Chapter 483: My Senior Brother's Not-So-Tragic Shura Arena

“Oh, for goodness’ sake! Grandmaster, are you truly not afraid of stirring up trouble? You invited Kong Xuan without even a word of discussion?!

Fine, you invited him, but at least give him some reaction time!

And just like that, using the Taiji Diagram to cleave open the cosmos, you created two void gates and arrived directly in the courtyard behind the Sea God Temple in a single step...

He just promised your upcoming time to a crucial Human Cult undercover operative!

In the back hall of the Sea God Temple, Li Changshou held the small calico cat in his left hand. The cat’s fur was bristling, its four paws waved continuously, its cute cat eyes had turned into inverted triangles, and it kept meowing incessantly. This was because Li Changshou reacted quickly; as soon as he emerged from the spatial rift, he stopped the pouncing calico cat.

Unable to say much in front of Kong Xuan, Li Changshou raised his hand, tapped the cat's head twice, and scolded it: “Don’t be rude; this is a distinguished guest of our Human Cult!”

The calico cat blinked, immediately quieted down considerably, and actively rubbed against Li Changshou's palm. This sentence not only used the phrase 'distinguished guest' to give Kong Xuan ample respect but also used 'our Human Cult' to make Wen Jing Taoist instantly feel a sense of belonging. It was truly a clear demonstration of Li Changshou's quick wit.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly with relief. His thoughts swiftly turned as he immediately intended to control the situation and set the pace for the entire scene, aiming to invisibly resolve what could have become an 'Asura battlefield' for his senior brother today!

But on the Grandmaster's increasingly handsome face, a gentle smile appeared...

“Wen Jing is here too. Is there something important?”

“Meow.”

Her Majesty obediently responded. Beside her, Kong Xuan curiously examined the small cat, and soon lightly frowned.

“Possessed by a primordial spirit? And seemingly a malevolent one.”

“Meow meow! You're the malevolent one!”

Li Changshou was speechless.

At this very moment, the expression of a certain Heavenly Court official could be perfectly described as being in utter despair. If time could rewind half a step, back to when he and the Grandmaster had just left the Holy Mother's Palace, Li Changshou would definitely have instructed Old Diagram to send the Grandmaster to Wubian earlier.

'Wen Jing is here too...'

This is our Human Cult's top secret! The Saint Master wants to use Wen Jing Taoist to destroy the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus! This concerns the Western Sect's destiny, the grand scheme of transforming barbarians into Buddhas, and whether they can be undermined before the Western Sect prospers!

The Grandmaster just casually revealed Wen Jing Taoist's identity, just like that! Although Kong Xuan was beside them and the Taiji Diagram suppressed this place, making it difficult for others to spy, still... it was truly risky!

Li Changshou naturally knew that the Grandmaster's nature was carefree, natural, and unrestrained. He had received so many favors from the Grandmaster, and his current standing was due to the Grandmaster's guidance. It was only right that he clean up messes and extinguish 'fires in the backyard' for the Grandmaster. It was only just and proper.

No sooner said than done, Li Changshou smiled slightly and said first: “Let's go inside to talk first. This isn't the place to talk outside.”

The Grandmaster also realized at this moment that he had let something slip. He smiled calmly, looking at Kong Xuan.

“What's wrong?” Kong Xuan was a bit confused.

“What you've seen and heard today, do not spread it,” the Grandmaster said seriously. “This is considered Chang Geng's core secret place, and this little calico cat is also part of Chang Geng's carefully planned scheme.”

Kong Xuan smiled. “Rest assured,” he said, “I am not a reckless person, nor do I wish to associate with others.”

The Grandmaster raised his hand and made a welcoming gesture, entering with Kong Xuan. Their gazes met, and they seemed exceptionally well-suited.

Behind them, Li Changshou placed the small calico cat on his shoulder, his gaze complex and his heart heavy. After thinking for a moment, he placed the cat on a chair beside the Grandmaster and said: “Senior Brother, I'll go to the kitchen and make a few small dishes.” And promptly slipped away.

At this time, the Grandmaster, still unaware of what was about to happen, was cheerfully introducing Kong Xuan to Wen Jing Taoist. Kong Xuan was still polite to Wen Jing Taoist at this moment, but overall, it was a display of disregard. On the other hand, Wen Jing Taoist had already sensed a huge threat and was now brewing hostility.

Li Changshou inwardly wished them good luck. He summoned divine envoys to close the temple, arranged for mortals to deliver tea and pastries, then went straight to the kitchen and began making some of his signature small dishes. Incidentally, he activated a paper effigy hidden within the Saint's landscape painting to observe the situation in the back hall at close range.

Silence...

The scene remained quiet for a while. The Grandmaster sat upright in the main seat, Kong Xuan sat beside him, and the small calico cat was on the Grandmaster's other side. An undercurrent surged, and the atmosphere gradually grew stiff.

“Ahem!”

The Grandmaster finally found a topic and asked, “Fellow Taoist Kong Xuan, you've been protecting the Shang tribe in the mortal world in recent years. Has everything been smooth?”

“Quite smooth,” Kong Xuan said. “The Shang tribe has profound fortune; this tribe is destined to produce a co-ruler for the human race of the Southern Continent. For this, I must thank Chang Geng for granting my Phoenix tribe such an opportunity.”

The Grandmaster smiled. “Chang Geng is indeed thorough in his affairs,” he said, “but he has only cultivated for a short time and is now in the vortex of this great heavenly trend. When I'm not in the Great Desolation, I'll have to trouble you to look after him more.”

“Hmm,” Kong Xuan's lips curled into a faint smile. “I will naturally protect him fully. You don't need to worry.” After speaking, a faint light flickered in Kong Xuan's eyes. He raised a hand to the back of his head, undoing his bound topknot and letting his long hair fall loose.

The Grandmaster, sitting beside him, blinked, a bit confused.

Kong Xuan gathered his long hair behind him, gripping it, and tied it into a ponytail, like the one Youqin Xuanya often wore. He then asked: “Brother, in your opinion, do I look better like this, or as I was before?”

The Grandmaster thought seriously for a moment and said, “Naturally, you are more outstanding like this, but this is just my personal opinion. Fellow Taoist, you should still decide your appearance based on your own preference.”

Li Changshou was speechless. How blunt, Grandmaster.

Kong Xuan blinked lightly; a strand of five-colored divine light condensed into a hair tie, binding his long hair. His slender neck and cool, pure, and holy face, showing not a hint of feminine charm, instead gave off a uniquely different sensation... If one speaks of acquired beings in the world, even those supposedly devoid of emotion or desire, cannot escape the concept of selfish desire. But Kong Xuan, whose yin and yang were undivided, truly retained a rare 'sacred nature' in the world, which was a major reason for his current Dao Realm.

The Grandmaster smiled. “Fellow Taoist,” he said, “when did you start caring about appearance? Recalling those years, when you and I met in ancient times, your bloodline power was out of control, devouring living beings everywhere. I was ordered by my master to suppress you, and at that time, you had transformed into a human, still in a youthful appearance. The you at that time truly feared neither heaven nor earth and even dared to curse the Saint Master. Today, you are truly much more mature and also bear some responsibility as a leader of the Phoenix tribe.”

A slight blush appeared on Kong Xuan's face. His voice was clear and faint, but could not hide a trace of shyness. He said, “I was young and inexperienced at the time, always thinking there were no other strong beings in the world besides my mother. Only later did I realize there are always higher mountains and stronger people, so I naturally had to restrain myself.”

Li Changshou's eyes lit up; he realized Kong Xuan's reaction was somewhat like a woman's. Is he starting to determine his yin and yang?

The Grandmaster asked again, “Is Senior Primordial Phoenix well now?”

“After Mother fell into the Undying Volcano, only residual spiritual thoughts remained,” Kong Xuan's expression darkened. “In the current world, the Phoenix tribe is almost extinct. My purpose for this trip out is to enlighten spiritual birds and bring them into my Phoenix tribe.”

Grandmaster Xuandu pondered for a few moments and said, “Just leave this matter to Chang Geng.”

Li Changshou, who was chopping vegetables, pursed his lips and shrugged, predicting Kong Xuan's next sentence would definitely be one of gratitude towards his senior brother.

“Thank you, Brother.”

Kong Xuan sighed. “You saved me, helped me, but I don't know how to repay you.”

The Grandmaster smiled and waved his hand. “It was merely something within Chang Geng's ability,” he said. “No need for thanks.”

“Meow.”

The small calico cat beside them, possessed by Wen Jing Taoist, at this moment finally couldn't help but roll its eyes. Grandmaster Xuandu turned his head to look, and the small calico cat immediately sat properly on the chair, its two large, gem-like eyes sparkling with a faint light.

“Fellow Taoist, can you not speak at this moment?” the Grandmaster asked gently.

“I... I can,” the small calico cat spoke in human words, its voice timid and hesitant. It couldn't help but cover its mouth with a paw. “Grandmaster, you can just chat with your guest. I'll just listen from the side.”

The Grandmaster nodded with a smile, but Kong Xuan was getting restless. Guest?

Kong Xuan said calmly, “I see your true form seems to be a blood mosquito. Why are you able to enter the Human Cult?”

The Grandmaster was about to explain, “This is actually...”

Wen Jing Taoist had already replied, “It just so happens that when I transformed, I was born rather beautiful. Water God saw that I had some charm, so he thought of letting me join the Human Cult to serve the Grandmaster in the future.”

The Grandmaster was puzzled. Is that how it is?

“Oh?” Kong Xuan's face instantly turned cold. Divine light bloomed in his eyes, as if seeing Wen Jing Taoist's human form, and he lightly snorted: “If this matter is true, I truly must speak with Chang Geng. External appearance is merely born from the heart. The Grand Pure One's lineage is a rare saintly heritage and a wonderful realm of cultivation in the world. How can women who are too charming or of unclear origins be allowed to enter and exit the Grand Pure One's domain? Wouldn't this ruin the Grand Pure One's reputation?”

“Oh dear,” the small calico cat's voice became somewhat sweet and coquettish. “Ruining the Grand Pure One's reputation, you say. Water God is the Saint Master's second disciple, the foremost star of wisdom and strategy in the world, the most trusted immortal god of His Majesty the Jade Emperor in the Heavenly Court, and supported by powerful beings from all three sects. Although you are the spokesperson for the Phoenix tribe and one of the few great powers in the world, to speak of lecturing him so readily, isn't that a bit presumptuous?”

Kong Xuan frowned, concentrating. At this moment, he actually couldn't out-argue Wen Jing. This was also to be expected; after all, when Kong Xuan fought with others, his words would not exceed three sentences before it became: 'Five-Colored Divine Light! Swish, swish, swish!'

Wen Jing Taoist came from the Sea of Blood and joined the Western Sect to become a sharp blade in the shadows; what kind of scene had she not witnessed? Her verbal jousting at this moment was merely a display of her initial skill. If not for Kong Xuan's immense strength, Wen Jing Taoist could have retorted with even more biting words.

Kong Xuan snorted and actually said directly, “I am considered Chang Geng's senior among peers. Why can't I lecture him?”

Wen Jing Taoist chuckled lightly. “But how did I hear that Water God is the Saint Master's second disciple? Where are you his senior among peers? Didn't you just say you were merely the Grandmaster's good friend?”

Kong Xuan's slender brows furrowed tightly; for a moment, he couldn't refute. Round one: Wen Jing Taoist wins.

But the Grandmaster, beside them, pondered for a few moments and said seriously, “Kong Xuan is one of my few friends. Although not a Dao Sect disciple, he is a descendant of the Primordial Phoenix, so he still has the qualifications to lecture Chang Geng.”

Hearing this, Kong Xuan immediately raised his chin, and his sitting posture became much more upright. Round two concluded very quickly: Kong Xuan, relying on the referee's biased call, reclaimed a round!

The small calico cat's eyes showed unwillingness; clenching its tiny paws, it made to continue its fierce assault...

In Li Changshou's mind, Elder Pagoda, Brother Ruler, and Old Diagram watched the drama with delight, also discussing which one was a better match for the Grandmaster. If the treasures could transform into human form, they would probably bring small stools and crack some melon seeds to discuss the qualifications of the Dao Sect's Grandmaster's wife.

A certain ordinary Heavenly Court official, currently flipping stir-fry, chuckled inwardly, deciding to make a few... dozens more dishes to avoid the vortex there. He'd rather fight a hundred Ksitigarbhas from the West than enter this Asura's gate.

In the back hall, Kong Xuan's phrase, 'I wonder when I can visit the Saint in the Tushita Palace,' started the third round of debate. The Grandmaster didn't know if he was truly indifferent to this matter or if he hadn't considered it in any other way. Although he now sensed the 'tit-for-tat' between Wen Jing Taoist and Kong Xuan, he didn't realize why. Therefore, the Grandmaster just listened with a smile, not trying to extinguish the fire, treating it entirely as entertainment.

After a while, Li Changshou couldn't help but ask the Taiji Diagram inwardly: “Does Senior Brother truly not understand these things, or is he doing this on purpose, playing a grand game?”

Old Diagram's spiritual consciousness carried a hint of sarcasm as he laughed: “Playing a grand game, you say? Before the Eldest Disciple arranged the Human Cult's lineage, he didn't even know how males and females conceive! All he cared about was cultivating, and several times he almost assimilated with the Great Dao, only to be pulled back by the Master.”

Li Changshou, who was tasting the hot soup, almost turned his head and spit it out.

Old Diagram continued to drop scandalous information: “The Master told the Eldest Disciple to expand the Human Cult's influence, but also told him not to take on disciples. It was clearly telling him to find a Dao companion. The Eldest Disciple was impressive: he directly threatened the Old Man Under the Moon and interfered with the marriages of the Human Cult's six lineages. The Master was even angered to laughter by him. The Eldest Disciple has top-tier talent in all other aspects, but only in this matter... he's clueless.”

Elder Pagoda interjected, “It's not that he's clueless; the Eldest Disciple is still very skilled at arranging things for others. That year, when he went to Three Immortals Island to deliver the Younger Disciple's portrait, it could be said to be an extremely brilliant calculation. Otherwise, how would you, Younger Disciple, be where you are today!”

Li Changshou nodded repeatedly. Grateful, thankful to Senior Brother!

The Universe Ruler said, “Shall I help him out?”

“How should I intervene?” Li Changshou stroked his chin in thought, glancing at Kong Xuan and Wen Jing Taoist, who were constantly engaging in verbal sparring in the back hall. He continuously pondered in his mind.

There was no need to say much about Wen Jing Taoist; she admired the Grandmaster greatly, the type who would actively seek marriage, willing to get married that very night if the Grandmaster just nodded. However, Wen Jing Taoist still had important matters to attend to later, so she couldn't be allowed to succeed too quickly; this still needed to be suppressed a bit... If he wanted to facilitate the Grandmaster's good fortune, he would have to, under the premise that Wen Jing Taoist could accept it, trick... *cough*, facilitate Kong Xuan in determining yin and yang, and have him express his feelings for his senior brother...

At this moment, the small cat possessed by Wen Jing Taoist jumped to the Grandmaster's side and docilely leaned against the Grandmaster's arm. Kong Xuan, unwilling to be outdone, moved his chair to the Grandmaster's side, armrest touching armrest, and sat down gracefully and calmly.

The Grandmaster was speechless. “Why isn't Chang Geng back yet?”

Li Changshou thought for a moment, smiled calmly, and arranged for people to start serving dishes. His mind then shifted to Little Qiong Peak, where he activated a paper effigy. As the saying goes, 'every profession has its specialties,' and everyone has their shortcomings. He happened to have an expert on this matter at home, so it would be best to consult her discreetly.

The main paper effigy flew out from the corner of the bookshelf, transformed into Li Changshou's form, and leisurely walked to the study in the underground secret chamber. Ling'e was currently meditating and cultivating. In front of her was an incense burner with three sticks of clear incense inside, seemingly worshipping a wooden box... Around the wooden box, a wisp of obscure and difficult-to-understand Dao charm entwined, yet Li Changshou felt it was quite familiar. The Dao charm of the Prime of Heaven?

Li Changshou was instantly startled. He immediately quickened his pace, and even before entering the study, he heard Ling'e's sigh: “Senior Brother, you're back.”

“Hmm,” Li Changshou acknowledged, walking into the study. “It's just a paper effigy; my main body still has some matters to finish. What's this?”

“Eek!” Ling'e turned her head to look, her small mouth flattened, and her eyes reddened. She mumbled, “The Saint Master before...”

“What's wrong?”

“He came to deliver Sister Yunxiao's dowry!” Ling'e tilted her head back and made a series of fake whimpering cries, making Li Changshou's head ache instantly. The Human Cult's style of teaching was simply something else.

On the backside of the Sea of Blood, near the tiny mustard-seed universe destroyed by Li Changshou using the Taiji Diagram, a figure enveloped in a black robe slowly emerged. From beneath the cloak, a fair, large hand extended, creating a vortex in the cosmos. Then, with a casual flick, a lotus seed wrapped in red and black flames was sent into the vortex.

“Heh.”

With half a chuckle, the black figure silently disappeared as if nothing had ever happened, the cosmos unable to retain any trace of him.