Chapter 250: Human Education Traditional Skills

After Xuandu Shi and the disciples of the two great sages finished their lecture that lasted for two days and one night, they dispelled the barrier around the site and went their separate ways.

It was evident that the immortals from Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao had a very rewarding experience listening to the Dao. The disciples of the sages from both sides seemed to hold Xuandu Shi in even higher regard.

As the saying goes, in the Dao, there is no precedence; the one who attains greater heights is the father.

Ahem, more accurately, in learning, there is no precedence; the one who achieves mastery is the teacher!

Xuandu Shi had cultivated the natural and spontaneous Dao derived from the Taiqing Great Dao, which was extraordinarily profound and indescribable.

Just a single phrase, "Follow your heart within the square and circle to achieve perfect freedom," plunged someone of Guangchengzi's profound realm into deep contemplation for a long time...

Xuandu Shi did not return directly to Doushuai Palace.

He simply instructed Li Changshou to handle the matters of the grand ceremony before they met again, and then he departed to an unknown location.

Setting aside the affairs of the three teachings for now...

The dragons were genuinely excited this time.

The moment the dragon clan's karma on Ao Yi dissipated, the dragon clan, submerged in the endless abyss, clung to it like a lifeline, spotting a glimmer of light...

That very day, they sent a multitude of gifts, and several dragon princes lined up to get acquainted with the Sea God.

How could the Sea God's subordinates have only one great commander?

At the very least, there should be several deputy commanders, junior generals, and team captains, right?

With Ao Yi's successful ascension as an example, the dragon clan was stirred with enthusiasm, truly determined to cling firmly to the Sea God's thigh!

For the dragon clan, the Sea God of the South Sea—no, actually, they should drop the "South Sea" part altogether.

For the dragon clan, the Sea God was no longer just a simple partner.

To that end, the dragon clan quickly prepared a large batch of treasures and arranged everything promptly. Those several hundred sea clan beauties, freshly selected and brought directly from the South Sea Dragon Palace, were just one part of the gifts!

The dragon clan's way of giving gifts was quite unique.

They knew that Li Changshou, as an important figure in Ren Jiao and a key minister in Heaven, would never accept several hundred beauties outright due to concerns for his reputation.

So, they directly gifted him a...

Sea! View! Mansion!

This mansion was located on an immortal island by the South Sea coast, surrounded by water on all sides, and constructed entirely from crystal and jewels.

The estate featured a main hall and four side halls, with interior decorations including flowing curtains, soft beds, luxurious pools with hot springs, and pearl lamps... Essentially, every extravagant item from the Honghuang wilderness that Li Changshou could imagine was there, making it incredibly opulent!

And those several hundred sea clan beauties were merely the attendants provided for the mansion, with the option to replace them every thousand years!

Li Changshou: ...

Indeed, the poverty of Xiaoqiong Peak had limited his pursuits in enjoyment.

What was the point of building a cave dwelling so large and luxurious?

He, along with his junior sister and master, couldn't even fill it up, and it was far less comfortable than a few simple thatched huts by the lake.

If all these expensive things were exchanged for precious materials to refine a top-grade protective array, or even just a simple earthen kang inside... Li Changshou might have accepted it with a smile.

Of course, it would be best if the mansion had the function to expand or shrink, allowing him to pack it up and escape in critical moments...

Li Changshou politely declined this gift of gratitude, keeping only the precious materials.

Turning it into cash was just a joke;

He was now an official god of Heaven, responsible for patrolling the four seas, so he had to pay attention to his image.

But since the gifts hadn't been fully delivered, the dragon clan felt uneasy, and even Ao Yi was asked to plead on their behalf, hoping Li Changshou would accept more benefits...

In the end, Li Changshou could only promise that he would later select a location in the four seas to build his own Sea God cave dwelling and would notify the Dragon Palace in advance.

Only then did the dragon clan feel at ease.

Yet, no sooner had one wave settled than another arose.

—Here, "wave" is used as a noun.

On the late night before the Sea God grand ceremony was about to conclude, Li Changshou looked at the beautiful female fierce souls floating, lying, and standing in the backyard of the Sea God Temple, and nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

The dragon clan's actions were somewhat expected, but what was the underworld getting involved for?

Had someone been spreading rumors that the Sea God was fond of women?

Several underworld experts of Wu clan origin rubbed their hands and chuckled "hehehe" in front of him.

They had carefully selected these fierce souls from the countless unreborn fierce souls in the underworld;

Each one was as beautiful as a flower, with long hair covering their faces and sleeves fluttering, exuding a full exotic charm!

Of course, the emphasis was on their pretty faces and curvaceous figures...

Li Changshou said with a bitter smile, "What is all this about?"

The bull-headed one, having removed his headgear, rubbed his hands and said, "Sea God, it's our first meeting, and we in the underworld don't have any special products to offer.

You see, these... are they okay?"

Li Changshou said seriously, "Do you have some request?"

"After the great virtue of Houtu created the six paths of reincarnation, my master mentioned it repeatedly during my early cultivation.

If the underworld is facing any difficulties, please tell me directly. As long as it's within my capabilities, I will consider it carefully and act accordingly."

One of the Wu clan experts couldn't help but mutter quietly,

"That phrase, 'as long as it's within my capabilities,' is usually followed by 'I will do my best,' right?"

No sooner had he spoken than a fist the size of a sand pot flew over, landing squarely in his abdomen;

The rough face of the speaker turned purple in an instant, and a large hand covered his mouth from behind, muffling any cry of pain before he was dragged to the back of the group.

The other Wu clan members quickly offered apologetic smiles.

Li Changshou said calmly,

"I always handle things based on reality. If I make promises I can't keep, wouldn't that just give others false hope?

That would be unwise.

It's better to listen to the problem first and carefully consider whether I can do it, so that I'm truly being responsible to you all."

Upon hearing this, the Wu clan experts were taken aback, then suddenly enlightened, looking at Li Changshou with eyes full of admiration.

The Wu clan, throughout Honghuang history, had the lowest average resistance to deception.

The bull-headed one, having lost his headgear and thus his soul, couldn't help but give Li Changshou a thumbs-up and laughed, "Sea God, you're truly extraordinary. We actually don't have any specific requests; we just saw the dragon clan sending beauties and wanted to show our appreciation too."

Pausing for a moment, the bull-headed one's eyes reddened, his lips trembling as he said sorrowfully,

"Sea God, those of us working in the underworld... it's tough."

"Oh?"

Li Changshou furrowed his brows and asked hurriedly, "The underworld is an institution established by the Heavenly Dao, so it should receive the merits of the Heavenly Dao. Has something gone wrong?"

"So you know about that," the bull-headed one immediately changed his expression, laughing awkwardly, "I was just complaining casually. Actually, working in the underworld is manageable."

Li Changshou: ...

"Sea God, it's like this," said a middle-aged man beside the bull-headed one, who appeared somewhat wise, taking the initiative to speak.

"We wanted to ask for your advice.

When we entered the underworld, we swore to the Heavenly Dao that we would never interfere in the Wu-Yao war, and that we would treat the true spirits of Wu and Yao equally in reincarnation.

For this reason, our lineage, which followed Niangniang Houtu into the underworld, quickly fell out with the other Wu clan members."

The bull-headed one continued, "Later, when the Wu-Yao war ended, both the Wu clan and the Yao clan were losers. The Yao clan had their sage's lady protecting them, leaving them a way out, but for us Wu clan...

Sigh, we had to struggle in the bitter cold of Beiju Luzhou. It might seem better than the Yao clan, but it's really about the same."

Li Changshou nodded slowly.

Then the bull-headed one cursed, "And I don't know which loudmouth gave the North Continent Wu clan a bad idea!

They actually tried to replace the human race with the Wu people and supported that Chiyou!

In the end, Emperor Xuanyuan defeated Chiyou, and the Wu clan nearly lost everything. Now, the situation for the North Continent Wu clan is probably even worse!"

Li Changshou cleared his throat and said, "I'm also of human origin."

"Uh, Sea God, you're not from the sea, are you? This is a bit..."

"Oh, how awkward..."

"Hahaha," Li Changshou laughed heartily a few times, having already formed a plan in his mind.

Clearly, to gain merits in the underworld, he needed to first help the North Continent Wu clan solve their survival problems.

In the past, the Wu clan and the human race were allies, fighting together against the Yao clan, but it was the war between Chiyou and Xuanyuan that completely soured relations between the Wu clan and the human race.

In this matter, he had to consider the interests of the human race—it was a fundamental principle he couldn't forget.

Play it safe; don't make promises lightly.

Li Changshou said, "How about this: Within a hundred years, I will make a trip to Beiju Luzhou. Though I can't lift the restrictions or lead them away from Beiju Luzhou, I can try to improve their living environment."

"Re-really?"

"Of course."

These Wu clan experts immediately grinned widely, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.

As the bull-headed ones left, they deliberately played dumb and didn't take the five hundred female fierce souls, but Li Changshou stopped them and sent them back.

Fierce souls couldn't reincarnate, mostly because they harbored unresolved grudges;

Such souls would wander in the underworld, gradually depleting their spiritual power until they returned to their true spirit state and entered the six paths of reincarnation.

By doing this, Li Changshou had done a good deed. In front of the bull-headed ones, he recited the Daoist Du Ren Jing and the Toward Life Mantra, dispelling the resentment of these fierce souls.

Once these fierce souls transformed into normal souls, they knelt before Li Changshou one by one. He nodded in acceptance of their bow, thus resolving the karma.

It was just a simple effort on his part, costing only a bit of immortal power and involving no karma.

—Due to Heavenly Dao restrictions, underworld agents couldn't use such spells.

After seeing off the underworld group, Li Changshou felt a bit tired.

Before he could check on the closing ceremony of the Sea God grand ceremony, a faint buzzing sound reached his ear, and Daoist Wen Jing, like a diligent little bee, came to deliver a message...

This time, it was half congratulations and half a report.

According to Daoist Wen Jing, the disciples of the Western Teachings, upon seeing the Sea God receive a divine position from Heaven and use it to cleanse Ao Yi's karma, had realized that Heaven intended to take a share of the dragon clan.

Now, the Western Teachings had changed their strategy, deciding to "share the dragon" with Heaven.

Li Changshou felt a real headache upon hearing this news...

The situation he worried about the most had occurred.

The Western Teachings were unwilling to be used as tools and had timely adjusted their overall strategy, choosing to engage in a gradual contest with Heaven and Ren Jiao later to divide the dragon clan...

This way, they wouldn't completely waste their earlier investments and could avoid directly clashing with Heaven, which was supported by Ren Jiao and overseen by Dao Ancestor.

One could only say, great teachings have no fools.

But it didn't matter; Li Changshou's efforts over the years hadn't been in vain. This strategy from the other side was within his expectations.

It just meant the pressure would be greater later, and they would need to make some adjustments...

After finishing the serious business, Daoist Wen Jing added,

"Congratulations to you, sir, on officially becoming the god of the four seas. From now on, under the protection of the Heavenly Dao, it's truly enviable."

Li Changshou casually changed the subject: "Wen Jing, do you still want to see Xuandu Shi again at this time?"

Daoist Wen Jing's "buzz" trembled slightly, "Actually... it doesn't matter if I see him or not..."

"Then forget it."

"Don't! Don't forget it!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou couldn't help but smile, while Daoist Wen Jing's true form gritted her teeth in frustration but only said in a coquettish tone,

"Sir, please don't tease me. I'll hurry over right away..."

"Ah, your true form shouldn't move recklessly, to avoid drawing attention. Just let this divine sense stay here for now; Xuandu Shi will come to find me, so you can see him that way."

Li Changshou said earnestly, "Once you leave the Western Teachings in the future, I will formally introduce you."

"Thank you, sir!"

In the cave dwelling at the foot of Ling Mountain, Daoist Wen Jing sat up straight, her breathing quickening and her expression filled with anticipation, though she patiently continued to wait.

As for where Xuandu Shi had gone for half a day, Li Changshou wondered, but Xuandu Shi was as elusive as a dragon, so guessing blindly wouldn't yield any results.

Looking at the blood mosquito on his shoulder, Li Changshou couldn't help but chuckle to himself—this was a date arranged by the sage himself.

Of course, nothing would come of Xuandu Shi and Daoist Wen Jing; they were just too mismatched.

Deep in the East Sea, on Sanxian Island, in a pavilion, two young women were sneaking around in the distance, pretending to listen intently, with Qiongxiao holding a seashell-shaped treasure.

In the pavilion, Xuandu Shi kept smiling with narrowed eyes, recounting stories from the three teachings.

Yunxiao listened quietly beside him, unaware of the purpose behind this sudden visit from Daoism's senior brother.

"Xuandu Shixiong," Yunxiao said softly, "You have important matters to attend to. If you have something to say, please speak directly."

"This, haha, ahem," Xuandu Shi cleared his throat and said, "Yunxiao Shimei, you have cultivated since ancient times. I wonder if you have ever considered taking a Dao companion?"

Yunxiao chuckled and replied, "The two little sisters over there eavesdropping on us—are they not my Dao companions?"

"The Dao companion I mean is not that kind, but the other kind," Xuandu Shi said seriously. "As someone who cultivates the natural Dao, I understand its essence well.

Since you were born as a woman, you also have the opportunity for such a companionship."

Yunxiao's expression remained unchanged, still as gentle and distant as ever.

She said lightly, "I have never had a Dao companion, nor have I ever had such thoughts.

Shixiong, is your visit today to inquire about this?"

Xuandu Shi laughed and said, "It's not exactly inquiring; just checking. If not, that's good; if not, that's even better.

And please don't misunderstand, Shimei; I'm not the one asking about this."

As he spoke, Xuandu Shi took out a scroll from his sleeve. "Shimei, please take a look. Do you recognize the person in this painting?"

"The person in the painting?"

Yunxiao was a bit puzzled as she took the scroll and slowly unrolled it, seeing a handsome man inside, with sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and a smiling expression.

This was not a mere painting but a product of a divine ability that imprinted an inner image.

"Though I don't recognize him, he looks somewhat familiar, as if I've seen him somewhere."

"You have indeed seen him just these past few days."

"This is..."

Yunxiao's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but cover her mouth with a light laugh, her usually aloof face gaining a touch of liveliness.

"So it's him? Always pretending to be so aged every day, just as he said, afraid that if his true appearance is revealed, people will think he's unreliable in his duties.

What a huge difference!"

Xuandu Shi's spirit stirred, sensing the subtle change in Yunxiao's previously calm demeanor.

Could there really be a chance?