"Ah!"
Dao Zu had him seek out his teacher, then his teacher sent him to his shishu, and his shishu directed him to Nüwa Niangniang…
Wait, no, Nüwa Niangniang and his shishu were seeking him together.
He was a disciple of Taiqing, not of Tian Dao!
Li Changshou…
He dared not show anger or speak out.
Other people’s time travelers got to defy the heavens, win the favor of fairies, and enjoy a life of romance and adventure with endless opportunities coming their way.
But for him, it turned into surviving in the cracks of Dao Zu’s palm and developing amidst the roaring floods of the great calamity, all summing up to one big word: steady.
Now, with so many concerns and people he cared about, he ended up living exactly the way he never wanted to in the past, making things even harder.
He had to calculate everything, consider every cause and effect.
Take the current situation, for example: with Nüwa Niangniang and Tongtian Jiaozhu summoning him at the same time, Li Changshou had to make a choice and find a way to handle it. He needed to ensure one saint didn’t mind his true body going to the other first, and still make it all work out smoothly.
He couldn’t hide anything; when facing saints, he had to report everything truthfully.
That was the basic condition for communicating with saints.
On Tongtian Jiaozhu’s side, it was probably about the Chaos Bell, and going there might take a long time.
With Nüwa Saint, it should be relatively straightforward, and there was the time-stop divine ability…
Moreover, considering their relationships, Tongtian Jiaozhu was indeed closer to him, so his tolerance limit would likely be higher.
After all, there was that layer of connection.
After a brief thought, Li Changshou decided on what to say to each, took out two modified paper effigies from his sleeve, had his true body enter one of them, and then split off to head to the two saints’ dojos.
Using a paper effigy that had fooled Ran Deng to test a saint’s insight?
Li Changshou wouldn’t dare take such a risky move.
Though he was now jumping around in realms below the saints, he had a clear understanding of just how powerful saints were.
Apart from that one saint whose foundation was shaky and who had his cultivation slashed by his own teacher, the other saints were all sublimated in the Dao realm, at a life level infinitely close to transcendence.
Half a day later, in the secret realm of Biyou Palace, Li Changshou bowed outside the hall but didn’t enter, and announced:
“Shishu, your disciple was summoned by Nüwa Niangniang earlier and is on the way to Shengmu Palace. As soon as that matter is settled, I’ll come right over. Please don’t be upset.”
On the throne in the hall, Tongtian Jiaozhu, who was fiddling with a pile of large “eggs,” chuckled.
“No problem, I’m not dealing with anything urgent here. You go handle your important matters first.”
The implication was that his side wasn’t important?
Li Changshou breathed a sigh of relief, bowed outside the hall, and then his paper effigy shrank to the size of a ruler, leaning against the wall to sit down.
At the same time, in the lakeside pavilion of Shengmu Palace, a wave of Dao rhythm flowed, and Li Changshou was pulled into Nüwa Niangniang’s divine ability domain.
He sat obediently in his designated seat, drawing the stories he had prepared in advance, not saying much and not daring to ask questions.
Nüwa was reclining in the pool, with slices of spirit fruit on her face, her long hair adorned with pearl and agate hair accessories that had an artistic design, and her snake tail gently swaying in the spirit pool.
Beside her, a device like a recording sphere played soothing, relaxing melodies, and Nüwa Niangniang followed the rhythm, breathing in and out…
A saint’s life was so simple, yet so dull.
A moment passed outside, but who knew how much time had elapsed in the time-stop domain.
The stack of drawings in front of Li Changshou was already three inches high, and he began binding them into a book.
Suddenly, Nüwa Niangniang spoke:
“In the original Feng Shen story, did Ran Deng have a grudge with Yunxiao?”
Li Changshou paused, then realized that Nüwa Niangniang must have heard about the Feng Shen matters from Senior Lang, but she probably didn’t know much, which is why she was asking him.
Li Changshou smiled:
“The Feng Shen great calamity is still ahead, so your disciple doesn’t know the details.”
“Playing dumb.”
Nüwa said indifferently:
“Whether you know or not, I’m fully aware.
Since you don’t want to say more, forget it. I won’t force a junior like you.
Ran Deng’s death was a bit unexpected; I thought Tian Dao would protect him.”
“In your disciple’s humble opinion, Tian Dao aims for the stability of heaven and earth, so the process might not matter as much as the result.”
Li Changshou quickly bound the drawings, added a cloth cover, and applied preservation restrictions on it.
He said softly:
“Shishu summoned me this time—besides drawing, is there something you want to instruct?”
“How about it, can’t I just have you come sit with me?”
Nüwa Niangniang said indifferently:
“Now that Taibai Jinxing is so busy, Shengmu Palace has become quite lonely.”
“Shishu, you’re starting to tease your disciple,” Li Changshou laughed. “After returning to Heaven Court, your disciple has just been quietly cultivating, waiting for the great calamity.
Whatever Tian Dao wants me to do, I’ll do it.”
Nüwa Niangniang smiled, her phoenix eyes slightly opening as she said:
“Afraid?”
“Mm, very afraid.”
Li Changshou sighed softly and continued:
“But there’s no way around it. Though your disciple has no intention of causing trouble, in Shizu’s eyes, I’m probably always a variable.
It’s all thanks to that senior who laid a good foundation, tsk.”
Nüwa immediately smiled with narrowed eyes, and the spirit fruit slices on her face vanished.
There was a splash in the pool as she transformed into human form and stepped out, a dense holy light accompanying a water-blue long skirt that draped over the flawless figure of this only female saint.
A soft couch floated over, and Nüwa Niangniang sat behind the curtains, lazily yawning.
This time, she calmly asked:
“As the Feng Shen great calamity’s final killing tribulation approaches, what’s your view on the current situation of the three religions in facing the calamity?”
Li Changshou felt a slight doubt in his heart, glanced at Nüwa Niangniang behind the curtains, and thought it was strange.
Nüwa Niangniang’s conversations with him were usually quite casual, peaceful and easy to connect with.
This question seemed normal but didn’t quite match her personality; normally, she might say something like—
You’ve wrecked Western Cult’s luck, so next, are you planning for Daoism to wipe out Western Cult first, then fight among themselves?
Was Tian Dao asking through her?
Or was there another issue?
Li Changshou’s spirit sharpened, about to respond, when Nüwa Niangniang’s voice echoed in the depths of his Dao heart.
“This time I called you here is actually to remind you of something.
Earlier, when you damaged Western Cult’s luck, it perfectly met their need for trials before rising, so Tian Dao has had me make arrangements.
You can answer me in your heart; one-heart two-uses seems no problem for you.”
As expected, it’s related to the monkey.
That mending stone was personally placed by Nüwa Niangniang, and she said Tian Dao, not Dao Zu.
This probably refers to that will that watched him for eleven or twelve years in the Hunyuan Golden Fight during the early stages of the Feng Shen great calamity.
Li Changshou smiled calmly and said aloud:
“The situation of the three religions is still quite unclear…”
He filled his response with vague pleasantries, nothing substantial.
In his heart, Li Changshou thought:
“Niangniang, I don’t want to interfere in matters after the Feng Shen great calamity.
Once it’s over, I’ll take the people I want to bring and leave Honghuang.”
“Oh?”
Nüwa Niangniang’s voice asked:
“You plan to take Yunxiao, Ling E, and the others far away?”
“Mm, after all, I’m always in danger in Honghuang. For my related friends who want to go, as long as they’re not bound by Tian Dao, I’ll take them—maybe seven or eight at most.”
“That’s actually a good choice. You’re indeed more reliable than that guy,” Nüwa Niangniang chuckled lightly, then sighed slightly, seeming a bit disappointed.
It was as if she was waiting for him to ask what was wrong.
Li Changshou wisely didn’t say a word.
On the surface, he kept chattering nonsense; in his heart, he waited quietly.
Soon, Nüwa Niangniang continued:
“Not even picking up the conversation—how do we chat like this?”
“Your disciple knows his limits and can’t help Niangniang with your troubles,” Li Changshou said with a ashamed expression. “After all, you’re a saint, one of the only six in the world.”
“When I became a saint, I used too much merit, and now my Dao fruit is almost completely locked by Tian Dao.”
Nüwa Niangniang said helplessly:
“I can feel Tian Dao’s constraints on me growing stronger.
Li Changshou, you’re from the same hometown as that guy—do you have a way to help me break free?”
“This…”
Li Changshou couldn’t help but laugh and cry inside.
Nüwa Niangniang added:
“I can form an alliance with you, and we’ll advance and retreat together in the upcoming great calamity.”
“You’re giving your disciple too much credit!”
Li Changshou almost cried out:
“Your disciple is just a slightly stronger ant; allying with you would be improper!”
Nüwa Niangniang lightly snorted in his heart:
“You can hide it from Taiqing Shixiong and Dao Zu, but not from me.
Back in the day, I was quite familiar with your senior; we often played cards and, um, discussed the Dao.
People like you and him are best at finding unique paths. From the moment you arranged for Yang Jian, I pretty much guessed what you’re planning.
Now, you’re no longer someone Dao Zu can eliminate at will—that’s your first step, deeply binding yourself to Tian Dao.
Right?”
Play it safe, don’t speak yet, and see how much Nüwa Niangniang has figured out.
She continued:
“You’re telling the teacher one thing while making arrangements to leave Honghuang, and with your cautious and thorough nature, it’s all to deceive the teacher and make your actions easier…”
“Your disciple swears to Tian Dao, there’s absolutely no deception in this!”
Li Changshou said righteously in his heart:
“Niangniang, you might have misunderstood. I admit I’m doing what you said, but my ultimate goal is just to escape safely.
The Chaos Sea might be harsh, but it’s not impossible to survive, and that senior left clues to go home—these are all worth exploring.
On this point, you’re really mistaken.”
“Oh?” Nüwa Niangniang crossed her legs, her eyes flashing with intensity.
Li Changshou met her gaze calmly, his face showing helplessness.
“Are you thinking I’m testing you?”
“I wouldn’t dare; your disciple has nothing worth testing.”
Li Changshou said:
“Please don’t blame me, Shishu. Your disciple just wants to steadily oversee the Feng Shen great calamity without any improper desires.”
Nüwa Niangniang leaned back, propping herself up with one hand on the couch armrest, gently rubbing her forehead.
“In that case, I won’t force you.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Shishu,” Li Changshou added. “But if in the future your disciple has the chance and ability to help Shishu, as long as you ask, I won’t refuse.”
Nüwa Niangniang waved her hand lightly, and light and shadow swirled around; before he knew it, Li Changshou was out of the pavilion, sitting on a cloud boat.
A soft sigh echoed in his heart, carrying a hint of desolation.
Li Changshou stood up, bowed on the cloud boat, knowing he probably wouldn’t visit Shengmu Palace again.
It was his own oversight earlier; he had even considered having Ling E come here to cultivate, but now that seemed too dangerous.
He wasn’t in a hurry to go to the immortal mountain by the East Sea.
Nüwa Niangniang had already told him—it was Huaguo Mountain, with a stone on it that would give birth to a stone monkey.
Everything was indeed Tian Dao’s arrangement.
On his way back to the Five Divisions Continent, Li Changshou traveled through the void, his heart unable to calm for a long time.
Nüwa Niangniang suddenly proposing an alliance was something Li Changshou truly hadn’t expected.
And her almost seeing through his plan had given him quite a scare.
Fortunately, she only guessed the beginning; the rest of her reasoning went astray, still with significant limitations.
No matter what, Li Changshou couldn’t agree to the alliance.
On the surface, he’d gain a saint’s full support, but analyzing it, the whole thing seemed unreliable.
If Nüwa Niangniang wanted to break free from Tian Dao, that would mean true transcendence.
Something he absolutely couldn’t do, and shouldn’t even try.
Thinking about it, what’s the difference among living beings?
Saints at the pinnacle of all have their own worries.
The two Western Cult saints worry about unpaid debts; Tongtian Jiaozhu frets over the great calamity; Yuan Shi Tianzun is concerned about his shidi being dragged down;
Nüwa Niangniang became a saint with too much merit, so she’s bound by Tian Dao and yearns to escape its constraints…
And his own teacher, for the sake of Daoism and the world, has his little disciple worrying endlessly.
Eh? Something seems off here.
Never mind, don’t sweat the small details.
What he had to arrange went far beyond just Yang Jian.
“Monkey bro, monkey bro, you’re truly amazing.”
Humming this tune in his heart, Li Changshou sped up, not disturbing any plants or creatures, and directly entered the Five Divisions Continent’s realm, heading to Biyou Palace.
Not long after Li Changshou left Shengmu Palace,
Nüwa Niangniang sat on the soft couch, lost in thought for a while. A wind bell rang by the windowsill, and the bamboo grove outside swayed slightly.
A somewhat blurry gray shadow appeared outside the window, like an old Daoist, but his face was indistinct.
“Are you reassured now?”
Nüwa Niangniang snorted:
“I told you, this kid is really afraid of death and won’t take risks.”
The old Daoist outside the window nodded slightly and said:
“The previous lesson must not be taken lightly.”
With that, the old Daoist’s figure flickered and dissipated without a trace.
“Long Geng, look at what I harvested in the Chaos Sea this time?”
In the great hall of Biyou Palace, surrounded by Jiejiao disciples, Li Changshou walked among the dozens of massive “eggs,” constantly sensing the creatures inside and praising them.
Shishu Tongtian must have found some secret realm; how did he get so many Honghuang exotic beasts!
But speaking of which…
“Shishu, weren’t you looking for the Chaos Bell’s traces?”
Tongtian Jiaozhu smiled awkwardly, lowered his arms, clasped them behind his back, and sighed upward:
“I fear Jiejiao is destined to rely on treasures to suppress its luck and forge a path through this great calamity.”
If you didn’t find it, just say so. A saint like you speaking so grandly, aren’t you afraid your disciples will tease you?
Yet, as Li Changshou looked around, the Jiejiao disciples and grand-disciples were quite moved, saying things like holding hands and standing shoulder to shoulder, and any calamity would dissipate like smoke!
Jiejiao culture.
Tongtian Jiaozhu winked at Li Changshou and said:
“Duobao, distribute these exotic beasts to your shidi and shimei. They can serve as mounts or pets for battles.
Long Geng, come with me… and give me a back rub.”
“Yes, disciple obeys.”
Li Changshou bowed and followed Tongtian Jiaozhu obediently, flying together to the rear mountain array, the saint’s bath.
Duobao Daoist responded a beat late, then stared blankly at the departing figures of Li Changshou and his master.
Ah, the new generation replaces the old; now even for back rubs, the master doesn’t need him anymore.
A moment later, in the Biyou hot spring.
Tongtian Jiaozhu laughed heartily a few times, then signaled for Li Changshou to turn around and personally started rubbing his back.
“Not bad, Long Geng, you easily took down Ran Deng and arranged the Qiankun Ruler for Gongming.
Yunxiao didn’t misjudge you; you’re really dependable.”
Li Changshou quickly said:
“Shishu, I eliminated Ran Deng for personal revenge, pure personal revenge.”
“No harm in that. Did your master tell you about that stone coffin?”
“Teacher mentioned part of it,” Li Changshou said. “I only know that the expert buried in the stone coffin once fought Demon Ancestor Luo Hou and lost by half a move, getting slain.
His body didn’t decay; it stayed in Lingjiu Mountain, and a coffin lamp gained sentience, refining the stone coffin and body into one, becoming Ran Deng Daoist.”
“That’s right; you knowing this much is enough.”
Tongtian Jiaozhu changed the subject:
“How long until the killing tribulation?”
“One or two hundred years, or two or three hundred,” Li Changshou said. “Shishu, you should be able to calculate it.”
Tongtian Jiaozhu said:
“I’m too lazy to calculate… Would it be convenient for you to go to the Chaos Sea with me during this time to block the Chaos Bell? We’d return no later than fifty years.
We’ll try once; if it doesn’t work, I’ll give up.”
Li Changshou blinked:
“Shishu, you’ve found the Chaos Bell’s traces?”
“Of course,” Tongtian Jiaozhu smiled calmly. “After fighting it for so many years, I understand it well, though I couldn’t say it outright earlier.
Here’s the plan: find an excuse, make it official, and we’ll go to the Chaos Sea openly but act stealthily to seize the Chaos Bell. Once done, you get seventy percent, I get thirty. As long as it helps Jiejiao through this calamity, the treasure will be yours afterward.
What do you say?”
He’s doing all the work!
[13 minutes ago] Chapter 1063: Double Ancestors Fusion
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