Chapter 628: Li Jing Waits to Go Down the Mountain, Ling E's Longevity Tribulation

I didn't know if Da Fashi had skin that was too thin.

Li Changshou had already prepared several excuses to defend himself, but Da Fashi said nothing and quietly returned to Xuandu City.

Instead, Kong Xuan left a message jade talisman for Li Changshou, with content that was quite simple—just a straightforward expression of gratitude.

A few days later, Li Changshou finally realized what had happened.

He had helped Kong Xuan fulfill his wishes, and in return, Kong Xuan had shielded him from Da Fashi's potential outburst, counting as part of the repayment.

Otherwise, Li Changshou might have had to experience the "loving care" of a duster against his backside once again after Qi Yuan's passing...

All Li Changshou could do was smile bitterly.

It was all because his teacher had instructed him to act, and for immediate results, he had no choice but to resort to such measures. Fortunately, Da Fashi hadn't discovered it, and there was even the desire of the Seven Emotions incarnation secretly fanning the flames that day...

This beautiful secret would remain sealed forever.

With Da Fashi not coming to bother him, Li Changshou saved a lot of effort.

At this stage, he needed to gradually accelerate his layouts for the Feng Shen calamity, avoiding the arrangements of the Heavenly Way and placing his pieces as much as possible.

The rules of the chess game were set by the Heavenly Way, which had the authority to change them at any time. Engaging in a direct confrontation within the game would offer no chance of victory...

Li Changshou stood up and returned to his secluded chamber, using his immortal sense to check Ling E's condition and calculate the timing of her Golden Immortal Tribulation. Based on his understanding of the Heavenly Way, he could now pinpoint it down to the hour.

With an error margin of just half an hour.

He activated the inner and outer triple layers of the Sky-Hiding Array, waved his hand to summon the written plans for escaping the Feng Shen calamity, and over a hundred scrolls floated around him, slowly rotating.

In his spiritual platform, within the Empty Bright Dao Heart, streams of light circled his primordial spirit.

Using memory as a book, turning memory fragments into encrypted seals—these were his true arrangements.

Although the real plan was largely similar to the one on the outside, that tiny difference was enough for the Heavenly Way to crush him ten or eight times in advance.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and began to simulate it deeply.

For now, he set aside the matter of Huaguo Mountain, as it had no connection to the current calamity.

The three demons of Xuanyuan Tomb taking their positions was merely a precursor; it wouldn't pull open the curtain of the Feng Shen calamity.

The triggering points could be in three places.

First, his own master being reincarnated as Jiang Ziya;

Second, Di Xin being born or ascending to the throne;

Third, Di Xin visiting the Nuwa Temple.

What is meant by "pulling open the curtain" is that after these events, the six saints would sense it, the Heavenly Way would show anomalies, and the six saints would conclude that the Feng Shen calamity was about to unfold in the Shang and Zhou states, leading to various power struggles.

The curtain would definitely be pulled open, and it was most likely to happen with his own master.

Qi Yuan's death had become the fuse for the Feng Shen calamity;

And Qi Yuan's reincarnation as Jiang Ziya was likely the signal for the start of the great slaughter tribulation.

'What else can I reasonably do?'

Li Changshou's gaze swept over the steps of his current plan, thought it through briefly, reviewed the entire plan from start to finish again, confirmed there were no risks, and then began mobilizing his paper daoists once more.

In Duxian Gate, Li Changshou quietly appeared and found Li Jing, revealing himself as the "black-clothed figure" to test Li Jing's cultivation and teach him divine abilities and spells.

This was like conducting an inspection.

When Li Jing entered Duxian Gate, Li Changshou had arranged things for him. Originally somewhat reclusive and competitive by nature, Li Jing was adopted by a pair of elderly true immortal daoist couples in the sect, which gave him great warmth.

Li Changshou had strong opinions about the original story of Nezha; undoubtedly, Li Jing had been a failure as a father.

To prevent tragedy at its root, Li Changshou used the strategy of an immortal family to subtly mold Li Jing into an optimistic, positive, kind-hearted, and warm-smiling...

Great Heavenly Immortal warm man!

He wanted Li Jing to be a good father, and he himself would secretly guide the reincarnation of Ling Zhu Zi to avoid any mistakes from the little one.

This was his way, as an uncle, of looking after Ling Zhu Zi.

Li Changshou's plan was undoubtedly successful.

When Duxian Gate faced disaster that year and the sect leader went to his death, Li Jing had already begun to stand out.

Though his cultivation wasn't particularly profound, his willingness to step forward and face powerful enemies at critical moments was a rare quality.

The parting pouch Li Changshou had prepared for Li Jing was upgraded again, serving as a grand gift for his departure.

That night, the "masked black-clothed figure" launched a surprise attack on the back mountain of Potian Peak in Duxian Gate, engaging Li Jing in direct combat and secretly guiding his sword techniques.

At dawn, the "black-clothed figure" quietly left, arranging another battle for the next night.

Li Jing wasn't foolish; after thinking it over, he reported the matter to several supreme elders.

On the second night, the black-clothed figure appeared again, but this time directly knocked out the supreme elders, gave Li Jing a calm smile, taught him a lesson, and continued providing guidance amid the thrashing.

On the third night, Duxian Gate proactively designated an area in the back mountain for the black-clothed figure's "lessons" for Li Jing, not daring to say another word.

On the fourth night, with over a thousand immortal senses from Duxian Gate watching, the black-clothed figure arrived as promised...

This went on for three months. Finally, the black-clothed figure and Li Jing faced off in aerial sword combat, pinning Li Jing to the cliff once more, and sighed lightly:

"I'll teach you up to here.

Li Jing, no need to come tomorrow night."

Li Jing was stunned, freeing himself from the cliff, his injuries sealed by immortal power and healing quickly.

He stepped forward and bowed, hesitating at first, then steeling himself, and said loudly:

"Junior thanks Senior for the recent guidance!

But, may I ask for Senior's honorable title and why you are guiding me in sword arts and divine abilities?

And why are the sword techniques you use all from Duxian Gate's archives?"

Li Changshou calmly removed his mask, revealing the face of his Taibai Jinxing paper daoist, and released his own Dao rhythm.

Li Jing was first startled, then hurriedly bowed low:

"Greetings to Taibai Xing Jun!"

"No need," Li Changshou waved his hand, "In terms of seniority within Duxian Gate, I'm still below you."

"Junior dares not!"

Li Changshou continued: "Li Jing, do you know why I am guiding you?"

"Please enlighten me, Taibai Xing Jun."

Streams of light from the sect flew toward them, but Li Changshou gestured with his hand, and the immortals of Duxian Gate stopped at a distance.

Many elders in Duxian Gate recalled that Li Changshou had once promised Ji Wuyou to select a responsible sect leader for them.

Could it be?

Was it possible?

He was another registered disciple of the founding ancestor, wasn't he?

Today, Duxian Gate would finally...

But they heard Li Changshou calmly explain: "Mainly to prepare you for descending the mountain."

Li Jing and the immortals of Duxian Gate were all taken aback.

Li Changshou removed his black cloak, reverting to his white robe, and strolled with hands behind his back to Li Jing's side, saying warmly:

"Do you still remember what you said when you joined Duxian Gate?"

"Disciple," Li Jing paused, then showed a hint of shame, saying softly: "Disciple once said that joining the immortal sect was to protect my hometown.

The town of Chen Tang is repeatedly invaded by demons, and it has an ancestral precept: even if the people of Chen Tang are all devoured by demons, we must not yield a single inch of human territory to the demon race!

Disciple...

Disciple has achieved some success in cultivation but has indulged in the mountain's tranquility, seeking the path of immortality, almost forgetting this mission. Please punish me, Xing Jun."

Li Changshou tucked his hands into his sleeves and smiled: "If not for checking the Bai Fan Hall records, which show you return to Chen Tang every ten years, that punishment would have come long ago.

Seeking longevity through cultivation is only natural for humans.

However, now that the Heavenly Way is in motion, disasters will arise in the Southern Continent, with demons likely causing chaos in the mortal world. After preparing a bit more in the mountains, go and travel through the Southern Continent.

Of course, I won't force you to make any decisions. Your future path is in your own hands."

"Yes!"

Li Jing responded firmly, his eyes carrying a touch of shame.

Li Changshou patted Li Jing's shoulder and took a pouch from his sleeve, handing it to him.

"Inside are some pills, a few divine abilities, basic military strategies, and some miscellaneous books—consider it a gift for you."

Li Changshou said warmly: "Since it was I who secretly arranged for you to enter Duxian Gate, I naturally want to nurture, for Human Teachings, a descendant who is upright, bold, responsible, and resolute.

Remember, cultivation level isn't the deciding factor for a being's place in the world.

Character is."

With that, Li Changshou chuckled lightly, and mist rose around him as this paper daoist vanished without a trace.

Li Jing held the pouch, standing there in a daze, feeling as if he were in a dream.

Human Teachings' second saint disciple, Heavenly Court's powerful minister and second Heavenly Emperor, Yun Xiao's prospective dao companion, the destroyer of the demon race, the one who carried coffins for the West, the nemesis of Ran Deng Dao Ren...

He was the black-clothed figure who had guided him in combat for the past three months?

Streams of light reappeared around him as the elders of Duxian Gate gathered, first offering congratulations, then focusing their gazes on the pouch in Li Jing's hand.

One elder whispered: "Li Jing, does this contain texts written by Taibai Xing Jun?

If possible, could you copy the parts that can be copied and place them in the Dao Treasury for the sect's disciples to study?"

Li Jing quickly agreed, fully aware of Li Changshou's connections to Duxian Gate.

However, when he opened the pouch and probed it with his immortal sense, he couldn't help but have black lines all over his forehead...

"What's wrong?"

A female heavenly immortal noticed Li Jing's odd expression and said: "If it's inconvenient, that's fine. Prioritize Taibai Xing Jun's instructions."

"It's not that," Li Jing pondered, taking out several bundles of jade slips and books, laying them out with immortal power to reveal their titles.

The immortals looked closely, their faces showing a mix of amusement and surprise, as the titles were all like...

"Fatherly Love Like a Mountain";

"How to Be a Successful Father";

"What Role Should a Father Play in a Child's Growth";

"Being a Patient Good Father";

"What Is Prenatal Education".

That night, the back mountain of Potian Peak in Duxian Gate was eerily quiet, with a group of elders and attendants doing nothing but pacing around Li Jing in the forest.

Finally, a slightly younger elder clapped his hands and shouted: "I've figured it out!"

"How so?"

"If you've figured it out, speak up! What deep meaning is behind Taibai Xing Jun's actions?"

"Taibai Xing Jun is hinting!"

This elder said excitedly with a smile: "Hinting that he himself is now capable of being an excellent father! Capable of writing these scriptures!

In other words, Li Jing! Your opportunity has arrived!"

Li Jing tilted his head, his forehead full of question marks.

The immortals suddenly understood and cast envious glances at Li Jing.

"Op-Opportunity? What opportunity?"

"Fool!"

An old daoist lightly tapped Li Jing with a duster: "Next time you see Taibai Xing Jun, just call him 'Father,' and everything will become clear."

The surrounding immortals each sighed at Li Jing's good fortune, while Li Jing stood there, utterly baffled.

Was that what Taibai Xing Jun meant?

In the Heavenly Court, on Xiaoqiong Peak.

Li Changshou, through his underground paper daoist, watched this scene unfold, black lines covering his forehead.

Oh well, no need to worry about these minor details.

There were still more pieces waiting for him to move.

Time passed without a trace, and the calamity drew ever closer.

More than thirty years after the romantic escapade with Da Fashi, Li Changshou continued to observe the world and act cautiously, spending a great deal of time to lay down a limited number of pieces.

For example, he had tracked down the whereabouts of Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, the original holders of the Falling Treasure Copper Coins;

But after thinking it over, he didn't interfere with these two scattered cultivators, who were clearly just ordinary tribulation fodder.

With Ran Deng Dao Ren gone, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao were merely ordinary Golden Immortals with good fortune, returning from the three thousand worlds to the Five Parts Continent in search of opportunities.

One couldn't hold them accountable based on events from another "dimension."

Besides, in the Feng Shen calamity, what sins were there in immortals and gods mingling in mortal battles?

There were other pieces that Li Changshou could see and influence but chose not to touch.

For instance, Wen Zhong of Chan Teachings, and the many third- and fourth-generation disciples of Jie Teachings who were already around Wen Zhong and on good terms with him, many of whom now carried destiny upon them.

This destiny was like a mark from the Heavenly Way, not necessarily a good thing.

Li Changshou could feel the growing urgency of the approaching Feng Shen calamity.

The more critical the moment, the less he could panic, for he had made hundreds of calculations for this era since he began cultivating.

—Mainly because he hadn't expected to end up in his current position.

In recent years, Li Changshou had always wanted to visit the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, but deep down, he kept avoiding the idea.

It was simply that he didn't know how to face his master and feared that going there might trigger his master's reincarnation.

After reincarnation, it wouldn't be the original person anymore, just the same true spirit resonating twice in different ways.

Li Changshou didn't want to debate the meaning of life, but he knew that the Jiang Ziya he would see later, even if he looked and acted like his master, would no longer be that frustrated turbid immortal from back then.

If Ancestral Master Dao had lied to him and the Heavenly Way had discovered him not during his immortal tribulation but earlier,

Then his master's finding and taking him as a disciple was probably also part of the Heavenly Way's arrangement.

Shaking his head, Li Changshou banished these thoughts from his mind to avoid unsettling his Dao heart.

Better to think of something uplifting, like the letter Yun Xiao had sent earlier, full of tender words that were quite bold for her.

Or consider how the Lintian Hall was advancing rapidly in the three thousand worlds, expanding quickly, with its mature system proven effective enough to assist the Heavenly Court in managing beyond the Five Parts Continent.

And how Maitreya had just appeared in the three thousand worlds and immediately suffered heavenly punishment, struck by thunder and forced to hide again;

Or how Xu Po Di, wanted as a criminal immortal by the Heavenly Court, was surrounded by experts from the Immortal Alliance in a incense-worshipping divine kingdom and fled in embarrassment...

Then there was the Four Seas Dragon Palace, where the dragon kings had likely thought it through and sent signals of willingness to collaborate, making key progress in internal dragon clan reforms.

And that Li Jing, who kept calling out "father," was slaying demons and eliminating evil at the borders of the Southern Jambudvipa Continent, gaining great fame, with his Dao realm rapidly improving through combat.

For someone like a "great calamity protagonist," breakthroughs in the Dao realm were as simple as drinking water.

Li Changshou cast an envious glance at this, for at his current level—especially after indirectly comprehending the Hong Meng Purple Qi—advancing his Dao realm was as slow as a turtle.

It took about two or three years for a single epiphany!

This made Li Changshou reflect on what he lacked compared to these "heaven's favored ones."

Why did they, with the Heavenly Way's destiny and green lights at every bottleneck, still cultivate slower than he had back in Duxian Gate...

Hmm? That seemed off.

By his calculations, it was about time to take His Majesty the Jade Emperor on a tour to scout for the first batch of proper god candidates.

Stretching lazily, Li Changshou's true body floated from the Number Three underground chamber back to the Number One underground chamber, glanced at Ling E in meditation, and calmly flew to the surface dan room.

As soon as he arrived at the dan room, Li Changshou suddenly heard a call through his immortal sense:

"Senior Brother..."

"Hmm?"

He responded instinctively, looking down toward Ling E's room underground, only to see a book appear behind her. The book slowly turned pages, naturally flipping to the last one and closing gently.

Then, the book rose above Ling E's head, transforming into a pink lotus flower that bloomed with streams of profound insights.

Within the lotus, a pattern of a blue and white fish slowly rotated.

With the Taiji Dao as the foundation and the Steady Scripture as the guide, Ling E's Dao had matured.

This Dao wasn't anything profound, but for a moment, Li Changshou couldn't quite grasp it.

Under his influence, Ling E's Dao was related to balance, yet it wasn't his own equilibrium Dao; it was closer to the principles of yin-yang harmony.

Never mind what Ling E's Dao specifically was or how powerful it might be.

—If it came to her fighting, even the strongest Dao couldn't change the situation.

Li Changshou looked up at the sky, where dark clouds had gathered beyond Xiaoqiong Peak.

Ling E had suddenly gained an insight, and her Golden Immortal Tribulation was arriving early!

No time to invite anyone for the ceremony.

Li Changshou quietly checked his tribulation preparations, popped a few Nine-Turn Golden Pills into his mouth, and swiftly moved Ling E to the back mountain.

Come on! Senior Ancestor!

He was ready!