Chapter 495: The Debate Between Immortals and Mortals (Lower)

As soon as Li Changshou spoke, numerous gazes converged on the clouds above.

He pointed his left index finger lightly downward, and a cloud stairway gradually unfurled; as an ordinary heavenly official of Tian Court, he descended step by step with a relaxed and leisurely expression.

Among the group of immortals, Bai Ze's smile at the corner of his mouth carried a hint of amusement, much like what most of the immortals present were anticipating—he was wondering how Li Changshou would counter Xu Bodhi.

When it came to scheming and planning, Bai Ze was among the top among the immortals here, fully aware of the potency in Xu Bodhi's earlier words.

Xu Bodhi had seized upon the contradiction of "immortals and mortals being distinct," and latched onto Tian Court's slogan of "protecting the weak," tying together the organized immortal forces from the Three Thousand Worlds with the incense-burning divine kingdoms, positioning them as adversaries to Tian Court.

Yet, the facts were indeed as such, making it the most difficult point to refute.

Jiu Wu transmitted a message with a mutter: "Mr. Bai, should you step in and help?"

"Why should I show off when the Water God is here?"

Bai Ze shrugged, picked up the wine vessel from the low table in front of him, took a sip of the fine brew offered by the immortal maidens, and savored its sweetness.

He left the latter half unspoken...

'It's not easy to argue this point either.'

After all, as one of the top ten ancient demon commanders, he had to maintain some dignity.

At that moment, this difficult problem was indeed laid before Li Changshou.

What followed was not just about refuting Xu Bodhi to declare a win, but about convincing these immortal forces.

Xu Bodhi's words were all aimed at the heart, indefensible in the face of righteousness, yet they had precisely hit the vital points of these immortal forces.

Li Changshou, representing Tian Court, could not say just anything.

If he resorted to outright bribery, what would set Tian Court apart from Western Teachings?

In that case, Xu Bodhi's subsequent challenges would be even harder to refute.

Li Changshou couldn't help but sigh...

If those formidable Saint disciples of Western Teachings could unite, they would truly be a great threat.

Fortunately, Dizang had already been schemed out of the game by them, and Western Teachings' "corporate culture" was all about internal strife...

Having two Saints in one teaching was not entirely beneficial.

Li Changshou's decision to involve Ran Deng had considered every aspect and scenario; the "timing" for Western Teachings' provocations was all accounted for in his exhaustive planning.

No matter if it was Xu Bodhi or someone else, the "treasures" they could unleash were only a few kinds...

Here, he had to sincerely thank Ling E, the little immortal fairy, for the strands of hair she shed while deep in thought!

For the tactics used against Xu Bodhi, Li Changshou originally had a full set of sophistry strategies—

First, shift the focus by recounting Western Teachings' long list of crimes, stirring the audience's emotions, then skirt the main issues, talk about ideals, make promises, drop hints, and ignite a sense of shared enmity among the cultivators, causing the opposition stirred up by Xu Bodhi to collapse on its own.

This method was sufficient to handle the current situation.

But at that moment, Li Changshou felt it was a bit...

Not entirely reliable.

Xu Bodhi's question today was sharp, directly targeting the "irreconcilable contradictory relationship between the immortal forces and Tian Court."

If he dealt with it today through sophistry, many immortals present would inevitably harbor resentment; the Immortal Alliance internally would develop cracks, making it hard to use effectively in the future.

Stepping down three steps on the cloud stairway, Li Changshou had already formed a plan in his mind. With a light laugh, he spoke loudly:

"Xu Bodhi's words are not worth debating; right and wrong are clear in people's hearts. But to prevent any misunderstandings about Tian Court and to guard against this schemer's provocations, I will lay it all out today."

Xu Bodhi's incarnation said calmly: "Has the Water God already thought of how to deceive everyone so quickly?"

Li Changshou's brows furrowed slightly. Without him needing to act or speak, a flash of water-blue light swept from the side, and six Dinghai Divine Pearls appeared around Xu Bodhi, immobilizing his incarnation on the spot.

Zhao Gongming scolded: "You went on that long rant full of nonsense, and my Changgeng didn't interrupt you!"

Xu Bodhi smiled faintly, composed as ever, and closed his eyes, as if he already held the winning hand.

From atop the cloud stairway, Li Changshou said slowly:

"Just now, this disciple of Western Teachings said that Tian Court stands with mortals because the human race is the protagonist of heaven and earth, with mortals as the main body of destiny, and Nanzhanbuzhou gathering eighty percent of the human race's destiny.

This seems reasonable but is utterly absurd!

Do you all know about the incident where the Dragon Clan's sea eyes were destroyed by Western Teachings?

At that time, Western Teachings intended to subjugate the Dragon Clan for their own use. They openly suppressed them and secretly incited rebellions among the sea clans of the Four Seas, ultimately provoking the Dragon Clan and driving them toward Tian Court.

For the sake of their great teaching's reputation, Western Teachings schemed and plotted, mobilizing a large number of sin-laden great demons and Hongmeng fierce beasts, ultimately shattering the East Sea eye and looting the East Sea Dragon Palace's treasury.

With the sea eye broken, seawater flooded back, and the East Sea was about to unleash tsunamis. To atone for their ancient sins, countless Dragon Clan members rushed to the sea eye and were torn apart by its torrents...

At that time, I used a treasure called the Dinghai Divine Needle, but employing it to suppress the sea eye was only a temporary measure.

A Tian Court general named Hua Ritian stepped forward, leaping in to seal the East Sea eye with his own body.

From then on, the Dragon Clan fully pledged their allegiance and became a force for Tian Court, which then began to prosper greatly."

Li Changshou let out a long sigh, his gaze sweeping around as he paused on the cloud stairway, and spoke loudly:

"Do you all know who that Tian Court general was, and why he could block the sea eye?"

Most of the immortals remained silent.

A few were engrossed and shook their heads in response.

"The general Hua Ritian was actually an incarnation of His Majesty the Jade Emperor. It was His Majesty's only golden body of merit, condensed from eons of accumulated merit.

Only thus could it offset part of the Dragon Clan's sins.

His Majesty's leap was for mortals, but also for the Dragon Clan, for Tian Court, and for the common people of Dongsheng Shenzhou, to avert the disaster of flooding seawater!

His Majesty's words at the time, 'I wish to care for all living beings,' still linger in my memory.

Everyone, Tian Court's creed is to protect all living beings in the world.

What Xu Bodhi said earlier about us always talking about the common people is not wrong.

But Tian Court stands with all living beings and with the human race, not solely with mortals!

You are also living beings, an indispensable part of heaven and earth!

Would I look down on you because you have profound cultivation, as Tian Immortals or Golden Immortals?

Would Tian Court discriminate against you because you are not mortals?"

Many immortals couldn't help but laugh, while Xu Bodhi frowned slightly at that moment.

Li Changshou chuckled twice, his voice softening as he spoke earnestly:

"We are all of the human race and know how hard it was for the human race to rise.

Regarding what this disciple of Western Teachings said about immortals and mortals being inherently distinct, I truly don't understand. When you all manage your own forces, do you elevate your cultivation by exploiting mortals?

If anyone does that, step forward, and I will deal with them today.

Do immortals cultivate mainly by comprehending heaven and earth, nature, or by absorbing incense and merit?

Is your daily behavior anything like the incense-burning divine kingdoms established by Western Teachings?"

No sooner had Li Changshou finished speaking than several immortals stood up.

They declared firmly:

"Water God! My Mo Tian Immortal Sect acts openly and honestly, with sect rules forbidding disciples from killing the innocent at will! How could we be like the incense-burning divine kingdoms?"

"That's right, mortals mostly live in flat, turbid areas, while we cultivators reside in great rivers and famous mountains, drawing in the pure energy of heaven and earth. Immortals and mortals being separate is just as it is—what's the issue?"

"Who wasn't once a mortal cultivator? Most of our disciples are selected from the common folk anyway!"

For a moment, the immortals spoke up one after another, seeing through the flaws in Xu Bodhi's earlier words.

Li Changshou waited quietly until the wave of voices subsided, then continued descending step by step, his voice carrying through heaven and earth:

"The order Tian Court seeks to establish is not aimed at immortals, nor does it blindly protect mortals. It's just that mortals are often in vulnerable positions, so it's easy to think Tian Court only protects them.

Nonsense!

What Tian Court aims to do is prevent the strong from wantonly invading the weak.

Compared to mortals, you all are the strong; but compared to great powers, you and I are also the weak.

Tian Court stands only for justice, and its actions do not exceed the bounds of the Dao and virtue.

Because Tian Court's foundations in the Three Thousand Worlds are weak, and such great evils as the incense-burning divine kingdoms must be eradicated soon, I can make this promise to you all, and it will be the only exception.

For the immortal forces here today, I won't delve into past matters, as long as you act with goodness in the future, do not bully the weak, do not kill indiscriminately, and do not bring disaster to living beings—you will all be recognized members of the Immortal Alliance!

Making the strong refrain from oppressing the weak is like a dream,

But making the strong hesitate and worry when they oppress is what Tian Court will achieve within ten thousand years!

If you can do this, stay here; we can discuss together how to confront the incense-burning divine kingdoms, how to save mortals, and how to distribute the cultivation treasures and spirit stones from those kingdoms.

If you cannot, turn and leave now, and I, Li Changgeng, will not trouble you in the slightest!"

Not a single immortal moved, and at that moment, ninety percent of them looked at Li Changshou with eyes full of aspiration and expectation.

Li Changshou waited quietly for a while. By then, he had reached the lower half of the cloud stairway, only about thirty feet from the flying platform, level with Ran Deng and Xu Bodhi.

He made a gesture, and the Dinghai Divine Pearls around Xu Bodhi were retracted by Zhao Gongming.

Li Changshou smiled: "Does anyone still have doubts? Feel free to mention them today."

A burly man shouted loudly: "I am willing to follow Tian Court! To serve the Immortal Alliance! To fight against the incense-burning divine kingdoms!"

Amid the crowd, shouts rose one after another:

"This poor Daoist is willing to follow Tian Court! To serve the Immortal Alliance!"

"I almost fell for Western Teachings' deception—shameful! Truly shameful!"

"Compared to the immortal sects of the Five Parts, we are indeed the weak. Tian Court cares for all common beings, and we cultivators are part of that!"

"Water God is brilliant!"

In the midst of the uproar, Li Changshou glanced at Ran Deng, his gaze meeting Xu Bodhi's.

The latter shook his head with a light laugh, as if he had expected this.

If something like this could defeat Tian Court's Water God, it would be too easy.

Xu Bodhi showed no sign of disappointment and said: "The Water God truly has a silver tongue, casually resolving all of my challenges.

I have learned from this today."

"It's not about eloquence; the reasoning is simply as such."

Li Changshou replied calmly: "Western Teachings have committed many unrighteous acts, so it's hard for people to trust you. You thought you had grasped the Immortal Alliance's weak point today, but you didn't even understand Tian Court's principles.

Dragon Clan, demon clans, Spirit Mountain, Wheel of Reincarnation Tower, Immortal Alliance...

You lost without grievance."

Xu Bodhi narrowed his eyes slightly, his figure gradually fading.

"Farewell."

"Don't rush to leave, Daoist friend; I have two gifts for you."

Li Changshou suddenly called out, causing Xu Bodhi's dissipating incarnation to pause. He waited composedly, maintaining the grace of a Saint's disciple.

"Gifts? I am quite looking forward to them."

And so, Li Changshou declared loudly:

"Xu Bodhi, disciple of Western Teachings, today attempted to counter Tian Court by deceiving the immortal forces of the Three Thousand Worlds, upholding the incense-burning divine kingdoms, and harming countless living beings—his crimes deserve death.

From today onward, Xu Bodhi is listed as an enemy for Tian Court to pursue, wanted throughout the Three Realms!

This Saint's disciple is of vile character and commits grave evils. Anyone who can destroy his divine soul and bring his head to Tian Court will receive great rewards.

May the Heavenly Dao investigate and bring down his karmic tribulation to uphold Tian Court's authority!"

Boom—

This small world darkened abruptly, with ferocious thunder dragons appearing in the sky. A surge of black energy wrapped around Xu Bodhi's incarnation before merging into the invisible, seeking out his true body.

This scene truly made many immortals secretly vigilant and filled those who felt close to Tian Court with joy.

Ran Deng furrowed his brows in thought, Jin Ling Shengmu pursed her lips slightly, and Zhao Gongming and Lü Yue exchanged glances, their eyes full of surprise.

Imposing a great tribulation?

Xu Bodhi's face had turned as black as the bottom of a pot, glaring at Li Changshou.

"You!"

"Thank you, Daoist friend, for making the effort to come and bolster Tian Court's prestige," Li Changshou said with a smile. "Tian Court can establish itself in the Three Thousand Worlds, and your contributions are indispensable.

Oh, and Daoist friend, when you return, please pass on a message to your fellow disciple in Western Teachings who once instigated the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird to cause trouble in Tian Court—I will settle that karma with him later."

Xu Bodhi frowned: "Is the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird trapped by the Water God?"

Li Changshou smiled satisfactorily; Tian Court's confidentiality work was quite good.

Or perhaps Xu Bodhi hadn't received the relevant information.

Screech—

A high cry suddenly echoed from the edge of this small world, and a golden light flashed, transforming into a handsome general in golden armor with a prominent hooked nose.

Before the cry faded, he arrived with a gust of wind in front of Li Changshou, clasping his fists and kneeling on one knee, his armor stained with blood and his long hair matted with it.

"Teacher! Western Teachings has one thousand three hundred and sixty-two cultivators hidden in the void tens of thousands of miles away, preparing to bombard this place with a great array!

I discovered these villains moments ago and didn't have time to report to you. To protect the Immortal Alliance assembly's safety, I have already eliminated them all—please punish me, teacher!"

Li Changshou said seriously: "General Jin Peng, rise. You have merit in protecting the Immortal Alliance assembly, so why speak of punishment?"

Xu Bodhi: ...

The surrounding immortals: ...

Eliminating over a thousand immortals in an instant?

Li Changshou took Jin-Winged Great Peng Bird by the wrist and pointed at Xu Bodhi: "Remember this old Daoist's aura and appearance; this is a great deed."

Jin-Winged Great Peng Bird's eyes lit up, eager to try.

Xu Bodhi's lips trembled, but he snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve, his figure instantly turning into a wisp of black smoke and vanishing, leaving only a voice:

"The Water God truly has heaven-piercing methods!

As a proper Tian Court deity, you actually use evil techniques to control living beings' minds!

The Feng Clan will surely seek to settle this with you!"

Yet, he still couldn't resist throwing out some mud to sling.

But Li Changshou inwardly breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Xu Bodhi hadn't kept pressing on the earlier issue; if he had asked something like "Will Tian Court pardon the Immortal Alliance in the future," it would have been truly hard to answer.

Hearing Xu Bodhi's parting words, Jin-Winged Great Peng Bird couldn't hold back.

He chased forward two steps, straining to sense Xu Bodhi's true position, and cursed loudly:

"Don't slander my teacher's innocence!

This poor Daoist was enlightened by my teacher and now realize my former arrogance. I wholeheartedly serve Tian Court and my teacher!

You old Daoist, I will grind your bones to dust!"

With that, Jin-Winged Great Peng Bird revealed his true form as a golden-feathered roc and shot toward the heavens.

And on his back, three meditation cushions remained...

"This?"

Among the immortals, Bai Ze widened his eyes and furrowed his brows, hesitating to speak, feeling a strong sense of "midlife crisis."

How long had it been since he left Black Pool Peak, and his master already had a backup mount?

No, with that speed...

Had he, as the auspicious beast mount, become the backup?

Bai Ze's brows knitted tightly, his mind swirling with endless doubts.

He needed to think of a way to secure his position as the Human Teachings' mount!

On the flying platform, Li Changshou chuckled lightly, bowed to Ran Deng, and ascended the steps once more, returning to the clouds above.

Bing Qingyue timely stepped forward, bowing to everyone present, and invited the alliance leader Ran Deng back to his seat.

The assembly proceeded without further incidents.

Thanks to the Heavenly Dao's gracious assistance that day, the Immortal Alliance assembly's outcome was much better than Li Changshou had anticipated.

With a few words, imposing a tribulation on a Western Teachings' Saint disciple...

Who could withstand that?!

Li Changshou recalled what Yuan Shi Tianzun had mentioned about him becoming the driver of the great tribulation.

This...

Had he inadvertently taken over his master's reincarnated role?

If the Feng Shen Bang didn't fall under Yuan Shi Tianzun's control but into Tian Court's hands, would Yuan Shi Tianzun still take Jiang Ziya as a disciple?

No, things seemed even more subtle.

Precisely because Jiang Ziya had intricate connections with him, the Tian Court Water God, Yuan Shi Tianzun might still choose to accept him into Jade Void Palace...

From one thing leading to another, some events in the great tribulation hadn't changed, only their motivations and causes differed.

Causes differing yet outcomes converging—this wondrous force of convergence...

Layers of insights arose in Li Changshou's heart. He glanced toward where Bai Ze and Jiu Wu were, then closed his eyes on the clouds and began to meditate openly.

He didn't need to worry about the rest; let Madam Bian and the others decide the Immortal Alliance's future direction.

The false hands-off manager: Ran Deng only said one sentence, setting up the Western Teachings' Saint disciple as a lure, then witnessed him being drawn into the tribulation and silenced, only to be smoothly sidelined by the deputy leaders afterward.

The true hands-off manager: Li Changshou had schemed for a decade, building the Immortal Alliance system, successfully positioning it, and wouldn't need to interfere much—just have a paper effigy monitor its operations periodically.

Thus, half a month later,

Streams of light flew away from the place, and the Immortal Alliance assembly officially concluded.

Ran Deng left quite swiftly.

Originally, Zhao Gongming and Lü Yue had thought of secretly causing some trouble for Ran Deng, but he gave them no opportunity.

Conversely, among the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Teachings, Cihang Daoist did not leave with Ran Deng.

With the assembly over and most forces gone, Cihang Daoist hesitated for a moment before flying toward Li Changshou and the others, who were chatting and laughing together.

"Changgeng, my junior brother?"

She called out from about thirty feet away: "May I speak with you outside? I have a couple of questions I'd like you to clarify."

Just as Li Changshou was about to respond, Zhao Gongming instinctively stepped forward, blocking him.

Zhao Gongming smiled steadily: "Cihang, my junior sister, can't you discuss it with your senior brother?"

Cihang Daoist frowned slightly, her smile a bit forced, but she said directly: "I'm afraid my senior brother can't clarify this for me."

Zhao Gongming: ...

Jin Ling Shengmu said calmly: "Then ask me."

"This..."

Li Changshou laughed: "Senior brother, senior sister, I'll be back shortly; it won't take long."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and shook his head, while Jin Ling Shengmu hummed with a hint of warning, and Lü Yue initially didn't react, then remembered the true big figure in their teachings...

"Changgeng!"

Lü Yue called out to Li Changshou, quickly stepping forward and tucking a vial of pills into his sleeve.

Li Changshou asked with some confusion: "What is this?"

Lü Yue transmitted: "Pills to remain composed in the face of temptation, my own creation. Take care."

Li Changshou's eyes brightened.

This old Lü really had something up his sleeve.