Chapter 548: Society My Shou Ge

When exactly was the Immortal Ascension Gate exposed?

On Empty Mountain Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou stood quietly by the lake, gazing towards Broken Sky Peak. Faint cries drifted through the air, and his heart felt strangely serene.

It likely wasn't a single, direct exposure.

Perhaps it was Bai Ze, Uncle Gongming, and the Immortal Maidens of Three Immortals Island frequently coming and going;

Perhaps it was Kṣitigarbha, who once tricked the demon tribe into besieging Human Sect immortal sects, and then appeared himself at the Immortal Ascension Gate;

Or perhaps it was the divine beast Di Ting, who habitually feigned ignorance while knowing the truth, who revealed the truth to the Western Sect.

Of course, there are two greater possibilities: direct intervention from a Saint, or the opposing side making a general inference from a series of events.

Is Maitreya directly declaring war on the Human Sect?

No, it's not that simple.

The nature of this incident is already extremely egregious. If I were to capitalize on it, it would generate too many negative repercussions.

But, can I just let it go?

His Immortal Ascension Gate lost a sect master; although the remnant soul was preserved, the losses were still severe.

Maitreya truly presented him with a dilemma, and no matter how he analyzed it, the outcome would be one he didn't wish to see.

Things turn when they reach an extreme; sometimes, when people reach one extreme, they inevitably swing to the other...

“Senior Brother,” Ling’e’s voice called from behind him.

Li Changshou acknowledged her, putting the dharma treasure that nourished spiritual essence into his embrace.

Ling’e quickly walked forward, took Li Changshou’s arm, and whispered, “Punish me.”

“Punish you for what?”

“It’s all… all been exposed.”

Li Changshou raised his hand and patted Ling’e’s head, saying gently, “You played the biggest role in minimizing the Immortal Ascension Gate’s losses this time.

It's mainly my fault; once my paper effigy divine ability was broken, I had no means to retaliate.”

“No, Senior Brother.”

Ling’e gently bit her lip, resting her forehead on Li Changshou’s shoulder and rubbing against it.

“Don't feel guilty. Senior Brother, you taught me not to feel guilty just because villains do evil deeds and we couldn’t stop them in time. The evildoers are always those villains.”

Li Changshou chuckled, “Now you’re comforting me. Go get ready; I'll be taking you to meet many people soon.”

Ling’e blinked, a little confused.

Suddenly, lightning flashed in the sky, and a large expanse of dark clouds approached from the southeast.

The immortals of the Immortal Ascension Gate immediately ascended into the air. Having been mourning their sect master and the fallen fellow disciples, their eyes were now filled with anger and vigilance.

Li Changshou’s voice, however, resounded everywhere:

“Fellow disciples, there’s no need to panic. I have dispatched five thousand Heavenly Soldiers to guard the mountain gate and help it through this period.”

The immortals within the gate breathed a sigh of relief, then each bowed towards Little Qiong Peak.

Though sadness pervaded the air, another piece of news was equally shocking.

Li Changshou of Little Qiong Peak – a disciple, no, an immortal of the Immortal Ascension Gate – who kept a low profile, only gaining occasional renown for interesting anecdotes, and remaining silent most of the time…

He was, in fact, the third most influential figure in the Human Sect, the second disciple of the Human Sect Master, and the renowned Grand White Star Lord of the Heavenly Courts!

As these identity labels were progressively exposed, the ‘walls’ built around Li Changshou became incredibly thick, making these fellow immortals dare not approach him.

The dark clouds arrived, and figures descended rapidly. Squads of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals took up positions guarding the Immortal Ascension Gate from all directions. Ao Yi, who led these troops, hurried with a solemn expression to the periphery of Little Qiong Peak.

“Sect Master Brother, the five thousand troops have arrived!”

“Mm,” Li Changshou nodded, standing with his hands behind his back by the lake, gesturing for Ao Yi to wait nearby.

Just then, a white cloud drifted from the south, and Perfected Yu Ding and Perfected Tai Yi arrived together. They had just received news of the Immortal Ascension Gate’s attack and had rushed here to investigate the situation.

Li Changshou sighed, but still gathered himself to exchange greetings with his two senior brothers.

Perfected Tai Yi immediately asked, “What’s going on? Is the Western Sect causing trouble again?”

“Those who launched the surprise attack here were all immortals from the Jie Sect,” Li Changshou murmured, causing Perfected Tai Yi to frown deeply.

Li Changshou’s relationship with the Jie Sect, while not common knowledge to everyone, wasn’t hidden from anyone either.

No one would believe that Jie Sect immortals would launch a sneak attack on Li Changshou’s original ‘old sect’.

Either there was a traitor within the Jie Sect, or someone was deliberately instigating conflict.

Seeing that Tai Yi and Yu Ding were about to ask questions, Li Changshou said, “Let’s not discuss this much for now. We should wait for a reply from the Jie Sect.”

Tai Yi and Yu Ding exchanged glances, naturally discerning Li Changshou’s extremely foul mood. They immediately stopped talking and waited silently beside him.

Not long after, with a resounding cry, the Golden-Winged Great Peng arrived, and seven or eight figures dismounted from its back.

Leading them was Saintess Jin Ling, followed by Zhao Gongming, Saintess Gui Ling, Great Immortal Wu Yun, Saintess Huo Ling, Heavenly Lord Qin, and a pair of master and disciple.

As soon as she landed, Saintess Jin Ling quickly stepped forward and said to Li Changshou, “Chang Geng, don’t worry. My Jie Sect would never do such a thing. Someone must be plotting behind the scenes.”

Zhao Gongming said, “A plot is definitely involved, but who is behind it? Someone must be unhappy with our deep friendship with Chang Geng.”

Li Changshou slowly sighed and said, “Almost everyone is here. I’ll state my perspective.

The Jie Sect immortals who attacked the Immortal Ascension Gate today all had their spiritual essences tampered with, but we have no proof, and we can’t determine who exactly was responsible.

Furthermore, before the Immortal Ascension Gate was attacked, I was intentionally lured far away. The one who drew me away was a Primordial Fierce Beast raised by the Western Sect.”

Saintess Jin Ling’s eyes widened: “I’ll go chop them down right now!”

The other Jie Sect immortals quickly stopped her.

“Everyone, I don’t want this matter to escalate,” Li Changshou sighed, “The sect master of the Immortal Ascension Gate has fallen, and over three hundred disciples within the sect were killed or injured.

I know the Immortal Ascension Gate is not large enough to be called a major sect, but in my eyes, this place holds significant importance.”

Zhao Gongming said, “I know this best, Chang Geng. Investigate thoroughly to the very end! If anyone dares to obstruct you, your elder brother here will make sure they regret it!”

“What if the clues eventually lead back to the Jie Sect?”

Li Changshou let out a bitter laugh, “The opponent’s strategy is quite cunning. As long as I investigate, unless it directly implicates the Western Sect, a rift will form between the three Daoist sects because of this incident.”

Saintess Huo Ling asked, “But Uncle-Master, are we just going to let this matter go?”

“Of course not. First, regarding the Jie Sect…”

Li Changshou’s gaze skipped over a few people and landed on the master and disciple standing behind them. He calmly asked, “What is the deal with the Blood Transformation Divine Blade? Are you willing to give me an explanation?”

Saintess Jin Ling frowned, looking at her disciple, Yu Yuan, a well-known qi refiner from Penglai Island of the Jie Sect, also known as Yi Qi Xian.

Yu Yuan’s body trembled slightly, and he immediately looked at his own disciple, Yu Hua.

Yu Yuan said, “Yu Hua, have you really mastered that Blood Transformation Divine Blade?”

Yu Hua lowered his head, just about to speak, when Saintess Jin Ling gave a soft shout, “Kneel!”

“Yes,” Yu Hua said, his face sorrowful, as he knelt among the immortals. He lowered his head and said, “Grandmaster, Master, your disciple has indeed mastered the Blood Transformation Divine Blade, but the Blood Transformation Divine Blade is not a divine ability exclusive to me.

I have previously explained how to cultivate this Blood Transformation Divine Blade to my fellow disciples.

Your disciple is willing to make a Heavenly Dao Oath that I bear no disloyalty to the Jie Sect, no harmful intentions towards Uncle-Master Chang Geng, and absolutely no connection whatsoever to today’s incident!”

With a rumble, the power of the Heavenly Dao surged back and forth, confirming that there was indeed nothing unusual.

Saintess Jin Ling also looked somewhat troubled, frowning as she gazed at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou said, “I hope… naturally, it’s just a hope.

That the senior brothers and sisters of the Jie Sect will restrain their disciples, thoroughly investigate how these Jie Sect immortals were manipulated and became tools in others’ hands, and provide me with an explanation of no less than fifty thousand words.”

“Alright!”

Zhao Gongming agreed immediately, then turned and said, “Yu Yuan, this matter is your responsibility.”

Yu Yuan, disciple of Saintess Jin Ling and master of Yu Hua, immediately bowed in a Daoist salute and hastily said, “Your disciple will definitely not disappoint Uncle-Master Chang Geng!”

Li Changshou slowly nodded and said, “I naturally trust the Jie Sect; there’s no need for any of you to overthink this.

This matter will conclude here. Thank you for coming all this way.

Brother, please go to Three Immortals Island again and deliver a message to her for me. Tell her that I am moving Little Qiong Peak to the Heavenly Courts, and she can summon me with a jade slip later if she needs to.”

“Ah… when are you moving to the Heavenly Courts?”

“Today.”

Li Changshou’s expression was somewhat stern, but he soon showed a faint smile, which left Zhao Gongming a bit confused.

Half a day later, the Golden-Winged Great Peng transformed into a size of ten zhang, and under the escort of numerous Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, it carried Ling’e and Little Qiong Peak (which had transformed into the size of a rockery) towards the Heavenly Gate.

The Jie Sect immortals had all returned. Li Changshou had asked for an explanation, and they had provided one; upon returning, they immediately began a thorough investigation into the identities of the thirteen Jie Sect immortals, gathering all immortals who understood how to cultivate the Blood Transformation Divine Blade and questioning them one by one.

However, Li Changshou himself was nowhere to be seen.

As the Golden-Winged Great Peng carried Little Qiong Peak through the East Heavenly Gate, flying towards the Grand White Palace under the gaze of countless onlookers,

Within the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Li Changshou placed Ji Wuyou’s remnant soul into the treasure pond, looking at Empress Houtu with a hint of apology.

“I’m troubling you again.”

Empress Houtu gently shook her head and said, “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; you’ve already done very well.”

“Mm,” Li Changshou offered a faint smile, then stared blankly at Elder Qiyuan’s remnant soul for a moment, feeling his mood significantly lighten.

Now, it was time to settle scores.

Crash—

At the top of the Samsara Pagoda, Kṣitigarbha watched the wooden cabinet he had just repaired get shattered again by Di Ting, a twitch appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Di Ting had been kicked out by the young Daoist in front of him. The kick was quite powerful, yet skillfully applied, ensuring the force remained entirely on Di Ting without affecting the structure of the Samsara Pagoda.

Di Ting lay there, limbs twitching, taking a long while to recover.

It wasn’t that Kṣitigarbha didn’t want to move or leave; rather, the young Daoist before him had barged in without a word, and used the power of divine authority to utter a low command to him:

“Shut up, and don’t move.”

After speaking, he grabbed Di Ting by the neck, dragged it to the side, and then punched and kicked it until Di Ting almost spat blood.

With his divine authority suppressed, Kṣitigarbha was completely unable to move or speak at that moment.

This was a microcosm of the Investiture of the Gods.

“W-Water… Star Lord, Lord Star Lord!”

Di Ting forced a bitter smile, “It really wasn’t me who leaked the Immortal Ascension Gate’s location. I’ve known about this for a long time, and my master kept asking, but I never told him.

I’m well aware of the power of the Human Sect’s Saintly Patriarch. How would I dare offend the Human Sect?”

Li Changshou stood with his hands behind his back and calmly asked, “Has Maitreya been here?”

“Yes, he has.”

“Were you involved?”

“Absolutely not! I was absolutely not involved! Maitreya deduced it himself. Your previous series of actions actually distinguished the Immortal Ascension Gate from other Human Sect immortal sects a long time ago!

Especially that time you appeared like a divine general, leading a group of Dao soldiers to ambush those demon tribes at the Immortal Ascension Gate…”

Di Ting scrambled up, saying sorrowfully, “When Maitreya pressed me then, I had already confirmed that he knew about this. As I mentioned that you had cultivated at the Immortal Ascension Gate, his people had already arrived above the Immortal Ascension Gate.

This truly has nothing to do with me!

Please don’t worry, I’ll make a Grand Dao Oath right now…”

Li Changshou retrieved two scrolls from his sleeve and tossed them in front of Di Ting. “Make two oaths: from now on, you are not to participate in the conflicts between the great sects. Stay here honestly with your master.

Were it not for your previous reports, I would certainly not spare you today.”

“Thank you, Lord Star Lord! Thank you, Lord Star Lord, for sparing my life!”

Di Ting sighed, unfurled the scrolls with its paws, and, unable to hold back tears, began to read them word by word.

Li Changshou looked at Kṣitigarbha and said, “You may move.”

Kṣitigarbha’s previously rigid body immediately became mobile. He gave Li Changshou a faint smile.

“It’s rare to see you in such a bind.”

“This time is far less significant than when you schemed against the Dragon Palace in the East Sea.”

“What do you wish to know from me?”

“Maitreya,” Li Changshou stated calmly.

Kṣitigarbha slowly nodded, then asked, “Why should I betray my Senior Brother and help you?”

“You understand me,” Li Changshou’s gaze sharpened slightly.

Kṣitigarbha fell silent, then let out a cold laugh, saying, “Senior Brother is an odd person, or rather, someone who only thinks about his own situation. That’s why he was once expelled from Spirit Mountain by our Master.

However, with Spirit Mountain in decline now, my Senior Brother, having achieved success in cultivation, has returned. To outsiders, it’s said he emerged from secluded cultivation.

His actions against the Immortal Ascension Gate today were actually just to displease you, to retaliate for his previous setbacks in the Heavenly Courts.”

“There’s not much pure revenge involved; it’s merely an excuse for him to save face.”

Li Changshou said, “He executed this flawlessly. The marks in those remnant souls point to the Chan Sect immortal, Chi Jingzi.

He appears reckless, but in reality, his arrangements are meticulous. He’ll likely deny everything later, just like a certain esteemed senior.

The most important purpose of your Senior Brother’s actions this time was to show me that he possesses the power and determination to overturn the table at any moment, with the bottom line being to avoid a Saintly war, urging me to exercise restraint when dealing with the Western Sect.

Right?”

Kṣitigarbha closed his eyes and let out a bitter laugh, “As expected, his methods don’t work on you.”

“In ancient and primordial times, he must have been accustomed to smooth sailing, I suppose.”

Li Changshou said calmly. Kṣitigarbha did not reply, sitting there in silence.

For a moment, on top of the Samsara Pagoda, there was only Di Ting’s choked sobbing as it recited the Heavenly Dao Oath, filled with grievance and unable to control itself.

Half an hour later, Di Ting, looking like a frosted eggplant, lay slumped behind Kṣitigarbha.

Li Changshou turned to leave, but Kṣitigarbha, as if accustomed to asking questions before guests departed, spoke again:

“May I ask, what is your bottom line, Daoist friend?”

“My Master said,” Li Changshou slightly turned his head, showing Kṣitigarbha his profile.

But while Maitreya’s profile always carried an eerie smile, Li Changshou’s was as still as an ancient well.

“Saints cannot die.”

Kṣitigarbha was visibly startled.

Leaving the Underworld, Li Changshou escaped westward, organizing his thoughts one by one.

With a clear Dao heart, he wouldn’t be swayed by emotions.

He had to respond to the matter of the Immortal Ascension Gate.

Whether from the perspective of the Human Sect’s prestige, his own future plans, or as a reverse warning to the Western Sect, he had to step forward and take action.

The breaking of his paper effigy divine ability and Maitreya’s meticulous arrangements both reminded Li Changshou that his style of action and his habitual way of thinking had been thoroughly understood by others.

He still needed to remain steady, of course, but steadiness did not mean having no bottom line.

Others had put a knife to his neck and lightly grazed it. Though it was only a superficial scratch…

If he didn’t retaliate, others would mistake his thoroughness for weakness and his prudence for being easily bullied!

Wind Escape, Universe Escape, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles at high speed!

At the border of West Niu He Continent, Li Changshou’s figure suddenly stopped. He frowned, looking at the figure standing on the clouds ahead.

Wei Shenmo.

He sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and bowed in a Daoist salute to Wei Shenmo, “General, why are you here?”

“To wait for you, of course,” Wei Shenmo chuckled, “I waited for you in the Heavenly Courts for a long time just now, and when you didn't arrive, I thought you might be going to confront the Western Sect.

The Western Sect has two Saints. If you don't have someone backing you, I genuinely wouldn't be at ease…”

“It just costs a few avatars.”

Li Changshou felt a warmth in his heart and said seriously, “Your Majesty, today let me…”

“Let’s go,” Wei Shenmo chuckled, “I’m here. Do you think the two Saints of the Western Sect can’t see? Go ahead and scold them thoroughly today.”

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, then offered a gentle smile and moved forward with Wei Shenmo.

Spirit Mountain rapidly drew closer, its golden peak shining brightly.

The sound of bells rang out, and Spirit Mountain prepared for a confrontation. Several Saint disciples of vice-sect master level even flew out together to greet them in the sky.

But Li Changshou landed directly halfway up Spirit Mountain, ascending the wide and magnificent golden staircase leading up the mountain.

The old Daoists of Spirit Mountain frowned, exchanging bewildered glances.

This fellow, showing such respect for their Spirit Mountain? Even ordinary Grand Unity Immortals wouldn't walk the golden staircase when visiting Spirit Mountain…

With fifty steps remaining on the golden staircase, Li Changshou conjured something with his left hand: the Xuanhuang Pagoda appeared above his head, spinning gracefully as streams of profound yellow aura drifted downwards.

With forty steps remaining on the golden staircase, the Qiankun Ruler appeared in his left palm, held in a reverse grip.

With thirty steps remaining on the golden staircase, Li Changshou looked up at the magnificent golden mountain gate. The archway of the gate bore the characters ‘Spirit Mountain’ and had an imprint of a twelve-petal golden lotus in the center.

He lifted the hem of his Daoist robe and tucked it into his belt.

At this moment, the old Daoists of Spirit Mountain were utterly perplexed.

Li Changshou took ten more steps, then opened his left hand. A golden streak slashed across the sky, and a black-red meteor crashed down, transforming into a long spear which Li Changshou firmly grasped.

The God-Slaying Spear, a weakened version.

How could the group of old Daoists from Spirit Mountain not see that Li Changshou was about to take direct action? They quickly retreated, shouting out one after another.

“Li Chang Geng, how dare you?!”

“Quick! Quickly invite our Master to appear!”

Suddenly, a great golden light erupted from Spirit Mountain, and clouds and mist converged, about to form a thousand-zhang-tall Saint’s Dharma Idol.

At that very instant, above the clouds above Li Changshou’s head, General Wei Shenmo burst forth with golden light, transforming into none other than the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Courts, directly confronting the rapidly forming Saint’s Dharma Idol!

And that wasn't all.

Then, a clear sword hum suddenly rang out above Spirit Mountain, and a sheathed treasured sword manifested a thousand-zhang-tall illusory image, hanging high in the air to Li Changshou’s upper right-rear!

The Qingping Sword!

No sooner had the Qingping Sword settled into place than, looking from Li Changshou’s left shoulder, one could see the illusory image of a Taiji Diagram forming within the clouds and mist, also a thousand zhang in diameter. However, the oppressive aura emanating from this Taiji Diagram caused Spirit Mountain’s golden light to almost completely dissipate!

Spirit Mountain’s Saint’s Dharma Idol retreated back into the clouds and mist.

Li Changshou stood beneath the resplendent golden gate, lightly striking the ground with his spear, his gaze sweeping across Spirit Mountain.

Then, without a word, his figure suddenly leaped up, raising his spear high and striking vertically. The golden archway pulsed with immortal light, but it held firm for only an instant before cracking in half!

The entire gate instantly collapsed, Spirit Mountain erupted with roars, and cracks appeared all over its body.

Amidst the dust, Li Changshou glanced again at the old Daoists present. He saw their righteous indignation, their worried expressions, and their trembling fear, yet his heart remained perfectly calm.

The way to break the deadlock was to leap out of the logic set by Maitreya, and transfer all conflicts to this ruin.

“Hmph!”

With a sweep of his sleeve, Li Changshou turned and ascended into the sky on a cloud, offering not a single word.