Chapter 139: The Great Mage's Admonition

"Hahahaha... Is that really what happened?The Wu people's village forcibly elevated him to the status of Sea God?Those Wu people, relying on their bloodline powers, each as strong as an ox, became divine envoys to amass wealth... And in the end, the Dragon Clan got involved too?Wonderful, the affairs of the world are truly wonderful!"

In the river valley, by the stream, Xuan Du held a grilled fish and burst into laughter.

Li Changshou, standing nearby, tried hard to maintain his smile and took out two snakehead fish that he had originally intended to give to the sect elders, putting them on the grill to cook.

The first key to currying favor was sincerity;Then, sincerely catering to their preferences.

After laughing for a while, Xuan Du asked, "What happened next? Continue the story.I won't listen for free; later, you can choose one divine ability that I know, and I'll teach it to you."

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou didn't seem overly excited. He sighed lightly and explained his approach to handling the Nanhai Shenjiao;Along the way, he also answered Xuan Du why he had become entangled with the Dragon Clan.

When Xuan Du heard that Li Changshou, lacking a powerful backer, had deliberately mystified things and left his words half-spoken to let the Dragon Clan imagine the rest...The master couldn't help but laugh again, and he quite admired Li Changshou's 'clever scheme,' praising him with,"You're truly clever; no wonder the teacher stepped in to conceal the heavenly secrets for you!"

Hearing this, Li Changshou was deeply moved.Did the Saint really...Know about him?

Soon after, Li Changshou figured out the cause and effect.The Dragon Clan's entry into the Heavenly Court was likely a crucial step in enhancing the Heavenly Court's prestige and authority;His own Saint was clearly supporting the Heavenly Court, with his benevolent corpse having transformed into Taishang Laojun to endorse the Jade Emperor;When Taishang Saint discovered that the Dragon Clan's entry could be greatly advanced through the Nanhai Shenjiao, he had acted to conceal the heavenly secrets for him, preventing the Dragon Clan and Xifang Jiao from probing the details...That made sense.

Li Changshou's thoughts raced in his mind, believing the most likely time for the Saint's intervention was when he had first met the Jade Emperor...But it wasn't easy to draw conclusions, and he didn't dare speculate too much about the Saint's intentions.At least, all those incense offerings he had burned weren't in vain!

"Changshou," Xuan Du said with a smile, "the teacher has given us a task: to bring the Dragon Clan under the Heavenly Court's command.What are your thoughts?"

Li Changshou replied seriously, "The disciple will follow the master's arrangements in everything."

"Just now, I heard you say that when elders have needs, disciples should serve them."

Xuan Du narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Since you've already started on this matter, continue with it.However, the Dragon Clan has always been arrogant and looks down on the Heavenly Court;Back in the day, when the Yao Emperor established the Yao Court and the demon race was at its peak, they could only make the Dragon Clan serve as 'guest officials.'Now, although the Dragon Clan lacks merit and opportunities, and their power is waning, without some calamities, it's hard to strip away their pride."

The implication seemed to be that he wanted Li Changshou to think of a way to temper the Dragon Clan.Wasn't that a bit too much for a minor disciple of Duxian Sect to handle!This master really didn't blink an eye when assigning tasks to juniors.

"Master..."

Li Changshou looked troubled and said,"The disciple originally used the Dragon Clan's power to protect the Nanhai Shenjiao and already felt uneasy about it.Now, to have the disciple deliberately scheme against the Dragon Clan..."

"Hold on, let me calculate it."

Xuan Du pinched his fingers to divine, rarely restraining his smile and showing a more serious expression.

"This isn't so straightforward;Right now, the two Saints of Xifang Jiao are trying to bring the Dragon Clan under their wing and have already made their moves, seemingly pressuring the Dragon Clan in secret to submit...Tsk, after all these years, they're still using the same tactic."

Li Changshou whispered, "Master, is it appropriate for us to discuss this?"

"Don't worry," Xuan Du said, "within ten zhang around me, you can speak freely."

Li Changshou couldn't help but admire this inwardly.

Meanwhile, Xuan Du sat there, holding his grilled fish, picking out the bones and eating the meat while pondering how to arrange the matter.

Li Changshou, however, had already started thinking about what divine ability he could request later.Ideally, some kind of escape technique, or a method to conceal his own aura, or something like the master's that made it impossible for immortal senses to detect...

Suddenly, Li Changshou reacted and quickly asked, "Master, are you referring to the two lords from the west who have already acted against the Dragon Clan?"

Xuan Du replied, "Correct, the heavenly secrets reveal that the Dragon Clan faces some disaster today, but for now, they're out of danger."

Li Changshou couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

Xuan Du found this little disciple truly amusing and quite to his liking, with many interesting aspects.

Xuan Du asked, "What's so funny?"

"The disciple previously sensed that the Nanhai Shenjiao was facing a calamity..."

Thereupon, Li Changshou detailed the ongoing battle in the southwest of Nanzhanbuzhou to Xuan Du.

"So, what I said to deceive the Dragon Clan turned out to be the truth.No wonder they believed it so deeply."

"Hahaha..."

Xuan Du laughed again, and to Li Changshou, this master seemed optimistic and...Full of joy.

Soon, Xuan Du patted Li Changshou on the shoulder and said,"You handled this splendidly!I understand the teacher's intent now; you'll be in charge of the Dragon Clan's entry into the Heavenly Court. If you encounter unsolvable troubles, just... in your Duxian Sect...Wait, how can you manage so much from here?"

"The disciple has a rudimentary divine ability called 'Paper into Human Form.'"

Li Changshou didn't dare hide it and took a paper effigy from his sleeve. "The disciple modified it into a method for external incarnations."

Xuan Du stared at the paper effigy for a moment, then looked at Li Changshou, and shook his head.Less than two hundred years of cultivation, and already an external incarnation technique...

"If the teacher hadn't forbidden me from taking disciples, I'd really want to bring you back to Doumu Palace.But, Changshou, there are a few things I need to remind you of."

Li Changshou immediately put on a serious expression, sat straight on the rock, and listened carefully.

Xuan Du's gaze carried a hint of reminiscence as he slowly began, first saying,"The Great Desolation is far from as peaceful as it appears."

Li Changshou thought the master might say something profound, and of course, he understood that.

As Xuan Du sighed beside him, Li Changshou put on a grave expression to match...

Xuan Du continued,"Even if we don't speak of ancient times before my birth, just from the ancient era to now, how many geniuses, how many astounding figures, have all turned to dust.The Great Desolation is full of schemes..."

This sounded all too familiar to Li Changshou.

"Do you know why the teacher taught me not to get involved in karma?"

Xuan Du sighed. "Because these two words, karma, are endless and unbreakable.What might seem like a trivial matter could bring disaster upon you after endless years.From the ancient era onward, the best advice I can give you is—The Great Desolation is full of dangers."

Li Changshou nodded solemnly, feeling a sudden sense of emotion at that moment.It was the feeling of finally finding his own kind!

Xuan Du added,"Look at the former demon master Kunpeng, who once soared beyond the nine heavens, only to end up battered and fleeing into the Chaos Sea;Look at the two proud Demon Emperors standing atop Buzhou Mountain, who ultimately met their end, bodies destroyed without a trace.Then there's the Wu Clan warriors, the Ten Great Demon Saints, the Asuras of the Blood Sea, those mighty beings who roamed the world...As numerous as the stars, countless in number.Changshou, in this world, there are no true victors.Only the living and the dead."

Li Changshou nodded in deep agreement and said, "Master, why not pass on such principles to the many disciples of our lineage?"

"It's just some words of caution; who can truly avoid karma?"

Xuan Du smiled. "I'm saying this just to warn you.Longevity as a Golden Immortal isn't much, and even the Daluo realm—what of it? Don't get complacent just because you've ascended; steady cultivation is the right path."

Li Changshou stood up and bowed in respect, feeling quite close to Xuan Du.It was the feeling of having persisted for over a hundred years and finally being recognized, making Li Changshou want to have a heart-to-heart talk with him.But he couldn't.The more he said, the more mistakes he might make; he had to stay vigilant at all times.Even facing this master who was so attentive to him, he could be grateful but not dependent, let alone fully trust.The master wouldn't always be watching him;And if someone suddenly attacked, the master could at most help collect his body, and if it was still warm, maybe stuff a Nine-Turn Golden Pill or something...He was overthinking.

"Well, handle the Dragon Clan matter as you see fit."

Xuan Du patted his knees, saw that the fire was dying down, and slowly stood up.

"Let's end our chat here for today. What divine ability do you want to learn? I won't go back on my word."

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and finally said,"Escape techniques."

Xuan Du was startled at first, then clapped his hands and laughed, taking two jade talismans from his sleeve.

"I was planning to give them to you in two installments as rewards, but I'll give them both now.I have an escape technique, but your current cultivation is too low to practice it;This is a method for external incarnations; you can study it to improve your paper effigy divine ability;And here's a scripture written by the teacher; it should give you some insights into cultivation.Just remember, don't show this scripture around; keep it for your own study."

Li Changshou accepted the two jade talismans, showing a moderate amount of delight, and said, "Thank you, Master."

"After all these years, among the Human Teachings' lineages, to have a little disciple like you favored by the teacher, I'll naturally look after you more."

Xuan Du patted Li Changshou on the shoulder. "While I'm here this time, do you need me to make an appearance at that Sea God Cult?You didn't have anyone backing you before;Now, you do.But it's still best not to stir up trouble everywhere; the teacher prefers disciples who keep things steady, and if you attract too much karma, the teacher might handle you directly."

Was that a carrot followed by a thunderbolt?

"Master, rest assured; the disciple will be extra cautious in the future."

Li Changshou thought for a moment and said, "In the Nanhai area, it's currently gathered with Dragon Clan experts. The disciple would like to ask you to show yourself briefly.But since the ancestor has arranged for the Dragon Clan's entry into the Heavenly Court, the disciple thinks it's unnecessary to alarm Xifang Jiao..."

"Oh?" Xuan Du narrowed his eyes slightly. "Any good ideas? Just say it; I hate thinking about these things."

"Well...The disciple is just rambling; if anything I say is inappropriate, please don't blame me."

Thereupon, Li Changshou whispered a few words.

Xuan Du quickly nodded with a smile. "It's pretty much what I thought."

"The disciple racked my brains and came up with this idea, probably inspired by your guidance."

"Um, um, not bad; say more nice things like that."

Masters were indeed all so uniquely styled.

Seeing that the master was about to leave, Li Changshou hesitated before saying, "Master, the disciple has something to say, but I don't know if I should..."

"Go ahead."

"In our lineage, promoting Dao companions—I understand it's to prosper Human Teachings...But..."

Xuan Du laughed. "What's wrong? Is this strategy not good?"

"It's good, of course," Li Changshou whispered, "but the problem is, they... don't have children..."

Xuan Du frowned. "Why is that? In theory, the union of yin and yang should produce spirits."

Li Changshou suddenly understood something.So, after all these years of promoting Dao companions, you actually...

"Could it be that this can be controlled?" Xuan Du realized belatedly, feeling both amused and exasperated.

"It's probably the case; the disciple doesn't really understand... This path is truly too complex."

Li Changshou could only respond like that.

In the southwest of Nanzhanbuzhou, in that desolate mountain range where the Dragon Clan had once set an ambush,

Ao Yi stood amid the flying dust in the mountainside, his heart filled with one sigh after another.

If not for the strategies from the expert behind Changshou, the Dragon Clan would have won this time, but the casualties would have been several times greater.

He truly owed Changshou a huge favor.

That "Twenty-Six Steps to Repel the Enemy," Ao Yi decided to organize it into a set of military tactics after returning to Jin'ao Island; if Changshou agreed, he would present this tactics to his father...

Just then, a few elderly dragons approached with some concern.

One of them said,"Your Highness, the enemies we discovered this time are ancient ferocious beasts, the Blood-Winged Black Mosquitoes, extremely vicious...Should we perhaps ask the Human Teachings' experts to show themselves and help us out of this isolated predicament?"

Ao Yi pondered briefly before nodding slowly. "This matter needs to be discussed with the cult leader brother first befo—"

"Oh?"

A light laugh suddenly came from the air.

Ao Yi paused, and the dragons tensed up, their gazes shooting toward the sky hundreds of zhang high.

There, a figure in black robes stood with hands behind his back, appearing out of nowhere.

The figure glanced below and said,"Do not harm the mortals."

With that, he left behind a trace of Dao rhythm and vanished in a gentle flash.

The dragons below exchanged bewildered looks.

"That was..."

"Master!This Dao rhythm belongs to the Daoist school's Human Teachings, Xuan Du Master!"

At that moment, the Wenjing Daoist, who had been furiously monitoring the situation, suddenly shivered, and his anger vanished in an instant...