Chapter 335: Losing a Person but Not the Array

Is this the legendary Xuan Du Da Fa Shi?

Ling E used her immortal sense to probe ahead, but found nothing, as if the figure wasn't there at all.

This single peculiar trait alone far surpassed her own sect leader!

Li Changshou transmitted his voice: "Don't stand there stunned. Come over and bow."

Ling E hurried forward, following her senior brother, and performed a proper bow to the visitor.

Li Changshou added: "Da Fa Shi, this matter has indeed drawn your attention. I hadn't yet had a chance to handle it, so please forgive me."

Ling E blinked and stood quietly to the side, secretly observing.

Had her senior brother's temperament changed? Why was he suddenly taking all the responsibility?

This didn't seem like his style at all.

Ling E looked again at Xuan Du Da Fa Shi and sensed that he had a presence all his own—at first glance, he seemed utterly ordinary, but upon reflection, he left no trace in her mind.

If she stared at him closely, she found his appearance fairly upright, though overall...

He certainly wasn't as handsome as her senior brother.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi sat in the chair Li Changshou had just occupied, lounging comfortably with a serene smile.

"These rumors are trivial matters," Xuan Du Da Fa Shi said with a slight smile. "They pass like the wind, so why take them to heart?

In ancient times, many creatures even claimed I was the Teacher's offspring.

The masses are often ignorant, so why argue with them?

I live freely and at ease, so what do I care about idle gossip and slander?"

Li Changshou sighed with a laugh: "You're truly magnanimous!"

Ling E, standing nearby, began to understand something.

She had thought her senior brother had changed his nature, but it turned out... he had thoroughly analyzed this great one's character!

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi chuckled: "Ling E has reached the Tian Xian realm, and her insight is quite good."

Li Changshou replied: "It's all thanks to your guidance, Da Fa Shi.

Junior sister, when you were in seclusion and ascending, Da Fa Shi lent you a hand. Hurry and thank him."

"Yes," Ling E said with a graceful bow. "I thank you for your guidance, Da Fa Shi."

"Good."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi nodded with a smile.

Li Changshou said: "Ling E, go prepare a few of your signature dishes. Da Fa Shi doesn't visit often, so let's have him sample your cooking."

"Alright," Ling E agreed, lowering her head and hurrying away.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi raised an eyebrow at Li Changshou, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he laughed: "With your three stars aligning in marriage, why not call them all over to see?"

Li Changshou gave a bitter laugh: "Da Fa Shi, I focus solely on cultivation..."

"In the peach blossom forest, I heard about what happened with Yun Xiao Shi Mei."

"Well," Li Changshou said seriously, "regarding Yun Xiao Xian Zi, I wanted to ask you something.

What exactly did you do?"

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi spread his hands: "I simply asked her to use the Hun Yuan Jin Dou to help you through your tribulation, gave her a portrait of you, and did nothing else."

"Then... how could that be..."

Li Changshou's brow furrowed into a "川" character.

"Ah, don't overthink it," Xuan Du Da Fa Shi waved his hand. "Matters of fate are even beyond Yue Lao's grasp. You handle things steadily and have a handsome face—it's only natural for Yun Xiao Shi Mei to take a liking to you.

Throughout history, there have been many talented individuals, but few as prudent as you.

Perhaps it's your steadiness that drew Yun Xiao Shi Mei's interest.

Put in some effort—this is one area where I'll fully support you, so we can aim for two more great masters in Ren Jiao by the time you achieve your divine powers!"

Li Changshou: ...

Time to change the topic. If we keep going, Da Fa Shi might even drag Lao Jun into this!

Li Changshou asked: "Da Fa Shi, was it the situation in the West Sea that alarmed you?"

"Indeed," Xuan Du Da Fa Shi frowned slightly, gesturing for Li Changshou to sit. "Now that the Dragon Clan has returned to Heaven Court, if they suffer heavy losses, Heaven Court will be affected as well. We can't ignore that.

How are your preparations coming along?"

Li Changshou smiled: "I had about a sixty or seventy percent chance before, but with your personal arrival, Da Fa Shi, it's now up to ninety percent."

"Oh?" Xuan Du Da Fa Shi laughed. "Tell me more."

"At the moment, the West Sea Dragon Palace appears to be at the center of the vortex, but that's not the case," Li Changshou explained. "The West Sea Dragon Palace has been infiltrated too deeply, and the sea eye's location is fully under Xi Fang Jiao's control.

From what I've observed recently, Xi Fang Jiao intends to use the sea eye to pressure them, extorting the Dragon Palace and effectively bringing the West Sea Dragon Clan under Ling Shan's rule."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi nodded slowly, then added:

"In theory, if Heaven Court and Xi Fang Jiao are vying, securing seventy or eighty percent of the Dragon Clan would be a success.

But if we let this slide, how would that differ from those in the West?"

"You're absolutely right, Da Fa Shi," Li Changshou said with a smile. "So, from a moral standpoint, the Dragon Clan is already a vassal of Heaven Court.

I previously reported to Yu Di His Majesty, and his intention is to mobilize all of Heaven Court's forces to protect the Dragon Clan's vitality, thereby demonstrating Heaven Court's benevolence.

Moreover, the Dragon Kings of the East Sea, South Sea, and North Sea have already been contacted, and the Dragon Clan will go all out to counter the threat from the West.

Half a month ago, someone from Xi Fang Jiao even visited my Hai Shen temple."

"Oh? What did they say?"

Li Changshou smirked and muttered quietly:

"The West is acting like outright scoundrels now, relying on their two saints to bluntly tell me that they've been plotting against the Dragon Clan for so long—they can't just walk away empty-handed.

They even said something about stepping back this time to keep things amicable in the future."

"Hahaha!"

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi burst out laughing, clapping his hands. "These fellows haven't changed a bit since ancient times—they haven't improved at all.

I'm here to help the Dragon Clan weather this crisis. Since we're fully supporting the Dragon Clan's ascent to Heaven, we can't just stand by.

Changshou, do you need me to go to the West Sea sea eye?"

"You're testing me again, Da Fa Shi."

Li Changshou chose his words carefully: "Xi Fang Jiao might feint east while striking west or lay a false trail.

I've already advised the Four Seas Dragon Palaces to consolidate their forces and stay vigilant everywhere. Based on the current situation, the most likely trouble spot is actually the North Sea.

To put it bluntly, if the West Sea sea eye is attacked, it would be the West Sea dragons filling it back up, which would only deplete their own strength."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi narrowed his eyes with a smile: "Well reasoned. You truly should consider that. What arrangements have you made?"

"I haven't done much," Li Changshou said with a laugh. "I just gave the Dragon Clan a few suggestions—they're an ancient race, after all, and not ones to be trifled with, so I don't need to micromanage."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi sniffed the air lightly and brightened up: "Your junior sister's cooking skills are quite impressive—much better than your fish grilling."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, naturally refraining from saying something like "I taught her."

He continued: "Regarding the Dragon Clan, I'll give you a detailed report later. For now, I have two small matters I'd like your help with."

"Hahaha, are these 'few suggestions' of yours going to take three days and nights to explain?"

Li Changshou thought for a moment and said seriously: "Half a day should be enough."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi: ...

Truly just a "few" suggestions.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi's dismissive attitude toward such rumors made Li Changshou admire him even more from the heart.

One could only say that this man lived up to the title of Dao Men's senior brother!

For someone like him, his breadth of mind and character were beyond ordinary comprehension. If rumors like this were spread about Li Changshou himself, he would probably...

Secretly hold a little grudge.

Though a distinguished guest had arrived at Xiao Qiong Peak today, Li Changshou didn't dare casually invite his master or grandmaster to pay respects.

Ling E prepared a few of her specialties, Li Changshou brought out his own brewed wine, and as Xuan Du Da Fa Shi asked about the Dragon Clan, they found a good topic for conversation.

The two mages drank and chatted merrily, turning it into a lively feast.

Ling E poured wine and served dishes, keeping her words to herself and staying out of the discussion.

In her heart, Ling E felt a bit joyful.

She could clearly sense that after her tribulation and ascension, her senior brother's attitude toward her had shifted noticeably.

At the very least, he no longer treated her like a child; today, with the sect leader and Da Fa Shi appearing, he had intentionally let her listen in...

Though she suspected her senior brother might be grooming her into a tool for more tasks in the future,

She couldn't help but feel delighted, her steps growing even lighter and more graceful.

And when Ling E heard Li Changshou say:

"...Though the two saints of Xi Fang Jiao are unlikely to act directly, I dare not speculate on saints' abilities, so we must prepare for that possibility.

To bring peace to the Four Seas and tranquility to the Dragon Clan, we need to strike the West hard this time, making them realize that the gains from extorting the Dragon Clan don't match their losses—they'll think twice before acting again."

Saints...

It seemed her senior brother's troublesome personality was quite formidable when applied to matters beyond romance.

Half a day later, under the starry night.

In front of the thatched hut, Li Changshou handed a jade talisman to Ling E.

"Junior sister, I'll be accompanying Da Fa Shi on a trip for a while, so keep an eye on things in the mountain.

This is the control jade talisman for the great array around the pill room. My paper dao ren is in the pill room, so I'll leave it to you this time—I won't be distracted watching over the mountain gate."

"Mm! Senior brother, rest assured!"

Ling E's eyes showed a touch of concern as she took the jade talisman and whispered: "Please be careful on your trip, senior brother, and don't take unnecessary risks. Remember the things you taught me."

"You're lecturing me now," Li Changshou said, raising his hand as if to habitually ruffle her hair, but he stopped just short of her head.

Well, she was a full-grown Tian Xian lady now, so better not...

Ling E gently tiptoed up, nudging her head against his palm.

"I'll be good."

"Mm," Li Changshou smiled, lightly tapping her forehead before turning to walk toward Xuan Du Da Fa Shi, who was gazing up at the sky under the willow tree.

Then, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi's wide robe fluttered slightly, and in Ling E's eyes, her senior brother's figure gradually blurred and vanished with the wind.

In the North Sea, across the endless expanse of snow-white ice.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi carried Li Changshou on a cloud, flying over the ice plains and secretly placing a Qian Kun seal at the North Sea sea eye.

This way, even if the area was sealed off, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi could still use the Tai Ji Tu to arrive promptly.

"Changshou, weren't there two things you needed me to handle? What exactly are they?"

"I want to move the Shui Shen mansion near Dou Lu Gong, and then relocate Xiao Qiong Peak into the Shui Shen mansion," Li Changshou said with a somewhat sheepish smile. "This time, I'm asking for your help in two ways: first, to get Lao Jun's approval, and second, to set up a Qian Kun Jie Zi array to turn Xiao Qiong Peak into a miniature mountain model."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi laughed: "That's a great idea—just go ahead with it. Why would Lao Jun turn you away?

As for the Jie Zi array, I'll draw up a diagram for you later. You can figure it out yourself; it'll be a good lesson in array arts."

Li Changshou was overjoyed and quickly bowed: "Thank you, Da Fa Shi!"

"Enough, though it's still early to call me senior brother, you don't need to be so formal."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi said with his hands behind his back: "Once your cultivation advances further, I can return in peace and cultivate freely in Xuan Du."

Li Changshou seized the opportunity to ask: "Da Fa Shi, where exactly is Xuan Du?

I've checked many ancient texts, but records about it are scarce."

"Xuan Du," Xuan Du Da Fa Shi said, his eyes filled with a hint of nostalgia, "was built in ancient times and floats in the Chaos Sea. It prospered later when the Dao Ancestor lectured at Zi Xiao Gong.

But then the Wu Yao great calamity struck, with countless experts falling, and fewer and fewer knew of Xuan Du city's location. Eventually, it fell into obscurity.

When I first entered the Jin Xian realm, my teacher threw me into Xuan Du city to spar with three hundred experts in cultivation and combat techniques.

Back then, I got beaten up plenty by those masters."

Li Changshou laughed: "No wind, no rainbow."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi raised an eyebrow: "Later, I paid them back double—hahaha!"

Li Changshou: ...

Just as he was about to tease Xuan Du Da Fa Shi lightly, the latter had already used Qian Kun teleportation to take him to the West Sea sea eye, where he placed another seal in the high sky.

The so-called Qian Kun seal was essentially a wisp of the Tai Ji Tu's power.

From Li Changshou's current understanding, among the three treasures that opened the heavens, the Tai Ji Tu's power focused on "Qian Kun."

The Pan Gu Fan's on "sharpness."

And the Chaos Bell, later renamed Dong Huang Zhong, mainly on "time."

Thus, among the three, the Tai Ji Tu excelled in defense, the Pan Gu Fan in slaughter, and the Chaos Bell was the most enigmatic.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi placed a wisp of the Tai Ji Tu's aura at each of the Four Seas sea eyes, then took Li Changshou to the Hai Shen temple to wait for the show to begin.

The situation in the West Sea was already on the verge of exploding, with both the Dragon Clan and the West waiting to see who would strike first—and that strike would be thunderous.

There wasn't much Li Changshou could do beyond...

Preparing a few paper dao ren legions and several sets of Di Sha Ling Bao great arrays.

No sooner had they returned to the back hall of the Hai Shen temple than Xuan Du Da Fa Shi let out a soft exclamation.

"Da Fa Shi, what is it?"

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi smiled without speaking, raising his left palm to summon a faint shadow of the Tai Ji Tu, which dispersed into a cloud revealing this scene:

A fairy in white stood on a cloud, hovering above the peach blossom forest and carefully divining with her fingers.

In this cloud manifestation, her figure was somewhat blurred, likely due to a divine ability blocking scrutiny.

But in Li Changshou's mind, he pictured her standing proudly in white atop the clouds.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi chuckled: "She's searching for your location, but it seems she can't pinpoint it.

Shall I give her a hint?"

"Da Fa Shi, about that..."

Li Changshou pondered briefly: "Please invite her here."

"Very well, but don't call me Da Fa Shi later. In front of Yun Xiao Shi Mei, go ahead and call me senior brother now."

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi advised, then pointed his right finger at the cloud.

The fairy, who had been divining, suddenly turned toward the southwest, her figure enveloped in clouds as she vanished swiftly, clearly heading this way.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi flipped his right hand, producing a small pagoda wrapped in Xuan Huang aura, which he pushed toward Li Changshou.

The Xuan Huang Bao Ta trembled slightly, sending a wisp of spiritual thought into Li Changshou's mind, manifesting as...

A somewhat roguish laugh.

"Little guy, long time no see. This time, Tower Master is backing you—let's go blow up those demons and ghosts again!"

Li Changshou bowed, allowing the Xuan Huang Ta to enter his chest and protect his primordial spirit and body.

That ultimate sense of security was back!

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi suddenly added: "Things are getting lively now—someone else is coming."

As he spoke, the cloud reformed, this time showing a clear image:

Beneath the stars, over the South Sea, two burly figures were dashing across the waves, one wearing a horse head mask and the other combing his mane with a stone comb—the Tai Ji Tu captured every detail perfectly.

Even their voices came through...

"Ox, if we're going to congratulate Da Fa Shi, why head to the Hai Shen temple? Neigh!"

"Da Fa Shi isn't someone we can just meet on a whim! We have to go through Hai Shen—er, I mean, Shui Shen!

Besides, how else can we get to Shui Shen for some seasonings? Moo!

Sigh, Horse, do you think the Dragon Clan has been taken under Heaven Court's wing—when will the Di Fu get noticed by Heaven Court?"

Li Changshou: ...

No need to wait—who knows, maybe right now the Di Fu is looking pretty appealing overall.