Chapter 570: The Saintess Devotedly Encounters the Seven Emotions

"Hmm... I always feel like Yang Jian is waiting for the right moment to get revenge, using this incident to mess with my mindset."

Was he led astray by Bian Zhuang?

No, that's not right. From the way Yang Jian fights while still remembering to capture the perfect shots, it's clear he's already very skilled and experienced at this. He's definitely an old hand at recording.

He even has a talent for it.

Oh well, I can't worry about it. Just let it be.

My retirement plan can cast a wide net and catch plenty of fish; there's no need to hang myself on just Yang Jian's tree.

Sigh, if I don't keep a distance from immortals, gods, and heavenly soldiers, where will my basic dignity come from?

Being a general and being a commander are two different things. To control the overall situation, I must stand at a certain height.

This Yang Jian, not yet fully grown as Erlang Zhenjun, has truly given me a little surprise.

Is it like lifting a rock only to drop it on my own foot? A certain ordinary heavenly official can only smile bitterly to himself.

At the center of Xuan Du City, at the entrance to the Honghuang world.

Li Changshou's figure was hidden in the air, sitting cross-legged in meditation, quietly sensing the surroundings.

He had split off a wisp of his mind to stay alert; in such a dangerous environment, he couldn't fully immerse his mind in enlightenment.

Even though the other end of this passage was guarded by the dutiful Jin Peng, this end had several Daoist experts setting up a composite array, and above his head floated the Taiji Tu, with his yuan shen accompanied by the Xuanhuang Ta...

It's always better to be extra cautious.

What great Dao was Li Changshou enlightening on?

He himself wasn't entirely sure, but Xuan Du City was a rather special place, and not taking the time to sense it would be a waste of opportunity.

In the past, Daozu had merged with the Dao, using the innate treasure Zao Hua Yu Die.

This Zao Hua Yu Die is also known as the Creation Jade Disc—though "disc" and "plate" can be interchangeable in some contexts.

The Zao Hua Yu Die is a treasure born in the chaos, from the same era as the thirty-six-grade Chaos Green Lotus, and it records the three thousand great Daos.

As Li Changshou speculated, the Zao Hua Yu Die should be a "growable" treasure; it wasn't originally so extraordinary, but after gathering enough "information" in the chaotic sea, it gained the blessing of the three thousand great Daos.

When Daozu lectured at Zixiao Gong, he taught the Dao comprehended from the Zao Hua Yu Die.

Last time I was with Daozu, I probably saw the Zao Hua Yu Die; the tea table for tea seemed to be the disc itself.

In Honghuang legends, the Zao Hua Yu Die was struck by Pangu's axe during the calamity of opening the heavens, and a corner of it shattered.

From then on, the three thousand great Daos it recorded were incomplete, and the Zao Hua Yu Die lost its sense of "perfect completion."

Later, Daozu used the Zao Hua Yu Die to connect with the heavenly Dao, eventually merging with it and supplementing the heavenly Dao, making the Zao Hua Yu Die a part of the heavenly Dao. The missing piece happened to align with the principle of "heavenly evolution of four nines, with one escaping."

Thus, the heavenly Dao remains incomplete, just more perfected than before Daozu's merger.

This is exactly:

Every sip and peck is predestined; the schemes are still deeper with Pangu.

If the Zao Hua Yu Die corresponds to the heavenly Dao, and the heavenly Dao to the heavens and earth, then this gap in Xuan Du City corresponds to that imperfect point on the Zao Hua Yu Die.

What Li Changshou lacked at this moment was insight into the incompleteness of the heavenly Dao.

So, after providing the design for the composite array and the method to refine its base, he handed over the task of transporting materials to Bai Ze and hid here, trying to comprehend and understand.

The result, however, left Li Changshou a bit disappointed.

Although the heavenly Dao power inside and outside this vortex was dense and inherently profound, the things he could comprehend always felt a bit strange...

And not quite serious.

Trees have annual rings to record the years; heavens and earth have them too.

The ever-growing traces of the heavenly Dao's principles are like the annual rings of the world.

This gap allowed Li Changshou to see parts of the world's annual rings, to glimpse a small portion of the heavenly Dao's growth trajectory.

Of course, these messages were fragmented, disordered, and incoherent, but from them, Li Changshou drew a conclusion...

The heavenly Dao has a form of "thinking" similar to living beings, able to ponder and deduce many things on its own.

For example, it might study how to promote the birth rate of acquired living beings; as they evolve, it marks the feelings they get from certain events as "pleasurable" and makes them pursue it regularly.

This so-called great desire is thus tied to the reproduction of living beings.

Cough, that's why the heavenly Dao isn't quite serious.

The heavenly Dao has also pondered how to use living beings to restrain other living beings, thereby preventing their numbers from expanding too quickly, leading to the appearance of natural enemies and targeted predation in the world.

Li Changshou became immersed in the evolution of the heavenly Dao, gradually forgetting his quest for the escaping principle, and whenever inspiration struck, it turned into his own insights, filling in the gaps in his cultivation.

The heavens and earth arise from one; one arises from existence; existence arises from non-existence.

The heavenly Dao arises from two; two arises from one, seemingly corresponding to the Taiji concept.

Li Changshou played it safe, completely isolating these insights from his own Dao.

After all, he wasn't sure if any of this contained Dao elements that the heavenly Dao wanted him to comprehend.

At his current level, it's fine if cultivation is slow; the key is to be steady.

Gradually, the wisp of his mind staying external only maintained basic vigilance and defense, as he immersed himself in observing the "mini theater" of the heavenly Dao's evolution, striving to find the clues he sought.

Unfortunately, what he wanted remained elusive.

"Is Changgeng still cultivating?"

On the city wall of Xuan Du City, Taiyi Zhenren, who was slacking off with his hands tucked in his sleeves, asked softly.

Yuding Zhenren, who was refining the array base, smiled and said,

"Junior Brother Changgeng's Dao is closely related to the heavenly Dao; it seems he was born to balance it. In a special place like Xuan Du City, he naturally needs to cultivate properly."

Taiyi Zhenren clicked his tongue and laughed quietly, "The problem is, getting too close to the heavenly Dao isn't necessarily a good thing.

No one really thinks the heavenly Dao exists to protect living beings and safeguard the common folk, right?

The heavenly Dao is just maintaining order itself."

Yuding Zhenren frowned and said, "Don't say too much about such things; it's not appropriate."

"Relax, we're outside the heavens," Taiyi Zhenren said with a narrowed eye and a leisurely yawn. "Xuan Du City was once prosperous in ancient times, but now it's just ruins.

In the end, it's all because the heavenly Dao restricted immortals from exploring the chaotic sea."

"Mm," Yuding Zhenren responded and continued focusing on refining the array base.

"You honest one."

Taiyi Zhenren shook his head, glanced at the figures in other directions, and sat down beside Yuding to take out two array bases and carefully refine them.

To be fair, Changgeng's designed array is truly ingenious; it even makes full use of the heavenly Dao's power, saving on spirit stones.

"This guy has only been cultivating for four or five hundred years; how does he come up with so many bizarre ideas?"

Yuding Zhenren had a flicker of thought in his eyes but didn't say more.

'Outsider...'

At the other end of the city wall, Zhao Gongming, Jin Ling Sheng Mu, and Yun Xiao Xianzi were also fully refining the array bases, pondering the same question.

Jin Ling Sheng Mu hesitated several times before finally sending a voice transmission to the siblings:

"What did that Kunpeng mean by 'outsider'?

Although Xuan Du Shixiong vouched for him, his words weren't very detailed.

That Kunpeng seems to have urgent business with Changgeng; it's truly intriguing."

Zhao Gongming laughed and said, "If it can be told to us, Changgeng will say it himself. Since he hasn't, why should we ask more?"

Yun Xiao also said, "I trust him."

Jin Ling Sheng Mu frowned slightly and said, "It's not that I don't trust Changgeng; this is also out of concern for him.

If we don't know what difficulties Junior Brother Changgeng has, and he doesn't like to share his matters with us, how can we help if trouble arises?"

Zhao Gongming thought for a moment and sighed, "You're right."

Yun Xiao Xianzi smiled helplessly and said softly, "He is originally a human; there's no mistake in that.

We've cultivated to this point and already see through the essence of living beings; why dwell on such things?"

Zhao Gongming quickly said, "Second sister is right, very right."

"But," Jin Ling Sheng Mu was about to continue arguing, but Zhao Gongming stopped her with a look.

Yun Xiao Xianzi gazed slightly absentmindedly at the array base swirling in her palm, as if she had her own concerns, but didn't mention them.

At the vortex in the city, colorful rays of light appeared, and an auspicious beast stepped forward elegantly on seven-colored auspicious clouds, carrying two sacks on its back.

Bai Ze glanced at Li Changshou floating ahead, about to go report about the Ling Tian Dian Sheng Nu, but before he could take two steps, he heard Xuan Du Great Mage's voice transmission:

"Changgeng is in closed cultivation; is there something urgent?"

Bai Ze stopped immediately, not daring to approach further. After hesitating, he turned and headed toward where the Great Mage was.

It wasn't anything major, just some romantic entanglements.

Thus, half a month later, outside Du Xian Men, a familiar figure rode the clouds from the East Sea, dressed in simple hemp clothes, still as sinful as ever.

"Where's Xiao Qiong Peak? That big Xiao Qiong Peak? Has it really been moved to the Heavenly Court?"

Jiu Jiu stared at the spiritual lake in front of her, gesturing the outline of Xiao Qiong Peak, then sighed dejectedly and trudged back to Po Tian Peak.

The mountains remain, the waters remain, the reunion of mountains and waters endures.

The people remain, the hearts remain, but things have changed while people have not.

Jiu Jiu didn't dare wander the mountains much, afraid of accidentally revealing her identity outside.

She only met a few senior brothers and sisters who stayed in the mountains, and her only junior sister, Jiu Yushi, left her a bit melancholic as she left the sect.

She had intended to return directly to Ling Tian Dian, but inexplicably stopped at a beach on the East Sea's shore.

Should I go see him?

Jiu Jiu found a shady spot by a reef and sat on the white sand, lost in thought as the sea breeze tousled her deliberately shortened medium-length hair. She murmured complaints to the playful waves that came and went...

"This is so annoying."

She sighed lightly, trying to rest her head on her knees, but after a few attempts, she couldn't quite reach and ended up hugging herself more pitifully.

Sigh...

If I had known I'd feel this down today, I would have thrown aside my status as senior uncle back then and just cooked that guy up in one go!

Now, even seeing him face-to-face is such a hassle.

She stared at the sand for a while, a short sword appearing in her hand as she lightly traced two simple figures on the sand—one raising a hand to flick a finger, the other on tiptoes with mouth open...

"Ah wu."

Jiu Jiu puffed her cheeks and sat there spacing out again.

She didn't really understand what her feelings for little Changshou were; having cultivated a thousand years before him, she only ever focused on cultivation and drinking, clueless about romance.

At first, it seemed like pure elder care for a junior, but as time passed and they grew familiar, without many heart-wrenching moments, the feeling...

The elder's concern had gradually changed.

Jiu Jiu knew it well; her feelings for that guy started more as dependence.

During that time, she had chances to express her heart, but maybe because she drank too much, every time she thought she had feelings for Changgeng, she'd quickly deny it with all sorts of reasons.

He's my junior nephew, and I'm nearly a thousand years older; it's just wrong to crave him!

I just like his wine and pills; I want a free brewer, that's all—it's not real liking.

What would Ling E think of me as her senior uncle? That would be so improper!

Hmph, when did I get old?

Jiu Jiu tossed the short sword onto the sand, propped her chin on her hand, and gazed blankly at the sea.

Unconsciously, she pulled out a wine flask and took a few gulps, her eyes growing hazy...

The original brew was strong, making one drunk without needing to drink much.

But she knew she was outside and didn't dare get truly drunk; she just sought that light, floating feeling to forget her troubles a bit.

Soon, she threw the empty flask next to the sword, combed her hair in the sea breeze to look less disheveled.

Her face flushed like a shy girl, her hazy eyes seeming to see through the world and choose drunken oblivion.

What should I do from now on? Where is my path?

Jiu Jiu recalled her conversation with Mr. Bai before returning; she had asked him about the future, and his answer was quite profound.

No matter which direction you go, walking forward makes it the future; it's just a matter of choice.

So Jiu Jiu came back, wanting to find that scoundrel and talk it out, leaving the choice to her heart in that moment... success or not didn't matter; at least she tried.

Might as well go to the Heavenly Court.

Just say I'm a Du Xian Men disciple paying a visit, and go see him like that...

"Huh? What's that? How did my immortal sense miss it earlier?"

Jiu Jiu stood up and looked at the unidentified object floating on the sea; after careful examination, she realized it was a woman lying in the water, her skirt spread out, drifting with the waves.

The false "Immortal Drifting with the Waves":

Lying face-up in the sea, skirt and hair spread like a boat, smiling serenely as if asleep, with fish occasionally jumping around.

The real "Immortal Drifting with the Waves":

She seemed to be a cultivator, with spiritual power still circulating in her body.

Jiu Jiu didn't take it lightly; she flicked her finger, and the sheathed short sword flew out, pulling the woman out of the water for a loop before tossing her a hundred zhang away, carefully probing.

Injured?

The woman's breath was steady, her spiritual power flowed smoothly, and her Dao realm seemed quite high.

Jiu Jiu controlled the immortal sword to turn the woman over, and upon seeing that beautiful face, she couldn't help but praise softly...

My little senior uncle never minds if other fairies are beautiful; my strengths aren't in my looks anyway!

Look at this girl; she has a naturally charming yet pure face, skin as smooth as jade—standard for an immortal body—but on her, it feels nearly perfect...

How to put it, too perfect, almost unnatural; she must have bribed some underworld officials during reincarnation to sculpt her face for hundreds of years.

Jiu Jiu muttered with a frown, not daring to get too close. In the end, she decided to set up a barrier nearby and leave, but as she was about to, the girl pouted, turned her head, spat out seawater, and weakly opened her eyes, her mouth puckering...

"I'm having such a hard time."

Jiu Jiu didn't know what came over her; a wave of sorrow suddenly welled up, and tears streamed down her face.

In her mind flashed images of that heartless nephew with women on both sides, and with the alcohol surging, she burst into sobs.

"You falling into the water is nothing; I'm the one having it hard!"

The girl blinked, tears like broken pearls, and said sadly, "I didn't expect someone to compare miseries with me; I'm really too pitiful."

Jiu Jiu took a swig from her flask and entered a phase of silent grief.

The girl's tears swirled in her eyes as she sat up, hugged herself, and cried bitterly.

Within a hundred li, the grass and trees lost color, and the heavens and earth shared the sorrow; several hundred li away, a few passing cultivators suddenly wiped tears from their eyes, recalling their life's regrets, and wept.

Just then, Jiu Jiu seemed to hear the strange girl muttering to herself:

"Oh no, oh no, little Sorrow is out of control! You all hurry and step in! I'll laugh first.

Ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha!"

Jiu Jiu was full of question marks, but suddenly felt excited, bursting into laughter while holding her belly, though she couldn't say why she was happy.

The girl laughed and muttered to herself:

"Both crying and laughing, affecting others... You all hold back a bit... Let kindness and love soothe your sorrows and joys."

As she spoke, pink bubbles appeared around her.

Jiu Jiu realized something was wrong and, amid her laughter, suddenly covered her face, her cheeks burning hot as flashes of her times with Li Changshou played in her mind.

"Hee hee, little Shou Shou..."

The girl let out a slightly enchanting hum and murmured, "Looks like she has someone she likes too."

Jiu Jiu: ...

What in the world is going on?

Why are all these messy things popping up in my mind, and why do these usually embarrassing things feel so appealing?

This is...

Sorrow, joy, love, great desire.

The power of the seven emotions?

Jiu Jiu's Dao heart shook, and she immediately tried to retreat, but the girl clenched her fists, looked up, and gritted her teeth in anger.

"Anger surges to the crown!"

Buzz—

A wave swept around the girl, as if orange-red flames ignited on her, instantly drying her immortal skirt and sending her hair flying upward.

Jiu Jiu, who was about to retreat, froze for a moment, then a surge of anger rose in her heart, and she gritted her teeth at the sky.

"Ya! Anyone who flirts with my nephew is my enemy! I was the one who spoke up first!"

"Eh?"

The girl tilted her head, finger to her lips, full of surprise as she looked over.

The girl whispered, "Senior uncle and nephew? How exciting."

The seven emotions power instantly balanced, and her eyes flashed with colorful light, as if seven souls were gazing at Jiu Jiu.

Jiu Jiu glared at the sky, then at the girl beside her, a fierce glint in her eyes. She stamped her foot and dove into the East Sea.

Ah!

I can't show my face this time!