Chapter 717: Master Ancestor, You've Got It Wrong

Continue seeking tickets!The author is working hard to update more, but this plot is just too difficult to write—crying about it.

On Xiaoqiong Peak, within the outer great array of the Dan Room.

Daozu gazed at the flame in Li Changshou's palm, falling into a rare silence.Li Changshou had extinguished the flame in his hand on his own, and the golden light mixed with the black qi before him, transforming into a wisp of pure spiritual energy.

This trump card was partly the legacy of Senior Lang, providing Li Changshou with a practical "technique."The other half came from Li Changshou's ongoing exploration and probing, as he never ignored or forgot the doubts in his heart. Eventually, a flash of insight at a key moment connected all the information, pointing him toward this path.

As Li Changshou had said, the heavenly system constructed by Hongjun Daozu rested on three pillars:Heavenly Tribulation, merit and karma, and the Heavenly Court.

If Li Changshou were to recklessly destroy the Heavenly Court and unleash the power of the Nine Filth Springs, the system that Hongjun Daozu had built over countless ages would collapse in a short time.Even if Hongjun Daozu could rebuild it, replacing the immortals and gods and restarting with a new batch of beings, it would come at a tremendous cost.

The Heavenly Way is impartial and selfless, and this is no joke.Although the Heavenly Way now incorporates its own will and Daozu's will, turning it into a tool for Daozu to control the world, many fundamental rules remain unbreakable.If things escalated to the point of causing the Heavenly Way to collapse and the world's essence to wither, the Primordial World and even Daozu himself would be dragged down, rendering everything meaningless as it returned to chaos.

Nothing can arise from nothing, and spiritual energy is essentially energy.

Naturally, this was just one of Li Changshou's trump cards, and a major one that could make Daozu wary. It was his last resort for rebellion, serving as a deterrent against Daozu.

"When Daozu thinks there's a threat to him, it's best if there really is one."—An old truth from Blue Star.

At that moment, Daozu's silence clearly foreshadowed something.Li Changshou sat there before him, fearless and seemingly unconcerned.

Daozu might be thinking: "When did this guy accumulate so many trump cards?"Or perhaps: "If I'd eliminated this variable earlier, I wouldn't have to deal with all these headaches now."

Guessing the thoughts of the strongest being in the Primordial World was actually quite amusing.

The matter of the Nine Filth Springs struck directly at the Heavenly Way's vital point.Yet, with Daozu now merged with the Heavenly Way, he couldn't personally act against Li Changshou, this "variable," and eliminate the threat.

Betting that Li Changshou wouldn't destroy the Heavenly Court...Daozu wouldn't choose that.Why? It would be beneath him.

Among the fundamental great dao that constitute the Primordial World, one rule states that the world can harbor variables.If you analyze this great dao, its origins are incredibly complex, involving the mutual influence of true spirits and the world, as well as the form in which the Primordial World exists.

When Li Changshou first tried to understand this great dao, he compared it to a slight error in genetic replication, which, over long ages, drives the continuous evolution of biological groups. The Primordial World has a similar "mechanism."

Tracing further back, it leads to the engraving and arrangement of the great dao by Pangu God during the creation of the world.These fundamental great dao were set and stabilized by Pangu God.

Now, all beings are within the chessboard of the Heavenly Way, following the system established by Daozu.But is Daozu himself not bound by the rules set by Pangu God back then?

"Alas..."

Hongjun Daozu sighed lightly, then revealed a faint smile, speaking slowly:"Poverty Dao truly did not misjudge you."

Li Changshou smiled humbly and said:"This is actually just my last few means, Master Ancestor. If you want to verify them, I understand. But if I really used them, it would be a lose-lose situation.As long as the few people closest to me are safe, I wouldn't go that far.Will Master Ancestor continue with this impromptu contest?I still have some trump cards I can show you for verification. You just need to give me a few more amulets, and I'll demonstrate them one by one, with detailed explanations."

Hongjun Daozu chuckled and shook his head:"No need. Once you've grasped this power, you've earned the right to contend with Poverty Dao.How could I keep challenging you out of nowhere?"

As he spoke, Hongjun Daozu produced a wooden plaque from his sleeve, inscribed with the characters for Donghua."This stake will be Donghua Emperor Jun, also known as Dongwang Gong, with whom I have a good personal relationship. How about that?"

Li Changshou's brows furrowed slightly.

Hongjun Daozu laughed: "In my arrangements, Mu Gong of the Heavenly Court is destined for a death tribulation. If you can win this round, I'll spare Mu Gong. What do you say?"

Li Changshou lowered his eyelids and said calmly: "Master Ancestor, why not respect Mu Gong and let him meet his fate as it comes?"

"Oh?" Hongjun Daozu was slightly puzzled. "Why?"

"I can't bring myself to use others' lives as stakes and bets like you do, Master Ancestor.You outline destinies for beings to constrain their actions in the world—that's what the Heavenly Way often does, and at least it follows some order.Of course, that's not necessarily a good thing.But for you to directly decide a being's life and death... that's going too far."

Li Changshou sighed softly: "I suppose that's just the absolute dominance of the strong over the weak.The Heavenly Court upholds the ideal that the strong and weak should not interfere with each other, yet the Master Ancestor standing behind it casually determines the life and death of its immortals and gods. That's quite ironic."

Hongjun Daozu said with a smile: "That's how the Primordial World has always been."

Li Changshou replied: "The Primordial World should evolve forward."

"The rules are set by the strong and the winners."

"Your definition of strong and weak is too narrow, Master Ancestor."

"Changgeng, would you truly care about the lives of ants?"

Daozu casually produced two teacups and a purple sand pot, pouring a cup of tea for Li Changshou as he said with a smile:"Would you truly care?No, you wouldn't. When you're striving forward, with one foot already stepping out, the ants at the landing point are no different from grains of soil to you—you wouldn't bother pulling back for their sake.Changgeng, are you just saying these lofty words here to shake Poverty Dao's dao heart?To grow stronger is to move from death toward life—it's the nature of all beings.Even if it's from the heart, thinking that becoming stronger is to protect or make better sacrifices, at its core, isn't it just seeking the pleasure and superiority over the weak?The existence of the strong is itself oppression and exploitation of the weak. What's wrong with making that exploitation more direct?"

Li Changshou fell silent for a long time, then laughed:"So, your definition of strong and weak is too narrow, Master Ancestor."

"In the Primordial World, unlike your old home," Hongjun Daozu said earnestly, "strength here means magical power, divine abilities, treasures, and the dao."

Li Changshou said: "Then, by your logic, what's the difference between valuing immortal arts and valuing wealth back in my old home?"

"The essence of the two is no different."

"You're wrong, Master Ancestor."

Hongjun Daozu paused, furrowing his brow as he looked at Li Changshou, and said calmly:"Oh? Where did I go wrong? And how do you define right and wrong?"

"You're shifting the concept," Li Changshou said with a smile. "Immortals shouldn't be defined by how much spiritual energy they control, or whether they can smash a mountain or a hearth with a punch.With views like yours, Master Ancestor, we could just use a different ranking system: novice qi refiner, apprentice qi refiner, professional qi refiner, qi refiner mentor, qi refiner researcher, qi refiner senior researcher.Compare that to the cultivation system you've established for the Primordial World: Qi Refining, Spirit Transformation, Returning to Void, Merging with Dao, Primal Immortal, True Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, Great Principle Golden Immortal.What's the difference?It's just a deeper understanding of the dao and greater control over spiritual energy.That's merely a power system, and climbing it only produces qi refiners different from mortals.Master Ancestor, what is an immortal?"

Li Changshou posed this question but didn't wait for Daozu to answer, continuing on his own:"Immortals draw from spiritual energy, embodying purity, serenity, emptiness, and spirituality.To roam freely in one's heart, unbound by the mortal world—that's the immortal of the red dust.To dwell in the pure heavens, gathering morning dew from on high—that's the transcendent immortal.Immortals represent elegance, integrity, emptiness, and nature. They are beings pursuing the elevation of their life realm, the transformation of heart and intent, and a harmonious state with nature—not determined by cultivation level.When one encounters injustice on the road, they draw their sword to protect the weak.They remain loyal to their lord and guard the nation's gates, even pleading for the people's lives at the cost of their own.Kings and commoners alike have their place; no one is above or below.Though their strength is humble, their light shines like the stars.These are immortals too—they are chivalric immortals, and their stories are tales of immortal heroes.Master Ancestor, you've fixated on the wrong things."

Hongjun Daozu: ...

"If we don't do this impromptu contest, then Poverty Dao will consider it a loss for this round."

Li Changshou couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Daozu said calmly: "For now, this world is still under Poverty Dao's control. Since you care about these formalities, Changgeng, I'll rephrase it.I'll give you a chance to save Mu Gong—take it or leave it."

Li Changshou frowned in thought, and the forest fell silent once more.

"Take it."

"Is this any different?"

"It's different."

"Heh," Hongjun Daozu chuckled, sweeping his sleeve over the stone table before him. "Come on, then—impromptu contest, the fate of Shang and Zhou."

Li Changshou's bitter smile grew deeper: "Then isn't Mu Gong as good as dead?"

Hongjun Daozu laughed: "After all the arrangements I've made, Shang has over a seventy percent chance of winning. Why such defeatist talk?"

"It's not seventy percent—maybe just ten or twenty at most," Li Changshou sighed. "After merging with the dao, Master Ancestor, you've lost many things. Some concepts have become too distant for you to understand anymore.Or perhaps you simply don't bother.Anyway, since you have this interest, Master Ancestor, I'll accompany you."

Hongjun Daozu's eyes narrowed with a smile as he lightly tapped his hand, and a three-dimensional illusory map of mountains and rivers appeared on the stone table before him.Countless beings were depicted as points of light upon it, like pieces on a board.A true sand table game.

For this second round, Li Changshou had already resigned himself to losing.If so, he and Daozu would be tied at one win each.Given Daozu's desire to win, like an old man playing chess by the roadside, he would surely drag this out for a third round!

The first round verified Li Changshou's trump cards, confirming his qualification to contend in this game—Li Changshou had won that one;The second round was about the life and death of Shang and Zhou, where he would likely lose;The third round...Probably the War of Chan and Jie. That made sense.Daozu was truly formidable.This seemed like just a simple bet, but in reality, it forced Li Changshou to make a choice, stripping away Daozu's authority as the overseer of the Investiture of the Gods and preventing further interference, locking him into a predetermined stance.Now, it would be nearly impossible for Li Changshou to use the Investiture of the Gods to build more leverage against the Heavenly Way.

In the worst case, Daozu might simplify the contest, rushing to achieve his desired outcome and completing the final step of the Investiture of the Gods.Suppression of the saints.By appearing on Xiaoqiong Peak today, Daozu was equivalent to the Heavenly Way intervening directly, fixing the "greatest variable" in place and ensuring that the grand game of the Investiture of the Gods would follow the Heavenly Way's script without any disruptions.Truly ingenious.

"It seems the war between Zhou and Shang still has some time," Daozu said with a smile. "I've often seen that little girl Ling E cooking, but I wonder how it tastes."

Li Changshou laughed: "Master Ancestor, please wait a moment—I'll arrange it right away."

As he spoke, Li Changshou started to rise.

But Hongjun Daozu said: "Ah, just stay seated. Can't you send a message?Though Ling E is only an ordinary Golden Immortal, Poverty Dao quite likes her. If there were no conflicts of ideals or positions, I'd even want her to stay in Zixiao Palace for a while.Unfortunately, she can't—that might just blow up the world.Rest assured, if Poverty Dao were to act directly, I wouldn't harm her before falling. At most, I'd erase her memories, like what happened to that senior.This isn't a lie—I said the same to that predecessor back then."

The old and the young locked eyes for a moment, and Li Changshou nodded with a smile, dispelling the barrier around the pavilion.

"Junior Sister, go prepare some good dishes for Master Ancestor. Lingli, bring over some roasted meat."

Hongjun Daozu laughed: "Remember to include a few spirit fish—Poverty Dao hasn't indulged in food for ages."

Li Changshou: ...Was this aiding the enemy?

In the pavilion, Ling E and Zhong Ling exchanged glances, while Xiong Lingli, lying nearby, stretched lazily with tears of emotion at the corner of her mouth.

After a grand feast, Daozu transformed the stool into a large lounging chair and lay back comfortably.Ling E and Xiong Lingli cleared the empty plates and bowed before leaving, feeling no real oppression—just a bit of shaky hands, trembling legs, and a racing heart.

"Changgeng, do you have any more arrangements to make?"

"Master Ancestor, by 'impromptu contest,' do you mean divination?"

"No, not divination," Daozu said calmly. "The Primordial World is just a chessboard—what's the point of divination or hypotheticals?Let events unfold as they will. If I don't make arrangements, there's nothing for me to arrange. I'll just fast-forward time to the decisive battle between Shang and Zhou and see the result."

"Master Ancestor, why not just wait like this for a while?" Li Changshou said. "I also want to contemplate the world more."

"Very well," Daozu said with a smile, "but I'm afraid it might get awkward if I go quiet. Since that's the case, Poverty Dao will take a short nap. Once the Shang-Zhou conflict is decided, I'll determine the winner of this round.From this moment on, whoever intervenes will lose the round. Agreed?"

"I obey."

Li Changshou nodded slowly.

With Daozu sitting before him, Li Changshou's focus had to remain entirely on his true body, without any distractions—his paper effigies everywhere halted their activities.Intervening would require spare capacity, after all.

"Burp."

Daozu patted his belly, showing a hint of satisfied smile, and murmured:"Having someone for company is really nice."