Chapter 572: This Kunpeng Is Exceptionally Proactive

Sigh...Ever since Pangu, all living beings have revered him.

Within his spiritual platform, Li Changshou’s primordial spirit sighed softly.

The boundless Primordial World could not contain Pangu; the myriad beings would never again witness Pangu’s divine presence. Only the tale of creation remains to be passed down through the ages.

He couldn't help but reflect on ancient times and lament the present, thinking of Dao Ancestor Hongjun, the Heavenly Dao, Senior Lang, and the Six Sages of this world.

The Dao is boundless, but cultivators have their limits.

The world Pangu desired to see ultimately remained in the distant past. When living beings attain the realm of Sages, they naturally block the path for those who follow.

How, then, should his own Dao of Balance find its place in this world?

Li Changshou's primordial spirit returned to stillness, discerning and absorbing the insights accumulated by his Dao heart.

‘Much time must have passed,’ he thought.

This thought arose in his mind. He could vaguely sense that the Tai Bai Palace in the Heavenly Court was undisturbed and that there were no fluctuations related to himself in the world, so he peacefully immersed himself in enlightenment.

The Heavenly Court was guarded by the Jade Emperor, Bai Ze was in the Three Thousand Worlds, and around him were his senior martial brother and several Daoist masters. The Taiji Diagram and the Profound Yellow Pagoda protected him, and a wisp of his mind was left outside his body...

If such cultivation still wasn't secure, Li Changshou would likely have no choice but to find an excuse to seek seclusion at the Grand Pure Temple.

The process of Pangu's demise had a profound impact on Li Changshou.

Li Changshou asked himself: if he were in that position, he definitely couldn't be so carefree and accept death with such equanimity.

What revolution comes without bloodshed?

How could Li Changshou not understand this principle? Now, as Lord Star of Tai Bai, he was in charge of the reforms, constantly prepared to make others shed blood.

The Primordial World.

The Heavenly Dao.

Balance.

Living beings.

The blood-red mist around Li Changshou dissipated. The surging vital energy, which had previously been like a tide due to the "Pangu Contemplation Diagram," also returned to stillness within his profound body.

No matter how strong the physical body, it serves merely for combat and doesn't determine one's true fighting power.

Rather, it is the depth of one's comprehension of the Great Dao and the height of one's Dao realm that truly determine one's standing.

Gradually, Li Changshou sank into the Great Dao, as if entering a dream named "Creation of Heaven and Earth."

He didn't know how long had passed, or how many years.

A slight disturbance stirred his mind. Li Changshou opened his eyes, which were full of bewilderment. This confusion quickly faded, divine light flickered in his gaze, and muffled thunder resounded throughout Xuandu City.

The Great Dao trembled.

Although his Dao realm didn't achieve a major breakthrough during this seclusion, his understanding of the Great Dao became far more thorough.

Consequently, the path he was to take in the future clearly appeared before his eyes.

"Awake?"

The Grandmaster's gentle call came from beside him. Li Changshou nodded with a smile, looking at the Grandmaster meditating on the distant city wall, and the immortaless standing quietly just dozens of feet away from him.

Yun Xiao's lips curved into a gentle smile, and she nodded at Li Changshou.

Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jin Ling also flew towards them from afar.

The grand formation of Xuandu City was complete, and the other Daoist immortals had returned to the Primordial World, not lingering here.

Li Changshou calculated with his fingers, realizing with surprise that he had been cultivating for seventy or eighty years.

A lesser-ranked ordinary deity would likely have been unable to resist asking, "Is the Heavenly Court stable?" or whether any major events had occurred in the world.

But Li Changshou knew that asking such questions would yield no results and would instead disrupt the atmosphere.

So, he said gently, "Have you been here all this time?"

"Mhm," Yun Xiao nodded slightly.

"Thank you," Li Changshou said, rising and bowing in Daoist fashion. Yun Xiao curtsied in return, sensing the mutual respect between them.

This respect was actually quite important to Yun Xiao.

The composite grand formation of Xuandu City was much simpler in overall structure compared to the composite grand formation of Little Qiong Peak, but it consumed far more precious materials.

This formation focused more on durability, efficient use of spiritual energy, and rapid transfer of the formation's spiritual energy in a short period.

The main highlight of this grand formation was its ability to switch back and forth between three states: defensive, offensive, and energy-saving.

Li Changshou didn't hold back this time; after all, this matter concerned the stability of the Three Realms and the defense of the world, so he naturally couldn't be careless. He handed over all his insights on linked formations.

It was also a small gift to these few Daoist masters he was familiar with.

Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jin Ling approached. Li Changshou cupped his hands in greeting, then invited Yun Xiao to join him and them, hurrying over to the Grandmaster's side.

The Grandmaster laughed, "Chang Geng, this grand formation you designed is truly excellent. From now on, your senior brother can sleep soundly—ahem, guard this place securely."

"Senior brother, you've toiled hard, you've toiled hard."

Li Changshou gave a thumbs-up, then inquired if any major events had occurred in the Three Realms during his seclusion.

Zhao Gongming laughed, "I knew you'd be concerned about this, that's why I've been waiting here, having Mr. Bai deliver messages every three years.

"Everything is safe everywhere, rest assured.

"It's just that Mr. Bai reported earlier that a certain Saintess has been looking for you twice recently, but couldn't find you. Mr. Bai also didn't tell her you were in seclusion."

"Saintess?"

"Martial Uncle Jiu?"

Li Changshou's face showed understanding, and he smiled, "She must be out of wine... Senior brother, if there's nothing else here, I'll return to the Heavenly Court first. I need to check the time so I don't delay any important matters."

"Go on then," the Grandmaster said, waving his sleeve. The Qiankun Ruler flew out, about to land in front of Li Changshou.

Li Changshou, however, pushed the Qiankun Ruler back, saying seriously, "The Demon Master Kunpeng now covets the Three Realms. The Qiankun Ruler should remain by your side, senior brother."

"Good."

The Grandmaster raised his hand and patted Li Changshou's shoulder, sighing:

"Your cultivation realm is now sufficient for self-preservation. Just remember, when facing a Sage directly, you must ask Master to intervene beforehand.

"Sometimes Master's thoughts are elsewhere, and he might not be able to perceive your situation in time."

"Mhm," Li Changshou agreed with a smile.

Senior brother must have some misunderstanding...

He can protect himself now? Not entirely, far from it.

Also, why would he confront a Sage directly? Last time, protecting Yang Jian, he was actually representing the Heavenly Court and the Jade Emperor, and was only prepared for a war of words.

Taking action is impossible; he would never take action in this lifetime.

The Grandmaster suddenly transmitted a voice message, asking, "If Kunpeng attacks again, should I ask on your behalf..."

"Senior brother, do not speak too much with Kunpeng," Li Changshou immediately transmitted back. "That Kunpeng is merely playing mind games. I can roughly deduce the contents of the item in his hands.

"This matter involves too much, and it has some slight connection to my origins. If I were to tell you, senior brother, it would draw you into this vortex."

"Are you confident you can retreat unscathed?"

"Right now, I only have an eighty percent chance," Li Changshou said, gazing at the Chaos Sea beyond the grand formation. "But some things are bound to happen. I just need to do my best and avoid creating new complications, and the odds can be increased further."

"That's good then."

The Grandmaster nodded with a smile, his eyes filled with peace. He stopped transmitting messages and said gently, "If there's anything your senior brother can do for you, don't hesitate to ask."

Li Changshou mused for a few moments, "Senior brother, there might indeed be two important matters later."

So many years have passed in a blink. He wondered if Comrade Wen Jianguo, who was in the "West," still had unwavering loyalty to the Human Dao Sect.

Additionally, to improve Kong Xuan's favor towards the Human Dao Sect, the title of "Grandmaster's Wife" should also be arranged.

Mmm, I'll go back and set up a Nine Revolutions... Heart Fire Burn.

Grandmaster Xuandu took out the "Pangu Contemplation Diagram" from his sleeve and muttered, "Why do I feel like you're plotting against your senior brother?"

"How could that be!"

Li Changshou quickly denied it. "Senior brother, you can keep this diagram. I can just draw another one when I go back."

Zhao Gongming, standing by, couldn't help but ask, "Chang Geng, what did you comprehend this time? I also stayed at that entrance to heaven and earth for over a decade, but only saw some chaotic images."

Hearing this, Li Changshou's mind couldn't help but recall the simple conversation he had with the marmot—ahem, with Senior Lang—when Pangu perished.

"Sigh... It was my fortune to witness Pangu's majestic form, and only then did I truly understand what the pinnacle of living beings is, and how shallow my own Dao is.

"The road ahead is long, and the Dao is boundless.

"Senior brother, Old Brother, Senior Sister Jin Ling, Yun, may we all pluck the fruits of the Great Dao together and comprehend the true meaning of transcendence."

The few exchanged glances, some saying "good," others chuckling softly.

At that moment, Li Changshou suddenly realized he was standing in the middle of the group, inadvertently surrounded by them.

Xuandu City had regained its quietude. Li Changshou was concerned about the situation at Tai Bai Palace and did not linger.

On the way back, Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jin Ling deliberately went ahead, incidentally coaxing away the Golden-winged Roc who had been waiting for his master on the other side of the entrance.

Li Changshou understood Old Master Zhao's intentions, but he still couldn't completely rest assured about everything.

Yun Xiao rode her cloud beneath the starry night sky. Li Changshou sat beside her, closing his eyes and shifting his consciousness to quickly "inspect" the Three Realms.

Goddess Nuwa was right: if Li Changshou's abilities were a bit stronger, he might truly be listening in on the Three Realms all the time.

Half an hour later, Li Changshou opened his eyes and exhaled.

Yun Xiao asked with a smile, "Are you at ease now?"

"Yes, I am," Li Changshou replied. "The Four Seas Dragon Palaces are fine, Tai Bai Palace is stable as usual, the Six Paths of Reincarnation are steady, the Heavenly Court is still in a semi-sealed state, and Duke Mu is also safe and sound.

"It's just that the Human Emperor of Southern Jambu Continent is about to be born, so that area needs to be closely watched."

Yun Xiao blinked, asking softly, "You usually have so many things to worry about, how can you still comprehend the Dao?"

"That's where time management comes in."

"Oh?"

"It's about reasonably allocating the twelve hours of a day... Why don't we continue discussing this while we play chess?"

Li Changshou took a chessboard from his sleeve. Yun Xiao showed a gentle smile, with a hint of eagerness in her eyes.

When two people are alone, the atmosphere is very important.

At this stage, one shouldn't force a topic or appear overly verbose. Instead, engage in activities they can both participate in to make the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable, allowing both to feel more at ease.

As the chess pieces were placed, their conversation gradually drifted further.

Yun Xiao seemed to share the Grandmaster's concerns and asked him:

"Do you really not need to make a trip to the Chaos Sea? Is what Kunpeng possesses important to you?"

Her implication was that if it was important, she would find a way to try and reclaim it.

Li Changshou smiled, "It's just a trick Kunpeng is playing; don't take it to heart, and certainly don't risk danger for it."

"Mhm," Yun Xiao gently responded, appearing as if she wanted to say more but ultimately remained silent.

Seeing this, Li Changshou chuckled inwardly.

He said, "Are you wondering about my origins?"

Yun Xiao's gaze held a hint of guilt. She softly said, "The Heavenly Dao, Grand Uncle-Master, and Ancestor have all acknowledged it. I shouldn't ask..."

"What's there to it? If you weren't curious about me, then I'd be worried."

Li Changshou drew several barriers around himself, and Yun Xiao immediately deployed two layers of immortal energy shields.

For prudence, Li Changshou held Grandfather Pagoda in his palm and extended his right hand to Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao understood, extending her left hand to meet his palm. Their eyes met, and their divine senses spoke in each other's minds.

This way, they could maximally ensure that their shared words would not be overheard by other beings or treasures.

Whether the Heavenly Dao could listen in on divine senses was debatable, but what Li Changshou was about to say, the Dao Ancestor already knew.

Li Changshou mused for a few moments, then said, "Where should I begin?

"Some questions I haven't confirmed yet, nor do I know how I came to be, so let's temporarily skip that part.

"You can think of it as, in my previous life, I wasn't in the Primordial World, but in some corner.

"That could have been a later era of the Primordial World, or a world beyond it. The Dao principles there were somewhat different from the Primordial World, but the state of living beings was similar... I can't say too much about these things, lest it affect your cultivation.

"In my previous life, I was also a mortal, cautious for half my life, but ultimately couldn't escape the grip of illness.

"That's how it was."

Yun Xiao blinked, "Then why did Kunpeng say your homeland seemed very special?"

"It's probably due to the ideas there.

"The matters involved are very complex and cannot be explicitly stated in this world."

Li Changshou thought for a moment, then suddenly looked serious, gazing intently at Yun Xiao and saying gravely, "We can discuss it in detail after marriage."

Yun Xiao first froze, then frowned slightly, her pretty face actually flushing hot. She actively avoided Li Changshou's half-smiling gaze.

Then she lightly pursed her thin lips, squeezing out a sentence between her pearly teeth:

"How did you suddenly... become so improper?"

"How is this improper? This is a great matter in life."

A hint of longing flickered in Li Changshou's eyes, but he rationally changed the subject to avoid embarrassing the immortaless.

Indeed, dating a powerful female immortal from the Primordial World required a hundred times more effort.

Meanwhile, in the Chaos Sea, in the half-ruined cave where Li Changshou and Yun Xiao's Dao principles had previously converged.

"Impossible!"

"This is absolutely impossible!"

"So much time has passed, why hasn't that outsider come to find me yet?"

"Did I give too few hints, or is he simply too dull?"

Inside Kunpeng's old蛻 (shed skin) cave, Kunpeng, in human form, paced back and forth, his gaze exceptionally sharp.

"Damn it!"

"I was just one step away from erasing the mark that bastard imprinted on my primordial spirit back then, and restoring my true freedom!"

"He had already risked appearing in Xuandu City earlier; was his sincerity still not enough?"

Although, he was also somewhat forced into it.

Kunpeng truly didn't understand why, based on the information from the Outer Demons who had infiltrated the Primordial World, a large number of rumors about "Kunpeng's avatar" and "second primordial spirit" had suddenly appeared overnight in the Primordial World.

He had arranged his old蛻 almost flawlessly. Even when his old蛻 met a certain impatient Sage in the Chaos Sea multiple times, not a single flaw was revealed.

But why, after his old蛻 was logically and reasonably slain by that outsider, did rumors appear in the Primordial World that saw through his scheme?

As for the rumored Maitreya of Western Buddhism...

He was merely a short-sighted individual, not worth worrying about, and had no relation to him whatsoever.

Among Western Buddhism, only Guide (Jieyin) was a formidable character; the others... were merely average.

Kunpeng's steps slowed. A hint of ruthlessness appeared in his eyes, but it was immediately followed by profound apprehension.

He absolutely must not underestimate beings with the same origins as that scoundrel.

Each of these outsiders was ten, even a hundred times more malicious and cunning than himself!

Of course, this current outsider shouldn't be a match for the one from back then; the latter, in Demon Master Kunpeng's perception, was a being of extreme cunning and treachery.

Had he made a mistake somewhere, or was his fearsome reputation too great, deterring this young outsider from coming to the Chaos Sea?

Speaking of this, Kunpeng was also somewhat dejected.

He admitted he wasn't a good being, and in the mainstream views of various eras in the Primordial World, he was always considered a fierce and evil being. Yet, he was far from "extremely evil."

In ancient times, he merely followed the rules of the Primordial World: killing to seize treasures, hiding and seeking, using any means necessary to become stronger.

This was the survival mode for beings in the Primordial World during the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity and the late ancient era.

During the Demon Court era, many times he was merely the Demon Emperor's mouthpiece. Some evil deeds and notorious reputations were borne for the Demon Emperor, and he received corresponding rewards, ranking below the two Demon Emperors but above all other demons.

The main reason he earned the title of Demon Master was his participation in the construction of the "Grand Heavenly Star-Dou Formation."

Many times, the Demon Emperor, seated on his high throne, would simply wait for him to speak or for someone to make a suggestion.

The Demon Emperor couldn't possibly say directly, "Our Heavenly Court, acting on behalf of Heaven, can wantonly slaughter other beings and refine magical treasures to bolster our strength."

It must have been that the Demon Emperor would discuss it with him beforehand, give him, as a minister, some benefits, and then have him actively present memorials during court sessions.

At that time, the two Demon Emperors would hesitate for a long time, showing some reluctance, and he would persuade them a few more times, saying that the matter was for the greater good of universal stability...

Ultimately, the Demon Emperors would retain their benevolent reputation, while he, the ruthless Demon Master, would bear the infamy.

However, Kunpeng didn't care about this.

"Hmph! That little scoundrel!"

Kunpeng's eyes narrowed, a strong murderous intent rising in his heart. He rummaged in his sleeve for a moment, took out several black magical pearls, and casually tossed them aside.

With a few muffled pops, several female silhouettes of shadows flew out from the pearls, kneeling on one knee behind Kunpeng.

None of them were native to the Primordial World, yet they resembled its beings. Their faces and figures even matched the appearance of Primordial immortalesses, and in the Primordial World where immortalesses generally possessed a soft-glow effect, they could be considered beauties, possessing a subtle "exotic charm."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Kunpeng's lips.

That young outsider's weakness, perhaps like his bastard predecessor, was an inability to resist these.

"Just wait!"

"This Daoist will surely make you understand the consequences of daring to trifle with me!"

"All malevolent spirits, heed my command!"

Thus, three months later.

In the bright sunshine, in front of the alchemy room at Little Qiong Peak, in the backyard of Tai Bai Palace.

Ling'e, dressed in a short skirt with two bun hairstyles, sat on a meditation cushion in front of the alchemy room door, hands clasped in a cultivation posture, quietly cultivating with her eyes closed.

Li Changshou reclined in a rocking chair, a bronze mirror floating before him, with snacks and hot tea drifting nearby.

In the bronze mirror, Yang Jian was fiercely charging alone, while a squad of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals in mid-air beat drums and waved banners, cheering him on.

At this time when the Heavenly Court was maintaining a low profile, having an exceptionally active Heavenly General whom Western Buddhism dared not retaliate against was quite good.

Since Yang Jian had chosen this path, he would help him promote himself later, to expand his reputation and increase his influence.

Yang Jian chose this path himself; his Lord Star of Tai Bai hadn't plotted anything this time, merely going with the flow.

Not long after, Ling'e opened her eyes and asked, "Senior brother, shall I change the tea?"

"No need to trouble yourself," Li Changshou said as if casually mentioning a minor matter. "If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll take you back to my hometown to see it."

Having said that, Li Changshou stood up and stretched his limbs.

The time was about right. He should descend to the mortal realm to preside over the succession of the "Co-Lord of the World" and the establishment of the Shang tribe's nation.

He also wondered if the Heavenly Dao would grant merit this time, to replenish his pitiful ninety-eight percent exclusive merit-golden body.

"Oh."

Ling'e responded, lowering her head to read the contents of the jade slip. Only after Li Changshou rode his cloud away did she pause slightly.

Hometown? Paying respects to senior brother's parents? Officially getting senior brother's approval?

Li Changshou "stared" with his immortal sense at the front of the alchemy room, filled with astonishment, only to see a small mushroom cloud rising from Ling'e's forehead, her delicate figure swaying, her eyes filled with spirals.

"What, what could she have possibly thought of?"

'If we have a boy in the future, we'll name him Li Zheng, and a girl, Li Xiang! Hao Ran or Yan Ran would also be fine! Whatever Senior Brother likes! Wuuu!'