Chapter 567: Reinforcing Xuandu City

A faint sigh, accompanied by wisps of white clouds, drifted into the distant sky and vanished.

The sky in the Heavenly Palace never felt low or oppressive, but Duke Mu's spirit, however, was currently filled with stifling gloom. The mere thought of being targeted by the Western Sect, of being on their list of schemes, made Duke Mu of the East's usually calm Taoist heart waver with unease.

If there were any other way, who would want to become kalpa ash? Who would want to bury their immortal Tao fruit? Yet, in the Great Desolation, Saints reign supreme. If the Western Sect's Saints were to act against him, what could he do to resist?

After hearing Taibai Jinxing's analysis of the subsequent developments in the Lingxiao Palace, Duke Mu's heart... turned utterly cold. It was as if a voice echoed in his ear constantly: "There's no hope, just wait to die; you might as well eat and drink your fill."

"Should I try to leave a descendant?" "If the Western Sect's schemes lead to my death, surely my wives will be treated well by the Heavenly Court." Once one enters the Heavenly Court, it's like plunging into a deep sea; true freedom becomes a distant stranger. Having drifted through the Heavenly Court for so many years, had he perhaps forgotten the joy of cultivation?

There was no other way... Duke Mu pondered, hesitated, and stubbornly held out for half a month, but eventually, he couldn't resist showing up at the entrance of Taibai Palace. He adjusted his expression to appear utterly haggard. He also made sure to add a tremor to his voice, using an aged tone with a quavering end, hoping it would convey a strong sense of his plight.

Taking a breath, he lifted the hem of his ornate robe, and began to jog in small steps forward. Upon reaching the Taibai Hall, he let out a cry: "Chang Geng, save me! Chang Geng, save me... Hmm?"

Duke Mu's voice abruptly ceased as he raised a hand to cover his bumped nose, staring in surprise at the layers of light barriers that had appeared before him. What a powerful defensive array! It completely concealed any fluctuations. While Duke Mu was still surprised, the surrounding Heavenly Soldiers and Generals dared not look too closely, each pretending to be a wooden statue.

Duke Mu of the East waited outside for a while, then couldn't help but call out again: "Chang Geng? Is Chang Geng at home?" Strange, Chang Geng usually leaves a paper avatar when he goes out. Why is there no movement this time?

Inside Taibai Hall, Ling'e, who had arrived upon hearing the commotion, watched the old immortal outside the array, craning his neck and looking around, and recalled her senior brother's instructions: "This time I'm out, and later I might not be able to spare a thought. If anyone comes looking for me, tell them I'm in crucial seclusion and cannot be disturbed. Remember, you must also be careful and discreet, so as not to attract attention; the Heavenly Court is currently unstable."

Ling'e couldn't help but tug at her hair. Her senior brother was once again asking her to inform others... What was she to do? A thought suddenly sparked in her mind. Ling'e blinked, then drifted back to Little Qiong Peak.

Soon after, the petite and agile Xiong Lingli rushed over, carrying a bluestone. Ling'e briefly deactivated the protective array from within, then immediately reactivated it, and Xiong Lingli casually hurled the bluestone towards Duke Mu.

Duke Mu of the East was initially startled, then calmly smiled. He was, after all, a Golden Immortal. With calm composure, he raised his left hand and pressed it towards the approaching bluestone. He recalled his valiant demeanor on the human battlefields of old, and looking back to ancient times, slaying demons and fighting fiends while laughing...

With a crisp sound, many Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were startled, but fortunately, the bluestone came to a stable halt three inches in front of Duke Mu. Duke Mu of the East calmly put his left hand behind his back, the unnatural bend of his left arm concealed by his wide sleeve. Though his face was pale, he still wore the smile of an esteemed elder.

The bluestone was inscribed with: "Taibai Jinxing is currently in crucial seclusion."

Duke Mu nodded in understanding and chuckled, "Then I'll come back later, later." With that, Duke Mu turned and drifted away, his departing figure showing no disorder, leaving many Heavenly Soldiers and Generals filled with emotion. Truly, he was worthy of being the Heavenly Court's most senior civil official.

Where had Li Changshou gone? To Xuandu City, of course.

Yang Jian's matter had just concluded, and Li Changshou hadn't rested long before he received a 'transmitted image' from his teacher. At that time, Li Changshou didn't rush over. Instead, he had Golden Peng take his paper avatar to a Great Thousand World not too far from Xuandu City and, sparing no expense, construct the 'destination point' for a one-way teleportation array. Following that, Li Changshou ordered the Heavenly Hall to secretly assist in constructing the 'starting point' of the one-way teleportation array in a Great Thousand World not too far from the Five Continents.

The array was one-way. Both the 'starting point' from the Five Continents and the 'destination point' from Xuandu City maintained sufficient buffer zones, saving roughly ninety-five percent of the travel distance. This way, it could achieve the goal of rapid support for Xuandu City, while also preventing the array from being exploited by outer demons if Xuandu City were ever breached. This was the balance he struck between 'stability' and 'efficiency.'

Then came the most crucial question: Who should be chosen to assist in defending Xuandu City?

In the image provided by his teacher, while his Senior Brother appeared somewhat dishevelled, the Taiji Diagram was holding back the Great Desolation's entrance, and his Senior Brother's own magical power was abundant, his condition quite good. Otherwise, his teacher wouldn't have just 'transmitted an image' to him; he would have descended upon Xuandu City himself and set up a barbecue stand. Dao soldiers were formed from divine abilities; no matter how many casualties there were, there was no need to feel pity.

"Why didn't teacher personally eliminate Kun Peng?" Such a doubt arose in Li Changshou's mind, but upon careful thought, it made sense. If his teacher personally handled everything, what use would he have for his two disciples?

Kun Peng's sudden attack was something Li Changshou had considered before, but due to his confidence in his Senior Brother, and because Xuandu City was no place for ordinary beings, he hadn't paid it much mind. In fact, this whole affair was indeed initiated by him. First, he had eliminated Kun Peng's old molted form in the Chaos Sea, but he hadn't spread this news throughout the world as Kun Peng had anticipated, which would have exposed Kun Peng's feigned death scheme. Later, Li Changshou, in order to scheme against Maitreya, revealed the matter of Kun Peng's second primordial spirit, which in turn rendered Kun Peng's feigned death plan meaningless. After that, Kun Peng sent the outer demon Du Shuren to establish contact. Under the gaze of the Heavenly Dao, Li Changshou directly rejected Kun Peng's 'invitation', and Xuandu City began to be frantically assaulted by outer demons...

Although Li Changshou didn't fully understand what Kun Peng was trying to achieve, he had now concluded that Kun Peng and Senior Wave must have some connection. And Kun Peng was likely interested in him, a fellow countryman of Senior Wave. Unfortunately...

Li Changshou was currently acting under the momentum of the Heavenly Dao and was highly regarded by the Dao Ancestor. He naturally had to strenuously avoid any association with Senior Wave.

What was Kun Peng's intention with this action? Li Changshou quickly arrived at... three fairly reliable possibilities. First, Kun Peng might be colluding with the Western Sect, actively appearing to help Maitreya clear his name, or executing a 'lure the tiger from its mountain' stratagem. Second, Kun Peng might want to stir up trouble amidst the chaos, pressure the Great Desolation, and profit from the 'infighting' of the Six Saints. Third, Kun Peng might want to lure him outside the heavens. Because of Du Shuren's previous message, 'Kun Peng asked me to convey something,' among these three possibilities, the third was the most likely.

If so, a big problem emerged. Assuming Grand Pure Teacher knew everything from ancient times to the present, and he directly transmitted such an image to him, rather than merely the word 'go', did that mean his teacher also wanted him to meet Kun Peng? This was truly a major issue. Li Changshou held Grand Pure Teacher in immense reverence. In his eyes, Grand Pure Teacher's inclination represented the 'right and wrong' of past events. Recalling that Grand Pure Teacher had once acted to conceal that 'Yearly Record'... Li Changshou's heart couldn't help but feel a little lost.

Between Senior Wave and Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who was truly right and who was wrong? More accurately, who was 'more' right? Analyzing a matter from different angles could lead to different conclusions. Aside from pure evil, desire driven by malice, and endless greed, there was no absolute right or wrong.

"Who should I invite to help in Xuandu City?" Li Changshou pondered for a moment and quickly decided on candidates. The most important quality for candidates going to Xuandu City was a firm Taoist heart, one that couldn't be exploited by outer demons. Among the experts he could invite, Old Master Zhao was certainly one with a relatively tough Taoist heart. He didn't have significant obsessions, and the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls were also very suitable for major confrontations. If Old Master Zhao was going, it was impossible for Saintess Golden Spirit to be left behind. A husband and wife fighting demons together, after all.

Yun Xiao... Li Changshou instinctively wanted to avoid this Dao name, unwilling to let Yun Xiao venture into danger outside the heavens, but when it came to a firm Taoist heart, Yun Xiao was definitely among the top five Daoist disciples. If he ignored this, it would be favoritism taken to the extreme, practically reaching Zixiao Palace! Therefore, when Li Changshou sent out jade talismans, he also sent one to Three Immortals Island.

After sending out several jade talismans, Li Changshou considered another problem. If he brought too many Jie Sect immortals to Xuandu City, and a major war broke out in the Three Realms, wouldn't that directly harm the Jie Sect? Hmm, he needed to balance it. Li Changshou then turned his attention to the Chan Sect, sending one jade talisman to Yuxu Palace and another to Mount Qianyuan. It was an old common sense from his previous life: an excellent team needed stable initiators and reliable 'tanks' to protect the main damage dealers as they unleashed their firepower. True Immortal Taiyi, of utmost importance.

Within half a day, the first group of experts supporting Xuandu City gathered at the 'starting point' of the one-way teleportation array. From the Jie Sect, Saintess Golden Spirit led the team, accompanied by Zhao Gongming, Fairy Yun Xiao, and Saintess Gui Ling. From the Chan Sect were True Immortal Huang Long, True Immortal Taiyi, and True Immortal Yuding.

—The jade talisman Li Changshou sent to Yuxu Palace merely stated that Xuandu City was in distress and requested True Immortal Taiyi and True Immortal Yuding to come assist, without asking for additional help. As for the Human Sect, there were few disciples: only Li Changshou himself, plus the two mounts already waiting at the other end of the teleportation array.

After the experts gathered, Li Changshou briefly explained the situation in Xuandu City, pointing out the suspected appearance of Demon Master Kun Peng, and then distributed a batch of 'Heart-Cleansing Pills' to the immortals. Although all present were Great Desolation Grand Sages, elixirs produced by the Human Sect were still considered rare items.

Upon hearing 'Kun Peng', Saintess Golden Spirit and the others' expressions turned incredibly grim. Knowing the peril of the day, they braced themselves fully and stepped into the teleportation array, traversing layers of cosmos. However, this single teleportation caused the spirit stones of both arrays to shatter directly. The value of the precious materials consumed could power the Immortal Du Sect's mountain-protecting array for a thousand years. Though long-distance teleportation was convenient, it was indeed extravagant. If the Taiji Diagram could exert some of its power outside Xuandu City at this moment, Li Changshou wouldn't have been so 'wasteful'.

Golden Peng, who had been waiting for a long time, transformed his body to a hundred zhang in size, carrying the various Grand Sages. Bai Ze transformed into his auspicious beast form, standing on Golden Peng's forehead, his three colorful long feathers gently fluttering, sensing the fortune and misfortune ahead.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "This time, it's not convenient for me to appear directly."

"What's wrong?" Zhao Gongming asked with concern.

Li Changshou said, "Kun Peng might be looking for me, and I don't wish to be found by him."

True Immortal Taiyi's eyes lit up, and he chuckled, "You've even managed to 'hook up' with Kun Peng?"

"Crude language! What do you mean 'hook up'? It's just that I went out with the fairy before and killed Kun Peng's old molted form." Li Changshou flicked his sleeve, then looked at Fairy Yun Xiao, who stood quietly beside him, and smiled, "Fairy, may I borrow your Cloud Sleeve to hide?"

Yun Xiao was unconcerned by this. She raised her hand and unfurled her Flowing Cloud Sleeve, gesturing for Li Changshou to enter. Li Changshou leaped up, but as he did so, he shrank to three inches in length and darted into Yun Xiao's sleeve. This way, he could both observe secretly and discreetly put the Xuanhuang Pagoda on Yun Xiao.

Fairy Yun Xiao seemed to be a bit slow to realize; it was only after Li Changshou's true form entered her sleeve that she became aware of how overly intimate this action was. Especially as Li Changshou wasn't quite well-behaved inside her sleeve, occasionally brushing and poking, which caused her cheeks to flush slightly.

Li Changshou was also filled with emotion at this moment. His body shrunk, he observed Fairy Yun Xiao's arm skin up close, and discovered... that the fairy's skin indeed had no visible pores!

Meanwhile, the group of experts hurried to a gap in the Heavenly Dao barrier, arriving before a dark, cavernous void vortex.

Bai Ze said, "The path ahead holds minor peril; everyone, be careful."

A voice emanated from Fairy Yun Xiao's sleeve: "Mr. Bai and Golden Peng will provide support here. If any escaped or troublesome outer demons appear later, even if you can't slay them, try your best to stall them."

Bai Ze and Golden Peng both agreed, assisting at the vortex entrance.

Saintess Golden Spirit said, "Prepare your divine abilities and activate your magic treasures; there's likely a tough battle ahead."

"Agreed.""Agreed."

Immediately, Saintess Golden Spirit summoned her Dragon-Tiger Ruyi Scepter, manifesting her six-armed avatar, with each jade arm holding various heavy battle treasures. True Immortal Taiyi summoned his Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover, with nine fiery dragons enveloping him on all sides. Fairy Yun Xiao took out the Primordial Golden Dipper, holding it in the palm of her left hand. With her right hand, she lightly poked the left side of her sleeve, signaling a certain Heavenly Court deity to behave and not distract her. Zhao Gongming activated his twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, and in his hand, he held the Golden Wood Whip.

Li Changshou noticed a detail. At this moment, there was a deeper connection between the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls and Old Master Zhao, allowing his spiritual power to flow more smoothly. Thinking about it, when ordinary Heavenly Court deities borrowed the Xuanhuang Pagoda, the Flame Light Banner of Separation, or the Qiankun Ruler, a mental crosstalk routine would often ensue in their minds. Old Master Zhao had twenty-four pearls; if each pearl's spiritual essence were independent, wouldn't that be... terrifying to imagine.

True Immortal Yuding's familiar jade cauldron appeared above his head. And a dazzling, multicolored light enveloped True Immortal Taiyi's primordial spirit. To prevent him from 'collapsing' as a 'tank' – absolutely commendable. True Immortal Huang Long looked at Saintess Gui Ling, expecting to find some comfort, but saw Saintess Gui Ling now enveloped in a soft, pale green glow, holding a jade flute in her hand, with over a dozen musical instruments suspended behind her. Saintess Gui Ling herself exuded a pure and upright aura, brewing waves of primordial spirit fluctuations. Truly, a hidden master against outer demons.

True Immortal Huang Long thought: "Perhaps I should guard outside as well?"

"Charge!" With a soft cry from Saintess Golden Spirit, six streaks of light soared into the sky and plunged into the vortex ahead. True Immortal Huang Long's mouth twitched twice, and he transformed into the seventh streak of light...

Within this vortex, the power of the Heavenly Dao was incredibly dense, seeming to cross through layers of barriers, as if traversing endless cosmos. Li Changshou carefully observed, sensing the strange fluctuations created as various Grand Daos were slightly twisted, and comprehending the various wonders contained within the Heavenly Dao's incompleteness. His immortal sense was suppressed around him, unable to probe outwards, most of his six senses were ineffective, and only his eyes could discern faint streaks of light flickering in the darkness. The power of the Heavenly Dao was so concentrated that it felt somewhat oppressive, but profound insights welled up in Li Changshou's heart, which he suppressed.

Empty-Bright Dao Heart, activate!

Suddenly, the view ahead opened up. Li Changshou's immortal sense immediately spread out in all directions, and he witnessed the great battle currently unfolding in Xuandu City. They emerged directly beneath the Taiji Diagram. The Taiji Diagram slowly revolved, its Yin-Yang energies enveloping the area, shredding and repelling countless incoming black mists, remaining entirely unshaken. This also confirmed Li Changshou's earlier thoughts... As long as the Taiji Diagram was present, outer demons could not breach Xuandu City's final defense. Kun Peng could not possibly be unaware of this; his appearance and fierce assault on Xuandu City with outer demons must have a hidden purpose!

And Kun Peng... From within Yun Xiao's sleeve, Li Changshou looked up, peering through the illusory Taiji Diagram, and saw that short figure standing with hands clasped behind its back directly above, surrounded by streaks of black shadows. Under the illumination of the Taiji Diagram, countless outer demons crowded the void from the edge of the Chaos Sea to the edge of the Great Desolation. Among these numerous outer demons, besides Kun Peng, several other figures radiated intense pressure. One was a bizarre creature, half its body hidden in the Chaos Sea, seemingly ten thousand zhang tall, with colorful tentacles at its waist, subtly outlining the figure of a woman draped in a thick skirt; another was a terrifying fierce beast shaped like a dragon but with numerous bone wings; and then there were those of arbitrary shape and changeable appearance, exuding an eerie pressure, and even containing dozens of incomplete Grand Daos... Primordial Fiendgods!

Grand Master Xuandu was currently seated cross-legged in the center of the Taiji Diagram, with two figures shuttling back and forth around him, doing their best to block the outer demons' assault on the Taiji Diagram and himself. Although two fists are no match for four hands, and the Grand Master was indirectly trapped here, unable to move from the entrance to the heavens and earth, he showed no injuries at this moment, his response was quite composed, and he seemed capable of defending indefinitely.

Li Changshou remained silent at this moment, only reminding a few people not to reveal his presence here, and to observe secretly. Feeling his senior brother's suppressed anger, he didn't hesitate, and said to Fairy Yun Xiao: "Yun, reach your hand in."

Fairy Yun Xiao reached her right hand into her sleeve and took the Qiankun Ruler and Xuanhuang Pagoda that Li Changshou handed her. Her slender finger lightly poked Li Changshou's chest. Li Changshou conveniently coughed twice, then lay down by Yun Xiao's arm, turning to embrace her smooth jade arm with both hands, and sighed with a transmitted voice: "It's over, it's over, I'm gravely injured. I won't be able to get up without some benefits."

Yun Xiao softly 'hmph'ed' at him with a transmitted voice, her tone gentle, and then immediately focused her attention on the impending battle.

Zhao Gongming let out a soft cry: "It really is Kun Peng!"

Saintess Golden Spirit gave a cold half-snort, her figure the first to shoot skyward! The other Daoist experts activated their magic treasures, charging out of the Taiji Diagram without hindrance!

Grand Master Xuandu suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of anger crossing them.

Fairy Yun Xiao called out softly: "Senior Brother, please take the treasures." The Qiankun Ruler flew from Fairy Yun Xiao's hand, transforming into a gray streak of light that broke through several black shadows, and rushed to Grand Master Xuandu's side, where it was firmly grasped by the Grand Master's raised right palm.

The Grand Master rose to his full height! Just then, a small pagoda flew to the top of the Grand Master's head, scattering myriad Xuanhuang energies.

"Junior brothers and sisters, you just need to guard the Taiji Diagram," the Grand Master said calmly, then looked up at Kun Peng, the fiendgods, and the numerous outer demons above.

With a small pagoda hovering above his head, scattering streaks of Xuanhuang energy, the Grand Master's figure appeared remarkably imposing.

"Did you enjoy beating this poor Daoist these past few days? You scoundrels."