Chapter 228: The Stared Life

In the autumn night, filled with the chirping of insects, the moonlight and dew accompanied the frost's splendor.

Late at night, in the corridor of the rear courtyard of the Hai Shen Temple.

Li Changshou, using the paper effigy disguised as an old immortal, looked up at the fairy beside him, who seemed to have stepped out of one of his own paintings. A wave of relief washed over him.

He was truly grateful.

When he had persuaded Jin Guang Shengmu and the others—well, convinced them with words—he had only adjusted his phrasing slightly without distorting the facts.

Otherwise, it would have been difficult to explain himself in front of this fairy.

This made Li Changshou realize even more profoundly the importance of adhering to the principles he had set earlier.

For a man, perseverance is key.

As for who this fairy is?

The only one who would come seeking him at this hour because of Zhao Gongming's matters and stir a slight ripple in Li Changshou's state of mind—besides Yunxiao Niangniang, whom Zhao Gongming somewhat feared—was probably no one else.

Li Changshou smiled and said:

"Fairy, why have you visited so late at night?"

"I came from my elder brother's side," Yunxiao said softly, but she paused after only half the sentence.

She clasped her delicate hands behind her back, her long skirt appearing as if woven from gathered clouds, giving it a light and ethereal texture.

Whenever she moved, it was as though two faint white clouds followed at her feet; though she walked in the mortal world, she remained utterly unstained.

However, Li Changshou had no mind to admire the beauty before him. His thoughts raced as he carefully analyzed the situation.

Was this fairy here to hold him accountable?

That shouldn't be the case. Zhao Gongming would at most mention blocking the Western Teachings experts; he probably wouldn't have told Yunxiao how he did it.

In an instant, Li Changshou had a plan ready. He smiled and said:

"Is Gongming Senior doing well?"

"My elder brother is fine," Yunxiao replied gently. "I've already heard from him.

"When you advised Huang Long Shixiong to help the Dragon Clan, my elder brother felt he should step in too, so he lent a hand and inadvertently stirred up some karma.

"Fellow Daoist, I came here simply to ask: was that intentional or unintentional on your part?"

"It was unintentional," Li Changshou said seriously. "It was truly just a coincidence. There was a reason behind that day's events; Huang Long Senior was schemed against, and Gongming Senior stepped in to save him, then had Huang Long Zhenren call me over…"

At that moment, Li Changshou briefly and clearly recounted the incident of the counter-extortion in the South Sea.

For strong figures like Yunxiao and Xuan Du Dafa Shi, the best approach was to be straightforward, using sincerity to seek opportunities and positioning oneself correctly.

Yunxiao listened and pondered for a moment, then sighed lightly, her voice tinged with concern:

"My elder brother has lost the caution he had in ancient times.

"Our four siblings have cultivated since ancient times; the deeper our cultivation and the stronger our abilities, the more enemies we make in the world.

"In the Great Wilderness, saints exist, and the more we walk toward that realm, the more we know it's an insurmountable mountain. If such beings decide to eliminate us siblings, it would be as easy as turning over their hand.

"It seems my elder brother has forgotten all this."

Li Changshou thought to himself: ...

If you can always remember these principles and not act impulsively in the future, your fate won't end up so tragically.

"Fairy," Li Changshou said, "Gongming Senior's cultivation is profound now, and his spiritual treasures are powerful. The Jie Jiao is at its peak, so there's no need to worry too much."

Yunxiao chuckled softly and said gently: "Fellow Daoist, you can come up with clever plans to counter the Western Teachings, save the Dragon Clan, and respond to the Heavenly Court, so you must see through these things. Why bother comforting me like this?"

"Uh... some words, the fairy can say, but I cannot."

"Fellow Daoist, you're too modest.

"Earlier, when I heard you advise Jin Guang Shimei, it stirred some emotions in my heart."

Yunxiao turned her head to gaze at the old immortal beside her and asked softly: "Fellow Daoist, your Dao heart is only at the middle stage of Qing Zhong, so why do you disguise yourself as such an elderly figure?"

Li Changshou gave a bitter laugh. Yunxiao the fairy was truly perceptive.

She had almost seen right through him!

"This appearance is just for convenience," Li Changshou sighed. "Youth shows too much edge, middle age seems too brooding—only as a kind-eyed elder does one gain more trust."

Yunxiao praised: "Fellow Daoist, your thoughts are truly thorough and steady."

"It's merely because my strength is lacking; I can only ensure my own safety."

Li Changshou chuckled and glanced at Yunxiao's profile.

Today, perhaps...

This Yunxiao Niangniang was just here to have a heart-to-heart talk.

Then he heard Yunxiao say:

"Fellow Daoist, you must see the many hidden dangers within Jie Jiao. The cultivators in the sect vary greatly in quality; some can't be called improper, but they are foolish and easily manipulated.

"Today, when Jin Guang Shimei came to seek you, your response was flawless, as if nothing could slip through."

Yunxiao paused briefly, looked at Li Changshou, and continued: "I wasn't intentionally eavesdropping; I just didn't want to show myself and add unnecessary trouble for them."

"The junior understands," Li Changshou smiled. "Jin Guang Shengmu is worried about Gongming Senior, and I can relate to that."

"Ah, my elder brother like this truly worries me."

Yunxiao stared at the lone moon in the sky, her voice ethereal and soft: "My two younger sisters are also quite reckless, and now my elder brother seems to disregard others.

"Lately, during my cultivation, I've felt a bit uneasy, as if some calamity has already befallen my elder brother.

"I can confine my two sisters to San Xian Island, but my elder brother is still my sibling…

"Now, he speaks highly of you and holds you in great esteem, yet he avoids me somewhat. Your words might carry more weight than mine.

"Fellow Daoist, could you help me think of a way?"

"This…"

Li Changshou pondered for a moment. Ideas and methods certainly existed, and there were plenty, with the overall approach being to give Zhao Gongming a thorough beating and mess with his mindset.

But the karma involved was too great, and it would be unethical for him to do so. It was best to stay out of it.

"It's better to wait for Gongming Senior to learn from his own mistakes and setbacks; forcing intervention won't help."

Li Changshou thought for a bit and added: "If you were in his place, fairy, and your two sisters were lecturing you, how would you feel?"

"If what they said made sense, I would naturally listen," Yunxiao said gently.

"But Gongming Senior… values his pride," Li Changshou said. "The general principles, as a junior, I dare not elaborate.

"You might find a way around that aspect, fairy."

"Ah…"

Yunxiao sighed slowly, standing at the side of the corridor with her brows slightly furrowed, deep in thought.

She was truly worried for her righteous brother.

Li Changshou suddenly felt a sense of empathy and wanted to offer more advice, but he wisely kept his mouth shut.

Firstly, he lacked the right position, and secondly, it would invite unnecessary karma.

Seeing that Yunxiao seemed a bit down, Li Changshou changed the topic and started chatting about paintings.

Since Yunxiao couldn't get any advice from Li Changshou on persuading her elder brother, she set the matter aside for now and strolled with him in the Hai Shen Temple, chatting idly.

This casual walk lasted an entire shichen, which was completely unexpected for Li Changshou…

When Yunxiao bid farewell and left, Li Changshou first felt a sigh of relief, followed by a faint sense of helplessness.

'The value lies in loyalty and righteousness;

The danger also lies in loyalty and righteousness.'

"Tsk, troublesome."

Li Changshou's paper effigy flicked his horsetail whisk and activated Tu Dun, his figure vanishing from the Hai Shen Temple's rear courtyard.

A moment later, on Xiao Qiong Peak, in the pill room's secret chamber.

Li Changshou opened his eyes, performed a transformation technique, and stepped out, letting his true body get some fresh air.

In the royal poker room, the lighting treasures emitted a soft glow.

Li Changshou had originally thought of naming this pavilion 'Si San Le House' and asking Jiu to be the mascot, making it 'Si San Jiu · Xiao Qiong Peak Poker Room.'

Just a joke, of course.

As Li Changshou passed by the poker room, he heard laughter and chatter inside but didn't go in to disturb.

After all, late at night, as a grown man approaching three tipsy women—two beautiful ladies and one fierce female figure—it could lead to some pleasant but unnecessary events.

He walked to the back mountain, checked the spiritual trees he had planted, and then inspected the immortal bean rapid cultivation base enclosed by the great array.

By the time he finished his rounds, dawn had broken, the Golden Crow rising in the east, bringing a restless energy to the world and dispelling the coolness.

He had decided.

In the future, if he had the ability and it wouldn't cause any negative effects to himself, he would moderately offer some advice to Zhao Gongming and help him avoid that fatal calamity…

As long as Zhao Gongming stayed safe, Yunxiao the fairy probably wouldn't get dragged into the Feng Shen catastrophe.

However, this was still very distant.

Li Changshou wasn't even sure when the Feng Shen catastrophe would begin; anyway, in a few decades, he could retire early and avoid wading into that murky water altogether.

Thinking carefully, this matter was indeed quite troublesome.

Suddenly, Li Changshou's immortal senses detected a patrolling disciple flying toward Xiao Qiong Peak on an immortal crane…

Outside the immortal gate, there seemed to be a man and a woman…

Looking for his little master ancestor?

Just as Li Changshou was about to go forward and intercept the disciple to spare his master ancestor and Fu Gui Shangren any awkwardness, he hadn't even summoned a cloud when his immortal senses caught the boundary of the lakeside thatched hut opening wide!

From within came a brazen laugh…

"Ha ha ha!

"From now on, Fu Gui, you're one of Lin Jiang Sanren's people!

"Rest assured, I'll take responsibility for you!"

Then came Wang Qing Shangren's light laugh: "Yes, everything as my wife says."

Wife…

Li Changshou's mouth twitched, feeling a bit of a toothache, and continued strolling through the mountain on his own, not getting involved.

Soon after, the disciple landed in front of the thatched hut and reported that two people outside claimed to be friends of Jiang Lin Er Shishu Zu and were here to see her.

Jiang Lin Er responded somewhat flustered from inside the hut, but the one who emerged was… Wang Qing Shangren.

The disciple tilted his head, then quickly bowed in a daoist salute, his eyes flashing with sharp curiosity.

The path of gossip!

Wang Qing Shangren, in his long robe, said: "She isn't convenient to greet guests; lead the way for me."

"Ah, ah, Master Ancestor, please go ahead; this disciple flies a bit slowly."

"Very well."

Li Changshou observed Wang Qing Shangren discreetly and couldn't help but brighten up.

After a night, Wang Qing Shangren's aura of Dao perfection had grown even stronger!

Could harmonizing yin and yang have such an effect?

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and realized it was because Wang Qing Shangren had resolved his inner knots, achieving a flawless Dao heart.

He naturally didn't believe that dual cultivation helped with crossing the Jin Xian tribulation.

That had no basis in immortal Dao theory.

Meanwhile, in the Three Thousand Worlds, in a small world not far from the Five Parts Continent.

The Great Thousand Worlds and Small Thousand Worlds were formed from the fragments of the ancient Great Wilderness after the Dragon and Phoenix catastrophe.

A Great Thousand World refers to one where yin and yang, the Five Elements are balanced, allowing mortals to live safely, with abundant spiritual and primal energy, and vast territory.

Most Small Thousand Worlds, due to incomplete Five Elements and imperfect Dao, feature strange landscapes.

At that moment, in a Small Thousand World consisting only of a vast ocean, the thousand-zhang waves on the surface gradually calmed, and a battle had just ended at the ocean's bottom.

A three-headed flood dragon covered in black scales lay prostrate in the silt at the bottom, bound tightly by chains of golden light.

Surrounding the flood dragon, three figures parted the water and slowly approached.

If Li Changshou could see this place, he would recognize that these three…

He had dealt with them all before.

The one in the center was the hunchbacked old daoist, the third disciple of the Western Great Saint.

The daoist rhythm around the hunchbacked old daoist was still turbulent, indicating he had used considerable strength to suppress this powerful three-headed flood dragon…

To his left was Wen Jing Daoist in a blood-red gauze robe.

To his right was the young daoist with six golden short blades floating around him…

Jin Chan.

The three-headed flood dragon's eyes burned with anger, beneath which lay despair.

"Western Teachings! Why don't you just kill me!"

Yet, these three figures didn't even glance at him.

The hunchbacked old daoist said calmly:

"This black-scaled flood dragon was originally a leading immortal flood dragon soldier in the West Sea Dragon Palace, with great prestige among them.

"After being expelled from the Dragon Palace over trivial matters, you can subdue him and use him to incite the immortal flood dragons and severely damage the West Sea Dragon Palace."

Wen Jing Daoist nodded calmly.

Jin Chan, standing nearby, cupped his hands and smiled: "Deputy Cult Leader, your vision is profound, beyond what we can match."

"Mm," the hunchbacked old daoist replied indifferently: "Go and subdue his primordial spirit."

Wen Jing Daoist naturally stepped forward, her fingertip gathering blood light, ready to use her blood mosquito technique.

But the hunchbacked old daoist added: "Wen Jing, you already control too many experts. Let Jin Chan handle this flood dragon."

Wen Jing Daoist frowned slightly but said nothing.

Jin Chan lowered his head and moved forward, his peripheral glance catching Wen Jing Daoist, a faint smile playing on his lips.

As Jin Chan approached the flood dragon's massive form, the hunchbacked old daoist turned to Wen Jing Daoist and handed her a thumb-sized blood cocoon, saying indifferently:

"I have a more important task for you.

"This is called the Soul-Locking Blood Butterfly; it can use the power of an incarnation's primordial spirit to lock onto the incarnation's true body.

"In three years, find the true body of the South Sea Hai Shen and deal with it secretly without exposing yourself."

A slight seductive smile curved Wen Jing Daoist's lips as she took the blood cocoon and bowed.

"This subordinate will not disappoint the Deputy Cult Leader."