Chapter 349: The Immortals of the Three Teachings Ascend to Spirit Mountain

In the sleeve of Huanglong Daoren, Li Changshou's paper effigy turned into a small insect, carefully pondering the situation.

If he tried to provoke Ran Deng into stirring up more trouble and acting aggressively, it would easily alert the Chan Jiao immortals to the abnormalities of this deputy leader.

But Li Changshou quickly dismissed this idea.

The timing wasn't right, and it wouldn't shake things up. Given that old fellow's vigilance, it would be extremely hard to trap him!

Besides, it wasn't wise to create extra complications at this point.

Having already gathered so many Daoist heavyweights and successfully carrying out the planned steps, that would be a major achievement in itself.

The second act, "Both Sects Mobilize in Central Zhou, Reflecting on Hardships and Sweet Memories," was now officially underway!

Li Changshou estimated that the one who spread the rumors was probably quite frightened by now.

It might not have terrified them to the core, but at most, they'd break out in a cold sweat, feel a slight tremor in their Dao heart, become restless, and frantically scheme ways to avoid bringing disaster upon themselves.

Of course, simply scaring Dizang wasn't Li Changshou's ultimate goal. This little warning was just a side objective he'd achieved along the way.

He had more important matters to handle.

Looking at the bigger picture, this grand play was to fulfill his earlier calculations for the Feng Shen calamity.

In the shorter term, it was to stabilize the Daoist environment and give the Heavenly Court more time to develop steadily.

It could also boost the Heavenly Court's reputation, proclaim the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor, increase the Heavenly Court's influence in the Five Parts Continents, and put an end to this uncontrolled method of scheming through rumors.

By comparison, scaring Dizang was truly just incidental.

Before counting successes, he first calculated risks.

Learning from past mistakes, Li Changshou had thoroughly considered all possible scenarios before finalizing this script.

First, this was just a minor matter that couldn't spark major conflicts between the two sects.

Second, senior brothers Guangchengzi and Duobao Daoren had been informed of the entire plan in advance, and the parties involved—Zhao Gongming, Huo Ling Shengmu, and Huanglong Daoren—were all cooperating in this performance.

Even if things deviated due to unpredictable human emotions, there were two safety measures in place:

The Great Mage, who wielded several supreme treasures, could appear at any time to mediate;

And the treasure created by His Majesty the Jade Emperor, harnessing the power of the Heavenly Way, had been prepared for a while and was ready for use.

Of course, matters concerning the stability of the three sects and the prosperity of Daoism required more than just these considerations.

Li Changshou had deeply analyzed the intentions of the Saints and discerned the will of his own Taiqing Saint, leading to strategies like "borrowing the topic to play it up" and "suppressing before promoting."

Up to now, various signs indicated that although the Taiqing Saint remained detached and uninvolved in worldly affairs, he did not wish to see internal Daoist wars or brothers turning against each other.

To be fair, without the Feng Shen list, the three sects wouldn't truly become enemies. Even if the two brothers had occasional arguments, they wouldn't fight to the point of bloodshed.

Furthermore, the influence of the two Western Sect Saints couldn't be overlooked.

He wasn't underestimating the Western Saints, but today's events were already the "worst-case" scenario. If the Western Sect Saints wanted to intervene, they'd have to escalate the conflict from the ground up.

That would mean making their planted traitors reveal themselves and engage in all-out combat, thereby triggering a real war.

But if they did that, it would be like playing their Feng Shen calamity pieces too early.

Li Changshou would welcome that with open arms—he might even get rewarded by the Taiqing Saint with unlimited use of one or two supreme treasures.

He continued to deliberate, calculate, and observe, waiting until the momentum of the two sects' hundreds of immortals reached its peak. Then, from his hidden position in both camps, Li Changshou's paper effigy secretly transmitted a message:

"Ah...

Senior brother, it's time for you to take the stage!"

He almost said "Aike Shen" by mistake!

As soon as Li Changshou spoke, Guangchengzi of Chan Jiao and Duobao Daoren of Jie Jiao stepped forward simultaneously.

They each clasped their hands behind their backs, exuding powerful pressure!

Within a radius of a thousand li, the clouds stilled and the wind ceased;

Beyond a thousand li, fierce winds howled, creatures trembled in fear, as if the sky were about to collapse and the earth split apart. Many Qi refiners in immortal sects felt uneasy, their spiritual senses trembling constantly.

The two senior brothers halted a hundred li apart. Duobao Daoren cupped his hands and said:

"Guangchengzi senior brother, it seems we've both arrived with the same intent today.

For this matter, I want to hear first what Chan Jiao has to say!"

"What is there to say?"

Guangchengzi smiled faintly, his distinctive face showing a hint of anger.

"Duobao junior brother!

We both entered the path early and cultivated together in that small courtyard for many years!

The three sects share the same origins and flow as one family, and you know this better than many of our junior brothers and sisters.

Yet today, why did you insult Huanglong junior brother? Where does that leave his face? Have you even considered that Daoism is one family?"

"Insult? I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Duobao Daoren glared, his plump face filled with anger, and snapped:

"Even if I did insult him earlier, so what?

Huanglong has cultivated to be a prominent expert in Daoism, yet he doesn't act with dignity or protect his juniors. Instead, he spreads rumors and gossips behind people's backs!

My disciple Huo Ling was just looking after our injured junior sister Jin Guang in Luofu Cave, and he saw it, then turned around and said my disciple and Zhao Gongming senior brother were dual cultivating!

What kind of senior is that? What kind of expert?

Hah!"

"You!"

Guangchengzi frowned deeply, then calmed his emotions and said indifferently: "It seems, junior brother, you're determined to escalate this matter."

Duobao Daoren's robes fluttered as he sighed: "Isn't this already big enough? My disciple is even willing to die to prove her innocence!"

At that moment, Guangchengzi and Duobao Daoren locked eyes, as if countless thunderbolts exploded behind them, surging toward each other before vanishing into nothingness.

No matter how you looked at it, the two senior brothers were truly enraged.

Although half of the immortals from both Jie Jiao and Chan Jiao were still unclear about the situation, they all drew their treasures at that moment.

Swords drawn, a storm brewing!

By the treasure pool on Ling Shan, those dozens of old Daoists watched with tears in their eyes, filled with emotion.

In the corner, beside Tingting, the young Daoist in ragged robes twitched at the corners of his mouth. He held his breath, observing the scene in the cloud mirror.

At that point, he couldn't even wait for Tingting's retelling.

At Duxian Gate, on Xiaoqiong Peak, Li Changshou sat in a loose robe on a rocking chair, eyes closed and a faint smile on his face, gently fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan.

Beside him, Ling E pretended to meditate but stole a glance at her senior brother, accidentally getting lost in his smile.

Li Changshou had no time to mind his junior sister; he was inwardly marveling.

'The two senior brothers are truly impressive.'

From the moment they spoke, it was clear they were seasoned actors.

Their emotions were so rich, their immersion so quick—every glance, every tone—was perfectly executed!

If what they said wasn't from the script Li Changshou provided, he might have believed the two senior brothers were really about to fight.

Impressive, truly impressive.

One must never underestimate the experts of the three sects!

Now, in the central region of Zhongshenzhou, where the two sects' immortals met.

Duobao Daoren and Guangchengzi fell silent for a moment, then resumed their argument.

This time, it wasn't just Duobao Daoren—Jin Ling Shengmu and Gui Ling Shengmu from Jie Jiao, and Taiyi Zhenren and Chijingzi from Chan Jiao, all joined in. The six Saint disciples debated fiercely across a hundred li.

Naturally, with Guangchengzi and Duobao Daoren transmitting instructions, they guided what to say and what not to say.

Li Changshou observed secretly, gauging the personalities of these heavyweights.

Jin Ling Shengmu was the sharp-tongued type, quite the opposite of Yunxiao Xianzi's gentle demeanor. She spoke with barbs from the start, escalating to a fight in just a few words—her temper was explosive.

Gui Ling Shengmu was extremely patient, mainly reasoning logically, with clear structure and on-point arguments, always holding firm to the idea that Jie Jiao was the victim and counterattacking accordingly.

On the Chan Jiao side, the debaters weren't backing down.

Chijingzi stuck to the rules, focusing on the core point of "Daoism is one family, so why the insults," arguing with evidence and flexibility.

Taiyi Zhenren, whom Li Changshou paid special attention to as Nezha's master and a top protector in the Honghuang era, caught his eye.

This Zhenren had a youthful appearance, high cultivation, and an air of carefree nonchalance. He wore a blue robe mixed with red silk, with meticulously chosen inner linings that were quite refined.

His flowing, elegant hair even had two silver strands, similar to Wang Fugui's style from Duxian Gate's Forgotten Emotions Elder.

Well, that was just a coincidence.

Taiyi Zhenren didn't speak often, but his few words nearly sparked a direct fight:

"If you don't want others to know, don't do it.

You went to someone else's cave and got seen, and now you're blaming it on our Huanglong senior brother."

Li Changshou shook his head inwardly and, through his paper effigy in the Sea God Temple, jotted down a note:

Taiyi Zhenren, extremely protective, fourth-level sarcasm.

Li Changshou continued his covert observation and realized he didn't need to intervene anymore—the heavyweights had full control of the rhythm.

The arguments escalated, tempers flared;

The immortals grew eager, some even sending jade talismans to call for reinforcements.

A major Daoist internal war seemed on the verge of erupting!

Yet, before Li Changshou could remind them that the time was right, Guangchengzi looked up at the distant white clouds and sighed, his voice echoing everywhere:

"Why has it come to this..."

Hearing this, Duobao's expression grew complex. He scanned the surroundings, seeming to age suddenly.

"We're all taught by the masters, aren't we? Why must we clash like this, neither yielding?"

The immortals of both sects: ...

You two started it!

In the heavens, the two clashing auras quietly softened.

Guangchengzi gazed at Duobao Daoren and suddenly smiled bitterly:

"Junior brother, you've lost weight."

Duobao looked down at the sea of clouds below and sighed: "Wandering outside, it's never as satisfying as eating in that small courtyard."

"True, back then Uncle Master would always sneak you some innate treasures, which annoyed my teacher so much he'd lecture endlessly."

"Hehehe," Duobao Daoren chuckled sheepishly, "I ate quite a few of Grand Master Uncle's materials meant for refining treasures back then, and he hung me up and beat me—I almost turned into dried meat."

Gui Ling Shengmu immediately covered her mouth and laughed, while Taiyi Zhenren on the other side rolled his eyes.

At that moment, half of the immortals from both sects maintained their rationality, analyzing the senior brothers' intentions;

The other half—some more emotional ones—were touched by the exchange, while others were utterly confused, wearing expressions like "little question mark, do you have many friends?"

Duobao sighed: "Back in the day, Huanglong was just sleeping in the pond every day, like an ornamental dragon.

I used to tease him all the time, but now I can't even say a word against him."

This line cleverly resolved the contradiction raised by Chan Jiao.

Huanglong Daoren stepped forward smoothly, bowing with a Dao salute to Duobao Daoren in the air, and sighed:

"Senior brother Duobao, if I've been too narrow-minded and made a fuss over nothing, you're free to scold me—even a hundred times over."

"No, no, it was my fault," Duobao Daoren sighed, returning the Dao salute to Huanglong Daoren, "I was too hasty earlier and spoke rashly, causing you distress, junior brother Huanglong."

"Senior brother Duobao!"

Huanglong Daoren bowed deeply in return.

In an instant, the hostility in the field dissipated greatly, and the immortals from both sides knew that no fight would happen today.

Some were moved, though not many;

Those like Chijingzi, who had experienced the small courtyard days, felt it most deeply.

By the treasure pool on Ling Shan, the watching old Daoists sighed repeatedly, shaking their heads as they prepared to disperse.

No entertainment today after all.

However, the turn of events that followed caught the old Daoists on Ling Shan off guard.

From the cloud mirror came Huanglong Daoren's lament:

"If you trust me, senior brother, I can swear an oath here that I absolutely did not spread rumors slandering junior niece Huo Ling!

I have a deep bond with senior brother Zhao Gongming and know he is upright, wholeheartedly seeking the great Dao!"

Zhao Gongming immediately stepped forward and said:

"I've been thinking about this, and the more I do, the more I suspect someone is deliberately stirring up discord, aiming to undermine the foundations of Daoism!"

Duobao and Guangchengzi exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

Most of the immortals from both sects frowned and pondered, realizing there was indeed something suspicious behind this!

Just then, a light laugh echoed from the air:

"It's a good thing you didn't actually fight. I have a way to investigate this."

A white cloud descended slowly, carrying an ordinary-looking yet refined young Daoist—none other than the sole disciple of Ren Jiao, now revealed.

"Xandu Dafa Shi!"

"We greet Xandu senior brother!"

The immortals from both sects bowed in unison, and Xandu Dafa Shi returned the courtesy with a smile, his expression turning serious.

"Dear junior brothers and sisters, please come forward," Xandu Dafa Shi beckoned. The immortals from both sides gathered around him.

From his sleeve, Xandu Dafa Shi produced a palm-sized "small island," tossed it lightly, and it expanded beneath their feet into a ten-li-wide immortal island floating in the sea of clouds.

"Everyone, hear me out!" Xandu Dafa Shi said warmly: "I was delayed earlier because I went to ask Jade Emperor uncle master to invoke the Heavenly Way's power and form a stone tablet.

This tablet is called Heavenly Emperor's Upright Virtue. Its function is to trace the origin of an event using the Heavenly Way's power and uphold heavenly righteousness.

Using this to resolve the matter is most fitting!

Why don't we all go to the tablet and combine the strength of the three Daoist sects to uncover the true culprit?"

All the immortals agreed, and Xandu Dafa Shi gestured invitingly, walking side by side with Duobao Daoren and Guangchengzi toward the tablet first.

Soon, hundreds of immortals from both sects gathered at the peak of the island, murmuring around the stone tablet.

The tablet's sides were inscribed with the eight characters "With Virtue One Conquers" and "With Reason One Conquers." Its dark surface, like the night sky, emitted a faint starlight infused with dense Heavenly Way power.

Xandu Dafa Shi extended an immortal light, followed by Duobao Daoren and Guangchengzi, each infusing the tablet with their light.

Huanglong Daoren bowed to the tablet and declared:

"Heavenly Way, bear witness—please clear my name!"

Clouds immediately appeared on the tablet, manifesting scenes of sentient beings laughing and passing on rumors—the process of the rumor's transmission and evolution.

Shadows of people flashed by rapidly, the Heavenly Way's power growing stronger.

Li Changshou swept his immortal sense secretly and even caught a familiar figure...

Ahem, must have been a mistake.

The scene slowed down suddenly, with layers of mist locking onto the rumor's source.

Duobao Daoren shouted: "Fellow junior brothers and sisters, if not now, when?"

The Jie Jiao immortals responded loudly, sending streams of immortal light into the tablet;

On the Chan Jiao side, Guangchengzi signaled, and over a hundred immortals acted together, channeling their immortal power into the tablet!

The tablet trembled slightly, the mist dispersed, but a watery curtain appeared, blocking what lay beyond.

The Daoist immortals were puzzled.

Ran Deng Daoren said: "Everyone, this might involve the Saints, so perhaps..."

"Humph!"

Xandu Dafa Shi snorted coldly, and all the Saint disciples turned to Ran Deng.

Ran Deng quickly corrected himself, saying softly: "After we uncover it, we'll deliberate carefully."

"Summon the Taiji Diagram!"

Xandu Dafa Shi called out, raising his left hand. The innate supreme treasure, the palm-sized Taiji Diagram, emerged from his palm, releasing streams of yin and yang energy that merged into the tablet.

The watery curtain shattered instantly, revealing...

A gently swaying twelve-petaled golden lotus!

In that instant, all the Daoist immortals fell silent.

By the treasure pool on Ling Shan, the old Daoists' faces changed dramatically, their expressions screaming "unwarranted disaster," their eyes filled with panic.

In the corner, the young Daoist was pale as a sheet. He stood up, took two steps toward the back mountain of Ling Shan, then froze like a statue, his fingers trembling slightly.

His mind shook, torn between heaven and earth.

At Duxian Gate, on Xiaoqiong Peak.

Li Changshou felt the power of the Taiji Diagram in his primordial spirit strengthen slightly, clearly the Saint's intervention protecting him from Western counter-divination.

So, he stood up and bowed to the air, his smile at the corners of his mouth growing deeper.

Through this, he understood.

The experts of the three sects weren't just one or two—they came in waves.

One must always hold them in reverence!

In his heart, he heard the shouts from the paper effigy, but Li Changshou no longer interfered.

The rest could be left to Xandu Dafa Shi and the Daoist heavyweights; he'd simply watch the show and stand by as the firefighting team if needed.

The shouts were:

"Call all your junior brothers and sisters!"

"Jie Jiao immortals, follow me to Ling Shan!"