Chapter 442: Lingxiao Hall Discusses Calamity, Water God Temple Speaks of Difficulty

If there were traitors from Heaven secretly causing trouble on the Chan School side, then why would Jie School reject Mu Gong? Chang Geng, aren't you close with Fairy Yun Xiao and sworn friends with Jie School disciples like Zhao Gongming?

Inside the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, on the steps of the high platform.

His Majesty the Jade Emperor was lying on his side. He casually picked up a purple crystal grape, a tribute from the Dragon Palace, and put it into his mouth, asking with some confusion.

Li Changshou: ...

Why does this grape look so familiar?*Cough*, wait. Has His Majesty the Jade Emperor calmed down so quickly? Not gritting his teeth and cursing right now... that's a bit unlike the Jade Emperor's character.

Li Changshou sighed. He said, "I wrote a letter to Senior Brother Duobao in advance."

"Oh?" The Jade Emperor was full of confusion. "Chang Geng, why did you voluntarily allow Jie School to enter the tribulation? You should have tried to keep Jie School out of it."

"Your Majesty may not know," Li Changshou whispered, "Ever since I began planning the Dragon Clan matter, I have already influenced the karma of this great tribulation. As soon as the karma emerged, I immediately suffered a backlash. Although I forcefully killed Daoist Lu Ya in Beizhou to avenge my master, I was also targeted by the Heavenly Dao because of it. A certain will manifested through the karma, closely watching my primordial spirit. If I dared to impede the great tribulation, my primordial spirit would suffer severe damage, probably taking a century or more to awaken. The great tribulation is already a fixed destiny; I cannot prevent its arrival. However, I care for the Dao Sect and the Heavenly Court, therefore, I made a choice."

"Oh? What choice did you make?" The Jade Emperor brought over several plates of fruits from the jade table, placing them between the two of them, listening with increasing absorption.

Li Changshou slowly said:"Chan School and Jie School are destined to enter the tribulation. Uncle Master Tongtian knows this, Senior Brother Duobao knows this, and anyone in Jie School with some cultivation knows this. It's not something I can save just by wanting to; no one can stop it, except for a Heavenly Emperor like Your Majesty, who can interfere with the operation of the Heavenly Dao.

"But if the great tribulation only targets the Dao Sect, wouldn't that benefit the Western Sect? The two Uncle Masters of the Western Sect became saints through grand vows, and they inherently have an urgency for prosperity. If the Dao Sect declines, the Western Sect is destined to flourish. Therefore, I took the initiative to discuss with Jie School, asking them to enter the great tribulation, to give a favor to the will within the karmic tribulation. Then, using this favor, I secretly asked Mu Gong to go to the Western Spirit Mountain, pass by it without entering, and return to the Heavenly Court. While it's called a favor, it's actually an intention for balance. And then, with Your Majesty's help, draw the Western Sect into the tribulation, and remove the Ren School from the great tribulation... Please forgive me, Your Majesty, forgive me."

"Haha, hahahaha! Brilliant!" The Jade Emperor burst into laughter while sucking on a grape. His hearty laughter echoed back and forth in the hall as he gently waved his hand.

The white-robed Jade Emperor had a hint of starlight in his eyes. He smiled and said:"No problem! I myself was also affected by the great tribulation before, becoming the key to its initiation. On the contrary, Chang Geng, your calculations this time, although they used my power, have reassured me greatly. Before, I never understood what you sought, why you entered the Heavenly Court, or why you came to assist me. Now I seem to understand. Senior Brother Taiqing is like this, the Grand Master is like this, and you are also like this."

Li Changshou blinked. "Like what? Has some subtle misunderstanding occurred here again?"

"Regarding this great tribulation, Chang Geng, where do you think the Heavenly Court should be positioned?"

"Above," Li Changshou pointed to the sky. "In this great tribulation, the Heavenly Court itself should not participate. It only needs to wait for the dust of the tribulation to settle. Your Majesty should make good use of the golden pillar outside the hall."

"What good will it do to use it well, or not use it well? Most things are already set." The Jade Emperor smiled and said, "I intend to entrust this matter to Chang Geng. Once the great tribulation officially concludes, I will grant Chang Geng powers of oversight. By then, Chang Geng will be a special envoy of the Heavenly Court, an envoy of the Heavenly Dao. It will also be more convenient for Chang Geng to save some people during the great tribulation."

Li Changshou immediately stood up and performed a Daoist salute towards the Jade Emperor.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for making this possible!"

"It's only proper to reciprocate a favor," the Jade Emperor shook his head and smiled. "Had Patriarch Dao not said some things to me, Chang Geng, I truly wouldn't have realized all your previous efforts. Chang Geng, you don't need to worry too much. You don't have to keep certain things to yourself. Feel free to discuss more with me. You have sincerely treated the Heavenly Court and me, a Heavenly Emperor whom no one originally bothered with. I will sincerely treat you and lend you a hand. The prosperity of the Heavenly Court will ultimately be attributed to Chang Geng's contributions. No matter what becomes of the Heavenly Court after the tribulation, as long as I remain the Immortal Chief, Chang Geng will hold the second position."

Li Changshou stood up and exchanged glances with the Jade Emperor. His smile gained a touch of ease.

The Jade Emperor sighed softly again. "Let's not dwell on these matters. This great tribulation is called 'Conferment of Gods,' and it is naturally the Heavenly Dao's will to expand the Heavenly Court. A century from now, Chan School, Jie School, and the Western Sect will go to Zixiao Palace to sign the Investiture of Gods List. I will also need to go there then. Chang Geng, would you be willing to accompany me to meet Patriarch Dao?"

"If Your Majesty commands it, I shall naturally follow."

"I also don't know how the gods will be conferred in this great tribulation," the Jade Emperor's mouth twitched. "Any great tribulation inevitably involves bloodshed. Chang Geng, what do you think? Will it be about the immortals of the three sects fighting directly? One going to overthrow another's Daoist temple, or one killing another's disciple? If so, what would be the basis for the conferment of gods? Is it based on the spirit's original status within the three sects, or their magical power, or their character?"

Li Changshou chuckled. "Presumably, Patriarch Dao has already arranged everything."

The Jade Emperor mumbled, "Patriarch Dao also said the same thing, that the Heavenly Dao has already arranged everything. Oh, and Chang Geng, when will Senior Brother Taiqing formally accept you as his disciple?"

"Well..." Li Changshou mused for a few moments. He said playfully, "This matter depends on my teacher's will. However, by then, I'll be able to call Your Majesty 'Uncle Master.'"

"Hahahaha!" The Jade Emperor immediately burst into laughter. "Come on, say it a few more times!"

Li Changshou: ...

"Your Majesty, the rules of the Heavenly Court must still be respected."

"How boring. Chang Geng, you're not as interesting as you were when you were Mu Qinghua." The Jade Emperor peeled a tangerine, tossing it into Li Changshou's hand. He chuckled, "I originally thought, as soon as you entered the hall, I'd call you 'Teacher' and see if you'd break out in a cold sweat. Honestly, you helped my Junior Sister... but you even became a teacher and deliberately played matchmaker!"

Li Changshou was full of helplessness. He sat back on the lowest jade step and smiled wryly, "Your Majesty, a speck of your divine soul entered the Reincarnation Disk, connecting the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Auspicious signs were everywhere in Nanshan Continent. Any powerful being could deduce it; it was impossible to hide. Playing matchmaker for Your Majesty and the Empress was also out of necessity... When Your Majesty was twelve or thirteen, your heart began to stir. Suddenly, five red strings appeared, and the Old Man Under the Moon was almost scared to tears."

"Hahahaha! Was I truly that courageous?"

Li Changshou coughed, eating the sweet and non-cloying immortal tangerine. He softly asked, "Your Majesty, could you please tell me in detail what you did in Zixiao Palace?"

The Jade Emperor immediately let out a long sigh and whispered, "Alas, I'm afraid my temperament was affected by Hua Youming during my mortal tribulation. At that time, a surge of anger in my heart, propelled by the karmic tribulation, I went directly to Zixiao Palace. When I arrived at the palace gate, I knelt down and shouted 'Old Master,' and then..."

"And then?"

The Jade Emperor covered his eyes with one hand and sighed, "I actually cried. How embarrassing for an immortal."

Li Changshou's face showed understanding. So the crying complaint was true, not just an exaggerated artistic embellishment from rumors. Men crying is no sin, but when the Immortal Emperor cries, the Dao Sect kneels.

"If the Heavenly Court can smoothly prosper and control the Three Realms, then my tears would be worth it," the Jade Emperor stretched, stood up, and gazed at the sea of clouds outside the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

"Chang Geng, my dear minister, receive the imperial decree."

"Your humble servant is here."

"In three months, my dear minister, go to the mortal world and bring back my sister from my tribulation experience to the Heavenly Court. I previously sent a dream to Hua Yun about this, telling her to linger in the mortal world for another hundred days."

Li Changshou smiled. "Your humble servant accepts the command."

"*Cough*," the Jade Emperor suddenly coughed, his gaze darting left and right. He then leaned closer to Li Changshou, face-to-face, their left shoulders touching. He whispered, "Chang Geng, when you go, remember to visit the estate where my tribulation body eventually retired. There's a wooden box under the wardrobe; burn it directly. Inside are... things you'd understand. If this gets out, I'd lose all face."

Li Changshou's face became serious. He nodded solemnly, his expression hundreds of times more serious than when discussing the great tribulation.

This feeling, he understood. In his previous life, before he died, he had also grabbed his good friend's collar and earnestly instructed him to format, rewrite, and repeatedly rewrite that extra-large hard drive that appeared empty but was full. It would be best to physically destroy it directly, and then burn the components for him.

This is a man's fragile dignity.

As he left the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, Li Changshou felt a slight sense of emotion. The Jade Emperor's single trip to the mortal world had given him much more 'humanity' than before. His words and actions now carried a sense of 'flesh and blood.' Especially when Li Changshou heard the Jade Emperor proclaim his ambition to have seven daughters to make up for the regret of not being able to have children during his tribulation, Li Changshou was deeply impressed. Perhaps that's how the Seven Fairies came to be.

As this incarnation of his returned to the Water God's Manor, before he even entered the main gate, his Dao heart felt a familiar ripple: guests were visiting the Sea God Temple in Anshui City.

Li Changshou dared not neglect the guests. A paper effigy flew out from underground, rushing to meet the visitors.

The ones who arrived were three members of the Chan School's 'Twelve Golden Immortals' organization: True Man Huang Long, True Man Taiyi, and True Man Yuding. If his estimation was correct, they should be there to inquire about the great tribulation of Conferment of Gods.

After the battle in Beizhou, Li Changshou had deliberately 'recuperated' on Three Immortals Island for twelve years. In reality, it wasn't just for comprehending the Dao and planning his strategies; there was also the consideration of 'avoiding disaster.' Now, facing the Chan School immortals, Li Changshou could say that he was severely injured at the time and didn't know the specifics of the events, and that someone with malicious intent had schemed against Chan School as a result. This way, their mutual feelings wouldn't be harmed. As for Jie School, it wasn't necessary; Li Changshou had thoroughly discussed everything with Fairy Yun Xiao before making his arrangements.

Currently, Li Changshou opened the paper effigy storage beneath Anshui City, and a paper effigy flew out to meet the three Chan School Golden Immortals.

The upcoming game was a true battle between major sects. Previously, during confrontations, disciples of saints were mostly unharmed, but from now on, if there were magical duels, it would be far from mere theatrics and negotiations. Under the karmic tribulation, those lacking sufficient divine abilities or destined fate would all turn to ashes.

For now, let's not mention Li Changshou's meeting with the three Chan School immortals in the Sea God Temple. Let's talk about what happened after Li Changshou left the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. Dong Mu Gong was summoned inside by the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor sat back on his throne, holding a memorial. He spoke, "Mu Gong, tell me, how should we punish Chang Geng?"

Mu Gong was stunned upon hearing this. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please see clearly! The Water God acts with discretion and is absolutely loyal to the Heavenly Court. Over the years, he has repeatedly rendered great services to the Heavenly Court! This old minister can testify, it was all... all the Empress who forced the Water God to do it!"

"Enough. Do you think I don't know Chang Geng?" The Jade Emperor tossed the memorial in his hand. "Mu Gong, you just need to find a small offense. I can then punish Chang Geng by sending him to the Moon Palace to be an instructor to the Chang'e fairies. It would also give my dear minister Chang Geng a period of rest and relaxation."

Dong Mu Gong was startled. "Your Majesty, forgive me. This old minister failed to fully grasp Your Majesty's intentions. The Water God, he... presumptuously descended to the mortal world and interfered with Your Majesty and the Empress's tribulations. This crime deserves punishment."

"Good, it's settled then," the Jade Emperor smiled. "Summon all the immortals for a discussion tomorrow at noon. After I finish speaking about the great tribulation, Mu Gong, you can present the memorial in this manner."

"This old minister obeys your command!"

Dong Mu Gong bowed his head to acknowledge the order. He turned and withdrew.

The Jade Emperor chuckled softly from his throne. He stretched his body, then left the Lingxiao Treasure Hall with his hands behind his back and went to the Jade Pond. Since grand words had been spoken, he had to work towards them. Although seven was a bit many, he hadn't not had children before. Long Ji wasn't already grown up...?

Sea God Temple, back hall.

Li Changshou was seated in the main position. True Men Huang Long, Taiyi, and Yuding sat to his left, sipping mortal fragrant tea and discussing the matters of this great tribulation.

True Man Huang Long cursed, "That fellow who came to Yuxu Palace that day, that Heavenly Court god named Fu Yuan... he was deliberately provoking trouble! Who knew, he immediately went to the Jade Emperor to complain, and the Jade Emperor, in his anger, went to Zixiao Palace again. He needlessly caused such a huge problem for our Chan School!"

True Man Taiyi scoffed, "The Heavenly Court truly isn't picky when recruiting immortal gods."

"You can't say that," Li Changshou said with a helpless expression. "The Heavenly Court has just begun, and it's unavoidable that ill-intentioned individuals would infiltrate it."

True Man Yuding said, "This matter cannot be reversed by the Heavenly Court either. Both Chan and Jie Schools should enter the tribulation. It's just that we never thought the Western Sect would also be drawn into the tribulation."

"Oh?" Li Changshou asked, curious. "Senior Brother Yuding, could you explain in detail?"

"This humble Daoist is not very good at explaining," True Man Yuding mused for a few moments, then said seriously, "This relates to the understanding of the Heavenly Dao. If we compare the Heavenly Dao to a living being, then the most abundant inhabitants within this being are humans. As the 'protagonists of Heaven and Earth,' humanity is the confluence of all living beings' fortunes. The ancient great tribulation corresponded to the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin. The primeval great tribulation corresponded to the Witch and Demon races. This great tribulation corresponds to humanity. However, humanity's fortune is concentrated in the mortal world. In other words, the true protagonists of Heaven and Earth are mortals. In the Heavenly Court, apart from the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother, the main body is humanity. Our Dao Sect's three schools established themselves by educating humanity. Except for Ren School, they rarely engaged in education after the primeval era, yet they unfairly gained the protection of humanity's fortune. The more of humanity's fortune they borrowed, the more they would have to repay during the great tribulation. This applies to our Chan School, and also to Jie School. Jie School is even more troublesome. Jie School essentially borrowed humanity's fortune to protect all races of living beings... Any Qi Refiner not directly related to humanity would likely find it difficult to survive this great tribulation. I had previously foreseen the great tribulation and comprehended these things. It's just that I never expected the tribulation to be initiated by His Majesty the Jade Emperor, rather than a Human Emperor. These are all predestined. Without Fu Yuan, it would merely have taken a different form."

As Yuding's words fell, the entire inner hall became silent. Li Changshou, True Man Huang Long, and True Man Taiyi all stared at Yuding in astonishment.

True Man Yuding frowned and asked, "Did this humble Daoist say something wrong?"

Li Changshou hurriedly said, "Senior Brother, your insights are truly profound!"

True Man Huang Long frowned and asked, "Junior Brother Yuding, how did you comprehend these things?"

"Halt!" True Man Taiyi leaped a step back, staring at True Man Yuding. He pulled out the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover from his hand. "What demon dares to impersonate my Junior Brother Yuding here! How could my junior brother possess such insights!"

Yuding said helplessly, "These are just some insights. It's because you, Senior Brother, usually spend your time pondering how to curse people and refine treasures, thus neglecting your own cultivation."

"Did I?" True Man Taiyi gave an embarrassed chuckle.

Li Changshou and True Man Huang Long exchanged glances and both burst into laughter simultaneously.

Li Changshou ordered a banquet to be prepared. He discussed the matter with the three immortals and secretly invited Zhao Gongming to this place. The three sects destined to enter the tribulation were Chan, Jie, and Western. The Dao Sect and the Western Sect were originally two separate entities. Therefore, forming alliances and enhancing the relationship between Chan and Jie ahead of time was the best possible strategy. Li Changshou knew that the Western Sect would definitely try their best to win over Chan School, and he would need to make arrangements for this accordingly.

Before long, the banquet in the back hall was joyous, filled with continuous laughter and cheerful voices.

Meanwhile, on Three Immortals Island.

A white shadow departed from the thousand miles of clouds and mist. Disappearing into the heavens and earth, it hurried towards Dongsheng Divine Continent.