Chapter 609: Longevity Strongly Captures Fear to Keep the Grandson

The Immortal Mother of Golden Spirit's furious shout caused all the immortals in the Jade Pure Palace to change their expressions, their gazes falling on Ju Liu Sun.

The somewhat short and stout old Daoist stood up, frowning, "How is this matter related to me? How could I possibly do such a thing!"

"Enough," Guang Cheng Zi's voice rang out, interrupting Ju Liu Sun.

Ju Liu Sun turned to look at Guang Cheng Zi, taking two steps forward before abruptly stopping, his raised hand momentarily unsure where to rest. The surrounding gazes were quite piercing.

The True Immortal Yellow Dragon was the most indignant, standing up at this moment and muttering, "Junior Brother Ju Liu Sun, was this matter truly your scheme?"

The True Immortal Yu Ding frowned and said, "And why would you resort to such a dirty scheme?"

The Daoist Ci Hang sighed, "Senior Brother Ju Liu Sun, is there some hidden reason for this? How could you..."

Yun Zhong Zi stroked his beard, frowning as he asked, "Our Chan School is founded on purity and righteousness. To become a disciple of our master, one must possess good roots, fortune, and virtue—none can be lacking. Is this matter perhaps a misunderstanding, or have you been framed by a treacherous person?"

Ju Liu Sun quickly interjected, "It's impossible for me to do such a thing..."

"Ahem! Ahem," the True Immortal Tai Yi coughed a few times calmly, then said,

"If this matter was truly done by you, Junior Brother Ju Liu Sun, it would be better to frankly admit it. You are, after all, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Pure, a personal disciple of our master. If you were temporarily misguided by the tribulation and made a mistake, there might still be room for maneuver. But if you continue to resist, and are later crushed by Chang Geng... by Lord Tai Bai, it won't just be you who is disgraced, but the Chan School. At that point, the only one who could still protect you would be our Vice-Sect Leader, who has always remained unseen."

Ju Liu Sun's brows furrowed tightly, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. But almost in an instant, he had composed himself, frowning, and asked Tai Yi with a distressed expression, "Senior Brother, how could I have schemed this? What benefit would scheming this bring me?"

"Who knows?" Tai Yi Zhen Ren pursed his lips, then, like Guang Cheng Zi, closed his eyes and remained silent.

Just then! Outside the Jade Pure Palace, sword light suddenly flashed. The Immortal Mother of Golden Spirit, receiving no response to her first shout, had actually unleashed a sword strike! The sword light was like a bolt of silk, appearing capable of cleaving Jade Pure Peak in half!

The Chan School masters naturally could not stand idly by. Several streaks of light flashed from within the hall; it was Yun Zhong Zi, True Immortal Yu Ding, True Immortal Yellow Dragon, and Chi Jing Zi—four Chan School masters simultaneously attempting to intervene. Yun Zhong Zi took the central position, his sleeves fluttering as he struck out with a palm. The Great Dao reverberated throughout heaven and earth, and the spiritual energy of Kunlun Mountain surged! The palm print Yun Zhong Zi sent out transformed into a massive cloud-mist hand, easily "grasping" the sword light, crushing it directly, and scattering spiritual light fragments everywhere.

Afterward, Yun Zhong Zi, holding a flower basket filled with various spiritual lights, frowned as he looked at the Immortal Mother of Golden Spirit ahead. As is widely known, Yun Zhong Zi is also called Little Duobao. At this moment, he suddenly displayed his own strength, his Dao realm proving to be no less than any of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan School.

Yun Zhong Zi stroked his beard and sighed, "Daoist Golden Spirit, why do you not explain the reason, but instead indiscriminately attack our Chan School's Jade Pure Hall? This place is the Dao field of the Jade Pure Saint. Please do not bring trouble upon yourself, Daoist."

The Immortal Mother of Golden Spirit's beautiful eyes flared with anger, and she was about to reveal her true form and charge forward into battle. She thought, *Never mind the details, I'll fight first; otherwise, we'll just talk in circles and end up not fighting at all, just endless bickering – how tiresome!* Fortunately, Zhao Gong Ming, quick-witted at her side, promptly pressed down on her shoulder, quietly repeating "the big picture is what matters" three times.

Zhao Gong Ming bowed forward, then glanced at Li Changshou, who was quietly sitting on the back of the Bai Ze ahead. Remembering the instructions he had received on the way, he immediately spoke loudly: "To all fellow Daoists of the Chan School! Golden Spirit is impetuous by nature, but we have no disrespect whatsoever for our Second Martial Uncle. Today, more than twenty immortals from our Jie School are here merely as witnesses, to see who the true instigator is in the recent widely publicized matter of the Heavenly General being framed, which has even embroiled my second sister."

He spoke directly, revealing their fierce intent. Inside and outside the main hall of the Jade Pure Palace, streaks of light flew up. Guang Cheng Zi and Chi Jing Zi, along with the other immortals of the Chan School, emerged, forming three layers of people on the clouds. Half of them glared angrily at the Immortal Mother of Golden Spirit, while the other half looked at Li Changshou with complex expressions. Looking at the Jie School's side, although there were fewer than thirty people standing on the clouds, each of them wore an angry expression, and their overall momentum was in no way inferior.

It was time for the protagonist of the day to appear... Li Changshou sighed softly, riding the Bai Ze slowly forward until he reached the center between the Jie School and Chan School immortals, then floated down from the Bai Ze's back.

Just as Guang Cheng Zi was about to step forward to greet him, immortal light swirled around Li Changshou, and a streak of light flew directly from his sleeve, transforming into a young Daoist. Experts familiar with Li Changshou, such as Zhao Gong Ming, True Immortal Tai Yi, and True Immortal Yu Ding, immediately recognized that this was Li Changshou's original appearance, his true body. At this moment, countless qi refiners who witnessed this scene were more or less surprised. They had not realized that the old Daoist on the divine beast Bai Ze's back was merely Li Changshou's renowned paper effigy. It was so lifelike, it was impossible to distinguish the real from the fake.

After revealing his true body, Li Changshou knelt directly facing the direction of the Three Friends' small courtyard, kowtowing three times without a word, prostrating himself on the cloud. This scene, transmitted by the bronze mirrors floating around him, was sent to the Heavenly Courts and various parts of the Central Divine Continent. Not only were the Heavenly Soldiers, Heavenly Generals, and qi refiners gathered before the various bronze mirrors somewhat bewildered, but even the disciples of the Chan and Jie Schools present were similarly stunned.

Yun Zhong Zi, who had some acquaintance with Li Changshou, asked, "Junior Brother Chang Geng, what is the meaning of this?" Li Changshou stood up and gave Yun Zhong Zi an apologetic smile, but did not reply. He quickly suppressed his smile, knelt down once more, and loudly called out towards the Three Pure Ones' courtyard:

"Your disciple Li Chang Geng, reports to Second Martial Uncle! Chang Geng, under the command of my Master, entered the Heavenly Courts to assist the Jade Emperor. Since then, I have diligently and cautiously served, not daring to relax for hundreds of years. I have supported the Heavenly Courts from its humble beginnings and established its divine authority throughout the Three Realms. Now, Chang Geng is about to complete his mission and retire. Once the final tribulation ends and the gods return, I can retreat behind the scenes, serve by my Master's side, and listen to his teachings, thus fulfilling the regret that I, as a disciple, had only a few years to show filial piety before my Master. But recently! A disciple of the Chan School, for personal gain, sought to entangle the three schools in unrighteousness, attempting a divisive scheme to prematurely trigger the great tribulation! Since returning to my Heavenly Court residence from the Grand Pure Temple, I have been deeply disturbed by this. After much thought and careful consideration, I am unsure why they acted in such a manner. Now, indignation is high throughout the Heavenly Courts, and this matter can no longer be resolved by my mere words. Today, I specifically report this matter to Second Martial Uncle. Later, your disciple will act in the Jade Pure Palace, and will shed blood before the Jade Pure Palace, solely to uphold Heavenly authority. Should I do anything that harms the reputation of the Chan School or disrespects Second Martial Uncle, your disciple will willingly accept punishment afterward. But today, your disciple must give an explanation to the immortals and gods of the Heavenly Courts! Your disciple must prove to them that the promises made by His Majesty the Jade Emperor are not empty words, and the blueprint drawn by your disciple is not just a pipe dream. Your disciple holds absolutely no disrespect for Second Martial Uncle! In your disciple's heart, both Martial Uncles are equally revered!"

Having spoken, Li Changshou remained prostrated and motionless. A complete silence descended upon the entire world. A deathly silence.

The immortals of the Chan School, their expressions incredibly complex, all gazed at Li Changshou's figure. Ju Liu Sun, who had originally resolved to resist to the very end, was now somewhat startled and bewildered. He had intended to use the prestige of the Chan School and the sacredness of a Saint's dignity as reasons to ensure his safety today. Yet, at this moment, Li Changshou was directly reporting the matter to *their* Chan School's Saint, openly stating that he would act today, even if it meant shedding blood... Ju Liu Sun instantly lost his nerve.

The tranquility of the Jade Pure Palace's back mountain could be interpreted as the Saint's silence. For a Saint's disciple, a Saint's lack of intervention was tacit approval!

"Ju Liu Sun, Senior Brother." A call came from the front. Ju Liu Sun, standing amidst the throng of immortals, suddenly felt as if the surrounding figures had vanished, and only he, Ju Liu Sun, and Li Changshou, slowly rising from his kneeling position, remained in the world.

Li Changshou made no attempt to conceal his anger. Today's events had nothing to do with being cautious or flamboyant. Caution was merely his modus operandi, 98% an unwavering pursuit, related to his personality, but not to his attitude or stance. Before becoming an immortal, caution meant living a hidden, ordinary life on Little Qiong Peak. After becoming an immortal, caution meant diligently calculating and working tirelessly in the Sea God Temple. Later, as his position grew higher and he understood his path, caution became ingrained in his very being, transforming into the thoroughness that everyone praised. But today, Li Changshou suddenly realized that his meticulousness, thoroughness, and comprehensive approach had paradoxically become a weakness that others exploited to scheme against him and those around him. He was thorough in his actions, felt a strong sense of belonging to the Dao Sect, and painstakingly forged a non-aggression pact, unwilling to see the Dao Sect fight among themselves... How ironic. Now, the most prudent choice was to seize this opportunity, reveal some of his strength, display his background, the momentum he had gathered, and the power he could influence or borrow. He needed to let them clearly weigh what they could touch and what they could not! The primordial world was incredibly perilous, stemming from its rule: might makes right. The greatest victor in ancient times, the Dao Ancestor, and the greatest victors in antiquity, the Six Saints—which of them didn't achieve their status through sheer power? Li Changshou had always been under the protection of the Saints. But when his Saintly background was offset by that of an adversary, everything still depended on his own abilities. Of course, a full reveal was impossible; some trump cards still needed to be kept hidden.

Li Changshou stood up, put away his Tai Bai Jinxing paper effigy, and fixed his gaze solely on Ju Liu Sun. He then said, "Senior Brother Ju Liu Sun, did you not hear my call?"

Ju Liu Sun instinctively lowered his head. His Dao heart, cultivated since ancient times, was now somewhat flustered, and he struggled to maintain a calm expression. Ju Liu Sun suddenly felt a bump on his shoulder, and a surge of immortal power propelled him two steps forward. The two Chan School immortals in front of him moved aside, allowing him to step to the front of the formation. Behind him, True Immortal Tai Yi, passing by with his hands behind his back, lowered his head and walked into the distance, sporting an excellent expression as if he were merely passing through.

Li Changshou directly told Ju Liu Sun, "Come with me to the Heavenly Courts for trial."

"Trial?" Ju Liu Sun looked up at Li Changshou, his somewhat unremarkable face showing a hint of confusion. "I don't know what Junior Brother Chang Geng is talking about. In recent years, I have been cultivating in Feiyun Cave on Jia Long Mountain. What has happened..."

Li Changshou suddenly interrupted Ju Liu Sun, "Are you questioning my Master?"

"How, how can you say that?" Ju Liu Sun frowned, "I also hold the utmost respect for Senior Martial Uncle!"

"Master deduced that this matter was done by you."

Ju Liu Sun's eyes widened. "That's impossible. Someone must have impersonated me. I don't even know what happened; I've only just come out of seclusion."

"Just came out of seclusion?" Li Changshou's voice suddenly turned cold. Ju Liu Sun looked up to see water-blue divine light bursting from the eyes of the young Daoist before him.

The world within a radius of ten thousand li suddenly dimmed, and a brilliant star appeared in the eastern sky. Vast heavenly might descended, and the great star projected two beams of purple light, enveloping Li Changshou and Ju Liu Sun separately.

Daoist rhymes emerged around Ju Liu Sun, revealing the undeniable might of an ancient great immortal. With a hint of anger in his eyes, he preemptively spoke, "Junior Brother Chang Geng, do not go too far! I also listened to the Master's teachings and am your Senior Brother!"

Li Changshou said nothing, taking a step forward. From Ju Liu Sun's sleeve, immortal light flared, and an immortal rope, like a nimble snake, shot out, coiling directly towards Li Changshou!

Seeing this, Zhao Gong Ming was about to intervene. Seeing this, True Immortal Yu Ding was about to flash forward! Though they belonged to different schools, Chan and Jie, their objective at this moment was the same: to protect Li Changshou from Ju Liu Sun's magic treasure. They were a step too late!

It wasn't just Zhao Gong Ming and True Immortal Yu Ding; even the Chan School masters closest to Ju Liu Sun were a step too slow to act! For no other reason than that Li Changshou was faster. Just as Ju Liu Sun activated his immortal rope, a sliver of cold light suddenly caught his eye. Water-blue Daoist rhymes quietly swept past his feet, and his primordial spirit and Dao body felt as if they had just recovered from severe injuries; he could barely exert any immortal power! The Immortal Binding Rope, which was usually unfailingly effective, suddenly went limp! This was! Li Chang Geng's Dao of Equilibrium! To this extent, could it be that he had equalized him with a mortal...

With a soft click, Ju Liu Sun watched as an arrow-shaped golden lock, stained with his own blood, pierced him from behind and emerged from his chest. His primordial spirit had been directly suppressed. *How could this be? So fast...* At that moment, the slender golden chain of the Heart-Piercing Lock slowly revealed itself, radiating intense aura of merit. Its end was held in Li Changshou's left palm.

Li Changshou pulled on it, and Ju Liu Sun, already restrained by the Heart-Piercing Lock, flipped over, tumbled a few times on the cloud path, was firmly bound by the lock, and rolled to a stop before Li Changshou. Without a word, Li Changshou, seizing the moment while the immortals elsewhere were still recovering their senses, struck Ju Liu Sun's chest with a palm.

"Chang Geng, show mercy!" Guang Cheng Zi shouted, and a large seal flew towards Li Changshou. Li Changshou, however, did not even look at it. He kept his movements steady, his body unmoving, allowing the Fan Tian Seal to strike him head-on. With his right hand, he flung out an insect radiating water-blue Daoist rhymes, while his left palm struck Ju Liu Sun's chest. This severely injured his primordial spirit. Ju Liu Sun, bound and sealed by the Heart-Piercing Lock, opened his mouth and spewed blood, which splattered exactly three feet. And the great seal, which had been thrown merely to attract Li Changshou's attention and carried no real force, was directly knocked away by the insect. Unfortunately, the insect could not withstand such force and disintegrated into dust. The water-blue light returned to Ju Liu Sun's body, restoring the portion of his strength that had been equalized. Alas, it was too late; severely wounded and captured, Ju Liu Sun was powerless to struggle.

The insect was naturally the creature used to equalize Ju Liu Sun. Because Li Changshou and Ju Liu Sun were close in strength, the conditions for Li Changshou to employ his Dao of Equilibrium were quite lenient. Furthermore, with the Heart-Piercing Lock, a formidable treasure enhanced by his own merit, and a combination of planning against an unprepared opponent and overwhelming momentum, subduing Ju Liu Sun required no effort at all. However, this scene, witnessed by the numerous Daoist masters present and the qi refiners of the Three Realms, was truly... Terrifying. What level was Lord Tai Bai? What was the extent of his strength? Was this truly a minor disciple of the Human School who had not cultivated for even a thousand years? Even if his strength surpassed Ju Liu Sun's, they should have fought for several rounds. But with such a single encounter... Ju Liu Sun was gone? After today, it seemed the Heart-Piercing Lock would surely earn a place on the list of top-tier innate spiritual treasures in the Primordial World.

Li Changshou bowed to the stunned Chan School immortals, then, lifting the Heart-Piercing Lock, turned to walk towards the Bai Ze.

"Junior Brother, wait!" Guang Cheng Zi frowned and stepped forward, holding the Fan Tian Seal in his palm, his expression somewhat grim.

Li Changshou turned around and calmly said, "Senior Brother Guang Cheng Zi, do you have any instructions?"

Guang Cheng Zi took a few steps forward and said to Li Changshou, "Can this matter be deliberated at length? Junior Brother Ju Liu Sun is a personal disciple who listened to Master's teachings, and also one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Jade Pure Palace. Since Grand Martial Uncle said he schemed this, then it must be so, but can he first be interrogated within the Jade Pure Palace? We will then give the Heavenly Courts an explanation."

Guang Cheng Zi believed these words had given the Heavenly Courts ample face and were reasonable. To his surprise, Li Changshou seemed to have a heart of stone today, directly shaking his head and saying, "This matter must be tried and judged by the Heavenly Courts. I can guarantee that His Majesty the Jade Emperor will personally oversee the trial, and it will not harm the Chan School's reputation."

"Junior Brother Chang Geng, this is somewhat unreasonable," Guang Cheng Zi said. "If you so brazenly take Junior Brother Ju Liu Sun from the Jade Pure Palace today, won't the Jade Pure Palace become a laughingstock in the Three Realms from now on?"

Li Changshou replied, "It won't be that serious. If the Jade Pure Palace fully cooperates with this matter, the Three Realms will only praise Senior Brother Guang Cheng Zi's noble character for not shielding a fellow junior brother whose personal virtues are lacking and whose heart is treacherous. Conversely, if Senior Brother Guang Cheng Zi insists on keeping Ju Liu Sun, and then the Chan School comes forward to explain to the Heavenly Courts... would that not indicate that the Chan School intends to harbor such a major Heavenly Court criminal?"

"Junior Brother, you won't even give the Chan School this much face?"

"Senior Brother, if I back down today, how will the Heavenly Courts operate in the future? Where will justice be in these Three Realms?"

Li Changshou's gaze was like lightning, while Guang Cheng Zi's immortal light shimmered around him. Guang Cheng Zi stated definitively, "Today, I have but one word: let Ju Liu Sun remain in the Jade Pure Palace. Once he leaves the Jade Pure Palace, the Heavenly Courts may apprehend him at will."

Li Changshou calmly replied, "Today, I also have but one word: I will take Ju Liu Sun, and no one can stop me."

The Fan Tian Seal emitted waves of pressure. Guang Cheng Zi's eyes held profound majesty, and the Daoist rhymes around him fluctuated like surging waves. "Chang Geng, if you take him today, can it be considered that the non-aggression pact between the three Daoist Schools is hereby annulled?"

"This is a matter between the Heavenly Courts and an individual disciple of the Chan School," Li Changshou said. "If Senior Brother threatens with this pact, then whether it is annulled is for Senior Brother to decide, and all consequences will be borne by Senior Brother."

"Do you truly intend to proceed like this? Is there no room for compromise?" Guang Cheng Zi took two steps forward, already on the verge of striking.

Li Changshou slowly nodded, his gaze unwavering. "If Senior Brother insists on giving a lesson, Chang Geng is willing to learn from Senior Brother's esteemed methods." The Eight-Nine Arcane Art, the Dao of Equilibrium, and the Grand Pure Yin-Yang Dao were activated. The Xuanhuang Pagoda and the Liyandi Flame Flag were set to protect his primordial spirit...

"Gr-Grand Senior Brother!" The True Immortal Yellow Dragon suddenly cried out, rushing from the side and flashing to block Li Changshou and Guang Cheng Zi. He hastily said, "Grand Senior Brother, Junior Brother Chang Geng, can you both take a step back? This will only make us more of a laughingstock! Why do you two need to quarrel so fiercely over Ju Liu Sun's evil deeds?"

With someone leading the way, several figures from the Chan School stepped forward, each blocking Guang Cheng Zi and Li Changshou. They either transmitted their voices or spoke directly, trying to dissuade the two who had truly become angered. The Daoist Ci Hang spoke, "Why don't we each take a step back? We, the Chan School immortals, will escort Ju Liu Sun to the Heavenly Courts, and thereafter, our Chan School will not interfere further. Grand Senior Brother, Junior Brother Chang Geng, what do you think?"

Guang Cheng Zi raised his hand and waved, then turned his back, put away the Fan Tian Seal, and sighed deeply with his hands clasped behind him.

Li Changshou slowly nodded, his voice carrying for a thousand li: "Yang Jian, stop hiding. By my command as a second-rank righteous god and Lord Tai Bai Jinxing, quickly come and apprehend Ju Liu Sun back to the Heavenly Courts!" As his voice fell, a figure leaped out from a cloud head tens of li away, flying forward and cupping his fist before Li Changshou to receive the order. "Your humble general obeys!"

Li Changshou glanced at Guang Cheng Zi's back, bowed to him, then turned and bowed to the Three Pure Ones' courtyard. "Your disciple will come to seek punishment before Second Martial Uncle after this matter is concluded." With that, Li Changshou tossed the end of the Heart-Piercing Lock to Yang Jian, then swung himself onto the Bai Ze's back. They set off, returning to the Heavenly Courts!