Chapter 696: Shennong's Spirit Conceiving Pill

Da Yu Di Jun was also a little confused.

Taking advantage of the Jie Jiao wedding, he had come to the Jie Jiao side to find someone. He hadn't even entered the gate when Duo Bao Dao Ren smiled and asked:

"Dao friend, where are you coming from?"

Something was off, very off.

Da Yu Di Jun laughed and said: "From Huo Yun Dong."

"We didn't send an invitation to Huo Yun Dong," Lü Yue frowned from behind, "Dao friend, you are..."

"From the human race, Yu."

Duo Bao Dao Ren asked: "How will dao friend prove it?"

Da Yu Di Jun's eyes widened.

Prove it? Had he mixed around in ancient times for nothing?

Although he ranked last among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, he was still a representative of that era for the human race, and he possessed a strand of Hong Meng Zi Qi, with his own cultivation ranking among the great masters of divine powers.

Impressive, very Chang Geng.

Da Yu Di Jun stepped forward half a step with his sturdy body, and a flowing light trembled in his palm, condensing into a ball of purple flame.

"The human race's flame, Hong Meng Zi Qi—will this prove it?"

Duo Bao carefully sensed it, then bowed in a dao salute, deliberately acting as if he had relaxed, and laughed:

"Human Emperor, please don't blame us. Human Emperor, please don't blame us. It's just that we've received word that Western Cult might cause trouble, so we're a bit on edge.

Please come in quickly. Are you here to find Chang Geng, my junior brother?"

Da Yu nodded with a smile, cupped his hands to Duo Bao Dao Ren, and was escorted into the Bi You Palace gate by the two Jie Jiao experts.

He reminded Duo Bao Dao Ren through voice transmission not to make a fuss, as he was keeping a low profile. Amid the watchful eyes from all around, he headed straight to the table where Li Changshou was seated.

Li Changshou had already stood up to welcome him, and Huang Long Dao Ren tactfully moved to another seat, making room beside Li Changshou.

They exchanged cupped hands and bows, and Li Changshou transmitted:

"I didn't go out to the hall to welcome you, please forgive me, senior."

Da Yu nodded with a smile and transmitted back: "It's fine. You're here representing Heaven Court, so no need to worry about formalities."

Then, they both sat down. Li Changshou lightly tapped his fingers on the table, while Da Yu Di Jun slightly adjusted his posture and, under the table... pressed his left foot against Li Changshou's calf.

Beside them, the one known as "Understanding the Second Emperor of Heaven" furrowed his brow slightly.

Of course, he wasn't bothered by Chang Geng being too close to Da Yu Di Jun—that wouldn't bother him at all. After all, he was the Heavenly Emperor, and what could be stronger than the brotherhood between the Heavenly Emperor and a common heavenly official?

Absolutely nothing!

Da Yu's action was actually to facilitate voice transmission with high secrecy.

Considering Da Yu Di Jun's status as a former Human Emperor, it was probably about human race matters.

Dong De Qi calmly used the other end of his jade chopsticks to pick up food, showing no intention of eavesdropping—it was just for Heaven Court duties, slightly concerning the ongoing conflicts between living beings and the heavens.

Within his responsibilities.

So, His Majesty the Jade Emperor calmly adjusted his posture and casually stepped his right foot on the edge of Li Changshou's dao robe.

Li Changshou: ...

He almost forgot that His Majesty had a magnanimous temperament.

Before he could remind Da Yu Di Jun, Da Yu Di Jun's words were already streaming into his mind:

"Chang Geng, big trouble.

Senior Fu Xi has been divining and calculating for a long time and has finally confirmed a disaster originating from the Heavenly Dao.

As you know, in ancient times, when the human race began separating immortals from mortals, it was actually the Heavenly Dao pushing it. The Heavenly Dao's plans were loud and clear, valuing mortals while looking down on immortals.

I know that's not entirely bad—protecting the weak and giving living beings relative fairness is a good aspect of the Heavenly Dao and Heaven Court.

But if we humans face injustice from the Heavenly Dao again, our ability to resist will only grow weaker.

Immortals and destiny have been divided.

We analyzed the system you previously outlined for humans, spirits, immortals, demons, ghosts, and monsters, and we realized you seemed to have seen this problem long ago. You intentionally unified the power of living beings and diluted the negative effects of the human race's immortal-mortal separation.

Is that right?"

Li Changshou: Well, that's accurate enough.

But saying this in front of His Majesty the Jade Emperor might not be the best idea.

"Emperor, please."

Li Changshou casually raised his wine cup to drink with Da Yu Di Jun and transmitted in his heart:

"I didn't really think about all that; it was probably just a coincidence.

Back then, it was under the unchangeable trend of immortal-mortal separation, so I was just trying to protect mortals."

Beside them, the Jade Emperor's incarnation immediately showed a calm smile.

Da Yu Di Jun nodded with a smile, gave Li Changshou a thumbs-up under the table, and continued transmitting:

"Your system is brilliant the more we think about it;

It meets the needs of the Heavenly Dao, Heaven Court, and the human race, and it's thorough and aligned with the upcoming great trends of heaven and earth.

But Chang Geng, this time I came to find your true self, not your incarnation, because there's a major matter related to this. I want to ask for your strategy."

Li Changshou nodded slowly and transmitted:

"Please go ahead, Emperor. If there's anything I can do, I'll carefully consider it and do my best."

"Um," Da Yu Di Jun slowly exhaled.

With a somewhat worried voice, he continued in Li Changshou's mind: "According to Senior Fu Xi's divination, after the Feng Shen calamity, Nan Continent will likely have no more Human Emperors."

Li Changshou paused with his jade chopsticks in hand.

Beside him, the Jade Emperor's incarnation also frowned slightly but quickly withdrew the foot that was stepping on Li Changshou's robe and went back to eating and drinking on his own.

Li Changshou put down his chopsticks and transmitted: "How should this divination be interpreted?"

Da Yu Di Jun pondered for a moment and continued: "The divination shows that the ruler of the Shang state, Emperor Xin, will be the last Human Emperor. After him, there will be no Human Emperor title; instead, there will be the title of Son of Heaven, with the human race's king receiving mandates from heaven.

And from the divination, the one replacing Shang is Zhou.

After the Zhou state defeats the Shang state, the Human Emperor will start calling himself Son of Heaven... This matter might involve you when the time comes."

Li Changshou closed his eyes and thought quietly.

"What do the seniors mean?"

Da Yu Di Jun picked up some food with his chopsticks and transmitted: "As per Senior Sui Ren's dying entrustment, everything follows your arrangements.

But this will put a lot of pressure on you, so we've discussed it too. Our opinion is to respond to changes with constancy.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be here; we'd have invited you to Huo Yun Dong to discuss military strategies."

Li Changshou was silent for a while, deep in thought.

Clearly, Dao Ancestor had already started closing the game.

Divinations are still linked to the Heavenly Dao's operations, and what can be seen in the divination is obviously what the Heavenly Dao has prepared—presenting the 'most likely future events.'

Previously, his focus had been on the immortals and gods in the Feng Shen calamity, and he hadn't paid enough attention to this aspect.

It wasn't his mistake; it's just that the current mortal Human Emperor isn't very useful, and his plans didn't involve the mortal realm.

Mortals don't need to know too much; it's fine as long as they live with spirit.

The rise of Heaven Court, the human path being suppressed by the Heavenly Dao or even becoming its aid, the great sage sects' destruction, the reduction of living beings' power to the point where they can't resist the Heavenly Dao, saints losing their initiative and power...

In one Feng Shen calamity, Dao Ancestor had schemed so many major events.

In terms of the big picture, he was far inferior to Dao Ancestor.

Da Yu Di Jun waited for a while, saw Li Changshou wasn't speaking, and frowned: "Is there still a way to resolve this situation?"

"For now, it seems there isn't," Li Changshou said. "Huo Yun Dong is one of the few places where the flames of living beings gather. Please ask the seniors to protect themselves first.

For mortals, living in accordance with the Heavenly Dao isn't necessarily a bad thing.

But outside Nan Continent, the human race should unite all living beings.

First, secure the overall situation. This isn't the human race against the Heavenly Dao; it's living beings against the Heavenly Dao. If there's a battle in the future, even if we lose, the human race can continue to prosper.

Though this might be unfair to other races—like waves in the sea, big ships stay afloat while small ones capsize—the ones that might disappear are races like the witches and demons."

Da Yu pondered for a moment and asked: "So, Chang Geng, your meaning is to use mortals as the human race's final foundation and have human cultivators fight for it?

Then, when is the timing?"

"The timing isn't clear yet," Li Changshou said softly. "It might never come, but please remember this, seniors.

The Great Dao is fifty, but one escapes.

The Heavenly Dao isn't all-powerful; all things ultimately balance and counter each other, within the yin-yang dual fish."

Da Yu: ...

This lecturing style, this familiar tone...

Wasn't it just like what they used when teaching juniors?

Still, Da Yu really felt reassured by this, and the anxiety in his expression faded.

After all, he wasn't a simple figure to have become the Human Emperor.

Let me tell a joke: After the human race became the protagonists of heaven and earth in ancient times, they practiced the abdication system.

Well, it was indeed abdication, but in most cases, a tribe would rise and grow strong, become the de facto common ruler of the world, and gain the support of other tribes. Then the old ruler, feeling they couldn't hold on, would announce to the world and pass the Human Emperor position to the next.

Very practical.

Da Yu Di Jun's path to the Human Emperor, besides his own merits and virtues, was built step by step through accumulating reputation and waging wars everywhere. How could he not understand the twists and turns?

Li Changshou had basically said it outright:

Seniors, don't worry. Play it safe. I have a way to deal with the Heavenly Dao, but we need to wait for the right time. Everyone, stay calm, preserve your strength, unite the power of living beings, and later, when I give the signal, we'll make a big move!

Indeed, heroes emerge from the younger generation.

Like waves in the river, the previous ones are left on the beach.

Da Yu said: "I'll relay every word to the seniors."

Li Changshou cupped his hands, raised his wine vessel, and laughed: "I'll toast to Da Yu Di Jun."

"Ah, Star Lord, you're too kind," Da Yu said familiarly, waving his hand. "Everyone, drink up."

That imperial demeanor made the Jade Emperor's new incarnation inwardly impressed.

Human Emperor, Son of Heaven...

The gap seems big, but in reality, it's not much.

Li Changshou had to admit that when he said those things to Da Yu Di Jun, there was some acting involved.

It was to boost Huo Yun Dong's confidence and give the emperors some mental encouragement, so at least they could feel they weren't completely without a chance.

Recalling when the Shang tribe hadn't established a state yet, when Li Changshou set the immortal pact, it had subtly aligned with the Heavenly Dao's needs.

The immortal pact already made the Human Emperor subject to Heaven Court.

But at that time, Li Changshou hadn't been stimulated by his master Qi Yuan's death; his thoughts were simple—he felt that even if the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor had some issues, they wouldn't go too far.

Later, he discovered...

It wasn't just too far; it was extremely excessive!

He was a man with a strong sense of crisis. From the moment the golden crow, influenced by jieyun, spat and killed a turbid immortal, he had been thinking:

Would the Heavenly Dao use any means to achieve its goals?

During those over ten years of self-isolation in the Hun Yuan Jin Dou, Li Changshou was pondering, assessing the situation, and finally...

He engraved balancing the Heavenly Dao into his own Dao of Equilibrium.

All his plans took shape then.

Under the gaze of the Heavenly Dao's will, Li Changshou thought through hundreds of ways to break the situation, then negated and dismantled them one by one, until only one remained.

That was the only possibility.

On this path, the most critical step he had already completed—becoming the one that escapes.

It was his only way to protect himself and those close to him.

At first, Li Changshou hadn't considered the human race's stance much. No matter how he calculated, the mortals of Nan Continent were entities the Heavenly Dao had to protect.

The human race wouldn't be exterminated; it was the Heavenly Dao's ideal form of living beings.

The Heavenly Dao wanted to suppress the power of living beings, but it couldn't let that power drop too low, because it was a key part of the Heavenly Dao's strength.

Dao Ancestor understood better than anyone that heaven and earth exist for living beings; without them, heaven and earth would die.

But Senior Sui Ren's entrustment...

So, he had gotten entangled in all sorts of strange karmas.

The one who wrote the Scripture of Stability had gone against its core principle—somewhat ironic.

That was the weakness of living beings.

Although Li Changshou wanted to shout: People have limits; I won't be human anymore, Dao Ancestor!

Da Yu Di Jun had come to discuss this with Li Changshou's true self, taking advantage of the noisy atmosphere to avoid drawing too much attention.

After getting Li Changshou's response, Da Yu Di Jun took the initiative to go congratulate Zhao Gongming and Jin Ling Sheng Mu, then presented a precious gift.

Shen Nong's Spirit-Nurturing Pill!

This item didn't have any major uses; it just helped innate spirits overcome difficulties in having offspring to some extent.

Zhao Gongming had drunk a bit and was a little tipsy, so he pulled Da Yu Di Jun into a heartfelt chat, almost blurting out bedroom secrets.

After giving the pill, Da Yu Di Jun said he couldn't stay outside for long and bid farewell to return to Huo Yun Dong.

Li Changshou saw him off and, after escorting Da Yu Di Jun out of Bi You Palace, returned to continue the banquet.

The grand feast lasted half a month before ending.

Zhao Gongming suddenly realized that the gifts he received from this wedding exceeded his total gains from lying in wait for Western Cult by more than ten times!

At that moment, Elder Zhao seemed to grasp the secret to wealth.

Of course, Elder Zhao was still Elder Zhao; these treasures weren't very useful to him and Jin Ling Sheng Mu, so by the end of the wedding, he distributed most of them to the Jie Jiao disciples.

This couple's reputation within the sect skyrocketed instantly!

After the wedding, Ling E was taken by Sister Yun Xiao to San Xian Island, and Li Changshou saw off the Moon Elder and the Jade Emperor's incarnation.

Bi You Palace quickly became quiet again, but Zhao Gongming kept his closest brothers for a small banquet on San Xian Island.

Jin Ling Sheng Mu was quite generous, nestling beside Zhao Gongming; in the past half month, she had smiled more than in all her previous days combined.

The attendees were all their own people: Ling E, Yun Xiao, Qiong Xiao, Bi Xiao didn't need mentioning; Duo Bao and Gui Ling were indispensable.

Also, the head chef Bai Ze, who had been busy for half a month, and the assistants Jiu Jiu and Jiu Wu.

Originally, Zhao Gongming had invited Huang Long, but Huang Long politely declined and didn't come.

He really couldn't continue developing friendships with Zhao Gongming.

Zhao Gongming held his wine cup, looking at the clear wine in it, and for some reason, his eyes reddened. He cleared his throat and grinned:

"Floating and sinking, right and wrong; favors and grudges, you and me.

I, old Zhao, thank my senior brother, my righteous sister, and my two brothers for helping with my wedding.

I'll drink three cups first."

With that, Zhao Gongming downed three cups in a row.

He added: "I know that with the great calamity between Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao ahead, what's coming next is unknown.

But today, I, Zhao Gongming, swear to my master that my wife and I will live and die together!

I'll drink up!"

He finished another three cups in one go.

Jin Ling Sheng Mu chided: "Why say such things?"

Zhao Gongming chuckled, sat down, and stared at Jin Ling Sheng Mu with a silly grin.

Yun Xiao said gently: "Elder sister-in-law, I'll toast you. Big brother can be too straightforward and stubborn; if he offends you, please bear with him."

Jin Ling Sheng Mu shook her head slightly, clinked her wine vessel with Yun Xiao, and replied: "No need to worry; we two don't usually fight."

Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao also toasted Jin Ling in turn, formally acknowledging her as their elder sister-in-law.

Li Changshou signaled Ling E to offer wine, then looked at the silent Jiu Jiu and Jiu Wu beside him.

After not seeing her for a long time, his little martial uncle was still as... well, refined as ever.

She wore a hemp short shirt, seemingly unchanged from her Degree Immortal Sect days, but now her brows showed more maturity and steadiness, with less playfulness.

This added a touch of charm.

The four of them toasted Jin Ling Sheng Mu together, all being disciples of Ren Jiao in a way.

Afterward, Bai Ze looked at Zhao Gongming with emotion, then at Li Changshou, seeming to have something to say but holding back.

Seeing Bai Ze like this, Li Changshou understood and signaled with his eyes not to disrupt the atmosphere.

Bai Ze stood up and laughed at Zhao Gongming: "Next time, I'll go to Luo Fu Cave for free food and drink."

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, clinked cups with Bai Ze, and started talking about the old days at Black Pool Peak.

After the banquet, as Bai Ze led Jiu Jiu and Jiu Wu away discreetly, he took the initiative to grasp Li Changshou's arm and whispered:

"Extreme misfortune."

Li Changshou nodded slowly, a faint divine light flashing in his eyes.

"It can be reversed."

Bai Ze was stunned, then bowed deeply to Li Changshou, not daring to say more, and quickly led the reluctant Jiu Jiu away.