Chapter 592: The Gate of the Heavenly Dao, Gongming's Previous Difficulty

Within the Chaos Sea, Li Changshou was pursuing the Kun fish, while saints had passed by Xuandu City.

When the saints briefly met at Xuandu City, they left behind some intriguing tales. Li Changshou began the complete handover process for the Kunpeng ark, meticulously inspecting it at least dozens of times, striving to grasp the basic principles behind Senior Lang's methods. Otherwise, he couldn't shake off his inner unease.

Indeed, the more cautious he was, the more it reflected his respect for Senior Lang.

As the saying goes, "one who stays near vermilion becomes stained red." One who stays near Li Changshou becomes steadier. Yunxiao had become much more composed and prudent since first encountering Li Changshou.

She was currently searching back and forth in the Kunpeng's secret chamber, leaving no corner unchecked and carefully sensing every array formation.

After all, Li Changshou had mentioned earlier that this place might become their future secret base, a spot for them to meet and discuss the Dao, perfectly hidden from the gaze of saints and Tiandao.

A rendezvous—cough, a secret base for discussing the Dao.

What Li Changshou hadn't anticipated was that the strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi he had willingly given up and forced into Kunpeng's Yuan Shen had now become a source of worry for him.

He had examined Kunpeng's Yuan Shen several times and found that the Purple Qi had completely fused with it. Destroying Kunpeng's Yuan Shen would mean losing that strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi, and separating the two was utterly impossible.

The reversal was just that frustrating.

Li Changshou had used Kunpeng as a scapegoat to resolve his crisis and avoid that strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi, which should have been a cause for joy. But as he smiled about it, he realized Kunpeng was like a "hometown gift package" left by Senior Lang.

It was just... awkward.

So, Li Changshou couldn't help but let his mind wander on this matter.

He had always regarded Daozu as the "ultimate schemer." Now, after directly experiencing Senior Lang's methods, when he looked back at the winner of that ancient hidden contest, Li Changshou didn't dare to be lax in the slightest. He had to think as deeply as possible.

And even that might not be deep enough.

Could this entire situation have been part of Daozu's grand plan?

Daozu must have factored in his temperament, his reluctance to use that strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi, and even Senior Lang's past schemes against Kunpeng. In the end, using that strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi, Daozu turned Kunpeng into a tool of Tiandao.

Hiss—

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

After Pangu God's fall, the strongest forces in the world were Tiandao's will, Daozu Hongjun, Demon Ancestor Luohou, Senior Lang, Ancestral Dragon, and Original Phoenix.

In Senior Lang's description of their "game rules," "they" referred to this group.

Yet, Senior Lang faced defeat head-on and could have escaped on Kunpeng, but instead chose to return to the Honghuang world for a hidden showdown with Daozu...

Among those ancient overlords, both overt and covert, who still remained?

Only Daozu Hongjun.

Though fused with Tiandao, he subtly sat above it.

It gave off the perfect aura of the Honghuang's supreme ruler!

How could such a figure, such a great power, use the "wealth code" of Tiandao—the Hongmeng Purple Qi—just to disrupt a minor scheme by a small disciple like him?

To understand issues, one must look beyond the surface to the essence.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, sat on Kunpeng's back, and had his Paper Daoist connect with Kunpeng's Yuan Shen to continue the next round of inspection and assessment.

As a weak civil official in the Heavenly Court, with no real power over a fully intact Kunpeng, facing these old schemers—cough, old seniors—he could only be careful, then even more careful, and prudent beyond measure.

Kunpeng was a cautionary tale.

Later, when reviewing the texts left by Senior Lang, any cultivation methods found would be burned and destroyed on the spot!

This was to avoid even worse possibilities.

But in doing so, would his absence from the Honghuang world last too long?

Li Changshou thought carefully. He was worried about Ling E's safety and concerned that his existing arrangements might spiral out of control.

"Hehehe..."

His Dao heart stirred slightly, as Master Tower's spiritual sense bloomed in Li Changshou's mind, manifesting as a message he sensed himself:

"Worry about what? Just stay here with Yunxiao for a hundred or eighty years.

Before, the old master came by, saw you were busy, and didn't disturb you. He left on his own."

Li Changshou: ...

He couldn't help but whisper, "What was I doing when the teacher came?"

"Super-evolving Kunpeng!"

"Okay, okay, I get it!"

Li Changshou's face turned red, and he raised a hand to cover his forehead, lost in thought for a moment.

There was no privacy in the Chaos Sea at all.

What realm was the teacher in, and what kind of family was Human Teach?

If the teacher wanted to, everywhere was like a live scene.

Li Changshou silently thanked his teacher in his heart, stood up, and bowed toward the direction of the Honghuang world. Then, he sorted out his thoughts and steadied his mind.

Since the teacher had come and gone, it meant the modified Kunpeng had no hidden issues; otherwise, the teacher would have given him some reminders.

Now, he could start his detailed research.

Speaking of which, what realm had the teacher reached?

Compared to Daozu before the Great Dao fusion or Senior Lang at his peak, it was probably just as strong, if not stronger.

Probably.

Li Changshou let out a light breath, using his immortal power to push back the surrounding Chaos aura, and slowly focused his mind.

Little did he know, this delay in the Chaos Sea would stretch into several decades passing in the blink of an eye.

What pained him most afterward was...

He had spent most of his time buried in research on the Hongmeng Purple Qi and Kunpeng's Yuan Shen, and with Yunxiao...

He hadn't done anything else.

In the blink of an eye, thirty-five years had passed since the small battle at Xuandu City.

Xuandu City had returned to its usual leisurely calm.

Although there was no news from Li Changshou and Yunxiao, because of Taqing Saint's simple passing remark, the experts of the Daoist sects stopped worrying about their safety.

A saint's words were always deliberate, especially from the strongest saint, who was as sparing with words as gold, each one carrying profound meaning.

How much information was packed into those two words, "passing by"?

Countless!

According to Bai Ze's interpretation, Taqing Saint's remark not only showed his indifference to peers but also served as a perfectly timed counter to Jieyin Saint's earlier distancing statement.

It also subtly informed them that Li Changshou was safe and sound, currently returning from the Chaos Sea with Yunxiao.

At the time, Jinling Shengmu asked:

'Just the words "passing by"—how does that indicate Changgeng and Yunxiao are safe? Don't make things up just to flatter.'

Bai Ze laughed and said:

'Sage Mother, think about it. If Taqing Saint was just passing by, he must have been on his way somewhere.

At this juncture, what could Taqing Saint be doing?

I just noticed that the Taqing Dao rhythm has returned to the world, and the power of the Yin-Yang Great Dao is even denser than before, meaning Taqing Saint came back from the Chaos Sea and passed by Xuandu City.

When he left, he transmitted a message to all of us, condensed into words, making his intent crystal clear.

Don't underestimate those two words; they're enough to convey all that.

This is probably the prowess of a Human Teach saint.'

Jinling Shengmu couldn't help but laugh and scold: 'Grand Master is incredibly powerful, and Human Teach's mount is no slouch either. If I went to Human Teach, I'd probably not even qualify as a mount.'

Bai Ze felt a bit awkward and just smiled without replying.

But with Bai Ze's explanation, the immortals of the Daoist sects no longer dwelled on Li Changshou's safety.

With Taqing Saint's protection, their worries were pointless.

In the following years, the groups searching for Li Changshou and Yunxiao returned one after another, with Jinpeng Bird, Zhao Gongming, and Yuding Zhenren being the last.

Jinpeng felt quite remorseful.

He had originally hoped to barely keep up with the Kun fish, but because he was too hasty, the spiritual power of that harness drained too quickly, and he momentarily exhausted himself, watching as the Kun fish vanished into the Chaos Sea.

Chasing in the original direction only led to nothing.

—In truth, Li Changshou had been urgent because Yunxiao had fainted, so he pressured Kunpeng to head to its secret lair.

That lair in the Chaos Sea could be like a grain of sand or a towering mountain; without the exact location and approach method, you'd pass right by without noticing anything unusual.

That was the essence of disorder.

Fortunately, with Bai Ze's explanation, Jinpeng, though remorseful, managed to stabilize his Dao heart.

With Li Changshou not back, Jinpeng stayed in Xuandu City waiting, as he had no orders from his teacher and didn't know what else to do.

The news of Li Changshou and Yunxiao chasing Kunpeng into the Chaos Sea spread throughout the Honghuang world.

The Heavenly Court's response was timely; they vaguely alluded to Li Changshou being swallowed by Kunpeng and Yunxiao going to rescue him, while praising Taibai Xingjun and Yunxiao for their fearless pursuit of victory and their outstanding contributions to protecting the Honghuang world.

They also listed Kunpeng's crimes in full.

The last to hear about Li Changshou and Yunxiao's disappearance in the Chaos Sea was Ling E, who had been in seclusion at Xiaoqiong Peak.

Ling E wasn't too worried about her senior brother's safety; she had blind admiration for him deep in her heart.

Instead, she started worrying that her senior brother and Yunxiao might progress too quickly, leaving her behind.

After all, in the dark, nameless Chaos Sea, the two of them relying on each other could easily stir feelings, like dry wood meeting a spark or heavenly thunder hooking into earthly fire.

It was normal; she understood it and often imagined it, but never had the chance.

Ling E thought Yunxiao was exceptionally outstanding, and although she couldn't reject her, at least things should follow first come, first served.

She and her senior brother had known each other first!

Sigh, the saddest thing in the world wasn't seeing her senior brother and Yunxiao living together;

It was having to help them take care of their child while they did.

Thinking of this, Ling E silently submerged herself in the bath tub, using a string of bubbles to express her protest against the innate great powers of the Honghuang world.

"Stinky senior brother, humph!"

Yet, Li Changshou could vouch with his own marriage clay figure that, aside from taking advantage once when Yunxiao was vulnerable, he really hadn't done anything else.

He just hadn't had the time.

Over these thirty-five years, most of his interactions with Yunxiao were related to Kunpeng's Yuan Shen, mostly discussions between them about Senior Lang's methods.

For example:

"Yun, look at this. Kunpeng's second Yuan Shen has indeed fully fused with the Hongmeng Purple Qi, but it's suppressed by that senior's restrictions.

In other words, if Tiandao tries to control Kunpeng through the Hongmeng Purple Qi, it would be blocked by Senior Lang's restrictions."

"It's not certain. We're in the Chaos Sea, far from Tiandao, so the Hongmeng Purple Qi can't exert much power.

I once heard my master mention during lectures that although the Hongmeng Purple Qi provides the path to sainthood, the deeper the fusion, the greater the constraints from Tiandao.

In fact, Tiandao might use it to influence their decisions."

"You're right; that's an important point. I'll think on it more."

Then, after half a year, a year, or three to five years, Li Changshou would meet Yunxiao again, each time saying:

"Yun, guess what I discovered!"

"That senior's character aside, his skill with talismans, arrays, and restrictions is top-tier in the Honghuang world!"

"This array concept is incredibly powerful!"

Each time, Yunxiao would look at him with shining eyes and a gentle smile, listening attentively and responding occasionally.

She didn't mind it at all;

Instead, it gave her an unexpected sense of stability, and she imprinted every one of Li Changshou's expressions in her heart.

Even after ages, she could recall them with a snap of her fingers.

Until this time, Li Changshou came over excitedly:

"Yun, I've completely figured out the so-called second Yuan Shen method. That senior's techniques are heavenly; he's truly worthy of being a great figure who followed Pangu God!"

"Hmm?"

Yunxiao responded with a gentle question, ready to listen to his rambling.

Li Changshou laughed and said:

"When Kunpeng's Yuan Shen acts as the ark's main control, its own consciousness is completely muddled!

That senior actually split Kunpeng's second Yuan Shen into two parts: one is the surface persona of Demon Master Kunpeng, and the other is the essential core for the ark's control.

I've come up with a way to fully fuse the Hongmeng Purple Qi with Kunpeng's persona, or completely with the ark's control side."

Yunxiao thought for a moment and asked: "Between the two, which is more stable?"

Li Changshou replied: "Fusing it with the ark's control side is definitely more stable.

The ark's control is just a program made of talisman arrays, like the spirituality of a treasure, but without any 'self' consciousness.

That senior handled that part quite well.

In other words, if the Hongmeng Purple Qi can't affect a specific true spirit, it loses its power to bind living beings.

This strand of Purple Qi becomes a key, the key to unlock Tiandao's door!"

"We should go with the safer option," Yunxiao said seriously. "If it's not absolutely necessary, don't oppose Tiandao."

"Alright, I'll follow your lead on this."

Li Changshou and Yunxiao exchanged smiles, and then he hurried back to the Kun fish to continue his research.

Yunxiao blinked, closed her eyes, and meditated in a corner of the flourishing array.

After this, Li Changshou didn't show up for a long time.

In Yunxiao's perception, about seven or eight years passed. Worried that Li Changshou might be in trouble, she took the initiative to go to the Kun fish to look for him and "happened" to meet Li Changshou, who was coming to find her.

Clearly, Li Changshou had detected her trace and left Kunpeng's heart chamber on purpose.

"What happened?"

Yunxiao asked softly: "Did you run into a problem? Do you need me to discuss it with you?"

"It's not really a problem; I just saw some visions of the future and started thinking about my arrangements for the events ahead, which made me lose track of time."

Li Changshou sighed, seeming hesitant to speak.

Yunxiao waited quietly, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation.

But in the end, Li Changshou said:

"I've about finished researching Kunpeng's Yuan Shen. Let's head back so everyone stops worrying.

Yun, do you remember the direction of the Honghuang world?"

"Of course," Yunxiao replied gently.

As Li Changshou handed her the jade token for controlling Kunpeng, she took it without hesitation.

"You drive; give it a try."

Li Changshou smiled and said: "Don't go too fast on the way back; I need more time to think."

Yunxiao asked: "Did you see something troublesome through that strand of Purple Qi?"

Li Changshou sighed slowly: "Yes, you see right through me.

I'm a bit unsettled right now. I'll decide whether to tell you about these troubles once I've sorted it out.

We're still far from the Honghuang world, so the Hongmeng Purple Qi should have lost contact with Tiandao. Those images were probably meant for me to see from my master ancestor.

I can't confirm yet if it's a story arranged by Tiandao or just a vision it deduced.

At least, I can be sure this Hongmeng Purple Qi was given to me by my master ancestor.

I'll figure it out first."

Yunxiao didn't press further, gazing at him gently and offering silent encouragement.

Half a day later, the Kun fish sped through the Chaos Sea. Li Changshou sat on its back, behind Yunxiao, rubbing his face with his hands as he continued to ponder.

The Kunpeng threat was resolved, and he had gained many foundations from Senior Lang.

That strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi still posed some potential risks, but as long as Kunpeng stayed away from Tiandao's influence, it could be managed.

If he wanted to take on some risks and bring Kunpeng closer to the Honghuang world, he could use this Purple Qi to sense Tiandao's principles.

By a twist of fate, he now had a way to peek into Tiandao without being bound by it.

But Li Changshou couldn't feel happy about it at all.

He wasn't usually the indecisive type, yet he was completely unsure whether to tell Yunxiao the truth.

Telling her had its advantages; not telling had its conveniences.

After thinking it over the entire journey, as they approached the boundary of Tiandao's power, Li Changshou finally looked up.

"Yun, let's pull back a bit; I want to show you something."

Yunxiao nodded gracefully and turned the Kunpeng around.

A moment later, they sat facing each other. They extended their left and right hands, palms touching, and the images from Li Changshou's Dao heart appeared in Yunxiao's mind.

The sky was dim, corpses littered the ground, and the air was murky.

Amid the billowing smoke, vague figures stood in the heavens, and broken banners were thrust into the earth.

A Daoist in armor stood on the clouds, his form wavering, a massive hole in his chest, yet he still raised his golden whip high and shouted angrily.

Zhao Gongming.

Yunxiao frowned and pursed her lips, sitting there in thought for a long time without speaking.

Li Changshou didn't interrupt, just sighed lightly.

He had schemed and arranged for so long, but based on what Tiandao showed, he still couldn't avoid Zhao Dage's impending disaster.

It was a bit disheartening.

Yunxiao suddenly asked: "In Tiandao's vision, what is Big Brother saying?"

"This... it's not that important," Li Changshou said. "The main thing is that this scene foretells a calamity for Zhao Ge."

Yunxiao replied: "This should be Tiandao's deduction and might not actually happen."

"I'm afraid Tiandao will manipulate the fate to make things turn out that way."

Li Changshou sighed with regret, and Yunxiao felt a quiet worry.

After thinking for a while, she still asked: "Is there anything taboo in what Big Brother is saying?"

"Not really," Li Changshou laughed. "I'll let you hear it; it's just a lot of crude language."

Yunxiao tilted her head slightly.

'You ungrateful bastards! I'll curse you all, curse you, curse you!

What a great Western sect, what a great saint!

What a bunch of Twelve Golden Immortals!

Ran Deng, you sneaky bastard, daring to eye my Dinghai Divine Pearls?

I'll fight you all to the death today; even if my soul remains, I'll go to the Heavenly Court as an immortal and keep enjoying the good life with my brother Changgeng!

Dammit!'