Chapter 343: The Joy of Being Inhuman

Although the process of the sea eye’s breach wasn't long, most of the dragon experts closest to it, who had rushed in without hesitation, along with the dragons originally suppressing it, were torn apart by the currents.

It seemed that the Dragon Race’s overall casualties were only one or two tenths, but those who died or were injured represented the East Sea Dragon Palace’s high-end combat power. This battle significantly weakened the East Sea Dragon Palace. Adding the losses of the West Sea Dragon Palace, the damage the dragons sustained in the brief battle before, and the disappearance of the East Sea's largest dragon treasury, the Dragon Race suffered immense losses.

The good news was that one less sea eye required their lives to suppress, and the remaining power of the East Sea Dragon Palace was now fully unleashed.

Li Changshou stood before the iron rod, his gaze complex as he looked at the now-harmless sea eye. He didn't need to find excuses or blame the dragons for being too hasty after the sea eye was exposed. This time, he had indeed lost a round to the Western Sect. No matter how much he plotted or how many tricks he employed, he still lacked the power to turn the tide at crucial moments. This power could be a Heavenly Court strong enough to suppress a Saint's faction, or it could be his own ability to unleash Grandmaster Xuandu or Fairy Yunxiao-level combat power in a short time.

“Water God,” the old Dragon King, clad in robes, walked behind Li Changshou and bowed deeply.

Li Changshou turned around and quickly stepped forward to help him, asking, “Dragon King, what are you doing?”

The Dragon King replied, “Water God has saved my East Sea lineage. I don't know how to express my gratitude, but from now on, if the Water God has any requests, please speak freely, without any reservations.”

“Dragon King, a great calamity can also be a great fortune. The Dragon Race should learn some lessons from this incident.” Li Changshou changed the subject and asked, “How does the Dragon King plan to deal with the Four Seas Immortal Flood Dragons?”

“Alas,” the East Sea Dragon King sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in his dragon eyes. “There have been too many casualties today. Although the East Sea’s maw is safe, the sins borne by the Dragon Race are not yet absolved. Let them each swear an oath never to invade the sea eyes again. If any wish to leave, they may leave. If any wish to stay, they will be treated like those transforming into dragons.”

“That's good.” Li Changshou took a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to the East Sea Dragon King. “This iron rod was a gift from Emperor Yu, originally forged by the Grand Supreme Elder Lord. It now appears it can serve as a treasure for sealing the sea eye. I will leave it here for now; the Dragon Palace must guard it well. Inside this jade talisman are nineteen strategies I've just written. If the Dragon King finds them useful, you may consider adopting them.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his paper effigy swam over from a distance, carrying Ao Yi, and placed the unconscious Ao Yi before the Dragon King.

“Please don't be offended, Dragon King,” Li Changshou whispered. “Ao Yi treats me like a brother, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer at the sea eye. This was not Ao Yi deserting the battle.”

“Thank you, Water God...” The Dragon King enveloped Ao Yi in a stream of water and sent him to the elders waiting in the distance.

The Dragon King transmitted his voice, “As for His Majesty, what should we...”

“We should still show our respect,” Li Changshou transmitted back. “Although His Majesty is the Heavenly Emperor, merit isn't something to be obtained lightly; it's His Majesty's accumulation over long ages. I just heard an elder say that the East Sea Dragon Palace's treasury seems to have been raided.”

“Water God, you don't need to worry,” the old Dragon King sighed. “It's just a small accumulation of materials. There are two other such treasuries in the East Sea.”

Li Changshou nodded and directly said, “The Heavenly Court will soon be in need of armor and weapons.”

“Thank you for the guidance, Water God!”

Li Changshou then transmitted, “The two fellow Daoists from Jie School contributed greatly this time. The Dragon Palace doesn't need to send any precious gifts. Just remember to visit Three Immortals Island and Luofu Cave later to thank them in person.”

“Of course,” the East Sea Dragon King repeatedly agreed.

Li Changshou took out two bottles of healing elixirs he had refined from his sleeve, as a token of his regard. After the Dragon King thanked him and took the elixirs, Li Changshou bid farewell, citing the need to deal with the East Sea tsunami. Such a sorrowful event was not suitable for observing. As Li Changshou used water escape to head towards the surface, the numerous dragons behind him, both near and far, collectively bowed.

The Dragon King lowered his head, looking at the jade talisman in his hand. As he infused it with immortal power, lines of small characters flew out from it.

Dragon Strategy No. 1: Swiftly establish divine positions for various water gods in Nanzhan Continent, and proactively request the Heavenly Court to impose strict regulations on yourselves, ensuring the fastest accumulation of sufficient merit to calm the sea eyes of the West, North, and South Seas.Dragon Strategy No. 2: Establish the Dragon Gate, opening the path for flood dragons to ascend.Dragon Strategy No. 3: Forge a water army and garrison them in the myriad worlds surrounding the Five Continents...

When Li Changshou emerged from the East Sea, Fairy Yunxiao, Zhao Gongming, and Dong Mu Gong were waiting on the clouds. One hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers had already been divided into dozens of units and dispatched to the East Sea coast as a precaution. After a brief explanation of what needed to be done next, the four rode on clouds, easily catching up to the spreading waterline extending westward.

After careful thought, Li Changshou smiled at Zhao Gongming and said, “Brother, I'm troubling you, but please use the Sea-Calming Divine Pearl to absorb all of the East Sea tsunami.”

“A trivial matter!” Zhao Gongming smiled slightly, without a hint of doubt, and summoned the Sea-Calming Divine Pearl. While the East Sea wasn't paying attention, he swiftly absorbed all the overflowing water from the sea eye into the divine pearl. The entire process didn't cause any casualties among living beings.

Just as Zhao Gongming finished this and was about to return by cloud, a large expanse of golden clouds flew from the horizon. A small portion of the clouds went to find the one hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers, while the larger portion floated above their heads. Golden light descended, bestowing merit upon Li Changshou, Zhao Gongming, Fairy Yunxiao, and Dong Mu Gong.

Dong Mu Gong was accustomed to this, while Li Changshou observed Zhao Gongming's reaction. Fairy Yunxiao, meanwhile, took out her Primordial Gold Dipper, allowing it to collect this substantial amount of merit power on her behalf. Li Changshou received the most merit, and his Golden Body of Merit advanced a small step further. Zhao Gongming received the second most, about eighty percent of Li Changshou's merit. He stroked his beard, feeling rather pleased, and laughed: “I actually have a day where I receive merit!”

Li Changshou warned, “Brother, don't underestimate this merit. If you don't have a primordial spiritual treasure to protect yourself, you still need this merit to safeguard yourself, so you can avoid certain malicious calculations!”

Hearing Li Changshou speak so seriously, Zhao Gongming nodded repeatedly and smiled, “Thank you for your concern, brother. I've noted this.”

Yunxiao, beside them, glanced at her Primordial Gold Dipper, and pursed her lips, saying nothing.

Dong Mu Gong laughed nearby, “Water God, I shall return and report to His Majesty. This time, the Water God blocked the sea eye, saved the dragons, and protected the Heavenly Court's prestige. This is a great achievement...”

“Mu Gong!” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “By no means go to His Majesty to congratulate him!”

“Hmm?” Dong Mu Gong was instantly confused.

Li Changshou explained, “We actually lost this time in the East Sea. The Dragon Palace suffered heavy losses, which means the Heavenly Court also suffered heavy losses. There is nothing to celebrate. This matter was due to my insufficient planning. I will personally go to His Majesty later to apologize. Mu Gong, just say that the Dragon Palace was severely wounded by malevolent spirits, and attribute the breaching of the sea eye to the demonic flood dragons corrupted by the Sea of Blood. Then, ask His Majesty to order a search throughout the Three Realms for the primeval malevolent spirits that caused chaos in the East Sea. That should suffice.”

Dong Mu Gong cupped his hands and said, “Water God, rest assured, I have remembered all of this. But today's situation clearly shows it was a Western calculation. Why not use righteousness to pressure the West?”

“Pressure is useless and will only lead to a backlash from the West,” Li Changshou said solemnly. “Moreover, without evidence, how can we say it was done by the West? Some things, you know clearly but cannot say.”

Zhao Gongming muttered, “The Heavenly Court suffered such a huge loss, and that's it? Chang Geng, should I go to West Niu He Continent again to stir things up and vent some anger for our junior uncle and you?”

“Brother, there's no need for that,” Li Changshou smiled. “The rise of the Heavenly Court inherently involves experiencing tribulations. When we respect the Western Sect's Saints, we are also respecting our Daoist Saints. Those malevolent spirits obtained the Dragon Palace treasury today and retaliated against the Dragon Race and the Heavenly Court. They will settle down for a while afterwards. This period is especially important for the Heavenly Court.”

“This is too frustrating!” Zhao Gongming felt a bit depressed and was about to say more, but Fairy Yunxiao, beside him, gently parted her lips: “Big Brother, don't add to his troubles. This matter indeed requires careful handling.”

Zhao Gongming immediately nodded, “Second Sister is right!”

Thereupon, Dong Mu Gong, with Li Changshou's instructions, hurried to meet up with the Heavenly Soldiers and then reported back to the Heavenly Court.

Seeing Li Changshou's weary expression, Yunxiao said softly, “I'll take you back to the mountain to rest first. Grandmaster Xuandu, I don't know where he went either.”

“I'll take you,” Li Changshou smiled. “It's not far from Three Immortals Island. Then, I'll have Brother Zhao take me back to the Sea God Temple later.”

Yunxiao nodded gently, “You can also rest on Three Immortals Island.”

“There's still a lot to do,” Li Changshou's smile slowly faded. “This time, there were errors and oversights, and I need to summarize and analyze them to prevent such loopholes from appearing again in the future. This time, it was the Dragon Race that suffered. Next time, it might endanger me personally, so I must be vigilant.”

Zhao Gongming laughed, “Brother, you are truly steady.”

Li Changshou seemed to have thought of something, frowning in thought. Yunxiao, beside him, looked up at this 'elder,' as if she could see through his transformation spell to the young face beneath, and for a moment, her gaze didn't shift.

Zhao Gongming behind the two: ... He always felt that there was an unnecessary option in his divine abilities.

Yunxiao rode her cloud, taking them to the nearby Three Immortals Island. They entered the layers of mist and found the immortal island hidden by a grand formation. The three's immortal senses spread within the formation, without prioritizing one over the other. This was almost a habit for all Qi Refiners, except that when Li Changshou spread his immortal sense, he would instinctively be cautious, immediately cutting off the probe if he encountered a 'divine sense poison pill.'

Their probe was quite revealing: Fairy Yunxiao's delicate brows furrowed tightly, Uncle Zhao's eyes lit up, and Li Changshou silently pressed a hand to his forehead. Too exasperated to comment.

In a leisurely courtyard enveloped in mist, 'Li Changshou' and 'Yunxiao' were embracing, exaggeratingly exchanging sweet nothings that Li Changshou would never attempt. What made Li Changshou want to poke out his own eyes was that the 'Li Changshou' here was in his original appearance...

The 'Li Changshou' in the pavilion passionately called out: “Yun, look at me, closer. Can you see your reflection in my eyes?”

“Shou, don't look at me like that; it always makes my heart flutter, like a little deer bumping around inside.”

“Yun...”

“Kneel!”

Suddenly, a soft shout was heard, and the two embracing figures instantly separated. With two puffs, they transformed into two young female immortals. Qiongxiao, clad in orange, went pale. Bixiao, wearing a grass-green gauze dress over her clothes, moved like a phantom, bringing her legs together, bending her knees, pinching her ear, and pouting...

Qiongxiao stammered, “Sis-Sister, when did you get back?”

Yunxiao's figure flickered, appearing in the pavilion. She picked up the memory orb on the stone table and directly crushed it. “You two, do you find cultivation too boring?”

Qiongxiao and Bixiao both shivered. Qiongxiao silently knelt beside her youngest sister, filled with remorse. Regret, so much regret...

On the cloud by the island, Li Changshou turned his head, and in his direct line of sight, there was no sign of Zhao Gongming. He looked down again, only to see Uncle Zhao slowly standing up, full of embarrassment, supporting his knees, muttering: “Oh, my legs... How did my old ailment flare up just now...”

Li Changshou: ... What are they all so afraid of?

After staying for a moment on Three Immortals Island, Li Changshou bid farewell with Zhao Gongming and headed towards East Victory Divine Continent. Yunxiao repeatedly urged Zhao Gongming to surely escort Li Changshou to a safe place, lest he be targeted by powerful figures from the West. Although Zhao Gongming really wanted to say, 'Second Sister, couldn't you just personally protect him?', he ultimately... *Cough*! Between the eldest disciple of Jie School and his sworn siblings, could it be called fear? He just didn't quite dare.

Therefore, Zhao Gongming refused Li Changshou's suggestion to part ways in the East Sea, insisting on taking Li Changshou to the Sea God Temple in South贍 Continent, thereby adding a little difficulty to Li Changshou's journey home.

Finally, protected by the Profound Yellow Pagoda and the Heaven and Earth Ruler, Li Changshou successfully returned to Little Qiong Peak of the Immortal Du Sect, hiding within the grand formation, allowing his paper effigy to become active.

The Western Sect... Li Changshou's heart was also somewhat troubled. He didn't rush to see His Majesty the Jade Emperor, nor did he search for Grandmaster Xuandu, who had gone missing. Instead, he placed his consciousness into his paper effigy and walked around Little Qiong Peak by the lake and the spiritual beast enclosure. He pondered carefully, summarized his thoughts, and simultaneously formulated his next plan. His immortal sense swept over the cultivation grounds of young Li Jing on Potian Peak, found everything was fine, and Li Changshou didn't pay it much mind.

Unconsciously, he walked to the lakeside thatched hut. Li Changshou paused, looking at the figure of his master meditating. 'It's time. I should arrange for Master to ascend. This is a good opportunity too...' The next memorial he needed to write for the Jade Emperor was now thoroughly planned.

“Senior Brother?” Ling'e flew over from the direction of the chess and card room, lightly landing before Li Changshou, and softly asked: “What's wrong? You look unwell.”

“Someone outmaneuvered me,” Li Changshou smiled. “I encountered some obstacles outside, but it's not a big deal.”

Ling'e blinked, “Can anyone still outmaneuver Senior Brother?”

“Plenty of people can,” Li Changshou said seriously. “There are heavens beyond heaven, and people beyond people. At the very top, there are transcendent beings. We are just two small fish in the Great Desolation. You must not become arrogant and complacent because of compliments from fellow disciples within the sect, losing your sense of reverence!”

Ling'e pouted, “Senior Brother, I was wrong.”

“Hmm, giving you a lecture certainly made me feel much better,” Li Changshou casually summoned a white cloud and stepped onto it. “I'm going to the alchemy room to refine pills, and also to think about some important matters. This time, I've decided to punish myself by copying the 'Classic of Steadiness' six thousand times, but I'm too busy to find the time...”

“Then you can do it!” Ling'e immediately made a 'cheer up' gesture with her small fist and turned to use a wind escape spell.

Li Changshou flicked his finger. Ling'e's body trembled slightly, and her forehead hit an invisible wall. She then heard her Senior Brother leisurely say, “This time, I'll trouble you, Junior Sister, to take my punishment for me.”

“Yes, I understand,” Ling'e replied reluctantly.

Li Changshou's mood instantly brightened considerably as he rode his cloud towards the alchemy room. Being a jerk was truly this enjoyable.

Just then, at Li Changshou's main body, a small Taiji Diagram appeared. The Profound Yellow Pagoda and Heaven and Earth Ruler hastily bade him farewell and directly escaped into the Taiji Diagram, saying that the Grand-disciple had summoned them.

Through the Taiji Diagram just now, Li Changshou seemed to sense a familiar foul aura. The Sea of Blood? The Grandmaster, went to the Sea of Blood?

In the Netherworld, at the edge of the Underworld, deep within the boundless, churning Sea of Blood. A beautiful female Asura with 'two arms' and scant clothing was meditating at the bottom of the Sea of Blood, absorbing its power to heal herself, a silver-white sharp sword resting flat on her knees.

Suddenly, hearing a soft chuckle, the female Asura abruptly opened her eyes. The aura around her trembled, and she snapped her head up. Above the Sea of Blood, the Taiji Diagram slowly rotated, and a young Daoist in green robes stepped out. He wore the Profound Yellow Pagoda above his head, held a long green ruler in his hand, and the Taiji Diagram slowly spun behind him. The previously churning Sea of Blood instantly quieted down.

“It's my turn now.”