Chapter 345: Sealing One's Lips (This Thing Also Has a Sequel)

Seeing Grandmaster Zhao hurrying over, Li Changshou calculated the days and roughly 'guessed' what was happening.

If his predictions were correct, it had to be the Golden Light Holy Mother, who had changed her style of dress, accidentally collapsing near Luofu Cave. Grandmaster Zhao, returning home, happened to find her and quickly brought her back to the cave for treatment.

Then, while they were alone, Grandmaster Zhao, in a flash of insight, suddenly realized the feminine beauty of the Golden Light Holy Mother.

Upon regaining his composure, Grandmaster Zhao found himself experiencing a subtle, unfamiliar emotion, which he didn't quite understand, so he hurried to seek advice from someone.

A guess!

All of the above was merely Li Changshou's reasonable conjecture, based on his understanding of Grandmaster Zhao's character!

It was absolutely not some brilliant scheme!

After all, Li Changshou held Grandmaster Zhao in such high regard, was so 'grateful' to the Jie teaching immortals, and disliked interfering in others' karma.

Zhao Gongming strode over, pulled Li Changshou's paper effigy to a seat, first frowned, hesitant to speak, then revealed the 'truth' to Li Changshou.

Indeed, it was exactly as Li Changshou had guessed.

"Chang Geng!

I thought Junior Sister Golden Light was injured in a fight, so I brought her back to the cave to heal her... but then...

Chang Geng, what should I do?

I didn't feel anything before, but suddenly..."

Zhao Gongming's face was contorted in a dilemma, his beautiful beard even knotted. "Golden Light is in my cave right now. Junior Niece Huo Ling has gone to look after her; that's why I ran out.

If others ask, how should I explain this?"

"Why not just tell the truth?" Li Changshou countered with a smile. A divine messenger was serving tea nearby. Li Changshou used his immortal power to bring the teacup over, gesturing for the messenger to leave.

Zhao Gongming, still somewhat conflicted, mused for a few moments, then sighed:

"I didn't feel it before, but today, seeing Junior Sister Golden Light—she merely changed her dress, and I suddenly felt as if she were a completely different person...

This feeling, truly, truly is quite wondrous."

Li Changshou took a sip from his teacup, pondered for a moment, and then chuckled:

"Elder Brother, what do you think a Qi Refiner's Dao-companion specifically entails?"

Grandmaster Zhao's eyes immediately crinkled with a smile. He cleared his throat and declared loudly: "It's nothing more than...

One says, 'Fairy, I'll escort you back,' and the other says, 'Fellow Daoist, let me escort you back.' Then their gazes meet, oblivious to others, bidding a reluctant farewell before they part ways...

Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Li Changshou was somewhat exasperated. "Fairy Yun Xiao and I aren't even Dao-companions yet, largely because of what happened last time in the Peach Blossom Forest.

Elder Brother, in ancient times, there was a saying among cultivators: 'Law, Wealth, Companion, Land.' At that time, the meaning of a Dao-companion was very pure.

Towards the end of antiquity, as humanity rose, many human Qi Refiners took Dao-companions who were also spouses, thus incorporating the meaning of mortal husband and wife.

Even if Fairy Yun Xiao and I were to become Dao-companions, it would still involve discussing the Dao, lighthearted banter, and mutual support."

Zhao Gongming nodded continuously upon hearing this, then added, "But I've always felt that Golden Light doesn't seem to want that kind of Dao-companion relationship with me...

Besides, those who form Dao-companion pairs on Jin'ao Island are always concerned about offspring and such."

Li Changshou: "..."

"Well, that makes the problem quite troublesome."

Zhao Gongming quickly asked, "Chang Geng, how should I speak to Golden Light this time?"

Li Changshou set down his teacup and said earnestly:

"Matters of the heart should be allowed to take their natural course. The changes involved are hard to explain. Last time, Elder Brother, you felt nothing for the Golden Light Holy Mother, but today you've come to tell me this...

Alas, Golden Light is actually quite good.

Elder Brother, you're truly putting me in a difficult position. You must first determine your true feelings: whether to refuse or accept, whether you are interested or not.

Only then can I help you, can't I?"

"What Chang Geng said makes a lot of sense." Zhao Gongming stroked his beard, let out a long sigh, pondered carefully, then slowly shook his head.

"Now, I'm even a little confused myself!

Chang Geng, do you have urgent matters to attend to? If not, why don't you accompany me, your elder brother, for a walk to clear my head? It might help me sort out my feelings."

Li Changshou's heart stirred. "I was just about to visit the Witch Tribe lands in North Continent, Elder Brother. Would you like to come with me?"

"Alright!" Zhao Gongming readily agreed; at this point, anywhere was fine, as long as he didn't have to return to Luofu Cave.

Li Changshou asked Zhao Gongming to wait briefly. He used Earth Evasion to go to his paper effigy storeroom, took a few small paper effigies as backup, and then set off on the journey to North Continent with Zhao Gongming.

Li Changshou had to admit that he did harbor the thought of having Zhao Gongming enter the Heavenly Courts as an immortal god in advance, which might help Grandmaster Zhao avoid the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods.

However, the chances of this idea succeeding were extremely low, and Li Changshou dared not scheme too much. He could only go with the flow and offer guidance.

He needed to first let Zhao Gongming form a sufficiently good impression of the Heavenly Courts, which would provide more room for maneuver later.

There was no other way; Zhao Gongming's death was entirely the turning point for the Daoist sects, marking their decline from prosperity.

The more Li Changshou analyzed the trajectory of the Investiture of the Gods, the more he felt that Grandmaster Zhao was difficult to save. Even though he had already taken the Copper Coin of Dropping Treasures and helped Grandmaster Zhao accrue some merit, he still had little confidence.

After all, he still had to consider the converging forces of 'destiny,' 'tribulation,' and 'fortune.'

The greatest vulnerability—the Book of Seven Arrows with Nail Head—was still in the hands of Daoist Lu Ya at this moment.

Speaking of Daoist Lu Ya...

Recently, the Black Panther couple no longer dared to randomly worship, and Lu Ya's memorial tablet had also been removed. It was unclear what Daoist Lu Ya's current situation was.

On the cloud path, Li Changshou asked with a smile, "Elder Brother Zhao, how much do you know about the Saintess?"

Zhao Gongming, burdened with thoughts, casually replied, "The Human Saintess, a listener of the Dao in Zixiao Palace...

Why do you suddenly ask this, Chang Geng?"

"It just occurred to me," Li Changshou said, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the rapidly receding mountains in the distance. "If a great war were to break out between humans and demons right now, I wonder if the Saintess would favor humanity or be biased towards the demon race."

Zhao Gongming said, "Chang Geng, you worry too much. How could a Saint care about such trivial matters?"

"You're right," Li Changshou responded with a smile, continuing to chat and jest with Zhao Gongming as they unhurriedly made their way to North Continent.

Meanwhile,

On Mount Emei, at Luofu Cave.

A white cloud swiftly flew over, familiar with the outer formation, and entered it. It arrived at the cave entrance and called out:

"Junior Brother Gongming, is Junior Brother Gongming home?"

A soft exclamation was heard from within the cave, and the tinkling of jade pendants resounded as the Holy Mother Huo Ling gracefully emerged from the cave.

She wore a long gown that seemed forged from flames, her figure tall and slender, her neck graceful, and her face quite beautiful.

Holy Mother Huo Ling looked up and saw an old Daoist in an earthy yellow robe standing on a cloud in front of the cave. Her slender fingers subtly calculated within her sleeve, and she quickly recalled who this person was.

"Huo Ling of the Jie teaching, greets Senior Uncle Huang Long."

(According to the entry order of the three sects' disciples, Holy Mother Huo Ling's master, Daoist Duobao, became a disciple of the Three Pure Ones before Huang Long.)

Huang Long cupped his hands and frowned, "Is Junior Brother Gongming in the cave?"

Holy Mother Huo Ling smiled, "Senior Uncle Zhao had an important matter and went to seek the Sea God... no, he went to seek the Water God. He entrusted me to look after the place. Does Senior Uncle Huang Long have any instructions?"

"The Water God..." True Lord Huang Long couldn't help but frown deeply, looking at the jade talisman in his hand, and sighed dejectedly.

Everything was fine before, why did he go into seclusion?!

He hadn't gained such insights into cultivation for so many years, yet this realization suddenly came just before the incident in the East Sea, causing him to miss the Water God's message and fail to offer aid in the Four Seas.

He had come to find Zhao Gongming, hoping Zhao Gongming would accompany him to Anshui City to inquire if there was any way to 'make amends'.

Going himself, he really didn't have the face for it!

Thinking of this, True Lord Huang Long sighed again and said:

"Since that is the case, this poor Daoist will take his leave. I apologize for the trouble."

With that, True Lord Huang Long bowed to Holy Mother Huo Ling and departed.

'Strange...'

Holy Mother Huo Ling blinked softly, shook her head slightly, and turned back into Luofu Cave.

Inside, there was an immortal maiden feigning injury, afraid to move, waiting for her return to discuss how to proceed.

In West Niu He Continent, at Spirit Mountain, under a patch of shade.

A peculiar divine beast was lowering its head, recounting the simple conversation between Holy Mother Huo Ling and True Lord Huang Long.

Aside from other qualities, this divine beast's appearance alone was extraordinary: with a tiger's head, a dragon's body, a lion's tail, dog's ears, a single horn, and qilin's feet, it stood over three zhang tall even while lying down.

At the feet of this divine beast, a young Daoist sat cross-legged, dressed in a tattered long robe, now slowly opening his eyes.

"Holy Mother Huo Ling, in Luofu Cave?"

The Daoist smiled slightly, murmured "interesting," and took out a jade talisman, on which he wrote a few lines.

The divine beast behind him then asked:

"Master, why resort to such underhanded schemes?"

"It's merely scheming. What difference does it make if it's 'underhanded' or not?" The young Daoist gently pushed the jade talisman, which transformed into a streak of light and flew to another corner of Spirit Mountain.

His long fingers, like those of a delicate woman, were spotless and remarkably refined.

"If it achieves the goal, it's a good scheme.

If just a few words can test the fissures between the Chan and Jie teachings and incite further plotting, then why not?"

"Yes," the divine beast responded, its head slowly sinking.

The young Daoist closed his eyes again, meditating silently. A light blue lotus hovered behind him, and tendrils of tranquil Daoist charm spread throughout the area.

North Continent, one of the Primordial Continents;

It bordered the North Sea to the north and Central Divine Continent to the south. It was perpetually covered by an unceasing toxic miasma, making it dark and sunless everywhere.

In the ancient war, when the Witch and Demon races declined, the Witch race, to avoid extinction, swore an oath to forever reside in North Continent.

Afterward, the remaining Witch race members all entered the harsh and cold North Continent, where they have continued to this day, though their numbers are unknown.

After humanity's rise, North Continent gradually became a 'natural treasure trove' for human Qi Refiners. Although abundant in venomous insects, it also had many spiritual herbs. At the border between North Continent and Central Divine Continent, demon races ran rampant, and demon kingdoms proliferated.

Though dangerous, this place also offered concurrent opportunities.

Li Changshou had once risked coming to North Continent to help his master overcome a tribulation, but at that time, he only operated in the outer regions, as his cultivation was too low to venture deeper.

This time, Li Changshou didn't need to prepare those talismans and elixirs.

Not to mention that he was only here as a paper effigy clone;

Simply having the Jie teaching's eldest disciple, who could both fight and relax, by his side...

What was there to fear?

Zhao Gongming performed a quick calculation with his fingers, then actively released his aura, riding a cloud to take Li Changshou north.

Along the way, venomous insects silenced themselves, and poisonous beasts kept their heads low. Even the most arrogant fierce beasts and demon mountain kings, usually rampant, could only pretend not to notice the figures flying high above.

The toxic miasma grew thicker, then gradually thinned.

Before long, Li Changshou saw patch after patch of North Yuan Cold Pines, knowing that they were nearing the Witch Tribe's dwelling places.

He recalled that previous trip to North Continent, waiting in a cave with his 'poisonous' Junior Sister for immortal reinforcements from their sect. She had even asked him what purpose the North Yuan Cold Pine wood he burned served.

Perhaps it was Pangu's subtle blessing upon the Witch race that after they entered North Continent, these North Yuan Cold Pines, capable of isolating the toxic miasma, were discovered by them and became a barrier against the noxious fumes.

With his immortal sense sweeping across the area, Li Changshou discovered a long 'North Yuan Cold Pine Protective Belt', stretching five to six thousand li and hundreds of li wide.

Beyond this protective belt lay a wasteland. Li Changshou had expected to see several flourishing Witch Tribe settlements, but all he saw were remnants of abandoned stone houses and campsites.

Zhao Gongming murmured with emotion, "The Witch Tribe has it rough."

"Indeed," Li Changshou sighed, "Born from the bloodline of Great God Pangu, how could they come to this?"

"There's a lot more to it," Zhao Gongming shook his head. "The past is gone. Now, both the Witch and Demon races have declined.

However, compared to the Witch race, the demon race is truly fortunate."

Li Changshou thought for a moment and said, "Not entirely."

"Oh?" Zhao Gongming said seriously, "Although the demon race isn't as strong as humanity now, they do show signs of resurgence, with demon kings emerging constantly and many older generation demon experts still in hiding.

Moreover, demons and spirits are inherently difficult to distinguish, and many of our fellow disciples in the Jie teaching are related to or connected with demon experts.

How could the demon race be unstable?"

Li Changshou chuckled, "Where is the demon race's fortune?"

"That..."

Li Changshou continued, "The Witch race's fortune is preserved by the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk. Great Virtue Houtu, who embodied the Six Paths, left a spark for the Witch race.

The demon race's fortune, however, has long since shattered, like dying embers. They are currently sustained only by their deep foundations.

Ultimately, the Saintess is the Human Saint Mother, and she only cares for a portion of the demon race.

Furthermore..."

Zhao Gongming blinked, "Don't keep me in suspense."

Li Changshou smiled calmly. "The Heavenly Courts will soon recruit troops and train Heavenly Soldiers. The first to be targeted to establish the Heavenly Courts' prestige will be the demon race."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and laughed, "As expected of a Heavenly Court minister, Junior Brother, you are truly domineering."

"Elder Brother, the Heavenly Courts are destined to be the rulers of the Three Realms; this is Heaven's will," Li Changshou chuckled. "Currently, the Heavenly Courts are just beginning, and they've already received assistance from the Dragon race.

Soon, with steady development, they will transform significantly almost every hundred or thousand years."

Zhao Gongming nodded slowly, listening intently, but...

...showed no sign of being swayed.

Li Changshou: "..."

Unable to persuade him, next plan.

Back to the main topic.

As Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming chatted, they arrived at a relatively large Witch Tribe settlement.

Looking down, this Witch Tribe gathering place, perhaps smaller than a mundane town in South Continent, finally showed some signs of life.

A dozen children, clad in animal skins, each carrying tree trunks as thick as their waists, laughed, ran, and played joyfully, occasionally kicking away half-zhang wide boulders.

Zhao Gongming chuckled, "Shall we go down and take a look?"

Li Changshou thought for a moment: "Elder Brother Zhao, why don't we find a place for a small drink?"

Zhao Gongming didn't understand why, but he didn't refuse.

Thereupon, Li Changshou descended on a cloud into the forest, skillfully set up a grill, and took out a large piece of delicious frozen spirit beast meat, busying himself.

Before long, an enticing aroma of roasted meat wafted through the forest. The dozen children, who had been playing with stone balls, were drawn by the smell and stood at the forest's edge, gazing from afar.

Li Changshou's ears twitched, and he heard Witch Tribe speech carried on the wind-whisper spell.

With a brief calculation, he understood the meaning of their words...

"Quick, go get Mom and Dad! The demon race is here poisoning again!"

At a regular immortal banquet on Mount Kunlun.

True Lord Du'e, meticulously dressed, sat uneasily with a dozen familiar friends, constantly recalling his drunken slip of the tongue last time, which had tarnished the Human Teaching Grandmaster's reputation.

He really shouldn't drink carelessly anymore...

"Fellow Daoist, Fellow Daoist?"

A voice called from the side. True Lord Du'e quickly turned with a smile, seeing a friend he had known for thousands of years approaching with a wine cup.

The person lowered his voice and chuckled, "Big news, very big news! It just came from Jade Void Palace, apparently something True Lord Huang Long said when complaining to someone."

"Oh?" True Lord Du'e couldn't help but become interested. "What kind of big news?"

"This matter concerns the Jie teaching's eldest outer disciple and a Saint's grand-disciple. It absolutely cannot be spread carelessly!"

"Don't worry, you know me, a poor Daoist! I'll be absolutely tight-lipped!"