Chapter 722: Yuanshi Tianzun

Taiyi Zhenren had never felt that in this world, there was anything that could make him hesitate, make things difficult for him, or leave him unable to carry on.

When faced with injustice, he could simply murmur a few words to himself and feel completely satisfied.

But today, he was in such a predicament.

What... what should he do?

His senior brother Guangchengzi, the foremost immortal of Yuxu Palace who strikes the golden bell, lay motionless on the high platform, as if lifeless.

They say being too clever often backfires, and that seemed to be the case for his senior brother this time.

The Chan School had a complete plan for supporting the Zhou dynasty, with every step carefully considered, aiming to "occupy the moral high ground" and "smoothly" let the Jie School immortals bear the brunt of the great calamity's fate.

However, recently, Guangchengzi had been in seclusion for a few days and suddenly changed his approach, directly and aggressively interfering in the conflict between the Shang and Zhou dynasties. He even went so far as to scheme against one of Changgeng Shidi's most cherished individuals.

Taiyi Zhenren couldn't quite understand what Guangchengzi was doing, but he was certain that Guangchengzi knew exactly what he was doing and wasn't being controlled by the calamity's fate.

But what could be done about the current situation?

A large group of Jie School immortals had already arrived, led by Duobao Daoist, followed by Guiling Holy Mother, Qiongxiao Fairy, and that white-clad fairy whose single word could sway the three realms—Yunxiao.

"What else can be done?"

Taiyi Zhenren let out a bitter laugh. In terms of strategy, after Guangchengzi's fall, it would be up to him, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals ranked in the top five overall and top three when considering his handsome looks and comprehensive strength, to step forward and take charge... of the...

"Everyone, don't be anxious!"

Wenshu Daoist transmitted his voice: "Guangchengzi Shixiong has been restrained by Changgeng Shidi. Let's follow my arrangements for now and first rescue our senior brother before discussing anything else."

Taiyi Zhenren's mouth twitched wildly. His face darkened as he deliberately slowed his flight and pulled Yuding Zhenren back a few positions.

Let them handle it.

The joys and sorrows of immortals are not connected; this poor daoist just finds that guy incredibly noisy.

Up ahead, thunderous roars echoed as over a thousand Jie School immortals landed first, deliberately shaking the heavens and earth to make a grand display of their power.

The Chan School immortals, already fewer in number and generally lower in cultivation, now felt even more pressured.

Right at that moment!

A crane's cry rang out from the horizon, and an elderly man with white hair and a longevity peach on his forehead appeared, riding on a white crane's back, accompanied by several other white-haired elders.

As soon as this old daoist appeared, the Chan School immortals seemed to gain confidence, each urging their rainbow lights to quickly land behind him.

The newcomer was none other than Nanji Xianweng.

Immediately, on the Chan School side, Nanji Xianweng and the eight immortals from the Twelve Golden Immortals advanced together.

On the Jie School side, Duobao Daoist and the other three great disciples, along with the three immortals attending Tongtian Jiaozhu, moved forward to the left and right of the high platform, standing at the same height as Li Changshou on the clouds.

Nanji Xianweng looked down at Guangchengzi, forcing an awkward smile, and said warmly:

"Changgeng Shidi."

"Please address me as Taibai Star Sovereign."

"Star Sovereign," Nanji Xianweng sighed, "I am fully aware of all that has transpired here. This matter is indeed the fault of our Chan School, and Guangchengzi Shidi has acted inappropriately in many ways.

For the sake of our shared Daoist lineage, I ask you to spare Guangchengzi Shidi this time."

By lowering his own stance right from the start, he made it difficult for the Jie School to interject and mock.

Li Changshou said: "Without rules, nothing can be square. Chan School relies on heritage, blessings, and rules. I trust you understand the charges I bring against Guangchengzi today."

"This..."

Nanji Xianweng sighed: "Changgeng Shidi, what specific rules has Guangchengzi Shidi broken?"

"Heaven has heavenly regulations: Immortals must not interfere in mortal affairs."

"But Changgeng Shidi, with the great calamity descending and heavenly secrets pointing to changes in the southern continent's royal power," Nanji Xianweng calmly countered, "Wen Zhong and others from Jie School hold the position of state preceptors in the Shang dynasty, leading troops in battles and frequently displaying divine powers.

Why has Heaven turned a blind eye until now, yet when Guangchengzi merely acts in response to Wen Zhong, Heaven steps in?"

Then, this old star of longevity smiled apologetically and added:

"This is not meant to deliberately provoke or claim Heaven is unfair; it's just discussing the matter at hand. Please don't take offense, Star Sovereign."

"Oh?"

Li Changshou looked at Nanji Xianweng, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Taiyi Zhenren and Yuding Zhenren felt a sudden pang in their hearts.

This expression, this feeling... it often appeared when Changshou was confronting the Sixth Saint!

"Since you are in Heaven, you should know the causes and effects of this matter. Speaking so vaguely, without distinguishing before and after or explaining the process, it seems like you are trying to muddy the waters.

Earlier, when the calamity's fate was thick, one major purpose of this calamity was to select proper gods for Heaven.

Thus, when immortals from both Chan and Jie Schools entered the mortal world, Heaven overlooked it with one eye open and one closed.

At first, the immortals from both schools were restrained, taking roles as civil or military officials, and even in battles, they did not display divine powers, staying within the bounds allowed by heavenly regulations.

But as casualties mounted in both schools, incidents of immortals openly manifesting their sanctity before mortals, wantonly slaughtering and humiliating them, became frequent.

Therefore, not long ago, I ordered Tongming Hall to reaffirm the heavenly regulations throughout the great wilderness, emphasizing matters in the southern continent, in order to make the immortals from both schools exercise restraint.

After Heaven reiterated this, it did not send heavenly generals or soldiers to investigate, already giving ample face to both Chan and Jie Schools.

What happened next?

The Jie School ceased further interference in the southern continent. With Wen Zhong's death, they endured and showed no reaction.

Yet Guangchengzi of the Chan School acted recklessly, disregarding heavenly regulations, using pills that reduce lifespan to steal the life essence of over ten thousand mortals, nearly single-handedly altering the mortal situation.

That life essence of over ten thousand mortals is a grave matter, the mortal situation is even more so, and the plot to overthrow a human emperor is the gravest of all!

Does the Chan School admit this crime or not?"

Li Changshou's eyes shone with divine light, leaving the Chan School immortals momentarily speechless.

Wenshu Daoist quickly said: "The Zhou replacing the Shang is heaven's mandate; Guangchengzi Shixiong acted in accordance with heaven. How can Heaven punish him?"

"In that case," Li Changshou replied indifferently, "please accompany me to Huoyun Cave. As a disciple of the human race named Li Changshou, I will ask the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to judge Guangchengzi's crime of plotting against the human emperor."

"Star Sovereign, there's no need to make this so tense," Nanji Xianweng glanced at Wenshu and said warmly. "Now that the southern continent's situation is settled, the mortal soldiers will be spared death, and the common people can live in peace years earlier.

Though Guangchengzi has erred, he acted out of zeal to protect his school. Please, Star Sovereign, for the sake of the Chan School, grant us a bit more face."

"Heh."

Qiongxiao, who had been silent, saw her brother-in-law growing angry and couldn't help but step forward, arms folded, saying:

"Does your great school run a dye house or something, needing so much face?

My brother-in-law has explained the matter clearly, with causes and effects laid out. Guangchengzi committed a crime, and that's that. If the Chan School keeps shielding him, then I truly must speak up for the Jie School disciples who died in the southern continent."

Duobao Daoist stroked his beard, his protruding belly gently swaying, and said seriously:

"Let me add a few off-topic remarks.

Guangchengzi Shixiong is in charge of Chan School affairs and was once the teacher of the human emperor Xuanyuan. He shouldn't be unaware of the consequences of his actions.

Was he controlled by the calamity's fate? Did it affect his mind?"

Guiling Holy Mother said softly: "Though Guangchengzi Shixiong isn't among the top in combat among Daoist disciples, his own Dao realm is quite solid. If the calamity's fate were that powerful, we'd all have fallen to it long ago."

"Sister, you speak wisely."

Duobao Daoist looked down at Guangchengzi and frowned: "Then why would Guangchengzi Shixiong do such a thing? It almost seems like he's deliberately provoking the human race."

Nanji Xianweng seized the opportunity: "How about we have the Star Sovereign release Guangchengzi's restraints and let him explain himself?"

At that moment, Li Changshou fell silent, sitting quietly on the clouds, eyes closed in thought.

The Jie School immortals had come today mainly to support Li Changshou, not to fight the Chan School to the death—after all, with the saint slain, the two schools no longer needed to battle for life and death.

But the Chan School immortals mistook this for Li Changshou not daring to let Guangchengzi speak, so they chimed in one after another.

Puxian Zhenren said: "Even if we're to convict Guangchengzi Shixiong, we should at least hear his defense. There might be some misunderstanding here."

Chijingzi said gravely: "Guangchengzi Shixiong has always acted with propriety; it's unlikely he'd do something like this. We need to inquire thoroughly."

The other Chan School immortals also spoke up, insisting they should let their senior brother explain the details.

Though the Chan School was at fault this time, if there were any hidden circumstances, it wouldn't affect their disciples' regard for their senior brother.

Only Taiyi Zhenren muttered to himself:

"It feels like it's better not to let senior brother speak."

Many Chan School immortals glared at Taiyi Zhenren, who quickly stepped back, hiding behind the silent Yuding Zhenren.

Li Changshou opened his eyes and said nothing more. Still seated on the clouds, he raised his hand to draw a talisman and flicked it toward Guangchengzi.

Immortal light swirled around Guangchengzi, and a faint shadow emerged from his immortal body. The shadow first looked up at the clouds, furrowed its brow slightly, pursed its lips, and then resumed a cold expression.

He said: "Changgeng Shidi, is this how you treat your senior brother now that your magical powers have grown strong?"

Li Changshou replied indifferently: "Even if my powers weren't a match for yours, I'd still seek an explanation from you today."

Nanji Xianweng quickly said: "Guangchengzi, the Star Sovereign says you used immortal arts to interfere in mortal affairs and plot against the human emperor. Do you admit it?"

Guangchengzi nodded calmly: "If that Dixin counts as a human emperor, then I indeed did so."

"How is the king not a human emperor?"

Daji looked up at Guangchengzi with fury, her beautiful eyes full of resentment: "The king bears the destiny of the human emperor; who in the three realms doesn't know that?

You colluded with nobles, manipulated rituals, schemed in the shadows, used Zhou country's vassals as your blade, forged magical weapons with pills under the pretense of the Son of Heaven, and forced my king to self-immolate!"

Wenshu Daoist shouted sternly: "Demon woman, don't spout nonsense!"

"Oh, still calling me a demon woman," Qiongxiao rolled her eyes. "We're all creatures born of the great Dao; what's with the pretense?"

"Qiongxiao!"

"Quiet."

Ripples of Dao rhythm spread around Li Changshou, and his seemingly casual words made all the immortals fall silent, their Dao hearts even feeling a sense of tranquility.

Many immortals from both schools looked at Li Changshou in astonishment, at that sharp-featured young face, and felt their Dao hearts stir.

"Daji, say no more.

Guangchengzi, regarding what Daji said, do you admit it?"

Guangchengzi nodded calmly: "I admit it."

"Are there any mitigating circumstances?"

Guangchengzi said: "None."

Li Changshou frowned and said indifferently: "In that case, I sentence you for plotting against the human emperor, disrupting the southern continent's mortal peace, undermining Heaven's authority, and disregarding the Heavenly Dao's stability.

I will strip your three flowers from the top of your head, take your five energies from your chest, and cast you into the six paths of reincarnation, where you may not cultivate for nine lifetimes.

Are you convinced?"

"You!"

Guangchengzi's face changed, and he stared at Li Changshou coldly: "Changgeng Shidi, don't push things too far! You and I know this matter best.

Dixin was fated for this calamity; I merely facilitated it. Where's the great wrong in that?

Heaven's mandate is with Zhou; Zhou is destined to rise."

"Perhaps the Chan School believes in heavenly mandate, but my Ren School does not, and neither does the human race," Li Changshou stared at Guangchengzi. "The human race has come this far not because of some heavenly mandate.

You were once an imperial teacher; you should understand this.

You say you and I know this matter best, so why not explain it, lay it out for all the immortals here to hear?

Why must Dixin die, and why are you so eager about it!"

Guangchengzi's Yuan Shen clenched into a fist and then relaxed, staring silently at Li Changshou.

"Shidi, if you're going to do something so defiant, don't drag the entire Daoist lineage into the mud."

"Senior brother, you don't represent the Daoist lineage, and neither do I," Li Changshou said, a faint pressure emanating from him as the shadow of the Kongdong Seal formed behind him, a magnificent great Dao suppressing downward!

This great Dao embodied unyielding will and un submissive belief!

It was the path of humanity!

Everlasting in heaven and earth, it manifested for the first time!

Li Changshou's voice boomed like a great bell and drum, echoing through heaven and earth:

"But today, I can represent the human race in seeking revenge on you.

I can represent Heaven in upholding the dignity of its regulations!

More than that, I can represent myself in telling you, senior brother: either reveal the hidden truth today and explain why you acted this way, or submit to my judgment.

Yunxiao, lend me the Hunyuan Jindou for a moment."

Yunxiao stepped forward at once, and the golden Dou flew from her hand into Li Changshou's, who pressed it downward.

"Changgeng, show mercy!"

Nanji Xianweng shouted, and several Chan School immortals moved to act.

But Li Changshou turned his head and swept his gaze over them; the shadow of the Kongdong Seal trembled, and the overwhelming aura of the human path surged, pinning them in place and preventing any movement!

The golden light flashed, and the Hunyuan Jindou reached Li Changshou's palm. Guangchengzi's immortal body was drawn into it, his Yuan Shen floating in midair, still just a shadow.

The true Yuan Shen was locked inside the golden Dou; this was merely a projection.

Li Changshou said firmly:

"Guangchengzi, do you know your crime!"

"Taibai Jinxing!"

Guangchengzi's eyes blazed with intensity as he shouted: "In acting like this, have you considered our Chan School at all?"

"It's you who didn't treat people as people, so don't blame me for not treating immortals as immortals!"

Li Changshou's Hunyuan Jindou in his palm glowed brightly, as if about to spin.

"One last question: Will you speak, or not!"

"Li Changgeng! If you're rebelling against heaven, don't drag us into it!"

"Very well."

Li Changshou nodded slowly, his eyelids drooping as he prepared to turn the Hunyuan Jindou. The Chan School immortals were about to strike, while Yunxiao, Duobao Daoist, Qiongxiao, and Guiling Holy Mother were ready to counter.

At that very moment!

A wisp of Dao rhythm arrived as expected, suppressing the golden Dou's light and freezing the universe!

A pressure descended!

A pressure that nearly suffocated even the golden immortals!

The heavens seemed to darken suddenly as a figure appeared before Nanji Xianweng, hands behind his back, clad in gray robes, his face impossible to discern clearly—looking at it left no impression on any being.

That Dao rhythm hinted at the mysteries of order and rules.

Merely by appearing, he silenced all creatures within tens of thousands of miles.

It was the Chan School's leader, Yuan Shi Tianzun!

Yuan Shi Tianzun said nothing, his face expressionless as he calmly gazed at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou was the quickest to react among the immortals. He stood up calmly, bowed to Yuan Shi Tianzun, and said, "Disciple Changgeng pays respects to Second Shishu."

Only then did the other immortals bow: the Jie School called him Second Shibo, while the Chan School addressed him as Teacher.

Yuan Shi Tianzun nodded slightly, acknowledging the礼, and said:

"Changgeng, Guangchengzi is my beloved disciple. Could you spare him this time?"

Li Changshou sighed, looking troubled, and said softly: "Second Shishu, Guangchengzi Shixiong has committed a tremendous error. With the human emperor's destiny shattered and no sign of it reforming, the losses to the human race are too great."

Yuan Shi Tianzun said: "I know you care deeply for the human race and bear heavy responsibilities now, but our Chan School has always acted in accordance with the principles of heaven and earth.

Guangchengzi's actions were taught by me, and in my eyes, what he did was not wrong, what he pursued was not wrong.

If you can't accept it, it's merely a conflict of teachings, incompatible with your human race's ideals.

Guangchengzi is not of the human race and has aided the human emperor Xuanyuan multiple times in ancient days. His merits and faults balance out, don't they?"

Li Changshou gave a bitter laugh.

In his heart, he felt both relieved and helpless.

Relieved that his Second Shishu was nothing like Jieyin or Zhunti; he truly sensed his shishu's regard for his disciples.

The so-called saintly dignity meant less than his disciples.

But helpless that his shishu seemed unwilling to oppose the Heavenly Dao.

Now that things had come to this, Li Changshou didn't want to give up easily. He said softly: "Shishu, as long as Guangchengzi Shixiong reveals the hidden truth, I can merely strip his cultivation and let him experience the hardships of mortals, without sending him to reincarnation."

This appeared as a concession but was actually pressing Yuan Shi Tianzun to take a stand.

Yuan Shi Tianzun gazed at Li Changshou without much hesitation: "Changgeng, I don't wish to use force against a junior."

Li Changshou had understood this saint's position. He slowly pushed the Hunyuan Jindou behind him and faced Yuan Shi Tianzun directly, saying softly: "But if Shishu wants to take Guangchengzi Shixiong away by force, then don't blame this disciple for being disrespectful."

"Changgeng!"

Duobao Daoist shouted: "Don't be rude to Second Shibo! Mind your words!"

Yunxiao Fairy's face paled, and she tried to step forward but was blocked by the saint's Dao rhythm.

Yuan Shi Tianzun raised his hand slightly, signaling Duobao Daoist not to speak, and said:

"Changgeng, have you thought this through?"

"Second Shishu," Li Changshou bowed, "this disciple has actually been pushed to this point by our master, with no other choice."

"Very well," Yuan Shi Tianzun sighed lightly, "I will take a few strikes from you. If you can't harm me, let this matter with Guangchengzi end here."