Chapter 502: Brother-in-law~

The breeze was warm on Cloud Terrace, and the winding paths retained a delicate fragrance.

Inside a pavilion on Three Immortals Island, seven figures, all direct disciples of the Jie Sect, were either standing or sitting.

Each immortal's expression varied. Duobao Daoist was the calmest, sipping hot tea leisurely with a smile. Zhao Gongming and Jin Ling Holy Mother appeared restless, pacing back and forth in front and behind the pavilion. Yunxiao sat gracefully in a corner, her long hair coiled in a cloud bun, dressed in a light scholar's robe. Her beautiful face was serene and cool, yet showed little emotion, always gentle as she watched her two younger sisters.

Qiongxiao, in a pale yellow long dress, Bixiao, in a short skirt and jacket, and Guiling Holy Mother, who favored light green gauze skirts, gathered around the stone table in the center of the pavilion. Qiongxiao and Bixiao were engrossed in a game of chess, while Guiling Holy Mother 'pointed fingers' from the side. The three of them appeared the most relaxed, as if the matter at hand had nothing to do with them. The crisp click-clack of chess pieces, mingled with the chirping of birds and insects carried on the wind, lent a tranquil calm to the moment in the pavilion.

Outside the pavilion, Zhao Gongming turned, intending to say something, but only let out a sigh as he opened his mouth, then resumed pacing with his hands behind his back.

Qiongxiao, her beautiful eyes fixed on the chessboard, picked up a smooth chess piece with her slender fingers and smiled. "Brother, if you have something to say, just say it. We're here to discuss a strategy. If we don't speak, how can we possibly come up with a plan?"

"Alas..." Zhao Gongming sighed. "What is there to say about this? Chang Geng and we have a good relationship, but he is, after all, a Human Sect disciple, and he's meant to preside over this great tribulation. I actually know that Chang Geng has always worried about us getting caught in the tribulation. Whenever there's an opportunity to gain merit, he calls us along, precisely to ensure we have some security during the great tribulation. He's already done more than enough for our Jie Sect. We can't always rely on Chang Geng for everything."

"Oh... really?" Guiling Holy Mother, in her light green gauze skirt, asked in surprise. "There are such good opportunities to 'collect' merit?"

Qiongxiao rolled her eyes, her expression identical to Bixiao's, showing a mix of disdain and a hint of smugness.

"I haven't encountered it many times anyway," Qiongxiao said.

"Exactly, exactly!" Bixiao chimed in. "The Human Sect disciples are always so partial!"

To the side, Duobao Daoist's eyes crinkled with a smile. Just as he was about to make a teasing remark, he instinctively glanced at Yunxiao. *Hold back, hold back.* As the Senior Disciple of the Jie Sect, he needed to maintain his demeanor and be precise with his words.

Guiling Holy Mother pondered for a moment, then whispered, "Aren't we supposed to be discussing how to seize the Red Lotus from the Sea of Blood? Why are we getting stuck on Junior Brother Chang Geng instead?"

Zhao Gongming explained, "If the matter of the Red Lotus is indeed true, we must certainly contend for it. The Chan Sect will likely also make a move to snatch it, and there's nothing unreasonable about that. There's no rule that says such a treasure must belong only to our Jie Sect. In that case, Chang Geng's attitude becomes very important."

"Exactly," Jin Ling Holy Mother interjected from the side, leaning against a railing with her arms crossed. Her graceful figure possessed a natural allure, unfortunately entirely overshadowed by her inherent imposing aura.

Jin Ling Holy Mother continued, "It's hard to truly appreciate his formidable abilities without working alongside Chang Geng. He can foresee the enemy's moves, predict their strategies, and then devise comprehensive countermeasures. Even when facing a Saint's machinations, he can rely on his quick wit to maneuver. Such a figure, who can also borrow several supreme treasures from Grand Master Taiqing to protect himself, possesses the unfathomable Dao of Balance, is the current leader of the great tribulation, and a powerful deity in the Heavenly Courts whose word carries immense weight. What's more, this junior brother's attitude, to some extent, reflects our Grand Master's attitude. If he were to be swayed to the Chan Sect's side, our chances of acquiring that Red Lotus to suppress our sect's luck would be incredibly slim."

Guiling Holy Mother pursed her lips and blinked, falling into deep thought.

Bixiao muttered softly, "Is 'future brother-in-law' really that formidable already?"

"Elder Sister," Qiongxiao said, "what did you say in the letter you sent him earlier?"

Yunxiao replied gently, "I merely told him not to be put in a difficult position, to judge this matter from his perspective as a Human Sect disciple, and not to let personal feelings influence his judgment."

Upon hearing this, Jin Ling Holy Mother's brows furrowed slightly, expressing some displeasure, and she questioned in return, "Junior Sister Yunxiao, are personal feelings not important then? He and you are destined to become Dao-companions; why can't you use this to sway him towards our Jie Sect? You are a Saint's disciple of the Jie Sect, and he is a Saint's disciple of the Human Sect. If you become a match made in heaven, the Human Sect and Jie Sect should naturally draw closer. Why can't we gain some advantage from him?"

Yunxiao Fairy spoke softly, "Senior Sister may not know, but my relationship with him is without ulterior motive, without purpose, simply mutual joy, coexisting peacefully like clouds and a lone wild goose. Because of me, he has already done too many things he shouldn't have. How could I use this relationship to make him deviate further?"

A hint of sharpness appeared in Jin Ling Holy Mother's eyes. "Junior Sister, are you perhaps only concerned with your personal feelings, but not with the righteousness of our sect?"

"Personal affections belong to personal affections, and sect loyalty belongs to sect loyalty. Why must the two be confused?" Yunxiao rose, her plain white long dress flowing like water, leaving no creases. Her gentle words, however, carried an unyielding resolve. "As I said in my letter to him, if Senior Brother gives an order later, and we go together into the Sea of Blood to search for the Twelve-Grade Karmic Red Lotus, I will certainly do what a Jie Sect disciple should do. If one mixes personal feelings with loyalty, or loyalty with personal feelings, neither will succeed."

Jin Ling Holy Mother was about to speak again when Zhao Gongming and Duobao Daoist quickly stepped forward, interrupting almost simultaneously.

Zhao Gongming hurriedly said, "I think what Second Sister said makes sense, but what Jin Ling said is also good."

"Two junior sisters, please don't argue, don't argue," Duobao Daoist said with a smile. "The Red Lotus hasn't even emerged yet. Perhaps this whole affair is a scheme by the Second Sect Master of the Western Church, to cause conflict between us and the Chan Sect."

Bixiao snorted softly. "The Chan Sect isn't lacking treasures to suppress their sect's luck. Why would they contend with us?"

Jin Ling Holy Mother calmly stated, "They naturally don't wish to see us live in peace. Previously, several disciples I sent to the Sea of Blood to search for the Red Lotus's whereabouts found traces of Chan Sect members. If the great tribulation is destined to harm three thousand great sects and immortal longevity, the Chan Sect naturally hopes that the quota for these three thousand falls upon our Jie Sect and the Western Church."

"Alas," Qiongxiao tapped her delicate cheek with a chess piece, "who wants themselves or their fellow disciples to die? This is all reasonable, so there's no need to blame the Chan Sect too much."

Duobao Daoist chuckled, "I say, everyone, are you perhaps thinking too far ahead? The matter hasn't even begun to take shape, and you're already thinking about what benefits we could gain if we seize the Red Lotus? As your senior brother, I say that if we get this Twelve-Grade Red Lotus, that's best. If not, don't worry. It won't make the current situation any worse anyway, so why be anxious about it?"

"Senior Brother, you speak so nonchalantly!" Jin Ling Holy Mother shook her head and said no more.

"How about this," Zhao Gongming suggested, "those of us who are too familiar with Chang Geng shouldn't show ourselves directly this time, to avoid embarrassing him. Senior Brother, Junior Sister Guiling, why don't the two of you go to the Underworld first and discuss this matter with Chang Geng? I estimate that the Chan Sect should also be sending people there by now."

"I want to go too, can I, Sister?" Qiongxiao asked, not forgetting to slowly place a chess piece. On the board, the situation shifted dramatically, and the jade chess pieces glowed with crystalline immortal light. Five in a row! She had won!

Bixiao smacked her forehead in frustration. This toy, obtained from Little Qiong Peak, indeed brought a lot of fun to Three Immortals Island.

Yunxiao Fairy pondered for a moment, then nodded gently, agreeing.

The six Jie Sect disciples discussed for a while longer, finally deciding that Duobao Daoist, the Senior Disciple of Jie Sect, would take Guiling Holy Mother, a direct inner disciple, and Qiongxiao, a direct outer disciple, to the Underworld to consult with Li Changshou about the Twelve-Grade Red Lotus.

Qiongxiao changed into a dignified long dress and carefully groomed herself, appearing a 'radiant young fairy, a beautiful maiden of boundless charm.' Once Qiongxiao was ready, Duobao opened a hidden earth tunnel. Qiongxiao and Guiling Holy Mother entered, and the three swiftly departed Three Immortals Island, hurrying towards the Underworld.

Yunxiao walked to the edge of the pavilion, gazing towards the horizon. A gentle breeze lifted a strand of hair by her ear. Her slender hand, hidden in her soft sleeve, was clutching the warm copper coin.

"Junior Sister Yunxiao." A soft call came from behind. Jin Ling Holy Mother spoke in a low voice, "What I said earlier wasn't out of dissatisfaction with you. We've known each other for many years, and I know your temperament. Please don't take it to heart."

Yunxiao turned and smiled lightly, her beautiful eyes full of warmth.

Zhao Gongming said, "I wonder if this matter of the Twelve-Grade Red Lotus is true or false. The timing of its appearance seems too subtle."

"Someone is certainly scheming behind it," Jin Ling Holy Mother said, "either the Western Church, or some Saint, or figures unknown to us. We must not be careless."

Yunxiao Fairy murmured to herself, "I wonder how he will handle it."

With her low murmur, her concern followed her gaze, drifting over the clouds, carried towards the horizon, and reaching Li Changshou's ears.

*Ding, ding, ding—*

On the wooden ladder leading to the top floor of the Tower of Reincarnation.

The large blue-furred dog, which had significantly shrunk its size, was carrying a tray laden with teacups, trembling with each step as it slowly climbed to the top floor. Diting first scurried to Li Changshou's side, presenting a cup of tea with immortal power, chuckling, "Lord Water God, please have some tea, have some tea."

A vein pulsed on Ksitigarbha's forehead.

Then, Diting pivoted and squatted before Bai Ze, holding a cup of tea with its two front paws. "Lord Bai Ze, please have some tea, some tea."

A cross-shaped vein pulsed on Ksitigarbha's forehead.

Diting, seemingly oblivious, used immortal power to push two cups of tea towards Golden-winged Great Peng and Wei Shenmo, speaking warmly, "My humble abode is simple; thank you for your hard work, two Marshals."

The two Heavenly Court Marshals voiced their thanks.

Finally! Diting, trembling all over, shakily presented the last cup of tea to the strong man transformed from the Green Ox. "Se-senior, please have some tea! All the mounts in the Three Realms wish to reach your level, able to carry the Saint Lord around with such prestige!"

The Green Ox smiled calmly, took the teacup, and reached out to pat Diting's head. Instantly, Diting's blue-and-white fur was tinged with a faint pink. It scurried behind Li Changshou, stood upright, and began to massage the Water God's back.

Wei Shenmo frowned at the scene, feeling a little... *Is this truly Diting, the divine beast capable of hearing the thoughts of all beings in the Three Realms?*

*Clank, clank, clank-clank!*

And over there, the young Daoist grinding a knife and setting up an iron pot, was he really Ksitigarbha, the Lord of the Tower of Reincarnation, whom his previous avatar had met in the Underworld and been moved by?

"Uh," Wei Shenmo couldn't help but rub his temples, feeling slightly unaccustomed to the scene.

Li Changshou slowly asked, "Diting, do you know anything about the Red Lotus?"

Diting hurriedly replied, "Lord Water God, the matter of the Red Lotus should be true, but this humble beast doesn't know where it is specifically hidden."

"Did the Western Church's previous search in the Sea of Blood yield any results?"

"The Western Church sent this time..."

"Ahem!" Ksitigarbha coughed loudly, revealing the short knife in his hand.

Diting shivered a few times, glared at its master, then continued, "Lord Water God, please don't mind. My master still has feelings for the Western Church. I would absolutely *not* tell Lord Water God that the Western Church sent thousands of beings, from Saint's disciples to primordial vicious beasts and karmic fiends, to search the Sea of Blood for a long time, gaining nothing before finally leaving. Only then did the news of the Twelve-Grade Red Lotus's impending emergence spread."

Ksitigarbha snorted, tossed the short knife aside, and calmly stated, "Lord Water God, why don't you stay for a meal today? I hear Master Bai Ze has excellent cooking skills. I wonder how many times he's made braised divine beasts!"

Diting's mouth twitched. It scurried back behind Ksitigarbha and calmly lay down.

Bai Ze smiled faintly. "Such cooking would harm the heavenly principle... Since Daoist Ksitigarbha has already entered the Heavenly Dao's sequence, why still identify as a Western Church disciple?"

"I originally thought that cultivating the Dao and seeking longevity was for the sake of this body's freedom. It wasn't until I truly understood that, looking back, everything stemmed from two words: 'origin' or 'roots'." Ksitigarbha slowly said, "Just like the Water God, once we step through a certain gate and cultivate a certain divine ability, we bear an indelible mark. Many mortals spend their entire lives without traveling a few hundred *li*; yet, we immortals, though we can travel through three thousand worlds and even explore the Sea of Chaos, must still remember where our roots lie, or our hearts will be lost."

Li Changshou gave a thumbs-up. "Daoist friend, it seems you've truly been idle lately, to have so many insights into immortal life."

"Hmph," Ksitigarbha's smile vanished. "Today, I will certainly not help you search for the Twelve-Grade Red Lotus."

"Is that so?" Li Changshou, Bai Ze, the young man, Wei Shenmo, and Golden-winged Great Peng all looked towards Ksitigarbha's back. There, Diting held a wooden plaque in its mouth, on which were scrawled a few crooked large characters: "Hell, karmic fierce souls; Red Lotus is absorbing karma."

"Hmm?" Ksitigarbha turned his head to look. The wooden plaque by Diting's mouth *whooshed* and was swiftly swallowed by Diting, who calmly chewed a few times.

"What are you eating?"

"Master, to express my reverence for Senior Green Ox, I'm trying to figure out the unique skill of the ox tribe: rumination, chewing the food I ate last time."

Ksitigarbha instantly looked disgusted and moved his position to the side.

At this moment, Li Changshou stood up and smiled. "Since Daoist Ksitigarbha isn't willing to help, then so be it. Let's go."

The other four experts agreed, stood up, and bid farewell to Ksitigarbha and Diting. Ksitigarbha did not rise, merely sitting there with his eyes closed, meditating.

After leaving the Tower of Reincarnation, Li Changshou furrowed his brow in thought, pondering the method Diting had hinted at. The more he considered it, the more he felt this method was truly viable. If they could find fierce souls in the eighteen layers of hell with abundant karma but not overly strong souls, wouldn't that be like 'marking' this karmic power? Then, by merely tracking the flow of karmic power and deploying more 'samples,' they might be able to locate the Twelve-Grade Karmic Red Lotus! It was certainly better than just waiting here.

Wei Shenmo asked, "What did Diting's hint mean?"

Li Changshou smiled and explained the method he had just conceived in the language of the primordial cultivation world. Apart from Bai Ze, the other three all showed expressions of understanding.

The Green Ox chuckled. "This Diting is truly clever."

"It should be Ksitigarbha giving us a hint," Li Changshou said, "but Ksitigarbha still has his own principles he's unwilling to abandon, hence he used Diting's hand this way."

Wei Shenmo laughed, "Why couldn't Diting have acted on its own accord?"

"Marshal," Li Changshou said gently, "that wooden plaque had no restrictions on it whatsoever. Ksitigarbha, after all, possesses immortal perception."

Wei Shenmo slapped his forehead, his smile filled with realization.

"Let's go, we'll head to the eighteen layers of hell to pick..." Li Changshou paused, looking at the streaks of light streaking across the sky above Fengdu City, and smiled. "Let's split into two groups. A few senior brothers from the Chan Sect have arrived. I'll trouble Master Bai and Golden-winged Peng to take my token and choose suitable karmic souls. I'll receive the senior brothers here."

"Understood."

"Rest assured, Master!"

Bai Ze and Golden-winged Great Peng each agreed and turned to head towards the Island of Reincarnation in Fengdu City.

The streaks of light that flew in transformed into four figures: Chi Jingzi, Huang Long Zhenren, Taiyi Zhenren, and Yu Ding Zhenren. From Taiyi Zhenren's sleeve, a faint shadow also flew out, revealing Nezha, who had accompanied them.

Huang Long Zhenren, seemingly fearing an awkward atmosphere, began to laugh heartily as soon as he landed, demonstrating the customary social etiquette of the primordial world to its fullest. Both sides exchanged greetings. Wei Shenmo and the Green Ox stood behind Li Changshou, not drawing much attention to themselves.

Chi Jingzi glanced at Taiyi Zhenren, who stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky, completely silent.

Li Changshou took the initiative. "Senior Brothers, you must be here for the Red Lotus matter, correct?"

"Indeed," Chi Jingzi offered a gentle smile. Just as he was about to continue speaking, a circular hollow suddenly collapsed in the space beside them, and three figures immediately leaped out. The slightly plump Daoist leading them smiled calmly. "Better to arrive coincidentally than early; what a perfect timing."

Chi Jingzi frowned slightly and immediately led the Chan Sect immortals in a bow, addressing him as 'Senior Brother Duobao.' Guiling Holy Mother and Qiongxiao did not step forward to bow but merely acknowledged them with a nod.

The representatives of the Human, Chan, and Jie Sects thus met unexpectedly. Though no rain was falling, the atmosphere was certainly not very harmonious.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, just about to invite them to the Heavenly Soldiers' encampment to discuss the Dao...

"Uncle Chang Geng!" Nezha eagerly leaped in front of Li Changshou, a naive and cheerful smile on his face. "I want to return to the Heavenly Courts to continue my cultivation for a while!"

"Excellent," Li Changshou raised his hand and patted Nezha's shoulder, encouraging him. "Don't forget to strive for progress, and you shall achieve true fruit."

Taiyi Zhenren curled his lip. "As expected, raising a disciple is like raising a daughter; they can even be 'kidnapped' away."

Chi Jingzi suddenly showed a hint of a smile.

The three Jie Sect immortals exchanged glances, each feeling a slight pressure.

Just then, Qiongxiao, her eyes smiling, naturally leaped in front of Li Changshou, bowed slightly to him, and then just as naturally extended two slender hands, grasping Li Changshou's arms. Her soft lips parted, and her clear voice, like a hundred orioles, was utterly captivating: "Husband, I want to go to the Heavenly Courts to play too."

Li Changshou froze, his hairs standing on end. He wanted to break free but couldn't. At this moment, every movement he made could be overly interpreted.

Chi Jingzi and Huang Long Zhenren's foreheads were lined with black marks; they instinctively looked at Taiyi Zhenren.

*Go on, don't lose!*

Taiyi Zhenren immediately took half a step back, hiding behind Yu Ding Zhenren, and blurted out, "What are you thinking? Chang'e isn't my sister!"

Li Changshou's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He felt as if he had been inexplicably targeted for a group attack, and a 'danger' sign hung over his forehead. Those two small hands, seemingly embracing his arms, were now fiercely twisting and pinching...

Fortunately, the one active outside at the moment was merely a high-level paper avatar of his true body, which was safely hidden within the sleeve of another paper avatar, suffering no pain whatsoever.