Chapter 556: Honghuang's Top Three Protection

‘Maitreya, that fellow, he couldn't have used my casual rambling to achieve enlightenment, could he?’

On Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou, who had just returned from Three Immortals Island, was murmuring to himself by the lake.

He carefully reflected, realizing that his few words truly had a ‘self-awakening’ quality for a master like Maitreya.

Yet, he had genuinely just rambled casually, intending to sow seeds of doubt in Maitreya's Dao heart.

It was also because he had spent too much time researching the characteristics of ‘Heavenly Demons’ over the past thirty years, subconsciously wanting to manipulate his opponents' mindsets and create cracks in their Dao hearts.

After all, Maitreya had only sent a relatively crude spiritual avatar. Even if it were destroyed, it wouldn't significantly affect Maitreya himself.

The problem was, his own avatar might not be strong enough to defeat it.

He recalled how he had once tricked Jin Chanzi with his paper effigy nesting technique, sending Jin Chanzi to search for ‘three moles’.

Now, the paper effigy technique no longer fooled anyone, but he had barely mastered the art of verbal persuasion.

This, too, could be considered a small step forward!

The rumor that ‘Taibai Jinxing's great powers mostly lie in his words’ wasn't entirely baseless after all.

Glancing at the bustling chess and card room, Li Changshou returned to his alchemical chamber, closed his eyes, and began to carefully comprehend the Great Dao of Balance.

After Zixiao Palace, until the Great Tribulation officially arrived, Li Changshou could only do a few things:Cultivate and comprehend the Great Dao, strengthening his own power as much as possible;Escort the establishment of the Shang Kingdom, guarding against the Western Sect's undermining tactics;Control the overall situation of the Three Thousand Worlds, preventing the Immortal Alliance from spiraling out of control prematurely;Accumulate more paper effigies and devise stronger ‘anti-interference’ restrictions.

The ‘brand new’ improved paper effigies now had the advantages of greater stability and lower cost.

Li Changshou's approach primarily involved three points: first, strengthening the connection between his primordial spirit power and his primordial spirit, an insight mainly gained from ‘Du Shuren’.

Primordial spirits and Heavenly Demons were, in essence, different forms of true spirit consciousness arising under the influence of various Dao principles. This ‘high-ranking Heavenly Demon’ had indeed provided Li Changshou with significant assistance.

The other two approaches focused on simplifying the paper effigy restrictions and increasing their protective capabilities.

To this end, Li Changshou had also studied Shangqing talismans for over ten years, a ‘secret tip’ he had essentially ‘stolen’ from Yun Xiao.

To be fair, the Human Sect Saint's teachings were relatively singular in form, emphasizing self-enlightenment of the Dao and the natural emergence of wondrous methods. This meant that the two Saint disciples of the Human Sect were meant to comprehend combat techniques themselves during their process of Dao enlightenment.

It certainly wasn't because the Saint had forgotten to teach, or was simply too lazy to speak.

Now, Li Changshou possessed abundant cultivation resources; the difficulty in cultivating the Dao lay only in comprehending higher realms.

Spiritual elixirs could be refined at will, and precious treasures were certainly not lacking.

Li Changshou didn't let his excess spiritual stones and valuable materials lie idle. He continued the previous ‘Little Qiong Peak Defense Satellite’ project and put the ‘Little Qiong Peak Heaven-Revolving Star Cannon’ on the agenda.

Li Changshou also began the long cultivation process for the innate earth essence he had obtained from Kunpeng's mansion in the Chaos Sea. It would take at least several hundred years before it could be integrated into Little Qiong Peak's main array as its core spirit.

By then, should a situation like the attack on Du Xian Sect recur, Ling'e would be able to effortlessly control half of Little Qiong Peak's formations.

By then...

Was this perhaps a bit of hindsight wisdom?

Li Changshou opened his eyes slightly, gazing at the vast sky and the boundless sea of clouds, a hint of helplessness stirring within him.

In the end, he had still chosen to be constrained by the Heavenly Court.

As he was contemplating, a jade slip flew rapidly from beyond his sight, with a faint group of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals pursuing it.

Elder Brother's Dao charm?

Li Changshou waved his sleeve, pulling the jade slip to him through the air. The group of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals pursuing the slip was gently dissuaded by Li Changshou.

Placing the jade slip a few yards away, he probed it with his immortal sense. Seeing its simple contents, black lines appeared on Li Changshou's forehead.

Outer-world Heavenly Demons had gone mad, clamoring and shouting to invade the Primordial World, to kill Taibai and destroy Jinxing?

What was going on?

Was it because he had ordered Golden-Winged Peng and Di Ting to clear out the outer-world Heavenly Demons, angering them, or was it because he had made his stance clear and resolutely rejected Kunpeng's overtures, enraging Kunpeng?

They had launched several major offensives within a month. If not for the assistance of the Taiji Diagram, Xuandu City might have collapsed...

Li Changshou couldn't help but groan, raising a hand to his forehead.

He could unexpectedly make enemies even like this? Was that acceptable?

He analyzed the situation carefully for a while, concluding that the outer-world Heavenly Demons had little direct influence on him. However, his elder brother had mentioned the word ‘Saint’.

The Heavenly Demon Venerable, the ‘mother’ of the outer-world Heavenly Demons, had expressed extreme indignation in the spiritual messages she sent to these Heavenly Demons, stating that Li Changshou had insulted their Saint.

Could it be that the Heavenly Demon Venerable, an innate divine demon of that caliber, had reached some long-term strategic cooperation with Kunpeng...?

With this doubt in mind, Li Changshou pondered carefully. He quickly produced two valuable top-grade communication jade slips: one to reply to his elder brother, and one to send to the Golden-Winged Great Peng.

The latter jade slip read:

Eradicate Heavenly Demons, benefit all beings; eliminate evil completely, leave no future trouble.

Li Changshou didn't dare to be too explicit with his words; he could only offer this small encouragement, knowing Peng's temperament.

Otherwise, he truly worried that Peng, in a moment of excitement, might issue an order to ‘rather kill a thousand innocents than let one culprit escape,’ thus creating unnecessary karma from slaughter.

In the jade slip to the Grandmaster, Li Changshou briefly explained the cause and effect, admonishing his elder brother to be wary of that ‘Saint’ who was likely Kunpeng, as his current strength was unknown.

After completing these tasks, Li Changshou divided his consciousness, touring various parts of the Three Thousand Worlds and the Five Divisions of the Primordial World.

The Immortal Alliance was stable, the Lintian Hall was unharmed, and Black Panther continued his secluded cultivation after visiting a friend, as if nothing had happened before.

In the Underworld, Sect Master Ji Wuyou's soul was almost fully repaired and about to embark on the path of reincarnation. He would need to go there shortly to see the Sect Master off.

Time to continue cultivating.

Before becoming an immortal, a single moment of enlightenment was almost enough to break through a minor realm. Had he not strenuously suppressed it, becoming an immortal would have presented no difficulty at all.

Now, even dozens of enlightenments might not be enough to break through the veil ahead. A certain amount of time had to be dedicated to comprehending the Dao.

No pain, no gain.

With numerous insights stirring within him, Li Changshou sighed softly. Gentle breezes wafted around him, golden light manifested behind him, and the scroll depicting the Great Dao of Balance fluttered in the wind.

Cough, that's embarrassing. He accidentally broke through again.

This reminded Li Changshou of the saying—‘the joys and sorrows of humanity are not interconnected’.

He merely felt that his breakthroughs were too rapid, making his Dao foundation a little unstable.

Just as he was about to enter seclusion to stabilize his realm, Ling Zhuzi arrived in a hurry outside the Taibai Palace, seemingly with an urgent matter.

Li Changshou closed his eyes, arranging for his newly modified main body paper effigy to go out. It transformed into the familiar appearance of Taibai Jinxing, holding a horsetail whisk, and floated to meet him.

Ling Zhuzi bowed and briefly explained what had happened.

In recent years, Yang Jian, who cultivated on Yuquan Mountain, had fallen into a bottleneck, unable to break through for a long time. This was quite unusual for a Qi Refiner who primarily cultivated the physical body.

Cultivating the physical body differed from cultivating the primordial spirit; for the latter, being stuck in a bottleneck for hundreds or thousands of years without a breakthrough was not uncommon.

However, even with physical cultivation, one could at least strengthen their physical power. Yet, Yang Jian had shown no growth whatsoever in recent years.

Ling Zhuzi said, “Uncle-master, Uncle-master Yuding says that your comprehension of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art is profoundly deep; it's likely only you in all the world can guide Junior Brother Yang Jian. Uncle-master Yuding wishes for you to send a paper effigy there. My master is already on Yuquan Mountain as well.”

“Hmm,” Li Changshou said, his expression quite serious, and told Ling Zhuzi to wait.

He immediately prepared several paper effigies, altered their aura and Dao charm, concealed their faces, and slipped them into Ling Zhuzi's sleeve, instructing Ling Zhuzi to take them to Yuquan Mountain.

What was wrong with Yang Jian?

As one of the Children of the Great Tribulation, with extraordinary innate talent, and cultivating the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, a ‘perfect cultivation method’ that inherently had few bottlenecks...

“Uncle-master,” Ling Zhuzi transmitted, “Junior Brother Yang Jian seems to harbor considerable resentment towards the Heavenly Court. If this continues, will it affect his Dao heart?”

Li Changshou smiled, “No matter. Elder Brother Yuding's Dao can perfectly protect Yang Jian's Dao heart.”

“But why... Ling Zhuzi knows that Uncle-master would never be the villain who harmed Junior Brother Yang Jian's family. Why not tell him the truth earlier?”

Ling Zhuzi's delicate face was filled with confusion.

Li Changshou asked with a smile, “How do you think Yang Jian's cultivation progress was before?”

“It was truly astounding, progressing a thousand miles a day.”

“A large part of that stemmed from his inner obsession,” Li Changshou explained. “Even if I were to explain it to him, it wouldn't dispel the inner demons in his heart. That year, he was just a child when Fairy Yunhua's family was plotted against. No matter how one explains it, or who controlled the Heavenly Soldiers' minds, it was Heavenly Soldiers from the Heavenly Court who killed Yang Jian's father and elder brother. Rather than me explaining a few words to him and letting him temporarily suppress the inner demons, it's better to turn these demons into his obsession, allowing his pent-up emotions to have an outlet. Humans are inherently weak; without powerful Dao bodies or naturally formed primordial spirits, it's not easy to quickly become immortals or gods.”

Ling Zhuzi immediately fell into contemplation. After flying out of the Heavenly Court, his figure transformed into a streak of light, descending towards the Central Divine Continent.

“But Uncle-master,” he transmitted, “he went out for trials twice, and somehow heard rumors that you and His Majesty the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court are his father's murderers. He asked me several times what kind of person you are, but because of your previous instructions, I didn't know how to answer each time.”

“It's fine, just don't let it slip. Otherwise, Elder Brother Yuding's and my efforts will be in vain,” Li Changshou said with a smile. “Don't worry, I have my own arrangements.”

Ling Zhuzi hesitated, wanting to speak, but finally just pursed his lips and nodded, flying even faster.

Two hours later, on Yuquan Mountain.

Li Changshou, in the form of a beardless Zhao Gongming, along with Realmen Yuding and Taiyi, hid in the clouds, watching the young Daoist meditating in the forest. They engaged in a rather calm discussion about Yang Jian's ‘ailment’.

Li Changshou quickly determined that Yang Jian's bottleneck was not due to the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, but rather a confusion in his Dao heart.

Realman Taiyi said, “I think you're just spoiling him too much. It's just a bottleneck of a few years. Among us, who hasn't faced dilemmas lasting hundreds or thousands of years to reach our current Dao cultivation?”

Realman Yuding and Li Changshou exchanged glances, shaking their heads in silent understanding.

Li Changshou: “My cultivation period has been short.”

Realman Yuding: “Bottlenecks... not many.”

Realman Taiyi's mouth twitched. He managed to refrain from starting a fight, thus avoiding a beating.

Realman Yuding asked, “Chang Geng, do you need to directly interact with Jian'er?”

“His current cultivation isn't low; I'm concerned he might see through my paper effigy technique,” Li Changshou mused for a moment, then politely declined Realman Yuding's suggestion.

Although he knew this scenario was unlikely, he decided to play it safe.

Li Changshou said, “In these past few years, Elder Brother, have you spoken with Yang Jian?”

Realman Taiyi, arms crossed, chimed in, “You should ask how many times. Ever since Yang Jian hit his bottleneck, a certain master, deeply worried yet intent on maintaining his dignity, would casually pass by, recite a scripture, or utter a few ambiguous words, trying to give his disciple some inspiration. Why didn't we get such treatment when we cultivated back then?”

Realman Yuding coughed, “This poor Daoist only has this one disciple, after all.”

Li Changshou smiled, thought carefully for a moment, and then offered a very simple solution.

Have Ling Zhuzi go forth, first get drunk with Yang Jian, and see if it has any effect.

Realman Taiyi frowned, “This poor Daoist thought Junior Brother Chang Geng's intervention would surely involve some profound theory, but... this is it?”

“The Great Dao is simple,” Li Changshou chuckled. “No matter the method, as long as it works. Ling Zhuzi and Yang Jian are of the same generation and share a deep friendship. The younger generation might be uncomfortable revealing certain things to us elders, but perhaps they'll confide in their peers after a few drinks. Since we're intervening, let's make more preparations... First, let Ling Zhuzi try to breach Yang Jian's mental defenses and determine the root cause of his Dao heart's ailment. Then, we'll intervene, with Junior Brother Yuding employing divine abilities to protect Yang Jian's Dao heart, and Elder Brother Taiyi using a method of spiritual intrusion into the Dao heart to provide targeted treatment.”

“Good.”

“Alright, let's give it a try.”

The three Daoist masters discussed various details for a while longer, and also secretly instructed Ling Zhuzi for half a day, finally ready to implement the plan.

However, just as the plan began... it suffered a major setback.

On the back mountain of Yuquan Mountain, Ling Zhuzi said to Yang Jian with a smile, “Junior Brother, you look quite downcast lately, as if you're not feeling well. How about I accompany you for a walk outside the mountain to clear your mind?”

Yang Jian sighed softly, rose from his cross-legged position, and smiled, “Is it that obvious?”

“Of course,” Ling Zhuzi said seriously. “Uncle-master Yuding is quite worried about your condition and specifically asked me to come talk to you.”

Yang Jian looked towards the cave dwelling on the front mountain, a slight expression of apology appearing on his handsome face. He murmured,

“I've made Master worry. Let's go, a change of scenery would be good.”

Ling Zhuzi turned to gesture, and Yang Jian clasped his hands in thanks. Just as he was about to step forward...

“Brother!”

Yang Jian paused, his neck stiffening like Ling Zhuzi's, and slowly turned his head towards the source of the voice.

Just as Yang Jian was about to explain, Ling Zhuzi's figure flickered, appearing behind Yang Chan's delicate form using a Witch Clan combat technique, and tapped her back with a finger.

Yang Chan's eyes rolled back, and Ling Zhuzi's immortal power transformed into a hammock, ‘hanging’ her in the forest.

“Done,” Ling Zhuzi clapped his hands, giving Yang Jian a straightforward look. Yang Jian's mouth twitched.

His actions were certainly decisive.

Thus, the two martial brothers flew out of Yuquan Mountain's great array on clouds. They found a nearby peak and forest within a few hundred miles, set up a few minor formations, and lay on two tree branches, drinking and confiding in each other.

However, no matter how Ling Zhuzi questioned him, Yang Jian remained silent, merely saying that he was fine, just having some thoughts that weren't quite clear, and that everything would be alright once he figured them out.

After leaving Yuquan Mountain, Yang Jian indeed felt much more relaxed.

In due course, they chatted about other topics and, without realizing it, became quite drunk.

Ling Zhuzi remarked, “Why is this wine so potent...”

Yang Jian couldn't help but yawn. He was about to lie down and fall asleep, but then remembered something, got up, and sat cross-legged in meditation.

Just as he intended to dispel the effects of the alcohol, a wave of drowsiness surged over him, engulfing his Dao heart.

Within the formation, snores echoed...

In a hidden corner nearby, Li Changshou, Yuding, and Taiyi Zhenren, whose figures were concealed by the power of the Taiji Diagram, couldn't help but exchange glances and chuckle softly.

Realman Taiyi transmitted, “Giving your own disciple a sleeping drug – truly worthy of Star Lord Taibai.”

Li Changshou smiled indifferently and cautioned, “Elder Brother, make no mistakes later.”

“It's just reciting a few lines,” Realman Taiyi said with a calm smile. “Disguising ourselves as Western Sect Saint disciples to bewitch Yang Jian's Dao heart and strengthen his obsession is indeed a move this poor Daoist had never considered.

Having Ling Zhuzi specifically invite Yang Jian away from Yuquan Mountain was for the convenience of this plan, otherwise it would be inexplicable how someone from the Western Sect could silently bypass Realman Yuding's sight and break through Yuquan Mountain's great array.”

“Yang Jian merely can't see his way forward clearly and is a bit lost,” Li Changshou said, looking at Realman Yuding. “Elder Brother, please protect Yang Jian's Dao heart well.”

Realman Yuding smiled without speaking. He waved his left hand, and a large, colorful cauldron appeared before the three of them. Inside the cauldron, a somewhat blurry image emerged, showing Yang Jian seemingly meditating in the center of a square high platform.

This was...

Yang Jian's spiritual platform!

Li Changshou and Realman Taiyi exchanged glances, speechless.

What defined ‘doting on a disciple’?

This was doting on a disciple!

Constantly monitoring the changes in his disciple's primordial spirit, using his unique divine abilities to observe his disciple's spiritual platform, fearing his disciple would be afflicted by inner demons or that his Dao heart would become unstable.

He even transformed his own innate primordial spirit power into a small azure cauldron, suspended above his disciple's primordial spirit. Without the power to break Realman Yuding's primordial spirit, one could not harm Yang Jian's primordial spirit...

No way? Really?

Surely there aren't masters who don't use their innate primordial spirit power to protect their disciples' primordial spirits, are there?

At least Li Changshou felt that he couldn't go to such lengths for Long Ji;

And Realman Taiyi, even if he wanted to care for Ling Zhuzi this way, was limited by his own strength.

Realman Yuding calmly said, “Let's begin.”

Realman Taiyi sat cross-legged, his face solemn. A red light flew from his forehead, condensing into a phantom.

Under the concealment of the Taiji Diagram's power, all this was completed in silence.

Just as this phantom was about to fly out of the area covered by the Taiji Diagram's illusion, a gentle breeze suddenly wafted through the forest.

Li Changshou reacted the fastest, immediately raising a hand to signal Realman Taiyi to stop. The three of them gazed intently, seeing a wisp of phantom drift through the forest.

“Whose spiritual thought?” Realman Taiyi asked with a frown.

Realman Yuding's expression instantly darkened. He swept his left palm over the phantom cauldron before them, and the image inside the cauldron became incredibly clear.

Around Yang Jian's spiritual platform and primordial spirit, a gray-haired old Daoist appeared as a shadow, slowly drifting around Yang Jian's primordial spirit, blocked by the azure cauldron directly above Yang Jian's primordial spirit.

Li Changshou quickly identified the source of this spiritual thought...

The Western Sect, Xuputi!

Realman Yuding lightly tapped his hand, and simultaneously, within the hearts of the three Daoist immortals, the sound from Yang Jian's spiritual platform echoed.

“Yang Jian, what have you decided about what this poor Daoist told you last time?”

Yang Jian's primordial spirit slowly opened its eyes.