Chapter 309: Closing the Net on Dragon Clan Affairs, Seeking the Heart Demon at the Mountain Gate

Li Changshou seldom acted with such decisiveness and speed. After finalizing his scheme against Jin Chan, he immediately put it into action.

In the *Shennian* dream realm, Li Changshou patiently instructed Ao Yi for half an hour, and the young dragon nodded thoughtfully as he pondered.

It seemed that reading that scripture had changed Ao Yi; now, whenever he agreed to something, he would pause to think it over before speaking.

This made Li Changshou feel even more at ease.

"Jiaozhu *gege*, is there anything else you need to instruct?"

"This matter with Jin Chan doesn't need to be rushed," Li Changshou said. "Just proceed steadily and make sure it becomes known to as many beings as possible.

After all, Jin Chan was injured by the Da Fashi earlier, so it will likely take thousands or even tens of thousands of years for him to recover his vital energy."

"Mm," Ao Yi nodded vigorously, though he seemed hesitant, his gaze flickering.

"Speak your mind."

"Jiaozhu *gege*," Ao Yi sighed heavily, performed a *Dao Yi* to Li Changshou, and then asked, "About the *Pan Tao Yan*... is there any hidden agenda? Will Yu Di Majesty directly strike at the Long Clan...?"

Li Changshou clasped his hands behind his back and sighed softly.

"Let me give you some inside information, but don't repeat it to anyone.

A few days ago in Xihai, the heavenly general who injured Jin Chan was Yu Di himself, just disguised."

"What?"

Ao Yi was taken aback.

Li Changshou continued, "Do you know how high Yu Di Majesty's cultivation is?

His divine powers and abilities are likely not inferior to the renowned experts of the Three Teachings, and he's bolstered by the power of the Heavenly Dao, making his strength unfathomable.

Don't forget, Yu Di Majesty comes from Zixiao Gong and cultivated for endless years before Dao Zu."

Hearing his *jiaozhu gege*'s words, Ao Yi nodded repeatedly.

Li Changshou added, "On that day, Yu Di Majesty noticed that among the Xihai Long Gong experts appearing on the sea surface, about half had anomalies in their *Yuanshen*."

"What!?"

Ao Yi was greatly shocked. "How could this be? I'll go find my father right away!"

"The several Long Wangs must have tacitly allowed this," Li Changshou said. "Why are you getting so agitated again? I gave you that scripture, so go back and copy it three hundred times.

And remember, once you're done, burn the paper and cloth you wrote on."

Ao Yi was a bit puzzled but still nodded in agreement.

"Jiaozhu *gege*, how could this be something my father and my uncles tacitly permitted?"

Li Changshou laughed. "First, the several Long Wangs are no ordinary figures. How could they have survived from ancient times if they were so easily schemed against?

Second, the true foundation of the Long Clan lies in the *Haiyan*, not in the Long Gong. Even if the entire Xihai Long Gong is controlled mentally, they can always tear it down and rebuild.

Third, there's an old Long Clan saying: don't put all your Long Eggs in one nest.

So, it's quite reasonable for the Long Wangs to turn a blind eye to what happened in Xihai Long Gong."

"This..."

Ao Yi pursed his lips, his expression showing a hint of doubt about his own life.

Li Changshou chuckled. "You're still young and inexperienced.

Let me test you further—what do you think Yu Di Majesty would be thinking upon seeing this situation?"

Ao Yi quickly replied, "Would His Majesty be worried that, over time, all the Four Seas Long Gong might be manipulated?"

——A certain Tian Di who wishes to remain unnamed thinks this is spot on.

"How could it be that simple?"

Li Changshou sighed. "Yu Di is quite displeased with the Long Clan's habit of playing both sides!

The Long Clan believes that, as the victims of persecution, they can cover up their tacit allowance of Xihai Long Gong's infiltration by the Western forces, since they were the ones being schemed against.

But how could this escape Yu Di Majesty's notice?

His wisdom and insight far surpass mine."

——A certain Tian Di who wishes to remain unnamed gives a big thumbs-up.

Ao Yi suddenly understood the whole context, his face filled with worry as he paced back and forth anxiously in front of Li Changshou.

"Jiaozhu *gege*, what... what should we do? My father and the others actually..."

"It's just human nature," Li Changshou said. "Since you're so worried, I'll be completely open with you today about everything.

Ao Yi, it's time for the Long Clan to step up."

Ao Yi held his breath and leaned forward slightly, listening intently.

Li Changshou pondered carefully in his heart;

This was also part of his earlier plan—to be completely frank with Ao Yi and clear away any hidden concerns.

If he and Ao Yi couldn't be of one mind, the next twelve years before the *Pan Tao Yan* would make it hard to accomplish anything.

"Ao Yi, do you know that in the early days of Hai Shen Jiao, I was just a *Qi Refiner* in the *Tian Xian* realm, and I didn't intend to establish Hai Shen Jiao."

Ao Yi was a bit confused, not sure why his *jiaozhu gege* was bringing this up.

But soon, Ao Yi caught the key point—

*Tian Xian* realm!

Was it possible that when he had sparred with his *jiaozhu gege* at Du Xian Men back then, his *gege* was just toying with him?

Li Changshou spoke in a calm, even tone, recounting the events of the past:

"At that time, my only identity was as a disciple of Ren Jiao, Li Changshou of Du Xian Men.

It was by sheer accident that the Xiong Zhai shamans encountered me while I was comprehending the Dao, and they revered me as the Hai Shen, built temples, and offered sacrifices, which snowballed out of control.

You might not believe it, but when we first met on the shores of the South Sea, I was actually there to undermine Hai Shen Jiao. My main concern was that it would bring me trouble and offend the Western Teachings.

But because the Long Clan appeared and you saw through the Hai Shen's identity, I had to change tactics and try to bring Hai Shen Jiao under my control.

Little did I know, it became my opportunity."

Ao Yi listened intently and couldn't help asking, "How was it an opportunity?"

"Because of Hai Shen Jiao's support from the Long Clan and its growing influence, it attracted schemes from the West and caught Yu Di's attention, leading to my first contact with Yu Di Majesty.

Due to the fortunes of Yu Di, Tian Ting, and the Long Clan, I was selected by the Sheng Ren as the agent for this matter—cough, I mean, as the proxy.

And my recognition by the Da Fashi came after Hai Shen Jiao gained momentum...

Step by step, that's how the Hai Shen of today came to be."

Li Changshou smiled. "In the early days of Hai Shen Jiao, I lived in constant fear every day, worried about being targeted by the West or torn apart by the Long Clan.

It was truly one step forward with ten worries, like walking on thin ice."

Hearing this, Ao Yi's face first showed embarrassment, then he pursed his lips and frowned, performing a *Dao Yi* to Li Changshou.

"I've caused you so much trouble, *gege*!"

"Perhaps that's just our fate," Li Changshou said, gently helping Ao Yi up. He then turned and looked at the figure that had been standing silently in the *Shennian* dream realm behind him, speaking warmly.

"Ao Yi, come here and see."

Ao Yi looked up, and Li Changshou waved his sleeve, dispersing the surrounding mist. The massive statue slowly revealed the face of the Da Fashi.

Then, the face changed again, reverting to Li Changshou's appearance.

Li Changshou laughed. "During that time, all I could rely on was myself, constantly seeking balance among the Western, Long Clan, and Tian Ting forces.

You've asked me many times before, why the Ren Clan can grow strong.

It's probably because... they're bolder than most."

"*Gege*!"

Ao Yi was filled with guilt and sighed regretfully. "I had no idea about all this. I've been putting everything on your shoulders and always..."

"Ao Yi, I'm telling you this not for any other reason, but to make you understand that the Long Clan's ascent to Tian Ting isn't just my scheme or Yu Di Majesty's plan.

It's the momentum, the fortune, the destiny."

"Momentum... fortune..."

Ao Yi lowered his head in thought, his youthful face now marked with more troubles than before.

Just as Li Changshou was about to continue, Ao Yi suddenly stepped back two paces, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt down.

"What are you doing?"

Li Changshou reached out to help him up, but Ao Yi had already bowed deeply to him.

"Ao Yi was ignorant and fearless before, unaware of the hardships you faced, Jiaozhu. Please forgive me!

Now, the Long Clan stands on the edge of a cliff— one wrong step could lead to total destruction.

I beg you, Jiaozhu, to save the Long Clan and lead us to serve Tian Ting!

Today, I swear that my life is entrusted to you!"

Li Changshou hadn't expected Ao Yi to grasp the key points so quickly or react so strongly.

But now that things had come to this, he went with the flow and asked,

"Even if it means you'll be misunderstood by your clan, or even cursed by them?"

"What do I have to fear?"

"Get up," Li Changshou said. "I'll explain the full plan before the *Pan Tao Yan* to you.

Ao Yi, remember this.

Our goal is for the Four Seas Long Wangs to take the initiative and pledge loyalty to Tian Ting before Yu Di issues his decree at the *Pan Tao Yan*, so the Long Clan can gain more fortune!"

Ao Yi sprang up, his eyes full of determination.

Li Changshou began to outline the next steps...

"With only twelve years, there isn't much we can do, so we can't waste a single day."

This *Shennian* exchange lasted over thirty hours, leaving Li Changshou with a slight headache.

He had done all he could; it was worth the crates of treasures from the Long Clan.

The effects were certainly there,

But how far it would go ultimately depended on the Long Wangs' own choices.

The Tian Ting water army that Yu Di Majesty had assigned to him should be nearly selected by now.

Now, they just needed to wait for that army to arrive and officially start the net-closing operation on the Long Clan.

In the underground secret chamber, Li Changshou tucked away the two newly acquired *Jiu Zhuan Jin Dan* pills on his person.

As for Ling E's pill, he left it with her.

Sweeping his *Xianshi* over Ling E's thatched hut by the lake, Li Changshou detected the *Dao Yun* left by the Da Fashi, knowing that the Da Fashi had given her some benefits...

Would this mean Ling E could achieve a "true one-leap ascension"?

Well, later he'd have her copy more scriptures as a reward, to prevent her sudden surge in strength from unsettling her *Dao Xin*.

Since she entered the Dao through the "*Wen Zi Jing*," writing more couldn't hurt...

"Let's go find some Ling Trees," Li Changshou murmured to himself, closing his eyes and focusing his mind. He activated the paper effigy on standby outside the mountain and began the "revitalizing Xiaoqiong Peak" effort.

With the abundant Hong Huang spiritual energy and Dongzhou's vast lands, finding Ling Trees that were old but not yet sentient wasn't hard.

The challenge lay in the tree sap needed for the *Jian Zhi Cheng Ren* divine ability—it had to be full of "vital life breath" and meet several other criteria...

After searching carefully for half a day, Li Changshou only found about a dozen ancient trees. He carefully relocated them from their original habitats and secretly transported them back to Xiaoqiong Peak.

To help them settle in comfortably, Li Changshou's true body personally appeared and performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the old trees.

It was a bit lacking in audience, so it felt somewhat quiet.

Just as he finished with this batch of ancient Ling Trees, Li Changshou's *Xianshi* detected something unusual in the gaming room.

Xiong Lingli, Jiang Lin'er, and Jiu Jiu had all awakened. The three exchanged glances, each looking bewildered.

After a brief pause, Jiang Lin'er and Jiu Jiu stood up at the same time, drawing Li Changshou's attention to Jiu Shishu...

Well, that was just the force of attraction, nothing more.

Jiang Lin'er said hurriedly, "Take good care of Yushi; I'm heading back to close up for cultivation!"

"How did this happen? How can you suddenly have an epiphany while playing cards!"

Jiu Jiu shouted anxiously and rushed upstairs, not even thinking of returning to Po Tian Peak for practice.

"Lingli, tell Yushi that I'll be in seclusion for three to five months!

Have her focus on her cultivation and not force any breakthroughs—wait for me to check her progress when I'm out!"

"Oh, oh!"

Xiong Lingli nodded repeatedly, still in a daze.

Seeing this, Li Changshou couldn't help but chuckle and sent a paper effigy over.

He had the effigy take the form of an old woman and sent a voice transmission to Xiong Lingli, telling her to go into seclusion for a while as well—this old woman would take care of Jiu Yushi...

Was the Da Fashi handing out blessings in his backyard?

But why was his own master still the same, sitting in the thatched hut cultivating without any sign of breakthrough?

Could it be that the Da Fashi misunderstood and thought all the women on the mountain were his...?

Never mind. As Li Changshou was about to withdraw his *Xianshi* from Qi Yuan Laodao, he noticed something off.

His master's condition wasn't right.

Li Changshou perked up, using his *Xianshi* to envelop his teacher and carefully examine him. Soon, his expression turned serious, and he hurried to the thatched hut by the lake.

His master seemed to be afflicted by a heart demon.

It was likely due to the matter with Jiu Yushi that a inner demon had taken root in his master's heart, triggering this.

As a Zhu Xian, such things were common, and Li Changshou had prepared for it, having read many ancient texts and learned various methods to dispel heart demons.

Arriving at the hut, Li Changshou didn't disturb his master. He merged into the local array and barrier, quietly appearing behind Qi Yuan Laodao, and pointed a finger at his neck.

"Master, I'll assist you."

Li Changshou formed his hands into sword fingers, stepped in an *Xianbu*, and quickly pointed at various points around Qi Yuan Laodao's body, infusing strands of *Xianguang* into him.

After a short while, Qi Yuan Laodao coughed twice and spat out a mouthful of black qi.

Li Changshou waved his sleeve, enveloping the black qi with *Xianli* to form a mass, intending to purify it, but he paused.

This wasn't a heart demon for his master?

The black qi condensed into a shadowy form, emitting silent roars as if challenging Li Changshou.

A Dao Zhang Tian Mo?

Dao Zhang Tian Mo wasn't a living being but something attached to the Great Dao, similar to resentment, obsessions, or karmic obstacles.

No one could explain its origins clearly, but it was related to a cultivator's heart demons.

If a cultivator's *Dao Xin* developed a flaw that wasn't dealt with in time, it could grow into a heart demon, which in turn attracted such Dao Zhang Tian Mo, leaving the cultivator trapped from within and without.

Many immortals had vanished during seclusion because of this peril.

The reason his master was affected was probably due to his unstable Zhu Xian foundation, making his *Dao Xin* more vulnerable and drawing in this... someone else's Dao Zhang Tian Mo...

Should he report this to the Zhang Men?

Or investigate who had attracted this Dao Zhang Tian Mo?

Li Changshou considered it briefly and decided that exposing it would be another blow to his master's pride.

His master was quite prideful...

"Oh well, I'll just put in the effort."

Li Changshou first leaned forward and whispered to his still-meditating master, "Master, please continue your cultivation; it's all clear now."

Then, Li Changshou took the black qi and left the hut, performing finger calculations.

Dealing with something like this was straightforward for him.

Soon, he traced the path of this Dao Zhang Tian Mo to Xiaoqiong Peak and used his *Xianshi* to follow it backward, ultimately locking onto a location midway up Po Tian Peak.

"That place is..."

Without much hesitation, Li Changshou's figure vanished from Xiaoqiong Peak.

Now, with his true body using *Tudun*, he could silently break through barriers set by *Tian Xian* realm cultivators and ignore most medium or small arrays.

Traveling through the earth and mountains, he moved unimpeded and quickly found the source of this Dao Zhang Tian Mo.

It was a cave he had never visited before—a bed, a few wardrobes, and smooth stone walls hung with several paintings he had made...

In the center of the cave, on a meditation mat, sat a female immortal in training clothes, her eyes tightly shut. Her slender, graceful figure trembled slightly from time to time.

Her long hair cascaded down, and sweat beaded on her stunning face as she bit her lip, seemingly enduring some pain.

You Qin Xuanya.

Li Changshou shook his head slightly and flicked his sleeve, sending out three paper effigies, each holding a *Muyu*, a *Bangzi*, and a *Zhen Hun Ling*...