Chapter 513: Honghuang Publicity Which One Is Stronger?

In the chaotic main hall of Bixiao Palace, Li Changshou looked at the Primeval Lord of Heaven on the high platform, past layers of figures and a dozen light barriers.

The Primeval Lord of Heaven's expression was slightly helpless at this moment. He gazed at the rapidly spinning ten-petal half-red lotus in his left palm, then glanced at the bewildered scholar's soul in his right.

This unpretentious saint's face also grew a touch more solemn.

At this moment, the scholar's soul was completely red, his body constantly swelling, shrinking, and swelling again, as if it could explode at any moment.

With the Primeval Lord of Heaven's protection, there was no way he would actually come to harm.

Yet, Li Changshou was silently full of praise...

Setting aside the artistic spectacle of the red lotus's collapse and explosion just now, the way these Jie teaching immortals acted was truly ruthless, swift, precise, and steady!

The instant the red lotus erupted and the Primeval Lord of Heaven made his move, Li Changshou's first reaction was to grab Yunxiao's arm and call out to Master Tu for help.

But just as he was about to raise his arm, a golden light flashed before him, and Yunxiao was already standing in front of him, holding the Hunyuan Golden Dou.

In mere moments, Master Zhao's Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearl, Holy Mother Golden Spirit's Four Elephant Pagoda, Qiongxiao's Golden Flood Dragon Scissors, and over a dozen protective spirit treasures thrown by Daoist Duobao all appeared around Li Changshou, adding more than ten layers of protection and three or four figures in front of him!

If only one person had reacted so quickly, Li Changshou wouldn't have been too surprised. What truly astonished him was that almost all the Jie teaching masters present made the correct response in the shortest possible time.

The Jie teaching's style... was terrifyingly formidable.

It was evident they had collectively studied "Three Assemblies of Dao Combat, Five Assemblies of Enemy Slaying," and their true combat power was almost beyond their respective cultivation realms.

No wonder in the original Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, Jie teaching masters often fought against many opponents without being at a disadvantage...

Of course, the fastest to react was the Primeval Lord of Heaven, the Saint.

The moment the red lotus erupted, a sword qi appeared before each immortal present, while the Primeval Lord of Heaven pressed down on the red lotus with one hand, forcefully suppressing the power of the twelve-petal red lotus that should have fully unleashed.

The wave that had just swept out, almost destroying half a small world, was merely the aftershock of the red lotus's karmic power.

Suppressing such a formidable treasure with one hand, the might of a Saint was undeniably evident!

"Master!"

Daoist Duobao retrieved the scattered protective spirit treasures and hastily asked, "Has someone plotted against us?"

The Primeval Lord of Heaven shrugged, looked at the red lotus before him, and sighed with a smile.

"It's our Jie teaching's destiny; it has far exceeded what it can bear.

These twelve-petal lotuses were all formed from the immature lotus seeds of the Primal Chaos Green Lotus from back then.

Given the situation today, to suppress our Jie teaching's destiny, only the thirty-two-petal Green Lotus, formed from the only mature lotus seed of that Primal Chaos Green Lotus, could suffice to stabilize our destiny.

Unfortunately, that Green Lotus has already dissolved itself.

Ahem, what happened today was actually within my expectations...

Chang Geng, this human soul is now completely separated from the red lotus, and the red lotus itself is incomplete and won't continue to disintegrate. This soul is no longer needed; please settle it."

"Yes," Li Changshou replied, stepping out from behind the crowd.

—He hadn't actually hidden; with the Taiji Diagram and the Xuanhuang Pagoda on him, Li Changshou's true intention at the time was to protect Fairy Yunxiao.

It wasn't that he was slow; instead, he ended up being protected by the Jie teaching immortals.

Truly, the treatment of a junior disciple.

Li Changshou approached the steps and took the bewildered scholar's soul. Golden light surged in his palm, and strands of merit enveloped the scholar's spirit, dissolving the karmic hindrances within.

To Li Changshou's surprise, the scholar's soul at this moment seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. It emitted the Daoist charm of an innate spirit treasure, and its spirit was as solid as that of an ordinary True Immortal Realm Qi practitioner!

It was as if this was a spiritual entity that had just shed its old shell, existing somewhere between human, immortal, and ghost...

Truly peculiar.

The Jie teaching immortals put away their treasures and gathered around.

The Primeval Lord of Heaven suspended the red lotus, now with only ten and a half petals, before him. He performed a quick divination and continued to ponder.

A Saint stands at the pinnacle of the Dao, yet is also a living being. To be able to glimpse heavenly secrets despite the Great Tribulation's obstruction was proof enough of his power. His simple movements, devoid of ostentation or pretense, merely made him appear less unfathomable.

Zhao Gongming sighed with a smile, "In the end, it was all for naught, and Biyou Palace lost so many sights and objects."

The Primeval Lord of Heaven opened one eye and said, "Gongming, go restore the outside and tally the damage to the treasures."

"Ah, yes!"

Master Zhao quickly bowed and accepted the order, then hurried away with a few Jie teaching immortals.

Holy Mother Golden Spirit whispered, "Master, could it be that so many people burdened with karmic hindrances have truly infiltrated our Jie teaching, dragging down our destiny?"

The Primeval Lord of Heaven smiled.

"Merit and karma are determined by the heavens; good and evil reveal one's true nature.

When I preached in the East and South Seas back then, those with ill intentions naturally could not approach me.

Those who could hear my Dao were naturally destined for my teachings."

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou couldn't help but translate it in his mind...

This wave, oh this wave, was about swallowing one's broken teeth.

Holy Mother Wudang asked from the side, "Master, why don't you clear out those disciples who merely borrow our Jie teaching's name and, in turn, drag down our sect's destiny?"

Holy Mother Golden Spirit, however, said, "What would that make us?

Before the Great Tribulation, we relied on our numerous immortals to uphold the Jie teaching's prestige, but after the tribulation arrives, we would drive away these fellow disciples?

Only able to share in fortune and power, but not able to share in hardship—that is not our Dao."

Holy Mother Wudang said earnestly, "Sister, you mustn't speak like that. For this Great Tribulation, Patriarch Zixiao Palace has already given clear instructions: we, along with the Chan teaching and Western teaching, are entering the tribulation.

Allowing these disciples with karmic hindrances to leave our sect, so they can escape the calamity, is inherently a good thing."

Daoist Duobao pondered for a moment, "That logic holds, but others will surely slander us when they interpret it.

Furthermore, how would these expelled fellow disciples feel?"

Qiongxiao smiled, "Since we said we'd share blessings, we should naturally share hardships.

This isn't the only Great Tribulation; we've experienced several since ancient times. With Master here, we needn't worry too much."

Holy Mother Golden Spirit said, "Precisely. Under the Great Tribulation, we must unite our hearts and strength. If the Heavenly Dao sends down a tribulation, we will resist with all our might and seize a sliver of life!"

The Jie teaching masters present all responded in unison.

"If the red lotus exists, it's better; if it's destroyed, it's no big deal."

"This probably means we have to live out our teachings and fight the Great Tribulation to the end."

"Hmph, those Chan teaching fellows are probably waking up laughing during their cultivation!"

Fairy Yunxiao took two steps forward and softly said.

"Master, can this red lotus not be restored? If it were cast into the Sea of Blood, could it be made whole?"

"Just now, our sect's destiny directly snapped the roots of this red lotus."

The Primeval Lord of Heaven's face showed regret, but he quickly regained a hint of a smile, pushing the red lotus in front of his disciples, saying, "If this item is repaired, it will still be a decent spiritual treasure.

Who among you wants to use it?"

Li Changshou...

Is this how the Jie teaching distributes treasures?

Then he, a Human teaching disciple who barely qualifies as a quasi-half-Jie teaching immortal, wouldn't he...

Dreaming, dreaming.

Although his involvement with the Jie teaching was deep, he needed to keep public and private matters separate. If he himself fell into the mire, how could he pull others out?

The soul in his hand had now settled. Clearing the scholar's karmic hindrances hadn't consumed much merit; instead, it had given Li Changshou many insights.

—A crucial part of the Equilibrium Dao was the system of humans, spirits, immortals, demons, devils, and ghosts. A being like the scholar, who by chance became a 'special' existence, would help Li Changshou complete his Equilibrium Dao.

Only by understanding all things could one balance all things.

With the red lotus before them, none of the Jie teaching immortals vied for it; they all gazed at it with a sense of loss.

The two or three dozen immortals present all knew where the Jie teaching's shortcomings lay.

The flame of hope that had been ignited earlier was now doused by a bucket of cold water, leaving everyone feeling uneasy.

It was indeed a significant blow to the morale of the Jie teaching's masters.

Daoist Duobao, the senior disciple of Jie teaching, smiled, "Master, this treasure was brought by junior brother Chang Geng. Although damaged, it can still transform into an innate spiritual lotus. Why not gift it to junior brother Chang Geng again?

Fellow junior brothers and sisters should have no objection to this either."

All the Jie teaching immortals nodded in unison.

Li Changshou quickly said, "Although this treasure is damaged, it is still a significant treasure, and it retains the power to absorb karmic hindrances.

The Human teaching only has two disciples, my senior brother Xuandu and myself. I hold a post in the Heavenly Court, and Senior Brother Xuandu doesn't accumulate karma. Frankly, it would be most appropriate for it to remain with the Jie teaching.

Martial Uncle, in my humble opinion, it would be better for Senior Brother Duobao to hold this treasure and, while the Great Tribulation hasn't truly arrived, resolve some of the Jie teaching's accumulated destiny."

Holy Mother Golden Spirit said from the side, "Master just said that karmic hindrances are merely decreed by the Heavenly Dao; our Jie teaching does not judge good or evil based on them."

Li Changshou glanced at Fairy Yunxiao, whose eyes held a hint of expectation.

Clearly, she wanted him to persuade Holy Mother Golden Spirit.

Then, he would go and persuade Holy Mother Golden Spirit.

And while he was at it, he also had to take this opportunity to instill some 'necessary' concepts into the Jie teaching.

"Sister, you are mistaken," Li Changshou said gently. "The Heavenly Dao merely sets rules to constrain all beings.

Because living beings are numerous and heaven and earth are vast, the rules set by the Heavenly Dao must be simple and direct enough to maintain general stability.

Just as in the mortal world, many laws in large cities originate from rules like 'murderers die, assaulters are punished, thieves are shamed in public.'

Merit and karma are similar; the Heavenly Dao has not refined its restrictions.

In my eyes, as a Human teaching disciple of human origin, this is how I understand Martial Uncle's words just now.

For example, a good person with great merit, due to certain circumstances, causes the death of four out of five family members, leaving only one youth alive. This youth, through self-cultivation, finds an opportunity, kills the good person to avenge his relatives, and accumulates great karmic hindrances.

Therefore, one cannot simply use merit and karma to judge whether a being is good or evil.

But Holy Mother Golden Spirit, is this youth evil?"

Holy Mother Golden Spirit said, "Avenging oneself is not evil, but he himself will acquire much karmic hindrance. This is where the Heavenly Dao is unjust."

"True, but he is still committing evil."

Li Changshou said earnestly, "Sister, don't rush, and hear me out.

Setting aside the good person's identity as an enemy, this youth killed someone, which is inherently evil.

The injustice of the Heavenly Dao lies in transforming the good person's merit into the youth's karmic hindrance, making the youth endure suffering he shouldn't have to bear.

To the youth, the Heavenly Dao protected the greatest evil-doer in his eyes.

But to the mortals who were helped by the good person, this youth is, conversely, evil.

When the youth goes to the Underworld and faces the judge, he will receive a heavy sentence to suffer in the eighteen layers of hell."

Qiongxiao said, "Then... according to this, the youth shouldn't seek revenge?"

"He can, but he needn't kill with his own hands, nor allow himself to fall into evil. This is why the Heavenly Dao wants to greatly prosper the Heavenly Court."

Li Changshou took two steps forward, bowed to the Primeval Lord of Heaven, and spoke loudly.

"If the Heavenly Court were powerful enough and could influence the Three Realms, the story of this good person and the youth could be improved.

Imagine this: the good person harmed the youth's parents, already falling into an evil path. The Heavenly Court could sentence this good person to death, and the merit they accumulated could be used to change their fate after reincarnation.

Then the youth wouldn't have to personally kill, yet his revenge would still be exacted. Wouldn't this outcome be a hundred times better than repaying evil with evil?

The Heavenly Dao promotes the Heavenly Court precisely to uphold justice under these simple, ironclad rules of the Heavenly Dao!"

"Justice..."

Holy Mother Golden Spirit murmured to herself, and the Jie teaching immortals also pondered.

The Primeval Lord of Heaven gave Li Changshou a slight smile but remained silent, slumping on the steps, observing his disciples' reactions.

Seeing that the Saint Master permitted this, Li Changshou truly felt a sigh of relief...

Today's Heavenly Court propaganda work: complete!

It was indeed quite troublesome not being able to directly speak of the 'rule of law' concept.

—After all, in the eyes of the Heavenly Court, the disciples of the three Daoist sects were all 'lawless' individuals.

If his words today could plant a seed in the Dao hearts of the Jie teaching immortals, making even one or two of them less resistant to the Heavenly Court and the Investiture of the Gods, then Li Changshou wouldn't have wasted his breath.

Li Changshou then shifted the topic back to the red lotus.

"When the Great Tribulation descends, immortals with karmic hindrances do indeed easily turn to ashes. If they truly have corrupt natures, then so be it, but wouldn't it be a great pity if they were Daoist friends like that youth?

Contesting with the Heavenly Dao and seizing a sliver of opportunity doesn't necessarily mean engaging in endless fighting and killing.

Methods, strategies, adaptability, gambits, calculations... all are actually incredibly important.

When listening to my Master's teachings, one phrase deeply resonated with me.

The strength of divine abilities, the power of treasures, or the breadth of knowledge are not the main factors determining our life and death; arrogance is."

After speaking, Li Changshou bowed to various directions and calmly walked back to Fairy Yunxiao's side.

Yunxiao, like most of the Jie teaching immortals at the moment, showed a thoughtful expression, with a faint glimmer in her eyes.

While the Jie teaching immortals weren't paying attention, the Primeval Lord of Heaven secretly winked at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou quickly bowed his head in礼, not daring to accept such praise from the Saint Master.

He put the scholar's soul back into the magic treasure that nourished spirits, pondering the words he had just spoken.

In fact, according to his principle of always seeking stability, some things shouldn't have been said. But for a more stable plan for future events, speaking some of these words today might just have an effect.

"Thank you."

Yunxiao suddenly transmitted a message.

Li Changshou smiled calmly, meeting her gaze, everything understood without words.

Half a day later, outside Three Immortals Island.

Qiongxiao and Bixiao flew back laughing into the thousand-mile cloud mist. Fairy Yunxiao rode a cloud, and Li Changshou hitched a 'ride-along cloud,' drifting towards the Southern Continent.

The damaged red lotus was naturally left with the Jie teaching; it would be good if it could alleviate some karmic hindrances.

On the cloud, Fairy Yunxiao sat obliquely by his side, while Li Changshou sat quietly in meditation. Their gazes would quickly avert whenever they met.

Strangely, Li Changshou genuinely found a bit of the 'recklessness' and 'leisure' of his 'salad days' from his previous life.

Yunxiao softly said, "What you said was good: 'Arrogance is the main factor determining our life and death.' It truly gives one pause for thought."

Li Changshou said, "This is actually my Master's teaching."

—In reality, he had read this in a book in his previous life, and it had left a deep impression on him.

However, for a more reasonable explanation, and to avoid revealing too much of his own acumen, attributing such 'good words' to his own Master, the Grand Pure Saint, was ideal. His Master would have no reason to blame him.

Feeling a little guilty, Li Changshou calmly steered the conversation away: "To your knowledge, how many Jie teaching masters have profound karmic hindrances?"

"I know of a few," Yunxiao softly recited a few Daoist titles.

When he heard the words 'Shi Ji,' Li Changshou's eyes couldn't help but light up.

Lady Shiji, a Jie teaching immortal who, sitting at home, had an arrow fly in from outside, ranked among the 'top three unluckiest in the Investiture of the Gods.' Did she herself possess numerous karmic hindrances?

Li Changshou didn't want to add to Yunxiao's worries, so he didn't ask further about it, immediately brushing past the topic.

Just like this, they chatted casually, gradually drawing closer to each other, shrinking from a three-foot gap to two feet.

However, to progress further, there would be many trials.

Yunxiao found the right context and suddenly asked, "What did Master tell you when he took you to the treasure pond?"

"He didn't say much, just spoke simply about the red lotus," Li Changshou sighed. "Third Martial Uncle is a good Master."

"Mm," Fairy Yunxiao said, "Master has never been stingy with us, caring for us like a father."

"That... I felt it."

"What's wrong?" she asked curiously, her eyes full of light, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Li Changshou said, "When the red lotus erupted, Martial Uncle's first reaction was to use sword qi to protect his disciples, and only then did he go to suppress the red lotus and retrieve the valuable treasure.

These past few days, I've gone from my Master's Grand Pure Temple to Second Martial Uncle's Jade Void Palace, and then to Third Martial Uncle's Biyou Palace—it truly feels like a dream."

Yunxiao softly said, "It's also been hard on you, constantly traveling for the Dao Sect."

"I only hope the Great Tribulation passes soon," Li Changshou said gently. "That way, when you and I travel outside, Martial Uncle can be more at ease, and won't have to watch us so closely."

Yunxiao couldn't help but tilt her head.

In Biyou Palace, a group of Jie teaching disciples sitting on and below the steps exchanged glances.

The Primeval Lord of Heaven, slumping at a higher position, frowned, wondering, "He can actually see through my methods?"

Before the disciples could answer, Li Changshou's laughter came again from within the square 'frame' formed by the Four Swords of Zhuxian.

"I just made that up."

Yunxiao, however, looked around quite seriously, casually setting up several layers of cloud mist.

Meanwhile, in the Grand Pure Temple.

A certain old Daoist watched the illusory image of the Taiji Diagram before him with a smile. The picture was vivid and incredibly clear, the sound full-bodied and free of distortion.

Li Changshou and Fairy Yunxiao chatted and smiled lightly all the way, eventually arriving at the Southern Continent.

Li Changshou summoned the Water God's treasure, the Black Martial Banner, searched various places, visited several Dragon Kings of large rivers and lakes, and found three suitable locations to settle the scholar's soul.

Li Changshou took out the scholar's soul and stated that he would fulfill his promise to make the scholar a minor deity of the Heavenly Court.

The scholar immediately became tearfully grateful, bowing repeatedly.

"This time, I genuinely give you three choices," Li Changshou said with a smile.

The scholar shivered a few times, a little frightened, only slightly relaxing after hearing the options Li Changshou offered.

It was simply choosing three different territories; thankfully, he wasn't sent to the 'Ice River' of hell.

Subsequently, the scholar's soul began to mumble to itself.

"If I choose A, it's picturesque, but sparsely populated. If I become a minor deity there, the only ones I can talk to are insects and fish.

If I choose B, it's more populated, and I can receive offerings, but too many people would make me uncomfortable.

If I choose C, the population is moderate, but there's only a small river, so I wouldn't achieve much... What should I do?"

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, letting the scholar ponder his choices while he and Fairy Yunxiao leisurely strolled through the mortal world's scenery, enjoying the sights.

However, after waiting for a while...

The scholar began to scratch his ears and cheeks, staring wide-eyed at the floating characters 'A', 'B', and 'C' before him, repeatedly raising and lowering his hand.

Li Changshou, who was just telling Yunxiao how he had groped his way through the mirage qi that day, suddenly felt a stir in his heart...

A guest had arrived at the back hall of the Sea God Temple in Anshui City!

Li Changshou's divine sense swept through, and he immediately dared not be careless. After instructing Fairy Yunxiao a few words, he immersed his divine sense.

Not long after, an old immortal paper effigy Daoist emerged from the ground and bowed to the figure waiting in the inner hall.

"Senior Brother Yuding, may I know the reason for your visit today?"

(End of chapter)