Chapter 608: Counterattack Storm

Sizzle—

A piece of spiritual beast meat, crispy on the outside and tender inside with even thickness, burst with fine oil droplets on the iron plate.

A clamp made from top-grade Jue Ling Xue Hua Jade flipped and pressed the meat occasionally.

High-end ingredients often only need simple frying and simmering.

Paired with this spiritual beast meat was just a bit of 100,000-year-old ling gen, which had the effect of relaxing the yuan shen and elevating the spirit.

Sniff, sniff.

Bai Ze twitched his nose, stroking his goatee with a faint smile.

Lin Tian Dian was now running smoothly, with dozens of people involved in making ordinary decisions, from the palace master to the strategists. Yet, only their original group from Du Xian Men truly knew the real origins of Lin Tian Dian.

The days of slacking off had become so comfortable, leisurely, and full of ritual.

"Mr. Bai, your meals look quite good."

A sudden call came from his sleeve, making Bai Ze tremble as the clamp nearly slipped from his hand.

A flash of light appeared, and a familiar figure flew out from his sleeve, landing in front of him.

"Lord Shui Shen!"

Bai Ze quickly said, "Recently, Lin Tian Dian has been uneventful, so this poor daoist has been here honing my cooking skills. If there's a chance, I can show off a bit in front of you and the two fairy maidens, Yun Xiao and Ling E."

Li Changshou: ...

Well, being adaptable and eloquent could barely count as a traditional skill.

Li Changshou asked, "Has Mr. Bai been paying attention to matters in Tian Court lately?"

"Of course I have," Bai Ze laughed. "I heard that Lord Shui Shen went to Tai Qing Guan, so I figured the matter was settled. I decided to take a break and tinker with my cooking.

How about it? Is there a new development? Even Tai Qing Sheng Ren doesn't know who's behind the scheming?"

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, then sighed lightly as he sat down nearby, gesturing for Bai Ze to continue grilling.

He said, "The teacher is our greatest backer and trump card. The reason I asked the teacher to step in is that the enemy left too few clues this time, and they were extremely cautious.

The ones who coerced that Heng E were a group of san xiu. Behind those san xiu, the ones who gave them the task were a few more san xiu.

Tracing those few san xiu further, one of them had relatives with a Jie Jiao background, but they were just obscure qi refiners on Jiu Long Island. The trail completely stopped there because those san xiu had already been secretly killed.

The opponent used such sophisticated methods, leaving no flaws, and they had planned ahead, carefully laying everything out before I could investigate. It's truly impressive."

Bai Ze pondered carefully and asked, "Is this not the work of Xi Fang Jiao?"

"I wish it were, as that would simplify things greatly."

Li Changshou shook his head and smiled bitterly. "The covert forces of Xi Fang Jiao have already been severely weakened by me. Even with two sheng ren backing them, their influence and strength among the three teachings in the calamity are now at the very bottom."

Bai Ze was taken aback. "Is it really Jie Jiao acting foolishly on their own?"

"Only a very few people in Jie Jiao could pull off such a meticulous layout and know how to use leverage effectively."

Li Changshou shook his head and explained, "How could those Jie Jiao disciples not understand that this would only provoke me?"

"This..."

Bai Ze pondered for a moment, his words tumbling out as question marks, mentioning the Yao Clan, Wu Clan, ancient great powers, and even extraterrestrial heavenly demons.

All were denied by Li Changshou.

Bai Ze fell silent.

Li Changshou asked with interest, "Mr. Bai, it seems you're deliberately avoiding Chan Jiao."

Bai Ze also smiled bitterly:

"If it's really Chan Jiao making a move, trying to drive a wedge between Lord Shui Shen and Jie Jiao, or even create a rift between you and Fairy Yun Xiao, given the forces you've mobilized, the resources you've deployed, and the momentum you've built...

It's no surprise to this poor daoist if this small matter becomes the trigger for the Feng Shen calamity.

This is a big problem."

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, watching the meat on the iron plate, and praised, "An ordinary iron plate, mundane charcoal fire, top-grade spiritual meat, precious ingredients—this dish is quite interesting."

Bai Ze also laughed and said, "Simple schemes, serious consequences—that's what makes this matter interesting.

Lord Shui Shen, what do you plan to do?"

"Investigate what needs investigating, eliminate what needs eliminating," Li Changshou said. "Whoever did it is responsible. If it leads to conflict between the two teachings, let it happen.

The schemer behind it might get what they want, but the cost is beyond their control. Consider it a warning to those with ulterior motives.

Mr. Bai, return to Tian Court.

Once you arrive at Tian Court, that's when I'll make my move... The meat is about to burn."

"Ah," Bai Ze quickly clamped the spiritual beast meat to the side. "Would you like to try some?"

Li Changshou's figure had already turned into a stream of light and entered Bai Ze's sleeve, leaving behind, "What can a paper daoist taste? Once it's done, Mr. Bai, just make a meal then.

No need to hurry back; I'll drag this out with that person for a few more days."

"Understood," Bai Ze said with a smile, sensing Li Changshou's divine sense dissipate before letting out a soft breath.

Chan Jiao?

Bai Ze's expression showed a hint of confusion.

What are those guys in such a rush for?

At the same time,

In Kun Lun Mountain, at Yu Xu Gong,

In an immortal pavilion beside a mountain stream and waterfall, a few notes of qin music drifted with the wind, evoking a sense of serene tranquility.

The music suddenly stopped, and on the immortal qin—which was itself a treasure—one string snapped.

Guang Chengzi sat quietly, his composed face showing a trace of thought. He picked up the string, and with a fingertip glowing faintly, slowly repaired it.

A stream of light flew in from the sky, transforming into the form of Chi Jingzi, who approached with hurried steps. The jade pendants at his waist still swayed gently.

Chi Jingzi said, "Senior brother, it seems that Jin Peng bird has found something and is rushing back from the three thousand worlds."

Guang Chengzi nodded calmly, released the string, and the immortal qin was mended.

He asked, "How about the follow-up handling?"

"Ah," Chi Jingzi said, "Everything that needed to be destroyed has been destroyed. Logically, no clues should remain.

However, from what I speculate, Jin Peng entered the three thousand worlds first, and only after that did Younger Brother Chang Geng's incarnation lead people there—one overt and one covert, one relaxed and one tense—to confuse the trail.

It might really uncover something."

"Younger Brother Chang Geng has already been to Tai Qing Guan, delaying for eighteen or nineteen days."

Guang Chengzi showed a gentle smile and said softly, "What can hide from the teacher's eyes? Chang Geng probably already knows the answer. Now it's just about how he chooses to act."

"Then why are you so relaxed, senior brother?"

"Younger Brother Chang Geng is steady by nature and always considers the bigger picture," Guang Chengzi said. "He was the one who pushed for the non-aggression pact among the three teachings to preserve more of Daoism's vital energy in the great calamity.

In this, you and I fall short; we only see the benefits for Chan Jiao.

Moreover, precisely because we destroyed all the clues, we forced Younger Brother Chang Geng to go to Tai Qing Guan. Every cause has its effect, all predetermined."

"But this!"

Chi Jingzi slapped the back of his hand. "Now Jie Jiao is furious, and Tian Court is seething with anger. If they come straight to Yu Xu Gong, things will be irreparable.

We can't let the teacher's reputation be tarnished!"

"Then hand over the main culprits."

Guang Chengzi flicked his sleeve and stood up, his face stern and commanding. "From the beginning, when we noticed this matter, our failure to stop it in time was already a mistake.

What did I say before? If we continue to cover it up, even if we do it flawlessly, Younger Brother Chang Geng will suspect us!

Our teacher has the Pan Gu Banner to sever heavenly secrets, and since the Pan Gu Banner and Tai Ji Tu share the same origin, the teacher might trace it back to us, but not to the specific individuals.

But after Younger Brother Chang Geng left Tai Qing Guan, whoever he says is scheming is the one scheming.

Whoever he names as the mastermind is the mastermind!

Why didn't he openly say it was someone from Chan Jiao? That's Younger Brother Chang Geng's strategy! That's his most brilliant move!

He's giving us a chance, waiting for us to come forward and admit the fault.

Junior brother, don't continue shielding those with ulterior motives for the sake of Chan Jiao's reputation. We need to give Chang Geng an account.

Younger Brother Chang Geng won't target all of Chan Jiao. He handles things with great discretion."

Chi Jingzi's brows furrowed as he stood there, looking at Guang Chengzi's back, his eyes showing deep thought. Finally, he sighed heavily.

"Senior brother, are we really going to let this go?"

"Junior brother, don't drag all of Chan Jiao into the mud because of one or two people."

Guang Chengzi sighed lightly and said, "Stop getting involved. Treat the killing of those vicious san xiu as if it never happened."

"Ah, I suppose that's all we can do."

"It shouldn't have been touched in the first place," Guang Chengzi shook his head, his eyes filled with a touch of regret.

Chi Jingzi sighed, "But if we didn't do something, those with hidden agendas would stir up a three-teachings war, and things would be even harder to manage."

"The great calamity is upon us."

Guang Chengzi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the waterfall outside the window and the rainbow arching over it, saying gravely, "Before doing anything, consider whether what you're doing is what you want, or what the heavenly dao wants you to do.

Younger Brother Chang Geng's deadline for us won't be long.

Summon all the junior brothers and sisters from their caves and gather them in Yu Xu Gong to wait for Chang Geng.

Also, keep an eye on Ran Deng and Ju Liu Sun to stop them from making any more moves."

"Ah..."

Chi Jingzi sighed softly and turned to leave the pavilion quickly.

Guang Chengzi narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of hesitation crossing his middle-aged, composed face, but soon he clenched his left fist as if resolving himself.

Thus, three days later,

A high cry from Jin Peng echoed through the primordial world, reigniting the already blazing rumors like fuel on a fire.

The matter of Heng E in Tian Court framing the heavenly general had leads!

The pent-up anger in Tian Court, from the heavenly soldiers to the ministers in Ling Xiao Dian, from Yao Chi to Yue Gong, finally found a direction.

As soon as Jin Peng arrived at Tai Bai Gong, a crowd of male and female immortals rushed to the vicinity of Tai Bai Gong.

The chang e of Yue Gong hated the one who committed the offense for tarnishing Yue Gong's reputation and loathed the villains who used threats against family lives to force her sister into wrongdoing.

Unfortunately, after Jin Peng entered Tai Bai Gong, he didn't emerge until a day and night later, then hurried off to Tong Ming Dian.

Following that, Tai Bai Jin Xing appeared, mounting the clouds toward Ling Xiao Dian.

It seemed everything had come to light.

Amid the crowd's excitement, they suddenly remembered that Tai Bai Xing Jun had already sought guidance from the sheng ren at Tai Qing Guan and had the definite answer in his heart.

Immediately, the heavenly generals followed, and the fairy maidens joined in.

Two days later, Tian Court suddenly dispatched large numbers of heavenly soldiers, sealing off the five parts of the great wilderness with heavenly dao power. Every corner, from the edges of the world to the paths of the underworld, was completely locked down.

The last time this happened, the Yao Clan suffered, and Xi Fang Jiao lost a wing.

Now, with the same commotion, forces across the primordial world and various qi refiners knew something major was brewing.

Who was the schemer behind it all?

The atmosphere in the heavens and earth grew tense.

A hundred years later, Tian Court's authority had grown heavier.

In these hundred years, with Tian Court's rise proven unstoppable and destined to become the center of power in the primordial world, many qi refiners had rushed to join.

This time in sealing the five parts, Tian Court no longer needed Long Gong's cooperation.

In fact, it was even tighter than before.

Ten days later, a auspicious beast glowing with aqua blue light emerged from the edge of Xi Hai. The heavenly soldiers and generals dared not block it and watched as this great figure returned to the five parts of the great wilderness.

The auspicious beast was Bai Ze, the second-ranked mount of Ren Jiao, advisor to Tai Bai Xing Jun. In recent years, he had been hiding in the three thousand worlds searching for premium ingredients and was known as the greatest culinary master in the primordial world.

Bai Ze's return undoubtedly signaled that Tai Bai Xing Jun was about to act.

Sure enough, as soon as Bai Ze flew to Zhong Tian Men, Li Changshou appeared and landed on Bai Ze's back.

Bai Ze turned and headed straight south toward Dong Hai, while Li Changshou's face was extremely grim, with several bronze mirrors floating around him, heading toward Jin Ao Island.

Throughout Tian Court and the major market towns of Zhong Shen Zhou, every mirror linked to the 360 broadcasting bronze mirrors in Shui Shen Fu displayed the same scene:

Tai Bai Jin Xing's hair and beard fluttered, his face dark, his eyes heavy with exhaustion, as if he had borne great pressure recently.

Meanwhile, Bai Ze was full of spirit and arrogance, striding elegantly with shallow waves blooming under his feet, epitomizing the grace of a high-class auspicious beast.

Jin Ao Island soon came into view.

Vaguely, it seemed a volcano loomed behind Li Changshou, carrying the fury of all Tian Court, ready to erupt onto this small island.

The Jie Jiao immortals grew tense, and hundreds of streams of light flew out from Jin Ao Island, waiting in the air early, all gazing toward the horizon.

High in the sky, a auspicious cloud appeared, revealing the gates of Bi You Gong, from which several figures flew out—none other than Daoist Duobao, Zhao Gongming, Sheng Mu Jin Ling, and Sheng Mu Gui Ling.

Duobao muttered, "Is it really that fool acting on his own and causing such big trouble?"

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and shook his head, transmitting his voice, "Impossible. If so, Old Brother Chang Geng would have given us word early."

The other three senior disciples nodded and waited quietly.

In Yu Xu Gong, over a hundred figures stood or sat, with all twelve golden immortals of Chan Jiao present, several golden immortals of fortune having emerged from seclusion, and the second-generation named disciples and Chan Jiao followers gathered there.

If their fortunes could manifest, the place would be filled with auspicious light, all pure-blooded and deeply fortunate individuals.

On the ground in the main hall, several experts had created a cloud mirror, displaying the scene above Jin Ao Island.

Huang Long Zhenren sighed, "Who would have thought this major event that shook the three realms was just a farce.

It looks like it's Jie Jiao's people, worried that Younger Brother Chang Geng and Fairy Heng E are too close, using such a clumsy scheme."

But on the upper seat, Chi Jingzi smiled bitterly and said nothing.

On the other side of Huang Long Zhenren, Tai Yi Zhenren, who had entered earlier, scanned the area, arms folded, and muttered,

"How does it seem less like holding someone accountable and more like seeking help? Is this really unrelated to us?"

Guang Chengzi said, "Junior brother, don't overthink. What does this have to do with Chan Jiao now?"

The immortals in the hall nodded in agreement.

Guang Chengzi glanced at the short-statured daoist sitting in the corner but said nothing more.

"Huh? What is Bai Ze doing?"

Ci Hang Zhenren asked softly, and all eyes turned to the cloud mirror.

They saw Bai Ze carrying Li Changshou hovering above Jin Ao Island. Li Changshou had his eyes closed, and Bai Ze's three long feathers on his forehead extended forward, as if sensing something.

The Chan Jiao immortals looked puzzled, but Yu Ding Zhenren smiled bitterly and said,

"Younger Brother Chang Geng waited until today for Bai Ze's return, to divine the fortune and misfortune for the three teachings' destinies.

As long as the fortune on Jin Ao Island isn't greatly ominous, it means this matter won't trigger the final calamity.

How thoughtful."

Chi Jingzi said with some emotion, "Ah, Younger Brother Chang Geng has it tough."

"What do you mean?"

Tai Yi Zhenren frowned. "Second senior brother, is this really connected to someone here?"

Chi Jingzi remained silent, and Yu Xu Gong fell quiet. Many immortals glanced around, but no one showed any abnormality.

In the scene, Li Changshou opened his eyes, Bai Ze retracted his feathers, and a voice saying "minor misfortune" echoed everywhere.

Li Changshou nodded and said, "I trouble a few senior brothers and sisters from Jie Jiao with authority to come with me westward, as witnesses, and to represent Jie Jiao's stance."

Westward?

The Chan Jiao immortals breathed a sigh of relief, and Guang Chengzi's eyes flashed with confusion.

The Jie Jiao immortals also sighed in unison, realizing this had nothing to do with Jie Jiao; instead, they were the victims, and their anger needed an outlet.

"How dare they scheme against Ancestral Uncle Yun Xiao!"

"Ancestral Uncle Yun Xiao's marriage can't be slandered!"

"Who's the scoundrel!"

Curses echoed above Jin Ao Island, but Daoist Duobao didn't let the crowd go. Instead, he selected a group of experts.

Led by Zhao Gongming and Sheng Mu Jin Ling, with Sheng Mu Gui Ling accompanying, and over twenty Jie Jiao experts like the Ten Heavenly Lords joining.

Additionally, Qiong Xiao from San Xian Island caught up shortly after.

Daoist Duobao not going was a clever move, leaving Jie Jiao room to maneuver without fully committing.

Bai Ze turned around, Li Changshou led the way, and over twenty streams of light sped westward, plunging into the southern part of Nan Zan Bu Zhou.

Upon seeing this,

Ling Shan bells rang loudly, and the Xi Fang Jiao higher-ups were both laughing and crying, their old daoists' faces ashen.

Those who witnessed this and had a broad perspective assumed Li Changshou, for the sake of Daoism's stability, was going to pour this anger onto Ling Shan without question.

Li Changshou could do it, and at that moment, Ling Shan had no way to refute unless a sheng ren appeared to tear faces with Daoism.

In Chan Jiao's Yu Xu Gong, the short-statured daoist in the corner showed a slight smile.

Chi Jingzi's face grew more ashamed, and he sighed softly.

However—alas!

Suddenly, those twenty-plus streams of light flew for two hours, then abruptly turned north in Nan Zhou, heading straight for Kun Lun Mountain!

Straight for Yu Xu Gong!

In Yu Xu Gong, the immortals were alarmed, and the Chan Jiao immortals voiced questions, while Guang Chengzi remained silent with eyes closed.

The short-statured daoist in the corner suddenly paled.

"Tsk?"

Tai Yi Zhenren chuckled lightly, his handsome face approaching leisurely as he sized up the other. "Junior brother, why is your face so pale?

Where's Vice Teacher Ran Deng? This couldn't really be Chan Jiao's scheme, could it?"

The old daoist forced a smile and said softly, "How could it be?"

"This—what's going on?"

Huang Long Zhenren stared at the cloud mirror, jumping to his feet in anxiety.

"Are they coming to Kun Lun Mountain?

To Yu Xu Gong? Senior brother, second senior brother, did you hide something from us?"

Guang Chengzi said nothing, and Chi Jingzi covered his face with his hand.

Tai Yi Zhenren smirked and said casually, "We were enjoying the spectacle of someone else's house burning, but getting closer, we see it's our own roof on fire.

How entertaining, truly entertaining."

"Enough," Guang Chengzi sighed. "We'll discuss everything when Chang Geng arrives."

The Chan Jiao immortals frowned, and the Ling Shan old daoists broke into cold sweats, feeling like they had escaped the tiger's maw.

An hour later, outside Yu Xu Gong, Sheng Mu Jin Ling's scolding voice echoed through the sky!

"Ju Liu Sun! Get out here!"