Chapter 398: Luxurious Lineup

So... at least seven experts are needed to suppress or hold back the fully erupted Seven Emotions Incarnations.

These seven experts must have sufficient strength, and their Dao Heart must not have major flaws. They need to be able to confront the Seven Emotions Resonance Force in the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk.

Xuan Du Shi pondered for a while with his head down, then looked up and said:

"How about you, my junior brother, go to Doushuai Gong and try to persuade them? With your silver tongue, perhaps you can get the teacher to take action!"

Directly asking a Saint to intervene...

Although Li Changshou was tempted by the idea, he knew it was just an unrealistic fantasy.

The Saint might take action, but only after the two of them had failed, appearing to clean up the mess for them. Otherwise, what would be the point of the Saint training disciples like them?

By then, what awaited them would probably be that "kind of reward Ling E likes the least"...

"Senior brother, if the teacher wanted to act personally, why would he have sent us here?"

"I'm just joking. You go to Jie Jiao, and I'll head to Chan Jiao to make some arrangements."

Xuan Du Shi thought carefully and instructed:

"Even if their cultivation, realm, magical power, or spiritual treasures are lacking, as long as their mind and Dao Heart can resist the Seven Emotions Resonance, it will be fine.

Especially, their mind must not have any obvious flaws or obsessions, or they will definitely be taken advantage of by the Seven Emotions Incarnations."

Li Changshou said: "I plan to ask Duobao Daoist, Zhao Gongming, and Yunxiao Xianzi for help. If everything goes smoothly, I might even get a fourth one...

Based on what you know, senior brother, which other experts from Jie Jiao would be suitable for this task?"

"How about Wu Dang Shi Mei and Jin Ling Shi Mei?"

Xuan Du Shi pondered for a moment. "Wu Yun Xian could work too, but the attendants of the Third Uncle-Master generally don't get involved in external affairs.

Since this is to assist Lady Houtu and benefit all living beings, it's more appropriate to ask the personal disciples of the two Uncle-Masters to step in."

"Very well," Li Changshou replied with his head bowed, watching as Xuan Du Shi tore through the void and left the Lake of Tears.

His true body didn't need to move around; he simply suspended the Pagoda above his head and sat cross-legged by the lake, holding the grass ring in his left hand as he quietly organized the next steps.

The chances of success were about ninety-one or ninety-two percent.

Since it required multiple experts to act simultaneously, there were too many uncontrollable factors from both sides, but a success rate over ninety percent was enough to take the risk.

Why has the crying stopped?

Li Changshou turned his head and glanced at the two Yan Kings about ten zhang away...

"Big brother, how could I—how could I have dared to attack you earlier!

I'm worthless, weak, and cowardly. Just living is a waste of the clan's resources.

Now our ancestor is in so much pain, and I can't do anything to help!"

"Second brother, don't say that. It's all my fault. The one who deserves to die the most is me, it's me!"

What a sudden change in tone?

Worried that the two Wu Clan experts might go down a path of no return, Li Changshou quickly intervened, sending Chujiang Wang and Qin Guang Wang out of the Lake of Tears to let them calm down outside.

Later, he would still need the two Yan Kings to contribute, as this was a crucial part.

Let's begin.

He put away the grass ring and formed hand seals with both hands. Points of light scattered around Li Changshou's body, and in his heart, a series of arranged images appeared again. His paper effigies in various places across the Five Divisions Continent awoke and flew out from their hiding spots.

They searched the heavens, earth, and seas for immortals and spirits.

In the secret chamber within Xiao Qiong Peak's mountain, Li Changshou bent over his desk, quickly writing out a complete plan and setting a specific time point—

Three days later, at chenshi three quarters.

This was the most critical time point, as there could be no timely communication between the inside and outside of the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, so all subsequent steps had to follow a unified time scale.

Once this time node was set, Li Changshou immediately began summoning divine messengers through the idols within the Sea God Cult's domain...

In the Tian Ting Water God Residence, the Water God paper effigy rode the clouds and hurried to Tongming Hall.

In the Donghai Dragon Palace, Li Changshou met with the Donghai Dragon King in that grand hall filled with a dull atmosphere.

Within the Du Xian Men, Li Changshou also went to the Du Xian Hall and found his own sect leader, whispering something to him...

At the same time, one of Li Changshou's Water God paper effigies rode the clouds and ascended Jin'ao Island.

Zhao Gongming's "breakup celebration" had already concluded. It had been hastily prepared, so there was no feast.

But Zhao Gongming hadn't left Jin'ao Island yet; he was still drinking with several close friends and Jie Jiao's personal disciples in Wu Yun Da Xian's cave.

Even more fortunate, Duobao Daoist and Jin Ling Shengmu were also there, saving Li Changshou the trouble of running around.

Li Changshou was brought here through a tunnel.

He first bowed with a dao salute to the more than ten immortals present, not taking a seat, and said with a serious expression:

"I must interrupt your leisure, fellow senior brothers and sisters.

The underworld is in crisis; there's an anomaly in the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, and Lady Houtu is trapped by the seven emotions of all living beings.

I was commanded by the teacher, along with Xuan Du Shi, to intervene, but after entering the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, we couldn't withstand the Seven Emotions Force and had to retreat in embarrassment. We need experts who can resist the Seven Emotions Resonance to assist.

Here, as a disciple of Ren Jiao named Li Changgeng, I humbly request that Duobao Daoist, Zhao Gongming, and Jin Ling Shi Jie lend their aid to help Lady Houtu overcome this crisis."

"What's going on?"

Zhao Gongming immediately stood up, tossed aside his chopsticks, and asked urgently: "How is Lady Houtu's condition?"

"She can barely hold on for now," Li Changshou paused, then looked up with a slight bitter smile. "But the seven emotions are tormenting her, and she's forcibly transformed into the Seven Emotions Incarnations, each one devouring her mind.

Lady Houtu is enduring the sorrows of all living beings to keep the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk stable..."

"Will just the three of us be enough?"

Duobao Daoist stood up, his slightly plump face showing a hint of authority. "I'll summon the other fellow disciples and go to the underworld to help!"

"Senior brother, you mustn't," Li Changshou quickly said. "First, this matter can't be publicized, to avoid causing panic among living beings or inviting schemes from others.

Second, the Seven Emotions Resonance is extremely tricky. When Xuan Du Shi and I entered the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, we only faced the emotions of malice and desire. With the Taiji Chart and the Xuan Huang Pagoda protecting us, we managed to escape unharmed.

If anyone entering the disk has even the slightest flaw in their Dao Heart, they will be seized by the Seven Emotions Incarnations!"

"This should just be among us," Jin Ling Shengmu stood up, the bells on her golden skirt jingling. "We can discuss the rest on the way. Let's head to the underworld first."

Li Changshou bowed with a dao salute and added: "There's one more thing—I'd like to borrow the power of Jie Jiao to make this happen. Duobao senior brother, please look at this message."

As he spoke, Li Changshou sent a jade talisman over with his immortal power. Duobao Daoist caught it, read it carefully, and laughed:

"It's a trivial matter. I'll assign it to... Jin Guang?"

"I'm here!"

Jin Guang Shengmu, who was at the breakup banquet, immediately stood up and took the jade talisman that Duobao Daoist had passed over.

Duobao instructed:

"Just follow what Changgeng has requested. Spread the message throughout the Three Realms within three days, to all immortal sects connected to Jie Jiao.

If any Jie Jiao sect fails to perform the worship on time, confiscate their sect's Jie Jiao cultivation manuals!

Changgeng rarely asks for favors, so this must be important. Don't slack off."

Jin Guang Shengmu bowed with a dao salute and accepted the order:

"Yes! I'll make sure it's done, senior brother!"

Li Changshou said: "The three of you, please go directly to the underworld. Later, two or three senior brothers from Chan Jiao will join you.

This is just to ensure absolute success."

"Finally, something that requires the combined strength of the three teachings," Zhao Gongming sighed lightly, then bowed with a dao salute to Jin Guang Shengmu, who returned the gesture with a slight bow, marking the end of that emotional chapter.

Duobao Daoist opened a nearby tunnel and said, "Let's go," then stylishly jumped into the void tunnel.

After Zhao Gongming and Jin Ling Shengmu entered one after another, Li Changshou's paper effigy bowed to the other Jie Jiao immortals and hurriedly left Wu Yun Da Xian's cave, heading to San Xian Island.

He was going to invite Yunxiao Xianzi.

In terms of mental state and cultivation, Yunxiao was not the absolute best among Jie Jiao immortals, but she was one of the most suitable choices Li Changshou could think of to counter the Seven Emotions Force.

Moreover, her Hunyuan Jindou was a powerful treasure that might prove highly effective.

As he arrived at that sea of clouds again, Li Changshou felt inexplicably uneasy.

He rarely took the initiative to visit San Xian Island, and this time it was to ask for help...

Well, he had been too passive.

However, before Li Changshou could enter the outer clouds of San Xian Island, a soft murmur sounded, and a wisp of cloud drifted past him.

The familiar gentle voice entered his ears, heart, and soul, easing much of his anxiety.

"What's wrong?

You look troubled. Have you encountered some difficulty?"

The cloud quickly dissipated, revealing Yunxiao Xianzi's figure, standing quietly a zhang away.

Clouds rising and falling, soft and gentle; her green robe brought a sense of calm.

Yunxiao must have noticed Li Changshou's approach and, seeing his hesitant expression, had hurried out of San Xian Island to meet him.

Though still as ethereal and beautiful as ever, there was a rare, subtle laziness about her that hadn't been there before.

She wore a long robe without tying her sash, and her long hair seemed casually pinned up with just a wooden hairpin...

Li Changshou sighed lightly and smiled: "This time, I really do need your help, but there won't be any karmic ties—it's just straightforward action against some troublesome figures."

Yunxiao asked softly: "Is it urgent?"

"It's manageable."

"Then, wait for me a moment," Yunxiao agreed, her figure enveloped in clouds. A moment later, she reappeared, her hair neatly tied and her jade belt fastened, her green robe replaced by a light blue dress.

Her dark hair swayed gently in the wind, and her lips were slightly pursed, glossy and moist.

Only then did Li Changshou notice...

"You actually put on some light makeup?

I always thought you wouldn't care about such things, and whether you wear makeup or not, you're equally elegant."

"If it's to see you, I should make some effort," Yunxiao said lightly, summoning a white cloud with her slender hand. "This is something my third sister taught me."

Li Changshou could only respond with a foolish smile, not knowing what else to say.

Yunxiao asked: "Where are we going? What's this about?"

"Oh, right, I almost forgot the main matter."

Li Changshou's paper effigy transformed back into its paper form. "Take this incarnation of mine and hurry to the underworld. Duobao Daoist and the others are already there.

There's an issue with the Reincarnation Disk. I'll explain the details on the way, and Xuan Du Shi has gone to Chan Jiao to invite people."

Yunxiao Xianzi's expression turned serious upon hearing this. She transformed into a wisp of cloud smoke and sped toward the Youming Realm.

Half a shichen later,

Above the Reincarnation Immortal Island, Yunxiao Xianzi arrived on the clouds and met with Duobao Daoist, Zhao Gongming, and Jin Ling Shengmu, who had been waiting.

Yunxiao Xianzi stepped forward to pay her respects. Among the four inner and outer disciples of Tongtian Jiaozhu, she had entered the latest.

But when Yunxiao performed the salute, her three senior brothers and sisters responded with a slightly restrained demeanor—some cupped their hands, others bowed slightly. Only Zhao Gongming, as the eldest brother, was more casual, taking a couple of steps forward.

"Second sister, you've come after all!"

Yunxiao said seriously: "Should we wait here for Xuan Du Shi and the others, or go down first?"

No sooner had she spoken than a faint black-and-white Taiji Chart appeared behind her, and Xuan Du Shi's voice came from it:

"We're here. It took a bit longer to pick up the others."

From the Taiji Chart, Xuan Du Shi stepped out first, followed by a middle-aged daoist with a golden crown and dao robe—the immortal who strikes the bell at Yuxu Palace, Guangchengzi.

Behind Guangchengzi came not Nanji Xianweng or Chijingzi, but a young daoist in red robes with a handsome face—Taiyi Zhenren—and the upright-faced Yuding Zhenren in a gray dao robe.

Guangchengzi's cultivation and realm were on par with Duobao and Zhao Gongming, while Yuding Zhenren rarely fought, so his depth was unknown.

But Taiyi Zhenren, who had been quite active since ancient times, was clearly a step below the "senior brother" level...

Taiyi Zhenren felt a bit awkward at the moment, stepped forward with a dao salute to his senior brothers and sisters, and said with a smile:

"I don't know the details myself. The two senior brothers just called me and Yuding over to help with something important, so we came right away."

The implication was that he and Yuding Zhenren hadn't volunteered; if they held things back later, the blame would still fall on Guangchengzi and Xuan Du Shi...

Guangchengzi laughed and said: "Asking the two junior brothers to come was precisely because of your exceptional qualities."

"Let's go down," Xuan Du Shi said warmly. "First, let's meet up with Changgeng and have him explain in detail to you all."

Duobao looked down at the somewhat bewildered underworld figures and asked: "Should we greet them?"

A voice came from Yunxiao's sleeve: "I'll go."

Li Changshou's paper effigy flew out, transforming into the form of the Tian Ting Water God, and bowed with a dao salute to the eight great figures, saying:

"I was just about to instruct a few Yan Kings on the next steps, so please, senior brothers and sisters, go ahead to the eighteenth level of hell below. Qin Guang Wang and Chujiang Wang are already waiting there."

With that, Li Changshou rode the clouds downward, while Xuan Du Shi led the experts from Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao into the abyss.

When they reached the lowest level of the eighteenth level of hell and met Qin Guang Wang and Chujiang Wang, the seven Daoist experts—except for Xuan Du Shi—began to feel tense.

It was because the two Yan Kings looked truly...

Pitiful.

Their robes were tattered, their faces bruised and swollen, their bodies covered in wounds, their eyes red and tearful, and their gazes dim.

Duobao Daoist said with deep concern: "Has it gotten this serious?"

"The two Yan Kings have been affected by the Seven Emotions Incarnations," Xuan Du Shi explained. "You'll all experience the force of the seven emotions of living beings soon enough."

The seven experts became vigilant, with Yunxiao Xianzi, who knew the most about the situation, remaining the calmest.

They dispelled the forty-nine layers of restrictions, stepped to the edge of the Lake of Tears, and passed through the thick mist, where they saw Li Changshou sitting cross-legged by the lake center.

Xuan Du Shi instructed: "Let's go over. That one lying there is one of the seven emotions, Sorrow."

The experts' expressions turned extremely serious as they rode the clouds to Li Changshou's side.

Li Changshou was intentionally testing how well the seven experts could withstand the seven emotions.

Just as they were about to arrive, he deliberately spoke up, addressing the small figure of sorrow lying before him:

"Lady, you truly won't get up?

I've brought these senior brothers and sisters here. Even if we have to carry you, today we'll..."

"What's the point of getting up?

Carrying me there, what good would it do?

Everything is ultimately meaningless. Why struggle in vain?

Yes, sometimes you don't know what it's like to mess things up until you try...

But please, don't torment me, don't give me hope only to plunge me into despair again."

The small figure sighed lightly, tears flowing like a burst dam. "What you all care about in the end is just that version of me. Who cares about this me?

All I have is my tears."

This...

Veins bulged on Li Changshou's forehead as he forcibly endured the impact of sorrow on his Dao Heart, quickly thinking of things that would make him happy.

He could even clearly feel that as the small figure spoke, waves of storm-like "sorrow attacks" erupted throughout the Lake of Tears.

"Ah—"

A long sigh came from behind, and Xuan Du Shi landed beside Li Changshou, looking up at the distant mist, lost in thought.

Sob... sob...

Li Changshou turned to see Jin Ling Shengmu, who usually kept a stern face, wiping the corner of her eye before quickly turning away.

Yunxiao Xianzi pursed her lips slightly, her eyes filled with a touch of sorrow as she gazed sympathetically at the small figure.

Zhao Gongming and Guangchengzi looked much the same, both showing signs of melancholy, as if recalling troubling matters.

These were relatively calm reactions...

The most composed one was Yuding Zhenren; this master of Yang Jian, whom Li Changshou always suspected was a hidden powerhouse, simply watched the small figure with a hint of gloom in his eyes.

And then...

Thump! Taiyi Zhenren suddenly dropped to his knees, tears welling up as he took a deep breath and looked up.

"Though I want to hold back, my dao cultivation just isn't enough...

Senior brother, why did you have to bring me here to embarrass myself!"

"Ah," Duobao Daoist sighed beside him, his plump face full of reminiscence and nostalgia.

"Treasure, how did our happiness fade away?"