South of Bei Zhou, a battle that shook the heavens unfolded.
The war between Tian Ting and the Yao Clan dragged on for half a day, and it was overwhelmingly one-sided. The Yao Clan resisted and fled, only to be pursued and slaughtered for that entire time.
Fortunately, Tian Ting did not resort to total extermination, and afterward, they would not hold accountable any Yao Clan forces that had not participated in the Bei Zhou chaos, keeping the casualties among living beings within a certain limit.
Yao could never be completely wiped out.
What Tian Ting needed to do—or rather, what Li Changshou intended to achieve through Tian Ting—was to redefine the Yao.
How could balancing the Heavenly Way be so simple?
Li Changshou not only aimed to promote his system of balancing living beings, the one involving "human spirits, immortals, Yao, demons, and ghosts";
He also had to start from the smallest details, gradually building up a constraining force on the Heavenly Way, with his ultimate goal being to achieve his own Dao through this!
His own Dao was the greatest guarantee for the future.
The battle in the miasma clouds of Bei Zhou twelve years ago had made Li Changshou realize many things.
Strength was the ultimate deciding factor, not position. Without that strength, even opportunities falling into one's lap could slip away and even endanger one's life.
Some ancient red figure: Always feeling repeatedly offended by some upstart waves.
Now, when plotting various matters, Li Changshou always asked himself one question: Would this benefit his Dao?
Exterminating the Yao of Bei Zhou, severely damaging the Yao Clan's destiny, and pulling them into a weaker position in the world—all of this greatly benefited his Dao.
So, he did it without hesitation, even if it meant bearing a slight amount of karmic burden.
—After this battle, the pure merit gained from slaying Yao perfectly balanced out the minor karmic burden from ordering the massacre.
Returning to this all-out war between Tian Ting and the Yao Clan:
In truth, once Li Changshou's three key strikes landed—"Zheng Tian Wei," "Zhan Yao Yin," and "Da Ling Bao"—the Yao Clan had lost all chance of victory and any will to fight on.
The Tian Bing formation was set up in a "seven sides enclosing, one side open" pattern. Under Li Changshou's command, they deliberately left a gap, allowing a large number of Yao soldiers to flee toward Xi Niu He Zhou...
Unfortunately, these Yao soldiers scattered and suffered heavy losses before even reaching Ling Shan, failing to accomplish the feat of staining Ling Shan with blood.
Li Changshou's arrangement had several layers of hidden calculations.
—He wanted to force Xi Fang Jiao to make a choice.
At this point in the world, everyone knew that Xi Fang Jiao had previously heavily supported the Yao Clan, inciting them to oppose Tian Ting.
Now, with the Yao Clan's destiny shattered and most of the ancient great Yao slain, if a large number of Yao fled near Ling Shan, would Xi Fang Jiao kill them or protect them?
If Xi Fang Jiao killed these Yao, their credibility would be ruined;
Although that certain Saint on the verge of withdrawing from the group didn't care about such things, with the great calamity at hand and the Feng Shen Bang involving Chan Jiao, Jie Jiao, and Xi Fang Jiao, if Xi Fang Jiao did this, it would make it hard for them to gain allies later.
If Xi Fang Jiao protected these Yao, they would stand in direct opposition to the great calamity's main force—Tian Ting.
Li Changshou could then escalate the conflict between Yu Di and Xi Fang Jiao to an irreconcilable level, making Xi Fang Jiao bear even more calamity fate!
Sadly, these Yao were truly unreliable.
Li Changshou had even hinted to his own Tian Jiang not to pursue too aggressively, but the group of Yao still couldn't hold out until they reached Ling Shan...
With a touch of regret, Li Changshou glanced at Ling Shan from afar and then turned and vanished.
It was indeed a pity that such an opportunity couldn't be fully utilized.
A hundred years later, when the Feng Shen Bang was sealed in Zi Xiao Gong, a natural rift would emerge between Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao, and Xi Fang Jiao would surely jump back and forth, driving Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao into opposition.
At that time, the relationships among Xi Fang Jiao, Chan Jiao, and Jie Jiao would become incredibly complex, and Jie Jiao's "ten thousand immortals coming to court" would invite jealousy, leaving the Daoist framework in name only.
The great sects' struggles would escalate step by step to their peak.
That would be the true moment to devote full effort to dealing with Xi Fang Jiao.
For now, the task was to build up foundations, increase his leverage against Xi Fang Jiao, and ensure that at critical moments, he could pull something from his sleeve to turn the tide.
Engaging in the great sects' conflicts and contending with Saints required steady, step-by-step progress; one wrong move could mean total loss.
Saints were not like their mixed disciples; they were the biggest winners from the ancient and primordial eras!
As he pondered this in his heart, lightning flashed in Li Changshou's palm, and his true body seized the chance to return with Bai Ze, withdrawing from the battle.
The Shui Shen paper effigy calmly flew back to the high skies and reported to Yu Di.
This great battle was a resounding victory.
More than three hundred Yao kings of the Yao Clan were mostly killed or wounded, with a small portion of Yao soldiers scattering and the majority being routed by the Tian Bing and Tian Jiang.
The Long Clan slew more Yao experts than the Wu Clan, mainly because in the pursuit, the Wu Clan, who were better at running than flying, couldn't keep up with the fleeing Yao.
After all, in ancient times, two legs couldn't outrun a gust of wind or a pair of wings, which had been a key factor limiting the Wu Clan's population.
Once the borders of Bei Zhou were littered with corpses, Li Changshou ordered the Tian Bing and Tian Jiang to collect the bodies of their fallen comrades and use true fire to burn the mountains within a thousand li, piling the ashes in that place.
In a few decades, greenery would naturally return there.
Green was the color of life and hope.
Before the Nine Dragons Chariot, Li Changshou bowed and reported clearly:
“Your Majesty! The horde of Yao has been vanquished, and the troops have returned victorious!”
Yu Di, leaning on his great sword, said indifferently, “Where is Mu Gong?”
The blood-stained robed Mu Gong hurried over and bowed his head. “This old minister is here!”
“In this great battle, reward the troops based on their merits,” Yu Di said indifferently. “Qing Yuan Hao Qing, my dear minister, holds the foremost功; grant him merit, and another great功 will elevate his divine rank.”
Li Changshou was about to speak...
What had he gone to all this trouble to exterminate the Yao of Bei Zhou for?
Wasn't it to avoid taking office in the Moon Palace?
But as soon as Li Changshou opened his mouth, a beam of golden light descended from the horizon, enveloping him, and strands of merit flowed into the merit pool around his yuan shen.
The merit he had used to save his master's soul had now returned!
However, he was still just short of what he needed for a merit golden body...
That didn't matter; he just needed to go to the underworld shortly and present the already prepared reform plan for the underworld to Hou Tu Niang Niang.
As long as Hou Tu Niang Niang approved, that merit would be his, and his merit golden body would be complete!
“Qing Yuan Hao Qing, you have toiled in this battle,” Yu Di said. “After returning to Tian Ting, take up your post in the Moon Palace without delay, so my words do not become empty promises.”
Li Changshou: ...
Why did he feel like he had been outmaneuvered?
He replied weakly, “This humble god obeys.”
Yu Di sighed with a smile, stood up from the chariot, and gazed at the ashes drifting through the sky below, his eyes gleaming and his figure seeming even more imposing.
He wanted to say something, as he had during their leisurely cruise on the Western Sea, boasting to Mu Gong and Li Changshou;
Or as he had when chatting with Li Changshou alone on the steps, discussing poetry and distant dreams.
But today, feeling the sorrow of living beings and the grief of the heavens and earth, Yu Di only let out a soft sigh:
“Return to Tian Ting.”
“Did you see that? That's our enemy from now on.”
Several ten thousand li away from where the Yao Clan's ashes drifted, two figures stood at the edge of a mountain cliff.
A blood-red gauze dress clung to that alluring figure, and Wen Jing Dao Ren leaned against a large tree, speaking leisurely.
The silver-haired girl lowered her head slightly and hugged the treasured sword in her arms tighter.
“Does it feel a bit desperate?”
Wen Jing Dao Ren murmured through voice transmission, and the silver-haired girl nodded slightly.
“That's right, it should feel desperate,” Wen Jing Dao Ren's voice seemed to carry some kind of power, eroding the girl's Dao heart.
“Let's go. With the great calamity approaching, we should reduce our outings and avoid causing trouble for the Saint.”
“Oh,” the silver-haired girl replied, and before turning to leave, she stole a few more glances at the remnants of the battle.
At the same time, on Hei Chi Peak.
A wave rippled slowly from beside the pool, and Bai Ze, carrying Li Changshou, revealed his form, slowly crouching by the pool.
“Ah,” Bai Ze sighed, and once Li Changshou floated to the side, he transformed into human form.
Li Changshou smiled. “Is Mr. Bai troubled by the Yao Clan's great defeat and feeling some sympathy?”
Unexpectedly, Bai Ze shook his head and said seriously:
“I was thinking, when you fight with your Dao, Shui Shen, you're a bit too ruthless.
For balancing all things, you go and balance the speed of fast-flying great Yao, or the physical strength of mighty-bodied great Yao, and just as you're about to finish off one, you balance its injuries with those of other great Yao.
This... this... how can anyone fight you? Who would dare group battle you? Isn't that just asking for death?”
“Ha ha ha ha!”
Li Changshou laughed heartily, waved his hand, and explained:
“You're mistaken, Mr. Bai.
What I balance must be within the limits my yuan shen can handle; these are just extensions of my own Dao as divine abilities.
It's like how, once the Dao of Fire nears perfection, one can directly unleash fire to harm; it's just that my way of harming is a bit different.
What I used today was only a basic version of the Dao of Balance; I still have a killing move saved as a trump card.”
“Oh?”
Bai Ze blinked and muttered, “Given our relationship... could you give me a hint?”
Zhao Gongming, who was dozing in the kitchen palace, perked up his ears.
Li Changshou smiled slightly. Since he dared to mention it, he must have developed more trump cards. This was just a subtle reminder to Bai Ze.
Li Changshou said: “If I go all out, ignite my yuan shen power, and prepare a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, I could balance...
Lifespan.”
Bai Ze was startled and carefully pondered it, then his expression changed dramatically.
“With that, wouldn't you...!”
“I wouldn't gain any free cultivation boost; the Dao has its limits, but I could pull the opponent back to their level at the same age as me.
Sadly, I've calculated that using this move is no different from mutual destruction; even a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir might not save my yuan shen.
The repercussions are just too great.”
Li Changshou sighed with regret, turned, and floated toward Xiao Qiong Peak, riding the clouds at a moderate height, leaving behind a remark:
“Useless.”
“Pah!”
Bai Ze jumped up and used his signature move toward Li Changshou's back— the old mountain goat spitting.
Zhao Gongming stretched and walked out, laughing. “It's rare to see Little Brother Changshou sharing his divine abilities with someone.”
“You're misunderstanding, Dao Brother,” Bai Ze sighed. “Shui Shen was just giving me a subtle warning, and incidentally... well, never mind, I won't say more.
In the end, Shui Shen's trust in me only goes up to seven or eight parts; it's hard to earn full trust.”
Zhao Gongming was puzzled. “Why is that?”
“That's just Shui Shen's nature,” Bai Ze laughed. “Only when Shui Shen feels he can casually erase me will he give me nine parts of trust.
Otherwise, why do I still call him Shui Shen instead of Changgeng?
A mount and a cook aren't worthy of more.”
Zhao Gongming said, “I need to talk to Changgeng about this; how can he treat you like that!”
“Don't go, Dao Brother, don't go,” Bai Ze quickly stopped him and smiled a bit awkwardly. “To be honest, with Shui Shen like this, I actually feel the most at ease in my heart.”
Zhao Gongming was full of question marks and silently stepped back a bit.
“Mr. Bai, are you...?”
“Please choose your words carefully, Dao Brother,” Bai Ze said, his eyes flashing with immortal light as he suddenly transformed back into his true form, his single horn on his head gleaming coldly.
Zhao Gongming chuckled and retreated two steps, sighing:
“If I went to Tian Ting, I'd probably be a martial official; I really don't get you civil officials' ways.
As long as Mr. Bai is happy, that's what matters...
Hey, I didn't say anything! Mr. Bai, don't charge at me! I'm a senior outer disciple of Jie Jiao; I have my pride!
Ha ha ha ha!”
On Xiao Qiong Peak, Li Changshou's immortal sense swept over the two playful great powers, and he shook his head with a smile.
Zhao Gongming was truly carefree—cough, truly idle.
Yu Di had personally urged him to take up the post in the Moon Palace, so what could he do to distance himself from that person there?
This matter seemed trivial but was quite delicate.
His biggest connection to Jie Jiao right now was that he and Yun Xiao Xian Zi were in the stage of "gradually warming feelings," so even if he overstepped a bit, the Jie Jiao immortals would listen.
Yu Di's action seemed whimsical but was actually intended to weaken his ties to Jie Jiao and position him firmly with Tian Ting...
When a leader opens up to you like that, it's often because they want to promote you but fear you'll switch sides.
It's like when they talk about dreams with you; they don't want to give you a raise but want you to work harder.
If Yu Di suddenly said he wanted to arrange a marriage for him with Hua Yun or Long Ji, Li Changshou wouldn't be surprised at all;
That was just the decision and precaution Yu Di had to make from his position.
Going to the Moon Palace might look like a playful order from His Majesty, but it carried over a dozen layers of meaning.
Li Changshou thought it through carefully and decided to play it safe with some countermeasures.
He was currently very popular in Tian Ting; going to the Moon Palace might plunge him into a whirlwind of romantic entanglements, especially facing all those top-beauty Xian Zi dancing and playing in front of him.
With his Hundred Beauties' Later Years Diagram series of treasures, Li Changshou wasn't afraid of that, but gossip was what he feared—people imagining things...
He needed to keep his thoughts clear.
Once he went there, he had to create opposition with Heng E, at least spreading rumors that Heng E was annoyed with the Shui Shen over some matter, or that the Shui Shen reprimanded Heng E for not following orders.
Doing this was actually simple.
Li Changshou raised his hand and wrote a line of large characters on the blank paper in front of him—
"One Hundred Ways to Prepare Rabbit Meat"
This was just to scare that Jade Rabbit; he only needed to accidentally drop this and, while training Heng E in dances, casually grill some barbecue and make some delicacies to relax.
In the end, it was just his paper effigy going, so what could happen?
At most, it might affect his Dao heart a little.
He was the Tian Ting Shui Shen, the third figure of Ren Jiao—who would he fear among those Xian Zi?
He walked the straight path and stood tall!
“Senior Brother?”
A soft call suddenly came to his ear, and Li Changshou's hand trembled, nearly tearing the document in front of him.
He turned to the glowing jade talisman on the wall, waved it over, and asked, “What is it?”
“I made some soup; do you want to try it?” Ling E's voice was full of eager anticipation.
Black lines appeared on Li Changshou's forehead.
This was the emergency line! Could she take it seriously? Jade talismans had limited uses!
“Bring some over; I'll go to the pill room shortly.”
As for going to the Moon Palace, should he mention it to Ling E? There would definitely be rumors later, so clearing up her doubts in advance would be good.
Li Changshou thought about it and took another sheet of paper, writing down a backup plan.
“Tai Qing Pure Yang Boy's Divine Art—Refined Edition.”
