Chapter 288: The Endless Path of Immortal Research, Every Step Leads to Spiritual Explosions

Before leaving, Li Changshou solemnly entrusted the last gift from the Heavenly Court to Dayu, asking him to pass it on to Suirenshi.

Elder Suirenshi had no family in Huoyundong, and Li Changshou could have kept this gift for himself, but he couldn't bring himself to do so.

Furthermore...

As a fourth-rank formal god in the Heavenly Court, a disciple of Doushugong listening to the Dao, and the Sea God relied upon by the Jade Emperor, would he lack Pan Tao?

Fruits from innate spiritual roots — there were never enough, no matter how many!

Unfortunately, Li Changshou had carefully considered this before: to maintain his persona as a "Ren Jiao high person," he couldn't show too much desire.

He truly wanted to eat those peaches.

According to Heavenly Court rumors, Pan Tao could extend the lifespan of Qi Refiners below the Golden Immortal realm. His own master, as a mundane immortal, didn't know if it would work.

Ling'e hadn't yet become an immortal, so eating Pan Tao would overall be harmful rather than beneficial — probably just "over-nourishing the weak."

Farewell to Huoyundong, and on the way to the Heavenly Court.

Li Changshou didn't rush to find his destined spiritual treasure.

Although he held great respect for the Human Emperor elders, for the sake of caution, he still needed to investigate thoroughly... several times over.

One shouldn't completely believe, nor completely disbelieve.

Furthermore, although Fuxi hadn't divined his true origins and form, he had only given him a map, but if the "destination" were exposed, his previous location would also be revealed.

Li Changshou really needed to think carefully about how to retrieve this treasure.

Carefully reflecting on what he had seen and heard on this trip.

Among the seven Human Race sages he visited, the one who left the deepest impression was naturally Dayu, with whom he was most familiar.

After all, they had stood together on the small boat for three days and three nights, which, as Dayu said, meant they had shared hardships.

From Dayu, he received a hydrological treasure map and a Dinghai Shen Needle, creating a debt of karma and favor.

Fuxi had given him clues to the treasure, but Li Changshou dared not confirm if it was the Luobao Copper Coin.

He felt that Fuxi had anticipated his own anticipation...

The treasure pearl from Shennong was likely a five-elements treasure, and at this point, he couldn't tell if it was an innate item, but later he could use it to boost production and harvest for the Heavenly Court's soybean farming efforts.

Bringing it back to Xiao Qiong Peak was out of the question; if it were recognized, the flaw would be too obvious.

For each retired Human Emperor, Li Changshou showed sufficient respect, as well as vigilance.

After all, those who became Human Emperors in the past were far from simple-minded figures.

In the future, he didn't know if he would have more dealings with Huoyundong, but it was likely.

Clouds drifted into the ethereal realm, heavenly winds unobstructed.

Soon, the Zhongtian Gate came into view. Li Changshou rode the clouds forward, where soldiers saluted and verified his identity, carefully checking his entry jade tablet...

Seeing the heavenly generals' meticulous demeanor, Li Changshou felt much more at ease.

He even gave a silent thumbs-up to "Heavenly Court Discipline Committee Member" Hua Ritian!

Ascending to Lingxiao Treasure Hall, Li Changshou reported his mission's success, presenting the jade tablet from Fuxi. The Jade Emperor then issued a decree to promote the "sacrificing to heaven and earth" in Nanzhanbuzhou.

With Li Changshou's Sea God Cult as a foundation, this matter wouldn't be too difficult to start, but while guiding mortals to sacrifice to heaven and earth, it could easily affect the incense offerings of Daoism...

This would require Li Changshou to take the lead, using the name of Ren Jiao, to negotiate with the chief disciples overseeing teachings in Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao, so as not to give anyone an excuse to say that "Heavenly Court disrespects the Daoist saints."

For this, Li Changshou planned to ask his master to handle it; since the Jade Emperor's decree hadn't yet fully formed, there was no need to rush.

Every decree from the Jade Emperor took decades or even centuries to solidify.

Li Changshou wondered if it was because of his own Sea God position and the partial lower-rank god positions granted to the Dragon Clan that the connection between Tiandao and the Heavenly Court had deepened;

According to reports from the officials of Tongming Hall, the speed of the Jade Emperor's decrees solidifying had increased by a full... ten percent.

Of course, this trip wasn't without gains for Li Changshou. Although he had already received many benefits in Huoyundong, the Jade Emperor still bestowed rewards as expected.

The Jade Emperor granted several treasures for decorating his residence, which could be overlooked;

The Heavenly Court bestowed a small amount of merit, though less than what he received after subduing demons in the South Sea and West Sea.

This was just an introduction; there would be a large amount of merit to earn later...

Li Changshou requested to return to his residence and await summons, while the Jade Emperor smiled and saw him off;

Hua Ritian, the heavenly general, was already waiting near Lingxiao Hall. He encountered Li Changshou and together they rode the clouds back to the Sea God Mansion.

The two avatars exchanged glances in the clouds and simultaneously used the Heavenly Court's traditional technique — voice transmission face-to-face.

Hua Ritian asked:

"Sea God Qing, in your trip to Huoyundong, did you meet that Human Emperor Suirenshi?"

Li Changshou answered:

"Your Majesty, do you have business with this senior? This senior seems to be recuperating, and this humble god did not see him."

"Before becoming the Heavenly Emperor, I once followed my teacher's orders to undergo mortal reincarnation and served under Suirenshi's command."

The Jade Emperor's gaze showed a hint of emotion as he sighed: "I never expected that his injuries have still not healed to this day."

Li Changshou thought for a moment and asked:

"This humble god takes the liberty to ask, Your Majesty, what is your current level of cultivation?

Please do not misunderstand, Your Majesty; this humble god is just worried..."

"Ha ha, Qing, no need to be tense. It's only natural to ask such a question, given the many matters you have to consider."

The Jade Emperor laughed: "Let me put it this way.

As long as I am within the Heavenly Court, unless my teacher or my senior brothers and sisters come in person, no one can harm me."

The Jade Emperor's strength was indeed profound and immeasurable, with the protection of Tiandao, making him different from other experts...

With that, Li Changshou felt a bit more at ease.

The Jade Emperor then inquired about dealing with Lu Ya Daoist, asking if Li Changshou had come up with any good strategies.

Li Changshou had been busy searching for the Luobao Copper Coin lately and had not thought much about it, so he just gave a casual response, subtly expressing his concerns to the Jade Emperor.

Behind Lu Ya Daoist, there was likely a saint standing, so unless they could seize his weakness and eliminate him on the spot without any grounds for objection, it would be hard to get rid of him...

In short, it was very difficult.

This discussion between the Heavenly Court ruler and minister continued through voice transmission until they reached the Sea God Mansion, at which point Hua Ritian was satisfied and took his leave.

'The Jade Emperor is quite focused on the matter of Lu Ya,' Li Changshou thought with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

Piloting the Sea God paper avatar back to the Sea God Mansion, Li Changshou took out the two spiritual treasures he had received from Dayu and pondered them carefully.

For him, the greatest use of the Dinghai Shen Needle was its merit power.

But extracting merit power wasn't easy, and Li Changshou didn't know exactly how to do it, so he temporarily put away this iron staff.

It truly lived up to the saying...

What use is this iron staff to me?

As for the hydrological map, Li Changshou quite liked it.

After a slight calculation, he felt that this treasure map could also aid in Dragon Clan matters, so he was in no hurry to refine it into a combat treasure.

Putting away the map, as Li Changshou prepared to shift his mind back to his main body, he suddenly realized —

Later, using this map as a guide, he could enfeoff many Dragon Clan members as "water gods" for rivers, lakes, and seas!

Another large amount of merit that could be claimed, though not yet in hand.

His mind returned to his main body, and Li Changshou sat guard by the alchemy furnace, slightly lost in thought.

'If the Jade Emperor could deal with Lu Ya Daoist secretly, bypassing me as the Sea God, that would be perfect.'

That way, he wouldn't have to bear the karma or worry about being targeted by the saints.

The Fengshen calamity would also change slightly, at least allowing that terrifying Nail Head Seven Arrows technique to exit the stage early.

'Tiandao should balance things; such an abnormal evil spell shouldn't exist.'

Li Changshou pinched his fingers to calculate, searching his memories;

In the Fengshen story, when the Zhou side wanted to eliminate Zhao Gongming, it was Lu Ya Daoist who gave the Nail Head Seven Arrows Book to Jiang Ziya, who used it through rituals to curse Zhao to death.

But in the stories he had heard, there was no mention of Jiang Ziya paying any price.

Was it the destiny of the great calamity child?

Or the great merit of Fengshen?

Considering Jiang Ziya's final fate — reaching the peak of mortal status, enjoying wealth and honor without severing his mortal ties like Li Jing, Nezha, or Yang Jian, and going to the Heavenly Court as a formal god...

There might be some unknown karmic connection involved.

"No more thinking about it."

First, let's get the treasure.

Li Changshou patted his cheeks to perk up, snapped his fingers at a box on the nearby bookshelf, summoning several thick paper avatars and carefully infusing them with immortal power.

The treasure-seeking paper avatar team was deploying for a second strike!

Li Changshou had always wondered one thing — could the Fengshen calamity he knew be altered?

By finding the "fated treasure" divined by Fuxi and seeing if it was indeed the Luobao Copper Coin, he might get an answer.

If he really obtained the Luobao Copper Coin, then the future Fengshen calamity would inevitably differ slightly from what he knew.

Most likely, the overall direction would remain the same, but the small details could change.

His main body meditated in the alchemy room to recover immortal power, while Li Changshou's mind controlled the coachman paper avatar, leading over twenty treasure-seeking paper figures, speeding toward the southwest.

Go south for sixty-six thousand Li, then west for thirty-three thousand Li — taking the straight line would naturally be the shortest, like the hypotenuse.

The landmark to find was "Wushou Shan," a mountain without a peak tip. Such mountains were common in the Honghuang world, perhaps created by a single expert battle...

The paper avatar used Earth Escape to proceed, and the first half of the journey went smoothly. After covering the distance, they easily found the Wushou Shan indicated in Fuxi's divination.

But upon reaching the area near the mountain, Li Changshou furrowed his brow.

This place was near the border of Dongsheng Shenzhou and Zhongshenzhou, still within Dongsheng Shenzhou. Demonic energy surged within a thousand Li radius, with several formidable auras faintly pressing down.

Where was this?

Was the treasure he sought here?

Li Changshou controlled the coachman paper avatar to release a small paper kite, which slowly flapped its wings, emerging from the ground and transforming into an eagle that soared into the sky.

He attached a thread of his mind to it and carefully observed the surroundings of the mountain.

This seemed to be a demon clan's market town.

The mountain top had likely been flattened by an expert's divine ability, with a sturdy fortress built upon it, protected by various arrays and fully utilizing the earth's spiritual energy.

The market town had humans, beasts, and birds among its inhabitants.

Although there were Human Race Qi Refiners active there, they were few in number, mostly demon clan members who retained some features from their pre-transformation forms... ahem, like beast ears.

The eagle broke through the clouds, flew over Wushou Shan, and spotted a large river.

Following the river downstream for a while, it indeed found a valley enveloped by a great array...

The treasure was located there.

The valley was also a demon clan territory, with pleasant scenery inside, though the array blocked any clear scouting of the experts within.

Based on the distribution of demon clan forces, most powerful demons gathered near the border of Beiju Luzhou and Zhongshenzhou. This place was not too far from Duxian Gate, so if there were powerful demons here, Duxian Gate would have likely warned its disciples not to train nearby.

Li Changshou's first thought was to directly assault the place with paper avatars and immortal bean soldiers, securing the treasure and earning merit.

But he quickly dismissed the idea.

First, as one of the ancient dual overlords, the demon clan had its own accumulations, and it could easily lead to bigger troubles if he provoked the elders by attacking the juniors.

These demons were not comparable to the deep-sea demons.

Second, the treasure's exact nature was unknown, and it might be hidden somewhere. If it were taken and carried away by the demons during an assault, it would be a real headache.

This matter was not urgent.

First, gather intelligence, then make a plan, and strike like thunder when the time is right. He didn't need to gain both the treasure and merit at once.

For now, Li Changshou began secretly mobilizing paper avatars near Duxian Gate, Nanzhanbuzhou, and the East Sea, and smuggled out a batch of new immortal beans from Duxian Gate.

In just a few days, he had ambushed 100,000 "elite troops" around the valley, along with over a hundred paper avatars at the late Tianxian realm level to release the immortal bean soldiers, and several hundred more paper avatars for support.

Other things aside, surround it first!

Of course, these were just backup plans. Li Changshou wanted to quietly retrieve the treasure and leave with the smallest karma and cost possible.

The intelligence gathering was proceeding smoothly, and Li Changshou's patience was always strong...

While doing this, Li Changshou was also working on another major task in the Xiao Qiong Peak alchemy room.

Making a few Golden Immortal realm paper avatars!

In the days since returning from Huoyundong, Li Changshou had been pondering Fuxi's guidance.

Today, he had a complete plan and was ready to try...

If he could create Golden Immortal realm paper avatars earlier, treasure hunting would be twice as effective with half the effort!

In his mind, Li Changshou thoroughly organized his new ideas for improving the paper avatars.

The success rate this time wasn't too high, maybe sixty or seventy percent, and he didn't know how well the final product would perform...

But without trying, there would be no breakthrough.

Li Changshou opened the black alchemy furnace, cleaned it thoroughly, and summoned several paper figures carrying cloth bags.

The paper figures stood obediently on the wooden table, and with Li Changshou's thoughts, they each took out piles of herbs and materials.

Fuxi's guidance on the external incarnation method had opened a new path for Li Changshou.

Why had his paper avatars hit a bottleneck?

The difficulty lay in injecting his Golden Immortal realm immortal power into the paper avatars; once it reached a certain amount, it became extremely unstable, leading to artistic self-destruction.

Previously, his approach had been limited to reinforcing the paper avatars and improving their restrictions.

But after Fuxi's hint, Li Changshou found a new way.

Next, he would try adding a core to his paper avatars to stabilize the immortal power!

A small portion of the immortal power would be injected into this core to maintain overall stability, and it could also serve as an emergency reserve when the paper avatar's power was depleted.

Though this sounded simple, refining the core and making it function properly were major challenges in immortal research...

Alchemy became the first solution Li Changshou thought of.

The principles of Taiqing Wuwei Great Dao and the balance of Yin and Yang seemed applicable here.

Combining the saint's great dao, the principles of Yin and Yang, Fuxi's guidance, the reference divine ability from Xuandu Shi, and his own extensive experience with paper avatars...

There was no reason it would yield nothing!

Li Changshou quickly threw the herbs and materials into the alchemy furnace and began refining the core for the paper avatars.

Half a day later...

Accompanied by a boom, a mushroom cloud slowly rose three thousand Li east of Duxian Gate, and half of a barren mountain was blasted away.

A spiritual explosion occurred again, but its power was noticeably weaker.