Chapter 521: I Am Low-Key

Something was indeed off!

Li Changshou gazed at the figure before him: the Outer Disciple of Jie School with the fine beard, Elder Sworn Brother of Fairy Yunxiao, and the primordial expert with whom Li Changshou first interacted in Jie School. His gaze gradually sharpened.

It was known that the Ten Thousand Immortals Grand Gathering had concluded a day and eight hours ago. Given Uncle Zhao’s character, he should have come here immediately after its conclusion to confide in him.

There had been ample time for "misconduct."

It was also known that due to the recent upheaval within Jie School, where many Jie School immortals had been slain, the atmosphere within the sect was oppressive. Someone was bound to be feeling depressed and looking for someone to confide in.

Most likely, they had drunk some wine, and then, as the saying goes, it wasn't the wine that intoxicated, but the person themselves, leading to a need to vent internal frustrations.

The emotional state for "misconduct" was perfectly aligned.

Furthermore, Brother Zhao Gongming's eyes were now sparkling with vigor, full of hopeful light. His lips were slightly curled, his beard perfectly groomed. While his words expressed concern, his eyes hinted at anticipation.

He was clearly in a refreshed and invigorated state!

In summary, based on the faint lipstick mark on Brother Gongming's neck, Li Changshou boldly made a deduction!

"Jin Guang?"

Zhao Gongming froze, instinctively glanced behind him, and gripping Li Changshou's arm, quickly said, "Don't talk nonsense, don't talk nonsense! What does this have to do with Jin Guang?"

Li Changshou frowned deeply and whispered, "Brother, who was it?"

Uncle Zhao chuckled, first squirming in embarrassment, then blushing deeply and giggling, before revealing a name:

"Ling... Ling."

Li Changshou: ...

Why did he suddenly feel a chill down his neck?

"Brother, is that true?"

"Will... will there really be offspring, Chang Geng?"

"First, it depends on which step was reached."

"Hehe, you should ask, what steps are left?"

"So?"

"No steps left," Zhao Gongming chuckled, stroking his beard. He suddenly looked down at his feet and quietly asked, "Why are we crouching?"

Li Changshou couldn't help but palm his forehead, whispering, "My legs are weak, I'm scared. Brother, was it... mutual affection, budding feelings, irresistible passion, or uncontrollable impulse, drunken confusion, leading to a big mistake?"

Zhao Gongming thought carefully: "Ling Ling and I have known each other for years; it was originally just fellow disciple camaraderie. It was only after Junior Sister Jin Guang revealed her feelings for me, and we established that we couldn't be Dao companions, that Ling Ling and I suddenly became closer."

Ling Ling...

Oh, for crying out loud!

Li Changshou said, "Then I must congratulate you, Brother, and wish you all the best."

"Same to you, same to you," Zhao Gongming replied, stroking his beard and smiling, but his smile gradually faded as he asked again, "But will there truly be offspring?"

Li Changshou asked, "Didn't your sister-in-law say?"

"No," Zhao Gongming said. "We were drunk at the time. When I woke up, she had already left the small universe I created with the Sea-Calming Divine Pearl, leaving a letter telling me to find her again after some time.

She also said..."

Li Changshou quietly asked, "Said what?"

Zhao Gongming covered his face with his hand and sighed, "The gist of it was that last night was her fault. She was simply curious about what you and Yunxiao hadn't finished that day, but she didn't expect...

Her letter said she would take responsibility for me, Brother, but her mind was a bit muddled at the moment, so she asked me to seek her out later and not to reveal this matter.

To treat it as a dream."

"No, don't do that," Li Changshou said. "Now is the time to press the advantage and solidify your relationship. Your sister-in-law is exceptionally beautiful, has a straightforward character, possesses vast divine abilities, and is the foremost female immortal of Jie School. She's an excellent match for you, Brother.

You, Brother, are the first wisp of clear breeze between heaven and earth. If your sister-in-law's origin is water, then you two are 'fine rain wrapped in spring breeze, nourishing all things silently.'

If your sister-in-law's origin is earth, then you two are 'You are the wind, I am the sand, intertwined we journey across the world.'

How perfect a match!"

"Really? Haha, Chang Geng, you really are eloquent."

Zhao Gongming continued to stroke his beard and chuckle, then suddenly realized that when he stroked his four-inch long beard, his hand touched the ground.

"Chang Geng, should we perhaps first crawl out from under the chair? What are we hiding for?"

The two exchanged a glance, smiled awkwardly, then each got up and sat back on their chairs, bursting into laughter.

*Husband's Authority*.

Li Changshou said, "Regarding offspring, it's relatively difficult for congenital beings. Furthermore, it also depends on whether your sister-in-law wants children.

With the Great Tribulation ahead, Sister-in-law Jin Ling also feels guilty towards you, thinking she forced the issue... This kind of situation shouldn't arise. Brother, you still need to put in more effort."

Zhao Gongming sighed with relief, "I was also worried about the Great Tribulation.

Alas, over a hundred fellow disciples were slain... Jin Ling was also quite troubled by this, muttering for a long time after getting drunk, saying that she didn't intend to kill them, but rather acted for the sake of Jie School's fortune."

"Your sister-in-law may seem fiery-tempered, but in reality, she's quite gentle..."

"That temper of hers is intentionally displayed," Zhao Gongming laughed. "When I first followed our master in cultivation, her nature was quite gentle. It was precisely because her soft-heartedness led to fellow disciples suffering disasters that she smiled less and acted more decisively ever since."

Li Changshou nodded slowly, then cupped his hands and said, "Regardless, I must congratulate you, Brother!"

"No need to be polite," Zhao Gongming laughed heartily. "You also need to put in more effort, my brother. You have feelings, and my sister is interested, so why be so coy?"

"Ultimately, it's still because of the Great Tribulation."

Li Changshou said with a slight smile, then took a treasure pouch from his robes and solemnly handed it over.

He explained earnestly:

"Brother, this item is a gift I prepared for you when Senior Sister Jin Guang came to me for help last time. I didn't expect you, Brother, to remain composed and treat Senior Sister Jin Guang with such courtesy, truly a model for men of our generation.

So, this item wasn't put to use.

Now I specifically gift it to you, Brother, hoping you will cherish yourself."

Zhao Gongming opened it and saw several scroll paintings, a few bottles of elixirs, and a few jars of immortal brew. Although he didn't know their specific meaning, he happily took them back.

"My brother, you are skilled in planning and calculation. You should give me some guidance... What should I do now?"

"Waiting endlessly is the worst strategy," Li Changshou said. "Your sister-in-law is probably feeling confused right now. Brother, you should strike while the iron is hot, take the initiative, express your feelings to her, and alleviate her concerns.

There are three taboos you must remember."

"Oh?"

Li Changshou said:

"Firstly, do not casually speak of such matters between a man and a woman. Especially at this time, you must observe proper etiquette, otherwise you will appear frivolous or make your sister-in-law feel you have lost your original respect for her.

Secondly, if your sister-in-law suggests keeping your relationship quiet for now and not speaking of it externally, you absolutely must not agree immediately. You should ask a question or two in return – you, Brother, will know how to phrase it, just convey that you are proud to be by her side.

Thirdly, do not proactively bring up the matter of offspring, otherwise, it might make your sister-in-law overthink.

Have you remembered all of this?"

Zhao Gongming nodded solemnly, "I remember everything. I will go find her now. Thank you, Chang Geng!"

"You're too kind, Brother."

Thereupon, Zhao Gongming stood up and quickly exited the back hall. Li Changshou followed him for a few steps, watching as Zhao Gongming transformed into a shimmering aquamarine light and flew off in a great hurry towards the horizon.

Li Changshou stood with his hands clasped behind his back before the inner hall door, a faint smile playing on his lips. Then, this paper effigy quickly burrowed deep into the earth, while his main body threw its head back and laughed loudly in front of the alchemy room.

This laughter echoed throughout Little Qiong Peak, disturbing Ling’e who was cultivating by the lake, startling Xiong Lingli who was secretly pouring wine for the spirit beasts, and disrupting Jiu Yushi who was cultivating in the chess and card room.

Li Changshou even took out a bottle of flat peach brew from his sleeve and drank it at his leisure, feeling utterly content.

Truly joyous, truly something to celebrate!

Firstly, for Uncle Zhao finally achieving good fortune. Secondly, for Uncle Zhao and the Golden Spirit Holy Mother coming together, thus eliminating the barrier between Jie School's inner and outer sects.

Should Uncle Zhao truly encounter trouble due to the tribulation in the future, Li Changshou would only need to give timely warning and buy a little time. The first to rush to his aid would no longer be the Three Xiao Immortals, but the Golden Spirit Holy Mother.

To move against Uncle Zhao would be to move against all eight great disciples of Jie School!

The difficulty of protecting or rescuing someone would be greatly reduced!

Brilliant, truly brilliant.

This matter could be traced back to when the Golden Light Holy Mother and Fire Spirit Holy Mother came to his Sea God Sect for help. From that point on, a red thread had deviated, ultimately leading to today's situation.

At this moment, Li Changshou was simply happy, not conceited. The heartfelt joy made him feel almost as if he could float away.

Not long after, Li Changshou shook his arms, went to his secret room, and took up a brush to write a letter to Fairy Yunxiao. In the letter, he vaguely mentioned this matter, asking Yunxiao to caution Fairies Qiongxiao and Bixiao not to seek out Zhao Gongming in the coming years.

Then, the letter apologized for his abruptness last time, before changing the subject to matters concerning Jie School.

Finally, he added a line or two, writing a romantic phrase that was neither poetry nor prose:

Your autumn eyes are like poetry, and I, upon first hearing, am lightly intoxicated.

Thus, a love letter, rich in content and meaning, was completed.

Though it felt faintly embarrassing.

Of course, for safety's sake, Li Changshou still needed to refine it once, transcribe it once, and proofread it once before sealing it satisfactorily within a magic artifact.

He took a paper figure, transformed it into a white crane holding the envelope in its beak, and watched it disappear in a puff of smoke, tunneling away through the earth.

A faint smile touched Li Changshou's lips. His immortal sense glanced at Ling’e by the lake; seeing her cultivating, he didn't go over to tease her.

Waiting a few days for Uncle Zhao and receiving such good news was truly worthwhile.

In the matter concerning Uncle Zhao and the Golden Spirit Holy Mother, what could he discern?

Perhaps ordinary immortals would see two powerful figures within Jie School becoming Dao companions; some immortals with a broader perspective would see the inner and outer sects of Jie School becoming more closely knit.

Li Changshou, however, saw something different...

The future fathers of Gou Chen and Zi Wei, two of the Four Imperials of the Heavenly Court!

But soon, Li Changshou proactively activated his clear Dao Heart and entered a state of sagely calm, allowing himself to cool down from this elation and carefully calculate any potential negative consequences of the matter.

Aside from slightly corrupting the atmosphere of Jie School, there wasn't much significant impact.

Hmm, he couldn't always cling to a fixed way of thinking, preemptively assuming Uncle Zhao would be the first target of Western and Chan School. The situation was now vastly different.

Li Changshou mused for a few moments, then quickly fell into deep thought.

Half a month later, one of Li Changshou's paper effigies left Little Qiong Peak, flying at a moderate altitude towards Dan Ding Peak.

As soon as he arrived and before he could descend, a stream of emerald light flashed, and Elder Wan appeared before him, grabbing the wrist of his paper effigy with inexplicable excitement.

"Changshou! Quickly!"

Li Changshou was a little bewildered and quickly asked, "Elder, what's wrong?"

Immediately, he took out the storage magic artifact Elder Wan had given him before his tribulation. "Disciple specifically came to return this treasure and congratulate Elder on successfully passing your tribulation to become a Golden Immortal and attaining the Dao Fruit of Longevity!"

"Such things are trivial," Elder Wan said with a cold laugh, his expression radiating intense fervor.

This was excitement, excitement...

Fortunately, Elder Wan still remembered that he needed to help conceal Li Changshou's identity. He simply said, "That poison scripture, the poison scripture."

"The poison scripture..."

Li Changshou smiled, saying aloud, "Elder, I have memorized all your poison scriptures."

At the same time, he transmitted a message directly to him: "Elder, this matter should not be publicized. Let's discuss it inside. It's of great importance. If you wish to meet him, I will certainly arrange for you to meet Senior Lu Yue."

"Good, excellent."

Thereupon, Wan Linyun pulled Li Changshou's arm and descended towards his own dwelling.

Many immortal senses around them watched the backs of the old and young figures, feeling... unreserved admiration for Li Changshou.

Inside the dwelling, Elder Wan didn't ask about anything else; he simply pulled Li Changshou to discuss the contents of Lu Yue's two poison scriptures. Li Changshou answered fluently.

At this point, his cultivation realm was far above that of ordinary Golden Immortals, so Elder Wan naturally couldn't stump him.

Many obscure principles of toxicology... as long as he spoke with a bit of confidence, Elder Wan wouldn't harbor much suspicion.

Elder Wan's desire to meet his "idol" was extremely urgent. Li Changshou first had Elder Wan Linyun calm down, then outlined several crucial points to note, and then began to make arrangements.

Firstly, Elder Wan went to report to the sect master, stating that he was going out to search for a batch of poisonous herbs and toxins to refine stronger poison pills upon his return. He then went to the Hall of Hundred Mortals to inform them that he would be taking Li Changshou, the immortal from Little Qiong Peak, with him on this journey.

Subsequently, preferring to strike while the iron was hot, Elder Wan left the Immortal-Crossing Gate half a day later, taking Li Changshou's paper effigy with him.

After leaving the East Continent, Li Changshou reverted to his paper figure form and hid within Elder Wan's sleeve.

Elder Wan also followed Li Changshou's advice, changing his appearance from a wrinkled, cold old Daoist to a fair-faced, cold middle-aged Daoist.

Dressed in brocade robes and fine attire, he concealed his Golden Immortal realm aura, only releasing a faint Golden Immortal pressure. With several extremely potent poison pills at hand, he flew towards the ends of the earth.

The journey was uneventful, and Elder Wan successfully arrived at a minor realm near the Horizon Secret Realm.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou pulled Lu Yue out from amidst his collection of beauties, saying he had a friend skilled in poison pills who wished to seek some guidance from Lu Yue.

Lu Yue, who valued his reputation greatly.

He naturally agreed immediately and, along with Li Changshou's paper effigy, rushed to meet Elder Wan.

It was a crisp, clear autumn morning.

The projection of the Sun Star cast a golden glow over the edge of this minor realm. Standing on a mountain peak, Wan Linyun's body trembled as he saw the old Daoist descending from the sky.

"Are you by any chance the Venomous Venerable Immortal?"

Lu Yue raised an eyebrow, this title making him feel quite pleased. A calm smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "This humble Daoist is Lu Yue of Jie School. Have you been waiting long, fellow Daoist?"

"Not at all, not at all! Senior Lu, please accept this junior's bow!"

"Oh, fellow Daoist, what are you doing?"

Elder Wan actually bowed down. Lu Yue, knowing this was Li Changshou's "friend," quickly stepped forward to stop him, swiftly descending to help Wan Linyun up.

The two poison immortals held hands, tears in their eyes, and were speechless... *ahem*.

Elder Wan Linyun sighed, "Senior, you are the guide of this junior's path in toxicology. It was precisely because I read half of your poison scripture in my early years that I understood the Dao of poison pills. This bow is certainly due to you."

"Don't say that," Lu Yue couldn't help but puff out his chest and raise his head. He glanced at Li Changshou's paper effigy standing nearby and chuckled, "This humble Daoist has merely immersed himself in this path for a few more Yuanhui; it's nothing worth mentioning, nothing worth mentioning.

Fellow Daoist, you and I can simply converse as peers; there's no need for senior or junior titles.

This isn't the place to talk. Shall I take you to a good spot, fellow Daoist?"

Wan Linyun quickly agreed, his eyes filled with emotion.

Li Changshou quickly interjected, "Senior Brother, there's really no need!"

"See here," Lu Yue chuckled, "this is where you're wrong, Junior Brother Chang Geng. You're prejudiced against the Horizon Secret Realm. We're just going there to drink and chat, not for what you're thinking.

Come on, come on, don't listen to him."

Thereupon, Lu Yue summoned a white cloud and, taking Wan Linyun, flew up into the sky.

Li Changshou, standing by, wanted to say more but held back. Seeing that Elder Wan was currently 'deaf to everything outside and solely focused on pursuing his idol,' he didn't spoil the mood.

Never mind, let them be.

After helping Elder Wan fulfill his wish, he would see what Elder Wan intended. If he wished to return to the Immortal-Crossing Gate to cultivate, then he could continue cultivating there.

If he wished to travel and see the world, experiencing a different immortal life, then he could also help out at the Lin Tian Hall.

A Golden Immortal with such transparent origins, whom he could truly trust, would be a real asset.

As for himself...

Next, he must act discreetly, minimize opportunities to attract attention, and patiently await the discussion in the Purple Heavens Palace.

Only then would the seeds he had sown earlier bear fruit.

"Mu Gong," the white-robed Jade Emperor asked, leaning forward on his throne in the Lingxiao Palace, "What do you say, should we hold a grand ceremony for Chang Geng?"

Mu Gong, standing below, blinked and immediately chuckled, "Your Majesty, didn't you say before that once that decree is finalized, it would be announced to the Three Realms, and heaven and earth would celebrate together?"

The Jade Emperor smiled, "How exactly shall we celebrate together?"

Mu Gong pondered for a few moments, "This old minister is not entirely clear, but generally, it would involve ensuring favorable weather in the mortal world and peace and freedom from disaster in the Four Seas."

"That's not enough."

The white-robed Jade Emperor tapped his finger on the table. "Chang Geng's great achievements are countless. He is also the lubricant for the relationship between the Heavenly Court and the Chan and Jie Schools, truly extraordinary.

For Chang Geng's ascension as the Grand White Star Lord, why don't we invite immortals and gods from across the Three Realms, the Underworld's Yama Kings, the Four Sea Dragon Kings, and all the city gods, land gods, mountain gods, and river gods to gather in the Heavenly Court?

Through this, our Heavenly Court can also take the opportunity to establish its prestige."

Mu Gong carefully weighed the pros and cons, then cupped his left hand over his right sleeve, raised his right thumb, and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, brilliant!"

"Hahahahaha!"

The Jade Emperor threw his head back and laughed heartily, then pondered for a few moments, saying, "Mu Gong, how do you think we can temporarily keep this from Chang Geng? Otherwise, Chang Geng will surely prevaricate and refuse."

Mu Gong immediately looked quite troubled: "This... to conceal it from him... is harder than concealing it from Your Majesty—*cough*, this old minister misspoke. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"Ah," the Jade Emperor waved his sleeve, "Chang Geng is skilled in calculation, and his avatars are countless. What you said, Mu Gong, is certainly not wrong.

However, since you asked for punishment, I shall fine you three hundred years of merit salary.

So, let's prepare for this matter in secret first, and don't let others know. Once the decree is about to be finalized, then we'll widely distribute the invitations, ensuring Chang Geng has no time to refuse!"

His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, who painstakingly arranged such a 'surprise' for his subordinate...

Mu Gong silently shed tears of gratitude, bowing his head and praising his wisdom.