Chapter 249: Is Cashing Out Possible?

The fairy who had arrived but chose not to reveal herself was naturally Yunxiao.

Only someone of her exceptional skill could evade detection by Xuan Du Shi, Zhao Gongming, and others from a distance of dozens of *li*.

Clearly, the others were unaware that Yunxiao Xianzi was hiding here.

Li Changshou had accidentally discovered the fairy's presence using the Heavenly Dao's "divine tool," and upon sensing it, she no longer concealed herself, flying openly toward the Cloud Ascending Platform.

She simply hadn't wished to appear, not that she couldn't.

In the air, Li Changshou turned his head for a few glances. From this distant angle, viewing the fairy, he felt even more...

“Congratulations, Sea God!”

A burst of laughter rang out as Yue Lao, dressed in wedding robes, appeared in the clouds, leading a large group of Heavenly Court civil and military officials forward. They bowed repeatedly to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou withdrew his distant gaze, turned to face the Heavenly Court immortals, and returned their bows with a *dao yi*, engaging in familiar small talk.

What did the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court fear most?

It was undoubtedly his subordinates forming factions and undermining divine authority.

Li Changshou had prepared for this in advance. He exchanged pleasantries with the immortals and gods, but always maintained a slight distance—polite enough not to offend, yet not growing close to any except his old friend Yue Lao.

After the immortals had offered their congratulations, Dong Mu Gong arrived on a cloud and said with a smile,

“Sea God, attend to your mortal affairs for now. Within three years, you must report to the Tongming Hall for duty and receive imperial decrees.”

Li Changshou performed a *dao yi* and replied, “Today, I have been granted the position of a proper god by His Majesty, and I owe much to Dong Mu Gong's ongoing support over the years.”

“Sea God, you're too kind,” Dong Mu Gong said with a laugh. “From now on, we will serve as colleagues in the same hall, both devoted to His Majesty. If I ever act improperly, please remind me, Sea God.”

“You're too modest, Dong Mu Gong.”

The pair of genuine and false old immortals exchanged smiles, their understanding unchanged.

With all necessary formalities complete, Dong Mu Gong bid farewell to the Heavenly Court immortals and gods. Streaks of golden light appeared in the sky, guiding the heavenly soldiers and generals back to the South Heaven Gate.

Throughout, the Heavenly Court immortals and gods were enveloped in Heavenly Dao power, protected by it—this was one of the Heavenly Court's major advantages...

However, after carefully observing the subtle expressions of the Three Teachings' immortals, Li Changshou noticed they remained entirely unmoved from start to finish.

Cultivation was about seeking freedom, so why bind oneself with heavenly rules?

The immortals of the Three Teachings were already under the shelter of saints, so they naturally had no interest in the Heavenly Court.

In his heart, Li Changshou recalled the surface cause of the Feng Shen calamity: the disciples of the Three Teachings disregarded authority and disobeyed the Heavenly Emperor's orders, leading the Heavenly Emperor to weep in Zixiao Palace, where Daozu summoned the Three Pure Ones to sign the Feng Shen list.

Incidents like “Emperor Xin composing a poem to insult Lady Wa, prompting her to send the three demons in anger,” were events born from the workings of fate—by then, the great calamity had already begun.

The Three Teachings' immortals looked down on the Heavenly Court, and they had the confidence to do so.

In contrast, the Dragon Clan experts were visibly excited, with many elder dragons tearfully watching the small green dragon tumbling amid the dark clouds and thunder.

Today, Li Changshou showed considerable loyalty by not going down to greet the honored guest directly. Instead, he stood quietly in the air, waiting for Ao Yi to complete his transformation.

Below, countless mortals knelt and kowtowed incessantly. Some thought the Sea God was ascending to heaven and leaving them, from eighty-year-old women to sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girls in the bloom of youth, all weeping bitterly and showing extreme reluctance.

Fortunately, Li Changshou sent a voice transmission to the Bear Village spirit messengers, who then shared several rhymes he had previously composed, spreading basic knowledge about the Heavenly Court on the spot...

The Sea God had merely received an award from the Heavenly Emperor and would continue to protect the shores of the Four Seas and look after the fishermen.

They also announced that from now on, Sea God temples would display portraits of the Heavenly Emperor;

The Heavenly Emperor was the leader of all immortals, overseeing them all...

The crying at the Sea God ceremony quickly ceased, replaced by joyous cheers as the people praised the Heavenly Emperor endlessly.

Once Ao Yi burst from the dark clouds, his thousand-*zhang* dragon body soared into the sky. He then dove toward Li Changshou, shrinking his form to dozens of *zhang*, and voluntarily settled at Li Changshou's feet.

The green dragon let out a deep roar: “Big brother teacher!”

Li Changshou shook his head slightly in refusal, but the green dragon stubbornly lowered his head, lifting Li Changshou directly onto his back.

Then, carrying Li Changshou, the green dragon danced and soared through the skies, drawing thousands of dragons to follow in a grand display over the South Sea.

Unfortunately, Li Changshou was dressed in simple robes, without majestic armor, a helmet, or a gleaming golden trident in hand.

Otherwise, paired with lines like snowflakes drifting and north winds howling, it would have been perfect...

At this point, Ao Yi's cultivation had reached the mid-Tianxian stage, equivalent to that of human qi refiners.

This left Li Changshou quite *gankai*. Races that relied on bloodline for advancement were simply unreasonable.

Human cultivation required comprehending the Great Dao, while the Dragon Clan just needed to harness their own bloodline...

No point in envying it, no point at all.

After flying over the South Sea for a while, Li Changshou leaped onto a cloud. Ao Yi's dragon body shimmered with golden light as he transformed into human form and jumped to Li Changshou's side, grinning a bit sheepishly.

Li Changshou frowned and said, “Why is there still no change when you're in human form?”

Ao Yi glanced down at his youthful body and said with some frustration, “It might be because of that nightmare from my younger days that hasn't fully faded...”

“Uh,” Li Changshou patted Ao Yi's shoulder, “Don't worry too much about it. This form isn't bad.

Well... at least it makes you look young.”

Ao Yi had several black lines on his forehead and couldn't help but laugh and cry.

Those cold-faced old daoists from back then were still nowhere to be found, leaving Ao Yi unable to settle the score even if he wanted to.

The true dragons and *jiaolong* following behind them flew ahead toward the Sea God ceremony, each transforming into human form and lining up to guard the South Sea coast.

Li Changshou rode the clouds with Ao Yi toward the ceremony.

“Big brother teacher, now that we have positions in the Heavenly Court, what should we do next?”

“Nothing much for now. Just wait for your father and the others to discuss and decide.”

“My father and the others should have reached a decision by now.”

Li Changshou said, “Probably in about half a year, I'll report to the Heavenly Court. Do you want to go with me then?”

Ao Yi nodded firmly. “Just call me anytime, big brother!”

“The burdens on your shoulders will only grow heavier,” Li Changshou said. “If you have any troubles, doubts, or uncertainties, come talk to me anytime. Don't get stuck in a dead end or go charging into a dragon horn tip.”

“Okay,” Ao Yi replied with a smile.

The young man's smile was so pure that even Li Changshou felt a bit... self-conscious.

The Sea God ceremony continued;

But the main event was over, and what followed were internal celebrations within the Sea God faith.

Li Changshou invited the Three Teachings' immortals to return to the Sea God Temple for tea, and asked Ao Yi to host the Dragon Clan and underworld guests for the ongoing festivities.

Shi took on the demeanor of a host and invited Guang Chengzi, Gui Ling Shengmu, Zhao Gongming, Chi Jingzi, and Wudang Shengmu—disciples directly taught by saints—to join in discussing the Dao and sharing insights with the Daoist disciples present.

This was a tremendous opportunity, making the immortals of the Chan and Jie Teachings feel that their trip had been worthwhile.

Even someone as esteemed as Guang Chengzi looked forward to it, for while they knew Xuan Du Shi was unfathomable, they had no idea just how profound their senior brother's Dao was...

Engaging in discussion together would at least give them some insight.

Thus, the back hall of the Sea God Temple became the venue for the Dao discourse. Shi lightly flicked his sleeve, setting up a barrier around the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou, however, slipped away early and didn't join in.

Though he wanted to listen to Shi's discourse, his current situation meant his heavenly tribulation was imminent, just a few tremors away. If listening to the Dao triggered those tremors prematurely, things could spiral out of control.

For now, his chances of successfully passing the tribulation could still be improved with a few more strategies;

To be safe, Li Changshou didn't want to risk that missing one percent...

A man had to learn to control himself.

As soon as Li Changshou left the Sea God Temple, a voice transmission entered his ear.

“Why aren't you going to listen to the senior brothers and sisters discuss the Dao?”

Turning his head, he saw Yunxiao Xianzi standing in the clouds, dressed in a simple white gown, her hair in a modest updo, elegant and utterly refined, her clear eyes reflecting her graceful features.

Li Changshou said with a bitter smile,

“The ceremony hasn't concluded yet, and as the Sea God, I can't just hide here and neglect all these devotees who came to offer incense.

I would like to go, though.”

Yunxiao Xianzi listened to Li Changshou's slight complaint and smiled faintly at the corners of her mouth.

Li Changshou performed a *dao yi*, and Yunxiao nodded gently, tilting her body slightly to half-accept the gesture.

Li Changshou asked, “Does Xianzi have important matters?”

“Not really. I followed my elder brother here because I was a bit worried about him.”

Yunxiao said softly, “My elder brother was upset about not receiving an invitation from you, so yesterday he went to Sanxian Island to complain to me and my younger sisters.

I figured that since you're holding a ceremony for your incense faith, it must involve serious business, and you likely decided not to invite him after careful consideration.

But seeing how downcast he was, I let him come and confront you directly.”

Li Changshou...

No wonder!

He had thought Zhao Gongming would consider his pride and not show up uninvited, but apparently...

Li Changshou sighed and said, “Xianzi, would you care to take a walk over the South Sea? I should explain this properly.”

“Very well,” Yunxiao nodded lightly and rode the clouds alongside Li Changshou, maintaining a distance of about three *chi*.

Handling his relationships with Zhao Gongming and Yunxiao was truly tricky.

He couldn't afford to make enemies, nor could he get too close, lest he get entangled in karma and end up challenging saints together.

So, Li Changshou briefly explained that today's events were just a performance for the Dragon Clan, showing them a path to the Heavenly Court, and there was no need to involve Zhao Gongming...

After listening and pondering briefly, Yunxiao sighed lightly and said softly,

“You've thought this through well. Such an occasion didn't require my elder brother to appear.

It was my oversight that led him to come, drawing in the experts from the two teachings and even alarming Xuan Du Shixiong.”

Li Changshou praised her inwardly and quickly said, “Please don't blame yourself, Xianzi. From the results, this turned out extremely well and even strengthened my background, giving the Western forces more to worry about when they plot against me.”

Yunxiao asked quietly, “Why are you so wary of the West?

With your grand master standing behind you, even if the West has two saints, they shouldn't dare trouble you.”

Li Changshou's heart stirred, deciding to say something to Yunxiao;

He cupped his fists toward the air with both hands;

Yunxiao immediately understood, waving her hand lightly to create a layer of mist around Li Changshou, then blinking gently to signal he could speak freely.

“I have a few presumptuous words; Xianzi, take them as mere amusement.”

Li Changshou transmitted, “Xianzi, in what situations do you think a saint would directly intervene, using their saintly power to fight others?”

Yunxiao fell into thought, but before she could answer, Li Changshou continued,

“Then, in what situations would a saint directly act against someone who hasn't achieved sainthood?

And similarly, when would a saint act against the disciples of another saint?

In my view, one shouldn't rely on a saint's protection and become complacent. As long as you're not a saint, you're still just an ant. We must guard against it, absolutely, and never act rashly in desperation.”

Yunxiao sank into contemplation.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, unsure what influence his words might have on Yunxiao Xianzi or if they could make her more restrained in the upcoming Feng Shen calamity...

When Yunxiao left, she thanked Li Changshou, seeming to have gained some insight, though still deep in thought.

She had only come to take a look and hadn't gone to the discourse because she wanted to leave quickly. She merely strolled with Li Changshou through the South Sea skies and chatted for a while.

Watching Yunxiao Xianzi's figure fade into the distance, Li Changshou felt an inexplicable sense of ease and joy in his heart.

He tested the detection ability of the small golden fork beside his *yuan shen* and found it had limitations.

By the time he pursued about 14,000 *li*, her figure was gone...

‘It must be related to one's own strength,’ he thought.

Li Changshou smiled to himself, planning to spend time later developing the uses of his ‘divine power.’

Turning his gaze back to the Sea God ceremony area, Li Changshou couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

The Dragon Clan had moved incredibly fast this time.

Box after box of treasures had already been delivered, and they even brought hundreds of beautiful attendants as a ‘gift’ to celebrate the Sea God's ascension.

How could this be given openly!

Ahem, he definitely wouldn't accept them!

Li Changshou really wanted to go over and ask if they could exchange these attendants for array foundation materials instead...

At that moment, these hundreds of attendants were not only troubling Li Changshou but also puzzling the underworld visitors, who had been keeping a low profile.

The Niu Tou was squatting in a corner with several Wu Clan experts, watching the Dragon Clan's gift procession on the beach, looking troubled.

“These Dragon Clan old fellows are quick on their feet. We just started thinking about how to flatter the Sea God, and they've already sent gifts.”

“Marshal, what do we do? The underworld is dirt poor, jingling with every step. We can't compete with treasures.

And our female Wu warriors are all built like sledgehammers—who'd want to send them?”

Niu Tou gritted his teeth and whispered, “Isn't it just about sending specialties?

Hmph! They've got plenty of sea race beauties in their waters, but does the underworld lack pretty female ghosts?

Go on, send someone to capture a few hundred unrepentant female malignant ghosts who can't reincarnate!”

The other Wu Clan experts' eyes lit up at once.