Chapter 383: Although Only Cultivating to a Turbid Immortal

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother had descended to the mortal realm, leaving the Heavenly Court idle for its deities.

They began recruiting soldiers and horses to fill divine positions, taking turns to preside over the Hall of Clarity.

With the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother undergoing trials in the mortal world to experience the sufferings of sentient beings, all authority in the Heavenly Court fell into the hands of Li Changshou and Dong Mu Gong.

After a proper discussion, Dong Mu Gong suggested that the two of them alternate in presiding over the Hall of Clarity.

Li Changshou readily agreed and took the initiative to propose a period of one hundred years, with Dong Mu Gong, who held a higher divine position, presiding for the first fifty years, and Li Changshou, with his lower position, taking over for the latter fifty.

Incidentally, there was a minor detail that Li Changshou forgot to mention to Dong Mu Gong: the lifespans of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother's reincarnated forms, as recorded in the Book of Life and Death, seemed to be sixty-six years...

But it didn't matter; such a trivial thing probably wouldn't concern Dong Mu Gong.

Li Changshou wasn't simply trying to slack off; he still had to handle the security for the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother's reincarnated forms, monitor the demon clan's movements, and guard against any potential attacks from the demons...

Juggling multiple roles, he was quite busy.

Apart from him and the Ten Yama Kings, no one knew where the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother had reincarnated.

Even if someone tried to plot against the Queen Mother and Jade Emperor, Li Changshou only needed to awaken them, ensuring the two great figures remained safe and sound.

Moreover, the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother could then go together to Zixiao Palace to complain to the Dao Ancestor, doubling the trouble for the offender...

It was worth noting that outside the Heavenly Court, an interesting phenomenon had occurred.

When the Heavenly Dao sent down auspicious signs, they scattered across the entire South Continent, appearing over countless human immortal dynasties, kingdoms, and tribes, witnessed by innumerable mortals.

Precisely because of these auspicious signs appearing in various places, wars erupted throughout the South Continent.

Many ambitious ministers, military leaders with troops at their command, and those aspiring to reach the peak of life were spurred by these signs to hatch all sorts of bold ideas.

Claims like "the old king has lost virtue, and a new king should ascend," or "heaven sends auspicious signs, making it suitable for war," with all manner of excuses, too numerous to list...

Although the South Continent's mortal world had existed for a long time, and humanity had risen since ancient times, spanning several yuan meetings, mortals were often foolish and most afraid of "heavenly anomalies" combined with "incitements through words."

Thus, the appearance of these auspicious signs, far from heralding peace and serenity, instead kept the underworld busy for decades...

Now, back to the main matter.

After Queen Mother's wisp of divine soul successfully entered the Wheel of Reincarnation, Li Changshou and Dong Mu Gong arranged their shifts for the Hall of Clarity and then went to set up security for the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother's reincarnated forms.

Essentially, they just stationed a few paper effigies from a distance, not daring to do anything excessive.

If they set up formations or stationed heavenly soldiers, it would be like drawing attention to something hidden—utterly counterproductive.

Besides, he had no interest in the dramatic lives of the Queen Mother and Jade Emperor.

Rather than worrying about their "second spring of immortality," it was better to think about how to console the Jade Emperor when he learned the truth, as the leader of the Heavenly Court would surely be deeply wounded...

"Hmm?"

Why has this fox girl come again?

Li Changshou furrowed his brow slightly, glanced at the two "noblewomen" in a certain great city of the South Continent who were pregnant, and shifted his mind back to Xiao Qiong Peak.

His master's romantic entanglement...

It was truly a messy affair that couldn't be cut or reasoned away.

At the entrance of Du Xian Gate, the fox girl, now dressed in a light blue long skirt, was speaking with the gate-guarding immortals.

She had applied light makeup today, deliberately suppressing her demonic aura, exuding an indescribable elegance and charm.

The gate-guarding immortals couldn't let her enter freely and instead sent patrolling disciples to Xiao Qiong Peak to ask Qi Yuan if he wanted to meet her.

Qi Yuan, the old Daoist, thought it over carefully, with a touch of concern, and rode the clouds to the gate.

Had his master truly fallen for her?

Li Changshou didn't want to pry into others' romantic chatter, but this was just too intriguing...

Ahem, it was purely out of concern for his master's safety!

For some reason, this fox girl's strength had reached the mid-Tianxian realm, a rate of improvement that even surprised Li Changshou.

She was almost catching up to Youqin.

What if she tried to force herself on his master? As his disciple, he naturally had to protect his master's pure Dao body!

He watched as Qi Yuan rode the clouds to the gate, under the kind, gentle, and slightly teasing gazes of the gate-guarding elders, and lowered his head to step outside.

The fox girl immediately bowed in greeting, with a gentle smile, and called out,

"Qi Yuan Daoist!"

"Lan Daoist," Qi Yuan returned the bow and said proactively, "Let's go somewhere else to talk; this is a critical gate area."

"Mm," the fox girl responded softly and took the initiative to ride the clouds ahead, inviting Qi Yuan to join her.

Qi Yuan, being a turbid immortal, had no qualms and stood beside her, maintaining a distance of about four feet, his white eyebrows showing a hint of thought.

The fox girl blushed slightly, occasionally stealing glances at him.

Li Changshou's paper effigy wandered leisurely underground, observing the scene...

Uh, why did he suddenly feel that, besides himself, someone else was watching this place?

Xiao Lan asked, "Daoist, where should we go?"

"Let's find a place with beautiful scenery," Qi Yuan said warmly. "There are some things I need to make clear to you, Daoist, otherwise it will weigh on my Dao heart."

Xiao Lan grew a bit anxious and said quickly,

"Daoist, do you still think it's because I'm of demonic origin..."

"No, it's not about human and demon origins," Qi Yuan laughed. "As that Water God from our Ren School said, in this world, the true opposition shouldn't be between humans and demons, but between good and evil.

Frankly, I've always been a bit stubborn, but after taking on two disciples, I've gradually come to see things more clearly."

Xiao Lan listened carefully, her eyes filled with deep affection, memorizing every word.

Underground, Li Changshou heard this and smiled slightly, recalling the many scenes from his first hundred years of cultivation on "Xiao Qiong Peak."

The change in his master's temperament had come from one beating after another!

But back when he first met his master, the way Master earnestly taught scriptures he didn't fully understand himself was indeed nostalgic...

Qi Yuan and the fox girl rode the clouds to a hillside, where pale white spirit trees grew, and many harmless spirit beasts and insects resided.

The fox girl had come well-prepared this time.

She busied herself setting up a low table, an immortal blanket, and laid out a few snacks she had made herself, along with the famous fruit wine from Qingqiu.

Even the way she sat with her legs together seemed practiced many times, appearing somewhat deliberate but overall quite graceful.

Did the Qingqiu clan have special training for this?

Qi Yuan sat honestly by the low table, not daring to look up directly; he even used immortal power to seal his nose to avoid any embarrassment.

Then, the old Daoist and the fox girl chatted idly under the trees, one remark here and there.

The fox girl was skilled in dance and performed a carefully prepared routine today, with less allure and more ethereal freshness, clearly tailored to Qi Yuan's tastes.

Before they knew it, an hour had passed.

Qi Yuan appeared much more composed than during their last private meeting, calm and thoughtful, not losing himself to her beauty.

—This was also because Xiao Lan had deliberately suppressed her enchanting traits today.

After the dance, Xiao Lan walked lightly back to the low table and was about to speak timidly when Qi Yuan seemed to have made up his mind and looked up.

"Daoist..."

"Daoist?"

Xiao Lan said quickly, "You go first, Daoist."

"Please sit first," Qi Yuan said with a smile.

This smile was like the one he wore when facing other peak masters at the gate, trying to appear natural but always a bit restrained.

Xiao Lan adjusted a strand of hair by her ear and said softly, "Daoist, are you going to advise me again?"

"Mm," Qi Yuan answered honestly.

"Daoist, why..."

Seeing Xiao Lan eager to explain, Qi Yuan said, "Don't be anxious, Daoist. Last time, we became acquaintances, even friends, so today I wanted to speak plainly with you.

Daoist, there are two things I want to say. The first is that I'm a turbid immortal, and my immortal path ends here.

If not for my disciples' persuasion, I would have already gone through reincarnation to cultivate anew."

Xiao Lan bit her lip lightly and said earnestly,

"Whether earth immortal or heavenly immortal, all beings are just passing through this world.

I'm willing to serve you for the rest of your life, Daoist."

"Daoist," Qi Yuan's face turned red, "don't say such things; it might lead to misunderstandings.

As for the second thing..."

"Go ahead, Daoist."

Underground, Li Changshou smiled faintly, already knowing what his master would say.

A few clouds appeared from nowhere in the sky, and a light rain began to fall, with soft rustling sounds in the forest.

Qi Yuan's expression turned serious, his eyes full of utmost sincerity as he gazed into Xiao Lan's light brown eyes and said warmly,

"Daoist, you've actually had the wrong person all along."

Xiao Lan was stunned.

Qi Yuan seemed to have lifted a heavy burden and let out a slow breath.

"Indeed, saying it out loud feels much better.

When you were trapped underground, the one who came to see you wasn't me, but a master who used my appearance.

That master didn't want to be known, so he borrowed the form of someone like me, a turbid immortal who doesn't go out much—and of course, with my permission.

When you came to Xiao Qiong Peak after escaping, that master felt he had brought trouble to me, so he appeared in my form to provoke you, hoping you'd give up that idea...

Alas, who would have thought...

Daoist, that's how it is. The person you're looking for isn't me, but that one who borrowed my appearance."

The fox girl was completely dazed;

She first frowned in confusion, then lowered her head in thought, her face turning from pale to disbelief, and from disbelief to reluctance...

"Daoist, you're tricking me, right?"

"No trickery," Qi Yuan said with a bitter smile. "You can look into my eyes, Daoist—are they the same as the one in your heart?

That's something that can't be faked."

Xiao Lan stared intently, then fell into a daze.

"But Daoist, the one in my heart is the name Qi Yuan; the one I think of is your image."

"Falsehood is still falsehood, Daoist. You've just become attached to an illusion."

Qi Yuan said seriously, "I've been checking the scriptures these past few days and came across the line 'Though external defilement exists, the heart remains untainted, allowing one to attain the supreme fruit.'

What it means is that in our cultivation, we shouldn't judge by appearances, but by the heart and soul.

Illusions, transformations, or even a woman's makeup can make one person look very much like another, but the Dao heart and temperament won't change.

Daoist, you've truly found the wrong person.

And as for who that master is, I would rather die than tell you. Better for you to let go of this attachment and focus on the path of longevity..."

"Daoist, please, don't say any more."

Xiao Lan stepped back half a pace, her beautiful eyes full of turmoil. "My heart is in chaos; I need some time alone."

Qi Yuan stood up and bowed deeply to the fox girl.

"This matter will surely bring you confusion, and I bear some responsibility for it," Qi Yuan said. "In the future, if you don't mind, I can still be your friend.

But as for marriage or Dao companionship, please let go of that obsession.

First, because it's unsuitable; second, because I have no such intentions; third, because it's based on falsehood—how can you build upon that...

Daoist, if I've offended you in any way, please bear with it."

Xiao Lan's eyes reddened slightly as she said softly, "I'll take my leave today. Once my thoughts are clear, I'll give you an answer, Daoist."

Qi Yuan stood up with a gentle smile and nodded slowly.

Xiao Lan lowered her head and turned, walking a few steps in a daze before pausing, glancing back at Qi Yuan, then riding the clouds into the drizzling rain, letting her clothes get wet as she flew farther away.

Qi Yuan tidied up the low table, put everything into a new storage pouch, and hung it on a nearby branch.

Then, as if remembering something, he looked around and said sternly,

"Come out."

Li Changshou's figure emerged from the tree trunk ten zhang away, chuckling at his master and giving a thumbs-up.

"Master, you're truly admirable—facing such beauty and remaining so upright!"

"So you were sneaking a peek!"

Qi Yuan, who had meant to scold him, ended up laughing at Li Changshou's words and teased,

"You... Oh well, come walk with me for a bit."

"Yes," Li Changshou replied, jumping to his master's side, noticing him take out his whisk and stepping back half a pace.

The fine rain was misty, with a barrier of immortal power shimmering faintly; walking beside his master, Li Changshou felt an inexplicable sense of nostalgia.

"Changshou."

"Yes, disciple is here," Li Changshou replied, pulling his thoughts back and bowing his head.

Qi Yuan hesitated a few times before saying softly, "I know you're powerful now, with vast magical abilities, working for our Ren School's Saint, and holding immense power in the Heavenly Court."

Li Changshou: ...

Was that a compliment?

Was his master praising his own disciple?

Li Changshou quickly said, "Master, remember to wear that jade talisman."

"I'm wearing it," Qi Yuan opened his sleeve, revealing the jade that blocked divine probes, tied to his arm.

Qi Yuan laughed, "For something this important, related to your safety, how could I forget?

But Changshou, there's something...

Never mind, maybe I'm just overthinking."

Li Changshou said, "Master, if you need to teach me, go ahead; I'm listening."

"Sigh," Qi Yuan sighed. "I'm just worried that my cultivation and realm are far below yours, so I fear saying the wrong thing might affect your Dao heart and practice.

My disciple."

"Yes."

Qi Yuan said gently, "Now that your cultivation is growing deeper and your authority heavier, able to change the fates of most beings at will, have you gradually lost some respect for others?"

Li Changshou was taken aback.

Qi Yuan continued,

"In Lan Daoist's matter, if you'd explained it clearly to her at the beginning, it would have spared her years of longing and suffering, wouldn't it have been better?

I'm not trying to lecture you; maybe it's just because my realm is too low that I feel this way...

Changshou, have you unintentionally decided the life and death paths of others and come to think it's no big deal?

Cause and effect, every action has its consequence.

Ignoring such karma might plant hidden dangers for your future path.

I once heard a deceased Tianxian elder in our sect lecture that we should neither bully the weak nor fear the strong—that's the way of human immortals."

"Master... I didn't..."

"Changshou," Qi Yuan looked at him, patted his shoulder, and smiled. "I can't teach you cultivation anymore, and I don't understand principles as well as you do, but this is just my reflection on Lan Daoist's situation.

In the past, what worried me most was that you might go astray, but I've always felt that you have an inherent sense of righteousness; you just don't express it, preferring to play it safe.

Do you know why I took Ling'e back to the mountain?"

Li Changshou bowed his head. "Disciple doesn't know."

"It was because I thought her lively nature could influence you, and unexpectedly, her talent turned out to be so exceptional...

But looking back, I was probably over-worrying back then.

Think carefully about Lan Daoist's matter; if it can benefit your future, that would be ideal."

Qi Yuan flicked his whisk, lightly tapping Li Changshou's arm.

"This is my punishment for you in this matter.

Sigh, from now on, you're a major figure in the Heavenly Court; I won't be able to discipline you so freely."

Qi Yuan put on a regretful expression, then laughed heartily and condensed a cloud to head back to the gate.

He felt quite at ease.

"Respect for others... Cause and effect..."

Li Changshou murmured to himself, standing still in the fine rain for a long time.

At some point, the dark clouds dispersed, the rain stopped, birds sang in the forest, a gentle breeze carried floral scents, and beams of sunlight pierced through the gaps, illuminating the woods.

Suddenly, a light laugh came with the cool breeze.

"What's wrong? Did your master just scold you?"

Li Changshou turned abruptly, looking toward the tree nearby, seeing the inch-long rays of dawn and the fairy standing with hands behind her back.