Chapter 401: Eight-Nine Profound Art

Houtu Niangniang...

Has she even managed to preserve the seven emotions incarnations that have troubled her for these long years?

Others might not know how important that grass ring is to Houtu Niangniang, but Li Changshou had previously spoken with her and held the grass ring in his hands for three days, so he understood its origin.

Houtu Niangniang's body had already transformed into the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, and the grass ring was essentially where she housed her primordial spirit, serving as a second body and giving her a way to detach from the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk.

Although the situation just now seemed straightforward, Houtu Niangniang had used the power of living beings' faith to fully merge her own primordial spirit with the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, thereby passing the grass ring to Xiao Ai and the others.

"Houtu Niangniang is the gentlest ancestor of our Wu clan."

Li Changshou chuckled softly to himself...

Perhaps, this is the essence of the great virtue of Houtu.

"But in doing so, haven't I just added unnecessary complications?" Li Changshou murmured softly, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness.

Yunxiao Xianzi covered her mouth with a light laugh, released Li Changshou's arm, and stepped back unobtrusively, her eyes full of amusement.

Earlier, when Li Changshou was bidding farewell to Xiao Ai, Yunxiao Xianzi's emotions had fluctuated slightly, leading to that moment of "proactive comfort."

Li Changshou wouldn't point it out; being comforted was fine. Although his cultivation was still far inferior to Yunxiao Xianzi's, a man should maintain some manly demeanor.

On a side note, a strong-willed fairy like her was quite adorable.

Cough, speaking of that proactive farewell earlier...

When Xiao Ai was summoned back, Li Changshou had thought she was about to disappear, so he said those words as a form of comfort for her.

Even a fleeting friendship lasting just a moment could warm Xiao Ai's heart a little.

But Houtu Niangniang had chosen to handle it this way...

Although the seven emotions incarnations had been greatly weakened, they were protected by Houtu Niangniang, like raising seven twin sisters of the same origin.

The warmth Li Changshou had offered had now solidified into karma!

This was quite exhausting.

Still, it was ultimately a good thing. After all, Xiao Ai and the others could remain, even if it left some hidden risks for Houtu Niangniang; it also created other opportunities.

For instance, if someone tried to mess with the underworld, Houtu Niangniang could face them alone and, at a critical moment, summon the seven emotions incarnations.

When Xiao Ai appeared, demons everywhere might silently draw their knives and end themselves...

The imagery was quite vivid, and it made Li Changshou feel a bit of quiet anticipation.

Moreover, Houtu Niangniang handling the seven emotions incarnations this way eased the burden on those involved.

Li Changshou bowed toward the sky, and several streams of light were already flying toward him and Yunxiao Xianzi.

The first to arrive was Taiyi Zhenren.

He rushed over, grabbed Li Changshou, and glared at him, whispering, "What are we going to do about this?"

"Shixiong? What's wrong?" Li Changshou blinked, his eyes full of curiosity and innocence.

"What's wrong!"

Taiyi Zhenren's handsome face still bore bruises as he whispered, "Wasn't it you who said to freely provoke the incarnation of anger and keep it going? I didn't stop talking even while getting beaten!

Now that the incarnation has been kept, what if she comes out later and uses Houtu's powers and abilities to attack my Qianyuan Cave...

I'm done for!"

Li Changshou sucked in a breath of cold air, looking somewhat fearful and uneasy, and quickly said, "Taiyi Shixiong, you've really reminded me. This was my oversight."

"How do we fix it?" Taiyi Zhenren was anxious. "How on earth do we fix it?"

"Don't worry, Taiyi Shixiong," Li Changshou said seriously. "If something like that really happens, just come find me at the Tushita Palace in the Heavenly Court, or send me a transmission jade talisman, and I'll rush over to explain for you.

Whether it's Houtu's incarnation or not, it's still part of the great virtue of Houtu—she wouldn't be unreasonable."

Taiyi Zhenren thought it over carefully and sighed, "It looks like I won't be coming to the underworld anymore."

"Don't worry, Taiyi Shidi, ha ha ha!"

Laughter rang out as Guangchengzi and Yuding Zhenren arrived on clouds.

The senior brother of Chanism smiled and said, "The great virtue of Houtu is fine now. The seven emotions have been balanced, and soon Changgeng Shidi will help the underworld resolve the remaining seven emotions in reincarnating spirits. Houtu won't lose control again."

Li Changshou smiled and replied, "Guangchengzi Shixiong is absolutely right. In helping the underworld with this matter, it's not something I can do alone—it's going to require the full effort of the Daoist sects."

Guangchengzi was about to respond when another voice came from the side.

"Changgeng ah."

Xuandu Dashi walked over slowly, frowning. "That move of yours with the chaotic emotions..."

"Shixiong, you're truly impressive!"

Li Changshou gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Originally, we just wanted to restrain the incarnation of malice, but we never expected you to come up with such a brilliant plan, weakening her hatred. That was something we hadn't thought of."

Xuandu Dashi's eyes narrowed in a smile, and he stood calmly behind Li Changshou, poking him lightly in the waist. The two shixiongdi shared a laugh.

This was a traditional skill of the Human Teachings.

When Duobao Daoist, Zhao Gongming, and Jinling Shengmu arrived, the nine immortals of the Daoist sects were all gathered.

Houtu Niangniang slowly floated down from the sky, stopping a hundred zhang away, and bowed gracefully to the nine immortals. They each returned the courtesy.

Houtu's lips parted slightly, surrounded by streams of golden light, her long hair drifting behind her, and her simple white dress exuding a holy aura.

"Thank you, fellow Daoists, for your assistance."

Xuandu Dashi smiled. "Senior, you're too kind."

"I reside in this realm and can no longer go out, nor do I have any proper gifts to offer you all."

Houtu Niangniang gently waved her right hand, and a faint glow bloomed from her fingertips. A scroll of scriptures shining with golden light condensed and was pushed toward them.

"This technique is one I compiled from the Wu clan's secret cultivation methods and the principles of the heavens' cycles. It was originally meant to be the Jiujiu Guiyi Xuan Gong, but unfortunately, the Heavenly Dao did not allow the ninth layer to form, disrupting my insights."

Jiujiu Guiyi missing one layer...

Xuan Gong!?

Li Changshou's eyes lit up, but he didn't show it.

This xuan gong was for the Daoist sects, and since he had contributed, he could naturally get a copy later!

Xuandu Dashi took the scroll and laughed. "Thank you, senior, for granting this xuan gong.

Senior Houtu, you really don't need to be so polite. You've been guarding this place, maintaining the Six Paths of Reincarnation for endless ages.

When you faced trouble, we came to help—it's just a small effort, nothing to boast about.

Senior, you've just been through a calamity and haven't fully recovered. We won't disturb you further. Please rest well.

If you have any instructions, just have the underworld's officials inform my shidi Changgeng. He's serving in the Heavenly Court and is highly favored by our teacher and trusted by the Jade Emperor."

With that, the nine immortals of the Daoist sects bowed again.

Houtu didn't say much, just nodded with a smile, and opened a portal like a curtain of water for them, leading back outside the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk.

The nine immortals didn't linger, their mission accomplished, and turned to leave.

But as Li Changshou was about to step forward, Houtu Niangniang spoke. "Changgeng Daoist friend, could you stay a moment longer?"

Li Changshou glanced at his shixiong Xuandu, then at Yunxiao Xianzi. The former patted his shoulder with a smile, while the latter bowed slightly and left with Jinling Shengmu.

Soon, the eight Daoist experts had left this realm.

Li Changshou looked at this peaceful and harmonious little world, feeling a slight unease for some reason.

Houtu stood on a gentle slope a hundred zhang away, bowing slightly to Li Changshou and sighing. "Daoist friend, you've truly done it."

"I've fulfilled the task," Li Changshou replied, suddenly sensing the dense power of Heavenly Dao merit outside the water curtain!

The eight Daoist experts had each received a large reward of merit.

Li Changshou smiled. "And it was mainly the three sects' senior brothers who acted—I just handled some messages."

Houtu Niangniang calculated with her fingers and said softly, "Daoist friend, don't be modest. The underworld and the Wu clan have received countless favors from you.

As for the matter of the Mie Ren Sword, it was thanks to your timely discovery that the Wu clan was spared a catastrophe of extermination.

I am one of the twelve ancestors of the Wu clan, so you deserve this bow from me."

On the hillside covered with white flowers and glowing with rosy light, Houtu Niangniang clasped her hands in front and bowed gracefully to Li Changshou.

"This won't do!"

Li Changshou quickly stepped aside and returned the bow, sighing, "Niangniang, please don't overwhelm me like this!

Everything I've done has been motivated by self-interest, whether in slaying demons or protecting the Wu clan—it's all for multiple considerations, like integrating the underworld into the Heavenly Court. I don't dare accept such a great courtesy from you!"

Houtu laughed. "Then, Daoist friend, did you have any benefits in mind from helping me this time?"

"None at all," Li Changshou shook his head repeatedly. "Being able to help you is already something I can boast about to my fellow disciples later. I really didn't think of anything else...

But, cough.

I've always been interested in the Wu clan's secret talismans, Niangniang. Please take a look."

Li Changshou lightly drew with his finger, sketching a Wu clan talisman used for concealing heavenly secrets.

Houtu said gently, "In that case, I'll have the Wu clan talismans compiled into a book and sent to you later."

"Thank you for granting the talismans!"

Li Changshou was quite satisfied, but seeing that Houtu Niangniang seemed to want to chat more, he didn't want to leave abruptly.

Houtu asked again, "Are you sure you don't want any other benefits?"

"Really, no need."

Houtu said with regret, "I was thinking of giving you some Pangu true blood, which could be used to cultivate xuan body techniques or refine supreme elixirs. Since you're declining, I'll let it be."

Li Changshou: ...

Face or treasures—which is more important? Of course, treasures!

Especially Pangu true blood, paired with the xuan gong Niangniang just granted—it would be like giving his physical body a huge boost!

If he cultivated the xuan gong and then strengthened it with Pangu true blood, it would be another lifesaving trump card!

But after a moment's thought, Li Changshou considered...

Sometimes, too many opportunities aren't good. Treasures are easy to obtain, but karma is hard to shed. Besides, he's on the path of primordial spirit cultivation, so a stronger physical body isn't that crucial for him.

Better to play it safe.

If he really decides to refine it later and succeeds with the xuan gong, he can always come back to ask Niangniang for the Pangu true blood.

With these thoughts, Li Changshou smiled. "Niangniang, if you have no other instructions, I'll take my leave."

Houtu Niangniang blinked and said softly, "I was just joking with you earlier. These were meant as thanks anyway."

"Wait until I've done more for the Wu clan," Li Changshou said. "I'm the type who won't move without profit—it'll motivate me more that way."

"Daoist friend, you're joking...

Just a moment, there's someone else who wants to see you."

Houtu held her hands forward, and a grass ring slowly formed in the immortal light, which she gently placed on her head.

The grass ring flashed with seven-colored light, then hid the other colors, leaving only silver-white radiance.

The smile on Houtu Niangniang's lips faded, and though her face and figure remained the same, she gave off the feeling of a completely different person.

The grass on the slope beneath her feet began to wilt, the white flowers slowly withering, and a breeze carried an overwhelming sense of desolation.

"Ahh..."

She sighed softly, "You were just comforting me, weren't you? It was comfort after all. I'm just an out-of-control emotion, a burden from living beings, the biggest one at that...

But your words did make me feel a bit better, even though the sadness is still so overwhelming..."

"Daoist friend," Li Changshou said with a smile, "once you can freely control this power of seven emotions sorrow and find a way to go out, I can take you around the world and introduce you to more friends. How about that?"

"R-really?"

She took half a step forward, her eyes lighting up with a brightness they'd never had before, but in an instant, it faded, and she drooped her head dejectedly. "Or maybe you're just comforting me again."

"I'm the Water God of the Heavenly Court, a third-rank official," Li Changshou said seriously. "I don't usually lie unless necessary."

"Then, it's a deal?"

"Here, keep this as a memento."

Li Changshou took a pearl from his sleeve, infused it with a segment of laughter, and placed it on the ground.

He said, "Take care, friend," then waved his duster lightly, as if brushing away the dust here, and turned toward the water curtain, exiting the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk without hindrance.

The moment he stepped out, a golden light descended from the sky, engulfing his figure.

It was a massive wave of merit!

Before Li Changshou could tally it up, Xuandu Dashi, Zhao Gongming, Duobao Daoist, and Taiyi Zhenren had already crowded around.

Zhao Gongming sniffed the air meaningfully, his gaze full of teasing.

Xuandu Dashi laughed. "Shidi, what did Niangniang teach you when she kept you behind?"

"It was for the earlier Mie Ren Sword incident, the Northern Continent Wu clan matters, and various Heavenly Court and underworld affairs," Li Changshou said seriously. "Houtu Niangniang was just thanking me for those."

The others' expressions turned to disappointment.

Duobao Daoist waved it off. "Alright, alright, let's scatter. We'll greet the underworld's Yan Monarch and find a place to drink."

Zhao Gongming sighed. "This trip has been incredibly rewarding."

"Indeed," Taiyi Zhenren said, fiddling with a scroll in his hand and laughing. "Seeing the Dinghai Divine Pearls spout water was a real eye-opener."

Zhao Gongming narrowed his eyes with a smile and snapped his fingers. The twenty-four Dinghai Divine Pearls appeared around Taiyi Zhenren, freezing him in place.

"Is that how it works? Taiyi Shidi?"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The twenty-four pearls shot out streams of water like twenty-four heavy punches, pummeling Taiyi Zhenren until he trembled all over.

Guangchengzi shook his head at the sight, while Yuding Zhenren showed a faint smile.

Watching this, Li Changshou fell into quiet thought, but seeing Yunxiao Xianzi standing apart like an otherworldly being, he walked over to her.

Later, he still needed to have a deep talk with Taiyi Zhenren.

His mastery-level Yin-Yang Speech mustn't become the spark for a three-sect war among the Daoist teachings.

Not far away, Xuandu Dashi was discussing with Guangchengzi and Duobao Daoist how to handle the xuan gong granted by Houtu Niangniang. It was clear that the three sects...

Weren't very interested in it.

After all, the techniques taught by saints were superior, and Houtu Niangniang's cultivation was still a step below that of saints...

But they couldn't refuse her face.

So, Xuandu Dashi suggested treating this divine ability as a protective xuan gong for the Daoist sects, not to be taught lightly to disciples.

Guangchengzi and Duobao Daoist had no objections.

Inside the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, the silver light on Houtu Niangniang's grass ring was gradually fading, leaving only a long sigh:

"Ahh, what was I expecting? I probably can't get out.

Now, I can only mix with the other six incarnations. I might even get bullied. Niangniang probably doesn't like me, and the other six will likely find me depressing soon...

What sisterly bonds of the same root and origin? It's all as false as a mirage.

Sadness, so overwhelming..."