Chapter 474: Longevity Debate Group Bear

In the depths of the Blood Sea, explorers seek hidden secrets, as the high tower reveals a saint who overshadows all heroes.

With a half-laugh and ceaseless scolding, it's all because of this sword named Qingping.

Tongtian Jiaozhu appeared directly, declaring that the Tower of Reincarnation was doomed today.

Li Changshou quickly refined several plans he had developed over time, making the most secure adjustments in the shortest possible time.

Today, he intended to position the Incense Fire Divine Kingdom as the counter to the righteous path, so that whether the Heavenly Court intervened directly in the Three Thousand Worlds or operated secretly through the Temple of Heaven, they could claim the moral high ground.

As soon as Li Changshou uttered the words "Incense Fire Divine Kingdom," many experts from the Western Sect changed their expressions.

After saying this, Li Changshou turned around and bowed again to Tongtian Jiaozhu.

"Shishu, before this debate begins, could you first sever the connection between the Tower of Reincarnation and the Heavenly Way? Otherwise, if I finish scolding and the tower transforms into a Heavenly Way treasure, it would be truly awkward."

Tongtian Jiaozhu narrowed his eyes and chuckled, saying "Very well," as his right hand casually drew across the sheathed sword at his side.

A clear sword hum rang out as the Qingping Sword unsheathed itself.

The sword blade rippled like water, its edge embodying the ultimate Dao.

Tongtian Jiaozhu, seated on the clouds, swung the sword effortlessly, his form, posture, and the sword blending into perfect harmony.

At first, the sword light was dim and gray, appearing to move slowly, but with every hundred zhang it traveled, it grew sharper and brighter. By the time it passed over the heads of the saints' disciples, it resembled a towering tsunami.

The Great Dao trembled without shattering, and the universe fragmented only to repair itself in an instant.

In that sword strike, Li Changshou saw endless vitality, Zhao Gongming saw the power to cleave great forces, Yunxiao saw the essence of ethereal truth, and Jinling saw the gaps in heaven and earth.

Kong Xuan wore a thoughtful expression, his eyes darkening slightly.

Yuding Zhenren was slightly lost in thought, his eyes showing an expression similar to Kong Xuan's.

Huanglong Zhenren tried to whisper in praise but found himself trapped in a vortex of time. In his perception, time flowed normally, yet he could only open his mouth without speaking.

Only then did Huanglong realize that this sword strike was incredibly swift, but the saint had deliberately slowed it to grant an opportunity for enlightenment to those adventuring here today.

The sword light transformed into a surging tide of multicolored swords, crashing into the massive hand extended by Zhunti's dharma form.

Yet Zhunti's dharma form couldn't block it at all, as the sword tide seemed to merge with the heavens and earth.

A thunderous boom echoed as the Tower of Reincarnation trembled, its Heavenly Way power dissipating in an instant—the connection between the tower and the Heavenly Way was severed.

Zhunti's dharma form's left hand slowly lowered, maintaining its dignified pose.

The old daoist in the tower's nostrils twitched slightly, but he uttered no cold hum.

Li Changshou and the other Daoist immortals each gained insights from that sword strike, which contained profound enlightenment.

From the perspective of the Western Sect's saints' disciples, however, it was straightforward.

The sword unsheathed, the light flashed, and the connection between the tower and the Heavenly Way...

Was gone.

All their years of arrangements—from building the tower to guarding it and cleverly concealing the site—had turned to nothing.

At that moment, several disciples of Jieyin transmitted messages to the Western Sect's saints' disciples here, instructing them on how to respond to the Daoists' upcoming attacks.

From the time Zhunti was forced to appear and confront the Heavenly Court's Water God, the Western Sect had been on the defensive.

Now, with Tongtian Jiaozhu arriving in person and the Renjiao's supreme treasure, the Taiji Diagram, already revealed, the Heavenly Court's Water God was set to debate the "Incense Fire Divine Kingdom," aiming to dismantle the Western Sect's operations in the Three Thousand Worlds over tens of thousands of years.

Their only option was to debate back.

These disciples of Jieyin urged them not to speak rashly;

If they did speak, they must adhere to key points, insisting that the Incense Fire Divine Kingdom had merits in educating the masses, and so on.

The Western Sect's saints' disciples carefully withdrew under the dharma form and arranged themselves in rows, sitting cross-legged and reciting scriptures, just as they did when listening to teachings on Mount Ling.

Dizang, riding his divine beast Tingting, sat on the highest step.

The dozen or so others beside him would be the main force responding to Li Changshou's challenges.

Turning to the Daoist side...

The atmosphere was shifting in an unexpected way.

As the greatest expert in handling pearl-like treasures in the Great Wilderness—Zhao Gongming—was deploying his divine abilities, controlling twenty-four recording orbs positioned around the area for a full record of the event.

Yuding Zhenren and Huanglong Zhenren, not ones for eloquence, were holding several specially made bronze mirrors, using their own magical power to link them to a central mirror in the Heavenly Court's Water God Manor, broadcasting the scene across the Heavenly Court.

The Water God's entertainment system was finally in use.

In the Heavenly Court, people first noticed the sudden live broadcast and glanced at it curiously.

Soon, someone recognized Zhao Gongming, who had visited the Heavenly Court several times.

The news spread quickly, causing a stir throughout the Heavenly Court as mirrors tuned to this "channel," with heavenly soldiers, generals, and immortal officials gathering to watch the outer disciple of the Jie Sect.

As they watched, the major figures sharing the frame with Zhao Gongming were identified one by one, along with treasures like the Taiji Diagram and the Xuanhuang Pagoda.

When the Daoist experts repeatedly addressed a young daoist as "Changgeng," excitement built across the Heavenly Court.

"The Water God's true form is so handsome and elegant?"

"No wonder he captured the heart of Yunxiao Xianzi!"

Before long, news from the Tianhe Water Army confirmed it—Aoyi's closest associate verified that this young daoist was indeed their ordinary-ranking god in the Heavenly Court.

They also mentioned that this wasn't his original appearance.

The flames of gossip were already burning brightly, but when Li Changshou turned and took a bronze mirror, speaking directly to explain the events here, the entire Heavenly Court was shaken.

"The Western Sect seeks to establish a second cycle of reincarnation, but thanks to the intervention of Tongtian Jiaozhu Shishu, their scheme has been thwarted.

Next, I and several Daoist seniors and sisters will debate the matter of the Incense Fire Divine Teachings with the Western Sect.

By sharing this scene with everyone in the Heavenly Court, I want you to know that the Heavenly Court does not fight alone for all living beings—the great experts of the Daoist sects stand firmly on the side of righteousness.

By my order, all other Heavenly Court recorders shall cease broadcasting.

Today, your Heavenly Court recorder, Li Changgeng, presents...

Shishu, would you like to show yourself?"

"Very well," Tongtian Jiaozhu said, lightly flicking his fingers as sword light enveloped him, yet his outline remained visible.

Li Changshou addressed the mirror solemnly: "Everyone, prepare yourselves and show proper respect before the saint. The one about to appear is the third of the Daoist Sanqing, Tongtian Jiaozhu!"

The mirror slowly turned toward Tongtian Jiaozhu, as the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother stood to bow, and all immortals, gods, and heavenly soldiers knelt in reverence, barely daring to breathe.

They truly hadn't expected that watching a live broadcast would require such formal homage...

Indeed, they hadn't anticipated having the fortune to see the true shadow of a saint in this lifetime!

Then Li Changshou said: "Yuding Shixiong, please hold this mirror for me. Thank you."

"It's a trivial matter," Yuding Zhenren replied with a smile, lifting the two mirrors and continuing to track Li Changshou's movements.

Thus, Li Changshou began outlining the key points of the debate in front of all the immortals, gods, and soldiers of the Heavenly Court.

With Tongtian Jiaozhu's Dao rhythm present, the Western Sect couldn't easily spy on them;

Even if there were Western Sect spies in the Heavenly Court, the distance was too great for them to transmit messages.

"First, we mustn't fall into their rhetoric. Even if we speak slowly, think it through first.

The most important point is, if their questions are full of traps, just ignore them. We don't have to engage—we're here to debate the Incense Fire Divine Kingdom, not to answer questions.

Our goal is to leave them speechless, to make them realize their actions are wrong and harmful to heaven, earth, and all beings.

I'll step forward first. If I can't hold my ground, Duobao Shixiong will take over. If he falters, then I'll have to trouble you..."

Yunxiao Xianzi nodded gently, her beautiful eyes shining brightly.

She had thought Li Changshou might restrain her from appearing or facing the Western Sect directly.

Taiyi Zhenren pondered for a moment, then said with a hint of uncertainty, "What about me?"

"Shixiong, you're the finale," Li Changshou said seriously. "If we can't outdebate them, just do as you please—say what you want and act as you wish."

Let the team battle begin!

With Tongtian Jiaozhu here, we can win if we engage.

"Excellent!"

Taiyi Zhenren's eyes lit up, and the one who had faced setbacks twice before suddenly regained his confidence as a Daoist saint's disciple.

Li Changshou glanced aside, where Jinling Shengmu and Kong Xuan shook their heads in unison.

Jinling Shengmu laughed and said, "Call me for a fight."

Kong Xuan added, "I'd rather fight the Western Sect's two leaders than lecture others on reason."

"Hey!"

Li Changshou quickly interrupted, saying seriously, "Daoist friend, mind your words."

Kong Xuan nodded with a smile, not taking it too seriously.

Li Changshou then reminded them of the harms and flaws of the Incense Fire Divine Teachings, but as experts who had cultivated for years, they all understood these principles well.

With everything prepared, Li Changshou turned and stepped forward, followed by four figures.

Yuding Zhenren used his immortal power to position the mirror steadily, capturing their shadows and the Western Sect's formation.

From the Western Sect, twelve saints' disciples advanced together.

Dizang jumped down from Tingting's back and, though at the edge, met Li Changshou's gaze with a hint of fighting spirit.

If the Western Sect lost this round, their situation would grow even more difficult;

The Daoists had already won eighty percent of the battle, so the Western Sect had to mount a desperate counterattack...

"Come," Li Changshou said softly, and a flash of green light brought a large green-furred dog to his side, where it nuzzled at his feet.

Li Changshou smiled. "Bai Ze has asked me to greet you. Go back now."

The divine beast wagged its tail and returned to stand behind Dizang.

Dizang's forehead veins bulged, his face darkening as he glared at Tingting;

But Tingting seemed unconcerned, wearing an expression that said, "I'm only doing this for your good."

Before the battle even started, they were disrupting the mindset.

The old daoist at the center of the Western Sect's formation stepped forward and bowed to Li Changshou's group. "I am..."

"A disciple of the Western Sect," Li Changshou said calmly. "No need to state your daoist title, or you might not fly safely in the future.

Today, I'll say it outright—the Incense Fire Divine Kingdom is a great scourge of the heavens!

You use it to display divine powers, deceive the masses, gather incense fire merit, and now seek to complete it with a second cycle of reincarnation.

What, if not for the intervention of our Daoist experts and Tongtian Shishu's strike today, once that second cycle was established, would you bind all beings and turn them into puppets for harvesting incense fire merit?

I must ask—what exactly are you Westerners trying to do?

Are you aiming to undermine the Heavenly Court, suppress the Daoist sects, and seize heaven for yourselves?"

Thunder rumbled from the depths of the Blood Sea, bolts flashing around Li Changshou's head and feet, making his face appear even more stern.

"The Water God's words are pure slander!" the old daoist declared firmly. "We of the Western Sect are also a great teaching of the heavens, guiding mortals toward goodness. How has it become, in your mouth, about turning beings into puppets or binding them?

Your words are biased, and the Heavenly Way must not be so easily deceived."

"Is that so?"

Li Changshou smiled faintly and produced a pearl from his sleeve, which displayed various scenes...

Before a temple of the Incense Fire Divine Kingdom in a great world, thousands of mortals bowed incessantly, while farmlands lay overgrown and abandoned, with many people reduced to skin and bones.

Li Changshou said coldly, "Do you truly lack incense offerings that much?"

"The Water God, we were unaware of this scene. It is not the intent of our Western Sect..."

"The saint is right here!"

Li Changshou shouted, "The two saints are present, and you still dare to speak falsehoods!"

The old daoist frowned. "Our Western Sect has many divine kingdoms in the Three Thousand Worlds. This is just one corner, likely due to overzealous local officials, not our true intention."

"Overzealous?"

Li Changshou scolded, "You call the wishes of beings 'merit' and their incense fire 'profit'? Are all the myriad beings in the heavens, in your Western mouths, merely tools for merit and profit?"

The old daoist's brows furrowed deeply, clearly at a loss.

Another old daoist beside him spoke up. "Mortals are ignorant, unaware of fate or destiny, living futile lives for a hundred years. We merely guide them..."

"True, mortals are ignorant, which is why you exploit them.

But the human race, from ancient times to now, has been educated by sages, learning to farm, understanding weather patterns. Among mortals, the wise often teach others, possessing skills and ingenuity.

Open your eyes and see how prosperous and vibrant the southern continent is!

Mortals' clever ideas rival those of cultivators, their songs, poems, and talents match those of mountain hermits.

A futile life of a hundred years? How thick-skinned must you be to say such things?

I think it's only futile if they can't be used by you, if they don't provide incense fire merit!"

"The Water God, how can you..."

"Water God!" another old daoist snapped. "You established the Sea God Teachings to gather incense fire—why can't we?

You already hold biases against our Western Sect, and now you say it's fine for you but not for us. What kind of logic is that?

Do you think you alone can dictate the heavens?"

Li Changshou smirked and pulled out a jade talisman from his sleeve, tossing it at the old daoist's face. "This is the doctrine of my Sea God Teachings. You've probably already sneaked a look.

Take it and read it carefully. If you don't know how to run an Incense Fire Divine Kingdom, I can teach you.

But don't confuse the facts here!

In my Sea God Teachings, those who enter the temple are pilgrims—they farm, fish, hunt, gather, trade, each with skills to sustain themselves, knowing self-reliance!

They worship the Sea God for peace of mind, as a spiritual anchor.

Your Western Sect turns entire great worlds into your divine kingdoms, forcing countless mortals to do nothing but worship and reproduce, providing endless incense fire for you!

Look!

Just look!"

Li Changshou flung out seven or eight pearls, their images shifting to reveal various scenes.

"You tell your followers that crops don't need tending—worshipping gods will bring harvests.

The result? In years of famine, millions starve in that great world!

Piles of bones behind the temples, wolves and vultures in the cities!

If you had done any good deeds, truly protected the land from disasters, you wouldn't be so passive today, unable to respond to my scolding!

Why did the Heavenly Way establish the Heavenly Court? To show you immortals with cultivation but no virtue the difference between immortals and gods!

Without the virtue of gods, even if you achieve immortality, you're just wild spirits and ghosts!

You're merely lucky to have been born in ancient or prehistoric times, stronger than other beings now!

I, Li Changgeng, am of mortal origin and have cultivated for less than five hundred years!

What gives you your sense of superiority, your self-satisfaction?"

The twelve old daoists of the Western Sect widened their eyes, several trembling with anger.

Dizang said, "The Water God seems to be a wild god who received Heavenly Court enfeoffment, yet now you condemn such things as impermissible. Isn't that unfair?"

Li Changshou didn't bother arguing, saying calmly, "I act on the saint's orders to assist the Heavenly Emperor. Are you questioning my teacher, the saint?"

Dizang replied, "We also act on our teacher's orders to build the Incense Fire Divine Kingdom. Are you insulting our teacher, the saint?"

"How dare you defame the saint like that?" Li Changshou proclaimed. "The saint embodies saintly virtue, a model for all beings!"

Li Changshou continued loudly:

"Dizang, do you think splashing this filth on the saint will silence the voices of the world?

The Incense Fire Divine Kingdom harms everywhere, suppressing mortal nature, ruining lives, turning beings into tools for gathering merit—this is undeniable fact!

These scenes, these recording orbs—I can give you as many as you want. My Water God Manor is filled with rooms of them.

This isn't up for debate, and I've already stated it's your Western Sect disciples who deceive above and below, scheming for your own merit and destiny, using it for your cultivation and plundering heavenly spiritual energy!

May the saints take note!"

The Western Sect fell silent, and Zhunti's dharma form slowly spoke:

"This matter will be investigated thoroughly. Let us end today's events here."

Tongtian Jiaozhu snorted, his face cold. "My disciple Changgeng has said so much, and you dismiss it with 'end here'?"

Zhunti said, "Are we truly to fight today?"

"I won't use treasures," Tongtian Jiaozhu said indifferently. "This time, no empty words—a battle beyond the heavens."

Zhunti's dharma form fell silent.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly and stepped back half a pace.

Taiyi Zhenren, who had been keeping his eyes closed, understood and slowly opened them, his gaze sharp and his red robe billowing.

He wore a look of realization, murmuring as if to himself:

"Almost forgot—saints have their strengths and weaknesses."