Chapter 498: White-Clad Jade Emperor vs. Zhunti

Furthermore, Jun Ti Sheng Ren appeared outside the Western Heavenly Gate, with the heavenly court buzzing with activity everywhere.

The sky was filled with radiant clouds and flying cranes, while the Lingxiao Yao Pool trembled. Heavenly soldiers and generals hurriedly formed their ranks, and immortals from all directions adjusted their robes and crowns.

The white-robed Jade Emperor furrowed his brow tightly, while Mu Gong below was flustered. Several principal gods spoke up one after another, but no one knew whether this Sheng Ren from the Western Teachings had come to demand justice or had some other scheme in mind.

The Jade Emperor paced back and forth, his mind unsettled. He turned his head and shouted,

"Quickly, go summon Beloved Minister Chang Geng!"

Mu Gong accepted the order and hurried off to the Water God Mansion.

But at that moment...

"Huff—"

In front of the alchemy room on Xiao Qiong Peak, on a rocking chair,

Li Changshou's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, with the ends of his long hair scorched. His daoist robe was utterly ruined, and he opened his mouth to exhale a puff of black smoke.

He longed for a cup of wine and a cigarette to light up, sighing about the loneliness of immortal life and how youth fails to understand the heavens.

Through his immortal sense, he saw that Elder Wan Linjun had successfully entered the Jin Xian realm and was now healing and reflecting on the spot, likely reaping great benefits.

Elder Wan had taken a Nine-Turn Golden Pill, and her tribulation passed without major incident.

After all, the dangers had been drawn to Li Changshou.

—This Nine-Turn Golden Pill was one that Li Changshou had previously obtained from the Dou Shuai Palace, not the one he and his junior sister had used before.

From this, it seemed that when Ling E, You Qin Xuanya, and Jiu Jiu crossed their Jin Xian tribulations, he would definitely have to step in to help, and thus would certainly be "guided" by the Heavenly Dao.

The future would be quite painful.

But what on earth is the principle behind this?

It just doesn't make sense at all!

Could this be the best proof that Dao Zu has not been fully assimilated by the Heavenly Dao and can even influence it in return?!

Jokes aside, he still needed to prepare in advance for this, especially for Ling E's tribulation, where he would probably be pushed to the brink of death.

He should speed up his progress with the Ba Jiu Xuan Gong.

This time, being struck by the heavenly punishment, Li Changshou could clearly feel that his Ba Jiu Xuan Gong, even at its initial stage, had already shown good "lightning resistance."

If he could master the Ba Jiu Xuan Gong, it would serve as a solid trump card.

And if he could comprehend the final layer and reach the realm of Jiu Jiu Gui Yuan, it would become an even more central trump card.

Legend has it that the Wu clan's combat techniques come from the memories left in Pangu Great God's bloodline; after contacting the Xuan Gong organized by Lady Hou Tu, Li Changshou completely believed this legend.

It truly was profound.

Calculating the time, he should go and bring back the reincarnation of the Seven Emotions to the Heavenly Court. The lower three heavens there have countries of heavenly beings, which would be enough for them to play around in.

Better to act now than wait for a better day—perhaps right away...

'Water God! Chang Geng! Oh dear! This is serious!'

A series of calls suddenly echoed in his heart, though a bit muffled, he could tell it was Mu Gong's voice.

Li Changshou quickly shifted his mind to the paper effigy in the Heavenly Court Water God Mansion, picked up his whisk, straightened his robes, and hurried out of the study.

Mu Gong was pacing anxiously outside the door. Li Changshou asked what was happening, and Mu Gong stamped his foot, exclaiming,

"The two Sheng Ren of the Western Teachings have arrived! They're probably already through the Western Heavenly Gate and heading to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou let out a sigh of relief.

Just that?

A moment ago, he had engaged in a lively and direct exchange with the Heavenly Dao, getting a cold heavenly punishment slapped right in his face.

Now, it was merely the two Sheng Ren from the Western Teachings showing up, likely to personally pressure the Jade Emperor and get the warrant for Xu Po Di revoked...

It was entirely expected and within reason.

Other Sheng Ren might not lower themselves to come directly to the Heavenly Court to negotiate with the Jade Emperor, but Li Changshou had long anticipated that the junior Sheng Ren of the Western Teachings would make a trip before the Zi Xiao Palace discussed the Feng Shen calamity.

To feed the Jade Emperor some misleading ideas.

"Let's go," Li Changshou said. "We'll head to the Lingxiao Hall. Mu Gong, don't panic. We must maintain the composure befitting high officials of the Heavenly Court. We're also representing His Majesty."

Mu Gong quickly agreed, and together they hurried to the Lingxiao Hall.

As soon as they left on the clouds, another young daoist emerged from the study.

Naturally, it was another of Li Changshou's paper effigies.

Glancing at the room occupied by Ling Zhu Zi, where the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird was now in closed cultivation, Li Changshou thought for a moment but decided against bringing it along.

The Sixth Sheng Ren might not care about face, but others couldn't afford to lose it.

So, Li Changshou split his efforts: the paper effigy in the Water God guise rushed to the Lingxiao Hall, while the one in the form of a young daoist went to find the Jade Emperor's incarnation, Qin Tianzhu.

They arrived almost simultaneously.

The Jade Emperor first looked at Li Changshou at the entrance of the Lingxiao Hall, while Qin Tianzhu looked at Li Changshou's other paper effigy...

It was a bit confusing.

"This humble god pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Li Changshou called out in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and then transmitted a message to Qin Tianzhu: "Your Majesty, come with me quickly to the Yao Pool and secretly ask Lady Wangmu to conceal the traces of these two incarnations.

It's not convenient to speak in front of the Sheng Ren. This humble god will strategize for you here, and we absolutely cannot let the Western Teachings gain any advantage!"

"Beloved minister, you've thought of everything!"

Qin Tianzhu immediately gave a thumbs-up and hurried with Li Changshou on the clouds to the edge of the Yao Pool.

Before these two incarnations even reached the Yao Pool, the Lingxiao Hall was already ablaze with golden light, as the three-zhang-tall divine image arrived at the hall's entrance.

In the hall, Li Changshou looked toward the Jade Emperor on the high platform, who blinked and, following Li Changshou's transmitted instructions from the other side, stepped out from behind the jade table with feigned enthusiasm.

The contest had begun.

The divine image of the Sheng Ren deliberately slowed its entry;

The Jade Emperor appeared to walk quickly down the steps but actually planted his feet firmly on each one before proceeding.

The immortals and gods in the hall, having received Mu Gong's message, simply turned and bowed in greeting without moving from their spots.

These calculations might seem trivial, but they carried significant meaning.

Each zhang the Jade Emperor went out to welcome was an extra measure of face for Jun Ti; today, however, the Jade Emperor had no intention of giving Jun Ti the same respect as Tai Shang Laojun.

Laojun was the incarnation of Lao Zi, who had overseen the Heavenly Court since ancient times;

Jun Ti was one of the two Sheng Ren of the Western Teachings—whether he could match Laojun in a duel was uncertain, but he had contributed nothing to the Heavenly Court and only caused trouble.

Thus, the Jade Emperor stopped on the second-to-last step of the jade stairs, smiled warmly at Jun Ti's divine image, placed his left hand behind his back, and rested his right on his abdomen, saying,

"Senior brother, why didn't you send word in advance when coming to the Heavenly Court? I could have made preparations."

The three-zhang-tall divine image of Jun Ti remained expressionless, his voice emanating from within:

"How dare I accept the title of senior brother from Your Majesty the Jade Emperor? My Western Teachings are already beneath notice in the eyes of the Heavenly Court."

Silence fell over the immortals and gods in the Lingxiao Hall.

No one expected Jun Ti Sheng Ren to launch an attack right in the opening exchange.

Many immortals and gods couldn't help but probe Li Changshou near Mu Gong with their immortal senses, but he kept his eyes closed, calm and composed, offering only a shallow bow.

After a brief pause, a sharp glint flashed in the Jade Emperor's eyes as he laughed,

"If Jun Ti Jiaozhu doesn't wish to acknowledge our shared origins from Zi Xiao Palace, then I won't mention it from now on!"

Jun Ti's divine image darkened, his gaze turning to Li Changshou standing there.

This remark clearly bore Li Changshou's style—twenty-eight words that elevated the issue to the level of the Western Teachings betraying the Dao.

Even a Sheng Ren had to take it seriously.

Many immortals and gods secretly marveled...

The Jade Emperor was directly confronting a Sheng Ren!

What a rare sight!

Jun Ti's divine image spoke again: "Your Majesty the Jade Emperor misunderstands. I meant no such thing; it's just that your most favored Water God has directly issued a warrant for my Western disciple.

Does Your Majesty know about this?"

The Jade Emperor nodded gently and smiled: "So, Jun Ti Jiaozhu is here for this matter.

I wonder if Jun Ti Jiaozhu would show his true form... I mean no offense, but with the great calamity descending and fate obscuring the heavens, I worry that someone might boldly impersonate a Sheng Ren."

Jun Ti's divine image fell silent for a moment, then golden light flashed and converged, transforming into his true appearance, still seated on a auspicious cloud.

As the Sheng Ren revealed his true form, various auspicious signs appeared in the Lingxiao Hall.

Immortals with lower cultivation felt an overwhelming urge to kneel just from glancing at the Sheng Ren's true face.

At that moment, the white-robed Jade Emperor chuckled lightly, releasing the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor.

The immortals and gods suppressed by the Sheng Ren's aura heard echoes of dragon roars and tiger howls in their hearts, instantly snapping back to clarity.

The Jade Emperor laughed: "Since the Sheng Ren is here, we must not be rude.

Come, bring a seat and invite Jun Ti Jiaozhu to sit."

No sooner had the Jade Emperor spoken than Mu Gong stepped forward to respond, but Li Changshou beat him to it, bowing his head and saying,

"This humble god will handle it!"

Mu Gong quickly stopped and stood back, his eyes full of confusion.

If even tasks like fetching chairs fell to the Water God, what was left for Mu Gong in the Heavenly Court... perhaps just managing the treasury?

But soon, Mu Gong realized things weren't that simple.

Li Changshou ordered chairs brought and placed them himself: one directly in front of the jade stairs, and the other slightly to the side, a bit forward.

The Jade Emperor stood calmly before the central chair, smiling as he invited Jun Ti Sheng Ren to sit.

This arrangement was simple yet clever, showing respect to the Sheng Ren as a group while conveying the Jade Emperor's lack of personal regard for Jun Ti.

In contrast, at the previous Pan Tao Banquet, Tai Shang Laojun had arrived on a green ox, which was... well, the details aren't important.

Back then, Laojun's seat was slightly behind and to the side of the Jade Emperor and Wangmu's thrones, subtly above them—that was true respect.

Jun Ti Sheng Ren's expression remained unchanged. He dispelled the auspicious cloud, his feet hovering three inches off the ground, and walked step by step to the guest seat beside the Jade Emperor.

Each step he took contained profound Dao principles.

Only then did Mu Gong understand.

Today, fetching the chair was indeed not his role.

The Jade Emperor continued: "Chang Geng, have someone bring cushions and low tables, and let all the ministers take their seats.

Jun Ti Jiaozhu's aura is too strong; our Heavenly Court immortals and gods have modest cultivation and may not withstand it. We wouldn't want any embarrassment."

"Yes," Li Changshou replied, then ordered the heavenly soldiers and generals to bring in cushions and low tables for the civil and military officials to sit.

After this back-and-forth, many immortals and gods gradually felt that this Sheng Ren wasn't as terrifying as a chaotic beast.

In their eyes, the usually eloquent Water God was silent now, while the Jade Emperor took the lead in speaking.

In reality, in a secluded corner of the Yao Pool, under the cover of Wangmu's Dao rhymes, Qin Tianzhu and Li Changshou sat cross-legged against the wall, exchanging messages face-to-face.

Their persistent goal was to prevent the Western Teachings from gaining any advantage and to thwart Jun Ti Sheng Ren's every scheme!

In the Lingxiao Hall, the white-robed Jade Emperor said,

"Jun Ti Jiaozhu mentioned earlier something about your disciple Xu Po Di. Could you explain the details?"

Jun Ti replied: "The Heavenly Court's Water God has such authority, issuing judgments on great teaching disciples without Your Majesty's knowledge.

Your Majesty rules the Three Realms, yet this seems like a lapse."

The Jade Emperor responded unhurriedly with a smile: "Jun Ti Jiaozhu may not know that I have granted Beloved Minister Chang Geng the power of 'first strike, then report,' as permitted by heavenly mandate and recognized by the Heavenly Dao, recorded in the Lingxiao Hall.

For you to accuse me of a lapse in ruling the Three Realms might imply interference in Heavenly Court affairs."

Jun Ti said: "As a Sheng Ren, am I not allowed to inquire about Heavenly Court matters?"

The Jade Emperor showed no anger, his expression turning serious as he said,

"The Heavenly Court upholds Dao Zu's will and honors the Six Sheng Ren under the Heavenly Dao.

However, Heavenly Court affairs concern the stability of the Three Realms and the operation of the Heavenly Dao. Even as a noble Sheng Ren, Jun Ti Jiaozhu cannot directly intervene.

This rule was set by Dao Zu when the Heavenly Court was first established. Have you forgotten?

Without fairness, how can the Heavenly Court manage the Three Realms?"

Jun Ti Sheng Ren's aura grew heavier: "Does Your Majesty mean 'fairness' by allowing the Heavenly Court's Water God to arbitrarily impose great calamity fate on my teaching's disciple and order his pursuit?"

"That Xu Po Di's actions—surely Jun Ti Jiaozhu knows them better than I. How is that arbitrary?"

The Jade Emperor looked at Li Changshou and said warmly, "Beloved Minister Chang Geng, please explain Xu Po Di's crimes in detail.

We must not wrong a good spirit, nor let a guilty one escape. If there's a mistake, we'll correct it—that's the way of the Heavenly Court."

Li Changshou stood and acknowledged, bowing to Jun Ti Sheng Ren before facing the immortals and gods. He recounted the events of the Xian Meng assembly that day.

He even mimicked Xu Po Di's manner when pointing at the world, capturing the tone and gestures perfectly.

After Li Changshou finished describing Xu Po Di's words, many immortals and gods in the hall showed anger, though they dared not speak out of turn...

Li Changshou turned back to the Jade Emperor and said,

"Your Majesty, every word this humble god just spoke is true, verifiable by the Heavenly Dao.

Xu Po Di spoke only of profit and desire, inciting various immortals to defy heavenly mandate and oppose the Heavenly Court. He spouted nonsense, twisted truths, and blurred right and wrong!

He openly claimed the Heavenly Court sought only human qi and would slaughter countless immortals. Moreover, for building his own incense god nation and harming beings, he showed no remorse!

This humble god endured for a long time and didn't strike down his incarnation directly. Considering he is a disciple of the Western Teachings' Sheng Ren, I let him finish speaking before refuting him point by point.

In front of tens of thousands of immortals, I left him speechless, then pronounced his unforgivable crimes!

In fact, Your Majesty, when I judged him, I showed mercy, knowing he was a disciple of the Western Teachings' Sheng Ren, so I didn't pursue further executions.

Little did I expect that after returning to Ling Shan, Xu Po Di would still stir up trouble and mislead Jun Ti Jiaozhu... Jun Ti Jiaozhu, why not bring Xu Po Di here directly and uphold justice by executing him?

This would not only earn the Heavenly Court's generous rewards for the Western Teachings but also add to your teaching's qi."

With that, Li Changshou bowed to the Jade Emperor and calmly returned to his seat beside Mu Gong.

Jun Ti said: "Nephew Chang Geng is known for his prudence, yet today he acts so rashly.

The incarnation that appeared that day—did you verify it was his true self? How do you know it was Xu Po Di?

Xu Po Di has been in closed cultivation on Ling Shan all these years, unaware of what you claim, yet he bears this slander."

The Jade Emperor's smile, which had just begun to form, froze, and he looked at Li Changshou in slight surprise before quickly regaining his composure.

Li Changshou smiled faintly and took a light breath.

He had taken the bait...

So, even Sheng Ren could be outmaneuvered.

Earlier, Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor had planned a small scheme, having the Jade Emperor suggest verifying the true form to force Jun Ti out of his divine image and plant a hint.

Then, in addressing Xu Po Di, Li Changshou had answered as fully as possible, blocking every path...

Unexpectedly, Jun Ti Sheng Ren had fallen for it, using the verification element to mount what seemed like an unbeatable counterattack.

Had the Sheng Ren walked into his scripted plot?

Since that was the case, Li Changshou wouldn't hold back—he would turn the tables on the Western Teachings.

Right at that moment!

'Senior brother, senior brother, what happened to you!

Don't scare me! I haven't even given the old Li family a child or two yet!'

A bit of noise suddenly arose in his heart.

Li Changshou knew this was Ling E returning from Dan Ding Peak and arriving at the alchemy room.

—Though he was using a paper effigy to face the Sheng Ren's might, with many treasures protecting his main body, how could Li Changshou not keep a portion of his mind on himself?

At that moment, in the Lingxiao Hall, Li Changshou sighed lightly and deliberately delayed a bit.

His main body on the Xiao Qiong Peak rocking chair opened its eyes, raised a hand, and tapped Ling E's forehead as she pretended to cry, scolding,

"Don't shout—your senior brother is fine. I'm just busy arguing with someone."

Ling E immediately beamed, her tongue flicking over her lips as she whispered, "Arguing with whom?"

A certain Sheng Ren.

Of course, he couldn't say that—it needed to be kept steady.

"A... rather tricky old gentleman."