Chapter 723: Heavenly Change

High in the sky, the wind ceased, the clouds stilled, and the world was silent.

Yuanshi Tianzun stood with his hands behind his back, his face devoid of emotion and divine aura. His figure seemed formed from mist, yet it perfectly blended with the surrounding cosmos. This was a Saint of the Heavenly Dao, one of the Three Pure Ones transformed from Pangu's primordial spirit. Wielding the Pangu Banner and holding the Jade Ruyi Scepter, he was the second most powerful of the Six Saints of the Great Desolation, surpassed only by Grand Pure Laozi.

Yet at this moment, this mighty figure, who should have been able to subdue the entire situation simply by appearing and dictate the life and death of all beings with a single word, frowned as he gazed a thousand feet away. There was a patch of mist, from which Yuanshi Tianzun actually... sensed a slight threat.

*Buzz*—The mist was suddenly dispersed by a surge of power, revealing a slender figure within. It was Li Changshou, alias Li Chang Geng.

Li Changshou was still dressed in a long robe, holding no weapon. Behind him, a steelyard slowly appeared, its weight still suspended in the air. He, too, was gazing at Yuanshi Tianzun, their eyes meeting. In that instant, Li Changshou fully understood his Second Martial Uncle. His Second Martial Uncle didn't want to stake everything on him; in other words, he didn't have enough trust in him. And Yuanshi Tianzun, too, sensed Li Changshou's resolute intention: to rebel against Heaven!

"No need to hold back," Yuanshi Tianzun said softly, closing his eyes in anticipation. The Saintly Dao aura rapidly gathered around him.

Li Changshou took a quiet breath, also closing his eyes. Behind him, the phantom of a giant appeared. This was a realm beyond the pinnacle of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, a divine ability that Houtu Niangniang had never conceived. Li Changshou gained this divine ability by absorbing the primordial essence of heaven and earth into himself, after stealing it through his 'Mimetic Primordial Spirit - Primordial Violet Qi'. Similarly, it could not be taught to other beings. His trump card: Pangu's True Form Visualization!

The moment this phantom appeared, the Sun Star dimmed, and the cosmos seemed to develop void holes that swallowed everything. Heaven, Earth, and the Great Dao itself appeared to be in peril.

Yuanshi Tianzun showed a faint smile, murmuring, "Not bad," but then gently shook his head. 'Still not enough.'

Yuanshi Tianzun said, "With just this, you still cannot harm me."

Li Changshou smiled calmly, forming a sword-finger with his right hand and extending it steadily towards Yuanshi Tianzun from a distance. The giant phantom behind him gripped a massive axe!

His Second Martial Uncle giving him a few chances was actually to let him prove his strength and his qualification to rebel against Heaven. Therefore, he effectively had only one chance. Only by directly wounding his Second Martial Uncle with one move could he possibly make him change his mind. His Second Martial Uncle and Guangchengzi were truly too clever. After being 'hinted' by the Grandmaster, Guangchengzi was already prepared to sacrifice himself to allow the Chan School to survive in the precarious gap between the Heavenly Dao and sentient beings, thus demonstrating the Chan School's stance of conforming to Heaven's will. Guangchengzi's anger and rebuttal just now were merely for the Heavenly Dao to hear, a sort of pledge of allegiance.

But now, if sentient beings couldn't gather all their strength, he had only a 70% chance of success, and the possibility of Dao Ancestor turning the tables in the final step was simply too great. The final step had not yet arrived; the timing was not right, preparations were insufficient, and what should happen was still far off. This was merely the third-to-last step of Li Changshou's plan to break the situation. Only three paths lay before Li Changshou—either make his Second Martial Uncle change his mind now; or make his Second Martial Uncle completely give up on the Heavenly Dao; or, before the final decisive battle with the Dao Ancestor, strike down his Second Martial Uncle and seize the Pangu Banner!

Things had come to this; there was no other way.

Sensing that the Chaos Bell had left the Five Continents, Li Changshou's apprehensions lessened somewhat. Although he could have Xiao Qiong Peak leave early, Xiao Qiong Peak was also his 'hostage' placed in the Heavenly Court; any movement would affect the entire situation. Rebelling against Heaven was not easy. The phrase "My fate is mine to control, not Heaven's" was merely an inspiring slogan, of little practical use. True rebellion against Heaven required long-term planning, continuous strategizing, and finding Heaven's weaknesses! It also required step-by-step progress along a path untrodden by predecessors, possessing trump cards that would make Heaven fear, dread, and feel helpless! Furthermore, it required uniting all beings that could be united and securing all trustworthy allies.

Therefore, at this time, in this place, under these circumstances! He had to reveal some trump cards to wound his Second Martial Uncle, Yuanshi Tianzun, to injure the second most powerful Saint in all of Heaven and Earth!

Threads of purple light appeared on Li Changshou's wrist, instantly condensing into a shining talisman seal. Almost instantly, a thin membrane of light unfolded behind Li Changshou, revealing hundreds of swirling vortices upon it. The moment the vortices formed, spiritual energy from a hundred thousand *li* radius was rapidly drawn towards this spot, converging into Li Changshou's Dao body! The situation was almost identical to when he deployed the "Hundred-fold Spiritual Energy Cannon"! But Li Changshou directly absorbed the boundless spiritual energy into himself!

In that instant, dazzling light condensed at Li Changshou's fingertip, and the cosmos before him developed countless fissures, then rapidly disintegrated like a shattered mirror. His trump card: the "Plain and Simple Hundred-fold Spiritual Energy Finger."

With a gentle tap of his finger, a beam of spiritual energy compressed to its extreme shot towards Yuanshi Tianzun. The sky was like a giant beast with its mouth agape, resembling an inverted abyss! This was not all. The phantom behind Li Changshou brought down an axe upon Yuanshi Tianzun, and an arc of light plunged into the 'abyss', following the earlier beam of light!

Heaven and Earth trembled. Stars in the high sky flickered erratically. The fissure directly swallowed Yuanshi Tianzun's Saintly body, and the space between heaven and earth was filled with intense light bursting from the fissure! Boundless spiritual energy rippled outwards, transforming into fierce winds that swept across all parts of the Southern Jambudvipa.

Below, disciples of both Chan and Jie Schools watched the extraordinary sight with tense expressions. Among them, only masters like Immortal Elder of the South Pole, Daoist Duobao, and Yunxiao Xianzi could barely comprehend the attack Li Changshou unleashed. And it was precisely because they could barely comprehend it that their hearts were filled with immense shock. This single strike was no less powerful than a Saint's technique! It could even severely wound the Sixth Saint from that day! In other words, on the day he struck down a Saint alongside Zhao Gongming, Li Changshou was still hiding his strength, not revealing his full power, merely to ensure Zhao Gongming's success.

Time seemed to have been fast-forwarded; the boundless, intense light rapidly dissipated. The 'abyss' closed, and the shattered cosmos was swiftly repaired by the power of the Heavenly Dao. With a casual sweep of Yuanshi Tianzun's hand, the sky instantly returned to its azure blue, a clear, mirror-like azure.

The disciples of the Saints held their breath. Though there were only two figures high in the sky, they didn't know where to look for a moment. Li Changshou stood quietly in the air, his hands hanging naturally, his aura slightly fluctuating. Yuanshi Tianzun still stood with his hands behind his back, his Daoist robe without a single wrinkle, yet his Saintly Dao aura was significantly weaker than before. A drop of blood slipped from high in the sky, creating ripples as it fell, then transformed into wisps of pure spiritual energy that dissipated into the world. From Yuanshi Tianzun's left arm, drops of Saint's blood slowly fell, then quietly evaporated.

"Second Martial Uncle," Li Changshou's calm voice echoed across heaven and earth, merely asking, "Like this, is it sufficient?"

Yuanshi Tianzun, however, closed his eyes and slowly sighed, "Let me consider it carefully."

Li Changshou frowned slightly. Had he not proven enough? Were his revealed trump cards insufficient? Never mind.

"Disciple awaits your good news, Second Martial Uncle." Li Changshou performed a Daoist bow, and his figure descended from the sky. Yuanshi Tianzun, however, remained standing in the air, silent with closed eyes, like a clay statue.

As Li Changshou descended, the disciples of the two schools reacted differently. The Jie School Immortals were overjoyed, eager to rush forward and cheer. After all, their Second Senior Uncle had always been a 'shadow on their Dao heart'; for several of the elder disciples, he could even be considered a 'childhood trauma'. The Chan School Immortals, however, were silent as cicadas in winter, their gazes at Li Changshou complex, imbued with a hint of awe.

Li Changshou looked at Yunxiao, who was holding the Hunyuan Golden Dou, and said gently, "Keep an eye on Guangchengzi for now."

"Mm," Yunxiao nodded softly, her eyes gleaming affectionately, her hand overflowing with spiritual energy.

Subsequently, Heaven and Earth fell silent once more, all parties awaiting Yuanshi Tianzun's words. After a while, Li Changshou then said, "Grand Tutor Jiang, first pass judgment on Daji."

Daji's body trembled slightly, but she remained silent, her head bowed. Jiang Shang, who was sitting with a group of mortals in a corner of the high platform, quickly jumped up. His gray hair and white beard fluttered as he bowed to Li Changshou, then swiftly returned to his Grand Tutor's chair. As soon as he sat down and picked up the gavel, he hesitated to strike it down.

Jiang Shang looked up and asked, "Star Lord, what crime... should Daji be charged with?"

"Judge her crime as a subject of Zhou," Li Changshou said. "It's up to you how to rule."

"This..." Jiang Shang frowned deeply, gazing at Daji's alluring figure without a hint of lust. 'This Grand Tutor has seen women before, you know.'

After a long pause, Jiang Shang sighed lightly and said, "Since ancient times, the victor has been king. Now that the Shang Dynasty has fallen to Zhou, regardless of the process, this is the outcome. As a subject of Zhou, I am commanded by the King to pass judgment on the former Shang King's concubine. Today, Daji is sentenced to death. Daji, do you accept this verdict?"

Qiongxiao, from the clouds, said, "Is that even a crime?"

Yunxiao glanced at her younger sister, and Qiongxiao immediately shut her mouth, her face etched with vexation.

Li Changshou looked at Qiongxiao and said slowly, "Considering only victory and defeat, with no specific crime, no formal accusation, this is already the best possible outcome Daji could hope for." He then looked at Daji and said, "Dispense with your body, and go to the Investiture of the Gods Platform to reunite with your King."

Daji sighed, "Daji thanks Grand Tutor for this completion, and thanks Star Lord for his care."

Li Changshou continued, "However, Daji's situation is somewhat special... Where is the God-Beating Whip?"

Golden light shimmered high in the sky. A golden beam descended from Heaven, condensing into a golden wooden whip in Li Changshou's palm. It was the Heavenly Dao artifact, the God-Beating Whip. The God-Beating Whip first pointed at Daji, and her body collapsed to the ground. Two beams of light flew from her forehead, transforming into two graceful figures, one solid and one ethereal. The ethereal figure was a soul, identical to Su Daji's face, charming and delicate. The other figure was naturally the Nine-Tailed Demonic Fox, now dragging nine snow-white fox tails, with another countenance that could topple kingdoms and cities.

Li Changshou asked, "Between the two of you, who is Queen Daji?"

"It is I," the Nine-Tailed Fox sighed lightly, not daring to look up at Li Changshou, prostrating herself on the ground. "She is merely Su Daji's original soul, which I confined, and whom I also caused to die today. I beg Star Lord to permit her to reincarnate. All crimes are mine."

Li Changshou nodded slowly and said, "If that is the case..."

"Wait!" A loud shout came from among the Chan School Immortals. Manjushri stepped half a pace forward, glaring at the Nine-Tailed Demonic Fox. Manjushri said firmly, "Star Lord, you are being overly biased! This is a demon! A demonic woman possessed a mortal woman, infiltrated the Shang King's palace, and became the Human Emperor's beloved concubine. What crime is this? Why is only my Senior Brother being punished, while you speak so gently to this demonic woman?!"

Li Changshou said, "She is about to die now, and her soul will enter the Investiture of the Gods Platform. Is there any impropriety in this handling?"

Another Chan School Immortal said, "Such a demon should have its soul scattered! How can it be appointed a Heavenly Court deity?!"

"My fellow Daoist," Li Changshou chuckled, "are you teaching me how to invest gods?"

The Chan School Immortal who had spoken immediately fell silent.

Immortal Elder of the South Pole smiled, "Junior Brother Chang Geng, what do you think of this? Why not exempt both Guangchengzi and this fox demoness from their crimes? Let this fox demoness's physical body enter the Investiture of the Gods Platform, and Junior Brother Guangchengzi return to Jade Void Palace for punishment."

"There is no exchange in Heavenly rules. Rules are rules." Li Changshou said calmly, "Daji will certainly die today, and Guangchengzi's cultivation will certainly be crippled. At this moment, we are waiting for Second Martial Uncle to make a decision regarding whether Guangchengzi will undergo reincarnation."

Immortal Elder of the South Pole sighed, "Junior Brother Chang Geng..."

"I am the Grand White Gold Star."

"Star Lord," the Immortal Elder of the South Pole earnestly persuaded, "We all know clearly why Daji entered the mortal world, but it's not convenient to speak of it, as it would tarnish that esteemed person's reputation. Junior Brother Guangchengzi acted with hidden reasons, and Daji also acted with hidden reasons. Though unrelated, their circumstances have converged at this moment. Why not let bygones be bygones, turn major issues into minor ones, and minor issues into nothing? Wouldn't it be wonderful if Heaven and Earth could remain peaceful?"

Li Changshou: ...

Although he had fully considered this situation beforehand, this scene still left him somewhat speechless. This was one of the three core difficulties of rebelling against Heaven. These three difficulties, ranked by increasing trouble, were: First, the Dao Ancestor and Heavenly Dao would not sit idly by; on the contrary, they completely controlled the game. Second, the Dao Ancestor and Heavenly Dao possessed almost infinite power, able to wield the primordial power of Heaven and Earth. Third, sentient beings could not form a united front. This was actually understandable. The Immortals of the two schools present here were already considered a 'group' with deeper understanding of the Great Dao in Heaven and Earth. Among them, only a small portion truly comprehended the Heavenly Dao's oppression of sentient beings. The others had long since accepted the Heavenly Dao's dominance over everything, seeing nothing amiss with it.

Li Changshou said, "Immortal Elder of Longevity, there's no need for further persuasion. What needs to be judged today, shall be judged."

The Chan School Immortals immediately fell silent.

The God-Beating Whip in Li Changshou's hand slipped, and Su Daji's body directly shattered into spiritual energy. Su Daji's mortal soul was spirited away, naturally sent to the Underworld for reincarnation. The Nine-Tailed Fox was once again bound by immortal ropes, kneeling in the center of the high platform.

Jiang Shang understood, and said firmly, "Daji, do you have anything to say?"

"Daji has something to say." The Nine-Tailed Fox looked up at Jiang Shang, smiled gently, and said softly, "Thank you, Daoist. I was ignorant before and caused you trouble. When I met the King, my heart was full of sorrow. I had no intention of serving a mere mortal, and every night I merely put him into a stupor. However, after several months, for some reason, my heart was filled with his image. I saw him frown with worry over the fate of Shang, saw him chat and laugh with the elders, and saw him unable to sleep night after night. Only when I came to my senses did I realize I had developed feelings and entered a love tribulation. My previous arrogant thoughts merely stemmed from my charm failing and my unwillingness to accept it, wanting to reclaim my dignity. Now I realize that the greatest blessing is to stay and rely on someone you understand. Later, simply being able to use Daji's body to be by his side... I didn't know how to make him happy, or how to free him from worries. I was just an ordinary demon chosen, only able to watch him slowly grow old. I am actually quite grateful for this fate. If, if I can go to the Investiture of the Gods Platform, could I ask the esteemed one to help me be shaped into Daji's body? I do not wish him to know I am a fox demon, nor do I want him to think that my closeness to him was to harm his life. Thank you, Daoist. Thank you, Star Lord."

"Mm." Jiang Shang inwardly found it strange why the Nine-Tailed Fox called him 'Daoist,' but he didn't dwell on the detail. He picked up the wooden tablet beside him, ready to throw it out. 'Another unfortunate soul.'

From the side, a sudden shout of protest erupted: "Daji cannot enter the Investiture of the Gods Platform! How can this demoness gain immortality through divine investiture!"

The Immortals unleashed their divine senses, and saw two youths rushing out from among the Chan School Immortals. One had sword-like brows and star-like eyes, the other a square face, both furious. They were none other than Yin Hong and Yin Jiao, the sons of King Di Xin and Queen Jiang, who had previously been taken in by Guangchengzi and Chi Jingzi!

Yin Hong cursed, "Daji harmed my mother, and brought our Shang Dynasty to this state, yet she is to be invested as a god! Why should she go to the Heavenly Court to be an immortal?! You, Grand White Gold Star, hold your position unjustly, and harbor personal feelings, making it hard to convince the public!"

"That's right, Daji's sins are heinous, she should have her soul scattered!"

Li Changshou frowned, but before he could speak, an old man leaped out from the other side, among the Jie School Immortals. It was Lu Yue. Lu Yue immediately cursed, "You two little brats, how dare you speak of justice here!"

Chi Jingzi of the Chan School couldn't help but step forward and say to Lu Yue, "If anyone here can seek revenge on Daji, it is my disciple and nephew. Their mother was harmed by Daji, so they should have the right to speak."

Yunxiao Xianzi said softly, "The root of the royal dispute lies entirely with Di Xin. Daji had no say. Now that Di Xin is dead, even if these two princes have grievances, they should not blame others. They should go to the Investiture of the Gods Platform and ask Di Xin why he did what he did."

"That's right," Daoist Duobao sighed, "Yin Hong and Yin Jiao, it was your father who killed your mother. This is a tragedy of the mortal royal family, unrelated to others. Although the Nine-Tailed Fox was deeply involved, simply put, she was just an excuse your father used, bearing his infamy for him."

Yin Hong said, "How obvious my father's temperament changed before and after Daji entered the palace!"

"It was she who bewitched our father with her evil words!"

"Enough!" A soft reprimand came from the direction of Chaoge City. Golden light shimmered as a female immortal, clad in battle armor and bearing a great sword on her back, flew rapidly towards them. It was Yuqin Xuanya.

"Yin Hong, Yin Jiao, step back! Do not bring further disgrace upon your father."

Yin Hong and Yin Jiao were about to retort, but seeing the approaching figure's appearance, they froze, recalling the images hung in the ancestral temple. "Ances...? Ancestor..."

"Why didn't you save our father and mother?!"

"I am an Immortal God of the Heavenly Court; I cannot interfere in mortal affairs." Yuqin Xuanya remained calm and composed even in the face of numerous mighty figures in the sky, stating calmly, "It is difficult to distinguish right from wrong in imperial family matters. Disputes in the inner palace often begin with the consort's relatives. Queen Jiang's death was not deeply related to Daji. Your mother's death was a consequence of the conflict between Zi Shou and the Jiang family. Today, if you wish to execute Daji, I can naturally petition the Star Lord; but the Investiture of the Gods by the Heavenly Court is for the Heavenly Court to decide, and it does not tolerate your interference. Apologize to the Star Lord at once! Do you know that if the Star Lord hadn't saved the Shang lineage back then, it would have long since been extinguished? How then would the two of you even exist?!"

Yin Hong and Yin Jiao's eyes reddened. They looked at Yuqin Xuanya's stern, beautiful face, then up at Li Changshou's figure.

Li Changshou waved his hand and said, "Xuanya, take Yin Hong and Yin Jiao to wait in Chaoge City. They need not participate in what follows."

"Your subordinate obeys." Yuqin Xuanya cupped her hands in a bow, looked at Yin Hong and Yin Jiao, and lightly reprimanded them, "Are you not coming with me now?"

Yin Hong and Yin Jiao subconsciously looked at Chi Jingzi, who frowned and said, "Going for now is fine."

"Master..." "But this! *Sigh*!"

The two youths sighed, bowed their heads, then rode their clouds towards Yuqin Xuanya, who took them back to Chaoge City.

The vicinity of the high platform grew quiet again. It wasn't until Yuqin Xuanya's figure disappeared near the Star-Picking Tower that Li Changshou softly sighed and pushed the God-Beating Whip in his hand towards Jiang Shang.

"Execute her with this artifact. It will allow Daji's soul to go to the Investiture of the Gods Platform. She and Di Xin were husband and wife; reuniting would be a decent outcome. When investiture occurs, simply assign her a minor deity position, or perhaps a dual deity role."

Jiang Shang stood up, completely bewildered, and even more puzzled as to why this revered ancient deity was telling him these things. He held the God-Beating Whip in his palm. Thereupon, Jiang Shang first sat down, then declared to Daji, "Today, Daji is sentenced to death. Her soul shall enter the Investiture of the Gods Platform!" He then stood up, carrying the God-Beating Whip in both hands, and quickly walked to Daji's side. Gripping the handle of the whip with his right hand, he raised the wooden whip high.

Daji tightly closed her eyes, a few tears slipped down her cheeks, and her lips curled into a smile. The divine light on the wooden whip in Jiang Shang's hand shone brightly, ready to strike down upon Daji's head!

"Hold on, this humble Daoist has something to say." Yet again, unexpected events and complications arose.

Golden light shimmered from the west. Auspicious clouds filled the air, and two figures slowly approached. They were the Western Saint Jieyin, and the Western Sect's Senior Disciple, Maitreya.

Divine light surged in Li Changshou's eyes, falling upon Maitreya. Maitreya instinctively stepped back half a pace, positioning himself behind Saint Jieyin, and offered Li Changshou a gentle smile.

Maitreya chuckled, "Star Lord, have you been well?"

Li Changshou did not immediately attack, saying calmly, "Thanks to you, fellow Daoist, I've acquired many troubles."

Maitreya said, "It is my great honor to be able to add some trouble for the Star Lord."

Li Changshou said, "If I have the spare strength to kill you today, fellow Daoist, I will certainly leave no corpse behind."

"The feeling is mutual," Maitreya cupped his hands and chuckled, "Previously, this humble Daoist saved the beings of three great chiliocosms, thereby cleansing my Heavenly Dao sins and gaining Heavenly Dao's approval. Now, for Star Lord to punish this humble Daoist, I fear it is not possible."

'This excuse was indeed very casual. As expected of the Heavenly Dao's loyal hound, replacing me.'

"My killing of you is purely a personal grudge," Li Changshou said calmly, "just like with Ran Deng."

Maitreya nodded, then stepped out from behind Jieyin, declaring loudly, "Let us set aside our personal grievances for now. However, this Daji cannot enter the Investiture of the Gods roster. The Investiture of the Gods roster should be determined by one's origin and fortune, gaining Heavenly Dao's approval to become a righteous Heavenly Court deity and enter the Heavenly Dao's sequence. Star Lord, do you perhaps believe that the Heavenly Court is now a place where your word alone holds sway?"

Li Changshou said calmly, "When the Heavenly Court selects Immortals and Gods, it prioritizes character, then ability, and only then origin and fortune."

"Oh?" Maitreya chuckled, "Then why does this humble Daoist believe that the most important aspect for Heavenly Court Immortals and Gods is still their previous origin? Can the Star Lord truly still represent the Heavenly Dao now? Does the Star Lord perhaps think that we are unaware you have fallen out with the Heavenly Dao? Today, here, why not discuss everything openly? The Star Lord has lost Heavenly Dao's support, so why continue this pretense here?"

Li Changshou closed his eyes and sighed softly, "It seems you dared to appear only when fully prepared."

Maitreya said, "Full preparation is too strong a claim. We merely received Heavenly Dao's permission to ask the Star Lord for a decision. Star Lord, please kill Daji and destroy her divine soul. Otherwise, do not blame us for intervening and rectifying this matter on your behalf!"

Daoist Duobao frowned, "Just you?"

"Just us." Maitreya's smile deepened. "Fellow Daoist Duobao, why don't you consider why your Master has not appeared yet?"

Daoist Duobao's expression changed, and he glared angrily at Maitreya.

Just then! A cross-shaped flash of light appeared high in the sky! Daoist Duobao flicked his sleeve, and the light instantly dropped towards them, hovering a hundred feet in the air. A broken sword! The Jie School Immortals looked up, their faces all changing dramatically! The Qingping Sword! The broken Qingping Sword!

"Master, Master!" Qiongxiao couldn't help but cry out, her voice trembling slightly.

Just then, a wisp of Dao aura circulated, and a rift opened above the heads of the Jie School Immortals. A figure fell from within, but managed to straighten himself in mid-air. He was bathed in blood, his long hair matted with gore. His own aura was extremely weak, his left shoulder completely shattered, and his entire body covered in wounds. Four phantom treasure swords circled around him, and the formation diagram beneath his feet had been pierced. It was Tongtian Jiaozhu...

"Master!" "Master, what happened to you?!" Dozens of streaks of light flashed as the Jie School Immortals immediately gathered around Tongtian Jiaozhu. Daoist Duobao, Yunxiao, and other senior disciples looked around warily, while Guiling and Qiongxiao supported Tongtian Jiaozhu from either side.

"Master, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I won't die, *cough*, *cough cough*!" Tongtian Jiaozhu immediately regulated his breathing, but his injuries were too severe; for a moment, he couldn't even stand up. He looked at Li Changshou, who was watching him, grinned at him, and whispered, "The Master ambushed me. I've become a burden to you, Chang Geng."

"Martial Uncle, please rest well," Li Changshou shook his head and said gently, "With the Primordial Violet Qi and Saintly merits as limitations, you couldn't fully exert your strength, so there's no need to blame yourself. However, it seems the Dao Ancestor has already made his move first."

Li Changshou looked up at the sky and said coldly, "Fellow Daoist, why don't you show yourself?"

A soft chuckle came from high in the sky. Golden light surged, condensing into a figure. The newcomer wore a golden kasaya, with long hair flowing down. His face was serene, his eyes sparkling with a hint of brilliance. In his hand, he held the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, and he sat upon auspicious colorful clouds.

"Zhunti?!"

"Why is the Sixth Saint still alive?"

The Immortals of both Jie and Chan Schools were utterly bewildered, but Li Changshou's expression remained unchanged.

"Be careful," Tongtian Jiaozhu sighed, "He is merely a body reshaped by the Heavenly Dao. Within him is the will of the Heavenly Dao; he can be considered a clone of the Master. His strength is above mine."

That 'Zhunti' smiled faintly, holding a flower, and looked down at Li Changshou, saying calmly, "Fellow Daoist, may the third formation now begin?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Yuanshi Tianzun sighed softly. His figure flickered down from high in the sky, landing before the Chan School Immortals, and he said, "Guangchengzi possesses deep fortune and a pure origin; he should not be forced into reincarnation like this."

Li Changshou nodded, performed a Daoist bow to Yuanshi Tianzun, and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist, you cannot save Guangchengzi."

"Hahahaha! Hahahaha!" Maitreya suddenly threw his head back and laughed wildly, his laughter filled with madness. At this moment, streaks of Saintly pressure echoed through Heaven and Earth. All things were silent, and the world was utterly still, making his laughter jarringly harsh. "Li Chang Geng! You have your day too! You dare to oppose the Heavenly Dao?! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"

Because of his submission to the Heavenly Dao, Maitreya indeed considered victory to be assured. At this moment, the Dao Ancestor's clone 'Zhunti' had appeared, able to freely attack sentient beings, serving as one of the Dao Ancestor's trump cards. Tongtian Jiaozhu was ambushed, likely schemed against by the Heavenly Dao and directly crippled by the Dao Ancestor's hand as he rushed here. Yuanshi Tianzun, seizing the opportunity, made his choice and sided with the Heavenly Dao. Saint Jieyin already owed boundless merits and harbored deep resentment towards Li Changshou, so he was naturally also on the Heavenly Dao's side. Holy Mother Empress Nüwa was not in the game. In all of Heaven and Earth, only one strongest Saint remained standing behind Li Changshou, not yet having appeared. No matter how Maitreya looked at it, his side held the winning hand. No matter what he thought, Li Changshou was at the end of his rope.

This was the first of the three major problems of rebelling against Heaven—the Dao Ancestor could not possibly sit idly by. The Dao Ancestor had countless ways to initiate a fight. At this moment, he even directly declared that this game had ended before it even began. Tongtian Jiaozhu was severely wounded, the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation was broken, and the side of sentient beings lost its pillar.

More importantly, at this moment, the Jie School Immortals did not cower or retreat due to Tongtian Jiaozhu's severe injuries. On the contrary, their eyes were filled with fury. One by one, they were beyond enraged, needing no urging from karmic fate. The Jie School had already lost their heads. This was the Dao Ancestor's method: a move that gave Li Changshou no chance and achieved several objectives at once!

"Brother-in-law!" Qiongxiao, clutching the Golden Flood Dragon Scissors, stepped forward and cursed through gritted teeth, "Let's fight them to the death!"

Yunxiao silently took out a jade statue, gazing quietly at Li Changshou's back, her eyes filled with tranquility.

Daoist Duobao sighed softly, "Heavenly Dao, Heavenly Dao. My Jie School is indeed not favored by the Heavenly Dao." But then, Daoist Duobao clenched his left fist, crushed a jade talisman, and the phantom of a large drum appeared behind him. He roared, "Where are the Jie School Immortals?! Where are the Jie School Immortals?! Master is wounded, come quickly to Southern Continent! Heaven seeks to destroy my Jie School. Today, for ourselves, we must seize a sliver of hope! Jie School rebels against Heaven!"

Lu Yue pointed at the sky and cursed loudly, "To hell with your Heavenly Dao!"

"They wounded our Master! Only a fight to the death!"

The Jie School Immortals responded with a thunderous roar, and countless streaks of light emerged across Heaven and Earth!

Li Changshou, however, showed a pained expression, slowly closing his eyes.

Suddenly! His figure darted horizontally, ripples appearing in the cosmos with his steps. The shadow of a pagoda hovered over his shoulder, and he moved like an arrow released from a bowstring, like a comet across the sky. The cosmos shattered, and Dao principles trembled! His afterimage and the shattered cosmic fragments broke simultaneously, and a void fissure shot towards Maitreya!

Jieyin frowned slightly, forming a hand seal with his left hand, and pressed down on Li Changshou's approaching figure. Jieyin pressed out a palm, but Li Changshou's figure strangely flickered several times, splitting into dozens of phantoms that simultaneously lunged at both Jieyin and Maitreya. Maitreya instinctively stepped back half a pace, suddenly feeling a chill on his neck, realizing a large hand had already seized him. In the next instant, Maitreya felt the world spin and his vision darken. By the time he regained his senses, he was high in the sky, the surrounding cosmos pressing down on him, and a fist rapidly expanding in his vision!

"Li!"

*Bang*... A blood lotus bloomed in the air.

Li Changshou held Maitreya's corpse by the collar with his left hand, gazing at the shattered primordial spirit and body before him. He then exhaled a mouthful of Samadhi True Fire, engulfing Maitreya's corpse. He casually flicked away the ashes.

Afterwards, Li Changshou glanced at Jieyin, a cold smile playing on his lips. "It is somewhat difficult for me to kill a Saint, but killing your respective disciples is certainly no problem. Today, should any Saint dare to kill a Jie School Immortal, I, Li Changshou, will definitely seek reckoning with you in the future."

"Fellow Daoist," that 'Zhunti' spoke, "why engage in such a futile struggle?"

Li Changshou said, "Fellow Daoist entering the fray directly, the effect is truly remarkable."

"*Sigh*." 'Zhunti' sighed softly, "Your Master has arrived, and it seems he intends to duel with this humble Daoist. You might as well wait for the outcome, so you can leave with a clear conscience."

With that, 'Zhunti's' figure slowly dissipated, wisps of golden light ascending towards the nine heavens. Two streaks of light flew from Li Changshou's sleeve, also ascending to the nine heavens. They were the Qiankun Ruler and the Departing Earth Flame Flag!

In Zixiao Palace, the Three Thousand Great Daos manifested into myriad figures. An old Daoist slowly approached, seated on a wind-fire cushion. The Taiji Diagram slowly shone behind him. The Qiankun Ruler and the Innate Five-Element Flags flew together, slowly revolving around the old Daoist.

"Fellow Daoist." Grand Pure Saint slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the layered figures before him. "Why bully my junior disciple... injure my junior brother..."