Chapter 557: Yang Jian Leaves Yuquan, Taibai Plots Bodhi

What is the most realistic performance in the world? Reality is not a performance.

The scene unfolding in Yang Jian's mind was exceptionally real.

Li Changshou had originally planned a small play: Ling Zhuzi would act as the vanguard, luring Yang Jian hundreds of miles away from Mount Yuquan. Then, Yang Jian would be plied with wine, causing his defenses to drop. After that, True Immortal Taiyi would impersonate a Western Sect member and use divine sense communication to guide Yang Jian out of his period of confusion.

He never expected it! The stage was set, but before True Immortal Taiyi, who was supposed to play the robber, could even make a move, a real robber appeared out of nowhere!

Had Subhuti not noticed the three of them? That made sense; with the power of the Taiji Diagram protecting them, it would be strange if Subhuti *had* noticed. On second thought, this was just a few hundred miles from the entrance of Mount Yuquan, like an ordinary person taking a stroll. How little did the Western Sect regard True Immortal Yuding, to be so brazen as to run to the very gates of Mount Yuquan and deceive his only disciple?

Was the azure cauldron above Yang Jian's primordial spirit just for show? The Western Sect's actions were truly too reckless.

True Immortal Taiyi frowned and made a beheading gesture. Li Changshou immediately looked at Yuding.

Yuding thought for a moment and said, "Let's just watch. A real Western Sect disciple showing up is more prudent than us making a move."

True Immortal Taiyi added, "I'll search for this person's tracks and see if I can incinerate him later."

Li Changshou, however, said, "There's no rush for that. Subhuti is currently wanted throughout the Three Realms, so his true form must be hidden somewhere very secretly. Brother Taiyi, keep an eye on Ling Zhuzi; we don't want to fall victim to an obvious trap right under our noses."

"Good.""Alright."Yuding and Taiyi each responded, implicitly agreeing to Li Changshou's plan without realizing it.

At this moment, True Immortal Taiyi's primordial spirit and divine sense were guarding Ling Zhuzi, who, having passed out from drink, was muttering about "good brothers for life" and "not good brothers who get covered up" — a jumbled version of his original thoughts.

True Immortal Yuding, of course, could use the azure cauldron at any moment to launch an attack, giving Subhuti no chance whatsoever to harm Yang Jian.

Listening to the conversation brought by Yuding's divine ability, Li Changshou's expression was somewhat complex.

Although this was a script he had written himself, witnessing someone else's scheme against him firsthand felt quite subtle.

Meanwhile, Subhuti's illusory figure had invaded Yang Jian's Dao Heart and uttered, "How goes your consideration?" revealing that he had approached Yang Jian before.

True Immortal Yuding also frowned at this, clearly having been careless previously.

Yang Jian's primordial spirit slowly opened its eyes, which were initially somewhat hazy. But he vigorously "shook his head," successfully dispelling the mist of immortal wine that enveloped his primordial spirit.

Seeing the old Daoist priest appear "before him," Yang Jian frowned. His immortal consciousness immediately probed towards Ling Zhuzi, and only after confirming that Ling Zhuzi had not been corrupted by this person's divine sense did he speak:

"Not so good."

"Oh?" Subhuti slowly paced, observing Yang Jian's mind, and smiled. "Ultimately, you're intimidated by your enemies' power, afraid to seek revenge. Afraid of implicating your sister, or perhaps your master, or worried that the Chan Sect might be blamed by the Heavenly Courts because of this?"

Yang Jian was silent for a moment, then calmly said, "I just don't want to be used as a blade by your Western Sect. Leave my mind."

"With such a precious treasure bestowed by your master, this humble Daoist cannot harm you. Why don't we talk more?"

"Since that's the case..." Yang Jian's gaze sharpened. His words were neither light nor heavy, his tone neither tense nor displeased, as he slowly uttered a single word: "Scram."

Subhuti was momentarily stunned, but instead of anger, he laughed, his eyes full of smugness, his voice like an enchanting demonic melody.

"Yang Jian, you are afraid after all. Afraid that this humble Daoist will ignite the anger you've suppressed for years? Afraid that this humble Daoist will expose your current awkward situation? Oh, Yang Jian, you probably don't even dare to utter the name of the enemy who killed your father and suppressed your mother, even in your heart. Shall this humble Daoist say it for you?"

"Shut up."

"Why suppress yourself like this?"

"I told you to shut up!" Yang Jian's primordial spirit rose, roaring in anger, his fists clenched, his body trembling. Streaks of crimson light surged from all corners of his mind, enveloping his primordial spirit like a god of war.

Subhuti chuckled softly, his figure fading, seemingly having departed.

Yang Jian warily scanned every part of his mind. Finally, he let out a soft breath, looked down at his palms, and his face eventually returned to peacefulness as he sat cross-legged once more.

His mind seemed to have calmed, but a scene suddenly appeared before Yang Jian: an immortal mountain in the Heavenly Courts.

The immortal mountain where Immortal Yunhua was suppressed.

Yang Jian's eyes widened. He instinctively sensed that his closest kin was within that image.

Subhuti's voice, drifting from afar, drew closer again:

"Your cultivation years are so tranquil now; if it were me, I wouldn't want to disrupt them either. You have a master who cares for and dotes on you, a younger sister to look after, your cultivation deepens daily, and you've even gained the Daoist Sect's profound protection art, your future is limitless. But Yang Jian..."

Subhuti paused. In the scene displayed to Yang Jian, the immortal mountain's weather shifted dramatically, swallowed by streaks of lightning dragons, and in the distance, groups of heavenly soldiers and generals sneered.

"If you can endure the hatred for your father's murder, can you truly endure your mother's continuous screams day and night under the Heavenly Palace's thunder punishment?"

"Humans respect their parents and honor their ancestors. Is this how it is with you?"

"But this isn't your fault. The person who requested the Jade Emperor's decree to arrest your mother back then, relying on the merit of that deed, has become a high-ranking and powerful official in the Heavenly Courts, deeply trusted by the Jade Emperor. Not to mention you, even this humble Daoist has to fear him a little..."

The seductive whispers continued, and Yang Jian's primordial spirit pulsed with the crimson light of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art.

To the side, in the corner concealed by the Taiji Diagram's power, True Immortal Yuding and True Immortal Taiyi simultaneously looked at Li Changshou.

True Immortal Yuding asked, "Is it truly... like this?"

Li Changshou let out a scoffing laugh, took a bronze mirror from his embrace, and performed an incantation. A scene appeared on the mirror.

This was a scene inside a cave dwelling on an immortal mountain. Pink draperies hung on all four stone walls. Inside the mountain was a pavilion, a courtyard, and jade trees with vibrant red flowers, exquisitely beautiful. Several low-cultivation minor immortal maidens were playing in the flower garden.

The bronze mirror displayed a fixed perspective, and this angle happened to show a window, and inside the window, Immortal Yunhua sat on a bed, her jade feet bare, reading a scroll.

She wore a multi-layered light gauze dress and had a dignified bun. At this moment, she sighed, a hint of worry on her face. She stood up, bent down, and with slender fingers, rubbed her translucent toes. As her fingers rubbed her toes, a contented smile appeared... She looked comfortable.

Li Changshou: ... True Immortal Yuding: ...

Ahem, even an immortal maiden rubbing her feet is beautiful.

True Immortal Taiyi couldn't help but curse, "Is this your Heavenly Courts' suppression? It feels more comfortable than my Mount Qianyuan!"

Li Changshou gave a wry smile. "Immortal Yunhua is the Jade Emperor's true sister from his tribulation experience. The Jade Emperor must constantly uphold the orthodoxy of the Three Realms, outwardly minimizing displays of personal affection. In reality, his fondness for Immortal Yunhua is no less than Yang Jian's for Yang Chan."

True Immortal Yuding said, "Let's not let Jian'er know about this for now, otherwise, his Dao Heart might suffer a setback."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother," Li Changshou smiled, watching Yang Jian's condition.

He was actually a little uneasy, worried that Subhuti might push too hard, fully igniting Yang Jian's rage and truly causing him to fall into demonhood.

But fortunately, the azure cauldron that True Immortal Yuding had placed near Yang Jian's primordial spirit was extraordinary. It seemed to be a "clone" of True Immortal Yuding's own primordial spirit cauldron, capable of suppressing Yang Jian's primordial spirit at any moment.

A moment later, Yang Jian suddenly let out a low roar, smashing the scene before him with a punch. His primordial spirit flashed like sword light, directly striking Subhuti's divine sense.

Subhuti, however, sighed faintly. His divine sense was directly shattered by Yang Jian, leaving behind only one sentence:

"Only we can help you. You will eventually come looking for me, Yang Jian."

Once that spiritual thought dissipated, Yang Jian's mind became completely quiet. Yang Jian's primordial spirit stood at the edge of his mind, panting heavily, his eyes full of struggle.

Before him, there seemed to be an endless abyss.

But Yang Jian ultimately turned back, doing his best to calm himself, and his primordial spirit resumed meditation.

Looking at Yang Jian's physical body at this moment, his face was pale, and he was covered in cold sweat. Wisps of alcohol vapor were forced out of him. A moment later, he opened his eyes, staring blankly at the cloud-shrouded forest ahead.

Mother...

Yang Jian's eyes seemed a little moist at the corners. He raised a hand, quickly wiped it away, and let out a soft breath, as if nothing had happened.

He sat there lost in thought, and without him noticing, his bottleneck quietly broke. His qi and blood surged, and his Eight-Nine Arcane Art advanced to the next minor realm.

Li Changshou, Taiyi, and Yuding exchanged glances. True Immortal Yuding had a hint of worry in his eyes.

True Immortal Taiyi smiled. "It seems he's made a decision."

"The problem now is how to settle Yang Chan," Li Changshou mused. "This could be a good pretext to draw Yang Jian to the Heavenly Courts at any time."

"Junior Brother Chang Geng," True Immortal Yuding suddenly turned and performed a Daoist bow. Li Changshou quickly returned the gesture.

"Senior Brother, why the formality?"

Yuding said solemnly, "If my disciple chooses to defy the Heavenly Courts in the future, and speaks disrespectfully to you, Chang Geng, please make sure to spare his life."

"This matter was my scheme to begin with."

Li Changshou clasped his hands, his expression very serious. "I am also quite fond of nephew Yang Jian, and I intend to cultivate him into a pillar of the Heavenly Courts. I will certainly put him through rigorous trials later."

"Thank you," True Immortal Yuding clasped his hands.

Just then, Yang Jian stood up, using immortal power to guide the sleeping Ling Zhuzi, and rode a cloud back to Mount Yuquan.

Half an hour later, Yang Jian sat before the sleeping Yang Chan, raised a hand to gently brush her smooth forehead, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Afterwards, Yang Jian took out a jade slip, carefully pondered, edited, and wrote a letter, which he placed by Yang Chan's pillow. Then he closed his eyes, let out a long sigh, and turned to leave.

Before exiting the cave dwelling, Yang Jian turned his head to look at Yang Chan again, and sent out a wisp of immortal power to make her sleep a little more soundly.

Yang Jian then went to True Immortal Yuding's main cultivation cave. True Immortal Taiyi and Li Changshou had naturally hidden themselves early, watching Yang Jian kneel and kowtow before Yuding, expressing his intention to leave.

True Immortal Yuding did not try to stop him, displaying an expression as if he had long known Yang Jian would make such a decision. He placed two rings in Yang Jian's embrace and said:

"Don't be reckless in anything you do. This master will always stand behind you."

Yang Jian's eyes were somewhat red-rimmed, but he said nothing more. He kowtowed three times to True Immortal Yuding and solemnly placed the rings into his embrace.

"Master, your disciple is going to train."

"Don't go to overly dangerous places."

"Mhm," Yang Jian responded, bowed his head, retreated a few steps, then knelt again in reverence. After rising, he finally turned and walked towards the cave entrance, his back somewhat feigning casual ease.

Leaving Mount Yuquan, Yang Jian glanced at the high sky, but then lowered his head and headed southeast. He ran wildly through the mountain forests, covering a hundred miles in a single leap!

When Yang Chan awoke half a month later, Yang Jian was already in a Great Chiliocosm world, wearing a short tunic and carrying a long sword, wandering like a rogue cultivator.

But unlike others, his travels were not for Dharma, wealth, companions, or land. Instead, he sought out dangerous places, inquired about local demons, and used them to hone his own strength, comprehending profound arts amidst fierce battles.

On Mount Yuquan, in the side cave, Yang Chan looked at the jade slip in her hand and couldn't help but cover her mouth and nose, bursting into heartbroken sobs.

*You've grown up too, Xiao Chan. Your brother knows you've always had an inescapable inner demon, fearing abandonment, but some matters remain unresolved, and ultimately, it's up to you and me to resolve them.*

*Now that the Great Tribulation has descended, the Chan Sect is to face the tribulation, and the Heavenly Courts will preside over it. We are fortunate that Master took us back to the mountain for care, imparting immortal arts and increasing our lifespan. We absolutely must not rely on Master's reputation or the Chan Sect's influence to force the Heavenly Courts to release Mother. Your brother truly does not wish for this.*

*Your brother's departure is to temper himself, to achieve immortality sooner, to rapidly increase his strength, to attract the Heavenly Courts' attention, and then to negotiate with them.*

*To be honest, your brother doesn't know how to rescue Mother, but it's something that must be done.*

*Bringing Mother back to reunite with you is already an obsession in my heart; every day it's delayed is another day of torment.*

*Xiao Chan, your brother's unannounced departure was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. I've been contemplating this matter for years, and now I've finally made up my mind.*

*Don't wander off. Just wait for me here. Senior Brother Ling Zhuzi is someone your brother trusts. If you encounter any difficulties, you can mention them to him. I've already entrusted him to look after you well.*

*Don't worry too much. Master once said that your brother is protected by great fortune and will not be harmed during his training.*

*Brother: Yang Jian.*

"Bro... Brother!" Yang Chan rose and rushed towards the cave entrance, but after only two steps, a wisp of medicinal fragrance wafted over, and her body collapsed by the window.

Outside the cave, Li Changshou and True Immortal Yuding were at a loss, wondering how to properly settle this young immortal maiden.

True Immortal Yuding said, "Send her to Immortal Yunhua's side?"

"What if Yang Jian suddenly returns?"

True Immortal Taiyi glanced at the sleeping Ling Zhuzi in the distance, couldn't help but roll his eyes, and cursed, "This brat just doesn't get it; otherwise, he could temporarily fill in and distract Xiao Chan."

Li Changshou mused for a few moments, then said, "In that case, I'll go get some more elixirs that enhance comprehension of the Great Dao. If that doesn't work, we'll just have Yang Chan cultivate in her dreams."

"Never mind," True Immortal Yuding shook his head. "This humble Daoist will take Xiao Chan to follow her brother later, so she can see him every day."

True Immortal Taiyi frowned. "Isn't nephew Yang Jian a bit too miserable? He's already been meticulously arranged by Chang Geng and decided to leave, and now he'll be watched by his master and younger sister the entire time. If he were to do something wild, wouldn't you all see it?"

"Jian'er isn't that kind of person," True Immortal Yuding said with great certainty.

"That Subhuti."

After having the paper effigies hide themselves near Mount Yuquan, Li Changshou's true form appeared deep within the Grand White Palace.

He needed to prepare: send the three-pointed, double-edged spear refined by Lord Lao to Bai Ze. Afterwards, it would still be Mr. Bai's turn to act, bestowing some opportunities and treasures upon Yang Jian.

*How the Top Tier Hands-Off Manager Was Made.*

As Yang Jian had stated in his letter, he was inherently protected by great fortune, making it difficult for him to suffer harm during his outdoor training.

And Yang Jian's character was "young yet mature," quite steady. As long as he didn't act too recklessly, nothing would go wrong, especially with True Immortal Yuding secretly protecting him.

The Western Sect had indeed kept a close eye on Yang Jian.

This Subhuti had previously tried to disrupt the Immortal Alliance Assembly, but Li Changshou, leveraging the Heavenly Courts' might, had forcefully rebuffed him, causing him to vanish for many years.

Since the Heavenly Courts' attention was now drawn by Maitreya, Subhuti felt he was capable again!

In his previous life, Li Changshou had encountered many "directors" who disliked actors adding extra scenes for themselves. This Subhuti, on the other hand, had brazenly barged in and was foolishly grandstanding for the camera.

If Subhuti knew that his attempt to deceive the junior earlier had been witnessed by others the entire time and recorded by Li Changshou, would he be so ashamed as to slit his own throat?

But since this Subhuti had invited himself in...

If he wasn't dealt with, this fellow could easily disrupt their progress later, potentially even affecting the entire grand scheme.

Any source of instability must be eradicated.

Li Changshou flicked his sleeves, smiled calmly, and felt a sense of certainty.

This time, he had to ensure a decisive strike, leaving Subhuti no escape, unable to make any waves or cause the slightest disturbance.

His true form departed, heading straight for the Nine Heavens!

To be safe, he would directly ask his teacher to make a move, calculate Subhuti's whereabouts, and place a mark on him!

Afterwards, he would call upon friends and allies to gang up on him and beat him until he submitted.