Chapter 593: 危·寿·危

"Why aren't my brother and second sister back yet? Could they have run into some trouble?"

Although Saint Taiqing had passed by earlier and Bai Ze had offered his classic interpretation, Zhao Gongming remained somewhat uneasy.

And at this moment...

His uncle-instinct was particularly strong.

Was the Chaos Sea really a good place to be?

If they wanted some private time, couldn't they have found a beautiful spot anywhere among the Three Thousand Worlds of the Great Desolation? Wouldn't that have been much more pleasant?

The ones he'd lost contact with were his closest brother and his sworn sister, with whom he'd been bonded since ancient times.

If he didn't go help, who else would assist his gentle and lovely second sister, and his honest and reliable second brother-in-law?

After all, he'd never had such a kindred spirit, a brother who had broadened his horizons, increased his knowledge, and elevated him from a mere senior disciple of the Jie School's outer sect to a distinctive figure...

...an 'ancestor-level' character in the Great Desolation.

Zhao Gongming mused that if Xuandu City received news that help was needed in the Chaos Sea, he would instantly rush there on his Golden-Winged Roc, accompanied by lightning.

But what was the situation in Xuandu City?

Senior Brother Xuandu and Kong Xuan were chatting and laughing there every day!

Any discerning person could see that the Human School was about to form a marital alliance with the Phoenix clan!

The Golden-Winged Roc was a stubborn hothead, rigidly remaining in Xuandu City as a "master-gazing stone." As someone with experience, Zhao Gongming naturally couldn't disrupt the atmosphere there.

Therefore, Zhao Gongming had left Xuandu City earlier and had been wandering in the nearest Grand World. He found a scenic spot, built a hermitage, and even widely spread his Dao aura, as if fearing others wouldn't know he was there.

It was somewhat regrettable that Saintess Jin Ling had returned to Biyou Palace for cultivation and was not openly enjoying leisure time with him there.

As for his relationship with Saintess Jin Ling finally reaching fruition, Old Master Zhao had always wanted to arrange a proper ceremony to recoup some of the gifts he had given out since ancient times.

However, from Saintess Jin Ling's perspective, it seemed they were content with their private relationship and did not wish to make their Daoist partnership public.

It must be stated here that there was nothing untoward; Saintess Jin Ling's reluctance to go public was simply due to her reserved nature.

There were absolutely no scandalous side stories!

Zhao Gongming could only let it be and dared not say anything more.

Without Jin Ling by his side for these twenty to thirty years, Old Master Zhao felt a bit empty and lonely. However, as an ancient being, he could simply stare blankly at the sky or gaze at the lake for a while, and time would pass.

He waited and waited, receiving a greeting from Bai Ze, a message from True Immortal Taiyi, a reminder from Senior Disciple Duobao, and finally, that voice...

"Big Brother."

"Cough!"

Zhao Gongming nearly choked on his breath, his legs trembling slightly. He instantly stood up from fishing by the lake, hastily shoving the numerous scrolls displayed in front of him back into his storage artifact.

A flash of golden light indicated the arrival of the Golden-Winged Roc, carrying two figures.

Zhao Gongming focused his gaze. Who else could it be but the two people he had been waiting for?

Something was off...

Why was his second sister wearing his brother Chang Geng's Daoist robe? And meticulously tailored, at that?

Uh, were they that hard on clothes when they were alone?

Then, Zhao Gongming frowned, pondered for a few moments, and with the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls circling him, he cautiously looked at the Golden-Winged Roc.

"Wait, don't come directly over yet."

Li Changshou blinked, and Yun Xiao also looked puzzled.

"What's wrong, Big Brother?"

"Are you really Chang Geng?"

Zhao Gongming frowned and asked, "Tell me, when you and I first met, why did I seek you out?"

"For the matter of incense offerings."

Li Changshou answered casually, a slight premonition of trouble stirring in his heart upon seeing Zhao Gongming's reaction.

After he and Yun Xiao returned to Xuandu City, they only briefly met with the Grandmaster and Kong Xuan. Feeling Zhao Gongming's aura, they immediately came to find him.

After all, before returning, they had just witnessed tragic scenes concerning Zhao Gongming within that wisp of Primordial Violet Qi.

At this moment, Li Changshou had only activated a paper effigy in his Tai Bai Palace, confirming Ling'e's safety, and hadn't yet had time to investigate other areas.

Seeing Zhao Gongming's reaction, could someone have been stirring up trouble in his absence?

Li Changshou's mind raced, and he quickly added, "The 'Spring Flowers and Autumn Moon' painting you were just admiring, Big Brother, is the one hundred sixty-second one I sent you. Its theme is 'Begonias Blooming under a Rain Curtain,' and its main composition..."

"Enough! Enough!"

Zhao Gongming quickly shouted, "I know you're my real brother now! Stop talking nonsense about begonias blooming."

On the Golden-Winged Roc's back, Fairy Yun Xiao looked away, her slightly furrowed brows, a hint of a helpless smile, and a faint blush on her cheeks all indicated...

...that she had also seen the painting's content with her immortal perception.

Two scoundrels.

Li Changshou smiled calmly; this little trick was insignificant. He quickly asked, "Big Brother, when did you become so cautious? Has something happened?"

"Well," Zhao Gongming waved his sleeve, floated up with his hands behind his back, and the thatched hut and bamboo fence behind him scattered in the wind.

He said, "You just got back? Rest for a bit, it's nothing major."

"Did someone impersonate me to cause trouble?"

"Indeed," Zhao Gongming sighed. "It's a long story. You went to the Chaos Sea to hunt down Kunpeng and didn't show yourself for years, so the Heavenly Courts became a bit disorganized.

Especially over the past decade or so, things haven't been easy for the Heavenly Courts.

Oh, by the way, what about Kunpeng?"

"Fortunately, I didn't fail my mission," Li Changshou mused. "Golden-Winged Roc, full speed back to the Heavenly Courts."

The Golden-Winged Roc firmly replied, "Your disciple obeys!"

"Big Brother, you speak with Yun first. I'll use an avatar to check on various places," Li Changshou said, his expression grim, as he sat cross-legged.

In the Chaos Sea, he had completely lost contact with the Great Desolation. His greatest concern was Ling'e's safety, followed by whether the Western Sect would attack the Heavenly Courts during this time.

Now, it seemed the Western Sect had indeed made a move.

As expected, the Western Sect never disappointed when it came to stirring up trouble.

Meanwhile, atop the walls of Xuandu City.

Two rocking chairs, barely a foot apart, gently swayed. The Grandmaster stretched, resting his head on his arm as he gazed at the chaos of the Chaos Sea.

Beside the Grandmaster, Kong Xuan, clad in a thin, ethereal dress shimmering with five-colored immortal light, quietly read a scroll held in one hand.

There wasn't much conversation between them, but their interaction was harmonious, exuding a natural and comfortable atmosphere.

Kong Xuan seemed to recall something, put down the book, turned to face the Grandmaster, and softly asked:

"Chang Geng and Yun Xiao appeared together just now. Did you notice anything peculiar?"

"Hm?" Grandmaster Xuandu paused. "What's wrong? Was there something off about them? I certainly wouldn't mistake their Great Daos. Don't overthink it."

"I'm certainly not suggesting they were imposters," Kong Xuan said softly. "Didn't you go to Taiqing Temple to consult the Saint Master before? What did the Saint Master say that time?"

"Master said that Junior Brother and Junior Sister Yun Xiao were safe, residing in Kunpeng's secret abode in the Chaos Sea, and Kunpeng had already been subdued."

"Upon closer calculation, it's already been over thirty years."

Kong Xuan lowered her voice, her red lips slightly pursed, and with gossip burning in her phoenix eyes, she softly said:

"But when I saw them just now, their auras were distinct and their Dao auras hadn't blended. One was still a maiden, and the other still a solitary male.

No matter how high their cultivation, they couldn't hide this from me.

Is that normal?"

"Is... isn't that normal?"

Grandmaster Xuandu frowned in response, pondering carefully, and indeed found it a bit odd.

The Grandmaster murmured, "Chang Geng and Junior Sister Yun Xiao's affection is deep and long-standing. For over thirty years in such a secret place in the Chaos Sea, they remained completely untouched.

Could it be..."

"Could it be what?"

"No, that's not right. Is there anything Chang Geng doesn't understand?"

The Grandmaster shook his head and chuckled, "Don't forget, Chang Geng is the ambassador for promoting the Daoist couple trend in the Jie School; he single-handedly facilitated hundreds of Daoist pairings there.

If you were to say who among the Three Religions understood matters of men and women best, it would undoubtedly be Chang Geng."

"Some people can talk a good game, spouting theories as if they're masters of a certain Dao," Kong Xuan scoffed, "but when it comes to themselves, they freeze up and stare, incapable of doing anything."

The Grandmaster frowned. "Hm? Why do I feel like you're implying something, indirectly criticizing me?"

"Am I?"

Kong Xuan smiled with narrowed eyes, saying no more.

She shifted from reclining to sitting. Behind the thin veil, her captivating curves were enchantingly revealed by the light of the array wall.

A certain Grandmaster cleared his throat and continued to stare blankly at the Chaos Sea, resting his head on his arm.

After an unknown amount of time, the Grandmaster sighed and murmured:

"Emptiness and illusion, only the Dao is eternal."

Kong Xuan's slender finger, turning a page, paused. A hint of helplessness flickered in her beautiful eyes, but she wasn't anxious, continuing to sit quietly by his side.

He hadn't known until he looked. After Li Changshou's paper effigy completed a patrol, he almost started cursing aloud.

Was there no one else in the Heavenly Courts capable of managing the overall situation besides him?

That Western Sect truly knew how to seize an opportunity!

Leaving aside the predicament of the Immortal Alliance being constrained everywhere in the Three Thousand Worlds;

Just consider the Five Continents. As Li Changshou's mind leaped through the paper effigy network, he witnessed scene after scene.

The five great Heavenly Gates of the Heavenly Courts were tightly shut, and the areas where immortal soldiers were originally stationed outside had been reduced by fifty percent.

War had erupted again in North Kuru Continent, with the Demon Race and the Witch Race clashing, resulting in casualties on both sides.

Throughout Central Divine Continent, blood energy surged to the sky. Within the half-hour Li Changshou's immortal perception swept through, two immortal sects from the Three Religions had engaged in fierce combat, with the auras of Saint disciples from the Chan and Jie Schools hidden in the shadows.

In the Four Seas, conflicts between the Dragon Race and the Sea Race had been reignited. At the border between the North Sea and the East Sea, large expanses of dead fish and shrimp floated on the surface, clearly indicating the aftermath of a great battle.

Even his own Sea God Sect, which he had largely left to its own devices for years, had seen nearly half its temples destroyed, and the Western Sect's Incense God Sect had resurfaced.

How many years had it been?

Thirty-five years!

If he and Yun Xiao had stayed outside for three to five hundred years, would all the excellent progress he had worked so hard to build have been ruined?

Li Changshou suppressed his anger and quickly considered countermeasures.

Venting emotions wouldn't change anything. Now he needed to ascertain the extent of the losses, boost morale, gradually reclaim the 'lost ground,' and suppress the Western Sect's momentum.

On the Golden-Winged Roc's back, Li Changshou opened his eyes and forced a rather awkward smile.

"Big Brother, was someone impersonating me before?"

"Ah," Zhao Gongming immediately said, "There have been three instances of someone impersonating you.

The first time was over ten years ago. You appeared in the Northern Continent and invited the Witch Tribe of the Northern Continent to join the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals against the Demon Race at the Northern Continent's border. However, it resulted in a large number of Witch tribesmen being led into the Demon Race's trap.

The second and third times were both in the Three Thousand Worlds. The second targeted the Immortal Alliance, leading to a great defeat and significant losses of soldiers and generals.

The third targeted the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals who were delivering spirit stones and immortal pills from the Heavenly Courts to the Immortal Alliance. At that time, General Bian Zhuang, the deputy commander of the Heavenly River Navy, had seen through their deception, but there were still heavy casualties.

After that, Senior Disciple Duobao ordered the Jie School immortals to spread word everywhere that you had not yet returned from outside the heavens, and to thoroughly investigate those impersonating you."

"What form did the imposter use?"

"The old man appearance you usually present."

Li Changshou slowly nodded, frowning in thought for a moment. "That's good, actually."

Zhao Gongming and Yun Xiao were puzzled. Yun Xiao wondered, "How is that good? By the rules of the Great Desolation, anyone who impersonates you is our mortal enemy.

This matter shouldn't be taken lightly."

"Indeed," Li Changshou chuckled, "I certainly won't take it lightly. But for someone to impersonate me and deceive the Grand Witch-Sacrificer of the Witch Tribe and the Immortal Alliance's deputy leaders, they must have perfectly mimicked even my Dao aura and presence.

This person's cultivation is likely not weak, and their divine abilities are probably quite high. If the news of my return to the world spreads, this person will surely vanish without a trace."

Zhao Gongming asked, "Could he have already infiltrated the Heavenly Courts?"

"With the Three Divine Swords guarding it, and being the place where Heavenly Dao power is most concentrated, the Heavenly Courts naturally won't be affected."

Li Changshou pondered briefly, then said, "Later, I'll make a trip to the Underworld. I'll surely find out who this person is; the divine beast Di Ting can't just enjoy Heavenly Dao protection for nothing.

Let's not talk about this for now, Big Brother. Have you felt... restless recently, wanting to move around?"

Zhao Gongming blinked. "No, I've been quite peaceful lately. I just want to find a place and sleep whenever I want."

Li Changshou and Yun Xiao exchanged glances, their eyes meeting with perfect understanding.

Yun Xiao said, "Big Brother, would you be willing to listen to a piece of advice from me?"

"Of course I will listen," Zhao Gongming said, sitting up straight with his legs crossed, full of righteous confidence and an uplifted chest. "Speak, Second Sister, your elder brother will surely obey!"

Li Changshou: ...

Why did that sound a little off?

Yun Xiao said, "It's nothing much, actually. I just want you, Big Brother, and Senior Sister Jin Ling to move to Three Immortal Island.

After I return this time, when the moment is right, I will send out invitations to both inner and outer sect disciples to come to Three Immortal Island for lectures and discussions on the Dao. You and Senior Sister Jin Ling can then naturally settle down on the island.

You don't need to stay too long, just until this Great God-Conferment Tribulation is over."

Zhao Gongming frowned and pondered, looking at Yun Xiao, then at Li Changshou, and quietly asked:

"Second Sister, do you mean... I might be in trouble later?"

Yun Xiao nodded slightly, and Li Changshou remained silent.

Zhao Gongming mused for a moment, then smiled with carefree abandon. "Moving there, forget it. Jin Ling would probably be uncomfortable, and I'm not a child; there's no need to watch over me like this.

Second Sister, don't worry. I'll just seclude myself in cultivation in Luofu Cave, unaware and unquestioning of outside affairs. How about that?

Actually, if a tribulation comes, it cannot be avoided by hiding, nor can it be broken by mere words.

Second Sister..."

"Hm?"

Zhao Gongming smiled, "If I truly face a great tribulation that I cannot escape, don't be too impulsive and fall prey to the karmic forces.

Chang Geng is here for everything. Discuss all matters with him before acting."

A hint of a smile appeared in Li Changshou's eyes as he slowly nodded beside them.

However, given his extremely sensitive identity as the primary planner of the tribulation, he couldn't utter another word, not even then, not even there.

Yun Xiao's gaze was somewhat complex, but she didn't press the matter, only reminding Zhao Gongming not to act impulsively in anything.

Li Changshou, however, sighed inwardly.

Everyone said nice things, one advising the other not to be impulsive, another cautioning against rashness. But when the time came, they would probably all lose their heads.

It was best for him, the 'outsider,' to intervene in this matter.

The information carried by that wisp of Primordial Violet Qi was merely a sequence of images, representing something that might happen in the future, or something the Heavenly Dao would guide towards.

Putting other matters aside, arranging for Old Master Zhao to undergo tribulation via an 'avatar' was entirely a theoretical possibility.

In the original Great God-Conferment Tribulation, Zhao Gongming descended from the mountain and entered the tribulation because the Ten Ultimate Arrays were successively broken, and several of the Ten Heavenly Sovereigns, who were his good friends, died tragically.

Now, the Ten Heavenly Sovereigns' grand array had probably become the Ten Ultimate Linked Heaven-Annihilating Earth-Severing Yin-Yang Array...

*Cough*, that had nothing to do with him. He had only provided the concept of a linked array back then; the Ten Heavenly Sovereigns had developed this specific grand array themselves and had even demonstrated it on Golden Ao Island last time.

Currently, the trigger for Old Master Zhao's entry into the tribulation might no longer be the Ten Heavenly Sovereigns.

What kind of situation would lead to Zhao Gongming being imprisoned, severely wounded, and forced to fight to the death?

This matter was truly hard to predict.

The final Immortal-Slaying Tribulation of the Three Religions during the Great God-Conferment Tribulation suddenly felt imminent.

The Golden-Winged Roc flew at extreme speed, shooting from Xuandu City towards the Five Continents.

Li Changshou quickly rejoined the conversation, chatting with Zhao Gongming about various topics, easing the worry in Zhao Gongming's eyes.

Yun Xiao also appeared preoccupied, naturally worried about her brother's tribulation, but she didn't discuss it much with Li Changshou, seemingly intending to find a solution herself.

On the way back, Li Changshou wasn't idle either.

His paper effigy began to become active in the Heavenly Courts. First, he sought an audience with His Majesty the Jade Emperor, then he spoke with Duke Mu to understand what had happened recently.

He also didn't forget to send a message to Ling'e, informing her of his return, making Ling'e spin with joy.

Thankfully, Duke Mu was still there and hadn't reincarnated as that Pure Yang Daoist.

From Duke Mu, Li Changshou learned of a series of fierce offensives launched by the Western Sect, ranging from the Three Thousand Worlds to the Five Continents. The Heavenly Courts had lost quite a few soldiers, but their core strength remained intact.

On the contrary, the Jade Emperor said with a smile, "It's actually understandable that the Western Sect is so eager to act, Chang Geng. Perhaps you don't know why."

"Your Majesty, what happened?"

The Jade Emperor sat on the jade steps and chuckled, "When you were swallowed by Kunpeng in Xuandu City... *cough*, I mean, when you charged into Kunpeng's mouth to defeat him from within, the two Saints of the Western Sect appeared to block Senior Brother Tongtian, who was going to slay Kunpeng.

Senior Brother Tongtian fought a great battle with those two in the Chaos Sea; it should have been a draw, with neither side suffering a loss.

However, when the three Saints appeared in Xuandu City and were about to return to the Great Desolation, Senior Brother Taiqing suddenly emerged. Not only did he injure Saint Jieyin with a single palm strike, but he also crippled twenty percent of Saint Zhunti's Dao cultivation.

This is the Saint realm. Saint Zhunti was already the Sixth Saint, and now his Saint position is probably precarious.

Hahaha!"

Duke Mu hastily said, "Your Majesty, please don't laugh so obviously."

"Was I?" The Jade Emperor twitched his lips. "It truly feels satisfying."

Li Changshou's face showed understanding. He pondered carefully, then continued to ask Duke Mu about subsequent events.

Even before his true body returned to the Heavenly Courts, his paper effigy had already begun overseeing various tasks, first stabilizing the Heavenly Courts internally and externally, then appropriately counterattacking the Western Sect.

The war situation in the Three Thousand Worlds was the real trouble, and it would undoubtedly require significant effort later.

And the mastermind who impersonated him would be his next whetstone; he would certainly pursue this matter relentlessly and uncover the culprit!

(No disrespect intended to Senior Disciple Duobao here.)

However, Li Changshou truly hadn't expected it.

Just as he was toiling and meticulously planning for the Heavenly Courts, intending to turn the tide and reverse the decline, his true body, seated on the Golden-Winged Roc with Fairy Yun Xiao and Old Master Zhao, entered the Five Continents...

His Dao heart suddenly trembled lightly, his heartstrings vibrating subtly, and several large characters formed in his mind, yet they were not of Taiqing's Dao aura.

Ninety-eight percent. Come to Zixiao Palace immediately!

Think carefully about how you will explain losing the Primordial Violet Qi!

Ah, it's really here.