Chapter 336: West Sea Incident, Immortal Attendant With Me

Li Changshou glanced down at his appearance, then transformed into the likeness of ‘Water God Chang Geng’.

Through the Grandmaster's cloud mist, he overheard Ox-head and Horse-face muttering, realizing the infernal Witch clan's remarkably high awareness, even contemplating joining the Heavenly Court directly...

Li Changshou couldn't help but fall into another layer of worry.

This was a bit too proactive.

If the Underworld truly was as Ox-head and Horse-face described, not only unaverse to the Heavenly Court but eager to join its system soon, then he, the Water God, would transform from the orchestrator of schemes into a mere pawn ‘bought off’ by the Underworld.

The nature of the matter would fundamentally change, and it could easily make the Jade Emperor suspicious.

His Majesty the Jade Emperor was not as free-spirited and uninhibited as the Grandmaster...

Furthermore, if he didn't exert much effort in this Underworld affair, how would the Heavenly Dao bestow great merit upon him?

His current merit was only enough to form a small portion of a Golden Body. He couldn't possibly create a 'disabled Golden Body' that only protected vital areas during combat, could he?

Of course, that was just a joke; the Heavenly Dao wouldn't allow such an incomplete Golden Body, as a Golden Body symbolized the culmination of merit.

In short, any Heavenly Court assignment that didn't aim for a Golden Body was, to Li Changshou, pure hooliganism!

Hmm, the "Dragons Ascending to Heaven" script was clearly unsuitable for the Underworld; he needed to uncover new points of conflict.

He needed to diligently overcome all difficulties to help the Underworld integrate into the Heavenly Court system, assisting the Heavenly Court in establishing its foundational control over the Three Realms.

If there were no difficulties, he would create them and face them head-on!

As he pondered how to handle the Underworld affair, a faint fragrance wafted into his nostrils. Li Changshou instinctively looked up towards the inner hall's doorway...

A subtle fragrance, unspoken, announced her graceful arrival.

It was merely a simple white dress, yet on her, it appeared so elegant, revealing no curves but brimming with immortal charm, making one sigh inwardly:

'Is this not the one from my heart, from my dreams?'

Yun Xiao had arrived.

Li Changshou stepped forward, smiling, and offered a Daoist bow. Yun Xiao, with remarkable understanding, returned a slight curtsy.

Their gazes met, and Yun Xiao's usually serene immortal face softened, like a delicate plum blossom blooming on a cold branch.

Li Changshou took the initiative to speak, "Fairy, I hope you have been well."

Yun Xiao replied, "Friend, have you been at peace recently?"

"No major issues nearby, just much travel for cultivation," Li Changshou said softly, then suddenly grew serious, "These five hundred years have passed in a flash, truly, one doesn't notice the passage of time."

Unexpectedly, Li Changshou would joke about this. Yun Xiao pressed her lips together and laughed aloud, this time truly dispelling her cool aloofness.

The Grandmaster, witnessing this, could only secretly give a thumbs-up behind their backs.

Meanwhile, Lord Pagoda, who protected Li Changshou, shivered repeatedly, muttering in Li Changshou's mind:

"Your dignity, little Changshou, your dignity!

How can you be paralyzed at the sight of a woman? This is karma, karma!

Huh? Why is there Sister Golden Dipper's aura... Oh? Is this Fairy Yun Xiao?

Oh—

Amazing, Changshou, you dare to flirt with Fairy Yun Xiao! Quick, quick, bring Sister Golden Dipper into our Human School family!"

Li Changshou had no time to respond to Lord Pagoda. After her laughter, Fairy Yun Xiao deliberately straightened her face and softly said:

"Then I shall return. Let us pretend we haven't met, and perhaps we can meet again in four hundred eighty-two years?"

Li Changshou quickly made a gesture of invitation. "Since you've already come, let's just recalculate.

Please come inside, Fairy. Senior Brother Xuan Du is also here."

"Hmm," Yun Xiao replied, then stepped forward and bowed in greeting to the Grandmaster.

Yun Xiao said, "Senior Brother Xuan Du."

Xuan Du smiled and replied, "Junior Sister Yun Xiao."

Yun Xiao then said no more, turning her gaze directly to Li Changshou.

Yun Xiao said, "My reason for coming out this time is also related to Senior Brother Xuan Du.

It seems someone is slandering Senior Brother Xuan Du in the Five Continents, and the accusations implicitly point towards you.

I was concerned you might be caught in a scheme, so I came to warn you."

"Oh, that..."

Li Changshou chuckled, "Just rumors. Perhaps someone is fanning the flames, but if Senior Brother Xuan Du doesn't care, it's harmless."

"That's good then," Fairy Yun Xiao said softly. "Seeing you are well, I shall return to the island to cultivate."

The Grandmaster Xuan Du suddenly spoke from the side:

"Junior Sister, why rush back? Since you're here, there's a good show coming up soon. Why not stay and watch with us?"

Li Changshou, however, said, "Senior Brother Xuan Du, it's not appropriate for the Fairy to get involved."

"Don't worry," the Grandmaster laughed. "It's just for Junior Sister Yun Xiao to watch from the side; I wouldn't let her act rashly.

Besides, every time I've followed behind you, Changshou, I've always thought about stepping in to protect you when you couldn't hold on, but each time you've had a thrilling fight with a powerful enemy, you haven't given your senior brother a single chance to act.

So, this time, are you perhaps afraid that Junior Sister Yun Xiao will see you fighting and think your skills are insufficient?

You're underestimating Junior Sister Yun Xiao too much!"

Li Changshou: ...

A master, an absolute master!

With just two sentences, the Grandmaster deployed successive tactics: provocation, feigned weakness, and feigned indifference!

Why aren't you this dedicated when it comes to serious matters?!

Fairy Yun Xiao had already asked, "Are you going to fight someone?"

Li Changshou smiled, "It's not a major enemy, Fairy; you needn't worry..."

"Changshou!"

The Grandmaster Xuan Du frowned and gently chided him, "Why are you so dismissive now?

How can the two Saints of the Western Sect not be considered major enemies in your eyes?

This isn't like your usual self."

Li Changshou's mind twitched wildly, while Lord Pagoda erupted in a string of 'hahahahas' in his mind...

Grandmaster, you're ruthless.

Yun Xiao softly furrowed her brow and gently said, "If you don't like me watching, I won't.

However, I can't help but worry, so I might use a mirror spell to observe from afar."

Li Changshou said, "Fairy, you truly don't need to get involved in such karma."

Yun Xiao, however, replied, "If I only watch and don't intervene, it shouldn't count as incurring karma. If there's real trouble, I can also promptly send a message to the Tushita Palace."

"Very well," Li Changshou said with a relieved smile, not refusing further, and spoke gently, "Please have a seat here first.

Two friends from the Underworld are arriving shortly; I'll deal with them first."

The Grandmaster's eyes immediately crinkled into a smile.

Fairy Yun Xiao didn't think much of it. She quietly sat on a wooden chair beside Li Changshou, her form enveloped in mist.

Just then, Ox-head's booming voice echoed from outside the hall:

"Congratulations, Water God! Celebrations to the Water God! The Grandmaster of the Human School has joyfully welcomed a daughter! Men giving birth is truly impressive! Moo!"

"Heh!"

A soft chuckle came from the cloud mist, and Li Changshou's eyes also crinkled with amusement.

The Grandmaster's mouth twitched slightly, but he said nothing more.

Li Changshou quickly called out, "Please don't shout, that's just a rumor!"

"A rumor?"

Ox-head and Horse-face, who had just landed before the door and were about to raise their celebratory red couplets, paused their movements.

Only then did they spot the Grandmaster's figure, and they both shivered...

Li Changshou frowned, "Such a rumor actually reached the Underworld? Where did you two hear this?"

"Well," Ox-head scratched his head, "sometimes when the brothers get bored, they'll stop cultivators on their way to Fengdu City and ask about any new and strange happenings in the Great Desolation."

"Neigh!"

Horse-face bumped Ox-head's shoulder. The two battle-witches quickly stepped forward and, at the inner hall's entrance, cupped their fists in salute to the Grandmaster.

The Grandmaster nodded with a smile, saying nothing.

Li Changshou smiled and took a treasure pouch from his sleeve, saying, "Although it's a rumor, you two were thoughtful.

The usual, it's all in there."

Ox-head loudly exclaimed, "How can this be? We can't just take benefits from you, Water God, for nothing!"

Yet, he already held the treasure pouch with both hands.

Horse-face, beside him, rolled his eyes, looking at the scene before him with utter disdain.

Just then, the Grandmaster lowered his head and began calculating with his fingers, his brow furrowing slightly.

Li Changshou's immortal sense caught this detail, so he immediately said, "Friends, I still have matters to attend to..."

"What important matter?"

Ox-head seemed not to have received Li Changshou's hint to leave and instead retorted:

"Is there anything our brothers can help with?

Don't even mention schemes or deductions; our primordial spirits aren't great, but fighting enemies and ambushing them is our Witch clan's specialty!"

"Exactly," Horse-face chimed in, looking at Li Changshou with eager eyes.

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments inwardly.

Ox-head and Horse-face were so enthusiastic at this moment, undoubtedly due to their discussion on the way—they aimed to curry favor with him, the Water God, and strive to bring the Underworld into the Heavenly Court.

Leaving other matters aside, if Underworld experts were to appear and assist in the dragon affair, it would indeed be beneficial for the Underworld.

No matter how he planned for the Underworld's submission later, this was a steady first step.

So, Li Changshou said, "Friends, do you know that the Dragon Race of the Four Seas has already submitted to the Heavenly Court?"

"Of course we know," Ox-head chuckled, "Water God, your meticulous planning, helping the dragons ascend to heaven—this news has spread throughout our Underworld.

Our Great Witch Priest has never praised anyone in his life, yet he praised you, Water God, three or four times!

He said you were cunning and deep, and that all those old dragon spirits of the Dragon Race were no match for you!"

"Get lost!"

A horse hoof flew over from the side, kicking Ox-head away.

Horse-face angrily cursed, "The Great Witch Priest said that Water God is resourceful and always has a well-thought-out plan before acting! Even the ancient overlords, the Dragon Race, were perfectly handled by the Water God!"

Ox-head, wide-eyed, retorted, "Isn't that the same thing?"

Li Changshou quickly said, "Gentlemen, please don't argue. Let me ask Senior Brother Xuan Du if I can bring you two along."

No sooner had he spoken than the Grandmaster stood up and said:

"You decide. There are Dao fluctuations in the West Sea Dragon Palace; there should be experts fighting. Junior Brother Chang Geng, shall we go take a look?"

Li Changshou pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then immediately nodded.

"They must have started making trouble for the West Sea Dragon King. The situation is likely not optimistic. Please lend a hand, Senior Brother."

"Good."

The Grandmaster Xuan Du's sleeves billowed, and a ball of water and fire flew out from within, forming a Yin-Yang Water-Fire Taiji Diagram taller than a person.

The Grandmaster stepped into the diagram first. Fairy Yun Xiao also emerged from the mist, standing aside, waiting for Li Changshou to join her, and they entered together.

Ox-head and Horse-face exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.

Although they didn't recognize Fairy Yun Xiao nor could they see her face, the battle-witches' intuition provided them with incredibly accurate information.

This fairy was a master;

likely only slightly weaker than the Grandmaster of the Human School, a true powerhouse!

With two great masters of the Dao Sect moving together, were they going to Spirit Mountain to preach the essence of Daoism?

Ox-head and Horse-face were both a bit wary, but having already spoken, they could only lower their heads and step forward, following behind Li Changshou, thinking that if things truly went awry later, they would use their Witch clan's secret technique, not meant for outsiders.

The Head-Covert Escape: In chaotic battles, simply remove your head covering, lie down in a pile of corpses, and the technique is instantly successful.

However, to Ox-head and Horse-face's relief, when they stepped through the Water-Fire Taiji Diagram, they didn't appear on the golden-lit Spirit Mountain but were instead enveloped by cold, dark seawater...

Although the Witch clan wasn't skilled in water spells, they wouldn't drown.

In ancient times, they even developed secret methods allowing witches to sink to the seabed and move freely, albeit with slightly increased resistance and pressure, and a slightly weaker grip for their large feet.

And in ancient times, the only thing that hindered the Witch clan's hunting in the sea...

was merely fish bones.

Li Changshou made a gesture ahead, and Ox-head and Horse-face immediately halted, standing obediently behind him.

A faint Daoist charm enveloped their three figures, allowing them to merge with the seawater and completely conceal themselves.

The Grandmaster and Fairy Yun Xiao had vanished, but Li Changshou could feel them, one on his left and one on his right, secretly protecting him.

Such treatment...

was truly unparalleled.

At this moment, they were near the West Sea Dragon Palace.

Li Changshou's immortal sense swept across a radius of thirty thousand li, observing large numbers of immortal jiao soldiers being mobilized everywhere. These troops implicitly surrounded the West Sea Dragon Palace, but their blades were pointed outwards.

The West Sea Dragon Palace was currently enveloped in layers of formations. The small pagoda in Li Changshou's primordial spirit lightly vibrated, and his immortal sense immediately became unhindered, allowing him to see the situation unfolding within the Dragon Palace.

This group of traitors had indeed launched their assault!

At this moment, the West Sea Dragon King, the Dragon Queen, and the Dragon King's last loyal retainers—dozens of experts and over a hundred immortal jiao soldiers—were holding firm in the main hall of the West Sea Dragon Palace.

The main hall's grand formation was on the verge of collapse, surrounded by swarms of figures.

Ao Shi, the eldest prince of the West Sea Dragon Palace, along with many elders of the West Sea Dragon Palace, had initiated a coup, citing the West Sea Dragon King's moral failings as their reason.

Only dragons from the Dragon Race were visible at the moment, but within the West Sea Dragon Palace, dozens of shadowy figures lurked, their karmic power quite potent...

Li Changshou's eyes lit up—a fine group of Primordial Fierce Beasts!

Looking at the main hall's situation again, the West Sea Dragon King seemed to be in an unusual state; his aura appeared strong, yet he felt inwardly weak.

Li Changshou quickly deduced that the West Sea Dragon King had been afflicted by some kind of 'Dao poison,' immediately deepening his apprehension towards the Western Sect.

The Golden Immortal Poison Pill he had long envisioned already existed in the West, and it could even harm ancient 'Grand Unity' beings like the West Sea Dragon King!

Li Changshou transmitted a message to Ox-head and Horse-face, "If danger arises later, come to my side immediately."

Ox-head and Horse-face couldn't help but blink.

This Water God...

Who was he looking down on?

Before Ox-head and Horse-face could retort, Li Changshou already used his immortal power to carry them both, heading towards the West Sea Dragon Palace.

Along the way, they casually swam past the immortal jiao soldiers without revealing the slightest trace;

Approaching the layers of formations, faint Taiji Diagram imprints would appear on them, allowing their three figures to merge in freely, completely unhindered.

During this brief interlude, Li Changshou had gathered information relayed by paper effigies from various sources.

The East Sea, West Sea, and North Sea Dragon Palaces had already reacted, with masters secretly heading to the West Sea.

The three Dragon Palaces had begun 'hurriedly' preparing armies according to their pre-arranged plan, creating the impression of readiness to reinforce the West Sea.

In reality, the main forces of each Dragon Palace had hidden themselves. Here in the West Sea, all that was needed was a combined effort of experts to rescue the West Sea Dragon King and Queen.

At this point, Li Changshou had made his judgment, clearly knowing what he needed to do.

One word: delay.

Delay until the experts from the three Dragon Palaces appeared, delay until the Heavenly Court created a diversion externally, and then rescue the West Sea Dragon King and Queen, along with the ' loyal ministers' here. That would be the first phase of victory!

With the Grandmaster of Heaven and Earth Exquisite Pagoda protecting him and the Grandmaster at his side, Li Changshou's self-preservation was assured. However, if the Grandmaster didn't act, saving people by himself would be too difficult.

Having analyzed the situation, Li Changshou formulated several plans.

In such a situation, to buy time, the first thing to do was to attract the opponent's attention, making them wary, confused, and preferably apprehensive.

Li Changshou quickly transmitted a few instructions to Ox-head and Horse-face. Finding them a bit dense, he simply stated:

"The situation is urgent; act according to my transmitted instructions!"

Ox-head and Horse-face immediately nodded vigorously!

Heads could roll, blood could flow, as long as it didn't require thinking.

Immediately, Li Changshou quickly devised a simple plan. Leveraging the power of the Taiji Diagram, he led Ox-head and Horse-face around groups of experts, smoothly reaching the outer perimeter of the inner hall.

The side initiating the coup naturally also knew time was of the essence...

The Crown Prince of the West Sea Dragon Palace was also a ruthless individual. Golden light currently coiled around his body, and his aura was astonishing, as if he had forcefully boosted his strength.

The rebellious dragons collectively broke through the last layer of the main hall's grand formation. Ao Shi, leading a large group of experts, charged into the main hall, pointing his sword at his elderly father on the throne.

"Father King, you are old, it's time you rested!"

The West Sea Dragon King's whiskers trembled, his long, draconic eyes filled with pain. With a low growl, he was just about to speak!

"Neigh—"

A loud horse neigh echoed throughout the main hall, followed by a low bovine bellow.

Inside the main hall, a group of dragons frowned, both sides somewhat bewildered.

Suddenly, a series of clanking chain noises drifted through the main hall;

Hundreds of illuminating treasure orbs throughout the main hall began to flicker continuously, and two robust figures appeared on the side walls!

They looked like two giants, each holding chains, emerging from the shadows.

"Who's there!"

A rebel elder bellowed, "Who dares to play tricks here!"

His only response was two cold sneers.

"Neigh! Us playing tricks?

You're mistaken, we are spirits and devils."

"Hahahaha! But since you've asked so sincerely, we shall mercifully tell you!"

*Crack!*

A clap of thunder exploded, and two dark figures suddenly appeared from the seawater at the top of the main hall!

Both figures stood with their arms crossed, their bodies bulging with surging vital energy. Chains wrapped around them in endless coils from neck to ankle, as they slowly descended from above.

If they had simply dropped straight down, they would likely have been cut down by random blades within three feet.

Therefore, guided by Li Changshou's transmitted instructions, they immediately began to call out in turns, each taking a line, yet full of imposing presence—

"To prevent the disruption of Yin-Yang order!"

"To safeguard the tranquility of the Great Dao of Reincarnation!"

"To guide you in finding the lost tainted lands!"

"To receive guidance from the great virtuous Houtu!"

"I am Ox-head!"

"I am Horse-face!"

"Underworld Enforcers, Soul-Reaping Emissaries, reporting for duty!"