Chapter 488: Mad Bird Golden Peng

In front of Yuxu Palace, a white cloud carried several figures slowly through the air, heading toward Qianyuan Mountain.

Li Changshou's trip to Yuxu Palace had gone fairly well, aside from nearly getting hit by Taiyi Zhenren's golden brick.

He had outmaneuvered Randeng, gained the current support of the Chan School, and shown goodwill toward immortals like Guangchengzi.

It was just that...

Huanglong Zhenren, who had deliberately followed along, spoke to the group via voice transmission as soon as they left the Kunlun Mountain area:

"Changgeng, why did you insist on making Randeng the deputy leader the alliance leader? I've heard from others that Randeng has close ties to the Western Cult. If he secretly undermines you, wouldn't that be..."

Yuding Zhenren smiled and said:

"Changgeng has his own plans; there's no need for you to worry, senior brother."

"I'm not entirely clear on this either," Taiyi Zhenren said, his hands tucked in his sleeves as he frowned at Li Changshou. "I helped you corner Randeng, and I know you have your reasons, but after thinking it through... Changgeng, my junior brother, aren't you just creating unnecessary trouble for yourself?"

Nezha was a bit confused, not understanding what the "elders" were discussing.

Li Changshou sighed softly:

"This was a necessary move; I had to use Randeng to break the deadlock. At first, I didn't want to involve our fellow Daoists from the Dao School, to spare them from calamity. But nothing is perfect—if I don't leverage the Dao School's experts, our struggle against the Western Cult would leave us stretched too thin."

Yuding Zhenren nodded in understanding, while Taiyi Zhenren's smile carried a hint of amusement.

Stretched too thin?

I don't buy it!

Huanglong Zhenren was quite puzzled:

"What do you mean by breaking the deadlock?"

"It's a bit roundabout. The main idea is to give the Western Cult more options. The Immortal Alliance was created to counter the Western Cult's incense-based divine kingdoms, making them mortal enemies in a fight to the death. Originally, the Western Cult's only choice was a direct assault. But now, by promoting Randeng and having Dao School experts oversee things, and later by hyping up Master Lü Yue's poison arts to put pressure on them, the Western Cult will have to weigh their options. As long as everything goes smoothly, they're likely to avoid a head-on clash and instead use Randeng as the deputy leader to negotiate softly with the Heavenly Court."

Li Changshou paused, lightly tapping his fingertip to draw a long river in the air as he explained:

"A river's flow becomes more rapid when the downstream channel narrows. But if you divert some of the water sideways, create a new channel, and let them merge downstream, the original channel's pressure will naturally decrease."

Huanglong Zhenren thought it over carefully and laughed:

"So that's how you scheme? It's truly eye-opening."

"The Western Cult has been operating in the Three Thousand Worlds for tens of thousands of years; it's no surprise they're hard to defeat."

Li Changshou continued:

"There are a few other layers to this. Randeng and I have deep grievances; he's currently lying low to recover his strength, but if he strikes at me later, it would be on his terms. This way, I can draw him out into the open. If he really has ties to the Western Cult, it will naturally attract their attention..."

The true calculations, Li Changshou kept to himself.

This was related to the Immortal Alliance's positioning. The Immortal Alliance was just a temporary pawn to draw the Western Cult's attention and engage them in a contest, while the real hidden piece was the Temple of Heaven overseen by Bai Ze. The forces joining the Immortal Alliance would become targets for the Temple of Heaven to conquer later. The incense-based divine kingdoms were like fierce tigers, and the scattered Dao forces were like packs of wolves; what Li Changshou was doing was pitting the tigers against the wolves, then driving them out one by one. The best outcome would be the Western Cult retreating from the Three Thousand Worlds, with the Immortal Alliance completely absorbed by the Temple of Heaven. In that case, the alliance leader would be the biggest scapegoat, so it couldn't be one of his own...

All of this was just the ordinary scheming of a minor Heavenly Court official.

In recent years, Li Changshou had been working hand-in-hand with Ling'e on this, preparing nine backup plans alone. Li Changshou proposed the schemes, and Ling'e reviewed them multiple times, pointing out any unstable elements; their division of labor was clear and efficient. After careful deliberation, they determined that the worst outcome of this plan would be the Heavenly Court losing some reputation...

Li Changshou gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and proceeded with this trip to Yuxu, bringing Randeng into the game.

Randeng was no easy opponent, but Li Changshou had already grasped him firmly in his hand. If Randeng got too unruly, he could always have Master Zhao use force to subdue him, then frame it as an attack by Western Cult experts, accidentally "taking out" Randeng in the process...

Even Lu Ya could die; why not Randeng? These two, who were "troublemakers for the Dao School" in the Investiture of the Gods calamity, needed to be dealt with in advance for Li Changshou to feel secure and live up to Teacher Taishang Laojun's expectations. Tearing up the script was the way to break the deadlock.

Upon arriving at Qianyuan Mountain, Taiyi Zhenren prepared a feast, and the three immortals continued chatting with Li Changshou about the Immortal Alliance and the incense-based divine kingdoms.

Li Changshou answered thoughtfully, as long as it didn't reveal the existence of the Temple of Heaven; he could share the other schemes openly...

When Taiyi Zhenren asked which important Heavenly Court figures were involved, Li Changshou hesitated before transmitting to them:

"A general, Qin Tianzhu, an incarnation of His Majesty the Jade Emperor. Please keep this absolutely confidential. Otherwise, His Majesty would have to create another incarnation, which would be quite troublesome."

The three "Twelve Golden Immortals" exchanged glances and muttered, "Quite the game."

Li Changshou laughed:

"Let's not dwell on these headaches. Everything here is full of schemes; it's all so exhausting. By the way, Huanglong senior brother, have you visited the Dragon Clan lately? I hear they're planning a grand ancestral ceremony to honor the Ancestral Dragon and seek protection amid the great calamity."

"They sent me an invitation, and I'm still deciding whether to go."

Huanglong Zhenren's eyes filled with emotion, easily drawn into a mode of reminiscing hardships.

Half a day later, Huanglong Zhenren bid farewell and returned to Magu Cave for cultivation, while Yuding Zhenren hurried back to Jade Spring Mountain to teach Yang Jian.

Before leaving, Yuding Zhenren smiled warmly as Li Changshou took a jade talisman from his sleeve and said:

"Senior brother, this is a bit of insight into the Eighty-Nine Arcane Arts. See if it might be useful."

Yuding Zhenren nodded gently at Li Changshou without saying more.

Taiyi Zhenren asked curiously:

"Changgeng, do you practice this kind of physical cultivation art?"

Li Changshou just smiled without responding—not denying, not confirming.

Nezha was to stay at Qianyuan Mountain's Golden Light Cave for a while, studying under his master, Taiyi Zhenren.

Li Changshou specifically advised Nezha not to overemphasize physical cultivation; the primordial spirit path was the foundation. Nezha readily agreed.

As Li Changshou was leaving, Nezha chased after him and whispered:

"Uncle, please remember to tell Little Rabbit. She mentioned she'd come play with me in a few days."

"Very well," Li Changshou said, flicking his duster. "Do you need me to pass along any other messages?"

Nezha shook his head with a smile and, together with his master, saw Li Changshou off from Golden Light Cave and out of the mountain's array.

From afar, Li Changshou could still sense the slowly igniting Bagua flames from Taiyi Zhenren.

"Little Rabbit? Who is that? Could it be the Jade Rabbit from Guanghan Palace? Have you become friends with her?"

"Yes, she's quite adorable and really fun to be with."

Nezha laughed:

"After my last visit to Guanghan Palace, Little Rabbit came to the Water God's residence to bring you some snacks. I was sparring at the time, and she joined in. Turns out, she's skilled in combat too—her leg techniques are impressive; she kicked me hard enough to leave a bruise..."

Taiyi Zhenren's eyes lit up as he peppered him with questions, and Nezha answered honestly.

As Qianyuan Mountain's array sealed off, cutting off Li Changshou's immortal sense, he focused on riding the cloud, letting his mind wander elsewhere.

The next year would be busy indeed.

Three months later, news of Chan School's deputy leader Randeng becoming the alliance leader of the Three Thousand Worlds' Immortal Alliance spread like wildfire across the Great Wilderness.

The various forces allied against the Western Cult were greatly boosted in morale.

But the Western Cult's disciples, unaware that Randeng was "one of their own," were on high alert.

The situation suddenly became subtle and treacherous, with the once clear divide between the two "rivers" now surging with undercurrents.

That day, Li Changshou sat in a rocking chair outside his alchemy room, gently fanning himself with a palm leaf fan, trying to embody the air of a master strategist.

He gazed at the winds of the Three Realms, looking down upon the immortals and saints.

It was just that...

As Ling'e passed by with a tray, she muttered:

"Why am I losing hair one strand at a time lately?"

So young, yet carrying burdens she shouldn't have to.

Li Changshou pondered deeply, savoring the various schemes, while multitasking to activate his paper effigies in the Heavenly Court and the Underworld.

He hadn't forgotten about the blood-red lotus; it was just that the other side had been quiet, so he didn't want to act rashly.

Now, all eyes in the world were on the Immortal Alliance assembly, and he had to guard against anyone causing chaos or using the blood sea matter to distract them.

Engaging in great struggles between sects was truly no easy feat.

"Hmm?"

A faint sense of foreboding stirred in Li Changshou's heart, and his paper effigy in the Underworld slowly opened its eyes.

This effigy was in a humble wooden hut, his usual spot for cultivation as a minor judge with no duties.

A voice transmission entered his mind...

"Water God, Water God, it's me, Diting."

Li Changshou was genuinely surprised, unsure why this creature was suddenly contacting him.

Diting continued:

"Be careful! Just now, a really arrogant guy came to the Wheel of Reincarnation Tower looking for my master. He claims to be the son of the Primordial Phoenix, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird, and wants to restore the Phoenix Clan's glory. If you form a thought in your mind, I can hear it naturally."

Li Changshou nodded slowly and asked in his mind:

"Why are you tipping me off?"

"Don't blame me, Water God. I just don't want my master to get dragged into the vortex of sect conflicts again. He's already in such a state, and the Western Cult keeps exploiting him..."

"What did he come to see your master for?"

"To provoke him," Diting said with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "This guy brought along a disciple of the Western Cult's minor saint, who kept stirring things up. The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird said... things my master couldn't do, he'd do instead. Things my master wouldn't dare handle, he'd take on. He boasts of his incredible speed, free to roam the Three Realms, unstoppable by anything... and then he left."

Li Changshou: ...

Come to think of it, is Master Consort's younger brother really that bold?

How much had he been spared from the world's beatings to develop such arrogance? He showed no respect to Master Dizang, wasting all the luck Master Dizang had fought for the Western Cult!

"Is your master... all right?"

"Almost died of anger," Diting sighed, then continued. "This guy said he's targeting you directly, Water God. You'd better watch out."

Li Changshou thought for a moment, his mind turning, and replied with a smile:

"No problem. The Immortal Alliance assembly is still half a year away; if he wants to cause trouble, I'll take him on then."

Though he spoke of confrontation, he was already pondering how to counter such "incredible speed"—without revealing his true body.

Kong Xuan had once said that if the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird opposed him, it would be fine to kill him.

That sounded ruthless, but it was just the Phoenix Clan's pride and Kong Xuan's choice.

With the Phoenix Clan's luck weakened, Kong Xuan was personally guarding a human tribe to help it recover, all for the sake of his clan's survival and prosperity.

But the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird had taken a different path, attaching himself to the Western Cult to "restore the Phoenix Clan's glory."

What glory, when the birds themselves are gone?

What Kong Xuan meant was that if the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird pushed too far, there was no need to hold back—let him face the consequences.

But Li Changshou wouldn't do something so reckless. For no other reason than that the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird was Kong Xuan's younger brother; even if he beat him half to death, he'd leave him alive.

Peace is precious; virtue should tame the bird.

Yet, as soon as this thought crossed Li Changshou's mind, a ripple stirred in his heart—Ao Yi was calling out to him through divine sense.

What urgent matter could this be?

He had previously arranged with Ao Yi that for anything important, contact him directly at the Water God's residence; no need for divine sense unless it was critical.

Had the Western Cult started making moves?

Li Changshou didn't dare take it lightly. He immediately used the main divine statue in Anshui City to construct a dream realm and pulled Ao Yi into it.

"Big Brother!"

Ao Yi hurried forward, skipping formalities, and said directly:

"The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird just appeared in a market town in Central Divine Continent, declaring he wants to compete with you. He also said that tomorrow at noon, he'll enter the Heavenly Court through the South Heaven Gate and go straight to Guanghan Palace to get close to Chang'e!"

Li Changshou: ...

Is he that foolish?

Li Changshou asked in confusion:

"Is this for real?"

"To be honest, Big Brother, though our Dragon Clan doesn't want another war with the Phoenix Clan, we keep an eye on them," Ao Yi said. "This news came from the Great Elder himself; it's no fabrication. The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird's speed is probably only second to the Kunpeng Demon Master back in the day. If he forces his way into the Heavenly Court, it would be hard to stop him."

Li Changshou furrowed his brow and paced around the base of his divine statue.

What was this guy's angle?

Li Changshou suddenly realized what Kong Xuan meant by "life or death, no matter"...

Kong Xuan knew exactly what kind of bird his brother was and had made that clear in advance.

Ao Yi asked:

"Big Brother, should I have the Dragon Clan experts go to the Heavenly Court to set up defenses?"

"Not yet," Li Changshou murmured. "If he actually gets near Guanghan Palace, he'd probably either get axed or end up as Chang'e's pet bird..."

"Huh?"

"Cough, nothing," Li Changshou waved it off. "Ask the Dragon Clan to spread the word everywhere, making sure he hears it. Say that... the Heavenly Court Water God heard about this and just smiled, mentioning to Elder Mu that everyone in the Great Wilderness knows the only true mighty ones in the Heavenly Court are the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother. The path from the South Heaven Gate to the Moon Palace conveniently avoids the Lingxiao Hall, Yaochi Pond, and Doushuai Palace, so any other mighty one could do it—it's not heroic at all. But if he can do it without harming anyone, rushing from the South Heaven Gate right to the gates of Guanghan Palace, that would be true speed."

Ao Yi pondered it and brightened up, laughing:

"Big Brother, do you think he'll fall for it?"

"Who knows? It depends on how truly arrogant he is."

Li Changshou sighed. "Go ahead; I'll wait at the Water God's residence. Once the news spreads, His Majesty will summon me."

Ao Yi agreed, and the two withdrew their divine senses, each getting back to work.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird's bold declaration, pushed by the Western Cult behind the scenes, quickly spread through the Three Realms.

Qin Tianzhu was furious, and the Heavenly Court's soldiers and generals were all enraged, rushing to the Hall of Enlightenment to volunteer for defense at the South Heaven Gate tomorrow.

Li Changshou was soon summoned to the Lingxiao Hall to strategize with Elder Mu and the other senior gods.

The Jade Emperor's face was dark with anger.

In the scheming Great Wilderness, few dared to be so brazen and live long.

This Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird was utterly disrespectful, treating the Heavenly Court as a stepping stone for fame. If he actually reached Guanghan Palace, the Heavenly Court's reputation would be ruined.

Elder Mu said:

"Your Majesty, I suspect this might be a diversionary tactic! We should deploy heavy troops at the Five Great Heaven Gates and stay vigilant."

"Exactly," the Jade Emperor suppressed his anger and scolded, "This Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird is seeking his own doom; I'll grant it to him!"

Pausing, the Jade Emperor's expression softened as he looked at Li Changshou and said gently:

"Changgeng, don't worry; I won't let him get anywhere near Chang'e."

Li Changshou: ...

What do you mean?

Elder Mu added:

"Water God, rest assured. Our Heavenly Court is no longer what it was; we'll make sure this son of the Primordial Phoenix regrets coming!"

Li Changshou's mouth twitched slightly. Had it really been nine years, and they still remembered that rumor?

Just then, a cow's moo echoed outside the Lingxiao Hall, and a green ox strolled in, transforming into a sturdy, honest-faced middle-aged man with horns on his head and a nose ring.

The green ox grinned, not entering the hall proper, and shouted before the heavenly soldiers and generals:

"Brother Changgeng, the Old Lord sent me to help you catch that bird!"

Li Changshou couldn't help but cover his face with one hand.

The enemy had only spread a message, and now their side was completely thrown into disarray.

Aside from the Old Lord, all the immortals in the heavens needed some training.

Meanwhile, beside the Spirit Pond on Spirit Mountain.

A handsome young Daoist was showing off his newly acquired treasure—a golden cloak—his face full of pride.

The elder Daoists beside him lavished praise, while also advising him not to confront the Heavenly Court so directly.

But the young Daoist waved his hand dismissively and said casually:

"The Heavenly Court Water God is all about schemes; if we try to out-scheme him, we'd just put ourselves at a disadvantage. Why not play to our strengths and attack his weaknesses? Tomorrow, I'll make sure he knows that even hiding in the Heavenly Court, he won't find peace. To me, the Heavenly Court is as easy to enter as my own home!"

The elder Daoists nodded with smiles, muttering flattery like "As expected of you," though who knows what they were really thinking.

In the corner once reserved for Master Dizang and Diting, Wen Jing stood in the shadows, the silver-haired girl holding a treasure sword beside him, quietly observing.

The silver-haired girl transmitted:

"Is the son of the Primordial Phoenix really that impressive?"

Wen Jing shook his head, finding it all rather dull.

She didn't even bother reporting this to the Water God for credit; if the Water God so much as glanced at this guy, it'd be like losing half the game.

"Fool."

The silver-haired girl, hugging the Yuan Tu Sword, tilted her head slightly. Was Auntie Wen talking about her? Her pale red eyes held a touch of confusion.