Chapter 535: Six Saints Gather at Zixiao Palace

He slept so long the sun and moon seemed to delay their course, only waking at dusk. Unaware of time's long passage, his true nature returned to the pool of his heart.

This sleep left him feeling mentally dispersed and hazy. The profound sense of security he had never experienced before unleashed a tidal wave of weariness. Ever since entering this Primordial World, Li Changshou had been burdened by hidden worries, suppressed anxieties, concerns about the future, and a constant vigilance stemming from Senior Lang's erasure. His mind was in constant overdrive, meticulously calculating the implications of the Investiture of the Gods tribulation. Now, all of it was completely released.

Li Changshou had, in fact, always been under immense pressure. Before leaving the Immortal Ascension Sect, he could only repeatedly reassure himself that the chances of being causelessly trampled like an ant were not very high. After leaving the Immortal Ascension Sect, while striving for more resources to strengthen himself, he also worried that his increased activity would attract more attention and potential threats. Before successfully aligning himself with the Grand Master, the affairs of the Sea God Cult had already drawn him into the vortex of the Dragon Race, the Western Sect, and the Heavenly Court. He knew he was walking a tightrope. It was a struggle, but through the Sea God Cult, he managed to enter the Heavenly Court and earn the Grand Master's regard. Yet, new worries emerged, and his position compelled him to turn and face the Immeasurable Tribulation.

The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation was like an abyss, and the Saints' game was its greatest peril. Too close, and he risked being torn apart by its forces; too far, and he would be powerless to act. Unbeknownst to him, he had arrived at this very day. In three years, he was slated to go to the Purple霄 Palace, where he would witness the six Saints and Hongjun, the true ruler of the Primordial World, jointly sign the Investiture of the Gods list, thereby solidifying the tribulation that would empower the Heavenly Court and diminish the Dao Sect.

Wait, something's not right... How long did I sleep? Why does it feel like only a single nap, yet a considerable amount of time has passed?

Li Changshou, still hazy, jolted awake. His primordial spirit 'opened its eyes,' and what 'met his gaze' was the tranquil and serene world of his spiritual platform. Yin and Yang qi chased and played, the Golden Pool of Merit gently rippled, and wisps of utterly pure spiritual energy drifted back and forth. His spiritual platform felt as if enveloped by a layer of innate embryonic membrane.

Li Changshou was momentarily dazed, but his consciousness gradually cleared and flowed smoothly. He also felt a pleasant softness throughout his body, much like the comfort he had occasionally experienced when resting his head on the Immortal Maiden's lap in the pavilion. It made Li Changshou nostalgic. Perhaps he had pushed himself too hard?

Collecting himself, Li Changshou slowly opened his eyes. The Turtle Breath Art was operating on its own, and his profound body emitted a faint golden light that quickly receded. What met his gaze was the simple roof of the small temple at Taiqing Temple, and beside him, the back of Laozi, sitting in meditation. Only then did Li Changshou realize that he had 'just' fallen asleep right beside his teacher, his mind having been overwhelmed by the information transmitted from the Taiji Diagram.

Pushing aside the 'Profound Yellow blanket' that covered him, Li Changshou hastily stood up and bowed his head in a salute: “Teacher, your disciple has been disrespectful.”

He then heard a soft chuckle from the side. Li Changshou's peripheral vision caught sight of a familiar figure meditating in the small courtyard, and his spirit was once again roused. Grand Master Xuan Du had returned, seemingly at some unknown time!

The Grand Master chuckled, “Teacher, Chang Geng is awake now. It seems your disciple won't be of much use at Purple霄 Palace this time...”

“You will both go.” Taiqing Laozi’s voice resonated within the minds of his two disciples: “You two will look out for each other.”

The Grand Master couldn't help but sigh dejectedly, then looked up, managing a somewhat forced smile. Li Changshou quickly calculated his own state, learning the rather absurd fact that he had slept for nearly three years. He also unexpectedly discovered that his Dao realm had advanced a great... to be precise, a moderate step! This was true 'Purity and Inaction'.

“Teacher,” Li Changshou said, picking up the meditation mat that had returned to its normal size, “your disciple will go sit outside.”

Laozi gave a slight nod in response. Li Changshou, clutching the mat, quickly went to the Grand Master's side, sitting to his left and offering a comfortable smile. After such a long sleep, he felt incredibly refreshed, light enough to float as he walked. Crucially, in his previous state, if Li Changshou had accidentally slept for three years, he would have frantically rushed to check on various situations. But here in the small Taiqing Temple, beside his teacher, Taiqing, he felt not a shred of tension.

The Grand Master nudged Li Changshou with his elbow, chuckling softly: “Chang Geng, what happened to you? You almost dropped the ball at a crucial moment. Teacher didn't want to disturb you, so he even called me back. If you hadn't woken up today, tomorrow it would have been just me and Teacher going to Purple霄 Palace.”

Li Changshou awkwardly replied, “I just suddenly felt sleepy...”

“See? See?” The Grand Master tsk-tsked with a smile, muttering, “It's the same for me. Whenever I stay by Teacher's side for too long, I just inexplicably get sleepy and doze off.”

“Senior Brother! How has Xuan Du City been lately?” Li Changshou quickly cut off the Grand Master. At the same moment, the Grand Master also felt his teacher's increasingly sharp gaze from the side. His lips twitched, and he immediately corrected himself: “It's thanks to Teacher, who displayed a trace of his saintly power in Xuan Du City. That scared those outer demons away for millions of miles, ensuring peace for the time being. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to rush back in time.”

The sharp gaze instantly returned to its usual peacefulness. The Grand Master shifted closer to Li Changshou, subtly winking at him. Li Changshou chuckled. Just as his mind was about to drift, checking on Little Qiong Peak, the Heavenly Court, the Shang tribe, the Underworld, and the Four Seas, the Grand Master seemed to read his thoughts.

“Junior brother, there's no need to exert yourself. Everything is peaceful everywhere. At this juncture, no one dares to cause trouble. While you were sleeping soundly, your Little Qiong Peak was secretly protected by Teacher's Taiji Diagram, and Ling'e was guarded by the Innate Four Directions Flags, ensuring absolute safety. The Three Immortal Islands are also very quiet. Junior Sister Yun Xiao should not be attending the Purple霄 Palace discussion this time.”

“Thank you, Teacher, for your concern, and thank you, Senior Brother, for your care