Chapter 333: Rest Assured, Keep It Secret

Today, the winds in the Xi Kunlun Mountains seemed slightly restless.

In the majestic mountain ranges, within a secluded hidden valley, inside the cave residence bearing the plaque "Ba Zhen Yun Guang Dong," the elegantly dressed old Taoist with white hair and a youthful face slowly rose to his feet.

He seemed to sense that something was about to happen.

Yet, the details were unclear. After performing a quick divination, he only knew it was related to his own established sect—the Du Xian Men.

“It seems it's time for the mountain-opening ceremony, the day Du Xian Men accepts new disciples.”

Du'e Zhenren pondered for a moment and decided to go to Du Xian Men to observe discreetly.

For this true person, the earlier incident where Du Xian Men was attacked by a group of demonic puppets, forcing the Great Mage to intervene personally, was a matter that had lost them face.

They couldn't afford any more mishaps that might summon the Great Mage down from the heavens again.

—Such were the old Taoist's thoughts.

Humming a tune from the scriptures, the old Taoist paced back and forth in the spacious cave.

He first went to a tidy side chamber.

Opening a wooden cabinet, he selected a gray dao robe made of silver silk velvet. Turning around, he looked at the wall nearby, where various styles of dusters hung.

From among them, Du'e Zhenren chose one that matched his dao robe, holding it in his hand.

Then, he went to the adjacent "Yun Fang" and picked out a cloud that was white with hints of gray, stepping onto it as he gracefully left his cave residence.

Not every duster could catch Du'e Zhenren's eye.

Just as not every wandering cultivator was fortunate enough to be accepted as a registered disciple by the Tai Qing Saint.

This was all about refinement.

On his journey, he traveled unhurriedly, riding the clouds eastward, admiring the magnificent rivers and mountains of Zhong Shen Zhou along the way, and soon arrived near Du Xian Men.

At that moment, Du Xian Men was bustling with activity. Crowds gathered outside the mountain gate, while inside, layers of tests were being prepared.

Seeing this, Du'e Zhenren stroked his beard and nodded in approval. He concealed his form and hid in the clouds, wandering around to observe, quite satisfied with the grand scene.

Before long, two elders from Du Xian Men flew out of the mountain gate and announced the start of the disciple selection.

“Today, for the mountain-opening ceremony, those seeking to become disciples shall enter through the mountain gate and proceed to the main peak, facing a total of eighteen trials along the way.

Those selected by the immortals within the sect may decide for themselves whether to stay;

Those not selected but with outstanding talent may remain on the mountain as miscellaneous disciples, with the sect arranging their cultivation schedules.

For this ceremony, by the order of the sect leader, we have added the Caiyun Shi. Anyone found to have profound fortune may also be admitted for inner sect cultivation.”

Fortune?

Upon hearing this, Du'e Zhenren raised his eyebrows slightly, finding it quite reasonable.

At present, this true person continued to watch from the clouds, easily seeing through Du Xian Men's mountain-protecting array and observing the events that followed.

None of the three golden immortals on the surface of the sect noticed this scene.

But...

“Has Du'e Zhenren really come?”

Li Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back by the lake on Xiao Qiong Feng, pondering carefully.

He had originally planned to use fortune as a lure, having the sect leader accept Li Jing as a disciple on his master's behalf. But now, it seemed his many arrangements might not be necessary.

Better to be prepared than not.

Moreover, Du'e Zhenren's appearance further confirmed that this Li Jing was indeed that Li Jing!

After a brief thought, Li Changsheng turned and returned to his thatched hut.

He had already handed the fortune artifact to the sect leader for handling and, to be safe, made two backup plans.

First, he had hinted to the sect leader that among this group of disciples, one person had extraordinarily astonishing fortune.

—Of course, he used the Great Mage's name for this.

Second, Li Changsheng would keep a close eye on the entire process of the young Li Jing entering the sect.

If Li Jing's fortune proved insufficient, Li Changsheng would activate the "backup" he left on the fortune artifact.

At that moment, Li Jing, mingling among the crowd of youths and children, had no idea what awaited him on the path ahead.

Thus, half a day later,

In front of Po Tian Feng, a deep purple light shot up into the sky.

Du'e Zhenren, who had been about to leave the clouds, was startled. The various elders gathered in Du Xian Dian surged out of the hall.

Even the sect leader, Ji Wuyou, who had been forewarned by Li Changsheng, was shaken by this surge of fortune energy. He covered his mouth with his elbow and coughed a few times before riding the clouds toward the Caiyun Shi.

In the blink of an eye, the somewhat flustered young Li Jing was surrounded by figures.

In the thatched hut, Li Changsheng chuckled lightly, keeping a wisp of immortal sense focused on Li Jing while directing most of his attention outside the mountain gate.

Even ordinary officials have ordinary duties to attend to.

Near the Xi Hai Long Gong, the paper effigies Li Changsheng had placed there had observed unusual movements in the past two days: large numbers of immortal flood dragons and soldiers were being mobilized frequently.

By now, the Xi Fang Jiao should have accumulated considerable resentment and was likely about to vent it on the Xi Hai Long Gong.

As for the Xi Hai Long Wang...

To facilitate command and unified management, after his promotion to Shui Shen, Li Changsheng had upgraded his paper effigies, establishing a legion specifically for river, lake, sea, and ocean affairs.

Thanks to his Jiu Shi Jie's diligent exploitation of the sect's old spirit trees for their sap in recent years, Li Changsheng's reserves of paper effigies and spirit explosion paper effigies had rapidly grown.

Earlier, he had transferred half of his water-based paper effigies to the West Sea to handle any potential incidents.

Based on the Xi Fang Jiao's style of action, Li Changsheng estimated they would target the Xi Hai Long Gong like plucking a sheep relentlessly.

If he could do something to help, he would.

However, just as Li Changsheng had settled several paper effigy legions, his divine sense picked up the young dragon's cry:

“Da Ge Jiao Zhu! Something's wrong!”

‘The Dragon Clan’s reaction is even quicker than mine,’ Li Changsheng thought.

He released his divine sense through the statue, pulling Ao Yi into a dream realm.

The two Shui Shen Jiao leaders met and, quite in sync, spoke at the same time.

Li Changsheng said:

“The situation around the Xi Hai Long Gong is worrisome; I've already detected traces of many primordial fierce beasts.”

But Ao Yi said:

“Jin Guang Shi Shu is leading a group of female immortals from the islands to our An Shui Cheng Shui Shen Miao!”

After speaking, the two stared at each other in surprise.

“Jin Guang Sheng Mu?”

“Da Ge, what's happening in the West Sea?”

Li Changsheng quickly replied:

“The Xi Hai Long Gong shows some anomalies; I suspect the Xi Fang Jiao is planning to cause trouble. Go inform your father right away.

I'll handle the Shui Shen Miao.

As for those immortals you mentioned... when they arrived, were they happy or angry? Did they seem indignant, or worried?”

“It seems... they didn't show much emotion. They were mostly comforting Jin Guang Sheng Mu, and then they decided to come find you, Da Ge.”

Li Changsheng nodded slowly, feeling a genuine sense of relief in his heart.

Without needing further urging, Ao Yi bowed and hastily took his leave.

Li Changsheng hid his West Sea paper effigies even deeper and kept a small portion of his mind on the West Sea, while arranging a golden immortal realm paper effigy to wait at the Shui Shen Miao.

Before long, two white clouds drifted in from the Nan Hai, carrying seventeen or eighteen beautiful female immortals.

Upon closer inspection, most of them were familiar faces.

Some he had seen at the Shui Shen Da Dian, others he had encountered in the earth cave.

At the forefront was a fairy in a red skirt and phoenix crown—Huo Ling Sheng Mu, the beloved disciple of Duobao Daoist.

Beside her stood the slightly shorter Jin Guang Sheng Mu.

Jin Guang Sheng Mu appeared distracted and disheartened, her pretty face full of exhaustion, and even her gold-threaded short skirt had lost its luster.

Li Changsheng took the initiative to ride out on the clouds to greet them, bowing from afar with a daoist salute.

Huo Ling Sheng Mu frowned slightly and glanced at the mortals in An Shui Cheng who were standing on rooftops and streets, staring at them. She whispered:

“Shi Shu, let's go to your temple to talk.”

“Very well.”

Li Changsheng gestured for them to proceed, leading the group of fairies into the Shui Shen Miao.

Thus, the rumors of the "Shui Shen's romantic affairs" quickly spread with dozens of new versions.

At that moment, Li Changsheng hadn't yet initiated the sixth reform of the Shui Shen Miao, so the mortals still didn't know that the Shui Shen had been replaced by the Long Wang. However, this didn't affect Li Changsheng's collection of incense and merit.

Once in the inner hall, the guests and host took their seats, filling the room with graceful figures and shimmering lights.

Li Changsheng skipped the pleasantries and said seriously:

“Ladies, you've come from Jin'ao Dao— is there an important matter?”

The fairies hesitated, and Jin Guang Sheng Mu kept her head down.

“Shi Shu,” Huo Ling Sheng Mu said after a pause, forcing a smile toward Li Changsheng, “we've come to seek your help on a certain matter.”

“Let me say it,” Jin Guang Sheng Mu volunteered, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.

She looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with unease, and whispered: “Did Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong come to see you before?”

Li Changsheng: ...

After his meeting with Yunxiao Xianzi on the East Sea coast last time, it seemed his status and influence in the Jie Jiao had grown considerably.

Though it wasn't very useful...

And he didn't want more karmic ties.

“Of course he did,” Li Changsheng replied with a smile. “Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong seemed quite troubled, so to help him relax, I invited him to the Heavenly Court’s Peach Banquet.”

Jin Guang Sheng Mu couldn't help but ask: “Was he really that troubled?”

Li Changsheng didn't know how to respond and didn't dare add his own interpretations, so he stuck to the facts.

“Not exactly too troubled...

You could say he felt a bit of 'uncertainty about his place' and some 'frustration with the world's delays.'”

Jin Guang Sheng Mu sighed softly, her eyes showing a touch of bitterness, and murmured:

“I must be the one at fault, adding to Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong's troubles.

If I'd known, I wouldn't have said those words or clung to him so persistently.”

Several fairies around her immediately offered comfort, telling Jin Guang Sheng Mu not to blame herself—it might just be that Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong couldn't bring himself to say it outright.

Li Changsheng: ...

It's really not that.

Master Zhao prefers a different style from your cute, round-faced type!

Watching Jin Guang Sheng Mu gradually regain her fighting spirit amid the encouragement from the other fairies, Li Changsheng felt a bit helpless.

In matters like this, outside comfort often makes it harder—better to face the pain head-on.

However, as he wasn't a Jie Jiao immortal, he didn't dare speak up and just listened quietly.

The lesson of karmic ties from love affairs still echoed in his ears from when he advised Ling'e, so he wouldn't get involved.

Once Jin Guang Sheng Mu perked up, her eyes sparkling again, she asked softly:

“Chang Geng Shi Xiong...

My heart is in turmoil, and I don't know what to do. You're the closest to Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong—could you, could you help me see what this letter really means?”

Jin Guang Sheng Mu handed over the letter with her immortal power.

Li Changsheng coughed and said: “Actually, I was right there when Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong wrote this letter.

This is a long story, but he told me what happened and how he couldn't bring himself to say it to you.

That's why I suggested he write down what he wanted to say but couldn't.”

Jin Guang Sheng Mu was stunned and murmured: “So, he really is annoyed with me.”

“How could that be!”

Huo Ling Sheng Mu stood up, snatched the letter, and quickly walked to Li Changsheng, opening it.

“Shi Shu, take a close look!”

Li Changsheng examined it carefully, full of confusion.

Is there really an issue with the wording?

The lines were clearly rejecting her, short of spelling it out directly.

But Huo Ling Sheng Mu pointed with her slender hand: “Shi Shu, starting from the third line, read the first word of each line together, and you'll understand.”

Li Changsheng focused and murmured: “Jin, Jie, Bu, Ji, Wo, Xin, Yi, Jiu... What?”

This seemed like a stretch...

If it were a hidden message, why not start from the first line?

Just as he was about to object, the fairies around him all stood up, staring at Li Changsheng.

Jin Guang Sheng Mu bit her lip lightly, her eyes full of hope.

Then, a voice transmission reached his ear—it was from Huo Ling Sheng Mu.

She said:

“Shi Shu, we all know what Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong means, but Jin Guang has harbored these feelings for so long. We can't bear to see her so downcast.

Even if Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong could just spend half a day with her, it would fulfill her long-held dream.

We're all impressed by your strategic talents, and this time, we secretly discussed and brought her to you.

Please help her out. We'll take on all the karma.

If you think it's inappropriate, at least don't shatter her illusions completely—let her hold onto some thoughts and forget over time.”

Li Changsheng looked up at the tall, elegant figure beside him.

Huo Ling Sheng Mu's eyes pleaded, and after a moment of thought, Li Changsheng sighed:

“I'm a bit confused myself—what does Zhao Gong Ming Shi Xiong really mean?”

Jin Guang Sheng Mu's eyes lit up instantly.

Huo Ling Sheng Mu breathed a sigh of relief, but then Li Changsheng's voice transmission came back:

“First, make an oath. I'll give you three pouches later to help with Jin Guang.

But keep this completely secret—don't link it to me at all. All actions will be seen as your idea and the other fairies'.”

Huo Ling Sheng Mu's mouth twitched slightly.

After calling him Shi Shu for so long, it seemed to have no effect...

This would-be dao companion of Yunxiao was truly troublesome.

Meanwhile, in the Du Xian Dian of Du Xian Men,

The young Li Jing knelt on the cushion, head bowed, not daring to look around, as the elders on both sides continued to marvel at the boy's fortune.

Purple aura rising from the east—truly profound fortune!

Without comparison, one wouldn't feel the sting.

The sect leader, Ji Wuyou, had just tested his own fortune and found that, as a golden immortal, it was merely a faint red—making the elders vividly realize how "rare" this young boy was.

But this also showed that fortune wasn't directly tied to one's cultivation.

In the side hall, Du'e Zhenren sat in the chair, with Ji Wuyou standing beside him.

By now, Du'e Zhenren had decided to take Li Jing as a disciple, but since the boy's aptitude wasn't strong, it would only be as a registered disciple.

However, when Du'e Zhenren mentioned wanting to take Li Jing to Xi Kunlun for training, Ji Wuyou pondered and said:

“Master, why not let Li Jing cultivate in Du Xian Men?”

“Oh?”

Du'e Zhenren asked curiously, “Do you think my personal guidance would be inferior to his time here?”

Ji Wuyou replied seriously: “Master, there's something you don't know. If he has high fortune, he might find more opportunities within the sect.

Master, times have changed.

In our Du Xian Men, there's now an extraordinary figure.”

Du'e Zhenren grew even more puzzled. “What kind of extraordinary figure?”

“This matter must not be spread, Master,” Ji Wuyou leaned in and whispered a few words.

“Ah?”

Du'e Zhenren stood up, eyes wide, and lowered his voice to ask: “Don't deceive me, an old Taoist!”

“How could I dare deceive you? He's someone with endless anomalies and constant opportunities...”

Ji Wuyou said seriously: “Master, you must not tell anyone about this.”

“Rest assured,” Du'e Zhenren said, his excitement quickly calming as he smiled, “I still have that much sense.

Come, tell me in detail about this... this nephew's anomalies.”

Ji Wuyou nodded and began to whisper.