Chapter 62: People's Education First Disciple Is Truly Difficult to Be

"Alas, serving in the Heavenly Court is truly difficult."

Inside the Hall of the Matchmaker, a lean old man in a bright red wedding robe sat in his armchair, sipping the tea brought by his attendant and wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Just now, he had to deal with a Heavenly General who insisted on being set up with a fairy from the Jade Pool.

Could such a connection be made so casually?

Even as the Matchmaker, he couldn't arbitrarily change people's destinies.

While there were indeed many unofficial ways to operate, it depended on who the intended party was!

The Matchmaker had spent a great deal of effort to gently dissuade the Heavenly General, leaving him exhausted and sweating.

He had to refuse without displeasing the other party and without offending the one who was being pursued…

The Matchmaker’s job was indeed too challenging.

Most marriages are self-forming, while a small portion are divinely bestowed.

As the Matchmaker, he did possess some power to alter destinies, but the golden scissors and red threads were treasures of heavenly merit, not to be trifled with!

Even the marriage of mere mortals, if mishandled, would not only deplete his hard-earned merit but also incur punishment from the diligent and responsible Jade Emperor…

What are self-forming marriages?

In the rear hall, there is an almost endless and mysterious universe, containing countless small clay figures. All beings in heaven, earth, and among humans destined for marriage, whose fates are set by the three types of marriage, have a corresponding clay figure here.

Marriage is a matter of禮 (ritual) and a foundation of 綱 (order).

The beings corresponding to these clay figures are mostly humans, along with a small number of disciplined demon and witch clans.

When they interact in the mortal realm, their corresponding clay figures here move closer to each other, giving rise to threads of destiny. These red threads intertwine, thus forming a marriage.

"Love that grows over time" means the red threads slowly sway and entangle.

"Love at first sight" means the threads entangle with just a gentle touch.

Occasionally, a clay figure drifts in the wrong direction, and its red thread intertwines with someone else's marital thread, naturally leading to marital interference…

What are divinely bestowed marriages?

When a being is born, a clay figure corresponding to them appears here and is immediately intertwined with the red thread of their destined partner. This is a divinely bestowed marriage.

Besides these, some clay figures are naturally "unrestrained," breaking free from their red threads and flying around with half a thread trailing behind them.

Occasionally, they encounter other clay figures in the same situation; their red threads connect, leading to a fiery passion, and when the red threads break, it's a fleeting affair.

The Heavenly General's request, for the Matchmaker, was not difficult to fulfill.

He only needed to directly tie the Heavenly General's red thread to the fairy, which would constitute a marriage and generally not cause any karmic backlash.

But the Matchmaker had to consider the background of the Jade Pool fairy.

A few hundred years ago, the Queen Mother had sent someone to reprimand him. Now, he absolutely dared not perform such a violation concerning a Jade Pool fairy…

The Matchmaker was originally just a Heavenly Immortal cultivator, but he was among the first group of immortal deities to join the new Heavenly Court. With a pure origin and diligent work, he was bestowed the position of Matchmaker by the Jade Emperor ten thousand years ago.

Having served for over ten millennia, the Matchmaker had experienced many benefits of this immortal position, and for this, he had been conscientious and dared not show any slack.

However, the problem was that more and more Heavenly Court immortals now knew the secret of the red threads and that he, as the Matchmaker, could alter them.

His small Hall of Marriage had someone sneaking in surreptitiously every now and then…

Some were fellow officials in the same court, whose requests he genuinely couldn't refuse out of politeness.

For those who tried to gain marriage by offering gifts, the Matchmaker always refused… What gift could be more valuable than the merit rewards obtained from serving in the Heavenly Court?

But there was one type of situation that the Matchmaker could not, and dared not, refuse: requests from powerful elders with formidable backgrounds. His divine position was merely that of a minor deity before such esteemed figures, for example…

"Master!"

Outside the hall, two jubilantly dressed attendants with pigtails rushed in, shouting:

"The Grand Master is here! He's almost at the hall entrance!"

The Matchmaker's spirit was instantly roused. He quickly rose and hurried to the entrance to greet him.

This Grand Master was an extraordinary figure, the only direct disciple of the Grand Pure Saint, the leader of the Human Sect. His cultivation was unfathomable, and he had the Grand Pure Laozi as his backing!

Because Laozi was the senior among the Three Pure Ones, even though this Grand Master joined the small courtyard in Kunlun Mountains later, he was respectfully addressed as "Senior Brother" by Guangchengzi, the first disciple of the Chan Sect who struck the golden bell in the Jade Void Palace, and Duobao Daoist, the chief disciple of the Jie Sect.

He was the true Grand Senior Brother of the Daoist Gate.

The Grand Master did not have a clear Daoist title because the Grand Pure Saint did not bestow one, to prevent him from incurring significant karma.

Since he was called "Grand Master" in the Xuandu, which was presided over by the Grand Pure Saint, over time, this expert accepted the title—

Grand Master Xuandu!

From then on, the two characters "Xuandu" could refer to this first disciple of the Human Sect, and also had the meaning of a "place name."

The Matchmaker understood very well that this first disciple of the Human Sect was completely different in stature from the Grand Pure Saint's several registered disciples!

Because the Heavenly Court was still fledgling and weak, Grand Master Xuandu had been temporarily residing in the Tushita Palace during this period…

After all, if some troublemakers like Da Luo Immortals or Golden Immortals caused chaos in the Heavenly Court, it wouldn't be appropriate for the Saint to personally intervene; Grand Master Xuandu's intervention would suffice.

Over time, this Grand Master had visited the Matchmaker's hall several times, and the Matchmaker naturally understood the purpose of his visits.

The Matchmaker quickly stepped out of the hall door and looked up to see a young Daoist floating on a cloud not far away.

This person wore a dark Daoist robe, and his face was neither striking nor unusual, yet it appeared very righteous.

He stood tall and slender like a crane, his Daoist robe fluttering lightly. He wore no ornaments or jade, yet he exuded a sense of returning to natural simplicity, like uncarved jade—a temperament that only very highly cultivated individuals possessed.

Grand Master Xuandu was said to be among the first humans in the world, born without parents, formed by Goddess Nüwa from clay. He possessed a small amount of merit from creating humans and also the destiny of the Human Sect.

Before reaching the hall, the Grand Master cupped his hands in greeting to the Matchmaker and smiled, "Is Matchmaker well recently?"

"Very well, very well."

The Matchmaker nodded repeatedly. To an outsider, it might seem as if this Heavenly Court deity was naturally stooped.

"Grand Master, please come in… The same as last time?"

"Thank you, Matchmaker," Grand Master Xuandu's smile was quite gentle. He stepped directly into the Hall of the Matchmaker and followed the Matchmaker to the rear hall.

Upon entering the gate of the rear hall, before them lay a mysterious starry sky.

The Matchmaker stood by, gently shaking a potted plant. A streak of starlight flew from the starry sky and hovered before them.

This potted plant was actually a Post-Heaven Merit Spirit Treasure—the Lovesick Tree.

The starlight faded, dividing into five piles of clay figures, each pile of different sizes, with several characters formed by starlight hovering above them, categorizing them.

For example, the leftmost pile had three large characters written above it: "Transcendence Immortal Sect."

The other piles read "Carefree Immortal Sect," "Freedom Gate"… essentially, several Daoist lineages of the Human Sect.

Xuandu sighed lightly and smiled, "How many have formed in this past thousand years?"

The Matchmaker bowed his head at the side and said, "As you instructed, if a match is found, I'll help it along; in this thousand years, a total of three hundred and sixty-two couples have formed in these immortal sects."

Grand Master Xuandu nodded gently and said warmly, "Hmm, good. How many new disciples have been born?"

"That… you would have to check the register in the Underworld; we only manage marriages here."

Xuandu gave a wry smile. When he smiled, he liked to narrow his eyes, and his smile was quite warm.

"I forgot about that; please forgive me, Matchmaker. Alas, Master has truly given me a challenge. He wants the Human Sect to flourish appropriately, but won't let me take disciples…"

Xuandu sighed with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the figures. "This is the only recourse. Matchmaker, could you bring forth the matches that are about to form? I want to see how many there are."

"Yes, Grand Master, please wait a moment."

The Matchmaker shook the potted plant in his hand again. Soon, dozens of clay figures flew forward. The distance between the figures varied according to their closeness and the likelihood of their forming a match.

Each clay figure had one or two red threads, some had three or four, but not too many.

For those with deep affections, the red threads were longer;

For those with brief affections, the red threads were shorter.

Soon, Grand Master Xuandu's gaze was drawn to four clay figures clustered together. He took two steps closer, looking at these four figures under the "Transcendence Immortal Sect" heading.

The Matchmaker beside him smiled, "This is the formation of three stars guarding the moon—great fortune."

Grand Master Xuandu nodded gently, staring intently for a moment.

"Grand Master, look, he has a bit of red silk on his wrists and ankles, but the red thread has just begun… Some people are like this; this must be because this talented individual of the Human Sect is focused on cultivation and doesn't want to bother with worldly matters."

"What a waste," Xuandu said, looking at the three red threads floating around the clay figure, and smiled, "Matchmaker, could you help lengthen his red thread so it connects with the other three red threads?"

"That, naturally, can be done, but Grand Master, we can only assist; it's not good to force changes…"

"While letting nature take its course, just add a little bit of assistance."

"Aye, this minor deity shall do it."

Immediately, the Matchmaker raised the potted Lovesick Tree and lightly tapped it towards the clay figure.

At the same time, in the Elixir Chamber of the Lesser Qiong Peak, Transcendence Immortal Sect, East Victory Divine Continent.

Li Changshou, who had just taken a bath and was worrying about a new elixir furnace, suddenly felt a few inappropriate images surface in his mind.

"Hmm?"

Li Changshou chuckled softly, instantly banishing the images from his mind.

In the Matchmaker's rear hall, the Lovesick Tree slowly tapped forward, and the clay figure, out of nowhere…

Took a step back.

"Eh?"

The Matchmaker frowned, changed direction, and continued to poke at the clay figure with the small potted Lovesick Tree.

In the Elixir Chamber on Lesser Qiong Peak, Li Changshou's mind again conjured up images, a combination of past and present lives: for example, his Junior Aunt in a sailor uniform, his Junior Sister in a school uniform, and…

Uh, why would he imagine Youqin Xuanya wearing a mech suit?

"Dao heart steady, illusions crumble!"

The images in his mind shattered instantly. Li Changshou shook his head and continued to ponder the new elixir furnace.

In the Hall of the Matchmaker, as the Lovesick Tree approached, the clay figure twisted slightly to the left.

"Heavens! I just…"

The Matchmaker's eyes widened. He grabbed the Lovesick Tree, changed direction again, and pointed it at the clay figure. This time, the clay figure… did a backflip, nimbly dodging it.

"Hahaha!"

Grand Master Xuandu couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The Matchmaker's face immediately turned unsightly. He had made a fool of himself in front of the Grand Master, and over such a trivial matter!

"Great!"

The Matchmaker stroked the Lovesick Tree. The tree instantly expanded, its branches and leaves vigorously attacking the clay figure.

On the ground, Li Changshou frowned. In his mind, a beautiful elixir furnace suddenly appeared. The furnace opened, and several graceful figures flew out…

Li Changshou immediately sat cross-legged and began reciting a mantra for calming the mind and concentrating qi.

Are you kidding? What hadn't he seen in his previous life?

Perhaps, his state of mind had become unstable after becoming an immortal, leading him to always think of these irrelevant things.

What was the use of temporary pleasure?

At least achieve longevity first, then consider these matters! That would be a long, shameless existence!

No, longevity doesn't necessarily guarantee self-preservation… it's better not to get involved in the optional karma of relationships.

Li Changshou let out a low cry: "Stillness!"

The clay figure in the Matchmaker's Hall instantly performed a series of reactions.

Retreating…

Dodging…

Flipping…

Jumping left and right…

Thomas flare…

No matter how the Lovesick Tree's branches lashed out, not a single leaf touched it.

The Matchmaker was sweating profusely from frustration, almost choking on his own qi.

Next to him, the Grand Master smiled, "Let me lend Matchmaker a hand."

Immediately, starlight shimmered in his left hand, infused with yin and yang, as he reached out from afar to grasp the clay figure.

The Matchmaker's eyes widened, and he was about to shout "No!" but was a half-second too late. The Grand Master had already pinched the clay figure's left arm.

But…

Snap!

The clay figure's left arm instantly broke off. Its body nimbly jumped away and, once stable, struck a "come at me" pose.

The entire scene fell into a dead silence.

"Grand Master… you mustn't, mustn't force it…"

"Cough, can this thing be repaired?"

"It can, but it's very time-consuming. Fortunately, there was no red thread on his left arm, so it's easier to repair…"

"Then I'll trouble Matchmaker. Um, Matchmaker, please continue your work. I'll come back in a while and bring you some elixirs refined by Lord Lao Zi… Please pay special attention to this young man. Thank you, thank you!"

With that, Grand Master Xuandu hastily bowed, turned, and disappeared in two steps, leaving the Matchmaker alone in a state of disarray.

A moment earlier, in the Elixir Chamber of the Transcendence Immortal Sect.

Li Changshou's brows were tightly furrowed, his mind a chaotic mess.

He shook his head helplessly, reached into his robe, and from his Earth-Character No. 6 treasure pouch, took out one of his trump cards for calming his mind.

A scroll slowly unrolled, revealing a series of exquisitely painted, heavily made-up, elegantly robed… old women…

Li Changshou looked closely, mumbling, "True affection isn't just about coveting her youthful appearance; it's also about accepting her nagging in old age."

Instantly, the images in his mind shattered one by one, bringing a sense of peace.

"But then again, where does 'old' come from in cultivation?"

He smiled complacently, put away the precious "Hundred Beauties in Old Age" painting, and his mind immediately became much calmer.

A man must be hard on himself.

Speaking of which, it was one thing to occasionally think of his junior sister and junior aunt, but why did he think of Youqin Xuanya?

Tsk, that's just poisonous.