Chapter 538: Two Religions in Action

“Empress Nuwa also asked me to visit the Holy Mother Palace, and I should go there as soon as possible.”

Calculating this in his mind, Li Changshou emerged from the earth’s veins. He put away the yin and yang energies left by the Taiji Diagram and quietly entered Little Qiong Peak’s composite formation, heading towards his secret chamber.

He had meticulously analyzed the task personally assigned by Dao Ancestor for three months, finally arriving at a very useful conclusion:

Idle speculation was useless.

The struggle at that level had already surpassed even the schemes of Saints.

The information he possessed was too one-sided, merely what he had heard Dao Ancestor recount about past events. What might happen if he rashly participated was something no one could determine.

The manifestation of Pangu's remnant will always felt like a major trap.

Dao Ancestor seemingly gave him the choice to ‘kill’ or ‘protect,’ but in reality, he had already made a biased choice: prioritize stability.

Li Changshou sighed softly.

If he hadn't even considered this point, then his years in the Primordial World would have been for naught.

The bad news was that he was now a knife in Dao Ancestor's hand.

The good news was that Dao Ancestor would moderately protect him when he was needed.

What he needed to do was to become stronger in the shortest possible time, at least possessing the ability to ‘survive in the Chaos Sea’ and create a fallback plan.

Many things in the world initially have no fallback, but after being stable repeatedly, a fallback emerges.

After three months of deliberation, Li Changshou’s final decision effectively returned to the starting point—

Clinging desperately to Grand Pure One’s leg!

All future actions must revolve around Grand Pure One!

This was because Li Changshou had discovered that Dao Ancestor seemed to harbor a certain apprehension towards his own Saint teacher.

If he were to reconstruct the information Dao Ancestor had told him, stripping away some of its emotional bias, what kind of story would emerge?

In ancient times, an unknown competition had erupted between ‘Senior Lang, the Friend of Primordial World Women,’ and ‘Dao Ancestor Hongjun, the Great Winner of the Ancient Era.’

The goal of the competition was who would first attain Dao through power and reach the level of Pangu God.

Regardless of whether Senior Lang had truly gone mad, he had certainly utilized countless reserves accumulated from the ancient to the archaic eras, getting ahead of Dao Ancestor on this path.

Dao Ancestor, for an unspecified purpose (presumably to protect the Primordial World), joined forces with the Heavenly Dao to forcefully suppress Senior Lang and directly erase all traces of his existence.

Among those connected to Senior Lang, besides Empress Nuwa who had become a Saint (and thus untouchable by Heavenly Dao), the others either died or vanished, with only Heng’e forgetting part of her memories and awakening after tens of thousands of years of slumber...

The biggest question mark here was whether Dao Ancestor Hongjun had lied about this matter.

Li Changshou personally leaned towards believing that Dao Ancestor had told the truth.

After all, beings like him, who had drifted from their old home on Earth, had increasingly complex thoughts...

Analyzing it from this perspective, the remnant will of Pangu God must be unrelated to Senior Lang; otherwise, Dao Ancestor Hongjun would never allow him, a ‘later stability’ who might let Senior Lang off, to get involved.

Over three months, analyzing all this from limited information, Li Changshou didn't know how much hair he had pulled out.

Fortunately, he had now found a solution!

Inform Teacher!

Dutifully kneeling before the Grand Pure One's portrait enshrined in his secret chamber, Li Changshou called out, “Disciple requests Teacher to bestow the precious pagoda.”

A faint Grand Pure One Dao韻 appeared on the portrait, and Elder Pagoda’s spiritual thought resonated in Li Changshou’s mind. It then materialized out of thin air and landed on Li Changshou’s head.

Elder Pagoda’s spiritual thought asked, “What’s up, going to Three Immortals Island to find Sister Jin Dou?”

Li Changshou replied, “Elder Pagoda, there’s urgent business for now... Will our spiritual communication like this be monitored by the Heavenly Dao?”

Elder Pagoda chuckled.

“What is a Xiantian Spirit Treasure? A Xiantian Spirit Treasure is born from the primordial Dao itself. I am originally the first pagoda formed from the Primal Chaos Yellow Mother Qi between heaven and earth, imbued with Saint-achieving merit by Master. Although my grade isn't that of a supreme treasure, I possess the effect of being immune to all methods.

If Heavenly Dao wants to investigate our communication, it would only be possible in the High Heavens Palace or Zixiao Palace!”

“That’s good, Elder Pagoda, please convey some words to Teacher for me.”

Li Changshou carefully chose his words, ‘chattered’ to the Xuanhuang Pagoda in his mind for a while, then presented the Xuanhuang Pagoda before the Grand Pure One’s portrait.

“Teacher! Disciple returns the precious pagoda!”

A corner of the Grand Pure One's portrait subtly swayed, a faint vortex appeared in the cosmos, and the Xuanhuang Pagoda vanished after a complaint.

“After all that work, you just want this pagoda to do this?”

Li Changshou smiled calmly, thinking this was also a new way to expand employment opportunities for Xiantian Spirit Treasures in the Primordial World.

True encrypted communication!

Li Changshou waited for a while. His Dao heart rippled slightly as Grand Pure One’s Dao韻 descended, forming a line of six large characters:

Obey Ancestor’s command, Teacher is here.

Teacher’s style was truly as concise as ever.

Li Changshou bowed low, lit three incense sticks, and only then exited the secret chamber, feeling considerably lighter at heart.

When Dao Ancestor informed him, he would go and deal with that entity. Whether to kill or release it, Teacher would monitor the entire process.

A tiny bit of security finally returned.

His current strength was too low; he could only frantically probe the edges of Saintly schemes, let alone Dao Ancestor's calculations.

Can Dao Ancestor read minds directly?

Not really.

Only when the power of Heavenly Dao or Karmic Tribulation permeated his mind could Dao Ancestor possibly learn his thoughts; Dao Ancestor’s somewhat frightening rhetorical question in Zixiao Palace must have been a deduction.

Li Changshou had originally intended to visit Ling'e and impart some Dao methods to her, but as he ‘smoked out’ of the secret chamber, profound insights welled up within him.

So he sat in his usual rocking chair, closed his eyes, concentrated, and meticulously savored the insights, instantly entering a state of Dao comprehension.

This trip to Zixiao Palace had indeed accumulated a large amount of ‘material.’

Threads of Dao heart insights flowed like streams through various parts of his spiritual platform, filling in Li Changshou's not-yet-perfected and solidified Dao韻.

Li Changshou reserved a portion of his mind to begin contemplating matters related to the Heavenly Dao.

To achieve great perfection in the Way of Balance, one could not bypass comprehension of the Heavenly Dao.

The very existence of Heavenly Dao was profound beyond profound, subtle beyond subtle, with interwoven Great Daos and the resonance of Pangu’s will.

At this point, the composition of the Heavenly Dao was quite clear.

The will of all beings resonating with the Great Dao, forming Heavenly Dao itself – this was the first part, the main body of Heavenly Dao.

The Heavenly Dao Will and the avatar of the Great Tribulation that he had once directly confronted – this was the second part, which could also be seen as a special branch of the Heavenly Dao’s main body.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun, possessing ‘supervisory authority beyond limits’ – this was the third.

Pangu’s remnant will, which had evolved on its own from ancient times to the present and was about to become a quasi-sentient entity – this was the fourth.

His Way of Balance was meant to intervene and influence the first part.

Gradually, Li Changshou immersed himself in the Great Dao, entering a state of profound oblivion. Wisps of mysterious and obscure Dao韵 drifted around him, and his long hair was occasionally stirred by spiritual energy...

Half a month later, a loud bang erupted outside the alchemical chamber. Little Qiong Peak trembled a few times, and the lights of various formations flashed wildly before quickly settling down again.

“Hm?”

In the lakeside thatched hut, Ling'e was startled awake by the commotion. She put down the jade talisman in her hand, ran out barefoot, and looked towards the alchemical chamber.

Had Senior Brother blown up the alchemical furnace again?

Ling'e blinked, her eyes filled with worry. She stepped barefoot onto a white cloud, holding her formation-passing jade talisman, and hurried towards the alchemical chamber.

But just as she flew a hundred feet, she suddenly felt her ‘little bun’ on top of her head being gently poked, and heard a familiar laugh beside her ear:

“Why do you like dressing like this now?”

Ling'e subconsciously took two steps forward, then skillfully turned to look behind her, only to see her Senior Brother had appeared at the edge of the white cloud at some unknown moment.

This...

Her immortal sense couldn’t detect Senior Brother’s presence at all!

Well, the gap in strength between her and Senior Brother was growing wider and wider.

Ling'e immediately felt a little disheartened.

Li Changshou closely observed the little Heavenly Immortal before him. She wore a simple short silk skirt with a white base, adorned with light blue small flowers, and her hair was still styled into two ‘plain buns,’ making her look utterly playful and adorable.

Ling'e giggled, her cheeks flushed, and tiptoed as she spun around on the cloud.

“Do I look good?”

“It does look good,” Li Changshou commented seriously, stroking his chin, “but it lacks a bit of maturity and composure; it’s a bit too childish.”

Ling'e grumbled with slight dissatisfaction:

“Mean Senior Brother! Just praise me, don’t give suggestions! I’m just making the most of my advantages and trying to distinguish myself from Sister Yunxiao’s vibe.”

Li Changshou couldn't help but narrow his eyes in a smile, took half a step forward, and raised a hand to pinch Ling'e’s cheek.

Tsk, this familiar smooth touch.

“Practice diligently. No one can avoid the Golden Immortal tribulation; if you want immortality, you must face it. That’s where you should be focusing your energy now!”

Ling'e's pretty face flushed. She raised a hand to cover her pinched cheek and pouted.

Li Changshou turned, took a step, and his figure dissipated like a wisp of smoke, re-materializing under a willow tree by the lake. He conjured two meditation cushions and calmly sat down.

“Come here. Today, I will teach you the Way of the Golden Immortal.

Regarding the Immortal Alliance, you don't need to worry too much anymore. I've recently gained enough energy to personally supervise them.

Ao Yi and Ling Zhuzi are not far from their Golden Immortal tribulations. Don't be complacent and fall too far behind them.”

“Mhm!”

Ling'e nodded quite seriously, tapped her toe, floated down, pulled a meditation cushion, and sat next to her Senior Brother, a glimmer of fighting spirit in her eyes.

Li Changshou exhaled a clear breath and began expounding the Grand Pure One’s Way of Non-Action and Longevity.

Illusory images of green lotuses formed around his lips, then drifted to hover around Ling'e.

During the lecture, Li Changshou’s gaze was fixed on the ‘man-made peak’ across the small lake, and a few unrelated thoughts arose in his mind.

Previously, Ling'e had gone to great lengths to make suitable clothes for Lingli.

Later, he would also need to visit Grand Supreme Elder Lord in the Tushita Palace to see if the small God-Slaying Spear had been refined. At that time, he could also ask Grand Supreme Elder Lord to make a set of size-adjustable clothes for Xiong Lingli.

And Yang Jian's Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear also needed to be put on the agenda, which would likely also trouble Grand Supreme Elder Lord.

The idea of ‘subduing a divine dragon and having it directly transform into a divine weapon’ was merely something to fool mortals.

Anyone with a bit of ‘immortal lore’ would know that it must have been the divine weapon that first transformed into the three-headed divine dragon; the fierce battle between the divine dragon and Yang Jian was actually the process of Yang Jian taming this divine weapon.

Thinking about it carefully, with a disciple like him who worried about all sorts of matters, Grand Supreme Elder Lord wouldn’t have much peace either.

***

Jade Spring Mountain, True Person Yuding’s cave abode.

While Li Changshou lectured Ling'e, True Person Taiyi, True Person Yuding, and True Person Yellow Dragon were gathered with a rare guest at a stone table in the cave abode, drinking wine.

Yang Jian, who had just completed a ‘perfect’ trial two years prior, was currently sparring with Ling Zhuzi in the back mountains.

In his last trial, Yang Jian had ultimately obtained a drop of Ancestral Witch Gonggong's primordial essence blood.

To this day, although he hadn’t fully refined the essence blood, his strength was not to be underestimated, no longer requiring Ling Zhuzi to deliberately go easy on him.

This also left Ling Zhuzi, who had been cultivating for so long, somewhat dejected, and he had recently been continuously strengthening his physical body cultivation.

Yang Chan sat on a nearby tree branch, her small face flushed, constantly swinging her feet, seemingly in quite a good mood.

Guangchengzi, the foremost among the Twelve Golden Immortals, witnessing this scene, let out a sigh of admiration:

“These two junior nephews are truly excellent. In time, they will surely be the mainstays of our Chan School.”

True Person Yuding whispered, “Senior Brother, you flatter them.”

True Person Taiyi, however, scoffed with a chuckle, saying, “Whether it’s about strength or not is another matter, but my precious disciple is especially valued by Junior Brother Changshou.”

True Person Yellow Dragon, who had recently started growing a beard to try a new look, couldn't help but stroke his beard and laugh at the remark.

“Junior Brother, you jest. Whether Junior Brother Changshou values Ling Zhuzi or not has no bearing on Ling Zhuzi’s cultivation, does it?”

“No, no,” True Person Taiyi shook his head repeatedly, holding his wine goblet, “If it weren’t for that, why would Senior Brother come here today?”

Guangchengzi smiled silently beside them.

True Person Yellow Dragon gave an awkward laugh and asked again:

“Senior Brother, what exactly happened in Zixiao Palace? Why did Teacher instruct us not to wander around Nanzhan Continent after returning?”

“Alas,” Guangchengzi’s smile faded as he sighed, “The situation that day is truly difficult to describe in a few words.

Don't ask too much about this; it concerns the stability of the Dao Sect and the peace of the Three Religions.

The matter of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation has gradually become clear: the Heavenly Court is the leader, and Heavenly Court's Uncle Jade Emperor and Junior Brother Changshou are the two most crucial figures.

My purpose in coming here today is to ask the three of you, who are familiar with Changshou, to sound him out.”

True Person Yuding frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, “I’m afraid it will be useless.”

“Exactly,” True Person Taiyi pouted, “Senior Brother, surely you don't mean for us to compete with Fairy Yunxiao for Changshou?”

Guangchengzi pondered for a few moments, then said gravely, “This matter is not trivial; we must treat it with caution, no childish remarks.”

Yellow Dragon asked, “But if we do that, wouldn’t we be exploiting our friendship with Changshou? How intelligent Changshou is...”

“That’s why I said, just to sound him out.”

Guangchengzi said gently, “It’s not about forcing Changshou to choose between the two Schools, but to let Changshou know that if he intends to target the Western Church later, our Chan School can also make appropriate moves.”

True Person Taiyi raised an eyebrow, “That’s all?”

“That’s all,” Guangchengzi’s eyes showed a hint of complexity, “You naturally don't know what I saw in Zixiao Palace.”

True Person Yellow Dragon leaned forward and asked, “What did you see? The few of us will never leak it.”

“I saw...”

Guangchengzi was about to speak but then remembered his teacher’s instructions and chuckled softly.

“Alas, the most unexpected thing was seeing Changshou’s... a good portion of his buttock.”

With a ‘pffft,’ True Person Taiyi spat a mouthful of immortal brew all over True Person Yuding’s face. True Person Yellow Dragon’s eyes widened in stunned silence.

Guangchengzi chuckled a few times and briefly described the scene of Dao Ancestor spanking Li Changshou, leaving the three True Persons with remarkably vivid expressions.

***

The same story, when told by different people, always had different effects.

At the same moment on Three Immortals Island, almost all eight core and outer disciples of the Jie School were gathered.

Daoist Duobao, seated at the head of the pavilion, was also telling the same story, but far more vividly than Guangchengzi.

“...Guess what happened?

With a flick of the Zixiao Heavenly Punishment Whip in Ancestral Master’s hand, Changshou was instantly sent flying more than three zhang high. Then, electric light flashed and thunder erupted, keeping Changshou floating and unable to descend.

The scene!

Hah! The power of Heavenly Punishment was incredibly sharp, and the sounds of thunder crackling were ceaseless!

Do you think Ancestral Master simply disliked Changshou?”

Qiongxiao, Bixiao, and Holy Mother Guiling, seated on the left, all nodded in unison, while Yunxiao, Holy Mother Jinling, and Zhao Gongming, seated on the right, were filled with concern.

Daoist Duobao smiled triumphantly, cupped his hands upwards to the side, took a breath, and continued:

“No, no!

Dao Ancestor was actually telling the Western Church that Changshou was his highly valued direct grand-disciple.

Although the Heavenly Punishment Whip was terrifying, it was merely for show. And while the Zixiao Divine Thunder made a grand commotion, each strike landed precisely on Changshou’s fleshy buttocks.

What does this mean?

Isn’t it obvious that it’s like a mischievous human descendant in the mortal world being caught by an elder in the family and given a good spanking?

What is closeness? This is closeness!

Moreover, Ancestral Master was by no means acting casually. He had anticipated Changshou’s troublesome and evasive nature, first subduing Changshou and making him immobile in front of him, then taking out the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Beating Whip. With a slight flick of his hand, they landed in Changshou’s grasp, thus appointing the person in charge of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.

And the two Saints of the Western Church next to him were still shouting... ‘Teacher, our West is barren!’

Ancestral Master merely glanced at them, almost directly saying, ‘You’ve been at it for so many years and I haven’t seen the West prosper; it looks good but isn’t practical.’

Of course, Ancestral Master, being considerate of the two Elder Saints of the Western Church, smiled and said, ‘I’m old, and my hands are a bit shaky. It seems this item is destined for Changshou.’

After saying that, he left without delay. Just like that, he established Changshou’s authority to preside over the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.”

Daoist Duobao let out a long breath. His junior brothers and sisters beside him successively praised his account, naturally quite delighted with such an outcome.

Afterward, Daoist Duobao looked at the graceful and elegant Fairy Yunxiao and smiled:

“I’ve said all this, but it’s really just to ask one thing...

Junior Sister, when do you plan to see Changshou?”

Yunxiao’s beautiful brows slightly furrowed, and she replied seriously, “It’s only been a few decades since I last saw him. Why should I be in a hurry to meet him?”

Daoist Duobao was immediately speechless. He gestured a few times with his slightly rounded hands, stammered for a long while before finally sputtering out:

“Isn’t it... well, don't you miss him?”

A slight blush crossed Yunxiao’s pretty face. She stood up and turned away, instinctively about to argue, but she confronted her true feelings, experiencing her genuine nature, and couldn’t help but gently press her thin lips together, softly saying:

“I... naturally wish to see him more often.

However, with the great tribulation now upon us and him overseeing it, I’m concerned that meeting him might lead to him showing partiality and thus harming himself.”

“Junior Sister, you are mistaken!”

Daoist Duobao stood up and laughed, “The great tribulation is one thing, and matters of Dao companions are another; these fundamentally cannot be confused.

Junior Sister, if you can’t find an excuse to visit Changshou, I’ve prepared one for you!

Here!”

As he spoke, Daoist Duobao took out a jade talisman and a three-inch miniature immortal sword from his sleeve, handing them to Fairy Yunxiao.

“Previously, Teacher once found a treasure land in the Chaos Sea, where Changshou has a great opportunity. Teacher’s Immortal Trapping Sword can take you there.

Now that the discussions about the Investiture of the Gods in Zixiao Palace have just concluded, it’s impossible for us to directly fight with the Chan School, and the Western Church dares not step forward. This is the perfect time to retrieve this treasure.

The key is, you can take this opportunity to have some quality time alone.

In the Chaos Sea, there’s no Heavenly Dao surveillance. Even the Saint Lords won’t be able to find your whereabouts or use supreme treasures to peek...”

Seeing Yunxiao’s hesitation, Daoist Duobao pressed on:

“Don't forget, the doctrine of our Jie School is to seize a sliver of life.

Always waiting idly will gain you nothing.

The great tribulation is upon us tomorrow; no one knows what will happen in the future. What if... Junior Sister, do you wish to have regrets?”

Fairy Yunxiao lightly frowned, slowly gripping the jade talisman and the small sword tighter.