Chapter 251: Is a Good Person

He didn't keep Wenjing Dao Ren waiting for long before Da Fa Shi returned gracefully.

Remarkably, Da Fa Shi hadn't cast any illusion spells on himself today; his true appearance was exposed to Li Changshou... or rather, to the mosquito on his shoulder.

Yet, Da Fa Shi was still Da Fa Shi. Even though Wenjing Dao Ren had tried hard to hide herself earlier, and Da Fa Shi hadn't been on guard against Li Changshou, he immediately sensed Wenjing Dao Ren's presence.

"Why is she here too?"

"It's because she came earlier to deliver a message to your disciple," Li Changshou quickly explained. "Your disciple will send her away right now."

With that, a burst of Samadhi True Flame surged from his palm, instantly burning the blood mosquito to ashes.

In a certain cave abode, the fierce figure in a red gauze skirt had already leaped into a nearby treasure pool, splashing about in the water.

Pity that no one was there to see it.

Back in the Sea God Temple, Da Fa Shi smiled and asked Li Changshou if his true body planned to return to Duxian Gate to "hide" away.

Li Changshou felt a bit embarrassed but nodded firmly in agreement.

It was absolutely necessary!

He had been on edge during the journey out, but now, with Da Fa Shi personally escorting him back, Li Changshou's heart was filled with a sense of complete contentment.

As a humble officer, Changshou, I am willing to serve Renjiao... well, to shed blood within limits!

This time, Da Fa Shi didn't use any Qiankun Dao techniques. Instead, he carried Li Changshou on a cloud, flying steadily through the night sky, as if something was weighing on his mind.

Li Changshou wondered inwardly if Da Fa Shi had guessed about the Saint's arrangement for him to go on a matchmaking meeting.

Then, perhaps Da Fa Shi wanted this little disciple to take the blame?

That... he couldn't afford it; after all, it involved the renowned Mosquito Dao Ren!

"Changshou, there's something I need to remind you about."

Here it comes!

Li Changshou thought trouble was brewing and quickly bowed in salute, saying, "Your disciple is listening."

"There's no need to be so formal," Da Fa Shi laughed. "Among Renjiao, you are the one who can best share my burdens, and we are the closest.

Well, it's like this—I recently went to Sanxian Island."

Li Changshou: ...

This script seemed to be heading in a completely different direction from what he had imagined.

"You went to Sanxian Island... for what purpose?"

Da Fa Shi patted the shoulder of Li Changshou's paper effigy and said, "Naturally, it was for you. I've thoroughly checked it out for you—Yunxiao Shimei has never felt any romantic inclinations.

Though this also means she doesn't have any interest in you for now, at least no one else will compete with you for her!"

Compete... for her?

Li Changshou couldn't help but tilt his head, question marks slowly forming on his forehead.

What on earth was this about?

Li Changshou was both amused and exasperated, and he hurriedly said, "Da Fa Shi, you don't think your disciple has improper thoughts about Yunxiao Qianbei, do you?"

"Oh?"

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi narrowed his eyes with a smile, his gaze seemingly reflecting the stars, as he said:

"Just ask your own heart and see if you know the truth.

When I was lecturing the Dao, I saw you and Yunxiao Shimei roaming the South Sea—one with a smile in your eyes, the other with a thoughtful brow. That's something you can't fake."

Li Changshou furrowed his brow involuntarily, coughed lightly, and said with a bitter smile:

"To say there's goodwill, there certainly is, but Da Fa Shi, your disciple has goodwill toward more than just one person. I absolutely dare not harbor such delusions about Yunxiao Qianbei."

The key point was that it involved far too much karma.

Seeing that Da Fa Shi was smiling but not speaking, Li Changshou added, "Da Fa Shi, I believe matters of romance should be approached in stages."

"Oh? How so?"

Da Fa Shi suddenly became interested.

Li Changshou explained, "First comes goodwill, then attraction. If there's mutual pull and the conditions are right, they can become a perfect couple."

Da Fa Shi asked again, "What do you mean by 'goodwill'?"

"Boldly speaking my own thoughts," Li Changshou said, "goodwill means thinking someone is admirable—it could stem from their appearance or their personality.

In my case, the goodwill toward Yunxiao Qianbei comes from the latter; her demeanor is truly captivating.

However, for example, in Duxian Gate, I have a bit of goodwill toward a certain Shishu and also toward my own Shimai, but that doesn't involve romantic feelings."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi frowned slightly and asked, "If you have goodwill toward them, why hasn't it led to romantic feelings?"

"There are a few reasons: first, your disciple is focused on cultivation; second, the timing isn't right; third, I must be cautious with matters of marriage."

Li Changshou said seriously:

"The karma of forming a Dao companion is enormous. Tying oneself to someone means bearing all their karma.

Moreover, Da Fa Shi, you once taught me that without a steadfast heart, one lacks steadfast nature."

Da Fa Shi pondered for a moment. "Fearing karma to this extent goes against your true intentions and could hinder your cultivation."

Li Changshou thought for a bit and smiled. "Your disciple believes that goodwill can accumulate.

If it builds up to the point where I'd disregard karma to be with that person, then it's true attraction.

Once my heart is moved, I won't go against my true self or suppress my emotions, as that would contradict your teachings."

"Good," Xuan Du Da Fa Shi nodded in satisfaction. "Actually, you only needed to tell me whether you have goodwill toward Yunxiao Shimei. No need for all this explanation.

What's the matter? Too shy to admit it?"

"But Da Fa Shi, goodwill isn't the same as being moved..."

Da Fa Shi continued, "Yunxiao Shimei also thinks highly of your character."

"Is that so?"

"And she said you're a good person."

"Cough!" Li Changshou lowered his head and coughed twice, once again amused and exasperated.

What kind of situation was this?

Forced matchmaking was the most dangerous!

Da Fa Shi went on, "It's clear that Yunxiao Shimei doesn't dislike you; in fact, she has a bit of admiration. That's already quite an achievement.

But someone like Yunxiao Shimei, who devotes herself entirely to the Great Dao, wouldn't spare a thought for such matters. If you want to win her over, you'll have a long and winding road ahead.

However, since you say you're not truly moved yet, I'll stop meddling in this.

Just let it take its natural course and see what happens."

Then, Da Fa Shi spoke earnestly:

"If there's anything I can help with in this matter, I will;

And if you can bring another expert to aid Renjiao, that would be wonderful."

Li Changshou: ...

Why did it feel like he was being used in a honey trap to poach from Jiejiao?

Fortunately, Da Fa Shi didn't bring it up again. After chatting idly with Li Changshou for a bit more, he escorted him back near Duxian Gate.

The Sea God Festival had entered its dispersal phase, and Li Changshou had already arranged all the necessary tasks, with paper effigies on standby for emergencies, so nothing would go wrong.

As they approached Duxian Gate, Da Fa Shi said:

"Now that you are an official god of the Heavenly Court, under the protection of the Heavenly Dao and enjoying its merits, will your Dao heart and state of mind be affected?"

"Thank you for your concern, Da Fa Shi. Your disciple should be fine."

Li Changshou smiled. "The one who became the Sea God is the South Sea Sea God Li Changgeng. What does that have to do with Li Changshou, the Yuanxian realm disciple in Duxian Gate?"

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi blinked, then burst into laughter, repeatedly praising it as "brilliant."

With that, Da Fa Shi clasped his hands behind his back and stepped forward, vanishing in an instant.

Li Changshou let out a small sigh of relief, then descended toward the forest below. He checked the detection stones on his body and circled around the mountain gate a few times.

By the time dawn was breaking, Li Changshou used Earth Escape to reach the gate of Duxian Gate and called for Ling E to come out and escort him in.

When he had left, Li Changshou had used a small Earth Vein Teleportation Array he had secretly set up in Duxian Gate's ley lines.

That array was one-way and couldn't be reversed; to enter the mountain protection array without causing a disturbance, he still lacked a few array-breaking treasures.

Soon after, Ling E rode a cloud from Xiaoqiong Peak to Potian Peak, retrieved the exit permit, and hurried to the gate.

The gatekeeper, an elderly immortal—cough, an old grandpa—was still uneasy and admonished:

"As a female disciple, you must be extra careful when going out. Your cultivation isn't high, so don't fall victim to any schemes."

Ling E nodded quickly in response, saying she was just going for a stroll nearby to gather some herbs and study alchemy.

Flying out of the gate, Ling E rode her cloud toward the forest where her senior brother had mentioned.

Li Changshou was already waiting there. Seeing Ling E's figure approaching on the clouds from the treetops, he couldn't help but be a little lost in thought.

Ling E had rushed out after receiving the paper effigy's message, without any makeup, but her delicate face was charming, her fair skin endearing.

What was most captivating was her fresh and lively aura, which seemed to overflow under the morning sunlight.

The light green long skirt she wore, cinched with a belt inlaid with yellow jade, highlighted her graceful figure.

Her beauty was exquisite, and her purity was flawless.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly—his junior sister, whom he had watched grow up, was indeed reliable and steady.

Uh, he must have been influenced by Da Fa Shi; he was starting to think about these unnecessary things!

But on second thought, perhaps he should change his attitude toward his junior sister to avoid making her suspicious and let her focus on cultivation?

"Hmm?"

Ling E suddenly stopped ten zhang away, her long eyelashes fluttering. She immediately sensed something was off.

Something's wrong!

Definitely wrong!

"Hmph, Senior Brother, are you testing me again?"

Ling E pouted slightly, huffing discontentedly:

"It's definitely a paper effigy over there. If I go, I'll fall into a trap!

Really, I hurried out as soon as I heard you, without even fixing my hair!"

Li Changshou: ...

He just watched quietly;

Watched as Ling E released two paper figures, cautiously approaching his paper effigy that carried his true body, carefully checking the surrounding fallen leaves and grass, and even gently poking his cheek twice.

Forget it, might as well keep teaching her. She's still far from ready.

Li Changshou shook his head, and the paper effigy transformed into its paper form as his true body emerged from behind it, turning into a small insect.

"Take me back."

Ling E blinked and whispered, "Senior Brother, when did you go out?"

"Guess," Li Changshou said with a calm smile. "If you don't guess, copy the 'Stability Scripture' three hundred times. If you guess wrong, five hundred times."

Ling E: ...

Suddenly, she wanted to leave her smelly senior brother outside!

After the Sea God Festival, the pressure on Li Changshou's shoulders suddenly lifted significantly.

This feeling was quite evident.

Those from Western Cult who had been probing the South Sea God Cult were completely gone;

He had been worried about the Dragon Clan's resistance to the Heavenly Court, but now he saw that the Dragon Clan yearned for it intensely, even willing to go to any lengths to secure low-rank god positions for a group of dragon princes to help them shed their karmic burdens.

Influenced by him, Western Cult adjusted their dragon-taming strategy and began easing pressure on the Dragon Clan, leading to a relaxation in the Four Seas situation.

Next, someone from Western Cult would likely come to him for a friendly exchange.

At that time, Li Changshou would deliberately avoid them and refuse any communication with Western Cult.

Otherwise, they might use it to spin a narrative, making the Dragon Clan think that the Heavenly Court and Western Cult had staged a grand performance.

Naturally, Li Changshou wouldn't fall for such schemes.

Back in the mountains, Li Changshou gathered with his master and junior sister. He shared some matters related to the Heavenly Court with his master and urged his junior sister to cultivate diligently.

This time, Ling E agreed quite readily and announced on the spot that she would go into seclusion for three years, nearly making Li Changshou verify her identity.

Ling E's willingness to seclude herself was partly due to Jiu Jiu Shishu.

Jiu Jiu often stayed in the gaming room, and lately, Qin Xuan Ya had been visiting Xiaoqiong Peak frequently. If Jiu Jiu got bored, she could play games like "Fight the Great God," "Simulate Immortal Life," or "Three Realms Slaughter" with Qin Xuan Ya and Xiong Ling Li.

Moreover, the gaming room on Xiaoqiong Peak had gained another regular member: the fiercely aggressive Jiang Lin Er.

As for Wang Fugui—cough, Forgetfulness Supreme—was in seclusion comprehending the Golden Immortal Dao, Jiang Lin Er was worried about her Dao companion's cultivation and didn't dare to seclude herself for long. She also wanted to keep an eye on the little tree spirit, so she often came to Xiaoqiong Peak to play.

Thus, Ling E didn't need to worry about her little shishu being bored and could focus on cultivation for a while.

Ling E was now full of motivation in her practice.

Recently, many female disciples in the sect had become immortals, undergoing remarkable changes in their demeanor and skin condition!

This strengthened Ling E's resolve to achieve immortality as soon as possible!

If Li Changshou knew that his constant encouragement was less effective than this reason, he wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He might even give her a good spanking—the kind while hanging upside down.

Over the next six months, besides planning and strategizing, Li Changshou focused on one small task—studying divine power.

He had discovered that he could wield the divine power granted by the Heavenly Dao anywhere his immortal sense covered.

Of course, on land, as the Sea God, he was like a fish out of water, unable to do much.

But if his paper effigy was on the open sea, he could exert up to half the effectiveness of his divine power through the effigy's dispersed immortal sense.

The abilities of Sea God divine power included, but were not limited to: triggering tsunamis, guiding schools of fish, aiding the reproduction of sea creatures, and increasing the survival rate of young sea life.

At this stage, it wasn't very useful.

The Sea God Festival also had a massive impact on the Sea God Cult itself, ushering in another boom of temple construction.

The prestige of the Sea God and the Heavenly Emperor quickly spread across the vast southwestern region of the South Jambudvipa continent.

This time, it extended beyond just the coastal areas.

However, Li Changshou had planned the development in advance. He could compete with wild gods for merits but would not encroach on Daoism's incense offerings.

In the blink of an eye, the six months were up.

Li Changshou used his divine sense to notify Ao Yi, asking him to meet his paper effigy at the Sea God Temple in Anshui City.

It was time to officially visit the Heavenly Court, check in at Tongming Hall, punch in at Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and become a full part of the Heavenly Court!

Of course, the one going would still be his true body... series of paper effigies.

'Yunxiao Shimei, how about we make a bet?'

On Sanxian Island, in a secluded cliffside pavilion, the graceful figure meditating on the cushion slowly opened a pair of bright eyes.

"Ah, this Xuan Du Shixiong is unnecessarily disturbing my state of mind with such matters."

Yunxiao flipped her hand, and the painting scroll appeared in her palm. She unrolled it and gazed at it quietly, then shook her head slightly.

"Overthinking will only lead to mental disturbances, which would play right into Xuan Du Shixiong's hands.

Better to let it be, follow my heart, and not worry about it.

Remember, true nature and true self lead to understanding the birth of the Great Dao."

After murmuring a few words, Yunxiao raised her hand and gently pointed, sending the painting scroll flying to a corner of the room, where it hung behind a green curtain.

Then, this outer disciple of Jiejiao smiled faintly, closed her eyes in concentration, and quickly immersed herself in the Great Dao, with faint, profound Dao rhythms swirling around her.