Chapter 579: Suiren's Fire Virtue, the Great Dao Unextinguished

How to describe the Human Emperor before us?

He was emaciated and weary, yet his eyes shone with piercing brightness, as if they could see into every corner of the heart.

When Li Changshou announced his name and bowed with a daoist salute, Xuan Yuan Huang Di introduced Li Changshou's recent "achievements." The once incredibly frail Sui Ren Shi threw his head back and laughed heartily.

That wild laughter seemed to contain endless divine powers, making one instinctively want to join in, and inevitably wonder what kind of majestic and commanding presence this skeletal old man must have had in ancient times.

"Good, good. It's great that Heaven has a minister of human origin who can speak directly to the Jade Emperor. Ha ha ha ha!"

Sui Ren Shi cupped his hands and said in a clear voice, "Young friend, would you come down for a chat?"

"You flatter me, senior," Li Changshou replied with a daoist salute, then immediately descended on a cloud.

Among the retired Human Emperors, only Xuan Yuan Huang Di and Da Yu followed him down, while the others simply stood above, smiling as they watched.

Sui Ren Shi frowned and coughed a few times, looking down at his own withered body as if displeased. He casually undid his tattered robes, exposing his nearly shriveled form without any hesitation, then reached into his storage space and pulled out a clean set of long robes to put on.

Li Changshou had already landed on the surface of the lava lake, and Sui Ren Shi's eyes narrowed in a smile. Just as he was about to step forward, faint shadows of chains appeared around him.

Heavenly Dao power!

The old Human Emperor took only half a step forward, and the lava beneath his feet instantly solidified. Those chains silently transformed into silver feathers, scattering in all directions...

How powerful.

Li Changshou inwardly praised him, feeling the oppressive aura from that single step, which made his dao heart tremble slightly.

It seemed that this elder, tormented by demonic energy until he was nothing but skin and bones, still retained the towering stature he once had when striding across the heavens.

"You must find this amusing."

Sui Ren Shi said in a hoarse voice, coughing twice as he lowered his head, then swept his long sleeve to make a low table rise from the ground with four chairs around it, gesturing for them to sit as they pleased.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di smiled at Li Changshou and sat down, with Da Yu taking a seat to his left and right. Li Changshou didn't decline; he pulled his chair back a couple of feet, said a word of thanks, and then sat down properly.

"Cough, cough cough."

Sui Ren Shi coughed again, his trembling fingers reaching into his storage space to take out a set of stone wine vessels.

"I don't have any fine wine here—it's from my early brewing days; I don't know if it'll suit your taste."

Li Changshou stood up and said, "Senior, let me handle this."

"The guest should sit," Sui Ren Shi said with a smile, his words carrying a faint air of authority that brooked no argument or rebuttal. Even his gentle gaze exuded immense dignity.

"Has there been any unrest in Nan Continent or Zhong Continent in the last ten thousand years?"

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, and Da Yu laughed beside him, "Rest assured, senior, the four seas are at peace, with no disturbances."

"That's good," Sui Ren Shi nodded, then casually took out a tobacco pipe, tapped it against the table edge, stuffed in some tobacco leaves, lit it, and took a puff with a satisfied sound.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di waved his hand to disperse the smoke and frowned, "Senior, you're of the fire element, but what's the reasoning behind this fire producing smoke?"

"Cough, cough cough!"

Sui Ren Shi sighed, "This is my only pleasure left—can't I indulge a bit?

"By the way, what position does young Li hold in Heaven now?"

"Taibai Xingjun and also the Water God," Li Changshou replied with a smile. "I don't have much specific work; I just wander around, offering some strategies to His Majesty the Jade Emperor."

"Oh? A strategist? But how is your physical body so formidable?"

"Just some self-defense techniques—nothing to boast about, senior."

"Has Heaven grown this strong?"

Sui Ren Shi furrowed his brow slightly, took a puff from his jade pipe, and sighed, "In that case, my human race will face even more restrictions. The separation of immortals and mortals seems irreversible."

Da Yu laughed and said, "Don't be fooled by Changgeng, senior—he's no ordinary civil official."

Xuan Yuan Huang Di's mouth twitched slightly as he added, "An ordinary civil official who went to Ling Shan and smashed the saint's dao field gate? Serving as a military officer in Heaven must be quite the pressure."

"Oh?" Sui Ren Shi's eyes lit up, and he chuckled while gazing at Li Changshou. "Come, tell me in detail. Let me see what kind of successor my human race has produced."

Li Changshou quickly said, "My modest background isn't worth mentioning. It's just that I had some luck, with my teacher guiding me every step, His Majesty the Jade Emperor caring for me, and my comrades in Heaven striving together, that I achieved a few results.

"But the foundation of all that comes from my human origins, protected by the human race's destiny.

"If not for Sui Ren senior blazing the trail and lighting the torch for the human race to advance from darkness, and all you predecessors exhausting yourselves to lay a solid foundation for the human race's great prosperity, how could I have what I have today?"

The other Human Emperors waiting above the lake exchanged glances and stroked their beards with laughter.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di and Da Yu also smiled, but Sui Ren Shi kept a straight face and said,

"How can you be so eloquent, not offending anyone with a few words?

"In ancient times, you'd have been hung up and beaten in the army! You're the representative of the human race in Heaven—how can you be so evasive? You need the pride of the human race, a backbone of steel!

"Cough, cough cough!"

Li Changshou blinked and hurriedly said, "Senior, my respect for all you sages comes from the heart; it's not just flattery."

Xuan Yuan Huang Di laughed beside him, "Senior, don't you think about it—does Changgeng need to flatter us?

"He's the main instigator of this great calamity, appointed by the Dao Ancestor and sealed by the Jade Emperor himself.

"Heaven was quite weak just six or seven hundred years ago, but this fellow here used his wits to outmaneuver the West, capture dragons, and slay demons, propping up Heaven single-handedly.

"Now, from Zixiao Palace to the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Changgeng can go anywhere. He's on good terms with Houtu of great virtue, comes and goes freely in the Holy Mother Palace, and when the six saints of Zixiao Palace discussed the Investiture of the Gods, the Dao Ancestor even grabbed him and gave him thirty-six spanks—his clothes were torn, but he was fine.

"And here you are, getting upset because a junior shows some respect? Do you think everyone else is like me, always arguing with you for the sake of backbone?"

This...

Li Changshou frowned at Xuan Yuan Huang Di, feeling that even his own thick skin couldn't handle it.

Sui Ren Shi sized up Li Changshou a few times and laughed, "Is that so? Then I'll apologize to you. I wrongly took you for someone without backbone."

Da Yu added with a laugh, "He's not soft at all—quite the opposite."

"Gentlemen, please don't talk about me," Li Changshou said seriously. "I don't know if there's a way to suppress the demonic energy in you, senior. This time it worked, but it seems like just treating the symptoms, not the root."

Sui Ren Shi chuckled a couple of times and sighed, "You've put thought into it.

"But there's no need to bother. I'm relying on this demonic energy to hold on now—I've become neither immortal nor demon.

"If not for some unfinished business in my heart, I'd have gone with my old friends, drifting away on the wind, instead of suffering here.

"The only way to eradicate the demonic energy is through soul transformation."

Li Changshou quickly said, "If that's the case, it's not entirely hopeless, senior. Look over there."

He pointed to Mei Wen Hua, who was sitting cross-legged and recovering, and sent a voice transmission to explain. This time, Sui Ren Shi truly frowned in silence, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.

Mei Wen Hua: A precious case of the human race taming an extraterrestrial heavenly demon.

"How did the human race produce someone as peculiar as you? Peculiar in a good way, peculiar and wonderful," Sui Ren Shi sighed. "If the human race had a few more like you, I could rest easy and go.

"But still, no need. Demons have their benefits, and gods have their constraints.

"This way is fine too."

Li Changshou immediately understood in his heart that Sui Ren Shi probably didn't want to reduce his own strength just to alleviate his suffering.

Da Yu laughed and said, "Senior, you're joking. Someone as unique as Changgeng only appears once in dozens of yuan meetings."

"Speaking of unique individuals."

Sui Ren Shi's eyes showed a touch of emotion as he sighed, "The one I admire most is actually Dong Huang Tai Yi. He's the great enemy of the human race, but setting aside our positions, he was truly a heroic figure of his era.

"It's just a pity that the demon race slaughtered the human race, creating a blood feud that can never be shared."

Li Changshou asked, "May I boldly ask, senior, when did you ascend to the position of Human Emperor?"

"Before the demon race raised their blades against the human race," Sui Ren Shi said, his eyes full of memories, then he closed them and sighed softly, letting the pipe in his hand emit wisps of smoke as he sank into his recollections, unwilling to return.

Li Changshou thought to himself, should I invite those nineteen demonic weapons to visit Huoyun Cave?

But then he reconsidered—if that opened old wounds, it might be better to maintain the status quo.

"Young Li."

"I'm here."

"Does the Jade Emperor have any wariness toward the human race?"

"Not at all," Li Changshou said seriously. "His Majesty the Jade Emperor is an ambitious heavenly emperor. Though appointed directly by the Dao Ancestor, he keeps himself pure and upright.

"When Heaven was still rising, His Majesty once sailed the Western Sea..."

At the bottom of the lava lake, Li Changshou took control of the conversation and spoke eloquently.

He talked about the Jade Emperor's virtues, the decline of the demon race, pointed out the human race's main issue now—the erosion of the mortal world by immortals—and explained in detail how Heaven was addressing it.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di and Da Yu listened intently, while Sui Ren Shi occasionally pointed out key aspects, making Li Changshou think deeply before giving a fitting response.

On the lake surface, the other emperors had already flown aside to rest, their conversation naturally revolving around Li Changshou.

Though they didn't know him well, they all praised him highly.

Half a day later, Xuan Yuan Huang Di, Da Yu, and Li Changshou flew up together from the lake bottom.

The sealed volcanic array returned to its original state, and now Sui Ren Shi sat cross-legged in the lava lake, with strands of black energy swirling around him, looking more comfortable than before by a hundredfold.

Da Yu laughed and said, "If we can bring that... friend here every hundred years or so, senior Sui Ren's troubles could be greatly alleviated."

"Mm," Li Changshou nodded in agreement. "Later, I'll definitely continue trying to see if I can save more heavenly demons and let them bathe once again in the light of the Heavenly Dao."

Hearing this, Mei Wen Hua nearby became extremely excited, her eyes full of admiration.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di narrowed his eyes in a smile and invited Li Changshou to a nearby pavilion.

This time, they finalized the various details for plotting against Kun Peng, as well as what the retired Human Emperors of Huoyun Cave needed to do.

A scheme centered on Xuandu City was officially set in motion.

In the underworld, outside Fengdu City at the Tower of Reincarnation.

At the top of the tower, Dizang sat in his usual spot, unchanged for ten thousand years, leaning against the windowsill and enjoying the yin winds, his face showing compassion.

In the corner opposite Dizang, Maitreya sat casually, flexing his fingers, his gaze somewhat dim.

At the stairwell, the green-furred big dog was huddled up, bruised and swollen, with two whirlpools on its head and its entire beastly form puffed up, clearly having been badly beaten.

Maitreya still seemed unsatisfied, saying coldly, "Junior brother, if you don't control your dog, I might really have to kill it."

"Heaven ordered it to assist in investigating the extraterrestrial heavenly demons—how could it refuse?"

Dizang asked calmly, "Senior brother, it's been a hundred years since we last met. Did you come here to vent some pent-up frustration?"

"Tsk tsk," Maitreya chuckled lightly. "I couldn't show myself before, as Heaven was pursuing me closely, and I had some matters to handle.

"But I didn't listen to your advice, junior brother, and insisted on provoking that Taibai Xingjun, only to fall into his traps several times.

"He's different from you and me—his thoughts are truly hard to fathom."

Dizang looked helpless and said, "Why can't Ling Shan and Heaven coexist?"

"Are you suggesting Ling Shan should bow to Heaven?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Such words are quite rebellious. I don't mind, but don't let our two teachers hear them."

Maitreya's smile grew even more pronounced, though his eyes were somewhat distant, as he said slowly,

"Sometimes I can't help but wonder what our two teachers mean by 'great prosperity.'

"We have people—when Ling Shan was at its peak, we had hundreds of disciples and over a thousand followers, with our influence spread across the three thousand worlds.

"Yet it's still not considered great prosperity."

"Great prosperity lies in destiny," Dizang said slowly. "Only when great destiny aligns can it be called true prosperity."

Maitreya replied, "But so-called great destiny is just bestowed by the Heavenly Dao, so in essence—we can say the Heavenly Dao decides who prospers."

Dizang shook his head slightly, "The Heavenly Dao merely seeks stability for heaven and earth; living beings are part of heaven and earth."

"Living beings are alive, heaven and earth are dead, the Heavenly Dao is a rule.

"The Heavenly Dao keeps tightening the boundaries of the Great Dao that living beings can reach and limiting their strength—is that truly just for the stability of heaven and earth?"

"Otherwise?"

"I have no answer," Maitreya sighed with a slow laugh. "How long has it been since we've discussed the Dao? Let's have a session today?"

"No need," Dizang declined calmly. "You and I are no longer on the same path, nor do we follow the same Dao."

"The path is under our feet—how can they be different?"

"Our sights divide left and right, so the paths ahead are different."

Maitreya said, "All things in the world are within one heaven and earth; the paths of all spirits may diverge but ultimately converge, leading only to final extinction."

Dizang replied, "Extinction is merely for the next rebirth; heaven and earth should also have their cycles."

Maitreya said, "After the cycle, is heaven and earth still the same? The laws will have changed, and the Great Wilderness will be no more."

Dizang fell silent, sitting there lost in thought.

Maitreya smiled, leaned against the wall, and stared blankly at the tower ceiling.

After some time, Maitreya stood up and said, "If you have nothing more to say, junior brother, I'll take my leave."

Dizang frowned and asked, "Will you continue fighting?"

"No, no need," Maitreya waved his hand and patted his belly. "Last time Yang Jian smashed Ling Shan, both sides' saints have made their stances clear—Ling Shan and Yuxu Palace allying is now an unspoken agreement. More action would just lead to more mistakes.

"But I still have some personal grudges with that Taibai Xingjun."

"Senior brother, remember, it was you who provoked him first."

"So what?"

Maitreya's smile turned somewhat sinister as he said coldly, "After years of cultivation, I just want to feel free in my heart. I have to show him some color."

With that, Maitreya flicked his sleeve and vanished.

Dizang frowned and pondered for a while, then sighed and shook his head. He raised his hand to summon the listening creature from the stairwell, removed the seals on it, and healed its injuries.

Half a day later, at the entrance of Huoyun Cave.

Li Changshou, with Bian Zhuang and Mei Wen Hua, bowed with daoist salutes to bid farewell to the emperors who had come to see them off.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di stepped forward and said with a smile, "I'll escort Changgeng a bit further to discuss some specifics."

The other emperors smiled and agreed, then dispersed on their clouds.

Xuan Yuan Huang Di said, "Please," and led Li Changshou out of Huoyun Cave.

Bian Zhuang and Mei Wen Hua waited behind, while Xuan Yuan Huang Di took Li Changshou for a walk along the edge of the great marsh.

The grass was lush, and flowers bloomed among the green willows.

Li Changshou sent a voice transmission, asking, "Senior, do you have other matters to instruct?"

"A few minor things," Xuan Yuan Huang Di said slowly, hand on the sword at his waist. "You're in charge of the Investiture of the Gods, which is meant to appoint proper gods to Heaven.

"I'm being shameless today, wanting to ask you for a divine position. It doesn't need to be high or powerful—just enough to form an immortal body and live stably."

Hearing this, Li Changshou immediately thought of two words.

Bo Jian.

As expected, when Li Changshou inquired a bit, Xuan Yuan Huang Di mentioned that name and recounted the events of the battle against Chi You back then.

Xuan Yuan sighed, "I've never acted unjustly in my life. In my early cultivation, I strayed and incurred three thousand emotional debts, but I upheld my principles and took responsibility for them all.

"All my followers met good ends, but only Bo Jian had his primordial spirit injured and had to seal himself at the bottom of the deep sea.

"With this opportunity, I must help him out."

Li Changshou said seriously, "Such a person would surely catch His Majesty the Jade Emperor's interest. I'll report this to Heaven and discuss it properly with him.

"Senior, rest assured—it's almost certain."

Xuan Yuan immediately showed his classic narrowed-eye smile, "If you say it's almost certain, then I won't worry. Don't put yourself out too much.

"As for dealing with Kun Peng, what's the success rate?"

"The arrangements haven't fully unfolded yet, so it's hard to judge," Li Changshou said seriously. "Whether Kun Peng takes the bait is still uncertain. Senior, just wait for my signal—I'll crush a jade talisman, and you can proceed as planned."

"Should we isolate Huoyun Cave from the outside world starting today?"

"Acting too early might alert the enemy," Li Changshou thought carefully. "Better to keep everything as usual. I trust the seniors of Huoyun Cave.

"It's just... does senior enjoy drinking?"

"What? Afraid I'll drink and mess things up?"

Xuan Yuan Huang Di straightened up and smiled calmly, "If the home isn't stable, how can the world be? If the inner palace isn't managed, how can the four directions be governed? You know my strength."

Li Changshou: ...

Well, this is a professional, or rather, master-level manager of the inner palace.

The two chatted for a while longer, and when Li Changshou asked about Sui Ren Shi's other wishes, Xuan Yuan Huang Di's words left him stunned for quite some time.

It wasn't until he flew with Bian Zhuang and Mei Wen Hua near the Zhongtian Gate that Li Changshou let out a soft sigh.

What Xuan Yuan Huang Di said was:

"Changgeng, you should have guessed it. The reason Sui Ren senior is holding on is simply because he's worried about the human race.

"The human race has achieved great prosperity, but the position of Heavenly Emperor was appointed by the Dao Ancestor to the Jade Emperor, so the human race is destined to be constrained by Heaven.

"In the late ancient era, a series of events occurred that aren't recorded in the classics, and it's clear the Heavenly Dao secretly intervened, enforcing the separation of immortals and mortals and locking the destiny in the mortal world of Nan Continent.

"In other words, the Heavenly Dao doesn't want the human race to get out of control, so it's imposing restrictions.

"Sui Ren senior is resisting those restrictions. He's lying at the bottom of the lake, watching the heavens above. If Heaven ever raises its blade against the human race again, he'll leap up from the earth.

"The human race has overthrown Heaven once before and wouldn't mind doing it a second time."

This, perhaps, is the true Human Emperor, the real hero of the human race.

"Mei Wen Hua?"

Li Changshou turned to the distracted woman and asked, "Can you sense the locations of the other three heavenly demons... the victims who entered the Great Wilderness with you?"

"Yes!"

Mei Wen Hua's eyes showed urgency. "My lord, when are we moving? I'm eager to tell them the truth and save them from their suffering."

Li Changshou asked casually, "Where are they now?"

"I can only sense the general directions," Mei Wen Hua quickly pointed out three directions. "Mei Mao Bing is in this direction, closest to us; Mei Xin Qing is in this one, next closest; and the farthest is Mei Di Xian."

Li Changshou couldn't help but twitch his mouth slightly.

Kun Peng's naming skills were quite... flamboyant, though he wasn't sure if it was influenced by Senior Lang.