Chapter 539: The Truth, Only One

Under the clear sky and bright sun, the winds over the South Sea were quite boisterous.

On the immortal cloud drifting from east to west, Zhao Gongming focused his immortal sense on Anshui City, deliberately slowing their pace as he asked softly:

"Second sister, why must we go to the Hai Shen Temple? Wouldn't it be better to head straight to Changgeng's residence?"

"Now that he is under intense scrutiny, every word and action from us could put him in a difficult position."

Yunxiao said gently: "Let's meet him at the Hai Shen Temple. If he agrees to this matter, then we can go together to rendezvous in the heavens."

"True, but..."

Zhao Gongming glanced back at the void behind them, as if seeing the spatial rift created by Duobao, and sighed with a bitter smile: "What a mess this has all become."

Yunxiao pursed her lips slightly, at a loss for words, then suddenly frowned lightly and looked toward the western sky.

There, a white cloud carried three figures, chatting and laughing as they headed toward a mortal city on the distant South Sea coast...

It seemed the other side had also noticed Yunxiao and Zhao Gongming's figures. With no one hiding, their conversation stopped abruptly, and the two groups faced each other across the distance.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

Yunxiao, the immortal maiden, lightly waved her plain cloud sleeves, and a veil of white cloud concealed her form, displaying the composure of the Hai Shen Temple's mistress.

The three immortals from Chan Jiao exchanged glances, each showing some hesitation. Taiyi Zhenren shrugged and took the lead, riding his cloud toward the Hai Shen Temple in Anshui City.

As they entered the area within three hundred li of Anshui City, Li Changshou's paper effigy was immediately alerted.

He was in the midst of lecturing under a tree when he turned to look at Ling E, seeing her surrounded by blooming green lotuses, her face serene like a child in peaceful sleep, blending innocence with tranquility.

This was good.

'With her current level of cultivation, let her digest it first.'

Li Changshou chuckled lightly, closed his eyes, and shifted his mind back to the paper effigy vault beneath Anshui City. He selected a paper effigy with the appearance of a late Tianxian realm youth and headed to the back hall to wait.

After Zixiao Palace, Li Changshou had subconsciously started choosing younger paper effigies and using faces completely different from his true self.

This was to deliberately confuse perceptions and obscure the real face he had shown that day, creating an effect of blending truth and illusion.

Before Taiyi Zhenren even appeared, his clear and smooth voice rang out: "Where is the one designated by the Dao Ancestor as the key figure in the great calamity?"

Li Changshou tucked his hands into his sleeves and walked to the back hall door, smiling as he replied: "Is Senior Brother out for a stroll that brought you to my humble temple?"

"Not at all."

Taiyi Zhenren materialized from the air, dressed in red robes and strolling down with his hands behind his back, laughing: "I'm here on behalf of my senior brother, just to get familiar with the place."

Li Changshou couldn't help but be amused.

Taiyi Zhenren was truly straightforward, saying everything outright.

Yuding and Huanglong descended from behind. Huanglong Zhenren followed the ancient traditions of the Honghuang, bursting into laughter to mask any awkwardness, while Yuding spoke directly:

"I just saw Yunxiao Shijie seemed to be here too."

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow and looked around, spotting Yunxiao's figure emerging on the seaside about a hundred li away, approaching on a cloud with Zhao Gongming.

Indeed, the senior brothers from both sects had made their moves...

Seeing Yunxiao at that moment, Li Changshou felt a slight disappointment in his heart, but he understood her difficulties and gently set aside that feeling.

So, he waited a moment until Yunxiao and Zhao Gongming arrived, then invited both sides inside, seating them on the left and right in the back hall.

Li Changshou sat in the central host seat and arranged for divine attendants to serve tea. His gaze wandered to the side, meeting Yunxiao's eyes.

Seeing the faint apology in her eyes, like polished jade, Li Changshou's earlier frustration completely dissolved, and his mind was unwittingly drawn to her face.

The immortal maiden was like poetry in the clouds, always stunningly beautiful in the most unexpected ways.

Yunxiao's attire today seemed especially thoughtful—a long skirt that appeared plain white at first glance, but upon closer inspection, was embroidered with subtle patterns of shore herbs and water orchids, perfectly hugging her figure. It enhanced her natural grace without being overly seductive.

Her hair was elegantly tied in a cloud chignon, with jade hairpins glowing with immortal light, and two flowing cloud ribbons woven into her dark locks, exuding an effortless spirit and elegance.

'She must have her own challenges too.'

"Cough! Cough!"

A coughing sound came from the side. Li Changshou turned to see Taiyi Zhenren, the instigator, looking up at the shadowy Taiji diagram on the back hall ceiling.

"The beauty of wind and autumn moon is endless, but you can admire it in private to your heart's content."

Yunxiao frowned slightly and glanced over, making Taiyi Zhenren shudder involuntarily.

Li Changshou laughed: "Senior Brother Taiyi has quite the knowledge of poetry?"

"Just a bit, just a bit," Taiyi Zhenren straightened up and cleared his throat. "So, what should we chat about?"

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and chuckled: "With the great calamity just decided at Zixiao Palace, we should naturally discuss that."

Yuding Zhenren said: "It seems the saints didn't part on good terms at Zixiao Palace."

"We can't say they didn't part on good terms," Li Changshou said slowly, "it's just that their opinions weren't unified, and no one wanted to back down."

Pausing for a moment, Li Changshou sighed lightly and smiled: "Both senior uncles are worried about their disciples, and that's perfectly understandable.

In my view, although this great calamity will weaken the Dao School to strengthen the Heavenly Court, how it's weakened is something that can be carefully managed."

Huanglong Zhenren's eyes lit up as he asked eagerly: "Does Changgeng have a good strategy to resolve this calamity?"

"Not really," Li Changshou said with a regretful expression. "After the teacher and the two senior uncles left, the grandmaster kept me at Zixiao Palace and explained the details of this great calamity to me.

The calamity is destined to occur, and the power of living beings in the world must be reduced; otherwise, it will trigger even greater disasters later.

For this Feng Shen calamity, the entry of Western Jiao, Chan Jiao, and Jie Jiao is unavoidable. The three schools and their affiliated immortal forces will suffer losses.

But there's a fixed total for these losses. As long as we reduce the power of living beings to a safe level, we can indefinitely delay the arrival of the true calamity."

Yuding Zhenren said gravely: "The true calamity you're referring to is the Nine Filthy Springs?"

"That's right," Li Changshou nodded. "The situation is more serious than we thought. The karmic burdens of living beings and the burdens on heaven and earth—if they reach the point where only one can survive—that would be the greatest calamity."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and sighed: "What a great calamity."

"Ah," Huanglong Zhenren sighed too, "who knows if there will come a day when I have to fight against you, Brother Gongming."

"Why not actively avoid battle?"

Zhao Gongming said: "If we both have to enter the calamity, how many from our two schools could escape it? In that case, the casualties would be incalculable."

"Indeed," Huanglong Zhenren pondered.

Taiyi Zhenren laughed: "We don't need to be too pessimistic—after all, we have Changgeng here."

Li Changshou: ...

Was this flattery?

No, this great yin-yang master still didn't fully grasp the power of the great calamity.

Li Changshou continued: "I can't do much; I can only try my best within my capabilities to protect the disciples cherished by the two senior uncles.

I'll give you all some inside information: even the grandmaster can't stop the great calamity from coming."

The group suddenly looked more serious.

Yunxiao asked softly: "Was the Feng Shen List signed in the end?"

"No," Li Changshou shook his head. "It's still blank. Once you're on it, you're entangled in calamity. The two senior uncles naturally don't want to sign it.

The two saints from Western Jiao wanted to sign, but His Majesty the Jade Emperor stopped them.

After all, Western Jiao is at odds with the Heavenly Court everywhere, and the Jade Emperor doesn't want subordinates who only scheme and fight among themselves."

This hint was quite obvious.

Taiyi Zhenren muttered: "If we pledge to the Heavenly Court first, couldn't we avoid the Feng Shen List?"

As soon as he said this, the Dao School experts fell into thought again, and gazes turned to Li Changshou.

Zhao Gongming sighed: "Little brother, you're truly... deeply scheming and far-sighted, with no oversights."

Li Changshou smiled calmly, saying nothing more.

He couldn't very well say that he'd been worrying about the Feng Shen calamity since he started cultivating just a few years ago—even to Yunxiao and Ling E, he couldn't say it outright.

It wasn't about hiding his origins—since he'd been recognized by the Heavenly Dao—it was just that he didn't want them to feel uneasy.

Taiyi Zhenren's mouth twitched slightly: "No one really thinks our grandmaster couldn't foresee this calamity, right? No way?"

The Taiji diagram on the beam trembled suddenly, and Taiyi Zhenren froze, his body tense and unmoving.

Li Changshou smiled faintly and steered the conversation back to how to avoid the great calamity.

Taiyi Zhenren's mouth was truly a potential source of Dao School bloodshed.

Later, he'd visit Doushuai Palace and ask Laojun to refine a few more "seal-the-mouth pills," specifically for Taiyi's type.

After chatting for half a day, the three Chan Jiao immortals took their leave, and Zhao Gongming also excused himself.

Seeing Yunxiao seemed hesitant to speak, Li Changshou took the initiative: "Could you stay a bit longer? The grandmaster has placed this heavy burden on me, and I've been under a lot of pressure lately."

Yunxiao nodded gently, her gaze affectionate.

Once Zhao Gongming left, Li Changshou winked at Yunxiao and pointed downward. She responded with a helpless "hmm."

So, Li Changshou suggested they take a walk in the mortal city, and Yunxiao agreed. They left the Hai Shen Temple and stepped into the bustling streets.

Wandering past a few alleys and by teahouses and taverns, Li Changshou kept the conversation going, while Yunxiao listened quietly, occasionally admiring the works of skilled mortal craftsmen.

Until a gentle breeze blew by, their figures suddenly turned into mist at an alley entrance and vanished. The several Jie Jiao senior disciples who had been tailing them in an earth burrow exchanged puzzled looks.

Duobao Daoist wondered: "Was that illusion just now done by Yunxiao Shimei? It's truly masterful."

"From the Dao rhythm, it wasn't Sister," Qiongxiao muttered. "We've been watching for so long, Senior Brother, you should feel at ease. Can't you let Sister and her husband have some time alone?"

"Exactly!"

Bixiao said: "Senior Brother, are you distrustful of our sister or of our brother-in-law?"

Jinling Shengmu added: "Following them like this isn't proper. Let's go back—Yunxiao Shimei can handle this herself."

"No, it's not that," Duobao Daoist said with a mix of laughter and exasperation.

Weren't you three the ones who insisted on catching up earlier?

Qiongxiao and Bixiao were always mischievous, but even the upright Jinling Shimei was joining in!

"Ah, fine," Duobao Daoist waved his hand. "Let's head back to the island and think about how to restrain our fellow disciples and avoid the great calamity.

Sigh, who knows how many will die this time. We used to watch the Witch-Demon War with excitement, and now it's our turn."

Qiongxiao laughed: "Senior Brother, don't worry. Aside from anything else, how many of Chan Jiao's senior brothers and junior brothers can stand against us?"

"That's true, but we still can't let our guard down. The great calamity is no joke," Duobao sighed softly, guiding the earth burrow away.

On the South Sea coast, in a secluded beach area, two figures walked side by side under the shade of trees. Yunxiao mentioned the treasures in the Chaos Sea, and Li Changshou fell into deep thought.

What was Tongtian Shishu thinking?

Why ask him to leave the Honghuang temporarily?

Was it to win him over with treasures?

Did that even need winning over? He was already leaning toward Jie Jiao, and even if they tried, he wouldn't dare alter the great calamity.

Tongtian Shishu must have deeper intentions. It couldn't be just to arrange a trip with Yunxiao to build their relationship—or even less likely, to give them a chance to... well, that was impossible.

Tongtian wasn't that forward!

The truth was clear: Jie Jiao must be planning something big and wanted him to stay out of it!

So, what exactly was Tongtian Shishu planning?

Had they changed tactics? With Jie Jiao at its peak, gathering disciples and wielding the Zhu Xian Four Swords, were they going to charge straight to Ling Shan and pressure Yu Xu, regardless?

Hiss—

That was entirely possible.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, about to ask for more details, when he noticed Yunxiao's cheeks flushing with a hint of anticipation, her lips parting and closing nervously. He couldn't help but look at her more.

Yunxiao turned her gaze aside and said softly: "Why are you looking at me like that? You haven't said if you'll go."

"Well..."

A faint breeze brushed his face, and his Dao heart stirred with a trace of Taiqing Dao rhythm, making his spiritual platform tremble and his primordial spirit quiver, as if a large word was about to form...

"I'll go, of course I'll go!"

Li Changshou quickly spoke up, and the Taiqing Dao rhythm in his heart receded like a tide.

Yunxiao blinked lightly and asked quietly: "Really?"

"Really!"

Li Changshou laughed: "Let's each make some preparations. The Chaos Sea is full of dangers, so we mustn't fall into any traps.

How about we set a date—half a month from now, meet at Tianya Haijiao in the East Sea?"

"Alright."

Yunxiao bit her lip lightly and whispered: "What kind of clothes or hair ornaments would you like to see me in?"

Li Changshou replied smoothly: "Naturally, every kind."

Such a standard answer, a classic approach.

"You flirt," Yunxiao chided lightly before turning into a wisp of cloud and vanishing quickly, leaving Li Changshou's paper effigy scratching his head and chuckling foolishly.

The paper effigy burrowed into the earth and returned to the vault beneath Anshui City.

Li Changshou's true self opened his eyes by the spiritual lake on Xiaoqiong Peak, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

There were two major issues here.

First, what exactly was Jie Jiao's big plan?

Second, how to ensure safety in the Chaos Sea?

His teacher had just given implicit approval for this trip, indicating that the treasure would benefit him, and that he should accept Jie Jiao's scheme for now.

Could he just ignore Jie Jiao and temporarily withdraw?

Li Changshou sank into contemplation. Just as he was about to go to the secret chamber to pay respects to his teacher's portrait, he noticed a slight disturbance on the lake surface. The Xuanhuang Pagoda, the true Qiankun Ruler, slowly rose from the water.

Since his teacher hadn't given him the Taiji Diagram, it meant his path ahead shouldn't have too many troubles.

The Chaos Sea was dangerous, but the areas near the Honghuang were stabilized by its influence and the deterrence of the six saints, keeping powerful divine demons at bay.

Yunxiao's Dao realm was profoundly deep, and he had recently made some breakthroughs. Together, even if they encountered a fierce creature like Kunpeng, the Xuanhuang Pagoda would protect them for a safe retreat.

Still, it wasn't entirely secure.

Li Changshou quickly decided. He glanced at Ling E, who was cultivating nearby, and was about to wake her when the lake surface rippled again, and the Lidi Flame Banner emerged, wrapping around Ling E directly.

Thank you, teacher!

Li Changshou closed his eyes and began directing his paper effigies to various places.

First, he went to ask the Jade Emperor for leave, explaining that he wanted to explore the Chaos Sea for treasures during the calm before the great calamity.

The Jade Emperor had no objections and even advised Li Changshou to prepare thoroughly, as the Chaos Sea was full of uncertainties and risks.

Things like Qiankun shocks, heavenly remnants, innate divine demon descendants...

Li Changshou nodded solemnly, prioritizing safety for this trip.

Outside the heavens, divine authority was meaningless; beyond the Heavenly Dao's reach, merits and luck lost their effect.

Everything relied on personal strength!

So, Li Changshou prepared hundreds of bottles of spiritual pills, using up nearly eighty percent of his stock!

He also brought along various gadgets he'd invented, leaving no trump card behind.

He retrieved the newly refined Xiaolushen Spear from Laojun at Doushuai Palace, which had reached a whole new level, and along the way, asked Laojun to refine armor for Lingli, a divine spear for Yang Jian, and seal-the-mouth pills for Taiyi Zhenren.

Glancing at the stone fragment from Hongjun Daozu, Li Changshou tucked it away with him.

It contained the method for severing the three corpses, but he was still a few steps short of using it.

After thinking it through, Li Changshou decided to bring the remaining six drops of Ancestral Witch essence blood.

—Earlier, he'd given one drop of Gonggong's essence to Yang Jian, half a drop of Houtu's to Lingli, and fused one drop of Gonggong's and half a drop of Houtu's into himself, making his Dao body slightly stronger.

And the most crucial part was...

Half a month later, at Tianya Haijiao.

Yunxiao, who had carefully prepared herself, hid within a thin mist.

She had never spent nearly half a month on anything outside of cultivation before. Though her Dao body was flawless, she had specially bathed in flower petals, selected jade hairpins, and styled her hair in a simple yet refined way.

The long skirt she had specially refined transitioned from light blue at the hem to pure white, with cloud-embroidered patterns perfectly detailed around the waist.

She arrived two days early, concealing her traces and waiting quietly, her divine abilities hiding her from passing immortals.

There was still half a day until the agreed time—the exact hour Li Changshou had specified as "half a month."

As Yunxiao thought about the unrestrained words from her two sisters before leaving, and the secret advice Jinling Shengmu had whispered, she couldn't help but lose herself in thought.

Was she truly...

Hmm? His aura? He was already nearby.

Yunxiao perked up and looked up, seeing a tall and slender figure slowly forming from green smoke at the Tianya Haijiao stone marker.

It was Li Changshou's true self.

She felt a surge of joy, her eyes brightening, and was about to dispel her concealment to meet him.

But then, the green smoke didn't dissipate; instead, it... formed into two more figures...

"Teacher, I'll transform into my true form now."

"Shui Shen, are you sure this meeting with Yunxiao Xianzi in the Chaos Sea is for treasure hunting or something else?"

Li Changshou nodded calmly and sighed: "I don't know, but I'll have to trouble Jinpeng and Mister Bai afterward."

Jinchi Dapengniao and Bai Ze both agreed, the former immediately shifting into its golden peng form to patrol the air, while the latter transformed into its auspicious beast shape, shrinking to the size of a house cat.

Li Changshou felt quite satisfied with this.

In the Chaos Sea, where the five elements were disordered, his escape techniques were limited. Having a fast mount was crucial, and Jinpeng was the ideal choice. If they met Kunpeng, they might even race it.

Mister Bai's abilities were also impressive, and he said his powers would work in the Chaos Sea, which reassured Li Changshou greatly.

With the danger warning system in place and mobility secured, all that was left was to wait for Yunxiao to arrive and begin this thrilling Chaos Sea adventure!

As a man, he had to take care of his companion, especially in such a dangerous environment.

Li Changshou smiled with composure and steadiness, while Yunxiao, hiding nearby, couldn't help but press her hand to her forehead, unsure whether to reveal herself.