Chapter 278: The King of Poetry

The Heavenly Court truly seems to have lost its former prestige these days.

The vanguard army, composed of tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers mixed with the elite Dragon Clan and Xianjiao troops, was in high spirits, yet someone dared to block their path midway.

The key point was... they actually succeeded in blocking it.

This old Daoist who suddenly appeared had a profound aura and intense pressure, his Dao realm far surpassing that of a Jin Xian.

Li Changshou's current cultivation level was barely passable, and he had close encounters with top experts below the saints, such as the Grand Mage, Zhao Gong, and the gentle Yunxiao Fairy.

The old Daoist in brown robes unleashed his full pressure upon appearing, openly revealing his cultivation, which was indeed astonishing. But to Li Changshou's direct perception, this person's Dao realm seemed inferior to the strongest disciples of the Daoist schools...

However, in this place, the old Daoist was fully capable of intimidating the heavenly generals of the Heavenly Court.

What the Heavenly Court lacked most at this time was high-end combat power.

Li Changshou's paper effigy had limited strength and a limited detection range. As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Dongmu Gong stood up beside him.

Dongmu Gong sighed,

"You see, you see!

How can the commander act recklessly? Now that we've run into trouble, we're on the defensive everywhere.

Sea God, please lead the army from behind. I'll go ahead and check things out."

"Wood Gong, let me go."

Li Changshou stood up, his face extremely serious. "This Daoist is no ordinary figure. It's best not to clash with him."

Dongmu Gong didn't dare take it lightly upon hearing this and immediately agreed.

Li Changshou flicked his dust whisk, his figure turning into a faint wisp of green smoke, merging into the sea breeze and vanishing in the blink of an eye over several thousand li.

Who was this old Daoist?

He shouted that these great demons were the orphaned remnants of the Yao Court, holding a large gourd that was purple with a hint of white. His appearance was quite ordinary, a common old Daoist template in the Hong Huang.

In the Hong Huang, there were countless great masters of divine abilities. To be safe, Li Changshou couldn't simply identify him based on just the gourd.

This old Daoist was likely of Yao Clan origin or had deep ties with the Yao Clan...

But...

Wasn't it a bit misguided to seek recognition from the current Three Realms Heavenly Court by invoking the ancient Yao Court?

At that moment, Li Changshou could only make some rough guesses. Worried that the Jade Emperor's incarnation might be injured, he exerted his full effort in wind escape.

The strategy to suppress the demons was his idea.

The Jade Emperor's incarnation wanted to experience the romance of men, and it was Li Changshou, as the Sea God, who had just dissuaded Dongmu Gong and encouraged the Jade Emperor's incarnation to go.

If the Jade Emperor were beaten or even his incarnation destroyed, the Heavenly Court's face would be lost, becoming a joke in the Hong Huang. The saint masters might even doubt the capabilities of this junior disciple!

However...

Even though Li Changshou was confident in his escape techniques and arrived at the vanguard's location as quickly as possible, he was still a step too late.

There was no way around it; the first words from Yuan Shuai Ritian's mouth had directly provoked the old Daoist.

"How dare you!"

Hua Ritian furrowed his sword-like brows and pointed his sword forward. "Remnants of the Yao Court dare to block the Heavenly Court army!"

As the Jade Emperor's incarnation spoke, Li Changshou's figure had just appeared at Hua Ritian's left side.

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou nearly knelt in shock.

This was beyond reckless...

No, this wasn't recklessness; recklessness meant acting foolishly without assessing the situation.

This was sheer boldness! True boldness!

Li Changshou realized in that moment that the Jade Emperor hadn't taken this old Daoist seriously at all.

The Jade Emperor had the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor behind him, and as the nominal ruler of the Three Realms, even the six saint masters were his senior brothers and sisters!

What did he have to fear?

Today, this old Daoist was not only obstructing the Heavenly Court's affairs but also trying to use the ancient Yao Court to pressure the current Heavenly Court, which was like trampling the Jade Emperor's dignity and grinding it underfoot.

Most likely, the Jade Emperor was already thinking of eliminating this old Daoist to bolster the Heavenly Court's might!

Moreover, it seemed the Jade Emperor's incarnation had its own confidence...

Li Changshou quickly analyzed this in his mind, reaffirming his own position and reminding himself to stick to his principles.

Yuan Shuai Ritian shouted again, "Where are all the soldiers?"

The heavenly generals and soldiers behind him roared in unison, "Awaiting the Yuan Shuai's command!"

Their voices shook the nine heavens, their momentum rushing to the stars!

The old Daoist in brown robes widened his eyes; the word "remnants" had already enraged him. He bellowed,

"You, this heavenly general, relying on your protective merit, think no one can touch you!?

Or do you want to fight me?"

With that, the old Daoist's beard and hair flew wildly, his entire body maintaining a shocking pressure as vast thunderclouds condensed from immortal power behind him!

Hua Ritian showed no fear, raising his long sword high. A beam of golden light descended from the nine heavens, refracting into thousands of rays that enveloped him!

Bathed in the golden light, Hua Ritian held his sword aloft, his body plated with golden divine power, his eyes surging with golden light as he stared down the old Daoist.

For a moment, he neutralized most of the old Daoist's pressure, greatly boosting the morale of the heavenly soldiers!

The old Daoist glared...

He had used his magical power to intimidate, yet this Heavenly Court general ignored it completely. In fact, this general seemed annoyed that he hadn't attacked quickly enough and was about to strike first.

Was there any justice left?

Did the Hong Huang still follow the rule of the strongest fist?

The old Daoist roared, "Fine! Today, I will cut down this arrogant heavenly general!"

He slapped his right hand on the purple gourd, and a beam of light shot from its mouth, rising three zhang and instantly forming a cloud of smoke with a pair of cold eyes glaring fixedly at the Jade Emperor's incarnation!

The old Daoist's beard and hair whipped about, his aura suddenly becoming razor-sharp, a murderous intent sweeping the field!

"Fix!"

The old Daoist shouted lightly, and two beams of white light shot from the eyes above the gourd, aimed straight at Hua Ritian's forehead!

Before the white light could hit, the old Daoist was already chanting the incantation:

"Command the treasure to turn!"

"Wait!"

A loud shout rang out as a figure blocked Hua Ritian's path, white hair flying, dust whisk waving, arms spread wide, expression resolute.

It was as if he were saying, "If you're going to cut him down, cut me first!"

The old Daoist's words faltered, but this technique couldn't be stopped once activated; if the treasure was unleashed and didn't strike, it would harm the user himself.

The word "turn" had already left his lips!

The two beams of white light struck Li Changshou, and a sharp edge pierced through. Li Changshou's spirit trembled, and he saw a vast sea of blood surging toward him.

In that instant, Li Changshou's spiritual sense jolted, and he instinctively severed the connection between his true body and this paper effigy. The vision vanished instantly, and the sharp sensation dissipated!

Was this the Zhan Xian Fei Dao?!

Li Changshou felt the helplessness of that brief moment, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead...

What a terrifying treasure!

His paper effigy had no resistance at all!

He had nearly injured his true body!

But it seemed it wasn't a real flying knife taking a head; rather, it targeted the Yuan Shen and severed it...

Li Changshou had no time to think further and quickly activated the paper effigy hidden in the sleeve of his Sea God paper effigy, his mind swiftly returning to the West Sea.

As soon as his mind settled, he heard Yuan Shuai Ritian's furious roar:

"How dare you harm a rightful god of the Heavenly Court!"

This paper effigy emerged from his sleeve and saw golden light arcs slashing across the sea, fiercely smashing toward the old Daoist.

The paper effigy that had been struck by the Zhan Xian Fei Dao...

Had lost its head!

Its body deflated rapidly, strands of immortal power leaking out.

Meanwhile, Hua Ritian, clad in golden armor and wielding a sword of golden light, with nine golden dragon shadows coiling around him, chased the old Daoist, hacking wildly.

The old Daoist had initially disdained to dodge and intended to withstand Hua Ritian's attacks, but the golden light contained a trace of Heavenly Dao power, shaking his Great Dao and alarming him, so he quickly retreated.

For a time, Hua Ritian held the upper hand in momentum, and the heavenly generals on either side immediately ordered teams of soldiers to encircle and form arrays.

Seeing the Sea God beheaded and their commander so fierce, the Dragon Clan experts were eager to join the fight, ready to swarm and smash the old Daoist.

But the Dragon Clan experts sent messages, telling them to hold steady for now.

At that moment, Li Changshou could see that the Jade Emperor's incarnation was at the late Jin Xian stage, equivalent to a seasoned sixth- or seventh-grade Jin Xian general.

The reason he had the old Daoist dodging left and right was entirely due to the enhancement of that golden light.

After just a few exchanges, the old Daoist's figure flashed to several hundred zhang away, his left hand holding the treasured gourd. In the cloud three zhang above the gourd, that pair of cold, merciless eyes opened again!

"Fix!"

The old Daoist shouted, and Hua Ritian's figure froze in midair.

Once again, the old Daoist prepared to activate the Zhan Xian Fei Dao, but Li Changshou's shout arrived first!

"Wait!"

A surge of water flowed, and Li Changshou's figure appeared swiftly before the Jade Emperor's incarnation, holding his dust whisk and staring directly at the old Daoist.

The old Daoist and Hua Ritian were both stunned, glancing at the earlier "headless corpse," only to find it gone.

Yuan Shuai Ritian exclaimed joyfully, "Sea God, you're unharmed!"

"Hmph, so it was just an incarnation!"

The old Daoist narrowed his eyes and sneered.

At that very moment, golden light flashed around Hua Ritian, breaking the immobilization technique.

Li Changshou was truly afraid that the Jade Emperor's incarnation would charge forward and get cut down by Lu Ya.

Li Changshou transmitted his voice:

"Your Majesty, let me handle this old Daoist. The gourd in his hand is no trivial matter. I can dismiss him with a few words."

"No problem!"

Hua Ritian spoke directly, stepping in front of Li Changshou and saying calmly, "Let him strike."

With that, Hua Ritian placed his left hand behind his back, his right hand holding the long sword.

His hidden left hand became somewhat transparent, deliberately showing Li Changshou its main composition.

It was merit...

An incarnation formed purely from Heavenly Dao merit, a merit golden body!

Li Changshou's eyes reddened at the sight.

He had risked his life scheming, gathering incense and serving the Jade Emperor as a junior official, calculating this and that, all to earn some merit and form a merit golden body as a protective layer against karma.

But here, the Jade Emperor's incarnation for experiencing life was a pure, detached merit golden body!

Today, he even planned to use this merit golden body against the old Daoist.

If the Zhan Xian Fei Dao struck, heavenly retribution would likely follow immediately!

"Your Majesty," Li Changshou transmitted, "If the commander is struck, it will severely damage the Heavenly Court's morale. We're here to enhance the Heavenly Court's and Your Majesty's prestige, not to quarrel with this old Daoist."

The Jade Emperor's incarnation nodded slightly upon hearing this and transmitted back, "I saw you get struck earlier and wanted to destroy this old Daoist today, but that was shortsighted.

My dear minister, do you have a clever plan?"

"Your Majesty, allow me to try."

"Very well!"

The Jade Emperor's incarnation nodded gently, and Li Changshou stepped forward with his dust whisk, facing the old Daoist directly.

The old Daoist chuckled coldly and said indifferently, "What's this? Made your decision? Since your incarnation was already cut by me, you should know the power of my treasure!

Withdraw quickly and leave a way out for the Yao Clan!"

"Who are you, Daoist?" Li Changshou frowned and asked.

"I am..."

"Daoist, you neither state your origins nor explain the causes, yet you block the Heavenly Court's rightful army and expect us to retreat out of respect for you.

How are we to know the weight of your face?"

Li Changshou flicked his dust whisk and smiled lightly.

The old Daoist furrowed his brows slightly, then made his decision.

He shouted lightly,

"Listen well!

I am a recluse in seclusion, rarely involving myself, riding a crane in leisure.

I have comprehended the truths of cultivation and the Dao of heaven and earth; in the blink of an eye, the great calamity has passed.

I did not go to Xuan Du to bow to Tai Qing, nor to Yu Xu to make promises.

Now, I have mastered the Li Huo method; with my treasure released, heads will fall.

How about that? Is this face enough?"

Li Changshou pondered carefully; this old Daoist was cautious, revealing no true background.

But the Zhan Xian Fei Dao...

This was practically Lu Ya's calling card!

From Lu Ya stepping forward for the Yao Clan and calling them "orphaned remnants," Li Changshou had a rough idea of his origins.

After Lu Ya finished his verse, Li Changshou cupped his hands and smiled, "I'm afraid that's not enough."

"Oh?"

Li Changshou laughed and said,

"Daoist, listen to my background and see if it's enough to make you retreat today.

Listen well!

I am a disciple of the Ren School from the mountains, summoned by the master to enter the heavens.

I wander without burdens, with old friends among the immortals of the three schools.

In the Lingxiao Hall, I gained a divine position; the Heavenly Dao granted me authority over the seas.

In the Dou Shuai Palace, I bowed three times and received the Dan Dao scriptures of Tai Qing!"

With that, Li Changshou snorted coldly, "Daoist, do you think my face is enough or not?"

"Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Lu Ya laughed loudly, then casually sealed his Zhan Xian gourd and said indifferently, "You, a disciple of the three schools' saints, actually serve the Jade Emperor in the Lingxiao Hall. How laughable."

"The Jade Emperor governs the Three Realms with the Heavenly Dao; advising him is a blessing for all living beings!"

Li Changshou sighed, "Different paths mean we can't work together. If you think my face is sufficient, please leave.

The deep-sea demons have repeatedly committed evils, with most of their clan stained by karma. Eliminating them is the way of heaven!"

"It seems," Lu Ya said coldly, "we'll have to fight again today!

Listen well!

I am originally..."

"Daoist, why not let me recite a few lines?"

Li Changshou smiled, suddenly inspired, and interrupted Lu Ya's verse.

What was this? A poetry duel in the Hong Huang?

He could tell that Lu Ya was somewhat wary of the Heavenly Court; otherwise, he wouldn't have talked so much. If he were truly confident, he would have just cut down Yuan Shuai Ritian and left.

In that case...

Li Changshou said with a smile, "Daoist, you are originally the essence of solar fire, achieving the Dao in the ancient golden hall.

Is that so?"

Lu Ya's face twitched slightly, his eyes flashing with intense light as he stared tightly at Li Changshou.

Li Changshou continued, "You roamed freely in the clouds, playing tricks on Kuafu, drawing the divine bow that shook the demon heavens.

Did I get that wrong?"

The light in Lu Ya's eyes faded, and he said firmly, "Since you know my origins, you must have been toying with me all along!"

Li Changshou replied calmly, "I have some connections with your predecessors and didn't want to embarrass you.

Daoist, it's best to retreat today.

You can't protect the deep-sea demons, and don't force me to bring my true body.

That Zhan Xian Fei Dao of yours likely won't be very effective against my supernaturally formed incarnation."

—As for connections with his predecessors, it was just that I knew of them; they didn't know me.

"How do you know the name of my treasure?"

Lu Ya was startled; he had recently refined the Zhan Xian Fei Dao, and the three or four Daoists who had faced it were already gone.

Li Changshou just smiled without answering, leaving Lu Ya's gaze full of suspicion.

"Hmph!"

Lu Ya snorted, "Today, out of respect for your predecessors, I'll let it go!

If the Heavenly Court insists on targeting my Yao Clan, I'll go to the Lingxiao Hall to demand an explanation!"

With that threat, he turned into a beam of rainbow light and vanished in a flash, departing swiftly.

Li Changshou shook his head slightly, smiled, and murmured, "At least this junior knows when to back down."

Then, he turned and approached the Jade Emperor's incarnation.

The Jade Emperor's incarnation stepped forward and transmitted, "Is this the tenth prince who escaped from the Yao Clan back then?"

"Probably," Li Changshou transmitted with a smile, "I wasn't sure; I was just bluffing him. Now it seems likely."

"That Zhan Xian Fei Dao is quite remarkable," the Jade Emperor's incarnation chuckled, "but my dear minister Changgeng's quick thinking is even more impressive."

Li Changshou advised, "Your Majesty, we should lead the army to engage the enemy. We've been delayed by Lu Ya, and who knows how many West Sea demons have escaped."

"Very well!"

The Jade Emperor laughed, resumed his solemn demeanor, and turned to face the tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers behind him, with the main army flying in from afar.

He raised his golden sword high, and the heavenly soldiers cheered in unison, their voices echoing through heaven and earth.

For the Heavenly Court!