Chapter 367: A Lesson That One Must Experience in Life

In the underground chamber of Xiao Qiong Peak, Li Changshou's immortal sense detected his master deep in meditation. He smiled lightly and continued to arrange the black and white pieces on the chessboard in front of him.

He was simply placing the pieces into simple patterns without any specific meaning, using it as a way to relax his mind.

The original underground chamber had been expanded tenfold and transformed into a complete cave dwelling, with rooms reserved for his master, junior sister, and the two senior uncles.

At that moment, Li Changshou was alone, carefully pondering his comprehensive plan for the period before the Fengshen calamity.

He had already decided during his time in Beiju Luzhou that for the next one or two centuries, he would not actively scheme anything. Instead, he would observe the changing winds, settle his Dao heart, and explore the Great Dao.

In this phase, he had completed two relatively important minor tasks: the third-phase renovation of Xiao Qiong Peak was finished, and his master had gained some heavenly merit from the Heavenly Court.

Now, Xiao Qiong Peak was built around the foundation of the Wuxing Lingzhu gifted by Duobao Daoist. Using several "precious treasures" obtained from the Niangniang Palace, he had greatly enhanced the power of the Wuxing Da Zhen.

He wouldn't claim that Xiao Qiong Peak could withstand strikes from innate treasures, but at least, it had reached the "ultimate defensive capability" that Li Changshou could achieve at this stage.

Hiding at home wasn't without purpose!

If he could acquire a defensive supreme treasure to place at the core of Xiao Qiong Peak's composite array, that would truly make it the ultimate cave dwelling!

Of course, this was just a concept, a pure idea.

How many comic works would he need to accumulate enough points to exchange for the Jiangshan Sheji Tu, which Niangniang Nüwa would later grant to others?

The difficulty was simply too high.

This trip to the Niangniang Palace had already yielded quite abundant gains.

Leveraging the power of that small handful of Jiutian Xirang, along with the "Qiankun Array" that the Great Mage had previously given him, Li Changshou had completed the overall "Qiankun Ruyi" transformation of Xiao Qiong Peak.

Not only could Xiao Qiong Peak expand or contract freely, it now served multiple functions: as a cave dwelling, a flying brick, and a self-mobile super array cannon platform. Moreover, it could shrink or enlarge anyone standing on the peak using the Qiankun Jizi technique.

This made escaping even simpler and more convenient—a lifelong pursuit for him as an ordinary Heavenly Court official!

In this way, strategic retreats were imbued with a touch of artistic flair!

Li Changshou also realized that this visit to the Niangniang Palace had quite an impact on his mindset.

Yet, no matter how much it affected him, he still needed to cultivate and plan as required.

His main approach of muddling through in the Ren School couldn't change. Before he had the strength to protect himself, he would continue striving toward the goals of gaining a Sage's protection and achieving a golden body of merit.

Although his mindset had shifted, his various preparations for the Fengshen calamity wouldn't be affected. He would still handle matters within his capabilities that wouldn't threaten his own safety, all to preserve the essence of the Daoist tradition.

While creating those tens of thousands of pages of comics, Li Changshou had casually asked a few minor questions. Perhaps because the Sage Niangniang was a bit bored, she provided some answers, giving Li Changshou a lot of useful information.

At the very least, his understanding of the two characters "Tiandao" had deepened considerably.

One should not blindly follow the Tiandao, nor forcibly defy it.

What did this mean?

Not following it blindly: Actively becoming a tool of the Tiandao would entangle you in its destiny. If your pursuits deviated even slightly from the Tiandao's grand momentum, you would likely meet a bad end.

Not forcibly defying it: Going against the grand momentum of heaven and earth, unless you were a Sage who could transcend the Tiandao, would just be courting death.

There was the warning from Senior Lang, who was utterly destroyed, and the disasters of Grandmaster Zhao and Fairy Yunxiao in the Fengshen calamity. Li Changshou now had no choice but to extend his hand into the chessboard of the Fengshen calamity.

Abandon all illusions that the Tiandao would be merciful to him, and make the most thorough preparations!

Borrow the grand momentum to alter his own fate!

"Fate..."

Li Changshou stretched lazily, put away the chessboard, and stood up.

The higher his cultivation, the more he felt that the four words "qingjing wuwei" represented an incredibly profound realm, far beyond his current ability to fully comprehend.

He walked over to the two newly remounted portraits of the fairies, stood with his hands behind his back, glanced at Ling'e on the left, and raised his hand to touch his lips.

What good would waking him do?!

That said, this girl who admired dragons from afar had grown up a bit to reach this point.

Later, he could arrange for her to go out for some training, to experience the prehistoric world. If she could still refocus and return to Xiao Qiong Peak for quiet cultivation, that would count as her passing the third-to-last test.

He then looked at Fairy Yunxiao on the side.

She stood there under the peach blossom branch, utterly transcendent and ethereal.

Li Changshou's thoughts were quite straightforward: 'No matter whether we end up together or not, if I can help you this time, I certainly won't stand by.'

*On How to Steadily Rescue People in the Fengshen Calamity*

Li Changshou naturally had a plan in mind. He walked to a corner, took out a scroll, slowly unrolled it, and carefully reviewed it.

This was a complex "formula," yielding the result of the "deviation rate" allowed by the Tiandao.

Li Changshou needed some "sample data" to derive this fixed value, which he could use as a reference for his actions in the Fengshen calamity.

The Fengshen calamity unfolded alongside the plot of the Shang-Zhou royal succession, with events developing step by step and the great calamity spiraling out of control.

Without even mentioning the matter of the three Sages signing the Fengshen list at Zixiao Palace, just looking at the progression of the Fengshen itself: it started with Emperor Xin of the Shang Dynasty composing lewd poems to insult Niangniang Nüwa, leading her to summon ten thousand demons and select the three demons from Xuanyuan Tomb—the nine-tailed fox, the pipa spirit, and the nine-headed pheasant—to seduce Emperor Xin and accelerate the fall of the Shang state as punishment.

Then, as Emperor Xin became increasingly tyrannical, the Zhou state rose, anti-Shang alliances of feudal lords formed, and immortals from the Chan School and Jie School joined the Zhou and Shang camps.

Among these, the incident at Chentang Pass with the bear child happened far before the Shijue Zhen where Zhao Gongming met his tragic end and the Jiuqu Huanghe Zhen that trapped the Twelve Golden Immortals.

The story of "Zha'er" was something Li Changshou could alter to a certain extent, which could serve as a reference for his subsequent calculations in the calamity.

Where was that spiritual pearl now?

Was it in Niangniang Wangmu's Yaochi, or hidden in some corner of the Niangniang Palace?

Li Changshou had no information on this and wasn't in a hurry; after all, "Zha'er's" "daddy" was cultivating on the neighboring Potian Peak.

A one hundred percent chance of being caught bare-handed... wait!

No—The Great Compassionate Father Training Plan for the Fengshen should be put on the agenda!

"Third sister, oh third sister!"

Deep in the South Sea, in a prosperous market town, in a private room of a well-known prehistoric chain "tavern" that spanned tens of thousands of li, Jie School's outer disciple Zhao Gongming, who had removed his favorite armor and changed into an ordinary robe while concealing his aura, asked with a worried expression:

"You've been out wandering for so long—when are you going to get to your proper business?

Don't try to deceive your big brother. If Second Sister finds out..."

"Ah, it's only been a little while!"

Qiongxiao had just drunk some fine wine, her cheeks flushed. She was leaning by the window, watching the flashing immortal lights and people flying by outside, and complained:

"On the island, it's nowhere near as lively as out here. Big Sister is always so cautious—who knows what she's afraid of.

Big Brother, besides the six Sage lords, are there still many experts you can't beat?"

"There should be some," Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and pondered. "Never mind that—didn't you say you had a plan?

Junior Sister Jin Guang is still waiting on the island for my reply; I can't keep her hanging forever."

Qiongxiao huffed: "Hanging her is actually the best option right now.

Big Brother, you should first figure out your own feelings, so I don't help you push this relationship forward, only for you to blame me later for meddling."

"This..."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and sighed: "Isn't that exactly why I'm so undecided?

These days, the term 'Dao companion' basically means an immortal couple. When Junior Sister Jin Guang confessed to me, she was clearly aiming for marriage."

"Big Brother, do you dislike that?"

Qiongxiao chuckled: "Living beings have yin and yang, and great desires have existed since ancient times. Why avoid that matter between men and women?"

Zhao Gongming frowned: "Why are you talking about this? As if you know all about it!"

Qiongxiao smacked her lips, lowered her eyes, and sighed: "Big Brother, haven't you realized what you're avoiding?"

"Hmm?"

"Is it that you truly have no feelings for Junior Sister Jin Guang?

Or do you feel that, as a prominent figure in the world who's cultivated since ancient times, following the rituals of later-born creatures would make you lose face?"

With that, Qiongxiao roughly imitated Zhao Gongming's voice and manner:

"Wah! How could a poor Daoist do such a thing! Dual cultivation would be laughed at! Where's my expert's dignity?!"

Grandmaster Zhao was taken aback and began to reflect carefully.

"What you said, Third Sister, does have some truth to it..."

Qiongxiao cleared her throat, sat upright in her chair, and smiled: "Big Brother, do you know what this is?"

"Please explain."

"Self-restraint."

"Uh..."

"How about it?" Qiongxiao's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled. "My analysis isn't any worse than your old friend Changgeng's, right? Who knows a brother better than his sister? I understand your temperament perfectly.

So, this matter still needs me to handle it. Changgeng can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause."

Zhao Gongming slowly nodded, his eyes full of contentment. Having such a sister was truly a blessing!

But...

Zhao Gongming scanned the area with his immortal sense. With his strength, he could easily see through all the arrangements here, and the various indescribable scenes everywhere made black lines appear on his forehead again.

"So, is this why you brought me to Tianya Pavilion?"

Qiongxiao's eyes once again formed crescent moons as she waved a small fist at Zhao Gongming: "Big Brother! Today is the perfect time for you to let go of your self-restraint and face these things head-on!

This is a place for fleeting romances, one-day marriages, and a few hours of emotional tribulation training!

Since you haven't accepted Junior Sister Jin Guang yet, no one can control you!"

With that, Qiongxiao took out a jade talisman, gently pressed it twice, and the immortal lights around the private room faded. A group of fairies in sheer garments strolled in, each one stunningly beautiful with graceful waists.

"Big Brother! I'll take my leave first!"

Qiongxiao stood up, cupped her hands in salute, and vanished in a flash, leaving Zhao Gongming in utter disarray.

"Immortal elder," a charming woman stepped forward gracefully and asked softly:

"How would you like us to address you?

As a simple senior or fellow Daoist, or perhaps junior brother, senior brother, or master...

We're open to whatever you command."

Zhao Gongming coughed, stood up, placed a pile of spirit stones on the table, and was about to leave, thinking to himself that his third sister was truly up to mischief.

However, just as Zhao Gongming was about to step away, his eyebrows twitched, and he turned back around.

He first raised his hand to form an immortal force barrier around the private room, then casually cast a immobilization spell, rendering all the Tianya Pavilion fairies speechless and immobile.

Then Zhao Gongming...

Closed his eyes, tilted his ear to listen, and even a shadow of the Dinghai Shenzhu appeared behind him.

Right as he was about to leave, he subconsciously scanned Tianya Pavilion thoroughly to avoid being seen and causing a scandal.

This scan revealed something alarming—two familiar auras!

Old Daoists from Spirit Mountain, ones he had encountered before; he couldn't be mistaken!

'Well, now—it's only been a short time, and they're out causing trouble again!

They said they'd seal the mountain for a millennium! Such words are as unreliable as...'

Never mind, it's not good to insult a Sage lord. As his old friend Changgeng often said, play it safe, play it safe.

What are they doing at Tianya Pavilion?

If it's for experiencing temporary emotional tribulations, why not go to the West Sea?

Even for covering their tracks, the best spot should be the East Sea or North Sea.

Moreover, in that top-floor suite, besides those two old Daoists, there were several experts with thick auras.

From the fluctuations of their auras, they seemed to be from the ancient demon clan lineage.

"Something's wrong," Zhao Gongming's spirit shook, and he quickly made a series of connections...

He had been wandering with Qiongxiao and heard about the recent heated battles at Yaosheng Mountain;

The Heavenly Court, with the help of his future brother-in-law, was starting to assert its dominance over the four seas, and Zhao Gongming felt a bit proud about that.

Here, Western experts and demon clan masters were meeting in secret, and that suite didn't even have a hint of "romantic entanglements"—this was highly suspicious.

Zhao Gongming waited quietly for a while, relying on his abilities to listen in on the five people's conversation.

And so it went, in this manner.

Zhao Gongming soon became furious and genuinely wanted to rush in for a fight, but when he heard the two old Daoists from Spirit Mountain mention that they were going to meet someone, he decided:

Follow them and join the fight!

A glint flashed in Zhao Gongming's eyes, and he sent a voice transmission to Qiongxiao, who was hiding nearby and using the "synchronized recording orb" series—given by Li Changshou back in the day—to capture the scenes in the private room...

Uh, no need to worry about these minor details.

Upon hearing this, Qiongxiao immediately dropped her playful mood, got ready, and secretly met up with Zhao Gongming. Together, they quietly followed the two old Daoists toward the border between the South Sea and West Sea.

Half an hour later, the two old Daoists arrived at a small island and met a young Daoist sitting on the back of a green-furred divine beast...

"Big Brother, are your skills a bit rusty?" Qiongxiao whispered.

"No."

From a thousand li away on that island, Zhao Gongming took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, and shot up into the sky, then flew toward the West Sea with a relaxed demeanor.

His flight path happened to pass right over that small island...

The young Daoist and the two old Daoists spotted Zhao Gongming at the same time. The two old Daoists' faces changed drastically, and they immediately hid themselves with all their might.

But Zhao Gongming suddenly acted as if his aura was unstable, like an old injury flaring up. He pulled out a jade talisman in mid-air and shouted into it: "Sister, come quickly and help me—someone's..."

"Wah! Ugh!"

Before he could finish, Zhao Gongming spewed blood everywhere and charged straight toward the small island. With a few flashes, he landed right in front of the young Daoist and the two old men, collapsing to the ground.

The young Daoist reacted quickly and frowned: "Senior, what happened to you..."

"Ugh!"

Zhao Gongming ignored him completely, lowered his head, and vomited another mouthful of blood. His eyes grew dim, and his body slowly tilted backward toward the ground.

"You all... are so... vicious..."