Da ~
The clear spiritual liquid fell from the stalactite and landed in the small pond.
At the edge of the five continents, deep in the ground, in a cave that emitted colorful light, Jin Chanzi was sitting cross-legged beside the spiritual pool. His face was pale, and his long robe was stained with blood. His entire body was tense, and he would shiver from time to time. The smile on his lips was a little forced… Was he afraid?
What a joke. The grand Primordial Beast, the Six-Winged Golden Cicada, was only subdued by the Western Sect because the Saint personally captured it! How could that be called being afraid?
He was just… scared. The fear came from his instincts and the blurry figure beside Jin Chanzi.
Beside Jin Chanzi, the woman in the sanguine dress swayed her lotus steps. Her enchanting figure seemed to have condensed into a fog. She touched Jin Chanzi’s forehead gently with her slender finger and slowly drew it across. “Senior.” Jin Chanzi smiled and said, “Thank you for saving my life, Senior.”
“Hehehe…” The laughter was light, but there was a hint of laziness in it. It was clearly gentle and sweet, but when it landed in Jin Chanzi’s ears, it sounded exceptionally ear-piercing. Jin Chanzi believed that if he was not injured, he would not be afraid of the Black-Winged Blood Mosquito. Even if he attacked, he would be able to escape with his mystical abilities.
However, at that moment, he had been injured by the divine sword in the eyes of the Heavenly Courts’ immortal. The woman beside him had seized the initiative…
“I saved you?”
“Of course.”
Jin Chanzi replied with a smile. However, just as he finished speaking, his Adam’s apple could not help but tremble slightly. Daoist Wen Jing stepped on the stone slab beside him with her jade-like feet and slowly leaned over. There was a hint of playfulness on her face, which could attract all living beings. She approached the side of Jin Chanzi’s face and sniffed gently. “Tsk, why is your blood so smelly that I have lost my appetite…” Jin Chanzi smiled insincerely and said, “Thank you for taking care of me, Senior. We are both working for the lord. We naturally cannot have any internal conflicts.”
Hah.
Daoist Wen Jing’s figure flashed slightly and appeared on the other side of the pool. Her phoenix-like eyes were filled with faint disdain.
“Don’t address me as Senior. I’m not familiar with you.
I saved you today because I happened to pass by. If I don’t save you, I’m afraid that the sect will blame me.
Remember, don’t be too ruthless. Leave some good things for others.
Otherwise, the next time I see you like this, it won’t be as simple as… taking a wisp of your essence soul.”
As she spoke, Daoist Wen Jing slowly raised her left hand. Wisps of blood energy surrounded her fair and jade-like fingertips, forming the figure of a blood cicada. She pinched it gently with her slender fingers and the blood cicada exploded. When?!
Jin Chanzi’s face turned pale. His body trembled slightly, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent.
However, Daoist Wen Jing snorted coldly and did not look at him again. Her flexible waist swayed slightly, and her figure disappeared. All that was left was a faint smile, a hint of blood, and a sound that was piercing to Jin Chanzi’s
ears…
Buzz ~
Jin Chanzi’s delicate face trembled slightly. His left hand was clenched into a fist, and the ground within a five-hundred-kilometer radius rumbled continuously.
Wen Jing should know what to do next. Li Changshou pondered. He trusted Daoist Wen Jing’s ability to handle matters more than Master Zhao’s. Daoist Wen Jing naturally did not come here today to pay the Jade Emperor a visit. No one could predict the future. The human heart was the most unpredictable. Regarding the matters related to Daoist Wen Jing, Li Changshou could not bare everything to the Jade Emperor. There was no other reason. The ultimate beneficiaries of the Great God-Conferment Tribulation were the Heavenly Courts and the Western Sect. There was no need to make a fuss about it if the two of them were ‘connected during the God-Conferment Tribulation.
If he let the Jade Emperor know in advance that Daoist Wen Jing was a hidden pawn that the Ren School had buried in the West, she might become a “chip for bargaining” in the future.
During the Great God-Conferment Tribulation, the Jade Emperor was half a chess player. He could not be judged based on human nature. Li Changshou had been clear about that when he had been developing the dragon race’s strategy in the past few years.
Today, he wanted Daoist Wen Jing to act according to the situation. If Jin Chanzi could escape, he would let Daoist Wen Jing receive Jin Chanzi. It looked like she was giving him help in times of need, but in reality, she was just adding icing to the cake and putting up an act for the Western Sect. During the subsequent plans, if Daoist Wen Jing was not scheming enough, she would show kindness to Jin Chanzi. If Wen Jing had considered it more thoroughly, she would give Jin Chanzi two punches and warn him not to take credit for himself in the future. That way, she would gain the trust of the Western Sect…
There would be more insurance and more security. At that moment, Li Changshou, as the Sea God, had already arrived on the dragon race’s immortal ship with the Jade Emperor and General Dongmu.
The troops of the West Ocean Dragon Palace had already surrounded the place.
A few of the dragon princes bowed forward. Ao Shi from the West Ocean Dragon Palace cried. He said that he had made a mistake by making the wrong friends and set a fox to keep the geese. “Minister Changgeng,” the Jade Emperor reminded him via voice transmission. “The essence souls of these dragon princes are a little strange.” Li Changshou replied via voice transmission, “Your Majesty, this is a commonly used method over there.
The experts of the dragon race have already noticed the abnormality. It’s not convenient for us to ask about this matter.” The Jade Emperor nodded with a smile and did not say anything else. Soon, the Jade Emperor realized that the situation was more troublesome than Li Changshou had said. At that moment, two-thirds of the people who had surged out of the West Ocean Dragon Palace had cultivation levels that were equivalent to the Heaven Immortal realm of human cultivators.
In other words… they were surrounded by a large group of traitors.
Then, the Jade Emperor looked at Li Changshou who was chatting and laughing with the puppets of the Western Sect.
This is really…
The scene was filled with laughter and endless chatter. From afar, one could see that they were all pretending and had scheming tricks up their sleeves.
The Jade Emperor’s eyes revealed some thoughts and determination. However, he soon regained his clarity.
At the side, General Dongmu keenly sensed that the Jade Emperor seemed to be a little different at that moment. Li Changshou made some small talk in front of them. Hundreds of azure dragons flew from the south and north. When they approached the immortal ship, they transformed into human forms.
“Brother Sect Master!”
Ao Yi rushed over with hundreds of experts and cupped his fists at Li Changshou from afar.
Li Changshou nodded calmly and did not expose the Jade Emperor’s identity.
This time, Li Changshou was not stingy with his praise for Ao Yi’s “foresight “. In front of the Jade Emperor, he ruthlessly… praised Ao Yi. After the dragon expert thanked Li Changshou, the Jade Emperor sent a voice transmission. “Changgeng, let’s go back. There’s nothing interesting here.”
Li Changshou bade farewell to the experts of the dragon race. Before he left, he reminded Ao Yi not to forget to arrange for the patrolling young gods to patrol the four seas. Before leaving, Li Changshou said to Ao Yi, “After settling everything, Ao Yi, come to Anshui City. I have something to give you.”
“Alright!”
Ao Yi lowered his head, cupped his fists, and bowed to send Li Changshou and the others
off.
After a while, Li Changshou maneuvered the wooden ship and continued to stroll around the West Ocean.
He and General Dongmu realized that there was something wrong with the Jade Emperor’s expression. It was completely different from the peaceful and comfortable expression that the Jade Emperor had when he first descended to the mortal world.
He seemed to have something on his mind… General Dongmu and Li Changshou exchanged glances. Both of them were confused. After a while, the Jade Emperor waved his hand and stopped the singing and dancing. He finished the wine that was specially brewed for Jiu Jiu.
“Forget it!”
Li Changshou and General Dongmu stood up at the same time.
The Jade Emperor sighed softly and stood up to look at Li Changshou. He raised his hand and patted Li Changshou’s shoulder. “The Heavenly Courts have just been established now. Beloved subordinate, I have let you suffer.” Li Changshou thought, It’s not much to suffer. Just give me more merit. The Jade Emperor said, “Today, I saw how you dealt with the powerful people of the Western Sect and exchanged pleasantries with the people of the dragon race. I feel hatred in my heart! How can an important minister of the Heavenly Courts be bullied by a ferocious beast!?! Why would the legitimate god of the four seas, whom I have conferred a title to, smile and interact with those unbearable living beings!?! Where is General Dongmu!?!” General Dongmu immediately bowed and accepted the order. “I’m here!”
The Jade Emperor stood in the slightly short ship and paced back and forth. He pondered carefully before speaking slowly.
“Once we return to the Heavenly Courts, immediately draw up a decree. My beloved subordinate Changgeng has blessed the four seas and raised the prestige of the Heavenly Courts. His rank will be increased by three stages and his salary will be increased by sixty percent. The Heavenly Courts will set up a Heavenly Courts’ navy and station the troops in the Heavenly River. They will be trained day and night for Changgeng! The decree will be drafted within twelve years. The Heavenly Courts’ navy will be deployed immediately!” General Dongmu replied firmly, “I accept your orders!”
“Where is Changgeng?”
Li Changshou lowered his head and said, “I’m here.”
“I had overlooked something previously. I felt that you had the protection of Senior Brother Taiqing, and so the Western Sect would not dare to bully you. This is my fault.” The white-robed Jade Emperor looked apologetic. Li Changshou’s smile was rather warm. He replied, “Your Majesty, I find it interesting to compete with them.”
The Jade Emperor chuckled and said seriously, “However, Changgeng, you have your shortcomings. It’s just that you’re too stable. You are a disciple of Ren School. It is understandable that you are similar to Senior Brother Taiqing. Changgeng, come and take a look.”
As he spoke, the Jade Emperor pushed open the window of the cabin and looked at the thousands of kilometers of smoke outside the window.
He continued, “The wind is gentle, but it is also swift. The clouds are relaxed, but there are also sudden emergencies. There is a sense of urgency for everything in the world. The matter regarding the dragon race should be the same.”
When Li Changshou heard that, he immediately looked touched. He nodded slowly and bowed with a Dao salute.
“I understand!”
“I will give you an order today regarding the dragon race. You don’t have to bother about the dragon race for now.” The Jade Emperor said, “Twelve years later, the Heavenly Courts will hold a Heavenly Peach Banquet. I will invite the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas to the Heavenly Courts’ banquet. If they are willing to submit to the Heavenly Courts, I will not raise the Dragon Slaying Sword. If they still have disloyal thoughts and do not admit to destiny, I will personally go to the Purple Cloud Palace and ask the Dao Ancestor to send down the Heavenly Punishment and hold the dragon race responsible!”
Li Changshou and General Dongmu looked at each other. They were both shocked and they bowed at the same time.
The Jade Emperor closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. Then, he opened his eyes and looked at the blue water and blue sky.
Her white clothes were as white as snow, and her long hair danced in the wind. Li Changshou looked at the back view of the ruler of the Three Realms and felt that… he was a little handsome.
Li Changshou shouted, “Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty!”
The Jade Emperor smiled and said, “Changgeng, General Dongmu, you might not know, but I’m actually not interested in holding the authority of being the Heavenly Emperor.” He continued, “Back when the Demon Court was destroyed, the Dao Ancestor and the Six Saints appeared and dealt with the shattered mountains and rivers after the battle between the three races. They integrated the Ancient Demon Court and refined it into the current Heavenly Courts. At that time, Senior Brother Zhun Ti of the Western Sect pleaded with the Dao Ancestor and said that the Heavenly Courts should be controlled by the Saint. How can Teacher not know the intentions of Zhun Ti?”
The Jade Emperor’s gaze was extremely distant, as if he could see through the sea and the sky.
As he continued speaking, a wisp of the Heavenly Dao’s Dao runes had already wrapped around the wooden ship. There was no need to worry about anyone listening. The Jade Emperor said, “The Three Pure Ones is quiet and indifferent. He doesn’t care about the affairs of the world. If Teacher had agreed back then, the Heavenly Courts would have become a Dharma treasure for the two Senior Brothers to repay their wishes. The order of the Three Realms would never be restored.”
“Therefore, my teacher took me and my junior sister out of the Purple Cloud Palace. He did not tell me anything and just made me and my junior sister the Emperor and Empress of the Heavenly Courts, the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother. He put us in charge of the Three Realms.”
“When I first became the Jade Emperor, the Heavenly Courts were empty. There were only clouds everywhere. I sat in front of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall with my junior sister and we were in a daze. I did not know what I should do, nor did I know what the position of the Heavenly Emperor represented.”
“Junior Sister and I were originally just serving tea and water to Teacher, relaying messages on his behalf and guarding the doors. When have we ever been the Heavenly Emperor and Empress? Until today, I still keep asking myself, What did Teacher want me to do by making me the Heavenly Emperor? Today, I have a rough idea.”
Li Changshou said in a low voice, “Pardon me, may I ask to hear more of your words, Your Majesty?” General Dongmu could not help but fall into deep thought. Why couldn’t he think of that? The Jade Emperor said, “Heaven, earth, and living beings. How powerful are the Three Realms? Saints can easily refine wind, fire, water, and earth. The disciples of the Saints have the ability to cover the sea and make land sink. The experts of the various races can move mountains, fill the seas, and make the universe spin. I need to restrict them. Before the True Spirits transformed, they were only in the void. However, after the transformation of True Spirits, there were differences in strength. The Heavenly Courts want the strong to be infallible and the weak to live in peace. I need to control it. Changgeng, General Dongmu, are you willing to follow me?” General Dongmu answered firmly, “I’m willing to sacrifice my life to serve you, Your Majesty. I won’t regret it even if I die!”
Li Changshou sighed slowly and smiled. “The path ahead is long. I’m willing to meet you, Your Majesty.” The Jade Emperor turned around and nodded at Li Changshou with a smile. General Dongmu could not help but fall into deep thought again…
He really could not think of that.
The Immortal Peach Banquet hosted by the Jade Emperor and the Heavenly Courts, which was meant for the dragon race, would be held twelve years later. If they do not submit, they will be punished by the Heavenly Punishment… After sending the Jade Emperor and General Dongmu away, Li Changshou settled the paper effigy in Anshui City and fell into deep thought in the secret underground chamber of Little Qiong Peak.
Twelve years was a little short.
The time that the Jade Emperor took the initiative was slightly earlier than he had expected. Li Changshou stood up from behind the desk and walked to the bookshelf in the corner. He took out two treasure pouches and two cloth portraits. He slowly spread them out and they filled the entire secret chamber.
That was the ‘strategy’ he had written when he first accepted the mission of the dragon race to ascend to the heavens.
Most of them had been erased.
Today, after careful consideration, Li Changshou rolled up most of the cloth and hung it in front of him. He burned the True Samadhi Flames.
It was useless.
Li Changshou turned around and looked at the remaining three pieces of cloth on his back, as well as the arrowheads on them.
“Finally, I can use this part.”
Then, Li Changshou took another cloth and drew a drumstick, a bamboo basket, orchid, a slingshot, and a luminous cup on it. This time, he thought for a while and added another hairpin. Then, he sat cross-legged in the air and allowed the cloth to float around him. He picked up his brush and continued to write and draw.
At such a moment, he could not be too passionate and disregard everything.
In the past twelve years, there were still many things that he could do. The Jade Emperor wanted to be decisive and did not hesitate to use the resources of the Purple Cloud Palace. What he needed to do was to quickly regulate this mess so that the Jade Emperor would not have too much resistance when he attacked. He also did not want to leave too many problems behind.
He looked at the area where Ling’e was in seclusion and glanced at the few people playing in the chess room.
Li Changshou smiled and shook his head. He began to focus on thinking.
Actually, the Jade Emperor did not know… His Dao was not inaction. It was just that there were times when he had to make a choice that would be more beneficial for him.
