Chapter 483: My Senior Brother's Not So Tragic Shura Field

Oh, heavens, what a disaster!

Grandmaster, you are truly fearless about igniting a fire in your own backyard. How could you not discuss it at all and just directly invite Kong Xuan?!

Well, fine, you invited him, but at least give him some time to prepare!

This is even worse—you used the Tai Ji Tu to split open the universe, created two void gates, and in one step, barged straight into the courtyard behind the Hai Shen Miao...

He had just promised that time to an important undercover agent for Ren Jiao!

In the rear hall of the Hai Shen Miao, Li Changshou held the little calico cat in his left hand.

The cat's fur was completely puffed up, its four paws flailing wildly, its adorable eyes narrowed into inverted triangles, and it kept meowing nonstop.

It was only because Li Changshou reacted quickly, grabbing the cat the moment he emerged from the rift in the universe, that he stopped its leap.

But now, with Kong Xuan present, he couldn't say much. Li Changshou raised his hand and tapped the cat lightly on the head, scolding:

“Don't be rude; this is our Ren Jiao's esteemed guest!”

The little cat blinked and immediately quieted down, nuzzling against Li Changshou's palm.

This remark used the words “esteemed guest” to give Kong Xuan full respect, while “our Ren Jiao” instantly made Wen Jing Dao Ren feel a sense of belonging.

It was a perfect display of Li Changshou's quick thinking.

Li Changshou let out a silent sigh of relief, his mind racing as he prepared to take control of the situation and steer the conversation, turning this potential “senior brother's battlefield of rivals” into nothing.

But on Grandmaster's increasingly handsome face, a gentle smile appeared...

“Wen Jing is here too? Do you have any important matters?”

“Meow.”

The queen-like figure responded obediently, while Kong Xuan curiously examined the little cat from the side, soon furrowing his brow slightly.

“A yuan shen possession? It seems to be a fierce, baleful one.”

“Meow meow!”

You're the fierce one!

Li Changshou: ...

At that moment, the expression of this certain Tian Ting authority figure could only be described as utterly hopeless.

If he could turn back time by even a fraction, to when she and Grandmaster had just left Sheng Mu Palace, Li Changshou would definitely remind Tu Lao Da to send Grandmaster off to Wu Bian earlier.

'Wen Jing is here too...'

This is one of Ren Jiao's highest secrets!

The Sheng Ren teacher plans to use Wen Jing Dao Ren to destroy the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus!

This involves the fate of Xi Fang Jiao, the grand scheme of turning barbarians into Buddhists, and whether they can undermine Xi Fang Jiao before its great rise!

Grandmaster just casually revealed Wen Jing Dao Ren's identity!

Although Kong Xuan was nearby and the Tai Ji Tu was suppressing the area, making it hard for outsiders to spy, it was still... reckless!

Li Changshou knew full well that Grandmaster's personality was like that—free-spirited, unbound by conventions.

Having received so much favor from Grandmaster, and owing his current position to Grandmaster's support, it was only right and proper for Li Changshou to clean up after him and put out the fires in the backyard...

Li Changshou smiled faintly and said quickly:

“Let's go inside to talk; this isn't the place for conversation.”

Grandmaster realized he had slipped up and chuckled casually, looking at Kong Xuan.

“What's wrong?”

Kong Xuan was a bit puzzled.

“Keep everything you see and hear today under wraps,” Grandmaster said seriously. “This is Chang Geng's core secret area, and this little calico cat is part of his elaborate scheme.”

Kong Xuan laughed. “Don't worry; I'm not one to act impulsively, and I have no desire to associate with others.”

Grandmaster gestured for them to proceed, and he and Kong Xuan entered together, their gazes meeting in perfect harmony.

Behind them, Li Changshou placed the little calico cat on his shoulder, his expression complex and his heart heavy.

After a moment's thought, he set the cat on the chair next to Grandmaster and said:

“Senior brother, I'll go to the kitchen and prepare a few dishes.”

With that, he made a quick exit.

At that time, Grandmaster had no idea what was about to unfold and was cheerfully introducing Kong Xuan to Wen Jing Dao Ren.

Kong Xuan was fairly polite to Wen Jing Dao Ren, but overall, he mostly ignored her.

In contrast, Wen Jing Dao Ren had already sensed a massive threat and was brewing her hostility.

Li Changshou silently wished them well in his heart, summoned a divine messenger to close the temple and arrange for tea and snacks for the mortals, then headed straight to the kitchen to prepare some of his signature dishes.

Meanwhile, he activated a paper effigy hidden within the Sheng Ren's landscape painting to closely observe the situation in the rear hall.

Silence...

The scene remained quiet for a while, with Grandmaster seated in the main position, Kong Xuan at his side, and the little calico cat on Grandmaster's other side.

An undercurrent surged, and the atmosphere grew tense.

“Ahem!”

Grandmaster finally found a topic and asked, “Kong Xuan, my friend, how have things been going with your protection of the Shang tribe in the mortal world these past years? All smooth?”

“Fairly smooth,” Kong Xuan replied. “The Shang tribe has deep destiny; it's destined to produce a common ruler for the Nan Zhou human race.

I must thank Chang Geng for giving my Feng clan this opportunity.”

Grandmaster laughed. “Chang Geng is always thorough in his work, though he's still young in his cultivation and caught in the whirlpool of heavenly events.

When I'm not in Hong Huang, I'll have to trouble you to look after him more.”

“Mm,” Kong Xuan said with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, “I'll protect him well; you don't need to worry.”

As he spoke, a subtle light flashed in Kong Xuan's eyes. He reached back and untied his dao crown, letting his long hair fall loose.

Grandmaster blinked, a bit confused.

Kong Xuan gathered his hair behind him, tied it into a ponytail like the one Qin Xuan Ya often wore, and asked:

“Brother, which do you think looks better on me—like this or as I was before?”

Grandmaster thought seriously and said, “This way is certainly more striking, but that's just my opinion. You should decide based on your own preferences.”

Li Changshou: ...

How straightforward, Grandmaster.

Kong Xuan blinked gently, and a strand of five-colored divine light formed into a hair tie, binding his hair.

His slender neck and pure, unadorned face now carried a unique charm, far from any feminine allure...

If one were to say that all innate beings in the world, even those who claim to be utterly emotionless, can't escape personal desires,

But Kong Xuan, with his undivided yin and yang, truly retained a rare “sacred nature,” which was a key reason for his current level of dao realm.

Grandmaster laughed. “When did you start caring about your appearance?

I remember back in ancient times, when we first met, your bloodline power was out of control, devouring creatures everywhere, and I was ordered by my master to suppress you. Back then, you took human form as a young boy.

You were truly fearless, not afraid of heaven or earth, even daring to scold the Sheng Ren lords.

You've matured a lot today and taken on the responsibilities of the Feng clan leader.”

A slight blush colored Kong Xuan's face, his voice clear and faint, with a touch of shyness he couldn't hide.

He said, “I was young and foolish then, thinking that besides my mother, there were no strong beings in the world. Later, I realized there are mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people, so I had to restrain myself.”

Li Changshou's eyes lit up as he noticed Kong Xuan's reaction, which seemed somewhat feminine.

Has she started to define her yin and yang?

Grandmaster asked again, “How is Senior Chu Feng doing now?”

“Mother fell into the Undying Volcanic Mountain, leaving only a remnant spirit,” Kong Xuan said, his expression darkening. “Now, the Feng clan is nearly extinct in the world. My purpose for traveling out this time is to enlighten spiritual birds and bring them into the Feng clan.”

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi pondered for a moment and said, “Leave this matter to Chang Geng.”

Li Changshou, who was in the middle of chopping vegetables, shrugged and pursed his lips, expecting Kong Xuan's next words to be full of gratitude to his senior brother.

“Thank you, brother.”

Kong Xuan sighed. “You've saved me and helped me so much, yet I don't know how to repay you.”

Grandmaster waved it off with a smile. “It's just something Chang Geng can handle; no need for thanks.”

“Meow.”

The little calico cat, possessed by Wen Jing Dao Ren, finally couldn't hold back and rolled her eyes.

Xuan Du Da Fa Shi turned to look, and the cat quickly sat up straight on the chair, her gem-like eyes sparkling slightly.

“Can you speak right now?” Grandmaster asked warmly.

“I can... I can,” the little cat spoke in human tongue, her voice timid and hesitant as she covered her mouth with a paw. “Grandmaster, you and your guest can chat; I'll just listen quietly.”

Grandmaster nodded with a smile, but Kong Xuan was starting to feel uneasy.

Guest?

Kong Xuan said coolly, “I see your true form is a blood mosquito; how did you end up in Ren Jiao?”

Grandmaster was about to explain: “This is actually...”

But Wen Jing Dao Ren interjected, “Unfortunately, I was born quite beautiful when I transformed. The Water God saw I had some charm and thought of bringing me into Ren Jiao to serve Grandmaster.”

Grandmaster looked puzzled.

Is that how it is?

“Oh?”

Kong Xuan's face turned cold in an instant, his eyes glowing as if he had glimpsed Wen Jing Dao Ren's human form. He snorted lightly:

“If that's true, I really need to have a word with Chang Geng.

Appearance is born from the heart, and Tai Qing is one of the rarest Sheng Ren lineages and cultivation wonders in the world. How can we allow a overly seductive woman of unclear origins to enter Tai Qing's domain? That would tarnish Tai Qing's reputation!”

“Well,” the little cat's voice carried a hint of coyness, “tarnish Tai Qing's reputation?

The Water God is the Sheng Ren lord's second disciple, the top strategist in the heavens, and the most trusted immortal by the Tian Ting Jade Emperor. He has the support of great powers from all three teachings.

You're the decision-maker of the Feng clan and one of the top experts in the world, but is it a bit presumptuous to lecture like that?”

Kong Xuan frowned in concentration, at a loss for words against her this time.

This was only natural—when Kong Xuan argued with others, it rarely went beyond three sentences:

“Five-Colored Divine Light!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

Wen Jing Dao Ren, born from the Blood Sea and serving as a hidden blade in Xi Fang Jiao, had seen it all.

Her retorts now were just the beginning of her skills.

If not for Kong Xuan's overwhelming strength, Wen Jing Dao Ren could have said even sharper things.

Kong Xuan huffed and said directly, “I'm considered a senior of the same generation as Chang Geng; how can I not lecture him?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren chuckled lightly: “But I heard the Water God is the Sheng Ren lord's second disciple. Where does that put you as a senior?

Didn't you just say you're nothing more than Grandmaster's good friend?”

Kong Xuan's slender brows knitted tightly, unable to counter for the moment.

First round: Wen Jing Dao Ren wins.

But Grandmaster pondered for a moment and said seriously, “Kong Xuan is one of my few friends.

Though not a Dao Men disciple, as the descendant of Chu Feng, he certainly has the right to lecture Chang Geng.”

Hearing this, Kong Xuan immediately lifted his chin and sat up straighter.

Second round ended quickly, with Kong Xuan reclaiming victory through the referee's biased call!

The little cat looked unsatisfied, clenching her tiny fist as if ready to launch another attack...

In Li Changshou's heart, Ta Ye, Chi Ge, and Tu Lao Da were enjoying the spectacle, debating which one suited Grandmaster better;

If the treasures could take human form, they'd probably pull up little stools, crack some sunflower seeds, and discuss the qualifications for Dao Men's senior sister-in-law.

Li Changshou, who was busy stir-frying, chuckled to himself and decided to make a few... or rather, a dozen more dishes to stay out of that vortex.

Better to fight a hundred Di Zang from Xi Fang than step into this battlefield of rivals.

In the rear hall, Kong Xuan's remark—“I wonder when I can visit Dou Shuai Palace to pay respects to the Sheng Ren”—sparked the third round of debate.

Grandmaster, whether truly uninterested or completely oblivious, had noticed the sharp exchanges between Wen Jing Dao Ren and Kong Xuan but didn't grasp the underlying reason.

So, he just smiled and listened, treating it as entertainment without intervening.

After a few exchanges, Li Changshou couldn't help but ask Tai Ji Tu in his heart:

“Is senior brother really clueless about this, or is he deliberately playing a long game?”

Tu Lao Da's spirit responded with a hint of sarcasm: “Playing a long game? Before arranging the Ren Jiao lineage, the eldest disciple didn't even know how men and women conceive. He was all about cultivation and nearly merged with the Great Dao several times before the master pulled him back.”

Li Changshou, who was tasting the hot soup, nearly spat it out.

Tu Lao Da continued dishing out the dirt: “The master sent the eldest disciple to expand Ren Jiao's influence and told him not to take disciples, clearly hinting he should find a dao companion.

But the eldest disciple went straight to threatening Yue Lao, interfering with the marriages of Ren Jiao's six lineages, which even made the master laugh in exasperation.

He's top-notch in every other way, just clueless about this stuff.”

Ta Ye added: “Can't say he's completely clueless; he's quite skilled at arranging others. Back when he went to San Xian Island with the portrait of the youngest disciple, that was a brilliant scheme.

Otherwise, where would you be today, little disciple!”

Li Changshou nodded repeatedly.

Grateful, thankful to senior brother!

Qian Kun Chi said: “Why not help him out a bit?”

“How should I get involved?” Li Changshou stroked his chin in thought, glancing at Kong Xuan and Wen Jing Dao Ren, who were still trading barbs in the rear hall, and pondered deeply.

Wen Jing Dao Ren needed no explanation; her admiration for Grandmaster was clear—she'd be ready for the wedding tonight if he nodded.

But she had important tasks ahead, so he couldn't let her succeed too quickly; that would need to be held back...

If he wanted to make things work for Grandmaster, he'd have to, under conditions Wen Jing Dao Ren could accept, persuade—er, facilitate—Kong Xuan to define her yin and yang and express her feelings...

Just then, the little cat possessed by Wen Jing Dao Ren jumped to Grandmaster's side, snuggling up to his arm.

Kong Xuan refused to back down, moved her chair next to Grandmaster's, their armrests touching, and sat down with poise.

Grandmaster: ...

“When will Chang Geng be back?”

Li Changshou thought for a moment, smiled calmly, and had the servants start serving the dishes. He shifted his focus to a paper effigy on Xiao Qiong Peak.

As the saying goes, everyone has their expertise, and no one is perfect.

He happened to have an expert on this matter at home, so a discreet consultation was in order.

The paper effigy flew out from the bookshelf corner, transforming into Li Changshou's form, and strolled toward the underground chamber's study.

Ling E was in the middle of meditation, a incense burner in front of her with three sticks of incense, as if paying respects to a wooden box...

The box was surrounded by a vague, familiar dao rhyme.

Tong Tian Jiao Zhu's dao rhyme?

Li Changshou was startled and hurried forward. Before entering the study, he heard Ling E sigh:

“Senior brother, you're back.”

“Mm,” Li Changshou replied, stepping into the study. “It's just a paper effigy; my main body still has things to handle. What's this?”

“Shh!”

Ling E turned and pouted, her eyes reddening as she mumbled: “The Sheng Ren lord just...”

“What happened?”

“He came to deliver Yun Xiao's dowry!”

Ling E tilted her head back and let out a few pretend sobs, instantly giving Li Changshou a headache.

Ren Jiao's style was truly unmatched.

On the far side of the Blood Sea, near the shattered mustard seed universe destroyed by Li Changshou with the Tai Ji Tu, a figure cloaked in black robes slowly materialized.

From under the hood, a pale hand extended, creating a vortex in the universe with a flick, then casually tossed a lotus seed wrapped in red-black flames into it.

“Heh.”

With a soft chuckle, the black shadow vanished without a trace, leaving no hint behind in the universe.