Chapter 565: Doomsday Kit Bag·Advanced Edition

It was truly regrettable.

Overall, the outcome was extremely disappointing.

Li Changshou had made almost all of his preparations to instigate a confrontation between the Chan and Western Sects that day. However, since the Western Sect's Saint never appeared, he was unable to fully escalate the conflict.

When the Chan Sect's senior disciple arrived, there was naturally no further development.

From this point forward, however, Yang Jian and the Chan Sect should no longer be too closely associated, and he would not be overly influenced by them.

This had already met Li Changshou's previous expectations.

After Dong Mugong finished proclaiming the decree, Yang Jian glanced at Spirit Mountain, snorted coldly, and flew towards the West Heaven Gate on his cloud.

The Chan Sect immortals departed one by one. Guangchengzi exchanged a glance with Li Changshou before leaving.

Guangchengzi's gaze was quite complex, while Li Changshou's was completely open.

Guangchengzi said nothing more, bowed to Li Changshou in return, and then turned to leave, taking Taiyi Zhenren, who was hidden in his sleeve, with him.

Li Changshou blinked. He felt as if Taiyi Zhenren's earlier words were missing a crucial point; after all that buildup, he hadn't revealed the main idea.

He was quite curious about it.

The Chan Sect would inevitably be at a disadvantage against the Jie Sect, even with the Human Sect and Heavenly Court maintaining absolute neutrality.

If they didn't prepare for a rainy day and secure some fallback with the Western Sect, they would indeed fall into a completely passive position when the great calamity truly descended.

The great calamity was precisely that: a calamity that required enough masters to perish and disciples from both sects to fill the vacant positions of Heavenly Court deities.

Li Changshou understood this objectively, but he did not endorse it subjectively, and he remained emotionally neutral.

He could only try his best to remain neutral to fulfill his role as the master of the calamity.

When the Dao Ancestor held a private session with him that day, the actual meaning he conveyed was for Li Changshou to transcend the Human, Chan, and Jie Sects and stand at a broader level: that of the Dao Gate, the heavens and earth, all living beings, and the great calamity.

Hmm...

How did it feel like the Dao Ancestor's attitude towards him was somewhat akin to his own attitude towards Yang Jian?

A misconception, perhaps.

It must be a misconception.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly. Before the Chan Sect immortals vanished from his sight, he bowed towards Spirit Mountain, then turned, leaped onto Jinpeng's back, and pursued the Heavenly soldiers and generals.

Yang Jian did not enter the Heavenly Court.

He flew to the West Heaven Gate and sat cross-legged in meditation before it, recovering his damaged Dao body, absorbing the power of the second drop of Ancestral Witch essence blood, and comprehending the might of his Celestial Eye.

Seeing this, Dong Mugong hesitated for a moment but still flew forward on his cloud.

Mugong had intended to approach Yang Jian and remind him that he should go to the High Heavens Palace to express his gratitude and to the Tongming Palace to register his name.

But before he could speak, he heard Li Changshou's voice transmission, stating that Yang Jian's situation was an exception.

That day, Yang Jian had smashed Spirit Mountain, made a name for himself, and ultimately accepted the Heavenly Court's bestowal, which in itself had greatly increased the Heavenly Court's prestige and counted as a merit.

Dong Mugong pondered for a moment, then bowed to Yang Jian with a smile, saying:

"True Lord Qingyuan Miaodao, could you perhaps tell me a thing or two?

I am Mugong of the Heavenly Court. Many matters regarding Fairy Yunhua's entry into the Heavenly Court were handled by me back then."

Yang Jian opened his eyes, rose, and bowed to Dong Mugong, his eyes showing a touch of doubt.

"Mugong, do you have any instructions?"

Dong Mugong spoke warmly: "Today, you have become famous throughout the Primordial World, and your future prospects are boundless. You have truly brought honor to your mother.

What are your plans next?

If you encounter any difficulties, please do not hesitate to inform this humble Daoist..."

As he spoke, Dong Mugong sent a voice transmission: "Don't blame Chang Geng for arranging things this way for you. In truth, Chang Geng has been bustling about on your behalf, unsettled for a century.

Chang Geng has this personality; he seeks stability in everything and goes all out to avoid any unforeseen changes, which is why he completely managed your cultivation path.

But he truly didn't scheme against you or use you for anything... Of course, in this matter, he did intend to use your anger to create some rifts between the Chan and Western Sects.

And you can't blame Chang Geng; the Western Sect truly acts unscrupulously. Back then, they even tried to infiltrate the Heavenly Court and scheme against His Majesty the Jade Emperor through your mother."

Yang Jian couldn't help but purse his lips and frown, looking at the somewhat chatty Mugong before him. He then bowed again and asked:

"Mugong, could you please convey my regards to my mother?"

"Why don't you go in yourself and talk to your mother?"

Dong Mugong looked at the several figures flying in the distance and said gently: "I know you harbor anger in your heart, but your ability to remain so calm right now is proof of your firm Dao heart.

Alas, if it were this old man, caught between great forces, plotted against and arranged from birth, my Dao heart would have long since collapsed."

Yang Jian: ...

"This junior will still wait here."

Mugong said: "Actually, there's no need to make things too difficult with the Heavenly Court. In the future, we may serve together as officials. I hope we can look out for each other."

As he spoke, Mugong took out a treasure pouch from his sleeve.

Yang Jian quickly tried to decline, but Mugong said:

"If you could take your mother away today, would you have her live in a straw hut?

She is a Heavenly Court princess, His Majesty the Jade Emperor's sister—her status is immensely noble.

This is just for Yunhua, not for you. This old man watched Fairy Yunhua grow up back then...

Alas, let's not dwell on it. I'll report to His Majesty and say that you feel remorse and are unwilling to enter the Heaven Gate, and His Majesty will then release your mother accordingly.

Remember, now is not the time for stubbornness. Your recent remark about only taking orders but not accepting decrees was a great taboo, and Chang Geng will truly have a headache because of it."

With that, Mugong waved his hand, placed the treasure pouch in Yang Jian's hand, and turned to head towards the West Heaven Gate.

'Watched my mother grow up?'

'Wasn't Mother originally in the mortal realm?'

Yang Jian glanced into the treasure pouch and couldn't help but frown.

The Heavenly Court... so rich...

Just then, several loud laughs came from the side. It was Taiyi Zhenren, released by Guangchengzi, arriving on a cloud with Yu Ding Zhenren, who was followed by an excited Yang Chan.

"Brother!"

Yang Chan softly called out, hurrying forward. Yang Jian's perpetually tense face revealed a slightly weary smile.

Leaving the reunion of the siblings aside for a moment, Taiyi Zhenren and Yu Ding Zhenren actively sought out Li Changshou. Yu Ding Zhenren bowed to Li Changshou, who returned half a bow.

Yu Ding said: "You've worked hard."

Li Changshou smiled, gestured for Jinpeng to take his avatar inside, then his main body flew out from his sleeve, retracting the Xuanhuang Pagoda from above his head to his primordial spirit.

As for why he had been wearing the Xuanhuang Pagoda all this time...

In his previous life, he wore a safety helmet even when cycling; in this life, when riding a bird, there should at least be some safety measures.

Taiyi Zhenren sighed: "Senior Brother still doesn't want to fall out with the Western Sect, alas."

"It's not bad," Li Changshou transmitted. "Today, Yang Jian also killed a Western Sect disciple and smashed the Western Sect's mountain gate, which counts as half the revenge.

Later, we can secretly build momentum to diminish the Western Sect's prestige, and then their reputation will completely collapse."

Incidentally, this would also give the Chan Sect and Western Sect a bit more 'face' to consider when they cooperate.

—Of course, these words couldn't be spoken directly.

Yu Ding Zhenren asked: "Can Fairy Yunhua reunite with her siblings now?"

"No worries, Senior Brother, my avatar has already gone to make arrangements."

Li Changshou smiled: "However, that will also depend on Fairy Yunhua's wishes.

Actually, I think it might be better for Fairy Yunhua to be absolved of her sins and cultivate peacefully in the Heavenly Court, gaining more merit and enjoying peaches of immortality every year, rather than living with her children.

When children grow up, they will always have their own ideas.

But their family has repeatedly faced hardships, so they are certainly due to spend some time together... Oh, by the way, Senior Brother Taiyi, what else were you trying to say earlier?"

"Ah, actually, I didn't have many ideas at the time, and my mouth today doesn't have any urge to blurt out certain words."

Taiyi Zhenren habitually tucked his hands into his sleeves, his lips twitching, clearly still wanting to say more.

"This humble Daoist originally wanted to say that Patriarch once said the West would surely greatly prosper, but perhaps everyone didn't hear him clearly back then. What he truly meant was that there would be great construction projects.

That's the best I can do, alas. I still can't achieve that state of suddenly coming up with brilliant phrases."

Li Changshou: ...

Silently, Li Changshou took out a special magic treasure from his sleeve and handed it to Yu Ding Zhenren, instructing him: "This should be used when necessary."

Yu Ding Zhenren took the treasure and found it to be an azure pearl, connected by two thin, long ribbons. The power of the Five Elements flowed within it, resembling a sealing-type magic treasure.

Yu Ding Zhenren exclaimed: "Is this a treasure refined by Lord Laozi?"

"Indeed," Li Changshou nodded with a solemn expression. "Whether the three sects can avoid war over unnecessary trifles will entirely depend on you, Senior Brother."

"Understood," Yu Ding Zhenren's expression became serious. "This brother will do his best."

Taiyi Zhenren blinked beside them, feeling as if...

He was being targeted.

After exchanging a few casual words with Yu Ding Zhenren and Taiyi, Li Changshou's avatar also entered the High Heavens Palace with Mugong.

Li Changshou multi-tasked. His main body, still in the guise of an old immortal, appeared before Yang Jian.

Yang Jian's face showed alertness, and he instinctively shielded Yang Chan behind him, though thankfully he didn't immediately grasp his Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Lance.

Li Changshou retracted the treasure banner floating behind Yang Jian into his sleeve and smiled, saying: "True Lord, do you have some free time to take a trip with me to the Six Paths of Reincarnation in the Underworld?"

Yang Jian frowned slightly, his eyes showing a hint of resistance.

Li Changshou then said: "To see your father."

Yang Jian immediately nodded in agreement, preparing to move forward with Yang Chan.

Li Changshou said: "Let Senior Brother Yu Ding send Yang Chan into the Heavenly Court to reunite with Fairy Yunhua first. His Majesty the Jade Emperor is already drafting an edict to pardon your mother's transgression.

The Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc is a Heavenly Dao artifact, isolated from the Primordial World, and not something ordinary people can enter."

Yang Jian hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Yang Chan, whose eyes immediately reddened.

Just as she was about to speak, a streak of light flew in from the side. A finger precisely tapped Yang Chan's neck, skillfully lifting her with immortal power.

Behind that finger, a delicate face appeared. It was Nezha.

"Leave her to me, don't worry!"

Yang Jian couldn't help but offer a wry smile, whispering: "Senior Brother Nezha, you know everything?"

"Uh..."

Nezha couldn't help but feel a bit awkward, looking at Li Changshou for help. The latter chuckled twice and said:

"Let's go. Go and return quickly; don't make your mother wait too long."

Yang Jian sighed, bowed to his master and martial uncle first without much further conversation, then quickly returned to Li Changshou's side.

Li Changshou conjured a white cloud beside them, sitting cross-legged in a corner. Yang Jian sat cross-legged onto it as well, his expression ultimately melancholic.

Under the watchful eyes of Yu Ding Zhenren and Taiyi Zhenren, Li Changshou and Yang Jian, with a half-zhang gap between them, flew towards the East Sea on their cloud.

Although one could enter the Netherworld from any direction in the world, the East Sea was undoubtedly the safest route, with the lowest probability of encountering an ambush.

At this moment, Li Changshou, using his main body to fly on the cloud, moved with lightning speed. Immortal power enveloped both of them, so they heard no wind and felt no jolting.

They remained silent for half the journey, until they were above the East Sea.

"Do you feel powerless?" Li Changshou slowly asked.

Yang Jian started, turned his head to the side, and hummed a quiet "hmm" in affirmation.

Li Changshou smiled, raised a hand, and swept it across his face, reverting to the appearance of a young Daoist. His white hair gradually darkened as it fluttered, then was spontaneously tied back by a hairband.

"If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me," Li Changshou said. "But the Heavenly Court truly needs a rising star who can contend with powerful beings.

This represents the hope of the Heavenly Court, and also the hope of this world.

Based on your own experiences, how do you think the order of heaven and earth should be reconciled with the freedom sought by living beings?"

Yang Jian frowned slightly and asked: "Do Heavenly Court immortals and gods all like to chat like this, testing others at the drop of a hat?"

"Not at all," Li Changshou sighed. "I merely wish to understand your innermost thoughts better.

Never mind. As a small compensation, I'll give you some hidden benefits."

As he spoke, several recording orbs flew out from Li Changshou's sleeve, floating before Yang Jian.

Yang Jian observed them carefully for a moment, then was quickly drawn in by their contents and began to examine them one by one.

They depicted the daily life in an academy when a certain Heavenly Emperor descended to the mortal realm to undergo a tribulation, alongside his fated childhood sweetheart and his mortal prospective brother-in-law.

The youth laughed, cursed, and expressed anger, knowing nothing of sorrow.

Li Changshou slowly said: "His Majesty, sitting in that position, must control his emotions, refrain from impulsiveness, avoid excessive expression, and even constantly display more of his divine nature.

The Three Realms are vast. For the Heavenly Court to establish an order that protects the weak, it requires a Heavenly Emperor who is not swayed by emotions."

Yang Jian acknowledged him, immersed in those images, unable to snap back to reality for a long time.

Li Changshou smiled and said no more, swiftly flying with Yang Jian through the Netherworld, into Fengdu, and smoothly arriving within the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc.

Li Changshou led Yang Jian forward to pay his respects to Great Virtue Houtu.

Great Virtue Houtu summoned Yang Tianyou's completely repaired soul, and then she and Li Changshou vanished together.

Leaving aside the scene of Yang Jian and Yang Tianyou's reunion, it was likely just a silent exchange of tearful glances, one kneeling in respect, the other weeping profusely.

As for Li Changshou being taken away by Houtu Niangniang, he was actually just a few hundred zhang away, concealing his whereabouts.

"Yang Jian is quite suited for the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, but to reach this level in such a short time," Great Virtue Houtu said softly.

Li Changshou nodded with a smile beside her, saying: "He is, after all, the Child of the Great Calamity."

"What about you?"

Houtu Niangniang blinked, a playful hint in her gentle demeanor: "You have already perfectly cultivated the art I created. How long has it been? It makes one feel rather disgraced."

Li Changshou immediately gave an awkward smile, quickly saying: "It's all thanks to the Ancestral Witch essence blood bestowed by Niangniang."

Houtu smiled without speaking, lightly changing the subject.

"In the Zixiao Palace, did Master speak to you about the great calamity?"

"Yes," Li Changshou nodded. "It is indeed somewhat tricky."

Houtu pondered for a moment, seeming hesitant, but eventually asked: "Did Master mention the matter of Pangu's lingering will?"

Li Changshou frowned: "Niangniang, you know about this too?"

"I am quite close to the Heavenly Dao, so naturally, I can sense its changes."

"Then, Niangniang, your meaning is..."

Houtu's beautiful face was filled with helplessness as she murmured softly: "If the lingering will of the Father God must be erased for the sake of the living beings of heaven and earth, then so be it."

Li Changshou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had truly feared that Houtu Niangniang would ask him to protect that avatar of will.

Houtu Niangniang asked: "How are the Seven Emotions doing lately?"

"They are enjoying life in the mortal world, safe and sound," Li Changshou smiled. "Niangniang, you needn't worry. The Seven Emotions' avatars have been active within the Shang Tribe territory.

Once they grow tired of it, I will take them to the Heavenly Court to cultivate."

"I appreciate your efforts."

"It is also this junior's fortune to be able to do things for Niangniang."

Houtu shook her head and chuckled softly, gazing at Yang Jian and Yang Tianyou's figures there, seemingly lost in thought.

To Li Changshou's surprise, Yang Jian did not interfere much with Yang Tianyou's reincarnation, nor did he inquire about Yang Tianyou's reincarnated form.

Yang Tianyou had, after all, passed away.

Within the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc, after bidding farewell to his father's soul, Yang Jian remained kneeling for a long time, though it was unclear if he shed a man's tears.

Li Changshou naturally wouldn't treat Yang Tianyou poorly, having King Yama properly arrange his fortune and luck for his next life.

As for whether he would be a mortal or cultivate in his next life, that would be Yang Tianyou's own decision.

What made Li Changshou find this family a bit strange was that Yang Tianyou had also proactively requested King Yama to hide all information about his reincarnation, severing all ties with Yunhua, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan.

Li Changshou: ...

This family is truly peculiar.

Inside the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc, Li Changshou stood by for half a day before Yang Jian silently rose and whispered:

"Martial Uncle... thank you."

Li Changshou smiled, though he would have preferred to be addressed as 'Star Lord'.

"Come, let's take a walk and have a calm talk," Li Changshou said gently. "In truth, I also strongly dislike it when people claim 'this is for your own good' and presumptuously arrange our destinies.

I know that your reservations about me probably won't disappear even in ten thousand years.

But none of that matters. Today, let's have a good chat about the Heavenly Court."

Yang Jian frowned: "What specifically do Heavenly Court matters have to do with me?"

"You'll know in time," Li Changshou said, taking out a brocade pouch heavily wrapped in seals from his sleeve, and smiling. "Could you keep this item for me?"

Yang Jian's expression became serious. He gazed at the pouch for a moment, then took it.

Li Changshou said: "Do not easily show it to others. Not even your mother, master, or sister should know about it, nor should you open it casually.

This item is of great importance. It contains no treasures, just some words and strategies of mine.

Should there come a day when I leave this world, and the heavens and earth or the Heavenly Court encounter an insurmountable crisis, or should you feel yourself once again falling into the despairing mindset of being controlled by me, the seals on it will automatically dissipate.

At that time, you may open it and take a look; it contains the brilliant strategies I've left for you."

Yang Jian asked: "Why give it to me?"

Li Changshou smiled faintly. This smile, though light, was imprinted upon Yang Jian's Dao heart.

"Because I trust you, because you are Yang Jian."

Yang Jian silently gripped the pouch, storing it close to his body, and nodded solemnly to Li Changshou.

"Let's go, let's talk about something else," Li Changshou said gently, making a gesturing for Yang Jian to proceed.

Yang Jian glanced at Li Changshou's profile. A hint of animosity in his eyes lessened, replaced by a touch of admiration.

As the two chatted freely in this place isolated from the Three Realms, Li Changshou's philosophies on order, living beings, strength and weakness, and balance made the admiration in Yang Jian's eyes increasingly evident.

'Perhaps,' Yang Jian thought, 'I should reacquaint myself with this influential Heavenly Court official.'

As Yang Jian pondered this, the gap between him and Li Changshou was unconsciously buried deep in his heart, temporarily disregarded.

As the saying goes, in the world of cultivation, one cannot avoid trouble.

The manipulations of Lord Taibai were indeed... impossible to guard against.