Chapter 477: Yuanshi Smiles and Guides, Longevity Debates Ksitigarbha

Above the Reincarnation Pagoda, the benevolent old Daoist who had appeared later was surrounded by streaks of light. He sat calmly on a cloud, seemingly merged with the very fabric of this world, untainted by a speck of dust or dirt.

Below the pagoda, dozens of Western Sect disciples had gathered over ten corpses, laying them out. Each disciple wore an angry expression, glaring at Li Changshou and his group.

Sage Jieyin opened his left hand, and seven or eight faint rays of light flew into his palm, protecting the primordial spirits of the fallen and injured Western Sect disciples.

However, six Western Sect disciples had already suffered shattered primordial spirits and scattered souls.

The Qiankun Grand Formation, which had temporarily trapped Kong Xuan, was directly pierced by the Five-Colored Divine Light, as it lacked powerful guardians.

Kong Xuan flew out, casting a wary glance at Sage Jieyin before landing behind Li Changshou.

After a moment, Sage Jieyin, without opening his mouth, projected his voice throughout the area:

"Why have you caused disturbance here?"

An elder Daoist from the Western Sect cried out, "Teacher, please dispense justice for us! These Daoist disciples are arrogant and unreasonable; they killed our fellow disciples without any provocation!"

"Hmm?"

Golden Spirit Holy Mother's delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she was about to manifest her combat dharma body, but Daoist Duobao, standing nearby, raised a hand to stop her.

Li Changshou also turned his head slightly, signaling to Golden Spirit Holy Mother with a look.

The next step was for each side to present their bargaining chips and bottom lines to negotiate the situation.

As long as the six Sages avoided an all-out war or a fight to the death, the delicate balance of the situation would remain intact.

The elder Daoists of the Western Sect lamented pitifully before Sage Jieyin, who remained expressionless.

Fairy Yunxiao sent a voice transmission to Li Changshou:

"If this Martial Uncle attacks later, and our Master isn't here, should we resist with all our might?"

Li Changshou frowned in thought and replied via transmission:

"Don't worry, Second Martial Uncle should already be here. His current absence means he's observing how far we can negotiate with the Western Sect."

"Understood," Yunxiao cautioned, "This is a game between Sages. You're already deeply entangled, so be extra cautious not to anger them."

Angering a Sage...

For him, it was actually quite challenging to achieve.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, recalling his fervent, comfortable, and delightful conversation with Master Taiqing at the Taiqing Temple.

'For the Western Sect, only Jieyin matters; disregard the rest.'

'Yes, disciple obeys.'

'His Dao is different from ours.'

This was followed by a silent, half-month period of rest.

Master Taiqing's instruction was that, concerning the Western Sect, everything apart from Sage Jieyin himself would be the responsibility of his second disciple...

Both sides waited for a while, and the Western Sect's Sage disciples ceased their lamentations.

Streaks of light appeared on the horizon, revealing the group of Western Sect disciples who had previously pursued Taiyi Zhenren, now rushing back.

Now calm, they hurried to the pagoda to salute Sage Jieyin, then glared angrily into the distance.

A Daoist in a fiery red robe slowly approached, his face handsome and his aura profound. He stood on two flaming wheels, and from the front, nothing seemed amiss.

As he landed behind Li Changshou's group, just as he was about to speak, his breath suddenly faltered. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed face-first onto the cloud!

Daoist Duobao and Zhao Gongming looked down and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

They saw that Taiyi Zhenren's back...

His red robe was torn and tattered, his back was covered in green and purple bruises, and his long hair was burnt to ragged stumps, still emitting wisps of smoke!

Taiyi Zhenren took a breath, stuffed a handful of pills into his mouth, then slowly floated up. He retracted his wind-fire wheels and leaned against Yu Ding Zhenren.

Facing a hundred opponents, he hadn't lost!

He just hadn't had the chance to vent his frustration through curses!

Li Changshou asked with concern, "How are your injuries, Senior Brother?"

"I'm fine, won't die," Taiyi Zhenren scoffed, "Anything that doesn't kill me only makes me stronger!"

Yu Ding Zhenren's left hand precisely covered Taiyi Zhenren's mouth. He first gestured for Taiyi Zhenren to look at Sage Jieyin above the pagoda, then cleared his throat and whispered:

"...My master is the Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi."

Li Changshou couldn't help but smile. He calmly produced four specially crafted bronze mirrors—one for live broadcasting and three as backups—and handed them to Yu Ding Zhenren. "My apologies for the trouble, Senior Brother," he said.

"Very well."

Yu Ding Zhenren took the mirrors with a smile, standing silently.

Throughout the Heavenly Court, the immortals, celestial soldiers, fairies, and Chang'e who had been watching the various bronze mirrors all held their breath, observing.

Clearly, the situation had shifted once more.

A Sage had appeared again atop the Reincarnation Pagoda, and before it, on the cloud path, lay immortal corpses.

It seemed the Western Sect had indeed invested immense effort into this Reincarnation Pagoda, otherwise, two Sages would not have appeared simultaneously.

The various Daoist masters still had their spiritual treasures unsheathed, and Golden Spirit Holy Mother's fighting intent remained undiminished.

Kong Xuan's Five-Colored Divine Light receded behind him, and Yu Ding Zhenren put away his precious cauldron.

Daoist Duobao's smile grew gentler, yet it carried an air of calm indifference, as if to say, 'Whoever.'

It was an aura of complete assurance.

Jieyin still did not open his lips, but his calm voice echoed everywhere.

"Chang Geng of the Human Sect, step forward and speak."

Li Changshou stepped forward two paces and made a Daoist bow. Behind him, Daoist Duobao and Fairy Yunxiao simultaneously took a step forward.

"Martial Uncle, this humble deity is here."

Jieyin asked, "Why did you incite others to kill my disciples and destroy my Western treasures?"

"This matter, this humble deity has already addressed."

Li Changshou cupped his hands. At this moment, he avoided rhetoric, sophistry, or rephrasing concepts.

However, he still firmly upheld the banner of helping the Western Sect 'cleanse the holy side'!

"Martial Uncle, are you aware of the Incense Divine Kingdom?"

"I am aware," Sage Jieyin said calmly. "Our Western lands are barren. By collecting more incense merit, we can consolidate our own destiny, which benefits the stability of heaven and earth."

Li Changshou's heart sank, knowing he wouldn't gain any advantage in this line of questioning.

Immediately, Li Changshou composed himself and sighed:

"Martial Uncle, you must be perfectly aware of the current situation over the Sea of Blood."

Before Jieyin could reply, a wave of Daoist aura rippled outward.

Within the minds of all the Sage disciples, vivid scenes unfolded simultaneously...

The once boundless Sea of Blood had changed color. Countless ethereal figures floated, indistinct and overlapping, as these insubstantial specters intertwined with one another.

Many fierce beasts from the Sea of Blood were drawn to and devoured these specters, but their numbers were insignificant compared to the sheer multitude of the phantoms.

The scene shifted again to Fengdu City, now plunged into chaos. Fierce ghosts and malevolent spirits roamed freely, unleashed by exploding 'comets,' causing immense trouble for the Underworld.

The Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk was affected, filled with souls awaiting rebirth. The number of fierce ghosts and malevolent spirits here was considerable, and a large number of specters from the Sea of Blood had been drawn to the Reincarnation Disk.

Jieyin glanced to the side and calmly stated, "Since you have arrived, Daoist Brother, why not reveal yourself?"

A soft chuckle was heard, and an auspicious cloud appeared above Li Changshou and his companions.

Seated on the cloud was a middle-aged Daoist, wearing a tall crown and luxurious robes. His face bore a distinct resemblance to the Grandmaster of Heaven.

The moment this Daoist appeared, an elegant, peaceful, and mind-calming Daoist aura emanated from him, effortlessly neutralizing the oppressive feeling Jieyin had imposed on Li Changshou and his group.

Yu Ding and Huang Long quickly addressed him as Master, while Duobao, Golden Spirit, Yunxiao, and Zhao Gongming respectfully called him Martial Uncle.

Kong Xuan offered a shallow bow, and Li Changshou still addressed him as Martial Uncle. However, Taiyi Zhenren, upon seeing his Master, became teary-eyed and his legs almost gave way, nearly causing him to kneel.

"Ah ah! Ah ba ah ba!"

The Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi's smile deepened. He pointed a finger at Taiyi Zhenren and chuckled, "Your Master is here; you may speak now."

"Thank you, Master!"

Taiyi Zhenren acknowledged, then looked at Li Changshou.

Should he continue?

This time, he wouldn't hold back anything.

Li Changshou didn't dare to blink. While previous matters were under his control, he now dared not express himself recklessly.

All of Taiyi Zhenren's subsequent actions had no connection to Xiao Qiong Peak or the Water God's Mansion!

The Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi's gaze swept over, making Li Changshou somewhat apprehensive.

"Chang Geng."

"Disciple is here."

"When you have time, visit Jade Void Palace more often," Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi said gently. "The great tribulation is imminent, and you are the one selected by your Senior Brother to manage it. Do not show partiality."

"Disciple will certainly visit Jade Void Palace later to seek guidance on cultivation from all Senior Brothers and Sisters!"

The Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi immediately showed a slight smile, then glanced at Fairy Yunxiao before calmly shifting his gaze.

"Go," said the Jade Purity Sage. "Whatever Daoist Brother Jieyin asks, you answer. If he asks poorly, you do not answer. If you can answer, then answer well.

In this world, what we three friends say still carries weight."

"Understood."

Li Changshou respectfully affirmed, then walked two steps forward, returning to his original position.

Conversing with a Sage was truly...

Exhausting.

The implications within Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi's words were profound, harboring vastly different interpretations depending on whether one understood them positively or negatively.

How could each of these esteemed Sages be so individualistic?

In comparison, his own Master Taiqing was the easiest to get along with, though interacting with him...

Was time-consuming.

Li Changshou gently asked, "Martial Uncle Jieyin, do you have any further questions?"

Sage Jieyin asked, "Why did you sabotage my Western opportunity, kill my Western disciples, and seize my Western Pagoda?"

"This matter, in truth, has nothing to do with the Senior Brothers and Sisters behind me," Li Changshou sighed. "They came to assist due to their friendship with this humble deity, and I cannot implicate them."

The moment he said this, Duobao and Zhao Gongming were about to interject, but Li Changshou's subtle hand gesture behind his back held them steady.

"Martial Uncle Jieyin, this humble deity originates from the Human Sect, was appreciated by Grand Master Senior Brother and introduced into Doushuai Palace, and moreover, was favored by Master to be taught the Grand Dao of Taiqing.

However, this humble deity also holds another identity: a third-rank righteous deity of the Heavenly Court and a special envoy appointed by His Majesty the Jade Emperor.

Your Western Sect, Martial Uncle, has Sage disciples causing havoc in the Three Thousand Worlds by establishing Incense Divine Kingdoms, which severely impacts mortal beings and hinders the flow of the Heavenly Dao.

This Reincarnation Pagoda here is used to consolidate these Incense Divine Kingdoms.

This humble deity, acting on His Majesty's command, is fostering the anti-Incense Divine Kingdom Immortal Dao Alliance within the Three Thousand Worlds. Therefore, I could not, and indeed cannot, ignore this matter, which is why we find ourselves in this situation.

This humble deity believes that anyone who supports the Incense Divine Kingdom is interfering with the Heavenly Dao and is an enemy of the Heavenly Court."

After speaking, Li Changshou stood silently.

Sage Jieyin asked, "Who can explain the matter of this Reincarnation Pagoda to Chang Geng?"

"Master," Ksitigarbha stepped forward and said softly, "This disciple once traveled through the Three Thousand Worlds and observed that they are vastly distant from the Primordial Heaven and Earth. Countless souls, unable to reach the Underworld, had already transformed into wandering specters.

Therefore, this disciple proposed constructing this Reincarnation Pagoda for the benefit of all beings in heaven and earth."

Jieyin gently raised a hand. Ksitigarbha understood the gesture, turned, and looked at Li Changshou.

A glint of light flickered in their eyes, and an almost tangible aura swirled around them, overshadowing the presence of all other Sage disciples present.

Ksitigarbha coolly stepped forward half a... half a... half a step...

"Hmm?!"

Ksitigarbha turned to glare at his heel, where Diting, now greatly reduced in size, was biting the back hem of Ksitigarbha's Daoist robe, sending an anxious voice transmission.

"Don't go, Master! You're no match for the Water God; you'll just be pushed out to take the blame!"

"This is my last chance!"

Ksitigarbha cursed inwardly via transmission, "If I don't step forward now, who else will?

They're always the quickest to claim credit but otherwise only know how to scheme against each other!"

Li Changshou glanced at Diting, who shivered twice, immediately released Ksitigarbha's Daoist robe, and followed dejectedly.

Li Changshou cupped his hands, and Ksitigarbha nodded with a faint smile.

Ksitigarbha stated, "Daoist Friend, what you said about the Incense Divine Kingdom and the Reincarnation Pagoda are actually not the same matter. This humble Daoist doesn't know where you heard such rumors.

Our Western Sect established the Reincarnation Pagoda for the sake of heaven and earth..."

"Daoist Friend, speaking frankly, if we weren't on opposing sides, I would be willing to share tea with you."

Li Changshou interjected abruptly, seizing the moment while Ksitigarbha was lost in thought.

"Then, Daoist Friend, can you explain why Fengdu City was attacked at this precise moment?"

Ksitigarbha replied, "This humble Daoist is not aware of that. Malevolent spirits in the Underworld cause mischief; such incidents have occurred several times before."

Li Changshou then asked, "If that's the case, why was the Reincarnation Pagoda built here, and why did you not mention any of this when I questioned you earlier?"

"Previously, the Water God was quite aggressive, and we all believed that the Daoist Sect came to spy on our Western Sect's opportunities."

Ksitigarbha's gaze swept over the Daoist disciples behind Li Changshou, a confident smile on his face.

Ksitigarbha continued, "On the contrary, Daoist Friend Chang Geng deliberately confused the situation and deceived the Sages, causing a major battle to erupt here and costing our sect over a dozen lives. How should that be accounted for?"

"Daoist Friend, there's no need to change the subject. We have yet to clarify the matter of the Reincarnation Pagoda."

Li Changshou calmly stated, "At this very moment, malevolent spirits are causing havoc at the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, and countless human souls float above the Sea of Blood. The Reincarnation Pagoda has already been built, lacking only the Heavenly Dao's recognition.

Daoist Friend, are you going to tell me that all of this is merely a coincidence?

You accuse me of deceiving the Sage, yet it is you, Daoist Friend, who are misleading them."

Ksitigarbha's brows furrowed slightly. Their gazes locked, and their fighting intent intensified.

Ksitigarbha's mind raced, and he retorted, "Daoist Friend, do you have any proof that these souls were released by my Western Sect?"

Li Changshou: ...

Had Jieyin's arrival activated a hidden trait in Ksitigarbha?

He was certainly much more formidable than before.

Taiyi Zhenren scoffed, "Daoist Friend Ksitigarbha, you utter the word 'proof' so readily.

So if I were to stew your mount today, as long as I dispose of it cleanly and leave no evidence, I could simply deny it?"

Diting shivered at these words, his eyes filled with a desperate will to survive.

An elder Daoist from the Western Sect immediately echoed, "Junior Brother Ksitigarbha is right. How can you prove that these souls were released by our Western Sect?"

Ksitigarbha's brows furrowed tightly, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his eyes, but he remained silent.

Daoist Duobao sighed, "If we continue to argue like this, it would be better to let my Junior Brother Gongming take action."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and chuckled, "Then this humble Daoist might have to concede defeat today."

Half of the Western Sect's Sage disciples instantly became as wary as if confronting a formidable foe.

From above, the Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi spoke again, "Daoist Brother Jieyin, do not let your disciples act so wantonly.

Even if the Heavenly Mystery is currently sealed, if you and I were to defy the Heavenly Dao's will and deduce what happened, would we truly not know?"

Daoist Jieyin replied, "Daoist Brother, since we have both appeared today, it is to resolve this matter.

Since no clear conclusion can be reached through debate, our Western Sect is willing to jointly oversee the Reincarnation Pagoda with the Heavenly Court and guide the souls from the Sea of Blood into reincarnation. What do you say?"

"Martial Uncle," Li Changshou suddenly looked up, "I have proof."

Daoist Jieyin frowned and looked at Li Changshou, but Li Changshou lowered his head, avoiding his gaze, and made a Daoist bow.

"This humble deity apologizes for speaking out abruptly and hopes Martial Uncle will forgive any offense.

This humble deity has proof, and it is right here!"

"Speak, Chang Geng," Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi said, his eyes crinkling into a smile.

The more the middle-aged Daoist looked at Li Changshou, the more pleased he became.

Li Changshou took a soft breath, drew eight jade talismans from his sleeve, and arranged them in an Eight Trigrams formation before him. Clouds of mist emanated from them, condensing into a miniature map of the Three Thousand Worlds and the Five Continents.

"The points flashing red light on this map indicate the Incense Divine Kingdoms already established by the Western Sect within the Three Thousand Worlds.

The points flashing blue light are Incense Divine Kingdoms where the Western Sect holds a significant advantage and is currently in the process of building.

My first piece of evidence is this: we can bring the mortal souls from the Sea of Blood to the Nostalgia Platform in the Underworld, show them their hometowns, and see if they originate from these Incense Divine Kingdoms!"

The moment Li Changshou uttered these words, Ksitigarbha's brows furrowed tightly.

There was a trick. The words sounded perfectly reasonable, but there had to be a deception within. Ksitigarbha, for a moment, couldn't pinpoint it.

Li Changshou continued, "My second piece of evidence!

This humble deity once marked the souls of over three thousand mortal elders who were frail and nearing the end of their lifespans. Please observe."

Li Changshou pointed to a spot on the map, which glowed with colorful light. "Previously, these souls had not reported to the Underworld. Yet now, they are on the Sea of Blood!

Western Sect, how do you refute this?"

A profound silence fell upon the Western Sect.

Yunxiao looked thoughtful, a faint smile playing on her lips. Gazing at Li Changshou's remarkably upright posture, her eyes reflected tranquility, and her heart felt clear and bright.

At this moment, Ksitigarbha, standing before Li Changshou, seemed to grasp the crucial point. A flash of insight struck him, and he immediately spoke, "Water God, your two pieces of evidence..."

"What if we did it?"

At Jieyin's feet, an elder Daoist sighed, "Water God, we merely detained these souls temporarily and nourished them with incense merit; it was a good deed for them.

However, this humble Daoist must remind the Water God that eighty percent of the souls here have existed for at least several hundred years. Without the nourishment of incense merit, they will disintegrate after seven days, and their true spirits will return to nothingness.

My Master has already stated his willingness to jointly govern the Reincarnation Pagoda with the Heavenly Court. Why must the Water God continue to be so aggressive..."

"Hahaha!"

Ksitigarbha suddenly threw his head back and burst into loud laughter. "Hahahahaha!"

The elder Daoist who had been speaking frowned tightly. "Junior Brother Ksitigarbha?"

"He's bluffing! The Water God is tricking all of you!"

Ksitigarbha abruptly turned, pointing a finger at the elder Daoist, and couldn't help but swear:

"Those souls go before the Nostalgia Platform; can he discern the exact scene of their hometown, or even its location?

They are mere mortals! They never traveled more than a thousand li in their entire lives!

The Water God has only cultivated for a few hundred years, and his visits to the Three Thousand Worlds have only occurred in the last decade or two. What places could he possibly have visited, and what could he have accomplished there?

All of you!

Utterly defeated! Utterly defeated!"

The elder Daoist frowned. "Junior Brother Ksitigarbha, the Water God is always meticulous. Don't force it; you'll make our Master lose face."

Many Western Sect disciples looked at Ksitigarbha with rather unfriendly expressions.

Ksitigarbha shook his head with a bitter smile, made a Daoist bow to Jieyin, who had closed his eyes at some point, and stated, "This disciple is willing to accept punishment."

He then turned and, looking at Li Changshou who wore a faint smile, whispered:

"Water God, our Western Sect merely sought to reclaim some destiny, to acquire more bargaining chips.

With the great tribulation imminent, many within our sect panicked and sought to accumulate more merit, inadvertently causing these mortal tragedies.

Our sect will investigate these matters thoroughly and provide the Heavenly Court with an explanation.

Last time, when Empress Houtu was troubled by the seven emotions, the Western Sect also utilized the power of the Incense Divine Kingdom to gather the thoughts of all beings, helping the great virtuous Houtu find herself again.

I ask that the Water God, when dealing with our Western Sect, approach us with less of a Daoist Sect bias and more impartiality."

Li Changshou sighed with relief, knowing that his side had won the day.

Taiyi Zhenren chuckled, "Daoist Friend Ksitigarbha certainly has it tough."

Ksitigarbha turned, walking somewhat despondently to the edge of the Western Sect's Sage disciples, the divine light in his eyes gradually dimming.

This was, perhaps, the closest he had come to winning a debate.

So be it.

The elder Daoist who had just inadvertently "assisted" Li Changshou finally snapped back to reality.

But those who operate in this realm value their reputation, and having been cursed at directly by Ksitigarbha just now, how could he possibly swallow such an insult?

The elder Daoist stepped half a pace forward, turned to make a Daoist bow to Sage Jieyin, and began, "Master, Junior Brother Ksitigarbha was a bit too..."

"Enough."

Jieyin stated calmly.

Unwillingness flickered in the elder Daoist's eyes. Sensing the mocking gazes from around him, he whispered again, "Master, this disciple is wholeheartedly devoted to the prosperity of the West!"

With a resounding slap, Jieyin's sleeve billowed, and the elder Daoist was sent flying horizontally, crashing into the Reincarnation Pagoda's foundation and falling to the ground in a pathetic heap.

Jieyin sighed slowly, then looked at Li Changshou and calmly asked, "Does the Heavenly Court truly desire this pagoda?"

The implication was that he intended to offer some compensation to the Western Sect.

"Although I do not know the reason for the great tribulation, during the upcoming one, this humble deity can arrange for six fifth-rank auxiliary deity positions for those who perish from the Western Sect, to preserve their primordial spirits.

The number six is precisely because six Sage disciples had their primordial spirits destroyed here.

However, His Majesty the Jade Emperor will decide who is to be saved then."

A Western Sect disciple retorted, "This merely compensates for your wrongdoing today!"

Li Changshou then added, "Previously, this humble deity acquired a precious banner. I am willing to exchange this banner, formed from the leaves of the Chaos Green Lotus, for that Sea-Calming Divine Pearl."

Jieyin shook his head slightly, then flicked his finger. The Sea-Calming Divine Pearl landed before Zhao Gongming, returned to its rightful owner.

Zhao Gongming made a Daoist bow and used his immortal power to push the Blue Lotus Precious Colored Banner forward. Midway, Li Changshou had Big Brother Tu retract the yin and yang energy from it.

Li Changshou then said, "Given this, the Heavenly Court is willing to exchange merit and precious materials for this Reincarnation Pagoda.

The amount of merit and materials will be decided by His Majesty the Jade Emperor, but this humble deity can promise that it will certainly match the value of this Reincarnation Pagoda."

Daoist Jieyin slowly nodded, then looked at the Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi and smiled, "Let them handle this place. Daoist Brother, why don't you and I go to the Sea of Chaos to persuade them?"

"Very well."

With these words, the figures of the two Sages calmly vanished.

They had gone to the Sea of Chaos to mediate.

Only then did Li Changshou breathe a sigh of relief. He turned and offered Yunxiao a faint smile. Their eyes met, and everything was conveyed without words...

"How dare you!"

Golden Spirit Holy Mother suddenly let out a soft cry, her form transforming into a golden light as she shot directly towards the Reincarnation Pagoda.

At the Reincarnation Pagoda, the elder Daoist who had just been slapped by the Sage and lay at its base, with gray mist swirling around his brow, forcefully slammed his palm against the pagoda's foundation, cursing loudly:

"Even if this humble Daoist destroys this pagoda I personally refined, I will never let your Daoist Sect profit from it!"

The pagoda's base trembled, and a precious pearl on its topmost layer, despite being protected by numerous restrictions, eerily shattered.

When Li Changshou turned, all he saw was the sword light unleashed by Golden Spirit Holy Mother, the shimmering forms of the Western Sect masters attempting to block her, and...

A lingering wisp of gray qi on the elder Daoist's forehead...

The Karma of the Great Tribulation!

Heavenly Dao, how did it come to this?