Chapter 619: The Saint's Little Cotton Jacket, Visiting Dojos One by One

When Zhao Gongming left Xiaoqiong Peak, he felt a sense of stealth, as if he were slipping away after a successful theft.

Li Changshou had hinted to him that the weak Qiankun Chi was still a treasure of the Tian Court, so he should study it secretly and not use it openly in battle.

The Qiankun Chi, the twenty-four Dinghai Shen Zhu...

In front of the danfang, Li Changshou sat in his rocking chair and snapped his fingers, making the low table and jade plates in the room vanish instantly. He then stood up and placed the half-finished pot of immortal brew back in the bookshelf.

The death of Randeng had long-lasting repercussions.

Li Changshou shifted his mind to various paper effigies, monitoring the public opinion across the Honghuang Five Continents and the Three Thousand Worlds.

Although the authority of the Tian Court was granted by the Heavenly Way and came from above, the gossip of living beings only affected the court's reputation and could not shake its position.

However, with the great calamity approaching, if the Tian Court could become stronger and more enlightened, reducing the resistance from the Daoist immortals fated for tribulation, that would be ideal.

He heard a faint rustling sound nearby.

Li Changshou opened his left eye and saw a young fairy girl fiddling with her magical treasure rocking chair, quietly settling beside him. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he continued with his own tasks.

Ling'e sat down stealthily, took out a scroll of scriptures, and read them carefully. Her gaze occasionally glanced at her senior brother, seemingly worried about being punished for her overly bold behavior at the recent immortal banquet.

“Senior brother is asleep?”

Ling'e twirled a strand of her hair with her slender fingers, lost in quiet thought.

The sunlight warmed the heart, and the tree shadows swayed in the breeze.

“What are you thinking about?”

Li Changshou asked casually.

Ling'e's hand trembled, and she turned to look at her senior brother, who had his eyes closed in meditation. “Nothing... Aren't you resting, senior brother?”

“Mm,” Li Changshou replied, “I'm just handling some minor matters.”

“Then you go ahead, you go ahead,” Ling'e said with a hint of guilt. “I'll just stay here for a bit.”

Li Changshou acknowledged her words and continued to close his eyes in concentration, his mind scanning various places.

After coming to the Tian Court, deploying paper effigies outward had become quite troublesome, so Li Changshou had created several false identities as heavenly generals to facilitate their entry and exit.

His mental energy was limited and couldn't match his teacher Taiqing's ability to observe every corner of the three realms in a short time.

Soon, Li Changshou asked nonchalantly, “Have you been happy these past few days?”

“Mm!” Ling'e immediately perked up and whispered, “But with so many esteemed figures around, I always feel a bit restrained. If it were just Yunxiao Jiejie and Youqin Shijie coming alone, it would be more relaxed.”

“Is that what you call restrained?”

Li Changshou teased with a laugh, “It seems you've been copying scriptures too little in the last one or two hundred years.”

“Senior brother...”

Ling'e's face instantly showed grievance. “You're not going to make me copy the 'Wen' scripture again, are you? The stone slabs on the mountain aren't enough anymore.”

Li Changshou opened his eyes and gazed at Ling'e's chest. Just as Ling'e felt her face flush and was about to lift her hand to cover her collar—yet afraid of distancing herself from her senior brother—she struggled to overcome her inner shyness and straightened her delicate figure...

Li Changshou said softly,

“Your primordial spirit is untainted and shows a hint of perfection.

Your Dao foundation is solid, with a little room for improvement. From now on, it's about thirty-six thousand recitations of the 'Wen' scripture until your Golden Immortal tribulation.”

Ling'e: ...

“I always feel like you're just teasing me, senior brother.”

“Is that teasing?”

Li Changshou smiled calmly. “Whether you write it depends on your intention; whether you copy it depends on your awareness.

Are you cultivating for my sake?

The path to immortality lies right before you. Whether you can live carefree without worries depends on whether your life's realm can evolve.

I don't want to pressure you too much or say things like, once you pass the immortality tribulation, I'll open the gates of a new world for you.

But, junior sister.”

“Senior brother, go ahead...”

Li Changshou's eyes carried a rare gentleness as he said softly, “I hope you can always stay by my side, not just pass by in a fleeting tens of thousands of years.”

“Yes, senior brother! I'll go copy the 'Wen' scripture right now! Is it thirty-six thousand times?”

Ling'e's spirits soared, her face full of eagerness. She jumped up, full of energy, and patted her chest vigorously.

“This junior sister will go copy it right away!”

“Remember, don't just focus on the quantity,” Li Changshou advised. “You need to comprehend and understand it.”

“No problem!”

“Keep it up.”

“Mm!” Ling'e answered with firm determination, turned, and rushed into the danfang, heading to the underground chamber for cultivation.

Li Changshou chuckled lightly and continued shifting his mind, his slightly narrowed eyes carrying a hint of amusement.

If everything that followed went as smoothly as eliminating Randeng, that would be perfect...

The Heavenly Way, the Dao Ancestor, the great calamity;

Balance, variables, transcendence.

With a flicker of his figure, Li Changshou's true body left Xiaoqiong Peak, moving stealthily through the clouds and mist, soaring toward the ninth heaven.

Although Randeng was dead, the aftermath lingered.

As Li Changshou had anticipated, whether Randeng's death was due to Tian Court punishment or personal grudges didn't matter—what counted was that the Tian Court had punished the gravely sinful deputy leader of Chanism, Randeng.

From this event onward, the Tian Court officially held a position half a level above the great sage sects. The heavenly soldiers and generals stationed everywhere were now unassailable.

Having taken this crucial step, Li Changshou's subsequent handling was quite meticulous.

After killing Randeng, he stayed out of sight for three years, and upon reappearing, he went straight to Yuxu Palace of Chanism.

This time, Li Changshou landed at the foot of Yuxu Palace, resumed his youthful appearance, and ascended the steps along the mountain gate, holding a wooden ruler in his hand.

This was like offering a humble apology— a Honghuang variation.

A melodious bell rang in Yuxu Palace, and Guangchengzi led many Chanism disciples to welcome him at the mountain gate.

When Li Changshou reached the gate, he showed a ashamed expression, held up the long ruler, and bowed deeply to the Chanism immortals, sighing, “Earlier, due to old grudges with Randeng Daoist, I killed him in battle at the Tian Palace. Now, I come specifically to atone for this.

Please, Guangchengzi Shixiong, inform our second master uncle. This disciple seeks an audience.”

Guangchengzi also sighed, “Shidi, Randeng deceived all of Chanism and committed unforgivable sins, such as refining great worlds for his own cultivation. He deserved this fate.

Though you acted out of personal resentment, it also served the greater justice. Why speak of atonement?”

“Still, please, Guangchengzi Shixiong, pass on the message for me,” Li Changshou said with his head lowered. “If I cannot see second master uncle and receive his scolding, my heart will not find peace.”

“Very well, wait here, and let your shidi and shimei attend to you. I will go to the back mountain to seek our teacher.”

Guangchengzi agreed and hurried away on clouds, while Chijingzi and Huanglong Zhenren stepped forward to lead Li Changshou into the grand hall of Yuxu Palace.

The timing of Li Changshou's visit to atone was deliberate.

It wasn't because he had stayed at Taiqing Temple until now.

His stay at Taiqing Temple was brief—he spoke about twenty sentences with his teacher and returned in less than two years.

Coming to Yuxu Palace at this juncture was to atone;

If he had come right after killing Randeng, it would have been a show of force.

Of course, he couldn't delay too long either. If he waited until the Chanism immortals had calmed down, then came to Yuxu Palace to atone, it would seem like he was stirring up trouble.

In the hall, Li Changshou simply stood without sitting, and when the surrounding Daoists exchanged greetings, he responded briefly.

Soon, Guangchengzi returned and spoke warmly to Li Changshou, leading him toward the Three Friends Courtyard.

Mist shrouded the immortal realm, and the fence and wooden hut exuded a serene emptiness.

The wooden gate of the courtyard was ajar. Guangchengzi brought Li Changshou to bow outside and called out, “Teacher, Changgeng has arrived.”

The gate slowly opened, and Guangchengzi gestured for Li Changshou to enter with him.

Yuan Shi Tianzun sat quietly in a rocking chair under the tree.

As the chair gently swayed, this saint played with a golden gourd, a slight smile on his lips, making the entire courtyard feel quite warm.

Li Changshou stepped forward quickly and knelt three zhang away, placing the long ruler before him, and said lowly,

“This disciple Li Changgeng pays respects to master uncle!”

The saint asked, “What are you doing, Changgeng? Why bring a ruler?”

Li Changshou declared clearly,

“This disciple acted on impulse earlier. Seeing Randeng stirred my anger, and I battled him at the Tian Palace, destroying him before the Lingxiao Hall.

Though I have no regrets in my heart, I failed to consider fully and did not regard Chanism's reputation, damaging your face and plans, master uncle.

I bring this disciplinary ruler to seek atonement and punishment.

Please, master uncle, punish me as you see fit. This disciple will accept it willingly!”

Yuan Shi Tianzun chuckled lightly and said, “You sly one, you've said everything in advance, leaving me no room to get angry?”

“This,” Li Changshou dared not be impolite and bowed his head, shouting, “This disciple has no such intention! I sincerely accept the punishment!”

“Rise,” Yuan Shi Tianzun sighed lightly, and the courtyard gate slowly closed.

Li Changshou suddenly sensed a change in the saint's Dao rhythm, making the courtyard's space feel like a complete whole, giving him a sensation similar to being inside the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk.

Indeed, his connection with the paper effigies had become very weak, only allowing passive sensing of their status.

The saint's methods seemed to isolate the Heavenly Way's scrutiny.

“This disciple obeys.”

Li Changshou quickly got up, kept his head low, shoulders hunched, hands pressed against the sides of his thighs, and his body slightly leaned forward, putting on a vivid performance of deference in the Honghuang style.

Cowardice.

Yuan Shi Tianzun said, “You mentioned earlier that killing Randeng ruined my plans.

So, tell me, what plans of mine did you ruin?”

Li Changshou pondered inwardly. In front of a saint, he dared not lie outright, yet he couldn't guess the saint's full intentions, nor could he appear too ignorant...

Weighing his words, Li Changshou said slowly,

“This is just this disciple's wild speculation. I thought second master uncle might tolerate Randeng forming factions and sowing discord within the sect, perhaps using him for some major affairs.

For example, plotting against the Western Sect.

Ever since ancient times, when the Dao Ancestor himself declared that the West would prosper greatly, I believe the leaders of the three Daoist sects would each have their own plans.

My teacher has mentioned these things to me.”

These words seemed to say something substantive yet revealed nothing concrete, while the listener might connect the dots—another of Li Changshou's subtle skills.

“Good,” Yuan Shi Tianzun smiled and acknowledged. “I did intend to use Randeng to scheme against the West. But now that you've killed him, my plans have fallen through.

Changgeng, how will you make up for this?”

“This...”

Li Changshou quickly said, “If second master uncle commands it, this disciple will obey.

My teacher is quite displeased with the Western Sect, so I've been targeting them at every turn, and it's had some effect, at least delaying their great prosperity.

It's also because the Western Sect was too arrogant and offended the Tian Court deeply.

Master uncle, this disciple came today with another idea...”

“Speak.”

“This disciple eliminated Randeng before the Lingxiao Hall, and now rumors are spreading everywhere that the Tian Court and Chanism are at odds, overly close to Jiejiao, and will surely protect Jiejiao while harming Chanism in the great calamity.”

Li Changshou paused and sighed, “In truth, the three sects are one family. This disciple is only acting on my teacher's orders.

In Jiejiao, what I care about are Yunxiao and Gongming—the former is the fairy I admire, and the latter is a close and trusted friend.

So, this disciple will try to give them and their siblings a chance to survive before the killing calamity arrives.

Apart from that, this disciple has no personal biases. During the great calamity, I will follow the changes in Heavenly Way's destiny, mainly overseeing the list of remnant souls, and not interfere much in the life and death of immortals.”

Yuan Shi Tianzun nodded slowly and said, “It's good that you think this way. I am quite relieved.

However, now that the Western Sect has entered the calamity, everything is uncertain, and even I cannot see clearly what lies ahead.

Continue.”

“Yes, this disciple wishes to invite Nanji Xianweng Shixiong to take a position in the Tian Court,” Li Changshou said seriously. “I discussed this with Nanji Shixiong earlier, but I haven't received a response yet.

If he feels it's inappropriate to appear in the Tian Court, he can just hold the title nominally and announce it publicly.”

Yuan Shi Tianzun laughed, “Nanji, what do you think?”

As the saint's words fell, the door of the side grass hut opened, and Nanji Xianweng floated out on clouds. He bowed to Yuan Shi Tianzun, then exchanged Daoist salutes with Guangchengzi and Li Changshou.

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow inwardly...

Living with the saint and claiming not to be the hidden senior disciple of Chanism?

Nanji Xianweng said calmly, “This disciple leaves it entirely to the teacher's decision and considers only for Chanism.”

Yuan Shi Tianzun laughed, “In that case, agree to it, and don't keep Changgeng waiting.”

“Thank you, second master uncle! Thank you, Nanji Shixiong!”

Li Changshou showed a joyful expression, as if a weight had been lifted, and he felt much lighter.

He continued, “I already consulted His Majesty the Jade Emperor about this. I'll go back and write the memorial to submit. The decree should be issued in about ten years!

Nanji Shixiong, do you have any preferences for the rank of your divine position?”

Nanji Xianweng smiled, “It's just an empty title, so how could I care?”

“Then let's set it as a third-tier divine position with second-tier salary. How about that?”

“Good,” Nanji Xianweng showed a slight smile, knowing that divine positions in the Tian Court were tiered, and even a symbolic role starting at third tier was quite generous.

Li Changshou observed Guangchengzi's reaction discreetly and then chatted with Nanji Xianweng about amusing incidents in the Tian Court.

In this way, Nanji Xianweng could avoid entering the Fengshen killing calamity, while Guangchengzi was destined to represent Chanism in battles against Jiejiao.

This arrangement had nothing to do with Guangchengzi's earlier schemes against his personal feelings.

After all, Li Changshou wasn't one to hold grudges.

He stayed in the Three Friends Courtyard for half a day, chatting and playing chess with Nanji Xianweng, and receiving guidance from the two Daoist saints. Li Changshou's visit was quite rewarding.

Though he gained no tangible treasures, divine abilities, or techniques, it did bring him a bit closer to Chanism.

To precisely control the casualties in the great calamity—fulfilling the Heavenly Way's quota while minimizing or avoiding deaths—he had to maintain a “close” relationship with the leadership of Chanism and Jiejiao.

At critical moments, he needed to be able to call them to stop.

On his way back to the Tian Court, Li Changshou's mind stirred slightly, not forgetting the sudden appearance of the immortal mountain by the East Sea.

Should he go investigate?

After a moment of thought, Li Changshou felt this matter was unusual.

If that immortal mountain was indeed Huaguoshan, why did it appear at this exact juncture and time?

Rumors about the mountain surfaced right when the Tian Court acted against the Western Sect, eliminating the Hongmong fierce beasts and ancient yaoguai...

Based on his understanding of the Heavenly Way, there was an implicit rule: before bestowing great responsibilities on someone, the Heavenly Way would first subject them to hardships.

In other words, the more trials one endured, the more likely they were to gain the Heavenly Way's favor.

If that were true, the Western Sect's recent heavy losses might be a precursor to their great prosperity, and this immortal mountain...

Suddenly, a Dao rhythm trembled in his Dao heart, and Li Changshou jolted awake, seeing a red ball lightly flickering with light in his spiritual platform.

The Holy Mother was summoning him?

Was she wanting to see new routine comics again?

Li Changshou didn't dare neglect it. He checked the Taiqing set he carried— the true Qiankun Chi, the Xuanhuang Pagoda, and part of the Taiji Diagram's power—and turned to head toward the eastern edge of the heavens.

However, just as he flew halfway, another faint Dao rhythm rippled in his spiritual platform, carrying an indescribable sense of... impropriety.

Tongtian Jiaozhu's voice suddenly rang in his ear:

“Changgeng, come quickly to Biyou Palace. Shishu has brought you some treasures!”

Li Changshou: ...

Which one should he go to first?

Though being summoned by saints was an enviable honor for an ordinary Da Luo cultivator, why did he suddenly feel a bit...

Melancholy?