Chapter 510: Visiting the Sanqing Small Courtyard, Guarding the Fairy's Sleeping Face

Originally, he was supposed to return in half a day, but now over half a month had passed!

However, for such a major issue as the peace among the three teachings, it was reasonable for the Saint to take over half a month to think it through carefully…

Although he did have some doubts about whether his own Saint was just a bit slow to react, he didn't dare to mention it or ask about it.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, rode a cloud out of the Heavenly Court, and swiftly headed toward Kunlun Mountain.

Since he was going to seek an audience with the Saint, Li Changshou didn't hide his true form; he simply transformed into the appearance of the Water God.

As he arrived at Kunlun Mountain on his cloud, Li Changshou thought for a moment and decided against visiting Du E Zhenren on the way.

Earlier, he had used a paper effigy to check the Zheng De Stele in the Heavenly Court and saw that the matter of the red lotus had spread quickly throughout the Three Realms, largely due to someone who couldn't keep it secret.

But as a disciple of Du Xian Men himself, going to admonish the ancestral master of Du Xian Men would truly be a bit… Improper.

Better to ask his senior brother to make the trip later and properly explain to Du E Zhenren the dangers of spreading rumors.

By now, eighteen days had passed, and Li Changshou figured that the eight top experts of Daoism should have awakened from their dreams. They might have already left the Underworld or be guarding the red lotus.

—To preserve the majestic image of his senior brothers and sisters in his mind, Li Changshou hadn't used the paper effigy he left with Bai Ze to check their embarrassing state after waking.

As he traveled to the serene place shrouded in colorful mists, he heard the voices of immortals from the front mountain.

Suddenly, a few clear cries rang out, and a white crane flew from the hazy silhouette of Yu Xu Gong, transforming in mid-air into a handsome young attendant, who bowed from afar to Li Changshou.

“Chang Geng Shishu, the master instructed me to bring you directly to the back mountain.”

This was precisely the disciple of Nan Ji Xianweng and the grand-disciple of Yuan Shi Tianzun—Bai He Tongzi, the senior brother among the third-generation disciples of Chan Jiao, including Yang Jian and future Nezha.

Li Changshou returned the bow, rode his cloud forward, and politely declined Bai He Tongzi's offer to carry him as a crane. Instead, they flew together on the clouds.

Li Changshou smiled and asked, “Has Guang Chengzi Shixiong returned?”

“In reply to Shishu, Guang Chengzi Shixiong returned the day before yesterday,” Bai He Tongzi answered quickly.

The day before yesterday…

Li Changshou asked again, “Did Guang Chengzi Shixiong mention anything about the red lotus?”

The attendant replied, “Shishu reported to the master that the twelve-grade karma red lotus is being kept by Chang Geng Shixiong and suppressed by the Tai Ji Tu, and it's very stable.”

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou nodded slightly, pondering deeply in his heart.

Before he knew it, they had flown deep into the clouds, and when he came to his senses, he found himself in a secret realm.

Looking around, the scene was like fresh rain on an empty mountain—pleasant and inviting. The distant mountains were a deep indigo, the nearby ones a soft green, with clouds rising and mist falling, birds chirping in return, abundant spiritual energy, and the Great Dao flourishing.

Although the Great Wilderness had many cave heavens and blessed lands, this place was undoubtedly the most elegant and refined.

After all, it once housed three Saints.

In the distance, about a few hundred zhang away, surrounded by clusters of spiritual trees, there were a few thatched huts and a simple fence forming a courtyard.

In the courtyard, that precious pond had once been where Huang Long Zhenren, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Jiao, was “observed”;

Under the tree by the pond, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi had once meditated there, though he soon moved to his current Tai Qing Guan.

And in the corner of the fence, that small earthen hole seemed to echo the shadow of Duo Bao Dao Ren's “Qian Kun Digging” divine ability today…

The Three Purities Courtyard.

Li Changshou called out silently in his heart to “Tower Lord,” but the response was a grumpy complaint:

“What's up? You didn't call for me when Jin Dou was around, but now that you're unsure, you remember to shout!

Does shouting help?

Your own shishu isn't going to hit you for no reason, is he?”

Li Changshou apologized repeatedly in his heart, followed Bai He Tongzi to the front of the courtyard, and bowed toward the gate.

Bai He Tongzi called out, “Master, Chang Geng Shishu has arrived.”

A light laugh came from the courtyard, the wooden gate creaked open, and Bai He Tongzi gestured for him to enter. Li Changshou stepped inside with a hint of nervousness.

As he crossed the threshold, the scenery changed on its own.

In front of the tree, an extra bamboo chair appeared, on which sat the middle-aged Daoist he had met once before.

Li Changshou didn't dare to gaze directly at the Saint's face; he only carefully sensed the Saint's Dao rhythm.

The Dao rhythm of Yu Qing Saint was pure and ethereal, yet it concealed a sense of order, as if all things in the world were inherently well-arranged, and within that order lay freedom and ease.

Li Changshou quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying clearly, “Disciple Chang Geng pays respects to Shishu.”

“Sit.”

Yuan Shi Tianzun waved his hand gently, and a meditation cushion formed beside him.

Chan Jiao emphasized propriety, so Li Changshou followed local customs. As he had learned in Du Xian Men, he first expressed his thanks, slightly lifted the hem of his Dao robe, circled around from the side and back to the cushion, stepped forward with his right leg and extended his left, slowly sitting down with his hands on his knees.

The key was for the front and back of the Dao robe to unfold like a lotus flower, with his hips centered precisely on the cushion—not leaning left or right—for a pure and upright posture.

The smile at the corners of Yuan Shi Tianzun's mouth grew a bit thicker as he said, “Am I really that intimidating to you?”

Li Changshou hurried to reply, “In front of Shishu, disciple dare not be discourteous.”

Yuan Shi Tianzun shook his head with a smile, and the courtyard gate slowly closed, with no other Saint's disciples around.

The master of Chan Jiao spoke warmly, “Give the red lotus to your third shishu. Remember to erase the remnant soul of Ming He Lao Zu. Today, I'll talk to you about other matters.”

Li Changshou was genuinely surprised at first, then inwardly impressed.

Earlier, he had waited eighteen days at Tai Qing Guan and only received a single phrase from his own Saint: “Follow your heart.”

Li Changshou had been puzzled by those four words, unsure of his teacher's intent, and could only interpret it as his teacher wanting him to come and explain things himself.

Along the way, he had prepared five or six explanations to prove that he wasn't favoring Jie Jiao.

But unexpectedly, in front of Yuan Shi Tianzun, none of that was needed.

Surprised as he was, Li Changshou immediately said, “Disciple listens to Shishu's guidance.”

“It's not guidance; just a casual chat.”

Yuan Shi Tianzun continued warmly, “I have many disciples, but few who are adaptable like you—you're quite good.

Chang Geng, what do you think are the flaws of Jie Jiao?”

This…

How could he dare answer that? Was he supposed to say that Jie Jiao was full of creatures with scales and armor?

Saying that in front of Yuan Shi Tianzun would certainly earn the Saint's favor, but wouldn't that make him two-faced? How could he face Yun Xiao then?

Li Changshou responded quickly, saying seriously, “What disciple sees might be one-sided; please don't blame me, Shishu.

In disciple's view, the flaw of Jie Jiao lies in having too many disciples, spreading too wide, and mixing in many vicious creatures, which drags down their luck.

Jie Jiao originally lacked treasures to suppress their teaching's fortune, and the current situation is even more concerning.”

Yuan Shi Tianzun said, “What you see is indeed correct. What I worry about most is that Jie Jiao will drag itself down.”

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou suddenly understood something.

In Yuan Shi Tianzun's eyes, Tong Tian Jiaozhu was Tong Tian Jiaozhu, and Jie Jiao was Jie Jiao;

He disapproved of most of Jie Jiao's disciples, but he still had deep affection for Tong Tian Jiaozhu.

Sure enough, Yuan Shi Tianzun spoke earnestly, “If that red lotus can truly help your third shishu suppress their teaching's fortune, that's a good thing, but you should also advise him not to use it to protect those with poor character.

Now that the great calamity has descended, my disciples and his disciples entering the calamity together might be a chance to clean house.”

Li Changshou nodded repeatedly, bowed his head, and said, “Disciple has noted Er Shishu's teachings.”

Yuan Shi Tianzun gazed at the dense canopy above and continued to speak softly to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou listened intently, carefully considering his responses to keep them as steady as possible and avoid displeasing the Saint.

He truly felt that Yuan Shi Tianzun was deeply concerned for Tong Tian Jiaozhu but disapproving of most of Jie Jiao's disciples.

—The fundamental conflict between Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao, aside from the great calamity requiring enough calamity ash, lay right here.

This was likely the underlying reason why, from ancient times onward, immortals like Guang Chengzi from Chan Jiao had actively kept their distance from Jie Jiao immortals and even clashed with them.

Of course, schemers like Ran Deng had also played a significant role in stirring things up.

Should he ask Yuan Shi Tianzun about his view of Ran Deng?

Li Changshou quickly dismissed the idea and silently recited the Steadiness Sutra several times.

As a disciple of Ren Jiao, how could he interfere in Chan Jiao's affairs?

After all, no one knew if Ran Deng was Yuan Shi Tianzun's pawn or had other plans.

Li Changshou stayed in the Three Friends Courtyard for half a shichen, mostly listening to Yuan Shi Tianzun speak about how Tong Tian Jiaozhu's way of accepting disciples was too casual and inappropriate.

In summary: He just won't do!

These three Saint masters truly had different temperaments.

Yuan Shi Tianzun seemed carefree but was actually concerned about everything, even wanting to arrange for Tong Tian Jiaozhu to reorganize Jie Jiao.

Tong Tian Jiaozhu was free and unrestrained, caring little about things and full of spirit, intent on intercepting a ray of life for all beings from the heavens.

His own master was the most impressive—pursuing pure inaction, never leaving home if possible, and never doing anything himself that he could assign to a disciple, even phrasing tasks with a simple “go”…

The rest was up to the disciple to figure out.

Without going to Yu Xu Gong, Li Changshou rode his cloud straight away from Kunlun Mountain, then used the Wind Escape technique to transform into a streak of green light, quietly crossing the realms;

He hurried back to the Eastern Sea Divine Pillar, dove downward into the Underworld.

Next, he needed to deliver the red lotus to Bi You Palace and subtly convey Yuan Shi Tianzun's opinions to Tong Tian Jiaozhu.

If the two Saints could shake hands and make peace, the great calamity of Daoism could be resolved by half.

Unfortunately, Li Changshou could already foresee that Tong Tian Jiaozhu probably wouldn't take Yuan Shi Tianzun's advice to heart…

Passing by Feng Du City, he noticed that the Heavenly Court and the Underworld had both withdrawn their troops from the Blood Sea, and the Underworld had returned to its usual tranquility.

Li Changshou secretly glanced at those three “rising stars” and saw them diligently reciting scriptures to dispel the resentment of the souls, nodding in satisfaction.

Looking at Ao Yi's current realm, he was not far from the Golden Immortal level. Later, he could give him a few decades off to return to the Dragon Palace for advanced training, activate his Dragon King bloodline, and enter the Golden Immortal realm with minimal risk.

To be safe, he'd prepare a Nine-Turn Golden Pill for him—after all, he was his good brother!

Bian Zhuang was also not far from the Golden Immortal level. Continuing his cultivation, he would surely become a pillar of the Heavenly Court; it's just that… he couldn't be sent to eliminate female demons or fight female demon kings.

As for Ling Zhu Zi, no need to say more—with great destiny upon him, he should soon pull ahead of Bian Zhuang.

Now, Ling Zhu Zi had learned Wu Clan battle techniques and could hold his own in close combat with Ao Yi…

Thinking of this, Li Changshou couldn't help but feel various doubts.

In the original Feng Shen calamity, Ao Yi's third brother, Ao Bing, was to be beaten to death by Ling Zhu Zi's reincarnation as little Nezha and sent to the Feng Shen List…

Although he now had the power to prevent such a tragedy, the future was truly hard to predict; from his master's incident, he could see that the binding force of the Heavenly Dao was not to be underestimated.

Better to find a way to keep Ao Yi and Ling Zhu Zi from getting too close, to spare Ao Yi the inner torment later.

To play it safe, he'd take Ling Zhu Zi back to the Heavenly Court soon, let him play more with the little jade rabbit, and have less contact with Ke Le Er.

“Hmm, doing well.”

Li Changshou left a light laugh near the ears of those three, then headed toward the Blood Sea.

Ao Yi, Bian Zhuang, and Ling Zhu Zi stopped their recitation, turned their heads to look around, but didn't spot Li Changshou's trace.

Bian Zhuang couldn't help but shiver: “Is the Water God Daren just trying to scare us?”

Ling Zhu Zi laughed: “Shishu was probably passing by and glanced at us. Good thing we didn't listen to Deputy Commander Bian and slack off here, or we'd definitely be punished by Shishu.”

Ao Yi said warmly: “The teachermain brother is actually very gentle; even if he says he'll punish, it's just words.”

Bian Zhuang sighed: “That's only for you, Yi Yi.”

“Ha!”

Ling Zhu Zi was amused by that nickname—his own master's Dao title also had “Yi” in it.

Ao Yi's forehead vein bulged as he scolded: “Who told you to be so frivolous, falling for every fairy you see—talking about fairies from Yao Pond on your lips and Chang E from the Moon Palace in your heart!

If you keep this up, you'll eventually be dealt with by the Heavenly Rules, and your face will be turned into something ugly that everyone fears!”

Bian Zhuang chuckled: “Don't worry, don't worry—which Heavenly Rule says we can't like fairies?

As long as I respect propriety and don't offend them, can't I just appreciate from afar?”

Ling Zhu Zi recalled the three strategies for making friends that he learned from the ox-head and horse-face spirits, and sighed: “The deep bond between you two deputy commanders is truly enviable.”

Ao Yi curled his lips: “If it weren't for the teachermain brother's instructions to keep an eye on him, who would bother with him?”

“That's right, we're the best deputy commanders of the Tian He Water Army, the Water God Daren's most trusted right and left arms!”

Bian Zhuang tried to drape his arm over Ao Yi's shoulder, but was kicked away by Ao Yi.

Then, Bian Zhuang's eyes twinkled as he laughed: “How about today, us three brothers do like mortals and swear brotherhood? What do you say?”

Ao Yi flicked his sleeve but didn't refuse.

Ling Zhu Zi, eager to make more friends, clapped and cheered.

So, just as Li Changshou arrived deep in the Blood Sea, this dragon, this man, and this Ling Zhu Zi, under the witness of the surrounding slumbering resentful souls, bowed three times to the heavens and earth.

Another bond formed!

On the other side, Li Changshou secretly arrived at the ancient Shura city and found that it was empty of figures.

The golden-winged great peng bird was circling slowly on the outskirts as a guard;

Duo Bao Dao Ren, Zhao Gongming, and Bai Ze had set up a small table on the city wall, sitting on three sides, each holding a handful of cards made from the original pulp of Li Changshou's paper effigies, deeply engaged in their game.

The red lotus floated nearby, enveloped by the Dao rhythms of Duo Bao Dao Ren and the Tai Ji Tu.

The team of top Daoist experts who had come together earlier had already disbanded on the spot not long ago.

Tai Yi Zhenren of Jie Jiao and Yu Ding Zhenren followed Guang Chengzi in leaving, while the three Holy Mothers of Jie Jiao felt too embarrassed and withdrew with Qiong Xiao first.

After all, they had come confidently to seize the red lotus, only to be knocked out upon entering the city and sleep for three to twelve days on the spot—it was truly a bit…

Loss of face for immortals.

As soon as Li Changshou appeared by the small table, Duo Bao Dao Ren, Zhao Gongming, and Bai Ze stood up to greet him, asking about the results.

He couldn't repeat what Yuan Shi Tianzun had said directly to the Jie Jiao immortals;

Li Changshou simply said that he had obtained approval from his teacher and second shishu to hand the red lotus over to Jie Jiao for handling, with the condition that the remnant soul of Ming He Lao Zu must be erased.

Shattering that remnant soul would certainly affect the red lotus's power;

But Duo Bao Dao Ren and Zhao Gongming were reasonable people, knowing this was the result of Li Changshou's efforts over the past half month, and the request was fair…

Although Li Changshou felt he had only run some errands and hadn't helped much, Duo Bao Dao Ren was still extremely grateful.

After a few lighthearted exchanges and some playful banter, Li Changshou learned about the events of the past half month.

The green ox left with Tie Shan, saying it was to accompany her for some relaxation.

In reality, the old ox had followed her on his own, and the girl hadn't directly refused.

Among the eight sleeping immortals of Daoism, Guang Chengzi of Chan Jiao woke up first, followed by Duo Bao Dao Ren and Jin Ling Shengmu; they had only dreamed for three days, while the other immortals slept for five or seven days.

Da Fa Shi didn't know if it was intentional or just taking the opportunity for a nap, but he slept for twelve days before yawning and sitting up, saying a few absurd things:

“Dream? What dream?

I just suddenly felt sleepy… It seems I dreamed of being sleepy and slept within the dream.

That was a really comfortable sleep. Has the matter been resolved by Chang Geng?”

Li Changshou: …

Fortunately, Da Fa Shi slipped away after waking, or else he'd have to complain about it!

But here and now, there was still one person who hadn't woken up…

Li Changshou walked to the broken wall and looked down, his brows furrowing slightly.

Bai Ze whispered beside him, “Water God, should we wake the fairy?”

“No need,” Li Changshou said warmly. “I'll wait here a few more days. You two shixiong can go ahead and present the red lotus to third shishu.”

Duo Bao Dao Ren and Zhao Gongming exchanged glances and smiled.

Duo Bao Dao Ren said, “No problem, we'll wait here for Yun Xiao Shimei. We'll all go to Bi You Palace together; I won't take credit for the red lotus—that's yours.”

“In that case, alright.”

Li Changshou agreed, and Zhao Gongming called Bai Ze and Duo Bao Dao Ren back to their game;

The golden-winged great peng bird was about to step forward to pay respects, but seeing Li Changshou's figure descend from the broken wall to the side of the sleeping fairy, it wisely bowed and continued patrolling.

The shadow of the Tai Ji Tu shrank significantly, forming a one-zhang diameter and covering Li Changshou and Yun Xiao above.

Was she trapped in the dream?

Li Changshou frowned slightly and sensed carefully, finding that the mirage energy had dissipated, but she still didn't want to wake from the dream.

She must have had a peaceful, comforting dream.

Looking at the fairy before him, she leaned against the wall, her black hair like a waterfall, her immortal robes like clouds. Her usually cool face was now relaxed, showing only softness and beauty.

If one compared a woman's appearance to poetry, with features as verses and proportions as rhythm, then Yun Xiao's was an eternal masterpiece.

A slight smile played at her lips, her long lashes gently closed, as if she had lingered too long in the clouds and was resting here for a while.

Li Changshou chuckled inwardly, walked to the side where her body was slightly tilted, and sat down against the wall, waiting quietly.

Time slipped by unnoticed, day and night blending together.

A month later, the fairy's lashes trembled slightly. Li Changshou looked down and caught the fleeting loss in her somewhat dazed eyes.

“What did you dream about?” Li Changshou asked with a smile.

Yun Xiao's lips curved up slightly, a faint blush quickly crossing her cheeks, her gaze turning away, not meeting his.

Li Changshou: …

Still not admitting it? He had heard it clearly— in her sleep-talk, she had murmured his name.

And even knelt down.