leaving her restless for a long time.

Senior Brother had said:

“The situation in the Primordial World is complex and unpredictable. The likelihood of our main base being exposed is growing, and some powerful beings, whom we cannot contend with, have no regard for their reputation. If I continue to stay here, it’s highly probable that the entire Immortal Du Sect will be implicated. Fortunately, a century ago, I anticipated this situation and devised a plan. I’m going to move Little Qiong Peak and fly it from the Immortal Du Sect to a location near the Tushita Palace in the Heavenly Court. This plan is estimated to take ten years, and I call it… the Little Qiong Peak Nomad Plan!”

Although Ling’e really wanted to make a few sarcastic remarks at the time, her Senior Brother’s eyes were gleaming as he spoke, exuding an aura of seriousness, composure, and determination that utterly mesmerized her. Without a second thought, she nodded in agreement, even feeling that what her Senior Brother said made perfect sense.

Recalling this, Ling’e couldn’t help but sigh softly, lamenting in her heart, “I’m probably beyond help.”

According to Senior Brother’s plan, moving Little Qiong Peak involves five steps.

The first step, which Ling’e was currently undertaking, was to meticulously record the terrain of Little Qiong Peak using image-recording orbs and to compile as detailed a complete inventory as possible of all the forests, spiritual items, and so forth.

The second step involved Li Changshou selecting a small mountain similar to Little Qiong Peak, transforming it into the same shape, transplanting soil and turf, creating spiritual lakes, replicating buildings, and ensuring a thorough disguise.

The third step was to request permission from the sect master to erect a large formation around Little Qiong Peak to block external detection.

The fourth step was a grand deception: replacing the real with the fake!

The fifth step was for the true Little Qiong Peak to relocate to the Heavenly Court, while the false Little Qiong Peak would remain within the sect, with Li Changshou guarding it using a Paper Daoist.

In fact, after reviewing her Senior Brother’s extensive and detailed plan, Ling’e couldn’t help but ask a question from the depths of her soul: “But Senior Brother, why can’t we just move to another mountain? Do we have to take the entire home with us when we relocate?”

Li Changshou sighed at the time and replied:

“Junior Sister, do you know how much effort and painstaking work I’ve poured into this Little Qiong Peak of ours? Eighty percent of the entire mountain’s construction is already complete, with 672 formation foundations embedded within it. The core formations include thirty-six Heavenly Gang slaying formations, one hundred and eight Minor Heavenly Cycle trapping formations, and three hundred and sixty-five Heavenly Cycle defensive formations. With different combinations of these foundations, over a hundred variations of formations can be activated. At the very center of the mountain’s formation eye, I’ve placed a set of Five-Element Spirit Orbs comparable to innate spirit treasures. These are just the formations… If we were to abandon Little Qiong Peak, it would be equivalent to giving up what I acquired from the Dragon Race through… *ahem*. In short, Little Qiong Peak represents our entire fortune and will be our safe haven and foundation for our future cultivation. Over the next ten years, I will continue to enhance the formations and complete the initial refining of Little Qiong Peak as a whole…”

So, Senior Brother had been secretly up to all sorts of things behind her back all this time!

Formations…

Ling’e lowered her head, gazing at the quiet forest below. Her immortal sense probed the mountain, finding nothing at first; it seemed to pass straight through without hindrance. She then searched carefully again and finally found a small formation foundation hidden within the rock patterns.

‘Could it be that Senior Brother has many formidable enemies?’

Ling’e tapped her forehead, clenched her small hand, and silently made a resolve. She absolutely could not be a burden to her Senior Brother. She had to do all these things within her power and become her Senior Brother’s powerful assist— no, assistance.

The word "assistance" reminded Ling’e of another major matter her Senior Brother had mentioned last night: Fairy Yun Xiao! An innate spirit, a Saint’s disciple, an ancient powerful being, beautiful and charming, gentle and virtuous… What should she do? She was clearly no match!

Ling’e frowned slightly, occasionally muttering to herself. She had long since reached the edge of the forest where she was supposed to begin her survey, but she had forgotten to descend from the clouds.

“Hmm!”

This matter required careful consideration.

The Immortal Peach Banquet lasted for three days. While it was indeed shorter than Dragon Palace banquets, which often lasted for months, everything that needed to be achieved at this Peach Banquet had been accomplished, and all the immortal peaches had been sampled by the immortals. There was no point in prolonging it.

Three days prior, when the Dragon Race arrived, they presented themselves as guests. Three days later, as they departed, they referred to themselves as subjects, performing their bows naturally and smoothly, without the slightest psychological barrier. For quick submission, look no further than the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas!

As the Immortal Peach Banquet concluded, the various immortals and gods dispersed, and the Jade Emperor returned to the High Heavens Palace. Li Changshou seized the opportunity to take Zhao Gongming to the Matchmaker God’s Marriage Temple. At this time, Zhao Gongming was allowed to walk freely within the Heavenly Court, having received tacit permission from the Jade Emperor. Although, even if he hadn’t, no one would dare to stop him.

Flying through clouds and mists, up and down the cloud seas, the Matchmaker God’s abode was visible in the distance. Li Changshou smiled, “Senior Brother, that is the Marriage Temple. The Matchmaker God has already returned and is waiting for us. We can go directly inside to find him.”

“Alrighty!”

Zhao Gongming pulled out the jar of fruit wine from his sleeve, held it properly in his hand, and walked side-by-side with Li Changshou, flying on a cloud to the front of the Marriage Temple. The Matchmaker God, dressed in a festive red robe, hurried out with two young attendants. After exchanging pleasantries at the temple entrance, he led the two distinguished guests into a side hall.

Host and guests took their seats, and a young attendant served tea. Zhao Gongming presented his gift, then pondered for a few moments, wanting to speak but feeling his face blush. He simply shot a glance at Li Changshou.

“Cough!” Li Changshou’s Paper Daoist, in the guise of an old immortal, cleared his throat and smiled, “Senior Brother Gongming has come today to consult the Matchmaker God. As the Matchmaker God manages matrimonial ties and deals with them daily, I daresay no one in the Three Realms understands such matters better than you.”

The Matchmaker God: “…” He was just the Matchmaker God whom the Jade Emperor had placed at the Marriage Temple as a gatekeeper! A pure-yang Heavenly Immortal tens of thousands of years old! What on earth did he know about love between men and women! Though he felt a bit helpless to complain internally, he displayed a calm and composed demeanor and chuckled, “Indeed, I merely understand a little, just a little.”

Zhao Gongming’s eyes immediately lit up, and he felt that this Matchmaker God was even more reliable.

Li Changshou continued, “What transpires today, Matchmaker God, must not be mentioned to anyone else.”

“This minor deity understands the rules of Daoist Gongming and Water God,” the Matchmaker God said with a calm smile, raising his left hand and speaking with full vigor, “By the Heavenly Dao above, this minor deity hereby makes a Great Dao vow…”

Only then did Zhao Gongming’s heart, which had been anxious, settle back into his chest. Although he had a slight sense of having his reputation slightly tarnished, he indeed felt much more secure.

After the Matchmaker God completed his vow, Li Changshou spoke, explaining Zhao Gongming’s vexing issue on his behalf. He explained the whole situation in detail. The Matchmaker God listened and smiled.

“So, that is how it is. The Holy Mother of Golden Radiance’s feelings for Daoist Gongming have reached the ‘heat wave’ stage, while Daoist Gongming’s feelings for her are only at the ‘favorable impression’ stage.” The Matchmaker God secretly glanced at the jade slip in his sleeve, fearing he might misstate these stages. Then, the Matchmaker God slowly said, “This is a disparity in the cultivation of the emotional Great Dao, very common in romantic relationships. In our Marriage Temple, we call it ‘the shift in emotional strength and weakness.’ Of course, to put it simply, one is experiencing unrequited love, while the other is completely unconcerned.”

Old Master Zhao nodded slowly. Although he was half-understood and found it profoundly impressive, it certainly seemed very reasonable.

At once, the Matchmaker God began to elaborate, speaking phrase by phrase according to the words recorded on the jade slip. Zhao Gongming listened, his eyes gradually brightening. When Li Changshou wanted to speak, Zhao Gongming pressed his hand, telling him not to interrupt for now.

That jade slip had been presented to the Matchmaker God by a young attendant upon his return to the Marriage Temple, who said a strange Heavenly General had delivered it yesterday. The Matchmaker God opened it and read it for a couple of glances, knowing at once that this was the ‘answer’ the Water God had prepared for him.

After just a dozen sentences from the Matchmaker God, Zhao Gongming had an epiphany. “According to the Matchmaker God, I should face Junior Sister Golden Radiance directly and speak with her candidly?”

“Precisely, this is the most fundamental solution,” the Matchmaker God said gravely. “Constantly avoiding the issue won’t solve the problem, and a clean break might also cause you to miss your destined match.”

“Hmph,” Zhao Gongming chuckled, “My path is not solitary; I have Changshou! Why should I seek another marriage tie?”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but feel a few dark lines appear on his forehead.

The Matchmaker God quickly said, “Daoist friend, please don’t think that way. A close friend is one thing, a partner or spouse is another. As the saying goes, solitary yin does not produce, solitary yang does not grow; the harmonious blend of yin and yang is also a Great Dao. Daoist friend is an innate spirit and naturally has no need for procreation, hence you lack the inherent desires of postnatal beings for a partner. However, all beings, regardless of their origin, may have a void in their Dao heart. And you, Daoist friend, having been born male as an innate being, are destined to meet such a fine woman.”

Li Changshou, beside them, narrowed his eyes in a smile. This section was purely the Matchmaker God’s improvisation, and quite well done.

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard in contemplation and asked, “Then, should I try to spend some time with Junior Sister Golden Radiance?”

Li Changshou replied, “This matter is for you, Senior Brother, to consider on your own; others cannot interfere.”

“But what should I do?” Zhao Gongming couldn’t help but stand up and pace for a few steps, sighing, “You don’t understand, every time this humble Daoist tries to speak with Junior Sister Golden Radiance, she looks at me with such ardent eyes. Alas, this humble Daoist truly doesn’t have such intentions, but I can’t bear to hurt her feelings, nor can I bring myself to say anything harsh.”

Li Changshou and the Matchmaker God exchanged a look. Li Changshou asked, “Matchmaker God, do you have a marriage clay figurine for the Holy Mother of Golden Radiance here?”

“This,” the Matchmaker God stroked his beard in contemplation, “innate spirits are not recorded in the Marriage Temple, and I’m unaware of the Holy Mother of Golden Radiance’s origins. However, Daoist Gongming has no clay figurine here, so this particular match is not under my jurisdiction.”

Zhao Gongming immediately looked distressed. “How can this matter be brought to a satisfactory conclusion?”

“Perhaps write a letter,” Li Changshou suggested with a smile. “Senior Brother, you can write what you want to say in a letter, then entrust someone to deliver it. This way, you can consider your words carefully, avoid a direct confrontation, and also allow her to calm down and think it over.”

“Write a letter?” Zhao Gongming blinked, then slapped his thigh and praised, “You really have many ideas, Junior Brother! Come, let’s go to your Water God Temple now and figure out how to write this letter!”

At once, Zhao Gongming pulled Li Changshou along, hastily bidding farewell to the Matchmaker God and heading towards the Marriage Temple entrance. Before leaving, Zhao Gongming suddenly asked, “Junior Brother, your marriage destiny should be here. Since we’ve come all this way, why don’t you take me to see it?”

Li Changshou quickly sent a voice transmission, “Senior Brother, you forgot again, my various titles cannot be mixed up.”

“True,” Zhao Gongming didn’t insist and flew with Li Changshou towards the South Heaven Gate. In that instant, Li Changshou had broken out in a cold sweat.

As they flew towards the South Heaven Gate, Li Changshou deliberately slowed his cloud speed and smiled, asking the purpose of inviting Zhao Gongming to the Heavenly Court this time. “Senior Brother, what do you think of the Heavenly Court?”

Zhao Gongming nodded, praising, “The spiritual energy is abundant, and the Great Dao is traceable. It’s no exaggeration to call it a sacred place for cultivation.” But Zhao Gongming’s tone shifted, and he shook his head, “It’s a pity, the power of the Heavenly Dao is too浓厚; it always feels a bit awkward and uncomfortable, as if every word and action is under Heavenly Dao surveillance, which is quite vexing.”

Li Changshou chuckled, “The Heavenly Dao is utterly impartial and selfless. What harm is there in its surveillance?”

“Perhaps it’s because we’re used to being free and unfettered in our daily lives,” Zhao Gongming said, looking at the still somewhat desolate Heavenly Court, with clouds and mists steaming everywhere and beautiful mountains and scenic spots throughout. Zhao Gongming clasped his hands behind his back and smiled, “I do not covet the merits of the Heavenly Court, nor do I wish to be governed by it. Furthermore, I do not desire any lord-and-subject relationship. Why cultivate Dao? First, for longevity, then for freedom and leisure. What we seek is unrestraint, and what we strive for is unhindered thought. Otherwise, how can we achieve transcendence, and how can we find our true self?”

Li Changshou praised, “Senior Brother’s words are thought-provoking.”

At this point, the South Heaven Gate was within sight. Zhao Gongming suddenly let out a chuckle, and the aura of a master instantly vanished from him. “Let’s go, let’s head to your Water God Temple and figure out how to write that letter first!”

“Senior Brother can go directly; my current clone still has duties in the Heavenly Court. There’s already a clone waiting for Senior Brother there.”

“You and your clones, coming and going,” Zhao Gongming playfully cursed, “One of these days, I’ll have to catch your true body and drink with you for three days and three nights! Oh right, if it weren’t for my second sister appearing, your true body would be very difficult to see. Alas, what are brothers and friends compared to a bosom companion!”

Li Changshou’s old face flushed, and he looked at Zhao Gongming with a wry smile. Zhao Gongming laughed heartily a few times, then flew directly out of the South Heaven Gate on his cloud. The guarding Heavenly Generals had already received word and pretended not to see the mighty Jie Sect expert.

Watching Zhao Gongming leave the Heavenly Gate, a hint of helplessness flashed in Li Changshou’s eyes.

‘Holy Mother of Golden Radiance, the Ten Heavenly Monarchs…’ This was also a fuse for the Investiture of the Gods tribulation. Li Changshou didn’t know whether he should forcibly intervene or let nature take its course. To be safe, if he was to scheme for the Investiture of the Gods tribulation, he had to plan and arrange from the perspective of ‘not knowing about the Investiture of the Gods tribulation,’ so as to avoid incurring heavenly punishments or the like. The highest realm of scheming is to do little, yet allow everything one wishes to happen to come to fruition naturally. And Li Changshou suspected that this was the true meaning of Grand Pure One’s four words: ‘let things take their natural course.’

“Lord Sea God? Oh no, Lord Water God! To meet you here, ha ha ha ha!”

A familiar voice came from a distance. Li Changshou turned his head and saw Hua Ritian approaching on a cloud. “Marshal Hua,” Li Changshou bowed and exchanged greetings with Hua Ritian. With a tacit understanding, they flew together towards the Sea God Mansion, where work had already begun to replace its plaque.

Before they had exchanged many words, Hua Ritian burst into laughter, his mood exceptionally pleasant, his emotions very volatile. Li Changshou slowly flew his cloud, waiting for His Majesty the Jade Emperor to finish laughing… After all, his main body couldn’t be so unrestrained; he could only use a clone to vent his emotions.

Hua Ritian transmitted a message, “Changshou, the Dragon Race matter has been settled for now; I am greatly pleased. Do you desire any rewards? If you have any requests, feel free to make them!”

Li Changshou’s mind stirred, and he said, “Your Majesty, this minor deity indeed has a request today. I wish to acquire a small plot of land in the Heavenly Court.”

Hua Ritian chuckled, “That is a small matter, not even worthy of a reward. Even if your residence were expanded ten or a hundredfold, it would be fine.”

Li Changshou explained, “Your Majesty, this minor deity wishes to acquire a small plot of land next to the Tushita Palace and move my residence there, to be closer to Lord Lao Zi.”

“Tushita Palace?” Hua Ritian’s expression immediately became serious. After a moment of thought, he chuckled, “Such matters, my dear minister, you can decide yourself. As long as Lord Lao Zi doesn’t object, the Heavenly Court is yours to reside in.”

Li Changshou immediately sent a voice transmission of thanks; this was precisely the permission he needed from the Jade Emperor. In the future, Little Qiong Peak would naturally not appear directly in the Heavenly Court; a few layers of disguise would still be necessary. Li Changshou had several different solutions for completing the fifth step of the “Little Qiong Peak Nomad Plan.” For the optimal solution, he was still missing one divine ability and one formation, for which he would need to seek assistance from the Grandmaster later.

“By the way, Changshou,” Hua Ritian asked with a smile, “Do you have any leads on Lu Ya?”

Li Changshou replied seriously, “Your Majesty, this minor deity currently only knows that Lu Ya is hiding in the Golden Crow Palace on the Sun Star.”

“Oh?” Hua Ritian looked towards the sun in the sky, two golden lights flashing in his eyes. “Changshou, why don’t you lead a troop to surround the Golden Crow Palace, and I will secretly make a move to eliminate this remnant of the Demon Court.”

Li Changshou quickly said, “This minor deity fears he cannot lead troops there.”

Hua Ritian smiled faintly, “Right, I almost forgot your clones are made of paper, unable to approach fire.”

“Moreover, Your Majesty, this young Golden Crow is protected by a Saintly Matriarch. Even though the Saintly Matriarch concealed the heavenly secrets for him, this matter was personally deduced by the Grandmaster.”

Hua Ritian’s eyes narrowed, his expression somewhat grave. “If that is the case, then it is indeed a bit troublesome.”

Li Changshou briefly diverted his attention, using his immortal sense through the Paper Daoist hidden in the mountains and forests somewhere on the border between the East Victory Divine Continent and South Jambudvipa. He glanced at the demonic couple currently offering incense to a spirit tablet inscribed “Daoist Lu Ya”… He wondered how Daoist Lu Ya was actually faring now.