Chapter 597: Daji Appears, Demon Clan is Expelled

Less than half a month after Li Changshou returned to the Heavenly Court, the situation in the world drastically changed, with countless eyes fixed on the border of Beiju Luzhou.

The Five Continents were sealed off, the Four Seas surged with massive waves, and the immortal sects of Zhongshen Continent largely ceased their conflicts.

Unbeknownst to them, the human immortal sects, which had once disregarded the Heavenly Court, now had to carefully consider the impact of the Heavenly Court's demon-slaying campaign on themselves.

On that day, thunder rumbled incessantly over Beiju Luzhou, and dark clouds shrouded the sky.

At the North Heaven Gate, dozens of golden-armored heavenly gods stood with weapons in hand, their killing intent sharp and formidable.

On either side of them were two armies of 100,000 Thunder Department heavenly soldiers each, arrayed in three layers on the clouds, standing in silent tension like drawn bowstrings.

In front of the Lingxiao Hall, the ordinary Heavenly Court officials who had just finished their audience with the Jade Emperor turned and departed, followed by over a dozen Heavenly Deities.

The Jade Emperor, dressed in white, sat on the elevated platform, his eyes reflecting a sense of tranquility and contentment as he slowly closed them.

Jianjun, the incarnation of Yu Di, made a grand appearance!

How could the Jade Emperor miss such a major event of the Heavenly Court?

Regarding this incarnation, Quan Dong, he had changed his approach. Instead of concealing it, he openly allowed people to know it was his incarnation, though no one dared to speak of it explicitly. This made it convenient for him to move about freely.

In contrast, Li Changshou had no particular feelings about it.

As long as this incarnation did not appear too frequently and avoided doing anything that pleased himself or angered his junior sister, everything would be fine, and there would be no problems.

At that moment, Quan Dong was mingling among the heavenly generals at the North Heaven Gate, standing at the rear.

This was also a significant reason for the tense atmosphere here.

As for the Jade Emperor at that time…

To be honest, he was a bit confused.

He was well aware of the Heavenly Court's current strength and knew that it still lacked top experts. Their previous strategy of conservative defense was precisely to avoid another embarrassing situation.

During the Fengshen calamity, the Heavenly Court had mobilized its troops but lacked experts, received no support from the Three Teachings, and had to retreat in defeat.

However, in the Jade Emperor's view, Li Changshou's thunderous action this time was not reckless; it was methodical and sequential, like a plan prepared for many years, even though he had not mentioned a word of it beforehand.

Why the sudden strike?

The only clue was that Li Changshou had visited Zixiao Palace.

The Jade Emperor fell into deep thought, a bold guess forming in his mind—one that was still somewhat audacious for him as the Heavenly Emperor!

Changgeng, having lost the Hongmeng Purple Qi and being scolded as incompetent by the Dao Ancestor, must have felt resentment and immediately sought to prove his abilities to the Dao Ancestor.

Yes, that must be it.

It couldn't possibly be that, outside the Jade Emperor's awareness, the Dao Ancestor and Changgeng were secretly competing and scheming against each other.

That would be absurd—the Dao Ancestor could overturn heaven and earth with a flip of his hand.

Even he, the Heavenly Emperor, could be replaced with a single word from the Dao Ancestor, so why would the Dao Ancestor bother competing with Changgeng?

Moreover, Changgeng had a steady temperament; even when facing the saints of the Western Teachings, he never spoke harshly, so how could he dare to harbor thoughts against the Dao Ancestor?

Quan Dong smiled calmly, his eyes full of serenity.

May the Three Realms be at peace, and all living beings safe.

Just then, streaks of light shot through the air, transforming at the North Heaven Gate into the figures of Li Changshou and over a dozen Heavenly Deities.

"Set out."

At Li Changshou's command, the 200,000 Thunder Department heavenly soldiers moved out in unison, completing the final piece of the encirclement around Beiju Luzhou.

Half a day later, at noon.

Under the bright sun above Beiju Luzhou, the perennial miasma clouds seemed to thin out considerably.

From the southern border of Beiju Luzhou to the shores of the North Sea, the eight divisions of heavenly soldiers and over a thousand commanders had taken their battle positions.

Hundreds of experts recruited by the Heavenly Court were deployed across various locations; though lacking top-tier masters, their combat strength was still formidable.

Li Changshou appeared at the central point of the Beiju Luzhou border, seated in an armchair, with a hundred messenger heavenly soldiers standing behind him and several Heavenly Court civil officials on either side.

Quan Dong had gone to the North Sea shore to oversee the battle, where the fighting would be exceptionally fierce.

Below, demonic energy roiled, with an uncountable number of great demons gathered, yet the mountains everywhere were eerily silent, without a sound.

Li Changshou appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was secretly coordinating the troops. The messenger soldiers behind him continuously dispatched transmission jade talismans, meticulously dividing the battlefields.

In areas where the enemy had many strong opponents, the strategy was to delay and encircle, identify weaknesses, deploy elite heavenly soldiers and generals, and resolve the battles swiftly before rushing to reinforce other units.

The heavenly soldiers and generals were in high spirits and full of confidence. This war was destined to see some shed blood and fall, while others rapidly rose to glory.

"Has Ao Yi returned?"

Li Changshou asked, and immediately a heavenly general stepped forward to report that the deputy commander of the Tianhe Water Army, Ao Yi, had arrived the previous day.

"All units, prepare for the assault. Attack at three quarters past noon, and first beat the drums to boost morale."

"Yes!"

The messenger soldiers waved their ritual treasures and array flags, and drumbeats echoed across Beiju Luzhou, filling the silent skies.

Amid the drumming, several preset battlefields in Beiju Luzhou each manifested bronze mirrors.

The mirrors projected onto the air, displaying the same image on the clouds: Li Changshou seated on his throne.

Li Changshou smiled at the corners of his mouth, lightly tapping the armrest of his jade armchair with his fingers, seemingly in excellent spirits.

His leisurely demeanor further boosted the morale of his own forces.

But for the demon race, the old demons were weighed down with worries, the demon kings under immense pressure, and the demon soldiers were muttering about the "Great Spirit Explosion," their faces pale and utterly devoid of fighting spirit.

Deterrence.

"Report—"

Suddenly, a messenger soldier rode the clouds swiftly, weaving through the ranks of thousands of troops to reach Tai Bai Xing Jun.

The messenger soldier knelt on one knee with the order token in hand, his voice carrying through the bronze mirrors across Beiju Luzhou.

"Reporting to Xing Jun!

A demon race envoy has come to seek peace, claiming to be your old acquaintance, and you had promised to meet them today when they previously sought an audience in the Heavenly Court!"

"Oh?"

Li Changshou half-opened his eyes, pondered briefly, and said calmly, "Yes, there was such a matter. We still have some time before the battle begins, so let them come.

You two."

"Here!"

"If any demons act with ill intent later, eliminate them."

"Understood!"

The heavenly generals responded in unison, their military aura fierce and intimidating, making all living beings tremble.

Soon after, a white cloud drifted forward from beyond the heavenly soldiers, carrying two old women and several beautiful demon race women, with the "acquaintance" standing in the center.

It was the fox of Qingqiu, Lan, who had once pursued Qi Yuan the Daoist due to misunderstandings, only to end up in loneliness and even get Li Changshou scolded by his master Qi Yuan.

At that moment, she kept her head lowered and furrowed her brow, not daring to look up at the only seated deity here, her mind filled with the warnings from her elders before she came.

Many demon race elders had placed their last hopes on her, and she was prepared to sacrifice herself for the sake of her clan.

Facing hundreds of thousands of heavenly soldiers and the overwhelming heavenly might, Xiao Lan felt no fear.

Her cultivation was now quite advanced, making her the most outstanding among the demon race's rising stars. Moreover, after her experiences in the path of love and the setbacks she endured, her appearance had undergone subtle changes.

She had lost the domineering air from her days managing a brothel in the South Continent and the obsessive passion from begging to see Qi Yuan at the Duxian Gate. Now, she was even more radiant and tenderly charming.

Her skin was crystal clear, like that of a young maiden; her features were delicately exquisite, her allure innate; dressed in a ruqun with her long hair simply tied, she exuded a natural elegance, her slender fingers toying absentmindedly, her red lips pursed, and her graceful, enchanting figure stirring endless fantasies.

Fortunately, the heavenly soldiers and generals maintained strict discipline, and no one, regardless of cultivation level, stared with their spiritual eyes.

If any of them showed improper behavior, it would be the greatest insult to the fairies of Yaochi.

Xiao Lan arrived with the two old women before Li Changshou and knelt in unison.

One old woman called out, "The special envoy of the Qingqiu clan pays respects to Tai Bai Xing Jun!"

Li Changshou remained silent, leaving them hanging.

The two old women exchanged glances, then lowered their heads with hands behind their backs, signaling Xiao Lan and the other demon women not to move recklessly.

At that moment, Li Changshou was also puzzled.

This Xiao Lan...

Something was clearly off!

Why had her Dao realm progressed so rapidly? Unknowingly, she had reached the edge of the Golden Immortal realm!

Li Changshou secretly used the aura-observing technique but saw no significant destiny blessings on Xiao Lan. Then, with a flash of aqua blue light in his eyes, employing the Borrowed Heavenly Eye technique, he inwardly exclaimed in alarm.

A snow-white fox knelt before him, its nine tails spread out behind it.

This...

The nine-tailed demon fox that possessed Su Daji?

Highly likely.

Given the ways of the Heavenly Dao—cough, the Heavenly Dao's consistent arrangements—whenever there was a connection, there would be consequences.

His master Qi Yuan was the reincarnation of Jiang Ziya, so it was no surprise that the fox woman who pursued his master was the nine-tailed demon fox...

Pah! Who said it wasn't surprising!

What kind of style was this version of the Fengshen story he was involved in?!

The nine-tailed demon fox harbors deep affection for Jiang Ziya, possesses Su Daji to carouse nightly with Di Xin.

Su Daji and Zhou Wenwang's eldest son Bo Yikao are childhood sweethearts, and the nine-tailed demon fox deliberately seduces Bo Yikao to accomplish the downfall of the Shang dynasty...

Chaotic, utterly chaotic.

His mind quickly calmed, Li Changshou activated his empty and clear Dao heart, and asked softly:

"Dao friend, have you been well lately?"

Xiao Lan was startled, lifted her head slightly in a show of fragility, and asked softly, "Is Xing Jun addressing me?"

"Mm," Li Changshou said calmly, "Besides you, who here has any connection with me?"

"I have been quietly cultivating and not venturing out; everything is fine."

Xiao Lan replied gently, her voice trembling involuntarily as she added softly, "In the past, I... Xiao Lan was ignorant of your esteemed status and offended you greatly; I ask Xing Jun to forgive me."

She paused, a hint of hesitation in her eyes, but still asked:

"When the Daoist left, was he at peace?"

Li Changshou closed his eyes and sighed lightly. "His soul was burned away by the Golden Crow's true flames; how could he be at peace?

Never mind, let's not dwell on it. Today is the battle to exterminate the demon race, which can also serve as vengeance for me.

The ancient demon race committed endless evils, lacked virtue, and oppressed all beings. They intended to rival the Wu clan but ended up becoming the scourge of the heavens in their place.

After the Witch-Demon War, living beings suffered greatly, and the heavens' vital energy was severely damaged. The Dao Ancestor issued a strict order that the witches and demons must not cause further trouble.

Yet you demons, clinging to ancient dreams, treat the human race—the protagonists of the current heavens—as livestock, constantly plotting to overthrow the Wu clan and rise again, committing countless crimes in the process.

The heavens can no longer tolerate it.

You come today to plead for the demon race; have you ever thought of those beings devoured by vicious demons?

Who should plead for them?"

"This..."

Xiao Lan lowered her head, unable to answer; she was not skilled in debating such matters.

If it were about romance or seeking pleasure, she had an endless store of knowledge from Qingqiu, but on issues of great righteousness and the causes of war, she truly had nothing to say.

One old woman quickly interjected, "Xing Jun, not all demons are vicious; there are benevolent clans among us that do not kill.

Those ambitious demons who treat beings as livestock are not the main body of the demon race."

"Is that so?"

Li Changshou smiled faintly and said, "You come today to plead, is it for these demons?"

"Xing Jun is wise! We only seek a place to stand in the heavens!"

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on the jade armchair.

"How do we judge which demons are benevolent?"

"Through karmic obstacles and merits, of course," the old woman replied. "The demon race has always struggled; many of our kin had not yet awakened their spiritual intelligence and naturally consumed flesh and blood, accumulating minor karmic obstacles.

But with war imminent, Xing Jun, you need only issue an order for demons without evil deeds to hide in their caves and not emerge; a great many will disperse, and the Heavenly Court will face less resistance."

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow and sat there with his eyes closed in thought.

A voice transmission suddenly echoed in Xiao Lan's mind: "Do you know what bitter consequences your coming here today will sow?"

Xiao Lan was startled and looked up at Li Changshou; beneath that white hair and white brows, she could vaguely see the face of the young Daoist.

She shook her head, her gaze full of confusion.

Li Changshou sighed and transmitted: "Very well, consider this settling a karmic tie with you. I'll give you some guidance today.

Your plea here is a key sign of the demon race's division; the words you're saying now have already been spread across Beiju Luzhou by me.

In the hands of those old demons, you who come to plead for yourselves are already traitors.

You're being too conspicuous today; the demon race will target you later. Even if they don't dare act against the Qingqiu clan, there will be gossip and slander.

Make some preparations.

That's all I have to say. The karmic tie from deceiving you twice with my master's appearance is now severed; from now on, we have no connection.

Though the world is vast, take care of yourself."

With that, Li Changshou let out a slow sigh.

"Rise."

Li Changshou said, "The Qingqiu fox clan rarely commits evils and has good relations with many fairies in the Niangniang Palace; I am aware of this.

Since you've come today to plead, I cannot refuse, especially given the great kindness the Holy Mother has shown me.

From today onward, demons without karmic obstacles may retreat to the eastern side of Dongsheng Shenzhou and wait; the heavenly soldiers will not attack you. I hope you will conduct yourselves properly in the future.

As for the term 'demon race,' there's no need to use it anymore."

With that, Li Changshou waved his hand, and heavenly generals and soldiers stepped forward to escort them away.

The two old women were overjoyed, and the several demon women felt immense relief, kowtowing and bowing in gratitude.

Only Xiao Lan seemed lost in thought. Before being led away by the heavenly soldiers, she turned back to bow to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou, however, stood on the clouds, deep in contemplation.

What to do?

Although he had said his master had scattered his soul, Xiao Lan clearly still harbored lingering feelings.

If, during the Fengshen calamity, when his master Jiang Ziya went to Chaoge City as an official and Xiao Lan recognized him, and one of them couldn't hold back and they met in secret, with his master losing control...

Di Xin would be in trouble.

Such personal affairs were minor, but if it altered the Fengshen storyline and disrupted some of his plans, it would be a small mistake leading to big losses.

What to do?

Should he make some adjustments to his master's reincarnation to prevent recognition by Xiao Lan?

No, that wasn't right; the vastness of the Honghuang was immense, and the nine-tailed demon fox might not necessarily be Xiao Lan... Hmm, he'd send paper effigies to monitor her later and observe carefully to confirm.

From the side, a heavenly general transmitted: "My lord, the time has arrived."

Li Changshou looked up at the sun, slowly rose to his feet, extended his left hand, and a heavenly general presented a divine sword, which Li Changshou grasped firmly.

"All units, heed the order!"

Heed the order... Heed the order...

Li Changshou's voice echoed through the cloud mirrors across Beiju Luzhou.

A solemn killing intent filled the heavens and earth.

The ground was like a volcano on the verge of eruption, the suppressed demonic energy like surging lava building up force to burst forth.

The sky was like the eye of a storm; though momentarily still, any slight shift would unleash raging winds and torrential rain!

Clang—

Li Changshou drew the divine sword and pointed it downward.

"Exterminate the demons!"