Chapter 543: Wanderer's 'Year' Record

"Lord Water God, is Kunpeng truly not dead?"

"A mere speculation, just a speculation," Li Changshou chuckled. "Rather than believing Demon Master Kunpeng was so easily slain by us, I'm more inclined to assume he's still alive. It's always safer to be a little more vigilant."

"But..."

Bai Ze hesitated, a wry smile on his face. He glanced into the depths of the Chaos Sea, then finally lowered his head with a sigh. *It's probably best to avoid the Chaos Sea in the future. Being an auspicious beast in the Primordial World is quite pleasant.*

Bai Ze then transformed into the size of an orange cat, gracefully leaping back onto Golden Peng's head. However, unlike the proud, chest-out 'navigator' he had been on their arrival, he now looked utterly dejected, burdened by deep worries.

Li Changshou blinked, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face. Fairy Yun Xiao sent him a mental message: "Are you intentionally frightening Mr. Bai?"

"It seems I can't hide anything from you." Li Changshou exchanged a glance with Yun Xiao, his eyes full of admiration, and transmitted: "The more experienced and capable a strategist like Mr. Bai is, the more inherent pride and lofty ambitions they possess. Moreover, Mr. Bai's divine ability to avoid misfortune, granted by the Heavenly Dao, makes him prone to relying on it and consequently misjudging certain situations.

By creating a crisis for Mr. Bai—one that his misfortune-avoiding ability cannot detect—he will naturally become more prudent. Mr. Bai currently manages a covert branch of power for the Heavenly Court, and any significant error could easily lead to a complete loss of the Heavenly Court's reputation. Furthermore, while the possibility of Kunpeng faking his death to escape is real and certainly a point of suspicion, it remains, ultimately, just a speculation. If that were truly the case, Kunpeng would simply be seeking to evade the saints' pursuit."

Yun Xiao looked thoughtful and quietly asked, "Since you're so skilled at orchestrating things for others, are you also constantly planning when you're with me?"

"Why would I need to plan anything with you?" Li Changshou chuckled. "Actually, there *is* planning involved—planning for our future, and how to safely navigate this impending great tribulation."

Her eyes immediately crinkled in a smile, a flush appearing on her pristine skin. Her pure, beautiful face was truly picturesque.

Li Changshou extended his right hand. Yun Xiao paused briefly. "What is it?"

"Let's complete the step," Li Changshou stated seriously. "Even romance requires a proper sequence. According to human custom, the first step should be holding hands."

Seeing Li Changshou's earnest expression, Yun Xiao didn't think much of it and was about to place her left hand on his. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, she instinctively withdrew her slender hand, her brow slightly furrowed, her lips gently pursed, and a hint of amusement in her eyes. She couldn't shake the feeling she was being outmaneuvered.

Li Changshou, with a noble air, declared, "Surely, Fellow Daoist doesn't think I'm taking advantage of you?"

"Of course not..." Yun Xiao quickly interjected, holding her breath as her slender finger touched Li Changshou's palm.

Li Changshou smiled calmly, then lightly tapped her palm with his backhand. In a flash, he caught her tender hand as she tried to pull it away, giving it a gentle squeeze, which made her earlobes flush crimson with embarrassment. She had, indeed, fallen for his trick.

To the side, Golden Peng secretly whispered to a worried-looking Bai Ze, "My master is truly formidable."

"Don't just imitate anything," Bai Ze replied glumly, whispering back. "Don't go randomly approaching Heavenly Court fairies with a righteous face and asking them to extend their hands. Lord Water God and Fairy Yun Xiao are perfectly suited and their timing is just right."

Golden Peng quickly clarified, "Mr. Bai, please don't misunderstand; I have no interest in women."

Bai Ze frowned, sensing something was amiss, and quietly added a layer of immortal power beneath his four hooves.

Bai Ze then turned and glanced into the depths of the Chaos Sea... *Immense danger. If that old Kunpeng truly faked his death to escape, he might be plotting some grand scheme.*

*From now on, I should honestly remain within the Heavenly Dao's domain, dedicating myself to the Dao Sect and serving the Heavenly Court, clinging firmly to Lord Water God's influence. Let those old-timers mock all they want. What could possibly be more important than life itself?*

Bai Ze sighed and zoned out for a moment. It wasn't until he heard music playing behind them that he realized Lord Water God had another trick.

Li Changshou asked, "Since we still have a few days before our return, would you like to play the zither together?"

"I've always focused on cultivation; I'm not proficient in such arts."

"I can teach you."

Li Changshou took out an ancient zither, placing half of it on his lap and leaving the other half to the side. Yun Xiao understood, shifted her body closer to Li Changshou, brought her slender feet together, and leaned slightly, perfectly supporting the zither while imperceptibly drawing closer to him.

Li Changshou pressed the strings with his fingertips, guiding Yun Xiao as she plucked them from the side. Though the music was intermittent, under Li Changshou's control, it remained pleasing to the ear. Soon, Yun Xiao became captivated and began playing with enthusiasm. When she looked up and exchanged smiles with Li Changshou, they were unconsciously shoulder to shoulder, their skin nearly touching, their immortal energies gently intertwining.

Li Changshou glanced at the additional props he had prepared in his treasure pouch... Reflecting on their journey to the Chaos Sea, Li Changshou largely deduced Uncle Master Tongtian's intentions.

*He deliberately schemed against Kunpeng, making sure Yun Xiao and I endured a 'hard battle' to create precious shared memories. But to deepen affection, why must one go to the Chaos Sea, or arrange such combative shared experiences?*

*True affection lies in simplicity, and true love blossoms over time. The 'passion' ignited during a crisis can easily be worn away by the monotony of everyday life, leading only to a steady decline in the relationship.*

*In the long, boundless journey of cultivation, when recalling their time together, would the clashing of blades and shadows feel more intimate, or would playing the zither, strolling, chatting, and playful teasing evoke more warmth?*

*When it comes to romance, high cultivation realms and profound powers are merely for amusement.*

Inside Biyou Palace, on the white jade steps, Sect Master Tongtian exclaimed, "A true master!" In the small temple of Taiqing Monastery, Saint Taiqing wore a faint smile, his fingers lightly tapping.

Li Changshou, who was playing the zither with Yun Xiao, suddenly felt a stir in his heart. He glanced at Kunpeng's jade thumb ring, which he had stored in his treasure pouch, and when his immortal sense probed it, he was momentarily taken aback.

Senior Lang's relic was enveloped in a ball of yin-yang energy, sealing it from external detection. This was clearly his master's doing... *What deeper meaning could this hold?*

Li Changshou multitasked, pondering why his master would seal the book, while continuing his formal yet intimate interactions with Yun Xiao.

A wisp of dark hair swayed gently before him, carrying a faint fragrance that brought Li Changshou a sense of comfort.

As they approached the Primordial World, Li Changshou took another cautious step. He consulted with Bai Ze for a while, then took out one of his paper effigies and placed Kunpeng's jade thumb ring within its fold.

Li Changshou and Bai Ze spent half a day meticulously sealing the paper effigy layer by layer, ensuring it would not be eroded by the chaotic aura. They then pushed it into the Chaos Sea. This way, it would neither attract undue attention from the Heavenly Dao nor leave them vulnerable to any other potential schemes from Kunpeng.

Li Changshou said, "To guard against the possibility of Kunpeng faking his death to escape, when we return to the Primordial World, remember not to speak much of this journey, nor should we boast about it. The incident itself is quite peculiar. If Kunpeng truly orchestrated such a plan, our discretion will naturally cause his scheme to unravel. If he had no such design and truly died by our hands, then we have eliminated a great menace to the Primordial World, allowing his story to quietly fade into the river of time."

Golden Peng and Bai Ze bowed their heads in acknowledgement. Fairy Yun Xiao's eyes sparkled with a hint of brilliance as she gazed at Li Changshou's profile, seemingly in a very pleasant mood. She then turned her head, smiling, to look at the faintly visible Heavenly Dao barrier.

"Oh, and," Li Changshou chuckled softly beside her, "Yun Xiao, remember to report this to Uncle Master Tongtian as well."

Yun Xiao immediately looked thoughtful.

In Biyou Palace, a certain Saint Lord's figure vanished in a flash. Before Daoist Duobao could even react, the three peerless immortal swords had disappeared into thin air. "I'm off to the Chaos Sea to search for the sect's treasures. Remember to receive Yun Xiao when she arrives." Duobao immediately pulled a long face, sinking onto his meditation cushion with a faint sigh.

The paper effigy, which remained in the Chaos Sea with Kunpeng's jade thumb ring, actually served another purpose. A wisp of immortal consciousness emerged from the effigy, penetrated Kunpeng's jade thumb ring, and condensed into a phantom of Li Changshou. This phantom sat cross-legged before the 'iron-ring notebook,' carefully sensing the two masses of yin-yang energy.

Li Changshou quickly understood that Grand Pure Master's intervention wasn't to prevent him from reading the contents. On the contrary, Grand Pure Master had used a supreme profound method to isolate Senior Lang's relic from the heavens and earth, allowing Li Changshou to freely bring it back to the Primordial World without concern for Heavenly Dao surveillance.

Li Changshou hesitated repeatedly over Senior Lang's relic... He thought it over, pondering carefully.

*Even if I gained too much information, even if I understood the so-called truth, what could it change now? Time cannot be reversed; the ancient era is past. Senior Lang has already lost. My desire to open this notebook now, ultimately, stems purely from curiosity. Curiosity about Senior Lang.*

*Could I bear the cost of momentary curiosity?* Li Changshou considered it deeply, his thoughts becoming incredibly complex, but ultimately, he extended his palm. *Just to see. Mainly as a warning for myself!*

His immortal sense transformed into streams of light, immersing themselves in the yin-yang energy mass. The information from the notebook quickly surfaced in Li Changshou's mind.

For a sense of ceremony, Li Changshou specifically 'copied' the entire notebook, forming a book within his mind. His nascent spirit then held this book in its miniature hands and slowly opened it.

*Here it comes! Here it comes! The ancient secrets, the primordial anecdotes, the Dao Ancestor's lies, the truth of heaven and earth! All revealed... within...*

Year One: The Primordial World is truly wonderful. I woke up here after the creation of heaven and earth, and this body's cultivation is already so high — excellent. The second consciousness I cultivated is also complete. From now on, I should make it a habit to write a yearly record every century, to remind myself of important events.

Second: Nuwa, this little girl, is in her rebellious phase. What's this called? Witnessing her own ancestor creating humans from clay?

Third: Hongjun is indeed formidable. Without a few tricks, I genuinely can't beat him at fishing.

Fourth: The Heavenly Dao is becoming increasingly perfected. I can feel the rules and order of the world becoming much clearer. Good, Brother Pangu's last wish can be realized sooner.

Fifth: A hundred years of nothing, playing cards.

Sixth: A thousand years of nothing, playing cards.

Twenty-seventh: Hongjun wants to unite all beings into a 'Saint Race' to curb the increasingly rampant Witch Clan. Indeed, they need to be restrained. The biodiversity that the Primordial World painstakingly fostered since ancient times is almost being devoured by the Witch Clan! They're the Demon Clan, not a 'Saint Race' — that's just putting on airs.

Twenty-eighth: Xihe is truly beautiful; Di Jun certainly got lucky with her. If I weren't worried about affecting minor stories like Hou Yi shooting the sun, would Xihe really have fallen into your hands? This poor Daoist's damn irresistible charm, tsk, should I find a companion?

Never mind. I'll wait for humanity; it would be better if my future descendants were human.

Twenty-ninth: Nothing happened for the past three millennia, playing cards.

Forty-second: Hongjun's Dao lectures aren't impressive at all. I thought he had deeper insights. This is all he has? Back then, under the bridge, I could listen to three segments for one yuan and still get seventy cents back! Hongjun's thinking is simply flawed, riddled with old habits, and hasn't progressed one bit since ancient times.

One hundred nine: Humanity has been born, and Nuwa, that girl, has finally become a saint. She has some of my former glory. Becoming a Heavenly Dao Saint means being destined not to transcend, but my continuous accumulation isn't bad either. The Three Pure Ones are about to become saints; Grand Pure has some real insight, being able to deduce the primordial evolution of the Grand Dao even after the Heavenly Dao itself. Tongtian's fiery temper needs to be curbed, or he'll definitely suffer losses later.

One hundred sixty-two: Xihe is truly beautiful. Those delightful three days and three nights — Di Jun certainly got lucky.

One hundred sixty-three: The Demon and Witch clans have begun to clash. Those Ancestor Witches of the Witch Clan are truly obstinate, foolishly claiming that they were the ones who invaded the Moon Palace yesterday, and several of them at once. When it was clearly just me! If Di Jun isn't panicking, who is? I should probably end things with Xihe; she's in a difficult spot. This poor Daoist's brief, centuries-long relationship... *Sigh*, I knew I should have acted first instead of worrying about the aftermath. Frustrated. Time to find someone to play cards with.

Three hundred seventy-two: These damned demon creatures have indeed begun refining artifacts to counter the Witch Clan, and humanity is about to suffer. I can't intervene this time; humanity must survive this ordeal to become the true protagonists of heaven and earth. I'll secretly protect a portion of them and send them to settle in the Three Thousand Worlds. After all these years, my Dao heart still can't harden like iron.

Three hundred seventy-three: I've taken in a good disciple, who should be the future Fairy Heng'e. That fellow Hou Yi seems to have been a Grand Witch for a while now, and he appears to be married. So, will that story not happen after all? *Sigh*, my mentality is old, so old. Even after discovering the future Heng'e, I couldn't entertain any personal thoughts and could only take her as a disciple. From now on, if anyone dares to harbor intentions for my precious disciple, I'll break their legs. They *must* have their legs broken.

Three hundred eighty-two: Nothing recently, playing cards.

Three hundred eighty-three: Why?

Three hundred eighty-four: This isn't right.

Three eighty-five: It's wrong, all wrong. It shouldn't be like this; I made a mistake.

Three eighty-six: No, Hongjun is the one who's wrong! That old man is full of wicked schemes! I must do something now.

Three eighty-seven...

The content abruptly ceased. The last page of the notebook was torn in half, revealing the intricate structure within the thin paper. *Wrong? What's wrong?* Li Changshou's nascent spirit shattered the notebook in its hands and fell into deep thought.

The notebook's contents were mostly about playing cards, but also contained many ancient anecdotes, including records of famous historical events and, of course, Senior Lang's romantic escapades. Only Senior Lang would dare to poach the Demon Emperor's paramour. What left Li Changshou utterly speechless was that he had indeed found...

This notebook was bound with iron rings, and who knew how much more content lay beyond, with the most cautionary information for him located later in the book. *Fine, I thought opening this notebook would give me some useful information, at least Senior Lang's name or who he was in ancient times.*

But after Li Changshou finished reading, he could only laugh wryly... *Who would casually write "I, so-and-so" in a 'diary'? Such a diary wouldn't be very proper.*

Li Changshou mused for a few moments, having gained no valuable information, his expectations largely unmet. *Never mind, further investigation is pointless.*

Li Changshou collected himself and began the second phase of their interaction with Yun Xiao, following their zither playing: painting together.

Hand-in-hand teaching, one-on-one guidance — he aimed to maximize his artistic advantages!

Bai Ze returned to the Three Thousand Worlds midway, departing with a dazed expression, deeply sunken eyes, and a thoughtful gaze—clear early symptoms of persecution paranoia. Li Changshou felt a twinge of reluctance, but to cultivate Bai Ze, he had to harden his heart.

He parted ways with the fairy in the East Sea, having escorted her back to the Three Immortal Islands. As they separated, their reluctance was palpable, like water and clouds, their gazes lingering. Li Changshou made a Daoist bow, and Yun Xiao offered a slight curtsy before the thousand-mile expanse of clouds. After a final shared glance, they both turned and departed.

*Ah... Satisfying.*

Li Changshou's figure vanished into the East Sea, concealing his tracks as he returned to the Immortal Du Sect.

Golden Peng had already returned to Tai Bai Palace in the Heavenly Court. He was the one who gained the most from this trip, having personally slain the Phoenix clan rebel. This filled Golden Peng with an increasingly profound sense of gratitude, making him eager to do something for his master, yet he was unsure where to begin.

*Regarding reputation, his master was now revered by all immortals in the Heavenly Court. As for strength, his master had directly confronted Demon Master Kunpeng in front of him, Mr. Bai Ze, and Fairy Yun Xiao, using the Great Dao of Balance to counter the immense speed between them – a feat Golden Peng could no longer fully comprehend. And treasures? Needless to say, several of the Human Sect's supreme treasures were practically universal, and the elusive Heart-Piercing Lock, which had outmaneuvered Kunpeng, was incredibly sharp...*

*'If I wish to express my gratitude to Master, what gift should I offer him?'* In Tai Bai Palace, Golden Peng fell into deep contemplation.

Meanwhile, back on Little Qiong Peak, Ling'e remained in her state of enlightenment. Li Changshou, who had intended to chat with her for a while, had to suppress his urge to confide. He meditated in his usual spot and returned the Flame Light Banner and Qiankun Ruler, as if he had never left.

Another half-month passed in this manner. Immortal light shimmered around Ling'e, and spiritual energy surged like a tide. Her minor cultivation realm had steadily improved, and she opened her eyes to look at her senior brother.

In the first instant, Ling'e was overjoyed; her cultivation had broken through, bringing her a small step closer to the longevity realm, though she was still far from it. But in the next instant, Ling'e blinked. "Senior brother, why are your clothes a bit more wrinkled?"

Li Changshou chuckled, "Perhaps I sat for too long."

*Sniff, sniff, sniff...* Ling'e sighed faintly, her eyes losing their sparkle. She turned to look at the surrounding plants, murmuring softly, "You smell like Sister Yun Xiao."

Li Changshou was startled. Before returning, he had clearly used the Samadhi True Flame to burn away his aura several times!

Ling'e's mouth flattened, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at her senior brother, full of grievance. "Th-this," Li Changshou felt a vivid sense of danger. He busied himself under the tree, taking a long time to explain before finally managing to appease his junior sister. Well, his joy had turned to sorrow. But since he was clearly in the wrong this time, Li Changshou didn't try to argue forcefully.

So, a moment later: Ling'e, hands on her slender waist, lightly scoffed at Li Changshou: "Senior brother, you are so imprudent. It's one thing to go, but then you tried to hide the truth and deceive your junior sister! The 'Steadiness Sutra' three... three hundred times!"

"Alright, alright," Li Changshou casually summoned a stone tablet. "Activating Senior Brother's Command: half for each of us."

Ling'e quickly darted aside. "Senior Brother's Command is useless! I won't do it!"

Li Changshou splayed his fingers, and with a small gasp, Ling'e was pulled through the air to his side, where he placed a stone tablet in her arms. Ling'e, uncharacteristically stubborn, resisted fiercely, and the two of them playfully bickered beneath the tree.

It wasn't until Ling'e fled, with steam practically rising from her head, that Li Changshou, beneath the tree, found himself utterly speechless. *And it was just an unintentional hand-holding...*

Raising a hand to sniff his own nose, Li Changshou, with a warm smile in his eyes, sat beneath the tree, looking at the stone tablet before him. He lowered his head and began carving the 'Steadiness Sutra,' quietly contemplating various matters.

Was Kunpeng truly as he had speculated? Why did Senior Lang fall out with Dao Ancestor Hongjun? Would there be new variables in the Investiture of the Gods tribulation?

From this point forward, by closely monitoring the development of the Shang tribe, he could accurately foresee the precise moment the great tribulation would descend. Before then...

Suddenly, urgent bell chimes echoed through the mountains, and streaks of light flew from the various peaks of the Immortal Du Sect, soaring towards the Immortal Du Hall. *What urgent matter could this be?*

A wisp of his immortal consciousness followed, effortlessly probing into the Immortal Du Hall's formation, where it quietly waited. But before Sect Master Ji Wuyou could appear, a call resonated in his heart... "Brother Cult Master, I'm about to undergo my Golden Immortal tribulation!"

Li Changshou's spirit jolted. Ao Yi!