Chapter 492: The Eve of the Immortal Alliance Conference

After successfully implementing the plan to win over the bird with virtue, Li Changshou naturally retracted his numerous backup plans.

For instance, the scene where Jing Chi Dapeng was directly scared off by the Zhan Yao Sword before he could storm the Heavenly Court;or the scene where Jing Chi Dapeng was hung on an unnamed old tree on Taiyin Star, pointed at and gossiped about by passing fairies;and again, the scene where Jing Chi Dapeng crashed into the chain formations in the Fourth Heaven, leaving him battered and bloody...

Since he had now become one of their own, these embarrassing histories were naturally partially destroyed, leaving only some key details for potential future use.

The news that Jing Chi Dapeng had been smoothly recruited by the Heavenly Court and taken Li Changgeng as his master did not spread across the world.

Li Changshou required all immortals and gods to keep it secret, and those in the Heavenly Court who knew about it had all been present in the Lingxiao Hall that day.

With the great calamity looming, even those Heavenly Court immortals who might lean toward outsiders had to consider their own situations.

As a result, discussions about this matter in various towns across the Five Divisions quickly died down...

"That Jing Chi Dapeng from the Feng clan wasn't supposed to storm the Heavenly Court? So much time has passed, and there's no word at all?"

"Probably just for show, trying to gain fame that way. How could the Heavenly Court be so easy to invade?"

"Something's off about this. This doesn't feel right."

The Western Cult also played dumb.

Li Changshou figured they must have learned about Jing Chi Dapeng's situation, but they didn't dare mention it, lest they give the Jade Emperor an excuse to lash out.

Li Changshou arranged for Jing Chi Dapeng to cultivate in his Water God Mansion, rewarding him with two spiritual treasures and the honorary position of Golden Peng Marshal in the Heavenly Court.

What felt a bit ironic to Li Changshou was that the luck Kong Xuan had gained from carefully tending to the Shang tribe was still less than the luck Jing Chi Dapeng gained when he was appointed as a Heavenly Court marshal...

It was clear at a glance who was the favored son of the Heavenly Dao.

With the addition of this new general to the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor was overjoyed and initially wanted to hold a banquet for Jing Chi Dapeng, but Li Changshou advised against it in time.

Jing Chi Dapeng could not be overly praised or excessively complimented.

Although Jing Chi Dapeng had gained some insights in the chain formations, his personality had not fully changed, and too much praise could make him swell with pride again, so he needed regular reminders to keep him in check.

Another month later, Li Changshou formally requested the assignment in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, in front of all the Heavenly Court immortals and gods.

The Jade Emperor waved his hand and appointed Li Changshou as the Heavenly Court special envoy, tasking him with leading several heavenly generals to organize and oversee the Immortal Alliance conference in the Three Thousand Worlds.

Li Changshou accepted the order and worked behind the scenes to spread the news quickly across the Five Divisions and the Three Thousand Worlds.

This was mainly to boost the morale of the Immortal Alliance and to preemptively limit its authority, preventing any alliance leader from thinking they could suddenly take charge.

Three days later.

Li Changshou's paper effigy, accompanied by several Golden Immortal realm heavenly generals and a large troop of heavenly soldiers, departed grandly from the East Heaven Gate.

They were expected to arrive at the conference venue just one day before the Immortal Alliance conference began.

At the same time, in the Tianya Secret Realm.

Li Changshou's paper effigy left with Lü Yue, directing the immortal soldiers secretly recruited by the Tianya Pavilion to build the venue for the first Immortal Alliance conference.

Although Li Changshou anticipated that this Immortal Alliance would "peak at its debut" and "be strongest at its first meeting," he still wanted to handle it seriously to avoid any mishaps.

Another three days passed.

On the coast of the South Sea, at the Sea God Temple.

A white cloud slowly approached, carrying two figures, a man and a woman, who looked quite well-matched from afar.

The male immortal had a handsome beard, an imposing presence, and a face that was both rugged and attractive, clad in light red armor that added to his majesty. He was the outer disciple of the Jie Jiao, the great disciple known as the King of All Porcelain in the Honghuang, Old Zhao himself.

Beside him was Jin Ling Shengmu, whom Li Changshou had specially invited as the pseudo senior sister of the Jie Jiao.

Today, she had applied light makeup, which reduced her usual heroic air and added a natural charm;her slender figure was wrapped in a pale gold skirt embroidered with phoenixes, exuding a powerful aura.

Li Changshou had gone out early to welcome them, using his Heavenly Court Water God appearance, but the one standing there was actually his true body.

Initially, Li Changshou had planned for the Immortal Alliance conference to be held discreetly, uniting various forces, so a paper effigy would have sufficed.

But after repeated calculations, he realized it couldn't be done secretly and decided to deliberately draw Ran Deng into the game as a pawn;however, to draw in Ran Deng, Li Changshou found he needed to invite two trustworthy Jie Jiao experts for backup in case things went wrong.

With Zhao Gongming and Jin Ling Shengmu both invited, it would be inappropriate for his true body to hide away...

Thus, Li Changshou summoned the Li Di Yan Guang Flag to protect Xiao Qiong Peak, then ventured out cautiously, carrying the Tai Ji Tu, holding the Xuan Huang Pagoda, wielding the Qian Kun Chi, and concealing the Chuan Xin Lock.

There was no other way— the Honghuang was too dangerous.

His merit golden body had been blocked twice, leaving Li Changshou with a persistent sense of crisis.

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and laughed: "Changgeng, you're truly wicked. You're making Ran Deng Dao Ren the Immortal Alliance leader? That's like putting that old coffin on the fire to roast!"

Li Changshou smiled with a touch of ease and said: "It's just a small scheme. Brother and sister, please don't mind it."

"No problem," Jin Ling Shengmu said with a faint smile at the corner of her mouth. "I didn't quite understand your arrangement at first, but after Gongming explained it, I saw the cleverness in it."

When did Zhao Gongming get so smart?He must have wandered around San Xian Island and asked about it.

But that wasn't important!

Gongming?!Where's the suffix?Had these two Jie Jiao big shots progressed so quickly? Was Zhao Gongming's guarded heart finally won over by Jin Ling Shengmu?

This wonderful interaction among the Honghuang great powers.

Li Changshou led them into the main hall, where attendants brought hot tea and fragrant brew.

They were familiar enough to skip small talk. Zhao Gongming asked when they would set off, and Li Changshou replied with a smile:"Let's wait here a bit. I just notified Ran Deng Fu Jiao Zhu to join us, and then we'll go together."

Zhao Gongming curled his lip: "Traveling with Ran Deng isn't exactly comfortable."

But Jin Ling Shengmu said: "No matter what, on the surface, he's still a senior of our Daoist sect. We should give him face in front of others.But if he doesn't know his place, humph!"

"Sister, we should still prioritize harmony," Li Changshou said warmly, exchanging a glance with Zhao Gongming, and they both chuckled lightly.

Jin Ling Shengmu snorted and turned to drink her tea.

Zhao Gongming asked: "Where's Mister Bai?I went by your mountain earlier and didn't sense his aura, so I came back on my own."

Li Changshou replied with a smile: "He said he was visiting friends. It's best not to ask about that."

"Understood," Zhao Gongming said, stroking his beard with a smile, lightly changing the topic. "Changgeng, I heard there was a Jing Chi Dapeng who threatened to challenge the Heavenly Court, but then everything went quiet. Was he really just seeking attention?"

Li Changshou said seriously: "Brother, don't think that way. Jing Chi Dapeng is incredibly fast and quite formidable.He really did go to the Heavenly Court that day and even reached the front of the Guanghan Palace."

"Oh?"

Zhao Gongming and Jin Ling Shengmu exchanged glances, each showing concern, though their focuses were clearly different.

Zhao Gongming asked first: "What happened next?"

Jin Ling Shengmu frowned: "Is it true, as the rumors say, that you have some unusual relationship with the Heng'e Fairy of the Guanghan Palace?"

Li Changshou quickly said: "Sister, don't believe such rumors!I don't have much interaction with the Taiyin Star Lord. It's just that my position in the Heavenly Court gives me access to the Guanghan Palace."

Jin Ling Shengmu pondered this and found it reasonable.

Zhao Gongming asked again: "So, what ended up happening to Jing Chi Dapeng?"

"Brother, take a look," Li Changshou said, pointing to the attendant standing in the corner of the inner hall. "He's right here."

The attendant turned around, smiling warmly. Though he still had a hooked nose and sharp features, he no longer seemed overly fierce.Sunlight from the window cast a faint glow on him, making his smile feel like a gentle spring breeze, warm and a bit shy.

Zhao Gongming: ...

Jin Ling Shengmu: ...

Just as Li Changshou was about to introduce him properly, a streak of light shot through the air from the northwest.

Jing Chi Dapeng's sword-like brows furrowed. He left several afterimages in place and shot into the sky at incredible speed, catching the streak of light in his palm a hundred miles away, then retreating back, perfectly merging with his afterimages.

In just a blink, Jing Chi Dapeng was standing before Li Changshou, bowing respectfully and presenting a jade talisman.

"Teacher, I've verified it— no tricks or schemes."

"Good."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, using his immortal power to take the jade talisman and probe its message with his immortal sense.

He sighed lightly: "Ran Deng Fu Jiao Zhu is truly exceptional. He says he's at a critical point in his enlightenment and asks us to go ahead. He promises not to delay the Immortal Alliance conference.He'll also bring Ci Hang Dao Ren and wants me to reserve a deputy leader position for Ci Hang Dao Ren."

Zhao Gongming looked at Jing Chi Dapeng in amazement and laughed: "Ran Deng is quite cunning."

"Then let's go," Jin Ling Shengmu stood up. "Better to get there early and prepare. I want to see what tricks the Western Cult is up to!"

Li Changshou rose and said: "Jin Peng, I'll have to trouble you this time."

Jing Chi Dapeng replied quickly: "Teacher, just give the order."

With that, he stepped out to the inner hall and revealed his true form in the backyard— a golden-feathered great peng with wings spanning just over ten zhang.

On Jin Peng's back, immortal power manifested three cushions: one in front and two side by side behind.The front cushion was like an exquisite lotus treasure seat, fit for an emperor's treasure; the two behind were simpler, like tree stumps.

Li Changshou frowned: "Jin Peng, your mindset is unsteady."

Jin Peng paused, then thought carefully, his bird face full of remorse.

"Jin Peng has disappointed you, Teacher. I'll change the front seat back to..."

"No need," Li Changshou said, stepping aside with a gesture and smiling. "Please, Jin Ling Sister, take the front seat."

Jin Ling Shengmu chuckled lightly and said no more, her skirt fluttering as she sat on the exquisite cushion. Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming settled on the two behind, exchanging smiles.

Li Changshou added: "Thanks to Jin Peng's speed, we can take our time to visit some places and check out those incense fire divine kingdoms."

Jing Chi Dapeng's high cry pierced through the clouds, and with a gentle flap of his wings, he soared into the sky with a gust of wind, vanishing in the blink of an eye, leaving only a faint trail.

Feeling the slight pressure from the shifting of space, Zhao Gongming couldn't help but send a voice transmission to Li Changshou:"How did you manage this?From what I heard, Jing Chi Dapeng was supposed to be arrogant and wild. How did he become so obedient?"

Li Changshou replied via voice transmission: "It's all about winning him over with virtue."

"Is that so?"

Zhao Gongming glanced down at Jing Chi Dapeng. "Do our virtues differ that much? I have a reputation for righteousness that reaches the clouds, so why don't I get a powerful mount like this?"

Li Changshou just smiled without answering, and Zhao Gongming clicked his tongue in wonder.

On the way, worried that Jing Chi Dapeng might tire, Li Changshou borrowed two strands of yin-yang energy from the Tai Ji Tu, manifesting a virtual Tai Ji Tu to support him...

This nearly moved Jing Chi Dapeng to tears.

Unexpectedly, Li Changshou discovered that this simple act pushed Jing Chi Dapeng's speed beyond its limits.

It made sense, as the Tai Ji Tu could reduce resistance from space.

Jing Chi Dapeng, reveling in the joy of this new speed, flew with even more vigor, his gaze growing firmer.

Now, back to the main matter.

"Is this the work of the Western Cult?"

In the sky of a great thousand world, Zhao Gongming frowned as he gazed at a massive incense fire temple miles away.

The temple was built on the summit of a mountain peak, where hundreds of Daoists chanted scriptures, and golden light radiated from around the temple.

From outside the temple down to the foot of the mountain, and even across the plains and forests where the temple was visible, mortals knelt in worship, most of them looking gaunt and hungry.

Above the temple, vast incense fire merit formed golden clouds that dissipated into the depths of the sky.

There seemed to be a rift there...

Jin Ling Shengmu snorted coldly and summoned a long sword to smash the place, but Zhao Gongming stopped her.

"Why are you stopping me!"

"Gold Spirit, if you act like this and destroy the temple, those mortals won't thank you— they'll resent and hate you. Why bring that upon yourself?"

Jin Ling Shengmu scolded: "Why should I care about mortals' opinions? Worshiping a wild god like that ferocious beast Taotie is something I can't stand!"

Li Changshou said: "Let sister handle it. Don't overlook small acts of kindness."

"You see," Jin Ling Shengmu said with a slight tilt of her head, lightly tapping her foot and transforming into a golden light that shot into the sky.

Several booms and screams followed, and a palace appeared in the air, its inhabitants scattering as Jin Ling Shengmu, without even revealing her dharma body, wielded her sword single-handedly, sending them fleeing in chaos.

Jing Chi Dapeng asked: "Teacher, why do mortals worship such wild gods?"

Zhao Gongming answered:"Mortals are weak, with lives spanning only a hundred years. They always feel awe and worship for powers beyond their understanding.Destroying an incense fire divine kingdom is troublesome, not because the Western Cult cultivators are hard to deal with, but because of how to handle those mortals.Changgeng, have you thought about this dilemma?"

"Of course," Li Changshou said warmly. "There are mainly two approaches.The first is to establish a new divine cult to replace it, which works quickly and lets these mortals worship a different god;then, use relatively mild doctrines to encourage them to focus on farming and production, not spending their days dreaming of ascending through worship.But this has potential downsides, as those in power might succumb to greed and follow the old path of incense fire divine kingdoms.The second is more complicated."

Zhao Gongming laughed: "Tell me more."

Li Changshou gazed at the chaotic palace in the sky and said slowly:"The second approach is to educate mortals, using books to preserve knowledge, record human wisdom, broaden their horizons, reduce ignorance, guide their thinking, and help them distinguish reality from illusion, thus avoiding the harms of incense fire divine kingdoms.Unfortunately, this idea is too simplistic and just my random musings."

Zhao Gongming nodded slowly: "If everyone cultivated, it would likely bring another disaster to the world."

"So, everything needs balance, and so does this matter."

Li Changshou tucked his hands into his sleeves and said softly: "My intention is to replace these incense fire divine kingdoms with Heavenly Court incense fire, having mortals revere the Emperor of Heaven and Queen of Earth, uphold justice, understand life and death, and treat cultivation as an external pursuit, with heavenly soldiers stationed in various worlds on rotation."

Zhao Gongming gave a thumbs-up, and Li Changshou said no more.

Zhao Gongming, not being of human origin, probably couldn't relate, which was understandable.

Suddenly, Jing Chi Dapeng said firmly: "Teacher, I understand now!"

Under...Understood what?

At that moment, a silver-white sword light flashed across the sky, splitting the palace in two, with ruins crashing down onto a barren wheat field.

Streams of light appeared from the heavens, but Jin Ling Shengmu snorted coldly, ignoring them completely as she returned to Jing Chi Dapeng's back.

She scolded: "Not even a single saint's disciple among them. Killing more is pointless— it just dirties my sword."

Li Changshou said: "Let's go and check out a few more places."

Jing Chi Dapeng let out a resounding cry and swiftly left that great thousand world, leaving the pursuers far behind.

In this way, they visited eighteen incense fire divine kingdoms along the way. Jin Ling Shengmu struck three times but grew lazy and stopped afterward.

Li Changshou used shadow orbs to capture some "evidence" and then gave Jing Chi Dapeng a direction.

Departing from the South Sea coast took only half a month, and Li Changshou's group arrived at a small thousand world, where they saw it filled with shades of watery blue.

This small world was dominated by the five elements of water, consisting only of sky and seas.

The Immortal Alliance conference venue was here, already set up; Li Changshou had drawn from the Dragon Clan grand ceremony he once attended, designing the main venue in the shape of a precious lotus.

But it had to be said, it wasn't as impressive as the Dragons' casual setup back then...

Limited budget, limited budget.

Li Changshou's paper effigy here reminded Lü Yue, then quietly withdrew;Lü Yue, who had been bored meditating and missing his days in the Tianya Secret Realm, perked up at the news of Zhao Gongming and Jin Ling Shengmu's arrival, jumping up to welcome them from the horizon with a "junior brother smile" on his face.

Li Changshou had already ordered Jing Chi Dapeng to transform back into human form, hide his aura, and prepare to surprise Ran Deng and the Western Cult later.

Should he add some arrangements?Li Changshou surveyed the area, pondering whether to set up a few flying devices with banners saying "Warmly welcome Ran Deng Qianbei as the Immortal Alliance leader" or "Ran Deng Qianbei and the Western Cult are mortal enemies" or something like that.

The scene would probably be quite entertaining.