Chapter 389: Business Lower

Li Changshou hadn't anticipated this development at all. He had considered the possibility that if he and Kong Xuan acted together, there was a small chance it might alert Jie Jiao experts to come and break up the fight.

But Zhao Gongming's sudden appearance was truly beyond imagination.

Kong Xuan's Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng and Zhao Gongming's Dìng Hǎi Shén Zhū—the two top-tier experts below the saints—were using their supreme divine powers and treasures to trip up Ran Deng Dao Ren at the same time!

To be honest, without the twenty-four Dìng Hǎi Shén Zhū to deduce the twenty-four heavens, Ran Deng Dao Ren...

Was simply incomplete!

But Ran Deng was now the deputy leader of Jie Jiao, just as Li Changshou had said earlier. No matter how good the opportunity, they couldn't really harm Ran Deng;

At least, it couldn't be done by Daoist disciples.

Li Changshou had thought about using others as pawns to kill him, and his two strikes that sent the Lingqiu Bao Deng flying were laying the groundwork for that. But in the end, he couldn't bring himself to drag Kong Xuan into it...

With a quick shift in his thoughts, Li Changshou sent a voice transmission to Kong Xuan and Zhao Gongming, and the three figures rushed toward Ran Deng at once.

However, Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming moved as leisurely as if they were out for a stroll, while Kong Xuan sped forward at full force with the Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng, closing in to within a zhang of Ran Deng and unleashing the divine light relentlessly.

As Li Changshou "hurried" forward on his cloud, he couldn't help but call out,

"Kong Xuan Daoist's speed divine power is truly astonishing—I can't keep up, I can't keep up."

As Zhao Gongming "plummeted" downward, he sighed with genuine emotion,

"The divine powers of the Feng Clan are indeed extraordinary!

Kong Xuan Daoist, please show mercy—the deputy leader of Jie Jiao can't be killed!"

"Hmph!"

Kong Xuan expressed his dissatisfaction with a heavy snort, continuing to brush the Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng at Ran Deng.

Sealing cultivation, sealing perception, plundering treasures...

Before long, behind Kong Xuan, there were piles of spiritual treasures and a small heap of precious materials.

What was originally a deadly divine power was now being used like a master thief's sleight of hand.

Most of these spiritual treasures were ordinary acquired ones, but there were a few innate spiritual treasures with astonishing spirituality, like that string of one hundred and eight prayer beads, a purple-gold alms bowl, and two beads containing profound Dao rhymes, among others.

As Kong Xuan brushed them out, his expression remained full of disdain. He kept attacking without pause but never touched the items once they were retrieved, simply letting the divine light toss them behind him.

Below, the immortals of Dao Wei Xian Zong and Du Xian Men looked up at the scene unfolding above, their jaws surely about to drop to the ground later.

What on earth was going on?

An ancient great power, a Daoist heavyweight, the deputy leader of Jie Jiao, and a figure of the same generation as the San Qing—Ran Deng Dao Ren—was lying horizontally in the air above them, fixed by the Dìng Hǎi Shén Zhū and being brushed by the Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng. Apart from his robes...

Even his storage treasures were nearly emptied!

Who couldn't see it now?

Today, it was Tian Ting's Water God, Jie Jiao's Gongming, and the Feng Clan's Kong Xuan joining forces to give Ran Deng a thorough scheming!

Yet, the main attacker was that mighty Kong Xuan, while the other two kept shouting things like "Don't fight anymore" and "Daoist, let him go"...

This...

Were the high-level figures of the Hong Huang all so shameless—or rather, so endearing?

Thinking carefully, it was Ran Deng Dao Ren who struck first against Kong Xuan, so smoothing things over later wouldn't be too hard;

The only tricky part was that this had slapped Jie Jiao's face...

If Ran Deng didn't hold the title of deputy leader, he might have been directly melted by that Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng!

Ji Wuyou, the sect leader of Du Xian Men, stood with his hands behind his back and sighed softly, sending a voice transmission to the Elder Wangqing beside him,

"Rich, the gap between us and true experts isn't just in cultivation."

"Indeed," Elder Wangqing gazed at the ceaseless Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng, "Who says divine powers are inferior to treasures? We're far behind. Let's just keep cultivating."

"No, no, cough!"

Ji Wuyou shook his head and replied via voice transmission, "That kind of divine power relies mainly on talent; you can't cultivate it.

What I mean is the art of scheming and the willingness to discard face.

Look, the Water God and Senior Gongming are still playing their roles to stop the Feng Clan expert. I wonder what method they'll use to wrap this up."

Elder Wangqing thought for a moment and sent back, "Sect Leader, will the Water God senior kill this deputy leader right here?"

"Absolutely not," Ji Wuyou smiled faintly at the corner of his mouth, "This isn't the ancient or primordial era. Ran Deng can be mocked or troubled because his deputy position was begged from the saint. He can't afford to lose the saint's face.

But killing the deputy leader of Jie Jiao over a mere argument would shake the entire Daoist sect. Even the Water God senior and Zhao Gongming senior would pay a heavy price."

Elder Wangqing nodded slowly, pondering the implications.

He admitted his own cultivation time was short, and he didn't know much about the twists and turns of the Hong Huang, so he couldn't compare to an old powerhouse like the sect leader...

Meanwhile, in the air, Li Changshou casually wrapped the Lingqiu Bao Deng in his immortal power and pulled it back.

He could feel the spirit of the Lingqiu Bao Deng fiercely resisting—it was a treasure bound to Ran Deng's life, so he couldn't truly claim it.

But the other items...

Li Changshou glanced at the small pile of precious materials, each piece incredibly valuable. He slipped on his feet, let out an "ah" in the air, and tumbled toward the area behind Kong Xuan;

By sheer coincidence, he landed right on that pile of materials, then quickly stood up.

The pile had instantly shrunk by a third!

Li Changshou exclaimed, "Kong Xuan Daoist's divine power is so impressive—it's caused such a massive distortion in the surrounding Qian Kun!"

Kong Xuan just smiled without speaking.

Zhao Gongming also veered in mid-air, showing off his expertise by gliding in a graceful arc and landing precisely on the pile of materials, then immediately getting up.

The batch of rare materials shrank by another third!

Zhao Gongming frowned and said,

"Truly remarkable—my Dìng Hǎi Shén Zhū suddenly lost control; it must be related to your Five Elements divine power, Daoist."

Kong Xuan couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

This Feng Clan expert turned around boldly and joined Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming in examining the plundered spoils.

Kong Xuan's eyes showed no fluctuation as he said calmly, "You two, I'm set on killing Ran Deng today!"

"Impossible, Daoist, you mustn't!"

Li Changshou eyed that Liuli Bao Ta, used his Qiang Qian Kun Chi to nudge it casually, and tucked the tower into his sleeve.

He wasn't after the treasure, though.

The Liuli Bao Ta was a fine innate spiritual treasure, good for both attack and defense, but it was destined for Li Jing; that future Totoro Li Tianwang would rely on this tower to suppress Nezha.

Li Jing was currently cultivating in Du Xian Men, so Li Changshou seized this chance to get the tower. This way, he could completely sever the future Tian Ting general's ties to Buddhism!

This was another test of the Heavenly Dao's limits by Li Changshou.

Besides, this Liuli Bao Ta was nothing compared to the Tower Lord, who had extraordinary origins and received merit from the Ta Qing Saint's enlightenment.

Beside him, Zhao Gongming saw Li Changshou take the Liuli Bao Ta and found himself in a dilemma...

The reason was simple: among Ran Deng's treasures, aside from that untouchable lamp, nothing caught his eye;

He had taken some materials earlier, not out of greed—one was to share the burden with his future brother-in-law, and two, these materials could be brought back for Jie Jiao's disciples to refine treasures.

He, Zhao Gongming, had no interest in wealth at all!

Ran Deng's collection was full of rare ancient and primordial items; taking these spiritual treasures would just make people think he, Zhao Gongming, was uncultured...

So, Zhao Gongming stroked his beard, shook his head, winked at Li Changshou, and the two of them moved to Kong Xuan's sides, one on each, bowed with clasped hands, and began persuading him to show mercy.

The remaining materials were left for Kong Xuan, but given his pride, he probably wouldn't take them...

In the end, it would just benefit Ran Deng.

The voices of these three heavyweights echoed through the starry skies.

"Daoist, you've already gained the upper hand," Zhao Gongming said. "Ran Deng is still the deputy leader of Jie Jiao, so please give me some face and spare him this time."

Kong Xuan replied coldly, "If I don't kill him today, what if he ambushes me later? Won't that be a disaster?"

"You can't think that way, Daoist!"

Li Changshou quickly corrected from the side,

"Today, it was Ran Deng as deputy leader who struck first, and you countered out of unwillingness to be humiliated.

Ran Deng is a renowned ancient power and top expert; would he stoop so low as to attack you tomorrow after losing today?

If he did, that would deliberately damage Jie Jiao's reputation and tarnish the Daoist sect's good name."

Kong Xuan nodded slowly, a faint smile appearing as he said,

"In that case, today, for the sake of you two Daoists, I won't press the matter further."

Suddenly, a wail echoed from below—it was a Jie Jiao elder, furious beyond measure, who spat out a mouthful of blood.

Kong Xuan's gaze swept over, and the Jie Jiao immortals below tensed up like enemies.

An elder flushed red and was about to step forward in anger, but several hands suddenly grabbed him and forced him down!

Li Changshou laughed and said, "Daoist, those below are our Daoist sect's disciples. Let me explain things to them."

Kong Xuan replied, "Go ahead, Daoist."

Li Changshou then bowed to the immortals of Dao Wei Xian Zong below and spoke loudly,

"Tonight's events, everyone here has witnessed.

Ran Deng as deputy leader struck first against Kong Xuan Daoist but was countered by him and luckily saved by Jie Jiao's Gongming.

I am the Tian Ting Water God, and today, I offer to mediate between Kong Xuan Daoist and Ran Deng as deputy leader. Let the karma between them end here!"

With that, Li Changshou turned, suppressed his smile, placed the Xuanhuang Ta on his head, and bowed deeply toward Kunlun Shan, declaring,

"This disciple requests the saint's judgment!

Ran Deng as deputy leader previously disagreed with me over the Dragon Clan matter, creating enmity. Today, he intended to scheme against me, so I invited two friends to assist.

This disciple strictly follows the saint's teachings, always remembering what a Daoist disciple should do, with no intention to offend Jie Jiao's dignity!

If the saint has any punishment, this disciple will obey fully. This has nothing to do with my two friends."

Li Changshou bowed three more times.

Beside him, Zhao Gongming stepped forward with a smile and bowed once toward Kunlun Shan.

Kong Xuan thought for a moment, walked to Li Changshou's other side, and performed a Daoist salute toward Kunlun Shan, calmly stating his name,

"Feng Clan Kong Xuan, with no intent to offend the saint's might."

As the three finished their salutes, a beam of purple xiaguang suddenly flew from the northwest!

The power of the Dìng Hǎi Shén Zhū was instantly dissolved by the xiaguang, which carried an profoundly mysterious Dao rhyme and enveloped the sealed Ran Deng...

Ran Deng regained his freedom, spat out a mouthful of blood, and immediately grabbed his Lingqiu Bao Deng, his eyes filled with shock and fear.

But he was still sealed by the Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng, completely unable to fight back.

Was this Yuan Shi Sheng Ren making a move?

It had broken the Dìng Hǎi Shén Guāng and Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng so effortlessly!

What a stark contrast to that certain Daoist who had withdrawn from the group and only won by scheming against Kong Xuan!

Just then, a white crane flew in from the west, carrying an elder with a peculiar appearance.

Why peculiar? The elder's forehead was swollen forward as if struck by a stone.

Otherwise, he had a kind and benevolent face, holding a peach wood staff, with no Dao rhyme emanating from him, yet an aura of peace surrounded him, bringing a sense of calm and comfort.

Nanji Xianweng!

The hidden great expert of Jie Jiao!

A spirit that cultivated alongside Yuan Shi Tianzun in the San Qing courtyard—how could his strength be weak?

Nanji Xianweng smiled with narrowed eyes and, in the blink of an eye, was before them, exchanging Daoist salutes with Li Changshou, Zhao Gongming, and Kong Xuan.

Nanji Xianweng said warmly,

"This poor Daoist comes on my teacher's orders to take Ran Deng as deputy leader back to Yù Xū Gōng. Water God Changgeng, handle the matters here as you see fit."

Li Changshou bowed again toward Kunlun Shan. "This disciple is grateful for the saint's understanding."

Nanji Xianweng added with a smile, "Changgeng, my junior brother, my teacher has often praised you in recent years. The Ren Jiao has few disciples, and your efforts to alleviate our elder brother's burdens, support Tian Ting, and maintain Heavenly Dao order are all excellent. You're a pillar of the Daoist sect.

If you're free, Changgeng, come to Yù Xū Gōng more often."

Li Changshou showed a hint of joy, returned the Daoist salute to Nanji Xianweng, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Xianweng senior brother. I'll definitely visit Kunlun Shan when I have time."

Well, he never really had time.

"Good," Nanji Xianweng nodded with a smile, then looked at the disheveled Ran Deng.

Even this mild-mannered and experienced immortal couldn't help but twitch his rosy face slightly.

He was an ancient great power, after all—how had it come to this?

"Deputy leader, today's events were just a misunderstanding. Let's return to Kunlun Shan and rest."

Ran Deng knew his situation, forced a calm demeanor, and silently gathered the treasures around him. He didn't ask about his missing tower or the halved materials, simply turned and flew toward Kunlun Shan.

"Deputy leader Ran Deng!"

Li Changshou suddenly called out loudly, took the Ruo Qian Kun Chi from Kong Xuan's hand, and sent it over with his immortal power.

"You dropped your chi!"

Ran Deng instinctively clenched his fist, glanced back with a forced smile, and said, "Thank you."

With that, Ran Deng retrieved the Qian Kun Chi, turned, and left with Nanji Xianweng.

As soon as Ran Deng and Nanji Xianweng flew out of sight, Li Changshou's mumbling echoed through the heavens...

"Ah, in terms of composure, I'm still far inferior to these seniors."

Ran Deng clutched his chest—truly, he almost spat blood again.

Once the white crane carrying Nanji Xianweng and Ran Deng disappeared into the distance, Li Changshou looked down at the Jie Jiao Xian Zong immortals, summoned a cloud, and descended with Zhao Gongming and Kong Xuan...

The immortals of Dao Wei Xian Zong didn't dare move an inch. They sadly realized that the Water God could now give them orders as he pleased.

Dao Wei Zi from Yù Xū Gōng stepped forward proactively, his smile sincere yet tinged with fear.

Li Changshou didn't make things difficult for Dao Wei Xian Zong and didn't forcibly interfere in the Hong Lin Guo conflict.

Hong Lin Guo's destiny was shattered, and its national foundation was gone.

All Li Changshou could do was instruct Dao Wei Xian Zong to restrain the two tribes from that point on, forbidding excessive killing, sparing those who surrendered, and letting the Hong Lin Guo royal bloodline go.

Beyond that, Dao Wei Xian Zong took the initiative to offer one of their controlled kingdoms in Zhong Shen Zhou as a worship site to Du Xian Men.

Li Changshou was acting as the Tian Ting Water God, so he simply told them to negotiate with Du Xian Men. As long as no conflict erupted, he wouldn't intervene further.

After handling the matter, in front of the hundreds of immortals from both sects, Li Changshou gestured invitingly to Kong Xuan and descended with him to the ground.

Now, it was time to distinguish between the "Water God" and his "true self."

His true self, who had been guarding Youqin Xuanya, bowed to his paper effigy and Kong Xuan, then stepped aside.

Youqin Xuanya, having received Li Changshou's voice transmission, stood up, leaned on her great sword, and bowed to the "Water God."

"Disciple of Du Xian Men and Princess of Hong Lin Guo, Youqin Xuanya, pays respects to the Water God!

Hong Lin Guo has suffered this calamity today, and Xuanya truly doesn't know how to handle the aftermath. Please assist me, Water God!"

—This was to give Tian Ting a reason to intervene in mortal affairs.

The Water God said warmly, "I saw your determination to save your family, facing death fearlessly and charging ahead. Tian Ting is in need of talents like you. Would you be willing to serve in Tian Ting later?"

Youqin Xuanya was clearly startled;

This question hadn't been in Li Changshou's earlier instructions, but the answer was already set.

Whatever the Water God asked next, she should say she needed to return to the mountain for her master's permission.

"Xuanya must return to the mountain for my master's permission!"

"Good."

The "Water God" nodded with a smile, perfectly concluding the schemes on Youqin Xuanya, then gestured for her to step back and approached her elder sister-in-law.

This was the key figure of the night.

Li Changshou asked gently, "I am a righteous god of Tian Ting. May I sense the child in your womb?"

"Um," the young woman replied softly, lowering her head and quickly standing up.

Li Changshou closed his eyes, extended his right hand toward the woman's abdomen, and faint gold patterns appeared in his palm.

It was him.

Li Changshou stood there, lost in thought, various insights rising in his heart, as if some vague guidance in the darkness pointed out a path.

After a moment, Li Changshou opened his eyes, looked up at the sky, and declared loudly,

"I am the Tian Ting Water God, acting on the orders of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, temporarily handling Tian Ting's affairs with Dongmu Gong!

Heavenly Dao, hear my request!"

Boom—

A mass of golden clouds flew from the horizon, slowly circling above Hong Lin Guo; the dense Heavenly Dao power within made the cultivators feel uncomfortable.

Li Changshou looked down at the young woman and her mother beside her, saying warmly,

"Today, at Youqin's request, I offer you a fateful opportunity.

I can grant your unborn child a heavenly destiny. He and his descendants will lead your Hong Lin Guo tribe to establish a new nation, one even more prosperous than before.

But there are three heavenly covenants you must follow.

Covenant one: Any ruler of the new nation must die a natural death; violation will result in the soul scattering, never to reincarnate!

Covenant two: The new nation must honor the Heavenly Emperor, worship heaven and earth, and respect ancestors and rites.

Covenant three: The nation must not harbor cultivators; the Heavenly Emperor will protect you.

Do you agree?"

The young woman hurriedly glanced at her mother beside her; the mother nodded quickly, and the young woman knelt before Li Changshou.

" Jian Di honors the immortal's decree."

"Good," Li Changshou gently swept his right hand over the woman, and streams of golden light from the clouds in the air gathered at her abdomen.

A golden wheel mark appeared on the woman's forehead as she murmured softly, "We must go east..."

"Kong Xuan Daoist, please come."

Li Changshou gestured to Kong Xuan beside him and said to the group of over ten women,

"This is the divine bird immortal of the Feng Clan. He will take you away from here and protect your new nation for a hundred years. You must honor him as your national totem."

The young woman replied, "Yes."

Kong Xuan smiled faintly, his eyes full of serenity, and sighed, "I never thought it would happen so quickly."

"The rest is up to you, Daoist," Li Changshou said with a smile.

"My Feng Clan owes you a great debt."

Just then, Zhao Gongming descended from the air, laughing and scolding, "Why so serious all of a sudden? It's not like you.

Today was truly exhilarating!

Now that we've handled the serious matters, let's find a nearby spot and drink to our hearts' content?"

Li Changshou and Kong Xuan both agreed.

Kong Xuan used the Wǔ Sè Shén Guāng to protect the group of Hong Lin Guo women, letting them rest here briefly before he would return to meet them. Then, he left with Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming on the clouds...

In a corner, Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya exchanged a glance, her expression a bit odd.

"Senior brother..."

"Hmm?"

Youqin Xuanya asked puzzled, "My skills are weak—what could I do in Tian Ting?"

"Who knows," Li Changshou smiled and shook his head. "The Tian Ting Water God's thoughts are beyond my guessing."