Chapter 485: Spiritual Pearl Anomaly, Revisit Guanghan

Ever since the Heavenly Dao hinted that a blood lotus would appear in the dream realm last year, Li Changshou had been preparing every day to sound the alarm and gather forces, but...

The Blood Sea remained completely quiet, with nothing happening at all.

The Underworld was definitely a potential problem area, especially since the Western Teachings had gained an advantage and might target it as a point of breakthrough.

To be safe, Li Changshou stationed a Paper Daoist in Fengdu City, disguised as a minor judge, to constantly monitor the situation there.

Incidentally, after Lingzhuzi entered the Trial Hall forty-nine times, Li Changshou also brought him back to the Heavenly Court.

Lingzhuzi's cultivation hadn't reached the Longevity Golden Immortal realm yet, and while his physical combat skills had improved rapidly, they weren't of much practical use.

It was better to err on the side of caution and let him stay in the Heavenly Court to develop steadily.

But...

At this moment, Lingzhuzi...

Sunlight shone on the front courtyard of the Water God Mansion, where a young Daoist with long hair and a bare chest, wearing dark iron trousers and leg wraps, was surrounded by a group of heavenly generals who had removed their armor and put on casual clothes.

Looking at Lingzhuzi now, his skin was still fair, but compared to before his trip to the Underworld, he had become incredibly strong. His muscles were almost perfect, full of explosive power, exuding a robust, masculine aura.

But as soon as he opened his mouth, it was still that...

Crisp and pleasant voice.

"Please, everyone," Lingzhuzi gestured invitingly, and the surrounding heavenly generals roared as they pounced.

Figures tangled, fists and feet flew in a chaotic dance.

Before long, one after another, the heavenly generals were sent flying or knocked to the ground, groaning in pain—some with bruised noses, others with swollen faces, and the more serious ones with shattered bones.

They were all immortals, so these were minor injuries that could be healed instantly with immortal energy.

Lingzhuzi dusted his hands, looked at the injured on the ground, and grinned, having held back appropriately.

Many heavenly soldiers and generals in the mansion watched this scene with various sighs, and a few even seemed to have pink bubbles floating above their heads...

Just then, an ordinary authority god with white hair and white eyebrows floated by and said,

"Lingzhuzi, come with me for a walk."

"Yes!"

Lingzhuzi responded firmly, quickly put on his short jacket and silver armor, and energetically followed behind Li Changshou.

From this perspective, the trip to the Underworld had greatly exceeded expectations, and now it even felt a bit...

"Shishu, when will the Heavenly Court launch an expedition? I want to go and see the world!"

"Shishu, what's it like in the eighteen layers of hell? I want to go and see the world!"

"Shishu, look at these fairies—they all have such skinny arms and legs. If demon soldiers attack the Heavenly Court, how would they defend? Why don't you arrange for them to go to the Underworld and see the world too?"

"Talk less, observe more," Li Changshou said earnestly. "Don't let the Wu Clan influence you too deeply. They cultivate the physical body, but most Heavenly Court immortals follow the primordial spirit path."

Lingzhuzi grinned and nodded in agreement, then quietly followed behind Li Changshou, standing tall with an air of heroic bearing.

Although there were a few minor flaws, it still met the standards set by his Taichi Shixiong.

Leaving the Water God Mansion and turning left, they flew on clouds for just a moment and arrived at a palace under construction.

That was Li Changshou's new home, the Taibai Palace, built by imperial decree from the Jade Emperor and crafted by Heavenly Court artisans.

Li Changshou didn't feel much about it; it was just a place to station his Paper Daoist—whether it was grand or simple didn't matter.

Power and influence were merely fleeting clouds. Now in the Heavenly Court, he was second only to one and above all immortals. Was he truly happy?

He was happy.

Very happy.

And the happiness of the Taibai Jinxing was something others couldn't imagine.

Lingzhuzi asked with a smile,

"Shishu, where are we going?"

"Guanghan Palace," Li Changshou said calmly, "to find a wisp of innate Xuan Yin Qi as a gift for a great power."

Lingzhuzi didn't quite understand but didn't ask more and just followed obediently behind Li Changshou.

His immortal sense swept over the entire Heavenly Court, seeing reflections of bronze mirrors everywhere, and the brand influence of "Water God Mutual Entertainment" was growing stronger. This form of entertainment and interaction was filling the empty Dao hearts of many immortals and gods.

Over the past two months, Li Changshou had been investigating what innate Xuan Yin Qi was and found related Dao texts in the ancient stone tablets stored in the Heavenly Court.

Roughly speaking, when the heavens and earth were separated into yin and yang at the beginning of creation, some supreme profound energy was cleaved by the God Axe of Creation into supreme yin-yang energy. Most of it scattered into the Chaos Sea, with a small portion attracted by the eyeballs of Pangu God, which became the sun and moon and settled into the cores of the yin and yang poles of the world—the Taiyin Star and Sun Star.

Collecting such innate Xuan Yin Qi was several times more difficult than collecting the true flames of the sun.

Kong Xuan cultivated the Five-Color Divine Light, which originated from the innate five elements energy. To preserve the power of this divine ability, using Xuan Yin Qi as a catalyst to establish his own yin-yang attributes was quite appropriate.

In order to successfully add another core powerhouse to his side, Li Changshou, who hadn't wanted to return to Guanghan Palace, had no choice but to make the trip again.

Heng E's identity was just too special.

As they passed by the Moon Palace, Li Changshou went in for a look.

After all, he had been appointed as the Chief Instructor for Chang E, so there was no reason not to enter once he was there.

Lingzhuzi's handsome face, bright smile, and sturdy posture immediately attracted glances from many fairies.

But Lingzhuzi just frowned slightly, reminiscing about the days he spent rolling in the mud with the Wu Clan in the Netherworld.

Li Changshou keenly noticed this small detail and felt a vague sense of worry.

Could it be...

Too rigid?

"Shizhi?"

As soon as they left the Moon Palace, Li Changshou asked with a smile, "You're not far from the Golden Immortal realm in your cultivation. Have you thought about finding a Dao companion?"

Lingzhuzi's face turned a bit red: "Shishu, I haven't... not yet..."

"Hahaha," Li Changshou flicked his whisk and laughed heartily. "Don't be so shy. We're both men; we should talk about these things openly.

Lingzhuzi, you've seen quite a few female immortals now. Do you think any of them are particularly attractive, someone you'd want to look at more?"

"This, well..."

Lingzhuzi hemmed and hawed, furrowed his brow in thought, and couldn't come up with an answer for a moment.

Playing with female immortals—how could that be as fun as a good fight?

These fairies had such skinny arms and legs; one punch from him, and they'd probably spit blood.

Just then, Li Changshou had already led him on clouds to the side of the laurel tree, where the heavenly woodcutter Wu Gang was.

Amid the clanging sounds of chopping, the Dao rhythms in Wu Gang's axe swings made Lingzhuzi's eyes light up with admiration.

'At first, I didn't understand warfare or its true meaning, but now I see it, and I realize Shishu was right—this is a real master!

The trajectory of that axe blade, the way he channels his strength from his feet to the edge, without wasting a single bit.

What a great axe, what a great axe!'

Lingzhuzi was completely absorbed, oblivious to the darkening expression on the face of the ordinary authority god beside him.

In Li Changshou's heart, massive waves were rising!

Was the Wu Clan's warfare style that powerful? Had he... taught it wrong?

This was the future Nezha, the Great God of the Three Altars at the Sea Meeting, a top-five future general of the Heavenly Court, the little hero sung about in mortal ballads—"It's him, it's him, it's absolutely him"!

No, he couldn't jump to conclusions yet.

"Cough!" Li Changshou said firmly, "Lingzhuzi, wait here for a moment. I need to talk with this senior."

With that, he flew ahead alone on clouds, secretly observing Lingzhuzi's reaction, only to discover...

Lingzhuzi was still staring at Wu Gang's burly back with shining eyes, his breathing becoming irregular, and his immortal blood circulation speeding up by a third!

Panic set in, real panic.

It wasn't fear of some master of yin-yang rhetoric spitting at him; it was purely because he seemed to have led the future little Nezha astray...

This great wilderness was dangerous, but it couldn't turn into... turn into...

Actually, ever since that incident with Grandmaster Zhao, this great wilderness had already been a bit different from what he imagined.

Oh well, first confirm if it's true, then figure out what to do.

If Lingzhuzi really went down the wrong path, he'd try his best to intervene and correct it. If that failed, he'd have to respect it and offer distant well-wishes.

What was the Wu Clan's culture like anyway?

"Xuan Yin Qi?"

Wu Gang leaned on his axe, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, took the immortal brew Li Changshou offered and gulped it down, then laughed.

"What do you need that for? The palace master should have plenty. Just ask her for it.

I collected a lot from the Taiyin Star core before, but I don't know what she uses it for."

"Oh?"

Li Changshou hadn't expected this to be so easy. He quickly bowed in thanks and chatted with Wu Gang about recent major events.

Wu Gang frowned. "Incense God Kingdoms? Isn't that stifling the human race's nature? If they tamper with the scriptures, won't they turn the people in a great thousand world into mindless zombies?"

"It hasn't reached that point yet," Li Changshou said. "From what I've investigated, the Western Teachings are still just absorbing the faith of living beings to condense incense merit.

In the previous conflict with the Western Teachings, the Daoist side took a small loss, which stabilized their luck a bit. Now, this junior is worrying about how to resolve the crisis of the incense god kingdoms.

Do you have any good strategies, senior?"

"The masses are often foolish, and the other side has seized the initiative," Wu Gang pondered. "This needs to be resolved quickly. Some casualties are inevitable; don't hesitate."

Li Changshou humbly sought stability and asked, "Was there anything like this in ancient times?"

Wu Gang said, "In ancient times, the three thousand worlds were mostly barren. To prevent the human race from being wiped out in the Wu-Yao Great War, we secretly sent many human tribes to various habitable great thousand worlds..."

Li Changshou smiled inwardly. No wonder the three thousand worlds were so prosperous now—it turned out there was behind-the-scenes maneuvering by the ancient human emperors.

But he had to admit, it was a brilliant move.

After discussing with Wu Gang for half a day, they didn't come up with any brilliant plan against the incense god kingdoms.

Since people's perceptions, knowledge, and understandings of the heavens, earth, and living beings varied, the fundamental way to change the situation of the incense god kingdoms was to target the Western Teachings that established them.

Li Changshou also mentioned that he was forming a force to counter the Western Immortal Dao.

Wu Gang said it was feasible but reminded him,

"If a great war breaks out in the three thousand worlds, it will be a catastrophe for living beings.

In today's world, the enemies aren't demons, humans, or Wu Clan; the enemies are immortals and humans.

You're the Water God of the Heavenly Court, and now you're the one who can truly influence the three realms. I hope you don't forget your original intentions and can balance the relationships among immortals.

Let immortals not forget the roots of the human race, so that humanity can prosper endlessly and not be replaced by other races."

Li Changshou pondered this for a while, bowed to Wu Gang, and solemnly agreed.

To become an immortal and not forget the roots of the human race.

This was probably advice only from a human expert who had lived through those ancient times.

The clanging of the axe resumed, and Li Changshou flew back on clouds to meet Lingzhuzi, asking with a smile, "Did you hear the conversation I just had with Wu Gang?"

Lingzhuzi blinked and shamefully bowed.

"Shishu, please don't blame me. I was so focused on watching Wu Gang's movements that I didn't pay attention..."

He felt like the word "danger" was written on his forehead, and Taichi Zhenren was probably on his way with the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Hood.

Don't panic; it's not confirmed yet.

Li Changshou took a deep breath, filled his smile with the caring warmth of an elder, and said gently, "Come on, follow me to Guanghan Palace."

Lingzhuzi blinked and followed Li Changshou as they sneaked to the gates of Guanghan Palace.

Li Changshou took out two bronze mirrors from his sleeve but hesitated, put them back, and told Lingzhuzi to knock on the door.

Lingzhuzi landed on the white jade steps and raised his hand to knock, but the gates of Guanghan Palace were pulled open from inside by a nimble young girl, who curiously looked outside.

In that instant, their eyes met.

On the left was the handsome and valiant young man in silver chainmail, his eyes like a sea of stars and his brows smiling, just like the youthful hero in a girl's dreams, inspiring a sorrowful melody and a willingness to wait bitterly.

On the right was the pretty and charming young girl, with rabbit ear ornaments on her head, a cute face, bright and lively eyes, and a pair of slender, energetic legs. At that moment, seeing Lingzhuzi, she was utterly stunned.

From Li Changshou's viewpoint, the two of them locking eyes perfectly fit the trope of hearts blooming at first sight.

The Jade Rabbit girl's face was already flushed, her breathing shallow...

But Lingzhuzi...

Said expressionlessly, "The Water God of the Heavenly Court is here to visit."

Cold and composed.

The Jade Rabbit girl shuddered, stood on tiptoe to see Li Changshou's figure, and with a whoosh, jumped straight back, shouting,

"Master, the Water God is at the door!"

Lingzhuzi frowned, stepped aside for Li Changshou, and muttered discontentedly,

"She really has no manners. She didn't even bow to you, Shishu, before going in."

Li Changshou tried to maintain his smile and asked, "Lingzhuzi, answer your Shishu honestly—what was the first thought that came to your mind when you saw that girl?"

Lingzhuzi thought carefully, his face turning a little red.

Li Changshou thought: Could it be...

Lingzhuzi said, "With such a fragile body, I wonder if she'd spit blood from one of my punches."

"Cough!"

Li Changshou nearly choked, almost ruining this Paper Daoist.

He gave Lingzhuzi a warm look and led the way into Guanghan Palace, still feeling a bit unwilling in his heart.

When they met Heng E, Li Changshou also observed Lingzhuzi's reaction.

Heng E's beauty was unparalleled, and she had come out in her true form, carefully dressed up. As soon as she appeared, it was as if a hundred flowers bloomed, adding three points of beauty to Guanghan Palace.

Even with Li Changshou's steadfast Dao heart and the suppression of his "Hundred Beauties Aged" series of treasures, he still felt a slight sway of about three to four parts in a thousand.

But Lingzhuzi...

Was surprisingly calm, extraordinarily calm—whether looking directly at Heng E or being formally introduced and bowing to her, he remained completely unfazed.

It really gave his Shishu some face.

But Li Changshou's worries deepened...

So, after exchanging a few pleasantries with Heng E, he asked her to have the Jade Rabbit take Lingzhuzi around Guanghan Palace and secretly observe his behavior.

Heng E was no ordinary fairy and sent a voice transmission: "What's wrong with you, Water God? Are you worried about your shizhi?"

"That's right," Li Changshou nodded slowly and said directly, "I came here today to ask for a favor, and I haven't fulfilled my earlier promise to you yet."

Heng E smiled charmingly and said, "That matter is difficult, but just remembering it has made me incredibly happy. If you have something to ask, just tell me."

Li Changshou said, "I need a wisp of Xuan Yin Qi. I heard from Wu Gang that you have some stored here?"

"Hmm?"

Heng E blinked, her face inexplicably flushing red. She took out a treasure pouch from her sleeve, opened it, stirred her slender hand inside for a while, and pulled out an exquisite square box, handing it to Li Changshou.

"It's all in here."

Li Changshou was puzzled and sensed it carefully, his forehead covered in black lines.

Lipstick?

Xuan Yin Qi mixed with women's lipstick?

Li Changshou quickly asked, "Is this still usable?"

"Of course!"

Heng E became animated as she spoke about it:

"Yin-attribute treasures are very nourishing for women, and Xuan Yin Qi is the same. Look at how smooth and elastic my skin is now—that's because of this secret lipstick!

Inside, there's powdered Xuan Tian Extreme Yin Jade, Nine Yin True Spirit Ice, and other top-grade materials, all blended with nine-ten-thousand-year-old Warm Yang Spring water, then sifted to remove the yang energy and keep only the yin essence. The moisturizing and skin protection effects are abso... lute... ly...

This, um, don't look at me like that...

It's not that... well, this title of the three realms' number one beauty—I don't know who came up with it, but it puts so much pressure on me."

Just then!

"Ah—"

A scream suddenly came from deep within Guanghan Palace. Li Changshou and Heng E exchanged glances, and with two whooshes, they vanished from the lakeside pavilion almost simultaneously.

Li Changshou used his signature escape technique and appeared in a corner of Guanghan Palace at the same time as Heng E, though he was actually a split second slower.

Ahead, the Jade Rabbit girl was sitting on the ground, her face pale with shock.

Lingzhuzi had torn open the upper part of his armor and roared, "Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon!" before smashing his iron fist into the head of the giant python with a rooster crest, flattening it.

"Ah..."

Heng E wanted to stop him but was too late.

Li Changshou asked in confusion, "Why keep snakes here?"

Heng E's face turned slightly red, a bit embarrassed, and she winked at Li Changshou—it was, of course... for beauty reasons.