Chapter 576: Master Uncle's Heart-to-Heart Talk, Kunpeng's Game

The starlit river gleamed, and the starry night was enchanting. A cool night breeze swept away earthly clamor as it passed over the mountain ranges, which resembled a dark forest.

A white cloud flew in from the southwest, heading towards a certain place in the Central Divine Continent. It was quite peaceful on the cloud.

On the cloud, Li Changshou sat quietly at the front. His appearance, with white clothes and a white beard, was naturally that of the paper effigy who had appeared in the Shang Kingdom of the Southern Continent.

Behind Li Changshou, the 'Holy Heavenly Demon,' tainted with too much of Little Ai's divine power, was currently curled into a ball, large teardrops seeping into the cloud.

What should this creature be called?

Names like Holy Demon or Holy Heavenly Demon were too imposing. Mei Wenghua's strength was not particularly great, and it was currently unknown what divine abilities she possessed.

The original Outer Heavenly Demons' strongest divine ability was to invade the Dao hearts of primordial beings. The mutated Outer Heavenly Demons still retained this ability.

The former, however, caused beings to become corrupted, while the latter caused them to become benevolent.

Li Changshou realized this, which is why he wanted to take Mei Wenghua to Fire Cloud Cave.

Perhaps, somewhat ironically for Mei Wenghua, although she had received the Heavenly Dao's recognition, gained this immortal spirit body, and previously endured multiple trials, she still had not earned Li Changshou's trust.

How to settle this mutated Heavenly Demon also troubled Li Changshou greatly.

He had not yet decided whether to disclose this matter to the public. When should it be disclosed if he chose to do so, and what benefits could it bring to the Heavenly Court or himself?

More importantly, Li Changshou could not yet completely rule out its threat.

If this was all an act by Mei Wenghua, and she genuinely gained access to influential Heavenly Court figures whose Dao hearts had significant flaws, the consequences would be truly unimaginable.

This did not necessarily refer to Mu Gong.

One must maintain a basic level of respect for Outer Heavenly Demons and not be careless. After all, their favorite thing was to manipulate the Dao hearts of beings.

Li Changshou had considered killing Mei Wenghua directly more than ten times, but found it truly regrettable.

Perhaps this mutation was unique and irreplaceable. In that case, Li Changshou would truly lose a trump card against Kunpeng and the Heavenly Demons.

Suddenly, Li Changshou recalled a few words.

It was during a time of new rain on empty mountains, when he had strolled through the mountains with his master, Daoist Qi Yuan, speaking about the fox maiden Alan.

His master's teachings still echoed in his ears and had a significant impact on Li Changshou.

A sense of awe.

Do not lose reverence for living beings...

Thinking of this, Li Changshou raised his hand and opened his left palm towards Mei Wenghua, who was curled into a ball, adding two layers of immortal power protection.

It's always right to be cautious.

Outer Heavenly Demons were also considered part of Kunpeng's peripheral forces. This time, Kunpeng had 'struck' at him repeatedly, and even threatened his junior martial uncle.

This was unbearable!

He also needed to devise a countermeasure.

On this trip to Fire Cloud Cave, he would also invite several retired Human Emperors to discuss whether a way to deal with Kunpeng could be found.

This Kunpeng was truly too brazen.

Meanwhile, beyond the Five Continents of the Primordial World, in the vast and boundless void.

Li Changshou's paper effigy was tucked into Jiu Jiu's sleeve, as Jiu Jiu concealed her traces and fled in the direction of the Proximity Heaven Palace.

Previously, Jiu Jiu's intuition was not wrong; Li Changshou had indeed lied to Quanzong at that time.

However, some things Li Changshou could not directly tell His Majesty the Jade Emperor; he could only hint at them via voice transmission.

He couldn't just directly say that he wanted to take this special Outer Heavenly Demon to Fire Cloud Cave to see if she could help Suiren-shi.

That would easily cause offense.

Rumor had it during the late ancient era that the position of Heavenly Emperor was originally meant for a Human Emperor. Suiren-shi was considered the oldest and strongest among the ancient Human Emperors in the world.

And unlike Fuxi-shi and Shennong-shi, Suiren-shi was a pure human, while humanity was flourishing greatly in the world today, giving him a stronger sense of 'legitimacy.'

Li Changshou had also speculated that it might be the Heavenly Dao deliberately controlling Suiren-shi with demonic energy to ensure the Heavenly Court's stable rule over the Three Realms.

Of course, Li Changshou would not confuse his own identity or mistake his position.

He was an ordinary influential minister of the Heavenly Court, currently working for the Heavenly Dao.

This visit to Fire Cloud Cave was merely out of respect for the Human Emperors and a 'small agreement' he had previously made with Emperor Dayu, bringing Mei Wenghua to try if she could alleviate some of Suiren-shi's suffering.

Before parting ways with Quanzong, Li Changshou feared that His Majesty the Jade Emperor might not have grasped the key point, so he proactively sent a voice transmission to explain two more sentences.

'The several Human Sages in Fire Cloud Cave had previously entrusted a matter to this humble deity. It concerns Suiren-shi's early fall to demonic influence, and now the demonic energy is gradually becoming uncontrollable. As the saying goes, things turn contrary when they reach an extreme. This Mei Wenghua might have a unique way to deal with demonic energy. This humble deity's visit to Fire Cloud Cave will also involve trying to get her to help suppress the injuries of the ancient Human Emperor Suiren-shi.'

Quanzong at that time... blinked, calmly nodded in agreement, and subtly frowned as he left.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly. His Majesty the Jade Emperor was indeed concerned about this matter. Every being at the pinnacle of power likely harbored some apprehension towards anything that could threaten their actual authority.

The 'understanding' Heavenly Emperor thought: 'Hmm? What deep meaning does Chang Geng's special instruction hold? Should I perhaps show goodwill towards Fire Cloud Cave? That's right, I had overlooked this matter before. Now that mortal humans respect the Heavenly Court, the ancient Human Emperors shouldn't have any complaints. I'll arrange it when I return. It's also thanks to Chang Geng's thorough consideration of everything.'

A true large-scale scene of disunity between lord and minister in the Primordial World.

On this trip to Fire Cloud Cave, apart from Mei Wenghua, Li Changshou specifically brought Bian Zhuang along.

For no other reason than to have him witness the entire process, lest His Majesty overthink things.

Long Ji was the Heavenly Emperor's daughter, Ao Yi was entirely his own confidant. On the other hand, Bian Zhuang, who was both amiable towards him and a Heavenly General respectful of the Heavenly Court, was just right.

Li Changshou worked with two minds. His two paper effigies observed different scenery, but in his heart, he was organizing his thoughts.

Even after Kong Xuan goes to Xuandu City, it doesn't mean he won't get caught in the Great Tribulation of Investiture of Gods later.

Having taken on humanity's fortune, he would be drawn into such a great tribulation. This time, it would likely be difficult to avoid.

If he forcibly made Kong Xuan escape the tribulation, he needed to clearly consider whether he could withstand the backlash caused by the vacancy of the Buddha Mother's position.

To break through the barriers of fate, one always has to pay a price.

He couldn't possibly, just to protect Kong Xuan, arrange for the Golden-Winged Great Peng to play Kong Xuan's role, and then...

The Buddha Mother becomes the Buddha Father?

Forget it, he was worrying too much. It would be better to leave Kong Xuan's matter to his Eldest Martial Brother to handle.

"Changshou."

"Hmm?"

The concealed Jiu Jiu softly hummed twice and transmitted a message to the paper effigy in her sleeve: "You... have been quite busy lately, haven't you?"

Li Changshou chuckled and replied: "For the past one or two hundred years, I've mostly been cultivating. It's also thanks to you, Martial Uncle, for traveling far and wide, that I haven't had to focus all my energy on matters outside of cultivation."

"Oh, why are you being so polite with me?" Jiu Jiu said with a delighted laugh. Then she cleared her throat. "Ahem, so, Ling'e has been fine lately, right?"

"What could possibly happen to her? She's just cultivating in the mountains," Li Changshou sighed. "When the Immortal Ascension Sect faced tribulation, I couldn't keep Ling'e there to brave the difficulties with the sect. For safety, I moved Little Qiong Peak to the Heavenly Court, but that has made Ling'e a bit lonely."

"Then why don't you spend more time with her?" Jiu Jiu's smile faded as she mumbled, "Don't you dare let Ling'e down. Ling'e is not like you. You are a righteous god of the Heavenly Court, among the highest-ranking ones, and a powerful being in the Primordial World, watched and revered by the world, with countless identities. But Ling'e only has one identity... your junior martial sister. She began to admire you just a few years after entering the sect, and for all these years, her devotion to you has never wavered."

Li Changshou chuckled: "Martial Uncle, rest assured. I will never let Ling'e suffer any grievances."

"Your answer sounds a bit depressed, somehow."

"Hmm?"

"It's nothing, nothing, just used to being depressed," Jiu Jiu waved her small hand. Her gaze shifted sideways, a hint of loneliness in her eyes, but it quickly returned to a flowing radiance.

Never mind, let's not think about other things for now.

Jiu Jiu asked: "Changshou, how are things progressing between you and Ling'e?"

"Well," Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, finding it hard to answer, "It's relatively stable."

"Can you have a little baby now?" Jiu Jiu asked, full of surprise.

"How is that possible?" Li Changshou transmitted back with a hint of helplessness. "Actually, sometimes, I also have some contradictions."

"Contradictions?" Jiu Jiu blinked. "Is there something you can't resolve, Lord Star Lord!"

"Martial Uncle, please don't tease me."

Li Changshou chuckled. A surge of impulse to confide arose in his heart. After a brief moment of restraint, he decided it would be fine to say these things to Jiu Jiu.

In this world, having traveled all the way to today, those he could call Daoist friends were spread throughout the Three Realms.

But those he could truly call confidants... his junior martial uncle came even before Mister Bai.

Li Changshou slowly said: "Cultivators most dread not understanding their true heart or true nature. If they feel lost, they will soon encounter a bottleneck. I am a mortal, with seven emotions and six desires, and I also hope that everything will have a perfect ending, although that's unlikely. My feelings for Ling'e are more like those of a sibling than a Dao partner. I raised her, and I taught her skills. We are like siblings, like master and disciple. Watching her transform daily, I have a very strong protective urge. But I'm also afraid that if we become Dao partners, it might instead cause our relationship to regress. Sometimes I think about letting her make more friends, letting her travel more after the world becomes stable, so her life doesn't have to be as monotonous as mine alone, but then I worry she might leave me. That subtle feeling of fearing to lose my unique place in her heart truly leaves me feeling a bit helpless and amused at the same time."

Jiu Jiu pursed her lips and lectured: "You just lack a bit of courage."

"Courage?"

"Yes, courage. You're not decisive at all."

Jiu Jiu snorted and continued to list his faults: "You managed to win over a primordial mighty figure like Immortal Yunxiao, yet you keep your distance from your own junior martial sister, whose heart is completely devoted to you. I think you just can't bring yourself to do it, afraid your conscience won't allow it, feeling uneasy deep down that your kindness to Ling'e before had ulterior motives. You're just avoiding that uneasiness. What's the big deal? Who cares if others tease you? Let them talk, what's there to be afraid of? You're senior and junior martial siblings, or childhood sweethearts. Ling'e is devoted to you, constantly striving in cultivation, becoming more beautiful and charming, all to please you, yet you're still concerned about your own reputation, truly..."

"Am I?"

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, then thought carefully for a while, "Martial Uncle's lecture is right, but something doesn't seem quite right. I've also steeled myself and taken the initiative, but every time Ling'e..."

"Every time?"

"She would run away because she was too shy."

"Just because of that?"

Jiu Jiu looked exasperated. "Drink! How simple is that! Alcohol gives courage to cowards. Just let Ling'e have some wine, wouldn't that solve it? You're the Grand White Planet, and this is all you can come up with?"

Li Changshou's forehead was lined with black. He just felt that doing so would be a bit... unprincipled.

"Martial Uncle, I still need to consider this matter carefully."

Jiu Jiu asked, perplexed: "Why? What more is there to consider?"

"A relationship, especially between a man and a woman, actually has different stages," Li Changshou said. "People always see the joy and satisfaction that come with a relationship's sublimation, calling it happiness. But few consider how two people should interact after the relationship gradually becomes mundane. Mortal lives last only a few decades, and they already have to face such things. Immortals have infinite lifespans as long as they don't encounter tribulation. During that long period of mundanity, will they gradually grow weary and thus grow tired of each other?"

"Well..."

Jiu Jiu blinked. "You think that far ahead?"

Li Changshou chuckled: "Actually, I've already thought of some ways to resolve this matter."

"What?"

"I thought about sending Ling'e to cultivate in Empress Nuwa's palace for a period, but I haven't been able to make up my mind," Li Changshou said. "With a Saint's protection, her safety would be assured. If I separate from her for a while, it would allow the admiration she's had since childhood to cool down. If afterwards, I am still in her heart, I will naturally no longer hesitate to become her husband and wife, never to be separated again."

Jiu Jiu pursed her lips and smiled, saying: "That's certainly a method, and it could also help Ling'e gain more foundation."

"Thank you, Martial Uncle, for enlightening me on this matter," Li Changshou said gently. "My other effigy is almost at Fire Cloud Cave, so I'll be busy now."

"Go on, go on. This Martial Uncle can sneak back, no need to worry too much."

Although Jiu Jiu said this, how could Li Changshou not worry? After all, Martial Uncle Jiu's cultivation was still only at the late Heavenly Immortal realm.

Li Changshou kept three tenths of his concentration on this location, constantly using his immortal sense to probe from the furthest possible range.

On the other side, above the great marsh where the Fire Cloud Cave entrance was located.

Li Changshou created a 'bubble' of immortal power, letting the weeping Mei Wenghua sleep within it. He brought Bian Zhuang, pulling the bubble, and bowed towards the entrance of Fire Cloud Cave.

Bian Zhuang, who had been highly tense all along, was now stiff all over and bowed respectfully towards the front.

A vortex of swirling light appeared above the lake. Li Changshou led Bian Zhuang into it, walked through the long passageway, and arrived above another great marsh. In front, a familiar figure wearing a bamboo hat was walking on the waves.

It was naturally Emperor Dayu.

Li Changshou's consciousness shifted to his other paper effigy. He saw Jiu Jiu, while fleeing through space, repeatedly raising her forehead, looking up in silent roars of anger, and her speed instantly increased by three tenths.

Wine-deprived frenzy?

Li Changshou chuckled. This time, his paper effigy was escorting Jiu Jiu back to Proximity Heaven Palace, and he might as well teach her some brewing methods to prevent his Martial Uncle from running out of wine and candy.

'Are you sure?'

'Master, my Dao has been reversed. I can sense it even through the power of the Heavenly Dao.'

'Reversed?'

In a hidden corner of the Chaos Sea, two divine senses intertwined and communicated.

Kunpeng swayed its massive body. Its fleshy wings were tucked at its sides, and its form indeed resembled a giant fish.

After a moment of thought, Kunpeng asked:

'Are you saying someone can reverse your Dao and transform Heavenly Demons into other puppets, rather than directly purifying them?'

'Yes, Master,' the Heavenly Demon Venerable's divine sense carried a hint of urgency. 'There are over a dozen known Great Daos that can purify my Dao, but none have ever made me feel fear. This time, I directly lost my connection to that child. That child even became an existence I utterly detest, precisely the opposite of me.'

'Don't be too afraid,' Kunpeng said. 'There are countless beings in the Primordial World. It's likely that Hongjun is researching how to deal with us. Hongjun cannot detach from the Primordial Heavenly Dao, so he is no longer a concern. Which child did you lose?'

'She was sent to the Primordial World by Master. You once bestowed upon her the name Mei Wenghua.'

'Oh?' Kunpeng pondered for a moment. 'Sense the whereabouts of the remaining three pseudo-spirits. Tell them not to delay, and to act quickly.'

'Understood.'

The Heavenly Demon Venerable assented, and the two wisps of divine sense disentangled.

Kunpeng's terrifying giant eyes opened, a hint of killing intent flashing within them.

It seemed that relying solely on these Heavenly Demons wouldn't accomplish anything.

Then, Kunpeng spread its two enormous fleshy wings, as if parting two realms. With a gentle flap of its wings, its body crashed through the chaos and departed.

It's time to wake up, you escapees who dared not face the great tribulation.

On the other side, in Fire Cloud Cave, Li Changshou, Emperor Dayu, Emperor Xuanyuan, and Fuxi, in the pavilion on Emperor Dayu's mountain peak, were also discussing the matter of 'fishing.'

"Do any of you seniors have a strategy? It would be best if we could lure Kunpeng near Xuandu City. This time, with full preparations, we can capture it in one fell swoop and eliminate future troubles forever."