Chapter 198: I, Ao Yi, Absolutely Cannot Be a Woman

"Lin'er, if one day I can attain the Changsheng Dao Guo, on the path to eternal life, you and I must be together."

That year, the back mountain of Xiao Qiong Peak was in full bloom with tea flowers, and two figures chased and laughed among them...

"Come chase me! Ha-ha-ha! If you catch me, I'll let you..."

"Ha-ha-ha."

The scene shifts.

"Lin'er, I've been busy with closed-door cultivation lately. My sect has so many expectations of me; I can't disappoint them. It's just that I've neglected you a bit."

"You go ahead with your seclusion. From now on, don't come to see me."

That year, in front of the seclusion cave on Po Tian Peak, all that remained was the retreating figure of a furious Jiang Lin'er.

"Lin'er, don't—"

"Are you Jiang Lin'er, the Sanren of Jiang Lin?"

A voice transmission entered her ear, jolting Jiang Lin'er out of her memories.

She was currently hidden in a rocky peak on the seabed, concealing her aura and form while spreading her immortal sense over several hundred li.

Yet, until this voice reached her, Jiang Lin'er had not detected the other party's presence at all.

A master of stealth!

A flat sea fish swam over and transformed before Jiang Lin'er into a benevolent, white-haired old immortal, who voluntarily revealed his realm aura.

Tianxian border, early stage.

Jiang Lin'er quietly raised her hand and gripped the hilt of the giant blade on her back. Although they were underwater with immense pressure, both were protected by Tianxian-level immortal power, making it no different from being on dry land.

"Who are you, Daoist friend?"

Who else? Naturally, it was Li Changshou... or rather, his paper daoist.

Upon receiving Jiang Lin'er's message, Li Changshou learned that in the town of Tianya Cape, 'Ao Yi' was seen mingling with a group of powerful deep-sea great demons, drinking and chatting merrily. He immediately deduced that this was not his own Second Dragon Lord.

Using Ao Yi's appearance to cause trouble outside was undoubtedly one of Western Cult's schemes...

More precisely, it was one of several plans they were executing simultaneously.

Li Changshou then asked Jiang Lin'er to wait at that location and guide him later. He activated the paper daoist hidden outside Du Xian Men, assembled a legion's worth of combat strength, and had one paper daoist hasten there at full speed using the Five Elements Escaping Technique.

At the same time, he used his divine sense to notify Ao Yi, asking him to request that the Dragon King send a few absolutely trustworthy experts—preferably with higher cultivation and milder tempers—to rendezvous with him.

What Li Changshou hadn't expected was that he arrived first, while Ao Yi and the others were still on their way.

He smiled and said, "This poor daoist came at the request of Li Changshou to meet you, Daoist friend."

Jiang Lin'er curled her lips and muttered, "I knew that little grand-disciple of mine wasn't simple. How can you prove your identity, Daoist friend? The Honghuang is full of dangers, so I must be cautious—please don't take offense."

"That's only natural," Li Changshou said warmly. "I heard from young friend Li Changshou that his grand martial uncle Wan Jiang Yu is still in the form of a tree spirit, with only a few years of lifespan left. His master remains unaware that she has already faced a calamity and reincarnated."

Jiang Lin'er released the knife hilt and laughed. "So he goes around telling everyone about that? Then how do you recognize me?"

Li Changshou pondered for a moment. "Young friend Li Changshou gave a detailed description."

"Oh? What description?"

Li Changshou laughed. "He said you are as still as a maiden when calm, but as fierce as a demon when in action; you carry a large blade on your back, favor wearing armor, and that should be you, Daoist friend."

Jiang Lin'er huffed. "Well, he knows how to talk. So, you're the expert he mentioned? Let me say something blunt—with just our strength, if we go investigate and get discovered, we'll be doomed on the spot."

No sooner had she spoken than several faint pressures appeared in the seawater. Li Changshou glanced at the sensing stone in his hand; several immortal senses had locked onto the area.

A moment later, the seawater remained still, but four dragon-headed elders mysteriously appeared before them. One of the dragon elders lifted his sleeve, and a small green dragon emerged, transforming into Ao Yi.

"Teach—"

"Mm," Li Changshou quickly nodded in response and immediately transmitted a message to Ao Yi, instructing him not to reveal the connection between the South Sea Sea God and the Du Xian Men disciple Li Changshou.

Ao Yi nodded subtly and turned to Jiang Lin'er with a slight smile.

Li Changshou cupped his hands toward Jiang Lin'er and said, "Daoist friend, please help guide us. Just lead us there, and we'll handle the rest once we find the person."

Jiang Lin'er looked at the four solemn, silent dragon-headed elders and frowned slightly before nodding. She couldn't help but transmit a message to Li Changshou's incarnation, muttering, "What realms are these? Could they be the legendary Da Luo Jin Xian? I can't see through them at all."

Li Changshou smiled faintly. The dragon clan had finally brought out their true assets this time.

Because he had already severed his Dao twice and solidified his foundation, Li Changshou could withstand their pressure and distinguish between Jin Xian and Da Luo.

These four dragon experts exerted a very strong pressure on him, but none had reached the Da Luo Jin Xian border.

Da Luo meant the Dao was complete; it required the individual's path to be flawless, along with opportunity, destiny, and insight—all indispensable. It wasn't just about living long enough.

In the ancient great war, the dragon clan had nearly exhausted their experts to suppress the phoenix clan. Afterward, they lost their destiny and blessings, burdened with endless karma from shattering the Honghuang...

Thus, even with the dragon clan's deep heritage, they couldn't have many Da Luo Jin Xian now.

The Dao rhythm of a Da Luo Jin Xian was distinctly different from a Jin Xian's and wouldn't give such intense oppression...

For example, Fude Jin Xian Yun Zhong Zi, who carried a flower basket, or some of the saint disciples at the Three Teachings Origin Assembly, were like that.

But figures like his own Great Mage, the neighbor Zhao Gongming, the beautiful Yun Xiao Niang Niang, and the leading disciples of Jie Jiao and Chan Jiao were on another level entirely!

Among these four dragon experts, two were undoubtedly top-tier Jin Xian, exerting tremendous pressure on Li Changshou.

Upon closer inspection, the four dragons shared similar features, and their auras could merge seamlessly. If they fought together, they would be a formidable force.

Ao Yi introduced from the side, "These four uncles are my father's guards. They have been by his side since ancient times, for countless years, and are absolutely trustworthy."

The four dragon-headed elders bowed in unison. "We have met you, Daoist friend."

Li Changshou hurriedly returned the courtesy and laughed. "I appreciate you all making the trip."

"You may address us as the four brothers, Sea God," one dragon-headed elder said with a smile. "Our names are simply Yi, Er, San, and Si. This time, we are escorting the prince under His Majesty's orders and will follow your commands fully."

Li Changshou demurred politely and then introduced Jiang Lin'er's identity, asking her to describe in detail what she had seen earlier.

Jiang Lin'er composed herself and said, "Earlier, I was passing by Tianya City near Tianya Cape and happened to catch a glimpse. I saw a group of deep-sea great demons transformed into human forms, drinking and carousing with this Ao Yi. They weren't hiding anything; the scene was quite chaotic, and there were at least several Jin Xian experts among them, with overwhelming demonic energy."

Li Changshou asked, "What was this impostor Ao Yi doing?"

Jiang Lin'er coughed twice and glanced toward the sea surface. "He was holding two seductive women... being very improper."

"Outrageous!"

Ao Yi flared up in anger. "My wedding is imminent! This is ruining my reputation! How could I ever lay a hand on any woman besides Si Si!"

Li Changshou frowned slightly and said, "Don't be angry, Brother Yi; this matter is suspicious. What do you four seniors think?"

Elder Yi said, "Someone wants to interfere with the wedding."

"Exactly," Li Changshou nodded slowly. "Brother Yi's marriage to the Jiao Ren princess is a positive step for the dragon clan to stabilize the four seas. But for those who can't stand to see the dragon clan at peace, it's an obstacle to their plans. The other side deliberately took your form and engaged in disgraceful behavior, without concealing it, in a mixed place like Tianya Cape. It's nothing more than trying to spread rumors of your frivolity and recklessness, stirring resentment among the sea clans. The sea clans are mostly straightforward; if someone stirs things up and claims you only wanted the Jiao Ren princess for her beauty and coerced her, this wedding could actually undermine stability in the four seas."

Ao Yi and the four dragon elders all showed thoughtful expressions. They had considered that someone might disrupt the wedding, but they hadn't anticipated such elaborate maneuvers...

What Li Changshou described was essentially a strategy of 'public opinion warfare,' which was rare in the brick-wielding Honghuang.

Not only had they not thought of it—perhaps the other side hadn't either...

But if things developed as Li Changshou said, the impact on the dragon clan would be enormous.

The elders said, "This seems quite serious. Should we immediately mobilize troops and surround Tianya City?"

"That would just alert the enemy," Li Changshou pondered. "How about this: one senior escorts Brother Yi and Daoist friend Jiang Lin'er back, while the other three disguise themselves and come with me to investigate Tianya City."

Ao Yi hurriedly said, "Teach, I want to help too!"

"You..."

Li Changshou thought for a moment and didn't want Ao Yi to take risks.

Elder Yi added, "After the incident with the Jiao Ren clan, our Second Prince now carries a heavy treasure. If danger arises, he can directly teleport back to the East Sea Dragon Palace."

"That's good," Li Changshou reluctantly agreed.

As per Li Changshou's request, the four dragon elders changed their appearances into two middle-aged men and two youths. They hid their horns, swapped their armor for daoist robes, and disguised their auras as Tianxian border.

Ao Yi simply altered his appearance, remaining the handsome young man he was.

Jiang Lin'er thought for a moment, removed her hat, wrapped a long robe over her armor, and tied up her hair simply, effectively disguising herself as a man.

Li Changshou's transformation was even simpler...

He took out a paper figure from his sleeve, which turned into a young man, while the original old immortal form reverted to a paper figure and slipped into the young man's sleeve.

Jiang Lin'er watched in astonishment, and Ao Yi inwardly praised the 'wondrous methods of the Ren Jiao Great Mage.'

The four dragon guards acted, and the seven figures moved silently through the seawater, quickly heading toward the majestic heavenly pillar.

On the way, Jiang Lin'er transmitted to Li Changshou's paper daoist, "Who exactly are you, Daoist friend?"

"The South Sea Sea God."

Jiang Lin'er asked again, "And how do you know my grand-disciple?"

Li Changshou thought: From the first time I looked in the mirror after growing up in my previous life, I knew him.

"It's just fate; you can ask young friend Li Changshou about it later. Let's focus on handling this for Prince Ao Yi first."

Jiang Lin'er pondered but said no more.

The seven entered the great city, posing as a group of Tianxian experts heading to the Three Thousand Worlds for adventures together.

Jiang Lin'er pointed out the direction, and they spread their immortal senses, spotting the 'counterfeit Second Prince' in a prominent location.

It was on the top floor private room of a tall building, with all windows wide open. Inside, there were sounds of revelry, and the scene was quite indecent.

Over a dozen great demons with various bizarre heads were drinking and feasting, served by more than twenty beautiful women from demon, human, sea, and spirit clans, all dressed scantily.

However, these women were very professional...

Even though the room had no isolation array and was open for all to see, it didn't affect their performance at all.

From this, it was clear the other side had paid extra!

Three demon and sea women were fawning over the 'fake Ao Yi,' feeding him wine...

Ao Yi watched, his veins bulging with rage, and Li Changshou also frowned inwardly.

Jiang Lin'er couldn't help but scold, "These women are really something! Just because they're big, they think they're superior? Hmph!"

The other five dragons all turned their heads...

Li Changshou chuckled lightly and thought carefully. He had a plan in mind and transmitted instructions to the group.

The four dragon guards nodded; to them, this was no big deal.

But Ao Yi felt a bit troubled, yet he didn't want to go against his teacher's brother's wishes...

They entered a secluded immortal inn and booked the entire place, finding three hidden rooms for their disguises.

Li Changshou assigned roles to each and gave some specific instructions.

Soon, the four dragon guards transformed into four women in matching spirit treasure armor, each wearing a veil and carrying a sword, still disguising their auras as Tianxian border.

They were old dragons who had seen it all, so such disguises didn't faze them.

In the adjacent room, Ao Yi's face was flushed as he looked at himself in the mirror... as a young girl.

To avoid being seen through, he hadn't used any illusions.

Ao Yi simply styled his hair in a simple feminine way, put on an immortal dress he had prepared for his wife Jiang Si Er, adjusted his figure with immortal power, and added a touch of blush...

Thus, a spirited young girl was born.

Li Changshou, for his part, brought out a third paper daoist, which transformed into an old woman.

Now, he was briefing them on the next steps:

"Brother Yi, remember from now on, you are your wife Jiang Si Er's friend, Ke Le Er. You received an invitation and came from the Three Thousand Worlds to attend your cousin's wedding.

Here, you suddenly run into the fake Ao Yi drinking and carousing, get furious, and go beat him up.

During the fight, attract as many onlookers as possible, expose the impostor's identity, and don't hesitate—drag him outside the city and kill him.

The bigger the scene, the better. Make sure the four sea clans all know that Ao Yi is devoted and treats Jiang Si Er with utmost gentleness and affection.

That way, we can stabilize the hearts of the sea clans."

Ao Yi asked softly, "Teacher's brother, why can't I just show up myself?"

Li Changshou laughed. "If you show up directly, first, it's easy to encounter danger and attract Western experts; second... self-praise works, but it's even better from an outsider's perspective."

Ao Yi thought it over...

His teacher's brother made a lot of sense!

The Second Prince sighed and said quietly, "Originally, Si Er and I were... but now, it feels more and more like just a political marriage."

"As for speaking... can you mimic a woman's voice?"

"Don't worry, brother," Ao Yi adjusted his voice with immortal power and called out in a sweet, coquettish tone, "Is this okay?"

Li Changshou's true body, in the underground chamber of Xiao Qiong Peak, burst out laughing.

But his old woman paper daoist just nodded slightly. "Try not to reveal any flaws."

Suddenly, knocks sounded on the walls on both sides, and the arrays and barriers of the three rooms dropped simultaneously. The seven stepped out together.

From the left, the four dragon guards had become four female attendants.

From the right, Jiang Lin'er had changed to an ordinary face and, for once, wore an immortal dress.

In the middle, Ke Le Er—Ao Yi—blushed but kept reminding himself, 'This is for the dragon clan's greater good,' and quickly regained his composure.

The old woman that Li Changshou had transformed into was already in character, looking worried. "Little mistress, I just saw that Ao Yi prince!"

"Oh, oh?" Ao Yi was still adjusting. "Let's go take a look."

Li Changshou quickly transmitted, "Anger, anger."

"Humph! All of you, follow me!" Ke Le Er glared with her phoenix eyes. "I want to see how he's betraying my cousin!"

At the same time, Jiang Lin'er's gaze swept over the six and she couldn't help but glance down at her own chest...

Fake, right?

This is a loss!

Ren Jiao profanity!