Chapter 498: White-clothed Jade Emperor and Zhunti

Meanwhile, Saint Zhunti appeared outside the West Heaven Gate, and the Heavenly Court buzzed with activity. Auspicious clouds filled the sky as immortal cranes flew, and both the High Heavens and the Jade Pool trembled. Heavenly soldiers and generals hastily formed ranks, while immortals and gods from various paths tidied their attire.

The Jade Emperor, clad in white, frowned deeply. Below him, Duke Mu was flustered, and several righteous gods spoke up, unsure if the Saint of the Western Sect had arrived to demand an explanation or if there was some other scheme.

The Jade Emperor paced back and forth, his mind unsettled. He turned his head and called out, "Quickly go and invite beloved Minister Chang Geng!"

Duke Mu accepted the order and hurried to the Water God's residence.

But at this moment…

"Hoo—"

In front of the Pill Chamber on Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou sat on a rocking chair. His face was as black as the bottom of a pot, the ends of his long hair were charred, and his Daoist robe was ruined beyond recognition. He opened his mouth and exhaled a puff of black smoke. He wished for a glass of wine and a cigarette, to sigh about the loneliness of immortal life and how the young don't understand what heaven truly is.

His immortal sense detected that Elder Wan Linjun had successfully entered the Golden Immortal realm. She was currently healing and gaining insights on the spot, her gains appearing quite substantial. Elder Wan had taken a Nine-Revolutions Golden Elixir, and the tribulation process was thrilling but without real danger. After all, Li Changshou had absorbed all the danger.

This Nine-Revolutions Golden Elixir was one Li Changshou had previously obtained from the Tushita Palace; it wasn't the one he and his junior sister had used before. This being the case, when Ling'e, Youqin Xuanya, Jiu Jiu, and the others face their Golden Immortal tribulations, he would definitely have to assist, which also meant he would certainly be 'disciplined' by the Heavenly Dao. The future would be painful.

But what, what is the principle of this thing? It's completely illogical! Could this be the best proof that the Dao Ancestor was not assimilated by the Heavenly Dao and could, in turn, influence it?

Jokes aside, he still needed to make preparations in this regard, especially since he would likely be 'beaten to death and back to life' again when Ling'e faces her tribulation. The progress of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art should be accelerated. This time, being directly struck by the Heavenly Punishment, Li Changshou could clearly feel that even the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, which had just begun to show proficiency, had already exhibited good 'lightning resistance'. If the Eight-Nine Arcane Art reached grand completion, it could serve as a trump card; if he could comprehend its final layer and achieve the realm of "Nine-Nine Return to One," it would become an even more crucial trump card.

It is said that the combat techniques of the Witch race came from memories left in the bloodline of the Great God Pangu. After Li Changshou came into contact with this arcane art, compiled by Empress Houtu, he completely believed this rumor. It is truly profound.

Calculating the time, it was also time for him to retrieve the Seven Emotions' reincarnated forms and bring them back to the Heavenly Court. The lower three heavens of the Heavenly Court also had realms for heavenly beings, which would be enough for them to play. There's no time like the present, why not now...

"Water God! Chang Geng! Oh dear! This is terrible!" A series of shouts suddenly arose in his mind, and although somewhat blurry, he could distinguish it as Duke Mu's voice.

Li Changshou quickly focused his mind on the paper effigy in the Water God's residence in the Heavenly Court. He picked up his whisk, tidied his attire, and hastily left the study. Duke Dong Mu was pacing anxiously outside the door. Li Changshou quickly asked what had happened, and Duke Mu stomped his foot, exclaiming, "The Second Saint of the Western Sect has arrived! They have likely already entered the West Heaven Gate and are heading towards the High Heavens Palace!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou immediately felt a sense of relief. Just this? Moments before, he had just had a 'warm and friendly' exchange with the Heavenly Dao, complete with cold Heavenly Punishment slapping directly at his face. Now, it was merely the Second Saint of the Western Sect showing up, most likely to personally pressure the Jade Emperor into lifting the Heavenly Court's bounty on Xu Bodhi... It was entirely reasonable and expected. Other Saints wouldn't lower themselves to directly negotiate with the Jade Emperor in the Heavenly Court, but Li Changshou had long foreseen that before the meeting in Zixiao Palace to discuss the Investiture of the Gods calamity, the minor Saint of the Western Sect would certainly visit the Heavenly Court, to confuse His Majesty the Jade Emperor.

"Let's go," Li Changshou said. "Let's head to the High Heavens Palace. Duke Mu, don't be anxious; you must display the composure and calmness of a high-ranking Heavenly Court official. We are also His Majesty's dignity."

Duke Mu quickly agreed and hurried with Li Changshou to the High Heavens Palace.

No sooner had the two of them departed on their clouds than another young Daoist emerged from the study. Naturally, this was another of Li Changshou's paper effigies. Glancing at the Golden-Winged Great Peng, who was occupying Nezha's room and currently cultivating in seclusion, Li Changshou pondered briefly and decided against bringing it along. The Sixth Saint might not care about his face, but others shouldn't actively try to make him lose it.

Currently, Li Changshou split himself into two paths: the paper effigy resembling the Water God hurried to the High Heavens Palace, while the paper effigy in the form of a young Daoist rushed to find Qin Tianzhu, the Jade Emperor's incarnation. Both arrived almost simultaneously.

The Jade Emperor first looked at Li Changshou at the High Heavens Palace entrance, and Qin Tianzhu, the Jade Emperor's incarnation, also looked at Li Changshou's other paper effigy... It was a bit confusing.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!" Li Changshou first called out in the High Heavens Palace, then transmitted his voice to Qin Tianzhu: "Your Majesty, quickly come with me to the Jade Pool. Secretly ask the Queen Mother to conceal the whereabouts of our two incarnations. It's inconvenient to transmit voices in front of a Saint. Your humble servant will devise strategies for Your Majesty here; in no way can we let the Western Sect gain an advantage!"

"Still, my beloved minister considers everything so thoroughly!" Qin Tianzhu immediately gave a thumbs-up and hurried on a cloud with Li Changshou to the edge of the Jade Pool.

Before these two incarnations reached the Jade Pool, the High Heavens Palace was already bathed in brilliant golden light, and the three-zhang-tall 'divine effigy' had already arrived before the palace.

Inside the hall, Li Changshou looked at His Majesty the Jade Emperor on the high platform. The latter blinked, and as instructed by Li Changshou's transmitted voice from the other side, he feigned enthusiasm and emerged from behind his imperial desk.

The contest had already begun.

The Saint's divine effigy outside the hall deliberately slowed its entry. His Majesty the Jade Emperor appeared to descend quickly, but in reality, he carefully stepped on each stair before taking the next stride. And the numerous immortals and gods in the hall, who had already received Duke Mu's transmitted message, merely turned to face the entrance and offered a Daoist salute in greeting, without moving from their positions. The calculations involved here seemed minor but were actually highly significant. If the Jade Emperor advanced even an extra zhang to greet him, it would be giving Zhunti an extra measure of respect. But today, the Jade Emperor absolutely refused to give Zhunti the same level of 'respect' as the Grand Supreme Elder. The Grand Supreme Elder was an incarnation of Laozi, who had been a pillar of the Heavenly Court since antiquity. Zhunti was the Second Saint of the Western Sect; whether he was a match for the Grand Supreme Elder in combat was unknown, but he had made no contribution to the Heavenly Court and always caused trouble.

So, the Jade Emperor stabilized himself on the second-to-last step of the imperial stairs, displaying a gentle smile towards Zhunti's divine effigy. His left hand was clasped behind his back, his right hand rested in front of his lower abdomen, and he spoke, "Senior Brother, why didn't you send someone to inform me in advance of your visit to the Heavenly Court? I could have made some preparations."

The three-zhang-tall divine effigy of Zhunti was expressionless at this moment, and a voice emanated from within it: "How dare I be called 'Senior Brother' by Your Majesty the Jade Emperor? Surely my Western Sect is no longer worth mentioning in the Heavenly Court's eyes."

Inside the High Heavens Palace, the immortals and gods fell silent. No one had expected that Saint Zhunti would not even bother with pleasantries and would directly launch an attack. Many immortals and gods couldn't help but use their immortal senses to probe Li Changshou, who stood beside Duke Mu. But Li Changshou had his eyes closed, calm and composed, his Daoist salute merely a shallow bow.

The silence lasted for a moment. The Jade Emperor's eyes sparkled, and he smiled, "Since Sect Master Zhunti does not wish to acknowledge his origins of learning the Dao in Zixiao Palace, then I shall cease to mention this matter from now on!"

The face of Zhunti's divine effigy darkened, and its gaze turned to Li Changshou standing there. This statement clearly bore the Water God's style; in a mere twenty-eight characters, it directly escalated the issue to the point of the Western Sect being deemed a traitorous sect. Even a Saint had to confront it. Many immortals and gods marveled inwardly... His Majesty the Jade Emperor was directly confronting a Saint! Truly a sight rarely seen!

Zhunti's divine effigy spoke again: "Your Majesty the Jade Emperor misunderstands; this humble Daoist did not mean that. It's merely that the Water God, whom Your Majesty the Jade Emperor most highly values, actually issued a bounty order directly against my Western disciple. Does Your Majesty the Jade Emperor know about this matter?"

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly and smiled, "So Sect Master Zhunti has come for this matter. Might Sect Master Zhunti reveal your true form? I have no other intentions; it's just that with the great calamity approaching and the karmic fortune obscuring the heavenly secrets, I also worry that someone might be audacious enough to impersonate a Saint."

Zhunti's divine effigy fell silent for a moment. Then, golden light flashed and converged, and the effigy transformed into Zhunti's true appearance, who was still seated cross-legged on an auspicious cloud. As the Saint revealed his true form, various auspicious signs appeared within the High Heavens Palace. Immortals with lower cultivation, just by looking at the Saint's true form for a couple of extra glances, felt a strong urge to kneel and prostrate themselves.

Just then, the Jade Emperor, clad in white and standing on the imperial stairs, let out a soft laugh and emanated the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor. Those immortals and gods who had been awed by the Saint's majesty felt surges of dragon roars and tiger growls in their minds and instantly sobered up. The Jade Emperor smiled, "Since the Saint has arrived, we must not be impolite. Someone, bring chairs and invite Sect Master Zhunti to be seated."

No sooner had the Jade Emperor's words fallen than Duke Dong Mu immediately moved to step forward and affirm. But Li Changshou stepped in first, approached Duke Dong Mu, and bowed his head, saying, "Your humble servant accepts the order!" Duke Dong Mu quickly stopped, his honest eyes filled with confusion. The Water God was doing this kind of chair-moving work. Could it be that he, Duke Mu, in the Heavenly Court, really only had the job of inventorying the treasury left?

But soon, Duke Dong Mu realized that things were not so simple. Li Changshou first ordered two chairs to be brought, then personally placed them: one directly in front of the imperial stairs, and one beside the imperial stairs, the latter slightly forward. His Majesty the Jade Emperor calmly stood before the central chair and smilingly invited Saint Zhunti to be seated. Although this arrangement was simple, it was quite ingenious. It both showed the Heavenly Court's respect for 'Saints as a group' and expressed the Jade Emperor's 'indifference' towards Saint Zhunti specifically. In contrast to the previous Peach Banquet, when the Grand Supreme Elder arrived on his green ox, and the green ox was tied up by Li Changshou... Ahem, those details aren't important. At that time, the Grand Supreme Elder's seat was positioned slightly behind the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother's thrones, subtly indicating a status above them. That was true respect.

Saint Zhunti's expression remained normal. He dispersed his auspicious cloud, his feet hovering three inches above the ground, and stepped through the air to the Jade Emperor's side, sitting in the guest seat. Just those few steps the Saint took contained the profound principles of the Great Dao. It was only then that Duke Dong Mu finally understood. This task of moving chairs today was indeed not something he could do.

The Jade Emperor then said, "Chang Geng, have people bring in meditation cushions and low tables, and ask all ministers to take their seats. Sect Master Zhunti's immense pressure is too strong; our Heavenly Court immortals and gods have limited cultivation and find it difficult to withstand. Let's not make a spectacle."

"Yes," Li Changshou replied again. He immediately ordered heavenly soldiers and generals to enter, bringing in meditation cushions and low tables one by one, allowing all civil and military officials in the hall to be seated together. After this back and forth, many immortals and gods gradually felt that this Saint Lord was not necessarily a chaotic beast and not so terrifying.

In the eyes of the immortals and gods, the Water God, always known for his eloquence, was now silent, while His Majesty the Jade Emperor began to speak fluently. In reality, in a hidden corner of a palace in the Jade Pool, under the concealment of the Queen Mother's Dao aura, Qin Tianzhu and Li Changshou sat cross-legged in a corner, transmitting voices face-to-face and rapidly exchanging ideas. Not allowing the Western Sect to gain an advantage was the direction of their persistent efforts, and frustrating Saint Zhunti's numerous schemes was their unremitting goal!

Inside the High Heavens Palace, the Jade Emperor, clad in white, said solemnly, "Sect Master Zhunti, just now, you seemed to mention your esteemed disciple Xu Bodhi. Could you elaborate on the detailed circumstances? This matter was first ordered by beloved Minister Chang Geng; I only learned of it yesterday."

Zhunti said, "The Heavenly Court's Water God actually possesses such authority, to directly condemn a disciple of a great sect without Your Majesty the Jade Emperor's knowledge. Your Majesty the Jade Emperor, in your governance of the Three Realms, seems to have lost something."

"Sect Master Zhunti, you are unaware," the Jade Emperor said calmly, smiling. "I have long since granted beloved Minister Chang Geng the authority to act first and report later. This is permitted by destiny, approved by the Heavenly Dao, and is recorded in the High Heavens Palace. For Sect Master Zhunti to accuse me of losing something in my governance of the Three Realms immediately upon speaking, I fear there is a suspicion of interfering in the internal affairs of the Heavenly Court."

Zhunti again said, "This humble Daoist is a Saint. Am I then not allowed to inquire about Heavenly Court matters?"

The Jade Emperor, however, showed no anger. He put away his smile and said earnestly, "The Heavenly Court, in accordance with the Dao Ancestor's decree, serves the Heavenly Dao and respects the Six Saints. However, Heavenly Court matters concern the stability of the Three Realms and the operation of the Heavenly Dao. Although Sect Master Zhunti is a venerable Saint, you must not directly interfere with Heavenly Court affairs. This rule was established by the Dao Ancestor when the Heavenly Court was first founded; has Sect Master Zhunti forgotten? If fairness is lost, how can the Heavenly Court manage the Three Realms in the future?"

The oppressive aura around Saint Zhunti intensified: "The word 'fairness' that Your Majesty the Jade Emperor speaks of, does it mean that the Heavenly Court's Water God can groundlessly bring down great calamity and karmic fortune upon my sect's disciple, and groundlessly order the pursuit and killing of my sect's disciple?"

"As for what Xu Bodhi did, Sect Master Zhunti should know better than I. How can you say it was groundless?" The Jade Emperor looked at Li Changshou and said gently, "Beloved Minister Chang Geng, please describe Xu Bodhi's transgressions in detail. We cannot wrongly accuse a good spirit, nor can we let a guilty spirit go unpunished. If there truly was a mistake, we will correct it. That is the Heavenly Court."

Li Changshou rose and affirmed. He offered a Daoist salute to Saint Zhunti, and facing the assembled immortals and gods, he began to recount the situation at the Immortal Alliance Assembly that day. Along the way, he mimicked Xu Bodhi's gestures and expressions as he spoke grandly, his tone and demeanor remarkably lifelike.

After Li Changshou finished recounting Xu Bodhi's words, many immortals and gods in the hall showed angry expressions, but at this moment, they dared not speak recklessly... Li Changshou turned and said to the Jade Emperor: "Your Majesty, every word your humble servant just spoke is true; the Heavenly Dao can bear witness. This Xu Bodhi, with his mouth full of 'greed and desire,' intended to incite immortals from all sides to defy destiny and oppose the Heavenly Court! He even spoke recklessly, spouting nonsense, distorting right from wrong, and confusing black and white! He openly declared that the Heavenly Court only sought human luck and intended to slaughter countless immortals, showing no remorse for building his divine kingdom of incense and harming sentient beings! Your humble servant endured for a long time and did not directly strike down his incarnation. Instead, out of consideration for him being a disciple of the Western Sect's Saint, I allowed him to finish speaking, and only then refuted him point by point. Your humble servant, in front of tens of thousands of immortals, refuted him until he was speechless, and only then did I designate his unforgivable crimes! In fact, Your Majesty, when your humble servant assessed his crimes, I still left some leeway. Knowing he was a disciple of the Western Sect's Saint, I did not implicate or exterminate others. Yet, who would have thought that after Xu Bodhi returned to Spirit Mountain, he still dared to sow discord and mislead Sect Master Zhunti... Sect Master Zhunti, why don't you bring Xu Bodhi directly here and uphold righteousness by eliminating a relative? Such an action would not only earn the Western Sect generous rewards from the Heavenly Court but also add another portion of luck to the Western Sect!"

Having finished speaking, Li Changshou offered a Daoist salute to the Jade Emperor and calmly returned to his seat beside Duke Mu.

Zhunti, however, said, "Junior Nephew Chang Geng is always known for his meticulousness in handling affairs. Why did you commit such a muddled act today? The incarnation that appeared that day, did you verify its true identity? How did you know it was Xu Bodhi? For all these years, Xu Bodhi has been cultivating in seclusion on Spirit Mountain. He knows nothing of what you speak, yet he has been unfairly burdened with such a bad reputation and slander."

The smile that the Jade Emperor had just been about to let bloom instantly froze. He glanced at Li Changshou with some surprise, but quickly changed his expression. Li Changshou, however, smiled faintly and lightly drew a breath. He really took the bait... Well, even a Saint can be tricked.

Moments before, Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor had devised a small scheme: to have the Jade Emperor proactively speak, using the reason of verifying identity, to force Saint Zhunti to emerge from his divine effigy, thus laying down a hint in advance. Then, regarding Xu Bodhi's matter, Li Changshou's reply was as thorough and complete as possible, blocking off every path... Unexpectedly, Saint Zhunti actually took the bait, using the element of identity verification to organize a seemingly unresolvable counterattack. A Saint falling into his pre-set script? Since that was the case, Li Changshou wouldn't be polite and would turn the tables on the Western Sect...

Just at this moment!

'Senior Brother, Senior Brother, what's wrong with you, Senior Brother! Don't scare me! I haven't even given your old Li family a son or daughter yet!' A slight clamor suddenly arose in his mind.

Li Changshou, of course, knew that it was Ling'e, returning from Dan Ding Peak, who had arrived in front of the pill chamber. Although he was currently facing the Saint's might with a paper effigy and had many treasures protecting his main body, how could Li Changshou not leave some of his mind on his main body?

At this moment, Li Changshou, in the High Heavens Palace, lightly sighed, deliberately stalling for a moment. His main body on the rocking chair on Little Qiong Peak opened its eyes. He raised a hand and tapped the forehead of the feigning-crying Ling'e, reprimanding her: "Don't shout, your brother is fine. I'm busy arguing with someone."

Ling'e immediately chuckled delightedly, her tongue flicked across her moist lips, and she quietly asked, "Who are you arguing with?"

A certain Saint. Of course, these words couldn't be spoken; he needed to play it safe.

"A... rather troublesome old man."