Chapter 411: Black Pool Discussion

Inside Du Xian Hall, Ji Wuyou gazed at the divine beast standing with its head held high, then lowered his head again to read the jade talisman in his hand for the fourth time.

A new task has arrived!

The Grand Master himself issued the order!

This seemingly ordinary jade talisman, imbued with such profound Daoist charm, seemed to have undergone a material sublimation!

Ji Wuyou exclaimed loudly:

“Quick! Go arrange a pen for Senior Baize!”

The elders in the hall, along with Li Changshou and little Ling'e who stood nearby, all fell silent at this moment.

Baize's elegant face nearly crumpled into a donkey's.

“Sect Master,” an elder quickly interjected, “A residence, arrange a residence!”

“Cough, cough! Right! Arrange a residence for Senior Baize!”

Ji Wuyou quickly bowed in apology, hands cupped, saying, “Senior, please don’t mind. My Dao heart was momentarily overwhelmed with excitement; I couldn't control myself. After all, the Grand Master himself issued the command.”

The auspicious beast frowned, looking at Li Changshou, while in his mind, Li Changshou’s words upon arrival echoed.

Don't say much, don't ask too many questions, just nod.

Baize slowly nodded, its beautiful form shimmering with rainbow-colored light, leaving the elders somewhat mesmerized.

Li Changshou, standing by, said, “Sect Master, Senior Baize prefers seclusion. Why not find a mountain peak near our Little Qiong Peak as a place for Senior Baize to settle? I also ask the Sect Master to issue an order that no one should disturb the Senior’s quiet cultivation.”

“Good,” Ji Wuyou immediately agreed.

Baize’s gaze shifted back and forth between Ji Wuyou and Li Changshou. He quirked his lips, seeing through the situation but choosing not to speak.

The entire process of settling Baize was generally smooth.

Within Du Xian Sect, apart from Li Changshou and his junior sister, only Ji Wuyou and a few elders knew of Baize’s true origin. For Baize, hiding his form to avoid being seen by Du Xian Sect disciples was also not difficult.

Ji Wuyou first used a spiritual energy barrier to enclose the vacant mountain peak next to Little Qiong Peak, allowing Baize to choose and establish his residence. Upon hearing Li Changshou’s transmission, Ji Wuyou took the opportunity to issue a sect master’s order, granting Li Changshou full responsibility for supervising the construction of Baize’s cave dwelling and the various formations on this ‘Black Pool Peak.’ All expenses were to be supplied by the Hall of Hundred Mundane Affairs.

The name ‘Black Pool’ was merely a cover.

Once the Sect Master and the elders had departed Black Pool Peak, Li Changshou quietly gave Ling'e a few instructions. Ling'e then turned and flew back to Little Qiong Peak, leaving only Li Changshou and Baize alone...

Lying by a pool, Baize, looking completely dejected, couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.

Li Changshou pondered briefly in his heart, also sighing inwardly.

In the end, he still couldn’t kill him.

Previously, in True Immortal Du’e’s cave dwelling, his playful teasing and 'persecution' of Baize, in concert with the Grand Master, comprised only seventy percent of their actions. The remaining thirty percent was due to a divergence of opinions between Li Changshou and the Grand Master.

Li Changshou could clearly sense that the Grand Master possessed a universal sense of justice.

The Grand Master disliked getting involved in karma. Due to his profound Dao realm and long lifespan, he had witnessed too many joys and sorrows, and the miseries of living beings. Thus, he usually appeared indifferent to the life and death of creatures. However, the Grand Master was by no means a cold-hearted person.

For instance, today, the Grand Master felt that Baize was not guilty of great evil and did not need to be directly slain. Furthermore, Baize had expressed a desire to pledge allegiance, and with Baize’s abilities and reputation as an auspicious beast, joining the Human Sect was fitting. Therefore, he had continuously teased and persuaded Li Changshou to spare Baize this once.

Naturally, the Grand Master could think this way, for apart from Saints, the Grand Master was already fearless.

But Li Changshou could not.

Already at the center of the Great Desolation’s vortex, Li Changshou was absolutely unwilling to leave behind such a huge hidden danger!

Especially after learning that Baize had secretly observed him for so long, Li Changshou felt that most of his trump cards might have been spied upon by Baize!

Leaving him alive was truly unsettling.

However, Li Changshou and the Grand Master did not argue. Although their opinions diverged, both the Grand Master and Li Changshou each took a step back, gradually reaching a consensus during the process of pressuring Baize.

Subsequently, the two senior and junior brothers simultaneously took action, using their respective trusted methods to control Baize.

During this process, Baize appeared to be an innocent victim, but in reality, he had already achieved his original goal—

to seek refuge with the Human Sect.

However, the greatest blow Baize suffered at this moment was not being controlled by the Grand Master and Li Changshou, nor was it Li Changshou effortlessly breaking the situation and finding his hiding place.

It was that from the very beginning, he had misjudged the Water God’s ambition.

He was supposed to be a brilliant ruler and overlord of an era. How could he end up having no interest in dominion over heaven and earth, only seeking personal freedom and tranquility?

What about his grand vision?

And the strategic perspective?

Seriously, what advantages does the Water God possess!

He has the strongest Saint backing him, stands within the great current of the Heavenly Dao, possesses astonishing schemes, and his cultivation speed is terrifying. He even interacts intimately with the Heavenly Dao every now and then through heavenly tribulations!

With such advantages, to not strive for fame and glory, but instead adhere to tranquility and non-action – wasn't this a joke on Baize?

Honestly, Baize had only ever seen one person who survived so many heavenly tribulations: the Water God.

Baize naturally knew this was because the Water God acted with moderation; even if he angered the one in Zixiao Palace, it would only result in a slight punishment for the Water God. And there was always a feeling of a master looking at his disciple’s disciple, gritting his teeth and hating his lack of ambition...

What was this?

Isn't it obvious that the Water God is one of the twin emperors predetermined by the Heavenly Dao?

Therefore, when Lu Ya sought him out, Baize, seeing no way to escape the karma of the demon race, simply took half a step forward.

The strategy he gave Lu Ya—advancing to retreat—was it not also his own strategy of advancing to retreat?

But...

He'd sized it up, settled his heart, pushed all his chips in, and it all amounted to nothing.

Baize successfully arrived by the Water God’s side, becoming a laborious cart-puller for the Human Sect, destined to be seen beside the Water God’s true form until he died. Forget about scheming for the destiny of heaven and earth; now he could truly live out the rest of his long life in peace, sleeping with the heavens and earth…

Thinking of this, Baize sighed deeply and slowly closed his eyes.

Whom could he blame for the path he chose?

Li Changshou seemed to see through Baize’s thoughts and said with a smile:

“Senior, do not be disheartened. The Human Sect practices tranquility and non-action, and my senior brother and I will not force you to do much. Your not standing with the demon race has already been a great help to us.”

Li Changshou’s thought process shifted very quickly.

Since he couldn't eliminate Baize, he could only build up good will!

Baize frowned and said, “There’s no one else here. Let me ask you one more time, Daoist friend, can you honestly tell me: Do you truly have no ambition for power?”

Li Changshou smiled and said, “If my deduction is correct, you cannot detect places where the power of the Heavenly Dao is relatively concentrated, can you?”

“Indeed, I need to avoid the Heavenly Dao.”

“No wonder you have such a misunderstanding,” Li Changshou slightly shook his head, raised a hand, and with a touch, placed two meditation cushions and a low table beside the pool, gesturing for Baize to sit.

Li Changshou said, “Actually, Senior, you overlooked the simplest principle. If I tell you, you will understand the karma involved.”

“What principle?”

“If not for my nature, if not for my pursuit of tranquility and non-action, how would the Saint of our Human Sect have chosen me?”

Baize froze, then was speechless. He then buried his head in his front paws, letting out a long sigh, “I thought I was so clever, all my life!”

Li Changshou smiled and shook his head, letting Baize brood in silence for a while before he spoke:

“Senior, from now on, you only need to maintain your true form in front of outsiders. When we meet privately, you may be at ease.”

Baize slowly lifted his head, his mood significantly lighter than before. Clearly, having discovered his fatal error, he had temporarily accepted his current identity in his heart—

the Human Sect’s cart-driver.

Baize reverted to the form of a middle-aged Daoist. A teardrop-shaped red mark appeared on his forehead, and a strand of hair at his temple turned silver, adding a touch of otherworldly allure to him.

Baize, now clad in a loose white robe, sat opposite the low table and said with a wry smile, “What exactly did I gain from this?”

“You gained more stability, less hardship, and resolved karma.”

Li Changshou paused, then smiled, “Of course, you also gained a new shackle. However…”

“What?” Baize retorted with a wry smile.

“Doesn’t the cause and effect of this matter also corroborate your innate divine ability to seek good fortune and avoid disaster?”

Li Changshou cupped his hands and chuckled, “Truly enviable!”

Baize was somewhat speechless, wanting to retort but unsure how to begin. He then stared blankly at the pool for a while.

A moment later, Baize slowly exhaled, his smile showing a hint of nonchalance.

With a distant look in his eyes, Baize slowly said:

“After the ancient times, I originally thought that this life would be desolate and empty, destined to wander aimlessly until I found a desolate place to peacefully pass away and become one with heaven and earth. It was only when I saw you earlier and beheld the current Heavenly Courts that I couldn’t help but recall the arduous task of assisting the former Emperor in establishing the ancient Heavenly Courts, and the difficulty of strengthening the Saint race. My Dao heart thus rekindled a desire. I never expected that, in the end, I had invested my efforts wrongly.”

Li Changshou smiled, “What interest do I have in controlling the destinies of countless living beings?”

Baize said, “To stand at the apex of all beings, to witness the rise and fall of heaven and earth—would that not be splendid?”

“Living beings are not mere shallow blades of grass, nor are they unawakened fish. They each have their own thoughts, desires, needs, confusions, and joys. They are born to journey through heaven and earth, not to bow before the figure at the peak of all beings. The desire for power is merely a personal craving; why bother embellishing it with terms like ‘heroism,’ ‘extraordinary,’ ‘king,’ or ‘supremacy’? Ultimately, it is nothing more than stronger beings employing weaker beings to achieve mental and physical satisfaction.”

Li Changshou took a pot of wine and two jade goblets from his sleeve, and poured a cup of wine for Baize.

“Senior, you should know what I'm saying. Given that you were able to partially seclude yourself during the demon race's peak, you shouldn't be unfamiliar with such simple truths.”

Baize looked at the wine in his cup, gently shook his head with a light smile, and sighed:

“Indeed, it’s all fleeting smoke and clouds of the past. I never imagined that a truth I only understood when the Demon Court fell, you, Daoist friend, have comprehended so thoroughly after merely a few hundred years of cultivation. The desire for power is merely a personal craving, and living beings exist in this world simply to journey through heaven and earth. My defeat to you is not without reason…”

Li Changshou smiled, his eyes full of sincerity, and said, “My victory over you, Senior, was purely due to luck, and the good fortune brought by my junior sister.”

“Then,” Baize, holding his wine cup, lightly grazed it against his lips, a slight smile appearing on his gentle and handsome face, “dare you say you have no desire for power?”

“Relatively speaking, it should be quite low,” Li Changshou chuckled. “I have no interest in ruling others. In comparison, I prefer tranquility. On the contrary, Senior, you find pleasure in assisting enlightened rulers. Could it be that this is also driven by a desire for power, but lacking the courage to bear the karma of all beings yourself, you wish to gain a sense of fulfillment and existence by assisting a being to reach the apex of all beings?”

Baize was startled. He carefully savored Li Changshou’s words and slowly nodded.

“I do indeed find pleasure in this, but it’s not because I lack the courage to bear the karma of all beings. Rather, I felt that I wasn’t suitable for that role. If I could assist an enlightened ruler to ascend to that position a second time, and then retire successfully, leaving my name, Baize, in heaven and earth... Truly! Alas, now I can only imagine it, hahahaha!”

Baize let out two hearty laughs, filled with lingering regret. He drained the wine in his cup, and as he tilted his head back, a glimmer of light sparkled in his eyes.

Li Changshou smiled, “Senior, would you be willing to serve the current Heavenly Courts?”

“No,” Baize slowly shook his head. “With you, Daoist friend, in the Heavenly Courts today, there is no place for me.”

“Heaven has day and night, Dao divides yin and yang... Never mind, this is not the time to discuss such things.”

Li Changshou suddenly cut himself off, deliberately leaving a little pause.

Just then, Ling'e flew in from outside the mountain, carrying a tray with several small dishes...

A moment later, Ling'e put down the dishes, said “Enjoy,” winked at her senior brother, and floated away on a cloud.

Baize, however, brightened up. He looked at the exquisite dishes before him, first sniffing them lightly. Without waiting for Li Changshou’s invitation, he directly picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of the “white jade cabbage,” chewed it carefully, and then praised:

“Though the taste is not perfect, the color not complete, and the aroma too strong, within it lies Junior Sister’s profound devotion to her senior brother. Truly precious, truly precious, hahahaha!”

Li Changshou chuckled, “Senior, do you also enjoy gourmet food?”

“When I lived a life of leisure, my only pleasure was making delicious food, sharing it with others, or enjoying it alone,” Baize turned his head to look around. “This place is simple. Once I have built my dwelling, I will show you my skills, Daoist friend.”

“Please wait a moment, Senior. Since you are an expert in this, then I, too, must show off a bit.”

With that, Li Changshou conjured two paper figures, who quickly dug a pit and built a cooking platform there.

He then personally returned to Little Qiong Peak, selected two precious and rare domesticated spirit beasts, caught two plump spirit fish, and brought them back to Black Pool Peak.

Sometimes, having a common hobby is enough to bring people closer.

Baize proactively proposed a challenge: a cooking contest with Li Changshou.

Li Changshou stated all his conditions before nodding in agreement. The two acted as each other’s judges, showcasing their skills by the wild mountain pool.

Baize had immersed himself in the culinary arts for many years, his cooking skills surpassing Li Changshou’s in every aspect, with each dish being incredibly exquisite.

However, Li Changshou excelled in variety and possessed rare new flavors from the Great Desolation. Ultimately, with a dish of thinly sliced raw fish, freshly prepared horseradish, and the phrase, ‘High-end ingredients often require only the simplest cooking,’ he astounded Baize, who regarded him as a divine being.

The two then exchanged toasts, drinking until they were slightly tipsy, and all animosity between them seemed to completely vanish.

Since Baize was, after all, under Li Changshou’s control at this point, he dared not be too arrogant. He allowed Li Changshou to call him by his name, and proposed they continue discussing culinary arts in the future.

Li Changshou thought for a moment and addressed Baize as ‘Mister.’

Thus, with each address of ‘Mister,’ Baize gradually lost himself, and actually grew a bit closer to Li Changshou…

However, Li Changshou today had no intention of fully maximizing the favorability.

While they conversed happily, Li Changshou collected his thoughts and deliberately pricked one of Baize’s old wounds…

“Mister Bai,” Li Changshou began, “although my victory in our encounter was indeed due to my junior sister’s good fortune, it also had to do with you, Mister Bai, trapping yourself.”

Baize couldn’t help but frown, “How did I trap myself?”

Li Changshou, pulling his right sleeve with his left hand, poured the warmed wine into Baize’s cup, speaking with a chuckle as if mentioning a trivial matter:

“The Dao’s momentum is hard to quell, Heaven’s destiny is hard to fix, and living beings’ hearts are hard to settle. In the past, at the summit of Buzhou Mountain, you, Mister, formed an alliance with the demon gods, created the Saint race, gained the great momentum of the Heavenly Dao, contended with the Witch race for dominion over heaven and earth, assisted the Demon Emperor, and were established as a demon marshal, enjoying the reverence of all demons. Later, the Demon Court gradually became corrupt. You, Mister, cherished your reputation, retreated gracefully, and lived like a carefree cloud and wild crane. Although you escaped the karma of the Great Witch-Demon War, you did not escape the karma of the demon race itself. This time, when Lu Ya sought your aid, you, Mister, gave him the strategy of gathering demons to attack the heavens, sacrificing the demon race to fulfill the Heavenly Courts, Lu Ya, and your own desires, without hesitation. In our previous conversation, you spoke of the difference between the Saint race and the demon race. You, Mister, identified yourself as a noble Saint race, often disdaining the fierce demon race. But you forgot that ‘Saint race’ and ‘demon race’ are merely two names. You are all one race. You, Mister, should have stood by the demon race, yet you unhesitatingly pushed them to the brink of death. Was this not acting against fortune? How could you have won?”

Li Changshou sighed lightly, raised his wine cup, and continued:

“Today, the protagonists of heaven and earth are the human race. From an outsider’s perspective, your actions, Mister, are certainly not wrong; they would even praise you for your righteousness. But Mister Bai… Since you chose to be this gardener, enjoying the pleasure of cultivating flowers and watching them bloom, you must also endure the desolation of watching them wither and turn to dust. This is the way of gain and loss, and also the way of balance in heaven and earth. I am not asking you, Mister Bai, to go back and assist the demon race. At this moment, you are under my control, and I am also opposed to the demon race. But I, Li Changshou, do not wish to become the next demon race or the next Demon Emperor in your eyes. Therefore, I do not covet your schemes, strategies, or other abilities, Mister Bai. Even when the Grand Master intended to spare your life, I never abandoned my intent to kill you. You, Mister, are not a being worthy of admiration, nor are you a talent I cherish. One who arrives not at the peak of fame, nor departs in times of decline—only such a one can be called a renowned figure of the Great Desolation. At this moment, Mister, you are not yet worthy.”

With that, Li Changshou drained the wine in his cup and slowly stood up.

Baize frowned deeply, his gaze fixed blankly on the cups and plates on the low table before him, unaware of when Li Changshou had left.

When Baize finally came to his senses, only Li Changshou’s voice lingered…

“I will return in three days to drink with you, Mister Bai. I hope that by then, you will have some counterarguments to what I’ve said today. After all, a true confidant is hard to find.”

First Maneuver to Build Favor: A Psychological Attack.