Chapter 539: The Truth Is Only One

On a clear day, the wind above the South Sea was quite boisterous.

On an immortal cloud traveling from east to west, Zhao Gongming watched Anshui City with his spiritual sense. He deliberately slowed the cloud and whispered,

"Second Sister, why do we have to go to the Sea God Temple? Wouldn't it be better to go directly to Chang Geng's place? He's under a lot of scrutiny now. Every word and action from us could easily put him in a difficult position."

Yun Xiao gently replied, "Let's meet him at the Sea God Temple. If he agrees to our request, we can then rendezvous beyond the heavens."

"That's true..." Zhao Gongming turned his head and glanced at the universe behind him, as if seeing the void rift opened by Duobao. He gave a bitter smile. "What's all this commotion about?"

Yun Xiao pursed her lips, a little speechless, then suddenly frowned slightly, looking toward the west.

In that direction, a white cloud carried three figures, who were laughing as they hurried towards a large mortal city on the distant South Sea coast. The other party seemed to notice Yun Xiao and Zhao Gongming at the same time. Neither side concealed their presence, and the laughter from the approaching group immediately ceased as they stood across from the two Jie School immortals.

An awkward silence hung in the air.

Immortal Yun Xiao gently waved her simple cloud sleeve, and a wisp of white cloud obscured her figure, making her stance clear. It was the calm assurance of the Sea God Sect's master.

The three immortals from Chan School exchanged glances, each a little hesitant. However, Immortal Taiyi shrugged, took the lead on his cloud, and descended towards the Sea God Temple in Anshui City.

As they flew within three hundred *li* of Anshui City, Li Changshou's paper effigy was immediately alerted. He was lecturing under a tree, and he turned to glance at Ling'e, noting that she was surrounded by green lotuses. Her small face was serene, like someone in a deep sleep, peaceful with a hint of innocence. "That's good," he thought.

*'She only has this much cultivation; it's best to let her digest it first.'*

Li Changshou chuckled softly, closed his eyes, and shifted his consciousness to the paper effigy storage beneath Anshui City. He chose a paper effigy with a youthful face, at the late Heavenly Immortal realm, and sent it to the back hall to wait.

After the Zixiao Palace event, Li Changshou subconsciously began selecting younger paper effigies, each with a face entirely different from his true form. Subconsciously, he hoped to obscure his actual appearance revealed that day, creating an interplay of reality and illusion to mislead observers.

Even before Immortal Taiyi's figure appeared, his clear voice echoed, "Where is the one personally chosen by Dao Ancestor to oversee this tribulation?"

Li Changshou, hands tucked into his sleeves, walked to the back hall door and replied with a smile, "Senior Brother, are you taking a stroll and happened upon my humble temple?"

"Not at all," Immortal Taiyi replied, appearing from the sky. Dressed in red robes, hands behind his back, he descended with a smile. "Our Senior Brother entrusted me to come here and get acquainted."

Li Changshou was left speechless. Immortal Taiyi was truly straightforward, speaking his mind so openly.

Yuding and Huanglong descended from behind. Immortal Huanglong, following the traditions of the Great Desolation, first burst into laughter to mask some awkwardness, while Yuding spoke directly:

"I just saw Senior Sister Yun Xiao; she appears to have arrived too."

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow and looked around. Immortal Yun Xiao's figure appeared by the sea, a hundred *li* away, approaching on a cloud with Zhao Gongming. Indeed, the Senior Brothers of both sects had 'made their move'...

Seeing Immortal Yun Xiao at that moment, Li Changshou felt a slight pang of disappointment. However, he understood her predicament and gently brushed the feeling aside. He waited quietly for a moment, and once Immortal Yun Xiao and Zhao Gongming arrived, he invited them both inside to sit on either side of the back hall.

Li Changshou sat in the central main seat and arranged for a divine attendant to serve tea. His gaze sought out Yun Xiao, and their eyes met. Seeing a hint of apology in her eyes, which resembled solidified jade and water, the melancholy in Li Changshou's heart completely dissipated, and his mind was involuntarily drawn to her face. The immortal maiden was like a poem on the clouds, always possessing an unintentional, breathtaking beauty.

Yun Xiao's attire today seemed exceptionally well-chosen. At first glance, it appeared to be a simple white gown, but upon closer inspection, delicate embroidery of bank orchids and iris adorned various parts of the fabric. It perfectly complemented her figure, neither diminishing her inherent grace nor appearing overly ornate. Her long hair was styled into cloud-like buns, a jade hairpin shimmered with immortal light, and two flowing cloud hairbands intertwined with her dark locks, creating an indescribably ethereal and graceful look.

*'She truly is in a difficult position,'* he thought.

"Cough! Cough cough!" A cough came from the side. Li Changshou turned to see Immortal Taiyi, the source of the noise, looking up at the illusory image of the Taiji Diagram on the back hall's ceiling. "When will the elegance of autumn moon cease? One can never get enough of it in private."

Immortal Yun Xiao frowned slightly, and her gaze swept over. Immortal Taiyi couldn't help but shiver a few times.

Li Changshou chuckled, "Senior Brother Taiyi, are you also a connoisseur of poetry?"

"I only dabble, merely dabble," Immortal Taiyi said, sitting up straight and clearing his throat. "So, what shall we discuss?"

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and chuckled. "Since the Zixiao Palace has just decreed the Great Tribulation, naturally we should discuss it."

Immortal Yuding said, "It seems the Saints in Zixiao Palace parted on rather strained terms."

"It's not that they parted on bad terms," Li Changshou said slowly. "It's just that their opinions weren't entirely aligned, and none were willing to concede much."

Pausing, Li Changshou sighed softly and chuckled. "Both Senior Uncles are worried about their disciples, which is perfectly understandable. In my view, although this Great Tribulation is meant to weaken Daoism and strengthen the Heavenly Court, the manner in which it causes harm is of great importance."

Immortal Huanglong's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Chang Geng, do you have a good strategy to mitigate this tribulation?"

"No," Li Changshou replied with regret. "After Master and the two Senior Uncles departed, Grandmaster kept me in Zixiao Palace and spoke to me about this Great Tribulation. The tribulation is fated to occur, and the collective power of all living beings must be weakened, otherwise it will trigger an even greater catastrophe in the future. In this Investiture of the Gods tribulation, the Western Church, Chan School, and Jie School are inextricably involved; this cannot be changed. The three sects and their affiliated immortal forces are bound to suffer losses. However, there is a total limit to this damage; once the power of living beings is reduced to a safe level, the true tribulation can be indefinitely postponed."

Immortal Yuding solemnly asked, "Does the true tribulation refer to the Nine Filth Springs?"

"Precisely," Li Changshou affirmed with a nod. "The situation is more severe than we imagined. The karma of living beings is too heavy for heaven and earth to bear. If the conflict between living beings and the world reaches a point where only one can survive, that would be the greatest tribulation."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and sighed softly, "The Great Tribulation indeed."

"Alas," Immortal Huanglong also sighed. "I wonder if there will come a day when Junior Brother Gongming and I must face each other in battle."

"Why don't we proactively avoid the conflict?" Zhao Gongming suggested. "If both you and I are drawn into this tribulation, how many from our two sects would avoid being entangled in its fate? In such a scenario, the casualties would undoubtedly be incalculable."

"Indeed," Immortal Huanglong mused.

Immortal Taiyi chuckled, "We needn't be too pessimistic, not when Chang Geng is here, right?"

Li Changshou: ... Was this intended to praise him to death? No, that wasn't right. This great Yin-Yang Master still didn't grasp the true power of the Great Tribulation.

Li Changshou, however, stated, "I can't do too much; I can only do my best to protect the beloved disciples of the two Senior Uncles within my capabilities. I'll let you all in on a secret: even Grandmaster can no longer prevent the Great Tribulation from descending."

Their expressions instantly grew much more solemn.

Yun Xiao softly asked, "Were any names finally signed on the Investiture of the Gods List?"

"No," Li Changshou shook his head. "It's still blank. Once a name is on the list, it becomes entangled in tribulation's fate, so the two Senior Uncles naturally didn't want to sign it. The two Saints of the Western Church, however, did want to sign, but His Majesty the Jade Emperor prevented them. After all, the Western Church always creates difficulties for the Heavenly Court, and the Jade Emperor doesn't wish to employ such cunning and scheming subjects."

These words were a very clear hint.

Immortal Taiyi mumbled, "Then if we join the Heavenly Court beforehand, wouldn't we avoid the Investiture of the Gods List?"

At his words, the Daoist masters once again fell into deep thought, and then their gazes collectively settled on Li Changshou.

Zhao Gongming exclaimed, "Little Brother, you are truly... profound and far-sighted, with flawless calculations."

Li Changshou offered a calm smile, everything conveyed without words.

He couldn't very well explain that he had started worrying about the Investiture of the Gods tribulation only a few years into his cultivation; such words couldn't be spoken directly even to Yun Xiao or Ling'e. It wasn't that he feared exposing his origins, as he had already gained the Heavenly Dao's approval, but simply that he didn't want them to feel uncomfortable or strange.

Immortal Taiyi's lips twitched slightly. "Surely no one genuinely believes that our Senior Grand-Uncle couldn't foresee this tribulation? Right?"

The Taiji Diagram on the beam suddenly trembled, causing Immortal Taiyi's Dao body to stiffen instantly, his hair standing on end. He sat motionless, not daring to stir.

Li Changshou smiled calmly and steered the conversation towards how to avoid this Great Tribulation. Immortal Taiyi's mouth could indeed trigger a Daoist bloodbath. *'Hmm, later when I visit the Tushita Palace, I should ask Lord Lao to refine a few more "gag balls," especially for Taiyi.'*

After half a day of casual conversation,

The three Chan School immortals departed, and Zhao Gongming of Jie School also left on a pretext.

Seeing Yun Xiao appear as though she had something to say but hesitated, Li Changshou took the initiative and said,

"Would you mind staying to keep me company for a bit longer? Grandmaster has placed such a heavy burden directly upon me; I've been feeling quite overwhelmed recently."

Immortal Yun Xiao nodded gently, her gaze lingering.

After Zhao Gongming left, Li Changshou subtly winked at Yun Xiao and pointed downwards. Yun Xiao responded with a rather helpless hum.

So, Li Changshou invited Yun Xiao for a walk in the mortal city. Yun Xiao agreed, and they left the Sea God Temple, stepping into the bustling streets and alleys.

They walked through several alleys and past tea houses and taverns. Throughout their stroll, Li Changshou initiated the conversation, while Immortal Yun Xiao listened quietly, occasionally noting the masterpieces of mortal craftsmen.

A gentle breeze swept by, and at an alley entrance, their figures suddenly dissolved into two wisps of cloud, leaving the few Jie School disciples who had been secretly following them from an earthen burrow staring at each other in confusion.

Duobao Daoist wondered, "Was that illusion just now created by Junior Sister Yun Xiao? Truly masterful."

"From the Dao韵, it wasn't my sister," Qiong Xiao mumbled. "You've watched for so long, Senior Brother, you should be at ease by now. Can't my sister and brother-in-law have some time alone?"

"Precisely!" Immortal Bixiao chimed in. "Senior Brother, are you worried about our sister, or do you not trust our brother-in-law?"

Saint Mother Jin Ling also added, "It's not appropriate for us to keep following them. Let's go back. Junior Sister Yun Xiao can certainly handle this matter herself."

"No," Duobao Daoist said, a mix of exasperation and amusement on his face. "Weren't you three the ones who insisted on following them just now? Qiong Xiao and Bixiao are one thing; they've been mischievous since ancient times. But even the usually upright Junior Sister Jin Ling!"

"Alright, fine," Duobao Daoist said, waving his hand. "Let's head back to the island and figure out how to restrain our fellow disciples and avoid the Great Tribulation. Alas, who knows how many will perish this time. In ancient times, the Lich War was quite a spectacle, but now it's our turn."

Qiong Xiao chuckled, "Senior Brother, don't worry. Putting everything else aside, how many senior and junior brothers from Chan School can truly contend with us?"

"That's true," Duobao sighed softly, "but we still cannot relax our vigilance. After all, a great tribulation is a great tribulation, and not to be trifled with." Duobao sighed softly, driving the earthen burrow further and further away.

On a hidden beach along the South Sea coast,

Two figures strolled side by side beneath the trees. Yun Xiao spoke of a significant treasure in the Chaos Sea, prompting Li Changshou to ponder deeply. *'What exactly does Uncle Tongtian mean by this?'* he wondered. *'Why ask me to temporarily leave the Great Desolation? Does he want to win me over with a treasure? Do I even need winning over? I'm already somewhat inclined toward Jie School, and even with more persuasion, I wouldn't dare forcefully alter the Great Tribulation. Uncle Tongtian's actions must hold a deeper meaning. It couldn't possibly be to arrange a romantic trip for me and Yun Xiao to deepen our relationship, much less to set us up to 'turn raw rice into sticky rice dumplings.' How could Yun Yun be so proactive? There's only one truth: Jie School is planning something big, and they want me to steer clear for a while!'*

*'So, what exactly does Uncle Tongtian intend to do? Has he changed his tactical approach, planning to leverage Jie School's full strength, gather all his disciples, and wielding the Four Immortal Slaying Swords, simply push straight through Spirit Mountain and suppress Jade Void, without any reservations?'* Li Changshou inhaled sharply. *'That's actually quite possible.'*

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, initially intending to ask for more details. However, he noticed Yun Xiao's cheeks faintly flushed, her delicate face showing a hint of anticipation, and her thin lips occasionally pursed then relaxed. He couldn't help but gaze at her a few more times.

Yun Xiao's gaze shifted sideways, and she softly asked, "Why are you looking at me? You haven't said if you'll come along yet."

"Well..." Suddenly, a gentle breeze brushed his face, his Dao heart stirred with a faint Taiqing Dao rhythm, his spiritual platform trembled, and his primordial spirit quivered. A significant word was about to coalesce... "Yes, of course I'll go!" Li Changshou quickly exclaimed, agreeing to her unspoken question, and the Taiqing Dao rhythm in his heart receded like a tide.

Yun Xiao blinked softly and whispered, "Truly?"

"Absolutely!" Li Changshou chuckled. "You and I should make some preparations. The Chaos Sea is inexplicably dangerous, so we must not be caught off guard. Let's set a date for our departure. When are you free?"

"I am, I am..." For some reason, she suddenly became flustered and softly said, "I'm free."

Li Changshou's eyes twinkled with starlight, and he chuckled, "Then let's meet in half a month at the End of the World in the East Sea. How does that sound?"

"Alright," Yun Xiao said. She gently bit her lip and whispered, "What kind of attire would you like to see me wear? And what sort of hair ornaments?"

Li Changshou slowly replied, "Naturally, every kind." *A standard answer, a classic move.*

"Tease," Yun Xiao lightly chided, and her figure transformed into a wisp of smoke, rapidly dissipating. Li Changshou's paper effigy was left behind, scratching its head and grinning foolishly.

The paper effigy burrowed into the ground, returning to the underground paper effigy storage in Anshui City.

Li Changshou's true body opened his eyes beside the spiritual lake on Little Qiong Peak, his brows tightly furrowed as he fell into deep thought.

There were two major issues here.

First, what exactly was Jie School's grand plan? Second, how could safety be guaranteed when venturing into the Chaos Sea?

Master had just given him instructions to go to the Chaos Sea, which implied Master's tacit approval of Jie School's current grand scheme, and that the treasure would indeed benefit him. Should he simply ignore Jie School like this? Should he temporarily withdraw?

Li Changshou fell into deep thought. Just as he considered going to his secret chamber to pay respects to his Master's portrait, he felt a slight ripple on the lake's surface. The Xuanhuang Pagoda, the foremost communication spiritual treasure in the Great Desolation, and the truly powerful Qiankun Ruler, slowly emerged from the water.

Master hadn't given him the Taiji Diagram, suggesting his path ahead wouldn't be overly troublesome. Although the Chaos Sea was perilous, the portion near the Great Desolation was generally stable due to its influence, and with the deterrence of the Six Saints, powerful gods and demons had retreated. Yun Xiao's Dao realm was already exceptionally profound, and he himself had recently made a breakthrough. Even if they encountered formidable creatures like Kunpeng together, they could safely retreat with the Xuanhuang Pagoda's protection. Still, it wasn't entirely foolproof.

Li Changshou quickly made a decision. He glanced at Ling'e, who was cultivating nearby, and just as he was about to wake her, the lake surface before him rippled again. The Lidi Flame Light Banner reappeared, directly enveloping Ling'e. "Thank you, Master!"

Li Changshou closed his eyes and began controlling his paper effigies to move around. First, he sought leave from the Jade Emperor, stating his desire to explore the Chaos Sea for treasures during the calm before the Great Tribulation. The Jade Emperor naturally granted his request, even specifically cautioning Li Changshou to make ample preparations, as anything was possible in the Chaos Sea, which was rife with various risks: cosmic tremors, remnants of heaven and earth, descendants of primordial gods and demons, and so on. Li Changshou solemnly agreed, prioritizing safety for this excursion.

Outside of heaven and earth, divine authority became merely ornamental. Beyond the Heavenly Dao's influence, merit and fortune lost their efficacy. Everything relied solely on personal strength!

Therefore, Li Changshou prepared hundreds of bottles of spiritual pills, nearly eighty percent of his entire stock! He also brought along various small gadgets he had devised, not leaving a single trump card behind. He visited Tushita Palace to retrieve the Small God-Slaying Spear, which Lord Lao had re-refined to a new, higher level, and while there, he also asked Lord Lao to refine armor for Lingli, a spear for Yang Jian, and "gag balls" for Immortal Taiyi. He glanced at the stone tablet given to him by Dao Ancestor Hongjun and decided to bring it along as well. It contained the method for "slaying three corpses," a technique he was still a few steps away from truly mastering. After much deliberation, Li Changshou also decided to bring the remaining six drops of Ancestral Witch essence blood with him. Previously, he had given Yang Jian one drop of Gonggong's essence blood and used half a drop of Houtu's essence blood for Lingli, while Li Changshou himself had assimilated one drop of Gonggong's essence blood and half a drop of Houtu's essence blood, making his Dao body slightly stronger. And most crucially, there was...

Half a month later, at the End of the World. Immortal Yun Xiao, meticulously dressed, was hidden within a thin mist. She had truly never before spent nearly half a month on anything outside of cultivation. Although possessing an inherently pristine Dao body, she had specifically taken a flower petal bath, carefully chosen a jade hairpin, and styled her hair simply yet elegantly. Her specially refined long dress subtly transitioned from light blue at the bottom to pure white at the top, and the cloud embroidery on the waistband was flawlessly stitched. She had arrived two days early, concealing her presence, and waited quietly. No passing immortals could perceive her divine ability. There was still half a day until the appointed time; this was, of course, the precise moment Li Changshou had set as the 'half-month period.' Immortal Yun Xiao thought of her two younger sisters' rather unreserved comments before she left, and of Saint Mother Jin Ling pulling her aside for some whispered instructions, and she couldn't help but become a little lost in thought. She truly... Hmm? His aura? He was already nearby. Immortal Yun Xiao's spirit stirred, and she quickly looked up, only to see a tall, slender figure slowly coalescing from green smoke in front of the 'End of the World' stone tablet. It was, naturally, Li Changshou himself.

Her heart swelled with joy, and her eyes brightened. She was about to release her divine ability and appear before him. However, the green smoke did not disperse; instead, it coalesced into two more figures...

"Master, Golden Roc will now transform into his true form." "Water God, are you certain that Immortal Yun Xiao invited you to the Chaos Sea this time for treasure hunting or something else?" Li Changshou nodded calmly and sighed, "I don't know either, but now I'll have to rely on Golden Roc and Mr. Bai." The Golden-Winged Great Roc and Bai Ze both agreed. The former immediately transformed into his true Golden Roc form, flying back and forth in the air to maintain vigilance. Bai Ze also transformed into his auspicious beast form, rapidly shrinking to the size of a domestic cat. Li Changshou felt quite satisfied with this arrangement. In the Chaos Sea, where the five elements were indistinguishable, his evasion techniques would be limited, so a fast mount was exceptionally important. Golden Roc was the optimal choice; if they encountered Kunpeng, they might even be able to challenge him to a race. Mr. Bai's divine ability was also quite formidable, and Bai Ze himself confirmed that his abilities were applicable in the Chaos Sea, which greatly reassured Li Changshou. The danger warning system was in place; mobility in the Chaos Sea was assured. Now, all that remained was for Immortal Yun Xiao to arrive, and their thrilling adventure in the Chaos Sea could begin! As a man, it was his duty to care for his female companion, especially when venturing into such perilous environments. A calm and steady smile spread across Li Changshou's lips, while Yun Xiao, hidden nearby, couldn't help but press a slender hand to her forehead, unsure whether to reveal herself and agree to this unexpected turn of events.