Chapter 557: Yang Jian Leaves Yuquan, Taibai Plots Against Bodhi

What is the most realistic performance in the world?

True reality, not an act.

The scene unfolding at Yang Jian's spiritual platform was extraordinarily real.

Li Changshou had originally arranged a small scheme, with Ling Zhuzi as the vanguard to lure Yang Jian out of Yuquan Mountain for several hundred *li*. Then, they would get Yang Jian drunk to lower his defenses, and have Taiyi Zhenren disguise himself as a Western Cult figure, using divine sense to guide Yang Jian out of this period of confusion...

He never expected!

The stage was set, but before Taiyi Zhenren could make his entrance as the "bandit," a real bandit suddenly appeared!

Did Xu Po Di not notice the three of them?

Well, with the power of the Taiji Tu protecting them, it would be strange if he had noticed.

To put it another way, this was right in front of Yuquan Mountain's gate, just a few hundred *li* away—like a casual stroll for mortals.

How little regard did the Western Cult have for Yuding Zhenren to be so brazen, showing up at the doorstep of Yuquan Mountain to tempt Yuding Zhenren's only disciple?

Was the green cauldron above Yang Jian's *yuan shen* just for show?

The Western Cult's actions were truly... imprudent.

Taiyi Zhenren furrowed his brow and made a chopping gesture. Li Changshou immediately looked toward Yuding Zhenren.

Yuding Zhenren pondered for a moment and said,

"Let's wait and see. Having a real Western Cult disciple appear is more reliable than us intervening."

Taiyi Zhenren added,

"This poor Daoist will track this person's traces and see if I can burn him later."

Li Changshou, however, said,

"There's no rush with this. Xu Po Di is wanted throughout the Three Realms, so his true body must be well hidden. Taiyi *Shixiong*, just keep an eye on Ling Zhuzi to avoid any oversights."

"Very well."

"Agreed."

Yuding Zhenren and Taiyi Zhenren each responded, inadvertently agreeing to Li Changshou's plan.

At that moment, Taiyi Zhenren's *yuan shen* was guarding the drunken Ling Zhuzi, who was mumbling about good brothers for life, or something about not being good brothers if one is blocked.

Yuding Zhenren could strike at any time through the green cauldron, ensuring Xu Po Di had no chance to harm Yang Jian.

The three of them listened to the conversation brought by Yuding Zhenren's divine ability, and Li Changshou's expression grew somewhat complex.

Although this was the script he had written, witnessing others scheme against his own people felt...

Quite peculiar.

Now, Xu Po Di's illusory form had invaded Yang Jian's *dao* heart, and with that line, "How have you considered it?" he revealed that he had approached Yang Jian before.

Yuding Zhenren frowned slightly, clearly realizing his own earlier oversight.

Yang Jian's *yuan shen* slowly opened its eyes, initially filled with confusion, but he shook his "head" vigorously, dispelling the mist of immortal wine around him.

Seeing the old Daoist before him, Yang Jian frowned, and his immortal sense quickly scanned for Ling Zhuzi, confirming that Ling Zhuzi's divine sense hadn't been invaded. Only then did he speak,

"It's nothing."

"Oh?"

Xu Po Di slowly paced, sizing up Yang Jian's spiritual platform, and laughed.

"In the end, you're intimidated by your enemies' power and don't dare seek revenge.

Afraid of involving your sister, or your master, or worrying that Chan Jiao might be blamed by the Heavenly Court?"

Yang Jian was silent for a while, then calmly said,

"I just don't want to be used as a tool by the Western Cult. Leave my spiritual platform."

"With such a powerful treasure from your master protecting you, I can't harm you anyway. Why don't we chat more?"

"Since that's the case..."

Yang Jian's gaze sharpened, his words measured and steady, as he slowly uttered a single word:

"Get out."

Xu Po Di was taken aback, but instead of anger, he laughed, his eyes full of triumph, his voice like a familiar demonic tune.

"Yang Jian, in the end, you're afraid—afraid I'll stir up the anger you've suppressed for years, afraid I'll expose your awkward situation?

Oh, Yang Jian, you probably don't even dare whisper the name of the enemy who killed your father and imprisoned your mother in your heart.

Shall I say it for you?"

"Shut up."

"Why suppress yourself like this?"

"I told you to shut up!"

Yang Jian's *yuan shen* rose and roared, clenching his fists, his body trembling as waves of blood-red light surged through his spiritual platform, enveloping him like a war god.

Xu Po Di chuckled lightly, his figure fading as if he were leaving.

Yang Jian scanned his spiritual platform warily, then let out a soft breath, glanced at his palm, and finally regained his composure, sitting down cross-legged once more.

The spiritual platform seemed calm, but suddenly, an image appeared before Yang Jian, showing a mountain in the Heavenly Court.

The mountain where Yunhua Xianzi was imprisoned.

Yang Jian's eyes widened, sensing in his heart that his closest kin was within that image.

Xu Po Di's voice drifted back, growing nearer:

"Your cultivation life is so peaceful now; if I were you, I wouldn't want to disrupt it.

You have a master who cares for you, a little sister who needs your care, your cultivation growing stronger by the day, and you've gained the Daoist sect's protective mystic art, with a limitless future.

But Yang Jian..."

Xu Po Di paused, and in the image, the mountain was engulfed in storm clouds, swallowed by thunder dragons, with groups of sneering heavenly soldiers and generals in the distance.

"If you can endure the enmity of your father's death, can you truly endure your mother's endless cries under the heavenly thunder's punishment?"

"The people of the human race honor their parents and ancestors— is this how it is for you?"

"But it's not your fault. The one who petitioned the Jade Emperor to capture your mother has risen to a position of great power in the Heavenly Court because of that deed, deeply trusted by the Jade Emperor.

Not just you—even I would have to fear him..."

The tempting words echoed relentlessly, and Yang Jian's *yuan shen* flickered with the blood-red light of Bajiu Xuan Gong.

In the nearby hidden corner shielded by the Taiji Tu, Yuding Zhenren and Taiyi Zhenren both turned to Li Changshou.

Yuding Zhenren asked,

"Is it truly like this?"

Li Changshou chuckled and pulled out a bronze mirror from his sleeve, forming a hand seal. The mirror displayed an image.

It showed the interior of a certain immortal mountain cave.

Pink curtains hung on the stone walls, with a pavilion and courtyard inside, jade trees and vibrant red flowers in full bloom, and a few low-cultivation fairy maidens playing in the garden.

The mirror's view was fixed, perfectly capturing a window where Yunhua Xianzi sat on the bed, barefoot and holding a scroll, reading it.

She wore several layers of light gauze skirts, her hair in a dignified updo. She sighed, her face showing a touch of worry, then leaned forward, gently rubbing her crystal-clear toes with her fingers, revealing a contented smile...

So comfortable.

Li Changshou: ...

Yuding Zhenren: ...

It was purely coincidental with the scenery and the view.

Ahem, even a fairy rubbing her feet was elegant.

Taiyi Zhenren couldn't help but scold,

"Is this what you call imprisonment in the Heavenly Court? It seems more comfortable than my Qianyuan Mountain!"

Li Changshou smiled bitterly,

"Yunhua Xianzi is the Jade Emperor's sister from his tribulation incarnation. The Jade Emperor must uphold the Three Realms' orthodoxy and minimize shows of personal favoritism on the surface.

In reality, his affection for Yunhua Xianzi is no less than Yang Jian's for Yang Chan."

Yuding Zhenren said,

"Don't let Jian know about this, or it might shake his *dao* heart."

"Rest assured, *Shixiong*," Li Changshou smiled, keeping his eyes on Yang Jian's situation.

He was a bit uneasy, worried that Xu Po Di might push too hard and fully ignite Yang Jian's anger, leading him astray.

Fortunately, the green cauldron that Yuding Zhenren had placed in Yang Jian's *yuan shen* was extraordinary—like a manifestation of Yuding Zhenren's own *yuan shen*—ready to suppress it at any time.

After a while, Yang Jian suddenly let out a low roar, shattering the image with a punch, his *yuan shen* flashing like sword light to strike at Xu Po Di's divine sense.

Xu Po Di sighed softly, his divine sense shattered by Yang Jian, leaving only a final words:

"The only ones who can help you are us. You'll come to find me eventually, Yang Jian."

As the divine sense dissipated, Yang Jian's spiritual platform fell completely silent. Yang Jian's *yuan shen* stood at the edge, panting heavily, his eyes full of struggle.

Before him seemed to be an endless abyss.

But in the end, Yang Jian turned back, striving to calm himself, and sat down cross-legged again.

Looking at Yang Jian's physical body, his face was pale, covered in sweat, as he expelled strands of alcohol vapor. Moments later, he opened his eyes and stared blankly at the misty forest ahead.

Mother...

Yang Jian's eyes seemed to glisten with moisture. He raised his hand to wipe it away quickly, letting out a soft breath as if nothing had happened.

He sat there lost in thought, and before he knew it, his bottleneck quietly broke, his vital energy surged, and Bajiu Xuan Gong advanced to the next minor realm.

Li Changshou, Taiyi Zhenren, and Yuding Zhenren exchanged glances, with Yuding Zhenren's eyes showing a hint of worry.

Taiyi Zhenren laughed,

"It seems he's made his decision."

"The issue now is how to arrange for Yang Chan," Li Changshou pondered. "This could be a good pretext to draw Yang Jian to the Heavenly Court at any time."

"Changgeng *Shidi*," Yuding Zhenren suddenly turned and bowed in salute. Li Changshou quickly returned the gesture.

"*Shixiong*, why is this?"

Yuding Zhenren said seriously,

"If my disciple chooses to oppose the Heavenly Court in the future and speaks disrespectfully to you, please spare his life."

"This matter is part of my own scheming."

Li Changshou bowed his hands, his expression very solemn. "I have a fondness for Yang Jian my nephew and intend to cultivate him as a pillar of the Heavenly Court. I'll be sure to put him through rigorous trials later."

"Thank you," Yuding Zhenren bowed his hands in return.

Just then, Yang Jian stood up, using his immortal power to carry the sleeping Ling Zhuzi, and rode the clouds back to Yuquan Mountain.

Half an hour later, Yang Jian sat before the sleeping Yang Chan, gently stroking her smooth forehead, a slight smile on his lips.

Then, he took out a jade slip, carefully composing and revising a letter, placed it by Yang Chan's pillow, closed his eyes with a long sigh, and turned to leave.

As he exited the cave, Yang Jian glanced back at Yang Chan and pointed a stream of immortal power to make her sleep even more soundly.

Yang Jian went to Yuding Zhenren's main cave for cultivation. Taiyi Zhenren and Li Changshou had already hidden themselves, watching as Yang Jian knelt before Yuding Zhenren, expressing his intent to leave.

Yuding Zhenren did not try to stop him, acting as if he had long expected this decision. He placed two rings in Yang Jian's arms and said,

"Don't act recklessly in everything; your master will stand behind you."

Yang Jian's eyes reddened slightly, but he said no more, kowtowing three times to Yuding Zhenren before tucking the rings into his robe.

"Master, your disciple is going out for training."

"Don't go to overly dangerous places."

"Understood," Yang Jian replied, bowing his head and backing away a few steps before kneeling again to bow, then rising and heading toward the cave entrance, his back slightly forced into a casual pose.

Leaving Yuquan Mountain, Yang Jian glanced at the sky, then lowered his head and dashed southeast, sprinting through the mountains and forests, covering a hundred *li* in a single leap!

When Yang Chan awoke half a month later, Yang Jian was already in a great chiliocosm world, dressed in a short robe and carrying a long sword, wandering like a rogue cultivator.

But unlike others, his wandering involved seeking perilous places, inquiring about local demons and monsters, and using them to hone his strength, comprehending mystic arts through fierce battles.

Back at Yuquan Mountain, in the side cave, Yang Chan held the jade slip in her hands, covering her mouth and nose as she burst into sobs.

You've grown up too, little Chan.

Your brother knows you've always had this inner demon you couldn't shake, fearing being abandoned. But some things must be done, by you and me.

Now that the great calamity has descended, Chan Jiao is fated for it, and the Heavenly Court leads it. We're fortunate to have been taken in by Master, taught immortal arts, and granted extended lifespans. We mustn't use Master's name or Chan Jiao's influence to pressure the Heavenly Court into releasing Mother.

Your brother truly doesn't wish for that.

Your brother is leaving to temper himself, to achieve immortality soon, to quickly build strength and catch the Heavenly Court's attention, then negotiate with them.

Honestly, your brother doesn't know how to save Mother, but it must be done.

Bringing Mother back to reunite with you has become an obsession; every day delayed brings another day of torment.

Little Chan, your brother didn't leave without warning—I've been thinking about this for years and have finally decided.

Don't wander off; stay here and wait for me. Ling Zhuzi *Shixiong* is someone your brother trusts; if you have any troubles, mention them to him—I've already asked him to look after you.

Don't worry too much. Master said your brother is protected by great destiny, so I won't be harmed in training.

Your brother: Yang Jian.

"Brother... Brother!"

Yang Chan rushed toward the cave entrance, but after just two steps, a wisp of *dan* fragrance wafted over, and she collapsed softly by the window.

Outside the cave, Li Changshou and Yuding Zhenren were at a loss, unsure how to properly arrange for this little fairy.

Yuding Zhenren said,

"Send her to Yunhua Xianzi's side?"

"What if Yang Jian suddenly returns?"

Taiyi Zhenren glanced at the sleeping Ling Zhuzi in the distance, rolled his eyes, and muttered,

"This foolish boy just doesn't get it; otherwise, he could step in temporarily and distract little Chan's thoughts."

Li Changshou thought for a moment and said,

"In that case, I'll get some more pills to enhance her comprehension of the Great Dao. If needed, let her cultivate in her dreams."

"Never mind," Yuding Zhenren shook his head. "This poor Daoist will take little Chan to follow her brother, so she can see him every day."

Taiyi Zhenren frowned and said,

"Isn't that a bit harsh on Yang Jian my nephew? He's already been perfectly arranged by Changgeng, decided to leave, and now he'll be watched by his master and little sister the whole time.

If he does anything reckless, won't you all see it?"

" Jian isn't that kind of person."

Yuding Zhenren spoke with absolute certainty.

"As for this Xu Po Di..."

Li Changshou left a paper effigy hidden near Yuquan Mountain, and his figure appeared deep within the Taibai Hall.

He needed to prepare and send the Sanjue Erlang Gun refined by Laojun to Bai Ze, so Bai Ze could continue providing Yang Jian with opportunities and treasures.

*On Being the Number One Hands-Off Manager in Heaven*

As Yang Jian mentioned in his letter, he was indeed protected by great destiny, so training outside would be hard to endanger him.

Yang Jian's temperament was also quite mature and steady; as long as he didn't act too rashly, there wouldn't be issues, especially with Yuding Zhenren secretly protecting him.

The Western Cult had truly set their sights on Yang Jian.

This Xu Po Di had previously tried to disrupt the Immortal Alliance Assembly, only to be rebuffed by Li Changshou using the Heavenly Court's authority, and had lain low for years.

Now, with the Heavenly Court's forces focused on Maitreya, Xu Po Di must have thought he could make a comeback!

In Li Changshou's past life, many directors disliked actors adding their own lines, but Xu Po Di had jumped in uninvited and was even showboating for the camera.

If Xu Po Di knew that his entire attempt to tempt the junior had been watched and recorded by others, would he be so ashamed as to end his own life?

But since Xu Po Di had entered the scene...

If they didn't deal with him, he could easily disrupt the progress later, even affecting the entire plan.

The root of instability must be eliminated.

Li Changshou straightened his sleeves and smiled calmly, already having a plan.

This time, he had to ensure a single, decisive strike, leaving Xu Po Di with no escape, unable to cause any ripples or waves.

His true body set out, heading straight for the Nine Heavens!

To play it safe, he'd directly ask his teacher to divine Xu Po Di's whereabouts and place a mark on him!

Then, gather friends and allies to swarm and beat him until he submits.