Chapter 499: Go

On that day, when that figure appeared, did you truly verify their identity and confirm it was Xu Bodhi?

Inside the Lingxiao Dian, all the immortals and gods fell silent.

A saint had personally come to the Heavenly Court, so only the ruler of the Heavenly Court, Yu Di, Wang Mu, or the seldom-seen saint's incarnation, Taishang Laojun, could speak with him.

Even Li Changshou, who held multiple titles as a disciple of Taqing, a high-ranking god of the Heavenly Court, the chief instructor for Chang'e, and the rumored dao companion of both Heng'e and Yunxiao Xianzi, could only step forward and say a word or two after Yu Di called his name.

Zhunti Sheng Ren’s counterquestion drew everyone’s attention back to Li Changshou.

There, Li Changshou slightly furrowed his brow, slowed his breathing, as if deep in thought and caught in a difficult situation...

Though in reality, he was just exchanging some harmless flirtations with his junior sister.

The immortals all felt that while Zhunti Sheng Ren's question was straightforward and lacked depth, it was indeed hard to answer.

The saint of Western Teachings only needed to insist that the figure who appeared that day was not Xu Bodhi, and the Heavenly Court would have to call off the pursuit of Xu Bodhi—which would be perfectly reasonable and well-supported.

But Li Changshou remained composed.

"Zhunti Jiaozhu, may I explain this simply?"

"Very well," Zhunti replied expressionlessly.

Li Changshou bowed with a dao salute and methodically adjusted his whisk, as if using the small gesture to buy more time for his thoughts...

His brow furrowed a bit more, his lips pursed briefly before relaxing, and his body hunched slightly.

But in truth, this was just a deliberate reaction to ensure the saint wouldn't interrupt him later.

Soon, Li Changshou's eyes lit up, like an impatient old immortal, eagerly defending himself:

"That day, when I accused Xu Bodhi, the Heavenly Way responded with tribulation!

The tribulation fell on that incarnation and then followed it as it dissipated, reaching back to the one who released it!

How could that be wrong?"

Zhunti Sheng Ren said calmly, "You invoked Xu Bodhi's name and wielded the Heavenly Court's divine authority, so the Heavenly Way's power was directed by you.

Water God, by assigning this to my teaching's disciple without verification, isn't that hasty, and perhaps biased?"

Li Changshou seemed at a loss for words, his brow straining as if beads of sweat were forming.

At that moment, the immortals and gods in the hall sighed inwardly...

Even the great Water God couldn't withstand the saint's challenge.

This stirred a hint of shared indignation among them. A heavenly general who had accompanied Li Changshou to the Immortal Alliance Assembly that day nearly stood up.

But Dongmu Gong beat him to it, rising quickly, bowing his head low, and speaking in a voice lacking confidence:

"Your Majesty!

This old minister has reviewed the scrolls in the Tongming Dian, and they clearly show it was the disciple of the Western Teachings' saint—saint..."

A gaze fell upon Dongmu Gong, making him tremble all over, his head bowing even lower.

—Zhunti Sheng Ren had slightly lifted his half-drooped eyelids to glance at Dongmu Gong.

Dongmu Gong's throat quivered. As a mere Golden Immortal, how could he endure such saintly pressure?

Yet, in the Heavenly Court, in the Lingxiao Bao Dian!

As the most senior and second-most trusted minister of Yu Di, and as a model for all the immortals and gods, how could he shrink back, how could he fall silent now!

"That scroll clearly shows it was the disciple of the Western Teachings' saint, Xu Bodhi!"

The gaze withdrew, and Dongmu Gong's legs went weak, his body drenched in sweat, nearly collapsing; but a strong hand from the side reached out, steadying his arm and easing him back into his seat.

With a light laugh, Li Changshou stepped forward two paces, shielding Dongmu Gong.

He straightened his hunched form, his eyes gleaming with divine light, his silver hair rising strand by strand!

Though he appeared as a kind-eyed, slender old man, he captivated the immortals and gods in the Lingxiao Bao Dian. Several young generals, like Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang, felt their hearts surge with emotion, almost unable to contain themselves!

Pity that the Lingxiao Dian was filled mostly with male immortals...

"In fact, I can completely confirm that the one who disrupted the Immortal Alliance Assembly that day was indeed Xu Bodhi, disciple of the Western Teachings' saint!"

Li Changshou turned slightly toward the heavens above and bowed with his hands clasped, speaking clearly:

"Due to some reasons that aren't suitable to mention in front of Zhunti Jiaozhu, but which everyone should understand!

As the Immortal Alliance Assembly reached its critical stage, I anticipated that a major teaching—whose name can't be directly mentioned—would come to cause trouble.

Zhunti Jiaozhu, please don't rush to judgment; I mean no ill intent in suspecting the Western Teachings.

At that time, the deputy leader of Chan Teachings and current leader of the Immortal Alliance, Ran Deng Qianbei, was about to announce its official establishment, when a spirit stepped forward and mocked aloud.

For some reason, Ran Deng Qianbei gave them the chance to speak.

I thought to myself... hmm? This deputy leader of Chan Teachings seems off; isn't this deliberately throwing out a lead for that unnameable major teaching to stir up trouble?

No sooner said than done!

In my spiritual platform, strands of dao rhythm appeared—subtle and winding, obscure yet pure, as if all the profound truths of the great dao could be unraveled by it.

What do you all think happened next?"

Immediately, a high god asked, "What happened?"

Li Changshou replied at once, "It turned out to be a reminder from my teacher, the strongest saint in the world today, Taqing Sheng Ren!

My heart raced with uncertainty, my spiritual platform grew hazy, and before I could grasp those dao rhythms, five large characters formed in my mind!

This one is exactly Xu Bodhi!"

Dongmu Gong, listening from behind, couldn't help but calculate with his fingers and muttered in confusion, "Isn't that seven characters?"

"That doesn't matter," Li Changshou said casually. "The saint himself said the Heavenly Way's accusations are baseless, and since I'm a disciple of a saint, can't I say seven is five?

What kind of logic is that?"

Yu Di nearly burst out laughing; below, several heavenly generals were pinching the thighs of their neighbors to stifle their chuckles.

Zhunti Sheng Ren merely snorted coldly and closed his eyes in silence.

Li Changshou continued, "So, as soon as I saw that incarnation, I knew it was Xu Bodhi.

This came straight from my teacher, the Taqing Sheng Ren of Daoism. If Zhunti Jiaozhu thinks I'm lying, you can go to the Taqing Temple to question him.

Alas, I truly didn't expect it.

Xu Bodhi was extremely arrogant back then, seizing on the Immortal Alliance's weakness. When I asked who he was, he brazenly revealed his true form and announced his name.

At that time, tens of thousands of immortals heard it—he called himself Xu Bodhi, the most favored disciple of the Western Teachings' saint, and the senior brother of Dizang, master of the Underworld's Wheel of Reincarnation Tower."

"Enough."

Zhunti spoke again: "Xu Bodhi acted on his own and deceived the saint; my Western Teachings will give the Heavenly Court an account later."

Li Changshou stopped there, not pressing further, and bowed to Yu Di.

"Your Majesty, that's how it is. I'll return to my seat now."

Yu Di waved his hand and smiled:

"Zhunti Jiaozhu, do you have any other matters today?

Though I would like to discuss the dao with you, as you can see, the Heavenly Court is just beginning and is quite busy..."

This was essentially asking him to leave.

But Zhunti Sheng Ren said, "I came to the Heavenly Court today for another matter."

In a corner of the Yaochi Palace, Li Changshou and Yu Di exchanged a glance, both on high alert.

Logically, Li Changshou had already invoked Taqing Sheng Ren, and Zhunti had backed down, with no way to continue the challenge.

Li Changshou only needed to keep waving the banner of Taqing, and Zhunti would be grinding his face against an iron rod.

With enough effort, even an iron rod can be worn into a needle.

But now Zhunti was speaking again, claiming there was another matter...

Something was amiss; they couldn't afford to be careless.

In the Lingxiao Dian, Yu Di smiled and asked, "What other matter does Zhunti Jiaozhu have?"

Zhunti, eyes still closed, said slowly, "Your Majesty, are you aware that in ancient times, a vicious great power ruled the Blood Sea, known as Minghe Laozu?"

"Of course," Yu Di replied after a moment's thought, his expression serious. "Minghe Laozu created the Asura race in the Blood Sea, calling himself their teacher, and in ancient times, he obstructed the establishment of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, so he suffered heavenly punishment."

"Exactly, Minghe Laozu," Zhunti said, opening his eyes slightly. "Before Minghe Laozu faced heavenly punishment, he foresaw his own downfall.

This spirit achieved the dao in ancient times and was extremely cunning, wielding two swords that could kill without karmic consequences—one called Yuan Tu, the other A Bi—and possessing a supreme treasure known as the Twelve-Grade Karmic Hindrance Red Lotus.

When Minghe Laozu endured heavenly punishment, he didn't use the red lotus to block it. Instead, he struck it with a sword, scattering the karmic power of the Twelve-Grade Karmic Hindrance Red Lotus into the Blood Sea, and flung out three red lotus seeds as a means for his future rebirth.

Of these three seeds, I obtained one; the other two are unaccounted for..."

Yu Di interrupted, "Were you at the Blood Sea at that time, Zhunti Jiaozhu?"

"That seed was fated to me."

"I see," Yu Di said with a smile. "I would never think that a saint like Zhunti Jiaozhu would go to the Blood Sea to pick up something left behind.

Please continue."

Zhunti paid it no mind and went on: "A few days ago, I had a sudden intuition and took out that seed to examine it."

As he spoke, Zhunti extended his left hand from his wide robe and slowly opened it.

A shriveled, stone-like dark red lotus seed lay in his palm, still holding a faint trace of innate treasure's dao rhythm, but devoid of any vitality.

In Li Changshou's heart, the Taiji Tu's spiritual awareness conveyed: "It's indeed a seed from that red lotus, but its spiritual power has dissipated."

Zhunti continued, "My seed lost its spiritual power as a sign that one of the three seeds is about to mature.

That seed is absorbing the karmic power scattered in the Blood Sea and could reform into the Twelve-Grade Red Lotus.

Once the red lotus emerges, karmic fire will sweep through the three realms, bringing catastrophe to all living beings, and Minghe Laozu could use it to resurrect, becoming a great threat to the underworld.

I hope Your Majesty will swiftly send troops to the Blood Sea and destroy it before the red lotus fully forms."

Yu Di furrowed his brow and pondered the seed intently.

Li Changshou muttered softly beside him, "So, the reports from the underworld about the Western Teachings sending many experts to search the Blood Sea weren't for claiming the red lotus, but for upholding justice in the three realms."

"Indeed," Zhunti replied calmly, his face unchanged, "Though my Western Teachings aim to prosper the West, we also care for all beings in the world.

In this regard, the Western Teachings and the Heavenly Court can find common ground despite differences."

This was a direct hint to Yu Di.

In the original great calamity of canonization, if Zhunti gave such a hint, the weak Heavenly Court would surely follow, using the Western Teachings to alleviate the immense pressure from Daoism.

But now, the Western Teachings were already in the calamity...

Yu Di said directly, "If you truly care for all beings, why not restore those incense-worshipping divine nations to their original state?"

"That was the doing of one or two disciples under my teachings; I am investigating who acted so."

"Hmph!"

Yu Di snorted in dissatisfaction, thought for a while, and said:

"I will handle the red lotus matter with great care.

If it's true, the Heavenly Court will do everything to prevent such evil.

I also ask Zhunti Jiaozhu to lend full assistance afterward, so we can work together for the welfare of all beings."

"Of course."

Zhunti Sheng Ren smiled gently, his figure gradually fading. "Now that I've conveyed this to the Heavenly Court, I can return to Ling Mountain for cultivation.

Finally, a word of advice for the Water God.

Of those three lotus seeds back then, one fell into the hands of the Jie Teachings' saint after much twists and turns.

With the great calamity upon us, the Jie Teachings boasts ten thousand immortals, but in reality, it's full of corruption and lacks a supreme treasure to stabilize its fate, so its momentum is in peril.

Yet that red lotus can absorb endless karma, with origins like the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus, and could stabilize the teaching's fate...

Fate... fate..."

The saint's words echoed through the Lingxiao Bao Dian.

Li Changshou's mouth twitched uncontrollably...

Hadn't Zhunti been beaten enough by Tongtian Shishu last time?

Still, it had to be said—these words were an incredibly clever scheme of division.

The red lotus, the Jie Teachings, Minghe Laozu, the three seeds...

That time when the Heavenly Way hinted wildly at him, his decision to stay out of it was truly wise!

Whether Tongtian Shishu was scheming behind the scenes, hiding to obtain a red lotus for his teaching's fate out of pride;

Or if this was the Western Teachings' layered scheme, having acquired more than one seed and now using it to sow discord between the Heavenly Court and the Jie Teachings, splashing mud on them...

Either way, it wasn't suitable for Li Changshou to get involved.

One thing was clear: he needed to protect only those experts in the Jie Teachings connected to him, not the entire teaching.

—That was beyond Li Changshou's capabilities; he wouldn't attempt what even saints found difficult.

For this red lotus incident, getting tangled in it would land him in a quagmire of dilemmas. He had to stick to four principles, five requirements, six precautions, seven action guidelines...

In this situation, only one couplet could capture his resolve.

The upper line: You don't go, I don't go, someone will always go.

The lower line: Say you won't go, and you won't, even if you could.

The horizontal scroll...

Li Changshou stumbled, nearly falling onto the table in the Lingxiao Bao Dian and flipping off his rocking chair on Xiaoqiong Peak.

He looked at the enormous, profound character forming in his heart, filled with boundless dao rhythm, and his overwhelming emotion turned into a gentle smile.

Ah, for the sake of justice.

"Changgeng, do you think the red lotus matter is true or false?"

In that corner of the palace, Qin Tianzhu asked via voice transmission, "Zhunti Sheng Ren bringing this up out of nowhere—could it be that the Western Teachings couldn't find the red lotus and wants to use us?"

Li Changshou, looking dejected, sighed softly: "Who knows? The Great Wilderness is full of schemes; from ancient times to now, countless plots have unfolded.

Under the radiance of the Sun Star, there's nothing new."

Yu Di's incarnation pondered carefully and said firmly: "My dear minister, that's a fine analogy. I'll leave this red lotus matter entirely to you!"

Li Changshou: ...

"Your Majesty, in this matter, I'm like the filling in a meat pie. How about the Heavenly Court officially assigns another high god, and I assist from the shadows?"

Yu Di's incarnation laughed: "Are you worried about how to explain it to the Jie Teachings?"

"It's not about explaining," Li Changshou pondered and replied via transmission, "What concerns me most is that if this blows up, the Jie Teachings might not bother to clarify.

The Jie Teachings, from top to bottom, has an inherent pride and looks down on the Western Teachings. If the Western Teachings spreads rumors, the Jie Teachings might not even defend itself... then the Chan Teachings could seize the opportunity to strike.

In the great calamity, everyone is just trying to survive.

Though Daoism is one family, over the past tens of thousands of years, with some deliberate efforts, a rift has grown between the Chan and Jie Teachings. We must guard against this.

Your Majesty, before we shatter most of the Western Teachings' foundations and strength, it's best if the Chan and Jie Teachings don't go to war."

Yu Di's incarnation said gravely: "You're right... It's rare for you not to side entirely with the Jie Teachings."

Li Changshou smiled bitterly: "Your Majesty, aside from my Heavenly Court role, I'm first a disciple of Ren Teachings, and then of Daoism."

"Then as you suggest; I'll take the lead with this incarnation!"

"Your Majesty, do you have other incarnations left?"

Qin Tianzhu asked in confusion: "Of course. Has this one been exposed?"

"It should have been exposed for quite a while..."

Qin Tianzhu coughed: "Ahem, then let's officially assign it to... General Wei Shenmo!"

Li Changshou felt a wave of relief in his heart.

Good thing Yu Di's fourth incarnation wasn't named Wei Zhentian; otherwise, Li Changshou might have suspected something was wrong with Yu Di...

How to handle this?

Play it safe.

Secretly summon the Grand Mage back and gather the Ren Teachings' mount team to always maintain enough strength to mediate and deter the three teachings in the calamity!

This was the plan.