Chapter 592: Heavenly Dao Gate, Public Brightness Encountering Difficulties

In the Chaos Sea, Li Changshou was busy with the Kunpeng, while Saints passed by Xuandu City.

When several Saints of Xuandu City interacted, a few pleasant anecdotes were created.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou began the comprehensive process of taking over the Kunpeng Ark. He intended to inspect it thoroughly dozens of times and fully grasp the fundamental principles of Senior Lang's techniques; otherwise, he would remain unsettled.

Indeed, the more cautious he was now, the more respect he demonstrated for Senior Lang.

As the saying goes, 'one is influenced by their company,' and being close to Li Changshou made one more cautious. Fairy Yun Xiao, at this point, was significantly calmer and more prudent than when she first met him.

She was diligently searching back and forth within the Kunpeng's secret chamber, leaving no corner unchecked and carefully studying every formation.

After all, Li Changshou had previously mentioned that this place might become their future secret base, ideal for discussing the Dao and perfectly hidden from the sight of Saints and the Heavenly Dao.

A secret rendezvous... *cough*... a secret base for discussing the Dao.

What Li Changshou hadn't anticipated was that the wisp of Primordial Violet Qi he had deliberately relinquished, forcing the Kunpeng to integrate it into its primordial spirit, had now become a persistent worry for him.

He searched the Kunpeng's primordial spirit multiple times, discovering that the violet qi had completely merged with it.

If the Kunpeng's primordial spirit were destroyed, that wisp of Primordial Violet Qi would also vanish, making it utterly impossible to separate the two.

The turn of events was truly vexing.

Li Changshou had reacted quickly to evade the wisp of Primordial Violet Qi and resolved his personal crisis by leveraging the Kunpeng. This should have been a cause for joy, but as he smiled, he realized that the Kunpeng was actually a 'fellow countryman's problematic gift' left by Senior Lang.

It made him quite flustered.

Consequently, Li Changshou couldn't help but start drawing connections regarding this matter.

Li Changshou had always regarded the Dao Ancestor as the 'ultimate strategist.'

Having now directly witnessed Senior Lang's methods, and considering the victor of that ancient secret confrontation, Li Changshou dared not show the slightest negligence. He felt compelled to consider every possibility at the deepest level.

He even feared his considerations weren't deep enough.

Could this entire situation have been meticulously planned by the Dao Ancestor?

The Dao Ancestor, he thought, must have considered Li Changshou's temperament, his unwillingness to use that wisp of Primordial Violet Qi, and Senior Lang's original schemes against the Kunpeng.

Then, finally, used a wisp of Primordial Violet Qi to transform the Kunpeng into a tool for the Heavenly Dao?

He gasped — the more he pondered it, the more plausible it seemed.

After the demise of Pangu, the will of the Heavenly Dao, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Demon Ancestor Luohu, Senior Lang, Ancestral Dragon, and First Phoenix emerged as the most formidable wills in existence.

Senior Lang's 'rules of their game' implied that 'they' referred to this specific group.

Ultimately, Senior Lang calmly faced the reality of his defeat. He could have simply fled with the Kunpeng, yet he chose to return to the Primordial World for a hidden confrontation with the Dao Ancestor...

Of these overt and covert overlords from ancient times, who remains today?

Only Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Though the Dao Ancestor was merged with the Heavenly Dao, he subtly maintained a position above it.

He gave off the undeniable impression of being the true ruler of the Primordial World!

How could such a powerful figure, such an esteemed elder, use the Heavenly Dao's 'ultimate treasure,' the Primordial Violet Qi, merely to interfere with a small scheme of his junior disciple?

To understand a problem, one must always look beyond the surface and grasp its essence.

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments. Sitting on the Kunpeng's back, he had his paper effigy establish contact with the Kunpeng's primordial spirit, initiating another round of investigation and assessment.

As a seemingly frail Heavenly Court civil official, lacking the power to subdue the fully manifested Kunpeng, he could only be exceedingly cautious when facing these 'old foxes' – *cough* – these venerable seniors.

The Kunpeng itself served as a stark warning.

Later, when he reviewed the ancient texts left by Senior Lang, any cultivation methods found would be immediately incinerated and eradicated on the spot!

This was to prevent any worse outcomes.

The question was, would his current departure from the Primordial World last too long?

Li Changshou considered carefully. He was somewhat concerned about Ling'e's safety and also worried that his meticulously laid plans might spiral out of control.

“Hehehe…”

His Dao heart lightly trembled as Grandfather Pagoda's spiritual sense bloomed within him, which Li Changshou perceived and condensed into a single thought:

“What’s there to worry about? Just stay here with Fairy Yun Xiao for a hundred or eighty years. Master was here earlier, saw you were busy, didn't disturb you, and left on his own.”

Li Changshou was speechless.

He couldn't help but quietly ask, “What was I doing when Master arrived?”

“Kunpeng, super evolution!”

“Alright, alright, I understand!”

Li Changshou's face reddened. He raised a hand to his forehead and pondered for a moment.

There was no privacy to be found in this Chaos Sea.

Considering Master's cultivation realm and the Human Path's status, it was hardly surprising.

If Master intended to, could he observe anything, anywhere?

Li Changshou silently thanked his Master in his heart. He stood up and bowed towards the Primordial World, then composed his thoughts and steadied his mind.

Since his Master had visited this place, it meant the modified Kunpeng held no hidden dangers; otherwise, his Master would surely have given him a warning.

Now, he could finally begin his detailed research.

On another note, what realm had his Master truly reached?

Compared to the Dao Ancestor before his fusion with the Dao, and Senior Lang at his peak, his Master should surely be stronger, not weaker.

Probably.

Li Changshou gently exhaled, using his immortal power to push back the surrounding chaotic aura, and slowly focused his mind.

Li Changshou himself hadn't realized that his delay in the Chaos Sea would mean several decades had swiftly passed.

Afterward, what caused him the most heartache was...

He had spent the vast majority of his time engrossed in the study of the Primordial Violet Qi and the Kunpeng's primordial spirit, and with Fairy Yun Xiao...

he had done absolutely nothing else.

In a blink of an eye, it was the thirty-fifth year since the minor battle in Xuandu City.

Xuandu City had long since returned to its accustomed leisurely tranquility.

Although there had been no news from Li Changshou and Yun Xiao, the Daoist masters were no longer overly concerned for their safety, thanks to Saint Taiqing's casual remark about 'passing by.'

When a Saint speaks, there is always profound meaning, especially from the most powerful Saints who value words like gold, with each word carrying boundless depth.

How much information did those simple two words, 'passing by,' truly convey?

Countless!

According to Bai Ze's interpretation, Master Taiqing's remark not only demonstrated his indifference toward other powerful Saints but also served as the perfectly timed counter to Saint Jieyin's words, which had sought to distance himself.

Incidentally, it also conveyed that Li Changshou was safe and sound, returning from the Chaos Sea with Fairy Yun Xiao.

At that time, Saint Mother Jin Ling asked, 'It's just two words, 'passing by,' how does that indicate Yun Xiao and Chang Geng are safe? Don't speak carelessly merely to flatter.'

Bai Ze chuckled, 'Saint Mother, consider this: if Master Taiqing was 'passing by,' then he must have been on a journey, having accomplished something. At this crucial moment, what could Master Taiqing have been doing? Just now, I sensed Taiqing's Dao rhythm return to the cosmos, and the power of the Yin and Yang Dao was denser than before, indicating that Master Taiqing had returned from the Chaos Sea and was merely passing through Xuandu City. When Master Taiqing finally departed, he sent those words to all of us, and their meaning couldn't be clearer. Do not underestimate those two simple words, 'passing by'; they were enough to convey all this information. Perhaps this is the extraordinary capability of the Human Path's Saint Master.'

Saint Mother Jin Ling couldn't help but laughingly scold him then, 'Senior Master is indeed incredibly powerful, and the Human Path's mounts are truly remarkable. If I were to join your Human Path, I fear I wouldn't even be worthy of being a mount.'

Bai Ze felt a touch awkward but merely smiled without a word.

However, after Bai Ze's explanation, the various immortals of the Dao Sect stopped worrying so much about Li Changshou's safety.

With Saint Taiqing protecting him, their concerns were entirely unnecessary.

In the subsequent years, several groups of experts who had gone searching for Li Changshou and Yun Xiao returned. The last to arrive were Golden Winged Peng, Zhao Gongming, and Perfected Yuding.

Golden Winged Peng felt quite remorseful.

He had initially hoped to barely keep up with the Kunpeng, but in his eagerness, the spiritual energy of his harness depleted too quickly, causing him to momentarily exhaust himself and watch helplessly as the Kunpeng vanished into the Chaos Sea.

Attempting to pursue in the original direction only led to a fruitless search.

—In reality, Li Changshou had been rather anxious when he saw Yun Xiao unconscious, so he pressured the Kunpeng to take them to its secret location.

That secret location in the Chaos Sea was hidden, like a grain of sand or a towering mountain. Without precise coordinates or a specific approach method, one could pass right by it without noticing anything unusual.

This was the nature of chaos.

Fortunately, thanks to Bai Ze's explanation, Golden Winged Peng, though still remorseful, found peace in his Dao heart.

As long as Li Changshou remained absent, Golden Winged Peng continued to wait in Xuandu City, uncertain of what else to do without his Master's direct orders.

The news of Li Changshou and Yun Xiao's disappearance in the Chaos Sea eventually reached Ling'e, who had been diligently cultivating in seclusion on Little Qiong Peak, making her the last to hear.

Ling'e wasn't overly concerned about her senior brother's safety, as her heart was filled with unwavering admiration for him.

Instead, she began to worry that her senior brother and Sister Yun Xiao were progressing too quickly, and she would be left behind.

After all, they were alone in the dim, unknown Chaos Sea, relying solely on each other. It would be all too easy for them to develop feelings, to become smitten—like dry tinder meeting a spark, or heavenly thunder igniting earthly desire.

It was perfectly normal, she understood, she often imagined such scenarios, but opportunities were scarce.

Ling'e herself thought Sister Yun Xiao was exceptionally brilliant, and while she couldn't possibly reject her, surely there should be a proper order of precedence for these matters?

She and her senior brother were the ones who had known each other longest!

Alas, the most sorrowful thing in the mortal world wasn't watching her senior brother and Sister Yun Xiao live as a happy couple;

it was having to be there… babysitting for them… while they were doing so.

At this thought, Ling'e silently submerged herself in the bathtub, using a series of gurgling bubbles to express her silent protest against the powerful innate beings of the Primordial World.

“Stinky Senior Brother, hmph!”

However, Li Changshou could guarantee by his marriage clay figurines that this time, apart from taking advantage of Yun Xiao's vulnerable state once, he truly did nothing else.

He simply had no time.

For these thirty-five years, most of his interactions with Yun Xiao revolved around the Kunpeng's primordial spirit, often with Li Changshou consulting and deliberating with her on Senior Lang's methods.

For instance:

“Yun, look here. The Kunpeng's second primordial spirit has indeed completely merged with the Primordial Violet Qi, yet it's suppressed by that senior's restrictions. In other words, if the Heavenly Dao wanted to control the Kunpeng through the Primordial Violet Qi, it would be hindered by Senior Lang's restrictions.”

“Not necessarily,” Yun Xiao replied. “This is the Chaos Sea, far from the Heavenly Dao, so the Primordial Violet Qi can't exert much power here. I heard Master mention in his lectures that while the Primordial Violet Qi provides a path to sainthood, the deeper one's integration with it, the greater the Heavenly Dao's control. It’s even possible that the Heavenly Dao could use this item to influence their judgments.”

“You’re right, that’s a very important consideration,” Li Changshou said. “I’ll ponder it further.”

Then, half a year, a year, or even three to five years later, Li Changshou would again meet with Fairy Yun Xiao, and each time, he would exclaim:

“Yun, guess what I’ve discovered now!”

“Regardless of this senior’s character, their mastery of talismanic arrays and restrictions is truly unparalleled in the Primordial World!”

“This array design is simply too powerful!”

Each time, Yun Xiao would gaze at Li Changshou with gentle eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips, listening to him elaborate freely and offering a suitable response or two.

She didn't mind this at all;

Instead, she felt an unexpected sense of reassurance and carefully imprinted every one of Li Changshou's expressions deep within her heart.

Even after countless years, she could recall them with a simple thought.

Finally, this time, Li Changshou rushed over, his face beaming with excitement:

“Yun, I’ve completely grasped the so-called method of the second primordial spirit! This senior’s techniques are truly heaven-defying; they are indeed worthy of being a, *cough*, a great figure who followed Pangu!”

“Oh?”

Yun Xiao responded with an appropriate question, preparing herself to listen to his excited rambling.

Li Changshou chuckled:

“When the Kunpeng’s primordial spirit serves as the ark’s main control, its own consciousness is completely muddled! That senior actually split the Kunpeng’s second primordial spirit into two: one part forming the superficial persona of the Demon Master Kunpeng, and the other being the core essence of the ark’s control system. I’ve now devised a method to allow the Primordial Violet Qi to either fully merge with the Kunpeng’s personality or entirely with the ark’s control system.”

Yun Xiao pondered for a moment and asked, “Comparing the two, which option is more secure?”

Li Changshou replied, “Merging with the ark’s main control system is undoubtedly the most secure option. The ark’s main control is merely a program formed by talismanic arrays, essentially the spiritual essence of a magical artifact, but it possesses no 'self-awareness.' That senior did exceptionally well on this particular point. In other words, if the Primordial Violet Qi cannot influence a specific true spirit, it loses its ability to bind or restrain living beings. This wisp of violet qi would then simply become a key—a key to open the gate of the Heavenly Dao!”

“Yes, that would be much safer,” Yun Xiao said gravely. “Unless absolutely necessary, one should not contend with the Heavenly Dao.”

“Alright, I’ll follow your advice on this.”

Li Changshou and Yun Xiao exchanged smiles, and then he swiftly returned to the Kunpeng to continue his studies.

Yun Xiao blinked, then closed her eyes and focused her mind, cultivating and comprehending the Dao in a corner of the grand, ornate array.

After this, Li Changshou remained out of sight for a considerable time.

Yun Xiao perceived that about seven or eight years had passed. Concerned that Li Changshou might be in trouble, she proactively went to the Kunpeng to find him, only to meet Li Changshou, who was 'just about' to come looking for her.

Clearly, Li Changshou had detected Yun Xiao's approach and proactively left the Kunpeng's inner secret chamber.

“What happened?”

Yun Xiao gently asked, “Have you encountered a problem? Do you need me to discuss it with you?”

“It’s not so much a problem,” Li Changshou replied, “I just saw some future scenarios and started contemplating my plans for various subsequent events, which made me lose track of time.”

Li Changshou sighed, appearing to hesitate before speaking further.

Yun Xiao waited patiently, a hint of expectation in her gaze.

But in the end, Li Changshou said:

“My research into the Kunpeng’s primordial spirit is nearly complete. Let’s head back now so others don't worry too much. Yun, do you remember the direction to the Primordial World?”

“Of course, I remember,” Yun Xiao gently replied.

Seeing Li Changshou offer the jade token that controlled the Kunpeng, she didn't hesitate, raising her hand to take it.

“You take the helm; see how it feels.”

Li Changshou said with a smile, “Don’t rush on the way back; I need a few more days to think.”

Yun Xiao asked, “Did you see something troubling through that wisp of violet qi?”

Li Changshou slowly sighed. “Indeed, I can’t hide anything from you. My mind is somewhat troubled right now. Once I’ve figured things out, I’ll decide whether to tell you about these concerns. We are quite far from the Primordial World here, so the Primordial Violet Qi should, by rights, have lost its connection with the Heavenly Dao. Those images must have been intentionally shown to me by Grandmaster. I can’t yet determine if they are stories arranged by the Heavenly Dao or merely scenes it has deduced. However, I can confirm that this Primordial Violet Qi was indeed bestowed upon me by Grandmaster. Let me think it through.”

Yun Xiao didn't press for details. She simply watched Li Changshou with gentle eyes, offering quiet encouragement.

Half a day later, as the Kunpeng soared through the Chaos Sea, Li Changshou sat on its back, behind Yun Xiao. He rubbed his face with both hands and continued to ponder.

The Kunpeng crisis was seemingly resolved, and he had acquired numerous profound insights left by Senior Lang.

Although that wisp of Primordial Violet Qi still posed some potential threats, as long as the Kunpeng was kept away from the Heavenly Dao's sphere of influence, it could be considered reasonably safe.

However, if he were willing to take some risks by bringing the Kunpeng a little closer to the Primordial World, he could use that wisp of Primordial Violet Qi to comprehend the principles of the Heavenly Dao.

By a strange turn of events, he had gained the 'privilege' of peering into the Heavenly Dao without submitting to its constraints.

Yet, Li Changshou couldn't feel happy at all.

He was not, by nature, indecisive, but at this moment, he was entirely unsure whether he should tell Yun Xiao the complete truth.

There were benefits to telling her and conveniences to keeping silent.

He pondered the entire journey, and as they neared the boundary of the Heavenly Dao's power, Li Changshou finally looked up.

“Yun, let’s retreat a bit,” he said, “I want to show you something.”

Yun Xiao gracefully nodded and guided the Kunpeng to turn around.

A moment later, she and Li Changshou sat facing each other, their palms pressed together. The images from Li Changshou's Dao heart were then projected into Yun Xiao's mind.

The sky was dim, corpses lay strewn across the land, and the air hung heavy and murky. Amidst rolling smoke, blurry figures stood in the sky, while tattered banners lay askew on the ground.

An armored Daoist stood precariously on a cloud in mid-air, a massive transparent hole gaping in his chest, yet he still held his golden whip aloft, unleashing a furious torrent of curses.

It was Zhao Gongming.

Yun Xiao frowned, pursed her lips, and sat in silent contemplation for a long time, not speaking.

Li Changshou did not disturb her; instead, he let out a soft sigh.

He had schemed and planned for so long, yet judging by the outcome revealed by the Heavenly Dao at this moment, it seemed Grandfather Zhao's tribulation was, after all, unavoidable.

It was quite disheartening.

Yun Xiao suddenly asked, “From what the Heavenly Dao showed, what was Big Brother saying?”

“That… isn’t very important,” Li Changshou said. “The main thing is that this scenario forebodes a tribulation for Old Brother Zhao in his future.”

Yun Xiao said, “This should be a scenario deduced by the Heavenly Dao; it doesn't necessarily mean it will come to pass.”

“My fear is that the Heavenly Dao will manipulate the changes in destiny to ensure future events unfold in this exact manner.”

Li Changshou sighed repeatedly, while Yun Xiao, too, felt a quiet sadness.

After a moment of thought, she still asked, “Were there any forbidden words in what Big Brother said?”

“Not really,” Li Changshou chuckled. “I’ll let you hear it, but there’s a lot of crude language.”

Yun Xiao couldn't help but tilt her head.

‘You wretched, inhuman bastards! This Daoist will curse you all, curse you, curse you! What a West! What a Saint! What Twelve Golden Immortals! Randeng, you worthless egg, how dare you covet this Daoist’s Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls? This Daoist will fight you all to the death today, and even my remnant soul can still go to the Heavenly Court to be an immortal, and continue living the good life, eating and drinking well with my old brother Chang Geng! Damn it!’