Chapter 729: Oh, This Familiar Tone

Traveling ten thousand li on clouds, the Dao heart is so free.Gazing afar at Kunlun Mountain, immortals come from the western lands.This poetic power is unmatched.

Li Changshou kept his expression tense on the surface, humming a little tune in his heart. His true self maintained an empty and clear Dao heart, staying vigilant for any will that might descend to control this body.

As he approached Kunlun Mountain, Li Changshou slowed his cloud even more.He didn't rush straight to Jade Void Palace. Instead, he circled around West Kunlun, found a valley, and murmured a few words toward it. Finally, he sighed and said,"Ultimately, it's empty."

Beneath his feet, a wisp of power that was neither spiritual energy, immortal energy, Dao rhythm, nor any tangible force quietly burrowed deep into the earth.

This action left no trace in the world and drew no response.

Li Changshou sighed lightly, then admired the vibrant, naturally formed beauty of West Kunlun for a while. He used his immortal sense to observe Jade Void Palace before heading there on his cloud.

Dong—

From afar, he heard the sound of a bell.

Two young Daoists flew out from Jade Void Palace. Li Changshou rode his cloud forward, bowed from a distance to the two Daoists, and said,"I am the humble Daoist Xu Bodhi, coming from Spirit Mountain to pay a visit to Jade Void Palace."

The two young Daoists returned the courtesy calmly, each stepping back half a pace, turning to face each other, and gesturing for him to proceed, their voices warm as they said,"Daoist friend, this way, please."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, but in his heart, he couldn't help but grumble.Every time he had come before, it was always the Twelve Golden Immortals themselves welcoming him, with immortal cranes and auspicious lights everywhere. Now, it was just two junior disciples coming out to greet him...Tsk, things have changed, and the world is fickle.

This subtle feeling of wandering Jade Void Palace under different identities was quite amusing.

The jade pendant at his waist jingled, and his Daoist robe reflected the light of the sun star, giving it a fine texture.

The two disciples led him to the great hall of Jade Void Palace, where several figures inside rose to their feet.As soon as Li Changshou steadied himself, he heard a familiar voice with its familiar tone and yin-yang Dao rhythm say,"Oh, if it isn't Senior Brother Xu Bodhi from the Western Teachings? What brings you to grace us with your presence at Jade Void Palace?"

Looking toward the source, he saw the striking red robe and Taiyi Zhenren with his hands tucked in his sleeves.

Li Changshou felt a slight warmth of familiarity in his heart, but his expression stiffened into a smile. He cupped his hands toward Taiyi Zhenren without replying.

He couldn't give this guy an opening.

Glancing around the hall, he saw Chijingzi, Huanglong Zhenren, Taiyi Zhenren, Wenshu Daoist, Yuding Zhenren, and Puxian Zhenren seated on either side, with Guangchengzi's main seat empty.

After the great battle outside Zhaoge City, Li Changshou had clashed with Jieyin Saint and then met up with Yunxiao, casually tossing the crippled Guangchengzi back in front of Yuan Shi Tian Zun.

Now, Guangchengzi couldn't move freely and was likely in seclusion, rebuilding his cultivation.

Thus, the one receiving Li Changshou was the second in rank, Chijingzi.

The old Daoist smiled and said,"Daoist friend, please take a seat. May I ask the purpose of your visit to Jade Void Palace?"

Li Changshou maintained his somewhat stiff smile and sat in the guest seat, saying,"I heard that Daoist friend Guangchengzi has suffered a calamity, and it weighed on my mind. My teacher sent me with pills to consolidate his Dao foundation. Please accept them on behalf of your teachings."

As he spoke, Li Changshou took out the pills granted by Jieyin Saint, and a junior disciple stepped forward to receive them solemnly.

Chijingzi was about to express his thanks when Taiyi Zhenren interjected with a half-smile,"Why does it sound to me like Daoist friend is mocking our senior brother?"

Li Changshou thought to himself: ...He's really going for it!

"What mockery is there in this?"Li Changshou quickly added, "The Western Teachings have always been on good terms with the Chan Teachings. In the great calamity, Daoist friend Guangchengzi endured hardship to protect his fellow disciples, which fills me with admiration.I'm here solely to deliver these pills, with no requests or ulterior motives. Please, Daoist friend Taiyi, don't mock me."

"Mock?"Taiyi Zhenren seemed to have pent-up frustration, and it ignited like green flames.

He laughed, "Daoist friend has been completely out of touch until now—who knows where you hid? Now that the great calamity has ended and the world has changed, do you think you're back in form?I recall the days when your heroic exploits shook the heavens, and it makes me... nostalgic."

"Xu Bodhi" frowned, staring at Taiyi Zhenren, and said coolly,"I don't understand the meaning behind your words, Daoist friend.If this is the way of hospitality in the Chan Teachings, I'll take my leave and pretend I was never here."

"Ah," Taiyi Zhenren laughed, "don't be in such a hurry to go.Stay for a simple meal, chat about old times, and share that glorious story of how you collaborated with the Heavenly Court to trap the demon clans of Beizhou."

"Xu Bodhi" flicked his sleeve and stood up, glaring at Taiyi Zhenren.

Taiyi Zhenren smiled calmly, leaned toward Yuding Zhenren beside him, and raised an eyebrow at "Xu Bodhi."

Yuding Zhenren simply closed his eyes in meditation, not even glancing over.

Wenshu Daoist spoke up, "Daoist friend, please don't take offense. My senior brother Taiyi means no harm. Please sit and rest."

"No need," "Xu Bodhi" stood and bowed, "I offer my respects to the Saint of the Chan Teachings here. Now I'll return to Spirit Mountain to report.I wish Daoist friend Guangchengzi a swift recovery."

With that, Xu Bodhi glanced at Taiyi Zhenren, forced a stiff smile, turned, and strode out of the hall, riding his cloud toward the southwest.

From afar, he could still hear Taiyi Zhenren's sigh:"Is that it?This so-called Master Jie Kong that the Western Teachings just pushed forward—is that all?I was looking forward to a good debate with him to promote the essence of our Chan Teachings. What a pity, what a pity..."

Taiyi Zhenren never failed to get under people's skin!

Though Li Changshou knew Taiyi was targeting Xu Bodhi and seemed unaffected by the Dao Ancestor's memory alteration, he had nearly lost his composure and retorted, ready to engage in a bout of sarcastic banter and challenge the title of master of yin-yang.

In the end, he gave his old friend some face.

Ultimately, it's empty.

Riding his cloud back to Spirit Mountain, this unpleasant trip to Jade Void Palace was considered complete.

He imagined that Wenshu and Puxian were probably plotting how to return to the Western Teachings, and he wondered if the Chan Teachings would obstruct them, or if Yuan Shi Tian Zun and Jieyin Saint might clash over it.

Li Changshou carefully deduced the situation and felt that the two saints would likely exercise restraint.

What the Chan Teachings wanted was for the matter to pass quietly without major repercussions; what the Western Teachings wanted was for these disciples to return and seize opportunities for great prosperity.

Well, more disciples would mean more hands for grand construction projects.

Of course, that was just a jest. Li Changshou could already see an internal power shift brewing in the Western Teachings, and he could use this chance to distance himself from Spirit Mountain.

Before that, he could guide the Western Teachings toward the "right path."

Let the light of righteousness shine on the Bodhi platform of Spirit Mountain.

Back at Jade Void Palace.

After "Xu Bodhi" left, Taiyi Zhenren stretched lazily and said casually,"Is that Xu Bodhi just here to deliver some medicine?"

"He's rumored to have reached an unfathomable Dao realm in the Western Teachings," Wenshu said with a smile, "but from what I saw today, he's nothing special."

Huanglong Zhenren added, "We shouldn't speak ill of others behind their backs. It's not right."

Wenshu raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Puxian, then subtly looked away.

Yuding Zhenren opened his eyes and looked toward his two senior brothers, as if sensing something.

Guilty consciences?

But Yuding said nothing and simply stated, "If there's no other sect business, I'd like to return to my mountain for cultivation."

"Junior Brother Yuding," Chijingzi said warmly, "we haven't resolved the matter we discussed earlier... Would you, along with Junior Brothers Taiyi and Huanglong, attend the Peach Banquet later to join in the festivities?"

"You all go," Yuding stood up, his face somewhat downcast, "What you find lively, I find noisy with immortals and gods."

With that, Yuding Zhenren headed toward the palace gate, his back exuding a sense of loneliness.

"I'll go back with Junior Brother Yuding," Taiyi Zhenren also stood, hands in his sleeves, and laughed, "The Peach Banquet has peaches, but why not take Yin Hong and Yin Jia instead?They've been pre-appointed to divine positions, just waiting for their cultivation to advance before reporting to the Heavenly Court. It might help them adjust in advance.We're off."

Chijingzi nodded but didn't insist.

A moment later, on the clouds heading toward Qianyuan Mountain, Yuding Zhenren sighed softly.

Taiyi Zhenren said beside him, "Don't overthink it. That guy just escaped; he didn't fall."

Boom—

Thunder rumbled in the clear sky, as if a gaze was fixed on Taiyi Zhenren.

Taiyi Zhenren immediately fell silent, winking and making faces at Yuding Zhenren.

Yuding smoothed his sleeve and managed a faint smile, saying, "Let's go back and cultivate. The world can be at peace for a while longer."

"The disciples are the best," Taiyi looked up at the deepest blue sky and white clouds, "Now that the Heavenly Court is so prosperous, it's great for them to live freely as immortals and enjoy some leisure—that's true bliss."

"Mm," Yuding Zhenren replied, seemingly lost in thought, and said no more.

When Li Changshou returned to Spirit Mountain to report, he mentioned to Jieyin Saint that he wanted to wander the Three Thousand Worlds to contemplate the mortal realm.

Jieyin Saint agreed, as it was part of his disciple's cultivation.

But Jieyin Saint also assigned another task: before leaving Spirit Mountain for the Three Thousand Worlds, he should visit the Netherworld Underworld and check on Dizang.

Dizang remained a pillar of the Western Teachings' destiny, especially crucial after the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus was destroyed.

Li Changshou accepted the order cheerfully, though he pondered it inwardly.

Would Diting recognize him?

Dizang was likely untouched by memory alteration, given his high position in the Heavenly Dao sequence, but Diting should have forgotten about "Li Changshou."

If Diting detected anything odd in his thoughts, all his efforts would be for nothing.

Previously, Li Changshou had taken Diting out for a stroll and subtly threatened it to keep it quiet.

Memories might fade, but personality wouldn't change; he needed Diting to be timid and unwilling to speak, so he had cast a shadow over its Dao heart.

Later, he still planned to use Diting's abilities for his schemes—it could transmit thoughts to all beings, which was why he left this potential risk.

He'd just add a few more layers of Jie Kong Dao rhythm to its Dao heart. That was the only way.

Thus, some years later, there was still no movement from Wenshu and the others at Jade Void Palace, as if they hadn't received any signal.

The Peach Banquet in the Heavenly Court arrived as scheduled, with auspicious signs appearing everywhere in the Three Realms and radiant lights filling the heavens, creating an atmosphere of peace.

Li Changshou left his cave on Spirit Mountain, changed into a gray robe, tied his hair into a Daoist bun, and departed quietly toward the edge of the West Sea's Tianzhu.

Though a bit solitary, it brought some peace.

And he wasn't entirely alone.

Shifting his mind back to his true self, Li Changshou looked toward the side of the great hall, where layers of veils had just been hung. He saw Yunxiao lying on a soft couch in a loose, flowing skirt, resting.

Outside the hall on Little Qiongfeng, immortal figures gathered thickly around the gaming room, inside and out;The immortals, who had recently been talking about enlightenment and cultivation, found no complete Dao principles to comprehend in the Chaos Sea, so they idled away, playing cards and chess in the gaming room, the scene quite joyful.

In the Chaos Sea, even with a stable spiritual energy source, it only sustained the state of qi refiners; it couldn't aid in enlightenment.

Still, having spiritual energy was quite good—far better than the desperate " predecessors" who fled into the Chaos Sea, by orders of magnitude.

"Xu Bodhi" slowly descended into the Netherworld, riding his cloud over the Three Paths River.

Li Changshou withdrew a portion of his mind to his true self, stood up, and walked through the layers of veils and barriers to sit beside the soft couch.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her bright eyes slowly opened; her already fair and radiant skin seemed to gain life under the glow of her gaze.

"Did I wake you?"Li Changshou asked gently, his fingertip brushing her cheek, feeling its softness.

Yunxiao shook her head slightly, propping herself up with a delicate hand to sit slowly, her dark hair cascading like a waterfall, partially veiling her graceful figure.

Their eyes met, their breaths intertwined.

"Are you not busy?" she asked softly.

"Not really, just taking a break," Li Changshou smiled with his eyes narrowed, "I have to stay fully focused to avoid any slip-ups. Once I finish setting up, I can devote myself to you."

"Prioritize your duties," Yunxiao urged with concern.

Li Changshou hesitated, words failing him in the presence of such an ethereal immortal.

"Well, I'll get back to it..."

As he started to rise, Yunxiao suddenly leaned forward, her forehead gently touching his.

In that instant, their minds merged, each feeling the other's emotional tribulation, bringing mutual peace, as if they understood one another completely, their spirits nestled together.

A faint blush colored Yunxiao's cheeks as she closed her eyes and turned away.

Li Changshou murmured hazily, "Then I'll go handle things."

He turned and returned to the meditation cushion in the center of the hall, sitting cross-legged, lost in thought for a long while.

This feeling was light and fluffy, soft and tender, with their Daos resonating and hearts vibrating in harmony.

It was just so profound.

Was this how innate great powers experienced romance?

Could they tone it down a bit for him, a later-born spirit—make it a little less lofty, a bit more ordinary?

Ah, well...

It actually felt pretty good.

Li Changshou chuckled, shifting most of his mind back to "Xu Bodhi," riding his cloud over the Three Paths River and admiring the scenery of the underworld.

Suddenly, he heard flute music from a distant hill.

Li Changshou looked up to see a young woman sitting on the branch of an old tree, gently swinging her jade-like feet and playing a short flute.

The incarnation of the Seven Emotions.

Li Changshou didn't dare look too long, fearing this mysterious incarnation might see through his disguise. He continued on his cloud without any unusual movement.

Using his immortal sense, he observed that the young woman was just playing the flute to soothe wandering souls, and his passing didn't affect her at all, so he relaxed.

Li Changshou didn't want to drag the Holy Mother into his contest with the Dao Ancestor, nor did he want to involve Lady Houtu.

Closing his eyes, he sensed the manifestations of the Three Thousand Great Daos in the underworld for a while. Unaware of the time, he had circled around the bustling Fengdu City and arrived at the Tower of Reincarnation.

He revealed his Dao rhythm, bowed toward the window at the top of the tower, and called out, "Junior Brother Dizang."

Dizang walked to the window, returned the courtesy to Xu Bodhi, and replied, "Senior Brother Xu Bodhi."

Then Dizang turned and gestured for him to enter, and "Xu Bodhi" calmly flew in through the window.

Diting lay sprawled on the windowsill on the other side, lazily squinting its eyes. Spotting Xu Bodhi, it glanced over and then haughtily turned its head away.

No interest, didn't want to see.

Hmph, just another underling defeated by that man.