Chapter 573: Tianyi Starts Business

The paper effigy of an old immortal, modeled after Taibai Jinxing, had been specially modified by Li Changshou to include flowing whiskers. This would allow him to stroke his beard when he wished to add body language without speaking.

Upon exiting the gates of Taibai Palace, figures bowed everywhere. Li Changshou summoned a Heavenly General on duty outside the palace and gently instructed, “Go to the Jade Pool and find Princess Long Ji. Ask her to lead her people to the South Heaven Gate to make some preparations.” Although Long Ji was his disciple, Li Changshou would add the title “Princess” when referring to her to others, out of her presence. The upcoming heaven-worshipping ceremony for the newly established Shang Kingdom would require auspicious signs from the Heavenly Court; this would also be a good opportunity for Long Ji to gain experience.

Speaking of the Shang Kingdom, Li Changshou instinctively thought of the Investiture of the Gods calamity. However, the Investiture of the Gods was merely a pretext, using the chaos at the end of the Shang Dynasty to direct the karmic retribution originating from humanity back to humanity itself. The true significance of the Shang Dynasty’s establishment lay in constructing the system of separation between immortals and mortals. This was the foundation for Li Changshou's verification of the Way of Balance, a form of indirect cultivation.

Although Li Changshou had not expended much effort on this matter over the years, only making initial arrangements, under Heaven’s subtle push and the protection of Sister Kong Xuan, the Shang tribe had undergone several transformations. They now met the requirements Li Changshou had designed for the "mortal cornerstone" in the Three Realms system: Immortals, mortals, and ghosts; demons, monsters, and spirits. Mortals were protected by the Heavenly Way, immortals and gods acted in accordance with the Heavenly Way, demons did not disturb the mortal realm, and the six paths of reincarnation proceeded in an orderly manner. This was the Three Realms order Li Changshou personally advanced.

Li Changshou had several profound intentions in doing this, believing he had no noble aspirations. Ultimately, it was for his own cultivation. Recalling Pangu’s broad-mindedness in willingly falling after creating the heavens and earth, and Dao Ancestor’s courage in merging with the Dao to protect the Primordial World and stop Senior Lang, his own small deeds were utterly insignificant, not worth mentioning. *Yes, he should think this way from now on, not bring up Senior Lang in his mind, and always keep praises for Dao Ancestor and Grandmaster in mind. Perhaps his Golden Body of Merit could still be salvaged.*

Along the way, he was greeted with warm regards. Upon reaching the Lingxiao Palace, he "coincidentally" met Dong Mu Gong, who looked worried and preoccupied. Li Changshou understood and stopped, waiting for Mu Gong to approach. He smiled, “What troubles you, Mu Gong? Why the worried look?”

Dong Mu Gong forced an awkward smile and sighed softly. “Chang Geng, that Western Sect truly…”

Li Changshou inwardly gave a silent thumbs-up. As expected of an old Heavenly Court minister, maintaining vigilance for nearly a century, truly a role model.

“Mu Gong, you really don’t need to worry so much,” Li Changshou said seriously. “As long as you stay by His Majesty’s side, how can there be any danger?”

“Alas,” Mu Gong transmitted, “The might of a Saint still fills me with trepidation.”

Li Changshou asked, “Has the Western Sect made any moves recently?”

“It completely matches what Chang Geng said previously,” Dong Mu Gong replied. “The Western Sect has begun suppressing the Immortal Alliance and spreading Heavenly Court rumors across the Central Divine Continent… Only my part hasn’t come true yet.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, realizing he might have overestimated Mu Gong’s Dao Heart. If this continued, any demonic obstacles could become counterproductive.

“Mu Gong,” Li Changshou said, “Let’s enter the Lingxiao Palace first. We shouldn’t keep His Majesty waiting. Please wait a few days, Mu Gong. I’ll visit your residence later, and we can share a drink.”

Mu Gong’s smile finally became much more natural and gentle. He exchanged bows with Li Changshou, then both extended their left and right hands in invitation, and entered the Lingxiao Palace together.

This was indeed a moment of harmony between Mu Gong and Taibai, signifying the Heavenly Court’s prosperity.

Let’s not dwell on Li Changshou entering the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and reporting to the Jade Emperor about the establishment of the Shang Kingdom in the Southern Continent today.

Meanwhile, in the Jade Pool, the Heavenly General from Taibai Palace hurried to report, and an immortal maiden delivered the message to Long Ji’s immortal pavilion where she lived and cultivated. Long Ji, who had been staring blankly at the mirror-like water by the window, quickly walked to her dressing table. She checked her makeup, which she had prepared a few days in advance, and then took out the essence of sunset clouds to moisten her lips. Her residence was one of the most elegant places in the Jade Pool; behind her immortal pavilion were thirty-six mirror-like treasure ponds, and not far away was the Warm Pavilion where the Queen Mother resided. Long Ji’s earlier daze wasn’t because she was thinking of anything specific; it was simply a blank stare when she had nothing to do.

A short while later, Long Ji emerged, gracefully clad in a gray-white, gold-embroidered, wide-sleeved long dress. When her wide sleeves met, they formed an auspicious crane pattern. The gray-white dress concealed golden phoenix embroidery, and it was also a protective spiritual treasure. Her master had told her to dress up nicely today, so she had carefully adorned herself. Her long hair was tied into a cloud bun, emphasizing her slender neck. Two light red pendants hung from her earlobes, like the finishing touch, instantly drawing attention to her figure and appearance. After traveling just a few miles by cloud, two teams of immortal maidens arranged by the Queen Mother, carrying flower baskets, approached. They bowed to Long Ji and followed behind her, heading together towards the South Heaven Gate. This was today’s Heavenly Court “award ceremony” team.

When Long Ji and dozens of immortal maidens arrived at the South Heaven Gate, she immediately saw her master and eagerly hastened her cloud. But then, Long Ji saw the Heavenly General leading the troops today, and instantly straightened her chest, pulling off an almost perfect figure, with a serious expression, clear eyes, and even breathing, her entire demeanor exuding dignity. That Heavenly General was naturally Quan Dong.

Quan Dong and Li Changshou were accompanied by two other figures. On the left was Ao Yi, Deputy Commander of the Heavenly River Navy and second guard of Taibai Palace. On the right was the most carefree fellow in the Heavenly Court, Bian Zhuang, another Deputy Commander on the verge of being removed from the Heavenly River Navy, who would have to go home and inherit his "family" chain enterprise if he didn't perform well in Heavenly Court duties.

Ao Yi had become even more formidable after overcoming his Golden Immortal tribulation, even growing two inches taller in his human form, but his face still retained the features of a handsome youth. Dressed in armor and wielding a sword, he looked truly majestic. Bian Zhuang stood there, eyes downcast and obedient, barely daring to breathe, fearing that Star Lord would suddenly call him out. He spent his days pondering "live stream" effects instead of cultivating, so his cultivation speed over the years was only considered upper-middle among Heavenly Court generals. With Ao Yi as a comparison in front and Jin Peng’s pressure behind, Bian Zhuang was utterly lacking in confidence at the moment. Jin Peng had gone to support the Immortal Alliance in their recent unfavorable battles, so Li Changshou had not summoned him back this time.

Long Ji arrived by cloud, bowed gracefully, and greeted with a voice like a hundred orioles singing: “Long Ji greets Master, and pays respects to Marshal Quan.”

Quan Dong smiled and nodded. Li Changshou said softly, “You’ve worked hard today. Please follow behind Marshal Quan. Later, when the Shang Kingdom performs its heaven-worshipping ceremony, scatter the blessings of the Heavenly Court.”

“Yes,” Long Ji and the immortal maidens behind her responded in unison, following behind Li Changshou and Quan Dong. A large contingent of Heavenly Soldiers protected them on both sides, and the grand procession flew out of the South Heaven Gate.

Over a dozen paper effigies, dispersed in various locations, scanned the area with their immortal senses, projecting half of the Southern Continent into Li Changshou’s mind. Nowadays, the influence of the Sea God Sect was diminishing, and the influx of incense merit was becoming increasingly slow, seemingly "limited" by the Heavenly Way, clearly intending to continue restricting his Golden Body of Merit. Li Changshou also intended to find an opportunity to transfer the Sea God Sect to the Dragon Clan; ideally, after a Dragon Clan member committed an offense and the Heavenly Court punished them, then as a benefit, the Sea God Sect would be transferred to change the Dragon Clan’s fortune. It was a common method of torment: hitting with an iron rod and then giving a sour jujube.

The Southern Continent was vast, so vast that even the various Human Sovereigns before, since ancient times, had never truly "unified the world." The same was true for today’s Shang Kingdom. They rose from the eastern part of the Southern Continent and, over two hundred years, expanded westward, encroaching, annexing, and conquering, occupying the prosperous central region of the Southern Continent. At this time, their territory only accounted for a quarter of the Southern Continent. Under their rule lived countless beings, common people were as vast as clouds of smoke, and there were innumerable cities and countless soldiers.

Today, the Shang tribe was establishing the Shang Kingdom. Hundreds of surrounding states sent envoys to pay tribute, jointly acknowledging them as the paramount ruler, thus recognizing the new generation of Human Sovereign. From the perspective of mortals, the Shang Kingdom was unstoppable, capable of destroying any city or state at will; the only hindrance to their armies was distance. In the eyes of ordinary Qi refiners, the Shang Kingdom had gathered the momentum of a Human Sovereign, supported by the Heavenly Court, and was considered a "Divine Kingdom of Incense" for the Heavenly Court. Only those powerful cultivators who could truly grasp the grand trends of heaven and earth knew that the Shang Kingdom held extraordinary significance, and the Human Sovereign’s destiny was also influencing the operation of the Heavenly Way.

However, the Shang Kingdom was not entirely "beneficial." Firstly, there was the Shang Kingdom’s system. The Shang Kingdom, originally a small state in the Eastern Divine Continent, reached its current state through Li Changshou’s arrangements and the Heavenly Way’s protection. However, its own system still retained the structure of rulers, nobles, and slaves. Most of Shang Kingdom’s slaves came from war captives, and its citizens were divided into upper, middle, and lower classes based on their birth, with slaves not included in any rank. Compared to the "advanced systems" of many cities in the Southern Continent that had developed and evolved for many years since ancient times, the Shang tribe’s path of conquest was largely one of "barbaric conquest of civilization." But precisely because of this rigidly hierarchical system, coupled with the sole path to promotion—military service—the Shang Kingdom’s army maintained strong combat effectiveness, enabling them to rapidly advance into the central region of the Southern Continent. Under the Heavenly Way’s subtle push, the Shang tribe’s transformation into the Shang Kingdom today would also entail a series of reforms to adapt to its current territory.

Of course, the Shang Kingdom also had a more "enlightened" side compared to other states and tribes. The Shang Kingdom respected ancestors and offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, not to specific deities. Within the Shang Kingdom, there was no concept of male superiority; women could join the military, lead armies in battle, and while civil officials were mostly men, influential priests and diviners in the Shang Kingdom were all pure-bodied women. And among the Shang Kingdom’s nobility, not a few families had women as "heads of household." This point actually stemmed from the Shang tribe’s reverence for an ancestor. Yes, it was Youqin Xuanya, who had saved Qi and his mother back then. The ruler, divine authority, and nobility formed a system of checks and balances, thereby ensuring clarity within the Shang Kingdom and enabling it to govern such a vast territory.

Li Changshou observed all this but did not wish to voice any opinions. Criticizing the Shang Kingdom’s slave and noble system in the Primordial World—wasn’t that a bit excessive? Things need to develop gradually. All of this was arranged and pushed by the Heavenly Way in the background. He just needed to do the right things at the right nodes. At the appointed time, the Heavenly Court procession had arrived above the Shang Kingdom’s incredibly grand capital, without revealing their presence.

In the center of the Shang Kingdom’s capital, a quadrangular high platform had been built, towering hundreds of feet high, terraced. Each level was filled with Shang nobles and generals. The four wide main roads in the city and the rooftops around the high platform were covered with kneeling mortals. In the fields outside the city, large numbers of slaves, temporarily expelled from the city for the day, sat obediently under the army’s supervision, waiting for the ceremony in the city to conclude. Inside and outside the city, countless black bird banners of the Shang Kingdom fluttered, and countless common people remained silent.

The Jade Emperor’s incarnation, Quan Dong, transmitted a message to Li Changshou, sighing, “Chang Geng, mortals are mostly ignorant. The path of enlightenment is long and arduous.”

Li Changshou transmitted back, “Your Majesty should proceed slowly. The Heavenly Court stands in the Primordial World. As long as Your Majesty maintains the original intention of seeking welfare for all beings, humanity will naturally be at peace.”

“You, you’re even taking the opportunity to lecture me now.” Quan Dong smiled and shook his head. Li Changshou hurriedly transmitted an explanation that he had no such intention.

To the west, at the very top of the high platform, female priests wearing some ghostly masks had finished an entire set of sacrificial dances. To the north of the high platform, the Lord of Shang Kingdom, clad in black ornate robes and holding a scepter, ascended the steps.

Li Changshou transmitted, “Your Majesty, this minor deity will make a move now.” Quan Dong immediately nodded with a smile.

Thereupon, Li Changshou flicked his whisk. A golden light flew from the clear high sky, landing on the head of Shang Tang Tian Yi, illuminating the entire high platform. Tian Yi’s lips curved into a slight smile, and he calmly continued to ascend the steps, his face becoming even more majestic. Li Changshou continuously made moves from the clouds above, and the previously prepared auspicious signs appeared one after another. Thunder appeared in the four directions, and the illusory figures of the Five Directions Deities were revealed.

When Tian Yi reached the highest point of the sacrificial platform, he raised his scepter with both hands and bowed forward. Kong Xuan stood atop the great city wall, clad in a light white long dress embroidered with colorful divine birds. With a gentle point of her hand towards the front, an illusory figure of a divine phoenix appeared in the sky, circling three times above the great city before soaring into the high heavens. The sky was filled with brilliant flowing light, and beams of immortal light descended from the clouds. Thirty-six immortal maidens circled and danced, and Long Ji slowly descended into mid-air on auspicious clouds, bestowing a Human Sovereign Seal cast by the Heavenly Court.

Countless mortals inside and outside the city immediately exclaimed and praised. The Heavenly Court’s Lingxiao Treasure Hall continuously trembled, and golden lights flickered constantly across the nine heavens. Auspicious clouds filled various parts of the Five Continents, and golden light scattered in patches, silencing all living beings. The Fire Cloud Cave in the Central Divine Continent showed an overwhelming aura, red tinged with purple. The foundation of human destiny was thus made more stable. From this moment on, the mortal Human Sovereign of the Southern Continent was appointed by Heaven. The mortal realm was fully integrated into the Heavenly Way system. The Southern Continent was protected by the power of the Heavenly Way, mortals had to respect the Heavenly Court, and the Heavenly Court’s incense would thenceforth flourish.

In this matter, Li Changshou had done much, but most of it was just going with the flow, acting according to Heaven’s script, to gain some merit for himself. The grand trend remained unchanged, but minor details could be altered. Li Changshou had indeed done a few small things that influenced the current situation of the Shang Kingdom. The equal status of women and men in the Shang Kingdom due to Youqin Xuanya’s influence was one. Abolishing human sacrifice, ensuring that the Shang tribe used livestock for sacrifices even in its early stages, was another. Nothing more than small, effortless deeds.

“Ah.”“Ah.”

Outside the Shang Kingdom’s capital, atop a small mountain, two figures hidden within a concealing formation gazed at the magnificent light and shadow of the mortal city. Jiu Jiu, dressed in a short shirt and short skirt, sat on a bench, chin resting on her hands, her gaze distant and dazed. *He must be here, probably in the clouds, right?*

Beside her, the Seven Emotions Maiden, wearing a rainbow-gradient long dress, mimicked Jiu Jiu, sighing with her chin in her hands.

“Copying me again,” Jiu Jiu pouted. “Who are you now?”

“Little Love!” The Seven Emotions Maiden replied with a giggle, “It’s not Little Sorrow’s turn until the next hour. Don’t be impatient.”

“What am I impatient about?” Jiu Jiu mumbled.

“Impatient to complain.”

“Bah!” Jiu Jiu rolled her eyes. “This immortal maiden is perfectly happy. Why complain? But… alas, Mr. Bai said there might be a chance to see him show up today, but it seems I won’t.”

The Seven Emotions Maiden gently tapped her cheek with her finger, wondering, “Aren’t your relations very good? Why not just go find him?”

“He’s been in seclusion all this time, so where would I get the chance?” Jiu Jiu snorted, “When this immortal maiden makes a move, it’ll be effortless! All those Heavenly Court high-ranking gods are nothing!”

The maiden pondered for a few moments, then nodded in strong agreement, “That makes sense. After all, you have Senior Uncle’s powerful backing.”

“Exactly!” Jiu Jiu waved her small hand, then slightly drifted into a daze.

“Hey, hey, can we do that again?”

Jiu Jiu blinked, “Which one?”

The Seven Emotions Maiden immediately put on a fierce look: “Anyone who dares to snatch my disciple from me! Woo! Woo woo!”

Jiu Jiu’s pretty face turned red. She raised her hand to cover the maiden’s small mouth, exasperated and gritting her teeth. The two bickered for a while within the formation. Perhaps the “Love” avatar of the Seven Emotions accidentally revealed some Dao resonance, stirring Jiu Jiu’s longing. She quickly became dejected, her Dao Heart somewhat losing control.

As if sensing a significant crack in Jiu Jiu’s Dao Heart, a faint shadow rapidly glided from the ground, silently floating to the mountaintop, attempting to merge into Jiu Jiu’s shadow. At this very moment, Li Changshou, seated high in the sky, slightly frowned and looked towards the mountaintop. His eyes gleamed with divine light. The formation could not obstruct him in the slightest; his gaze directly fell upon the shadow. He knew Jiu Jiu was there and had planned to greet Senior Uncle Jiu after the main event was done. He also wondered how Jiu Jiu could have formed such a deep friendship with the Seven Emotions’ reincarnation. But these were matters for later.

The shadow seemed like a demonic obstacle, quite similar to when Youqin Xuanya encountered a demonic obstacle at Du Immortal Sect long ago. Li Changshou flicked his whisk, about to send out a golden light to activate heavenly wrath and shatter the demonic obstacle. However, before Li Changshou could act, the maiden beside Jiu Jiu let out a soft sound of surprise. With a pat and a pull of her small hand, she immediately dragged a black shadow out from behind Jiu Jiu.

“What is this?” The Seven Emotions’ reincarnation showed a hint of curiosity, her beautiful eyes turning kaleidoscopic.