Chapter 308: Initial Meeting with the Saint, Life Calculation of the Golden Cicada

In Anshui City, in the back hall.

A Water-Fire Taiji diagram appeared out of nowhere, carrying the power of water and fire as it slowly rotated.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi leaped out from it, his face somewhat stern.

Once the Water-Fire Taiji faded away, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi's sleeve fluttered gently, and a handful of ashes drifted out, accompanied by specks of glowing light that transformed into Li Changshou's form.

He still looked like that composed old immortal, with a faint shadow of a pagoda on his chest.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi let out a breath and sat back in his armchair, remaining silent for a while before sighing:

“This shishu is just a bit too…”

Li Changshou stood nearby, holding his whisk, and said softly, “Da Fa Shi, after all, he is a Sheng Ren master…”

“Yes, I know,” Xuan Du Da Fa Shi nodded slowly. “I should have listened to you back then. In front of that shishu, I should have just cut down Jin Chan’s cicada shell.

“I thought it might drag in a conflict between the West and the Dao Sect.

“But now, it seems we don’t need to worry about saving face for the West.

“They don’t care about face anyway.”

Truth be told, even when Xuan Du Da Fa Shi got angry, he remained so elegant and composed.

Li Changshou didn’t know how to advise him.

That Sheng Ren master was really…

Indescribable.

A moment earlier, at the site of the Great Spirit Explosion ruins.

The Second Sage of the Western Sect, Zhunti Daoist, with his face blurred and his figure shrouded in radiant light, made his appearance. He said that Jin Chan had a connection with the West and told them to stop.

At the time, Li Changshou had secretly suggested to Xuan Du Da Fa Shi to strike, but Xuan Du Da Fa Shi hesitated slightly, missing the opportunity.

It wasn’t that Xuan Du Da Fa Shi was afraid to confront a Sheng Ren—if necessary, he would still do it.

But today’s matter was Li Changshou’s retaliation against Jin Chanzi, with clear cause, evidence, and reasoning.

If Xuan Du Da Fa Shi had forcibly killed Jin Chanzi, it would have exposed that the Ren Sect wanted to disrupt the West’s rising destiny, unnecessarily adding karma to the Ren Sect…

That said, it wasn’t a big issue. The Ren Sect had only two and a half experts at most. In the worst case, Taiqing Laozu could step in and face off against the two Western Sheng Ren.

They probably wouldn’t be afraid and might even scare the West…

But that would escalate things beyond control, causing turmoil in the Honghuang world, affecting the Dao Sect’s destiny, and Xuan Du Da Fa Shi would likely be summoned back to Taiqing Temple by the Taiqing Sheng Ren for seclusion for several yuan hui…

That would be far from ideal.

More importantly, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi had seen Li Changshou’s performance today and realized that Jin Chanzi…

Wouldn’t pose much of a threat to the Ren Sect in the future.

By the time Jin Chanzi grew strong again, Li Changshou wouldn’t be standing still either. Dealing with him then would just require a bit of thinking and a flick of the fingers.

So, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi decided not to force the kill on Jin Chanzi and just tried to sever the karma.

What he said was:

“Zhunti Shishu, this Hongmeng Fierce Beast intended to harm my Ren Sect disciples, so it should be eliminated by them.”

The old Daoist in the clouds said indifferently, “What, is my humble face not enough?”

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi’s smile gradually faded as he looked up at the radiant clouds, his figure still upright.

The clouds above were like towering mountains, the person below like a vast lake!

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi said, “If you put it that way, Shishu, I dare not say more. But Shishu, how should we resolve this karma today?”

The old Daoist said, “Since I’ve come, the karma can be extinguished.”

“And if Jin Chan attacks my Ren Sect people again, what then?”

“The rise and fall of fate follow their own laws,” the old Daoist said leisurely. “Where there’s a cause, there’s an effect.”

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Hiding in Xuan Du Da Fa Shi’s sleeve, Li Changshou couldn’t help but feel a deep sigh.

So this was a Sheng Ren?

They could spout empty words effortlessly, without caring about any real meaning—it was just a way to bluntly say:

I, Zhunti, am protecting this Jin Chan today, so do whatever you want!

If it had been Li Changshou instead of Xuan Du Da Fa Shi, he probably wouldn’t even get a chance to speak before Zhunti Daoist hit him with the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree.

At that point, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi could only back down. If he kept going, Zhunti Daoist would likely just brush him off with more vague nonsense.

Li Changshou nudged Xuan Du Da Fa Shi’s arm and transmitted a message:

“Da Fa Shi, I’m being bold here.

“You could mention, what does the West plan to do with Jin Chan? A Hongmeng Fierce Beast like this, even after clearing its karma, shouldn’t catch a Sheng Ren’s eye.”

—Since they couldn’t kill Jin Chanzi, they might as well ruin his chances of becoming a Sheng Ren’s disciple and minimize future troubles.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi’s eyes lit up, and he followed the suggestion.

Sure enough, Zhunti Sheng Ren changed his approach…

The old Daoist said, “This Jin Chan once attacked my brother’s golden body, so he owes karma to the West. In the future, there will be a destined connection for him to offer his body for the West’s great prosperity.

“Since I’ve come here personally today, does my nephew think my face isn’t enough?”

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi laughed. “Shishu, you’re overthinking it. Since you’ve spoken, I won’t trouble this Jin Chan today.

“However, Jin Chan is a Hongmeng Fierce Beast with endless sins. For you, a Sheng Ren, to personally appear and take him away might damage the West’s reputation.”

Zhunti was silent for a while, then said, “This Jin Chan’s ferocity is hard to tame. I’ll take him back to Ling Mountain, suppress him in the Meritorious Pool, and refine his soul.

“You’re overthinking, nephew. You may leave.”

With that, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi cupped his hands and said no more, turning to step away. His figure vanished from the world, returning to the Sea God Temple’s back hall.

That was a Sheng Ren for you.

They didn’t need to explain anything—a word from them, and even Xuan Du Da Fa Shi had to retreat for now and fume in private.

In the Sea God Temple, the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Linglong Pagoda slowly emerged from Li Changshou’s chest, sending spiritual thoughts to Xuan Du Da Fa Shi and Li Changshou.

Li Changshou didn’t know what kind of voice or tone it took in Xuan Du Da Fa Shi’s mind.

But in Li Changshou’s mind, it sounded like:

“Go for it! Big disciple, what are you afraid of? Zhunti is just a fake. If it came to a fight, he might not even beat you!

“His Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree can’t brush us away. We’ve tested it in ancient times—that tree is useless, just for bullying some quasi-saints without supreme treasures or minor innate Lingbao.

“Call out Old Tu and the others, face him head-on, no problem—you’d definitely win!”

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi pondered for a moment and said:

“My Dao allows me to follow my heart, but not to overstep.

“If I attacked Zhunti Sheng Ren, it would also disgrace my teacher’s face. Besides, Sheng Ren have unfathomable divine powers, merged with the Heavenly Dao, connected to heaven and earth—it’s not just about having more supreme treasures.”

The small pagoda trembled and then retracted its light, as if sulking.

Li Changshou quickly said from the side:

“Da Fa Shi, it was my oversight. I only thought about how Jin Chan could escape, but I didn’t expect his life-saving ability to be like that.

“If I had hidden some paper daoist nearby and followed up with another spirit explosion at the end, there’d be no loose ends.”

“This isn’t your fault,” Xuan Du Da Fa Shi said warmly. “You’ve done an excellent job. If I were at your level and tried the same, I couldn’t have handled it so cleanly.

“Still, after this, you can rest easy, Changshou. The Western people won’t dare act directly against you anymore.”

As he spoke, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi took a jade talisman from his sleeve and gently pushed it toward Li Changshou.

“Today, I saw you use water escape and almost shake off that Jin Chan. I realize your greatest talent lies in escape techniques.

“Take this. I was going to let you focus on cultivation without distracting yourself with spells and divine powers.”

Li Changshou received the jade talisman with both hands and carefully examined it…

His heart raced, his hands trembled!

From now on, no escape technique would be beyond him!

Qiankun Escape!

The name was simple— just “Qiankun Escape”;

But according to the principle that “fewer words mean greater significance,” these plain three characters were undoubtedly extraordinary!

“Thank you, Da Fa Shi, for granting me this technique.”

Li Changshou put away the jade talisman, of course not studying it right away.

Da Fa Shi laughed. “Today, you’ve seen a Sheng Ren. Do you have any insights?”

Li Changshou said seriously, “I don’t really have any thoughts. I couldn’t even see the Sheng Ren’s appearance, which is a bit regrettable…

“Da Fa Shi, I think we can keep working on this and not let it end here.”

“What do you have in mind? Go ahead and say it.”

“I want to use the Dragon Clan’s power to spread some rumors.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and said slowly:

“For example…

“In ancient times, there was a fierce beast called the Six-Winged Golden Cicada, incredibly vicious and murderous. It has vast divine powers, with extreme speed and mastery of Qiankun techniques.

“If anyone captures this fierce beast, don’t kill it directly. Its cicada shell can be used to refine spiritual pills. Taking such a pill can grant immortality to mortals and help Golden Immortals perfect their Dao realm.

“This way, we can put pressure on the West and ensure Jin Chan has no chance to turn things around.”

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi’s eyes lit up, and he looked at Li Changshou with full admiration.

The Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Linglong Pagoda, which had been sulking, also trembled slightly, its light reappearing as Xuan Huang aura fell. Two strands of spiritual thoughts entered Li Changshou and Xuan Du Da Fa Shi’s minds…

“Where did you pick up this treasure?

“This guy’s heart is as black as they come—almost as bad as our master!”

Li Changshou and Xuan Du Da Fa Shi exchanged glances, not daring to respond.

They were truly startled.

When the Xuan Huang Pagoda left, it seemed reluctant, muttering complaints as it went.

It really wanted to stay with Li Changshou, protecting him as he wandered the world and roamed the seas.

Although Li Changshou was tempted to agree, considering his courage, he could only express repeated gratitude for the pagoda’s life-saving grace…

Though during the earlier battle, the Xuan Huang Pagoda hadn’t shown any power, it was still a guarantee, a sense of security that Li Changshou had always dreamed of!

Besides, without Xuan Du Da Fa Shi around, Li Changshou’s true self would just cultivate in the mountains, with no excitement anyway. The pagoda would probably get bored quickly.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi sent Li Changshou back to Duxian Sect, and Li Changshou watched as he returned to the Doushuai Palace in Heaven.

In the underground chamber, Li Changshou set aside his plans and began rethinking everything.

The “Slingshot’s” thick skin and style of action were a bit different from what Li Changshou had anticipated.

It was genuinely thick…

No wonder he could say something like “The Honghuang world has a connection with the West.”

If such a Sheng Ren decided to act directly and crush a small Ren Sect disciple like him, Li Changshou wouldn’t be surprised at all.

Especially since he had shown his face in front of Zhunti Sheng Ren today, he’d have to be even more cautious from now on.

Yes, stick to staying steady in the mountains for another 100,000 years without budging!

Li Changshou checked the anti-divination items on him, carefully sensing the Dao rhythm left by the Xuan Huang Pagoda, and then noticed a faint, obscure Dao rhythm similar to it.

That must be the slight power of the Ren Sect’s destiny supreme treasure, the Taiji Diagram, hiding his origins and blocking calculations!

Li Changshou chuckled lightly.

Who knew that a Lingbao like the Xuan Huang Pagoda could have such a lively personality? He truly wondered what the Taiji Diagram, Wind and Fire Cushion, and others were like.

If they were all hot-tempered types, things would be quite lively.

“Sheng Ren…”

Li Changshou let out a soft breath and took two copper coins from his sleeve, placing them in front of him.

Earlier in the Sea God Temple, while Xuan Du Da Fa Shi was there, Li Changshou had secretly tried nurturing these copper coins with merit, and nothing unusual happened.

Now, the patina on the two copper coins had mostly faded, revealing a bright golden color.

Li Changshou placed his hands on the coins and drew out a bit of Heavenly Dao merit from within himself, infusing it into them.

The two copper coins trembled gently, emitting a crisp ringing sound. A weak spiritual thought reached Li Changshou’s mind…

Yet, the gap between treasures became vividly clear.

The Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Linglong Pagoda could actively communicate with its wielder, even joking and being as lively as a chatterbox that had been silent for millions of years.

These two copper coins that Li Changshou had long anticipated could only convey a sense of closeness and joy to him. Even at full strength, they just left a simple insight in his mind.

It was basically the most straightforward user guide.

Li Changshou pondered it carefully, his brows furrowing slightly.

This treasure wasn’t as miraculous as he’d thought…

The Dao it contained was from the way of human dealings—“bartering and trade.”

In other words, any treasure could be bought at a price using these copper coins.

However, because “weapons can disrupt markets,” the Falling Treasure Copper Coins couldn’t affect weapons or weapon-type treasures.

Since it involved trade, the one holding the copper coins naturally had to pay a price.

The coins were just a form of currency, and the value came from merit.

Simply put, using the Falling Treasure Copper Coins to claim a Lingbao would consume one’s own merit.

The higher the grade of the treasure, the more merit it would cost—even allowing merit to go negative.

—This also confirmed Li Changshou’s earlier speculation that merit and karma could offset each other, but it wasn’t as simple as just canceling them out.

Li Changshou fell into thought…

He needed his merit to condense a merit golden body, so he couldn’t waste it like this.

From what he could see, the main use of taking these Falling Treasure Copper Coins was to help Old Zhao block a disaster and reduce the karma for Yunxiao Xianzi entering the calamity…

“Oh well,” Li Changshou shook his head, encouraged the two copper coins warmly, and put them into a brocade box, adding them to his collection of trump cards.

Then, Li Changshou took out a piece of cloth and began meticulously planning the follow-up for Jin Chanzi.

He wanted to wage a propaganda war to prevent the Western Sheng Ren from taking Jin Chanzi as a disciple.

If Jin Chanzi was just a tool for their journey, Li Changshou would have more room to maneuver.

Today, it was actually the Western Sect that lost a round. Zhunti Sheng Ren personally showing up to protect Jin Chanzi was a loss of face for them.

But they didn’t expect this Sheng Ren to have such thick skin, completely unaware of it, leaving Xuan Du Da Fa Shi and Li Changshou feeling like they hadn’t gained much…

He had used seventy-two Spirit Explosion Paper Daoist, after all…

His stock was getting tight again.

Li Changshou swept his immortal sense over the back mountain of Xiaoqiong Peak. It looked like he needed to transplant some millennium spirit trees.

“Hmm?”

Li Changshou blinked, a bit slow to realize.

The absurd notion that eating Tang Seng’s flesh could grant immortality—was that going to spread from him?

This subtle sense of influencing myths and history…

With that, Li Changshou felt even more confident.