Chapter 699: True or False The Heaven-Deceiving Strategy

"Elder, how have you been lately?"

"Changgeng, what brings you here? You're quite the busy person these days, at the top of your game."

In the Three Thousand Worlds, within the sphere of influence of Lin Tian Dian, a tranquil small world unfolded.

Beside a formation field planted with various spiritual herbs and poisonous plants, an elderly man and a young one strolled leisurely.

The old man leaned on a copper staff, his spirits much improved from before; his once nearly all-white hair had turned to a mix of gray and white, and though his frame remained somewhat gaunt and hunched, it now exuded a hint of vitality.

This was none other than Wan Linjun, the elder now serving as the Poison Elder of Lin Tian Dian.

Wan Linjun was responsible for producing poison pills for combat, and his reputation as the Poison Elder was only slightly less than that of Lü Yue from Xianmeng.

Of course, in Wan Linjun's own words, in front of Senior Lü Yue, he was merely a novice, a little poison boy.

The reason his fame had risen so quickly was partly because the Da Luo poison pills that Lü Yue could refine were rarely used in actual battles, while the more widely applied Tianxian-level poison pills produced by Wan Linjun were on par with Lü Yue's in effectiveness.

After joining Lin Tian Dian, Elder Wan Linjun's life had become even more comfortable.

He enjoyed the discreet care from Bai Ze on a daily basis, and the core figures of Lin Tian Dian were all his descendants; thus, this elder, hidden in the shadows of Lin Tian Dian, led a life that was both relaxed and somewhat monotonous.

Beside Wan Linjun stood a paper effigy of Li Changshou.

It had arrived from within Bai Ze's sleeve, taking on the appearance from his Du Xian Men days, carrying a few dishes and wines prepared by Bai Ze, evidently here to share a drink with Elder Wan.

Hearing Elder's teasing remark, Li Changshou couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental. He smiled and said:

"It's just pointless busyness. I missed you, Elder, so I came to visit. This place is quite secluded, after all."

Elder Wan Linjun turned his head with a gentle smile. Although Li Changshou had some mental preparation, he still felt a slight... surprise.

Elder's signature smile was no longer as terrifying!

Though it still had the effect of making babies stop crying and causing the timid to shudder, it was enough to make innocent creatures feel a subtle, inadvertent warmth.

Interacting more with others had indeed helped overcome some social "issues."

Elder Wan Linjun said, "This isn't just pointless busyness. Tian Ting now manages the Three Realms, and you are the most trusted authority figure of His Majesty Yu Di, a second-tier righteous god.

If you're just busy with nonsense, then who in this world is doing anything worthwhile?"

Li Changshou: ...

It really was pointless busyness. Lately, he'd been laying down smoke screens, including this visit to see this elder who had cared for him before, all as part of his plan to confuse the Heavenly Dao.

He was creating an appearance that he might leave the Primordial World at any time.

This was also a way to pressure the Heavenly Dao, showing that he would act recklessly in the upcoming great calamity to save Zhao Gongming.

In any game of strategy, beyond the moves and counter-moves, 'expressions' and 'attitudes' are incredibly important.

One must never forget one's roots or kindness. In Du Xian Men, aside from his master Qi Yuan, the person Li Changshou was most grateful to was this Elder Wan.

Li Changshou smiled and asked, "Elder, do you have any dissatisfaction with Lin Tian Dian as it is now?"

Elder Wan Linjun said warmly, "I'm just an elder who refines poison pills—how could I speak of such things...

If I must say, there are indeed some dissatisfactions.

Lin Tian Dian's influence has expanded too rapidly, with countless branches, and traces of it in half of the great and small worlds. This inevitably leads to a mix of good and bad elements.

So, Lin Tian Dian established the Tian Xing Dian early on to handle punishments and conduct regular inspections."

Li Changshou asked in confusion, "Is that inappropriate?"

"It's appropriate, of course," Elder Wan Linjun sighed, "but those conducting the inspections are all cultivators. Whenever there's interaction, there's favoritism and injustice.

Tian Xing Dian has already dealt with several groups of cultivators for unfair judgments, to the point where no one dares to take positions there anymore.

I was thinking, maybe we could find a solution.

So, I gathered ninety-nine kinds of poisonous insects and refined a poison pill. This pill can enhance cultivation, but every hundred or thousand years, an auxiliary pill is needed to mitigate the toxicity; otherwise, even a Golden Immortal would turn to blood.

I was thrilled and took it to the hall master, but he scolded me... See, wasn't that just a waste of effort?"

Li Changshou: ...

The Primordial version of the Three Corpses Brain Pill?

Oh no!

"Elder, this won't do!"

Li Changshou quickly said, "It's better to destroy this pill as soon as possible, and make sure the recipe doesn't leak out."

Elder Wan Linjun furrowed his brows tightly and whispered, "The hall master said the same thing... But why can't it be used?"

"Those subjected to the poison pill—how would they feel? They'd be discontent and unhappy, which would surely lead to endless disasters.

Besides, what Lin Tian Dian needs is balance, not control or domination.

Why should we control those whose hearts aren't with Lin Tian Dian?

If they want to leave, why force them to stay? Without even that level of confidence, Lin Tian Dian will collapse sooner or later.

From the beginning, when I ordered its establishment and its development to today, Lin Tian Dian has relied on three key strategies.

Wealth, rules, and faith.

Wealth means cultivation resources, rules mean strict discipline internally and externally, and faith means both integrity and, most crucially, belief!"

Li Changshou shook his head with a bitter smile:

"If we lose faith, Lin Tian Dian might as well disband on the spot."

Elder Wan Linjun pondered this carefully, then sighed and crushed the jade talisman he had in his sleeve, which he had intended to share with Li Changshou, erasing a small section of his own memories in the process.

Li Changshou bowed to the elder: "I apologize for any offense, disciple."

"It was I who was rash," Elder Wan sighed, "Ah, I'm ultimately just someone who enjoys refining pills; I don't understand how to run a major sect or tradition.

Changshou, please mention this to the hall master later."

"Don't worry, Elder," Li Changshou nodded with a smile, gesturing invitingly as he tucked his hands into his sleeves and steered the conversation toward the current situation in the Three Thousand Worlds.

It was clear that Elder Wan Linjun had become much more talkative than before, and he spoke of the frictions between Xianmeng and Lin Tian Dian with a sense of difficulty.

Lin Tian Dian was established by Tian Ting, and this was a semi-public secret.

With such a large organization, traces were bound to leak out.

But because Tian Ting had yet to make a clear statement, the incense god nations in the Three Thousand Worlds had dwindled, leading to inevitable opposition between Lin Tian Dian and Xianmeng to a certain extent.

Whether Tian Ting would support both legs or just one 'unicorn' was crucial to the rise and fall of Xianmeng and Lin Tian Dian.

Elder Wan Linjun asked, "Changgeng, what are your thoughts on this?"

"Well..."

Li Changshou hesitated a bit at first, but after thinking it over, he realized this blueprint wasn't much of a secret—anyone perceptive could guess it—so he simply outlined his plan.

"For now, the Three Thousand Worlds can't settle down yet.

The great calamity of living beings is still ongoing, and the losses in the Three Thousand Worlds have filled a large part of the calamity's karma. If they stabilize too quickly, the calamity's force might backfire here.

When to stabilize will depend on what the Heavenly Dao reveals.

As for Lin Tian Dian and Xianmeng, I intend for them to become two factions that compete with each other.

The great and small worlds near the Five Parts Continent will be guarded by Tian Ting's forces, forming a protective layer for the Five Parts Continent.

Xianmeng and Lin Tian Dian should either shrink their territories or maintain them as is, gradually reducing their control over the great worlds and only upholding justice and morality, leaving enough space for independent cultivators.

After the great calamity, Zhongshen Continent will have vast abandoned sects, and cultivators from the Three Thousand Worlds can fill that void.

Currently, Tian Ting has secured the passages into the Five Parts Continent, doing its best to keep out those with ill intent or practices that lean toward plunder.

All of this relates to the heavenly order after the great calamity, and Tian Ting's Tong Ming Dian has plans in place, approved by His Majesty Yu Di."

Elder Wan Linjun nodded in deep agreement.

It sounded impressively capable.

"Du Xian Men producing a disciple like you is truly... enough to comfort the ancestors of all generations."

Li Changshou shook his head with a smile. Spotting a stone table under the shade of trees ahead, he invited Elder Wan to join him, brought out the few small dishes from Bai Ze, and continued drinking and chatting.

They talked about the past of Du Xian Men and the bustling Three Thousand Worlds.

There were minor disagreements on refining poison pills, but overall, it was quite enjoyable.

When the star projections appeared in the sky of this world, Li Changshou knew it was time to leave.

He said, "Elder, if you hear anything about me later, don't worry or dwell on it. I have everything prepared."

A hint of thoughtfulness showed in Elder Wan Linjun's eyes as he bowed slightly to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou returned the bow and gave a light laugh to Elder Wan Linjun. This paper effigy was engulfed in flames from within, turning to ashes and scattering with the wind.

Elder Wan Linjun stood there in a daze for a while, somewhat lost in thought, then clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the starry sky, quietly contemplating in the night breeze.

"Little Jiu!"

A soft call rang out, and a black shadow darted from the side, swiftly entangling with the figure sitting on the pavilion steps.

The scene became indescribable for a moment, with beams of holy light and mosaics flying everywhere.

The grand array enveloping the area echoed with silvery giggles and slightly breathless pleas for mercy, making the situation oddly strange.

"Cough!"

"Cough, cough!"

A few coughs came from the edge of the array, and Jiang Lin'er, who had been tussling with Jiu Jiu, jumped up at once, shouting, "Who dares intrude on the saintess's residence!"

But as soon as the words left her mouth, Jiang Lin'er exclaimed in delight, "Changshou! What brings you here!"

Changshou?

Jiu Jiu quickly stood up, peering toward where Li Changshou was, then hurriedly lowered her head, tidying the black gauze fairy skirt that Jiang Lin'er had messed up—it was the one she had worn to the Lin Tian Dian assembly.

Jiang Lin'er, on the other hand, was in full armor, looking spirited and impressive.

Li Changshou waited with a smile until the two had straightened themselves, then approached with his hands behind his back.

"Ancestral Master, Martial Uncle."

"Heh heh heh," Jiang Lin'er squinted her eyes into crescents, glancing left and right, then stepped back a couple of paces.

"Oh, that rich fellow just can't stay away from us. I'll go talk to him about some private marital matters!"

Jiang Lin'er finished speaking and tried to dash off, but Li Changshou's voice followed:

"Please, Ancestral Master, gather all the Du Xian Men folks here right now. I have something to discuss with everyone."

Jiu Jiu blinked lightly, and Jiang Lin'er waved her hand vigorously before shooting off into the distance.

Li Changshou looked at Jiu Jiu and gave her a once-over.

Jiu Jiu, perhaps out of guilt or some complex feeling, kicked off the thick-soled slippers on her feet and stood there barefoot. She adjusted a strand of hair by her ear and smiled a bit awkwardly.

"What made you come over so suddenly?"

"I came specifically to see you," Li Changshou said with a smile. "Lin Tian Dian has grown to its current scale largely thanks to you."

A slight blush appeared on Jiu Jiu's pretty face, and she lifted her chin proudly. "Of course!

Our reputation is loud enough in the Three Thousand Worlds now!"

Li Changshou asked, "Martial Uncle, if I leave the Primordial World and settle in the Chaos Sea, with me and Ling'e going first, and likely Yun Xiao and Mr. Bai following later...

Would you like to join us and make it a group?

This is also what I want to ask everyone today."

Jiu Jiu blinked and whispered, "Can I go?"

"Why not?" Li Changshou smiled warmly, his grin gentle. "However, if you decide to leave with us, the Primordial World will exert a repelling force on you, making it hard to return.

Out there, it's quite desolate, even if we build a fairyland with a few creatures; it'll never match the Primordial World's prosperity.

But if I can figure something out, maybe we could go to another vibrant world... Anyway, that's far in the future.

What do you think, Martial Uncle?"

"Well," Jiu Jiu pondered for a moment, "if there's wine, pills, and I can chat with you all regularly, then I'd definitely want to go.

The troubles here are endless; even wanting to drink and nap requires an excuse for seclusion.

Count... count me in!"

Li Changshou nodded with a smile. "Then, on Little Qiong Peak, we'll have a thatched hut for you too, Martial Uncle."

"Cough," Jiu Jiu nodded calmly, acting all mature as she said, "Wait here for a bit; I'll go check and see what luggage to bring."

With that, she turned and flew toward the pavilion, only to crash into the doorframe, smashing a large hole in it, then burst into the messy room with a series of clangs and bangs.

Li Changshou: ...

Soon after, Wang Fugui (the Forgetful Immortal), Jiang Lin'er (set in stone), Jiu Yiyi, Jiu Shi, and Jiu Jiu all arrived to meet Li Changshou.

Li Changshou didn't hide anything and directly explained his intention to leave, asking who wanted to go with him.

Wang Fugui was no longer the same as before, focused only on cultivation. Having sat in the hall master's position for years, he had experienced power and the weight of life and death decisions.

He didn't ask much, pondered for a moment, and said, "Originally, I had the intention to retire.

Now that Lin Tian Dian is fully on track, as long as the hall master isn't power-hungry, it can maintain stability for at least several thousand years.

These years, I've neglected Lin'er a lot, so I wanted to find an opportunity to return early."

Jiang Lin'er laughed. "Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. Lin'er will go with Fugui!"

Jiu Wu said, "Changshou, do we really have to leave this world to retire?"

"Martial Uncle, it's not that simple," Li Changshou said seriously. "This isn't just about retiring or not. If you want to continue with Lin Tian Dian, you can stay safe.

But if you want to leave Lin Tian Dian, because of my connection, you might face some misfortune.

So, the choices now are only two: stay with Lin Tian Dian and continue serving Tian Ting—don't worry, Tian Ting won't treat you unfairly, Martial Uncle.

Or, leave Lin Tian Dian directly; the safest way is to come with me."

"Then we'll go with you," Jiu Wu laughed. "It's just that Shi Shi and I have low cultivation; surviving in the Chaos Sea might be tough."

"That's no problem; I'll make thorough preparations," Li Changshou said solemnly, handing jade talismans to each of them. "You can bring anyone you want with you.

These jade talismans come in sets of three. If one breaks, start preparing immediately.

If two break, gather quickly and head to the Xuan Du City entrance to wait for my signal.

If all three break at once, don't worry about anything else—just rush to the Xuan Du City entrance; save whoever you can. I'll arrange for someone to meet you there, or I'll be waiting myself."

Wang Fugui frowned and asked, "Has the situation gotten this tense?"

"The Human Sovereign of Huoyun Cave tried to attack Heaven before, but it didn't work out," Li Changshou said. "Tian Ting blocked it and kept it from spreading in the Three Realms, but things are indeed that critical.

There will be several key moments ahead, and I might end up clashing with the Dao Ancestor, where even bystanders could get caught in the crossfire.

But everyone, don't worry too much. If I lose, you'll at most have some memories altered and forget about me. As long as you don't accumulate karma, the Heavenly Dao won't arbitrarily erase lives.

After all, it's the Heavenly Dao; it has to follow a few basic principles.

Of course, it might not follow them anymore."

The group was stunned for a moment. Li Changshou bowed his hands and said no more, his figure turning into scattered leaves that piled up on the ground.