Chapter 313: Great Mage Returns to View, Three Immortal Islands Send Peaches

As soon as Dongmu Gong finished speaking, a Heavenly Soldier broke from the formation outside the Sea God Mansion and leaped inside in two steps.

This Heavenly Soldier hurried forward with head bowed, wearing a silver helmet and a chainmail skirt, appearing much like a man from afar, though slightly shorter.

Once she drew near, she bowed with fists clasped to Li Changshou and Dongmu Gong, and only then slowly lifted her head, revealing a neat and pretty face with a touch of youthful innocence.

She looked like a girl just entering her prime, around thirteen or fourteen years old if she were among mortals.

Her voice was crisp as she spoke:

“Long Ji pays respects to Mu Gong, pays respects to Sea God!”

“No need for such formalities, Your Highness,” Li Changshou replied with a smile and a courteous bow.

Though Long Ji was the daughter of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, and a princess of the Heavenly Court, she held no official divine position, being more like a member of the Jade Emperor's family. Such etiquette was fitting.

In his heart, Li Changshou felt a mix of emotions.

Long Ji, who would later become the Red Luan Star Monarch after the Investiture of the Gods calamity, was another figure tied to that great tribulation.

His connection to the Investiture of the Gods seemed inescapable, a tangled web he could neither sever nor unravel.

As his thoughts raced, fragments of memories related to Long Ji flooded in, and after a quick calculation, he pieced together all the information he knew.

In the Investiture calamity, Long Ji was a skilled expert with considerable magical power, aligned with the Chan teachings, and had actively aided King Wu of Zhou.

Originally the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor, she was said to have been demoted to the mortal realm for some wrongdoing to undergo cultivation. Li Changshou couldn't recall the details of her battles, but he remembered that she was persuaded by a certain immortal and the Moon Elder to marry one of her defeated foes.

That foe was some ineffective pretty boy, named Hong Jin or something like that.

Based on his understanding of the Moon Elder, for him to arrange such an unscrupulous matter, there must have been some force or individual scheming behind the scenes.

That was about all Li Changshou knew regarding Long Ji.

Dongmu Gong interjected, “Your Highness Long Ji, why not reveal your true form and pay respects to the Sea God as your teacher?”

“Yes,” Long Ji Princess responded softly, and a faint immortal mist enveloped her.

When the mist dissipated, her armor vanished, transforming into a light white immortal skirt, and her flowing black hair cascaded down.

Now, she appeared a bit shorter and more delicate than before, fully embodying a sense of cuteness.

Upon closer inspection, Li Changshou saw that she was indeed a young girl, just at the start of adolescence.

On second thought, since the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother were innate spirits, was their daughter's growth measured in years or in yuan hui cycles?

Long Ji Princess must be at least a few thousand years old, right?

If she still looked like this during the Investiture calamity, then the Moon Elder, that certain immortal, and Hong Jin... wouldn't that be a crime?

Hmm, as a trusted ordinary minister of the Jade Emperor, he needed to quickly propose a complete set of Heavenly regulations and laws.

The young Long Ji stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Li Changshou, respectfully saying, “Long Ji pays respects to my teacher.”

“Ah, please don't call me teacher—that's a karma I can't easily take on.”

Li Changshou chuckled, “Since Your Highness wishes to learn the ways of strategy from me, I'll thicken my skin and accept this task. But just call me Sea God; no need for 'teacher.'”

Long Ji glanced at Dongmu Gong, who nodded with a smile, thinking Li Changshou was merely being modest.

In truth, it was genuine caution.

Dongmu Gong laughed, “Whatever the Sea God says, Your Highness should do.”

Long Ji Princess immediately chirped, “Sea God!”

Only then did Li Changshou smile in satisfaction, taking out a few bottles of pills from his sleeve as a greeting gift.

He had assumed that Long Ji Princess was just coming to exchange pleasantries and go through the motions, but to his surprise, after Dongmu Gong and his entourage left...

She stood in a corner of the Sea God Mansion, curiously observing everything around her, radiating a lively spirit.

“Your Highness?” Li Changshou asked, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

“My mother told me to stay by your side and learn as much as I can,” the girl said with a wink and a touch of mischief. “Sea God, may I stay here with you?”

“Your Highness, to be honest...”

Li Changshou said seriously, “What you see here is just my incarnation. It mostly cultivates in peace—it's quite dull.”

“Don't worry, Sea God, I need to cultivate too!”

Long Ji laughed, “Since my mother ordered me to follow you, I must obey. If you go out or have business, take me along if it's convenient; if not, just pretend I'm not here.

I'll be like a attendant by your side, running errands or doing chores—it's all fine. I won't bring you any karma or trouble, and I won't embarrass the Heavenly Court.”

Li Changshou couldn't help but admire her inwardly.

This princess was so well-mannered in every word and action, with a natural poise that was graceful, neither arrogant nor timid. She was truly a promising talent.

No wonder, being the flesh and blood of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother.

Li Changshou said, “In that case, Your Highness might return to Yao Pond to prepare. Come see me tomorrow morning.

I'll set out tomorrow to visit the great masters of the Three Teachings and the Dragon Kings. You can accompany me on this trip and build some good connections.”

“Thank you, Sea God!”

Long Ji was overjoyed and didn't insist on staying in the Sea God Mansion.

After seeing Long Ji off, Li Changshou began to ponder.

'What exactly does His Majesty mean by this?'

If he used the process of elimination, the first absurd option to rule out was the honey trap.

How could the Jade Emperor, the ruler of the Three Realms with the backing of Zixiao Palace, arrange his treasured daughter for such a scheme against a minor Sea God?

Next, he should rule out surveillance, as the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother wouldn't act that way.

Instead, the reason Dongmu Gong mentioned was the most credible: this princess was here to learn strategy and scheming.

But how to teach these things?

Li Changshou was just a bit more cautious, thought a little more ahead, and prepared a tad more thoroughly—he didn't have any special skills worth teaching.

He couldn't very well pass on his mind map techniques or train her in divergent thinking...

Sitting in his rocking chair, Li Changshou felt stumped, so he shifted his perspective.

'Maybe I should just treat her as a supervisor.'

That made it easier for him to accept, and as the Sea God, he didn't have much to hide anyway.

So, early the next morning...

As soon as Li Changshou's spirit settled into his paper effigy at the Sea God Mansion, he noticed a slender figure waiting outside—it was naturally Long Ji.

She had tied her hair into a simple bun, hiding her locks, and changed into a light white Daoist robe and cloth shoes, looking quite like a Daoist attendant.

Li Changshou rose and headed out of the mansion, and the girl outside turned quickly.

“Did Your Highness wait long?”

“Long Ji pays respects to Sea God!”

Long Ji bowed slightly and added, “Please just call me Long Ji, as you said yesterday. From today, I'm your attendant Daoist.”

“In that case, I'll be presumptuous.”

Li Changshou chuckled lightly and handed her the dust whisk from his hand.

Long Ji stepped forward, took it with both hands, and held it properly against her chest, following behind Li Changshou.

With a wave of his sleeve, Li Changshou summoned a white cloud and set off with Long Ji toward Doushuai Palace.

After much thought the previous day, Li Changshou decided to hand over the peaches from Ren School to the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord for distribution.

Though a small matter, it required careful handling.

However, to his surprise...

The Grand Master was not in Doushuai Palace—neither resting nor cultivating!

In the front courtyard of Doushuai Palace, Xiao Jin said with a grin, “The Grand Master went back to Taiqing Temple; he had something to report to the Saint.”

Xiao Yin added, “The Elderly Lord rode his ox out a few days ago and isn't in the palace either.

Brother Changgeng, do you have some trouble? We can help too!”

Li Changshou thought to himself: Help with what?

Take a few of the Elderly Lord's treasures and go down to shout “Sun Wukong” or “Wukong Sun” at some monkey?

“It's nothing serious,” Li Changshou said with a smile, pulling out a brocade box from his sleeve. “The Queen Mother sent some peaches to the Three Teachings of Daoism, so I brought them over.

There are thirty-six peaches inside—don't sneak any; the Grand Master will reward you when he returns.”

“Oh!”

Xiao Jin and Xiao Yin nodded in agreement, not thinking much of it.

Peaches were common; back when the Heavenly Court was first established and Doushuai Palace was new, fairy sisters brought them over every few years.

Later, they got tired of eating them and fed quite a few to the green ox.

Afterward, Li Changshou bid farewell with Long Ji and rode the cloud toward the East Heaven Gate.

Long Ji Princess paused to think, then took out a jade talisman and wrote something inside it.

Li Changshou asked with a smile, “What are you writing?”

“Please have a look, Sea God.”

Long Ji handed over the jade talisman. Li Changshou glanced at it and couldn't help but chuckle.

This Long Ji Princess had recorded every word he said to Xiao Jin and Xiao Yin, and added a short commentary afterward.

The commentary read:

Today, Sea God visited Doushuai Palace to find the Grand Master and intended to leave the peaches from my mother for him to handle. Though a small matter, it shows Sea God's careful and measured approach.

The three words “not overstepping boundaries” are easy to say but hard to do.

Li Changshou handed the jade talisman back and praised, “Observing and learning is easy; thinking and reflecting is hard. Keep up this habit, and in the future, you can hold up a great banner for the Heavenly Court on your own.”

Long Ji shyly stuck out the tip of her tongue, her face slightly flushed, and murmured in agreement.

Li Changshou continued, “Let's go. Next, we'll head to Jin'ao Island.

Once we're outside the Heaven Gate, the primordial world has many dangers. If we encounter any, prioritize your own safety—I'll protect you and ensure we escape.”

“Don't worry, Sea God; Long Ji won't cause any trouble.”

“Good.”

Li Changshou nodded with a smile and led Long Ji out of the Heaven Gate toward the East Sea.

Though he wanted to give Long Ji a crash course on the “Canon of Steadfastness” and “Theory of Schemes,” these were his secret teachings from Xiaoqiong Peak and not suitable for sharing.

Moreover, Long Ji's status was sensitive, quite different from Ao Yi's, so he couldn't treat them the same.

The Grand Master had gone to see the Saint?

Li Changshou pondered briefly. In that case, he'd keep the remaining sixty-four peaches for now and find an opportunity to take a dozen back to Duxian Gate for his master and others to enjoy.

Half a day later, at Jin'ao Island, Li Changshou approached slowly on the cloud, and several immortals from Jin'ao Island came out to welcome him.

Long Ji followed Li Changshou as his attendant, and no one paid her much attention.

As for Long Ji, she went from initial composure to growing shock, then to outright astonishment, her gaze toward the Sea God shifting all the while.

What kind of figure was this, who had served the Heavenly Court and aided her father?

Though Long Ji appeared young, she had cultivated for many years and, growing up in Yao Pond, had read extensively and knew various secrets and legends.

Jin'ao Island was the renowned Dao field of Jie School, with paths leading to Biyou Palace and many disciples of the Saint, who usually ignored the Heavenly Court entirely.

Yet today, when the Sea God arrived at Jin'ao Island, first the golden immortals greeted him, and then the Ten Heavenly Lords hosted a banquet.

If not for just coming from Doushuai Palace, one might think the Sea God was from Jie School.

And when Li Changshou mentioned he wanted to meet the senior brother of Jie School, the disciple of the Tongtian Jiaozhu, the Ten Heavenly Lords hadn't even responded before that Duobao Daoist senior appeared directly on Jin'ao Island, calling out “Sea God brother” and warmly engaging Li Changshou in conversation.

After some pleasantries, Li Changshou stated his purpose and presented the Heavenly Court's gifts.

Duobao Daoist blinked, picked up a peach, peeled it, and took a bite of the glistening flesh, letting out a contented hum as the fresh sweetness filled his mouth.

“This peach is quite good. I'll keep some to offer to our teacher.

The rest, let's share among our fellow disciples here—don't disappoint the Sea God and the Heavenly Court's kindness.”

All the Jie School immortals agreed.

But as soon as Duobao Daoist finished, he seemed to remember something.

Just as Jin Guang Shengmu eagerly jumped over to divide the peaches, Duobao Daoist added:

“Set aside nine for the Sea God brother to take with him.”

“Yes, senior brother,” Jin Guang Shengmu replied with a blink and a suppressed giggle. “Senior brother, does this mean we need to give a return gift?”

Li Changshou quickly said, “Senior, that's not necessary.”

“What do you mean, not necessary!”

Duobao personally took out a spirit treasure-level jade box, selected nine of the finest, most aged peaches, and placed them inside.

Then, with a wave of his hand, Duobao said, “Such delicious peaches—how could we not send some to Sanxian Island?

The Three Xiao sisters are the pillars of our Jie School!

Sea God, please do me the favor of accompanying me on another trip.”

Li Changshou hemmed and hawed for a while before finally agreeing with a smile, taking the jade box and following Duobao Daoist with the somewhat bewildered Long Ji toward Sanxian Island.

On the way, Long Ji saw...

This legendary senior brother of Jie School huddling with the Sea God, whispering about something and occasionally bursting into strange “hee-hee” laughs.

By now, Long Ji was merely shocked—shocked at the breadth of the Sea God's connections.

Another half an hour later, when they reached Sanxian Island and met the renowned Three Xiao Immortals of Jie School, Long Ji's eyes held only awe.

Was this Yunxiao Immortal truly a being of this world?

But that wasn't the main point.

The Sea God and Yunxiao Immortal were strolling alone in the woods, chatting and laughing—what was going on?

And Yunxiao Immortal even peeled a peach by hand and offered it to the Sea God...

The Sea God said it was just an incarnation and the taste wouldn't be much, but his body honestly accepted it.

The Sea God with Duobao Daoist...

The Sea God with Yunxiao Immortal...

Long Ji pursed her lips, standing in the corner listening to the other two immortals joke and play, while quietly pulling out her jade talisman to record her thoughts.

Meanwhile, in the Ninefold Heavens, in the Great Red Heaven...

Misty clouds and swirling immortal lights enveloped the void, with no objects, gods, immortals, or spirits in sight, only profound mysteries.

Deep within the clouds, in a small Dao observatory, the Grand Master sat upright at the entrance of the small hall, smiling with a sense of mature composure, no longer feigning youth.

After a moment, the Grand Master softly asked toward the hall interior:

“Teacher, what do you think of my earlier suggestion?”