Chapter 697: Gone Mad with Killing, Gone Mad with Killing

Ah...

Three months after Zhao Gongming's wedding, at Xiao Qiong Peak.

Ling E seemed a bit downcast, wandering aimlessly by the lake. She held a willow branch in her small hand, gently sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground.

Ah, ever since Senior Brother returned, he keeps mentioning "Da Xiong" or "Da Xiong," but I can't tell if it's fierce or brotherly—it's all so confusing.

A few spirit birds chirped noisily, filling the morning at Xiao Qiong Peak with the warm glow of the Sun Star. Beneath the shimmering lake surface, the variety of spirit fish had grown even richer.

Ling E recalled the previous night, when Youqin Xuanya returned from slaying demons. Senior Brother had called her, Lingli, and Youqin Xuanya together, and she couldn't help but smile with delight.

“One thing.

“I've already discussed it with the Chaos Bell and made arrangements. In necessary moments, it will protect Xiao Qiong Peak and fly it out of the Honghuang world to Xuan Du City.

“Youqin, Lingli, you two need to decide now—whether to leave with me then or stay and take positions in the Heavenly Court.

“As long as you stay, there won't be any issues. But if you come with me, there might be a slight risk, though it's controllable.

“Don't rush to answer. I want you to think it over carefully and plan your lives accordingly.

“As for you, Ling E, I won't ask.”

Hmph, Senior Brother is clearly just saying that because he doesn't want me to leave.

What a case of saying one thing and meaning another.

But then, Ling E felt a bit depressed.

Back when we were at Du Xian Men, Xiao Qiong Peak was so lively. The Wine Generation uncles and elders visited every day, and our little grandmaster and Jiu Shishu were practically living there. Plus, there was Wine Yushi and Liu Yanshi...

But there's no helping it.

Senior Brother carries so much on his shoulders, and that's just his nature. This day was bound to come eventually.

It's still pretty saddening to think about.

And from what I can see, Youqin Xuanya might end up staying in the Heavenly Court.

That's my intuition, and also my analysis.

Youqin Xuanya is different from me. I'm all in on Senior Brother, but she treats him more like a role model to chase.

Of course, right now, Senior Brother is like an insurmountable mountain in front of Youqin Xuanya—she might catch up, but she can't climb over it.

Although Youqin Xuanya came to the Heavenly Court through Senior Brother's arrangements, when I chat with her, she shows such a strong sense of belonging and approval for the Heavenly Court.

It's as if her immortal life has gained a whole new purpose.

Youqin Xuanya like that is really captivating, but I don't envy her.

We have different choices and pursuits.

'What will Xiao Qiong Peak be like in the future?'

Ling E tossed away the willow branch, clasped her hands in front of her, smoothed her skirt, and knelt by the lake. She gazed at the water for a while, then took out a bit of fish food and sprinkled it into the lake.

E lives for Senior Brother, that's all.

Da Xiong, Da Xiong.

Li Changshou sat on the meditation mat in the thatched hut, his expression a bit dazed.

In front of him was a chessboard, with black and white pieces intertwined, subtly containing profound Dao rhythms.

All signs pointed to his elder brother being in trouble.

He remembered that when he had contacted the Heavenly Way through the Hong Meng Purple Qi, the vision he saw was Zhao Gongming with a bloody hole in his chest, facing a multitude of figures.

This scene had always been problematic.

Why didn't the Jie Jiao immortals step in? Given Zhao Gongming's status and reputation in Jie Jiao, they couldn't possibly ignore it. Tongtian Shishu might be held back by the opposing Saint, but it's unlikely no Jie Jiao immortal could rush to his aid.

Clearly, this was a scenario from the Heavenly Way's scripted plot.

It could serve as a reference now, but he shouldn't put too much faith in it.

With his interference, and the Heavenly Way and Dao Ancestor altering the script, the actual situation must have changed.

But one thing was certain: the Heavenly Way was definitely targeting Zhao Gongming.

This wedding of Zhao Gongming's had only heightened his danger.

The logic was simple—

The Heavenly Way wants to ignite a great war between Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao, even a Saint-level battle, to quickly fill the vacancies on the Feng Shen List. They need a catalyst to spark the conflict.

The original Feng Shen catastrophe is no longer relevant, but the Heavenly Way is sticking to this path.

On the Chan Jiao side, even if Guang Chengzi were killed by Jie Jiao immortals, most of them could still hold back.

But on the Jie Jiao side, even the death of someone like Shi Ji could trigger a mass frenzy.

If something happened to Zhao Gongming and he was schemed against and killed by Chan Jiao, the fallout would be catastrophic...

And now, with that, Jin Ling Shengmu definitely wouldn't let it go. A massive showdown among Saint disciples would erupt effortlessly.

Then, the Two Saints of the Western Religion could join the catastrophe under the pretext of revenge. Yuan Shi Tianzun could hold off Tongtian Shishu, and the Jie Jiao disciples could naturally fill the god positions.

Honestly, if he were in Dao Ancestor's shoes, he wouldn't pass up such a useful pawn.

So, how to break this deadlock?

Zhao Gongming acts all carefree and jovial, but he's probably already sensed the impending disaster.

The sentiment and satisfaction he showed at the wedding banquet were likely a form of self-comfort.

Zhao Gongming.

Ah...

Once you enter the Honghuang, it's like diving into a vast sea; meeting Gongming makes it less lonely.

Let me deduce it again. Even though I have a plan to break the situation and feel confident about it, there are still so many factors to consider.

The situation around Zhao Gongming is just a small game; the real big game involves all living beings.

The basic rule is not to lose the big picture for the small one. If I can win both the small and big games without affecting my overall chances, that's a passing effort.

An excellent effort would be turning the solution to the small game into an advantage for the big one.

Honestly, it's really tough to pull off.

The Two Saints of the Western Religion, the Heavenly Way, Dao Ancestor, the power of the great catastrophe, and the entire Chan Jiao... That's the force I have to face to protect my elder brother. Even with my own teacher, it's not enough—strategy is crucial.

Hmm, maybe set up some early layouts to see if I can draw out Maitreya and take him out.

Li Changshou reached out and gently removed a few black pieces from the chessboard, replacing them with white ones. The board's configuration shifted instantly, faintly evolving into the pattern of yin and yang fish intertwining.

He closed his eyes and focused, his thoughts flowing continuously, as if merging with the natural world.

In the midst of his contemplation, he suddenly opened his eyes, stared at the chessboard, and in a flash, appeared on the other side of the low table. He looked down at the pattern.

“It's the same... exactly the same!”

Go against the current!

Go against the current!

I've got it!

Li Changshou clenched his fists, his empty and clear Dao heart barely containing the surge of excitement.

A completely new, somewhat bold, but actually more secure plan was slowly taking shape in his mind. The original idea was completely overturned, and it held extraordinary significance for the big picture!

It could even make Dao Ancestor believe that, like Senior Lang, I'm a man who gets fired up!

Li Changshou restarted his empty and clear Dao heart, sat down cross-legged, and meditated quietly. He quickly organized the plan in his mind and checked repeatedly to ensure it wasn't influenced by the Heavenly Way.

After checking it about eighty or ninety times, Li Changshou let out a light sigh.

This move is at least excellent—ninety-eight percent perfection!

So, several days later.

Li Changshou left the thatched hut with a "heavy" heart. Seeing that Ling E had gone to the gaming room to play, he shook his head and headed to the alchemy room.

He needed to refine some pills to help Jiang Shang boost his cultivation a bit.

At this critical juncture, the Heavenly Way would surely ease Jiang Shang's immortal tribulation, allowing him to successfully enter the immortal realm and make up for the regrets of his past life.

Although when Jiang Shang crossed the Nai He Bridge, he kept telling Meng Po to "fill it up," and now he has no substantial connection to me.

But showing concern for a fellow Daoist— who's going to criticize that?

By the way, why hasn't Jiang Shang gone to Chao Ge City yet?

Is it because I seized the authority of the Feng Shen List that Jiang Shang's role is gone, and the Heavenly Way doesn't value him anymore?

That doesn't seem right. I feel Jiang Shang's lack of progress in cultivation is also the Heavenly Way's doing.

The Heavenly Way probably still wants to use Jiang Shang to realize many of its plans in the mortal world, so it will arrange for him to become a key minister in Zhou Kingdom, controlling both military and politics.

Speaking of the Zhou-Shang transition, Li Changshou felt a slight unease.

If Zhou Kingdom naturally defeats Shang Kingdom, I wouldn't have any issue with that. But if it's the Heavenly Way choosing sides—propping one up and knocking the other down—then it's really just pure bystander talk, straight facts, and nothing more.

From the overall plan, I still need to avoid interfering too much in the mortal world; it's not good for ordinary people.

My entire strategy will keep mortals under the protection of the victors, which can be seen as consolation for Suiren Shi.

As for immortals who have embarked on the path of cultivation...

Life has dreams, each with their own splendor;

Strength has limits, can't look after everyone.

Once you've stepped into cultivation, you should have that unyielding resolve: my fate is in my own hands, not Heaven's— what of Heaven? My heart follows its own path, with the courage to face death if needed.

He lit the furnace, and the flames danced gently. Li Changshou drew in a few spirit herbs, transformed them into pure spiritual energy in his palm, and slowly fed them into the flames.

With his current alchemy skills, anything short of the Nine-Turn Pill is straightforward.

As he refined the pills, a paper effigy emerged from the depths of the earth and stealthily made its way to the vicinity of Kunlun Mountain to wait.

It was unclear if Li Changshou had calculated it perfectly or if it was sheer coincidence.

As soon as the paper effigy arrived near Kunlun Mountain, he saw a white cloud carrying two figures flying out slowly.

Li Changshou focused and saw that it was Shen Bao and Jiang Shang.

At that moment, Shen Bao and Jiang Shang seemed quite amicable. Shen Bao even wrapped Jiang Shang in a layer of immortal energy to shield him from wind and sun, like true brothers.

Without the Feng Shen List and its authority, the conflict between Shen Bao and Jiang Shang had vanished.

Instead, Shen Bao, seeing that Jiang Shang hasn't become an immortal yet, felt awkward in Jade Void Palace and kept boasting about his "thirty-two concubines in the past," while pitying Jiang Shang...

After flying for a while, Shen Bao asked, “This time, our teacher sent us down the mountain. What are your plans, Junior Brother?”

—Shen Bao, thanks to Li Changshou's subtle guidance, had crossed the Golden Immortal tribulation earlier and survived repeated brushes with death under Yuan Shi Tianzun's protection via Bai He Tongzi, so he became the senior brother.

The depth of Li Changshou's interference in the Feng Shen matters was evident.

Jiang Shang sighed, “Ah, I don't have any other thoughts.

“That senior brother once told me how wonderful it is to cultivate in the mountains, with future achievements of immortality and leisure.

“In the end, it's all just empty delay.”

As he spoke, Jiang Shang glanced back at the sprawling palaces of Jade Void Palace and could only sigh softly.

He didn't dare curse, and though he thought of saying Chan Jiao scammed recruits, he feared being torn apart. Reflecting on his experiences, he had to admit they taught him carefully.

It's just that he wasn't up to par; he couldn't grasp what needed to be understood.

Shen Bao said warmly, “Every being has different opportunities and encounters. When we left the mountain, our teacher said your opportunity lies in the mortal world of South Jambudvipa.

“You haven't become an immortal yet, and as a Chan Jiao disciple, you've learned so much about governing and statecraft. Aiding an emperor in the mortal realm and benefiting the people would be a great act of virtue.”

Jiang Shang managed a forced smile.

“Heh.”

Shen Bao knew not to push further, as it might come off as mocking. He bowed his hands to Jiang Shang and said no more.

Of course, neither noticed the paper effigy tailing them underground.

Jiang Shang asked, “Senior Brother, where are you headed?”

“Me...”

Shen Bao looked at his palm with some confusion.

He didn't understand why the teacher had given Jiang Shang so many instructions but only drew a leaf in his own palm for him to comprehend.

A leaf...

Drifting and falling? Returning to the roots?

Shen Bao sighed, “With the great catastrophe underway, I shouldn't be wandering out, but I can't rest easy. I want to go back and check, visit old friends, and think of ways to handle the catastrophe.

“Though I'm insignificant and not a great power, I still want to contribute my part against the catastrophe.”

Shen Bao's eyes lit up. “Are you thinking of rejoining our Jie Jiao, Fellow Daoist?”

“It can't be put that way, but it could be...”

“Ha! That's wonderful! Come on, let's go to Nine Dragons Island first for a chat. The banquet there hasn't ended yet—perfect for a good talk!”

And so, Li Changshou lay on the soft sand at the bottom of the sea, watching the two figures, arm in arm and chatting, enter the outer array of Nine Dragons Island. He felt utterly speechless.

This works?

Should I arrange for Zhao Gongming to just send this guy straight to the Feng Shen Platform?

Li Changshou sank into deep thought, letting two sea stars pass by, chasing after a jellyfish in the distance.