Chapter 764: A Journey Together

Is this a big deal?

In the Realm of Dreams, Ao Yi, his mouth closed, watched the graceful figure at the foot of the statue, along with the surrounding ethereal forms.

The so-called Realm of Dreams was the latest 'person-to-person interaction' artifact meticulously developed by the Lord of the Dao Court over the past few centuries. Its principle was essentially the same as the statues at the Sea God Temple, where Ao Yi and Li Changshou often… ahem, secretly communicated when they were placed there. By placing everyone's tokens in the Heavenly Court and connecting them with merit, this convenient and quick communication method was established.

Moreover, those powerful beings who could enter this Realm of Dreams were considered the true decision-makers of the current Great Desolation. Ao Yi stood relatively far back, with many great powers and immortals in front of him. He had just transformed into his dragon form and hadn't even flown beyond the Five Continents' borders when he felt the 'invitation' to enter the dream. Upon entering, he witnessed the scene before him. Powerful beings had gathered, a true assembly of heroes.

The graceful figure at the foot of the statue still retained much of a maiden's youthful shyness. Although her beautiful hair was now coiled up, and her attire had changed to a dignified and elegant long gown and ruqun, rather than her previously preferred sheer short skirts, her mere presence immediately evoked the image of a 'junior sister.' It was, of course, Li Lan Ling'e.

In front of Ling'e, the Jade Emperor in white robes, the God of Wealth in celebratory attire, and Grand Master Xuandu, who always appeared calm and unruffled, each frowned in thought, their expressions growing increasingly solemn.

“Ling'e…” The Jade Emperor seemed hesitant to speak.

“Is it true?” Even Uncle Zhao's voice trembled slightly.

“Where is Junior Sister Yunxiao?” These were the Grand Master's words.

Ling'e sighed softly, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her small face filled with worry. She gently said, “Sister has already gone to look for him. She left me here to communicate with all of you.” She pursed her thin lips, as if wanting to reassure everyone not to be too nervous, but Lyu Yue, standing nearby, could no longer hold back. He interjected, “I say, everyone, is it really necessary to be so tense over something this big?”

Uncle Zhao turned his head and glared at Lyu Yue. “Junior Brother, did you even hear what Junior Sister Ling'e said?” Lyu Yue instinctively shrunk his neck and mumbled, “Isn't it just that Junior Brother Changshou went out? He's a living, breathing person; maybe he got restless and went for a stroll…” The more he spoke, the less confident Lyu Yue became.

The immortals, who had previously thought the matter was being overblown, suddenly realized its gravity. That man would get restless? It was common knowledge how the Lord of the Dao Court had grown; in summary, unless he was directly or indirectly forced by the Dao Ancestor to go out and 'work,' he would absolutely never leave his Little Qiong Peak. In fact, he would even go so far as to find a vase or a scroll, transform himself into the size of a speck of dust, and peacefully 'lie low' inside! Strictly speaking, the only time he truly got restless was when he proactively went to Zixiao Palace to deal with the Dao Ancestor…

The atmosphere in the Realm of Dreams gradually solidified.

The Jade Emperor said, “I shall go and guard the Heavenly Court.”

“Your Majesty, don't panic, don't panic,” Uncle Zhao quickly pulled the Jade Emperor back, frowning as he looked at Ling'e. “He didn't tell you anything?”

Ling'e gently shook her head and added, “Ever since my senior brother married my sister and me, he would spend some time with us and then some time alone. His last appearance was four months ago, after spending three years with my sister and me. He then returned to the Dao Court for secluded cultivation. By rights, it's now time for him to 'vacation' again, but we waited and waited, and when we checked his usual place, we found no trace of him. My sister used her divine abilities to search, and I used the artifact my senior brother gave me to track his whereabouts, but both yielded no results.”

“He… dissolved into the Dao?” A murmur came from the furthest corner. Sharp gazes instantly pierced towards it, only to find it was a Jie School disciple who had previously been specially approved by Li Changshou to enter this realm. Shen Bao, with his two-pronged mustache, had never experienced such a situation before, and the stares of the myriad powerful beings made his body tremble a few times. However, the immortals seemed to recall something, and most of them displayed benevolent smiles, gradually retracting their gazes.

Ling'e subtly exhaled and performed a Daoist salute towards Shen Bao. “With words like yours, Daoist, we needn't worry too much about Senior Brother's safety after all. However, Senior Brother currently doesn't possess a Great Dao… Oh, by the way, Your Majesty the Jade Emperor, could you please check if there's anything unusual with the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stabilizing Divine Treasures?”

“Good.” The Jade Emperor assented, and his form instantly seemed to dissipate into clouds, but then just as quickly solidified again. “The Taiji Diagram and the East Emperor Bell are gone, but the other divine treasures are functioning as usual.”

The Grand Master said in a deep voice, “He didn't take the Pangu Banner, only defensive supreme treasures. Has something happened that he can't tell us about?”

“This is unreasonable,” Zhao Gongming said in a low voice. “What in this world could make Changshou take risks without telling us? That's even more impossible. If it were truly a dangerous situation, the Dao Court and the Thirty-Six Divine Treasures would have certainly been brought along already. He would take risks? He just suddenly slipped away without a word, and didn't even inform his two junior sisters-in-law, this…” He paused, as Zhao Gongming suddenly thought of something, and the Jade Emperor beside him also looked over with a strange expression. Instantly, the Jade Emperor and Zhao Gongming reached a certain unspoken understanding. Grand Master Xuandu's gaze from the side forcefully interjected, and he… also reached a certain unspoken understanding with them.

“Ah, Ling'e,” Uncle Zhao coughed, “You know your senior brother; if someone said he was the second most cautious, no one would dare claim to be the first. He must have some minor matter to attend to; a major affair certainly wouldn't be handled so casually. You don't need to worry too much. Just notify Yunxiao to come back and wait for news at home.”

“Indeed,” the Jade Emperor chuckled, “I suddenly recalled that Changshou once mentioned he wanted to visit the Three Realms to investigate the specific living conditions of beings who currently cannot cultivate. Presumably, he's doing just that this time, and simply lost track of the time he was 'working.'”

The Grand Master's face straightened. “That Changshou, I'll definitely have to give him a good talking-to later. Alright, it's nothing. Everyone, disperse, disperse.”

Ling'e and the immortals all tilted their heads in unison, but since the Grand Master had spoken, the immortals dared not linger. Their forms collapsed into clouds, and they departed the Realm of Dreams. The Jade Emperor and Zhao Gongming exchanged a glance, then cast a meaningful look at Grand Master Xuandu. A certain Grand Master calmly looked up at the sky, maintaining his composed demeanor.

After Ling'e's figure dissipated, the Jade Emperor and Zhao Gongming deliberately stayed a while longer, calling out to the Grand Master who was about to leave. “Senior Brother,” Zhao Gongming whispered, “Do you understand what His Majesty and I mean? Senior Sister-in-Law Kong Xuan doesn't seem to have such a domineering personality…” The Grand Master glanced to the side and muttered, “Can't even get any sleep.” Then his figure slowly dissipated, leaving behind only a lingering sigh.

The God of Wealth and the white-robed Jade Emperor exchanged glances, understanding each other without words.

“Your Majesty, where do you think Changshou truly went?”

“I do not know,” the Jade Emperor mused, “but what is certain is that he should be outside the Three Realms right now, not within this world.”

Zhao Gongming wondered, “Is there anywhere outside of heaven where one can relax?”

“Perhaps, he just went to get some fresh air.”

“Most likely,” Zhao Gongming slowly shook his head. “Someone as meticulous as Changshou would surely have predicted his ability to return on time; otherwise, he wouldn't have left no word. Unless he entered the depths of the Chaos Sea, it's unlikely he would have lost track of time.”

The Jade Emperor slowly nodded, and their two figures also dissipated from sight.

After they left, a figure emerged from behind the statue's foot. Dressed in a light blue long dress, with a slender and graceful build, it was none other than Fairy Yunxiao. A hint of thoughtful gaze flickered in Yunxiao's beautiful eyes. As streaks of light rose beside her, Ling'e reappeared, and the two of them began to whisper again.

“Sister, did you find anything out?”

Yunxiao gently shook her head and softly said, “No, don't worry too much. Just wait a few more days.” Having said that, Yunxiao added, “Though he is our husband, he cannot guard us every day. He must have something important to attend to. He can explain when he returns.”

“Isn't this about worrying about him?” Ling'e's eyes were filled with concern. “He doesn't even have a Great Dao anymore, just a Golden Core, and he wouldn't even take a few more supreme treasures when he left. At the very least, he should have brought the Dao Court along. Senior Brother has changed. He's become far too reckless!”

Yunxiao:…

This household is truly difficult.

“How long has it been?” In a vast, hazy world, the grey-robed young man seated at its very center asked this question.

Just then, a bell chimed, and streaks of faint white light appeared around this world, like barriers of heaven and earth, imposing finite shackles on this seemingly endless realm. Upon closer inspection, they were the walls of the East Emperor Bell.

“Oh dear!” Accompanied by a soft exclamation, a figure appeared spinning in front of Li Changshou. Though her form was somewhat ethereal, it possessed a unique beauty because of it. It was, of course, Sister Bell. She stuck out her tongue slightly and said, “It seems four months have passed on Xuandu City's side. The time flow difference between inside and outside is too vast, so I couldn't react in time.”

“Don't act cute at your age,” Li Changshou said, shaking his head, letting Sister Bell roll her eyes repeatedly as he shifted his gaze downwards. He made a sweeping motion with his hand, and two wisps of Yin-Yang Dao essence borrowed from the Taiji Diagram spread out. The clouds below dissipated on their own, revealing a scene resembling the eighteen layers of hell. Over the ash-covered land floated boundless black qi, and countless beastly figures crawled and breathed within it, their numbers impossible to count. And this was merely the first layer; descending from the first layer, the ashes transformed into flickering flames and profound ice. Purple-red lightning flashed everywhere, and if one saw a shadow on the boundless 'plains,' it might be a mountain of bones or a pool of blood.

This was the Nine Defilement Springs, the true Nine Defilement Springs. When Hongjun had played his game against him, he had moved the Nine Defilement Springs to the depths of the Chaos Sea using a 'replacement' method, as Li Changshou had threatened with them. Because the power of merit corresponding to the Nine Defilement Springs had already merged with the Great Desolation World, even though this place was somewhat distant from the Great Desolation, it would eventually become a hidden danger to it over time. To prevent problems before they arose, Li Changshou naturally took the initiative to deal with it. He also took the opportunity to utilize waste, materializing the power of the Nine Defilement Springs into this land of evil.

Li Changshou carefully sensed the situation and nodded in satisfaction.

Sister Bell folded her arms and wondered, “Why are you making these things? The Heavenly Court could simply eliminate them with one punitive expedition.”

“They are merely a prelude,” Li Changshou said, shaking his head slightly with a smile. “You've endowed this place with time, and it has formed within the Chaos. Once it has a complete Great Dao structure, and with the help of these beings, it can sustain itself in the Chaos Sea for a period. I have already incorporated them into the Great Desolation World, and the Taiji Diagram has opened an initial pathway. This pathway will be hidden on the outskirts of the Great Desolation World, thereby allowing this place to become an extension of it.”

Sister Bell blinked. “Are you truly decided? This might bring you much infamy.”

“All things have Yin and Yang, and the Great Desolation is no exception,” Li Changshou said. “In many cases, the significance of the individual is equivalent to that of the collective, because individuals are components of the collective. But an infinitely expanding collective will eventually collapse on itself. Furthermore, have you forgotten how we found this place?”

“By following the evil desires of living beings…”

“Precisely. Although this place is far from the Great Desolation, it has continually gathered the evil desires of living beings. If it were to lose control, the Great Desolation would inevitably be swallowed.” Li Changshou looked at the dark figures below. “Let the Heavenly Court know there are still enemies, allow the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to maintain sufficient initiative, and provide a place for restless beings to achieve merits and establish careers. Although sacrifices are inevitable, I have imprisoned the souls of these evil thought incarnations. In this matter, taking a prolonged approach is better than a sudden, drastic one, as it will ultimately lead to far fewer sacrifices. The power of this place must be controlled to a stable degree.”

Sister Bell slowly nodded. Yin-Yang twin fish appeared in Li Changshou's palm, but as if recalling something, he clutched them in his hand. Better play it safe. “I'll consult with my teacher and discuss it with His Majesty the Jade Emperor before making a final decision.”

And so, thirty years later.

Small groups of chaotic black beasts began to appear on the periphery of the Great Desolation World. Initially, no one was interested in this news, nor did any Qi Refiner consider it a disaster. Later, shadows of these black beasts began to appear in the minor worlds on the periphery… yet still, no Qi Refiner saw this as a major event, given that the Chaos Sea contained all sorts of strange things.

It wasn't until a perennial immortal banquet on Kunlun Mountain that a very senior 'wide-mouthed bottle'—bah, an old immortal—let slip an ancient secret after a few drinks…

“Within the black beasts are profound crystals that can be refined into top-grade immortal treasures or enhance the efficacy of pills.”

Streaks of light shot out towards the heavens beyond. Qi Refiners, filled with enthusiasm, went to protect this world of survival. The first wave of black beasts that arrived in the Great Desolation hadn't even had a chance to proliferate before they found themselves in the observation park.