Chapter 647: Strangely Taking the Initiative

Di Ting was truly something else, a real master of survival in the Great Desolation. If told to transform into a maiden, it would never become a youth! However, it had barely begun to randomly jump around, not yet fully transformed, when Ksitigarbha dragged it to a corner and gave it a good beating. Seeing this, Li Changshou couldn't help but reflect. Was he really that fierce? Alas, the world was filled with misunderstandings and persecution against prudence. It seemed this Great Desolation would be difficult to set right.

Although Li Changshou wished to seize the opportunity to plant a paper effigy in the Reincarnation Pagoda, hoping to find Maitreya's traces by waiting, he ultimately had to respect the Reincarnation Pagoda Lord's wishes. Therefore, Li Changshou placed this paper effigy underground in the Reincarnation Pagoda, where two items were suppressed: the Demonic Venerable's spiritual core and the mysterious old man's coffin.

The matter of the Western Sect was far from over. Not to mention that Senior Grand-master Xuandu and Senior Brother Duobao were still missing, merely considering the current situation, the Jie Sect's predicament hadn't eased much. Today, the Chan Sect and Jie Sect confronted each other, just one step away from an open rupture. The Chan Sect was naturally wary of the Jie Sect's strength. The Jie Sect, on one hand, feared the Chan Sect immortals' pure origins and profound blessings; on the other hand, being from the same Daoist lineage, they were unwilling to be the ones to instigate an internal war among Daoists.

On the way back to Golden Ao Island, Yun Xiao temporarily 'left the group' and took Qiong Xiao to the coast of the South Sea, arriving at the Sea God Temple in Anshui City. This was also where their karmic connection had begun.

The back hall of the Sea God Temple remained clean, regularly swept by divine envoys. Li Changshou's paper effigy also occasionally convened 'meetings' there with the nineteen ancient demon soldiers who had retired. Caring for retired ancient demon soldiers was everyone's responsibility in the Human Sect.

Upon entering the back hall, Li Changshou activated a small portion of the Taiji Diagram's power and called out to it, but received no response. He figured that Senior Grand-master was likely far from the Great Desolation at that moment. This made Li Changshou begin to worry about the safety of Saint Zhunti. If outside the Great Desolation, a Heavenly Dao Saint's only advantage lay in their own Dao realm. And a Seven Treasures Tree, missing a branch, might not fare well against the Taiji Diagram, Chaos Bell, Xuanhuang Pagoda, Qiankun Ruler, and the Rat King's Treasure Vault. He hoped the advice he gave to the two Senior Grand-masters would be effective at the critical moment. "May the Saint be safe, may the Saint be safe, may the Saint be safe..." Even if Zhunti were to die outside the world, his Great Dao dissipating would similarly lead to a weakening of the Heavenly Dao's restrictive power.

One's loss was another's gain. Once the array in the back hall was properly activated, a small insect emerged from Yun Xiao's sleeve, transforming amidst ethereal light into Li Changshou's true form, still appearing as a young man.

"Brother-in-law!" Qiong Xiao cheered from the side, shaking her sister's arm. "Brother-in-law, you're amazing! The Western Sect has finally been brought down by you!"

Li Changshou's eyes crinkled in a smile as he gently said, "You shouldn't speak like that. The Western Sect brought about its own demise by doing too many unrighteous deeds; it has little to do with me."

"Mm! Mm!" Qiong Xiao nodded repeatedly, her small face conveying "You're absolutely right."

Yun Xiao looked at Li Changshou with a slight apology in her eyes and softly said, "In the end, I still dragged you down."

"Whether I was dragged down or not, why say such things between us?" Li Changshou spoke gently, and their gazes met, naturally drawing them closer. Her soft hand was about to reach for his large hand, and his hand was about to grasp her slender one.

"Ahem, hmm!" Qiong Xiao walked past them with her hands behind her back. Li Changshou and Yun Xiao exchanged smiles, then simply stood still.

Yun Xiao asked, "Are the two Senior Brothers safe?"

"I don't know yet, but I imagine there shouldn't be any issues," Li Changshou replied. "After all, Teacher is secretly protecting them, and they went to a place outside the Heavenly Dao's supervision."

"Mm," Yun Xiao nodded lightly, pondering for a moment.

Li Changshou invited the sisters to sit and sent a message for a Sea God Sect divine envoy to bring tea. Qiong Xiao's eyes twinkled slightly, and she began her daily little scheme: "The Heart-Piercing Lock you refined with merit is simply too strong!"

Li Changshou nodded with a smile.

"Brother-in-law, your Heart-Piercing Lock is really amazing!" Li Changshou lowered his head and took a sip from his teacup. "Brother-in-law—"

"Hmm?" Immortal Yun Xiao looked up at Qiong Xiao, who instantly sat up straight and whispered, "Sister, don't misunderstand, I was just marveling at how powerful that treasure is..."

Li Changshou couldn't help but smile, lightly steering the conversation away. He said, "Once the subsequent turmoil subsides, the Jie Sect can have some peace for a while. However, the coming Great Tribulation is unstoppable, so you must act cautiously. If there's no need, do not leave Three Immortals Island."

Qiong Xiao also put away her playful demeanor and asked, "Brother-in-law, was the overthrow of the Western Sect this time an arrangement by the Heavenly Dao?"

"Hard to say," Li Changshou put down his teacup. "I'm also a bit unclear about what kind of situation the Heavenly Dao truly desires. However, with the destruction of most of the Western Sect's disciples, about forty percent of the calamity associated with the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation has dissipated. For the Daoist schools, this means nearly half the potential losses can be avoided, which is quite good."

"It's all thanks to Brother-in-law's excellent planning."

Li Changshou shook his head and chuckled, "It's just that the Jie Sect's strength is formidable." He had just told a small lie; the extent of the calamity's dissipation for the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation was actually twenty percent, which he had doubled. This was simply to prevent Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao from worrying too much and to lessen their burden.

They discussed the Great Tribulation for a while, and Yun Xiao asked how to conclude it. Li Changshou merely advised the Jie Sect to remain as peaceful as possible, and for core disciples and senior disciples not to wander around carelessly. As they spoke, a streak of aquamarine light streaked across the sky; it was Zhao Gongming, who had found their location.

As soon as Grandmaster Zhao landed, he raised a hand to wipe away the bloodstains from his beard. His previously sallow face instantly returned to normal. With his hands behind his back, humming a tune, he strode in with a swagger, and upon seeing Li Changshou, he burst into hearty laughter. "Ah ha ha ha! What a thrill! What a thrill!"

Qiong Xiao laughed, "Big Brother, you truly miscalculated this time. How could you not even stop them for a moment? Before we went to Spirit Mountain, you thumped your chest and said you could definitely delay them for almost half an hour."

"Well," Zhao Gongming gave an embarrassed laugh. Without waiting for Li Changshou to invite him, he simply sat down next to Li Changshou, facing the two sisters. He sighed, "The strategic direction was fine, but there were too many Chan Sect members. I could only delay two or three immortals at most."

Li Changshou chuckled, "Being able to hold back Senior Brother Taiyi, old brother, you've already rendered immense service. Otherwise, if he had started to taunt them, a fight would have surely broken out today."

"Taiyi's mouth really is..." Zhao Gongming's expression was quite complex, truly beyond words.

Qiong Xiao asked, "Is there no way to counter True Person Taiyi's verbal attacks?"

"There is," Li Changshou said calmly. "The incarnation of the Seven Emotions, living in seclusion in a small mountain village in the Southern Continent, is Senior Brother Taiyi's nemesis."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and chuckled, "Joking aside, the Chan Sect also harbors many masters. True Person Yuding keeps a low profile; I've observed him many times and still can't discern his Dao realm. He walks the path of cultivating the mind, cultivating the transcendence of the primordial spirit, and his Dao realm is already extremely profound. If, during the coming Great Tribulation, we inevitably confront them, remember not to let genuine anger take hold, and try to avoid Yuding and Taiyi."

Yun Xiao softly said, "When the time comes, it would be best if we don't pick quarrels with them. During the Great Tribulation, more patience means more vitality; taking a step back opens up a wider world."

Li Changshou: ...There's nothing to say about our Yunyun's theoretical knowledge! He just hoped that when it came to practice, she wouldn't do the opposite.

After Zhao Gongming and Li Changshou exchanged a few jokes, a communication jade slip arrived at the Sea God Temple. It was from Saintess Jin Ling, inquiring if Zhao Gongming was alright. The jade slip mentioned that the Jie Sect was holding a Grand Assembly of Ten Thousand Immortals on Golden Ao Island, which would officially commence once Senior Brother Duobao returned. It urged Zhao Gongming to go early and oversee various complicated affairs.

Yun Xiao had originally intended to spend more time with Li Changshou now that the Western Sect had been suppressed, but at this point, she had to rush off to her duties. Qiong Xiao playfully asked if Li Changshou would visit the Jie Sect as a guest, but Li Changshou naturally shook his head with a smile. Currently, he couldn't go anywhere except the Human Sect's immortal lineage.

In front of the back hall, Li Changshou watched the direction Yun Xiao and her two siblings departed, a little lost in thought. He suddenly felt a touch of poetic inspiration. The clamor of the mortal world was in his ears; wisps of incense merit flowed into his body, filling the ever-incomplete pool of merit. Clouds unfurled and rolled, bringing a sense of peace and joy.

Li Changshou hummed a few notes, then began to recite: "Lush, lush the grass on the plains, it withers and flourishes year after year. Wildfires cannot burn it all away, the spring breeze brings it to life once more." After speaking, he chuckled softly, then used his wind-escape technique to vanish, secretly following them. To be safe, he would protect the three siblings until they rejoined the main body of Jie Sect masters. The Jie Sect had just experienced a major upheaval, and its fate was already unstable. Such heavy killing at this moment could easily provoke further incidents. If Saint Zhunti were to suddenly return and 'coincidentally' encounter Yun Xiao, Qiong Xiao, and Zhao Gongming, attacking them in his anger, who would they turn to for reason? One had to be on guard.

After escorting Yun Xiao back to Golden Ao Island, Li Changshou then took the path through North Kuru, confidently returning to the Heavenly Courts via the North Heavenly Gate. The Investiture of the Gods scheme and the millennium plan of "The Disappearance" were both entering their next phases.

With the Western Sect now left with only two Saint-level combatants, Li Changshou's room for maneuver had undoubtedly increased significantly. However, the real challenges were only just beginning. The conflict between the Chan and Jie Sects would be far more troublesome than the Daoist suppression of the Western Sect.

Upon returning to Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou was naturally surrounded by Ling'e and Kong Xuan. Ling'e was concerned if her senior brother was injured, while Kong Xuan eagerly asked about her master's whereabouts. When Kong Xuan heard that Li Changshou also didn't know her master's exact location, she immediately paced back and forth anxiously, almost wanting to try her luck in the Chaos Sea. It was only after repeated persuasion from Li Changshou and Ling'e that Kong Xuan agreed to wait a bit longer.

This wait stretched for half a month. On this day, several supremely powerful auras suddenly appeared in the Great Desolation; it was the Great Daos of Saints trembling! Jieyin, Sect Master Tongtian, and Zhunti — three Saints returned to the Great Desolation almost simultaneously! Their return locations, however, were somewhat different.

Sect Master Tongtian, protected by his Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, evaded the encirclement of Jieyin and Zhunti, snorted coldly, and departed at leisure. Jieyin and Zhunti... though they were Saints and possessed saintly nature, seeing their Spirit Mountain, painstakingly moved back from various places and from the pockets of numerous Qi Refiners, now reduced to only a blackened, verdant half-mountain, their Dao hearts were inevitably affected. Zhunti stomped his foot, ready to settle accounts with the Jie Sect, but a thunderous sound in the sky and a few words of persuasion from Jieyin made him pause.

Jieyin said, "Don't be a sore loser. We had already envisioned such a situation in ancient times." Zhunti lowered his head and sighed, searching everywhere for the souls of Spirit Mountain's immortals, but found nothing.

The two Saints simultaneously acted, shrouding Spirit Mountain in clouds and mist, temporarily isolating it from the Great Desolation. Almost simultaneously, the Heavenly Courts were adorned with lanterns and streamers, and the Immortal Peach Banquet was held early. In the towns and markets of the Central Divine Continent untouched by the war, discussions buzzed everywhere. The moment something went wrong with the Western Sect, and their Saints couldn't immediately retaliate, many Qi Refiners felt a surge of pleasure. They had suffered under the Western Sect for too long.

Another half-day later, a bell rang on Golden Ao Island, and Daoist Duobao emerged from a cave. On Little Qiong Peak, yin-yang twin fish appeared, and Grand-master made his exit. Daoist Duobao at this moment bore several wounds across his body, and his aura felt weak, indicating he had sustained minor injuries, though none too severe.

As soon as Grand-master appeared, he collapsed onto Li Changshou's usual seat in front of the alchemy room, letting out a long yawn. His face was quite pale, and he mumbled, "A Saint's Golden Body is truly formidable."

Several streaks of light flashed, and Li Changshou and Kong Xuan appeared simultaneously. Ling'e's light was still on its way. Kong Xuan, without a word, immediately went to her master's side, raised her hand to press on his shoulder, and only breathed a sigh of relief after a careful examination.

Seeing this, Li Changshou knew that Grand-master was likely unharmed and immediately showed a slight smile. "Congratulations, Senior Brother, on remaining undefeated after battling a Saint for so long."

"Battle?" Grand-master sighed, "Hardly. At most, it was just Junior Brother Duobao and I, relying on our supreme treasures, holding a Saint in the Chaos Sea for a few days. That's all."

"Being able to hold them back is already incredible." Li Changshou gave a thumbs-up. Grand-master waved his hand with a smile, not wishing to dwell on the matter. After all, they had almost not made it back.

Grand-master asked, "What's the damage to the Western Sect?"

"Ninety percent," Li Changshou summoned a wooden chair and sat beside Grand-master, speaking slowly. "And the remaining disciples have all taken the Great Dao Oath."

"So many casualties?" Grand-master was quite surprised and chuckled, "Did the Jie Sect go on a killing spree? You must tell me all about this grand drama, especially the parts I missed."

Li Changshou assented and recounted in detail what happened after Grand-master and Duobao charged at Zhunti. After Li Changshou finished speaking, he also voiced the question in his heart. "Where did Grand-master go before?" Grand-master let out a faint sigh. Not daring to criticize his own Teacher's methods, he spoke of the hardships of their journey.

It proved that Saints were indeed Saints. Li Changshou's insistence that Saints couldn't die had no effect at all. At that time, Grand-master and Duobao, along with Saint Taiqing's Teacher, were thrown into the Chaos Sea, and they almost lost their bearings the moment they appeared. Zhunti, who had been sent there with them, reacted swiftly, turning around and dashing towards the Great Desolation. But without the power of the Heavenly Dao, Zhunti, being a Heavenly Dao Saint at the bottom tier, was still unable to achieve 'Great Dao Resonance Teleportation' based on his own strength in the Chaos Sea.

As soon as Zhunti moved, Grand-master and Duobao met him head-on, entangling with Zhunti using their supreme treasures. Over this half-month journey, it was hard to say whether they were directly fighting Zhunti or being 'chased' back to the Great Desolation by him.

Grand-master yawned and sighed, "I'll sleep for a while to recover my energy. Chang Geng, you must remember, never harbor the thought that you can defeat a Saint just by relying on treasures!"

"Don't worry, Senior Brother," Li Changshou assented, gesturing for Ling'e to leave with him. He then activated the various arrays in the alchemy room, temporarily relinquishing the array's core to his Senior Brother and Sister-in-law.

With Grand-master's return and the Western Sect sealing its mountain, the matter showed signs of being dropped. Li Changshou cast aside his lingering worries and secluded himself in his lakeside thatched cottage, writing and drawing, pondering various plans. On a side note, Daoist Qiyuan's spirit tablet in the adjacent cottage had been removed, mainly out of fear of accidentally cursing his reincarnated self, Jiang Shang.

However, Li Changshou had only been secluded for less than half a day when, as Little Qiong Peak was enveloped by night, an unexpected guest, having bypassed the layers of guards at the Heavenly Courts' Grand White Palace, appeared outside Little Qiong Peak's grand array and began to bombard it with spiritual sense. It was the Chaos Elder Sister, the Chaos Bell!