Chapter 656: Shen Bao and Jiang Gong Return to Jade Void, Li Jing of Chen Tang Obtains a Unicorn Son

If one were to say that a formidable heavenly tribulation prided itself on being the nightmare of qi refiners, then Shen Bao's tribulation was clearly without any shame.

It was the disgrace among all tribulations!

It disregarded the hearts of living beings, acted recklessly, and violated its own fundamental purpose!

Li Changshou's paper effigy hid deep beneath the earth, his immortal sense observing the layers of thunder curtains.

At first, the Heavenly Way seemed like an impartial obstacle to the longevity of living beings, showing no mercy even when striking a great tribulation agent like Shen Bao.

Just five bolts of tribulation lightning had already left Shen Bao in utter disarray.

His Dao body showed clear signs of disintegration, and he would surely not survive the next three; he was doomed to fall to the seventh bolt of heavenly tribulation.

There was no helping it—Shen Bao's foundation was weak, his Dao methods were miscellaneous, and before transforming into human form, he had no special origins, nor had he consumed any spiritual elixirs or encountered any great figures from the primordial era who shouted "I don't want to live anymore" and sacrificed themselves to give him enlightenment.

In fact, Shen Bao didn't even know why he had unwittingly reached the point of facing the longevity tribulation.

Facing the raging heavenly tribulation, Shen Bao sighed deeply, despair evident in his eyes, and then...

He recited a poem.

"Half a life of turmoil, half of idleness, one tribulation turns the immortal path to dust. Unfaithful and ungrateful, yet with a confidante, this lonely self can only sigh in bitterness."

Shen Bao showed a hint of relieved smile, in that instant overcoming his inner demons, and welcoming his own destruction.

As is well known, living beings differ from one another, but the "flashback" before facing doom is something they all experience.

In this extreme despair, scenes flashed through Shen Bao's mind...

A few chats and drinks with Brother Geng Chang; A few meetings with Senior Lu Ya; And the rest were those beautiful and joyful times with women, countless encounters of that sort...

Now, all that remained were a few bitter laughs.

"Miao Miao!"

Shen Bao suddenly shouted toward the tribulation clouds: "Thank you for your care! This poor Daoist will repay you in the next life!"

Assuming, of course, that falling under the tribulation would grant a next life.

Shen Bao closed his eyes, tears streaking his cheeks, gathering his final magical power. Though he had given up hope, the instinct of a living being made him want to struggle.

Incidentally, all his previous minor spiritual treasures—his entire possessions—had been destroyed in the fight against the tribulation.

Rumble!

The tribulation clouds shook!

The sixth bolt arrived as scheduled!

Shen Bao opened his eyes, his gray-white hair fluttering behind him, his seemingly sturdy face now numb.

Right at that moment!

The scene that nearly made Li Changshou curse unfolded—

The tribulation clouds, which had been spinning rapidly, suddenly folded inward, releasing two purple-red lightning balls, each containing formidable heavenly tribulation power, smashing down abruptly.

In mid-air, the two lightning balls collided with each other, exploding into a shower of electric arcs without warning.

What is a great tribulation agent?

This is exactly what a great tribulation agent is!

The Heavenly Way cheated outright, showing utter dominance!

Shen Bao was stunned, and the tribulation clouds above his head visibly shrank by a small portion.

He quickly calculated in his heart, and a spark of hope burst in his eyes as he shouted in surprise:

"Could this poor Daoist... make it through!?"

With a crack, a bolt of purple-black lightning engulfed Shen Bao's figure, making him spit blood and causing black cracks to appear all over his Dao body.

This was a sign that his Dao foundation was on the verge of shattering.

The light in Shen Bao's eyes dimmed instantly, and he didn't even consider why there was such a short interval between the sixth and seventh bolts of tribulation.

By the way, his tribulation seemed to have only a bit of inner demon, with no "annihilating heavenly winds," "karmic fires of living beings," or "Dao-melting divine water" as additional elements.

"As expected, I still delusionally hoped to live.

It's all just bubbles, a fleeting firework."

Shen Bao smiled bitterly, sighed, and quietly awaited his final fate.

He was finished!

Buzz—

Suddenly, a strange fluctuation appeared in the tribulation clouds, and two bolts of lightning—one black and one white—descended!

They appeared powerful, carrying the rhythm of yin-yang annihilation, but the two bolts canceled each other out above Shen Bao's head, leaving only a slight impact that sent him tumbling in disarray.

Li Changshou: ...

Shen Bao: ...

The surrounding living beings watching: ...

Shen Bao was still a bit dazed, calculating that this black-and-white lightning was probably... the eighth bolt?

"This poor Daoist... made it through?"

Right then!

The tribulation clouds above gathered inward continuously, slowly condensing into a massive lightning ball over a thousand zhang in diameter, smashing down on Shen Bao without hesitation.

At that moment, Shen Bao was terrified but also numb, allowing himself to be swallowed by the tribulation lightning, even spreading his arms.

A tear slowly slid from the corner of his eye.

Li Changshou now understood Shen Bao quite well, having shared a few drinks and chats, during which Shen Bao had poured out his heart dozens of times.

In the midst of it all, Li Changshou seemed to hear Shen Bao's inner voice—a sigh filled with grief and resentment:

Dammit, just give me a quick end.

Underground, Li Changshou's paper effigy took out a jade slip and wrote line after line of text on it.

This was an irregular heavenly tribulation, evidence of the Heavenly Way's will, and it also reflected certain mechanisms of the Heavenly Way's operation, as well as the positive and negative feedback from Shen Bao's repeated "cursing" as a great tribulation agent.

Clearly, Shen Bao carried a trace of something linked to the Heavenly Way's origin, or rather, the Heavenly Way had shaped Shen Bao as this great tribulation agent, responsible for later drawing the Jie Jiao into the tribulation.

Half an hour later, the lightning dissipated, and a charred body fell from the sky.

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow, detecting a faint trace of vitality within Shen Bao...

Should he intervene?

Or not save him?

Nearby, several streaks of light shot up—it was a few scattered cultivators coming to scavenge.

Li Changshou pondered briefly, and his paper effigy moved underground toward the scene. But just as he was about to act, a clear cry echoed through the sky.

A white crane swooped down from the high heavens, transforming into a white rainbow, swiftly catching up to Shen Bao, grabbing the severely injured Shen Bao, letting out a cold snort, and heading back toward Kunlun Shan.

"Do not seek your own death."

The white crane child, a messenger of Chan Jiao, the attendant of Nan Ji Xianweng.

Those scattered cultivators who had intended to approach exchanged glances and quickly lowered their heads, flying away from this trouble spot.

Li Changshou's paper effigy used an escape technique to quietly leave, pondering for a moment.

Shen Bao's identity as a great tribulation agent had likely been discovered by the saints, given how blatantly the Heavenly Way had hinted at it during this tribulation.

As for Tongtian Jiaozhu, he either hadn't paid attention to this place or had sent someone, but they were too far away and arrived too late, allowing the white crane child to get there first.

With Shen Bao returning to Kunlun Shan, the next step would probably be for him to become a disciple of the Second Teacher.

This seemed like the Heavenly Way tightening its grip and maintaining the original great tribulation script, but in reality, there were already many differences.

Because of his own "delays," the reincarnation of his master as Jiang Shang had been postponed;

During his exchanges with Shen Bao, he had secretly given Shen Bao many pointers on cultivation, accelerating Shen Bao's tribulation crossing.

This meant...

Shen Bao was very likely to become Jiang Shang's senior brother.

Regardless, the age at which Jiang Shang would enter the mountains had already changed.

Though the change was small, it could become the flap of a butterfly's wings; and this was just one of many such butterflies.

Back at Xiao Qiong Peak, Li Changshou's mind returned, and he couldn't help but purse his lips.

Who was the Heavenly Way's most favored "son"? There was no doubt now.

Of course, it was the Jade Emperor.

With Shen Bao heading to Kunlun Shan, Li Changshou's thoughts immediately turned to the location of his teacher's reincarnated body.

As expected,

Yuan Shi Tianzun seemed to have glimpsed the heavenly secrets and received a reminder from the Heavenly Way, so the very next day, he sent Nan Ji Xianweng to the southern continent to the Jiang family.

At that time, Jiang Shang was middle-aged, with a happy family, carrying on his family's legacy and prospering, though he had no heirs.

To address this, Jiang Shang had taken in a vast number of concubines—thirty-two in total—and was working day and night to continue his family line.

His determination and persistence were truly moving!

Although back then, when Li Changshou had sought Yue Lao, it was only to arrange three marriages for his own master, and the matches were just ordinary beauties.

But unexpectedly...

This wave was quite impressive.

In fact, if it weren't for Li Changshou disguising himself as the head chef of the Jiang household these past years and secretly providing Jiang Shang with tonics to strengthen his foundation, Jiang Shang would have long been worn out by wine and women!

But thinking about it another way, Jiang Shang had experienced the luxuries of the mortal world, which might well aid his mindset for cultivation.

Incidentally, the fairy from Shengmu Palace had deliberately transformed into an old woman to avoid being noticed.

That day, Nan Ji Xianweng arrived on clouds above the Jiang residence, observed Jiang Shang napping in the courtyard for a while, and slowly descended.

In an instant, immortal light shimmered, birds sang in harmony, and waves of immortal Dao rhythms spread, leaving the mortals in the residence first startled, then hurriedly bowing in reverence.

"It's an immortal!"

"A peach immortal has descended!"

Jiang Shang was awakened by the surrounding shouts, stared blankly for a moment, and quickly stood up, bowing repeatedly to Nan Ji Xianweng.

Nan Ji Xianweng raised his hand in a gentle lift, using immortal power to help Jiang Shang up, and said warmly:

"Jiang Shang, your mortal ties are fulfilled, and your immortal fate has arrived. Why not follow this poor Daoist back to Yu Xu Palace to cultivate the path of longevity and seek true freedom and ease?"

Jiang Shang was stunned, first overjoyed, taking a step forward, but then he heard soft calls from the side.

"Master!"

"Husband!"

Jiang Shang stopped in his tracks, turned to look at the side courtyard, and saw his many beauties rushing over, their eyes brimming with tears.

"This..."

Jiang Shang showed some hesitation in his eyes and asked Nan Ji Xianweng: "If my mortal ties are ended, what of my wives?"

Nan Ji Xianweng laughed and said:

"Yu Xu Palace is a sacred Dao field for cultivation and cannot accommodate the affections of mortal couples.

But if you come with this poor Daoist, I will send disciples to handle your household affairs.

The red dust is like a dream; decades pass in an instant. Why cling to fleeting pleasures when they offer no eternal joy?

Better to seek the immortals and the Dao for true happiness."

Hearing this, the beauties thought of their husband leaving them forever and were overcome with sorrow, weeping and expressing their reluctance.

"This, this..."

Jiang Shang hesitated, but Nan Ji Xianweng smiled and waited for him to decide.

In Yu Xu Palace, when actively recruiting disciples, they couldn't use force, or it would invite gossip.

Moreover, Jiang Shang's identity was special, so they had to handle it carefully.

"Master! Master!"

From the side came a shout, as a burly man wielding a kitchen knife ran in—it was the head chef of the Jiang household.

Nan Ji Xianweng narrowed his eyes with a smile.

The "head chef" said: "Congratulations on gaining immortal fate, Master! May you live forever and enjoy boundless blessings!"

Jiang Shang frowned and sighed, bowing repeatedly to Nan Ji Xianweng, and said:

"Immortal, could you allow me to think this over? It's not out of disrespect, but my family ties are hard to let go."

"Hey, what's so hard about that?"

The "head chef" muttered: "If you're going to cultivate immortality and have no sons or daughters, you won't need these mortal riches anyway. Why not pay us five or ten years' wages in advance, sell off the estate and business, and divide the assets into thirty-two shares—the wives get the larger ones, the concubines the smaller.

Everyone parts on good terms, cherishing the fate we've shared."

Jiang Shang stamped his foot and scolded: "Nonsense! My wives and I share such deep affection; how can it be measured by wealth?"

"This... might not be entirely impossible," came a mutter from the corner.

The women stopped crying and looked at Jiang Shang with shining eyes.

"Master, immortal fate is rare. You shouldn't miss it."

"Though I hate to part with you, I know this is your greatest fortune. How could I bind you with mortal feelings? That would make me the greatest sinner."

"Isn't there a saying that beauties are like skeletons? Master, we're all skeletons, so don't worry about us."

Jiang Shang: ...

Thus, half a month later,

As the plaque of the Jiang residence was slowly removed, only a few strong men remained inside, moving furniture.

What was once a place of songbirds and flowers was now just a solitary lamp and overgrown weeds.

"Ah."

Jiang Shang sighed, smiled self-mockingly, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked toward the empty cloud ahead, which steadily carried him upward, leaving the crowd of mortals bowing and calling out.

Outside the city, on a donkey cart, the Jiang household's head chef and an old woman traveled away together.

Once they reached a desolate area, immortal light swirled around the old woman, transforming her into a lovely fairy;

And the head chef's form slowly changed, becoming Li Changshou's usual middle-aged Daoist appearance.

The fairy first chuckled lightly, then sighed softly, saying:

"The affections of the mortal world are truly unfathomable.

They were so loving before, fighting jealously and stirring up emotions, yet in the end, they parted ways with just a bit of money and trinkets, quite contentedly."

Li Changshou laughed: "A few were truly heartbroken, but their sorrow was overshadowed by the joy of the many."

"It still feels hard to accept."

The fairy stood up and said with a smile: "Star Lord, why did you allow Chan Jiao to take him as a disciple? Earlier, when Guang Chengzi came, you sent him away."

Li Changshou replied: "Guang Chengzi came on behalf of Chan Jiao, but Nan Ji came on behalf of the Second Teacher.

I could turn away Chan Jiao, but I couldn't refuse the Second Teacher."

The Shengmu Palace fairy pondered this deeply and praised it as "brilliant," then sighed:

"Ah, the great tribulation is coming, and living beings will suffer... I should return to Shengmu Palace to report."

"Thank you for your efforts in protecting Jiang Shang's safety, Holy Mother. Please convey my thanks."

"You're too kind."

The fairy bowed in salute, her figure turning into shimmering light points that quietly dispersed—it was a rather advanced escape technique.

Li Changshou's eyes lit up, and he carefully sensed the fluctuations of the five elements and the subtle disturbances in the universe, nodding after a moment.

He had learned it; it was ordinary, not particularly useful.

He looked up and saw that Jiang Shang had already reached the high skies, meeting Nan Ji Xianweng, exchanging Dao salutes, and heading toward Kunlun Shan.

From then on, the mundane world lost a wealthy man, and Yu Xu Palace gained a qi refiner who, upon meeting anyone, would say...

Before coming to the mountains, this poor Daoist had thirty-two wives and concubines.

Li Changshou stretched his legs, and this paper effigy, along with the ox cart, turned into a bit of dust in an instant, scattering with the wind.

This was precisely:

Shen Bao and Jiang Shang return to Yu Xu Palace, while Jie Jiao remains entirely uninvolved.

In front of the pill room, Li Changshou furrowed his brow slightly, pondering why Jie Jiao showed no signs of activity.

After Shen Bao was taken by the white crane child, Jiang Shang had become a must-contend great tribulation agent, with the great tribulation's destiny on these two. The saints couldn't possibly still be unaware.

Could the Third Teacher...

Have fallen asleep in the bath?

Li Changshou scratched his head, finding it somewhat puzzling, but he didn't dwell on it too much.

Just as he thought about resting for a few days and continuing his various schemes, a surge of emotion welled up in his heart, and his mind shifted to Dong Sheng Shen Continent, where a paper effigy in a room opened its eyes.

Outside, the sound of gongs and drums and joyful shouts rang out:

"It's born! The lady is giving birth!"

It was Jin Zha about to come into the world.

Li Changshou's paper effigy blinked, quickly put on a silk short robe, attached his "senior servant" wooden plaque, and calmly walked out of his small residence.

That cry of "Master, the lady has given birth!" had to be delivered by him personally.

Just a tiny bit of involvement.