Chapter 725: Wandering in Xuandu City

Jieyin Shengren felt like he was about to collapse at that moment.

What was going on? Was Tian Dao deliberately sabotaging his Xifang Jiao? They had made a grand vow to achieve sainthood by following the heavens, ensuring the prosperity of the West, and allowing him and his junior brother to become saints on par with the Sanqing.

But now, what had it all come to? His junior brother had been slain by someone who wasn't even a saint, which he could barely accept—after all, his junior brother had been excessively reckless, and even as his senior brother, Jieyin had sometimes felt like slapping him.

Yet, right now, the foundation of Xifang Jiao's flourishing destiny, his only treasure that could rival the Sanqing's Lingbao—the twelve-grade Gongde Golden Lotus—was about to be lost! He had actually entrusted their sect's guardian treasure to a traitor for all these years!

That mosquito spirit had held back until he, Jieyin, seized the chance to deploy the Jieyin Divine Banner, right when he was converting a large group of Jiejiao disciples to bolster Xifang Jiao. Only then did it strike! Xifang Jiao's destiny had barely swelled before the Golden Lotus was gone! According to the rules of conversion through the Great Dao, he, as the sect leader, couldn't simply eliminate these newly converted disciples.

In an instant, the destiny that Jieyin Shengren had painstakingly maintained for several yuan hui for Xifang Jiao crumbled! The accumulated karmic burdens, along with the miscellaneous karma from these Jiejiao disciples, surged back as the twelve-grade Golden Lotus lost its power... Xifang Jiao might as well be renamed Little Jiejiao! The dire straits that Jiejiao had faced during the great calamity were now directly transferred to them.

The group of Jiejiao disciples that Jieyin had converted had even saved their own lives through this! How could Jieyin not suspect that this was Li Changshou's scheme, a cunning plot by Jiejiao to borrow a shell?

“Li Changgeng!” Jieyin gritted his teeth and cursed. “Let me return, and I owe you a favor today!”

Li Changshou remained silent, pushing his Bajiu Xuan Gong to its limit while the Xuanhuang Pagoda suppressed his form. Even as his vital energy churned, he was buying a bit more time for the mosquito spirit to escape.

In this situation, it was no longer practical for Wenjing Daoist to serve as a 'dark blade' in the Heavenly Court. He had already given the mosquito spirit directions, advising it to head straight to Xuan Du City to find his senior brother as a safer option.

Incidentally, his senior brother had never entered the heavens, something he had discussed with their teacher long ago. Although the real reason might offend the Great Mage, if the Great Mage rashly entered, he wouldn't be able to stand against Tian Dao and would become a weakness for Renjiao... It was just the truth.

Li Changshou and Jieyin Shengren clashed fiercely for a while.

“By the order of Daozu, seize Taibai Jinxing!”

A low shout echoed from the sky as several streaks of light descended, transforming into six gray-robed elders who charged into the battlefield.

A faint smile played on Li Changshou's lips as his figure twisted abruptly, following the curved arc of the universe to glide hundreds of li away, leaving the saint and the gray-robed elders behind.

On the East Sea, the Taiji Diagram's aura continued to manifest, and Yunxiao was still saving people. Li Changshou needed to cover them for a while longer. He gripped the Small God-Slaying Spear and chuckled,

“Fellow Daoist, won't you show yourself?”

The group of elders wore cold expressions and didn't respond, simply unleashing streams of light toward Li Changshou.

Jieyin Shengren, however, turned and fled, seizing his Jieyin Divine Banner and hurrying back to Ling Shan.

Li Changshou spun around and sped away, leading the gray-robed elders higher into the sky, feinting an assault on the South Heaven Gate.

At the gate, a group of heavenly soldiers and generals, unaware of what had transpired, were suddenly pushed back inside by the Heavenly Court's grand array. The Fengshen Platform appeared within the Middle Heaven Gate.

The entire thirty-three layers of the Heavenly Court were enveloped in dense Tian Dao power, with boundless spiritual energy converging toward it. Clearly, Daozu feared Li Changshou might resort to desperate measures.

Li Changshou was only putting on a show and had no intention of approaching the South Heaven Gate. After all, the Heavenly Court held centuries of his hard work and many of his friends. He wasn't at a dead end, so why would he do that?

In Chaoge City, Youqin Xuanya, who was hiding in a corner of the royal palace with Yin Hong and Yin Jiao, gazed at the figure receding into the distant sky.

She wanted to go help, but earlier, she had received a voice transmission from Changshou Shixiong telling her not to throw her life away—that everything was under control.

But was everything really under control at this level of battle? The aftershocks alone were beyond her endurance. Was her shixiong just putting on a brave front? He had fallen out with Tian Dao, battled a saint, and was now being pursued by Daozu...

“Shixiong...”

Youqin Xuanya murmured, biting her lower lip tightly.

Suddenly, she remembered something and pulled out a treasure pouch from her sleeve. Probing it with her immortal sense, she found a jade talisman, a few spiritual treasures, and some bottles of pills inside.

The jade talisman contained a letter, simply advising her to serve well in the Heavenly Court and not to worry about him anymore—he would live freely beyond the heavens. The letter also mentioned that the world had some issues, but they weren't severe enough to shatter everything and return all to stillness. He would find a way to fix them.

These matters were beyond her reach. All she could and needed to do was... be herself and uphold her sense of justice, keeping that light shining in the Honghuang world.

Youqin Xuanya clutched the pouch tightly and looked up at the sky. She took a deep breath, and her emotions quickly stabilized. After all, she was no longer the young fairy who had just left Duxian Sect; it was time to have her own convictions and take on more responsibility.

The thunder from all directions was fading, and the heavenly punishment was gradually subsiding. Strands of spiritual energy returned from the nine heavens to Honghuang.

Though this spiritual energy seemed abundant, once it dispersed across the world, it was clear that about two-tenths of the total had been lost. Daozu Hongjun had nearly depleted two-tenths of the spiritual energy from the five continents to seal the Taiji Yin-Yang Natural Great Dao.

In the sky, the number of gray-robed elders had doubled. Daozu's power was rapidly recovering, and it seemed he truly intended to capture Li Changshou.

Li Changshou focused on his escape techniques, retreating while fighting, occasionally launching counterattacks that destroyed one or two gray-robed elders.

Until, finally, yin and yang energy gathered before him, and the Taiji Diagram returned. Li Changshou turned and fled toward Yunxiao.

Yunxiao transformed into a streak of white light and entered Li Changshou's sleeve, shrinking to just two or three inches in size.

She knew this wasn't the time for emotions or to prove she could help. Not being a burden, standing by his side in life and death—that was enough.

Li Changshou sent a voice transmission: “Where are Qiongxiao and Bixiao?”

Yunxiao replied hastily: “They've gone to Xuan Du City; the Taiji Diagram sent them.”

A spiritual intuition stirred in his heart—it was the elder of the diagram speaking for the first time with so many words:

“Little apprentice, don't worry. Everything that needed to be sent has been sent. I buried many strands of yin and yang energy under the master's orders earlier. Just retreat safely now. The master is fine; his Great Dao was only sealed by Tian Dao. Hongjun can't touch the yin-yang path, or purity and turbidity would return to chaos.”

“Let's go,” Li Changshou transmitted, glancing back at Chaoge City one last time.

There, Yuan Shi Tianzun stood quietly with his disciples, watching his figure. There, Jiang Ziya still held the God-Striking Whip, unsure whether to strike Daji. There, Youqin Xuanya's eyes sparkled like stars as she gazed in the direction of his departure.

But what puzzled Li Changshou slightly was that Daozu continued to send gray-robed elders relentlessly, as if intent on hunting him down.

Something was off... Daozu knew he had many trump cards. Moreover, with four of the six saints under Tian Dao's control, Tian Dao's power was at its peak, reaching a critical point. What Daozu should want most was for him, the variable, to escape from the world, allowing Tian Dao to achieve a moment of perfection and bind the power of Honghuang's beings. That was one of Daozu's ultimate goals, and this was the closest he'd ever been to it. With Taiji Shengren suppressed, it was Daozu's best opportunity.

There must be a scheme here. Li Changshou's eyelid twitched, and he shot out from the East Sea's edge, leaving the five continents and entering the realm of the three thousand worlds.

Behind him, over twenty gray-robed elders pursued, firing streams of light nonstop, making the Xuanhuang Pagoda wail loudly—but in a way that sounded almost pleased.

Suddenly, several streaks of light approached from the front—they were more gray-robed elders. Li Changshou spread his Dao aura and felt a light shock in his heart, catching a glimpse of a scene: Above a great thousand world's 'heaven and earth,' strands of spiritual energy gathered, and a blue aura similar to Hongmong Purple Qi descended, instantly forming the figure of a gray-robed elder.

This elder opened his eyes, looked toward Li Changshou's location, and shot off as a streak of light. Similar scenes were unfolding across the three thousand worlds! Daozu was mobilizing the origin power of the three thousand worlds, determined to capture him!

Just then!

“Teacher!”

“Master!”

An urgent shout came from ahead as a golden line sped straight toward Li Changshou.

It was the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird! And on its back, who else but Longji, who had rushed to seek its aid?

“Don't come!”

Li Changshou shouted firmly: “Go back!”

But it was too late. Two gray-robed elders flung out dozens of black chains, forming a net that instantly ensnared the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird and Longji, pinning them in the void.

Li Changshou cursed: “Daozu, if you harm them!”

“By the order of Daozu, seize the rebel Taibai Jinxing!”

One gray-robed elder called out loudly and pointed a finger, simply rendering Longji and the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird unconscious.

Li Changshou understood. Daozu wanted a justification, a moral high ground. So be it. Li Changshou's figure accelerated sharply, fleeing toward Xuan Du City.

In the void, stars glittered and rivers of stars flowed. One gray-robed elder after another appeared, lunging at Li Changshou. The cries of “Seize the rebel!” and “By the order of Daozu!” echoed endlessly, grating on the ears.

In Chaoge City, Yang Jian and Nezha stood together, gazing into the outer heavens, with their respective masters behind them.

Nezha kicked a stone at his feet and muttered: “Uncle Chang'an isn't a traitor.”

Yang Jian sighed: “Alas, this world feels tainted with evil.”

Yuding Zhenren said solemnly: “Watch your words.”

On the other side, Taiyi Zhenren held a mouth-sealing artifact, glaring at the sky and venting with his eyes, though to no avail.

Thus, after two hours, Li Changshou had pushed his escape technique to its extreme, performing several Door-Opening Escapes in succession, finally reaching the entrance of Xuan Du City.

But as he was about to leave the world for good, a dense crowd appeared ahead. Hundreds of gray-robed elders—three or four hundred strong—had gathered, each channeling their divine powers and magic, waiting for him. They had even sealed the entrance with a grand array, filling it with Zixiao Divine Thunder.

It was clear they were determined not to let Li Changshou escape safely. What exactly was Daozu plotting...?

A roar shook the void!

A massive golden light erupted, and nine ancient azure dragons pulled a chariot, speeding toward Li Changshou in an instant.

The chariot door opened, and a large hand reached out to grab him. Li Changshou looked up, his eyes widening.

In white robes... it was the Jade Emperor!

“Hurry, come!”

The Jade Emperor shouted lowly, pulling Li Changshou into the chariot. Then he roared, golden light blooming from his forehead to protect the nine-dragon chariot as it charged into the mass of figures ahead!

In that instant, Li Changshou realized what Daozu was scheming. He had become a pawn in Daozu's game against the Jade Emperor!

“Your Majesty... this is...”

Li Changshou's words caught in his throat as he looked at the Jade Emperor's furrowed, focused profile and said softly: “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Changgeng, I can't help you much, just this far. Taiji Shige is only sealed; don't be rash.”

The nine-dragon chariot surged forward wildly, the Jade Emperor's body trembling, the golden light on his forehead flickering.

The Jade Emperor glanced at Li Changshou and smiled slightly: “Don't worry. I'm the Heavenly Emperor, after all—Daozu won't do anything to me. It's just that this role is stifling; I can't even protect those I want to.”

“Your Majesty, please endure and avoid extreme actions. I have everything under control.”

“Mm, I have a family to think of, so I can't be extreme anyway.”

The Jade Emperor shook his head, condensed a divine sword in his hand, and slashed forward through the air.

The chariot had reached the entrance of the heavenly passage, and his slash dispersed the Zixiao Divine Thunder within.

“Go,” the Jade Emperor said, looking at Li Changshou, his eyes bright. “Take care.”

“Your Majesty, take care!”

Li Changshou bowed deeply:

“I, Taibai Jinxing, depart from the three realms for now!”

With that, Li Changshou leaped into the passage. Behind him, streaks of gray shadows pounced, and the white-robed Heavenly Emperor wielded a long whip, unleashing countless golden thunderbolts.

Li Changshou didn't dare look back; he feared losing his composure and shattering his Kongming Dao Heart.

As he left, the heavenly passage began to close rapidly. Yes, it was closing. The passage to Xuan Du City was the last flaw in Honghuang's heavens, a direct manifestation of 'the Great Dao is fifty, but heaven derives forty-nine.' With Li Changshou's departure, that flaw was being filled and sealed.

Tian Dao was now complete! Along with it, the membrane-like barrier around Honghuang, which had allowed beings to enter and exit while blocking chaotic spirits, was solidifying!

It severed the connection between the heavens and the Chaotic Sea!

As the one who had escaped, Li Changshou couldn't help but glance back before the passage sealed.

The white-robed Heavenly Emperor wielded his thunder whip against hundreds of gray-robed elders but was entangled by chains. The chariot shattered, yet his imperial dignity remained unshaken, even making the elders hesitate for moments.

But in the end, this was a trap set for the Heavenly Emperor.

The ripples of the universe gradually smoothed, and the Jade Emperor looked back.

The passage to Xuan Du City was completely sealed, leaving only a faint, eggshell-like barrier.

He sighed lightly, dropped his thunder whip, and allowed the gray-robed elders to subdue him with chains.

“Bold Haotian, for releasing the rebel—you know your crime!”

The Jade Emperor smiled self-mockingly and said calmly: “I submit to the teacher's judgment.”

“Take him back to Zixiao Palace!”

“Take him back to Zixiao Palace!”

The elders turned to fly away, and the Jade Emperor slowly closed his eyes.

The universe trembled, and the newly formed barrier behind him quivered.

Boom, boom, boom!

The elders turned back immediately, but before they could act, the barrier shattered! The entrance to Xuan Du City reappeared!

A dark figure stood at the edge of the heavens, gripping a long spear, shouting into the world:

“Hongjun!”

The three realms shook!

“If you dare harm my teacher, the Jade Emperor, or the mundane holy mother, I'll reduce you and this world to ashes! I'm watching you from beyond the heavens! I'm watching you!”

The gray-robed elders rushed forward, driving the figure away and quickly sealing the gap.

In Zixiao Palace, Daozu Hongjun's lips curled into a cold smile. With a wave of his sleeve, beams of blue light scattered in all directions.

The power of Honghuang's origin merged directly with the surrounding heavenly barrier!

But that wasn't the end. Hongjun summoned a divine banner inscribed with symbols and tossed it toward the thirty-three layers of heaven, where it hovered at the highest level, slowly rotating.

Wave after wave of blue light emanated from the Heavenly Court, rippling across the three realms.

In the next instant, the Jade Emperor, bound by chains, reappeared in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, strapped to the throne. His white robes were covered by yellow ones, and a crowned headdress with front and back curtains appeared on his head. The entire hall was bathed in gold.

The blue waves rippled.

Before the Lingxiao Hall, a gray-robed elder transformed into a benevolent white-robed elder with a kind face and a golden five-pointed star on his forehead. Holding a fly-whisk, he stepped into the hall and knelt before the Jade Emperor.

“Your servant, Taibai Jinxing Li Changgeng, pays respects to Your Majesty.”

The Jade Emperor nodded coldly.

This 'Taibai Jinxing' ascended the platform, stood beside the throne, and slowly closed his eyes.

The blue waves rippled again.

In the South Jambudvipa, Yang Jian and Nezha suddenly felt as if they had lost something. Images in their hearts were erased and replaced with simpler ones.

Behind them, Yuding Zhenren gripped Taiyi Zhenren's wrist. Yuding lowered his head, his eyes filled with jade-like light, shattering the blue waves.

In the Four Seas Dragon Palaces, except for the four dragon kings and a few great elders, the dragon princes, princesses, guards, and sea maidens all had a figure in their hearts shattered and reformed into a more superficial one.

Taibai Jinxing Li Changgeng, the right-hand man of the Heavenly Emperor, often served as the court's messenger.

In the various Sea God temples of the South Sea, the statues slowly changed to the image of a dragon-headed elder, but the common people noticed nothing.

Hadn't the Sea God always been the Dragon King? They thought so.

In the Heavenly River training ground, Ao Yi, who was meditating, opened his eyes and looked at his palm, then wiped his eye corner.

Why was he crying...? It seemed like... he couldn't remember.

Nearby, Bian Zhuang, snoring away, scratched his head and muttered:

“Wait, I need to send some gifts to that old Taibai guy?”

The blue waves rippled.

In the underworld;

In Duxian Sect;

In the demon tribes at the North Continent's border, the Wu tribes in the North Cailuzhou, the demon circles in the East Shengshen Continent...

In the Huoyun Cave, several human emperors exchanged glances. Fuxi made a shushing gesture, and they all nodded.

“Let's drink,” Xuanyuan Huangdi laughed. “A celebration.”

“What's there to celebrate?”

Dayu Emperor muttered quietly.

Zhuanxu chuckled: “With him gone, I don't know why, but it feels like there's a bit more hope than before.”

The human emperors smiled lightly.

In the Shengmu Palace, Nüwa Shengren clenched her fist tightly, exhaled, and relaxed it, continuing to flip through the illustrated scrolls before her, seemingly oblivious to the world's upheaval.

In the Wuzhuang Temple, the old Daoist sitting under the Ginseng Fruit Tree chuckled, glanced toward Xuan Du City's direction, and sighed:

“Going out will be a hassle from now on.”

“Master, what happened?” a young attendant asked softly.

“Don't ask too much. Take these spoiled fruits and feed them to the immortal cranes.”

The old Daoist laughed lightly, flicked his fly-whisk, recited an ancient entry poem, and opened the thin book in his hand.

It was titled the Earth Book, originally the membrane of the heavens.

Xuan Du City drifted further away. As the heavenly passage sealed, the three thousand Great Daos became complete, pushing Xuan Du City into the Chaotic Sea.

Li Changshou stood quietly before the vanished vortex, hands behind his back, his expression grave.

Behind him, the figures didn't dare disturb him, only waiting silently with sorrowful faces.

The Chaotic Sea suddenly surged with waves, and a dark shadow emerged, startling many experts who nearly summoned their treasures.

“It's the Kunpeng vessel,” Li Changshou said. “No need to worry; it will carry Xuan Du City to a place with spiritual energy.”

Xuan Du City shook slightly as the Kunpeng bore it on its back and swam deep into the Chaotic Sea.

Xuan Du City now gathered many experts, but a pall of gloom hung over them.

Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, Bixiao, and Guiling Shengmu were there, along with most of Jiejiao's great disciples and personal disciples who had escaped—except for Duobao Daoist and Wudang Shengmu. Those on the Fengshen Platform were beyond hope; it was already fortunate that Zhao Gongming and Jinling hadn't been affected by the blue waves.

Lv Yue wasn't there; he could have escaped but chose to stay in the world. He had no choice—he couldn't leave.

Bai Ze set up a barrier to shield the Duxian Sect members from the chaotic aura.

Wangqing Shangren, Jiang Lin'er, Jiu Yiyi, Jiu Wu, and Jiu Shi were all present.

In another corner, the Great Mage looked flustered.

Kong Xuan sat nearby, sulking.

The Wenjing Daoist, in a golden skirt, twirled a strand of hair with her delicate hand, gazing at the Great Mage with shy affection.

Ah, no, at the Great Mage.

“Did I do well this time, my lord?”

“Well,” the Great Mage chuckled dryly, quickly glancing at Kong Xuan, who responded with a cold hum.

Jiu Jiu and Ling E linked arms, standing not far behind Li Changshou with Yunxiao, watching his back with concern.

Li Changshou sighed and slowly sat down, looking weary as his Dao aura dissipated. He sighed again.

They had made it out.

Though everything had gone according to plan and their chances of success were now at eighty percent, there were still attachments and regrets.

He hadn't intended for anyone to sacrifice or contribute for victory; he had simply calculated and foreseen certain scenarios, then planned accordingly.

Closing his eyes, Li Changshou began to meditate.

Xuan Du City fell silent once more. The Jiejiao immortals stepped forward, bowed to Li Changshou, and then found places to meditate and cultivate.

Yunxiao placed her hand on Ling E's shoulder and whispered comforting words, telling her not to worry too much.

At first, it was just Little Qiongfeng that wandered. Now, the entire Xuan Du City wandered on the Kunpeng's back.

The path ahead was vast and unknown, time endless; the six directions indistinguishable, spiritual energy absent.

After more than half a year of silence, with Li Changshou meditating for that long, the Kunpeng vessel finally stopped at a rare paradise in the Chaotic Sea.

The Kunpeng secret realm.

Li Changshou roused himself, stood up, and gathered the immortals. In the secret realm, he designated various areas for them to cultivate and wait.

The Great Mage wanted to talk with Li Changshou, but Kong Xuan's cold hum sent him flying to a distant mountain peak. He could only glare at Li Changshou before chasing after her.

Behind, the golden, shimmering great mosquito followed.

Li Changshou glanced at Yunxiao and Ling E: “You two, come with me for a while.”

“Mm,” Yunxiao and Ling E agreed together, following as Li Changshou rode the clouds ahead.

Jiu Jiu watched the scene and smiled with relief.

Jiang Lin'er nudged Jiu Jiu with her shoulder and teased: “Hey, aren't you going to join in?”

“Don't mess around,” Jiu Jiu huffed. “Your auntie is here now, and we have plenty of time ahead. What's the rush?”

The immortals nearby chuckled lightly.

Soon, the hall was enveloped in light, blocking external scrutiny.

Bixiao whispered: “Is sister-in-law's husband feeling down?”

Qiongxiao added: “With Grand Uncle suppressed by Tian Dao, and sister-in-law's husband going from lofty Taibai Jinxing to a rebel in Daozu's eyes...”

Guiling Shengmu asked softly: “Can we curse Tian Dao and Daozu now?”

The immortals nodded in unison.

Guiling Shengmu gritted her teeth and scolded: “They're truly unreasonable and malicious!”

The immortals: ...

Someone laughed, and the group burst into laughter, their words laced with crude insults toward Tian Dao, filling the secret realm with a joyful atmosphere.

In the hall, four graceful figures knelt before Li Changshou, surrounded by strange waves.

They were the four holy mothers from beyond the realms: Mei Mao Bing, Mei Wen Hua, Mei Di Xian, and Mei Xing Qing.

Hand in hand, they focused on sensing something and soon said:

“Master, it's ready.”

“Good,” Li Changshou sat cross-legged, a faint light emerging on his forehead and merging with the waves around the four.

Soon, Li Changshou chuckled, then threw his head back in laughter, his voice echoing in the hall.

Ling E and Yunxiao exchanged glances, seeing worry in each other's eyes.

Ling E gestured subtly:

'Is senior brother overwhelmed?'

Yunxiao frowned slightly and blinked back:

'He's likely laughing through his sorrow; we should comfort him more.'

Ling E stepped forward and smiled: “Senior brother, why so happy?”

Yunxiao also smiled: “Can you share it with us?”

“Sure, sure, ha ha ha!”

Li Changshou jumped up, quickly suppressing his emotions with his Kongming Dao Heart, and laughed:

“Don't you think we've lost? This whole journey was an act for any possible observers—there might be Daozu's spies watching... of course, just possibly. Don't show any signs of joy later.

Come, over here!”

Yunxiao and Ling E's foreheads filled with question marks, but they followed, sitting on jade seats as Li Changshou pressed them down.

Li Changshou pulled over a meditation cushion and sat, looking at Yunxiao, then Ling E, and said:

“From today, let's never be apart. Ling E, Yunxiao, let's become dao companions and spend the rest of our lives here.”

“Mm,” Ling E blushed and replied.

Yunxiao said: “I'll follow you, but why the sudden talk of this now?”

“The logic is a bit messy,” Li Changshou said. “Let me sort it out... Anyway, you probably know by now what the biggest problem with Honghuang is.”

Ling E said: “Tian Dao has selfish desires, and Daozu wants to suppress the power of beings.”

“Exactly. That's the disease of Honghuang. I didn't plan to interfere at first, but Master's death hit me hard.”

Li Changshou sighed: “Talk of missions is empty; I wanted to destroy Tian Dao mainly to avenge Master—that was the driving force. But think about it: how can we win against Daozu, who controls the heavens, wields the origin power, and commands all of Honghuang's spiritual energy?”

Yunxiao and Ling E shook their heads, already seeing the eagerness in their senior brother and dao companion to explain.

Li Changshou laughed a few times and continued:

“The first thing I thought of was our teacher. He's nearly omniscient and omnipotent, just a step from Hunyuan Wuji Great Dao Saint, but in conversations with him, he revealed key information. He was a step too late compared to Daozu. The fruit of creation should have been inherited by the Sanqing to guard the heavens, but Hongjun Daozu seized it and took them as disciples before they could awaken. In other words, Daozu is fundamentally the villain.

But because our teacher was a step late, he lost the means to check Daozu. Teacher could handle the fusion of Daozu and the heavenly origin, but he hasn't yet—or he would have overthrown Daozu long ago. That's why Teacher was suppressed this time. I didn't discuss my plan with him, but I believe, with his abilities, he figured it out at some point.”

Ling E asked, a bit dazed: “What plan?”

“The plan to eliminate Daozu.”

Li Changshou took a deep breath and smiled: “This process needs to be extremely cautious; any early exposure would get me killed by Daozu. So, I first executed a surface plan, called the 'Disappearance of Ekes' millennium scheme. Daozu knew about it and even helped me because he wanted me to become the one who escapes after the Fengshen calamity, leaving Honghuang and removing all variables, letting the heavens stabilize completely for his ultimate purpose.

We'll discuss Daozu's ultimate purpose later; I can only see three layers now. I helped the Heavenly Court rise, arranged variables like Yang Jian, Li Jing, Nezha, and comprehended the Equilibrium Great Dao, controlling most variables except myself. That way, their variables converged on me.

Unfortunately, I couldn't arrange Lei Zhenzi—he's more of a tool arranged by Tian Dao. And Huang Tianhua is just a disaster-blocking disciple of Chan Jiao. But the most important is my Equilibrium Great Dao.

When I realized I held seventy percent of Honghuang's variables and Tian Dao couldn't directly harm me, my life was no longer in danger. What I worried about then was your safety.”

Li Changshou paused, his eyes full of tenderness:

“After all, I couldn't let anything happen to you or those you care about. It was troublesome, but I've managed it for now. You might not understand why I'm acting like we've won after being driven out of Honghuang.”

“Right...”

Ling E played along.

Li Changshou asked: “Imagine facing Hongjun Daozu, who controls the heavenly power and the three thousand Great Daos but can't kill me directly—how do we win? And Daozu has been plotting since ancient times?”

Yunxiao pondered: “No chance of victory.”

“Exactly. Before Daozu's move, we had no chance. Even if the Sanqing rebelled, as long as they don't dare erase the heavenly origin, they'd eventually exhaust their magic and be suppressed by Daozu using Honghuang's spiritual energy. The biggest issue is that the heavenly origin can't be sealed or suppressed.”

Li Changshou stood up and waved his hand, projecting a shadow of Honghuang:

“But now? Honghuang is wrapped in a barrier of spiritual energy, and Hongjun has released the heavenly origin power, making it complete. But equally, Hongjun has fully merged with Honghuang! Now, Hongjun is Honghuang itself, controlling everything in the three realms.”

Ling E frowned: “But what does that mean...”

“It means Daozu has used up his trump cards. It means there's a contradiction between Daozu and the underlying Tian Dao. It means that if we open a gap in Honghuang, we'll create a flaw in Daozu! Originally, Daozu had no flaws, but by making Tian Dao complete and fully merging with Honghuang, though still perfect, flaws can now appear.”

Li Changshou laughed a couple of times and added:

“To get Daozu to act, Teacher and I tacitly arranged today's events. Daozu fears Teacher most, so Teacher made his move and got his Great Dao suppressed. Think about it—why could the Taiji Diagram return? It means Teacher still had strength when suppressed! Right, elder of the diagram?”

The Taiji Diagram emerged from Li Changshou's chest and hummed in agreement.

Yunxiao said: “But now, Honghuang should be completely under Daozu's control. Completeness means no internal resistance.”

Li Changshou laughed: “Yes, there's no force resisting Tian Dao now. Chan Jiao follows Tian Dao, the two saints of Xifang Jiao are Tian Dao's puppets—Jieyin Daoist neutralized any threat from Ershuzu Yuan Shi Tianzun. The four saints are bound as sources of Tian Dao's power. The three thousand worlds are Tian Dao's spiritual energy sea. The five continents are Tian Dao's sandbox for evolving the Great Dao of beings. Duobao Shige and the others will soon be bound too. Huoyun Cave has lost Suirenshi, so it can't challenge Tian Dao; Tian Dao just needs to use Buddhist doctrines to brainwash the human race, making them forget the spirit of Huoyun Cave.

Tian Dao only needs to guard against us externally now; Honghuang will evolve according to Daozu's script. Nothing can threaten Daozu anymore.”

Ling E and Yunxiao nodded.

Ling E sighed: “Yes, nothing can threaten Daozu, and there's no resistance in the heavens.”

“That's the key step in my first backup plan!”

Li Changshou's eyes flashed: “Tian Dao seems complete but has many flaws. Daozu has overextended; there are too many points to attack. A simple example: Tian Dao can influence hearts, cause inner demons, and bind minds, but it can't understand hearts. Guess what I did earlier? Ha ha ha! I buried the spiritual core of the Heavenly Demon Venerable under the Wheel of Reincarnation Tower. Daozu had no idea; I just said it was to suppress a chaotic god and added a path to Honghuang as a backdoor.

Daozu has now comprehended that path, so the Creation Jade Disc has an extra one—the path of outer heavenly demons. I have many trump cards that could threaten Honghuang, but that would only cause suffering for its beings and isn't worth it—just a deterrence for Hongjun. But Hongjun will assume others think like him; he could kill ninety percent of beings to eliminate opponents, so he thinks I would too.

In my view, Tian Dao is just sick. I don't deny Tian Dao; I only deny its selfish desires. I support Tian Dao's overall regulation of beings but oppose its oppression. Now, I can strike back anytime, planting dark mines. Once I find the opportunity, I'll trigger them all, correcting Tian Dao and eliminating Daozu! Cough, of course, with careful planning—I can't rush. The success rate is only eighty-five percent; it's still not stable enough.

The situation is like this now. Daozu has probably erased all traces of me in the heavens; things can't get much worse. That's my plan! Retreat to advance, break the sealed heavens!”

Yunxiao: ...

Ling E: ...

“Senior brother,” Ling E whispered, “is there a wedding in your arrangements?”

“Of course,” Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, “but wait for me a bit, from a few decades to a few centuries. I need to set things up first. The old Tian Dao was curled up tight, but now it's fully spread out. I have to take this chance to make core arrangements.”

“Then go for it,” Ling E cheered, clenching her fist. “Sister and I fully support you!”

Yunxiao said gently: “What do you need us to do?”

“Stay here with me and go out occasionally,” Li Changshou said. “Put on a show for any possible spies, and if necessary, we'll have to act like we're settling here. Don't alert them—it's just possible there are spies.”

Yunxiao nodded lightly, seeing nothing unusual about it.

Beside her, there was a soft puff, and Ling E's forehead smoked as her body swayed, her eyes spinning.

Yunxiao blinked, puzzled:

“E, what is it?”

“Th-the bridal chamber... hiss! So embarrassing, and senior brother says it so casually...”

Li Changshou chuckled and walked behind the four Meis, sitting cross-legged with a serious expression.

The path of heavenly demons, connecting hearts.

'Xu Bodhi... Xu Bodhi...'

In a hidden corner of the three thousand worlds, an old Daoist meditating trembled, sweat beading on his forehead. A voice echoed in his heart, his Dao Heart tainted by black energy before quickly recovering.

'Xu Bodhi... Xu Bodhi...'

'Who are you?'

'I am you, you are me. I am your heart, your obsession, your Dao, your fruit.'

'You are me, I am me. You are my heart, my obsession, my Dao, my fruit.'

'You are Xu Bodhi, the Bodhi Ancestor, a disciple of Xifang Jiao's saint, an important pawn arranged by Tian Dao.'

'I am Xu Bodhi, the Bodhi Ancestor, a disciple of Xifang Jiao's saint, an important pawn arranged by Tian Dao.'

'We are all me.'

'I am me.'

Xu Bodhi opened his eyes, a flash of deep blue in them, shrugged slightly, and closed his eyes again.

A strand of Tian Dao's will passed by, detecting nothing amiss.

In Zixiao Palace, Daozu Hongjun's figure had vanished, leaving only a stone statue of an old Daoist in a pressing pose.

And at that moment, the statue's lips seemed to curve into a faint smile, but it was as if that smile had always been there, utterly natural.