Chapter 441: Three Hundred Chang'e Chief Instructor

“Senior Brother, Senior Brother, just come over here!It’s definitely nothing bad. How could I, your junior sister, possibly trick you, Senior Brother? Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t, right?”

As night deepened, on the rear mountain of Little Qiong Peak, within a colossal forest shrouded by a formation, Ling’e held Li Changshou’s arm. She coaxed him playfully, pulling him along until they reached a patch of grass.

The surrounding straight spirit trees, which provided common innate spiritual sap, stood like magnificent pillars supporting the night, exuding an ancient and ethereal aura.

Ling’e pulled her Senior Brother to the center of the grassy area. Just as she was about to step away, she frowned and asked, “Senior Brother, is this your… true body standing here right now?”

“Yes, my true body,” Li Changshou replied seriously. “You specifically mentioned it beforehand, after all.”

“That’s good,” Ling’e bit her tongue lightly and chuckled, retreating two steps back before slowly turning around. Her movements were gentle and fluid, her long hair and skirt hem fluttering slightly. Bathed in the starlight filtering through the treeline, she looked like the most beautiful elf in the forest.

A soft, pale light began to glow from the surrounding grass, revealed to be common luminescent spirit insects. They slowly ascended, then danced about the forest clearing, casting faint halos of light across the ground.

Li Changshou watched this scene, a sense of peace entering his eyes. Ling’e stood ten feet away, her body leaning slightly forward, her eyes reflecting the starlight, beautiful to the point of being dreamlike.

“Senior Brother, is it pretty?”

“Yes,” Li Changshou replied with a hint of helplessness. “I’m truly fine. What are you going to do…”

“No talking!” Ling’e suddenly asserted herself, straightening her chest and raising her head as she lightly admonished him. Then, recalling her past experiences of being teased by her Senior Brother, she shrank her neck and whispered, “C-can I?”

Li Changshou nodded and sat cross-legged on the ground.*Alright, let’s see what tricks you, little girl, and those furtive figures nearby are up to.*

Ling’e retreated a few more steps. From the forest emerged two adorable but expressionless immortal maidens; these were, of course, Ling’e’s paper effigies. They began to play the zither and flute, and tap a hand drum, filling Little Qiong Peak with a melodious tune.

The first step of the ‘Cheer-Up Plan’: Music.To soothe the wounds of his Dao heart with music;To relieve his emotions with music;To set the stage for the upcoming plans with music!

When the song ended, a faint smile appeared in Li Changshou’s eyes…

*Thump! Thump-thump!*

As if a colossal elephant was galloping through the forest, the melody Ling’e played picked up pace, accompanying the sound of heavy footsteps.

“Hoo-wah!”

A shout came from the side. Xiong Lingli, holding two ‘long-necked sheep’ cubs, leaped in front of Li Changshou! Her towering, mountain-like body, six zhang tall, began to perform a prayer dance long passed down in Bear Village, interspersed with shouts of “Hey, hey, hey…”

Li Changshou: ???

Ling’e pouted for a moment but couldn’t say anything. Little Qiong Peak’s elite foodie club had disagreed on the plan during their discussion, so they decided to take turns, seeing who could make Li Changshou burst out laughing.

With a head full of young ones—ahem, a head full of questions—Li Changshou watched patiently. He finally waited for Xiong Lingli to strike a concluding pose. The two spirit beast cubs, held under her arms, immediately turned their heads and vomited uncontrollably.

At this moment, Xiong Lingli’s small face was filled with anticipation, constantly sending Li Changshou suggestive glances, seemingly awaiting his commentary.

Li Changshou frowned and asked, “Are you homesick? If you want to return to Bear Village, I’ll arrange for you to go home tomorrow.”

*Homesick…*

Xiong Lingli’s legs went weak, and she nearly knelt, quickly saying, “No, no, no, Cousin, I’m doing very well on the mountain. I’ll just… I’ll go back first. You don’t need to worry about me, hehe, hehe.”

With that, Xiong Lingli, clutching the two spirit beast cubs like dolls, dejectedly and disheartenedly withdrew from the scene. Watching Xiong Lingli’s retreating back, Li Changshou suddenly understood: they must have wanted to cheer him up…

Ling’e lowered her gaze, and the music returned to its original gentle melody.

“Ahem!”

A light cough came from the forest. Jiang Lin’er walked forward with her hands behind her back. She raised a hand and pointed at the grass in front of Li Changshou, setting down a low table with two jars of immortal wine.

Just as Li Changshou was about to rise to bow, Jiang Lin’er pressed him back down.

“Senior…”

“No need to talk, I understand it all. What’s the big deal?” Jiang Lin’er casually tore open the seal on a wine jar, took out two large bowls, then retracted one jade arm into her sleeve and brought it out from her collar, tying the sleeve across her chest. An aura of a mighty warrior from the primordial era immediately washed over them.

Raising a wine jar, Jiang Lin’er let out a low cry: “It’s all in the wine! Drink up, brother!” With that, she tilted her head back and gulped it down. This method of drinking was a small trick; it looked like hearty imbibing, but in reality, most of the wine spilled out.

Li Changshou sighed, knowing that Jiang Lin’er was likely feeling quite suppressed. After all, Uncle-Master Wan Jiangyu and his own Master Qiyuan were both personally raised by Jiang Lin’er, and the result…

Li Changshou picked up a wine jar. As the wine went down his throat, he frowned; the taste was far inferior to the wine he brewed. Despite his cautious nature in all matters, he was, in fact, a refined disciple of the Human Sect, especially in recent years under Bai Ze’s influence, he had developed a certain appreciation for taste.

Ling’e, who was playing the zither nearby, twitched her lips slightly, feeling that the current atmosphere was a little different from what she had imagined…

A moment later.

The empty wine jar was slammed onto the table. Jiang Lin’er burped, looking at her grand-disciple who was gazing at her with gentle eyes. This gaze was so warm, carrying a hint of apology and a touch of helplessness. In an instant, it reopened the two scars in Jiang Lin’er’s heart.

Jiang Lin’er lowered her head, sprayed a mouthful of wine, and slumped onto the low table, crying inconsolably: “I’m just a failed Heavenly Immortal!”

“Grand-Ancestor, it’s all in the past,” Li Changshou gently consoled her. “One must look forward. Master’s soul is still…”

Ling’e’s zither music faltered, sounding like the clanging of weapons and the thundering of hooves. Xiong Lingli, who had been squatting nearby, quickly ran over, hoisted Jiang Lin’er onto her shoulder, gave Li Changshou an awkward smile, and rushed away with her head down.

Operation: Second Failure!

Li Changshou chuckled helplessly. Just as he was about to tell them to stop the pointless antics, a crisp sound of copper bells came from the side…

Two graceful figures, accompanied by music, glided forward. Dressed in gossamer immortal robes and holding lightly patterned fans, their tasseled skirts swayed like rippling water. However, their somewhat awkward and extremely unnatural dance moves truly made Li Changshou almost burst out laughing.

On the left was Jiu Jiu, who rarely wore immortal robes! Though she was still her usual outrageous self, she possessed three parts more etherealness and three parts more purity than usual. Her face and demeanor had matured considerably, giving her the bearing of an immortal fairy.

On the right, Youqin Xuan’ya looked quite charming at this moment. She already had a slender figure, and her current attire added a touch of gentleness and allure. Yet, her expression was somewhat stiff, her delicate features occasionally wrinkling as she earnestly tried to recall the next movements…

Unfortunately…

If it was only this level, Li Changshou’s urge to cover his eyes far surpassed his urge to laugh out loud.

But then, after Jiu Jiu and Youqin Xuan’ya awkwardly danced for a while, they suddenly retreated to their respective sides. Both bowed slightly, maintaining their fanning motions. The music began to sound somewhat… bizarre?

A dark figure flashed from the forest, darting between Jiu Jiu’s and Youqin Xuan’ya’s fans. Two beams of light from the side shone upon him! This person wore a dark veil on his head and pink and green immortal robes. As the music played, he began to sway his body, singing a somewhat playful mortal song. After singing only a couple of lines, he flung off his veil, revealing a heavily made-up face, a braided pigtail hairstyle, and his iconic… goatee!

“Oh, handsome brother, so wonderful, handsome brother, you stir my thoughts, I smile tenderly and introduce myself with a glance…”

Li Changshou raised a hand to poke his eyes, choosing temporary blindness. *Mr. Bai, your refined strategist persona has completely shattered!*

Nevertheless, Li Changshou forcibly suppressed the urge to complain, allowing them to finish their ‘performance’ before he finally stood up with a dark expression. “Everyone, come here!”

From the forest at the side, a few people exchanged glances and obediently emerged, somewhat afraid to look him directly in the eye.

Li Changshou sighed. “I appreciate all of your intentions, but I have indeed adjusted my state. And also, Mr. Bai!”

Bai Ze quickly wiped his face and chuckled, “I was merely invited by Ling’e to join in the fun with everyone… This humble Daoist has even sacrificed his dignity for this.”

Instantly, Li Changshou was full of complaints but found himself unable to voice them.

Youqin Xuan’ya frowned and asked, “Senior Brother, seeing all this… are you not happy?”

“Come, sit here and look at Mr. Bai.”

Youqin Xuan’ya approached as instructed. She looked up at Bai Ze, and her fair forehead immediately creased with dark lines. Jiu Jiu and Jiang Lin’er also came closer; the former immediately burst into laughter. The latter, still under the influence of alcohol, looked at Bai Ze in drag, then at herself, and let out a dejected sigh. She turned and embraced Youqin Xuan’ya, crying inconsolably again, muttering, “It’s the same, all the same.”

Li Changshou swept his long sleeves, turned, and used an escape technique, retreating in defeat. Bai Ze also quickly took his leave. With Li Changshou absent, he dared not interact much with the female residents of Little Qiong Peak…

Gazing in the direction of the alchemy lab, Ling’e wore a thoughtful expression. It seemed her Senior Brother was forcing her to unleash her ultimate move. Ling’e reached into her sleeve and pulled out a jade slip. A faint smirk played on her lips as she lightly tapped the slip twice, then turned and slipped into the forest.

“Is Sister in seclusion? No? Well, um, I was thinking about how to make Senior Brother happier… Yes, yes, Master’s incident was a huge blow to Senior Brother. Me? I’m fine, I just worry about Senior Brother. I cultivate in the mountains every day, but Senior Brother has to deal with all sorts of major issues. If his state of mind isn’t stable and enemies take advantage, that would be terrible…”

Soft whispers echoed through the forest for a while, until the sound of loud laughter from several immortal maidens and one half-shamaness came from nearby. Only then did Ling’e put away her jade slip, smiling triumphantly.

Li Changshou, who had originally planned to return to the Heavenly Court at dawn, decided to depart half an hour early.*True Dao Heart Trauma.*

With his true body hidden on Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou closed his eyes, and his consciousness activated his paper effigy in the Heavenly Court’s Water God Residence. A paper effigy floated from a nearby bookshelf and transformed into an old Daoist with white hair and beard.

It had been a long time.

Li Changshou’s immortal consciousness spread out like flowing water. He saw Ling Zhuzi cultivating and a large contingent of Heavenly Soldiers guarding the entrance. Everything in the Water God Residence was as usual, and the Heavenly Court seemed to be as usual. However, outside the High Heavens Palace, a golden pillar of light slowly spiraled, with squares on it displaying the vacant divine positions in the Heavenly Court. When the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation began, and beings destined for tribulation had their primordial spirits enter the Investiture of the Gods, a name would be added to this golden pillar. This would be decided by the Jade Emperor, whether or not the being was required to enter the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Dao and the Grand Dao Ancestor had granted the Jade Emperor ample authority.

When Li Changshou saw this pillar of light, he smiled inwardly. *Indeed, many changes have occurred.*

The current Heavenly Court was much stronger than the Heavenly Court in the original Investiture of the Gods story, to the point where His Majesty the Jade Emperor had much more say… From this perspective, all his past actions had become small ripples changing the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. *Quite a lot has changed, actually.*

Li Changshou, holding his fly whisk, stood up. He deliberately released a wisp of his aura, causing the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals outside the door to freeze. The wooden doors swung open, and gazes converged. A Heavenly General, his face flushed with excitement, cupped his hands in greeting to Li Changshou and shouted, “By His Majesty’s command, welcome back, Water God, to the Heavenly Court!”

Several Heavenly Generals cupped their hands in greeting, and the Heavenly Soldiers knelt on one knee, shouting in unison: “Welcome back, Water God, to the Heavenly Court!”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, holding his fly whisk as he returned the bow. He chuckled, “Thank you all for guarding here. I am now going to the High Heavens Palace to have an audience with His Majesty.”

“Does the Water God require an escort?”

“No, no,” Li Changshou said with a smile, waving his hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

At that moment, the Water God Residence became unusually lively. Ling Zhuzi, who had been cultivating, was also startled awake. Upon seeing Li Changshou, he let out a long sigh of relief. The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals guarding the Water God Residence looked at him with fervent eyes. Although only a little over ten years had passed, which was not a long time in the primordial era for True Immortals and Golden Immortals, for these Heavenly Court soldiers and generals, it felt like ages. This reverence was not merely for a strong or skilled individual, but a subtle sense of recognition.

Many Heavenly Soldiers surged forward but dared not speak, merely watching Li Changshou, leaving a path open for the Water God to exit. Li Changshou smiled as he rode a cloud, calmly moving forward towards the High Heavens Palace.

He hadn’t flown far when…

“Teacher!”

He heard a shout from the side. Long Ji arrived on a cloud. Upon seeing Li Changshou, her eyebrows lifted in delight, and she was visibly thrilled. “Teacher, are your injuries healed? Can your primordial spirit already use effigies? When Duke Dongmu was carried back that day, he really scared everyone half to death…”

“I am well now,” Li Changshou said solemnly. “Have you completed all the assignments I gave you before?”

Long Ji immediately stopped her cloud, tapped her slender finger to her forehead, and muttered, “Eh? I thought I saw Teacher just now. It must be an illusion, yes, an illusion. Oh, I still need to take tea to Mother.”

“Wait for me in the Water God Residence.”

Li Changshou said firmly. Long Ji sniffed unhappily and trudged back towards the Water God Residence.

On his way to the High Heavens Palace, most of the Heavenly Immortals and Deities came to meet him, with generals of the Heavenly River Navy like Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang being the most excited.

When Li Changshou arrived at the palace entrance, Duke Dongmu, who had been waiting for a while, immediately bowed deeply to Li Changshou and exclaimed, “Many thanks, Chang Geng, for saving my life!”

“Duke Dongmu, please refrain from bowing,” Li Changshou quickly raised a hand as if to help him up. “You and I serve in the same court, both loyal to His Majesty. How could I not have helped you?”

Duke Dongmu hesitated, as if wanting to say more, but finally just smiled and said, “His Majesty has been waiting for Chang Geng for a long time. Please, go in.”

Li Changshou cupped his hands, then quickly ascended the steps and hurried into the High Heavens Palace. He looked up to see His Majesty the Jade Emperor sitting calmly on the throne, reviewing memorials. Li Changshou continued to walk briskly, reaching the elevated platform, where he bowed in a Daoist salute.

“This humble deity greets Your Majesty, the Jade Emperor!”

His voice echoed through the hall, yet there was no response. Outside the hall, Duke Dongmu couldn’t help but turn his head to look, only to find the entire palace enveloped in golden light, isolating it from external scrutiny…

Inside the hall, Li Changshou maintained his bowed posture. He subtly peeked up at the Jade Emperor’s calm expression, then lowered his head and called out again, “This humble deity, greets Your Majesty, the Jade Emperor!”

“Hmm,” the Jade Emperor finally responded, a faint golden light drifting across his white robes.

As long as the Jade Emperor did not speak, Li Changshou could not straighten his back and had to maintain his posture… *What’s going on?*

His mind subtly shifted, and he quickly found a solution. He spoke, “Mu Qinghua of Muhua Academy, greets Your Majesty, the Jade Emperor!”

The Jade Emperor slammed a memorial onto the jade desk, gritting his teeth as he cursed, “Good! It’s you, indeed! Li Chang Geng, do you know your crime?!”

Li Changshou adopted a troubled expression and sighed, “This humble deity is willing to receive punishment in the Lightning Punishment Hall again!” He covertly brought up his past punishment by the Queen Mother’s lightning.

“Hmph!” the Jade Emperor snorted lightly, stood up, and with a slight air of triumph, said indifferently, “Considering you were forced into it, I’ll settle this score with you later. Now, tell me, what exactly happened with your battle against the great demon cultivators in North Continent?”

Li Changshou quickly replied, “They captured Duke Dongmu, and this humble deity, fearing the Heavenly Court would fall into a passive position, pursued them.”

“That’s all?”

“More or less… that’s how it was.”

The Jade Emperor walked down the elevated platform and sat on the third-to-last jade step, leaning back as he leisurely said, “Then why did the Grand Pure One’s Senior Brother appear, along with Zhunti of the Western Sect, and why did Saintess Nuwa mend a turbid immortal’s soul? And why did the Heavenly Dao indicate that the Heavenly Court lost a mountain god?”

“Alas,” Li Changshou sighed. “That mountain god was actually my Master, who raised this humble deity from childhood.”

The Jade Emperor froze for a moment, then straightened up in his seat and whispered, “To think there was such a hidden reason! Chang Geng, don’t take it to heart. I was merely curious… This is…”

“Your Majesty, my Master merely cultivated into a turbid immortal. Now, he can be considered to have reincarnated early, and he even received benefits from Saintess Nuwa. This is an immense fortune.” Li Changshou smiled. “Your Majesty, this humble deity has something to report.”

“Chang Geng, come and sit,” His Majesty the Jade Emperor patted the jade steps beside him. “First, report the important matters, then tell me what exactly happened with this tribulation, and why the Jie School refused Duke Dongmu’s request.”

Li Changshou acknowledged him and sat on the lowest jade step, then reported the details of the North Continent battle. The Jade Emperor was a comrade he had to unite with and trust during the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. Li Changshou had to strengthen this relationship, so he concealed nothing, even informing the Jade Emperor of all the matters he had arranged while recovering from his injuries.

However, the Jade Emperor was a little distracted, pondering something in his heart…

*The pain of losing one’s teacher, how tragic! Hmm, I’ll find an excuse to send Chang Geng to the Lunar Star to cultivate the Chang’e fairies.*

According to the information he had gathered during his ‘Hua Ritian period’, this was the most coveted position for male immortals in the Heavenly Court; it should bring great joy. *The position of Head Instructor for these three hundred Chang’e fairies is approved.*