Chapter 575: Conscientious Junior Brother, Online...

The atmosphere within the mountain top array felt inexplicably oppressive.

In the capital of Shang Guo, the grand celebration ceremony was still in full swing. Fortunately, Hong Huang had no custom of "me just saying a couple of lines," so the mortals were singing and dancing, while also taking the opportunity to settle marital matters for the young people.

When young men and women caught each other's eye, it often led to a swift knockout and carrying away in one go—this was an old tradition of the human race.

A handsome and dashing youth like Bian Zhuang, if unprotected by magical powers, could easily meet an untimely end in such settings.

But at that moment, Bian Zhuang had no leisure to watch these scenes. His Dao heart was trembling so intensely that he forgot to admire the beautiful figure enveloped in light nearby, instead staring in astonishment at his own backer.

Tai Bai Jin Xing, the authority of the Heavenly Court.

What was bluffing?

This was bluffing!

Turning black into white, crooked into straight, tears into laughter, and demons into benevolent immortals!

With skills like this, he was absolutely a renowned speaker of Hong Huang, capable of discoursing on ancient and modern events without missing a beat!

In that instant, Bian Zhuang suddenly understood, achieving a profound enlightenment.

Facing Tai Bai Xing Jun, why did Western Teachings suffer repeated setbacks? Why did those ancient and primordial figures keep faltering? Why had the Heavenly Court achieved such a favorable situation today?

Wasn't it all due to Tai Bai Jin Xing's mouth, swallowing mountains and rivers with his bluffs?

It was just that...

This outcome was hard to accept for a while.

The extraterrestrial demon, which should have been the nemesis of Hong Huang's creatures, had been directly converted into a benevolent female immortal recognized by the Heavenly Way under Tai Bai Xing Jun's words, instantly altering her form.

Moreover, she now seemed deeply grateful to Tai Bai Xing Jun for guiding her out of the mizhen.

This was a bit... a bit...

Too terrifying.

This made Bian Zhuang instinctively recall whether, in all the years he had followed Xing Jun, he had been swayed by some divine spell or technique from Xing Jun, and why he had become so devoted and dared not defy Xing Jun's orders.

After pondering for a while, Bian Zhuang finally confirmed it.

He was genuinely afraid of Tai Bai Xing Jun from the bottom of his heart, and it had nothing directly to do with Tai Bai Jin Xing's bluffing divine skills.

Simply put, he wasn't worthy enough.

Within the array, Bian Zhuang glanced at Jiu Jiu standing in another corner, quietly hiding behind Ao Yi, and waiting for the four silent bigwigs to speak.

At that moment, Li Changshou's paper effigy, the Jade Emperor's incarnation, Kong Xuan—the admirer of the Grand Pure One—and the reincarnation of Hou Tu Niang Niang's seven emotions were standing beside the "mutated Tian Mo."

Quan Tong, Kong Xuan, and the seven emotions maiden were examining the Tian Mo maiden's state one by one.

Clearly, they had all noticed the unusual nature of this event.

The four exchanged a glance, then stepped back to the sides, their expressions complex, though Li Changshou remained the most composed.

After all, while the result surprised him, the process was entirely his own orchestration, so it wasn't hard to understand.

For example, in Hong Huang, whether innate or acquired creatures, during cultivation or due to the influence of seven emotions and six desires, their own Dao heart obsessions, or shocks from damaged primordial spirits, they could easily develop inner demons.

What were inner demons?

When Li Changshou explained to Ling E, he mentioned that inner demons could be seen as a cultivator's self-doubt and self-negation.

Li Changshou had once asserted that a fairy like Youqin Xuanya, with her personality, would never encounter inner demons in her life.

Though he was later proven wrong, it was indeed due to her emotional issues at the time, leading to self-doubt and the birth of an inner demon.

What were Tian Mo?

Extraterrestrial Tian Mo referred broadly to various chaotic creatures that harbored ill intent toward Hong Huang and continually tried to invade it, mostly transformed from the innate divine demons that escaped the Great Heavenly Tribulation of creation.

Like the previous "Du Shuren" and today's "Mei Wenhua," they were chaotic creatures capable of invading a cultivator's Dao heart, triggering and merging with Hong Huang creatures' inner demons.

They themselves were born from the Tian Mo Venerable, seemingly split off from him.

In Li Changshou's dissection research of Du Shuren, he had already confirmed a fact.

—Each individual Tian Mo was composed of a single true spirit.

It was known that chaotic sea innate divine demons and Pangu Great God shared the same origins, both born from countless true spirits aggregating on a fragmented and disordered Great Dao.

The Tian Mo Venerable likely had a divine ability to split his own true spirits again, transforming them into these variously shaped extraterrestrial Tian Mo, and he could probably absorb more true spirits from the chaotic sea to endlessly produce new ones.

Could killing the Tian Mo Venerable completely resolve the issue of extraterrestrial Tian Mo?

Li Changshou had considered this, but his final conclusion was that it couldn't be confirmed.

The fundamental way to solve extraterrestrial Tian Mo was to melt away the Tian Mo Venerable's Great Dao; otherwise, another one would still emerge.

Based on this understanding, looking at Mei Wenhua's "mutation" actually had a reasonable explanation.

Hong Huang creatures were born from the resonance of true spirits with the Great Dao of Hong Huang's heavens and earth, sharing a similar essence of life with Tian Mo. Hong Huang creatures' inner demons mostly arose deep in the primordial spirit, affecting temperament and amplifying negative emotions.

Tian Mo themselves also had the potential to develop inner demons.

Under the influence of the seven emotions power, Mei Wenhua was bluffed by Li Changshou into complete self-negation, producing something like an inner demon—a "sacred thought." With all conditions cleverly met,

And because Mei Wenhua's own "structure" was unstable, when her true spirit and original fragmented Great Dao fluctuated greatly and split, she was directly assimilated by Hong Huang's heavenly laws, transforming into a spiritual body akin to a Hong Huang creature...

Though Li Changshou still had a slight doubt, he generally understood the situation.

It was just that...

Given today's events, he feared this anecdote would spread again.

Well, as long as Kunlun Mountain's Guangkou Baoping Daoist didn't find out.

"Changgeng," Quan Tong murmured softly, "this matter is a bit too mystical. Although this marshal has sensed the power of the Heavenly Way and investigated the cause and effect,

But ultimately... it's just too inconceivable."

Kong Xuan said, "Such pure benevolent thoughts. This spiritual body seems to have received the Heavenly Way's protection."

Li Changshou laughed. "It might be that the Heavenly Way is a little interested in her. I never imagined that planting an inner demon in a Tian Mo's heart could have such an effect."

Quan Tong sighed in admiration. "If that's the case, the crisis of extraterrestrial Tian Mo can be resolved."

"First things first," the seven emotions maiden said, raising a finger and shaking it slowly, "I can't just casually intervene. If the seven emotions balance is broken, the problems would be even worse than those from extraterrestrial Tian Mo."

Li Changshou smiled and asked, "Can you let Xiao Ai come out?"

"That's a test for you," the seven emotions maiden winked at Li Changshou, her smile full of innocence. "Guess which one I am now?"

"Desire."

"Uh, how did you know?"

Li Changshou smirked slightly and said calmly, "When Niang Niang Nuwa shaped this body for you, I was present the whole time, so I've observed some insights."

The incarnation of Desire heard this, deliberately biting her lip lightly, her eyes showing a hint of panic, her face full of shyness, and subconsciously clutching the collar of her long skirt as she whispered,

"Then... then with you, do I have no secrets left at all?"

Li Changshou showed a helpless expression, and Quan Tong beside him frowned slightly.

The incarnation of Desire rolled her eyes and snorted lightly, closing her eyes, as if the heavens and earth darkened with her.

"Ah," Xiao Ai sighed lightly, "I'm having such a hard time, still getting teased by them, and they say they'll let me handle things in front of you from now on. But I don't really have much to do with you.

Friends and all that are fake. After my story ended, you never once came to see me on your own.

Ah..."

Li Changshou felt a bit awkward and didn't know how to explain to Xiao Ai.

After all, it was his own fault; considering the outside world's dangers, he preferred not to go out if he could avoid it, as any move could easily invite karma.

Seeing this, Kong Xuan stepped in to help Li Changshou out, saying,

"Don't feel that way. Changgeng is genuinely busy. From what I know, he rarely visits Sanxian Island of Yunxiao Xianzi on his own initiative."

Quan Tong nodded beside him. "That's right. I can vouch for that."

Xiao Ai sighed dejectedly. "Friends, it turns out, aren't that important after all."

"That..." Li Changshou quickly spoke up, interrupting Xiao Ai's increasingly sorrowful thoughts.

She was like that—if you didn't change the topic in time, she'd spiral into a loop of deeper sorrow, interpreting everything pessimistically.

Li Changshou said, "Xiao Ai, could you help once more?

I want to confirm if this Tian Mo has truly developed an inner demon, or if she's trying to deceive us in reverse."

Xiao Ai softly agreed, turned, and walked toward the maiden curled up in mid-air, letting out a leisurely sigh.

A faint gray wave enveloped the maiden without affecting anyone else.

Kong Xuan asked, "Do you plan to use this method to resolve the trouble of extraterrestrial Tian Mo?"

"That's right," Li Changshou laughed. "If we can settle this, Shixiong can enjoy more freedom and won't be confined to Xuan Du City anymore.

Shixiong has shown me immense kindness, and this is all I can do to repay him."

The Jade Emperor laughed beside him. "Once the Heavenly Court grows stronger, we can station troops there, with heavenly generals taking turns to guard Xuan Du City."

Kong Xuan frowned slightly, a hint of thought in her eyes.

She seemed to be hesitating about something.

Normally decisive and never dragging her feet, this was rare for her.

Li Changshou, as if seeing through her thoughts, smiled and said,

"Now that Da Shang is established and the human emperor's destiny has formed, it's not something just anyone can disrupt.

How about this: the Heavenly Court will next station troops at the borders of Central Divine Continent and Southern Jambudvipa, and set up patrolling envoys and demon-exorcising heavenly masters in the mortal world, under the Heavenly Way's protection for Shang Guo.

That way, Daoist friend, you won't have to guard this place rigidly and can go to Xuan Du City to assist my Shixiong."

Quan Tong said seriously beside him, "Is the situation at Xuan Du City critical again?"

"That's right, the situation is quite dire," Li Changshou replied.

He silently gave a thumbs-up to His Majesty the Jade Emperor—truly the best ruler-minister duo, with perfect chemistry.

"Especially now, with this Tian Mo mutation, it might directly provoke the Tian Mo Venerable.

Eighty years ago, when Xuan Du City was in peril, Kunpeng and four or five innate divine demons pressured the city. My Shixiong stood at the Hong Huang entrance, hair disheveled and magical power nearly exhausted, relying on the Taiji Diagram to hold his ground without retreating.

Shixiong's back was so resolute...

When we went to support him, he worried we'd fall to the Tian Mo's ways and took the Qiankun Ruler himself, single-handedly repelling Kunpeng and the other chaotic creatures in that great battle.

It's hard to describe in words."

"May I go there?"

Kong Xuan stepped forward, her phoenix eyes filled with urgency. "Will the Grand Pure Saint allow it? With my five-colored divine light, I can transform chaotic aura into five elements spiritual energy in the chaotic sea. Not only will I not be affected there, but I'll have an endless supply of magical power!"

Li Changshou's eyes lit up, and Kong Xuan looked eager, as if she wanted to fly there immediately.

But Li Changshou, far from hurrying, actually wanted to settle the matter between his Shixiong and Kong Xuan today, giving it a clear direction.

"This... Xuan Du City is a matter of great importance."

Li Changshou showed hesitation, and Quan Tong, noticing, knew in his heart that his Changgeng advisor was scheming again.

He played along, his eyes full of concern, humming thoughtfully to set the atmosphere.

"I'll ask my teacher about it," Li Changshou said. "Xuan Du City is a sacred Daoist ground, beyond the heavens, so it's safer to consult the teacher first."

Quan Tong said, "Are you going to the Ninth Heaven?"

"No need for that trouble."

Li Changshou waved his sleeve, and a blank scroll quickly unfolded before him. He then picked up a brush and painted, his long hair and arm dancing as he directly depicted the "Grand Pure Riding Ox" image, the version enshrined at Du Xian Gate.

Afterward, Li Changshou used his immortal power to place the painting in front, brought out a meditation mat and incense burner, lit three sticks of incense, and knelt properly on the mat, declaring loudly,

"Teacher above, your disciple Changgeng!

To prevent Xuan Du City from facing such a predicament again, your disciple wishes to have Kong Xuan Daoist friend go beyond the heavens to assist Shixiong.

If you permit, please send down a sign, so Shixiong can understand as well!"

No sooner had Li Changshou spoken than the saint's painting lifted a corner, revealing strands of profound and obscure saintly Dao rhymes, startling all the immortals present.

Long Ji hurried forward, kneeling behind Li Changshou, while Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang immediately bowed, and Quan Tong performed a Daoist salute toward the painting.

At that moment, the universe stirred not at all, but a small vortex appeared before Kong Xuan, from which two spirit pills radiating seven-colored light fell into her hands as she caught them.

Nine-turn spirit pills!

Different from those refined by Lao Jun and unlike the ones that could revive the dead or regrow flesh and bone, these two pills contained pure Taiji and Wuji Dao, exuding an aura of innate perfection.

One pill alone could make a mortal ascend in broad daylight and become a feathered immortal!

Such pills, which purely enhanced comprehension of the Great Dao and had an enlightenment effect, could likely only be refined by the Grand Pure Saint, who could withstand the Heavenly Way's pressure.

And these two pills were from ancient times—one used meant one less.

Under today's Heavenly Way restrictions, everything had balance, including these pills.

If a mortal used such a pill, the Heavenly Way would seal their path of cultivation forward. In the current world, for cultivators with Golden Immortal potential, this pill was essentially a poison in disguise.

But if used on the phoenix clan, paired with the true blood of the primordial phoenix in Kong Xuan's possession, it could directly cultivate two Golden Immortal realm phoenix clan members!

The Grand Pure Saint's move was more than just giving a sign—it was like offering half the betrothal gifts.

Kong Xuan didn't hesitate much, stowing the two pills in her sleeve, then crossing her hands in front of her slender waist and bowing deeply toward the painting...

"Hmm? Ah-choo!"

At Xuan Du City's head, a certain Daoist grand senior brother, who was using the Qiankun Ruler as a pillow and the Taiji Diagram as a blanket while lying on a soft, comfortable mat, rubbed his nose tip in a daze.

With the composite great array designed by Changgeng, the grand mage no longer had back pain, leg aches, or Tian Mo gathering outside, and finally slept peacefully.

Yet, what the grand mage didn't know was that at the same moment, on the mountain top outside Shang Guo's capital, Li Changshou was handing a jade talisman, a treasure bead, and some small trinkets to Kong Xuan.

That jade talisman recorded a divine ability;

To call it a divine ability was accurate—it was the first half of a complete set of methods that Li Changshou had just used, constructing illusions with origin mirage energy and then entering them.

This divine ability was used to invade the illusions in someone's heart, or even enter their dreams, and Li Changshou had given it a very romantic name.

"Dreamwalker Technique."

Those small trinkets were nothing special, just various board games for two or three players.

Besides these, Li Changshou didn't dare do more, lest Kong Xuan see through the ruse.

After all, he was just a junior brother, and what he could do for his Shixiong was only this much... quite ashamed, just a bit of minor work.

Kong Xuan still needed to hand over Shang Guo's defenses to the Heavenly Court before she could head to Xuan Du City with peace of mind.

With the rise of the Shang tribe, as the totem of the Shang tribe, the phoenix clan's destiny had also recovered to the point where the heavens allowed them to reproduce.

Kong Xuan's mission now was solely to ensure the phoenix clan's continuation.

—By using the true blood of the primordial phoenix to transform flying birds.

In her heart, Kong Xuan was full of gratitude toward Li Changshou, though she never expressed it; whenever Li Changshou asked for help, she always responded.

Thus, the matter of Kong Xuan going to guard Xuan Du City was settled, and their attention returned to that mutated Tian Mo.

After Xiao Ai released the seven emotions power for half a day, the "Dao heart" of the mutated Tian Mo was completely broken open, laid bare before them.

To Li Changshou's surprise, when this mutated Tian Mo was examined, it was truly pure.

Mei Wenhua no longer cared whether she had been an abducted Hong Huang creature before; in her heart, there was only compassion, only sympathy for those extraterrestrial Tian Mo who shared her fate.

Her sole belief now was to save her kin, to free them from bondage and slavery.

Their lives were given by their mother and could be taken back by her at will, but they were also born of true spirits and had their own dignity.

She must bring the flower of hope and the fruit of freedom to the extraterrestrial Tian Mo!

Let the extraterrestrial Tian Mo stand up and control their own destinies.

After all, they never wanted to enter the Hong Huang heavens and earth; what they loved most was happily stretching their bodies in the chaotic sea...

After glimpsing this, the immortals present fell silent again.

Quan Tong pondered for a moment. "Xing Jun, what exactly did you do? This is completely... completely..."

Bian Zhuang whispered, "Just as our cultivators' inner demons are mostly malicious thoughts, a Tian Mo's inner demon is actually benevolent thoughts?"

Kong Xuan asked, "Should we take her to Xuan Du City?"

Li Changshou didn't answer, just closed his eyes in concentration, and soon said, "For now, she can't go beyond the heavens. I want to take her to a place first."

Quan Tong asked curiously, "Where to?"

"Fire Cloud Cave," Li Changshou replied. "Let the several human sages there ponder this matter and see if there's a once-and-for-all way to solve the extraterrestrial Tian Mo problem."

Quan Tong showed a look of realization, while Jiu Jiu in the corner blinked.

She felt like Changgeng had just... told a lie...