Chapter 427: People Small, Ghosts Big

"There's trouble in Xuandu City; I might return in a hundred years."

My teacher went to Xuandu City? And won't return for a hundred years?

Upon receiving the jade token from Little Silver, delivered to the Water God's Residence, Li Changshou's spiritual composure instantly tightened by a third, and a wave of anxiety washed over him.

With his teacher heading to Xuandu City at such a critical juncture, the Human Sect lost its "regular strongest combat power," and the pressure on Li Changshou's shoulders sharply increased.

Little Silver's message to the Water God's Residence must have been on Lord Lao's instructions. This implied that during his teacher's absence from the Five Continents, all matters concerning the Human Sect would fall upon him, a mere minor immortal. Furthermore, Li Changshou couldn't count his teacher as an available combatant if he were to attack Lu Ya or encounter any other critical situation.

Beside the Black Pool Peak pond, Li Changshou stood up and paced back and forth. He wanted to call a halt to Ling'e's trial, but seeing her small face in the pond's reflection, filled with a mix of anticipation and seriousness, he hesitated.

"What's wrong, Water God?" Bai Ze asked from the side, holding a teacup. "Are you worried about something?"

"My teacher went to Xuandu City; it seems there's some trouble there."

Li Changshou sat back in his previous spot, picked up the white ceramic mug he had idly refined, and inhaled the clear scent of goji berries, commemorating the final phase of his previous life. He had taken good care of his kidneys in his last life.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou secretly observed the subtle changes in Bai Ze's expression and eyes. If Bai Ze was concerned about his teacher's threat to him, it would indicate that Bai Ze's resolve was not yet firm. In that case, Bai Ze's words and thoughts would likely be focused on analyzing how much additional pressure their faction would endure after his teacher's departure.

If Bai Ze had already committed to the Human Sect, he would most likely ask... "Are the Outer Realm Heavenly Demons in Xuandu City that strong? Strong enough to require your teacher's personal defense?"

Bai Ze calculated with his fingers, then shook his head. "That place is already at the edge of the Heavenly Dao; its power is too weak for me to deduce anything."

Li Changshou smiled, setting down his mug. "I haven't been there either, so I don't know the situation in Xuandu City. But there must be powerful beings there who could threaten the Primordial World. When Pangu created the world, he slew three thousand Chaos Fiendgods; I imagine any survivors from that time would be quite troublesome."

"Don't worry, Chaos Fiendgods cannot ultimately achieve sainthood," Bai Ze said with a smile. "In the Sea of Chaos, the Dao and spiritual energy are mixed, and the Great Dao is incomplete, making perfect cultivation extremely difficult."

Li Changshou slowly nodded, sighing, "From now on, with my teacher gone, this will be Ling'e's true trial."

A few black lines appeared on Bai Ze's forehead as he muttered, "Does the Water God misunderstand the word 'trial'?"

"Hmm?" Li Changshou's gaze swept over him.

Bai Ze's mouth twitched a few times. "Ah, indeed, suddenly losing the protection of a top-tier mighty figure, Ling'e's situation is quite perilous."

Li Changshou immediately agreed wholeheartedly. "Mr. Bai, do you think I should have Ling'e return to the mountain temporarily?"

"Not at all," Bai Ze said with a smile. "A trial is about experiencing and understanding things to perfect one's Dao Heart. Water God, you are being a bit overprotective of Ling'e. Her intelligence and the safeguards you've put in place are already foolproof. Water God, don't forget that Ling'e still has to face the Golden Immortal Tribulation. Accepting appropriate risks now can reduce a degree of danger for that tribulation. When comparing the two, one should choose the better option."

"Indeed." Li Changshou nodded. In truth, he already knew these principles; he was merely using Bai Ze's words to convince himself.

Immediately, he secretly dispatched more paper effigies. In addition to the existing paper effigy immortal bean soldier legion, he sent two more Golden Immortal-level paper effigies, along with two sets of the Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Spirit Explosion Arrays. He then instructed, "Mr. Bai, if Ling'e encounters any ill omens, please inform me immediately."

"Rest assured, Water God, rest assured." Bai Ze repeatedly agreed, naturally knowing that the Water God was not joking.

The pond's reflection showed Ling'e had already entered a relatively prosperous market town in the Eastern Divine Continent. She dared not directly inquire about the location of the Wuzhuang Temple, so she first settled in the town and began secretly gathering information about it. For an ordinary Human Sect disciple at the Heavenly Immortal realm, it was truly not easy to find Wuzhuang Temple and meet Great Immortal Zhenyuan. Although the risk factor was small, the difficulty was indeed considerable.

With his teacher suddenly away, Li Changshou felt unsettled. He also temporarily halted the "Xuan Ya War Records" project, which was nearing completion, allowing Youqin Xuanya to rest at the mountain gate. The ninth "short film" would be shot at a later, chosen location.

Speaking of Youqin Xuanya, Li Changshou had grown increasingly impressed with her over the past two years. From being a "fake ice queen" who always maintained a cool demeanor and was poor at expressing herself, she had now developed increasingly refined acting skills, even successfully deceiving Ling'e before. Her future looked promising, and she could prove to be of great use.

By this point, Youqin Xuanya fully understood what she was helping Li Changshou with—the "Super Heavenly Soldier Project," where she would become the Heavenly Court's Heavenly Soldier ambassador, promoting the Heavenly Court throughout the Five Continents of the Primordial World and the Three Thousand Worlds.

Li Changshou could sense the change in Youqin Xuanya's mindset: From initially resisting, she gradually accepted, then came to believe that this was her contribution to the stability of the heavens and earth and to the righteous path. She also poured her enthusiasm into it.

However, what Li Changshou didn't know was that the words he spoke by the lake on Little Qiong Peak that evening were regarded by Youqin Xuanya as golden advice.

"Xuanya, becoming a role model for many people is not an easy task. You must be strict with yourself, constantly mindful of your image, and act with integrity and chivalry. This task will last for at least three to five hundred years, so you must ultimately be prepared for it."

That day, Youqin Xuanya stood by the lake, pondering for a long time. It wasn't until the starry night sky was above her that she made her promise in the most resolute tone of her life: "Senior Brother Changshou, Xuanya will do her best to accomplish this!" Her words were no longer "help Senior Brother do this," which greatly pleased Li Changshou.

From the project's start two years ago until Ling'e's recent escape from the deserted island, Youqin Xuanya had gained many unexpected benefits. Among these, the greatest gain was witnessing Li Changshou's "many facets." His wild ideas, exquisite designs, incredible operations, and inexhaustible ingenuity truly overwhelmed Youqin Xuanya. The somewhat singular and fixed image of "Senior Brother Changshou" quickly became richer and more complete in her mind.

Therefore, as soon as she received Li Changshou's voice message, Youqin Xuanya couldn't help but fly out of her cave dwelling and rush toward Black Pool Peak. Over the past few years, Youqin Xuanya had often come to Black Pool Peak to hone her acting skills and learn some "heroic" poses.

Seeing Youqin Xuanya approaching, Bai Ze casually opened a gap in the grand array surrounding Black Pool Peak, allowing her unhindered access to the pond. A touch of icy blue reflected in the pond, adding a unique kind of beauty to the place.

"Senior Brother Changshou, Mr. Bai."

"Xuanya's here? Would you like something to drink?" Bai Ze greeted her with a smile, gesturing for Youqin Xuanya to sit beside Li Changshou.

Li Changshou turned to Youqin Xuanya and smiled, "Is it because of my voice message just now?"

"Yes... Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Bai." Youqin Xuanya tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, walked to Li Changshou's chair, sat on the wooden stool with her skirt gathered, and her gaze was drawn to the scene displayed in the pond.

Youqin Xuanya quietly asked, "Senior Brother Changshou, is there anything I need to improve?"

Li Changshou replied, "Things aren't very peaceful outside lately, but you've done exceptionally well. Don't worry."

Bai Ze chuckled, " 'Not very peaceful,' indeed..."

"Aren't you having Ling'e return to the mountain?" Youqin Xuanya asked with some concern.

"Not for now; things haven't reached that critical point yet," Li Changshou said. Just as he was about to explain further, his mind stirred slightly, as someone from the Heavenly Court's Water God's Residence was requesting an audience.

Li Changshou said, "Wait a moment, there are some Heavenly Court matters." With that, he closed his eyes, his consciousness returning to the paper effigy in the Water God's Residence, and he lifted the restrictions around the study.

This time, it wasn't a Heavenly General reporting from outside; the wooden door was flung open as the Old Man Under the Moon, dressed in a festive red robe, rushed in.

"Water God! Quick! Something has happened to His Majesty!"

Li Changshou was utterly startled.

*Thud-thud-thud!* Urgent footsteps echoed within the Marriage Palace as more than a dozen figures rushed in, heading straight for the rear hall.

However, just as they reached the entrance to the rear hall, they were stopped by several righteous gods. "The Water God has decreed that this crucial Heavenly Dao area is not to be entered at will. Please wait here for news." The more than ten immortals and gods who had arrived upon hearing the news halted, each peering forward.

Before the starlit sea formed by the marriage clay figures, Li Changshou, Duke Dongmu, Princess Long Ji, and the Old Man Under the Moon stood gathered, blocking the view from behind. The dense power of the Heavenly Dao here also prevented divine senses from penetrating.

At this moment, Duke Dongmu frowned in contemplation. "What should we do about this?" Long Ji's slender fingers twirled a strand of hair in front of her, her small face filled with distress.

Li Changshou mused for a moment, then asked, "How long has this situation been going on?"

"Just recently, no more than a year at most!" The Old Man Under the Moon replied with certainty, "The last time this minor deity checked was ten months ago, and there were no such anomalies then."

"Teacher," Long Ji whispered, "How should we handle this? Are we to have the Old Man Under the Moon use his scissors?"

"T-this, this minor deity wouldn't dare!" The Old Man Under the Moon was almost in tears. "How could this minor deity possibly have the nerve to ruin His Majesty's!"

"Silence," Li Changshou said, glancing at the rear hall entrance. He flicked his hand, setting up a soundproof barrier, then frowned, gazing at the clay figure before him. His Majesty the Jade Emperor is only a little over ten years old in the mortal realm, isn't he? How could this have happened...?

At this moment, the clay figure representing the Jade Emperor's tribulation incarnation had red threads tied around both its hands and feet. Besides the original red thread on its left hand, which was firmly knotted with the Queen Mother's tribulation incarnation, five more threads had appeared! As expected of His Majesty the Jade Emperor, to have such grand aspirations at such a young age. Could His Majesty the Jade Emperor's obsession before this wisp of divine soul reincarnated possibly be...

Long Ji sighed softly, her expression complicated. "If Mother finds out, I don't know how heartbroken she'll be."

"This is a trial sent down by the Heavenly Dao," Li Changshou said solemnly. "Your Highness, do not overthink it. His Majesty and the Queen Mother treat each other with respect, and their celestial marriage is an example for all beings."

Duke Dongmu hurriedly asked, "Water God, are we really going to..."

"No rush, it's best to let His Majesty make his own decision on this matter," Li Changshou pondered carefully, then added, "Old Man Under the Moon, pull out the women corresponding to these red threads so we can see."

The Old Man Under the Moon quickly replied, "Ah, this minor deity will do so at once." Immediately, the Old Man Under the Moon's fingers swiftly moved, and several clay figures flew out from the starlit sea, hovering around the Jade Emperor's tribulation incarnation figure.

Li Changshou looked at them one by one. Besides the Queen Mother's tribulation incarnation, whose destiny was already linked to the Jade Emperor, the other five corresponded to a female guard from a general's residence, a young woman who played music at a teahouse, two top courtesans from a pleasure house, and the daughter of a wealthy family in the same city.

Li Changshou sighed in relief, muttering, "Thankfully, they are all women." The three immortals beside him were all startled.

"At least this aligns with the Great Dao of Yin and Yang," Li Changshou said seriously. "His Majesty is at an age where he's just beginning to experience romantic feelings; it's quite normal to have such thoughts, no need to make a fuss. Rest assured, these red threads should fall off on their own."

Duke Dongmu's face was clouded with worry. "What if they don't fall off? If His Majesty truly takes on multiple wives and concubines during his tribulation, would the Heavenly Court also have to... this would not conform to heavenly rules."

The Old Man Under the Moon said, "The Queen Mother will probably chop this minor deity into pieces!"

Long Ji also said, "If he forms too many connections with mortal women, it would indeed put Father in a rather awkward position and also affect the Heavenly Court's reputation and prestige. Teacher, only you can stop this."

Li Changshou: ...

Li Changshou asked, "Has the Queen Mother's tribulation incarnation met His Majesty's yet?"

"They've known each other since childhood," the Old Man Under the Moon replied, "but the Queen Mother's tribulation incarnation always teases His Majesty's, so they haven't developed feelings for each other yet. According to the story the Queen Mother set, it will be another two years before sparks fly and secret affections develop between them."

"We can't wait!" Divine light surged in Li Changshou's eyes, and his white hair fluttered as he firmly declared, "Change it now! Arrange for the Queen Mother's and His Majesty's tribulation incarnations to meet very soon and sow the seeds of affection. This is the best strategy."

Duke Dongmu asked, "If there's a best strategy, there must be a medium and a worst one."

"I'll implement the medium strategy shortly," Li Changshou said. "That involves discreetly moving those women away."

"And the worst strategy?" Long Ji's eyes were full of curiosity.

Li Changshou: Our side promises not to prioritize activating the handsome version of Second Senior Brother.

This matter, on a grand scale, concerned the stability and reputation of the Heavenly Court. On a smaller scale, it was merely the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother's private affair. If the Queen Mother hadn't descended to the mortal realm, there naturally wouldn't be much to worry about. But with the Queen Mother's prior decree and her personally pursuing him, it was somewhat inappropriate for His Majesty the Jade Emperor to become a 'manager of hours.'

Li Changshou discussed with Duke Dongmu and settled on a strategy. Duke Dongmu would be responsible for dispelling rumors in the Heavenly Court, Li Changshou would descend to the mortal realm to arrange various matters, and the Old Man Under the Moon would closely monitor the changes in the red threads of fate in the Marriage Palace.

Just before his Water God incarnation returned to the Water God's Residence, Li Changshou opened his eyes beside the Black Pool Peak pond. Youqin Xuanya was meditating with her eyes closed nearby, while Bai Ze was busy in the kitchen.

Li Changshou called out to Bai Ze, who floated back, carrying a freshly prepared platter of immortal fruits, and smiled: "Has the Water God encountered some trouble? Do tell, it might amuse this humble Daoist."

"Mr. Bai, do you know about matters of marriage and destiny?"

"I know a little about that," Bai Ze said with a frown. "Though this humble Daoist has never sought a Dao companion or encountered fated love, I've witnessed many tales of love and hate... Has something gone wrong with the Jade Emperor's reincarnated destiny?"

"Indeed, nothing escapes Mr. Bai," Li Changshou sighed, then recounted the entire situation in detail, pondering solutions with Bai Ze.

"There are indeed only these three strategies," Bai Ze said. "The most reliable one is actually the medium strategy. The Jade Emperor descended to the mortal realm with the mindset of experiencing a lifetime of play, so even if he pledges his life to the Queen Mother's tribulation incarnation, he might still have affections for others."

Li Changshou: "Why do I feel like you're subtly hinting at something?"

"Water God, you worry too much, you worry too much."

Youqin Xuanya quietly asked from the side, "Why not keep it simple and just talk directly to the Jade Emperor's tribulation incarnation?" Both Li Changshou and Bai Ze were taken aback.

Youqin Xuanya explained, "The Jade Emperor's tribulation incarnation is currently a teenager, a stage where guidance is needed. Senior Brother, why don't you use an incarnation to act as a teacher?"

Li Changshou mused for a few moments, then considered it carefully before saying, "If my teacher were here, it would be most appropriate for him to guide His Majesty. Otherwise, Mr. Bai?"

"No, no, no," Bai Ze quickly waved his hands. "That absolutely won't do. It's more appropriate for me to monitor Ling'e's safety for you."

Li Changshou sighed, "As a subject, it's really not quite suitable for me."

No sooner had he spoken than a wisp of Dao charm flowed through Li Changshou's heart. The Dao charm vibrated, and the Great Dao hummed. A familiar word quietly formed, making Li Changshou dare not show any expression of distaste.