Chapter 417: Arrival [Super Long Chapter]

A cloud boat sailed amidst the stars and moon, its elegant figures touched by the dawn. The cloud boat, having departed from the Holy Mother Palace, slowly and steadily made its way towards the Northern Continent after entering the realm of the Primordial Five Continents. The several fairies aboard the cloud boat gradually grew serious, no longer chatting about the amusing anecdotes from the Holy Mother Palace.

"Eldest Sister, are we truly going to persuade the demon race to withdraw their troops this time? Without a decree from Her Ladyship, can our words alone achieve this?"

"Even if it fails, we must try to persuade them." The leading fairy said softly, "Today, we cannot claim to be acting on Her Ladyship's orders. We should only mention that we serve in the Holy Mother Palace. Her Ladyship's refusal to issue a decree signifies her reluctance to interfere with the grand currents of the Heavenly Dao. Currently, most of the demon race are being exploited by a few remnants of the ancient Demon Court, drawing more beings into this calamity. Her Ladyship's warning to them is a way to honor the past ties she had with the Demon Court."

"Eldest Sister, why do they always resort to conflict? Can't they simply follow the path?"

"Who knows?" A hint of helplessness crossed the leading fairy's face, her pointed ears, tipped with white fur, betraying her ancient fox lineage. "Perhaps they are simply unwilling to fade into obscurity."

The other three fairies, also of demon descent, grew solemn upon hearing this. They fell silent, standing on the cloud boat, observing the land as they approached the border of North Kuru. There, gusts of demonic wind raged, and dark clouds obscured the starry night. Dark clouds drifted across the sky from the sea, and countless figures surged onto the land covered in frosty pine trees. After a brief regrouping, they ascended on clouds once more.

Meanwhile, before the resplendent Numinous Sky Palace in the Heavenly Court, Li Changshou and Dongmu Gong stood, accompanied by over a dozen heavenly generals and civil officials, all bowing in unison towards the Numinous Sky Palace. This act served as their report to His Majesty the Jade Emperor, signifying the Heavenly Court's imminent deployment of troops to aid the Witch Clan of the Northern Continent.

"Water God..." Dongmu Gong expressed his concern, "Should we perhaps awaken Her Ladyship or His Majesty and seek their guidance? After all, this operation involves hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers and a direct confrontation with the demon race."

Li Changshou's face showed a difficult expression as he whispered, "Mugong, His Majesty recently completed his tribulation in the mortal realm. Waking him over this matter might disrupt his auspicious opportunity. Today's situation stems from the demon race brazenly violating the ancient covenant by attacking the Witch Clan of the Northern Continent. The Heavenly Court's deployment of troops for rescue is justified because the demon race has needlessly provoked conflict, disregarding the Dao Ancestor's ancient decree. This action is reasonable and falls within our delegated authority to make decisions. For major affairs that endanger the Primordial World, we certainly cannot act on our own initiative. However, for matters concerning only a corner of the Primordial World, we must not be timid or shirk our responsibilities entrusted to us by His Majesty and Her Ladyship out of fear of consequences. Otherwise, how would His Majesty regard you, Mugong?"

Dongmu Gong pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, stating earnestly, "Water God, your words are sound! Please, Water God, ensure meticulous planning to minimize casualties for our Heavenly Court. Only then, when His Majesty returns to the Heavenly Court, can we properly account for our actions."

"Rest assured, Mugong," Li Changshou said with a confident smile, bolstering the spirits of Dongmu Gong and the other celestial beings. "Should this operation prove unsuccessful, you and I shall jointly bear His Majesty's reprimand!"

Dongmu Gong instantly felt a deep sense of gratitude. Though he couldn't shake the feeling that something about the Water God's words was a little off...

"Everything now depends on the Water God's command! I shall go prepare the army for battle at once. All halls of the Heavenly Court are ready. Today, we must thwart the demon race's plot and assert the Heavenly Court's might!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Mugong."

"For the rise of the Heavenly Court, for the enduring Three Realms!"

Dongmu Gong's words surged with a heroic spirit that seemed to pierce the heavens. He bowed to Li Changshou, his long robes swirling as he turned and departed, followed closely by several heavenly generals.

Li Changshou turned, bowing to the gathered immortals and gods, and said, "I leave the matters of the various divine departments to your esteemed hands."

"Rest assured, Water God!"

"Though we cannot join Mugong and the marshals in battle, we will ensure everything is managed well on the home front!"

"We will dedicate all our strength to safeguarding the heavenly soldiers and generals. Water God, please direct the overall strategy with full confidence!"

"Excellent!"

With that, the seven or eight immortals and gods bowed in respectful farewell and departed for their respective divine halls. Li Changshou turned to glance at the Numinous Sky Palace, lingered for a moment, then rode a cloud back to the Water God's Mansion.

In truth, some things were inconvenient for him to state explicitly. Given His Majesty the Jade Emperor's temperament, if he were truly awakened, this relief effort for the Witch Clan, which was meant to be an annihilation battle targeting the demon race's elite, would likely escalate without limit. The Heavenly Court was not prepared for an all-out war. Why hasten to engage in battle now and needlessly shed the blood of Heavenly Court soldiers, when these enemies can be decisively crushed in sixty or seventy years? This time, Li Changshou would engage with his main body, striving to leverage the advantages of the Human Teaching's supreme treasures to compensate for the shortage of skilled masters on his side. And perhaps earn a little merit from powerful karmic demons! This paper avatar would remain in the Heavenly Court, ready to respond to any unforeseen circumstances.

His immortal sense swept through the Heavenly Court, revealing celestial beings everywhere, eager for battle. In the Thunder Punishment Hall, numerous civil officials had gathered, prepared to act in concert later and decisively overwhelm the demon race with their might! Just as the paper avatar arrived before the Water God's Mansion, a prominent star in the eastern sky caught Li Changshou's attention. It was the Grand White Star, which had appeared a bit early today. In his previous life, there was a belief that the Grand White Star governed warfare and slaughter. He wasn't sure if that was true or not.

Li Changshou subtly pursed his lips as the elderly paper avatar returned to the Water God's Mansion and settled down. As his attention shifted elsewhere, Li Changshou didn't forget to check on Lingzhuzi next door. His eldest martial nephew was currently engrossed in cultivation, apparently experiencing new insights. Li Changshou genuinely wished he could have summoned the 'young general' Nezha earlier to assist in today's battle. At this juncture, capable martial generals were scarce in the Heavenly Court. Even for a battle of moderate significance like this, the Heavenly Court's civil officials had to personally intervene! Alas, the Primordial World is fraught with hardship, and the divine path is not flourishing.

Li Changshou, still somewhat uneasy, cast another glance at Dongmu Gong's preparations. Vast numbers of Heavenly Court soldiers began to pour out of the North Heaven Gate. The landing zones for the two 'Descent' grand formations had already been locked onto the pre-arranged battlefield. Now, the demon race could unleash their full might, as long as they didn't suddenly retreat, or the Heavenly Dao didn't unexpectedly unleash the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder to annihilate the Witch Clan and cripple their combat strength... Everything was under control.

His consciousness shifted, settling in the north of the Northern Continent. In a somewhat gloomy underground cavern, a paper avatar in the form of a middle-aged Daoist opened its eyes. Divine light quickly gathered within them, and its immortal sense immediately spread outwards in all directions.

"My Lord! You're awake!" Amidst rugged shouts, over a dozen figures immediately converged around him. Clad in beast hide armor and wielding various weapons, their bodies brimming with formidable power, they were naturally all Witches from the Northern Continent.

Li Changshou directly inquired, "Have the Great Witch Priests returned?"

"They have all returned to Black Mountain!"

Li Changshou instructed, "Go and inform the Great Witch Priests that the demon army is approaching quickly. Activate all formations immediately! Do not be sparing with the spirit stones provided by the Heavenly Court; your Witch Clan does not require them for cultivation anyway."

"Yes, sir!" the battle Witches affirmed.

Li Changshou added, "I will conduct an inspection of the various locations and then rejoin the Great Witch Priests shortly." With that, he employed earth evasion, his form swiftly moving and inspecting within a hundred-mile radius.

The dozen or so battle Witches paused momentarily, then quickly turned and galloped off, shouting loudly and continuously, "The demon race is attacking! Prepare for battle!"

"The demon race will be here any moment!"

Li Changshou listened, somewhat speechless. Despite the Witch Clan possessing less than a twentieth of the enemy's forces, these individuals shouted with an undeniable sense of joy and exhilaration.

The Witch Clan was not unprepared for today's large-scale demon invasion. The Witch Clan had resided in the Northern Continent for many years. Although their fortunes had gradually waned over the past ten millennia due to the demon race's machinations, and their fighting spirit had diminished, they had established numerous safe havens when they first migrated to the Northern Continent to prepare for potential conflict with the demon race. This Black Mountain served as a 'Witch Clan stronghold'. This was the Witch Clan's envisioned last refuge in case of a clan-exterminating calamity. Located only three hundred li from the North Sea, it had a clear path only on its western side, with the other three sides featuring treacherous terrain.

Although the Witch Clan lacked prowess in curses, spells, and arcane arts, and their development of formations had strayed somewhat, they did indeed possess inherited formations. Most widely circulated formations in the Primordial World relied on formation bases to draw in spiritual energy and primordial qi, unleashing power far beyond the capabilities of their creators. In contrast, the Witch Clan's formations used their own vital essence as a foundation, stimulating bloodline power to create formidable offensive arrays, like the renowned Twelve Capital Gods and Devils Grand Formation. Black Mountain's defensive formation was one of the few constructed by the Witch Clan that relied on spirit stones. Its deployment method was learned from their ancient allies—the human race. Unfortunately, the spiritual energy within the spirit stones stored by the Witch Clan here had gradually dissipated over the long years. Barely half a month after the demon race issued their declaration of war against the heavens, Li Changshou decided to have the Heavenly Court and the Dragon Palace each send a supply of spirit stones to fully activate Black Mountain's defensive grand formation, designating it as the primary means to withstand the demon race's frontal assault.

Black Mountain's grand formation was shaped like a gourd, with most of it buried underground. The surface was a dark, semi-circular stone mountain, within which battle Witches were stationed, poised to sally forth and counterattack at any moment. Underground, the land was nearly hollowed out, enveloped by the grand formation. It could accommodate hundreds of thousands of Witch Clan members, currently only two-thirds occupied, with ample space remaining. The recently born, considered the hope of the Witch Clan, were currently being protected by the Witches in the most secure location. They represented the Witch Clan's resolve to continue fighting, and also the simmering rage in their hearts: a history of countless years of grievances; hatred inherited from antiquity; and the burning hatred from the Sword of Human Extermination! Today, the ancient confrontation between heaven and earth, between the Dao of Primordial Spirit and the Dao of the Physical Body, would once again return to the Primordial World!

Outside Black Mountain, to the south, east, and north lay continuous high mountains teeming with poisonous insects and ferocious venomous beasts. Only the west side was covered by a vast pine forest, which was also the direction from which the demon race intended to launch their major assault. To ensure everything was secure, Li Changshou thoroughly inspected every part of Black Mountain. He was genuinely concerned that any misstep or oversight by the Witch Clan could be exploited by the demon race, thereby compromising the entire battle. An hour later, Li Changshou heard several eagle cries, indicating that the demon race had located their position. The demon race also possessed many masters, naturally capable of detecting the Witch Clan's movements in advance.

After completing the final checks on the formations, Li Changshou hurried to the surface and entered the hollowed-out interior of the stone mountain. This was a barracks where numerous robust, young Witch Clan members were consuming their pre-battle meal, filling the air with the aroma of roasted meat. The strength of the Witch Clan depended on the proximity of their bloodline to the Twelve Ancestral Witches. These sixteen thousand Witch Clan members here represented the entire elite force the Witch Clan could deploy in a direct confrontation. Naturally, all Witch Clan members were capable of fighting, but at present, the elderly, the weak, and those with weaker bloodline powers had not been deployed.

Upon seeing Li Changshou, several Great Witch Priests immediately came forward to greet him. Figures exuding potent vital energy also watched Li Changshou with fervent, eager gazes. One Great Witch Priest, quite agitated at this moment, loudly exclaimed, "Lord Water God! The demon vanguard is only about half an hour away! Why don't we launch a surprise attack on them directly!"

"To engage in battle is easy, but to disengage is difficult," Li Changshou said earnestly. "If the Witch Clan wishes to repel the demon race with minimal losses, they must cooperate with the Heavenly Court's army today. This grand formation here is so robust, why not utilize it?"

A Great Witch said in a deep voice, "Water God, avoiding battle might make the demon race mock us."

"It's the Witch Clan's tradition..."

"Everyone!" Li Changshou raised his voice, initially frowning as he considered reasoning with the Witches. The Great Witch Priests immediately prepared to reprimand those who wished to rush out and fight. But Li Changshou suddenly smiled and said, "Everyone, consider this from another angle. If we sally forth to meet them, they won't need to assault Black Mountain's grand formation. Wouldn't that mean these demons would expend less effort fighting us? Wouldn't that be making it too easy for them?"

The Witches pondered this, and indeed, it made sense. Li Changshou then continued earnestly, "Can we really do something that benefits the demon race? Let them launch a few waves of attacks on the grand formation, exhaust them thoroughly, and then we'll charge out and enjoy a satisfying slaughter. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Wonderful!"

"The Water God is right!"

"Exactly! We can't make it easy for these demons. Let's wear them down first, and then we'll charge in and crush them head-on!"

Immediately, shouts erupted from within the stone mountain. Many Witches in other 'compartments,' upon hearing this, also grew animated. Li Changshou inwardly sighed, feeling weary, while his main body quietly closed the book, *How to Effectively Communicate with Simpletons*.

Li Changshou feigned listening intently, then declared loudly, "Our brothers from the Underworld who came to reinforce us are already ambushed on the east side. We must adhere to the plan on our end, or we'll be betraying our own brethren!"

All the Witches simultaneously perked up and eagerly agreed. In a corner, a few Witches whispered among themselves, "What's the plan?"

"I don't know, why bother with so many details? If the Lord tells us to charge, we charge; if he tells us to attack, we attack. When we encounter the demon race, we tear them to shreds!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou squinted and chuckled softly. Just then, a Great Witch Priest shouted, "Raise the smoke!" Over a dozen responses echoed from within the mountain, followed immediately by the sound of numerous footsteps everywhere. Soon after, plumes of black smoke billowed from various points of Black Mountain, instantly engulfing an area hundreds of li in radius. Li Changshou attempted to extend his immortal sense but found it completely obstructed by the black smoke, as if it had plunged into an abyss. The Witch Clan certainly had some tricks. After all, having battled the demon race for so many years and not being skilled in primordial spirit detection themselves, it was reasonable for them to possess such methods.

After the black smoke had been active for a while, the number of demon 'scouts' noticeably increased. Birds of prey appeared within the black smoke, continuously drawing closer to Black Mountain. Without warning, spears would suddenly fly from Black Mountain. These spears, hurled with sheer arm strength, let out sharp whistling sounds but moved incomparably faster than sound itself, appearing like flashes of crimson lightning! The demon scouts sustained seventy to eighty percent casualties, yet they continuously relayed the situation around Black Mountain back to the demon high command.

The demon army was a thousand li away from this location, and the Witch Clan remained unmoving. Five hundred li away, Black Mountain remained silent. It wasn't until they were three hundred, then one hundred and fifty li away, that the demon army halted their cloud formations. The various demon kings prepared their troops for battle, and only then did the demons confirm... The Witch Clan had actually gone into hiding this time! The demon vanguard dared not move recklessly, fearing an ambush by heavenly soldiers. A black cloud drifted from the North Sea, bearing over a hundred demon masters. It arrived above the vanguard army, and each demon peered out at the stone mountain shrouded in black smoke. They had already caught the scent of the potent Witch Clan.

In the eastern sky, a swath of morning glow appeared, quickly brightening the world as the Sun Star brought forth scorching spiritual energy. This was the timing carefully calculated by the demon race. Several ancient demon elders stepped forward. Deer Lord's voice echoed across a thousand li, "These savage Witches are at their last gasp, hiding and refusing to come out. We must not allow them to grow powerful again and hunt us down! The glory of the Golden Crow Saint Clan shines once more! My sons, the myriad spirits shall never yield to the Witch Clan!"

Beside Deer Lord, a magnificent armored figure leaped high, transforming in mid-air into a black-furred, golden-striped tiger tens of zhang long. It unleashed an earth-shattering roar towards Black Mountain! Instantly, across this land, the hordes of demons upon the dark clouds roared in unison. A significant number of powerful greater demons immediately transformed into their true forms, swelling the clouds with hordes of fierce beasts and predatory birds, their demonic qi surging! Bears, wolves, tigers, leopards, raccoons, foxes, deer, rocs, eagles, vultures, various birds, and scaled fish—their species were too numerous to count, roughly estimated to be in the hundreds! Most of the demon soldiers and generals here retained their humanoid forms, each wielding their weapons and ritual artifacts. They followed behind the formidable demon kings, surging forth towards Black Mountain!

Just then! High in the sky, a brilliant light flashed, and a sudden purple-white curtain of lightning illuminated, blocking the path of the demon soldiers! Vast heavenly might accompanied the lightning curtain, abruptly severing the advance of the demon vanguard and filling the lesser demons with terror and dread. Gusts of azure light reappeared across the land, and powerful winds swept in from the North Sea, quickly escalating into gales that targeted the demon vanguard. The Heavenly Court's divine halls unleashed their power!

Suddenly, a giant green-skinned python surged forth from the demon ranks, instantly transforming into a thousand-zhang-long behemoth that coiled in the sky, opening its massive maw and sucking sharply! The raging winds across the sky transformed into strands of azure light, which the giant python directly swallowed... The giant python roared furiously at the sky, its rough voice suppressing a burning rage, "Heavenly Court, do not meddle in our affairs!"

Then, thunder exploded high above as clouds and mist converged, forming a majestic visage—the very likeness of Dongmu Gong! And Dongmu Gong's commanding voice began to echo throughout the heavens and earth, "The Heavenly Court, by the Dao Ancestor's decree, guards heaven and earth and maintains the Three Realms! Yet now, your demon race has first defied the Heavenly Court's orders, then presumptuously incited ancient animosity, and moreover, disregarded the Dao Ancestor's command from ages past, openly violating ancient promises in your desire to utterly exterminate the Witch Clan! I counsel you to withdraw your forces promptly, or else I shall ensure your complete annihilation here. Heavenly might brooks no defiance!"

The demons fell silent for a moment, then loud laughter erupted, as hundreds of demon masters here burst into consecutive guffaws. A Great Demon shouted loudly, "The Heavenly Court still hasn't dared to send a single soldier; they just shout empty threats to scare us?! My children, today we shall exterminate the Witch Clan and show them!" All the demon soldiers roared their assent in unison, their demonic qi coalescing into a vast and complex might that surged to the heavens, almost shaking the Ninth Heaven!

Behind these continuous black clouds, a majestic cloud mountain, composed of dozens of layers of dark clouds, advanced with hundreds of thousands of demons gathered upon it. It overshadowed the sky, vast and boundless, with many demons transforming into their true forms within it. Though it was originally dawn with clear skies, the presence of countless demons and their surging demonic qi once again rendered the land gloomy and dark. Within Black Mountain, the Witches felt the oppressive presence of the demon army, which in turn ignited their fighting spirit!

Li Changshou's paper avatar closed its eyes in concentration, calculating the opportune moment. It held three jade talismans in each hand: one primary and two spares. Until the demon army had fully encircled Black Mountain; until the Witches were on the verge of reaching their endurance limit; until, streaks of lightning once again appeared between heaven and earth, and all the Heavenly Court immortals and gods in the Thunder Punishment Hall collectively activated the grand thunder formation!

Six jade talismans shattered in Li Changshou's hands. His paper avatar and his main body, concealed in a dark corner, simultaneously opened their eyes, which blazed with an azure divine light.

"Prepare for battle!" Within the mountain, suppressed roars echoed one after another!

Outside Black Mountain, the sky was suddenly filled with golden light. Two golden beams, each a hundred zhang in diameter, pierced through the thick clouds from the north, cutting through the boundless demonic qi and illuminating points five hundred li north and south of Black Mountain! From within the golden beams, figures clad in gleaming silver armor flew forth, instantly forming successive battle arrays on the horizon. The Heavenly Soldiers had arrived!

"Divide forces! Divide forces!" A powerful demon roared furiously, "Attack them unawares! Kill!" Immediately, segments of the demon army surged towards the Heavenly Soldiers' landing points on both sides. Accompanied by furious roars, several fierce beasts, a hundred zhang in length, charged headlong into the Heavenly Soldier formations, intending to devour these soldiers who lacked direct protection from powerful masters.

Just then! Figures surged from the depths of the sea. These figures twisted and transformed, instantly becoming azure dragons, ranging from hundreds to thousands of zhang in length! Dragon roars reverberated, and dragon claws rent the air, abruptly cutting off the powerful assault of the demon masters!

Dongmu Gong and over a dozen Heavenly Court generals stepped forth in unison from the golden light. Mugong's beard and hair fluttered. The treasured sword in his hand gleamed with dazzling golden light, and the power of the Heavenly Dao surged like a tide, blessing the Heavenly Court battle formations on both the north and south flanks, transforming the silver armor of the heavenly soldiers to gold.

"All heavenly soldiers, form ranks! Prepare your divine abilities! By Heaven's command! We shall suppress the demons who wreak havoc upon the heavens and earth!"

The newly arrived Heavenly Soldiers, though only a fraction of the total force, roared their assent in unison, their thunderous might shaking the heavens and even eclipsing the demon race's momentum!

Chirp, chirp—

Outside the window, on a tree branch, two spirit birds chirped softly. In the chess and card room of Little Qiong Peak, Ling'e held a cup of tea, sipping it gently as she discussed the finer points of tea brewing with Jiuyu Shi, who was preparing the tea. Jiu Jiu took a sip from her own teacup, letting the sweet tea linger on her tongue, and mumbled, "It doesn't feel much different. By the way, Little Ling'e, what has your Senior Brother been busy with lately? I've noticed the grand formation in the alchemy room has been active continuously for the past six months."

"Cultivating, perhaps," Ling'e replied softly, gazing towards the alchemy room, where only lush greenery was visible. "Or he might have gone out for some business..."

"Oh? Why would he be out?"

"Collecting herbs and selling pills," Ling'e chuckled softly, her gaze growing distant. A gentle breeze swept in, rustling her hair and thin skirt, and stirring subtle ripples in her Dao heart. "We've always been protected by Senior Brother."

Jiu Jiu couldn't help but tilt her head.

In the Northern Continent, heavenly soldiers continued to pour forth from the two golden light pillars that pierced the sky. Beneath the ocean surface, dark figures moved, and more Dragon Clan masters appeared. They struck simultaneously with the arrayed Heavenly Soldiers, blocking and repelling the surging demon army. The demons seemed to divide their forces: half turned to confront the Heavenly Soldiers and Dragon Clan, while the other half launched a fierce assault on Black Mountain! The defensive grand formation on Black Mountain had begun to flicker, visibly on the verge of collapsing within moments...

A subtle ticking sound, normally imperceptible, was strikingly clear amidst the vast and chaotic battle. A wisp of Daoist charm drifted from the east with the breeze, almost instantly sweeping over the Dao heart of every living being. This Daoist charm was profoundly serene and peaceful, causing all beings to momentarily forget their anger and strife. Following this, a thin wave seemed to ripple across the land, dyeing the sky a pale blue, purifying the demonic qi, and temporarily extinguishing the fires of karma. Suddenly, the beings in this place felt a resurgence of vitality and hope.

Between the azure sea and sky, a felicitous beast with pale white fur gracefully stepped from the horizon, treading on slowly expanding halos of light. Its exquisite form, pale yellow eyes, and three long, colorful feathers fluttering backward from its forehead contributed to its divine aura. Its single horn continuously emanated a serene Daoist charm, seemingly urging all beings to cease their mutual strife.

The demon race immediately erupted! "Bai Ze... Senior Bai Ze! Senior Bai Ze has appeared!"

"It's our Marshal Bai Ze!"

"Heaven does not wish for the demise of our sacred race! Heaven does not wish for the demise of our sacred race! Crown Prince, Senior Bai Ze has appeared!"

Deer Lord, who had been speaking with 'voice and tears,' suddenly paused. This renowned demon elder's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape. He raised a finger, pointing at the auspicious beast Bai Ze gracefully approaching from the horizon, and strange 'ho-ho' sounds escaped his throat.

The entire Northern Continent battlefield fell silent enough to hear a pin drop. Where the Daoist charm of water circulated, absolute stillness reigned! Countless demons transitioned from excitement to shock, then disbelief, and finally fear. They moved from daring not to believe to refusing to believe, with many experiencing tremors in their Dao hearts, almost to the point of collapse.

"How can this be! It's an illusion, it must be an illusion!"

"Why did Senior Bai Ze abandon us!"

"No, this is utterly impossible! How could Marshal Bai Ze! How could he become the Water God's mount!"

A mount?

Upon the auspicious beast's back, Li Changshou, with his white beard and hair, sat calmly in meditation. The Xuanhuang Pagoda floated above his head, and his left palm cradled the Qiankun Ruler. His expression was serene, his eyelids lowered. With his right hand, he gently patted Bai Ze's back. The auspicious beast halted its advance outside the battle zone and slightly lowered its head. Li Changshou then floated down, effortlessly transitioning from sitting to standing, his long sleeves fluttering and his silvery-white hair gently swaying. With a subtle sweep of the Qiankun Ruler in his hand, golden light blazed across the sky.

Li Changshou's calm voice, however, resonated like muffled thunder, exploding within the hearts and ears of all the demons, "By the command of Heaven."